Lately it would seam the word hero is being bandied around quite liberally, and honestly I don't disagree with who its being showered upon, I mean come on shower the people you love with love and all that, but, it has gotten to me a little, and as I sit, still swimming and marveling in the thing that truly gets you through the repetitiveness of "shelter -in-place" or "#stayhome" , the world of "Magical Mystery Tours" aligning with the "Spiders from Mars", and yes Gustav Holst "Planet Suite" the melancholy mood enhancements, yet sheer transportation thrills of music.
So as my turntable spun the next disc of wonderment and escapism, It got to me a little as I chewed on The Beautiful Souths lyrics by Paul Heaton...
But never been bono or sting
However I dressed never really impressed
So they never got to hear a damn thing
I've been bad man sad man certified mad
But never 007 or saint
Trendsetter go getter international jet setter
Are just a few things that I ain't"
Trendsetter, Go getter International jet setter ...
Hmmm, i'm also not a Nurse, Bin Man, Grocery Store Clerk, Farmer, Truck Driver, Scientist, Doctor, NHS worker, Janitor, Food Handler, School Counselor, Bus Driver, Foster Care worker, Non Profit staffer, Nursing Home attendant, Police man, Security Guard, News Reporter, Fireman, Ambulance Driver.......
You see its easy to hear all this shoved down your throat and not for the lack of wanting to be grateful, but i also, have up heaved my life and am currently working more than 10-12 hours a day in a Work From Home environment, to keep afloat a family that has also suffered layoff, furlough and dried up business revenue, so yeah David Bowie had it right and I also wanna be a Hero, maybe just for one day...
Is that so wrong?
I sing the song as well for every one of my fellow Americans and well yes all you World denizens out there that are struggling to make life as normal as can be expected.
To those that have joined the unemployment lines, I salute you,
For those in trades such as mine, I salute you, that we have to work twice if not three times as hard to produce less than half of what we used to do, in order to bring home less than half of what we used to, that has to spread round three times more than it used to, are we not ourselves instead of "Holding out for a Hero" as Bonnie Tyler sang, maybe in our own selves The Hero that comes along, as Mariah sang.
We are still searching for that patriarchal or maternal dominance we once used to feel when our families looked up to us as the unwritten hero's we once were.
You know who you are, you're just like me, yes there's time now to play but we mustn't connect, there's now time to talk, but only through screens, there's now time to travel, but that's not allowed, you can go to the beach, but don't dare sit down....
Profit, power and control will one day again resume control, I understand this, its how the world works...but for now then dear Celebrity and Politician, we are not all in the same boat or prison as you like to post, your prisons seam to have swimming pools, and movie theaters, and unlimited time to watch Netflix or play video games, and order from the over inflated delivery companies like Door Dash or Uber eats, blend exquisite cocktails and create Tik Toks...
I fear i may not be a hero, as i don't wear spandex, leap tall buildings, fight crime, or have a butler....
I choose to dedicate this to my fellow newly derogatorily labelled "non essential", personnel.
You, yes you, Retail Store Worker, Teacher, Waitress, Furniture salesperson, Insurance broker, Barman, Personal Trainer, Gym Worker, Gardner, Realtor, Florist, Hairdresser, Spa Worker, Museum Worker, Admin Worker, Disneyland Employee, Movie Theater Worker, Concert Hall Worker, Landscaper, Caterer, Barista, Manufacturer, Cosmetologist......
You are the ones that have been punched in the gut and you keep bouncing back, you never give up and never surrender ( Thanks Winston) it is the realization that like me, you all are Hero's of a different kind, and yes we can be hero's just for one day, or we can claim our blue collar mantel, our work your ass off attitudes and be true "Working Class Hero's"
As soon as you're born they make you feel small
By giving you no time instead of it all
Till the pain is so big you feel nothing at all
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
Till the pain is so big you feel nothing at all
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
They hurt you at home and they hit you at school
They hate you if you're clever and they despise a fool
Till you're so fucking crazy you can't follow their rules
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
They hate you if you're clever and they despise a fool
Till you're so fucking crazy you can't follow their rules
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
When they've tortured and scared you for twenty-odd years
Then they expect you to pick a career
When you can't really function you're so full of fear
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
When you can't really function you're so full of fear
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
Keep you doped with religion and sex and TV
And you think you're so clever and classless and free
But you're still fucking peasants as far as I can see
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
And you think you're so clever and classless and free
But you're still fucking peasants as far as I can see
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
Excellent reflection and yes absolutely everyone is a hero through these times. The world will not be the same on the other side and neither will we but getting through is our priority......whatever that means to individuals. Be safe x
ReplyDeleteYou are most definitely a hero! And not only today but everyday, to your family and friends, who you support with your kindness.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cori, truly appreciate the words, I do hope you and the family are well and surviving this mess, one day we shall meet again !!
DeleteStay safe my friend
Good words Graham. Such crazy times. We are all traveling through this Pandemic in different ways. My Mom lives alone, David's Mom is in Memory care and we can't visit. We are unable to visit some of the kids up close and can't hug our grandchild...there is fear we might infect someone even though we aren't feeling sick. We're happy to have jobs, but prefer them the way they used to be. I buy several of something when I see it for the first time in 7-8 weeks for fear I won't see it again. I'm not hoarding...I'm planning. I run to clear my head...and to get out of the house. Happy to have one by the way. Glad I like my husband. :) Stay safe and well friends.
DeleteThis was on a friends FB page and struck me as so true living here on the Eastside.
WE ARE NOT IN THE SAME BOAT ...
I heard that we are all in the same boat, but it's not like that. We are in the same storm, but not in the same boat. Your ship could be shipwrecked and mine might not be. Or vice versa.
For some, quarantine is optimal. A moment of reflection, of re-connection, easy in flip flops, with a cocktail or coffee. For others, this is a desperate financial & family crisis.
For some that live alone they're facing endless loneliness. While for others it is peace, rest & time with their mother, father, sons & daughters.
With the $600 weekly increase in unemployment some are bringing in more money to their households than they were working. Others are working more hours for less money due to pay cuts or loss in sales.
Some families of 4 just received $3400 from the stimulus while other families of 4 saw $0.
Some were concerned about getting a certain candy for Easter while others were concerned if there would be enough bread, milk and eggs for the weekend.
Some want to go back to work because they don't qualify for unemployment and are running out of money. Others want to kill those who break the quarantine.
Some are home spending 2-3 hours/day helping their child with online schooling while others are spending 2-3 hours/day to educate their children on top of a 10-12 hour workday.
Some have experienced the near death of the virus, some have already lost someone from it and some are not sure if their loved ones are going to make it. Others don't believe this is a big deal.
Some have faith in God and expect miracles during this 2020. Others say the worst is yet to come.
So, friends, we are not in the same boat. We are going through a time when our perceptions and needs are completely different.
Each of us will emerge, in our own way, from this storm. It is very important to see beyond what is seen at first glance. Not just looking, actually seeing.
We are all on different ships during this storm experiencing a very different journey.
Realize that and be kind.
Unknown author
Excellent commentary of the times we have suddenly found ourselves.. learning how to refind ourselves at the same time -- these days give us a pause however to question it all, especially the constant spinning of life that keeps us too worn out to ever be able foto pauser for a refocus. May we all come out of this, thro the awesome struggle for many every day right now, with a stronger sense of roots & appreciation for those things that truly matter! Hope you continue with this craft.. awesome work, bro! 🙏❤️
ReplyDeleteHere's to the other side, this world or the next....Gratitude Graham
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