Day 52 - Governor Newsom imposes new restrictions

An anarchist known as the “Qanon Shaman” looting and vandalizing our nation’s Capitol…today is a very sad day for America…

1/6/21. Wednesday

Today is my daughter’s 19th birthday.  On this day, a group of anarchists, encouraged by President Trump, scaled the exterior of our nation’s Capital, broke through the front entrance, and stormed the building while Congress was in session. They destroyed the interior, broke numerous windows, and stole objects from lawmakers’ offices.  In other words, they trashed and looted the building. It was horrifying and terrifying to watch.

 Capitol police did nothing for almost 30 minutes and the anarchists stopped to take selfies with law enforcement as they ransacked the capitol, yelling “Where’s Pence?!!”, “Stop the Steal!” and “This is our house!!”   Virtually all participants involved in this coup were white males – ironically, the only anarchist shot and  killed by the cops was a white female. Four people died today.

What was that quote from President Trump a few months ago?...”When the looting starts, the shooting starts” as he was discussing BLM protests on Twitter [this quote was originally spoken by a white, racist, police chief]. Why didn’t that happen, i.e., looting/shooing, at our nation’s capital?  These white, alt-right supremacists, i.e., Proud Boys, Q-Anon, Oath Keepers, etc., vandalized one of our most sacred symbols of democracy and yet, nothing was done.  Oh, I forgot…one capitol police officer shot a female rioter and another capitol police officer asked a male rioter to put his cigarette out.

Today, I am so embarrassed to be an American.  How must the global community view us?  I don’t want the world to think that these “domestic terrorists” [read white, uneducated, redneck males, the core of Trump’s base] represent me or my country.

1/6/21. Wednesday.

9:30 – 10:00 - I’m supposed to pick up an Edible Arrangement for L.’s birthday at this very moment, but I’m sure it’s okay if I’m a little late. Downstairs and the dog is awake and wagging her tail.  Unfortunately, she pooped by the front door.  We go outside and she again pees on the red rocks instead of the Astroturf.  What gives?  Back inside for rotten chicken for her and coffee for me. Upstairs and I wash my face, brush my teeth, and get dressed.

10:00-10:30 – To Edible Arrangements for curbside pick-up along with a box of cookies that I also ordered.  I put an empty box in my trunk so they can put the arrangement in it.  I don’t have to go inside and the employee and I are both masked – I will say again that curbside pick-up is a Covid perk. I listen to Death, Sex, and Money.

10:30-11:00 – To Starbucks for a grande, praline, chestnut latte with whipped cream for L. and a regular coffee for me.

11:00-11:30 – Home and I prepare a typed letter to insert in L.’s B-day card.  I put the card in her car so she can find it when she drives to work.

11:30 – 12:00 – L. is up so I wish her a happy birthday and we discuss the day. Then, she opens the presents that I bought for her, but that she wrapped.  I will say this again.  L. sent me the links of the items she wanted and I ordered them.  When the items arrived, she unpacked them, separated them into Xmas and birthday piles, and then wrapped them herself.  A couple of the items she unwrapped, I forgot that I actually ordered. In honor of her birthday, I tell her I will pick up dinner from her favorite take-out place.  She requests Umaichi Ramen and texts me her order.

12:00-12:45 – I have some steamed carrots and work on a blog post.

12:45 – R. arrives just as I’m leaving to take the dog to the groomer.  He has flowers for L.

Driving. I listen to Today Explained.

1:00 – At groomer.  Hand-off.

1:30 – 2:30 - Return home. R. and L. are watching a movie. I read Blackout and try to follow the news as it unfolds regarding the capitol building breech.  I don’t want to mention this to L. because today is her birthday and I just want her to think good thoughts and have a nice day. 

2:30-2:45 - L. comes into my room and shows me photos of the Trump supporters vandalizing the Capitol.  Of note is the fact that one of the rioters is wearing a huge Viking helmet and his face is painted red and white. He resembles one of those crazy fans seen in football stands. It is inconceivable that this is happening.

2:45 – 3:45 - L. leaves for the studio and I return to my book.

3:45 – 5:45 - I do some yard work since the dog isn’t here.  I’m able to sweep most of the patio and then I finally have the time to sanitize the Astroturf.  I pull down a strand of xmas lights/ice cycles from my gazebo, then I bring the ladder from the garage and straighten up the rose bushes on top of the canopy.  Unfortunately, I note that the canopy is ripped to shreds on one side and must be replaced.  This isn’t unusual as I typically replace the canopy every two years.  I guess it’s time. I listen to Air Talk.

5:45 – I leave for the groomers. I listen to the 365 Organize podcast.

6:00 – Hand off and the dog looks like a poodle again!  Nice and clean and smells great.

6:30 – Home.  Traffic was heavy. I take the dog outside and call in L.’s order at Umachi Ramen.  I also order a pork noodle dish for myself.

6:45 – Driving. I continue listening to the 365 Organize podcast.

7:00 – I pick up the food.

7:15 – Home.

7:15 – 7:50 - L. is home, attending an online class via Zoom.  Today is the first day of school for some of her classes. I order a new canopy for my backyard.

7:50 – L. and I leave for the Magic Mountain Holiday Drive Thru

8:00-9:00 – It’s as good as I remember, but this time there are “2021” signs throughout the park.  L. really likes it and says she had a great birthday. Whew!  I try.

9: 00-9:45 – L. wants to complete an art assignment before we have dinner.  I check my health insurance and retirement pay stubs online to insure my dental, visual, and legal insurance are being deducted  appropriately since these items are not provided by the state.  All good.

9:45 – 11:00 – L. and I watch an episode of The Wilds and eat our ramen.

11:00-12:30 – I shut everything down, take the dog out again, and lock up. I prepare a few food items for my lunch tomorrow and lay out my clothes. I tidy my bathroom.

12:30-1:00 - Nighttime routine and bed.  A jam-packed day.   How can my daughter’s 19th birthday be both rewarding and traumatic?