Hop's Thoughts

This was my Facebook post this morning I have seen so many posts of articles saying Gen X was made for this situation. REALLY? We're the most financially irresponsible segment of the country, which is why it is, yes, US, who is running out buying toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and rice, like we're going to be holed up in our parent's basement for six years. We're career-obsessed, which many call "family-work balance_ because we've managed to ignore our families so easily, that two weeks spent with them is a burden. That being said, we're also the ":No, don't do that," generation, despite bragging about "well if we survived this...." We're the question authority generation, and because of this, we're the assholes who need that $4 latte, instead of staying put and making a better cup of coffee for 11 cents. We take pride in our homes. Well, we did until we were forced to actually stay in the

Instead of Tiger King, possibly watch some great, some entertaining, some thought-provoking films that use isolation, loneliness, solitude, pandemic, quarantine, and at times, impending doom or death as a plot device. Yes, some of these are pure fun, maybe even horror, but they all have a bit of a similar theme. And no, not all of these are dark and depressing. Amelie - Jean-Pierre Jeunet Bronson - Nicholas Winding Refn Chunking Express - Wong Kari-wai Duel - Steven Spielberg Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - Michael Gondry Exam - Stuart Hazeldine Her - Spike Jones Here Alone - Rod Blackhurst It Comes At Night - Trey Edward Shults Jeanne Dielman, 23, Quai de Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles - Chantal Ackerman Late Spring - Yasujiro Ozu Locke - Steven Knight Lost in Translation - Sofia Coppola Man Push Cart - Ramin Bahran Moon - Duncan Jones Night of the Living Dead - George Romero Repulsion - Roman Polansky Secret Honor - Robert Altman The Seventh Seal - Ingmar Bergma

In general, people are more friendly when they know they are being watched, but much more selfish when they believe they are not. Extroverts have taken this in style. Introverts are craving attention. Have you taken a walk recently and noticed how much less litter there is? Have you smelled the air? Looked at lakes, ponds, and streams? It's amazing. I had no idea rice was the most consumed food in America. The average speed on side roads is 55. There is no speed limit on highways. The restauranteurs who truly know food, from various cuisines, seem to be the ones helping out the most people in their industry. Even dogs seem happy to see more dogs. People who claim to be the happiest are really not adjusting to this well. I hope we can all appreciate that if this happened during the late spring, summer, or early fall, we'd all be dead by now. Old people, like myself, who look forward to weekly circulars are confused. Honestly, I'm a very good shopper. I can

In these chaotic times, when the average American is turned into a savage beast, vying for the sacred paper to wipe their divine asses, many of us are forced to make a choice on what is essential and what is frivolous. From the looks of the news, social media, and the grocery store, pasta, rice, and cleaning supplies have trumped (pun fully intended) fruits and vegetables. Pop-tarts have vacated the shelves, while peanut butter is in full supply. Canned tomatoes are plentiful, while microwavable pizzas seems scant. The world is not hunkering down for the apocalypse, they are shopping as if they are having a bunch of the frat boys stay at their home for a long weekend. Is this the true answer to the Covid-19 or to our "great" nation's obesity, heart and lung diseases, and the escalating occurrences of diabetes? I am stuck where I am and unfortunately, not alone. My solace comes from long afternoons on the bed with my cat, Swag, and when he's not outside too, long wal

For the past week to ten days, I've read and listened to everyone complain about their boredom, their fears, and their plans on coping with solitude. It started with bucket list-type goals, plans for homeschooling, and taking up hobbies to bide one's time. People since have joked about their sanity levels, made funny memes and videos, embraced the serenity of nature without all the traffic, and procrastinate about their alleged plans. People have taken to reading, cooking, binge-watching television, working out, and many, just drinking. The range of activities is vast and through social media, the shares have created a connection that has broken through this distancing. Some, however, have ignored the warnings, while others have taken it to extremes. As of yet, we know little, if anything, about when this will all be over. We just know it's here and we are all, in our personal estimation, taking the needed steps. Most I know, are also sharing information about what to do to

As the week started, I was babysitting. As jobs began to become limited, then halted, my gig was up and I too was welcomed to the world of social distancing. With the exception of a roommate, a neighbor, and a chance brief meeting with two acquaintances, while on a walk, I've basically stayed isolated, sans one shopping trip for food and one for liquor. I have gone for a ride through the hills, taken my neighbor's dog for two walks, and spent time outside with Swag and my roommate's dog, Whooza. I've been content when I'm alone. All alone. I have learned that I truly value solitude as much as I believed I did. I have changed my views on people having true negative energy. I know with certainty that another's anxiety is not only contagious, but debilitating I realize just how financially unstable I am and how lucky I am, for at least a month. Deep thinking or meditation should be done outdoors whenever possible. I have cemented my perception of who I am an

Spirituality has many definitions and is viewed very differently by those of deep faith, weekend worshippers, lax believers, and those who find their higher power in something as simple as mountain or a sunset. I do not pretend to know what is true spirituality and I definitely do not view myself as a spiritual being. I do however view myself as a keen observer of a lot and am comfortable enough with myself to know when behaviors in others simply don't match what they think they are projecting. During this brief time of isolation, self-quarantine, and social distancing, I've noticed a very pattern among those I know. Those who view themselves as spiritual are having a very hard time, ironically, being alone in this world. They have not embraced solitude, peacefulness, quiet contemplation, or simply the time to appreciate nature, even in something as simple as sound. They do not appreciate the lull in the noise and congestion of industry, as nature seems to be both literally a

Most people aren't doing it as it should be done. Myself included, so no judgment. We all need to eat, to pay bills. Those of us who rent are in a much more serious situation, because our deal may not be salvaged by some government leniency or bailout. Those of us who rent and aren't salaried employees have a feeling of impending doom, that no matter how hard we try to put on a happy face, we are in fact, Joker. Social media has shown us that people have stayed the same, simply magnified. The "Kindness Krewe" has amped up their reminder to do things most of us do every day sans themselves of course. The fake agoraphobics have pretended to be burdened by this seclusion because it's not their choice. The introverts are claiming antsiness, while the extroverts are complaining about missed social lives which are much more exaggerated than they claim publicly. Parents are speaking of homeschooling as if they shouldn't have been teaching their kids, every day, a

Equality, for many of us, is a given. I'd like to believe, a true feminist already views themself as an equal. A true feminist would not view themselves as better, especially than other women. They would not feel joy over the simple praise of a man, who views their achievements as monumental, because they'd wonder if that praise would be the same for a man. They would not view success as respect from men, simply because they receive it. They would view praise from women as far more empowering, I would think. I think the thing that sticks out the most to me is that the strongest women I've known in my life have been the most caring. They've made me better, because they shared their strength. They gained my respect, by treating me as an equal. They made me fight for them, not because they needed it, not because they asked, but because I knew they'd fight for me. Often, I wonder if some women really want feminism. Our voting in the last election seems to say otherw

Before you, we did not realize common-sense hygiene was important. Before you, we took sterilization of oft-used public items for granted. Before you, we didn't know where some countries were. Before you, we didn't realize one-third of our country was painfully dumb. Before you, we didn't realize others don't wash their hands when they are dirty. Before you, we didn't realize how many people can actually make themselves sick. Before you, we'd forgotten the Olympics were this summer. Before you, we'd assumed the most dangerous things were in the "other" Washington. Before you, lime jokes were lost on people who don't know what scurvy is. Before you, hypochondriacs had to bear the brunt of our scorn. Before you, those surgical masks looked like an odd fashion accessory. Before you, kids' snot was simply kids' snot. Before you, we treated common decency, personal space, manners, and etiquette much like we respect others' pr

Top 3: City of God, Starred Up, Joker Bottom 3: The Irishman, Extremely Wicked Shockingly Evil and Vile, The House Biggest Suprise: Suicide Squad Biggest Letdown: The Lighthouse Best Actor: Joaquin Phoenix, Joker Best Actress: Hailee Stanfield, The Edge of Seventeen Best Supporting Actor: Kang-ho Song, Parasite Best Supporting Actress - Yeo-jong Jo, Parasite Best Director: Todd Philips, Joker Best Screenplay: Agnes Varda, La Pointe Courte Best Cinematography: Mariel Baqueiro, Hagazussa Best Documentary: Love, Antosha Michelle Wolf: The Joke Show - Cringe-worthy, but hilarious. Theo Von: No Offense - One of the better lesser-known comics. Crosses many lines, well! Once Upon A Time In Hollywood - Well-acted, beautifully shot, and fun. But not great!  Game of Thrones: Season 7 - A little hectic, but still keeps you enthralled.  Starred Up - Predictable and familiar, but all-star acting sets this prison drama apart. Free Fire - Like Shoot Em Up, an all-star ca