Music in Isolation

In this time of lockdowns and quarantines, we generally at some point have taken time to clean and rearrange our storage rooms and have likely discovered and remembered forgotten items.

On top of my dresser and encased in its dusty brown carton, Kai, my soprano ukulele, has been sleeping for years – waiting for music. While Taylor Swift created Folklore, I found refuge in playing Kai in this time of isolation.

In my laptop is a random collection of songs I play in ukulele for which I have carefully researched for their easy chords. I kept a copy of them even if they can be searched in the internet as You Tube and Google can be convoluted. It is always nice to have them in handy whenever I feel like playing. As the collection grew, I realized that I can compile them and create an ebook to share especially to beginners who may find it hard to search for simpler chords that sound just as lovely.

Drop by my shop to have a sneak peek. Enjoy playing with your uke.

Kindness in the Time of Covid-19

70 days and counting. Staying home due to Covid-19 is changing us – how we live, how we think, and how we cope. In varying degrees, each one of us feel the impact of the pandemic in our lives – socially, economically, environmentally, spiritually, and mentally.

Technology is helping us grapple with the vicissitudes of the outbreak. But, while it is keeping us entertained, the temporary filler of delight does not eliminate the psychological strain. If one is not mindful, it can even reinforce desperation.

With the virus not sparing anyone to be infected due to the absence of a cure or vaccine, some say that it levels humanity to an equal footing for which I disagree. The strength of one’s immune system alone is a factor of survival and demise. And the list of determinants – financial, political, etc., go on.

So, how do we withstand the absurdity of our time? Be kind to yourself and others. At this time of incomprehensible strangeness and unpredictability, it is common that the reason to be anxious is high and the foresight of hope is low. You may be content and unruffled, but, a percentage of your family members and friends are struggling to make sense.

Again, be kind.

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© rooks 2020