54 Weeks Behind Us (Weekly Update)

 54. 

54 weeks since coronavirus hit the state of Georgia full force.

An update of numbers just so you can see...

And Dr. B!rx's thoughts on the pandemic...

 

Well, we all know that didn't happen sadly.

I know I said I was going to write a post last week about lots of good things going on in my life (there have been some positive things that have happened). But, I was a bit busy last week and I've also been dealing with my ongoing ear issue (which is still super uncomfortable), so the post didn't happen. I have been exercising my jaw, but it's not really working. I was in tears on Friday due to the ear issue plus all the pollen - which is doing a terrible number on my head. I do have an appointment to see my ENT this week. 

 The post is definitely going to happen in the next day or so though. I don't want to mix in my good stuff with all the yucky stuff.

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 So, some BIG news did happen for me last week (Monday). I got VACCINATED!! My first dose (Pf!zer). Yes I did. And I am so, so, so happy about it. I went through a drive-through location and it was a very well-oiled machine. So easy. I'm nervous about getting the second one because I know I might feel a bit icky afterward, but I am very ready for it.

 First one...

The only kink in my happiness is that Bri cannot get vaccinated yet. Until that happens, it's pretty much business as usual - masks and social distancing. I don't want B to get this virus without any protection. There just isn't enough known yet about spread from a vaccinated person.

Once you have been fully vaccinated...

Believe me, I am ready to get back into "normal" life again. I just can't yet.

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Another thing that happened last week was I got my hair cut and colored finally...

I decided to give my hairdresser one more try (if you remember, my last appointment was horrid). I wanted to see if this appointment would be as bad as the last one. Plus, I really needed to get the hair color brand that she uses on my hair in case I decided to change to someone else (she uses a non-ammonia brand on me). I have been with my hairdresser for over 20 years - I just felt the need to give it one more shot.

 And she is now officially NOT my hairdresser anymore. I didn't fire her to her face, but she'll realize in time I won't ever, ever, ever have her touch my hair again.

When she texted to confirm my appointment, I double-checked with her about mask use. She said that hairstylists are still required to wear masks (though she made it clear she wasn't happy about it). She has an associate that shares her salon space with her, so I figured they would both be wearing masks that day. I was prepared for her associate's clients to possibly not be wearing masks, because that isn't required - at least in GA. I walked into the space with my mask on. My hairdresser did not have her mask on when I arrived but did put it on as I entered the room. I looked across the room and neither the associate nor the associate's client had masks on. My hairdresser did NOT inform me that her associate had decided to completely disregard the mask rule (welcome to GA). So, I was pissed to start off. My knee jerk reaction was to leave immediately, but I had to get my hair done (it had to be done) and I really needed that hair color info. 

So, I casually got the hair color info from her and managed to keep the conversation pretty light for about an hour and 45 minutes. Then, she decided to dive into politics as she was drying my hair. Crap. Over the hairdryer, she spewed off things from immigration to the covid bill to the shootings - starting with CO. She obviously knows where I stand on things because I never remove my mask when I am in her presence. For some reason, she has felt free to say whatever she freakin' wants to me lately. Then, she started in on the As!an shootings - to a woman who is raising an As!an daughter. Starts to rant about it not being a hate crime and this and that. That's when I had it. I felt my body shaking. I started to argue back at her. I was so angry. She started to back off a bit, but what a lot of people like her do is try to divert/change or twist the topic. Which is what she did. And when someone says to you the stereotypical "You know, As!ans are smart right?" - you pretty much can figure out you may be dealing with someone who is racist (which she seriously doesn't think she is).

Over the last several years (honestly - since Tr@mp became president), she has made a number of cringe-worthy rac!st comments in my presence. I would try to politely correct her and think to myself she was just ignorant. I had been with her for so many years - I kept telling myself that I was only seeing her a couple times a year, that I had known her for years before she went off the deep end and that she did really good hair. I realize now I should have dumped her years ago. She obviously now feels she has a platform to show her true colors.

She wrapped up drying my hair and then tried to be super sweet to me as I gave her my credit card. I was wondering if she felt she had crossed a line. Maybe. Maybe not. I don't care - I'm done. I was civil enough as I was leaving, but I didn't make another appointment with her. I would be surprised if she didn't realize as I walked out of the door that the relationship was over for good.

I will never EVER put myself in that position again. Her unprofessionalism was astounding to me. I just want a comfortable, enjoyable experience. If I ever wanted to hear anything that F@x News had to say (which I don't), I could turn on the damn TV myself. I don't need it spewed at me while I'm getting my hair done.

What a long few hours. Holy moly.

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  Speaking of mask use, when Doug and I took Bri to a bookstore a couple of weeks ago, the first person we encountered entering the store was maskless. And so were her older grandkids. The sign on the door said...

A private company. Just like "no shoes, no shirt, no service." Companies do NOT have to serve you or let you stay on their private property if you do not follow the rules...

I was pretty angry that she was blatantly ignoring the rules of the store. And also showing her grandkids that they don't have to respect rules. About 30 minutes later, I actually did see her with a mask on. I wonder if someone said something to her.

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And I guess I'll end with this. Remember in my last post when I said all this about GA...

Lucky me, now I get to add the sick, twisted, rac!st massive voter suppression bill that Georgia signed into law on Friday to that list! Unbelievable. I wasn't sure things could get uglier around here, but dang I was wrong. I would move out of GA tomorrow if I could.

There are no words. Just none. 

I'll let these pictures do the talking for me...

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So, I promise to write a happier, more positive post next. I didn't want to mix all this icky crap in with the good. Though - the vaccine news was good!

Wish me good luck at my ENT appointment this week. I am hoping for some helpful guidance on next steps.

Be back in a couple of days!