April 30, 2020
Snapped during our drive to the coast this past weekend
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It’s a bit strange writing this. In an alternate universe where COVID-19 didn’t happen, my girlfriend and I would be on a road trip around Taiwan after just leaving our favorite festival, Organik. We would’ve been enjoying ‘funemployment’ to the fullest. And in a few weeks, we’d be in the States enjoying the west coast and seeing old friends. But in [this] reality, things couldn’t be more different. Organik was canceled months ago, our road trip has been delayed, we’re still gratefully employed (33 million unemployed in the US currently), and our friends are quarantined in their homes.
We live in the upside-down…and in a box
Everyone has their own reactions and how they are dealing with the current environment. For me, I’m riding the wave and open to what’s coming next. But that wasn’t the case when this started. It was only until recently until I accepted the situation and go with the flow.
During this time of quarantine around the world, I felt like I was falling behind. I had a constant feeling of FOMO. It seemed like everyone was revamping their website, writing the next blog, reading the book that would change their lives, or watching the newest Tiger King. I didn’t have time for that. I had to work and keep up my daily routine mostly because I could. I felt I had to do the things that everyone else couldn’t. It was difficult trying to describe the situation here without sounding overly arrogant. This tweet from a few weeks ago really resonated with me.
Last week, my life was a bit different. I suffered an injury to my foot which greatly hampered my mobility. I couldn’t go to the gym, play tennis, or even ride my bike to work. I could barely walk. For a week, I was forced to not only slow down but to basically stop.
So did I take this time to write new articles, update my website, or finish that book or TV series (I did finish Tiger King)? Not quite. Aside from significant pain, I mostly used the time to chill. The weather was pretty bleak here in Taipei. There wasn’t an urge to get out [even if I wanted to]. There was a sense of ease realizing that I didn’t have to do anything except getting better. For the first time since I could remember, I rested. There wasn’t any trip planning, worrying about my finances, or hitting my next weight gain target.
But that didn’t mean life stopped. A bunch of friends back home are going through some big life changes. New homes, babies, and newly discovered cooking skills trickled through my Facebook and Instagram feeds. It just showed me that life goes on even during this unprecedented time.
My big realization was that I really missed my friends back home. With my trip being canceled, I have to settle for Zoom calls and online poker games until whenever this ends. My partner and I are starting to plan our road trip for July. Things are starting looking up! So for me, life goes on as well. My time won’t be spent trying to predict the future or catch up to the past. I’m going to enjoy the present.
ZeroZeroZero…ZeroZero
This is not about the show but I’m hearing great things. For the fifth day in a row, Taiwan has report zero new cases of COVID-19. It’s also the 18th day of no new cases from community spread. Although this is an accomplishment, the government is urging people to stay vigilant, maintain good personal hygiene, and practice social distancing during the long labor day holiday weekend.
The Only Show in Town?
If you’re a sports fanatic like me, this lockdown is quite unbearable. My mornings used to be filled with at least 2-3 live streams of any live sports events going around the world. Basketball, soccer, golf, you name it. Now, I watch 90’s NBA games on YouTube and listen to podcasts of my favorite sports journalists break down episodes of an MJ documentary. But there are professional sports still going on. And they are in Taiwan. Roger Sherman from The Ringer wrote about his obsession with a player in the Taiwan Super Basketball League. The championship winner-take-all game is happening today.
Taiwanese baseball isn’t a complete unknown. There are a number of former and current Taiwanese players in the MLB system. One of my favorite players on the Yankees was Chien-Ming Wang. As spring blooms in the US, people are looking for their fix of the American pastime. The league is now hitting the spotlight as an English broadcast team has started calling the games for the worldwide audience. Check out the mascots wearing masks!!
As an aforementioned Yankees fan, I’ll just leave this one here:
Side note: I met Manny one night while living in Chicago and I didn’t hate him.
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