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Yeah, me too

Fiona Jefferies

In I hate you so much right now, Oh, the pain Posted August 15, 2021

Fuq this Covid Nonsense

It’s day 43,876,978 of us being in lockdown in Sydney. Or, it feels that way. This week probably hit me most – the ache to see live music, hug my nieces, eat frozen lamingtons with my mum and dad, board a plane to somewhere, anywhere. And to laugh with friends without the glitchy zoom interface. 

My low mood had the occasional uptick seeing Australia perform so brilliantly at the Olympics. I found myself not only watching the sports but scanning the footage for glimpses of Tokyo. The lush green backdrop to the road cycling, to the inner city setting for the hip-jolting action of the 50km walks, to the concrete canal course of the rowing punctuated by bridges, to the circling aerial views of the nighttime stadiums….it’s the lure of a place that’s not my kitchen, my bedroom or my lounge room that makes me ache for places and people I can’t reach. 

I’m riding the daily wave of Corona cases with the somber 11 am presser. Any numbers less than the day before brings me high “YASSSSS! We’re making headway, this is the downward trend happening!!!!” to the spirit-crushing “Nooooo….farkkkkkkk, we’re spiking again!” And so it goes.

The inevitable advice from people who were not asked for advice, adds to the despair. Some Politicians are only too willing to stick the slipper into another for a boost in the polls. Yeah, I’m side-eyeing you Mark McGowan and the other Australian Premiers labeling the Delta surge as the “Sydney Outbreak” as a means of dividing us and bolstering their own opinion polls. I think of the short-term sugar high they get from being so smug when it’s not them staring down the Delta surge and doing the goddamn work, and I’m reminded that in times of struggle and all-around fuckery, you can either be helpful or a hurtful half-wit.  Whatever other state premiers might think of Gladys’ handling of the outbreak, they have to know that we’re all interconnected. Talk of permanent hard borders, closing border bubbles is causing unnecessary pain and distress to families, friends, and businesses separated by the “stay in your own state, Buck-0” hardline stances.  I’ve also experienced enough in my 49 years to know the karmic wheel turns and one day you’re riding high on doughnuts of daily cases and community transmissions and the next, you’re staring down a swiftly moving outbreak on the back of some infected kids sinking Bacardi Breezers on the beach.

My number one self-care go-to at all times is rock and roll, and this week I’ve been hitting the tunes harder than ever to overcome the despair and uncertainty. My salvation has been “Nudge it” by Sleaford Mods featuring Amy Taylor from Amyl and the Sniffers and it has been rightly kicking my arse. 

Chew on this, my hard-rocking friends: 

“I’ve been hard choked into a pool of inaction

It’s all commercial gain to point the seeds of destruction

It’s all a tired meeting in the emerald board

Ticking boxes with the subject for political score”

Songwriters: Amy Louise Taylor / Andrew Robert Fearn / Jason Williamson. Nudge It lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc

The video for “Nudge It” is a real DIY treat complete with social distancing and featuring a natty range of parkas that I’m coveting. It’s also got the coolest chick in rock, Amy Taylor shadow boxing in a Melbourne commuter car park whilst dropping rhymes. Glorious!

Listening to Nudge It this week I’m reminded that whilst daily Covid case numbers surge and retreat, Amy Taylor would not want me, you, or anyone else feeling despondent and bereft of hope. In fact, she’s the life coach we need right now with her call to arms;

“I’ve been putting in the work but you’re barely even trying”

Songwriters: Amy Louise Taylor / Andrew Robert Fearn / Jason Williamson. Nudge It lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc

Amy is having none of your despair

I think of all the times that Australia has been affected by natural disasters, the unrelenting firestorms that caused the death of so many, wiped out so much of our bush, wildlife, and our homes being a recent example. 

Worldwide, we answered the call to donate money, time, and supplies to help communities and animals in need.  So many times I heard people say “I just wish I could do more than donate”.  Covid-19 is our chance to “do more” and keep safe people that we both love and those we’ll never meet. It’s doing the unrelenting grind of staying home, masking up when out, practicing social distancing, and getting the vaccine if you’re able to, that will liberate us from Mark McGowans’ smugness. 

I hope that you’re taking care of yourself and staying healthy, sane, and safe. If that’s feeling a little difficult right now, I’ve found these tiny acts can help “Nudge It: 

• Watch “Nudge It” and delight in the parkas

• 

  Parkas Galore!

  This emergency cute by @reneehowell18 never fails to delight me. I’d recommend following Renee on Insta too, she’s a zookeeper that seems to only work with the cutest of critters.  Top work Renee!

• Moisturize your hands. You need to have good looking hands to give the finger to the tevee every time Mark McGowan and his absolute righteousness comes into frame

My message to you is: You’re doing great, keep going. If it feels hard or a bit shit, it won’t be like this forever.

See you soon at the live gig (girls to the front),

Fiona

Emergency Cute by @reneehowell18