Well, not really… After more than a month of “far niente,” I am sick of it and I am starting to get singularly antsy. And yes Mae West, there can be too much of a good thing!
I am trying to reason with this impulse, but the Wild is urgently calling and like the forbidden fruit, it is difficult to resist.
Peet’s Coffee, my regular watering hole, was the first place I wanted to investigate.
Upon arriving at the Hamilton Shopping Center in Novato, what struck me was the parking availability. In the good old days, it was fairly difficult to find a space… but today due to far niente it was Parking Heaven. I swear that while leisurely picking a space, I heard heavenly trumpets.
After donning my (wife-made) face mask, I ventured into the strangely empty shopping center.
Peet’s Coffee “we are still brewing” was partially open. You could not get inside, but the door was open and a zombie employee was attending to some (rare) customers.
It seems that some people cannot tackle their job without a cup of java. If I still were in the working force, under these circumstances I would probably opt for a shot of Dutch courage before heading to the office. But to each his own…
Most of the stores were closed, except for a few dining places. It is a little futile to remain open, but I understand and empathize with the predicament of small business owners. It is do or die, and time to circle the wagons.
Despite repeated promises, Uncle Sam is going to assist very few of them. And the Wells Fargo coach has already by ambushed and robbed countless times… There are no greenbacks left…
After a long far niente, there is very little that the government will do to keep small businesses afloat. It has better things to do. It will assist the fat cats, before feeding the starving ones. The conservative religious right motto is and always was “Help yourself and heaven will help you.”
Well, this incursion in enemy territory was not totally satisfying… but with some people still manning the trenches, the city is not about to fall. Reinforcements are coming across Lake Lagoda…
“There’ll be bluebirds over the white cliffs of Dover tomorrow, just you wait and see…”
Alain