Notes from Exile...We had ONE job

Y'all. We were so close. SO close. It was really looking like we would turn this pandemic corner to find the light at the end of the 16 month long tunnel. We had two jobs...well, really, one job.

Get vaccinated. Man, I hate needles and I did it. We talked about this. I had reactions afterward. I powered through it. And you can call this post virtue signalling if you like - I call it letting folks know that I did all of this so that we ALL can get back to normal, not just so I can take off my mask and I can go back to activities. It isn't an I, after all. It's a we. We want to get back to normal.

But we apparently aren't as anxious for that as I am. Because we haven't all* gotten vaccinated. We continue to demand to be maskless. We continue to deny that this virus can kill us. We refuse to stop gathering in large groups and carrying on with our lives as though nothing has changed.

And we continue to ignore that herd immunity doesn't work on a virus that can mutate to continue to spread. 

So now, because we don't seem to care about the us as much as the I, we are seeing cases spike again. We see people getting so sick they have to be hospitalised again. We see health care workers pushed to the brink...again. 

We the people becomes every person for themselves...and if I sound even more preachy than normal, it's because I'm angry. The news is full of politicians - not epidemiologists, but politicians - like the Governor of my state that made it illegal to have a mask mandate. Illegal to do something that hurts no one* but will save everyone. 

Please. Get the vaccine if you can. Wear a mask if you are able. If you can't do those things, stay home. It is so simple. Think about someone other than you or yours. 

*I am not referring to anyone who, due to age or medical/health condition cannot get the vaccine or wear a mask. You are part of why I got it, and why everyone should that is able.

Music Monday: Yeah, I know, Enterprise...

 I heard something recently that has stuck with my little nerdy heart. I am a fan of the Star Trek franchise more so than others because at its core, it has HOPE. Not dystopian apocalyptic horror that has to be overcome, but hope. I like that. 

This song speaks to me on that level. You can tell me till you're blue that this is the worst series theme song to go along with the worst series (I've heard that almost verbatim) but I don't care - it is one of my favorites because it has so much of that hope that I mentioned. Enterprise was, in the chronological timeline, near the beginning. It was not far out from the firsts - the first space travel, the first contact, and so many others. And please...Hoshi Sato is who I want to be when I grow up so why wouldn't I love it?

Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam...but for now, join me in appreciating this expression of hope. 

Where My Heart Will Take Meby Russell Watson and Diane Warren
It's been a long roadGetting from there to hereIt's been a long timeBut my time is finally near
And I can feel the change in the wind right nowNothing's in my wayAnd they're not gonna hold me down no moreNo, they're not gonna hold me down
'Cause I've got faith of the heartI'm going where my heart will take meI've got faith to believeI can do anythingI've got strength of the soulAnd no one's gonna bend or break meI can reach any starI've got faithI've got faith, faith of the heart
It's been a long nightTrying to find my wayBeen through the darknessNow I finally have my day
And I will see my dream come alive at lastI will touch the skyAnd they're not gonna hold me down no moreNo, they're not gonna change my mind
'Cause I've got faith of the heartI'm going where my heart will take meI've got faith to believeI can do anythingI've got strength of the soulAnd no one's gonna bend or break meI can reach any starI've got faith, faith of the heart
I've known the wind so cold, I've seen the darkest daysBut now the winds I feel, are only winds of changeI've been through the fire and I've been through the rainBut I'll be fine
'Cause I've got faith of the heartI'm going where my heart will take meI've got faith to believeI can do anythingI've got strength of the soulAnd no one's gonna bend or break meI can reach any star'Cause I've got faith of the heart
I'm going where my heart will take meI've got strength of the soulNo one's gonna bend or break meI can reach any starI've got faithI've got faith, faith of the heartIt's been a long road

Music Monday: As

Just like last Monday, I can't say anything about this without spoiling something. But I can say that it makes me think not only of the current WIP but of several relationships in my novels. Y'all, I didn't set out to write romance novels at all, but my characters fall in love with each other and then what am I supposed to do? 
I'll tell you what...enjoy one of the most perfect love songs ever, so I'm sharing it with you here.

Asby Stevie Wonder
As around the sun the earth knows she's revolvingAnd the rosebuds know to bloom in early MayJust as hate knows love's the cureYou can rest your mind assureThat I'll be loving you always
As now can't reveal the mystery of tomorrowBut in passing will grow older every dayJust as all is born is newDo know what I say is trueThat I'll be loving you always
Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky (Always)Until the ocean covers every mountain high (Always)Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea (Always)Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream
Did you know that true love asks for nothing?Her acceptance is the way we payDid you know that life has given love a guarantee?To last through forever and another day
Just as time knew to move on since the beginningAnd the seasons know exactly when to changeJust as kindness knows no shameKnow through all your joy and painThat I'll be loving you always
As today I know I'm living but tomorrowCould make me the past but that I mustn't fearFor I'll know deep in my mindThe love of me I've left behind'Cause I'll be loving you always
Until the day is night and night becomes the day (Always)Until the trees and seas just up and fly away (Always)Until the day that eight times eight times eight is four (Always)Until the day that is the day that are no more(Did you know that you're loved by somebody?)
Until the day the earth starts turning right to left (Always)Until the earth just for the sun denies itself (I'll be loving you forever)Until dear Mother Nature says her work is through (Always)Until the day that you are me and I am you (Always)Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the skyUntil the ocean covers every mountain high (Always)
We all know sometimes life's hates and troublesCan make you wish you were born in another time and spaceBut you can bet you life times that and twice its doubleThat God knew exactly where he wanted you to be placed
So make sure when you say you're in it but not of itYou're not helping to make this earth a place sometimes called HellChange your words into truths and then change that truth into loveAnd maybe our children's grandchildrenAnd their great-great grandchildren will tellI'll be loving you
Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky (Loving you)Until the ocean covers every mountain high (Loving you)Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea (Loving you)Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream (Be loving you)Until the day is night and night becomes the day (Loving you)Until the trees and seas up, up and fly away (Loving you)Until the day that eight times eight times eight is four (Loving you)
Until the day that is the day that are no more (Loving you)Until the day the earth starts turning right to left (Be loving you)Until the earth just for the sun denies itself (Loving you)Until dear Mother Nature says her work is through (Loving you)Until the day that you are me and I am you (Now ain't that loving you)Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky (Ain't that loving you)Until the ocean covers every mountain high (And I've got to say always)
Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea (Always)Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream (Always)Until the day is night and night becomes the day (Always)Until the trees and seas just up and fly away (Always)Until the day that eight times eight times eight is four
Until the day that is the day that are no more (Always)Until the day the earth starts turning right to leftUntil the earth just for the sun denies itself (Always)Until dear Mother Nature says her work is throughUntil the day that you are me and I am youUntil the rainbow burns the stars out in the skyUntil the ocean covers every mountain high
Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at seaUntil we dream of life and life becomes a dreamUntil the day is night and night becomes the dayUntil the trees and seas just up and fly awayUntil the day that eight times eight times eight is four
Until the day that is the day that are no moreUntil the day the earth starts turning right to leftUntil the earth just for the sun denies itselfUntil dear Mother Nature says her work is throughUntil the day that you are me and I am you

Music Monday: Someone to You

So I mentioned already that this month's Camp Nano is a revision of a manuscript I wrote during a past nano month and a continuation of my Guardians of Orana series, right? Yeah. So there are some things that have to be worked out other than the main conflict (a series of murders that lead to a cult) that I can't talk about because they are spoilery for the one I've just gotten back from the best beta reader turned developmental editor ever...so, yeah. Just know that this is a fantastic song and I heard it this morning and thought, "This is perfect for NAMES REDACTED TO AVOID SPOILERS."

It's also a pretty boppy tune, with a catchy hook and a story that could be an everyman...and elf...and gnome...and REDACTED TO AVOID SPOILERS. Dang it. Enjoy.

Someone to Youby BANNERS
I don't wanna die or fade awayI just wanna be someoneI just wanna be someoneDive and disappear without a traceI just wanna be someoneWell, doesn't everyone?And if you feel the great dividingI wanna be the one you're guiding'Cause I believe that you could lead the way
I just wanna be somebody to someone, ohI wanna be somebody to someone, ohI never had nobody and no road homeI wanna be somebody to someoneAnd if the sun starts setting, the sky goes coldThen if the clouds get heavy and start to fallI really need somebody to call my ownI wanna be somebody to someoneSomeone to youSomeone to youSomeone to youSomeone to you (someone to you)
I don't even need to change the world (change, change the world)I'll make the moon shine just for your viewI'll make the starlight circle the room (circle the room)And if you feel like night is fallingI wanna be the one you're calling'Cause I believe that you could lead the way
I just wanna be somebody to someone, oh (somebody)I wanna be somebody to someone, ohI never had nobody and no road home (I don't have)I wanna be somebody to someone (somebody)And if the sun starts setting, the sky goes coldThen if the clouds get heavy and start to fallI really need somebody to call my ownI wanna be somebody to someoneSomeone to youSomeone to youSomeone to youSomeone to you
The kingdom come, the rise, the fallThe setting sun above it all
I just wanna be somebody to youI just wanna be somebody to someone, ohI wanna be somebody to someone, ohI never had nobody and no road homeI wanna be somebody to someoneAnd if the sun starts setting, the sky goes coldThen if the clouds get heavy and start to fallI really need somebody to call my ownI wanna be somebody to someoneSomeone to youSomeone to youSomeone to youSomeone to youSomeone to you