Day 8 - BA2.12.1 is the current variant

Bookclub Brunch today, with Mom and L., at the Butcher, Baker, and the Cappuccino Maker restaurant…

This is the book we discussed…

5/19/22. Thursday

5:00-5:15- My alarm goes off, but I stay in bed for transition time.

5:15-5:30-Feeling pretty rough today. I go downstairs to say good morning to the animal but she’s still asleep. The minute I start warming up my coffee, she jumps off the couch and walks over to say hello. We head outside so she can go potty, then return inside. Cheese for her; coffee for me. I grab a bag of ice and go upstairs.

5:30-6:15-I sit in the shower, drink my coffee, and ice my eyes, while listening to The Daily. Lotion. I dress in Sexy Librarian attire in accordance with my Curated Closet project. A knee-length, navy/gold, floral-paisley skirt that my Mom gave me several years ago and a blouse. I load all of my bags in the car and I’m out the door by 6:15.

6:15-7:30-Driving. Yep, still in the carpool lane. If I drove in regular traffic, I would never make it to the Charter High School in time. As usual, the traffic is horrible. I have apple slices and almond butter for breakfast and listen to Burnout. I put my makeup on in the car and listen to Be Wealthy and Smart.

7:30-7:45-In the parking lot and I put the finishing touches on my make-up. I walk straight onto campus - I stopped signing in at the office and stopping in front of the standing thermometer last week because it’s stupid.

8:00-9:30-Class is in session. It’s a 50-minute podcast today followed by the podcast quiz. I don’t have to do anything which is great because I’m exhausted.

9:30-9:45-Class dismissed and I drop off the Attendance.

9:45-10:45-Driving. Traffic is horrible, but what’s new? I have a spinach salad and some Sugarfina gummies, while listening to another episode of Burnout.

10:45-11:15-Back in town and I stop at Sees Candies to buy my Mom a box of candy for Mothers Day. Nobody is in the store, but the employee is masking. Odd.

11:15-11:30-Home and L. leaves to wash her car. My mom arrives bearing gifts: champagne, books, banana bread, birthday card, and a birthday check!!. I change into jeans and L. returns with a clean car.

11:30-12:30-we leave for Bookclub Brunch at the Butcher, Baker, Cappuccino Maker. L. drives.

12:30-2:00-there’s a line to get in and most of the customers are masking, which I find odd. None of the employees are masked. I only mask at the Charter High School these days because I’m forced to - that’s still their policy. Try lecturing/teaching in a mask some time…it’s absolutely horrible. I don’t know how teachers were able to mask the entire day. After 90 minutes, I can’t wait to take it off. I’ve already had Omicron and I was boosted last week so what’s the point? Even so, when all is said and done, I still prefer eating outside. I have the egg croissant with potatoes, two Mimosas, and coffee. Everything is incredible and I have no leftovers to bring home. We discuss Women in the Picture for Bookclub Brunch.

This book is L.’s referral and the author, Catherine McCormack, is an Art History professor. It appears that the book originated while Catherine was doing some preliminary research for a feminist art history class she was scheduled to teach, specifically how women are depicted in paintings.

The book is fascinating, but disturbing. After what can only be called extensive research, Catherine concludes that throughout all time, women in art have been portrayed in just four categories: 1) Venus; 2) Mothers; 3) Maidens and Dead Damsels; and 4) Monstrous Women. She compares ancient pieces of work (for example, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus) to present day masterpieces (Beyonce’s Instagram photo announcing she was pregnant with twins) to elucidate the point. Each chapter is replete with art selected specifically for that category. There are pictures, of course, but Catherine also provides an interesting and useful “back story” (historical account) to include the societal context at the time and the circumstances that led to the creation of the particular piece she is referencing.

Really loved this book and highly recommend!

2:00-3:00-Driving. Return home and Mom leaves.

3:00-5:30-I take a nap.

5:30-6:00-I put on my walking uniform, put my hair in pigtails, and freshen my make-up.

6:00-6:30-I drive to the Circle J Park where my Striders group is meeting tonight.

6:30-7:30-It’s very windy and a little chilly. My body feels really stiff today and time is moving so slowly. I walk by myself, but I prefer it. I make it through [1 hour - 3 miles] and leave.

7:30-8:00-Driving.

8:00-9:00-Home and I’m really stiffening up. I sit in my chair and promptly fall asleep.

9:30-10:30 - Nighttime routine. Bed