Lock-down Day 66

Seems like I've settled into lock-down life, doesn't it? Well, in some ways it's no different than when I'm between projects - just that the uncertainties no longer affect only me, but everyone. And my boss is experiencing the same uncertainties he always imposed on me, with his 'won't say anything until I know for sure' policy.

I've said that the different Levels haven't made much difference - in many aspects that's true. There are a lot of thoughtless restrictions, which could have made the 'hard lock-down' unbearable for me - only, I was one of the lucky ones. Like shutting down the whole country mid-move - no thought was given to people who had arranged to move at the end of March! Or the exclusion of essential repairs, specifically household appliances! Fridge, Kettle, Microwave, Stove, Oven, Washing machine - those are all essential! At the very least there should have been a channel of communication - where South Africans could alert government on the effect of their oversight! And then they allowed 7 people to crowd into minibuses! And they wonder why the disease keeps spreading!

The complete and utter misuse of the Police FORCE was another inexcusable mistake! They could have been a great asset - had their orders been to 'serve and protect'. Instead, they were let loose like a bunch of caged bullies! But what can you expect when you have a Police Minister who idolises 1920s gangsters to the point where he dresses like them, and his entire attitude and behaviour mimics a mob boss!

When they responded to any form of criticism with threats - that's when the mantle of 'health' slipped and their true colours were revealed! They actually want to hold Facebook Group Admins responsible for posts by members? Prosecute them? Seriously? So much for freedom of speech!

But it's their arrogant assumption of omniscience that caused the worst of the suffering! As I said, there was no means of communicating the plight caused by their oversights - instead, they got busy micro-managing our lives by implementing even more irrational regulations.

I've been very lucky, though. None of my household appliances needed repair, and I was able to stock up on most of what I would need, even though I had to compromise quality. Neither I nor my cats are going hungry, I have internet, so I can stay informed - and I can even still help people who are worse off than I am. The worst aspect for me, personally, has been this irrational ban on the sale of cigarettes. But now that I have secured a source - it's no longer an issue.

Well, that's not quite true. It's still an issue because a) I'm paying twice as much for a carton, b) the brand available is sub-standard, it's the brand I used to smoke in PE, which caused breathing and coughing problems, until I changed to a more expensive brand, and c) I can only get the strongest type! So, it still IS an issue for me; since I now take only a few puffs of this strong brand, to avoid the health issues which caused me to change brands! And, of course, as this is a 'cheap' brand, I'm not really paying double the retail price, but triple!

Well, I woke to Mewthos happily twirling on the bed! He makes a kind of gro-purr sound when he does that - like he's purring and growling at the same time. More like humming along? My little weirdo!

I let them out and sat down here - only to find the game not working. So, I took a little time to write.

I had made a plan last night, what I wanted to do today, so I got started quite early. Laundry, dishes, then bread dough and cookie dough. I meant to make wholemeal, just to get a decently risen loaf for a change and to use up the nutty wheat flour - but then decided, since I've finished the 'bad' batch, to go for white, after all. Mistake! Blerry thing sits like a spiteful lump at the bottom of the pan, refusing to rise! Well, I've rolled it into a thin, long loaf - like a baguette.

Of course, I'm now wondering WHY I keep ending up with lumps? It's a different bag of flour now, a different batch of yeast, different sugar even. I think I should make a batch with either wholemeal or brown bread flour, after all, just to see the result! Dang! That, of course, means that I can't mix in the nutty wheat, or I won't know the cause.

As I was making my coffee this morning, I thought how it would be different with the coffee maker, and I feel confident that I'll be using it. It's not so very different. I used to fill the kettle in the evenings, so that all I would have to do in the morning was switch it on - but that doesn't work so well, when you're not in a block of flats, as the ants get into the kettle. Now I fill it in the mornings - which gets a bit tricky in winter, when it's still dark, because I don't like putting on the lights. Silly, I know, but I don't like bright lights, unless I'm reading.

I remembered the mushrooms I had bought last week - and forgotten until now. I've now made a sauce with them and sour cream again, and added some screw noodles - which I enjoyed for dinner. The bread doesn't look too bad - looks like it did some more rising in the oven while it was baking.

I made another batch of cookie dough and also baked another two batches. If I keep up this pace, I should manage to build up stock! Even though they are still irresistibly delicious! I also make them bite-sized - not big, so I can just pop one in my mouth! I prefer that to having to bite pieces off, as there are always crumbs - and with good cookies,  crumbs are such a waste!

As I was baking cookies, someone started a watch party - our president was talking again. This time, I have to say, I didn't switch off in disgust. He admitted to several mistakes, among them the way the cigarette ban announcement was handled. He also said they are building the foundation of a National Health System - which I feel is much needed! Too many people go without treatment, simply because it's beyond their financial means. Strangely enough, even though he admitted to receiving massive aid from China - he also said that from here onward, the country should look to local manufacturers and local goods, rather than import. I'm not quite sure what to make of it all ... let it sink in and marinate for a while :)

More exciting news is that the first commercial rocket has been launched! Meme's are going around saying 'Two men left earth! Good choice!'. Personally, I believe that space is an important frontier, if humanity wants to survive and keep growing. If we stay on Earth, we will stagnate - and the current conspiracy theories are just what we'll percolate / marinate in, and that's not progress.

Here's some fun: A few minutes ago, the Minister of Education announced that School re-opening has been postponed. FFS! At 8 in the evening, the night before they change the date? How many parents won't receive that information in time? How many kids will show up at school? What a total eff-up!

Oh, and even if they lift the ban on the sale of cigarettes - they're busy with legislation making smoking illegal just about everywhere! I'm just shaking my head here ...

Anyway, I've enjoyed a lovely bath, mippies are all curled up on the bed - they all came without much of a wait, tonight! And I've eating quite a few cookies ... they ARE irresistible!