Sanity Check, Please
Broadcasting from Tigard, Oregon, Mike describes his recent transition from a difficult weekend into a Tuesday work-from-home routine, while also enduring mental health struggles, technical frustrations with his work computer, and his ongoing effort to build a creative nonprofit collective.
Hello, it’s Mike George coming at you live at about 8:30 on a Tuesday morning —wait, is it Monday? Tuesday? Let's just say it's 11 August 2020, and we’re all still here. I’m just outside Portland, in a cute little suburb called Tigard.
I’ve got to write an email to the boss this morning. All that… stuff from yesterday. I’m looking for everything right now — my keys, my focus… looking for my soul, I guess, in a roundabout way.
(Mike approaches a neighbor walking a dog.)
Hi! How are you today? Sorry, just doing a video for a project. What’s your dog’s name? Fox? He’s feeling good? Good. Is it okay if I tape him? It’s just for Facebook. No drama. Too much drama out there anyway. It’s been a weird morning, hasn’t it? A strange, strange morning.
(Mike steps back inside his home, reviews incoming comments.)
I’m back home, guys. Life is good again. I still have that note to my boss to send out. It’s a weekday, after all, and I’ve got things to do. While I’m doing that, how are y’all doing? Caroline, Nicholas—it’s good to see you. Nicholas is a real musician, by the way. I just play one on TV.
Let’s talk context. Everyone loves context, right? We’ve got an election coming up in November, and I think we can all agree it’s bound to be a cluster… well, you know. I’m looking forward to fulfilling my civic obligation, but man, I have mixed opinions. It’s exhausting.
Look at us. A guy walking his dog on his phone. A guy driving his car on his phone. And here I am, with you guys, on my phone. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black, huh?
(Mike approaches his desk, staring at frustration at his laptop)
Why won’t this computer turn on? It’s brand new. Maybe it’s angry at me from last night. There are security parameters on here that stop me from working when I’m… well, let’s just say "blitzed."
Wait. Sanity check. First of all, I need to take my meds. Always take your meds before work, especially when you’ve had to call off for not having them.
(Mike starts his morning routine freshening up)
I recommend Tom’s mouthwash. You don’t have to be a pretentious white bitch to shop at Whole Foods. But seriously, it’s been a rough weekend for a lot of folks. I’ve been feeling a lot lately. I want to talk about what’s real. I’m 34 years old, bitches. I was born in 1986. I’m all about mental health breaks.
I think… I think I’m having a minor panic attack. I’ve had these before. I just need to decompress. If you guys don’t comment, it’s just going to be a black screen. Is that what you want? Just an empty tape? Nothing?
I don’t like this format. This livestreaming thing… it’s stupid. But I’ve got to get to work. It’s Tuesday. The weekend is over.
(Mike walks to the kitchen)
All right, safety moment. I look like… well, I look like I’ve had a morning. But I smell coffee. Is there coffee? Yes. It’s time for coffee.
