What's So Funny?

What’s So Funny? 

By, Michael Earnshaw

March 23, 2020

@EduChefEarnshaw

“Can you just pause it? No one can even hear what is going on. You’re laughing too loud!” my wife said with some irritation infecting her voice.

I tried to respond, but I couldn’t even get tangible words out.

My daughter chimed in. “Dad, you’re crying.”

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I have numerous blogs that I have started over the past week and a half. Some of them contain material I may eventually share, but most of them are just rants from someone trying to make sense of everything going on in our world right now with the COVID-19 pandemic. Each of these blogs that are quarantined in a “Drafts” folder started off with hope but all quickly turned to fear, anger, and frustration within the blink of an eye. Sound familiar?

It’s frustrating. I have all of this “extra” time on my hands, as do the rest of the world. I’m getting projects done around the house that I have been putting off. I’ve proven to my son that I still am the king at Super Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Mario Aces Tennis. My daughter has taught me how to make homemade Squishees. But the one goal I had for myself has been escaping me and it’s more frustrating than being stuck inside my home for what seems like an always moving target.

I would have thought that during this time I would have numerous blogs posted and chapter after chapter of my book written. I’ve got many of those B-side blogs, maybe one day to see the light of day in a boxed set collection years down the road. My book. It’s at the same spot as it was before our new “normal” began, like waiting for a pot of water to boil without turning on the flame.

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“Alright everyone, we loved the first one, let’s check out the new ‘Jumanji’ movie,” was what I declared to my family.

My son, who is a perfectionist for numbers and order replied, “Dad, you know it’s actually not the second ‘Jumanji’, it’s the third. The first one was from when you were a kid. Wasn’t that a board game?”

“You’re right! Babe, remember that one, with Robin Williams?” I asked.

“Here we go. Everyone ready?” I asked to save myself a trip in fifteen minutes when someone requested popcorn or water.

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“Mike, seriously, what is so funny? Just stop!” my wife was now demanding with authority.

After 180 seconds of the movie being paused I was finally able to get out some words. “I don’t know, it’s just that seeing The Rock act like he’s Danny DeVito, and Kevin Hart acting like he’s Danny Glover, it’s just hilarious! I can’t help it, it’s so funny.”

And then I began laughing again. Uncontrollably. Eyes shut, hands gripping my bloated stomach from too many quarantine snacks, and tears escaping my eyes again.

“Well guys, this is break time. Refill your water and take a bathroom break,” my wife stated with defeat in her voice.

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We finished the movie as a family. There were more laughs, and they were not only mine filling our living room space. We tucked our kids into bed, said our ritualistic goodnights, and my wife and I sat back on the couch.

We put on the news for more of the same of what we’ve seen. This time the only difference was that the numbers of cases and deaths in Illinois due to COVID-19 kept growing at an exponential rate.

For the first time in almost two weeks, I wasn’t upset, depressed, or confused by the news. I wasn’t even focusing on the numbers and reports they were sharing. Instead, I had ideas for blogs, chapters, and podcast episodes surfing through my mind.

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This is a very weird time for all of us. None of us has ever experienced a pandemic of this magnitude in our lifetime, or will we ever again. It’s important to share with our students and own children that we don’t know the answers either, that we are experiencing this for the first time as well, and that we will still do all we can to keep them safe and protected and reminded they’re loved.

We also must remember to laugh. There was something that changed in me when I laughed in a way I haven’t in months. It was an escape, a release. It was a way for me to enjoy life again, enjoy the company of my family. I was able to be in the moment with them, enjoying a movie, no phones, no news, no warnings and “Shelters in Place” being directed. I was able to enjoy a moment with those closest to me, an escape that I needed more than I knew.

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This is an unsettling time for us all. None of us know what to expect or what is going to happen. It’s ok to be afraid, unsure, and upset. What is not ok is to let those feelings consume you and take you away from the beauty that is still around us.

You have family with you. Put down the phone, turn off the tv, and play a game together. Do household chores together. Be together in the moment.

We have family, staff, and students going through the same as us. Call, Facetime, Zoom, and connect with them. Share stories, tell jokes, reminisce about great memories you’ve had.

This COVID-19 pandemic may have us feeling isolated and shut off from the rest of the world. What it will not do is keep us from uniting, connecting, and loving.

And laughing. We must continue to laugh.

Coffee Break in the Midst of a Hurricane - 3/5/20

Coffee Break in the Midst of a Hurricane

By, Michael Earnshaw

March 5, 2020

@EduChefEarnshaw

We’ve resorted to screaming at this point. 

“Mike! What do you think you’re doing?”

I stated in a calm tone, “I’m going to put my feet up, take a long sip of this freshly brewed coffee, close my eyes and relax.” 

The anger and frustration was brewing, I could tell in the heavy breathing and red overtaking her face. 

“A coffee break? Are you freakin’ kidding me? Right now? A time out? How in the world do you deserve a time out? Have you seen your ‘To Do’ list? There’s over 20 items on it! Whatever happened to ‘I’m Mike, I only cover three tasks a day?’ And don’t even get me started on your inbox! Over 123 unread messages. UNREAD FROM THE ENTIRE WEEK!”

I could feel the warmth of the fire coming out with every word she uttered. She knew that no matter how much she screamed, yelled, and belittled me it wouldn’t do anything. 

“Fine, it’s your choice. I tried. Good luck,” and as that last sound escaped her lips she was gone. 

I muttered out loud to myself, “Finally some peace,” placed my hands behind my head, closed my eyes, and shut my mind down for seven minutes. 

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Was she right? Of course she was. I had not been taking my own advice the past week and some days. My “To Do” list had multiplied like Gremlins eating in the tub after midnight. There were numerous emails I hadn’t even glanced at from the past 4 days. I didn’t even know where to start with everything I needed to do workwise, let alone writing for my book, keeping current with blogging, and promoting various projects on social media. 

I’ve begun feeling like a failure, a loser. How did I let myself get so behind? What have I been choosing to do with my time to have not accomplished anything lately? 

I didn’t have the answers. I wasn’t spending time playing video games or vegging out in front of the television. I was going to bed early, waking early for workouts, which usually makes me more productive, but I still wasn’t getting anything done.

What did I need to do while this storm was dancing all around me in every direction?

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I’m taking a break. 

I’m taking a break when the “To Do” list mountain begins climbing into the clouds. 

I’m taking a break when my inbox has multiplied to a number comparable to pi. 

I’m taking a break when I’ve fallen behind on writing recipes for my upcoming book. 

I’m taking a break when I haven’t promoted our podcast or educational change agent. 

I’m taking a break when I haven’t posted a new blog in over three weeks. 

I’m taking a break. 

I deserve it. 

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She’s back. 

“How in the **** do you deserve a break? You just listed everything you need to do! Let’s go!” 

I finally had my response for her, one that would end this badgering and constant headache. 

“Yes, I need a break. It’s too much. I have too much to do. I need a minute to focus, take it in, and then divide up everything so I can tackle them all over the next few days with precision, focus, and dedication. If I don’t, if I just stare at this insurmountable list in every aspect of my life, I won’t do anything and this anxiety, YOU, will never go away. Let me enjoy this coffee and then I will get going.” 

And then she was gone, for now. 

I planned out what I would get done task wise over the next six days. 

I cleaned out my email. 

I’m writing this blog and planning for at least one per week going forward. 

My next few recipes are scripted as to what dish I will be sharing out. 

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Balance is a tricky thing. I share with others all of the time the strategies that I implement to keep myself on track. But life isn’t perfect or predictable. There are times, no matter how balanced we may think our lives are, where one side of the scale becomes overloaded, throwing everything off. 

There’s a few options we can take when our scales are tipped: 

Just start attacking everything, quickly chipping away at each task. 

Freak out, cry, and complain to everyone how overwhelmed we are, never truly making an attempt at getting out of our hole. 

Take a break, refocus, and with a positive mindset plan our attack. 

I’ve tried all three approaches, and for me, #3 is the only one that has ever served me well. 

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As for her, she’ll be back once life begins to pour. 

As for me, I’ll brew a fresh cup of coffee.