Introducing: Things To Do Instead of Going to a Party During a Pandemic
A collection of ridiculous lists of things to do instead of being ridiculous.
(Alternatively: I got 99 activities but a pandemic party ain’t one.)
So, I’ve decided to start crafting together a bunch of long seemingly-ridiculous lists of alternative options people have to fill their time with, instead of choosing to attend a party during a global pandemic.
To be frank with you, I wish I didn’t have the opportunity to write this. But the fact remains: there are a lot of people out there currently partying, while we are in the midst of a global pandemic. Case numbers are rising in many areas, and so too are the parties. The harrowing combination of holiday festivities, New Year’s Eve, and people feeling ‘fed up’ after many months of various restrictions/lock-downs does not bode well for the situation at large.
I know I shouldn’t be surprised by this, and part of me does believe that I wouldn’t be surprised if I came across another fervent pandemic party-er. (Should there be a nickname for this category? Let me know if you have ideas.) However, I consistently find myself feeling a bit of surprise. For example, a gym-goer at the gym I work at recently mentioned how hard he was partying for New Year’s Eve. Now, this should invoke zero surprise in me, considering the fact that earlier that week he declared “COVID can suck my balls, I don’t give a fuck!”. However, part of me still was amazed at his more recent declarations.
Now, let me be clear — I am not shaming anyone on choosing to still have some in-person social interactions with others. Though I am currently not hanging out with my friend groups, I understand that I am not an expert on all human experiences, and I also understand that the mental toll of social isolation on people can be at times unbearable. So I want to make it very clear that these lists are not aimed towards people who just need to see some of their friends for a bit. And obviously I’m not referring to people who need to interact with many others due to their line of work. My job is at a gym, for christ’s sake, where people go to walk off their pandemic-party-induced hangovers on the treadmill.
No, this series is quite clearly geared towards those who choose to attend parties. Because, although I mentioned above that I sympathize with needing to get in some social interaction, I will call bullshit on that time needing to be a greasy houseparty you were invited to by someone you wouldn’t really consider a friend (this is one possible scenario, but don’t think you’re exempt just ’cause your best friend is the one who invited you!).
Yes, parties are fun. Yes, I wish I had an opportunity to party since the release of ‘WAP’, because I would’ve screamed my tipsy little heart out and had the time of my life. And yes, a Christmas party where I could dance to Lil Nas X’s ‘Holiday’ would be so much fun. But it’s just not an option right now. And on the social interactions priority list, time spent in huge loud crowds of people is not essential.
So though hopefully the peak party season was with the holidays, I fear there are many more to come (with people feeling optimistic and comfortable about being in 2021), and so these lists may still have a purpose. And if you weren’t going to attend a party anyway? Then still check them out — they’ll essentially be guides to a bunch of stuff I enjoy doing in my spare time, of which I’d love to share the joy. Because let’s be honest, no pandemic party-er is going to come across my writing and stop partying.
So stay tuned! And if you have any ideas for list themes, please feel free to let me know!
Cheers,
Tuppence
Originally published at http://tuppencestilton.wordpress.com on January 7, 2021.
