I can’t believe we are here already! This has been—and its not over yet—a shitstorm of a year.
The COVID-19 shitstorm
On the COVID-19 front Canada is either seeing the beginnings of its second wave, or a dramatic increase in the first wave again. No one is exactly sure what it is we are witnessing right now.
Here in British Columbia, we are seeing an average of 100 new infections everyday despite the best efforts of our public health officials. Why? Because people are people, and in this day of misinformation and fake news perpetuated by bots and shared by real people, falsehoods spread faster than the facts through all channels of social media.
Meanwhile, businesses and individuals continue to suffer while livelihoods have to be put on hold since we see no end in sight. Even the slightest loosening of the public health regulations results in a dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. This is what we are currently seeing and experiencing in this country—at least if you follow the science.
What I’ve been doing
Despite the COVID pandemic, retail stores in British Columbia are allowed to remain open—but under very strict conditions. I continue to work for my tech part time at Matterhorn Music. I have been working on converting our paper and pen system over to a point of sale system, and getting out new online store set up.
Our new store’s rentals are now online, and I am currently workign to develop the online sales end of the site. Quite frankly, the work is incredibly time consuming and draining, and doesn’t leave me with much energy of enthusiasm to do computer work on my website, or anything else. I am getting by, but barely.
On top of this, I had my R&B mentor and dear friend pass away in August. (More on that another day.) His daughter flew up from the States, and I helped her deal with the musical gear aspect of the estate. That was a lot.
I believe the nearly two months since my last article, is the longest I have ever gone between articles since founding the Bassic Sax Blog back in 2008. But really, I didn’t have it in me to write a damn thing, or to reply, or even look at my emails—which would explain the nearly 1,000 unopened ones in my Inbox. 😳
Support your local brick and mortar music stores
COVID-19 has been brutal on business. Period. Full stop. If you’re a musician, you likely have experienced the effects. Most of us have been out of work since COVID hit. This of course has a trickle down effect on the music stores.
Regardless of which music stores I talk to through work, and what country they are in, most of them have seen a drastic drop in their business.
So at this time I am asking you to please, please, pretty please, go out and support your local brick and mortar music store. If they don’t have what you need, ask if they can get it in for you. More than likely they can.
Sure you might pay a couple of bucks more than if you ordered it from Amazon, Musician’s Friend or WWBW, but here’s the thing: If you don’t spend money in your local businesses now, they won’t be around to help you out when you need them down the road.
If your local tech offers a retail section, but you don’t buy your stuff there because you buy your stuff online, buy your stuff from your tech instead.
If you really want/need to buy online because you geographically isolated, buy from a real brick and mortar store that has an online presence. Places like PM Woodwind for example, have everything you need, and they will ship anywhere.
Do your homework and buy from a reputable brick and mortar shop that will stand behind what they sell. Support small businesses. That’s the key in making sure that business owners don’t have to shutter their doors for good, and ensuring we still have choices once this pandemic is behind us.
Happy Canadian Thanksgiving 2020
What COVID means for the first holiday of the fall/winter season of 2020 is that it looks different than in years past. Just like our summer should have looked different—if you listened to public health officials and followed their orders that is—Thanksgiving 2020 is nothing like it has been for the past 100 years.
Depending where in Canada you are, but for most of the country, the rule is simply this: Celebrate the holiday with those in your immediate family bubble only. No exceptions.
So given the rather dark nature of the holiday this year, I thought a bit of dark humour would be appropriate. My apologies if you are not familiar with the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
If you are not familiar with the movie, I have to ask: Where have you been for the past 45+ years? This original midnight showing only, piece of counter culture has been a staple of mainstream culture for more than the 3 or so decades. 😈
Thanks for the story. We all have to sit out this shit storm and keep our bubble healthy. Food is for me important to remain sane, while covid stipulates that it is not a good idea to become obese. We prepare for holidays by inventing new recipes. No meatloaf, no food with glucose syrup and lots of veggies.
Most of the techs and music stores around also sell online. I respect their knowledge and have no problems to pay for good advice. Unlike some Virenschleuder who think covid is just a flu.