Florida, People.
Florida. Trump is still president here for the most part but it really seems that, at least where I am, people are still being safe. There are a lot of masks on indoors. I’m not sure if it has been business as usual through the pandemic but it feels like most people, either from here or out of town, are tentatively excited about being out in the world.
Florida does not disappoint. I find that you can use that phrase for both awesome things and horrendous. Florida has both. I have come to be kind of fascinated with the place. This densely populated clusterfuck weirdo haven of all ages and cultures. It feels like the only thing holding it together and stopping it from breaking into some kind of chaos is the sluggish atmosphere from humidity. The entire state feels like it's run on handshake deals and backroom negotiations.
There is something beautiful about seniors who give zero fucks and feel they have earned the insanity. I saw a man wearing what looked like a Speedo unitard on a unicycle who must’ve been ninety. That’s what retirement should look like either inwardly or outwardly. Metaphor or real.
Seeing my mother after a year was actually nice. I’m feeling differently about family—today anyway. I’m happy to have them around. I have to go see my dad next. Get some time in before there isn’t any left for one of us. My brother is down here as well now. We all went out. I met his new girlfriend. It was fraught with some drama that I talk about on the show today but it’s been good so far.
It’s very bittersweet. I wish Lynn were here to meet my mom for the first time. The future looked so good and exciting a year ago. Even with the plague. I thought I was set, we were set, to ride out the rest of it. It was not to be. I try to keep her memory a blessing, every day. Some days are tough. I try not to wear my sadness. I mean, I’m a professional clown. I can alchemize it somehow.
Today I talk to Nancy Wilson! Yes! From Heart! So cool. Their songs are wired into my brain from junior high. On Thursday I talk to comedian Mark Normand. Yes, finally got around to him. Great talks!
Enjoy!
Boomer, Monkey and LaFonda live!
Love,
Maron