ARGH

I am using a new word, ARGH. I have only been using it since March 2020, after concerns about Covid-19 took over our lives. I hate cursing, and this word helps me express myself about something that makes me angry or frustrated, but I can’t do anything about. I find that it is best to say the word out loud, with the volume and inflection depending on the level of anger or frustration. It generally ranges from argh to AARGH!! Here are some examples of its use:

I had problems with both of my desktop computers and made an appointment with the Best Buy Geek Squad to come to my home to fix them, but they had to cancel because of the virus. And I can’t reach them by telephone. So I have one computer that has WORD on which I can write documents, but it has no email, and a second computer that has email but no WORD, and no way to connect the two… argh.

I miss my cleaning lady. I can do laundry, but I have forgotten how to clean my apartment, and never liked doing it anyway. Thankfully, we are not having visitors these days. My cleaning woman has accumulated a large assortment of rags, cleaning solutions, mops, etc., and I can’t figure out exactly what to use for each cleaning need… argh.

I often yearned for time to spend at home so I could clean out my closets and straighten out my files, items on the to-do list that I created when I retired a year ago. I pulled out the list when Covid-19 forced me to stay home, but the list remains intact- nothing is crossed off. I can’t seem to muster the motivation… argh.

My looks are changing. Without my hair salon appointments, my gray is showing and my hair is getting too long. With no gym available, and increased eating, I have gained back most of the weight I lost before my daughter’s wedding last June. This gives a new meaning to “Stop the Spread”… Argh.

Some commentators on the pandemic imply that older people are expendable; if many die, that’s OK, that could help spare the younger population. Whoa – of course I want maximum efforts made so that my children and grandchildren (and everyone else possible) survives and thrives after this pandemic, but I am not ready to sacrifice myself, I have things to do, and I resent this as a suggestion for dealing with the virus… Argh.

I had finally arranged to have cataract surgery and a dental implant, and the dates for these procedures had all been scheduled for this Spring. Along came the virus, and all dates for these surgeries have been canceled. My vision seems to have hastened its decline and I can only chew on one side of my mouth. The former is especially important now that I am reading and watching TV more, and the latter is important now that I am eating more… Argh.

I like to limit contact with others when I go food shopping. My neighborhood supermarkets have created special hours for those of us in the high risk category (my age puts me there), but it’s 7-8AM. Do they think older people like getting up so early? Why not make it Noon-1PM?… ARGh.

I have been watching more movies, and recently saw Contagion. I also finally had time to see the AIDS-related documentary “How to Survive a Plague”. I think I was looking for useful suggestions from these movies. Not only were they not helpful, but they increased my overall fears and feelings of helplessness… ARGH.

I know these concerns are all trivial in the presence of this horrendous crisis. I have been fortunate to only have inconveniences during this plague and my family has been safe. I will welcome back worrying about the trivial after this time has passed, and I am confident that it will pass. But until then, there are no words for the loss of life and the suffering created by the Covid-19 virus… AARRGGHH!!