It is still possible to connect with others, even with a MASK!
My jobs in the film/tv industry were effectively shut down on March 13th. On March 12th, I was working as one of ten dancers on an episode for season 2 “The Other Two”. The choreographer was trying to get more energy from us on a cold, damp day, and shouted, “dance like this is your last job!”. On March 13th, I showed up at my ongoing gig at Steiner Studios. We got into uniform, hair, makeup, and then about an hour later we were told, “we were wrapped”. Email after email came in stating that the jobs that I was scheduled for were also canceling until further notice. On March 16th, my last and other income source, teaching at the gym, called a company phone meeting to let us know that we have been “fired” so that we can collect unemployment.
The first week was very hard for me. Depression set it. Where would I get money? I was able to get through to unemployment before it became impossible. I was on hold for a little over 90 minutes to complete the application that I had started online. I put out a mass email to my music mailing list, letting them know that I was giving discounted lessons both in music and in fitness classes. Some folks had sent me donations to tied me over. I also usually busk with my guitar both in the subway and on the street (as well as on the boardwalks in the summertime). For most of February and March, I had still been busking in the subways. Many people were wearing masks. I thought, at the time, jokingly, that I would put up a sign that said, “YOUR MONEY MAY BE INFECTED! LET ME HELP YOU! DROP IT HERE!”. But this Coronavirus became very real to me once a friend of mine from H.S. had died. And then a crew member from SVU.
My last official busking without a mask on was March 21st, a cold, yet sunny Saturday, where I set up on a street corner in Bronxville, NY. People were still quite generous. They spoke of “barbershops closing tomorrow!”. Mostly the seniors wore masks. I also had a sign with my information, as well as the CDs for sale, on my guitar case.
Besides the fact that it has been very cold this March and April, and busking in the subway was both a bad idea for the contagion aspect, as well as the fact that everyone was staying home, I mostly practiced in my lobby, eventually with my running hood/mask at hand, if many people were entering the building. A nice delivery man, David, stopped to listen to a new song of mine, that will go on the new album once Nashville reopens, and I can go to the studio. He gave me a $20, and I gave him 2 of my CDs. Even with masks, were were chatting about music. I also started making little quarantine music videos, as well as fitness videos, for my followers.
So far we have had 2 nice sunny days where I was going to busk, even with a mask on. One Sunday, I placed myself near a coffee shop, where people were lined up to get what I imagine was the best coffee in town. I used my hood mask, as it was lycra, and some people still did stop to tip. One woman did a video of me which I am sure is on here social media somewhere. I met a nice veteran, Peter, who sat and listened in his American flag bandana mask for about thirty minutes. We chatted for a bit, and he even tipped me. So I guess this is possible. When I returned to the same place about 6 days later, I was only able to play for about twenty minutes. Even though Peter and I were at least 10 feet apart, and each wearing masks, the police said that the city ordinance said “no hanging out”. It was sunny and beautiful for once, and I was going to play somewhere, dammit! So I drove north a bit, and decided to plop myself in a busy section of Bronx River Park (I am guessing Tuckahoe). I set up my stool, guitar case with CDs and books, my sign, some cards, and my tip jar. People started stopping. And tipping. And listening. And asking me questions. Even with the mask on. Two dogs, one lab, and one Yorkie, both decided to go “right for the tip box”. But people were friendly and wonderful. Even through our masks. I played until was too cold to do so, then chatted with “Frankie’s mom” (the yorkie), who sat on my guitar case and decided that was a good place to be.
I have even been running outside every other day, while doing step aerobics in my garage mostly, on the off days. I pull my hood mask up as I come close to people. I see the same folks exercising every day here in the Bronx: the other runners, the jump rope lady, the men by the pull up bars. Yesterday, as it was 65+ degrees, I took my step to a part of the park where I had enough space, and did step aerobics for about an hour, then disinfected the step, put it in the car, and went for a long walk/photography session along the river. Two men commented that they liked my hat. I eventually went back and chatted with a father and son, who greeted me with elbows. We talked about exercise, music, etc. They even shared their hand sanitizer with me.
Trader Joe’s in Larchmont is another “hang” as we stand 6 feet apart in masks waiting to shop. Yes, even here, we have “conversations” and make new friends. One of the workers who I see all the time, knows me, and knows my purple bag that I hold my stuff in, is not for “bagging” as they don’t want their workers exposed to contamination from reusable bags.
It’s amazing how many new connections I have made, even through a mask. I guess the eyes and the spirit can permeate any barrier, even a mask.
About the Author:
Kama Linden is a singer-songwriter with three studio albums, soon to be four, as soon as the sty at home orders are lifted. Her music can be found on apple, spotify, etc, www.kamalinden.com
She has been teaching fitness for over 2 decades. She has taught strength, step, pilates, vinyasa yoga, senior fitness, and has worked with clients and students of all ages and fitness levels. She is certified by AFAA Group Exercise and NASM CPT, as well as 200 hour Yoga. She has a BFA in Dance from University of the ARTS.
Her new book, “Healthy Things You Can Do In Front of the TV” is now on sale on amazon.com, BN.com, and Kindle.
