The COVID-19 diaries: echo chamber
This is the podcast I was listening to – Invisibilia, the Last Sound episode.
Have you guys noticed that the birds are coming closer with all this quiet? I am getting loads of pīwakawaka in my garden, and a pair of kererū have taken up residence in a tree outside my window.
Also you might be surprised by the sight of my playing the cello – I learnt as a child, put it aside for 8 years, learnt again, put it aside for 19 years and then took it up again at the beginning of this year. Having a few friends who wanted me to play with them motivated me. I am finding it quite therapeutic. Since I don’t have a teacher anymore I no longer have the anxiety of doing enough practice and not having a very good bow grip. I don’t have to practice scales if I don’t want to. The only problem is now that I’ve taken up drawing comics again I don’t have so much time to practice! Everything comes at the expense of everything else.
LET ME BE FRANK 
I am always so interested in the diverseness of your followers. I was talking to Ngaire and she and some of her friends have been following your Covid diaries. Your diaries are like the virus, followers are popping up everywhere.
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We have definitely noticed the birds. The pīwakawaka visiting a lot (I know some believe they’re bad luck, but surely Māui made his own luck really).
Yes, my mother always said they were bad luck – apparently a pīwakawaka flew into her house the day her grandfather died and I’ve been terrified of that happening ever since!
Just indulged in an omnibus of your last several comics Sarah. I felt the distress of your visit to the medical centre to get your flu jab. I bet you were glad to be home again. Your comics continue to be a darn good personal commentary on these weird days.
Thanks, Brent! And yes! Glad to have that out of the way.