We have to laugh

I fully realize that the news from Italy is unrelentingly grim.  Nobody has to remind me of that.  But the old human spirit cannot be completely squashed; I mean, the human spirit whose biggest problem is boredom being stuck at home.

At least a week ago, bits of humor — snips of videos, photos, comments — began to circulate via the usual social media platforms, and friends have been sending them on to me (and everybody else they know, I assume).  Here are my favorites so far.

This may be risky, in that the old crack “You really  had to be there” is a crucial element; it may be that you can’t really feel how funny some of these are unless you’re already starting to be wound a little tighter than usual. Many of them are in some way about being housebound, or as I tend to call it, under house arrest.

But I’m sending them on just to let you in on this element of life in Venice these days.  It’s not just empty streets and climbing contagion counts — there’s a guerrilla war being waged for hearts and funny-bones.

To do a “giro,” or “fare un giro” (JEE-roh) is the usual way of saying you’re doing out for a stroll, going to hang out, walk around the mall or the neighborhood.  You usually say it with the “not really doing anything serious” tone of voice, as she does.  Translation: “Oh Aly, where are you going?” “Oh, gonna take a walk around the kitchen.”

He stopped too soon — he’s got to take up lacrosse, curling, sepak takraw, chess boxing… I’m afraid there’ll be plenty of time for all of that.