It’s kind of weird looking back at last year’s MBIP blog posts. At this point I still had a false sense of security, that would soon be shattered in the following week. It’s crazy to look back and see how quickly things changed in March of 2020.
This is the first week of March and little did I know that this would be the last normal week of my life and everybody else’s for 2020 and beyond.
So let’s travel back to the first week of March and look at this last week of innocence in 2020, before Covid 19 arrived and kicked the living shit out of all of us.
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Sunday, March 1, 2020 - Sunday Links: Hot Ones - Plus: The MBIP Coming Attractions!!
Last year I got obsessed with the internet series, Hot Ones, where people eat hot chicken wings and have discussions about the wings and other topics.
I was in the process of developing a local Peoria YouTube series based on a version of this idea, but Covid 19 stopped that abruptly in its tracks. I’m still hoping on doing this project later in the year, so stay tuned for that!
Covid 19 Stats: March 1st, 2020 - The United States reported the second confirmed death in Washington state. The first cases in Rhode Island, Florida, and New York were confirmed. The authorities confirmed 21 more cases in total, bringing the number to 89.
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Monday March 2, 2020 - Saturday Night @ Mad Hatter’s Pub
I had my Saturday Night Dinner at Mad Hatter’s Pub on Farmington Road that week. This was my first time at this new bar on Farmington Road and little did I know that it would be my last visit there.
Sadly, this place was just one of the many casualties of the pandemic and they closed their doors last June.
Covid 19 Stats: March 2nd, 2020 - The United States confirmed 13 more cases, bringing the total number to 102. Five more deaths were also confirmed, bringing the total number to 6
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Tuesday March 3, 2020 - 26 Weeks Of Mexican Food - Week Number Seven @ Emily’s Tattoo Tamales & Las Delicias
This was a double dose of Mexican food and fun as I went to Emily’s Tattoo Tamales and Las Delicias for a tasty afternoon of Mexican treats.
Covid 19 Stats: March 3rd, 2020 - The United States confirmed three more deaths, bringing the total to 9. The first case of coronavirus in North Carolina was reported, coming from the nursing home in Washington state responsible for the first deaths from the virus. Another case in Florida was presumptively confirmed positive, bringing the total number of Floridian cases to three. The number of cases stood at 126, increasing by 24 from 102.
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March 4, 2020 - Peoria Made - Shop And Support Local Merchants Under One Roof In Downtown Peoria!
I loved the idea of a local store that sold only items that were made right here in Peoria. I had a fun visit and tour of the store and bought some of the local merchandise.
Sadly, the pandemic did this place in as well. The space on Main Street is currently up for rent.
Covid 19 Stats: March 4th, 2020 - The United States confirmed 11 total deaths, with the first death outside of Washington state in California. California's total of infections has jumped to 51. The country confirmed 33 new cases, bringing the total number to 159.
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March 5th, 2020 - MBIP Will Be Right Back On Saturday, March 7, 2020
This shows how blissfully ignorant I was about what was about to happen in a week. I was planning on doing a Marty Monologues show in Milwaukee in May last year. Little did I know that by May of 2020, it was a real treat just to travel to the grocery store, much less go to Milwaukee to do a live show in a theatre.
Covid 19 Stats: March 5th, 2020 - One additional death in Washington state brought the U.S. total to 12. The United States saw a significant increase in cases, with 31 new cases in Washington state. In New York state, cases doubled to 22. Colorado’s first two cases were confirmed. In total, the US confirmed 69 more cases, bringing the total number to 228. Three more deaths were reported, bringing the total number to 14.
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March 6th, 2020 - There was no blog post this day as I was rehearsing for a show in Milwaukee that I was planning to perform in May.
I had reserved a theatre and had no idea that within a week, the thought of doing a live performance in a theatre with people would be something that not only couldn’t be done, it wouldn’t be allowed.
Covid 19 Stats: March 6th, 2020 -The first three cases were confirmed in the state of Maryland. Two deaths in Florida were confirmed. Officials in the state of Hawaii have confirmed their first case, a former passenger of the cruise ship Grand Princess. In total, the US confirmed 104 more cases, bringing the total number to 332. One more death in Washington State plus two in Florida brought the total number of U.S. deaths to 17. In California, a Santa Clara County resident died at home, whose death was attributed later in April to COVID-19.
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March 7th, 2020 - Sandwiches Of Peoria (Actually, Pekin) - This Week: The Italian Sausage Sandwich @ Jimbo’s Jumbo
This post from the past was from a road trip with MBIP pal and Wheelman, Scott Turley to Pekin to sample sandwiches at Jimbo’s Jumbo legendary sandwich shop. Road trips were something else that vanished on the blog in that foul year of 2020.
Covid 19 Stats: March 7th, 2020 - The number of deaths rose to 19 with 16 in Washington, 1 in California, and 2 in Florida. The total for the country increased to 444 confirmed cases.
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How Rednecks Prepare For The Corona Virus
Useful tips from last March on how to prepare for the upcoming pandemic.
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Related Posts: The Tuesday 2020 Rear-View Mirror: The Week Of February 23rd, 2020.
It was last year about this time…
Surprise link, click on it…I dare you!
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Bonus Linkage: Introducing the Daniel Ackley Art Review - A Celebration of the Arts and the Remarkable Artists
My friend and local artist, Daniel Ackley has started a new newsletter focusing on local art, music, film and other creative happenings here in Peoria and beyond.
He interviewed me for the first issue and you can read that interview and the rest of the newsletter by clicking here.
Thanks for the interview, Dan, it was lots of fun and I love your newsletter!