10 'C' words to make you smile

In the old days (a few short months ago); there were two main 'C' words to avoid for the majority of the year. To elaborate without spelling it out (because that would be way too rude): someone could get called one of them for using the other one too soon before December. Instead of focusing on the latest catastrophic C word, I’ve picked 10 positive C words that might just spark a nice idea, pass some time, ignite a smile or even muster up a laugh. 

1.    Cooking or CR-eating just to be extra cheesy (I know that's a food pun too far but times are crazy). Is anyone else leaning (or expanding) towards the Buddy the elf diet at the moment (candy, candy canes, candy corns & syrup)??! My colleague and founder of Gracefull Plates Grace Leach can save us. She shares REAL personal stories for healthy inspiration and her recipes can satisfy cabin fever cravings, without putting you into a sugar coma. I was going to include a picture of my Rice Krispie buns here. While I do recommend going back to that faithful childhood recipe and having a scrap about who will lick the spoon, Grace's recipes and cooking pictures are much better. (Rice Krispie bun recipe can be provided upon request)

2.    Canto – I swear I am not just putting the Spanish word for singing to cheat at a c-word. I am highlighting my Spanish colleague Rosa for her daily lockdown songs. From Amy Winehouse to David Bowie, Rosa puts some serious effort into this. There is a costume change for every new song for every day in isolation. I watched them all back since day 1 and found it truly emotional. You can watch her singing through each day of lockdown in Malaga here. 

3.    Concerts – The Royal Albert hall series of virtual concerts kicks off tonight with Rufus Wainwright. While this promises to be a truly professional and enjoyable performance, I am really holding out for the instagram concerts my colleague Eva will surely perform when she gets to grips with her new keyboard. The keyboard was a present that Eva received for her recent 30th birthday (I'm allowed reveal the age because she is super young!). I just wanted to put it out there that she has already coined the phrase quaran-tunes. You see what she did there?! While we all eagerly await Eva's first virtual concert, you can get your virtual tickets to the Royal Albert Hall events here.

4.    Charity running – Kudos here goes to my teammate Kate who has had to ditch her hockey stick and is now taking up a running challenge this month for homeless charity Focus Ireland. Not satisfied with running just one marathon, Kate’s going to run two – that’s 84 km this month. She has to do this within her 2km radius. That’s a lot of laps of the river Dodder for Kate this April. If the thoughts of this makes you dizzy, tired or you just don’t have the time or energy, that’s ok (emphasising this mainly for myself), you can still support by sponsoring Kate here.

5.    Chronicles – The Dublin Story Slam is an epic open mic storytelling night that usually takes place in the Sugar Club in Dublin every month. It's so beautiful in its simplicity. Everyday people take to the stage and share their ordinary and extraordinary true personal stories with a live audience. They have moved online for now and have an event coming up which I have no doubt will warm your heart, wherever you are in the world The theme is the kindness of strangers and you can find out all the details here.

6.    Costuming – My pal and improv teammate Mary Kirwan put her costume design skills to good use for the crisis and started making masks. She sent the stylish and functional creations to lots of her friends by post with thoughtful notes (Mary's masks modelled by us here). Another designer in my hometown of Mullingar has also applied his creative skills in a similar way. Local milliner Derek Montgomery has donated hundreds of bespoke masks. He was featured in the local paper Westmeath topic, which in case you don't know is a BIG DEAL! Derek is a fantastic milliner so check out his facebook page for a future day out that might require a fancy hat, or perhaps get one now for that perfect zoom look.

7.    Comedy – ah humour. It's definitely a case of: if you don't laugh you'll cry. I'm finding some joy in the comedy that's coming out of the cracks at the moment. My own mother has just discovered memes and sends at least one a day, as well as some questionable videos. :-) There are some great opportunities popping up to attend virtual comedy events. Cherry Comedy, where I popped my own comedy cherry many moons ago, are hosting events every Monday night. The improv scene has also moved online with The Tightrope community giving their performers the option of keeping up practice twice a week.

8.    Challenges I'm officially obsessed with the art challenge craze that is taking instagram by storm. I passed a fun Sunday at home doing the challenge and I'm planning on doing more (a patient partner is helpful for this one!). People all over the world are taking part and it's inspiring and hilarious to see them recreating famous paintings with household props. #Tussenkunstenquarantine is the hashtag to follow and here is their instagram account . My new lifetime ambition is to make it onto their page. Did I mention I'm obsessed??

9.    Cuddly toys - There are teddy bear hunts happening all over the world and it's soooooo cute (not said in sarcastic Californian accent, I mean this sincerely). Stoneybatter in Dublin, have shown their renowned community spirit by really taking this cuddly craze up a level with toys bearing (intended!) messages adorning many of the windows on the streets. Although it's outside of my 2km radius I'm enjoying seeing the messages from the bears on the neighbourhood instagram page.

10. Creativity - I hope I have illustrated in the 9 previous 'C' words that there's so much creativity happening and it's lovely to see. I want to share two pieces of art that recently struck a chord with me. The first is by Anita Groener and the piece and the title speaks volumes right now: How Fragile We Are. The second is a new sculpture by Irish artist Peter Burns: The Survivalist.

Finally, I really want to make the point that if you aren’t getting involved in any of the above that is perfectly normal and OK. I find most of the time looking at photos of orang-u-tans is one of the best ways to start the day and sometimes quite enough to be doing. Feast your eyes on this fellow telling a story to a group of otters.

By the way it’s 260 days until Christmas. I know, I know, I’m a real C..C..C..Character, with a capital C! ;-)

Stay safe, stay home, keep surviving and please share some more positive inspiration that you come across. I have only (virtually) touched the surface. Now, I must go and wash my hands.