What are you doing right now? Part 2 Showing 1,951-2,000 of 2,414

[Christine]

Thanks Esther and Michael

[LauraT]

Back to work - from home!
All holidays are past, and now we're waiting that also this COVID folly will go away, to star living again!

[Mike]

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


Just finished BAAL by Robert McCammon, check out my review of that!

On the look out for a new read now! :)

[Esther]

So we are back into Lockdown: part 3.
Originally the CEO said we should work from home as much as possible while our boss suggested she would prefer things to stay as they are (50%). A couple of colleagues asked to work 100% from home while I said I would go in once a week.
I went in yesterday. I was alone for the first couple of hours and even after only a smattering of colleagues came in. There was a rumour most managers had told people to stay home.
This morning our boss sent an email - everyone is 100% from home. We have to arrange with our managers and security if we need to go in and have been given a special letter to show the police our work is essential.
Luckily I have printed everything I need for a while so I have no need to go in.
I think the restrictions are especially strict because the government are worried some people will go wild having heard how well we are doing with the vaccination drive.

[LauraT]

In Italy it is highly recomended to saty home as much as possible, and all places should organize home working for at least 50% of its staff. We are more or less on this rate. I personally go to my office only once a week - and I work in a closed room. But some of my collegues go there twice thrice a week

[Jade]

It’s just past midnight here. My sleep cycle has been ruined by the lockdown.

[Alannah]

Jade wrote: "It’s just past midnight here. My sleep cycle has been ruined by the lockdown."

Same here Jade lol

[Jade]

I'm glad I'm not the only one then.

[Karin]

My son has to self-quarantine for 10 days prior to his first of two COVID tests required before he can start going to university on a hybrid set up (last semester it was fully remote). He has had to buy this type of set up as well (his bell covers have filters in them):



He plays trumpet, but they only have them for the two main ones (not the piccolo). They have these for woodwinds as will. Just imagine how large the tuba bell cover is!

[LauraT]

How can he manage to blow with the safety mask????
Poor him, and poor us all

[Leslie]

Karin wrote: "He has had to buy this type of set up as well (his bell covers have filters in them):
{image}
He plays trumpet, but they only have them for the two main ones (not the piccolo). They have these for woodwinds as will. Just imagine how large the tuba bell cover is!.."

I learned about these instrument masks over the holiday from my nephew - he also plays the trumpet. He plays in his high school band but in his school's hybrid model, only a third of students are in person at a time. So band practice, which is socially distanced as well as using these instrument masks, sometimes has less than 10 people at it.

He told me that playing with the mask isn't too different from playing without it but it does change the sound of the instrument, muffling it somewhat.

And Karin, I had that same thought about the tuba (or sousaphone)!

[Karin]

LauraT wrote: "How can he manage to blow with the safety mask????
Poor him, and poor us all"

There is a flap in front that comes up to play--his mouth has no covering, which is why there is the bell cover. I guess as long as no one breathes out of their mouths when not blowing into their instruments all will be well.

These masks won't be good when not playing of course.

[Milly Jane]

It's ingenious what they have come up with. Difficult circumstances often produce some fantastic ideas.

[Karin]

Milly Jane wrote: "It's ingenious what they have come up with. Difficult circumstances often produce some fantastic ideas."

Yes, this is very true :) I guess that's where the old expression "Necessity is the mother of invention" comes from--I had forgotten about that saying until you posted.

[Christine]

HAPPY FEBRUARY EVERYONE!

[LauraT]

trying to survive to the too many things to do at work!!!
I still don't know if I'll manage

[Christine]

LauraT stay strong at work

[Leslie]

Christine wrote: "HAPPY FEBRUARY EVERYONE!"

Thanks Christine!

It is Groundhog Day here, which is (for those non-Americans out there) based on an old superstition that if a groundhog (a woodchuck belonging to the marmot family, which are largish rodents) emerges from his burrow on Feb. 2 and sees his shadow, winter will last 6 more weeks. This superstition originated with the Pennsylvania Dutch settlers and was then exploited by a small town newpaper in Punxsutawney, PA in 1887 to develop tourism. So even though it is not a "real thing" in my opinion, it has a long history and its celebration has become even more widespread since the popular Bill Murry movie "Groundhog Day" in 1993.

Thus endth today's history lesson...

[Christine]

Thanks Leslie and that’s a great speech Leslie and I’m sorry I didn’t tell everyone that it was Groundhog Day

[LauraT]

Leslie wrote: "Christine wrote: "HAPPY FEBRUARY EVERYONE!"

Thanks Christine!

It is Groundhog Day here, which is (for those non-Americans out there) based on an old superstition that if a groundhog (a woodchuck..."

LOL!!!
About this I remember the film with Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell!!!

In Italy it's called the day of the CANDELORA (something similar to candle, but not exactly that, which is CANDELA). And it says that if it's fine weather the winter will be over (dell'inverno semo fora), if it is rainy and windy (ma si piove o tira vento) winter will stay (dell'inverno semo dentro)

[Leslie]

LauraT wrote: " And it says that if it's fine weather the winter will be over (dell'inverno semo fora), if it is rainy and windy (ma si piove o tira vento) winter will stay (dell'inverno semo dentro)..."

That at least makes more sense than ours! It has bothered me since childhood that if it is nice and sunny on Feb. 2 it is supposed to indicate that winter will last longer than if it is overcast.

[LauraT]

Leslie wrote: "LauraT wrote: " And it says that if it's fine weather the winter will be over (dell'inverno semo fora), if it is rainy and windy (ma si piove o tira vento) winter will stay (dell'inverno semo dentr..."

Indeed!

[Karin]

Leslie wrote: "Christine wrote: "HAPPY FEBRUARY EVERYONE!"

Thanks Christine!

It is Groundhog Day here, which is (for those non-Americans out there) based on an old superstition that if a groundhog (a woodchuck..."

It's also known in Canada as part of the spillover of American culture :)


We like the movie Groundhog Day here. In fact, I'll happily watch many of the imitation movies because I enjoy the concept of living a day over and over until you get it right.

[Leslie]

Karin wrote: "We like the movie Groundhog Day here. In fact, I'll happily watch many of the imitation movies because I enjoy the concept of living a day over and over until you get it right...."

I love the various scenes with the insurance guy & how Murray ends up buying like 5 different policies from him.

[Karin]

Leslie wrote: "Karin wrote: "We like the movie Groundhog Day here. In fact, I'll happily watch many of the imitation movies because I enjoy the concept of living a day over and over until you get it right...."

I..."

I haven't seen it for a while, so can't remember that one, but one of the things I liked is how he learns to be so good at the piano in such a relatively short time (but then, it was like having a lesson every day), and a few other things. I really ought to watch it again sometime, but I like to space it out by a long time so it's rather fresh.

[Christine]

IT’S SUPERBOWL SUNDAY!

[Elie]

Hello!! we're still on lockdown here in Lebanon (8 weeks left yeey!!) so we're having a Lebanese grill in my house with raki (Called Arak in Lebanese) and I'm working on promoting my first poetry book. Hope you guys are staying safe. Lots of love from Beirut!

[Karin]

Elie wrote: "Hello!! we're still on lockdown here in Lebanon (8 weeks left yeey!!) so we're having a Lebanese grill in my house with raki (Called Arak in Lebanese) and I'm working on promoting my first poetry b..."

That sounds lovely! I haven't eaten much Lebanese food, but there was a good Lebanese restaurant when I lived in Ottawa where I was able to try some, but not grilled that I can remember (I really only remember the food one of the times I went because it was the first time I ever at a dish that had both fruit and red meat in it, cooked together, but I can't remember what it was called since it was about 30 years ago).

[Elie]

Karin wrote: "Elie wrote: "Hello!! we're still on lockdown here in Lebanon (8 weeks left yeey!!) so we're having a Lebanese grill in my house with raki (Called Arak in Lebanese) and I'm working on promoting my f..."

Oh I see, then you have to try out some now. I have some relatives and friends living in Canada, maybe I can tell them to recommend some places to try!

[Karin]

Elie wrote: "Karin wrote: "Elie wrote: "Hello!! we're still on lockdown here in Lebanon (8 weeks left yeey!!) so we're having a Lebanese grill in my house with raki (Called Arak in Lebanese) and I'm working on ..."

I live in the USA now (I married an American) so am not sure what is still good in Ottawa. I'm originally from British Columbia northwest of Vancouver in a small area that you can't drive by car to even though it's on the mainland.

Canada is enormous, as well--where do they live?

[Esther]

Lockdown has been lifted here and we have now both received our second shots. I even have a 'green passport' to prove it.
Shops are restaurant are still not supposed to be open but the shopkeepers are rebelling and opening anyway. People aren't allowed in the shops but explain what they need then the assistant brings it to the door and if it it OK they pay.
Police are having trouble handing out fines because the shopkeepers claim it is a 'take-away' service, which is allowed!!

[Leslie]

Esther wrote: "Lockdown has been lifted here and we have now both received our second shots. I even have a 'green passport' to prove it.
Shops are restaurant are still not supposed to be open but the shopkeepers ..."

That is great news Esther!

[Leslie]

I have once again fallen down the rabbit hole of American politics. I won't give my opinion here (though I suspect those who know me can guess what it is!) but am just popping in to say my reading is once again on hold while I spend hours watching the impeachment trial.

[LauraT]

In Italy things are going from bad to worse: we've even have a Governament crisis. There are no mor words

[Robert]

I know LauraT , I work here remember ???!! I'm an Aussie ESOL English teacher.
Off to lunch right now!!!

[Leslie]

LauraT wrote: "In Italy things are going from bad to worse: we've even have a Governament crisis. There are no mor words"

I guess that the fear and frustration of the pandemic is fueling these crises. I hope so because otherwise we are in more trouble than I am already worried about!

[LauraT]

Robert wrote: "I know LauraT , I work here remember ???!! I'm an Aussie ESOL English teacher.
Off to lunch right now!!!"

Where exactly are you based Robert? In Umbria where I live things are even wprse than anywhere else!!!

[LauraT]

Leslie wrote: "LauraT wrote: "In Italy things are going from bad to worse: we've even have a Governament crisis. There are no mor words"

I guess that the fear and frustration of the pandemic is fueling these cri..."

I'm also worried Leslie; real worried

[Karin]

Esther wrote: "Lockdown has been lifted here and we have now both received our second shots. I even have a 'green passport' to prove it.
Shops are restaurant are still not supposed to be open but the shopkeepers ..."

Excellent news :) !

[Esther]

LauraT wrote: "In Italy things are going from bad to worse: we've even have a Governament crisis. There are no mor words"

I have an Italian school friend who posts a bit about Italian politics. I can't understand much but I can tell something serious is happening because at the moment his FB feed is on fire!

[Christine]

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

[Christine]

That’s wonderful news Esther

[LauraT]

Esther wrote: "LauraT wrote: "In Italy things are going from bad to worse: we've even have a Governament crisis. There are no mor words"

I have an Italian school friend who posts a bit about Italian politics. I ..."

Much better you don't understand!! They're playing with our lives!

[Jade]

I just got 30 days free kindle unlimited through unidays and a bit of free time since my assignments are all handed in. I can’t wait to ramp up my reading and make the most of the rest of lockdown.

[Alannah]

I got the email too Jade, lol. I loving kindle unlimited

[Alannah]

My writing is just great there, haha. I got that email too about the 30 days free kindle unlimited, I am glad I got it again after getting a free offer at the beginning of the first lockdown. It certainly helped my reading goal. I think that was the most I ever read in a year. I love kindle unlimited, there’s so much choice of great books.

[Jade]

Alannah wrote: "My writing is just great there, haha. I got that email too about the 30 days free kindle unlimited, I am glad I got it again after getting a free offer at the beginning of the first lockdown. It ce..."

Haha! I get you, I’m glad. I didn’t read much during the first lockdown, I spent the time watching Disney + as it just came out. I hope to be a little more productive, even now that I’m back to studying now.

[Alannah]

Jade wrote: "Alannah wrote: "My writing is just great there, haha. I got that email too about the 30 days free kindle unlimited, I am glad I got it again after getting a free offer at the beginning of the first..."

Oh yeah, I got that too for my sister because she was due to go into hospital the week the site opened. It’s a great streaming service and will be even better once they add that new star, I think that’s what it is called. It has the adult programmes from abc, I think. Crazy to think I got that nearly a year ago. I have currently been watching the Simpsons throughout the whole series, lol.

[Jade]

Alannah wrote: "Jade wrote: "Alannah wrote: "My writing is just great there, haha. I got that email too about the 30 days free kindle unlimited, I am glad I got it again after getting a free offer at the beginning..."

Oh dear, I hope she’s ok now. I was using Disney + to watch all the Pixar movies I used to watch when I was a kid, I have also seen so many that I have missed, the most recent ones, that’s what I love about it.

[Jade]

You’re right, the new addition is called Star. I’m just looking forward to Family Guy and American Dad. I can’t get them anywhere else, they’re my guilty pleasure shows.