You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

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Off Topic Chat > Watcha' Doing - 2020

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message 1451: by Kristie, Moderator (new)

Kristie | 19148 comments Annerlee wrote: "Kristie wrote: "Sandra wrote: "I just found this lists of books and spent 2 hours checking the ones I have read... Sharing my new vice:

https://www.listchallenges.com/lists/..."

Oh... that site..."


I've considered getting a scratch off poster many times. That looks like a good one.

And now your teammates are going down the rabbit hole...


message 1452: by Janice, Moderator (new)

Janice (jamasc) | 59905 comments I had an appointment at the doctor's yesterday. The nurse asked me to remove my sandals. I told her I was not walking around the doctor's clinic in bare feet. She informed me there were socks in a basket at the entrance that I could use (in the time of Covid!!). I told her I wasn't wearing a pair of socks that may have been worn by someone else. I won that battle. But the thing that really annoyed me was that there wasn't one nurse or doctor in that clinic wearing a mask. I was to remain in my car when I arrived until they called me in. When I went in, there were 3 people crammed in the entrance that's maybe 4 x 4 feet. No line ups outside spaced 6 feet apart. No offering of a mask. No sanitization station.

I had to go to the lab right after. Line up with spaces marked down the sidewalk. Sanitization station in the entrance where gowned, masked, gloved person took your info, had you sanitize your hands and gave you a mask if you weren't wearing one. Nothing like that at the doctor's office.

Later, I went for a massage. I had to answer and sign a document stating that I had answered "no" to a number of questions. Then, the therapist went over in detail that she also answered "no" to the questions, and explained in detail the sanitation processes. I had to sign that she had explained all that to me. She has to keep that declaration for 10 years. She was wearing a gown, mask, and goggles.

The massage therapist has to do all that, and the staff at a medical clinic does sweet tweet? Where's the consistency?


message 1453: by Kristie, Moderator (new)

Kristie | 19148 comments That seems really irresponsible of your doctor's office, Janice.


message 1454: by Esther (new)

Esther (nyctale) | 5194 comments Janice wrote: "I had an appointment at the doctor's yesterday. The nurse asked me to remove my sandals. I told her I was not walking around the doctor's clinic in bare feet. She informed me there were socks in a ..."

Wow. Same thing with the hospital here. My mom had a few appointments in the last weeks and I went with her. I drop her at the door, they have a wheelchair waiting. I park and pick her up. I was not sure the first time but I paid attention last week. These chairs are not sanitized between users.


message 1455: by Peggy (last edited Jun 25, 2020 09:52AM) (new)

Peggy (pebbles84) | 15868 comments Wow, hospitals and doctors are the last places where you expect something like that.

I went to the dentist yesterday. Everyone had masks and gloves. Including me. When I entered I had to sanitize my hands, my temperature was measured, and I was given a mask to wear. Then I was brought to a chair, and the assistant brushed my teeth, which she told me was also a corona measure.

I'm all for hygiene measures, but the mask didn't make sense. I was wearing it when I was alone in the chair, waiting with nobody around me, but obviously as soon as the dentist or the assistant needed to work inside my mouth, the mask was removed (and you were only allowed to slide it upwards, covering your eyes, so then it was like you were in the chair blindfolded). Weird experience.


message 1456: by Kristie, Moderator (new)

Kristie | 19148 comments That’s weird too, Peggy. I can see wearing it while walking in the building, but not when they’re working in your mouth.


message 1457: by Saar The Book owl (new)

Saar The Book owl | 2650 comments Janice wrote: "I had an appointment at the doctor's yesterday. The nurse asked me to remove my sandals. I told her I was not walking around the doctor's clinic in bare feet. She informed me there were socks in a ..."

That's very irresponsible! If we go to the doctor here, we need to were masks and desinfect the hands. I mean, you should expect more responsability from a clinic.


message 1458: by Saar The Book owl (new)

Saar The Book owl | 2650 comments Peggy wrote: "Wow, hospitals and doctors are the last places where you expect something like that.

I went to the dentist yesterday. Everyone had masks and gloves. Including me. When I entered I had to sanitize ..."


A mask at the dentist is a bit weird, except if you're in the waiting room. I'm a bit panicy for the dentist, so the mask over my eyes would be a no no.


message 1459: by Cherie (last edited Jun 25, 2020 06:49PM) (new)

Cherie (crobins0) | 21536 comments I have not been to the dentist office since all of the Covid-19 started and they closed their office for two months. My normal cleaning appointment was during the time they closed, and I have to call now, and make a new appointment which will not be until September or October now. When we have our teeth worked on, we are given a pair of sunglasses to protect our eyes. I cannot imagine them making us wear a mask over our eyes. They always wear masks and gloves and gowns, no matter what you are having done. I know that I will be required to wear a mask when I go in, and they will take my temperature.

I cannot imagine a doctor's clinic or office not doing the same.


message 1460: by Renee (new)

Renee (elenarenee) | 1650 comments I had my cleaning last week. My dentist was covered from head to toe. He is even required to wear a hair covering. I just had to keep my mask on in the waiting are.

I think it is like when someone goes to surgery. You cover you clothes before they enter the room. I am sad to say i go back Monday for a filling


message 1461: by Sarah (new)

Sarah | 18550 comments Every odd how things differ. Also from country to country.

Lockdown and easing has been a right fiasco here. You can't make some of it up. Our government is awful. There has been a lot of unrest this last week with illegal street parties and gatherings where the police have had to attend due to violent behaviour. The end of lockdown was announced but people have assumed it applies now I think rather than from 4th July. I'm fearful that when things do open up again they are all gearing up for a mass party, drunkenness and chaos. This week it has been soooo hot. 31C the last two days. It was 35C inside our boat yesterday. Luckily we have shade on the towpath. But thousands of people travelled to beaches, in particular Bournemouth, and a major incident was declared. There was no social distance in place at all. The photos of the beaches (and the rubbish left behind afterwards) were disgusting. Riddiculous.

But despite all this, it has been a lovely week for us. We moved our boat further into the countryside of Wiltshire. Our first move since the beginning of lockdown. It is so nice to have a change of scenery. The towpath is lovely and wide and it's so quiet up here with very little footfall. The weather has been glorious so we've been canoeing, had a picnic, had a bbq with our neighbours, and generally just chilled out (Rob has been off work this week).


message 1462: by Cherie (new)

Cherie (crobins0) | 21536 comments So nice for you to finally be able to move your boat again, Sarah, especially to a nicer place with some shade. Do you take Beans in the canoe with you?


message 1463: by Sarah (last edited Jun 27, 2020 01:18PM) (new)

Sarah | 18550 comments Cherie wrote: "So nice for you to finally be able to move your boat again, Sarah, especially to a nicer place with some shade. Do you take Beans in the canoe with you?"

Yes it was a little nerve wracking at first as we haven't moved since the beginning of March. For a moment, we were going to stay put. But I'm so pleased we moved.

We had really hoped that Beans would be up for going canoeing. He loves the canoe when it is on the roof, mainly sitting and playing underneath it. But as soon as it gets in the water he is really wary of it. So I think it's unlikely we'll be taking him for a paddle unfortunately. We have friends who take their small dog canoeing with them which is so cute.


message 1464: by Peggy (new)

Peggy (pebbles84) | 15868 comments Rob turns 40 next weekend. I had no idea what to buy him this year, I realized I'm usually giving him something related to food or craft beer, travelling or concert tickets, none of which is going to be a very good present at the moment.

So now I'm going to give him 40 presents, lol! I almost have them all, just need to think of a few more things. It's been a lot of work wrapping them all up!


message 1465: by Sarah (new)

Sarah | 18550 comments Sounds fantastic. Yeah I can imagine the wrapping has been a lengthy process. It will be quicker for him to unwrap! I bought my parents a boat trip and a go on the London eye for Christmas and we've not been able to use it. No idea when we'll feel comfortable doing that. I also promised to treat them to Tapas for Mother's Day back in March and it was the week lockdown occurred. So I will owe them that when things get more normal. So when it was my Mum's birthday last month followed by Father's day, I had to rethink the 'experience' style presents. I got some flowers from Bloom n Wild delivered to my mum. They are sent as buds in a box that fits through the letterbox. They lasted ages and my mum was very impressed. And for my dad, I got a cheese lovers gift box which had 3 types of cheese, crackers and a chutney. That went down very well too.


message 1466: by Peggy (new)

Peggy (pebbles84) | 15868 comments Sounds like great gifts Sarah! We gave my mom a cooking workshop with the whole family, but it was planned for May so we had to cancel that too. We'll reschedule though.


message 1467: by Margo (new)

Margo | 11630 comments Peggy wrote: "Rob turns 40 next weekend. I had no idea what to buy him this year, I realized I'm usually giving him something related to food or craft beer, travelling or concert tickets, none of which is going ..."

Peggy, I think I'm the worlds worst present giver so all the gifts you listed sound good to me! Rob is a luck boy - think of the fun he'll have unwrapping them all 😁


message 1468: by Margo (new)

Margo | 11630 comments Sarah wrote: "Sounds fantastic. Yeah I can imagine the wrapping has been a lengthy process. It will be quicker for him to unwrap! I bought my parents a boat trip and a go on the London eye for Christmas and we'v..."

I love the sound of those buds Sarah. Great gift 😊


message 1469: by Kristie, Moderator (new)

Kristie | 19148 comments Peggy wrote: "So now I'm going to give him 40 presents, lol! I almost have them all, just need to think of a few more things. It's been a lot of work wrapping them all up!"

That's a great idea! A lot of thought to come up with 40 gifts and a lot of wrapping time too!


message 1470: by Kristie, Moderator (new)

Kristie | 19148 comments Sarah, you are such a great gift giver! Those all sound excellent.


message 1471: by Sandra, Moderator (new)

Sandra (sanlema) | 11263 comments Sounds great, Peggy!


message 1472: by Esther (new)

Esther (nyctale) | 5194 comments Peggy wrote: "So now I'm going to give him 40 presents, lol! I almost have them all, just need to think of a few more things. It's been a lot of work wrapping them all up!."

Awesone !! Love the idea.


message 1473: by Esther (new)

Esther (nyctale) | 5194 comments speaking of gifts... I want ideas and some of you are really good at this. My family have a tradition for Christmas (started about 10 years ago). We pick a theme and we bring a gift based on that at the next Christmas. We do not now who will get this gift. Now this year theme is Island. Talking to a college in February, I mentioned something dreaming to be on a deserted island, followed by a "oh that`s a good Idea. So I decided that my gift would be around "Deserted Island survival kit" But I am missing some elements.
So I am thinking of:
- one of these nice water bottle.
- cute roll duct tape.
- waterproof matches placed in a cute metal tin.
- rope (probably used as the ribbon of the gift)

I need more as the bottle is really the only gift in there. Any idea are welcome.


message 1474: by Sandra, Moderator (new)

Sandra (sanlema) | 11263 comments A book, Esther, of course!!!


message 1475: by Sandra, Moderator (new)

Sandra (sanlema) | 11263 comments A journal to tell the story?


message 1476: by Sandra, Moderator (new)

Sandra (sanlema) | 11263 comments binoculars?


message 1477: by Kristie, Moderator (new)

Kristie | 19148 comments Sandra, you're good at this!


message 1478: by Esther (new)

Esther (nyctale) | 5194 comments Kristie wrote: "Sandra, you're good at this!"

She is!


message 1479: by Peggy (new)

Peggy (pebbles84) | 15868 comments It reminds me of Jack Sparrow 'bit where's the rum gone?!'

So... bottle of rum? ;-)

Awesome tradition btw!


message 1480: by Peggy (new)

Peggy (pebbles84) | 15868 comments Or one of those wooden puzzle thingies that can occupy you for hours?


message 1481: by Esther (new)

Esther (nyctale) | 5194 comments Peggy wrote: "It reminds me of Jack Sparrow 'bit where's the rum gone?!'

So... bottle of rum? ;-)

Awesome tradition btw!"

It is fun and it is surprising how different our gifts are. There are so many ways to interpret a word.


message 1482: by Peggy (new)

Peggy (pebbles84) | 15868 comments I might suggest your tradition to my family :)

A snorkling set, or something else to play with in the water?


message 1483: by Sandra, Moderator (last edited Jul 03, 2020 08:35AM) (new)

Sandra (sanlema) | 11263 comments Esther wrote: "Kristie wrote: "Sandra, you're good at this!"

She is!"


LOL, thank you. I might be in a creative day.


message 1484: by Sandra, Moderator (new)

Sandra (sanlema) | 11263 comments Peggy wrote: "It reminds me of Jack Sparrow 'bit where's the rum gone?!'

So... bottle of rum? ;-)"


That's a good one!


message 1485: by Janice, Moderator (new)

Janice (jamasc) | 59905 comments Lots of great ideas! Maybe a soccer ball that could be called "Wilson" in homage to Tom Hanks in Castaway.


message 1486: by Kristie, Moderator (new)

Kristie | 19148 comments Janice wrote: "Lots of great ideas! Maybe a soccer ball that could be called "Wilson" in homage to Tom Hanks in Castaway."

They sell the "Wilson" volleyball. My daughter had one years ago. lol




message 1487: by Esther (last edited Jul 03, 2020 08:56AM) (new)

Esther (nyctale) | 5194 comments Peggy wrote: "I might suggest your tradition to my family :)"

I really like it. I gives us a year to come up with something and it makes it easy to manage who is attending as gifts are not assigned.


message 1488: by Sarah (new)

Sarah | 18550 comments Love the tradition Esther! We have a weird tradition too. We have our normal presents in the morning, then we have 'christmas tree presents' after the Queen's speech (or there about). The presents are generally under £5 and you give one to each of the people there that day, and of course you get them in return. Not as fun as yours though Esther. I might have to suggest it for my friends as we often have a boat christmas of some kind.

Love the survival kit idea. How about one of those multi-tools/swiss army knife? Or a head torch? I'm of course going down the more practical route. But both are available in lots of different colours. A flag to wave to attract attention of passing boats? Chocolate? I agree with the rum (thinking Pirates of the Caribbean now) and book. How about a funny survival book of some kind?


message 1489: by Sarah (new)

Sarah | 18550 comments Kristie wrote: "Sarah, you are such a great gift giver! Those all sound excellent."

Thanks. I had to start thinking outside the box and my parents, when asked what they want, always say 'nothing'! Ughh!


message 1490: by Margo (new)

Margo | 11630 comments Esther wrote: "Peggy wrote: "I might suggest your tradition to my family :)"

I really like it. I gives us a year to come up with something and it makes it easy to manage who is attending as gifts are not assigned."


That's is so much fun! How a wind-up torch and Bear Grylls Survival Skills: Firecraft & Campfire Cooking? I was going to suggest a wind-up radio but I don't think you'd pick up any signals.


message 1491: by Esther (last edited Jul 03, 2020 07:35PM) (new)

Esther (nyctale) | 5194 comments So many good ideas. Thanks all!!!!

Peggy, there will not be rhum but there may be beer. Quebec has a lot of good microbreweries. You made me think of this one


message 1492: by Cherie (new)

Cherie (crobins0) | 21536 comments Ester - a small Swiss Army knife? It can go in the tin with the matches.


message 1493: by Renee (new)

Renee (elenarenee) | 1650 comments Even tropical islands get cold at night. How about a throw? I think i am thinking of myself. I have been hinting to a friend I would really love it if she knitted me a throw.


message 1494: by Rusalka, Moderator (new)

Rusalka (rusalkii) | 19206 comments We have a couple of these in our emergency gift drawer:
- hand crank/solar charger for phones etc (used this once or twice this horror summer)
- simplified and almost idiot proof flint and tinder
- We have a swiss utli-key (bottle opener, screwdrivers, knife): http://www.swisstechtools.com/proddet...


message 1495: by Travis (new)

Travis (travistousant) | 6011 comments I don't understand what is going on with people. I live in a very republican very strong trump supporting little corner. Now trump campaigned with a bunch of name calling and what not and people are it up loved he doesn't put up with crap. But apparently that's the new normal. All the republican candidates for anything aren't campaigning. They just call the opponent names. And what's worse the people are eating it up. I don't get it. They literally tell us nothing of what they will do. They go out being republican and call Democrats names and the people around here back them with no questions asked. It's lunacy. I don't understand it at all. When you drive around and almost every yard has a trump sign or a flag flying apparently these candidates know exactly the types of people they're dealing with. And I don't like it. I didn't keep many friends to begin with and the ones I do are of the die hard trump supporters and to me it's like they have nothing but hate for everyone.

Sure I've called people names in my life it's not like I wear a Halo over here but it's like the more of all the disrespect I see the more respectful I become. Or at least the more aware of my actions.

Strange times but I sure hope the political worldakes some change and fast. Too much toxicity

And with that I'm going to bed before I end up in a rant over who knows what. People trying to argue monuments teach history out there. Pick up a book if you want to learn as if most of these people are out there studying these monuments that have become so damn precious to them for Pete's sake


message 1496: by Margo (new)

Margo | 11630 comments Same scary stuff is happening around the world Travis and I don't think Covid will make things any better. Political parties, and other vested interests, are putting out fake news to scare people and steer their thinking. I can't blame young people for being sucked into thinking as they've been hearing the same same old thing from these guys all of their lives and nothing changes.

People are voting for extreme parties hoping to see some improvement and they don't realise they're being hoodwinked. Politicians on one side are spouting the same old thing and those on the the other side are making a lot of noise and shouting names at them.


message 1497: by Shirley (new)

Shirley | 1506 comments When I read about world events, I start to think that some people have lost their sense of reason, and then I think, maybe it's me that's wrong-thinking. In my lifetime, this has been the first time that I have felt that I would like to withdraw from any opinion-making about the global state of affairs, and limit my thinking to my own small world of family and friends. Maybe that's an age-thing.


message 1498: by Saar The Book owl (new)

Saar The Book owl | 2650 comments I agree on your thoughts, Margo. It's strange on what's happening right now. Some things are good that they are happening, like the BLM - protests and I hope for so many things that people will stop their 'sheep - behaviour' and will think for themselves. There's so many fake news, persons making advantage of that, extreme parties...We had that to the last ellections and people voted on extreem right parties. Well, it now has been more than a year and we still don't have a governement. We've got so many political parties, that they don't agree. Now that all that is a bit lying down, they now negotiating, but there's no vision on a new governement yet.
I think there's now a strong generation of young people who think for their own and I hope that this will turn into something good.
Also, because of the whole Covid - thing, there's no talking about the climate anymore. And it's worrying that this important topic is put aside.

@Shirley: I don't know how young you are, but I don't think that's an age - thing. I think most of the persons are now thinking: 'what is happening?' There's one person who acts like a big toddler with a tantrum and he just gets away with it.


message 1499: by Margo (new)

Margo | 11630 comments Saar, the BLM movement is the only good thing that is happening at the moment and it gives me a ray of hope. I won't dwell on all the awful events that made this happen.

We currently have a coalition government made up of three parties, one of them is the green party. I am hoping this will be good for us. Up to now all we've been hearing is "ELECTRIC CANS! ELECTRIC CARS!" OK there are some charging points in Dublin but very scare in the rest of the country. They are unaffordable, they don't have range. We have a terrible public transport system, again almost non-excitant outside Dublin. I could, and often do, sound off for hours, about things that could be done here!

Shirley, I know the feeling of just wanting to clap you hands over your ears. I feel so helpless in the face of all the abuse of public office, political favouritism, health problems etc - I bury myself in a good book to get away from it all.


message 1500: by Rusalka, Moderator (new)

Rusalka (rusalkii) | 19206 comments Margo wrote: " they don't have range.."

They've done a lot of tests on electric cars here with our spaced out towns, and have found that they can go about 800km on a charge. I know not your point, and I completely agree and understand your bigger point. But this was a big misinformation thing in our election last year, and therefore a lot of debunking was done, so wanted to let you know.


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