Watcha' Doing - 2020 Showing 1,751-1,800 of 2,651

[Kristie, Moderator]

So glad to hear that, Sarah! Hope you start to feel better quickly now.

[Peggy]

Very sad news about Chadwick Boseman.

I'm glad to hear your test was negative Sarah!

[Janice, Moderator]

Great to hear that it's not covid, Sarah!

[Shirley]

Sarah wrote: "I was so shocked and sad to hear about Chadwick Boseman. So young!

I got my test resultss back and they were negative for covid. Yay!! I am feeling much better than i did on thursday. Still got a..."
Thank goodness. No one needs that stress.

[[deleted user]]

Glad to hear you are OK Sarah! I understand the tests can be pretty awful too.

I found out on Thursday that one of my work clients has Covid. He is in his 50s and not in the best of health but he said he was feeling OK. The worst bit for him so far has been taste - everything tastes of plastic or metal - yuk!

I was shocked to hear Chadwick Boseman had passed too - so very sad.

We spent 6 hours in the car yesterday driving to Cambridge to see my great Aunt, (3 hours up, 3 hours back). It was lovely to see her, she is in her 80s but wish she lived a bit closer. Today is going to be a relaxing day.

[Roz]

I'm glad to hear you tested negative, Sarah. I know how worrisome it was for you. Hope you're feeling better now.

[Peggy]

Have you been in real life contact with that client Katie? What kind of work do you do?

My partner lost his sense of smell and taste back in March when it wasn't even mentioned as a symptom (we don't know if it's corona related, he hasn't been ill), and everything smells/tastes very chemically for him too.

[Saar The Book owl]

I'm glad to hear that you are okay, Sarah and that the test was negative.

I've heard it also of Chadwick Boseman. He was so young...

My son starts school Tuesday and I hope it will go well.

I'm just in need of some normal weeks, months...after all this.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

So good to hear you're okay, Sarah. Rest up, and kick that cold!!

Has he not got his taste/smell back yet Peggy?!?

Hope you have a relaxing day today, Katie :) We joke here about UK roadtrips, but that one deserves a proper rest day.

[Peggy]

@Rus: nope.. went to a throat/nose/ear specialist in June, but he just said to come back in 6 months if things weren't back to normal by then.

Lol, in our tiny country, when we have to drive oneway for 3 hours we make a weekend trip of it, or at least an overnight stay ;-)

[[deleted user]]

Peggy wrote: "Have you been in real life contact with that client Katie? What kind of work do you do?

My partner lost his sense of smell and taste back in March when it wasn't even mentioned as a symptom (we do..."

Thankfully no. He lives in Gibraltar and thinks he may have contracted it whilst travelling home from Malta.

Luckily, I don't come into contact with clients as I work in the admin department behind a desk.

Has your partner regained his sense of taste and smell Peggy? [EDIT - just read your reply to Rusalka - no need to reply!]. How awful for him. I can imagine it must be very strange and scary.

[[deleted user]]

Rusalka wrote: "So good to hear you're okay, Sarah. Rest up, and kick that cold!!

Has he not got his taste/smell back yet Peggy?!?

Hope you have a relaxing day today, Katie :) We joke here about UK roadtrips, bu..."

Haha yes! For us, travelling even an hour or more in a car feels like a long way. We ended up sitting out in the sunshine this afternoon, which was lovely.

Where are you from Rusalka? I get the impression you may live somewhere where an hour or 6 in a car isn't unusual lol.

[[deleted user]]

Peggy wrote: "@Rus: nope.. went to a throat/nose/ear specialist in June, but he just said to come back in 6 months if things weren't back to normal by then.

Lol, in our tiny country, when we have to drive onew..."

Where are you from Peggy?

I definitely would have stayed overnight but the hubby wanted to get back.

[[deleted user]]

Saar The Book owl wrote: "I'm glad to hear that you are okay, Sarah and that the test was negative.

I've heard it also of Chadwick Boseman. He was so young...

My son starts school Tuesday and I hope it will go well.

I'm ..."

Fingers crossed for you Saar. It has certainly been a very strange year.

Will your son go back full time?

[Peggy]

@Katie: no, he hasn't regained it yet. The first week was funny, after that it was scary, and now it's mostly very frustrating.

I'm from the Netherlands, so everything over an hour feels like a massive undertaking and way too long to sit in a car ;-) we went on holiday to the north of the country (I live in the south) which was 3.5 hours driving. It was a beautiful area and we would like to go back, but it feels too far for just a weekend. Are you laughing Rusalka?

Good to hear you only had digital contact with your client :)

[Saar The Book owl]

Katie wrote: "Saar The Book owl wrote: "I'm glad to hear that you are okay, Sarah and that the test was negative.

I've heard it also of Chadwick Boseman. He was so young...

My son starts school Tuesday and I h..."

Yes, at least for the first week if I may believe the media. All schools are reopening full time and I really hope it stays this way. He's so looking forward to it!

[[deleted user]]

Peggy wrote: "@Katie: no, he hasn't regained it yet. The first week was funny, after that it was scary, and now it's mostly very frustrating.

I'm from the Netherlands, so everything over an hour feels like a ma..."

Your poor partner ;-(. It must be very frustrating for him. Food is one of life's pleasures but not when it tastes like chemicals. I really do hope he regains his sense of taste again soon.

I've never been to the Netherlands. I'm glad you had a wonderful time even if you had to drive for 3.5 hours.

[[deleted user]]

Saar The Book owl wrote: "Katie wrote: "Saar The Book owl wrote: "I'm glad to hear that you are okay, Sarah and that the test was negative.

I've heard it also of Chadwick Boseman. He was so young...

My son starts school T..."

I shall keep my fingers crossed for you. I think a lot of kids really want to get back to school.

[Saar The Book owl]

Thanks, Katie, I think that too. I think that they are craving for some normality and seeing their friends, teachers...

[Sarah]

The whole testing was ridiculous. At first the system wasn't working and kept saying my nearest tesst centre was 150 miles away aand they coulnd't send a home test kit out because they'd ran out. I had to wait 3 hours until thee system was fixed and then I was able to book in for the next morning. When I arrived, they reeled off the instructions of what i had to do at 1000 miles and hour and then i was left to my own devices to do the test myself. The cotton bud up my nose kept making me sneeze and nade me gag when i wiped it across where my tonsils used to be. Then the little lid wouldn't close properly on the test tube. What a palava! The results were quick, I'll give 'em that.

[Peggy]

You test yourself? How can you be sure you've done it properly? It needs to go so far up your nose that I can't imagine people feel comfortable or are capable doing that themselves. (not criticizing you! Just wondering as I get nightmares just thinking about getting tested).

It saves time though! In some areas here you have to wait 3 days before you can get tested because it's all filled up.

[Esther]

Peggy wrote: "Are you laughing Rusalka?.."

Not Rusalka and I am not laughing but I am smiling.. I just came back from a day trip with a friend of mine. it`s a yearly thing. We drove down to Kamouraska (a cute little town) for lunch, It is 170 km from Qc.
We do come back by a scenic route and do stops here and there to walk by the river and so on.

[Janice, Moderator]

Come visit me in northern Alberta. We made 3 trips to Edmonton in a 3 week period this summer - 4 hours each way. It's 6 hours to my dad's for a visit. In 2 weeks, my dad & I will meet in Jasper for our weekend getaway at 4-1/2 hour drive each way for both of us. Thank goodness for audiobooks!

But it's all relative to what you are used to. We may have long distances, but traffic is fairly light. I remember being on the Autobahn in Germany, and the ring roads around New York City and Boston. That was stressful driving in heavy traffic. Oh, and how can I forget driving in Los Angeles? ACK!

[Sarah]

Peggy wrote: "You test yourself? How can you be sure you've done it properly? It needs to go so far up your nose that I can't imagine people feel comfortable or are capable doing that themselves. (not criticizin..."

Agreed. I can imagine a lot of people don't do it right. You aree not allowed to touch your teeth or tongue with it otherwise you would need a new kit. 10 seconds of wiping your tonsils. I had to split that up as i kept gagging. Then with the same cotton bud, 10-15 seconds up your nose. I had to split that too because i kept sneezing. Yyou have to push it up your nose slowly until you find some resistance. If you get it ddone at a hospital or doctors, it's done for you. But for most people, you have to go to a mobile testing centre where you don't even get out of your car.

[[deleted user]]

The test sounds horrific!!

[Sarah]

Katie wrote: "The test sounds horrific!!"

Perhaps I've made it sound a bit more dramatic than what most people experience. Haha!

[Peggy]

We can't self-test. You need to go to a drive through (obviously they didn't consider people without cars) and it's being done by a trained person. Apparently it requires quite some training as the cotton bud has to go 15-20 cm up your nose.. and back of the throat as well. my sister had it done and said it was horrible.

I guess every country uses slightly different tests and ways to get tested.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

You had to do it yourself?!? That is ridiculous! How on earth can they guarantee the samples aren't contaminated, let alone the issues discussed above? I am with you though, my gag reflex would not cope.

We have mobile tests where nurses do it to you in the car, or you can go to our walk in nurse medical centres. Both you are tested by a professional in full PPE who knows how to work with medical samples.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Noooo not laughing at you all, I'm with Esther and Janice and bemused. But I completely agree with Janice about what you are used to.

I'm in Australia, Katie. So it is not unusual for me to get in the car for 8-9 hours and go to Melbourne. One way. I think the "best" we've done was for my uncle's birthday a few years ago when we drove 8 hours Sat, the party was Sat night, and then we drove home on Sunday. We spent as much time at his place as we did in the car. Oh, and I drove the full 16 hours.

[[deleted user]]

15 - 20 cm up your nose! Holy heck no way jose!! I didn't even know you could stick something up your nose that far without it reaching your brain lol.

That is hard core driving Rusalka! 16 hours over two days, (with a party in between) you must have been exhausted.

[Peggy]

Okay, apparently I'm very bad at estimating distances. Rob says it's about 5 cm. But they do take a sample from the very back of your nose, almost your throat even. So in any case, very far into your nose, much more than should be possible, and scary ;-)

[Saar The Book owl]

I didn't know that you can test yourself. I think I wouldn't do it myself. There are articles about new tests, that are easier to do: just a bit of saliva and that's it. I haven't got a test yet, but all I hear is that it itches the nose and that you feel like almost sneezing.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Wow, I didn't know you could test yourself either. That is horrifying. I would think that a lot of people don't do it properly.

I don't mind driving for some time to get somewhere I want to go, preferably when the driving conditions are right. Audiobooks definitely make it more enjoyable.

[[deleted user]]

I wouldn't want to test myself either Saar, even if you only have to stick the thing 5cms up your nose - no thank you. It makes you wonder if our stats are wrong because self testing is not being done properly.

[Sarah]

So there isn't an option here. All the drive-thru test centres are do it yourself. It does seem ridiculous but it means that testing capacity is higher. But yes, there is a lot of room for user error. I guess it's not massively different to some of the other self-test things that the doctor's might have you do.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Katie wrote: "16 hours over two days, (with a party in between) you must have been exhausted."

It was not one of my smartest life decisions, I will admit.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Sarah wrote: "So there isn't an option here. All the drive-thru test centres are do it yourself. It does seem ridiculous but it means that testing capacity is higher. But yes, there is a lot of room for user err..."

Yeah... but peeing into a cup wrong is only going to disadvantage me (particularly if in public). I can see that it "protects" health workers as it limits contact, and increases capacity, but the rate of contaminated samples must be huge and in a plague like disease situation, I would think that is a greater health risk to the population!!

But sorry Sarah, please don't feel you personally need to defend the NHS. I get they are in an impossible situation and it's nothing to do with you and I am very glad you are okay. I think we are just all completely flabbergasted!!

[Sarah]

Haha, yeah I get the flabbergastedness!! The NHS is great in many ways but there is a lot that doesn't work and the vast majority of the stuff around covid has been pretty shocking to be honest. So not defending them at all. I agree that in a plague type situation, for public health and safety, trained testers would be better.

I just heard that another friend has taken ill and went for testing last night. Hopefully just another case of a cold or bug and not covid.

[[deleted user]]

I hope your friend is OK Sarah.

I am taking a sneaky break from work to have a go at "gophering" for September's challenge. What a great way to describe searching for books. I don't have a lot of books at home - yet so I think I will have a look at some of the goodreads lists.

This is such a welcome change from reading up on Economic Substance Law - sigh - who comes up with these things.

[uncomfytomato]

Some men in here are creepy as hell, I had to change my profile settings and block him, my anxiety is triggered and thats not great considering the time (now that I'm back to work)

"why are you so private?" ugh leave me alone dude...

[Sarah]

Barelyspicy (Bash) wrote: "Some men in here are creepy as hell, I had to change my profile settings and block him, my anxiety is triggered and thats not great considering the time (now that I'm back to work)

"why are you s..."

The men on Goodreads you mean? Yes every now and then I've had messages and friend requests from men. I have a question set up fo friend requests and I only accept if it's someone in this group or I've had interaction with on another group or has a lot of books in common with me. As for messages, if they are pretty harmless, I just ignore them, if they are dodgy as hell, you can report them to GR. Of course, you have the option of having your profile private. It's not nice though I know, especially if it triggers anxiety. I hope you feel better soon Bash!

[uncomfytomato]

Sarah wrote: "Barelyspicy (Bash) wrote: "Some men in here are creepy as hell, I had to change my profile settings and block him, my anxiety is triggered and thats not great considering the time (now that I'm bac..."

Thank you! I feel a bit better, I'm considering changing my country and name so it remains private, and since I read some books I "shouldn't" be reading according to my culture/country (for example LGBTQ books) I'm always scared or my family questioning me (which happens unfortunately).I don't know, you'd think you could 100% anonymous and free online but thats not always the case.

I'll remain optimistic. oh and kindle is great! since you could read anything you want without the physical proof of it.

[Margo]

Hi all, I came home on Saturday. The op went well and all is as expected but I'm in a lot of pain my concentration is shot to hell. This is the first time I've sat up and turned on my laptop - i did send a message about the monthly read but they were from me lying down and that's not easy.

I'm going back to lie down now, after a walk. Sittingis not easy so I will not be online very much for a few days. This has hit me way harder than I expected.

[Saar The Book owl]

Take care and time to recover, Margo. I'm glad the operation went well. Do youv' got pain meds to help you a bit?

[Jenn]

Glad to hear that it went well Margo! Wishing you health and happiness 😊

[Esther]

Margo wrote: "Hi all, I came home on Saturday. The op went well and all is as expected but I'm in a lot of pain my concentration is shot to hell. This is the first time I've sat up and turned on my laptop - i di..."

Glad it all went well. Time will do its thing. Hang in there.

[Peggy]

I hope you'll recover soon Margo!

[Janice, Moderator]

Bash, I hope your efforts will stop uncomfortable enquiries. I would report him to Goodreads staff. You should be able to find out how to do that in the Help section.

Margo, glad to hear that you're home and recovering. I think we do tend to underestimate recovery time. I know I did. Go gentle with yourself.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Barelyspicy (Bash) wrote: "Thank you! I feel a bit better, I'm considering changing my country and name so it remains private, and since I read some books I "shouldn't" be reading according to my culture/country

I get some very creepy requests at times too (although it must be said they have decreased dramatically now I've changed my photo to a chicken. Poor Tephra, I think she's adorable). I must say if I look at a man's friends list and all they have is hot females on there, then they go in the bin. Look after yourself and exercise the banhammer liberally. This is a space for you to chill out, you choose who you engage with.

On your comment about your details, you don't need to list a country, remember. Just delete it if you feel it opens you up to real life problems. The only info you need is a Profile Name, the rest is optional.

I use a pseudonym here for myself and Lexx for example as I want to be able to give my real opinions on what I read, and when I started on Goodreads, I was working for the Australian Government who was firing public servants for criticising government policies in their downtime as private citizens (which is totally allowed, it's just the Gov was very thin skinned). Now I never plan on working for them again, but you never know, and they are the largest employer in our city. So it's smart that I keep our names off this platform in case they go down this path again. It's just all very confusing when I meet YLTOers in real life lol

[Sandra, Moderator]

Huge hug, Margo! You got this. Just a few more days to recover from the surgery.