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Quarantine Tuesday Reading Kaffeeklatsch: 3/24/2020
Tien wrote: "@Theresa, you've posted this twice..."Well that was weird! Wonder how that happened?
All fixed!
The double posting is a recent goodreads glitch. It happened a lot last week when the system was really slow. I feel for you Theresa! I crave alone time, but if I had it 24/7, I'd be on the phone a lot. It's also hard to adjust to working at home when you don't have a comfortable set up, with everything at your fingertips. I worked from home a lot when I was teaching and consulting, and I found it easier when I could keep everything in one office rather than trying to work back and forth. A big desk and a good chair make a world of difference.
My husband is working from home, and I feel like we're adjusting pretty well. It was a tough week because we had to put our dog to sleep last Monday. She was scheduled for chemo, but it had progressed too far. The work-at-home decision came the next day. The timing was probably for the best because the change helped distract us from her loss. He was a mess while she was sick. We all were, but she was his baby.
@Theresa, the Kaffeeklatsch is a wonderful idea and might be a good distraction for us all in these troubling times. Nothing feels normal about how we're living right now. @Nancy, I'm so sorry for the loss of your dog. Our furry friends are family.
Thanks Holly. I heard that the SPCA in our area has had a record number of adoptions so far this month.
We have our own furry friend here. Ace is a rescue dog who was found wandering hungry and emaciated on the street. He is a bigger dog than I've ever had before (85 pounds) and a breed that I was fearful of (a pitbull mix). However, he has become a suburban dog and has adapted to our home.
Big Hugs Nancy, so hard to let a family member go.
@NancyJ - so sorry for the loss to your famiky!@Holky R W - one of my paralegals and her family have always had pitbulls and pitbull mixes. They have been the sweetest dogs, every one of them! Protective but sweet, gentle, and highly trainable. Training and environment make all the difference.
Nancy, so deeply sorry! Heartbreaking!Our family is going through this too right now. Our darling delicious Dandy who is only six, is declining, and has an incredibly short timeline. One silver lining to this challenging time, is that our whole family gets to spend a lot of time with her. We told the kids the day we found out - March 12th, we all cried for an hour, and then the schools closed 15 minutes after that. So we have been with her non-stop, loving her as long as we possibly can. We did put a deposit down on a new puppy, to be born in April and come home in June. We hope Dandy gets to meet her. Its Advanced Liver disease, which I guess a small percentage of labradoodles are prone to. For the best dog in the world, she is genetically unlucky.
In other news, we are staying positive around this time. Lots of books for the kids. My reading is slow, because I am zooming with patients, homeschooling, and a thousand other things. There's a lot of Rummy Q, walks with the dog, Harry Potter 2 and 7, still haven't cleaned any closets or done the taxes. But we are in a pretty good head space. There has been a lot of test prep in the house, and just being together. I finished a puzzle and I am struggling with the new one. Weirdly shaped pieces. I can't find the fourth corner, nor finish the frame and that alone might institutionalize me. I predict it will be DNF's shortly. I just can't give up yet. We are otherwise good. My book group is Zooming together to talk about City of Girls on Sunday night. There's been a happy hour with friends here and there. Topic amongst friends has moved to Passover. I still think we will have two full tables. My husband says no one will come, and we don't want them. But I sent my parents a Haggadah from Amazon (the same one we have used since the 1970's) and they will zoom in to join us. Other than that, we are good. Sending blessings and love to all.
Theresa - I am also still trying to find a comfortable place to WFH. Yesterday I was at the bench at our kitchen table and my butt went numb :P Today I am using a different chair. Not as comfy as work but it will do. Who knew my work chair was so cozy!? Nancy, so sorry to hear about your dog. We had to let our dog go last December and I miss him so much.
As for my quarantine situation, I am working from home, husband is a teacher so he is home and it is pretty chill. I love my home, it is my sanctuary so I am quite comfortable not leaving for now and keeping in touch with people from work via email and messaging.
My reading is changing a little. I wrapped up Quit Like A Woman (need to post my review) and The Yellow House and they were not great for my pandemic mindset. I started The Deep a couple days ago and it is much more suited for my escapist preferences right now.
Thanks everyone. My diversion today is to finish the book She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement, which is largely about building the story about Harvey Weinstein. Kantor and Twohey helped to propel the Me Too movement and won a Pulitzer prize.
Coincidentally he reportedly tested positive for Covid 19 in Prison.
NancyJ wrote: "Thanks everyone. My diversion today is to finish the book She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement, which is largely about building the story a..."
I saw that!
This fucking guy... crawling around in a walker, give me a break.
Michigan went into "Shelter In Place" mode last night. Because of my health issues, I have been doing this the last 5 years-so not a big change in things here. My one escape from the house, volunteering at the library, is gone though. I am really missing it. I am trying to motivate myself to use the time I normally spend there on some projects around the house. This is day 2 of thinking about it, and not doing it-LoL!
I have a natural propensity to be a hermit, so being home with retired hubby is not a challenge. I've been reading, gardening and doing work paperwork on the computer.What one should absolutely not do is check 401K's and stocks.
"We lost how much!?" Lock it away and do not think of it again.
Thinking about how these moments will be viewed by history. Wondering how long it will take for the curve to flatten without sending it back up.
Booknblues wrote: "What one should absolutely not do is check 401K's and stocks."100%! Haven't even taken a peak.
I think if people / businesses take this "shelter in place" seriously we will flatten the curve, but it is kinda vague and the damage to the economy has leadership more concerned with hurrying us back to work... if we do that, there will be another spike and we will have to do this all over again in earnest.
Wisconsin's Governor just announced a "safer-at-home" order. (He dislikes the terms "lockdown' and "shelter in place" ... think's they are alarming. Whatever he calls it ... it's the same thing.) Effective beginning midnight tonight and through April 24. Won't be much different for us than the last week. We go to the grocery store, pharmacy or hardware store as needed. (Did have to call the plumber last week.) But otherwise we've been staying home. Got take-out /curbside pick-up from a local restaurant last night for a change of pace.
I did made a run to my local indie bookseller this afternoon to pick up a book I had ordered on Friday. I actually paid for two books (neither one science fiction...), but the second one wasn't in stock and hasn't arrived yet. Got an email last night from the owner "Pick up any order tomorrow as it may be your last chance." I don't care about the money for that second book ... I just hope this store survives.
Ditto my hairdresser, who is an independent contractor who rents her space in the salon. So not eligible for unemployment. I'm going to take a friend's suggestion and pay her in advance for two appointments. Maybe if enough clients do this it will see her through this enforced shut down.
And I agree about not checking 401k, etc. I decided two days ago to stop watching the news, except for the local channel at 10p (mostly for the weather). It was just making me crazy.
Okay ... off to make dinner now.
Stay safe. Wash Your Hands. Find a Moment of Pleasure Each Day.
My daughter went with me to the grocery store today. I laughed til I thought I would wet myself when she met up with me. Her entire cart was alcohol, snack foods and chocolate - Ok by me, we live in the same house~
Book Concierge wrote: "Wisconsin's Governor just announced a "safer-at-home" order. (He dislikes the terms "lockdown' and "shelter in place" ... think's they are alarming. Whatever he calls it ... it's the same thing.) E..."😅😅 Yeah the whole vocabulary thing! New York in case you are wondering, the entire state, is on Pause.
I get it, I am a lawyer who uses words strategically as well. But this is cracking me up.
Btw...if you want to know how long this will continue, listen to Governor Cuomo and watch NYC. US is not back to work until the financial center of the country is able to go back to work as normal. And that is NY.
Joanne wrote: "My daughter went with me to the grocery store today. I laughed til I thought I would wet myself when she met up with me. Her entire cart was alcohol, snack foods and chocolate - Ok by me, we live i..."I should shop with her!
Meli wrote: "Theresa - I am also still trying to find a comfortable place to WFH. Yesterday I was at the bench at our kitchen table and my butt went numb :P Today I am using a different chair. Not as comfy as w..."New chair just arrived! Hopefully my conference call that starts in a few minutes will not take more than an hour so I can spend evening with "some assembly required."😁
Isn't funny how we suddenly find our desk chairs so comfortable? Sort of a reminder.
Theresa wrote: "I get it, I am a lawyer who uses words strategically as well. But this is cracking me up.."As the mother of an Aspie, I also use words strategically, and this started when she was small. With her IQ and her brilliance with all things vocabulary, it was very difficult when combined with that.
A rose by any other name...
I love that Joanne! I went shopping with my oldest the other day, and at the very top of our grocery list was 'white wine' and 'jumbo comics' (Donald Duck).
I have a (small) desk and chair and a PC, at least. It's weird, though. I'm a homebody and an introvert. I also live alone with my 3 cats. It seems like there's not enough activity to interrupt me, so I feel like I have to find more to fill the time. I'm trying to catch up on things I can do online, PD reading, etc. I did bring boxes of books to catalogue, but I haven't started that yet. Maybe that will feel more normal, once I get to it, even if it is from home. It's nice not to have the long commutes (about 1 hr, 15 mins each way), but I am (so far) getting less reading done because of it. I used to also (sometimes) read on my lunch break. At home, I am still taking that break, but I'm trying to do some housework that I don't do as often as I should. I'm hoping once I catch up more on some of that, I will be able to do more reading.
I am doing more housework just after work (stuff where I can listen to my audio, as that's some reading I would normally do on my commute), but I am finishing earlier than I'd arrive home, so I have done some reading in that time until about the time I'd normally get home, then I come online.
NancyJ wrote: "It was a tough week because we had to put our dog to sleep last Monday. .."Oh, no! I'm so sorry, Nancy. :'(
I have a cat in kidney failure, and I am terrified it will be "time" while we have this craziness going on. I am so hoping, if it does end up being time, they will let me be with him at the vet's. As is probably happening in most places, for vet appointments, they are taking the pet away at the door, and all interaction is by phone, while the human waits outside. We do have an appointment coming up and I know I won't be happy with that, either.
NancyJ wrote: "The double posting is a recent goodreads glitch. It happened a lot last week when the system was really slow. I feel for you Theresa! I crave alone time, but if I had it 24/7, I'd be on the phone..."
I'm sorry this had to be done, Nancy.
Also, Cindy, I am sorry that your cat isn't doing well.
Amy wrote: "Our darling delicious Dandy who is only six, is declining, and has an incredibly short timeline. ..."Oh no! :-( She's still so young.
I'm in the same position as Theresa in not being set up at all to work at home. I firmly believe in not working at home if possible. I often travel for work with months in a hotel room and work all the time with the work computer with me. I hate doing it to my home. I finally cleared off my desk which is more decorative than stable and borrowed the monitor and docking station from the office. Its a start but my butt hurt so much this morning. I had to immediately order a chair cushion.
So sorry to all with ailing pets. Losing a pet is hard enough without the added anxiety and stress of the current situation.
So so sorry about your dog, Nancy. And thinking of you too, Cindy. I’ve been in the ‘stay home’ bubble since Saturday because I’m immune-compromised. So I’ve been WFH since then. Fortunately I’m well set up for it - though I love the Jane Austen turn about the room idea - must do that!!
My Mum lives with us and she’s had to stay home since Saturday too, as she’s late 70s so automatically more vulnerable. Now it’s situation normal for everyone though - New Zealand moved to level 3 on Monday (work from home if possible, keep at least 2m apart, and all public facilities, bars cafes etc to close), and the whole country is moving to level 4 from midnight tonight for 4 weeks (full lockdown except for essential service providers). So I’m having to communicate with and manage my team of 7 plus a couple of extras remotely. Developing some new skills, but man it’s tiring! The government department I work for is also full on with Covid response so there has been a lot of urgent work. People have been truly amazing though - very very proud of my work colleagues.
I’m trying to develop some stronger routines including getting down-time and time with my husband rather than being on my work computer constantly! Reading will be a godsend I think, once I have a smidgin more brain space to devote to it.
Joanne wrote: "My daughter went with me to the grocery store today. I laughed til I thought I would wet myself when she met up with me. Her entire cart was alcohol, snack foods and chocolate - Ok by me, we live i..."That's hilarious! Which reminds me... I have no chocolate in this house :(
Theresa wrote: "Meli wrote: "Theresa - I am also still trying to find a comfortable place to WFH. Yesterday I was at the bench at our kitchen table and my butt went numb :P Today I am using a different chair. Not ..."
Lucky you!
Meli wrote: "That's hilarious! Which reminds me... I have no chocolate in this house :("The number of cookies I have eaten is countless. I will not be buying more. lol
Nicole R wrote: "Meli wrote: "That's hilarious! Which reminds me... I have no chocolate in this house :("The number of cookies I have eaten is countless. I will not be buying more. lol"
My diet has been relatively good working from home. Not much snacking like I usually do. Less stress maybe?
Meli wrote: "My diet has been relatively good working from home. Not much snacking like I usually do. Less stress maybe?"In general I have been eating pretty well! But, I eat fairly healthy on a regular basis.
I normally do not keep cookies or sweets in my house, but I bought chocolate chip cookies the other day and now they just need to be gone. lol
I have also still be exercising, though lots of walking instead of elliptical, but I am determined to get back on my body weight core and upper body workouts. They took a hit because I do not have much space at home, but I am sure I can figure something out.
If it were nicer, I would do them outside!
I just ate a bologna sandwich :PI have been taking a couple walks a day, but not hitting 10,000 steps a day, not even close.
No workouts. I usually did classes at my work gym and I hate working out at home even though I could do no equipment stuff like pushups, lunges, squats or planks but nah.
Meli wrote: "I just ate a bologna sandwich :PI have been taking a couple walks a day, but not hitting 10,000 steps a day, not even close.
No workouts. I usually did classes at my work gym and I hate working..."
I am walking at least 5 miles 5 times a week, and every day if the weather cooperates. That usually gets me to the 10,000 step mark. The last time I didn't go for a walk (two days ago because it was snowing), I walked less than 100 steps! lol.
I also HATE working out at home. I don't have weights so I am only doing body weight workouts, but the bigger issue is that I live in a 400 square foot studio apartment so I literally do not have much space! lol. I am determined to do it though....
Nicole R wrote: "Meli wrote: "I just ate a bologna sandwich :PI have been taking a couple walks a day, but not hitting 10,000 steps a day, not even close.
No workouts. I usually did classes at my work gym and I..."
400 square feet!? Oh no, that is a little small.
Meli wrote: "Nicole R wrote: "400 square feet!? Oh no, that is a little small."400 was an exaggeration. It is 520, but that counts the closets! lol.
It doesn't feel too small on a regular basis, but when I am confined to it for sleeping, watching TV, working, and exercising, it does feel like the walls are closing in a bit!
Thankfully, I have lots of light and vaulted ceilings, which makes it feel larger. If it were nicer out, then I could use the deck outside of my apartment which it actually nice and spacious!
Meli wrote: "I just ate a bologna sandwich :P."now I want a bologna sandwich........all i have is ham
I love a good deck! A little chilly here but the sun is out.
I love a good bologna with processed cheese on white bread with mayonnaise. Sometimes I add chips to give a little crisp.
Meli wrote: "I love a good deck!"Me too! It is not super warm here yet, but looks like it might be warm enough to spend some afternoon time out there next week! I may even do my core workout out there for the world to see! lol
We received official notification that our work-from-home is extended another week, so through the end of next week.Our Governor announced stay-at-home ordinance yesterday (or maybe Monday) but it was unclear the company would abide because I had heard another company was trying to rationalize being essential.
So, that being said, I will just continue to follow my routine until I go back. Hope to get more reading done. My reading progress has not really increased as much as I had hoped!
Meli wrote: "My reading progress has not really increased as much as I had hoped!"Mine hasn't either! Though, I also haven't been watching TV. Instead, I spend literally hours each night on Zoom video chatting with friends and family. lol. I think we are all just so bored and isolated...
As I said earlier, my meeting has gotten a lot lessened, mostly because I’m now on top of my work demands, basically a homeschool teacher for three, and a test prep tutor. Feels like I don’t have a minute to do all the wonderful things online. Although today I just took a virtual tour of the New York botanical gardens, and tomorrow making ChallH with an online group, And most importantly I signed my 17-year-old son up for the Yale online course, that he and I are going to take together. It’s called the science of well-being, formerly the psychology of happiness. So we’re both going to do it. He can get a college credit and it looks good on his resume, but I think he’ll really enjoy the topic matter, and he gets to hear an intelligent person speak. So that’s my latest.
Nicole R wrote: "Meli wrote: "My reading progress has not really increased as much as I had hoped!"Mine hasn't either! Though, I also haven't been watching TV. Instead, I spend literally hours each night on Zoom ..."
Ugh, people are so bored they are making me bored watching them! All these damn instagram lives of people talking about nothing, people posting EVEN MORE videos of their damn kids doing regular ass shit... I can't. I'm gonna lose it 🤣
Amy wrote: "As I said earlier, my meeting has gotten a lot lessened, mostly because I’m now on top of my work demands, basically a homeschool teacher for three, and a test prep tutor. Feels like I don’t have a..."
Wow, Amy, you are being really productive and doing fun enriching things! Bravo! And here I am just watching people do boring shit so I can complain about it 😈
Well at least we’ve had time to spend with our doggy. I’d like to get my reading done, because our book group is having a big thing on Sunday night and one of my neighbors wants the book. It’s city of girls, and I’m only 15% through!
Amy wrote: "Well at least we’ve had time to spend with our doggy. I’d like to get my reading done, because our book group is having a big thing on Sunday night and one of my neighbors wants the book. It’s city..."I wanna read that one.
Welp today was the day for me. Hubby and I have both been working as normal, still at our job on location. I was asked today to cut back 20%, so basically work 4 days instead of 5, and get paid for 4 days instead of 5. Also I'll be working on the "front line" half my days- aka at the front desk of the hotel, instead of in my office. I've had quite a bit of "survivors guilt" since my work has laid off just about half our staff, so I'm willing to do what it takes-restaurant, lounge, housekeeping, gardening. Hubby is in the auto industry, and is normal so far. I feel very privileged still, as we are financially able to take a hit, and still support our local restaurants by ordering take out, haha. It sounds so much better saying "support local business" instead of "getting food to go for half our meals" lol.
We (Oregon) are also in "shelter in place", with all non-essential business being closed as of yesterday. So no hair appointments, no dentists, no shopping malls. We've been going nowhere but work and the grocery store for over a week already. Happy to hear our hiking trails are still open, so long as you can maintain 6 ft of social distancing.
For those who work out- I've downloaded the DownDog apps- they're free for another week to try out. They have a HIIT app, yoga app, a beginners yoga app, and barre app. All is done with no "workout equipment". I'm absolutely in love, and plan on buying a year long subscription when they stop being free. Just 30 min of yoga per day is really helping my sanity, and the barre and HIIT is kicking my butt. Everything is customizable, and I'm highly recommending to everyone.
Also, I've started running outside. Last week was beautiful, yesterday I got dumped on. Been averaging about 1.5-2.5 miles per day.
Have not progressed in any of my reading....
Joi wrote: "Hubby is in the auto industry"So am I, at an OEM and we are all shutdown...
Is he in like auto parts?
I think those are considered essential because they support maintenance of vehicles on the road.
You all working out are making me feel lazy!
I am so sick of Zoom! My son can get it to work on my husband's laptop (have I mentioned before how my younger two didn't want to buy laptops??) but even with Chrome there was trouble with getting the sound to come through today (yesterday it worked fine) on my Mac for my daughter. She could have gotten a laptop to use from her university but didn't want to (have I ever mentioned that my kids have Minds of Their Own ;)???) but the one zooming prof talked her into it; I only hope there are some left! Today I couldn't even practise when I wanted to because my son was having his trumpet lesson by Zoom.
But wait, there's more. My son can't even watch all youtube videos for a college quiz even on Chrome, so on the left half of my screen he's watching one right now--he was in the middle of a quiz in lieu of Conductor's Orchestra. Yes, I could have signed off, but, frankly, I don't feel like it and we might as well benefit from this larger monitor.For those of you who like this sort of thing, he has to watch Maestro Sergiu Celibidache conducing Ravel's "Alborada del gracioso." FYI, he gets a $500 scholarship per semester for playing in this (they all do since conducting students need somebody to conduct) so it's sort of like he's getting paid to do this quiz.
Play Book Tag
Books mentioned in this topic
She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement (other topics)She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement (other topics)
The Deep (other topics)
Peter Pan (other topics)
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (other topics)
More...
This weekly Kaffeeklatsch is a safe place.
I will start off by saying I am struggling with this WFH full time, and I don't have kids, or spouse, partner, roommate or even a pet. I even have a nice sized one bedroom apartment meaning I can move between rooms, unlike friends who are in studios! In fact, I just took a refreshing turn around my apartment à la Jane Austen, visiting each room briefly.
One of the problems is that I never set up a real home office. I am using a lap top on a card table with a folding chair. Oh my aching back! Wayfair delivers a new desk chair and writing desk on Thursday. Even if just the chair arrives, I will do better.
As a lawyer my work has increased and is much like triage. Also much involves issues never having to be addressed before. And lots of scrambling to keep on top of closures, new processes, clients suddenly hospitalized. I have no idea how anyone is doing this and home schooling and in some cases being primary caregiver to parents. All in 800 square foot apartment.
It is exhausting, stressful, anxiety producing. I have no attention span to read. Except for Proust which is a slow read, and often providing satire and humor that is just right. Set in Belle Epoque Paris and Normandy, it's a vacation. And O Joy O Rapture, my discussion group is trying out a Zoom session this Thursday so we can stay on track even the Center for Fiction, where it was held, is closed.
I have also found reading children's classics I have never read before to be incredibly refreshing and delightful. Last week it was an illustrated Peter Pan. This week is an illustrated The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. They are perfection. Next might have to be The Wind in the Willows.