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Quarantine Tuesday Reading Kaffeeklatsch: 4/14/2020
I've been waiting for the new quarantine post because I got so far behind the comments last week it felt like a lost cause. I hate tryin to catch back up when I miss all the action. It is so wild to have this shared experience with everyone and it helps to pass the time and feel connected.
Those are great positives, but my negative mood keeps seeing these things as non-sustainable, meaning I think we will go back to some kinda normal that will undo at least the positive environmental effects, which is sad.
I still don't like to talk on the phone 😂
Work is just as hectic, but I live in the midwest so not much has changed in terms of daily life. We all commute to work by our own cars and it's slow living here mostly. Maybe less meetings and shower-thought projects which is nice, but my work is trying as much as possible to keep a sense of normalcy. It's great, but also a little annoying because some things I see getting delayed or cancelled but we keep acting like it is business as usual. I guess you need to do that sometimes to stay sane and keep things together.
I am going stir crazy. I don't ever want to hug again, blah not a hugger 😈 But I at least want to be closer than 6ft and I am itching to go out to eat or drink!
Would love to see a movie, or anything really!
Also very much want to wander around a book store!
Just me and my poor husband trapped in this house together, each working, sometimes watching stuff together.
I was in a little reading slump, then read a couple horror books and Recursion (which was amazing BTW) so I think I am pretty much back to normal on that front.
Funny aside, my bookstore made a special delivery yesterday and I wasn't going to go outside to say hi, but I wanted to show the owner my "Fight Evil Read Books" sweatshirt and she gets out of the car wearing the EXACT SAME SWEATER! I died. Made my day.
Meli wrote: "I've been waiting for the new quarantine post because I got so far behind the comments last week it felt like a lost cause. I hate tryin to catch back up when I miss all the action. It is so wild..."
Meli - sorry I was so late starting it up! I meant to do it last night (I'm a night owl) but got distracted by watching too many episodes of Guys Grocery Games and texting/email with a condo board I represent who needed to make a decision by 9 AM today and waited until 9 PM last night to even start discussing it - don't get me started.
The negative sucked me in big time last week. I'm a natural optimist though so seeing some positive is just part of who I am. Everyone's positive is likely a bit different.
Your mention of not much different with work and still going to work reminds me of the weeks after 9/11. Here in NYC we might have been physically going to work every day, but I assure you, we were not doing any work - were incapable of doing more than showing up and sitting at our desks doing mindless filing, sorting, doodling. It took weeks to be able to cope at a somewhat normal level again. We'd get calls from clients and attorneys outside NY all gung ho and impatient -- and we had to remind them that they were lucky someone was even answering the phone. The old 'manage expectations', right? That's part of what is happening here -- we all have to manage our expectations of others and ourselves.
Some of my friends have decided to write letters and send small care packages to each other which I think is a great idea. My mom and I made handmade birthday cards for a friend's daughter who recently had her 13th birthday.I've been sleeping a lot more. That's what I do when I'm sad or grieving. At some point during the day, my husband, my 3 dogs and I all crawl into bed and have family nap time.
I think it's amazing to see all the people on social media who have taken this time to take better care of themselves and have actually gotten into great shape. That is not me. I sleep. I was proud of myself that I changed out of PJ pants and into leggings yesterday but never actually got around to the exercise bit of it all.
I echo Meli and have never been a hugger... I'm good with not touching people but I miss interacting with people in person. In-person meetings, happy hours, or going out to dinner. During the summer our neighbors have a neighborhood pot luck every Friday night and I miss that.
The first thing I'm going to do when the stay at home is lifted is take my mom out to dinner at the Korean restaurant nearby.
Theresa wrote: "The negative sucked me in big time last week. I'm a natural optimist though so seeing some positive is just part of who I am. Everyone's positive is likely a bit different."No problem! Just glad you are keeping the traditional weekly discussion going.
My negative to positive ratio is day-by-day at this point. It didn't help that I am dealing with corporate bureaucratic crap that always puts me in a fowl mood, but the other side of that is at least I am employed! Still can't give management a pass when they are inconsistent and wishy washy...
Ugh, I can't imagine going back to work after something as tragic as 9/11! Wow.. that must have been such a strange time. And this is as well, in a different way.
Are you cheering for the medical workers at shift change at 7pm like a good New Yorker? I see it pop up on social media every once in a while. Some people seem to really get into then others are annoyed by it, go figure.
Charlotte wrote: "Some of my friends have decided to write letters and send small care packages to each other which I think is a great idea. My mom and I made handmade birthday cards for a friend's daughter who rece..."
That is such a great idea! I keep thinking about it then not doing it, maybe I will start tomorrow.
Yay, another non-hugger 😈 I celebrate you with a virtual head nod of recognition.
I also admire people getting into shape and bettering themselves, but I haven't worked out once. The best I can do is walk around the park. Working out is one of those outside-the-house special me things that I can't get motivated to do at home.
Theresa wrote: And, just to flip the conversation a bit as well, what are you already plotting to do once restrictions lifted? For me:A. hugging and shaking hands again
B. mani/pedi - and it's going to be the full expensive spa treatment mani/pedi. Might even make it a full spa day with a facial and massage too!
D. Eating in favorite restaurants again. A friend posted on FB that she and her 90 yo mother are planning a restaurant crawl.
All of the above Theresa-I am a hugger and I can't wait to hug certain folks. I spoke with my brother on Sunday, and we barely speak in normal circumstances. I told my husband that perhaps my brother may come out the other end of this a better person. I hope we all do. I am with Meli though, unfortunately, when it comes to the environment. I doubt that any of the positives that have occurred will stay in place. We can only hope.
@Meli-I love the sweat shirt story! And how awesome that 1, you ordered books and 2 your bookseller delivered them. Received a message today from my indie book store asking for donations to help all indie stores at this dire time. I hope people will help.
@Charlotte-your family nap times sounds awesome!
I have not really thought about the first place I am going to go-but I am positive it will involve food and alcohol 🍔🍨🍾🍷🍹
We’re doing well! Love the positivity! I also desperately need a haircut and mani-pedi. Look forward to restaurants and libraries re-opening.
I have done four puzzles, two seders, and a lot of Zoom Therapy and Zoom cocktails. But still no taxes and not one closet! Lots of movies, Rummy Q, and Harry Potter.
Joanne wrote: " @Meli-I love the sweat shirt story! And how awesome that 1, you ordered books and 2 your bookseller delivered them. Received a message today from my indie book store asking for donations to help all indie stores at this dire time. I hope people will help."The owner actually lives down the street and she has to pass my house to get from the store to her house :)
She is personally delivery some stuff though, like expensive orders or if she has time.
I've had 4 deliveries so far since quarantine, so COVID19 hasn't slowed down my book buying habits 🙈
Family nap time! I must've skimmed over that, Charlotte. My husband and I also do that sometimes. I am trying not to during the week so I keep my work routine, but on Saturday and Sunday I feel like my weekend was wasted if I don't get a nap in.
Amy wrote: "We’re doing well! Love the positivity! I also desperately need a haircut and mani-pedi. Good to hear Amy, I have been thinking of you. Can you believe I have never, ever had a mani/pedi?? I need to do that, just to say I did-my real-life girlfriends would throw me a party if I did-LoL
NOT SO GREAT ...Continued shortages of toilet paper, paper towels, Clorox wipes, cleaning solutions like Lysol tile cleaner, hand sanitizer. Everything else seems to be in decent supply.
I can't seem to really get my reading mojo back. I'm sure part of this is not spending time in the car, so my audiobook is taking forever!
I'm getting concerned that I'll run out of reading material before the library reopens . (By the way, I know ... intellectually ... that this will not happen, but my emotional state fears it anyway.)
POSITIVES:
I learned to use zoom! Had a delightful session with my brothers (one in Texas, one in Tennessee, and me in Wisconsin). All that was missing were the hugs. (BIG on hugging in my family.)
Also used zoom to meet up with one of my F2F book clubs yesterday. We did NOT discuss a book, just had a glass of wine together (with absolutely NO coordination other than mentioned we could each have a glass of something handy ... we ALL were drinking red wine!) and talked about how this is affecting us.
I'm paying more attention to the slow awakening of Mother Nature this spring. (Though it snowed again this morning ...) There's a maple tree right outside my home office window and I love watching the buds appear and begin to show signs of leaves!. The crab apple hasn't bloomed yet ... ditto the forsythia. I spent some time watching two robins pluck worms out of the yard.
We're fortunate - and grateful - that we have a safe home and sufficient funds to buy the food, medications and other essentials that we need. We just gave additional donations to a local homeless shelter and a regional theatre to help them in this dire time.
Oh .. as for what I want to do as soon as restrictions are lifted ...Go out to dine in a restaurant.
Go to my local library and local indie bookseller.
HUG my friends.
Go to see a live theatre or symphony performance.
Get a mani/pedi and a haircut!
@Meli - LOVE the sweat-shirt story! And delivery of books - lovely! I've done a lot of online ebook buying and a few preorders of hardcovers have arrived -- and one impulse buy -- but I could be cut off from ordering any books and in self-quarantine for many years before I would run out of books to read, LOL. Even if I was able to read non-stop during that time. My WFH desk faces one of my bookcases (inevitable as I have bookcases in every room, covering most of the walls - except bathroom where there is merely a stack of books on a stool). As I talk on the phone during work hours my eye passes over the shelves in front of me finding so many forgotten unread treasures...and no time to read due to WORK! It feels like I'm strolling through one of my favorite indie bookstores...and I keep pulling books off the shelves and piling them by the sofa, LOL.
@BC - I live across the street from Central Park (at the dodgy end btw) and always enjoy when the trees start getting 'fuzzy' in the spring. We had a heavy rain yesterday, and today, the trees are bursting with budding leaves. What I really notice is the amount of birdsong I hear during the day and evening. In the past, traffic, though not particularly heavy right here, would drown it out except between midnight and 6 AM. Now, I hear birdsong all day and it is lovely.
Exercising is not my thing, ever. Working out increases my stress. I like to walk and I basically use all the walking one does in NYC as my form of exercise. Bad, so bad, I know. I've always been basically a homebody, sedentary person. I find it so easy to let days go by without taking a walk now that I'm trying to stay safe. I have to push myself out the door from time to time to take a walk, get some sun and air. All that to say I have my doubts how many people will keep up the 'exercising' as this goes on. Even my upstairs neighbor seems to have stopped the calisthentics he was doing above my head every day.
@Charlotte - love the family nap! My sleep is so bad that I am often napping during the day/evening (mostly evenings given work), and of course that means I can't get to sleep until the wee hours of the morning. Vicious cycle... especially as my naps seem to be better sleep! I figure I will just not stress about it and try to ease it a bit gradually. Today I seem to manage without a nap so far.
And three cheers to my fellow huggers!
I want to add how pleased I am that so many find our Tuesday Kaffeeklatch beneficial and something to look forward to! I know I do -- actually start thinking about how I want to start it off a couple of days ahead. It is essentially a diary of our online bookish community during extraordinary times.
Book Concierge wrote: "I can't seem to really get my reading mojo back. I'm sure part of this is not spending time in the car, so my audiobook is taking forever!"I won't be much help in the audio department, but I read in The Atlantic's Books Briefing a recommendation to read poetry during quarantine to get your reading mojo back.
https://www.theatlantic.com/newslette...
I know poetry is quite polarizing, but I believe, like reading fiction, there is something out there for everyone.
@Theresa
Across the street from Central Park!? I have never been to New York City, but I have always loved Sex In The City and Gossip Girl because I love the glamorous fantasy of living in New York City 😊 Especially as a girl born and raised in the Midwest, even though arguably most of that was in Indianapolis which isn't exactly a cornfield. Still, I love the idea of NYC.
Interesting point about this being a diary of our community in these times because I was just reading an article encouraging people to keep a quarantine journal even if you think you have nothing interesting to say. Now I can't remember the source, maybe The Atlantic? There are only a few sites I frequent daily...
Meli wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: "I can't seem to really get my reading mojo back. I'm sure part of this is not spending time in the car, so my audiobook is taking forever!"I won't be much help in the audio..."
Meli - I have lived in NYC since 1973 with brief sojourns elsewhere (6 months in Paris, a stint in law school in Syracuse NY although only part of the year), and I still have days where I marvel at living what is in many ways a fantasy. I mean, I grew up on a dairy farm in upstate NY (family still owns it if not operating it any longer), where the only restaurants in town were a diner and a Kentucky Fried, theater was the spring musical and plays put on by the schools, ditto concerts, and the music on the radio was country.
I always say that if you live in Manhattan and don't take advantage of what it has to offer culturally, why are you living here?
I also get that it is not for everyone.
And I do live at the dodgy end of Central Park -- not the high rent part. There are projects nearby, bodegas on the corner, a youth hostel across the street. Not the image you see in the movies or on tv.
Although a very short walk and voila, you are in the high rent part!
I was reminded just now as I leaned out my kitchen window to clap and yell at 7 PM, that someone asked about the daily tribute to our frontliners. Yup, every single night and most nights I participate. Last night I happened to be on the street taking a walk at 7 PM and it was even more awesome from the street! I heard yells, claps, whistles, bells, a cow bell, a tamborine, a wooden spoon on a fire escape and best of all, someone sitting in his parked car letting it run through all the noise and flashing lights of the car alarm! Now that's style! What few cars were actually driving by tooted their horns. It gets lounder, starts earlier and goes longer every night.
Count me amongst the non-huggers in the group. I do look forward to seeing my friends and going out for a bite to eat after things return to normal, though.
To add to BC's not so great shortages: alcohol wipes which my niece needs to check her blood sugar. Fortunately all the people who were hoarding corn starch, why I have no idea, seem to have stopped so my sister can find it again. My niece needs it to keep her blood sugar regulated. My niece has a rare disease, glycogen storage disease.Following up on Joanne's post in the last thread I'm worried in Michigan the decision on when to reopen is going to become political instead of based on science. My fiance and I are both high risk so I'm glad I can work from home.
Experience that really made it hit home for some reason was getting my dogs medicine from the vet. Usually I just call in the refill and pop in the office to pick it up. Instead I had to pay ahead of time and call from the parking lot and wait for them to bring it to my car.
What I'm looking forward to: seeing family and giving them a hug, we are a very huggy family.
Theresa wrote: "I was reminded just now as I leaned out my kitchen window to clap and yell at 7 PM, that someone asked about the daily tribute to our frontliners. Yup, every single night and most nights I particip..."Last night there was a rainbow that appeared across lower Manhattan just as the tribute started. I could not see it (too far up town) but you can see plenty of images on the internet.
Huge Huge Hugger! Like jump on you and never let go! Joanne, your girlfriends should go with you and have a salon party!
A positive has been video calls with my adult kids where we play games. We could have done it in the past but people worked different hours. Also Zoom call with about 10 relatives on Easter. I detest exercise in general but I do like Jazzercise (contains both aerobics dance and strength portions). When our local studio closed, they gave us access to a national site, which I have been using, and now they have figured out how to broadcast live from their homes. It is great to have our own instructors back though there have been a few technical glitches. What I would like to do is shop at leisure and have live meetings of my Toastmasters club, book group, etc. Also travel. I used to say travel wasn’t a big deal to me but now that I can’t do it, I want to.
The upside- hubby is home with me. The downside- hubby is home with me! Just kidding. I definitely am enjoying zoom with family and phone calls with family and friends. I do miss my trips to the library and going out to eat. Like Amy I really need a haircut. That will probably be my first trip out. I love reading about what everyone is doing. I'm excited that I actually remembered what day it was today so I knew there would be a discussion! This group is the best.
Sorry to be late to the party!But loved to read your posts. It sure is interesting to read about your experiences and, like last week, I found quite a few things in your posts to make me feel better or lift me up or calm me down.
@Theresa, I had to laugh at the fact that you said you could stay home for years and not run out of books to read. It is the same in my house. BUT, since I am with my husband in his small 1 room appartment, there are not so many books to choose from. Which means, I finally got around to reading a few more of the numerous E-Books I own.
@BookConcierge: I feel the same about nature. In front of the balcony there is a tree. And I never would have noticed how the leaves are slowly growing out of the buds. Also, I take walks (not much exercising here either, only long walks) and I see all kinds of birds.
@Meli: I understand about the not talking on the phone. I am not a big 'telephoner'. I am awkward and don't like it too much. That said, I did phone much more and also skyped with my husband's and my family for easter, which was nice.
Also, with one friend, we have gotten into the habit of sending each other voicemails. That is so much more personal than messages, but it gives me time to think about what I want to say before having to say it. Also I can just feel what I feel upon hearing what she says and react later.
In general, I am looking forward to more face-to-face/person-to-person interactions so much! I do want to hug my friends and generally not feel like I have to pay attention to the other people so much (I can't shake that I feel I have to control what they are doing, that I have to make sure they don't come too close etc.). Just want to be walking around without having to be aware of my surroundings all the time, I guess.
In Germany, they are discussing when to re-open the schools and how (I am a high-school teacher). I am insecure about that but I feel, in my state they will open some schools next week. I can't imagine how it will work to teach and learn if you are not supposed to get closer to each other than 2 metres. That is just difficult to keep up, when you are not used to it. With the way I usually teach it is not going to work. Also, I don't want to tell kids to stay away from each other ALL the time. I feel, politicians aren't thinking things through.
I do believe we will be able to improvise and get through this, but I am also worried and insecure about getting there. I don't like thinking about this 'new normal'. It scares me, because I liked my 'old normal'.
I do think it is important to re-open schools as soon as possible, but I feel they should ask more teachers about how.
I'll find out later today, since the national task-force is meeting right now and discussing measures.
To end things on a positive note: I am with my husband (I am probably going back to my place this weekend, if school will start any time soon) who lives about 5 hrs. away. To be able to be here was really good. I can't imagine having to stay home alone for the last 3 weeks.
Being here is also so helpful in not feeling compelled to clean, scour, organize etc., because there just isn't much to clean, organize etc. in his one-room appartment :-) (in the sense of managing expectations, as Theresa said earlier, this has helped to keep my own perfectionist expectations at bay)
As to reading, I am reading. I am reading mostly crime/mystery novels. But I am reading.
And I like that I finally have bought a guitar and started learning to play it.
What I want to do, when this is over:
visit my parents
hug people I feel like hugging
going to concerts and author/book events
going to the movies
meeting up with friends, going for a drink, a meal...
getting a haircut
I forgot about the haircut part! YES!!!! I chopped my hair off and got a pixie in Dec. My hair appt was the week that they shut down things here in WA so I haven't been since Feb. I'm too scared to try anything on my own. I've picked up a consulting gig so I've been working here and there and have been so embarrassed to show this forced grow out on video! I use lots of hair spray and bobby pins. I cannot wait to be able to get a haircut to fix this mess!!!
It's comforting to know that I'm not the only non-hugger.
My bookclub is going to try going virtual for the first time tomorrow. I'm excited to see them and chat with them!
Theresa wrote: "I was reminded just now as I leaned out my kitchen window to clap and yell at 7 PM, that someone asked about the daily tribute to our frontliners. Yup, every single night and most nights I particip..."I was wondering about that :)
NYC since 1973?? OMG, you could've been down at 42nd Street watching skeezy Grindhouse films, but my guess is that wasn't your scene? What a time to be alive in New York City!
Holy crap, @Miriam, you are learning guitar!? That is so cool!
Also, my husband is also a high school teacher and they are doing e-learning, it's not very successful and school will not resume this year.
@Charlotte,
My book club had their first virtual meeting end of last month and it just wasn't the same :( We will try again this month, so we'll see how it goes. No matter what I still want to do it. I think the main thing is not having the visual body queues to talk and interrupting or talking over people.
@Meli yea... I'll miss seeing everyone in person but it'll be nice to talk and check in with everyone. And I read the book forever ago! It'll be nice to finally talk about Before We Were Yours before I forget about it since I'm reading so much right now.Another thing I miss is going on interviews in person and their being opportunities out there. I quit in Jan/Feb (last day Feb 21st) to take a break and deal with sadness and grief that has built up. I had only planned on taking a couple of months at the most but now... I have no clue when I'll be able to find something new. My old company would love to have me come back and I have as a consultant for a particular project that the customer even reached out to me directly via LinkedIn. I was in the middle of the interview process (virtually) for a couple of positions when our state shut down and because of the economy, they've put hiring on hold. Just about the only places hiring are the big tech companies including Amazon and Microsoft. Most of those places are tough to get into unless you know someone and I don't know many people. I was coming up with a plan to start networking in the area and build my brand and connections but all of that has been put on hold too. I'm struggling a bit and am wondering if part of my issue with the phone interviews is how hard it is to sometimes create that connection over the phone and I have a really high voice that can come off wrong to some people. I also giggle when nervous which isn't as endearing over the phone as it is in person. I'm looking forward to the opportunities being there again and being able to interview in person!!!
Theresa, I love this thread. Thank you so much for keeping it going.I am a nature lover and try to remain thankful for this chance for earth to breath deeply.
In the Sacramento Valley we have had an a seasonably cold several weeks, but this week we are warm and sunny as we usually are, which gives me the opportunity to get outside and garden.
I am lucky to be able to have the option to continue to work from home, but let's face it as a preschool teacher it is not really the work I normally do. I am doing paper work and taking training modules, doing planning and preparing materials. I do miss the kids, but I do not want to be near those little germbombs at this time.
When I am not working with children, I do make a pretty good hermit(hubby has been doing all the shopping) and have been able to do quite a bit of reading. My cats are with me right now as my PC faces a window and their is a very active scrub jay right outside. Yesterday a Sparrow Hawk landed in the crepe myrtle right outside my window. A thrill to see him so close, but I worry about the tweeties.
Right now my roses are gorgeous and many are in full bloom. My irises are starting to bloom as well. Some tomatoes have been planted in the garden.
Tales of the virus are heart rending and I feel so bad for the workers and the patients in the hospitals. One of the care homes in our town has patients and caregivers with COVID and that is upsetting. California has had a good response and most people are complying.
@BNB, so jealous because it snowed here today! But I will say I like when the weather is shitty because it keeps people inside. I live across the street from a park and the teenagers either can't resist or don't care to resist gathering in packs.
And when I can go for a walk in nice weather I just feel more bored because it is the same route day after day 🤣
Like the Tweet I saw said: "guess I'll go for another fucking afternoon stroll." Or something to that effect.
Hoarding corn starch??? Will mysteries never cease.
We've all been joking at work that this has turned us into dogs. Wandering aimlessly, snacking- and when someone comes in to the front door or the phone rings, we jump up and get really excited and eager for someone to talk to. At home, we live on a golf course, so have a nice 1 mile loop (with a big hill) that we go around... sometime 3x per day. We've been listening to podcasts on our walks to keep things fresh.
Third episode of Some Good News out #mademecry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg08r...
Oh, I'll watch the new SGN now!!Speaking of podcasts, if you are a fan of the show The Wire there is a new podcast, debuted today, with Jemele Hill and another dude called Way Down In The Hole covering the entire series episode by episode.
If you're not a fan of The Wire you need to watch it now.
Wow, this is the first I've heard of this show!
There is so much that has become surreal about living in NYC during a pandemic:Staying home
Not taking the subway
Not eating out or going to the theater
Empty Streets 24/7 and closed stores, hotels and businesses in the City That Never Sleeps
Plus a hospital ship docked at one of our passenger ship terminals, and the Javits Convention Center filled with field hospitals erected by the Army Corps of Engineers à la M.A.S.H.
I think, however, I will forever remember this as the single most surreal, shocking sight of NYC in the COVID-19 Pandemic: the tent hospital in Central Park.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/15/ny...
Meli wrote: "@Charlotte,My book club had their first virtual meeting end of last month and it just wasn't the same :( We will try again this month, so we'll see how it goes. No matter what I still want to do it. I think the main thing is not having the visual body queues to talk and interrupting or talking over people...."
Our first book club got switched at the very last minute (it was March 17), so we just did it on facebook. This time around, we are voting on using facebook again, Zoom, or Google Meet.
The interrupting or talking over people is a concern for me. As is Zoom's 40 minute limit.
I am very much looking forward to when we can meet in person again.
Meli wrote: "But I will say I like when the weather is shitty because it keeps people inside. I live across the street from a park and the teenagers either can't resist or don't care to resist gathering in packs. ..."Yeah, this is my concern, too, as it gets nicer out. We're still getting snow every few days, but it helps keep people home. I am worried if this continues a couple more months, more and more people will want to go out in the nice weather.
Karin wrote: "Hoarding corn starch??? Will mysteries never cease."That was one of the few things that was on the shelf in the baking aisle when I was at the grocery store last week.
Meli wrote: "Theresa wrote: "I was reminded just now as I leaned out my kitchen window to clap and yell at 7 PM, that someone asked about the daily tribute to our frontliners. Yup, every single night and most n..."No, skeezy Grindhouse films were definitely not my thing though i do have memories of 42nd Street and Times Square from that time...it was bad. NYC was dirty, bankrupt, and unsafe, yet still rich and exciting.
Meli wrote: "Oh, I'll watch the new SGN now!!Speaking of podcasts, if you are a fan of the show The Wire there is a new podcast, debuted today, with Jemele Hill and another dude called Way Down In The Hole co..."
I binge watched The Wire and for weeks I finished up every sentence with "Ya feel me". My stalker-like obsession with Idris Elba started here. I also can recommend Peaky Blinders. After Idris Elbra I would stalk Cillian Murphy.
Joi wrote: "We've all been joking at work that this has turned us into dogs. Wandering aimlessly, snacking- and when someone comes in to the front door or the phone rings, we jump up and get really excited and..."There is a great cartoon about this phenomena making rounds on FB. Man and his dog are kneeling on sofa looking out the window and man says "Until now, I never understood why you got so excited whenever anyone walked by."
LibraryCin wrote: "Meli wrote: "@Charlotte,My book club had their first virtual meeting end of last month and it just wasn't the same :( We will try again this month, so we'll see how it goes. No matter what I still..."
Zoom can be longer but you pay I believe. My zoom Proust group uses raising hands to indicate desire to speak. That does need a discussion leader.
We had a 9 person book group on zoom and I thought it worked well. When you have over two people, 3 or more, and you have the Zoom cheapo version, they will kick you out after 40 minutes. BUT, you can click back in. We hosted two nights of seder this way, first with 5 or 6 families, the second night with 11 or 12. This is what you do. You schedule the meeting for like an hour and a half or two hours, and then when they kick you out, the host can press start again, and then everybody else clicks back in and you get another 40 minutes. 1 hr 20 was perfect for both nights, although we could have clicked in another time. The meeting still runs. We considered it a commercial break or a technology break. And second night, when we clicked back in, two more families joined us on the spot! Its all about the length of the meeting you establish and the link is up for that long.
*Now - who here is shocked beyond belief, that its me - the un-technological one, the one who believes the Devil is in the Internet as a conspiracy against her, with evidence of Sprint.com as the Devil's playground and favorite hideout? Me, who is not remotely the likely tech goddess.... Well, I can say, I've been doing an extensive amount of Zoom therapy, but i learned this trick by accident simply by having cocktails with my girlfriends. But, its true. it saved Seder - twice! And technically, four times!
Amy wrote: "We had a 9 person book group on zoom and I thought it worked well. When you have over two people, 3 or more, and you have the Zoom cheapo version, they will kick you out after 40 minutes. BUT, yo..."
Amy, you can say forever that you came out of the pandemic a tiny bit more technological! That is as big an accomplishment as learning to play guitar or to tap dance!
This column has some great suggestions for noir and mysteries to get you reading again.https://www.seattletimes.com/entertai...
Love you Theresa! Good night from the Zoom Queen!
Theresa wrote: "Joi wrote: "We've all been joking at work that this has turned us into dogs. Wandering aimlessly, snacking- and when someone comes in to the front door or the phone rings, we jump up and get really..." I love that one. My cats and I watch birdies out our window. It is a great hobby.
With Zoom: If ONE person has the upgraded (paid- I think it's $15 per month) version, that's all it takes to have up to 24 hour Zoom chats with up to 100 users. That person needs to host the zoom chat. We've been continuing our weekly bar trivia, with 10 or so of us weekly . We're all writing our own questions and rounds, then "hosting" to each other. It's been super fun still. One of our members is a piano teacher, who has continued her lessons on Zoom, so she had paid membership to host us all weekly. If anyone wants to play trivia, I have some rounds written! Haha.
By the way ... this week's cooking / baking ...Mexican brownies
This couldn't be easier ...
1 box your favorite brownie mix
Follow package directions BUT...
Substitute coconut oil for vegetable oil
Substitute coffee for water (I used this morning's leftover coffee, cooled to room temperature)
ADD -
1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground chipotle powder
1/2 cup (or more) chopped nuts (I used pecans this time; have also used walnuts.)
Mix and bake as per package directions.
Adapted from: back of the box Betty Crocker Brownie Mix (or was it Duncan Hines?)
Oh BC-I am going to try those! sound yummy!
You will notice the kick of some heat at the back of your throat when you eat them, but Hubby and I are now addicted to this flavor and never make "regular" brownies any longer.
Book Concierge wrote: "You will notice the kick of some heat at the back of your throat when you eat them, but Hubby and I are now addicted to this flavor and never make "regular" brownies any longer."I like a bit kick ;)
Play Book Tag
Books mentioned in this topic
Before We Were Yours (other topics)Recursion (other topics)
1. Earth is healing itself -- air and water clearer than in decades EVERYWHERE, for example. Anyone else had the thought that Mother Nature is using COVID-19 as the cosmic 2X4 upside the head wallop?
2. People are picking up the phone and TALKING to each other again, not just texting or emailing or relying on social media to connect.
3. Frantic pace has eased -- not something everyone will notice, but living in NYC this is huge. While I do feel pressured and stressed with work etc. at least from a work POV the pace of all is calmer, slower, easier. No rushing to get from meeting to meeting, becoming impatient as the cab or bus gets stuck in traffic or the subway is held in a station. Of course, I live alone in a one bedroom apartment meaning a total absence of interference or delay as I take 2 steps to the couch, a dozen to the kitchen or 2 dozen to the bath/bedroom!
4. People are discovering handcrafts, jigsaw puzzles, and board games again.
What do you see as a positive?
And, just to flip the conversation a bit as well, what are you already plotting to do once restrictions lifted? For me:
A. hugging and shaking hands again
B. mani/pedi - and it's going to be the full expensive spa treatment mani/pedi. Might even make it a full spa day with a facial and massage too!
D. Eating in favorite restaurants again. A friend posted on FB that she and her 90 yo mother are planning a restaurant crawl.
Oddly, I haven't started yearning for theater or opera yet, probably because I was so busy with work over the last year that I was rarely attending already. It isn't feeling like a loss yet.