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Quarantine Tuesday Reading Kaffeeklatsch: 4/14/2020
Theresa wrote: "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 tested both Zoom and Google Meet. On Zoom, I found the raised hand, and tried it. No one else did, though, so I had to ask if others could see it! LOL! I can see that being handy (no pun intended).
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..."
Good for you, Amy! You're ahead of me with the social video-ing! What the heck would this be called!?
Joi wrote: "If anyone wants to play trivia, I have some rounds written! Haha. ..."This just gave me a thought... how fun would it be for some of us to get together over Zoom or something to play a game or just chat "in person"!? I feel like video/audio are more "in person" than typing here, anyway.
ETA: Did I say that out loud!? The drawback - means I'd have to shower or at least get dressed! :-)
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."My favourite brownies are "butterscotch brownies". They still have cocoa, so they are chocolate, but with butterscotch chips and brown sugar to also give it a butterscotch taste. And I add in chocolate chips. YUM!
We decided to try Teams tonight for our bookclub due to all the backlash that Zoom has been getting for all the hacking into it. I'm sure it'll go well. I've used Teams a ton for work in the past and am more comfortable with it anyway.It would be so cool to do a PBT virtual book chat or discussion!!!!!!
LibraryCin wrote: "Joi wrote: "If anyone wants to play trivia, I have some rounds written! Haha. ..."This just gave me a thought... how fun would it be for some of us to get together over Zoom or something to play ..."
Cool idea! There are other venues like Facebook Messenger chag just limited to 8 at a time I think.
I have a closet full of board games...and live alone. I keep thinking i need to find some friends to play with virtually. Like I have time!
Someone on PopSugar found a cool online Scattergories game than can be played virtually as well. It looks fun!https://swellgarfo.com/scattergories/
Charlotte wrote: "We decided to try Teams tonight for our bookclub due to all the backlash that Zoom has been getting for all the hacking into it. I'm sure it'll go well. I've used Teams a ton for work in the past a..."I'd be into a virtual meetup too!
Oh why the hell not! Count me in for the virtual meetup. Who is hosting us?
Book Concierge wrote: "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..."
Oh, that sounds good! Putting boxed brownies on the list for the next grocery store run.
I just found this thread, and it is a great one. I have to admit that I am very lucky, and I appreciate it. Retired 10 years ago, so I don't have the job problems of others. Further, I'm an only child and and an introvert, so staying home and keeping myself entertained has not been a problem. A friend is staying with me, so I have company when I need it. Between the physical books and my Kindle I am in no danger of running out of reading material. Ditto jigsaw puzzles. Ditto, yarn.
But, I have not seen my son and family since February, with no end in sight. :-(
Looking forward to:
coffee with friends
my mahjong group
hugs
getting my house cleaned (and not doing it myself)
my monthly massage
nice, warm weather (this is Wisconsin)
being able to plan a trip with a firm date
the freedom to come and go as I please
trips to regular grocery stores, Target, Costco, etc. (I've been going to a little grocery store which has a limited variety (like, no green onions)
Meanwhile, I still consider myself lucky. I'm healthy, with a nice roof over my head, food, and basic needs met. I feel for those people who don't have those at this time.
Amy wrote: "Oh why the hell not! Count me in for the virtual meetup. Who is hosting us?"Ideally someone who already has access to a paid Zoom account if we want to go over 40 minutes.
LibraryCin wrote: "Joi wrote: "If anyone wants to play trivia, I have some rounds written! Haha. ..."
This just gave me a thought... how fun would it be for some of us to get together over Zoom or something to play ..."
It would be fun. One suggestion, though, after what happened on one I was on last night. If people don't put books and coffee cups on the same table as their laptops/devices because every time they are picked up or put down it interferes with the sound of who is speaking (or mute your mic unless you're speaking).
Also, if you click on the correct spot there is a chat side bar where you could also put a comment on if you want to speak. It can be hard to see raised hands unless you choose the gallery view and then they can be rather small videos.
Meetup would be fabulous if the time zones (and my limited tech skills) work! I love these threads, Theresa - such a great way to connect in these seriously weird times.
Being at home has really made me re-appreciate my lovely house, with the space to allow both of us to work and have separate (often confidential) calls. I work all day for a government department that’s trying to help seriously stressed people and businesses, so there’s ‘survivor guilt’ associated with being so comfortable but also a huge amount of thankfulness too. My mum has her self-contained flat in the house as well, and while that’s always lovely, I’m so grateful that she’s in our bubble and I don’t have to worry about whether my beloved and vulnerable mother is ok.
I’ve always hated the phone. But I’m actually getting good at using it, both for work and family catch-ups. Managing my team remotely has been weird though we’ve all got used to it a bit, but individual calls as well as our daily video catch up are lifelines for me. I really really miss having them right there though. Including the hugs. (Most of my team are huggers!!)
As to other things I am looking forward to reinstating, I’m on the verge of taking my sewing scissors to my fringe. I had a massive (as in virtually in tears) craving for pizza one evening last week - I’m perfectly capable of making my own dough for a pizza base but it was after 7 when I finished work and a pizza delivery was all I wanted in my life right then. I’m looking forward to having the energy to read again. And most of all I’m looking forward to hugging my sons - even more (believe it or not) than I want to hug my granddaughter - and it makes me cry even to write this. We have a glimmer of hope on that horizon: our numbers are tracking so well that we may be able to lift restrictions a little bit in a few days - still totally working from home and mostly still based there but a limited ability to extend our bubble to another group such as another family household, go for longer walks, take away food delivery, and a wider range of online shopping. Roll on level 3!!
So good to hear from you Kate! I whine and complain too much about my daughter living here, but I am so thankful, as you say, that we are in the same bubble.Did not you Down Under folk lock down after us? For some reason I think that-if so, must be because of that lovely woman you have running the country. Seems she is doing things right. I say that because I read somewhere she is cutting her salary to help the country recover.
Cheers Kate, and I hope you get pizza soon
We locked down (at our highest alert level) on March 25. So it will be 4 weeks on Wednesday. The aim is to eliminate the damn virus, which we actually have an opportunity to do here, rather than switching back and forth between relative freedom and lockdown which is even worse for stress levels and for the economy, not to mention creating greater pain and loss of life. It’s really tough going, but most people back the attempt. Yes the prime minister and all the Cabinet Ministers, plus all the chief execs of government departments, have taken a pay cut for 6 months. It doesn’t add that much into the economy but it’s a genuine show of solidarity with everyone who’s doing things really tough at the moment
Plus most affected businesses can get a subsidy that helps them to keep paying their employees for 12 weeks - trying desperately to keep as many jobs as possible alive and businesses afloat, and it seems to be working. It costs an eye-watering amount but the alternatives are unthinkable
I've been reading all of the comments here. No matter where we are in the world and what our individual circumstances are, we know that we're all in this together. I want to send my good wishes to all of you!
KateNZ wrote: "Meetup would be fabulous if the time zones (and my limited tech skills) work! ..."Good point! If there are people willing to set them up, we could do one for North America, one for Australia/New Zealand, one for Europe? (I'm probably missing some of the places our PBT members live!) To make the time zone thing easier. And if anyone from one of the other time zones wants to "crash" because the timing works, anyway...
Just a thought.
That could work. I know that even though it's a day later, right now NZ is 9 hours "behind" Boston/NYC, so only 7 hours "behind" Calgary, etc. Australia has a number of time zones and would be further "behind" North America, but what I am saying is it is possible for people to "crash" the discussions for other time zones.Of course, there is no way to make it work with Europe, down under and North America that I can think of.
1. I have had a weekly zoom "group therapy" session with my HS girlfriends for the past 4 weeks. Ten of us graduated HS 47 years ago!! It was funny--when we realized that we were not all caught up on the details of each others' lives, D. designed a questionnaire and asked us to complete it. We immediately jumped into our good student personas, and everyone completed their assignment in the first hour after she emailed it! How's that for an online school success story! We usually end our zoom session with a prayer from Rabbi J. It continues to be a highlight of my life in quarantine. 2. My local library is creating a new collection:
Documenting COVID-19: White Plains Experiences.
We want to hear about you, what you're doing, how you're doing, what you see outside your window. We want to read your reflections and your thoughts, your hopes and fears, your poetry and prose, see your photographs, and listen to your podcasts.
It will remain part of the library's collection and will be available for researchers, writers, students, to understand how we lived during the pandemic.
How cool is this! I have not submitted anything yet, I have been keeping a "journal" but with fairly minimalist entries, but will probably try to do some more meaningful writing in the next week or so.
Anyone keeping a journal?
3. I have a pro Zoom acct through work and permission to use it for personal zooming. I am in the US, east coast time. Since this Kaffee Klatsch is a Tuesday thing, I could set up a Tue evening PBT Zoom Get Together. I have some ideas about how it might work, anybody want to host with me?
A group I am in meets online now the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays but other than that I am free and would be happy to be on a call. The funny thing is none of us ever would have thought of doing that in the normal course of events. Same thing with my adult children, we are getting together on FaceTime to play games. We live in different states and often didn't see each other for months. We talked regularly but never thought about setting up video till now.
I say give a Zoom meeting a whirl! First might be bumpy but it eventually settles into something very workable. I know from having clients all over the world that there are pockets of time each day that work best for a meeting by phone or whatever with me in NYC...my European and Israeli clients like late morning NYC Time, and my Sydney Australia one connects with me at 5 pm NYC time.As for Tuesdays, I have a standing conf call board meeting at 8pm every single Tuesday, and they run long. My work days tend to run late. Don't let my schedule dictate. Some weeks the Tues meeting is cancelled at the last minute - it did not meet the last 2 weeks because of Jewish holidays.
I will join whenever I can, for sure! And the weekly Kaffeeklatch post will continue.
Kate - I have been craving steak au poivre with frites at Rue 57 bistro, with their sinful chocolate trio dessert for days! Just being in the restaurant after a long day and being served! Oh I know what you mean!Good hearing from you.
Our Wi-Fi is not very reliable-I would try to join, but I am at the whim of the router that needs replacing. The zoom meeting I joined this week, I got disconnected multiple times.
As I have already mentioned, even with the cheapo account, as long as you set your meeting for a long period of time, the host can just click back in after the 40 minutes and everyone else can click back in after the host. The 40 minute limit is actually not remotely a problem. The problem will be finding a good date and time for everyone that works with the time zones.Shelly (and everyone), Rabbi Naomi Levy, who has been known to write prayers for everything under the sun that are universal, she is the author of my favorite Thanksgiving prayer, has a beautifully written world prayer for the pandemic. It’s worth looking it up. Folks can google Pandemic prayer rabbi Naomi Levy.
And hi, Kate!
Why not gave Kate and Susie suggest the best hour that encompasses three US time zones, and we can see if that matches with Europe as well, and see what kind of range we’re looking at. Then we can figure out who the host is - if someone has a good account or we do the cheap Version click back in trick. Then the host can call for emails of interested folks, and we have ourselves a virtual party.
I have never used zoom, or even FaceTime, but it sounds like fun. I might even have my new computer by then.
Nancy, this would be easy and Fun! It took me four days to teach my mother how to use zoom for Passover, but it would take the normal human being about 30 seconds to learn. If she could do it anybody can. After all, who would have thunk that I would be the zoom queen? But my patients have needed it, so I figured it out. When does your computer arrive? I’m excited to see all of you guys in real action.
Robin wrote: "A group I am in meets online now the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays but other than that I am free and would be happy to be on a call. The funny thing is none of us ever would have thought of doing that in th..."And my book club meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month! I suppose we're not going to be able to find a day/time that will work for everyone, though.
But then, I'm also two hours behind the Eastern time zone, which I think many North Americans in our group are on. So, it could still work.
It sounds like Tues has conflicts for a number of people what about Wed?And maybe pick two or three times?
Wed 10am and 5pm eastern or something like that? is there another time that would be good for the west coast and other countries? I know a lot of people are still working but from home so need to take that into account.... maybe Wed 10am and 8pm eastern?
Amy wrote: "As I have already mentioned, even with the cheapo account, as long as you set your meeting for a long period of time, the host can just click back in after the 40 minutes and everyone else can clic..."I didn't even look up South African time!
Amy wrote: "As I have already mentioned, even with the cheapo account, as long as you set your meeting for a long period of time, the host can just click back in after the 40 minutes and everyone else can clic..."Is there anyone from the Maritime provinces, Alaska or NFLD? If so, that would add one to three more time zones for North America. I don't know of anyone offhand, though.
I'm way behind on comments 🙈 Lazy day of mostly nothing and finishing a book the last couple days.But today I pulled out all my books and reorganized my shelves.
As soon as I took all the books out I thought "this was a mistake." Of course, once they're out there is no turning back.
Now it's done and I feel more connected to my books 😁
Took a walk, ordered Five Guys and need to read some more for a book club tomorrow.
Anyone listen to the new Fiona Apple album? Listening now 🎶
We need a fearless leader to help us organize this. Anyone have a zoom account that is actually worth its measure? Could that person help us coordinate this with our far away friends? I have patients at all kinds of odd hours, but I would move them to suit such a unique experience.
It would be ideal if someone has zoom through their university because it is unlimited on time and participants. One of the ladies in my book club is a lecturer and another is a professor so we use their zoom.
Meli wrote: "It would be ideal if someone has zoom through their university because it is unlimited on time and participants. One of the ladies in my book club is a lecturer and another is a professor so we use..."It's usually professors and instructors who have access to setting up longer zoom meetings, I think. Neither of my kids who are in university can set up longer ones. Do we have any university/college faculty members here?
Charlotte wrote: "It sounds like Tues has conflicts for a number of people what about Wed?..."Wed is better for me (any other day is better than Tues for me, actually!). For me, it would have to be the 8pm Eastern (or, on a weekday, 5pm Eastern or later should be ok - though that "early" (for me it's 3pm) only because I'm working from home, so am starting and finishing earlier!)
But, for anyone further west than I am (one more North American time zone for BC and California; wait - Hawaii probably has another time zone, as well), if they are working from home, it might need to be pushing a bit later.
Karin wrote: "Is there anyone from the Maritime provinces, Alaska or NFLD? If so, that would add one to three more time zones for North America. I don't know of anyone offhand, though..."I don't think we have anyone in Nfld or the Maritimes (at least no one active). We used to have someone in Alaska, but she's not here much, anymore.
LibraryCin wrote: "We used to have someone in Alaska, but she's not here much, anymore. ..."I miss "Care"! Was thinking about her just the other day. Anybody still in touch with her via facebook?
All right, in the absence of anyone else, university, business, or attorneys who have an advanced zoom, I will host us. And give clear instructions about how to get back in after the forty minute break off. Consider it a commercial or pee break. Can someone take the lead in figuring out a day and time? And if you do have an advanced zoom and would like to host instead, feel free. Would next Sat or Sunday be better since everyone will be off work? And we have a giant spread of hours to take care of?
Book Concierge wrote: "LibraryCin wrote: "We used to have someone in Alaska, but she's not here much, anymore. ..."I miss "Care"! Was thinking about her just the other day. Anybody still in touch with her via facebook?"
It seems like she had Covid. I haven't seen a post from her recently. Has anyone received an update?
I just checked on facebook and there are no updates.Positive thoughts and prayers for her.
Booknblues wrote: "I just checked on facebook and there are no updates."I have her on f/b, as well, and had seen her post. And, was also planning to check for updates. Thanks, BnB. I hope she's doing ok.
Amy wrote: "All right, in the absence of anyone else, university, business, or attorneys who have an advanced zoom, I will host us. And give clear instructions about how to get back in after the forty minute b..."Thanks, Amy! I have only ever joined a couple of meetings, not hosted one.
I am good with Sat or Sun. I do volunteer (on my computer, from home) on Saturday mornings, but if we decide a time soon enough, I can switch for a different shift, instead.
Oh, shoot. Sat afternoon next weekend, I am doing an online escape room with other friends. That would be 3:30 Eastern. So, for me, mid- to late-Sat afternoon (Eastern) is out. Sunday is fine, and other times on Sat are fine.
Yikes. So little going on from home, and I'm filling up my time!
If you set up the two meetings, both ahead of time, and post both links (ahead of time). As soon as the first one runs out, we can quickly come back and click the second link to get in to the continuation; it's pretty quick. (Just did that last night.)
*****Next Sunday Apr 26 at 5 pm EST!******OK, I just picked a day and time for a zoom meeting!
I have a pro account through my job and permission to use it for personal meetings.
Amy, would you help me host it!?
Anyone who wants to join, send me a private message and I will send you a link and a password.
We will never be able to find a date and time that works for everyone so let's just try it, see what happens and maybe we can plan another one that is better for other places in the world!
Shelly wrote: "*****Next Sunday Apr 26 at 5 pm EST!******OK, I just picked a day and time for a zoom meeting!
I have a pro account through my job and permission to use it for personal meetings.
Amy, would you h..."
Great! On my calendat. PMing you Shelly.
Shelly wrote: "*****Next Sunday Apr 26 at 5 pm EST!******OK, I just picked a day and time for a zoom meeting!
I have a pro account through my job and permission to use it for personal meetings.
Amy, would you h..."
Also Pming you Shelly, though as I said with the issues I had last week I will probably be in and out a few times
Shelley, this is fabulous! Thank you. I will PM you my address. I have just one suggestion. I think you should open a new thread inviting the membership and announcing the date and time, so it’s not buried and everyone feels included. And that they know to PM you. I just worry about inadvertently excluding and hurting feelings. Also Cindy, you are one of the mods, and I just want to make sure that this unsanctioned unofficial but open to all meeting doesn’t do anything to cause friction. Do you want to just sort of make sure the other three are aware? Make sure there are no concerns? Other than that, I think we are good to go! Thank you so much Shelley, and I will look forward to PMing you my address.
Cindy, will wait to hear from you about opening a new thread and clearing it with mods. Thanks Amy for those suggestions.
Shelly wrote: "Cindy, will wait to hear from you about opening a new thread and clearing it with mods. Thanks Amy for those suggestions."
Ok, good idea. I will make sure the others know. Thanks!
Excellent! PMing now. I am 99% sure there is nothing going on for me at that time / date.
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Before We Were Yours (other topics)Recursion (other topics)
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 ..."
Yes, free Zoom is up to 40 minutes; more than that requires a paid subscription. Thankfully universities and colleges pay for it now so classes can happen. I have one tonight at 8, but won't be using a camera since I'll use my new computer (bought a gaming monitor even though we don't game and it doesn't have a camera or a micc--a camera wasn't what one of my requirements). I do have a decent mic, though with a special adapter that makes it work on a computer. It means that the mic I bought by mistake for my son's audition videos doesn't go to waste. I then learned I had to buy a "shotgun mic" for my camera.