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Quarantine Tuesday Reading Kaffeeklatsch 6/30/2020
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Today my pooch has her surgery, so we are all on edge here. I got this dog right before I found out my back was giving out on me-so in the past 7 years this dog has never been away from someone in the family. I am afraid she is going to freak -our when she realizes tonight that no one is coming to get her. Actually, I am afraid the Vet is going to call at midnight and tell us to come and get her! LoL.I saw my family over the week-end, for the first time since Christmas. I got so angry when I found out my niece had been out at the bar the night before-WTH she was thinking, I don't know. I kept the anger contained so as not to start an argument. Then my sister-in-law started talking trash about out Governor-walked away from that table and went and talked books with my 13 yr grand niece. That was the best part of the day.
So sorry to hear about the loss of your friend Theresa. Big hugs
Hugs Theresa.I hope your dog is alright, Joanne
And always, when confronted with unpleasant family members, find your nearest book accomplice.
I long for the day when I can see my brothers and their families in person again. I fear it will be a year before I venture to travel across states, though.Congrats on the new office, Theresa. Sounds ideal!
The image you paint of a nearly deserted Penn station is haunting.
Fingers crossed for your pooch's swift recovery, Joanne.
First..@Joanne - my heart is with you. I joke that my husband and I went the dog route instead of the kid route and have 3 of our own. Since we moved to WA and my husband stopped traveling, they've gotten quite use to us being around ALL of the time. I hope all goes well with your pup!!!
@Theresa - Congrats on the new space!!! I can empathize with the post-proust come down. Many scientists have written about that phenomenon when it comes to a variety of scenarios. I'm used to it with marathon/ironman training. You focus on something for so long and you accomplish it and it's like... now what?
My husband and I have been swimming!!!!!! Yay!! Our local YMCA has been slowly opening and taking tons of precautions, so we've taken advantage! There are only 4 lanes and they only allow 1 person a lane, unless you are from the same household, the whole state requires masks and the Y has specific entrances and exits and only allows 15 people in the whole building at one time. I've swam my entire life. I could swim before I could walk (almost). Swimming is my comfort sport so I'm so happy to be back in the water. I am sooooo out of shape!! Even my feet hurt!!! (from doing all the flip turns and pushing off the wall)... it feels good to get moving like that again. I really, really hope that they don't move us back to phase 1 like they've been threatening, I would be so sad to lose the pool privileges.
On the work front... I've paused sending out resumes and things. I think I'm going to pursue the independent consultant thing for a while. I'm stuck in a no compete for another 8 months so I'm having to subcontract through my old company, but it is allowing me to pick and choose the work that I want to do and the customers that I want to work with.
My old hometown, Jacksonville, FL, is becoming an epicenter. I saw last night that they are ranked as the 3rd metro area for number of new cases over 7 day rolling avg. I have so many friends and family there and it's hard not to be scared for them. I watch social media and half of them aren't even bothering to try to avoid getting sick. I have one friend who tested positive and I wouldn't be surprised if there were more. My sister-in-law and mother-in-law are both nurses at the Children's hospital in St. Pete and I so worry about them. So scary!
Theresa, I took a cab two ways a little over a month ago (to/from a hospital to check on an injured foot). It was mostly ok. There was the plexiglass, which I guess is the main thing. They both had masks, but only one of them was wearing it properly (only covered his mouth; though I think he adjusted later). I guess the plexiglass should mostly take care if it, though. I also had a mask, of course. Joanne, it's so hard to leave our critters at the hospital overnight (or even just to leave them for a day surgery), isn't it? :-( Will she be there only one night? Oh, shoot. I was going to say that - if longer - there are usually visiting hours, but I guess that's not likely with COVID. :-(
Oh! I forgot to mention... for those that remember... I beat my husband by one book 13-12. He's been ignoring me all morning, listening to his current book, to try to get a head start on me for the month of July.
Theresa, I'm so sorry about your friend. I love your story about Niagara Falls because we used to bring people there when they came to visit. My brother came to visit over the weekend and my husband took him for a drive along the new waterfront, and up to the New York side of the falls. You can't go over the bridge to the Canada side due to Covid. They said it was beautiful, and uncrowded so they were able to maintain some distance from other people (they still had masks of course). They also got a good view of the tour boats, and the people seemed spread out too (which is unbelievable as they used to really pack them in). If you live in New York state, now is a good time to go to Niagara Falls. I wonder what it's like at the Finger Lakes. We used to love to go wine tasting every summer.
I'll bet there are movie studios wishing they could film in Manhattan now. It sounds like it would be cool for a dystopian film - A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World .
Joanne wrote: "Today my pooch has her surgery, so we are all on edge here. I got this dog right before I found out my back was giving out on me-so in the past 7 years this dog has never been away from someone in ..."Joanne, good luck with the dog's surgery. They'll probably give her something to keep her calm. I hope it turns out all right.
I would get annoyed at a relative going to a bar before visiting me! My son went out a week before fathers day, so when he came over they sat on the deck 6 feel apart. Most of the time it's fair game to complain about a politician (in my family anyway), but ours is a hero right now so it's not allowed.
My brother visited this weekend for the first time since Thanksgiving. He got both the swab test and the blood test last week, since my mom is high risk. She was so happy. She hasn't had that much energy in a long time. I really feel bad for people in nursing homes who can't get visitors.
LibraryCin wrote: "Theresa, I took a cab two ways a little over a month ago (to/from a hospital to check on an injured foot). It was mostly ok. There was the plexiglass, which I guess is the main thing. They both had..."Thanks Cindy! The Vet just called and everything went well AND she can come home tonight-we just have to bring her back first thing in the morning for the bandages to be changed. That is a welcome relief, because she is just not good with strangers. She does not get mean, she just has panic attacks and starts shaking and than pacing. Anyway, all is good and hopefully she will heal quickly
Charlotte wrote: "Oh! I forgot to mention... for those that remember... I beat my husband by one book 13-12. He's been ignoring me all morning, listening to his current book, to try to get a head start on me for the..."Yea! I was going to ask who won. I bet he is sulking badly
Glad to hear about your dog! My dad is a vet so most things could be done at home with our pets, which was a great relief for them.
@Joanne - yippee on the pooch! And she will be happier once she heals too. Question...is there a Cone of Shame?@LibraryCin - there is zero evidence that the virus can travel through plexiglass or glass and in fact for banks to reopen, they had to reinstall plexiglass between tellers and customers. If drivers are not properly wearing their masks, and the plexiglass is in place, risk is likely no more than standing on street corner flagging one down.
@Charlotte - I knew you would win! P.S. I sent a link to your blog to a friend who had much good to say! She loved it and she can be a tad judgy.
@NancyJ - I too have wondered about the Finger Lakes. I bet it is just beautiful and calm. Love the image of a relatively empty Niagara Falls.
All - I am still shocked by rush hour in Penn Station on Monday.
Also, Charlotte's mention of freelancing reminded me: everyone who is a freelancer, independant contractor and solo proprietor can get $1000 grant from the latest COVID CARES stimulus. Takes 12 minutes to fill form in on line. Here is a link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/allbusin...
Go for it!
Hi everyone from Germany,my summer vacation has started, yay! And after three days I am actually starting to calm down and look forward to it :-)
I am going to visit my husband for a week, then come back and visit my parents (for my dad's 79th birthday). I have visited my parents twice until now, keeping outside most of the time, no hugging and inside definitely keeping the distance.
Then last time I actually hugged them, wearing a mask and a hooded winter coat on wrong (so the hood was in front of my face and I couldn't see anymore, but figured the virusses would have no chance either). That was really nice and necessary.
Then after visiting them I am going to be home for a few days and then my husband and I are going to go camping (we have a very small campervan) for two weeks.
People in Germany supposedly will be travelling mostly inside the country, so we have already booked the campsites (which we normally don't do). Campsites can only be filled up to 60% and people are asked to use their own sanitary facilities as much as possible.
I am looking forward to it a lot, even though it is going to be different. Getting out and camping helps me so much to relax and calm down.
I am happy to hear about your dog, Joanne!
Theresa, I cannot imagine having read Proust, but I can imagine the withdrawal symptoms from it ;-)
My sincere condolences on the loss of your friend.
In Germany, at least where I am, people seem to get a tad too relaxed about precautions. Masks are still mandatory in shops and public transport and generally people are wearing them. Numbers are down. I am wondering, though, whether we are getting too comfortable and too relaxed about it. People forget about keeping their distance and bigger groups meet up again. Cinemas and theaters are allowed to open again, but with the necessary hygienic precautions. I have been to restaurants/cafes, but I am not feeling to safe about going to a movie or regular theater, yet. There won't be any open windows there.
Plans for school are to start the new school year in a regular mode (whatever that will mean, there are no further explanations as of yet).
Well, we'll see.
Hope you have a good rest of the week, everyone.
Miriam wrote: "Hi everyone from Germany,my summer vacation has started, yay! And after three days I am actually starting to calm down and look forward to it :-)
I am going to visit my husband for a week, then c..."
Nice to know there is a fellow camper here! We too are going on a trip. We have a lovely pop-pop trailer (for those who don't know, a pop-up is a trailer that is hard side on the bottom, and when you open it up there is a something similar to a tent-but the inside is just like a regular trailer). Have a lovely time both with your parents and husband!
Theresa wrote: "@Joanne - yippee on the pooch! And she will be happier once she heals too. Question...is there a Cone of Shame?Oh yes there is-however we have the Cadillac of cones, padded and much more comfortable than the plastic ones they give you. Of course she hates it-right now giving me the evil eye
Theresa wrote: "@Charlotte - I knew you would win! P.S. I sent a link to your blog to a friend who had much good to say! She loved it and she can be a tad judgy..."Aww that cheers me up! Thank you!!! I'm starting the nonfiction writing class with Gotham Writers next week and I've gone ahead and signed up for a 2nd class that focuses on fiction.
I'm in negotiation hell this AM and have been reminded why I left my old company and why I have no desire to go back. Selfish jerks. Sigh. I cannot wait until my non compete is over!!!
Charlotte wrote: "Oh! I forgot to mention... for those that remember... I beat my husband by one book 13-12. He's been ignoring me all morning, listening to his current book, to try to get a head start on me for the..."LOL! Congratulations!!
Joanne wrote: "Thanks Cindy! The Vet just called and everything went well AND she can come home tonight-we just have to bring her back first thing in the morning for the bandages to be changed. That is a welcome relief, because she is just not good with strangers. She does not get mean, she just has panic attacks and starts shaking and than pacing. Anyway, all is good and hopefully she will heal quickly..."Well, that's a relief! I'm so glad for you that everything went well and that she didn't even have to spend the night. <3
Theresa wrote: "@LibraryCin - there is zero evidence that the virus can travel through plexiglass or glass and in fact for banks to reopen, they had to reinstall plexiglass between tellers and customers. If drivers are not properly wearing their masks, and the plexiglass is in place, risk is likely no more than standing on street corner flagging one down...."Good to know - thank you! It really does make sense once I stop to think about it; I guess I just didn't do that!
@LibraryCin - you mentioned during Zoom on Sunday that you are going to your volunteer job at the cat shelter. Let us know how that goes, travel, how the kitties are doing, etc. One of the job areas that has suffered, and continues to suffer, I suspect, from COVID 19 fall out are all those that rely on volunteers. Plus with animal shelters, there will be an increase of abandonned pets.
Every facet of society and our lives is touched by COVID 19.
Theresa wrote: "@LibraryCin - you mentioned during Zoom on Sunday that you are going to your volunteer job at the cat shelter. Let us know how that goes, travel, how the kitties are doing, etc. ..."Will do! They actually opened up for volunteers last week, but since over the two weeks before that, I was out at 3 appointments + once to work to pick up more supplies (all via transit), I felt that I wanted to put off going back to volunteer until this week.
I think it was tough for the staff, as living animals still need food, litter scooped, cleaning up after, medications, etc, and they had to do it all. Usually the volunteers do all of that except meds.
They did slow down on taking in cats, though, except for emergencies. They had a lot of adoptions, as well. I do think the majority of cats still in their care are at foster homes, so I'm not sure how many cats are around at the shelter now.
I am a "socializer", so I work with the shy (some feral-ish) cats to coax them out of their shell and get them used to humans, and ok with humans (ideally!). Even many of the shy cats were adopted, but one (the toughest) is still there + one of the other volunteers who returned last week said there are at least two newer shy cats who need work, as well.
You mention adoptions...I predicted increased adoptions when shelter in place started, especially for single people suddenly WFH. With some degree of WFH continuing I predict more adoptions.
Theresa wrote: "You mention adoptions...I predicted increased adoptions when shelter in place started, especially for single people suddenly WFH. With some degree of WFH continuing I predict more adoptions."Yes, it's true. I just hope people don't decide that - once they go back to work - they don't need the pet anymore.
My mental and emotional state is a mixed bag:
1. I'm going through serious Proust withdrawal. No joke. I keep reaching for that fat silver book...thinking I must read a few more pages... I was expecting this but it's still pretty hilarious how much trouble I'm having reading anything. I mean it took me 3 days at least to read the cowboy romance! Not all Proust withdrawal's fault. But still... Oh, and there are several of the discussion group who are carrying on with either re-reading it or reading other works by or about Proust. I totally get it - I have Proust criticism and such lurking in my TBRs. Which I'm not going hunting for as I really need a break.
2. I have stacks and stacks of PT books ready to go -- especially NY, CA, WA, and DE.
3. I have 3 library books to read that I've been renewing every 3 weeks since early March. 2 at least fit PT. I get to finally read them!
4. I took a taxi today for the first time since mid-March! TWICE! I felt perfectly safe. Driver has a plastic barrier between him and me. I wore a mask, I washed my hands as soon as I got inside office. Why did I suddenly take a taxi? mid-afternoon I could no longer remote access my office computer. Devastating given the work I had to get done. I could not take the time to take a bus all the way in so a cab was only choice to minimize travel time. Coming home, I had to get home before a 7 PM Zoom meeting.
5. I was also in the office yesterday - took the subway part way which is still deserted. Met a client who needed some estate paperwork notarized. We had a nice visit (he's president of a coop I represent). And there were quite a few in the office as there was a closing happening too (one of the other lawyers). I did enjoy that bit of in person socialization and oddly doing it with all of us wearing masks doesn't feel so odd any more.
My client was shocked at how deserted midtown was and how boarded up the retail. It was his first time coming into Manhattan from Brooklyn and he felt like he'd gone to another world, could not believe it was Manhattan. I realized I have become quite accustomed to that emptiness.
Speaking of emptiness, I actually left my office yesterday and took the subway partway home, which required cutting through a large section of Penn Station where all the commuter trains depart. Why am I mentioning it? Because it was 5.15 PM on what would normally be an ordinary busy workday Monday. In normal times I would never ever head into the street let alone Penn Station or the subway at that hour unless I had no choice because it is so overwhelming crowded, being peek rush hour. I saw about a dozen people spread out from the street, through Penn Station, on the subway. THAT was shocking.
4. I am so overwhelmed with work...yet I feel really satisfied as I've just finished drafting a complicated and somewhat unique document, using some work I'd done about 15 years ago as the main struture.
5. I've had a few tech issues -- the remote access thing today -- I just had to reboot my office computer and all set up again properly. I'll have to remember to do that when I go in. I think what happened is that it automatically downloaded an update, installed, and then restarted but it shut down the remote access program which has to remain open on the computer. And I couldn't get my office printer to print - but after unplugging and replugging it in, and opening and shutting all the little doors and trays, it suddenly worked again. I learned a long time ago to do all those things before calling my tech guy. :-)
I also bought a new printer/scanner for home - higher quality and a laser rather than inkjet. Is it hooked up yet? Nope.
6. I signed the sublease for my new office! Move in August 1 or shortly thereafter. I'm excited, and after seeing how little both the landlord of my office building and especially the overtenant in my suite are doing to protect us from COVID, I'm going to be glad to be in the new place which is far more attentive and compliant -- and the bathrooms are internal to the suite. A big plus in my book.
7. Sadly, the husband of a friend passed away over the weekend - another COVID victim. They live in the Buffalo, NY area. He was disabled, with a genetic disorder somewhat like MS (I can't remember the name - it's very rare and is result of his mother being exposed to radiation while pregnant back in the mid-50s -- on the job. Not quite Radium Girls but not too different.). His wit and humor are going to be sorely missed. His wedding to Cindy is still the most fun at a wedding I've ever had. You see, George was from a family of morticians, and all his friends were morticians...and let me tell you, NO ONE cuts loose better than morticians! I stayed with them when I took the bar exam - sat for it in Buffalo since I lived in Syracuse at the time, not NYC. They lived over the family run funeral home at the time- real quiet. The night between the 2 days of the bar exam, George and Cindy took me to see Niagara and Horse Shoe Falls, as I'd never been. As we waited to cross into Canada, George lectured me on not being a smart ass because he knows how lawyers and wanna-be lawyers can be, he wanted no trouble. It was hilarious. And just what I needed between 2 very stressful days.
8. Hamilton drops on Friday!!!!!!!!