QUARANTINE LIFE on VIDEO

It seems like everyone wants to use video when chatting or meeting these days.  Most people accept this new way of life, but it is challenging to always be picture perfect.  The camera on my computer shows part of my 90" tall shelves with baskets as drawers, my partial wall of hats and my dorm size fridge.  Thankfully, the new computer allows me to have a backdrop on Zoom which hides the business of my one room fits all.

Deacon's tea tray is on top of my fridge.  And why do I need my own fridge?  I am the only one who eats cottage cheese and it was forever getting lost to the back of the big fridge.  I keep a few treats for the boys (so the grown ups don't eat them).  A jar of HUGE olives for martinis once a week (just makes me feel so grown up).  Usually some raspberries, almond milk, ripe avocado, and MY brand of yogurt.  It even has a tiny freezer so the boys put in an uncrustable PBJ ... just in case.

My volunteer work with WLLO has all of our meetings on video.  We may keep it this way as no one has to drive, find parking and or find a place to hold these meetings.  Convenient in that way.  But there are quite a few bothersome effects to this.  When first using this type of media, several people would talk at the same time or before one person was finished.  I suggested that we raise our hand when we want to speak (put your hand in front of your face so everyone can see it is up) and the meeting host will call on you.  The rest of the time, we should put ourselves on MUTE so we don't hear your dog barking, or kids knocking on my door, or rustling of papers right next to your computer mic, cell phones ringing or buzzing, sneezing or coughing, etc.

Then we have the participants who get up and down, eat while everyone watches, visibly works on something else or reads something then asks "wait, what did you say? "  Some move their computers around during the meeting, adjust the angle of their camera or whatever.  It all distracts from the meeting.

Recently, several articles have been written about why Zoom (or other) is terrible.  Watching often deters from listening.  Sometimes it's better to be heard and not seen.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/29/sunday-review/zoom-video-conference.html

WLLO now offers some social gatherings on Zoom and I think seeing and listening is a good thing for those who live alone.  I host a Friday morning coffee and I think up a topic then go around the Zoom and ask each person.  And I try to limit it to just 30 minutes which is a nice amount of time for chit chat and doesn't seem like a huge time commitment.  We sometimes go over by 10-15 minutes but I would rather stop the gathering with people wanting more, than having them feel like it's being dragged out too long.

Last week I asked if you prefer home streaming or movie theaters.  Then asked which service each used and why.  I learned that Disney+ is offering the movie "Hamilton" on July 3 and discovered you can get a one week trial!

Silver linings in this blogging world!

PANDEMIC PROCRASTINATION

OK.  It was fun to be self indulgent with my new toys.  We also installed a new zippy fast modem.  Things now load 10x faster ... as if I have anything to do with all that new found time.

Macbeth, my new 16" laptop, is almost too big to be a laptop!  It works perfectly on my desk though.  Remember all those F1, F2, etc buttons on the top row of the keyboard?  No more!  It's an LED screen that changes with each program you use.  Still shortcuts but I don't have to memorize what F7 is!  I think they call it a touch bar and it is sure handy.

It has a fingerprint on/off switch!  My phone rings through the computer and sounds even better than my phone ... even tells me who is calling.  It allows me to put up a fake background on Zoom (instead of everyone looking at my shelves of basket drawers and hat collection on the wall.  I believe someone can just fasten it to my wheelchair and I'll be able to live to 121.

My friend Misadventures of Widowhood had a super great post today.  She expressed how sad she is feeling, almost to the point of being paralyzed into doing nothing.  But she is doing so much more than me.  I stay in my pj's several days a week.  So comfy and cozy ... one of my only physical pleasures these days.  I should be using this time to get into bikini shape, lose these extra 50 lbs, clean out every drawer and closet.  Yet I have not and I don't feel a bit guilty.

My brain is continuing to learn new things and coexist with this Covid19 world.  I'm still in the overly cautious stage despite our  town opening up to Phase I mode.  I've learned how to get groceries delivered and am in love with Amazon Fresh.   They sell other things in addition to Whole Foods products.

Blogging will probably continue to be just two days a week .... and one day may just be images.

QUARANTINE HAIR

QUARANTINE COMPUTER CRASH

My computer shuts itself down 3-4 times a day.  Too annoying.  Fortunately Apple just released their new models and I snagged one.  It will be delivered Thursday.  Then my computer guru (Jesse's brother) will copy the info from my old computer to the new computer.  

Of course, things changed just enough to cause me to buy new attachment cords ... no longer USB .... now it is an even smaller USBc.

I'm going to hide in my apartment and play with my new birthday present to myself.

I hope to return in June!  Happy Mother's Day!

QUARANTINE BIRTHDAY

A great day of turning 68.

My little guy, brought me breakfast in bed .... four toaster waffles (he must have been hungry), a kiwi, a tiny bowl of whipped cream and a tiny bowl of maple syrup.  Delivered while I was on a Zoom coffee get together ... 


Half soldier, half little boy with stuffed animal and blankie



Later in the day, he took me for a birthday walk.



Mr. 9 made lemon bars for dessert.  All on his own!!

The adults prepared a glamorous meal.  Family called and sent gifts, friends called and sent gifts.  Lots of birthday texts and Facebook wishes.  All in all, I had a GREAT day ....



Just so you know, I celebrate all month!  Kate as well as her birthday is May 22.  Toss in Mother's Day and Mr. Ralph just brought flowers and gifts every weekend!