How is it possible that we’re so busy?
We aren’t going to work. We’re not socializing in person. The ski mountains are closed. Many of the parks are closed. It’s too snowy to ride outside, even in isolation.
Somehow, Gail and I get to the end of each day, and more often than not, we haven’t finished what we intended (including getting this post out on time)! I guess that’s not much different than BC (Before Covid)!
And yet, we’ve accomplished a lot. It’s a different measure of accomplishment. We’re not seeing our students (Gail), and fewer deals are getting done (Larry), but we’re still teaching and working and trying to produce as best we can.
Gail’s school has not met in person for the past 2 plus weeks, and there are no plans to reopen the campus until at least the end of April (and quite possibly, not even then). Yet she works for hours every day (even on Sunday!) to prepare projects for her 3 and 4 year-olds. That’s not as easy as it may sound. But they have been incredibly well received, and she remains enthusiastic and energized.
I’m counseling nervous clients dealing with the inevitable uncertainty of these times, while at the same time trying to help our firm, and the firm’s business, survive. Like many of you, I’m sure, I’m spending more time in front of my computer, and on the phone, than I ever have.
Instead of skiing at the resorts, we’re skinning. We’re cross-country skiing, we’re snowshoeing (see Take the Plunge).
Instead of bicycling outdoors, I’m riding indoors on my trainer (not my favorite activity, see I Hate Spinning, But…).
Instead of going to the Gym, we’re working out at home as best I can. I’m even trying Yoga!
We’re each listening to and playing music (see Bang the Drum). I highly recommend Chris Thile’s YouTube series called Live From Home, where he has challenged his musician friends (who, in turn, challenge their friends) to record covers from their homes. Check out this performance by Rachael Price, the lead singer from Lake Street Dive, and Taylor Ashton (whom I guess is her partner) of Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” from their home. And there are a lot more where that came from.
In some ways, when we get through this, and we will, life will be different, and in some ways, it may be better. We should be more organized, we will certainly have learned that we can live more simply, and more efficiently (aka, cheaper) than we had become accustomed to. We will have lost the habit of going to restaurants multiple times a week, or meeting friends for drinks at bars. And we’re using much less gas in our cars!
But we long for a return to many of the ways of BC, when we can again get together with our friends and family. Those days will come again.
How are you handling our enforced isolation? Please let us know in the comments below.
Hey Larry and Gail! Almost identical experience without the views! Busy morning to night.. Although a more relaxed busy. And it all feels productive. Because I am working from home, it’s easy to work getting more organized into the mix and I see a level of organization I only ever dreamed of achieving ahead. I love having the time to talk more with friends and clients. That’s a bonus. Bests to you guys! Joanberg
Sort of the same here Larry, except Teresa gets to visit the hospital most days, and we keep our fingers crossed and pray they don’t get overwhelmed down there.
STAY HOME FOLKS!
Miss you guys, looking forward to seeing you (and everyone) as soon as we safely can.
T & T
Hi Larry and Gail! Not much has changed here in small town Iowa. Every place is pretty much closed, but people are getting out. I’ve noticed traffic up appreciably this week…maybe even to BC levels. Statewide things are starting to get a little worse but we’re better off than most. No cases in our county yet, though I expect any day now we’ll have one or two. I’m still working. I was a WFHer before this. Also lots of miles on the bike, yoga and reading. Just finished the new Jack Reacher and then I immediately dove into Ragnar Jónasson’s Dark Iceland series. There’s nothing like Nordic noir!
Thanks Bob, I will check out those reads.
A quiche is in the oven.
John is about 3 rooms away from the kitchen and having a virtual beer with his colleagues.
Maxine is on the top floor studying or working.
Chuck is in his home office.
I am grateful for this time together, so far so good.
Warmly,
Susan
It’s important to find those silver linings.
I used the time to build a nuclear reactor, cure all cancers beginning with letters who’s ordinal value is prime (though unfortunately not Covid-19 (yet)), get that wormhole to the other multiverse working again (the one where Hillary won), complete Godel, develop a rather cheeky answer to P = NP, find an error in Andrew Wiles’s proof and, separately, send a man to the moon (again) AND make a great cup of coffee … but still can’t get Zwift to work with my iPhone.
But it’s only April 1st .. ish.
… and I unfortunately didn’t have time to perform a spell-check apropos “whose” or otherwise disambiguate the inadvertent conflation of cancer and Covid – 19.
Hi Larry, Gail and Senior Rippers,
So far we have been very fortunate to live in La-La land. Our Florida State Governor has taken a rather cavalier approach to sheltering in place. We are able to play golf, tennis, pickle ball etc. Although all restaurants, beaches and businesses have virtually closed, there still seems to be quite a bit of traffic and movement in Naples. However, C-19 seems to be getting closer with each day.
I have not gone off campus in three weeks. Nell ventures off for doctor appointments and to shop at 7:30 am. I see quite a few out of state cars parked in driveways now, mostly from New York and Jersey. And , refreshingly, I see a few young families on walks around the neighbor. Keeps me young.
On the social front, I have been “speaking” to so many friends. People have been sending messages via email that I have not spoken to in years. Catching up with old buddies is one of the benefits of people wanting to socialize. Fortunately I know of no cases of the virus among friends. Hope it stays this way. And, of course, stay healthy.