Where are you on the new reality scale?
brianlux
Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,777
I hope I'm not duplicating some of the other current threads here, but I think this one takes a bit of a different approach.
The world as we have known it has changed- for how long, we don't
know (I'm still optimistic that in a year or two we will be back on
track, but probably a simpler, more cautious track). So I'm curious as
to how long it will be before day to day life feels "normal". I don't
mean necessarily normal like it was a few months ago, but normal in a
new sense. I wonder if this new norm feels normal to some people
already (hard to imagine). It sure doesn't for me. I'm finding I'm not
as resilient as I'd like to think I am (maybe due to age?) and struggle
each day to roll better with the punches. But I think eventually my
brain will begin to lock into the changes and things will start to feel
more routine- maybe harder and and more challenging, but at least more
routine and "normal". I hope so, because the daily anxiety sucks and is
counter-productive (but I'm always looking for tools I may have left out of the box).
So I'm curious as to how others here are doing with accepting the current state of life as we now know it. What do you find most helpful to accept where we are at? What advice do you have to give others encouragement and hope?
And, of course, as always, I want to wish everyone the best. I sincerely hope you're all doing OK.
"Don't give in to the lies. Don't give in to the fear. Hold on to the truth. And to hope."
-Jim Acosta
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Two weeks ago when cases across the US started to blow up every store stocking food and health items got slammed hard. People just buying massive quantities. I just have a household of 2 people but if I had 3 kids and a husband and schools were closed for 3 weeks I would have to buy alot more food and toiletries for everyone at home but it was crazy!
My first day off I had a few items I needed to pick up and of course it took FOREVER. Late that night my mom was in severe pain and kept waking me up so I had about 2 hours sleep at best. 6am she's still in bad shape so I call 911 to take her to the hospital because there's no way she could get in the car. Four paramedics had to put her on a tarp and carry her out to a stretcher waiting on the porch. I told her I would meet her at the hospital and one of the medics said "you won't be able to go in with her or see her...there's no visitors allowed you must wait outside." So I waited at home.
About 12 hours later my sister told me mom was getting discharged. Loaded up the wheelchair and walker and went to hospital. Entrances were surrounded by yellow caution tape and 2 guards were standing in the doorway, waiting room completely empty. I told them I was picking up my mom. They asked her name and went to talk to the check in desk. Returned and said somebody would call me and suggested I wait in the car. About 20 minutes later sister calls says she's made mistake and mom is being admitted and has a fractured femur.
The next morning when I returned I go through the same routine---stopped before I can enter, give info to a guard, who has me wait while he checks with staff inside. He comes back and says to go to the desk. They were allowing 1 visitor for palliative or hospice patients according to rules on their website. I stood about 9 feet back from the desk in a big lobby area with nobody else waiting for about 8 minutes while they called up to staff to get their approval for my visit.
I am given a visitor sticker with the date on it. Biggest hospital here, I've been here several times, and it's always busy. Now it's eerie walking down long empty corridors to a bank of elevators where nobody's waiting.
On the way to hospital I drive up to get coffee and a biscuit. Debit card is declined, says they're been having trouble and I pay cash. Coming home I try to use debit card-declined, so I put in charge card (same credit union) also declined but have enough cash with me to pay. Call cu and they say debit blocked due possible fraud activity. They ask me about a number of transactions and there's some I don't recognize. CCV number saved me 600.00. I get home, review account and there's one that did go thru I didn't do. Try to call cu but after 25 minutes had to give up since mom was calling. Tried again same thing. Called late at nite n got thru quickly. Rep couldn't see why charge was blocked but guessing it was because of debit card problem and she would send information to another department. It's Saturday afternoon...should be able to use cash till Monday.
Next day go to hospital policy has changed, website not yet updated, NO visitors allowed.
Monday go to credit union shared banking since my cu is out of state. Lobby closed only drive thru now open. And they can't do shared banking at drive thru. Find another shared banking online and upon arrival see their lobby is also closed which wasnt on website. Go to drive thru...line of cars there and try read available services at drive thru listed on rather small sign posted on column ahead. Give up and get out and praying nobody freaks out or shoots me, walk up past cars to read. Sign isn't new but I'm hopeful it's still correct. Wait about 3 songs (10 mins?) Then drive up hoping I don't look too nervous I'll make them suspicious! Then I got cash to keep me going till new card is mailed. Tested credit card and it now works fine. WHEW!
while doctors are trying to get together and consult and I am off work for at least the next 3 days and possibly longer depending on the situation.
So today I was finally able to blast music and start rearranging the kitchen which has been put off for years.
Stepped outside on driveway and met a neighbor walking down the street with a stroller and had a nice chat.
Decided to take a walk myself around sunset and admire the clouds. Walking down the arroyo saw 3 others walking or running and they all said hello or responded when I did.
Noticed how bright the stars are....maybe less ambient light now so many places close early.
So my advice is take a deep breath, realize everything's going to take longer than normal.
Get outside, greet other people and be sure to keep enough cash on hand just in case!
Hang in there everybody!
My new reality is my wife and I both working from home while watching a 3 year old and a 10 month old. It has been quite a scene....I've never been so desperate to start paying the absurd costs to our daycare again.
I'm looking for mescaline now because I heard it's the only way to fly!
In all reality I keep my distance, stopped visiting anyone, stopped having cigars and am not eating out anymore.
My hands are washed even more frequently than before and I always have hand sanitizer on me...
And just having some fun and laughs during this clusterfuck.
Holy crap, cams, you've got a lot on your plate. Good job taking care of business. Hang in there!
Getting out for a walk is a great idea, Indifference. I'm going to do the same today. Hang in there!
Good job, Hedo! Stay strong!
and my HR department acknowledged this in one of our most recent updates: "we realize that not being in the office, there are some tasks that you just can't perform, so try to fend off the impending boredom with these tips...". they know that it's not all about not being able to perform all your tasks. it's also about taking the people element out of it. i always heard people who work at home talk about how much more time they have. i just assumed they were slacking off or had a cushy job.
and i can listen to vinyl while i work!!!
-EV 8/14/93
-EV 8/14/93
LOL, Keep on rockin', HFD!
Still going into work every day , I want nothing more than to be home but both my sisters are going stir crazy with their kids , home schooling and the such.
Sorry if it is repetitive from other posts , I work for a small credit union and manage our NH operations , I just have two other people in my office with me ( I have six offices , large conference room ect ) so I can keep my distance from others. However I get home from work and just eat dinner and more or less pass out before 9pm and sleep right on thru to 7:45am.
Wife has been furlowed , unemployment was supposed to be in her bank account on Wednesday but because our claims went up 3,000% in NH over the last week they said it is taken longer than normal. We don't live paycheck to paycheck so I realize we are very lucky in that regard.
I miss my mom , sisters and friends and thank god they are all healthy , taking all the steps I can , hand washing ( my knuckles are ready to crack open ) , showering as soon as I get home , social distancing , leaving my house for exercise with my wife for a short period of time ( just the two of us ) and staying inside the rest of the time.
I do feel like those of us on the board doing all these things are still in the minority , I still see people out and about and doing things they should no be doing. I feel like some just will never take this seriously because we don't live in one of the epicenters and you cannot see this threat.
I do get to listen to music to and from work so loud that it makes my ears ring but I sing along as loud as I can and that seems to help.
Our doctors / nurses should have a holiday when this is all over , also grocery store works should be getting paid 25 dollars an hour right now for the work they are putting in and dealing with so much of the public. They should also get a holiday when this is done.
Also shout out to anyone donating time to food banks , blood banks , getting meals to the elderly and our healthcare works.
Sorry super long post.
Great post, Matts, thanks!
It's humbling.
Yeah it's crazy how some people see others as weird, who are content with staying home and being alone particularly if they do music. I don't understand what's wrong with that. Surely it's peaceful?
As for the setbacks, lets just say this quote is really rather apt as the bricks have been coming in pretty thick and fast: "A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him or her" ~David Brinkley
BTW there's a little brick wall at the end of my garden and I've been putting bird feed into a few of the bricks which have come loose. I really enjoy watching the little birds land there during meditation
It's been a strange few months, that's for sure! It certainly hasn't been as bad here in Australia as it has in other countries - we've got a relatively low rate of cases and deaths, despite the size of the place - so it's almost been like we are observing from afar at times. We did lose a friend to Covid-19 in April. He was only 37 and he was living in London. It took a long time for his family to get his body home to Australia unfortunately but they were finally able to have a funeral here. I never would have thought that a Zoom wake would be a thing; it was nice to be able to raise a glass and share memories with friends even if it was only online.
The schools here in Sydney opened again in late May so our son has been back with his friends. Soccer training has started again, but with limited spectators, and the general restrictions have eased. This got me thinking about what 'normal' really is these days...
It seems to me that the normal things that we missed - going into the office, school, soccer matches, shopping etc - actually feel strange now, and staying at home almost feels right. Catching up with friends after months apart and not knowing whether you could/should give them a hug is really weird. I can't go to get groceries without feeling slightly apprehensive. I really didn't want to work from home as I try to keep the two separate as much as possible, but now I find myself not wanting to go back in.
One good thing that has come out of this is that we Facetime my parents every night, instead of once a week. They're in their 70s and the UK lockdown has been pretty tough for them. So every night (their morning) we call and mum and my son take it in turns to read stories to each other. It's been great for him to see them, and he brightens their mornings too. They've just cracked through the 100 book mark!
(Jeff Tweedy, Sydney 2007)
“Put yer good money on the sunrise”
(Tim Rogers)
God my post in March feels like a million years ago now.
We have re-opened our office , again just three of us all wearing mask and have plexglass if I have to meet with a client.
I want to be hopeful but it sounds like this winter is going to be very grim , I do feel that it is lack of leadership from the top.
If we could just all get on the same page with mask , not going out unless we need to ect ect we could have this under control like other countries.
We have a two week quarantine law for those traveling from hot spot states , however there is no way to enforce it , I know a client who has six people flying up for FL and that day they were all going to the beach.
I feel that their are two type of people who are "over it"
I am over it but that does not mean I am not vigilant as one can be , using a mask , staying away from crowds , not out shopping other than groceries and I had to get a new toaster the other week. When I went to target to get the toaster I was amazed how many people were just casual shopping , I had an item to get , got it and got out.
I think the other brand of "over it" are those who have now throw caution to the wind and just saying fuck it , no mask , going to parties. I have an 18 year old niece and she is posting on her IG pics of her and her friends all close and out and about. It is maddening to me but I cannot control people , I can control what I do to keep myself safe.
I honestly think that summer of 2021 is when we will ease into the new normal , numbers will hopeful be down , vaccine in the works to be rolled out by the fall but I see wearing a mask for the next year or two.
I personally like thinking the worst so when it is not that bad my hopes are not crushed.
It’s been a tough time personally but I fear if I go into it all at the moment, it’d be a bit much.
i just have to believe there will be better times ahead.