It has been a year

SPEEDY MCCREADY
SPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 26,860
edited March 2021 in A Moving Train

Since covid was officially declared a pandemic. Good lord! Looking back at the last year is just pure insanity. There was a time when every time I got out of my truck I would spray myself with Lysol. There was a time when I went thru 10-20 disposable gloves a day. How about the insanity at the grocery stores? My wife and I taking turns hitting every store we can get to, looking for wipes, sanitizer, bleach, etc. Because it truly felt like a life and death situation. And sadly for way too many, covid was a life and death situation.

I was discussing the last year with a dear friend of mine last night. We sat in his garage, put on the Blackhawks game, and shared some adult beverages. It was great. Because as we all remember, it wasn't too long ago where none of us were allowed to do just that. We talked about everyone in the country, and how some handled this pandemic. Who can forget the absolute lunatics who lost their fucking minds, because they were asked to wear a mask? All the videos that showed up on the news of folks in a Walmart, Target, gas station etc. who literally turned in to 3 year olds because they were asked to wear a mask. And in the whole scheme of things, is wearing a mask all that much to ask?

How about the food stores? Holy fuck! The meat section just being empty? There was a day when I went shopping that the ENTIRE frozen vegetable section was COMPLETELY EMPTY. Other than frozen okra. I guess people are not a fan of okra.

We discussed friends and family who lost jobs. We discussed how our nation handled this pandemic, and all the mistakes(in our eyes)that were made. Could we have shut down the nation for 2 months? As in a complete shutdown? Could we have just froze everything? Would it have changed or slowed down how the virus spread through our nation?

We discussed the nightmare that was New York City, in the early stages of covid. We discussed that military hospital ship that was parked there. How about the turning Central Park in to a field hospital? So many deaths. So damn sad.

Its been quite a fucking year, that's for sure.

Anyway.

Share some thoughts about the last year. Looking back, what are some of the things that will always stand out to you? The hoarding at the stores? The terror of not finding wipes or disinfectant? The fear of just walking out your front door? and obviously the fear of getting sick.

Take me piece by piece.....
Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
Post edited by SPEEDY MCCREADY on
«13

Comments

  • 23scidoo
    23scidoo Thessaloniki,Greece Posts: 19,969
    The fear of tomorrow..
    Athens 2006. Dusseldorf 2007. Berlin 2009. Venice 2010. Amsterdam 1 2012. Amsterdam 1+2 2014. Buenos Aires 2015.
    Prague Krakow Berlin 2018. Berlin 2022
    EV, Taormina 1+2 2017.

    I wish i was the souvenir you kept your house key on..
  • SPEEDY MCCREADY
    SPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 26,860
    23scidoo said:
    The fear of tomorrow.
    How about it. For so long we never knew what terrifying news the next day would bring. Damn
    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • PJNB
    PJNB Posts: 13,890
    I have luckily avoided a lot of the things you went through Speedy where I live. Some thoughts of mine in an area that has not been impacted by the virus. 

    - how much the kids have been impacted
    - how much time we have lost with loved ones, some that have passed and will never get to see again
    - missing out on seeing live shows. 
    - the divisiveness that everyone has with regards to restrictions
    - the impact on my wife's business and friends and family that either have been laid off, let go permanently, and business's have closed. 

  • SPEEDY MCCREADY
    SPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 26,860
    PJNB said:
    I have luckily avoided a lot of the things you went through Speedy where I live. Some thoughts of mine in an area that has not been impacted by the virus. 

    - how much the kids have been impacted
    - how much time we have lost with loved ones, some that have passed and will never get to see again
    - missing out on seeing live shows. 
    - the divisiveness that everyone has with regards to restrictions
    - the impact on my wife's business and friends and family that either have been laid off, let go permanently, and business's have closed. 

    My friend and I discussed the situation with the children for at least an hour. The fact that our nations children basically lost an entire year of education is mind blowing. And for young kids not to have social interaction? Good lord! Its devastating. And the long term with these children? Mind boggling.
    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • OnWis97
    OnWis97 St. Paul, MN Posts: 5,610
    edited March 2021
    This is the one-year anniversary of my last day in the office.  Still employed; all work from home. Thursday, March 12.  I remember leaving and thinking I'd be back in several weeks. I made the decision that this was the time (i.e., not to even go in on Friday, which I think is probably the last office day for many of my co-workers). I went into the office in the fall to pick up my sports coats (on the day of the one hair cut I've had in the last year), which I figured were getting dusty and my cube had some food (non-perishable) and Bubly waters, etc., along with some disinfecting wipes I'd purchased the week before. I clearly under-estimated the length of time.

    One thing that stands out to me is that I was at a conference the week before and it was just a bit eerie. I kinda new that if it had been the following week, it would have been cancelled. I sat down to lunch next to two strangers and we introduced ourselves, shaking hands, of course. I, being a germophobe of the old school, put my arms down at my side, touched nothing, and a minute later went to the bathroom to wash my hands. Barring a loved one or myself getting very sick (knock on wood), March through about May is definitely the most memorable time. There was actual (as opposed to the current almost exclusively willful) ignorance about how distancing and masks work. People were walking around stores like zombies, afraid of each other (except those who were oblivious, who were far worse). I do have one memory of that aforementioned hair-cut, though. Guy comes in and asks my barber when he can get in. He's got his mask on but he pulls it down to talk. Why are these things so difficult to understand?

    When Minnesota allowed some in-restaurant eating (which we still do not partake in) I went to a moderate/high-priced Italian place to pick up some food. The place had a dark ambiance and a basket full of reading glasses for the guests. I waited about five minutes and saw a guest drop a pair into the basket. The host grabbed it and wiped it down. Next time someone dropped a pair into that basket, the host wasn't there...Come on. Either let people use their cell phones or turn the lights up.  Community glasses? I haven't been back out of principle (and the lobster ravioli was quite good).

    I think one of the worst things that's come out of this is that unlike, say 9/11, this has not brought out our unity. It's made it worse. The ability to politicize this and to be willfully ignorant out of spite has been something to marvel at. The unwillingness to look out for one another has really been brought to the forefront. Whatever value there is in our "rugged individualism," there's certainly an ugly side.

    What a strange time that first several weeks was going to the store to try to get certain products that were hard to find and looking at everyone with distrust because surely they could infect me. Getting to the check-out counter and feeling like I should just open my wallet and turn it upside for a TIP for the terrible position the employees are in.  And by now, it all seems just normal.  The grocery store isn't the harrowing experience it was last spring (in part because, as I mentioned in another thread, mine has great compliance). Now it's almost at the point where "normal" might feel strange.

    Post edited by OnWis97 on
    1995 Milwaukee     1998 Alpine, Alpine     2003 Albany, Boston, Boston, Boston     2004 Boston, Boston     2006 Hartford, St. Paul (Petty), St. Paul (Petty)     2011 Alpine, Alpine     
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  • Hobbes
    Hobbes Pacific Northwest Posts: 6,438
    Disgusting human behavior on full display.
  • hedonist
    hedonist Posts: 24,524
    Kind of tough to condense a year of so much into a few words. I think what’s struck me most is how low people can go. Still DO go (lots of mask pushback, literally).

    Those really tough times in the first few months demonstrated my own sense of perseverance...and weaknesses as well.

    And for whatever trials I went through, it was a cake-walk in terms of what others have experienced.
  • SPEEDY MCCREADY
    SPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 26,860
    hedonist said:
    Kind of tough to condense a year of so much into a few words. I think what’s struck me most is how low people can go. Still DO go (lots of mask pushback, literally).

    Those really tough times in the first few months demonstrated my own sense of perseverance...and weaknesses as well.

    And for whatever trials I went through, it was a cake-walk in terms of what others have experienced.

    How low people can go? The last year has certainly showed us.

    Illinois has just topped 1 million fraudulent unemployment claims. I myself was a victim. Some piece of shit collected 3 months of unemployment, with the addition $600 a week covid bump included, using my name.

    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • oftenreading
    oftenreading Victoria, BC Posts: 12,856
    OnWis97 said:
    This is the one-year anniversary of my last day in the office.  Still employed; all work from home. Thursday, March 12.  I remember leaving and thinking I'd be back in several weeks. I made the decision that this was the time (i.e., not to even go in on Friday, which I think is probably the last office day for many of my co-workers). I went into the office in the fall to pick up my sports coats (on the day of the one hair cut I've had in the last year), which I figured were getting dusty and my cube had some food (non-perishable) and Bubly waters, etc., along with some disinfecting wipes I'd purchased the week before. I clearly under-estimated the length of time.

    One thing that stands out to me is that I was at a conference the week before and it was just a bit eerie. I kinda new that if it had been the following week, it would have been cancelled. I sat down to lunch next to two strangers and we introduced ourselves, shaking hands, of course. I, being a germophobe of the old school, put my arms down at my side, touched nothing, and a minute later went to the bathroom to wash my hands. Barring a loved one or myself getting very sick (knock on wood), March through about May is definitely the most memorable time. There was actual (as opposed to the current almost exclusively willful) ignorance about how distancing and masks work. People were walking around stores like zombies, afraid of each other (except those who were oblivious, who were far worse). I do have one memory of that aforementioned hair-cut, though. Guy comes in and asks my barber when he can get in. He's got his mask on but he pulls it down to talk. Why are these things so difficult to understand?

    When Minnesota allowed some in-restaurant eating (which we still do not partake in) I went to a moderate/high-priced Italian place to pick up some food. The place had a dark ambiance and a basket full of reading glasses for the guests. I waited about five minutes and saw a guest drop a pair into the basket. The host grabbed it and wiped it down. Next time someone dropped a pair into that basket, the host wasn't there...Come on. Either let people use their cell phones or turn the lights up.  Community glasses? I haven't been back out of principle (and the lobster ravioli was quite good).

    I think one of the worst things that's come out of this is that unlike, say 9/11, this has not brought out our unity. It's made it worse. The ability to politicize this and to be willfully ignorant out of spite has been something to marvel at. The unwillingness to look out for one another has really been brought to the forefront. Whatever value there is in our "rugged individualism," there's certainly an ugly side.

    What a strange time that first several weeks was going to the store to try to get certain products that were hard to find and looking at everyone with distrust because surely they could infect me. Getting to the check-out counter and feeling like I should just open my wallet and turn it upside for a TIP for the terrible position the employees are in.  And by now, it all seems just normal.  The grocery store isn't the harrowing experience it was last spring (in part because, as I mentioned in another thread, mine has great compliance). Now it's almost at the point where "normal" might feel strange.

    Now it's almost at the point where "normal" might feel strange.

    This one stands out for me. If I watch a movie that shows people in a crowd, laughing and talking, all squished in together, I now have a gut reaction of "that's not right!" or "how can they not be wearing masks?". I feel a little vicarious anxiety just watching it. I don't know how long it will be before I would even want to be out in a crowded place without a mask. In fact, I know that I plan to continue wearing masks on airplanes and other public transit, and probably in other crowds too.

    Also, okra really is that bad. 
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • F Me In The Brain
    F Me In The Brain this knows everybody from other commets Posts: 31,813
    OnWis97 said:
    This is the one-year anniversary of my last day in the office.  Still employed; all work from home. Thursday, March 12.  I remember leaving and thinking I'd be back in several weeks. I made the decision that this was the time (i.e., not to even go in on Friday, which I think is probably the last office day for many of my co-workers). I went into the office in the fall to pick up my sports coats (on the day of the one hair cut I've had in the last year), which I figured were getting dusty and my cube had some food (non-perishable) and Bubly waters, etc., along with some disinfecting wipes I'd purchased the week before. I clearly under-estimated the length of time.

    One thing that stands out to me is that I was at a conference the week before and it was just a bit eerie. I kinda new that if it had been the following week, it would have been cancelled. I sat down to lunch next to two strangers and we introduced ourselves, shaking hands, of course. I, being a germophobe of the old school, put my arms down at my side, touched nothing, and a minute later went to the bathroom to wash my hands. Barring a loved one or myself getting very sick (knock on wood), March through about May is definitely the most memorable time. There was actual (as opposed to the current almost exclusively willful) ignorance about how distancing and masks work. People were walking around stores like zombies, afraid of each other (except those who were oblivious, who were far worse). I do have one memory of that aforementioned hair-cut, though. Guy comes in and asks my barber when he can get in. He's got his mask on but he pulls it down to talk. Why are these things so difficult to understand?

    When Minnesota allowed some in-restaurant eating (which we still do not partake in) I went to a moderate/high-priced Italian place to pick up some food. The place had a dark ambiance and a basket full of reading glasses for the guests. I waited about five minutes and saw a guest drop a pair into the basket. The host grabbed it and wiped it down. Next time someone dropped a pair into that basket, the host wasn't there...Come on. Either let people use their cell phones or turn the lights up.  Community glasses? I haven't been back out of principle (and the lobster ravioli was quite good).

    I think one of the worst things that's come out of this is that unlike, say 9/11, this has not brought out our unity. It's made it worse. The ability to politicize this and to be willfully ignorant out of spite has been something to marvel at. The unwillingness to look out for one another has really been brought to the forefront. Whatever value there is in our "rugged individualism," there's certainly an ugly side.

    What a strange time that first several weeks was going to the store to try to get certain products that were hard to find and looking at everyone with distrust because surely they could infect me. Getting to the check-out counter and feeling like I should just open my wallet and turn it upside for a TIP for the terrible position the employees are in.  And by now, it all seems just normal.  The grocery store isn't the harrowing experience it was last spring (in part because, as I mentioned in another thread, mine has great compliance). Now it's almost at the point where "normal" might feel strange.

    Now it's almost at the point where "normal" might feel strange.

    This one stands out for me. If I watch a movie that shows people in a crowd, laughing and talking, all squished in together, I now have a gut reaction of "that's not right!" or "how can they not be wearing masks?". I feel a little vicarious anxiety just watching it. I don't know how long it will be before I would even want to be out in a crowded place without a mask. In fact, I know that I plan to continue wearing masks on airplanes and other public transit, and probably in other crowds too.

    Also, okra really is that bad. 

    Frozen okra is gross.
    Cooking it fresh?  Amazingly good.  Sweet, even!
    The love he receives is the love that is saved
  • oftenreading
    oftenreading Victoria, BC Posts: 12,856
    OnWis97 said:
    This is the one-year anniversary of my last day in the office.  Still employed; all work from home. Thursday, March 12.  I remember leaving and thinking I'd be back in several weeks. I made the decision that this was the time (i.e., not to even go in on Friday, which I think is probably the last office day for many of my co-workers). I went into the office in the fall to pick up my sports coats (on the day of the one hair cut I've had in the last year), which I figured were getting dusty and my cube had some food (non-perishable) and Bubly waters, etc., along with some disinfecting wipes I'd purchased the week before. I clearly under-estimated the length of time.

    One thing that stands out to me is that I was at a conference the week before and it was just a bit eerie. I kinda new that if it had been the following week, it would have been cancelled. I sat down to lunch next to two strangers and we introduced ourselves, shaking hands, of course. I, being a germophobe of the old school, put my arms down at my side, touched nothing, and a minute later went to the bathroom to wash my hands. Barring a loved one or myself getting very sick (knock on wood), March through about May is definitely the most memorable time. There was actual (as opposed to the current almost exclusively willful) ignorance about how distancing and masks work. People were walking around stores like zombies, afraid of each other (except those who were oblivious, who were far worse). I do have one memory of that aforementioned hair-cut, though. Guy comes in and asks my barber when he can get in. He's got his mask on but he pulls it down to talk. Why are these things so difficult to understand?

    When Minnesota allowed some in-restaurant eating (which we still do not partake in) I went to a moderate/high-priced Italian place to pick up some food. The place had a dark ambiance and a basket full of reading glasses for the guests. I waited about five minutes and saw a guest drop a pair into the basket. The host grabbed it and wiped it down. Next time someone dropped a pair into that basket, the host wasn't there...Come on. Either let people use their cell phones or turn the lights up.  Community glasses? I haven't been back out of principle (and the lobster ravioli was quite good).

    I think one of the worst things that's come out of this is that unlike, say 9/11, this has not brought out our unity. It's made it worse. The ability to politicize this and to be willfully ignorant out of spite has been something to marvel at. The unwillingness to look out for one another has really been brought to the forefront. Whatever value there is in our "rugged individualism," there's certainly an ugly side.

    What a strange time that first several weeks was going to the store to try to get certain products that were hard to find and looking at everyone with distrust because surely they could infect me. Getting to the check-out counter and feeling like I should just open my wallet and turn it upside for a TIP for the terrible position the employees are in.  And by now, it all seems just normal.  The grocery store isn't the harrowing experience it was last spring (in part because, as I mentioned in another thread, mine has great compliance). Now it's almost at the point where "normal" might feel strange.

    Now it's almost at the point where "normal" might feel strange.

    This one stands out for me. If I watch a movie that shows people in a crowd, laughing and talking, all squished in together, I now have a gut reaction of "that's not right!" or "how can they not be wearing masks?". I feel a little vicarious anxiety just watching it. I don't know how long it will be before I would even want to be out in a crowded place without a mask. In fact, I know that I plan to continue wearing masks on airplanes and other public transit, and probably in other crowds too.

    Also, okra really is that bad. 

    Frozen okra is gross.
    Cooking it fresh?  Amazingly good.  Sweet, even!

    You'll have to prove that to me. I'll swing by for dinner some time. 
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • F Me In The Brain
    F Me In The Brain this knows everybody from other commets Posts: 31,813
    OnWis97 said:
    This is the one-year anniversary of my last day in the office.  Still employed; all work from home. Thursday, March 12.  I remember leaving and thinking I'd be back in several weeks. I made the decision that this was the time (i.e., not to even go in on Friday, which I think is probably the last office day for many of my co-workers). I went into the office in the fall to pick up my sports coats (on the day of the one hair cut I've had in the last year), which I figured were getting dusty and my cube had some food (non-perishable) and Bubly waters, etc., along with some disinfecting wipes I'd purchased the week before. I clearly under-estimated the length of time.

    One thing that stands out to me is that I was at a conference the week before and it was just a bit eerie. I kinda new that if it had been the following week, it would have been cancelled. I sat down to lunch next to two strangers and we introduced ourselves, shaking hands, of course. I, being a germophobe of the old school, put my arms down at my side, touched nothing, and a minute later went to the bathroom to wash my hands. Barring a loved one or myself getting very sick (knock on wood), March through about May is definitely the most memorable time. There was actual (as opposed to the current almost exclusively willful) ignorance about how distancing and masks work. People were walking around stores like zombies, afraid of each other (except those who were oblivious, who were far worse). I do have one memory of that aforementioned hair-cut, though. Guy comes in and asks my barber when he can get in. He's got his mask on but he pulls it down to talk. Why are these things so difficult to understand?

    When Minnesota allowed some in-restaurant eating (which we still do not partake in) I went to a moderate/high-priced Italian place to pick up some food. The place had a dark ambiance and a basket full of reading glasses for the guests. I waited about five minutes and saw a guest drop a pair into the basket. The host grabbed it and wiped it down. Next time someone dropped a pair into that basket, the host wasn't there...Come on. Either let people use their cell phones or turn the lights up.  Community glasses? I haven't been back out of principle (and the lobster ravioli was quite good).

    I think one of the worst things that's come out of this is that unlike, say 9/11, this has not brought out our unity. It's made it worse. The ability to politicize this and to be willfully ignorant out of spite has been something to marvel at. The unwillingness to look out for one another has really been brought to the forefront. Whatever value there is in our "rugged individualism," there's certainly an ugly side.

    What a strange time that first several weeks was going to the store to try to get certain products that were hard to find and looking at everyone with distrust because surely they could infect me. Getting to the check-out counter and feeling like I should just open my wallet and turn it upside for a TIP for the terrible position the employees are in.  And by now, it all seems just normal.  The grocery store isn't the harrowing experience it was last spring (in part because, as I mentioned in another thread, mine has great compliance). Now it's almost at the point where "normal" might feel strange.

    Now it's almost at the point where "normal" might feel strange.

    This one stands out for me. If I watch a movie that shows people in a crowd, laughing and talking, all squished in together, I now have a gut reaction of "that's not right!" or "how can they not be wearing masks?". I feel a little vicarious anxiety just watching it. I don't know how long it will be before I would even want to be out in a crowded place without a mask. In fact, I know that I plan to continue wearing masks on airplanes and other public transit, and probably in other crowds too.

    Also, okra really is that bad. 

    Frozen okra is gross.
    Cooking it fresh?  Amazingly good.  Sweet, even!

    You'll have to prove that to me. I'll swing by for dinner some time. 

    Done & done! 
    The love he receives is the love that is saved
  • hedonist
    hedonist Posts: 24,524
    OnWis97 said:
    This is the one-year anniversary of my last day in the office.  Still employed; all work from home. Thursday, March 12.  I remember leaving and thinking I'd be back in several weeks. I made the decision that this was the time (i.e., not to even go in on Friday, which I think is probably the last office day for many of my co-workers). I went into the office in the fall to pick up my sports coats (on the day of the one hair cut I've had in the last year), which I figured were getting dusty and my cube had some food (non-perishable) and Bubly waters, etc., along with some disinfecting wipes I'd purchased the week before. I clearly under-estimated the length of time.

    One thing that stands out to me is that I was at a conference the week before and it was just a bit eerie. I kinda new that if it had been the following week, it would have been cancelled. I sat down to lunch next to two strangers and we introduced ourselves, shaking hands, of course. I, being a germophobe of the old school, put my arms down at my side, touched nothing, and a minute later went to the bathroom to wash my hands. Barring a loved one or myself getting very sick (knock on wood), March through about May is definitely the most memorable time. There was actual (as opposed to the current almost exclusively willful) ignorance about how distancing and masks work. People were walking around stores like zombies, afraid of each other (except those who were oblivious, who were far worse). I do have one memory of that aforementioned hair-cut, though. Guy comes in and asks my barber when he can get in. He's got his mask on but he pulls it down to talk. Why are these things so difficult to understand?

    When Minnesota allowed some in-restaurant eating (which we still do not partake in) I went to a moderate/high-priced Italian place to pick up some food. The place had a dark ambiance and a basket full of reading glasses for the guests. I waited about five minutes and saw a guest drop a pair into the basket. The host grabbed it and wiped it down. Next time someone dropped a pair into that basket, the host wasn't there...Come on. Either let people use their cell phones or turn the lights up.  Community glasses? I haven't been back out of principle (and the lobster ravioli was quite good).

    I think one of the worst things that's come out of this is that unlike, say 9/11, this has not brought out our unity. It's made it worse. The ability to politicize this and to be willfully ignorant out of spite has been something to marvel at. The unwillingness to look out for one another has really been brought to the forefront. Whatever value there is in our "rugged individualism," there's certainly an ugly side.

    What a strange time that first several weeks was going to the store to try to get certain products that were hard to find and looking at everyone with distrust because surely they could infect me. Getting to the check-out counter and feeling like I should just open my wallet and turn it upside for a TIP for the terrible position the employees are in.  And by now, it all seems just normal.  The grocery store isn't the harrowing experience it was last spring (in part because, as I mentioned in another thread, mine has great compliance). Now it's almost at the point where "normal" might feel strange.

    Now it's almost at the point where "normal" might feel strange.

    This one stands out for me. If I watch a movie that shows people in a crowd, laughing and talking, all squished in together, I now have a gut reaction of "that's not right!" or "how can they not be wearing masks?". I feel a little vicarious anxiety just watching it. I don't know how long it will be before I would even want to be out in a crowded place without a mask. In fact, I know that I plan to continue wearing masks on airplanes and other public transit, and probably in other crowds too.

    Also, okra really is that bad. 

    Frozen okra is gross.
    Cooking it fresh?  Amazingly good.  Sweet, even!

    You'll have to prove that to me. I'll swing by for dinner some time. 

    Done & done! 
    I want in! I’ve met only one okra I liked. 
  • FiveBelow
    FiveBelow Posts: 1,336
    Raw, sauteed, fried or pickled...It is all good!
  • dankind
    dankind Posts: 20,841
    So you’re basically telling me that I’ve been stoned for an entire year now.

    Good to know...?
    I SAW PEARL JAM
  • F Me In The Brain
    F Me In The Brain this knows everybody from other commets Posts: 31,813
    hedonist said:
    OnWis97 said:
    This is the one-year anniversary of my last day in the office.  Still employed; all work from home. Thursday, March 12.  I remember leaving and thinking I'd be back in several weeks. I made the decision that this was the time (i.e., not to even go in on Friday, which I think is probably the last office day for many of my co-workers). I went into the office in the fall to pick up my sports coats (on the day of the one hair cut I've had in the last year), which I figured were getting dusty and my cube had some food (non-perishable) and Bubly waters, etc., along with some disinfecting wipes I'd purchased the week before. I clearly under-estimated the length of time.

    One thing that stands out to me is that I was at a conference the week before and it was just a bit eerie. I kinda new that if it had been the following week, it would have been cancelled. I sat down to lunch next to two strangers and we introduced ourselves, shaking hands, of course. I, being a germophobe of the old school, put my arms down at my side, touched nothing, and a minute later went to the bathroom to wash my hands. Barring a loved one or myself getting very sick (knock on wood), March through about May is definitely the most memorable time. There was actual (as opposed to the current almost exclusively willful) ignorance about how distancing and masks work. People were walking around stores like zombies, afraid of each other (except those who were oblivious, who were far worse). I do have one memory of that aforementioned hair-cut, though. Guy comes in and asks my barber when he can get in. He's got his mask on but he pulls it down to talk. Why are these things so difficult to understand?

    When Minnesota allowed some in-restaurant eating (which we still do not partake in) I went to a moderate/high-priced Italian place to pick up some food. The place had a dark ambiance and a basket full of reading glasses for the guests. I waited about five minutes and saw a guest drop a pair into the basket. The host grabbed it and wiped it down. Next time someone dropped a pair into that basket, the host wasn't there...Come on. Either let people use their cell phones or turn the lights up.  Community glasses? I haven't been back out of principle (and the lobster ravioli was quite good).

    I think one of the worst things that's come out of this is that unlike, say 9/11, this has not brought out our unity. It's made it worse. The ability to politicize this and to be willfully ignorant out of spite has been something to marvel at. The unwillingness to look out for one another has really been brought to the forefront. Whatever value there is in our "rugged individualism," there's certainly an ugly side.

    What a strange time that first several weeks was going to the store to try to get certain products that were hard to find and looking at everyone with distrust because surely they could infect me. Getting to the check-out counter and feeling like I should just open my wallet and turn it upside for a TIP for the terrible position the employees are in.  And by now, it all seems just normal.  The grocery store isn't the harrowing experience it was last spring (in part because, as I mentioned in another thread, mine has great compliance). Now it's almost at the point where "normal" might feel strange.

    Now it's almost at the point where "normal" might feel strange.

    This one stands out for me. If I watch a movie that shows people in a crowd, laughing and talking, all squished in together, I now have a gut reaction of "that's not right!" or "how can they not be wearing masks?". I feel a little vicarious anxiety just watching it. I don't know how long it will be before I would even want to be out in a crowded place without a mask. In fact, I know that I plan to continue wearing masks on airplanes and other public transit, and probably in other crowds too.

    Also, okra really is that bad. 

    Frozen okra is gross.
    Cooking it fresh?  Amazingly good.  Sweet, even!

    You'll have to prove that to me. I'll swing by for dinner some time. 

    Done & done! 
    I want in! I’ve met only one okra I liked. 

    Welcome!
    The love he receives is the love that is saved
  • Halifax2TheMax
    Halifax2TheMax Posts: 42,235
    Okrapalooza?
    09/15/1998 & 09/16/1998, Mansfield, MA; 08/29/00 08/30/00, Mansfield, MA; 07/02/03, 07/03/03, Mansfield, MA; 09/28/04, 09/29/04, Boston, MA; 09/22/05, Halifax, NS; 05/24/06, 05/25/06, Boston, MA; 07/22/06, 07/23/06, Gorge, WA; 06/27/2008, Hartford; 06/28/08, 06/30/08, Mansfield; 08/18/2009, O2, London, UK; 10/30/09, 10/31/09, Philadelphia, PA; 05/15/10, Hartford, CT; 05/17/10, Boston, MA; 05/20/10, 05/21/10, NY, NY; 06/22/10, Dublin, IRE; 06/23/10, Northern Ireland; 09/03/11, 09/04/11, Alpine Valley, WI; 09/11/11, 09/12/11, Toronto, Ont; 09/14/11, Ottawa, Ont; 09/15/11, Hamilton, Ont; 07/02/2012, Prague, Czech Republic; 07/04/2012 & 07/05/2012, Berlin, Germany; 07/07/2012, Stockholm, Sweden; 09/30/2012, Missoula, MT; 07/16/2013, London, Ont; 07/19/2013, Chicago, IL; 10/15/2013 & 10/16/2013, Worcester, MA; 10/21/2013 & 10/22/2013, Philadelphia, PA; 10/25/2013, Hartford, CT; 11/29/2013, Portland, OR; 11/30/2013, Spokane, WA; 12/04/2013, Vancouver, BC; 12/06/2013, Seattle, WA; 10/03/2014, St. Louis. MO; 10/22/2014, Denver, CO; 10/26/2015, New York, NY; 04/23/2016, New Orleans, LA; 04/28/2016 & 04/29/2016, Philadelphia, PA; 05/01/2016 & 05/02/2016, New York, NY; 05/08/2016, Ottawa, Ont.; 05/10/2016 & 05/12/2016, Toronto, Ont.; 08/05/2016 & 08/07/2016, Boston, MA; 08/20/2016 & 08/22/2016, Chicago, IL; 07/01/2018, Prague, Czech Republic; 07/03/2018, Krakow, Poland; 07/05/2018, Berlin, Germany; 09/02/2018 & 09/04/2018, Boston, MA; 09/08/2022, Toronto, Ont; 09/11/2022, New York, NY; 09/14/2022, Camden, NJ; 09/02/2023, St. Paul, MN; 05/04/2024 & 05/06/2024, Vancouver, BC; 05/10/2024, Portland, OR;

    Libtardaplorable©. And proud of it.

    Brilliantati©
  • Poncier
    Poncier Posts: 17,891
    Okra Winfrey?
    This weekend we rock Portland
  • Hobbes
    Hobbes Pacific Northwest Posts: 6,438
    Okrapalooza?
    Tour stops: Okrahoma, Okranogan, Okrand, Okranawa...
  • F Me In The Brain
    F Me In The Brain this knows everybody from other commets Posts: 31,813
    Hobbes said:
    Okrapalooza?
    Tour stops: Okrahoma, Okranogan, Okrand, Okranawa...

    Same group as 2016 need not apply, you are all in!
    The love he receives is the love that is saved