For the most part, I've been enjoying this. The work I do is actually done better from home because I have the facility for it, so what was once desirable has been mandatory. And now there's more of it, as others find their time shut in lends gives them the time to attend the courses I teach.

I bought two new guitars and since they are now always within arms reach, have been really cranking up my repertoire. Before this all began, I started subscribing to Hello Fresh (a meal delivery service) and I am eating better and honing my kitchen skills. I get outdoors every day, and am running a "virtual" Fathers Day 5K this week.

About the only thing I don't like is the reduced time with my daughter and family. We got together for my grandson's first birthday recently, and we're planning on getting together for Fathers Day. It used to be we'd have dinner together at least once a week.

Can't say there's a real down side to this other than the requirement to wear a mask in the stores. It's such a slight inconvenience that I scarcely notice it.

My investments are doing well. I invested in Zoom Media right around the time this stuff started and have seen a 63% gain in value in just over two months. I'm spending less (even the guitars didn't cost as much as I could have spent), driving less, eating out less, and almost feel like I've retired with a paycheck!

I was getting better. Going into our store every day for the entire day now. But the occupation of Seattle and the lack of any attempt to enforce the law and now all the backlash at a good shoot in Atlanta has me down. Are we at the point where they get a description of the suspect and if they are black we just don't send a unit to respond? And soon antifa will replicate Seattle in another city? Things are depressing.

quote:

Originally posted by Ripley:
Everything horrible happening outside the window is bad enough, throw in an ugly death of a beloved pet a couple weeks back, I'm struggling tbh.

Hey buddy, hang in there. Two years ago, I unexpectedly lost my Shy-Shy dog. She was an excellent companion to my other dog, Patton. Patton doesn't get along with other dogs. They were both adopted and from questionable pasts. Two weeks after losing Shy, we went to the shelter to try to find a companion Patton would accept. We found the love of his life!!! I suggest going to the shelter and saving another.

love2 by Lonnie David, on Flickr
love1 by Lonnie David, on Flickr

quote:

Originally posted by L90814:
Hey buddy, hang in there...

Sincere thanks. I wish it were otherwise but I can't not keep up on the news so that doesn't help. Awkward sentence for sure but staying reasonably informed is awkward at best.

quote:

Originally posted by ersatzknarf:

quote:

Originally posted by tanksoldier:
Didn’t have it to begin with...

May i add myself to this list?


Been holding on for my wife.

Today is our anniversary. Grilled some Costco ribeyes and some enormous portabellas. Usually do strip steaks, but these came out a perfect medium rare and very tender. First time in thirteen years we've not gone out for dinner.

Been working day and night from home since March and lucky to remain employed and have good management, but 50% of the folks in my office have been laid off. Meetings start at 7:30 in the morning and may run until after 10:30 at night. Weekends are not without exception. My local boss works even longer hours. My direct boss in Germany works similarly.

Have perfected my BLT sammich, so there's that

Miss going to the office and seeing folks. Miss my English fine china coffee mug with the Yorkie puppy in a necktie.

Want this fucking shit to be over with. Tired of this charade.

I owe a buncha folks handshakes and hugs.

Hoping to hold on for that.

I had no idea you were under so much stress, brother. God bless you and all for keeping it together.

Mrs DF and I have turned to each other for support. I listen to her frustrations and and she reciprocates. We have stood at the edge of the abyss together before so this period feels like a blip.

quote:

Originally posted by ersatzknarf:

Today is our anniversary. Grilled some Costco ribeyes and some enormous portabellas.

Happy yesterday anniversary!

Sounds like you treated your wife to a GREAT anniversary dinner.

We just had our forty-first last month (anniversary, not dinner).

Enjoyed your story, dlc!

Belated happy anniversary to ersatz and his wife.

Weather’s nice, my wife, the dog and I walk everyday. We’ve had the two granddaughters up for a couple of days on a few occasions. I play guitar at least 5 days/week. Wish I could say the strides are remarkable, but even incremental progress is a gain.

Thanks for the kind words, friends

41 years is a true accomplishment, my friend, V

DF, apologies for causing concern, brother. Did say I'd perfected my BLT sammich???

Prayers are giving me strength.

Prolly the best thing out of all this is that I am praying more than ever before.

Looking forward to feeling like I'm living, again, and not in limbo.

God bless you, friends!!!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ersatzknarf,

I have learned that I like chaos.....except for a 2 week quarantine when we got back from Europe I have been working in the field with my guys.

I haven't lived in suburbia for years, have enough property to keep me busy and well exercised, don't have a mortgage, car & other payments so no financial wolves threatening me for a while. I've even found a source for easy access to toilet paper.
How others that are in a different situation have kept it calm this long, I don't know. If I did live in a more congested area, was younger with a family and bills to pay, that would give things a much different look.

Work.

Our daily life is mostly normal, we are in the wood shop most of the day working on new projects and brewing new beers.

We both miss date night, Friday evening was our eat out and have a few drinks which we both missed a lot. We are just now being allowed into places to eat and have a drink so date night is back on!!

Honestly wasn't that big of a deal, other than the wife working from home the changes were not significantly difficult.

We don't go out to eat that often since the wifes a veggietarian, Fl didn't restrict us to MI level of rules, motorcycles, boats, walking, talking to your spouse were never outlawed. So that probably contributed to the lower level of stress.

First month going for motorcycle rides were actually great, all the idiots in cars were off the streets, we had the roads to ourselves after 9pm... Already stocked up on water TP and paper towels since Hurrycane season is coming.

Hookers and blow

We live quite rural anyway, with our nearest Town large enough to shop, eat, etc ,45 miles one way.So we are accustomed to being home.

What did suck was not being able to go to town and eat INSIDE as we normally would. I meet up with a few friends for lunch each Friday. That was put on hold for months.

Frankly I'm more put off by the riots, racial BS, calls to disband the Police, etc right now than the entire covid mess. Seems all common sense is gone and there's nothing but bad news anymore. Stopped watching the news and pass up anything political, tired of it ALL.

since I moved here to AZ about 5 years ago, I've been working out of my home as matter of course, so staying at home and working is business as usual

I turned off the national news, I don't watch the local news, and I don't get any newspapers

I get my news from SigForum on whats important and if I want more I will search for it

my sanity is tested dealing with the fraction of the community that exhibit the symptoms of clueless drones

Been upping my tennis game...

Got a haircut, today!!!!!!


Can't begin to say what a great feeling it was to have one after all these months.

It was such a relief.

I've dreaded haircuts since I was three. This time was a revelation.

So glad that they survived. It's so hard to find a barber.

Gave him $20 for a $12 haircut, up front, then gave him $60 for his "other pocket."

He cut my hair super short and I couldn't be happier

Might just find my sanity, again, if this keeps up.