Adaptation to COVID world

Had about 75% of what we normally have for trick or treats last night.

I just sat the bags at the end of the driveway and the kiddos picked them up.

It was funny watching kids try to get them when their costume does not allow them to touch their feet.

No idea how Santa will work this year.

 

Thanksgiving and Christmas are going to be my family solo this year, also. But, we have decided if this shit isn’t cleared or getting way worse by Easter, we’re just gonna say fuck it and go see the grandparents.

 

Fuckin’ Rocky

 

I've asked my mom to get tested and quarantine, and I'll do the same, so we can have Thanksgiving together.

I've got free, walk-up testing with results in 48 hours here. She claims there's nothing like that where she is... even though I've sent her information on how to schedule an appointment at a municipal, drive-through facility. (I think her state is still using BioReference though, which has been slow and responsible for some of the NFL false positives.)

I guess she likes when I yell, "Get back in the house!" at her from the driveway.

 

Yeah I think if you test and do quarantine, strict quarantine, you can visit your loved ones during the holidays. But you have to trust that everyone coming will do that. Trust has been the issue all along, trusting other people to do the right thing.

 

My wife works at a hospital so two weeks of PTO to see the in-laws is less than appealing.

 

We're renting a cabin in the Smokies for 3 nights during the holidays. Only family to speak of is brother and his wife, the latter of whom has a history of asthma, bronchial spasms and pulmonary blood clots. I hope they're playing things pretty safe. But they are conservative as hell (probably Trumpists, but cannot say for certain) .

 

Church is going to be interesting at Christmas. For many people, it's one of two times a year they attend in person ... and the first of those, Easter, was basically canceled by COVID.

Our Catholic parish has Mass, but every other pew is left vacant, and families are spread out in the pews that are in use. So I'd guess the most people we can fit in for each Mass is about 1/3 of capacity.

There's no way a typical Christmas crowd can be accommodated, since you can't really triple the number of services. The usually beefed-up choir/music won't be allowed. Christmas pageants for the kids probably won't happen.

And outdoors services aren't an option in many parts of the U.S.

 

I was happily surprised to see a lot of trick or treating going on in my neighborhood, with lots of creativity. People setting out tables instead of going all the way to doors is a positive innovation that I wish would continue in future years.

One guy was on his roof with a chute to send candy down to the ground.

 

I had 0 trick or treaters last night which is 1-2 fewer than normal.
My wife is insisting we go to her sister's for Thanksgiving, which will involve two dozen people from at least four states. I just shake my head.
Well, at least I'm not supposed to be able to get it again that quick. #facepalm

 

Going back to the office ... my decision's not the company. They won't mandate us coming in until the end of the first quarter, at least, and probably not until we all get vaccinated.

Lately, the only time I was getting out of the house was to meet up with people at happy hour. My waistline has not appreciated that. So instead, I'll prioritize going to the office as my way to get away from home. There are only three or four people here, max, most days, and usually only one, to be honest. Plus I have my own office so it's not like I'm sitting in a cube farm.

Also, I want the weekends to be fun again. When you go somewhere every night for drinks, it takes a lot of the luster out of the weekend. Same goes for being at home. I live in a (fairly spacious) two-bedroom apartment, but it was never meant to be a work-at-home environment. I've started feeling trapped. I think getting back in the office routine will help me mentally and allow me to enjoy my home space again.

As for the gym, I've been going, but I fear that this week they'll be pushing capacity, so I'll focus on long walks and other types of exercise again. I'll head back over next week when the resolution crowd inevitably gives up.