Adaptation to COVID world

Some states have shut down all non-essential construction. I'm not sure where pothole repair would fit. Or they can be done with appropriate protective gear and spacing.

The local construction sites I've witnessed can't seem to even supply masks and gloves, let alone keep the workers six feet apart.

 

On the road project I saw yesterday, workers had masks and of course work gloves. Cops had masks. Due to the nature of the project, workers would be six feet apart anyway. It's linear. Machine driven by one drops composite patch material on already scraped area, one guy spreads it out with rake, then roller completes patch. This was on a real narrow two-lane road that frankly I regard as a potential death trap. Not really room for them to do it any other way. One lane at a time only.

 

I know where that is, said North Jersey guy.

And I have seen construction on 78 into Jersey City this week. Looked like mask use was voluntary.

 

A couple of days ago, there was a residential street in Hollywood on the repair list. With everybody being told to stay home, the street was full of parked cars. There were temporary "No parking" signs. The cars got towed -- $300+ impound fee and a $100 citation. None of the residents thought they would go ahead with the street repair in light of being told to stay at home.

 

A crew has been working in our neighborhood since we moved in in November. They're laying electrical conduit underground with all the Ditch Witch machinery they can lay their hands on, it seems. No masks, and no virus protective gear of any kind.

 

Ordered a dozen handmade Paraguayan Empanadas, half beef and half chicken during the week from a local stand and just picked them up. Warm. oh my god good.

tomorrow picking up crab dip, lamb chops, Asparagus, linguini with pesto and strawberry cake for Easter dinner.

It took about 40 hours but we had Jewish brisket last night. A 7.75 pound first cut brisket. Slow cooked and smothered in onions for 4 hours. Then Separate the meat from the gravy and refrigerate both. The next day slice the cold brisket and out it back in the roasting pan with the onions and juice, about 8 cups worth and let cook at 325 for 90 minutes. It cuts by looking at it.

softshell crabs are in season and available. And without the restaurants taking them all they are plentiful for takeout.

 

I see...stupid people!

I put up an ad for someone to do our lawn care. It was (hopefully) funny and got the point across that I just need someone to mow and edge the front and trim the hedge. Take a look and send me a bid. One other thing: I explained in the follow-up message that everyone in the household is high-risk for C-19 and that I work from home and cannot come to the door. Payment will be via Venmo or PayPal or whatever thing works for him as long as there is no contact.

So people email and I explain again that I am sorry for the odd way of doing business but this has to be no contact. They show up, they look around, then THEY KNOCK ON THE DOOR. The last person sat in our driveway for fifteen minutes. I was tempted to put on my Godzilla or Cookie Monster suit and dance in front of the living room windows but was afraid they would call their wife to bring the kids and I'd never get rid of them.

One person wrote me I would have to meet him.
No I don't.
But all you have to do...
NO!
He's still messaging me.

I took down the ad. One of my friends who has much more common sense than me says it is because the ad is funny. I don't know...

I need a dependable lawn care person.
I know this makes me sound like the pickiest person in (redacted), but here's what we're looking for:

The front yard (aka the weeds that ate our fescue) mowed bi-weekly or weekly. Preferably mowed short.
Edging along the curb and driveway.
No contact. We're sure you're lovely, but we are self-isolating due to the risk of getting COVID-19.
Payment will not be by cash. I am sorry if this is a dealbreaker. We normally pay our lawn people by cash or check, but, well, see the previous entry. We would prefer to pay via PayPal or Venmo. If you have another method for collecting payment, let's talk.

This is where I get mean.
When we have hired people in the past, they start out to be great. Then sometime around late June or July, when it gets hot, they go missing. By then, they've bought the pool or boat or Disney tickets they were working for and it's too hot and they just don't want to do it anymore.
Please don't be those guys.

Or they're crazy. One of them climbed on our roof because he wanted to see what was happening on (redacted). This same person mowed our yard on a Friday and then showed up the following Sunday to mow again because unexpected company came and he wanted extra money to have a cookout.
Please don't be crazy.

Hip-dialing me while you're buying pot or meth should not happen.
Stoned is no way to go through life, son.

There was also the otherwise very nice guy who swore he knew all about ornamental plants and killed my mother's roses.
Don't be him.

"I drove by and saw your lawn was mowed, so I sent you a bill."
Not when I've been the only person mowing the lawn for the last month.

Just be a nice, responsible person who does what he or she says they'll do so we can support your business by giving you money for your services.

 

I've noticed a ton of road projects in my hood, all quite necessary, so that's been welcome.

Went to the ABC store today to pick up another handle of Benchmark (hey, the first one lasted a month!) ... They had all of the aisles taped off. A worker greeted you, you told them exactly what you wanted, and they put it on the register, where they have contactless pay available. I was in and out in two minutes. So if you're in Virginia, do your browsing online and then head to the store for quick pickup. No time for hemming and hawing right now.

 

Someone with a frontal lobe finally contacted me and gave me a decent bid. They did not knock on the door. They did not demand that we meet. We're making arrangements to get started after the holidays.

What I don't get is why the other guys demanded to meet me. I guess I could ask, but honestly, I just want them to go away.

Spitballing. What I see as an issue of keeping me and my mother safe is a politicized wrestling match to them. They want to own a lib and a woman by making me do their bidding. Why else knock on the door when I explained and apologized for the fact that I am more often than not working and I really can't risk my family's health? Either it's a game to them or they're so stone, stick stupid that they can't follow simple directions.

I'm tired and mad and am guardedly happy it's over.

 

Asphalt has to be dirt cheap right now.