Worried about everyone here.......

[Short Balding Guy]

Thanks for asking. Wishing all the forum member best in their pandemic adventures. From what I read you folks are dealing with the event and fallout well.

The pandemic was real for my family and friends. My brother-in-law, cousin and my aunt passed late spring after contracting Covid. One of my brothers, his wife and kids contracted Covid and survived. A couple musician friends succumbed to the virus and several professional friends survived the virus. My circle in the US and elsewhere were affected in terrible ways.

The pandemic has me feeling terrible as I put employees on unemployment, really stressed employees families, closed the business and put my athletes distant from what they love to do and affected their families. I took on a load of debt.

Phase 1, June 1st in my state, has the business partially open. Seeing the athletes this past week with big smiles and happy voices was glorious. But being partial open provided a minute by minute reminder of how much many clients are yet to be seen and how far we are from the "normal."

Yes I live within a distant earshot of the non-violent and violent protests here in Minnesota. The intolerable actions of the "kneeling" policeman and his fellow officers to Mr.Flyod have bubbled to the surface the emotions that come from outrage and historically not having fair opportunity. Economic, social, and moral opportunity is not the same of all in Minnesota or throughout the US. I am a privileged, short, balding white guy and am listening and learning. My friends and peers are standing accountable to making the changes we can. Our curfews are letting up. Most chain and local stores have limited hours. Our National Guard has been slowly going back to their normal efforts. Our State Governor did an excellent job of working through this first step. Many hard steps remain. I have several brothers who were called into long hours to protect and serve during these events. (Criminal Intelligence, FBI and CIA) Thankfully they are safe.

My pandemic memories are yet to be built. Each day I work to share the message of Hope and Caution. Daily I am reminded by the quote of Churchill, "It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time."

Be safe, be strong and see you on the street soon, Eric -

 

[Just A Hat Rack]

Thanks for asking. Wishing all the forum member best in their pandemic adventures. From what I read you folks are dealing with the event and fallout well.

The pandemic was real for my family and friends. My brother-in-law, cousin and my aunt passed late spring after contracting Covid. One of my brothers, his wife and kids contracted Covid and survived. A couple musician friends succumbed to the virus and several professional friends survived the virus. My circle in the US and elsewhere were affected in terrible ways.

The pandemic has me feeling terrible as I put employees on unemployment, really stressed employees families, closed the business and put my athletes distant from what they love to do and affected their families. I took on a load of debt.

Phase 1, June 1st in my state, has the business partially open. Seeing the athletes this past week with big smiles and happy voices was glorious.glorious, but it provided a minute by minute reminder of how much many clients are yet to be seen and how far we are from the "normal."

Yes I live within a distant earshot of the non-violent and violent protests here in Minnesota. The intollerable actions of the "kneeling" policeman and his fellow officers to Mr.Flyod have bubbled to the surface the emotions that come from outrage and historically not having fair opportunity. Economic, social, and moral opportunity is not the same. I am a privileged, short, balding white guy and am listening and learning. My friends and peers are standing accountable to making the changes we can. Our curfews are letting up. Most chain and local stores have limited hours. Our National Guard has been slowly going back to their normal efforts. Our State Governor did an excellent job of working through this first step. Many hard steps remain. I have several brothers who were called into long hours to protect and serve during these events. (Criminal Intelligence, FBI and CIA) Thankfully they are safe.

My pandemic memories are yet to be built. Each day I work to share the message of Hope and Caution. Daily I am reminded by the quote of Churchill, "It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time."

Be safe, be strong and see you on the street soon, Eric -

Thank you for sharing your experiences Eric. I am sorry to hear of your losses and hardships. I live in a fairly populated area, and the number of cases of the virus here have been relatively low. Fortunately, we haven't known anyone to even contract the virus, let alone succumb to it. I've also been fortunate enough to still be able to report to work every day during the shutdown period. Your experiences, as well as others, are a stark reminder that this virus is very real and has had very negative effects on a lot of people. It is also unfortunate that your region has had to deal with the civil unrest during this period of time as well. It is sad to see such an unnecessary act of violence against someone, and also the acts that resulted from it. I hope this experience can eventually bring folks together. I hope you and your family remain safe and stay healthy. I look forward to seeing your soiree and dram experiences while being well hatted.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I just heard from Panos @PanosChris and it seems that he’s well. I miss his posts; he has some serious sartorial verve.

 

[59Lark]

59LARK in southern Ontario Canada, relatively no cases in our town, small city. I have been blessed , sewing masks and being stuck home has revigorated the sewing machine industry. the first two months I was working 7 days a week, people were forgetting what day it was . I have no family or friends catch it, but I have had a casulity of this crisis, I had been dating a blind lady in a nearby city and a cancer surivour and she self isolated so for three months telephone calls only. Working all these hours stuck home with the teenage girls and I had a tendency to tell my ladyfriend how I was wearing thin and the stress was too much, hearing me unload daily was too much. It was a shame, I really loved her. 59lark

 

[Frunobulax]

OK, so I usually run errands on early Saturday afternoons, grocery, Home Depot, beer run, whatever. Often, I'll stop and grab a sandwich or bowl of chili while I'm out. Sometimes, however, I'll go to a park located along my route, sit in my car and have my snack. Last Saturday, I found myself sitting opposite a four young men playing volleyball, and watched them while I ate. Shortly thereafter, I found myself rooting for one side and critiquing their play. I guess I really am starved for sports.

Lord help me, I wish there was baseball.

 

[Tukwila]

So far we've survived the CCP virus ok. I've stopped listening to the WHO, CDC, Fauci and all the rest. They change their tune on the issue from week to week and nothing they say can be believed. Masks aren't needed... oh, then they are needed. Hydroxcychloroquine is good, no... it's bad.... oh, actually it is good. I've had enough of their nonsense.

Fortunately, we are both able to work from home and have kept our pay so far. Funding may run out for Sandra's job in a couple months, though, if this keeps up.

We have always kept the pantry and freezer full and TP was stocked up in the bathroom closet before this mess started in the first place.

We live in a smaller town, away from Portland, so the riots, arson, serious assaults and looting haven't been an issue here. So far, anyway. Threats about coming to the suburbs notwithstanding. That would be a tactical mistake on the part of the terrorists.

 

[hatsRme]

So far we've survived the CCP virus ok. I've stopped listening to the WHO, CDC, Fauci and all the rest. They change their tune on the issue from week to week and nothing they say can be believed. Masks aren't needed... oh, then they are needed. Hydroxcychloroquine is good, no... it's bad.... oh, actually it is good. I've had enough of their nonsense.

Fortunately, we are both able to work from home and have kept our pay so far. Funding may run out for Sandra's job in a couple months, though, if this keeps up.

We have always kept the pantry and freezer full and TP was stocked up in the bathroom closet before this mess started in the first place.

We live in a smaller town, away from Portland, so the riots, arson, serious assaults and looting haven't been an issue here. So far, anyway. Threats about coming to the suburbs notwithstanding. That would be a tactical mistake on the part of the terrorists.

With all respect to the Chinese, Doug, keep your Chin up!

 

[Frunobulax]

With all respect to the Chinese, Doug, keep your Chin up!

groan...

I kind of feel guilty for how well things have gone for me. Our Division made a smooth transition to telework, and all those folks in comm and IT rapidly expanded our capabilities. Leadership doesn't seem in any hurry to get us back.

I think I've filled up the tank four times since March, the long hiatus for eating out saved $$, I haven't missed a paycheck, and the Government keeps sending my wife extra money.

I seem to have lost weight, too.

 

[Just A Hat Rack]

Lord help me, I wish there was baseball.

Apparently you have more enthusiasm about that than the owners and players do.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

groan...

I kind of feel guilty for how well things have gone for me. Our Division made a smooth transition to telework, and all those folks in comm and IT rapidly expanded our capabilities. Leadership doesn't seem in any hurry to get us back.

I think I've filled up the tank four times since March, the long hiatus for eating out saved $$, I haven't missed a paycheck, and the Government keeps sending my wife extra money.

I seem to have lost weight, too.

I’ve found that weight you lost. You can have it back anytime.

 

[Frunobulax]

Apparently you have more enthusiasm about that than the owners and players do.

No argument here. They were saying this morning we might be looking at a 50 game season. That's like, what, a four game NFL season?

I’ve found that weight you lost. You can have it back anytime.

Heh. The only explanation I have is that nobody is bringing me donuts, and I don't get up and get a snack in the middle of the afternoon. And there are no carry-ins.

 

[Daniele Tanto]

I could have answered this question some time ago, but I didn't because it was like speaking from a very small, tiny island in a sea of apprehension. Not that I wasn't worried, but I waited when the heavy atmosphere of total closure in Italy slightly melted. Everyone has lost something in this lock down and the list is private out of respect. I showed up to keep in touch with one of my passions, but I posted very little also because wearing a hat in deserted streets and squares was, for me, unlikely. Here the closure was total, at least until May and March with April were difficult months, a lot. My children have left the universities of Milan and Venice because they are closed. Ginevra graduated online with little joy to share with her companions and with us a unique opportunity in life. Davide started the Political Philosophy exams online, leaving any contact with his world in Milan. Monica closed her studio, working from home and I did the same. My photography conferences have become free and a diversion for all those who wanted a few moments of relaxation. We supported Monica's mom who lives alone and came from a rough period of poor health. Keep in mind that Italy is small and very inhabited therefore avoiding proximity was difficult. Everything went well and my compatriots from any region, those hardly affected and those who made a great contribution to the deaths, behaved in an excellent way, as did all the public health staff, the agri-food chain and the police . Now it is time to start slowly, without wanting to burn the stages because we can, for this, burn our lives. I thought about you a lot and I hoped the United States could be immune from this epidemic. You also thought of me and asked me for news. I heartily thank you. But now it is time for everyone, according to possibility, to return to life having learned the lesson that in words we can do everything, in fact we are still human when a small virus has the terrible power to make us think about it.

 

[Frunobulax]

View attachment 241879
I could have answered this question some time ago, but I didn't because it was like speaking from a very small, tiny island in a sea of apprehension. Not that I wasn't worried, but I waited when the heavy atmosphere of total closure in Italy slightly melted. Everyone has lost something in this lock down and the list is private out of respect. I showed up to keep in touch with one of my passions, but I posted very little also because wearing a hat in deserted streets and squares was, for me, unlikely. Here the closure was total, at least until May and March with April were difficult months, a lot. My children have left the universities of Milan and Venice because they are closed. Ginevra graduated online with little joy to share with her companions and with us a unique opportunity in life. Davide started the Political Philosophy exams online, leaving any contact with his world in Milan. Monica closed her studio, working from home and I did the same. My photography conferences have become free and a diversion for all those who wanted a few moments of relaxation. We supported Monica's mom who lives alone and came from a rough period of poor health. Keep in mind that Italy is small and very inhabited therefore avoiding proximity was difficult. Everything went well and my compatriots from any region, those hardly affected and those who made a great contribution to the deaths, behaved in an excellent way, as did all the public health staff, the agri-food chain and the police . Now it is time to start slowly, without wanting to burn the stages because we can, for this, burn our lives. I thought about you a lot and I hoped the United States could be immune from this epidemic. You also thought of me and asked me for news. I heartily thank you. But now it is time for everyone, according to possibility, to return to life having learned the lesson that in words we can do everything, in fact we are still human when a small virus has the terrible power to make us think about it.
View attachment 241880

Excellent thoughts, Daniele. Thank you for sharing them. Condolences for any losses you have suffered.

 

[belfastboy]

OK, so I usually run errands on early Saturday afternoons, grocery, Home Depot, beer run, whatever. Often, I'll stop and grab a sandwich or bowl of chili while I'm out. Sometimes, however, I'll go to a park located along my route, sit in my car and have my snack. Last Saturday, I found myself sitting opposite a four young men playing volleyball, and watched them while I ate. Shortly thereafter, I found myself rooting for one side and critiquing their play. I guess I really am starved for sports.

Lord help me, I wish there was baseball.

I have been watching the ESPN Korean baseball game of the week to get my fix. It ain't quite the same but it is baseball. I met a fellow in the market I used to coach against and he informed me that youth baseball is starting up this week for 'spring training'. But as we are only allowed a max of 10 in a group they have split squad training. They are hoping if no spike in cases the restrictions will be eased again and the season can begin by early July and at least they can get in a 2 month summer league.

 

[Tukwila]

I don't really miss televised sports at all. I just watch movies and read books... and do a little cleaning around here. When the weather turns nice again, I may pull out a couple hats to give them a gas bath. A trip to see Mike Miller with a handful of hats for refurb work is in order, too.

We just got a call from Sandra's niece in Ecuador. The aunt has been down with the virus and was pretty bad for awhile but is slowly recovering. A cousin in NYC was bad, too, and we were really worried about her. She finally recovered all on her own. She had nobody to look after her and the doctors were worse than useless when she'd call to try and get an appointment. I think she had just about given up hope, and then she started to get better.

 

[Bushman]

I don't really miss televised sports at all. I just watch movies and read books... and do a little cleaning around here. When the weather turns nice again, I may pull out a couple hats to give them a gas bath. A trip to see Mike Miller with a handful of hats for refurb work is in order, too.

We just got a call from Sandra's niece in Ecuador. The aunt has been down with the virus and was pretty bad for awhile but is slowly recovering. A cousin in NYC was bad, too, and we were really worried about her. She finally recovered all on her own. She had nobody to look after her and the doctors were worse than useless when she'd call to try and get an appointment. I think she had just about given up hope, and then she started to get better.

I honestly don't personally know anybody who even watches baseball. Now going to a physical game, that's a different matter. I've played my fair share of hookie to run off to a ball game when the weather demands it. There truly is a such thing as too nice a day to be stuck indoors.

 

[belfastboy]

I honestly don't personally know anybody who even watches baseball. Now going to a physical game, that's a different matter. I've played my fair share of hookie to run off to a ball game when the weather demands it. There truly is a such thing as too nice a day to be stuck indoors.

I love my BlueJays...recording the game and watching afterwards is the most efficient use of my time...can watch a game in less than half the time. And if I am really stuck for time they offer a 'BlueJays in 30' where they condense a game into a 30 minute time span. If I tape that and skip the commericials I can watch an entire game in about 22 minutes but then I miss the nuance but it beats not at all.

 

[Frunobulax]

I honestly don't personally know anybody who even watches baseball. Now going to a physical game, that's a different matter. I've played my fair share of hookie to run off to a ball game when the weather demands it. There truly is a such thing as too nice a day to be stuck indoors.

I jettisoned cable a few years ago, so don't watch too much on TV, though one of the local channels carries games by the local minor league affiliate, and I watch those. Even when I had cable, watching an entire game rarely happened - I just am not sitting down for ~3 hrs for anything unless Jerry Garcia is playing guitar. Going to a game is a whole 'nother matter. Watching baseball is a lot like fishing, just relaxing in the stadium and enjoying it all play out.

Now, radio is a different matter. To me, baseball is made for the radio, with the personalities of the broadcasters, the sounds, the pace, everything. So for me, the game is always on the radio. In the car, while relaxing on the front porch, while grilling out, or working on the car. To me, nothing is better on a warm summer day than kicking back and firing up the Reds on radio and leaving it all behind for a while.

 

[bowlerman]

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." The kids and I are so far, so good. I've taken a pretty substantial gig hit, but have not yet lost my job, although all concerts were canceled since mid March, and next season, starting in September, has undergone major revisions. My big plans were to be auditioning at 5-6 different orchestras, mostly stateside but some international. All of that canned.

South Dakota isn't such a bad state to be stuck in this time of year, I guess, but I'm getting cabin fever. I should count my blessings. We did have a big outbreak at the meat packing plant, which was not handled well, and a few protests which thankfully remained peaceful.

It has been overwhelmingly positive to learn new skills in the way of home audio and video production, and meeting new people around the world, online, some of whom I've been fortunate to collaborate with. Also, getting back in touch with old friends has been nice.

I haven't been around the lounge much, because I have found my desktop too cumbersome for long periods of time when I'd rather be cooking or walking. The app was so convenient!

Sorry to be so long winded. I hope you all are well, and hope to catch up here, at least a bit. Wishing good health and good spirits to everyone.

 

[Rmccamey]

Good to see your smiling face again, young man!

View attachment 241879
I could have answered this question some time ago, but I didn't because it was like speaking from a very small, tiny island in a sea of apprehension. Not that I wasn't worried, but I waited when the heavy atmosphere of total closure in Italy slightly melted. Everyone has lost something in this lock down and the list is private out of respect. I showed up to keep in touch with one of my passions, but I posted very little also because wearing a hat in deserted streets and squares was, for me, unlikely. Here the closure was total, at least until May and March with April were difficult months, a lot. My children have left the universities of Milan and Venice because they are closed. Ginevra graduated online with little joy to share with her companions and with us a unique opportunity in life. Davide started the Political Philosophy exams online, leaving any contact with his world in Milan. Monica closed her studio, working from home and I did the same. My photography conferences have become free and a diversion for all those who wanted a few moments of relaxation. We supported Monica's mom who lives alone and came from a rough period of poor health. Keep in mind that Italy is small and very inhabited therefore avoiding proximity was difficult. Everything went well and my compatriots from any region, those hardly affected and those who made a great contribution to the deaths, behaved in an excellent way, as did all the public health staff, the agri-food chain and the police . Now it is time to start slowly, without wanting to burn the stages because we can, for this, burn our lives. I thought about you a lot and I hoped the United States could be immune from this epidemic. You also thought of me and asked me for news. I heartily thank you. But now it is time for everyone, according to possibility, to return to life having learned the lesson that in words we can do everything, in fact we are still human when a small virus has the terrible power to make us think about it.
View attachment 241880