We’re now in Week 9 of quarantine and we’ve settled into a rhythm of more or less forgetting what day, year, and time it is. The first few weeks, the weekends seemed to stretch on forever, backward skydives into endless amounts of time into more time. Now the weeks seem to bend in on themselves, something only a Blake Crouch novel could possibly epitomize. Anyways, here’s a snippet of daily life.
Office Space
I cleaned out our garage after a few weeks of working at the kitchen table in an attempt to separate work-life from home-life. Now I leave the house at 8:30am and come home at 6:00pm with brief breaks for walks or lunch. The desk is a hand-me down from my grandma and the plants are an accumulation of all of the ones that were no longer safe from the kitties inside the house.
While it sometimes feels like I’m working in a greenhouse, the ability to open the garage door and get fresh air in the midst of my meetings feels a little less claustrophobic.
Coworkers
They’re more or less like my real coworkers. Just kidding. They hate when I’m in the office and will sit outside the garage door and meow until their voice boxes must surely be sore. But, we’ve seen their personalities shift since we’ve been home! Button seems more relaxed than her usual already-relaxed self, and Bandit who was never particularly a lap cat has started inching closer and closer.
Food & Coffee
After a brief dip back into caffeinated coffee I’m full decaf again with the support of Seattle Coffee Gear helping me feel less boring about it. It’s been fun to try new decaf coffees from all over the country that taste a little bit fresher than what I’ve bought in bags at the store. Most mornings I’ll grab a Bob’s Red Mill bar (Peanut Butter & Jelly flavor) because it’s quick and filling.
On Sunday, Jason makes pancakes. With chocolate chips. New York Times on the side.
Breakfast has unexpectedly become my favorite meal of the day.
Exercise
I’ve been doing step challenges with some coworkers and some friends to stay active. It’s a big help to even get some steps (even if you’re not winning!) The first few weeks of quarantine, a previously unknown neighborhood was completely explored. Now when I go on a walk I know where the cute dogs are, where the street cats are, where the chickens are (it’s Portland, after all) and who has the best yards.
Keeping Busy
I’ve picked up a few new hobbies during quarantine. Yeah, I’m planning Animal Crossing. Begrudgingly. I’m a few weeks behind so I constantly have no idea what anyone is talking about (I only just got turnips, OK?) but it’s a nice little break from reality.
I also picked up a raspberry pi and have been working on building a LAMP web server. In my head I think “I can’t really learn javascript until I can successfully setup a local WordPress instance” and I know I’m wrong, but you can’t convince me otherwise, it’s just how my brain works.
What I’m Missing
Some big plans got canceled – notably a trip to Thailand to see friends get married, and a trip to Vietnam to visit my coworkers for the first time. I’m missing out on seeing friends get married, concerts, trips to the beach, sitting in the park for game nights, seeing friends and family and so much more. But, we’re lucky that we’re home, we’re together, we’re healthy. Hope you are too!
Thanks for sharing! It helps to hear other people’s new norms as we all try to keep routine. Air hug!