This thread is to discuss how I am managing these trouble times with the coronavirus quarantining going on in my city. It builds on my post from yesterday, but it adds some other details.
Working from Home
I talked about some of this before, but it should be mentioned here, as well). I never had the opportunity to do my Job from home. My home office setup is geared toward fun stuff like editing photos, watching videos, and listening to music. However, with the pandemic situation, I am now doing my Job full time in this setup.
The Upsides:
No commute
No gas/cleaning bill
Love my 34 inch screen more than my screens at work
Prefer my mouse and keyboard, as well
See my girlfriend more often
Better coffee and espresso (but I have to pay for it)
More home cooked lunches
Downsides:
My desk is too short for long hours. I have mainly spent a couple hours in the office at a time, so the lower desk never really bothered me. This has shown that I probably need a standing desk, just for an ideal seating situation. At work, I have one and I definitely keep it higher than my home desk, though I like the ability to adjust it as my neck gets stiff. I have tried changing the chair and monitor heights, but I really think this is all about the desk.
Harder to keep organized
Less human interaction (on every level)
The Upsides:
No commute
No gas/cleaning bill
Love my 34 inch screen more than my screens at work
Prefer my mouse and keyboard, as well
See my girlfriend more often
Better coffee and espresso (but I have to pay for it)
More home cooked lunches
Downsides:
My desk is too short for long hours. I have mainly spent a couple hours in the office at a time, so the lower desk never really bothered me. This has shown that I probably need a standing desk, just for an ideal seating situation. At work, I have one and I definitely keep it higher than my home desk, though I like the ability to adjust it as my neck gets stiff. I have tried changing the chair and monitor heights, but I really think this is all about the desk.
Harder to keep organized
Less human interaction (on every level)
For Food and other stuff
We have done a combination of things. For toilet paper and paper towels, we had a friend pick some up because he works at a place that sells it. Hard to even get it from him because they have a limit available to employees.
For food, we have had to run to Kroger a few times. My girlfriend usually goes and puts on some sort of mask and wears disposable gloves. We have also been ordering everything we can from Amazon and Whole Foods which has been great.
For food, we have had to run to Kroger a few times. My girlfriend usually goes and puts on some sort of mask and wears disposable gloves. We have also been ordering everything we can from Amazon and Whole Foods which has been great.
Entertainment
If you have seen my other posts, you can see we have a lot of entertainment options. We spend as much time outside as we can in the backyard. I had our decaying deck replaced in January, so the timing was perfect. The pic below is from right after we put in the deck, but we have added some cushions, an umbrella, and some lighting since then. My girlfriend bought us a new Weber grill to replace the one in the pic. I guess I need to review it, too!
I had my Hot Tub moved to the deck, but we had some issues. The top needed replaced, it had to be connected to electricity, and the cover lift broke. I have been in it a couple times now that the cover has been removed from the lifter, but still not something I do daily. I talked to my hot tub/pool guy about 2 weeks ago and he said he was trying to track down a lifter or mechanism to fix the issue, but I have not heard back from him. He may be running into issues getting it with the current state of the quarantine. The cover is light enough to remove myself, but I would use it more if I had a lifter. Also, I had more privacy when it was in the Sunroom (my girlfriend's cats live in there now), so I need some sort of solution for that, too. Not a big deal if my neighbor's see me in there, but I would still like some sort of better screening other than my fence (which isn't as tall as I would like).
I had my Hot Tub moved to the deck, but we had some issues. The top needed replaced, it had to be connected to electricity, and the cover lift broke. I have been in it a couple times now that the cover has been removed from the lifter, but still not something I do daily. I talked to my hot tub/pool guy about 2 weeks ago and he said he was trying to track down a lifter or mechanism to fix the issue, but I have not heard back from him. He may be running into issues getting it with the current state of the quarantine. The cover is light enough to remove myself, but I would use it more if I had a lifter. Also, I had more privacy when it was in the Sunroom (my girlfriend's cats live in there now), so I need some sort of solution for that, too. Not a big deal if my neighbor's see me in there, but I would still like some sort of better screening other than my fence (which isn't as tall as I would like).
I don't really feel like being on my devices after working from home. Therefore, we have also been watching movies at night. I have a projector we use when we watch something that will benefit from it. Youtube has filled in gaps here and there.
Indoors or outside, I have also been listening to music. Outside, I have an Airport Express connected to a receiver and 4 speakers in the sunroom. I airplay Apple Music from my phone or watch and have music out there when we want it. A lot of times, we just prefer the sound of nature and don't need the music, though.
In the house, we listen to music on the HomePod, or when I can, I will fire up one of my systems and use a combination of Audirvana and Tidal (will change to Qobuz in May).
In the house, we listen to music on the HomePod, or when I can, I will fire up one of my systems and use a combination of Audirvana and Tidal (will change to Qobuz in May).
Human Interaction
For work, we use email, phone, text, and chat. Luckily, no video. Actually, I haven't communicated with anyone using video.
I also use text, messaging, Facebook and phone to communicate with friends and family. Luckily, I have my girlfriend that I can see in person, my dogs, and a neighbor we talk to over the fence.
I also use text, messaging, Facebook and phone to communicate with friends and family. Luckily, I have my girlfriend that I can see in person, my dogs, and a neighbor we talk to over the fence.
How am I doing with the changes?
Not too bad. Thankfully, I haven't gotten the virus (knock on wood), so I can't complain. I like working from home. I just have a better overall setup and the lack of an hour (at least) a day on the road isn't missed. I have a lot of entertainment options, so I can't complain there, either. It could definitely be worse. I really feel for those that live in a small apartment without a lot to do (trust me, I have been there, but luckily not under ta quarantine). I do miss seeing coworkers and friends, though.
Despite the few upsides, I am still praying for all this to be over and for all those people that have been afflicted or have had to be out in the middle of this.
Despite the few upsides, I am still praying for all this to be over and for all those people that have been afflicted or have had to be out in the middle of this.
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