Something good. Something Happy. March 13, 2020 11:53 AM Subscribe
Feel free to share something good. Something happy. This is a space for positive vibes. Reminder to be kind to others and yourself. Love and good thoughts being sent your way. Stay calm, be careful, and remember to practice good hygiene. :-)
ATTACKING MY FABRIC STASH
posted by Melismata at 12:13 PM on March 13, 2020 [17 favorites]
posted by Melismata at 12:13 PM on March 13, 2020 [17 favorites]
On the gaming front, I've started getting into a really cool-looking strategy game, and it looks like the developers are willing to help me out with making it accessible.
My work is allowing me to work from home, which is wonderful.
posted by Alensin at 12:25 PM on March 13, 2020 [4 favorites]
My work is allowing me to work from home, which is wonderful.
posted by Alensin at 12:25 PM on March 13, 2020 [4 favorites]
I'm a little more than halfway through The 100 Day Writing Challenge and it's something I look forward to every day when I get home from work. A number of the things I've worked on I'm getting ideas for turning into something longer and that's pretty exciting. Website hasn't been updated since Day 19 but you can get everything on his soundcloud. (just do one a day, though!)
Finally sketched out some plans for a shelf and a table and I'm going to hit up the Rebuilding Center tomorrow for reclaimed lumber to build with. Since it looks like I'll have some more home-time coming up, this feels like a good project to commit to and finish.
posted by curious nu at 12:44 PM on March 13, 2020 [4 favorites]
Finally sketched out some plans for a shelf and a table and I'm going to hit up the Rebuilding Center tomorrow for reclaimed lumber to build with. Since it looks like I'll have some more home-time coming up, this feels like a good project to commit to and finish.
posted by curious nu at 12:44 PM on March 13, 2020 [4 favorites]
OMG the effing magnolias have no concern about our petty viruses and it's beautiful.
posted by aspersioncast at 12:47 PM on March 13, 2020 [12 favorites]
posted by aspersioncast at 12:47 PM on March 13, 2020 [12 favorites]
I'm doing really well in school! This is my first semester back after 15 years and I was worried I would get overwhelmed and have to drop out. But I'm killing it in biology, which I was terrified of.
posted by not_the_water at 12:52 PM on March 13, 2020 [16 favorites]
posted by not_the_water at 12:52 PM on March 13, 2020 [16 favorites]
Getting an infusion at my local cancer center today. My chemo is still available, the center still has the ability to treat us, and the nurses, as always are fucking wonderful.
Plus bunnies hang out behind my house every single day, and I get to watch them. Hoppity hop.
posted by FencingGal at 12:54 PM on March 13, 2020 [30 favorites]
Plus bunnies hang out behind my house every single day, and I get to watch them. Hoppity hop.
posted by FencingGal at 12:54 PM on March 13, 2020 [30 favorites]
I'm drinking a rhubarb gin & tonic and IT'S FUCKING AMAZEBALLS!!
posted by Fizz at 12:55 PM on March 13, 2020 [19 favorites]
posted by Fizz at 12:55 PM on March 13, 2020 [19 favorites]
I've been following the iditarod (fanfare thread), and really enjoying the Iditapod's coverage of it. It's pretty low key for something that's definitely an extreme sport - some updates; a profile of one of the dogs; and then a special segment (Wednesday's involved some conversation of whether something was the aurora or just some clouds).
Here's some pictures of dogs taking naps.
posted by dinty_moore at 12:56 PM on March 13, 2020 [6 favorites]
Here's some pictures of dogs taking naps.
posted by dinty_moore at 12:56 PM on March 13, 2020 [6 favorites]
The dog is absolutely thrilled that we're both home - she's been wagging her tail all day and demanding lots of attention. I think she knows something's up, though, since we're not doing Weekend Things like hanging out on the couch.
I brought her bed and a toy up to the office, but she's insisting on sleeping on the landing while the cat takes her bed. I don't know why I try sometimes.
posted by backseatpilot at 12:57 PM on March 13, 2020 [6 favorites]
I brought her bed and a toy up to the office, but she's insisting on sleeping on the landing while the cat takes her bed. I don't know why I try sometimes.
posted by backseatpilot at 12:57 PM on March 13, 2020 [6 favorites]
Something happy, you say? Here's a couple of tunes that never fail to make me move: Jorge Ben Jr - Take It Easy My Brother Charles and the Brazilian drum'n'bass remix, Drumagick - Easy BOOM
posted by filthy light thief at 1:09 PM on March 13, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by filthy light thief at 1:09 PM on March 13, 2020 [2 favorites]
Found an incredible piano player to play with
posted by thelonius at 1:11 PM on March 13, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by thelonius at 1:11 PM on March 13, 2020 [6 favorites]
I finally bought myself a new laptop after my last one died two months ago, a Chromebook. And apparently it comes with Stardew Valley! I've been wanting to play it forever and unexpectedly I finally can!
posted by biogeo at 1:25 PM on March 13, 2020 [5 favorites]
posted by biogeo at 1:25 PM on March 13, 2020 [5 favorites]
We got a new cat a few weeks ago, and she's settling in just fine.
And in December, I found a video I thought I'd lost of our other cat, from when he was a kitten and dining on kibble was a full-contact sport.
posted by telophase at 1:28 PM on March 13, 2020 [7 favorites]
And in December, I found a video I thought I'd lost of our other cat, from when he was a kitten and dining on kibble was a full-contact sport.
posted by telophase at 1:28 PM on March 13, 2020 [7 favorites]
We got a new kitten too! Their name is Naga and they're 2 months old, pitch black and funny in the new kitten way. Naga has very sharp teeth and claws and like to snuggle on our bed. They're still negotiating with Asami, a 3 year old rescue cat who we got a few months ago. Asami still hiss/growls at Naga sometimes, but they seem to be getting along.
Yes, we're obsessed with The Legend of Korra. We're binge it and ATLA every summer. We're finishing our 4th time.
posted by signal at 1:44 PM on March 13, 2020 [5 favorites]
Yes, we're obsessed with The Legend of Korra. We're binge it and ATLA every summer. We're finishing our 4th time.
posted by signal at 1:44 PM on March 13, 2020 [5 favorites]
Also, my 12yo son started voice lessons on wednesday. He said the teacher is the best teacher he's ever had in anything, at all, and is super psyched about improving his singing. He's super into Twenty One Pilots and wants to be a musician.
He wakes us up on schooldays by singing in the shower. It's a sure way for us to start every day with a smile.
posted by signal at 2:07 PM on March 13, 2020 [15 favorites]
He wakes us up on schooldays by singing in the shower. It's a sure way for us to start every day with a smile.
posted by signal at 2:07 PM on March 13, 2020 [15 favorites]
I think it's now six weeks since I adopted (rescued?) this beautiful rascal and I'm still working out on how this has made my life fundamentally different--and better (though there are moments I have my doubts..hear that, you occasionally mischievous stinker?).
Brodie still has a lot of "issues", but so do I, and he's a sweet boy, at least with me. (He's a random grump with others, so my dreams of meeting a "hot babe" via owning a handsome, waggy, friendly doggo were shot down immediately..which is all for the best, I suppose.)
I'm his third home in as many months, and I hope he understands he's got another fifteen or so years (he's not quite two) of Boring, Fat, Old Guy with the Gimpy Knee to put up with. Anyway, he curls up by my head at night without a complaint about the snoring, so he's officially The Best Thing.
posted by maxwelton at 2:13 PM on March 13, 2020 [13 favorites]
Brodie still has a lot of "issues", but so do I, and he's a sweet boy, at least with me. (He's a random grump with others, so my dreams of meeting a "hot babe" via owning a handsome, waggy, friendly doggo were shot down immediately..which is all for the best, I suppose.)
I'm his third home in as many months, and I hope he understands he's got another fifteen or so years (he's not quite two) of Boring, Fat, Old Guy with the Gimpy Knee to put up with. Anyway, he curls up by my head at night without a complaint about the snoring, so he's officially The Best Thing.
posted by maxwelton at 2:13 PM on March 13, 2020 [13 favorites]
Despite some uncertainty / problem issues around stocking for future isolating which have made the day rather tense and frustrating, the meal (NYT) we were able to pull together tonight (almost accidentally) was super delightful. (｡♥‿♥｡) Highly recommend.
posted by taz (staff) at 2:15 PM on March 13, 2020 [5 favorites]
posted by taz (staff) at 2:15 PM on March 13, 2020 [5 favorites]
I got my tax refund deposited to my bank yesterday. Money that I'm grateful to have right now while I continue my job search.
posted by acidnova at 2:23 PM on March 13, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by acidnova at 2:23 PM on March 13, 2020 [6 favorites]
Family game night tonight. We are starting with Pandemic.
posted by COD at 2:24 PM on March 13, 2020 [13 favorites]
posted by COD at 2:24 PM on March 13, 2020 [13 favorites]
This week I called my daughter, son, and sister, who all live far from me. They all have the right information and the right supplies.
posted by hypnogogue at 2:32 PM on March 13, 2020 [5 favorites]
posted by hypnogogue at 2:32 PM on March 13, 2020 [5 favorites]
I got my tax refund deposited to my bank yesterday. Money that I'm grateful to have right now while I continue my job search.
I'm in the middle of a job hunt myself. The situation blows for a variety of reasons, this being one of them.
My husband's parents are in their 70s and had been planning to travel to Toronto and then on to my sister-in-law's in Washington state. They've thankfully decided to cancel their travel plans for now. It was a hard decision because their first and (and so far only) grandson was born there late last year, and they couldn't visit at the time because my FIL was undergoing chemo (he's since gotten the all-clear). So, this sucks for them, but they made the right call.
OTOH, being unemployed means I've had plenty of time to cook!
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 2:34 PM on March 13, 2020 [2 favorites]
I'm in the middle of a job hunt myself. The situation blows for a variety of reasons, this being one of them.
My husband's parents are in their 70s and had been planning to travel to Toronto and then on to my sister-in-law's in Washington state. They've thankfully decided to cancel their travel plans for now. It was a hard decision because their first and (and so far only) grandson was born there late last year, and they couldn't visit at the time because my FIL was undergoing chemo (he's since gotten the all-clear). So, this sucks for them, but they made the right call.
OTOH, being unemployed means I've had plenty of time to cook!
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 2:34 PM on March 13, 2020 [2 favorites]
So, driving home from a store, I saw a kid on a bike with a fishing pole and tackle box.
posted by clavdivs at 2:37 PM on March 13, 2020 [23 favorites]
posted by clavdivs at 2:37 PM on March 13, 2020 [23 favorites]
I'm having less anxiety and rage today than before. I have the beginnings of what is very probably a cold but in the circumstances it's enough to be at home. I have a fabric stash, hulu and tea, and I'm cancelling all my plans this weekend.
posted by bunderful at 2:42 PM on March 13, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by bunderful at 2:42 PM on March 13, 2020 [2 favorites]
Our local farmer's market was cancelled. One of the farmers is doing vegetable delivery. I am getting potatoes delivered tomorrow morning and ordered another bag (or three) for the local food shelf. I got a shingles vaccination shot yesterday and about 85% of the symptoms they warned me about did not come to pass. Small things, small steps.
posted by jessamyn (temp) at 2:45 PM on March 13, 2020 [7 favorites]
posted by jessamyn (temp) at 2:45 PM on March 13, 2020 [7 favorites]
Where I teach we are on alert for closure, but for now we are still open. Attendance is (understandably) waaaaaay down; I had one student in my literacy class today.
This is a student who was cheated out of a good education because of a racist system that treats First Nations reserves like crap. She's an awesomely positive, cheerful and hardworking student, but she's had a lot of challenges and (I think) some undiagnosed learning difficulties.
Today she had me all to herself and we read an article about Viola Desmond, a black Canadian civil rights activist, and did grammar and writing exercises. We both got a little teary-eyed about Viola's story (we watched the Heritage Minute and a couple of short documentaries about her). Also, my student absolutely kicked ass at the reading and grammar portions of the lesson today. I was so proud of her and she was proud of herself.
Not a bad way to spend an afternoon otherwise preoccupied with anxiety about the uncertainty surrounding everything.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 2:46 PM on March 13, 2020 [34 favorites]
This is a student who was cheated out of a good education because of a racist system that treats First Nations reserves like crap. She's an awesomely positive, cheerful and hardworking student, but she's had a lot of challenges and (I think) some undiagnosed learning difficulties.
Today she had me all to herself and we read an article about Viola Desmond, a black Canadian civil rights activist, and did grammar and writing exercises. We both got a little teary-eyed about Viola's story (we watched the Heritage Minute and a couple of short documentaries about her). Also, my student absolutely kicked ass at the reading and grammar portions of the lesson today. I was so proud of her and she was proud of herself.
Not a bad way to spend an afternoon otherwise preoccupied with anxiety about the uncertainty surrounding everything.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 2:46 PM on March 13, 2020 [34 favorites]
I watched my little girl take her first unassisted steps this morning. She's almost 2 and her delayed walking has been such a source of worry in my life. It's hard to describe how I felt watching her, so much joy and hope and relief and pride rolled up. Big feelings.
Here she is, blurry and covered in Cheeto dust but happy.
posted by beandip at 2:48 PM on March 13, 2020 [39 favorites]
Here she is, blurry and covered in Cheeto dust but happy.
posted by beandip at 2:48 PM on March 13, 2020 [39 favorites]
I bought myself a bike for Christmas (my very first very own) and have been riding everywhere for the past couple months (yay mild CA weather), and I LOVE IT! I hadn't been on a bike in years and I originally expected it to be a practical, money-saving, environment-saving good-for-me thing but I had no idea how much FUN it would be, pedalling around enjoying the fresh air and mostly-nice weather. I live in a fairly low density area so there's usually enough space on the road to share with cars, and there's enough of a critical mass of cyclists that drivers are generally aware and will at least grudgingly share the road (when they're not looking at their phones anyway, ugh). I don't have a car and transit here is spotty so the bike has really opened up the surrounding area for me, which is pretty great too. I am very grateful that near me there are not one but TWO bike advocacy groups that offer free(!) "learn to ride/traffic skills" classes where many delightful people helped me start riding safely and confidently after a decade+ hiatus.
When I first got the bike I swapped out the stem, switched to nice puncture resistant tires, swapped the cog in the internal gear drivetrain, and put on the fenders and a rear rack all myself, with consultation from the bike shop a few blocks from my house - they were so delighted at my questions and enthusiasm that the owner actually offered me a part-time job (which I would have loved to accept if it didn't violate the terms of my work visa..) Anyway I love my bike, it is a boring unsexy hybrid bike but gets me from point A to B and it is practical AF - I daresay, the Honda Fit of bikes. Here it is!!
posted by btfreek at 3:02 PM on March 13, 2020 [10 favorites]
When I first got the bike I swapped out the stem, switched to nice puncture resistant tires, swapped the cog in the internal gear drivetrain, and put on the fenders and a rear rack all myself, with consultation from the bike shop a few blocks from my house - they were so delighted at my questions and enthusiasm that the owner actually offered me a part-time job (which I would have loved to accept if it didn't violate the terms of my work visa..) Anyway I love my bike, it is a boring unsexy hybrid bike but gets me from point A to B and it is practical AF - I daresay, the Honda Fit of bikes. Here it is!!
posted by btfreek at 3:02 PM on March 13, 2020 [10 favorites]
My job has been increasingly more toxic over the past few months, and I officially kicked off a job hunt in mid February, which looks to have been less-than-great timing. But! I had my first interview today and I think I knocked it out of the park. Whether or not I get the job, I'm glad that I'm starting to overcome my petrifying nervousness in interviews, which was always a huge problem.
posted by geegollygosh at 3:18 PM on March 13, 2020 [9 favorites]
posted by geegollygosh at 3:18 PM on March 13, 2020 [9 favorites]
It’s been a very long week as we all waited to see if the township schools would close next week (they are.) The library where I work was pretty empty today, but we did get a few of our regular middle school patrons in. They had a half day so a couple of them were there longer than usual. After they bugged me for food/a drink/a job/something to doooooo they taught themselves a card trick. They tried it out on all of the staff, and they were pretty good! None of that “I totally see what you did but will pretend I didn’t” needed from me.
So in the middle of a boring yet long day, a couple of kids made me laugh, not only with their trick but with their endless resilience.
posted by lyssabee at 3:25 PM on March 13, 2020 [6 favorites]
So in the middle of a boring yet long day, a couple of kids made me laugh, not only with their trick but with their endless resilience.
posted by lyssabee at 3:25 PM on March 13, 2020 [6 favorites]
It's Girl Scout cookie season.
posted by paper chromatographologist at 3:46 PM on March 13, 2020 [8 favorites]
posted by paper chromatographologist at 3:46 PM on March 13, 2020 [8 favorites]
Two hyperactive kids home from school for two weeks.....so they need a distraction. Ok so I guess it was time we finally got back into being a dog family.
Metafilter - meet Swan (or possibly Bagel - name TBD). Brought her home from the local rescue a few hours back. 8 month old Lab and Great Pyrenees mix
posted by inflatablekiwi at 3:54 PM on March 13, 2020 [21 favorites]
Metafilter - meet Swan (or possibly Bagel - name TBD). Brought her home from the local rescue a few hours back. 8 month old Lab and Great Pyrenees mix
posted by inflatablekiwi at 3:54 PM on March 13, 2020 [21 favorites]
We found a six month old pork butt in our basement freezer while we were filling it up with The Happy Fun Food We Are Buying For No Reason Because Everything Is Fine so today I made pulled pork in the Instantpot for the first time and it went from partially frozen pork to DELICIOUS TACO MEAT in about an hour and a half.
posted by bondcliff at 4:15 PM on March 13, 2020 [16 favorites]
posted by bondcliff at 4:15 PM on March 13, 2020 [16 favorites]
I have a glass of good Barossa Shiraz.
posted by Kris10_b at 4:17 PM on March 13, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by Kris10_b at 4:17 PM on March 13, 2020 [6 favorites]
Once our school announced moving classes online, partner and I went to Trader Joe's and splurged on anything we thought looked tasty. We've been trying all sorts of delicious meals and snacks while we're holed up at home. I've been going through some of the many Humble Bundle games I've acquired over the years.
My cat is THRILLED to have me home all day.
posted by brook horse at 4:24 PM on March 13, 2020 [5 favorites]
My cat is THRILLED to have me home all day.
posted by brook horse at 4:24 PM on March 13, 2020 [5 favorites]
My mother finally gave me the family piano when i moved into the new house and I’m making some real progress ss on the Beethoven Sonata that made me quit lessons when i was 16.
posted by thivaia at 4:32 PM on March 13, 2020 [9 favorites]
posted by thivaia at 4:32 PM on March 13, 2020 [9 favorites]
I have rubbed some chicken legs in salt, pepper, and lots and lots of paprika. They are roasting in the oven on a bunch of roasted red peppers, many (many many many) garlic cloves, chopped cured chorizo, and onion.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 4:36 PM on March 13, 2020 [7 favorites]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 4:36 PM on March 13, 2020 [7 favorites]
All 4 cats came and sat on me while I watched The Thing About Harry. It’s a gay romance on Hulu. I recommend both critter company and the film.
posted by itesser at 4:38 PM on March 13, 2020 [9 favorites]
posted by itesser at 4:38 PM on March 13, 2020 [9 favorites]
Cheap but delicious Chardonnay and shepherd’s pie.
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 4:52 PM on March 13, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 4:52 PM on March 13, 2020 [6 favorites]
There are sick payments available through Centrelink for people who need to self isolate and as a result face financial hardship. (Australia)
The sun is shining.
My husband is currently at the bakery buying an apple-custard scroll for lunch.
My parents are coming to visit this weekend.
I can feel the baby kick reliably for the first time in the pregnancy - (placenta is in a good spot to cushion me feeling movement, so the bub is healthy and moving properly, I just haven't really been able to feel it yet)
posted by freethefeet at 5:34 PM on March 13, 2020 [8 favorites]
The sun is shining.
My husband is currently at the bakery buying an apple-custard scroll for lunch.
My parents are coming to visit this weekend.
I can feel the baby kick reliably for the first time in the pregnancy - (placenta is in a good spot to cushion me feeling movement, so the bub is healthy and moving properly, I just haven't really been able to feel it yet)
posted by freethefeet at 5:34 PM on March 13, 2020 [8 favorites]
My younger cat just walked in with her loud purr and started kneading my belly.
I talked a coworker, who I semi-supervise but can’t command, into staying the f home next week.
I’m almost caught up with a few podcasts.
A friend is getting a liver transplant more or less as I type this.
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:47 PM on March 13, 2020 [6 favorites]
I talked a coworker, who I semi-supervise but can’t command, into staying the f home next week.
I’m almost caught up with a few podcasts.
A friend is getting a liver transplant more or less as I type this.
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:47 PM on March 13, 2020 [6 favorites]
Late yesterday I told my boss I was taking a half-day of vacation this afternoon because I was feeling burned out, my schedule was clear, and my boyfriend got home from a family vacation late last night.
I got to see him for the first time since last Friday, we had a delightful afternoon getting lunch, moseying around town, and then going back to my place and (TMI filter, you've been warned) having great sex, and then chilled and had naked-cuddle time for almost 2 hours. (/TMI)
Just being around him lifts my mood exponentially, and I'm incredibly grateful he's in my life.
posted by Sparky Buttons at 6:08 PM on March 13, 2020 [14 favorites]
I got to see him for the first time since last Friday, we had a delightful afternoon getting lunch, moseying around town, and then going back to my place and (TMI filter, you've been warned) having great sex, and then chilled and had naked-cuddle time for almost 2 hours. (/TMI)
Just being around him lifts my mood exponentially, and I'm incredibly grateful he's in my life.
posted by Sparky Buttons at 6:08 PM on March 13, 2020 [14 favorites]
The sky was blue. The sun was shining. The shoe finally dropped and schools are out for the next month, I spend an hour talking to a friend who I had not spoken since one of her parents died in 2017. Mr. theBRKP and I both made independent runs to the liquor store - I bought home whiskey, scotch, tequila and orange liquor. He supplied vodka and Frangelico, so we are well stocked. Kiddo has a friend spending the night and the sounds of them happily playing are lovely.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 6:09 PM on March 13, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 6:09 PM on March 13, 2020 [3 favorites]
I've got a coworker who has made it clear over the past few years that he is happiest when he's left alone to do his job. He doesn't want to grab lunch, to chat about most non work related topics, or to share his personal life beyond a few hobbies. That is absolutely fine, I'm cool occasionally nodding in the hall and admiring his frankly amazing photos of abandoned mining equipment he takes trips out to see.
Which is why I was surprised last week when he came over to my cube and asked if I needed baby stuff. His little girl was born almost a year and a half ago, mine is due in April. I said yes and he said he'd bring some cloths in. Well he showed up with a giant bag of clean, neatly folded everything. Onesies, outfits, jammies, coats, it's easily 4 times as much clothing as we had. He dropped it off in my cube and left quickly, but there was a sweet note from his partner saying that they were so happy for me and hoped the clothing and a few other things he's be bringing next week would help.
posted by lepus at 6:20 PM on March 13, 2020 [45 favorites]
Which is why I was surprised last week when he came over to my cube and asked if I needed baby stuff. His little girl was born almost a year and a half ago, mine is due in April. I said yes and he said he'd bring some cloths in. Well he showed up with a giant bag of clean, neatly folded everything. Onesies, outfits, jammies, coats, it's easily 4 times as much clothing as we had. He dropped it off in my cube and left quickly, but there was a sweet note from his partner saying that they were so happy for me and hoped the clothing and a few other things he's be bringing next week would help.
posted by lepus at 6:20 PM on March 13, 2020 [45 favorites]
Today my e-bike conversion kit arrived and tomorrow I will be installing it.
I will also be making the time to returning to the coding for my additional electronics project to go on my bike - full on unicorn-barf-insane RGB LED strips which will go on the side of the bike for extreme visibility. (Plus a little bit of "animating red" to the rear for bonus Sensible.)
I have been plotting on this project for months, since I decided to sell my car earlier in the year due to it sitting virtually unused and just being a money-waste. I am very lucky to live in a relatively cycle-friendly place.
posted by BuxtonTheRed at 6:31 PM on March 13, 2020 [4 favorites]
I will also be making the time to returning to the coding for my additional electronics project to go on my bike - full on unicorn-barf-insane RGB LED strips which will go on the side of the bike for extreme visibility. (Plus a little bit of "animating red" to the rear for bonus Sensible.)
I have been plotting on this project for months, since I decided to sell my car earlier in the year due to it sitting virtually unused and just being a money-waste. I am very lucky to live in a relatively cycle-friendly place.
posted by BuxtonTheRed at 6:31 PM on March 13, 2020 [4 favorites]
A gift for opera lovers: "General Manager Peter Gelb announced today that in response to the coronavirus pandemic and the cancellation of performances, the Met will offer a nightly series of free web streams that will bring opera to audiences while the house is dark—beginning Monday, March 16 at 7:30PM ET."
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 6:38 PM on March 13, 2020 [14 favorites]
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 6:38 PM on March 13, 2020 [14 favorites]
My company has told us to WFH for the next two weeks. I have a daily 9:30 stand-up and on Tuesdays I have an 8 AM call with the UK. The advantage of working at home is that after the morning meetings I can pause for a nap. Blissful.
posted by bendy at 7:11 PM on March 13, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by bendy at 7:11 PM on March 13, 2020 [3 favorites]
I sent off a self addressed stamped envelope to these folks a while back and now have a happy healthy sourdough starter that I refer to as my pet (actually two starters since I branched off a wheat version).
I’ve been learning how to make sourdough baguettes 🥖 and tomorrow is going to be another practice round.
So far I have learned that there is no such thing as bad homemade bread, even when they turn out a little ugly. I’ve been making all our bread for quite a few years but my shaping skills are ... not at the level I’d like. Practice makes perfect, right?
posted by hilaryjade at 7:19 PM on March 13, 2020 [12 favorites]
I’ve been learning how to make sourdough baguettes 🥖 and tomorrow is going to be another practice round.
So far I have learned that there is no such thing as bad homemade bread, even when they turn out a little ugly. I’ve been making all our bread for quite a few years but my shaping skills are ... not at the level I’d like. Practice makes perfect, right?
posted by hilaryjade at 7:19 PM on March 13, 2020 [12 favorites]
The bad news is that nobody got the Decameron joke in the mass email that I sent out at work today, but the good news is that I managed to get a Decameron joke into a mass email that I sent out at work today. Also, more people should read the Decameron.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 10:54 PM on March 13, 2020 [19 favorites]
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 10:54 PM on March 13, 2020 [19 favorites]
I've been doing my lectures online starting this week, and sometimes my cats like to sneak in for brief appearances, and the (college) students are *delighted*.
posted by ktkt at 11:09 PM on March 13, 2020 [8 favorites]
posted by ktkt at 11:09 PM on March 13, 2020 [8 favorites]
Last night a dream imparted unto me knowledge of a medallion with the power to repel chickens. Apparently this same arcane technology can be used to construct a wall with chicken-repelling properties. Please make careful and judicious use of his information.
posted by dephlogisticated at 11:36 PM on March 13, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by dephlogisticated at 11:36 PM on March 13, 2020 [6 favorites]
Yesterday my husband and I started the first season of Terrace House
May I offer you the ProZD take.
posted by praemunire at 1:16 AM on March 14, 2020 [1 favorite]
May I offer you the ProZD take.
posted by praemunire at 1:16 AM on March 14, 2020 [1 favorite]
I have beautiful flowers popping up all over the place from bulbs I planted in previous years. I realized that planting bulbs is like giving presents to your future self. Trees and flowers and gardens are the closest to heaven that we can get. I love Spring.
posted by gt2 at 1:39 AM on March 14, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by gt2 at 1:39 AM on March 14, 2020 [6 favorites]
I'm staying with some of my clients in Wanaka and tonight got introduced to the amazingness of pickled cherries, they're pickled in apple cider vinegar. Quite the tastebud orgasm.
posted by unearthed at 3:45 AM on March 14, 2020 [5 favorites]
posted by unearthed at 3:45 AM on March 14, 2020 [5 favorites]
After cold days for most of the week, it’s a warm and sunny weekend in Wellington. Which is good news for the last of the summer caterpillars. Mr. Icing has been rescuing at least 3 per day; too little to start hanging, scurrying desperately all over the prickly succulents, clearly lost and hungry. He’s turned into a caterpillar whisperer. Say hello to the herd of fat ‘n sassy.
posted by lemon_icing at 4:33 AM on March 14, 2020 [8 favorites]
posted by lemon_icing at 4:33 AM on March 14, 2020 [8 favorites]
lemon_icing; what are ya'll feeding them?
posted by mightshould at 4:37 AM on March 14, 2020
posted by mightshould at 4:37 AM on March 14, 2020
The university has been doing all online courses for the last two weeks (and onward until who knows when), which has been a challenge, but the school did a preliminary satisfaction survey and my class was ranked among the highest in the entire school. That's pretty cool, especially because I have never done anything like this before.
Going along with that, I randomly bought a green screen a few months ago because I thought it would be funny to make dumb videos. After buying it I never used it because I didn't have any real reason or inspiration. However, with the online lectures I have been filming these ridiculous short vignettes to open each class. I am happy because it is fun, and also I think the students find them appealing.
Finally, I bought a salmon head and threw it in the air fryer this evening. So delicious. No seasoning or sauce or anything, just air fried salmon head. Yum.
posted by Literaryhero at 4:46 AM on March 14, 2020 [9 favorites]
Going along with that, I randomly bought a green screen a few months ago because I thought it would be funny to make dumb videos. After buying it I never used it because I didn't have any real reason or inspiration. However, with the online lectures I have been filming these ridiculous short vignettes to open each class. I am happy because it is fun, and also I think the students find them appealing.
Finally, I bought a salmon head and threw it in the air fryer this evening. So delicious. No seasoning or sauce or anything, just air fried salmon head. Yum.
posted by Literaryhero at 4:46 AM on March 14, 2020 [9 favorites]
The plethora of questions and advice in Ask right now for keeping kids out of school occupied is also a great, great blessing. Thanks to anyone who posted a question and everyone who answered, you have made my weekend spent planning for the next four weeks infinitely easier.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 5:03 AM on March 14, 2020 [4 favorites]
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 5:03 AM on March 14, 2020 [4 favorites]
Our new dog I mentioned up-thread is now officially called Milkshake. Her middle name is Ice-cream. And she’s now made sure I have made my steps for the day before 6:30am with a brisk walk in very light snow.
posted by inflatablekiwi at 5:23 AM on March 14, 2020 [5 favorites]
posted by inflatablekiwi at 5:23 AM on March 14, 2020 [5 favorites]
Reuters, 25 Feb 2020: Greta Thunberg and Malala Yousafzai meet at Oxford University
posted by ZeusHumms at 6:14 AM on March 14, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by ZeusHumms at 6:14 AM on March 14, 2020 [2 favorites]
First Dog on the Moon makes me happy.
And here's FDotM with A cheery and helpful guide: How to be happy.
So it's MetaHappy.
Protip: sort the comments by Recommendations for further happiness
posted by UbuRoivas at 8:55 AM on March 14, 2020 [2 favorites]
And here's FDotM with A cheery and helpful guide: How to be happy.
So it's MetaHappy.
Protip: sort the comments by Recommendations for further happiness
posted by UbuRoivas at 8:55 AM on March 14, 2020 [2 favorites]
Popped in and out of preparing some ful mudammas today (Egypt's national dish, from Pharaonic periods, but one I associate more with good times and great people in Syria).
Best eaten at breakfast.
Haven't had any since my favourite cheapo Lebanese place stopped making it, then moved to a faraway suburb.
posted by UbuRoivas at 9:23 AM on March 14, 2020 [2 favorites]
Best eaten at breakfast.
Haven't had any since my favourite cheapo Lebanese place stopped making it, then moved to a faraway suburb.
posted by UbuRoivas at 9:23 AM on March 14, 2020 [2 favorites]
I finally got a bicycle yesterday. I'm still recovering from pneumonia so it'll be a while before I can ride it. For now, I just enjoy looking at how pretty it is. It's light blue. It has a basket!
posted by smashface at 9:25 AM on March 14, 2020 [10 favorites]
posted by smashface at 9:25 AM on March 14, 2020 [10 favorites]
The past couple of weeks have been really too good to me, considering everything miserable that's happened. I've been dressing differently and I've had so much more attention from nice boys. Some have been a little handsy and a little forward and I should be much more upset with them but to be honest, I've been so flattered by the attention it's been hard to complain.
Also I think I convinced cute two Americans and a Canadian to join the IWW tonight. We spent a long time talking about what needs to be done now, at least, and they were on the same page as me.
posted by Acid Communist at 9:41 AM on March 14, 2020 [1 favorite]
Also I think I convinced cute two Americans and a Canadian to join the IWW tonight. We spent a long time talking about what needs to be done now, at least, and they were on the same page as me.
posted by Acid Communist at 9:41 AM on March 14, 2020 [1 favorite]
Woo! Enjoy! Edit: @smashface
Mine's black with black and a bit more black in focus, and silent as a ninja with a carbon belt drive.
Love it so much, a cross between a hybrid road/mountain bike and a European street commuter (in Dutch: "omafiets" = grandma bike)
posted by UbuRoivas at 9:42 AM on March 14, 2020 [2 favorites]
Mine's black with black and a bit more black in focus, and silent as a ninja with a carbon belt drive.
Love it so much, a cross between a hybrid road/mountain bike and a European street commuter (in Dutch: "omafiets" = grandma bike)
posted by UbuRoivas at 9:42 AM on March 14, 2020 [2 favorites]
If you are even vaguely fan-convention adjacent, the Concellation 2020 Facebook group is a massive collection of fannish in-jokes and growing constantly: https://www.facebook.com/groups/concellation/
posted by ChrisR at 9:42 AM on March 14, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by ChrisR at 9:42 AM on March 14, 2020 [2 favorites]
There's a cherry tree in bloom about a block from me. I'm looking forward to watching the hyperlocal unfolding of spring even though I'm sad I can't go much farther afield. Also, I am very one-note these days but I am so grateful I've been able to return to my old job after working at a dysfunctional organization for a while; it's better both in general and specifically during these pandemic times.
posted by ferret branca at 10:06 AM on March 14, 2020 [4 favorites]
posted by ferret branca at 10:06 AM on March 14, 2020 [4 favorites]
I saw and heard several robins today. Or maybe it was the same one, just really busy and fast.
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 10:15 AM on March 14, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 10:15 AM on March 14, 2020 [3 favorites]
I am well stocked up on books (though now kicking myself that I didn't pick up the Decameron!!!) and have bread baking in the oven and I feel cozy and content. Thanks for this thread, Fizz.
posted by sunset in snow country at 10:50 AM on March 14, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by sunset in snow country at 10:50 AM on March 14, 2020 [1 favorite]
NYT has a story about Amazon and eBay shutting down sellers gouging on surgical mask and hand sanitizer with predictable muh free market sob story. When the dust settles on this catastrophe, price gouging is something else that needs to be examined and addressed. Things are going to get better, slowly, and as John Lennon would say, it can't get much worse.
posted by Beholder at 11:18 AM on March 14, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Beholder at 11:18 AM on March 14, 2020 [1 favorite]
price gouging is something else that needs to be examined and addressed
The NYAG is actively going after price-gougers, especially on hand sanitizer, right now.
posted by praemunire at 12:31 PM on March 14, 2020 [2 favorites]
The NYAG is actively going after price-gougers, especially on hand sanitizer, right now.
posted by praemunire at 12:31 PM on March 14, 2020 [2 favorites]
I did an online workout today (the instructor live-streams the workouts and everyone else is part of the video call, so you can see everyone working out) and it was amazing how much just 20 minutes of light cardio improved my mood. Going to keep doing that while I'm close at home.
posted by rogerroger at 12:51 PM on March 14, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by rogerroger at 12:51 PM on March 14, 2020 [3 favorites]
Anyone here sick?
I don't mean Corona necessarily. But cold? Bad cold? Flu? This entire happening of Corona is so weird to me and my personal bubble experience. I only had a super-mild cold right around Xmas, less than 5 days. but so many people I know were fluish-sick from around Xmas to about a month ago, but everyone has gotten a lot better. But no one I know is sick right now, Corona or not.
Edit- hey, I made bread today, too.
posted by SoberHighland at 2:26 PM on March 14, 2020 [4 favorites]
I don't mean Corona necessarily. But cold? Bad cold? Flu? This entire happening of Corona is so weird to me and my personal bubble experience. I only had a super-mild cold right around Xmas, less than 5 days. but so many people I know were fluish-sick from around Xmas to about a month ago, but everyone has gotten a lot better. But no one I know is sick right now, Corona or not.
Edit- hey, I made bread today, too.
posted by SoberHighland at 2:26 PM on March 14, 2020 [4 favorites]
A video clip that I found uplifting, hopeful and happy-making:
Quarantined Italians singing together from their balconies. Chinese people sending them messages of encouragement.
Here. Keep a tissue handy.
Speaking of tissues, I thought that I had a cold. The symptoms were common cold-like, but somewhat different, and for that reason, they worried me.
Turns out that hay fever season has started. So these symptoms are not only non-worrisme, they can also be suppressed. Yay!
posted by Too-Ticky at 2:47 PM on March 14, 2020 [3 favorites]
Quarantined Italians singing together from their balconies. Chinese people sending them messages of encouragement.
Here. Keep a tissue handy.
Speaking of tissues, I thought that I had a cold. The symptoms were common cold-like, but somewhat different, and for that reason, they worried me.
Turns out that hay fever season has started. So these symptoms are not only non-worrisme, they can also be suppressed. Yay!
posted by Too-Ticky at 2:47 PM on March 14, 2020 [3 favorites]
Anyone here sick?
I actually think the added care of regularly washing my hands and being careful of what I am doing over the past two months or so (I'm in Korea so this coronavirus stuff has been going on longer here) has made me healthier.
I did have a stomach thing about a month ago that I picked up in Phnom Penh, but let's be honest that was probably just a nasty hangover mixed with stomach problems from not being careful about what I ate and drank.
posted by Literaryhero at 4:35 PM on March 14, 2020 [1 favorite]
I actually think the added care of regularly washing my hands and being careful of what I am doing over the past two months or so (I'm in Korea so this coronavirus stuff has been going on longer here) has made me healthier.
I did have a stomach thing about a month ago that I picked up in Phnom Penh, but let's be honest that was probably just a nasty hangover mixed with stomach problems from not being careful about what I ate and drank.
posted by Literaryhero at 4:35 PM on March 14, 2020 [1 favorite]
NYT has a story about Amazon and eBay shutting down sellers gouging on surgical mask and hand sanitizer with predictable muh free market sob story.
On the plus side, my eBay listing for tiny violins has been doing really well.
posted by FishBike at 4:49 PM on March 14, 2020 [9 favorites]
On the plus side, my eBay listing for tiny violins has been doing really well.
posted by FishBike at 4:49 PM on March 14, 2020 [9 favorites]
I made a soup out of leftovers and it came out surprisingly good; I feel very proud.
posted by bleep at 4:52 PM on March 14, 2020 [5 favorites]
posted by bleep at 4:52 PM on March 14, 2020 [5 favorites]
Playing and singing absolutely every day without fail is doing really nice things for my voice. (And every time I experience the dulled sensation of my callused fretboard fingertips I have tiny glee.)
posted by wellred at 5:31 PM on March 14, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by wellred at 5:31 PM on March 14, 2020 [2 favorites]
I normally wouldn't self-pimp, but I did spend the day doing a roundup of heartwarming stuff related to coronavirus. Mods, I won't mind if you delete this for being self-pimpy, it's just easier to post one link than to uh, however many I did all day.
posted by jenfullmoon at 5:41 PM on March 14, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by jenfullmoon at 5:41 PM on March 14, 2020 [3 favorites]
. I got a shingles vaccination shot yesterday and about 85% of the symptoms they warned me about did not come to pass.
Oh man, I got my first one about 3 weeks ago & felt like hammered dogshit for 2 days. They say the booster is worse.
But hey, this is the happy thing thread! We just had our stinky, dirty 20-year old carpet pulled up in our family room & replaced it with some pergo flooring. We still have to re- construct the room, but I am pretty happy to have this done.
posted by Devils Rancher at 6:30 PM on March 14, 2020 [3 favorites]
Oh man, I got my first one about 3 weeks ago & felt like hammered dogshit for 2 days. They say the booster is worse.
But hey, this is the happy thing thread! We just had our stinky, dirty 20-year old carpet pulled up in our family room & replaced it with some pergo flooring. We still have to re- construct the room, but I am pretty happy to have this done.
posted by Devils Rancher at 6:30 PM on March 14, 2020 [3 favorites]
My monthly email receipt for my Metafilter donation arrived - and I was happy that normality online will continue! And I made macaroni cheese with yummy Sunday bacon and a toasted topping of cheese and bread crumbs, which the kids completely devoured and I got a literal thumbs up for.
posted by inflatablekiwi at 6:47 PM on March 14, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by inflatablekiwi at 6:47 PM on March 14, 2020 [3 favorites]
It just occurred to me that you can read any users' most popular comments with a link like this:
https://www.metafilter.com/activity/[USER_ID]/favorited/popular
I'm going to go find some comments from users that make me happy.
posted by bendy at 7:45 PM on March 14, 2020 [1 favorite]
https://www.metafilter.com/activity/[USER_ID]/favorited/popular
I'm going to go find some comments from users that make me happy.
posted by bendy at 7:45 PM on March 14, 2020 [1 favorite]
I had to go to the hardware store today and they had some nice framed art on sale, randomly, so I'm going to make my walls less bare.
I'm still planning on making my cats a catio but I'm dithering on what kind of fencing I can afford/will withstand escape attempts. I should probably do an askme.
In the meantime, spring is here and when it's not raining it's lovely.
posted by emjaybee at 8:17 PM on March 14, 2020 [3 favorites]
I'm still planning on making my cats a catio but I'm dithering on what kind of fencing I can afford/will withstand escape attempts. I should probably do an askme.
In the meantime, spring is here and when it's not raining it's lovely.
posted by emjaybee at 8:17 PM on March 14, 2020 [3 favorites]
I remembered Chat!
Also I realized that this is a pretty great time to find a good online game/community to while away the evenings with. Social isolation is going to be really tough on me but I have options and I'll be proactive with those.
Also also, Steven Universe Future ep 14 is maybe one of the most important things I've ever seen and I never would've watched the show if not for Metafilter.
posted by curious nu at 8:32 PM on March 14, 2020 [4 favorites]
Also I realized that this is a pretty great time to find a good online game/community to while away the evenings with. Social isolation is going to be really tough on me but I have options and I'll be proactive with those.
Also also, Steven Universe Future ep 14 is maybe one of the most important things I've ever seen and I never would've watched the show if not for Metafilter.
posted by curious nu at 8:32 PM on March 14, 2020 [4 favorites]
I’m in self-isolation with my sister and her family! My nephews are excited to have me here! Being in a well-stocked house with the people I love helps me feel better.
posted by ocherdraco at 9:28 PM on March 14, 2020 [7 favorites]
posted by ocherdraco at 9:28 PM on March 14, 2020 [7 favorites]
My birthday was Friday. (I don't mind Friday the 13th, and though the day did start with an unlucky phone call. On top of all in-person client organizing & productivity sessions being canceled, a client canceled a virtual session for which neither of us would be endangered by COVID-19, but the rest of the day was lovely.) Amazon made many visits through the week, and I was surprised by a huge bouquet of flowers from a friend/colleague across the country whom I only see once a year. And my favorite friend in my city met me at our favorite Greek (locally-owned, family-owned, with liberal sick leave for all employees) restaurant where we moderately-socially-distanced ourselves and yelled "Opa!" when they set our saganaki (cheese) aflame!
One friend, who hadn't even heard that I bought a two-pound block of "quarantine cheese" bought me a cheese plane that's been on my wish list forever. (I just love a good cheese plane!) And today, I opened my door to find that FedEx had left me a microwave oven-sized box; in the box, was a styrofoam cooler filled with freezer packs, paper, and a smaller box with 50 Cabot Seriously Sharp mini-cheeses!
Am I living up to my MetaFilter name, or what?
posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 11:17 PM on March 14, 2020 [13 favorites]
One friend, who hadn't even heard that I bought a two-pound block of "quarantine cheese" bought me a cheese plane that's been on my wish list forever. (I just love a good cheese plane!) And today, I opened my door to find that FedEx had left me a microwave oven-sized box; in the box, was a styrofoam cooler filled with freezer packs, paper, and a smaller box with 50 Cabot Seriously Sharp mini-cheeses!
Am I living up to my MetaFilter name, or what?
posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 11:17 PM on March 14, 2020 [13 favorites]
Am I living up to my MetaFilter name, or what?
More like the exact opposite of your name - those sound like exactly the right types of cheese and in appropriate volume! Quarantine cheese - love it.
posted by inflatablekiwi at 11:25 PM on March 14, 2020 [3 favorites]
More like the exact opposite of your name - those sound like exactly the right types of cheese and in appropriate volume! Quarantine cheese - love it.
posted by inflatablekiwi at 11:25 PM on March 14, 2020 [3 favorites]
Recently I went to an LGBTQ+ themed tour at a local museum that has a ton of classical statuary. Being myself, I hung around at end, took a bunch of pictures of all the fine classical butts and made an instagram post about them, tagging the museum as my location. I went onto instagram yesterday and saw that the museum curator liked my dumb post about butts from history. It made my day.
posted by terretu at 1:07 AM on March 15, 2020 [17 favorites]
posted by terretu at 1:07 AM on March 15, 2020 [17 favorites]
I made Twitter threads of cats and dogs I've met doing fieldwork, if animals make you happy!
posted by ChuraChura at 4:43 AM on March 15, 2020 [7 favorites]
posted by ChuraChura at 4:43 AM on March 15, 2020 [7 favorites]
Happy birthday Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg!!!
Ruth Bader Ginsburg began her career as a justice where she left off as an advocate, fighting for women’s rights. In 1996, Ginsburg wrote the majority opinion in United States v. Virginia, holding that qualified women could not be denied admission to Virginia Military Institute. Her style in advocating from the bench matches her style from her time at the ACLU: slow but steady, and calculated. Instead of creating sweeping limitations on gender discrimination, she attacked specific areas of discrimination and violations of women’s rights one at a time, so as to send a message to the legislatures on what they can and cannot do.posted by cynical pinnacle at 7:53 AM on March 15, 2020 [9 favorites]
I made a cheesecake for the first time, with a dulce de leche topping and hazelnut crust. It worked, and I'm kind of amazed.
posted by ChrisR at 8:49 AM on March 15, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by ChrisR at 8:49 AM on March 15, 2020 [6 favorites]
My mom, who has been without a dog for a number of months and very sad about it, just got her third samoyed, at a very bouncy 16 weeks.
posted by rockindata at 9:33 AM on March 15, 2020 [10 favorites]
posted by rockindata at 9:33 AM on March 15, 2020 [10 favorites]
Christ, I'm such an idiot.
When I bought my house 7 years ago, I was happy that my master bath came with a whirlpool tub. While I can't fit in it comfortably due to my height, I can make it work by alternating between having my knees and chest submerged.
Anyway, I was frustrated because it never felt like the water stayed hot for long enough to really enjoy a long soak. So I used it, but maybe once or twice a year.
Fast forward to Friday - my girlfriend asked if she could come over for a soak for the first time. I said 'hell yes' and we had a nice time chatting while she enjoyed the jets. She asked how long I usually soak for and I told her not long (and was a bit surprised that she stayed in there for, like, 45 minutes without complaining that she was getting cold). I asked first and then dipped my hand in the water and it was comfortably hot.
IT'S BECAUSE SHE HAD THE JETS ON THE WHOLE TIME! Apparently they help keep the water warm whereas I would run the jets for like 10 minutes and then turn them off and it was a race against time of when the water would get too tepid.
I feel like I have a whole new tub!
posted by Twicketface at 4:51 PM on March 15, 2020 [10 favorites]
When I bought my house 7 years ago, I was happy that my master bath came with a whirlpool tub. While I can't fit in it comfortably due to my height, I can make it work by alternating between having my knees and chest submerged.
Anyway, I was frustrated because it never felt like the water stayed hot for long enough to really enjoy a long soak. So I used it, but maybe once or twice a year.
Fast forward to Friday - my girlfriend asked if she could come over for a soak for the first time. I said 'hell yes' and we had a nice time chatting while she enjoyed the jets. She asked how long I usually soak for and I told her not long (and was a bit surprised that she stayed in there for, like, 45 minutes without complaining that she was getting cold). I asked first and then dipped my hand in the water and it was comfortably hot.
IT'S BECAUSE SHE HAD THE JETS ON THE WHOLE TIME! Apparently they help keep the water warm whereas I would run the jets for like 10 minutes and then turn them off and it was a race against time of when the water would get too tepid.
I feel like I have a whole new tub!
posted by Twicketface at 4:51 PM on March 15, 2020 [10 favorites]
We made progress! Waiting on an area rug we ordered to come in, which I expect to neatly tie the room together, of course. (Also, I have a lot of wiring to do, which I intend to do in a deliberate fashion, not like the ad hoc mess I disassembled last week)
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:06 PM on March 15, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:06 PM on March 15, 2020 [1 favorite]
Happy birthday Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg!!!
Please don't die please don't die please don't die please don't die...
posted by bendy at 9:08 PM on March 15, 2020 [6 favorites]
Please don't die please don't die please don't die please don't die...
posted by bendy at 9:08 PM on March 15, 2020 [6 favorites]
Sports fans jonesing now that their supply of vapid post game interviews have been cut off should absolutely check out this video.
posted by mark k at 11:34 PM on March 15, 2020
posted by mark k at 11:34 PM on March 15, 2020
I have a communal book exchange shelf in my front yard. Yesterday, I found it stuffed with as many as 12 brand new books! They all have stickers from the local bookstore. Hmm!
posted by Too-Ticky at 2:50 AM on March 16, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by Too-Ticky at 2:50 AM on March 16, 2020 [3 favorites]
So I got a job offer recently that I was really stressing out about.
Today I told my boss about the offer and the reasons for considering it (substantially more money), and he took it really, really well. He said "I'd be sorry to see you go. I like working with you, you're a good mate, and you're good at your job." (He's going to see if management here will pay more, but it's very, very unlikely.)
He also said that feeling guilty about leaving him with all the work of our two-person team was kind of silly because "It's the university's problem, not yours". He's a good dude.
Still dealing with the new-job anxiety, though, and the prospect of moving. Could use a hug, small dog, or large cat.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 4:04 AM on March 16, 2020 [10 favorites]
Today I told my boss about the offer and the reasons for considering it (substantially more money), and he took it really, really well. He said "I'd be sorry to see you go. I like working with you, you're a good mate, and you're good at your job." (He's going to see if management here will pay more, but it's very, very unlikely.)
He also said that feeling guilty about leaving him with all the work of our two-person team was kind of silly because "It's the university's problem, not yours". He's a good dude.
Still dealing with the new-job anxiety, though, and the prospect of moving. Could use a hug, small dog, or large cat.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 4:04 AM on March 16, 2020 [10 favorites]
I finally found some shoes that fit! First New Balance changed their shoes so they were tighter in the toes, then Brooks did. I have freakishly wide feet and every millimeter of space counts.
i have more pairs getting shipped to me, and the shoes come in different colors so I can designate one color as Work Shoes and one color for Walking/Gym shoes.
My old shoes were literally falling apart and letting water leak in, so this is a small thing that makes me very happy.
posted by creepygirl at 9:56 AM on March 16, 2020 [2 favorites]
i have more pairs getting shipped to me, and the shoes come in different colors so I can designate one color as Work Shoes and one color for Walking/Gym shoes.
My old shoes were literally falling apart and letting water leak in, so this is a small thing that makes me very happy.
posted by creepygirl at 9:56 AM on March 16, 2020 [2 favorites]
Most of us will outlive Trump.
posted by pee tape at 11:22 AM on March 16, 2020 [8 favorites]
posted by pee tape at 11:22 AM on March 16, 2020 [8 favorites]
We unpacked some of my partner's college ceramics work, finally. There was a nice wide, flat bowl that we decided to use for the cat's water dish (as she was previously using a Tupperware container). It's black with a bunch of big white spots on the inside.
Cat refused to drink out of it all day. She kept coming over and sniffing it and staring at it and wouldn't drink. Finally we clocked to the problem, and my partner grabbed an identically shaped ceramic bowl that was just a solid lavender color, no spots. We put it next to the spotted bowl and she drank from it IMMEDIATELY. I don't know what was going on in her little cat brain but I'm tickled.
posted by brook horse at 11:23 AM on March 16, 2020 [11 favorites]
Cat refused to drink out of it all day. She kept coming over and sniffing it and staring at it and wouldn't drink. Finally we clocked to the problem, and my partner grabbed an identically shaped ceramic bowl that was just a solid lavender color, no spots. We put it next to the spotted bowl and she drank from it IMMEDIATELY. I don't know what was going on in her little cat brain but I'm tickled.
posted by brook horse at 11:23 AM on March 16, 2020 [11 favorites]
I mean I wouldn't drink out of a cup full of unidentifiable white globs either tbh!
posted by bleep at 12:49 PM on March 16, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by bleep at 12:49 PM on March 16, 2020 [6 favorites]
My kid figured out how to ride a bike in about ten minutes yesterday morning. By mid-morning he was racing one of the neighbor kids up and down the bike path.
posted by sciencegeek at 2:25 PM on March 16, 2020 [7 favorites]
posted by sciencegeek at 2:25 PM on March 16, 2020 [7 favorites]
Related to the opera comment, this shows Italian tenor Maurizio Marchini serenading his neighbors with Nessun dorma. It made me cry.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 3:41 PM on March 16, 2020 [4 favorites]
posted by kitten kaboodle at 3:41 PM on March 16, 2020 [4 favorites]
Just posted on my Insta : Despite appearances, my cat is not nearly this well-trained. I knew he was planning to jump, but the signal was a complete coincidence.
posted by Sparky Buttons at 8:05 PM on March 16, 2020 [8 favorites]
posted by Sparky Buttons at 8:05 PM on March 16, 2020 [8 favorites]
I took 20 credits this quarter (the normal amount is 15) and for my final grades, I got 98% in two classes and 99% in the other two. This is after flunking out of college not once, but three times in the past decade. Fourth try's the charm I guess!
posted by mollywas at 8:21 PM on March 16, 2020 [18 favorites]
posted by mollywas at 8:21 PM on March 16, 2020 [18 favorites]
It's so nice to read all of the kind and graceful responses on Ask. Even when a question may seem similar to another we are all taking a second or two to realize that the best way to answer a question is to realize all of us are anxious in some way. And we are doing it.
Sending out kindness to each other is sooooo important and every virtual hug makes me smile.
posted by mightshould at 2:44 AM on March 17, 2020 [4 favorites]
Sending out kindness to each other is sooooo important and every virtual hug makes me smile.
posted by mightshould at 2:44 AM on March 17, 2020 [4 favorites]
Things are kind of rough right now. Take a break and watch a corgi who can solve mazes.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 6:31 AM on March 17, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 6:31 AM on March 17, 2020 [3 favorites]
I just accepted an offer for the job I referenced here. Obviously on-boarding is going to be very complicated by the state of the world, but it's a big pay bump and seems like a good job with a good place to work, so this is a major load off my mind.
posted by firechicago at 8:53 AM on March 17, 2020 [8 favorites]
posted by firechicago at 8:53 AM on March 17, 2020 [8 favorites]
Here’s something I thought was fucking amazing: Andrew Cuomo’s press conference this morning. Factual and compassionate, acknowledging that the situation is bad, here’s what we’re doing, people are going to die, this is hard and scary for all of us in these specific ways that I personally can relate to, but it is only for this amount of time, not forever.
This is how you do it. You tell the truth and you don’t tell people how to feel. It’s the exact opposite of Trump saying “Relax. We’re doing great.”
posted by HotToddy at 10:23 AM on March 17, 2020 [4 favorites]
This is how you do it. You tell the truth and you don’t tell people how to feel. It’s the exact opposite of Trump saying “Relax. We’re doing great.”
posted by HotToddy at 10:23 AM on March 17, 2020 [4 favorites]
Arnold Schwarzenegger in his house with miniature horse Whiskey and donkey Lulu, warning folks to stay home. Plus Judi Dench and some other celebs encouraging proper protocols.
posted by Glinn at 10:37 AM on March 17, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by Glinn at 10:37 AM on March 17, 2020 [2 favorites]
Yeah, I am not a Cuomo fan at all but I have been impressed with how he is handling this situation.
posted by ferret branca at 10:41 AM on March 17, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by ferret branca at 10:41 AM on March 17, 2020 [3 favorites]
My toothpaste tube ran out. Hurray, now I get to pick a new one! Previous one was ginger/melissa, nice but rather weaksauce. I have:
- mint/lavender
- mint/orange
Mefi, tell me, which one should I pick? Lavender or orange, orange or lavender? What do?
posted by Too-Ticky at 10:55 AM on March 17, 2020 [2 favorites]
- mint/lavender
- mint/orange
Mefi, tell me, which one should I pick? Lavender or orange, orange or lavender? What do?
posted by Too-Ticky at 10:55 AM on March 17, 2020 [2 favorites]
I adopted an FeLV+ kitty over the weekend and he's just discovered the pleasure of a sunny windowsill.
posted by easy, lucky, free at 2:40 PM on March 17, 2020 [7 favorites]
posted by easy, lucky, free at 2:40 PM on March 17, 2020 [7 favorites]
Turns out that Friday the 13th was actually the last possible fine day to get married, and pi day the last possible fine day to have a small reception, so I’m glad that that worked out.
posted by Going To Maine at 3:56 PM on March 17, 2020 [10 favorites]
posted by Going To Maine at 3:56 PM on March 17, 2020 [10 favorites]
There's a free St. Patrick's day concert online by the Dropkick Murphy's, happening right now. And it's making me very happy! Facebook link - you can rewind to the beginning. No log-in needed (as far as I can tell).
sláinte!
posted by hydra77 at 5:08 PM on March 17, 2020 [4 favorites]
sláinte!
posted by hydra77 at 5:08 PM on March 17, 2020 [4 favorites]
MeFites are amazing! There are details, but I don't wanna call anyone out without permission, but I have felt the love, and am soooo grateful for this community right now!
posted by MuChao at 5:28 PM on March 17, 2020 [4 favorites]
posted by MuChao at 5:28 PM on March 17, 2020 [4 favorites]
Both of my kids were about to get expelled from home school after only two days, for gross insubordination and refusing to wear pants to class. But I talked to their teacher (Mrs Inflatablekiwi) and she’s giving them another chance.
posted by inflatablekiwi at 10:18 AM on March 18, 2020 [10 favorites]
posted by inflatablekiwi at 10:18 AM on March 18, 2020 [10 favorites]
On the plus side, I'm very fortunate that my place of employment has put everyone on paid leave, including part-timers and those who are unable to work from home (I don't know how long this will last but as a governmental entity that has a largely unionized staff, I hope and pray that it would be for as long as we're closed).
I'm not sure how much of cold comfort it is since so few people are able to be tested and it's still early, but more people who've been tested for COVID-19 were found to have negative, rather than positive results, in the USA. (Data is compiled by folks, notably Erin Kissane and Alexis C. Madrigal)
posted by fizzix at 1:23 PM on March 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
The kitties have loved me being home and the windows open with mid 70 degree weather here. I made a decent meal tonight instead of racing home and grabbing a bite. The ambiance is great but the pay is nil..... cannot have it all; but living the good life for now. Head is fully entrenched in sand till tomorrow.
posted by mightshould at 4:07 PM on March 18, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by mightshould at 4:07 PM on March 18, 2020 [2 favorites]
This might seem like it should go in the fucking fuck thread, but hear me out.
My dad is the international president of a service organization that has members worldwide. Being president is the pinnacle of his 30+ years of service. He is president for one year, and the thing he was looking forward to most in that year was the organization’s annual convention, which was supposed to happen this summer, with ~30-40,000 attendees.
Today, he had to announce to the members around the world that he has decided to cancel the convention. In addition to considering cancellation, staff of the organization had been trying to come up with options to postpone, to do a smaller event, or to otherwise have something, but my dad said, no, the only responsible decision was to cancel it entirely. At any convention in 2020, no matter if delayed or reduced, coronavirus will be an attendee.
Dad seems to think he shouldn’t get credit for it; he thinks anyone in his shoes would have made the same decision.
But I see it this way: this summer, I will be working as a doctor for the first time. In my career, even if I’m lucky, I don’t think I’ll have the opportunity to save as many lives as my dad just did by canceling the event he has been hoping for for years.
He’s so sad right now, but I am SO INCREDIBLY PROUD.
posted by ocherdraco at 10:07 PM on March 18, 2020 [13 favorites]
My dad is the international president of a service organization that has members worldwide. Being president is the pinnacle of his 30+ years of service. He is president for one year, and the thing he was looking forward to most in that year was the organization’s annual convention, which was supposed to happen this summer, with ~30-40,000 attendees.
Today, he had to announce to the members around the world that he has decided to cancel the convention. In addition to considering cancellation, staff of the organization had been trying to come up with options to postpone, to do a smaller event, or to otherwise have something, but my dad said, no, the only responsible decision was to cancel it entirely. At any convention in 2020, no matter if delayed or reduced, coronavirus will be an attendee.
Dad seems to think he shouldn’t get credit for it; he thinks anyone in his shoes would have made the same decision.
But I see it this way: this summer, I will be working as a doctor for the first time. In my career, even if I’m lucky, I don’t think I’ll have the opportunity to save as many lives as my dad just did by canceling the event he has been hoping for for years.
He’s so sad right now, but I am SO INCREDIBLY PROUD.
posted by ocherdraco at 10:07 PM on March 18, 2020 [13 favorites]
orcherdraco, that's an amazing tribute to your dad's ability to do the best for all concerned. I wish more like this could be shared to the media for widespread distribution.
posted by mightshould at 5:32 AM on March 19, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by mightshould at 5:32 AM on March 19, 2020 [1 favorite]
My doctor's office gave me a refill of my anti-anxiety medication when I made an online request, even though they usually make me come in to the office for a refill. Now I have it and I feel so much less anxious even without having to take any of the medication.
posted by Daily Alice at 6:48 AM on March 19, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by Daily Alice at 6:48 AM on March 19, 2020 [6 favorites]
So today I turned down that job offer I've been going on about.
Why? Because when I went to go give my notice a few days ago, my boss's boss turned around and offered me a promotion and pay increase to stay. Most of the paperwork is going through in the next few days. (It's being slowed down a bit by, y'know, everything right now.) It's only around 10% less than the other job would have been, there's an automatic increment at the end of the year, and I don't have to pack up and move our entire house for the second time in less than three years.
Today was the official okay from upper-upper management and HR, apparently, and I found out that the final sign-off was from a person seven--seven--levels up on the org chart from me. That's like maybe one step from the very top. They must really want me to stay.
It's all a relief (not having to move) and kind of a good feeling (that people like me enough to hang on to me).
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 10:35 AM on March 19, 2020 [7 favorites]
Why? Because when I went to go give my notice a few days ago, my boss's boss turned around and offered me a promotion and pay increase to stay. Most of the paperwork is going through in the next few days. (It's being slowed down a bit by, y'know, everything right now.) It's only around 10% less than the other job would have been, there's an automatic increment at the end of the year, and I don't have to pack up and move our entire house for the second time in less than three years.
Today was the official okay from upper-upper management and HR, apparently, and I found out that the final sign-off was from a person seven--seven--levels up on the org chart from me. That's like maybe one step from the very top. They must really want me to stay.
It's all a relief (not having to move) and kind of a good feeling (that people like me enough to hang on to me).
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 10:35 AM on March 19, 2020 [7 favorites]
Several of the sites I work at are now offering telemedicine training for their students, which is awesome because I've always wanted to get into telemedicine but never knew how. As a chronically ill person it would be life-changing to be able to work from home even a little bit. But the rules around telemedicine are so complicated that I'd given up on that being a thing until well into my career when I have time to look into it. But now I have time and people are offering free training! So, that's a big silver lining.
posted by brook horse at 11:39 AM on March 19, 2020 [4 favorites]
posted by brook horse at 11:39 AM on March 19, 2020 [4 favorites]
NAPLAN has been cancelled!!! Finally something cancelled that is worth celebrating.
posted by freethefeet at 8:37 PM on March 19, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by freethefeet at 8:37 PM on March 19, 2020 [1 favorite]
I have to tell you, so far I am getting immense pleasure from quarantine cooking. I like assessing what we have, what needs to get used up first, how many meals I can get out of it, whether the leftovers will freeze well, how I can make it to use a bit less of the really nice ingredient so we can have another meal with that later.
I was getting so stressed out at work trying to keep track of what I had touched and keeping my office sanitized and trying to keep a safe distance away from others that now that I'm working from home I am in heaven! It is such a relief to be home. I love home! I keep hearing all our government officials reassuring us that we're not going into lockdown and I'm like, please, lock me down! I would LOVE to be stuck at home for a few weeks.
And also, I do like my job, and I like it even better now that I can use my brain breaks to switch the laundry or put a batch of baked oatmeal in the oven instead of what I do at work, which is obsess over coronavirus news on the internet. And I do it wearing sweatpants. And when 5:00 rolls around, I close my laptop and head out with my dog, and it's light enough now that we can go for a real hike with plenty of daylight.
Pretty much, other than the fear of losing a loved one or getting seriously ill myself or losing my job or having to work the rest of my life because my retirement savings evaporated in the great coronavirus crash of 2020, I'm delighted with my life.
posted by HotToddy at 10:57 PM on March 19, 2020 [4 favorites]
I was getting so stressed out at work trying to keep track of what I had touched and keeping my office sanitized and trying to keep a safe distance away from others that now that I'm working from home I am in heaven! It is such a relief to be home. I love home! I keep hearing all our government officials reassuring us that we're not going into lockdown and I'm like, please, lock me down! I would LOVE to be stuck at home for a few weeks.
And also, I do like my job, and I like it even better now that I can use my brain breaks to switch the laundry or put a batch of baked oatmeal in the oven instead of what I do at work, which is obsess over coronavirus news on the internet. And I do it wearing sweatpants. And when 5:00 rolls around, I close my laptop and head out with my dog, and it's light enough now that we can go for a real hike with plenty of daylight.
Pretty much, other than the fear of losing a loved one or getting seriously ill myself or losing my job or having to work the rest of my life because my retirement savings evaporated in the great coronavirus crash of 2020, I'm delighted with my life.
posted by HotToddy at 10:57 PM on March 19, 2020 [4 favorites]
ETA: Aaaaannnddd I posted this in the wrong place. Great.
We have a small house, about 900 sq feet, and my 2 young kids are of course home with me. My husband has to work at his office although they’re rotating staff and doing their best to maintain distance (this is really stressful for me, but he can’t lose his job and what can we do?). I’m “working from home” but not really doing anything yet because I can’t focus or even have a desk area. I know universally that our house is not small. But we live in a midwestern suburb. Our neighbors and friends have yards with play sets and nice playrooms and at least three bathrooms and big garages and .... I just feel really overwhelmed thinking how I’m going to get through this. I don’t have time it feels like others have for deep cleaning and sanitizing everything. My 4-yr old is going to be so sad when he realizes he won’t see his teachers and school friends again. He was finally getting comfortable at school. My oldest is ok, but she doesn’t understand the extent of what the isolation will be. My parents are very close to us usually and I’m worried for them and we’re already really missing them. Financially I’m terrified because we have a bunch of savings invested in a small business and of course that’s in jeopardy now. I’m trying to keep perspective and I do know I’m far luckier than most, but this is a lot.
posted by areaperson at 7:56 AM on March 20, 2020 [2 favorites]
We have a small house, about 900 sq feet, and my 2 young kids are of course home with me. My husband has to work at his office although they’re rotating staff and doing their best to maintain distance (this is really stressful for me, but he can’t lose his job and what can we do?). I’m “working from home” but not really doing anything yet because I can’t focus or even have a desk area. I know universally that our house is not small. But we live in a midwestern suburb. Our neighbors and friends have yards with play sets and nice playrooms and at least three bathrooms and big garages and .... I just feel really overwhelmed thinking how I’m going to get through this. I don’t have time it feels like others have for deep cleaning and sanitizing everything. My 4-yr old is going to be so sad when he realizes he won’t see his teachers and school friends again. He was finally getting comfortable at school. My oldest is ok, but she doesn’t understand the extent of what the isolation will be. My parents are very close to us usually and I’m worried for them and we’re already really missing them. Financially I’m terrified because we have a bunch of savings invested in a small business and of course that’s in jeopardy now. I’m trying to keep perspective and I do know I’m far luckier than most, but this is a lot.
posted by areaperson at 7:56 AM on March 20, 2020 [2 favorites]
Animal Crossing is out. My spouse knew how excited I was (and how many years I've been waiting for this) and found out the precise time I could start playing. And last night, at 9pm, watched me play it on the TV. (I normally play the switch handheld on it's small screen.) I like that he was that excited for me. And it's something making me happy for an hour or two every day, for probably the next year.
posted by Margalo Epps at 4:33 PM on March 20, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by Margalo Epps at 4:33 PM on March 20, 2020 [2 favorites]
Margalo Epps, I'm the same boat. Crafting! The pro design editor! ORVILLE! AHHHHH
posted by brook horse at 5:46 PM on March 20, 2020
posted by brook horse at 5:46 PM on March 20, 2020
With all the video calls, virtual happy hours, book reading/concert live streams, etc. I think my social life is actually more active than Back In The Day when I had to like, leave the house to see people (which, to be clear, happened almost never)! Wild!
posted by btfreek at 7:45 PM on March 20, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by btfreek at 7:45 PM on March 20, 2020 [1 favorite]
I actually have friends now! That's pretty good.
I'm looking for an online tabletop group... Somehow. I'm not sure how to find one that I would actually enjoy being in!
posted by Freeze Peach at 2:22 PM on March 21, 2020 [1 favorite]
I'm looking for an online tabletop group... Somehow. I'm not sure how to find one that I would actually enjoy being in!
posted by Freeze Peach at 2:22 PM on March 21, 2020 [1 favorite]
Here is a youtube video of police in Brazil singing in the street to people stuck in their houses.
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 1:33 AM on March 24, 2020
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 1:33 AM on March 24, 2020
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posted by Fizz at 11:59 AM on March 13, 2020 [6 favorites]