Shut down leisure activities-what are y'all doing to pass the time?

[kh54s10]

I am single, no kids, and well past schooling age. But I would be willing to say that if a parent was motivated enough, with all the technology available. (I would think there would be good online or computer home schooling programs, but I don't know for sure) that parent could do a much better job teaching their kids than the public schools.

When I was a kid I had one good session of learning out of all my schooling. That was a special summer school program. I learned more in that 6 or 8 weeks than I did in any 2 or 3 grades. Especially the year that I needed it. I had an exceptionally bad teacher that year and had to go to be passed for the year.

 

[IanJ]

Locked down in a tiny NYC apartment in the middle of this pandemic... not much to do and starting to go stir crazy. Might try and learn to code or something else once I have the mental energy to focus, but for now all I can feel is stress/anxiety.

Leisure activities in a small living space with no outdoor access are relatively hard to come by.

 

[SEndorf]

When this sh!t is finally over, I think we'll have another generation of babyboomers…..

 

[day_trippr]

Oh yeah, there's definitely gonna be a spike in toddlers nine months out.
I've already invested heavily in Proctor & Gamble and Nestlé, expecting an epic spike in Pampers® and Gerber Baby Food consumption next December

Cheers!

 

[McKnuckle]

The latest brilliant move is that our county executive just ordered all 35 county parks to close as of tomorrow morning. Parks. Outside. Where we desperately need to be, with weather warming, and so few options for sanity and joy remaining.

Keep in mind we're not talking about closed spaces here at all. Not places where people congregate in crowds. It's paths and green areas, a collective refuge for enjoying nature and getting exercise.

I'm taking this epidemic and the new restrictions very seriously, and I am appropriately anxious about it all. I'm not a naysayer or general complainer about what we have to do. But this just sucks.

 

[day_trippr]

As crazy as you may think that sounds, the beaches in the Bahamas islands are closed - and the local gendarmes will hassle anyone found strolling the beaches.

Walking the Queens Highway (every island has one) is no problem. Beaches? Nope.

Anyway...here's some encouraging news. All the world needs next is a supportive care regimen (basically, some antiviral(s) that work(s) against C19) and then a vaccine, and we'll be good to go...until the next batpoopy pandemic...

https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucej...e-minute-rapid-coronavirus-test/#2b093c846086

Cheers!

 

[BruceH]

The latest brilliant move is that our county executive just ordered all 35 county parks to close as of tomorrow morning. Parks. Outside. Where we desperately need to be, with weather warming, and so few options for sanity and joy remaining.

Keep in mind we're not talking about closed spaces here at all. Not places where people congregate in crowds. It's paths and green areas, a collective refuge for enjoying nature and getting exercise.

I'm taking this epidemic and the new restrictions very seriously, and I am appropriately anxious about it all. I'm not a naysayer or general complainer about what we have to do. But this just sucks.

I have empathy for the insanity you have to endure. Our state has closed down all fishing for fear of too many people congregating and becoming ill.

 

[kh54s10]

Locked down in a tiny NYC apartment in the middle of this pandemic... not much to do and starting to go stir crazy. Might try and learn to code or something else once I have the mental energy to focus, but for now all I can feel is stress/anxiety.

Leisure activities in a small living space with no outdoor access are relatively hard to come by.

Why not go outside for a walk. If you are not near other people you are highly unlikely to get or spread the disease. Are the lockdowns in those states that strict?

 

[corkybstewart]

Locked down in a tiny NYC apartment in the middle of this pandemic... not much to do and starting to go stir crazy. Might try and learn to code or something else once I have the mental energy to focus, but for now all I can feel is stress/anxiety.

Leisure activities in a small living space with no outdoor access are relatively hard to come by.

That would kill me. I've got to have room to move around. My ADD would destroy me.

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

The latest brilliant move is that our county executive just ordered all 35 county parks to close as of tomorrow morning. Parks. Outside. Where we desperately need to be, with weather warming, and so few options for sanity and joy remaining.

Keep in mind we're not talking about closed spaces here at all. Not places where people congregate in crowds. It's paths and green areas, a collective refuge for enjoying nature and getting exercise.

I'm taking this epidemic and the new restrictions very seriously, and I am appropriately anxious about it all. I'm not a naysayer or general complainer about what we have to do. But this just sucks.

I heard Chicago ended up doing this, but largely because people were congregating and doing things like playing basketball and other sports in groups...

In other words, idiots ruined it for the rest of everyone.

 

[kh54s10]

I went searching and in Florida the parks are closed. The reasoning were the congregation areas and that more people would be using the bathrooms and such creating more work and hazard for the park staff. I accept that. Most of the parks trails and such are still accessible. They closed the beach ramps to curtail the crowds. People can drive on the beach here if the tide is right and in normal times. The beach itself is not closed. This cut down on the amount of people travelling from inland to the beach.

 

[IanJ]

Why not go outside for a walk. If you are not near other people you are highly unlikely to get or spread the disease. Are the lockdowns in those states that strict?

I've gone a few times with caution, but considering the rampant spreading around here, we've essentially been told to avoid being outside unless for a quick trip for food or healthcare, maybe a quick run for exercise. Lots of people are out there ignoring the rules, congregating in groups, not protecting themselves or others by not social distancing as they should.

Doing as much avoiding of others and being sanitary as possible, you can only do so much about other people's rudeness. A quick walk is basically it, but not enough to quell what could become months of being locked inside during the only decent weather all year. Plus I've got a 6 month old baby at home so getting sick would be extremely rough.

Anyhow, might try and brew soon just to have something to do

 

[matt_m]

I find it interesting that some of you seem to have schools closed, and no instruction is happening. Here in NJ, our schools are closed but we have online distance learning from 8-12 every day. It's not literally a "school's out for the summer" situation!

Michigan in its infinite wisdom ruled it is illegal and "that woman" vaguely gave a conflicting response but the state has yet to give any guidance. Luckily my daughter goes to a private school. Its in our student handbook we can--intended to keep on track during snowy winters but practice at those over the last decade gave us a good plan.

We don't have specific hours where there is teacher-led online instruction. It's basically self directed (or parent directed).

Ours is self directed. Students have to complete a Google form for attendance records. They are tracking submittal time and have to be logged into their school account to do it plus I think they are tracking IP's where they are submitted from. A couple teachers are doing google hangout for each of their classes once a week or so. I'd say 4 of her 7 classes, classroom time is more of a discussion/seminar which stinks she's missing that but its not the end of the world. The others are more of a college lecture/homework/test format.

These times are a bitch to have kids in school at any level. I don't envy the parents because someone still has to hover at home, but at least the kids are managing without losing a ton of progress...

Mine is a senior. They only have 24 days of class left. She can coast and graduate with honors but she's actually upstairs studying anatomy right now. Supposed to be headed off for nursing school in the fall so we reminded her a few of her classes she should make sure she gets everything she should out of because it will pay off next year. That said I have a lot of anxiety about what could change by then. I could easily see her having to take a gap year or worse completely changing her plans.

I asked her today what she thought of the current situation realizing that she could be in the thick of it if it was 5 years later. "Its part of the job" was her response.

 

[kh54s10]

I've gone a few times with caution, but considering the rampant spreading around here, we've essentially been told to avoid being outside unless for a quick trip for food or healthcare, maybe a quick run for exercise. Lots of people are out there ignoring the rules, congregating in groups, not protecting themselves or others by not social distancing as they should.

Doing as much avoiding of others and being sanitary as possible, you can only do so much about other people's rudeness. A quick walk is basically it, but not enough to quell what could become months of being locked inside during the only decent weather all year. Plus I've got a 6 month old baby at home so getting sick would be extremely rough.

Anyhow, might try and brew soon just to have something to do

Taking a walk.... People in my neighborhood have always walked around the sub-division. Keeping 6 feet from other people is super easy on the streets and sidewalks. If there is no one coughing or sneezing on you your chance of catching something taking a walk is virtually nil. Unless you touch things that are infected. Upon returning home remove your shoes outside and maybe even wash them. Then wash your hands.

As to others??? You can't fix stupid.

I did yard work yesterday and some projects in my garage today. Think I may take a bike ride later.

 

[madscientist451]

Two words:

PORN HUB



In reality, I don't have time for that....

I'm a government employee, don't get days off and get mandatoried into double shifts a few times a week. The stress is high but my drinking has been reduced and I've lost 15 lbs. I manage to sneak a few simple brews in now and then, I have a large stock of grain and hops on hand.

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

Taking a walk.... People in my neighborhood have always walked around the sub-division. Keeping 6 feet from other people is super easy on the streets and sidewalks. If there is no one coughing or sneezing on you your chance of catching something taking a walk is virtually nil. Unless you touch things that are infected. Upon returning home remove your shoes outside and maybe even wash them. Then wash your hands.

He mentioned he's in NYC. I think it's a little harder to avoid people on the sidewalks there

 

[kh54s10]

He mentioned he's in NYC. I think it's a little harder to avoid people on the sidewalks there

Missed that. He could take a Broadsword and swing it at anyone that came close. He would get an upper body workout at the same time.

 

[dwhite60]

I'm reviving old hobbies.

Used to do some screen printing. Got away from it for work and other things. Got the gear out, my chemicals and ink are still good. I'm printing! Going to make some shirts for my employer.

All the Best,
D. White

 

[corkybstewart]

Today my wife and I went rockhounding out in the Arizona desert 4 miles down a 2 track road 18 miles from the nearest town. Thought we were far away from anyone else. As we were leaving the spot a family in a jeep drove by. We all waved and kept our windows up.

 

[day_trippr]

Kinda cool thing happened here today: I live in a sprawling rural development of ~200 homes, and this afternoon families with youngsters assembled a caravan of ~18 vehicles with the kids standing through the sunroofs and did a slow roll all through the development tooting their horns and yelling and waving at onlookers.

I thought it was a brilliant idea to maintain the neighborhood bond even while we're all apart...

Cheers!

 

[corkybstewart]

Missed that. He could take a Broadsword and swing it at anyone that came close. He would get an upper body workout at the same time.

Or just sniff some black pepper and sneeze a few times. The sidewalks will clear instantly

 

[Br3w4u]

I have been spending my extra time trying to make music. Here is my most recent song if anyone is interested.

 

[stickyfinger]

i've done a TON of home repair/upgrades. painted my house, lots of firewood processing, rewired my first floor of my house. i have gotten so much done. it's insane. i made a huge list of everything i've wanted to do and have been knocking them off. i love it!

 

[kh54s10]

I built storage shelves in my garage and did some gardening in the 2 weeks that I took off from work. Now back at work and looked up our sales. (big box home improvement) We have been 20 - 28% busier for the last 2 1/2 months than we were last year. And families all shopping together.... So much for stay at home order.....

 

[day_trippr]

Over the last few weeks we've had strings of wet and cold weather briefly interrupted with a non-rainy day or two, but I managed to do two huge brush pile burns (today was the 2nd) which gets me done before the State closes the open burning season May 1 (and it's supposed to be mostly wet from today 'til then).

Otherwise...been fixing all those things around the house that have been patiently waiting their turns - thank goodness Amazon is still open for appliance repair parts!; doing some storage optimization in the humble brewery (3D stuff - hanging things inside spaces); and keeping the pipeline going - fruited my second 10 gallon batch of raspberry hibiscus wheat ("Now with more hibiscus!") and just started crashing a 5L 1056 starter for a ten gallon SMaSH IPA I'm going to do in a couple of days.

Frankly, the only part of this isolation thing (we've been at it since March 6th here) that really sucks is not being able to visit my kids and grandkids (especially the 7 month old). Skype helps (and thank goodness for that) but it's not the same.

Cheers! (Ugh. Got a bit maudlin there. Sorry...)

 

[corkybstewart]

I got my garden planted and something promptly ate most of it even eating the eggplant plants at ground level. I put a game cam in to see, it's a rock squirrel. I already have a 7' deer fence, by noon the whole garden will be surrounded with chicken wire, including a "roof". When that's done we're bricking a 200 sq. ft patio by the front porch. Idle hands are the devil's workshop and by sundown I'm too tired for devilment.

 

[TheMadKing]

I'm a VP of a small consulting firm, so we are pretty much designed from the ground up to be mobile/work from home. My wife and I (no kids) have been working normal 8 hour days in our home, and keeping up the discipline of "getting up and going to work" every day even though it's just down the hall.

We go to the store about once every 10 days for coffee and creamer and a couple side dishes. To pass the intervening time, we've been exercising (hiking and running), brewing beer almost every weekend, playing A LOT of video games suddenly (she plays Runescape, I play call of duty and Diablo 3), cooking elaborate dinners, I have been smoking my tobacco pipes too much, gardening, and obsessing about my lawn/watching my grass grow.

Honestly though we are quiet introverted people and this has been really enjoyable for us. We have been lucky enough to keep our jobs, and we are both disciplined people and have been just as effective (if not more) from home as we were holding down a desk all day. Not traveling for work has been really nice. Coming out of this, I am going to propose 2-3 optional work-from-home days per week at my company, because I get a lot more done without tons of questions from people walking into my office to solve their problems for them.

 

[McKnuckle]

I'm an engineering manager at a healthcare company, so we are open and in demand 24x7, although all physical offices are closed. In normal times, I enjoy working from home on Fridays, getting to putter around in my slippers without the potential for bosses to peer over my shoulder.

But now I'm home every single day, bantering over email and IM and conference calls where nobody knows how to mute themselves, and everyone talks at the same time. And then stops at the same time. And then talks... It sucks. Many of my co-workers are of foreign descent, and while I'm used to the accents over many years, it's hard on my aging ears, straining at times to cope with the raspy audio created by their headsets and speakerphones.

Fitness is a major escape. I run and lift, ideally every day, ideally outside (the running), even though literally all public outdoor parks are inaccessible. The dodgy April weather is getting to me, as I'm still suiting up to run like it's winter, and that's on the days without rain. Where's the #$&*ing sun and warmer weather? I managed to grab adjustable dumbbells and a bench from Amazon just before the real shutdown commenced, so while I prefer the gym, my basement will have to do.

Also, the lack of traffic has been a boon for cycling, which is normally quasi-suicidal around here. I've gotten out for a couple of nice rides so far.

Music is my other constant. I play guitar, bass, mandolin, ukulele, and drums. Right now I'm practicing my slap bass technique, learning lines from a few favorite songs, plus adjusting and tweaking some instruments.

I'm on a temporary break from brewing, all kegs being filled with a couple lagering in the wings. Just a volume thing, not lack of interest to be sure.

Still, can't wait for this nightmare to be over.

 

[corkybstewart]

Frankly, the only part of this isolation thing (we've been at it since March 6th here) that really sucks is not being able to visit my kids and grandkids (especially the 7 month old). Skype helps (and thank goodness for that) but it's not the same.

Cheers! (Ugh. Got a bit maudlin there. Sorry...)

Same here. we live in the woods with no close neighbors so we deliberately social distanced ourselves when we bought this house. But we had to cancel an Easter family reunion with our 2 kids and 3 grandkids, we won't get to see our grandson on his 2nd birthday, and we won't be going on vacation in June with our daughter and granddaughter.

 

[jrgtr42]

Yes, I worked for Digital from 1980 through 2000 (including the Compaq then HP eras) when I was poached by Stratus.
I was in the Memory Systems group for most of that, then got snapped up by the Midrange Systems group for the rest.
Worked in Shrewsbury (SHR), then Marlboro (MRO) then Parker Street (PKO) then finally the Mill (MLO) on 5-5.
Worked with some talented people (and a lot of nitwit managers) and picked up almost a dozen patents along the way.
Heck of a ride...

Cheers!

LOL. My dad worked at Data General in Westboro for a few years in the mid-80s, then over to Wang Labs in Lowell for a few more - he got to watch the fall of a previously-major company from the inside there... but he worked with a lot of former and future DEC people in those places... people always going back and forth between them, Prime, etc.


Personally, I'm not finding much time to do anything for myself. I have an almost 5-year old who'd been out for a month plus at this point. I was a week behind him, and my wife is working from home. We try to get some worksheets done in mornings, plus there's a former teacher who has an online series of "kindergarten club" programs - reading, writing, etc, It's kind of fun, if he'll sit still for it.
Other than that, I'm helping out a couple days a week at my wife's building - she's a social worker at an independent senior living building (she's the RA for a dorm for old folks! ) but I'm making more there per hour than my usual job by running packages and meals up to their apartments - they are HIGHLY encouraged to stay inside most of the time - a few dog walkers and going for a walk outside is allowed, but not hanging around in the common areas.
I was hoping to find time to brew a few batches, get stuff done outside, play some guitar - haven't had much for any of that.