Morning!
Looks like another OK day, certainly on the Deeside Riviera.
I hope you’re able to get out and enjoy it somehow. I keep seeing photos of packed parks, which is driving me insane.
Yesterday, I thought we’d relaxed the laws and I’d stumbled upon an orienteering competition in our local woods because I walked past about 30 people, and that’s not a word of a lie.
I don’t think I’ve met that many in total in the 20 years we’ve lived here, and along the riverbank was just as bad.
As I felt myself slowly working up to a stage where I was about to froth at the mouth, and possibly yell at a woman whose dog wasn’t on a lead, and tormenting mine which was, I somehow managed to take stock of the situation, and step back a little from the moment.
All of those people were probably thinking much the same as I was….”What the hell are this lot doing here? Don’t they know there’s a quarantine on?!”
None of the groups I met were breaking any laws, strictly speaking. Probably not even the thoughtless woman who refused to put her dog on a lead. They were all in small family groups, possibly all using their allotted one hour of daily exercise, all obeying the two metre rule. They just happened to be in the same place at the same time.
So perhaps we need to stagger timings for exercise as well as the overall duration. I’ll take the daylight hours.
Glad we got that sorted.
OK, full transparency.
There’s a bit in today’s blog where you’ll have a wobble. A wee moment. But it’s a happy moment. I’ll warn you when we get there.
There’s all the funnies too. Really, it’s an emotional rollercoaster. Strap in.
First, a reminder that we clap for our key workers at 8pm. I think the response to this varies wildly depending on where you are.
We’ve been on the front doorstep every week, and in the first week we were part of a crowd, but it’s dwindled as time’s gone on. Now, I think we act almost as a reminder to everyone else in the street to throw the last of their tea down their throats and get out there for fear of not being seen.
Then, immediately after, we go back indoors, slump on the sofa, check Facebook absent-mindedly, only to see someone else’s street looking broadly like T In The Park or Trnsmt!
Anyway, tonight, you may as well keep on clapping. It’s the 75th anniversary of VE Day tomorrow.
The Useful
I’ve mentioned here before the brilliance of Harry Potter At Home. One of the many things they’re organising during Lockdown includes a celebrity read version of the first book, featuring a whole host of Harry related stars.
And David Beckham.
Truthfully, not sure how that one came about, but it saves an hour for Posh before having to explain again why he can’t organise a full eleven-aside in the back garden.
Take a look at this, and wait for your heart to do a tiny leap at the end.
Next up – my kind of useful.
It can be a worrying time for a multitude of reasons right now, not least because of job concerns.
Many, (possibly you), may find themselves looking for new employment as we come out of Lockdown, but, by all accounts, the shutters aren’t going to be thrown up on every business instantaneously. There will be stages of reintroduction and elements of social distancing evident for some time.
So, if you apply for a job, chances are you may be interviewed by video call.
Knowing how to ace that process could be the fine line that secures that new position.
Staying with the likes of Zoom for just a moment, loads of people have been playing online quizzes using it. Mostly with family and friends.
At this stage though, coming up with new, original categories for rounds is becoming harder, so here are a few ideas.
I especially enjoyed the “Guess The Movie” round.
Finally in The Useful for today, possibly the most useful advice for my own household – How To Deal With QuaranTEENS.
There are a good few tips in that article.
My take away summary is, stick them in their room, slide a pizza under the door every couple of days, let them out when they’re twenty.
I’ve just having Legal check up on that for me, and then I’ll get back to you when we’re green-lit. I can’t foresee any issues.
World Of The Weird
Often my favourite section, this – where we look at changing behaviours during Lockdown. Quite regularly, as in today’s examples, the biggest changes are witnessed in animals.
Take Bleu, for instance. (Please!) She’s helping soothe her owners through Lockdown by creating beautiful music daily.
Mabel, meanwhile, is self-isolating with her hoomans in Chile. They’ve got no real problems, unless those hungry Condors, (which are never seen in the city) figure out how to open the windows.
Things That Make You Go Awwwwww
Ever wondered what your toddler keeps in their pockets all day?
Does it vary much by country?
Well, if nothing else, Coronavirus has afforded a lot of us the time to investigate these queries.
I love these.
Yes, Brigid, age 4, from USA had a car key, because of course she does.
Get more here, or alternatively, simply wait for the repair call-out for your washing machine or tumble dryer and let it be a surprise.
Next up, here’s a job which is probably easier during Coronavirus than it would otherwise normally be.
And finally today for Things That Make You Go Awwwwww, that piece I warned you about at the beginning, and I’m doing so again here.
You’ll have a wobble. But it’s a good one. Ready?
OK.
Go.
Told you. Don’t worry. It’s time for The Funnies.
Today’s News In Brief
Let’s finish, as always, with some music.
How about some Garth Brooks
Thanks for reading.
Stay safe x
#LaughterSpreadsFaster
Sociable Distance 