Wednesday May 20th #LaughterSpreadsFaster

Directors Of The Bored, Good Morning!

Today is apparently due to be the hottest day this week according to the forecast.

Of course it is, because the weather’s doing that thing where it builds false hope ahead of a Bank Holiday Weekend, only to slaughter it without even a shred of sympathy a few short daylight hours into Saturday.

So long as we know.

Not that it matters one jot if you’re at home right now – the barbie can come out anytime, and ours will be getting fired up today. I’m drooling at the thought.

The weather’s been good enough here to be outside nearly every day.

Let me qualify that statement. In Scotland we’re not afforded the option to be overly selective with our days for being out. It boils down to this – if there are no frozen particles or liquids falling from the sky, that’s your window, so get out there. Wind and temperature don’t really enter into consideration. That’s about as picky as we can be.

Summarised by Billy Connolly in something akin to the following – “You can always tell the Scottish people on holiday. We’re the ones who spend the first week turning from blue to white.”

As you read that, in your head you heard Billy’s voice.

Amazing.

Every time.

Anyway, after blogging, (and a wee bit podcasting), it’s another day in the garden for me. I’m putting off deciding whether this is down to opportunity and boredom or another perilous sign of middle age.

On with the show.

People Are Amazing

It pleases me greatly that today I don’t have to look too far from home to give you a few examples of behaviour, where, simply put, one person has gone out of their way to make another’s life that little bit better.

That, in a nutshell is what this section is about.

First up, this house in Aberdeen.

And next, a couple of examples from the village nearest our own, Torphins.

This though, is my favourite. The lady responsible for this makes Christmas Scene Post Box Toppers out of wool every year, and they just appear in the village, as if by magic, overnight.

During this period, she’s been knitting a scene featuring essential workers from the village, and now she’s done this, presumably with bored village kids in mind. Beautiful idea.

The Useful

Here’s a little video featuring Judy Murray, on what she’s been doing to help get herself through Lockdown, but I admit, I’m only here for Duncan.

In one of my other jobs right now, I’m hosting a podcast with business recovery expert, Gerald Krasner, on what you should be doing to help take your business safely out of Lockdown into the new normal. If you’re at all interested you can listen where you normally do on Apple, Spotify or Deezer. Or watch us on youtube.

One of Gerald’s lessons is ‘Adapt Or Die’.

Chances are, the business model you had going into Lockdown will not be the same coming out, and you may have to be very quick to pivot and react.

This story, to my mind, is a perfect example of that kind of thought process in action.

Harris Tweed face masks Submitted via Stan Arnauld14/05/20

Harris Tweed face masks are flying out the door, direct from The Outer Hebrides.

Personally though, I’ll be going for one of these.

That’s just my favourite. There’s an entire range.

This one is useful for a select few, but boy is it useful.

Qatar Airways are giving away 100,000 tickets to healthcare workers.

There’s a nurse’s outfit somewhere in your house.

Last time my missus looked hers out was when we wanted to make sure we got petrol during the fuel strikes, so we dressed her as an essential worker.

Here’s a clever idea. How to sunbathe in a park, whilst guaranteeing you remain socially distant.

Funny how different times bring different reactions to the same thing. When The Mysterons beamed circles onto the ground Captain Scarlet and his pals ran for the hills, and to the best of my knowledge Coronavirus couldn’t harm him in any way.

If you’ve been wondering what’s going to happen for the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge this year, (the only stones in the world to rival Mick and Keef for reverence and age) the decision’s been taken to broadcast the sunrise there, online to avoid a potentially harmful mass gathering. So you can enjoy the event from home on your laptop.

I can’t imagine how few druids that sentiment actually addresses.

Lastly for today in The Useful, I can think of a few reasons why this won’t work and you’ll dismiss it out of hand completely. But maybe you should think twice.

Got kids? Got a garden with a bit of space? Got the blues because you can’t get away on holiday this year?

Then maybe, if you’re fortunate enough to have the cash, you could get this on Amazon.

World Of The Weird

Change is happening.

Because it’s so peaceful, animal behaviour is altering, and there are examples all over the planet showcasing the natural world pop its head out to have a look at what’s really out there.

But it’s not just animal behaviour that’s turned a little odd. If humans can only get outside for a little while very sporadically they’re determined to make the most of it.

Here’s the thing. I bet you these folk, despite being neighbours, had never even met before. Barely said a “hello”. And the peculiarly British aspect about all this is that after Coronavirus they’ll simply revert to that behaviour again pretending this had never happened.

Even Bucks Fizz are reluctantly now prepared to admit it actually happened.

Things That Make You Go Awwwwww

Moose is a Therapet who’s been helping students on a University Campus for over 8 years. Now, it’s his turn to receive an honorary doctorate.

Look at him in his wee mortar board.

Things We’ve Discovered In Lockdown.

The world’s oldest gaming YouTuber is a 90 year old granny from Japan.

Her channel, Gaming Grandma has over 150,000 subscribers who watch her play the likes of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Resident Evil 3 and even Dark Souls 3.