Good Morning my Directors Of The Bored, here’s the Chairman Of The Board.
This, (if you’ve been following the blog, you’ll know) is the penultimate one. I said I would try my best to get you through this pandemic with a giggle, and I feel with things like cinemas, shops and pubs reopening we’re pretty much there. Plus, after today, I’m never going to be sober enough to face the right way at a keyboard, let alone type.
My kids start their school hols today, so that plays into it too. I want to spend some time with them. They’ve had a rough time of it as well, and I think people forget that. It’s tough enough working through this when you know exactly what’s going on, but when it’s fear of the unknown, something you don’t quite comprehend, it’s like the Bogey-Man. So because you haven’t got a clue, it’s even worse. And if you don’t believe me watch any of the government ministers take daily press briefings on the subject.
On top of that, most kids’ Home School Head Teacher resigned a week or so into the job, thanking fellow staff for their support and patience and with unanimous backing to go from the entire pupil community. That fractious period has taken its toll too.
Joking aside, I don’t think it’s easy for children, and sometimes we forget that with the burden of managing the rest of the day’s responsibilities getting in the way.
So I’m taking time out to spend with them and my missus, where the pressures of school are removed and we can just enjoy being a family for a bit.
On the subject of school though, I’m aware of a section of social media boiling over and scoffing wide-eyed and open-mouthed, frothingly incredulous at the prospect of teachers now ‘having 2 months off‘ when ‘they’ve had the whole of the last term off’, and ‘they’d better be ready to come back for next year’
Oh. My. God.
Now, before I delve into this a little deeper, I can only speak from my own experience. I know that across the board there are sweeping variations, but in our case, over the piece the schools have been nothing short of remarkable through this period. That includes Primary for our daughter and Secondary for our son.
Teachers have been ever present and willing, and the entire time behind the scenes, often they’re having to home school their own children as well. Entwined to all of that they’re trying to create contingency plans in the event some form of Blended Learning has to continue should Coronavirus not stay in retreat over the Summer.
I know from watching an online PTA Meeting a couple of weeks back, our own secondary school was already implementing everything required to reopen on the assumption social distancing would be in effect and the 2 metre rule would be present.
They discussed the school environment, moving between classes, school transport, the new school day, class ‘bubbles’, the fact blended learning would continue down to the point of explaining my son would be attending two full days, Monday and Tuesday one week, followed by Monday of the next and alternating across the weeks like this thereafter. They further explained why that had to be the way.
They were well on course to being absolutely ready, and they have to remain so in the event the contingency plans have to be enacted.
The next morning after that meeting, John Swinney stood up in Holyrood and said, fingers crossed none of that would happen. All because he’d taken pelters after suggesting there may be some form of measures still in place next year which may not allow exams to go forward as scheduled.
Pressure led to a very quick pivot.
I could almost feel our head teacher pulling her own hair out.
Anyhoo, the entire thing is this, teachers have not been slacking off smoking behind the bike shed.
Chances are, they’ve been working harder than they ever have.
They deserve your respect and a break. Please give it to them.
And now, on with the blog. Can somebody please help me down from this soapbox?
The Useful
Cheesed off at the prospect of no Summer Holiday?
This’ll lift your spirits, and ultimately your blood sugar level.
Amazon is selling an ice cream maker that even adds toppings.
World Of The Weird
You’ve heard the expression ‘green-fingered’?
My wife considers herself ‘black-fingered’. Every plant she touches or is remotely responsible for, it’s like she passes on the Black Death. She is the Grim Reaper of Gardener’s World.
Much like you I scoffed at such a suggestion being an actual thing until I saw the Christmas Poinsettia jump out of the trolley and try to run back inside to Tesco.
My missus would be in good company with this lot.
All these folk attempted to become Lockdown Allotmenteers, and failed to the extent their veg should tour in a Freak Show Hall Of Fame.
Left to right below, carrots, a potato and a radish.
We ALL have cringe moments, right? That one embarrassing time when….
And even now they still make you shudder recalling the memory.
Well this lot take the biscuit.
It started on twitter with a girl called Erin.
First of all the replies trickled through.
And then more dropped in.
Oh God. She’s back.
The American woman who gave a disastrous online lesson for how to make ‘British’ tea, (that was so far off it was like trying to spell the word Christmas without using any of the original letters) is this time having a go at ‘British’ beans on toast.
I’m actually starting to think she may be a parody account.
Things That Make You Go Awwwwww
Things We’ve Discovered In Lockdown
Here’s a sad thing. Lockdown has left a quarter of adults believing they have no real friends. I think that’s utterly heartbreaking.
To combat the alarming sadness of that discovery I’ve also found out you can now get matching bathrobes for you and your dog.
Building sites were one of the first workplaces to return from Lockdown, and when they did I imagine a collective “where have all the pallets gone?” echoed the length and breadth of the country. Here’s what happened.
Let’s end on a song.
I think this Carpool Karaoke with Billie Eilish is pretty special.
Don’t ask me why but I’ve always found the subject of putting dance music to classical orchestration very moving. This is almost that. It embodies the spirit of Lockdown.
And the title is apt.
Thanks for reading.
Stay safe x
And remember, no matter what the world throws at us #LaughterAlwaysSpreadsFaster
Sociable Distance 