Mobility Update: The Yoga Body Trapeze

It has been a year since I posted about losing mobility, and two years since the world shut down for covid.  I complained of weight gain and loss of energy.  I consciously started moving more (and sitting less) about a year ago, so I have successfully maintained the same weight for the last year.  I am ready to drop some of the weight, but that is always a tightrope walk for me.  I gave up those sugary Vitamin Waters again.  No weight loss.  Gave up drinking alcohol every night.  No weight loss.  It gets frustrating.  I know if I just start heavily restricting calories, it will cause a binge eventually.  So I have to cut a few calories and burn a few calories.  Slow and steady.  I guess due to my age, the weight has gone into a weird place too.  It is my mid-section, which would have been fine if I didn't have that tummy tuck scar holding certain areas so tightly.  The fat is squishing into weird places, making my organs feel crowded and giving me pretty epic back fat when I'm wearing a bra.  Good luck in child's pose during yoga.  I almost can't breathe.  

Last month, I passed the 18th anniversary of my weight loss surgery with no fanfare.  I guess I don't see it as something to necessarily celebrate anymore.  I think I had hoped that surgery would get me out of the "diet world," and that's just not the case.  I am still very focused on food and diet and body image issues.  I think I have finally accepted that I'm still essentially the same person, whether I'm 350 pounds, 180 pounds or somewhere in between.  

I am getting married later this year, and while I don't want to do a crazy diet and take a bunch of "skinny" pictures at my wedding, only to balloon up again the next day, I would like to take myself to a healthier weight so my joints and body don't hurt as much.  The "unintended consequence" would be feeling more comfortable in a wedding dress.  At the end of the day, I remind myself not to hate my body, so I should be okay at this weight or 40 pounds lighter.  

Another fun thing that's happened in the last couple of years are night sweats.  Yeah.  I guess I'm at that age where all the fun aging stuff for women starts to happen.  By chance, however, while trying to rehab some thinning hair, I found a DHT blocker vitamin.  The night sweats went away immediately.  If I forget to take the vitamin, I sweat that night.  So, that's the one vitamin I won't miss for any reason.  I also have increased my protein and iron intake.  That seemed to help take care of the hair issue and the whole feeling exhausted thing.  This is life though, right?  As soon as you think you have everything figured out, something changes.  

For the last year, I have been seeing Facebook ads for the Yoga Body swing, so I finally ordered one.  I thought it would be nice to get upside down ("inversions are the fountain of youth" ~ Bel Jeremiah, former owner of Twirly Girls Pole Fitness).  It is not quite aerial hammock width (it is not wide enough for me to cocoon completely in it like I can a hammock), but it holds enough of me to be comfortable.  I just started using it this week.  Mostly I do a little strength training (holding the handles and trying to bring my knees to my chest), and a little stretching (tipping backwards so I can hang upside down, which leaves me prone to dog licks straight to the face).  I am finding that it is taking some time to get used to being upside down again.  My head felt like a grape that was about to explode the first time.  Now I'm able to hang upside down for a minute or so.  I just tip myself upright to rest for a few seconds, then I can go right back to it.  

Anyway, I hadn't done an update in a few months, so I thought I would post about my yoga trapeze.  Yes, I get it, everyone thinks its a sex swing.  I've heard all the jokes already.  But you can make anything sexual if you really want to.  This is set up out in my bonus room (yoga space/office), for my backyard neighbor to see if they really want to.  I'm thinking about getting rigging to hang it in the tree in the front yard.  That should get more neighbors talking!  Maybe I should be more concerned about it being in the background of my Zoom meetings, but I'll wait to see if anyone is brave enough to ask me about it.

I've been trying to find some good yoga trapeze classes on YouTube, but haven't found anything I love.  If you have any suggestions, please send me the links.  Thanks! 

Mobility

Mobility.  I'm losing mobility.  I feel old even saying that.  Today is one year since California shut down for two weeks to "bend the curve."  Friday the 13th was the last day I was in my office working a traditional "8-5," and California issued a mass quarantine order relating to the covid-19 pandemic effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020.  Also, today is the 17th anniversary of my weight loss surgery -- a journey that helped me lose 165 pounds.  

I have had so many surgeries in my lifetime.  Ten times, I have gone under anesthesia to allow a surgeon to cut into my body, sometimes having multiple procedures during the surgery.  Each cut is a scar.  Each scar locks my body down a little bit more.  You know, when my plastic surgeon did my "arm lift," he cut a "Z" into my arm pit.  This was so that I wouldn't lose the ability to raise my arms over my head.  Whenever I get a new massage therapist, even when I warn them, I feel them pause dramatically when they get to my lower body lift scar.  The scar itself is thin and well-done, so looking at it isn't all that exciting.  However, when you touch it, you can feel the thick scar tissue underneath.  It holds one part of my body tight, pushing gained fat into weird places my body normally wouldn't have carried it.  

The last year has been rough.  I've gained weight (with fat in places I've never seen it squish into before).  This is certainly not the highest post-gastric bypass weight I've ever been, but I'm not trying to make that a contest.  However, when I look at photos of myself from just a year ago, I can tell a huge difference (no pun intended).  In the world of loving your body, I know I shouldn't judge myself, but let's be real -- I'm judging myself (plus I feel like crap and everything hurts).  I'm not moving as much.  I'm consuming too much sugar.  My knees and hips ache.  My hamstrings are weak and short.  My calves are knotted.  My core is weak.  My mid-back hurts (if I'm being honest, so does my lower back).  I'm pretty sure I have a SLAP tear.  I shuffle like an old lady when I first stand up.  I couldn't squat without intense pain.  My hips are so tight, that thinking I could handle frog pose is a fun little joke I play on myself (which is a move I could do ten short years ago).  My new neck pain is sometimes unbearable.  I assumed it was my pillow and have tried all different brands.  I used the foam roller and a lacrosse ball for self-massage.  I saw a chiropractor and did all the exercises to strengthen my back, which was supposed to lead to less strain on my neck.  Didn't really help.  Finally, I saw a physical/massage therapist.  Her brand of massage is more therapy - what I imagine Thai massage might be like.  She contorts me into strange positions, then starts to work out the knots.  When I first walked into her office, she said, your chest is pulling your entire body forward!  She's right.  My shoulders and back round forward, toward all of those scars around my chest, arms and side, which is putting strain on my neck.  The two types of mesh anchored to my insides aren't helping either.  It all hurts.  All the time.  

2019

My running joke for years has been how I will feel like I'm doing the craziest, deepest backbend and someone will take a photo, and I will just be standing up stick straight.  In fact, I bought this little contraption that you can lay on that will give you a little back arch.  I figured it would be good to use if I'm going to be doing something like watching TV.  It has three levels.  Level 1 makes me feel like I'm doing a deep, painful backbend.  It causes maybe a two inch arch in my back.  Level 3 might kill me (I've never even tried it), but its hardly full wheel pose.  I have contraptions all over the house.  Foam rollers, yoga mats, straps, blocks, yoga wheel, neck traction hammock.  I even have a brace to wear to remind me to keep my shoulders back.  We just re-did the bonus room (i.e., my office and yoga room) so that I would have more room for my exercises.  All in the name of erasing pain.

Recently, I decided it was time to change up whatever I'm doing.  I purchased a physical therapy system.  It was designed to rehab a single certain injury.  I decided my entire body was the injury.  So I have some basic exercises I'm doing each morning to separately rehab my feet, hips, shoulders, hamstrings, knees, neck and back.  I also found a website offering mobility exercises (probably the first time I'm glad Facebook was listening to me complain since it showed up as a suggested ad).  It's called KaisaFit.  I have been doing those three times a week and am now going to subscribe to her entire site so I can have access to additional classes.  I'm still doing yoga with my favorite instructor, but I let myself get out of shape so I needed a little different care.  

2021

In November, I had a self-diagnosed LCL strain (knee), right before a big hike I had planned for Nature Goddess Adventures.  The pain was excruciating.  It killed me to cancel that hike, but I didn't have a choice.  I wouldn't have made a ten mile hike.  Shoot, I wouldn't have made it a mile.  Now only a few months later, I did a deep squat (all the way to the ground) without pain for the first time.  Sure, my heels pop up and I can't keep my feet as wide as I'd like, but I was able to squat.  That was a huge win for me.  I feel a little silly saying this but some days my exercises include things like: "sit on your knees."  I can't do it for long, but I can do it again.  I can also relax in child's pose (and am almost completely flat in pigeon on the right side).  I had continued yoga after my injury, but child's pose was painful (and I couldn't lay my chest on the floor in pigeon).  Now I am just back to regular stiffness during yoga, not pain.  They say (whoever "they" are) that one of the signs of how you're doing as you age is the ability to get up off the floor.  So I am on the floor all the time.  Nothing makes you feel older than saying one of your exercises is just getting up off the floor!  How am I facing this at the age of 44??  I faced the same question with my hip around the age of 33.  I thought I was going to be in a wheelchair by the time I was 40, but I completely cured myself (with help).  I can do it again.  Perhaps it is metaphysical, perhaps it's a real injury.  I need to do some soul searching to figure it out.    

Twice in the last few years, I have purchased those "do the splits in four weeks" or "be more flexible" types of programs.  In four weeks, I'm no closer to doing the splits than when I started, and I usually feel like I've pulled something (no matter how much I warm up beforehand).  I should know better.  I know my body.  Forcing it into weird shapes is never the right way for me.  My new programs are different.  More gentle.  And more appreciative of what my body can do instead of what it can't.  

The last year has been a lot (for everyone in the world).  There have been a lot of changes for me personally.  Yes, covid changed everything, but I bought this house and moved to suburbia.  I started working from home more often.  I was moving a lot less.  Maybe I'm happy in my relationship so I let myself get fat (also, all those people who said if you make more food at home, you'll lose weight, lied).  Maybe some of it is age.  But I wonder if this is how people get diagnosed with diseases like fibromyalgia.  Everything huts but there's no obvious cause for the pain.  I have been through this similarly before with my hip, although that was an acute pain and this is more like a general ache all over my body, especially in my knees and hips - they just kind of feel tired all the time.  I don't necessarily think it's my joints.  When I eat gluten, my hands hurt, and I believe that is joint pain.  The knees and hips are something else.  Generally, I can gauge inflammation by a psoriasis flare.  It is also an indication that I am stressed out.  But my skin looks okay right now, so that is confusing.  I also went through a minute of adult acne (I now believe it was related to wearing a mask, but I was worried it was hormonal), and that also caused some concern.  I've always had clear skin, so I get worried when issues pop up for no known reason.  I know I need to figure out what to balance to put my body back into homeostasis.  

January 2018

I sometimes wonder how I got to where I am in my life (like, how my body works).  Sure, we are born with certain limitations, but I believe most of mine were probably nurture over nature.  (The day after I wrote this blog, my friend Ellen sent a newsletter with a most fantastic subtitle: Genetics loads the gun, lifestyle pulls the trigger.)   I was the oldest child and took some weird mental responsibility for my family's well-being.  I was put on birth control at 15, which was probably one of the worst things that could have happened to my body.  Although I took on the chunky kid role around the time my parents split when I was 12 years old, I really gained weight after I started taking the pill.  Even worse, I stayed on it 24 years, completely messing up my hormones and my body's natural ability to regulate itself.  I preferred reading books over playing softball.  I took a job at 18 that causes me to sit all day, which has clearly blessed me with a shortened psoas.  I went to college and worked full time, choosing lots of fast food as my easy meal option.  I gained all that weight in my late teens and early 20's, leading to a decision to re-arrange my insides at the age of 27.  I then decided to have even more surgery to remove the sagging skin at the age of 30 (and multiple other times), which gave me all these scars.  I sometimes wonder what my life would have been like if even one of those choices had been different.  My mom is thin and had knee replacements in her 50's, as well as hip replacements in her 60's.  Perhaps I was destined to have these issues, but my life choices contributed to the problem.

August 2018

Anyway, here we are.  Seventeen years after weight loss surgery changed my life (not necessarily for the better since lower weight doesn't automatically equal healthier body).  One year after covid changed it some more.  I've thrown around the idea of joining a program like Noom, or maybe even doing a cleanse.  I've already tried intermittent fasting with almost no weight loss (I thought giving up my morning sugary vitamin waters again should have given me something).  But I worry about what diet culture does to my mindset.  I know when I try to "diet" (i.e., concentrate on losing weight/count calories), I end up in a binge and a huge gain.  Instead of the number on the scale, I try to gauge my health by how I'm feeling (currently, like a sausage) and how my vitamin levels are (iron was low last year and it is time to get them checked again).  I'm currently taking tons of vitamins and recently added my protein shakes back into my meal plan.  My best bet is usually to "set it and forget it:" come up with a plan to make healthier choices and allow that to flow into my life.  I lost 35-40 pounds five to six years ago without counting calories.  I can do it again.  

I keep pondering how long I will keep up this blog.  I know I'm not writing much anymore.  I feel compelled to write on occasion just so it doesn't completely die (since I have been here for 11 years!), but I have no clue if the clicks I'm getting are real people still reading what I have to say.  I feel like, at one point, I was helping the cause, whether you were a plus sized poler, a gastric bypass patient, or just a regular person dealing with body issues.  Now I feel like I'm mostly using this like an online diary complaining about getting old, fat, and ugly.  Plus, I can tell Facebook hides my links in order to get me to pay for ads, which further lowers my audience reach.  So, if you're still out there reading these posts, feel free to leave a comment!  How's the last year been for you?  

Pandemic Burnout

 

Never lose your sense of humor

Two weeks to bend the curve!  Or was it three weeks?  I don't remember.  That was ten months ago.  And we are still here, in the United States (California specifically), being ordered to stay home so that covid-19 patients don't overtake our hospitals...again.  I guess we are finally in the predicted second wave.  

I've had a hard time vocalizing how I've felt recently.  2020 has been amazing to me.  I bought this house.  I have an amazing relationship.  I live close to my family, and I still see them on a regular basis (so I am not isolated).  I have a job (even if I am furloughed one day a month), which allows me to work at home, but also allows me the autonomy to go into the office if/when I choose.  

But 2020 has also kicked my ass.  I am exhausted.  I have gained some weight.  I am eating decently, but I am definitely not moving as much as I used to, so my body hurts.  Working at home is nice, but then there is no separation between home and work.  Breaks aren't real breaks.  They mean time to do dishes or laundry.  I don't take an hour lunch anymore.  I just eat at my desk, continuing to do work, because why not?  I'm not commuting but I feel like I have less time, not more.  I still can't seem to find time to do a lot of the spiritual woo-woo stuff that I used to do on a daily basis.  No card pulls.  No journal writing.  No full moon rituals.  I just can't pull it together.  Why?

I was listening to a podcast a couple of weeks ago and they gave it a name: pandemic burnout.  Our adrenals are essentially shot because we don't know what's going to happen next so our bodies are just constantly in stress-mode.  

I am on social media (probably a bad idea) watching the world fall apart.  Businesses are failing, and people are (or will soon) lose their homes.  There is no real guidance.  Politicians are making all of these seemingly arbitrary rules, some that change on a daily basis, while they are privately doing whatever they want to do.  Unemployment has run out for many, or was never offered to some, yet people are being fined for trying to keep their businesses open.  It is appalling that we as a society aren't being allowed to take care of ourselves, but also can't rely on the government that is telling us that we cannot work.  

In California, some counties (like the one I live in) are setting more strict health orders than the state, but then expect already-overloaded city police departments to enforce these constantly-changing rules.  No one can keep up.  The district attorneys aren't prosecuting many "petty" crimes, and a lot of criminals aren't being taken to jail because they don't want to bring covid in.  Yet people just trying to run their businesses so they can feed their families are being threatened with citations.  It's sick.

Our government has failed us. You can blame Trump or your governor, but all of these politicians have failed. People are losing homes and businesses. They are telling you that you can’t work and feed your families. They aren’t giving money to the people who need it (but are happily approving claims for people who don’t qualify). They think a one-time payment of $1,200 was helping, when all it did was create more debt for the country to dig out of. The government is broken. You can pretend things are going to change in January but they aren’t. These people aren’t smarter than you. Many of them are decades in and have been part of the problem for the entire time. If they didn’t work for the government, they likely wouldn’t qualify for a job that even pays into the six figures. They aren’t taking pay-cuts. They are still visiting their families and getting their haircuts. 

I kept hearing that we are destroying the economy for a virus with a 99.9% survival rate. And I thought, that can’t be right. So I looked it up. According to the CDC, that’s right. If you are young, it’s a 99.99% survival. If you’re over 70, it’s a 99.5% survival rate. We aren’t even to the hard part. In California, there’s a moratorium on evictions for covid affected people. But they still owe all that money. And what if the landlord loses the house in the meantime? What happens then? It’s trickle down. In another year, when this all comes due, we are really going to feel the effects of what is happening right now. For a virus. With a 99+% survival rate.  The end of the world is seemingly here. And it certainly is not our government who is going to take care of us.

My belief is that adults who want to work should be allowed to work so they can feed their families.  Those who have compromised immune systems should be the ones who stay home and safe.  Sure, wear the masks and social distance, but if the government cannot afford to pay everyone to stay home, they should expect people will do what they need to do to feed their families.  These small businesses being targeted with fines are not getting rich off this pandemic.  They are just trying to survive.  Please explain to me how walking through Walmart is safe but shopping at a small mom and pop shop is not. 

Now, I am also not stupid.  I know why these large companies are allowed to stay open.  They are the ones providing the jobs.  But mega corporations thank the government for putting their smaller competition out of business.

I'm not smart enough to claim I have any answers, but I do know that what we've been doing isn't working.  Anyway, this wasn't meant to be a rant.  I just realized I hadn't checked in since the summer, and it was probably time to say hello.  Apparently, I needed to get all of that out.  I hope each of you are coping better than I appear to be.  I am here if you want to share your story.  

Covid Chronicles: Meet Rachel!

Depending on where you are, we are about four months into a shelter-in-place in response to the covid-19/coronavirus pandemic. (Keep in mind regarding timing, these blogs are being rolled out slowly, so some people may have filled out their answers over a month ago.) One hundred years from now, how will we look back at the unprecedented “closing” of the entire world in response to a virus? There is a lot of hate being thrown at governments and politicians. One side feels they aren’t taking this seriously enough. The other side feels like our freedoms have been taken from us and we should re-open immediately. No one is happy. Underneath all of that are individuals and families just trying to make it. Some of us are single and sheltering alone. Some of us are in crowded households with no time or space to ourselves. I wanted to capture the stories of those individuals...my friends. How are they dealing with all of this? I wanted to do this blog to celebrate those people who are holding it down during some really difficult financial and emotional times.

Tell us your first name and a little bit about yourself.

Rachel – I’m a 44 year old single mother, raising my son with my parents in the California town of Oakley. I am currently working as a Special Education teacher with an emergency credential and plan to start my Education Specialist credential program this summer. I also hold a master’s degree in psychology and my interests include spirituality, addiction recovery, authentic self-expression, holistic health, self-care, and more. I am 3 years and 9 months sober from alcohol. My food addiction battle continues. Had it under control for 9 months, then fell off the wagon a year ago. I’m a hardcore Supernatural fan (the TV show) and read Supernatural fan fiction daily.

Are you sheltering in place alone or with others? Tell us about your “quarantine” family.

I am sheltering in place with my 9 year old son and my two retired parents. My son is kind of bouncing off the walls, but overall handling it really well. He chats with his cousin via video chat on Facebook Messenger for Kids and they play Minecraft together. We’ve established a good routine for getting his schoolwork done while I work. My parents are up to the usual stuff they usually do, just in a modified way. For example, my parents attend their spiritual center via Zoom every Sunday.

On a scale of 1-10, how have you been at this whole sheltering thing anyway? 1 means you are essentially carrying on as if nothing is going on. 10 means you’re not leaving your house for any reason and having everything delivered to you. (No judgments here...just curious how people would self-rate.)

I give myself an 8, maybe it’s a 7. I leave the house to go to the grocery store once a week and go to two stores. I used to go way more than this, so this is shift. I occasionally go to Target to pick up an order. I’ve gone to my school twice to get things from my classroom. I take walks in the neighborhood. I occasionally indulge myself and have a chat, from a safe distance, with my neighbor friend. That’s it.

I do, however, let my son play with the neighbor kids. There was two weeks were I didn’t, but now that things have eased a bit, I’ve let him again. But he’s constantly told to not pass items back and forth, not touch the same things, and keep a distance. He’s an only child and he also needs outdoor active time. I really don’t know what to do.

Do you know anyone who has/had covid-19?

Nope

If you are alone, how are you handling the isolation? If you are with others, how are you handling that?

I’m kind of going nuts not having ANY real alone time. I’m an INFJ and I read once that INFJ’s desperately need time where then can be 100% sure that no one is around, will interrupt, or might need them. I don’t get that ever. It wasn’t much in the past, but now it’s never. It’s exhausting. There’s been no major blow up between the adults. Well, my parents have them, but that’s normal. But I haven’t lost my shit on either of them. I did kind of lose it with Ethan last night, but that was a long time coming. I was surprised it took that long.

Are you able to get out and enjoy nature anywhere near you?

My parents have taken Ethan to Big Break twice and, early on, I went a couple times. I’ve been swamped with work since we returned from Spring Break on March 30th and I caught a case of really bad allergies that manifested as a chronic cough, so I haven’t been out as much and when I do I try to not encounter people, because I don’t want my cough to freak them out.

What kind of self-care habits have you put in place to keep you sane?

Well, at first, and I know better: nada. None. Just lots of binge eating. And I promptly added 15 lbs to the 25 that I was already up since last May #knowyourunhealthycopingmechanisms

So that sucks. I know me, so I was waiting for the click. For my moment of clarity that kind of feels like hitting bottom. It finally came and my head is back on straight and I’ve got my food on lock for the first time in a long time, and reaping all the benefits of peace and pride that I’ve desperately missed.

I’ve also signed up for Gabby Bernstein’s “Meditation Challenge” which starts on Sunday, because I like structure and really want to get back to a regular meditation practice. She annoyingly pretty, perky, and privileged, but I like her teachings and find them really helpful despite all that.

I’m trying to integrate daily yoga—again. Another thing that fell off when I fell off the wagon a year ago.

I did clean my very trashed room (my only space that’s mine) on my birthday (April 26) and that deeply felt like self-care. I took hours attending to all the piles while listening to Janelle Hanchett’s “I’m Just Happy To Be Here” (5-star, definitely recommend). It was good.

If you have kids, how is homeschooling going?

Not bad. He’s insanely resistant and homework has always been a battle, so I guess I was kind of prepared. I set up a check list with what he needs to do each day. The things he can do independently via online apps are bolded, so he knows he needs to do those himself. The rest he does with my mom, while I work, which is great. There’s a fair amount of drama: whining, wailing, resisting. I went back to his daily reinforcement chart and clarified the expectations, so hopefully knowing that Points are on the line will motivate him to stop being such a brat.

What kind of work do you do? Are you able to work from home? How is that going?

I am a Special Education teacher in a classroom for students with extreme behavior challenges. I am extremely lucky to be able to do this from home and still get my regular pay through the end of my contract (June 30th). It’s going pretty well. At first I was worried I wouldn’t keep up, but I am. I love my job and it matters, so I keep showing up and keep moving forward. I do all class Zooms twice a week and meet 1:2 with each family (a parent and their student) each week to focus on a goal related lesson. I have regular meetings with colleagues and also run special education team meetings all from Zoom.

Be honest...you’ve cut your own hair, right?

Of course! But I do that anyway. I haven’t paid for a haircut in years. For my hair at least.

The real challenge was cutting Ethan’s. That was scary! He wouldn’t stop moving. It came out pretty good.

What surprising positive thing has happened because of the time being spent at home/with family?
We haven’t killed each other yet. Does that count? I’m only kind of kidding. I’m genuinely surprised that my mom and I haven’t had a major blow out, but we’re getting along pretty well, which has been the case for around 2 years now.

How are you doing birthdays and other celebrations with all of the restrictions in place?

I mailed my nephew his gift, but he lives 4 hours away, so I would have done that anyway.

There was a parade for the boy next door and we stepped out for that and gave him his gift.

For my birthday we didn’t do anything special.

For Mother’s Day we ordered Melo’s in, for the second time that week, lol.

I sent Amazon gift cards to my son’s teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week.

What changes do you think you will permanently implement after this experience?

My life was already pretty unexciting and now it’s just more so. I really can’t think of any change that will continue.

I signed up for Disney+, I’ll probably keep that. Hamilton is coming!!!!

Are you ready to get back into the world (with safety precautions in place)?

Yes! I miss going to school and being in the classroom. Also, I was looking forward to attending school in person this summer and now my pre-service program for my credential will be all online, which is a bummer. I want to be able to see people’s faces when I smile and talk to them at the store. I want to go to the movies.

Which TV shows have you been watching and what do you think everyone else should start?

I’m currently watching the second season of Dead To Me.

I really enjoyed the first season of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist these last few weeks.

I’ve also watched a ton of others, like good ole Tiger King, as well as Everything Sucks, Atypical, The Morning Show, The Mandalorian, and rewatched Firefly with the kiddo. He and I are currently watching Parks & Recreation and The Office (he’s only 9, but he loves the humor and I’m not worried about the semi-inappropriate stuff, he handles it)

Right now, I would recommend something light, but thoughtful, like The Good Place, if you haven’t watched it yet. Another fun escape is Superstore.

My all-time favorite show is Supernatural. I will never not recommend this. Anxiously awaiting the last 7 episodes, which are on hold due to the current crisis.

What are you happy to leave behind in the “old world?”

Having my classroom trashed by students when they spin out of control and waking at 5:40 a.m. for work.

What can you appreciate most about the “new world?”

Less rushing and less expectation, fewer demands. I can just focus on what I think is important and necessary in my daily life. A lot is out of my hands and that’s rather freeing.

What is the first thing you’re going to do when the shelter-in-place is lifted?

Go to the Oakland Zoo. We have a membership and we miss it so much. We signed up for the online live, behind the scenes, zoo show and it’s been great, but we really miss being there in person.

Who is the person you have missed seeing most during this time?

My sister, but she lives 4 hours away, so I don’t see her enough anyway. I actually “see” her more, because we’ll sometimes talk when the boys are connected via video chat.

Second, my students and all the kids at school. I’m very happy to see kids when I go for a walk.

What song would best represent the time you’ve spent at home?

For this time in general, I always come back to Doom Days by Bastille. So good.

For the time at home itself, I can’t really think of anything; though maybe Doom Days applies there as well.

What significant impact, if any, will the virus have on your plans for this year?

My plan is to go back to school to get my special education credential as an intern. Due to the virus the third test I need to pass keeps getting rescheduled. I need to pass it by September 30 (and it takes 4-6 weeks to get results, so I need to take it by mid-August to be safe). Ideally I would have it passed before my job starts at the end of July (if I get a job). Everything is kind of up in the air, but I just keep moving forward and hoping for the best.

Other than that, everything is pretty much the same.

We had to cancel our vacation in March to Monterey and I don’t know when we’ll be able to reschedule given both the virus and my upcoming school and work schedule. It is what it is.

In a fantasy world where the virus doesn’t exist and money isn’t an issue, where is your dream vacation destination?

Ugh, that’s way too hard. I’d love to do the full Disneyworld experience, never been. But Hawaii, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, and Manchu Pichu are also high on the list. Or just a basic Disneyland vacation, which is beyond my financial reach right now and I really want Ethan to go before he leaves his childhood behind.

Covid Chronicles: Meet Heather!

Depending on where you are, we are about three months into a shelter-in-place in response to the covid-19/coronavirus pandemic. (Keep in mind regarding timing, these blogs are being rolled out slowly, so some people may have filled out their answers up to a month ago.) One hundred years from now, how will we look back at the unprecedented “closing” of the entire world in response to a virus? There is a lot of hate being thrown at governments and politicians. One side feels they aren’t taking this seriously enough. The other side feels like our freedoms have been taken from us and we should re-open immediately. No one is happy. Underneath all of that are individuals and families just trying to make it. Some of us are single and sheltering alone. Some of us are in crowded households with no time or space to ourselves. I wanted to capture the stories of those individuals...my friends. How are they dealing with all of this? I wanted to do this blog to celebrate those people who are holding it down during some really difficult financial and emotional times.

Tell us your first name and a little bit about yourself.

Hey, hey! I'm Heather - a 37 year old Christmas Baby, 4x cross-country mover, cartoon loving, ex-roller derby playin', dog momin' weirdo. I'm one of the most resilient people I know. Nice to meet you!

In which part of the world do you live?

Salisbury, MD

Are you sheltering in place alone or with others? Tell us about your “quarantine” family.

My quarantine family consists of my husband Jason, and our two dogs, Vader & Chewie.

On a scale of 1-10, how have you been at this whole sheltering thing anyway? 1 means you are essentially carrying on as if nothing is going on. 10 means you’re not leaving your house for any reason and having everything delivered to you. (No judgments here...just curious how people would self-rate.)

8

Do you know anyone who has/had covid-19?

There are a couple acquaintances of acquaintances that I'm aware of.

If you are alone, how are you handling the isolation? If you are with others, how are you handling that?

I'm so grateful for our situation, and we're all handling it great. I feel like I've been "in training" for this for many years, lol. My husband and I are very used to being around each other and genuinely enjoy each other's company (that's what 15 years of being together can do!), our dogs love having more time with us, and I work from home. So, not too much has changed for us.

Are you able to get out and enjoy nature anywhere near you?

There's a really nice park with trails about a 5 minute drive away. I've went a few times since the quarantine started. Need to go more!

What kind of self-care habits have you put in place to keep you sane?

Let's see....I've gotten into the habit of washing my face! Sounds weird, I know. But, I've always been the type of gal who just wipes her leftover eyeliner off with a makeup wipe, or I wait until I'm in the shower to wash my face. But I found this really nice face cleanser by TULA skincare that I really like, and have gotten into the habit of actually using it!

I also bought a treadmill and yoga bench, both of which I'm really enjoying :)

If you have kids, how is homeschooling going?
Don't have any kids, and I'm SO grateful for that too! LOL - I think parenting and homeschooling would be the death of me.

What kind of work do you do? Are you able to work from home? How is that going?

I'm the Director of Talent & Strategy for a company that works with online publishers. I recruit, train, and manage freelance celebrity entertainment writers. So fun! I do work from home. I've done so for about the last 6 years, spanning several different companies. I'm never going back to an office job if I can avoid it!

Be honest...you’ve cut your own hair, right?

HELL YES! Cut, AND dye. I learned years ago that for me going to a salon is a waste of my money, and that I like the results better when I'm in control. :) I'm also not afraid to just let my hair go willy-nilly. Grey hair, or a bad cut or dye job doesn't spook me. It's whatever.

What surprising positive thing has happened because of the time being spent at home/with family?

The hubby has finally gotten me into gaming. That's right, I said gaming! LOL. I'm currently addicted to Stranded Deep; a hella fun survival game where you're stranded on an island (so much so that I even downloaded it onto my laptop!) - AND we're currently awaiting delivery of our Openwheeler GEN2 Racing Wheel Stand Cockpit, steering wheel, pedals and stick shift so I can get the FULL Forza Racing experience! Ha!

Because we're spending so much time at home we've also upgraded our sound system. The house literally SHAKES now when we have our impromptu dance parties!

And - despite all the shit we've been ordering, we've actually been able to SAVE money! Yay!

How are you doing birthdays and other celebrations with all of the restrictions in place?

There haven't really been any occasions on the calendar that we've missed yet. There are a few coming up, so I'm sure we'll order gifts online, do drinks and dance parties! Wait, that sounds like just a regular day....I guess we try to celebrate life here on the daily! :)

What changes do you think you will permanently implement after this experience?

Like I said, not much has changed for us. I can't think of anything that will major that we'll be doing differently.

Are you ready to get back into the world (with safety precautions in place)?

Meh, yes and no. I miss going to Goodwill, and restaurants. That's about it, lol.

Which TV shows have you been watching and what do you think everyone else should start?

I downloaded the new Quibi app on my phone, and have been loving the bite sized stories they offer!

What are you happy to leave behind in the “old world?”

I wish there was more I could leave behind, like stupidity, ignorance, negativity...bahahaha

What can you appreciate most about the “new world?”

I'm so excited that companies are finally realizing that working from home CAN work. Sucks they were forced into it, but it's been a long time coming!

What is the first thing you’re going to do when the shelter-in-place is lifted?

I'm really looking forward to going to our favorite sushi spot, actually sitting down and being served, and being able to chat with strangers!

Who is the person you have missed seeing most during this time?

Video chat and phone calls have been keeping me in touch, so I don't really feel like I'm missing anyone :)

What song would best represent the time you’ve spent at home?

R.E.M. "It's The End of The World" (as we know it...and I FEEL FINE!)

What significant impact, if any, will the virus have on your plans for this year?

Nothing that I can think of!

In a fantasy world where the virus doesn’t exist and money isn’t an issue, where is your dream vacation destination?

I've always wanted to go to Bali!

Covid Chronicles: Meet Caroline!

Depending on where you are, we are about three months into a shelter-in-place in response to the covid-19/coronavirus pandemic. (Keep in mind regarding timing, these blogs are being rolled out slowly, so some people may have filled out their answers up to a month ago.) One hundred years from now, how will we look back at the unprecedented “closing” of the entire world in response to a virus? There is a lot of hate being thrown at governments and politicians. One side feels they aren’t taking this seriously enough. The other side feels like our freedoms have been taken from us and we should re-open immediately. No one is happy. Underneath all of that are individuals and families just trying to make it. Some of us are single and sheltering alone. Some of us are in crowded households with no time or space to ourselves. I wanted to capture the stories of those individuals...my friends. How are they dealing with all of this? I wanted to do this blog to celebrate those people who are holding it down during some really difficult financial and emotional times.

Tell us your first name and a little bit about yourself.

Caroline Alexander, I am 53 years old and employed in an animal shelter.I enjoy pole dance, animals, and websurfing. I was pet sitting but not now due to no one traveling!

In which part of the world do you live?

Gilroy, California.

Are you sheltering in place alone or with others? Tell us about your “quarantine” family.

With my husband and pets (many of them!) 2 cats, 2 dogs, bunches of reptiles, and 4 birds.

On a scale of 1-10, how have you been at this whole sheltering thing anyway? 1 means you are essentially carrying on as if nothing is going on. 10 means you’re not leaving your house for any reason and having everything delivered to you. (No judgments here...just curious how people would self-rate.)

8

Do you know anyone who has/had covid-19?

No.

If you are alone, how are you handling the isolation? If you are with others, how are you handling that?

If I was alone, I would call friends/text them.  I'm handling it okay sharing with my hubby.

Are you able to get out and enjoy nature anywhere near you?

Yes, went on a walk on a trail yesterday at the park down the road.

What kind of self-care habits have you put in place to keep you sane?

Web cam pole classes, walking, coloring, eating healthier.

What kind of work do you do? Are you able to work from home? How is that going?

I am an Executive Assistant at an animal shelter. I work from home 3 days a week and go in physically two days a week. It is going okay but I do miss seeing all my coworkers!

Be honest...you’ve cut your own hair, right?

No, I wouldn't dare try. I have colored it using color depositing shampoos though.

What surprising positive thing has happened because of the time being spent at home/with family?

I have learned to appreciate my husband more than ever.

How are you doing birthdays and other celebrations with all of the restrictions in place?

Via Zoom or just facetiming.

What changes do you think you will permanently implement after this experience?

Staying more connected with others.

Are you ready to get back into the world (with safety precautions in place)?

Hell yeah!

Which TV shows have you been watching and what do you think everyone else should start?

What We Do in the Shadows

RuPaul's Drag Race

What are you happy to leave behind in the “old world?”

Bad traffic.

What can you appreciate most about the “new world?”

Less traffic, more me time, more time for home projects.

What is the first thing you’re going to do when the shelter-in-place is lifted?

Go back to pole classes at studio and set up a color appointment with my stylist.

Who is the person you have missed seeing most during this time?

My pet sitting clients and their pets.

What song would best represent the time you’ve spent at home?

Marilyn Manson's "Odds of Even"

In a fantasy world where the virus doesn’t exist and money isn’t an issue, where is your dream vacation destination?

Australia or Galapagos Islands.

Covid Chronicles: Meet Robert!

Depending on where you are, we are about three months into a shelter-in-place in response to the covid-19/coronavirus pandemic. (Keep in mind regarding timing, these blogs are being rolled out slowly, so some people may have filled out their answers up to a month ago.) In addition, the horrific death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer has caused civil unrest and forced curfews in many areas recently, adding to the isolation and frustration for many. One hundred years from now, how will we look back at the unprecedented “closing” of the entire world in response to a virus? There is a lot of hate being thrown at governments and politicians. One side feels they aren’t taking this seriously enough. The other side feels like our freedoms have been taken from us and we should re-open immediately. No one is happy. Underneath all of that are individuals and families just trying to make it. Some of us are single and sheltering alone. Some of us are in crowded households with no time or space to ourselves. I wanted to capture the stories of those individuals...my friends. How are they dealing with all of this? I wanted to do this blog to celebrate those people who are holding it down during some really difficult financial and emotional times.

Tell us your first name and a little bit about yourself.

My name is Robert. I am 47 years old and have been with my husband over 25 of those years. We live in a townhouse with our three boys, Killer, Butch and Diesel.

In which part of the world do you live?

Hayward, CA

Are you sheltering in place alone or with others? Tell us about your “quarantine” family.

I am Sheltering in Place with my Husband and our three yorkies. However, I spend the day alone, working at home, as my husband is still operating his business.

On a scale of 1-10, how have you been at this whole sheltering thing anyway? 1 means you are essentially carrying on as if nothing is going on. 10 means you’re not leaving your house for any reason and having everything delivered to you. (No judgments here...just curious how people would self-rate.)

8, I go out for the essentials and to help my husband at his shop. Other than that, I pretty much stay home.

 

Do you know anyone who has/had covid-19?

I know five people that have been infected with Covid-19.

If you are alone, how are you handling the isolation? If you are with others, how are you handling that?

I spend the day alone, answering the incoming phone calls for the law firm that I work for. I have found that the lack of face to face social contact has affected me and my depression levels. I am just taking it day by day, some better then others.

Are you able to get out and enjoy nature anywhere near you?

I take my boys out at lunch and spend a half hour a day in our courtyard, but that is about it.

What kind of self-care habits have you put in place to keep you sane?

Keeping the home clean, plants watered and so on have helped me stay distracted of the whole situation. I also join in on Zoom gatherings for AIDS/LifeCycle when I can to have face to face conversations with others. Also, cutting strings, I have started to clean up my Facebook and un-friending people. I want to read about and see the people that contribute to our society, not the ones that feed off of it.

What kind of work do you do? Are you able to work from home? How is that going?
I am a receptionist for a law firm out of Oakland. I was sent home with a lap top that allows me to answer the incoming calls and transfer them to the right recipients. For the most part, it’s been seamless and works the way it should. The one thing that does suck, I am tethered to the lap top as the head phone are not wireless.

Be honest...you’ve cut your own hair, right?

Yes, I have cut my hair a couple times, during Shelter In Place, but I have been cutting my own hair for years.

 

What surprising positive thing has happened because of the time being spent at home/with family?

Well, the plants are happier as I have been more responsible on watering them.

What changes do you think you will permanently implement after this experience?

I know there will be permanent change by the time this is all over, I just don’t know what all it will be. I hope that it’s the stars will stay a little brighter, the air a little cleaner and neighbors a little friendlier.

Are you ready to get back into the world (with safety precautions in place)?

I am ready to get back out there, hang out with friends, make new ones… oh, and go to Disneyland

Which TV shows have you been watching and what do you think everyone else should start?

I have been watching movies and a lot of ID channel. Let’s just say, don’t piss me off, they will never find your body!

What are you happy to leave behind in the “old world?”

I am not sure there is anything I would be happy to leave behind. I find that I am pretty lucky for the things that I have.

What can you appreciate most about the “new world?”

I don’t think it will last forever, but I do like that there is less traffic on the roads. More than that though, I think society is a little better in terms of supporting one another in ways we didn’t before all this started, I hope that sticks around as part of the new normal.

What is the first thing you’re going to do when the shelter-in-place is lifted?

I’m going to Disneyland! Actually, it will be to schedule my AIDS/LifeCycle fundraiser, Twirl For A Cause.

Who is the person you have missed seeing most during this time?

There is no one person that I think that I miss most specifically. I miss seeing friends, I miss co-workers, I even miss greeting people when working the door at Club 1220.

What song would best represent the time you’ve spent at home?

I would say The Rainbow Connection, wanting to believe in the best that people have to offer and dreaming of a better world.

  

In a fantasy world where the virus doesn’t exist and money isn’t an issue, where is your dream vacation destination?

I have always dreamed of going to the north east during autumn time to see all the colors. Maybe someday it will happen.

What significant impact, if any, will the virus have on your plans for this year?

One of the hardest things about this virus, that has impacted me mostly, it has canceled a yearly event that I look so forward to, the AIDS/LifeCycle. It’s the one week where I get to get away from everything, no politics, no hate, no religion, all of that is gone. It’s just a bunch of people, united in one cause, riding our bicycles thru California. A true love bubble, where everyone is equal and respected. That has been taken away from me. The ramifications even go beyond that, it’s a loss of funding for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center. Last year the ride brought in near $17 million and right now they are only a little over $7 million. They are hoping to reach $13 million raised so that they can continue to offer the much needed support and programs for those living with HIV and AIDS. Then there are all the fundraisers that happen along the ride, like the school in Bradley. Last year, they raised $70,000 by selling lunch to the riders. That won’t happen this year. However, we don’t give up. We continue on. I am still committed to reaching my goal of $20,000 raised for AIDS/LifeCycle. I have been raising money for Bradley, over $8000 already. I hope in time, the real story about this virus will not be the virus itself, but the way we responded.

Covid Chronicles: Meet Kimberly!

Depending on where you are, we are almost three months into a shelter-in-place in response to the covid-19/coronavirus pandemic. (Keep in mind regarding timing, these blogs are being rolled out slowly, so some people may have filled out their answers up to a month ago.) In addition, the horrific death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer has caused civil unrest and forced curfews in many areas this week, adding to the isolation and frustration for many. One hundred years from now, how will we look back at the unprecedented “closing” of the entire world in response to a virus? There is a lot of hate being thrown at governments and politicians. One side feels they aren’t taking this seriously enough. The other side feels like our freedoms have been taken from us and we should re-open immediately. No one is happy. Underneath all of that are individuals and families just trying to make it. Some of us are single and sheltering alone. Some of us are in crowded households with no time or space to ourselves. I wanted to capture the stories of those individuals...my friends. How are they dealing with all of this? I wanted to do this blog to celebrate those people who are holding it down during some really difficult financial and emotional times.

Tell us your first name and a little bit about yourself.

Kimberly. I am a writer, and mother of a beautiful teenage son.

In which part of the world do you live?

West Coast USA

Are you sheltering in place alone or with others? Tell us about your “quarantine” family.

Currently alone. I occasionally social distant at a private club for change of scenery and to get some nature walks in

On a scale of 1-10, how have you been at this whole sheltering thing anyway? 1 means you are essentially carrying on as if nothing is going on. 10 means you’re not leaving your house for any reason and having everything delivered to you. (No judgments here...just curious how people would self-rate.)

8 - although this is my normal routine with just a slight change of social distant (no hugs are hard!) and wearing masks. The life of a writer doesn't change a whole lot.

Do you know anyone who has/had covid-19?

NO

If you are alone, how are you handling the isolation? If you are with others, how are you handling that?

Alone and used to it, however I do have my moments of depression while I'm trying to do things that I would typically get relief from with some social attention. I really miss hugging my friends. Touch is really important.

Are you able to get out and enjoy nature anywhere near you?

Yes but not as much as I would like.

What kind of self-care habits have you put in place to keep you sane?

I had many and they are starting to dwindle as I am trying to keep up with stressful things this week. So at the present moment I cannot even remember what I do....wait, baths! I take salt baths to relax :)

If you have kids, how is homeschooling going?

I do not homeschool any longer. My son is away and that is also a stressor during this time but we do have video chats twice a week now.

What kind of work do you do? Are you able to work from home? How is that going?

Writer, yes I work from home mostly and sometimes I go on drives or in nature to do it for a change of scenery. It is nice (I've been loving it) however it's the people that are stressing out and watching too much news that stress me out when I encounter them.

Be honest...you’ve cut your own hair, right?

YES. lol Just a trim so it came out ok :)

What surprising positive thing has happened because of the time being spent at home/with family?

I've packed up a lot of my house and moved it into the storage. I've been trying very hard to write and research proper placements for my son..."stuck" at home has forced it.

How are you doing birthdays and other celebrations with all of the restrictions in place?

I don't but I did buy myself some flowers for mother's day and some for my own mother.

What changes do you think you will permanently implement after this experience?

Continuously looking for a balance of using technology and going in nature, etc.

Are you ready to get back into the world (with safety precautions in place)?

YES but I don't know it will change much depending on the rest of the population's readiness.

Which TV shows have you been watching and what do you think everyone else should start?

Hmmmmm. not sure...not a big TV watcher anymore.

What are you happy to leave behind in the “old world?”

Not sure.

What can you appreciate most about the “new world?”

Hopefully people will slow down more and have more compassion for others now.

What is the first thing you’re going to do when the shelter-in-place is lifted?

Go on my regular hike trail!!!!! I wish I could do it now but it's too far since part of the park is closed.

Who is the person you have missed seeing most during this time? 

Honestly, my ex (we split up after the SIP). I would say my son but I have been able to maintain the same communication with him all year as usual.

What song would best represent the time you’ve spent at home?

Still learning by Halsey is a good one. Many others but it all depends on how I feel on that day.

In a fantasy world where the virus doesn’t exist and money isn’t an issue, where is your dream vacation destination?

The beach. I don't care where...just get me to the water and I will be happy. :)

Covid Chronicles: Meet Gina!

Depending on where you are, we are almost three months into a shelter-in-place in response to the covid-19/coronavirus pandemic. In addition, the horrific death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer has caused civil unrest and forced curfews in many areas this week, adding to the isolation and frustration for many. One hundred years from now, how will we look back at the unprecedented “closing” of the entire world in response to a virus? There is a lot of hate being thrown at governments and politicians. One side feels they aren’t taking this seriously enough. The other side feels like our freedoms have been taken from us and we should re-open immediately. No one is happy. Underneath all of that are individuals and families just trying to make it. Some of us are single and sheltering alone. Some of us are in crowded households with no time or space to ourselves. I wanted to capture the stories of those individuals...my friends. How are they dealing with all of this? I wanted to do this blog to celebrate those people who are holding it down during some really difficult financial and emotional times.

Tell us your first name and a little bit about yourself.

My name is Gina Marie, and I am a self-employed Massage Therapist and Personal Trainer. I am married to a great guy, and I have a pretty freaking good life.

In which part of the world do you live?

I live in Pleasanton, California, right in the middle of downtown. Nauseatingly beautiful.. like a fairy tale.

Are you sheltering in place alone or with others? Tell us about your “quarantine” family.

My quarantine family includes me, my husband (who is an Interior Designer with an office that he always runs from our home), a neurotic dog, and a year old cat who is very fucking confused as to why the people never leave any more. :D I will also include my best friend and our next door neighbor- although we don't "live together", she is a single woman and we weren't going to make her stay completely away for her mental health.

 

On a scale of 1-10, how have you been at this whole sheltering thing anyway? 1 means you are essentially carrying on as if nothing is going on. 10 means you’re not leaving your house for any reason and having everything delivered to you. (No judgments here...just curious how people would self-rate.)

The first 4 weeks.. we were a 10. We didn't leave the house for anything. We lived off whatever groceries we had, frozen veggies, etc. We didn't leave for anything. For the next 3 weeks, we went to the grocery store once, and to Home Depot once but didn't see anyone else or go anywhere. In the last 3 weeks, we have had our very closest friends who have also been socially distancing over for dinner in the back yard every week, because the social isolation is just too much. My mental health has started going to shit- and this helps. I also saw my daughter (again, out in my back yard) and I hugged her before she left because I just can't see my child and not hug her. She is so precious to me and if that's how I die, then that's how I go. :D

Do you know anyone who has/had covid-19?

I do. My very good friend has a 17 year old daughter in London who had it and was TERRIBLY sick. My neighbor's sister also died from it a few weeks ago.

If you are alone, how are you handling the isolation? If you are with others, how are you handling that?

I love my husband, with every ounce of my being. But at 66 days in (but who's counting?) we have started picking at each other which is COMPLETELY not us. I am so tired of Zoom meetings. I am the president of our networking group and I have to run the call and I just hate it. I was doing ok until a few weeks ago... I don't know what changed but my mental health is just in the toilet. I cry a lot. I sleep 11 hours a day because I really have no reason to get up early. I miss my gym and I have done all the online workouts.. but they are losing the meaningfulness that they have for the whole quarantine. I am tired of exercising on my living room floor. I need a massage. I want to wander the aisles at Target again, Life is just so.. Boring.

[Note from Lori regarding timing: I am rolling these blogs out slowly, so responses were filled out a couple of weeks ago. Therefore, even more time has passed since this timing was mentioned…]

Are you able to get out and enjoy nature anywhere near you?

I walk outside every single day, and I love to play in my garden. It has never been more beautiful- I water every day and I have had time to play in my roses. I love being outside. And, of course.. I have been donning my Unicorn costume, making inspirational signs, and dancing on the corner of my street every single day. I find it brings a little normal back and it makes people smile (including me.) That has been a life saver for my mental health.

What kind of self-care habits have you put in place to keep you sane?

I still try to do my Zoom workouts with Prodigy Fitness every day- they really are amazing and almost all my friends are from the gym. I get to see my friends that way. I take my supplements and vitamins every day (totally a new thing for me). I go for a walk with my best friend most days to connect, be outside, and get some movement.

If you have kids, how is homeschooling going?

I have 5 kids, 4 are adults- my son is finishing his Senior year of High School. He is doing this by himself, and it has been very hard for him finishing up high school like this. He is bummed about prom, graduation, all the senior stuff- it is all cancelled.

I have NEVER been so grateful that my mids are older- I can't imagine trying to homeschool right now.

What kind of work do you do? Are you able to work from home? How is that going?

I am a Massage Therapist and self- employed so I am a Phase 3 (and late phase 3, apparently) worker. I haven't worked since March 16. The CAMTC (my licensing board) has prohibited me from working since that date, so I am dead in the water in my career. I miss my clients, who are mostly seniors and cancer patients. Much of my anxiety and depression stems from me having no idea if I will have a career to return to when all of this dust settles.

Be honest...you’ve cut your own hair, right?

I have cut my husband's three times, but mine is still intact today. But hey.. tomorrow is a new day and I am definitely a "race car in the red" these days :D

What surprising positive thing has happened because of the time being spent at home/with family?

My hands have finally got a rest, and I have been able to see what my husband does at work every day while I am usually at work. I have really connected with my next door neighbors and that has been wonderful. We have started a Family Zoom Call night every week with my husband's parents in Florida, his 2 kids (one in Florida, one in Arizona), his sister, and I and we totally get to connect as a family, and we didn't ever do that before. It has been really nice.

How are you doing birthdays and other celebrations with all of the restrictions in place?

We did a Zoom birthday for my husband's birthday March 22nd- it was early in the quarantine. I have done a few birthday walk-by's of friends dressed as the Unicorn!

What changes do you think you will permanently implement after this experience?

The weekly family Zoom call has been nice, and the neighborhood "sit in the yard 6 feet apart" parties have been great. I would love to keep that going.

Are you ready to get back into the world (with safety precautions in place)?

Part of me is so ready to throw caution to the wind and get back to a normal life. The other part of me is absolutely terrified that if I do, I will die alone in a COVID unit- this is TRULY my greatest fear.

Which TV shows have you been watching and what do you think everyone else should start?

The Tiger King was garbage- I watched it anyways. I've been watching Orange is the New Black while I sew masks. It's an older show but I decided to watch that right now because I am in jail too haha

What are you happy to leave behind in the “old world?”

People can be such selfish pricks. Maybe they will see that there are so many important things that just don't matter. Also, that Actors and Sports personalities weren't the people we needed during this time- it was doctors, nurses, farmers, and people who get food and supplies to us. It would do us well to remember who REAL heroes are.

What can you appreciate most about the “new world?”

I loved seeing neighbors volunteering to help other neighbors, especially seniors. Groups are helping people get groceries, sewing masks for medical workers, bringing food to children, and just helping people in need. The new world is FILLED with people who want to help.

What is the first thing you’re going to do when the shelter-in-place is lifted?

I want to go to Yosemite- it has had so much time to heal from the disease of humanity and I would love to appreciate its beauty. I have never been there, and I have lived here for my ENTIRE LIFE!

Who is the person you have missed seeing most during this time?

My 28 year old daughter, who used to spend every single Sunday with me. I miss her terribly.

What song would best represent the time you’ve spent at home?

"All You Need is Love" - The Beatles

What significant impact, if any, will the virus have on your plans for this year?

My son was supposed to move to California and go to UC Santa Cruz in the fall- that is all on hold. Our Hawaiian vacation was supposed to happen in April, and that didn't happen and we have looked forward to that for 6 months. Monetarily, we are devastated from this quarantine. It will take YEARS to recover from it financially- if we do at all.

In a fantasy world where the virus doesn’t exist and money isn’t an issue, where is your dream vacation destination?

I want to go to Europe with my husband for a month, and see it all. I want to see the Coliseum in Rome. I want to see Big Ben, and the amazing architecture in old towns. I want to see it all. I want to REALLY live.

Note from Lori: Okay, so what Gina doesn’t fully mention is how she’s the dancing unicorn of Pleasanton (although she did attach a photo)! She goes out on the corner near her house and dances to spread joy. She’s been on the news and everything! And she has a Vespa club! At Christmas, she dresses up in a Santa suit and drives her adorable little Vespa around, also spreading joy. Anyway, I know the situation doesn’t garner a lot of joy right now, but her posts give me life!

Covid Chronicles: Meet Ginger!

Depending on where you are, we are a little over two months into a shelter-in-place in response to the covid-19/coronavirus pandemic. One hundred years from now, how will we look back at the unprecedented “closing” of the entire world in response to a virus? There is a lot of hate being thrown at governments and politicians. One side feels they aren’t taking this seriously enough. The other side feels like our freedoms have been taken from us and we should re-open immediately. No one is happy. Underneath all of that are individuals and families just trying to make it. Some of us are single and sheltering alone. Some of us are in crowded households with no time or space to ourselves. I wanted to capture the stories of those individuals...my friends. How are they dealing with all of this? I wanted to do this blog to celebrate those people who are holding it down during some really difficult financial and emotional times.

Tell us your first name and a little bit about yourself.

Ginger Merriman. I’m 57 I live in Fremont ca USA. I have worked as a hair dresser, an EMT and an Administrator.

Are you sheltering in place alone or with others? Tell us about your “quarantine” family.

I’m sheltering in place with my husband. We have been married 28 years this August. He is retired and I was between jobs for 5 months and had just gone back to work part time when the shelter in place order was issued. That 5 months gave us some practice on how to spend a lot of time together without killing each other.

On a scale of 1-10, how have you been at this whole sheltering thing anyway? 1 means you are essentially carrying on as if nothing is going on. 10 means you’re not leaving your house for any reason and having everything delivered to you. (No judgments here...just curious how people would self-rate.)

I’m going to say around a 2 or 3. Our daily life hasn’t changed much I’m still working in an essential business for a shipping company. We walk a 2.5 mile loop in our neighborhood most days. We still shop for groceries the same way (every few days) the things that have changed for us are the restrictions from outside. We have also had company, 2 very good friends of my husband’s have visited him. They hung out in the garage (normal for us) with the door open and visited from across the garage it was really cute.

Do you know anyone who has/had covid-19?

No... I do know 2 people who have died of non covid related issues since the shelter in place order.

If you are alone, how are you handling the isolation? If you are with others, how are you handling that?

I’m not alone but I have to say I feel very restricted and oppressed.

Are you able to get out and enjoy nature anywhere near you?

Yes we are still walking in our neighborhood and so are some of the other regular walkers in our neighborhood. We are also seeing some new regulars.

What kind of self-care habits have you put in place to keep you sane?

Walking, avoiding the news, being kind to others, practicing gratitude. I would however really like to get a massage and a pedicure.

If you have kids, how is homeschooling going?

No kids...

What kind of work do you do? Are you able to work from home? How is that going?

I work for a shipping company. I work in a department that subcontracts to Amazon. When the order was first issued we were still working out of the Amazon fulfillment center in Newark. 2 weeks in Amazon made the choice to restrict all subcontractors for the facility. So now I work at the Ontrac hub in Fremont. I have to say I do feel less exposed. In contrast to Amazon’s huge and very populated facility, I’m now in an office by myself. I share a work station, my counterpart works at night. We each clean the work station at the beginning and end of each shift. Because we are a separate department I only have in-person contact with one other person. I feel safe there as far as my exposure goes.

Be honest...you’ve cut your own hair, right?

Nope!!! I’m very lucky I have a hair cut that is growing out really well. And I stopped coloring my hair 2 years ago.

What surprising positive thing has happened because of the time being spent at home/with family?

I’m going to say that for the most part everyone has been very respectful. I haven’t been the recipient of anyone’s ignorance or anxiety. Although I personally know people who have. A friend of ours who is Vietnamese was verbally accosted at Costco. And the elderly neighbor (89) got really distressed when the neighbor boys mowed everyone’s lawns one afternoon. My husband had to defuse the situation because the boys’ dad doesn’t speak much English and the boys would never talk back to an elder. So in light of those two things I am grateful every day for ALL the good interactions I have with our neighbors and service providers in our community.

How are you doing birthdays and other celebrations with all of the restrictions in place?

Well we haven’t had to cross that bridge personally but I did get to be part of a zoom party for my niece and I got to see a video of my sisters children and grandchildren giving her a birthday parade. That one made me cry...

What changes do you think you will permanently implement after this experience?

Not much as I have really not had to change much.

Nationally my husband thinks more people will continue to work from home now that companies have figured out that process.

What significant impact, if any, will the virus have on your plans for this year?

Our annual trip to Calistoga for the World of Outlaws sprint car show in September will most likely be impacted. Not sure if spectators will be allowed at that time.

I’m going to put this here because it is not addressed directly in any of your questions. Managing health care during this time. We have each had a significant event for which we needed medical care. We did receive treatment but it was difficult to get that ball rolling. My husband needed an X-ray and PT and I needed blood work. I felt there was a reluctance to order those tests and in both situations I had to be persistent to get them ordered. The protocol in place is strict to enter Kaiser for said tests and I am impressed with that even though it was a pain in the patootie.

Are you ready to get back into the world (with safety precautions in place)?

OH GOD YES.... Please.

Which TV shows have you been watching and what do you think everyone else should start?

Old stuff... past seasons of CSI and Bones

New Stuff... 911 and date line. I have to say I’m not happy with some of the commercials with a COVID / shelter in place spin while they are tastefully done, TV is my escape and I really don’t want to be reminded of COVID during my TV time. Thank god for DVRs and being able to fast forward past that shit.

What are you happy to leave behind in the “old world?”

I’m going to be pessimistic here and say I don’t think much will be left behind.

Well maybe individuals will find growth and maybe to a small degree as a society but definitely not as a political body.

What can you appreciate most about the “new world?”

Again Debbie Downer here... I think the world will just find new dysfunction at least politically. I hope I’m blown away by a major societal shift but I just don’t see that happening on a global or even a national scale. And that makes me sad.

What is the first thing you’re going to do when the shelter-in-place is lifted?

Get Chinese food at the little restaurant we like that is currently closed.

Go shopping at Ross, Marshalls and Home Goods.

Get a massage and a Pedicure.

I put them in the order I think they will be available.

Who is the person you have missed seeing most during this time?

Because we live away from our families how we interact with them hasn’t changed.

What song would best represent the time you’ve spent at home?

Under Pressure Queen/David Bowie.

In a fantasy world where the virus doesn’t exist and money isn’t an issue, where is your dream vacation destination?

If money and travel time were not an issue and Scotty could just beam be over. An African Safari OR the Dead Sea.