Miscellaneous Missives

Day one of distance learning wasn't horrible.  The morning was a little slow.  Most of my time was spent trying to help a student who couldn't get his videos to work.  It was annoying because other students were having no problem.  Most of the afternoon was spent on Google Chat and responding to email.  At lunch I walked to Walgreens and bought note cards (difficult to find cards that aren't thank you notes... fyi).  I was also looking for a little treat for the note cards.  Since they're being mailed, it's going to be gum.  Anyway, we typically do team awards.  This trimester it's going to be anti-climatic, so I wrote congratulation cards to the award winners.  They're almost done.  Today I'll finish the rest.  It's going to be an ok day. 

Yesterday I prepared my workspace.  At first, I was happy to have my stability ball to use as a chair.  After talking to a colleague, I took a stool from the living room and put it on top of my table for a stand up desk.  I think the two will be perfect for today's first day of teaching in front of a computer.  Last night five of my colleagues and I did a virtual happy hour for some final vents of concern going into today.  Of course, we ended our conversation with, "We've got this."  I hope we really do!

Since yesterday was a rainy Saturday, it felt fairly normal.  I did the normal dishes, laundry, reading, you know... A month or so ago, I walked into a FACS (family and consumer science) classroom to watch 7th graders making omelets.  For some reason, I've never been able to make an omelet.  To be fair, I've never really tried because I always order them when I'm out for breakfast or because my dad makes them for me when I visit or when he comes to visit.  Anyway, the seventh graders were an inspiration, and making omelets has become part of my Saturday and Sunday routine.  Anyway, yesterday, I made myself a ham and cheese omelet following my typical normal weekend routine.  Some things will remain the same in the midst of this chaos.

Yesterday the realization that every day is starting to be the basically the same as the other became a reality.  Typically, I am excited about Friday and the weekend, but not yesterday. My day was somewhat uneventful although I did put up the winter bike and got my other bike ready to go. I also started working on the first day of my distance learning poetry unit.  Arghh.... Discussion is needed... It's OK.  I'm going to make it work. Plus, yep it's really this boring, I watered my plants and decided the plant that I brought home from school belonged in the compost.  Finally, I started reading Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi.  Wow!  It's a lot to read about history and racism, but I'm learning as I read.  It takes me back to my beginning teaching career when I taught a lot of white, racist men's history and writing.  Man, I hope I sucked as a teacher then as much as I think I did.  Maybe they won't remember any of those ...

Yesterday a couple of colleagues and I got together for a last happy hour which is probably more of a cocktail hour since it had to be held at someone's house instead of a bar.  On the way to said cocktail hour, I stopped to get limes at the grocery store.  They had zero limes... zero.  How can one enjoy the sweet taste of a Moscow Mule or any such drink without a lime wedge/slice?  We had to settle for lime juice instead of real lime.  Actually, the three of us discussed many topics, and the lack of lime was forgotten.  It's sad that we (Minnesota) will be staying at home for the next two weeks and will not be able to enjoy each others' company with the exception of online meetings, etc.  Oh well, at least we had one last hurrah.

Yesterday Governor Walz stated that he was instating a two week Stay at Home order .  The other part of his order/speech was that schools would use distance learning until May 4th.  Bars, restaurants, salons, etc. will remain closed until May 1st. He did it with data and thought.  I was impressed with our governor.  It's obvious he's using information instead of emotion to make his choice.  I'm damn proud to have him as my governor. Ok, that being said, it was a bit of a hit to me emotionally.  I knew it was coming, and I agree with his decision.  This, however, will be difficult to quite difficult to me.  Everything will be ok, and I'll survive.  Let's hope  I'm still able to give my students the education they deserve.  Truthfully, let's hope I don't go insane or become an absolute alcoholic. We'll have to wait and see how it goes.  Stay in contact my friends!  I'm going to need communication from folks even if it...

Yesterday was Great American Takeout.  I've been doing surprisingly well cooking and eating at home.  On Great American Takeout, however, I felt as if it was my duty to support a local eateries.  My choice was Best of India .  I ordered chicken palak and cheese naan.  It's plenty of food, and I'll be eating it for days, but it's delightful.  I also have spent some of this time at home using a friend's ex-husband's Netflix account.  I was halfway through Gentefied when he stopped the account.  Although I really have no need for a Netflix account, since I rarely watch TV or movies, I started the 30 day trial, so I could finish Gentefied.  The ending had me sending a text ("I hate you)." to the person who recommended it to me.  The show is amazing.  I'm so sad that there is only one season.  Again, although I really don't watch TV or movies, this show is brilliant, and I want to watch more.  If you have any Netflix reco...

Our trip to Memphis was cancelled for obvious reasons.  Yesterday morning we would have spent a good share of the day at the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.  It was one of the main reasons we chose Memphis.  In remembrance of our cancelled trip, I drank my morning coffee out of the mug I bought at the Civli Rights Museum in Atlanta.  Yesterday I also graded some research notes that I had been ignoring.  They were better than I had imagined.  Let's be honest, it also gave me something to do. In these weird times, it's good to find something, besides naps, to occupy my time. Last night a friend also came over for a couple of beers.  Of course, we kept our distance.  It would have been more fun bellied up to a bar chatting with other folks, but we made do. 

Our BRR (bloody rectum ride... 200 miles in two days starting in Atlanta) has been postponed until fall.  While we were discussing this on the phone, we decided to do a virtual ride in April.  We were really enjoying each other's company on the phone when this happened.  Then things got real.  On the BRR, we are often asked to grab in a shots (airline bottles) bag to chose a penalty shot.  By the end of the phone call, it was decided that random shot would be sent to each of us.  Plus, we are to buy a Secret Santa type gift for a chosen member of the group.  Yesterday I received an invitation to Draw Names.  I imagined our hosts picking names for the group, but this is brilliant.  It could be a disaster, but it seems brilliant.  Group phone calls are obviously entertaining and productive. 

Saturday, March 21 A couple friends stopped by yesterday to hang out with people.  We, of course, practiced social distancing.  I love it that I was able to see them face to face without the computer machine.  We've got this.  I've started adding a tag line to all my school emails.  Read.  Relax.  Be healthy.  Maybe my tag line for my other emails should be.  Read.  Relax.  Drink Adult Beverages.  Stay friends.  Stay healthy.

Friday, March 20th... Pay Day! Many people are going through difficult times.  Among them I'm most concerned about the service industry.... you know...  our hair stylist and local servers.  A friend of mine (actually her daughter) came up with the idea that we should send some extra money to our local happy hour server.  We (my teacher friends and I) come in at least once a week revved up from the day, and she greets us with laughs and bullshit.  She's amazing.  It has to be difficult when bars, restaurants, hair salons, etc. are closed.  These folks probably pay for their own insurance and aren't making money off tips.  Anyway, we all Venmoed and sent her some extra cash.  I did the same thing (again, not my idea) with my stylist.  Both were overwhelmed and full of gratitude.  Let's remember that we're all in this together!  Who needs a little financial support?  What can we do?

Thursday, March 19th We did the Google Meet as planned.  It wasn't horrible.  I contacted the parents of students I hadn't heard from...  The good news is the work day (working from home in front of a computer screen and not walking around a class) ended with a colleague happy hour.  Of course, all bars and restaurants are closed, so seven of us met at a colleagues house.  We had great drinks and conversations.  Although I'm not sure we were actually properly administering social distancing, we did have the social aspect!!  Our plan is to make this happen a couple times a week.  It's crazy that on Thursday we were already missing each other.  St. Jude, the patron saint of hope and impossible causes, was present in the form of a candle.

Sooo....  I think I'm going to try to blog each day during this crazy time of pandemic.  Today I'll try to set the seen.  Friday,  March 13th. It's interesting that this is when school started to shut down for me.  We dismissed students two hours early, so we could plan distance learning.  My colleagues and I met for a last happy hour after school.  Saturday, March 14th.   Life as usual for the most part.  I was a bit irritated when I couldn't get the normal oatmeal I buy at the grocery store.  No need to hoard here, after all, I can walk to the grocery store. Sunday, March 15th. I went to the gym for spin class.  The class was small yet lively.  The instructor reminded us to check the app for changes. Monday, March 16th .  Teachers were to report for distance learning preparations.  It was really confusing as correspondences kept changing and being in opposition with each other.  Rumors started sprea...