Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. For the reminder that it truly is Another Wonderful Day in Paradise, now that I don't have to hear about what so & so said on his twitting account !
For me, this has been a rollercoaster - most of the time I keep myself busy but there are times I just sit down and cry from the lack of "positive interaction". I am from a large family of 10 siblings, and haven't seen them except through duo chat or FaceTime. I have been an essential worker for all but 4 months of this pandemic. I support servers and computers for a living and help people with desktops and servers during my work life. I am keeping myself busy - painting my basement walls after a horrendous rain we had in Seattle a month plus back. In the past two months, I lost my mother in-law of 40 years and just this week without warning one of my corgies was poisoned and died. We will get through this, but honestly I just want to cry when I am not busy working with someone.
I think the term weekend has always been relative. To somebody who works a M-F 9-5, weekend is respite. To a bartender, weekend (pre-covid) may mean a lot of work with good compensation. While weekend has defined days, I think the modern weekend isn’t necessarily the weekend based on the calendar, but the opportunity for work-free (if you’re fortunate enough to have that) time. Time to run errands, relax, spend time with family and friends, enjoy activities for entertainment. All of which are privileges for many in our society. That I have weekends at all demonstrates that I have privilege...I can live on one job and have few time to do things I want to do and need to do. So, even though my work sometimes intrudes and I may not be able to do the things I did pre-covid, I’m still fortunate enough to have down time to take care of myself and my home...so, it’s still a nice weekend.
When I do go out to get groceries etc the clerks all want me to have a "great" day (sometimes rest of my day). I just do the best I can with what I've got to work with.
I must be built differently because I have not been adversely affected by this pandemic. I work part-time and have the whole time. Staying home did not bother me in the beginning when we were on full lock-down. Even in the summer when we could only see a few friends at time I was totally fine. I was worried when my son caught Covid, but he is now fine. I know I will be in the last round of vaccines, but I also know there will be an end. Until then I will remain chill and I look forward to your columns.
Thank you for your perspective. As the mom of three teenagers, I am forever looking for ways to brighten their perspective on the current situation. Saying “everyone is going through this” one more time doesn’t work. Steady as she goes.
Mr. Rather, you were reading my mind yesterday. I work in a customer service role at an American embassy in Germany. Naturally, people connect over that question, and have for decades. But yesterday in particular it struck me as absurdly as it did you. Was it a weekend? My standard answer became, "Well, it was pretty much like last Tuesday."
As always, I love reading everything you write, and I found a copy of, and am currently reading, your 1977 "The Camera Never Blinks" after picking it up at an embassy book swap. Fascinating stories.
You seem like an old friend, Dan. Thanks for all you do. I'm excited about your new project. Virtual hugs from an American abroad. ♡
Yes, Mr. Rather, I had a nice weekend, or at least what there is of a weekend nowadays. My oldest son and his 3 young boys came to see me for a couple of hours. We were all masked (I was double masked) and we hung out in my cold garage with the doors open for air. This short visit was literally my 2021 highlight, plus President Biden's Inauguration Day. As a retired teacher, living alone and isolated for basically 11 months outside Seattle, the days tend to run run into each other, and I have to check the newspaper for the date every morning. So yes, a rare two hour, cold, outdoor visit with family most definitely made for a Nice Weekend!
I work at a part-time job on the weekends and I work a full-time during the week, so I dont have a weekend. So that question always gets under my skin. I appreciate hearing your perspective on life!
I really think we are going to make it. I am no longer working and I am very happily retired. I am 72 and hope to at least surpass my mother who lived to 89. That's not a lot of years left to enjoy. The internet is a great way to connect with people and I have made lots of friends this way. But I understand that people are suffering. Not just the ones who are unemployed or have contracted the virus, but I also feel sorry for the ones who pinned their hopes on someone they thought would help this country. I know what it feels like to be conned. You feel embarrassed and ashamed, if not angry and distraught. I feel bad for families separated, the ones who have lost loved ones and the ones who are unsure and afraid of what the future holds. I try to stay positive. I pray for the nation to heal and listen to all the citizens and help them find their voices in harmony with others.
I'm a minister in a Christian denomination. I work Sundays, and usually Saturday, too. What is this "weekend" you're talking about?
Sad that a “certain Twitter account” can ruin one’s weekend, but to each their own.
You are a rare bird in a country gone askew. Thank you.
What a relief! No constant barrage of inane commentary. Thank you for reminding us of all we have to be thankful for ♥️
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. For the reminder that it truly is Another Wonderful Day in Paradise, now that I don't have to hear about what so & so said on his twitting account !
For me, this has been a rollercoaster - most of the time I keep myself busy but there are times I just sit down and cry from the lack of "positive interaction". I am from a large family of 10 siblings, and haven't seen them except through duo chat or FaceTime. I have been an essential worker for all but 4 months of this pandemic. I support servers and computers for a living and help people with desktops and servers during my work life. I am keeping myself busy - painting my basement walls after a horrendous rain we had in Seattle a month plus back. In the past two months, I lost my mother in-law of 40 years and just this week without warning one of my corgies was poisoned and died. We will get through this, but honestly I just want to cry when I am not busy working with someone.
I think the term weekend has always been relative. To somebody who works a M-F 9-5, weekend is respite. To a bartender, weekend (pre-covid) may mean a lot of work with good compensation. While weekend has defined days, I think the modern weekend isn’t necessarily the weekend based on the calendar, but the opportunity for work-free (if you’re fortunate enough to have that) time. Time to run errands, relax, spend time with family and friends, enjoy activities for entertainment. All of which are privileges for many in our society. That I have weekends at all demonstrates that I have privilege...I can live on one job and have few time to do things I want to do and need to do. So, even though my work sometimes intrudes and I may not be able to do the things I did pre-covid, I’m still fortunate enough to have down time to take care of myself and my home...so, it’s still a nice weekend.
When I do go out to get groceries etc the clerks all want me to have a "great" day (sometimes rest of my day). I just do the best I can with what I've got to work with.
It is relaxing to check the news for normal occurrences, as opposed to checking the news to see what crazy thing came out of the White House!
I must be built differently because I have not been adversely affected by this pandemic. I work part-time and have the whole time. Staying home did not bother me in the beginning when we were on full lock-down. Even in the summer when we could only see a few friends at time I was totally fine. I was worried when my son caught Covid, but he is now fine. I know I will be in the last round of vaccines, but I also know there will be an end. Until then I will remain chill and I look forward to your columns.
And now after reading the local newspaper (YES PAPER), I can look forward to reading gifts from "Steady".
Thank you for your perspective. As the mom of three teenagers, I am forever looking for ways to brighten their perspective on the current situation. Saying “everyone is going through this” one more time doesn’t work. Steady as she goes.
Mr. Rather, you were reading my mind yesterday. I work in a customer service role at an American embassy in Germany. Naturally, people connect over that question, and have for decades. But yesterday in particular it struck me as absurdly as it did you. Was it a weekend? My standard answer became, "Well, it was pretty much like last Tuesday."
As always, I love reading everything you write, and I found a copy of, and am currently reading, your 1977 "The Camera Never Blinks" after picking it up at an embassy book swap. Fascinating stories.
You seem like an old friend, Dan. Thanks for all you do. I'm excited about your new project. Virtual hugs from an American abroad. ♡
Yes, Mr. Rather, I had a nice weekend, or at least what there is of a weekend nowadays. My oldest son and his 3 young boys came to see me for a couple of hours. We were all masked (I was double masked) and we hung out in my cold garage with the doors open for air. This short visit was literally my 2021 highlight, plus President Biden's Inauguration Day. As a retired teacher, living alone and isolated for basically 11 months outside Seattle, the days tend to run run into each other, and I have to check the newspaper for the date every morning. So yes, a rare two hour, cold, outdoor visit with family most definitely made for a Nice Weekend!
I work at a part-time job on the weekends and I work a full-time during the week, so I dont have a weekend. So that question always gets under my skin. I appreciate hearing your perspective on life!
I really think we are going to make it. I am no longer working and I am very happily retired. I am 72 and hope to at least surpass my mother who lived to 89. That's not a lot of years left to enjoy. The internet is a great way to connect with people and I have made lots of friends this way. But I understand that people are suffering. Not just the ones who are unemployed or have contracted the virus, but I also feel sorry for the ones who pinned their hopes on someone they thought would help this country. I know what it feels like to be conned. You feel embarrassed and ashamed, if not angry and distraught. I feel bad for families separated, the ones who have lost loved ones and the ones who are unsure and afraid of what the future holds. I try to stay positive. I pray for the nation to heal and listen to all the citizens and help them find their voices in harmony with others.