So we’re all still taking care of ourselves and others by staying at home when we can and engaging in social distancing when we must. But, like, let’s daydream for a moment or three.
Let’s say that you got the all-clear. “Hey, we got your test back. Oh, don’t worry about how. (Don’t tell anybody but we’ve been testing you through the dental work you had done when you were 7.) As it turns out, you’ve got the antibodies you need from the fluoride additive we’ve been putting in your water. All that to say… you’re free to go out and about without fear of getting yourself or others sick.” And let’s say that this same thing applied to everybody in town.
So…what do you do?
I mean, the FIRST thing that I’d do, assuming it was lunchtime or after, would be to go out to eat. I’d go to Chipotle and get a burrito or to my little college diner and get a Rueben or go to the restaurant attached to my climbing gym and get one of their beet smoothies (please add half a jalapeño) and an Italian Sandwich (please add the other half).
And THEN… well, it’d be nice to go climbing again and see how much strength I’ve lost (despite jogging) and how much I’ve completely forgotten.
And after a shower, it’d be nice to just go shopping. Go to Costco and rebuild the supplies of bottled water and just, you know, walk up and down each and every aisle. Go to PetSmart and pick up some cat food and cat litter for the babies. Wander down to Whole Foods and see how their blackberries are looking.
Just the simple little joys of running the errands that I haven’t run for a month (excepting a grocery run once or twice (and, let’s face it, those weren’t particularly fun)) would sound sooooooo good.
And just get the house ready for the summer. Swap out the flannel sheets for the linen ones and put the hoodies in the back of the closet and move the short sleeve shirts to the front.
And then, on Saturday night? Have a gaming group, in person, with my regular gaming group. We’d eat takeout and argue about pop culture before playing a board game or a session of D&D in person.
And then, on Sunday, visit the family and burp for the nephews.
And then, on Monday, go back to work. In person.
So… what would you do?
(Featured image is Alice looking out the window. Picture taken by Maribou.)
I don’t miss shopping. But I miss my martial arts class. I miss seeing people I’ve been doing this with for the last 20 years. Every Saturday morning. But not this last month.
And gaming. Yeah. Board gaming. Role playing. And so on.
ALSO, I’d go see a movie. In a crowded theater. We’d all laugh together, or boo or hiss (we do that here) or cry.
Together.Report
I’d hit the gym early to see how pathetic my squat has become over the last month. Then take my son to the big park. Maybe grab something for the grill and get some friends over in the evening for beers.Report
Well, assuming instead of “oh, you’re immune” that it was rather “the virus never happened and everything is as normal as it seemed back in January”….well, I’d have Good Friday off (I know, right? And I teach at a state university) and I’d probably be going out to the craft store (I had a very visceral feeling of longing yesterday afternoon to just be able to wander the aisles of the JoAnn’s or go to one of the little quilt shops that I HOPE will still be around thanks to selling online after this is over). Would hit the nicer bigger grocery store to get something special to cook for my Easter dinner (which now will probably be salmon loaf out of canned salmon….), having a restaurant meal.
I’d have gone to Maundy Thursday service at church last night, rather than crying my way through the version broadcast on the BBC and I’d be looking forward to going to church for Easter on Sunday.
I’d probably have griped about having to go into the office on Saturday and grade or write an exam or whatever…Report
I’d probably go to Easter Vigil Mass – the long one, just to wash this secular taste out of my mouth. Go to Wendy’s and eat inside. Ride the elevator in the apartment complex for an hour and greet people when the doors open. Oh, you know what, not Wendy’s, but that pretty bad all-you-can-each Chinese buffet place up the road. Maybe I’d just go there and sit down. Spend $18 just to watch people scoop food from the same trays.Report
Back to the mat 3-4 times a week. I’m trying to keep conditioning so i won”t be exhausted after the warm up.Report
Well, I wouldn’t be taking my wifes car in to get recall work done, which I wouldn’t be waiting for four hours to have happen. I wouldn’t be wandering around a nursery to listen to her choose plants for the backyard.
I wouldn”t be looking to see what restaurants do take-out to have a picnic on my porch for date night.Report