Dumbbells

Day 2 of TCP started quite well. (I wonder when I will forget that number? I may stop counting). It was a sunny morning, so after a muffin, egg and ham breakfast (we still have food - might as well enjoy it) I took the dog for a good walk. As usual, Tomo turned me down. It has become an automatic response when I ask if he will come with me. "Nooo" comes the reply when I holler up the stairs. The attractions of the internet are far more alluring. From Monday, I will insist as part of his daily exercise regime. I am trying to treat this as a normal weekend in as much as possible, so he was off the hook today. We had a fun movie night together yesterday. The billing was Rocky 3 and First Blood. He preferred the latter.

There were a fair number of people also walking around and about, either with dogs or with children, but no groups larger than 3 people. One old boy was determinedly walking nowhere in particular at a brisk pace and staying well clear of others. I exchanged morning greetings with several people. Maybe it's my imagination, but everyone seemed to be making an effort to be more social (if from a safe distance of several meters). I studiously avoided walking near the local shop. I can't stand the sight of people grabbing everything in sight, or worse, the now familiar and surreal reality of empty shelves.

Before I left, someone from the local Facebook group put out a request for dumbbells because the local gym is closed and they "can't exercise". I responded and said she could have mine for free. I haven't used them for a while. They offered to get us something from the shops if we need anything. I hope I don't have to call in that favor. I was happy to help someone out. Just pay it forward, please! We need a bit more kindness and generosity at the moment. 

Anyhoo. When I got home, I gave the car a good wash and valet. This weather is too good to waste and I wanted to be outside. It is bitterly ironic that the signs of spring are taking place while this horror is taking place. As I was finishing, the dumbbells were collected. I had given them a good wipe down with white spirit but advised 'Belle' to also sterilize them. Can't be too careful with C19.

Yesterday, I made a pan pizza for dinner (with a leftover meatball sauce for topping). It was pretty good, so I ate the leftovers for lunch with a salad. Tomo and Nozomi chose ramen. We found some fun quizzes on Alexa while making lunch. Need to up the difficulty of the maths one though as Tomo was too good at the normal level. It was fun though, and I am sure we will find other things on there that can be somewhat educational. (I bought an Echo Show for the kitchen last week so that I can talk to dad easily while we prepare our respective evening meals. I think we are talking more now than we have in years, so a silver lining).

We had a video call with Jeremy and Akiko today. They are living in France and have to print out a permission slip to take the children out for exercise. They seemed well and it was good to chat. Apparently, the same panic shopping happened out there last week, but now the shops are better stocked. Hopefully the same will happen here now people are bedded in for isolation, but looking at the news - not yet...

This afternoon, I had a little nap. Then I tried once more to record myself playing the guitar. I am trying to overcome performance anxiety and videoing myself is almost like having an audience, but damn fingers feel fat and clumsy. I shredded my thumbnail a couple of weeks ago which is a bit of a pain for the Travis style fingerpicking that I favor. Plenty of boo-boos, but I managed to get a few reasonable recordings done. I may send one to Helen tomorrow for mother's day.

Nozomi's family in Japan is healthy at the moment. I missed the chance to talk to them as I was walking the dog when she skyped. Hopefully tomorrow. Nozomi seems her usual cheerful self. My lovely sunshine wife. She must be worried about travel restrictions. I can't imagine.

What else? I fixed our laundry hamper (broken lid). Exciting huh?!

Beer O' Clock

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNF7k552CCkVDommZmJ_jMYBY37QVrKz24_tkhT

March 20th, 2020: TCP Day 1

TCP Day 1

So, it has begun.  The COVID Pause, hereafter known as TCP (seems somewhat apt, if not ironic I guess). 

We are all currently healthy. No coughs or fevers, or other symptoms.
 

School closed at 13:15 today; probably for the last time for those in Year 6 like Tomoki. I have been quite low these past few days thinking about the end of school activities he will miss and the psychological scars this period could leave in his memories. He seems to be relatively unaffected at the moment, but time will tell. He's chuckling about something upstairs currently so for today at least he appears to be fine. He will not be sitting his SATs and his Grade 4 keyboard exam has been indefinitely postponed.

Nozomi is still commuting to work, although she just texted to say that she will be "allowed" to work from home on Monday, Thursday and Friday starting next week. I continue to work from home as I have these past years. We had a special "Virtual Fruit Friday" meeting online at work today. I guess it will be a regular thing. I may or may not attend in future depending on mood. The company has discouraged WFH the past few years, so it was somewhat entertaining in a dispassionate way. Maybe after this virus has faded, the company will be pressured to rethink that policy. I expect that WFH will open the eyes of those that don't usually do it.

I did no shopping today. We have enough for a period of a couple of weeks or so before food will become an issue and the shops are carnage at the moment. When I went to collect Tomo from school this afternoon, there were many scared looking people dragging heavy bags of shopping home. I hope this panic buying ends soon, or we will be facing rationing of some sort. The fear is palpable though. Some people will meet your gaze with a watery smile. Poppy (our little poodle/bichon cross helps there), but most people have darting eyes and a grimace as they go about whatever task needs doing. It's pretty grim. 

The weather was a bit brisk, but at least it wasn't raining. It looks set fair but chilly this weekend so hopefully we can get out to the woods for some fresh air. We are not quite in full lock down yet. You need permission to walk the dog in some countries at the moment. I fear we won't be far behind in the UK.

The virus numbers are not worth repeating here. The history and statistics of this will be available for all to see and study for decades to come once this disaster has played out. Suffice to say, it looks like we are "doing an Italian" or possibly even worse if the trajectory of our COVID19 infected continues in its current pattern.

I am really missing our friends. We would normally be having our neighbors Adam, Akiko and their son Leo over tonight (or be going to theirs) for good food, drinking and mahjong or some other game. It all feels desperately sad and lonely.

Nozomi, Tomoki and I will be spending some part of the weekend working out how Tomo can continue his studies. The school sent some material, and we have a few ideas for music, Japanese studies etc. We will structure his day as if he was at school. Details to be determined. He will not be playing video games all day!

Made dinner (home made deep pan pizza) at the same time as dad via the Echo Show. He seemed well and I am glad we gave him an Echo last week for his 70th birthday. Apparently, booze is now hard to get. Glad I had the foresight to get enough in. Gonna need it!