Total words: 0 (haven’t started yet)
Manuscript total: 22,471
On Friday, I mentioned how HBO is letting people stream a big chunk of its library for free. (Just go to HBO Go to start watching.) In the spirit of public service announcements, I have a few more for you today.
1. On the topic of free HBO, The Wire really is as good as they say.
I had heard that The Wire is one of the best television shows ever produced. I started watching out of curiosity, not sure if I would like it because I’m really not into police procedurals. But by halfway through the pilot episode, I was totally drawn in. Strongly recommended.
2. Paperless coffee filters make a wickedly strong cup of coffee.
Remember how I mentioned that I was having trouble finding coffee filters, and when I finally did procure some at Walmart, I also got a reusable mesh basket? Well, I’ve been using that reusable filter, and lemme tell ya:
Just… be careful with the paperless filters, okay? That’s all I want you to know.
3. I fact-checked myself. I was wrong about the baby boom.
I repeated incorrect information I gained from my professor about a potentially huge baby boom coming as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. While it’s nice, in a certain way, to contemplate that people will be at home boinking, it turns out that between the level of this disaster and the economic downturn it’s going to plunge us into, if anything, the birth rate is going to decline for a while rather than increase. Sorry ’bout that.
4. If you haven’t tried being a social butterfly right now, you totally should.
Yes, admittedly, the introvert in me was very DONE with Zoom on Friday, but the extrovert in me had a resurgence yesterday and I very much enjoyed catching up with my friends all afternoon. I know a lot of you reading are probably introverts, but you should just try a day where you call up a friend you haven’t chatted with in a while and block out some time to talk. You’ll feel so much better afterwards.
5. Speaking of connecting with people, I also recommend Marco Polo.
Marco Polo is an app that basically lets you send video text messages to your pals. This is kind of the best of all worlds. You get to see their face and hear their voice, but like a text message, you’re under no obligation to reply right away!
6. To-do lists, y’all. Seriously.
I’m recognizing that one of the things keeping me most sane at this time is my running to-do list. Especially during these strange times when we have almost all been booted from our normal routines, I’m telling you: Keep a to-do list each day. It makes a big difference in sanity levels.
And on that note…
On my to-do list is to brave Trader Joe’s at some point today, as well as get some writing in, work on my credentialing paperwork, and start on my last final project (my final final project?).
I hope everyone has a happy Easter Sunday.
3 Comments
Annette Mori · April 12, 2020 at 2:55 pm
Thanks for the HBO hint…I needed something new to binge watch!
Jen · April 12, 2020 at 3:35 pm
Six Feet Under is free too, I think. I have the whole series on DVD. I feel that it is one of the best shows ever made. Lots of people were hesitant to watch because “why would I watch a show about death?” It’s not about death, though, it’s more about life. The journey.
I may watch the Wire on your suggestion. I’m trying to stay away from police or law-related shows lately because they were my dad’s favourite, and I can’t suggest them to him now.
Godspeed if you go to trader joe’s. We don’t have those here, but we have a really great chain called Farm Boy, and it’s about a wholesome as it sounds, lol.
I’ve been reconnecting to a lot of friends I never talk to because film sort of takes all of my time when I’m working, and it sure is nice to hear from them. One is an art teacher at a private school and she’s a little overwhelmed. Most teachers seem to be overwhelmed with the learning curve of all of this, and how much extra work it can be. It’s interesting because it sort of makes EVERYONE into nervous students. Learning is such a vulnerable process, I hope you all are going easy on yourselves.
Sarah Wiseman · April 15, 2020 at 9:53 pm
Hello Eliza! 😊
I loved The Wire… Prob had the biggest impact on me of any non UK TV show. Not sure how it holds up, 10 years on, but…
I hope the teaching is going well… I am holding out for all my teachery friends… It’s the best of times and the worst of times for them I think…
Noone is clapping outside at 8pm on a Thursday for teachers, but the profession is going through the biggest upheaval in its history, with little training, little support, and no fanfare… as usual… and as usual, will pull off a minor miracle every day by lunchtime.
When I was ten years old, there was a 6 week school Caretaker’s strike here and schools closed for the duration… It was winter, and I’d been at my new school for 2 weeks when it started… Needless to say that I was not delighted. I would have given anything to have had Internet connection with a teacher or student teacher who gave a damn during that time. So, anything you can do to maintain normality will no doubt be invaluable.
So, kudos to you and all your colleagues! 👏👏👏