Meaningless freakout vent post

BlueInGreen - Jon said:

John Welsh said:

..."this will be the one you tell your grandkids about.". One of those life changing events...

...Someone you know won't come through it...

 

Yup.

And it’s been a awhile since the US of A has gone through one of those challenges. I can’t remember anything like it in my 30 years, anyway. I guess 9/11 shook us up pretty good but that felt different somehow.

It got real a few weeks ago when I looked at the statistics and realized that it’s likely, between family, church, racecar friends, and other circles, someone(s) I care about will be gone after this.

Trying not to think about that too much since it’s not something I can control, but it’s there and it’s weird.

The thing is, unlike 911, there's no "bad guy." Cold war had commies, 911 had terrorists. But this? This thing doesn't care about money, fame, politics, religion, or where you live. You can't see it. Smell it. Taste or feel it. And that is berkeleying terrifying.

The mess in 2008 made me appreciate work. Before, people would jump from job to job without a care because there was always another. After everything went tits up, we took whatever we could find, and were grateful. If we weren't, we kicked our own asses to get a better job. Now I fully understand why my depression era grandmother stuck it out at a crappy job for so long. Maybe after we defeat this (and we will) there might be a little less me, mine, berk you and more us , ours, and I love you.

Maybe.

Appleseed said:

BlueInGreen - Jon said:

John Welsh said:

..."this will be the one you tell your grandkids about.". One of those life changing events...

...Someone you know won't come through it...

 

Yup.

And it’s been a awhile since the US of A has gone through one of those challenges. I can’t remember anything like it in my 30 years, anyway. I guess 9/11 shook us up pretty good but that felt different somehow.

It got real a few weeks ago when I looked at the statistics and realized that it’s likely, between family, church, racecar friends, and other circles, someone(s) I care about will be gone after this.

Trying not to think about that too much since it’s not something I can control, but it’s there and it’s weird.

The thing is, unlike 911, there's no "bad guy." Cold war had commies, 911 had terrorists. But this? This thing doesn't care about money, fame, politics, religion, or where you live. You can't see it. Smell it. Taste or feel it. And that is berkeleying terrifying.

The mess in 2008 made me appreciate work. Before, people would jump from job to job without a care because there was always another. After everything went tits up, we took whatever we could find, and were grateful. If we weren't, we kicked our own asses to get a better job. Now I fully understand why my depression era grandmother stuck it out at a crappy job for so long. Maybe after we defeat this (and we will) there might be a little less me, mine, berk you and more us , ours, and I love you.

 

Maybe.

We could use a little more solidarity on this thing.  Right now from my vantage point it just seems like politicians blaming the other side for everything, and everyone else stockpiling everything they can get their grubby paws on.  So, pretty much, only the "me, mine, berk you".

Back to the coping...we're being blessed with a somewhat early spring here in the Mid-Atlantic, so we're not stuck inside like some parts of the country still are.  But on days like today, when it's cold, rainy, and the kids are dead set on murdering themselves and driving their mother insane, you gotta have a Plan B.

Cook something.

Over the past week, Mrs. VCH has churned out loaves of sourdough bread, a pumpkin-apple bread, homemade granola, gingerbread pancakes...and tonight I've got a pot of fresh red cabbage going and some pork that's going to get schnitzelled.  We make giant fresh salads for lunch and try to gobble all the fresh fruits and veggies we can.  Dark chocolate, tomato sauce, and cheese are all known mood-improvers.  It's true- go look it up.  

I needed it. For sure. E36 M3 falling apart, everything getting cancelled. Weather is E36 M3. Mental mess on a good day. Yeah..... I don't have many places to vent mon-fri 8-5.... and all the other hours. 

Rough day? Social Distancing?

How about 100 miles of twisty country roads after work, throttle wide open.

In reply to Justjim75 :

Currently waiting for a call confirming my employer is closed. It's a pretty day so I'm taking the Miata out as soon as I get that call. If I don't get that call it's supposed to be a high of 80 and sunny tomorrow, so I might even mess with pulling the hard top off for the first time.

In reply to Daylan C :

If you are doing it solo, a few towels are helpful for preventing scratches. 

I am driving some distance today to pick up my mother in law who is coming down to help us for a few weeks as shes off work, we are both teleworking, and we have a toddler. Shes never ridden in it, but I am totally taking my Mustang. We will see how she reacts to autocross suspension and flowmasters! 

In reply to Daylan C :

I daily a fairly well modded NB Miata with a nice cloth soft top.  I've got a good farmer's/driver's tan going and the Vmaxx/FM sway bars are set to "HOON" so I'm coping my way

well, I've tried to bare up under this.  maybe I'm doing ok, maybe not.  but, I hit a point today... and just fired up some music to cycle through during dinner.  I was still tooling around a bit when sleepykid#1 came downstairs and wanted to read "The Book With No Pictures"... one thing lead to another... and we ended up having "pause dance music time" to AC/DC Thunderstruck

It was good, I'm feeling better than I have in a couple days.  I reckon right about now is a good time to dance like nobody's watching... because if you're social distancing, almost nobody should be 

So, Monday I was home "isolating" with the kids (9 & 14) since school's out for the year. Just before lunch the power goes out. And stays out. Checking the outage map, it's growing to several thousand customers. No information on why.

I was freaking out inside! I joked with the kids and we made the best of it, but that was a bad feeling growing. I was imagining what would happen if this was related to COVID-19 and it was semi-permanent. But we played soccer and made sandwiches and never blinked.

We made it, just keep on doing what's needed for the moment. 

Stay safe, y'all

So I'm still working because the lawyers found a way to prove that we're essential manufacturing. Today is the start of my usual weekend anyway though so that's nice I guess. This morning was spent fixing the stove that attempted to let the smoke out while I was at work last night. 

worked half day yesterday and took today off. With literally everything cancelled I have to figure out what to do with 3 weeks of vacation now. I might even take monday.... we'll see.

Im at 46 hours and ive been to 6 patients houses and 7 dialysis clinics this week.  Ive put on and taken off a LOT of PPE this week.  Full coverage tyvek style suits, mask, gloves, booties, face shield before each clinic or home, then straight to the trash and do it all again at the next site

Justjim75 said:

Im at 46 hours and ive been to 6 patients houses and 7 dialysis clinics this week.  Ive put on and taken off a LOT of PPE this week.  Full coverage tyvek style suits, mask, gloves, booties, face shield before each clinic or home, then straight to the trash and do it all again at the next site

We are proud of you ,  and glad you have enough PPE to keep you safe ,

In reply to californiamilleghia :

I give masks away to everyone i come in contact with who is working, cashier, drive thru, vendors at clinics, ive been putting them in mailboxes and then calling elderly friends to tell them, i even stopped and made a u turn to give one to a UPS guy.

Hopefully no one at work reads this.

I'm really glad to hear other people are struggling to maintain their calm. For no particular reason all last week I was feeling increasingly anxious and bloodthirsty. Culminated in me getting a call from the manager about my attitude during the zoom call, she said I was being negative and argumentative. I should be glad I'm still getting my full check and "working from home" but I was just feeling overwhelmed about learning a bunch of technologies that I'm unfamiliar with and feeling like the purpose of the work was to show that we're doing work, but it felt like they wanted us to do more than was appropriate and everything was pretty far from the job description. It bothers me to do pointless work, there's just always so much real E36 M3 that needs to be done. I know for a fact that I was in the wrong and feeling a disproportionate amount of resentment but I just couldn't figure out why. Everything is pretty good, all my people are heathy, financially safe(ish) and yet I feel very out of sorts and upset/depressed. It's really pissing me off that I can't place it, I just feel like things are wrong. It doesn't make sense to me because I love the quiet, lack of traffic, and social distances seemed to be too close to me before anyway. I'm almost team thanos on this one (edit: I hope that's not too offensive to people who are struggling health wise, love you guys and wish you the best) but I just feel off-kilter. 

In reply to Carbon :

There's a lot of loss of control in this situation and that'll make anyone feel on edge.  

In reply to Stampie :

A loss of the illusion of control... We can nudge our lives in a chosen direction, but there are so many variables.

I try not to be the guy who stops in the left lane because my exit is over there on the right.  There will be another exit a couple of miles down the road.  Maybe I'll see a nice ice cream stand on the back road, and my missed exit gets me a nice Tiger Tiger cone. 

Adapt and overcome.

Streetwiseguy said:

In reply to Stampie :

A loss of the illusion of control... We can nudge nur lives in a chosen direction, but there are so many variables.

I try not to be the guy who stops in the left lane because my exit is over there on the right.  There will be another exit a couple of miles down the road.  Maybe I'll see a nice ice cream stand on the back road, and my missed exit gets me a nice Tiger Tiger cone. 

Adapt and overcome.

What is a Tiger Tiger cone?

In reply to mtn :

Looks like a canadia thing:

Daylan C said:

In reply to Justjim75 :

Currently waiting for a call confirming my employer is closed. It's a pretty day so I'm taking the Miata out as soon as I get that call. If I don't get that call it's supposed to be a high of 80 and sunny tomorrow, so I might even mess with pulling the hard top off for the first time.

I might be too late on this, but the number one lesson that I always forget to learn is: FIRST: UNPLUG THE DEFROSTER!

I think all of us are going through this in one facet or another. Mrs. DX is wfh and I'm going to work. Its a little surreal driving by shopping centers seeing no cars in the parking lot. Seeing lines outside the liquor/beer store you'd think nothing is going on . As others have said, wash your hands, keep distance, chat and keep in touch with people, listen to music/podcasts, keep your head up, keep on keepin on, don't let things get to you and remember this is the best board on the net bar none! 

In reply to wae :

You've grossly overestimated how good my Miata is. My hardtop has a lexan back window with no defrost. I do appreciate the concern though.

dculberson said:

In reply to mtn :

Looks like a canadia thing:

Orange and black licorice ice cream.  Not super popular for some reason.  It should be.

We've both been full time WFH while splitting watching our 7mo old. Found out I likely have Celiac's two weeks ago. My grandfather (last grand), passed (not unexpectedly) the day before that. I am so mentally and emotionally exhausted. 

I know we all are. Group exhaustion sucks :-/

Stampie said:

In reply to Carbon :

There's a lot of loss of control in this situation and that'll make anyone feel on edge.  

Thanks Stamps, you doin ok?