Like all of us, I had to find Stuff To Do during the 2020 Shelter In Place.
Music
Well, at first I was too bummed about so many gigs being cancelled. But gradually, I got back into playing, and now I am sharing files and access to online studios with a couple of bands, and that’s pretty fun.
Also, The Martinez Music Mafia has been airing a 90-minute show every Friday on Facebook, featuring lots of local talent. This week is number 5 and it’s growing in popularity. It’s a lot of work, but there are 6 members of the MMM Board of Directors (We are a registered 501-c-3) and everyone pitches in.
Gardening
Yeah, uh, no. I envy people who are good gardening and caring for plants. And part of me likes the loamy smells associated with it. But not very much. I did some weeding, but it never got to a Zen level, so I’m avoiding that whenever possible.
Fixing Up the House
Again, not in my wheelhouse, interest-wise or skillset-wise. However, during this fallow period, I am much more up for quick resolution of minor issues and (I secretly love this) cleaning out junk drawers.
Reading
I’m a voracious reader in normal times, but I have stepped it up considerably. At any given time, I have at least 2 books going. Here’s my normal mix: Have 3 books going – One which I am re-reading (could be anything), another which is more difficult (classics, historical accounts, 19th century works) and one page-turner (your Lawrence Sanders/John Grisham/Scott Turow types).
I’ve plowed through dozens of books since mid-march.
I’ve plowed through dozens of books since mid-march.
Games and Puzzles
Yep, stepped that up big time. I used to do both crosswords in the newspaper Friday through Sunday,and play solitaire and Yahtzee on my phone. Now, I do the cryptoquizzes (substitution cipher renditions of brief quotes), Sudoku, Cribbage and even Minesweeper, which I found on my phone.
Sleep
Why not? I like sleep.
