Day 35 of the California quarantine
Some of my colleagues are masking…
4/23/20 - Thursday
9:00 – The dog doesn’t bark so I go downstairs to see what happened. She is still stretched out on the couch, sleeping. I take her outside then give her cheese.
9:30-11:00 – I get in the shower and drink a 16-oz Hydroflask of lemon water, in the shower. I listen to the Global News Podcast and Before Breakfast. Standard getting ready routine. I’m meeting with my trainee today so I curl my hair and prepare for a full face of make-up starting with under eye concealer and NARS foundation – what a waste of my time. I touch up my roots again then I put on gray, skinny cropped pants, and a long-sleeved, form-fitting, black blouse with an asymmetrical neckline - ankle booties. Large diamond hoops. I put two oatmeal cookies in my lunch bag. I warm up my coffee and pack everything in my state vehicle then hit the road.
11:00-12:00 – I drive to work and listen to The Waves. They announce today’s episode will be their last episode – no funding due to Covid-19. I’m devastated as this is one of my favorite podcasts. I put my make-up on in the car.
12:00 – 1:00 - at work and more people are masking. Although our Chief has advised us in multiple emails to work from home, and we have all the equipment to do so, these idiots come in EVERY DAY and are putting us all at risk. Our Chief can’t force them to stay home because we’re deemed essential employees. One employee does not want to be home with her kids so reports to work every day while her husband and Dad watch them; another employee is incapable of telecommuting because he is too overwhelmed by the flexibility of working from home and so arrives to work every day from 6:00-2:00, Mon-Thurs. One of his tasks today was a 2-hour phone interview that could have easily been done from home.
Unless I have a special conference call, which is rare, I stop by the office for 3 to 4 hours, one day a week. Two of our sister offices are currently shut down due to a Covid infection – it’s only a matter of time before it happens at our Glendale office. And yet, my colleagues continue to report to work every day. Unbelievable!
I meet with my trainee for the next hour and we discuss her cases. We social distance but don’t mask. She’s doing great and I’m proud of her.
1:00-2:00 – I prepare for my conference call at 2:00 and complete a few tasks.
2:00-2:30 – the conference call begins but 30 minutes in, our in-house consultant reveals that he reviewed the wrong case. Interview aborted. This means I came to the office and endangered my own health, for nothing. The entire day was a waste.
2:30-3:30 – I wrap up a few tasks and leave. I listen to A to B Simplicity, Organization, and Fun – 10 day challenge on the way home. Sometimes, I just want to listen to something light. I’ve eaten nothing today, so finish my salad and two oatmeal cookies as I drive.
4:30-5:30 – I get home, unpack everything, and read The Queen Must Die.
5:30-6:30 – I drive to my recycling place to see if it’s still open. The website says it opens at 9:00 tomorrow, but I’m not sure so decided to drive by the location and see for myself. It looks like it’s open. I also pull out money for my therapy session tomorrow. I eat the yogurt that I packed in my lunch bag in the car.
6:30- 8:00 - L. bought sweet potatoes and made dinner with the leftover potato stuffing mix from a few days ago. It is waiting for me when I arrive – a nice surprise! It’s been approximately 15 years since anyone has actually made and plated my dinner. Although my previous boyfriend cooked for me on occasion [always a salad, salmon, and a baked potato], I had to plate my own food, buffet style. L. and I watch the first episode of Surviving R. Kelley-The Aftermath.
8:00-9:30 – I read The Queen Must Die.
9:30-10:00 – I load all my recycling in the car in preparation for tomorrow. I clean the kitchen, make my coffee for tomorrow, then go outside and water a few of my plants. I listen to Slate’s Political Gabfest.
12:00-1:00 – I field emails from my students and print out several extra credit essays that were due today. I set them aside for grading. I continue trying on virtual glasses – I think I found a pair.
1:30 – 3:30 a.m.: I do my nighttime routine then watch Le Village Francais on Amazon, but end up falling asleep, although I really like the series. I wake up and go to bed.