DW Community Catch-up Thread
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I was wondering if he was in jail and/or getting charged. I’m glad to hear it. I can’t even imagine.
Oh Copa, I am so sorry to hear about your friend. That is terrifying and disgusting, especially since he seemed like a good person. I am “glad” he is facing jail. I hope your friend recovers.
Hi friends, I’m running out of covid friendly at home date ideas.
My husband is starting to go stir crazy due to covid. We go to work, go home, and sometimes get crazy and go to the gym.
Meanwhile I’m pregnant and loving being at home doing nothing and hibernating as much as possible.
We get take out maybe once a week. Other ideas for at home date nights that aren’t terribly expensive?
Also curious what everyone’s at-home, COVID-friendly date nights look like. It still hasn’t gotten that cold here yet, but the bitter cold is coming and I’ll take any ideas.
I signed up for emails from two local chambers of commerce for the two neighborhoods in our city that our new place kinds straddles, which lets us know what different local businesses are doing and offering. A lot has been canceled, but it’s nice to keep tabs on the area.
We got a cocktail book last spring and have been having fun making cocktails at home, but since you’re pregnant, that’s out. We’ve done some picnics on days with nice weather. We sometimes cook dinners that feel fancier or try out a new recipe — some local restaurants here have meal kit-type options that you make at home, which seems like a fun and kind of different way to support local eateries right now. We learned that my boyfriend really likes puzzles, haha. The zoo in our city has zoo lights every year, which is normally free, but this year it will be a $5 ticketed event for crowd control — we’re planning to go. I know people who have been to drive-in movies and concerts, but I haven’t done that yet. We played video games together exactly once.
Just curious, ver, how has your gym experience been?
Are either of you video game people, copa? Also, what has been your favourite cocktail so far? Is there anything with creme de menthe/creme de cacao by any chance? I know, classy!! I got a bottle of each when I wanted to make grasshopper pie for a Pi Day/St Paddy’s Party (which was cancelled as that was when this all started) and I don’t know what to do with it all ??♀️?
We started a summer bucket list and now have a fall/winter bucket list. Now we have double fun of doing the thing and checking it off. Ha omg so lame.
We did a fall hike. Also are trying a “cook the world” — each week one of us chooses a country and recipe and we cook it together. Starting a list of movies we have never watched (eg him, Titanic) so we won’t aimlessly go through Netflix. Maybe you can use the AFI top 100 list. Plan to make a gingerbread house.
I have a feeling snow shoes and cross country skis are going to be sold out this season. I don’t really want to get snow shoes and never use them again but I think that might be something we try.
A fun kind of brainy two player game is Duel (the two player version of 7 Wonders). I hear good things about Monopoly Deal. We thought of taking up chess or GO, but have not gotten there yet… And puzzles! Saving one for when it gets really hibernatey.
But yeah, sometimes we both feel down. The numbers in Ontario keep going up. We don’t know what we are going to do with Christmas. He hasn’t seen his parents for months.
@hfantods I belong to a CrossFit gym so it’s a bit different. It’s a 9,000 square foot building and the class I typically go to has about five participants so we have A LOT of room to spread out. All the weights and equipment are sanitized between classes and they deep clean the place every Sunday. No high fives, fist bumps, hugs etc. Partner WODS use separate equipment so we don’t have to touch the same weights.
I honestly feel more safe and comfortable in my gym than many other places because I’ve see first hand how much cleaning and distancing goes into it. The only exception is when my husband and I go work out at the same class we are typically closer to one another than any other participants.
I don’t think I’d feel comfortable going to a traditional gym right now. I haven’t been in more than a week because a member did test positive and she didn’t get it from the gym but being pregnant it just didn’t seem like a great idea to be going right now. I’ll probably feel more comfortable later this week or next week returning. The owners have been very transparent about keeping us informed and enforcing the rules.
I like the “cook the world” idea! We’ve also joked that we finally have the time to get one another caught up on our favorite movies that we know the other hasn’t seen, but haven’t done this yet.
Neither of us are video game people, but we both happened to have old gaming systems, like Wii and N64. I don’t think I’d date an avid gamer, haha.
The cocktail book we have is called How to Cocktail and I’d recommend it for other beginner mixologists. Every drink we’ve made from it has been good (the mai tais were too sweet for our personal preferences, but it’s a tiki drink so sweet is expected). Favorite fall drink has been one called Autumn in New England: bourbon, maple syrup, sage, apple cider, and apple cider vinegar. Right up my alley. We’re going to make mulled wine at some point this fall — maybe the day we decorate for Christmas? — and I want to make eggnog since I’ve never had it before. You could probably do a mint martini with the creme de menthe.
Was also going to mention, I haven’t been to any museums since COVID started, but have heard positive things from friends who have had great socially distanced experiences at them.
Veritek, I’m curious how other parts of the country are mitigating corona. Masks or no masks in your crossfit gym?
That sounds amazing, ktfran! I usually spike eggnog with bourbon. This sounds like a nice alternative.
Ooh mulled wine sounds delicious!
Sorry for all this talk of booze, ver!
@copa: we are members at the Shedd and it’s actually more pleasant to go now than pre-covid. I’ll probably do the art museum and field once I’ve had the baby as something to do during the day (that I can walk where its warm).
Cross country skiis would be great, I’ve always wanted some. Unfortunately the quality of the snow in Chicago is just not reliable. If I was up north, I would totally buy a pair. They used to rent them at Northerly, wonder if they will again this year?
@veritek: Love the cooking around the world! We’ve been doing that, and actually doing more cooking techniques too. I received a year subscription to America’s Test Kitchen and we tape all the episodes on PBS. That’s pretty fun to watch (and then use for ideas for future meals).
We like to check out Frank Lloyd Wright houses.. so whenever we’re out, we make a point to drive past or do a tour.
I’ve seen lots of online “tours” of places (historical or travel), perhaps you can do theme nights?
Yes! I’ve been to Zoo Lights before and honestly? Kinda fun, kinda miserable from the crowds. The idea of going when they’re keeping a close eye on capacity makes me hope it’ll actually be a more pleasant experience. I’ve read that the ribbon rink will be open for skating this season, too, but will be reservation only. I’d like to look into going — never been! Tried going once on a date like three years ago and we were told when we got there that the expected wait time was something like 2-3 hours. Yikes! We went to Christkindmarket instead and drank mulled wine.
