Copa
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This morning when we woke up, the first thing my boyfriend said to me was, “Won’t it be nice when we can do stuff again?” Uh, yeah. Aside from some outdoor hangouts, we haven’t done much. We just got a fireplace for our rooftop, so I’m hopefully it’ll provide enough heat that we can continue to enjoy the outdoors a bit more even as the cold sets in. It’s not even bitter cold yet like it will be here, but the sun setting so early is already getting to me.
I know this sounds dramatic, but gyms closing was hard for me. Mine was a key part of managing my mental/emotional health. I really struggled with at-home workouts last spring, but tried my best. I was running a couple times/week until it got too hot for me, so I guess it bodes well for me that I don’t mind colder-weather runs. I have two 15-lb dumbbells, but wish I had more variety of weights. I still can’t find any in stores or online. I’m on the brink of buying a barbell, a squat rack, and some bumper plates. But even a lot of those items are sold out.
I was thrilled when my gym started offering outdoor classes. We just went back to indoor classes now that the sun sets at like 4:30 and I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about it, but I think it’s about as safe as an indoor gym environment can get. It’s a small local business, not a big box gym, so they have a bit more control of what happens inside than I imagine a huge gym would. Capacity is capped at five people total (including the instructor), everyone is assigned a taped off section of the gym on entry, classes are shorter, they do temperature checks at the door, everyone has to sanitize on entry, masks are required/enforced, no lingering before/after class, and windows/doors are opened for added ventilation. In any case, I suspect they’ll be shutting down again soon and I will probably ask to borrow equipment in exchange for continuing to pay my membership fees.
I’d feel okay with a pedicure and have gotten one, but would skip out on a massage. A massage really does sound wonderful, though. I’ve gotten my hair cut twice now and the last time, I cut my hair shorter than I normally would so I won’t have to go as often. My haircut in June came after nine months without a haircut and I couldn’t stand how long it had gotten.
I’ve seen my mom twice, maskless and indoors, since COVID started. Once when I went to visit her in the spring, once for a long weekend last month at an AirBNB halfway between us for her birthday. She lives alone and is really struggling with the isolation. We discussed precautions we’d take beforehand and she felt the mental health benefits were worth the risk. I’m sure people judged me or thought those risks were stupid or not worth it.
I mean, I think everyone is taking their own calculated risks and then judging others if their risk-taking looks different. I’ve also noticed people are quick to offer up justification for their own behaviors and no longer post to social media like they would’ve pre-pandemic — cause they know people are going to judge. I’ve done things I know some of my friends and family wouldn’t do, they’ve done things I wouldn’t do. Anyway, I’ve been trying to judge less the past few months.
Mine are all cloth, many made by my mom. I’ve learned the hard way which of mine are better for more intense workouts. One woman who goes to my gym lost her job early on and started making/selling homemade masks to other gym members. I bought one over the summer, a gaiter made of thick, very clingy material. I’m not super familiar with gaiters, but this one really stuck to my face (some of the ones I see out and about look looser, more like how a bandana would fit). Anyway, I worked out in it once and thought I was going to pass out.
@veritek I don’t think it’s in your head. I’ve been going to some classes at my gym, which is similar to yours, and they do require masks now that we’re back indoors. I haven’t had any issues doing steady state cardio like running in my mask. The HIIT-style workouts are different, I’m basically inhaling my mask. I’ve had to go outside a few times to pull my mask away from my face a bit to let more air in. I feel fine at my gym even though we don’t have the same warehouse space that a lot of similar gyms have.
@ktfran That eggnog/bourbon drink sounds delish!
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.
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.
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.
So my friend’s ex boyfriend is now in jail facing aggravated domestic battery and attempted murder charges. I want him to never be allowed to do this to anyone else again. She was able to break her lease under a law that protects DV victims. I quickly googled her ex last week and found what seemed like one fairly innocuous brush with the law. Another friend searched his arrest history and found way more. Looks like a previous girlfriend had a restraining order against him, which he violated at least once that I can see. And there are three total arrests for incidents involving my friend. Ugh. I’m so upset and angry about this situation. But I’m glad she’s out of that situation. I’m glad she has loving parents nearby where she can safely start recovering.
We definitely don’t need anything fancy. We’re both fans of gas stoves, the boyfriend is very opposed to induction stovetops. I’m indifferent to induction stovetops but happen to like gas ones, so that’s what we’re thinking right now. Our oven is the OG of this condo, installed when the place was brand new, and it takes forever to come to temperature… and we eventually realized once we got an internal thermometer that it’s not even coming to temperature when it says, and if we need to open the oven door for any reason it quickly drops to about 300 degrees and then verrrry slowly heats back up. Super frustrating because I like cooking and baking. I’ve done research about repairs vs. replacing, and replacing seems the way to go given its age and issues. All I want is something reliable in an affordable price range and am a-okay with the cosmetically challenged variety. I’d like to look at them in person so I’ll definitely suggest to BG that we look at that section. We’re also Costco members and that’s where we started the search, but I’d like to read some reviews and shop around a bit before committing.
Thanks, guys. She’s currently in a wheelchair but with PT, she should hopefully be walking again in a month or so. I also hope she heals, physically and mentally.
Changing the subject, does anyone have any resources/advice for buying new appliances? We’re looking to replace the oven that came with the condo and this is the first time I’ve had to buy an appliance for myself.
