I'm thinkin' 'bout the upside. What's your best COVID-19 purchase/hack/personal betterment?

I'll go first: Bio Bidet USPA 6800

Then there's music. I've been trying to work my way through the NPR Listener's Guide to Classical Music. It's been nice so far - it's a little like doing homework, but I find it bringing me back to my earlier education when I was an active percussionist in high school wind/brass ensemble, orchestra, and marching and jazz bands.

Anyhow, I'm kinda picking this up as a more "functional" intent than the SBAF COVID-19 thread that's now closed. So, perhaps be mindful of the reason(s) that thread closed, and focus more on positive contributions to moving forward. I could use some positivity.

And, I made bacon jam today. So there's that.

 

My wife and I had our first child in early March and Covid19 shut down my industry by the 16th. So I've been given an extended Paternity leave more or less. Being able to be here full time for my wife and son during this time has been wonderful. Also my cooking skills have sharpened up.

 

Wow! I think you beat bacon jam and bidet in terms of "sizable upgrade". Congrats!!!

 

I have worked for this company for 4 years now and one transfer. I have been really impressed with the way they have prioritized our well being and responded to the situation in a very logical way that is industry leading and at least for our property, very effective. We also get two half days per week to "work from home" which is basically two half days of work.

 

I saw the initial recommendation and glanced at the photo with horror at first.

 

I read this and looked at your photo ...

Edit: posted before reading the whole thread ... LOL

 

It comes out as it goes in.

 

Same here. Flicking through the internet just after waking up, my subconscious flinched.

My upside is spending more time with my young children. My downside is spending more time with my young children in an absolutely tiny apartment- times like this I wish I was in a big house back in Australia.

 

I started to use Zoom. I'm being serious.

 

I sold my audeze hps and purchased the Fluance RT85 with the proceeds:
https://www.fluance.com/review/product/list/id/1600/category/35/

 

I bought a small yakiniku grill and have been grilling.

Also trying my hand at making red sauce and have made two batches already.

Now to figure out how to combine grilling with the abundance of red sauce I have made.

 

Three things:
1. https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-0-5L-Kettle-Stainless-Steel/dp/B008YQLZOW
2. https://www.amazon.com/Nulaxy-Ergonomic-Convertor-Adjustable-Compatible/dp/B07YTHMM3B
3. Using and appreciating what I have

 

Oh! One more thing- I am listening to FAR less test tracks and to more new/old music that I want to listen to!

 

Been cooking a lot more: I found Nat highly entertaining and the dishes really impressed my SO.

 

More reading.

More studying.

More training.

Better crisis-proof job.

Less spending, more rationing.

Even when the quarantine rules stop, I will continue the better habits. This year and 2021 it is still important to be careful until a tested and proven vaccine is globally available.

 

+1

Being asthmatic, I will return to "normality" once I'm vaccined and hospitals are back to their "normal" number of patients instead of being overwhelmed with infected people, so in case of contracting the virus I can be treated as soon as possible.

I was studying and working before the pandemic, and still doing it today. A new habit is spending more time in the balcony, meditating and relaxing. I never noticed that I didn't take 1 hour for myself to breath and relax, even if I used to be outside many times per day, I never enjoyed those moments as much as I should, I was always stressed. Thanks to the quarantine, I love myself much more and truly appreciate what calm and relax (and a balcony!) can do for mental health.

 

Long, relaxing baths; time to lie down and reflect; opportunities to catch up on my reading and study things for fun; time to listen to music I'd forgotten I'd loved. It's also been a grand time to talk with people that used to be too busy, and reestablishing, or reaffirming, old friendships like that is a great comfort.

Oh, and it's much easier to stick to a diet when you're stuck at home all day, lol.

 

if we're going down the youtube nutjob but awesome cooking channels hole:

Matty Matheson Just a Dash

 

Need to make this.

 

Watching the weather like a hawk too I assume?

I love the Summer-like weather now but my nose will tell me to go back into the house. So yeah, even without quarantine I will not stay in the heat too long.

Stock up on your medicine, stay healthy.