Atomic Punk's Self Isolation Top Ten List (1 Viewer)

[Atomic Punk]

I've been reading all of the Corona virus threads … and I mean all of them. Most of the time while also watching Corona virus news on tv. It is pretty easy to tell that most people also tend to focus much more on the negative, mainly because it is so hard not to.  The last few days it has just become too much and I needed to take a break. Thankfully I came across @Otis thread discussing the positive side of everything that is going on, and I thought it would be a good idea to take stock of the positive in the Punk household. After knocking back a few drinks, we put this list together last night ...

# 10 - Pets

I'm sure many of you are similar and pets can at time start to be like furniture, they are just there all of the time and you don't necessarily spend the time you should when you make the commitment to have pets. Since we started our self isolation after returning from a trip to NZ, we have returned to being pretty decent pet owners. Our dog Bozley gets more attention now than any time in the past. Daily long walks, regular play time, training, etc. It has been a nice diversion from all of the bad news. Even our cat seems to be less annoying than usual and gets more lovin than before.

 

[Atomic Punk]

#9 - Working From Home

I've always been an office guy. Love the interaction and working with my colleagues (for the most part). Since setting up my office at home and getting into a pretty solid routine, I really don't think I ever want to go back to office work on a regular basis again. My workplace was very restrictive about WFH dues to a number of reasons, IT, security, performance, etc, and very few of my staff or I ever worked from home before. Now about 60% of our work force is WFH, seemingly without issue.

The convenience of everything (fridge, bathroom, etc.) is amazing. I can take short breaks to talk to Mrs. Punk or play with Boz (see #10) and then jump right back into work. The time savings of not having to make small talk with people or listen to random whining has probably saved me two hours a day. I am easily more productive and much less stressed. With only four years before I retire, I am going to make it my mission that this continues to some degree until I pack it in!

 

[Atomic Punk]

# 8 - Saving Money

It is disputable that you save money when you don't leave the house. No fuel for the vehicles, parking costs, lunches/drinks/dinners with family or friends, reduced insurance premiums on vehicle, movies/theater/entertainment costs are nil and impulse shopping just doesn't happen. We weren't much for dinners out before but I am definitely saving just not buying coffee every day and lunch once or twice a week. Although I miss going to Winnipeg Jet games and concerts, a few months without isn't going to kill me - my back account is thankful.

 

[Atomic Punk]

# 7 -  Cooking / Food

Mrs. Punk and I love cooking and have been making a point to cook healthy meals for the last few years. We don't kid ourselves that we are Top Chef material, we know our way around the kitchen pretty good. With the additional time at home and a healthy supply of material to work with in our freezer and pantry, we have had the opportunity to cook so many excellent meals. On the menu tonight is a Mediterranean chicken salad and polenta fries. No aioli for the polenta fries? No biggie, mayo and siracha sauce combo should do the trick. 

 

[Atomic Punk]

#6 - Trying New Stuff

I think Otis mentioned this in his thread, all of the time gives you the opportunity to try new things or pick up old hobbies that you may have loved but dropped due to lack of time. Mrs. Punk has picked up knitting the sweater she has been making me for 12 years and it almost resembles a poncho now … progress! For myself, it isn't really trying new things but more like giving the things I really like more attention or just doing it a little differently. Reading, music, baking bread, watching some different shows on tv, trying out different karaoke songs - whatever! I don't think I really have more time but things just feel a little different now that makes this seem like an opportunity, so why not just role with it.

 

[Atomic Punk]

# 5 - Workouts / Health

We have tried to stay in shape and have been not bad at working out over the years but I'd have to admit that is has never really been a routine and we have never been as dedicated as we could be. Now that I'm WFH, I'm gaining about an hour commute time and we have been very diligent at using this time to work out. Every morning we head down into our basement, throw in the Tony Horton training DVDs and we go to it. Between the workouts, the healthy eating and the reduced stress of WFH and I am feeling incredible. I've already lost a few pounds and if this continues until end of June (no that I'm hoping for it), I'll be ready for beach/lake season.

 

[Atomic Punk]

# 4 - Down Time / Pace

You could argue this is already captured in some of the others but we convinced ourselves it was very different, so we listed it separately. Not only did it get listed separately, it rocketed up the rankings all the way to #4. There is just something to be said about the overall pace of life right now - it is so much slower, simpler and easy going. The stress of this pandemic can be all consuming, especially for all of those in the trenches dealing with it every day. But if you are one of the fortunate ones, which I can thankfully say I am one, life has really slowed down. If you allow yourself to slow your own pace, there is a real sense of calm that takes over and it affords you all of the other benefits on this list.

 

[Atomic Punk]

#3 - First Game

First I have to tell you a little about one of my oldest friends - Larry (aka the Silver Fox). Larry is 18 years older than I am and was my first boss when I began working in an office setting. On my first week, he took me to a strip club for lunch and within a few weeks, I was invited to one of his legendary parties. This particular party was a priest and prostitute theme. He is a life long bachelor that really lived the sixties and seventies. To put Larry into perspective, he would be the Winnipeg version of @wikkidpissah but not nearly as intelligent, witty and without any celebrity/musician stories … we love him anyway.

Larry advises everyone that will listen that they need to play the "First Game" with their partner. This is basically his way of saying to have sex in as many different places as possible in your house. According to Larry, this will keep the spark alive. Mrs. Punk is also a friend of Larry's and has heard his stories just as often as I have, so when we started this self isolation, the subject came up and it just made too much sense to not take advantage of this time and start playing the First Game again. This isn't just about the First Game, although hard to argue with those benefits, but more about taking the opportunity to use the new found time with the Mrs.

 

[Atomic Punk]

# 2 - Friends / Family

If I'm being honest with myself, I could do much better in making/keeping connections with friends and family. I call my parents once every week or two. Call my sister maybe once a month. Reaching out to friends varies but I wouldn't rate myself very well in that regard. My two boys are adults now and we do well in keeping in touch but even that could be much better.

Since all of this started, things have completely changed. I speak with my mom and dad every two days, sister at least 1-2 per week, text kids regularly and either texting or Zooming with friends every weekend. There is something about this whole situation that seems to really be bringing people together, despite keeping them apart. I'll try not to beat myself up about why I haven't been doing this more frequently in the past. Instead I'll just be thankful for this opportunity and hopefully this will be the new normal for keeping in touch.

 

[Atomic Punk]

#1 - Appreciation

This is another one that could be seen as too similar to others but not only did it become its own entry on the list, it is #1. We have become much more appreciative of things - friends, family, time, community, people, music, food, pets, each other … you name it. We also have a greater sense of feeling appreciation from other people. Obviously not everyone, since many are going through a rough patch right now and some people just want to be miserable, but for the most part, it really seems like most people are being more appreciative of everything.

We could easily spend our time picking out fault in everything, including what leaders may or not be doing, or wallowing in self pity for being stuck inside, or complaining about not being able to go buy the aioli sauce, etc. etc. etc but it really does me no good. I'd much rather focus on the positive, thank @Otis one more time, and thank FBG for providing a place for me to hang out, learn from the experience of some incredible people and also read a little fantasy football.

Enjoy the Easter long weekend!

Punk

 

[Otis]

Great stuff GB.

 

[wikkidpissah]

#1 - Appreciation

This is another one that could be seen as too similar to others but not only did it become its own entry on the list, it is #1. We have become much more appreciative of things - friends, family, time, community, people, music, food, pets, each other … you name it. We also have a greater sense of feeling appreciation from other people. Obviously not everyone, since many are going through a rough patch right now and some people just want to be miserable, but for the most part, it really seems like most people are being more appreciative of everything.

We could easily spend our time picking out fault in everything, including what leaders may or not be doing, or wallowing in self pity for being stuck inside, or complaining about not being able to go buy the aioli sauce, etc. etc. etc but it really does me no good. I'd much rather focus on the positive, thank @Otis one more time, and thank FBG for providing a place for me to hang out, learn from the experience of some incredible people and also read a little fantasy football.

Enjoy the Easter long weekend!

Punk

i've been tending two peeps in their mid90s the last few years, so iso was pretty much our condition anyway, meaning the day2day hasnt changed too much up (down) here. even tho i dont think they get much out of life anymore, it would be stoopit if they got punk'd by a contagion, so we're careful. but they honestly do want each day and so do i. i got to a lot of places & sitches in this world because i never let life judge me, and i aint gonna judge life now. the menu dont matter - the chance to choose does. goodonya, AP!

 

[Atomic Punk]

i've been tending two peeps in their mid90s the last few years, so iso was pretty much our condition anyway, meaning the day2day hasnt changed too much up (down) here. even tho i dont think they get much out of life anymore, it would be stoopit if they got punk'd by a contagion, so we're careful. but they honestly do want each day and so do i. i got to a lot of places & sitches in this world because i never let life judge me, and i aint gonna judge life now. the menu dont matter - the chance to choose does. goodonya, AP!

You remain an inspiration. Thanks as always for the words of wisdom!

 

[DocHolliday]

Solid list and thoughts.