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* Are we having fun yet?

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:08 am

Comments

It is very easy to drink too much these days. It is less easy to get up in the morning and get to work after drinking too much. Blergh. And this weather does not help.

Comment by Soccermom Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:13 am
No

Comment by Someone you Should Know Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:15 am
I remember day hiking the Grand Canyon and running low on water with about a mile to go before we got out. I looked over to my hiking partners and asked, “What is is going to be like when we can drink all the water we want again?”

I feel the same way about going out for groceries, but without a mask. gloves, and a rigid sanitation procedure when I get home. I feel the same about seeing friends, colleagues, and others from afar.

So I ask you, People of CapFax, to fill in the blank: “What it is going to be like when we can do __________ again?”

Comment by Dee Lay Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:17 am
Today this proverbial we is not. Too much at once in the last 24 hours. Trying to decide if I should just go cry or have a stiff drink. Ah well - compartmentalizing like a champ and motoring on…deadlines are looming. This too shall pass.

Comment by DownSouth Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:18 am
What is it going to be like when we can go out to eat and sit down and have dinner and a drink again

Comment by SOIL M Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:20 am
Please, no matter what you do, don’t ingest or inject any disinfectant.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:20 am
Yeah I can golf legally again!!

Comment by Intheknow Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:20 am
thought your newsletter was solid and on point today, but it does go both ways. I don’t believe the Gov should have allowed singular access to the data and experts to just Sun-Times. That seemed like a small move in the context of the larger issues you outlined.

Comment by dirksen Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:23 am
Ask the Harrisburg mayor.

Comment by Yokim Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:24 am
Preparing some new garden beds. Have never seen so many people at garden centers. One of the employees told me they can’t keep some things in stock like veggie plants, seeds or fertilizers.

Comment by Give Me A Break Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:24 am
First off I think I probably need to apologize to Rich. He shut down a post yesterday and reflecting on some of my comments I would say I was not helpful. Sorry.

@ Dee Lay, I want to watch sports. I was so excited for March Madness and Opening day. Heck I even watched the NFL draft on my phone last night.

Comment by Nagidam Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:25 am
My lawn and garden are enjoying the benefit of me having a lot more free time around the house. Learning to play a few more of my favorite songs. Cooking some of my favorites, and some new recipes. Trying to exercise a little here and there. Haven’t shaved since the stay at home order. Trying to make the best of it all.

Comment by Chambanalyst Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:30 am
Oh yeah, I’m like the little pig in that one Geico commercial, in the back seat of the car yelling “WHEEEEEEE” all the way home.

Comment by Perrid Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:30 am
This is going to sound privileged, but the soft re-opening of golf courses will really help with the stress in my parent’s home. It was getting bad, I was beginning to seriously think about telling my mother to move in with me until this over due to my father’s frustration.

Comment by Just Me 2 Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:30 am
What’s it going to be like when we can have a Polish with grilled onions and wash it down with a cold one at G-Rate Field while watching the Sox bat around the order..again?

Comment by bogey golfer Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:31 am
we can go boating!

Comment by foster brooks Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:35 am
yep, if fun means sitting at the computer reloading twitter, over and over and over. To see what happens now.

Comment by Bruce (no not him) Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:36 am
Fun? We are spending much of our day doing the same way we did before the outbreak (working on our eBay store , working in the garden, cooking at home, daily walks, etc.) . So since those things bring the wife and I enjoyment, I guess you can say we are still having some “fun”. Keeping 6 feet away from our son’s family / grandkids while wearing masks? No at all fun. And we are both craving a solid Indian meal (we don’t make anything here close to what the two restaurants we love in Springfield make). I just don’t see restaurant dining as an option until vaccines or testing shows we are carriers of the antibodies (from already being exposed). Also wonder how long it will be before the U of Illinois decides to refund us for the football season tickets that we have to renew and pay for in February every year? If there are no students on campus this fall (very likely right now?), there won’t be sports …

Comment by Roadiepig Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:37 am
Good question from Dee Lay.
My list keeps changing and is getting longer, but today the top of the list is going to a Sox game.
Golf is on the list for as soon as possible.

Comment by Back to the Future Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:37 am
—Please, no matter what you do, don’t ingest or inject any disinfectant.—

But it works. Look at how low the numbers are in Millennials. Remember the generation who ate tide-pods for fun. They have already been vaccinated.

Comment by Person 8 Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:43 am
We all have our individual ways of dealing. For us, right now it is confining our daily exercise to walks around the neighborhood where there are no sidewalks (and few cars) and surviving out of our existing stock in the freezer, pantry and garage storeroom. By avoiding the grocery stores and liquor stores we are also avoiding grouchy people, having to look at masks and gloves, one-way direction aisles and reported lines to even enter the store in order to keep social distancing protocols. By not participating in this it is easier to pretend it is not happening–which is the way we keep sane.

Comment by Responsa Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:44 am
Slightly seriously here — one of the (many) problems is that emotional issues tend to be magnified by the anxiety and isolation. So things that normally bother me a little are bothering me A LOT.

Comment by Soccermom Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:44 am
It’s beginning to be like that time away from your “normal” (sick, vacation, guests staying with you, etc) and you’re eating for that day when it’s back to your own routine.

I’m lucky. I’m the first to admit, luckier than some, same as others.

You find some fun or relief where you can.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:45 am
Not much fun yet today, but I’m hopeful. Anyone know how to get a UVA tanning lamp down into an adult respiratory tract? Asking for a friend.

Comment by Dysfunction Junction Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:47 am
I’ve always been a huge John Prine fan. I don’t really know why I never learned any of his songs on the guitar other than Angel from Montgomery, but I’ve been rectifying that oversight.

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:50 am
If your looking for fun plan ahead for this summer. You can go to Orland Park were the Republican Mayor Frank Pekau on WGN news last night said he’s still planning on having three out door concerts this summer. 1 in June,2 in July and everyone is welcome to attend. Thousands of us can get together and enjoy each other’s company. Then we can meet up again when we are all in the hospital. This guy makes Trump look normal

Comment by Hard D Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:52 am
===emotional issues tend to be magnified by the anxiety and isolation===

If it’s any consolation, you’re not alone. It’s been an emotional roller coaster for me and I’m not even ruminating about the virus.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 9:56 am
I am having a ball. Waiting in line in Aurora for Covid test
Probably be here for at least three hours. Moved once in 45 minutes. Line is huge. Would be nice if they had signs saying waiting time.

Comment by DuPage Saint Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:03 am
No. I work in a school for visually impaired kids and I miss them. I’m ready to go back to work.

Comment by Generic Drone Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:05 am
I’m doing technique work on my clarinet (Zoom lessons with my usual teacher have been helpful. Bandwidth is fine for that but we were challanged on duets due to lag.

I’m learning German on line (I just passed the B1 test!) And for kicks doing a Spanish for German speakers course.

I find keeping busy to be my best defense.

Comment by cermak_rd Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:07 am
=== I don’t believe the Gov should have allowed singular access to the data and experts===

Meh. Hardly anyone even asked about it during yesterday’s briefing. It wouldn’t have gotten out there if Tina hadn’t written about it. And, from what I understand, Tina consistently asked for that data several days straight.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:09 am
My afternoon treat after work is done: Laying down and listening to an old time radio station on the internet. Turns into naptime real quick.

Comment by a drop in Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:12 am
What’s it going to be like when my band can start playing some gigs again?

Comment by Skeptic Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:14 am
Um, yes and no. I can finally take my boat out of storage and think about doing some fishing. On the other hand my hair is starting to get out of control, the wine is flowing a bit too much and my wife has been baking something good it seems every day. It’s no wonder my pants are starting to feel a bit snugger around my waist.

Comment by No Longer A Lurker Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:15 am
Don’t. Drink. Lysol.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:15 am
I have to admit that when things get back to normal, there are things I will miss.

“The slow guy in the left lane” being my biggest problem during the commute, as opposed to “sitting in stop and go traffic.”

I may also be one of few parents who likes having their kids home all the time (although I admit I also like that I can head to the office once or twice a week).

On the other hand, when things get back to normal it will nice not being worried that any time we breathe near my mother in law we might give her a terrible virus. Dealing with older relatives — and mostly the worrying about them - has been the worst thing about this.

Comment by Gooner Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:15 am
Only two people per boat in states parks? If that’s necessary, than he should probably implement the same for more than two people in a car. Seems like a much greater chance of infection in the confines of a passenger vehicle than in a boat.

Comment by Downstate Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:19 am
==Only two people per boat in states parks? ==

Some of you will never be happy. You can go boating now. Enjoy it and stop complaining.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:21 am
Last night was not fun, as I waited to hear my name during the NFL Draft.

While disappointed, my hope is I’ll be a later round pick.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:27 am
OW

Please know your first round snub was in no way related to your banana bread baking prowess.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:28 am
“What day is it today?”, is usually a pause for thought moment. I forgot to put out the garbage last week. Almost proud to mention that I didn’t make that error this week.

On Twitter, Sir Patrick Stewart has been reading a Shakespeare sonnet a day. I find myself looking forward to the day’s tweet from him.

Comment by Jaguar Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:28 am
Not really. But I am very slowly getting the garage cleaned out.

Comment by RNUG Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:30 am
I’ve been stuck in the house so long I’m beginning to think I’m a Grant Wehrli bill.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:30 am
===my hope is I’ll be a later round pick===

Rudy, Rudy…

Comment by Cubs in '16 Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:32 am
- Demoralized -

Thanks.

The zoom call I had with a team asked me about my hobbies, I stated baking banana bread with chocolate chips, and it got a luke-warm smile.

You are making me feel better, so thanks. I’ll get you tickets to my first game once I’m drafted.

- Michelle Flaherty -

That made me do a spit take, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:36 am
“Rudy” is truly one of the finest factual documentary of our time.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:39 am
Interesting comments today about the draft. I was unaware that Chicago still has an NFL team.

Comment by Responsa Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:39 am
OW, when you are eventually drafted will you wear your full moniker on the back of your jersey or go for something chic like ‘Oswego’?

Comment by Cubs in '16 Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:42 am
Stopping by my to see. hug and spend time with our family, especially my grandchildren. Spring training with our son who reviews the finer points of baseball and all sports to me. Getting a massage and haircut/color. The last two are so first world but I really miss them. We are hiking almost daily, maintaining distance and seeing varying numbers of people outside.

Comment by Froganon Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:45 am
I have some degenerate gambler friends.. One “commissioner” finds a hockey game that is “older” and not Hawks and not famous.. $5 a guy on the outcome.. no googlng! Some super 70’s baseball is next.. What a world. I am either a degenerate gambler now, or miss sports that much!

Comment by CCM Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:48 am
=== will you wear your full moniker on the back of your jersey===

This has been a very important issue.

Mom still calls me Bill, traditionally it’s the last name, it can’t be an abbreviation, “O. Willy”, as an example, doesn’t give the proper credit to my hamlet… I’ll ask the league office and the union about my choices, good question…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:48 am
Draft is so much better now. none of the extreme long poser stuff. and no Bears pick yet so we can always dream they won’t screw it up.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:48 am
Another casualty of the corona virus recession: As local businesses cut back, they also cut back their advertising, and that is impacting local newspapers. Read that the daily newspaper in Effingham is cutting back to printing just four days a week, eliminating Tuesday and Thursday editions. And we need local news more than ever.

Comment by up2now Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:50 am
Today is Elwood P. Dowd’s* birthday, so in his honor: “I always have a wonderful time - wherever I am - whomever I’m with. I’m having a fine
time right here with you . . . .”

A very healthy attitude these days.

*The lead character in “Harvey” for those who might be wondering.

Comment by Flapdoodle Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 10:58 am
“Chicago still has an NFL team.” Just because they play in the NFL doesn’t necessarily mean they’re an NFL team. Just sayin’.

Comment by Skeptic Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 11:03 am
== remember day hiking the Grand Canyon= Went Trans-Canyon twice as a youth. Both times in the winter. Might consider preparing to do it in my retirement. Started picking up the guitar after being away from it for four decades. So for me the question what new things will I carry in to my post COVID life.

Comment by Peters Piece Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 11:04 am
Sketchy internet is not fun. Hard to get work done. Easy for my mind to wander watching things spin. Looking forward to getting out in the garden. Planting is good for mind, body and soul. Pulling weeks is therapeutic.

Comment by Dog Lover Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 11:07 am
“It is very easy to drink too much these days.”

In the interests of conserving my horde and preserving my organs, I’ve started moving only one can of beer from the garage to the fridge each day.

– MrJM

Note: The beer in question is, naturally, Blue Island Beer Company’s Massive Political Corruption.

Comment by @misterjayem Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 11:30 am
Doing okay. But sure would like to go see my mom. And be with her in person when she celebrates her 97th birthday real soon.

Comment by Morningstar Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 11:30 am
The American Writers Museum YouTube channel is really really good.

Comment by Cheryl44 Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 11:35 am
I am still trying to process that we have a president who makes statements causing doctors and consumer product companies to warn people not to ingest poisonous substances. I never fathomed seeing that day yet here we are.

Comment by Independent Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 11:38 am
Demoralized,

“Enjoy it and stop complaining.”

I’m going to frame that. Thanks for the laugh for the day.

Comment by Downstate Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 11:43 am
As much as I respect Tina as a journalist, it is a useless exercise to let the public or a journalist see or review a complex numerical model. They have no way to understand one. They will take it to a modeler, who will argue over the 1,000 different decisions made in the making of the model, and you will remain unenlightened. The better way is to use a bunch of models (if you have them), use different parameters to generate an envelope of predictions, and use those to prepare for worst case scenarios. Then you watch the real time data to see which model might be better, but you really won’t know until it has been proven in real life. Political actors can use all this uncertainty to cast doubt on science in general and policies made by models when they don’t really understand how models are made or being used. They should stay out of it.

Comment by Jibba Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 11:47 am
Who would have thought doing time in prison would confer such benefit during this lockdown?…Don’t drink the purple disinfectant.

Comment by Dotnonymous Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 12:57 pm
No, I want to world to get back to normal. Please but this bug isn’t going away anytime soon!

Comment by Levois J Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 1:05 pm
Jeanne Ives had a Facebook live session where she promised to answer questions about how she would preform as a US Representative. She only wanted to talk about two things, how Casten is terrible and how Illinois is a terrible state. She is a two trick pony I guess
People posted some interesting questions, like how to proceed with Israel, statehood for Puerto Rico etc., but the only question she answered was “what makes Sean Casten so evil?”

Comment by Muddy trail Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 1:10 pm
==The American Writers Museum YouTube channel==

Thank you, Cheryl44. This is a great distraction from the craziness. Plus. Bill Kurtis reading children’s books.

Comment by Slugger O'Toole Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 1:38 pm
I have a renewed affinity for Rudy - not Gobert. My kid now attends Georgia Tech and I though I remembered Ruettiger’s sack being against the Yellow Jackets. A quick search of the interwebs confirmed that.

Also, ND and GT are scheduled to play at Mercedes Benz Stadium this coming November 14th. I was getting near daily e-mail about it until mid-March. Now, GT is still accepting ticket reservations, but have cautioned about potential changes.

Comment by Proud Sucker Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 1:54 pm
Yes, Elwood P. Dowd, nicely played, happy birthday to Harvey’s best friend.

That rivalry, GT v ND, for a period of time GT was an independent, so like ND, finding games for the schedule it made sense. With ND not playing the very abbreviated ACC schedule and a member of the ACC, it’s a nice throwback to those times of GT, Penn State, ND all independents looking for games, and they had good teams.

Hopefully college football will return, I dunno what next week will bring so I’m not predicting.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 2:37 pm
I haven’t had this much fun since ever, because this even beats my 2013 hospital stay for a neuro condition that left me unable to walk for a few months. I mean, there’s nothing like putting on PPE to go grocery shopping, or wondering if you should decontaminate your car interior or house for fear of bringing C-19 home with you. Having a wonderful time, wish you were here….okay, I need to go outside in my yard and get some fresh air apparently. Hang in there everybody, and to Rich and Oscar.

Comment by revvedup Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 2:55 pm
Very much enjoyed the draft. Best first round for the Bears in years!

Comment by Rip Off Friday, Apr 24, 20 @ 3:32 pm