Lockdown blues?

[colin m]

I've got lockdown blues but for another reason. I'm working my backside off. We've up'd production on the farm so we have more to do. All my mates are sat at home on 80% wages, living life and doing stuff around their houses/gardens. They're treating it like one long lovely holiday..... and they haven't even taken their entitled holidays yet!

So yes i'm a little hacked off. I've a ton of stuff to do in the house/garden/model bench. But no time to do it :sad:

Same here. All around me are people enjoying there 'holiday' but for me, life goes on. Am I jealous, probably. Then again, if the weather had been rubbish, probably not. Although I do have to say, quite roads have been bliss.

[boatman]

One of my problems is my lack of mobility - I walk, very slowly, with a stick, and I have to sit down after a couple of hundred yards. Poor circulation, and no feeling in my feet ( diabetic neuropathy ) make it extremely difficult to get any real exercise!
Once the pubs & cafes reopen properly - I'll have a target to go for, and lift a few pints for exercise as well!
Hopefully things will be back to normal soon - but I suspect that 'normal' will be different from the situation before March!
Dave

G/M Dave yes I think you are right things just wont be the same anymore as yesterday I popped my wife over to see her mum first time in six months an driven back it was such a lovely day an I thought oh it would be nice to head to the beach an just sit in the car or on beach an people watch then go in to café an have a meal for tea but an none are open its pointless to go so I just carried on to drive home an I have a bit of trouble walkin as back problems so I carry a small lighwheight fold up chair so I can sit an rest for a bit makes all the diference then I can walk a bit further till have to sit again but at least me an jen go for walks just to exscape the four walls maybe havin a small chair may help you
ATB chris jen

[stona]

I think it affects everyone differently. I've been trying to see this as a paid holiday, and the SEISS is fairly generous (at least to those of us who do our books properly!) I keep myself occupied, which is important, but I'm used to quite a hectic lifestyle, lots of travel, lots of people etc. and there is only so much to do in the house, garden and at the bench. I've built more models in the last three months than I usually build in a year! Thank heaven we have had nice weather for the most part!

The other issue for me is looking ahead. I'm in a business that depends entirely on large crowds and there is no sign that those will be possible in the foreseeable future. I have written this year off mentally, but I'm lucky in that I can afford to do that. This year, like many, I have only worked in the first three months of the year. One job got cancelled (Lana Del Rey, nothing to do with the pandemic, though we would probably not have been able to complete the tour) but I got paid a good chunk of my fee for the entire job, which was a lifesaver.
Some of my younger friends and colleagues, the ones who still have kids at home, mortgages, etc., are really struggling. My son in law is a DJ/producer. He is currently re-mixing a single release for a very well known band, and he did a studio mix for Craig Charles a couple of weeks ago, but that is all the work he's had in the last three months, obviously no live shows and that has a knock on effect for his studio work. It's not easy for a lot of people.

[Jim R]

Hi Dave
I reckon how you are feeling is common to many, many people. The lockdown has affected some more than others but those who live alone and are especially vulnerable probably find the strain the greatest. I am sure that as things ease and some sort of normality returns you will feel more like your normal self. I certainly wish you all the best.
My wife and I are doing ok. We are really very lucky. We have no health issues to speak of and being retired have no job to worry about. Financially we are the same as before although invested savings have taken rather a hammering but will hopefully recover. The only thing that has truly hurt us is not seeing our granddaughter. She's three and although we do 'video calls' it's not the same.

I'm working my backside off. We've up'd production on the farm so we have more to do.

You and all the farmers have my thanks Alan. I just hope that when all this is over people will continue to support you and not just revert to the cheap, high carbon footprint imported stuff in our supermarkets.
Stay safe.
Jim

[Komedy]

Hi Dave

My thoughts are with you and I hope you can pull through this down spell and you are able to find a way to work through whats ahead of us.

I say this, as unfortunately the last two weeks have only proven to reinforce that society in the UK is full of brainless morons, from mass protests of tens of thousands to raves in country parks and this mornings scenes of huge crowds pressing against doors of high street stores, as apparently they are in dire need of a new plain white tee shirt for £3.50 and a pair of trainers.

It is inevitable that serious times are ahead of us, probably around October going into the winter. This time however it will be much more severe as lock downs and social distancing will be a thing of the past. I can only recommend to all to prepare for the next phase, both physically and mentally.

Warren

[Gern]

I suppose someone's got to say that this lockdown has been a blessing. Apart from Cosford which was a bitter blow, I've thoroughly enjoyed the last few weeks. No commitments, no timetables, just do what I want, when I want. It does of course help that I'm retired so there's been no difference to my income - and that I'm pretty much a loner anyway so haven't missed the warmth of human contact. I've had all the warmth I need from you guys.

I do feel sorry for you guys with financial and other commitments you may have been unable to meet. All I can say is that this will pass - although I don't think anyone has a clear idea of the changes this will make to our lives in the long term. Lets hope the Gods allow us all through to see them.

[Peter Gillson]

HI Dave

sorry to read that you are so down, these are difficult times and they will pass. Perhaps getting into some good books might help, or perhaps researching a project?

we have been pretty lucky in Guernsey, all is heading in the right direction and having my son home from Uni for all of this term is a real bonus. Being semi-retired my workload has stayed pretty much as normal, some time saving in not having to travel to meetings, so I think that as a family we have got off pretty lightly. On the plus side - one tank of petrol has lasted 10 weeks!

Although things are getting back to normal we still have a legal requirement for anybody coming into the Island to self-isolate for 14 days. This is enforced and monitored by the police and Immigration. The fine is a maximum of £10,000 if anybody is caught not self-isolating and a chap was fined £6,000 last week. At some point during the summer my son and I have to go to his uni to collect his belongings so we will have to self-isolate for the 14 day period - not looking forward to that.

Peter

[Peter Gillson]

i forgot to add - I've worked through all of the series of Our Girl on iplayer as well as 7 series of the10 series of Spooks. Modelling while watching the Iplayer.

Peter

[Dave Ward]

Reading is my main escape at the moment - I have 2 Kindles - one in the living room & one by the side of my bed. A friend of mine has just given me the entire Ed McBain 87th Precinct series for my Kindle. Not the most intellectually challenging books, but something to look forward to - I've already revisited favourites from the past - The Hornblower novels, and most of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey series. Non fiction has also taken a battering with Alistair Hornes Trilogy, Robert Massie, not to forget Max Hastings. I always was a big reader, but the past few months have really seen a reading boom! Those Kindles ( one bought new when they first came out & one second hand ) have been indispensable - one of the few things that I would immediately replace if broken!
Dave

[mrtintheweb]

I am going nuts on Furlough. Though it has restarted my modelling after a 30 year hiatus.
It is helping me while away several hours each week. If the sun comes out I can go to the beach or a cycle ride but otherwise all I can do is models and tidying.
T

[AlanG]

Am I jealous, probably.

I admit i am. Massively. Seeing people having all the time in the world to get stuff done around the place, has admittedly, miffed me.

You and all the farmers have my thanks Alan. I just hope that when all this is over people will continue to support you and not just revert to the cheap, high carbon footprint imported stuff in our supermarkets.

Not going to happen. People think with their wallet far more than their concience. But thanks for the thought and kind words

[wotan]

Dave

If you enjoyed o'brien and Hornblower look out for Julian Stockwyn he has a series in the same genre.

John

[Gary MacKenzie]

Reading is my main escape at the moment - I have 2 Kindles - one in the living room & one by the side of my bed. A friend of mine has just given me the entire Ed McBain 87th Precinct series for my Kindle. Not the most intellectually challenging books, but something to look forward to - I've already revisited favourites from the past - The Hornblower novels, and most of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey series. Non fiction has also taken a battering with Alistair Hornes Trilogy, Robert Massie, not to forget Max Hastings. I always was a big reader, but the past few months have really seen a reading boom! Those Kindles ( one bought new when they first came out & one second hand ) have been indispensable - one of the few things that I would immediately replace if broken!
Dave

I use kindle paperwhite, but for anything other than short stories etc i have moved to audiobooks from audible ( other services are available )
I cant read anything for very long due to my eyesight, a reason i do about 20 minutes max working on a model at a time.

[Peter Gillson]

Like Gary I make use of Audible books, great for listen in to while modelling or out gardening.

Two books i do recommend are:

The Dutch Girl - the wartime biography of Audrey Hepburn
Blowing the bloody doors off, by Michael Cain. Not so much a biography more lessons he learnt in the form of many really good anecdotes.

i really enjoyed both and intend to revisit them some time.



Peter

[scottie3158]

I have been quite lucky, as apart from the queuing and the other social distancing rules there has been little change for me. As an engineer in a food factory I have been working as mormal. But for those stuck at home I can imagine it being a mixed blessing.