Take Me Off Speaker! When Did We All Lose Our Telephone Manners?

If you want to call me a boomer, I'll take it.

There are some things that never change or at least they shouldn't.

Since when did it become appropriate to answer every phone call on speaker (in your car, in your home, in your office) without notifying the caller that they're on speaker?

There's a reason to call person-to-person.  Otherwise, we could just use the "party line."  Uh-oh.  I think I just dated myself.

Nevertheless, if I wanted to talk to you, your boyfriend, your girlfriend, your kids, your nanny, your cube-mate or your housekeeper, I would have called them and not you.

There are times when you have to use the speakerphone (like when you're driving).  But, please have the common courtesy to at least notify the caller that you're not alone.

This should be right up there with not changing your profile photo on zoom to a cat picture.

Save yourself and the rest of us the embarrassment.

You're welcome.

Zoom Fatigue

I'm a people person.  I love people.  Most of the time.  Most people.

Which is why virtual activities and zoom meetings versus zero interaction with other people is a much better option for me.

However, sixteen months into the pandemic, post-pandemic, possible pandemic part two has me completely worn out.

I've run out of virtual backgrounds, zoom lighting tricks, outdoor options.

I am quite simply over it.

That said, please people get vaccinated so that we can get back together, in person, in office, in coffee shop, in restaurants, in community meetings and scream in each other's faces rather than at the screen.

Sure, looking presentable on top with sweatpants on the bottom was a real hoot for a while, it's no longer fun.

I want to go back to the pre-pandemic cautiously glancing at my phone while being bored in meetings.

That's all.

Remember when we were stressing about Working From Home - Not so Fast Forward - It's Time to Return to the Office!

 I'll never forget the beginning of pandemic.  I mean, who could? 

My firm was super about getting us set up to work from home and made the transition as smooth as possible.

Sure, we were all working from our kitchens, couches, bedrooms, you name it.

For me, it was a very difficult transition.  No social interaction, no coffee shop experiences, no office services, no one to talk to or to offer a second opinion on that filing or a second set of eyes.

Now nearly a year and a half later, and I'm in rhythm.  

Whereas, I once said "I can't wait to get back into the office," I'm now saying "how will I ever go back to commuting and traffic and the old routine?"

And if I'm really honest, it's causing me more than a little anxiety.

I, for one, would love a hybrid model.  I mean we've proven we can do it?  Or have we?

If you have thoughts about in-person return to work, I'd love to hear them.  All suggestions are welcome.  Remember, there are no wrong answers.

Working from Home - The Good, The Bad, The Lonely

Covid-19 has been surreal.  The illness, deaths, unemployment, lack of human contact, it's a lot. 

None of us have experienced a pandemic before, so who knew what to expect?

For many people, including myself, who are used to the 9 to 5 routine of commuting to and from work, the thought of being able to work from your home sounded like a dream come true.

That is, until it turns into a nightmare.  For over two months, I've been blessed to be able to earn a living, with medical benefits, without having to venture outside the safety of my house.

The flip side of that benefit is the isolation, the day-to-day drone of what feels like "Groundhog's Day" is hard on the mind.  And not so great for the body when you're not walking or getting up to walk to the coffee shop or lunchroom or take breaks.

As the days have turned into weeks, turned into months, I'm finally ready to tackle the reality of formulating a plan.

Here's what I've come up with so far:

Plan to go to bed at night and get up in the morning at the same time each day

Force yourself to get dressed (sweats don't count)

Put on makeup, jewelry and real shoes (not bunny slippers)

Get up at least once an hour to stretch or get water or poke your head outside and get some fresh air

Take a dedicated lunch break

Make an effort to stay in communication with colleagues, clients, vendors, etc.

Join a zoom or online wellness class (exercise or meditation or mindfulness)

If you've got ideas or suggestions on how we can WFH and be more productive and positive, leave me a comment.  I'd love to hear your thoughts.

STAY SAFE

I Was Planning on Getting a Planner - Next Time I Should Plan Ahead

I had such big plans for my paper planner this year.

First of all, I had planned to get one before the end of 2019 so that I could start planning my New Year on a good foot - or pad.

Christmas was close to Thanksgiving in 2019, which means that the new year just crept up on me before I had a chance to pick the perfect planner.

Looks like now, the first event that I'll be planning will be Groundhog Day 2020.  

I guess it's never too late to start planning.

So many planners.  So little time.

Which one to choose. . .?  I've got a lot of planning to do!

Beware the Office Holiday Party

I hope I'm not too late.

I say this every year, and every year, I read about someone who got a little too loose and had way too much fun at the office party.

I'll keep this short and sweet.

• If you think your outfit is inappropriate, it probably is
• If you think you've had too many, you have - switch to water
• Keep your hands to yourself
• To err is human - to get snookered at your holiday party is just plain dumb
• Don't be the first one to arrive
• Don't be the last one to leave
• Have fun - but not too much fun

Book Review: "The Better Sister" by Alafair Burke

The name itself spells trouble.  "The Better Sister."

Alafair Burke's newest novel covers 'the good, the bad and the deadly.'

If you have sisters (raise your hand), you know that a certain amount of sibling rivalry is unavoidable.  Not that it doesn't happen with brothers, it's just I don't have brothers so I can only speak for myself.

Whether there is a "better" sister or not, in our heads, we can't help but feel that Mom and Dad favored you over me. 

This thriller, and it is a thriller, takes that sibling rivalry to a whole new level.  I'm afraid to tell you much for fear of spoiling the ending, but trust me when I tell you it's well worth your time and will give you an adrenaline rush that you didn't even know you needed.

I'm going to read it a second time.

Description from cover:

The murder of a prominent Manhattan lawyer spurs the reunion of two estranged sisters—one the dead man’s widow, the other his ex. To save the teenage boy accused of murdering him, they must confront a history of long-buried secrets and betrayal. But can sisters ever escape the shadows of their past?