Pandemic Life since March 2020 - The New Normal

I completed another orbit around the sun on June 30.  

Celebrated with a Zoom call with friends and family. What was originally scheduled as a birthday and family vacation to Columbus became a "staycation".

Because of the risks of transmission with COVID-19 still a distinct possibility and non-stop flight to Columbus changed to a stop in Chicago O'Hare, I cancelled the trip. Got a voucher which is valid until 2022.  Booked another trip for August, then cancelled again 2 days ago. It is still not safe.

While I don't miss the traffic and crowded stores before  the pandemic, these are the activities I miss most:

1. Bowling - Exercise with social interaction is one of my most fulfilling activities. I bowled for the first time in 3 months this past week. With a mask. I’m all for safety and fully understand but I hate it. While it doesn't hinder my mechanics, it's stifling hot. I am grateful to be back doing it. For the past 8-9 years, I bowled 3 times a week. For the past 3 months, zero. As a result, I've gained 6 pounds. Gotta cut back on the burgers and fries.
2. Watching movies in a theater - Buying assigned seat tickets online is one of the best conveniences ever. I can plan ahead to sit where and when I want and not have to leave an hour early to grab a decent seat. I enjoy watching movies at home, but a theater with a big ass screen gets my undivided attention.
3. Dining out - I miss this so much. Whether it's by myself or with friends and/or family, it's a ritual most of us take for granted. A feast for all five of our senses.

It's not likely what I did before the pandemic will return. I'm OK with that.

I'll be a lot better when it wanes and see this life changing event end.

Recap February 14, 2020 to March 8, 2020

Why I was MIA for the past month:

February 14 -18: President's Day Weekend in Napa to celebrate Sherman's and Kat's 5th Wedding Anniversary.

Private tour, Inglenook, Rutherford CA

Kat's family came in Thursday afternoon before the holiday. They stayed with me for the night before we headed to Napa. 

When we got to Napa, 26 people came in from 3 states: New York, Ohio and California. The majority of the guests stayed in the former 9-bedroom private residence of the winery owner (No Airbnb here).

It was hectic and chill at the same time, if that makes any sense. Our first night at dinner kicked off with a formal family photo session, then a lovely dinner and moving speech from Sherman that brought me to tears. We had so much fun that we'll likely be there again to celebrate Sherman's 60th birthday next year.

As soon as Sherman and Kat texted me they made it back home to New York, they told me they would begin plans for my 60th birthday. We decided to celebrate in Columbus. I'll fly out to Cleveland to meet everyone and visit Mom's sisters for the day. Drive to Columbus for the rest of the trip. Activities will likely include a visit to the zoo, perhaps some bowling, a cookout at Cindy's, and the birthday dinner.

February 22 - 23: Asian American Bowling Association Chinese (Lunar) New Year Bowling Tournament at 4th Street Bowl, San Jose.

Bowled 3 squads. Last squad on Saturday, 2 squads on Sunday. Best series was my Saturday squad (see photo). Overall, I didn't do too badly. But likely not enough to cash out this year.

It was on my drive home from San Jose that my tire pressure monitor warning light came on again for the third time in two weeks, the last two in the same day.

I have at minimum, a tire leak. When I last brought my car in for service, the adviser mentioned I'd likely need new tires on my next visit. 

Realized the tires were almost 3 years old. I likely hastened their demise because I didn't rotate them regularly as the warranty requires. Time to order replacements. Ordered another set of Michelins online at Costco. Because it wasn't safe to drive with a flat tire, I decided to arrange for a rental car. Two days later, I hailed 2 Lyft rides - one to get to work, the other to pick up the rental. 

February 29 - March 1: Overtime Saturday.

In the 6 years I've been with this company, I've never worked on a Saturday. Overtime was always discouraged, even if there was a ton of work to do. When my boss gave us the option to work that Saturday, I jumped on it. Not so much because I'd have a fatter paycheck. Mostly because I'd be less buried in work on Monday.

March 7 - 8: Tire installation day. 9 am appointment with a 12 pm deadline to return the rental. I was the first customer taken with an appointment. Saw the car put into the bay at 9:18 am. Got some shopping in. Car was finished by 10:45 am. Drove home. Jumped immediately in the rental to return it. Made it by 11:15. Hailed an Uber ride (use my $15 monthly AmEx credit). Got home shortly after 12 pm.

Big sigh of relief. I sat in the recliner aimlessly surfing on this laptop for 2.5 hours. Then spent the rest of the day doing laundry, stuffing my face and watching TV.

After a call this afternoon from my boss, I am instructed to work from home tomorrow. I get a little extra sleep to catch up from the daylight savings time change, but I'll be somewhat limited in what I can do. 

Alaska and Canada Vacation

Norwegian Spirit
 Western Mediterranean

Norwegian Jewel, Alaska

It's been a month since my last posting. I spent the first two weeks of July on vacation with my family to Alaska and Canada.

As it was last year, our visit to Alaska was on Norwegian Cruise Lines (Jewel). The cruise ship (Spirit) we took last year to Italy, Spain and France began service in 1998 and is 879 feet long (see June 4, 2017 entry). Jewel entered into service in 2005 and is 965 feet long.

This was my third cruise vacation. My first cruise was on Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas in 2008 to celebrate my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. It was the last vacation Cindy, Sherman and I took with them. My parents had a great time, staying out late most nights.

We continue to do cruises as a family vacation because it's great value. Tremendous bang for the buck. No schlepping luggage, no extra expense for dinners and/or arguing where everyone wants to eat. You get to visit a bunch of different ports and cities.

It all can become a blur after awhile. But what you will remember beyond the countless photos is the time spent with your travel companions.

2017 in Review

source: steemit.com

Season's Greetings. As this will be my last blog entry for 2017, I'll include  my personal highlights for the year.

Enjoy the rest of the holiday - see you in 2018.

1. First place, Chinese-Japanese Labor Day Tournament, 740 and under division, National Bowling Stadium, Reno, Nevada.
   
2. First trip to Europe, cruise to Italy, Spain and France. 
   
3. New job position/promotion in June. 

   

   source: LinkedIn

4. First 600 series in bowling, highest women's average in Wednesday league. 
   
5. Power outage, December 15, 2017, 9:51 pm to December 16, 2017, approximately 5:30 pm. 
   

Western Mediterranean Vacation - Norwegian Cruise Lines

source: Norweigan Cruise Lines

It's been hectic since I returned from vacation almost a week ago.

After a day at the office, it was back on the road with suitcase and laptop in tow to head to the greater Sacramento area (Auburn) to train for my new position at work.

When I returned from Auburn, it was the San Francisco USBC Championships yesterday and today. Considering I hadn't bowled in 3 weeks, my 9-game tournament average was still above my season (book) average.

I fully intended to write about the logistics of the vacation (the flight, hotel room, cruise ship room, food on ship, shore excursions at port, etc.), but I'm fried. Details to come in future posts.

For those of you that saw my vacation photos on Facebook and are interested in taking a similar vacation, I've included a screenshot of our cruise package.