We're another week into our self-isolation, and time for me is slowly losing its meaning as I struggle to maintain even a semblance of routine. But at least I remembered to create a blog post for you guys! Here's what's been on my mind this week.
Traveling Discworld
One of the main ways I'm keeping my sanity (and avoiding staring at a screen all day long) is by catching up on my reading. I've got a massive To Be Read shelf, and I'm slowly making my way through it, reading more than I have in quite some time. My main obsession right now is with Terry Pratchett's Discworld books, a fantasy satire series full of vibrant and hilarious characters. In the past month alone, I've devoured three of his books: Witches Abroad, Lords and Ladies, and Guards! Guards!
The wit and humor and the lovable characters are exactly what I need right now to bring joy to my life. There's also something very comforting about those little mass market paperbacks. I love getting them from secondhand bookstores, and if they're a little old and beat up, so much the better. I've included a few of my favorites below.
When It's Over
Speaking of bookstores, that's probably one of the things I miss most during self-isolation: being able to go out to a bookstore or a library and browse the titles, looking for hidden treasures. I miss it so much that I'm seriously considering creating a bookstore area in my house using the contents of my TBR shelf, so I can go and "browse" and "buy" my next book when I'm ready for it. I can definitely say that 2nd and Charles and Mr. K's will be two of my first stops when the pandemic is over.
That's not the only thing I want to do when we can finally walk out without fear again. I want to drop by my local LEGO store and dig through the Pick-a-Brick bins. I want to take a nice long walk downtown. I want to sit down in a coffee shop or a local restaurant and order something in. I want to take my wife out dancing. I want to hug all my friends and hang out with them in person. I want to invite all my close family over to our house for dinner.
Of course, there are also some things about self-isolation that I don't want to lose, like taking more walks around the neighborhood and video chatting with my friends when our schedules don't work together. I hope we all hang on to this spirit of unity and creative problem solving. But there's plenty I'm looking forward to when this is all over, and I'd love to know what you all want to do most when we're finally able to. Because we will be able to. This is a hard, scary season for a lot of us, if not all of us, but we will come through it. We'll be okay.
Watch This!
Among the YouTube videos bringing a smile to my face this week is this video of a hamster eating tiny pancakes (and yes, it's every bit as adorable as it sounds). If you happen to have a hamster or other rodent pet, you can use the recipe included to make your own pancakes for your little furry friend. If you don't, you still get to watch an adorable hamster nibble on tiny pancakes. It's a win-win.
There's also the proper way to pass the salt while social distancing. It's a lot more complex than you might think. I was stunned as I watched by the precision of each step and the way it kept going and going and going...
And finally, enjoy this video of a couple of heroic ... shoplifters. Nobody robs this convenience store but them!
That's all for this week! Hope to see you all next week for another update, so stay safe and healthy!