Phoning It In.

Most Mondays I post a story about my adventures on public transportation. They’re usually inspired by experiences from the previous week and on Fridays I drive to and from work, so if nothing’s happened by Thursday I start to get a little sweaty, and not just from the walk to the bus stop, and contemplate things like hijacking the bus just to have something to write about. This past week, though, has been my first full week working from home thanks to COVID-19, and while the buses are running and I’m sure there are plenty of seats available hijacking one would probably require getting close to the driver so I’d rather not take the risk.

Still I’ve tried to keep to a regular schedule as much as possible. After my morning coffee I go out to the driveway and sit in the car for about twenty minutes, then go back in the house and get back to work. And my boss and people I work with have been holding video meetings, so I at least have to put on a nice shirt even if I’m not wearing pants so it’s not that different from the meetings we have in the office, but that’s another story. The meeting program we’ve been using also lets me change the backgrounds so even if I’m not out and about I can look like I am.

The image can also be rotated so, again, not that different from a regular in-person meeting.

And I’ve gotten the word that the time we’ll be working from home has been extended into April. It’s been hard work, but I’m up for working hard. Specifically I’m working hard to come up with something transportation-related to talk about next Monday since I’ve pretty much blown everything I have here.

Facebook Comments

12 Comments

  1. River

    Most excellent.
    Glad to see you’re using your work time wisely…

    Reply
    1. Christopher Waldrop (Post author)

      I’m trying to keep coworkers’ spirits up and my own too. I’m known as the office comedian and some things shouldn’t change even in these trying times.

      Reply
  2. mydangblog

    I’ve been trying like crazy to get those virtual backgrounds in Zoom. Is that what you’re using?
    mydangblog recently posted…The More Things Change, The More They Stay The SameMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Christopher Waldrop (Post author)

      Yes, Zoom is what I’m using. If you’re using a Mac or a Chromebook apparently the backgrounds won’t work–it has to be a PC, and some of my coworkers with Macs have been asking, “Can we get new computers so we can do cool backgrounds?”

      Reply
  3. Tom

    Thanks for keeping it entertaining for those of us sitting in appliance stores waiting for some poor schmuck to have an emergency that makes me and my fridge row, for a moment, essential!

    Yes.

    I sit from 8:30 to 5:30 in my store, waiting for those 15 minutes that somebody needs something. If only we could predict exactly what time that would be I could paint my deck with the other 8 hours and 45 minutes. But, then again, if we could predict exact anythings we’d predict exactly what time the virus was gonna show and conveniently have gone to the loo during that stretch, missing the bug entirely.

    In the meantime, stand guard. Everyone in the castle depends on your vigilance!

    Reply
    1. Christopher Waldrop (Post author)

      Things are really unpredictable everywhere. When I was still going into the office I had a knack for stepping away from my desk just as my boss came looking for me. And it hasn’t changed. I’ll run to the loo and come back to my computer to find that my boss has sent me a chat message.
      This really is a hard time and I imagine you must be bored out of your gourd. I’ve been eyeing our fridge and wondering if we could use a new one, but I wouldn’t want to see the delivery charge on getting one from California to Tennessee.

      Reply
  4. Ann Koplow

    Somehow, with your background, I think you’ll come up with something. You NEVER phone these in, Chris.
    Ann Koplow recently posted…Day 2677: Who is the enemy?My Profile

    Reply
    1. Christopher Waldrop (Post author)

      The important thing in trying times is that we’ve got each other’s backs.

      Reply
  5. Kristine Laco

    I’m partial to the upside-down one. It helps explain the incredible body in your hair, because, gravity. Mine is just greased to my head, because, isolation.
    Kristine Laco recently posted…Cheers to FriendsMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Christopher Waldrop (Post author)

      The body in my hair really is incredible because I spend so much time running my fingers through it it’s a wonder it isn’t greased flat. But my fingers are pretty dry from all the hand-washing.

      Reply
  6. Arionis

    Ha! Awesome! Have you seen the increased incidences of people accidentally applying filters on their business video conferences turning them into potatoes or a hobbit? I truly think it was accidental at first but now I am begging to wonder if it’s done on purpose.
    Arionis recently posted…High On LifeMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Christopher Waldrop (Post author)

      I hadn’t heard of anyone doing that accidentally. I have heard about some people applying filters deliberately. I know I would if I could figure out how to do it. I’ve been trying to figure out something different every day for my coworkers. Now I’m worried about running out of hats. Also I saw a guy who filmed a video of himself listening and used that as his “background video” for meetings while he went and took a nap.

      Reply

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badge