Life on furlough, or working from home

[dolf]

Has it been enjoyable and productive?
Or is it stressful and isolating?
Did you get shit done that normally you might put off?

In the uk, sales of DIY and gardening supplies have been booming. I've never seen garden centres so busy, and DIY stores seem to be frequently selling out of basics.
Several gardens in our close, including our own, have had complete makeovers. Mini tippers have been trundling past, several sheds have been delivered, and I don't think there have been many days when I haven't heard the sound of power tools nearby.

I've found that the "that'll do" feeling when decorating has disappeared entirely.
I've repainted a couple of recently painted rooms that I would normally have tolerated for a few years.
I laid laminate flooring in the summerhouse/shed, which wasn't really needed but definitely makes it feel more like a proper room.
Yesterday we put up a fence around what will be the dog loo, and this afternoon we're taking on the mammoth task of digging the pit surrounding the composter... something we might normally never have gotten around to, despite the good intentions.
Our "it'd be nice to have a pond" has evolved from looking at plastic shells, to plans to maybe create a concrete lined stream & pond, with a patch for bog plants, and a bridge across it.
Yesterday I got my sewing machine out of the attic... And then had to order bobbins online, because everywhere I went had sold out!

How have you been using your extra time?

 

[pabloback]

I’ve lost half a stone during lockdown. Now that I’m creeping outside into the great wilderness the weightloss has slowed significantly.
I’m patiently awaiting my next payment from HMG

 

[BrokenBarbie]

I took advantage of the lock down to get some things done, but in an unorthodox way.

My handyman/maintenance guy lives in a camper. It’s a nice big one, but a camper nonetheless. One of the first things they closed? Campgrounds. In addition, he was unable to work because his business wasn’t considered essential.

I cut a deal with him, allowing him to put his camper on my property until they opened things back up, and paid him weekly to help me accomplish a bunch of things I’d been considering. As he was staying on the property there was no issue with him working on it.

It worked out well!

 

[dolf]

I’ve lost half a stone during lockdown. Now that I’m creeping outside into the great wilderness the weightloss has slowed significantly.
I’m patiently awaiting my next payment from HMG

Would it be fair to assume that this pandemic stuff hasn't been good for your life?

I took advantage of the lock down to get some things done, but in an unorthodox way.

My handyman/maintenance guy lives in a camper. It’s a nice big one, but a camper nonetheless. One of the first things they closed? Campgrounds. In addition, he was unable to work because his business wasn’t considered essential.

I cut a deal with him, allowing him to put his camper on my property until they opened things back up, and paid him weekly to help me accomplish a bunch of things I’d been considering. As he was staying on the property there was no issue with him working on it.

It worked out well!

That's very kind of you.
However, it does mean that you miss out on the joy that is smashing shit up and playing with power tools. That's two of my favourite things! And there's something deeply satisfying about being able to say, "i made that!".

Seems shitty to close down campgrounds for people who don't have alternative housing. Makes sense to stop people going on holiday, but not to make them homeless.

 

[BrokenBarbie]

That's very kind of you.
However, it does mean that you miss out on the joy that is smashing shit up and playing with power tools. That's two of my favourite things! And there's something deeply satisfying about being able to say, "i made that!".

Seems shitty to close down campgrounds for people who don't have alternative housing. Makes sense to stop people going on holiday, but not to make them homeless.

Well, it is what it is as far as them closing things down.

I’m not very hands on when it comes to a lot of that stuff.

 

[dolf]

Well, it is what it is as far as them closing things down.

I’m not very hands on when it comes to a lot of that stuff.

It seems like a policy created without taking the less wealthy into consideration at all...

Out of curiosity, when you say you aren't hands on... I'm assuming you've just never done any. Have you ever been curious? Wanted to but not been confident? Or does it just hold no interest at all?

 

[BrokenBarbie]

It seems like a policy created without taking the less wealthy into consideration at all...

Out of curiosity, when you say you aren't hands on... I'm assuming you've just never done any. Have you ever been curious? Wanted to but not been confident? Or does it just hold no interest at all?

Never had the urge to swing a hammer. I enjoy more mechanical things but not building.

 

[dolf]

Never had the urge to swing a hammer. I enjoy more mechanical things but not building.

I've always found those more explosive ways to expel energy very cathartic. Swinging a hammer is a bit like pummelling a punch bag.
My daughter thinks I don't get angry, but I think my most efficient work is fueled by rage. Tapping into that is like running on rocket fuel.
I can do the calmer, more precise and creative stuff, but it's not as much fun.

 

[BrokenBarbie]

I've always found those more explosive ways to expel energy very cathartic. Swinging a hammer is a bit like pummelling a punch bag.
My daughter thinks I don't get angry, but I think my most efficient work is fueled by rage. Tapping into that is like running on rocket fuel.
I can do the calmer, more precise and creative stuff, but it's not as much fun.

For that sort of outlet I shoot things. Great stress reliever!

 

[dolf]

For that sort of outlet I shoot things. Great stress reliever!

I've tried it, and it's a lot of fun, but it lacks that physical satisfaction. It's all rush.

 

[BrokenBarbie]

Add some tannerite targets.

 

[pabloback]

My industry has been destroyed and town planners have used lockdown as an excuse to accelerate their social engineering ideals. It will be a long time and changes will be massive before my work gets anywhere near the new “normality”
On the other hand I have gone on long walks and discovered many beautiful places nearby that I hadn’t known existed. I even got to ride on a hovercraft

 

[Wat_Tyler]

I still work. On site. Haven't missed a minute, or a dollar.


I've ridden more motorcycle and taken more time off and travelled more in the first half of this year.


I really enjoyed commuting and biking when the quarantine first hit. Vacant highways. Much safer, less st000pid.


Life, like a river, goes on . . . .


https://www.motorcycle.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/033120-Harley-Softail-Standard-_EBB0394-633x388.jpg?w=640

 

[SpeareChucker]

I thought life was a highway,
I want to ride it all night long...

 

[silver gurl]

I have been off since the first week of March. Next week, I will be returning to do some side work. We shall see how that goes.
A family member has had a home office since March as well. Miserable. 100% absolute misery.

Extra/free time: was able to get in a good work out routine (from home), planted both a flower and vegetable gardens, cleaned out closets, cabinets etc. When desperate, taught the dogs new tricks.