The Pandemic, Midwest Edition - Stage Two
Well that escalated quickly.
Was driving over to my favorite restaurant for dinner today, breaking my “self-imposed quarantine” (to be clear, feeling completely normal) because it was my birthday, so I was willing to take a little risk. Had the radio on and there was an address from some Ohio health officials talking about how PEOPLE SHOULDN’T BE GOING TO RESTUARANTS, literally as my car was turning into the parking lot of my destination, LOL. As I walked in at the opening time of 4:00 pm, the staff were clustered around the bar watching TV, and the Ohio governor came on and, among other things, announced that all bars and eateries in the state would be shuttered at 9 pm this evening (delivery and carry out still permitted, however - just no gatherings of patrons)!! Made it just under the wire. Then my waiter was wearing surgical gloves, which was a new thing.
I was a little dejected sitting there by myself. Two other couples came in as I began eating. Ultimately, the staff took pity on me when I mentioned it was my birthday after finding out that they had neither my first nor second choice of dessert, so I scored a free apple tart a la mode and second glass of wine! Small pleasures.
Might as well savor them - it might be a while before I can do so again.
Will update as the situation changes.
Addendum - I just realized something. A friend of mine, who I used to work with, has a birthday on St. Patrick's Day (which is a really big deal for her, since she's also Irish-Catholic). So we have an annual tradition of meeting for lunch on the 16th, the day equidistant between our birthdays (although sometimes the date floats to accommodate schedules). In fact, it's usually the one time a year I see her. I literally filled out a birthday card for her this afternoon, and though we hadn't been in contact yet, I HAD expected to see her tomorrow. But now I guess we won't be meeting for lunch anywhere! That's a bummer. Perhaps we can meet over her house (her place is close to my office), if she's willing to take the risk of BREACHING CONTAINMENT AND LETTING IN AN OUTSIDER.
Was driving over to my favorite restaurant for dinner today, breaking my “self-imposed quarantine” (to be clear, feeling completely normal) because it was my birthday, so I was willing to take a little risk. Had the radio on and there was an address from some Ohio health officials talking about how PEOPLE SHOULDN’T BE GOING TO RESTUARANTS, literally as my car was turning into the parking lot of my destination, LOL. As I walked in at the opening time of 4:00 pm, the staff were clustered around the bar watching TV, and the Ohio governor came on and, among other things, announced that all bars and eateries in the state would be shuttered at 9 pm this evening (delivery and carry out still permitted, however - just no gatherings of patrons)!! Made it just under the wire. Then my waiter was wearing surgical gloves, which was a new thing.
I was a little dejected sitting there by myself. Two other couples came in as I began eating. Ultimately, the staff took pity on me when I mentioned it was my birthday after finding out that they had neither my first nor second choice of dessert, so I scored a free apple tart a la mode and second glass of wine! Small pleasures.
Might as well savor them - it might be a while before I can do so again.
Will update as the situation changes.
Addendum - I just realized something. A friend of mine, who I used to work with, has a birthday on St. Patrick's Day (which is a really big deal for her, since she's also Irish-Catholic). So we have an annual tradition of meeting for lunch on the 16th, the day equidistant between our birthdays (although sometimes the date floats to accommodate schedules). In fact, it's usually the one time a year I see her. I literally filled out a birthday card for her this afternoon, and though we hadn't been in contact yet, I HAD expected to see her tomorrow. But now I guess we won't be meeting for lunch anywhere! That's a bummer. Perhaps we can meet over her house (her place is close to my office), if she's willing to take the risk of BREACHING CONTAINMENT AND LETTING IN AN OUTSIDER.