-
Writing Challenge Day 24: All Dressed-Up and Nowhere to Go.
My jeans still fit. In any other year this would be less of an accomplishment, but I’ll take it, even with sub-optimal result. My significant others have also been geeks or at least geek-leaning, and after nearly a hundred heavily engineer-populated corporate holiday parties, I’ve had a chance to notice how many…
-
Writing Challenge Day 15: Sweatpants Are Now Business Attire
Some of you are still in an office. I’m not ignoring you, but I think this question is already answered for you. So, this is what I look like 99% of the time at work. Like many of you my short-term work from home became permanent. I might block my camera and set this to the background and see who notices I don’t move. Are…
-
Writing Challenge Day 23: Taking PTO and Going... Nowhere
Pre-March 2020, I was one of those people who always had their next vacation booked and kept a running wish list of future trips. Staycationing was not a thing we did when I was growing up, nor a habit I developed as an adult. My husband and I love exploring the world, and over the years—between business trips and…
-
Writing Challenge Day 21: Not All Introverts WFH
“You must be loving this.” I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard this statement in the past nine months. Being a self-proclaimed introvert (and proud of it!), the implication is that I love being able to work from home, away from all the people and all the small talk. To be fair, getting away from small talk might…
-
Writing Challenge Day 22: Confessions of a Shopaholic
I used to hate to shop. As a little girl, my mom had to force me into the stores. I’d rather sit on the bench in the middle of the mall (remember those?) and watch people. People have always fascinated me. You know the game we play when we imagine the lives of those around us? The couple sitting there eating dinner—it’s…
-
Writing Challenge Day 20: Today I Tried...
Okay, okay… I know this is one of the hardest topics ever, because when you’re quarantining (does anyone else say this like martini? Just me? Okay...), or sheltered in place, or trapped at home with your entire family, trying something new is legitimately hard. Not only has 2020 stripped us of all the fun activities, like…
-
Writing Challenge Day 1: Connecting in a Disconnected World
PREFACE: To kick off this year’s Writing Challenge, I’ll address one of the most obvious, persistent, and pervasive issues we face: we’re not together. Not as coworkers; nor as friends; and not even as families beyond those who are living in our particular “COVID bubble” (which, sadly, is now a thing we say). I chose the…
-
Writing Challenge Day 13: Quarantine Cuisine
Bread, lots of bread has been made in quarantine… I’m sure, like others, you’ve been trying new ideas out in the kitchen. I even signed up for a seafood and a beef delivery service. By the way, anyone need any seafood? K I’ve also watched a TON of baking shows and assumed I would be literally the best baker of all time…
-
Writing Challenge Day 14: Am I on Mute? Being Heard While Remote.
I’ve had jobs where I’ve been mostly in-person, mostly remote, and somewhere in-between. But I was still unprepared for 2020. In the past, I’ve relied being in-person to get the visibility I need at work. Since that’s not an option right now, and as someone often labeled as “soft-spoken,” I’ve had to make some changes this…
-
Writing Challenge Day 18: Finding Friendship
“Strangers are just friends we haven’t met yet.” While horrific to some, this is a personal catchphrase. I believe the world is filled with so many wonderful, unique individuals to meet. And think of the variety of places you could meet them! At a coffee shop, in an airport lounge, by the snack bar at a coworker’s…