New Vocabulary For The New Normal

The new normal brings with it a whole host of challenges and new ways of doing things. It also brings its own vocabulary. I received a notice from the AP Style Book a week ago about its new standards for Covid-related words. Here are some interesting words and phrases for your lexicon.

Blursday - This was my favorite. Covid Brain makes it hard for me to remember what day it is sometimes.

Corona Babies or Coronials - Children conceived during the lockdown.

Coronacation - It’s a staycation during the quarantine.

Corona Cuts - Cutting one’s own hair during the pandemic. Don’t cut your bangs!

Covid-10 or Covid-15 - A reference to weight gain during the quarantine.

Covid Brain - That fuzzy-headedness you get because of all the change, gloom, and anxiety.

Covid Idiots - You can figure it out. Maskhole is often a synonym.

Doomscrolling/Doomsurfing - This is when you scroll through your social media feeds looking for news of the next crisis.

Extreme Teleworking - When there’s no split between home and work life. It feels like it’s all day, every day.

Fashion Mullet- When you professionally dress for a video conference from the waist up and wear shorts or pj bottoms with your flip flops. (All business on the top; party on the bottom.)

Flatten the Curve - The work done to stave off the virus and reduce the number of infections.

Hamsteren - Hoarding (stuffing one’s cheeks like a hamster).

Magpie - Like hamsteren, it’s storing supplies for the lockdown.

Maskne - The facial breakouts caused by wearing masks for long periods of time.

Quaranteam - These are the small group of folks in your bubble who you have contact with regularly.

Quaranteens - Teenagers during the pandemic.

Quarantini - Any cocktail you mix at home.

Virtual Happy Hour - Video meet up with friends for drinks or to socialize.

WFH - Work From Home

Zoombombing/Zoomraiding - When others, with bad intentions, crash and take control of video conferences.

Zoom Fatigue - That feeling that comes from way too many video conference calls.

Zumping - Breaking off a relationship via Zoom.

It's All About Balance

Everybody’s world has been upended with the pandemic and all the changes it has caused. I work from home four days a week, and I report into the office on Mondays. In my new routine, I’m at my home office desk most days, starting about 5:30 AM. And I’m usually there until 5:00 or 6:00 PM. I really like that I can attend readings, workshops, and other events virtually, but that means I’m at my desk later in the evening or on weekends. The new normal requires some balance. Here are some ideas to help.

• You need to stand up and move around throughout the day. I miss my stand-up desk at work. I try to stand during conference calls, so I’m not sitting all day. I tend to stay stationary too long. I also bought a desk bike. I can pedal while I’m sitting. (The mute button is my friend when I’m pedaling.)

• Routines are important. If you can stick to a routine as much as possible, it helps. What works for me is to set my normal wake-up alarm for work days. I don’t set an alarm on days that I’m off or weekends unless there is something I need to do. This helps me separate the work and non-work days. They all tend to run together sometimes.

• Try to get outside when you can. Walks, jogging, hikes, and bike riding are all good ways to change the scenery.

• Many conferences and workshops have been cancelled, but a lot were moved online. There have been so many opportunities for virtual classes, readings, workshops, and conferences. Many of the Sisters in Crime chapters have opened their meetings to guests, and I have attended some really good presentations. I was able to hear presentation by Kathy Reichs (of Bones fame) recently which was outstanding, and I was able to attend the Murder and Mayhem Conference (normally based in Chicago).

• Many dance, yoga, and exercise classes have moved online. Our neighborhood dance studio offered free lessons via Zoom.

• My critique group has moved online, and I really like it. I miss hanging out and having lunch with everyone, but I find that I’m more productive. We usually meet in area libraries, and often it’s about a 30-40 minute ride for me (both ways). Now on critique group days, I have more time to do other things because there’s no commute.

• I’ve talked to a lot of folks who have said that they snack too much when working from home. The kitchen is just too convenient. I try to limit the junk I keep in the house (though there is always a stash of dark chocolate — I need that for writing days). I also try to keep meals on a regular schedule, if possible.

• I have binge-watched or streamed more TV/movies than I ever have. I’ve found a lot of interesting shows that I wouldn’t have watched otherwise.

What ideas would you add to my list? What’s been working for you lately? And have you purchased any equipment or tools for this work-at-home, stay-at-home time?

The New Normal - Make Time for Writing

It’s been a trying few weeks with lots of change and flux. I hope you and yours are doing well and are happy, healthy, and safe. My day gig is in IT, so the team has put in a lot of time making sure the rest of the staff can access systems and services. I was exhausted from all the hours last week, and I’m not doing the heavy lifting like our network guys and systems people.

I started my teleworking adventure on 3/19. The dogs still can’t figure out why I’m home so much. We’re learning how to cope and to be creative when things don’t quite work like they do in the office.

This meme summed up a lot of conference calls. Here’s your bingo card for this week.

I’m still getting up at my normal o’dark-thirty, and I’m using my commute time to write and revise. It’s important to stick to as much of a schedule/routine as you can. Also figure out ways to connect via video chats, calls, or social media. My book promotion groups and my critique groups are switching to virtual chats. And I attended the best conference online on Saturday. Many thanks to the Murder and Mayhem team in Chicago. Over 930 people attended the panels virtually.

Don’t forget to eat right and exercise. (I ordered a bicycle device that fits under my desk. I’ll let you know how that goes.)

I grew up watching “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood,” and the wise Fred Rogers always told us, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” They’re there, and I’ve seen so many caring and generous folks this week.

We’re in this together, and we can do this.

I love that so many creative folks are doing all kinds on concerts, story times, and exercises. There are so many ways you can learn new things and to connect with others. If you have downtime, finish projects, clean up, and start your next writing effort.

Drop me a note or add a comment and let me know what you’ve done recently for your writing life. Be safe.