From the Desk of the Editor...

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The Year In Review

It is impossible to talk about 2020 without the pandemic being not only the lead story, but pretty much the only story.  Everything that happened this year – politics, our jobs, relationships, even what we do in our spare time – has been affected by Covid-19.  The amateur historian in me is fascinated by how we are adapting and how our lives are going to be different.  But first, the reality. 

One year ago, I was sick at home for the week between Christmas 2019 and New Year’s 2020.  I began reading online about this new virus in China just as it was begin-ning.  I went to Chicago in mid-January, vaguely wondering if I should be concerned about getting on a plane.  By February, we were joking at work about washing your hands and not touching our eyes. 

But by March, it was clear this wasn’t going away.  The Fleet Science Center where I work shut down and I started working from home.  Fortunately, I had just moved into a larger apartment: two bedrooms (one which became an office), more living space and two bathrooms.  (I live alone. How many bathrooms can one person use at a time?)

At first, I was concerned there wouldn’t be enough for me to do from home.  Besides, I enjoy interacting with people in person at work.  But ironically – as so many of us discovered – I was working more hours than ever from home.  With nothing else to do, you find yourself handling emails at 9 o’clock at night, and then you’re back at it the following morning.

I followed CDC guidelines rigorously and dropped distancing with only three friends.  I discovered the joys of Zoom and even became a (very) minor media star (see the column at right).  The pandemic surely couldn’t last more than a couple of months and it seemed that life would go on until we returned to work. 

Sometimes Retirement Comes

Sooner Than We Expect  🙄

After 30 years at the Fleet, my job was eliminated in July.  The organization had a budget gap to bridge, and I wasn't the only person let go.  They treated me very fairly, and that made it easier for me to come to terms with it and move on.  But it has been a huge change. 

I had always wondered what retirement would be like.  What would I do with all the extra time?  Since I enjoy interacting with people, I envisioned finding a volunteer position that would get me out of the house a few mornings a week.  But that wouldn’t be possible now. 

During the first month as a retiree, there was plenty to do: getting the InnoCaption phone app so I could take telephone calls.  (More at right: “Being Deaf in Times of Covid.”) Filing for unemployment.  Filing for Medicare.  Pretty soon I’m going to tackle Social Security.  These are the things everyone has to deal with, but they are more stressful for me. 

Zoom has become my new best friend.  I’ve used it to continue my involvement with my playwrights group and with my hearing loss group, and reconnected with two men’s discussion groups.  I’ve had doctor’s appointments and for a while was participating in ALS (American Sign Language) discussion groups. 

Fortunately, libraries are doing "holds."  DVDs are available from the library, and I have gone through five seasons of “Poldark,” two seasons of “The Crown,” and several different versions of “War and Peace,” “Great Expectations” and “Bleak House.”  Plus writing projects (column at the right).  

Most people have someone to commiserate with and complain to every day.  But since I live alone, but I can only complain to myself (which for some reasons is less rewarding). 

However, throughout it all, I’ve been exceptionally lucky.  No one I know has been sick (or god forbid even been in the hospital).  I’m able to pay my bills.  And I get out for a walk every day.  Long-time readers of Conley Chronicles will disoriented by this new, upbeat, glass-is-half-full, cheerful side of Michael Conley. 

To that, I say three words, “Trump Is Gone.”  (Plus, “Thank you, Dr. Fauci.")