Gone for Good?

I did a post in April 2021 with my ‘good riddance list’ of things that had gone by the wayside during the pandemic so far. My list was based on an article by one of my favorite Seattle Times humor writers, Ron Judd: ‘From commuting to Costco samples: ‘Ron Judd’s list of 20 things we DON’T need back after the pandemic’.

Ron and I had a fair amount of overlap on our lists, such as:

• Rush hour commutes
• Retreats/Trainings/Conferences
• Food sample cart jams at Costco
• In person doctor visits
• Super size buffets – I added potlucks
• Frisbee size restaurant pagers

A year later, are these now Gone for Good???  Hmmmmm…not so fast!

• Traffic is easily back to its pre pandemic level, as is travel – even though only 1/3 of Seattle workers have returned to the office.
• My ‘still working’ friends are retreating and traveling to in-person conferences and trainings
• At our recent visit to Costco, people were lined up for food samples again
• I have an in-person doctor visit in June, but am delighted that telehealth is still an option
• My favorite breakfast buffet at Marriott Residence Inns was gone for a number of months, replaced by a to go bag with sugary yoghurt, apple juice, and a granola bar ☹.  I am pleased to learn that their breakfast is back and much improved!
• I’ve held two restaurant pagers in the past month

Of note, here are a few good things that do appear to be gone for good:

• Real cups and plates at most Starbucks – you can bring your own cup or buy one from their vast selection! Their one use cups still head to the landfill.
• Popcorn while you wait at Les Schwab Tires – I never had the popcorn, but a loss is a loss 😊
• And, most importantly, we lost our beloved Yulie (7/22/21) ☹

History repeats itself over and over again, but most of us have short memories.

Mike Colter

Allene

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My ‘Good Riddance’ List!

Ron Judd, a Seattle Times humor writer, did a great article last weekend: A ‘Good Riddance’ Wishlist. He has made a list of the 20 habits that have fallen by the wayside since the pandemic that he would like to leave in the rearview mirror, post pandemic.

The mind-boggling changes wrought by the pandemic of 2020 — and counting — likely will stand in history as one of those great societal timeouts (previous unspeakable national calamities, such as war, depression, social upheaval and consecutive New England Patriots Super Bowl titles, also qualified), with impacts so profound they provided a chance to start over, from sheer necessity.

Ron Judd

I am on the same page with Ron on much of his list, including:

• Rush hour commuting – I no longer have a commute but wouldn’t wish our Puget Sound commutes on my worst enemy!
• Retreats of any kind – Again, no longer relevant but I have never been a retreat fan and found them a big waste of time
• Endless lines at big box stores – I also love curbside pickups!
• In-Person visits to the doctor’s office – Telehealth is the greatest!  I don’t mind an occasional trip to the doctor’s office but Zooming with my doc suits me fine.
• Take a number in-person license renewal – I got my driver’s license renewed during the pandemic by appointment; it was a game changer.  The licensing staff loves appointments too.
• Frisbee size pagers for overcrowded, overpriced restaurants – I will second that!

My ‘Good Riddance’ List additions:

• Potlucks of any kind – please don’t bring these back.  It is a mishmash of food that most people buy at the store anyway.
• Buffets – they remind me of potlucks
• Acrylic nails – I had acrylic nails for decades!  I haven’t had my nails done since March 2020.  I am using Kiss press on nails and will continue to do so because my nails are still shot from the acrylics I used for all those years.  I don’t miss the hours spent in the salon in the slightest.
• Most indoor malls – Ron calls them nonessential and I think he is right.  I can’t even buy essentials at our local mall anymore (cue Amazon)!

I know my list will continue to grow as we resume many of those activities that we once considered ‘normal’!

After a very cold start to April, our high temperature our weekend forecast is for a high of 77 degrees!

Wherever you are, have a good weekend.

Allene