What have you learned while being quarantined?

I have learned how to borrow ebooks from the library system.  I use the libby app - here's more info on it:

https://help.overdrive.com/en-us/1307.html

You only need to have a library card - you may be able to apply for this online as well.  


I’ve come to realize I already did wash my hands a lot. (A happy realization!)


I'm learning to speak Welsh.  Though I haven't figured out yet in what circumstance I might need to know how to say "are you enjoying painting the ceiling" in Welsh.


I’m thinking Welsh spoken while wearing a mask will sound a lot like Klingon?


I've learned how to join a zoom meeting and how to mute my microphone.  I haven't learned how to get a chance to speak yet.  I assume it starts with unmuting my microphone; though that doesn't work when the host is controlling who speaks when.


In addition to learning how to borrow an e-book, I've learned that it's pretty challenging to finish a book in 2 weeks, but I appreciate to push to do so.  And if not, I'll shortly learn how to renew it.


joan_crystal said:

I've learned how to join a zoom meeting and how to mute my microphone.  I haven't learned how to get a chance to speak yet.  I assume it starts with unmuting my microphone; though that doesn't work when the host is controlling who speaks when.

 I think it does start with unmuting, but I've been in 2 Zoom meetings and a Seder on something similar and my mic was never muted and the host was not controlling who speaks, other than asking people to take turns. 

Knowing you I know that you will keep on learning.


jamie said:

In addition to learning how to borrow an e-book, I've learned that it's pretty challenging to finish a book in 2 weeks, but I appreciate to push to do so.  And if not, I'll shortly learn how to renew it.

 Depends on the length of the book, no?


joan_crystal said:

I've learned how to join a zoom meeting and how to mute my microphone.  I haven't learned how to get a chance to speak yet.  I assume it starts with unmuting my microphone; though that doesn't work when the host is controlling who speaks when.

 I've learned that politely participating in a Zoom meeting takes a new kind of etiquette. If there are more than 2 or 3 participants it can get chaotic.

One problem is the roughly half-second delay which means that you can't actually tell when someone else has started speaking. So I'm trying to learn to keep my mouth shut, wait for other people to finish their sentences and then speak. I wasn't good at that in real life! Maybe this will be good for my in-person communication skills.


STANV said:

jamie said:

In addition to learning how to borrow an e-book, I've learned that it's pretty challenging to finish a book in 2 weeks, but I appreciate to push to do so.  And if not, I'll shortly learn how to renew it.

 Depends on the length of the book, no?

 Very true.  But I'm one who usually takes their time reading a book.  I'm reading Dan Brown's - Origins (Should probably add this to the What are you reading thread) - it's a fairly easy read.  I think I'm around 60% through.


jamie said:

In addition to learning how to borrow an e-book, I've learned that it's pretty challenging to finish a book in 2 weeks, but I appreciate to push to do so.  And if not, I'll shortly learn how to renew it.

 There's a menu option to raise your hand.  But that depends on the host seeing it.  Still learning here also.


On zoom, I invited a bunch of my college classmates. First one was 8 people. Worked very well.

Our group is such that about 30 is the natural limit. Went to 14 last time and was really too many. As the host I called on people, seemed like the only way to do it.

A few of the other 16 got wind of it and seemed like hurt feeling we’re brewing, so we’re going all 30 tomorrow night.

I think 9 max is the right number.
 


jimmurphy said:

. . . I think 9 max is the right number.
 

 I agree.  I have also learned to smile, clap, and give a thumbs up rather than saying comments aloud.

During a family Zoom, one person asked "why does my box keeping lighting up green?" and a younger relative responded "because you keep talking"  Thankfully she took the comment as advice and became a better listener.


jimmurphy said:

On zoom, I invited a bunch of my college classmates. First one was 8 people. Worked very well.

Our group is such that about 30 is the natural limit. Went to 14 last time and was really too many. As the host I called on people, seemed like the only way to do it.

A few of the other 16 got wind of it and seemed like hurt feeling we’re brewing, so we’re going all 30 tomorrow night.

I think 9 max is the right number.
 

 last time I was in a 9 person zoom I looked up and sideways, and started singing "here's a story..."


When muted on Zoom, holding down the spacebar key un-mutes you for as long as it's held down.


Sundays said:

When muted on Zoom, holding down the spacebar key un-mutes you for as long as it's held down.

 Wow, good to know!


Sundays said:

When muted on Zoom, holding down the spacebar key un-mutes you for as long as it's held down.

 I was going to say that. Sort of like pressing the button at someone's apartment building to talk to them, but we aren't doing that now!


I've learned how much I love coffee. Driving to work everyday I drank coffee every morning but now I'm drinking it (mostly decaf) all day. And now I realize how wonderful coffee is with breakfast! With lunch! With dinner! With conference calls! With TV! With the newspaper! With crossword puzzles! With MOL! (And what a good alternative it is to booze.)


I just received an invitation to be the guest speaker at a zoom meeting tomorrow.  Wish me luck or should I write skill?  The space bar thing is good to know.


I started running trivia quizzes for some friends. I figured the easiest way to do it over zoom was to run it as a kind of presentation, with me reading out the questions and screen sharing the questions (including picture and audio rounds) then giving out the answers.

I was never a huge powerpoint fan, so I used google sheets, and I've learned how to animate different elements so you can have multiple choice questions, then have all the answers disappear except one, etc. It's been a lot of fun learning to use an app for an unusual practical purpose.


Why do I find it so depressing that everything people are saying they are learning has something to do with Zoom?

I think I've learned that I can't stand video conferencing!! It's OK when it is for something fun or recreational. But for meetings at work - ugh. Especially when it is a meeting with no visuals - why do we need to take up the bandwidth needed to see each other? Everybody has to act super-attentive and engaged. When you know that if you had the same meeting in person, half of them would be checking their emails on their phones ..

And I've also learned which of my co-workers are the type who will use a still shot of a public area at our workplace as their Zoom background. This strikes me as .... trying kinda hard?? I don't know it just irritates me.

I'm usually not this grouchy. Maybe it's the weather.


I'm doing a course on how to crowdfund so I can eventually release some roleplay stuff in a hardback format. I do wish the presenter didn't have such a dull voice though.


I've learned I can make one of those Bounty paper towel half sheets go a long way!


mulemom said:

I'm learning to speak Welsh.  Though I haven't figured out yet in what circumstance I might need to know how to say "are you enjoying painting the ceiling" in Welsh.

 That sounds interesting. A branch of my family seems to point in that direction. Maybe start a thread and teach us a few words? The spelling looks pretty challenging.

I joined a FB group to learn a bit more of Italian. My knowledge was mostly the odd phrase from another limb of the family tree. We have branches that reach into a few different countries.I have been watching My Brilliant Friend and listening while reading subtitles sparked my interest.

Speaking of family trees my aunt and cousin did a great deal of research and traced the family on the Welsh side, (that was the family name) and went back to the Revolution which led them to join the DAR. I have been thinking of digging around a bit through Ancestry,  Anybody have any luck with that site?


I know the Welsh word for static.

It's Lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll


My cooking skills are improving.


Its all too easy to run out of sympathy cards during a pandemic.


HatsOff said:

Why do I find it so depressing that everything people are saying they are learning has something to do with Zoom?

 Actually, I've never been on Zoom at all, ever, not even once - I'm learning Welsh from a site called Duolingo where you can study any of many languages for free (yes, even Klingon!)  smile

https://www.duolingo.com/


mulemom said:

 Actually, I've never been on Zoom at all, ever, not even once - I'm learning Welsh from a site called Duolingo where you can study any of many languages for free (yes, even Klingon!) 
smile

https://www.duolingo.com/

 You should watch the episode of "The Crown" where Prince Charles learns Welsh so he can be Prince of Wales.


Morganna said:

mulemom said:

I'm learning to speak Welsh.  Though I haven't figured out yet in what circumstance I might need to know how to say "are you enjoying painting the ceiling" in Welsh.

 That sounds interesting. A branch of my family seems to point in that direction. Maybe start a thread and teach us a few words? The spelling looks pretty challenging.

MOL thread mashup:

A Man for All Seasons was on TCM the other night. Classic line, when Thomas More confronts a betrayer who has been appointed attorney general for Wales:

“Why, Richard, it profits a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world.

“But for Wales.” 


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