Any good that came out of COVID-19

Enough about the doom & gloom and the sky is falling conversations - and conversations that quite frankly I cannot even follow anymore. Does anyone have any good news stories that have happened to you or that you have witnessed.

Personally it has been great having my daughters back home from University and I enjoy watching them spend time with each other because I know these days are numbered and come Sept they will both be going their separate ways for another year. I do miss their rugby season (they both play), which should have been in full flight right about now, but I did get to see my youngest play in the U18 Rugby 7's Nationals in Vancouver in Feb before COVID hit.

I am seeing more of my neighbours as I take my dog for daily walks and runs. Everyone seems friendly and taking things in stride. Yesterday after dinner a neighbour hired an Elvis impersonator to perform for a couple of hours in the cul-du-sac at the end of my street. He set up in the middle of the street and everyone set up lawn chairs on their front lawn, driveway and on the road (respecting social distancing) to watch him perform. The performer was amazing and at the end of his 2hr set all my neighbour asked in return was a donation for the food bank. At the end of the performance there were lots of envelopes of cash and bags of food dropped off by his truck.

Even through everyone's investments took a nose dive I did use this opportunity to pick up some Amazon stock and as luck would have it.........it went up $425/share in just under a month. OK.......it will not offset everything else I am taking a bath on but I see this as a personal win - LOL.

I was a guy that was up by 4:30 in the morning. I didn’t even Mind 4:00.

Now it’s 7:30 - 8:00.

No rush to get anything done no rush to be anyplace. Kinda enjoying it lol

Markets are doing well.

The weekend before last we decided that although we had things more or less covered for the kids at home that would allow both of us to continue working, it was less than ideal. The kids had no real structure, and no matter what our shifts looked like they were still spending 2 to 3 hours a day alone. Oldest is 12, she was in charge.

Anyway, we noticed things in their behaviour and noticed that our overall stress level was too much and something had to give. So, I gave notice at work and took childcare leave as of last Monday. My first CERB cheque went into the account today. It's a pretty significant pay cut, but we aren't spending right now either. We haven't eaten takeout since mid-March and we aren't going anywhere to spend money.

What's good is I'm reconnecting with my children, helping further their education, reducing our home stress level and taking advantage of some time away from the daily grind while it's available. It's nice. The kids are no longer another "job" at the end of the day to deal with (sounds harsh but busy parents know what I mean), I'm genuinely involved in their every day, all day. Their behaviour was immediately corrected by the changes, things are good. We're going to try to fill turkey tag #2 together when school work is done.

I think overall, people are going to do well with a hard "reset". Take a step back and realize what is important. We'll also learn to greatly appreciate the things we used to take for granted.

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Water pollution and air pollution levels are way down in many countries. Shows just that cleanup is possible over a short period of time if everybody gets on board.

Peace and quiet out here in the country, no pollution noise from airplanes that used to fly constantly over our house on their way to Toronto Int. Air Port and back out, that and the absence of small aircraft in the air, it's amazing how quiet it is around here now.

Sold my hunting property for top dollars before Covid. Sucks not to Turkey hunt! Looking for another hunting property hoping prices will go down because of Covid.

I have not seen an upside to this at all, at least in my life setting..... except for maybe pollution levels being down.

I’m an essential worker. Yes, one of the ones that just got bonus pay last weekend. The days are very long and highly stressful.
BUT, traffic is light, skies are blue, we have last year’s backyard rabbit back, forecast for this coming weekend is perfect gardening weather and I have a picture of my yet to arrive puppy to share. (Currently 5weeks old)
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...eeffaaf7a9.jpg

Well, my wife and I are still together! We’re both retired so we are used to this a little. We live in the country and we are able to go out for walks either on our gravel road or our woods. We are way ahead on our landscaping and have already completed cleaning up the edges of our paths that run through our property.
Historically I would always take out between 4 and 8 new turkey hunters. This year I have been hunting by myself and I find it to be very relaxing. So quiet and no rush to get out or to get back. The time I spend hunting and away from my wife is good for both of us. Over the years we have made many changes to our 102 acre property and this year it’s nice to have the time to just walk around and enjoy being here. Now if I could just figure out how to get the Brown Trout in my pond to bite, I would be really happy!
On a side note, there is so little traffic noise from cars, trucks, airplanes, etc. The past week or so it got noisy with tractors working the land!

Those of us lucky enough to not lose their income and not have to pay daycare is nice.

Nice change for a thread...good idea:) I've found small talk with neighbors I've never seen to be nice. Lotsa walkers saying hello. For the past 3 weeks I've watched a family of foxes being raised directly across the street. It's been quite comical. Theres 9 kits toatl6, which I thought was crazy. One will run around with a squirrel tail and the other 8 will chase until it another ones turn. I have my morning coffee on the porch and watch them everyday, and at dusk. They put on quite the show.

Lots of good stories here. Good on you GW for putting the kids first.

We have had many many evening walks with the kids around our subdivision and I was fortunate to be able to work from home for quite a few days in recent weeks. Lots of time with kids.

I have been doing the grocery shopping and going early on weekends lately unless we could order online and get a pickup slot. Shopping has been so much better with half the people in the store and with nobody being checked out RIGHT behind you, lots of time to pack your own groceries instead of having the next person’s stuff rammed into yours.

I have a long commute into the city daily and normally take the 407 but the 401 has been lightning fast and actually 10 minutes better.

Well, some good ... I've done a crap load of mini-projects around my house ... for the first time in as long as I can remember ... I only have 3 things left on my list of things to do ... and one of them will be done tomorrow and another on Saturday.

The other nice thing is the cooking. Now that my wife is at home from work, she is cooking up some amazing meals ... looking on line for recipes like linguini carbonara ... really nice food!

Deborah and I met through meet up years ago. The group is for people 35+ divorced people. No, not a dating thing. It’s actually fairly uncommon. The group is about 1,000 people. Many of us know what “suddenly single mid life is like”. Circle of friends are smaller, often mutual friends fall by the wayside etc etc. and when you visit friends that are married, you can feel like a 5th wheel.

The group primarily exist for divorced parents, with busy lives, work children. To get out, expand social circles what not.

When it all began, we found ourselves almost daily expressing how lucky and grateful we were to have found each other. Many of our friends, are single, alone going through this. And with that groups social functions shut down.....

A couple weeks ago, us, and bunch of our friends starting putting online poker games together. At the same time combinations of zoom, FaceTime are set up. In many ways, it’s drawn people closer. And for those of us, that have remarried, our single friends aren’t going through it alone.

My wife is off for a while now-her workplace, the mall is closed shut......i am off and on working from home.So we spend unusual amount of time together.Which turns out to be a great thing........In our regular life we meet quarter of the time(she is working mostly when i am off work,or the other ways around).We got used to it by now,and it does no harm to us(and it is REALLY good in deer season for me:thumbup::ashamed:).So we talk more,walk the streets a lot.The life in Guelph become less of a rush,and much quieter. Other then the line ups in certain stores,the life is simpler and easier.

Nothing much has really changed for myself, wife works from home and still going to work myself. Less traffic on the roads is nice. There are some outdoor stores with great deals on right now. I liking the price of fuel as well

I really like the on-line ordering/drive thru pick up. Home Depot has it down to a fine art. I'm told they're looking at doing this permanently. I ordered on-line yesterday and picked my order up today. It took about 15 minutes. Just as an aside, on the way,I took a short cut through an LCBO parking lot (same plaza) and got stuck in a back up of vehicles. There were no fewer than 70 people (I had time to count) standing 6' apart,outside in line to get in. It was pouring rain,like I mean pissin' furkin' buckets. Well,different strokes for different folks,I guess. :party:

Good news - still have a job! My company let go 175 people globally but Canada was unaffected AND we nailed our quarterly bonus!! Not sure how that happened but I'll take it. I am assuming things are going to open up soon as I have meetings planned for Chicago and Houston for mid/late June. My wife is in Pharma and has never been busier and is also planning business trips to UK & Sweden for August and Sept.

Hopefully this will all be coming to an end soon.

I think an upside is Canadians are waking up to the corruption and double standards of the Liberals. Their attack on working/middle class Canadians and putting foreign interests before our own. Trudeau's days are numbered, so that is some solace amidst all of this. Now here's to hoping Trump gets back in this November ;)

That post is stirring the pot, if I reply then I am deemed a troll. See how that works. Censorship until everyone thinks the same on this site.

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Originally Posted by fishermccann

That post is stirring the pot, if I reply then I am deemed a troll. See how that works. Censorship until everyone thinks the same on this site.

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They wouldn't need to censor us if we were wrong ;)

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Originally Posted by fishermccann

That post is stirring the pot, if I reply then I am deemed a troll. See how that works. Censorship until everyone thinks the same on this site.

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Did I miss something.......what happened? What post is stirring the pot.

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Originally Posted by 410001661

Did I miss something.......what happened? What post is stirring the pot.

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I think he was referring to my jab at Trudeau. While those are my thoughts, I am just poking a bit of fun here. Don't mean to detract from the previous posts about anyone's positive experiences during the lockdown.

It is important however that we can speak openly on all issues. There is so much censorship from big gov, education, and big tech these days...and people would be shocked to realize many of their 'friends' are just temporary acquaintances contingent on saying and doing the exact same things.

Cheers

That is not stirring the pot..........everyone with 1/2 a brain knows that the Liberals are a pile of self serving POS. After over a decade of rule in Ontario it is CLEARLY obvious.

Justin........same &^*% different pile

Exactly 4100.

World of difference between stating your opinion, which can be right, wrong, or anywhere in between. He is allowed that opinion.

Stirring the pot, would be
1) trying to invalidate that opinion.
2) responding to it, in such as manner, that would be likely to cause trouble. Such as you have just done, FMC. Can you see where it’s changed? Where the thread has gone off the rails?
3) Throwing gas on a fire. Turning a brush fire ( two people and Newtons law) into a forest fire. This happens when we intentionally, or unwittingly takes sides, and join the fun...Jump in on something, that has noting to do with the price of tea in china.......or “me”...
4) Spill the same crap, over and into multiple threads.

You’re allowed your opinions, I’ll use abortion as an illustration. You argue against, I or any else argue for. If you stick to your opinion, “I am against it because.....:A, B, C, D.......There are no problems, until and unless someone forgets you are allowed your opinion....

If you strongly disagree with someone opinion dont call them out, they are allowed their opinion. Express your own on the matter...I am in favor of abortion, for A, B, C, D....

The post in question is a little off topic but not much. I could be JTs number one fan boy, think he is the greatest thing ever....Its my choice how I respond, if I choose to. And if I forget Newtons law, well thats my problem..I chose....to...whichever and whatever...

Your opinion on this is that he is stirring the pot. I disagree, and Ive given my reasons, without invalidating yours...

JB after calling me numerous derogatory names, nothing that you say , means anything to me. I do not care what you think. If someone has to keep telling you how smart they are, they usually aren't. Funny that.

You obviously live in a world where you do not understand Newtons law..Do not understand you dont get to start something, without repercussions.

.Its a cold day in hell I start something. Ocassionally I have said something, mis read something. I’m man enough to know when.. I will not put up with trolls, stalkers ( take the hint), and more. Deal with it. You choose, how you respond to things or people.

This is the 2nd or third thread now you’ve tried to start this discussion?
On more than one occasion you have admittedly you enjoy trolling..
Did Mikepal not quote you in the other thread you are now derailing on the same crap? Your own wife, by your own words, has asked you why you do it. And your reply was “because Im winning”??
You play these childish games of trying to twist or turn stuff around.

I did debate even responding to this, in a nice manner, without criticing you. But its now the 2nd or third “active” thread.

Newtons law in practice: See your reply and how Newtons law works...Get help, get well, stalker...

Congrats FMC, mission accomplished... I guess the thread in the ammo forum isnt enough to whine about the same topic...
You are blocked on facebook for reasons.....

Never said that to my wife. Your reading comprehension needs work. You are attributing things to me, that I have not said. Totally false information. JB are you not the one whose erratic and sometimes incomprehensible posts had some of us worried about your cognitive health? The more compassionate of us said things like , ' your stressed out maybe time to take a break', ' you should take care of your self , get well'. The more germane said, 'off your meds'. And I should listen to you for, 'the voice of reason'?

You can call up any thread. Any. I will not deny I don’t put up with crap. Never have, never will. Here or in the real world. I don’t care if you or anyone thinks the world is flat. Your allowed that. As am I. I will defend my opinions and “myself” brutally when needed. Deal with it....”too each their own”..

Newton’s law.
My years old “signature” is still the same. Why might you think I added that years ago. You are one main reason...

Over the years you have admitted it many times. You have and obviously still do, carry things over into multiple threads. Have engaged in the same childish behavior in Facebook. If your memory is that faulty, the “Northern Ontario” thread. You brought nothing to it, but post that we’re nothing but childish, snide remarks.

In the last month, you have carried the whole cottage crap, into multiple threads. In this forum and the politics forum. Multiple times.......

With respect to me, you have repeatedly, personally come after me. Twisted things I’ve said, accused me of saying things I haven’t said once. And when challenged to find a single quote, you hide like a little child...So much more I might say.

get help.

The fact your OWN WIFE, ask you why....should give you a large dose of reality, and maturity.
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Originally Posted by fishermccann View Post
I should be able to go to the OOD site, and not have to agree with conservative policies espoused here, and not be called a troll because I do not agree with the majority. This is not a conservative fan club site.
It's used to hard for some of us understand how you guys couldn't figure out the difference between offering an alternation opinion and posting nonsence for the sole purpose of 'stiring the pot'....then you posted this:

Quote Originally Posted by fishermccann View Post
I have been winning so far, and just smart enough to know it. Sometimes the wife sees me smiling as I converse with you gentlemen, and asks why. I reply , ' I've really got them going today'.

To pretend to be offended by being labeled a Troll, when your doing what is the exact definition of what a Troll is rather ludicrous, is it not ? If you fight fires your a fireman..

Basically, a social media troll is someone who purposely says something controversial in order to get a rise out of other users.
The admin (CalTek) got tired of it years ago and created a Political forum in the Off Topic area so guys like you and Gilroy would have a place where you can discuss politics. Try restricting your political debates there so we won't be subjected to that crap.

Newtons Law
”your just smart enough to be winning”?

Anyone that needs to tell you how smart they are......

anyway, some of the projects I started are getting finished . That bottle of rum I started last Dec now gone, bottle of Balies done, Tequila done,
Wild turkey almost done.
I have a few other half bottle of liquor to finish should be done them soon.
This week planning a quarantine party for all my family and friends , spared no expense since they can't come anyway.
By the way your all invited.

Ya my scotch collection has been taking a beating over the last couple of months. Loch 18yr single malt - it was nice while it lasted - LOL.

On the up side I do not have to share!

Trudeau Cerb package well spent.
God I love it he bought me a hand gun

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ebc4e0fc99.jpg

Don’t think I will look this good at 155 years of old

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Originally Posted by js4fn

Trudeau Cerb package well spent.
God I love it he bought me a hand gun

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ebc4e0fc99.jpg

Don’t think I will look this good at 155 years of old

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You should send him a "thank you" letter. I would love to be there when he reads it( ok I am assuming he can read ), just so I can watch the mental Olympics leading to a stroke..

The Anti gun PM that bought you a new gun.....;)

It’s a blast to shoot.

https://youtu.be/B0ceaBFKXCg

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Originally Posted by Snowwalker

You should send him a "thank you" letter. I would love to be there when he reads it( ok I am assuming he can read ), just so I can watch the mental Olympics leading to a stroke..

The Anti gun PM that bought you a new gun.....;)

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Might be funny if we all did that. Black scary ones too.