Here we are, friends. As we all get used to staying in, let’s stay IN. As we put our feelers into the world to connect virtually, let’s remember our roots, too. Let’s remember why this place, these people, are special.
We’ll see you when we see you. Until then: We love you. Stay in touch.
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Well, this is certainly not what we expected a few weeks ago when we started helping our clients—especially our healthcare and public facility clients—start crafting communications about the novel coronavirus. It’s not what we expected two weeks ago when our work accelerated to match the urgency of the situation—or even a week ago when we made plans to work at home if one of us was ill or exposed.
Now we’re all working at home for at least the next few weeks. Which can be both a blessing and a curse, especially as spring arrives; just when we should be opening up along with the wild violets in the grass, we’re shutting down like all the restaurants and bars in the city.
But here we are. We’re stressed, but we’re hopeful. We’re worried, but we’re determined. We’re Hoosiers—even those of us who are Boilermakers and Bulldogs, Cardinals and Fighting Irish and Sycamores and Greyhounds. We’re dedicated to looking out for each other and being here for each other and taking care of each other.
And because we’re all in this together, we’re going to share things that make us laugh, cope, and enjoy each other’s company, even though we can’t be together physically right now.
Here are a few of our current favorites. We’ll keep sharing. Please share with us, too.
How to protect The Greatest Generation of comedy legends.
Social distancing may mean keeping your distance from people you love—especially if those people are of a vulnerable age or condition. Example one: Diplo is self-quarantining from his kids. And the Mel and Max Brooks are keeping their distance, too. Difficult as it may be, please think twice about getting together. Maybe have a virtual party where you all watch Blazing Saddles in your separate homes and live Tweet your quips?
Play Go Fish with your cat
Are you home and bored? Think about how your dog feels every day. Take that dog for walk; it’ll be good for you to get some exercise and fresh air. As for your cat: You can spend only so much time chasing a laser pointer. Thank goodness it’s also the era of peak TV for felines.
Making coronavirus…er…catchy.
Here in the States, we’re just getting started with the social distancing. But it’s been going on for a couple of months in Asia, and people, as they do, are getting restless and bored. So they’re writing parody songs, making memes and art, and doing all sorts of creative things to ease the tension and entertain themselves. The Los Angeles Times reports on how pop culture is popping on the other side of the Pacific.
Disclaimer: None of them stars Bugs Bunny.
Sure, TV is good for the masses. But if you’ve been concerned about where you’re going to get your high-culture fix, worry no more: The Metropolitan Opera is streaming complete performances, free, starting at 7:30 EDT each evening for the next week.
It’s the hope she owes us.
Jenny Offill’s writing style is short and sharp and smart—and, let’s face it, kinda depressing. Her narrator/protagonists are obsessive and phobic and paranoid. They stress out about everything, both personal and planetary. It may seem counterintuitive to recommend her latest novel, Weather, at a time when we’re all a little freaked out by everything. But trust us on this one.
And don’t skip the website, ObligatoryNoteOfHope.com, that’s tucked in at the end of the book. In fact, go there now.
Tip Your waiter.
Seriously. Courtesy of our friend Jeb Banner, here’s a Venmo list of local service workers who can use your financial help. If you count on them when times are good, please consider sharing a little love right now.
Let’s all be safe out there, friends. Let us hear from you.