Sheltering in Place

[Drunk Monk]

took a nap.  it was nice.

[Drunk Monk]

Best random Cruz moment. Sitting on my veranda with a cup of tea and this dude comes trotting down the middle of the street on those bouncy stilts. Made my day.

[Drunk Monk]

DAY 27: Today I leave the bungalow for my mom's. I haven't been past the sidewalk since last Wednesday eve.  My mom said on Easter that she was supplied well enough for groceries so I'll just be doing her chores about the house. Other than that, same ol' quaranroutine.  I do have to check in with TC & EDD.  Stacy is still wrestling with the Instacart snafu and we're not ordering more through them until that's resolved.  

Yesterday our postman only picked up some of our outgoing mail. He took one of our 2 netflix dvds throwing us off schedule.  Mail has been janky.  

Stacy managed a short ninja walk this morning before anyone was up.  

Sun's out.  Looks like it'll be a lovely day.

[Drunk Monk]

I got my EDD card.  Hopefully it works.  Hopefully...

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

Glad you got your card. Getting out of the bungalow to do some chores can be therapeutic (esp when so nice out). I did my rounds today of local biz I’m supporting. Harriett braved Andronico’s this morning and was able to pick me up some staples. I met her over at her new apartment where she is going down memory lane unpacking her life that she put in storage now 4 years ago. We are opposites in our self-made environs. I’ve been getting more and more minimal and she has all kinds of things that spark joy. Since I like seeing her joyful, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

It is a gorgeous day out. I’m glad so the self-isolating that a motorcycle provides. And for the cool masks my friend Jade made for me and Harriett.

---

Oh, I’m starting my “self-funding” now, since I volunteered to take this month without pay from the fencing club. I’m a contractor at M-Team (all the coaches are) so the local branch of EDD has been “um, yeah, sure, can we call you back?” about the $. I’ve yet to hear of any contractors getting $, even though we’re supposed to be able to now. I’m in good shape, money-wise, which is funny as hell considering my life-choices. I am very, very fortunate.

[Drunk Monk]

DAY 28: Starting a my mom's this morning, then headed home for my usual quaranroutine.  I stocked my mom up fully last week so this week I did not have to do a grocery run.  She's very concerned about moving her car so the tires rotate but apart from the usual cleaning and preparing chores, it's quiet here.  

I have a ninja mission on the way home. And I'll stop by the bank in hopes of depositing my first ever unemployment payment (not a check - it's a debit card now).  

Ivor - EDD might disqualify you if you do any work for your past employer paid or not.  I strongly suggest you conceal that you are volunteering.  I doubt they have the manpower to check up on everyone, but just be prudent.  Don't leave a papertrail or e-trail.  Like I said, ninja stuff.

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

Thanks, El Dude.

[Greg]

Did you get the small business loan?

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

Me? No, nor have I applied yet. I’ve heard from another contractor that EDD has withdrawn into its shell regarding contractor pay. VFG is still in the black and I’ll resume on-line only biz (which is permitted in SF, as long as it is just me or my household) this week.

My main $ comes from teaching/contracting.

[Drunk Monk]

Ninja mission successful.  I picked up some mask.  Chinese masks.  They look good but I'm wondering if my trusty festival scarves will work just as well.

EDD card worked to pay gas but not to transfer funds.  My bank was very strict about allowing only 2 customers in at a time. My card was run with my CDL - the way it goes is I must cash out a declared amount and deposit into checking but it was declined.  No reason given.  My banker said that happens but didn't know why.  He was only permitted one run per EDD card per day.  This is troublesome because we'll need it for rent money.

[Greg]

I'm hoping your Fremont tenants are still able to pay you.

[Drunk Monk]

I'm hoping your Fremont tenants are still able to pay you.

They paid for April.  Unfortunately we had to repair a collapsing fence so we didn't profit off it.  But we didn't lose.

[Greg]

I'm just glad they are still able to make their payment. I can't imagine having to pay your rent and your mortgage and not having any income. Boo. Scary.

[Drunk Monk]

Boo. Scary.

Tell me about it.  There's this nagging notion that this may actually be the end of times.  I've re-read Revelations a few times now, mostly because I was using it for a writing device in an essay I donated to my Kung Fu school (another one on the way - just keep writing, just keep writing).  I'm sure it hasn't escaped any of our attentions - this could be the perfect storm for our country given its bufoonish leadership and national divisiveness.  

DAY 29: I bailed on hiking today. As much as I'd like to get out, my allergies have been acting up since yesterday, so all the more reason to stay inside.  I'm powering up R2 (the killer air filter that Legbone sold me decades ago) and the warp core (another killer air filter that Stacy gave me) and hunkering down for a bit.  Stacy just left.

The construction continues in our lot.  The neighbor directly behind our bungalow is having his bathroom redone. Ours is the century+ old bungalow.  The two other houses are granny units, built somewhat sloppily within the last few decades, and their plumbing has always sucked.  Or failed to suck.  The house behind us had so much water damage that the bathroom and kitchen is being redone.  Those tenants, Matt & Miles (father and son) are using the facilities in the now abandoned unit (formerly Shelby & Mary - daughter and mother).  Meanwhile, I'm surrounded by construction. The house across the street is still being rebuilt and today the actual plumber is here for M&M's place.  

Other than that, same ol' quaranroutine...

[Greg]

They are putting in a home down the road from us, lots of grading. And my constant question is "Aren't the construction workers supposed to be sheltering in place?"