Zooming here and there!

I don’t know about you, but I’m getting tired of attending workshops, conferences, and meetings virtually. Some of the advances triggered by COVID19 have been amazing. For instance, I can have a chat with my UK editor as she sits in her flat in London and I perch on my lanai in sunny Florida. I can attend workshops by Sisters in Crime that are taking place in chapters that I will never have a chance to physically visit.

On the other hand, there is something about looking at all those gray screens with the mute and video off that is just sad. I understand. I often do the same. Why should the speaker know that I’m wearing a shark-fin hat and my fuzzy fleece bathrobe that is covered with alligators and the words “Roll with it”?

And I haven’t missed putting on makeup and shoes. I really prefer to go barefooted which is why living in Florida is so great. Year-round opportunities to toss the shoes.

Here’s a problem, though, I have on occasion showed up to the store only to realize that I’m not wearing any shoes. Once I did my grocery shopping barefooted, just pretending that I wore them. Just act as if everything is normal and see what happens. After this same thing occurring on several occasions, I decided I needed to pack an emergency pair of turquoise flipflops in the car. The color is irrelevant, but they have come in handy. Then, of course I must remember to take them off.

But I’ve digressed. Back to virtual reality, which is a new oxymoron, isn’t it?

I want to meet with fellow writers, discuss the biz and then go out to lunch, where I order a strong cocktail and all the wrong foods. And then I order dessert.

Here is hoping that fun outings are in all of our futures and that virtual meetings will become a way to attend remote gatherings and not one necessitated by a global pandemic.

Until then, slippers, fuzzy robes. and makeup optional.