Coffee’s ready. Grab a cup and pull up a chair. If we were having coffee I would tell you I have got a head start on you today. I had to be out early and already finished my coffee. Driving down a nearby road I spotted a roadrunner which is always a great way to start my day. I worry about them crossing busy streets though. This week I have spent a lot of time indoors again because of the hot weather. I did manage two yoga classes and took a drive with my husband to Palm Springs. I still like our end of the Coachella Valley better.
We are reading in the newspaper every day here about the rise in COVID infections. So we wear masks at the grocery store again, because we have heard that even fully vaccinated people can be vulnerable when there is an overabundance of virus out there. My book group is still on Zoom.
On that note, I have to tell you that Zoom book discussions are pretty uncomfortable. It really is similar to public speaking. All eyes are on you and on top of it you can see those eyes looking at you on the screen. As an introvert not comfortable with such close scrutiny I find it difficult to speak well. I was talking to a friend who does not like the Zoom experience and doesn’t have her camera on if she is in a Zoom get together. At a couple of Zoom memorials for people who had passed during the pandemic my husband and I had our camera off as well. It is too distracting and an invasion of privacy. My friend and I discussed how it feels intrusive, unless you are Zooming with someone who is close to you. I know many have done Zoom meetings for work and I sympathize with you.
Well have to zoom off now. Have a great weekend.
Weekend Coffee Share is hosted by Natalie at Natalie the Explorer.
Notes Tied On The Sagebrush 
Is your book club made up of people you don’t know? I have zoom meetings almost every week. I’d rather not have meetings of any kind, but I like zoom better then phone conference calls.
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Yes, people I don’t know well yet. It is more comfortable with people you know better I would think.
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Very cute Zoom disguise! I wish all the roadrunners well!
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Thank you, Cynthia. I am the roadrunners thank you.
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I agree with you on Zoom book club meetings. I just had my first in person meeting since March 2020. Half the people were on Zoom so that was tricky, but 4 of us got a delicious lunch and shared a screen. Last month we met at the leader’s cabin. It doesn’t get better than that.
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Sounds nice to meet in person. Thanks for stopping by, Kelly.
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Hi Deborah – yea, doing any version of Zoom or other live video conference calls is at best a hard to acquire taste. It is distracting until you’ve done so many of them that you just get used to it. The best I can say for it is that it’s a lot better than having no way to connect. Audio only conferences so easily break down to meaningless noise and even Zoom, with it’s little boxes of either a live video or simple displayed photo brings it’s own distractions from the purpose of the meeting. I will confess that I do appreciate the ability to do them while dressed in ancient tee-shirt and sweat pants, unshaved with hair still done up as only a restless nights’ sleep can create. On those days – my photo works wonders at making me look civilized.
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I think that the video format works great with families and friends. I don’t know if my book group would like me to substitute a photo but I see how that might be preferable to live. Thanks for stopping by, Gary.
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I think we pushed the boundaries of virtual meetings well beyond where they should ever go again.
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They are good when families and friends are separated but not so great for other types of meetings. Thanks for dropping by, Dan.
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It can be a bit awkward to have zoom meetings (or meetings on Teams, the program we use the most at work.) Last semester I had teacher/parents conferences via Teams, it worked, but was a bit uncomfortable at first. Stay safe and enjoy your weekend.
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I can see it is a way to cope with isolation during physical separation and when we are on COVID lockdowns. Not great for personalities that do better with smaller group or one on one interactions. Thanks for stopping by, Maria.
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I see where you’re coming from with the Zoom meetings, it is a good substitute for real group gatherings but there IS a difference, it is more difficult to have a normal conversation and easily becomes more of a speech situation if the group is large. I often feel awkward when I have meetings with the camera club and the very worst thing is that I see myself all the time, it makes me, even more, self-conscious than I used to be. In small groups with people I know, I do fine though. We have a small music session on Zoom which is very easy-going.
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Exactly. Who would have guessed how the video meetings have become a big part of life now. They have their benefits and down sides for sure. Thanks for stopping by, Suzanne.
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