How To Summer

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How To Summer

Like many people, one of the big questions that’s been on my mind is:

“What is the summer going to look like?”

Today is May 22nd, which is the non-technical beginning of the season. Normally people would be looking forward to some start-of-summer plans this weekend: Memorial parades, barbecues, opening pools, picnics in parks, opening summer places, heading to amusement parks, or even just visiting a local ice cream joint.

But for most people, this isn’t going to be the reality of this weekend. And maybe not even the majority of summer.

As states begin the process of re-opening, we are going to learn a lot: What can be done and at what speed without creating further spikes in the virus spread. And some places will make mistakes and have to shut back down again.

So, what can we make of all the uncertainty moving into this summer?

Here are a few of my thoughts.

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With A Little Help From My Friends

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With A Little Help From My Friends

I often say that I know some of the best people, and I think that’s true.

Some of the most wonderful, giving, caring, and delightful people I’ve ever met can be found amongst my friends, colleagues, students, peers, and family.

Now, I’m a bit of a go-getter personality who is often most productive alone. (Surprised, anyone?) And I’m sure many of you out there feel similarly, even if just when applied to work.

But this quarantine has shifted that mentality. And not just for me, but across the globe.

I think people are realizing that sure, lots of work can be done remotely, but it’s nothing like being together with other people working toward a common goal. And people are craving that feeling more than ever.

We may not be able to make that happen in person quite yet, but it’s brought people together in some other beautiful ways. And what’s being put out into the world is good.

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Must We Put On Pants?

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Must We Put On Pants?

Depending on where you are in the country, you may be on Shut-In Day 3 or Day 13. Here in NYC, it’s the latter.

And over the course of these days/weeks, we’ve all been making major shifts in our work lives as we try to figure out keeping ourselves at home while still making an income.

For some people, this shift to at-home and online work has been relatively simple - perhaps their type of work is done mostly online anyway, they’ve worked from home before, or an office just isn’t necessary.

But what about the rest of us?

Artists of all types - and particularly those whose work relies on in-person contact - are now isolated and unable to perform the tasks generally necessary to their craft.

So, how do we move forward with our work?

How do we make any sort of money?

And do we have to put on pants to do it?

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No, You Don't Have To

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No, You Don't Have To

You’re stuck at home.

Well really, we’re all stuck at home. And if you’re not, you need to be (this you do have to do)!

Life already looks a lot different than it did one week ago, and it’s only going to change more the further along into this crisis we go. And - not to be alarmist - we do have quite a ways to go.

(Side Note: “Quite a ways” is such a delightfully odd phrase!)

And since we’re stuck home trying to cope, deal, and learn a new way of life, as the whole world is trying to adjust - all whilst the capitalist system tries to figure out how to retain its workforce and productivity - we’re being bombarded with ideas and advice.

Some of it is meant to be helpful.

Some is not.

Intentions aside, let’s dive into a few of these messages.

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