What's everyone up to right now?

[Seraphina]

Just tried to go outside for a walk but had to abort after I saw and smelled thick smoky air again. Same as it's been for the past 9 days. At times the air quality has been worse than the air in Delhi and Beijing.
I'm hearing the particulate matter can lodge deep in your lungs and get into your bloodstream, worried about the impact on my kid's and my health.
Doesn't compare to what people in the fire zone up north are going through though.

-Teresa

[Fireball]

Just tried to go outside for a walk but had to abort after I saw and smelled thick smoky air again. Same as it's been for the past 9 days. At times the air quality has been worse than the air in Delhi and Beijing.
I'm hearing the particulate matter can lodge deep in your lungs and get into your bloodstream, worried about the impact on my kid's and my health.
Doesn't compare to what people in the fire zone up north are going through though.

-Teresa

If you are concerned (rightly so, it would appear) do not use those generic "nuisance dust"  particle masks. Your child especially should have a full-on HEPA half-mask, as those particles that lodge in the lungs are smaller than the generic "nuisance dust" masks can block. NB: if your daughter has any form of breathing issues, consult a doctor first. I personally suffered from asthma for many years, mostly from allergies. Made it tough to pass the breathing test when I worked at a facility that had the occasional uranium fire.

[Angrboda]

Drinking tequila. I haven't drunk tequila in a long time, so I'm reacquainting myself with it, to see if I want to go further. This is my second shot of a mediocre tequila my sister gave me for Christmas. It's drinkable. I bought a new shot glass to replace the silly decorative shot glass my sister gave with the tequila. It's just a $0.20 plastic Walmart shot glass, but what you drink it in does make a difference. I think I may just pop for that bottle of Milagro Anejo tequila after all. That, and a larger glass.

[Astreja]

Spent an hour working on assorted clarinet things, in particular smoothing out a few of the really high notes.

Made a batch of oatmeal cookies that I had been planning to do for weeks. To keep the peace in the household I made half the batch with raisins and half without.

[DodosAreDead]

Leaving on a 9 hour drive to the beach for a well-deserved small vacation. (The beach isn't nine hours away, the particular one I'm going to is.)

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I love head colds

I keep reading that as "I love head clouds" and imagining myself on a hike in the rainy season. Thanks for that imagery. 

[Seraphina]

Just tried to go outside for a walk but had to abort after I saw and smelled thick smoky air again. Same as it's been for the past 9 days. At times the air quality has been worse than the air in Delhi and Beijing.
I'm hearing the particulate matter can lodge deep in your lungs and get into your bloodstream, worried about the impact on my kid's and my health.
Doesn't compare to what people in the fire zone up north are going through though.

-Teresa

If you are concerned (rightly so, it would appear) do not use those generic "nuisance dust"  particle masks. Your child especially should have a full-on HEPA half-mask, as those particles that lodge in the lungs are smaller than the generic "nuisance dust" masks can block. NB: if your daughter has any form of breathing issues, consult a doctor first. I personally suffered from asthma for many years, mostly from allergies. Made it tough to pass the breathing test when I worked at a facility that had the occasional uranium fire.

Yes, I just got a box of N95 masks from Amazon and will use those. We've mostly been staying inside as much as possible.
My daughter fortunately doesn't have any chronic respiratory problems. I have a few friends that do, though.

--Teresa

[tackattack]

Leaving on a 9 hour drive to the beach for a well-deserved small vacation. (The beach isn't nine hours away, the particular one I'm going to is.)

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I love head colds

I keep reading that as "I love head clouds" and imagining myself on a hike in the rainy season. Thanks for that imagery. 

If I had said it out loud it would have probably sounded like head clouds as well, but I'm just typing, and bored, and tired .. and going to sleep

[Angrboda]

Target has Christmas trees at 40% off this week. I have little room for a tree, so I like a small pre-lit tree. I had one, but I threw it out because I had no room when I was packing to move two years ago. Now I'm kind of regretting that. Menard's usually has little trees cheap, but for some reason, I prefer Target. Unfortunately I'm not seeing a white pre-lit tree, and that's what I want. *sigh*

Anyway. Off to the doctor's. I need a referral to see an OT about what and how I can do more in the kitchen, so this will get the process started. I cooked Ramen noodles in a sauce pan last night, and I was amazed at how much more complicated it is now that I don't have fingers. Instead of straining it with a fork or whatnot, I have to use a colander/strainer in the sink because I can't hold two things at once. And in order to do that I have to put on protective gear so I can grasp both the handle and the opposite side of the pan because I don't have enough grip to tilt the pan just from the handle. And of course I have to get my handicap strapped fork on my hand to stir the sauce packet into the noodles. It's quite a production. And cleanup is no easy thing either when you don't have fingers, and now there's a lot of it. I know I've needed more to do in my life, but this is not exactly what I had in mind. I meant the fun stuff, damnit!

[The Valkyrie]

Frankly, thinking of taking some time off myself.

I see a forum that I've really enjoyed being a member of, being proud to be staff of, imploding and I feel there's nothing I can do to stop the decline.

Too many good posters, friends, have left recently.

[Mystic]

Off to go play sports I think and do some other important tasks as well.

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Frankly, thinking of taking some time off myself.

I see a forum that I've really enjoyed being a member of, being proud to be staff of, imploding and I feel there's nothing I can do to stop the decline.

Too many good posters, friends, have left recently.

A lot of new members have joined though, so maybe they'll fill in the gaps.