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How I spent my 2020
5 years ago
With the New Year almost upon us, I thought i'd post a recap of what i've been up to for the last 12 months. It's easy to remember 2020 as the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, but several important things happened before that, and many others have happened in between then and now. So, without further ado, here's how I spent 2020:
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January-February: Encouraged by a successful 2019 and a general observation that my work and living situation was generally quite stable, I set out to realise a long-held ambition by adopting a dog. At the time, I believed this was something I could integrate into my lifestyle and adapt myself around - however, this ended up becoming my biggest regret of the year. Within a week of adopting Rita, a 1-year old female Staffy cross, it became painfully apparent that things weren't going to work out. There simply weren't enough hours in the day to give her the attention and enrichment that she deserved, while still working a full-time job and being solely responsible for a household. She also seemed to have a hard time being around my male friends, which may have been due to trauma in her life before adoption. It was with great sadness (and shame for myself) that I had to return her to the animal shelter before the end of that month. I can only hope that she has found a loving family who can give her the kind of life that she deserves.
March-April: Needless to say, I had my tail between my legs for quite some time after the events of the earlier part of the year. I did my best to fill the void with hobbies - I found myself doing a lot out in the garden and also in the kitchen; baking, pickling and preserving. I made orange marmalade for the first time (with home-grown oranges) and it turned out pretty good. And, of course, I tried to make the most of what remained of summer. I also saw the Sonic movie which, by the way, I thought was pretty awful - but at least better than the absolute shitfest the first trailer foreshadowed. I took a DNA test in the hopes of learning more about my heritage (my grandfather was adopted, and very little is known about his birth parents). Although this didn't answer any of the big questions, it definitely gave me some interesting leads and insights. Then COVID-19 happened. Although Western Australia escaped the worst of the pandemic, things were as uncertain as in the rest of the world for a while. We experienced similar things here; toilet paper and long-life grocery shortages, disrupted logistics, cancelled flights, border closures and a brief but strict lockdown. FurDU, which I had planned to attend with a large group of local friends, was the first furry con I knew of that was cancelled. Many more followed, of course.
May: I spent most of the month at home, including working remotely. I am surprised how easily I transitioned into this regime - I always imagined it would be difficult to stay motivated when working from home. Perhaps it was the concern over the economy and my job security that kept me on my toes, but I feel like I achieved a lot and never 'let the side down'. When the strictest conditions of the lockdown here were lifted, I went on a celebratory trip to the Southwest with some friends.
June-July: When the rest of my company resumed regular work arrangements, I opted to keep on working from home 4 days a week indefinitely - something which I am very grateful for and I think has been a very positive change to my lifestyle. This was only really made possible by the retirement of one of my bosses, leaving me with a much more progressive and sympathetic employer. This was just as well, because not long after that I got sick. It turned out to be just a garden variety viral sinus infection, but I had to get tested for COVID in the process, and self-isolate. It was probably the worst illness i've had in years - it moved from my throat and nose into my eyes, then my ears and lingered for far too long. My gag reflex is still heightened even 6 months later. In the midst of all this, I was able to catch up with a large group of my overseas friends via Zoom (I miss you guys!).
August-September: The situation in Western Australia continued to improve, with bars and restaurants re-opening along with moderately-sized events. Although the international and state borders were still closed, WAFF (my local furry con) was able to go ahead, and it was a much-needed opportunity to recharge my furry batteries. I tried (unsuccessfully) to make my own sauerkraut using cabbages I had grown over winter.
October: I was very glad to see the tail-end of winter, and I spent a lot of time preparing the garden for spring. I also enjoyed a camping trip with my friends.
November: A big project at work kept me quite busy, including eating up many of my nights and weekends. However, I still managed to find some time to enjoy things at home.
December: Busy, busy, busy. Honestly, the end of the year kinda crept up on me and I scrambled to prepare for the holiday season. I'm glad I was able to enjoy some fun activities and catch up with friends, even if things have been a little rushed. I closed out the work year feeling positive about what 2021 might bring.
--
All things considered, 2020 is a year I (and most other people I imagine) would like to put behind me. I wouldn't want to erase the last 12 months, because it's only through these hardships that we are able to learn and grow from the experience - but I would like to draw a line in the sand and be able to watch things improve (both here and around the world).
To all my friends both near and far away, I wish you good health, good company and good news for 2021 :)
--
January-February: Encouraged by a successful 2019 and a general observation that my work and living situation was generally quite stable, I set out to realise a long-held ambition by adopting a dog. At the time, I believed this was something I could integrate into my lifestyle and adapt myself around - however, this ended up becoming my biggest regret of the year. Within a week of adopting Rita, a 1-year old female Staffy cross, it became painfully apparent that things weren't going to work out. There simply weren't enough hours in the day to give her the attention and enrichment that she deserved, while still working a full-time job and being solely responsible for a household. She also seemed to have a hard time being around my male friends, which may have been due to trauma in her life before adoption. It was with great sadness (and shame for myself) that I had to return her to the animal shelter before the end of that month. I can only hope that she has found a loving family who can give her the kind of life that she deserves.
March-April: Needless to say, I had my tail between my legs for quite some time after the events of the earlier part of the year. I did my best to fill the void with hobbies - I found myself doing a lot out in the garden and also in the kitchen; baking, pickling and preserving. I made orange marmalade for the first time (with home-grown oranges) and it turned out pretty good. And, of course, I tried to make the most of what remained of summer. I also saw the Sonic movie which, by the way, I thought was pretty awful - but at least better than the absolute shitfest the first trailer foreshadowed. I took a DNA test in the hopes of learning more about my heritage (my grandfather was adopted, and very little is known about his birth parents). Although this didn't answer any of the big questions, it definitely gave me some interesting leads and insights. Then COVID-19 happened. Although Western Australia escaped the worst of the pandemic, things were as uncertain as in the rest of the world for a while. We experienced similar things here; toilet paper and long-life grocery shortages, disrupted logistics, cancelled flights, border closures and a brief but strict lockdown. FurDU, which I had planned to attend with a large group of local friends, was the first furry con I knew of that was cancelled. Many more followed, of course.
May: I spent most of the month at home, including working remotely. I am surprised how easily I transitioned into this regime - I always imagined it would be difficult to stay motivated when working from home. Perhaps it was the concern over the economy and my job security that kept me on my toes, but I feel like I achieved a lot and never 'let the side down'. When the strictest conditions of the lockdown here were lifted, I went on a celebratory trip to the Southwest with some friends.
June-July: When the rest of my company resumed regular work arrangements, I opted to keep on working from home 4 days a week indefinitely - something which I am very grateful for and I think has been a very positive change to my lifestyle. This was only really made possible by the retirement of one of my bosses, leaving me with a much more progressive and sympathetic employer. This was just as well, because not long after that I got sick. It turned out to be just a garden variety viral sinus infection, but I had to get tested for COVID in the process, and self-isolate. It was probably the worst illness i've had in years - it moved from my throat and nose into my eyes, then my ears and lingered for far too long. My gag reflex is still heightened even 6 months later. In the midst of all this, I was able to catch up with a large group of my overseas friends via Zoom (I miss you guys!).
August-September: The situation in Western Australia continued to improve, with bars and restaurants re-opening along with moderately-sized events. Although the international and state borders were still closed, WAFF (my local furry con) was able to go ahead, and it was a much-needed opportunity to recharge my furry batteries. I tried (unsuccessfully) to make my own sauerkraut using cabbages I had grown over winter.
October: I was very glad to see the tail-end of winter, and I spent a lot of time preparing the garden for spring. I also enjoyed a camping trip with my friends.
November: A big project at work kept me quite busy, including eating up many of my nights and weekends. However, I still managed to find some time to enjoy things at home.
December: Busy, busy, busy. Honestly, the end of the year kinda crept up on me and I scrambled to prepare for the holiday season. I'm glad I was able to enjoy some fun activities and catch up with friends, even if things have been a little rushed. I closed out the work year feeling positive about what 2021 might bring.
--
All things considered, 2020 is a year I (and most other people I imagine) would like to put behind me. I wouldn't want to erase the last 12 months, because it's only through these hardships that we are able to learn and grow from the experience - but I would like to draw a line in the sand and be able to watch things improve (both here and around the world).
To all my friends both near and far away, I wish you good health, good company and good news for 2021 :)
