Distancing and isolation

Sitting here in Melbourne on the 21st of March, while there’s not yet anything more draconian than a ban on “large gatherings” in place it’s looking pretty likely we’ll be in increasing states of “lock down” over the next few months. So like everyone else I’ve been thinking a bit about what that means for me and my family.

I’m lucky that a lot of the things I enjoy outside of work are more or less compatible with a pandemic lockdown. Walking my dogs in the park, riding my bike on country roads (and on Zwift, who I suspect will make out like bandits through all of this), mountain biking—these can probably all continue. I like reading, and doing nerd stuff on a computer (time to learn Rust!), which are ideal pass times for solitary confinement. And I can work on my journaling habit. ;-)

But my other hobbies—music and theatre—will be more impacted. Who knows what will happen with small bar/restaurant gigs, but they are likely to be either cancelled or dramatically downsized. And in any case, if the local bars are still open I’d rather let “real” musos, who make their living from it, get more work than indulge my silly little hobby. And obviously I can practice at home, I can learn to play piano properly, I can play and sing with my wife.

Basically all community and professional theatre is on hold for now. The show I was booked to design in June has been postponed until November. The September show is holding on for now, but lots can happen between now and then. But I can still read scripts and work on research. I can catch up with writing design notes for previous shows. And I can get ahead of some paperwork like drafting prep. I had planned to take a break from design work this year anyway, so the biggest disappointment is not being able to see other people’s shows for a while.

It’s going to be a very “interesting” six months (at least), but I am as fortunate as anyone that both my work and my personal life are in a great position to get through it all.