The Playground - Week 1 - Day 3

[clauderainsrm]

 Normally, we'd be getting ready to go to FEST this weekend. (The 3-Day punk festival in Gainesville, FL) They, obviously, cancelled it last year and we've been really looking forward to the return. 

But a LOT of bands ended up cancelling and in the end, my wife and I decided that going to one show every once in awhile was quite different than a series of shows over a 3 day period in close quarters with a bunch of screaming people forming mosh pits might not be the best idea. Which really stinks because again, I was hoping to do that again... hopefully 2022 the situation will look better.  Looking at the recent COVID stats in the US, there has been a significant decline in the number of cases overall, but that hospital/ICU level hasn't really budged as much. So there aren't as many people getting sick, but there about the same amount who have ended up with a serious case of it. 

if this tracks like last year did - there will probably be another spike in a couple months. But there is a vaccine now, so hopefully that will keep that from happening at those levels. I guess we will find out...  anyway, so yeah, I'm bummed that I'm not going.  But that did mean that I could start Idol Minor+ THIS week instead of next... so I guess you are benefitting from that decision!  :) 

***
The prompt is up and people have started to submit their entries. So make sure to get YOURS in before Monday, and check out what they are putting out there into the world!  https://therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1103032.html   Read and comment. There is no vote. So once the deadline passes we will be going straight into the next prompt.  So please take the time to check other people's work out and let them know what you're enjoying!

***
Not going to the FEST also means that I'm giving some of the time I took off back... and going into work.  At least tomorrow. I haven't committed to going in Friday, or Monday yet.  Who knows what I might get up to... what wild and crazy adventures that I might... Oh... yeah...  *sigh* yeah, I know... I probably will end up working.  ;) 

Comments

[murielle]

Good morning, Gary! Good morning, all!

(First!)

[swirlsofpurple]

Hello!

[gunwithoutmusic]

I had a pretty bad sinus infection last week and ended up missing a bunch of work (still had to go into the office for a few hours each day because there was time-sensitive stuff that of course only I could do and of course couldn't be done from off-site), and then our new hire caught the flu after only three days of working. It's been a wild ride.

My husband got sick with something, too, and now I'm feeling under the weather again after just getting over the sinus infection on Sunday. It's very frustrating! I think we're passing something back and forth to each other despite avoiding close contact; I guess there's only so much avoiding you can do when you live together.

Anyway, all of this to say that I am back in the office this week, but I'm trying to decide today if I can get away with leaving early. Tomorrow and Friday I don't have a choice because we don't have staff to cover, but maybe I can go home early today and get some rest so I'm okay for the next couple of days.

I know that's a completely different thing than your "go into work or not" situation, but it just reminded me of it so I thought I'd share.

I'm excited to read more entries as they come through, and I hope everyone enjoys mine!

[swirlsofpurple]

*Hugs* Hope you feel better soon!

[gunwithoutmusic]

Thank you, me too! I usually only get sick once or twice a year but when I do get sick it likes to drag out for a few weeks lol

[chasing_silver]

Loving the Iron and Wine reference in the prompt!

Hey all, good morning. I'm Liz (used to be milk_and_glass in Idol many moons ago, have been under this moniker for a good 7 years now), and am super excited about Idol Minor!

[swirlsofpurple]

Hello

I love Iron and Wine so much

[chasing_silver]

Same, they are amazing.

[bleodswean]

What other neofolk do you listen to, J? I'm always on the lookout for a good rec!

[swirlsofpurple]

I don't really pay much attention to music genres, I'm mostly just- I hear something and am like- I like this thing, so can't really think of anything off the top of my head

[bsgsix]

Hello, all. I'm 40 today... and about to head to my son's school for a meeting after they violated his IEP, so any kind thoughts about my new age and huge fight would be appreciated!

And I'm working on something for this prompt. It MAY be different than my normal depressing nonfic/memoir stuff... but we'll see. You all know how I am. ;)

[bleodswean]

Happy Birthday! And I would love to see something in a different flavour from your norm! Write eeeet!

[bsgsix]

Thank you so much! Yesterday's meeting drained me (well, that and chemo), so sorry for the delay in responding. :)

I really want to write some fiction this season, or at least creative nonfic. This prompt is a bit darker, so something more lighthearted is in the works, but may not fit *this* prompt. But I do plan to step away from my normal formula and enjoy some fiction. <3

[swirlsofpurple]

*Hugs* Happy Birthday!!

[bsgsix]

*hugs* Thank you so much! Apologies for the late reply - yesterday was chaotic and got away from me! <3

[gunwithoutmusic]

Happy birthday!! Can't wait to see what you come up with - the prompt definitely sort of lends itself to more morose writing.

My coworker just recently had to deal with something similar with her son's school (incidentally, hers is the same age as yours) and it sounded very annoying! But she stuck to her guns - basically the school was trying to expel her son because the administration just didn't feel like dealing with him and his IEP, and she made sure they knew what the deal was - and things ended up working out. Hoping it goes well for you, even though I'm sure it'll be a pain. :(

[bsgsix]

Thank you! Sorry for the delay - yesterday was hellish, and today hasn't been THAT much better. But I definitely plan to write some fiction this season. This prompt *is* a bit dark/morose, so my original idea fell flat. I'm not sure what I'll do right now, but I still plan some deviations from my norm. :)

And IEP issues are legitimately some of the worst concerns a parent can deal with. I feel for your coworker. I'm sticking to my guns (same situation - school doesn't want to deal with the IEP or accommodations. They love my kid, but don't think he's "autistic enough," which is some sick and illegal gatekeeping) and fighting to the end. You know how I am, lol. ;) <3

[adoptedwriter]

Happy birthday! Get out there and fight the fight. It’s exhausting but a parent’s gotta do what a parent’s gotta do. Good luck!

[bsgsix]

Thank you so much (and sorry for the delayed reply)! Yesterday was a battle; there's a war on the horizon, but I'm very prepared, and I have an advocate. I'm not giving up! :) <3

[rayaso]

Happy birthday! The IEP probably puts a pall on your birthday, but fight the good fight. My sister's son had a very expensive (for the school district) IEP and they did everything they could to void it. My sister held firm (she's good at that) and succeeded in the end. Good luck.

[bsgsix]

Thank you so much! And the IEP meeting (which was a true battle and drained me, hence my delayed reply - sorry about that) was very depressing. Saying my kid isn't "autistic enough" for some accommodations is so illegal, and that terminology is gatekeeping to the highest level. So I'll be fighting for a while. I feel for your sister, and plan to succeed at the end as well, no matter what. I always put my kid before myself (hence going to a meeting 2 days post-chemo when I was supposed to be in bed, but life doesn't work that way!), so no matter what, I'm going to make sure something DOES change. Thank you! :) <3

[static_abyss]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎂 🥳 🎉

My birthday was yesterday so we're basically birthday buddies. Much love to you and good luck with your meeting with the school ♥️

[bsgsix]

Thank you so much (and sorry for the delayed response)! Happy belated birthday to you as well, birthday buddy! I hope you had a good one. I turned 40 and still do NOT feel ready for that, lol. :)

Sending you love - it's so good to see you here! - and thanks for the good wishes about the meeting. It was a nightmare, but I know what needs to be done now, and I'll make sure the school follows through. When it comes to my kid, I never give up. :) <3

[adoptedwriter]

Hopefully we can all get back to being big hippies in public next year.

[swirlsofpurple]

Yeah, here's *fingers crossed* for 2022