Cup of Coffee

March 20, 2020: Vernal

70 Comments

So, uh, spring started yesterday? Earliest it's been in 124 years apparently. Anyway, be sure to go outside, breathe in the fresh air, exhale deeply as you greet your neighb--

Or maybe just stay inside and start boiling another pot of water for some more pasta.

70 thoughts on “March 20, 2020: Vernal”

  2. And it's already allergy season 🙁

    I enjoy reading translations of Facebook posts from my Swedish cousins; apparently "hand sanitizer" translates to "hand booze"

  3. I've always thought it would make sense to only allow senators and congresspeople to invest in index funds put into a trust with no influence or control.

      1. I don't think most people understand how much scrutiny there is on personal stock trading for some people. Even mid-level management people have to adhere to blackout dates on stock trades.

        1. I read that the stock sales was only 1-2% of the congresswoman's wealth...wealth/power issues aside, that doesn't seem out of order routine trades or re-balancing.
          I'm all for the scrutiny and safeguards, and restrictions on elected officials, though.

          1. It could be. That's why it would be better if they were index funds controlled by a trust. No gray area.

            Although, I'd say a purchase of shares in Citrix isn't gray. And there is no materiality test/exception in insider trading.

          2. It was between 1 and 2. 5 million. I don't care what percentage that is, that's a lot of money.

            Indeed, the fact that it might have been such a small percentage is all the more damning. The fact that someone would breach public trust in this way over what is to them a "small" amount of money speaks volumes. If you can't trust them with small things, why would we trust them with big things.

            1. If you can't trust them with small things, why would we trust them with big things.

              title of your sex tape!

      1. Yes. You could even give them some type of like-kind exchange treatment and allow them to avoid the tax hit on selling appreciated assets. It would really be easy to do.

        1. It is taking all of my willpower not to make snarky comments at the expense of corrupt politicians.

        2. Only if their assets are in publicly traded stocks and securities.

          With any really rich person, they are almost bound to have substantial positions with closely held or privately held assets. So, not easy. Trump, for all the criticism he richly deserves, has a lot of complex (some purposely to hide breadcrumbs, no doubt) asset structures not easily unwound or disentangled.

          1. Cost of being president. If he's not willing to give up control of the assets, he shouldn't be president. The conflicts of interest are too great and being president is (should be) a full time job.

  4. Just want to say: the anxiety I feel is through the roof. I'm doing what I can to deal, but I'm really, really stressed out. I've found that breaking my day down into 15 minute blocks of activity (i.e., get this done in the next 15 minutes and just focusing on that task) is helping.

    1. I agree with social distancing but I wonder if the total shutdown isn't going to result in some really bad unintended consequences.

      1. Oh no doubt. Just think if you have to shelter in place with someone you don't feel safe with, especially in a stressful situation? The problem is the alternative (uncontrollable pandemic) is much worse and won't resolve but actually exacerbate those bad unintended consequences.

        1. I'd feel better if we were hearing about phase two plans. Mass testing, masks, temperature taking before entering a public place, whatever.

          People will only self isolate for so long.

    2. I'm in the same boat. It is really overwhelming thinking about where this is all heading and that's before you add in a 5-year old that needs some sort of home schooling while two parents try to stay on top of their full-time jobs that are hopefully at least somewhat secure (for now).

    3. There are two prevailing viewpoints in our household about the impending medium-to-long term outcomes. One has been expressed as “What happens is in God’s hands now.” The other is “I would like to help God out and take as much out of His hands as possible.”

      Having the latter perspective is much more stressful than the former.

    4. If you are interested, there are some self-care resources out there. I could point you toward some. I'm sure Beau could too.

      1. what Stick is doing sounds pretty good actually. Nothing worse for anxiety than having lots of idle time to think or check social media.

        Most therapy clinics are switching to telehealth right now and that also could be an option for people if they can afford it and they find it helpful.

      1. That's exactly my approach to things like flying, and it drives TPR nuts because she's a very anxious flyer.

        I tell her "If everything goes well, nothing to worry about. If something goes wrong, well I don't have the first clue how to fly a plane, so not like they'll ask me to fix it. That's what the pilot is for. So nothing to worry about"

        I mean, I'm sure as I was in a plane plummetting towards the earth from 35,000+ feet I wouldn't be calm about it, but until that's actively happening I'm not going to worry about something I got no control over.

    6. the anxiety I feel is through the roof.

      Indeed. Seeing the quarter completely boarded up gave me the itchy scratchy feeling we weren't prepared to weather whatever storm is brewing. I don't know what we're supposed to do, and can't come up with a plan because everything is changing so quickly. We've hunkered down. We're getting out for walks, and trying to buy groceries in a sane manner. Now the city is preparing for massive flooding on the mississippi. Oh, and because people panic bought all the shit tickets our sewer system is now experiencing massive clogs due to wipes and paper towels being flushed. FML.

      That said, here are some resources for talking out problems. Every state seems to have set up hotlines of some sort as well.

    7. You all remember the video game Frogger? That's what my days feel like. Start working on something and then I get buzzed by 4 other urgent items. I just sat down at my desk with my first meal of the day. An employee asked me 15 minutes ago if I ate yet. It took me a couple minutes before I could even answer "no". My saving grace is twofold: One, my staff has been incredible. So understanding, so much concern for me, so willing to do anything to help the cause. Two, holy crap is our community awesome. The amount of support has humbled me. 20-100% tips for my staff on just about every take out order or delivery. The good Lord must be looking over me, as I have actually been able to sleep 6 hours each night. For those of you wondering, I think we are going to get through this ok. Not great, but ok. Between savings and what I think I can get through the SBA disaster loan program, we should be able to weather a fairly long shut down and still open up in a healthy fashion. I just had to delay some furniture upgrades.

      1. Good luck! If you were closer, I'd definitely get takeout. Instead, I'll use a local proxy and pick up some Thai food at the local Thai place and some beer at the local brewery!

        1. I have a mess of leftovers that need eating, but we'll be upping our carryout consumption for the duration.

      3. So a common nightmare I have when I dream about work, is expediting in the kitchen and I have 15-20 tickets hanging and they are all togo orders. For those of you who haven't worked in the business, togo orders disrupt all flow. Well tonight I lived that nightmare for about 3 hours. Not complaining, as it is great to see the support, but man, I am getting too old for this. My brain hurts and needs a little medication.

          1. Packing everything up including sides, sauces, dressings, etc. Usually, i am wiping down plate rims, garnishing and sending it out. Just need to work on our systems to accommodate the change.

    1. Without going into politics, it just isn't enough. The first swing needs to be really, really big. Means testing is pointless and the economy won't be better than it is today for a long time...and we can say that each and every day so just get checks in the mail now.

      1. Here's how you means test. You give everyone the same and claw it back from the well-to-do in taxes.

        1. Yes. It really is that simple. Increase standard deduction and increase tax rate for higher incomes...done.

    2. I can't believe that we made it through this week and they did NOTHING. Not a "too small to really do much" bill, or a "stupidly written" bill. Nothing. Another few days will pass before anything gets in motion.

      This does not help my anxiety and fear about what lies ahead.

      1. It's gonna take a week or two (or more) to print checks anyway. I suppose that Treasury could be doing some planning for that....

  6. So I do a fair amount of estate planning (as has been mentioned). Unfortunately, there's no replacement for an actual signature on the relevant documents, so that necessitates in-person signings. In order to cut down on shared contact points, I've gone ahead and ordered a bunch of custom pens, and now clients can just grab a new pen and take it with them. Advertising and infection mitigation!

        1. I carry a pen in my standard daily pocket load. Pen and something to write on was one of the first basic training rules. That one, at least, stuck with me.

          1. I always get a chuckle when my brother reaches for the non-existent pen on his shoulder when he's not wearing his flight suit.

    3. I received a couple of deliveries at the liquor store yesterday. Usually its sign on the ipad things the drivers carry around but yesterday I had to fill out paperwork for one (using my own pen) and the other the driver signed and sent an email for the boss to e-sign.

  10. In the past 24 hours I have watched our Governor and President speak. One uses "we" terminology and shows empathy and compassion. He credits others and displays cool, calm poise. The other guy talks in "I" terminology, lacks empathy and struggles with poise. Not going into forbidden zone (i think), but I harken back to our last 2 presidents. Both dealt with major crisis like our Governor. Whether you agreed with their politics or not, they both had that poise, empathy and "we can do this" attitude that put the nation at ease. I think Walz has gained a lot of respect from citizens from both sides of the aisle.

    1. I have occasionally, and very carefully, joked about my governor being something of a blow-dried pretty boy. But I think he has been standing pretty tall of late.

        2. If the Twins had believed in the mantra that Neck Tat is tall, they wouldn’t have traded away Wilson Ramos for whomever that was. I tried to tell them.

  11. Am I the only one who thinks Steve Mnuchin looks like Will Ferrell doing his Harry Carey impression?

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