S&C contributor and Pompey Politics Podcast host Ian Morris shares his experience of the lockdown, as someone with diabetes. It’s Day 73, and Ian hits a stressful day with work, can a free run with Millsey help brighten up his mood?
Thursday 28th May, Day 73 of 89.
Bloody long day in lockdown.
Did you ever have one of those days, boys? Did you ever have one of those days? Where nothing went right, from morning till night, did you ever have one of those days?
These lyrics are from one of those ’60s musicals, I am guessing South Pacific but can’t be bothered to look it up. Apologies for the non gender-inclusive language, as anyone can have a bad day.
Yesterday was a first world stinker.
[Editor’s note: These lyrics are based on Didja Ever in the film G.I. Blues, sung by Elvis Presley.]
I fired up the laptop and had a peek at my meetings schedule. It was back to back from nine all the way through till five with only the odd 15 minutes here and there, so I decided I would luxuriate in those gaps by nipping for a wee or some other self-care, like lunch perhaps. There were no especially difficult meetings, they just kept coming and I got grumpier as the day went on.
As an organisation we use Skype, and it was patchy, dropped out and was generally horrid, but as a screen reader user it was dead easy. Let’s pause here, as its name suggests the screen reader reads out what is on the screen in an electronic voice, and rather than use a mouse I navigate with keys: usually a mix of Alt, Ctrl, Tab and the arrow keys, and Enter instead of the left click. So, a Skype meet pops up as a reminder, it tells you the meeting, you press tab once, it reads out there is a button to ‘join online’, and you are in.
We have now moved to Microsoft Teams: much more stable, better quality of sound, and a picture gallery so those who can see can enjoy face time. However, the meeting appears, and I Ctrl and Tab through the open windows until I find my Inbox. Ctrl plus 2 brings up the calendar, I use Tab to find the meeting, and Enter to open. If it’s a series, I then have to select ‘all occurrences’ or there is no bloody link. The meeting opens, I hit Tab about 10 times until I am in the body of the mail, arrow until I find the Join Meeting link, right click and arrow down until I find the Open hyperlink, hit Enter, and then the meet pops up, hit enter again and you are in!
By meeting seven I was really starting to grind my teeth about this injustice. Why was I being oppressed by being forced to wear a shirt? It’s too hot, I don’t have air-con in my home office. If it were Skype then my board shorts would suffice and I wouldn’t have to endure the hardship of wearing a shirt for the call.
I was in a teenage toddler meltdown.
So, I got through the day and decided sod it, let’s take Millsey for a free run.
‘Ooh thanks small child, I do like to play with a ball!’
Yoink!
The parents were brilliant when we finally returned the drooly mess of a ball.
‘Ooh, you have laid out a floor buffet for me, how nice!’
‘MILLLSSEYYY! LEAVE IT!!!
More sorries.
‘Ooh what are you up to? Fishing for crabs? Do you mind if I have this bacon?’
Yoink!
Cue screaming children, and back to the car.
So as the day drew to a close, I knocked the top off of a beer and at least went for a healthy option for dinner: grilled meats, plenty of salad, and chilli sauce.
Yes, I ordered a big old kebab, and it was bloody delicious.
Don’t miss Ian’s diary each day, keep an eye out for new entries here, along with past editions of the Pompey Politics Podcast. How are you managing the lockdown at the moment? Get in touch with us over on Facebook or Twitter and let us know your experiences and any hints and tips you’re finding helpful right now.
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