surprise, surprise (covid-19 updates cw) (what's the cw / discretion cut policy on dreamwidth?)

[0dense]

Well, we had a strong feeling it was coming, but my campus has cancelled all in-person classes, and we’re pivoting to online lessons. Not for any direct cases, just as a precaution. I’ll need to update my tech to keep up with the simulcasts. 
 

My office, though, is still working, but we’ll see for just how much longer. When we got in this morning, it was to a message from our supervisor that all events at our facility have been cancelled for the month, so all of today was getting the word out to our speakers and contacts. The question remains for attorney appointments. Most people have already paid ahead of time. We’re working on it. We’ll see. 

It’s just - 

This morning, on my way in to the city, I saw a large white ship coming in to the bay. This evening, I saw the Grand Princess in the Port of Oakland, a long grey navy ship in front of her and two helicopters overhead. 

It was a beautiful sunset, with long clouds like ripples around the setting sun. But downtown SF was too quiet - yes, there were cars and buses and such, but an eerie drop in foot traffic. 

And this morning, I saw someone giving purell to her friends. They stood in a little rough accidental arc around her and put their hands out, cupped like for communion. 

 

So no, Professor, I have not finished my paper on AIDS. I am calculating six countries’ prevalences, incidences, and mortalities relative to treatment plans over three decades, and I am also a little distracted. I am working on it. 



To counter all of the above, I read an excellent timely fic over the last few days: And What Happened After, by thearrogantemu. 73,740 words of follow-up to canon, as Bilbo, Frodo, and Sam find places in the Undying Lands. I'm a bit wrung to give a full glowing review it deserves, but what really stands out to me is that this is, I think, a story about mercy, as a gift. There's lots more going on, but I really enjoyed that angle. Also, the chapter footnotes are a delight, as is all the wordplay - thearrogantemu absolutely knows their Tolkien and linguistics! Solid recommendation. 

Comments

[brewsternorth]

Oof, yes, this sounds like a time when some jitters are entirely understandable. Metahug.

this is, I think, a story about mercy, as a gift.

Which I think was rather the upshot of the original trilogy, no? Marking this one for later when I've a little more brain (allergies are kicking my sinuses rn)