Can’t believe it’s been two weeks since NYC’s been on lockdown. Weathering this storm turned out to be harder than I had anticipated. But I am back to my normal crusty self – in no small part due to my friends. I knew I had great people in my life but now I really know it!

One thing I have noticed about being at home (as pictured above) is how comforting it is for me to write while I’m propped up on my couch, especially when it’s a gorgeous day out and sunlight is streaming in from my South-facing windows.

Apparently my home is so comforting because it is Vastu Compliant.

I came across this India Tribune article on Vastu tips for COVID-19.

Vastu Shastra is the science of how we can balance energy at home to bring harmony. It’s like the Indian feng shui and is being promoted as a way to improve our shut-in experience.

• They suggest facing East while studying, working on a computer, watching television or using other electronics. Why? Because the East is the direction from which you get lots of positive energy as rays continuously pass from the East to the West.
• Secondly, once you face East, you are more focused on whatever activity you are doing.
• And guess what? When I’m sitting on my couch (as I am right now), I am facing East.
• But before you start re-arranging your furniture, there’s more!

Scroll down for the 10 things that have (mainly) cheered me up this week.

1. In every crisis there is an opportunity

Wow is this ever true. I had barely heard about Zoom until we went on lockdown. All of a sudden EVERYONE is using it – not just for work but for virtual get-togethers with friends and family.

• It’s the world’s 2nd most downloaded mobile app (second only to TikTok, which has also been on fire).
• Over the last week, Zoom added close to 20 million new mobile users.
• Globally, first-time installs of Zoom’s mobile app increased 213% compared to the preceding week of March 9, and 728% compared to the week of March 2. (Source: Sensor Tower/ Business Insider)
• Zoom’s mobile app was installed about 3.7 times more than Skype’s and 8.6 times more than Google Hangouts.

Target likewise. Holy cow!

• 50% year on year growth in groceries and household essentials for the month of March.
• 20% overall sales growth.
• Store department leaders getting bonuses for the first time.

Instacart hiring 300,000 grocery shoppers

• And the company is providing paid sick leave in case they’re diagnosed with COVID-19.
• Order volume has increased by 150%, with people buying more per cart as well.
• Whole Foods, likewise, is overwhelmingly filled with Amazon’s own in-store shoppers (even more than previously).
• My prediction: online grocery ordering and delivery has finally arrived. People will not go back to doing their own in-store grocery shopping after they’ve had a few months during coronavirus to adjust to this service.

Liquor stores are having a field day: Smart move categorizing them as “essential”

• The owner of NYC’s Astor Wines and Spirits reports the store’s busier than it has EVER been in the 50 years since its opening.
• Does not surprise me. I readily admit to doing my part to drive up wine sales.

2. Virtual workouts are super fun

Earlier, I had written about doing the Planet Fitness workout. That quickly fizzled once they started switching to “family workouts” and then Nascar workouts – basically using people who were not trainers. Totally LAME!

But then I discovered MadFit. And I love it. It’s tough! She offers a wide variety of workouts, clean sets, easy to follow, and there’s not a lot of chitchat. She just gets to it. Even the so-called beginner levels will kick your butt. Excellent.

I’m also starting to add dance workouts, e.g., 30-Minute Cardio Latin Dance Workout as well as a Hip-Hop Fit Workout. I’m such a dorky dancer, the only place I would do this is in the privacy of my home. I’ll report back on how much fun it is (or not!).

I’ve scheduled seven different workouts – one per day to keep it fresh.

Prediction: I would not be surprised if people give up their expensive gym memberships in favor of in-home virtual work outs. I still prefer to go to the gym for the routine and the camaraderie but I am pleasantly surprised by the excellence of these virtual workouts.

3. Cooking – my fridge is fully loaded!

Haven’t put on a pound because I am cooking healthy meals and regulating what kind of food comes into the house. No snacks or treats, much as I am tempted.

Let me just add that while I am enjoying my own cooking (and the money I am saving), I do not predict that people will give up restaurants in favor of their home cooked meals. I certainly cannot wait to hit up all my favorite restaurants again (fingers crossed many will be reopening!).

4. A good time to be nosy

TV news and business shows are being broadcast from people’s homes. So strange to see your favorite journalists, financial honchos and CEOs talking to us from their living rooms, home offices and even hallways. Biggest surprise? A lot less fancy than I had imagined with bookcases and poster art serving as the most popular backdrops.

Award for most stylish apartment? Without a doubt it has to go to David Faber of CNBC. That man has great taste (pic below).

5. Everyone is reaching out and checking on each other – and that is very reassuring!

Let me just say how shocked I was that friends were so worried about me after I wrote how sad and weepy I had become after hearing about so many people losing their jobs and businesses.

And I get why they may have been concerned. I’m not normally a sobbing mess but these are extraordinary times.

But I am back to normal. However, it warmed the cockles of my heart to realize how many people cared about me. Thank you all so much. MUAH 💋💋💋

6. Understanding the difference between Solitude and loneliness

I’m an extrovert who also happens to love doing things solo but wow, two weeks of self-isolation was hard to get used to.

And doubly so for me, because I was already in a funk and having major withdrawal symptoms from my 3-week Nat Geo trip to South America. No sooner had I adjusted to not being with that great group of people 24/7 when this lockdown hit. Not good timing for my mental health.

BUT. Worry. Not. I see light at the end of the tunnel. And I’m starting to find my groove when it comes to this new way of confined living. Plus, with the weather getting better, I can hang out on my fire escape. It’s a thing in NYC. You’ll find neighbors from surrounding buildings hanging out this way – especially those #WFH (see pic below). It’s quite a scene out there. Look for “Fire Escape Chronicles” to pop up on the blog some time soon.

7. Virtual Get-Togethers

I had my first FaceTime experience last weekend. Thank you Katharine Linke for including me. And then a few days later, another friend FaceTimed me and we had lunch together.

It’s pretty new to me and I’ll say this: Please text me before you call! I will not get on FaceTime if I don’t have a chance to at least comb my hair and put on some lipstick. 😜.

Another prediction: virtual meet-ups will become even more popular than they already are – especially among groups for whom this is relatively new.

8. I’ve rediscovered Bitmojis. Thank you, Laetitia Longuefosse!

I had forgotten all about them since I stopped using Snapchat. But then Laetitia sent a few my way and I was reminded of how fun they were. Expect to be deluged with bitmojis from me over the next couple of weeks. The avatars you can create for yourself are so much cooler than the Apple emojis.

9. Cuomo’s daily masterclass on how to lead in times of crisis.

I’ve always had a thing for the Gov but he certainly has raised his profile with his daily pressers on how NY is handling coronavirus.

I love his philosophizing at the end of every presser. Thursday’s was especially inspiring. It’s apparently become must-see TV around the country. Is that true? Brad has told me everyone in AZ watches.

10. Mother Nature – Not so gently Reminding us who’s in charge.

Spring in NYC is absolutely exquisite this year. It’s been sunny and the trees are blossoming and have never looked more beautiful (pic below taken on the Bowery while I was walking to the supermarket).

BUT at the same time, nature has a dark side.

Not only are Millennials calling coronavirus the “Boomer Remover,” I’m also running into more and more articles asking if Mother Nature is sick of us humans and using viruses to “thin the herd?” See below letter to the Editor of the Brattleboro Reformer from an 80-year old, albeit with a dark sense of humor, who calls it the Darwin virus.

I have called the Coronavirus the Darwin virus. Apparently, young, healthy individuals are virtually immune, while older and sickly people are dropping like flies. If it wasn’t the planet doing it to us, I would call it genocide. As an 80-plus Lymphoma patient living with an 80-plus Alzheimer’s patient, I’m afraid it may be coming for us. On the plus side, at least we won’t have to deal with the lunatic in the White House anymore.

Bob Fagelson, Brattleboro, Vermont, March 10, 2020

Bottom Line.

Living day to day, grateful to have minor problems to contend with compared to millions of people who have lost their jobs and businesses or who are sick or tending to people who have come down with COVID-19.

I will continue to follow the Gov’s mandate to stay at home and will only leave the house to shop for food. And I will not complain.

Most important to keeping a positive outlook? Don’t watch too much TV news. I’m down to one hour a day. But I am watching as much Cuomo as I can get.

And with that, my friends, stay safe and stay healthy. We will get through this.

Big virtual hugs and kisses.