By Anita Garner
My new book released a few months ago and at the same time a series of personal events happened alongside the universal one, the pandemic. For a while appearances that were meant to be in person looked fine until cancellations began again for the second time. I’ll be talking about “The Glory Road: A Gospel Gypsy Life” from the corner where my computer resides.
It’s time to revive still-workable parts of the plan. Zoom it is. I’m a Baby Zoomer (sorry) but even I know what needs to be done before the connection is made. I do it but then I change it.
My friend, Karin is the opposite. She also knows what needs to be done, knows what time to do it, has her routine down and is always butt-in-the-chair on time, smiling and looking great. She’s a heavyweight in her field who never leaves things to chance. Preparing for a discussion with a board of directors about a new contract, you can bet she’s done her research on the organization before all the faces click into place on her screen. Then there’s her personal ritual she describes this way:
“Hair fluffed up. Makeup on. Outfit of the day in favorite colors, spritz of Chanel. Go!”
Here’s me getting ready: Change out of plaid flannel shirt or a faded tee shirt from long ago into something that looks like a grown-up might wear it, something with buttons. Spritz water on the cowlick that recently arrived to change what was meant to be a new hairstyle but now must be adjusted because of that piece that sticks up in front. Move the monitor. Move it back. Become fixated on the background that’s showing. Get up and move the chotchkes on the bookshelves. Now engrossed in re-arranging the entire shelf. Back to the chair by the desk by the window. The light has changed. Change position again.
The call is delayed, leaving time to look at the background again, not so much for the sake of the people on the other side of Zoomland but because it’s the first time I’ve seen the room like this. Some of it I like but most things would look better on a different shelf. Mental notes about putting this over there and that over here.
Back in my seat just before the new start time. Lessons have been learned about Zoom backgrounds but now my family is moving into a new home where I’ll assess and re-assess the view I wish to present on the next call. Admit I will never be as good at this as Karin.
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Are you staying in Sacramento? Moving is such a great opportunity to clean and declutter. When my kids were little I made them swap rooms once a year just for that reason. There are so many beautiful places to live in this world. Sacramento remains my favorite.
Staying in Sacramento. New home. We love it here too. Great idea to move the kids around to different rooms!
Thanks for the afternoon laughs! I am very sorry that you are not getting to spread your special brand of in-person joy to those you have touched from afar with your wonderful book. Still, the Zoom can feel intimate and very much like a one on one conversation for many. Another great post. Best of luck on your move.
Hi Kathy – always enjoy chatting with you here. Thanks for the encouragement. We’re moving within our same neighborhood but who knows what I’ll use as the new Zoom background? Obviously I have a great deal of indecision about background decor.
I love it. Fiddling and tweaking with this and that is how artists render life by tiny brushstrokes.
I hope you’re right. Hope the tiny brushstrokes eventually become something nice.