keeps the doctor away.
As we are in the midst of this historic pandemic that has changed our lives, I reflected on one of my 2020 New Year’s Resolutions. I had a goal of writing 1,000 words per day, but like a lot of plans and goals made for this year, it has not gone according to the plan. That’s okay. I know I’m not alone.
I have to stop worrying about what others may think of I write down and just allow myself to write about whatever I want. It doesn’t have to be perfect or polished. I just have to write.
A journal. A diary. Whatever you want to call I want. I just know I want to get my thoughts down on record on a much more frequent basis.
Carrying on about Covid-19
I have been working from home as the Media Specialist for the Division of Online and Continuing Education at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh since mid-March.
It feels like a time warp. It was so long ago, but then it also seems like it was just yesterday. Working from home was always something I fantasized about low key. The thought of a 30-second commute and having fewer disruptions removed from the office on campus at Lincoln Hall was always attractive to me and it has been enjoyable most of the time. I feel like I’ve been able to concentrate more in-depth on projects. However like most things in life, this arrangement is not without drawbacks. I miss the instant communication of being able to walk down to a colleague’s office for a quick pop-in or to set up a meeting. Being able to read someone’s expression and body language is definitely something I miss. It will be interesting to be a part of ‘Titans Returning’ to campus in some form or another in September.
Since going into quarantine in March, I have gained 20 pounds and I get winded way too fast so it’s time for me to cut the malarkey. I know I am not the only one, but it has to be addressed. I have a history of being too hard on myself, but here is my simplified three-objective plan of daily goals moving forward. I am done dwelling on the past.
Daily Goals
Take 10,000 steps
Eat less than 150 carbohydrates
Drink 200 ounces of water
The quarantine/shut down did prompt me to invest in my home office setup. It was long overdue, but I now have a professional configuration in my apartment where I can create and flourish: heavy duty computer chair, an executive desk and lamp with charging station.
An interesting development for my entertainment habits has also occurred during the stay-at-home period. I have started watching gamers on Twitch. I admit that it is bizarre. I watch someone else play video games, but it really comes down to the personalities that are on the face cams, the smack talk and the chats that interact with each gamer creates a fun and energetic virtual community. There is a wide variety of content on Twitch, everything from Call of Duty: Warzone, NBA 2K20, NCAA Football 14, Madden NFL to Just Chatting.
Call of Duty is my favorite non-sports video game. I wish I was better at the game. I got embarrassed when I tried to play online with friends a few years ago so I have not tried since. It feels like my senses get overwhelmed with my competitors and the sounds and images of the game so my reaction times are slow and the snowball effect just rolls downhill from there to the point where I cannot read a map or think about what I’m doing.
I believe my embarrassing video game history is why I enjoy just watching … for now. I’ll let you know if I ever decide to try again.
Here are a few of my favorite Twitch Streamers:
Doctor Disrespect: His persona and the production value of his streams just make me chuckle. The ‘violence, speed, momentum’
bravado and swagger is just hilarious. He has a bunch of catch phrases like ‘firm handshakes,’ ‘let’s get involved’ and celebrates with a ‘Whooo’ like Ric Flair of Ashley Shaeffer. With the wig, bulletproof jacket, sunglasses, flip phone and goatee, it’s like he is a method actor straight out of Top Gun, Night Rider and other 80’s hits sticking to the script for hours on live TV every day. It is also a bonus that he seems to have a Digital Millenium Copyright Act deal with a few artists
who provide a retro soundtrack for musical interludes between games. It sounds like it could be taken from the movie Drive, just simple yet cool melodies and catchy choruses.

ATL770er: I love his authenticity and enthusiasm for the game of basketball on the court and in real life. I relate to the subject matter a
lot more than Call of Duty: Warzone so I know what they are trying to
accomplish. He’s not the best at the game, but he talks the most and has the most personality. It also sounds like he came from a tough upbringing so I really want to support him. I cannot lie, it is also very entertaining when he cusses out a teammate.

TimtheTatman: He is more of just a regular guy who happens to be a content creator on Twitch and Call of Duty player. He loves metal music and seems to be a great guy. He interacts with his chat in the ‘Just Chatting’ section for an hour every time he streams and just seems like an authentic person. The Tatman Army in the chat is also a source of amusement with their own language of catch phrases, acronyms and emotes. It took me a while to get into the swing of it, but when I caught on, it’s almost like I have grown addicted to watching the chat messages scroll up the bar on the right-hand side of the channel.

Barstool Big Cat: Duggs Nation has captivated … the nation. I look forward to the Coaching Carousel on Sunday nights when he announces his new destination. Hopefully, Wisconsin will be up
soon.
