This morning having woken from a series of disturbing dreams I did not find myself having been transformed into a large-size monstrous vermin (it could happen) but in a pleasant mood. The sun is shining and it isn’t too cold. Provided I didn’t turn on the cellphone to read the headlines to spoil things Life looks good today. I am quite aware things are not that jolly but it helps to disinvite the world in when one isn’t even out of bed. Every morning I say a silent prayer to whatever gods that may be listening: “I am thankful I have another day – more Life.” These days gratitude is heightened and good for that.
Unlike many I went to work last week. It felt good to be in some sort of normalcy especially when I remember I am trying to heal the sick ‘in the trenches’ as it were as doctors ought to do (at least the ‘good ones’ anyway). I am going on the surmise it is just as matter of time I get the bug or at least ‘turn positive’ and have to stay home for a fortnight or more. This dreadful prediction is another aspect folded into my morning meditation of thanks I’m still here for now.
It’s Saturday and there’s work to be done. I am grateful for some charting to do. Lands sakes! There isn’t much else to do really! However all is not drab and drudgery. We have a ‘date’ this evening. The fellows with whom we were to rendezvous in Palm Springs have proposed we do some sort of ‘virtual dinner party’. This means we all make a meal and somehow sign onto the internet so we can see each other eating and we natter. This will be a new experience and I wonder if I will I awkward. Watching folks eat online shouldn’t be any different than watching them munching in real life no?
Then there is the menu. Someone and I were scheduled this evening to eat leftovers or who-hash or (worse) open tinned cans of something. Does one dress up and make something fancy for a virtual dinner-party? I looked it up online and Miss Manners is silent on the subject. I suppose in normal times I wouldn’t dream of going out with chums to a restaurant without attending to my appearance and being on my best behavior. I go with the notion virtual dinner manners and protocols ought to be the same – even with familiar friends whom I have seen parading around ‘sky-clad’ at clothing optional resorts.
This leads me to the delicate topic of what to call such virtual experiences. This morning I was online with Brother #3 and Father; they referred to our trio-communication as ‘having a three-way’. This is not an appetizing notion. I did not explain my more lurid association with their word-choice. Is there a less-suggestive word for such social intercourse?
I bet you a nickel this evening somebody will make the ribald joke of ‘having a three-way’ and threaten (as a reference to Palm Springs shenanigans) to drop his pants in the middle of dinner. This is something normally one doesn’t do at proper dinner parties but all bets are off if there are cocktails involved or The Other Michael is in high spirits.
29 comments
March 28, 2020 at 12:09 PM
larrymuffin
Well here we have virtual luncheons, so everyone prepares a nice dish and dresses up, remembering that we live in extraordinary times and this is a special occasion. Everyone shows off the dish they made and then conversation flows from there. As for your friend Ms Manners she belongs in the 1950’s when people went to the Zodiac Room at Neiman Marcus for lunch, no wonder the poor dear does not know about this, it was the age of Nuclear weapons not viruses.
March 30, 2020 at 6:57 AM
Urspo
do you have a scrumptious rice dish to pass on its recipe?
March 28, 2020 at 12:57 PM
anne marie x
the other michael – so it’s NOT larry and tim. tim will “drop trousers” quickly.
have fun and let us know how it turned out.
March 30, 2020 at 6:57 AM
Urspo
It was rather jolly – until the ‘meter ran out’ at 40 minutes – then it shut off.
March 28, 2020 at 1:18 PM
David Godfrey
Sounds like fun, let us know how it goes. I attended a virtual happy hour a week or so ago, it was fun. Don’t forget to post photos if things get interesting.
March 30, 2020 at 6:57 AM
Urspo
No photos – it was hard enough to figure out who to sign on. A work in progress!
March 28, 2020 at 1:57 PM
Todd Gunther
“Interesting”, I said as I removed my reading glasses and put the notepad down on my lap. “And how long have you been having these dreams, Mr. Kafka?”
I too have a silent prayer which I should say each morning, but many times don’t. When i realize I have awaken and determine that my heart is still beating i give thanks that I have been deemed worthy to live another day and do good in the world.
March 30, 2020 at 6:58 AM
Urspo
Good for you for your morning ritual.
March 28, 2020 at 2:13 PM
Mistress Borghese
‘having a three-way’ and threaten (as a reference to Palm Springs shenanigans) to drop his pants in the middle of dinner.”
I am not sure I see the problem.
March 30, 2020 at 6:59 AM
Urspo
Turned out all these ‘threats’ did not happen. We had a delightful chinwag and I drank a wee too much cordials.
March 28, 2020 at 3:01 PM
Robert
Dying to read about the high jinks V. D. 😇
March 30, 2020 at 6:59 AM
Urspo
It was page 71: we all talked and laughed and spoke of nothing. It was rather sweet.
March 28, 2020 at 3:24 PM
Linda Practical Parsimony
I doubt if the guys in your family were innocent in their suggestion of a “three-way” to you. They probably wondered if you knew what it was…lol. Have fun.
March 30, 2020 at 7:00 AM
Urspo
If they did they did not mention it. It was a fun night of talk talk talk.
March 28, 2020 at 3:30 PM
Bob Slatten
I think I might throw up a little in my mouth if something mentioned three-way in a manner that included my father, brother and me.
March 30, 2020 at 7:00 AM
Urspo
It was an Etch-a-sketch moment.
March 28, 2020 at 8:25 PM
Ron
Well, all I can say is that I enjoyed our virtual three-way the other night (you, me and Pat on FaceTime). The three way virtual chat doesn’t always work. Pat tried it today with two of his chums in Canada, couldn’t get it to work. He said “I was just on the few days ago with Arizona and Delaware and we can’t do a three-way in Canada?” So far we’ve been able to do the three way FaceTime conversation with our friend Don in Philadelphia and Larry in Claymont, Delaware. Perhaps now that we’re self quarantined in our domiciles, after a few drinks, we’ll try a four way.
March 30, 2020 at 7:01 AM
Urspo
Good point! You remind me I’ve had one(s) before. The one on Saturday night was with supper. It was more complex but we’ve managed it.
March 28, 2020 at 9:49 PM
Brian Dean Powers
If Holly Golightly could dress up for a carryout coffee and pastry, your threesome certainly can.
March 30, 2020 at 7:02 AM
Urspo
I do not know this Ms. G but she sounds amazing. I can barely eat and listen at the same time. Mutliple tasks is not my forte.
March 28, 2020 at 10:44 PM
Robzilla In CA
This sounds like a lot of fun. Please let us know how it goes.
March 30, 2020 at 7:02 AM
Urspo
Oh it was fun and lots of laughs. Only thems on the West coast were eating dinner as thems on the East had already done so.
March 29, 2020 at 4:50 AM
Moving with Mitchell
Is there any OTHER interpretation anymore for three-way? Glad you’re not the one who called it that. These conference call dinners are fun idea… not for me, though, thanks. But I do think it’s fun for some. Anyway, hope you enjoyed your four-way. Or was it an orgy?
March 30, 2020 at 7:03 AM
Urspo
It was a gossips feast as Shakespeare says. Rather “G” rating.
Perhaps we need more practice……
March 29, 2020 at 7:02 AM
Hugh W. Roberts
A lot of people who’ve never met each other in person before seem to be meeting up over a wifi connection. I don’t know why we didn’t think about this before the current world situation. We’re having drinks online later, but a family dinner online sounds even better. I will suggest it to the family.
Meanwhile, your virtual dinner with friends sounds even more fun. As some others have said, I hope we get to see some pictures.
March 30, 2020 at 7:04 AM
Urspo
I always enjoy hearing from you Mr. Roberts!
There are no pictures – yet. I could barely maneuver my laptop and not spill dinner down my chest.
March 30, 2020 at 7:16 AM
Hugh W. Roberts
We tried having pre-dinner drinks with the family online yesterday. Nothing was different. Everyone talked at the same time, and nobody listened.
March 29, 2020 at 12:39 PM
Steven
“Is there a less-suggestive word for such social intercourse?” How about a tri-facial communique”?
March 30, 2020 at 7:04 AM
Urspo
Holy mackerel what a word! I like it though.