Working from Home and Aimless Chatter

37 Replies

Julia is busy on a conference call at the moment. People are taking it in turns to talk about their “case load” on a poor connection. I use the word ‘load’ with my tongue firmly in my cheek – talking to people on the phone is not hard work. It isn’t very interesting for an eavesdropper and is far less detailed than the reports she submits each week. In fact, it’s useless, but I suppose, like weekly meetings, it makes management feel like they are doing things,

There are, according to the manager running it, three more people to report in, and then they will move to “something else”. Julia rolled her eyes at that announcement.

One of the manager’s kids is now being told to be quiet because mummy is talking to people at work.

Such are the pleasures of working from home.

One of them is currently answering questions from his wife about his lunchtime ham sandwich.

I’m glad I don’t have to do it, I’d probably end up being rude to someone. Instead of that I’m being rude about them on my blog.

I just had my telephone appointment with the rheumatology nurse about my new medication. It involves side effects and a lot more blood testing. They have, they tell me, reorganised the phlebotomy department to allow for social distancing. I’m dubious about this, as true social distancing would involve a three foot needle.

woman in gray sweater sitting on wooden floor typing on portable computer

Photo by bongkarn thanyakij on Pexels.com

Somebody on the conference call has a dog barking in the background.

The telephone appointment was eventful.

First, they rang me early. I didn’t have my phone with me and they disconnected after four rings. Eventually they rang back. I had my phone with me. Unfortunately I had it with me in the toilet. We had to break that one off when they had a fire alarm. Finally we reconnected and discussed the new medication. Side effects may include loss of appetite, which would be quite useful. Two of the others are drowsiness and hair loss. I told Julia this and she just laughed.

The conference call is now suggesting weekly calls as a way of keeping in touch.

I can hardly wait…

The photos are from the free photo library – the reality is not quite so attractive and organised.

37 thoughts on “Working from Home and Aimless Chatter”

  1. Cherryl

    Lol, I’m learning a lot about people from what I see and hear in the background of our Skype meetings – it can be quite revealing and funny 😊

    Reply ↓
  3. arlingwoman

    I’ve been laughing helplessly for the last couple minutes. The idea of helpful side effects is so unbelievable…and of course, I completely understand the weird work stuff.

    Reply ↓
    1. quercuscommunity

      Are you sure you’re laughing at the amusing aspects of the side-effects, or have you been spending too much time in lockdown? 🙂

      They have just told us to expect three more weeks and I am already thinking of an escape plan.

      Reply ↓
      3. arlingwoman

        Just remember that going out could kill you. I hardly go out except for exercise and shopping and the exercise is a bit crazy what with social distancing and other people wanting to be out too…But it’s something to adjust to–not being able to run out to the store for a certain thing…

      4. quercuscommunity

        This week was good – I only went out once and I picked the shopping up ready packed. Next week I have to go for a blood test and will have to go shopping because I can’t get a delivery or collection slot.

        There’s nowhere worth walking round here so I stick to the house and garden.

        Although I know it all makes sense, it’s growing more difficult.

  6. jodierichelle

    Meetings – I’ve never been able to tolerate them. Inevitably there’s one person who needs to talk and talk whether it’s relevant or not. And to have to listen to all of that online or on a conference call or a Zoom meeting? I’d be rolling my eyes, too.

    My best to you both, Simon and Julia.

    Reply ↓
  7. Lavinia Ross

    I hope the new medication works, Quercus. I am sorry it is more of a bother than the old one.

    No conference calls here, not in that kind of work anymore. In the background, people would hear cats continually clamoring for food and attention, occasional gunfire from someone in the neighbor target practicing, and the long, loud rumble of logging trucks out on the main road. Other than that it is relatively quiet here. 🙂

    Reply ↓
    1. quercuscommunity

      I could write a whole blog post on what passes as “silence”. We live just off the ring road in Nottingham but manage to filter all the traffic noise out. When we used to visit my parents, who lived in a virtually silent village (apart from owls and foxes) the oppressive silence used to keep us awake.

      Reply ↓
    2. jodierichelle

      Ugh – we have the gunfire too. We live in the country, so it’s not alarming. But, my goodness, all this guy does since he’s been home is shoot that gun off all day, every day. He must be getting very good. Or deaf.

      Reply ↓
      2. jodierichelle

        We are faring very well, actually. My twins have to spend the spring of their senior year of college at home with their parents instead of partying in the quad. But, apart from that, a couple of my bookkeeping clients are still in business and have enabled me to work from home. So we have some money coming in. And we have our yard and our garden.

      3. quercuscommunity

        Good to hear. I’m treating it like a holiday. 🙂

        Julia is growing carrot greens from the tops of carrots I cut off and is rooting leeks from the bases of the ones we have cooked. Always plenty to do!

Leave a Reply