Well, folks. The world has absolutely come to a screeching halt. Remember how much fun it was to go out and do things? Remember when it was socially acceptable to walk up and shake hands with your friends? Gone are the days...
The last two weeks have been extremely difficult for people who classify themselves as, "extroverts." Believe me, having to sit in the same place for days on end is the last way we all thought we would be spending Spring 2020. I remember thinking, "2020 is my year and I'm going to make it give me everything I want..." Plot twist: that thought aged poorly.
Alabama has shut down all nonessential business. Unless you are going to work, going to the grocery store, or getting your prescriptions- you need to sit your ass at home. It's very difficult seeing people on social media still gathering around and continuing on like there isn't a global pandemic going on. But, thats an entire different blog....
Below are some ideas I have for you and your group of friends to stay connected during this shitshow of a mishap called, "Quarantine."
1. Connect over Social Apps
2020 is a strange place. "Get outside and off your phone" has turned into "stay inside on your phone." Social gatherings have been put on hold for another two weeks, and people are already going stir crazy. Me. I am people...
It sucks not being able to gather with your friends and socialize, but, thanks to technology, we have ample opportunities to still see our friends in the virtual world. Shout out to Google for developing things such as Google Hangouts for multiple people to gather in a chatroom style format to socialize. Also, Google Chrome now comes with new add-ons that allow you to gather in the same manor, but while streaming Netflix. It's like sitting in your living room watching movies with your friends, but in a virtual setting.
Zoom has exploded recently in the tech world by capitalizing on the educational market. School has been canceled across the United States, but teachers and students are still able to continue education through the virtual world. It works for regular folks too, and offers users the opportunity to still stay connected. Just be careful what you click. They are feeding all your info to Facebook...
2. Connect over Online Gaming
I'm closing in on 30 (in August) and I've never been more happy to own a gaming console. Understandably, I will catch a lot of shit by saying I prefer consoles to PC, but to each their own. I've never been more excited about crushing out matchmaking with the boys.
It's a strange world we live in when sitting at home playing video games is doing the world a solid, and possibly saving the population. Call of Duty is dropping 20 gig updates twice a week, GTAV has awarded players a stimulus package giving players more cash for their online profiles, and EA Sports has released Madden 20 into the vault so that subscribers get access to the game for free.
Overall, online gaming is back. Plus, people aren't allowed to go and do anything. There's never been a better opportunity to capitalizing on streaming your content than right now. People are so bored they are looking for anyway possible to take their mind off how shitty the world has become. Log in and hand out the work.
3. Educate Yourself
Right now there's a lot of fake information floating around the internet. Facebook is filled with political experts and health officials that obtained their credentials from Out Of My Ass University.
I hate being the guy that shares a fake article on social media. I'm also not very keen on sharing one-sided political propaganda that promotes one party's agenda to better prove your point. Most mainstream media is shit, people suck, and the internet provides new ways for us to further educate ourselves on a daily basis.
There are plenty of places online that offer fact checking so you don't share bogus news articles. Always check yourself, and your source, before you go sharing something that could potentially make you look like an asshat.
In closing, sometimes you have to take chicken feathers and make chicken salad. China went on a full style military lockdown on January 23, and wont be lifting isolation laws for another week. This thing has the potential to carry over until the middle of summer.
I hope this has been something that gives you some ideas on how to pass the time while we are trapped inside our homes. Drop some comments and tell me what you have going on while we are locked down.
Preciate yall coming out,
Barry Bangerz