I know it seems a strange thread title and I know that the last nine months have been horrible for so many of us. It doesn’t seem to end, I’ve another funeral to attend in three days time to say goodbye to my auntie.

But have there been any positives for any of us? I’ll start with mine.

How helpful people have been which is me really saying thanks to some of my neighbours who have always been there to get bits of shopping for me etc., two of them in particular, one who posts on here and one I didn’t even know until she set up the WhatsApp group for us on our crescent.

My work-life balance has massively improved due to saving nearly 2 hours of my day by not commuting. So my Monday-Thursdays have generally been improved.

I've saved some money due to any aspect of a social life being cancelled. But apart from that nothing, it's been pretty grim.

jrgbfc wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 11, 2020 10:06 pm

I've saved some money due to any aspect of a social life being cancelled. But apart from that nothing, it's been pretty grim.

Agreed.
I'm amazed how much Ive saved each month. I live alone and am retired but I usually go to loads of events- footy, rugby, cricket, races, gigs. I'm accumulating about triple what I would've guessed from not going out.
Still- Id be much happier if I'd've had the days out rather than the money in the bank.

I've just about finished a long-term design project and secured some future employment too.

This message board gives me a lift / connection.
Being 10th place ish.. in the league throughout the first lock-down was a help.
All the children returning home from London, some still here, is great (probably not so much for them).
I don't really care about premier league or ALK etc.
Premier League Burnley, Championship Burnley is my go too place & that does not change.

ps. i am not Jordan North..

jrgbfc wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 11, 2020 10:06 pm

I've saved some money due to any aspect of a social life being cancelled. But apart from that nothing, it's been pretty grim.

Same. We've always saved but over the last nine months we've saved considerably more. Only other positive thing I can't think of is I've walked a lot more and experienced the fabulous countryside around Burnley. Much more leisurely than the exercise I'm used to but very enjoyable nonetheless.

Only positive and of course the major one...

I'm still here.

In early March through April I really wondered. I'm still far from right though now.
I think it was mid / late Feb when things started going wrong.

Don't catch this.
Be so careful.

There are always positives in life, and its so important for us all to search for them.

Taught my kiddie to cycle on empty, normally dangerous, roads.
Not working away so plenty of time with the family.
Got to see home schooling rather than not having a clue what goes on in lessons.
Many things in the UK have finally accelerated towards new permanent better ways of working - e.g.virtual hospital follow ups via Zoom
Glorious weather in spring which someone cleverer than me says is due to the lack of ships on the oceans and less traffic on land

Missing gigs and city breaks as they are the main things we do as a couple. Otherwise, apart from me taking in an occasional football or rugby match, we are home birds so it hasn’t bothered us too much. No positives at all.

During the summer life didnt seem that bad. Now it's cold, dark, short days, dull. Great, the bank balance is going up. Rather have memories of good times spent with good friends.
No prospect of anything altering until April at least I guess. Positives, not so many I am afraid.

Know my neighbours so much better, phone family more,not as materialistic, focus on family friends and health.

As I work online, business has pretty much doubled. Only positive that comes to mind.

Had our second child and first boy. Who’s already a proper character and fit in like he’s been here from day one with his not so big bigger sister. Spending so much time with the two of them and their mum has been a blessing I’d have never got but for Covid and home working.

Look forward to one day taking him to the game as my dad did me. Hopefully of us together in the not too distant future.

He’s already well stocked on kits ready to go. Here he is in two of them.

jrgbfc wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 11, 2020 10:06 pm

I've saved some money due to any aspect of a social life being cancelled. But apart from that nothing, it's been pretty grim.

Absolutely.
A couple of hours less commuting, a bit more money in the bank, both totally outweighed by the restrictions having to be placed upon us.

So no positives really, just grinding get-on-with-it reality.

Well I found out that I'm "racist" according to this board. which doesn't seem positive but it is.

I've learned that it is not okay to call people who cut heads off school teachers, shoot or knife people in busy city centres.

I have turned my "hatred" to Burnley folk who shop in Aldi. It's always been acceptable on here to attack Burnley folk, so I've finally found my niche.

Bin Ont Turf wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 12, 2020 12:41 am

Well I found out that I'm "racist" according to this board. which doesn't seem positive but it is.

I've learned that it is not okay to call people who cut heads off school teachers, shoot or knife people in busy city centres.

I have turned my "hatred" to Burnley folk who shop in Aldi. It's always been acceptable on here to attack Burnley folk, so I've finally found my niche.

Diddums

Bin Ont Turf wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 12, 2020 12:41 am

Well I found out that I'm "racist" according to this board. which doesn't seem positive but it is.

I've learned that it is not okay to call people who cut heads off school teachers, shoot or knife people in busy city centres.

I have turned my "hatred" to Burnley folk who shop in Aldi. It's always been acceptable on here to attack Burnley folk, so I've finally found my niche.

Has being called racist online been the stand-out moment of the last 9 months of your life? Kids have been conceived and born in that time, you know

On the subject of kids, there is one poster on this board who became a dad for the first time to twins. What a strange time to come into this world, a story to tell when they grow up.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 12, 2020 1:00 am

On the subject of kids, there is one poster on this board who became a dad for the first time to twins. What a strange time to come into this world, a story to tell when they grow up.

It’s a unique time. But a special one. So much time with them. And so much focus on them. Remembering what’s important. What’s not. Looking on the positive he (and or she) should feel blessed. I know we do.

daveisaclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 12, 2020 12:56 am

Has being called racist online been the stand-out moment of the last 9 months of your life?

It's definitely up there with reading the electric meter.

Bin Ont Turf wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 12, 2020 1:05 am

It's definitely up there with reading the electric meter.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 11, 2020 9:48 pm

I know it seems a strange thread title and I know that the last nine months have been horrible for so many of us. It doesn’t seem to end, I’ve another funeral to attend in three days time to say goodbye to my auntie.

But have there been any positives for any of us? I’ll start with mine.

How helpful people have been which is me really saying thanks to some of my neighbours who have always been there to get bits of shopping for me etc., two of them in particular, one who posts on here and one I didn’t even know until she set up the WhatsApp group for us on our crescent.

I dont want to seem heartless or uncaring ...but people die some prematurely some older. I've known at Least half a dozen Lads passed away this year 40s 50s and 60s good Lads. Burnley fans. Cancer / strokes etc. But you have to focus on the Now and remember the good times.no time for Maudlin were Burnley we crack on. Other than the Losses I've had a great year and I'm Blessed!! ......not well mind.

Just 2 Positives
1 - Beer belly has got a bit smaller
2 - Not as many irritating drunken slobs in my cab

I’ve managed to hammer the overtime which is a positive

Good post CT. Positives for me are as follows:
Joined a local gardening group and have got into 'growing your own' along with my daughter. Has helped my mental health and the human interaction has been good.
Online workouts with Joe Wicks.
Extremely busy at work (plumbers merchants) plenty going on.
My daughter continues to do well at her primary school, especially through the 1st lockdown with all the online learning. Proud of her and also very pleased with how the school have approached all of this.

I've lost 15lbs over the last few weeks. Coming to the end of my Allied Health Professional BSc. Positives.

Positives for me.....attacking live with new vigour once things are back to normal.
Going out with friends, meeting up with family more easily, travel, visiting places of interest, going to football.....stuff we all took for granted last year.
I’ve just booked a holiday for next June and I don’t think I’ve been as excited about a trip for ages.

Dazzler wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 12, 2020 3:25 am

Just 2 Positives
1 - Beer belly has got a bit smaller
2 - Not as many irritating drunken slobs in my cab

Surely you didn’t used to drive yourself home?

LeadBelly wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 11, 2020 10:14 pm

Agreed.
I'm amazed how much Ive saved each month. I live alone and am retired but I usually go to loads of events- footy, rugby, cricket, races, gigs. I'm accumulating about triple what I would've guessed from not going out.
Still- Id be much happier if I'd've had the days out rather than the money in the bank.

Yeah I've saved a fortune with no pubs, footy, weekends away etc. I didn't mind too much over summer really, I just played a lot of golf and could at least go on my local cricket club.
But this winter is going to be a real drag, it's not even Xmas yet and it already feels like it's been going on forever!

Since lockdown I’ve lost 35lb and the only thing that fit me now are my shoes and socks.
A tank of fuel is lasting me 2 months, rather than 2 weeks. The money I saved, I’ve spent on home improvements, mostly done myself, to occupy my time in self isolation.
The negatives is my diabetic son is still waiting for a double transplant, due to the operations being put on hold. Due to the health risk, we’ve not been able to meet since lockdown.

Bfc wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 12, 2020 8:58 am

Since lockdown I’ve lost 35lb and the only thing that fit me now are my shoes and socks.
A tank of fuel is lasting me 2 months, rather than 2 weeks. The money I saved, I’ve spent on home improvements, mostly done myself, to occupy my time in self isolation.
The negatives is my diabetic son is still waiting for a double transplant, due to the operations being put on hold. Due to the health risk, we’ve not been able to meet since lockdown.

Hope all goes well with your son.....that must be a big worry. Walking about with only shoes and socks must be a shock for people when opening your curtains.......unless you have the looks of Kelly brook!

Fewer cars on the road.

FactualFrank wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 12, 2020 9:51 am

Fewer cars on the road.

Agreed Frank...but the tickled trout approach to the M6 last night and M6 itself was likened to Wacky Races.

Nature was the real winner this year. Lockdown 1 produced the cleanest air I have ever know. The night skies were so clear...many a summer evening were spent looking up at the stars and Starlink satellites.

The motorways fell silent, life felt slower, almost like a return to the 1930’s. Most of spring and summer was spent in the garden.

We’ve learned how to use Zoom and enjoyed virtual chats but it’s no replacement for real human contact, for a hand shake or hug.

The nation clapping for the NHS was deeply moving. My daughter was, and is, one of those nurses dealing with Coronavirus patients. Hers was the last face several of the saw and she went back to her flat and had a short cry most evenings. She’s working Christmas Eve & Christmas Day do for us Christmas will start at 6pm on Boxing Day when she finishes.

The vaccines are rolling out and next year is showing a glimmer of hope. The buffoon that has been occupying the White House will finally be gone. No doubt he will continue to lie and spread his hatred via social media.

His final act seems to be ordering the execution of many prisoners, mostly black men. Some believe a response to black voters who didn’t turn out to vote for him.

Let’s hope 2021 is a better year!

LoveCurryPies wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 12, 2020 10:01 am

Nature was the real winner this year. Lockdown 1 produced the cleanest air I have ever know

It's so long ago I'd forgotten that but it was noticeable to me being asthmatic.

A positive, because of the negative.... But I shed a tear when the vaccine started being rolled out.

Lost my job in summer due to Covid but on the positive side at least I don't have to drive up and down the M65 to Darwen and back every day and I'm saving 40-50 quid a week on petrol.

Main positive for me has been since the Government relaxed the rules around childcare 'bubbles' so I get to pick up my 8 year old grandson after school most days and spend a couple of hours with him until his parents finish work

Bin Ont Turf wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 12, 2020 12:41 am

I have turned my "hatred" to Burnley folk who shop in Aldi.

I shop in Aldi in Burnley, what have I done to make you hate me?

I thought I'd saved money on going out but finished up keeping some of the local breweries in business with the amount of ale I've consumed at home. Fuel saving has certainly been nice but eventually I got sick of my car performing no task but to keep my driveway from floating away, so I sold it. Not a massive thing, you might say but the car was my dream car ever since being a teenager. In the grand scheme, it's not the greatest loss, but it's certainly been my greatest loss.

On to the real the positives, I've got to spend more time with my son. My job involves seeing customers globally, so some times I can go weeks without seeing him which is tough to take. This 9/10 months has been a blessing in that case. Also, I havent had to discuss Brexit with all and sundry across Europe and the wider world, which was really starting to get boring having the same conversations over and over.

I'm not going to lie and say it's been good but there has been slight silver linings.

I've discovered I can actually paint.

Longsider wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 12, 2020 1:29 pm

I've discovered I can actually paint.

Skirting boards or the Mona Lisa?

FactualFrank wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 12, 2020 1:34 pm

Skirting boards or the Mona Lisa?

Landscapes. Sunsets that kind of thing.

Longsider wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 12, 2020 1:46 pm

Landscapes. Sunsets that kind of thing.

Nice. You should post a few up on here.

I don't have to make up excuses not to go see people...
I can conduct most of my interpersonal relationships via WhatsApp/text and not feel bad about it.

Now i have to say the money what we have saved is very good for us , but what has shocked me is having to stay on my own country and been blown away with the bueaty of it which i may never have seen otherwise , hope to see more of it this coming year also .
Ireland has a lot to offer .

FactualFrank wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 12, 2020 1:49 pm

Nice. You should post a few up on here.

here is a crushed up coke can I was messing around with earlier. Hardley the Campbell soup can but I find it kind of relaxing.



And a sunset I did. It's very basic but without lockdown I would never have even attempted anything like this.

Longsider wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 12, 2020 1:46 pm

Landscapes. Sunsets that kind of thing.

I’m jealous. I have no such talents.

I got to retire 7 years early and actually found I enjoy it.

Plenty of things I could say have gone well for me and my partner since March, but they do not compensate for these terrible times...IMO.