Chatting with Folks During Vaccination Period

 

I am so thankful that I was able to get my first and second COVID vaccines in February 2021.  Since President Biden took office, I have advocated for the vaccines.  I promote on my Facebook Timeline.

But, vaccine supplies are now limited, posing a challenge for many. So, I realized that I can no longer call folks because I have been fully vaccinated, but more than likely they have not. It is so important to be careful with communications and phone chats as folks may be a bit resentful. 

I will never ask anyone if they have been fully vaccinated.  I do not want to cause others to feel bad.  I will continue to advocate for vaccinations on my Facebook Timeline.  So, if anyone contact me and bring up the topic, engagement will take place.

I hope things will get better.  Today, many states have opened eligibility to 16 to 64 years with co-morbidities. Also, Johnson & Johnson's one dose vaccine goes under FDA scrutiny tomorrow.   So, with more vaccines becoming available with good quality control, things should start improving soon.

We Can Do This!

Here's an update!  2/25/2021  My aunt called me last night.  I had been wanting to chat with her to follow up.  I listened carefully.  Before we finished chatting, the topic of COVID vaccines came up. She has not yet been vaccinated, but does indeed want to get vaccinated. So, I instant messaged her son, who lives with her, the links where he can register her to get vaccinated.  He acknowledged the link. I hope he follows through. 

I also received a instant message from a cousin. She disclosed she recovered from COVID. She is a bit hesitant about taking the vaccine.  BUT, she will have no choice.  Her employer is currently preparing policy mandating vaccinations.  

COVID Vaccines

 

WOW!  I have been busy! No blog in about 2 months.  2021 has been a challenge from so many perspectives! Now, the big focus in the US is for folks to get vaccinated!!!!  

My timing was perfect! I saw my MD in January 2021 who signed me up for the vaccine.  Within a couple of weeks, the medical center contacted me and I scheduled for the first vaccine in February 2021.  Everything went great from registration to my status following the first dose.  I received the Pfizer vaccine.  I was immediately given an appointment for my 2nd vaccine.

I received my 2nd vaccine yesterday! Once again, everything went great!  I am just so thankful that everything went well for me for both vaccinations!

Here are my vaccination photos...

We can do this!!!!!

Thinking January 2 2021

 

Just quietly thinking things through on this Saturday morning. A lot of things happening.  Sometimes its best to blog instead of talking things through with others. So much stuff happening with the pandemic. Its sensory overload. Good to know about rates, we have to hear about incidents so that folks can make the right decisions in life.

Niece 

I am concerned about my niece. Her mom / my sister passed in 2020.  My niece and I were fairly close as we made arrangements. She would come over for fish fries, have cocktails and chat. But things changed as Fall approached.  I suspected risky behaviors during a pandemic. I told her, if she and her dad were at risk, I could just drop off food.  She said, "Drop off food."  I appreciated the honesty.

We stayed in touch for Thanksgiving.  She came to my car to pick up food trays.  The same approach for Christmas.  BUT, I stopped hearing from her when New Year approached.  Yesterday, she told me she was in Florida and got into a fight with her rotten cousin.  I saw the photos.  I suspected she was there as I saw the photos on Instagram.  No one with mask in a very infected Florida.  I am so disappointed in her for putting her father at risk who she lives with.   They both make poor decisions.

That disappointing disclosure really made me sad. Everyone knows that I am a COVID COP of sorts. I strongly believe and support public safety guidelines.  For her to have flown to Florida to be with a demonic cousin who never masks, just really upset me to no ends. I just have to chalk is up and say... That's Life. What a sad life.  She is an adult and knows better.  I more than likely will never see her again.  I just simply cannot place myself at risk.  

I am so sad.

Work

I am semi-retired, but will fully retire in 2021.  I was not given a contract to teach this month. Its okay.  I am an adjunct so nothing is guaranteed.  The new dean does not like me. Whatever.  The school is lousy and on probation.  

My other job is 6 hours a week... and remote.  I have been extremely successful with every assignment.  But, my boss scolds me beyond my comfort. I don't play that.  She is now trying to micro-manage me.  I won't go into details.  My orientation was lousy.  I meet with boss in a few weeks.  Will give notification that day.  Work out a transition out.  I don't need any stressors from a 6 hour a week gig.

Social Media

I am currently in Facebook Jail.  Need I say more?  LOL!

My Approach to Facebook in 2021

 

I am very glad that in 2020, Facebook has FINALLY started to enforce their Community Standards. They now have ZERO tolerance for vicious behaviors.  I am currently serving my 4th sentence in Facebook Jail.  This time I have a 30 day sentence which will be over January 8 2021.

I will not go back to Facebook Jail.  I will be cognizant of my emotions and be mindful of my posts, comments and replies from this point on.  No more profanity. No more harmful slurs. I'm smart.  I do not have to sit back and accept vicious attacks... I know how to articulate intelligently.

Let me add that as a female group Admin, I have been attacked horribly in other groups.  But, now that Facebook has a ZERO tolerance for vicious behaviors, I will report attacks so that the group can be shut down.  I never allow group Admins to be attacked in any of my groups.  Yes, Facebook has been shutting down groups big time in the later part of 2020.

I also now know how to manage all of my social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Facebook:

For Facebook, I lockdown my profile back in March.  I was taught how to do this effectively by a group of Facebook Group Admins.  It took one full week for me to accomplish the profile lockdown.   Only Facebook friends can access my profile now.  Plus, I no longer accept new Facebook Friends.  Those days of accepting strangers as "friends" are long over.  Believe that!

Twitter:

Twitter is just as nasty.  But, I now know how block Twitter members.  I am considering locking my Twitter profile.  But, I hesitate because I do not want to limit myself to just "followers".   So for now, I'll just block those who have a need to attack my replies in news sites. I have 191 Twitter followers. I guess that's okay.  But, I'm watching them closely. 

Instagram:

Instagram is fine.  I know how to block followers on Instagram as well.   So, I'm good on Instagram. There is not a lot of engagement on Instagram.  I do monitor my followers and comments to my photos. So far, so good.  I have 231 Instagram followers.  I guess that's okay too.  

So, I'll be fine on Facebook in 2021.  Folks have noticed that I have not posted in a while. I am able to chat on Messenger. Folks enjoy my engagement on Facebook so I'll stay out of Facebook Jail.  Plus, I have exactly 20 Facebook Groups that I created and manage.  I am able to manage my groups while in Facebook Jail, but I cannot post.  But, this is my last time in Jail.  

I am looking forward to professional Janet-like social media engagement in 2021 and beyond.  I can do this!

Reflections on Christmas Day 2020

 

Got an opportunity to do some reflections on this Christmas Day 2020.  Things are fine. I am currently in Facebook Jail serving a 30 day sentence. I get released on January 8, 2021.  The time being served has actually been good as I am spending less time in social media.  So, let's get to some reflections.

I have been a HUGE proponent of masks and all of the public safety guidelines since March 2020.  I have been serious about my position.  I posted all types of PSA from CDC to educate others about this horrible respiratory pandemic. I practice what I preach.  I never leave home without a mask. I did outdoor dining with a few relatives and remained masked as I dined.  No one has been invited into my home since the pandemic except my son. We essentially share the same bubble.

I have been "unfriended" on Facebook because of my pro-mask position.  I say good riddance.

I used to jet off to Las Vegas every other month until 2020.  Too dangerous.  Too risky.  I even have a very popular Facebook Group that just reached 23K members.  I no longer plan to do anymore traveling especially air travel.  Folks will snack on peanuts just as a reason to remove their masks.  I will not deal with those fiends.

I have a Facebook Friend who never stopped traveling.  She flies from the east coast to Las Vegas earlier this year.  When home she and her husband go to casinos.  She often goes to many indoor venues for concerts.  I've never seen her don a mask. NEVER.  But, I'm like... whatever.  She had a trip booked for Vegas this week.  They had to cancel because she became sick.  She said she has pneumonia. I wish her well.

I just browsed her timeline. Last month she went to many indoor venues. Very few folks with masks. No social distancing.  I guess that is how they roll down south.

I know a  couple in North Carolina. They travel to Vegas a lot. They bragged about having booked a 1st class flight to Vegas this year.  They had to cancel 2 to 3 times.  They never went to Las Vegas this year.  They post many photos of their home life.  Photos with friends.  None wearing masks.  They guy disclosed to me a couple of months ago they both were COVID +.  

I just want folks to be serious about combating this virus. The US should have had the infection rate under control back in the summer.  But folks ignored the situation.  So many Facebook LIVE parties, get togethers and such.  It was horrible and a disgrace.

I have a former Facebook Friend who is an RN.  She lives in Colorado. She travels extensively to Las Vegas.  She flew to Vegas this summer, connected with friends their for several days.  She then did a road trip to visit family members. She posted photos.  Members in my Facebook Group attacked her horribly.  They challenged her behavior.  I rarely saw her with mask.  After about 2 weeks, she returned to work.... in a nursing home. I feel sorry for the poor residents under her care.  She was so horribly attacked, she left the group.  Good riddance.

I cannot control or influence others. I'll just continue to simply do me.  Yes, its boring. It is cold in Chicago. But, its important to continue to shelter-in-place.  I have to continue to stay physically fit. I now have a treadmill and mini-stepper.  I got to get through this bitter Chicago winter.  I did outdoor powerwalks all week... until yesterday when it became bitter cold.

So... what's my plan for today?  This will be my first Christmas alone.  My son opted to stay home. So, its just me.  I've been cooking for 3 days.  My Christmas menu is roasted chicken, cornbread dressing, collard greens with ham hocks,  potato salad, cranberry sauce and dinner rolls. I will drop off a tray to my niece and her dad.  My brother will to a non-contact pick up at my lobby door.   Skilled selfies will be done in all instances.  Then, I'll sit back and stream some movies... do some exercises and just chill.

I have a Facebook Friend who sometimes assist me with my group.  She is a mess!  Her life has always been full of drama.  She posts a lot of drama on her timeline.  She has a large extended family. She is the foster-mother of her baby brother.  I think their mom abuses drugs. So the baby was taken away and give to the Facebook Friend by the court. For some strange reason, she disclosed that she is gay.  But, I am not interested in knowing of anyone's sexual life.  Her grandmother recently passed.  That brought out a lot of in-family fighting.  Even her own dad is suing her.  Something is WRONG!!!!  To make matters worse, she told me she is now pregnant.  Pregnant during a pandemic is not good.  She creates too much drama.   Some problems do not need to be posted on one's timeline.  Just blog it and do not share the link. Sheesh!!! She is a sweet person, but creates unnecessary drama.  

Okay, chicken is almost done roasting.  

I think I'll post my thoughts here for the rest of the day.

I'm bored.  Nothing on TV, not interested in hearing about Trump.  Twitter is full of Trump.  Yahoo is full of Trump.  Bing is full of Trump.  UGH!

I am so sick of Ridiculousness!  

So, Merry Christmas!!!!

Strictly Remote Teaching

 

I have thought this over extensively.  I will ONLY do remote didactic teaching.  The CON / SON is moving to a new campus. Ultimately, they will want to occupy that new building.  They will soon only do in-person classes.

Let me get ready to NOT go!!!  Ain't happening here!!!!  Believe that!

Basic Options for Teaching in Colleges

 

Okay, I-Get-It!  It took a long while, but I finally get it.  I was in a tizzy for 2 weeks about teaching. I finally know the deal.  Here it is:

Full time faculty:  Involves lecturing and doing clinicals.  I did this before and hated it.  Required too much work. I was teaching, doing clinicals, developing lesson plans and all the other stuff that goes along.  I did a great job, but the demands on a new faculty were just too much.  

Clinical faculty:  Involves taking students for clinical training. I did this for a long time. Not for me. Students do not want to procure skills.  Their focus to pass didactic exams.  So much push back from students in every single CON/SON. Nope! Not doing that again!

Part time faculty:  I did this on Saturdays and Sundays.  It was nice. This would suit me ONLY for doing didactic. Part time involves continuous and uninterrupted employment, without the full time hours. This may  be okay.

Adjunct faculty:  This is my current position.  It is actually okay. I will only do didactic. But, my contracts have been irregular.  But, after giving more thought, I am fine with teaching the same subject as needed which will not be every session.  

Here is the difference between Part time and Adjunct:

•  Adjunct Faculty are not engaged in a continuous relationship. They are assigned work as they are available as the college has needs.
• Part- Time Faculty engage in a continuous relationship with with the college and the school is committed to providing work assignments on an ongoing quarterly basis. Only part-time faculty members may participate in Mentoring or Committee Work assignments or any other work assignment that may span four or more quarters.

Hence, Adjunct Faculty is fine for me. I do not want to take on any additional assignments.

I'm good.