Have you tried Zoom yet? Everyone’s doing it. Why not you? Zoom makes sheltering in place a little more fun. (And no, I haven’t been paid by Zoom to promote the thing. 
It’s just that when I find something I like, I want to share it with my friends.)
My niece Caitlin introduced me to Zoom and talked me through it the first time. Over the phone, of course, because we are under “stay at home” orders, here in Maine. Of course, I’m still seeing plenty of folks and their stress-related eating habits up close and personal, what with my job cashiering down to the A&P. Heck, I don’t blame ‘em.
Some customers are telling me they’re feeling like they’re spending too much time alone. Or too much time with family. Skype’s good way to stay connected, FaceTime, too. (Wow, I sound like a really know what I’m talking about!) But it’s hard to get a real party going just one-on-one. I mean, how can the Women Who Run with the Moose do our girls night? We’ve been getting together once a week since God was in diapers. We weren’t about to let no global pandemic stand in our way. No siree bob!
I was explaining our problem to Caitlin and she said, “Gee, Aunt Ida, how about Zoom?”
“We can’t go to a zumba class right now,” I says. “They’re all closed.”
“No, Zoom. It’s like FaceTime, only with more people.”
“Sign me up!” (It was a no brainer.)
So here’s the deal. You just sign up on line. It’s real easy. There are videos on how to do it if you’re having trouble. Or get an IT expert on it, meaning have a kid to help you. You can try it for free as long as you keep your meeting to forty minutes. But no way is that enough time for us gals. So the Women Who Run With the Moose went all in and bought a year of Zoom out of our pin money. We usually save that for our field trips, but, you know….coronavirus.
Oh, Zoom is wicked fun because it kind of looks like “The Brady Bunch,” with all our faces in them little boxes. That or Hollywood Squares.
Here’s some of our Zoom tips:
- Use the “gallery view,” not the “speaker view.” That way, you can see everyone at once. Besides, with the speaker view, the person talking is automatically real big on the screen. That’s just too much of a good thing, if you know what I’m saying.
- Be careful of your background noise or use the mute button. Though fat chance any of us gals would voluntarily mute ourselves. That ain’t going to happen!
- Make sure your background looks nice, and give fair warning to anyone in your house so they don’t accidentally streak by in their birthday suit. Again, too much of a good thing.
- I saved the best for last. This is technical, so I’ll walk you through it. Open up the Zoom like you’re starting a meeting. Go to the bottom of your screen (that’s where it is on my Apple) to the picture of the video. You might have to hunt around for it. Now click on the arrow. In the pop-up menu, click on “video settings.” Then (wait for it), click on “touch up my appearance.” OMG! It’s the best! It fuzzes out your face just a little, so you look better. Kind of like looking at yourself in the mirror without your bifocals on.
Anyhoo, the Women Who Zoom are having a blast. Now we’re taking turns suggesting theme nights. Whoever comes up with the theme, does research on the appropriate food and drink, and then sends out the recipes, so we’re all eating and drinking the same stuff. And, we get dressed up to fit the theme, of course. Plus, no one has to be the DD (designated driver), so it’s a win/win.
Last week, it was “High School Dance.” We got dressed up in something we might have worn back then. We had a choice of drinks: Sloe Gin Fizz, Tom Collins, or a Budweiser. On the menu: hamburgers, french fries, and ice cream.
Coming up: “Queen For a Day” (so we can wear our tiaras). Then “Dude Ranch” (might involve canned beans and tequila). Also in the line up “Club Med,” (tropical drinks and straw hats, but no bathing suits. Sheltering in place is not what you’d call bathing suit friendly.)
Folks, we need connection now more than ever. We’re Zooming our way through this thing, how about you?
That’s it for now. Stay well, and catch you on the flip side!
Hear Ida Tell It: Women Who Zoom
Check out Ida’s PSA: Coronavirus Shuffle here.