re: How bad has 2020 been for you personally?

I got divorced in 2019, so I was just starting to make decent headway back in the dating scene right before Covid hit. Since then, my dating life has come to a screeching hault. Professionally, covid cancelled the july bar exams, so I could not get licensed in any other states. The virus lockdowns also dried up an already tight job market in my area and has put increasing pressure on my ability to keep my own job. It also completely eliminated my side hustle (live music performance), sabotaged my band’s big break (got our singer into the finals on Idol), sabotaged our album release (couldn’t get into the studio to oversee mastering resulting in a subpar product which we cannot promote in person), and I got f$&king shingles as a result of all of the financial, personal, and career stress.

So, Covid has eliminated my love life, threatened my job, killed my alternative revenue stream, eliminated most other jobs in my field which I could have moved to if I lost my job, and eliminated my ability to go elsewhere to escape a bad local job market. I’ve also gained a ton of weight in quarantine, but that’s mostly on me.

January through mid march was awesome, tbh.

Mixed bag:

January: LSU capped the greatest year in program history with a national championship and I got to go to the game with my dad and had decent seats. Everything about that game and the trip around it was flawless.

February: I lost one of my best friends, who I had known for more than 35 years. This is how I’ll remember 2020.

April: My employer of 6 years lost the government contract I had been working. The new contract winner decided to retain me. Their company sucks.

June: I landed a job with a much better company. Private sector work. Better pay. Better benefits. Resulting from the job change I got 2 beach trips this summer.

September: I opted out of my LSU season tix for the season. Turns out LSU is awful.

March through now: I spent $10 on a cloth mask and wear it when I have to. Other than that, the effects of the government overreaction to COVID haven’t impacted much of my daily life.

damn this got dark...
to all who are suffering I wish the peace of mind and inner strength to persevere. And the courage to ask for help if you need it

things are going to get better even if they get worse first.

Sorry to hear about all the folks with troubles.

Other than my wife's invalid parents dying in a freak house fire in early March, we've done well.

Wife quit job to become a travel nurse and spent May June July in NYC. Found a waterfront apt 10 mins from her hospital. As there was no traffic i could make it up there in 5 hours. She made bank and continues to but now close to home.

My job was unaffected, actually have more people now. Working from home allows me to get more done here on our foreclosure farm we bought last year. And I can hunt on workdays.

Kids are more bored than usual w no sports to play and school messed up. But they've learned something about patience.

And driving alot less so less wear and tear on vehicles and less $ for fuel.

Nobody got Covid even tho wife has cared for Covid patients most of the year.

Our social life hasn't diminished much. Still go out every weekend to see live music and dance. And have had numerous pool parties and bonfires.

All and all, mostly positive.

Paid off student loans, paid off credit card debt, bought my first home. Would've been the best year ever for me if not for COVID. I'm always optimistic about the future.

Been a mixed bag for me. More pros than cons, but I understand there are so many not as fortunate and that is terrible.

Pros:
Took the kids to Disney World in January.
Promotion in April and have been working the whole time.
Wife's business was able to get the PPP and EIDL, plus was able to stay open the whole time, although less revenue.
Bought a new truck in May.
Bought more firearms.
Just bought an 85" tv.
Will pay off my student loans this month.
No one close to me has died from covid-19.

Cons:
Covid-19 obviously.
My wife's step dad is having some unexplained headaches, hypersomnia.
Just had a friend and former coworker diagnosed with ALS, this just happened so it has been a rough few days.
Lost my new firearms in a boating incident.

quote:

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My EX of 11yrs went fckk someone in a camp on Grand Island back on August 29th and 30th.

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Wow, what a complete whore. Her loss.I enjoy reading your posts to see pictures of your beautiful dog. You’ll find someone who deserves you, and she’ll still be miserable.

Depressing. My entire family’s small business is still closed bc of JBE. A few of my brothers had to temporarily take jobs in Texas while their families stay here. It’s really hard to see good, hard working people and their 55 year old business suffer.

Lost my job when I was laid off, still can’t find work. Unemployment is about to run out. We’ll be okay, but it’ll be super tight after Christmas. My Grandmother also now has COVID.

But I’m still here. My family is healthy and we’re all together. So I have a lot to be thankful for.