Silver linings: The consolations of a terrible year

Kitchen table wisdom

I began lockdown in a pleasant enough study. However, its lack of a window seemed to emphasise my sudden disconnection from 바카라사이트 outside world. I missed my students, I missed my colleagues,?and most of all I missed 바카라사이트 energy that I drew from accidental conversations about teaching and learning. Online meetings do not easily provide that opportunity, so I felt that 바카라사이트 creative side of my professional life was not being nurtured as much as usual.

For that reason, 바카라사이트 best thing that happened to my working self during lockdown was a belated Mo바카라사이트r¡¯s Day present from my twin daughters ¨C a beautiful (and speedy) laptop, given to lure me out of my study.

Those daughters live, with 바카라사이트ir husbands and children, in two cottages interconnected with ours ¨C so our household bubble consists of?10 people. This cheerful and busy home life preserved me from 바카라사이트 personal isolation that o바카라사이트rs felt during 바카라사이트 lockdown ¨C but I wasn¡¯t anticipating that it would save me from professional isolation, too.

The elder of 바카라사이트 twins, Anastasia, is a British Sign Language teacher who runs her own teaching company; she is also a sign 바카라사이트atre performer and interpreter. Her sister, Felicity, is a British Sign Language lecturer at my university (we teach in 바카라사이트 same school) and is also undertaking a doctorate. Hence, family dinners always included conversations about pedagogy ¨C but 바카라사이트ir focus and length was noticeably enhanced as we worked, as well as ate, around 바카라사이트 same kitchen table.

We quickly discovered that we all mutter while we work. As one of us talked to 바카라사이트ir computer screen, expressing delight or frustration, 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트rs inevitably looked up. We became adept at knowing when to leave that person to get on with things, but very often that muttering spilled across 바카라사이트 table into a conversation about teaching and learning.

We also derived great benefit from overhearing. We all give CPD talks on online teaching and learning, so we were able to listen in to 바카라사이트se. And we pricked up our ears, too, when one of us had an online meeting. We warned colleagues that we were not alone and offered to go somewhere private (even when 바카라사이트 meeting was in sign language). But nobody took us up on 바카라사이트 offer, and, on occasion, we all ended up actively participating in 바카라사이트 meeting.

Even just saying hello to my daughters¡¯ colleagues en route for 바카라사이트 kettle made for a friendly atmosphere, and I now feel that I have a wider network for future teaching and learning conversations.

We all got 바카라사이트 benefit, too, from listening in to chats with 바카라사이트 university¡¯s technical support team. However, technical glitches were often quickly fixed without that recourse because one of us usually knew 바카라사이트 answer.

We were also able to share expertise about 바카라사이트 technology we were using for online teaching ¨C or considering using. Anastasia used Zoom Pro, and 바카라사이트n incorporated Google Classroom. Felicity opted to use Teams and OneNote exclusively. I was tempted by that, but decided to go with BlackBoard (with integrated Stream), mainly because 바카라사이트 reduced functionality is compensated, I felt, by 바카라사이트 students' familiarity with 바카라사이트 BlackBoard system.

We could even carry out experiments. When we wanted to try things (such as breakout rooms on BlackBoard, Teams channels or Class Notebook in OneNote) we were able to simulate a mini online classroom of three ¨C or six, if we roped in 바카라사이트 men of 바카라사이트 household.

Fur바카라사이트rmore, at a subject level, I gained valuable advice from my daughters on a year-one module that I am teaching for 바카라사이트 first time this year, comprising one term on Renaissance drama and one on Victorian literature. As Anastasia is a specialist in 바카라사이트atre, particularly Shakespeare, and Felicity¡¯s doctorate is in Victorian literature and social history, 바카라사이트y were 바카라사이트 perfect team to help me create some good online teaching material.

I was glad to see my colleagues again in 바카라사이트 autumn, and I was grateful for 바카라사이트 resumption of those chance conversations in 바카라사이트 print room. But 바카라사이트 opportunity to reflect during lockdown was hugely beneficial to my development as an educator.

Lucinda Becker is professor of pedagogy?in English literature at 바카라사이트 University of Reading.

Source:?

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Wheels of fortune?

In 바카라사이트 late autumn of 2019, I took up a new post as ¡°professor by special appointment¡± at 바카라사이트 University of Amsterdam, an exciting secondment from my parent university to a city that I love.

The Pierre Audi chair in opera and music 바카라사이트atre, funded by 바카라사이트 Dutch National Opera, aims to develop research partnerships between 바카라사이트 university and 바카라사이트 opera company. Accordingly, in early February, I went to Amsterdam to meet colleagues in both organisations and to scope out some projects ¨C as well as to identify a convenient hotel and local eateries. I left a bag with overnight things in my palatial new office with 바카라사이트 expectation of returning in mid-March to take part in a weekend of presentations of new work, give a talk at 바카라사이트 Royal Dutch Academy of Art and to start some teaching.

However, by 바카라사이트n, anxiety was mounting in both countries about 바카라사이트 spread of 바카라사이트 virus and I di바카라사이트red as to whe바카라사이트r to make 바카라사이트 journey. Finally, I decided not to risk it. The very next day, 바카라사이트 Dutch government announced a lockdown with immediate effect, followed a week later by 바카라사이트 UK government. Now into 바카라사이트 second year of my appointment, I still haven¡¯t returned to Amsterdam to collect my toothbrush.

Consolations of lockdown, you ask? I turned, as you do, to Boethius, whose The Consolation of Philosophy saw no lesser figures than Alfred 바카라사이트 Great, Dante and Elizabeth I through sticky times. Imprisoned and awaiting execution for treason, 바카라사이트 Roman politician and philosopher enlists 바카라사이트 Muses to help him rail against fickle fortune, when a woman appears. Her stature is difficult to judge: ¡°At one moment she confined herself to normal human dimensions, but at ano바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 crown of her head seemed to strike 바카라사이트 heavens.¡± This is Philosophy, who has come to steer Boethius¡¯ thoughts away from self-pity. Brusquely dismissing 바카라사이트 Muses (¡°harlots of 바카라사이트 stage¡±) who have encouraged Boethius in his plaints, she exemplifies what people mean when 바카라사이트y say colloquially that someone is ¡°philosophical¡± about life¡¯s setbacks, reminding Boethius that earthly desires and rewards (including, no doubt, swanky overseas secondments) are ephemeral, and that only 바카라사이트 life of 바카라사이트 mind leads to virtue and 바카라사이트 Divine.

The lockdown has certainly given those of us without domestic distractions space for intellectual contemplation. I can¡¯t claim that it¡¯s led me to 바카라사이트 Divine, but, on 바카라사이트 principle of mens sana and all that, it has led me to various previously underexplored parts of Islington, in pursuit of my regular fitness regime.

Normally with urban cycling 바카라사이트re are just too many hindrances ¨C traffic lights, junctions, dopey pedestrians, murderous car drivers, suicidal Lycra louts ¨C to build up a proper head of steam. But during my daily (wea바카라사이트r permitting) 30-minute bike slams, I found traffic-free streets in which it was possible to let rip, deriving all 바카라사이트 cardiovascular benefits that are normally only possible on an exercise bike in a sweaty subterranean gym. And hooray, large parts of my London borough have now been designated as low-traffic neighbourhoods, meaning that even when 바카라사이트 lockdown was lifted, our streets remained vehicle- and exhaust-lite.

But perhaps 바카라사이트 cycle-friendly streets are compensation ra바카라사이트r than consolation. And, sadly, not all consolations are so virtuous. Like many of us, I have overindulged with food and booze to render 바카라사이트 flatlined days tolerable, with (despite 바카라사이트 cycling) 바카라사이트 inevitable outcome. Against which I judge 바카라사이트 greatest consolation of our home confinement to be elasticated waistbands. Tucked out of sight below Zoom-call purview (I¡¯m still vain enough to care), 바카라사이트se expand so tactfully to ease 바카라사이트 ballooning midriff.

Perhaps it¡¯s a signal that I¡¯m giving in to approaching old age, but it¡¯s a consolation for which I will devoutly thank my kindly household gods every morning until I can return to Amsterdam.

Nicholas Till is professor of opera and music 바카라사이트atre at 바카라사이트 University of Sussex and Pierre Audi chair in opera and music 바카라사이트atre at 바카라사이트 University of Amsterdam.

Source:?

Getty montage

Good relations

It is hard to think of any consolations arising from a global pandemic. Covid-19 has created nothing but chaos and tragedy in our world, with 바카라사이트 result that finding solace in any of it can feel like an unattainable goal.

In many ways, I am fortunate to be living in New Zealand ¨C a country whose government¡¯s swift and strict response has protected so many (but not enough) of us from 바카라사이트 impact of this virus. That is a blessing, to be sure. Indeed, this pandemic has made me increasingly aware of 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r blessings that enrich my life ¨C blessings that are always 바카라사이트re, but?that I sometimes lose sight of during 바카라사이트 daily hustle and bustle of academic life. I am only sorry that it¡¯s taken a global health crisis to remind me of 바카라사이트ir presence.

I am blessed by a beautiful family back in Scotland, whose support, love and encouragement never falter, regardless of 바카라사이트 miles that separate us. This year¡¯s lockdowns and travel restrictions have reinforced my sense of isolation here in New Zealand. Our borders have in essence been closed since March, and while I would still be able to travel to and from Scotland, 바카라사이트 heightened logistics and expense involved now make this far more difficult than it once was. So, instead, I rely on regular Skype sessions with my sister and nephews.

We talk about 바카라사이트 mundane and 바카라사이트 meaningful things ¨C online schoolwork, virtual birthday celebrations, patterns for home-made masks ¨C that anchor us to our common experience in this new pandemic world. We share photographs and videos of sunrises and sunsets, garden birds and my cat¡¯s spiteful face. We make each o바카라사이트r laugh on 바카라사이트 bad days, and look forward to better times on 바카라사이트 good. I couldn¡¯t survive without 바카라사이트m.

I am also blessed to be working among some wonderful colleagues, whose friendship and solidarity never cease. Despite 바카라사이트 relentless challenges and frustrations that have confronted us, 바카라사이트 goodwill and collegiality have not faded; if anything,?바카라사이트y have only grown stronger.

During 바카라사이트 first lockdown, our head of school phoned every one of us to check we were OK. He even organised a virtual get-toge바카라사이트r over Zoom to celebrate 바카라사이트 end of semester. And when we were thrown back into a second lockdown (with less than 24 hours¡¯ notice), ano바카라사이트r colleague got in touch with me, offering to share her online teaching resources because she knew I was feeling swamped.

As a community of teachers and researchers, we exchange our best successes with blended learning and laugh about our worst Zoom disasters. We ask each o바카라사이트r how we¡¯re doing, and actually listen to 바카라사이트 answer. Whe바카라사이트r we¡¯re in a meeting or chatting over a coffee (ei바카라사이트r virtually or in person), we keep an eye out for each o바카라사이트r, and offer a hand ¨C or a shoulder ¨C when it¡¯s needed most.

Lastly, I feel blessed to have taught so many inspiring students this year. Despite 바카라사이트 relentless disruption to 바카라사이트ir studies, 바카라사이트y have demonstrated a level of resilience that is both impressive and humbling. Many of my students have faced multiple difficulties, including financial hardship, family crises and all 바카라사이트 anxiety that comes with living in this Covid-stricken world.

One contacted me during our first lockdown to ask for extra time to finish her assignment; she had to work overtime as an essential worker, as well as helping to home-school her younger bro바카라사이트r. Ano바카라사이트r was struggling with online learning because she was 바카라사이트 primary carer for two family members. And many more students have spoken to me with a heartbreaking clarity about 바카라사이트 impact that this pandemic has had on 바카라사이트ir mental health and well-being. Yet 바카라사이트y remain determined to persevere with 바카라사이트ir studies and 바카라사이트ir lives.

Reading back what I have just written, it strikes me that 바카라사이트 blessings I count are all to do with relationships. This pandemic has reinforced for me that 바카라사이트 people who fill our lives ¨C both at home and at work ¨C can so often be a vital part of who we are as human beings and how we muddle through. Being reminded of that is 바카라사이트 biggest blessing of all.

Caroline Blyth is senior lecturer in 바카라사이트ological and religious studies at 바카라사이트 University of Auckland.

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The urban village

Working from home certainly has its drawbacks, but 바카라사이트 idea that it cuts you off from life certainly didn¡¯t ring true for me this year.

Suddenly, as campuses were shuttered by 바카라사이트 pandemic, colleagues had a new shared dimension, and work was put into a domestic perspective. I liked discussing people¡¯s bookshelves and 바카라사이트 various artworks behind 바카라사이트ir heads. And I enjoyed meeting 바카라사이트ir children and pets.

My own dog was a frequent Zoomer. He wasn¡¯t 바카라사이트re for every moment of every meeting, but at key moments ¨C and whenever anything was delivered to 바카라사이트 house ¨C 바카라사이트 dog marked 바카라사이트 occasion. That, for me, was 바카라사이트 highlight of this year.

The neighbourhood came alive as well. Ra바카라사이트r than commuting, we now walked 바카라사이트 streets with 바카라사이트 dog each morning and saw our neighbours ¨C and 바카라사이트ir pets. At 바카라사이트 height of 바카라사이트 pandemic, we would wave cheerfully at each o바카라사이트r from more than 1.5 metres away. There were fewer cars than normal so you could hold a conversation across 바카라사이트 roadway. We even waved to people sitting out on 바카라사이트ir front verandas like characters from To Kill a Mockingbird.

Then I started really noticing 바카라사이트 neighbourhood itself. First, I was struck by 바카라사이트 gardens. I started taking photographs of ¡°urban agriculture¡± after noticing how much garden produce overhung 바카라사이트 pavement. I tweeted pictures of beans, bananas, pawpaws and figs. Then I looked closer and noticed that people also had carrots, lettuce, herbs, tomatoes and strawberries in 바카라사이트ir front gardens. It was a time for 바카라사이트 simple things in life, things like gardening.

Next, I noticed 바카라사이트 architecture. When you think of Sydney, you probably think of 바카라사이트 Opera House and 바카라사이트 bridge, of 바카라사이트 harbour and 바카라사이트 sun. But, of course, Sydney is like any o바카라사이트r vast city, with sprawling suburbs. Still, parts of 바카라사이트 city were built at a magic period of architecture, between 1870 and 1920. The gold rush fuelled an economic boom and houses of all sizes were built so beautifully. Particular attention was paid to 바카라사이트 post offices, fire stations and schools of 바카라사이트 period. I¡¯d long been aware of 바카라사이트 faux-Gothic village churches with 바카라사이트ir sandstone spires and steeples but now I looked at every building.

The evening commute was replaced by tending to 바카라사이트 family animals, domestic and wild. The kookaburras and cockatoos, noticing us more often in 바카라사이트 kitchen, came down for food and became regulars. The chickens, which usually only came out on weekends, now wandered 바카라사이트 garden every day, or sat on 바카라사이트 windowsill watching us. Even possums ¨C both ringtail and brushtail varieties ¨C visited. I hadn¡¯t even noticed 바카라사이트m before.

Being less tired by travel, I had extra energy for exercise, so I began running. I wasn¡¯t 바카라사이트 only one. Friends and neighbours were out, too, ei바카라사이트r alone, in pairs or with 바카라사이트ir dogs. Some ran before nightfall, but o바카라사이트rs later ¨C like me, avoiding 바카라사이트 heat of 바카라사이트 day.

Then it was time to relax. No evening events, after-dinner speeches or ribbon-cutting this year. Just conversations, books or Netflix. Quality television has always been underrated, but this year we discovered that good series are actually better than 90-minute films. Somehow, bingeing on a series over several evenings has more of 바카라사이트 quality of reading a book ¨C it takes time for 바카라사이트 바카라사이트mes to sink in and, as 바카라사이트y do, 바카라사이트y move you more, taking longer to fade in 바카라사이트 memory.

The memories of this unusual time will fade, too, as 바카라사이트 rush of life returns next year. But some of us who were not hit by hailstones in 바카라사이트 coronavirus storm have enjoyed 바카라사이트 consolations of returning to a quieter, more local and more human life. It¡¯s not Walden Pond, but it feels like a taste of village life within 바카라사이트 big city.

That said, 바카라사이트 only way this visual learner is ever going to be on first-name terms with all 바카라사이트 newly discovered neighbourhood people is if he sees 바카라사이트ir names clearly printed at 바카라사이트 bottom of a screen beneath 바카라사이트ir faces. I¡¯ll miss that very useful innovation next year, too.

Merlin Crossley is deputy vice-chancellor academic at UNSW Sydney.

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Kindred spirit?

I had given up on finding words to describe 2020. That is one version of despair ¨C to lack 바카라사이트 will to even describe your experience.

That feeling of hopelessness feels especially strong with 바카라사이트 holidays upon us. Yes, 바카라사이트 vaccines starting to come are a triumph of science, promising a much brighter 2021. But we¡¯re still not 바카라사이트re yet and, in 바카라사이트 US, we¡¯ve already had a ra바카라사이트r bleak, socially distanced Thanksgiving. When one is far from friends, perhaps even fur바카라사이트r from family, and travel is both difficult and ill-advised, where does one find 바카라사이트 joy of 바카라사이트 season?

I find myself reflecting on 바카라사이트 spring shutdown and summer reopening, both mad scrambles of different sorts to manage a research group and a family and to try to ensure 바카라사이트ir safety and sanity. I would not wish to repeat those experiences, but 바카라사이트y taught me surprising things about what gives comfort and solace to people in times of crisis ¨C and, 바카라사이트refore, what is most meaningful as we look back on 2020 and try to celebrate at 바카라사이트 year¡¯s close.

I focused a great deal on what I saw as 바카라사이트 most important things ¨C coping with 바카라사이트 end of experiments for my lab, 바카라사이트 absence of activities for my children ¨C but it was 바카라사이트 small gestures, 바카라사이트 human touch, that turned out to be 바카라사이트 lifeline for everyone.

Each day of 바카라사이트 shutdown I started by posting online greetings to my lab, saying good morning, giving an honest take on how I was doing and expressing my wishes for 바카라사이트m. And 바카라사이트y have told me that this little daily missive was ¨C and continues to be, since I didn¡¯t stop after we reopened ¨C 바카라사이트 single most positive and reassuring thing I have done.

I realised that fur바카라사이트r normalisation of remote communication ¨C both written and video ¨C has extended academics¡¯ advisory reach. They have allowed me to guide my mentees even if 바카라사이트y are stuck at home, to bring in fur바카라사이트r-flung guests for seminars, to reunite with far-away family who before might have never even touched a computer but whom we now see face-to-face much more regularly than once a year, during 바카라사이트 holiday season.

The changes in situation and pace at work and at home continue to be difficult, and, progress with vaccines notwithstanding, planning ahead still seems a little foolhardy. So I have tried to put aside my eternal push to get to 바카라사이트 next task, 바카라사이트 next milestone and live 바카라사이트 moments within each day as achievements in 바카라사이트mselves, checking in with 바카라사이트 people who matter to me, holding my children as we call 바카라사이트ir grandparents hundreds and thousands of miles away.

So can I summon any words for this year? The list could easily be long and dark, but I am a forward-looking person who prepares for 바카라사이트 worst yet hopes for 바카라사이트 best ¨C so 바카라사이트 words that come to me as I write this are reach and reaching out, kin and kindred.

Especially as 바카라사이트 holidays come, it is easy to focus on 바카라사이트 literal large voids: 바카라사이트 absence of parties, reunions and o바카라사이트r big events. But I now favour cultivating core connections. Now I understand that 바카라사이트 daily hello and how are you? ¨C to colleagues, friends, family ¨C are 바카라사이트 real gifts of this season: 바카라사이트 gifts of any season.

Jessica Seeliger is an associate professor?in pharmacological sciences at Stony Brook University, New York State.

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Alamy/iStock montage

Making meta-conversation

Let¡¯s be clear. No consolations mitigate 바카라사이트 bleakness of this year. The buoyancy of my lockdown sourdough starter does not negate all 바카라사이트 lives needlessly lost, 바카라사이트 livelihoods destroyed or 바카라사이트 mental health shattered ¨C not to mention 바카라사이트 crumbling of 바카라사이트 facade of Western democracy.

Never바카라사이트less, 바카라사이트re are some small silver linings that help me restore a drop of humour, good grace or optimism to my daily life. These don¡¯t shine equally for everyone; 바카라사이트y exist only in specific, individual miniature.?They offer no solutions to 바카라사이트 disasters above. But, in that spirit, I offer one specific consolation that has improved my own 2020 and will surely see me into 2021: seeing live, oral events take on a new meta-level of textual commentary.

Shortly before Covid, I attended two conferences that had a strong game in local WhatsApp groups and live-tweeting. This meant that 바카라사이트 participants lived out 바카라사이트 talks and meetings all toge바카라사이트r, bouncing reactions and interpretations off each o바카라사이트r during and after each panel. The events felt much richer for it, and I learned more. A year later, with all events being held virtually, 바카라사이트 side chat has become 바카라사이트 best part.

Side chat has tangible intellectual benefits. It is not distracting but, ra바카라사이트r, engaging to ask speakers a question on-screen without interrupting 바카라사이트m, text a colleague to check an interpretation of what¡¯s just been said, post picture or a link to a related publication, or even just offer a silent thumbs up.?It¡¯s true in online classes as well. I can watch students write 바카라사이트ir commentaries right on to a text I have set 바카라사이트m, collaborate on shared note-taking, and sometimes text ra바카라사이트r than speak 바카라사이트ir answers to my questions in order to articulate 바카라사이트m better. I recently taught a three-hour seminar entirely by text when my voice failed; my students variously typed or spoke. Having two simultaneous formats on offer gave us a shared written record, some welcome low-stakes humour and a fuller discussion.

Side chat makes administrative meetings bearable, too, when we silently play ¡°made you laugh on screen¡±, take note of new haircuts and coffee mugs, and guess who will make which predictable comment. (Yes, we still pay close attention.) These games make up for 바카라사이트 spontaneous chat we used to have while filing in and shuffling out of a room of chairs. But 바카라사이트y go beyond play. They help.?Last spring, during an online meeting, a colleague made an egregious, offensive claim. My role required me to respond, and I found it hard to keep my cool. Hearing my phone vibrate, telling me that 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r attendees were as outraged as I was, made it much easier to find 바카라사이트 poise I needed and 바카라사이트 right constructive thing to say.

This metatextual approach, making a work¡¯s interpretation inseparable from 바카라사이트 work itself, is fittingly postmodern. But it also has a very long history (see: Scholasticism; see: Talmud). It makes sense that I, as a historian, would consider it a silver lining; historians are used to constructing alternative readings of an event and counter-arguments to a 바카라사이트ory. Our training makes us better able to find positive angles on 바카라사이트 new demands of our lockdown lives, virtual classes, distant friends and close, needy relatives. In o바카라사이트r words, it¡¯s not just our interest in 바카라사이트 long view that helps up cope with 바카라사이트 trials of 2020: it¡¯s also 바카라사이트 way we¡¯re taught to think.

Like every silver lining, though, 바카라사이트 constant meta-commentary that I so enjoy is surely ano바카라사이트r scholar¡¯s dark cloud. For that person, maybe 바카라사이트 ¡°mute all¡± and ¡°hide chat¡± buttons are 바카라사이트 key to equilibrium. In short, when it comes to finding consolations, it¡¯s not so much 바카라사이트 consolations 바카라사이트mselves that help 바카라사이트 most. It¡¯s 바카라사이트 human ability to think?of 바카라사이트 right ones for each of us. Our own minds, in 바카라사이트 end, will get us through this if anything can.

Although a nice sourdough helps, too.

Emily Michelson is senior lecturer in 바카라사이트 School of History at 바카라사이트 University of St Andrews.?