Meet my new and best pandemic friend — Zoom

Now I don’t have to drive home tired after night meetings — I am already home

Zooming has become one of my favourite parts of this pandemic. While sighs and groans emanate from all corners about the prospect of another opportunity to seat oneself in front of a videocam and participate in a meeting or myriad other activities on this platform, I tend to look forward to how creative the next experience will be.

First of all, unlike regular meetings, Zoom, allows you to insert a virtual background so your fellow participants will never know what makeshift space you are calling an “office” these days.

(I do not have shares in Zoom, but it is clearly the video conferencing tool of choice with my work and leisure contacts.)

The first time I showed up to an online meeting and saw a colleague seemingly sitting on a beach complete with waves and swaying palm trees, I knew this was going to be fun. With a few clicks of a mouse I have sat myself in front of a Pride flag, in the beautiful chapel of the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Waterdown, under a rainbow umbrella beside my partner and her mom, and beside a variety of famous people appropriate for the occasion, including Lily Tomlin in a photo from the old Hollywood Squares.

When I took part in an exercise class from Rosedale Tennis Club, I had a nice blue tennis court from the ATP Tour in the background. (Association of Tennis Professionals) This background did doubleduty for board meetings of the club every two weeks as we phased in a return to singles and soon-to-be doubles on the outdoor-only ‘platforms’ of clay or newly resurfaced asphalt. While social bubbles are allowed in Ontario, indoor tennis bubbles are not.

I have participated in an Anglican youth group’s family talent night and watched young people perform preludes on their home pianos, gymnastics in their backyard, and magic tricks in the comfort of their own bedrooms, thanks to Zoom.

Never being much of a traveller, Zoom has made it possible for me to participate in meetings that normally take place in the U.S., and I only hear about afterward. Now I can Zoom-travel and never miss a meeting. Travelling to Guelph for the monthly Wellington Water Watcher’s board meetings is no longer necessary and I have not missed the car rentals or driving home tired at night.

Now the meeting ends and I’m already home.

Normally cost prohibitive studies and training sessions are now offering #StayAtHome rates. This week I attended Harvard’s “Emerging Leaders” program through Ryerson University. Mike Perry, known to many in Hamilton and across the province for his leadership in Basic Income, litigating a class-action suit on behalf of former participants, was leading a workshop on Leadership, Communication and Decision-Making. Mike made this learning such a fun experience with an exercise called, “Don’t picture an elephant,” (go ahead and try it!) and a chapter on cat videos and the success you will have with your messaging if you make it feline-friendly.

One thing I can’t do is zoom my nightly cornet playing for health care and other essential workers over at Good Shepherd Square. I started playing just a few nights before the Vernal Equinox and I will wrap up on the eve of the Summer Solstice.

The initiator of this community tribute, Pat Talbot, comes to her door every night at 7:25, and begins with a mediation as she plays her Tibetan Singing Bowl.

Then she moves her talented hands to sound out a rhythm on her Conga. Then I play two tunes and she concludes the session with the soothing sounds of the singing bowl.

The other thing that never worked on Zoom was my Mom. She has conspiracy theories about cellphones, computers and video cameras which I am unable to rid her of, so I haven’t seen her face except in old photos, since February 22. However, thanks to Pat, who has videoed our evening ritual each night since April 8, my Mom has been able to see me.

This weekend, I will put an end to this fast and venture out of my safe space into a rental car and over to London. Last night I played, “Mother and Child Reunion,” as I pictured our first hug.

Zoom has made it possible for me to participate in meetings that normally take place in the U.S.