What day is it again?

As I write this Utah is one of seven states not enforcing a “Stay at home” regulation. I’m not sure how much different it would be; any business deemed non-essential is closed anyway so our streets have very limited traffic. Visiting Lowes yesterday didn’t feel terribly different; if people weren’t wearing masks it could have been any day. Driving home though it was impossible not to notice the restaurants, bars, tattoo shops, salons and everything in-between with empty parking lots. I work in an “essential” business that is running out of work. I sell automotive paint to body shops which depend on vehicles getting wrecked so when people aren’t driving and those that are seem to be driving like old ladies (read: slow-sorry, but they generally do!) nobody crashes into one another. It seems that unless you are Costco or a grocery/liquor store you are expendable. I get it-if I wrecked my car and it was still drivable I would likely wait too. And back to Lowes; I could have lived without my purchase but it was nice just to get out of the house. The layoffs (or furloughs if you prefer) came with a vengeance this week and my company was no exception losing about 1/3 the workforce and those still standing took a pay-cut as much as 35%. I am on 100% commission so my compensation is funded entirely on sales. No sales, no money, no problem. I was relieved to hear that the company would cover my benefits including health-care for 120 days. Funny how quickly your life can get turned upside down when you’re not looking.

I can see now how people forced to be at home can feel out of sync. Even though I get up at the same time everyday and follow much of the same routine, I am finding the days all an extension of one another. Monday is no different than Wednesday which is the same as Friday and the weekend is just something we all used to look forward to. There are no outside appointments or meetings to attend during the week, and Sunday brunch with the family is on hold so everyday is kind of the same. Even the news is the same-grim.

It has been interesting how many people have created on-line opportunities for education and entertainment. I knew the schools would have to since classrooms are closed for the year but the kids still need to learn. It has been fun to see every manner of entertainer offering a musical or comical diversion. Even TV news personalities are broadcasting something to keep the kids busy. Watching all this gave me an idea; I was dreaming up an idea to stay connected with my customers that was socially acceptable in todays environment and decided on starting a YouTube channel, its called “Corey’s Social Distancing Sales” channel and it launched April 1st. What a joke right? Oh yeah, this week’s restaurant was the Himalayan in SLC, Utah. It was excellent!