Lockdown #2 - A much needed break (as much as I still miss "normal")

I hope everyone is safe and healthy in your own corners of the world. Here in Ontario, Canada we're about 1-week into our second provincial lockdown since the pandemic started. As awful as the pandemic is in general, and as much as I miss "normal" life (whatever that is), I welcomed the shutdown this time a little more than the first.

This is mostly because since we got back to work this past July, there has been so much extra to do, purchase, consider and deal with on a DAILY basis that it really weighed heavily on us. My wife and I own two businesses in our building; our cozy ArtiZen Coffee House & Lounge, which sits at the front of Zenergy Health & Wellness. As the owners of two businesses that deal with people (all day, everyday), there was a constant barrage of "extras" to deal with thanks to our current COVID lifestyle. Until just before Christmas, I didn't realize how much it really took out of us physically, mentally and emotionally. My wife and I needed the break.

I may have mentioned in previous posts, that I really don't get bored. I have so many interests and I'm easily entertained, so I keep the fun level high most days. Being a full year board game crazed fanatic hasn't hurt that side of things either. :)

Since Christmas, I've pretty much stuck with my new "Big-3 Games"; Terraforming Mars, Architects of the West Kingdom and PARKS. As a matter of fact, I just went for an indoor "hike" the other day and fared quite well. :) Mostly all solo gaming of course. Although have taught my wife and daughters PARKS and we've enjoyed a couple good rounds of that with all of us. TM has come to the table a bit more than the other two however. I've spent a fair bit of time on the red planet. It has nothing to do with liking it more than my other two new games, however TM seems to have an addictive quality that keeps you coming back just a bit more, I've noticed.

I've also recently organized our art desk in the office at home which has given me a little more room on it. Immediately beside the art desk sits our computer desk (each being almost at the same level). So I've discovered that, PARKS and TM can be played in the office/art room now, as well as the usual location of our big kitchen table. It's a little cozier in there, less people (or pets) wandering by or doing things around me... and it's just a change of atmosphere. :) It also means it's just another spot for me to get a game to the table more often, should the kitchen table be used for something else at the time. I still can't leave anything set up for any length of time though, as our cats would have a fun time swatting my game pieces all over the place.

I have a feeling I'll be bringing Scythe back to the table soon though. I've been getting the itch to break it out every time I look at that shelf, and I still need to finish my "Scythe Bingo" campaign I started before Christmas.

Regardless, I have until at least the end of the month to recharge, focus on myself and enjoy getting my collection to the table for more daily fun before heading back to work.