Rapp Strategies Rundown - March 2020
What we’re reading, listening to and thinking about this month.
Todd R.: Working remote has definitely changed my cultural intake. Saturday nights are date nights, where I am trying to pick dinner and have @maggierapp pick an Academy Award winning film that she hasn't seen. The family has chosen “Barry” as their first binge-worthy show of Stay-at-Home. Gov. Walz and MDH daily updates are very informative, and the Cuomo-De Blasio back and forth on CNN each day would be entertaining if the outcomes weren't so tragic. There are also a remarkable number of Meat Loaf concert videos on YouTube – who knew?
Alyssa: I really like the aspects of the COVID quarantine that have meant more time for dog walking and cooking at home – although it seems quarantine is a never-ending series of loading and unloading the dishwasher. I also managed to drain 7 hours last weekend watching “Tiger King” on Netflix.
Rich: March will be remembered as the Month of Change. The coronavirus pandemic has challenged every person to change their life and behavior. Of course this has brought unwanted isolation and economic challenges in addition to devastating health consequences. The silver lining of the pandemic is that it provides time and motivation to communicate with family and friends, evaluate and refocus our personal lives and reorder what we really value in our lives.
Todd S.: I have been spending much of the month indulging multiple daily "frisbee breaks" with my sons, ages 7 and 9, as we settle into a new normal of staying at home and social distancing. We are focusing on the little pleasures – daily walks in the neighborhood, Harry Potter movies and the occasional root beer float. I'm starting to read Ringo Starr's "Another Day in the Life" and, of course, washing my hands.
Sarah: Quarantine has meant enjoying new "social distancing drinks" each night – mostly pulled from “500 Cocktails,” which I've had lying around for years. I've also been baking my way through “Bread Baking for Beginners,” which has been a good distraction from the chaos of the world. My boyfriend and I have also been re-visiting a favorite game – Civilization V.
Anna: I’ve been making my way through a stack of books from the library. First up was “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker, which was gut-wrenchingly sad and graceful. I also grabbed a few Agatha Christie novels, because why not shelter in place with one of the greatest mystery writers of all time? Hercule Poirot did not disappoint in “Sad Cypress,” and neither did Miss Marple in “The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side.” I also watched “Casablanca,” since there’s nothing like an outstanding black-and-white classic for comfort.