Can you believe we are winding down week 5 of our remote work? Yet, I remain equivocal about my opinion of the work arrangement, despite not being as impacted as many. No doubt this would be much easier if everyone else in my household would just go back to their normal activities so that I could work at home alone. However, always in search of the upside, I am pleased to learn of the environmental benefits observed just over the last month as a result of removing commuters from the road during work and off times. If I look past the dairy farm next door to my house, I have a fantastic view of the snow cover on the Sierra from my work place. I can't always see the mountains, but I suspect the range is visible now, in part, due to reduced traffic in California. I can't help but wonder how many of us will rethink our behaviors now that we can ‘see' the difference a change makes.

Himalyans can be seen from 100 miles away. Source CNN Travel

I managed to escape any Zoom meetings yesterday! What a nice break. I made good progress getting some things checked off my ‘to-do' list. I spent a fair bit of time reviewing academic advancement packages, five for the day. Following, I managed to wrap up a few communications, catch up on emails, and still managed to procrastinate on my strategic plan homework. Soon we will have a new Accomplishments document out, but first I need to review the draft. I have a mandatory training still awaiting completion as well. The weekend or next week look promising.

The reprieve from Zoom meetings didn't last long; today was full of Zoom meetings beginning at 7 AM. The best meeting, of course, was the Town Hall meeting where we heard from representatives of three teams that had adjusted to the new normal in ways that may be permanent because they can see the long-term, post-COVID-19 benefits of the new practice or process.

The Western region Agriculture Experiment Station Directors met today. The updates provided by most states were rather depressing. After hearing from several during the Town Hall webinar how grateful there are to work for UC ANR and have a job, I definitely concur! We in UC are so fortunate in that we are far better off than several, if not most states in the Western region. One state even uttered the work I fear most – ‘exingency'. The whole conversation reinforced my perspective that while times are a challenge and our work environments not ideal, we are fortunate. Even though I struggle with interruptions, cold feet, an ironing board as my stand-up desk (too short for my height), a need to adjust my work hours, and poor internet I can work remotely indefinitely if the alternative is not working at all.