July 19-July 25 - Semi Lockdown - St Petersburg, FL







Corona US Cases July 19 - 3,714,681
Corona US Cases July 25 - 4,113,085

Corona US Deaths July 19- 129,537
Corona US Deaths July 25 - 135,282



Interesting things that happened this week

- Out of training and started full time in the office.  I sit near Cathy, whom I've worked with for many years and we always had different shifts and never got to know each other.  I'm enjoying her company, she's a nice woman.  Mike also sits nearby and it took him a few days to figure out who I am as the blond hair was throwing him off.  The cleaning ladies recognized me right away, the hair didn't fool the one bit.  Its kind of nice to be back.
- Finished the English Channel virtual challenge a few days ahead of schedule.  Been spending time at Boyd, Weedon and Sawgrass, but mostly sawgrass as it has the most shade.  Also doing a mile at lunch when I can, the earlier lunch times make it more possible.  But Friday I had lunch at 11:15 and wasn't able to finish the mile, it just soooo hot.  Lisa is in Arizona for two weeks and she's dealing with even more heat.  Started the Inca Trail virtual on Friday.
- Tried making another cake this week.  Used the same recipe but following the advice of many people and this one came out less dense but a little dry.  So I didn't add the extra milk like the reviews said this time because I think I added too much milk last time.  This time I should have added a little more milk.  I'm thinking the third time will be the charm.
- Roommate George is working out well.  There was some transition early on but he's definitely helpful to have about.  
- I tried to go donate plasma this week but my heart rate and blood pressure were too high.  I'm going to have to go back to my pills.  Its an extra 400 a month and that can be very helpful.
- After festering over backpacks on the internet for last few months, I decided I needed to go talk to someone about them.  I googled REI stores in Florida and decided to head to Orlando on Saturday morning.  Wasn't planning on buying one, but I found an expandable Osprey with some odd security features that I like and it was on sale for under $100.  I bought it.  At that price, it would have been stupid to not buy it.  Its 65 liters, which is larger than I want, but I don't have to expand it.  So it can be smaller until I need it to be bigger.
- After the REI store, we headed to Disney Springs.  No use going that far and only buying a backpack.  We poked around a bit and then enjoy Grapefruit beer and chips and queso at one of the newer restaurants The Hanger.  Then Gil got fish and chips at Cookes.   It was a nice afternoon.
- Face coverings are now required in the office and required by law in any public indoor space.  So, shopping with a facemask and Disney Springs with a facemask. I think the facemask thing may end up going on for awhile, I have two but I'm thinking I should probably pick up a few more to have on hand.
- Discovered a Disney blogger this week that I've read before but never really checked out more than an article here or there.  Turns out the couple are hard core Disney people and have really great information.  I've been catching up on the international Disney resports with their articles and have started reading their non-Disney blog as it covers areas outside of the parks in these same cities.  So, if I want to see more of Tokyo other than just Disneyland, they have great recommendations.  Its been some fun reading.
- Hong Kong Disneyland has closed again after reopening in June.  Numbers in Florida are spiking and some cities are enacting more restrictions.  California started reopening but they've rolled back when their numbers started rising again.  The rest of the world has started opening up to travelers but Americans are banned since we've not made any progress in controlling the virus.  
- I'm starting to think my travels may get pushed back to fall of 2021 rather than spring of 2021.  2021 is less than 6 months away and its not looking good for America, with covid cases nearly doubling in the month of July.



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