After mentioning the possibility of being 'furloughed' on the Monday just gone it is now official. No work (although training is allowed) for three weeks to start with (I think it will be extended), ending on the earliest of the following:

• the Scheme ending

• the Company no longer being able to claim under the Scheme in respect of you

• the Company requiring you to return to work (whether or not working from home)

I have to say that a 20% pay cut is not the end of the world, and we are lucky here in the UK that this option is available. Although, it is likely to take the economy a long time to get back on its feet, if ever.

During this time, it is possible for me to take on some volunteer work and also some other work as long as I inform the company and they agree. I'm not entirely sure what paid work is out there at present - perhaps the local supermarket need an extra pair of hands.

The other option for a little extra potential income, is to provide some content here each day, and on that other chain I shall not mention whilst the power down runs its course. The various actions taken over there this past month or two are shameful, and I can't understand anyone who wishes to continue longer than their exit period under the current regime.

During the call today my boss seemed repeatedly concerned about my well-being as he knows I live alone and of course, we are pretty much housebound at present. This concern sounded quite sincere and it is appreciated - I have however spent a lot of the last 2/3 years alone, although for much of that time there has been a beach within walking distance.

What I have been doing a lot of - every day for the past 3 weeks now, is somewhat randomly picking a short exercise video or two from YouTube and going through as much of the routine as possible with a friend who's on the other screen next to the TV.

Each day at 5pm, 6 her time, we meet, share the chosen routine/s and get to it. Once I get into something, I can get attached quite quickly - some attachment are better than others, and a little exercise each day has to rank highly. There is certainly extra motivation though when you virtual gym buddy shows up each day without fail, especially in pink pants.

It is likely that over the next three weeks at least, I'll probably ramp up the exercise a bit more and get something else done in the morning, perhaps a stretch or a bit of Yoga. One of the workouts we do is X-Yoga of P90x fame, and so far I reckon that is the most brutal of routines - who says Yoga is relaxing? There must be 70-80 push-ups during the 75 minute routine, and my arms were in bits for days following the first run though.

So I guess that's me for the next couple of weeks at least, eating cheap, working out in preparation for the beach (🙏), and writing some words and likely some numbers as well on the HIVE chain. Personally I feel lucky to have an outlet like this, as much for the company as anything else.

Have a nice evening all,

Asher