Things to look forward to

Firstly, the wine

In a continuation of the 'cheap but cheerful' selections, the St Johns Brook Recolte Shiraz was to be honest just ok. Generally, a 2017 vintage would have a little more body than this one which is how I like my shiraz. It wasn't offensive by any means but it was a little thin and not very deep. That and I guess I was a little disappointed after the good run that I have had with the choices so far.

Oh well, you win some and you lose some.

Well, in Australia restrictions are starting to ease. Each state is gradually letting more people into restaurants and bars. Gyms and other indoor activities are starting to open again and people are starting to venture out in this new, unknown world - which kind of initially looks like the one we left in March.

I actually caught up with a couple of friends yesterday (hat tip to Roy & Ann) and had my first tap beer in over three months. It wasn't something that I had consciously missed but when I tasted it, I realised I missed the fresh taste of beer on tap. It then started me thinking about what else I am looking forward to doing as restrictions ease further and thought I would share five of these with you.

Flying:

Prior to March, I flew a lot for work. As a result, the whole process of getting to the airport, checking in, boarding etc was all reflex to me. Now that I have been grounded for three months (and realistically it will be a little while longer still), I admit that I do miss it.

There is always an excitement when you get on a plane. That is why I don't complain when I travel for work; even when it gets a little hectic at times. It is very easy to get blasé about it but I have felt fortunate that I am able to travel for my job as there would be plenty of others that would love that chance but don't have it. Add to that the fact that not everyone can fly for their holidays either.

The experience will be different when I am able to fly again. I know that and there is a part of me that wants to know what it will be like. Not just the mechanics involved in checking in, boarding etc but whether people would have become more considerate of others as a result. Whether it was for work or pleasure, flying had the capacity to bring out the best and worst in people. Once we hit the skies again, I think we need to bring a good dose of patience and understanding...even when it is on the 6am down to Melbourne.

A photo from my last flight in March: Adelaide to Sydney

Pepper Crab in Singapore:

Sydney is a global city and as such, you can experience a wide variety of cultures and food around the city. That said, there isn't anything better than having chilli crab in Singapore. Wait...there is. Having chilli and pepper crab in Singapore.

Especially at this time of year when temperatures are a little chilly in Australia, there is always a liberating feeling of being able to walk around in shorts, t-shirt and thongs around the streets of Singapore and finish up having a fantastic meal somewhere. And there have been a few times where that has involved chilli or pepper crab (sometimes both) and a few cold Tigers to wash it down. That and when it comes to the chilli crab, I have never been able to find the small fried bread rolls to mop up that chilli sauce as good as the ones that I have had in Singapore.

I know that there are many restaurants in Singapore where one can have crab and nearly everyone has their favourite. For me, No Signboard by the Esplanade is one of mine.

I have been going to Singapore for many years now; predominantly for work reasons but I always enjoy going. I have some friends and colleagues that I catch up with whenever I am there, there are so many places to explore to eat and drink and it is just so easy to get around. Walk, cab, MRT, whatever! In fact, the other thing that I miss is the morning walk along the Singapore River from the Four Points Sheraton to Clarke Quay and seeing the city slowly wake up!

A photo from one of these walks. You can also see the Marina Bay Sands in the distance

A lack of anxiety:

As we start to do different activities again, as we start to reemerge from our houses, there is a fair degree of anxiety when you start to do something new again; at least I do anyway.

It isn't a fear of catching the virus but rather how to deal with the new arrangements of doing things. Classic example is when I starting swimming again once the outdoor pools reopened in Sydney. Making sure you follow the instructions, staying to the time limits, hoping that there isn't a disagreement about the lane you pre-booked - just the standard fare (for me at least). It was there as the supermarkets added new requirements and restrictions as well.

After a few times, like the supermarket and the pool, you worked it all out and you realise that everyone is in the same boat but that initial anxiety is still there; like it will be tomorrow morning when they start to allow two people in each lane at the pool....

Walking the streets of Manhattan:

It is a long flight from Sydney to New York which includes a change of flight when you land in the US. What I did learn from the last time I did it was that the cure to any jet lag was to start walking around.

As I walked around Manhattan, I felt a spring in my step and it was like a jolt of electricity pulsed through my body. There is an excitement in being in New York. I feel it every time I am there and it is one of the places I can not wait to go back to.

The recommended way of getting around the five boroughs is the subway but wherever I can walk, I try to do that. In fact, the ideal is the combination of both. To walk the High Line, Central Park, the streets surrounding and covering Times Square and Broadway is just so energising as you get immersed in the sights, sounds of one of the World's great cities.

New York has been hit hard by the coronavirus so I anticipate it will be a while longer before I get the chance to head back. Could be as long as this time next year, who knows? But when I can, I will be back. If for nothing else but to see a Yankees World Series win!

Just one of the many shots on my phone of New York

The casual conversation:

Particularly on the work front, the last three months or so has seen meetings and discussions allocated to specific time blocks. Most often as you go from one video conference call to another. Which is fine; in a way it is something that has always been the case. However, what has been missing has been the conversations that happen either side of the meeting.

Be it as the meeting ends and you are waiting for your colleagues to wrap up. The coffee catch up that goes a little over time or the after work drinks where you start to relax and discussions drift into topics that may not be work related but certainly provides an opportunity to get to know the other person a lot more. An element that I think gets underrated a lot when you read about what it takes to be successful in whatever profession you are in.

There may have been a number of lessons that have been learnt over this time of isolation and certainly valuing time to spend with family and friends is a good thing. I just hope that we don't forget to pause and take the time to stay in the moment; be it at work or at home. That is when the best things generally happen.

What are you looking forward to as more and more activities start to recommence and restrictions continue to ease? Let me know what you think; via the social channel you see this on or hit me at brett.moorgas@outlook.com