A friend sent me an article about the state of New Jersey hoping for us old COBOL programmers to come out of retirement and help with their failing unemployment system as volunteers. They may have a tough go of it as Connecticut has joined forces with a few other states to recruit (and pay) COBOL programmers to help them revamp their older failing mainframe systems. I think hubby and I will both stay retired.
This is just one of the unusual turn of events of this new not-normal normal.
My writing class suggested we write 30 minutes about our home environment in this historic time. Much as our ancestors wrote about living through the Spanish Flu epidemic. I was surprised at what came out of that 30 minute writing. Did you ever think the things you write might be looked at in the future as a history lesson? I must admit it never crossed my mind. My friends are keeping a pandemic daily journal, so I know some people have given it thought.
It is interesting to think that the types of written messages once conveyed in handwritten letters by our ancestors will have disappeared in favor of short video sharing or text messages or social media exchanges. Generations of communication in little bits and pieces dangling out there only accessible to the electronic world.
I feel I am on the edge of a vertigo episode. The weather is changing. I can hear thunder in the background and I feel like my ears are plugged. So, I took some Dramamine and hope I can ‘nip it in the bud’.
That’s it for my What Day Is It Anyway post for today.
fromcavewalls.wordpress.com 
Oh, I’d never heard of COBOL, but so glad CT and some other states are actually looking to pay those with the skill of programming in that language. I understand you prefer to stay retired though.
As for our blogs being looked at for history lessons, I’d never considered that but do consider sometimes what will happen to my blog and Facebook when I die.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Astrid, I wrote about this in an older blog you can find here. https://fromcavewalls.wordpress.com/2019/08/18/blogging-bric-a-brac/
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think blogs will very much be the ‘history’ of the future. Never before has so much daily life been itemised and discussed in such minute detail. Imagine if the Romans had done something similar? It would be fascinating for us. So I am sure that we will also be fascinating, in 1,000 years. If there are still humans around by then.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never thought about being fascinating, Pete. Something to look forward to even if I will not be around t9 see it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We can be fascinating when we are dead, Maggie. That’s the case with most famous people. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nip it. Nip it good! I haven’t written much about my personal life with COVID 19. Maybe it’s because I don’t mind staying home that much. But there is this underlying fear, especially with the news and so many dying. It feels surreal at times…… I hope you feel better soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My vertigo feeling was short lived thanks to Dramamine and an afternoon nap. The underlying fear is real. We. Are not alone in that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
COBOL? Oy vey. Never would I ever have thought I’d read that word during these times.
It’s interesting how people who formerly dissed blogs are *suddenly* remembering that blogs exist. As a longtime blogger I’m of two minds about that: 1) YAY for you, come join us; & 2) REALLY, this is what it takes for you to get involved? 🤨
LikeLiked by 1 person
People always had one of two reactions to me being a blogger. One “Could I read your blog?” And two, the condescending “Oh, you’ve got yourself a little blog.”
I have so much mad respect for the blogging community.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve had the same reactions. I agree about the blogging community, I respect us, one and all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I spent 41 of 42 years escaping and then outrunning COBOL. I’m certainly not going back to it now, and absolutely not on a volunteer basis. I get it, like Spock, the needs of the many vs. the needs of the few, or the one, but this ‘one’ isn’t gong back. My Identification Division reads – Retired!
LikeLike
I am thankful I have forgotten more than I remember. I never liked driving in reverse.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Are you able to track the vertigo episodes at all or do they just hit you whenever. I am glad that Dramamine can stave them off sometimes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it is tied to rapidly changing weather systems. The pressure changes perhaps.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That makes sense. The rapid changes sometimes give me headaches.
LikeLike
I am glad to read you stopped the vertigo before it took hold! Really the Mighty USA needs COBOL users to fix their unemployment system. If there was one place I’d of expected things to be updated often that would of been upgraded regularly it would if been computers. I have been blogging 8years I respect all bloggers too. I know COBOL is still widely used in government and business programs. Be safe 💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Willow, I think society seems to forget about what seems old and solid until it is too late. You would think we would invest in our future in a more productive way instead of following the next shiny object that comes along.
LikeLike
Yes indeed it’s madness isn’t it 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person