newsfeed
-
[Tapas Insider] Quarantine at Tapas
Jun 23, 2020
The year 2020 will stick in many of our minds as the year where a pandemic affected our collective lives dramatically and in many different ways. We had to rethink how we look at health and work - even how we wash our hands has changed! The long term effects are impossible to predict and we will be dealing with the aftermath for months and maybe even years to come.
At Tapas, we consider ourselves incredibly lucky. With nearly all of our work being conducted online, the team was able to switch seamlessly into Work From Home over 3 months ago. While it took some time getting used to not seeing each other on a daily basis, it is surprising how we, as well as millions around the world, have been able to adjust and accept the new normal.
We’re looking at the bright side of things whenever possible! Being quarantined is something we may never experience again (I hope!) and while the struggle is real, we experience moments of joy that make the situation more bearable.
Please enjoy some of our team’s favorite quarantine moments:
Hayden - Head of Production and Editorial
My puppy escaped lockdown leading to a full town-wide hound hunt only for him to be next door ;/. I also watched Jurassic Park like 10 times but that's not crazy.
Artist rendition of what (probably) happened.
Jade - Localization Manager
My birthday was in June and I thought I'd celebrate with a quiet dinner with my family and some nice social media messages from friends, but my sister pulled a doozy on me— she organized a massive birthday puzzle scavenger hunt for me! It started when I stepped out of my room in the morning, and included a video message from my family and one from my friends. Everyone declared their love and appreciation for me (which made me cry), but my sister made me keep watching because hidden inside the video was clues to ANOTHER puzzle. I spent the rest of the day crying and so grateful that everyone adapted to these times with just overwhelming creativity and with love. It made me believe in humanity, for at least another day. :)
The mysterious neighborhood cat came to bless my front door for the first time in a million years but I was in a meeting.
Stephanie’s mysterious feline visitor
Tara - Sr. Content Project Manager
I went to my first Zoom wedding! My former roommates got married yesterday — to each other — after dating for a dozen years. His mom officiated and his 90-year-old grandmother even joined from the UK. There were over 160 guests who wished the happy couple well.
Chang - CEO
Covid means back to back calls while the kids are also at home. During one of my conference calls at home, my son forgot to close the bathroom door and flushed the toilet -- I'm sure everyone on the call heard the sound, thinking I was one of those jerks who sh*ts during a call…
Artist rendition of the fateful day
Cain - Product Operations Manager (POM wei wei wei)
A lot of random antisocial behaviors that I thought I would never use again, have been used. For example: Our small family would buy 2 - 3 weeks worth of food just to avoid going outside around a week before and after specific holidays. (Mostly to avoid drunk/bad/panicked drivers.)
Some of my Germaphobic tendencies, that I have been repressing for most of my life, have been resurrected from their graves.
Cain’s Germaphobic tendencies make a return!
This one feels a little selfish and I'll admit to that. I work remotely near Chicago, and I'm a huge anti-social hermit. Before Covid-19 I stayed home all the time, only ever going outside on the weekend once or twice for a bit of shopping. Once our area went into lockdown not much changed in my day to day. A couple weeks into the lockdown suddenly started to feel a strange sense of relief. After some thinking I realized it was because the pressure to go outside and be social was gone and my hermit tendencies was finally, and socially, acceptable. Encouraged even.
I was surprised our huge grocery store ran out of starch, specifically. All the rice, potatoes, bread and even tortillas! Gone. Vanished!
Tessa - Managing Editor
Our building is small, so my roommates and our neighbors formed a quaranteam together. After a particularly long day a few weeks into quarantine, our neighbors rushed into our apartment, yelled, "DANCE PARTY. ROOF. NOW!" and ran out. What else were we going to do? We all slammed our laptops shut and rushed up to dance like crazy to the sunset. Best day of quarantine.
Tessa’s impromptu Roof Party!
Then, after being stuck at home for nearly 3 months, I decided I needed bangs (this of course happened at 2am, widely agreed to be the only socially acceptable time to cut your own bangs). I grabbed my sewing scissors, kicked my partner out of the bathroom, and hacked the front section of my hair off. They might not be perfectly even, but I've upped my messy bun game 1000% and you can't really tell over Zoom anyway.
Look at that bun, tho!Look at that bun, tho!
Cynthia - Novels Editor
The upstairs neighbors took up rhythmic night time carpentry.
Gabby - Head of Studio Tapas
For my birthday, some of the team members spontaneously decided to throw me a party in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. My island was already littered with random items but after the party, it became even more littered with wonderful gifts! I haven't had a birthday party in a long time -- it was super touching!! ;-;
Brooke - Creative Executive
After literal weeks of dreaming about getting my hands on a switch, I scored one 2 months into quarantine purely to hop on the Animal Crossing hype train. We threw Gabby an Animal Crossing birthday party earlier this month, but lately I haven't had as much time to play. My boyfriend still plays every day (we share an island) so now all my villagers absolutely adore him and couldn't care less about me :( When I get stung by a wasp, all they do is act disgusted at my appearance, while they shower him with gifts and medicine whenever he needs it... :(
Artist rendition of Brooke’s heart break
Isabell - Creator Happiness Manager
I actually quit my job during the quarantine and joined Tapas! Because of that I haven’t met most of my new colleagues in person! The whole process, like interviews or putting in my resignation at my old job, happened all online and via phone calls, which was weird and anxiety inducing. Changing jobs can be difficult during the best of times, but I’m so happy that the team welcomed me with open (digital) arms.
Also: I, a grown woman, have decided that I NEED to have a blow up kiddie pool in my yard. I’ve never owned one myself nor do I want a real pool. So, guess what box is now sitting in my living room - just waiting for the next hot day? I can’t wait to sit in my yard in my mini pool, a cup of self-made boba tea in my hand, while my neighbors and dogs get to silently judge me. It’s going to be glorious.
The whole Tapas team continues to wish you, your loved ones and everyone affected the very best. We hope you have been able to stay safe, healthy and sane during these difficult months and that reading as well as creating the stories on Tapas helped bring some joy into your life.
Do you have any fun quarantine stories to share? Tell us in our forum post!
Isabell / AKA Ratique
Creator Happiness Manager
