Trying Times.

[Jock Scot]

Over that last few weeks I have noticed several members names absent from posting. There are, no doubt reasons for that, that are many and various, but I fear that one of the reasons may be the trying and testing times that we are all living in.

Anyway personally, you are missed and your contributions are missed and I hope all is well with you all. I hope when life gets back on a more regular footing, whenever that may be, to see you all posting again here.

[Riverkilt]

I particularly miss not knowing how Hamish is....or if he still "is."

[Steve Ashton]

I look in on about 20 different sites. Some forums, some social media, and some blogs. The internet seems really quiet lately. X Marks is currently at about 50% of activity from where it was back in August.

Other sites seem to be experiencing similar traffic slow-downs.

Except for those sites that deal with politics which are on fire with posts and activity like they have never seen.

So perhaps people are just pre-occupied or tired of it all.

[KennethSime]

Similarly, I rotate around quite a bit. Only so many internet forums you can visit in an evening after work. Sometimes it's pocket knives, sometimes Diesel engines, lately it's been kilts.

I'm sure they'll be back around.

[Highland Logan]

I look in on about 20 different sites. Some forums, some social media, and some blogs. The internet seems really quiet lately. X Marks is currently at about 50% of activity from where it was back in August.

Other sites seem to be experiencing similar traffic slow-downs.

Except for those sites that deal with politics which are on fire with posts and activity like they have never seen.

So perhaps people are just pre-occupied or tired of it all.

In my own opinion, the current "issue" has become political, as much as it anything else these days; for some right reasons, and some wrong. And because of this, many people have retreated inwards. Many places, X-Marks, included, do not allow politics to be discussed, others censor. Many people, family, friends, acquaintances and even members may have lost their livelihoods; temporarily to permanently. Some may have lost loved ones, due to . Stress and depression are no doubt higher than they have been in generations.

I wish all members, their families and friends the best, and hope that once we come through the other side of this, we can all find our way back to the normal we were accustomed to.

Frank

[imbrius]

For my part, my area of the world (the state of Wisconsin in the upper midwestern United States, just south of the Canadian border) has been a non-stop COVID-19 worst-case scenario. As a result, we've been staying indoors and away from people as much as possible. That means no kilts for me, sadly. With no kilt-wearing, I've little input here.

[grizzbass]

For my part, my area of the world (the state of Wisconsin in the upper midwestern United States, just south of the Canadian border) has been a non-stop COVID-19 worst-case scenario. As a result, we've been staying indoors and away from people as much as possible. That means no kilts for me, sadly. With no kilt-wearing, I've little input here.

You can always wear it around the house (which I do an anderson sport) or on the odd occasion you're out. Just look at it as another protection. My toe shoes, kilt and mask seems to encourage social distancing;^)

[Katia]

You can always wear it around the house (which I do an anderson sport) or on the odd occasion you're out. Just look at it as another protection. My toe shoes, kilt and mask seems to encourage social distancing;^)

Okay, I'll bite... why "toe shoes"? Or was it sarcasm?

[grizzbass]

Okay, I'll bite... why "toe shoes"? Or was it sarcasm?

I wear vibram toe shoes every. I've worn them in desert, mountains ect. Even once in glacier national park on a trail I was told had no snow. That was wrong. Luckily there were large rocks where the snow had melted so I could go stand on them for awhile to warm up my feet. It was a highland game athlete that turned me on too them over a decade ago.

[Lady Grey]

Jock
Very trying times indeed.
I’m ok in Melbourne we’ve been thorough harsh lockdown and come out the other side.

But on a purely practical note with many working from home and kids schooling online, many people may not have the download/bandwidth to spend on leisure internet time.
My telco did provide extra download for free during stage 4 which got used up quickly.
I agree with Steve - sometimes I just got tired of surfing the web and went and read a book.

Good luck to those in the Northern Hemisphere with the second and third waves.