Sunday, December 5, 2021

How's YOUR Zoom level?

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN:  How are you feeling about Zoom? It has gone through many incarnations, hasn’t it? 

First it was what the heck is Zoom?

Then, how do you work this Zoom thing?  

Then oh, Zoom, got it, that’s pretty cool. 

Then: I need lighting! I need a microphone! I need a background! I will rearrange my entire office so it looks good on zoom! What do I wear? Make up, make up, make up! Oh no, the lighting for Streamyard is different than the lighting for Zoom! Now what do I do? 

Then it was: wow, all the cool people I can see! Then wow, I can do three events in one day! Amazing!

Then wow.  My eyes are hurting. My rear is hurting. I am tired of staring at the screen. I do not care who is on it.

 

Bye, bye, Zoom.

 

But wait. Don’t go. I embrace Zoom, and the like, I really do.

 

And I hope that when the pandemic is over, we will still use it for all the wonderful things it provides.

 


For instance! ALL OF THE REDS are going to be (via Zoom on Facebook)  at the iconic Poisoned Pen Bookstore on Thursday, December 9 at 7:00 PM ET!  

 

ALL of the Reds! You could not do that without Zoom. And we cannot do it without you, so we hope you will join us live on Facebook on the Poisoned Pen page. And there will be PRIZES! 

 

More great Zoom? Tonight! I’ll be hosting The Back Room with co-host Karen Dionne, and with  the psychological suspense queen Kimberley Belle; the fascinating Brian Andrews who was here this week on Jungle Red (the submarine guy); Vera Kurian, a debut author whose thriller is astonishing; and Scott Shepherd, who you will adore: his Inspector Grant mysteries are perfect for fans of Morse and all those Scotland Yard detectives we love.  Space is limited, but there are a few Zoom spots left for this up close and personal event. 

 


And be sure you look at the other panels coming up – – amazing people like Yasmin Angoe, Alafair Burke, Kellye Garrett, Cheryl Head, Lisa Gardner, Wylie Cash, Bob Dugoni and Heather Gudenkauf and more.  Do not miss these!

 

And you know about A Mighty Blaze? I do a weekly mystery interview, and the authors are astonishing. Coming up December 7 at 4 PM live on Facebook, the incredible Hannah Morrissey. Her book, HELLO, TRANSCRIBER, is absolutely terrific. I mean--one of my favorite books of the year. I hope you will join us on A Mighty Blaze on facebook to hear all about it.

 


And can you believe that First Chapter Fun is getting ready for episode 218? Every Tuesday and Thursday at 12:30 PM ET, Hannah Mary McKinnon and I read the first chapter of a fabulous new book live on Facebook and Instagram! On Tuesday is Stephanie Storey, with a literary fiction about the rivalry between Rafael and Michelangelo;  and on Thursday, Megan Miranda! No introduction needed.  Join us!  (It’s a private Facebook group, so you have to join--but do!)

 

So yes, yay, Zoom. Streamyard, Crowdcast. It brings us all of the wonderful events from independent bookstores, too! 

 

Reds and Readers, how’s your Zoom level? Do you go to Zooms? Do you keep track of them? And question I truly love to know the answer to--when do you decide to go? Well in advance? Or spur of the moment? What do you think,  Reds and Readers? 



And will you be there on Thursday?


71 comments:

  1. All of the Reds? Together? That sounds terrific . . . count me in . . . .

    Zoom is amazing . . . all the special events we’ve been able to participate in because of Zoom . . . I’m a fan.


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    1. Joan! That is wonderful! It will be complete if you are there!

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  2. I think Zoom is marvelous. Julie and I have "attended" so many wonderful things in the past couple years including Bloody Scotland twice, lots of author talks and interviews, etc.

    And while we are into interviews, Hank I think you should offer a course. So many interviewers are still amateurs, tending to talk about themselves instead of asking good questions and listening to what the guest has to say. It frustrates me, being the curmudgeonly old husk that I am.

    And face it, not everyone has the skill to pull out those little know gems that bring me back to their ZOOM presentations again and again.

    However, in two years, these ZOOM calls are getting better and better. Most people have figured out how to get into the session, unmute -- or mute -- their mikes, and get on with it! I really love the backgrounds, seeing when my favorites work and live. And the chats are so much fun, a chance to say hello to everyone, ask the odd pertinent question, count the house.

    I spent the first part of this year healing a fractured ankle, and I was unable even to leave the first floor of my house, much less go out. Zoom was a great way to stay in touch.

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    1. ANN: How is your ankle now? I saw my 2017 FB memory this morning of my swollen broken ankle at its worst,but using a fracture boot to hop around on crutches (non weight bearing) for another few weeks. That was a difficult month.

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    2. I love "the curmudgeonly old husk" so much! I'm going to need to use that ok Ann??

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    3. Yes, Ann, how has it healed. Are you able to do most things that you did prior to your break? It was just this time last year that I broke my foot. I only spent one day on crutches because I got a walking boot from the orthopedic doc the next day. The pratfall I took on the crutches was almost as spectacular as my dive off the stairs the day before. Funny now. Not funny then.

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    4. JUDY: Ugh, sorry to hear about your pratfall on crutches. I hated that they gave me crutches to use right after my ankle surgery op with no instructions! I had 3 flights of stairs at home to navigate and snowy/icy Ottawa sidewalks. Thank goodness for YouTube videos (Bob & Brad PT are the best).

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    5. Oh, thank you, Ann! Aww. And I am fascinated by your description of why...and will remember that! xxx And hope you are healed...xx

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    6. Ann is spot on about interviewers. Hank, you are very, very good. I have seen even seasoned interviewers get carried away and talk too much, bowling over the featured author.

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    7. JUDY and ANN: I totally agree with you both about Hank's interviewing skills. She is a master at getting authors to talk about their work.

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  3. Yes, I definitely needed and used Zoom (and Crowdcast and FB live) to connect with you all during the past 20 months! So many book launches, virtual conferences. FCF has been a regular part of my Tuesdays and Thursdays. What a wonderful online community that Hank and Hannah have created. The Back Room events have been fun, too.

    I did get some Zoom fatigue after 1 year and have cut back (a bit).
    I am looking forward to seeing all the Reds at PP this week (Yay for Zoom).
    But I sooooo want it to be safe for us to meetin person.
    Registered for LCC2022 in April but have not booked my flights yet.
    Be gone Omicron!

    I do hope that hybrid /online events do

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    1. I really hate using my tablet to post comments! At least the autocorrect is shut off but I still truncate sentences.

      Last sentence should read
      I do hope that hybrid/online events continue even when it is safe for us to meet together in person. Attending Midwest Mystery Conference, Wales mystery con and Iceland Noir this year was great since I would not have been able to attend in person (except for MMC which is held in Chicago).

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    2. Yes, begone Omicron! And Grace, you are such a big part of these events--it is always such a joy to see you! Thank you, so much!

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    3. Awww, thanks, but it has been my pleasure to participate!

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    4. Omicron BEGONE!!

      I’m stealing this for future use

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  4. I plan to be there on Thursday - what fun! -but generally, I am Zoomed out. I am retired so no work meetings, but I find social and family and writing life get-togethers so unsatisfying/frustrating, I'm not doing many now.

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    1. OH, I hear you! It'll all return to equilibrium..someday...xoxo

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  5. Yes to Zoom. I have a class once a week. The instructor moved to New Hampshire last summer and spends weeks in Israel and we still have our class! So yay!

    I intend to come to the PP JRW Zoom event this week. What fun! I love FCF and attend them most of the time, too. And sometimes, I can attend The Back Room events. My volunteer work brings me to Zoom meetings about twice a week for training and discussions. We Facebook Live with Rachel and family and Skype with Jonathan and family.

    This technology is a complete game changer. Our grandchildren only know this life. Our grandparents, (mine were born in the 19th Century) on the other hand, actually rode in wagons and mailed letters to distant family members. No telephone, no automobiles, no airplanes, no radio, no TV. Yeah, I like Zoom.

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    1. OH, that's such a good point about grandparents! And wow, yes, a child who's four, wow.

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  6. In all this time of being locked or partially locked away, I've never done any Zoom events. You can chalk that up to two big factors. One, I didn't feel like adding stuff to my computer that I might not be able to figure out. Given that I'm only barely computer literate, no need to screw around with possibly making my computer a paperweight when I need it to do other things.

    The second main reason is because I have crappy speakers and can barely hear anything. Well, that is until like a total nimrod, I bought a pair of headphones and plugged them directly into my computer. Lo and behold, I can hear audio just fine now. No mic to talk or anything but at least I can hear. But if you can't take part, there doesn't seem to be much point in just watching the Zoom events.

    I'm becoming a dinosaur more and more each day. Guess it is a good thing I haven't ever written a book that I need to be out there promoting, huh?

    So sadly, I won't be there for the even with all the Reds next week. I hope it is a big success though!

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    1. By the way, this past week's worth of Crankshaft comic strips kind of fits the theme of today's post. You can check it out starting with last Monday's strip: https://comicskingdom.com/crankshaft/2021-11-29

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    2. Oh, Jay, I bet you could connect with one click. You managed the audio, yay! ANd if you think about it like watching TV--it's not intimidating. Looking up that comic!

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  7. My zoom quotient is low. I do need to upgrade it because I think it's a boon for folks like me who live in the hinterland and have trouble getting to in-person meetings. That said, there's the lighting, make-up, dress up/down thing, and - oh yes - let's not forget the visiting cats nosing the screen!

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    1. O+I LOVE the cats/dogs.kids. Husband walking by in bathrobe. SO funny!

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  8. I like Zoom, it is practical and can be fun. During confinement, I had yoga classes, exercises classes, volunteering meetings on it. I also attended writers events and the Back Room a couple of times.
    I usually register in advance.
    Like you Hank, I hope it remains available post pandemic .

    As for Thursday, not being on Facebook , I will not be able to attend but I think I’ll be able to watch later when PP will post it on their site, as I did last time.

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  9. I love the idea of Zoom, etc., and was happy to see so many wonderful ideas popping up to keep the writing/reading community going through the lockdown and continuing even now. That said, I don't do any of the events. My level of frustration was already so high that I haven't been able to face the learning curve and prep necessary for the experience. But I'm working on that issue and, boy howdy, the Poison Pen event sounds like it will be fabulous!

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  10. I first found Zoom in 2016 when the Bouchercon 2017 committee used it for our meetings. The Toronto people met in person at the co-Chair's house, and we'd connect with people all across Canada, the US, and even one member in Australia. Sometimes I even got lazy and joined electronically, instead to trekking by subway across the city. It was great.

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    1. Yes, it is SO convenient! And miraculous in connecting people from around the world. It has actually changed my worldview, you know? I am aware about timezones and how easy it is to be casually US-centric.

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  11. I'm looking forward to joining you all on Thursday, but I've got to make sure I can connect. Last time I simply couldn't find the link, and found myself knocking at the wrong door on Facebook (along with a few others).

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    1. Yes, just go to the Poisoned Pen Facebook page--you may have to scroll down a bit. For some reason, it's not always at the top of the page.

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  12. I'll be there! LOL! Yes, Zoom and I have a love hate relationship :(

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  13. I'm ok with Zoom but I'm an occasional user so don't have to struggle with it very often. What I find impossible is finding events and registering for them on Facebook. And then I can never find them when they are supposed to be happening. In the syntax popular with dog videographers, It does me a frustrate. I do hope to join you all on Thursday, though.

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    1. It is way harder than it should be, and not intuitive at all!

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  14. I must admit I don’t like Zoom. It’s intimidating; I can never remember how to participate in conversations, etc. I would prefer to just sit back and listen. I tried Zoom around four times and just gave up. I’ve “attended” events on other platforms that were much easier to use, such as House Party and Microsoft Teams. And of course I watch First Chapter Fun whenever I’m not at a medical appointment! If I can get up the courage to try Zoom again, I’ll meet with the Reds this week!

    DebRo

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    1. OH, DebRo, just come to the Poisoned Pen Facebook page, and you'll see it! You don't need zoom at all. WE are all on zoom, but it's broadcast on the Facebook page SO all you need is facebook.

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    2. Oh, thank you for explaining! I hope to be there then!

      DebRo

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  15. I will be there on Thursday! Can't wait to see and hear you all!

    Our book club just read Stephanie Storey's Oil and Marble, and it is really good. Highly recommended by me, and the consensus was the same by our members.

    If it were not for Zoom I would not have seen my own far flung children's faces but once or twice since February 2019. Last November we celebrated my oldest daughter's 50th birthday on Zoom and we had an epic party together. For the youngest's birthday we also had a Zoom party through AirBnB, complete with lessons on making gin cocktails. And the only book club meetings I could attend for over a year were via Zoom.

    It was invented at just the right time, wasn't it? If only all of life worked as well as that did!

    But on Facebook it isn't necessary to have Zoom to participate as a watcher. I see a couple comments above about not being able to access/figure out Zoom, but only those on the call themselves need the app. Everyone just watching can do so by logging in to their Facebook accounts and going to The Poisoned Pen's page.

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    1. EXACTLY! The Reds are on Zoom, but you just need go to PP on FB to watch! And participate in the comments!

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    2. Let Facebook know you are "going" and it might even help you get there. See below.

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  16. I've been able to make author appearance at places I probably wouldn't get to in person, including the
    Poisoned Pen. But one can definitely get fatigue. I plan to watch your Thursday event!

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    1. Oh, thank you! And you have had some terrific events!

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  17. I have to admit that the Zoom events where all, authors and audience, are on the screen are not my favorite. It is nice to be able to speak to everyone, but I don't want to worry about my appearance. I think I get more out of the events, Zoom and FB, where I can comment and ask questions in the comments section. But, it has been wonderful to keep enjoying authors and reading with others during the time we haven't been able to have in-person events.

    I do plan on being at the Reds event on Thursday. You all always put on a great program.

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    1. YAY! And no on-screen presence needed--just your comments! xoxoo

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  18. Hank, all I can say is, with all the Zoom events you do, I sincerely hope you have a VERY comfortable desk chair!

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  19. I am a convert to online events, both as a presenter and a participant. The expanded reach to audience members who otherwise would not be able to join makes it a wonderful option, and I have definitely attended events that I could not attend in person -- that is, any event that is not in my home town. And even then, the weather sometimes prevents getting there, so staying safely at home while enjoying the event is kind of like a double win in my books.

    I have LOVED attending events at The Poisoned Pen; other bookstores, too; The Back Room; First Chapter Fun; and A Mighty Blaze. The live time doesn't always work for me, so I'll often catch up when the video is posted later. And because of the time difference, I will often not sign up in advance but rather will swoop in as close to the start time as I can make it.

    As a result of these online events, I feel more connected to the writers/presenters/guests and also to the participants when we 'talk' with each other in the chat.

    As a presenter (small-scale writing workshops), I have been fascinated and relieved to experience that meaningful 2-way communication can definitely be established when everyone on both sides of the screen is willing/able to have their camera and their mic on. The medium doesn't have to be a hindrance, though it certainly can be. And, like Finta/Ann says above, the host really must be savvy with the technology so it doesn't hinder the whole process. Becoming savvy is just another skill we have to develop, if we want to reach more widely out into our reader/writer community.

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    1. Yes, the technology! It always feels just a bit risky, and unpredictable, every time.

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    2. Amanda: I am glad you have embraced the Zoom technology to teach your workshops and try to see the positive side of the experience.

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  20. I have Zoom. It is the broadcast medium for church. I started using it on my Kindle but the volume was pathetically low. I used it on my phone, great volume, itty bitty picture. I tried to use both at the same time, but sound of is out of synch with video SO I have new laptop. Yes, I did choose a good location - the dining room, in front of my china cabinet filled with colorful dishes. I then had to put cushions on my chair, so I was more centered and put the whole thing far enough away from me, so it's not filled with just my face. It is just outside my reach for typing but I can at least turn the whole thing off by my mouse.

    At work, it's Teams. Picture, sound, chat, calendar all rolled into one. Works great unless your office hasn't issued you a computer with a camera. There is a way to attend meetings via phone but then you are limited in your ability to participate because you are unable to use the mechanisms imbedded to raise your hand to ask a question.

    I've loved attending some author events via Zoom. I participated at the beginning of Back Room but got out of the habit mainly because the time is 4 pm on the west coast so I often forgot to get back in front of the screen. I've listened to First Chapter when not at work. I want to just not go to work this Thursday so I can attend Poison Pen event on Thursday and see you all. Oh, well. I'll have to think about that.

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    1. And isn't it fun that you can decide at the last minute? And lots of events are also archived on video--except for The Back Room!

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  21. Sorry, no Facebook, no Zoom. Also, no Twitter, Instagram, Tik-Tok, or anything but a tablet and internet. Oh…no cell phone. (!) Bit of a Luddite here, as much as I love and read Jungle Red authors and this blog. I’m sure your Zoom presentation will be wonderful.

    Here’s a blog topic for you: Christmas/Holiday/Seasonal cards.

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  22. I don't zoom. I'm the kid who hated having her picture taken and being in family movies. I hated being caught by videographers at weddings "to say a few words." Ack! I tried a couple of zoom meetings recently for a book club but bailed. Quickly. It makes me very uncomfortable. That said, I do attend Facebook live events where the author(s) do the talking and the viewers type in their questions. It may be primitive but it works for me!

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    1. Well, that's ALWAYS comfortable, and like watching TV except you get to type in comments. That works beautifully.

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  23. If you go to the Poisoned Pen Facebook page, scroll down to the event and where it says Interested, Going, click on Going. There is a good chance that Facebook will send the link right to you on Thursday. Then again...Facebook gremlins might still interfere.

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    1. Oh, that is a GREAT idea! Cannot hurt, anyway..xx Thank you!

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  24. For the camera phobic, no problem! Just keep your video feed muted!

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    1. EXACTLY! And for PP, it's on facebook, so no cameras for the audience.

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  25. Great discussion all.

    Judy, I’m back to where I started re the fractured ankle. I had two surgeries, an external fixator that looked like scaffolding on my leg, then internal screws and plates. Four months non-weight bearing.

    Grace, I don’t know how you did it. Kudos

    Amanda, I echo everything thing you said

    Hank, I do think you need to train interviewers. You don’t have 765356775 Emmys for nothing

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    1. I out burst out laughing. Thank you.

      oh, your poor ankle. xooxoo

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    2. Yikes,I also had the internal plate and screws put in on the worse break on the left side. The other break on the right healed without support. But I only had to do 6 weeks of non-weight bearing/hoping up 3 flights of stairs & during Christmas so I had it easier than you. Walking 1 block after 2 months. Joining the Ottawa walking group in 5 months.

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    3. You broke both?! Omg.

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  26. I'm so grateful for Zoom technology - I've done a ton of writing workshops and it's not as good as BEING there but it's accessible to a wide swath of folks who can't for various reasons BE there anyway. Allowed us to carry on almost pretending times were normal.

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  27. I've enjoyed watching many things on Facebook including the Poisoned Pen ones. I bought some books from the bookstore since I felt guilty watching so many. However, I don't want the Zoon app or to be on camera. I'm fine with just typing comments or clicking LIKE. Thanks for doing them because we do learn more about the authors.

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  28. Zoom has been a lifeline for almost two years now. I love it.

    And I can’t wait to Zoom with the Reds!!!

    -Marianne in Maine

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  29. It's a gift, allowing us to visit from afar. I'm looking forward to this one. <3

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