Wildcats find rhythmic response to quarantine blues as pandemic stretches on

While the world searches for the vaccine to end our current pandemic, a secondary cure is needed: what exactly is the cure for boredom? Is there one? Last March, those who were not allowed to go to work or school found themselves stuck at home due to the increased spread of COVID-19. But, instead of wasting the months of quarantine, many staff and students at West found unique ways to fight their ongoing sense of malaise.

 History teacher Paul Stellpflug found himself investing in a new source of fun.

“I spent a bit of summer cruising around in my new car,” he said. “I purchased a 1970 Volkswagen Bug convertible, so I had a ton of fun driving around in it for many, many days in the summer.”

AP History teacher Paul Stellpflug displays his newly purchased 1970 Volkswagen Bug convertible. He enjoys cruising around town with his children and seeing sights.

For Stellpflug, driving around town seemed to relieve stress that had built up from the previous school year, as well as the new stress from the pandemic. He enjoyed seeing the sights with his family while visiting friends.

“My favorite memory was the first time I took my girls out,” he said. ”That first evening when I pulled into the driveway, they came running out; they kind of knew what I was up to but they didn't realize what the car looked like and how small that type of car was. That was a ton of fun.” 

Like most, he found that keeping himself occupied seemed to be the best way to fill the time.

“I'm good at sitting around, don't get me wrong, but I like to be active,” he said. “The way I was raised, I knew that sitting around is kind of counterproductive. I like getting things accomplished, I don't like putzing around.”

Others, like math teacher Travis Miller, also decided to use their time in order to accomplish practical tasks. 

“I built several items,” he said. “I like building odd things that are different from anything else. I built a really unique table, and I also completely gutted out my front porch, and re-did that, and all of the siding, and all of the walls and windows.”

Math teacher Travis Miller creates timeless wood pieces in his workshop. He found that working with his hands was the best way for him to remain sane in an otherwise stressful time.

Miller spent a lot of time building, but some of his renovating projects were surprises to his family members. 

“I also tore down a wall while my wife was on vacation over a weekend, so she was pretty happy when she came back and I had a wall torn out,” he said.

Though the recent circumstances seemed dreary, Miller found that he enjoyed taking time to work with his hands, which was contrary to his day to day routine. 

“I liked just staying active, having personal time in my workshop, listening to some music, and doing some woodworking,” he said. 

Besides keeping busy with household tasks and projects, many at West explored new activities or hobbies. Seniors Marcus Wakefield and Javit Thao started an informal podcast called “Quaranteens.”

Senior Lilly Lloyd uses her creative spirit to paint on records, providing a splash of color to her life. Lloyd found that buying inexpensive records at stores such as Eroding Winds Record Shop and the Exclusive Company was a great way to keep enjoying her hobby.

“We basically just video called our friends and talked about whatever we liked to,” Wakefield said.

He found that the podcast allowed him to casually converse with his friends while also enjoying himself.  

“It was a way to stay in touch with people, to have something fun to do and a project to work on,” he said. “It also allowed us to work on our conversation skills which is something we both wanted to do.” 

Senior Lilly Lloyd began painting on records, a hobby that built off her interest in art, showing that there are endless ways to fight apathy by simply approaching an activity with a new angle.

“I would go to random record stores downtown, such as Eroding Winds Record Shop and Exclusive Company and I would buy all of the cheaper records,” she said. “Then I would go home and paint them white. Then, after that dried, I would paint whatever I wanted on them. I would give them to friends or hang them on my wall in my room.”

After finding inspiration off Instagram, she was able to use her creative side to develop personalized pieces. 

“I get bored really easily, so I like to keep myself busy,” she said. “I've always enjoyed doing art and painting on records. It was something a little different, interesting, and something that not everyone has done before.” 

While most activities and hobbies were initiated because of a mundane routine and a desire to make the most out of time at home, secretary Kathryn Bechard began acquiring a skill out of necessity, and has since continued with it. 

“I started to cut my husband’s hair,” she said. “He has enjoyed the savings, so I continue to do it.” 

Along with Bechard, Wakefield also had to adapt to a new lifestyle as he transitioned to a new job. He was able to combine his love for music with a desire to stay safe by starting a new business.

Senior Marcus Wakefield begins teaching students how to play the piano. Due to social distancing, he found that a simple set up outside on his deck allowed for himself and his students to remain safe.

“Since COVID hit, I had to quit my job to keep my family safe,” he said. “But I was able to start taking on more piano students and teach them in a socially distanced way on my back deck- which was honestly a lot more fulfilling and fun.”

Because he spent the majority of time at home, band teacher Daniel Singer enjoyed time bonding with his family. His wife and children were able to use their creativity in building new Lego sets.

“My wife built the Friends TV show set which was really cool and for me it was the Big Bang Theory TV show set,” he said. “It was a lot of fun to build and work with my kids.” 

Band teacher Brian Wilson used his unexpected free time to build a different kind of creation, exploring new recipes and concoctions in the kitchen. 

“I like to cook and bake, so I ended up making a lot of food,” he said. “Since we weren't able to go and visit other people, I had more time to get involved with my hobbies.”

After some searching, he found the website “America's Test Kitchen.” Wilson enjoyed this because it introduced him to thousands of recipes to try, as well as entertainment like TV shows. 

“I also liked it because they, unlike a lot of other places, scientifically tested everything and I liked the science behind it,” he said. “But it was something new to do and I like trying new things.”

Singer believes that no matter the activity, everyone could all use a much needed break from the monotony of quarantine. 

“It was good to do something different,” he said. “The days probably felt very repetitive for students: March, April, May- every day seemed the same so it was nice to break that up a bit.”

Singer also encourages students to spend time away from screens along with shows or movies and explore other activities, because there are so many options. 

Expressing his Wisconsin pride, Travis Miller creates a beautiful carved replica of our state. He encourages students to find a passion like his, one that will reside with them for the rest of their lives.

“There's always something to do,” he said. “I say find a book, read it, or even listen to it. Find a new game or puzzle, TV show, learn a card trick, or do some pushups.”

At the end of the day, many agree that life is too short to wallow in boredom. Wakefield’s advice is to use the time to pursue an interest. 

“I would tell other burnt out students to think of something creative that meets what you'd like to be doing or what you'd like to have in your life and make steps to have that,” he said. 

Miller's recommendation is in line with Wakefield’s, in that he believes it is important to work toward something that will later prove to be worthwhile. 

“Learn how to do something that is going to stick with you for the rest of your life, like playing guitar or an instrument, something that will stick with you forever,” Miller said. “It’s not going to matter how many Tweets you sent out 20 years from now, but pick out a hobby that you can keep at for the rest of your life.”

by Keerthana Ambati and Abby Eaton

Oshkosh West Index, Volume 117 Issue I

October 2nd, 2020