The Crybaby Team is stuck inside with so much to do! We did a little Q&A about how we’ve been spending quarantine… what we’ve been watching, reading, crafting, and of course, baking. We hope you get some great recommendations and tips!!
Besides all of this, we’ve been hard at work organizing interviews, editing DIY videos, and copy editing stories all for your eyes. So get excited for more fabulous content to come in the coming days and weeks! And if you have any ideas, please pitch us!
Remi Riordan, Founder/Editor-In-Chief
How long have you been in quarantine/self-isolation/at home?
I had been social distancing/quarantining (besides going grocery shopping) from March 11th on and then I had to fly home to New Jersey on the 21st and have been quarantining here since then.
What are you watching, reading, listening to right now?
I watched all of “Veronica Mars,” which is my new favorite series. I watched the finale of “Schitts Creek,” some of “Tiger King”—but it was too depressing for me to finish. I also saw all of “Unorthodox” on Netflix. Also been watching a ton of commentary YouTubers. Haven’t read any books, but plenty of articles from the New York Times, New York Magazine, The LA Times, and The New Yorker. I’ve been listening to a few random songs on repeat for the past 3-ish weeks.
Have you tried anything new while in quarantine?
So far, I haven’t tried anything new, but I’m thinking about baking a bunch of Depression Era cakes.
How do you stay productive during quarantine? How you do make your workspace productive/how do you stay motivated?
I’m still in school technically so I have classes and projects to finish. Besides that, after a long period of being incredibly unproductive and sad, I’m finally excited about Crybaby again!! Staying motivated is definitely hard, but I’ve found getting dressed in “outside pants” and doing my makeup everyday helps.
What piece of news about COVID-19 or world affairs has shocked you the most?
None of it has really shocked me since I’ve been reading about the virus since late January. I think a lot of what’s going on in the US reflects what we’ve known about healthcare disparities when it comes to class and race. But people still not taking it seriously (while unsurprising) is the most embarrassing.
Share one piece of positive news you have seen/read/heard lately.
The finale of Schitts Creek was accompanied with a mini-documentary on the making of the show and it discussed the idea of creating a world without homophobia and discrimination and the significance of that.
Zoe Yu Gilligan, Managing Editor
How long have you been in quarantine/self-isolation/at home?
I have been in quarantine at home in Brooklyn, New York since March 15th.
What are you watching, reading, listening to right now?
Lots of musicians have been dropping new music since lockdown, so I’ve been listening to a lot! Love to some of my favorite New York women in music with recent drops — ilham, Angelica Vila, Abby Jasmine, Diana Gordon, Teyana Taylor. Love Frank Ocean and Rosalia’s respective new singles as well. Otherwise, I’ve been listening a lot to Yayoi Daimon, Cookiee Kawaii, Kelela, SZA, Kaytranada’s SoundCloud. I’ve been reading “The Night Gardens of Brooklyn” by Harvey Swados and re-reading “all about love” by bell hooks.
Have you tried anything new while in quarantine?
I’ve tried some new face mask products and made different kinds of hair masks than the usual ones I always make, but that’s about it.
How do you stay productive during quarantine? How you do make your workspace productive/how do you stay motivated?
I’m still trying to figure this one out! Productivity has been extremely hard for me to pursue while being on lockdown. I’ve always seen my home as a sacred space of relaxation—I like to leave the hustling outside, so I can have a true work-free sanctuary for decompressing and chilling out only. It’s definitely been a struggle. I try to keep myself motivated by not consuming COVID-19 news every 15 minutes and by remembering how much of a privilege it is not to be an essential worker — all I have to do is stay at home and complete my tasks that ultimately are not putting my life at risk. New York City and New Yorkers also motivate me, with the way we have always come out of these crises. This sustains me.
What piece of news about COVID-19 or world affairs has shocked you the most?
It’s hard to be shocked by much at this point, but I do believe what’s been most shocking to me—whether positively or negatively—is how leaders around the world have been handling this pandemic. New Zealand has shocked me (spectacularly) equally as America has (horrifically). People’s true colors coming to light amid this crisis has also been very shocking to me.
Share one piece of positive news you have seen/read/heard lately.
If New Yorkers continue to remain under lockdown (I really can’t stress this enough), we might have already hit the peak. I’ve also really been enjoying all the different food/beverage and skincare/beauty/wellness companies stepping up to care for medical professionals on the frontlines right now!
Zoe Allen, Story Editor
How long have you been in quarantine/self-isolation/at home?
I have been at home in Dallas, Texas since about March 15 and have been only interacting with my family since then. On April 6, my dad and I drove to Santa Fe, New Mexico. In both locations, my only outings have included the grocery store, walks around the neighborhood and hikes.
What are you watching, reading, listening to right now?
I’m reading “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” by Ocean Vuong (which is beautiful, but so heartbreaking), watching “Sex Education,” “Hunters” and all of Wes Anderson’s movies in chronological order and listening to a lot of Lorde because I think she’s perfect for this crazy, chaotic, inconceivable time. “Hunters” is having this crazy impact on me though, it’s gotten a lot of controversy because it reconstructs some of the past in relation to the Holocaust, but I personally don’t see it necessarily as a negative thing (as a Jew myself.) It’s really making me think about my own relationship with Judaism and the hardships people experience simply due to the God they worship.
Have you tried anything new while in quarantine?
Just like Tina, I’ve been doing a lot more yoga than usual. I’m also taking some online fashion classes through FutureLearn, which has really helped prevent my brain from just absolutely rotting.
How do you stay productive during quarantine? How you do make your workspace productive/how do you stay motivated?
To be honest, it’s hard for me to stay productive during quarantine. University feels about 30% as “real” as it did before and online classes simply do not compare to being in a classroom, especially when that’s the environment the course was designed for. When I am trying to be productive, I grab some iced coffee and throw my phone as far away from me as possible, because it’s the biggest time suck in the world. I also find that moving locations around your house is helpful and if you’re living with your parents right now (like me) doing work with them nearby can be super motivational to actually stick to the task at hand.
What piece of news about COVID-19 or world affairs has shocked you the most?
It’s pretty hard to find anything shocking at this point, right? Almost no news about the virus itself has shocked me anymore, but there’s a key difference between it shocking me and it being horrible. Like the fact that it’s disproportionately affecting minorities is horrible, but it doesn’t shock me, which I think says a lot about our country. For a second I was shocked that Brian Kemp, the governor of Georgia, recently found out that the virus can spread asymptomatically, but then I remembered that he’s a governor of a Southern state, so he’s either lying, or stupid, or both.
Share one piece of positive news you have seen/read/heard lately.
It’s uplifting to see how many people (celebrities, my friends, organizations, institutions etc.) are donating to those impacted by COVID-19 in a major way. Obviously to the medical field, but also to local businesses, freelancers and creatives that will be severely affected by this economically.
Rosie Yasukochi, Art Director
How long have you been in quarantine/self-isolation/at home?
This is my sixth week in self-isolation.
What are you watching, reading, listening to right now?
I just started “The Simple Life.” So far I’ve watched “Outbreak,” “Contagion,” and “Parasite.” I’ve been listening to a lot of Mariah Carey, Philip Glass, Moodymann, Blur and Anika. I’ve been re-reading old magazines and illustration books, as well as looking through photo books (mostly about suburbia) online.
Have you tried anything new while in quarantine?
I haven’t tried quite yet but I really want to learn how to quilt. I did buy a small arts and crafts loom right before we went into quarantine and have been making cotton loop potholders, which I suppose is a good start. I just ran out of loops, though, so my production has been put on pause. I’ve got to remember to order more loops!
How do you stay productive during quarantine? How you do make your workspace productive/how do you stay motivated?
I’m fortunate enough to be working from home right now, specifically from my bedroom/studio. My biggest challenge has been keeping my professional and personal workdays appropriately separated, as I’m now conducting both in the same place. I’ve found that listening to different music during each and doing some small bit of exercise in between helps. My productivity also tends to rely on the (dis)order of my workspace so I’ve been trying my best to keep things tidy. Switching up my space lends a hand to a more enjoyable workday–definitely had more than a few late night room rearrangements in the past few weeks. I’ve also been working on filling my room with art and objects from my friends, like a little reminder of everyone I wish I could see.
What piece of news about COVID-19 or world affairs has shocked you the most?
Hospitals being forced to make incredibly heartbreaking choices about who gets aid and who doesn’t due to lack of supplies, people not taking social distancing seriously and Bernie dropping out.
Share one piece of positive news you have seen/read/heard lately.
Fiona Apple released a new album this week! *Editor’s Note, Crybaby posted a review of the Album.
Tina Tona, Art Director
How long have you been in quarantine/self-isolation/at home?
I spent the first 21 days in L.A. with my sister and the last 14 at home in Maryland. So, 35 days total.
What are you watching, reading, listening to right now?
I’ve been watching “Living Single,” a bit of “Tiger King,” binging “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” for the first time and also trying to get some movies off of my watchlist. The last one I watched was “Dreamgirls,” and up next is “Last Black Man In San Francisco.” I’m trying to also finish “The Wretched of the Earth.” Music wise, I’ve had way more time to listen to new projects like pink siifu’s “NEGRO” and Childish Gambino’s “3.15.20.”
Have you tried anything new while in quarantine?
I’ve started doing yoga through Nike’s workout app and also learning to cook a few vegan friendly recipes.
How do you stay productive during quarantine? How you do make your workspace productive/how do you stay motivated?
I try to not oversleep and make a schedule for myself. My regular life has just been so disrupted that I find having a routine helps me trick myself into being more productive. Also! Caffeine! Interestingly enough, I’ve noticed that being back home has made me far more productive and motivated. I think being somewhere more familiar to me where I have all my stuff around me has helped me get more stuff done. More specifically though, having a workspace where I can talk to other people helps ground me and get into a headspace where working is no longer a burden or added stress.
What piece of news about COVID-19 or world affairs has shocked you the most?
I think something that shocked me was that in the United States, Black people have the highest percentage of positive cases of coronavirus. Outside of COVID-19, I was also really shocked and disappointed to see that Bernie Sanders suspended his campaign.
Share one piece of positive news you have seen/read/heard lately.
Last week Issa Rae announced that the new season of “Insecure” is dropping soon, so I’m really excited for that!
Branden Ruiz, Fashion Director
How long have you been in quarantine/self-isolation/at home?
Since March 19 I have been home for 4 weeks now.
What are you watching, reading, listening to right now?
I have been watching movies like “Rosemary’s Baby,” “Pan’s Labyrinth,” and a lot of J-Lo movies.
Have you tried anything new while in quarantine?
I’m trying to talk to new people since I’m home all the time and it’s a great way to connect. I tried to watercolor and I failed. I’m currently looking to do more stuff I haven’t done while I’m home.
How do you stay productive during quarantine? How you do make your workspace productive/how do you stay motivated?
I walk my dog, sew some garments, read a book, clean up my room and of course clean the house everyday. I have been currently looking at old fashion magazines I had since I was in highschool, looking at the clothes and how they were styled, photograph, etc and I also just explore through books and online for new designers.
What piece of news about COVID-19 or world affairs has shocked you the most?
The death count going up. People not social distancing and not taking it seriously.
Share one piece of positive news you have seen/read/heard lately.
“Parasite” is on Hulu!!!
Alycia Dalfonsi, Social Media Director and Designer
How long have you been in quarantine/self-isolation/at home?
It’s been about a month of quarantine for me. I had went home to my parents house outside the city for my siblings birthday and have been here ever since.
What are you watching, reading, listening to right now?
I’m always listening to podcasts, especially because I was already working remotely before this all went down. My favorite podcasts are anything true crime/ paranormal related and im always waiting for the newest episode of “And That’s Why We Drink” or “My Favourite Murder.” Other than podcasts I’ve literally been listening to Tik Tok playlists (because I’m 12 again apparently) and also a lot of Doja Cat because they are dance worthy in my opinion!!
Have you tried anything new while in quarantine?
I started tie-dying again… everything I have with me has now been bleached tie-dyed into matching sets. I don’t regret it just yet so all is GOOD. I’m now waiting on a bedazzler (I guess I am 12 again, see above.)
How do you stay productive during quarantine? How you do make your workspace productive/how do you stay motivated?
Since I was already lucky enough to work from home before this quarantine started, I’ve pretty much stuck to the daily routine I have always done (minus the going out part). I do feel a little unmotivated these days though, just because it’s hard to not think about what is happening in the world and the uncertainty of not knowing when everything will go back to normal is always in the back of my head.
What piece of news about COVID-19 or world affairs has shocked you the most?
It’s hard to pinpoint a certain thing that has shocked me about all this—though, I think something that’s always on my mind is the way people are acting during this situation, whether that be negatively or positively.
Share one piece of positive news you have seen/read/heard lately.
I really just love seeing acts of kindness and service. Whether that be from someone offering help to give out groceries to those in need, or companies stepping up and reaching out to healthcare professionals and offering their products up. They are little things in the grand scheme of things, but I think it’s always important to do what you can, no matter how big or small it is.