LTH North (Virtual) Lunch Group - 4/2 - 12:30pm

The world kind of sucks at the moment. Most of us are stuck at home. That doesn't prevent us from getting together for lunch.

Let's get together this Thursday at 12:30 via Zoom to eat and schmooze. Feel free to share (or not) what you plan to eat. Cathy will be sending out the log-in details for Zoom.

Dave148 - Esteemed Coordinator - LTH North (Virtual) Lunch Group - macaroni and cheese.
Merle - macaroni and cheese
Cathy2 - Poke Bowl
GAF
nsxtasy - home-prepared bologna on brioche
Cynthia
Katie
JoelF - burrito

I will be there.

I know GAF has it in his plans, too.

I'm not sure that it was in my plans, but I hope to be there (or here), although probably not for 90 minutes.

But for all of you who have wondered about what the always charismatic Dave148 is like, this is your chance without having to trek into the northern hinterlands. No ID cards needed. No secret handshakes. And, in addition, lunch comes with an order of Cathy's wisdom and, no doubt, sarcasm about the ELG (aka Evanston Lunch Group - trademarked).

In.

GAF wrote:lunch comes with an order of Cathy's wisdom and, no doubt, sarcasm about the ELG (aka Evanston Lunch Group - trademarked).

I'm sure Gary actually meant "envious sarcasm."

I'm sure Gary actually meant "envious sarcasm."

Very true.

Sounds good to me. No idea at present what I'll be eating, but looking forward to chatting with fellow LTHers.

LTHers on Zoom on Thursday, waiting for virtual lunch to start:

I sent information out about how to make this all happen.

It is my first time doing Zoom, so I interested to see how this all works.

Regards,
Cathy2

Cathy2 wrote:It is my first time doing Zoom, so I interested to see how this all works.

I'm interested too. I'm in a group of friends who got together for dinner every three months, and we're going to try using Zoom for the first time next week.

My understanding is that there's a free version of Zoom with a 45-minute limit (I don't know if that's per call or per month) and a pay version with no limit. Maybe they have a free trial with no limit...? And only the meeting initiator needs to have an account on Zoom.

Based on the instructions from cathy2, it appears you can either use the web address if you're calling in from a browser (on a computer or smartphone), or dial the number from a smartphone. (Probably any telephone will give you audio, but only a smartphone has a camera and screen for video.) I might try using a computer just because I have one with a built-in camera and microphone that I've never used, and if I encounter any problems I can jump to my smartphone.

While stuck at home, I've already started using my smartphone for video chats using Facebook Messenger. It will be nice to try Zoom, and thus to have another option for friends and family who aren't on Facebook.

"See" you Thursday!

Of course, there's no obligation for anyone to actually be eating lunch during the call, but for those who are, it will be interesting to hear what everyone is doing for their lunch food - getting takeout, preparing lunch at home (either specifically for this lunch, or leftovers from another meal), and where the food came from.

Today we went shopping for the first time in two weeks, at Valli Produce in Evanston (where we got bread) and at the Jewel-Osco on Green Bay in Wilmette (which recently started carrying the full line of Boars Head products, where we got cold cuts) so I'll probably make myself a sandwich. Social distancing was easier at Jewel than at Valli, which is always busy on senior-discount Tuesdays. If I get ambitious and decide to pick something up, I like the carryout sandwiches at Bennison's (I know they're still open) and at Al's Deli (I'm not sure whether they're still open).

nsxtasy wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:It is my first time doing Zoom, so I interested to see how this all works.

I'm interested too. I'm in a group of friends who got together for dinner every three months, and we're going to try using Zoom for the first time next week.

My understanding is that there's a free version of Zoom with a 45-minute limit (I don't know if that's per call or per month) and a pay version with no limit. Maybe they have a free trial with no limit...? And only the meeting initiator needs to have an account on Zoom.

Based on the instructions from cathy2, it appears you can either use the web address if you're calling in from a browser (on a computer or smartphone), or dial the number from a smartphone. (Probably any telephone will give you audio, but only a smartphone has a camera and screen for video.) I might try using a computer just because I have one with a built-in camera and microphone that I've never used, and if I encounter any problems I can jump to my smartphone.

While stuck at home, I've already started using my smartphone for video chats using Facebook Messenger. It will be nice to try Zoom, and thus to have another option for friends and family who aren't on Facebook.

"See" you Thursday!

Not specific to Zoom, but all vid conferencing programs work best if you log in on your computer for the “video” only (mute the audio) and call in on your cell for the audio. Unless you have an external speaker pod like a Jabra. There’s just too much ambient noise and feedback on the computer audio, which makes it annoying for everyone.

boudreaulicious wrote:Not specific to Zoom, but all vid conferencing programs work best if you log in on your computer for the “video” only (mute the audio) and call in on your cell for the audio. Unless you have an external speaker pod like a Jabra. There’s just too much ambient noise and feedback on the computer audio, which makes it annoying for everyone.

Yes . . . this or a (usb) headset for your computer will greatly enhance the audio quality.

=R=

All true about the audio. I had a recent board meeting involving maybe eight people with everyone using the camera and audio on their laptops without any issue.

Your idea of calling on the phone and video only might be the best solution for the main presenter.

I have two programs on Sunday and Monday, which will be baptism by fire. None of this starting slow and working your way up stuff.

Regards,
Cathy2

ronnie_suburban wrote:

boudreaulicious wrote:Not specific to Zoom, but all vid conferencing programs work best if you log in on your computer for the “video” only (mute the audio) and call in on your cell for the audio. Unless you have an external speaker pod like a Jabra. There’s just too much ambient noise and feedback on the computer audio, which makes it annoying for everyone.

Yes . . . this or a (usb) headset for your computer will greatly enhance the audio quality.

=R=

I promise to close my mouth when I chew.....

nsxtasy wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:It is my first time doing Zoom, so I interested to see how this all works.

I'm interested too. I'm in a group of friends who got together for dinner every three months, and we're going to try using Zoom for the first time next week.

My understanding is that there's a free version of Zoom with a 45-minute limit (I don't know if that's per call or per month) and a pay version with no limit.

I used a free version of Zoom last night, and about 30 minutes in a popup came on saying they were giving us unlimited time. We went about 75 minutes and not problems.

I don't know if I can participate on Thursday, depends on work, but I applaud you, Cathy2, for your work in setting this up. I'm reading the comments and instructions and I'm curious to see how it goes. If I can, I will try to jump in on Thursday. I think this could be a really nice way to do some future "get togethers" for lunch and dinner.

Thanks for the advice. Particularly boudreau's point about using both computer and phone.

I asked my friend who's setting up our Zoom next week and is an experienced Zoom host for additional advice. Here is what he says:

nsxtasy's friend wrote:I have never used the phone number. On my Zoom, a phone number is indicated if you do not have a mic on your device. The best way is to use the url. The leader will have to sign in first before you will see others. A laptop works best for all the features. If you click on the screen you will see a menu at the bottom of the page. You have to click join with video. We did a family Zoom Sunday night, and I discovered an iPad is limited in what it can do. It works, but you don't see thumbnails of others.

In the download center at Zoom, they have an app for iPhone and iPad, which may have additional features (or may not) to the default app: https://www.zoom.us/download#client_4meeting

I don't know if that is behind the paywall or not. I attended a webinar this afternoon that covered working at home via Zoom. They endorsed downloading the client app because it had more features than the default.

Too green to know what is what yet.

Regards,
Cathy2

I have a 1PM work meeting but could say hi at 12:30 for a bit
E

irisarbor wrote:I have a 1PM work meeting but could say hi at 12:30 for a bit
E

Excellent. I will forward you a link right now.

I'm going to try to join, perhaps grabbing a burrito from Monica's in Wheeling.

I'm having a Poke Bowl I picked up at Aldi yesterday.

Regards,
Cathy2

JoelF wrote:I'm going to try to join, perhaps grabbing a burrito from Monica's in Wheeling.

Coincidentally, today is National Burrito Day.

I will be having a home-prepared bologna on brioche sandwich, which ought to prompt some laughs. More specifically, Boar's Head beef bologna on toasted St. Pierre sliced brioche loaf (which, BTW, also makes terrific French toast), spread with my favorite mustard, the slightly sweet Brownwood Farms Famous Kream Mustard. "See" you then!

nsxtasy wrote:I will be having a home-prepared bologna on brioche sandwich, which ought to prompt some laughs. More specifically, Boar's Head beef bologna on toasted St. Pierre sliced brioche loaf (which, BTW, also makes terrific French toast), spread with my favorite mustard, the slightly sweet Brownwood Farms Famous Kream Mustard. "See" you then!

Thanks for the tip Jewel has Boar's Head. They have the pepperoni sticks I like to use for making pizza.

BTW, if anyone ever sets up a virtual meeting on Zoom, this Tribune article today describes why it's best to invite people privately (as cathy2 has done) and not to post the details on a public website or public social media:

Zoom video meetings are being interrupted by hackers spewing hate speech and showing porn. It’s called ‘Zoombombing.’ Here’s how to prevent it.

Cathy2 wrote:Thanks for the tip Jewel has Boar's Head. They have the pepperoni sticks I like to use for making pizza.

More info - The Jewel on Green Bay in Wilmette just introduced Boar's Head a month or two ago. At that time they were promoting it with streetside banners, and Boar's Head reps were in the store. The reps told us that not all Jewels have Boar's Head (at least, not yet), that they were rolling it out at a limited number (a few dozen) of Jewel stores to begin with.

We've been fans of Boar's Head products for a long time, having previously bought them at Marketplace on Oakton in Skokie and the now-closed Produce World.

nsxtasy wrote:BTW, if anyone ever sets up a virtual meeting on Zoom, this Tribune article today describes why it's best to invite people privately (as cathy2 has done) and not to post the details on a public website or public social media:

Zoom video meetings are being interrupted by hackers spewing hate speech and showing porn. It’s called ‘Zoombombing.’ Here’s how to prevent it.

Nothing like lunch and a show!

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:

nsxtasy wrote:BTW, if anyone ever sets up a virtual meeting on Zoom, this Tribune article today describes why it's best to invite people privately (as cathy2 has done) and not to post the details on a public website or public social media:

Zoom video meetings are being interrupted by hackers spewing hate speech and showing porn. It’s called ‘Zoombombing.’ Here’s how to prevent it.

Nothing like lunch and a show!

=R=

Join us!