#WFH Diaries: Alex Lirtsman of Ready Set Rocket

As lockdowns linger in most parts of the world, we’re checking in with creative people to see how they’re faring. Here’s an update from Alex Lirtsman at Ready Set Rocket.

Give us a one-line bio of yourself.

Father of two, husband of one, co-founder and chief strategist of Ready Set Rocket.

Where are you living right now, and who’s with you?

Long Island City, Queens, with my beautiful wife and two kids, ages 6 and 4.

What’s your work situation like at the moment?

I added a small dining table to my bedroom so my wife and I can take turns using it as our office between homeschooling. My schedule had to get adjusted a bit, so I’m teaching reading, writing, and physical education from 8 to10 a.m., and then starting my second job after that.

Describe your socializing strategy.

Similar to before the pandemic. hess and board games with my kids. Little has changed in that regard.

How are you dealing with childcare, if applicable?

Taking turns homeschooling our kids between conference calls.

What are you reading?

Went from reading one book a week to zero as my “free” time has turned into “teaching time”.

What are you watching?

I had an initial three weeks of self isolation that allowed me to catch up on Narcos. It was fantastic! I can’t believe I never watched it.

What are you listening to?

I’ve been re-listening to a lot of music from college—Alkaline Trio, Saves the Day, etc., as I jam through an inbox that’s still not getting any smaller.

How are you staying fit?

Playing soccer and yoga daily with the kids for their P.E. time. Did you know there’s “Harry Potter kids yoga” and “Frozen kids yoga”? Brilliant.

Have you taken up a hobby?

Teaching!

Any tips for getting necessities?

FreshDirect. To call them an essential service would be an understatement.

An awkward moment since all this started.

No awkward moments, but a moment of terror when I was self isolated with presumed Covid — since there’s no testing, regardless of what our president says. My son, who’s previously been hospitalized for respiratory ailments, also got sick. We’re all fine now.

Best work email you got since all this started.

Winning new business when the economy is cratering all around us.

An aha! moment since all this started.

That this is an opportunity to be more empathetic, and support others every chance we get, rather than as an afterthought. On a company level, it’s been refreshing to watch our team take care of one another and truly check-in. I think most of us will leave this situation as better people.

What’s your theory on how this is going to play out?

Blue Wave!

See the full #WFH Diaries series here.