As the whole world is going into quarantine, we took the time to see what some of our HQ staff are up to while living the lockdown life. Including film, TV and music recommendations, along with a look at what they're doing to maintain a healthy body and mind...
Our HQ Staff Living The Lockdown Life
JIM ADLINGTON - FOUNDER
What are your top 5 things to do in quarantine?
- Handstands.
- Eating bran flakes.
- Dancing.
- Pull-ups.
- Sleeping.
What are you doing to keep your mind and body healthy?
Yoga classes and push-ups.
What is your number one film or TV recommendation and why?
I've been watching old ski videos, like JP Auclair's segment from All I Can by Sherpa Cinemas which has an amazing intro and great soundtrack. I've also started to watch Narcos on Netflix, so good!
What is your go-to album or playlist and why?
LTJ Bukem presents Logical Progression, I've not listened to this for years and years!
What is the first thing you are going to do after the lockdown?
Hopefully, go ski touring!
ROB CLOWES - CREATIVE DIRECTOR
What are your top 5 things to do in quarantine?
- Shave head.
- Exercise.
- Drink gin & tonic.
- Watch classic movies (& classic Peppa Pig).
- Worry about full food delivery slots.
What are you doing to keep your mind and body healthy?
Create new meals from reject store cupboard items.
What is your number one film or TV recommendation and why?
Late to the party, but I’m only just getting into Breaking Bad (see No 1 thing to do in quarantine), maybe watching Game of Thrones for the fourth time would be a bit much! Otherwise, my favourite recent film is Green Book.
What is your go-to album or playlist and why?
Parquet Courts - Wide Awake is good from start to finish, always easy to listen to. The Music for Concentration playlist on Spotify is pretty good when you need to… erm… concentrate.
What is the first thing you are going to do after the lockdown?
Run through fields of wheat like Theresa May.
AMY WESTWELL - ACCOUNTS ASSISTANT
What are your top 5 things to do in quarantine?
- Read books, particularly mindfulness and self-help books.
- Binge on Netflix shows and films, especially crime-related.
- Do home exercises copying workout videos from YouTube.
- Go and play with my new puppy Freddie (he's a working cocker spaniel).
- Catch up with friends and family through video chats.
What are you doing to keep your mind and body healthy?
To keep my mind and body healthy I go and sit outside in the garden when it is sunny to get a breath of fresh air, I keep up with my exercises and read my books. I've also been trying out new recipes with what is in the fridge/cupboards trying different and new things.
What is your number one film or TV recommendation and why?
Currently, my number one TV recommendation is "Tiger King" on Netflix, it is a crazy limited series documentary about a guy who owns a tiger park and it has so many twists, the drama it keeps you engaged all the way through.
What is your go-to album or playlist and why?
At the minute I keep playing the Kisstory radio station, as it has all of the upbeat old school anthems, keeping the mood positive in the house, playing all the good songs that I've not heard in years that have been forgotten about.
What is the first thing you are going to do after the lockdown?
The first thing I'm going to do after the lockdown is go to my mum's house to see her for a celebratory drink!
ROW EMERY - E-COMMERCE CONTENT EXECUTIVE
What are your top 5 things to do in quarantine?
- Using my daily exercise allowance for a quick blast on my bike.
- Watching old ski films and planning new tricks to do post-quarantine.
- Soaking up some pre-summer sun in the garden.
- Keeping it loose by dancing around the house.
- Listening to podcasts (I’d recommend The Powell Movement on Spotify) & reading books.
What are you doing to keep your mind and body healthy?
I’ve started dabbling in mediation, using an app called Calm for relaxing ambient sounds and mediation voice stories. I’ve also started to do physio that I’ve been slacking on for the past 2 years, to get my bad knee back in shape, and home workouts, etc.
What is your number one film or TV recommendation and why?
My current TV recommendation would have to be Narcos: Mexico on Netflix, I was super into the original series about the come-up of the notorious Pablo Escobar, so it was a no brainer that I had to invest some time in this new series, and it didn’t disappoint. As it's based on a true story, that makes it all-the-more interesting. If you’re looking for something a little less intense and more educational, I would recommend the Explained documentary series on Netflix. There are loads of 20-minute-long documentaries, jam-packed full of interesting information about interesting subjects (also the theme tune is rad).
What is your go-to album or playlist and why?
It would have to be a big ODESZA or Flume mix on Spotify, because no track is like the last, with uplifting and relaxing tunes throughout, generally super dope soundtracks for day-to-day life. They also get me imagining all the crazy adventures I’m going to go on post-coronavirus.
What is the first thing you are going to do after the lockdown?
A think it would have to be a camping road trip stopping off at some ski slopes on the route, with some cool beers and good friends. I would also like to get out of the UK and go somewhere hot to fully relax.
ANNA OFFORD - PRODUCT DESIGN & OPERATIONS ASSISTANT
What are your top 3 things to do in quarantine?
- Cooking, it's a great way to pass some time. Making meal plans helps reduce how often you need to go to the shops and keeps you excited about future meals/snacks. I'm probably going to put on weight...
- Watching something new. Now is a great time to get through the long list of things I want to watch.
- Scrolling through social media memes, particularly cats.
What are you doing to keep your mind and body healthy?
I've stopped drinking so much coffee. It's not needed now that I'm not getting early or even leaving the house. I've stopped wearing makeup - almost. It's great to give my skin a break. It's still nice to make an effort every now and then though. Running - get that daily jog in.
What is your number one film or TV recommendation?
Drive is one of my favourite films, it's a bit dark for the current situation though, I might try find something more light-hearted. I've also just started Umbrella Academy after loads of people recommending it, locked in after a few episodes.
What is your go-to album or playlist?
I'm quarantined in a house of DJ's so have constant mixes playing. I love a good podcast, it's nice to have an interesting conversation going on in the background and get the mind thinking.
What is the first thing you are going to do after the lockdown?
I feel a party happening...
CHRIS RIPLEY - FINANCE DIRECTOR
What are your top 5 things to do in quarantine?
- Spend time with the little one.
- Gardening.
- DIY.
- Sleep.
- Eat.
What are you doing to keep your mind and body healthy?
Bike rides and crosswords - obviously not at the same time!
What is your number one film or TV recommendation and why?
Happy Gillmore for lots of laughs!
What is your go-to album or playlist and why?
Deadmau5 for soothing beats.
What is the first thing you are going to do after the lockdown?
Visit my family!
ANDREW BIRCHALL - E-COMMERCE TRADING MANAGER
What are your top 5 things to do in quarantine?
- Build Lego.
- Listen to podcasts.
- Read books.
- Spend more quality time with my kids (mainly building Lego).
- A daily walk in the woods (at a safe distance).
What are you doing to keep your mind and body healthy?
Rehabbing injuries and lots of stretching.
What is your number one film or TV recommendation and why?
Now is a perfect time to watch the Wire! The best TV show ever, it can be hard at first to understand some of the accents, and at times it is a hard watch but it is well worth the time investment.
What is your go-to album or playlist and why?
The playlist my wife and I put together for our wedding.
What is the first thing you are going to do after the lockdown?
Re-book my flights for Barcelona.
HUGH CLOW - CO-FOUNDER
What are your top 5 things to do in quarantine?
- Teach my 6-year-old daughter to read English.
- Get taught by my 6-year-old daughter to read Thai.
- Continuously breaking/fixing the coffee machine and failing to make a good looking latte.
- Skype, Skype, Skype.
- IT support for parents.
What are you doing to keep your mind and body healthy?
Meditate every morning and swimming.
What is your number one film or TV recommendation?
Black Mirror.
What is your go-to album or playlist?
Electro Disco Hop 3 by The Oil Baron.
What is the first thing you are going to do after the lockdown?
Go back to Manchester.