Saturday, March 26, 2022

Personal Digest Saturday: March 19 – March 25

Life news this week:

  • Saturday I got up and watched the rest of Amphibia that I hadn't seen. I took a break between seasons to do my blogging and daily stuff. Also took a couple walks in between episodes so I wouldn't turn into a lump. It was nice to spend some time just not doing anything, and now I'm caught up and don't have to worry about being spoiled. Though honestly I kinda could have done without this show, it isn't the kind of thing I gravitate toward.

  • Sunday I got up early but Dad still showed up before I was done with breakfast. Hah. And I had to catch a spider. We went to our band practice and got a bunch of stuff accomplished, and ended up adding a bunch of songs to work on before the next practice. Dad took me out for sushi like we usually do and then at home I took a long nap before starting my Sunday chores. I did get the trash out and laundry started, and listened to the new songs we're going to do (I wasn't familiar with ANY of them except one).

  • Monday involved a morning meeting and wrangling utilities, my faaaavorite thing. Did some video chats and recorded a karaoke song (one of the new songs, which was very easy to learn). I took another long nap and got up to play games with my friends. After, I studied more songs and talked to my sister while putting away laundry.

  • Tuesday my boss woke me up with last-minute plans to get a proposal out, but then he changed his mind because the client will probably pick a bigger company. I spent the day with utilities again. Spent some more time on music learning and I also recorded a new ukulele song while wearing costumes!

  • Wednesday I put out small fires at work. I redecorated for the new season now that the equinox has passed. And I practiced music again. I got tired early. Jeaux picked me up and took me to grocery shopping and eating at McAlister's (takeout). We got to see the new episode of The Owl House and our usual Colbert and silly videos to show each other. We took a walk and after Jeaux left I messed around online. He and I wore the same Steven Universe shirt by accident. I got a call from my boss in the late evening saying one of our coworkers has died. She had been sick for a long time but we weren't expecting that. Very sad.

  • Thursday was more meetings about utilities. A lot is happening at once and it seems like three different projects all need my attention at the same time so I'm busy. I also had to proofread a letter. I did a bunch of music practice and at this point I'm just trying to memorize everything so I can be super comfortable with all our music. Victor called as usual and nothing's really changed but he might be on his way to getting someplace to live.

  • Friday we had more meetings and more utility stuff to deal with. And I had to do my reports and timesheets and some support documents for something that's due Monday. And I spent the afternoon and evening going back and forth between working on my webcomic and working on memorizing music. Did some reading before bed.
Interviews, Articles, Mentions:

  • "For Some Couples, Sex Isn't a Priority" was published in Psychology Today. A marriage & family therapist and certified sex therapist describes a concerned doctor referring a couple to him saying the wife was in DESPERATE need of psychotherapy because the married couple wasn't having sex, even though neither partner was particularly concerned about it. The therapist referenced my book in discussing the possibility of asexuality while noting there was nothing wrong with this couple and suggesting medical practitioners are irresponsible for treating this like a crisis.
Health Plan Update:

  • Weight stuff: I've been a little less restrictive with high-sugar foods this week (translation: I ate a lot of candy), so I'm not too surprised that I got a new high weight this week. (That said, at least it was early in the week and has come down since.) High weight: 119.5. Low weight: 117.1.
  • Nutrition stuff: I haven't been very good with the "green foods" stuff this week--I've missed a few days, and need to do better with getting those spinach smoothies in for better nutrition. But I'm still taking my vitamins daily and the balance of my nutrients is good.
  • Activity stuff: I met my step goal every day this week by a LOT--I'm doing a lot of walking around while practicing music so I didn't have trouble meeting my goals this week. My low day was Sunday at 10,454 steps, and my high day was Friday at 21,316 steps. (I also had an 18,000+ day and another 20,000+ day.)
    Books Read: 

    • Finished Reading: Nothing this week.

    • Currently reading: Dirty Job by Christopher Moore. I'm on page 23.

      New singing performances:

      My cosplay singing with Greg and Rose's song "What Can I Do (For You)"--I do both parts in a duet.



      This week's karaoke song is "Bad Reputation" by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.



      Stuff drawn:




      Webcomic Negative One Issue 0880: "How to Help." 





      New videos:

      None.

      New photos:

      None.

      Social Media Counts: 

      YouTube subscribers: 5,343 for swankivy (1 new), 673 for JulieSondra (1 new), 17 for v & V Vids (no change), 138 for Not-So-Giant Women (1 new). Twitter followers: 927 for swankivy (1 new), 2,631 for JulieSondra (7 new). Facebook: 297 friends for swankivy (no change), 635 likes for JulieSondra (lost 1), 80 followers for Negative One (no change), 235 likes for So You Write (no change), 89 followers for Not-So-Giant-Women (no change). Tumblr followers: 2,463 (no change). Instagram followers: 243 (no change).


      Saturday, March 19, 2022

      Personal Digest Saturday: March 12 – March 18

      Life news this week:

      • Saturday I got up really early and beat my houseguest to wakefulness by about two and a half hours. I wanted to wait for them before I had breakfast so I just ate a little fruit cup with my coffee. When Fen got up we had omelets and fruit for breakfast and watched some cartoon shorts, and after morning necessaries we took a walk to get some steps in. It was a lovely day, if a bit chilly. When we got back we had some chips and dips and veggies for a light lunch while we watched some more cartoons. We hit a really meaningful episode for Fen and got to talk about it, which was so nice since I love getting to talk to people about cartoons. Then later we made enchiladas and watched a third set of cartoons. We ended up talking way into the night and finally went to bed.

      • Sunday I had to get up really early to see Fen off since they had an early flight, and then I slept in. When I finally got up I did my usual laundry and trash, took a couple walks, made and listened to Polos, and worked on my photos site. It was good to have a day to just kinda do nothing and reset. And I recorded a karaoke song.

      • Monday I had to juggle some letters with tight deadlines that kept me busy all day. Took some walks and finally finished the book I've been reading for months. I also worked on the photos page since we didn't have games due to Meggie being on her Disney cruise! And I watched the movie Turning Red, which I liked.

      • Tuesday was less stressful at work and I got a bunch done. Continued working on my photos site and got a ton of stuff done, just kept plugging away at it.

      • Wednesday I got more data entry to do so I worked on that at work. Jeaux came over after work and we ate at the outdoor dining at Joe's Diner. Then went shopping, watched Colbert, and wandered around the neighborhood to get our steps in. I started watching Amphibia again and got into the second season. Mom called me after 1 in the morning because she's weird and wanted to tell me about her ideas and complain about her dentist. Heh.

      • Thursday I continued with my data entry and that kept me busy all day. Made Polos and ate crap. Returned to watching Amphibia. Victor called and told me all about his pizza woes.

      • Friday I had meetings and data entry at work. Then I got to listen to a very comprehensive Polo from Meghan telling me all about her trip, which sounded amazing. After work I drew the comic and posted it, then went back to cartoon-watching.
      New Reviews:

      Health Plan Update:

      • Weight stuff: I bought a lot of fun stuff to have in the house due to having a houseguest and that definitely changed my eating habits over the week even after they left, so I'm not too surprised that things weren't great this week--no worse than last week, though. High weight: 118.7. Low weight: 116.5.
      • Nutrition stuff: I'm still doing pretty well with eating a good percentage of vegetables and fruits but I had a lot of junk this week (like pretzel chips and high-fat dips) so I think my diet was a little high on fat this whole week.
      • Activity stuff: I met my step goal every day this week. My low day was Monday at 10,109 steps, and my high day was Thursday at 15,149 steps.
        Finished Reading: 


          New singing performances:

          This week's karaoke song is "Fade Into You" by Mazzy Star.



          Stuff drawn:




          Webcomic Negative One Issue 0879: "Overcoming." 





          New videos:

          None.

          New photos:

          With Fen by the lake on a walk


          Social Media Counts: 

          YouTube subscribers: 5,342 for swankivy (7 new), 672 for JulieSondra (lost 1), 17 for v & V Vids (no change), 137 for Not-So-Giant Women (no change). Twitter followers: 926 for swankivy (no change), 2,623 for JulieSondra (9 new). Facebook: 297 friends for swankivy (no change), 636 likes for JulieSondra (no change), 80 followers for Negative One (no change), 235 likes for So You Write (no change), 89 followers for Not-So-Giant-Women (no change). Tumblr followers: 2,463 (lost 1). Instagram followers: 243 (no change).


          Saturday, March 12, 2022

          Personal Digest Saturday: March 5 – March 11

          Life news this week:

          • Saturday I got up early and logged in at work because I was asked to help with a proposal, but only a little bit of work actually came through to do on Saturday, so I mostly spent the day working on my blogs, taking walks, and taking turns between writing business and working on the photos website. I had some zucchini, texted with my sisters about musicals, and practiced memorizing some songs.

          • Sunday I popped in at work again. This time there was almost a full day's work to do toward the end of the day and I was up until the wee hours so we wouldn't be in a crunch the next day. Spent the day cleaning the house. Got laundry done, trash out, and the game room and kitchen cleaned. And I cleaned a couple pillows.

          • Monday there was some more work on the proposals but we got them turned in way ahead of time. There was also a letter to do but that was pretty low pressure too. Did some more cleaning--got the living room, entryway, and hallway done. That's mostly dusting, unfortunately. Played games with my pals online, and read a liveblog in the evening.

          • Tuesday was my sister's birthday! Happy birthday L. I had the morning off work to go do taxes with Mom. It went well and there were no issues. Then we had a meal at Joe's Diner and picked up some hand towels at Bed Bath and Beyond. We hung out for a little while at home, I fixed some stuff on her phone, and then she went home and I went back to work. Later I got all my bedrooms cleaned and wrote an e-mail and worked on my webcomic. Did more laundry, organized stuff, and put some documents in order.

          • Wednesday I had data entry work to do. Cleaned the bathroom and took out the recycling and talked to Tony for a bit. Had some small errands and organization to do at work. Jeaux picked me up for our grocery run and we got Chinese food. Then at home we watched Colbert, took a walk, and hung out. We tried the Starlight Coke--I liked it, he did not. After he left I organized my sock drawer.

          • Thursday I did some organization and project manager reports. Washed some bedclothes for my upcoming houseguest. Made some medical appointments. Finished drawing the comic but didn't post it. Cleaned my hall closet for the first time since I moved in. :o

          • Friday was a nice day--ate up some food that was on its way out, took out the trash, posted my webcomic super early, and did a bunch of reports for work. Fen came over after work and we ate in the outdoor seating at Joe's Diner, got very full, went back to my place, and chatted for a while. We watched some cartoons and then they went to bed. I stayed up for a little while longer and went to bed shortly after.
          New Reviews:

          • Tiphaine gave The Invisible Orientation's French edition a four-star review on Goodreads (in French).
          Health Plan Update:

          • Weight stuff: Averages are higher this week for unknown reasons. Okay maybe the reason is Chinese food. High weight: 118.7. Low weight: 117.1.
          • Nutrition stuff: I broke my streak of having a green food every day--one day I missed it. Still mostly finding a good balance with protein versus carbs versus fat, but the fat seems like it's just slightly high this week.
          • Activity stuff: I met my step goal every day this week, but I mostly just barely got there most days. My low day was Friday at 10,017 steps, and my high day was Monday at 11,112 steps.
            Finished Reading: 

            • Nothing this week.

            • Currently reading: Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow. I'm on page 394.

              New singing performances:

              This week's karaoke song is "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" by U2.



              Stuff drawn:




              Webcomic Negative One Issue 0878: "Paper Crowns." 





              New videos:

              None.

              New photos:

              Cool geese who held up traffic. Met them on a walk.

              Updated magnet collection

              Updated blanket collection

              With Fen at Joe's Diner



              Social Media Counts: 

              YouTube subscribers: 5,335 for swankivy (lost 4), 673 for JulieSondra (no change), 17 for v & V Vids (no change), 137 for Not-So-Giant Women (1 new). Twitter followers: 926 for swankivy (no change), 2,614 for JulieSondra (4 new). Facebook: 297 friends for swankivy (no change), 636 likes for JulieSondra (no change), 80 followers for Negative One (no change), 235 likes for So You Write (no change), 89 followers for Not-So-Giant-Women (no change). Tumblr followers: 2,464 (1 new). Instagram followers: 243 (lost 1).


              Saturday, March 5, 2022

              Personal Digest Saturday: February 26 – March 4

              Life news this week:

              • Saturday I did some blogging earlier in the day, went outside to walk for a while, wrote some tweets, did some reading, and made a video for YouTube. Ended up having to redo the video because I had already covered the subject and forgot. Wow! Drew some art for my band and made some logos while talking to my friend Yasmin on the phone. And read a liveblog as a reward for finishing my stuff.

              • Sunday I ate two breakfasts in preparation for a long band rehearsal. But it wasn't that long. My dad picked me up and we practiced some of the songs that we had been having a rougher time with. During a break the band looked at my logo samples and they really liked one of them seemingly unanimously. Cool! Dad took me out for sushi again before taking me home. Then I did laundry, took out the trash, took a walk, cleaned the patio table and swept the patio, and took a long nap. Recorded a karaoke song and planned a webcomic.

              • Monday there was a surprise letter at work. Mostly worked on that and some background tasks. Drew pencil drawings for my webcomic and tried to memorize song lyrics. Met my friends on Discord to play games and finished coloring my drawings. Posted the comic and worked on a podcast episode until bed.

              • Tuesday I helped coworkers with small tasks and organized some stuff. Took some walks. Talked to my mom on the phone. Made some more recordings of old tapes. Couldn't find the one I wanted and didn't even find it in my old memory boxes. Boo! Worked on photo album project for a while in between preparing writing submissions.

              • Wednesday I helped some folks with files at work. Did more writing submittals and took some walks. Filled out medical forms for the next day's appointment. Made an appointment for my mom's taxes. Jeaux took me to grocery shopping and Five Guys. We watched some Colbert and some videos with commentary on bad internet behavior.

              • Thursday I had a morning doctor's appointment and went back to work after. Attended meetings for a proposal. Worked on my webcomic. Victor called and told me about another hospital stay. I ate soup after getting off the phone and went to bed.

              • Friday I had several meetings and was busy with the proposal. I stayed late to put out fires and build the documents. I drew my comics and posted the webcomic pretty early, then chatted with Jeaux. Had a lot of chill time before bed.
              New Reviews:

              Health Plan Update:

              • Weight stuff: Still going in the right direction, yay. High weight: 117.1. Low weight: 116.5.
              • Nutrition stuff: Continued success with having a green food every day. Still a good balance with protein versus carbs versus fat. Having a little more issues with protein lately for some reason--I think I've realized some of my favorite protein stuff has a lot of fat and in cutting back on that I'm getting less protein than I want to. But it's still very much in the reasonable range.
              • Activity stuff: I met my step goal every day this week! My low day was Monday at 10,589 steps, and my high day was Friday at 16,629 steps.
                Finished Reading: 

                • Nothing this week.

                • Currently reading: Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow. I'm on page 334.

                  New singing performances:

                  This week's karaoke song is "You Surround Me" by Erasure.



                  Stuff drawn:

                  Original drawings and computer-manipulated versions of them when I was fooling around with art for band logos:



                  And the logo everyone liked:





                  Webcomic So You Write Issue 129: "Persistence." 












                  Webcomic Negative One Issue 0877: "Stay Small." 





                  New videos:

                  Letters to an Asexual #88 ("Asexuality isn't FAIR to those who want you!") is out! This is #88 of a series in which I read correspondence between me and people who have questions, comments, or--more often--misconceptions about asexuality. In this video, I share one conversation with a man who compared not being able to have me to not being able to adopt a dog in the window, and one long tweet thread on a similar topic when people (mostly men) think it's selfish of me to be unwilling to give every interested person (well, really just them) a fair chance at winning my heart.



                  New photos:

                  None.

                  Social Media Counts: 

                  YouTube subscribers: 5,339 for swankivy (lost 11), 673 for JulieSondra (lost 1), 17 for v & V Vids (no change), 136 for Not-So-Giant Women (1 new). Twitter followers: 926 for swankivy (no change), 2,610 for JulieSondra (25 new). Facebook: 297 friends for swankivy (no change), 636 likes for JulieSondra (no change), 80 followers for Negative One (no change), 235 likes for So You Write (lost 1), 89 followers for Not-So-Giant-Women (3 new). Tumblr followers: 2,463 (lost 1). Instagram followers: 244 (no change).