Saturday, December 31, 2022

Year-End Survey 2022

Here's my year-end survey for 2022!


1. What did you do in 2022 that you'd never done before?

Had my first performance in my cover band, Tides of Time.



Sold a short story to the very first person who ever read it (I usually share with test readers and usually short stories are rejected at least a few times before they sell, but this one I sent out sight unseen and they bought it).

Went on an out-of-state trip with Jeaux (to New York).


Saw my book on the shelf in a bookstore in person.

Was in the studio audience of Stephen Colbert's show.


Went to Buc-ee's.

Made homemade eggrolls.

Went to Charlotte with my sister to see our other sister.




Had to have a window fixed when it was busted by a golf ball.

Went to an anime convention wearing body paint.




Watched The Office in its entirety.

Hosted my sister and nephew for a multi-day vacation visit.


Saw A Strange Loop on Broadway.

Had dinner at an Extremely Fancy fine dining rooftop restaurant (The Peak in New York).



2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Last year, these were my resolutions, and whether I kept them:

  1. Maintain my walking goals and health goals. [Maintained the walking goals! The health goals could have been better.]
  2. Accomplish something new with publishing. [I sold two short stories, but wanted to do more.]
  3. Accomplish something new with completing a writing project. [I wrote one new short story and I did write a little more on an in-progress novel but still, I wanted to do more.]
  4. Really get some serious work done on the website. [I did complete my photo galleries website--the attached photo journal is not done, though, and the rest still needs help.]
  5. Don't waste so much time. [I think I probably wasted a similar amount of time.]

New year's resolutions for this year:

  1. Read more. (Shouldn't be hard. I read like five books this year.)
  2. Finish writing my book In Bloom and make progress with test readers, hopefully approaching agents before the close of the year. (My current agent only reps my nonfiction.)
  3. Get back into Dance Dance Revolution for some better stamina.
  4. Finish the photo journal aspect of my website and complete another section's revamp (I'm thinking I could start the writing section).
  5. Keep up with communication. Make it a priority to get through all conversational e-mails every week.
  6. Continue to post my YouTube videos once a month, my writing cartoon once a month, and my fantasy webcomic once a week.
  7. Be more active about documenting everyday life on various social media. I have been keeping stuff off the internet too much and now I don't have the kinds of records I am used to having.
  8. Spend quality time with my friends. I'd like to continue game night and we are planning to have a vacation house adventure in March.
  9. Continue to grow the repertoire and experience of our band.
  10. Practice ukulele more and get through my recording series of Steven Universe music.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

I don't think so!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My coworker Brenda passed away from complications associated with COPD.

My mother's Aunt Bea passed away at the age of 94.

5. What countries did you visit?

Your butt.

6. What would you like to have in 2023 that you lacked in 2022?

Consequences for Trump and his ilk.

Gatherings without fear of disease or violence.

As always, a book deal.

A copy of the SU comic I'm missing!

More time to read.

Balance.

7. What dates from 2022 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

5/3/22–5/8/22: Visited Charlotte with Patricia to see Lindsay.

6/28/22: First performance with Tides of Time band.

7/26/22–8/1/22: Patricia and Ash visited.

9/28/22–9/29/22: Hurricane Ian.

10/12/22–10/17/22: Vacationed in New York with Jeaux.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Learned to say no and mean it.

Kept up with my 10,000 steps a day plan.

Got my inbox down to 8 e-mails (from over 900).

Sold two short stories--one immediately after I wrote it to the first magazine I asked, and one after trying to sell it for seven years.

Kept up with both webcomics, my YouTube channel, my daily journaling, reviewing books, and karaoke posts.

Became a better performer.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Wasting time and not living up to my own expectations. One of these days I'd love to exceed them, but I am a pretty tough critic.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

No.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

A cool autographed Steven Universe convention signing sheet.

Pumice stones? They revolutionized some of the things I clean.

Gifts that made my friends super happy.

The next-to-last comic book I was missing.

A new phone (Samsung Galaxy A32).

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

The scientists and health care workers who did what they did this year to promote health and prevent loss of life.

Meggie who was able to be brave and vulnerable going into unexplored territory.

Sister Lindsay who was able to bravely take steps of her own accord to improve her life.

My queer friends.

My friend Ben who had a lot of family illness this year and just keeps on chuggin'.

Daria who braved her first (and second!) burlesque performance this year.

Everyone who worked to counter the false narratives about the election.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

As usual, Donald Trump and his supporters.

Ron DeSantis and his all-out war against my community.

People who spread lies and conspiracy theories (many of which have their roots in antisemitism).

All the bastards who have been feeding the fire on "trans women are men who want access to single-sex spaces to do harm to REAL women" and "LGBTQ+ people are groomers."

Fake friends.

People who use tragedy to capitalize.

Every single fatphobe.

People who blamed oppressed people for their own oppression.

Rich people who got richer during the pandemic and aren't giving back.

People who expect me and others to clean up the messes they made.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Besides rent, my most significant spending was on vacations this year! I went to Charlotte and New York, and I paid for half of a vacation house we'll be enjoying next year.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Completing my Vualá collection.

Going to Buc-ee's.

Seeing Fen in Tampa.

My first gardenia of the season.

Honeysuckle in Charlotte.

Seeing my wonderful sisters in Charlotte.

Vegan food with Fen in Charlotte.

Greg Universe Special #1.

Time with Meggie during summer vacation.

My air plant flower.

Metrocon.

Ash and Patricia's summer visit.

Watching Steven Universe with my sister and nephew.

Pumpkin pie ice cream.

Tides of Time first full-length performance.

New York.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

The Museum of Natural History.

Going to Strand.

Peak Restaurant and the Edge.

First Halloween party in two years.

Meggie meeting Adam.

Holiday cookies.

16. What song will always remind you of 2022?

"2 Be Loved (Am I Ready)."

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. happier or sadder?

Happier.

ii. thinner or fatter?

Well, I mean according to the records I'm literally three pounds heavier than today last year. Not much of a difference.

iii. richer or poorer?

Richer, I guess, maybe? I got a stock distribution of about $44,000 earlier this year and that means I at least feel richer, even though it was already mine before that.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Writing fiction, reading, completing projects, being creative, practicing ukulele, being a little more active in the asexual community, documenting things I failed to document.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Revisiting old drama, being patient with people who take it for granted, playing mindless games for too long while catching up on news drama, staying up late for no reason.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

My sister Lindsay and her husband Mike came over for Christmas Eve (and I had Mom and Jeaux there). We had a nice lunch and exchanged gifts. I spent Christmas Day all by myself.


21. How will you be spending New Year's Eve?

Listening to the rain by myself.

22. Did you fall in love in 2022?

None of my relationships with other people could be described as "falling in love." I maintain that I have all the love I want in my life.

23. How many one-night stands?

I should probably just delete this question from the survey. But then I'd have to re-number and ew.

24. What was your favorite TV program?

Steven Universe is still my undisputed favorite, but this year I enjoyed Ranking of KingsThe Office, and Our Flag Means Death.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

Let's be honest, yes.

26. What was the best book you read this year?

I hardly read anything this year so it was probably Ace and Aro Journeys: A Guide to Embracing Your Asexual or Aromantic Identity by the Ace and Aro Advocacy Project.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

I didn't really have any discoveries of new music this year. I don't get introduced to a lot of it. But I'll just answer this question by saying I have enjoyed getting a new appreciation for old songs while reinventing them and performing them with my band!

I also did really like the musical A Strange Loop when I went to see it in New York, but I have to say it wasn't the music that really made me love it.

28. What did you want and get?

Lots of time alone, performance opportunities with the band, my New York trip, a work/life balance that continues to be comfortable, my photos page done, an escape from a source of regular stress for me, a Covid-free year, two short stories sold, good times with friends and family.

29. What did you want and not get?

Another novel completed, more progress for social issues, basic good behavior from people who should know better, the missing comic book from my collection, more reading time, opportunities to play with little babies, enough sleep.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?

I didn't watch any movies this year except Inside OutBig Hero SixTurning RedThor: Ragnarok, and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. I think my favorite was Turning Red.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 44. I had to work on my birthday; I did data entry at work and had cake for breakfast. I played games with my friends and I won a lot. I opened some of my presents and got some cool stuff--a cute dress and plant holders from my sister, and a snack box from Fred and Kathy. The previous weekend, though, Meggie had come to visit me and we saw a botanical garden and went to Buc-ee's.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

If a bunch of people would have stopped thinking that being rich means they can hijack everything good for themselves, take it away at the expense of everyone else, and then act like they're the victims because they are called out, criticized, and "cancelled" for it.

Also, you know, a book deal? But I've been saying that most years that I didn't get one.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2022?

Fuzzy socks, unbrushed hair, and Steven Universe tee shirts. For real though I have been liking flannel shirts tied around my waist, fun sunglasses, weird clip-in hair colors, and strange eyeshadow.

34. What kept you sane?

Polos with Meghan and Patricia, decent and fair news reports, down time, compassionate friends, coffee, naps, moments of respect, cartoons.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Oh, you silly survey.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

Trans rights and queer violence.

37. Who did you miss?

C'mon.

38. Who was the best new person you met?

I have met very few new people. Dorian and Rina at my Halloween party were friends of a friend who seemed very, very cool, and I hope to get to know them more. And I have also met Adam, whose vibe seems promising.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2022.

Even if you do EVERYTHING right, there are some people who will never be satisfied. So learn to be okay with them not being satisfied.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

"You can't hold me now. Only I can do that."

Personal Digest Saturday: December 24 – December 30

Life news this week:

  • Saturday was my Christmas Eve party. Before everyone got here I arranged a fruit platter and cookie platter. Mom was early (I know!) and she brought a chicken. Jeaux came next and Lindsay and Mike arrived after. We had kind of a while to still cook so we spent a bunch of time in the kitchen and then played some Cards Against Humanity while waiting for the potatoes to cook. Finally we had our meal and it was not as good as I wanted mainly because I didn't get everything the right temperature at mealtime. After, we opened presents (we all gave and got some really nice stuff!) and then I served dessert--four kinds of cookies and a gingerbread roll. We hung out a bit and then Lindsay and Mike had to go back to the in-laws' to take care of dogs. After they left Jeaux helped me with some cleanup and then after he left he had to come back to find his lost phone (which ended up being found on top of my fridge where I would never see it). Heh.

  • Sunday was Christmas and I spent it by myself. My mom had said she was going to come by to get leftover cookies but she didn't come. It was really nice to have a quiet day. I did four loads of laundry and took inventory of my gifts and sent thank-yous to people. I also ate too many cookies and read old webcomics in between putting clothes away.

  • Monday I had off work. I got my Letters to an Asexual video recorded and got my So You Write comic written, drawn, and then inked and colored during game night. I continued reading old comics and had a nice nap. Mom didn't come over to get cookies this day either. I managed to get most of my walking in after game night because I had a lazy day.

  • Tuesday I returned to work but there wasn't a ton of built-up work. We had another new guy to help onboard. I worked on my reports, took a nap, uploaded my video, and completed my Christmas 2022 photo album on my site. Also practiced music and hid from the cold.

  • Wednesday I did some more reports and worked on a letter at work. Later I took a nap and cleaned up the house a little. Jeaux came over and we ate at Five Guys and watched the Weird Al "documentary." We also took a walk and I started working on reading through an upcoming asexuality book that I will blurb.

  • Thursday involved a long planning meeting (two and a half hours!) and I also worked on reports and teaming requests for our upcoming marketing efforts. Took another nap and read more of the ace book. I put my plants back outside now that the cold has subsided. Talked to Jeremy about his publishing plans. Worked on my webcomic and took some silly photos of toys.

  • Friday I spent the day outlining a proposal we later decided not to chase, working on timesheets, working on reports, and dealing with teaming stuff. After work I finished my comic, squeezed in my walking afterwards, and took some very involved silly photos of toys acting out a song.
Health Plan Update:

  • Weight stuff: Again: this is not the time of year I'm expecting to make any progress! I'm not throwing moderation to the wind or anything but there are definitely celebrations (and leftovers) I am not going to be passing up to see a better number on the scale. High weight: 120.2. Low weight: 119.5.
  • Nutrition stuff: Gobbling up holiday meals and leftover cookies has wrecked my nutrition. I haven't had a spinach smoothie all freaking week. I'm doing okay with still getting enough protein and have had some fruit, but the incorporation of veggies into my diet (outside of carrots with dip) has been lackluster. Still consistently taking the vitamins.
  • Activity stuff: I met my walking goal every day this week, but many days it was barely. My low day was Monday at 10,005 steps, and my high day was Wednesday at 10,847 steps.
Books Read: 

  • Finished Reading: Nothing this week.

  • Currently reading: You Too? by Janet Gurtler. I'm on page 164.
  • Currently readingAce Notes by Michele Kirichanskaya. I'm on page 45.

    New singing performances:

    This week's karaoke song is "Clocks" by Coldplay.



    Stuff drawn:



    Webcomic Negative One Issue 0920: "At the Table." 






    Videos Made:

    Letters to an Asexual #98 ("No attraction? Nah, there's more to this than what you're admitting.") is out. This is #98 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 read a real-time conversation between me and a man who thinks I definitely used to experience sexual attraction but something happened and therefore I'm in denial.



    New photos:

    There's a whole Christmas Eve 2022 album if you want to see all the images, but they're basically all food! A couple highlights though:

    Cookie platter

    My dessert plate

    Christmas Eve Group

    Last day of Hanukkah

    The Oodie (gift from Ronni!)


    Social Media Counts: 

    YouTube subscribers: 5,404 for swankivy (lost 4), 677 for JulieSondra (no change), 18 for v & V Vids (no change), 169 for Not-So-Giant Women (1 new), 65 for Tides of Time Band (4 new). Twitter followers: 879 for swankivy (lost 1), 3,405 for JulieSondra (lost 2). Hive Social: 26 followers (no change). Post: 2 for juliesondra (no change). Facebook: 296 friends for swankivy (no change, but I do have 1 new friend from a SU group, so someone must have also defriended me as well. I hope it was one of the people who read a recent post I made about not wanting to be friends with people who don't believe transgender people), 637 likes for JulieSondra (no change), 81 followers for Negative One (no change), 240 likes for So You Write (no change), 93 followers for Not-So-Giant-Women (no change). Tumblr followers: 2,437 (lost 2). Instagram followers: 254 (3 new).

    Sunday, December 25, 2022

    Personal Digest Saturday (but posted on Sunday!): December 17 – December 23

    Life news this week:

    • Saturday I had omelets with Meggie and she and I went out to the Henry B. Plant Museum to see the exhibits and Christmas trees, and then we went to the Society Wine Bar to meet up with Adam. We stayed there for a couple hours eating yummy flatbreads and appetizers and some of us trying the drinks. And it was especially nice to finally meet Adam. Afterwards we went back to my place and Meg helped me redecorate for the holidays, and we also watched the Weird Al documentary.

    • Sunday Meggie and I finished our search for the perfect vacation house for our March trip and we found a beautiful 8 bedroom/5 bathroom house to rent. Looks like we're going to Orlando. After breakfast and wrapping things up she left and I jumped into laundry and trash duties. Got frustrated at the neighbors for playing loud music. Ate too much hummus. Did a karaoke song and did my blogging a day later than usual.

    • Monday I had two letters to deal with AND we had a new employee whom I helped with onboarding. We had an issue with our internet going out that messed with our deadline! But we made it. After work, I put away laundry and played games with my friends, and we showed the vacation house to them. We're going to have so much fun.

    • Tuesday the internet access was back to normal at work. Did more work helping the new employee and went to a meeting and an interview discussion. After work I did some walking and made some cookie dough. Watched some reactions and drew some of my comic.

    • Wednesday I did some backed up reports and updated some data entry stuff. Also had two meetings. And got assigned to do a transcript. After work Jeaux picked me up for grocery shopping (a big one since I'm having a party). Then we ordered food from Mr. Dunderbak's and watched our Colbert skits and took a walk.

    • Thursday I had meetings, document cleanup, and a transcript to do. After work, I made the cookies from the dough I made and refrigerated, then made two more types of cookies. And got all my comic drawings done.

    • Friday I baked another cookie in the morning and then Jeaux came over to help me make the gingerbread roll cake. He did a great job and we took a walk. Then we frosted the cake when it was cool. He left and I brought my plants inside because a freeze was coming. I finished posting my comic and made a quiche. Then I was able to relax.

    Articles, Interviews, Mentions:

    New Reviews:

    Health Plan Update:

    • Weight stuff: Well, this is not the time of year I'm expecting to make any progress! I'm not throwing moderation to the wind or anything but there are definitely celebrations (and leftovers) I am not going to be passing up to see a better number on the scale. That said, this week was a little better than last, too. High weight: 119.0. Low weight: 118.3.
    • Nutrition stuff: Lots of goodies this week means I was looking at a high-fat diet. Meggie visited and so we had restaurant food and snacks; Jeaux and I had special food for Hanukkah; and I had a bunch of baking to eat dough and test cookies. It's a lot of sugar and butter and cheese this week, and not enough greens really. Still consistently taking the vitamins.
    • Activity stuff: I met my walking goal every day this week. My low day was Saturday at 10,131 steps, and my high day was Sunday at 15,303 steps.
    Books Read: 

    • Finished Reading: Nothing this week.

    • Currently reading: You Too? by Janet Gurtler. I'm on page 164.

      New singing performances:

      This week's karaoke song is "Put Your Hand Inside the Puppet Head" by They Might Be Giants.



      Stuff drawn:



      Webcomic Negative One Issue 0919: "What's Around Us." 






      Videos Made:

      None.

      New photos:

      Henry B. Plant Museum with Meg

      With Meggie in front of a tree!
      First night of Hanukkah

      Went with Meggie and met Adam!


      Potato Pancakes with Jeaux


      Christmas pinwheels

      Peanut butter kiss cookies

      Snowball cookies

      Espresso crackle cookies

      Gingerbread Roll Cake with Maple Cinnamon Frosting

      Broccoli Cheese Crustless Quiche



      Social Media Counts: 

      YouTube subscribers: 5,408 for swankivy (lost 2), 677 for JulieSondra (no change), 18 for v & V Vids (no change), 168 for Not-So-Giant Women (no change), 61 for Tides of Time Band (1 new). Twitter followers: 880 for swankivy (lost 2), 3,407 for JulieSondra (8 new). Hive Social: 26 followers (no change). Post: 2 for juliesondra (no change). Facebook: 296 friends for swankivy (1 new, friended Adam), 637 likes for JulieSondra (no change), 81 followers for Negative One (no change), 240 likes for So You Write (2 new), 93 followers for Not-So-Giant-Women (no change). Tumblr followers: 2,439 (no change). Instagram followers: 251 (1 new).

      Sunday, December 18, 2022

      Personal Digest Saturday (but posted on Sunday!): December 10 – December 16

      Life news this week:

      • Saturday I got to sleep late. Spent some time posting a book review I'd done some time back but it wasn't up for preorder yet at the time. Did some Polos and present wrapping. Jumped into recording a podcast with Daria and we got through two more episodes ("Buddy's Book" and "Mindful Education"). I did a little music practice too.

      • Sunday I got up early for band practice. Dad picked me up and we had another productive practice with the group, and after that we went out to Brio for some of our favorite foods. I gave Dad a drum decal that has our band logo on it! After I got home, I did some laundry and trash and took a nap. Then did the last of my holiday shopping online.

      • Monday was a little slower than usual because we didn't have letters to go out. I had to work on utility stuff though. Also put my laundry away while listening to recordings of band practice, and then I played games with my friends online.

      • Tuesday I got some more utility stuff done and did some reports. Wrote a storyboard, took a nap, worked on the next Not-So-Giant Women episode, and had to get a replacement arranged for a gift for Katelyn that arrived damaged. At night I worked on some music and looked at some old photos.

      • Wednesday I was really trying to close up my utility certification so that sucked away a lot of time. I was then able to talk to Tony in the afternoon and work on my podcast and webcomic before Jeaux came over. We ate at Moe's, took a walk, watched Colbert, and talked about Christmas Eve food we want to make.

      • Thursday my projects got certified (yay!) and I spent the day on data entry. Then I worked more on Negative One and Not-So-Giant Women. I did Polos with Meg and wrapped some more presents. One of the gifts that was sent to me for Jeaux was the wrong item, so I don't have a gift for him. Welp. Talked to Mom about Christmas Eve and wrapped more presents. Went to sleep early.

      • Friday I worked on timesheets and letter preparation. Finished Negative One and got some walking done. Meggie came over and we ordered food at Vallarta's, and enjoyed it together at my house. We ended up just talking through the night and went to bed around midnight.

      New Reviews:

      • H. Logan gave The Invisible Orientation a two-star review on Amazon. (This reviewer believes my book was irresponsible because it doesn't acknowledge that asexual people who know they're asexual might hide that fact to trap a straight person into a sexless marriage. Welp!)
      Health Plan Update:

      • Weight stuff: Saw some highs in the beginning of the week and then it settled down a little lower. High weight: 120.2. Low weight: 117.7.
      • Nutrition stuff: I had a few more "special" days this week involving food with other people (Sunday, Wednesday, Friday) so those meals tend to be less protein and more carbohydrates, but I didn't go overboard on anything and didn't get stuck in a sweets-eating rut. Had a lot of really good salad days toward the beginning of the week too! Still consistently taking the vitamins.
      • Activity stuff: I met my walking goal every day this week. My low day was Saturday at 10,101 steps, and my high day was Wednesday at 12,939 steps.
      Books Read: 

      • Finished Reading: Nothing this week.

      • Currently reading: You Too? by Janet Gurtler. I'm on page 164.

        New singing performances:

        This week's karaoke song is "Labour of Love" by Frente!.



        Stuff drawn:



        Webcomic Negative One Issue 0918: "Directionless." 






        Videos Made:

        Not-So-Giant Women Episode 56: Love Letters is out. Join Daria and Ivy as they watch and talk about "Love Letters" and cover such topics as Love at First Sight narratives, the importance of respecting the love interest's agency, clarification of Garnet's relationship, Jamie accepting Garnet's answer, Garnet's ability to repel water off her body, the mystery of the Water Bear Gem, whether Rose and Greg are presented by the story to represent love at first sight, whether Garnet minded that Steven told Connie she was a Fusion and whether Greg knows (and how much he knows about Steven's experience with fusion), Malachite's status as a hate Fusion, Garnet's color palette shift after her reformation, and the trials and tribulations of having a fringe.



        New photos:

        None.

        Social Media Counts: 

        YouTube subscribers: 5,410 for swankivy (3 new), 677 for JulieSondra (2 new), 18 for v & V Vids (no change), 168 for Not-So-Giant Women (1 new), 60 for Tides of Time Band (no change). Twitter followers: 882 for swankivy (lost 2), 3,399 for JulieSondra (lost 8). Hive Social: 26 followers (lost 3). Post: 2 for juliesondra (no change). Facebook: 295 friends for swankivy (no change), 637 likes for JulieSondra (1 new), 81 followers for Negative One (no change), 238 likes for So You Write (1 new), 93 followers for Not-So-Giant-Women (1 new). Tumblr followers: 2,439 (no change). Instagram followers: 250 (no change).

        Saturday, December 10, 2022

        Personal Digest Saturday: December 3 – December 9

        Life news this week:

        • Saturday I slept late, got up and did my blogging. Did some walking earlier in the day in preparation for a lot of sitting. My friend Kari and I got pizza and spent the evening just talking and catching up. She stayed over in my guestroom.

        • Sunday I had a nice morning with Kari before she had to be on her way. I ate the leftover pizza. I did my laundry and took a nap, then communicated with friends, put out my trash, did a karaoke recording, and helped Mom buy pants on the internet.

        • Monday involved some letters and some selection announcements at work. Also had a meeting. Made a yummy omelet. Watched communications on Marco Polo from my friends. Did some holiday shopping, played games with my friends online, and played a game by myself while listening to news.

        • Tuesday I helped with another letter and stamping some documents. And another meeting. Listened to news about the Georgia election and the Trump org being declared guilty. Made a Polo for Cara. Worked on plans for my podcast. Did more holiday shopping.

        • Wednesday was a slow day with one meeting and some catch-up, plus new data entry to do. Did more holiday shopping. Talked to Tony, whom I hadn't seen in a while. Jeaux and I went to an Indian restaurant called Haveli and my food was too spicy (even though I looked up on the internet what Indian food is the least spicy and ordered one of those), so Jeaux took it home. After that we shopped, watched Colbert, took walks, and shared silly things with each other.

        • Thursday I spent all day on utility stuff and data entry. Then I did Polo recordings and worked on my comic a little. Worked on my podcast plan a little more.

        • Friday I was hoping to have a meeting but the person who wanted to arrange the meeting didn't follow up. I did some more utility stuff and worked on my comic after work. Also did some gift wrapping and communication with friends. After posting the comic and getting my steps in, I wrote up a long essay in the style of "AITA" (Am I the Asshole?).

        Health Plan Update:

        • Weight stuff: Can't really report a trend. There was a little bit of up and down and I don't really have any logic to offer about it. High weight: 119.0. Low weight: 117.6.
        • Nutrition stuff: Well, I made a bit of a change in that I'm having spinach every day! Plus sometimes carrots and mushrooms with my dip. But I'm relying too much on salty fake meat and my diet has been pretty high fat again. Still consistently taking the vitamins.
        • Activity stuff: I met my walking goal every day this week. My low day was Monday at 10,288 steps, and my high day was Thursday at 12,511 steps.
        Books Read: 


          New singing performances:

          This week's karaoke song is "The Voice" by the Moody Blues.



          Stuff drawn:



          Webcomic Negative One Issue 0917: "Philosophical Question." 






          Videos Made:

          None.

          New photos:

          None.

          Social Media Counts: 

          YouTube subscribers: 5,407 for swankivy (lost 4), 675 for JulieSondra (no change), 18 for v & V Vids (no change), 167 for Not-So-Giant Women (lost 1), 60 for Tides of Time Band (1 new). Twitter followers: 884 for swankivy (lost 2), 3,407 for JulieSondra (5 new). Hive Social: It's offline temporarily fixing security issues, so I don't know the status. Post: 2 for juliesondra (no change). Facebook: 295 friends for swankivy (no change), 636 likes for JulieSondra (no change), 81 followers for Negative One (no change), 237 likes for So You Write (no change), 92 followers for Not-So-Giant-Women (no change). Tumblr followers: 2,439 (no change). Instagram followers: 250 (1 new).