Personal Digest Saturday - April 11 – April 17

Life news this week:

• Saturday I got up early to help my boss with some tent cards, and then I worked on my blog. I called my friend Sarah and we caught up on life. I planted some new seeds finally and cleaned up some small messes in the house while we chatted. I worked on the blog more and talked to Jeaux about his taxes, and then I recorded a karaoke song for a contest. (I usually don't enter them.) I talked to Tony outside. I sent a Polo to Meg, listened to a Polo from my sis, did dishes, practiced band music, and responded to e-mail.
  
  
• Sunday I fooled around looking at SU merch on the internet. Had a tiff with an internet loser and got them kicked out of a group. Did some laundry and took out the trash. Played DDR. Kari came over and we ate at Mandola's to celebrate my short story sale and we got free dessert there. Practiced band music and read old journals.
  
  
• Monday I was busy with one letter and five teams to coordinate at work. Then I did some walking and reading and practicing band music. I wrote some e-mail and updated some collections info, and tried to make some decisions on merch to buy.
  
  
• Tuesday at work I dealt with project research and subconsultant coordination. Played DDR. Got into an argument with an internet loser. One of those annoying things where she misinterpreted something I said to conclude I meant the opposite of what I did, and kept insisting I do believe the thing I said I didn't believe even when others tried to explain it to her. Some people are just like that. Sent a Polo to Meg and put away laundry and did dishes. The last episode of a show I did voice acting for finally came out and it's cool to have a completed show out there. Found out my sister Lindsay is coming to Florida and I'll get to see her soon! So exciting. Did some voice-over auditions and practiced band music.
  
  
• Wednesday I went to a couple meetings, took a break to walk to the post office to mail something someone bought from me on eBay, and did project research. Did some reading. Practiced band music. Sent in a query. Found out the singing contest I entered on Saturday went in my favor and I made the top 40 in the contest, so now I have to figure out what to sing to aim for the top 20. Jeaux came to hang out and we ate at Best NY Pizza, did our shopping, and read each other silly things.
  
  
• Thursday I did project research at work. I had a very long process to write my comic for some reason--it was a tough script this week. Did aerobics. Played games with friends and then watched reactions while drawing.
  
  
• Friday I was feeling kinda crappy all day and had a lot of work to do at the office so I had to mostly stay put and didn't get much walking in the first part of the day. I had a meeting about a proposal, a bunch of transcript work, a bunch of reports, and timesheets to deal with. Then I fell behind trying to get my comic drawings done and I yet again barely missed my 10,000-step goal while walking in the evening. Missed it by 601 steps! Rats. I did get some music practice in and sent in a short story.

Health Plan Update:

• Nutrition stuff: I got my three servings of fruits and veggies every day this week, and met my protein goals all seven days. Which is awesome since I had two restaurant days and still managed! I am still taking my vitamins.
  
  
• Activity stuff: I'm continuing to do DDR or aerobics every other day. I MISSED my 10,000-step walking goal one day this week for the second time this year. (I made it every other day this week.) Based on my phone's app, my low day was Friday at 9,299 steps, and my high day was Sunday at 15,060 steps.

Books Read: 

• Finished Reading: Nothing this week.
  
  
• Currently Reading: The Dawn of Yangchen by F.C. Yee. I'm on page 126.

New singing performances:

This week's karaoke song: "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga

Stuff drawn:

My weekly fantasy webcomic, Negative One:

   

#1092: ivy #359: the long word.

Videos Made: 

None.

New photos:

Almond cookie I got to celebrate selling a short story

Social media counts:

YouTube subscribers: 5,430 for swankivy (1 new), 673 for JulieSondra (lost 1), 17 for v & V Vids (no change), 214 for Not-So-Giant Women (no change), 67 for Tides of Time Band (no change). Twitter followers: 743 for swankivy (no change), 3,372 for JulieSondra (lost 3). Facebook: 287 friends for swankivy (no change), 623 likes for JulieSondra (lost 1), 78 followers for Negative One (no change), 241 followers for So You Write (lost 1), 101 followers for Not-So-Giant-Women (no change). Tumblr followers: 2,409 (lost 1). Instagram followers: 302 (1 new). Threads followers: 85 (no change). Bluesky Social. Bluesky followers: 454 (no change).

Personal Digest Saturday - April 4 – April 10

Life news this week:

• Saturday I had a nice slow morning, which was relaxing. Then I got most of my blog stuff done and cleaned up in the house a bit, and in the evening, Kari came over for birthday adventures. We went to the art store and browsed/bought like nerds, then went to Tanya & Matt's for ice cream. I gave her presents and then she left, and unfortunately it turned out there was a power outage and I lost the blog stuff I was working on so I had to do it again! I got it done and did my DDR as well. And then I got an offer on my latest short story. Wow!
  
  
• Sunday was another chill day. I did my laundry and trash chores, repotted a plant, and worked on my book. I reread an old story and did some reading and reviewed the book when I finished it. Did some Polos for my friends. Finally did my various updates on my voice-over site.
  
  
• Monday required me to go back to work, so I did. I actually got the timesheets in on time, which is unusual. People usually procrastinate on sending them to me. I edited a letter and did some data entry. I got my contract for the new short story and processed it to send. Worked on my book and did a Polo for my sister. Took a long midday nap. And did aerobics.
  
  
• Tuesday I had a messed up sleep, boo. I finished my data entry and bothered our team partners. Received our results from the District 1 interview: we didn't win. Then I had to go to a meeting about an upcoming proposal in Connecticut, so I got working on that. Had to do a transcript. Then I edited a journal, posted a journal entry, worked on my book, and did a Polo for Meg. And I walked to the post office to mail my story contract and did some reading. And did dishes. Exciting.
  
  
• Wednesday I knocked out team partner reminders and a bunch of processing for the proposal. Then I played DDR, put away some laundry, and cleaned up the house. Jeaux came over and we ate at Saki. Also got some dirt at Lowe's and a package came for me in my locker at the post office (which I was too short to reach so I needed Jeaux's help). The package was an ARC for Being Aro, the short story book of aromantic stories, for which I wrote the introduction! We sat around entertaining each other with internet stories and I did not realize I had somehow not met my walking goal! We should have taken a walk instead of sitting on the couch. Kicking myself. Oh well.
  
  
• Thursday a lot happened but also not much happened? I got up and went to work. Finally got a response from one of the team partners who hadn't been responsive. Finished the proposal outline and fixed some data entry issues. Entered timesheet data for my boss. Got a single cupcake delivered for my short story announcement. Submitted a query. Did some reading. Wrote my comic storyboard. Practiced some band music. Tried to order Steven Universe merchandise from Canada. Updated my sites regarding short story news. Submitted another short story. Banged my elbow on the wall real bad. Ow.
  
  
• Friday I felt real tired in the morning but had to work. I went in and did all my reports plus an invoicing support task for my boss. Argued with some internet people about a jerk man (they are all wrong, period, and the mod sided with me, so there, humph). Worked on my comic and got it done pretty early. Recorded a karaoke song. Watched a cool EPIC: The Musical reaction. Did some aerobics. Updated my collection lists. Ate a potato. I lead an exciting life.

Interviews, Articles, Mentions:

• My involvement with the Being Aro anthology was shared on this Instagram post from the book's co-editor, Rosiee Thor. I wrote the introduction.

Health Plan Update:

• Nutrition stuff: I got my three servings of fruits and veggies every day this week, and met my protein goals four out of seven days. I don't really have a good excuse for a couple of those--I knew I was low at the end of the day but I wasn't hungry so I didn't fix it. I wonder if I can investigate some low-volume high-protein snacks for days like that. I am still taking my vitamins.
  
  
• Activity stuff: I'm continuing to do DDR or aerobics every other day. I MISSED my 10,000-step walking goal one day this week for the first time this year. (I made it every other day this week.) Based on my phone's app, my low day was Wednesday at 8,370 steps, and my high day was Thursday at 13,317 steps.

Books Read: 

• Finished Reading: The Shadow of Kyoshi by F.C. Yee. Four-star review.
  
  
• Currently Reading: The Dawn of Yangchen by F.C. Yee. I'm on page 55.

New singing performances:

This week's karaoke song: "Valentine" by Laufey

Stuff drawn:

My weekly fantasy webcomic, Negative One:

   

#1091: ivy #358: craft store.

Videos Made: 

None.

New photos:

Ice cream with Kari

Boba at Saki

Sushi at Saki

New copy of Being Aro, for which I wrote the introduction

My cupcake that I got for my short story sale

My cupcake that I got for my short story sale

Social media counts:

YouTube subscribers: 5,429 for swankivy (no change), 674 for JulieSondra (lost 1), 17 for v & V Vids (no change), 214 for Not-So-Giant Women (no change), 67 for Tides of Time Band (no change). Twitter followers: 743 for swankivy (lost 2), 3,375 for JulieSondra (lost 1). Facebook: 287 friends for swankivy (no change), 624 likes for JulieSondra (lost 2), 78 followers for Negative One (no change), 242 followers for So You Write (lost 1), 101 followers for Not-So-Giant-Women (no change). Tumblr followers: 2,410 (1 new). Instagram followers: 301 (2 new). Threads followers: 85 (no change). Bluesky Social. Bluesky followers: 454 (1 new).

Personal Digest Saturday - March 28 – April 3

Life news this week:

• Saturday I had a mostly chill day--worked on my blog, redecorated for the new season, did my DDR, and completed some digital errands. I got a chance to work on my book and review some voice-over lines I have due soon as well.
  
  
• Saturday was the beginning of a busy week! I got a lot done--went to the post office before coffee to mail an eBay package, threw in laundry, and worked on my promo materials that were requested by the director of a project I'm doing voice acting on. I also worked on my book, finished my blogging, did some reading, did the dishes, made a new video for my ace channel, and processed it/posted it.
  
  
• Sunday I got picked up by Arthur to go out for Indian food. We had some delay in picking up Yasmin so we got coffee first. Then we picked them up and had great food at the Indian buffet (including dessert!) and then went on to the garden show, which had an installation that Yasmin made. We saw their piece and all the other awesome pieces themed after games, and we bought some plants in the plant sale part. Then Arthur took me home and I hung out with Kari--she brought cheese sticks! Yum! After she left I worked on my book just a little but I was tired.
  
  
• Monday was a flurry of teaming coordination and project research at work. Also attended a meeting where no one could hear me. Later I took a nap and went to a Queer Book Club where I was a guest because the club had chosen my book as the book club book. My friend Dare was there and some other people! It was a chill time and fun to discuss with them. Afterwards I did laundry and planned/sketched my next So You Write comic, and got in some walking, some reading, and a Polo for Meghan.
  
  
• Tuesday I did a bunch of project research again. I talked to Tony outside when he came to do my lawn. I finished So You Write and posted it. Got started on walking kinda late. Did a new aerobics video that I didn't like. Sent a Polo to my sister. Updated my calendars for my monthly goals post. Received my voice-over pickups for the project I'm on. Dealt with some chatty people commenting on one of my posts.
  
  
• Wednesday I worked--did some project research and data entry. Re-read some old stuff and ended up getting depressed about it. After work I prepared my calendars for the update and made my post, sent a Polo to Meg, walked around the neighborhood, read a book, paid my taxes, sent a query, and updated my collections pages. And I did my pickups and sent them in for the voice-over project.
  
  
• Thursday was a weird day. I went to an early meeting, had breakfast, and went to another meeting. Then I played DDR, wrote my comic, and went shopping with Jeaux. We packed up to go to Sarasota to watch my dad play trumpet in a music show but it got rained out so we turned around and ate dinner closer to home. We ate at BurgerFi which turned out not so great but we survived. Then we just went back to my house and read each other silly things, and after he left I submitted a short story.
  
  
• Friday was a busy and exhausting day. I got up early to go to the podiatrist and she said maybe I had a stress fracture and recommended a medicine for it. I walked to the drugstore to get it and then walked to the post office to pick up a package. I got home, went to work for a while, and then had lunch with my dad and Connie at an Indian restaurant because it was my dad's birthday! YAY! Our food was good and I gave Dad his birthday presents too. After lunch I went back to work and wrapped up my project reports, took a nap, scrambled to get my comic done and posted, recorded a Polo for Meg, and got my walking in.

New Reviews:

• Myra gave The Invisible Orientation a four-star review on Goodreads.

Health Plan Update:

• Nutrition stuff: I got my three servings of fruits and veggies every day this week, and met my protein goals five out of seven days (I had THREE restaurant days and just didn't end up with enough protein to balance out the carbs and fats on two of the days). I am still taking my vitamins.
  
  
• Activity stuff: I'm continuing to do DDR or aerobics every other day. I made my 10,000-step walking goal every day this week. Based on my phone's app, my low day was Wednesday at 10,182 steps, and my high day was Thursday at 11,992 steps.

Books Read: 

• Finished Reading: Nothing this week.
  
  
• Currently Reading: The Shadow of Kyoshi by F.C. Yee. I'm on page 302.

New singing performances:

None this week.

Stuff drawn:

My monthly writing webcomic, So You Write:

   

#178: you knew?.

My weekly fantasy webcomic, Negative One:

   

#1090: ivy #357: little spaces.

Videos Made: 

Letters to an Asexual #135 (Asexuality and Vegetarianism??) is out. In this video, someone asks why people tend to have such a negative reaction to asexuality, and after a discussion of perceived moral superiority and restraint, another commenter compares that reaction to how some people interpret vegetarians. A discussion ensues.

New photos:

Pink and drink

Tire swing

500 cookies?

Backyard hangout

Indian desserts

Yasmin with Indian desserts

Me with Arthur at the Indian buffet!

Yasmin's installation

Yasmin with their installation

Arthur playing a game

Arthur's all-purpose back scratcher

My Passover socks (Pesachs)

Social media counts:

YouTube subscribers: 5,429 for swankivy (lost 1), 675 for JulieSondra (no change), 17 for v & V Vids (no change), 214 for Not-So-Giant Women (no change), 67 for Tides of Time Band (1 new). Twitter followers: 745 for swankivy (no change), 3,376 for JulieSondra (lost 6). Facebook: 287 friends for swankivy (no change), 626 likes for JulieSondra (no change), 78 followers for Negative One (no change), 243 followers for So You Write (no change), 101 followers for Not-So-Giant-Women (no change). Tumblr followers: 2,409 (1 new). Instagram followers: 299 (no change). Threads followers: 85 (no change). Bluesky Social. Bluesky followers: 453 (no change).

March Goals Update

Dang, now it's April. Which means a March review of 2026 goals is in order.

1. Health Goals: Four glasses of water per day; three servings of fruits and veggies; taking vitamins; walking 10,000 steps a day plus an aerobic activity every other day; visiting health professionals on an appropriate schedule.

2. Personal Project Goals: Complete editing on In Bloom, share with test audience, collect and incorporate feedback, develop pitch materials, start querying it; start another book; write two more short stories; submit queries and short stories; finish the photo project and start the SU site, autobio site, and essays/rants site; practice music; post regular webcomics; post ace videos; submit voice-over auditions and complete assigned voice-over work.

3. Reading Goals: Read at least every other day.

4. Relationship and Communication Goals: Document more consistently; keep up with e-mail and online messages; keep social life active.

5. Other Goals: Get rid of garage items; clean the house; watch TV shows; plant herbs; wear pajamas/have a night routine; use a new coffee cup every day; do something cool with my hair.

Progress Update:

HEALTH GOALS:

Summary: Perfection continues with water goals, fruits/veggies goals, vitamins, walking/exercise, and health professional visits. I don't always make my protein goals but I do meet them much more often than I don't. The weird liver enzyme reading last month was not present anymore when I did a redo this month, so I'm not worrying about it. I went to the podiatrist and she gave me shoe inserts. They're not helping. Follow up in April, along with dermatology and radiology appointments for routine checks. All's well except my minor foot issue and I've been developing a shoulder annoyance for the last week or so.

Here is my Health calendar of progress:

(Click these calendars and they will expand so you can actually read them!)

PERSONAL PROJECT GOALS:

Summary:

EDITING: The beta readers have offered some gems, but unfortunately the requested worldbuilding is bloating my word count back up over 130,000 again. (I will hack it down. I will!) I have been working on the story regularly without having to schedule editing sessions--just noodling whenever I can. I have not cracked into making pitch materials yet. I will when I'm ready.

WRITING: I finished a short story this month. I have notes on another one I plan to write when I am not as busy.

SUBMISSIONS: I've kept up submissions of queries and short stories. One statement of interest still outstanding.

Writing Progress:

PHOTO PROJECT: We're now mining old diaries and planners for event info that will help my photo dating. I'm continuing to trudge through it. I did finish boxing up and organizing my mementos and I'm very satisfied with how it went.

VOICE ACTING: I was selected for another part this month, and the timeline was short so I have also finished the recording (but I do have some pickups to do for the project). I am currently still on a shortlist for one project that hasn't been selected, and am just somewhere in the audition pool for a bunch of others. There was a shortlist I was hoping to get selected on but I was right that the competition was too much and someone else was selected on that. I've continued to submit comparatively fewer auditions this month.

REGULAR CONTENT: I have posted my Negative One webcomic every Friday; my So You Write webcomic on the last day of the month; and a new asexuality video for the month.

MUSIC: We've had more practices, are firming up some plans to do some performances so we can get video, and have locked down our graphics for promotional business cards and a drum head. We might even fiddle with original music. ;)

Here's the Projects Calendar:

READING GOALS:

Summary: I blew through a bunch of books this month--six books finished and a seventh started!--because a chunk of them were graphic novels. I'm faithfully staying to my every-other-day reading goals and it's still working for me.

Progress:

RELATIONSHIP AND COMMUNICATION GOALS:

Summary: I've been doing Jeaux Day, Game Night, band practice, and hanging out with Kari here and there. And I got to hang with Yasmin and Arthur once. Correspondence is up to date but I still haven't really figured out how to get back into writing out my regular thoughts in journal form like I used to.

Progress:

OTHER GOALS:

Summary: Some of my garage items have sold this month but I haven't made any effort on the problematic ones. The house is pretty dirty (for me) but I haven't been motivated to clean it up lately. This next month I really need to fertilize and plant the plants I want to grow this year--and I got some new plant babies for indoor enjoyment. My night routine that I tried to commit to has only lapsed a few times here and there but overall I am still dedicated to comfier sleep in my jammies and a nice skin care routine for nighttime. And! I finally got my hair appointment and got my bright pink hair. :)