Daily Update, July 9, 2026

 The night before Thursday, I hoped to get to bed before 2 am. It even looked like I would until I found a seriously clogged sink in the newer bathroom. I tried to fix it but barely made progress in getting some plastic out. I managed to get to bed a few minutes after 2 am. The next morning, I found a small plunger and told my main nurse. He then shooed me away as he worked on it. I checked it just now. it's flowing pretty good. I got a little more out -- shredded carrot and black gunk - and might spot some shredded cabbage, but it's flowing out pretty well, which is the main thing. {Smile}

Over breakfast, I started trying to sign into HMSA on my computer. It got a picture, but no sound, and a second attempt was no better. Setting up the laptop and trying right then didn't work much better, so we ended up on Zoom. I discussed it with my counsellor. I'll try setting the laptop up ahead of time week after next. Not next week because a dental appointment prevents me from keeping my regular appointment. If the laptop works, I'll have to replace this computer. it won't upgrade to Windows 11, and we suspect that's why it doesn't work with HMSA's new system. The rest of my appointment went well, it was short, though ran later than if it had started on time. {Smile}

After lunch, my main nurse took me to Mom's lawyer's office. I played Cross Stitch World on the way there. At the office, a gal went over the agreement about the retainer to handle Mom's will and such with me. I made out the necessary checks, and we were done Then my main nurse took me over to the Hilo branch of Hawai'i Public Library and went to do an errand. I played only a little Cross Stitch World on the way over, since it was one short block away. I returned three manga, including a very thick one. I picked out five normally thin ones in three series, with an eye towards looking at things vaguely relevant to a series of stories I started years ago. They all deal with a new normal after a big event upended the old normal. I checked them out and started reading _Ocean of Secrets_ in the library. When my main nurse came and picked me up, I continued reading it on the ride home. {Smile}

After counselling, I read web comics right through lunch. Then we went out. When we got back, I read more web comics, since I was suddenly too tired to do much else. Then I wrote up Wednesday's daily update before I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I checked on my friends who play the game, and did a little in-game auction house and storage on Ana, my third best badge collector, until Dr. Faustus said hi. They invited me to bring a character on a story arc where you can pick up a badge. It's a badge Ana didn't have, so I took her and fixed that oversight. We went up to the end of the mission with the badge in it. Next, we parted because it was almost my dinner time. I updated her badge record and did a bit of auction house and storage before my main nurse called me. I ate with them, their TV show, and _Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku_, since it's due next week. {Smile}

After dinner, I cleaned myself up with the help of my main nurse. Only then did I go back to my computer and City of Heroes: Homecoming. I checked on my friends who play the game, and teamed up with Dr. Faustus on Peony, my younger Hobbit, roleplaying a bit to advance recent storylines. We ran a story arc that they felt ended the evening well enough, we said goodnight and they left. Kitten said hi shortly before that, so when I was free, we teamed up. Kitten was on their new character, and I got Ana. They talked me into finishing a badge on her that can be done quickly with game cash. Then we ran a high-level story arc they could get that has rewards they're interested in. We finished at a good time to say goodnight. I worked on Ana's in-game auction house, storage and crafting, which led to another badge. Then I updated her badge record again she's still clearly my third best badge collector, but she's gaining on Carrie, my second-best badge collector, because Ana is the more comfortable character to spend much time on. I also checked on my friends who play the game. I said goodnight to Kitten again. After that, I began writing in this, I broke to check Cross Stitch World, then wrote some more before switching to making notes in this to write from later. Then I closed windows. I'm surprised I wasn't distracted by the windows while writing and making notes. I ended my evening with the Lord's Prayer, Saint Francis's Prayer, and the motto of the Daughters of the King. {Smile}