Daily Update, April 10, 2026

The night before Friday, I got to bed just barely after 2 am. Still working on earlier, but I'm happier it's no later. {Smile}

After breakfast, my main nurse took me down to Kamana Senior Center for my Ballroom Dance: Rhumba class. I was happy to see both old and new faces, especially of folks I recognize from Wednesday night. I'm beginning to feel more like part of a community. We learned several basic and slightly less basic steps. I thought it was good progress for a first class. After class, my main nurse took me home. I played Cross Stitch World part of the way down, and part of the way back. I also looked stuff up on my phone on the way down and chatted with my main nurse on the way back. {Smile}

Back home, I got on my computer. I browsed videos and read comics right through lunch. Then I wrote much of Thursday's daily update, with breaks to read comics. With one paragraph to go, I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I checked on my friends who play the game. I went to the villain supergroup meeting early, to find Seb's Marius and our long-time regular already roleplaying. Seb and I had learned from Discord, the chat server, that our leader couldn't make it. We soon learned as well that Dr. Faustus had their computer back but needed to set up more than they could quickly to join the meeting. I talked with our newest member, and they joined us. The four of us did a couple of my missions from a contact. Then I checked my contacts. I realized I needed to unlock at least one more. So, I switched to individual missions for that. After one, the long-term regular left to watch the Artemis crew livestream. Marius thought about leaving, too, but I found one mission that his character should like. Sure enough, he stayed for it, as did our newest member. Then the meeting broke up. I finished writing my daily update, then checked on my friends who play on City of Heroes: Homecoming. Then I worked on the in-game auction house, storage and crafting, until I broke to eat dinner while watching the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival with my main nurse. {Smile}

I read Forward Day by Day right after dinner. Then I went back to City of Heroes: Homecoming. I checked on my friends who play the game. I said hi to Kitten, but they were tired, so we just talked while I did a mission by myself on Seameownt, the character they designed. Then I did the auction house, storage and crafting that produced. Next, I checked on my friends who play the game. I talked with Seb, and switched characters to join him in cafe roleplaying. On the way to the cafe he was in, I ran into an old friend, who took me to the cafe. At first, I was mostly quiet. I read what others were saying but wasn't sure what to add. Seb was quiet, too, and eventually left. Then someone asked a question that prompted some roleplaying from me. I got invited to the cafe owner's Discord group and settled in there, especially after the roleplaying disbanded because it was late for everyone, including me. After that, I wrote a little of this, then made notes in this. I took with breaks to check Cross Stitch World, browse videos, and read a short comic. I ended the evening with the Lord's Prayer, Saint Francis's Prayer, and the motto of the Daughters of the King. {Smile}

Daily Update, April 9, 2026

The night before Thursday, I went to bed just after 2 am. I got up around 9am, as usual. I'm still working to get a little earlier, but it still needs work. {Smile}

At breakfast, I tried to sign into HMSA for my counselling appointment. They couldn't find my plan type and wanted to charge me over $70. I texted my counselor and ended up closing the window and trying again. I had to get a new invite because the first had expired. With a new invite, it worked. They found my plan and charged me nothing. My counsellor could stay a bit late, but not enough to give me a full hour. I think I got around 50 minutes. We had a good session, including help with a situation I needed to resolve online, and other things I've been working on. {Smile}

After counselling, I read comics online, including over lunch. Then I wrote up Wednesday's daily update. Next, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming to talk with the new gal about some stuff. I also checked on my friends who play the game. After that, I cleaned myself up with the help of my main nurse. Then I went back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I checked on my friends who play the game. I also checked the in-game auction house and storage. Next, I did some hunts on the moderately low-level character who'd been teaming with one of Dr. Faustus's. When done, I worked on her in-game auction house, storage and crafting. After that, I started some hunts on the older Hobbit, who is mid-level. I broke for dinner while reading Forward Day by Day. {Smile}

After dinner I read comics before I went back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I checked on my friends who play the game. Then I did some more hunts on the older Hobbit. I also chatted with Seb on Discord. Then Dennis said hi. we teamed up and did 2 or 3 of his missions on mid-level to moderately high-level characters before we said goodnight. Then I did some of the in-game auction house, storage and crafting. Next, I did more hunts on the older Hobbit before doing auction house and storage on her. I wrote a tiny bit in this. After a break where I checked Cross Stitch World, I made notes in this, pausing to check something in City of Heroes: Homecoming before I finished making notes in this. I finished my evening with the Lord's Prayer, Saint Francis's Prayer, and the motto of the Daughters of the King. {Smile}

Daily Update, April 8, 2026

The night before Wednesday, I got to bed a little after 2 am, in part because of getting drawn into watching a long ad with an interesting story. I eventually quit it because of the time, but I'd already spent more time on it than I meant to. I got up at the usual 9am and didn't really need a nap or much rest during the day. {Smile}

Before lunch, my main nurse and I went down to my doctor's office. I asked the receptionist for a prescription for medicine for an UTI, since I seem to have another one. she promised to call one into Safeway. I asked about something for a swollen eye, but I'd need the doctor or this nurse practitioner for that, and they're both on vacation. then my main nurse asked for a new appointment, since the one he made conflicts with one of my dance classes. That the receptionist was happy to help with. After we were done, my main nurse and I went home again. {Smile}

After dinner, my main nurse took me out again, this time to the Church of the Holy Cross, where my Ballroom Dance: Bolero and Ballroom Dance: Country Two Step meet. They both went well. We're still working on basic steps in both dances, but we're beginning to add more variety. Afterwards, my main nurse took me home, quite happy with how I got out, mingled, and exercised. I played Cross Stitch World both down and back. {Smile}

During breakfast, I read Forward Day by Day. Then, after the trip to my doctor's office, I got onto my computer. I browsed videos, then comics over lunch. I also started writing more of Tuesday's daily update. I found it hard to concentrate on my update with comics distracting me into the afternoon, but I finally finished. Then I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started with the in-game auction house and storage on Hezabell, my higher-level villain supergroup member. I began talking with Seb, and we soon teamed up, and did some missions from a, contact, rather than the one-off missions we've been doing. Phonso joined us for the last few missions. The three of us finished the contact right before dinner. {Smile}

After I got back from class, I went back onto my computer. I answered Nox on Discord, the chat server. I also said hi Dr. Faustus on Discord. They replied, letting me know they wouldn't be in City of Heroes: Homecoming that night. I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I worked on the in-game auction house, storage and crafting. Near the end, Seb said hi. We talked, then got together for roleplaying. I began writing in this on the side, then making notes in it on the side. Eventually we finished, saying goodnight. I finished my evening with the Lord's Prayer, Saint Francis's Prayer, and the motto of the Daughters of the King. {Smile}

Daily Update, April 7. 2026

The night before Tuesday, I got to bed a few minutes after 1:45 am. I got up at 9 am as usual. That's the best I've managed on a regular night recently, but if I get to bed before 1:45, I'll move my bedtime back a bit. I'd like to move my bedtime back to 8:45 or even 8:30, as long as I don't short myself of being down for 7 hours. {Smile}

Late in the morning, my substitute relief nurse took me down to Kamana Senior Center for my Creative Writing Class. I thought it went well. I'm beginning to feel more comfortable making plans for my story closer to what I originally meant for it. That developed a little further in class. I hope it will continue soon. My substitute relief nurse came and took me home after class. On my rides down to class and back, I checked Discord, the chat server, replying to a couple of things. {Smile}

I read Forward Day by Day during breakfast. Then I ate lunch during class. After breakfast, I got onto my computer, and finished Monday's daily update. When I got home, I got onto my computer and checked Discord again. Then I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I checked on my friends who play the game. Then I worked on the in-game auction house and storage until a stranger asked me to team with them. I joined thinking to explain I couldn't stay, but they asked for help, and something told me they needed it. Despite it being close to my teen supergroup meeting, I said I'd try. I did most of a mission before I realized they were doing a small map the really slow way. By then, they'd gotten three others to help, so I felt better about leaving. I excused myself and went to teen supergroup meeting half an hour late, but I had let them know that I was helping something, which seemed typical for our supergroup. The folks already there insisted I wasn't late, including Ulty, Jenny's Player, Nyxy, the usual guy, the new gal, and a couple of other gals. We started a story-arc made by Nyxy. We did a couple of missions, including one with a long map. Then we finished for the day, going to the supergroup's base to roleplay. Some left as it was late for them. Others left when it did get late for them. I had my character fall asleep for a nap when dinner was ready. {Smile}

After dinner, I had my character wake up. I found that more had left, but not all, so I rejoined the roleplaying. I checked on my friends in lull. The rest left not too long after, one or two to go to bed, and at least two to do other things. I worked on the in-game auction house and storage and checked on my friends who play the game. Then I wrote a little in this until Dr. Faustus said hi while I checked in City of Heroes: Homecoming. I teamed up with him and Seb, with me on Hezabell, my higher-level villain supergroup member. We did many individual missions, unlocking two contacts that can be unlocked that way, with a gal who joined the supergroup fairly recently joining our team along the way. We stopped just before unlocking the last contact I can unlock the way we're doing it for now. Seb and I roleplayed afterwards. I also wrote some more in this and made a fair bit of notes in this as well. I also checked on my friends who play the game again, before we finished roleplaying. I got distracted by a long advertisement while shutting down, which didn't help me get to bed earlier. I ended my evening with the Lord's Prayer, Saint Francis's Prayer, and the motto of the Daughters of the King. 

Daily Update, April 6, 2026

The night before Monday, I got to bed several minutes before 2 am. that's a good time, but I would like to work it a bit earlier. {Smile}

After breakfast, my substitute relief nurse took me down to Aunty Sally's Luau Hale for my first timer's Line Dancing class, but the building was closed. I remembered that it's Merrie Monarch Week, and that I had a list of locations for the session. I looked it up, and it was at the YBA Hall, near Sangha Hall. My substitute relief nurse took me there and recognized the building before I did. Class was already started, but I soon joined them. It went quite well, I think. {Smile}

Afterwards, we ran several errands my substitute relief nurse needed. One of the last was a stop at the ice cream parlor in Liliu'okalani Gardens. I picked out a calamansi cream popsicle, a liliko'i cream popsicle, and a vanilla cream popsicle. I ate the calamansi cream popsicle on the way home. {Smile}

After we got back home, I got onto my computer. I tried to write my daily update but kept getting drawn into watching videos and reading web comics. I finally gave up and went into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I checked on my friends who play the game and started talking with Dennis and Seb before I was done. I ended up joining Dennis on a giant monster hunting team that got several monsters in a row before breaking up just when I was going to quit for dinner anyway. I read Forward Day by Day for both Sunday and Monday over dinner, since I realized I'd missed it entirely on Sunday. {Smile}

After dinner I finished writing up Sunday's daily update. It was long enough I had to take breaks, but I tried to keep them short. When I was done, I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I checked on my friends who play the game, and talked with Dr. Faustus, Seb, and the new gal in both my supergroups. I teamed up with Dr. Faustus and Seb, with me on my higher-level villain supergroup member. Kitten soon joined us. We did several individual missions to unlock contacts. We got one unlocked, and another on the way to being unlocked. Seb left first. then Kitten left when they were too tired. Dr. Faustus left then, too, since it was late. I worked on the in-game auction house, storage, and crafting on two characters, the one I'd been playing, and one with a long-term crafting project. Then I did a bit of hunting on the gal with the long-term crafting project, followed by a little more storage on her. Next, I wrote much of this. I paused a few times, to read a comic, read part of an article, and check out Cross Stitch World. After the last, I made notes in this. I ended my evening with the Lord's Prayer, Saint Francis's Prayer, and the motto of the Daughters of the King. 

Daily Update, April 5, 2026

Happy Easter! If you celebrate it either religiously or secularly, that is. If not, I hope you had a nice day. {Smile}

The night before Sunday, I actually got to bed a little before 1:45. I began to set my alarm clock earlier than 8:30 am but chickened out. I didn't want to make myself sick trying to get up too early. I'm unusually sensitive to that. If I get up an hour earlier all at once, I can give myself two days of jetlag-like symptoms. {smile}

After breakfast, my main nurse took me to church. We arrived just before the offertory, which is just before the part with the Holy Communion itself in it. The service was so far along because they started at 9 am instead of 10 am. They did that because their early service was 6 am for a sunrise service, instead of our usual 8 am. I enjoyed the part of the service I was there for and saved the service sheet to read parts I'd missed, especially the lessons. {Smile}

After the service, we had a large lunch on the lanai. Up walked my cousin Babs, and introduced he hanai granddaughter, and another girl. I'm not sure if the second young woman is another hanai granddaughter, or something else. Anyway, we sat together, and visited, though the second young woman left to sit in the car when the crowd got to be too much for her. None of them like crowds, and it was crowded on the lanai. The one who stayed is very interested in becoming an Episcopalian. I put her in touch with our deacon, since we're between priests. After lunch my main nurse took me home. {Smile}

A couple of hours after we got back from church, my main nurse took me to Laurie's and Lindy's house because Laurie invited me and several others to an Easter Dinner party at 2pm. I took the cake platter we got the day before. I ate so much on top of that large lunch earlier that I had to loosen my abdominal binder, a kind of medical corset I wear. I stayed to the end, then called my main nurse who came and got me, taking me home. We promised I didn't stay long after the rest. I think I stayed just long enough to ease the transition to being alone again. {Smile}

I played Cross Stitch World on the way down to church and back. After church, I got onto my computer. I barely browsed on the internet, instead concentrating on writing up Saturday's daily update. Then I read comics until I got ready for the party. I played Cross Stitch World on the way down to the party and back. After the party, I got onto my computer. I read a few comics and replied to Nox on Discord. Then I broke to clean myself up with the help of my main nurse. I skipped dinner and nighttime snacks because I was too full between the two large meals earlier. {Smile}

After cleaning myself up, I got back to my computer, and straight into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started to check on my friends who play the game but got sidetracked into talking with friends pretty quickly. I said goodnight to Dennis, who was getting ready to leave. I said hi to Ulty and Jenny's player. I chatted a bit with Divi, too. I also talked with Dr. Faustus, Seb, and the newest member of our villain supergroup. The last three and I teamed up, with me on the ranged version of Olga, my lower-level villain supergroup member. We did two of my story arcs that are really meant for heroes, but we put a more selfish spin on our actions. Then Dr. Faustus and Seb left, saying goodnight. I talked with the new gal a fair while before we both left because it was late. Next, I wrote a bit of this, then switched to making notes in this. I took one break for Cross Stitch World, and a short break for short comics. I ended my evening with the Lord's Prayer, Saint Francis's Prayer, and the motto of the Daughters of the King. {Smile}

Daily Update, April 4, 2026

The night before Saturday, I once again got to bed closer to 2:15 am than I'd like. At least I got up around nine as usual. I was a little tired later, or maybe it was hot. I drowsed on the way out, but had less trouble in air conditioning, and as I tried to cool off a bit. {Smile}

I think I might have a urinary tract infection. I've taken some medicine I have on hand, and plan to call the doctor on Monday. {smile}

A while after lunch, my main nurse and I went out. Our first stop was the ice cream parlor in Liliu'okalani Gardens, where I got a chocolate fudge popsicle. I ate it on the way to Prince Kuhio Plaza, where we walked around four large stores and all the aisles between stores. Then we went to Walmart, where I waited in the car while my main nurse picked up a few things. Next, we went on to KTA, a local grocery chain. We picked out a cake platter where it's all cut and laid out in muffin cups, to be easy for a buffet. We thought I could take it to an Easter afternoon dinner I'm invited to by a couple of friends. After that, we went home. Most legs of the trip were a mix of Cross Stitch World and drowsing, except for the leg where I was far too busy eating that popsicle to do either. {SMILE}

Over breakfast, I read Forward Day by Day. After breakfast, I got onto my computer and browsed articles. Then I tightened a scene in my story. Next, I wrote up Friday's daily update. I read comics over lunch. After that, I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I checked on my friends who play the game and talked with Seb. I also checked the in-game auction house. Then I broke to go out with my main nurse. When I got back, I got back onto computer and into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I checked on my friends who play the game and talked with Seb some more while checking the in-game auction house. Phonso invited me to a pair of high-level taskforces that ran right up to dinner time. {Smile}

After dinner, I went bac into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I checked on my friends who play the game, then checked the in-game auction house. Ulty invited me to a friend's-only run of that pair of high-level taskforces. I happily joined, and we ran them. I think we accidentally worked on a badge we all had already. They blamed me for asking for it. I just asked if anyone needed it. I said I had them all already. Anyway, afterwards, the team broke up. I worked on the in-game auction house, storage and crafting until Dr. Faustus said hi. We teamed up with me on Hezabell, my higher-level villain supergroup member. We worked on a few of my Hezabell's contacts, including unlocking one, and finding that I can unlock more in an easier way than I feared. Then we said goodnight, and I worked on the in-game auction house, storage and crafting, Next, I wrote a bit in this, then shifted to making notes in this. I took a break to check and play Cross Stitch world, but not for all that long. I browsed articles and videos before I finished my evening with the Lord's Prayer, Saint Francis's Prayer, and the motto of the Daughters of the King. {Smile}

Daily Update, April 3, 2026

The night before Friday, I got into bed closer to 2:15 than I like. However, I didn't get up until around 10:45 am. Yes, that late, I'd woken up, but was lying in bed, waiting for the alarm when my main nurse checked on me when he could. Fortunately, I'd only missed my alarm, not come down with a migraine, blood sugar trouble, or core temperature trouble, all of which tends to be better treated earlier than later. but I was good. {Smile}

I read Forward Day by Day at breakfast, but only once. Usually I wait, and read it again, to help it sink in. After breakfast, I got onto my computer. I browsed videos, largely writing advice videos, not knowing what I was searching for. Then I tried writing Thursday's daily update but kept getting drawn back to writing advice videos until I realized something that's been bothering me about my story. I wrote it up, and shared where I share my updates. Next, I got Olga, the higher-level, melee-ranged Olga, and dashed to my villain supergroup meeting, arriving just on time. Dr. Faustus and Seb were already there. We started to roleplay. Out leader arrived just after me. The other regular member arrived and apologized for being a bit late. We began working on Olga's story arc we'd worked on last week, doing a longer mission. The new member said hi near the end of the first mission and joined us slightly after we'd begun a second and final mission to my story arc. We restarted so she could do the whole mission with us. This finished the arc. I got one of the two badges you can get from that arc. After that, we got ready to do a mission Dr. Faustus had when Dr. Faustus disconnected. They said on Discord they wouldn't bother to try to come back because it was late. Our leader left too, then our long-time regular member left as well. Then Seb, went to roleplay with a friend. The other new member and I joined them in roleplaying our characters meeting and talking until Seb's friend left. Next, we three talked out-of-character until I left for dinner. {Smile}

During dinner, I read Forward Day by Day again. After dinner, I finished Thursday's daily update and read some web comics before I went back to City of Heroes: Homecoming. I did a little weekend auction house on a few characters. I checked on my friends who play the game and said hi and talked with Seb and Dennis separately. Then I teamed up with Dennis. We did some of his missions. Next, we talked some more before we said goodnight. After that, I said hi to Divi and Ulty. I chatted with Ulty first. Then I chatted with Divi before joining them in an April Fools event league that went for a while, then paused, then did a little more. Next, Divi left, as I did soon after so I could work on the in-game auction house and storage. After that, I hunted on a moderately low-level character, then did a bit more of the in-game auction house and storage. Then I wrote in this and made notes in it, taking a break for a little Cross Stitch World. I ended my evening with the Lord's Prayer, Saint Francis's Prayer, and the motto of the Daughters of the King. {Smile}

Daily Update, April 2, 2026

The night before Thursday, I got to bed several minutes before 2 am. I'm relieved I'm back before 2 am. I do think I feel better rested, even if it's just a few minutes. I can't help hoping to move it further back. before the pandemic, I'd worked back to 8 am, which gave me more of a morning to do stuff in, but my bedtime slipped forward during the pandemic, and I'm having a terrible time getting it to move back again. {smile}

I didn't have video counselling because my counselor was unavailable, so I read Forward Day by Day during breakfast, and got onto my computer after breakfast. I browsed videos into lunch, then began writing up Wednesday's daily update during lunch. I took many to read web comics, running well into the afternoon. When I finished, I cleaned myself up with the help of my main nurse. Next, I went into City of heroes: Homecoming. I checked on my friends who play the game. Then I started talking with Kitten. We got together and did a bit of an April Fool's special event before we joined the late-night short, large-group event and ran it. It started early enough, and went fast enough, it ended just before I was called to dinner. {Smile}

After dinner, I read a few comics. Then I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I checked on my friends who play the game. Next, I said hi to Dr. Faustus and Seb on Discord. I also talked with Kitten in the game. Kitten and I teamed up and did a bit of an April Fool's event. After that we tried to do a story arc, but we had to restart because my difficulty settings were too high. Also, Dennis had said hi, but Kitten got pulled away, so I did the story arc with Dennis. It took long, but we both got a badge, and Dennis got a second badge I'd asked for on his behalf. I worked on the in-game auction house, storage and crafting as well as game money juggling on a few characters. Then I wrote in this. I switched to making notes in this, with breaks for Cross Stitch World, a couple of comics, and a little web browsing. I finished my evening by saying The Lord's Prayer, Saint Francis's Prayer, and the motto of the Daughters of the King. {Smile}

My daily update will be late... Sorry, but...

 {chuckles} My daily update will be late. There is a reason for this... 

I've been watching a lot of writing advice videos recently, and I just realized a problem with the story I've been working on, "Snow in Hawai'i." Whether I read parts of it to folks, or just talk about the story, folks get excited. They talk about loving the relationships in the story and want to see it turned into a picture book for children...

...and that's where I hit a problem. It's not kids who get excited about the story. Kids aren't getting invested in the story. It's grandparents, great-grandparents, and grand- and great-grand- aunts and uncles. That partly shows who I'm around. My creative writing class is strictly for older people. When I enquired before my 55th birthday, they said I had to wait until I was 55 when I registered. The session where I turned 55 a week or two after registration closed, I was too young. I also talk about it at church, where our congregation is largely older. Even there, it's not our "young people under 50" who are getting excited and joining the conversations, let alone our few actual kids. Most of the folks who are getting interested in and even excited about my story are older than me, and I'm 57.

And... I'm concerned. If I really want to make this story appeal to children - and cut it down to a good length for a picture book - I'll have to tighten the focus on the kids, cutting out at least one conversation pretty much entirely, and cutting others drastically back. Which... I'm afraid will lessen the excitement and the investment I see in the folks who currently love the story.

That can't be right, can it? When you find an honest and strong interest in a story, you don't cut that audience off and go court an audience which can't be bothered with it. That... that doesn't scan. It doesn't make sense at all.

Help?