Daily Update, January 16, 2024

   During breakfast, the nurse asked me if I was expecting someone. I said no. She said there was a car in the driveway. I looked out. It was the handicapped van from the agency with the monthly picnic. That picnic was marked on my calendar, but with nothing confirming it was on, I'd convinced myself it wasn't on this month. I swiftly got ready, doing some steps sketchily, and skipping a couple entirely, and dashed off. {Smile}

   I found a few others at the meetings. Another arrived with his caregiver. Yet another attended online from home. It was a nice, congenial group. Afterwards, the van took me and another member to our drop-off points, him downtown, where he was to wait for a friend who lives near him in the country, and me to my house in town. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was more alert today and looking at the pictures with interest. First, we started with scripture and thoughts about it. then I read a few cards from church, the nursing company, and her sister. Next, I continued "Memories Space Race." After that, I read the next story in _5 Minute Disney Junior Stories_. I ended with the 16th of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Dolls' Dresses." Genevieve and Annabel were bored. Then their grandmother declared a competition. she gave each of them a pretty piece of material, along with scissors, needles, and thread. She said the first to make their doll a dress would get a prize. Genevieve asked what prize, but Anabel just started sewing, so she did, too. They snipped, pinned and sewed, thinking of the dresses they were making and the prize. Anabel finished first, but Genevieve finished so soon after, Grandma gave them each a prize: a red sewing bag, and a blue sewing bag. {Smile}

   I was too tired after my busy morning to do much exercise. It did involve walking I wouldn't have done otherwise, but it wasn't enough to compare to nine times around the driveway or anything.  I did get my head exercises done while waiting for Phonso's taskforce to start. I also got my arm resistance exercises and one of my sitting arm weight training exercises done during and after that taskforce. {Smile}

   When I got home, I finished yesterday's daily update. Then I cleaned myself up before settling in online. I found Pierogies and Kitten, and we teamed up and did a couple of missions together. Kitten was definitely lagging. Turned out they were trying to explain things to a new player, too. We have quite a few new and long gone/just returned players these days, thanks to Homecoming getting into the news with their new license with City of Heroes' parent company, NCSoft. Kitten declined to join us in the later short, large-group event. Pierogies and I did join that, then talked a bit before I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I slipped into late-night short, large-group event just in time. After that, I teamed up with Kitten. We ran a couple of missions, then joined Dr. Faustus, who was helping a new player. Dr. Faustus left first, citing work demands. The new player left shortly after. Kitten and I were discussing what to do next when Phonso said hi and invited us to a taskforce. I wouldn't have joined it if I'd felt up to salsa dancing or much exercise, but I didn't feel up to those, so I did join it. It did run late, but we did finish, getting full rewards. I said goodnight to Nox; we missed a chance to talk again. I did paperwork and wrote this up after the taskforce, with just a little exercise because it was pretty late. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 15, 2024

   Monday, my hearing aids had appointment in the late morning. I tried to get Uber to take me. They insisted I had to mean a place on O'ahu. It was the only address I could get for the company. Finally, I called the place, and got their address, 282 Ululani Street. I contacted Uber, they came and took me down, and the appointment went well. Afterwards, I contacted Uber and asked them to take me to Ace Hardware, pretty close by. Then I scheduled the next visit for the hearing aids and bought batteries for that time. Uber arrived while I was still doing that, but I let them know, and went out when I was done. {Smile}

   They took me to Ace Hardware. I found the plumbing section. Then I found a clerk nearby. They were less helpful than I hoped but did recommend a drain cleaner. I also got a "hair clog snake." Then I contacted Uber and they took me home. {Smile}

   I tried the snake on several drains. It got stuck a few times, but I'm getting better at getting it back out. The pipes in the kitchen got put back together; they probably need a plumber soon. {smile}

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. We started a little late again. She was tired but kept opening her eyes for the pictures. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I read a few cards from church, the nursing company, her cousin's granddaughter, and her sister. Then I continued "Memories Space Race." Then I read the next story in _5 Minute Disney Junior Stories_. I ended with the 15th of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Jake's Surprise." Jake the duck had not been able to leave his home at the farm for several days to visit his friends at a nearby farm. The weather was too cool and gray. One morning the sun came out, pale but enough to inspire Jake to go down to the pond to swim with his friends. Only an owl was there in a willow tree. the pond was still, and looked strange, but Jake didn't know why. The owl said Jack Frost had come and left his looking glass behind. Jake thought the owl was being silly, talking in riddles like usual. he tried to get in for a swim, but just slipped, landing on his tail and sliding across the pond with his feet waving in the air. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises while waiting for Uber to come take me to Hilo Hearing Aid Company. Then I did one of my sitting arm weight training exercises while teaming for the evening. Next, I did 14 3/4 minutes of salsa dancing in the warmup set and one more piece later. I also did my arm resistance exercises. I know I'm not getting much done, but some days have been busy, including Sunday and Monday, and those days it's hard to do as much exercise. {sigh}

   I cleaned myself up after lunch. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found Pierogies. We missed the later short, large-group event, so we teamed up and ran a couple of missions. Kitten joined us partway through the first, and stayed for the second, too. Then we broke so I could read to Mom. 

   After dinner, I missed the late-night short, large-group event. So, I worked on paperwork, and began writing this up. Then I contacted Dr. Faustus and joined him in helping a new player through a story arc. Kitten joined us, too. Then the new player left, and Dr. Faustus and Kitten helped me finish a high-level story arc of my own. I also talked with Nox a bit. The story arc ended just in time for me to start my salsa dancing. I read comics and article sand watched videos between and after, and slipped in a tiny bit of paperwork, as well as writing a bit more of this and making notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 14, 2024

   Sunday, I contacted uber before breakfast, and they came and took me to church. The driver knows me and was particularly chatty today. Thankfully he mentioned that tomorrow is a holiday - Martin Luther King JR. Day, I believe - so I won't try to do any banking that day. {Smile}

   The church service went well. So did lunch afterwards. I found a few folks to talk with. One of them took me home, saying I was right on her way. I certainly can be, though I suspect she often takes a different route home, though the route my house is on works too. {Smile}

   Sunday evening, I got a phone call from Auntie Barbara. We had a nice talk, and I learned how well she's settling in and getting better. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. We started a little late because we were both getting cleaned up, but that ensured she was awake. I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I finished her niece's long family Christmas letter from last year. Next, I started "Memories Space Race." Then I started _5 Minute Disney Junior Stories_ reading the first story. I ended with the 14th of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Red Umbrella." Lucy's red silk umbrella spent most of its time in the hall in a blue china umbrella stand. A walking stick stood next to it. the umbrella told the walking stick it was lucky because it had gone out every day this week, which the umbrella hadn't been out once.  The walking stick pointed out that his master only went out when the weather was fine. Recently the sun had been shining. The umbrella remembered Lucy taking the umbrella on a shopping trip last week, but it had stayed int eh shopping bag the whole it. It wanted to stretch out its arm and feel the rain. Just then, Lucy came in rain gear, and got the umbrella, saying they were going out. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises while waiting for Uber to come take me to church after breakfast. Then after the TF, I did my salsa dancing warmup, and after a break, one more salsa dance piece, for 14 minutes and 45 seconds of salsa dancing. Then I did my arm resistance exercises. I wish I'd done more, but it got too late before I got around to it. {resigned smile}

   After I got home from church, I hopped right online. I went into City of Heroes: homecoming pretty quickly and found Pierogies. So, we teamed up and did a couple of individual high-level missions. Then he really wanted to watch a show. We debated which one and settled on the Guild. We watched 5 short episodes while our characters sat in a farm on City of Heroes: Homecoming.  I was reaching the point of needing a change, but Pierogies needed to rest, so we just stopped. He left, inviting me to stay in the farm. I left, too, because I needed to clean myself up before dinner. {Smile}

   After dinner, I wrote a little of this. Then I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, hoping to get into the late-night short, large-group event, but the zone was full. I was just starting to work on paperwork when Misty said hi. I joined her and a friend of hers in a base she was checking out. Then she left because she was tired. The friend was going to join a task force. I thought it was public, and asked if I could come. They said okay, though it turned out it wasn't public. It took over two hours, in part because we were half full after Misty's friend left after one mission, and the leader kept it set at the highest level the whole time. When it was done, it was time for me to start my salsa dancing. I chatted with Nox and Radio a little on the chat server between and after salsa dancing and my exercises and such. Then I read some articles, and finally worked on the paperwork which had piled up badly. I also made notes to write from the next day.

Daily Update, January 13, 2024

    I've been much better about sleeping on the other shoulder for several days now. It's feeling better, too, but whenever I wonder about sleeping on the side I'm used to sleeping on, the shoulder feels not quite well yet. I guess it needs a while longer. {resigned smile}

   Saturday morning, I called to follow up on the email that's not working. The phone tree offered to call me back because of a wait time of around an hour. I took them up on it. When they did call me back, I got such poor reception, I had to move to the front door, and they hung up on me before I could get a response. I called back, navigated the phone tree, and got a person who insisted she couldn't help me with the email because I wasn't the account holder. She wanted to email me what I need to covert the account to my name, but kept insisting my working email is invalid, even when she finally seemed to have it right, so she arranged to send me stuff by U.S. mail instead. {SIGH}

   Our former nurse called while I was starting to get ready for bed. It wasn't quite too late, so we had a nice chat. it was good to hear from him. He's been pretty busy recently, so it's been a while. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was awake when i went to read to her, and looked at all the pictures. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from last year. After that, I finished "'Classic Christmas' Vintage Fine Art Picture Book Volume 2." Then I read the last story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_, finishing it, too. I ended with the 13th of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Nutcrackers." Simon loved to play with a pair of old nutcrackers when he went to visit his grandmother. They were beautifully carved and painted. His grandmother asked him to be careful with them, because they'd belonged to her grandfather, and were very precious. One day, when he went to play with the nutcrackers, one of the handles fell off. Simon was very upset. He didn't dare tell anyone, so he hid them behind a book. The next day his grandmother came to him, and explained she'd broken the nutcrackers, not Simon. She added that he should always tell a grownup if he thought he'd done something wrong.  {Smile}

   I did my salsa dancing warmup set before lunch for 8 1/2 minutes, and another piece after lunch for 5 3/4 minutes. That evening, while sitting in Pierogies' farm, I did my head exercises and arm resistance exercises. Then after the task force, while visiting with Mysty, I slipped in my leg exercises. After the visit, I did my standing and sitting arm weight training exercises. I only missed my walking exercises and one more salsa dancing song. When I get those, too, I'll be doing as much as my physical therapist recommends. {Smile}

I read articles before the phone call with my internet provider and watched videos and read comics after that phone call, before, over and after lunch. Then, after cleaning myself up, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, and found Div and Pierogies. We teamed up to talk, but when Pierogies and I started asking about things to do together, Div said to go on, so we caught two "casual" high-level trials. That meant not getting badges beyond the basic, and maybe something else if we got lucky, because we weren't really trying. Pierogies ran a couple, then left to rest. I continued with a regular trial lead by the same person next. Then the leader left, and I worked on paperwork a bit. Pierogies came back, and we parked our characters in a farm while we watched another episode of RWBY. It was the grand finale of the 7th season. We didn't have quite enough time to start the next episode, so we chatted and farmed until it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I found Pierogies on, but getting ready to go to bed. We chatted a little and started another farm. I started writing this up, then played with the farm until I got bored. Then I did some paperwork while I looked around. Soon I spotted a task force starting that I've been wanting one more of this week. I grabbed the character who needed it most and joined it. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server a bit. After the task force, I started badging on another character, with time out for some of my exercises. Then Mysty said hi, and we got together to visit for a while until she had to lie down. I did a few more exercises and read some comics. Then I wrote a little of this, got out former nurse's phone call, and made notes in this to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 12, 2024

    On Friday, part of me wanted to go out and do some errands, but I didn't want to be out when the provider called about fixing my email. I ended up not going out, and not getting a call. I guess I'll try calling them on Monday, before my hearing aids' appointment with the audiologist. {smile}

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was awake when i went to read to her, and looked at all the pictures. I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from last year. Then I continued "'Classic Christmas' Vintage Fine Art Picture Book Volume 2." Next, I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I finished with the 12th of January's poem from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Winter." It says the snow and wind are outside, while assorted animals are inside, resting, where a fire keeps them warm. Stephanie is at the window, watching the wind and snow outside. {Smile}

   I did my salsa dancing warmup before cleaning myself up before lunch, and another salsa dancing piece between cleaning myself up and lunch. Again, it was not quite 15 minutes between them. Then I did my head exercises much later, a while after teaming for the evening. {Smile}

   I read comics and articles around finishing and sharing yesterday's daily update in the morning and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming after lunch. I found Div and Pierogies, and we teamed up. We ran several of my missions before Div left for the day. Then Pierogies asked about watching a show, so we settled into a farm, and watched three episodes of RWBY. After that, we chatted a bit before I went to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped onto City of Heroes: Homecoming and found Pierogies still farming. We chatted a bit, then tried to get into the late-night short, large-group event, but the zone was full. So, we ran a few missions together. I chatted briefly with TheCyberChill, too. Then Pierogies settled into a farm, inviting me to leave my character in there while I started to write this up, which I did. When I was done, TheCyberChill was gone too, so I worked on paperwork until I connected with Dr. Faustus. We teamed up, doing several moderately high-level missions I got on a character I wanted to work on. TheCyberChill joined us after a while, on a lower-level character. I think they wanted to level. I tried to tone it down so it wouldn't be too frustrating for them, while still making it decent experience and such. Eventually, Dr. Faustus left. TheCyberChill and I teamed for a couple more missions before they left, too. Then I did three hunts my character could do on their own. After that, I worked on paperwork, did my exercises, wrote a little of this and made notes to write the rest of this from the next day.

Daily Update, January 11, 2024

    Thursday I did something I've been putting off for pretty close to a month: calling my internet provider to get one of my email addresses working. They used to be so busy, you had to wait half an hour on hold, and just hope you actually got a person, and didn't get cut off. Today was a pleasant surprise: 10-15 minutes navigating their phone tree, then, despite warnings about a high call volume, I got someone fairly quickly. They determined I need the help of someone more specialized. They should call me soon, or I can call if I don't hear from them in 24-48 hours. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She opened her eyes as soon as I got there and kept them open for reading, and pictures when got to them. Seh said she enjoyed it partway through. I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from last year. After that, I started "'Classic Christmas' Vintage Fine Art Picture Book Volume 2." Then I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I finished with the 11th of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Silly Snowman." One afternoon, Bridget built a snowman. He had a hat and scarf to keep him warm, but that evening, he started to grumble that he was cold. No one saw him cross the garden and climb onto the roof. He smiled as he started to warm up by the chimney, but then his smile drooped as his feet turned to water. He slipped down the roof and fell into the garden below. He went back to his old place and didn't try to move again. {Smile}

   Before lunch, I did 8 1/2 minutes of salsa dancing warmup. Then after lunch I did another 6 1/4 minutes of salsa dancing. I was a little winded after the separate piece, but I made it through. I did my walking exercises after teaming for the night, but I was tired, and didn't get more done. {smile}

   I read several articles before making that phone call to my internet provider. Then I watched a couple of videos over lunch, bracketing lunch with my salsa dancing. After that, I started writing this. Then I cleaned myself up before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I looked around, and saw Pierogies and Kitten, so I started talking with them. the three of us teamed up and continued working on the project. We did a few more missions before we got one with what we wanted. It was beginning to get late, but we managed to squeeze in two runs before we broke to read to Mom. That got me what I hoped for, but Kitten and Pierogies needed one more. {Smile}

   After dinner, I got back in time to join the late night short, large-group event in progress, just early enough to get all the big rewards. Then I wrote this up a bit more. Next, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, and found Kitten and Pierogies ready to team up. Pierogies had a different idea of how to approach the next part than I did, but I adjusted, and we tried to start. We didn't get very far before Pierogies got too tired. We agreed to try again another day, whether separately or together. Then Pierogies left, and Kitten and I tried to decide what to do next. Kitten was getting tired, but hoped this would be less of a problem soon. Meanwhile, Dr. Faustus said hi, and joined us. We tried to start a task force, but it fell apart before we got going. Kitten left because they were entirely too tired, and so did most of the others, but Dr. Faustus, one other, and I tried a strike force - the villainous version of a task force. Somebody else was trying to start the same one with a friend, so the five of us got together. Dr. Faustus got a friend to join us, and we started. I also chatted a little with Nox on the chat server. Dr. Faustus's friend pulled out partway through because it was too late. The rest of us finished, but one said it was also too late. We tried to speed up the ending for them. Then I did some paperwork, and what exercise I got done. I wrote this more, getting more done before switching to notes to write from than usual. I still had to finish it the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 10, 2024

    I had plans for Wednesday, but then the chat server decided to update itself, which meant going unavailable. Of course, I wasn't fully sure that is what was going on. I didn't want to try to fix a broken email if the computer was bad, nor did I want to leave on an errand or two if this was something I needed to fix. So, I fussed with the chat server until it fixed itself. By then, it seemed late to start, especially lunch was getting close. {sigh}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She seemed asleep when I got there and didn't seem to wake up when I talked... until I began to read, not sure what else to do. Then she opened her eyes, and kept them open, for reading, and pictures when got to them. I guess she wasn't as asleep as I thought. {Smile}

   First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from last year. Then I read the rest of _Exploring Hawai'i: A Picture Book_. Yes, I got through it in just two sittings. I showed her the cover of the next book I plan to read: "'Classic Christmas' Vintage Fine Art Picture Book Volume 2." Next, I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I finished with the 10th of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Skiing is Easy." Claude the kitten wanted to spend his winter holiday in the mountains, learning to ski. he told his mother it was easy. He'd seen pictures in his book. The ride up the hill in the cable car was scary, but he got out at the top, fastened on his skis, pushed off, and started gliding down the hill. He was skiing! He went faster and faster until he got to a bend. He sped up until he got to a bend. Then his skis went out from under him, and he fell into the show. It was soft, so he didn't get hurt, he got up slowly and carefully, but fell down again. He thought he should have lessons. This wasn't as easy as he thought. {Smile}

   Thinking about walking in the evening, I decided to try something. I did my salsa dancing warmup before lunch. Then I did another piece of salsa dancing after lunch. That added up to around 14 minutes and 45 second. then I tried another salsa dance after a short break, but only managed around 1 and 1/2 minutes more before I had to quit. After I was pretty much done with City of Heroes: Homecoming, I did my walking exercises., my head exercises, and my arm resistance exercises. I hoped to do more but got distracted until it was late. {rueful smile}

   I read comics and articles before and after fussing with the chat server. I also watched some videos. Then, after cleaning myself up, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming earlier than usual, though not quite early enough for the early short, large-group event. I found Div Kitten, and Pierogies, so we chatted. Div and Pierogies were ready to team up, so we started to get ready to do some of Div's missions. Then Kitten became free, and Pierogies pushed doing some missions that would help with a stat-improving badge that he and Kitten really wanted to work on. So, we chose the characters we most wanted to get that on and teamed up. We ran quite a few missions. Then Div left, but they said to keep on, so, we did. We got most but not all that we needed for that badge before it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I caught the late-night short, large-group event. I also saw Kitten on, and we started talking. We hoped to get together after the event, but by then, Kitten had gone quiet. They did mention being tired. I began to write this up, hopping back into Coty of Heroes: Homecoming to look at some of my characters. Azurette and Dr. Faustus said hi, and we teamed up. We started one of my missions, and were well into it when Phonso said hi, and invited us to a taskforce. I asked the others, and they agreed, so we finished the mission, and I invited Phonso to the team, giving him the lead. Azurette and I switched to other characters. Phonso recruited more to fill the team, then we ran the taskforce. It was a long one that took most of the evening. I did talk to Nox briefly again. When the taskforce was over, everyone left, and I worked on paperwork. Then I discovered the site I read web-novels was working again. For a few days, I couldn't sign in with Facebook, and didn't have another way to sign in set up. The first thing I did was set it up so I can sign in with Google if this happens again, since this site does allow multiple sign-in methods for one account. Then I read two or three chapters of one of the stories I read there. Then I did some paperwork and my exercises. Then I watched some videos and made notes in this to finish writing it up the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 9, 2024

    In the wee hours of Tuesday morning, the toilet got clogged. The heavy-duty plunger didn't get it clear, so I went to bed. This has happened at least two times before, where the plunger didn't work. Letting it sit overnight cleared it then. Not this time. It was still filling and taking around an hour to drain when i got up this morning. So, I called the plumber down the street. {smile}

   He came around noon - I suspect he squeezed me into his lunch break - and got it clear with a fancier tool than I'm certain I know how use. I asked about things that I could use myself, and he suggested some things at Ace Hardware, or possibly Home Depot, but really Ace hardware. I'm happy with that. the closest Ace is a cheaper Uber ride than Home Depot. {Smile}

   I forgot about the door latch, which the nurse told me needs fixing, or about asking if he knows a carpenter, who seems like the best for fixing such things, but I left a message on his answering machine later. {Smile}

   I got a call from Auntie Barbara. She's doing better and getting ready to go home from the hospital soon. I told her about needing a carpenter, but she didn't know anyone off the top of her head. I'll have to keep asking as opportunities come up. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake at first but got sleepier as time went on. She still opened her eyes for pictures, but not long. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from last year. Next, I started _Exploring Hawai'i: A Picture Book_. Again, no words to read once we got past the title, so I described each picture. After that, I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I finished with the 9th of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Latecomer." Mummy checked out some tapping at the window, and Pippin, the nightingale. He'd found the bird tray quite bare, so came to ask for food. Mummy told him he was late as he flew over to perch hopefully at the tray. She'd put breadcrumbs and lumps of fat out earlier, but they were all eaten. She saw many bird footprints by the feeder/ She crumbled some bread into the tray for Pippin, who trilled thanks, then ate up every last crumb so no other bird would get them. He'd have to get up earlier the next morning. {Smile}

   It was too wet and rainy to walk around the driveway, so I walked 18 times around the living room, dining room, kitchen, and hallway instead. Each time around the house is about 80 steps, while I think the driveway was around 150, so that's a little over 9 times around the driveway. I was walking distinctly slower, because there's so much more to *not bump into* in the house. That was a little past the middle of the evening. Then I got my head exercises done while in a farm with Pierogies, with my salsa dancing warmup set, my arm resistance exercises, my sitting arm weight training exercises, and my standing arm weight training exercises done while our characters were still in there. {Smile}

   I read articles and comics in the morning, until I wound down after the toilet got fixed. Then I hopped into City of heroes: Homecoming in time to join the early short, large-group event on one of the characters I'd recently upgraded and still wanted to test. I said hi to Div, who was on, and we chatted as he was preparing to leave after playing all day. Then Pierogies and I started talking, and we ended up doing the early long, large-group event together. Next, I asked him to help me test the character - the same one I'd just done the two events on - because I can see what I'm doing so much better when I'm teaming with a friend to two, and not a big group. We ran a couple of individual high-level missions, with time out to talk and watch a trailer, and maybe another short video. Then we looked at a few characters to team up in the future before parting so I could read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I missed the late-night short, large-group event, so I started writing this up. Then I said hi to Dr. Faustus, and we got together for a couple of those individual high-level missions to test the last of the recently upgraded characters. He had to leave after that. I soloed a couple of things I had that have to be done solo. I also walked around the house like I already described. I was wondering what to do next when Pierogies came back on. He did an individual high-level mission or two, then settled into a farm, while I debated which character to bring. I chose one, and we chatted a fair bit. I said hi to Nox on the chat server, too, but they only responded once. I upgraded my character, and Pierogies and I tested it, deciding that it's good. Then I did most of the exercises I mentioned after Pierogies said goodnight again. I also chatted briefly with Nox, since they came back not long before leaving. After the exercises, I read articles and comics, and made notes in this to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 8, 2024

   I was talking to a couple of friends on the chat server. They felt that this daily update is more appropriate for the blog than the chat server. I know it's easier to put up in email, Facebook, and on the blog than the chat server, though I do share it in all four places. Anyone else want to share an opinion on this? I'm happy to share it in any of those places if you like that. {Smile}

   On Monday, I called Uber after lunch, asking them to take me down to the podiatrist.  They were just arriving at their destination when I realized why it looked funny: they sent the driver to entirely the wrong address. I messaged him and he came and got me. I was almost half-way to the address Uber had offered for my podiatrist when I realized they were sending us to his old address, not his current one. My driver got that straightened out, too. {smile}

   I arrived 12 minutes after my check-in time, but they said I could still see the doctor if I was willing to wait. I certainly was. The appointment went well. The ride home was uneventful, with the app knowing both the pick-up and drop-off point from beginning to end. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake and interested in the pictures today. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from last year. After that, I finished _Classic Christmas Vintage Fine Art Picture Book Volume 1_. Then I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I finished with the 8th of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Where's the Snow?" This year was most unusual. It should be snowing, covering the country in a soft, white blanket. There were no snowball fights or sliding on the ice. Just clear blue sky and a bright sun that couldn't warm the chilled air. Veronica was disappointed as she dressed warmly for a walk. She wanted to build a snowman or skate on the ice, but there'd be no snowman without snow, and no skating without ice. Outside, things were clear and bright. Birds sang, and a pony pawed the ground and whinnied, then started with his breath made a white cloud that floated away. Veronica laughed and clapped her hands. Who needed snow on this beautiful day? {Smile}

   I did my head exercises and walked six times around the driveway while waiting for Uber to come take me to the podiatrist. then I walked six times around the hallway, living room, dining room and kitchen, which I think works out to a little more than three times around the driveway, just a shorter route. Then I did my full 8 1/2 minutes of salsa dancing warmup. However, when I tried to do more a little later, I was just too tired. {rueful smile}

   I read a couple of articles over and after breakfast, then finished writing up yesterday's daily update. Next, I read some comics and more articles until I realized it was time to go to the podiatrist. After I came home, I cleaned myself up before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming later than usual. While the server is still particularly busy, my friends were either busy themselves, or not there. So, I worked on some paperwork, figuring out which of my high-level characters hadn't been upgraded. I found three and worked on the highest of the lot. Then Pierogies came on just in time to test her out with him in a couple of high-level individual missions before I broke to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I joined the late-night short, large-group event. Then I looked at the character I'd upgraded earlier again, and realized I missed something. So, I finished upgrading her. Then I looked around, and chatted with Austin and Dr. Faustus, but they both were just getting ready to leave. So, I started to write this up, and upgraded the next highest character who needed that. Then I realized Azurette was on. We chatted, and I joined her in a task force, hoping to test the character. After I started, I realized that a middling-high TF isn't the best test of high-level changes, but it was still fun. After it was done, I upgraded the last of the three I found who still needed that, as well as writing a bit more of this. This last character turned out to be more complicated than the other two, so I worked on her a fair while. I said goodnight to Nox, though we didn't really get to talk. Then Pierogies came on just as I finished up upgrading the last character. He helped me test the first one again with an individual high-level mission. That last tweak does make one attack less lack-luster, which is all I hoped for. Next, we started a farm with the last character. I did get to test her, and she is distinctly better. Then I did my exercises, and talked and farmed with Pierogies a bit more before he went to lie down, and I made notes in this to finish writing from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 7, 2024

    Sunday, I called Uber after breakfast. The driver who came and took me to church was chatty, and we had a really nice talk. I arrived a bit before the service began. It was a nice service. I missed Auntie Barbara. She's sick but getting better. I sat with other friends at lunch and found a ride home with folks at another table. We had a really nice talk on the way home. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was resting when I went in but seemed awake enough when i started talking to her. She enjoyed the pictures and things i read to her, i think. I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from last year - 2023. Next, I continued _Classic Christmas Vintage Fine Art Picture Book Volume 1_. After that, I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I finished with the 7th of January's poem from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Skating." It was about skating on the lake. The speaker wanted to do it with the person they were talking to, not by themselves. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises while waiting for Uber to come take me to church. I didn't walk around the driveway today. I was too tired after church and cleaning myself up. Then I did my 8 1/2 minutes salsa dancing warmup set, and, after a short break, my arm resistance exercises, two of my sitting arm weight training exercises, my walking exercises, my other two sitting arm weight training exercises, and my leg exercises before it got too late to continue. {Smile}

   After church, I read articles and comics, then cleaned myself up before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Homecoming is still noticeably busier than it used to be. Looking around, I realized Div was on! I hadn't seen him in over 2 months! We had quite a talk, then teamed up to do a couple of missions he had. Pierogies joined us for them, and the three of us did pretty well. Div left just before Kitten got free. Kitten was sorry they'd missed Div but brought a friend they'd been helping. We teamed up and ran a few of my missions. Pierogies left when they got tired. Kitten, the other friend, and I did another mission before breaking up because it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I caught the late-night short, large-group event. Then I started writing this up. When I was done, Kitten responded to me saying hi earlier. We talked while I improved the low-level character I'd worked on last night. Then we got together and began to team. I also began to talk with Nox and Paragon in separate conversations on the chart server, as well as Dr. Faustus in the game. They and Dr. Faustus helped me rename a character whose name was hard to remember, hard to spell, and hard to pronounce. Kitten was acting slightly tired, but I was surprised when they went quiet and faded out while I was talking with Dr. Faustus. He joined me, helped me with the character, and invited her to his SG. We ran a mission before splitting up. Then I did the salsa dancing, wrote a little of this, made a lot of notes to write from the next day, and squeezed in a couple of comics and a short peek at City of Heroes: Homecoming to check on paperwork. {Smile}