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}

Daily Update, January 6, 2024

    After breakfast, I read a few articles until Sapien and I started talking on the chat server. He spent two or three hours helping me start to set up a character for an Advanced 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons game we want to play. Yes, that took us through lunch. {Smile}

   City of Heroes: Homecoming was busy again Saturday, possibly busier than Friday. It was hard to tell, but they're encouraging folks to use the less-used servers with prized rewards for doing so. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was awake, responded a couple of times and liked looking at the pictures. I began with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I started her niece's long family Christmas letter from just last year - 2023. Next, I started _Classic Christmas Vintage Fine Art Picture Book Volume 1_. Next, I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I finished with the 6th of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Princess Cecilia." For Princess Cecilia's 20th birthday, her parents, who felt it was time she got married, invited all the young princes and nobles they knew to Cecilia's birthday party. However, she couldn't decide which one to marry. Then she had an idea. She had the royal pastry chef cook a particularly big cake for the next day and dropped her gold ring into the batter. Next day, they ate the cake after she cut it into pieces. The lucky one to find the ring slipped it on her finger. The pair was married. Each year afterwards, a cake was baked on their anniversary with a ring inside it.  {Smile}

   I walked around the driveway 10 times after lunch. I think I timed it at 18 minutes, which says I'm slowing down. Today was wet, though, and I did not want to slip, so maybe that's why. Then I did my head exercises and one of my sitting arm weight training exercises in lulls during teaming. After that, I did 8 1/2 minutes of salsa dancing - a full warmup, but with a late start. My arm resistance exercises followed after a short break. Then I got caught up in writing this and ran out of time to do more. {rueful smile}

   After working with Sapien, I wrote up the day before's daily update. Then, after cleaning myself up, I jumped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started to solo on a character who had a story arc that's less fun to team on than most. I saw Sapien on, and talked to him, but he was busy, so I kept soloing. Then Pierogies said hi, but mentioned he was busy costuming. So, we chatted while I continued to solo. This took me up to time to read to Mom, and also just before the last mission of the story arc. {Smile}

   After dinner, I got back into City of Heroes: Homecoming at a good time to join the LNSLGE. Yet when I got in, it was over, even though it was several minutes before their nominal starting time. They will start early if the group fills, and with more people on, things fill faster. Then I got out the character I'd been working on before dinner. I contacted Kitten on the chat server and in the game, and they joined me to finish the story arc. After that, Kitten pointed out Austin was on, and we got together with him. I switched characters to do one mission with him, then switched back when he got the contact the character that I'd been on was doing. The three of us did that contact up to the last mission. Then Austin started advertising for folks to join us in the last mission. I started to invite Dr. Faustus. Turned out he was already planning to join, since he'd spotted the ad. I did manage to invite Michiel just in time to snag the last spot. We ran it with difficulty, since Austin had set it extra hard, but we got through it. Then the team broke up, with half of them leaving, including Austin and Michiel. Kitten, Dr. Faustus, one fellow I don't really know, and I were left. I proceeded to do the next two arcs. Nox and I chatted on the chat server, too. Kitten went quiet and faded out a few missions before the end of the last story arc. The fellow I didn't know stayed with us for one more mission, which was a long one. We cleared a bit more after it said we were done, too. Then the new fellow needed to head to bed, so Dr. Faustus and I wished him goodnight, then finished the story arc. We chatted a little, then I settled my character down, did what exercise I did, and wrote this up, making notes for the next day, since it was late. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 5, 2024

 Friday, the housekeeper came to do a double shift. The house is definitely better for her attentions. I have my talents, but keeping house is not one of them. I am so lucky to have her. {Smile}

I did search Dad's drawer for the key, in the part where it was most likely to have fallen out into if it fell out of the box I searched before. I didn't find the key there, either. I'm not sure where to search next. I may just have to manage without it. I do have one, though if I turn in only one, I don't get the deposit back. I'm not sure which box of the two we have I'm letting go. it's supposed to be one per customer, but mom had one and I have one, and I'm the only family member with an account there now. {resigned smile}

I ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was awake and responded a couple of times. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I read a Christmas card from a friend, and an Easter card from me. I also searched for and found a letter to start tomorrow. Then I finished _Mele Kalikimaka: Christmas in Hawai'i_. I was a lot closer to the end than I realized, so after I read the last few pages, I backed up through earlier pages until I felt I'd read enough for one day. After that, I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I ended with the 5th of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Little Parakeet." Nina had been given a lovely and talkative birthday present: a brightly colored parakeet she called "Peeka." She loved to watch him pull faces at his reflection, and to tap the tiny mirror with his beak. However, he soon became lonely. He started refusing his food, and spending hours in a corner with his head tucked under his wing. Nina was so sorry for Peeka, she made a big decision. She took all the money out of her piggy bank, and went tohte pet store, where she chose a companion for Peeka. She put the new bird into the cage with Peeka, and told him to cheer up, because here was a new friend, Boo. Peeka and Boo played and chattered happily together, which made Nina happy, too. {Smile}

I walked around the driveway 9 times late Friday morning It took 16 minutes this time; I must have been going a little slower. After teaming for the evening, I did my salsa dance warmup, all 8 1/2 minutes of it. but when I tried to do my walking exercises, I was jerky and unsteady unless I hung onto the wall. Treating my blood sugar helped, but not in time to do more exercise. {smile}

I read articles and comics, and a bit of a web novel after breakfast in the morning, as well as later, after lunch. Then I cleaned myself up and found a note from Sapien about preparing for an RP game he wants to run. First, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, noticing that the server seems busier today. I found Pierogies, and Kitten joined us quickly. We teamed for a couple of hours. Sapien asked if I could get together later that evening. I couldn't until it was too late for him, so we arranged to meet the next morning instead. Pierogies, Kitten and I teamed until Pierogies got so tired they left. There wasn't much time left, so I debated a bit, and tried to help Kitten with a badge they're working on which will improve their character until it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

I got back just after the late night short, large-group event was expected to start, and tried to slip in, but the zone was full. Homecoming really was busier all day. Friends I've talked to think the recent announcement of Homecoming getting that new license agreement with NCSoft is involved. It is the main thing I see, too. I started to work on something that I'd noticed yesterday needed work, but I don't play to run missions alone; I play to team with friends as I can, or at least work on my characters in a group. So, after one mission, I said hi to Michiel. We talked, then teamed up, and I ran most of a prized story arc with him on one of my few villains, getting a badge for it at the end. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server. Michiel left just before Dr. Faustus finally came in, and we started a similar but different story arc that I can still get a badge for. After one mission, I left to do my salsa warmup. Then I watched part of a video, tried to exercise more, and ended up treating my blood sugar. Then I made notes for this, what I hadn't written earlier, and did a little paperwork on City of Heroes: Homecoming. Again, I had to finish up the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 4, 2024

    I found big news for folks on City of Heroes: Homecoming, the game and server for it that I play so much, Thursday morning. The Homecoming server has finalized a new license with NCSoft, the company that owns City of Heroes, the game we play on it. They'll be able to continue as the free server funded by donations that they have been. {SMILE}

   I had my video counselling session an hour later than usual because my counsellor was busy into the time, we normally do it. I thought it went pretty well. {pause} My counselor thinks I could try some things I've been trying like donate buttons on my blog. It's pretty low traffic, but would anyone mind me using it and you as a kind of guinea pig/test run for those? Because I'd like to set up a story blog soon, and I think I'd be less likely to bog down making them then if I'd made them once before? {Smile}

    I got a call from my financial adviser this afternoon. She was able to help me with the questions I had, and I had a few of them. {Smile}

   I also got a brief visit from the secretary of the nursing company today; our monthly touching base, paying and stuff. {Smile}

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake and responded a couple of times. I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I read a Christmas letter from a friend, and cards from her cousin and sister. After that, I continued _Mele Kalikimaka: Christmas in Hawai'i_. Next, I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I ended with the 4th of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "A Most Unusual Morning." Isobel woke up feeling in her bones that something was different. She ran to the window to find that everything had changed. The ground was covered with snow, hiding the grass, the path, and the flower beds. It was even up in the trees, since there was no wind to blow it out of them. She wondered where the birds were, since they were usually flying and chirping when she woke up. She watched the sun rise a fiery red, and wondered if it was red from anger at not being able to wake the world. Then a bird did appear, chirping as it landed on a branch, knocking off some snow. Isobel laughed and ran to tell her mother about this unusual morning. {Smile}

   I walked around the driveway nine times again this morning. It took 13 minutes, which could be about the same when I don't have the seconds set up. I did my head exercises during a lull in the role-playing I did with Sapien. Then I did my arm resistance exercises while waiting for another role-play to start. My sitting arm exercises came later, with 8 1/2 minutes of salsa dancing after that. Yes, 8 1/2 minutes, my full warmup. I was too tired for my walking exercises, leg exercises, or standing arm weight training exercises, and I'm still not ready to try the arm swinging exercises with all the trouble my shoulders have given me over them, but between the walking and the added salsa dancing, I'm increasing my daily exercise nicely. {Smile}

   I read some articles before walking around the driveway, then came inside for my counselling appointment, since it was later than usual. After lunch with Mom, I cleaned myself up. Then I read comics around the phone call and visit from the nursing company secretary. I was ready to go into City of Heroes: Homecoming when I remembered yesterday's daily update, so I wrote that up and shared it before going in particularly late. I got together with Pierogies, and we teamed up for a mission or two before he left for the day. I still had time to catch the later short, large-group event and do some paperwork before reading to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I got back too late for the late night short, large-group event again. I found a friend, Sapien, from the chat world that led me to Homecoming. He was on a low-level character, so I got one of mine, and we got together. He was interested in roleplaying, so that's what we did. Then I started to write this up. The friend I role-played with the other night, Caleb, said hi as I was settling down the little character I'd been roleplaying with Sapien on and another little character who I'd started to check.  I finished settling them down, then got the character I'd roleplayed with Caleb on the other night.  We had a nice follow-up roleplay. It looks like this might happen more often. Then I did my exercises. I wrote this up, making notes when it got late. I slipped in reading a little web fiction in the middle. Again, I finished writing this the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 3, 2024

    Well, on Wednesday I tried calling my financial advisers. They seem to be closed, but I left messages on two numbers I have for them. I later found a note from my financial adviser, apologizing for having been busy all day, and promising me a call tomorrow. {smile}

   I tried sleeping on the other side again. I think I'm beginning to learn how to fall asleep better on that side. Yes, there's a trick to it. I thought it was helping, but my shoulder acted up enough in my exercises, I'm not so sure about that. {pause} I think it's time to consult my doctor about that shoulder again. {rueful smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake and looked at the pictures and responded a couple of times. I started with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I read cards from church, her nephew, her sister, and me. Next, I continued _Mele Kalikimaka: Christmas in Hawai'i_, finishing one chapter and beginning the next, including the introduction, the captions, and the pictures. Then I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I remembered near the end to make sure the pages had stuck together. They hadn't. I ended with the 3rd of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Frederick's Toys." Frederick's mother exclaimed about the toys on the floor, saying surely, he wouldn't leave them on the floor all night, and calling him lazy for not picking them up. Frederick just went straight to bed. He did lie awake and think about his toys. Suddenly the room was in a turmoil, with the toy fire engine racing around the room with siren blaring, and the teddy bear crying out in pain because the tipper truck had run over his paw. Then the house of bricks tumbled down with a crash. Frederick called for them to stop, asking them to be good, and promising to put them away every night. The next morning, when he woke, his room was quiet. Was it a dream, he wondered, but he kept his promise. {Smile}

   Late Wednesday morning, I tried walking around the driveway for exercises. I managed 9 times around in 12 minutes before I got winded enough, I had to stop, and really couldn't start up again at that speed any time soon. Still, the way they said 20 minutes of salsa dancing or 30 minutes of walking, this ought to be equivalent to 8 minutes of salsa dancing, which is more than the 6 1/2 minutes of salsa dancing I've been able to do, and I can do more later, too. I slipped my head exercises and three sitting arm weight training exercises into minor and less minor lulls during the role-playing session, before the missions after that, and while talking with Pierogies and Radio. After Pierogies and I teamed for a bit, I did 6 1/2 minutes of salsa dancing. Yes, in the same day as the walking, though a very different part of the day. Then I did 9 reps of one of my two arm exercises before my shoulder twinged enough to convince me to quit. I really need to talk to my doctor about that shoulder. {Smile}

   I read articles and comics and snuck a peek at a web-novel in the morning around and after the phone calls, through lunch, and afterwards a bit. Then I did the walking before I cleaned myself up. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I looked around, and didn't see anyone I like to team with, but I did see that pair of high-level TFs I wanted, so I joined it. Right after I did, Pierogies showed up. We agreed to meet up after it was done. However, before we got that far, he felt he needed to leave. So when the person running the high-level task forces said they were going to run a second pair, I ran it with another character who needed it. They didn't do a third, so I joined the later short, large-group event next. Then I started on the paperwork that had built up in the task forces until time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After supper, it was too late for the late-night short, large-group event, so I began writing this up, and got most of the earlier paperwork done, plus some more paperwork I found while doing it. Then I started collecting badges on another character who could use those task forces while keeping an eye out for them. Instead, I started talking with a role-playing friend. We ended up getting together for a role-playing session. Eventually, he went quiet. I tried to get his attention with things that often make little beeps, with no luck. Then another of those pairs of high-level task forces got advertised. I tried again with my friend, then said goodbye and joined the task forces; it was almost long enough a wait to feel easy about it, but not quite. The group got together pretty quickly and ran it. My friend woke up and said goodnight partway through. We plan to RP again. I also talked with Radio and Nox on the chat server. Pierogies came on and said hi in City of Heroes: Homecoming while I was finishing up the task force. We talked while I finished up, and a bit afterwards. I also talked with the folks after the task forces a little. Then I joined Pierogies. We talked more, then watched an episode of RWBY together. Next, I did my salsa dancing. When I couldn't do my other exercises, Pierogies and I teamed up for an individual mission. After that, I talked with Pierogies and Radio about some story ideas that are slow to come together. I'm afraid this is why this year's holiday story is late. {Smile}

Daily Update, January 2, 2024

    I started off Monday with a call to the endodontist. I didn't need to or try to talk to anyone - just listening to the message confirmed that they were open Tuesday through Friday this week. The endodontist reminded me to start chewing on the side he'd worked on this week, but I wanted to make sure he'd be open when I first tried, in case something went wrong. Not that anything has yet. I've eaten on it without incident so far. {Smile}

   I also searched for the key around Mom's desk. I did find a stash of keys, which I combined with my stash of keys, which also includes Dad's stash of key. The key I was looking for wasn't in it, but at least most of the keys are together. I'm not sure where that second key to my safe deposit box got to. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake and looked at the pictures, though she closed her eyes when there was nothing to look at. She even responded a few times. First, I began with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I finished her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2019. Then I continued _Mele Kalikimaka: Christmas in Hawai'i_, not a whole chapter this time. I still read the introduction and the captions and showed her the pictures. After that, I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I'm still making sure the papges don't stick together. I finished with the 2nd of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Pongo's Neighbor." Pongo was a boastful dog. he told Dick the neighbor's dog, that his kennel was as big and grand as a palace. Dick asked if he could see it, though he wasn't sure what a palace was. They went to the kennel which was certainly roomy and comfortable. Dick admired the grand home but wished for some way to get even with Pongo. Then he spotted a big, juicy bone in the corner. He got an idea, and told Pongo he'd heard the doorbell, insisting he'd heard it when Pongo said he didn't. Pongo went off to bark at whoever it was, because he prided himself on being a good watchdog. When he came back to tell Dick there was no one there, both Dick and the bone were gone. {Smile}

   Well, the exercise... I got my head exercises done. My shoulder was twinging even without any exercise, and it got late, and I felt just unsteady enough, salsa dance seemed like a really bad idea... and I remembered walking, Now I feel like a fool. 30 minutes of walking is a valid substitute for 20 minutes of salsa dancing, and a lot easier for me. I should have been doing that since a few days after the root canal. I can usually do that much. Anyway, I did ten minutes tonight - all I had time for around struggling with the game when a mission bugged and wouldn't let me in with the others. At least I can try now. {Smile}

   I read articles, comics, and played the cross-stitch game in the morning after the phone call, around the search for the key, and over and after lunch. I also talked with Kitten a bit. Then I cleaned myself up, and hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming too late for the early short, large-group event. I hoped to team up with kitten, since they'd recently checked on me. However, they were unresponsive in the game. Failing that, I hoped to get a couple of short, high-level task forces, but ended up getting another task force instead. I did catch the later short, large group event, and then talked with Pierogies, teaming briefly. {Smile}

   After dinner, I got in too late for the late-night short, large-group event. So, I started writing this up instead, and read a bit of web-fiction. I tried to get into that pair of high-level TFs again, but missed it, and another didn't appear when I waited. I ended up debating, and doing a lot of paperwork, since I found some on more characters than I remembered needing it. Then I joined a team that was running a story arc. I also chatted with both Radio and Nox on the chat server. Kitten came in near the end, and Dr. Faustus shortly after. We teamed up, and tried to run a mission for Kitten, but the game wouldn't let me in the door, a first in a few years of play. We ended up quitting, and were going to restart, but it was entirely too late for me.  I needed to squeeze in most of the walking I did mange after that, as well writing this up, and making notes for the next day. I also did a tiny bit more of the cross-stitch game. If it was productive - like I could produce pictures to sell this way - I'd love it, but I think I may have to let it go as too much of an alluring time-sink. {rueful smile}

Daily Update, January 1, 2024

    Monday, I took it easy. looking back, there were two projects I didn't need to leave home that I could have worked on, but it's a holiday, and a bad day to go out because of that, so I just took things easy. The closest to "work" was my daily updates. {Smile}

   I realized that the shoulder that's bothering me is the one I usually sleep on. Last night, I started trying to sleep primarily on the other shoulder. I hope it's helping. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake and looked at the pictures. She even responded a few times. I began with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that I continued with more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2019. Next, I continued _Mele Kalikimaka: Christmas in Hawai'i_, reading a whole chapter; I think it was shorter. I read the introductions and the captions and showed her the pictures. Then I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I'm more careful about not skipping pages still. I finished with the 1st of January's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "Happy New Year." Claire asked Mummy what a New Year's resolution was when she heard her parents talking about it. Mummy said you decide to do something good for a whole year or stop doing something bad for a whole year. You have to decide on New Year's Day, which was today. Soon she hard Claire telling Tibs, the cat, that they weren't to catch birds for a whole year, and then Claire wouldn't smack her. Mummy thought those were two good resolutions. (I can't help thinking that telling a cat not to catch small things that try to get away is a waste of breath.) {Smile, wink}

   Well, after playing for the evening, I did 6 1/2 minutes of salsa dancing. I was only slightly winded, though that was enough to keep from trying more tonight. I should be able to do more soon, though. then I did my standing arm weight training exercises, my arm resistance exercises, my leg exercises, my sitting arm weight training exercises, and my head exercises. I finally did all fifteen repetitions of the exercises that's been bothering my shoulder. Maybe sleeping on the other side to let that shoulder heal is really helping. I also interspersed chatting with Nox, and writing this, to give myself short breaks between exercises. {Smile}

   I read articles and comics and played the cross-stitch game in the morning and over and after lunch. After cleaning myself up, I played more of the cross-stitch game before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming entirely too late for either of the early large-group events. Kitten was unresponsive, but Pierogies and I talked a fair bit before teaming up for some individual high-level missions. Then we did a mission in a story arc before it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming too late to join the late-night short, large-group event, but I caught Pierogies wanting to watch a couple of shows with me before bed. We parked our characters in a farm for this, so we could get stuff while we watched. My character used up too much of one supply recently, but the farm gave me over half of what I need of it right now. First, we watched an episode of The IT Crowd, which he picked. Then he insisted I pick something, so, after I started to write this up, we watched an episode of RWBY. Then we said goodnight. After he left, I got together with Dr. Faustus, who was helping a new player with a story arc. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server. Dr. Faustus, his new friend and I did several missions, pausing to do a tutorial the new player didn't know about, and I hadn't done on my character. Then the new player left, and we did a few of my missions, doing most of a story arc. We stopped before the end of that story arc so I could do my exercises. I also wrote this up between exercises and made notes afterwards to finish this writing up from the next day. I snuck in reading a couple of comics; one I had read earlier flowed into today's enough, it was nice to go back and read both, one after the other. {Smile}

Daily Update, December 31, 2023

 Happy New Year! If you celebrate it of course. Most do, but I know at least one who adamantly rejects all holidays, so if you don't, I hope you had a nice day. {Smile}

On Sunday, I called uber after breakfast. A nice driver came and took me to church. I arrived when they were still getting going and sat with auntie Barbara and her friend. It was a nice service. I ate near Auntie Barbara and her friend, too, but we were largely in different conversations. I took Uber home with a nice, chatty driver. {Smile}

I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake and enjoyed the pictures. She even responded a few times. First, I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Then I continued with more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2019. Next, I continued _Mele Kalikimaka: Christmas in Hawai'i_. I showed her the pictures and read the captions, finishing the first chapter. Next, I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I made sure to read all the pages the first time through, and there were eight of them this time. I finished with the 31st of December's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Mistletoe." Paddy, the dog, was not happy. For over a week, the house had been full of decorations, including holly, paper chains, and streamers. Also, Christmas cards and the Christmas tree... but his kennel wasn't decorated. Then, on the last day of the year, Paddy's young masters collected mistletoe from the woods. They hung a sprig over Paddy's kennel. At midnight, they rushed out, woke up Paddy calling "Happy New Year," and gave him big hugs under his own mistletoe. {Smile}

I did my head exercises while waiting for Uber to come take me to church. Then I did my arm resistance exercises in the evening. I tried to do my salsa dancing, but around 40 or 45 second in, my balance went quite unsteady enough to make it clear I wasn't doing that today. Worse it left me unsteady enough, most of the other exercises didn't look like good ideas, either. Since it was a holiday, I'll just get back to it soon. {rueful look}

When I got home from church, I cleaned myself up, then hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I looked around. I said hi to Kitten and Pierogies. Pierogies responded, so we chatted. Then we joined the early short, large-group event together. When that was done, Pierogies left because they were tired. So, I looked around. I spotted a task force that some of my characters need. I picked one who'd benefit particularly quickly, joined it and ran it. Then we tried to do it again, but most of the team left, and no one else joined before the leader gave up. About that time, Pierogies came back in, and we teamed up for a couple of high-level individual missions. I'm not sure if Kitten joined us or not, but this took us to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

I got back too late to join the late-night short, large-group event, but Kitten was on, and eager to team. We did a couple of high-level individual missions. Then we picked a My Little Pony show and parked our characters in a farm while we watched. We followed that with a second show. Then we chatted a bit. I tried the salsa dancing, but I got too dizzy. Worse, the dizziness stayed on long enough, I was in poor condition for more exercises. So, Kitten and I chatted and farmed some more. Then I made notes to write this up from the next day.

Daily Update, December 30, 2023

    Saturday, I stayed home. I did search both Dad's security box and my security box for my second safe deposit box key. I have one, but the bank gave out two. I found some keys in Dad's box, but not that one. I'll have to look in Mom's things, though I was in the habit of using Dad's box for backup, not Mom's storage places. If it's not there either, I'll keep thinking about places to look, but I might go ahead with straightening out Mom's and my safe deposit boxes. They're both at the same credit union, where only I still have an account. It's supposed to be one safe deposit box per account, so one needs to be closed, and the one I keep needs to be attached to my account. {Smile}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was awake and enjoyed the pictures. I started with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued with more from her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2019. After that, I restarted _Mele Kalikimaka: Christmas in Hawai'i_. I showed her the pictures and read the captions, as well as a one-page introduction, which meant skipping a bunch of text-heavy pages before that. After that, I read a story from _Disney 3-Minute Bedtime Stories_. I made sure to describe each picture as I went along. Except I kind of read it twice. I read and showed pictures for four pages, and discovered I was already at the end because I'd missed the middle two pages. So, I went back and read all six pages, with the middle right they ought to be. I thought that would be less confusing than reading out of order, and more satisfying than leaving the full version to another day. I finished with the 30th of December's story from _366 Stories for Bedtime_, "The Wood Gnome." A little old man lives in the woods who's as old as the hills, as quick and nimble as a squirrel, and as mischievous as a monkey. He wears a pinecone hat, a moss waistcoat, and toadstool skin boots. His cloak is a leaf that changes color with the seasons. He tries to protect the woodlands from thoughtless people. If he sees folks littering, he leaves ants in their sandwiches. If ladies pick flowers, or worse, take whole branches of flowering shrubs, or even dig up plants, he hides their handbags and tears their tights on thorns. but he likes children! If they're good, he might show them paths to hidden places. {Smile}

   I did two of my head exercises in a couple of lulls in City of Heroes: Homecoming. Then I did 6 1/2 minutes of salsa dancing longer after stopping teaming than I meant to take to get around to it. Then with short breaks for writing this up and such, I did my walking exercises, the rest of my head exercises, my arm resistance exercises, my standing arm weight training exercises, my leg exercises, and my sitting arm weight training exercises. I only did 10 repetitions of the last sitting arm weight training exercise. That's not the 15 I'm hoping to work up to, but it's better than the 6 I did last night. {Smile}

   I finished writing yesterday's daily update after breakfast. Then, after searching for the key, and continuing over and after lunch, I read some comics and articles, and played more of that cross-stitch game than I quite meant to. Then I cleaned myself up and did a bit more of the cross-stitch game before hopping into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I got in too late for the early short, large group event. I looked around, and spotted Pierogies, looking like they were in a farm. We chatted, then teamed up to do some missions. We switched characters to do an individual high-level mission, and ended early enough, we tried a second. However, that didn't go so well. We quit when it started eating into time to read to Mom. I started writing up this daily update between reading to Mom and eating with Mom.  {Smile}

   Then after dinner, I got back to City of Heroes: Homecoming too late for the late-night short, large group event. So, I continued writing this up a bit, then got back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I caught up on paperwork. Next, I looked around for something to join that a couple of my characters really need, but I didn't spot what I really wanted. I debated starting one myself, but realized I really wanted to hang out with a friend. Michiel was on, so I said hi. We chatted, then teamed up. I helped him finish his mission, which he was having trouble with. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server. Then we did a few of my missions until he was ready to leave, and I need to start my exercises. Somehow, I did more paperwork than I meant to first. Then I did the exercises, interspersed with short breaks, mainly writing up the part about them, and part of the beginning of this update. After the exercises, I finished this, switching to notes to write from the next day as it got late. I got offline later than I like, especially on Saturday, with church the next morning, but I was still slightly better than I have been. {Smile}