Daily Update, May 1, 2025

I hope everyone had a happy May Day, that is if you celebrate it. If not, I hope you had a nice day. {Smile}

On Thursday, after dinner, we had a power failure. While waiting for the power to come back, I finished a manga I've been reading, talked with my relief nurse, and chatted with Nox on the chat server courtesy of my phone. Then I got a phone call from Auntie Barbara, and we chatted with fewer distractions than usual. The power came back during the phone call, but it went out again not long after that. I was just settling in on my computer when it went out the second time. I talked with my relief nurse some more and went back to chatting with Nox on the chat server before it came back a second time and stayed on this time. {Smile}

Earlier in the day wasn't uneventful, either. After breakfast, I had online counselling, which went well. Talk about Dungeons & Dragons tried to take over, but that showed me I really need to look into that locally. It should help my social life, and maybe more. {Smile}

Next, I ran errands with my relief nurse, including a long one that pushed lunch late. We managed to pick up some fast food that let me start eating before I got sick from hunger, though, so it all worked out. {Smile}

Then, in the middle of the afternoon, I had an appointment with my cardiologist. It was nice to finally see my own cardiologist again, instead of a different cardiologist or a nurse practitioner. They didn't to the standard EKG, because they didn't want to make me get pretty much undressed for it, and with the corset for the diastasis recti, I would have had to. They would have done it if I'd reported concerning symptoms like heart palpitations or unusual shortness of breath, but those were lacking, so it didn't seem worth the bother to them. {Smile}

My main exercise was a fairly long walk in and out of the hospital for my cardiology appointment. I walked right past new construction and around half the building to a back entrance I never noticed before. Well, it's what passes for a front entrance right now, but it's usually a back entrance. {Smile}

On the errands, I played Cross Stitch World. Then, at the end of the errands and after that, I had lunch. Next, I wrote up Wednesday's daily update before my trip to my cardiologist. I played more Cross Stitch World while waiting. After we got back home, I started notes in this. Then I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Kitten. Pierogies, and Dennis in a mission, and joined them. We ran that mission right up to my dinnertime, so I went straight to dinner after we finished. {Smile}

After dinner came the power failure. After the power failure, I made notes in this before I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I did some paperwork, then went back out to read web comics. After that, I went back to City of Heroes: Homecoming. I said hi to Kitten, Divi, and Ulty, and talked with Divi and Ulty while playing by myself. I eventually got lonely, so I looked for someone to team with. I checked with Kitten again, but they still didn't respond. So, I checked with Divi. He was winding down, and busy with someone else. So, I checked with an acquaintance and joined them for a couple of missions. Another acquaintance joined us in the second mission. Then I said goodnight and did some paperwork. After that, I made notes in this, with a break to play Cross Stitch World before I finished the notes. {Smile}

Daily Update, April 30, 2025

On Wednesday after breakfast, my main nurse and I discovered we were low in toilet paper. We were surprised to learn I'd just put the last roll on the wall. So, we went to Target. My nurse left me browsing books while he picked up toilet paper and a few other things. I found three books I was interested in. I decided to reserve two on Amazon and possibly try them through the library before buying. They looked popular enough that the public library should have them. I bought the third, a fine hardback copy with fancy endpapers and such of a book I have in plain trade paperback. {Smile}

Then my main nurse took me home again. On the way, I found the book I'd just gotten barely cheaper on Amazon. I'm not unhappy. forty-some cents are worth knowing it won't get damaged in shipping. I ordered the sequel in a similarly fine copy for even less on Amazon. {Smile}

Walking around Target was my exercise. I did an almost full circuit plus a major backup for over a full time around the store's worth of walking, and it's one of the biggest stores in Hilo. {Smile}

After the trip to Target, I ate lunch while browsing the web. The web browsing ran into the afternoon. Then I wrote up Tuesday's daily update and began notes for this. I also talked with Kitten on the chat server. They encouraged me to get into City of Heroes: Homecoming, which I did next. I started with a tiny bit of paperwork. Then I got together with Pirerogies and Kitten. Pierogies asked about collecting badges on villains. That reminded me that my highest villain was one mission away from the last badge that improves a character particularly directly. We did the whole story are. My character got the badge with its improvement after the first mission, so the rest of the story arc was a test run. That character now has all the improvements of that type available through badges. After that, Pierogies wasn't feeling up to more missions. So, Pierogies, kitten and I watched a two-part My Little Pony episode. We all enjoyed it, but Pierogies was tired enough, he went to bed after that. Then I switched to the character which Kitten designed, and we did a hunt, which Kitten helped me to finish, followed by one mission that we did together before my dinner. {Smile}

After dinner, I made more notes in this, then briefly checked the chat server before I went back to City of Heroes: Homecoming. I did some paperwork, then played by myself for a while. A chatted a little with Nox on the chat server. I also briefly talked to Ulty, Jenny's player, and Nyxy. then I played by myself some more before I joined them. We roleplayed me dropping by to say hi and wish them a goodnight, mainly. After that, Phonso said hi, and invited me to a taskforce. I joined it and we ran it. Then he left, and I did paperwork until I bumped into a friend who says to call them Bey. We teamed up and he recruited some more folks. We did a few high-level individual missions with a not-quite-full team. Then Bey left, as did some of the others, but I and another stayed. I recruited another and we did a mission Then I recruited another, and we did another mission. Then one left, and we did two more missions before the team broke up, in part because I needed to wind down before bed. First, I did paperwork, then I made mots this. Cross Stitch World, reading web comics, and making more notes in this rounded out my evening. {Smile}

Daily Update, April 29, 2025

On Tuesday after lunch, my main nurse took me down to Hilo Public Library. I returned three books I was finished with, keeping one I'm reading and the next in that series at home. The one after that isn't in. (I checked later and ordered it because Hilo's branch doesn't have that one.) Then I browsed the shelves. I found two four-book series more-or-less focused on handicaps, or disabilities if you prefer. After notable debate, I got the first two of each, figuring that manga are thick enough, I' have trouble getting through eight more on top of the two still at home. Especially when I'm also working on other books, both comic books and others. I checked out those four books, and my main nurse took me back home. {Smile}

I didn't do any exercise. After yesterday, I figured I'd earned a rest, though I'll have to figure out something for Wednesday. I got a call saying tomorrow's Zumba Gold is cancelled due to the instructor calling in sick. {smile}

After breakfast, I cleaned myself up with the help of my main nurse. Then I browsed the web while having lunch. After lunch was the trip to Hilo Public Library. After the trip, I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming and started with paperwork. I soon checked with Ulty, and confirmed the adolescent supergroup was starting to meet up and roleplay together. I quickly finished a particularly long and boring bit of paperwork, since I was finally close to the end. Then joined the adolescent supergroup meeting. We roleplayed together fair while until a gal who had a special story arc worked up came in. We ran it, though I had to bow out before the end because my main nurse called me to dinner just before we started another mission. I'm not sure how many more there were; at least one, but I don't think too many more. {Smile}

After dinner, I played Cross Stitch World. Then I wrote up Monday's daily update before I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I checked with Ulty and Jenny's player. They were just heading to bed, and the last members of the adolescent supergroup still at the meeting. Before leaving, Ulty told me about some things that happened after I left. I missed some exciting character developments. However, I spotted Phonso advertising a strike force and joined it. We ran it. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server a little. After the strike force, Phonso left. I did the paperwork that had piled up between the evening's strike force and the afternoon's player-made story arc. Then I began making notes in this, then began alternating between playing Cross Stitch World, making more notes in this, and doing paperwork in City of Heroes: Homecoming. {Smile}

Daily Update, April 28, 2025

On Monday, well, on the night before, I hoped to go to bed earlier/ However, I couldn't find a weekly diabetes medicine I take, though I searched the fridge fairly carefully. I couldn't reach in back to check where it might have been pushed back and fallen down, not without upsetting my balance enough to be a problem. I finally wrote a note for my main nurse, and went to bed later than usual these days, though my bedtime used to be even worse. The next morning, my main nurse had found the medicine, so I took it only a few hours late. That's manageable in a weekly medicine. {Smile}

Then, a little after breakfast, my nurse took me down to my line dancing class. We got the right building on the first try, but it looked like a cafeteria, complete with people eating at long tables. We walked around, trying to find another entrance. Then my main nurse enquired inside, and called me in. Behind the tables was a blank floor and a small stage. That's where our class was gathering. 

We filled the blank floor with dancers. I danced for an hour and a half, with a few short breaks between pieces. My main nurse took me home afterwards. He is very impressed. That's longer than with the Zumba Gold on Wednesdays, which has fewer breaks, but is only one hour long. {Smile}

Line dancing was my exercise on Monday. An hour and a half of dancing was enough, I think, and my main nurse agrees. {Smile}

After I got back from the dance class, I had lunch while I browsed on the web. Then I wrote up Sunday's daily update. Then I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming and started with paperwork. Next, I got ready to work on a villain's badges. Then Pierogies said hi. I learned that he had a slight preference for the later long, large-group event, which was coming soon. So, we joined it as Glen said hi. I explained about it, and he joined it too. We all ran it with the group. Glen was quite happy with the levels he got from it for a new, low-level villain. Afterwards, Pierogies left, tired. Glen and I teamed up and did a mission. We almost started another before my nurse called me to dinner. So, we said goodnight, and I went to dinner. {Smile}

After dinner, I played Cross Stitch World and read web comics. Then I began notes in this before I went back into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I started with paperwork. However, I quickly spotted Phonso advertising a taskforce. I said hi and joined it. We ran it together. Then I said goodnight to Phonso, and to Nox on the chat server, having missed talking to them. After that, I did more paperwork and made more notes in this. Then I began talking with Divi, including with friends on the new channel Divi invited me to. Someone there mentioned new badges, and I worked on two of them on my best badge collector, eventually getting them. Next, I did more paperwork and finished making notes in this. {Smile}

Daily Update April 27, 2025

On Sunday after breakfast, my main nurse took me to church. We stopped briefly on the way and got there during the announcements that included three important changes in the world. The Roman Catholics are searching for a new Pope after theirs died. Our diocese is looking for a new Bishop because ours is retiring. Our church will be looking for a new priest because our current one is moving back to the mainland to take a new position. The last hits closest to home for me. I wasn't prepared for her to want to leave, but I think she feels called. {smile}

Anyway, it was a nice service. I sat with Autie Barbara and Michelle for the service. We had a good lunch afterwards, too. I sat with Auntie Barbara and my main nurse for that., along with another parishioner or two. Then my main nurse took me home. {Smile} 

I didn't really exercise but I'll make up for that with line dancing Monday. {Smile}

After I got home from church, I browsed on the web. Then I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I did a lot of paperwork. I also said hi to Kitten, but they mostly didn't respond, so I kept at the paperwork. Then started to work on badges that would improve one of my villains. A while into that, Pierogies said hi and got a character who could work on the same badges. We made progress and even got one for him before he left again. I continued to work on the badges on that and other villains after he left, right up to dinnertime. {Smile}

After dinner, I played a fair bit of Cross Stitch World while thinking... not about the same stuff as the day before. Eventually, I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming and started with paperwork. I checked some very low-level characters, working on badges a little as I did. Then I went back to paperwork. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server. This changed when I noticed that Divi (not Div) was advertising a taskforce. I joined it on my seventh-best badge collector and ran it with him and the others he recruited. I chatted with him and some of his other friends afterwards. He invited me to channel where they talk. I chatted there for a while. Then I started paperwork to get my characters using the channel. I'll have to finish another day; there are a lot to check in, and I played a lot of Cross Stitch World, and kept getting distracted with other thoughts. This particular paperwork is more boring than most. I finally stopped and finished my notes. {Smile}

Daily Update, April 26, 2025

On Saturday after breakfast, my main nurse took me to Coconut Island. They had a whole bunch of carp windsocks on bamboo poles lining the bridge. I took pictures of the bridge from a few different vantage points. There were also more carp windsocks on bamboo poles that people were working with in the parking lot.  I didn't think it would be polite to take pictures of the people. I walked around the large oval path that's paved on the island, going stiff-legged on the grass only once to avoid a large puddle. I also stopped and read a few paragraphs about the more recent history of the island on a sign. My nurse and I sat near the end as I drank the electrolyte drink that he'd brought for me. Then we went back towards the car. I stopped to ask a lady what the carp were for. She said they were for Children's Day. Then we went back to the car and drove along the bayfront on the way home. We saw bits of the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival Parade. I also read a bit of a manga on the way home. {Smile}

I watched a few halau (hula schools) dance for the last night of the hula festival's competition over and after dinner. I loved the dance and the memories of watching it with my parents, but with no parents to share it with, and the nurse busy on his computer, it wasn't too hard to come back to my own computer, not when I know I have friends I might find in City of Heroes: Homecoming, or on the chat server. {Smile}

The day before, I got a chocolate tea to try. It has an oddly watery texture, like when a chocolate powder doesn't absorb right, forming a sludge at the bottom and leaving the rest watery. However, only the texture is watery; the taste is fine. I'm getting used to it quickly. This is what my dietician chose as best for my desire for more chocolate. She said try to make the tea work before trying protein bars, which have more problems. I hope it's working nicely. {Smile}

My exercise today was the walk around Coconut Island. I didn't need more after that. {Smile}

After the trip out, I had lunch with web browsing. Then I wrote up Friday's daily update before I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started with paperwork. I talked with Kitten, but they were busy, so I kept on doing paperwork. Then Kitten got free, and we teamed up and ran a few missions until I broke to clean myself with my main nurse's help right before dinner. {Smile}

After dinner and watching the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming and started on paperwork again until I spotted a pair of high-level taskforces. I found that my eighth-best badge collector didn't have all the badges from it, so I ran it on her. I discovered Divi was running it, and I did get one of the badges I need for it. I'm down to the hard one which will immediately get two more, since it's the last one. Then I did more paperwork until Dennis said hi. We continued the contact we worked on Friday. Thankfully, the second mission we did was the badge mission we'd tried for so hard. After that, we talked, saying goodnight among other things. Next, I did more paperwork. After that, I played Cross Stitch World and made notes in this. Then I played more Cross Stitch World before going back to City of Heroes: Homecoming. for more paperwork, Next, Kitten said hi, and we teamed up and did two missions. Then I did a tiny bit more paperwork and finished my notes in this. {Smile}

Daily Update, April 25, 2025

On Friday, my main nurse called my dentist's office before breakfast. The receptionist called me when she couldn't call him back and confirmed that I did not have a dentist appointment. I suspected not when they didn't remind me, but it's good to know for certain without going down. {Smile}

Then a while after breakfast, my main nurse and I went to Safeway. I picked up two prescriptions, and my nurse got a few groceries we need. Then we drove by the ocean, enjoying the views, but not the traffic. Merrie Monarch week does make for more traffic, especially in spots that attract tourists like beaches with views. I read a lot of a manga on the ride. {Smile}

I didn't do much exercise beyond walking around Safeway, but we have plans for the next day. {Smile}

I read on the trip out, then had lunch when we got home. After lunch, I played a little Cross Stitch World. Next, I wrote most of Thursday's daily update before I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started with a good bit of paperwork that's best done at the beginning of a weekend. Kitten said hi, but saw Dr. Faustus was on and asked about the villain supergroup meeting. It was just starting, so I apologized to Kitten and went to it. The villain supergroup ran the last in the series of story arcs, using the one I was holding. We've been doing it for a while... I didn't write this one. After that, I did paperwork until Pierogies said hi. We tried a mission on characters we haven't played in a while, but had enough trouble, we doubted we'd finish before dinner. So, we switched to more familiar characters to do one quick and very familiar individual high-level mission. Like I hoped, it ended right before dinner. {Smile}

After dinner, I played a little Cross Stitch World. Next, I finished Friday's daily update. Then I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming and started with paperwork. I began to talk on and off with Nox on the chat server over much of the evening, too. Then Dennis said hi. He offered me a mission that gives a badge. I figured out that my second-best badge collector needs it and joined him on her. It turned out to be a similar mission that doesn't give a badge from a different contact. We tried all evening to get that badge mission, doing mission after mission on the right contact, but the right mission didn't appear. We finally said goodnight because I had to go. Maybe we can get it some other day. Anyway, I did much of the paperwork from the night of playing with Dennis, though some is left for another day. Then I made notes in this with two breaks for Cross Stitch World before bed. {Smile}

Daily Update, April 24, 2025

On Thursday, I had video counselling at the end of the breakfast. It went pretty well. We talked about my new classes and other stuff, too. {Smile}

Then a while later, my main nurse took me to Hilo Bay Cafe, where we joined Auntie Barbara and Michelle for lunch. I was quiet enough for Auntie Barbara to comment but just couldn't find much to say after confirming that I'd started my new classes and what they were. Or tried to. My main nurse is stuck with calling one "Sliver Sneakers Zumba Gold," and no amount of me telling him they're competitors, like Adidas Nike, makes an impression. {rueful smile}

Then we went to the Naniloa hotel. Auntie Barbara hoped for hula, but we only found craft booths. Michelle found a hat, and I found a couple of bracelets. I think they all were in the Crown Room, which was converted from the usual night club to craft booths for the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival this week. After that, my main nurse took me home. {Smile}

I realized too late in the day to call my dentist's office that they haven't called about the appointment I have on the calendar for the next day. Their calls are automated, and he knows my number, so this is very odd. My nurse said he'll call early the next day to find out if it's still on. If it is, we'll go. If not, we have more free time. {Smile}

Walking around the Naniloa was enough exercise according to my main nurse. I didn't argue about that; I like a day that's freer. {Smile}

Between counselling and lunch, I played a little Cross Stitch World and read some comics. After I came back from joining Auntie Barbara and Michelle, I played Cross Stitch World before I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I did some paperwork. then I joined the later long, large-group event. After that I did more paperwork and set up the character Kitten is developing for later play before breaking for dinner. {Smile}

After dinner, I played a lot of Cross Stitch World while thinking. Then I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started with a little paperwork, but not much before Phonso invited me to a strike force. I joined him, and he recruited more with less trouble than night before. I also talked with Nox on the chat world a bit, but they were tired and left after a while. When the strike force was over, Phonso recruited a short taskforce. I ran it with him too. Then I did some paperwork. After that, I read some comics. Next, I began notes in this. Then I went back to City of Heroes: Homecoming for more paperwork. Next, I played Cross Stitch World while thinking. After that, I made more notes in this, then played more Cross Stitch World while thinking some more. Then I finished my notes in this. {Smile}

Daily Update, April 23, 2025

On Wednesday after breakfast, I had an appointment with my dietician. It went well. It was longer than previous online appoints with her. We had much to talk about, between the new dance classes and some ideas I wanted to check with her about. She suggested the best course forward, which i will try to pursue. {Smile}

After my bath in the late afternoon, we found a black chicken in the dining room. My main nurse promised to chase it out. He eventually succeeded, but the chicken took a tour of the computer room and I'm not sure where else on the way out. I'm sure that was not the idea of my nurse. Later, I spotted two more black chickens in the living room and pointed them out to my main nurse. He opened the front door and chased them towards it, getting them out much more efficiently. Luckily, they were in a room with a door straight out, unlike the first chicken. Also, my main nurse had practice by then, which seemed to help. I noticed he closed all three doors out after getting all the chickens out. He tends to leave one or two of them open until I close them at dinnertime. Also, yes, Hilo has feral chickens all over town, meaning they're domestic breeds that have gone wild. {Smile}

After dinner exercise, I got a phone call from Auntie Barbara. We mainly arranged our meet up tomorrow for lunch, and possibly craft fairs. It was much more tentatively planned before. {Smile}

A while after dinner, I exercised. I started with my arm resistance exercises. Then I did three of my arm weight training. After that I did my head exercises and my arm swinging exercises before finishing up with my other three arm weight training exercises. {Smile}

Before the online meeting, I read a couple of web comics. After the online meeting, I browsed Amazon for stuff my nutritionist liked. Then I played Cross Stitch World and had lunch before I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started with paperwork. Then Div came in and said hi. We teamed up and did a couple of missions before they headed out. Then I did paperwork until Pierogies said hi. He asked about the story arc I'm working up. We ran it together. He likes it a lot. He was surprised it was my first attempt. Apparently, most folks struggle to tell stories through this, but my parents would have happily told you I was telling stories while I was still learning to talk and have been doing so ever since. Anyway, we finished the story arc. Then he left, I did paperwork, including making some changes to the story arc, both from Tuesday and Wednesday. I did other paperwork too. Then I broke to clean myself up with my main nurse's help. After that, we found the first chicken. Next, I did some City of Heroes: Homecoming paperwork. After that, I got up and found the other two chickens. Then, before dinner, I set up the character Kitten is designing in City of Heroes: Homecoming for more things to do, {Smile}

After dinner, I wrote up Tuesday's daily update. Then I exercised before I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started with paperwork. Then Phonso invited me to a taskforce. It was slow to fill, so I talked with Divi, Ulty, and Jenny's player, but they were all busy, and didn't join. Then I talked to another friend I talk to less frequently when the taskforce was reluctantly getting ready to go with fewer than preferred. That friend didn't have a suitable character high enough, but I was able to tell her how to change one who is high enough, enough to qualify. She joined us after it finally filled, taking the spot reserved for her. We ran it, and she thanked me for teaching her how to make that change. I also talked with Nox on the chat server during and after the taskforce. After the taskforce, Phonso left, as did my other friend. I did paperwork, then played Cross Stitch World. Then I made notes in this, with breaks for a few comics. I searched Amazon after that. {Smile}

Daily Update, April 22, 2025

On Tuesday my relief nurse and I ran a couple of errands after breakfast. Then we came right back home. {Smile}

After dinner, I did my salsa dancing warmup for exercise, with my relief nurse monitoring me. {Smile}

After we got back from the errands, I had lunch. Then I browsed web before I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I started with paperwork. Then Div said hi, and we chatted. Then we teamed up, doing a mission of his, and one of mine. Kitten joined us partway through. Then Div left, and Kitten said they were tired, and left, too, hoping the night would be better after a rest. So, I did some paperwork until Pierogies said hi. We chatted, and he asked if the (teen) supergroup was meeting. I checked with Ulty, and she said the teen supergroup meeting was not quite an hour away. I thanked her. I teamed up with Pierogies, and we did a mission. Then I switched to my teen superhero and went to the meeting. We did an adventure I am designing in a system that lets you do that. (It's still a work in progress.) The others seemed to like it, but I asked too late to get many reviews. One exciting thing happened that I didn't plan. A tough character went still. (Players usually say died, but unconscious fits far better.) He revived but looked distinctly smaller and around our age instead of slightly older, like he had looked. He said his superpower made him bigger. He happily joined our group. After the mission, we played through formally accepting his character into our group. Then he left for bed, and I left for dinner. {Smile}

After dinner, I wrote up Monday's daily update. Then I exercised before I went into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I did paperwork until Phonso invited me to a taskforce. Then I found a good place to stop and joined him. We ran it after he recruited enough more. Then Kitten said hi while I was running it, but you can't join taskforces after they've started. I also talked with Nox on the chat world a bit. Phonso announced another taskforce after the first finished. I stayed to run it too. Then Phonso left, and I did a little paperwork before I joined Kitten, who was running a four-person trial over and over with a friend. They didn't feel up to doing much more. I ran it five times. Kitten said they did it eight times. Then the team broke up, and I did paperwork, with a short break for Cross Stitch World. After that, I made notes in this, with a longer break to read a couple of web comics. {Smile}