Sunday, July 17, 2016

Sunday Update (With Some Extra Rambly Bits)

I just came back from visiting with my folks and trying to get Pokemon Go to work on my phone. I've been trying on and off for the last several days, then giving up and playing Neko Atsume instead. It is possible that my phone is too old. (For those keeping score, it's an iPhone 4S that I got in 2012)

One major update: my health situation has improved. No more heart palpitations! It seems that the cause was low iron, since taking a new multivitamin and eating more iron-rich foods alleviated it. I am still planning on going to the cardiologist to be extra sure, but it seems whatever was ailing me healed up, thank goodness!

I also lost three pounds, my first significant loss in a few months. I credit the eating of salads twice a week and now exercising on the weekends to this happy change. I'm down to 183, so I have about 30 more to go.

I also read John Steinbeck for the first time: The Pearl and Of Mice and Men. Not gonna lie, I legit teared up at their endings. And now I eagerly await my BookPeople order of his journals, The Grapes of Wrath, and a collection of his short novels. Needless to say, he gained a fan in me. Would've dug reading those if I was in high school.

***

So yeah, Pokemon Go. My sister (being the dedicated fan since... the whole thing began for us Americans) already has a Flareon guarding a spot (which is at her job). It's fricking brilliant, this game. Pokemon has an intriguing habit of being a catalyst for change. I can't wait to see what this game will do for us as a population obsessed with our smartphones.

And also, I have made a pretty big decision: I am going to vote for Hillary. I am not in the least bit thrilled, but I cannot to let Trump win. The whole #Brexit catastrophe has catapulted me to this decision, I will admit. I also changed my mind on Jill Stein due to some disgusting things she'd said about folks with autism. As for Bernie... it's pretty apparent he is not wanting to be President, more satisfied with invoking change as a Senator and working within the DNC. So feel free to call me a hypocrite, I will only shrug and go "well, cool story bro" and move onto supporting down-ticket Democrats and Independents and turning Texas blue.

***

That's about it for me for now. Here's to timely updates, healthy hearts, and working smartphone games!

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Some Good Things: A List of Happiness


  • I preordered a vinyl copy of Nite Jewel's new album and it initially came warped (thanks USPS, ya jerks), but the company (and possibly Nite Jewel herself) apologized and offered to send me a new one. I just got my second copy and it was autographed (my first was, but I wasn't expecting the second copy to be)! 
  • My recent health issues (see last entry) have pushed me to eat better and get right into exercising. I also am planning to see a cardiologist to double-check some things. (Exactly what is going on will be detailed in due time. I want to wait for things to pass before I talk about it in full)
  • My new supervisor is awesome! He has been caught up to speed on my health issues and also is going to help me (and many of my colleagues) look into other career opportunities. I'm thinking of either working for scheduling or Quality Assurance. 
  • The case/lang/veirs album is absolutely f***ing magic. I cannot wait to see them in August!
  • Lazy Game Reviews (LGR) did a hour-long video of just him building a computer and it's so much fun to watch. 
  • Natalie Goldberg's latest book reminds me of two things: writing is awesome and I really need to get into meditation. 
  • Meg Turney, one of my two girl-crushes*, has her own Patreon and Twitch accounts now. I may sign up to be a donor soon. And also for LGR, PushingUpRoses, and Brad Jones (The Cinema Snob). 
  • Shura and Bat for Lashes' new albums are out! And I'm still waiting on my preorders. UGH.

*Yeah, what of it? (The second girl-crush is Rosario Dawson, BTW)

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

A Quick Update on My Health

I didn't make mention of it in my previous update, but I've been having a weird health issue for the last couple of weeks: heart palpitations. While that is the worst of it so far (no dizziness nor shortness of breath), I am not sitting on it for much longer. I have a doctor's appointment this Friday to double-check on it.

I do want to mention that it has gotten much better, but still I have it. I have cut out sugary drinks (mainly sodas), found out I was wearing a bra many sizes too small (and could've been the cause of everything all along) and have since switched to a more comfy bra, and even got a massage that worked out a previous left shoulder injury that was causing a pinched nerve.

I just want to rule out anything far more serious, but I feel that I found the cause (really tight bra) and it's a matter of a slow healing. After all, the damage didn't occur overnight.

I feel it's nothing more serious than what I discussed and it doesn't hurt to check with the good doctor.

I will update as I learn more.

Saturday, July 2, 2016

I Swear to Gone, I'm Not God!

Sorry for the lack of posts. I didn't really set this up properly. I wanted to do a posting on ever Wednesday and Saturday, but I haven't established that habit yet. It is a work in progress.

Here is what's been going down since I last wrote:

  • Despite the raise in rent, I am going to stay for one more year at the abode. I plan to negotiate something, but it's not gonna make me leave if I don't succeed.
  • Turns out I am not going to get a bonus for May. Dammit. And to make it better, not for this last month either! UGH
  • My credit cards' balances are going back up, so I need to put a stop to that. 
  • My weight-loss journey has slowed to a crawl. I need to do something to get back on track. Exercise maybe? (Yes)
  • My reading habits have slowed down too and have been trying to play catch-up and finish my currently-reading list, along with any library borrows. 

Yeah, this is not exactly the happiest of entries, but it is what it is. Who knows where I could be this time next month. There is only one way to find out...