die_traumerei

Hey, y'all, we made it through Monday!! Woot, woot! I have very little planned today, although I have to go to Nordstrom to pick up some eye shadow. I got a little palate of Sephora eyeshadow, and it was not good. Barely any pigment, hard to get on the brush. I was flipping through Facebook and saw one that was pot themed. It's called the "Smoke Sessions II" by Melt. It's all these gorgeous purples. I fell in love with it, and bought it immediately. (To be fair, I also have one from Ulta that should be coming tomorrow.) With the glasses, I can get away with a little more pigment in my eye color. I can't do mascara, my follicles do not like that, but I can do eyeshadow, and light eyeliner. (I got the coolest shade of eyeliner, a burgundy/brown that is perfect for my green eyes.)

At some point between today and tomorrow, I'd like to go up and get my overdue emissions test done. They're open til 7 on Tuesday and Wednesday. I will probably go today after I grab my eyeshadow. Ideally, I'd like it done before we drive down to Sibley for Jess consult tomorrow.

Yesterday was very busy. I did my 43 calls, plus filled in three separate cardiac CTs, a Cardiac MRI and called people to let them know that when they scheduled their appointments, they borked up. (Seriously, how hard is it to keep track of when you can have your appointment? Or where?) The only one I'm not blaming is the patient who scheduled at the wrong place because there is no indication that certain sites can only accommodate patients up to certain weights for some tests. That's on our coding. (I love making those calls, btw. But I figure it's better that it's me, who will be sensitive about it.)

It was so brutally hot yesterday and it's going to be worse today. I'm not thrilled about going out in it. It was bad enough when we walked the dog last night, and it was still 95 degrees. I am way too Slavic for this heat. Give me cold weather any day. I'm not looking forward to being in DC in 100 degree heat. But I want Jess to get their consult, so off we shall go. At least we're leaving at ass-o-clock, so it shouldn't be too bad. My morning post tomorrow will probably be after our appointment, as I have no urge to get up at 4am to update. Though we shall see.

Our AC unit is glorious. During the heat of the day, it keeps the house cool. At night, it can get a wee bit stuffy, but overall, it's awesome. I got a fan to help at night, and it was wonderful. I slept much better, except for the cat coming to visit me every hour.

Okay, I suppose it's time to get myself together. Everyone have an amazing Tuesday!

It's Sunday! Yesterday was very busy, but I had fun.

First up was the dog's grooming. He was the first of the day, so he was done in two hours easily.
We picked him up and he was happy and much cooler. I might have to book his next one a bit early, so he doesn't have to get so hot.

The cousin's lunch was at a Spanish/Italian place called Tutti Paella. It took about 40 minutes to get to, and looked like a dump in a strip mall. But wow, it was way more than that. I ordered off their tapas menu. I had a charcuterie board, the Colossal Vieras con Tocino (which were about 8 bacon wrapped scallops with a balsamic glaze, and then Alcachofas Al Ajillom which were baked artichokes in garlic with a garlic aoli. My fucking god, everything was amazing. It was perfectly seasoned and well cooked. I'm a little in love with this place, and I hope they do well, because goddamn. My BIL had the scallops and Patas Bravas, which was basically loaded spanish potatoes. The single serve paella was enough to feed two, maybe three people, and the portion for two was enough to feed at least four, maybe five peoople. We got a Paella to take home for Jess, and it was enormous. They only ate about a fourth of it. IT was packed with spanish chorizio and chicken. We also ordered one for Shelly and I-the seafood one, which was lovely. I ate the shit out of it, and there's still better than half left.

Then it was home for an outstanding role play heavy game of Arvandor. It was awesome. My players continue to be so involved and on point. It's really making the characters feel like real people.

It's of course, a completely different group than my normal, but it makes me hope that we can get some roleplay out of my regular group, too. We'll see. I've got two games coming up that could support it, so we'll see.

After that, we relaxed and took the dog out to potty. He was very good while we were playing. Then, we at dinner and went to bed. I slept pretty well, so maybe I'm getting used to the firmer mattress.

And now, I have to get myself together for brunch! From Spanish to Brazillian! Whoo! Everyone have an awesome Sunday!

Well, that was a day. I was expecting a nice quiet Thursday, and what I got was...not. I had already gotten my breakfast together, and was sitting on the sofa, preparing to go in an boot up my computer for work, and scrolling the internet idly. And then I saw it on Facebook. Jess' estranged dad passed.

I relayed this to Jess, and texted in that I was taking a bereavement day so I could be there for them. They've been estranged for years, but I knew it was still going to be rough. The funeral is next week, and their brother wants them to be there, so off we shall fly to Michigan. I'm so thankful for the money from the estate that let me just book everything. We have tickets going into Michigan, plus a rental car and hotels. It'll be a short trip. We're leaving on Friday morning, and flying in to Detroit. The first night, we're staying near the airport, then driving in for the funeral on Saturday, and leaving Sunday morning. It'll be a lot, but we'll manage. Here's hoping the weather behaves for smooth travel. The only thing to still decide is whether we take the car and park in a lot or just get a ride to the airport.

Around 11, the bed came, and with nothing else to do, we went ahead and set it up. It's a little firmer than I'd like, but I think once I'm used to it, it'll be fine. Good lord, that mattress was heavy. Of course, they dropped it at the foyer, so the two of us had to slide it up the stairs, and into the house. Then, we got the old mattress off the bed, and did some more heaving to get it on the bed and unwrapped.

It was not easy, but we got it there. I did not sleep great, but I expected that. I'm hoping it'll improve a little bit each night.

After that, we were kinda at loose ends until it was time for dinner. Just before, I was sitting at the table and checked my work email. And it confirmed my perception. The communications person reached out to me to ask for a few sentences about my job, and why I felt it was important to connect with the patients I spoke to and a picture. The resulting article will go out on Johns Hopkins social media and website. So this is a public perception, not an internal one. Aaah! I'm excited yet nervous.

Jess spoke to their brother last night, which went as well as it could. He made them feel quilty a couple of times, but I don't think he meant to.

Today will hopefully be quieter. In the evening, we're going to the mall to look at shoes for me and a top for Jess for the funeral. We really don't have anything at all appropriate. I've got nice pants, but no shoes. And Jess has no nice clothes at all, so it's shopping time. I'm a little worried that we won't find any shoes for me--my feet are so wide and flat. If worst comes to worst, I can wear my sandals, but they're men's sandals, and not that pretty. I'm hoping that they won't have anything, but we'll see.

I'll have time to wear it, since I have a cousins brunch tomorrow to go to. I'm not sure I want to go, but I do want the restaurant. They went for the one I picked, which was cool. Spanish/Italian food for all!

Sunday, Jess and I will go out for an anniversary brunch.

Okay, time to get myself together for the day. Everyone have an outstanding Friday!

I'm a little less sleepy today, which is good. Yesterday I just was blah. I didn't feel badly, I just couldn't quite get myself into "on" mode, which makes work very difficult. I got through all but two hours, and then called off, because I was just wiped.

After that, I vegged for a few minutes, then went to Sam's club to get some things. I got some special things for dinner, which I'm now frantically googling for the best way to cook. which thankfully seems to be baking. I have twice baked potatos to bake, and the NY strip steaks, and then two very lovely lobster tails. Sams had them on sale, so I figured why not? Jess isn't a fan of lobster, so they're going to get a full steak, and my sister and I will each get half a steak and a lobster tail. I ordered kitchen scissors to cut the shells and make it perfect. After that, a little melted butter, and we'll be good. Hopefully, I can catch the sweet spot and cook them well, without overcooking.

I got other things, of course. Fruits and creamer and other tasty things, but those are the big ones.

I need to look and see how long the twiced baked potatoes need. Hmmm

I went to bed early and promptly got anxious for absolutely no reason and had to take some anti anxiety meds. Today is payday, and I have literally no bills to pay with it. It's glorious. I'm planning to save most of it, aside from taking Jess out for a research brunch in Annapolis. There's a Brazillian steakhouse down there, and I want to see if it's as good/better than Fogo De Chao.

My last big purchase comes tomorrow, which I'm very excited about, our mattress. I was more excited before I saw the weight on fedex.com. 96lbs! That's going to be a tough one to get in and unpackaged. We went with a GhostBed, and I'm looking forward to trying it out. I told Jess not to try to move it themself. I think this is going to take 2 of us.

My next D&D campaign is slowly taking shape. It's a folk horror game, so I have a Relic Born (skeleton person) and a Threadborn (living doll). I'm looking forward to it very much.

I've got another homebrew game starting next month that I'm excited about. It, much like my other game is more roleplay heavy, though there will be some combat, of course. I'm curious to see how things go. This is a much larger group that my little Arvandor band, so it could be difficult.

On that note, I shall go forth and take a nice hot shower, and get ready for my day. Everyone have the very best Wednesday!

I am for no apparent reason, very sleepy today. I could have dozed for another hour easily. I'll wake up eventually, but I really slept very soundly last night, and another hour would have been nice.

I had a nice day yesterday, first with lunch, where I had a steak bigger than my head, topped with a big scoop of crab imperial. There's still about two thirds of it left, because with the Rybelsus, I can't eat a ton at a sitting. The food was SO good. We got a takeout for my sister, a burger (her choice) and she said it was amazing. It looked pretty tasty.

Then, it was home to relax and feed the puppy before game. Game was super fun, even though it was mostly set up for the next arcs. It's one of my special favorite games, so I was really psyched to play it.

I had a little burst of madness yesterday and signed up to DM another campaign. It's called The Crooked Moon, and it's a folk horror game that looks super cool. I'm looking forward to trying it out. I limited to six people but feel horrible about the people who got excluded. I did it fair, and did a drawing, using a random wheel to remove people. I had to whittle it from 10 people to 6, which was a big cut. If it goes well, I'll run a second game when we finish for everyone who didn't make it.

Today, it's back to work. It's sure to be a busy one. Hoping for a nice not too crazy week. And I'm hoping that they get back to me quickly about the application.

And on that note, time for me to get dressed! Everyone have an amazing Monday!

It is so early. I got up a little bit early to go fetch Friday the 13th themed donuts, and I'm kind of regretting my life choices.

Today, we shall have donuts for breakfast, and then I'm going to work, and then? Date night. We haven't decided where we're going to dinner. There's a couple of places that we're considering. It's difficult finding somewhere with good food that also doesn't require special attire. I'm not wanting to dress up. I just don't have the clothes for it. I should really consider getting a skirt or dress for that, though then I have to think about shoes. Maybe I'll just visit the mall.

Tomorrow is Trans Pride, followed by game. Right now they're callling for overcast skies with maybe a bit of rain thrown in. But only 80 degrees, which is good.

I went yesterday for my glasses, and got my new prescription. We'll see how I like the progressives I ordered. Apparently, my eyes hadn't changed much. I'm going to get a fun backup pair from Firmoo.

Of course, after the eye exam, I had the WORST headache. I was really just good to go lay down, but I walked the dog and ate dinner. I'm still a little headachey this morning, so I'm going to go take some tylenol and ibuprofen and see if we can get rid of that.

Yesterday, I also put in for a job at Hopkins. It's not in my dept, and I'm not sure I'm even going to get an interview, but I gave it a shot, and that's what matters. I'm going to let my bosses know today.

I have my one on one today, so that'll be a quick meeting. I'm a little concerned that I put my current manager in as my reference, but she's going on maternity leave soon, so I may ask her today if I should switch the email address over to one of the other supervisors.

If I were to get it, it would definitely be more money and more responsibilty, but we'll see.

Okay, and now, I go put on pants and get donuts. Everyone have an excellent Friday!

I am deeply snotty this morning, with a slight tickle in my throat. I don't think it's anything except allergies, but it's annoying. I'm just going to drink my coffee and see where I am in about 30 min. If need be, I can buy some Ricola to coat my throat.

Yesterday was a busy day. I had work, then farmer's market, then over to the pharmacy. Yet again, it occurred to me what a little hermit I've become. The farmer's market is precisely two exits in one direction and the pharmacy is 3 exits in the other. But going out feels like such a foreign thing these days. Especially things that require me to go towards our old neighborhood like the pharmacy does.

That area feels alien now. I lived there for 52 years, but after 6 months away, I don't feel like I belong there anymore. It's a weird feeling.

I bought way too much at the farmer's market. I have white turnips, beets, radishes, and a whole load of baked goods.

Tonight, I believe I shall make the turnips. I'll save the greens for another day. Maybe I can cook them up later in the week--after I look up some recipes, The big question will be whether I want to cook them with some potatoes, or just mash them up as is.

My packages have slowly started to trickle in. I got my shirts from Torrid, and my sister and Jess' new water cups. Jess' tshirt "trans rights or I bites" with a pissed off possum showed up. More stuff is going to be coming the rest of the week.

I moved the dogs grooming to the weekend of 6/21, because it was on Pride Weekend, and htat would have been insanely difficult.

I've got a full weekend this week. first up, on Saturday, I'm working the Trans Pride booth for Hopkins. Then, immediately afterwards, we'll have a game, then I crash and Jess has a game in the evening. Sunday, I'm going out for lunch with a friend, and then in the evening, we have another game.

But first, I've got three more days of work to get through.

Oh, we also built our dresser yesterday! We finally have somewhere other than shelves to put our stuff. It fit right in our closet. We look so organized at the moment! I have an underwear drawer! It's lovely. We have one more thing to build--a file cabinet to go beside my desk where I can put some of my stuff and the printer.

The fucking pantry is still unavailable from IKEA, so I suppose I'll start looking elsewhere. Annoying. I really liked that combo. It would have worked so well in the space.

Okay, time to go forth and get myself together. Everyone have an awesome Wednesday!