I was doing really well at my last dentist — we had a plan and were moving forward to tackle all the things, of which I had many! Then getting appointments became harder and finally impossible. I guess the team just sort of quiet quit. Found a new practice and had an initial consult today that included x-rays, photos, gum measuring and general examination. Our next appointment will reveal a gameplan with options.Currently Listening: Michael Kiwanuka “I'm Getting Ready”
Long story short: I think the Apple Vision Pro is really really neat. For an hour. Then it is whatever. In my post I blather on for 473 words about why I think that. + two photos that don't include me faking a poop.Currently Listening: Little Dragon “Stay (feat. JID)”
Once I learned you can schedule a demo of the Apple Vision Pro, I signed up immediately. Why yes I would like to experience this headset with a new spatial version of Apple's operating system — I love interfaces and interactivity and technology. I share a few more paragraphs about the experience in the full post.Currently Listening: The Last Dinner Party “Caesar on a TV Screen”
The first tears formed when the camera panned up to reveal Tracy Chapman during the performance of Fast Car. I was so moved I almost Tweeted, which is saying a lot. (video) Also verklempt when Annie Lennox joined Wendy and Lisa covering NOTHING COMPARES 2 U in a tribute to Sinead O’Connor. (video) And again when Celine made an appearance to present an award at the end. She’d been out of the public eye for so long, it was simply nice to see her. Back to Tracy Chapman, that song resonates so much to this day, as does her entire...Currently Listening: Tracy Chapman “Tracy Chapman”
While at Costco I flip around boxes to reveal nutritional information and then leave it like that for other customers. I feel this is a valuable service I provide along with bringing in carts from the parking lot.
I'm almost always aghast when I really scour these labels and see sodium and fat numbers that are off the charts. (These halloumi cheese fries and bacon wrapped stuffed jalapeños are not great examples, but really it's a minefield across the board.) + 2 photosCurrently Listening: Hot Pink “Let's Eat Grandma”
Our theme for the McGuffey Montessori School’s annual fundraiser was news station. Tom made a spinning light-up tower with our call letters. We dressed as camera operators, reporters, photographers and a producer with all the accoutrements and whatnot.
I still have absolutely zero trivia chops, but provided moral support even though I forgot the remote to the big TV that was going to be a backdrop and cycle through photos from the evening. (Wendy persevered with multiple trips to the school to grab needed cables and replacement monitor.)
Like every year, it was a hoot.Currently Listening: Guided By Voices “Gleemer”
Things are dense ’round these parts. I have a tiny slice of time between video animation renders to squeeze in a journal post before burning more oil. Oh, why's the picture sideways? Because the other snapshots from this day are really boring and this one wasn't much better.Currently Listening: The Montvales “Born Strangers”
Exterior work is almost finished on the new Kohl’s and Jo-Ann stores that are replacing the old Remke Market in Oakley. I passed by on the way to the post office. Some days, it’s just this exciting.Currently Listening: mtbrd “Those Eyes”
I’ve had a few plants expire recently — a small money tree and palm from IKEA. They were always teetering on collapse and I couldn’t read their pleas. I will have a ceremony to thank them for their companionship and release them to the compost. I’m hoping that this Devil’s Ivy from Casey’s mom lasts longer. It’s a durable houseplant that doesn’t require direct light or constant care. Unrelated:Currently Listening: Khruangbin “A Love International”
First things first, I can put weight on my left leg for short periods of time! I vowed to make active changes to support movement and longevity if it subsided. Baby steps. (Literally.) Once this heals fully, I need to seriously incorporate activity to support balance, flexibility and sturdiness. Somewhat unrelated, we decided to try out another meal kit service. Reasoning: And after watching You Are What You Eat on Netflix, I’m really, really interested in more vegetarian (and vegan) meals. First up was Barramundi with Chipotle-Lime Aioli. Verdict? Green Chef does a lot of prep unlike other meal kits...Currently Listening: Suki Waterhouse “OMG”
I assembled a LEGO Galaxy Explorer a few years ago and really enjoyed the process. I dusted it off after Tom dropped by with this kit is from Lightailing to give it LED sparkle. + 1 video and 3 more photosCurrently Listening: The Dukes Of Stratosphere “Brainiac's Daughter”
The Canon Selphy CP1500 dye-sublimation photo printer is absolutely delightful. I list the pros and cons and share a handful of printed photos. Verdict? Delightful!Currently Listening: Def Leppard “Photograph”
Another day where leaving the house wasn’t quite in the cards. Kathryn stopped by in the morning with bagels and books, then Mike and Joe in the evening with takeout and games. I am thanking every lucky star. First up was a VR game called Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, here’s the description: One player is trapped in a virtual room with a ticking time bomb they must defuse. The other players are the “Experts” who must give the instructions to defuse the bomb by deciphering the information found in the Bomb Defusal Manual. But there’s a catch: the Experts...Currently Listening: Hermanos Gutiérrez “El Bueno Y El Malo”
Amazon has some redeeming qualities. One of them is medical things delivered quickly. If I went to a local pharmacy chain I could get a therapeutic device of lesser quality and higher price. I don’t know if this is a matter of chicken before the egg but that’s how it is now. So I ordered this boot and paid just a wee bit extra for a Reebok-like pump to provide compression. It arrived the next morning. And as silly as that pump thing is, oh my word it works really well.Currently Listening: TR/ST “Being Boring (feat. Jake Shears)”
I kind of learned how to navigate with crutches and went to see my doctor about the intense foot pain. It was SUPER FOGGY everywhere. I'd say it was picturesque but... *waves hands above and below*. Oh if I was more mobile I'd have gone to the river and downtown.
My doc says I strained my Achilles tendon majorly. Probably from long walks on the beach. (Seriously.)
So all the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) was the prescriptive advice — and I should start to put weight on it. (Wince.) + 4 photos of fog!Currently Listening: Justin Timberlake “Selfish”
And I took a blurry photo of him while I was propped on the couch with my left foot iced and elevated. It’s now almost entirely unbearable to put any weight on it. If this pain ever goes away I promise to be regularly active and eat more vegetables.Currently Listening: Wham! “Make It Big”
An exchange at the eyeglass store where the salesperson was really against Taylor Swift and the response I wished I’d had.Currently Listening: Taylor Swift “Happiness”
Something’s up with my left ankle. I had an inkling something was afoot during the latter part of vacation, but it didn’t fully manifest then (thank goodness). So I’m sorting through the medicine cabinet for temporary relief and realizing, I can’t read the small type on pill bottles… doesn’t matter how close I get. I have crossed a line — I need at least one pair of readers in every room.Currently Listening: Modest Mouse “Custom Concern”
Today contained going out for soup, stocking up at the grocery, couch time with Edie while looking at a computer for the first time in a week and making Keema curry for dinner. The latter would shine as leftovers after having a chance to meld, but I’m also blaming a lack of garam masala which I had to improvise. That spice is not terribly easy to find.Currently Listening: Waxahatchee “Right Back to It (feat. MJ Lenderman)”
The return home was smooth, leaving before dawn and arriving in Cincinnati with the ground covered in snow and the thermometer barely cracking double digits. + 3 photos from the window seat