We're 40 weeks into the year and I was hoping to have brought more projects to completion by now, but given that I had a pretty bad rotator cuff injury for a large chunk of it, I think I've been doing OK.
Arts & Crafts
This week, I continued working on my Fairy Cross-Stitch while watching TV. I also hemmed some fleece pajama pants and shortened two dress shirts. And I made some progress on my knitted table runner.
Decluttering & Minimalism
My door is almost good, but it's still too long. I feel like Charlie Brown right now.
 |
| Charlie Brown screaming - Charles M. Shultz |
It's too long by at least half an inch. This means I'll likely have to add more wood again after cutting. I just want to get to the painting part!
Gaming & Streaming
On Saturday, I played a bit of Minecraft, but I was really tired, so I didn't get much done. I'm mostly landscaping to clear spaces for little food shaped cabins right now. I have a carrot, potato, onion, and the melon reception centre is connected to pumpkin hall. I'll eventually do my castle and a housing district.
Goal Setting & Tracking
Arts & Crafts: Complete the black half stitches on the Fairy Cross-Stitch project. (100%)
Decluttering & Minimalism: Paint and install the bathroom door. (0%)
Gaming & Streaming: Continue building the resort. (50%)
Lifestyle & Sports: First curling session (CANCELLED) & Q2 Practice (100%)
Movies & Television: Finish the spookiest month watch list. (100%)
Music & Songwriting: Do 1 ukulele lesson (100%)
Reading & Writing: Outline the rest of the current screenplay project. (50%)
Lifestyle & Sports
Things I accomplished on Monday, which was a floater holiday that I took to help transition from my summer schedule to my autumn one.
- Did laundry.
- Published the weekly blog post.
- Posted an OPL notice about falls for the elderly in the building. It's for a free class that helps them strengthen and prevent falls.
- Repaired a small bamboo knitting needle with wood glue.
- Began prepping an area to sand & paint my door and shelf.
- Planned the week.
- Made French toast with rum instead of vanilla.
- Watched some Star Trek: Voyager.
- Worked on the Fairy Cross-Stitch project.
- Gathered my things for the curling season.
- Watched the afternoon livestream on Truth and Reconciliation.
- Played some Minecraft with friends.
Curling was supposed to begin for me on Tuesday evening, but prior to lunch, I received an email informing me that there were issues with the ice, so it might be cancelled. That began an all day wait-and-see situation. I really wanted to curl. I had friends I hadn't seen in months. I knew I would have tons of other things I could do around Tiny Condo if that was the case, but I hoped that by the late evening it would be OK. It's hard to keep the ice in the proper state for curling when it is so warm outside. Many curling buildings are not well insulated.
Just before 4PM, we were told curling was cancelled. It wasn't the news I had been hoping for, but it meant I would be able to get more done around Tiny Condo instead. Perhaps it was for the best all around, but it sure wasn't feeling like it and I was pretty bummed about it. I was excited and my hopes were dashed.
Wednesday was the only day I hadn't had any plans this week that would take me away from Tiny Condo.
Thursday brought a softball practice for my fall ball team with the other queer women's team who plays at a much higher level than us. It was a fun night. I made one good catch and got one run. My arches have been hurting though. Especially the right one. I might need a runner for the next game.
Friday was an evening that had been in the works for months. Several friends and I were off to Saunders FrightFest. This time, we decided to pay more for the RIP passes that allowed us to skip lines and do more in the time alotted. I was a bit worried about the walking given my angry foot. I was also quite tired by the time Friday came around. But then I had all this energy from the excitement that this day had finally arrived. I took my dye free Advil before we began and that helped a lot. I don't get scared at these things. Some of it grosses me out and the odd jump scare gets me, but I think I'd have to be going through in a private party where there was nothing activated until I got there to actually be scared. We often saw a group ahead get scared, so we knew it was coming. I rarely scream even if I do get scared. The weather was amazing for it.
Sunday morning began with me uninstalling my air conditioner for real this time. We have started having frost warnings in Ottawa, so it's really fall now and too cold for it. If I feel warm, I'll just use a fan.
Movies & Television
This week I watched Killer Book Club. The premise was neat, but it was pretty dull in its execution. It really didn't make me care about the characters.
I also watched The Boy with the Striped Pajamas. I know it's not historically accurate, but damn that put me in a sad mood. I needed something light after, which lead me to Gilmore Girls. I never watched the show while it was on TV. I don't know that I would've enjoyed it as much as I am now. It has a lot of witty humour. It's strange watching Jared Padalecki grow up after seeing all of Supernatural.
Saturday featured Joker 2 with friends at Landmark Kanata in the early afternoon. It was interesting. It was a musical, but I felt it also poked fun at musicals in some places. The ending was unexpected and had my friend and I thinking up a reason for it and how the rest of the Batman series goes.
Next, was a screening of Creature from the Black Lagoon in Beechwood Cemetery in the evening with other friends. There's nothing quite like watching an old horror movie in a cemetery. I enjoy these annual screenings with a short film set to violin. I was also happy to be having a pretty low key day where I didn't have to do a lot of walking. My calves were happy as well. None of us could see the full screen this time, but we saw enough of it to have a good time. I need to get a different sleeping bag for the future to be more comfortable and warm.
Music & Songwriting
Though they are really short lessons, I'm getting a lesson a week done in Fender Play. By November, I think I'll have more time for this.
Reading & Writing
I received a rejection from Berkley/Penguin. I was expecting it, but it still stings a bit. Actually, I'm surprised I received a response at all because not every publisher bothers to send a rejection. In case you're wondering what those look like:
Dear Rae,
Thank you for your interest in Berkley. Unfortunately, at this time your project, SPARKER, is not a fit for our list. We wish you all the best with your future publishing ventures.
Sincerely,
Berkley Editorial
Publishers are a business and they need to work on projects that fit the market. As the writer, I can disagree with that all I want, but it won't change the fact that they currently don't believe in my story.
I'm down about it, but they actually weren't my first choice in publisher. They're just one of the biggest and one doesn't ignore an opportunity such as that was.
Life is a bit much lately and I'm beginning to see why I've met so many people who didn't bother with their writing until they retired. That's not to say that I'm giving up in any way. In the coming years, I suspect that I will slow down some and fit it into my life more deeply. It's always easier in the cooler months because we get such short seasons of nice weather in Ottawa.