Helenka, Queen of Outer Space

Normally, waking up at 11:11 would be fabulous, but not this time. Yesterday, I was silently screaming with pain at 3:25. You know the drill: I took two more pills and fell unconscious. This morning, the screaming time was 2:20. If it weren't for the pain, both during the night and repeated during the day, I'd thought of making an appointment for a pedi at the mall for Thursday. Well, screw those plans when I can barely sit in a chair. Sigh. So I spent a lot of time in bed. Yesterday, my fave TV was the season opener of Bull which was done through the lens of Bull in a Covid nightmare. Tonight, it was the season premiere of N.C.I.S. which was just weird - mostly because I couldn't see much of the screen.

So what made me happy today (considering how I can't predict when pain will incapacitate me from leaving home)? It was learning that Baby Yoda is now on the ISS, thanks to a Japanese astronaut with a sense of humour. Yay!

I don't know if I have the stamina to stay up more than 12 hours. I guess I'll find out soon.

Hear my body taunting me, "Not so fast, Missy!" as it besieges me with pain and then conks me out. I know, I know. Subtle, it's not!

Until then, I'd had a pretty good day. There was a mini Communications Zoom meeting before which I actually had to use a password on a phone where I can't see the screen. Two of the others are delightful women with uplifting laughter. I threw a bit of cold water on the proceedings as I asked them to ponder what they might suggest for Earth Hour - without using an electronic device! Speaking of which, I didn't mind watching a repeat of the N.C.I.S. epi where Gibbs enlists the neighbour's kid who's a video whiz to play on the screen in MTAC. Yeah, sure. It was hard watching knowing what would happen toward the end of the season.

And-and-and I finally finished the book that refused to end. Until it did. I was surprised to read that the author was an Ontarian and had been a writer-in-residence at a university in the south-west part of the province. But, oy, just too much crammed into the book. I guess I'll be tearing this one into shreds in June.

Anyway, I'm going to take my pills and see if I can subdue my body back into submission - for its OWN GOOD. And read a little until I'm sleepy again. Nighty-night.

You know I have to be feeling better if I'm joking about the unofficial pot holiday. But, for some inexplicable reason, I had a good night and woke up with more normal neuropathy in my right hand. After I shook that off, I was okay for most of the day until after 9 p.m. Don't have a clue why. 'cuz bodies be strange.

OTOH, I was aggravated. I still haven't adjusted to N.C.I.S. Nola switching to Sunday nights. I thought I'd just use the Rewatch feature. No such luck, either on the Canadian carrier or CBS. When I clicked on Other Viewings, there were none for the specific epi. So I went online (Canadian carrier) and hit a dead end. I'll ask S. tomorrow whether she can find a streaming link that doesn't require an app and subscription. Sigh.

In semi-positive news, the province is projecting a much milder outcome of new infections and deaths. Unless one is in a long-term care home. Those are, unfortunately, death traps for residents AND providers. This is one of those times when I don't mind being an orphan.

The rest of my day included reading the Yiddish book; though I'm at nearly 60%, I think I've finally tired of the shtick. I'm still reading because I want to know what happens to the protagonists, but the fascination is no longer there. And I watched my usual TV shows. Now I'm just having my pills and a titch of chocolate, before bed and what I hope will be another normal night.

I got help from two sources today. First, S. said she was going down to the local supermarket and did I want anything. Silly question, right? She came back with cinnamon raison bagels (a new craving) and bananas. Alas, the store was out of organic juice. Then, in the late afternoon, church-John said he was about to make the grand sacrifice of going up to Costco and, I guess, crossing the river in the valley to arrive at my place. So I sent him my huge supplement order and a request for … chocolate.

Unfortunately, I'd woken up much, much, much too early. I ended up watching last night's N.C.I.S. Nola I had also started working on my testimonial for the meals provider to use in a fundraising campaign. With frequent breaks to be in pain and lie in bed, I finally sent it off to the admin.

There were the usual TV shows during the day along with a stunning epi of Bull. That show is both clever and uplifting.

Anyway, I'm snacking on a naked bagel (though I'm dreaming of topping it with Brian's jam and whipped cream!) and catching up on reading while hoping the Robax kicks in soon.

As I was scrounging for something to have for dinner, I couldn't find a can on pink salmon (which I would have had with a tangy lime dressing), so I looked for cheese and found a creamy Boursin. So, I will repel vampires.

Other than that, I'd stayed up until 3-ish reading, woke up at 7-ish, said "Hell to the No," and went back to sleep, waking up at the more respectable and restful time of 9-something.

Tried to read more despite my crap vision and am at the half-way point. Forgot to record last night's N.C.I.S. Nola so caught it on Rewatch.

And that was my exciting day. Oh, yeah, and fighting the ev0l muscle spasms used up a few hours. Sigh.

Well, I did something stupid last night. Had my Coke too close to going to bed. So I couldn't sleep and decided to catch up on the newest Savage Love comments. Finally managed to get my heart rate and respiration calm enough to conk out at 4 a.m. Slept hard until 9:19 (yes, one of my palindromic idiosyncrasies).

Had another mostly mind-numbing day. When one day follows another with no differentiation.... Sigh. But there were highlights, such as getting an email from someone on my LJ friendslist. Except I'm not posting on LJ, so they were wondering if I was okay. I replied and we're now connected on DW, though I'm still wondering why I can't crosspost. Aggravation.

Decided I needed a nap to catch up on sleep. Went to bed at 1:45, setting the alarm for 4. Woke up at 2:35; was SO not amused, but fell asleep, had some non-vivid dreams and woke up with a start at 4.

Watched my usual game/judge shows and caught N.C.I.S. Nola on Rewatch. It was really sad, about a black Petty Officer being killed by a cop who thought he saw a weapon (it was a phone). The role of unconscious bias was brought up as well as the indecent haste of the state officials trying to push through inaccurate evidence to avoid rioting. It ended with a cantlelit vigil and a different performance of "Lift Every Voice".

Did some work or the blind group with the membership guy. We make an efficient team. And our Prez. and his wife are self-isolating. This is when you find out just how long you can stand to be in your partner's presence!

Arrgghh. Just pretend it's still Tuesday....

The brilliant vision was totally gone. I woke up at 8:32 and opened my eyes to glaring snow against a blizzard. Sigh. It was lovely while it lasted. And, even though it was only threatening rather than ravaging, there were hints of pain trying to get a foothold. Luckily, my biggest distraction was our two hour Executive meeting that started at 6 and e ed shortly after 9. We made some important decisions and were productive. Always a good thing.

After that, I caught up on TV: my usual judge and game shows as well as a creepy N.C.I.S. Unfortunately, with the blizzardy blindness, reading is impossible today. I'm hoping for a better dat tinirriw, LLcrosses fingers:: At least there's something new I can anticipate: my vacay. S. m,eentioned today that she and SuM were planning to drive to the Maritimes and spend three weeks in July. So I'm going to look into my train trip for August. By that point, it'll be snuggling time in Northern Ontario!

I asked the universe to let me sleep in until 9. The universe gave me 8 hours … so that was okay. I was still feeling like "Grumpy Greta" as I texted S., asking her to receive the delivery of my meals. She was most obliging.

Back in bed, I was dealing with the way-too-familiar spasms, and taking an extra dose of Robax. When I felt better, I watched this week's epi of N.C.I.S. Nola and rewatched Murdoch Mysteries to catch the nuances.

Handled a whole bunch of emails for the blind group and later did a detailed edit for the church. There are times when I love being so picky - and stating individual rules of grammar and punctuation. Hey, Jeopardy! isn't the only way I keep my brain bouncing. Speaking of the show, I was happy to see the current champ win her 7th game. But Alex has been increasingly hoarse for days. Considering he only does 4 shows a week (in two days), that sounds serious.

I'm ending the day on a high note. My vision is pretty good and the colour adequate. I just don't have anything to read because my library account is on the stalled Edge browser. Arrgghh.

I had so much fun this morning, putting on liquid eyeliner as well as my traditional sparkly creamy beige shadow and black mascara. Yay for continuing accidental vision. It was a tiny bit cold today, with either crunchy ice underfoot or mounds of snow I had to navigate when leaving the house. I didn't even mind sitting waiting for my minivan.

I was dropped off at the library with half an hour to spare. There were only four of us along with the librarian to discuss the delightful "No Relation". And, then, our conversations went all over the place. I was picked up before 1 and taken on an extreme sightseeing ride, while the driver picked up and dropped off other clients. Normally, not a problem, but my muscles were seizing up and - every time he hit a speed bump - I had to clench my fists. Finally I was home around 2. I asked S. semi-jokingly whether she or SuM had been contributing to my donation jar. She had been doing it while continuing to clean out the second bedroom. She'd had the coins lying around so long, there were still pennies and they won't be accepted by the bank. So, maybe give them away as souvenirs?

Did my usual editing for the church. Luckily, the prof had done the lead article, so I could just correct wee but pesky errors.

Had my free chicken dinner and watched my game shows. Succumbed to a zombie state for a little while. But, earlier, I'd watched a fascinating N.C.I.S. in which the regulars portrayed other characters from info in old letters. Ellie and Nick were in love; Gibbs with dyed dark hair was her disapproving father. Jack was Ellie's sister. And Tim may have been the scoundrel brother.

Anyway, my muscles are screaming again, so I think I'll have some carrot cake and my Robax. No more agenda or going out until the weekend, so I hope I'll crash easily.

Whoa, mama. It's a good thing I have some improved vision this evening. I'd watched most of tonight's epi of N.C.I.S. while lying in bed but, fortunately, sat up close to the TV for the final scene. So … dark. I think I'll be rewatching it.

Otherwise, I had a pretty good day. Hated waking up at 5:45, but at least it was hovering around freezing so … pratcially spring! Arrived at the monthly meeting really early so there was a parade of blind people making our way to Timmy's to get hot drinks. Mine was a large hot chocolate. Our guest speaker was from the national blind association talking about the new handbooks in several categories advising us of our rights (not to be discriminated against due to our disability). I'll have to check them out online.

After the meeting, I was just happy to get back to my neighbourhood and veg. So far, Read a little bit more of "The Music Shop". I seem to have avoided the onset of pain except in the twilight of sleep before the alarm went off. I also got to bring back extra grapes from the snacks served. I was surprised to learn of the screwup in delivering my meals today - which they weren't supposed to do, duh - but it means I have no obligations for tomorrow, so it all worked out. Right now, I think it's time for a wee bit of chocolate, ginger beer, and my entourage of pills.