Helenka, Queen of Outer Space

Alas, I missed posting before midnight.

Question: When did Alex Trebek die?

And then I go back decades ago, as I can't believe he was only in his mid twenties (when I was in high school) and hosting a quiz show in TO.

I found out from S. in the morning. The other bookmark happened in the evening when I managed to catch a bit more of SNL whose recording had been screwed up Saturday night. It's weird when you can't remember whether something (people booing DJP's motorcade returning from playing golf) was on the news or in a skit. I dread to think of the tantrums happening in private.

Anyway, that was my Sunday. Time for pills and bed now.

Yes, I was extra lazy. After going to bed around 1:10, I still managed to get five hours of sleep, first opening my eyes at 6:15. Read FB on my phone for a couple of hours, trying to awaken my vision, but the trick didn't work this morning.

After juice and pills, I slithered back into my bed which felt like the comfiest cocoon EVER. I dozed on and off and finally got out of bed at 4, just in time for my next dose of pills. Watched familiar animation as well as last night's SNL where the bit of Biden as the fly was the best part. Otherwise, it was just staying wrapped up and warm.

The only sad bit was listening to the evening news that revealed all the soaring cases of Covid around the world. I'm really trying hard not to anticipate the worst, of populations reduced significantly. I already feel there have been psychological effects of people becoming more lawless, especially where it comes to drunk driving and speeding - as if these things were now … optional. My fears weren't exactly allayed when I briefly glanced at the story of the USDA approving the sales of diseased chicken meat. ::shudders::

Anyway, I'm going to stay up reading for a while, even if the vision is weak yellow against dark sage green. But the story is intriguing. And tomorrow I'll be talking about thankfulness, even in these times.

!@#$ %^&*() !@#$

And there's more where that came from.
Sigh.

So I had brilliant vision for most of the day. You know what that means, right? Right. A lousy night because pain - Clarity. Went to bed at 3 a.m. The spasms began shortly thereafter but I suffered until 5:30 at which time I took two pills. Again with the miracle of sleep, not waking until after 1 p.m.

Tge sight was so fulfilling, even if I didn't feel like reading because it involved sitting which equals a provocation to pain. But I watched the animation I'd recorded this morning as well as last night's SNL season premiere which was actually live. Jim Carrey was fine as Biden, but he should have used some prosthetics on his cheeks to make him look older.

As for the real, real you-know-who, I couldn't believe the shit-show happening outside the hospital where he used a bullet-proof and chemical agent resisting vehicle for a bit of a personal parade, thereby exposing his staff in the car to the virus. And the hospital officials dropped their coy "Oxygen, what oxygen?" response. Well, I'm sure we'll have more on everything in the news tomorrow.

I dragged myself out of bed to post this and the vision is now failing, mostly weak white against snow-on-charcoal. So, will the pain recede? ::crosses fingers::

So, to what do I attribute fuzzy brain? Would you believe listening to that man's Labour Day ramblings on a social commentary FB site via my phone. I will definitely never get that hour back. No wonder I had pains and had to lie down.

So, that was my day. At the computer until the pain forced me flat on my back. At least I could read some stories because my vision was … adequate. Exchanged emails with Brian about the change in plans for when we'll meet. Watched my usual TV shows and only nodded off once.

Anyway, the fuzziness is encroaching again, so I'll sign off now.

DJ? Who's that? Well, I'm the DJ - er, Distracting Jokester - for the blind group. I sent out my first of several emails containing ten jokes that will most likely be groaners. But I've already received messages of thanks, so that's a very good thing. The initial reason for boosting morale is that this is the Victoria Day long weekend that is usually considered to be the first weekend of summer. But, with all the restrictions, it's going to be more difficult for people to withstand more isolation. We're not even having fireworks on Monday.

Anyway, that was my good deed for the day which was a miracle as I had another painful night with interrupted/delayed sleep. Sigh.

Watched my usual TV shows as my own distracting technique. I'm also trying to improve my nutrition, so had some broccoli soup for inner. I found out the hard way that there is such a thing as too old aged Merlot Cheddar.

Okay, I think I'm done. Tomorrow I'll be posting two Trump jokes. Ooooooh.

Straight from the PM's mouth during the noon press conference: Canada has 10% of the population of the U.S. but our total of tests is higher! That doesn't mean that we've been such eager beavers as he declared that we can do better, we must do better. But … wow! What a way to shed a bilious glare on the disunited states.

In other non-news, I conked out for naps several times, watched TV, and screamed silently in pain. I also received Easter wishes from my chosen sis RS who said she'd be watching the church service online. Well, she's ahead of me on that count, as I haven't had any church for 6 weeks. I'm just not in the mood. Sigh.

So, even though I dozed through a lot of the evening news, I did hear that Canada will be getting 500,000 masks from 3M. And you all know who the bully is.

In other non-news, I went to bed, woke up 5 hours later, took pills, watched some TV (last night's The Rookie), slept for hours, and continued hate-reading my book. Okay, so I think I'm past the hate and back to being curious, but that's probably because I'm on the last chapter and can't wait to be done with it. If it weren't virtual, I'd probably stomp on it! I'll definitely have lots to heap scorn on at our virtual meeting next week.

So, I'm going to have some soup, watch a bit more TV, maybe see if I can finish reading tonight, and see what the world brings tomorrow. Life is … tolerable.

What a jolt, going from someone who'd given up on watching the evening news to watching faithfully every night, at least the first 30-40 minutes covering the pandemic. I'm obviously really interested in learning the where and what. And I continue to rely on Slog for my intake of American-based news. Breaking: Tweedledee Trump has found his Tweedledum in the Prez of Peru whose massive ego and fitness levels will save him from the virus. ::rolls eyes:: Suuuuuuure.

In better news, after brekkie, I worked on a reply to the sweet phone call message I'd received from Rev. Deana yesterday. I told her I was okay, the healthiest(!) person in the house, busy with blind group, and otherwise hanging in. And, speaking of blind group, how does OOPS sound? Yup, I forgot all about a mini Zoom call for 2 p.m. Luckily, the Prez has emailed the wrong ID, so he phoned me at 2:05. We were done well before 3; will reconvene next week, same bat time, same bat channel.

As my sight was lousy today, no books were read. And no new TV shows watched except for the standard judge and game shows. And, as always, lots of Peppa Pig. I was heartened to see that the children's network did a PSA with one of their "personalities" along with her animated bear (think of the Snuggle commercial) where they told little kids why they couldn't go outside to play with their friends.

As SuM was going to the supermarket, she bought me three juices (can't see what flavours) and a bag of mandarins. Hey, at least I'm getting my vitamins.

Anyway, that's another day down the drain. I'm going to see who's emailed me and see if I have to reply. And that's a wrap.
ETA
I definitely am lucky, as I mentioned to Rev. Deana. Getting my weekly meals delivered hasn't been changed, even though the office staff are working from home and only half the number of volunteers are. OTOH, I believe the admin. is being run off her feet, and she hasn't even recovered from her pelvis-crushing car accident from last year.

So, I was surprised and delighted to receive an IM from Rev. Jeff last night. He was worried about me and wondering how I'm doing in this period of isolation. Well, after I replied that my respiratory health was excellent and that - for me - isolation is semi-normal and that I was being kept busy by being in virtual touch with my blind group. So I'm okay. Still, it was ever so sweet.

As I had exquisite vision last night, I stayed up reading until 3:30 a.m. Eek! And then I slept hard until nearly 10. I finally tucked into the jam Brian gave me in December and, with the seed crackers, I demolished the tiny jar. Good thing I have four more jars. So I had l'il Giggly Ballerina Piggly send him a thank-you email. Yes, I am silly.

Pain flirted with me during the day and I tried to ignore it. Unfortunately, my vision is dismal today. I contributed to Savage Love. I actually watched the beginning of tonight's news accidentally while checking on my recordings. I was really happy to learn that emergency legislation had been passed to disregard a local noise bylaw, so that trucks could make deliveries all night long to supermarkets, allowed the shelves to be restocked. Let's hope it eases the anxiety of seeing empty shelves. I raided the pantry and fridge for supper: black Cali olives and applewood smoked cheddar cheese were fun to eat.

Anyway, I think I'm going to watch Will&Grace now. I've already watched my regular judge shows. And that's all she wrote today.

I guess it's appropriate, considering that we had our two-hour conference call tonight of the blind group, including adding new people. On my agenda for tomorrow night is learning about html-5 and how to pin FB posts before I assume my newest duties.

Otherwise, I watched some TV, including a weird epi of Murdoch Mysteries where U.S. agents were trying to incite an action in Canada that would result in American retaliation, leading to the U.S. claiming the entire continent for America. Well, with the exception of Mexico (yeah, you know the writers are aware of current affairs). So, why Canada? Well, given that they expected greenhouse gases to pollute most of the U.S. in 70-80 years, they were just guaranteeing all of Canada's resources for their land! Uh-huh.

Next on the agenda was the Valentine's epi of N.C.I.S. during which blindness was a hindrance. I'm not sure who Jack's secret admirer is because I couldn't make out the writing on the card. I'll ask S. tomorrow to tell me.

Anyway, time for my pills and maybe bed as church-John will be picking me up around 10:30 a.m. Today was tolerable pain-wise, with some twinges and aches but nothing horribly excruciating.