![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Tiny Things
Aug. 3rd, 2021 10:17 pmFriday was a rather cringe-y day of spending more money than I would like.
I've already bought the mess kit, eggwich maker, fleece sweater, trombone mute, yoga pants, packing cubes, immersion heater, luggage scale, and mini steno machine. After work I ordered two bathing suits, another fleece JACKET, a travel hairdryer, and a 6" electric skillet.
This is all in addition to the cost of updating my passport, getting TSA Precheck, copay for doctor's appointments, a year's supply of birth control, and probably other stuff that I'm currently forgetting about.
To be fair, it's probably at or around a thousand bucks for all of that.
And all of it is useable whether I go on tour or not. But I don't typically spend this much on myself/on stuff, at least not all at once like this, so it is making me cringe.
I've had bad luck with bathing suits, so I've sent back the one that didn't fit and have ordered two more from somewhere else in the hopes that somewhere exists a one-piece that I can actually wear. I'd love to shop in a store for one, but the way covid and the supply chain are going it doesn't seem likely I'll find what I'm looking for. So at least I'll get some money back when I return one of them.
I should have sent back the fleece sweater. It wasn't what I wanted or was expecting...I was trying to get a fleece JACKET, something more fitted and sleek-looking. But I threw out the tags and packaging without thinking, and anyway it can serve as a liner for my Ringling shell coat (I lost the fleece liner for it somewhere along the way).
The passport and doctor's appointments and birth control I would have bought at some point this year anyway.
The mute I should have had already.
The other stuff I do feel guilty about. Eh, hopefully that feeling will pass if/when all that stuff comes in handy. But today it stings.
Jameson had about seven friends over to play D&D in person. Kind of like an old-school LAN party!
Although I'm not very social and have never played D&D, I enjoyed watching and listening, and just having the company.
I did practice some steno, and had wanted to take a test but felt too distracted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday was a little rough, maybe because I was tired from the previous late night.
There was a lot of drama at work: people quitting unexpectedly, people quitting as expected but leaving behind scathing reviews of the company, people anonymously emailing the entire company with their built-up angst...honestly. I think a lot of these people have not ever had a "real" job before.
Anyway let's not get into that.
I've been feeling frustrated with my body lately, so I've started doing what I call "cubicle exercises" again.
Usually first thing in the morning, when no one's around to see or say "Why aren't you working?", I do some leg lifts and some side-to-side standing crunches. Then I'll go for walks around the building on each of my breaks, and squeeze in some girly push-ups or a plank, and do another set of leg lifts and crunches. That's usually all I'm able to sneak in, but it's better than nothing.
Earlier in the year I weighed 119-121, but now I seem to be hovering around 122. Which isn't bad, especially if any of it is muscle, but I don't think it is. So if I'm going to gain a pound or two I'd rather it be muscle.
I have a pair of dress pants that I like to call "Honesty Pants" or "Pants of Truth", lol.
They're made by INC, and they contain no elastic whatsoever, not even in the waistband. The waistband is also super thin, so if the pants were too tight around the waist you'd know right away by how they would painfully cut into your gut like a cheese wire through a gob of mozzarella.
I've had them for years, but rarely wear them (dry clean only) so I know they haven't stretched out or anything.
The Pants of Truth still fit. Test passed.
After work I brought some frozen pesto to a friend, then came home and ate dinner with Jameson and practiced trombone for a solid hour because it's about to be August up in here. Then I did some steno and chilled for about an hour before bed. Jameson seemed down, I couldn't tell if it was something I did or if this was just his mood. I always think it's something I did no matter what the reason.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, work was very slow and I was very distracted. I'm going to be giving my notice soon (since I'm a supervisor I feel it's polite to give more than two weeks) and I found out what questions are on the supervisor exit interview. So I spent a lot of time writing up responses. Most of the questions have to do with suggestions for improvement, and I have a lot of those. It was more enjoyable to do this than my usual work.
There was a pleasant surprise schedule-wise: I've been asked to help out in the training department next week, and it so happens that the same week I've been asked to play a church gig. My boss ended up shuffling my schedule around in such a way that I was given the day of the gig off! Now I won't have to spend PTO to get it. Sweet!
Back home we had tacos for dinner. Jameson seemed in a slightly better mood, having spent several hours working on Christmas music with his friend. We watched Cobra Kai (I'm shocked at how good this show is) before I marched off to take some steno tests. And I actually did well! I may have even passed one! Even if not, it's the best score I've ever gotten on a 100wpm test. I'll take progress in any form!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday was rough. It was just one of those days where Murphy's Law was in full effect. Every time I tried to complete a task, something interfered, either dragging the task out twice as long as it should have gone or stopping me from completing it entirely. For example, while on phone coverage my coworker needed to use the restroom, so I said I'd answer the phone while he went. It was only 10-15 minutes, but in that time so many calls came in that I could no longer transfer calls, there were too many people on hold, then one of the calls was from Quality Assessment to deliver me a project on top of my usual work. By the time my coworker returned I was about an hour behind in my day. All from 15 minutes of answering the phone.
That's the kind of day it was.
Then at the end of the day, right before I left, I was told I had to come in to work tomorrow instead of working from home.
Sigh, mope, but I'm glad they told me today and not tomorrow. This way at least I won't lose an hour of PTO because I had to commute in the middle of the day.
On the way home I picked up a coat from the dry cleaner's, ate my dinner in the car, and on the porch waiting for me was this TINY hairdryer! Someone in a facebook group recommended this as a good one to bring. I've never seen one so small.
Then it was steno class, which went ok. Then I caught up with Jameson a bit, he'd had a day because people had come over to install the pool heater and fix one of our screens on the lanai, then his co-director was coming over to review the audition videos for their production of RENT. That took them quite a few hours, so I was antisocial, watched Rick and Morty in the spare bedroom and just tried to find some chill. They wrapped it up around 11pm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday. I was disappointed to have to go into work, mainly because when working from home I can get a logged practice session in. Now I'll be two hours behind on my practice for the week. Oh well.
I didn't feel very good (not the covids, just general ickyness) probably due to stress.
I still don't believe this tour is happening, because now we've got delta variant and some things are shutting down again.
Spirit airlines cancelled 2700 flights yesterday and left thousands of people stranded at airports.
The tour directors still have plenty of time to say, "It's too soon. This is too much trouble." and cancel the whole thing.
Meanwhile I've spent a lot of money on things for touring, and prepared to give notice, and all sorts of life-changing steps.
We haven't heard anything from the tour administration since receiving our paperwork and a nice welcome letter.
Not that they have to be in touch every week. It's only that silence makes me wonder. And worry. And stress.
I'm stressed about the what ifs, and about the money I've spent on stupid things, and about potentially giving notice and then finding out the whole thing is cancelled, and about my relationship with Jameson. Makes my stomach hurt.
Work was ok, just normal. I got a little credit for suggesting that we redistribute flyers for the Employee Assistance Program, a free help hotline for people who want to complain about work, need help with various personal issues, substance abuse, depression, etc. With all the employees quitting and/or leaving scathing exit interviews and/or sending anonymous nasty emails, I figured it would be good to remind people that there ARE options available to them. Management jumped on that suggestion (why not, it makes them look good) and I got a little pat on the back for it (while someone else gets a raise I'm sure).
Back home I was happy to find that my TinyMod steno machine had been delivered! It's SO SUPER TINY!
Here it is sitting on top of my student machine.
Hopefully you can understand why I spent the money on this.
The student machine has a case and a stand, bringing the weight to 5lbs and the size to more than a foot long/wide in the case.
The TinyMod weighs less than a pound and can fit in an 8" tupperware or pencil box.
We ate dinner and I practiced trombone for about an hour, then tried to get the TinyMod to work.
It works very well with Plover (steno freeware software), and my test website, meaning I'll be able to log my practice.
I didn't try it on a test, but as long as Plover saves my input uploading the files to the test page shouldn't be an issue.
I would like for this to work with CaseCAT, however, and so far haven't had any luck getting that to happen.
It doesn't seem to "see" the TinyMod. I've asked for help from the creator and on social media, and I may also ask my teacher or CaseCAT's helpline if no answers are forthcoming. But for now, I'm just happy that this WILL work. It will take some getting used to, but it can totally be used in place of my student machine. Yay!
Now it is the weekend. Tomorrow I want to make pretzel buns, practice trombone and steno, and get some stuff together for the thrift store. If there's time I'll make burgers for dinner (on the pretzel buns of course), but I have class so not sure that'll happen.
I've already bought the mess kit, eggwich maker, fleece sweater, trombone mute, yoga pants, packing cubes, immersion heater, luggage scale, and mini steno machine. After work I ordered two bathing suits, another fleece JACKET, a travel hairdryer, and a 6" electric skillet.
This is all in addition to the cost of updating my passport, getting TSA Precheck, copay for doctor's appointments, a year's supply of birth control, and probably other stuff that I'm currently forgetting about.
To be fair, it's probably at or around a thousand bucks for all of that.
And all of it is useable whether I go on tour or not. But I don't typically spend this much on myself/on stuff, at least not all at once like this, so it is making me cringe.
I've had bad luck with bathing suits, so I've sent back the one that didn't fit and have ordered two more from somewhere else in the hopes that somewhere exists a one-piece that I can actually wear. I'd love to shop in a store for one, but the way covid and the supply chain are going it doesn't seem likely I'll find what I'm looking for. So at least I'll get some money back when I return one of them.
I should have sent back the fleece sweater. It wasn't what I wanted or was expecting...I was trying to get a fleece JACKET, something more fitted and sleek-looking. But I threw out the tags and packaging without thinking, and anyway it can serve as a liner for my Ringling shell coat (I lost the fleece liner for it somewhere along the way).
The passport and doctor's appointments and birth control I would have bought at some point this year anyway.
The mute I should have had already.
The other stuff I do feel guilty about. Eh, hopefully that feeling will pass if/when all that stuff comes in handy. But today it stings.
Jameson had about seven friends over to play D&D in person. Kind of like an old-school LAN party!
Although I'm not very social and have never played D&D, I enjoyed watching and listening, and just having the company.
I did practice some steno, and had wanted to take a test but felt too distracted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday was a little rough, maybe because I was tired from the previous late night.
There was a lot of drama at work: people quitting unexpectedly, people quitting as expected but leaving behind scathing reviews of the company, people anonymously emailing the entire company with their built-up angst...honestly. I think a lot of these people have not ever had a "real" job before.
Anyway let's not get into that.
I've been feeling frustrated with my body lately, so I've started doing what I call "cubicle exercises" again.
Usually first thing in the morning, when no one's around to see or say "Why aren't you working?", I do some leg lifts and some side-to-side standing crunches. Then I'll go for walks around the building on each of my breaks, and squeeze in some girly push-ups or a plank, and do another set of leg lifts and crunches. That's usually all I'm able to sneak in, but it's better than nothing.
Earlier in the year I weighed 119-121, but now I seem to be hovering around 122. Which isn't bad, especially if any of it is muscle, but I don't think it is. So if I'm going to gain a pound or two I'd rather it be muscle.
I have a pair of dress pants that I like to call "Honesty Pants" or "Pants of Truth", lol.
They're made by INC, and they contain no elastic whatsoever, not even in the waistband. The waistband is also super thin, so if the pants were too tight around the waist you'd know right away by how they would painfully cut into your gut like a cheese wire through a gob of mozzarella.
I've had them for years, but rarely wear them (dry clean only) so I know they haven't stretched out or anything.
The Pants of Truth still fit. Test passed.
After work I brought some frozen pesto to a friend, then came home and ate dinner with Jameson and practiced trombone for a solid hour because it's about to be August up in here. Then I did some steno and chilled for about an hour before bed. Jameson seemed down, I couldn't tell if it was something I did or if this was just his mood. I always think it's something I did no matter what the reason.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, work was very slow and I was very distracted. I'm going to be giving my notice soon (since I'm a supervisor I feel it's polite to give more than two weeks) and I found out what questions are on the supervisor exit interview. So I spent a lot of time writing up responses. Most of the questions have to do with suggestions for improvement, and I have a lot of those. It was more enjoyable to do this than my usual work.
There was a pleasant surprise schedule-wise: I've been asked to help out in the training department next week, and it so happens that the same week I've been asked to play a church gig. My boss ended up shuffling my schedule around in such a way that I was given the day of the gig off! Now I won't have to spend PTO to get it. Sweet!
Back home we had tacos for dinner. Jameson seemed in a slightly better mood, having spent several hours working on Christmas music with his friend. We watched Cobra Kai (I'm shocked at how good this show is) before I marched off to take some steno tests. And I actually did well! I may have even passed one! Even if not, it's the best score I've ever gotten on a 100wpm test. I'll take progress in any form!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday was rough. It was just one of those days where Murphy's Law was in full effect. Every time I tried to complete a task, something interfered, either dragging the task out twice as long as it should have gone or stopping me from completing it entirely. For example, while on phone coverage my coworker needed to use the restroom, so I said I'd answer the phone while he went. It was only 10-15 minutes, but in that time so many calls came in that I could no longer transfer calls, there were too many people on hold, then one of the calls was from Quality Assessment to deliver me a project on top of my usual work. By the time my coworker returned I was about an hour behind in my day. All from 15 minutes of answering the phone.
That's the kind of day it was.
Then at the end of the day, right before I left, I was told I had to come in to work tomorrow instead of working from home.
Sigh, mope, but I'm glad they told me today and not tomorrow. This way at least I won't lose an hour of PTO because I had to commute in the middle of the day.
On the way home I picked up a coat from the dry cleaner's, ate my dinner in the car, and on the porch waiting for me was this TINY hairdryer! Someone in a facebook group recommended this as a good one to bring. I've never seen one so small.
Then it was steno class, which went ok. Then I caught up with Jameson a bit, he'd had a day because people had come over to install the pool heater and fix one of our screens on the lanai, then his co-director was coming over to review the audition videos for their production of RENT. That took them quite a few hours, so I was antisocial, watched Rick and Morty in the spare bedroom and just tried to find some chill. They wrapped it up around 11pm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday. I was disappointed to have to go into work, mainly because when working from home I can get a logged practice session in. Now I'll be two hours behind on my practice for the week. Oh well.
I didn't feel very good (not the covids, just general ickyness) probably due to stress.
I still don't believe this tour is happening, because now we've got delta variant and some things are shutting down again.
Spirit airlines cancelled 2700 flights yesterday and left thousands of people stranded at airports.
The tour directors still have plenty of time to say, "It's too soon. This is too much trouble." and cancel the whole thing.
Meanwhile I've spent a lot of money on things for touring, and prepared to give notice, and all sorts of life-changing steps.
We haven't heard anything from the tour administration since receiving our paperwork and a nice welcome letter.
Not that they have to be in touch every week. It's only that silence makes me wonder. And worry. And stress.
I'm stressed about the what ifs, and about the money I've spent on stupid things, and about potentially giving notice and then finding out the whole thing is cancelled, and about my relationship with Jameson. Makes my stomach hurt.
Work was ok, just normal. I got a little credit for suggesting that we redistribute flyers for the Employee Assistance Program, a free help hotline for people who want to complain about work, need help with various personal issues, substance abuse, depression, etc. With all the employees quitting and/or leaving scathing exit interviews and/or sending anonymous nasty emails, I figured it would be good to remind people that there ARE options available to them. Management jumped on that suggestion (why not, it makes them look good) and I got a little pat on the back for it (while someone else gets a raise I'm sure).
Back home I was happy to find that my TinyMod steno machine had been delivered! It's SO SUPER TINY!
Here it is sitting on top of my student machine.
Hopefully you can understand why I spent the money on this.
The student machine has a case and a stand, bringing the weight to 5lbs and the size to more than a foot long/wide in the case.
The TinyMod weighs less than a pound and can fit in an 8" tupperware or pencil box.
We ate dinner and I practiced trombone for about an hour, then tried to get the TinyMod to work.
It works very well with Plover (steno freeware software), and my test website, meaning I'll be able to log my practice.
I didn't try it on a test, but as long as Plover saves my input uploading the files to the test page shouldn't be an issue.
I would like for this to work with CaseCAT, however, and so far haven't had any luck getting that to happen.
It doesn't seem to "see" the TinyMod. I've asked for help from the creator and on social media, and I may also ask my teacher or CaseCAT's helpline if no answers are forthcoming. But for now, I'm just happy that this WILL work. It will take some getting used to, but it can totally be used in place of my student machine. Yay!
Now it is the weekend. Tomorrow I want to make pretzel buns, practice trombone and steno, and get some stuff together for the thrift store. If there's time I'll make burgers for dinner (on the pretzel buns of course), but I have class so not sure that'll happen.
