hummingwolf (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
hummingwolf) wrote2009-05-18 10:33 pm
hummingwolf) wrote2009-05-18 10:33 pm
Update-ish
I've been meaning to write here for a long time now, but when I get to the computer, I never feel motivated enough to type up all the things I'd meant to say. I would like to get into the habit of making posts here again, though, so I'll see if there's anything willing to come out of these fingers now.
Well, one reason I've been unmotivated lately is that a persistent low-grade infection is still sapping far too much of my energy (no, it is not the flu). Another reason, of course, is that nothing seems to be keeping those blasted migraines from stealing my brainpower and coordination away. Today was the first day in far too long that I had enough energy to go for a walk (about three miles or so) and lacked interference from migraine with associated photosensitivity and dizziness. When I saw the neurologist earlier this month, she prescribed some verapamil (a calcium-channel blocker) to try to help prevent the headaches since none of the other approaches has worked so far. Verapamil was actually the first treatment to ever help me back in the early '90s--I only stopped taking it then because a low dose didn't do enough and a higher dose made problems worse. As the current neurologist says, my body chemistry may be different enough now that I'm taking antiepileptic medication that a little bit of the old drug might be more helpful now than it was then. At the very least, we agreed that it's worth a try. Anyway, the plan is to start taking that tomorrow--hopefully after going for blood tests.
Still have a bunch of doctor appointments to make. Also need to get an ultrasound of my kidneys. Fun!
In other news, I think the neighborhood Creepy Guy finally knows where I live. He's been focused on me for a while and I know he can't live too far from here himself, so it was probably inevitable that he would figure it out eventually. Still, it bothers me. Hopefully the knowledge that I am here is accompanied by the realization that I do not live alone. (Creepy Guy has never been overtly threatening. Far from it. But the fact that he has been paying a little too much attention to me has been making my intuition scream for the last couple months. Fortunately, I do live with a bunch of other people, one of whom is good with swords.)
Let's see... health, creepy neighbors, what else has been on my mind? Oh, the continuing fascination with LiveJournal bots. Friendbots and spammers may outnumber the legitimate users by now, but it is interesting to observe them in the wild, to try to understand their role in the ecosystem (journalsystem? blogosystem?). I won't pretend that I understand much of anything about bots yet, but at least I know how to hunt down and report a few whene'er the urge strikes.
In financial news, the one-time "recovery" payment to SSI recipients hit the bank account today. Now it's time to buy new shoes, yes? Too bad there probably won't be a COLA next year. I'd better see if it's possible to get some food stamps soon, then.
Haven't been concentrating well enough to read books much lately. Am more grateful than ever for the ability to access the library account online and renew books from home. Oh internet, what did we ever do without you??
The only other thing coming to mind right now is: Yay, Dollhouse and Lie to Me both got renewed! But I had actually sorta hoped that one or more of the shows I've been watching this past season would be canceled, simply because I've felt compelled to watch more TV this year than I've watched in many years. Those two new shows were the ones I'd most wanted to see more of, though, so I'm pleased that they'll be back.
People, I need a life. In the meantime, I need more tea.
Well, one reason I've been unmotivated lately is that a persistent low-grade infection is still sapping far too much of my energy (no, it is not the flu). Another reason, of course, is that nothing seems to be keeping those blasted migraines from stealing my brainpower and coordination away. Today was the first day in far too long that I had enough energy to go for a walk (about three miles or so) and lacked interference from migraine with associated photosensitivity and dizziness. When I saw the neurologist earlier this month, she prescribed some verapamil (a calcium-channel blocker) to try to help prevent the headaches since none of the other approaches has worked so far. Verapamil was actually the first treatment to ever help me back in the early '90s--I only stopped taking it then because a low dose didn't do enough and a higher dose made problems worse. As the current neurologist says, my body chemistry may be different enough now that I'm taking antiepileptic medication that a little bit of the old drug might be more helpful now than it was then. At the very least, we agreed that it's worth a try. Anyway, the plan is to start taking that tomorrow--hopefully after going for blood tests.
Still have a bunch of doctor appointments to make. Also need to get an ultrasound of my kidneys. Fun!
In other news, I think the neighborhood Creepy Guy finally knows where I live. He's been focused on me for a while and I know he can't live too far from here himself, so it was probably inevitable that he would figure it out eventually. Still, it bothers me. Hopefully the knowledge that I am here is accompanied by the realization that I do not live alone. (Creepy Guy has never been overtly threatening. Far from it. But the fact that he has been paying a little too much attention to me has been making my intuition scream for the last couple months. Fortunately, I do live with a bunch of other people, one of whom is good with swords.)
Let's see... health, creepy neighbors, what else has been on my mind? Oh, the continuing fascination with LiveJournal bots. Friendbots and spammers may outnumber the legitimate users by now, but it is interesting to observe them in the wild, to try to understand their role in the ecosystem (journalsystem? blogosystem?). I won't pretend that I understand much of anything about bots yet, but at least I know how to hunt down and report a few whene'er the urge strikes.
In financial news, the one-time "recovery" payment to SSI recipients hit the bank account today. Now it's time to buy new shoes, yes? Too bad there probably won't be a COLA next year. I'd better see if it's possible to get some food stamps soon, then.
Haven't been concentrating well enough to read books much lately. Am more grateful than ever for the ability to access the library account online and renew books from home. Oh internet, what did we ever do without you??
The only other thing coming to mind right now is: Yay, Dollhouse and Lie to Me both got renewed! But I had actually sorta hoped that one or more of the shows I've been watching this past season would be canceled, simply because I've felt compelled to watch more TV this year than I've watched in many years. Those two new shows were the ones I'd most wanted to see more of, though, so I'm pleased that they'll be back.
People, I need a life. In the meantime, I need more tea.
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This is Of The Good, and means my goals might actually happen this month. Also, I won't be hungry while they happen.
Oh... and I, too, need a life. Tea wasn't going to cut it. I have wine.
(I have made it through a couple of years where the COLA was so small I actually failed to notice it. I have been expecting it to drop soon, at the very least. It is kinda weird to think that I started out at just over $500 a month.)
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Yay! Your goals are good goals and I hope they're accomplished with the minimum of fuss.
Tea wasn't going to cut it. I have wine.
Another yay! I've never liked wine much myself, but I like the idea of it very much.
Last year's COLA increase was like the biggest in forever, so I was expecting this year's to be tiny or nonexistent. The possibility of no increase for the next few years does not appeal, though.
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I'm glad to hear from you. I didn't realize, but I should have, that you weren't feeling well. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers even more now.
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::snugges & purrs::
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I've been watching Lie to Me more and more and I like it. :)
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It's a good show. No episodes of true greatness so far, but it's been consistently good.