Helenka, Queen of Outer Space

Once again, all my plans were in vain, as I did … nothing. I just didn't feel like it: partially from pain, and partially from lack of motivation. Sigh. SuM popped her head in to ask if I wanted to do another Movie Night tomorrow, but I felt so listless, I declined.

The bright lights? I'd emailed Brian to ask if he could do some personal frivolous food shopping and it fit into his schedule to do it today and make a delivery tomorrow afternoon. That was wonderful news. I also received my annual Christmas email from my childhood friend Danny. As she and I had been in touch a couple times during the year, there was less urgency to share everything. I sent her my wishes for the new year. Watched my usual TV, including the beginning of two weeks of retrospective Jeopardy!, the first show featuring Ken Jennings approaching the 2 million mark in winnings.

Now, let's bring on tomorrow's goodness.

No, I'm not delusional, but I was anxious for my own personal Santa (aka church-John) to bring me nutritious goodies as well as "treats". He finally came today, bearing three bottles of Robax, one of Omega 3s, two litres of juice, a few boxes of granola bars … and ::swoons:: chocolate-covered macadamia nuts and another box of assorted candy. Now the trick will be to keep my paws off. But I'm still going to ask Brian to order chocolates for me, this time from a company in TO. I'd looked them up online yesterday and the rep for my meals provider vouched for them yesterday. Ah - networking through all nooks and crannies: gotta love it.

So Santa was being prudent when he entered the house wearing a mask, but removed it in my space. He said I should be okay against the virus in my private space. But-but-but I'm still lonely. Still, I enjoyed impressing him with the vibrant colours on my computer, so that was a big yay.

Another big yay was watching first-run programs on TV tonight, including this week's weepy epi of ST: Disco and Dragons' Den where one pitch involved two sleek guys who revealed their revolutionary swimsuit, the ::giggles:: brokini! Imagine a very tiny one shoulder strap caveman costume.

I engaged in a tiny bit of nostalgia when I went into FB. I didn't know an old (50 years ago) friend had sent me a friend request 7 weeks ago. We'd already reconnected 10 years ago but then he got skittish over FB rules and stopped posting. So I confirmed him. Anyway, the day is nearly over and I'm about to have soup before midnight. It seems to assist in a deeper sleep.

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.

I've been busy all day long. Phoning, leaving voicemails, dictating text messages, composing individual emails - to Danny (who loved my dream), to someone I haven't seen or heard from at blind group for months (I'm worried about her), as well as a generic FB post and something personal to the distribution list of the blind group (ro which I've received lots of replies). My last email was to thank the admin of my meals supplier, thanking her and the generous dedicated people who work with her.

It's no wonder I'm exhausted now. I briefly compared today to past holidays, from hosting dinners at church for all of us orphans, to just attending, especially early this decade when I was already weaker. All that work. All that food. It seems overwhelming now. I didn't even feel like making my scalloped potatoes, despite the fact I found a conversion recipe so I could use my microwave instead of an oven. Just as well. I had soup really late and now I'm feeling pain - it seems to be building up, gathering strength,m but I'm trying to last the few minutes until midnight strikes. ::clenches fists::

Watched lots of TV when I wasn't at the computer. Going to stay up to watch the evening news - for better or worse. Nighty-night, all.

So, I went to bed at 1:10, as always hoping for the best - and I got it. I woke up at 10:33, still caught in the middle of a stunning animation (movie or graphic novel) starring ME and my childhood pal Danny. We were both in our 20s or 30s. I was in the middle of a major street: University Avenue in TO or 5th Avenue in NYC. She approached me wearing a lab coat, similar to what she wore when we both had end-of-summer jobs at the CNE. I sold framed prints on aluminum and she - looking older and sterner - had been hired to be the lecturer at a sleazy sex'n'biology display (trufax).

Anyway, she approached me and, without a word, lifted the bazooka-sized machine hanging from her shoulder and sprayed me with millions of subatomic of xomething-chrons. In the over 10 hours since waking, I've forgotten the term. Immediately, I could see all the planets in our system, even Pluto with a blue line between it and its largest moon Charon. The more time that passed, the more I could perceive, until I could see ALL the satellites ever launched (and still extant). It was like what Sheppard saw when he sat in the Ancient Chair on Stargate Atlantis. Just for the record, Danny's degree was NOT in physics but social work, lol.

And, then, I woke up, feeling a tiny bit of pain in my fingers and my right knee.

As Danny and I only exchange birthday and Christmas wishes, I think I'll surprise her by emailing her tomorrow.

In other non-news, I spent most of the day in bed. Watched a titch of TV … the usual stuff.

Anyway, that was my utterly fascinating day!

So, I had become accustomed to going to bed somewhere around 1-ish, 2-ish and waking up around 9:30, giving me a reasonable amount of sleep. Last night was way outside that box. I went to bed around 2:30 but, IIRC, it was at least 4:30 before I fell asleep, exhausted by feeling my heart beating. Okay, I get the message: no more than 1 can of Coke in the afternoon. And then I slept all the way to 12:30. So, there went both my Robax and eyedrop schedules. Sigh.

So, yeah, I'm in pain this evening. Watched the usual Saturday TV. And, despite not-quite-there vision, I persisted in reading fanfic. But I was delighted to read an article via FB about the provenance of different "villages" that make up TO. The Mayor of Leslieville composed "The Maple Leaf Forever" in honour of his fave maple tree in the village. Alas, the tree did not survive the great ice storm of 2013. Fun fact: my middle school was named after him.

And I found out I can more honestly claim to have lived in Yorkville, a swanky neighbourhood, rather than on its periphery (half a block away) as the Annex was so-named when it was annexed by Yorkville. There were many wonderful historical oddities. So that was how I entertained myself.

Alas, foraging didn't work for me today - or at least the can of pineapple chunks didn't agree with me. I think I need bed soon.

OMG. I am so stuffed after having had a delightful dinner procured at Dairy Queen overlooking a beautiful valley on a lovely evening with my fave baby bro Brian. Just as well that I had only a lemon tart abd juice for brekkie and a tiny bag of chips for lunch, just to leave room. The bacon cheeseburger was terrific, but the large onion rings were way too much (so I brought them home). Then I threw common sense to the wind and ordered a medium blizzard with Coffee Crisp. Yes, Virginia, there is such a thing as Too. Much. Ice. Cream.

Brian and I also talked about me getting a new phone. ::shakes head:: I'm so confused. And I don't think we resolved the issue of the iPad switching background colours on a whim (only in Overdrive and my Solitaire game, as far as I can tell). Maybe it's something in the air?

Anyway, after Brian got me home (and the contractor showed up unexpectedly for last minute deliveries), I finally collapsed and watched my usual TV (Jeopardy! from its fifth season and Young Sheldon). Now the big decision is which nightie to choose.

Even if it's the unmusical Anvil Chorus of drilling and hammering as the upstairs bathroom was being gutted. I guess I really needed the extra sleep, especially as I was so disappointed to be stuck with poor vision all day long.

The only fun distraction was watching the very first modern-day epi of Jeopardy! from the early 80s. I say modern-day because it's NOT the first iteration of the show that my friends and I watched in high school (during the 60s). The oddest things were how hyper Alex seemed and how overly-dramatic audience reactions were, especially when one particular contestant got the wrong answer. Just weird.

I'm continuing the distraction by trying to finish reading a story - even though it's all ghostly snow. And then hoping for blessed relief from my pills. I didn't even eat my meal today, ::crosses fingers::

So, after the unprecedented bedtime of 11:34 PM, I woke at 7:30. Another deep and calm sleep. Today didn't seem to be as oppressive as yesterday. My first order of business was to send out birthday greetings: the first was belated by a day to Danny, my childhood pal. Oops! The second was to my "cute, wise, older sister" Stephanie whose b-day was today. She may share the day with that giant south of the border but she's a lot smarter and good at self-preservation!

In the afternoon, I began reading a huge SGA fic (still haven't finished it) about what might have happened to the expedition if Weir had been murdered the first week via Trust sabotage; and then they couldn't dial Earth because of further sabotage. So, John and Rodney and other worlds formed a coalition. It's now Year Six and the Daedalus has arrived. Uh-oh. It's showdown time.

I also took the time to watch the Trek movie "Nemesis". For some weird reason, I think I did see it on my TV (I can remember B4 faintly), but the dark screen made watching painful. After that, I got my daily fix of Jeopardy!

Anyway, it's almost time for bed. I think I hear the rumble of distant thunder out. Yay for rain. ::crosses fingers::

So, yes, I had sight this morning (and for most of the day). It wasn't perfect, but it was enough for me to discern both the outside and inside of Marilyn's card. It was a Happy Pride card, with a picture of her in the parade from several years ago, helping to carry the church's looooooong flag! And, on FB today, I saw a check-in by the church as they unfurled the flag at the park at the end of the street. I guess that's as much congregating that's going to happen. Missing was Rev. Jeff as he ushered his dad into the next plane of existence. I sent Rev. Jeff a warm note of sympathy.

There were also a couple of deaths affecting the blind group. Our treasurer suffered two losses: both his partner amd his dad. His partner's death was not a complete surprise, as she'd had cancer for over a year. But to lose both in close succession in a huge blow. I'll have to send him my condolences tomorrow.

I mentioned the card to SuM and we reminisced about events from yesteryear. Sne reminded me that we should have a movie night when they get back from vacation at the end of July. That should be fun as it's been a while. I also caved when it came to reading. I won't be ready for July's book club as I am on strike. So, instead, I borrowed the next book in the melodramatic series as it's easy reading. Obviously, I wasn't taxing my brain with my TV shows (with the exception of Jeopardy!, natch!).

Anyway, with my slightly improved sight, I won't make the same mistake I did last night, inserting the WRONG eyedrops. Oops!