New and Improved?

Once again, I tried Topaz Labs. They have come out with "New and improved" versions of their AI software. I coughed up the money, and 'renewed' my yearly plan (not going to renew it again, for reasons that will follow.) But I was willing to give it another shot.

I loaded an Olympus ORF file into Topaz DeNoise. It did ok, but left the image kind of dull and flat. So, I closed that, and opened Topaz Sharpen AI, opened the same ORF file. It does have a rudimentary denoise function. But the finished results again were lacking.

To use the Topaz software, you need to open them in another program, adjust exposure, then use one Topaz plugin after another. And although you can get good results, the Sharpen AI takes a long time (6 minutes).   

On1 NoNoise 23: opened the same Olympus ORF file in NoNoise. Not only was I able to remove the noise, but I could also sharpen the image at the same time. And it was finished in about 30 seconds.  If I want to have even more editing, I could open file in On1PhotoRaw, get it all done in about a minute.

On1 for the win, again

Due to early intervention with marvellous anti-virals

The worst of COVID-19 has passed in a week. The worst it got with me was an upper respiratory issue. I got a set of sore ribs, and sore abdomen from the coughing, but now, other than that first 'icky' cough in the morning, I'm feeling mostly well.

I get tired easily, and am noticeably short of breath, have a bit of 'brain fog', but well enough to be discharged from the WA Covid care nurse daily call. I'm still self-isolating, even from Alan and Wing.

I caught Covid, but because I was double vaxxed, and had boosters, it was no where as bad as it could be. I really feel sorry for people that didn't have them and got sick. I remember watching videos of anti-vaxxers begging their family and friends to get vaccinated after they caught it. I'm not one of them, and I am grateful and relieved.

Dear universe, short of death, are you going to let up on me anytime soon?

Collapsed disc, mass removed from back, right knee replacement, car accident, pneumonia, seizures, compartment syndrome, left knee inverted, left knee replacement.

Now fucking COVID?! I was just starting to get to the point I could get around without cane or crutches, and I get Covid.

Is it any wonder I've got depression and PTSD?!  Seriously, enough for a while. Please.

p.s.  I've been coughing a lot, so if you see a spleen or kidney wandering on by, please tell them to come home?

Another day, another list of aches and pains

Simon the Sadist altered the list of rehab exercises.  I do try to them all every day, but some days are harder than others.  This morning on the stationary bike, I had about 4 rotations of the pedals where the tendons felt as if they were being scraped across jagged rocks.  (#6 on the scale from 1 to 10). I didn't stop, I kept going because I had to. The pain faded, and I managed the full 10 minutes. 

On an aside, I have found two perfect songs for a 10 minute ride. Both are Moody Blues songs. "Nights in White Satin" and "Question".

And in other news, I have decided to become a dual citizen. U.S./Australia.  With the anger in the world today, I don't want to travel on a U.S. passport, even though I have an Australian visa. I am not giving up my U.S. citizenship, but I don't want to be 'stuck' . The good news is because I am an 'old fart', I won't have to sit the Citizenship test, just an interview.

There's physiotherapy

And there is household chores.  Both leave you achey, stiff and sore. From the neck down. But with cleaning up the house, scrubbing, washing, sweeping, you can see progress.

Trying to bridge using my left leg only not only hurts like hell, I can't DO it. Ever since the calcified disc collapsed, and I had a spinal fusion, my left leg has been weak. I can push 120kgs on the leg press with both legs, or with the right leg alone. 25kgs and my knee is stuck on my chest.  If this wasn't the case, I wouldn't have a whole bunch of unused dancing gear.

But, you know something? I feel bad if I let the physiotherapist down.

Want to know what's weird?

Weird is the feeling of kneeling down on the floor with two total knee replacements.  It doesn't 'hurt', but feels really weird.  Good news, the item I was looking for was under the bed. Yay.

Weird is also when it's quiet in the house, I can hear my knees clicking and clacking as I walk.  *squick*  I will start humming or singing a song to drown the sound out.

Brain-fog is a real thing

And not only does it make you feel that everything around you dull and colorless. Thinks you have to do sink into that fog, and you're constantly chastising yourself for not remembering, or remembering too late to do something.  So, I put reminders and clues that certain things need to be done (floral arrangement for my mother's birthday, pet insurance for Drax, printing out test results etc etc)

Part of the problem is that I am tired all the time. Hoping the test results result in doctor actually doing something, instead of just say "lose weight" (which I am already doing)

Something that really irks me

Yesterday, I gave my 'antiquated' EF Prime lenses a test run with the Canon RF. using the control ring adapter.

To those who say the lenses are too slow to focus; pish tosh.  Your humble bragging about selling off your EF lenses so you can get the new RF lenses is humble bragging.  Of course, I have found bargains beyond belief because of such humble bragging.

I do have one RF lens, the 35mm. It's fine. Kind of noisy, but great lens. My 300mm EF L IS works great on the RF body. My 400mm NON is EF L lens works equally great.

Of all the RF lenses I have tried, I wouldn't say no to the 100-500. But no humble bragging here. I am saving for this lens, but I am not humble bragging that I am selling off my EF lenses to do this. Instead I bought an adapter ring, to continue using the excellent EF glass on the RF. And I still have my 7DmkII, that use those same EF lenses.  And I have an adapter ring to use EF lenses on my Olympus OMD EM-1.

The art of the polite, and public, complaint

I had been wrangling (textually) with PetCover regarding Loki's lumpectomy. And after many of what I took to be (and were) condescending and patronizing replies, I let my fingers do the walking, and gave them a 1 star rating on Google Review, and with out rancor I typed up the time line of everything that happened.

Someone from the parent company replied, but I hadn't bothered to read it.

Next day, I got a phone call from M***. He told me this entire mess was because he has misread my email, thought I wanted it canceled. Not only is Loki's insurance reinstated (with handy dandy monthly installments instead of huge lump sum) but a huge hunk of change was rebated from his lumpectomy.

I am very satisfied with this outcome, but why the heck didn't they do this at the outset, instead of leaving me in tears over them canceling Loki's policy, then denying the claim?  Well, we are all human and make mistakes, and I for one am grateful to M*** for getting this tangled mess straightened out. Thank you.

How's this for a screwing?

It's also a lesson learned for me. Loki's pet insurance was getting ridiculous because, although he was healthy, he was getting old. So, when I got the renewal notice, I emailed PetCover, informing them I probably wasn't going to renew.

Now, Loki, who was still covered until 13th of August, already had a scheduled vet appointment, and had a lump removed a week before the end of his policy. Lump removed on the 6th of August, claim submitted on the same day, as I was standing there when it was sent.

Either someone left it sitting in the email folder for an extra week, or this is just how they handle it. They lied. They said I emailed to CANCEL the policy, so denied the claim. I did not. I told them I was probably not going renew as they have gotten over too expensive.

I have gotten nothing from them but patronizing and condescending emails.

I have two new pets. I will NOT be using PetCover again.

I decided to put a stop watch on rehab workout

From first bend as far as I can, to 5 minutes on stationary bike, it takes me 22 minutes and some seconds.  Since Samsung health tracker doesn't have specific category for what I do, I selected "Circuit Training". 

The only exercise I fudged on was stepping up a stair on my left foot, then raising my right leg up to a 90 degree bend, and hold it for 5 seconds.  I tried doing it on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and all that would happen, is I would lurch into wall.

I substituted one of the exercises Meg showed me. With hands against wall (or other unmovable structure) stand on right foot, lift forward and hold left leg up for a count of 5. Do this 10 times, and repeat but starting with the right leg.

Two months post op

I have my physio table/bed set up and am using it instead of the bed. Bed is too soft to do some of the physio work.  I have used it twice now, and wow, can I feel the difference. I find it easier to do the exercises without hubby and son helicoptering around me. They mean well, but it can be a bit smothering.

 
Doing almost 5 minutes on the bike. I'm supposed to lower the seat, for a greater bend in the knee, when it get 'too easy. I'll be happy to do so, when my left knee doesn't feel like it's trying to tear itself apart when I push down.

Taking bets (virtual ones)

Husband and son set up my physio table last night.  So, today, I did the 'bridging' exercise, the lay on back and pull heel as close to the butt as you can, and the cross legs at the ankles, keeping the surgical leg in the back (the left one in this case) and using the right foot to assist, bend the left leg as far back as you can (to discomfort). 

Got done with that, and used the washing machine for balance, slowly shifted weight from the right foot, to the left, and lifting the right foot off the floor, until at least 90% of the weight is on the left foot.  Repeat, but going the other way, from left to right.

Here's where the virtual betting comes in.  Will I:

A: Hop out of bed, ready to start a new day.

B: Groan, and using right heel on side of bed, haul my self to sitting position, kind of glad it's a new day.

C: Groan, try to move, and realize my legs, glutes and abdomen wish it was yesterday, and just stay in bed.

8 weeks post-op

Had session with Hayden the Horrible. I told him I'd had a session with Matt the Torturer five years ago on my right knee, and it lamed me for the better part of the week.  He wanted to know when. (sardonic laugh)

I searched through my blog last night, using different tag. And hurray, I found the exact date. Since I don't have his exact email address at SporTreat, I sent it in as a general message, asking it to be forwarded to Hayden.

Session was good, but as usual, my left leg is really complaining a lot. Got a bit of swelling around the knee. Regardless of that, I did get some good news. Hayden said that he can tell I've 'put the work in' about home exercises and walking. And it shows that I am on the right side of the bell curve, but he won't tell me what it is, because he thinks I'll go "Good enough." and discontinue the exercising/rehab on the leg.

He needs to talk to Matt, or Meg The Merciless.  I don't just up and quit just because something is going right.  If anything, it increases my determination to do what needs to be done, be damned about temporary discomfort. He's sorta new, but after a few more weeks, he will see I am up for challenges to get my leg strong.

And I had almost forgotten what it was like

I had my first appointment with Hayden The Horrible, physioterrorist. And as usual, I hurt more today than I did yesterday. He did find out, as Matt The Torturerer, and Simon The Sadist, I have a high tolerance for pain.

Got a new regimen of exercises, which I did expect. What I didn't expect was to be told to stop using any walking aids if I was walking somewhere I didn't have to worry about how fast I get from place A to place B.  This kind of scares the bejeebus out of me, because we have this HUGE wide open area in the house, where there is nowhere for me to reach out should I start losing my balance, or if my left leg folds, or an ankle decides it wants to roll again.

I have ONE lace up ankle support, but there are issues. First off, I have two ankles. Secondly, if I wear it, my shoes don't fit. I do have some of those elastic type, but they aren't comfortable for a AA heel.  Really digs in painfully after about 2 hours, maximum.

Loki is recovering faster than I am.

He had surgery on his hock/ankle. I had surgery on my knee. Two weeks later, he's walking around and the only evidence of surgery is the very short furred area that had to be shaved.

Me? 7 weeks on and I still have to use a cane around the house, and crutches.

Yes, there are some days I wish I was a cat.

And typing about Loki, I showed his histopathology report to someone. She said there were a lot of mights, maybes, could bes in it. IOWs they had no idea what the growth is. Just wait to see if it comes back.

Booked Trance for an ultrasound

Wing was on pins and needles the night before. Still was when he took her in at her 11am appointment.

Results: She's free of any other growths/tumors.  Wing pretty much sagged with relief, and said "YES!"  Now, she will go in for scans every 3 to 6 months. IOWs, as soon as her fur grows back, it had to get shaved again

And the hits just keep coming

Loki's lump was sent to pathology. Results aren't the same as the last lump. It isn't a lipoma, but soft tissue sarcoma. The vet said there was no way to get 'clean margins' as it was on his ankle.

Vet said it would grow back quickly, too.  He said the only way to make sure all the sarcoma is gone is to amputate his back leg. He's 15, almost 16 years old. I don't know if he would recover from it.

4 Cats with different types of cancer. Vets keep saying it's 'bad luck'.  My heart feels like it's breaking.

I don't know if I can go through this again

Trance and Loki both had lumps removed a week ago Saturday. Samples were sent off to pathology.

Trance has hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a cancer that arises from malignant blood vessel cells and is an uncommon cancer in cats. It is a very aggressive cancer that spreads (metastasis) early and is associated with a poor prognosis. The underlying cause of HSA is unknown. Vet said it was just bad luck, because it's usually in dogs, not cats. And if it is in cats it usually in light furred outdoor cats, and Trance is a dark furred indoor cat.

I haven't been able to completely stop crying. First it was Ziggy, then Keito, and now Trance? Three different types of cancer, each of them 'bad luck'? I feel as if my heart is being crushed.

Better living through chemistry... again.

Dr H refilled the slow release and quick release pain killers. Last night I took the quick one after dinner, and the slow release one before going to bed.  That was the best nights' sleep I have had in a long time.. ok, in two weeks.

Got up late, after 8am, and for those who know me, that is very late. Bonus, I didn't need the Zimmer frame, was able to get around with just using the cane. Was also able to completely shower, including a shampooing and conditioner. Still had Wing waiting in the other room, just in case I got vertigo from leaning my head back under the shower head.

Only needed one quick release after breakfast. And when it took affect, I sat down in a chair and slid my left foot back until I felt tightness/discomfort. When the discomfort went away, or dropped to a tolerable level, I would move my foot back a little more. I don't have something to measure, but I'm pretty sure after doing that routine a few times, I was able to bend my knee to about 110 degrees.

I'm manipulating the incision scar. Moving it side to side, stretching it from top to bottom, in an effort to make it more pliable when the 'real' rehab starts in a few weeks.

And, I am back to sitting at my desk, with leg propped up on a footstool,  rather than a medical chair with a hospital type rolling table. The only problem is Loki, the lovable, huge, moggie wants to climb up on my, via my left leg. He doesn't understand why he can't do this right now.

Not really fun, but hey...

On July 7th, I had a total left knee replacement. The surgery went ok, but as usual, I had a bad reaction to the medication. Instead of the surgical meds, the post-op medications threw me for a loop.  It made me pass out face first into a cup of apple juice, thereby inhaling some.  Apple juice induced pneumonia! Two days of strong antibiotics set me to right.

Came home on July 13th. Brain still felt as if it had been packed in some sort of fog. Have been told this is normal.
The left leg was swollen from mid-thigh to the foot. Been told this is normal. My left foot was almost twice the size of my right foot.  Also normal. Pretty much stayed seated in bedroom, on the chair with small table, Wing and Alan keeping me company via card table and two chairs.  Gave the place less of a 'sick room' feel.

Loki has pretty much stayed by my side for the entire 3 weeks I've been home. He's discovered the 'body sized' pillow is soft and comfy, so we time share it.

I only had one mishap. My left ankle rolled, and the new knee parts slammed together. The pain was blinding, and I tried not to scream. Wasn't successful. Good news is after two days of 'babying' the leg (Alan noticed if my leg was kept aligned with my hip, there was no pain) it was back to what it had been prior to the mishap.

Home visiting nurse came over, took off the original bandage, and examined the incision. No sign of infection, was healing nicely. Put some Steri-Strips across it, and one larger water proof dressing back over it. She told me I could take it off after a week, and just let the Strips fall off as they will. As of today, I have only two left.

So, have been toddling around with a Zimmer frame, and have graduated to using a cane some parts of the day. My left foot is back to normal size. I can actually take a shower without assistance now, although I prefer to have Wing when I am going to wash my hair. I get a bit of vertigo tipping my head back. I would rather have him there just in case I start tipping over.

Called my GP today to discuss medications and refills, or resuming. Have that all straightened out now.  He said he saw no reason to play tough guy and NOT get pain relief. In actuality, if there is a lot of pain, that can slow down recovery.

So, that's everything in a nutshell.

I'm miserable

But I'm hiding it so well, so no one is worried.  My neighbor (and friends) Doug and Jean are moving to Eastern Australia, and have taken their beautiful dog, Heidi, along.  As much as I do understand they're going because they're going because Doug's parents are in their early 90s, so want to spend as much time with them as possible.

For me, it means my isolation is almost complete.  I would go out on photo forays with her, go to her house for a cup of tea, and a bit of nattering. 

I'm having a hard time with not hearing Heidi greeting the passers-by.  It's too quiet.

Talk about Deja vu!

Saw Mr F. and it seems I have no other option but a total left knee replacement.  Didn't I do this before? (check tag) Yup, on the right knee, almost 5 years ago.

Not really looking forward to going through all of that again. My weight is an issue (well, hully gee, it took 20 years before an endocrinologist finally diagnosed and started treating me for insulin resistance.) There is a 99% chance of a perfect outcome with a certain BMI, and a 1% chance of problems (DVT, infection, etc). With me, the chances are doubled.  To me, that means 98% chance of a perfect outcome. I like those odds. I don't like what I have to do to achieve them.

Mr. F. want me to stop taking the Lyrica. Yeah, I can do that.  Had to explain to him why I, not a diabetic, am taking Metaformin.

Have to get a C.A.T. scan on the left knee Sunday morning, 10am.  Then about a week before the scheduled surgery, I have to get blood drawn for tests.  And I have to be tested for MRSA.  

To whatever asshat who either forgot to bring their cat inside,

or just decided roaming around at night was a good idea... 

I would like to thank you for Trance's "I WANT TO KILL YOU!" screams and yowl in the middle of the night, as she followed your cat from office window, to the front bay windows, until it left our yard, only to enter my neighbors yard outside her field of vision.

You are the type of cat owner that makes responsible pet owners pissed off. Our only 'free range' cat is a 15 yr old who likes to bake on the bricks in the fenced in back yard, and has one area he uses for his bodily functions.  But he is not allowed to roam free, night or day. If he really wants out at night, we have an enclosure that is attached to the sliding glass doors.

The other three cats are *never* allowed to go outside, free range. It's the enclosure, with a chair, two hammocks, a box , and a few pingpong and golf balls to play with, a panoramic view of birds of all kinds local for entertainment.

But there are, and have been, at least 7 cats that roam around. One, I caught and rehomed as the poor mite had been abandoned when the humans moved house. That leaves 6.  I'm fairly sure that two of them, (one of which I had photographed her in our Jacaranda tree some years ago), has passed, leaving the 4 regular roamers.

Milo (the only one to have a collar with a name tag, who is the "Groo-bear look-alike"), the Ragdoll (why someone would let a pedigree cat roam is beyond me), the white cat with flame point tail and ears, and the ginger and white striped cat.

These are the cats whose owner's thumb their noses at local laws and regulations concerning cats. You are the kind that make things more difficult for those of us who obey laws, and do all the right things.  I don't blame the cats for doing what cats are genetically geared to do. I do blame the humans who are supposed to be  their caretakers.

Left knee is hurting

A lot today. I can't keep from involuntarily crying out, or making noise behind my clamped shut lips. I don't know what's changed since yesterday, or from the past months, but today is the first time I have taken pain meds.

Part of me is relieved that pain relief is on its way, and another part of me is ashamed to have caved into it.

Windows 10 and I have a love/hate relationship.

I both love/hate how I have 7 days to pause updates. But sometimes I don't want the flipping updates. For good reason.

The most current update screwed up all my setting on MailWasher. I started it up, and it was back to the first time run default settings. Font size, display, items shown all screwed up.

Razer Synapse suddenly forgot I have three devices (left handed mouse, right handed mouse for gaming, and Tartarus gamepad). Even 'lost' my login information. Good thing, this was all local, and I was able to resync all settings from (you're gonna like this one) three different versions of Synapse. Razer's bright idea is to NOT have one version of Synapse to work with all their devices. Lot's of fun making sure the gamepads' buttons were properly assigned. Then I had to start the games I use the gamepad, and lo and behold, the keybindings were all screwed up. So, had to get those fixed... again.

And then there is Windows Media Center. Don't give me the line about it no longer being supported by Micro$oft, and being 'old' tech, but it was when I got my tuner card, and it's still needed now. Again, I know about Plex, NextPRV, Media Portal, but with they come with their own issues.

And there are just a few of the examples of issues I have when updating Windows 10 on my PC. (Any snark comments about I should be using a Mac or running Linux will be deleted, capice?)

And then there is how the updates on the Surface mucks up things. I had it set up so the menu weren't microscopic. And the slide show images were scaled to fit. I got one of those problems fixed, but I had to do a lot of forum surfing to find the right way to rectify the micro-menus, as the previous method no longer worked! ARRRGH!

Seems Dr N's course of treatment is working

I have been on Ozempic for almost 6 weeks. Turns out I am a 'textbook example' of insulin resistance. With the exception of slight nausea when I followed the protocol of increasing dose to .50 from .25mg, I have had no other reactions.  Dr N does want blood tests to see how my liver is handling it. He's not worried, it's just standard procedure.

So far, I have lost 6kgs (13lbs 4oz) in 6 weeks.  My appetite, which has never been all that great, has reduced a bit, but I am still pretty much staying with the same things I have been doing. Dr told me not to change what I have been doing, because I have been doing everything right.

The only good thing I've found so far

I have been using/wearing a Samsung Gear2 smart watch. It worked great, only needing charging every three to four days, and the version of Samsung health could measure pulse, blood oxygen and a few other things.

Along comes update on phone. Now Gear2 doesn't work, not because of hardware, but because of software. The new Samsung Health does a 'check version' on the watch, and blocks it from connecting. I email Samsung about why they're using software to block the watch. They said internet security reason. What?  The watch didn't connect to the internet, just phone.  I called bullshit, and pretty much told them so, but in polite language.  They replied with a snarky comment about watch being 'obsolete'.  THEN WHY THE F**K IS IS LISTED IN THE ACCESSORIES!

(deep breath)

Samsung suggest I get one their new smart watches, as the prices of $399 to $499. Uhh, no. I told them I don't buy items that have deliberate obsolescence built it, as you can't change the battery if it stops charging.

Dilemma: What to do.

Solution: Either buy one of my old model smart watch, that had has different OS flashed on it, and can be used with the OS makers own health software, or go in search of an 'old' model that is still compatible with the new phone.

I chose option two. at 1/4 the price of the new ones. I miss a great many features and abilities I had on my old watch. Like being able to choose a photo background AND what display of watch. Can't do that, so picked the least eye-bending color.

The only good thing I have found so far, it's great at reminding me to get up and walk around.

Yippy!

 Today is the 4th week I stabbed myself.  With a pre-load injection of Ozempic.

Now, I haven't changed my diet, or exercise routine. And I have lost a little over 3kgs already.  Huzzah for something that battles insulin resistance for non-diabetics! 

It's gonna be fun the next time I tell someone taking my information down, when I mention two medications, and she tells doctor, or MRI tech "6X year old female diabetic" and I pull her up short. I am not diabetic, and ask her to read the 2nd reason people would take those two medications. 

4th verse, same as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd

I have been trying to watch Curiosity Stream for the past week.  I keep getting either the dreaded 403 error, or "Sorry, there was trouble with the playback"   Then 2nd message is a "Well, no shit, Sherlock" message, but I took it on board, and submitted yet another cry for help from Curiosity Stream tech support.

For the 4th time, I gave them my system stats, whether hardwired or WiFi, what app version (this one's funny, because they don't MAKE an app for Windows 10 or Windows 7 for that matter. You have to use webbrowser.) and a speed test.

The first three times I have done this, I didn't hear/read didn't squat back from them.

Maybe this time will be different, but I am not going to hold my breath. As I have said time and again, I look good in blue, I don't think I would look good hypoxia blue.

Seems my early rising wasn't Loki's fault.

Alan told me that Wing didn't go to bed until 2 a.m. as he was up working into the wee hours. That threw Loki's schedule off. If Wing was up, that meant it was time for Loki's cuddle, as he is a creature of habit.

Really, Loki?

Loki has gotten this habit of waking me up in the middle of the night with a "pet me, cuddle me, shift your pillows so I can snuggle up with at the head of the bed."

I sleep for shit as it is. How do I get him back to doing this cuddle routine about 6 a.m. instead of 2 or 3 a.m.?

If you want true AI noise reduction on your photos

I have used many different noise reduction programs, starting way back when NoiseNinja was all the rage. Noise reduction software has improved immensely. Here are the ones I have used.

Define, by NIK and Google, and finally DxO: The results are good , but I have found it would either smooth things too much, and leave behind artifacts. You can use the brush tool to 'paint' the areas you want noise removed. It is a bit slow to process the image.

On1 NoNoise; Wow. Yes, it removes noise but you also have the options of regaining some detail, or sharpness, or how strong the noise removal has to be. It's not just fast to show you, it is fast. Any changes made you instantly see. I have found that when I use NoNoise, I don't need any sharpening on the image.

Topaz DeNoise: If you started this program without me seeing the splash screen, I would have though it was On1 NoNoise because of the layout and tool arrangement. That's where the resemblance stopped. Topaz DeNoise is Slow. Slow to process any change in the pre-processing window, even if you want to just center the photo. Slow to update changes. Detail recovery is slow, and clumsy. Use of any of the sliders makes the program crawl.

I'm sticking with NoNoise.

Numerologist going to have a field day with this date.

02-02-2022

For me it's nothing more than the day after my eldest sons' birthday.

I *was* feeling somewhat better

Referring to the depression and self-loathing.  After having my session with counselor, AND the appointment and discussion with Dr N regarding my not being able to lose weight, and the solution, I was feeling optimistic, even happy.

The around comes Sunday lunch with MiL.  I didn't eat much of my noodle dish, brought most of it home in a container.  But as we were getting ready to leave, I could hear the man and his woman/partner/wife talking behind me.

"Oy, look at the size of that one. Be careful, she might sit on you."  I turn around and he and his woman are looking me up and down, laughing.  I so wanted to go up to him and say "Like YOU'RE some fucking prize.", but good manners won out and I just had Wing get me out of there as fast as I could go, because I wasn't going to let those two rude pieces of shit see me cry.

Current mood: Depressed.

The Chemical Experiment That Is My Life... a new hope.

After consulting with a doctor who knows me, knows my history, even down to my eating and exercise habits, after a blood test to see if I was diabetic (I'm not. BGLs are perfect), I have finally been diagnosed with "Acute metabolic disorder". 

The new chemical in my life is "Ozempic".  A once a week injection. Needle is ultra fine, don't even feel it going in. Stings a bit 15 minutes later, but no biggie.

The only downside of this is Medicare/PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to my U.S. friends) doesn't cover Ozempic unless you're a diabetic.  Private health cover does cover it, but only up to X amount of dollars a year.  I shall be grateful for small favors.

Thanks, Samsung

Really... thank you. For not informing millions of Smart Watch users that you were deliberately preventing Gear 2, and other models of watches/fitness trackers, from connecting to your shiny new phone. Not because they can't connect, but because you blocked it.

AND the fun part is the only way people using these models find it is when they go to pair the watch with the new phone. 

The information is on the web, you say?  Yeah, but how do you know you have to LOOK for it until the problem arises?

And don't give me the bullshit about Gear2 being 'old tech'.  That sort of thinking is why landfills are having such a problem.

So, instead of selling my S9, I am going to use it as my own mini Samsung data hub. It will be used to record sleep, activity and everything else.

My only issue is now I won't get message notifications on my watch.

I survived the weekend

Now I get to muddle through the weekdays.  That's not to say it's going to be all bad. I have some optimism.  There are so many idiotic anti-vaxxers that keep holding super spreader event.

The kittens have grown so much. Drax is almost Loki's shoulder height. That's what Wing get for uttering the curse "He will never get as big as Loki." Groo is also packing on the ounces.  He passed pounds a few weeks ago.  They are both growing to be sweet, friendly, beautiful kitties.

I haven't been stir crazy like others have. Might have something to do with my knee not being fully functional, making walking an unpleasant past time. Filling my time watching really cheesy movies. Binge watched "The Witcher" season 2.  Also watched some thing on National Geographic channel.  And to those assholes that killed that lion pride that were in the national park/reserve, including 8 cubs, may your precious cows sicken and die.

I tried watching comedy, but the people were like automatons for me. Almost like really crappy CGI.  So, sticking to sloppy movies, that didn't even make it to cinemas.  A few of them were actually ok. Who would have thunk it?

Trump and the GQP

I hope they all rot in hell. They politicized vaccinations, wearing a mask, social distancing... everything that could have, WOULD have brought Covid to a halt.

When I hear dumb-assed rednecks threatening to bring loaded guns into school if their child has to wear a mask..
Every time I hear of someone NEEDLESSLY dying of COVID, as they were anti-vaxxers, anti maskers. Suffocating to death on a ventilator because COVID tore up their lungs. So what if they were overweight, or had diabetes. They deserved to live. But no, the GQP had to make living and dying an US vs THEM scenario. And how many did they in turn, infect and kill, before they went to the hospital in a 'Hail Mary' attempt to save their own lives?

I am, in equal portions, angry and sad.

But to Trump, his spawn, his goons, and the GQP.  FOAD!

Summer has returned, with a vengeance

Last month we had cool and cold weather. Then a day of warmish weather, then cold again.  Now we have 39 to 41c  (102 to 106f)days, and 26c (77f) nights.  The wall our bed is against is hot to the touch.  Guess it's a good thing I have to pile pillows so I am in a reclining position. They at least insulate me from the wall.

We have kept the a.c. on, set to 25c (75f) at night.

It's been so hot, that our solar water heater needed to be bled, because it was gushing water from the relief valve.  Wing managed to, under the instructions of Solarhart, to do the job. He was told if it happens again, give them a call. Luckily it's under warranty.

Trance went after Groo-bear again. She really didn't get a good grip on him, and he fought back!  He is no longer the scrawny scared kitten.

I've been staying off Facebook, as it's just not good for my mental health.  Just too many instances of "Not my circus, not my monkeys". And it's sad because it's just a few people fucking it up.  I am under enough stress in my life. I really don't need any more.

Kerhisting hell! Could they have made it more fiddly?

Setting up the MyGov, the MyGovID, and SafeWA apps on my phone.  After 8 different codes, and multiple attempts to import my COVID vax proof... ARGH! 

I would fully understand, that although the information is important, why some people would just say "Screw it!".

Yup, I was right

On November 28, 2020, I posted a rather lengthy blog entry under the title "Canon, you have some 'splainin' to do!" regarding how their new EOS R5 and its' overheating problem when recording video. I even posted link to a video where someone, with a helluva lot more money than I can spare, disassembled the R5, made a water cooling system. Fixed the overheating, but impractical.

Also in the video, he carefully removed the back, removed the ineffectual tiny heat sink, and cleaned off the old thermal paste. He fabricated a larger heat sink that and after a dab of thermal paste, put the new heat sink on, closed up the camera, and TA DA! No more overheating problems.

The reason I type all this out, is I told my hubby that I wouldn't be surprised if Canon, who claimed the EOS R5 was 'future proof' (planned obsolescence) would put out a new version nothing more than a larger heat sink to stop the overheating issue.

Hello new model Canon EOS R5 Cinema!  It's the EOS R5 without the heating problem!

To me, this makes no difference as I am a still photographer, not a videographer.  But if I was someone who bought the EOS R5 with 8K videoing in mind, only to run into the overheating wall, I would politely demand that Canon fix the flaw EOS R5 they already own.

Definitely worth watching

Just finished watching "The Tender Bar", a movie based on the memoir J.R. Moehringer.  It was a slice of life from my own childhood into young adulthood (alas, unlike J.R. even though I was accepted into UConn, I couldn't get the financial aspect of it.  Even to the point of the man who wasn't my father, but who was my dad, giving me his grey Cadillac, nicknamed "The Grey Ghost.

Child in a bar sipping on a beer mug of soda. Fine.
Child running down to the bar to get his grandpa a pack of smokes, also fine.

Yeah, so I would say this movie hit more than a few notes. It also opened up some old wounds (not about UConn, but other things). Well written, brilliantly cast and acting was excellent.

Know when to cut your losses, know when to not back down, and know how to follow that dream.

Ah, the joy of headache free, clear vision

No more eyestrain, too. Also, no more either tilting my head or closing one eye when editing photographs, or watching a movie with one eye closed.

The 'kittens' can no longer really be called kittens. Drax is pretty close to the size of Loki already. Groo-Bear is still a bit flighty, but he has been actually coming into my office, beg for petting, or brushing or some treats. Drax sneaks into the bedroom every night for cuddles and scritches before I go to sleep. And even after I'm asleep. Wing has told me he sees Drax dashing back in. If only we could trust Trance.

Ah, the joy of headache free, clear vision

No more eyestrain, too. Also, no more either tilting my head or closing one eye when editing photographs, or watching a movie with one eye closed.

The 'kittens' can no longer really be called kittens. Drax is pretty close to the size of Loki already. Groo-Bear is still a bit flighty, but he has been actually coming into my office, beg for petting, or brushing or some treats. Drax sneaks into the bedroom every night for cuddles and scritches before I go to sleep. And even after I'm asleep. Wing has told me he sees Drax dashing back in. If only we could trust Trance.

It's so nice not having to squint

Picked up my glasses. One pair, single vision, for desk work, and another pair for when I am not working on photos, or playing a video game.

Not much else going on.

Yeah, Alan really loves me.

I know, odd preamble to a post. I'm getting new glasses, but until I get them, I tend to close my left eye, and watch a movie, or show on the right monitor. So, I was in my chair, watching a show, left eye closed, and Wing comes to the door, which is to my left. I could hear him back away slowly.

A short while later, I paused the show, went out to the kitchen and told Wing that I was awake, and told him I was awake. He said it looked like I was asleep. Alan said it's easy to tell the difference. If I wasn't snoring, I was awake.

Yeah, Alan really loves me.

Ok, it's 2022.

Nothing new here, nothing different. 35 years ago I resolved to stop making new years' resolutions. And I've stuck with it.

I've found is I keep my leg on the footstool, toes pointing up, isn't as comfortable as laying the leg on the side. BUT it doesn't hurt as much getting the leg off of the foot, because I just lift and turn the chair.

Went to bed very early, and slept late (by cat terms). I  hobbled around getting my morning routine done, and I hobbled out into the kitchen to get the purrkids fed. Loki first, and he eats it on the footstool so Trance doesn't put him off his food. She doesn't want it, but she doesn't want him eating first.  Trance got her food 2nd, and then Groo-Groo and Drax get theirs.

Wait for the coffee to brew, pour a cup, get a piece of fruit for breakfast. It seems enough for the 'with food' instructions on the medications, so far. 

*shrug* Lunch soon anyway as it's after 12 noon.