It's too cold and too wet for being nekkid. *shrug*
Adult dilemma, for a change...
Should I buy myself a new winter jacket?
I do have one very-very old winter jacket that does work, in fact today I overheated during the groceries (31 Far degrees), but the one I checked out today is lighter (as in weight), and might handle lower temperatures better if it gets colder (note says its comfortable to 14 Fs, while another, cheaper, offered comfort to 23 Fs).
On the other hand, it's 200 złoty that would stay in my pocket...
The conundrum: It would be the first jack I bought for myself...
No, seriously, over 45 years of my life, I have never bought a jacket for myself - because my mother was a tailor - I occasionally keep wearing a spring jacket that she made when I was a teen; the winter jacket I have now she found in second-hand shop, and another lighter jacket I have I got at the previous gig...
Adult dilemma, for a change...
Should I buy myself a new winter jacket?
I do have one very-very old winter jacket that does work, in fact today I overheated during the groceries (31 Far degrees), but the one I checked out today is lighter (as in weight), and might handle lower temperatures better if it gets colder (note says its comfortable to 14 Fs, while another, cheaper, offered comfort to 23 Fs).
On the other hand, it's 200 złoty that would stay in my pocket...
The conundrum: It would be the first jack I bought for myself...
No, seriously, over 45 years of my life, I have never bought a jacket for myself - because my mother was a tailor - I occasionally keep wearing a spring jacket that she made when I was a teen; the winter jacket I have now she found in second-hand shop, and another lighter jacket I have I got at the previous gig...
I'd just layer up under the current jacket, if it still serves. Get a set of thermal undergarments if you want a good foundation.
I have some. It's not like it is some terrible winter that I need to actually prepare for.
I am just tempted by having a lighter and newer winter jacket, and yet dread having taking a step toward being an old man... Worse even... An INDEPENDENT ADULT!
The neon safety coat that I got with my uniform allowance from work is amazing. It’s very light but quite warm and pretty darn waterproof. It has the company logo on the back, so I only wear it for work.
In other news I am the God of Shoveling. Those who follow the path of the shovel pray unto me, but I never grant their petitions. (A huge lie wrapped around a grain of truth.)
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I got a military uniform in my previou-previous work (grounds maintenance at the nearby Aviation Museum) as work cloths - director wanted a rag-tag bunch of employment office rejects to look, well, uniform.
The light jacket that I got at the next gig was completely work-unrelated. The boss got it somewhere and either he didn't like it or it was too short/tight for him, and it was definitely too tight for three other guys working there at the time, so they told me to check it and it was fine.
I just looked it up. Kishigo rain coat. Looks like they only offer it in the neon with retro reflective stripes, so I wouldn’t buy one for myself. Impressive performance though. When it was colder I wore a hoodie underneath.
This short showing the difference in a $100k income over the last 45 years is rather interesting.
My one major issue with videos like that is inflation: "$100,000 in 1980 is equivalent to about $393,174.76 today, reflecting a cumulative price increase of approximately 293.17% due to inflation over the past 45 years."
I'd love to see the video done in equivalent dollar amounts.
And happy overeating day, everyone!
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Finally, the hospice nurse said that my mother has less than a week to live, so tomorrow morning at 4:30 am I'm driving up to Seattle to see her off. I'll be gone for a few days.
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Finally, the hospice nurse said that my mother has less than a week to live, so tomorrow morning at 4:30 am I'm driving up to Seattle to see her off. I'll be gone for a few days.
Aargh. Sending big hugs and every prayer that she is able to die peacefully, painlessly, and with dignity.
And that things with your brothers are as uncomplicated as possible.Love you, NH.
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Finally, the hospice nurse said that my mother has less than a week to live, so tomorrow morning at 4:30 am I'm driving up to Seattle to see her off. I'll be gone for a few days.
Aargh. Sending big hugs and every prayer that she is able to die peacefully, painlessly, and with dignity.
And that things with your brothers are as uncomplicated as possible.Love you, NH.
Thank you. Honestly, the hardest part is going to be the 12-hour drive each way. (Thank you, Thanksgiving travel weekend for making me drive instead of fly!) After her first major stroke she was basically "gone" and we've been waiting for her body to catch up with her mind ever since. It'll be a relief. Honestly, I'm mainly going there for my brothers. On the call last night it became obvious they needed me.
Every family needs a honey badger mother hen.
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My brain is *so* bad. We're arranging cremation services for my mother. And all that's going through my mind is, "But I'm not dead yet."
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My brain is *so* bad. We're arranging cremation services for my mother. And all that's going through my mind is, "But I'm not dead yet."
O.M.G.
I clicked even though I knew what was coming, and I'm so glad I did,because before the Holy Grail clip, I was treated to a commercial for coffee made with added collagen protein.
Which is made, for those of you who were unaware, from powdered bone and connective tissue.
You're welcome.
There are those rare moments when the ad hits just right...
Most of the time I get utter crap...
And the situation is getting even worse recently with more and more really s$+~ty AI-made ads... Urgh.
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Finally, the hospice nurse said that my mother has less than a week to live, so tomorrow morning at 4:30 am I'm driving up to Seattle to see her off. I'll be gone for a few days.
Aargh. Sending big hugs and every prayer that she is able to die peacefully, painlessly, and with dignity.
And that things with your brothers are as uncomplicated as possible.Love you, NH.
I would simply like to add my voice of agreement to this sentiment.
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Finally, the hospice nurse said that my mother has less than a week to live, so tomorrow morning at 4:30 am I'm driving up to Seattle to see her off. I'll be gone for a few days.
I was about to PM you but then I saw this. Please, give your amazing mom my best, and please let her know she raised an equally amazing son. I wish I could have met this wonderful lady.
I hate youtube ads so much that I pay for premium. Had it for years, and I have never regretted it.Most of the time I get utter crap...
And the situation is getting even worse recently with more and more really s!$*ty AI-made ads... Urgh.
Same.
I took a graphics card from a friend for checking with my computer...
The moment I saw it I was worried, and I was right.
It doesn't fit my minitower. About half an inch of space more would be required.
Adult dilemma, for a change...
Should I buy myself a new winter jacket?
I..
I grow my own fur coat and avoid this problem.
Went to an in-person Old School Essentials (a B/X D&D clone) game tonight, which was enjoyable, even though my character - elf - got knocked unconscious in the first fight and nearly died, which will happen if you go into combat against around a dozen skeletons with only 4hp at first level. The campaign is based around Barrowmaze
Final Legend Of Five Rings adventure of the year finished, and now we are going for a hiatus of approximately half a year (time will show how long it will actually take - one of the players is nearing sixth month of pregnancy and sooner or later will be less than happy to drive a hour in single direction for sessions, and obviously once she gives birth she will be a bit occupied for at least a few months before the situation stabilizes).
They were supposed to escort a caravan full of grain sent by their lord, and at the same time deliver the maid of their lord's wife to local school of Kitsu medics, to check on her after her possession they handled during the previous adventure.
In the city they learned that the city is allegedly haunted by a wrathful specter of a ronin executed for murder. Everyone blames Kitsu medics who have a privilege written by one of the past Emperors to dissect bodies of criminals executed in the city... Obviously, such blasphemous actions turned the reckless and violent, but popular ronin into a vengeful ghosts?! Didn't a holy monk and a local Phoenix shugenja said so?
The party couldn't resist meddling, of course... They immediately came to conclusion that is a sham, and someone is pretending to be a ghost to scare merchants. They were adamant it can't be ghost... After fighting against a restless gaki and dealing with a ghost of their lord's stepmother... And they were right.
They suspected that the local Emerald Magistrate - a Crane in a Lion city - is trying to undermine the order in the city. Here they were completely wrong.
After some questioning they came to not-quite right conclusion that is the ronin's twin brother: They examined the body of the deceased in the Kitsu's mortuary, visited places where the ghost was seen, and made a deal with wife of the sole merchant murdered by the alleged ghost which ended with a hefty reward for them afterwards.
Later they had to visit the local Emerald Magistrate office after the group of ashigaru that accompanied the caravan with them got into a drunken bar brawl with some local workers and servants - where the party ninja Ikoma's Shadow sneaked around and noted that documents that magistrate reviewed are incomplete and tampered with.
In the evening, they split - Matsu Berserker and Kitsu Wanderer visited the "teahouse" where a renowned courtesan mentioned a few times in relationship to the dead ronin (and basically everyone else who matters in the city), hoping to learn something useful from her.
They learned less than they would like, but came to conclusion that it is not brother they seek, but a sister.
In mean time, Ikoma's Shadow sneaked into courtesan's chambers on the second floor, found some interesting things but not particularly helpful things. When she was leaving through the window she noticed particularly resplendent litters behind the adjacent gambling house and correctly guessed that governor is visiting and meeting with Phoenix. She sneaked there and watched the conversation between city governor, Phoenix, and a Scorpion who they met earlier as an assistant to the magistrate.
Apparently, the governor and Phoenix were well aware the ghost is a scam, and they have some sort of plan to discredit the Kitsu school and deprive them of the privilege, the Scorpion is receiving money from the governor (the governor was quite blatantly deliberately losing to Scorpion in the game), and it was him who removed a key piece of documents (genealogical certificate of the dead ronin explicitly noting that he has a twin... sister) earlier this day.
When Phoenix and governor left, Ikoma's Shadow decided to steal the document... Only for the Scorpion to notify her that he was fully aware of her presence with a thrown knife. Sadly, he missed. Deeply stressed Tomoe jumped down, grabbed the document, and run through the door into the gambling's house main hall. Scorpion tried to rouse the folks claiming that "maimed-faced girl stole money" turning the crowd into difficult terrain... That blocked him from catching up with her in the following round.
She fled into night while the Scorpion confronted the rest of the party leaving the teahouse and demanded that they deliver their companion to him as soon as they see her.
So they pretended to not see her until later next day...
From the document they learned that the father of the twins was an "acquaintance" (i.e. served as a bodyguard) to a merchant many years ago, so they went to find that merchant in the morning. On their way there, they learned that the merchant retired long ago, and his son left the town afraid of the specter.
Yup. The twin sister pretending to be vengeful specter was hiding in the now abandoned household. She almost managed to flee the party, but they smacked her around hard. She did inflict a light wound on Matsu (who rolled very well on her resistance roll, avoiding permanent scars) but otherwise she had little chance in three-vs-one struggle and was rendered unconscious but alive.
The party brought her to magistrate, on their way proclaiming their names, their success, and most importantly, that the specter was a scam, and the Kitsu had nothing to do with it (unknowingly preventing the governor and his co-conspirators Plan B: claiming that specter roused by Kitsu misdeeds possessed the sister). They left the city soon after, before the governor could call them for an audience... But not before getting the reward from the widow of killed merchant, and getting to honorably keep zanbato (really big sword) that belonged to the ronin, later wielded by his sister when she pretended to be her brother's ghost.
The next session, once we are back in this composition, will be completely unrelated wedding of their lord's lord's son (and brother to the fourth PC who showed up for one story so far).
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Jungle-stalking, vine-swinging, sneaky ogres.
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Final Legend Of Five Rings adventure of the year finished, and now we are going for a hiatus of approximately half a year (time will show how long it will actually take - one of the players is nearing sixth month of pregnancy and sooner or later will be less than happy to drive a hour in single direction for sessions, and obviously once she gives birth she will be a bit occupied for at least a few months before the situation stabilizes).
** spoiler omitted **...
MY LIFE FOR YOU DAIGOTSU-SAMA
(in the future, that is)
There is only…
FUTURE!
Yaaaay!
Well, I'm back, and "interesting" notes:
- The total drive time was 27 hours (13 up, 14 back), and even considering a worst-case $0.25/mile cost me around $450. The airline would have been 9 hours and cost upwards of $750. Much to my surprise, the Zen peace of mind from being in a car for that long was far, far superior to flying. I'm glad I drove. And that surprises me.
- My visit was absolutely perfect. Showed up, sat around and told stories about her life (which seemed to annoy her; she was thrashing about the whole time), then played bridge in the next room (which put her absolutely to sleep), said my goodbyes, and took off.
- Unfortunately, my visit was a bit *too* perfect. Apparently it cheered her up so much that she woke up and started eating solid food again. Oops.
She's still not long for this world, but I might have pushed her demise closer to 2026 with my visit.
It's pretty impressive watching my peers and relatives who embraced Reagan's Randian, "Me first! Greed is good!" approach to living try to deal with my kids, who actually care about compassion and doing well by others.
I think Elder Brother has managed to put himself permanently on my kids' s*** list. Elder Spawn, literally the kindest person I've ever known, wants us to cut off all contact with him and his family.
The latest examples?
(1) He was the one who pushed hard to have me come up and visit our mother this week. But the Washington/Oregon game was on on Saturday (the day I was up), so his initial response was, "Nah, I'm gonna watch the game with Family Friend. You guys can visit Mom without me." Appalling selfishness and social cluelessness? Check.
(2) When my mother passes away, the property tax on the house will reset from its current rate of around $2200/year to around $30,000/year. The only way we can avoid this is to have one of her kids or grandkids move into the house. So he wants to evict the tenants and have my kids move in to get the tax rate. I said, "That's pretty awesome! So they could live there rent-free?"
"Oh, no. I'd still want them to pay rent, but maybe at a 33% discount."
Money is the end-all and be-all? Check!
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Well, I'm back, and "interesting" notes:
- The total drive time was 27 hours (13 up, 14 back), and even considering a worst-case $0.25/mile cost me around $450. The airline would have been 9 hours and cost upwards of $750. Much to my surprise, the Zen peace of mind from being in a car for that long was far, far superior to flying. I'm glad I drove. And that surprises me.
- My visit was absolutely perfect. Showed up, sat around and told stories about her life (which seemed to annoy her; she was thrashing about the whole time), then played bridge in the next room (which put her absolutely to sleep), said my goodbyes, and took off.
- Unfortunately, my visit was a bit *too* perfect. Apparently it cheered her up so much that she woke up and started eating solid food again. Oops.She's still not long for this world, but I might have pushed her demise closer to 2026 with my visit.
Beware your death predictions... Remember how it went with the immortal murderdeathkitty, and from what you said you mom could possibly be even tougher.
My maternal grandmother was getting weaker and weaker through the whole end of the year. I came to visit her around Christmas and she at first mistook me for my uncle (it might the fact that she was near blind and deaf at that time), and her roommates were sure she's a goner anytime soon.
However.
My mom was in England at that time, and because of dad's work schedule she couldn't come until the end of pheasant caretaking season which happened in the Spring.
Grandma somehow got better and lasted until mom could visit Poland in March and see her... And then promptly passed away a day or two later... She basically stayed alive for three months just to say her goodbye.
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Beware your death predictions... Remember how it went with theimmortalmurderdeathkitty, and from what you said you mom could possibly be even tougher.
That's why we weren't relying on me or my brother. A hospice nurse came in and examined her and said, "No, this is a really bad case. I think you're measuring in days or weeks, not months." Then my mother (I was going to use "she", but pronouns are fun and I don't want to implicate the nurse) went into "terminal agitation", which is apparently a weird thing people do soon before death where they suddenly want to get up and leave and go do things. Which is me 100% of the time in the hospital, but apparently this is different. And terminal agitation is another "hours to weeks" sign. So every professional is telling me she won't see 2026. Which is why I went up. And I'm still glad I did, even if she's on a recovery spurt at the moment.
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I'm happy for you that you got to see her one last time, even though the end is near, and that your relationship with her is as good as it has been, even if your siblings and other kin are pieces of work.
I'm a little jealous, even. I know I'll never be able to have that kind of relationship with my family again, and as I never plan to return to the states if I can help it I'll probably never see them again even if I wanted to.
I'm happy for you that you got to see her one last time, even though the end is near, and that your relationship with her is as good as it has been, even if your siblings and other kin are pieces of work.
I'm a little jealous, even. I know I'll never be able to have that kind of relationship with my family again, and as I never plan to return to the states if I can help it I'll probably never see them again even if I wanted to.
Im sorry, Orthos.
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He who does not supply the heat source shall become the heat source: Cat logic 12
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Speaking of cat logic, Mephisto continues to live the Freehold life:
Morrigan: Has taken to launching herself at the wheel to hit it halfway up, ride it down 'til she has a good head start, then sprinting to see how fast she can go. Girl loves her wheel.
Lenore: Understands the wheel and that her moving on it makes us happy for some reason. So if Impus Major comes into the dining room and she's nearby, she'll waddle over to the wheel and walk on it for two or three rotations; just enough to get praise and pets, and no more.
Mephisto: Has decided it's great fun. If Impus Major is nearby, he'll sit on it and yowl at him until Impus Major starts manually turning the wheel for him. If Impus Major stops, he stops. The wheel is obviously all about making the humans work to serve him.
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Mephisto: Has decided it's great fun. If Impus Major is nearby, he'll sit on it and yowl at him until Impus Major starts manually turning the wheel for him. If Impus Major stops, he stops. The wheel is obviously all about making the humans work to serve him.
See, he might be a tad smarter than you are giving him credit for...
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Spin me, hooman! Spin me!!
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Im sorry, Orthos.I'm happy for you that you got to see her one last time, even though the end is near, and that your relationship with her is as good as it has been, even if your siblings and other kin are pieces of work.
I'm a little jealous, even. I know I'll never be able to have that kind of relationship with my family again, and as I never plan to return to the states if I can help it I'll probably never see them again even if I wanted to.
It is what it is. I managed to get out of the cult and find myself in the process. Not everyone is so lucky.