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Lots of stuff...kind of a brain dump?
1. I'm watching the 200 meter race, which mother spoiled me on.
Commentator: Why did Noah Lyles collapse? Maybe he's not okay? And why did he get a Bronze? There's no response from the Americans, however yeah for the Botswanian and Teboga. This won't be the last time...unless Noah is injured. He was lead off in a wheelchair....
Me: He has COVID, tested positive two days ago, and decided to run anyhow.
Honestly, I have issues with this. Granted he was wearing a mask leading up to it. But what if he gave it to someone else? According to the commentators, it was a courageous endeavor. Uhm? He had COVID??? And he was an asthmatic, and it was his choice to run...and it was gutsy. (He is wearing a mask off track and in the back. But...wouldn't he be the most contagious on the track?)
Meanwhile, I've discovered that there's a new strain of COVID out, apparently. Illona Andrews reported on it. They tested - and it turned purple, not faint at all. And it hit fast. 103 to 106 temperature for three days, then it felt like someone shoved broken glass down their throat. Nothing worked. Painful cough. Hurts to eat. They probably contracted it from a birthday party, and a release party for their book, plus cons.
Bro got COVID, probably from a concert he recently went to.
You don't get it from traveling or passing acquaintance. You get it from socializing with folks. It's a social disease. So, if you are not very social, like myself, and don't do much outside of commuting to work and running errands, you probably won't get it - even if you live in a huge city and commute in and out of a major transportation hub daily.
At least Bro quarantined. And Noah is wearing a mask.
Speaking of masks? The idiotic Nassau County Republicans want to pass a law banning their use? That's kind of dangerous and hypocritical? I mean, okay, fine, if you don't want to wear them - but to ban people who have to or feel the need to? Really? Kind of makes me want to send someone with a violent strain of COVID to Nassau County and infect all of them. (It's a good thing I can't do magic - I'd get myself into all sorts of trouble.)
2. I am starting to question the "Me#Too" social media cancel culture on liberal (and it is mainly) writers/artists. Not politicians. No. Liberal/progressive writers, producers, and artists. The folks who advocate for LGBTA, gender issues, human rights, etc.
I'm beginning to get suspicious of the media and people making the allegations. One or two? I can kind of hand-wave and yeah, yeah...but it's been an undue number of "specifically" liberal and beloved writers who are "progressive" and "major human rights advocates" in their writing, charitable contributions, and proponents of LGBTA and gender rights, along with promoting diversity in casting. Particularly since the evil politicians who have had far worse allegations seem to escape unscathed by the media? As too, have various conservatives. Well, except for Andrew Cuomo, who was kind of minor and also, wait for it, an LGBTA advocate and passed more social justice reform laws for LGBTA than anyone else in office. The conservatives hated him. (I had issues because of how he handled transportation agencies in the state, but I applauded his social justice stance.) And let's not forget Bill Clinton (who was ripped apart for something that's relatively minor in comparison to various conservative politicians.)
I was discussing this with mother. And she mentioned yet another writer whose wife was also a writer, and got into trouble as well.
The difficulty with allegations of sexual misconduct/violence - is there's a lot of gray territory in there? Sometimes it's just "kinky" sex or BDSM, which is kind of in a gray area? And it's really hard to prove rape or sexual aggression - close to impossible without a rape kit or corroborating evidence. Also, I hate to say this? People lie, embellish, misremember, and exaggerate. Some people like to play the victim for attention. The assumption that this doesn't happen is as dangerous as the assumption that it always does.
That's not to say they aren't guilty? I'm just saying that before we try and convict them in the court of public opinion? Maybe they should get due process first, have the right to confront their accusers and be proven guilty? Unless of course we all want to live in a society in which anyone can falsely accuse us of well horrible deeds and be automatically believed?
Also maybe we should start questioning these sources and the media outlets that cover them?
And a lot of the sources aren't reliable. Mary Sue is kind of an entertainment gossip site - I stopped following them a while back. And I'm starting to question the NY Times. Our media jokes about folks like Trump but crucifies writers and entertainers and liberal politicians? Why? Who is the money behind them?
So...who did these folks piss off, outside of the ones reporting on the allegations? What was the motivation for coming forward now?
3. My cousin has now entered the "indie" romance publisher's club.
She's been workshopping books, and got a mentor to help her with marketing.
And is now writing contemporary romance novels.
Nothing on Amazon yet. Or Good Reads. Just her site.
Not my genre. I've tried similar books by other people - it bores me. Also I kind of burned out on romances. I need more plot less dysfunctional family hijinks.
But they are very popular right now. Everyone seems to be publishing books like this - and they sell like gangbusters on Amazon.
4. My own writing continues to progress apace - on the commute, at home, at lunch time or in the morning at work. I was writing up until my subway stop today. I sneak in between things.
I realized why I can't write via prompts or demand? Example? I can't draw a fish or a mermaid or something oceanic for a local art show theme. Nor can I write about it.
But I can draw and write stories that I dream up in my head.
I think it is because I have to write really dry things for a living. And come up with how to write them. Today for example - I was struggling to figure out how to explain a complicated financial situation in writing.
Also I have to write specifically, following the lawyers guidelines.
I've learned how to write in fifteen different styles, and how to change the style to cater to a specific audience at work.
So when I write for myself? I don't want to do any of that. And when I write or draw creatively? I don't want to cater to some invisible group of strangers. I want to express myself and hopefully someone will connect to it or listen?
It's why I can't write to prompts. Because I do that at work. If that makes sense?
5. I read somewhere that I can get virtual reality equipment that allows me to see what it is like to be floating in space and looking down at earth.
So looked up VR.
Hmmm. Maybe not ?
The first thing you must never forget about crossing over into the magical world of VR is that you have to wear massive goggles on your head. The Quest 3 headset was painfully apparent throughout all of my experiences, and it never allowed me to fully relax. It weighs 515 grams (or a little more than 1 pound), and it’s fantastically irritating. National Geographic’s Explore VR ($9.99) is the first VR tourism app I try. I don’t know it at the time, but I’m about to enter a world of pain.
Meta Quest 3.
Meta does a list of all the 11 vr apps for travel
I think my difficulty would be the headgear. It would drive me insane, and probably give me motion sickness. I'm highly susceptible to motion sickness.
6. Olympics?
* Track and Field. The US is dominating in the Hurdles. Which are amazing to watch. It's like watching human gazelles. Beautiful event.
And there's a few insane athletes in this category.
* The pole vaulter - the guy from Sweden was amazing. (I posted on that already, right? Can't recall. ) He broke his own world's record.
* The artistic swimming was interesting, but like diving, gets repetitive. Also I'm burned out on the gymnastic and swimming events. Apparently the news commentators are burned out too - because after the third one - they jumped to rugby. (I'm skipping the ball events. My niece and I are in agreement on ball games - the appeal of a ball coming at us, is lost on us. We both have spatial issues. Albeit different. She has no issues driving. Then again she is driving in the west away from people.)
* Javelin is another insane event.
* As is the long jump - the US athlete who won was over the moon. She ran across the field and leaped up to embrace her husband, who sent her to talk to her parents. What's kind of cool is half of the athletes families are interracial.
* Climbing - I tried to watch the 15 foot wall climbing - but I was bored. The appeal is lost on me. Also, I realized I can't do it myself - at all - because I'm allergic to chalk. I can't do anything with chalk. I was glad I watched for that reason alone - because it saved me time and money trying it, only to discover I can't handle the chalk.
I was cringing watching how much chalk they used, and worse how much the gymnasts used.
****
Off to bed. Digestive issues kept me awake last night for about two hours and twenty-seven minutes according to the sleep monitoring on my smart watch. I also know that I breath between 12-23 minutes, and my heart rate is between 44-80 minutes. A little low, so I've cut back on the beta blockers.
That and the beta blockers are putting me to sleep in the mornings - usually around noon. Knocking me out is more appropriate. I awake groggy and disoriented. So, not taking the morning one. Was taking three a day, now maybe one or two.
Sleep? I have deep sleep and a lot of core, not much on the REM side, which explains why I don't remember my dreams. I'm not dreaming that much. So working on getting to bed earlier.
Commentator: Why did Noah Lyles collapse? Maybe he's not okay? And why did he get a Bronze? There's no response from the Americans, however yeah for the Botswanian and Teboga. This won't be the last time...unless Noah is injured. He was lead off in a wheelchair....
Me: He has COVID, tested positive two days ago, and decided to run anyhow.
Honestly, I have issues with this. Granted he was wearing a mask leading up to it. But what if he gave it to someone else? According to the commentators, it was a courageous endeavor. Uhm? He had COVID??? And he was an asthmatic, and it was his choice to run...and it was gutsy. (He is wearing a mask off track and in the back. But...wouldn't he be the most contagious on the track?)
Meanwhile, I've discovered that there's a new strain of COVID out, apparently. Illona Andrews reported on it. They tested - and it turned purple, not faint at all. And it hit fast. 103 to 106 temperature for three days, then it felt like someone shoved broken glass down their throat. Nothing worked. Painful cough. Hurts to eat. They probably contracted it from a birthday party, and a release party for their book, plus cons.
Bro got COVID, probably from a concert he recently went to.
You don't get it from traveling or passing acquaintance. You get it from socializing with folks. It's a social disease. So, if you are not very social, like myself, and don't do much outside of commuting to work and running errands, you probably won't get it - even if you live in a huge city and commute in and out of a major transportation hub daily.
At least Bro quarantined. And Noah is wearing a mask.
Speaking of masks? The idiotic Nassau County Republicans want to pass a law banning their use? That's kind of dangerous and hypocritical? I mean, okay, fine, if you don't want to wear them - but to ban people who have to or feel the need to? Really? Kind of makes me want to send someone with a violent strain of COVID to Nassau County and infect all of them. (It's a good thing I can't do magic - I'd get myself into all sorts of trouble.)
2. I am starting to question the "Me#Too" social media cancel culture on liberal (and it is mainly) writers/artists. Not politicians. No. Liberal/progressive writers, producers, and artists. The folks who advocate for LGBTA, gender issues, human rights, etc.
I'm beginning to get suspicious of the media and people making the allegations. One or two? I can kind of hand-wave and yeah, yeah...but it's been an undue number of "specifically" liberal and beloved writers who are "progressive" and "major human rights advocates" in their writing, charitable contributions, and proponents of LGBTA and gender rights, along with promoting diversity in casting. Particularly since the evil politicians who have had far worse allegations seem to escape unscathed by the media? As too, have various conservatives. Well, except for Andrew Cuomo, who was kind of minor and also, wait for it, an LGBTA advocate and passed more social justice reform laws for LGBTA than anyone else in office. The conservatives hated him. (I had issues because of how he handled transportation agencies in the state, but I applauded his social justice stance.) And let's not forget Bill Clinton (who was ripped apart for something that's relatively minor in comparison to various conservative politicians.)
I was discussing this with mother. And she mentioned yet another writer whose wife was also a writer, and got into trouble as well.
The difficulty with allegations of sexual misconduct/violence - is there's a lot of gray territory in there? Sometimes it's just "kinky" sex or BDSM, which is kind of in a gray area? And it's really hard to prove rape or sexual aggression - close to impossible without a rape kit or corroborating evidence. Also, I hate to say this? People lie, embellish, misremember, and exaggerate. Some people like to play the victim for attention. The assumption that this doesn't happen is as dangerous as the assumption that it always does.
That's not to say they aren't guilty? I'm just saying that before we try and convict them in the court of public opinion? Maybe they should get due process first, have the right to confront their accusers and be proven guilty? Unless of course we all want to live in a society in which anyone can falsely accuse us of well horrible deeds and be automatically believed?
Also maybe we should start questioning these sources and the media outlets that cover them?
And a lot of the sources aren't reliable. Mary Sue is kind of an entertainment gossip site - I stopped following them a while back. And I'm starting to question the NY Times. Our media jokes about folks like Trump but crucifies writers and entertainers and liberal politicians? Why? Who is the money behind them?
So...who did these folks piss off, outside of the ones reporting on the allegations? What was the motivation for coming forward now?
3. My cousin has now entered the "indie" romance publisher's club.
She's been workshopping books, and got a mentor to help her with marketing.
And is now writing contemporary romance novels.
Nothing on Amazon yet. Or Good Reads. Just her site.
Not my genre. I've tried similar books by other people - it bores me. Also I kind of burned out on romances. I need more plot less dysfunctional family hijinks.
But they are very popular right now. Everyone seems to be publishing books like this - and they sell like gangbusters on Amazon.
4. My own writing continues to progress apace - on the commute, at home, at lunch time or in the morning at work. I was writing up until my subway stop today. I sneak in between things.
I realized why I can't write via prompts or demand? Example? I can't draw a fish or a mermaid or something oceanic for a local art show theme. Nor can I write about it.
But I can draw and write stories that I dream up in my head.
I think it is because I have to write really dry things for a living. And come up with how to write them. Today for example - I was struggling to figure out how to explain a complicated financial situation in writing.
Also I have to write specifically, following the lawyers guidelines.
I've learned how to write in fifteen different styles, and how to change the style to cater to a specific audience at work.
So when I write for myself? I don't want to do any of that. And when I write or draw creatively? I don't want to cater to some invisible group of strangers. I want to express myself and hopefully someone will connect to it or listen?
It's why I can't write to prompts. Because I do that at work. If that makes sense?
5. I read somewhere that I can get virtual reality equipment that allows me to see what it is like to be floating in space and looking down at earth.
So looked up VR.
Hmmm. Maybe not ?
The first thing you must never forget about crossing over into the magical world of VR is that you have to wear massive goggles on your head. The Quest 3 headset was painfully apparent throughout all of my experiences, and it never allowed me to fully relax. It weighs 515 grams (or a little more than 1 pound), and it’s fantastically irritating. National Geographic’s Explore VR ($9.99) is the first VR tourism app I try. I don’t know it at the time, but I’m about to enter a world of pain.
Meta Quest 3.
Meta does a list of all the 11 vr apps for travel
I think my difficulty would be the headgear. It would drive me insane, and probably give me motion sickness. I'm highly susceptible to motion sickness.
6. Olympics?
* Track and Field. The US is dominating in the Hurdles. Which are amazing to watch. It's like watching human gazelles. Beautiful event.
And there's a few insane athletes in this category.
* The pole vaulter - the guy from Sweden was amazing. (I posted on that already, right? Can't recall. ) He broke his own world's record.
* The artistic swimming was interesting, but like diving, gets repetitive. Also I'm burned out on the gymnastic and swimming events. Apparently the news commentators are burned out too - because after the third one - they jumped to rugby. (I'm skipping the ball events. My niece and I are in agreement on ball games - the appeal of a ball coming at us, is lost on us. We both have spatial issues. Albeit different. She has no issues driving. Then again she is driving in the west away from people.)
* Javelin is another insane event.
* As is the long jump - the US athlete who won was over the moon. She ran across the field and leaped up to embrace her husband, who sent her to talk to her parents. What's kind of cool is half of the athletes families are interracial.
* Climbing - I tried to watch the 15 foot wall climbing - but I was bored. The appeal is lost on me. Also, I realized I can't do it myself - at all - because I'm allergic to chalk. I can't do anything with chalk. I was glad I watched for that reason alone - because it saved me time and money trying it, only to discover I can't handle the chalk.
I was cringing watching how much chalk they used, and worse how much the gymnasts used.
****
Off to bed. Digestive issues kept me awake last night for about two hours and twenty-seven minutes according to the sleep monitoring on my smart watch. I also know that I breath between 12-23 minutes, and my heart rate is between 44-80 minutes. A little low, so I've cut back on the beta blockers.
That and the beta blockers are putting me to sleep in the mornings - usually around noon. Knocking me out is more appropriate. I awake groggy and disoriented. So, not taking the morning one. Was taking three a day, now maybe one or two.
Sleep? I have deep sleep and a lot of core, not much on the REM side, which explains why I don't remember my dreams. I'm not dreaming that much. So working on getting to bed earlier.