Suzy

Well, I had plans for this weekend. It's my second full weekend off this month, which never ever happens. I was going to be productive! Tackle my car trunk, turn on my old computer and figure out how to backup iTunes, check the emails that won't load on this new one for some reason, build my terrarium, go see Spiderman. Instead, yesterday, I read two books and sort of watched The Knick, which my assistant manager highly recommended. (Wasn't quite my style, but I was fascinated by the 1900 medical procedures and the women.) I walked down two blocks to pick up my prescription and some milk and ended up dizzy and exhausted. Thanks, period. I still want to see Spiderman today, but I have some fears that my period could make me very sick, and I'd hate to be 1.5 miles away and have to walk home. So I guess we'll see how that goes.

Today's productivity got a bit derailed when I slept until 10 (10!!!!) and then realized that Wimbeldon was over and the 13th Doctor had been revealed. Like, actually with almost perfect timing. I hopped on my computer to see when it would be over and the news had been released six minutes earlier.

It's no surprise that my dream had been Hayley Atwell, and that I'd been excited by a few other of the rumored people: Olivia Coleman, David Harewood, etc. But when I saw the headline, "The new Doctor is a woman," my heart stopped. I honestly thought it was a joke. I'd wanted it, there had been such a push for it, but they wouldn't really do it, would they?

They did. And my God, I am so giddy. I just keep randomly grinning and refreshing twitter and seeing such cute fanart of our new Doctor and getting more giddy. I'm a huge fan of Broadchurch, and I am thrilled with Jodie Whittaker's casting. She's such a great actor, and I think she's going to bring so much to the character. I can't wait to see her costume. I can't wait to see her in action.

I remember being at work for Matt Smith's casting, refreshing websites constantly, waiting for the news to break. I remember being downstairs at my parents, watching the BBCA special that ended with Peter Capaldi coming out for the announcement and instantly feeling that he was my perfect Doctor. I'm a little sad Jodie didn't get the same sort of welcome, but honestly, just the news is enough.

I really am going to miss Capaldi--I've loved him in the role, even if I haven't loved all the stories told. But I am so excited for what is to come. And I'm so excited that it's an actress my mom knows--she says she's actually looking forward to watching the Christmas special with me! Normally I either have it on and she whines and complains even as she gets sucked in, or I have to go watch alone in another room. But this year she says we'll make popcorn and tea. She also loved that 50th anniversary tv movie about the launch of Doctor Who and is looking forward to seeing David Bradley as the First Doctor again. It's going to be so awesome. <3

So, yay! Happy fandom times. It's also the one year anniversary of the new Ghostbusters, so there's been a lot of fic and a bit of a graphics resurgence on twitter, which is fun. I signed up for h/c bingo, and think I can manage a GB series out of it, which will be fun. Still waiting to hear if femslashex will go on this year with a new mod.

Disney Expo really had some big news this year. I am utterly gutted at the loss of The Great American Movie Ride at Hollywood Studios, especially since it's being replaced by a Mickey and Minnie ride that isn't even classic. Epcot seems about to lose MouseGears, the biggest and best gift shop, as well as Club Cool with all the Coke flavors from around the world, and that royally sucks, too. I buy SO MUCH at Mouse Gears. The new rides sound fun, and the new look for Future Land does look nice and futurey, so I guess we'll see what ends up going where. Seems like there will be massive, massive changes almost everywhere for our next visit, in/after Dec 2018.

I am also intrigued by the Infinity War trailer reports, including Bucky fighting in the Wakandan Army. I am very glad he is awake, but I also feel like that should be a big plot point (much like his decision to enter cryofreeze should not have been a mid-credits moment), and it will probably also be glossed over. Unless he's in Black Panther? Also, you know, Cap in full beard. Bet Chris Evans loved that. It sounds really chaotic and wild, and I generally trust the Russos, so we'll see.

We finally, finally hit the midpoint of summer reading yesterday. I can't quite conceive that. I think that August is going to be a little painful. (We usually end around August 1. This year, August 24. Oy.) Programming continues to be delightful and fun and social justicey. I'm already having to be deep into planning October and November, which occasionally makes me confused as to where in the year I truly am.

Reading and work. I think that's essentially all I am doing right now. And yoga. Which means things can crosspost again, which is a side benefit. I won't lie, I miss comments, ha.

One of my coworkers has a Passion Planner, and I rather like its set up. Does anyone else use one? I printed off a few pages to give it a whirl before shelling out for an actual one, to see if I'll use it. I see it less for work and more for my personal life and therapy goals more than anything.

I guess I should start tidying, maybe build my terrarium. Next Spiderman is in an hour, which seems unlikely. But maybe the one after that? Or maybe I could finally choose a damn pattern for my Anne of Green Gables quilt--I've been super caught up in choosing The Perfect Pattern, easy but not too easy, period looking without being too fiddly and complicated for my skill level and also suiting my fabric. I'm thinking maaaaaaaaybe log cabin? Augh. I don't know. So many choices!

Oh, also, it is Christmas movie marathon week on Hallmark. Totally time to tune in and enjoy that. <3

Today was a day of ups and downs. Actually, most every day the last week has been up and down. I think maybe it's sleep - lately when I don't sleep as well, I hit this pit of despair around 4pm and want to cry for the next several hours. But this list is today specific:

1. I had the day off!
1b. I was so wound up from yesterday's crappy day that I did nothing last night and was behind from the start.
Net result: Eh, it was a day off. Win.

2. I went to turn on last week's Sherlock and TiVo told me that I was going to run out of programs on 11/7 even though it said it was connecting fine.
2b. After hours of research and troubleshooting and trying horribly annoying things, I figured out a work around and have programs through 11/14 now. ::crosses fingers:: I also burned the most special saved programs to DVD: Mom and Cal on Fox News, Cal's Jungle Book production, Mom on Oprah.
Net result: Utter crap. Stress I didn't need. I'm still twitchy. I hate when my technology fails me.

3. I worked out (did cheer routines) for 20 minutes and then weighed myself. For the first time ever, wii fit cheered me: I lost 5 pounds, am no longer overweight and hit my goal early. I honestly didn't even know what it was telling me at first. I was paying attention to the .54 of the BMI, which had increased from .34, was depressed to gain and failed to note that the number in front of the . had dropped. It was an unexpected joy. (Although given that I'd already noted this week that my jeans were bigger and my measurements had gone down, it shouldn't have been a surprise. My brain isn't logical.)
3b. My immediate response was "This is awesome! I need to keep it up! I'm not going to eat breakfast!" No, idiot, that's the wrong response and will not lead to continued weight loss. I eventually ate oatmeal.
Net result: Totally awesome.

4. I finished my first sewing project! It's a modified Ohio Star Christmas pillow and was really far beyond my skills. But I persevered, worked hard, pushed through my perfectionist tendencies and finished it.
4b. It really, really looks like a first project. I'd fallen in love with the fabric and the pattern and I wanted it to be beautiful. It mostly just looks like a first project. I had to resew a lot of seams at the end and I can only hope it stays together.
Net result: Eh. I finished it and I'm mostly proud. Next time I'll pay better attention to seam allowances and practice using the rotary cutter without cutting myself. I wish there had been fewer errors, though.

5. Tomorrow is election day and I'm so worried. I do not want the governor re-elected because he wants to screw my family. But I can't in good conscience vote for the Republican candidate who has worked with my mother and accepted her position paper on special needs and will repeal the order that hangs over our head.
5b. I investigated all of the candidates and ended up choosing the Green party candidate.
Net result: Really crappy. Oh please God, don't let the gov win by one vote. But the other guy!!! AUGH! I hate that I, a staunch Democrat, have never voted for a Dem gov and will tomorrow cast votes for Republicans and Green Partiers. YOU SUCK, ILLINOIS POLITICS.

6. I went to buy a Christmas tree and realized that the measurements don't work as well as I thought. Then I found another tree that was almost as good and realized that the measurements were likely lying to me. Unless the tree really is 40dx15wx40h, which, probably not.
6b. I can't find a tree to fit! I don't just want my tiny American Girl tree, I want a tree that I can put my Disney and Anne ornaments on. And colored lights.
Net result: I'm really bummed. Maybe I'll try Target this weekend. :(

7. I challenged myself by agreeing to write a story that is perhaps too much of a challenge, but a lot of people are counting on it being finished.
7b. I finished a scene today that should help it find its direction. And a story I wrote this summer with a similar theme hit 1000 hits today. I remember when I was thrilled to see 300, and then 500 hits. 1000 is crazy.
Net result: Gah, stress. This is one of those times I am happier having written, than writing. I hope people like it like they liked the first one.

8. The local news is teasing the weather report with dropping temperatures and a little snow.
8b. SNOW. SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW.
Net result: Dude, it's snow. Total win. I better go to sleep now before something negative counterbalances this.

Tagged from akarui_sekai: Not because you have to, but because you WANT to! Things you enjoy, even when no one around you wants to go out and play. What lowers your stress/blood pressure/anxiety level? Make a list, post it in your journal and tag 5 people play along if you want!

1. Reading. Who's surprised? Whip out a comfort book and get relaxing.

2. Working on somethng else that needs to get done that doesn't have the stress connotations. (see: returning overdue library book and paying large fine, rather than begin final project.)

3. Take a bath, which involves reading fluffy comforty things and watching a comfort movie/TV show. (see: plans for Saturday night.)

4. Sims 2. I love orchestrating their little families and lives. Of course, then I end up with things like a toddler and infant twins and lose my mind there, too. LOL But generally, it's a great deal of fun.

5. Chatting with Nydia and Biz.

So I've gone and bought some 18" doll patterns from eBay. LOL I wanna make clothes for Molly and Emily, who I intend to buy next month. Could be fun. Could be a nightmare. But worth a shot!