Greetings, Internet! I hope everyone’s staying as safe and sane as can be. This week, I went to a wheelchair clinic, watched new episodes of  the “Harley Quinn” animated series, and received an advanced copy of a book I’m in. Daily summaries below!

Day Eight Hundred and Eighty-Three (8/12/22)

• Went to my boyfriend’s place of work, which just recently began letting guests visit.
• And I have never seen this much free food ever. I mean, they say there’s no such thing as a free lunch, but whoever said that didn’t work at this place.
• Yes, I swiped three tea bags for later. I’m a madwoman.
• Oh, and some shortbread.
• And some floss from the bathroom. Because I could.
• Dang, this place is awesome. Meanwhile, grad students are hunting for scraps of conference/workshop leftover sandwiches like vultures. Le sigh.
• Went back to my apartment to workout.
• Met a friend for dinner! I keep forgetting that she lives not far away, and should try to hang out more often.
• I heard that the Mets lost. Alas. But they’re still looking good.
• Wordle: In four!
• Currently feeling: I replaced my phone hold screen with a photo of me and my boyfriend. We took it today on one of the terraces at his place of work. I think we’re at phone wallpaper level now. Huzzah ^_^
• Currently looping: Various Spotify playlists.

Day Eight Hundred and Eighty-Four (8/13/22)

• Did the FES cycle.
• My boyfriend came over and brought a chocolate eclair. He knows me.
• Yay, Mets! Dang, that was a close one. My boyfriend hadn’t seen the Mets have such a close call before. Ah, if only he knew all the previous years of being a Mets fan.
• Wordle: Whoops.
• Currently feeling: I’m meeting my boyfriend’s family tomorrow, so I’m pretty nervous about that, even though he keeps telling me that I shouldn’t be. And he keeps saying I don’t have to bring a cake, even though I want to bring a cake. Or like, hella doughnuts.
• Currently looping: Amaranthe’s live performance of “Amaranthine” from 2019.

Day Eight Hundred and Eighty-Five (8/14/22)

• Yesterday, my boyfriend said he would be going to his family’s house today. So I said, “Oh! Should I go with you?” Cue the two of us going to his family’s house, and me meeting them for the first time. I brought rainbow cookies from an Italian bakery in the East Village.
• Everyone was lovely! I mean, my boyfriend is delightful, so this really should not have come as a surprise. But any nerves I had going in vanished pretty quickly.
• We missed the Mets game, but hey, they won! So, yay!
• Wordle: Whoops.
• Currently feeling: So full of food. My boyfriend’s sister cooked up a storm when she heard I was coming.
• Currently looping: The sound of the NJ PATH?

Day Eight Hundred and Eighty-Six (8/15/22)

• Emails, emails, emails.
• Filling out an order form for a new wheelchair. I was going to base the measurements off of my current chair, but those measurements from the previous order form are all in metric, because I ordered the chair from Canada. D’oh!
• Workout!
• Why am I so dehydrated? <chugs water>
• This Mets game is so sad, and yet I’m still watching.
• Wow, Darin Ruf (he’s a position player) pitched two scoreless innings. Didn’t see that coming.
• Wordle: In three!
• Currently feeling: How is it already midnight?
• Currently looping: The Shins’ live performance of “Caring is Creepy.”

Day Eight Hundred and Eighty-Seven (8/16/22)

• Scheduled my procedure. <headdesk>
• Went to a wheelchair clinic. Medicare no longer covers titanium wheelchairs or Spinergy wheels. WTF. So now the only thing they’ll cover is some basic aluminum chair with less than awesome wheels? <SCREAMS LOUDLY>
• I mean, sure, I can get around in something like that, but it’s heavier, doesn’t handle bumps in the sidewalk as well (not great for my bladder), and the wheels will be more cumbersome to push. I do not approve.
• Also, one of the wheels on my current chair is warped and I need a new one. Like now.
• UGH.
• And the Mets lost. That’s two pitchers out after two innings, two days  in a row. What is in the water in Atlanta?
• I’m just going to watch the new “Harley Quinn” animated episodes and think happy thoughts.
• Wordle: In five!
• Currently feeling: AUGH.
• Currently looping: The Used’s acoustic performance of “The Bird and the Worm.” Dang, this sounds awesome.

Day Eight Hundred and Eighty-Eight (8/17/22)

• Called a bike store to order a spare tire and tube for now. At least until a new wheel can be ordered for my chair. I should follow up tomorrow with the wheelchair repairman to see how that new part order is going.
• Ordered groceries. Man, Fresh Direct is expensive.
• Was going to get some work done, but then my advance copy of the book I’m in arrived, so of course I had to scan the sections where I show up.
• It’s weird knowing that such a low point in my life is available for mass consumption. Or at least, it will be in a couple of weeks.
• If anyone calls me “inspirational” or something to that effect, I will punch you. I am not inspiring. I am a woman in search of a healthy coping mechanism because society is ableist AF and I have my own internalized ableism to deal with.
• Well, that was an exciting Mets game. And by exciting, I mean really tense. Dang.
• Wordle: In four!
• Currently feeling: I really hope my chair gets some sort of repair soon. The weather was gorgeous today, but this wheel is in no condition to go on a short journey.
• Currently looping: Unleash the Archers’ “Time Stands Still” album. So good!

Day Eight Hundred and Eighty-Nine (8/18/22)

• Did the FES cycle.
• Harsh vocal lesson! I actually improved on something!
• Phone call with the wheelchair repairman. The parts I need are currently overseas. GAH.
• Video chat catch up with my bestie! Dang. It’s been a long time.
• Wordle: In three!
• Currently feeling: I really need to have a day where I just do dissertation stuff. But also, I’ve been having all these doctor and OT (occupational therapy) appointments, so I guess that’s a legitimate excuse for not being on top of the dissertationing. But I’m still like, GAH, this chapter needs to be researched so it can be written!
• Currently looping: Unleash the Archers’ “No More Heroes.”

Thanks so much for reading! Stay safe, stay cool, and shake your fist angrily at Medicare’s dwindling coverage!