Greetings, Internet! I hope everyone is staying as safe and sane as can be. This week, I wheeled outside with a new wheelchair, went to Jersey City, and watched more Drag Race. Daily summaries below!

May 19, 2023

• Went outside to try out a new waxing place. I think it’s better than the other places.
• Wheeled back to my apartment, but felt really slow. I think my tires need air.
• Worked out with an SCI trainer! And as it turns out, my tires did need air.
• Was working on translating stuff when I realized I needed to eat dinner.
• Wanted to get takeout, but also wanted to save money, so I tried to cook.
• Folks, I should’ve trusted my instincts and ordered takeout. I leaned too far over the stove and burned my arm on a hot pan.
• <swears incoherently>
• And my period cramps are in full swing, and I’m worried between my period, the stress levels of just trying to make dinner and burning myself, and like, I don’t know, the lingering stress that this dissertation is crawling at less than a snail’s pace, that I might have another digestive issue.
• I don’t feel like finishing this dinner, so I’m throwing it out. Screw leftovers.
• Bandaged my arm. Should’ve ran it under cold water for longer than I did.
• On the bright side, the Mets won yet another exciting game, and this time I actually got to watch it!
• Although, what is Pete Alonso doing??
• Currently feeling: Huzzah for the Mets!
• Currently looping: My top Spotify songs from 2022.

May 20, 2023

• Did the FES cycle.
• My boyfriend’s here! He brought tacos.
• Mmm…tacos.
• It was so rainy outside, though, that by the time he got to my building lobby, the bag the food was in had ripped, so all the contents fell onto the floor. Thank goodness for the sturdy packaging around each item of food.
• Alas, the Mets were rained out.
• But we still watched some baseball (Mariners vs. Braves).
• Currently feeling: Tacos always brighten a rainy day.
• Currently looping: The “Ruined” podcast (today I listened to them talk about “The Exorcist”!). I should note that I was still terrified when I listened to the podcast at night, so I’m going to stop doing that.

May 21, 2023

• Went to visit my boyfriend’s family, which is always delightful =)
• Except that the PATH elevator was out of service, so we had to navigate a different station.
• So that was fun.
• And then when we got back, we watched “Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing,” which, like, the DRAMA. Who knew there would be so much drama on a reality competition show that involved actual survival skills? (Like, seriously, one person had to be removed from the competition due to hypothermia.)
• We also watched the Mets win their second game of the doubleheader. Wow, I did not expect this late May win streak.
• Currently feeling: Kind of dehydrated, because I don’t drink water prior to PATH journeys.
• Currently looping: I have a “Currently Hooked” playlist on Spotify, that just has songs I listen to when I don’t know what else to listen to. Weirdly enough, the playlist includes Kamelot’s “New Babylon” and Taylor Swift’s “Anti-Hero.”

May 22, 2023

• My digestive system gave me a difficult morning. Thankfully my boyfriend was working from home from my apartment, so he provided much needed moral support.
• Had therapy in the afternoon. That was also needed.
• Worked out with an SCI trainer. The digestive issue resolved by then, so huzzah!
• Loving “Jeopardy! Masters” and rooting for Mattea now that Amy and Sam are out. Then again, I’d be happy if any of them won.
• No New York baseball tonight. Alas.
• Currently feeling: Feeling lots of feels, I guess? But I’m grateful that the day got better.
• Currently looping: There’s a P!nk playlist on Spotify, and I’m loving it.

May 23, 2023

• Went to Push to Walk! Got to armcycle outside, so that was lovely.
• Got bubble tea afterwards, because of course.
• Laundry day! Super exciting.
• Heard the Yankees were visited by a squirrel, and I’m here for this squirrel-related content.
• The Mets were not visited by a squirrel. They also lost. Alas.
• Currently feeling: Feeling better than yesterday, so I’m always grateful for that.
• Currently looping: Spotify’s Rock mix (which for me is a lot of The Pretty Reckless and Radiohead).

May 24, 2023

• Admin day! Mostly in that I finally cleaned some of my kitchen/dining table.
• I tried putting movies on in the background while my mother and I cleaned the apartment, but we mostly ended up rewatching “Galaxy Quest” and “The Lost City,” both of which are delightful.
• Tested out my new chair. I think I can hook this up to the FES cycle, but will have to do a trial run tomorrow.
• She was the best. RIP, Tina Turner.
• Put away laundry, so that was exciting.
• Might have overdone it on the screentime today. My eyes hurt from staring at this screen.
• Did vocal exercises for the first time in weeks. Oh, how I’ve missed singing.
• Wordle: In four!
• Currently feeling: It’s funny how strange it is to adjust to a new wheelchair. Even pulling up my pants post-cathing feels different. Different arm positions to get the best pants angle, and all that.
• Currently looping: Lots of P!nk and some Vanessa Carlton.

May 25, 2023

• Did the FES cycle. Watched more of RPDR All Stars Season 7, which is my favorite season. The amount of talent is incredible.
• Went outside to test out my new wheelchair, and it’s weird, it’s like I can wheel around fine, but I feel a little discombobulated. Like, not centered in the seat, and I don’t feel as much control. Or it’s not as intuitive? I don’t know. It’s also aluminum, so I definitely felt more sidewalk bumps than I do with my titanium chair.
• Got a lower leg wax, because it’s really difficult to shave safely.
• Nice to see that the Mets offense woke up, just in time to leave Chicago.
• Tidied up my table a bit.
• Wordle: In six!
• Currently feeling: It’s so weird how differently another wheelchair can feel.
• Currently looping: My “Currently Hooked” playlist on Spotify, but also I’m rediscovering my love of this live Sarah Jarosz performance.

Thanks so much for reading! Stay safe, stay sane, and always remember to check your tire pressure.