Greetings, Internet! I hope everyone is as safe and sane as can be. This week, I wrote a thing for POPSUGAR (!), saw “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning” (non-spoiler: it’s amazing), and finally finished the first revision of a chapter. Daily summaries below!

July 14, 2023

• My piece for POPSUGAR is live! I hope you all love it! [Screenshot is the featured photo!]
• Went to a doctor’s appointment.
• Got lunch with my parents afterwards, which was lovely.
• My mother and I tried soft serve boba, and it was delightful.
• We also tried to figure out some more bathroom repair stuff. I need to talk to the contractor.
• Why are the Mets on Apple TV? They should be on SNY more, not less. GIVE ME GARY, KEITH, AND RON.
• Wordle: In four!
• Currently feeling: I am so grateful I was indoors during each thunderstorm that happened today.
• Currently looping: Not much music today.

July 15, 2023

• The feedback on my POPSUGAR essay from friends has been so heartwarming, and all I can say is thank you ❤
• Did the FES cycle. Watched more “Outlander.”
• Went on a double date. Although really it was more like getting dinner with friends, because my boyfriend and I have hung out with them in group settings lots.
• I got drunk. Whoops. And shouted at the television because the Mets were losing. More whoops.
• Currently feeling: So happy that people are digging the POPSUGAR article.
• Currently looping: Radiohead’s “OK Computer.” It’s a classic.

July 16, 2023

• Lazy Sunday!
• Well, lazy rainy Sunday. Yikes, it does not look pleasant out there.
• Watched reruns of “Friends” while the Mets were in a rain delay. Was pleasantly surprised when the Mets actually played and won.
• Watched the finale of “Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing.” We did not realize that the finale was three hours long, and that it would involve a bunch of dudes trying to make a primitive fire (fire without a fire starter/matches/etc.). But we were invested, so we watched.
• Currently feeling: I can’t believe we just watched three hours of grown men trying to make a primitive fire.
• Currently looping: Not much music today.

July 17, 2023

• So many phone calls. And emails. Yup, we’re back to Monday.
• But things are moving in the right direction, at least.
• Got some photos developed! Very delighted.
• Dang, “The Dark Knight” really is one of the best superhero movies ever. Does this mean I’m going to see “Oppenheimer” in theaters? Meh, probably not.
• Got some work done on my dissertation revising! Finally!
• And yet, I still need a few more days to add some Latin, edit, and honestly, maybe print this out and read it aloud to make sure it makes sense.
• Yes, I am totally that person who reads things out in print form to see if it makes sense.
• Currently feeling: Productive!
• Currently looping: Demi Lovato did a rock version of her song, “Heart Attack,” and I’m here for it. Also, I kind of want to belt this at karaoke.

July 18, 2023

• Went to Push to Walk! Dang, it was pouring on the way there.
• Got bubble tea on the way back, because of course.
• And then my mother and I went to go see “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning, Part One” in theaters. Tickets were discounted, because it’s Tuesday.
• I love discounted movie admission tickets.
• Also, the movie was awesome. Please go see it. Hayley Atwell is amazing.
• Although I definitely disagree with some narrative choices. Whatever. It’s Tom Cruise driving a motorcycle off a cliff into a freejump (or whatever that’s called).
• There are emails to answer, but they shall have to wait until tomorrow.
• Currently feeling: <insert “Mission Impossible” theme here>
• Currently looping: Spotify DJ.

July 19, 2023

• For some reason, my university doesn’t seem to pay for Brepolis database access anymore? I kind of need to look up a reference in the Latin Database of Texts (although clearly I’ve forgotten what it’s actually called).
• So. Much. Revising.
• Oh! And I’ve found a passage where I talk about things that I don’t mention until way later in the chapter. Good going.
• Lol.
• Put “Mary Poppins” on in the background while my mother baked a peach pie. I’d forgotten how many songs are in the movie.
• Emails, emails, emails.
• Okay, Medicare, WHY DO YOU CARE HOW OFTEN I URINATE?! I swear, it’s like they’re rationing catheters.
• Editing this thing past midnight. Was so hopeful that I could send it out to some people for feedback tonight, but I think that’ll have to wait.
• Wordle: In three!
• Currently feeling: Glad that I noticed that major issue with the chapter where I talk about something that doesn’t actually get introduced until several pages later.
• Currently looping: My “Burn Things” playlist.

July 20, 2023

• Did the FES cycle. Talked with Medicare for like, twenty minutes about their catheter policy. They insist that all I have to do is send in the proper documentation, but like, I don’t know what that means. Then they said there’s a provider number that can give more details, but they couldn’t give me the number because I’m not a provider.
• Our medical system makes no sense.
• Rewatched a “behind the scenes” where Tom Cruise jumped off a cliff with a motorcycle. I think he did that stunt when he was 58? 59? He must be a vampire.
• Worked out with an SCI trainer. I’ve noticed that my legs spasm less frequently when I work out post-FES cycle, so maybe I should try to do that more often? It also means that 4-5 hours of today was spent working out/doing physical therapy (because I also did the standing frame a few hours later). It’s like I’m preparing for a Marvel movie or something.
• Finally finished revising this one chapter and sent it off to my advisor. May have to send it to a dissertation committee member because he might know where I’m missing some stuff.
• Huzzah for a world cup match that’s actually on while I’m awake! Let’s go, Canada!
• Laundry! Wow, today’s pretty packed.
• Wordle: In four!
• Currently feeling: So many emails to send and phone calls to make, but I feel like I got lots done today, so that’s good.
• Currently looping: Within Temptation’s Hellfest 2023 set. Sharon den Adel continues to be a metal goddess.

Thanks so much for reading! Stay safe, stay sane, and enjoy the movies!