melworks

*sigh*

So, last weekend we got snow. I live in the South and we're not used to snow. Or, at least, my neighbors aren't used to it. After living in Alaska for 16+ years I was more than used to it, I was sick of it.

I still am.

We got about six inches, I think, and the roads turned to sheets of ice. The Store closed on saturday and Sunday, and I was stuck in the house until today. I went to the grocery store and was just glad to get out of the house.

Then, I came home and discovered a post by Neil Gaiman. It's been AGES since he's posted anything, not that I blame him, and this post was to a Substack investigation into the allegations made against him about two years ago. There is a LOT in the substack neilgaimanisinnocent but its worth the read. Gaiman also announced he's working on a new book, which I am totally there for.

Today has been a glorious day.

I slept in until 12:30, then got up and got dressed and went to the grocery store.

Came home and washed sweaters, then had supper and have been rewatching the first season of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. I'd forgotten how crazy the second half of that show gets, during the First Class Magic Examination.

I've got four eps left to go before I finish the first season and then I'll check out the second season, but I really want to wait for the dubbed eps because that's how I watched the first season.

I had a birthday. Yay? I guess. I dunno. I'm 56 now and feeling every bloody year sometimes. LOL.

Didn't do much for the birthday. Just went out and bought some shoes and clothes, treated myself to Chinese takeout and a slice of carrot cake and a bottle of champagne. It was a very chill birthday. The beach trip did not happen, but I can't say I'm too sad about that. I talked myself out of it.

Was surprised when I went into the Store on Saturday and Jorg gave me a little fruit tart he'd bought. "Can you guess why?" he asked, grinning like a Jack-o-Lantern. "Because I'm a little tart?" I asked. He just laughed and nodded, leaving me wondering if he meant in the sense of me being slightly bitter or sexy? Or both? Hmmm. I suppose I'll never know.

Today, the weather has done a 180 degree flip. It was almost 80 degrees yesterday and today we've got a high of 56 degrees. That wouldn't be too bad, but there's a fierce wind blowing as well. I feel sorry for anyone caught out in it for an extended period.

Sadly, when I came into the Store this afternoon, I found a homeless person set up on the side of the building with their life unfolded around them. Had to roust 'em out, as I'm not letting the building become a supposed safe haven for the chronic homeless. I did feel sort of bad for the person, even though they left their stuff here last night and called a cab to take 'em somewhere else. And my question is if you've got the money for a cab and a cellphone, why don't you get a cheapo hotel room for the night?

I don't know. I have no answers, just knee-jerk responses.

Hope y'all are having a good day.

I'm at the Store and some guy asks to look at a figure. I pull it out and show it to him and he pulls out his phone and starts checking prices online, then tries to lowball me saying it's going for $30 on this one website, blah blah blah. I told him I could go down to a certain point and he immediately countered with a diferent that's still lower than I said I could go.

I mean, the guy is just passing through. He's not a regular customer or anything, so why the hell did he think I was going to bend over backwards and let him have a figure for cost?

I hate fucking people like that.

I went to the movies tonight, by myself, and it cost me about $35.

That was the price of the ticket, a large drink and a small popcorn.

I'm sorry, but that price is just ridiculous.

Movie theaters really need to change their business model if they want to survive. Because, honestly? That price was just not worth the movie going experience.

I just ordered food from Domino's because I don't want to leave the house but I'm gagging for a soda.
Yes.
I have become THAT person.
LOLZ.

The weather today was nuts.
Almost 80 degrees.
In fucking NOVEMBER.
NO wonder everybody around here seems to be sick or is getting over being sick.
There is an everpresent cough in the air, as persistent and annoying as jingle bells.
And soon it will be Black Friday.
Ugh.
Pray for me people.
Better yet, pray for the customers who come into The Store.
They might need it more.

I have been sick all this week, which has been a bummer.

I've left the house twice, to get groceries/meds, and that's it. I've spent the entirety of the week either in the bedroom or downstairs on the couch.

Thankfully my roommate, Lance (yes that is his real name and no he is not gay), had to go out of town this week for job training, so I haven't infected him. I did however have to take care of the cats, which was nice, if a bit exhausting. Roma, the kitten, has two settings: Sleep and Zoomie! She has spent most of this week in Zoomie! mode, literally bouncing off the walls.

As I write this, I'm actually feeling a lot better than I did on Tuesday. I called in to work and am taking tomorrow off, but I think I'll be good for Saturday and Sunday. And I guess I'll go in some time next week and work an extra day or something to make up for Friday.

Now, if only my stomach will stop making sounds like a still about to explode...

Today, I went and had an eye exam at Lenscrafters in the Mall. I have to get my license renewed this January and suspected I needed glasses, so decided to get in front of it.

I have to say that the eye exam process has changed a LOT since the last time I had one. I was taken into a little room and did the traditional eye test, then sat in front of a machine that did more tests. After that, the optometrist sat me down in front of another machine and asked me to read letters and then choose between the clearer of two versions.

It was very quick. I think all the tests took less than fifteen minutes.

No surprise that I do need glasses for reading. The doctor suggested a pair of reading glasses and a pair of computer glasses, since I spend a lot of time staring at screens.

What did surprise me was the revelation that I have cataracts in both eyes.

I know that cataracts are a common development as people get older. My mom has cataracts. Her friend, Donna, had cataracts and got surgery done to replace the lens.

It never occurred to me that I would have cataracts. The doctor didn't seem too worried about them. He just advised that I wear sunglasses outside and come in for a checkup in a year so that he can check.

Ugh.

So, of course, as soon as I hear I've got cataracts I start worrying about how much the surgery is going to cost me. According to Google, it would probably be between $4000 and $6000 dollars, per eye.

Ugh. Again.

Getting older wouldn't suck so much if it wasn't so expensive or if we had free health care in this country. *sigh*

So, I'm trying not to fall down a worry-hole about the eventual cost of the surgery and everything else it will entail. It is, hopefully, years away.

Maybe by the time I need it, they'll have created some eyedrops or something that can treat it. Solution 29, I'm looking at you!

So, bit drpressed. Bit unhappy. Medicating myself with donut holes and some cherry Pepsi.

At least I got to pick out some cute frames for my glasses.

I'm not feeling so great today. I'm tired. Weary. All I want to do is lie around and eat snacks, which is making me think my SAD is kicking in earlier and harder than usual. If this keeps up, I may have to get some full spectrum bulbs to see me through the darkness.