Success!
Feb. 10th, 2026 06:14 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
koshka_the_catI can finally get my prescription tomorrow. Thankfully at a nearby pharmacy, not mailed from New Zealand, which was one of the options.
koshka_the_cat
Five Random Things Makes a Post
Feb. 10th, 2026 07:47 pmbrickhousewenchI dreamt about my first serious boyfriend last night. Which is odd, it’s been a really long time since he popped up in my dreams. I think it was because the hero in the book I was reading was described as being tall and broad of shoulder, and this particular boyfriend was a big guy, think football player (although he was a shotputter and discus thrower, but same general sturdy build). That’s about the only reason I can think of why my subconscious dragged him out for a spin last night.
***
The book I was reading (I finished it last night) was Murder at The Mena House. I bought it two years ago when I ordered a bunch of books set in Egypt to get excited about the (then canceled) RenAdventures tour of Egypt. I finally got around to reading it this weekend. And I don’t quite know what to think when the blurb on the back cover (from a starred review in Library Journal) describes it as,”Nebauuer’s debut dazzles, with a smart plot, remarkable scenery, and skilled execution.” and I thought it was rather a run of the mill mystery.
I have to admit, the author managed to hit most of my least favorite bad mystery tropes. An amateur female detective who isn’t very bright, asks stupid questions of suspects (that should get her killed, if this were not a cosy mystery), has poor judgement about who is honest and trustworthy, and has to be saved by the male love interest (who has a mysterious job which isn’t explained, but is just shady enough to make him suspicious and someone she should NOT trust!). Not to mention multiple inconsistent characters whose behavior makes very little sense, and clunky dialog.
I really don’t like dizzy female amateur detectives who solve the mystery via dumb luck. Despite the fact that there are already seven other books in the series, I don’t think that I will be buying any more of this author’s work.
***
Today’s forecast for 1.5 inches of snow overnight has gone up to two inches. Guess I’ll be brushing off the cars in the morning.
***
No sign of my little friend the mousy the last day or two. I’ve been checking my traps every morning and evening, and it occurred to me that he might be too wee to manage to push open the one-way swinging doors to get inside the Mice Cubes and get at the bait. I’ll have to get the new traps set up ASAP, they have an open door that only snaps shut once the mouse is inside the little plastic tube.
***
I’ve been puttering away at an AI assignment at work for the past week or so. We three database writers are working on a project to show how our databases work together (if properly configured). Because none of us are overly familiar with each other’s products, it’s sort of default that we have to use AI to help us write this up. And while I’d been picking at it, I hadn't made much progress. And then I accidentally erased my work and had to do it over again. D’oh!
Last week I published two sets of Release Notes for patch releases, and another Helm charts release. I released another update to the Helm charts today (I would have done it yesterday, but GitHub was down for hours. F*cking Microsoft, they ruin everything they touch. GitHub has been shyte ever since they bought it.)
And then yesterday I finally got the first half of my AI assignment submitted as a pull request, so that it can be reviewed. So that felt good, to finally get that unblocked. I started on part two, and almost got finished today, but then my brain decided to go for a wander, and I couldn’t get my concentration back. So first thing tomorrow, while I’m fresh, I should be able to get that finished. I also generated some stub topics for a project that I don’t even need to have done until mid-April. So feeling pretty productive, even if I didn’t finish what I’d hoped to finish today.
***
The book I was reading (I finished it last night) was Murder at The Mena House. I bought it two years ago when I ordered a bunch of books set in Egypt to get excited about the (then canceled) RenAdventures tour of Egypt. I finally got around to reading it this weekend. And I don’t quite know what to think when the blurb on the back cover (from a starred review in Library Journal) describes it as,”Nebauuer’s debut dazzles, with a smart plot, remarkable scenery, and skilled execution.” and I thought it was rather a run of the mill mystery.
I have to admit, the author managed to hit most of my least favorite bad mystery tropes. An amateur female detective who isn’t very bright, asks stupid questions of suspects (that should get her killed, if this were not a cosy mystery), has poor judgement about who is honest and trustworthy, and has to be saved by the male love interest (who has a mysterious job which isn’t explained, but is just shady enough to make him suspicious and someone she should NOT trust!). Not to mention multiple inconsistent characters whose behavior makes very little sense, and clunky dialog.
I really don’t like dizzy female amateur detectives who solve the mystery via dumb luck. Despite the fact that there are already seven other books in the series, I don’t think that I will be buying any more of this author’s work.
***
Today’s forecast for 1.5 inches of snow overnight has gone up to two inches. Guess I’ll be brushing off the cars in the morning.
***
No sign of my little friend the mousy the last day or two. I’ve been checking my traps every morning and evening, and it occurred to me that he might be too wee to manage to push open the one-way swinging doors to get inside the Mice Cubes and get at the bait. I’ll have to get the new traps set up ASAP, they have an open door that only snaps shut once the mouse is inside the little plastic tube.
***
I’ve been puttering away at an AI assignment at work for the past week or so. We three database writers are working on a project to show how our databases work together (if properly configured). Because none of us are overly familiar with each other’s products, it’s sort of default that we have to use AI to help us write this up. And while I’d been picking at it, I hadn't made much progress. And then I accidentally erased my work and had to do it over again. D’oh!
Last week I published two sets of Release Notes for patch releases, and another Helm charts release. I released another update to the Helm charts today (I would have done it yesterday, but GitHub was down for hours. F*cking Microsoft, they ruin everything they touch. GitHub has been shyte ever since they bought it.)
And then yesterday I finally got the first half of my AI assignment submitted as a pull request, so that it can be reviewed. So that felt good, to finally get that unblocked. I started on part two, and almost got finished today, but then my brain decided to go for a wander, and I couldn’t get my concentration back. So first thing tomorrow, while I’m fresh, I should be able to get that finished. I also generated some stub topics for a project that I don’t even need to have done until mid-April. So feeling pretty productive, even if I didn’t finish what I’d hoped to finish today.
Delaying...
Feb. 9th, 2026 05:26 pmkoshka_the_catI decided to call insurance tomorrow. I wanted to take today off properly. I have prep tomorrow and am caught up at work, so a much better time to call!
Superb Owl Sunday
Feb. 9th, 2026 03:45 pmbrickhousewenchI did not watch the Super Bowl yesterday. I can’t remember the last time I watched, I’m sure it was more than a decade ago. I don't follow the Patriots, and I don't follow football, so if I watch, it's mostly for the commercials and the halftime show, and neither one has interested me much in the past couple of years.
I woke up earlyish this morning, and lay in bed for about an hour, reading all the various posts on Facebook about Bad Bunny’s halftime show. Breaking down his guests (Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin), the story about the couple who invited him to their wedding, and he invited them to get married during his halftime show (yes, it was a real wedding! apparently he signed their wedding certificate as a witness), and all the people who were onscreen for maybe only seconds (Jessica Alba, Cardi B, Pedro Pascal). I also saw speculation that the kid he handed his Grammy to was Liam Conejo Ramos — the boy from Minneapolis who had been deported with his father by ICE, but apparently it was a child actor named Lincoln Fox.
The various bits and pieces looked interesting, so at lunchtime I headed over to YouTube and watched the whole halftime show instead of just the bits and pieces I'd already watched. And it was immediately clear that I am NOT his target audience. And not just because I don’t speak Spanish. All the crotch grabbing and twerking let me know that I’ve aged out of his demographic (even if I did grow up with Michael Jackson grabbing his crotch, I still think it’s vulgar and unnecessary). And while the various posts I'd read had pointed out various cultural references (backgrounds from his videos, people from his neighborhood) they were not put in there for me to catch. His performance was a love letter to Latin America, and especially Puerto Rico, I wasn’t going to understand most of it, except for the LOVE part.
“THE ONLY THING MORE POWERFUL THAN HATE IS LOVE.”
Someone posted a screenshot of someone else’s post, reading This halftime show is what people mean when they say “joy is an act of resistance.” I'm glad he made such good use of this moment in spotlight. Proud to count him as a fellow American.
I woke up earlyish this morning, and lay in bed for about an hour, reading all the various posts on Facebook about Bad Bunny’s halftime show. Breaking down his guests (Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin), the story about the couple who invited him to their wedding, and he invited them to get married during his halftime show (yes, it was a real wedding! apparently he signed their wedding certificate as a witness), and all the people who were onscreen for maybe only seconds (Jessica Alba, Cardi B, Pedro Pascal). I also saw speculation that the kid he handed his Grammy to was Liam Conejo Ramos — the boy from Minneapolis who had been deported with his father by ICE, but apparently it was a child actor named Lincoln Fox.
The various bits and pieces looked interesting, so at lunchtime I headed over to YouTube and watched the whole halftime show instead of just the bits and pieces I'd already watched. And it was immediately clear that I am NOT his target audience. And not just because I don’t speak Spanish. All the crotch grabbing and twerking let me know that I’ve aged out of his demographic (even if I did grow up with Michael Jackson grabbing his crotch, I still think it’s vulgar and unnecessary). And while the various posts I'd read had pointed out various cultural references (backgrounds from his videos, people from his neighborhood) they were not put in there for me to catch. His performance was a love letter to Latin America, and especially Puerto Rico, I wasn’t going to understand most of it, except for the LOVE part.
“THE ONLY THING MORE POWERFUL THAN HATE IS LOVE.”
Someone posted a screenshot of someone else’s post, reading This halftime show is what people mean when they say “joy is an act of resistance.” I'm glad he made such good use of this moment in spotlight. Proud to count him as a fellow American.
Trousers Finished
Feb. 9th, 2026 05:26 amatherleisureI put the trim on the trousers of the 1878 bathing suit last night so they are officially finished. The dress still needs a hem and trim and buttons and buttonholes.
Day off
Feb. 8th, 2026 05:13 pmkoshka_the_catNot every weekend day is a day off, but so far today has been. And there are leftovers for dinner, so hopefully it will continue to be a day off...
Oops
Feb. 7th, 2026 05:13 pmkoshka_the_catRemember the desk I was painting during break until covid stopped everything? I was going to put the wax top layer on it today. It went fine on the back. Then it peeled off the side, once again, like Tinkerbell nail polish. I guess the sanding I thought did nothing worked? Oops.
I peeled off everything but the front drawer, which had also been sanded, and tried waxing that. It worked.
I'm not sure about repainting. It's fine with just the drawer green. The back doesn't show, obviously. I painted that as a test.
IKEA should sell paintable options. You're already building it, so why not paint?
And the cats woke me up in the middle of the night. A kitchen drawer was open, the tray from my espresso machine was pulled out, a lamp was on the floor, a small scratcher was feet from where it should be, and they crashed into the food and water bowls in my room. I think it was all of them because they were all lurking when I woke up.
I peeled off everything but the front drawer, which had also been sanded, and tried waxing that. It worked.
I'm not sure about repainting. It's fine with just the drawer green. The back doesn't show, obviously. I painted that as a test.
IKEA should sell paintable options. You're already building it, so why not paint?
And the cats woke me up in the middle of the night. A kitchen drawer was open, the tray from my espresso machine was pulled out, a lamp was on the floor, a small scratcher was feet from where it should be, and they crashed into the food and water bowls in my room. I think it was all of them because they were all lurking when I woke up.
1790s Portraits
Feb. 6th, 2026 05:22 pmmandie_rwHad the 1790s shoot with Michele yesterday (it was originally scheduled for last week, but she gave me the option to push it back a week if I wanted, and since Tom had the plague last week plus that relieved me of extra-frantic last-minute sewing, we agreed to do it this week instead). And it was fun! At least, as fun as it is to be a photography subject, which is not the most fun in the entire world, IMO. Lots of sitting very still and making minute adjustments to one's pose. But I love Michele's work, and am very flattered that she wanted to include me in the portrait series enough to do it gratis.
And I did finish everything I wanted to; take that, executive dysfunction!
The Anna Romana Wright dressing gown is pretty fucked on the inside LOL...it was very late in the game when I realized the red lining and yellow top fabric were not actually the same width, which made things difficult to match up. In my defense they're both taffetas from Silk Baron, so why the hell wouldn't they be the same width?! So I never actually measured the width of either of them. Rude. So there are random gaps in the lining where it wasn't as wide as the yellow silk, and it's just tacked in a bunch of places, but it was perfectly functional for a shoot. I want to figure out ties or bows or something for actual wear, but as the portrait didn't have any fastenings, I wasn't going to bother with those before the shoot. It's also not a shade of yellow I would EVER have bought for a dress on my own, without portrait inspiration...but I bought swatches and tested them in actual candlelight and that was the obvious winner.
So here we are with a mustard-and-ketchup dressing gown. xD And you know what, I actually really like it. It feels like a very 18thc color!
The working-class outfit was finished a while back, so thankfully no last-minute sewing needed there. I felt like the cap was treading the fine line between "amusingly derpy" and "just stupid" but I suppose it works as part of the outfit! I do need to en-biggen the jacket sleeves though. I thought they were just-this-side-of-big-enough when I reworked the jacket, but my shift sleeves got wedged up in there when I was trying to get it on and I got very sweaty and sausage-arm-y trying to get them pulled down, so clearly there's a little more space needed! Will probably wear some variant of this outfit to the Georgian Picnic in May, so should really add a piece to the sleeves before then, as I definitely won't be able to get that jacket on in the parking lot or easily drive in those sleeves. xD
I took a couple of mirror shots for lolz and posted them on Insta here - so you can get the full mustard-and-ketchup effect!
And Michele has posted a couple of shots so far: the working class and the Anna Romana Wright portrait, and I think they're absolutely beautiful! I'm so glad we came up with the idea of playing with the chiaroscuro lighting effect, because even the raw photos of the candlelight shots looked so neat yesterday, and I can't wait to see the rest of them.
And I did finish everything I wanted to; take that, executive dysfunction!
The Anna Romana Wright dressing gown is pretty fucked on the inside LOL...it was very late in the game when I realized the red lining and yellow top fabric were not actually the same width, which made things difficult to match up. In my defense they're both taffetas from Silk Baron, so why the hell wouldn't they be the same width?! So I never actually measured the width of either of them. Rude. So there are random gaps in the lining where it wasn't as wide as the yellow silk, and it's just tacked in a bunch of places, but it was perfectly functional for a shoot. I want to figure out ties or bows or something for actual wear, but as the portrait didn't have any fastenings, I wasn't going to bother with those before the shoot. It's also not a shade of yellow I would EVER have bought for a dress on my own, without portrait inspiration...but I bought swatches and tested them in actual candlelight and that was the obvious winner.
So here we are with a mustard-and-ketchup dressing gown. xD And you know what, I actually really like it. It feels like a very 18thc color!
The working-class outfit was finished a while back, so thankfully no last-minute sewing needed there. I felt like the cap was treading the fine line between "amusingly derpy" and "just stupid" but I suppose it works as part of the outfit! I do need to en-biggen the jacket sleeves though. I thought they were just-this-side-of-big-enough when I reworked the jacket, but my shift sleeves got wedged up in there when I was trying to get it on and I got very sweaty and sausage-arm-y trying to get them pulled down, so clearly there's a little more space needed! Will probably wear some variant of this outfit to the Georgian Picnic in May, so should really add a piece to the sleeves before then, as I definitely won't be able to get that jacket on in the parking lot or easily drive in those sleeves. xD
I took a couple of mirror shots for lolz and posted them on Insta here - so you can get the full mustard-and-ketchup effect!
And Michele has posted a couple of shots so far: the working class and the Anna Romana Wright portrait, and I think they're absolutely beautiful! I'm so glad we came up with the idea of playing with the chiaroscuro lighting effect, because even the raw photos of the candlelight shots looked so neat yesterday, and I can't wait to see the rest of them.
Wheee!!!
Feb. 5th, 2026 05:19 pmkoshka_the_catInsurance denied the medication I've been on for five or six years, a student knocked me over with her backpack and I hit my arm om my door, my poor teacher friend is sick, so I took our shared class instead of having prep, and the visit to the new vet was interesting. Three minutes on Tom, 20 minutes of stories. I think another vet is in order.
And I forgot my lunch. At least I had crackers, but no hummus, veggies, and grapes.
I stopped at our insurance place after work, and got an 800 number. Then transferred to the prescription optimization plan. I had to hang up though, to go to the vet.
A little while ago I got a letter that said I may be eligible for the optimization plan. I ignored it, because may doesn't mean you have to. Hopefully I can call tomorrow and get my medicine approved.
I'm so thankful it's a random three day weekend for a contingency day!
And I forgot my lunch. At least I had crackers, but no hummus, veggies, and grapes.
I stopped at our insurance place after work, and got an 800 number. Then transferred to the prescription optimization plan. I had to hang up though, to go to the vet.
A little while ago I got a letter that said I may be eligible for the optimization plan. I ignored it, because may doesn't mean you have to. Hopefully I can call tomorrow and get my medicine approved.
I'm so thankful it's a random three day weekend for a contingency day!
Progress
Feb. 5th, 2026 07:26 pmatherleisureEveryone else went to the movies last night (a makeup from the icy Sunday when the theater was closed) so I worked on my 1878 bathing suit. I hemmed the trousers and cut, joined, and pressed the bias strips for trim. I put the dress on the stand and pinned the back pleats preparatory to tacking them at the waist.
T-4 days
Feb. 5th, 2026 10:06 amtotchipandaAt this time in FOUR days I will be in the air on my way to NYC! I have officially completed all of my regular life obligations (except work) so all that is left now is related to the trip!
Still left to do:
Shave my head/shower
Laundry
Pack
Book and pay for ALL THE THINGS
Stab myself again
Write a fan letter
Apply for the job wot closes on Monday
Cat-related things:
Litter box
Food dish
Water fountain
I can't believe its finally here. Nearly 23 weeks ago, when I started my countdown at 159 days, it was so far away and impossible to believe it would happen. Now here we are. The panicked excitement is REAL. My budget is absolutely terrible, I planned for three souvenirs and that has left me with a handful of dollars for each days meals. I will need to be strategic since I have ZERO backup money.
When I get back, I need to plan for the surgery. Doc wanted me in on the 30th, but Boss has that day booked off already and I don't want to hear the whining about working as a teeeaaaammmmmm and being forced to come in when she shouldn't have to. Bc she shouldn't have to. That means buying the device and keeping money aside for the anesthetic. If I can put it off 'til first week of April, we get a GST rebate cheque which will help a tiny bit.
I also need to save up some money for my brakes. They were thin last year and they're undoubtedly worse now. Plus get that safety issue done. Such an expensive spring x_x
I unpinned the pattern from the wool. I can't make a decision about it right now so I will put it aside for the time being. It IS a mid suit-weight wool, and the itchy factor needs to be considered. Ah well. Probably should have explored this months ago lol.
Still left to do:
Shave my head/shower
Laundry
Pack
Book and pay for ALL THE THINGS
Stab myself again
Write a fan letter
Apply for the job wot closes on Monday
Cat-related things:
Litter box
Food dish
Water fountain
I can't believe its finally here. Nearly 23 weeks ago, when I started my countdown at 159 days, it was so far away and impossible to believe it would happen. Now here we are. The panicked excitement is REAL. My budget is absolutely terrible, I planned for three souvenirs and that has left me with a handful of dollars for each days meals. I will need to be strategic since I have ZERO backup money.
When I get back, I need to plan for the surgery. Doc wanted me in on the 30th, but Boss has that day booked off already and I don't want to hear the whining about working as a teeeaaaammmmmm and being forced to come in when she shouldn't have to. Bc she shouldn't have to. That means buying the device and keeping money aside for the anesthetic. If I can put it off 'til first week of April, we get a GST rebate cheque which will help a tiny bit.
I also need to save up some money for my brakes. They were thin last year and they're undoubtedly worse now. Plus get that safety issue done. Such an expensive spring x_x
I unpinned the pattern from the wool. I can't make a decision about it right now so I will put it aside for the time being. It IS a mid suit-weight wool, and the itchy factor needs to be considered. Ah well. Probably should have explored this months ago lol.
Wee bugger
Feb. 5th, 2026 10:26 ambrickhousewenchYesterday I checked my traps first thing in the morning. No mouse.
I kept my eyes out for quick, furtive movements along the baseboards while I worked. No mouse.
I checked the traps one more time before I headed to bed. No mouse.
I went into the bathroom to pee, and guess what ran along the base of the vanity and behind the toilet while I was in there? That f*cking wee mouse. He's tiny, about the size of a cotton ball. But still, I do not like encountering vermin while I have my pants down around my ankles. I was hoping to drop a bucket over him when I got my pants back on, but he zipped back out the door and under the washing machine. Speedy little f*cker.
I ordered more mouse traps yesterday. I plan to win this season of Julie vs. the Mouse.
I kept my eyes out for quick, furtive movements along the baseboards while I worked. No mouse.
I checked the traps one more time before I headed to bed. No mouse.
I went into the bathroom to pee, and guess what ran along the base of the vanity and behind the toilet while I was in there? That f*cking wee mouse. He's tiny, about the size of a cotton ball. But still, I do not like encountering vermin while I have my pants down around my ankles. I was hoping to drop a bucket over him when I got my pants back on, but he zipped back out the door and under the washing machine. Speedy little f*cker.
I ordered more mouse traps yesterday. I plan to win this season of Julie vs. the Mouse.
Long day
Feb. 4th, 2026 06:59 pmkoshka_the_catI woke up at 4 and work thoughts invaded and I never really fell back asleep. After a while I decided to do Wordle and found I somehow skipped yesterday. Oops.
Then work felt so long. Kids are fine, but budget stuff clouds everything.
Routine doctor visit was routine. The NP was nice and I have routine tests to schedule. Fun.
Now I'm going to do the crossword puzzle, pretty much my favorite thing right now!
Then work felt so long. Kids are fine, but budget stuff clouds everything.
Routine doctor visit was routine. The NP was nice and I have routine tests to schedule. Fun.
Now I'm going to do the crossword puzzle, pretty much my favorite thing right now!
Splat
Feb. 4th, 2026 05:30 pmbrickhousewenchOne of the very few advantages of having a fat arse is that it doesn't hurt quite so much when you find that patch of black ice in the parking lot and land on your arse on your way to the dumpster with your trash.
I'm fine. My dignity was more bruised than anything. I have definitely had worse wipe outs on ice in the past. This time I just landed on an overly padded hip and cursed a bit. So awkward trying to get up when you're on ice. =P
So, how was your day today?
I'm fine. My dignity was more bruised than anything. I have definitely had worse wipe outs on ice in the past. This time I just landed on an overly padded hip and cursed a bit. So awkward trying to get up when you're on ice. =P
So, how was your day today?
Yawn
Feb. 3rd, 2026 07:12 pmkoshka_the_catLong day. Worked. Came home. Cleaned poor Tom who had the long haired cat curse, poopy butt. Changed the litter box which finally came after weather delays. Repeat tomorrow, hopefully without cat trauma, but with a routine checkup at my new doctor's office. Yay? It's a good thing, but bleh. I just want to go home after work.
WTF
Feb. 3rd, 2026 09:18 ambrickhousewenchEither my dust bunnies have gained sentience, or I just spotted a f***ing mouse in my living room.
* gets out the mouse traps *
It's time for another season of Julie vs. Mice.
ETA -Goddammit, mousing sighting f***ing confirmed. Just spotted the little bugger wandering around again next to the front door. Moved the mousetraps from the kitchen to the living room.
* gets out the mouse traps *
It's time for another season of Julie vs. Mice.
ETA -Goddammit, mousing sighting f***ing confirmed. Just spotted the little bugger wandering around again next to the front door. Moved the mousetraps from the kitchen to the living room.
Week 4
Feb. 2nd, 2026 06:32 pmatherleisureSnow and sleet and sub-freezing temperatures may be bad for wanting to sew but are good for wanting to read and cross-stitch.
Here's where I left off last week:
And here's where I left off this week:
Between the 23rd and yesterday, I also finished seven books. They were all mysteries and therefore not terribly long, but that was a lot of reading!
Here's where I left off last week:
And here's where I left off this week:
Between the 23rd and yesterday, I also finished seven books. They were all mysteries and therefore not terribly long, but that was a lot of reading!
Et tu, coffee?
Feb. 2nd, 2026 04:24 pmkoshka_the_catI cough choked on my latte this morning and made a disgusting big mess, about three minutes before the kids came into class. Happy Monday!