NightWolf714 said:
Aroma G's Botanica - It's this lil' witchy place down the road for me. But they got a whole room dedicated to teas and herbs.
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ANGEL

1,330 - Standing abs day 19, doctor exercises and some walking!

720 - Few minutes in!

Good thing - Went to lunch with bestie AND another friend - We went to a ramen place in town and PHEW. IT WAS DELICIOUS. I swear though the bowl was endless. So much bok choy.

Cooper status - Goodest boy gave my bestie some sniffs. Why? He must check on them. Vibe check. He does this with sneefing. What a good little guy, giving sneef!
 
Syrius said:
:drool:That sounds utterly amazing. I wish my town had a ramen place.
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Where I live, there's a bunch of restaurants to the point where people like going to school here.

...

NOW IF ONLY THEY COULD MAKE IT AFFORDAB-

NightWolf714 said:
Ramen is amazing~ I just wish the bowls were a little smaller at those places, lol.
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Or you just give the rest to me, ez

1,331 - Standing abs day 20! Doctor exercises!

721 - Few minutes in!

Good thing - Alas, buddy had to go back to their apartment. But I am blessed to have such a good friend.

Cooper status - He isn't pleased that they're gone too, but worry not, he will be given many snoot kisses.
 
1,332 - Standing abs day 21, and doc workouts!

722 - Few minutes in!

Good thing - Send help. If any of y'all are into vtubers/Hololive, Calli's stream basically pretending to be coffeezilla is one of the funniest things I've heard in my life. My mouth hurts from smiling. Please watch it when the VOD goes up because the part with Gigi screaming at Calli about being unable to read broke me as a person.

Cooper status - Snoot loves you all too. Snoot is also pleased, as there's a lot of snow on the ground!
 
1,333 - Standing abs day 22, doc workouts!

723 - Few minutes in!

Good thing - I AM. SO CLOSE. TO GETTING THE NEW CAR. God this month hasn't felt real. Everything is weird. I am tired.

Cooper status - And he is probably happy too. I mean, he's not gonna ride in my car, he rides in mom's car, and this will be my car and not mom's car. But he will likely be happy to see me in a better mood.
 
1,335 - Standing abs day 24, doc workouts!

725 - Few minutes in!

Good thing - CAR OBTAINED. SLEEP IS HAPPENING. NIGHTMARE almost over. ... now we gotta register.

Cooper status - He is pleased, for you have had water. But now Cooper has another challenge. Oh yes. This floof boy has a challenge that only the most hydrated of humans can do - Cooper wants to know what you're going to do to make the world better.

YEP, HE'S GIVING YOU THE BEEG CHALLENGE. GO.
 
Cheers for the car!

f1shie said:
Cooper status - He is pleased, for you have had water. But now Cooper has another challenge. Oh yes. This floof boy has a challenge that only the most hydrated of humans can do - Cooper wants to know what you're going to do to make the world better.

YEP, HE'S GIVING YOU THE BEEG CHALLENGE. GO.
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Thank you, Cooper.

These days the fight feels like desperately trying to hold the line just so things don't get any worse.

Ontario's Premier just called a snap early election, claiming he needs a "strong mandate" to fight Trump. He already has a freaking mandate! (Ontario is a politically diverse province. But our desire for our country and our province to fight against 47 and everything he stands for is one of our most unifying political positions.) An early election call in Ontario is a blatant power grab by Ford to try to shore up power for another four years. (He's ahead in the polls here now. But a year and a half from now when our next election is due, he's afraid 18 months of Trump having bungled things south of the border, plus a likely change in government later this year at the federal level in Canada, will have soured the electorate's taste for conservatives.) All three London ridings are currently NDP holdouts amidst a sea of rural Ontario conservative blue. So it looks like it's time for me to introduce myself to my new MPP and ask what I can do to ensure she gets re-elected next month.

Beyond this, anything I can do to fight misinformation and disinformation over the coming years I think will be key. Particularly with respect to scientific research, which has been under attack for some time--a situation which will only get worse now. One thing I have always appreciated and respected about DAREBEE's Guides is that they provide references to the research sources they are based on. I look those sources up. I read the full papers (if they're not behind a paywall). I have enough of a background in science to understand how to properly structure empirical studies to minimize bias, and a pretty good eye for spotting it when it does creep into interpretations. I am going to continue to do this, both for my own edification, and so I can be clear when I speak (and write) as to which of my words are personal opinions, which are theories backed up by strong empirical data, and which are factual accounts that the public record shows have actually transpired. (Trying to pretend objective facts are not facts because one doesn't like them is dangerous. I think it is a practice we all need to stand up against.)
 
1,336 - Standing abs day 25, doc exercises!

726 - Few minutes in!

Good thing - crochet tiem! So much crochet tiem. When are y'all coming over for crochet tiem?

Cooper status - Cooper thanks you both @Syrius and @Laura Rainbow Dragon for the advice. Him and I apologize on behalf of America - There's... A lot of ignorance and hate here. We won't sugarcoat it. But the two of us are at least wanting to make the world a wee bit better. We just need a lot of help.

It is frankly, embarrassing as hell to me, that other countries need to prepare for the actions of just... One dude, frankly? I mean yeah it's one dude and the other dudes he puts up for various positions, but it does make me feel so genuinely ashamed as an American that people need to fear for their own lives due to the actions of one man. One man, from the only country I've known. I've only been outside of America once, when I was 18, on vacation in France and Spain. I'm not fluent in any other languages, and people need me here in the states... So I can't exactly run away from this.

I'm just glad to be in a lil' community here where people get why I'm so... Skittish right now. But before I can do anything like show kitten photos (not my own kittens, alas) or debunk bad science, I should sleep.

Love y'all.
 
Man we just need an "Americans against the current thing" support group. I'll make us jackets. Like, cool ones that the popular kids in high school movies from the before 9/11 time had.

1,337 - LEET BABY. Standing abs day 26, some doc exercises - I think I do need to contact them, though. While my back is getting better, my shoulder often feels numb? My shoulderblade in particular. Imagine your shoulderblade falling asleep. That is what it feels like. A lot. It's so weird.

727 - Few minutes in!

Good thing - Boutta be all nice and warm and cozy in bed and I'm just gonna pretend that it's a three day weekend. I still have to work tomorrow. But I wanna tell my brain to chill.

Cooper status - Fluff boy got blueberries before going outside to pee. He came back in. Got more blueberries. Then asked to go outside again to poop. I mean, on the one hand, that's genius. On the other, my dog is f'n devious.
 
What a devious cute floofboi! :chuckle:
Please tell Cooper that I am trying to stay hydrated!
And to make the world better, I will continue to offer my friends the emotional support and safety that they need (and sometimes have sorely lacked in their home lives).
I will continue to make and proudly wear my own clothing, and be open with people about why I choose to do so.
As a bonus, a lot of people smile when they see me walk by in my outlandish garb, and spreading joy is good :hooray:
I will also continue to experiment with my cooking and use vegan substitutes wherever it works for me, because our animal agriculture is way out of balance with nature's limits.
(This past week I came up with a new-to-me dish of creamy tagliatelle with bacon bits, but the bacon bits are fried mushrooms and the cream is of oats! So nom!).
I will still not shut up about being disabled, apparently just not hiding it is already enough to be an activist so that's something xD
Oh and I am trying to write folk songs about delightful weirdos so more marginalised people can hopefully feel welcome in what can be a very 'old white man' space.

Big hugs to you and Cooper :morelove:
 
f1shie said:
Cooper status - Fluff boy got blueberries before going outside to pee. He came back in. Got more blueberries. Then asked to go outside again to poop. I mean, on the one hand, that's genius. On the other, my dog is f'n devious.
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My previous dog, Kendal, loved being rubbed down with a towel. Which normally only happened when she had been outside in the rain.
Unfortunately, Kendal did not love being outside in the rain. So sometimes when it was raining she would pretend she had been outside. She would go to the door to ask to be let out. But when I opened the door for her, she would turn around and go straight to her towel and stand there staring at it expectantly!
 
Maegaranthelas said:
And to make the world better, I will continue to offer my friends the emotional support and safety that they need (and sometimes have sorely lacked in their home lives).
I will continue to make and proudly wear my own clothing, and be open with people about why I choose to do so.
As a bonus, a lot of people smile when they see me walk by in my outlandish garb, and spreading joy is good :hooray:
I will also continue to experiment with my cooking and use vegan substitutes wherever it works for me, because our animal agriculture is way out of balance with nature's limits.
(This past week I came up with a new-to-me dish of creamy tagliatelle with bacon bits, but the bacon bits are fried mushrooms and the cream is of oats! So nom!).
I will still not shut up about being disabled, apparently just not hiding it is already enough to be an activist so that's something xD
Oh and I am trying to write folk songs about delightful weirdos so more marginalised people can hopefully feel welcome in what can be a very 'old white man' space.
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So much :heart: for all of this! Great work @Maegaranthelas !
 
@Maegaranthelas And you're gonna post these folk songs here on site for us to jam out to, right? RIGHT?

1,338 - Standing abs day 27, doc exercises!

728 - Few minutes in!

Good thing - The heated seats on the new car are amazing for my back. God I wish I could sit in them all day but noooooooooo. Anyway, I'm crocheting a baby blanket for a friend so I got some more progress on that. Now, let's hope I can finish this before the lil' dudeski is born.

Cooper status - fwuffy.
 
:lovely:Hopefully I will record some this year, so that could be possible

Ooh, did you know you can buy electric pillows? They're like electric blankets but small! I didn't know they existed until a few years ago. Hopefully they are available in your area too! Sometimes you just want to melt your back into the sofa:typy:
 
f1shie said:
@Maegaranthelas

Anyway, I'm crocheting a baby blanket for a friend so I got some more progress on that. Now, let's hope I can finish this before the lil' dudeski is born.
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Please share with us what it looks like! I hear blankets are more work than you'd think.

And also let us know how much Cooper enjoys the snow. U(^.^)U
 
NightWolf714 said:
Please share with us what it looks like! I hear blankets are more work than you'd think.

And also let us know how much Cooper enjoys the snow. U(^.^)U
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Remind me when I do more! AND OH GOD THE LITTLE DUDE. HE LOVES SNOW SO MUCH.

1,340 - Standing abs day 29, doc exercises!

730 - Few minutes in!

Good thing - Had some hot cocoa today. IT RULED. But man I noticed about 7/11 hot chocolate is that it'll stay warm for a while and then suddenly it'll be colder than the heart of a mid level manager at a call center harassing some poor 20something over crocheting at her desk (ACTUAL EXPERIENCE I HAD WHEN I USED TO WORK AT CALL CENTERS) so uh. Yeah.

Cooper status - Little dude and I cuddled on the couch for a bit. This made it harder for mom to take him outside to go potty before bed.
 
1,341 - And we're done with standing abs and some doc workouts! Also walked around the mall today, yay!

731 - Few minutes in!

Good thing - Went to the mall today, I now have like 51 cents left on my lush gift card lmao. Anyone want anything? My treat for like, a twentieth of it.

Cooper status - Fluff boy got a smooch. And then another one. HE HAS BEEN SMOOCHENED.
 
Congrats
:worried:
 
Thank you all! <3

Mamatigerj said:
Happy Badge Day! :gotthis: How is your back feeling these days?
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It's... Not as bad, I still get kinda stiff. But I have a new problem I hilariously enough went to the doctors about today - So I may not have noticed it after the accident since it may have just been layered under the pain, but I may have a pinched nerve in my left shoulderblade. Imagine the feeling of your foot falling asleep, but in your shoulderblade. It's been like that for a few weeks and the fact that I haven't committed a felony about it makes me saintlike. So I'm still doing the exercises/stretches, plus I guess I'm gonna take some Aleve in the morning/evening for the next few days. If it's not letting up by Tuesday, we do PT.

1,342 - WELL WE DOING THE EXERCISES. And iron arms day 1. Let's see how far I get with that. Rolling my shoulders in between sets (hey, no rest doesn't mean I can't do other stuff in between) may help me!

732 - Few minutes in!

Good thing - FRIDAY OH MY GOD I'M GONNA FRICKING SLEEP SO MUCH

Cooper status - Fluff boy has been given smooches.

And he loves you.

A lot.

Ok?

ok.
 
Thanks Sy <3

Laura Rainbow Dragon said:
:vibes: for your shoulder (and for continued recovery in general).

Cooper: we love you too! I am very grateful to you for taking such good care of f1shie for us.
:heartsit:
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And he loves you MORE

1,343 - and iron arms day 2!

733 - Few minutes in!

Good thing - I was so hungry I was shaking. And then I got sushi. All is well.

Cooper status - And I got cuddled by the worlds sweetest fluff buddy, who is truly the best caretaker. Cutest thing around, yes.
 
1,344 - Iron arms day 3, doc exercises!

734 - Got a few minutes in!

Good thing - Got plenty done on Warcraft today, time to go to sleep! Man though, I wish I had Robin's Devil Fruit power from One Piece... Crocheting and gaming...

Cooper status - Fluff boy is sleeping right now in mom and dad's room, as he always does, protecting them from everything. He makes everyone feel safe tho. I remember when it was just me and him in October 2022 for a bit since mom and dad were going to a wedding, I felt hilariously secure knowing Cooper was snoozing next to me.
 
NightWolf714 said:
OoOo, Alliance or Horde?
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Horde on classic (Tauren), current one I have a Worgen because COME ON WEREWOLVES

1,345 - Okay I did Iron Arms day 4 but I think I'm gonna need to drop it. Too much for my shoulders. I'll find another challenge.

735 - Few minutes in!

Good thing - Time to go to bed EARLY. Why? Because I cannot be stopped. And also I love you.

Cooper status - Fluff boy is concerned. What have you been doing to love yourself lately? The world is really kinda scary right now, and he hopes you're doing okay.
 
f1shie said:
Horde on classic (Tauren), current one I have a Worgen because COME ON WEREWOLVES
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Obviously, you gotta try out a werewolf. ^_^ I haven't played WoW in forever, but I think I might have had a Draenei?

Cooper status - Fluff boy is concerned. What have you been doing to love yourself lately? The world is really kinda scary right now, and he hopes you're doing okay.
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I've been trying to do lots. I do the daily hug thing everyday. I'm trying to look at the positive with the gratification challenge and counting victories. I'm leaning into my creativity when it strikes (though I keep wanting to do literally all the things at one time, haha). And getting all the cuddles from my partners. <3 And remembering to ask them for help more. And some gaming time too. ^_^ I hope Cooper knows that he's super duper loved.
 
f1shie said:
Cooper status - Fluff boy is concerned. What have you been doing to love yourself lately? The world is really kinda scary right now, and he hopes you're doing okay.
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Thank you for your concern Cooper.

Right now I am fighting very hard not to be consumed with anger at the people in your country who allowed a buffoon and bully to occupy your White House once again. (He didn't do anything to help anyone other than his rich cronies last time, but did plenty that hurt less privileged people. I do not understand how people in your country managed to delude themselves into believing he would somehow do better this time. Especially given that his mental faculties have clearly deteriorated over the past four years, and he is now markedly even more consumed with narcissism and vindictiveness than before. I guess people's memories are short these days.) I am loving myself by avoiding logging into my banking platform this week. There isn't a thing I can do to protect my ability to pay rent and purchase groceries from the harm your POTUS is willing to inflict on my country (and on me personally--Yes. His behaviour does cause real harm to real people. Anyone who voted for him needs to own this fact.) just to scratch whatever itch his bullying scratches for him. So I'm giving the markets a few days to stabilize before I check on whether or not I'm still okay or will need to make plans for Shelby and I to be living in a tent by the end of the year.

Also: I fell on the ice two days ago and hit my head. Hard enough that it took me, I estimate, a full minute afterward to remember where I live and why I live here. As well as the obvious concussion, I'm pretty sure I also have some whiplash. So I'm loving myself by being okay with being a little unproductive on the workout front this week. (After that first minute of disorientation, my brain appears to be functioning fine. So I do need to get back to my writing work today--though my sleep schedule is a bit off right now due to having been legit afraid to go to sleep Sunday night.) Also: I ordered a pair of crampons to help me maintain my footing better on icy sidewalks. Shelby and I are doing minimal walking now until they arrive.

Thank you for continuing to be awesome Cooper, and for demonstrating the only true path forward for any of us: being loving and looking out for one another.
 
Thank you @Maegaranthelas . :heartsit:

I think I am okay. When the fall happened I was only disoriented for ~ 1 minute. I don't think I lost consciousness. (I never let go of Shelby's lead. So if I did black out, it could only have been momentary.) I was able to get up and resume walking again right away. My speech was fine. (I talked out loud to myself to talk myself through my initial confusion: "My father is dead. My mother experienced a ruptured aneurysm. She lives in long term care now. Her house was sold. That's why Shelby and I had to move. That's why we live in London now." That might have seemed weird to any bystanders if any had been around to witness it. But when I realized I was in Wortley Village and did not know why I was in Wortley Village, I was more than a little concerned. Saying things out loud as my memory returned helped me to reorient myself. And also to test that my speech was not slurred--which it wasn't.) By the time we made it home my pupils were equal and reactive to light, and I never felt any nausea or muscle weakness or experienced other signs of a really bad concussion. My neck still feels slightly jacked today. But I can turn my head 90° in either direction without actual pain.

I have not seen a medical professional though. I did not think I was injured badly enough to call for an ambulance. And there isn't any non-emergency medical aid available here on Sundays. I cannot visit my family physician anymore since I now live > 100 km from his clinic and no longer have access to a car. But he's been pretty good about providing telehealth since the pandemic. I think I may call tomorrow to try to get professional advice on how long I should wait before resuming high impact activities. (I'm not going to run again until the conditions outside are safer. But I'm not doing any indoor exercises right now that involve jiggling my head either, out of an abundance of caution. It would be good to know when I can safely return to doing indoor cardio.)
 
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