Rae Roy's Blog, page 19
August 31, 2022
2022 Capital Pride Recovery
I didn't drink much the evening of Pride after starting the day out a bit dehydrated. Also, I wanted to be able to get moving on my goals on my day off, which included cleaning in my condo and putting together my rowing machine. Unboxing was easy, but then it looked like the following and I needed to wake up a bit more before figuring out what to do next with it.
Thankfully, it was Danielle Allard's birthday stream on Twitch, so I could enjoy watching her open the gifts the community gave her and seeing her get emotional about them. And wake up gradually.
I really don't know how I survived walking over 12,000 steps on Sunday. Usually my body would be upset the next day, but I was just tired and in need of hydration.
I gradually put the rower together by cutting one piece out at a time. Just like writing a novel happens by putting down one word. This was more of a flash fiction piece given how long it took to put it together.
Yesterday, I had my first day back in the office and it was nice seeing many of my colleagues in person. The plan going forward is a monthly in-office meeting, which is excellent. We get to catch up in person and we also get to continue working from home.
One of the things I'm feeling after all this is social burnout. I want room in my schedule for a special someone. I also like hermitting away from the world and working on my goals. I can't have all that and schedule with 8 or so friend groups every month. It's far too much. Now that we're practically in autumn, I want to get a routine in place and calm the fuck down.
I've set myself up with a new routine and I'm looking forward to starting it tomorrow.
August 28, 2022
2022 Ottawa Pride Week
Overall, Pride was fantastic.
On Friday, I found out this woman I've had a crush on for months now is gay too! And of course I'm silly and didn't ask her out because she was at work... I have some friends who are very serious about their work/home life separation, so that was part of why. Maybe there was a little voice in my head reminding me that it doesn't mean she's into me. Thanks little voice.
Saturday brought my first ever live drag show. There were some acts with a lot of production value. They were doing things one might see at a pop concert. One of my favourites was Pythia, who did this three-breasted alien bit. There was another who did this puppet breaking away from its strings story, which I also thoroughly enjoyed. Ben Dover had some really hot back up dancers.
One of my lingering questions is, "What workout program do drag queens do?" Because damn they were fit!
There were parts on Sunday that weren't fun, like the standing around and waiting. I felt the planning needed improvement.
It was heartwarming to see the moms offering hugs in the crowd. But it also had me fighting to keep the tears at bay. Since my own mother never got to know this part of me and it's too late for her to, it just hit me hard in the moment.
The afterparty I went to was a great way to cap off the week. I brought my keytar out and we jammed a bit. I feel like I need to find a way to dirty up the sound because a lot of it sounds bright and happy, which doesn't fit with a lot of the music my friend's play. I should try it out with my distortion pedal. I think I need more pedals, but I don't know what ones to get and looking them up doesn't necessarily give me the information I need to even know what ways they might change the sound.
I loved seeing so many happy faces united in a celebration of love.
GOALS
Declutter
Goal 1: Put items up on marketplace. [Moved to August - Started]
Goal 2: Plan next steps in the declutter. [DONE]
Finances
Goal 1: Get the tires changed/stored and the calipers handled on my car. [July - PARTIALLY DONE]
Goal 2: Book an appointment with my advisor to see if there is something I can do like take a small amount of my RRSP to wipe it all out, then get promptly back to contributing. [August]
Fitness
Goal 1: Finish the Paris challenge. [August - DONE]
Goal 2: Sign up for the next challenge. [August - DONE]
Goal 3: Purchase a rowing machine that folds up. [September - DONE]
Music
Goal 1: Continue researching the genre [July-September]
Goal 2: Come up with a practice routine. [August]
Twitch Update
Goal 1: Update the about list with your commands [July - DONE]
Goal 2: Get to Affiliate [?]
Goal 3: Install origami holder [July - DONE]
Writing
Goal 1: Add music to Popcorn Girl [July]
Goal 2: Edit 3+ chapters of Sparker [July-September]
Please check out my digital to-do list: https://trello.com/b/RM8yD3eq/rae-roy-general
August 24, 2022
Pride Week Has Begun!
I'm really amped up this week. It's Pride Week in Ottawa!
On Monday, I went to see But I'm A Cheerleader with a friend and it was an excellent way to begin Pride Week. It's a campy film about conversion therapy, which has RuPaul in the cast.
Tuesday was partially spent on ironing/steaming flags for Pride. I'm not done with that and will be continuing tonight after I get some groceries.
I've also been getting back into planning. I realized I stopped partly because my little Clever Fox wasn't really fitting my needs anymore. For 2023, I'll be going back to my A5 and I'm setting it up differently than I have in the past. I'm working with a friend who is setting up an Etsy for planner sheets. It's going to have daily sheets, which are on order and should be arriving on September 1st. I also got the monthly Filofax for 2023, which will be coming on the weekend. Also coming on the weekend are blank sheets for drawing. I've been carrying around several books and I want to consolidate them all into one.
I also didn't have much reason to plan with Covid. I've joined a curling league in Ottawa, which is something to look forward to. I also received my rowing machine today. I saw that it was on sale for $88 off and didn't want to miss that, so I got it slightly earlier than I was going to. This is actually a better one than I had been originally looking at. It's well-rated in the budget options. It also folds, so I can put it partly away when I'm not using it, which is really important in a tiny condo.
Next week, I will call my mechanic. I have no time for anything extra right now. Even trying to meet people to sell items is really annoying. I decided to do them one at a time because anything else was stressing me out too much, so I couldn't make it happen at all. This is slow, but progress!
All right, groceries, then ironing, then streaming, then putting together a rowing machine.
GOALS
Declutter
Goal 1: Put items up on marketplace. [Moved to August - Started]
Goal 2: Plan next steps in the declutter. [DONE]
Finances
Goal 1: Get the tires changed/stored and the calipers handled on my car. [July - PARTIALLY DONE]
Goal 2: Book an appointment with my advisor to see if there is something I can do like take a small amount of my RRSP to wipe it all out, then get promptly back to contributing. [August]
Fitness
Goal 1: Finish the Paris challenge. [August - DONE]
Goal 2: Sign up for the next challenge. [August - DONE]
Goal 3: Purchase a rowing machine that folds up. [September - DONE]
Music
Goal 1: Continue researching the genre [July-September]
Goal 2: Come up with a practice routine. [August]
Twitch Update
Goal 1: Update the about list with your commands [July - DONE]
Goal 2: Get to Affiliate [?]
Goal 3: Install origami holder [July - DONE]
Writing
Goal 1: Add music to Popcorn Girl [July]
Goal 2: Edit 3+ chapters of Sparker [July-September]
Please check out my digital to-do list: https://trello.com/b/RM8yD3eq/rae-roy-general
August 21, 2022
Late August Goals Update
Anyway, if you didn't know that, you do now.
I walked a lot while I was on vacation except for those couple days it poured. On Thursday, my scooter's front wheel caught on something and sent me for a tumble. I came out of that with mildly scraped palms, a slightly scraped calve, and a very sore left thumb. I cleaned and bandaged my wounds and then wrapped my left hand in a tensor bandage. It wasn't until today that the base of my thumb showed a bruise. I canceled plans on Saturday because I was too sore to consider dancing.
I've started getting items up on Marketplace, starting with my old dishwasher. I'm putting the cash towards a rowing machine
Instead of LotR, I'm doing a short challenge: The Inca Road. I think LotR will be a fall thing. One thing I really like about these challenges is that they get me learning about different parts of the world. I never knew where Peru was and now I know it's in South America. Not only that, but the trail goes from Ecuador to Argentina. I know a bunch of people from Chile and Argentina from martial arts, so it's neat to learn a little bit more about where they are from.
I think I found my next steps for learning keytar. I ordered a book that focuses on some specific skills after watching a YouTube video on bass guitar. I promise this makes sense and someday I'll explain it.
Near the end of my vacation, I got the idea for a new screenplay. And I'm really excited about it. I started the Save the Cat method and I'm trying to get about 5 pages written each day. If course, that was pretty much impossible for much of this week given work, Pride prep, a colleague's retirement dinner, a visit with friends, and catching up after vacation. I'm 7 pages into the new screenplay. It came to me the night before I was leaving town to come back to Ottawa. This made the trip longer because I kept waking up with more ideas about this story. And this week, it also woke me up again.
That first episode of The Wilds! Such twist!
Come September, I'm planning to reduce my outings, so I can focus more on my goals. Until then, it's Pride Week in Ottawa beginning tomorrow!
GOALS
DeclutterGoal 1: Put items up on marketplace. [Moved to August - Started]Goal 2: Plan next steps in the declutter. [DONE]
FinancesGoal 1: Get the tires changed/stored and the calipers handled on my car. [July - PARTIALLY DONE]Goal 2: Book an appointment with my advisor to see if there is something I can do like take a small amount of my RRSP to wipe it all out, then get promptly back to contributing. [August]
FitnessGoal 1: Finish the Paris challenge. [August - DONE]Goal 2: Sign up for the next challenge. [August - DONE]Goal 3: Purchase a rowing machine that folds up. [September]
MusicGoal 1: Continue researching the genre [July-September]Goal 2: Come up with a practice routine. [August]
Twitch UpdateGoal 1: Update the about list with your commands [July - DONE]Goal 2: Get to Affiliate [?]Goal 3: Install origami holder [July - DONE]
WritingGoal 1: Add music to Popcorn Girl [July]Goal 2: Edit 3+ chapters of Sparker [July-September]
Please check out my digital to-do list: https://trello.com/b/RM8yD3eq/rae-roy-general
August 14, 2022
Coming Fully Out - Part II
Instead, I decided to just focus on spending time with him. I helped him with things around the house like repairing the internet and TV cable. He had sawed through it with a sawsall. It had been out since May. He was getting tired of what my eldest brother was choosing for them to watch.
We also replaced a bunch of window coverings. My old room included.
Anyway, I did those things because I could and later I thought they were actions that showed who I am. They were things I came to hope that he would think of rather than think of me in a bad way because I'm gay and I think that speaks volumes more than saying anything about this private part of my life.
On Monday, I visited Outloud and applied to be a volunteer. Despite living in Ottawa, I figured I can help remotely with my writing skills. Outloud is the local LGBTQ+ youth centre. It was nice to see a safe and inclusive place for youths where they can relax, get support, play games like billiards, and make friends.
I also got him some guitar things as he has been wanting to get back to playing, but couldn't remember the chords and such. He had a mini-stroke a couple of years ago. I wish he had told me sooner that he couldn't remember the fundamentals because I would've gotten him books and years ago and he could've been enjoying himself all this time.
When I really sat and thought about it, I realized I was feeling like I should come out because you're supposed to or something like that. The thing is, I am out to everyone I regularly interact with. I'm even out to HR and on the Pride committee at work. I see my dad twice a year. Though he's important to me, he's not in my life in the way my chosen family is. If I have a partner and he doesn't accept it, yes, it will hurt, but it's not like they'll have to spend time together if they don't want to.
Anyway, I feel like it's different with an elderly parent too. I think I felt more like it would've been nice for mom to know because she was always asking about potential men in my life, but dad and I don't talk about those things. We talk about my car, his gardening, music, etc.
On Friday, we took him and his dog on a pontoon boat and they both had a lovely time.
All in all, I had a good trip to my hometown and it was great seeing friends. I even came out of it with a screenplay idea that I'm so excited about, I kept waking up in the wee hours of the morning to write down notes about. I'm thinking I should take tech breaks a bit more often as they seem to have reenergized me.
Please check out my digital to-do list: https://trello.com/b/RM8yD3eq/rae-roy...
August 6, 2022
Coming Fully Out - Part I
I'm on a much needed vacation. And I decided to reduce my technology use during it to really unwind. It's my brother's birthday week and he wanted me to come visit.
Image by depaulus on PixabayThe only stress I have is that I haven't come out to my father yet as I'm worried how he'll react. He grew up in Catholicism in Northern Quebec in a tiny place that had about as many people as my high school did. He has occasionally said some homophobic things in the past. One of my friends asked me awhile ago why I even feel the need to tell him about this part of myself and it's partly a yearning for him to know me better. It's also because one day I expect to have a woman in my life that I'll want to introduce to my family. I'd rather not wait until then because I don't want that hanging over the relationship. I don't think it's fair to the person. I also feel like I lost that chance with mom and don't want to lose it with dad too.
Part of what is stressing me out about it is just figuring out what to say. Like, I could just say I love women. I could try to be funny and make a joke about boobs like how I feel like a tit for not realizing it all sooner? I was at lesbian billiards the other day and at least I'm making friends who get this current struggle. I could mention that the funniest thing about lesbian billiards is that there are a bunch of women there who have no idea what do do with sticks and balls. I could just say that I'm gay and give him my copy of This Book is Gay. Or maybe I'll go with something along the lines of that I've spent life really trying to be straight, but I'm just not and it's time I get to be happy and fully enjoy life. Maybe the last one combined with the book is the way to go.
Timing is another thing to consider. If it goes badly, I won't want to hang around, so I'm thinking of leaving it until near the end of my trip. Part of me wants to get it done early though, so I can stop worrying about the outcome.
Scheduling Challenges
I've been meaning to post for awhile, but I was sick for a bit and the fatigue was quite unbearable. Following that, I've had difficulty sleeping full nights or falling asleep at all. I think part of it is that I'm just really excited about my life right now in a way that I haven't been for a very long time.
Scheduling is a constant rework for me. Why? Because life throws curveballs and my goals change as I learn more about themselves, the world, and what fits. The last time I reworked my schedule I did something different; I looked at what I was already doing fairly consistently. Then I looked at what times couldn't be consistent. This let me choose the best days and times for streaming on Twitch and I could already stick to much of the schedule because it was mostly what I was already doing.
I've had to tweak my exercise time due to the hot weather. As Ella Fitzgerald sang, "It's too darn hot!" I lost a week because it was up around 40C at the times I had marked, which is far too hot for me. It was even too hot to exercise indoors on some of those days with air conditioning. It's a bit more challenging with Sjogren's Syndrome because I'm more heat sensitive than most people. I tried anyway, but strongly felt like vomiting. That's while hydrating with sips as chugging water while exercising can also produce nausea. Fun stuff.
So a couple of Mondays ago I started doing my walk before work. I was hoping to keep that up, but got sick. I felt more productive after having the walk. And I had a smile on my face during my whole walk as I listened to the Girls on Jane podcast by Zara Barrie. It was delightfully gay. And I even had a monarch butterfly follow me for part of the way. Sadly, I wasn't quick enough to snap a photo of it.
Declutter
I decluttered my car a couple of weekends ago. At least the main areas in case I have passengers. It could use a good vacuum, but there is plenty of space now. I'm going to just focus on small areas while trying to get the bigger items gone. It's not an overly detailed plan, but it's something.
Goal 1: Put items up on marketplace. [Moved to August]
Goal 2: Plan next steps in the declutter. [Done]
Finances
I can't remember if I mentioned this, but I got the official notice from the NSLC that my student loan is paid off. So I've started paying more aggressively on my other debts. I need to get as much as I can paid on my line of credit before March because my interest free bathroom loan will go onto it then.
Goal 1: Get the tires changed/stored and the calipers handled on my car. [July - PARTIALLY DONE]
Goal 2: Book an appointment with my advisor to see if there is something I can do like take a small amount of my RRSP to wipe it all out, then get promptly back to contributing. [August]
Fitness
Due to the hot weather, I took an extension on the Paris challenge. I wasn't going to make it as I was only 50% of the way through. This will push back the LotR challenge to September. I'm saving for both it and a lower end rowing machine. But my toe seems to be a bit angry again. I don't know how it happened. It seemed all better and I haven't hit it or dropped anything on it that I can recall. I might want to see the doctor about it because I can't be having this continually happen or it'll be really hard to lose weight and get back to being fit.
Goal 1: Finish the Paris challenge. [Moved to August]
Goal 2: Sign up for the LotR challenge. [August]
Goal 3: Purchase a rowing machine that folds up. [September]
Music
Not only did I add more lyrics to my first song, I played around in the key of A minor and have something I like though I don't know that it's in its final anything. I'm really excited to get some actual recording equipment. For now, I'm just using my phone to capture the rough notes and rhythms, so I don't forget it. I will put it into some sheet music to figure out where it needs cleaning up as well. I can't wait to start adding to it as I plan to add some rhythm guitar with the keytar. I also have vocals to do and some other bits I want in it. I took a songwriting course ages ago and I'm so happy to finally be working on it!
Goal 1: Continue researching the genre [July-September]
Goal 2: Come up with a practice routine. [August]
Twitch Update
Nothing to report as I'm just continuing to stream and hoping to get what I need for Affiliate. I'm likely going to change my bot to what a friend is using if I can figure out how.
Goal 1: Update the about list with your commands [July - DONE]
Goal 2: Get to Affiliate [July]
Goal 3: Install origami holder [July - DONE]
Writing
On the novel, I looked at it again last weekend, but didn't do much with it. On Popcorn Girl, I added some more lyrics.
Goal 1: Add music to Popcorn Girl [July]
Goal 2: Edit 3+ chapters of Sparker [July-September]
Please check out my digital to-do list: https://trello.com/b/RM8yD3eq/rae-roy-general
July 19, 2022
Slashing Goals
Lots of updates. Last week was a bit of a tire-ing week. That was terrible and I'm not sorry about it.
Declutter
I took a slight detour on this goal and decluttered my balcony. I felt it was important for my mental health to have a little outdoor space and it was a quick thing. It's funny how I can dread something that ends up only taking a couple of hours.
I keep putting off listing items because I keep having things to do that take me away from home. I don't like to waste my time or anyone else's. Still, I should just get them up there. I'll feel better and hopefully they won't take to long to get rid of.
Goal 1: Put items up on marketplace. [July]
Goal 2: Plan next steps in the declutter.
Finances
My tires have been changed and the winters have been stored. I felt quite unburdened after I got this done. Almost like I was finally getting my shit together.
I'm not sure I can really afford the calipers right now with the Bank of Canada changing rates and such. I don't know if I'll even be able to get an appointment with my advisor as it's likely a lot of people are trying to get in right now.
Goal 1: Get the tires changed/stored and the calipers handled on my car. [July - PARTIALLY DONE]
Goal 2: Book an appointment with my advisor to see if there is something I can do like take a small amount of my RRSP to wipe it all out, then get promptly back to contributing. [August]
Fitness
I feel like a dumbass, but I finally got my bicycle tires to accept a proper amount of air. It turns out that my tires will not inflate fully if there is any weight at all on them, like including the light weight of the bicycle itself. I guess I might not need to sell my original tires and tubes, but I feel more confident with the ones I am using now anyway. I swear that my dad never had to door this when we were younger, but at least I've figured it out.
An odd thing, the medal for the Paris challenge already came though I'm not done it. I don't know if I'll do another from that company any time soon. I strongly prefer The Conqueror Challenges.
I started practicing yoga this week. I'm mostly using YouTube though I have a 4 part DVD yoga workout as well that I plan to get to at some point. I feel like this was a good way to start the day.
Goal 1: Finish the Paris challenge. [July]
Goal 2: Sign up for the LotR challenge. [August]
Goal 3: Purchase a rowing machine that folds up. [September]
Music
No real update here, just listening to a lot of music and dancing to it for more exercise.
Goal 1: Continue researching the genre [July-September]
Goal 2: Come up with a practice routine. [August]
Twitch Update
I'm super close to Affiliate. I just need more people chatting in my stream to be able to apply for it. Of course, it might help if they could see the game I'm playing. It's really dark and I only just figured out how to fix that. The origami thing isn't working out as hoped, so I'll likely be taking a different direction.
Goal 1: Update the about list with your commands [July - DONE]
Goal 2: Get to Affiliate [July]
Goal 3: Install origami holder [July - DONE]
Writing
I've begun looking at the second half of the book. I really need to organize my notes better, so it's easy to see what has been added and what is outstanding. I also feel like there's too much dialogue in Chapter 14, but can't currently figure out how else to do it.
Goal 1: Add music to Popcorn Girl [July]
Goal 2: Edit 3+ chapters of Sparker [July-September]
Please check out my digital to-do list: https://trello.com/b/RM8yD3eq/rae-roy...
July 14, 2022
Making Space
So I'm almost ready to start listing some large items for sale to hopefully get some space and cash back. Today though, I did some work on making my balcony a nicer space. I bought a little hand broom to clean up the dirt that got all over. I also got some large planters, which I hope one day will have plants in them. There seems to be a plant shortage for full sun varieties in my area. My timing is impeccable as usual.
But I did manage to find some cute little succulents for pots I already had and just this change has me feeling pretty happy.
I'm planning to make much better use of the space. I also got a yoga mat for working out there as I thought it could be a nice way to start my days. And I thought I could even use my little practice sword out there. It's a mini fukuro shinai, for those interested. Of course there is definitely going to be some reading, drinking, chilling, and maybe even some ukulele too.
This week, I got my tires changed finally and I went with a place that will store them for the season. So, I reclaimed space in my annoyingly triangular storage space. I was able to move a cupboard into there, which I will be using to get some tool storage out of my unit.
I'm really looking forward to getting rid of the larger items taking up a chunk of my already small living space. Every time I get something out of the condo I feel less burdened.
I think it's really important that I'm reclaiming space. It's important for my mental health. For far too long I've wanted to do things like read more and when I try in bed, I just fall asleep. I've also needed places set aside for relaxation that aren't full of clutter. Clutter just gets my mind thinking about a todo list instead of allowing my mind and body to relieve the stress of the day.
I'm so fucking excited about this!
July 10, 2022
Mega Update + R3 Goals
It's been an odd, but mostly good week for me. Also, quite an eventful one.
Declutter
I have reclaimed my reading chair finally. I'm looking forward to making use of it!
I have several larger items I need to sell in order to get my living room, hallway, and entrance back. my tiny condo feels extra tiny right now. One item, a friend will be helping me with later in the month, but I'm hoping I can get the rest gone before then and get a little bit of cash to put on my credit card.
Goal 1: Put items up on marketplace. [July]
Goal 2: Plan next steps in the declutter. [August]
Finances
This morning, I sent my last payment to OSAP. Now I can focus on other debts more than I have been. My CPAP was covered despite only having mild Sleep Apnea, so that's excellent! With my student loans gone, I can make a plan for the rest, though I have one more major expense to deal with and that is the calipers on my car. With some luck, I can hit it all much harder though.
Goal 1: Get the tires changed/stored and the calipers handled on my car. [July]
Goal 2: Book an appointment with my advisor to see if there is something I can do like take a small amount of my RRSP to wipe it all out, then promptly return to contributing. [August]
Fitness
I'm trying out a different company's virtual medal challenge because The Conqueror doesn't currently have anything in France and I really want to learn more about one of the places I have ancestry in. Who knows, it may feature in something I'm writing one day. The challenge is The Pacer - Paris and the medal is quite beautiful. I can't say that I like it as much. I feel like I had more updates on The Conqueror app and I really like that The Conqueror partners with companies who are working on cleaning up the environmental messes that humans have caused. Those percentage updates are usually at a different point than the postcards, so it's more motivating.
I have new walking shoes coming as I've found Vans aren't great for this. Not for me anyway. I need more cushioning. A set of resistance bands arrived today. These are birthday gifts to myself.
What I really want is a rowing machine, but I'm holding off for a few reasons, like the cost and because of the large items I need to sell to have any kind of floor space for it. I'm looking at ones I can fold up, so they can be put somewhat away when I'm not using them or have someone over. It's the gym machine I enjoyed the most and it's a full body workout, so with enough resistance modes, I can just put something on the TV or some music on YouTube and get moving. I want this to be part of my workout plan for the winter as I know I won't want to go walking for much of it. I have too many pain days in the winter from the damp cold.
I've been saving up to do the LotR challenges and I think I'm there. I should be able to get The Shire done easily before winter and then perhaps I can row through The Fellowship.
Goal 1: Finish the Paris challenge. [July]
Goal 2: Sign up for the LotR challenge. [August]
Goal 3: Purchase a rowing machine that folds up. [September]
MusicOn Monday, I got to participate in a music video. My job was pretty much drinking at a bar, so I think I nailed it. It was for Danielle Allard and I'm told the video will be released around October.
I've been spending a lot of time figuring out what I want to do. Like what sound I want for my own music. I think I've got a clear idea now and I'm excited to be working on it. I have quite a bit to learn in terms of playing and crafting the sound, but I have a clear vision for my vocals now. One piece at a time until the puzzle comes together ;)
Goal 1: Continue researching the genre [July-September]
Goal 2: Come up with a practice routine. [August]
Twitch UpdateWednesday's SOMA stream started 45 minutes late because of technical issues. It turned out that I just had too many things open and a reboot fixed everything. There always seems to be something with streaming on Twitch.
I added a bot, which I don't fully know how to use yet, but I was able to create some fun commands for the channel. At least, I think they're fun. I have some lights coming to add some colour. And I plan to do a lot more once I reach affiliate.
As I didn't stream on Monday due to a dinner outing, I was planning to do a pop-up stream on Friday to make up for it. Well, the ISP I'm with runs their cable Internet service on Rogers lines and Rogers massively screwed something up, which left many across the country without Internet and some weren't even able to call anyone, including 9-1-1. I have issues with that because 9-1-1 is supposed to be service independent. There shouldn't be a case where someone can't call 9-1-1 as you're supposed to be able to do so without even having a SIM. Clearly, something needs to change. There is a lot of chatter on whether there needs to be more competition, government regulation, or something else. Personally, I think I would like to see less competition, but not monopoly. There are so many skilled techs that could've fixed the issue faster. They just happen to work at other ISPs. In fact, other ISPs were offering to help Rogers fix the problems and get everyone back up. ISPs make deals all the time to do things like swap fibres. They have change management and there is usually a back out window when a change is made to revert in the event of problems. It didn't seem to me like this was followed. Also, I'm not sure why they didn't do staggered updates. They could've seen an issue in a smaller chunk of the network and not taken down at least 25% of the country.
The whole Rogers thing was a wake up call for a lot of people, myself included. I should have a bit more cash on hand at home in order to at least get some groceries. Several are reconsidering their choice of phone provider after this, since they were without 9-1-1 capability. I'm really hoping that no one died because they couldn't contact emergency services.
Goal 1: Update the about list with your commands [July]
Goal 2: Get to Affiliate [July]
Goal 3: Install origami holder [July]
WritingLast week, I started writing a song. I have one line of music written and I have no idea where I put the lyrics to that one. Clearly, I need to be more organized there. Or maybe I didn't write much more than that.
I had a strange interaction on the train last night and wrote the lyrics to another song when I got home. It's about a woman who slid into the elevator with me after I almost closed the door on her because I was desperate to get away from the drunk girl who had been puking on the train.
It's not my novel, I know, but it IS writing.
I half take off the summers anyway to enjoy the nice weather and experience things that help fuel my writing. I also like to try and further some other skills like drawing during this time as I have future goals for other skills that tie into my writing. And I have been jotting little notes down to add to my novel.
Goal 1: Add music to Popcorn Girl [July]
Goal 2: Edit 3+ chapters of Sparker [July-September]
Goal 3: Figure out what happened with that other song I started [August]
Please check out my digital to-do list: https://trello.com/b/RM8yD3eq/rae-roy-general
