Quote from: Oldandcreaky on June 25, 2024, 01:55:50 PMYou handled that well, Allie, even though she told you that she doesn't see you as a sister, whatever she calls you.

I feel like people can only give what they're capable of giving. And it's not very nice to be disappointed in someone who feels like they're doing the best that they can.

Maybe that's from working with a staff and always trying to keep them both inspired to do better but understanding that I appreciate that they are trying... rather than that I'm judging their work vs that of a co-worker. That doesn't help anyone.

I think my sister is really supportive, and trying. She is the sister to whom I speak the most. After coming out, we speak just as often - like 3 or 4 times per week. Nothing has changed. She always wants to see photos, etc...

I just think that in the last month it's become a lot easier to see shades of gray in people's support, and pick up on nuances... not to judge, but maybe to moderate my own response so as to give them what they need to coax them along.

QuoteAnd it's not very nice to be disappointed in someone who feels like they're doing the best that they can.

^This^ is gonna be my cognitive cud. Thanks. It's some sweet grass.

Back from electrolysis and the courthouse - officially filed paperwork for my name change. So that's nice to have off the list.

It was also a good test for me since it was the first time I'd gone out in public like THAT... meaning fully dressed on a Wednesday. To be less obtuse — because I do my weekly electrolysis on Wednesday, the last time I can shave is on Sunday... so I had three days of growth, which for me at this point is a bit of a prickly white goatee. It's faint, and luckily it's light.... But it's definitely noticeable.

Best things I had going for me were a) no where is the rule that "everyone is the hero of their own story"  and too focused on themselves to notice other people more true than on the benches waiting to go into a court of law. 😂
And b) probate court staffers — who have to deal with a number of sensitive and personal issues, are well-trained at being friendly and compassionate. So I slipped in and out without incident.

Love,
Allie

So... just about 30 minutes ago, I got a text from one of my nephews. He lives about 30 minutes from us. He and his wife have two small kids and so we try to offer them our AAA baseball tickets whenever we can, as they love to go see fireworks. Last year we actually got a whole bunch of tickets to one game and they all came with us, our son, and his sister (my niece) and her fiancé. That was fun.

But anyway, he texted me and asked if I wanted to go out to lunch in a couple of weeks. He had something cancel or something and had an opening and just... thought of me. It's on a Wednesday so I have my electrolysis, but I told him I could do something late morning right afterwards (I need to do early lunch because of my migraines... too late and I'll be trapped and it's too hard for me to drive home. Well, too unsafe anyway).

So that was really really sweet.

You know, as mentioned above... I'm at my absolutely worst looking on Wednesday because of electrolysis... and even WORSE right AFTER the session... when I'm a bit red and aloe-y.  But.. I decided I can't let that stop me.

Gotta live my life.

So that's that.

Love,
Allie

P.S. Also, I'm not totally insane. I might ask my electrologist to finish up a few minutes early (i.e. actually ONLY give me the session I paid for — not like 30-40 minutes extra) and try to race home and do a quick shave before lunch (which admittedly would hurt). But if I can't, I can't. But I will at least do it if it's possible.

P.P.S. when I talk about her giving me extra? Today for example: I arrived early because I was done in court, and so I got there at 9:40 AM for my 10-11:00 AM appt. Well she came out at 9:45 doing some errands and I told her to ignore me, that I just arrived early and she said "early is good, come on"... so we started at 9:45... and by the time she started the aloe and ice cream scoops (that's what the cooling rods she uses look like), it was 11:30.  So 1:45 minute session. And we spent most of it laughing and swapping stories. She's the absolute best.

Ok this is a totally geeky flex... so I'm sorry... but I'm literally tasting adrenaline in my mouth right now so I have to get it out by writing!

I AM SO GOOD AT BRIDGES!!!

Yeah, I know that's a non-sequitor.  Lemme explain.

We are headed to NYC the last week in July... so I'm in the planning phase now, and also now the booking phase for some of the hard/impossible to book things.

Have already got our tickets to Stereophonic which just won the Tony (wish I'd done it the week before but... live and learn), along with a few really great restaurants, one vegan place (Dirt Candy) that we've been dying to try and is one of the hard gets... but not impossible.

But the white whale of NYC is Tatiana... it's the #1 spot in the city for good reason... the food is supposed to be incredible. It's foods from around the world basically, in a really high level fusion menu. And reservations drop at noon each day for 30 days out, and by 12:00.02 each day, they are all gone. Mostly by bots, supposedly.

Oh you can BUY a reservation for like $100 per person from brokers, but how sad is that? So I have been trying for each day we had available.

The first day, both my wife and I tried. She didn't even see any times, but I did! I clicked on 5:30 pm, got it, then had to prove I wasn't a robot by identifying bridges. There were a couple that were tricky and maybe it took me a couple extra seconds? But apparently they don't hold your reservation... because when I hit the last bridge I got an "oooh, so sorry".. dammit.

The next day, I got nothing. Didn't even see a time.

The next day, I got a time again, but this time for some reason they skipped a day, so the reservation was for a day later than I planned and conflicted with another res that I had... and in the second it took me to answer "do you want to cancel that to take this?" "Oooh, so sorry." Dammit.

Well today was my last chance.

I had the resy app loaded on my phone. The atomic clock on my iPad. And I timed it right so I saw at least a few times, I have no idea. I just clicked a number (turns out it was 5:15... perfect) and then I got the bridges again. I NAILED those goddamn bridges! I mean, people who don't have my bridge skill will dine at Arby's that night. So sad for them.

Whooo. Ok.. calmed down.

I just read what I wrote above. The writing of it was enough to be cathartic... so I really should just delete it and go on with my day.  But hey, if reading the unhinged rant of a crazy person gives you any bit of joy at my expense? Have at it. So I will leave it be.

Love,
Allie

P.S. No, seriously, I am SO good at bridges!

Hi Allie,

Congratulations on getting those reservations.  Yes, it is a big deal for for some of us.

I followed Hurricane Lee/Tropical Storm after it went through Cape Cod.
It wasn't the easiest drive, but I got to hang out with friends on Saturday.
Someone kept calling until they found a seafood place where we could all have dinner.
I had a great seafood medley.   The weather the next day was perfect for playing golf.
I was immediately paired up with a great partner, someone who had also recently retired.

Showing up as a random  works really well, as golf courses need the money they get by filling twosomes and foursomes.
I have all the skills I need to play fast and socialize with other golfers. I have about the right skill level, too.
  I can make good shots, but not so good that folks feel intimidated by my play.

Marion

I love reading the rants of a crazy person... well SOME crazy persons. 

Your rants make me smile. So it's all good.

Well done dear, persistence counts (or was that the count who counts?)

Quote...people who don't have my bridge skill will dine at Arby's that night. So sad for them.

^Funny stuff.^ Please keep ranting.

Now go dine in bliss for all of us. My only hope is that Arby's is having a two-fer. I'll then have quantity, if not quality.

Quote from: Oldandcreaky on June 28, 2024, 07:49:48 AM^Funny stuff.^ Please keep ranting.

Now go dine in bliss for all of us. My only hope is that Arby's is having a two-fer. I'll then have quantity, if not quality.

They do have the meats. There's no denying that.

I'll be honest, I could easily tear into an Arby's lunch right now. My wife and I were taking the other day trying to figure out the last time we ate at McDonalds. We figure it might have been like 10 years ago. (Not counting stopping on the highway for a drink).

Used to do that all the time when the boy was young of course. I love a Big Mac. I think it was all pre weight loss ... but I honestly do miss it. Just because the calories are high doesn't mean I couldn't integrate it back in on occasion. I just haven't.

The one thing for sure, never feel guilty about eating food. That's how food spirals start.

I love Big Macs! I stopped eating at McDonald's long ago when they changed their fry oils to the non-trans fat version. I used to love their french fries. Now they upset my tummy. My friend and I have been having lunch at Wendy's instead. A Biggie Bag with a junior bacon cheeseburger, chicken nuggets, and fries for $6 is a cheap meal.

Quote from: LoriDee on June 28, 2024, 10:34:04 AMI love Big Macs! I stopped eating at McDonald's long ago when they changed their fry oils to the non-trans fat version. I used to love their french fries. Now they upset my tummy. My friend and I have been having lunch at Wendy's instead. A Biggie Bag with a junior bacon cheeseburger, chicken nuggets, and fries for $6 is a cheap meal.

Yup. Tastes good, is filling and cheap. Which is why people who abuse that have difficult with eating well and with weight. I don't know for sure but I'm guessing that runs about 900-1k calories, depending on sauces and assuming a diet drink.

And if you do it once in a while? Awesome. But every day... it's really a challenge to add stuff the rest of the day to round out a more balanced diet.

I like to tell people instead of depriving themselves: "Eat what you like, and then add what you need."  More fiber, more protein, more fruits and veg, etc.

McDonald's hamburger and small fries

Junior Whopper and small fries

Salad at Wendy's

I eat a lot of chocolate and ice cream.

Today's breakfast: a vegan sausage patty, a small square of sharp cheddar, cherries, blueberries, strawberries, a diced nectarine, and half a banana. This is a pretty typical breakfast for me. Lunch tends to be protein, usually smoked salmon or tuna, and dinner is usually veggies and perhaps another protein. I try to eat real, unprocessed food. Like Allie, I will splurge here and there and eat junk food, perhaps once very four months or so, but I have gone years between a fast food burger. I like them, but don't crave them.

I am a sucker for a big mac but I had a burger from Berger King when on hols and it was much nicer. Porridge, blueberries with sunflower and pumpkin seeds is my standard brekie, some cucumber and small tomatoes and an apple for lunch then dinner is some meat curry and veg curry.   

I probably eat breakfast about 1/2 the time... my criteria is... am I hungry? (Radical, I know!)
Typical breakfast is an Omlet (or microwave bowl if lazy) from 1/2 cup of egg whites, 1 oz of sharp cheddar and spices.

Lunch today was a protein wrap with grilled chicken, avocado, lettuce, tomato and a bit of balsamic.  Along with some corn ribs.

Yum, Allie and Davina!

That literally looks like an octopus tentacle

Quote from: Sephirah on June 28, 2024, 06:09:41 PMThat literally looks like an octopus tentacle

Yeah, it does!

Quote from: Sephirah on June 28, 2024, 06:09:41 PMThat literally looks like an octopus tentacle

😂

If you've never tried corn ribs I highly recommend them! They are so good! I could eat them at every meal! You literally pick them up and eat them as you would a pork or beef rib.

Quick and easy to make too!