I've not been on SDF in a good few months... I've been swamped with work and
people and everything else. But, I just felt like phlogging today, so let's
start with answering Christyotwisty's December questions:

1. How far in advance do you like to start planning things?
In general, I really dislike having to plan things ahead of time, but I do it
when I need to. I guess it really depends, but for small things usually a few
days and for bigger things at least a week. I like to do a lot of fun things
sponatenously and I like to resolve problems (like being sick) as soon as
possible, but I prefer to set back bigger projects and problems. I usually
don't like to set them too far ahead, though, or else it stresses me out.

2. What do you hope happens in 2022?
I hope I become a millionaire and can retire and apply to go back to school in
Japan lol. I also hope the pandemic status finally ends and hopefully
governments actually try to work together to resolve all of these supply
issues and financial problems.

3. What challenges have you recently overcome?
I feel like I've not overcome anything recently. I think I'm a bit stuck at the
moment. I did get gas and food today, though.

4. Seasonal traditions you're most excited about
Getting two weeks off to sleep (I hope) and exchanging Christmas presents

5. Are you good at directions and maps?
I'm pretty good with them, although I'm terrible at telling you at any given
instant (especially inside a building) which way is North, South, East, or West
and which direction a given building or construct is in.

---

I applied for a second job today. I regret doing it in a way, honestly, as I'm
not sure I can handle the workload and stay sane, but with only 14.67 an hour
at my current job (which is $10.86 after taxes and benefits), I'm struggling to
pay the bills and keep myself fed, especially with Sarick and Celina still
living here (which hopefully they won't be soon). The job is a part-time
position as an associate editor, but I'm not sure yet if since it's
work-from-home that they offer a flexible schedule, which I'll need to keep
working my first job. We'll see... As an alternative (assuming I get rejected),
I may apply for a freelance writing position for some company that does
literary guides. That one seems a bit more intense which is why it's my backup,
but I'm hoping that they would pay well enough.

The one thing that's helped me at all is being able to get out of the house a
lot more lately since my friend Paul is out of the military and back home now.
He got out back in September and me, him, and Brandon took a road trip from San
Diego back to Mississippi at the beginning of October which was pretty fun
(although pretty short). It's been basically the only relief I've gotten from
dealing with Sarick and Celina.

I've been trying to lose weight lately as I'm all the way up to 250+ pounds,
but that's been more of a "if it happens, it happens" sort of thing rather
than an active effort. I ate McDonald's for lunch and just got a Dominos pizza
notification, so I think it's pretty easy to see why that's been a struggle
lol. I have been more successfully putting castor oil in my hair every week for
the past few weeks, although I've started falling behind again in using
minoxidil every day. I've started trying to use Sandalore (synthetic sandalwood
odorant) at least once or twice a week with my hair as it's been purported to
extend the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle and help people grow their
hair back, so hopefully I'll begin to see good results from that in the coming
months. Self-care's a bother, but at least my mental health is still miles
ahead where it was at the beginning of last year.

That's all I really feel like writing for now. I hope everything's going well
for everyone! Hopefully I can get back into the groove of listening to
aNONradio again if Sarick and Celina would ever leave and I could have some
peace and quiet (and my living room) again.

Until next time!