Thursday 28 February 2019

Like Magic

I'm about to type something into non existence.

They say it is likely to snow a small amount.  Now that I have typed that out it is not going to happen.

You heard it not here first!

Wednesday 27 February 2019

Wind Chill

I'm sure I've experienced wind chill before but I had a super strong experience with it yesterday that really made me feel like "oh, ok, THIS is wind chill, damn!"

Jason and I went for a walk and although it was sunny, I knew it was cold out so I bundled up.  It was still cold, but once we got walking I was warm enough, so it wasn't a big deal and yeah, any time we were out of the wind it was a lot warmer, almost nice in the sun.

But then on my way home, I had taken off the extra layers of hat and gloves and stopped to pick up some (er... creme eggs, shush!) stuff from the store and as soon as I got out of the car (and out of the heat of the car!) without the hat and gloves it was cold cold cold!

Just the walk from the car to the store was so cold, the wind really did have that much of a bite.

Wind chill confuses me from a physical standpoint (as in, I probably once learned how it works but now I'm going to have to go google it again because I've forgotten) because I don't... *get* it.  But I can tell you first hand now that yeah, it's a thing.  It's a frigging cold, biting, mean old thing!

Brrr.

Tuesday 26 February 2019

Not Panicking

While I'm not horrifically concerned about the current measles outbreaks, I was interested to hear that I am in the age group of folks who maybe have only ever had one round of MMR vaccinations.

I looked to see if I could find some immunization records but the only one I have on hand is one I was given when I went in for the bird flu vaccination a few years back. 

So I looked up what to do about getting my old records and since I didn't grow up here I'd have to call the health authority of where I grew up.

I knew they'd be overwhelmed with calls, but I went ahead and gave them a shout yesterday.

They had a whole pre recorded message about measles and such and I decided not to wait on the line to get through to them right now to ask for a copy of my records, instead, I'll just go in and see my doctor and see what she has to say about it.

But it did make me realize, there are a few things about my health that without records, I'm not exactly sure about! 

Monday 25 February 2019

A Binge

This weekend I totally binge watched Bondi Rescue!

It just showed up, a show about Australian lifeguards, and I'll be perfectly honest, I thought I'd give it a watch just in case there were delightfully handsome men to watch... but that sort of ended up being incidental. 

I wasn't sure I'd make it through the series as the rescues were a bit nerve wracking, but once I figured they'd probably not show us anything too too bad, I was able to relax and enjoy the show.  It's light and a quick watch and not too serious.  The fellows are all very nice and seem to really enjoy their job and I actually found the show quite inspiring because here is a job you HAVE to be fit to do.

So these super fit people are super fit not for vanity or showing off, but to save lives.  So cool!

So while I'll likely never be a lifeguard at Bondi beach, I can certainly say that that simple little show inspired me to want to be healthier, so thanks random tv show!

Friday 22 February 2019

Um

The holter monitor was pretty annoying, my heart didn't do the weird things it sometimes does (of COURSE it didn't) and I got a horrible rash/burn combo from the sticky stuff that kept the leads on and I wasn't able to sleep at all with the thing on (not exaggerating)

So my review is a 3/10, would not like to do again. (And hopefully don't have to.)

Technology is wonderful at helping us watch our health, but not always super fun.

Thursday 21 February 2019

Ordinarily

Ordinarily I'd be saying "how is it the 21st of the month already?" but I feel like I know how this month went by.  As in, I don't feel like this month rushed.  Or something not quite tangible makes me feel like I'm not surprised by the date.  I've had a weirdly difficult few weeks.  On top of an extremely difficult last month.

I'm wearing a holter monitor as we speak.  It's a device that measures heart activity, like an extended ECG.  It's annoying and I'm finding the sticky things that hold the ... measury things (leads? I dunno, I could google, but then you'd lose out on googling yourself!) super irritating and I figure I'll have some skin irritation there when it comes off, but it's more the tag to take it off that's rubbing, well, on my boobs... because, as you can maybe imagine, there are some sticky things under my boobs.

There are five altogether, which is fine, and a device that's doing the reading that I'm wearing on a belt loop thing.  I feel strangely scared to do anything not because of upsetting my heart but because I'm scared of the thing falling off or bumping it and pulling out the wires or something.

Probably by the time you read this it'll be off me already and I'm aware my heart might not do anything of note while I have it on and I suppose a pretty normal reading is the best bet here.

Insert a joke here about hearts and Valentine's day if you wish...

Wednesday 20 February 2019

Security Alert Part Two!

As if having an account I didn't know I had broken in to, I then came home yesterday to find I'd forgotten to lock my door!

GAH!

I can't think of any other time I've ever done that so I'll put it down to a one off thing where I must have been distracted or something and I'm glad to live in such a safe building and phew, glad it went well!


Tuesday 19 February 2019

Wait, What?

I got an email alert yesterday that someone had signed on to an account from an unknown browser and if it wasn't me to change my password.

Well, usually when I get these it IS me but this time I figured it was most likely spam as the account in question was an EA gaming account and I don't own a gaming system.

But I decided to follow through anyway and the email seemed legit and so I went to their site (not via the email) and guessed at my account name and password and got in.  So... I guess I made an account with EA?  Probably for Origin for some game I used to play on my phone?

I changed passwords, even though I don't really play many games on my phone anymore but now I'm feeling pretty paranoid (as one should) and am wondering how on earth someone knew to "hack" an account I didn't even know I had.

I'm finding passwords particularly frustrating right now as I switched computers and manually transferred what passwords I could and I clearly missed a few or something, but now I feel like burning everything to the ground and never having another password ever!

Sigh.

I've also thought about getting a password manager type thing but then if I lose it (wherever it might be.. on a laptop or what have you) it's an awful lot of work to reset them all...

Which I guess is where the "bad guys" have us, eh?  Convenience vs frustration/effort.

Monday 18 February 2019

Melting

It's Sunday morning as I type this.  The sun is out, which is so lovely, and the snow is continuing to melt away, which I know makes things easier for a lot of people (but I will certainly miss it.)

I feel like I've made it through winter now.  You can start to see the days being longer.  Heck, there was still light out some time after five this week, it was decidedly wonderful.  I feel like now it's time for Spring, all the "winter things" are done... Christmas, New Years, Valentine's Day, it's time for easier days.  Because yes, I struggle in Winter and maybe sometimes even in Fall. 

My birthday is in this last chunk of time, and it was a weird one this year.  I had plans for the day itself, dinner with my parents, lunch with C-Dawg, but my parents had a rough bout of the flu and had to cancel and C-Dawg's been unwell herself and she messaged me on the morning of and said she was so sorry but just not well enough to have lunch.

I completely understood and I wasn't upset, that's just life.  But it was my first birthday ever alone.

I could have gone to see Jason, or even exposed myself to my parents' flu.  I thought of seeing my brother but it turns out his back had gone out so... yeah, my first ever birthday alone.

It was sad.

I sung myself happy birthday, I stuck a match in a jaffa cake (don't ask why I had some!) and, well, for the first time I didn't see my family on my birthday day.

I did see friends that week and I did see my parents not long after (my Mom only as my Dad was still not up for it...) I'm not looking for sympathy, just sharing that it was a difficult and sad/lonely experience for me.

C-Dawg's message, however, gave me a strange feeling of permission.  To actually say out loud that I am not well.  We both mean a great deal to each other and we know birthdays are fun and special days and I really appreciated that she *wanted* to see me and have a delicious lunch but that she wasn't well enough to do so and told me so.  I'm not good at that. 

I power through far too often and tell people that I'm managing or hanging in or whatever the line is.  Which is true sometimes, but also sometimes not.

I haven't really said it outloud myself, I did break down this weekend and tell Jason that I really think I'm not all that well, but it's hard to admit.  I'm looking to C-Dawg as my inspiration that on the days I'm really not ok, that's when I should be saying to myself and others that I'm not well today.

So, I did.  When I went out that weekend to catch up with friends I haven't seen in, well since my last birthday, I met with one of them a bit earlier and explained where I'm at and how I've been doing.  See, I haven't really talked to anyone outside of my very very immediate circle about what's going on, and really within that circle, I've only really talked fully with Jason.  I dunno.. the earth didn't stop spinning when I told my friends I was really struggling with anxiety.  I don't know if they think any differently of me.  They haven't suddenly started to call every five minutes to check if I'm ok so... you know, maybe it's not so awful if people "know"?

It's just private and personal and awful and I know how some will think about it, or about me.  I've heard them talk about people who had "breakdowns" or "lost it" or... whatever and there's often such judgement that I'd rather avoid.

But knowing there is judgement anyway, I suppose.  That were I the healthiest I've ever been some people still might think poorly of me or dislike me or judge me.

I can *know* this and still not feel comfortable with talking about my mental and emotional health.

But I'm also feeling like I'm at a point where I need change.  Big change.  Big, POSITIVE change and keeping this all secret/silent hasn't made me better.

I just know there are certain things you can't take back once they're out.

Well, let's be real, everything.  But yeah, I'm not well, and I don't know that I've fully accepted or admitted that as I've been trying so hard to push through everything.

And it's also possible this is just how I'm feeling after a long winter, and some new physical health concerns.

Friday 15 February 2019

Ouch! Really?

I know we love our bodies because they're the only body we have and I do... but I'm also frustrated so going to vent!

My body seems super ultra picky.  Which gets frustrating.

Case in point...

I went for a short wander the other day in my snow boots and the deep snow.  I didn't go far, I didn't rush, I was careful where I stepped.  I stopped from time to time to take pictures and the only reason the walk was long was that I was going slowly and carefully.

So... my body decided that walking in that different (unusual?) way was enough to make my knee hurt for a day.  Like.. are you kidding me?

I didn't DO anything!  I didn't fall down, I didn't run, I didn't twist it or tweak it, there was no injury, I just... wore different shoes that usual and so... a sprained knee?

And I've been spending extra time on these snow days on my laptop.  And so I have now to ice my left elbow because it has that tendonitis feeling from being bent that way for longer than it wanted to be?  WHAT?

Sigh.

I do take supplements for joint stuff and all that, so I am watching out for my body but it is frustrating to get owies for very little...

Thursday 14 February 2019

Odd

So apparently the snow this time did a thing it usually doesn't do...

Often when we get snow in town here there will be far more snow elsewhere.  Like a forty minute drive will give you more snow and a three hour drive will give you a ton more snow.

Well, this time it seems that there were huge variations just ten or fifteen (maybe twenty) minutes away from each other.  As in, C-Dawg figures she got twice the amount of snow I did.  (She had to be in both areas yesterday and texted me all WHAT?!)

Usually the snow hits Victoria in a pretty blanket amount, so it's a little odd to have had it so varied in a relatively small area.  Go figure.

When we texted yesterday morning she figures they'd even gotten another five or so centimeters overnight and we only got a couple at most.  Plus a lot of ours melted.  We are a lot closer to the water than she is and I know that warms things.  (Or cools it in warmer times...go figure)

There were apparently snow plows getting stuck and things the last couple of days which, again, you can mock us for "freaking out" when it snows here but it really is a weird situation when it actually for real snows!

Happy Valentine's day by the way.  Hope you have some loved ones you can send hugs to.  And maybe you have your eyes on some chocolate tomorrow!  And let the Easter stuff roll on, right?  (Although I found one source in town for creme eggs a couple of weeks ago, but let's not talk about that ok!?)

Wednesday 13 February 2019

Oooookhay

It snowed pretty seriously all day Monday and the city had one of those "virtually shut down" days yesterday. I was safely and happily warm at home with nowhere to be which is the best way to be on a snow day!

I did think of walking to the store to get some (extra!) treats but I didn't need them, and more importantly, I don't need store managers to think that they should make employees come in on days like that, so I ate what I had and didn't shop.  Plus, sidewalks were a real mishmash, I actually felt more comfortable in the deep snow off the side of sidewalks when I did go out for a wander.

They were calling for more snow all yesterday but it didn't happen.  Probably happened elsewhere (apparently a few hours up Island got super hit) but for us it was a strange slightly melty day.

I've been feeling a bit sad, to be honest, thinking to a few days from now when the snow melts away and then we don't see it again for who knows how long.  I do love how fresh snow looks and how everything sounds a little different and feels different.  It really is quite magical.

I say again... because I was able to be safe at home with nowhere to go!

When I have a bit more money, I'll re-evaluate my snow gear again as it's been a few years.  I'm missing a good, warm under layer for my legs and my jacket is apparently no longer waterproof (which I discovered when camping) so that should be replaced.  (I actually think it might never have been waterproof, but no point in wondering now)

A strange thing... when I dug out my snow gloves (vs my regular cold weather gloves) one of them had stuff in the fingertips.  It kind of creeped me out to be honest because I wondered if it was animal or bug poop or something from storage, so I dumped it out into the snow and then realized I should probably at least know what it was because if gross, I'd have to dispose of them.  So I dumped what was left into my hand and they seemed to be crystals.

I would assume salt, but did not try to taste them and I was outside so didn't keep any to test (however I would have tested it is beyond me!)  My best guess is that last time I wore them I handled some snow that had some salt stuff on it and when they dried that crystalized?

But even that is just my best guess.  I have no actual idea what it was or why it was on the inside of my insulated ski/snow gloves.

Any guesses?

So yeah, it snowed.  Busses got stuck kind of snowed.  I even read an article that a street plow thing got stuck kind of snowed.  And as my friends who have lived elsewhere have taken to explaining, it's not *just* that we don't get a lot of snow here, it's that the snow here is very different than the snow the rest of Canada (I can't speak for the Maritimes now that I think about it).  It is wet and heavy and sticks hard.  It will often melt and refreeze and we'll get a layer of compacted snow that will turn into ice and then snow on top of that and from what I've been told, the snow here is really weird.

So, there you go.  We got a lot of snow.  Still not the most I've ever seen or dealt with here (that goes to the infamous "Blizzard of '96" but still.  A goodly amount.  Much enjoyed.  Kind of wish it had been a nicer day today to enjoy it in.  (Or that I hadn't woken up in a less than delightful mood and just wanted to be a hermit, boo)

Tuesday 12 February 2019

Um

Ok, so it snowed! Like.. it seriously snowed!!!

It's Monday night at 8pm as I write this and I'm guessing we already have 15+ cm and they say that overnight is going to be the biggest accumulation!!!! EEEE!!!!

My today (tomorrow.. Tuesday) is cleared and appointments cancelled (by them, I didn't even have to!) and I have food and a little bit of chocolate (because I AM trying to cut back but it's hard to do so in an exciting snow storm!) and thankfully my heat has been fixed (knock on wood) and I have power (not everyone does!) and I really am thankful I can just sit in my warm, cozy apartment with cozy clothes on and only have to go out if I want to!

I know snow here doesn't last long and this pile will likely be gone in a couple of days so I'm trying to enjoy as much of it as I can... knowing that I could probably be doing more than I am, but also really enjoying staring out the window and going "woah!"

Monday 11 February 2019

Not California Dreaming

I'm writing this on Sunday morning, before another batch of snow does or doesn't arrive.  So the next post you see, I'm hoping will be another EEEEEE!  It snowed!  (Although I'm not holding my breath... that leads to disappointment... and fainting!  Ahem)

I had a dream last night that I needed another crown.  (I'm sure I wrote here somewhere that I got a crown on one of my teeth for the first time .... yep, here it is.) 

The dentist I was at wasn't the dentist who did my first one and this new dentist was all like you need a crown and I was all oh, ok.  But then I left her office and was all stressed because my actual dentist did such a great job and they'd probably not match the colours so well and maybe not do a good job and the STRESS, y'all, was how to tell the dentist that I wanted my actual, other dentist to do this crown, when new (not real) dentist had found it.

I figure that teeth dreams are because I'm clenching or grinding that night (yes, wearing my guard, don't worry!)  But this particular dream was a pretty good example of the social anxiety stuff my brain puts me through right now.  I was worried about telling a professional that I wanted to work with a different professional and it was stressing me out enough to be a nightmare kind of dream.

When I woke up enough to realize it was a dream and I only actually have one dentist (and hopefully don't need another crown, maybe ever! [fingers crossed]) I tried to talk myself through what I *could* do if I have to.  You know, call the office and say, I'm getting a second opinion, or something like that and then try to not be upset by whatever "upset" dentist 1 might have.

So yeah, that was a teeth stress dream joined up with an anxiety stress dream.  Geez.  Can't a girl dream of happy things?  (Like Cadbury Creme Eggs that taste the same but have no sugar in them through some magical process and so are actually really healthy!?)

Saturday 9 February 2019

Sigh

Well, it wouldn't be the coldest part of Winter without my building losing heat and hot water.

Sigh.

So far the power outages haven't hit us so I can still boil water for hot water bottles.  Am warm enough to be ok, and am trying to make it into a fun adventure but it is still a little frustrating.

2pm Edit:  We have heat and hot water again yay!

2:45 Edit:  I maybe shouldn't have said anything.. may have jinxed things. SEND CHOCOLATE!

Friday 8 February 2019

Status

Well it snowed.  YAY!

It seems to really depend where you are as to how much you got and how your roads were to drive, but I'd say where I was/am, we got a beautiful five or so hours of snow and things look super pretty.

I'm good, don't have to be anywhere now, so if my radiators would start working again that'd be the icing on top of the ... uh.. snow cake?

They say no more snow (as in, they took down the "snowfall warning") and that there is a wind warning, so wind and blowing snow make for interesting times!

There have, of course, been reports of accidents.  I would imagine most of them from people not adjusting their driving to the conditions and some with tires that shouldn't be out in snow, or winter at all for that matter. 

I'm hopeful we'll have a wild winter weekend of more snow and cold and fun yummy cozy times, but for now I'm just admiring how pretty it is with snow covered trees and roofs.  (Wait, why isn't that "rooves"?)  (Ok, I googled, it *can* be but is "out of date" kind of thing now.)

So, yes, am trying to soak in the snow pretty while it's here as I know it is often short lived around these parts.

I do love watching snow fall.  In case I've not mentioned that before (winky emoticon here for sure!)

Thursday 7 February 2019

Snow's a Comin'

Well, I've checked all the sites and by all accounts, we're going to get some snow.

But that's about as far as I'm willing to predict.

Partly because they all keep saying "according to the model we THINK" etc etc etc so they're not even sure yet... not sure of the when or the how much or the where but I think we'll get... some?

But, I also may have jinxed it.  Because yesterday I made sure my car was topped up (it was low on gas) and I ran a couple of errands and I got some groceries and made sure I had no plans that needed to get done over the end of week/weekend/early week just in case it did dump.  Which, as you know, probably means it won't snow at all!

It's like when you take your laptop in to get a screen glitch checked out and they can't replicate the issue (yes, true story, sigh) or when you go to get your hair cut and your hair looks amazing that day for the first time in months (also a true story, sigh)  and I think I should stop now before I end up singing an Alanis Mirossette song!

So yeah.  If this snow storm doesn't happen, it's totally my fault for preparing for it but if it does happen I'm prepared for it! TA DA

Wednesday 6 February 2019

So Tangly!

I'm not sure if I've directly asked about this before, but does anyone have any advice about long hair and scarves?

It never happened to me until a few years ago but now when I wear a scarf I get giant knots in my hair (the underneath portion).  Not little tiny knots either but giant crazy knots! 

I've used spray in conditioner to help get them out but I'm wondering if anyone has any advice because while it's cold I really would like to be able to wear a scarf, you know?

Tuesday 5 February 2019

Mumbles To Self

Ok... fine.. they were right.  It's pretty darn cold!

Monday 4 February 2019

Well...

As of this writing (Sunday evening) there has been a light dusting of snow in my area of town.

It was chilly enough when it fell that it stuck to surfaces, but not on the roads.  At least not where I am.

It'll be interesting to see what we wake up to, if anything.  Possibly one of those snowfalls where some people end up with a whole lot and others nothing at all and the difference will be a ten minute drive. 

The snow was beautiful when it came.  Big big flakes that came down quietly and then that unusual light that snow brings and that dampening of sound.  I love the experience of snow... when I don't have to be anywhere!

It is chillier.  The air has that briskness to it specific to cold.  It's hard to explain.  It's like it's cold but the air is.... holding something.  Dampness perhaps.  But, yeah, to me, snow weather just feels different in so many ways.

I like snow.  And I think it's super pretty.


Saturday 2 February 2019

Panic, Panic!!! Oh... Nevermind. Un-Panic

So we got a "special weather statement" put out yesterday.

C-Dawg texted me about it (because we love weather and are weird that way together!) and I checked it out and was like damn...

My radiators (only heating I have) aren't working very well or something and I can't be bothered to ask for the people to come look at them again (they've already been "bled") so I was thinking I might get a little cold in my place again.

And then this morning I looked at the weather forecast again and no, it's not going to be "Polar Vortex" cold, which is what I had sort of assumed (because why else put out a statement???) it's just going to be "a bit colder than normal.  As in, it's going to be cold.  In February.  You know, Winter.

Not even supposed to get all that cold, just... not as "unusually warm" as it has been.  *shrug*?

They also said there's a chance of maybe some snow but they have no idea where or when it might land so also a chance of no snow at all but you know, maybe some, ok?

So... of course I don't know what will actually happen with the weather this coming week.  Sounds like it'll be chilly.  But not the kind of chill that most of North America has been dealing with this last while.  So, again, not sure why Environment Canada is so set on putting out warnings unless we're all right about the but covering.

But yeah, no panic here.  I mean, I have blankets and hot water bottles anyway, so will be fine.