I give up

I'm calling the doctor's office for an appointment when they open up this morning. I need to get this ear fixed. 20 minutes in, this morning, it started itching way inside my head. It was really annoying. I considered stopping but decided to go at least 30 minutes. And, by 30 minutes it was way better so I kept going. And now, it's not horrible but clearly it's still pissed - the ear, that is. I can't have my swimming fucked up like this. I enjoy it too much. So... Dr. Internet, sorry, but I need an IRL doctor for this one.

[Edit. got in 12:30 today. YEAH!]

I have no other real plans today. It's supposed to be hot-ish but, it's now so much cooler at night that even when you are outside, if you stick to the shade, it's not bad at all. So there might be a bit of a walk at lunch time.

Boring... but absolutely not in a bad way. It's such a luxury to have days where anything can happen and I'm ready but if nothing happens, that's fine, too!

Doing it for good or bad

I keep looking at various lists of journal questions and rejecting them "Did you have a good day at school today?" And, yet, I do want a way to write about me in this journal that isn't just This is what I planned to do today or This is what I did to today. And, I enjoy a challenge.

I thought I had a good list culled from a bunch of sites and then when I started to pick one, I rejected them all. Now I have a new list and I'm going to do it. Starting at the top and going through each one. Maybe daily, maybe not.

I'll use the tag Q (pretty original, eh??) And I'll put the question in the title of the entry to make it easy to skim on by in a friends' list or rss feed.

Here's the list:

What kind of day are you having, and why?

What's your favorite color, place, food, book, song, or movie, and why?

What do you like to do? How does it make you feel?

Where are you happiest? Describe that place.

What's something you're good at? What makes you good at it?

What do you consider to be your culture, and how do you feel about it?

What would you change about yourself or your life? Is there a way for you to change it?

What is your relationship like with various members of your family?

If you have brothers or sisters, how are you similar to them or different from them? What about with your friends?

What are your views on religion?

What keeps you up at night worrying? Are your worries realistic? Is there anything you can do about them?

Do you have a philosophy of life? If so, what is it? If not, what is your method for making important decisions?

In what areas are you optimistic, and in what areas are you pessimistic?

What are your most prized possessions?

Who is someone you miss?

What is something someone else has that you envy? Describe it and your feelings about it.

What is a book, movie, song, or television program that has influenced you, and how?

What is a mistake people often make about you?

What's something you disagree with about the way you were raised?

What's your favorite: season, color, place, or food? Describe it.
Journal prompts - daydreams

Describe your dream: job, man/woman, house.

How would you like your life to be when you're older?

What would be the guest list at your dream party? What would the various guests talk about?

What magic power would you like to have? How would you use it? What would it feel like?

If you won the lottery, what would you do?

What's a country you'd like to visit? How do you imagine your time there?

So, Susan... What kind of day are you having, and why?

Pretty darned good, thanks for asking.

Mostly I have the perfect life. I do not need to work for a living which is pretty darned luxurious. I do not have unlimited funds, and there are things I do not do or buy because I'd rather not spend the money but, unlike many of my 68 years, I am not now plagued, stressed, or constantly worried about paying bills which, I honestly think, makes a big difference in quality of life. At least for me.

My days - like today - are pretty much created by whatever it is I feel like doing just now. And this makes me happy. I'm a little hampered by the weather - it's too hot or the sun is too bright to go out but, honestly, I'm not that wild about going out anyway. Outdoors has too many variables for me. I don't find it thrilling or even that interesting.

I love making things. Most especially making things out of scraps and leftovers and stuff I have on hand. This morning I made a stuffed creature out of leftover bits of fabric and he's adorable. I love the process and the product.

In a bit, I'll go to the doctor to fix a problem so I can keep swimming which I also love. I start every day with swimming. If I did not, not only would I miss the water and the feeling that floating along gives me, I would feel compelled to do some other kind of physical exercise and I hate all other kinds of physical exercise. So going to the doctor to get this fixed will make me feel productive. And feeling productive is critical to my own happiness.

And the day will end with a baseball game. Right now, mid day, I'm enjoying looking forward to that as much as I will enjoy the game tonight.

I try very hard to stay mindful. I hate the thought of wasting these great days. But, staying mindful also gives me a greater appreciation of all the good days I have.

Note for me - Diamond Club

I finally heard from the Mariners. An automated reply told me my person had left the Mariners which was fine cause I didn't really like her anyway. A new guy called me today. (When I send email, why can't you send email in reply???? WhatEver) He sounded way more on top of it than the woman who left so there's at least that. He's probably not my permanent person but he'll absolutely do for now.

Mainly I was worried about how the process worked for next year. They are advertising for season tickets during the broadcasts now and I didn't want to miss out. Turns out my worries are for naught.

As long as I want it, my seat is safe for next year. Whew. They give Diamond Club members until about January to decide whether or not they want to pony up again. Once they know who's in and who's not, then they know what seats will be available and I may get a chance to change seats.

He also mentioned in passing a no interest financing arrangement. He didn't explain and I didn't ask but interesting. I probably wouldn't use it but it's nice to know they have it. According to last year's pricing, my seat is one of the cheapest at $5,100 for 20 games. I'm guessing it will probably be a little more expensive next year.

It's a lot o' cash but totally worth it to me. I could easily spend it, for instance, on a cruise, but that would be over in a week and I'd have to leave home and mingle with strangers whose interests I probably don't share. This is like a Summer long cruise where I get to hang with people who get me and sleep in my own bed. And the food is still fabulous.

So now my questions are answered and next Summer, if I'm around, is set.

My tweets

• Tue, 06:46: @davezatz am i remembering right that you fell out of like with arlo cams? i'm being asked about it and can't find your latest take.

Dry Dock

"Well, that ear looks normal." "oh, yeah, this one's clearly infected - but, the ear drum looks good."

I immediately had a vision of a tiny little drum set in there with sparkles and a spot light.

I now have ear drops that are a combo of antibiotics and something else I've already forgotten. The doctor said to take them for 5 days for sure or 10. The pharmacist said true that and that they should start to work immediately and fix everything in 3 days.

The doctor said that he hates to ever tell anyone not to exercise but... he'd rather I didn't swim until the infection is gone unless I could figure out a way to keep my ears dry. He said he'd seen caps at his son's pool that have ear flaps and I could try that.

We also agreed that since I've been swimming every day for years and never had a problem before, it's a one off and we don't need to worry. I love my doctor.

So I had a debate with myself on the way home. Swim or not swim... And here's what we decided. No swim tomorrow. Amazon, bless them, had both a swim cap with ear protection AND a swim head band for keeping ears dry and both are free one-day delivery. So they will be here tomorrow and I can try them on on Thursday.

Meanwhile the drops are in there now and doing their thang.

Oh and I took the OTC ear drops in and told him I'd been using them and the hair dryer after my swim. He totally did a spit take. It was a dry spit take but, nonetheless I never heard him laugh so hard. So that little regime is history.