Randomness

39 Things

~ shawnaborman ~ Leave a comment

Howdy, howdy! How’s everyone doing this lovely Wednesday? My birthday was on Sunday and Dad was feeling yucky again (thinking it’s his new medicine), so instead of a shower, we had a lazy day. Chinese food was involved. And we finished off Star Trek DS9 and started Voyager. We’ll go out for a proper celebration (dinner) eventually, but I’m in no rush. For now, this is my annual list of things you never wanted to know about me. I didn’t bother going over the old lists, so sorry if there’s overlap.

1. I went out in the snow for a few minutes on Thursday. It was basically gone a couple of hours later, but it existed and I was in it. And I even have proof! As you can see.

2. I’ve been craving peppermint tea and jasmine tea which is weird because I rarely drink tea. I haven’t had peppermint tea since Maine, like 10 years ago. And I haven’t had jasmine tea since my SMU days (graduated 2012) when we would go to Bangkok City (I don’t think it’s called that anymore).

3. I’ve been hermitting hard. I don’t post often on my personal social media accounts. I’m just avoiding the world, I guess.

4. Mountain Cedar/Juniper season sucks and it’s like 6 months long. Yes, I’m currently high on Benadryl.

5. I got a new toothbrush. It’s basically the same thing I had, but black.

6. I’m super tired of feeling like I have to be the adult and annoy people into doing their jobs in a timely manner. But I’m really just tired of people in general.

7. I’m also tired of having to beg for stuff I need and having some faceless government entity tell me I don’t need those things that professionals and doctors say I do need. And that shit is just going to get worse over the next 4+ years.

8. I still don’t like to rant, but it’s all I feel like doing lately, which is probably why I’m hermitting so hard.

9. I’m making Dad watch all the Star Treks with me. In order of release. Not the movies. Or original animated series. Or the shorts. Yet. We just started Voyager.

10. I’ve been doing the NYT Sudoku. I don’t know why. It’s not particularly enjoyable. I can do the easy and medium, but not the hard yet. Mostly because I get bored and do other things instead.

11. I’m drinking a cherry cola. It’s yummy.

12. I just found out Peacock has FernGully, so I might make Dad watch that with me soon.

13. Still can’t find Once Upon a Forest unless we rent it from Amazon. Boo.

14. I don’t like audiobooks, but if I’m not really enjoying a book and just want to get through it, I’ll have Alexa read to me at night. This doesn’t work with all Kindle books, but she can read most of them.

15. The dogs all have ID and rabies shot tags, so they jingle when they move and it’s super cute.

16. I like crackers (especially Ritz or Club) by themselves, but feel weird asking for them without cheese or something.

17. Dad made pinto beans and cornbread recently. Be jealous.

18. For some reason, I’ve been listening to Sum 41’s Chuck album a lot recently.

19. Pieces is my favorite Sum 41 song.

20. Going through a Rogue and Gambit phase where I steal most pictures I see of them.

21. I haven’t worn my ring in a couple of weeks. I’m just too lazy to put it on. But it still feels like I’m wearing it. It’s weird.

22. Our Roomba is named Oscar, because Oscar the Grouch is my favorite Sesame Street muppet.

23. My pinky nail broke about a week ago, so my finger feels really short and it’s annoying.

24. My favorite smell is cut wood.

25. My allergies are making my head thrum and I hate it.

26. Sophia doesn’t really bark. She banshee screams and it’s kind of terrifying when you’re not expecting it.

27. My favorite color is still purple, but teal is becoming more and more appealing.

28. I’d rather be doing the crossword puzzle right now.

29. Had leftover fried dumplings and lo mein for dinner. I’m full.

30. But I also kind of want some chocolate now.

31. I have Hell is Forever from Hazbin Hotel stuck in my head.

32. Alastor is my favorite, followed closely by Husk and Angel.

33. Sadly, Lucifer was just meh and they could have just left him out completely.

34. I still call my pulmonologist Dr. Lucifer. She’s great, though.

35. I have a televisit with her around 4 this afternoon.

36. I hate that my appointment is at 4, but I have to sign in at 3:30. It’s especially annoying with in-person visits. I guess people are prone to being late, but it just means my wait time is even longer than usual because I’m always early anyway.

37. At least I can play stupid games or read while I wait since I’ll be at my computer.

38. I’m going to do the crossword puzzle now!

39. I really need to remember to start this post early next year and just jot down a couple of interesting things a day instead of doing it all at once. I won’t, but I should.

Something Pretty

~ shawnaborman ~ 2 Comments

Howdy, howdy! How’s everyone doing this lovely Wednesday? Dad’s been sick (Sunday and Monday), so my usual shower day (yes, a shower is a day long event) got pushed back to Tuesday when he felt better. I was lazy and didn’t write a post on Monday, so since it’s already after 7:30pm on Tuesday, you get a pretty picture by Yuumei! Maybe one day, I’ll explain why shower days are so long if you’re interested in cripple life. Anyway, I’ll be back next week with 39 random things you never wanted to know about me because my birthday is Sunday. I’m old. And hungry. Dinner time!

Happy 2025!

~ shawnaborman ~ Leave a comment

Hello, hello! Happy New Year, everyone! I hope 2025 is kind to you and isn’t anywhere near as dystopian as I think it’s going to be. Actually, the future is looking more bizarro with a dystopian subplot and I’m not entirely sure if that’s better or worse. But I’m not here to rant or share my fears. It’s a new year! Time for things to begin afresh. I’m going to try to focus on things that I can control, which isn’t much. I’ll keep my goals simple this year. That’s what this post is going to be about. As always, feel free to share your goals or thoughts or questions here in the comments or on my social media pages (which I’ve made some changes to, so see my social media goals for more info)!

Writing Goals: I wrote a couple of short stories in 2024, but not much else. This year, I’m planning to finish a cozy mystery novel that I started and gave up on because of a lack of will to write. I read through what I have and I really like it, so it’s not like I was stuck or anything. There’s even an outline with it. I’m going to set a deadline of July 18th (Dad’s birthday) to finish the first draft. Feel free to prod me occasionally for updates on how it’s going. No short stories unless I see a call for submissions that conjures an irresistible idea right away. I’m just going to focus on this book and see how it goes.

Social Media Goals: Leave X in favor of Bluesky. Ever since Musk implemented algorithm changes to prioritize paid accounts and bury free ones, I’ve gone from daily interactions to one a month if I’m lucky. It’s not worth my time anymore. I’m going to give Bluesky a shot as one of the sites (along with Facebook and Instagram) that I post to every day except Sunday. I’ll still check X occasionally and probably post major updates there (book releases and such) if they should occur, but it will be mostly inactive. This starts today.

Reading Goals: I read 38 books in 2024. I’m sticking with a goal of 35 books for 2025. It gives me room to read a couple of super long books if I want or just to go slow on some shorter books. I’m not looking to push myself or read a book a week or anything, so this works for me.

Trippin’ on a Hole in a Paper Heart

~ shawnaborman ~ Leave a comment

Hello, hello! How’s everyone doing this lovely Wednesday? Are you ready for whatever holiday you celebrate? We’re not doing anything special. So, I suppose we’re ready! Anyway, I was going through my Facebook memories and came across one of those stupid old games where you put your iTunes or whatever on shuffle and whatever song comes on is the answer to the question. It gets weird sometimes, but I always thought they were fun, so I’m doing it here. I’m using my liked songs on Spotify and skipping songs that aren’t mostly English because I’m too lazy to look up translations. Here we go…

1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW STRANGE IT SOUNDS.
4. Explain why this song makes sense.

IF SOMEONE SAYS ‘ARE YOU OKAY?’ YOU SAY
“Fantastic, That’s You” by Louis Armstrong
Who cares about me? You’re fantastic and that’s all I care about.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
“We’re Gonna Be Okay” by Thomas Nicholas Band and Bowling for Soup
Me and the voices in my head are okay, I guess.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
“A Spoonful of Sugar” from Mary Poppins
Do I really like them on the sweet side?

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
“Strangers in the Night” by Frank Sinatra
I promise I’m not looking for love or whatever. Maybe I just want to go dancing.

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
“A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke
Keep surviving, I guess.

WHAT’S YOUR MOTTO?
“Walkin’ in the Rain” by Jay and the Americans
Keep walking in the rain and wishing on the stars above. I don’t know.

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
“No Scrubs” by TLC
Apparently they think I have standards and I’m okay with that. Or maybe I’m a scrub and they don’t want me?

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
“Radical Self-Love” by IAMX
I mean… Mom always said I only cared about myself. I guess. I have no idea.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
“Keep on Smilin'” by Wet Willie
Keep on smilin’ through the rain, laughing at the pain. Yup. I remind myself about that a lot.

WHAT IS 2 + 2?
“Think for Yourself” by the Beatles.
Figure it out yourself.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
“High” by James Blunt
Will you be my shoulder when I’m grey and older?

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
“Fat Bottomed Girls” by Queen
We make the rockin’ world go ’round?

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
“No Time” by the Guess Who
I’m on my way to better things? I doubt it.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
“Joey” by Concrete Blonde
Don’t get crazy…

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
“Pain” by Jimmy Eat World
It’s a lie, a kiss with open eyes.

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
“Step Up” by Drowning Pool
If you must choose Drowning Pool, I’d rather you let the bodies hit the floor, but whatever.

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
“I Alone” by Live
I guess tempting people is a hobby?

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
“I have but One Heart” by Al Martino and Carlo Savina
Monogamy? Only loving one person? I suppose that could be scary.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
“Play the Game” by Queen
I just lost the game. Damn you, Queen!

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
“I’m Not in Love” by 10cc
If the song is anything to go by, apparently I want to be in deep denial.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
“Drive” by the Cars
Apparently I think they need someone to drive them home. It ain’t me, babe. Different song, I know.

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
“Trippin’ on a Hole in a Paper Heart” by Stone Temple Pilots
I’m not dead and I’m not for sale.

Year End Goals

~ shawnaborman ~ Leave a comment

Hello, hello! How’s everyone doing this wonderful Wednesday? Not much going on besides end of year stuff. There’s not really much to ramble about. I’ve been trying to think of ways to get this blog more active. I don’t read fast enough to do a review every week. If you have ideas, feel free to share them. But for now, I think I’ll just ramble about my plans for the next couple of weeks. It’s nothing exciting. Just trying to get motivated for next year. So, here’s what my December looks like in no particular order.

1. Benefits stuff. I just had my yearly meeting to assure the state I’m still cripple and need the benefits I receive. The nurse is supposed to come out on Friday so they can do even more paperwork assuring the state that I am indeed still cripple. After which, I’ll keep pestering my case worker until my plan is approved so we don’t end up in the same clusterfuck that was 2024. But that’s a rant I don’t want to get started on. Deep breath. Big smile. Scream into the void. That’s it. Everything is fine. Moving on.

2. Reading. I have one more book to finish for reviewing this year. I’m a little more than halfway through it. I’m also reading one “for fun” book. I would like to finish it before the end of the year, but I’m not going to rush it. It’s supposed to be fun. And I’ve already passed my book goal for 2024, so yay me. I’ve read 37 so far, which means I’ll at least end the year at 38. For me, that’s great.

3. Open the files. Starting in January, I want to get back to writing a novel. Before then, I need to read over what I’ve already written (only one chapter) and study my notes. Yes, this one has notes! There are character names/descriptions and a broad strokes plot outline with key points planned out. I just need to refresh my memory and decide if I want to tweak anything before I let the characters destroy my lovely little mystery with their own ideas.

That’s it, really. There’s also a vet appointment for Sophia (yearly check up) and we need to schedule one for January for Bonnie, but that’s it. (Mardi doesn’t go until April for anyone wondering about her.) What do you need to do before January? As always, feel free to leave your thoughts or questions or whatever here or on my social media pages!

Can’t Do It Yet

~ shawnaborman ~ Leave a comment

Hello, hello! How’s everyone doing this lovely Wednesday? I’m not good. I’ve tried my damnedest to think of something fun or happy to ramble about, but I can’t do it. It’s been a week and I’m still just a ball of fear and rage. If you don’t understand why a cripple who is dependent on Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security in order to simply survive is terrified and angry, then you don’t understand the repercussions of the far right agenda and I’m not in a place to calmly explain it to you right now. So! I’m going to go play mindless games while I can, read while books are still a thing we have access to, and maybe even listen to loud music until they ban that too. Am I exaggerating? Maybe. Anyway, I’ll try to be in a better place next week. For now, a pretty picture by Yuumei.

Sweet Treats

~ shawnaborman ~ Leave a comment

Hello, hello! How’s everyone doing this wonderful Wednesday? Things here are okay. Usual. Went with Dad to a follow up doctor appointment yesterday (today as I’m writing this), so this will be a short post. I know I’ve done posts on favorite chocolates and all that, but I can’t find anything about hard candies. Granted, I didn’t look very hard. So, since Halloween is next week, I thought I’d do a top 3 list.

Here we go!

1. Werther’s Original. I don’t care if it’s an old people candy. I’ve loved them since I was a kid. I will love them until I die. But I don’t get them often because Dad loves them too and I won’t tempt him like that. But yes, random grandma on the street. I will gladly take one. I’ll even take one of those mysterious strawberry candies that just randomly spawn in your purse once you hit a certain age.

2. Jolly Ranchers. I like fruity hard candy. I’m not a fan of chewy candies like StarBurst or whatever, but stick a Jolly Rancher in my cheek and I’m happy. I like grape. Watermelon is good too. I haven’t found a flavor I actively dislike, actually. But I don’t eat them much because I’m satisfied for months after just one, so there’s no point in buying a bag.

3. Dum Dums. I completely forget these exist until I see them somewhere. Usually the doctor’s office. I’ll steal one and be good for the year, so I never even think about buying them.

What are your favorite non-chocolate candies? As always, feel free to leave your thoughts, questions, or comments here or on my social media pages!

Sophia VS. the Water Hose

~ shawnaborman ~ Leave a comment

Howdy, howdy! How’s everyone doing this lovely Wednesday? I can’t think of anything to blog about, so I decided to show you Sophia and her favorite game. Just look at the cuteness. She literally begs for this whenever Dad’s near a hose. And the water has to be on the jet setting or else it’s not worth her time. Meanwhile, if Bonnie and Mardi are outside when this is going on, they run for cover. They’re not cool like Sophia. Anyway, there’s your dose of random cuteness for the week. Maybe I’ll have something to ramble about next week.

Fall in Texas

~ shawnaborman ~ Leave a comment

Hello, hello! How’s everyone doing this lovely Wednesday? Things here are okay. Still stressing over stupid stuff. I have no book review today, so I’ve been trying to think of something fall or Halloween related to ramble about, but we’re boring people. We don’t decorate the house. At best we put up a winter wreath in December. Nothing for autumn or Halloween. I don’t watch scary movies. I’ve already done scary story recommendations. I’ve done favorite candy and gross candy. I thought about doing fall outfits, but it’s Texas. It’s still 90 degrees outside. My fall outfits are the same as they’ve been for the last 6 months… shorts and t-shirts. I could pretend to be one of those girls who coordinates outfits with every season, but I’m not. So, I guess I’ll just ramble about fall in Texas.

How can you tell it’s fall in Texas? People get excited over “cold fronts” that take us from 95 degrees down to 91. Or 89 if we’re really lucky. If it hits 85 degrees, people start pulling out the jeans and hoodies. People walk down the street holding their steaming pumpkin spice lattes, despite the fact that the asphalt is hotter than that coffee. Fall in Texas is weird.

It’s also State Fair season. I haven’t been in about 10 years. It’s crowded and overpriced, but it’s one of those things Texans get super excited about. Like, what non-fried food item are they going to batter and shove in oil this year? Last time I went, it was butter. Not great. But the deep fried Nutter Butter was divine. So, when people start talking about Big Tex, you know it’s fall.

Football. The Cowboys, sure. But when people start talking about high school football like it’s life or death, that’s when you know fall has truly begun in Texas. The rivalries. Pitting children against each other for adult amusement. There’s nothing better. Even college football pales in comparison. It gets creepy and it gets super intense. And don’t you dare ever remind people it’s just a game or you’ll get run out of the state (and probably most states that abut us). Seriously. It’s weird down here.

Oh, and don’t be fooled by the 3 days of nice weather at the end of September or beginning of October. That’s just Mother Nature screwing with us. We won’t get real fall until around Halloween, but that’s only for a week at best, then it’s winter. So, happy fall from Texas!