Dodging Bullets, Wayward Chicken Bits, Creative Bents, and Other Random Gossip (NOT in that order ...)

Current mood

I tried more than once yesterday to right (write), but it felt forced. I'm not into "trying too hard" anymore. Also not into the whole 'fake it til you make it' mentality either, unless it's work-related. For some reason, there, it's easier to digest. Sometimes, I just have nothing I need to say, or even want to talk about. 

We watched the Kevin James "Irregardless" special on Prime. 

Micro-rant: Oh, and by the way, if you can't handle a 20-second interruption twice in an hour-long program, you may want to stop internetting ... with the all-day-every-day-every-screen barrage of advertisements that are hurled in your general direction every day. Amazon is free to do whatever they want with their products and services. You are also free to NOT partake of the Prime programming. Simple. You can still enjoy the free Prime shipping that comes with your annual subscription :P 

Anywhoooo, there was a line about marriage that went something like, "We've been together 20 years. I've already said every word I'm ever gonna say to her, in every combination ... and she's said everything to me ..." (It's at the 50:05 mark, if you watch it, on Prime Video, of course. With commercial interruptions, of course) 

I'm fairly certain that my beloved and I wholeheartedly agreed with that assessment. We are good with not talking a lot. If we really like a show we're watching, we will discuss. If we do not like a show, we'll usually give it anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes before one of us announces that it sucks, and we should move on because life is too short and the millions, nay billions, of things to watch await us. 

Back to normally scheduled life, we finally got a new kitchen faucet. The former was probably the original installed when the house was built. It was a sturdy character. It had a good long productive lifespan, but it was losing the ability to withhold water from running all over the countertop and floor below. It was time. 

So we got something probably similar to this ... 

All I can say is IT IS FUCKING GIGANTIC. The damned thing nearly looms over me. It's like someone stuck a regular human-sized faucet in a Barbie-sized townhouse. I don't know what kind of kitchen it belongs in, but it's probably NOT this kitchen. It was a temporary solution, so it will either fit in much better when we get the new kitchen, or it can go on to live life in another home. Now comes the fun of remembering to turn on THIS faucet instead of trying to turn on the one that's no longer there. 

I had this brilliant idea to make dinner last night, and it WOULD have been a success if not for the fact that we randomly purchased a more "factory" chicken than our normal more organic, less chemically enhanced chicken. We have even determined that the sauce itself is worth repeating, but the poultry seen here will not be on the menu again. It had the texture of mostly-chewed gum. It was vile. But with a damned good sauce. I was attempting a version of "Marry Me Chicken," to which I will fondly refer to as "Already Married to Me Chicken," because I looked at the recipe about once, and then completely wung it. Yes, that is the past tense of wing. 

I'm starting to understand why older folk tend to not eat so much most days. The majority of days, I could subsist on a 3-oz ramekin of tuna salad, one hard-boiled egg, and a piece of string cheese for lunch, and a bowl of Greek yogurt with fruit, nuts, and seeds for dinner. The ketoing has obliterated my appetite, for which I am extremely grateful! However, it's probably not that delightful for my beloved since I have a hard time figuring out what to cook, and when I do, the above happens. 

I will find random keto recipes on the Tube of U's, and think, "Damn, I want that," but when it comes to actually constructing it, like this one: 

It's a struggle to make it happen. Very first-world problem, I fully realize. I am completely thankful to the Universe that we have what we have. We are incredibly fortunate, and I do NOT take that for granted. Just saying, sometimes, my ability to create enjoyable foodstuffs is very, very limited by my own brain. 

In other news, I'm enjoying spending more time talking to my daughter. There have been a lot of years when we didn't talk much at all. I don't know for certain what changed, but things are improving, and for that, I am feeling all the feels. I think we've both changed to the point where we can now get along without any lingering pain or feelings from the past. I wish I could say the same for my son, but he is currently not speaking to me because I disagreed with something he said and chose to voice my disagreement. It would appear I have been cancelled. No matter. I will always love him, and always be here should he choose to acknowledge me again. 

Meanwhile, back at the Estate D'Waltenburg, I've engaged in exploring more creative facets. My daughter tells me I need a professional-grade microphone, rather than just using the webcam mic. I don't disagree, but at the moment, it's not a priority. I guess if a podcast or YouTube channel is forthcoming, though, I should probably invest in something other than what I currently have. 

Last year, I bought a graphic tablet, or whatever it's called. I've used it approximately twice, I believe. Along with the newer laptop. I think I really just need to clean out the spare room which is currently storing ALL manner of things that need to go elsewhere, and set up a "studio" in there. Might make things less cluttered out here in the office. We'll see. I can't quite see it in my head yet, so I'll have to mull it over. 

However, I did find a free video-editing software, cloud-based or desktop, that I can use to start making some videos of Odin for his channel. I've picked out the best video captures, and think I've got enough for a small collection of shorts. So, now, I just need to learn how to use the software, and we'll be on our way. 

I also really want to get back into the Zentangle thing. The last I did was this, back in September: 

It's a highly relaxing and meditative process, especially for one who cannot just sit prone and do nothing. This is probably the solution to what ails my brain. As you can see, I have a very busy mind. 

And for now, this busy mind is off to the work races. Much to do about much. 

Happy Wednesday!  xo 

Oh, and that "Dodging Bullets" titular reference? 

Key word is "Sometimes," but it does hold true, given past experiences. Pick your bullets and your second chances carefully. 💓💔💕💖💘