Ara Ara, Robzilla!

…Reflected On A Hallow Victory 52,798. That’s how many words I wrote during the month of November. While that word count qualifies me for “winning” NaNoWriMo, I feel neither a sense of accomplishment or anything else for that matter as the month closes.  Surpassing 50,000 words on this solitary journey is merely a milestone. As December arrives, I’ll continue writing the first draft of Bullets & Baguettes, or whatever this novel will eventually be called once I’m done editing it sometime in 2024. While so much of Cassie Hendricks’s story has already been told in my Scrivener file, there’s still more to come. Much more.  I estimate about 18,000 more words will be sufficient to wrap things up in this novel. During this past month, I decided that if I get this one published I have some good ideas for a second and even a third one to complete her story arc. It’s not enough to see her life deconstructed and put back together in a new way. I want to see her prosper as a changed person an

 

  I heard this cheery little holiday tune during this morning's weight training workout, so now you get to enjoy it as well.

HOW I’M FEELING PHYSICALLY This was my first full week of exercise in awhile, and the sore muscles throughout my body are proof I didn’t slack off. HOW I’M FEELING MENTALLY I’m refreshed after taking a short break from writing. I’ll never write for 19 days in a row again, that’s for sure. THE BLOOD GLUCOSE METER SAYS… Fasting (average): 94 mg/dL 2 hours after a meal (average): 115 mg/dL My fasting average is higher due to Thanksgiving and the sin objects I had a couple of nights. As long as that number doesn’t creep up any higher it’s no big deal in the grand scheme of things.  THE FITBIT ARIA SAYS… This week: -2.0 lbs Cumulative: -22.0 lbs. It’s nice when this result is the new normal. I might have to shop for new clothes in a smaller size soon. THE HOLIDAY SIN OBJECTS For some people, Jesus is the reason for the season. I know the season is the reason for the existence of Ghirardelli’s peppermint bark chocolates. I proudly own a bag, and I’ll do my best to limit myself to two squares

It's back, at least for this morning. I have a number of random things on my mind that don't require a post for themselves, but I need to get them out of my head so I can get on with my day. You know the drill. Two sentences each and then I move on... -- Robzilla My blood test when I woke up was 107. While the number is acceptable, it's a reminder that whatever we eat for dinner the prior night can still affect our bodies first thing in the morning. I took the last two days off from writing, and I'm taking two more. I tried writing a new chapter on Wednesday morning, and after one paragraph I put it aside until Sunday morning. I have no plans for Black Friday unless it's to visit the pharmacy. I emailed my doctor on Wednesday and they refilled only my testing items. In plan English, that means I might get to see how my body regulates blood sugar without the use of drugs depending on my Christmas time blood work. If my body can do that sufficiently for three months,

  I want to thank everyone for visiting my little corner of the world. It's an honor to be part of such a wonderful blogging community. I hope your loved ones and you have a joyous day today. Yes, I'm having that frozen Hungry Man dinner tonight. With 55 grams of carbs and enough sodium to make me retain water for Saturday's weigh in, I wonder what my blood sugar will be two hours after its consumption as well as the following morning. Don't feel sorry for me for spending the holiday alone. After my father died, us survivors agreed to stop having holiday meals together. It's too much work in the kitchen to feed so few. Besides, back when we had more family members alive our dinners were the unscripted versions of what you saw on The Jerry Springer Show in the 90s. I'm too old for that shit. Today is also the day when it's okay to put up the Christmas tree, start streaming holiday music, and laugh at people fighting over an $89 65" big screen TV that

 

  HOW I’M FEELING My life has become a duality. I’m exhausted but I won’t rest. I’m weary but I’m optimistic. I feel like I’m spinning my wheels, and then I make progress. Ah, the writing life. I wouldn’t trade this feeling for the best day I ever had in my prior careers. THE BLOOD GLUCOSE METER SAYS… Fasting (average): 92 mg/dL 2 hours after a meal (average): 115 mg/dL My fasting average is unchanged. Although my average after a meal is one point higher than last week it’s still well within my target range. No worries there. THE FITBIT ARIA SAYS… This week: -2.2 lbs. Cumulative: -20.0 lbs. I’ve officially lost 20 pounds. Not bad for someone that couldn’t do any weight training this week. THE SATURDAY NIGHT SIN MEAL I briefly flirted with the idea of making chili cheese fries, but then I read the chili can’s nutritional label. I really, really don’t want that much sodium in my body all at once, so I passed and went with the usual. THE WEEKLY RETAIL THERAPY REPORT I would have gladly pa

 ... Gave Up A Writing Project, But Kept Writing Anyway Now that I have your attention, I can explain why I titled this post with an eye catching phrase. During the last handful of days, the forums on the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) website have been locked down. I used to tell people that writing is a solitary journey, but without the interaction of fellow writers the past few days I really felt alone. I no longer had the ability to post my word counts, my triumphs and struggles, and even what made me happy that day. There are serious allegations being thrown around in the forums about a now ex-forum moderator that date back about six months. To spare you the graphic details, it's a word that starts with a G and rhymes with looming.  Until late last night, I was unaware of what was going on behind the scenes.  The more I read up on the sordid deets, the more enraged I became. Not just because these allegations feel like there's some truth behind them. I'm angr

HOW I’M FEELING PHYSICALLY The drama is over. The latest cycle of antibiotics is done. The infections have subsided. The nasty cut I got Monday night from mishandling a chef’s knife that was sharpened by Rose Wilson is also healing nicely. My dumb ass got nicked while I was hand washing the blade in the sink. HOW I’M FEELING MENTALLY I’m doing a lot better now that I don’t have to worry about discovering a new and very painful bug bite somewhere on my body every morning. The Mighty Mint I sprayed last Sunday did the job. It either killed that bug, or drove it outside the house. Nothing has happened since. THE BLOOD GLUCOSE METER SAYS… Fasting (average): 92 mg/dL 2 hours after a meal (average): 114 mg/dL My glucose levels after a meal have decreased a couple of points since last week, which is great news. Even better news is that average includes the 117 I tested at two hours after my latest cheat meal. THE FITBIT ARIA SAYS…  This week: -2.2 lbs. Cumulative: -20 lbs. This was a pleasant

  HOW I’M FEELING I’m tired of living out my version of Groundhog Day. Read on for the deets. THE BLOOD GLUCOSE METER SAYS… Fasting (average): 92 mg/dl 2 hours after a meal (average): 116 mg/dl My averages are unchanged from last week, which is great news. THE FITBIT ARIA SAYS… This week: -2.4 lbs Cumulative: -17.8 lbs. The weight loss was surprising since... THE WEEKLY WORKOUT REVIEW  I increased the time and intensity of my weight training workouts. For each exercise, I’m doing five sets of twelve reps with different weights. I still ride the recumbent bike for 24 minutes 3x a week, but I increased the tension of the flywheel by a click without any issues. THE SATURDAY NIGHT SIN MEAL  I went back to a New York strip steak and steak fries this week. THE WEEKLY RETAIL THERAPY REPORT  I bought a travel case to protect my T2D shit. There’s loops for a pen and my lancing device, a pouch for the testing meter, and a slide pocket for spare batteries and my log book. If I needed additional t

If I weren't on Metformin, I would be like Neena Thurman over here on the left and doing shots. Even at this ungodly hour. Late last night, while my character was dancing the night away in her club in GTA Online, the Las Vegas Raiders fired head coach Josh McDaniels AND general manager Dave Ziegler. The Patriot Way, which was supposed to bring the Raiders back to power, proved to be ineffective without Tom Brady at quarterback. Not even Jimmy Garoppolo and his charming good looks could do anything right. I'm thankful Raiders owner Mark Davis came to his senses and said enough was enough. Hell, it was enough when McDaniels lost to a high school coach (Jeff Saturday), a bum that was picked up off the street 24 hours earlier (Baker Mayfield) and then a Division II quarterback from a college I've never heard of (Tyson Bagent). It also bothered me that the Raiders have two Pro Bowl wide receivers (Dantae Adams & Hunter Renfrow) plus last year's rushing leader in Josh Jac