Sometimes it is the little things that feel like a ray of hope. Yesterday morning, I managed to navigate my way through an online registration process and then pay for the event via a wire transfer service. Trust me, in my state of diminished mental capacity, that’s quite the accomplishment!
I also managed to log in to my credit union website and unlock my credit card for my grocery shopping excursion. And then I locked it again when I got back home. Fuck you, scammers!
There was an incident at the YBC grocery store that left me feeling a bit crushed. I was picking up a case of 16-ounce plastic bottles of Diet Coke, and somehow the stack of quart bottles toppled over onto me, briefly pinning my neck and shoulders to where the Diet Cokes had been. I was able to squirm out from underneath, but damn, that could have been a whole LOT worse. The looks from the nearby store employees seemed to indicate they thought it was my fault somehow. No one even said sorry.
After shopping, I paid a visit to Dr. Jo for my final low-dose injection of Ozempic. Next week, I’ll start the medium-dose routine. I’m thinking that if that works out, I might not go with the high-dose phase, but we shall see. In the meantime, my appetite has been diminished, I’m mostly avoiding the sweet stuff, and my weight continues to trend downward.
According to my scale, on March 17, when I received my first injection, I weighed 262.1 pounds. Yesterday morning, my reading was 254.6, down 7.5 pounds in just under a month. I can live with that.
I was once again on the fence about playing darts in the Tuesday tournament at Alley Hideout, but I chucked a few at home and threw surprisingly well. Alas, that didn’t carry over to the tourney, and once again, it was one win, two losses, and out. I haven’t managed to recapture any passion for the game whatsoever, so I’m totally unmotivated to practice and improve. Last night I was thinking, why do I even bother. But then, the folks at Alley Hideout are like old friends, Swan also knows some of the gals that visit and enjoys the chit-chat with them. I reckon going once a week just for the change of scenery is good enough. I don’t care if I win or lose anymore.
I was hungry after my elimination and decided to visit the fish-and-chips shop across the highway. Swan and I shared one medium order.
Queen Victoria bar is directly across the highway, and that’s where we went for our nightcap.
It’s hard to see, but this guy rolled into the bar in a wheelchair. I was both sad and impressed. Sad to see him crippled at a relatively young age, but impressed that he is out doing what he enjoys regardless.
Swan assured me that she would be there to push me around town whenever I wanted, should I become wheelchair-bound. I’d prefer to just take her word for it.
Finished our drinks at Queen Vic, and as we headed out, I suggested we cross the highway once again and stop by the fruit and vegetable stand there. I was in a smoothie mood, but we had no bananas. As a long-term expat, I know how the game is played, so I fell behind and let Swan negotiate the price without the skin tax. We walked away with a kilo for 100 pesos. The smoothie was excellent, if I do say so myself. And that’s the sweet ending to another day in paradise.
Continuing the journey through the September 2018 LTG archives, and I encounter a cesspool of drama: in darts, with the GF, and with someone who chose to no longer be friends. It was sad to remember that Greg, cause of the dart drama, died a few months later. Meanwhile, I’ve developed a near-zero tolerance for drama these days.
I mentioned the skin tax bullshit, which is pretty prevalent here in the Philippines. Today’s YouTube video talks about that scam, and like me, he sends his girlfriend in alone when a purchase is to be made.
Time to smile:
I guess that’s why I take comfort in my routines; they help remind me of what day it is. And today is the day I visit Baloy. Time to get on with it.
Since it is tax day back home in the USA, let me share this classic from Remy:
If getting beating up by a case of Diet Coke is the worst thing that happened today John then it could’ve been worse. Preliminary job interview for me today. Now I have to play the waiting game before I find out if I’m through to the next round. Call center work, which triggers the fuck out of me and, if my situation were more stable, I’d avoid but beggars/choosers and I’ll take absolutely anything, I’m that desperate.
I thought it went pretty well, save for perhaps explaining the 3-year gap in my employment history, which I waved off as “being a carer for my disabled partner” aka the ex. Temu Jack Black the interviewer seemed happy with my answers.
The worst thing though was the fucking shaking and twitching. I thought because it was over Zoom I wouldn’t feel as nervous and anxious as with an in-person interview, so much so I decided not to drink. But even though I’ve been dry for a week now I turned into a bobblehead like I was on day 1 WD’s. Even before the interview ended I groaned internally because I know if I get this I’m going to have to go on the mouthwash again so as not to appear a bag of nerves all the time. I’d been planning on trying to get some dry time in for my health. In-person interview next, training class of 40 people? No way am I getting through that sober without looking like I have a palsy.
I thought Jesus when did I become such a nervous wreck? I used to work a busy and stressful server job, making sure I was getting large party orders right while dodging around my catty coworkers; how was I able to do that then but now I’m shaking like a leaf over a bloody Zoom interview? Oh yeah, that’s right, I was always sauced then. May as well get at the mouthwash.
Cheers!
Thompson, good luck with the job hunt and maintaining sobriety. They probably go hand-in-hand. All the best to you!