FJTD List.

Next to me, I have a fat, juicy to-do list for the weekend (Thurs-Sat, in my case). It is a mix of tasks I dread and projects I’m stoked about. I’ve also peppered it with everyday duties that would’ve been done even without this list. I put them on there for the added satisfaction of having extra items to cross off.

I’m already halfway through the list. Pay credit card: Done! Laundry: Folded and hung! Email ICBC: done even though I shouldn’t have had to do it. The claims specialist who is dealing with the property damage coverage side of things last emailed me on November 12.

“I appreciate your patience and will reach out once I have an update to discuss the next steps.”

Two weeks later, I sent them a breakdown of my ride file, complete with screenshots, hoping to expedite the decision. I never got a response.

And the email I sent today? I received an automated Out of Office notification.

I have continued to make good use of the new wheel, but I’ve yet to receive a reimbursement. Ever since I reactivated my Zwift membership, I’ve been parking my road bike in front of my laptop every other day. In my previous post, I shared screenshots showing the difference between my performance a year ago and on December 26, a week after getting back on the trainer after a three-month hiatus.

I did this workout again (Red Unicorn) last week. The results surprised me.

On December 26th, my heart rate reached 170bpm near the end of the workout even though my max power was only 206 watts.

January 19: My heart rate doesn’t even hit 160bpm and my max power was 226 watts.

Nice work, legs! Good job, heart!

I did another workout this afternoon, so that item was crossed off the Fat, Juicy To-Do List..

Also on this to-do list:

• Lampshade
• Banana cross stitch

It is getting a little weird, isn’t it?

I have grand plans to fabricate a lampshade for my reading lamp this weekend. This will be my first foray into the shading of a lamp. Hopefully it turns out better than the bedside table abomination of 2021.

Of the 400+ kawaii designs in the cross stitch book that Jordi gave me for Christmas, I chose the banana. It is happy. It is blushing. It doesn’t exist yet, but I purchased everything I need to bring it to fruition (hohoho) this morning.

The fact that Banana Cross Stitch made it onto my FJTD List is the result of having finished my third embroidery project:

I chose to be extra by crafting the frame out of Sculpey. I was happy with the result until I took the project outside for better photos.

The yellow parts of the plumeria aren’t as well blended as I’d thought. I could pry off the flowers and redo them. Then again, it’s on display indoors, not outdoors. The answer is within the project: [I] gotta do what makes me happy.

• Eye Dr. Appt

This one has been crossed off. It was a follow-up appointment to see how my meibomian glands have improved over the past two months. Lefty is doing well, but Righty has gotten worse. While the optometrist has the technology to resolve this issue, it is expensive and not covered by MSP. Worse yet, it is a strong indicator of an underlying autoimmune disorder.

• Email clinic

So, I’ve emailed a clinic requesting either a doctor’s appointment, or for a bloodwork requisition. Do I have lupus?

• Read

This is one of the items that will happen whether or not I mention it on the FJTD List. Alexa loaned me her copy of Watchmen, and I am digging it so far! Even the authors’ photos delighted me:

Especially the top one. Alan Moore, you are so dramatic. He is not so much a dreamboat as Charon’s boat, crossing the River Styx with fierce intensity.

Dave Gibbons kind of looks like a co-worker, but with 80s stockbroker hair. He still evokes more thrill than Melinda Coss of embroidery fame.

• Swim

That’s for tomorrow morning. Last week, Jen joined me in the Speedo Lane. Rather, I joined her. As suggested by the link to Jen’s blog, Jen is a triathlete. I am a mere monoathlete, wanting to become a biathlete (but not the kind where I shoot stuff while on skis). She won’t be joining me tomorrow morning, though. I plan on swimming 2000 or so metres mindlessly for about an hour before simmering with the old folks in the hot tub.

• Tandem TotK-ing

This one is coming soon! Alexa and I started playing the game Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom at the same time. The other week, she invited me over to play the game with her. Now, it’s a one-player game. But she made it work:

She even gave me the bigger screen, aww!

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