I hadn't used AI in a while and wanted to add a search feature to the daily journal plugin that AI helped me create last year. It went surprisingly well, although I noticed again how difficult it would be for someone not already well versed in programming to get the correct results.
For instance, it told me to use a variable name that wasn't permitted that caused a “page not found" error every time I tried to use it. And it neglected to include an actual search query in my search! Ya know, little things. I had to prod it a few times to get the right answers.
But I ended up with a great result. Since I'm going to have over 10 years of entries entered soon, it will be amazing to search for topics. I swear, it's so helpful to have these entries - especially to look back at my perimenopause symptoms and the progression of my migraines over the years.
The overall state of AI is actually troubling me. Israel is using it to pick locations to bomb in Gaza. Big landlords are using it to set rent prices higher than they normally would. Health insurance companies are using it to set co-pay prices for out-of-network services. It removes the human nature from these decisions and makes them singularly cold and literally calculated. Every new technology that may have value for the average person is then used for purposes that are harmful to them. Corporations are out of control with their greed, and in their minds can squeeze every bit of money out of their customers until, I guess, their customers become homeless and impoverished. Then that same corporation can become a government contractor to make more money off the problem they created.
Something has to give in the US. We cannot keep being controlled by billionaires and big corporations.
🦩 Everyday Adventures
Buying Luggage
I have had my Samsonite suitcase for… I don't know… possibly a decade or two. It is indestructible, but it's also very heavy. Sometimes I can barely lift it into the overhead (and I admit I've asked strangers to help me).
I went to Macy's on Monday, and 90% of the luggage did not say what size it was. That's right. We borrowed a tape measure from a sales clerk.
The ones that were labeled showed that no care was taken to make sure the sizes coincided with actual airline requirements. In particular, I was looking for something that fit many international carry-on standards: 22x14x9. To my dismay, I found a great bag whose outside dimensions were 22.5x15x9.3. Just why??? Why would you do that instead of just making it the regulation size? Here's an example that was even the same online:
20” should be plenty small enough for any carry-on regulations, right?
Except it's not a 20”. It's not even a 22”, when means it won't fit most American carry-on standards. It's 22 and a half inches! Plus it's 15” wide, which also disqualifies it. Most American airlines require a maximum of 22"x14"x9”. So, not a single dimension on this bag fits the carry-on standard yet they're calling it a 20” carry-on in the name.
I think I've narrowed my search down to two bags. I mostly need to decide how much I'm willing to spend, and I'll spend more if I think the bag will last longer. This Eagle Creek bag has an amazing warranty, and it's at the top of my list. I'm so worried that newer luggage (that I can afford) will be such lower quality than what I have.
Florida Eclipse
I got to experience the eclipse from Florida, as I also did in 2017. We got 55-65% coverage of the sun, and a local college had a gathering with a couple telescopes set up.
My friend Jim went with me, and we brought chairs and snacks. We had glasses and got to see the cool shadows.
It was fun and awe inspiring even though we weren't in totality.
There is a late afternoon total eclipse in Spain in August 2026 and another that goes through Morocco in August 2027 in the morning. Maybe I can plan to make one of those.
Hormonal Dehydration
I have always drank water and rarely ever felt dehydrated… until a few years ago. During my periods now, I experience - thanks to perimenopause - dehydration like I have never known. I just bought this 40 oz Hydro Flask so that by drinking two of them, I will be sure to drink at least 80 oz of water every day. I honestly don't know if that will be enough.
Also, I am not exaggerating when I say that for my last two periods, I used an entire bottle of these eye drops each time. Each bottle is $10, by the way.
My eyes have gotten randomly dryer over the years but during my periods right now, it's completely ridiculous.
The tension headaches are very disruptive as well. For the last four days, it just feels like my forehead is wrinkled up. Like someone ran a thread through it and pulled it tight. I've been putting hot compresses on it with temporary relief, but it's just wild how bad it is.
I've decided that even before my next gyno appointment, which should be next month, I'm going to take The Pill during my next period week and see what happens.
Something's gotta give or your girl is going to have a mental breakdown.
📑 Project Updates
Russian Cross-Stitch
I'm falling in love with this project by a Russian designer. I bought hand-dyed fabric for it from a woman who lives here in St. Pete and sells on Etsy. It's subtle, but it gives the background a little variation. I'm using two strands of floss, and I love the thickness and texture of it. The pattern includes a huge sun that I've just started working on, and there will be a big moon as well. The pattern is four pages long, and the final piece will be 6.5"x10.2”. In the future, I'm going to keep projects to a reasonable size like this as the framing can get very pricey.
Framed Finish
This is the first finished piece that I'm keeping. It represents the way I try to live my life and will continue to live it.
The frame I purchased on Etsy is made for needlework pieces and is just fantastic. The steps to frame it were 1) cut the piece about an inch bigger than the provided felt board, 2) center the piece on the felt board, do a running stitch around the outside of the piece, and pull tight, 3) place the felt board in the frame and secure the back with provided screws.
New Start
I started a new, fun project as a test of using single strand floss on this watermelon fabric. I love the single strand, and I love the dark pink on pink. Stay tuned for more progress on this.
Long Dog Sampler
I'm struggling with where to go on this project as I'm hating parts of how it looks. I un-stitched a section to play with it.
I'm considering re-stitching that area in a different color with single strand. I don't think it will be too noticeable from far away that it used to have two strands. (The holes are a bit stretched out.) If it's not too bad, I may re-stitch the whole thing in single strand.
Looking back, I wish I'd used one strand of floss on this fabric.
My Book
A quick update on this! I have engaged with an amazing artist to create the illustrations for my book. I'm so excited to work with her, and this is pushing me to do the editing I need to do. She'll be doing a cover image soon so I can use it for marketing, and then the rest will be finished by the end of September. More on this soon!
⏰️ Currently
😢 Fighting a feeling of hopelessness over my perimenopause symptoms.
📉 Wondering how so much progress in the world can be sliding backwards.
🦈 Wishing a good part of my life didn't have to be spent trying not to get eaten alive by capitalism.