The Brazier - Vol 3.0
September was a wild ride, but that's okay! Here comes SPOOKY SEASON!
LIFE
I stated in the August update I would post some Nyx Lore about Sven and my wedding story. I wrote most of it, too! Interviewing him went exactly how I expected—we laughed the entire way through, and his answers were almost predictable.
Don’t worry! I do still plan on getting that out to people. It’s just been a wild month between assisting with the 1UP Gaming Festival, Frost’s recovery, and everything else that’s happened. It hasn’t been easy to sit down and do anything, and now I’m behind on everything.
Some updates from the last newsletter:
First, the dietician cancelled our appointment last minute. In the same week, her office had to reschedule it a second time for the same reason. It moved from August 30 to October 18, and then on to November 1. I actually spoke to who I am seeing instead of her receptionist, and we narrowed down the reason for the referral to her clinic.
This part might find itself in a story one day, whether as Nyx Lore or character backstory. It’s important.
At least the long awaited MRI went as planned, and I didn’t even have to retire one of my piercings! In Alberta, we can see our results posted online around the same time our doctors receive them. It’s a silly system, honestly. Doctor Google gives inaccurate results, and if I saw my report without the knowledge I have, I’d be freaking out. Still, I need to call my doctor about the results and see if he can get me into the neurologist faster.
In other news, I attended the health intake session and the first “prep” class to get used to the group format and set some goals. It’s going to take about two hours a week, which is less than I thought. I get to choose my path on this journey, which is so empowering.
We’ll see how I feel once classes actually start.
October is looking pretty clear, though, so I’m able to focus more on Rylee. Speaking of...
PETS
Frost’s surgery was on September 11, and he did really well. The vet told us we take fantastic care of our pets, and that his mouth should heal beautifully. Time will tell whether he needs to have his remaining teeth removed, or if he’ll keep them. I need to take him back in soon to have his mouth checked post-surgery, but the clinic does this for free. I’m counting it as a win.
Unfortunately, the weather is changing, and Rylee’s pain is shifting with it. It doesn’t help she has a puppy brain and often gets the zoomies. If you’ve never seen a 70lbs dog with the zoomies, especially one with a weak left hip, it’s hilarious (and worrying as their parent). One day I’ll share a video if I can get one.
The vet wants her to spread out her pain medication through the month to see if that helps support her between arthritis medication doses at the end of each month. So long as the autumn weather holds, we should be able to manage this and keep her as comfortable as we did in the summer. I live in Alberta, though, so I could have snow tomorrow and temperatures soaring above 20C | 68F the day after that.
My body hurts just thinking about it. Those are not great conditions for arthritis.
Ember’s update is simple. She’s still chonky, is a sucky baby when I’m not feeling well, and is otherwise healthy and happy.
I need to make a correction in last month’s post. Herc’s author is Phoenicia Rogerson, not Robinson. If I have not already, I will edit the previously published newsletters to reflect that.
Currently Reading:
Herc by Phoenicia Rogerson (Physical - 3/5 ⭐ so far)
Monstress Vol. 2 by Marjorie M. Liu (Library Loan - 3/5 ⭐ so far)
Seven Dirty Secrets by Natalie D. Richards (Hoopla - 3/5 ⭐ so far)
Glow by Raven Kennedy (Kindle Unlimited - 3/5 ⭐ so far)
Finished between August 26 to September 25:
Reap the Shadow by Annette Marie (Hoopla - 4/5 ⭐)
Unleash the Storm by Annette Marie (Hoopla - 2/5 ⭐)
Twisted Lies by Ana Huang (Kindle Unlimited - 3/5 ⭐)
Lore Olympus Vol 6 by Rachael Smythe (Library Loan - 5/5 ⭐)
Gild by Raven Kennedy (Kindle Unlimited - 3/5 ⭐)
Glint by Raven Kennedy (Kindle Unlimited - 4/5 ⭐)
Gleam by Raven Kennedy (Kindle Unlimited - 4/5 ⭐)
WORDS
Not as much writing done this month. I’ve only added about five thousand words to The Painted Gate, but progress is progress. I’m the most pleased with how the characters are forming their own voices, and Freddy is slowly becoming my favourite.
Project Rose is going to be my focus starting on October 1st. I promised myself it would be my project for the next two months, so The Painted Gate (also called Project Revival) will to be shelved for the foreseeable future. Luckily, I have a lot of notes.
TWITCH
1UP is going well. At the time of writing, we’re sitting at $2,909 raised for the Starlight Children’s Foundation. If we can hit $5,000 before the end of the month, we get to install a gaming system in a children’s hospital. This is my second year of participating and first year helping with planning events. I’m so grateful they included me and am excited to assist in future events.
Not everything is sunshine and roses. Change is hard. There have been a lot of big adjustments to my community, goals, and initiatives. While there are incredible things coming, the Discord server needs to be reforged.
One of the Discord server founders chose a different path. Grief is hard, especially layered over everything else going on. I renamed it The Library’s Hearth and am building up a resource and community hub for authors, writers, streamers, and anyone curious about the process.
Unfortunately, this means I’ve had to place other things on the back-burner. The pen pal program is something that is taking the hardest hit. Until I can get my feet under me, I can’t focus on all the moving pieces involved. Another thing is my schedule. It’s hard to write when I’m not in the right headspace, so I’ve added a few more gaming streams than usual.
One of the Therapeutic Agreements in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy is “I’m doing the best I can, but I need to do better.” It sounds so patronizing, but it’s not. It’s a reminder that I am doing great, and I can (and will) be even better tomorrow.
I refuse to be anything else.
The release of Stories of First Contact is coming up. I don’t have an official date yet, but it’s soon. I’m so excited for you to read it!
Thank you for reading! I'd love to hear what your goals are for the month!
Kindest regards,
Change IS hard, but ultimately always worthwhile.