#lifeupdate — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #lifeupdate, aggregated by home.social.
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Just a small life update.
After losing my good phone in the robbery, I currently have to rely on my old device again, and it’s struggling badly. The battery barely lasts anymore, so I need to reduce power usage and keep things as lightweight and minimal as possible. Because of that, I’m stepping away from some platforms and rethinking which communication networks I truly want to depend on in the future.
What I will continue using and keeping are open and decentralized networks like XMPP, Matrix, SimpleX, Nostr, and the Fediverse. Those spaces feel far more independent, resilient, and aligned with the kind of digital future I want to support.
Step by step I’m rebuilding my setup, simplifying things, and focusing more on privacy-friendly and decentralized technology again. Sometimes losing a device really changes the way you think about communication, ownership, and dependence on centralized platforms.
#Nostr #Fediverse #Matrix #XMPP #SimpleX #Decentralization #OpenSource #Privacy #DigitalFreedom #IndieWeb #FOSS #Minimalism #TechLife #Resilience #Communication #DigitalIndependence #SelfHosting #lifeupdate
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Just a small life update.
After losing my good phone in the robbery, I currently have to rely on my old device again, and it’s struggling badly. The battery barely lasts anymore, so I need to reduce power usage and keep things as lightweight and minimal as possible. Because of that, I’m stepping away from some platforms and rethinking which communication networks I truly want to depend on in the future.
What I will continue using and keeping are open and decentralized networks like XMPP, Matrix, SimpleX, Nostr, and the Fediverse. Those spaces feel far more independent, resilient, and aligned with the kind of digital future I want to support.
Step by step I’m rebuilding my setup, simplifying things, and focusing more on privacy-friendly and decentralized technology again. Sometimes losing a device really changes the way you think about communication, ownership, and dependence on centralized platforms.
#Nostr #Fediverse #Matrix #XMPP #SimpleX #Decentralization #OpenSource #Privacy #DigitalFreedom #IndieWeb #FOSS #Minimalism #TechLife #Resilience #Communication #DigitalIndependence #SelfHosting #lifeupdate
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Just a small life update.
After losing my good phone in the robbery, I currently have to rely on my old device again, and it’s struggling badly. The battery barely lasts anymore, so I need to reduce power usage and keep things as lightweight and minimal as possible. Because of that, I’m stepping away from some platforms and rethinking which communication networks I truly want to depend on in the future.
What I will continue using and keeping are open and decentralized networks like XMPP, Matrix, SimpleX, Nostr, and the Fediverse. Those spaces feel far more independent, resilient, and aligned with the kind of digital future I want to support.
Step by step I’m rebuilding my setup, simplifying things, and focusing more on privacy-friendly and decentralized technology again. Sometimes losing a device really changes the way you think about communication, ownership, and dependence on centralized platforms.
#Nostr #Fediverse #Matrix #XMPP #SimpleX #Decentralization #OpenSource #Privacy #DigitalFreedom #IndieWeb #FOSS #Minimalism #TechLife #Resilience #Communication #DigitalIndependence #SelfHosting #lifeupdate
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Just a small life update.
After losing my good phone in the robbery, I currently have to rely on my old device again, and it’s struggling badly. The battery barely lasts anymore, so I need to reduce power usage and keep things as lightweight and minimal as possible. Because of that, I’m stepping away from some platforms and rethinking which communication networks I truly want to depend on in the future.
What I will continue using and keeping are open and decentralized networks like XMPP, Matrix, SimpleX, Nostr, and the Fediverse. Those spaces feel far more independent, resilient, and aligned with the kind of digital future I want to support.
Step by step I’m rebuilding my setup, simplifying things, and focusing more on privacy-friendly and decentralized technology again. Sometimes losing a device really changes the way you think about communication, ownership, and dependence on centralized platforms.
#Nostr #Fediverse #Matrix #XMPP #SimpleX #Decentralization #OpenSource #Privacy #DigitalFreedom #IndieWeb #FOSS #Minimalism #TechLife #Resilience #Communication #DigitalIndependence #SelfHosting #lifeupdate
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Just a small life update.
After losing my good phone in the robbery, I currently have to rely on my old device again, and it’s struggling badly. The battery barely lasts anymore, so I need to reduce power usage and keep things as lightweight and minimal as possible. Because of that, I’m stepping away from some platforms and rethinking which communication networks I truly want to depend on in the future.
What I will continue using and keeping are open and decentralized networks like XMPP, Matrix, SimpleX, Nostr, and the Fediverse. Those spaces feel far more independent, resilient, and aligned with the kind of digital future I want to support.
Step by step I’m rebuilding my setup, simplifying things, and focusing more on privacy-friendly and decentralized technology again. Sometimes losing a device really changes the way you think about communication, ownership, and dependence on centralized platforms.
#Nostr #Fediverse #Matrix #XMPP #SimpleX #Decentralization #OpenSource #Privacy #DigitalFreedom #IndieWeb #FOSS #Minimalism #TechLife #Resilience #Communication #DigitalIndependence #SelfHosting #lifeupdate
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Taking Stock: 26 Little Snapshots of My Life and the Blogging World
‘ Taking Stock‘ is a fun, clever way to capture what’s happening in your life right now, using each letter of the alphabet as a prompt. I’m not sure how long this idea has been around, but when I read Debbie’s post on her blog, Deb’s World, it instantly caught my imagination, and I knew I had to give it a try myself.
In her latest ‘Taking Stock’ post, Debbie says she likes to pause every few months to take stock of the little things in her life, as they are sometimes the best bits. I agree!
To answer the prompts, she likes to give herself a few moments to process the words and avoid overthinking them. She then finds suitable photos to add. Debbie does these posts every 3-4 months.
Here goes – my first ‘Taking Stock’ post.
Admiring: Those bloggers who followed me by changing their blog’s theme to a Block theme. I haven’t come across anyone yet who has reverted to a Classic theme. Well done to the bloggers who have made the switch.
Believing in myself: Because of my dyslexia, I don’t usually accept beta-reading offers. But when Marsha Ingrao told me her book was about blogging, I jumped at the chance to beta-read it. It boosted my confidence big time. Thank you, Marsha.
Curious by: I’ve seen some great cloud formations recently. I love that all my photos and information are stored in the clouds. But what happens when it rains?
Is this where all my photos are stored?Decluttering: I love decluttering and have been doing a lot of it over the last few months. It leaves me feeling calm and positive. And look at all that free space! Wow! Not even my blog has escaped. Do you enjoy decluttering?
Excited by: It’s that time of year again. The Eurovision Song Contest takes place on 16 May in Vienna. I’m not sure about the United Kingdom’s entry this year. It’s different, and different can deliver good results, but how many points would you give it?
https://youtu.be/niMKvJ-Itq8?si=ySzj5mWS4W0S_MNJ&t=7
Flabbergasted: I’ve finally convinced myself I don’t need to keep up with fashion trends after seeing this. How do they sit down in some of those outfits?
https://youtu.be/zXCHO7lpCfQ?si=WN71VgrLLVch3Xzn
Grateful for outdoor space. I’m not green-fingered. Thankfully, I have a partner who is.
Horrified by the recent election results in parts of the UK. What on earth is going on? Some parts of society seem to want to go back to the 1930s.
Ironing: My best ideas for blog posts and flash fiction come to me when I’m standing in front of an ironing board. That’s why I enjoy ironing. Where do you get your best ideas?
Juggling time between blogging and life can be difficult. I see bloggers struggling with it all the time. Finding the perfect balance can be challenging, but it can be done. Step back, and you’ll soon see how to do it.
Kindness: This quote struck a chord when I saw it on Bluesky recently. If only all humans were like this. Please be kind to one another.
https://bsky.app/profile/chriswriter.bsky.social/post/3mlazbkfgj223
Listening to music, I used to play when I was a DJ in various pubs and nightclubs in London, where I loved filling dance floors. It was an achievement I loved. Now, some of that music helps me write. Do you have a music playlist?
Mood: I’ve always been a positive person. The glass is always half full. Don’t let others drag you down with their negativity. They aren’t worth your time.
Noticing: The nights. They are getting much shorter in the UK. On June 21st, the sun doesn’t set where I live until 21:37, so we will have over 18 hours of daylight. I still find it strange to go to bed when it’s not pitch dark.
Ordering less online: It’s convenient, but when I do go to the local high street and see how many shops are vacant, it makes me feel that I have been part of the problem. Support your local high street shops.
Puzzled by: I’m still trying to work out why WordPress changed the name of ‘Reusable Blocks’ to ‘Patterns’. It doesn’t make sense. If you’re still using the Classic editor, you won’t have any idea what I’m talking about.
Questioning bloggers: I’m delighted with the response to the questions I asked in my previous post. The main question was ‘How often should you publish blog posts?’ The responses make interesting reading and have many bloggers thinking. Why not join them?
Reading: I’m reading my first book of 2026. Dyslexia means I prefer to watch rather than read, but this book has sparked my interest, especially when I spotted myself on the front cover. It’s non-fiction, fascinating, with some humour thrown in. What are you reading?
Still pleased that I started cutting my own hair in 2013. The hair clippers cost me £49.99. When a barber last cut my hair that year, it cost £7.50. Now that’s what I call a satisfying cost saving. Do you cut your own hair?
Thankful to be able to smile again after having two front teeth replaced with implants. The two offending teeth were removed last July. It’s been a long wait for the bone to fill the gaps and grow around the implant sockets. Now I can share smiles with others again.
Understanding that not everyone will agree with me. But please try to disagree in a professional and friendly manner.
Very thankful that bloggers continue to share my blog posts. Whether it’s on social media, by linking to one of my posts, or simply by mentioning me by name, I’m always delighted when people tell me that reading one of my posts has helped.
Wondering how I won a pair of boxer shorts in a competition I entered to win a year’s supply of teabags. But I guess I should be pleased to have won something. Have you won anything recently?
eXtra special: Yeah, I cheated here, as I couldn’t think of anything that begins with the letter X. As Debbie says in her post, ‘don’t overthink it!’ So here’s a photo of Austin, who is eXtra special to me.
Yearning for you to read my latest story for the Story Chat feature on Marsha’s blog. Honestly, it’s very different from what I usually write and from the other stories I’ve written for Story Chat. It goes live in September.
Zooming in on how good it is to be part of the writing world, given that I have dyslexia. Your support and encouragement have been a big part of the journey. Thank you!
As you can see, this little “Taking Stock” exercise has given me plenty to think about, smile about, and even scratch my head over. I’d love to hear how life is looking from where you are right now. Which of my answers resonated with you most? If you picked just one prompt from this list—Admiring, Believing, Decluttering, Grateful, Wondering, or any of the others, what would your answer be today?
My thanks to Debbie at Deb’s World for the inspiration to write this post.
The featured image in this post was created using the WordPress image generator. AI was used to check for grammar and spelling mistakes and to help with the layout of the post.
You can follow me at the following sites.
Copyright @ 2026 hughsviewsandnews.com – All rights reserved.
#BlogTips #BloggingTips #Corgi #Decluttering #Dyslexia #Eurovision #LifeUpdate #Music #PersonalReflections #reading #TakingStock -
Taking Stock: 26 Little Snapshots of My Life and the Blogging World
‘ Taking Stock‘ is a fun, clever way to capture what’s happening in your life right now, using each letter of the alphabet as a prompt. I’m not sure how long this idea has been around, but when I read Debbie’s post on her blog, Deb’s World, it instantly caught my imagination, and I knew I had to give it a try myself.
In her latest ‘Taking Stock’ post, Debbie says she likes to pause every few months to take stock of the little things in her life, as they are sometimes the best bits. I agree!
To answer the prompts, she likes to give herself a few moments to process the words and avoid overthinking them. She then finds suitable photos to add. Debbie does these posts every 3-4 months.
Here goes – my first ‘Taking Stock’ post.
Admiring: Those bloggers who followed me by changing their blog’s theme to a Block theme. I haven’t come across anyone yet who has reverted to a Classic theme. Well done to the bloggers who have made the switch.
Believing in myself: Because of my dyslexia, I don’t usually accept beta-reading offers. But when Marsha Ingrao told me her book was about blogging, I jumped at the chance to beta-read it. It boosted my confidence big time. Thank you, Marsha.
Curious by: I’ve seen some great cloud formations recently. I love that all my photos and information are stored in the clouds. But what happens when it rains?
Is this where all my photos are stored?Decluttering: I love decluttering and have been doing a lot of it over the last few months. It leaves me feeling calm and positive. And look at all that free space! Wow! Not even my blog has escaped. Do you enjoy decluttering?
Excited by: It’s that time of year again. The Eurovision Song Contest takes place on 16 May in Vienna. I’m not sure about the United Kingdom’s entry this year. It’s different, and different can deliver good results, but how many points would you give it?
https://youtu.be/niMKvJ-Itq8?si=ySzj5mWS4W0S_MNJ&t=7
Flabbergasted: I’ve finally convinced myself I don’t need to keep up with fashion trends after seeing this. How do they sit down in some of those outfits?
https://youtu.be/zXCHO7lpCfQ?si=WN71VgrLLVch3Xzn
Grateful for outdoor space. I’m not green-fingered. Thankfully, I have a partner who is.
Horrified by the recent election results in parts of the UK. What on earth is going on? Some parts of society seem to want to go back to the 1930s.
Ironing: My best ideas for blog posts and flash fiction come to me when I’m standing in front of an ironing board. That’s why I enjoy ironing. Where do you get your best ideas?
Juggling time between blogging and life can be difficult. I see bloggers struggling with it all the time. Finding the perfect balance can be challenging, but it can be done. Step back, and you’ll soon see how to do it.
Kindness: This quote struck a chord when I saw it on Bluesky recently. If only all humans were like this. Please be kind to one another.
https://bsky.app/profile/chriswriter.bsky.social/post/3mlazbkfgj223
Listening to music, I used to play when I was a DJ in various pubs and nightclubs in London, where I loved filling dance floors. It was an achievement I loved. Now, some of that music helps me write. Do you have a music playlist?
Mood: I’ve always been a positive person. The glass is always half full. Don’t let others drag you down with their negativity. They aren’t worth your time.
Noticing: The nights. They are getting much shorter in the UK. On June 21st, the sun doesn’t set where I live until 21:37, so we will have over 18 hours of daylight. I still find it strange to go to bed when it’s not pitch dark.
Ordering less online: It’s convenient, but when I do go to the local high street and see how many shops are vacant, it makes me feel that I have been part of the problem. Support your local high street shops.
Puzzled by: I’m still trying to work out why WordPress changed the name of ‘Reusable Blocks’ to ‘Patterns’. It doesn’t make sense. If you’re still using the Classic editor, you won’t have any idea what I’m talking about.
Questioning bloggers: I’m delighted with the response to the questions I asked in my previous post. The main question was ‘How often should you publish blog posts?’ The responses make interesting reading and have many bloggers thinking. Why not join them?
Reading: I’m reading my first book of 2026. Dyslexia means I prefer to watch rather than read, but this book has sparked my interest, especially when I spotted myself on the front cover. It’s non-fiction, fascinating, with some humour thrown in. What are you reading?
Still pleased that I started cutting my own hair in 2013. The hair clippers cost me £49.99. When a barber last cut my hair that year, it cost £7.50. Now that’s what I call a satisfying cost saving. Do you cut your own hair?
Thankful to be able to smile again after having two front teeth replaced with implants. The two offending teeth were removed last July. It’s been a long wait for the bone to fill the gaps and grow around the implant sockets. Now I can share smiles with others again.
Understanding that not everyone will agree with me. But please try to disagree in a professional and friendly manner.
Very thankful that bloggers continue to share my blog posts. Whether it’s on social media, by linking to one of my posts, or simply by mentioning me by name, I’m always delighted when people tell me that reading one of my posts has helped.
Wondering how I won a pair of boxer shorts in a competition I entered to win a year’s supply of teabags. But I guess I should be pleased to have won something. Have you won anything recently?
eXtra special: Yeah, I cheated here, as I couldn’t think of anything that begins with the letter X. As Debbie says in her post, ‘don’t overthink it!’ So here’s a photo of Austin, who is eXtra special to me.
Yearning for you to read my latest story for the Story Chat feature on Marsha’s blog. Honestly, it’s very different from what I usually write and from the other stories I’ve written for Story Chat. It goes live in September.
Zooming in on how good it is to be part of the writing world, given that I have dyslexia. Your support and encouragement have been a big part of the journey. Thank you!
As you can see, this little “Taking Stock” exercise has given me plenty to think about, smile about, and even scratch my head over. I’d love to hear how life is looking from where you are right now. Which of my answers resonated with you most? If you picked just one prompt from this list—Admiring, Believing, Decluttering, Grateful, Wondering, or any of the others, what would your answer be today?
My thanks to Debbie at Deb’s World for the inspiration to write this post.
The featured image in this post was created using the WordPress image generator. AI was used to check for grammar and spelling mistakes and to help with the layout of the post.
You can follow me at the following sites.
Copyright @ 2026 hughsviewsandnews.com – All rights reserved.
#BlogTips #BloggingTips #Corgi #Decluttering #Dyslexia #Eurovision #LifeUpdate #Music #PersonalReflections #reading #TakingStock -
Taking Stock: 26 Little Snapshots of My Life and the Blogging World
‘ Taking Stock‘ is a fun, clever way to capture what’s happening in your life right now, using each letter of the alphabet as a prompt. I’m not sure how long this idea has been around, but when I read Debbie’s post on her blog, Deb’s World, it instantly caught my imagination, and I knew I had to give it a try myself.
In her latest ‘Taking Stock’ post, Debbie says she likes to pause every few months to take stock of the little things in her life, as they are sometimes the best bits. I agree!
To answer the prompts, she likes to give herself a few moments to process the words and avoid overthinking them. She then finds suitable photos to add. Debbie does these posts every 3-4 months.
Here goes – my first ‘Taking Stock’ post.
Admiring: Those bloggers who followed me by changing their blog’s theme to a Block theme. I haven’t come across anyone yet who has reverted to a Classic theme. Well done to the bloggers who have made the switch.
Believing in myself: Because of my dyslexia, I don’t usually accept beta-reading offers. But when Marsha Ingrao told me her book was about blogging, I jumped at the chance to beta-read it. It boosted my confidence big time. Thank you, Marsha.
Curious by: I’ve seen some great cloud formations recently. I love that all my photos and information are stored in the clouds. But what happens when it rains?
Is this where all my photos are stored?Decluttering: I love decluttering and have been doing a lot of it over the last few months. It leaves me feeling calm and positive. And look at all that free space! Wow! Not even my blog has escaped. Do you enjoy decluttering?
Excited by: It’s that time of year again. The Eurovision Song Contest takes place on 16 May in Vienna. I’m not sure about the United Kingdom’s entry this year. It’s different, and different can deliver good results, but how many points would you give it?
https://youtu.be/niMKvJ-Itq8?si=ySzj5mWS4W0S_MNJ&t=7
Flabbergasted: I’ve finally convinced myself I don’t need to keep up with fashion trends after seeing this. How do they sit down in some of those outfits?
https://youtu.be/zXCHO7lpCfQ?si=WN71VgrLLVch3Xzn
Grateful for outdoor space. I’m not green-fingered. Thankfully, I have a partner who is.
Horrified by the recent election results in parts of the UK. What on earth is going on? Some parts of society seem to want to go back to the 1930s.
Ironing: My best ideas for blog posts and flash fiction come to me when I’m standing in front of an ironing board. That’s why I enjoy ironing. Where do you get your best ideas?
Juggling time between blogging and life can be difficult. I see bloggers struggling with it all the time. Finding the perfect balance can be challenging, but it can be done. Step back, and you’ll soon see how to do it.
Kindness: This quote struck a chord when I saw it on Bluesky recently. If only all humans were like this. Please be kind to one another.
https://bsky.app/profile/chriswriter.bsky.social/post/3mlazbkfgj223
Listening to music, I used to play when I was a DJ in various pubs and nightclubs in London, where I loved filling dance floors. It was an achievement I loved. Now, some of that music helps me write. Do you have a music playlist?
Mood: I’ve always been a positive person. The glass is always half full. Don’t let others drag you down with their negativity. They aren’t worth your time.
Noticing: The nights. They are getting much shorter in the UK. On June 21st, the sun doesn’t set where I live until 21:37, so we will have over 18 hours of daylight. I still find it strange to go to bed when it’s not pitch dark.
Ordering less online: It’s convenient, but when I do go to the local high street and see how many shops are vacant, it makes me feel that I have been part of the problem. Support your local high street shops.
Puzzled by: I’m still trying to work out why WordPress changed the name of ‘Reusable Blocks’ to ‘Patterns’. It doesn’t make sense. If you’re still using the Classic editor, you won’t have any idea what I’m talking about.
Questioning bloggers: I’m delighted with the response to the questions I asked in my previous post. The main question was ‘How often should you publish blog posts?’ The responses make interesting reading and have many bloggers thinking. Why not join them?
Reading: I’m reading my first book of 2026. Dyslexia means I prefer to watch rather than read, but this book has sparked my interest, especially when I spotted myself on the front cover. It’s non-fiction, fascinating, with some humour thrown in. What are you reading?
Still pleased that I started cutting my own hair in 2013. The hair clippers cost me £49.99. When a barber last cut my hair that year, it cost £7.50. Now that’s what I call a satisfying cost saving. Do you cut your own hair?
Thankful to be able to smile again after having two front teeth replaced with implants. The two offending teeth were removed last July. It’s been a long wait for the bone to fill the gaps and grow around the implant sockets. Now I can share smiles with others again.
Understanding that not everyone will agree with me. But please try to disagree in a professional and friendly manner.
Very thankful that bloggers continue to share my blog posts. Whether it’s on social media, by linking to one of my posts, or simply by mentioning me by name, I’m always delighted when people tell me that reading one of my posts has helped.
Wondering how I won a pair of boxer shorts in a competition I entered to win a year’s supply of teabags. But I guess I should be pleased to have won something. Have you won anything recently?
eXtra special: Yeah, I cheated here, as I couldn’t think of anything that begins with the letter X. As Debbie says in her post, ‘don’t overthink it!’ So here’s a photo of Austin, who is eXtra special to me.
Yearning for you to read my latest story for the Story Chat feature on Marsha’s blog. Honestly, it’s very different from what I usually write and from the other stories I’ve written for Story Chat. It goes live in September.
Zooming in on how good it is to be part of the writing world, given that I have dyslexia. Your support and encouragement have been a big part of the journey. Thank you!
As you can see, this little “Taking Stock” exercise has given me plenty to think about, smile about, and even scratch my head over. I’d love to hear how life is looking from where you are right now. Which of my answers resonated with you most? If you picked just one prompt from this list—Admiring, Believing, Decluttering, Grateful, Wondering, or any of the others, what would your answer be today?
My thanks to Debbie at Deb’s World for the inspiration to write this post.
The featured image in this post was created using the WordPress image generator. AI was used to check for grammar and spelling mistakes and to help with the layout of the post.
You can follow me at the following sites.
Copyright @ 2026 hughsviewsandnews.com – All rights reserved.
#BlogTips #BloggingTips #Corgi #Decluttering #Dyslexia #Eurovision #LifeUpdate #Music #PersonalReflections #reading #TakingStock -
Taking Stock: 26 Little Snapshots of My Life and the Blogging World
‘ Taking Stock‘ is a fun, clever way to capture what’s happening in your life right now, using each letter of the alphabet as a prompt. I’m not sure how long this idea has been around, but when I read Debbie’s post on her blog, Deb’s World, it instantly caught my imagination, and I knew I had to give it a try myself.
In her latest ‘Taking Stock’ post, Debbie says she likes to pause every few months to take stock of the little things in her life, as they are sometimes the best bits. I agree!
To answer the prompts, she likes to give herself a few moments to process the words and avoid overthinking them. She then finds suitable photos to add. Debbie does these posts every 3-4 months.
Here goes – my first ‘Taking Stock’ post.
Admiring: Those bloggers who followed me by changing their blog’s theme to a Block theme. I haven’t come across anyone yet who has reverted to a Classic theme. Well done to the bloggers who have made the switch.
Believing in myself: Because of my dyslexia, I don’t usually accept beta-reading offers. But when Marsha Ingrao told me her book was about blogging, I jumped at the chance to beta-read it. It boosted my confidence big time. Thank you, Marsha.
Curious by: I’ve seen some great cloud formations recently. I love that all my photos and information are stored in the clouds. But what happens when it rains?
Is this where all my photos are stored?Decluttering: I love decluttering and have been doing a lot of it over the last few months. It leaves me feeling calm and positive. And look at all that free space! Wow! Not even my blog has escaped. Do you enjoy decluttering?
Excited by: It’s that time of year again. The Eurovision Song Contest takes place on 16 May in Vienna. I’m not sure about the United Kingdom’s entry this year. It’s different, and different can deliver good results, but how many points would you give it?
https://youtu.be/niMKvJ-Itq8?si=ySzj5mWS4W0S_MNJ&t=7
Flabbergasted: I’ve finally convinced myself I don’t need to keep up with fashion trends after seeing this. How do they sit down in some of those outfits?
https://youtu.be/zXCHO7lpCfQ?si=WN71VgrLLVch3Xzn
Grateful for outdoor space. I’m not green-fingered. Thankfully, I have a partner who is.
Horrified by the recent election results in parts of the UK. What on earth is going on? Some parts of society seem to want to go back to the 1930s.
Ironing: My best ideas for blog posts and flash fiction come to me when I’m standing in front of an ironing board. That’s why I enjoy ironing. Where do you get your best ideas?
Juggling time between blogging and life can be difficult. I see bloggers struggling with it all the time. Finding the perfect balance can be challenging, but it can be done. Step back, and you’ll soon see how to do it.
Kindness: This quote struck a chord when I saw it on Bluesky recently. If only all humans were like this. Please be kind to one another.
https://bsky.app/profile/chriswriter.bsky.social/post/3mlazbkfgj223
Listening to music, I used to play when I was a DJ in various pubs and nightclubs in London, where I loved filling dance floors. It was an achievement I loved. Now, some of that music helps me write. Do you have a music playlist?
Mood: I’ve always been a positive person. The glass is always half full. Don’t let others drag you down with their negativity. They aren’t worth your time.
Noticing: The nights. They are getting much shorter in the UK. On June 21st, the sun doesn’t set where I live until 21:37, so we will have over 18 hours of daylight. I still find it strange to go to bed when it’s not pitch dark.
Ordering less online: It’s convenient, but when I do go to the local high street and see how many shops are vacant, it makes me feel that I have been part of the problem. Support your local high street shops.
Puzzled by: I’m still trying to work out why WordPress changed the name of ‘Reusable Blocks’ to ‘Patterns’. It doesn’t make sense. If you’re still using the Classic editor, you won’t have any idea what I’m talking about.
Questioning bloggers: I’m delighted with the response to the questions I asked in my previous post. The main question was ‘How often should you publish blog posts?’ The responses make interesting reading and have many bloggers thinking. Why not join them?
Reading: I’m reading my first book of 2026. Dyslexia means I prefer to watch rather than read, but this book has sparked my interest, especially when I spotted myself on the front cover. It’s non-fiction, fascinating, with some humour thrown in. What are you reading?
Still pleased that I started cutting my own hair in 2013. The hair clippers cost me £49.99. When a barber last cut my hair that year, it cost £7.50. Now that’s what I call a satisfying cost saving. Do you cut your own hair?
Thankful to be able to smile again after having two front teeth replaced with implants. The two offending teeth were removed last July. It’s been a long wait for the bone to fill the gaps and grow around the implant sockets. Now I can share smiles with others again.
Understanding that not everyone will agree with me. But please try to disagree in a professional and friendly manner.
Very thankful that bloggers continue to share my blog posts. Whether it’s on social media, by linking to one of my posts, or simply by mentioning me by name, I’m always delighted when people tell me that reading one of my posts has helped.
Wondering how I won a pair of boxer shorts in a competition I entered to win a year’s supply of teabags. But I guess I should be pleased to have won something. Have you won anything recently?
eXtra special: Yeah, I cheated here, as I couldn’t think of anything that begins with the letter X. As Debbie says in her post, ‘don’t overthink it!’ So here’s a photo of Austin, who is eXtra special to me.
Yearning for you to read my latest story for the Story Chat feature on Marsha’s blog. Honestly, it’s very different from what I usually write and from the other stories I’ve written for Story Chat. It goes live in September.
Zooming in on how good it is to be part of the writing world, given that I have dyslexia. Your support and encouragement have been a big part of the journey. Thank you!
As you can see, this little “Taking Stock” exercise has given me plenty to think about, smile about, and even scratch my head over. I’d love to hear how life is looking from where you are right now. Which of my answers resonated with you most? If you picked just one prompt from this list—Admiring, Believing, Decluttering, Grateful, Wondering, or any of the others, what would your answer be today?
My thanks to Debbie at Deb’s World for the inspiration to write this post.
The featured image in this post was created using the WordPress image generator. AI was used to check for grammar and spelling mistakes and to help with the layout of the post.
You can follow me at the following sites.
Copyright @ 2026 hughsviewsandnews.com – All rights reserved.
#BlogTips #BloggingTips #Corgi #Decluttering #Dyslexia #Eurovision #LifeUpdate #Music #PersonalReflections #reading #TakingStock -
Taking Stock: 26 Little Snapshots of My Life and the Blogging World
‘ Taking Stock‘ is a fun, clever way to capture what’s happening in your life right now, using each letter of the alphabet as a prompt. I’m not sure how long this idea has been around, but when I read Debbie’s post on her blog, Deb’s World, it instantly caught my imagination, and I knew I had to give it a try myself.
In her latest ‘Taking Stock’ post, Debbie says she likes to pause every few months to take stock of the little things in her life, as they are sometimes the best bits. I agree!
To answer the prompts, she likes to give herself a few moments to process the words and avoid overthinking them. She then finds suitable photos to add. Debbie does these posts every 3-4 months.
Here goes – my first ‘Taking Stock’ post.
Admiring: Those bloggers who followed me by changing their blog’s theme to a Block theme. I haven’t come across anyone yet who has reverted to a Classic theme. Well done to the bloggers who have made the switch.
Believing in myself: Because of my dyslexia, I don’t usually accept beta-reading offers. But when Marsha Ingrao told me her book was about blogging, I jumped at the chance to beta-read it. It boosted my confidence big time. Thank you, Marsha.
Curious by: I’ve seen some great cloud formations recently. I love that all my photos and information are stored in the clouds. But what happens when it rains?
Is this where all my photos are stored?Decluttering: I love decluttering and have been doing a lot of it over the last few months. It leaves me feeling calm and positive. And look at all that free space! Wow! Not even my blog has escaped. Do you enjoy decluttering?
Excited by: It’s that time of year again. The Eurovision Song Contest takes place on 16 May in Vienna. I’m not sure about the United Kingdom’s entry this year. It’s different, and different can deliver good results, but how many points would you give it?
https://youtu.be/niMKvJ-Itq8?si=ySzj5mWS4W0S_MNJ&t=7
Flabbergasted: I’ve finally convinced myself I don’t need to keep up with fashion trends after seeing this. How do they sit down in some of those outfits?
https://youtu.be/zXCHO7lpCfQ?si=WN71VgrLLVch3Xzn
Grateful for outdoor space. I’m not green-fingered. Thankfully, I have a partner who is.
Horrified by the recent election results in parts of the UK. What on earth is going on? Some parts of society seem to want to go back to the 1930s.
Ironing: My best ideas for blog posts and flash fiction come to me when I’m standing in front of an ironing board. That’s why I enjoy ironing. Where do you get your best ideas?
Juggling time between blogging and life can be difficult. I see bloggers struggling with it all the time. Finding the perfect balance can be challenging, but it can be done. Step back, and you’ll soon see how to do it.
Kindness: This quote struck a chord when I saw it on Bluesky recently. If only all humans were like this. Please be kind to one another.
https://bsky.app/profile/chriswriter.bsky.social/post/3mlazbkfgj223
Listening to music, I used to play when I was a DJ in various pubs and nightclubs in London, where I loved filling dance floors. It was an achievement I loved. Now, some of that music helps me write. Do you have a music playlist?
Mood: I’ve always been a positive person. The glass is always half full. Don’t let others drag you down with their negativity. They aren’t worth your time.
Noticing: The nights. They are getting much shorter in the UK. On June 21st, the sun doesn’t set where I live until 21:37, so we will have over 18 hours of daylight. I still find it strange to go to bed when it’s not pitch dark.
Ordering less online: It’s convenient, but when I do go to the local high street and see how many shops are vacant, it makes me feel that I have been part of the problem. Support your local high street shops.
Puzzled by: I’m still trying to work out why WordPress changed the name of ‘Reusable Blocks’ to ‘Patterns’. It doesn’t make sense. If you’re still using the Classic editor, you won’t have any idea what I’m talking about.
Questioning bloggers: I’m delighted with the response to the questions I asked in my previous post. The main question was ‘How often should you publish blog posts?’ The responses make interesting reading and have many bloggers thinking. Why not join them?
Reading: I’m reading my first book of 2026. Dyslexia means I prefer to watch rather than read, but this book has sparked my interest, especially when I spotted myself on the front cover. It’s non-fiction, fascinating, with some humour thrown in. What are you reading?
Still pleased that I started cutting my own hair in 2013. The hair clippers cost me £49.99. When a barber last cut my hair that year, it cost £7.50. Now that’s what I call a satisfying cost saving. Do you cut your own hair?
Thankful to be able to smile again after having two front teeth replaced with implants. The two offending teeth were removed last July. It’s been a long wait for the bone to fill the gaps and grow around the implant sockets. Now I can share smiles with others again.
Understanding that not everyone will agree with me. But please try to disagree in a professional and friendly manner.
Very thankful that bloggers continue to share my blog posts. Whether it’s on social media, by linking to one of my posts, or simply by mentioning me by name, I’m always delighted when people tell me that reading one of my posts has helped.
Wondering how I won a pair of boxer shorts in a competition I entered to win a year’s supply of teabags. But I guess I should be pleased to have won something. Have you won anything recently?
eXtra special: Yeah, I cheated here, as I couldn’t think of anything that begins with the letter X. As Debbie says in her post, ‘don’t overthink it!’ So here’s a photo of Austin, who is eXtra special to me.
Yearning for you to read my latest story for the Story Chat feature on Marsha’s blog. Honestly, it’s very different from what I usually write and from the other stories I’ve written for Story Chat. It goes live in September.
Zooming in on how good it is to be part of the writing world, given that I have dyslexia. Your support and encouragement have been a big part of the journey. Thank you!
As you can see, this little “Taking Stock” exercise has given me plenty to think about, smile about, and even scratch my head over. I’d love to hear how life is looking from where you are right now. Which of my answers resonated with you most? If you picked just one prompt from this list—Admiring, Believing, Decluttering, Grateful, Wondering, or any of the others, what would your answer be today?
My thanks to Debbie at Deb’s World for the inspiration to write this post.
The featured image in this post was created using the WordPress image generator. AI was used to check for grammar and spelling mistakes and to help with the layout of the post.
You can follow me at the following sites.
Copyright @ 2026 hughsviewsandnews.com – All rights reserved.
#BlogTips #BloggingTips #Corgi #Decluttering #Dyslexia #Eurovision #LifeUpdate #Music #PersonalReflections #reading #TakingStock -
From Laundry to Linux: Two Productive Days in Lusaka
Yesterday (April 30) and today (May 1), I spent some time doing laundry while also setting up my Raspberry Pi with Umbrel OS. I installed the software I need and started backing up my data today, deciding to go with Seafile for it.
I worked on all of this at the hostel, then took a walk to the university and continued in the library. Later, I went to a burger place and enjoyed a Friday deal.
Here are some photos from these two days.
#DailyLife #TravelLife #DigitalNomad #RaspberryPi #UmbrelOS #SelfHosting #Seafile #DataBackup #OpenSource #Linux #Homelab #Privacy #TechLife #HostelLife #UniversityLife #LibraryTime #FridayVibes #Foodie #BurgerTime #LifeUpdate #Lusaka #Zambia #ExploreZambia #LusakaLife #AfricaTravel #VisitZambia #ZambiaLife #LusakaDiaries #NomadInAfrica #WanderAfrica
📍 Lusaka, Zambia
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From Laundry to Linux: Two Productive Days in Lusaka
Yesterday (April 30) and today (May 1), I spent some time doing laundry while also setting up my Raspberry Pi with Umbrel OS. I installed the software I need and started backing up my data today, deciding to go with Seafile for it.
I worked on all of this at the hostel, then took a walk to the university and continued in the library. Later, I went to a burger place and enjoyed a Friday deal.
Here are some photos from these two days.
#DailyLife #TravelLife #DigitalNomad #RaspberryPi #UmbrelOS #SelfHosting #Seafile #DataBackup #OpenSource #Linux #Homelab #Privacy #TechLife #HostelLife #UniversityLife #LibraryTime #FridayVibes #Foodie #BurgerTime #LifeUpdate #Lusaka #Zambia #ExploreZambia #LusakaLife #AfricaTravel #VisitZambia #ZambiaLife #LusakaDiaries #NomadInAfrica #WanderAfrica
📍 Lusaka, Zambia
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From Laundry to Linux: Two Productive Days in Lusaka
Yesterday (April 30) and today (May 1), I spent some time doing laundry while also setting up my Raspberry Pi with Umbrel OS. I installed the software I need and started backing up my data today, deciding to go with Seafile for it.
I worked on all of this at the hostel, then took a walk to the university and continued in the library. Later, I went to a burger place and enjoyed a Friday deal.
Here are some photos from these two days.
#DailyLife #TravelLife #DigitalNomad #RaspberryPi #UmbrelOS #SelfHosting #Seafile #DataBackup #OpenSource #Linux #Homelab #Privacy #TechLife #HostelLife #UniversityLife #LibraryTime #FridayVibes #Foodie #BurgerTime #LifeUpdate #Lusaka #Zambia #ExploreZambia #LusakaLife #AfricaTravel #VisitZambia #ZambiaLife #LusakaDiaries #NomadInAfrica #WanderAfrica
📍 Lusaka, Zambia
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From Laundry to Linux: Two Productive Days in Lusaka
Yesterday (April 30) and today (May 1), I spent some time doing laundry while also setting up my Raspberry Pi with Umbrel OS. I installed the software I need and started backing up my data today, deciding to go with Seafile for it.
I worked on all of this at the hostel, then took a walk to the university and continued in the library. Later, I went to a burger place and enjoyed a Friday deal.
Here are some photos from these two days.
#DailyLife #TravelLife #DigitalNomad #RaspberryPi #UmbrelOS #SelfHosting #Seafile #DataBackup #OpenSource #Linux #Homelab #Privacy #TechLife #HostelLife #UniversityLife #LibraryTime #FridayVibes #Foodie #BurgerTime #LifeUpdate #Lusaka #Zambia #ExploreZambia #LusakaLife #AfricaTravel #VisitZambia #ZambiaLife #LusakaDiaries #NomadInAfrica #WanderAfrica
📍 Lusaka, Zambia
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From Laundry to Linux: Two Productive Days in Lusaka
Yesterday (April 30) and today (May 1), I spent some time doing laundry while also setting up my Raspberry Pi with Umbrel OS. I installed the software I need and started backing up my data today, deciding to go with Seafile for it.
I worked on all of this at the hostel, then took a walk to the university and continued in the library. Later, I went to a burger place and enjoyed a Friday deal.
Here are some photos from these two days.
#DailyLife #TravelLife #DigitalNomad #RaspberryPi #UmbrelOS #SelfHosting #Seafile #DataBackup #OpenSource #Linux #Homelab #Privacy #TechLife #HostelLife #UniversityLife #LibraryTime #FridayVibes #Foodie #BurgerTime #LifeUpdate #Lusaka #Zambia #ExploreZambia #LusakaLife #AfricaTravel #VisitZambia #ZambiaLife #LusakaDiaries #NomadInAfrica #WanderAfrica
📍 Lusaka, Zambia
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Yesterday (April 30) and today (May 1), I spent some time doing laundry while also setting up my Raspberry Pi with Umbrel OS. I installed the software I need and started backing up my data today, deciding to go with Seafile for that.
I worked on all of this at the hostel, then took a walk over to the university and continued in the library. Later today, I headed to a burger place and took advantage of a Friday deal.
Here are a few photos from these two days.
📍 Lusaka, Zambia
#DailyLife #TravelLife #DigitalNomad #RaspberryPi #UmbrelOS #SelfHosting #Seafile #DataBackup #OpenSource #Linux #Homelab #Privacy #TechLife #HostelLife #UniversityLife #LibraryTime #FridayVibes #Foodie #BurgerTime #LifeUpdate #Lusaka #Zambia #ExploreZambia #LusakaLife #AfricaTravel #VisitZambia #ZambiaLife #LusakaDiaries #NomadInAfrica #WanderAfrica
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For those wondering where my Final Four Posts are, it’s delayed. This is why.
#update #RoofRepair #delayed #LiveSportsPost #MastodonSports #LifeUpdate
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Got robbed in Namibia by two armed attackers… since then things have been pretty tough—mentally and financially.
I need to replace my device and cut costs, so right now I’m basically living on porridge. Not gonna lie though, it actually tastes good.
This weekend I might go to the mall and treat myself to a coffee ☕
#Namibia #Robbery #RecoveryJourney #StayStrong #MinimalLiving #TravelLife #Africa #Resilience #KeepGoing #StartingOver #LifeUpdate #HardTimes #Hope
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Well, with March Madness almost coming up WBC underway right now, it’s time to get back into live posting. It might be rough at first since it’s been almost a month since last post but I want to get back into the thing I like the most to pass time.
So again, apologies for very very long gap between the posts. I’m hoping it never happens again, and hopefully won’t get another cold for while.
#SportsPosting #LiveSports #SportsTalk #SportsMastodon #LifeUpdate
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The sickness lasted almost three weeks, much longer than I thought. Thankfully, there was no long term damage after chest X-Rays were done. However, doctors recommended a rest so I decided to just go into sports live posting sabbatical instead of trying to make up time lost with NBA posts and etc.
#SportsPosting #LiveSports #SportsTalk #SportsMastodon #LifeUpdate
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Unfortunately day before Super Bowl, I caught a cold, that over time, turned into Pneumonia. Ended up being sick for all of Olympic Games so for 2nd time in a row, there was NO Olympic sports live posting from this account. I am truly sorry for this especially considering how big hockey and speed skating was this year.
#SportsPosting #LiveSports #SportsTalk #SportsMastodon #LifeUpdate
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Hi there folks.
I’m not dead. I know it’s been a month since last post here. But decided to take a long sabbatical.
Much longer sabbatical from live sports posting than anticipated to be honest.
So my plan was to do some Olympic live posting and THEN go on sabbatical till March Madness.
#SportsPosting #LiveSports #SportsTalk #SportsMastodon #LifeUpdate
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Life & Home Update + First‑Time Garden Plans (Cozy Spring Reset in Progress)🌱🫶🎉 https://www.allforgardening.com/1654208/life-home-update-first-time-garden-plans-cozy-spring-reset-in-progress%f0%9f%8c%b1%f0%9f%ab%b6%f0%9f%8e%89/ ##2026goals ##homereset ##lifeupdate ##realisticvlog ##WeightLossJourney #adhd #chronicillness #cleanwithme #cozyvlog #firsttimegardener #GardenPlans #seedstarting #springgarden
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Life & Home Update + First‑Time Garden Plans (Cozy Spring Reset in Progress)🌱🫶🎉 https://www.allforgardening.com/1654208/life-home-update-first-time-garden-plans-cozy-spring-reset-in-progress%f0%9f%8c%b1%f0%9f%ab%b6%f0%9f%8e%89/ ##2026goals ##homereset ##lifeupdate ##realisticvlog ##WeightLossJourney #adhd #chronicillness #cleanwithme #cozyvlog #firsttimegardener #GardenPlans #seedstarting #springgarden
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🎉 January is already delivering:
✅ New job
✅ New apartment (moving in a couple weeks!)
✅ New motivationIt’s shaping up to be a big year, and its just getting started.
What’s something you’re excited about this month?
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HEADS UP: NO POSTS THIS WEEKEND.
I may be planning on heading out of town so will be busy on the road tonight.
Tomorrow will be busy with Easter.
Just a heads up.
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I've been through so many traumatic events in my life that I can't even put them into words. 2020 was a dream year compared to 2023 and 2024. This year has been one of recovery in many ways.
A telling example is that this week, from Monday to Friday, was nearly perfect. I felt fine, and current events are going well, considering the circumstances. But on Friday, when I finally got off work and was supposed to relax, I fell into a deep mental pit. At 3am, I woke up in the midst of a pretty bad panic attack. My autonomic nervous system was in a state of shock.
Today, I feel somewhat baffled by all this. I know I can cope - and I will thrive. This too shall pass; it will just take time, perhaps months or years. This too makes me stronger.
#MentalHealth #AnxietyDisorder #PanicAttack #Life #LifeUpdate #MyDay
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CW: CW: Misgendering, bigotry, medical
Where to even begin:
I've had a WILD fucking past 5 days. I'm all set to do HRT on September 12th, but I foolishly talk about fatigue and the endo delays HRT. AND then I get unplanned labs the next day. Also dydrogesterone isn't in the USA so neighbors of it are needed.
Now then, we move to Saturday: I have a LONG car ride during which I'm only able to attend the concert parts of Splatoon 3's Grand Festival. And then we see the Green Day concert after the drive and some preparation. Good times, except we lose track of our parking at the end and my feet by the end of everything was in physical pain. Also someone detransitioned but that's besides the point.
Sunday is quite a lazy day, apart from the car ride. Fast forward to Monday: I'm with my grandparents for an appointment, and they of course like the old me but I've now seen their mental decline and had to stop them from being scammed twice. I get through all the misgendering. And then at the appointment, I fortunately ended up 5 minutes late because my mom missed two turns. I say it was fortunate because in my absence, two IRL friends I've known for many years and who I knew were somewhat right-leaning but amicable (one was a delinquent who got expelled and my dad hated him, and the other was a long-term friend of mine but who was worried about the extent of my transition.)
And then they flushed their dogwhistle ruse down the toilet by mocking pronouns and telling another friend of mine who literally knows everything about me that they will always deadname me. My good friend calls them KKKonservatives in response. I witness none of it, and am only informed AFTER seeing my therapist that night.
I tell the story to LGBTQ+ college clubs, and my older college was much more chipper about it. The current college gay club featured two cisn't people who offered support ruining it by using dude/bro on me and starting to buy into the "bro is gender-neutral" bullshit, and I ended up the next day telling a nonbinary campus therapist, and they gave a referendum order to the club.
AND then my fucking Panda Express clerk keeps fucking calling me Sir.
AND one person who I always talk to early in class decided to attempt to mislead me about a test that wasn't happening to make me mad.
I'm SO fucking done with people, and I'm listening to some VERY feminine songs to emasculate my thought processes. Maybe I DO want mental changes from E?
I'm just so fucking done with being seen as male. I'm intersex and nonbinary, and how far do I need to go to prove I'm neither male nor female, especially the former. Also fuck Nintendo for Professor Oak's questions. Saying I'm a boy or girl is almost exclusively untruth, so either way I'm lying to Oak except not because I'm bigender between binaries (technically I'm a demiambonec/demibigenderfluidflux, going by polygender as a catch-all, and at one point before the fae contention I called myself a genderfae demiboy [Though I am English and Irish so MAYBE fae isn't as charged for me] so there is that. So the answer is both of the Oak questions and simultaneously none of them.)
It's a complete fucking mess in my life right now, and I've been listening to some rather interesting music, much of it emo.
AND the psych and primary labs haven't been done/fixed either, and I'm having issues with my personal PC.
I'm just so fucking done right now. If you have anything positive to tell me, do so. #cryforhelp #lifeupdate #medicalerror #medicalhorror #hrtmorelikehurt #hrt #endocrinologist #americanhealthcareisbullshit #americanhealthcaresucks #splatoon #splatoon3 #grandfestival #finalfest #parkingwoes #parking #footpain #detrans #misgendering #dementia #alzheimers #pandaexpress #betrayal #bigotedfriends #delinquents #dogwhistle #therapywoes #supportgroupfailure #deception #estrogen #synthetichrt #intersex #fucknintendo #ambonec #bigender #genderfluix #fluidflux #UK #irldrama #emomusic #techissues #greenday #concert
