Monthly Archives: September 2020

Sleepless in Seattle Type of Night

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! It is almost one o’clock in the morning in my corner of the world of Seattle. I am unable to sleep due to insomnia and it fucking sucks. As much as having insomnia suck, there is a plus side to it at times and tonight is one of those times.

Tonight is one of those times because I get to catch up on a couple of things as my cat, Billie Dean, lays in my lap. Billie is happy as a clam when he is able to be in my lap. Or at least it appears that way to me. I love my cat, Billie so very much.

As Billie, happily lays in my lap I have been catching up on my reading. Specifically, I have been reading Star Wars, Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn. Tonight I have read the first five chapters and am about to start chapter six. Actually, I am debating if I should start chapter six tonight as I am really getting into the book. When I get into a book, I tend to read as much as I can before getting too exhausted to where I am not able to function and really need to get some sleep. Not only to I not sleep, I forget to eat when I am really into a book.

Since I am really, getting into Star Wars, Heir to the Empire and am needing to stop reading for the night, I am going to listen to a podcast. A podcast about philosophy. Specifically, I will be listening to Philosophize This as I want to be able to get caught up to present day episode. I really like how Stephen West presents the topic of philosophy which is part of the reason why I really like the podcast. I am learning stuff I wish they would have taught in high school especially since I have not had the luxury to attend college.

Now that you know what I have done tonight and what I am going to do next, I am going to end this particular blog post for now. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from end of things that you read my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. I really hope everyone is having a good nights sleep and hope you have a great Tuesday ahead when you wake up. Peace Out, World!!!

Yucky Weather Fits My Mood

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! Right now I am dealing with increased depression symptoms. I am not a big fan of my symptoms increasing but at least the weather reflects my current mood of depressed. Depression sucks no matter the time of year but it feels easier to deal with when the weather is yucky outside.

Having depression sucks shit but at least I trying to do something to improve it even in the slightest. One of the things I am doing is cuddling up in my new Wonder Woman fleece blanket that I ordered on Amazon. It came yesterday (Wednesday) which was a day early. I am so grateful that it came early as it has been quite helpful with soothing me.

Something else that has been helpful is my cat, Billie Dean. Billie has been cuddling with me and my new Wonder Woman blanket. At this point in time, it is hard to figure out who likes the blanket more, me or Billie. I am beyond grateful that Billie knows when I need some extra cuddles. I love Billie so much and am glad he is in my life.

Another thing that I have been doing to help combat my depression and the gloominess is reading. I am currently reading a fantasy book that a friend suggested I read. I am enjoying the book so far. I enjoy reading fantasy and science fiction genre books. It helps me get out of my own head.

I think I will get going and end this particular blog post so I can get back to reading. I would like to thank all of you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my perspective that you read my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. I hope everyone has a great night. Peace Out, World!!!

Weekly Plans

Posted on by Gertie

Sunday

  • Take nap due to working all night
  • Spend time with my cat Billie Dean
  • Listen to a podcast
  • Walk in the rain

Monday

  • Volunteer at PAWS Cat City
  • Walk in the rain
  • Listen to a podcast
  • Spend a half an hour cleaning apartment

Tuesday

  • Attend therapy appointment over Zoom
  • Go to see my doctor in person at her office
  • Listen to a podcast

Wednesday

  • Listen to a podcast
  • Go to Target or Walmart to buy new sheets for my bed
  • Attend a Zoom meeting

Thursday

  • Listen to a podcast
  • Attend a Zoom meeting
  • Spend a half an hour cleaning apartment

Friday

  • Listen to a podcast
  • Attend a Zoom meeting
  • Buy cat litter for my cat Billie Dean
  • Stay up all night to sleep all day Saturday (Watch movies and read)

Saturday

  • Sleep all day
  • Work all night

Getting My Groove Back

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! I have come to realize once again that when I blog on the regular basis, I keep you my reader interested. Even if it is something basic like my plans for the week and doing a weekly check in. I figure if I start having a routine with blogging then it will help me with keeping my own mental health in check. Something I never expected when I started my blog over six years ago is that it would help with my mental health.

Another reason why I want to start having a routine with blogging as it is a great activity to do inside. Since Seattle is known for its “rain,” I thought that having a blogging routine would be great. That is why I want to start back to doing my Weekly Plans on Sunday mornings and Weekly Check Ins on Saturday evenings. I know it does not sound that exciting but at least it will hopefully keep you my reader interested in continuing to read my blog. I am planing on starting all this back up later this morning when I get home from work with the Weekly Plans.

I do not have much more to say in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. I hope everyone has a great week ahead. Peace Out, World!!!

Middle of the Night Ramblings at Work

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! Right now I am at work bored out of my mind. This the time in my work shift where I get bored. There isn’t much to do on an overnight shift for twelve and a half hours or at least at my current job there is much to do. In all honesty, I am not a big fan of working night shifts and am looking for another job that I don’t have to work a night shift. I do enjoy my job for the most part.

By now the world is well aware that Ruth Bader Ginsburg past away on Friday, September 18th due to cancer. She served on the United States Supreme Court which is the highest court in the United States. Justice Ginsburg is an iconic figure in the United States and will forever be missed. Her death comes at a time in the United States when the political divide is at its worst. In my opinion I don’t think the Senate should approve anyone Trump nominates till the new President is sworn in. I know I am not the only one who feel like this but I also know many will disagree with my opinion and that is okay.

On a more positive note and something I never thought would happen is that I am so happy that it is raining here in Seattle. I am so happy that it is raining because the air quality was extremely horrid and it was effecting many people including myself. My asthma acted up on several occasions during the week of hazardous air quality. In fact I think many people are beyond thrilled to see the rain in Seattle. When I say rain, I mean rain and not the Seattle rain people are use to. Seattle rain is just mist or drizzle.

I do not have much more to say in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you all for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. I hope everyone has a great week ahead of them. Peace Out, World!!!

Just a Post About Dealing with Depression

Posted on by Gertie

Hello, World!!! For some reason my depression has decided to rear its ugly head. Yes, I have been feeling a little meh lately but part of that is due to the isolation this stupid pandemic put us in. The depression I am experiencing is not the meh feeling have been dealing with. The depression I am feeling, feels like the typical depression I experience which sucks but at least it is something I am aware of. Being aware of it is helpful as I know what I can do to help fight it off or least not make it worse.

Honestly, the weather sort of fits my mood but at least I know its not the weather causing my depression or at least not adding to it. Right now it is raining in Seattle. Actually it is the normal Seattle mist type of rain. I have been wanting this weather due to the poor air quality due to all the wild fires that are happening. Plus this weather is letting me wear my flannels and I love my flannels.

I am hoping the weather last as I love to be able to have an excuse to stay home with my cat, Billie Dean. I am so grateful for the unconditional love that Billie gives me. He has helped a great deal with my depression.

Billie not only helps with my depression, he also tries to help me with my art work. Tonight the genre of art work I have been doing is coloring. Billie has been laying on the picture I have been coloring or trying to bite the colored pencil I would use. I take it he just wants to help.

As I colored to help with the depression, I also listened to a podcast. A podcast about philosophy. The philosophy podcast I am listening to is called Philosophize This. In fact, Steven West, the podcaster of Philosophize This is from Seattle which I personally think is cool since I live in Seattle. Anyway, I really enjoy Philosophize This and learning about philosophy.

I do not have much more to say in this particular blog post. I do want to thank each one of you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you read my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Happy Monday

Posted on by Gertie

Good Afternoon, World!!! I will be heading out to my volunteer job at PAWS Cat City within the next forty minutes. I love being able to volunteer my time with helping PAWS. I enjoy doing whatever is needed for me to do including the deep cleaning. I do have to say the best part of volunteering at PAWS Cat City is when the cats get adopted to their furrever home.

Speaking of cats, my cat Billie, loves doing mindfulness and meditation practices with me. Every time I do a mindfulness exercise on The Calm App, Billie gets in my lap as I do the exercise. It appears that the he does the practice with me. I love the fact that my cat, Billie, does the mindfulness practice with me through The Calm App. Doing a mindfulness and/or meditation practice helps me a great deal and is one of the best ways for me to start my day.

On a not so good not is that the air quality here in Seattle is considered hazardous. It is considered hazardous due to the wild fires around Washington as well as the rest of the west coast. Seattle isn’t the only place with hazardous air quality. California and Oregon are dealing with worse air quality that Washington is.

I do not have much more to say. I do want to thank you all for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you read my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. I hope everyone has a great Monday. I also hope everyone has an awesome work week ahead of you. Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses (or coffee). What I mean is don’t forget to take the time to just breathe. Peace Out, World!!!

Middle of the Night Ramblings from Work

Posted on by Gertie

Hello, World!!! It is the middle of the night in my corner of the world. In fact, I am currently at work. I work an overnight shift for twelve plus hours every Saturday night. I am not a big fan of night shifts nor am I fan of having a twelve plus hour work shift. Even though I am not a fan of a couple of things regarding my job, I am glad that I have a job. Many people are out of work due to the pandemic which is why I am grateful for my job.

As many people are aware of if they live in the United States, is that the West Coast of the United States is having some really bad wild fires. Due to the fires California, Oregon and Washington all have very hazardous air quality. As someone who was born in California and spent the first sixteen years of their life there, I remember horrific air quality. Nothing like it is now. I currently reside in Seattle and have never seen Seattle’s air quality this bad. Hell, I never seen California’s air quality as bad as it is there right now. Something that the mayor of Seattle is shut down all the parks and beaches from Friday till Sunday due to the air quality. I understand why she did it but I think people realize how bad the air is by just looking out their windows. But then again people lack common sense, now a days.

I do not have much more to say in this particular blog post. I do, however want to thank you all for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you do read my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. I hope everyone has a great Sunday a head of them. Peace Out, World!!!

Not So Random Post About Serious Topics

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! Nineteen years ago today, America experienced a terrorist attack the world would never forget. The terrorist attack didn’t just affect the United State but the entire world as many people from around the world worked in the Twin Towers in New York. Nineteen years ago was not just a challenging time for the world but it was uncertain time as well.

Uncertain times just like now with Covid-19. Sadly, the difference between 9/11 and Covid-19 is it appears that the world isn’t working together or maybe I should say America isn’t working with the rest of the world to stop Covid-19. This makes me sad and I wish there was something to make America be on the same page as the rest of the world when it comes to Covid-19.

Speaking of Covid-19, I have realized that the media is talking more about September being suicide awareness month than in previous years. I think the reason why it is being brought up nearly everyday in September thus far is because of people being more isolated due to Covid-19. The isolation that Covid-19 has brought has even “normal” people showing signs of anxiety and depression which makes people more aware of how challenging it is for people who do have a mental health challenge. As grateful as I am as that media is bringing attention to suicide awareness and mental health challenges due to Covid-19, I wish the media would discuss import topics like suicide and mental health more on the regular basis then maybe the stigma wouldn’t be so prevalent.

Now on to a totally different topic. The topic of how bad the air quality is here in Seattle. The air quality is horrific due to the wild fires across Washington and the west coast. The wild fire smoke is so bad in Seattle that you can smell the smoke in the air and it appears that the fires are closer than they really are. The west coast of the United States is pretty much dealing with major wild fires in an already uncertain time which doesn’t make it any easier. The air quality in Seattle is probably the worst I have experienced in the last 25 years of living in the Seattle area. Only time I have experienced it worse than it is now is when I grew up in Southern California. California’s air quality was bad when I grew up. Sometimes from all the cars. Sometimes due to fires. Sometimes both. Oh how I wish the air quality was better in Seattle at the moment.

I think I am done talking about all the sad things in the world or at least for today. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you read my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. I hope everyone has a great day ahead of them. I also hope everyone has a great weekend ahead of them. Please take care of yourselves and try to stay healthy. Peace Out, World!!!

Much Needed Time Away

Posted on by Gertie

Hello, World!!! It is ten fifteen at night in my corner of the world. Currently, I am in Bremerton, Washington. I decided to take a ferry here from Seattle and stay the night. As much as I love living in Seattle, sometimes city life can get a bit overwhelming so I am staying the night in a hotel on Bremerton’s waterfront.

Even though I am only going to be gone tonight, I am having a neighbor who has become a good friend look in on my cat, Billie Dean. Yes, I realize Billie will be okay with me just being gone overnight, I just wanted to make sure nothing happens. Plus my neighbor really likes Billie. I know from becoming friends with my neighbor that he really loves cats and it always brightens his day when I take Billie to say hi to him. So, having my neighbor check on Billie not only eases my mind but helps this good friend.

I know what I have done here in Bremerton is something I could do at home however just getting a break from the everyday things is helpful. One of the things I have done is read. I am reading a Star Wars book. A book that has me very engrossed and engaged. I read the Star Wars book outside for about an hour on Bremerton’s waterfront and enjoyed every minute of it.

After reading, I went out to dinner which was nice. The food at the restaurant, I went to was great which is why I went. Every time I come to Bremerton, I try to eat at the restaurant I at tonight. I highly recommend Bremerton Bar and Grill if you are ever in Bremerton, Washington.

Once I got back to my hotel room after eating dinner, I decided to do some art work. Actually, the type of art I did was color. Coloring is more portable than other forms of art or at least for me it is. I love to color and it helps me get into a positive state of mind.

As I was coloring I decided to listen to one of my favorite podcast on the subject of philosophy. The podcast I listened to as I colored was Philosophize This. The way the podcaster, Stephen West discusses philosophy makes the subject interesting and easy to comprehend. Or at least that is my person opinion of Philosophize This.

I do not have much more to talk about in this blog post except that I really needed this time away and miss my cat, Billie. Before, I end the post, I want to thank you for reading my blog. I am greatly appreciative that you read my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. I hope everyone has a great Tuesday night. I also hope you all get a good night of sleep. Good Night and Peace Out, World. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.