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The End of NaBloPoMo

Autism, College, Computing, Danni, Gaming, Interface, Mental Health, Physical Disability, Prisoner, Real Life, World of Warcraft 1 Response »

Nov 302010

This is my 30th daily blog post for November, which means I’ve successfully completed NaBloPoMo. Some blog posts were pretty short, just a YouTube video and a few words, and others have been a bit longer. This month started with Autistics Speaking Day, and finished with me being housebound because of the snow. In between were lots of posts about college (especially missing it quite a lot because of illness and snow). I cut down my hours at college near the beginning of the month, sorted out a problem with support on a Wednesday, and overdid it a lot, meaning I was firmly in a boom and bust cycle of ME. I played a lot of World of Warcraft, was discharged from the mental health service, got sucked into TV Tropes for over a week, bought a new hoody (that has been worn more days than not), and spent most of the month in severe, chronic pain that my painkillers don’t come close to touching.

I also met a couple of the stars from one of my favourite shows from my childhood, caught (and mostly got over) a cold, took part in a big launch event for an online film, played Quasar Laser in my wheelchair, and rewatched season 1 of Dollhouse. My mood dipped a bit for a few days while I struggled to cope with a worsening in pain, but has mostly improved now, possibly with the enforced rest the snow has given me.

Overall, a rather mixed month. Today again I was stuck indoors due to the snow, but tomorrow is the Christmas meal and cinema trip with my tutor group, which I will be going to even if I need to get a taxi to go there. I will be attempting to go to college in the morning, but will need to see based on what the weather is, what the buses are doing and what the roads and pavements are like near here. We do have a plan that involves pulling my wheelchair backwards in the snow, as the bigger wheels should mean it works better.

I shall try to keep blogging daily, or near daily, but I won’t put myself under the pressure I did this month. At least there won’t be any more panicked blog posts just before midnight because I’d forgotten earlier in the day

Snow is White

College, Computing, Danni, Gaming, Real Life, World of Warcraft 1 Response »

Nov 252010

I think I may have overdone it yesterday, as I’ve spent more time today asleep than I have awake. I even missed Computing at college. Whoops. I am also in a lot more pain than normal, which is bad. I am growly and grizzly, and struggling to get my thoughts into words. Instead of doing productive things, like homework or studying for Monday’s test, I’ve been levelling another WoW character (a Night Elf Priestess called Danní… humm…) on a US realm, so I don’t have to deal with Real ID or Guild stuff. Yes, I’m still upset. Yes, I’m fully aware that I’m being completely and totally irrational, but right now I feel guilty and useless and don’t want to upset other people. Funny what pain can do to you. Oh, and I’ve been watching some Dollhouse, just because it’s awesome.

I upset Johan today. This is very bad.

There is a lot of snow outside. Apparently it will stay outside for several days. That makes getting out difficult. Maybe I stay inside.

World go Boom

College, Computing, Danni, Interface, Physical Disability, Real Life, World of Warcraft Comments Off

Nov 242010

Today the world of Azeroth was torn apart when Deathwing decided he was going to burst out and destroy things. I would be playing in World of Warcraft, but I got upset by something some people in my guild did and so I’m avoiding it, in case I accidently insult or upset anyone.

Computing this morning was… well, I’m not sure, as I was half asleep. I can vaguely recall writing some words for a test, but that’s about it. I’m sure we were taught stuff, but I now have no recollection of the lesson. For Enrichment, we went to Quasar Laser, and it was a lot of fun. I came fifth overall- not bad considering I was being pushed by Louise (she was excellent at it) and was the easiest target in the game. I did “kill” a lot of people though, and once deactivated the other team’s base. We won, by a lot (over 600 points).

Came home via the MetroCentre. Johan bought some new boots and some wellies, as his shoes are falling to pieces. It was snowing today, and his feet got soaked. I have ordered a wheelchair leg cosy as I do not want to try this winter without something to keep my legs warm, and it’s waterproof as well.

I overdid it today. The Quasar Laser took an awful lot out of me, and I’m really glad I don’t have a lesson until tomorrow evening. My homework will have to wait, as my head went boom while we were in the MetroCentre and it hasn’t recovered yet. I am also in a lot of pain, as I moved too much. When I’m in pain I get rather grumpy and irritable. I also still have a cold, which is better than it was last week but is still making me feel lousy. I just wish painkillers that worked had been invented by now.

Yay! College!

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Nov 222010

Made it to college today. Not only that, but was early enough to have my lunch and a chat in Interface. It was fun. Went to Computing and we had a test on output devices… where I wrote words and hoped that at least some of them made some sense in relation to the questions (if I fail, it was because I was off all last week ). I also got my other test back, the one I thought I’d failed on. I got 28/35, and Simin says I’m on course for an A. I’m slightly confused (especially on how I got that high a score), but happy at the same time.

After Computing we had Enterprise, where I worked on the Interface website for a bit. I need to email/ask Nicola to see if I can steal some photos for the website, and also to ask her if she has any suggestions for content, as I want to it to be useful. Also, if she agrees, I want to get it a proper domain name and hand it over to the staff as a proper website for Interface.

Also in college, I found out more about the Christmas activities. There is going to be a Christmas party, and I’m allowed to invite one guest. My problem is that Vicky wants to come, but Johan has to take me to college and pick me up. I will speak to the people at college to see if we can sort something out. I will have to miss the first 45 minutes anyway, as I have Computing on that day (it’s a Thursday).

The journey home was mostly uneventful, though the lift at Monument was out of order so we had to jump back onto the Metro and get off at Haymarket. Oh, and I had a panic attack at Chichester because it was swarming with police.

Right now, I’m in Ice Crown Citadel, trying to kill the Lich King. I guess I best go back and shield people.

Burn The World

College, Computing, Danni, Real Life 1 Response »

Nov 212010

Still tired. Still sleeping lots. Did manage to go to Asda today though, and now have more bras, a new pair of jeans (that fit properly, which means I can’t wear leggings underneath but they’re okay for warmer winter days) and a sparkly hat We also got some bread and cheese for lunch tomorrow, and some chocolate. Johan got a bin for next to his computer desk, and a pair of pirate slippers (he’s annoyed about having to go to the boys section for shoes, but I like it as I don’t have to pay VAT on them ).

Tomorrow I have college. I also have tests to catch up with in Computing, so I’ll need to revise for them. There shouldn’t be anything too difficult in them (input, output and storage devices) but with the way my brain is at the moment I’m not taking anything for granted. I will be going in tomorrow, so need to get my clothes ready tonight.

Going to go on Facebook now for a bit, and also create my cyber-stalking page on here. I’ve only been meaning to do so since August…

There’s a zombie on your lawn

College, Computing, Danni, Physical Disability, Real Life 1 Response »

Nov 112010

Braaains…

Another bad day, especially pain-wise. Currently my options are 1) bribe my doctor to give me some painkillers that maybe work, preferably without killing me or 2) become an alcoholic, since that’s the only thing I can currently get that works.

Had Computing today. I finally gave the presentation on storage devices (it’s really hard to present when you’re in lots of pain, half asleep and can’t really remember what it is you’re meant to be talking about, but I muddled through it). Then we had 20 minutes to research and create a presentation on an output device (laser printer for me). I panicked. There is simply no way I can research how something works, translate it into Danni-ish, retranslate it into something that’s understandable by other humans, and sort out the presentation in 20 minutes. I struggled last lesson with the 40 minutes for an input device. Of course, it didn’t help that I already wasn’t coping because I was exhausted and in more pain than is normal even for me at the moment.

Told Simin I’m not going to be in on Monday, as I’m travelling back from Birmingham at the time of my lesson. She wanted to know why, I fumbled a reason that vaguely relates to the actual reason (my thoughts and speech were very jumbled at this point, though I’m hoping it wasn’t too noticeable).

Johan picked me up, and I demanded to go to the MetroCentre as I was hungry. Probably not the best idea, but I did find a purple bag (I’ve been after one for months, and it was only £5) and got curry at the Wetherspoons curry night thingy. Also got vodka at Wetherspoons, which helped with the pain and not-copingness a bit.

Time for bed. Luckily no college tomorrow, so sorting stuff out before I go away for the weekend. I’ll explain more about that tomorrow.

Deathy is Cute

College, Computing, Danni, Gaming, Interface, Physical Disability, Real Life, World of Warcraft 1 Response »

Nov 102010

This is a very short post because I’m still exhausted, and also in a lot of pain and not coping with it.

I made it to college today, and I don’t think I made a fool of myself in Computing. I chatted to my friend Sarah afterwards, got my lunch then attempted to nap in the chill out room (but couldn’t because all I could hear was the table tennis). Then I watched the fencing for a bit then went on my laptop, then came home, buying a hoody on the way.

Since I got home I watched the WoW Insider stream then played Facebook games. I also received my Deathy pet, so I logged into WoW for a few minutes to collect it.

Now I’m about to go to bed. Luckily I’m only in college for Computing tomorrow evening, so plenty of time to sleep and maybe even do my homework. Here’s hoping.

The Test That Was

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Nov 082010

Had my Computing test today. I didn’t answer everything I also think I got some of the answers wrong. I just hope I got a few marks. It was the only lesson I had today, as I’ve dropped Problem Solving and I couldn’t go to Enterprise as I had an appointment with my psychiatrist.

The appointment went fine. As expected, I’ve been discharged. I’m doing much better mentally, so that’s fine. She thought I’d hurt my leg because I arrived in a wheelchair (I waddled my way into the consulting room, as the doors are a bit narrow and I go in by myself). I explained it was ME, we talked about random stuff, and then agreed that I didn’t need to see her any more. I know how to access the services again if I need to, but for now I don’t.

On the way back, the first bus that arrived had a broken ramp. A man in a high-visibility jacket flagged down the bus trying to overtake, and reassured us that if that ramp didn’t work that he’d sort us out. The driver of the second bus (the ramp worked fine) joked that we always cause him trouble (we’ve had him as a driver a few times now). When we were leaving the bus, he asked us when we got all pally with the owner. Turns out the guy in the jacket was the owner of Go North East. I guess that helps explain why he was so helpful

I’ve been sucked into TV Tropes website again, so blog posts will continue to be short until I figure a way out…

Pain Hurts

College, Computing, Danni, Interface, Physical Disability, Real Life 2 Responses »

Nov 042010

Good news: I have a plan for Wednesdays at Interface. I’ve also dropped a couple of lessons to try and make things a bit easier. I also didn’t fail today’s test (though the proper one is on Monday).

Today has been a day of total exhaustion- falling asleep for a few minutes several times an hour, even nodding off once in my Computing class for a couple of minutes. At the same time, I’m really agitated and using up energy I don’t have moving. Tomorrow is Bonfire Night, so I need to find my earplugs so I can go to the organised display nearby. It’ll be the first time I’ve been to something like that in my wheelchair, so should be interesting. Other than that, I have revision for the test on Monday and lots of emails and letters to write. Pretty boring, really.

Dancing Robots

Autism, College, Computing, Danni, Interface, Mental Health, Physical Disability, Real Life 1 Response »

Nov 032010

Title relates to today’s Computing lesson- at the start, Simin (our lecturer) showed us a dancing robot (ASIMO). I also discovered that she watched Lost in Space as a child, and she loves Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Geek win.

Otherwise in that lesson, I was there but didn’t really take much in. This is a problem, as I have a test on the processor, machine code and fetch-execute cycles tomorrow. I’m hoping to read the book and gain some understanding tomorrow, as today I couldn’t concentrate, and still feel rotten.

Interface afterwards did not go well. Too much muchness. I asked Johan to pick me up early as I couldn’t concentrate and was just totally fed up. At least I’d finished panicking when he’d arrived. I’ve done nothing since I got home, and I think I’m going to have an early night. I need it.

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