Jerzei Collie's journal

I had gained some weight last week, but I'm losing it again. I was down to 283 lbs. this morning.

I delivered a small catering order this morning. I wish I could get a few more orders each week to make more money. I'm still having no luck getting a response when applying for regular jobs.

Only 51 days until DenFur!

Even though my weight is still bouncing up and down, it managed to make a good bounce today. This morning, I weighed 298.2 lbs., the first time in a long time my weight has been below 300.

I didn't make an official New Year's resolution list for this year, but I am proud of two accomplishments that are normally on my lists. I weighed 319 this morning (down from 341 after my cruise) and I've paid off about 17% of my debt this year. For 2025, I'd like to at least get my weight below 305 and keep chipping away at my debt. I'm exercising more and trying to eat healthier with help from a family friend.

I was able to limp down to the ship's medical facility this morning. The doctor found where most of my leg pain had originated (just below my right knee.) He put a compression sleeve on my knee, then gave me a cane and some painkillers.

I canceled and got a refund for today's planned excursion to a rum factory in St. Maarten. I wanted to go to a pizza restaurant on the ship for lunch, but I just ordered a pizza through room service instead.

My group had to cancel a planned Halloween party since the conference room wasn't available. We met a bit later in our Halloween costumes for a group photo, then went to dinner in our costumes. I've gained weight since the last time I wore my panda kigurumi, so I couldn't zip it up.

I cleared away some of the garbage that had piled up around my exercise bike so I could use it Wednesday night. I didn't realize just how out of shape I am until I found I could only pedal for about 5 minutes before feeling tired. Still, that's 5 minutes more than I've done in the past few months. I just need to keep at it and gradually increase the time I spend on the bike to help get my weight lower again.

Lately I've still felt sleepy whenever I wake up, even when I use my APAP machine. I don't know if the issue is my weight, my depression, the APAP settings or some other condition that hasn't been diagnosed. Continuing to lose weight should definitely help.

It looks like only two of my New Year's resolutions were accomplished this year:

1. Weight below 290
Even before Christmas, I wasn't even close to meeting this goal. I weighed 315 this morning.

2. Reduce debt by 10%
I actually increased my debt this year. My federal tax refund would have helped me meet this goal if I'd received it sooner. Instead, I applied for another loan which helped cover expenses, but gave me more to pay off.

3. New higher-paying job or self-employment
I can't seem to find anyone who can help me start my own radio station. The job counselors I work with are clueless about how difficult the broadcasting industry is for finding employment.

4. Furry Fiesta and DenFur (if COVID doesn't affect either)
I made it to both of these conventions and avoided catching COVID at them!

5. Christmas with friends or on my own
I also accomplished this goal.

I haven't thought of resolutions for next year. I may just recycle the first three and add others as I think of them.

DenFur took a jab at the former con chair, Treble, during the closing ceremonies by playing Meghan Trainor's "All About That Bass" ("All about that bass, 'bout that bass, no treble.") The unofficial figures this year were 2,961 attendees and around 522 suiters in the parade. There is a Yard House restaurant attached to the hotel, so I got a burger and some cheese curds for dinner from there Sunday night.

The con's feedback panel went much better than I expected. I thought the con staff would ignore some of the issues that cropped up before the con, but they addressed everything and apologized for any missteps.

I pre-ordered today's lunch from Meta Burger to pick up on the way home. When I got home, I found I had packed the hard drive with my iTunes music, but not the cord to connect it.

I'm glad I only gained about three pounds during DenFur. I need to remember to have more filling breakfasts because the Cream of Wheat cups I brought are only 150 calories each.

My dad offered to buy me the Keto Burn weight loss tablets he heard about on "Shark Tank." As with other weight-loss products, I have my doubts about the claims both the company and my dad make about the pills. I'd much rather have my dad buy me a radio station, but the pills are more in his price range.

After downloading a song by Wax, I found that there are three groups named Wax whose songs I have: the U.K. band who did "Bridge to Your Heart" (the song I downloaded tonight,) a U.S. punk band that did a cover of "Happy Happy Joy Joy" on the Saturday Morning Cartoons Greatest Hits album, and a rapper who had a hit called "Rosana."

Since the year's almost over, here is how I did on my 2021 New Year's resolutions:

1. Weight loss: below 300 (Started Noom program at 317.8 lbs. in April)
I initially got down to 295, but stress is making me bounce back and forth between 300 and 310. I weighed 301 on Thursday morning.

2. Reduce debt by 15-20% ($27.4k at end of 2020)
A lack of work hours and my eventual layoff from KRCC kept me from earning enough to reach this goal. I only reduced my debt by about $550, or 2%. I have paid off my dental credit account, so that's one good thing.

3. Christmas vacation
A lack of money also scuttled this goal.

4. Regular online music show
I filled in for Romeo Rabbit for several weekends this year, but nothing regular.

Some resolutions for 2022:

1. Weight below 290
2. Reduce debt by 10%
3. New higher-paying job or self-employment
4. Furry Fiesta and DenFur (if COVID doesn't affect either)
5. Christmas with friends or on my own