Gastric Bypass and Other

I've read and looked and visited and decided to go with the Gastric Bypass surgery instead of the Lap-Band. Higher risk during surgery, lower incidence of long-term issues.

Am living in Copperas Cove with Chael, have been for several months. It's totally podunk, but it's nice to be with him and I have MUCH better VA care here than I did in Dallas.

Just got back recently from a trip to my parents' and Camp Crucible. Was great to hang out with all of my House, Delta Sigma, and to see the beauty of home again. Went wine tasting with mom and sister.

Step-father lost his mind on my sister's daughter one night, totally apeshit and abusive, yelling bad names at her, mocking her crying, etc. Unsure if I'll go back and stay with them again, at least not again without my car with me so that I have an out. As it was, I was trapped there... it ruined the entire rest of my trip, having to see him and act like nothing happened, since that's how my mom and sister handled it and I had no way to leave til they put me on a plane a week later.

I don't want to see him again. But have no current issues with mom and sister that would keep me from visiting, so is tricky.

Am going to see Transfomers 3 with Chael tonight, plus go by Sally's for hair bleach and dye. I'm feeling up to re-coloring my hair, finally, so need supplies.

Lap-Band

I love me and my body; I'm not a me-hater. I am beautiful now heavy as I was beautiful when I was underweight and then when I was ideal weight -but my body fat level is starting to impact my health. It is becoming limiting and uncomfortable.

So I'm looking into Lap-Band surgery. My sister had gastric-bypass and there is no way I will ever do that... not after seeing how it has changed her life (she lost the weight but can no longer eat healthy foods and has had a lot of side effects from the g-b). I want to go a route where I can continue to eat healthy, vegan meals; am not at risk for malabsorption issues (part of my sis's problem); and can be undone if needed for any reason.

On searching, it looks like Tricare Prime will cover it 100% for me. I just need to set up a PCP and get a referral through them. I'll work towards that starting Monday.

Wish me luck.

420 Needle Project/Performance

There's been a lot of hassle and difficulty in getting a location and date that everyone necessary can come, but it finally got all worked out:

This Saturday, Nov 27th Redeye42011 and I will be attempting our largest needle project to date: 420 needles, taking about 4 hours, in a design down his back, arms and buttocks.

We're going to be doing it at the local club on NEAAL night now that we've MsDawn's a-ok. I double-checked and the lady she has hosting it that night is aware of what we're planning and is also fine with it.

We are taking up a corner of the front dungeon and setting up my own lights, table, etc. and will be both videoing it and taking pictures.

I'm nervous for how pretty the design will hopefully come out and that it's going to be hard on both Redeye42011 and I (though in different ways). I've planned at least a break in the middle for us each to catch our breath and we're to each have an assistant (Lily for him, Chael for me) to keep us hydrated and to help me work as quickly and easily as possible.

Then, next day, I am working the vendor's fair at the same location doing permanent piercings and small temporary piercings at 25c/needle or cheaper with negotiation of large numbers. Miss Lilly and I are trying to figure out a way to pierce her for charity donations later that night at the play party. She's not sure if she might chicken out so we've no workable solution yet.

Tiring two days for me, upcoming. Phwoo.

Before then is Chael's and my Fall Anniversary on Wednesday (I train down tomorrow and then we'll come back up either Wednesday night or Thursday morning) and then Thursday we're having Thanksgiving with PSOGirl, her master and another friend of theirs. Just a small get together for the holiday.

Raw transition

I'm trying out eating more raw foods and tweaking my macronutrient intakes to the 80/10/10 ration... Not sure if I'll entirely go there, but I'm tinkering with my diet to see what works best for me health, weight and energy-wise.

Well, it's been 10 days and I've lost 25lbs... I'm eating about 80% of my food raw, about 3K calories a day, and have more energy than usual.

Hm. We'll see if/how this goes and lasts. Personal experiment time.

Staying here + deployment = move

We aren't leaving TX. Chael has been placed in a new unit that is deploying in March. We're staying here.

Happily, at least, he'll be going to Kuwait rather than Afghanistan. For how long again, we don't know.

So, after some talk and some up-coming arranging MissLilly and Psogirl have decided to let me move in with them. I'll be renting the top floor of one section of the house where they've had other friends rent out before.

I think this is a good move. It feels like the right thing for this time with the right people.

Once I get papers from Chael I can put in my 30 day notice here and start moving into their next month when I'm back from the Crucible Lock-Down in DC.

Speaking of, I'll be seeing members of Delta House there that night and having a grand ole time most likely... can't bring much for toys since I'm training to there, but will pack a few items and make the most of just plain spending time with friends. Maybe I'll get suspended, would love that; it's been too long.