Author: foxtongue

injury update: you have to be kidding

I took a tumble while I was out on Saturday seeing the doctor, so now the tally of injuries has been added to. Now my right foot and ankle are bandaged and not particularly weight bearing, my left wrist is in a brace and my right arm is in a sling. Typing hurts, stairs are nigh impossible, and I’m effectively down to one hand.

Thanks to a doctor’s recommendation from Joshua, I have a physio appointment on Wednesday, but except for that, I’ve canceled every other plan to leave the house for the rest of the work week. If I’ve somehow missed you, please forgive me. I suddenly have a lot on my plate and very few resources. Much love to you all and thank you for your patience.

now I have a diploma!

365:2010/07/10 - radiation burn (the results of learning algebra)
365:2010/07/10 – radiation burn (the results of learning algebra)

My GED test results arrived yesterday. I got 100% on Science, Language Arts/Reading, and Social Studies, a 95% grade on Language Arts/Writing, (likely because I was a self-referential smarty-pants in my essay), and approximately 65% percent on my math, which was a passing grade by ten percent.

I got the above sunburn by sitting outside, under a tree, bashing my head against algebra for four hours right before my Friday tests. (I had been wearing a shirt with a lace pattern down the back, which shows in the burn, except where my back was protected by the length of my hair.) It was so obviously painful that one of the teachers giving the test brought me wet paper towels to put on my shoulders while I was writing, and then brought me to the first aid room after the test to put serious anti-burn goo on them, so I could move without wincing. What she didn’t know is that a little kid had bashed my head with a kicked soccer ball while I was out studying, too, which slammed my jaws together, clipping off part of my tongue. I had been sucking ice the entire test, which is the only reason that she could understand me when I spoke. And yet, all that, and I only got 65%. There is no justice.

why does it hurt?!

  • Janet Fitch’s 10 rules for writers
  • Amanda Palmer Performs The Popular Hits Of Radiohead On Her Magical Ukulele

    I had thought to go to the doctor today and get a reference to the UBC Dept of Sports medicine, (there are multiple walk-in clinics in my neighborhood), but apparently I am still too much of a wreck to negotiate complicated topography, e.g. stairs. As such, I am stuck in my apartment, popping ibuprofen, nestled in ice-packs, ankle up, arm in a sling, trying not to despair too hard at the world. Given that sitting about doing nothing is a sure fire way to drive me crazy, I tried catching up on some of the transcription work I have that’s due at the end of the month, only to find out that typing for longer than four minutes feels like fire’s been injected directly into the veins of my left arm. Another fail. This leaves me too passive for words, which I hate, so instead of typing, I tried calling various financial services I’ve been meaning to call, to try and see if there’s anything that can be done about my EI debt. Short story long, no, apparently there isn’t, what the government wants, the government gets, but a credit counselor will look into it and we’ll have an appointment anyways. (At one point it was suggested that I investigate disability options and try and find out if my car accident damage counts me as a legal cripple, because I’m not already feeling bad enough about myself and situation. Yay.) Now, all options exhausted, I’m trying to make dinner with only one hand, while standing on only one leg. So far, I’ve diced a potato and almost my thumb. I hate that so little feels like such a victory.

    • dreaming of one day being free

    Glasses: Acquired! Still need to learn how to use contacts.
    Taxes: On hold until I speak to an accountant. (T4’s arrived. Completed half the back-filing forms. 2009 needs another double-check.)
    Employment: Started JobWave’s unemployment program, missed most of the first week due to illness. Going to make it up next week. Have more minimum wage transcription work. No recent job prospects or call-backs, no upcoming interviews.
    School: GED test results arrive in two weeks. Need to research night-school/possible grants. Social Services may pay for a First Aid certificate.
    Driving: Plan to sign up for September Young Drivers of Canada classes.
    Photography: Updated my Etsy store, A Thread of Grace. Liking the unfinished, rough, new Foxtongue.com. One/two shoot(s) booked for next week.
    Cleaning: Room is a post-illness disaster. Laundry is becoming serious as I avoid the required stairs. Boxes of miscellany need to be sorted, tidied, reintegrated into my room. Room need to be sorted, tidied, reintegrated into my room.
    Repairs: Computer won’t boot. Coat rack still broken. The antique chest of drawers is missing a handle. Old microwave needs to be recycled. New Craigslist-score countertop dishwasher needs a hose fixed/needs a home in the apartment. Camera card possibly on the fritz.
    Health: Still recovering from last week’s super sickness. Also down to only one limb. Right toe still broken, as is, possibly, another bone inside the foot. Right ankle is a useless ruin. Right shoulder still shredded from a car accident. Left arm in a sling, likely strained.
    Finances: Currently relying on Social Services, which pays rent +$75. EI claims I owe them $1000+ with a minimum payment of $200. Credit card maxed yesterday on groceries. Other immediate personal debt = $9000. Appox. complete and total debt = $27000.*

    *Last year was devoted to working my way into back into the black, grinding away at my debt, and doing very little else. I spent as many hours at work as I could taking small jobs around my nine to five, writing articles until late into the night, no job too small, no task too tiny, and very quietly, with as little fuss as possible, I managed to squeeze my debt down from an impossible fifty-five thousand to a relatively small none thousand. (There’s another sixteen-thousand I owe someone that’s been put on hold). My social life suffered, my stability suffered, and financially, every penny was earned only to be given away. When I was suddenly laid off in December, I had no savings to catch me, except for some that I had already allocated to debt. Since then, every un(der)employed month has been a trial, stressful, agonizing, a battle for basic necessities, and yet, while I am aware that food and shelter come first, the desire to whittle down that elusive final nine to zero still gnaws me to sleep.