Whoops. Didn't realize I didn't have at least 1 post in November. So another one of those. Going to try and start the New Year's Resolution early, and start posting here more. Even though I haven't rewritten it, or integrated it with Micro.blog, time I just started writing again. Figure I'll just pick a short topic and write something, not necessarily a recap, but not as meandering as a Musings. Somewhere in-between? So for today, I went out driving with my kids phones, my phone, and our Go-tcha's, to try and take advantage of the Pokemon GO Community Weekend. I thought because I lived in the city, I'd never stoop to driving around. But it was raining, I didn't really take advantage of it at all this weekend, and I still didn't manage to auto catch enough for the kids to do any evolutions. So they still missed out. But yeah, I was one of those guys, 3 phones, random stops (I pulled over at least) when I had to clear some space. But maybe it doesn't matter. I think the kids and I are starting fresh in the new year, Level 1 Valor.

Getting slammed at work. And thinking about some earlier quiet times, and wondering if the things I'm getting pulled on now, and if I could have dealt with them earlier, and I don't think any of these things could have been done ahead of time. So just means trying to do more stuff. Need to try and delegate some stuff. But haven't been trying to do more work after the kids go to bed, not sure if it's because of the diet, but I just don't have the extra energy, or I need more sleep, or I don't have a second wind, but I'm not able to stay up and work as much as I used to. Although I should try to get caught up.

So I was late to the party on the whole Pokemon thing. And actually still late, haven’t even started. I’m only into Pokemon GO. The kids have watched all the shows available on Netflix, and even a couple movies. I got a bunch of those books, which are quite repetitive. I assume it’s just the same stuff on the cards (flavor text). I do wonder if Jackson’s going to get into the cards. But the next thing on the horizon? Beyblade. I think Lucy found the show on Netflix, so guess what’s coming for Christmas? There was also some random cars launched from wrists (again from a random show found on Netflix) from last year, but that one didn’t really last long. Always interesting to see the trends. Or coming late to the trends.

So my blood pressure if really tied in to how much I sleep. Beginning of the week, I’ve been doing great and sleeping plenty, and had the best blood pressure readings in a while. Then I try staying up to do work, then my sleep schedule got screwed up since then, like the immediate following night only got like 5-6 hours, and then last night, fell asleep early but then got up at like 4am and did work for a couple hours that I should have done before falling asleep. Definitely not young anymore. Can’t function without sleep. Which is funny, because I definitely could do it earlier this year. Just need more sleep.

Sleep is really important. Got like 7 hours last night and my blood pressure this morning back to normal. I feel much better. Head’s clearer. All good. Still, 41 years in, having issues with time management, getting everything done that I’m supposed to, and not procrastinating or having the right priorities, and having to cram. I’ve always been a crammer. Always left things to the end. Gotta get Christmas decorations up this weekend though. Have to do that. Got some Winter Village LEGO sets to put up, including the train to put around the train. That will be fun. And needs to get done sooner rather than later, because Christmas is coming.

Just finished watching it. Guess what, it's very entertaining. And it was pretty cool to see the wife/mother having skills. Pretty crazy all around, way over the top and everything, but still, pretty much what I expected.

House is decorated. Got a tree yesterday, probably the last time I'll use the old style stand. Hopefully will remember to get the Wirecutter recommended one before the season next year. Had to make a couple trips to Target to get new Christmas tree lights, because the old ones half died, and the first set I got didn't twinkle like the ones we did have. Also ended up getting some prelit garland which I hung on the fence. Looks nice, especially at night, but during the day, sticks out a little because we're in a neighborhood where everyone has real garland. Kinda stick out. Maybe we just need ribbons? Or some realer looking fake garland? Oh well, looks nice enough. Thinking we need something for the railings of the porch though. Also got the LEGO Winter Holiday Train built and running. Ordered up some lights for it. Still need to build the Winter Village Station and Fire Station. And plan on adding to it every year. Made Christmas cookies last night, frosted by the kids and some adults today. Gotta remember to get meringue powder before I make sugar cookies again. The milk based icing I currently make is just too loose. Gotta try somewhat real royal icing (I don't want to do the raw egg whites, although, maybe I should try it).

Did a duck breast and some chicken thighs sous vide yesterday for dinner. Started at like 10am for dinner. But the duck breast ended up being loved by the kids. 2 eight year olds and a five year old. Liking the duck breast. Go figure. Not sure if we're going to put duck breast into the rotation, but it is tempting. I mean kids that like duck! To eat! Also starting to use the sous vide machine enough that I'm wondering if a vacuum sealer would be a good investment. The Ziploc water displacement method left some air pockets when doing the chicken thighs yesterday, that I had to reseal at some point because it was floating in a corner. Also, need to figure out a better way to weigh the bags down, or maybe it's less an issue if I get a vacuum sealer.

So I went back to the dentist for the first time in years, possibly even a decade last month. Had to get a deep cleaning, which wasn't too bad. But they recommended getting an electronic toothbrush, so I ordered up a Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100. And like many things, I'm late to the party on this one. It's amazing. My teeth/gums haven't felt this clean on an ongoing basis since, maybe, ever? And I am flossing as well, but that toothbrush. Good times. And to think I used to think Akira odd for bringing it with to ultimate tournaments. Turns out, as always, I should have been following his lead. But yeah, clean teeth for the win.

For whatever reason, Lucy's iPhone wasn't connecting to the guest network at the office. I tried a couple different passwords, which was failing, and then I wanted to verify it on my phone. And lo and behold, I get this prompt: Do I want to share the password for the Guest network to Lucy's iPhone? I answer yes, and Lucy's iPhone gets on. That's amazing. Unexpected. Almost magic. I assume it's because we're in a family account, but still, that's cross account WiFi password sharing.

Got a Light My Bricks kit for the LEGO Winter Holiday Train 10254. While not perfect like a real LEGO set would be, considering you're running wires between studs and pressed in by transparent pieces, it's still pretty cool. Actually, very cool. I also got lighting kits for the LEGO Winter Village Fire Station 10263 and LEGO Winter Village Station 10259. Just need to figure out how to display with presents under the tree.

Binge Mode. How I love thee. I'm currently listening to, I guess you'd call it a season, the Harry Potter Season of Binge Mode. And it's amazing. It's like a book club, but with experts? That are passionate fans? Either or both ways, it's great listening. I'm currently on Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, and just finished listening to the episodes regarding Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. But it's so nice listening. It's great learning about things I've missed, listening in on others poking fun at the same things. And hearing how much they feel about the characters, the stories, the tale. I wish they'd do it about all my favorite books. The first that comes to mind is Mistborn. Would love to see them tackle that one. Wild Cards might be another. Snow Crash, Neuromancer, Soon I Will Be Invincible. I wonder if any of those are a common shared interest between Mallory and Jason. I wonder what other television shows they have? Just so awesome.

Since I mostly hit my target weight, I’m going to start having 1-2 carb days a week, because I miss it. Like yesterday, I had a donut and sugar in my coffee for breakfast. And then I had pasta for dinner and beignets for dessert. And this morning I had a pastry from Vanille Patisserie and a ham and cheese croissant. And probably eat more carbs at Ava’s birthday party today. But then back to keto tomorrow and the rest of the week. But I am starting to get a little tired of it. I am enjoying all the fist though. Just the eggs for breakfast. I guess weeks of the same ham and cheese omelette will do that.

Tastes so good, but makes me feel so bad. Tried to get back on the Keto horse today, but failed for dinner. Ended up going to Safehouse Chicago with Chris and Elliot. Walked over and took the Red Line from Addison, because it wasn't that much farther. Safehouse is rather interesting. Probably because we have kids, but themed restaurants are pretty cool. Best thing? After ordering, Elliot, Lucy and Jackson went off exploring. After their food came, brought them back to eat, then away they went again. Kinda nice.

So did 3 Ho-oh Raids today with my and Jackson's accounts, so that's 6 changes, between the two of us, maybe 17 balls each time? And his account and mine never caught it. Lucy on the other hand, managed to catch it after the 2nd raid. Go figure. Although I didn't really have any excellent throws, not even great sometimes. But then again, I don't think Lucy's catch even landed in the circle. Go figure. Missed out on those. At least I got a Lugia, a shiny at that. Jackson didn't get any. I wonder what the 5* will be after tomorrow?

Went for a walk this morning, did a Magikarp raid at Juniper Park with all 3 accounts, and lo and behold this afternoon, we all got Ex-Raid passes to Juniper for next Friday at 1pm. I have absolutely no idea if anyone else will be there. But hopefully enough. And hopefully we all catch it. Yesterday did a 5* Raid on the way home before the switch, so the kids both got Cresselia. Will bring the phones tomorrow to catch them a Heatran hopefully. GPS drift downtown is pretty annoying though. With three phones, I have to wander around until all are close enough. Wish they would all at least drift together.

Had to get my license renewed, figured now would be a good time, close to the holidays, maybe not as many people around. Turns out I was eligible to use the express renewal location, and I was the only one in line. Got in, gave my form and old license, got a picture taken, got in another line to pay (only one again), answered some questions, took a vision test (read line 5), paid, got my old one punched, received a temporary license and they'll mail me the new one. All in? Maybe 15 minutes. That's nice. Don't think I have to worry about that for another 4 years.

I still don't know exactly how it works, but made sweet mozzarella dough (Keto friendly) to make cinnamon rolls this morning. And they're great. Have I mentioned how magical Erythritol is? Also I made a cream cheese frosting with too much whipped cream, so it was a little too fluffy, instead of too cream cheesy, which is better on cinnamon rolls. Either way, I've already had 2 today. Hard not to want more.

Holidays and carbs not so good. Well, food so good, but not helping the weight maintenance. So going to try and get back to keto and down to my target weight. Going to try the Ketostix (one of Tracy's stocking stuffers) tonight to see if I got back on it.

I've screentimed myself. 3 hours, across both iPhone and iPad. Lucy said I should, and I agree, and fitting, because I screentime my kids. So I should do the same. Think this means I'll read more books. Hopefully. And keep checking off the Things.

Lucy started reading Percy Jackson The Lightning Thief, so after finishing up Harry Potter, I started it up again as well. Also, finished up Harry Potter at my desk at work, and good thing it was the quiet holiday week, so no one was really around to see me tearing up at my desk. I'm looking forward to listening to the Binge Mode episodes, and I'm in the middle of Order of the Phoenix there. Also have to get around to rewatching the movies too. But since I'm screentiming myself, I should be reading more, which is good.

Why does box office performance affect Oscar selections for best picture? As in a critically acclaimed movie that doesn't do well at the box office won't get nominated? Or is there some relationship between critical acclaim and box office performance, where if something gets too popular or does too well that no matter the critical response it won't be considered, but no matter how much critical acclaim a movie gets if it doesn't do enough business, it won't be considered?