forgotten_aria

I had a relatively good birthmonth (ignoring the current world situation.)

(not in chronological order)

I went to level99 in Natick twice. Once to celebrate another friend, once with just me and a close friend and we got to try (and fail) the more physical stuff, which was fun. Even after 6 hours, I still haven't seen all the rooms, which is impressive. I got bubble tea and went to hot topic both times.

I got to hang with a great collection of people and everyone seemed to be having fun.

I walked with taiko friends, which is always a nice thing to do.

I visited another two friends who I don't get to see enough and have a nice walk.

There was fun gym theme nights and party stuff and I actually had fun at the party. I got to wear one of the vest/pants set I bought because they fit so well (the pin stripe one.)

I got to try aerial cube and liked it a lot.

I saw Neil Patrick Harris Box Two in the background of a clip he did for a different show and immediately went out and got it as my birthmonth gift to myself. The Stolas plush which I pre-ordered in January arrived in time to be another gift. I had planned in trying him as a sleeping pillow to prevent arm numbness, but the quality was too good to get him dirty like that. Other than that, there was no major birthmonth presents to myself.

I don't know if I'll find the drive to make my "this is 50" fitness video this year, especially since I just have less footage.

On a less happy note, I still have my annoying cough, health issues, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, a different unknown foot issue in the other foot which are all keeping me from exercising full out. The car has an issue from the accident that isn't failing reliably enough to be fixed.

Kaylee has been moved up to twice a week for fluids but is otherwise doing well.

For a few years now, I wanted to make a back yard thing that would be a combination of rig to hang aerial stuff from, bars to practice CrossFit gymnastics moves on, monkey bars, a place to mount my slack line, a place to practice rope climb, etc.

The price of wood has gone up dramatically. Originally I waned to build it out of cedar since it's nicer if you get a splinter and also modern pressure treated wood isn't as weather resistant. I delayed because I wasn't happy with my design or how much it would cost.

For this march I decided that I needed to simplify or it would never get done and under the excuse that it was a "birthmonth" present, spend the money. I bought some giant swing set metal brackets that take a 4x6 cross beam and 4x4 legs. I got 12ft legs. I've already posted about cracking my windshield while transporting them. The cost was $70 for the brackets, $178 for the wood. There are some metal aerial frames that are a little shorter than what I got for $400 and I wouldn't have cracked my windsheild. I'm still not sure what I would do if I had all the knowledge I do now.

Assembling it was a bit of a trick, given the length of the legs, but with G's help we got it together. We could not, however, get it upright. We could get it above our heads, but not walk it up. I took a chance and asked my CrossFit gym. Four wonderful people came and it was up with no issue at all.

I'm waiting to finish painting it after the wood has had a chance to weather a little and dry out. I'm trying to decide if I should just paint it blue, or if I should add clouds. The rig is solid in the direction that most people would use a swing, but it creaks a little in the other direction. I will likely install some corner supports, but for right now, I plan to hang and spin more than swing.

Eventually I hope to try to add on the other features some how. I can be used for rope climb practice as is, but I might get a beiner friendly rope.

In particular there is no place near me teach aerial hammock which is much more accessible than silks for someone who is still working on their grip strength and pull up strength, so I wanted a place I could try some of the basic tricks.

( cut for pictures )

This years birth-month was ok. The virtual card worked well, other than only a few people participated (thank you to all the people who did.) But then most times I try to do a socially driven project, it gets low engagement.

I had a weekend of seeing a few people in person, which was nice and some online visits too.

I got to flip a 482lb tire, which was memorable.

I didn't get my rig assembled before the end of the month, but it is almost done. I cracked my windshield loading the wood, though. :(

I thought there was more, but I don't seem to remember.

A week ago I was completely enthusiastic about my birthmonth party, but this week, I'm on the fence about committing, so it might be a bit more last minute than last year to make sure I want it to happen.

On another note, I would like to have music made at the party if the party happens.

It's not even quite my birthmonth, but I've started celebrating already. My amazon echo (which I ordered a few months back) arrived today and does the one thing I was really hoping it would do and I've been having silly fun with it.

I bought myself a table saw finally, after years of wanting it.

I wanted to do karaoke next month, but wasn't finding the energy to make it happen, but a friend is celebrating his birthday with karaoke, so I get my karaoke with out the effort and I get to see that friend, who I haven't seen forever.

The musical instrument addiction continues and I've bought myself a hammered dulcimer (used from bay, of course.) It's very pretty and old enough to likely have a sound board made from mahogany which is no longer used because of it's rarity. I just have to replace a string and tune it, but even untuned, it sounds nice.
( picture )
And there will most likely be a party at some point during the month.

If I have a birthmonth party, it will likely be the first week of April, which is not my birthmonth, but that's ok.

I talked myself up in my present to myself and got a very fancy guitar pedal (more because I liked the sound more than anything) and I got one used. I was little afraid when I got it because it had a repair slip on it saying that it would shut off randomly, but it seemed ok when I tested it (thought it took my a while to actually get it to do anything, thank goodness for the internet.) But it's going to take my a while to actually learn how to use it. It seems like it shouldn't be too bad once I understand the processing types. The presets are all WAY too weird though. Feedback on the harp (which has a mic, rather than real pick ups) wasn't too back on most of the effects, which I was also a little worried about.

It's my birthmonth!¹ And there are exciting things planned. You've already heard about my present of a patapon and a psp to myself, as well as a psp skin, as soon as I decide which one. Also I'll be getting Crisis Core (the FF7 prequel) at the end of the month. I'm saving opening and trying patapon for tomorrow. I'm sure that after that I will be unable to shut up about it.

There will be a party, don't know what day yet. Hopefully those people who couldn't make the last one, but wanted to, can make this one. The cake will not be a lie.

I want to get fondue at some point, and not pay an arm and a leg for it (resturant recommendations are welcome, but I'm betting it will be part of the party and I'll be asking to borrow some fondue pots.)²

At the end of the month, we will finally be trying to buy the new car,³ so hopefully that will make me shut up about it, unless the test drive goes horrible or something and I have to pick a new favorite.

By the end of the month, I'll be 33!

¹ For those that don't know. I don't tell people what day my birthday is, because there are some years I just don't want to make a big deal about it, and people are less like to wish you a happy birthmonth enmasse. Plus it's more fun this way! a whole 31 days to get the celebration in!

² I want to borrow, rather than own, because I don't want to store the fondue pots afterwards. Else I'd get one of those nice self heating ones.

³ ZOMG!

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Entries tagged with birthmonth

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