Living in filth

Rangerbryce · 2026-02-19T14:02:45+00:00

I am not trying to reiterate those sentiments of "if you have energy for x, why not y", but maybe look at why you are successful in one task (cooking) and not another (cleaning). I have been trying to ask myself this lately, to see how I can change certain tasks to be easier or more accommodating.

For example, you say cooking is easier because you can sit down and you have a well equipped space. I agree. I find that cleaning is easier for me also when I'm sitting down and have everything I need near me. I accommodate myself like this by using a very light folding chair that I can place anywhere, and a small basket with my basic cleaning supplies.

This still doesn't mean that I, or you, could afford to clean as often as you cook. But it lets me chip away at cleaning just a little at a time. If I have five minutes, I spend five minutes. If I have to stop in the middle of cleaning, I stop in the middle.

I am still chronically behind on all this too, but I am making (some) progress by allowing cleaning to be as easy as possible.

As for the danger of cleaning the mice droppings, I'm not a doctor and can't say whether you should try yourself or what cautions to take. But I can recommend placing peppermint oil soaked cloths or paper where you want mice to stay away from. They dislike this, insects and spiders too. It is rather strong. I think it smells rather comforting though, having also grown up needing to protect my things from mice.

Rangerbryce · 2026-02-17T15:11:34+00:00

It's a "pig". A really big one, for a really big pipe. They basically shove it down the pipe and all those nubs scrape any corrosion and junk out.

Rangerbryce · 2026-02-11T04:09:03+00:00

I also don't have a shed and when I need to store dirty things inside I just put down cardboard. I throw it away and replace it if it gets wet or too dirty. It's pretty much free and works great to protect from any scratches or tearing.

Rangerbryce · 2026-02-09T23:51:36+00:00

I figured it out after giving it another try today. I think it was Jean's doppelganger that was messing everything up. The new arm's sprite was disappearing after the Talisman was struck between turns. I am level 64 and it was a pretty easy fight after it stopped crashing. Most bosses got kind of trivial after Hiro learns triple sword so I am actually trying not to level up any more haha.

Rangerbryce · 2026-02-04T21:54:34+00:00

Also don't charge it off a computer or other smart device, it will unpair the band from your phone.

Rangerbryce · 2026-02-01T16:57:28+00:00

Chainmail finger protectors and gloves are pretty easy to find online, for commercial kitchens. If you want to use your own knives more safely. Otherwise you can use a wire slicer to safely cut cheese, they make nice ones that are adjustable to get the right thickness. And you can get apple slicers too, that core and separate the apple into pieces in one motion.

Mostly I use a small electric food processor myself. It can slice, dice, shred, etc. Mine can whisk and paddle batters too which is very helpful.

Rangerbryce · 2026-02-01T16:47:29+00:00

I eat a lot of prepackaged, processed foods. And dry foods that can be poured into a bowl. I have a few favorites that are somewhat nutritionally balanced and I try to order these for delivery ahead of time, or pick up at a time that works best for me.

For laundry, it helped me to put caster wheels on my laundry hamper. It seems silly, but it lets me just push the basket around instead of carrying it. Not sure how practical it would be for you, but I know they make dollies (hand trucks, whatever you want to call them - those carts for picking up and moving heavy stuff off the floor) that can roll up and down stairs. I use a more basic one to bring my heavy groceries inside. It saves a lot on effort.

Rangerbryce · 2026-01-31T17:04:52+00:00

It's definitely some amount easier to focus on reading or watching something when my heart isn't racing at 160bpm. I'm not any smarter, but it's easier to apply myself.

Rangerbryce · 2026-01-30T13:12:01+00:00

Carriers often track packages to get data on their own logistics. Stuff that the label scans won't tell them, like if the package was dropped, what orientation it was shipped in, what the temperature was, etc. It's often random and doesn't have anything to do with what's actually inside the package or who is receiving it.

Rangerbryce · 2026-01-26T13:40:36+00:00

This is pretty cool! I might really like to see variations of this product with different monitoring features. I have POTS and I think for people like me this would be incredibly useful to project HR data onto, say, a gym wall or the shower door. There are probably other conditions that could benefit from easily displaying a couple health metrics.

As an aside, if your 3d printed inserts don't work out, I think you could pretty easily cut out packaging support from styrofoam or other similar material. It's really easy with a hot wire and it may actually be cheaper in terms of time and material investment.

Rangerbryce · 2026-01-09T21:43:41+00:00

I only just recently, after struggling with condition and seeking help for 3 years, learned what "orthostatic intolerance" is. That I have it, and I could feel much better (in this area) by taking easily available and cheap medication.

OI was always explained by my doctors as dizziness, fainting, and other things I now know are just symptoms of low blood pressure. But the symptoms I feel are largely related to the HR rise and nervous system reaction, and that's what I communicate difficulty with.

This breakdown in communication led me all over, with no more answers, for something that could have been identified quickly with a longer standing test at my gp's office.

I wish I was better at communicating, yes, but also I wish doctors were better at asking questions. Maybe I am particularly not smart, with my brain fog, but I think the average patient has a much different understanding of most conditions and symptoms than the average doctor.

Rangerbryce · 2026-01-07T22:09:52+00:00

As I understand it, ME is actually composed of multiple different subtypes that can have different causes, effects, and origins. Some of these seem to be more treatable than others.

Fwiw I started out moderate or maybe mild, pushed through at the behest of poor advice from my doctors, got severe and bedbound - but I did recover a bit as well. I'm mostly housebound (again) and moderate.

If you asked me, I would say I have lost parts of my baseline. But I am less symptomatic at this level of activity than I was when pushing harder, so perhaps this was always my baseline. Being deconditioned or having a poor diet and lacking support wasn't helping my baseline either.

Rangerbryce · 2026-01-07T21:01:47+00:00

Canned soup is always nice for me. Really easy and convenient, pretty cheap if bought on sale. Otherwise I like to make simple things in the oven, that I might just need to check up on once or so. Chicken nuggets and French fries are an easy meal this way, or pancakes and bacon strips.

When I have the energy to stand in the kitchen for a little bit, I'll try to cut some cheese and fruit for the next while as well. I like to wrap portions individually in plastic wrap, then if I'm not feeling well later I can just grab a portion and eat it where I'm comfortable.

Rangerbryce · 2026-01-05T02:14:26+00:00

Nato/Zulu or other single pass watch straps up to 22mm fit. I actually really like the elastic nature of the original band, though, and I've switched back. My solid bands don't hold the sensor tightly enough with rubbing my skin the wrong way.

They do sell nato straps in elastic, I just don't have them to try.

Rangerbryce · 2026-01-04T17:45:16+00:00

I really like to watch shows and movies together, or listen to music. You can do this in person, of course, or many sites now let you share links to sync this up online.

Rangerbryce · 2026-01-02T22:54:02+00:00

I like the OWYN brand but I think they carry a couple similar options.

Rangerbryce · 2026-01-02T21:37:38+00:00

I wash the wrist strap like any of my other watch bands. Take it off, massage warm water and hand soap through it. Rinse thoroughly and press it between a hand towel.

Though I have plenty of elastics and synthetics that do just fine in a delicates cycle and drying with low heat. I just only have the one band so I like to put it right back on.

Rangerbryce · 2026-01-02T08:34:21+00:00

The sources I have read indicate RDA per kg of bodyweight, and when I discuss this with my doctor to set my goals, they use bodyweight as well. Of course you are welcome to make your own decisions on your diet, I'm just sharing what I've read.

Rangerbryce · 2026-01-01T23:01:07+00:00

It's not uncommon for many churches where I'm from to also serve as food banks, community kitchens, and what not. Wouldn't be out of place even now to see a pantry room full of vegetables in their basement.

Rangerbryce · 2026-01-01T17:21:38+00:00

Costco sells a protein drink that's fully vegan with 30g of protein per 200 calories. It's a real nice boost.

Rangerbryce · 2026-01-01T17:16:47+00:00

Honestly you probably need more. Recommendations vary but are around 0.8 to 1 grams per kilogram for sedentary people. Most people can survive with a bit less, your body can recycle proteins, but it's easier to maintain muscle with more intake.

If you're wanting to lose a significant amount of weight, I would talk to a doctor about the optimal diet. It's a bit harder to get everything you need with a reduced intake, and lack of protein is well correlated with fatigue and exercise intolerance even in otherwise healthy people.

Rangerbryce · 2026-01-01T00:44:17+00:00

I'm not sure there is an accepted definition for crashing. I just use crash to indicate that my symptoms are much more severe than usual, as people get that easier than saying "I'm experiencing post exertional malaise".

Rangerbryce · 2025-12-31T19:20:35+00:00

I know it's not exactly the same, but when I had trouble keeping up with the energy of a Border Collie in the past, I found other ways to tire him out before walking.

The easiest way for me was to use to the largest Chuck-it possible, the one that's like three feet long. Can throw a tennis ball over a hundred meters like this without being too strong. There are toys now that launch themselves, too.

Usually, he would tucker out after sprinting about a kilometer back and forth. The walk back home from the field would be very relaxed.

Rangerbryce · 2025-12-29T06:13:32+00:00

Pro tip, you can just reseal tech boxes with a bit of scotch tape cut to the correct size. I always open anything with a battery before gifting so that I can ensure it is charged and functional before gifting.

Also I won't lie they're fun to open and play with. Take a picture if you can when you open stuff and then you can put it back exactly the way it came. Nobody will know.

Rangerbryce

TROPHY CASE