Sunday, January 12, 2025
The Prompt: Am I a better person today than I was yesterday?
What makes somebody a good person vs. a bad person? It's pretty subjective. Besides, doesn't everyone think they're a good person even if they do craptacular things? This is deeply philosophical stuff that I don't have the time or the bandwidth to ponder right now. Maybe I'll do some research on it later so I have a better basis from which to form an opinion, but as I see it now it's all made up anyway.
I found a website that teaches the basics of all the coding lessons. It's free, with a Plus version being $14.99 per month. I told Mom that I'm learning to code and she's intrigued. I had to show her videos about what coding is and how to make money doing it. She says if I keep up with the free version for six months and want to go with the Plus version she'll pay for it. But… and of course there's a but… I have to keep my school grades up above a C. She sounded so much like an actual mom that I was proud of her. I know that sounds weird.
Days making my bed: 43
Days cleaning the kitchen: 7
Days hexing Noah: 6
Days learning html: 1
----------------------------------------
Monday, January 13, 2025
The Prompt: Where do I want to be five years from now?
I'll have graduated from Hell and be bringing in enough income that between us — me and Mom — we can afford a place that's safe to live and in good repair. If we're frugal we'll be able to afford to go on vacation out of the country. France and Italy, definitely. Mom's mentioned that she'd love to see Paris so I'm going to try to make that happen for her.
Going back to school was nerve wracking. I felt like everyone was either staring at me or trying not to.
About Noah: Noah's friends were being their usual selves, but not to me and he wasn't with them.
During lunch I got called into the guidance counselor's office. Noah was there with his dad. Noah's dad made him apologize to me, and told me that Noah would be doing volunteer work on the weekends when he didn't have practice or a game, plus having to keep his grades up, or else no more basketball. Noah did seem contrite, as well as a little scared of his father's wrath. I mean, yikes! I don't know anything about fathers, but Noah's Dad seems like a pretty good one.
Days making my bed: 44
Days cleaning the kitchen: 8
Days hexing Noah: 7
Days learning html: 2
----------------------------------------
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
The Prompt: How do you handle criticism?
That depends on it it's constructive feedback or designed to tear me down. My knee-jerk reaction to constructive criticism is to seethe for a little while, until that's out of my system and I have a clearer head to evaluate it with. I want to say I'm numb to the hateful kind of criticism — and I do try to be — but I'm not. It's so frustrating that I have to deal with comments like that and there's nothing I can do about it or I'll be the one that's in trouble.
About Noah: Noah is catching a lot of flack from his so-called friends. They're giving him shit for getting a black eye from a girl. Now he's getting a taste of what I go through every day. I must say, it's satisfying to watch. Of course I wonder if the spell is causing this. It's looking more likely from a wishful-thinking perspective. I'm going to leave the jar in the kitchen window until Saturday, then dispose of it. Next week I'll observe how Noah and his friends are getting along.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.
Days making my bed: 45
Days cleaning the kitchen: 9
Days hexing Noah: 8
Days learning html: 3
----------------------------------------
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
The Prompt: What are the things you can control in your life?
I used to think I had no control over anything at all. That was a surefire recipe for anxiety and depression.
But I can control myself. I can control the decisions I make and the way I deal with things when life is a rancid Dumpster fire. And sometimes I can make things a little better for me and Mom.
About Noah: According to gossip in the halls, locker room, and cafeteria, Noah was razzed by his friends the entire week I was gone, and it doesn't look like it's going to let up soon. His friends are also shutting him out of their usual conversations and highjinks. The other girls are glad he's stopped hanging around with them and stopped being such an asshole. They say he's 'cute' and they're more likely to date him now. I've never thought of that angle. Noah's just Noah, and he's always been a douche as far as I can tell. Now he's acting like less of one and he's leaving me alone, so I suppose he's tolerable.
Days making my bed: 46
Days cleaning the kitchen: 10
Days hexing Noah: 9
Days learning html: 4
----------------------------------------
Thursday, January 17, 2025
The Prompt: What's a habit that you're proud of developing?
I'm working on three habits right now: making my bed every morning, cleaning the kitchen every evening, and studying html for at least a few minutes every day. But the real habit I've formed is making, tracking, and sticking to habits.
About Noah: Noah's so-called friends have turned on him completely. Coach Wilson makes them work as a team on the basketball court but he's about to tear out what little hair he has left. Weirdly, his anger isn't focused on Noah. It's on Travis Windham. Travis has never done anything to me directly, but now that I think about it Chris, Matt, and Noah don't cause trouble when they're not with him. I think this bears further investigation. It was Matt, today during practice, that pushed Noah's buttons. Matt was taunting Noah, calling him a pussy, scared of a girl, needs to grow a new pair, and things like that. Noah finally snapped and lunged at Matt, but one of the other jocks prevented the fight. Obviously Travis was there, because he's also on the team, but no one is saying anything about him. I've never seen him directly involved in anything. He's always just there.
Days making my bed: 47
Days cleaning the kitchen: 11
Days hexing Noah: 10
Days learning html: 5
----------------------------------------
Friday, January 17, 2025
The Prompt: What are my current career goals, and am I on track to achieve them?
I haven't thought of learning to code as a career goal. It's the best means to my desired end — making money to live on without sacrificing my entire damn life — as I can come up with at the moment. Right now I'm going doing one lesson a week so it doesn't interfere with my school work. I'm trying to get all my grades as high as I can. When we have days off from school I'll double down, and I'll figure out something more intensive to do during the summer.
Somebody got into my locker at some point late last week or early this week and left an open can of tuna in there. Thank goodness I don't keep anything in it! The janitor found it and removed it but I had to have another talk with Mr. Thomas. He knows I didn't do it and I'm not in trouble. He just wanted to know if I have any ideas who might have done it. I told him I didn't. It might be Travis, Matt, and Chris — they're the first to spring to mind — but it might not. I need to know for sure before I retaliate.
About Noah: He's completely quit talking to Travis, Chris, and Matt unless he has to on the basketball court. They still razz him, but not as much. I guess Coach Wilson made them tone it down.
Days making my bed: 48
Days cleaning the kitchen: 12
Days hexing Noah: 11
Days learning html: 6
----------------------------------------
Saturday, January 18, 2025
The Prompt: How do you react when faced with unexpected challenges?
I like to think I handle them pretty well. I have to, though, because Mom can't. Is it fair? No, but for now this is the way it has to be.
About Noah: I released Noah from the spell this morning. As per the instructions, I emptied the jar on the edge of the lot furthest from our trailer. Noah's picture dried in the sun on the back step and was burned as soon as it was dry enough. Not that there was much of an image left after it sat in a jar of vinegar since last Tuesday.
Now that I'm not actively hexing Noah I want to try another spell / experiment. I searched 'spell to catch a thief'. Wow, I got lots of results! But the one I'm going with is from the same website where I got the spell to deal with bullies.
Days making my bed: 49
Days cleaning the kitchen: 13
Days learning html: 7