Family Health Issues

It is difficult to see a loved one with severe health issues. Where they were strong throughout their life, seeing them unable to stand on their own is heartrending. At least, in this case, there seems to be little pain. Just an exhaustion that’s bone deep, particularly in the afternoon, or after helping them to move. That, and the indignities of the needed assistance.

My Health Issues

It also makes me reflect on my own health. I’m well into middle age, and the abuses I’ve subjected myself to are starting to come home to roost. Not those of a military man, or blue collar work, but those of a less than disciplined man in a white color job.

I’m carrying too much weight. My blood pressure’s too high. While I still have a fair bit of strength, I have almost no wind. There is a pace that I can go, and maintain almost indefinitely. It’s not even a fast walk, but at least it’s not slow. If I push just a little past that, or add in a hill or stairs, I start breathing like a bellows. The little sheen of sweat quickly turns into torrent. There are some other things I’ve been through that people don’t typically face until they’re closer to my father’s age. It’s a concern.

Too much sitting. Too much eating out. They left their marks on me. If I don’t wish to kick it early, I have some habits I need to change. Giving up the cheese danishes at the coffee shop. The brunches that I love. Turning in the mocha for a cappuccino, or even plain black coffee. Maybe some cream, no sugar. Cooking for myself. Exercise in the morning, and a break in the middle of the day to move around a bit. A walk, at least, before settling into the evening TV shows. The exercise isn’t too off-putting. I’m not a gym rat, but I don’t hate it. Consistency is an issue.

Those little food treats though, and the ritual reading that goes with them, are one of the pleasures I’m going to really miss. There is not a ton that I look forward to in a day, and cutting out any little pleasures can make a bland day just a little duller.

Insurance

I’m in between jobs, in America, and that’s a concern too. Health coverage is tied to one’s job, or the slow bureaucracy of the government. If one’s going to go the government route it often doesn’t pay to be on a marketplace plan. One can go broke if something breaks during that gap in coverage. Or die if one tries to put something off until the coverage comes through. If it does come through.

The help is better than it used to be. It’s almost entirely based on income now, rather than on whatever savings one has scraped together. It’s still a months long process of waiting to hear if you’re approved, or to hear that you forgot some bit of paper. Maybe one has too much of something to qualify, but try this other plan which may be more months of waiting to hear if you’re approved.

I have a vague outline of what to do about the inactivity, and the diet. I need to go from a vague plan to a definite one, particularly with the diet. Actual shopping lists, and cooking. Maybe some of that Huel goop that acts as a meal replacement when I’m feeling lazy.

Moving

I’m also waiting on the parking permit, and a few other bureaucratic things that happen during moves. While I’m waiting there is a lot still in boxes. I should unpack it just to winnow it down. We all have a little bit of the pack rat in us. I’d like to get back down to a point where everything, except the furniture, could fit in my Corolla.

Back to Working on the Portfolio

Now I need to get back to the work. I need to finish the short animation I’m working on, while at the same time getting through some lessons on CGCookie.com to refine my materials, texturing, and lighting. Animation too. All that, while also trying to get scenes to look good in Eevee for the rendering speed, and figuring out how to get the rendering pipeline sped up. I’m happy with my modeling. The rest of it I need to work on. Along with my personal speed. It takes me too long to put things together.

Some Simple Projects Too

When I have the animation finished, it’ll be the first thing in my portfolio. I’ll need to flesh it out with a bunch of half finished projects I have percolating. I also need to do more Star Wars Rebels like projects, rather than realism based ones. The level of detail, and simplified lighting, should improve how quickly I can get things out the door, without sacrificing quality. For that matter, doing some simple toys, like the wooden train set with magnets for couplers and a wooden train track would help as well. Modeling those, and animating them, should be much simpler than what I’ve been working on. Done well they’ll be at least as compelling s the larger projects I’ve been working on that are easier to make mistakes on, while being less forgiving of said mistakes.