That shiny shell is stunning!!

The power failure was a good chance for me to test the UPS I just bought. I identified two problems. The first was that I'd plugged the NBN box into it, but not the actual modem. So that was at least an easy fix.

The second problem was that the UPS is set to have a really loud intermittent beep when it runs on battery backup. Mr Woof evacuated to the backyard to avoid it and it was slowly driving me batty too. I did some research and found that it could be turned off, but you have to download software and connect it to the computer. So I downloaded the software, installed and connected everything, and it wouldn't open the interface. I could get to the menu options but the one I needed was greyed out. Eventually I decided it might be because I'm using Windows 11 and it only listed up to 10 in its compatibility list. Running in compatibility mode didn't work, so I dug out my old laptop, downloaded the program onto that and it worked perfectly. So the infernal beeps have now been silenced and I have uninterupted internet available.

When I went back I told myself that I didn't care if I failed, as long as I tried my best.

It helped.

Always fresh vegetables. The sauce I usually do is a base of stock powder and tapioca flour (which could be substituted with cornflour) mixed with water. I'll pretty much always add a little bit of soy, sesame oil and fresh ginger. Then a selection of oyster sauce, sweet chilli sauce or cooking wine depending on what I feel like, plus extra ingredients to give specific flavours - like the black pepper and honey tonight.

Thank you both. It still hasn't hit me yet but it is going to get so much worse when it does. I'm trying not to vomit all of my feelings here because I don't want to burn you out. This isn't going to be something I get over quickly or cleanly.

Clippers with no guard. I let it grow out in winter because it's warm. Clippers is pretty easy / lazy. I imagine razor would be once I worked out the technique, but I'm yet to. I've got a double edge razor for the face for job interviews.

Grief is meant to be messy.

This is a safe space, word vomit all you need. We can carry that load for you.

Tbh until I went back to school I hadn't tried hard since I was 15.

It takes the pressure off when you just do your best. At least then you can live with the outcome.

Go ahead and word vomit as much as you need. We are here for you.