(morning writing)

[elainegrey]

Bruno is spending much more time closer to us, and while there are still pee events, we're managing them without too much frustration. I do worry the crystals are causing some discomfort. Still, lovely to have him out and about. And Marlowe has substantially chilled out. There's occasional hissy bits, but not hostility.

Work culture shifts still inspire thoughts of retirement. The optometry assistant was startled that i was the patient as she knew a 58 year old was scheduled. I seemed far too young. That was flattering. I wonder how many of my colleagues are aware i approach the retirement benefit age. (My British manager may not think about it as presumably the privilege to pay money for health care may not seem like a valuable retirement benefit in the UK.) It has occurred to me that i might be interested in some work in a more higher education focused culture -- admittedly that culture is less so than it was years ago -- and i have confirmed that if i were to work after retirement, it will not impact the insurance benefit.

TL;DR: appointments, too many, and they are all changing.

 i was already feeling like there was an cluster of appointments  but now i am a little dizzy. Optometrist wants to watch my "narrowing of the anterior chamber angle," and scheduled follow up that would be covered under medical insurance. I did not have the presence of mind to ask more questions, but this morning a nice chat (please, i'm done, can we stop chatting) with someone from my health insurance company confirmed that said they only would deal with an ophthalmologist and the optometrist was not in network.  It occurs to me maybe the out of pocket wouldn't be so bad, on the other hand, i suspect i'll just be set back a $20 copay to see someone in network, and i kinda would prefer a specialist if we are monitoring for angle-closure glaucoma.

So, cancelled that, now have to chase down a specialist appointment, feh.

Then my dental appointment shifted.

And now my planning-for-retirement-and-will-we-pay-[company]-good-money-for-advice appointment has shifted.

Meanwhile, this is the off year when my vision plan won't pay for glasses and i find that the Ray Bans frames from last year have microfractures (actually, you can see them, so i don't think that's micro, dear). So i get to replace the all-the-bells-and-whistles lenses (which will go in 2024's computer glasses frames). 2025's computer glasses gave me a headache today. And the adjusted nose piece on the fractured Ray Bans seems to also be uncomfortable and headache causing. Of course, headaches are a symptom of angle-closure glaucoma, which is NOT an issue at the moment, but feh, tell my headache that.

Finally, as open enrollment approaches, i can get blood work done in exchange for $500 off next year's insurance premium. It's probably worth it, and i was able to get an early in the morning appointment so the fasting will be easier, so there's that appointment.

Not mentioned was travel to Ohio postponed my stylist appointment, and then she was sick, and the earliest she could manage was mid October, at which point i might as well schedule for just before Thanksgivings (as if anyone cares what i look like over the holidays). I finally cut my curtain bangs and i think it turned out OK, and i've found a shampoo that sort of redyes hair that i think will help ease the demarcation between roots and pink.  I suppose by November i could have all new ideas.