atthequillsmercy

Today’s Workout: Much needed whimsy

Not that I would ever be happy working late every day, but it is really nice to get a workout out of the way first thing in the morning, then go about the rest of my day. I did slow my pace this time and didn’t wear the weights, but I bumped up the incline. And I still love this set of Venture missions. They’re so interesting!

Soooooo, McDonald’s is doing a Hello Kitty and Godzilla collab, and much like with the Kpop Demon Hunters collab, I headed out to see if I could score a cool toy. I didn’t get the one I wanted, but it’s still cute! And a kid’s meal of 4 nuggets and tiny fries is only around 300-400 calories. Other than feeling blegch for eating McDonald’s at all, it didn’t destroy my caloric deficit for the day. I was able to score some yu choy on sale, and the little tweak of using the mini ramen still worked for keeping overall calories under control. It’s so sad how tickled I am about that toy. I will take any bit of cuteness I get my hands on. Yes, I will try a different store to see if I can get the Hello Kitty or Cinnamoroll toys. They just tailor-made this to mine my wallet, didn’t they…

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Today’s Workout: *Incoherent Grumbling*

I was doing so well this week, then POOF! Last night horrible gas pains woke me up around 2am and tortured me until around 5 when I got back to sleep. When I am this overtired, I don’t get on the treadmill. That takes a certain amount of focus and coordination to make sure I don’t bust my ass. I’ve been through enough this year. Desk peddler was today.

I paired some of the prepped chicken with a Tokyo Mini Noodle, green beans, onion, and garlic. I like the mini noodles because I get the fun of ramen noodles for only about 100 calories. I’m still enjoying my sandwich habit using some prosciutto, tomato, and parmesan with some basil spread. It’s so nice, I really didn’t need the chips.

I would like to say “Oh, I’m going to bed super early to make up for last night” but nah. I have to edit one of my drafts so I can print a fresh copy. Whenever I’m stuck when I’m moving forward in a story, I re-read the whole thing to shake something loose. Sometimes that works, sometimes I hit the end and get pissed there isn’t more, then begrudgingly admit that in order for there to be more, I have to write it. Being a creative is weird…

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WIP Wednesday: August 2026 Roundup

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I have to admit that while I haven’t put many more words on my longer stories, I was able to catch up with a bunch of ARCs, post a ton of reviews, and publish three stories this month on my smut pen name. I am also in the process of assembling bundles for that pen name, learning the hard way about merging and converting documents, let me tell ya…

Despite not adding on to the longer projects as much as I’d wanted to, I am ready to post to Patreon next month. I’ve also added more items to my online store; all comics I’m looking to get rid of. I’m also thinking of adding a new project to my Patreon that will be available for free on all posts. I wanna call it “There, I fixed it,” where I take ideas that I feel had potential but not the best execution. It’s mostly movies where, like The Happening, the concept could absolutely be handled in a way that’s effective and not so goofy. I think it would be a fun way to stretch my writing skills. I have no set schedule for this; it’ll be done sporadically whenever I have the chance to do it. I just don’t have the audience to commit to taking requests or a hard timeframe. I’m all about pumping out content at this point.

I am also making plans to catch up with the ARCs I have that are not comics or manga. I got a nice one from Flame Con that I wanna read and a pile of library books to get through, including Haunting Adeline, because I want to see if it’s as bad as everyone says, and In the Miso Soup for the same reason. I also have some more movie and TV show reviews on deck.

Like I said, pumping out content. Maybe volume will help me pull out of this pit.

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Today’s Workout: There’s gonna be more!

Ever since I got the email that Zombies Run! will be releasing new episodes soon, I’ve been motivated to finish off more of the Venture missions in preparation for the new ones. I’m still doing intervals and have kicked up the speed to 4mph when I run. It’s harder but worth it. I feel so accomplished afterwards. I still run with the weights on my wrists and try to focus on using my thighs more than my calves. My calves are huge now.

Between a quick walk to the store to get some veggies on sale and bathroom cleaner, I think I had a pretty good day!

Lunch was the last of the hot dog and egg combo with some veggies I threw in before I went to work. After that run, I was too tired to get all involved with cooking or chopping up anything, so popcorn it was for the evening. I have nothing prepped for tomorrow. That’s gonna be an interesting morning… We’ll see how tired I am when I finally crawl outta bed and what’s leftover after my son raids the fridge.

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Workout Dump: Did I break the plateau?

I need to get back to posting workouts when I do them instead of a random day when I think, “Hey, I haven’t done that in a while. I should do that.” But anyway, with the washer and dryer back up and connected, I don’t feel anxiety about producing any extra dirty clothes than absolutely necessary, and I’m back to my regular workouts. I’m still running with the weights on my arms and incorporating more body weight stuff. I think it’s working because my weight FINALLY dipped under 205. Perhaps I shouldn’t be all excited for losing one pound, but I was stuck for so long; I will take any victory I can.

The random tomato plant in my yard is producing a bunch of fantastic little fruits, and I have been throwing them into whatever or just eating them straight up. Given that I repeat a lot of meals, I limited the pictures. There’s no point in posting the same thing over and over. One hard lesson I learned is that not every food will tolerate my 3-day limit. The cute little hot dog, rice, and egg will work if I prep it on Sunday and eat it Monday and Tuesday. If I stretch it to Wednesday, I get sick. I think it’s the egg, to be honest. That’s fine. I’m good with bringing in some other meal. To save money, I have been using some frozen vegetables. I’m sure I’m violating some kind of rice commandment by putting seasoning and beans right in the rice maker along with the rice (that I did wash, of course). I’ve also limited my alcohol to weekends, and I miss my little nightcaps so much. But I can’t have them; it’s not good for me, it’s a bad coping mechanism, and it’s empty calories. Drinks should be a sometimes treat, not a nightly event. I hope this finally broke the plateau. Let’s see how the next week goes.

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atthequillsmercy

Quick workout dump – 50 days to go

Since NYCC is fast approaching and I picked a formfitting dress cosplay, I am feeling the crunch. Since the repairs are mostly done and I’ve released two short stories to hopefully get some sales (the smutty pen name), I’m moving back into running. The sessions are short for now but they are more intense. I upped the speed to 4mph and put 1lb weights on my wrists for that run today. And I’m just happy to be back on Zombies Run! I missed it.

There are clearly some missing meals and that’s just because I didn’t take pictures. I mostly ate well save for hitting up a pizza place and gelato with my son at Flame Con (I had the little cup). And I cleared 10k steps, it’s fine. Anytime I go to a con or head into the city, I log a ton of steps. The only workouts I do on days like that are stretching and squats. Maybe a hundred crunches if I’m feeling feisty. But, I think I’m not doing too bad! I think with all the stress I’ve been under, the running will do me good.

 

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Workout Dump: Still peddlin!

I’m still using the Wirk desk bike or the peddler as I’m working on other things. I like to think it’s paying off as I’m down to 205. I’d creeped up close to 210 for a minute there. As long I keep up my activity, those 5 pounds should slowly fall away.

I’ve been experimenting with some different meals and out of the bunch, my favorite is that sandwich. It’s some prosciutto, cherry tomato, parmesan, a drizzle of garlic olive oil, and spicy garlic seasoning. I could have done without the chips, it was SO good. And since I have four feral cherry tomato plants in my front yard (seriously, every seed or seedling I deliberately planted died but the cherry tomatoes that withered in the fridge and I tossed outside took root) I will probably repeat this sandwich a bunch of times once those tomatoes are ripe. And the hot dogs are cut into cute shapes because the world sucks and I want some damn whimsy.

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WIP Wednesday: First Brood 4 uptate!

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I’ve updated my Patreon with the newest part of First Brood 4: Emma. That one is on the paid tier, but the first chapter is available for free.

As I’ve been editing and cleaning things for Patreon, my word counts aren’t the best:

  • A: 20,612
  • B: 912
  • C: 19,121

I’ve also started posting some of my old comics to my other website. I photographed a decent stack of them to start, and I wanna make sure I get all the condition details right before they’re all live. I’ll be selling them around cover price if they’re new and discounting the ones that are yellow or damaged. And if you’re subscribed to this blog or any of my socials, you’ve seen that I’m catching up with a LOT of reviews. I’m nearly caught up with all my recently requested digital ARCs, and once those run out, I have older digital ones and physical books floating around. I am not short on content.

I was also approved for a press pass to FlameCon! I won’t have a table there or anything, just me and my son checking it out and reporting on it for Otakus and Geeks. I post reviews there as well from time to time. I’m doing my best to get up the money I need and working as hard as I can. Thanks to everyone who’s supported me so far. It means more to me than you know.

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Today’s Workout: Back to Wirk

Since I have to spend every spare minute of my day on some kind of income producing activity, I’m back to using my Wirk Desk Bike. That is not a sponsored link, nor is that was I paid for it years ago. I can easily edit while I’m peddling, then jump in the shower before I throw down some food and get back to it. And speaking of food:

Don’t worry, the lettuce is safe. And I’m still on a rice and beans kick. It’s easy to make a big batch of it then reheat it at work in my electric lunch box. I’m still aiming for tons of protein to fill me up and use up all those garlic scapes I bought (they are so fucking good). I am trying to be frugal, healthy, and fast. Good thing my kid is putting up with this, too. Although, he eats MUCH more than I do. Teenagers…

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WIP Wednesday: In where I complain but I’m grateful

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It’s been a wild couple of weeks, especially going back and forth with the contractor about the basement Apparently “I’ll call you with a time” really meant “You tell call me when you’re available.” Silly me. Can’t believe I thought words mean what they mean. I’m also in limbo with the dentist. And my check engine light keeps going on and it’s adorable that it thinks I’m going to do anything about it unless that fucking car is on fire.

But I am so grateful for all the people who took a chance on my work during the Smashwords sale. It ends July 31st. Man this month flew by… I also got my Patreon updated and I’m on track to have more next month. I’m sticking with monthly for now. Here’s the word counts:

  • A: 20,023 words; 2 chapters ready for Patreon
  • B: 736 words; 3 smut stories in editing process for release next month
  • C: 19,121 words; 3 chapters ready for Patreon

I don’t have any patrons yet but I don’t care. I want things ready if I get some. I also worked my way through a nice pile of ARCs that I’ll be posting reviews for and I’m working on my overloaded eReaders and pile of library books. I’ve finished a decent pile of manga that I’ll probably sell since they’re too smutty for the library. I do the adult collection but not ADULT adult if that makes any sense. I’m not sure if I want to post them to my blog, on my separate shop site, or toss them on eBay. I’m not looking to make a profit, I’m looking to get them out of my house and in the hands of someone who will enjoy them.

I guess that’s it for this week? I can’t think of anything else. I’ll probably think of 10 more things as I go to sleep tonight.

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