Month: February 2022

atthequillsmercy

Today’s Workout: Pedals and Progress Pics

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I’ve been doing a lot of trainings at work lately so, I used my Wirk Peddler again rather than just sit there motionlessly.

Since I’ve been doing all this work, I’ve given more consideration concerning progress pictures. I went hunting for a suitable before picture and realized I had not taken a full body picture of myself in several years. And I mean no pics since 2018. Once I get back to more running after I start making more money with my books, I’ll take another one because I am definitely lighter than I was in 2018. I’d like to get out of the 200 club first. That’s 10 more pounds away!

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Lenni Reviews: “Radium Girls” by Cy.

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

This graphic novel tells the story of The Radium Girls; a group of women who worked in one of many factories painting parts of glow in the dark watch faces. They used their tongues to keep the point of the brushes sharp and were assured they were safe only to be slowly poisoned over time.

I love the art style. I think it’s effective at allowing the reader to focus on the stories of these women and what they went through. It looks simple but it’s very effective. This provides a great primer to encourage people to learn about what is sadly a little-known part of history. This is very short but it tells enough of the story about this tragic group of women. I hope more people learn about stories like this. 3.8 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Made in Korea” by Jeremy Holt & George Schall

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

In a future where there’s some cause to less children being born, Proxys have been invented to fill the void. When an American couple adopts Jessie, a 9 year old Proxy, they have no idea a Korean man named Chul who works with AI has snuck something unique in Jessie’s code.

This graphic novel starts off strong but then it tries to do too many things at once. This covers the ‘what does it mean to be human’ question that most AI plots go for but that part needed more development. Everything felt like it smashed together in the end. Even though I did enjoy reading it and I think if you like AI future stories, it won’t be something you regret reading. It’s pretty ok. 3.6 out of 5. 

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Lenni Reviews: “Summertime Rendering” Vol. 2, by Yasuki Tanaka

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Shinpei is still trying to defeat the shadows, with the Summer Festival being the tragic point of no return. But these restarts have limits and Shinpei’s special ability is unable to send him back to the same point in time so he focuses his efforts on Ryunosuke Nagumo; a woman with a history dealing with these deadly shadows.

This series is cool. The twists and turns feel natural and compelling. I love the characters and the mystery unfolding as the threat escalates. I don’t want to go into too much detail that may spoil things because I think this needs a blind read to let the surprises stay pure. 5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Summertime Rendering” Vol. 1, by Yasuki Tanaka

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Shinpei returns to his hometown to attend the funeral of a childhood friend, Ushio, who died under suspicious circumstances. On this island, there are rumors of a Shadow Sickness where you see a double of yourself before you die; throwing Shinpei into a time bending mystery.

This is pretty dark and violent and took some unexpected turns. I am so invested and intrigued by the creatures and the time jumping and what in the world could be going on. You may feel like this riffs on Erased, which is a fair comparison but this goes in a totally different direction with it’s own unique tone. 4.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Scattering His Virgin Bloom” Vol 1, by Aya Sakyo

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+.

In this world, alphas are at the top of society, betas live a comfortable life in the middle, but omegas are viewed as lesser than anyone else. Hana is usually assumed to be an alpha so he keeps his omega status a secret to avoid being forced to mate with anyone. Renjaku is an alpha and a regular customer at the café where Hana works and while Hana has a crush on him; Renjaku is a rude, demanding man who doesn’t believe in fated mates. But when Hana’s first heat comes, his cover is broken and Renjaku begrudgingly offers to help him.

And that help comes in explicit sex. This is an adult comic.

I thought this was going to be a typical alpha/omega story but then we have Hana’s brother drop in and my jaw dropped. I did NOT expect that. I can’t say I like this twist but it does give Renjaku added motivation to help Hanna other than the inevitable coming to terms with the idea of a fated mate. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Came the Mirror & Other Tales” by Rumiko Takahashi

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

This is a collection of short comics from the legend that is Rumiko Takahashi. If anyone is unfamiliar with her work, this is a decent sampler of her range. We’ve got some horror, comedy, slice of life, magic, angst, all good stuff. The art is her classic style and fits well in all the different genres, not to mention we have a story about the author as the last installment.

I’d recommend this to a newbie to her work more than an oldie like me who was a teenager when Ranma 1/2 was new in the us. I appreciate it because I love her work but I feel a new person would enjoy this. 4.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Fist of the North Star” Vol. 4, by Buronson & Tetsuo Hara

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Ken is one of four who studied Hokuto Shinken and his older brother, Jagi, is now a vicious warlord impersonating Ken in an attempt to ruin his reputation. Ken goes on a journey to defeat Jagi and repair his good name.

I keep thinking Mamiya is going to do something in the plot other than swoon over Ken but unfortunately, no. She’s a good character and I’d like to see her bravery and ingenuity do more than have her end up as a hostage. But other than that, Ken and his brothers are a cool part of this story and the plot takes turns I did not expect, but it worked for me. Jagi is wrapped up quick and we move on to Toki, who I am much more curious about. This volume ends on a cliffhanger so, we’ll have to wait and see what his deal is. 4 out of 5.

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Today’s Workout and Weight Update

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I’m still sticking with the biking so I can write at the same time but I can tell I was more focused on the writing part this session than the workout part. I had to remind myself not to slow down so my heart rate was off. But, I count this as a win as it’s not just being motionless. 

Also, I did say that I would post a weight update when I made some kind of good progress and, here we go!

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I am so close to under 200! I know my dream goal is 170 (10 pounds lighter than I was before I got pregnant) and now it seems like I may finally make it!

I dunno what I’m gonna do once I hit that goal in terms of celebrating. I thought of going to get my nails done like I used to but I don’t have the money for fancy acrylic nails.

Unless someone wants to buy a book or three to contribute… Or just to help me pay bills in general… Hint hint…

I kid. Sort of.

Maybe I’ll finally post a photo since I never did take a before picture just in case the Saxenda didn’t work. I didn’t want to post another ‘before’ photo only to have it just mean ‘before another failed weight loss attempt.’ I guess that means no super dramatic transformation evidence but it’s more important for me to hit my goals. Showing off isn’t the point.

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Lenni Reviews: “Orochi: The Perfect Edition” Vol. 1, by Kazuo Umezz

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

This is a collection of 2 horror stories: Sisters and Bones. The first is when Orochi comes to this creepy house to be a maid for sisters Rumi and Emi and told to stay away from a certain room. In the second story, Orochi is a nurse for a woman who’s husband has had an accident.

These stories gave me some Girl From Nowhere vibes. Orochi’s abilities and goals are ambiguous but so far, she is more benevolent than Nano. In fact, Orochi is naïve as things don’t turn out as she’d hoped. If you’re in the market for some horror with an enigmatic protagonist, these are good stories. 4.7 out of 5.

Also, check out that series on Netflix. It’s awesome.

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