Yeah, I don't update very often. Most things happening aren't worthy of the effort to write down individually, and using Social Media for things that aren't worth a little effort is one of the reasons Social Media is retarded. But every now and then a little update might be something folks would like, and creating content just for the practice is sometimes reason enough.
Anyway, here's what's on the top of my head this sumer.
Health Stuff
Over the last several years, as my health has gotten good enough to actually be able to notice symptoms, I've been trying to work on resolving the underlying conditions. Things like arthritis are apparently not yet fixable, but weight, muscles, and hopefully my digestive issues can see progress.
The majority of issues I've been having can be traced back to gut problems. I have been diagnosed with Diverticulosis, which is pockets in the intestines that can trap food, leading to bloating and other gas issues. And gas production has been causing chest pains from the pressure as well as panic attacks, both of which often result in symptoms similar to a heart attack.
A few weeks ago while I was doing my medical courier route, I was glad to be at a hospital when I had a particularly bad flareup. After dropping off the samples at the lab, I went to the ER. They didn't find anything there, but a followup cardiac stress test found something "abnormal". So in a few weeks I will be going in for another followup to do a radioactive stress test, which is apparently more accurate and would be able to see if there are any veins or arteries that are constricted or blocked. I'm not expecting them to find anything serious.
MyRPG
For the beginning part of the summer I spent a lot of my free time working on putting down my ideas for a modular and curatable Role Playing Game system. I had been thinking about it for a few years, putting together pieces of what I found inadequate with existing RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons.
I'd also been watching videos about RPGs, their rules systems, and how to create them. One particular video that was discussing attributes (like Strength, Dexterity, etc from D&D) and dice led me to an "AHA!" moment, after which I felt like I had all the major pieces in mind. From that point on I almost felt obsesses with putting it all down into a coherent system. So I worked for weeks on it, with the current results at MyRPG.
I know I need at least a dozen more Domains, a lot more equipment, loads more spells, and a lot of little details before it is ready for initial publishing; but for now it is at least complete enough that some basic characters can be created and some playtesting can begin.
D&D Classes
For the upcoming semester I have four D&D classes, with about half of the players being kids that previously played, so they will want to continue on their characters' journeys.
Up to now, all the storylines have been leading up to a huge climactic battle at Niðaróss (modern day Trondheim). There is a huge army of goblins, orcs, and giants intent on destruction and carnage, and the kids' characters would all be there for it.
Unfortunately, this battle is so large that it would likely take all semester just to play the first day's battle. I've counted over 40 characters played by the kids that would all be involved - huge! So what I'm doing instead is I'm writing the whole battle down, hopefully as an ebook that the kids can all read and share.
Tentatively titled "Fires at the Fjordgate", this book will give every character at least one shining moment of heroism while setting up a handful of followup adventure ideas that the kids can pick to play this semester. I also think each character should gain a level at the start of the semester.
Finances
As you can see on my Debts page I am almost done paying off Peter. That should be completed in September. But summer is when I have the least income, and I need to replace my current car. It is unfortunate that the Tesla Robotaxi network isn't yet available here, otherwise I might be able to live without a car. I did the math, and if I can use a reliable driver service for $1/mile or less it would be competitive with car ownership.
And of course registration is due this month. That bill is $107, but if I am going to get a new car then I shouldn't pay that since I'd be paying it again for the replacement. And while inspections will be ending in January, mine is still due this month. I could try to go without getting an inspection and take thee reasonable chance that they won't be enforcing it. But if I did need to pass an inspection I know my current car needs at least $2,000 worth of work before it will pass. That just doesn't make any sense.
And I really could use a new laptop. My current one is about ten years old, and the keys are so worn that several of the keys can't be read and a few keys don't always "press". And since I'll be teaching some programming classes, including one Minecraft Java class, having a more up-to-date laptop is needed.
I'm hoping that I can get one on a payment plan. I should be able to afford that. I certainly don't have the money currently, unless I somehow got a free car - I need all I have for transportation. But hopefully in the fall after school starts my financial situation should be much improved.
Wrap-up
So life, as usual, is being "interesting". I turn 61 this month, so I have just over a year before I can start receiving (anti-)Social (in-)Security, but once I do my financial situation should improve as long as I can keep working. I just need to get through the next year or so.
And I have been keeping an eye on medical science advances related to health-span and life-span. Both have been seeing decent possibilities, which are increasingly likely to be fruitful with the advances being made in AI. Those of us that can hang on for about ten more years might be able to achieve life escape velocity where your lifespan increases more than a year every year - eventually allowing an unlimited lifespan.
On to the Future! (If we can survive politics.)