With camp ending last Friday, I had this past week with my son.  So, there wasn’t any writing going on at all.  We were up late (for him) most nights and running around left me tired by the evening.  This means I have half a book left to write, which won’t happen before school starts on the 30th.  Oh well.

I guess it’s easier to do this recap by the day.

Last Saturday

You know, I don’t really remember what we were doing.  I think this was just resting up, but there had to be something.  Maybe it was just errands to get stuff for the rest of the week.  Probably video games too.  Well, there was an art project that my son did in the morning.  Think it was then errands and ‘Pokemon Legends: Arceus’.  That game is going to be mentioned a lot.

Sunday

Father/son trip to the Bronx Zoo.  We get there when it opened and managed to see the entire zoo.  That includes this summer area:

The animatronic dinosaurs had motion sensors, so they would move when people walked into a certain area.  Of course, all the baby animals were a highlight.  We saw baby wild horses, peacocks, great argus, and tree kangaroos.  Probably more, but those are the ones I can remember.

Tree Kangaroo

Overall, it was a fun outing and we made it home in time for dinner.  Vaguely remember that being Chinese food.

Monday

Being out in the heat and walking all day left me barely functional on this day.  The long covid was strong with me this day.  My son was supposed to get his braces, but that got changed around.  So, we did a Princess Peach Lego set and played ‘Arceus’ in the afternoon.  Really my son played while I laid down and gave advice.  It was a necessary low key day.

Tuesday

I felt better and thought it would be a good idea to go for a walk in a nearby preserve.  This place used to be a big landfill, but it was turned into a reserve years ago.  Not a ton of shade and it’s mostly uphill walking.  They have a herd of goats that keep things neat too, which we met up with.  My son reunited with this one goat that tried to eat his hair about 9 years ago.  Saw some lizards and various birds.  The issue was that I pushed myself a bit too much and realized as we neared the second hour that I made a mistake.  We got home in time for lunch and watched the 2009 ‘Sherlock Holmes’.  Then, more ‘Arceus’ before I had to make Penne with Vodka Sauce.

Wednesday

My son had an afternoon appointment, so not much happened.  It was a minor Lego set then an early lunch.  We had to hang around the appointment area after we were done for reasons I can’t disclose.  Made it up to my son by getting Slurpees and then another afternoon of ‘Arceus’.  Our goal of the week was to catch all of the Alpha Pokemon in the unlocked area.  These are bigger, stronger, and more aggressive versions of other Pokemon.  We nearly got destroyed by one and made a panicky retreat.

Thursday

Braces!  The appointment was early afternoon, so we took it easy in the morning.  It was a lot of talking and my son finagled some ‘Arceus’ time before we had lunch.  We watched a bunch of ‘Demon Slayer’, which he’s handling very well.  Finishing that anime tonight and I’m amazed my son, who hates horror, demanded to and made it through the whole thing with only one mild issue.  He doesn’t like jump scares.  Anyway, he got his braces on and that set the stage for the rest of the week.  We got large chocolate shakes, went home for more ‘Arceus’, and brought in Ramen for dinner.  Not the store bought stuff, but restaurant Ramen.  My son had trouble chewing, but he figured it out.

Friday

With the braces on, we took it easy and he worked on another Lego set.  Eating was taking a bunch of time.  We did go out to try to find some pieces for his Halloween costume, which is looking like I’ll have to build from scratch.  People are telling me I can wait until the October, but I have to build a shark-shaped guitar, attach frilly sleeves to a suit jacket, iron on lilies to a pink pair of pants, make a cravat brooch, and connect an afro wig to a top hat that I turn into a golden crown.  Easy, right?  The afternoon was ‘Arceus’ again while I made a stencil and began cutting out cardboard layers for the guitar.

Today

My son goes to his mom’s tomorrow afternoon, so this is our last full day to hang out.  We have family coming over and then going to a friend’s for pool and BBQ. Last of our purchased Lego sets may be made and we need to get some materials for the costume.  It’s already feeling like a weird day.  He’s going to be gone for about 9 days.  Even when he gets home, I’ll have work.  We won’t get to spend real time together until two weeks from today.

Future

I’ve got school starting up on the 30th.  So, I have to get a few things ready like paperwork and getting a haircut.  Of course, I’m going to try to write as much of Darwin & the Avenging Elf as I can.  It looks like I have 12 days to go if I get 3 sections done per day, so I’m hoping to get into Chapter 13 of 16.  I have a few appointments and got invited to a party, which is why I doubt I’ll get any further than that.  Much of it will depend on the long covid and my anxiety too.  No idea what I will watch when I need a break.  I was leaning towards ‘Sandman’, but I heard it was rather violent and I don’t think I’ll be in the right mindset for that this week.

Goals of the week:

1. Get a haircut
2. Write more Darwin & the Avenging Elf
3. Rest up
4. Do some biking
5. Buy vegetables and plan out healthy lunches for work.
6. Get pizza at least one day.
7. Finish the shark guitar or at least come close.
8. Swiffer the floor.