What made me unhappy today ?

[Kiraann]

The damn baking element in my stove burnt in two !

And tomorrow is Thanksgiving!

 

[Catrin Lewis]

This news from a writers group friend made me very unhappy, but not the least bit surprised. Thieves and looters are everywhere.

If you or anyone on your publishing team uses Gmail, you need to hear this.

Yesterday, Google quietly flipped the switch on Gmail's "smart features"—automatically opting millions of users into allowing their private emails and attachments (including Word docs) to feed Gemini AI training models.

Yes, even unpublished manuscripts.

Even drafts you never sent.

This could affect you even if you don't personally use Gmail. If your agent, editor, beta readers, or anyone else on your team uses Gmail, Gemini has likely ingested your work.


I checked all nine of my gmail accounts and smart features theftware was switched on in all but one account, which I'll check again tomorrow. I turned them all off and will check the status regularly. I'll also mention this to others with whom I correspond regularly.

To get rid of it (at least for today)

Go to Settings in Gmail.

Click "see all settings."

Go to Google Workspace smart features.

Uncheck box to turn off smart features.

I heard that, too, on the Novel Marketing Podcast, but haven't had the chance to deal with my Gmail addresses yet. I try to send all my writing via an address I own, but sometimes I might slip.

 

[Catrin Lewis]

So ... I had a thing that made me unhappy (not today, but two weeks ago). I just didn't realise how unhappy it'd make me 'til now.

Two weeks ago, my GP diagnosed me with gout, a form of inflammatory arthritis that affects the joints and causes sudden, severe pain, swelling, redness, and tenderness in joints (especially the big toe).

I had these symptoms in my big toe before, but about four weeks ago they flared up agonizingly. For about 4-5 days, I couldn't walk without pain. After biting the bullet for 3 days, I finally went to my GP who sent me for tests and told me the news. Ugh.

So, I've been following the doctor's instructions for a couple of weeks now, but having gout stinks. The agony is gone - until next time, at least - but I've been feeling it as a mild pain, kind of lurking beneath the surface, and also an immense exhaustion throughout the workday. It never goes away, no matter what I do.

So, I'm feeling very depressed. (But I'm not getting you down, am I?)

Ouch. And you don't even have the pleasure of being a high-living country squire.

 

[JT Woody]

..... darn huggy preschoolers gave me a cold

 

[Louanne Learning]

My brother has had severe flare ups of gout but he’s got medicine that pretty well controls it now

 

[Hammer]

So ... I had a thing that made me unhappy (not today, but two weeks ago). I just didn't realise how unhappy it'd make me 'til now.

Two weeks ago, my GP diagnosed me with gout, a form of inflammatory arthritis that affects the joints and causes sudden, severe pain, swelling, redness, and tenderness in joints (especially the big toe).

I had these symptoms in my big toe before, but about four weeks ago they flared up agonizingly. For about 4-5 days, I couldn't walk without pain. After biting the bullet for 3 days, I finally went to my GP who sent me for tests and told me the news. Ugh.

So, I've been following the doctor's instructions for a couple of weeks now, but having gout stinks. The agony is gone - until next time, at least - but I've been feeling it as a mild pain, kind of lurking beneath the surface, and also an immense exhaustion throughout the workday. It never goes away, no matter what I do.

So, I'm feeling very depressed. (But I'm not getting you down, am I?)

I have had a bit of that - nothing for five years, but it hurts like hell! You suddenly realise how heavy air is.

Everyone thinks it's because you quaff gallons of port and eat peasants for breakfast, but it's just a form of arthritis and is largely hereditary. Have a search for the foods that are bad for it - they can be quite surprising (shellfish and offal are bad, but also spinach and beans); being careful with "bad" foods can really help to manage it

 

[Hammer]

..... darn huggy preschoolers gave me a cold

pestilential little buggers.

 

[Rath Darkblade]

I have had a bit of that - nothing for five years, but it hurts like hell! You suddenly realise how heavy air is.

Everyone thinks it's because you quaff gallons of port and eat peasants for breakfast, but it's just a form of arthritis and is largely hereditary. Have a search for the foods that are bad for it - they can be quite surprising (shellfish and offal are bad, but also spinach and beans); being careful with "bad" foods can really help to manage it

Yes, I searched for all that. The only food that seems relevant is too much beef, but I don't eat much beef (maybe once or twice a fortnight). *shrug* I also don't drink alcohol, aside from a very infrequent shot of vodka. (I just don't like the taste).

I don't eat offal, shellfish, beans or spinach. So I've no idea what could be causing it.

pestilential little buggers.

Sorry, I can't help laughing at that.

 

[Hammer]

I've no idea what could be causing it.

Genetics.

You need different ancestry (... or medication)

 

[JT Woody]

..... darn huggy preschoolers gave me a cold

Nope..... flu.
Everything is coming out of everywhere and i have the shakes

 

[Dogberry's Watch]

Insomnia. At least I managed to read a book tonight? Brings my total for the year to 63 so far. I can get a few more in, I think.

 

[Rath Darkblade]

Nope..... flu.
Everything is coming out of everywhere and i have the shakes

Please get some rest, follow medical advice, and drink lots of hot fluids. (I'd recommend simple hot water, mixed with honey to help your throat, lemon to clear your nose, and ginger to help everything).

Hope you feel better soon.

Insomnia. At least I managed to read a book tonight? Brings my total for the year to 63 so far. I can get a few more in, I think.

Please sleep if you can. Sleep is more important than reading more books. (Can't advise on insomnia, sorry, don't know anything about it).

 

[ps102]

Everything is coming out of everywhere and i have the shakes

I hate winter exactly for this reason. The illnesses are the worst part of it.

I wish you a speedy recovery!

 

[Raven]

Sorry this is a bit long-winded.

This morning I was up and about before the sun came up. I felt troubled and just couldn't sleep. I'm not sure why.

I ended up writing a short story without thinking about it too much. I just let my imagination run wild. It ended up being a silly story about someone falling in love with an angel. Pretty cliche, I know. The protagonist didn't know her name, so in his musings he just called her Angel. It was about desire, loneliness and a need for companionship. The twist was when his dreams came true and she did notice him, and she made contact with him, he slowly realises she is not an angel but something evil. The story takes a very dark turn in the end when she is revealed to be in fact a demon, and he cannot escape her/it.

Anyway, so I was doing yard work at my house in town later this morning, getting it ready for new tenants, when a woman walked up to me from the house across the street. She was dressed neatly and quite attractive, so I felt slightly flustered since I'm a bit of a hermit and don't go out much. We spoke for a while and she said she has seen me around a couple of times and thought she would introduce herself.

She even gave me her name and number, but it was one of those embarrassing moments where someone gives you their name and you immediately forget it, so I had to ask it again before she left. I'm sure my face was bright red. She smiled (and winked, good lord) and walked off, and I saved her contact. My own smile soon disappeared as I realised her name is Angel, and I remembered the story.

Coincidence or omen? It's easy to write off, but I tend to believe in a measure of magic and signs...so...yeah, a pleasant experience is pretty much ruined no matter how I try to twist it.

I'm not sure if it's a nickname or her real name, but I wish I never wrote that story.

 

[GrahamLewis]

Sorry this is a bit long-winded.

This morning I was up and about before the sun came up. I felt troubled and just couldn't sleep. I'm not sure why.

I ended up writing a short story without thinking about it too much. I just let my imagination run wild. It ended up being a silly story about someone falling in love with an angel. Pretty cliche, I know. The protagonist didn't know her name, so in his musings he just called her Angel. It was about desire, loneliness and a need for companionship. The twist was when his dreams came true and she did notice him, and she made contact with him, he slowly realises she is not an angel but something evil. The story takes a very dark turn in the end when she is revealed to be in fact a demon, and he cannot escape her/it.

Anyway, so I was doing yard work at my house in town later this morning, getting it ready for new tenants, when a woman walked up to me from the house across the street. She was dressed neatly and quite attractive, so I felt slightly flustered since I'm a bit of a hermit and don't go out much. We spoke for a while and she said she has seen me around a couple of times and thought she would introduce herself.

She even gave me her name and number, but it was one of those embarrassing moments where someone gives you their name and you immediately forget it, so I had to ask it again before she left. I'm sure my face was bright red. She smiled (and winked, good lord) and walked off, and I saved her contact. My own smile soon disappeared as I realised her name is Angel, and I remembered the story.

Coincidence or omen? It's easy to write off, but I tend to believe in a measure of magic and signs...so...yeah, a pleasant experience is pretty much ruined no matter how I try to twist it.

I'm not sure if it's a nickname or her real name, but I wish I never wrote that story.

I know the feeling, an eerie sensation of what Jung called "synchronicity" (a meaningful coincidence). The hard part is sorting out what exactly the meaning might be. Or if there is any at all. Maybe your dream did ruin what would have been a pleasant experience (which could otherwise ultimately turn into something more than that), but maybe also it could be a legitimate warning that could save you from what your subconscious has painted as a "dark turn."

Only you and time can tell. But I'd take it as a "proceed with caution" sign.

 

[Rath Darkblade]

Sorry this is a bit long-winded.

This morning I was up and about before the sun came up. I felt troubled and just couldn't sleep. I'm not sure why.

I ended up writing a short story without thinking about it too much. I just let my imagination run wild. It ended up being a silly story about someone falling in love with an angel. Pretty cliche, I know. The protagonist didn't know her name, so in his musings he just called her Angel. It was about desire, loneliness and a need for companionship. The twist was when his dreams came true and she did notice him, and she made contact with him, he slowly realises she is not an angel but something evil. The story takes a very dark turn in the end when she is revealed to be in fact a demon, and he cannot escape her/it.

Anyway, so I was doing yard work at my house in town later this morning, getting it ready for new tenants, when a woman walked up to me from the house across the street. She was dressed neatly and quite attractive, so I felt slightly flustered since I'm a bit of a hermit and don't go out much. We spoke for a while and she said she has seen me around a couple of times and thought she would introduce herself.

She even gave me her name and number, but it was one of those embarrassing moments where someone gives you their name and you immediately forget it, so I had to ask it again before she left. I'm sure my face was bright red. She smiled (and winked, good lord) and walked off, and I saved her contact. My own smile soon disappeared as I realised her name is Angel, and I remembered the story.

Coincidence or omen? It's easy to write off, but I tend to believe in a measure of magic and signs...so...yeah, a pleasant experience is pretty much ruined no matter how I try to twist it.

I'm not sure if it's a nickname or her real name, but I wish I never wrote that story.

Hmm. I've never had that kind of coincidence, so I really can't comment. *shrug* Yes, it's a strange coincidence ... but on the other hand, she seems to like you, and I doubt very much that she knows about your dream or the story you wrote. Why not give her a call? You never know how it will work out unless you try.

 

[Luxuria]

For some reason, having trouble swapping registers when singing. I guess I am out of practice.