The journal
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Driving to work this morning, minding my own business, when something flew onto my nose. I felt it on my eyebrows and lips, started swatting and freaking the hell out, and then saw a praying mantis on my armrest. Apparently it had landed between my eyes. That’s a new one on me.
50A RV plug overheating — charging limits
Completed: I finally took the time to fix the overheating 50A RV plug issue and sort out the charging limits. Thank God. This had been hanging over me for way too long, so getting it handled feels damn good. Actual cost: $40
This latest Tesla update has made self-parking at the destination actually work most of the time on HW3. Whatever was making FSD overheat, wig out, and disengage seems significantly better too. Full Self-Driving life is pretty damn good at the moment.
$24.99?! Who the hell buys this stuff? She better enjoy the hell out of this mystery rainbow squishy bun set.
Okay, quick rundown: the dropzone sits out on a gravel road in the middle of nowhere with enormous Skydive Spaceland signs, you can’t miss it. I prepaid and splurged on the videography, and that was absolutely worth it. I was first out of the plane at 14,000 feet, which was intimidating for about three heartbeats and then pure, loud chaos. Free fall felt disorienting and the wind was a constant roar; I was watching my altimeter like a hawk until my instructor took the chute (my altimeter read differently, so that was a weird little freak-out moment). Once the canopy opened, everything went quiet and peaceful. Steering the chute and doing spins by tugging hard on one side was way more fun than I expected. We landed in a pile of small rocks, sat down on impact, and somehow it didn’t hurt at all. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
The weekend had its goofy bits too. Tesla drama sent us back to Sherman to charge, the car apparently limps on for a bit after hitting zero, which is terrifying and also a useful life lesson, and we even had to tow to the supercharger. Dinner at City Limits was a miss; I got the chicken fried steak and Lord Jesus, how does anyone screw that up. On the brighter side, Hutchins BBQ in McKinney for lunch was knockout, sliced brisket, ribs, a Texas twinkie, and free banana pudding with peach cobbler for dessert. If you find yourself in McKinney, go there and thank me later.
Upgraded the bedroom black light arsenal: four lights are now rolling on a timed switch, and I’m planning to add two more. Six total is probably excessive, which is exactly why I’m doing it. 😎
DC Comics: The Justice League
Superman is throwing down over a burning Metropolis on this 1,000-piece Thomas Kinkade Studios Justice League puzzle, and the artwork is packed with that old-school DC drama. The whole box looks like a comic-book battle turned into a painting, which makes this one seriously fun to keep in the puzzle collection.
Justice League: Showdown at Gotham Pier 1000-Piece Puzzle
This 1,000-piece Justice League puzzle turns Gotham City into absolute chaos, with Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, and The Flash taking on the villains around the burning pier. The Thomas Kinkade Studios artwork is packed with comic-book action, tiny city details, and enough stuff going on to make this one a seriously fun puzzle to keep around.
Weekend getaway: Quitman, LA → Whitewright, TX (Skydive Spaceland)
Yes please. If I wasn’t poor at the moment, I’d absolutely be buying some convenience store wall art. These two were both $29.99: one with a giant blue butterfly and metallic blue hand, and another with a Día de los Muertos-style woman posing with a skeleton in full goth jewelry mode. Honestly, questionable decor choices have never looked so tempting.
Weekend getaway: Quitman, LA → Whitewright, TX (Skydive Spaceland)
The dumbest-looking school mascot ever? Quite possibly, and I mean that with genuine affection. Meet Pyro, the PJC Dragon: a long-necked, wide-eyed, slightly bewildered metal beast standing guard outside Paris Junior College. He may be my favorite dragon ever. Looking into it afterward, I found that PJC has used the Dragons name since 1925, when the school wanted something fiercer than the local Wildcats. If I had to give him a name, it would be… Sir Derpington, Keeper of the Parking Lot.
Weekend getaway: Quitman, LA → Whitewright, TX (Skydive Spaceland)
Buc-ee’s is already getting into the Halloween spirit, and this glow-in-the-dark shirt was pretty damn cool. The front had the vampire beaver surrounded by bats, and the back said “Buc-ee’s Eternal Since 1982” with “Quick Bites, Spooky Nights.” Unfortunately, I’d already spent my budget for the day, so I had to leave it behind. 😔
Weekend getaway: Quitman, LA → Whitewright, TX (Skydive Spaceland)
I found this wonderfully dramatic Halloween picture at an antique mall in McKinney, Texas, and it was so cool I couldn’t not get it, especially with Halloween just around the corner. The ornate black-and-gold frame, the spooky witch silhouette, and the $16 price tag made it an easy yes.
Weekend getaway: Quitman, LA → Whitewright, TX (Skydive Spaceland)
I saw this antique robot during our weekend getaway and immediately had questions. It has a serving tray, a cassette deck built into its chest, a clear dome head, chunky wheels, and the general look of a tiny 1980s household employee who absolutely would not survive modern workplace expectations. The tag said $250, which was definitely more than I wanted to spend, but I can’t lie, this thing is pretty damn cool. Looking into it afterward, the strongest match is a TOMY Omnibot 2000 from the mid-1980s. It was a remote-controlled robot that could move around, carry things, play sounds, and use cassette recordings to repeat commands. The tray wasn’t just decorative, either, it was part of the whole futuristic-but-slightly-ridiculous pitch: an 80s robot butler delivering drinks and snacks. Honestly, I kind of wish I had $250 worth of bad financial judgment with me.
Seriously… wtf 😂
Fun times at the movies watching *Spider-Man: Brand New Day* in 3D.. it was awesome! Great movie, 3D glasses, and good company all around.
Check out all my new cool-ass puzzles: Marvel Spider-Man, X-Men, a waterfall-and-deer scene, and a New York City panorama that glows in the dark!! :D
My new Spider-Man cup looks awesome next to Venom.
These are quite possibly the worst chips I’ve ever tried. Who thought beer cheese burger was a good idea? I know why they’re limited edition… ack!
Starting cut.
Venom crouching statue
That giant red tongue and the white spider emblem make this Venom statue look completely feral. I may have a slight obsession with Venom, but honestly, this creepy crouching bastard fits right in.
Path to Glory Knight Statue
Created in 1985, this detailed pewter sculpture shows a medieval knight charging into a joust on horseback, complete with lance, shield, armor, and a dramatic sculpted base. Its bold movement and intricate medieval details make it a standout piece to keep in the Cool Stuff Collection.
1983 Masters of the Universe puzzle
Somebody went back and time and completed their childhood puzzle tonight.. oh nostalgia
I learned today that Garden Salsa SunChips taste like tomato and jalapeño... who would have guessed? It’s a small, oddly satisfying discovery that made me smile.
1983 Masters of the Universe puzzle
I found a vintage 1983 Masters of the Universe puzzle and couldn't resist sharing it. The artwork is too cool not to share, so I'm adding it to my Cool Stuff Collection.
I started by measuring the poster and the available wall space so I could pick an appropriately sized frame. Once I had the dimensions, I chose a frame and window material and bought a cheap frame from Walmart that still looks pretty good. Measuring first made the rest of the process straightforward and kept the frame choice from feeling like a guess.
Putting the poster into the frame was easy enough; it slid in and sat flat once I had the backing secured. For the hanging hardware I located studs with a stud finder, marked the spot, and installed a screw to carry the frame. With the screw in place the frame hung securely, and I completed a final security and maintenance check to make sure everything was steady on the wall.
Rabbids Alive and Kicking (Xbox 360)
I've added Rabbids Alive and Kicking for Xbox 360 to my collection.
I've been running on very little sleep this past week. It's been a lot of fun, but I'm oh so tired 😩. I'm glad for the good times, though I hope I can catch up on sleep soon.
Spiderman puzzle
I bought a Spiderman puzzle from Walmart and plan to complete and frame it.
I'm thinking about how real smiles are awesome.
I checked off Gondola ride to see Mount Rainier in Crystal Mountain Resort, Enumclaw / Mount Rainier area, Washington on July 10, 2026. Took a ride on the gondola at Crystal mountain and ate at the summit restaurant it was ok but the power went out while we were there stranding us for a bit but was restored pretty quickly. The views were awesome but mount Rainier was obscured by cloud cover. You could still see the snow on the top I can't imagine how beautiful it is in the winter. I say a squirrel that I thought was a chipmunk fat thing was obviously used to people. Me and ana had a good time. I wanna go snow skiing up there one day. Not that I can snow ski lol.
Several pictures from the gondola ride :) it was pretty cold up there. Very pretty though and Ride gondola at Crystal mountain to see Mount Rainier and ear at the restaurant on top.
Been there, done that
Every highlighted state holds a completed adventure, a memory, or a story worth keeping.
FastLikeTurtle
Always Forward is a public journal of doing the things worth remembering: taking the trip, building the habit, trying something new, learning the lesson, and saving enough of the story to find it again.
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