A Mini Irritant

I had a slight ache start in my head today after the first session of conference mostly because a) I was hungry and I b) I was getting annoyed by my roomies talking and dithering right next to me as they muddled their way into deciding what they were going to do for the next couple of hours and what they should eat and such and....it got rather....aggravating. As I don't mind it when they are searching to make a decision, but when they keep coming up with other options and dithering after I thought we'd already decided on a plan of action...that's when it gets...irritating. 
*exhales*
Thankfully some food, Excedrin and a jaunt down to the park and back helped to get rid of that headache so it didn't linger for long.

A Good Deal

It didn't help that I knew she was purposely misunderstanding me. I knew it because she was repeating the same phrasing over and over again, despite my attempts to switch up my phrasing to get her to understand. Understand that yes, as a wholesale buyer she WAS getting the better deal than those customers who were just buying individual pieces. 
But I could tell. She wasn't having it.
That she was thinking I was trying to scam her out of more money, to give my little store more prophets.
I wasn't.
I was just trying to handle her and twelve other customers at once.
She was getting a good deal. Why couldn't she leave it at that? It would make this crazy rush I was in the middle of all the more easier to deal with. 

-Inspiration from a conversation overheard a the gem faire

Me: Alright, so we're going to work on this story idea today after work!
Review: Hey! I liked this old story you wrote, can't wait for you to return to this fandom. 
Me: *completely sidetracked* I NEED TO WRITE MORE OF THAT FANDOM INSTEAD!!
Stories: But.....
Me: OFF TO WRITE! 

All the Things

It got worse today. *exhales* 

I woke up today with that familiar ache behind my eye.

The right eye specifically. 

I was hoping sleep would get rid of it.

But it didn't.

I tried Advil. 

Didn't work. 

Work itself didn't help much either. Sometimes the act of cleaning and taking care of the animals helps to work out my tense muscles so that I get rid of the headache. 

It didn't work.

A heat pack over the eyes while I rested during breaks. Some Coke (because Dr. Pepper wasn't helping) as a caffeine kick...helped a little.

The headache didn't disappear.

But the breaks helped to make it tolerable for the rest of work. 

I tried buying a bigger meal with some more protein after work. You know...eating more food, get more nutrients. 

Semi helped. 

But I came home, as my mind was tired. Eyes were aching...so I took a nap.

And the headache got like a hundred times worse. 

>.< Uuugggghhhhhhhhhh

UGGGGGHHHH

So more heat packs.

Some Excedrin this time.

More Real Food.

And finally.

FINALLY

It seems like the headache has been vanquished.

Hopefully it stays that way.

Gone for a while longer.

And won't return tomorrow like it's done the past three days. 

*fingers crossed* 

After Work

Ended up with a slight headache after work today.
Not quite sure why.
Guessing it may be halfway induced by not sleeping as well the past couple of nights.
Which is partly from dealing with headaches the past two days as well, as well as story ideas and such.
But possibly need to eat more and rest more and hopefully this headache will fade away.

A Continuation

The headache I had last night had mostly faded by the time I had to get up for work this morning.
But it was still faintly present as a semi-annoyance throughout the work shift today.
Thankfully it wasn't crazy busy so I was able to conserve energy and not antagonize or stress myself out. So yay for that.
It also seems like some Excedrin and heat and sleep once I got home from work managed to make it go away... >.> We'll see if it stays gone or not...but for now I think the headache is no more....

Too Much Hunting

Currently suffering from a nuclear headache.

Possibly really mostly self caused.

It was halfway triggered this morning though...I think from a roommate complaining she had a headache. And maybe the energy coming off of her caused me to get a sympathy ache. 
That and possibly focusing on writing a bit during church also antagonized it.

But like I got home, took meds, and ate a little food....
And then proceeded to go out with the roomies and go Pokémon hunting during that event thingy they held today for three hours straight.
Which is a) stress b) some heat cus it was hot c) more stress d)lack of a substantial meal e) staring intently at a tiny screen, and f) more stress.

So my head was pounding quite hard by the time we got back home.
I tried a shower, heatpacks, more meds, and naps and of course eating more substantial food and drinking more water. 

But right now...
Nothing is helping.
The headache fades but is always present. Do anything and it comes back stronger. 
*exhales* 
I'm hoping at this point that sleep will make it go away.
But I honestly won't be surprised if this keeps me up all night....

You Do It

"You can super glue it on." I told her, as I struggled to maneuver the case onto a cart, careful to not let the door that refused to stay shut, hit me. 
"Why can't you do that though?" She demanded, hands on her hips. "You guys broke it! You should fix it!" 
I worked to keep a frown from forming, as I finally got the case in place. "We don't carry super glue here, or any glue." I told her as patiently as I could. "Which is why you got the discount."
"But it's broken! You should fix it!"
I inhaled deeply through my nose. Why was the woman not understanding. "If I had glue we would have fixed it, but we don't have glue, hence why we gave you the discount so you can use that money to fix it yourself." 

-Inspiration from a customer at work

Woke Up Aching

I don't like waking up to headaches. 
I really don't.
Because who wants to start their day out in pain?
Certainly not me. 
*exhales* 
But that's how today started out.
Waking up with a strong ache behind my right eye once more and a shoulder that was tense enough to match it.

Which the headache was probably caused by maybe not drinking enough liquids yesterday and probably staying up later than usual, and you know...maybe just sleeping tense or something.

Thankfully it seems like some Excedrin and some heat on my eye and shoulder have made it  go away.
Though I won't be surprised if it comes back since I plan to spend the day writing and that's always an exercise in concentration. 

Onset

Ended up with a slight headache this morning.
It might be leftover from yesterday's night sudden onset. 

Just an ache behind the right eye, with my right shoulder being tense.

But it seems like a bit of Excedrin and working out my tense muscles via cleaning cages and other opening tasks...has helped it to go away. 
Hopefully it doesn't return tonight. 

Vented

I ended up with a slight headache this evening.
Probably from a lack of sleep and freaking out over inconsequential things. 
But then also allowing a friend to vent for a bit ended up worming into my defenses and just left me a little tense. Sooo hopefully a hot shower and some rest will help it to go away quickly so I can focus on tomorrow. ^^;;

In the House

I ended up with a headache today.
Which I'm pretty sure was because one of my roommate's was super stressing over a date with a guy she was going on later tonight.
And was like...just going over worst case scenarios with another roommate who I could also sense was beginning to stress over the whole situation. 

So like the energy in the whole house has been...tense. Like a rubberband about to snap.

And I so wasn't prepared to deal with that kind of stress. 
So it overwhelmed me. Tensed me up. Gave me a headache where it was difficult to be in the same room as the other two because AHHHH. STRESS. 

Thankfully it looks like taking some Excedrin along with a little Dr. Pepper an a heatpack along with a nice distraction of watching The Greatest Showman helped to make the tension fade and the headache go away.

So yay. ^^;; 

Notified

I had been staring at the screen far longer than I should have been. Frozen in place. Staring at the notification that had just popped up on my feed.
"Are. you. serious?" I whisper, my heart pounding in my chest as I lean forward as if getting closer to the bright screen would show the notification to be nothing more than a mirage. 
Nothing changed.
Well. Beyond me growing cross-eyed as I worked to keep the notification in focus.

No. It was true.
One of the big Blogs. One of the most popular blogs in the fandom....had followed...Me. 

-Inspiration from personal experience

A Quick Assumption

At first glance she appeared to be young, fresh out of High School, too young to be among us who had already graduated from College and begun our careers. Her eyes were as bright as her smile, but I couldn't help and think that she wouldn't last. How could this young thing hope to compete and be considered our equals? 
And then I spoke to her. Met those eyes up close and personal.
And realized that I had been too quick to judge. Her eyes were sharp, a single look at me and I felt like she'd already unlocked all my secrets, knew my strengths and my flaws, yet her smile said she didn't care. She had taken me into account and figured out how I could fit in the puzzle she was delicately balancing in her head. No, after two minutes of being in her presence and within thirty seconds of beginning our conversation I knew I'd been too quick to judge. There was wisdom to her, a feeling of age of maturity. If she was 18 then she was the most mature 18 year old I had met in recent years. But somehow, I felt she was our age. Even though she didn't look it. Maybe...maybe she wouldn't be so quick to fold around us. Perhaps she, in time, would be the one to direct us all. 

-Inspiration from a conversation 

A Minute

I tensed, my breath coming quick and shallow as the worker placed the cool slithering creature around my neck. 
Snakes. Why did it have to be a SNAKE for this challenge?!
"You got it Abby" My father whispered encouragingly. "It's just a minute. One itty bitty minute." 
I swallowed hard, hands clenching. It was going to choke me, it was going to strangle me, it was going to---
"And Time!"
I blinked, opening the eyes I hadn't realized I'd closed. 
I didn't relax until the worker pulled the creature away from me, I shivered rubbing my neck. "Great, can we get outta here now?" Before they made me do it again. 

-Inspiration from a customer interaction

A Soft Awakening

The quiet rumble of thunder drew me from my slumber. With the faint tap tap tap of rain sounding on my window, I drew my fuzzy blanket closer to me, snuggling into the warmth. It was a pleasant way to wake up, surrounded by warmth, to soft lulling sound. It couldn't get much better than this. I smile, ducking my head back under the covers. There was no need to get up right away. I could lay in bed a while longer in this warmth listening to the rain outside. This. This was contentment. This was happiness.

-Inspiration from waking up this morning

Me: I'll just finish this side project to the side project to the side project of the main project first and then I'll get to the side project I was working on before I got distracted from the main project in order to finish a different side project.

Brain: Yah!! Or we could start an even newer side project!

Me: No!

Feel the Rain

It was driving him crazy. He pushed open the window, reaching out as far he could, trying to feel the rain he knew was falling outside. He'd been listening to the thunder for ages, could smell the wetness of the earth, yet every time he stuck his hand out...it came back dry. Yet he could see the patter of droplets on the cement below him, see it dripping from the trees nearby. Why could he not feel the rain?! 

-Inspiration from an interaction with a drive-thru worker

Bright Rays

I stood, resting my head against the glass window, luxuriating in the simple pleasure of having warm sunlight resting upon my skin. I had missed this. All those hours in darkness, I hadn't quite realized how sunlight deprived I'd become. But now. Now that the sun was back, here to stay for longer periods of time, I found myself more often at the window, basking in the sun's rays. This. This was what I didn't know I had needed.

-Inspiration: Daylight Savings

Brain: *muttering in the background as I'm doing tasks* 
Me: ....what are you working on?
Brain: *holds up hand demanding silence* 
Me: Oh...kay? 
Brain: *an hour later* EUREKA!!!!! I FIGURED OUT THE MOTIVATION OF OUR CHARACTER!!
Me: *gasps* WHAT?! THAT'S AMAZING!!
Brain: ^^;; I know. 

Me: Ugh...why isn't this scene working right?
Brain: *shrugs* 
Me: >.< Gee thanks. *stands up and walks away* 
Brain: OH! Hey!! THIS IS WHY. We need to change this scene up. 
Me: O.O Oh. Okay! *sits back down and works on scene* That does work! Sweet!

Brain: We need to add to the story!!!
Me: Huh? Why?
Brain: It's not complete.
Me: It's not?
Brain: NO! WE NEED MORE!
Me: Okay....but what more should we add?
Brain: *error noises* 
Me: Come again?
Brain: *small voice* We need...more? 
Me: ....care to give me specifics on this 'more?'
Brain: *error noises* 
Me: *rolls eyes* Yes. That's soooo helpful

Writing Day

Been dealing with a small headache for most of the day today.
Not quite surprising though, because I usually end up with one when I'm super intently focused on writing all day. 
It's what happens when you're trying to move the images in your brain out onto a word document as well...words. 
*exhales* Hopefully sleep helps it goes away. *fingers crossed* 
But at least I had a productive day of writing!! :D 

Me: We could work on our Big Project once we get home.
Brain: YES
Me: Or we could finish one of these six almost finished projects....
Brain: YES
Me: Or maybe switch to a different project that also needs to be finished.
Brain: YES
Me: *gets home* Alright. So one of these proj--
Brain: How about this BRAND NEW idea?!
Me: But....
Brain: We're writing it! End of discussion.
Me: *blinks* ...okay...

Yep Again

I'm apparently back to that stage where taking a nap results in a headache. 
*exhales*
At least it was just a brief one upon waking and getting some liquids and food helped it go away quickly. 

Poof

Whelp....it's apparently setting up to be a rough week headache wise for me.
Because yep, you guessed it.
Here came another one.

This one though I think was just tension caused.
A sudden build up of stress and AHHHHH!!!!
Combined with unexpected loud sounds and frentic energy...

Just kinda pushed the headache into throbbing in my head.

Thankfully it didn't last too long. 
Managing to go away with heat, liquids, and some distractions. :) 

Barking Irritation

I'm really hoping that March isn't trying to mimic January. 
Because ending up with another headache today is totally not ideal. 
It's horrible.
Stop. 

*shakes head*

I'm guessing the major cause of this headache was stress.
Worry.
As a project I finished and expected to do well and get a lot of feedback on.....
Is giving me very little feedback.
So I'm being plagued with the usual self doubts that accompany that sort of thing. 
*exhales* 
Worry that I'm not good enough, that I'm a failure, that I did something completely wrong.....

It's kinda an overreaction really. I recognize that not everything I write will get the same amount of applause as previous works...
But it's stressing me that this one...this project that I loved working on....is apparently doing poorly. 

So that was the stressor niggling in the back of my mind today.

And due to me suffering from headaches the past two days....
It's not like my energy reserves are all that high either. 

So the tipping point to the ache behind my eyes??
A stupid dog barking at work. 

Honestly, I don't get how customers can just let their dogs bark and bark and bark and bark and bark and bark and bark and you know....just let their pet bark their heads off without making any effort to stop it.
Like do customers not realize how annoying it is?

And this dog was particularly frustrating because the barking went on for 15 minutes at least it felt like.
And the dog had such good control over it's vocal quality that it managed to echo LOUDLY through the entire store. 
So no matter where you were standing, you could hear the stupid barking as if it were right next to you.
And it was frustrating to me because like...I have a quite voice.
And that dog barked so loudly that I couldn't even hear my self speaking. 
Which when I'm trying to tell customers about their pets and things that the store can do for them and our return policy....
It's freaking difficult to do.
And only increases my stress and frustration.
So it's not surprising that I ended up with a headache just from that because a) Loud. Repetitive Noises. and b) irritation/tension building.

*shakes head*

It's still here unfortunately. 
The headache.
It went away for a little bit, but is again making it's comeback. *exhales* 

Hopefully some sleep tonight will help it vanish. Hopefully

Aftershock Sighted

Am I surprised to end up waking up with a headache this morning?
Nope. Not at all.
Considering I couldn't get to sleep last night from my mind whirling over a story idea, and being tense about needing to get to sleep so I could wake up for church....

I'm not surprise that I got an aftershock headache today.
After all yesterday's migraine had been pretty...well horrible. 

And the one today.
Stupid. Stubborn. Thing.
I took meds, I did heat packs. I tried to rest. I ate food. I drank water.

And it only finally went away when my amazing sister gave me a massage to help relax the tense muscles, a couple glasses of water, and an Excedrin. 
Ah. Sweet relief to not have that ache behind my eye anymore. Such. Sweet. Relief. 

The Trigger Point

The setup for today's mind melt probably started yesterday.
Yesterday, where I had a stressful visit to the dentist.
Yesterday, where I basically ate only bread and nuts and probably not even enough of those to satisfy the needs of my body.
Yesterday, where I went out to a social situation where, while I had fun, I also was slightly stressed out by the strangers I had to interact and be surrounded by.

But the Trigger?
Started today at work. 
The Trigger happened in the beginning of my work shift,
When the store had only be open for like an hour maybe.
And I took a phone call for a customer who got miffed at us that we still didn't have a particular fish they were looking for in stock.
A customer who was like "Why do you even say you carry this fish if you don't have it?! Take down the tag if you don't have it!" 
And then hung up before I could properly explain why the fish weren't in stock.

A) More than likely our breeders don't have any ready right now or b) the cold weather snap we've been experiencing makes shipping said fish impossible if we want them to live.

But the negativity of the phone call.
Definitely was the trigger. 
As I was actually pretty energetic and happy before that point.
But then the tension hit. 
And despite my best efforts to eat food at work and take meds and rest with my eyes closed and a heat pack on my face to relax my muscles....
The headache never fully went away.
And about 45 minutes before I was off...it spiked.
Hard.
Going nuclear
To the point where I was nearly in tears
And ah. It was so difficult to continue to help customers and not show them how much agony I was in.
Seriously I just wanted to curl up in bed and die.

Which was basically what I did when I got home.
I took more meds, took a long hot shower, ate food -which my sister amazingly made for me- had multiple heat packs all over and crashed for a good couple of hours.

And thankfully that seems to have helped.
Getting more nutrients into my body.
Getting more rest.
Relaxing.

The headache is still lingering barely the tiniest of bits there.
So hopefully I can keep it at bay and not have it come roaring back tomorrow.
*fingers crossed*

There In The Dark

"I just gotta feed the cat." I told her as I went to step into the darkened room. 
"No!!!" My sister screeched, jerking me backwards. "You can't go in there. The monsters!"
I frown to the darks pace where I can see the little white kitty hanging out near her food dish. "There's just a cat there." I shook off her hand and reached inside. "Nothing else is in there besides it." My hand fumbled for the lightswitch. I knew it was there somewhere. I turned to the wall, searching. 
"LOOK OUT!" My sister screeched just as I felt a pair of cold clammy hands grab onto the back of my neck. 

-Inspiration from a nightmarish dream I had last night

After Work

I ended up with a slight headache after work today. 
Possibly because I spent half of my shift trying to find ways to keep from being bored out of my mind. (It didn't really work.) 
And of course, I usually get really tense when my coworkers are late and all I want to do is go home and rest and *exhales* 
Yah, got a bit tense there with a slight ache behind the left eye.
Though thankfully some caffeine, food, and distractions seems to have helped it fade away quickly. :)