1998tales

[1998tales]

It's my 4 year anniversary on Tumblr 🥳

#4 year tumblrversary #tumblr milestone

[1998tales]

8 OCTOBER 2023

SUNDAY 8:39AM

I don't have much to say. I keep forgetting that this tumblr exists. I just wanted to make a note that I'm still around, just not on here that often. I do want to come back and write regularly again.

I've been making a lot of friendship bracelets for the Eras concert movie next Friday. I have around 60. I hope I can manage to snag a poster and trade bracelets with others.

I'm really going to finish NaNoWriMo this year. I keep a notebook in my pocket to write down ideas. It's always the same novel that I need to write. It's of course a self-insert character, but she isn't perfect. She has plenty of faults, just like me, but it's more a what-if take on my high school and college years. What if I had faced reality that my one "best" friend didn't think much of me. I haven't been able to decide about a few things in it. Of course, it will be poorly written as I'm not a writer. But I want to finish it. I want the sense of completion. I've dreamed about writing for years, but haven't completed anything.

#nanowrimo #writing #the eras tour #taylor swift #eras tour movie

[1998tales]

1 JANUARY 2023

SUNDAY

1:00AM

I'm watching "Bridget Jones's Diary", a movie that's inspired me for twenty years. I remember first watching it in high school and I was thrilled to see how pale Bridget was. Tanning was very popular in the 90s/early 2000s, so it was nice to see someone who wasn't modifying her skin into cheeto tint. It was also the film that started my crush on Colin Firth. Above all, it was a film that showed me how you could be happy in your 30s, there was still hope. Maybe I knew at a young age that I would be single for most of my life. Now, at 38, I'm finally accepting that I'm likely to remain single the rest of my life. There will always be the glimmer of hope though that refuses to die that someone would say to me "I like you just the way you are." Everybody's dream, right?

Anyway, I've been writing up a list of New Year's resolutions. The usual to do with weight and saving money. I want to read more, clean and organize more, and be kinder to people.

Since it's Sunday, I hope that I make it to mass today and make a good confession. I haven't been to church regularly these past two months. I've missed 5-6 times. I haven't had confession in two months as well. This sin list is getting pretty long. Should be very embarrassing this round, but I need to clean the slate.

Will write more later.

First song of the year: New Year's Day - Taylor Swift

4:12PM

I've just been informed by the person who I go to mass with and drives me, that they are sick. So, I won't be able to go today.

Aside from that, I've done a lot of cleaning and laundry. I've started Fr. Mike Schmitz's "Catechism in a Year" podcast.

#happy new year #2023 #happy new year 2023 #taylor swift #Spotify #bridget jones's diary #catholic #catechsim #father mike schmitz

[1998tales]

Just wanted to say

I didn't get Taylor Swift Eras tickets... I wasn't going to be able to go due to cost and travel anyway. It's such a disappointment as a fan to really miss out on this. I really have to pay in life for how anxiety has crippled me.

#taylor swift eras #taylor swift

[1998tales]

20 OCTOBER 2022

THURSDAY

7:18PM

Wow. I can't believe it's only less than 4 hours until I get to hear Taylor Swift's new album. I'm so excited. I regret how I haven't written more on tumblr, but just wanted to make a note about this.

#midnights #taylor swift #music #2022

[1998tales]

29 September 2022

9:09PM

I was lucky enough to be paying attention to my twitter alerts to see that a Capital One bundle was being offered. Box, t-shirt, and CD for $13 + tax and free shipping. Overall, it cost me a little over $14.

~

Overall, I've been feeling down lately about how I haven't been able to save money. And then of course, there are these purchases which makes it look bad, lol. To be honest though, my expenses have gone up so much that these few purchases I make don't make a difference. I just don't make enough money. Hopefully, I can't get my head above water this month and fix it around November. I think it's doable. I have to get myself out of this rut somehow. I'm well past the age when I should be able to manage these things.

I've been reading a bit lately. Every day I read a little of Lucy Worsley's new Agatha Christie biography. It's really good so far. I started reading Agatha Christie in high school when I was assigned her as a topic for a research paper. I had no idea who she was. I had to search her on the school internet and figure out who she even was. The first book I read was "The Body in the Library" probably because it was the shortest. From then on, I've been hooked.

PS: I ended up cancelling the last order because Taylor's team tricked us into thinking these would be limited edition when they weren't.

#taylor swift #capital one #agatha christie

[1998tales]

1 September 2022

12:13AM

Well, I decided that maybe I should write again. I don't have much to say other than Taylor has a new album. Of course, I bought all the variants because I didn't want to miss out. This is the only artist I would ever do this for, lol. I regret not having all the folklore ones and I refuse to pay for the resellers' prices, though I wish them well.

#taylor swift #midnights #music

[1998tales]

Writing Tips

Punctuating Dialogue

✧

➸ “This is a sentence.”

➸ “This is a sentence with a dialogue tag at the end,” she said.

➸ “This,” he said, “is a sentence split by a dialogue tag.”

➸ “This is a sentence,” she said. “This is a new sentence. New sentences are capitalized.”

➸ “This is a sentence followed by an action.” He stood. “They are separate sentences because he did not speak by standing.”

➸ She said, “Use a comma to introduce dialogue. The quote is capitalized when the dialogue tag is at the beginning.”

➸ “Use a comma when a dialogue tag follows a quote,” he said.

“Unless there is a question mark?” she asked.

“Or an exclamation point!” he answered. “The dialogue tag still remains uncapitalized because it’s not truly the end of the sentence.”

➸ “Periods and commas should be inside closing quotations.”

➸ “Hey!” she shouted, “Sometimes exclamation points are inside quotations.”

However, if it’s not dialogue exclamation points can also be “outside”!

➸ “Does this apply to question marks too?” he asked.

If it’s not dialogue, can question marks be “outside”? (Yes, they can.)

➸ “This applies to dashes too. Inside quotations dashes typically express—“

“Interruption” — but there are situations dashes may be outside.

➸ “You’ll notice that exclamation marks, question marks, and dashes do not have a comma after them. Ellipses don’t have a comma after them either…” she said.

➸ “My teacher said, ‘Use single quotation marks when quoting within dialogue.’”

➸ “Use paragraph breaks to indicate a new speaker,” he said.

“The readers will know it’s someone else speaking.”

➸ “If it’s the same speaker but different paragraph, keep the closing quotation off.

“This shows it’s the same character continuing to speak.”

[1998tales]

2 JULY 2022

7:55AM

I decided that it seemed silly how I abandoned this tumblr. I did make another one: http://imvintagenow.tumblr.com. I won't be writing on that one either. I didn't write much on it anyway. Maybe I left his one behind because I didn't want to be reminded of my failures.

Either way, I continue to fail, so why not keep this one updated?

I weighed this morning and I'm 233.6. On January 1st this year, I weighed 243. Ten pounds in seven months. Terrible. Obviously, I haven't been trying to lose weight though I should have.

With the inflation going and other bills I've had to pay, I haven't been able to save anything. I'm stuck in a never ending cycle with finances. Now, this isn't to say that I haven't been personally irresponsible at times though. I should have said no to plenty of things. I don't have full control over my finances unfortunately.

I felt sad the other day at work because a co-worker revealed how she's already been chosen to replace our supervisor one day. Now, I had no hopes of ever becoming supervisor, but just hearing how it's closed and how I'll never have a livable salary was depressing. The supervisors make 2x what we do. There's no upward mobility where I work, so these stops rarely open up.

#fat #loser

[1998tales]

30 DECEMBER 2021

4:49PM

Well, I've decided to close this blog.

I do plan on giving an update at the end of next year though.

I've written down my login information because I know I'll forget it by then.

Anyway, to the few people who found me and may have read my perpetual cycle of failure, that was really cool that you read something of mine. To anybody who finds this one day in the future, consider this a cautionary tale. My life shows you that if you want to change, you have to do the work. You will stay the same, or even get worse, if you don't actually try.

I weigh more, and have less money than I did last year.

This month I've paid all of my bills and only have a few hundred dollars left to last me until the end of next month when I'm paid again. So, I'm going to overspend again and continue that cycle.

I've put myself in this position by being irresponsible. I'm much too old for this behavior.

I wish I had help, but I'm not sure what anybody could really do for me at this point.

Sayonara 2021

#goodbye2021 #sad

[1998tales]

23 DECEMBER 2021

4:12PM

Well, this year has been a bust. But what's new? I failed at everything I planned to succeed at.

I really don't want to do this again next year though.

~

I've been trying to decide if I should continue this tumblr, or move on to another website. Maybe go to blogspot? I used to have a couple over 12 years ago. I can't remember the name on one of them, nor any of the logins though.

I'm definitely keeping two new physical logs in my life: book log and movie log.

~

I want to lose 5 lbs per month.

I want to save money every month.

I want to start learning Spanish.

I want to read 2 books per week.

I want to get rid of excess material items.

I want to get my drivers license and confront my driving anxiety.

[1998tales]

11 NOVEMBER 2021

1:37PM

Tumblr,

I must confess that I am currently listening to the Red - Taylor's Version leak. I know, I'm a bad fan, but it's amazing. I don't see why Reddit's r/popheads are giving it such mixed reviews. I don't feel guilty because I've bought 4! copies of this album: CD, vinyl, and 2 signed CDs. All of them say "shipping label created" in the tracking information, but they haven't moved yet. Also, for this album, I bought a t-shirt and a necklace.

#taylor swift #taylor swift red taylor's version #red #album art #taylor swift red

[1998tales]

21 OCTOBER 2021

8:42PM

How is October and I've forgotten about this tumblr for so long?

This is insane.

~

I don't even know what to write right now, but I will update soon.

I've been having issues sleeping at night. I will sleep for maybe 3 or 4 hours, be drowsy at work and get behind in my tasks. So, I haven't been involved in much though I've read a few books this month.

I don't really care about Halloween this year. Usually, I put on my black dress and become a witch and hand out candy, but I'm skipping that.

I'm just not interested in very much these days.

[1998tales]

Hi, i just want to write tp say that your blog is insanely inspiring and motivates me to reach my personal goals as well <3 i'm cheering you on!

Hi!

Wow, thank you so much! I'm not trying my best right now, but I'm never giving up.

[1998tales]

28 August 2021

1:45AM

Starting in September, I'm going to do a real 30 day challenge. No fast food, no snack food at work, just regular meals. No overeating. Lately, when I've taken the stairs at work, even one flight, I'm so out of breath that I feel like passing out. I got on the scale and I'm a full 14 pounds heavier than I was last year. This has to stop. I'll weigh on the 1st and 30th.

~

I found a website FutureMe and I wrote a short letter to myself. I think I should delete it and write a better letter. It's kinda sad to read the public letters. I keep wondering if these people have accomplished their goals or not.

~

I've been listening to Halsey's new album If I Can't Have Love I Want Power. I really love it. It's the right mood for me right now. Plus, in my usual self-indulgent fashion, I've bought multiple variants of it.

CDs:

1. Signed Copy

2. IMAX version

Vinyl:

1. Signed copy

2. Clear Amber Version

3. Urban Outfitters Version - US Version

4. Target Version

5. IMAX version

~

I really want the Walmart one, but it's sold out. I don't think I'll open any of them aside from the Target version. I know I'm crazy.

~

I'm probably going to watch Cruella on Disney+ soon.

~

I ordered a new corduroy bag from UrbanOutfitters since they gave me a coupon and free express shipping. I've been eyeing it for some time and it finally went back in stock.

I~

I was so disappointed that I couldn't go to Urban Outfitters last week to see about getting any of the one year anniversary of Folklore merchandise. I just wanted the free tote bag and poster to be honest. I would have purchased the hoodie to get those. It's pathetic how much I love that album. I feel bummed to have missed out.

~

This led me to think about how my driving anxiety keeps me from doing the things I want to do.

For instance:

1. Didn't get to go to Urban Outfitters to check out the Folklore merch.

2. Didn't get to go to Walmart to pick up the Halsey vinyl before it sold out.

3. Didn't get to go to the Halsey's movie for the album.

4. There's at least 3 movies that I've wanted to see this summer but haven't been able to go.

It's not always about purchasing something, but a lot of it is. Maybe it's better that I can't go on my own right now.

~

I've been feeling really ashamed about my age lately. If I were a few years younger, I wouldn't feel so bad, but I wonder how pathetic it is that a 37 year old has to find any joy in life through listening to music and watching movies. No relationships, no deep friendships, no connections.

I've been wanting to force myself to be more creative, but I'm a hack without talent. But maybe since I know I'm a hack, I can just do something anyway without the need to impress anyone? I guess that's a silver lining.

I do have a goal in life that I want to write a short story collection of 12 stories and a novella. I don't know how someone who can't write can do these, but I've been reading some really low quality writing lately on wattpad that makes me think "if they can have fun writing this garbage, why can't I?"

Since American Horror Story has premiered. I was thinking about how the new season shows people taking black pills to help them get their artistic works flourish. However, if you take it and you're a hack, you become a bald, blood sucking addict that has no humanity left in you. That's what would happen to me if I took it.

I've always had this fantasy of being really drunk or high and writing away. I would love to see what terrible sentences my drunk/drink addled mind would conjure up.

#halsey

[1998tales]

1 AUGUST 2021

10:10PM

I was surprised that I made it to mass this morning. I didn't fall asleep until 5am and I went to 8am mass.

~

For the rest of August, I'm not eating fastfood and not drinking pop.

[1998tales]

30 JULY 2021

9:15PM

I'm nothing if not inconsistent in my promises to myself to change.

~

Anyway, I just wanted to write that I hope August will be a better month for me.

If the delta variant doesn't take me out, I'll be here surviving for now.

~

For the past few days, I've been obsessed with listening to Ariana Grande's thank u, next album. I did like the singles from it, but never listened to it in full. I never had a good opinion of her since that doughnut licking incident from years back, lol, plus I don't think the singles really reflect what you find on the whole album. If you just listen to singles, they're one-dimensional songs about sex. There's enough of that in pop music and pop culture in general. I want something else.

But I've had to change that opinion upon listening to the whole album. I've probably listened all the way through at least 5 or 6 times now. I've had ghostin on repeat for a few hours.

~

Out of the Lauren Conrad lipsticks, I really only liked the Shell one. The makeup bags are cute. I gave one of those away and a lipstick away too. The eyeshadow palette is good, aside from the yellow shade. It swatches well, but on the eye it looks chalky. I wouldn't even call it a proper topper shade. There's something wrong about it. If I had paid full price, I would have been really disappointed.

#ariana grande #mac miller #thank u next #Youtube