Soooo...I went to the doctor yesterday. Had to wait nearly an hour for anyone to help me, and I'm almost certain it's because I didn't have the insurance they wanted and had to affirm that yes, I was under my family insurance now; and I know they take Blue Cross. All this, just so I can get a recommendation for something I already KNOW is wrong with me. I can has Canadian or British health care system now, plz? I'd rather pay extra taxes for that then watch them go towards military spending! This whole U MUST HAVE INSURANCE AND OUR APPROVED INSURANCE OR ELSE BS is just...primeval. If the rest of the developed world can get along happy with free health care, we certainly can, too. X(
But basically...yeah, my CTS has kicked into unhealthy levels now. My doctor gave me a splint/brace that I'm supposed to keep on my right wrist for six weeks. It's designed to keep my wrist from moving and put more pressure on the forearm and fingers. But it's just....NNNNNNGH, such an annoyance! It makes typing slower and typos more frequent, and drawing/writing extremely difficult to the point of impossible! I know I'm supposed to keep it on, but I've been taking it off for periods of having to use a pencil or anything that requires coordination and pressure sensitivity, because I just have none with this thing on. And it still makes my fingers feel cold, and when it's off my hand feels funny. I don't know if that's for better or worse. -_- But I have to keep it on for six weeks and ;~~~~~;!!
I also got inflammatory medicines for if it's really hurting, and supposedly I'll be getting a call later to set up an appointment with an occupational therapist. My doctor says the splint and medicine is just for temporary healing; the real work will have to be done with the therapy and learning exercises so that I can keep my wrist healthy for the rest of my working life. ._. I've got to make sure and do it...if I couldn't use my right hand, I have no clue what I'd do. But I already seem to be doing such a crummy job of taking care of it... T_T *weeeeep*
Okay, something a little happier...I finally bought and finished Dramacon #3 yesterday! :DDD
I enjoyed this volume a ton! I felt like all of the characters had grown a lot, which is sometimes difficult to achieve within just three volumes. I think what I loved most about this book and this series is the setting and all of the little details I could spot in the backgrounds and dialogue. It felt almost exactly like being back at a con, with all my friends and the adventures had in artist's alley and the dealer's room. Just all these little quirks that show up resonate so well; it fits so perfectly with the way you experience an American anime convention, it's no wonder it appeals so well to the American manga-reading crowd! The dialogue just felt so real and human; I've found it hard to find that in manga nowadays. ♥
I also felt that Beth really stole the show in this volume: that Chrissy and Matt's relationship took a backseat to the much bigger, more pressing matter of Beth possibly getting the artist job and dealing with her mother's disapproval. The whole "drama" of Chrissy and Matt was small potatoes in comparison to the HUGE drama with Beth's mom and aunt. In fact, at times I felt like the tension between Jaz and Beth's mom was almost overdone? Maybe it's because I've never experienced any parental figures like that. :/ The car wreck certainly added to that almost melodrama, although it was very well paced, drawn and portrayed.
But yeah, in contrast, the moments of Chrissy and Matt together felt more like slow, sweet downtime, punctuated by moments of great humor. The only "drama" seems to be in the form of Matt's ex, which didn't really climax into that much. I liked the message of the end, in that it's more about the moments together than the end result of "getting together," but it did seem a little rushed and unfinished. Then again, considering the setting, I guess that was the point.
One other thing: I appreciated how they actually brought back Derek, at least to show that he's not 100% jerk and is going to try and take responsibility for his actions, as dumb as they were. Whether that works out or not, it was good to see him portrayed as human.
So, while I had my issues with it, overall it is still one of my favorite manga, with great characters and very relateable dialogue! XD So, if you have not had the fortune of reading Dramacon yet, Axel reminds you all:

(And now I just need to catch up on my other OEL...)
OMG, and I went to the Christmas party and gift exchange at the Ranch on Sunday! Had an absolutely fabulous time with all my friends! There was delicious food, and Em, Ali, Care and Beth created a pseudo-string quartet with their violin, viola, cello and piano and played Christmas songs for us! It was very pretty. ♥ We did our gift exchange, and I got a 'Bone' art book and a Fone Bone plushie from Rei! I didn't even know they made plushies of Fone Bone! XD Then we all settled around and watched the live-action Peter Pan. It was very fun and relaxing, so my friends, ILU! ♥♥
My room is clean and my action figures are back up now; makes me happy. ♥ BTW, cards should be sent out now. \o/