By now I like to think of myself as being a bit like a machine that’s coming back online after malfunctioning. Sure, it’s not at maximum output yet, but the processor is humming, the fans are turning and the LEDs are starting to show signs of life. 

The side pain today is a lot more bearable, less “please don’t make me hiccup/cough/yawn/laugh”, more “ouch, that hurts, but I’m okay”. I still don’t like doing any of those activities, but it’s bearable now. I was actually hungry this morning too, so I’m definitely getting back on track. 

I think I worked out that it’s my lats I’ve pulled, which would make sense given I twisted to grab the bucket when it happened. 

Something that I forgot to mention yesterday was the addition of my new water storer in my office area — I’m actually really pleased with how my little set-up turned out! I suppose it all started a few weeks ago: I was getting really bloated and I kept getting constipated, which I put down to a lack of fibre and thusly ate more of. Well, that didn’t fix my problem, so I thought it must be an Irritable Bowel flare-up. Maybe it was something I ate? Maybe something didn’t agree with me? Was it bread? But I’ve always eaten bread!

It just didn’t make any sense.

Then we realised: besides my morning cup of tea, a few sips from a water bottle and a drink with dinner, I wasn’t drinking enough water during the day. Meanwhile, our little flat over the winter has been… rather warm. 

So I decided to add a little 5-litre water storer with a pump next to my desk, along with a shatterproof glass, so that I can make myself drink more water — five litres in five days, one for every day that I work at my desk. I actually really like it — it’s got that swanky, corporate office feel, without being a corporate office… because it’s a bedroom/office/playroom instead! 

Master Levi approved of the Queen’s Mandate too — he said it was “cheeky”, but he’s not against it. Valkyries, too, likes that it’s endorsed by “compensation” if it’s ignored. So it’s no longer optional; it’s mandatory to my care in times of need, and there will be consequences if it isn’t followed. 

“I like that you’ve printed it on thick paper” Master says. 

“So thick paper is usually called card,” I correct, “and of course, it’s an official document. Once it’s on nice paper, it’s official.”

“Is that right?” Master asks. He looks up at me while he reads, grinning. 

“Mmhmm, by order of the Queen” I reply. 

“Sure” he says. 

“That cookout is being rescheduled, by the way,” he adds, “and as ever, you are still welcome to join us.” 

In light of recent events I had almost forgotten about the cookout, and his colleague’s situation, but I’m happy that he’s reminded me. In a way — and though I hate the circumstances surrounding why the couple had to rearrange — a part of me is grateful that there will be a new date: it gives me a chance to negotiate the particulars of my attendance, rather than feeling guilted into going.

“On condition,” I say, “Uber there and back, and we can’t stay too late because of the dog.”

“You know I don’t like future friends knowing of my tendency to react to a normal car journey as though it’s a white-knuckle rollercoaster ride” I add.

Amaxophobia — the bane of my existence. Will not fare well with getting into the car of someone I’ve only just met.    

“So you’ll consider it?” Master asks. 

“Apparently,” I smile.

“Cool!” he says, “I know you weren’t looking forward to meeting Riley.”

“I’m still not, but I’ll be nice, I promise” I reply, “you know, I can be civil?”

“At least say hi to her” he says, “you never know, you might like her!”

“I really don’t think that’s likely” I reply. Master laughs. 

I did have another mishap with Huxley this morning: I let him out of his crate and, in the two seconds between me taking my eyes off him and grabbing a jumper (off of the sofa right next to him!), he squatted and peed on the living room floor. 

So despite waking up feeling very driven and like today is going to be productive and hugely beneficial for getting myself back on track, today may just turn out to be another one of those days, after all. 

A few things before I crack on: this morning Valkyries talked more about the Obedience app, for which I will be bringing my first monthly check-in on Ten Shades & Me on Saturday. I’m really excited about it: my affiliate link has seen a dozen clicks already this month, but no purchases so far. I think, once readers can see the app actually being used in a real (mine) dynamic, that may change. We may see some sign-ups to the annual plan with the huge savings for users, which will of course mean commission for me! 

Sir also pointed out that I can be in credit with one partner, and in debt with another, which would put me in an interesting quandary. Maybe that’s something that needs explaining, and I will make sure to explain that in my check-ins (thank you, Sir, for helping me see what needs clarifying): rewards and punishments don’t have to be gaining or losing points — that’s a preset. A Dominant (or submissive) can add their own rewards/punishments ideas, and each habit can be custom set to earn its own reward if completed, or punishment if not. For example, a submissive could earn a small bar of chocolate (rather than points) for eating five portions of fruit or vegetables in a day, or ten strokes of a hairbrush to their bottom if they fail. You can absolutely set up the system with whatever rewards and punishments you both like. 

Sir also wondered if you can combine points from both dynamics if you had “two Masters” (that did not bypass me, Sir), which unfortunately you can’t do. It is possible for a Dominant to manually toggle points up or down, so it is possible for two Masters to agree a sort of points transfer between themselves (with one increasing, and one decreasing points) if they chose to. Besides that though, the system treats them as two separate relationships entirely.

Valkyries also mentioned my pegging post that was backdated for last week, that was completed yesterday. This morning my dear sweet Admiral asked me when I was going to write a post on penis sizes, which confused me thoroughly. 

On penis sizes? Why would I write about that? Is that something he really thinks would be beneficial to my work? 

Sir suggested it because it’s the other most popular thing that comes up on the Lovehoney Forum, along with pegging, and after I’d said in my post that the forum had been my inspiration for writing it. 

I told him — very clearly — to “bite me”, but absolutely no tasting 😉