wip: domino socks, and oh, cubital tunnel syndrome!

So I’ve been bad. Remember that nagging wrist/elbow pain I’ve been complaining about lately? Turns out it’s Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. My ulnar (read:funny bone) nerve has been compressed for so long that it’s inflamed. I often can’t feel my pinky and ring finger anymore, and sometimes it’s meant dropping mugs full of tea from the numbness. GAH.

I can owe this to my fulltime jobs–my day job of digital painting, exacerbated by my 8+ hours a day spent knitting for the shop.

Ok, here’s how I’ve been bad. I’ve been sneaking a few rows in anyway. I know I shouldn’t, but I guess the painkillers have made me a little bit brave(You warned me, Michelle, but it’s so tempting!). And thanks to that, (my elbow is cursing me) this little sock has grown, just a little bit more. It really can’t be that bad anyway, right? Given the right posture, less pressure on my inner elbows and a looser grip it’s can’t be as bad as it was before. I’m going from 8+ hours to 30 minutes max(punctuated by breaks), that’s got to count for something.

On the other hand, I’ve also been pretty good! Besides following through shop and concept design commitments (with my good friends Ibuprofen and frequent breaks), I’ve had to practice filling my day with things other than my businesses.

Part 1 of my July reading list, Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go, was finally finished. I’m not gonna lie, that book fucked me up. Even from the get-go, when I realized I was going to care about Kath, Tommy and Ruth, I knew I was in for it. If you’re down for being devastated, this is definitely the book for you.

What I’m getting through now is Wilkie Collins’ The Moonstone. What is known so far is that there are some very complete and relatable female characters(at least for their time) to look forward to, as well as a juicy mystery plot. Beyond that I have no idea what I’m in for, which is exciting.

And tv shows! Hannibal S2 is compelling but often hard to watch, and Stargate SG-1 is UGGGH FANTASTIC. Some more marathons of friend-recommended shows are on the horizon as well. I just have to lock up my WIPs so I’m not tempted to ‘make use of my hands’ while watching.

Overall, I’m trying to feel pretty optimistic about this RSI. It definitely dispelled my dejection to have learned what I’ve got before it was any worse. Nerves take annoyingly long to heal, but I’m grateful to know that a behavioral recovery is within my currently weak, numb-pinkied grasp.

Linking up with Ginny’s Yarn-Along.