The Latest Letters from Wonderland

14,804 Days Alive

40th Anniversary of Labyrinth Being Released in Theaters

5 Quarts of Water Had Today

2 Books Chosen for the 13 Moons Reading Challenge

So. Tomorrow after work, Rose and I will be going to see the 1986 puppet-riddled masterpiece of cinema that is Labyrinth. Fun fact: it premiered in the UK a day before I turned one year old. Still love it, though.

I did manage to pick two books from the prompt lists for the first two months of the 13 Moons Reading Challenge. You can read the intro post on that one on my post from Monday, the 6th of January, 2026. I won’t be posting a formal update until next Monday. I figure that is a good way to not have to mention it every time I think about it. Also, I get to continue the silly Moon-Day joke.

Random tangent time! Speaking of Moon-Days, did you know that humankind actually, technically, walked on the Moon the first time on a Monday? According to Wikipedia and a few other sources, Neil Armstrong took the first step at 0256 UTC on Monday, the 21st of July, 1969. So. Moon-Day isn’t entirely a misnomer! Woo hoo!

I’m hoping this weekend I can finally conquer the massive mountain of clean clothes overtaking my closet. The dresser I got as a belated Yule gift has been sitting, quite literally, in the center of my room since I built it. It has a bunch of papers on top I need to go through as well. I’m just not having a great 2026 so far. It will get better. I will make it so.

Anyway, I need to submit my week five discussion board post for class before it hits midnight. Also, take my meds, hydrate, complete my other pre-somnial rituals, and get some sleep. I have a long day tomorrow. Work, movies, more homework, to complete, and all that jazz.

14,803 Days Alive

56 Days Until I’ve Been Alive for 15,000 Days

0 Books Chosen for the 13 Moons Reading Challenge

Well, I know this is going to be late to post because I am currently hiding in a dark room with the “ice hat” on. (Edit: called it! I slept till 1030 Wednesday morning.) I also call the thing our “hawk hat”. Whatever you call it, it is helping. Between the TheraIce frozen hat thingie, my usual cocktail of migraine meds, a full-sugar Coca-Cola (for the first time I don’t even know how long), a zero-sugar Gatorade, and a bit of drive-thru food, I hope I can get over this quickly.

I had to leave work early because of my stupid, pain-riddled body. Ugh. Just the lovely, ever-continuing adventures of the malfunctioning meatbag, I guess. I’m going to try and get some rest after I drink more water.

Take your meds, folks.

I want to read a LOT more in 2026. Why? Because I do.

Look, I get my escapism from the flaming dumpster that is the current reality in a few ways. The most prominent is absolutely the consumption of media, be it the written word, music, making or enjoying art, podcasts, and visual media (aka the television). I am chronically ill. Currently, I am carefully juggling three part-time jobs, schooling full-time as well, am writing both a queer, magical realism fiction novel and a nonfiction treatise regarding homelessness. Admittedly, I have an absolutely terrible sleep schedule and often need to meditate, breathe through waves of pain, and/or read for a few minutes to an hour waiting for medication to kick in well enough for me to sleep. Also, I just genuinely enjoy reading.

So what is the 13 Moons Reading Challenge? Read on, dear friends!

• The Who of 13 Moons Reading Challenge is:
  • User Read N Buried on Tumblr. As far as I can tell, they have been spearheading the 13 Moons Reading Challenge since 2024. Lucky year number three that I’m jumping in here!
• The What and When of the 13 Moons Reading Challenge are:
  • An online reading challenge that my darling friend Chele found and shared with me. There are a total of 104 prompts divided between categories that are separated by the names of the 13 Moons of the year.
  • According to the announcement post that Read N Buried put on Tumblr, the TL:DR is that it’s a challenge running from 1st January, 2026 to 31st December 2026 for said 104 prompts with several possible levels of participation.
    • Potential Levels of Participation:
      • Penumbral Lunar Eclipse: 13 books — fulfill one prompt from each category 
      • Partial Lunar Eclipse: 26 books — fulfill at least one prompt from each category
      • Central Lunar Eclipse: 52 books — fulfill at least one prompt from each category
      • Total Lunar Eclipse: 104 books — fulfill all the prompts
• The Where of how I plant to track the 13 Moons Reading Challenge:
  • Postmark Wonderland already automatically cross-posts to Tumblr. So, between the blog here, my Tumblr account, and perhaps Instagram, I’ll be relatively regular in updated for the 13 Moons Reading Challenge. The current plan, since it is a Moon-centered challenge, is to update on Moon’s Day. No, I am NOT sorry for the terrible wordplay. Not in the slightest!

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Now onto the meat of the 13 Moons Reading Challenge: the prompt list!

Prompt lists are often a lot of fun for me. Since I read such a great variety of things from all over the library, I should have an interesting time doing it! Here is the prompt list as written by Read N Buried with the information on each moon taken from TimeAndDate.com:

• Wolf Moon, 3rd January, 2026
  • Book featuring an Asylum
  • The word ‘Vanilla’ in the title
  • Book with less than 90 pages
  • Read a book while eating a sandwich
  • Read a book in your Favorite place
  • Book by an author who is funny
  • Do Not read this book while sitting on the floor
  • Book about a Teacher 
• Snow Moon, 1st February, 2026
  • Book with a Mirror on the cover
  • Book with the word ‘Chocolate’ on the cover
  • Start this book in Winter
  • Book with a Playlist
  • Book with 3 Ss in the title
  • Read a book while sitting next to someone
  • Read a book while eating a treat
  • Read a book when you have Nothing else to read 
• Worm Moon, 3rd March, 2026 (Total lunar eclipse!)
  • Book about a Mental Disorder
  • Book with the word ‘Strawberry’ in the title
  • Book about Cheese
  • Book which has a Movie adaptation
  • Book featuring Snakes
  • Read a book on a blanket
  • Start a book after 5:00 PM or 17:00
  • Snail on the cover 
• Pink Moon, 1 April, 2026
  • Book about Mental Health
  • Book with the word ‘Mango’ in the title
  • A Friend recommendation 
  •  Choose a book Blindfolded
  • Book title is the same as a name of a Song
  • Book with a Whale on the cover
  • Book that you think will make you blush
  • Book about Breast Cancer
• Flower Moon, 1st May, 2026
  • Book featuring a Castle
  • Book with the word ‘Cookies’ in the title
  • Mask on the cover
  • Book featuring your favorite Flower
  • Book with more than 5 colors on the cover
  • Book featuring the Northern Lights
  • Book set in the South
  •  Book with the number 6 in the title 
  • Blue Moon, 31 May, 2026
  • Book with a Knife on the cover 
  • Book with the word ‘Raspberry’ in the title
  • Book in your Reading Challenge TBR
  • Book featuring Inheritance
  • Book set in a School of any kind
  • Book with a Carousel on the cover
  • Book you think will surprise you
  • Book with a subject New to you
• Strawberry Moon, 29 June, 2026 (Micro full moon, one day after my birthday!)
  • Book has a Gothic setting
  • Book with the word ‘Cheesecake’ in the title
  • Book which has a Series adaptation
  • Book with Eyebrows on the cover
  • Book with the word ‘Ember’ in the title
  • Read this book on a Desk
  • Book featuring Sushi
  • Polka Dots on the cover 
• Buck Moon, 29th July, 2026
  • Book with a Ghost character
  • Book with the word ‘Caramel’ in the title
  • A Book Club read
  • Read this book using your phone’s Flashlight
  • Start a book right after eating Lunch
  • Book featuring a Blue Collar job
  • Book you wish turned into a Movie
  • Book about Self Defense
• Sturgeon Moon, 27th August, 2026 (Partial lunar eclipse!)
  • Book in which a character Dies
  • Book with the word ‘Butter’ in the title
  • Read a book from somebody’s Anti-TBR
  • Book featuring Royalty
  • Book with Fangs on the cover
  • An AI recommendation
  • Book set in one of the countries of the United Kingdom
  • Read a Fable
• Harvest (or Full Corn) Moon, 26th September, 2026
  • A Horror book
  • Book with the word ‘Rainbow’ in the title 
  • Book with a Framed Painting on the cover
  • Book with only 7 Chapters
  • Book about a Fandom
  • Roll a Dice and read a book corresponding to the number
  • Read the First book you see on the Shelf
  • Book with a character with Tattoos 
• Hunter’s Moon, 25th October, 2026
  • Start a book after Midnight
  • Book with the word ‘Road’ in the title
  • Glitter on the cover
  • Book about a Band which is no longer active
  • Listen to a Free Audiobook
  • Book with Different Endings
  • Book written by an Indie Author and then taken by Publishers
  • Star Crossed Lovers trope
• Beaver Moon, 24th November, 2026
  • Book set in the Victorian Era
  • Book with the word ‘Cake’ in the title
  • Book featuring a Circus
  • Book Similar to your favorite book
  • Book with British and American characters
  • Book about Ancient Technology
  • Book with a Rocking Chair on the cover
  • Religious symbol on the cover
• Cold Moon, 23rd December, 2026 (A super full moon!)
  • Read a Psychological Thriller
  • Book with the word ‘Marshmallow’ in the title
  • Book featuring a Game
  • Book with a Ferris Wheel on the cover 
  • Book with a Fantasy creature
  • Book featuring an Egg
  • Book with an Empty chapter
  • Book with Milkshake on the cover

Since everyone is in one of thirty-seven possible time zones, you will notice that I have not put any times. With the time differences, the International Date Line, and my own human fallibility, all information presented here is as accurate as I am currently able to offer it.

I will be updating by, at the latest, next Monday with the information for both the Wolf Moon and the Snow Moon.

Happy readings, my friends! And take your meds, folks!

What are your biggest challenges?

Sadly, most of my challenges are either financial or mental health related.

14,800 Days Alive

2,236 Days Straight on Duolingo

It’s a super moon today, the first full moon of 2026. There is also some kind of meteor shower thing that I haven’t bothered to go outside and look at. I’m so, so tired of being in discomfort, and pain, and unable to focus. I am doing my best to keep going. I’m doing yoga as often as I am physically capable of doing so. Sleep is elusive due to pain and discomfort; I fell asleep after 4 AM this morning and I assume that Sunday will be more of the same.

Take your meds, folks

14,799 Days Alive

I have not had the best start to the new year. We aren’t even three days into 2026 and I’m already feeling emotionally concussed, mentally exhausted, and physically over-wrung. The haircut I tried to get it was completely unsatisfactory. The drive home even worse. It’ll get better, right?

Take your meds, folks.

What relationships have a positive impact on you?

The people that have had the most positive impact on my life have been my chosen family members. That also occasionally does include genetically related individuals that have not fallen far off the family tree. But mostly it is a chosen family village across the continental US and across a couple country borders.

I am absolutely a pumpkin right now. I am going to sleep for at least five hours hopefully with no nightmares. Happy new year and sleep well.

Take your meds, folks

How are you creative?

I used to call myself a “self expressionist“. I’m pretty sure the only mediums I haven’t tried yet are just the ones that have been cost prohibitive. I write. I draw and paint and crochet and decorate and bake and cook. Tell really bad jokes. I am creative in every way that I can be.

How have your political views changed over time?

I have always been against capitalism. I have always been an outspoken advocate for those who are transient or homeless.

I have only gotten louder, gayer, and fiercer in my belief that the world is not meant to be run by old white men alone. I mean, if you pick up any history book ever, that is why.

14,794 Days Alive

2,230 Days Straight on Duolingo

5 Shelves on the Bookshelf I Built This Evening

3 Ibuprofen Taken

Welp, I had a full on panic attack today. Pretty much disassembled my room onto my bed trying to find the old smart watch that DW gave me back in 2020.

Like, it was a several hours long ordeal for me. I tried sour skittles, I tried deep breathing, I tried my anti-anxiety meds, I tried drinking some calming tea, and cleaning. The stress cleaning is finally what chilled me out but again it’s difficult to deal with. I was just in an awful mood for the rest of today. I was supposed to make French onion soup tonight and I swear I did not want to be around knives I was so upset.

It’s not a big deal. It’s just a watch. It’s a watch that I haven’t been able to wear for about a year and a half because it seemed to upset my former partner. Jealousy issues abounded with them.

In any case, the bookshelf eventually got built today. And I dusted my bookshelves, all of them. I put heavy books, specifically coloring books, and the pencils that I use specifically for coloring books, on the bottom shelf. More heavy books and straight up notebooks after that. Is just fiction paperbacks. I ended up shuffling things around on the little shelves against the wall. It’s not perfect, but it’s a whole lot better than it was.

I ended up even calling DW because I was so upset about the watch. And I acknowledge that it was likely misplaced anxiety or, quite possibly, just my body being a hormonal asshole. PMS sucks. Especially since I stopped bleeding for all of three days and then started bleeding again because my uterus hates me.

My hips, unfortunately, are absolutely screaming. The bursitis in the left hip kicks up pretty much daily. But the right hip just doesn’t like me today. If I didn’t absolutely loath the smell of that Icy Hot goo, I would absolutely use some. Regrettably, some asshole in my past made the menthol/Icy Hot smell a horrific trigger for me. And it is a scent that I can pick up from quite a distance. That might’ve been part of why I was so anxious today? Because Brian put a large quantity of Icy Hot on Lucian early in the afternoon. And even though both of the guys were in their shared bedroom, it is a smell that permeates the air. I didn’t even consider that that might’ve been a trigger for my anxiety, honestly. Aren’t I a paragon of brilliance?

I think I’m gonna end up being up until two or three in the morning, trying to set my room to rights. My bed is covered with all of the things that were on my desk. It is an absolute mess. I am accidentally stressing out Mr. Spock by just having stuff everywhere. That is a definite downside to not having sufficient storage.

I did, however, get a dresser for the winter holidays. So tackling the mountain clean clothes is on the list today/this week. I work from home on Monday, I think I’m off Wednesday and Thursday? But I’ll have to double check.

Anyway, I need to get back to un-fucking the mess that is my space.

Take your meds, folks.

14,793 Days Alive

3 Packs of Coca Cola Purchased for the House

3 Pound Bag of Yellow Onions Bought for $1.89

1 Trip to Goodwill with Lucian This Afternoon

Well, I found one more book for my bookshelf when Lucian and I went to Goodwill this afternoon.

It was a Neil Gaiman book, Stardust specifically. In the wake of everything that happened with him and his poor life choices and abuse of several people, I refuse to purchase a book of his that will provide him profit. So it’s only secondhand from thrift stores or garage sales now.

We also went to Half Price Books. While we were there, between the post-holiday sale of 20% off everything, the clearance section, and just some really good deals, I got a total of six books for less than $17!!! It was amazing! Speaking of books, Poppy sent me the amazing special edition hardcover version of Assistant to the Villain. And bonus awesomeness: she got for less than four bucks.

My next goals for book procurement are the rest of the Mercedes Lackey The Five Hundred Kingdom books, a new Nora Roberts trilogy, and Shakespeare’s sonnets and plays.

I am really hoping that I get the bookshelf built this weekend. Basically, I want to get all of the random stuff that I have in front of my bookshelves actually put up and off the floor. I also want to rearrange the two smaller shelves against the wall. I know that the “made into a movie” needs some shuffling about. I am still not sure if the Dan Brown books would qualify as being made into a movie or just as general fiction. I also need to figure out if I’m going to arrange them aesthetically, alphabetically by author surname, or reading order if it is a series. I’m sure I’ll figure it out.

I may ask Lucian to come hang out with me while I build the shelf just so I have company. Putting the books away, I can totally manage by myself. But the building of a fiddly bookshelf? Nah. An audience is actually helpful for that if only so, someone else can curse at the anatomy and object with me.

I am going to head to bed. I hope everyone has a lovely, restful Sunday.

Take your meds, folks.

Who are the biggest influences in your life?

Bea Arthur for her moxie, intelligence, Marine Corps Women’s Reserve service, and just general amazing heart.

Robin Williams for all that he did for his family fellow man while battling his own demons.

Lucille Ball for her being clever, kind, hilarious, and more than just a little bit weird.

Leonard Nimoy, for being an amazing artist, actor, and poet. Also, to be the second guy that I ever thought looked good in blue eyeshadow.

I’m sure there are more, especially if you count fictional people.