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I’ll quote Lisa this morning because it feels 100% correct to me:

This is the week of LOVE with V-Day tomorrow.Instead of focusing on loving someone else, let’s focus on self love, because we all know you can’t love anyone until you love yourself. #mm…

Source: Motivational Monday 2/13/17 – Rebirth of Lisa

I really feel that my outlook on life took a turn for the better once I just gave up a huge chunk of built-up cynicism and embraced the above philosophy. I truly didn’t believe anything would change, but, over time, I started to feel like the people around me probably noticed, and the feeling of actually being loved and valued increased.

I would have continued to develop into the grump and the loner I was heading down the path toward becoming. Instead, my introverted self enjoys the company of friends and am even able to keep a clear focus during these trying times.

It also feels pretty good to not feel the usual sense of dread for the coming holiday. I do appreciate the pangs it can inflict on the unwilling singles. Most days can, but I truly do believe awareness should be raised on at least one day. So, to those still struggling to keep your head up – stay strong, and really love yourself. It is an attractive way to be.

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Photo by Rohit Choudhari

My hobby is playing video and computer games. It’s not a secret. What I like about them is a bit tougher to describe, but I’ll try.

Games are usually a fun pastime, and that is what I believe their primary reason for existing is. I do play games mainly because I find them fun. That’s not the only reason, though.

I also play them to visit, if only for a short time, different worlds than the current, real one. Sometimes it’s vastly different worlds, at times, there’s only a slight difference. It’ll be a “what if this one thing happened” scenario, and what kinds of adventures would result.

Often, I do like taking on the role of a hero, saving the day. I think I enjoy that because, unlike a book, or a movie, I get to control the flow of whatever “story” unfolds. Sometimes it’s a branching story, and other times, it can be a very linear story, and the variations can have their ways of entertaining, at different times and depending on what I’m in the mood for.

Games are also a way to provide exercise for the mind, without dire consequences. Solving puzzles in virtual worlds is also fun, and those virtual achievements can be something to remember fondly if only because some seemingly impossible task was pulled off by what might have been a burst of creative thinking.

Some games hide surprises and delightful moments, and I dig those as well.

This is not an exhaustive set of reasons, but I think it’s good for now. I might expand this someday, but I’m sure I far from alone in most of these reasons.

 

Prompt found (#56) at: http://www.dailyteachingtools.com/journal-writing-prompts.html

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Photo by Mark Daynes

If we were having coffee…

I’d wish our humble host a speedy recovery from the flu. I’d also share that it actually feels pretty good to catch my breath this weekend (well, Saturday, at least) and do some errands. I got a load of clothes donated to the local Goodwill, at last.

I’d also let you know that, after a brisk, frantic week of increasing productivity, my team’s backlog is nearly clear (small win!)

I got a clean bill of health at the annual adult physical (that has been overdue!) That’s a not-so-small win (lost 5 pounds so far this year-huzzah!)

My sweetheart and I also saw John Wick: Chapter 2 last night. We loved it. I feel like it’s better than the first, and I believe it’s not the last we’ll see of Mr. Wick.

I’m looking forward to a fun Sunday, most likely spent playing video games with my favorite person. Having an NES Classic will be very handy as we get a dose of the nostalgias.

Next weekend is the long-anticipated Gallifrey One Convention, so posts may be a bit scarce, but I’ll try and squeeze something in. Until next time, sip carefully!

If we were having coffee, I’d advise you to sit a little bit away so as not to catch any of my flu germs–because yes, unfortunately, the flu has finally made its way to our house. IR…

Source: #WeekendCoffeeShare: It’s Moving! – Part-Time Monster

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A telegram, lodged between the pages of the book, S.

It’s another blank page. It’s time to conquer it! Let’s go!!!

My motivation for today that is.

Anyway, I had a good long meeting with my bed last night after a very long day yesterday. It was a day that included the long-overdue adult physical checkup (I’m good, but need a bit more exercise) and the sometimes-dreaded work performance review.

On a much brighter note, I got more reading on S. done. The core story is a decently good one. So far, it’s featured a man with amnesia (that’s S. himself) and a ship crewed by whistling ghouls. Seriously, only one shipmate could sort-of-speak English. S. has endured being Shanghaied so far, and his adventure’s only just begun. To be clear, he knows his name, as do people he introduces himself to, but it’s obscured from the reader so that whenever he presents himself, it looks like this:

“What’s your name?”
“S—.”

It’s the only book I’ve ever picked up that is written this way.

At any rate, it’s getting a bit easier to keep the loose items that come tucked into the book from falling out, now that I’m a bit closer to the middle of the binding. Like a good video game, I’m looking forward to discovering their meaning on my next “play-through” of this book.

Also, my sweetheart shared this fun video, made by one of my favorite YouTube creators, Freddie Wong:

She truly knows how to get me hyped for a movie.

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Check out part one here. Even though my Facebook post didn’t quite get more than eight likes as of the creation of this file, I press on, determined to complete the answers.

Best Soundtrack

This one is super subjective, and I have many favorites. Currently, I’d say the soundtrack that I feel is the “best,” in my book, is the soundtrack to Journey: The Game, by Austin Wintory. Even though I’m not ready yet for another playthrough of the game, I will regularly start that soundtrack up. It’s very relaxing and adventurous, all at once.

Saddest Game Scene

This one I almost didn’t do because it’s going to be a spoiler, no matter which scene I choose and loses some impact once you know the outcome. So, I’ll leave it simple: the end scene from the game The Walking Dead: Episode 5: Out of Time. Play this game, feel the feels. Here’s a hug in advance.

Clementine takes aim, but at who?

Best Gameplay

To be here, the game needs to be playable without any written documentation. That’s not so hard these days, but I have a high standard here. It also should delight whenever possible. I still feel like this is held by Super Mario games, and most especially by Super Mario World.

Gaming System of Choice

For now, it’s currently… wherever the games I’m interested in are! I don’t always have the latest systems either. I have both a gaming desktop PC and laptop, a Wii, a PS3, an XBox One, a 3DS, an iPhone, and an iPad. My last choice for gaming, however, is currently Macs, but that’s purely from a performance standpoint. The hardware in use just isn’t optimal on Macs right now, and that’s sad because I get work done most easily on Macs, so I’d love to consolidate back there.

A game everyone should play

I think that everyone that has a chance to needs to play Chrono Trigger. Time travel in an RPG, with a good story, is a good combination.

A game you’ve played more than five times

That would be most of the games that I’ve liked. I’ll just choose one that has come up a few times every few years. Halo: Combat Evolved. It will be time for another legendary playthrough soon.

Current (or most recent) gaming wallpaper

Genji Shimada (Overwatch) – Full size found here: https://whvn.cc/466444

Post a screenshot of the game you’re playing right now

Screeps – screeps.com

There will be more in part 3. Stay tuned!!!

Source: 30 Videogame Answers, No Likes Part 1 | Through Wolfy’s Eyes

Featured image credit: thatgamecompany

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It begins with a step out the front door. Then, I step off the porch and walk to the rough driveway, where my noble steed (car) awaits.

I’m usually parked next to the outer edge, so that’s right next to a pretty tall hedge. This hedge, depending on the season, sometimes sheds blossoms on my car. That’s the reason I usually get this spot – my car’s not anything awesome to look at. The tiny flowers stick amazingly when wet, so that’s the only annoying part of the parking spot.

At any rate, I get the car going and back out, slowly. Extra slow because it’s super hard to see the road on the right (tall hedge.) Once I’m out, the first decision, up or down the hill?

Up (east) can be blinding in the fall and summer due to the sun, but sometimes, it’s faster since it’s usually a route with less freeway time. Morning traffic is often heavy in the local area, so a bit more street time can pay off to avoid the freeway crawl.

The route is a bit of a branching set of options until I’m nearly out of my home city and into the canyon, which narrows the trip down to 2 choices – the freeway, or the canyon road that shadows it for about a mile before veering westward. If the freeway is especially clogged, the canyon road is the only option to avoid a huge delay.

The next major street for the canyon road is the one my office’s building is on, so I turn eastward onto it and drive a few more blocks. Or, if on the freeway, it’s an exit and quick turns, right then left, onto the same street. A few blocks down and the building looms on the right. I turn in and proceed to the rear, where there’s a parking structure. Nearly every time, I park on the second floor, the top. Most of the bottom is reserved parking, and I’m not an exec. It’s cool because I need my steps.

It’s a brief walk to the building (the left of a set of almost identical structures) and an elevator ride to the proper floor. I electronically key the door nearest my wing and enter. The coolest part is that, upon getting within proximity of my station (an inside office), my computer unlocks, and its desktop is ready to go (usually – unless it had to reboot for an update.) I clock in and get to work for the day.

I often wonder if other commuters have a more enjoyable trip.

Your turn!

Describe the way you get to school or to work every day. (Source is #92 on the list, 100 Prompts For Writing About Yourself)

Featured image credit: Jannik Selz

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My current time wasting activity would have to be checking in on progress in the game Screeps. It’s something that continuously runs, like a typical MMO game, but it does sometimes need small pockets of focused concentration, to get those tiny bots (“creeps”, in game terms) back on track, should they misbehave. Sometimes, the in-game memory needs a bit of pruning to keep it running as well. I’ve recently respawned at a new location, so the rebuilding process is underway to reestablish some territory for me. I just noticed that the player who ousted me from a previous sector is just one sector away. Hopefully, they won’t look westward. I’ve got 9 days before I can expand again. That’s 9 days to get at least one base fortified enough to withstand an assault (I don’t currently have allies.)

This game works best in desktop systems and web browsers, although I can peek in on it from my phone.

I almost chose Pokemon Go, but I use that usually when I’m on my walks, so it counts as a workout (on iOS!) and not really a time-waster at that point. So, now, it’s your turn:

What is currently your favourite time waster?

Leave a comment, or post with a link back. Maybe there’s some fun stuff I might try.

Prompt source: #MicroblogMondays 128: Combinations Stirrup Queens

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I saw this posted on a blog I follow and it feels like the right time to create a listicle post, so here it goes.

Very first video game

This is getting to be very tough to recall. The reason being that I only remember my love of games starting in general in an arcade, but am fuzzy on exactly which game I played first. I’ll go with Space Invaders, as a kid, in an arcade. The location of that arcade escapes my memory, but it was somewhere in Los Angeles.

Your Favorite Character

Link. The reason is pretty basic. Link represents the actual player of the game more than some fictional character, like Mario. That first quest through The Legend of Zelda was so much fun because the person exploring the dungeons and overworld of Hyrule is you, not some plumber. The TV commercials were cheesy, but fun, as well.

A game that is underrated

The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. I almost didn’t play this game because I wasn’t sure another portable Zelda game could surprise and delight me as much as Link’s Awakening did. It did.

Your guilty pleasure game

This one’s tough because I tend to stay pretty mainstream with my gaming. I’ll say Pokemon Go is the one currently. I was never a fan of any Pokemon games, so this might be my gateway game. It’s not the only Pokemon game I own currently, after all.

Game character you feel you are most like (or wish you were.)

Gordon Freeman from the Half-Life series. He’s a very lucky, for being a really nerdy guy, and who, with no combat experience, proceeds to save the world. I want to be a bit like him.

Most annoying character

Navi from Ocarina of Time. Hey! Listen!

Favorite game couple

John 117 and Cortana.

That’s it for now. The list will continue in part 2.

Source: 30 Videogame Answers, No Likes Part 1 | Through Wolfy’s Eyes