Fast Paced Friday

Tended to my cowboys briefly then went out on another quick run. I'm getting to a point now where my old pace is returning, I was dying the first time I ran a little quicker but it keeps getting easier. I packed a bag too as we were back off to London once again for a weekend celebrating Rebecca's Dad's Birthday. I'm mostly just here for vibes but it's always nice enjoying a change of scenery.

Cowboy Problem Solver

Had a pair of back to back bad night's sleep this week and now it's payback time. I slept in til a bit too late, but even Rebecca knew I needed the rest so she let me kip. At least I felt good and fresh for attacking my writing desk again. This time I was determined to crack the next Western campaign I've been cooking up. I hit a couple of roadblocks recently that kept me from really running with my idea. I nailed the setting and the scenario, but the actual activities for the players was a little up in the air. I got my problem solving hat on though and ironed those kinks into a crisp, clean line - these cowboys shall go to the ball.

Writing Spree (Thanks Stephen King)

Perhaps I internalized Stephen King's 'just lock yourself in a room and do some writing' mantra a little too much. I went to bed with a short article idea about Zelda last night and typed it all up this morning and afternoon. A thousand new words, written and edited in just a couple of hours, easily one of my best ever writing sprees this year. 

You can read the piece here - it's intentionally tounge-in-cheek and is more statical and jokey than anything else. But it was a joy to write, which is what it's all about.  

Ocarina Remake

Got up early to finish up playing a massive and flabby game about being a Yakuza in the 80's (aptly titled Yakuza). At times it has the heart of a John Woo Asian Action piece, with dramatic moments of bromance and bravado, but in between that it's a lot of tapping A to get through the dialogue. I also just about finished up ready Stephen King's memoir 'On Writing' which Rebecca thoughtfully got me as gift a while ago. There's lots of nuggets of wisdom in there, chief amount them being you just gotta listen to your gut and get writing. Good advice and always nice to hear one of the modern greats saying it. 

I did a little run now that the weather has cooled off a bit. All of this was to bide my time as I approached the  start time of the latest Nintendo Direct. The rumour were true, the final announcement of the show was a remake of Ocarina of Time. My heart has already decided that I'll always prefer the original, it's dreamy art style and sound design. But I look forward to seeing how they approach this remake and what bells and whistles they could add to the greatest game of all time.

Cereal Box Boy

Still watching the rain roll down the window as we enter June. I had to time my trip to the supermarket carefully so I didn't get soaked, but instead I got too hot carrying everything back. I realized last week that the bulkiest thing I get in the shop each week is my jumbo box of Fruit & Fiber. Most weeks I can't fit it in my bags so I end up clutching it through the park. I really hope I don't get a reputation as the cereal box boy.

I did a couple of other life admin but today, including putting in for the couple days work I did yesterday. As I sat dreaming about what my newfound riches could get me, a letter from HMRC came through the door. Inside was a massive tax rebate! I flipped over the Chance card of life, and it smiled at me. Thought Monday would be gloomy, but things are on the mend.

Book Club... Today?

Our plan was to hit the road back to Bristol pretty early after breakfast, but a overly long lie in altered our plans. It was just nice not to have a little cat attacking my feet for once so I slept without fear. We got back in good time ultimately AND I got to do some prep for my impromptu online book club meeting tonight... Which turned out to be in two weeks time. I'm just a man out of time these days. 

House Cooling

The cat attacked my feet at the exact moment in my dream that an unspeakable horror was chasing my through a ever-shifting corridor. Needless to say I was jolted awake with a newfound fear of God. Otherwise it was a calm morning. Porridge boiled on the stove and Don't Tell the Bride re-ran on the telly. 

Rebecca hit the streets in search of some final Birthday gift bits for her friend we were due to visit this evening for a 'house cooling' party (they're moving out). Rebecca and I split the drive up to London and caught the trains the rest of the way. All I know is that four hours somehow passed and all we were doing was chatting, now I'm on a night bus en route to bed. Today was our dutiful day, tomorrow we'll veg out on the couch.