Random Thoughts in Isolation.

I seem to have used up my thoughtful, wordy blog entry for the week already. I had a lot to say regarding the generosity of my local post office! But now, as I sit down to write my usual second blog for the week, I find myself lacking anything substantial to talk about. With the Covid-19 pandemic still well underway, there isn’t much news to report or new experiences to dwell on. So, as I’m prone to do when lacking a subject to write at length about, here are some smaller thoughts, reflections, and ramblings:

I’ve been looking forward to the story expansion for Mortal Kombat 11 for weeks now. It dropped yesterday. I was really, really enjoying the spectacular story mode… until it crashed consistently on a critical moment in the story’s arc. Thankfully it’s not a problem unique to me. Loads of people are having it, so that gives me some comfort. But still, I’m chomping at the bit to see what happens next. I can deal with intentional cliffhangers, but cliffhangers as the result of technical difficulties are another matter.

I’m a few years late, but I finally got around to watching The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. Excellent movie by the Coen Brothers, who rank among my favorite directors. Highly recommended by yours truly.

I’ve been experiencing some of the best tabletop roleplaying gaming in years, thanks in part to this pandemic. A game I’ve been playing with my friends has reached a critical moment in the long-running module, leaving us thrilled and eager to see what happens next. Another game was recently begun with those same friends, and I was able to bring my oldest friend into the fold, who hadn’t played a TTRPG in over a decade. I got to drop in on a charming one-shot game with a distant friend I’d been meaning to play with for some time. Some folks are passing the time with books or movies, but I’m making collective stories with my closest friends.

With the closure of my local gym, I’ve turned to yoga for physical activity. It was originally just going to be a placeholder until I was able to start lifting weights again, but now I think I’m going to stick with yoga. Even the simplest stretches are making me aware of my body in ways I hadn’t been before, and making me accept my physical limitations instead of trying to pridefully “power through them.” Even without the stereotypical mysticism often associated with yoga, the mindfulness it’s brought to my physical state has been a much-needed discovery in these mentally challenging times. Also… holy shit, yoga can seriously kick your ass. I come out of a yoga practice sweating much more than I ever did at the gym!

And that’s all I’ve got for today. With luck I’ll have something more substantial to write about next week. In the meantime, stay safe out there.