it's a work of heart

I'm leaving for work in half an hour, but I have been absolute garbage about updating here - time to fix that!

A lot's going on, I guess, even if it doesn't really feel that way to me. In two days, I'll have been at my current job for two years! It's pretty cool in and of itself, but there's also the possibility of a promotion in my future. They're training me to take the next step up at the store! Exciting stuff!

Okay, maybe there isn't a lot going on, because I can't think of what else to mention? Heh...

My gaming backlog is getting long, but right now it's hard to focus on anything beyond how hyped I am for Sword and Shield, on the video game front. I've fallen out of the reading habit I'd briefly gotten into, but I'm looking to start over on reading The Lightning Thief, and go from there. Writing inspiration outside of RP has been super spotty. I'm not sure if I'll be doing NaNo this year, especially with work being so busy every November.

I want to make regular updates, though I won't say I'm going to, because I know by now that I'm just really bad at that. Still, I hope everyone's doing well!

It occurs to me that I haven't gushed about the Nintendo Direct that was kinda-sorta-technically part of E3, and I think I should, because I am psyched about a lot of things.

Banjo-Kazooie showing up in Smash has me all nostalgic, and I'm excited about The Hero of Dragon Quest showing up, too, because I've started learning about that franchise through RP. I got Dragon Quest VIII on my 2DS during the E3 digital sale, and I'm hoping I can get Dragon Quest XI's Definitive Edition when it's out on Switch, although it depends on how soon it's released - I know Quarter 3, but that's all I know, and there's already so much I want in Quarters 3 and 4...

Spyro: Reignited Trilogy coming to Switch is super exciting, because I've somehow never played a moment of a Spyro game, ever, but I've always wanted to. That one is definitely getting preordered, and I've already pre-ordered Fire Emblem's newest title, and one more game I'll get into later. I'm also looking forward to Ni No Kuni and Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles - though I don't recall it being mentioned in the Direct, it's supposed to be out in Quarter 4! Crystal Chronicles was the first Final Fantasy game I ever played, and the only one I've ever owned, so I'm excited to revisit it.

Also, I just picked up the original Devil May Cry off the eShop, because it was already cheap and then I cut the price in about half with points from past purchases. One of my closest friends has been raving about the game to me since I've known her, so that should be fun!

But I'm most excited for - surprise, surprise! - Pokemon! I had preemptively preorderd Shield when the games went up for that, but I've switched to Sword because I prefer that Legendary a good deal. Hopefully the Version Exclusives will also work in my favor that way, although a buddy of mine is hoping to get a Switch and Pokemon Shield in November, so non-Legendary Version Exclusives aren't a huge issue.

And the new Pokemon! So cool! Any of my fellow Pokemon fans have favorites yet?

That... Sure was a month that went by without me updating here at all.

Alright, here's what's been happening, in the rapid-fire version of things. Honestly, as busy as I've been, there's not much to report!
>I have a second job now! Limited hours, but pay is pay!
>I'm going to visit a friend and see my first-ever concert in July! (Mystery Skulls)
>I've been writing outside of RP a bit more, and I'm hoping to continue that.
>This Saturday a friend and I are going to see Detective Pikachu!

...Yeah, I'm not sure what else is worth sharing, heh. But I hope you're all well!

Below the categorized cuts are lists of media I need to start/continue/finish! Rewatches/etc and things I just need to stay up to date on are generally not included. This is just for my reference, really. That said, if anyone has media to recommend me based on what's listed here, or just has something to say... by all means, comment!

( Shows )

( Video Games )

( Books )

( Movies )

Oh my god, can this winter be over? Please? I usually prefer cold weather to warm weather, despite spring being my favorite season, but this endless stretch of dreariness and gloom is starting to seriously drain me of motivation... Today was a really nice day, in terms of weather and clear skies, though - so hopefully that's a sign of what's to come.

Is it sad that I'm unwilling to check the weather report just yet in case I'm wrong? Oy vey.

Before I get into KH3 spoilers, I did something kinda fun on the gaming front yesterday: I watched some competitive play for the first time! Nintendo's Splatoon 2 North American Inkling Open, specifically. I'll admit I only watched about half, and even what I watched, I listened more than actually... Watched. But there was some interesting stuff, and I enjoyed learning about the current meta.

But now for Kingdom Hearts 3...

( Spoilers! Though I wouldn't call them major? )

Guys, working in a gaming store brings joy to my heart and pain to my wallet.

( Persona 5, KH3, and more - free of spoilers all around. )

Speaking of reading, I'm over halfway done with The Lightning Thief! This book is so good. I didn't like the movie when I watched it with my lil brother, but I hadn't read the book yet - now I plain old resent the movie, ha! Grover is definitely my favorite character, but Percy and Annabeth are great, too. I love how sassy Percy is, especially in the off-Broadway musical recording.

But yeah, over halfway done. It's been a long time, mostly because I keep putting the book down and then picking it up again weeks or over a month or two later. I'm going to have to turn to my local library to get the rest of the series, though. It's time to save up for Connecticon!

Something else I'm really excited about, that. It's not until July, but some panels that have already been announced look awesome! And also a matter of excitement: tonight is the night of the Academy Awards, and some of you may already know that I'm an Oscars junkie. I've seen a fair chunk of the big contenders this year, too, so it's not just about the animation like it was in some past years. (But for the animation? I'm 100% rooting for Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse. Incredibles 2 and Ralph Breaks the Internet? Loved them both, especially Ralph. But Spider Verse? There's nothing like it.)

If anyone's curious: the more "grown-up" contenders I've seen include - but aren't limited to - Black Panther, Bohemian Rhapsody, Green Book, BlackkKlansman, and a Star is Born.

What were movies you guys loved last year? Or, heck, this year? And to the gamers on my list - what are you playing these days?