A weekly status update from everyone’s favourite caffeinated weirdo.

Welcome back to Whatcha Up To! Coffee here, and (while massively overdue) here’s to the end of another week! Well, two weeks, really.

Two weeks ago, I caught a cold and was out of commission for that entire stretch. No training, but some writing and lots of gaming. More details below.

This previous week… Well, let’s just say that I’m sick and tired of living in “interesting times”, if “interesting times” is even the right phrase to use. I’m thankful – perhaps lucky, even – that I have ways that keep me from spiraling into a nihilistic torpor. With that said, here’s the recap from the previous two weeks:

Whatcha Playin’, Coffee?

Kid Espresso’s birthday was earlier this month, and my brother and I surprised him with his own Miyoo Mini. It’s a great, little system and perfect for kid-sized hands. I put together a list of kid-friendly games for him to explore and enjoy, but all he really wanted to do was play Pokemon haha. Don’t get me wrong; I’m super happy he’s gotten into the series, but I’ve been bombarded with questions about everything and anything Pokemon. Mrs. Coffee (Gods, bless that woman) managed to get him a Pokemon handbook, so he’s off my back for a little while, haha.

I spent the past two weeks playing Shadowrun Returns. The fusion of dystopian cyberpunk and fantasy elements – magic, metahumans and the like – have really captivated me. I also love the way the story and the world unfolds. It’s as if you’re transported to a tabletop game hosted by an impressive Game Master. I would imagine that would be the same if I played through a round of Dungeons & Dragons. As I near the end of the game, I’d be remiss to mention that this experience has only strengthened my desire to partake in an actual TTRPG, both as a player and, eventually, a Game Master.

Speaking of nearing a game’s end, I’ve reached the final chapter of Shining Force for the Sega Genesis. I’m not normally a fan of SRPGs, but Shining Force won me over thanks to the ease of play, the lack of permadeath and the ability to escape and retry fights without losing valuable experience.

Whatcha Writin’, Coffee?

Chapter 29 and the story overall have become a tricky thing to navigate due to the multiple conspiracy plot lines that I’ve added to the mix. My dilemma is trying to make it make sense for the reader. While I have plenty of ideas on how to make it work, it really boils down to the execution.

That’s the problem with the story writing process – you want what’s in your head to come out on paper because you think it’s cool. At the same time, you have to manage how your audience will interpret it. If your new plot line becomes boring or long-winded, there’s a huge chance that the reader will tune out and lose interest in the story. That’s what I’m trying to avoid, since I want people to be on the edge of their seats with the action, all while connecting intimately with the cast during moments of calm. I’m sure I’ll figure out a solution to this soon.

Chapter 30 will be a fun one as we take a close look at what the remaining cast is up to at Costa Esmeralda. It culminates in a very tense confrontation and ends with the team departing immediately to their next destination. This upcoming arc is something I’m looking very forward to writing, as it was one of my favourite scenes in Final Fantasy VII.

Whatcha Readin’, Coffee?

Breathless: A Thriller marks book #3 for this year. It took me about a day and a bit to finish it. It’s a thriller/murder mystery that takes place on the real-life Mount Manaslu. Cecily Wong – an adventure journalist – gets the interview of a lifetime with internationally famous mountaineer, Charles McVeigh. He’s on the quest to summit some of the highest peaks in the world in record time and she’s invited to join in on the last leg. She’s hinging everything on this interview after giving up her boyfriend and her life savings, while battling her struggles in climbing. But soon after she gets settled in with the team, people start mysteriously dying and she has to piece together who’s behind it before she’s next. It’s pretty much a popcorn read – enjoyable, but lacking something, unlike the fourth book I finished.

Book #4 was Midnight at Malabar House, by Vaseem Khan. Knocked this one out within a day. This was a good book! Set in post-Partition India at the start of the 1950s, Inspector Persis Wadia – the first woman in the Indian Police Force – is tasked to solve the murder of Sir James Herriot, a prominent English diplomat. In spite of the misogyny of the era halting her progress at every turn, Inspector Wadia – along with the socially-awkward, but brilliant criminalist Archie Blackfinch – must solve this murder, regardless of the cost. The writing here is spectacular and it really draws you into the city of Bombay during that time period. There’s more books in this series, too, so I’m gonna hunt down and read them all.

Next on the list is Locklands, the conclusion of the Founders Trilogy by Robert Jackson Bennett. I stoked to find out how this all ends!

How’s Trainin’, Coffee?

So, after a week off from being sick, I instantly bounced back for week 3. My Casio Royale watch (AE-1200WH) has been earning its keep thanks to the timer and stopwatch functions. I’ve used both during and between sets for the heavy weights. It’s a heck of a great dumb watch if you need simple functions without any phone connectivity, but don’t expect to glean any fitness metrics from it.

I’ve now built up the non-stop bodyweight countdown circuits to the point where I can start at 10 and go down from there. As a reminder, I’m doing 6 exercises – push-ups, squats, straight leg raises, bridges, calf raises and inverted rows – without stopping and without additional weight. I start at a number of reps, do one full circuit and then repeat the circuit but with one less rep. It’s a strength, endurance and a discipline workout, since you have to go non-stop while maintaining proper technique. And proper technique is something that I am very passionate about. When moves are done properly, you’ll build strength faster, reduce wear on your joints and prevent injury. As a wise warrior mouse once said: “Do it proper, and t’will serve you well.” It would do well for you to follow this credo.

That’s it for what’s been happening recently. Anything new on your end? Let me know below or on Bluesky. See ya at the end of this week!

~Coffee