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

Welcome back to Whatcha Up To! Coffee here, and here’s to the end of another week!

It’s the end of January. Hooray! We made it! One month down and I feel like things are settling into a nice groove. How long that lasts, though, is anyone’s guess. In the spirit of keeping things easy and positive, I will make little mention of the dumpster fire that is the current world affairs, but I will acknowledge the fact that it feels like everything has gone straight to hell. So long as we stand strong, stick together and fight against all of this, we can make it.

My inner Sonic the Hedgehog proselytizing aside, here’s what’s been happening this time:

Whatcha Playin’, Coffee?

Finished Shining Force earlier this week and I actually enjoyed it! I’m not a big fan of SRPGs, but that’s only because I have such limited exposure to it. I’m looking forward to playing Shining Force II and Shining Force CD next. But first, I’m tackling Landstalker for the Sega Genesis. That one’s been on my list for some time, given that Alundra for the PlayStation – one of my favourite Zelda-likes – is its spiritual successor. The platforming is awkward due to its isometric nature of the controls, but so far, I’m liking it.

I’ve been too busy to get to Shadowrun Returns, but I’m aiming to finish that by next week or so.

Whatcha Writin’, Coffee?

Finally tied the loose ends in Chapter 29 together! All that’s left now is to wrap it up and start Chapter 30. Apart from Mobius VII, I’ve put together a Backlog Busting post for Final Fantasy IV Pixel Remaster. It’s the first post with the new format and it was easy to put together. Expect more Backlog Busting posts like that in the future. I’ve also put together a quick review for Shining Force, which you can find on The Pixels. I’ve given it a nice score, haha.

Whatcha Readin’, Coffee?

Knocked out Locklands for Book #5 of the year. What a conclusion to a great series! The book picks up eight years after the events of Shorefall. Using scriving technology – a kind of magic in which the rules of reality are altered via sigils and commands inscribed on metal plates – Sancia, Berenice and Clef have transformed the last vestiges of humanity into something akin to an egalitarian hive mind society. So, cyberpunk meets magic meets singularity concepts. They face off against an artificial intelligence that forcibly enslaves whatever is left and is hellbent on opening a door that houses the rules governing creation itself. The story itself is wild and crazy fun, with shocking revelations, over-the-top action, plenty of body horror and some very difficult sacrifices to make. It all culminates in a hopeful, yet bittersweet ending. I really enjoyed reading this series. I may have to make some room for it in my collection.

I’m currently reading Bullshit Jobs by David Graeber. It’s an insightful and fun read so far. The dry, cutting humour only adds to my interest in the hard data and science that goes behind what a bullshit job is and what makes a job bullshit to begin with. Also, yes I do read other books besides fiction and high fantasy, haha.

How’s Trainin’, Coffee?

Holy hell, is it busy at work right now! The office chaos won’t stop me from continuing my training! Week 4 has been a good one as I’ve increased my maximum lifting weight back to where it was almost 14 months ago (25lbs/11kg). It’s only upward from this point on, at least until the end of March when I switch things up. More on that later.

That’s it for what’s been happening recently. Anything new on your end? Let me know below, or on Bluesky. Catch ya next week!

~Coffee