Friday, February 02, 2018

Monthly HapPENings: January

I know I've said this every month, but can someone please explain how we're already one-twelfth of the way into 2018? Please? How does this happen every time? *shakes my head* Well, you know what time it is, then.


Yes, I finally have an official picture for these posts. It took forever for me to get around to doing, but it's here now. And yes, I blurred out the background picture myself. I didn't want to steal someone's painting, though if they wanted to protect it, it shouldn't be on Pinterest!

So what all happened this month? Well, I finished my stint as a cashier at a calendar store and started working at a new job, which I got within a week or so. I'm still adjusting to it, and I'm keeping my eyes open for a better job, but I think it'll be good to have a well-rounded resume.

Other than that, the month has been fairly uneventful. I'm not sure whether to consider that a good thing or a bad thing . . . I'm leaning more toward the "good thing" option, since it meant relaxing with my family and whatnot.

Bookish HapPENings


source

YAS. I finally finished reading a book! *does a happy dance* Not only is this my favorite Anne Elisabeth Stengl novel to date, but I think I can also honestly that it's one of the best books I've ever read. No joke. It had everything from to a strong plot to unique character to charming wit to great action sequences. And the theme! It just resonated with me so much. It's very hard--nigh impossible--to get me to cry while reading. I suppose I'm more of a visual person in that regard, as it's much easier for me to cry while watching a movie or even playing a video game. But this book brought me close to tears on a few occasions. All in all, the story was a satisfactory conclusion to Lionheart and Rose Red's character arcs, and I cannot sing its praises enough. If you haven't read Tales of Goldstone Wood yet, I'm telling you to start right now. Seriously, leave my blog this instant and go read her books. I never imagined that I would enjoy them, and yet here I am! They're definitely worth the time you invest in them.

HapPENings on the Screen


source

I love the Pirates franchise, and Dead Men Tell No Tales was no exception. It had all the staples of the previous films, including, but not limited to, boatloads of humor, extravagant battles, creepy and monstrous villains, a drunken Jack, and a phenomenal score. But this one added something not present in any of the other movies: genuine emotion. I can't disclose why, but it was spot-on. Maybe that's why this installment and At World's End are my favorites, because they have some serious emotional depth to them. In my mind, anyway.

source

I enjoy spy movies and books. There's just something about them that appeals to me, even if they often have a lot of tropes I can poke fun at. But I didn't really care all that much for The Bourne Identity. I think the reason for that was I watched it expecting to be like Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (one of the only spy/secret agent movies I've seen), and it wasn't quite as mind-blowing or action-packed. And it also felt like an old movie, which didn't help matters. However, I do want to continue watching the series, because I've seen the trailer for the most recent installment--Jason Bourne--and it looks amazing. So hopefully the other movies get better.


Things are definitely heating up in this season. I'm still in the dark about the villainess's plan, so it should be interesting to see what she has in store. Although I will say I find her kind of annoying. Not even her accent can save her. (Peter Pan is still my favorite villain.) And speaking of favorite character, Hook has just taken Rumpelstiltskin's place as my favorite hero. He's just such a cool guy, with a lot more to him than meets the eye. I anticipate seeing the rest of his character arc.


OH. MAH. WORD. I am so close to being done (five episodes left), and I have such strong suspicions about who the villain really is. If I'm right, and I've got a feeling I am, it would change everything. Plus, it'd be ultra-mind-blowing. I may need to pick up the pieces of my heart once this season's over.

Gaming HapPENings


source

Remember how, last Monthly HapPENings post, I bemoaned the fact that I got totally owned by a Talus monster? Well, since then, I've defeated that one and at least one another (shown in the above picture). I've also killed a couple of Hinox, which was surprisingly easy, and even a Guardian! A stationary one, mind you, but even so! Remember, folks: when playing a Zelda game, if you fight a foe with a single eye, that's the weak point. It's good to know some things don't change.

I've done so much in this game, I can't cover everything in this post. I've trekked across Central Hyrule whilst (mostly) dodging Guardians; thankfully, it's a lot easier when I'm riding my brave steed, Cookieeeee! (Don't ask.) I've been recovering Link's memories, which is a lot of fun. Zelda needs to seriously stop doubting herself and Link so much. I've ended up on Eventide Island by mistake, which was actually a lot of fun. You definitely have to think differently if you wish to survive that trial. I've been dying many, many times, but that's all part of the fun in the game.

I think I can officially deduce that this game is the last one in the timeline. Besides the fact that it's post-apocalyptic, it has referenced several other Zelda games in awesome ways. There are iconic locations like the Temple of Time and Lon Lon Ranch. Islands like Mercay, Zauz, and Linebeck reference Phantom Hourglass. Heck, Zelda even says in the first lost memory, "Whether skyward bound, adrift in time, or steeped in the glowing embers of twilight . . ." That's a pretty straightforward reference! (I also love Zelda's mention of the voice in the sword, clearly hinting at the fact that Fi still resides there. Fi is actually my favorite fairy character in the series thus far! But that's a topic for another post.)

source

One of my friends from New Zealand and I have been playing this game a lot recently. While it's fun to play by myself, I think the real joy is in interacting with others and working them to build your house, hunt monsters, etc.

We've had a lot of fun thus far, but one of the funniest moments happened just the other day. My friend had built a wall in the middle of lake/really deep pond(?), and we drained the other side to make a dam. Somewhere along the way, I realized my sword was gone, and I figured I may have dropped it in the ocean not far from the dam. I died making my way there and got sent all the way back to the spawn point, so my friend decided to carry on in my stead.

At one point, he says something along the lines of, "Now I'm stuck in the dam thing because monsters are attacking me."

I paused, then replied, "You do realize what you just said, don't you?"

He tells me that no swearing is intentional, then goes on to say something else about the "dam place." I found the whole thing quite amusing.

source

I hadn't played Undertale in quite some time--about half a year ago or so. So I decided to boot it up and continue just the other day. Suffice it to say that mistakes were made . . . and I left my play session feeling bad. I'd go into detail now, but I don't want to clog up this post too much. I've actually been itching to talk about and review this game for a while, so I think I'll save it for a post all on its own.

Writerly HapPENings

So this month didn't include much actual writing. I've reread most of A Totally Epic Pirate Story so that I can finish, just for closure's sake. I also started working on The Darkest Dawn with a friend of mine, and that's been a lot of fun so far! We're both hoping we'll be able to publish it, because we both want to be authors. If we could publish the story, it'd be a great way for us to each get a foot in the door.

Hopefully I'll do more writing this month!

So that was the beginning of 2018. What was it like for you? Have read any good books? Watched any good movies/TV shows? Played any good video games? Written any good stories? Done anything good at all? (I'm sure you have. I'm just messing with ya. *winks*)

14 comments:

  1. I 100% agree with you on Moonblood. It is absolutely one of the best books I've ever read and I'm so glad you feel the same way!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was such a phenomenal read. I'm very happy with myself for actually giving the series a chance. I've already started collecting it for my book collection. XD

      Delete
  2. Yay, you finished a book!! :D And, yes, Moonblood is amazing! Glad you liked it.

    Read any good books? Well, I'm rereading Pride and Prejudice, but that's for class, so I don't know if it counts. Ooh, I just read Probing - the third book in the Harbinger series. It's collaborative Christian suspense/supernatural fiction, and it's amazing!!

    I don't think I watched any movies. I honestly have no idea. XD *blames school* I definitely did not play any video games, good or otherwise. :D

    Fun post!

    Brianna

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can I get an award for that? XD It gets a solid 5 out of 5 from me. :D

      And how's that going? Do you like having to read books for school? Oh, I've heard of that series. I believe we bought all four books for my dad for Christmas.

      I feel like I watch less movies than I used to. :P WHAT?! Why didn't you? XD

      Thanks!

      Delete
    2. But of course! *hands you award* What, only 5 out of 5? How could you, Josiah? I would give it AT LEAST a 6.5 out of 5. :P

      It went well! I managed to lead a semi-coherent discussion on it, so that's always a bonus. :D I do - depending on the book. Moby-Dick and Paradise Lost nearly killed me. It's quite a good series! You should read them too . . . I'm sure your dad wouldn't mind. XD

      Same . . . Well, my time is taken up with many other (more important) things, and I have no video games to play anyway. XD Are those valid reasons?

      Brianna

      Delete
    3. Huzzah! *dances around with my award* XD Yes, yes, you're absolutely right. How could I be so silly? :P

      Ooh, you led a discussion on a book? That sounds like fun! . . . Provided the book is good, of course. Then again, it could be very interesting if the book wasn't good. I'm not sure if I've heard of Paradise Lost, but Moby Dick sounds like a boring book to read. I could always get them from the library, too. XD

      More important things? What're you saying? XD *sighs* I suppose they'll do. :P

      Delete
    4. *watches you* *tries not to laugh* I don't know! How could you be? :P

      I did - we mostly stayed on topic. Of course, half the group hadn't actually read everything they were supposed to . . . but it went off pretty well. :) If you have a choice, avoid Paradise Lost! It's an epic poem about the fall of man, in twelve books, written in unrhymed blank verse. And you can't tell who's talking. Oh, good point. The library is my favorite place. :D

      *points at research papers and midterm exam* That's what I'm saying. XD They'll have to do - I don't have any others! :D

      Brianna

      Delete
    5. *stops and stares at you with watchful eyes* *shrugs* It's my nature to be silly, I guess?

      That's not good. They need to make the experience enjoyable for everyone and read what they're supposed to! Ugh, that sounds boring. I'm already uninterested. XD Because books? :P

      *rips up the papers* Ah, who needs those? There go your reasons! XD

      Delete
  3. MOONBLOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE THAT BOOK SO VERY MUCH! Veiled Rose is actually my favorite of the Goldstone Wood books. It was such an epic, sweeping tale seeing Leo and Rose Red grow up and all the tragedy they went through. BUT MOONBLOOD IS SO GOOD TOO. Gah! I love all those books!

    I still haven't seen Dead Men Tell No Tales, but I'd certainly like to! Though I'm a little wary. Those movies really went downhill after the first one in my personal opinion, but I have heard this one is pretty good, so I want to give it a try! And I've GOT to try The Flash. Like...WHY HAVE I NOT DONE THIS YET?!

    Isn't Breath of the Wild so immersing? You just FEEL like you're part of the world. It's so magical. Oooh, you did Eventide Island? I LOVED THAT PLACE. When I first got there I was like, "WHAT?! I HAVE NO STUFF????" But then it ended up being super fun surviving and being strategic and I fared all right. It was unexpected though. XD

    Anyways! I hope your February is an awesome one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Veiled Rose was really good as well! I loved seeing how it connected with the events of the first book, whose name I'm blanking on at the moment. XD I bought Dragonwitch the other day on a whim, so I have officially started collecting the series.

      I've heard a number of people say that, but I have really enjoyed the entire franchise. This new one is surprisingly emotional! (For me, anyway.) YAS, WATCH THE FLASH. :D

      Yeah, it is. And it's cool to have a post-apocalyptic Zelda game. Although one might argue that Ocarina of Time kinda has that in the adult Link portion of the game, but it's not the same. When I landed there, I knew immediately what was going down, because I'd heard of the island beforehand. It definitely put an interesting spin on things! :)

      It has been so far! I hope yours has been great so far as well.

      Delete
  4. I love the picture! It looks great. I don't believe I've commented before but I've been silently following from the beginning. I saw that you'd started one on Tracey's blog and was excited cause I liked your guest post on villains. (I have a fascination with villains).
    I've been wanting to see Dead Men Tell No Tales. I loved all the others, but it'll probably be a little while until I do. Though I can't wait!
    I love all the Bourne movies (The latest one,Jason Bourne is excellent,in my opinion). The martial arts aren't terribly fake like they are in some movies which gives it a one-up for me. I think the last one is the best, though the fourth is pretty good as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! It didn't take me too long to put together, so I'm glad it looks decent. Really? That's very nice of you! I try to make a point of always being appreciative of the silent readers. Oh, you read that? That was a while ago that I wrote that post. (Same!)

      Definitely don't miss this one. It's got a lot of great new characters and action sequences, along with some emotional parts.

      Yeah, the newest one really caught my eye. I don't remember what I thought of the martial arts scenes. XD

      Thanks for commenting! :D

      Delete
  5. I still can't believe it's already February... IT'S CRAZY. O_O

    Ooh, I would love to hear your thoughts on Undertale! And uh-oh, mistakes were made...? *is worried* :P

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Time seems to determined to keep flying along. o-o

      You shall hear them in a couple of weeks! Yeah, I made some bad choices, and I had a bad time. :P

      Delete