2021

 Aaaaaaand that's a wrap!
Another year gone by. But really, it's just another day. Nothing really changes... except for how we choose to see the world and our lives moving forward.
I've noticed that much of the closing to 2020 has been a slew of public revelations. So many people are reflecting on how 2020 has affected them internally, how it challenged them, and how it changed them. Many have been incredible, positive reads. Acknowledging flaws and recognizing that challenges don't have to default to failure- as is so widely believed- is I think the biggest positive to come out of 2020. Many reflect on how those challenges molded them. And that's dope. I dig introspection. Without challenges, who's to say that these realizations about ourselves would've been as profound, or even as liberating? 

I know hardships. Everyone does. I also know that hardships aren't absolute in defining who we become or how we view the world. The latter isn't something that comes naturally, but it is ultimately a choice. It takes overcoming a lot of shit to realize all that. And 2020 provided that foundation for a lot of people to grow into themselves and come out better grounded. I'm glad of it.

Honestly, if you go through life effortlessly, with little to no struggle, or ever having your values challenged, defensiveness and insecurity are natural reactions to superficial grievances and inconveniences. But the neat thing is that life has this really cool way of teaching lessons to keep us all in check- hard. If you're not there yet, don't worry. You will be.

New Years Eve here was, as usual, chill.
We made a little mini feast and celebrated the coming of the new year as gluttons

Chicken prepared yummy asparagus, Lifa brought out the chanko nabe and kbbq ribs, and I prepared rabbeokki. Which is literally just tteokbokki with ramyeon noodles. YUM. All of it.

Korean rice wine for sippies.

And spent the majority of the evening playing poker. We couldn't go out anywhere, so we made the stage for ourselves to enjoy. If you have the lights, the music, and the drinks... literally anything is enjoyable. Ambiance is   e v e r y t h i n g

Even if you live alone, or keep to yourself. I can't stress enough how important it is to spruce up your environment. Before moving in together with Chicken, I had my own room that I was adamant about converting into the most comfortable, night-owl friendly RGB room of endless chill. I would be in there by myself and just take in my surroundings. Then do whatever- game, indulge in youtube videos, watch shows, whatever.
Now that I live with more people, the stimulus is greater, but ambiance is just as impactful.

Point is: deck out your space to be your happy spot. Whatever that means. Natural light with tons of indoor plants, or blackout curtains in an RGB cave. Pillows, scented oil humidifiers, comfy, soft, attractive blankets and bed sets for your bed. And art or toys or whatever of things you love to decorate your space. It's amazing what that all can do. Especially during a time where going out is more dangerous than ... being a cave troll.
 
Anyway, yeah... I wanna get a nice poker set lol.

At midnight, my mom had us do this tradition of eating 12 grapes out of our champagne glasses. Each grape represents a wish for the new year. You make your wish, eat a grape. We did that this year too ^_^

As far as reflecting back on 2020... I have nothing. For... behold! I'm an introvert! With mild misanthropy, agoraphobia, and pretty much lived my whole life as hermit. That's not to say I never leave my house, but am especially selective about occasions prompting it.

womp womp.

But I understand that it's been a doozy for many others. And i just hope that this new year encourages strength and foresight to face new challenges head on, and as an opportunity to learn and grow- for everyone.

Especially indie game dev studios being threatened to be review bombed. Uh oh is she gonna bitch about some shit again- SHE SURE WILL.

HEY THERE, IT'S ME. LETS GO.

Alrightyyy. So this morning I woke up to a tweet from Top Hat Studios (indie game publisher) going OFF about one of my favorite indie titles; Sense: Cyberpunk Ghost Story 不祥的预感.
The game is going to be released on the Nintendo Switch, and people are mad again. I was like omg oh no what's happening. Turns out, Top Hat took a very adamant stance regarding the backlash that Suzaku game studio has been getting about their game.

basically saying fuck you to censorship

Yo.
I've been following Suzaku since before their game launched. When it finally came out, as much as people really enjoyed it, they also got backlash for the art. The artist specifically said he stylized it deliberately to be early 90s tigole biddies anime. He said straight up- that's what he liked, and that's the style he went for. And changing it wasn't an option- but thanks for the feedback anyway.
And a lot of people were cool with it and defended it/him.
And a lot of people weren't and were super vocal about it.

The only reason I can understand people getting mad about that kind of thing is because when I was younger and really insecure about myself, I'd feel uncomfortable about seeing things I felt were desirable in ways I could never achieve. THANKFULLY, impetuousness wore off around 26. Other than that, there's literally no reason to be that mad lol. ESRB is M/17+.
Can also buy NEKOPARA on the Switch.
Stay mad. Like, idk what else to say.

And now..to see a publisher stand up this hard for a game studio.... an indie game studio... That's huge. This is the SAME publisher that responded to GOG's tweet a few weeks back after they reversed their decision to release Devotion... TopHat responded saying they'd happily partner with Red Candle Games to publish Devotion, and offered free ports to consoles.

like.

Top Hat has .... big dad energy. GOod DAD ENERGY. "The game will not be censored. We categorically refuse." MMPF. HONEY IN MY EARS.
Well... eyes. I guess. Since I read it. But you know. yeah. YEAH.

Fuck yeah. God I just... i love that lol. It made me so happy.
And so.. this was something Suzaku shared on discord

Annnnd, even though I already have it on PC and played it many, many, many times...

Pre-ordered it on Switch.

Chicken has had to listen to me fawn over this game over long periods. He saw what was happening, as he has been following everything going on, and also purchased it both for PC and Nintendo Switch.

Fuckin a.

Not to mention, I bought this game for my niece. She's 17. She doesn't game, but went into it like a champ and loved it. I'm not sure how far she got, but she definitely got a good ways in and would gush to me about some parts that stood out. LOVE TO SEE IT.

I'm not here to say get the game, but like yeah, maybe get it. It's good lol.


And here I present to you dear reader, my first selfies of 2021:

Fuckin.... I woke up today thinking about Orpheus. Coupled with the fact that I haven't been out with my BFF to a club in a really long time. So I took inspiration from Orpheus, and here we are. He loves his wood nymph. Unfortunately, I've never met any wood nymphs, even less have one at my disposal. But I do have plants. My Thai basil is flowering, so like, yeah that should suffice. It's fine. I love grey make-up. It's like soft baby black teehee


Here I end it.
I hope this post finds you well dear reader
I want boba and red wine. I wish that for you, reader. treat yourself. You deserve it.
lmao
idk. I miss everyone. And hugs. And babying people. And screeching.
Alas! Lets go 2021
Don't look back uwu