for family stuff. Trust me, your mom understands and forgives you.
Quest for Muscle: The Return of the Pump
But we will be magnificent.
for family stuff. Trust me, your mom understands and forgives you.
Hugs for the family call. In family sometimes forgiveness - and / or humor is what's needed, sometimes distance is what is needed. Hope you can see clearly and hugs.
Ox huffed and puffed, the crate-like contraption dragging against the ground with an awful racket. He hadn't regretted a job yet, but this one came pretty close. He had been assigned to enter the abandoned labs next to the android doctor's bunker in the Flooded Plains, and install a piece of equipment in the laboratory there. He had been told it would be waiting for him at the entrance; it was. He hadn't been told that it weighed a ton; it definitely did. He paused, holding his head up so that his helpful, head-mounted flashlight could shine the way through the ominous darkness. The way ahead was dark; he had been warned that no power had gone to the RG-East labs in years, and that he needed some kind of illumination. Ox had wisely eschewed a handheld flashlight, as doc had warned that he would have some company in there, and would need his hands for his guns; among other things.
This goddamned thing had to weigh close to as much as a person. Hefting it and carrying in front of him was out of the question, let alone slinging it onto his shoulders like he had the machinegun. What he needed was some sort of trolley to scoot the thing around... but the idea was strictly academic unless he found one. Doc should've taken it and stuffed it up his ass, he thought, annoyed. At least there was a handle with which to hold onto but... A screech ahead. High-pitched and muffled at the same time, cutting through the oppressive black nonetheless. Nothing like he had ever heard. He let go of the crate and shouldered his rifle, aiming into the area illuminated by his torch. There were three of them, all running straight at him from out of the darkness! Ox could make out their ghostly, emaciated frames (they were the size of children...), and gas masks covering their faces.
Ox opened fire. The first one dropped to the ground, but the second and third leapt over its body and continue their mad dash. No sense of self preservation? Were they hungry? Brainwashed? Or just plain mad? Sadly, they seemed too far gone to tell, and it was either him or them. Ox fired in bursts, the muzzle flashes lighting up the dark in a staccato rhythm. Then it was quiet, and there was only the faint sound of the brass casings rolling along the ground. Ox ejected the mag and swapped in a fresh one, racking back the charging handle. He took a breath. He was still standing.
And there was that stupid hunk of junk to worry about...
@Mamatigerj I trust your motherly instinct. Thank you.
@JCU Thank you.
@PetiteSheWolf I'll have to be patient and compassionate with myself to see what's needed, but thank you.
Hey Bees. I just want to say thank you for the posts of support, and the hugs. Really means a lot. It's been two days afterward, and I'm still smarting a bit, but getting better.
Workout wise, today was just hard. I pushed out another PR (hehehe) but didn't get as far as I wanted. And walking my 23000 steps today was just torture, and my feet started to hurt. So it's good to be back at home, comfortable again.
Today was a Pull day, in which I continue pushing my Snatch Grip poundages.
Snatch Grip Deadlift: 125 x 6. I have no idea how I pulled this PR off. So heavy coming off the ground, and in later sets, my grip kept giving way, meaning I had to drop the bar early. Oh well, a PR is a PR. Let's see if I have it in me for 130 *shudder*.
Barbell Rows: 110 x 5. Yay, another PR!
Meadows Rows: 47.5 x 5. But not here. This was good, but not great.
Neutral Grip Pulldowns: 80 x 7.
Neutral Chins: Top set of five. These were pretty tough today.
Real hot today. When I left the house, the sun was shining, but it wasn't bad. After I finished my workout and left, I felt cooked.
Have a great start to your week, Bees!
Playing: Still playing Witchfire. For the first time in ages, cleared out Velmore successfully, but couldn't summon the boss. Oh boy.
Project Silverfish continues, and I've got more shorts about the adventures of my Gentle Ox coming up.
-Still- haven't played Dead Space RE.
Watching: Still not much. Really need to spend less time in bed scrolling away...
Listening to: Sisters of Mercy - First and Last and Always. I'm in a bit of a goth-y mood, and SOM always fits the bill. I always found them more listenable than Bauhaus.
This goddamned thing had to weigh close to as much as a person. Hefting it and carrying in front of him was out of the question, let alone slinging it onto his shoulders like he had the machinegun. What he needed was some sort of trolley to scoot the thing around... but the idea was strictly academic unless he found one. Doc should've taken it and stuffed it up his ass, he thought, annoyed. At least there was a handle with which to hold onto but... A screech ahead. High-pitched and muffled at the same time, cutting through the oppressive black nonetheless. Nothing like he had ever heard. He let go of the crate and shouldered his rifle, aiming into the area illuminated by his torch. There were three of them, all running straight at him from out of the darkness! Ox could make out their ghostly, emaciated frames (they were the size of children...), and gas masks covering their faces.
Ox opened fire. The first one dropped to the ground, but the second and third leapt over its body and continue their mad dash. No sense of self preservation? Were they hungry? Brainwashed? Or just plain mad? Sadly, they seemed too far gone to tell, and it was either him or them. Ox fired in bursts, the muzzle flashes lighting up the dark in a staccato rhythm. Then it was quiet, and there was only the faint sound of the brass casings rolling along the ground. Ox ejected the mag and swapped in a fresh one, racking back the charging handle. He took a breath. He was still standing.
And there was that stupid hunk of junk to worry about...
@Mamatigerj I trust your motherly instinct. Thank you.
@JCU Thank you.
@PetiteSheWolf I'll have to be patient and compassionate with myself to see what's needed, but thank you.
Hey Bees. I just want to say thank you for the posts of support, and the hugs. Really means a lot. It's been two days afterward, and I'm still smarting a bit, but getting better.
Workout wise, today was just hard. I pushed out another PR (hehehe) but didn't get as far as I wanted. And walking my 23000 steps today was just torture, and my feet started to hurt. So it's good to be back at home, comfortable again.
Today was a Pull day, in which I continue pushing my Snatch Grip poundages.
Snatch Grip Deadlift: 125 x 6. I have no idea how I pulled this PR off. So heavy coming off the ground, and in later sets, my grip kept giving way, meaning I had to drop the bar early. Oh well, a PR is a PR. Let's see if I have it in me for 130 *shudder*.
Barbell Rows: 110 x 5. Yay, another PR!
Meadows Rows: 47.5 x 5. But not here. This was good, but not great.
Neutral Grip Pulldowns: 80 x 7.
Neutral Chins: Top set of five. These were pretty tough today.
Real hot today. When I left the house, the sun was shining, but it wasn't bad. After I finished my workout and left, I felt cooked.
Have a great start to your week, Bees!
Playing: Still playing Witchfire. For the first time in ages, cleared out Velmore successfully, but couldn't summon the boss. Oh boy.
Project Silverfish continues, and I've got more shorts about the adventures of my Gentle Ox coming up.
-Still- haven't played Dead Space RE.
Watching: Still not much. Really need to spend less time in bed scrolling away...
Listening to: Sisters of Mercy - First and Last and Always. I'm in a bit of a goth-y mood, and SOM always fits the bill. I always found them more listenable than Bauhaus.
More PR cheers!!
NightWolf714
The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change. ~Carl Rogers
Congrats on more PRs!
Thanks for your encouragement @NightWolf714, @Mamatigerj, @graoumia, @JCU, and @Fremen!
At some point, Ox had simply given up on dragging the heavy piece of equipment around, and decided to poke around and find the laboratory first. If he didn't do the latter, the former would be impossible. Somewhere in the mess of maze-like corridors and stray anomalies, he had pinpointed the lab's location. But he would have to go back up through numerous hallways and stairs to bring his charge; he wished he had brought Ariadne's yarn.
He was on his way back to the box, passing by a T-junction when a burst of gunfire broke out, and something akin to a giant's fist punched him to the ground. Having the breath smacked out of him, Ox took a deep breath and start crawling for the opposite wall. More gunfire. Another round smacked his plate carrier and sent him rolling. Ox dramatically stretched out his arm, shuddered, and then went still, lying facedown to the smooth steel ground. His brain told him he was taking a tremendous risk, but he stayed calm. Whoever it was, they fell for it. A pause, the sound of a weapon being reloaded, then he heard soft footsteps, gradually growing louder. They came to a stop close to where he lay.
Ox rolled over and leveled his assault rifle at the figure. Whoever they were, they wore all black, clad in light armour from head to toe, and their face was covered in a balaclava. They toted a wicked-looking submachine gun, and were totally off-balance as Ox fired off at least half a mag at them.
The figure crumpled to the ground. Wheezing, Ox gradually got to his feet, and eyed the man at his feet. There was a gurgling sound coming from them. Their balaclava grew stained with blood. In no position to fight back. Ox knelt down and rifled through the man's clothing. He took the submachine gun, several mags, some bandages, and an MRE, and a dog tag. Egg-head? What kind of a name was that? A gurgle. Curiosity winning out, Ox grabbed the balaclava and pulled it off. Of course, he didn't recognize the face below, torn and bleeding, mouthing words unknown. Was he angry? Sad? Expressing regret? It mattered little.
By the time he stood up again, his attacker was stone dead.
Bench Press: 135 x 6. I've never done this much before. I came close when I hit 295 lbs x 5 (or was it 6 times? No matter), but that was years ago, and I was younger and more limber. The weight just flowed like silk, though the final rep was tough (I thought I could hit 7 at first). So this is a big PR!
Whoop whoop
Competition Bench Press: 100 x 3, 105 x 3. Oh, but these sucked. The protocol is to mimic the motions of a bench press during competition, so each rep includes pausing and re-racking the weight. Umf.
Incline Press: 92.5 x 6.
Dumbbell Flat Curls: 18 x 20. No 20s today, wasn't feeling it.
Cable Wrist Curls: 16 x 20, this time.
My low moods have been plaguing me pretty frequently. My job search thus far has turned up scratch, and my current agency has no clients currently.
Of course, I'll never stop fighting the good fight, and moving forward. If there is a choice to be made here, then that's the one I choose.
During my birthday, mom and I are going to Zhuhai, China to meet my dad. Haven't set foot in the Mainland for 25 years, so I bet a lot has changed.
These are the times, I tells ya, Bees.
Playing: Uhh, still haven't played Dead Space. Maybe tonight?
Did a run or two in Hades 2, and trounced both of the bosses. Seeing if I can level up a certain romantic relationship, mmhmm!
Witchfire is still getting the lion's share of my love. I've gotten farther than before, but still not sure how to summon the boss. Flaggle Claggle.
Watching: Watched two minutes of Until Dawn last night. Will try to watch more tonight.
Listening to: Kiss - Strange Ways. My fave Kiss song off of my fave Kiss album. Featuring Peter Criss on vocals, and Ace Frehley with a smokin' guitar solo.
Fun fact: I can drum this song and sing it at the same time.
At some point, Ox had simply given up on dragging the heavy piece of equipment around, and decided to poke around and find the laboratory first. If he didn't do the latter, the former would be impossible. Somewhere in the mess of maze-like corridors and stray anomalies, he had pinpointed the lab's location. But he would have to go back up through numerous hallways and stairs to bring his charge; he wished he had brought Ariadne's yarn.
He was on his way back to the box, passing by a T-junction when a burst of gunfire broke out, and something akin to a giant's fist punched him to the ground. Having the breath smacked out of him, Ox took a deep breath and start crawling for the opposite wall. More gunfire. Another round smacked his plate carrier and sent him rolling. Ox dramatically stretched out his arm, shuddered, and then went still, lying facedown to the smooth steel ground. His brain told him he was taking a tremendous risk, but he stayed calm. Whoever it was, they fell for it. A pause, the sound of a weapon being reloaded, then he heard soft footsteps, gradually growing louder. They came to a stop close to where he lay.
Ox rolled over and leveled his assault rifle at the figure. Whoever they were, they wore all black, clad in light armour from head to toe, and their face was covered in a balaclava. They toted a wicked-looking submachine gun, and were totally off-balance as Ox fired off at least half a mag at them.
The figure crumpled to the ground. Wheezing, Ox gradually got to his feet, and eyed the man at his feet. There was a gurgling sound coming from them. Their balaclava grew stained with blood. In no position to fight back. Ox knelt down and rifled through the man's clothing. He took the submachine gun, several mags, some bandages, and an MRE, and a dog tag. Egg-head? What kind of a name was that? A gurgle. Curiosity winning out, Ox grabbed the balaclava and pulled it off. Of course, he didn't recognize the face below, torn and bleeding, mouthing words unknown. Was he angry? Sad? Expressing regret? It mattered little.
By the time he stood up again, his attacker was stone dead.
Bench Press: 135 x 6. I've never done this much before. I came close when I hit 295 lbs x 5 (or was it 6 times? No matter), but that was years ago, and I was younger and more limber. The weight just flowed like silk, though the final rep was tough (I thought I could hit 7 at first). So this is a big PR!
Whoop whoop
Competition Bench Press: 100 x 3, 105 x 3. Oh, but these sucked. The protocol is to mimic the motions of a bench press during competition, so each rep includes pausing and re-racking the weight. Umf.
Incline Press: 92.5 x 6.
Dumbbell Flat Curls: 18 x 20. No 20s today, wasn't feeling it.
Cable Wrist Curls: 16 x 20, this time.
My low moods have been plaguing me pretty frequently. My job search thus far has turned up scratch, and my current agency has no clients currently.
Of course, I'll never stop fighting the good fight, and moving forward. If there is a choice to be made here, then that's the one I choose.
During my birthday, mom and I are going to Zhuhai, China to meet my dad. Haven't set foot in the Mainland for 25 years, so I bet a lot has changed.
These are the times, I tells ya, Bees.
Playing: Uhh, still haven't played Dead Space. Maybe tonight?
Did a run or two in Hades 2, and trounced both of the bosses. Seeing if I can level up a certain romantic relationship, mmhmm!
Witchfire is still getting the lion's share of my love. I've gotten farther than before, but still not sure how to summon the boss. Flaggle Claggle.
Watching: Watched two minutes of Until Dawn last night. Will try to watch more tonight.
Listening to: Kiss - Strange Ways. My fave Kiss song off of my fave Kiss album. Featuring Peter Criss on vocals, and Ace Frehley with a smokin' guitar solo.
Fun fact: I can drum this song and sing it at the same time.
Big cheers for the big PR!
Hugs & prayers for the struggles.
Hugs & prayers for the struggles.
NightWolf714
The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change. ~Carl Rogers
Congrats on all newest PR's! Though sorry to hear that you're struggling with the brain weasels and such. :C
What are your thoughts on Hades 2? I haven't played the Hades games, but the mate's been enjoying Hades 1 and it makes me super tempted to give it a go.
What are your thoughts on Hades 2? I haven't played the Hades games, but the mate's been enjoying Hades 1 and it makes me super tempted to give it a go.
Laura Rainbow Dragon
Nous sommes maîtres chez nous. Et nous le serons toujours. Elbows up, Canada!
Congrats on the new PRs Ox!
Saw Weapons! A wonderful review, as always! I also love how they tied the characters together! I can agree how alcoholism ties things together, but it's also a bit unnecessary? It delays focus on things to bring tension, sure, but my BIL and I both thought Paul's storyline was superfluous.
We're also arguing about it being horror; It felt much more thriller to me!
We're also arguing about it being horror; It felt much more thriller to me!
Your kindness and encouragement moves me forward @Laura Rainbow Dragon @NightWolf714 @CODawn @Fremen @graoumia @JCU @Mamatigerj
@graoumia It's apparently going to be quite rainy over next week. Hopefully, the rains will still allow us to go outside and do stuff (like going to the gym!).
"You're back," the android said, seeing Ox walk into the waiting area of the RG East lab. Behind the glass screen, he paused his work for the time being.
"And all readings indicate that you installed the component. A job well done."
"Yeah, your job is done. The crate is where it should be... I should know, I had to carry it there." Ox snarled, surprising himself.
"I apologize if I did not warn you clearly enough, Mr. Ox. This was a dangerous assignment, and tackling it ensures the continuance of our work." He had this odd accent that was separate from the robotic buzz underneath that Ox couldn't place. Ox snorted, taking a breath to calm himself. "Saving the world, one installation at a time." The doctor reached under his counter and produced a set of bills. "And for that, compensation is due," he dryly noted. Ox took the money, a little mollified. "Did you know I was ambushed along the way? Someone in commando getup nearly killed me."
The doctor halted his work. Interesting. Ox waited a moment, but the doctor seemed to be frozen by this revelation. "Can you elaborate?"
"He was parked above the chamber in which I installed the part. He ambushed me as I walked by. I found this on him," Ox said, sliding the dogtags onto the desk in front of the doctor. The android picked them up in his articulated, skeletal hand and held them up. After a moment, he opened a drawer in his desk and carefully placed them inside.
"You knew him." That android body blinked and buzzed, with none of the subtle tells that make up human reaction. Yet he could still read the doc closely.
"Yes," the doctor finally said. "I knew him." Ox sensed he was treading on sensitive ground, but he was feeling somewhat nosy.
"And... can you tell me a bit more...?" The android head raised up to look at him. Even with a cut-down screen in place of eyes, he could feel that gaze needle him.
"No." There would be no answers forthcoming. "However, I would be remiss if I didn't mention there was a bounty on him."
The Ox pondered what to say for a second. Inwardly, he was jumping for joy - two birds with one stone, two jobs with one expedition. But clearly this whole incident with Egghead had rattled the doc, and the tactful option would be to remove one's self. "I'll talk to Simmi about it then. Thanks, doc."
"Of course." And with that, the not-man continued to bury himself in his work, for more reasons than were obvious.
This one did not come out well at first. I hate when I have a dearth of ideas, or can't realize one, because when you think about it, there are so many things to write about. I really need to write down my ideas. But when I started the dialogue, it sort of came together. I had a kernel of an idea about how the conversation would turn out, and I feel like the writing conveys it!
It's another rainy day, Bees, but that didn't stop me from hitting the gym, and hitting one of my final sets of Push workouts before the competition.
Bench Press: 135 x 3, 137.5 x 3, 140 x 4, 142.5 x 3. I fudged the weights a little, as my gym doesn't have the required poundages (program calls for 295 lbs instead of 135 kg, for example). I'd say it turned out pretty well - if I can hit my opener (140) 4 times fast, then that bodes well, I'd say.
Competition Press: 110 x 3. Ugh, these suck, but they're so necessary.
Incline Press: 95 x 6. Blah.
Hammer Curls: 20 x 20.
Cable Wrist Curls: 17 x 20.
Less than three weeks until the bench press competition. Derp derp. Wish I'd lost more weight, but can't have everything, I guess.
Hope your days are bright and dry, Bees!
Playing: More of Witchfire, natch. I slew the ugly, monstrous Velmorne boss, finally! Took awhile to get there. Now I need to level up a bit... Haven't started the Irongate level yet.
Bits of Project Silverfish. I may start (yet) another playthrough, just for the fun of it. Also need to (re)start my CoR: EFBB playthrough, as it's gathering dust on my hard drive.
@NightWolf714 If you're into roguelites or 3rd person action games, then they're an embarrassment of riches. The combat is fast and fluid, the builds satisfying, and the story is great fun to unfold. 1 is great on its own, 2 is more ambitious, but unfinished.
Watching: I've given up on Until Dawn at the moment, and gone for more patient, retro fare - the 1972 chiller The Stone Tape (sometimes Rottentomatoes gets it wrong). Here's a synopsis, trailer and review.
Synopsis: It's 1972, and electronics industry stalwart Ryan Electronics has undergone a new change; they're moving their core staff into the decrepit Taskerland estate to develop cutting-edge technology. When a ghost is sighted and heard at the estate, the team brings their formidable expertise to bear on the haunting, which they hope to document and record. Little do they know just what they'll uncover...
Summary: A chilly and fascinating ghost thriller that punches above its weight class.
I liked this one! It feels like every time I've exhausted my choices of ghost movies, there are more to be found.
This is a patient watch - there are none of the crazy jump scares and sensationalistic horror touches most releases have today. Instead, a lot of the action is driven through technical dialogue and minor, sometimes minute changes in the plot. The performances are uniformly strong, perhaps most strongly aided by Bryant's assertive, domineering performance as Brock, as well as strong chemistry in their interactions. I like that with certain other films, technicality is laid on heavy, but does not overpower the film's sense of drama. We can still make out the relationships of the different characters, and how they are tested by the events in that chilly room.
The scares are admittedly not up to the snuff of those we expect from our chillers today, and the special effects are lacking (as this is a TV production, this might not come as a surprise). The climactic scene is more notable for its implications than for how scary it is (because it isn't!). I would say the film functions better as a slow-burn chiller that unfolds its layers gradually as the plot progresses. I do recommend it if you're interested in something different from today's horror flicks, as well as Kneale's later adaptation of The Woman in Black (now that one needs to be rewatched!).
I give The Stone Tape four stone staircases that lead to nowhere out of five.
Listening to: Alien Ant Farm - Last dAntz. They're still going strong in recent years, bringing that heart-on-sleeve alternative crunch like it never went out of style (has it?). A good match for a rainy day.
"I think about the good times
I think about the bad ones too
Haven't seen you in the longest time
But your friends assure me you're doing just fine"
@graoumia It's apparently going to be quite rainy over next week. Hopefully, the rains will still allow us to go outside and do stuff (like going to the gym!).
"You're back," the android said, seeing Ox walk into the waiting area of the RG East lab. Behind the glass screen, he paused his work for the time being.
"And all readings indicate that you installed the component. A job well done."
"Yeah, your job is done. The crate is where it should be... I should know, I had to carry it there." Ox snarled, surprising himself.
"I apologize if I did not warn you clearly enough, Mr. Ox. This was a dangerous assignment, and tackling it ensures the continuance of our work." He had this odd accent that was separate from the robotic buzz underneath that Ox couldn't place. Ox snorted, taking a breath to calm himself. "Saving the world, one installation at a time." The doctor reached under his counter and produced a set of bills. "And for that, compensation is due," he dryly noted. Ox took the money, a little mollified. "Did you know I was ambushed along the way? Someone in commando getup nearly killed me."
The doctor halted his work. Interesting. Ox waited a moment, but the doctor seemed to be frozen by this revelation. "Can you elaborate?"
"He was parked above the chamber in which I installed the part. He ambushed me as I walked by. I found this on him," Ox said, sliding the dogtags onto the desk in front of the doctor. The android picked them up in his articulated, skeletal hand and held them up. After a moment, he opened a drawer in his desk and carefully placed them inside.
"You knew him." That android body blinked and buzzed, with none of the subtle tells that make up human reaction. Yet he could still read the doc closely.
"Yes," the doctor finally said. "I knew him." Ox sensed he was treading on sensitive ground, but he was feeling somewhat nosy.
"And... can you tell me a bit more...?" The android head raised up to look at him. Even with a cut-down screen in place of eyes, he could feel that gaze needle him.
"No." There would be no answers forthcoming. "However, I would be remiss if I didn't mention there was a bounty on him."
The Ox pondered what to say for a second. Inwardly, he was jumping for joy - two birds with one stone, two jobs with one expedition. But clearly this whole incident with Egghead had rattled the doc, and the tactful option would be to remove one's self. "I'll talk to Simmi about it then. Thanks, doc."
"Of course." And with that, the not-man continued to bury himself in his work, for more reasons than were obvious.
This one did not come out well at first. I hate when I have a dearth of ideas, or can't realize one, because when you think about it, there are so many things to write about. I really need to write down my ideas. But when I started the dialogue, it sort of came together. I had a kernel of an idea about how the conversation would turn out, and I feel like the writing conveys it!
It's another rainy day, Bees, but that didn't stop me from hitting the gym, and hitting one of my final sets of Push workouts before the competition.
Bench Press: 135 x 3, 137.5 x 3, 140 x 4, 142.5 x 3. I fudged the weights a little, as my gym doesn't have the required poundages (program calls for 295 lbs instead of 135 kg, for example). I'd say it turned out pretty well - if I can hit my opener (140) 4 times fast, then that bodes well, I'd say.
Competition Press: 110 x 3. Ugh, these suck, but they're so necessary.
Incline Press: 95 x 6. Blah.
Hammer Curls: 20 x 20.
Cable Wrist Curls: 17 x 20.
Less than three weeks until the bench press competition. Derp derp. Wish I'd lost more weight, but can't have everything, I guess.
Hope your days are bright and dry, Bees!
Playing: More of Witchfire, natch. I slew the ugly, monstrous Velmorne boss, finally! Took awhile to get there. Now I need to level up a bit... Haven't started the Irongate level yet.
Bits of Project Silverfish. I may start (yet) another playthrough, just for the fun of it. Also need to (re)start my CoR: EFBB playthrough, as it's gathering dust on my hard drive.
@NightWolf714 If you're into roguelites or 3rd person action games, then they're an embarrassment of riches. The combat is fast and fluid, the builds satisfying, and the story is great fun to unfold. 1 is great on its own, 2 is more ambitious, but unfinished.
Watching: I've given up on Until Dawn at the moment, and gone for more patient, retro fare - the 1972 chiller The Stone Tape (sometimes Rottentomatoes gets it wrong). Here's a synopsis, trailer and review.
Synopsis: It's 1972, and electronics industry stalwart Ryan Electronics has undergone a new change; they're moving their core staff into the decrepit Taskerland estate to develop cutting-edge technology. When a ghost is sighted and heard at the estate, the team brings their formidable expertise to bear on the haunting, which they hope to document and record. Little do they know just what they'll uncover...
Summary: A chilly and fascinating ghost thriller that punches above its weight class.
I liked this one! It feels like every time I've exhausted my choices of ghost movies, there are more to be found.
This is a patient watch - there are none of the crazy jump scares and sensationalistic horror touches most releases have today. Instead, a lot of the action is driven through technical dialogue and minor, sometimes minute changes in the plot. The performances are uniformly strong, perhaps most strongly aided by Bryant's assertive, domineering performance as Brock, as well as strong chemistry in their interactions. I like that with certain other films, technicality is laid on heavy, but does not overpower the film's sense of drama. We can still make out the relationships of the different characters, and how they are tested by the events in that chilly room.
The scares are admittedly not up to the snuff of those we expect from our chillers today, and the special effects are lacking (as this is a TV production, this might not come as a surprise). The climactic scene is more notable for its implications than for how scary it is (because it isn't!). I would say the film functions better as a slow-burn chiller that unfolds its layers gradually as the plot progresses. I do recommend it if you're interested in something different from today's horror flicks, as well as Kneale's later adaptation of The Woman in Black (now that one needs to be rewatched!).
I give The Stone Tape four stone staircases that lead to nowhere out of five.
Listening to: Alien Ant Farm - Last dAntz. They're still going strong in recent years, bringing that heart-on-sleeve alternative crunch like it never went out of style (has it?). A good match for a rainy day.
"I think about the good times
I think about the bad ones too
Haven't seen you in the longest time
But your friends assure me you're doing just fine"
-
GentleOx
-
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NightWolf714
The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change. ~Carl Rogers
Appreciate the feedback! I may have to add it to the list. ^_^@NightWolf714 If you're into roguelites or 3rd person action games, then they're an embarrassment of riches. The combat is fast and fluid, the builds satisfying, and the story is great fun to unfold. 1 is great on its own, 2 is more ambitious, but unfinished.
"I heard about Egghead," said Simmi, from behind Ox. Ox scooted over slightly to make room for her as she sat down, legs dangling over the edge. The pathway ringing the observatory made for a surprisingly great point to watch the sunset. Deep in the distance, they could see the mainland: contested territory over which NFTA and the EDP fought, but for now it was peaceful. Ox offered her one of the milky bites that he had scavenged on his last run, but Simmi declined. "Shame that he turned rogue; I'll have your reward ready." There were rumours going around the camp that he and Simmi were dating, to their amusement. Neither he nor she had bothered to clarify this.
"It just goes to show," Ox said distantly.
"What do you mean? Penny for your thoughts."
"Egghead was close to the doc. In another life, he'd have researched the Threshold or cured cancer or something. But out of the blue, he flips his lid, kills God knows how many bounty hunters before me, then tries to kill me. I got him first because he got sloppy."
"In this world, people make decisions - some of them poor - and have to live with them. Egghead's decision led him to his death."
"It did, but he was a person, err, lizard just like the rest of us."
"I'm aware. That's a comment on the human - sorry - lizard condition. You have too much empathy for this line of work, hon."
"I know it, but I can't stop. Got a $3 million dollar debt breathing down my neck." He turned to look at her.
"What's keeping you here? How's a nice girl like you find yourself in a place like this?" Simmi barked out a laugh.
"Pathetic. That, I will tell you another day. For now, let's just enjoy the scenery."
Together, they sat in silence for awhile.
Tonight's short was inspired by an Eagles song. If you know the one, kudos!
Hey again Bees! I made it in for another workout despite it being one of those patented "do not want to workout" days.
Today was another Pull day, and the last of its kind, for now.
Snatch Grip Deadlift: 130 x 4. I won't count this one as five reps, as my grip gave way during the final rep. It's not the pulling part of the lift that gives me problems, it's the holding on part. Limped my way through the rest of my sets, and moved on.
Barbell Rows: 110 x 6. Yes! Good lifts.
Meadows Row: 45 x 5. Ouch. Not so good.
Neutral Chin Ups: Top set of 7 reps. Grip gave way again.
One Armed Cable Row: 35 x 5. Pretty good!
Incline Rows: 6 reps.
+22,400 steps.
So no PRs today, just solid heavy lifting.
Got caught in the rain on the way back; glad I packed an umbrella.
Bought a Steam game that was just too good to pass up - it's a survival horror set in WWI called "Conscript". Considering the reviews, that it harkens back to Resident Evil, and the price (26.40 HKD!), it was an absolute steal. I still have games on my docket I haven't checked out, but an addition like this can't hurt.
Super bushed after working out. Going to take a break from the gym tomorrow.
See you on the flipside, Bees!
Playing: I'll boot up Conscript, definitely. Also put a little more time into Witchfire (slooooowwly advancing my build in the direction of a tanky spellcaster).
Also restarted Project Silverfish (again! as my previous char glitched out and is stuck in a death cycle).
Watching: If I don't conk out upon jumping into bed, I'll resume Until Dawn. Or Dave Made a Maze? I never finished that one.
Listening to: Tonebox - Road Runner 77. Here are some smooth synth vibes to see us through the next rainy days.
"It just goes to show," Ox said distantly.
"What do you mean? Penny for your thoughts."
"Egghead was close to the doc. In another life, he'd have researched the Threshold or cured cancer or something. But out of the blue, he flips his lid, kills God knows how many bounty hunters before me, then tries to kill me. I got him first because he got sloppy."
"In this world, people make decisions - some of them poor - and have to live with them. Egghead's decision led him to his death."
"It did, but he was a person, err, lizard just like the rest of us."
"I'm aware. That's a comment on the human - sorry - lizard condition. You have too much empathy for this line of work, hon."
"I know it, but I can't stop. Got a $3 million dollar debt breathing down my neck." He turned to look at her.
"What's keeping you here? How's a nice girl like you find yourself in a place like this?" Simmi barked out a laugh.
"Pathetic. That, I will tell you another day. For now, let's just enjoy the scenery."
Together, they sat in silence for awhile.
Tonight's short was inspired by an Eagles song. If you know the one, kudos!
Hey again Bees! I made it in for another workout despite it being one of those patented "do not want to workout" days.
Today was another Pull day, and the last of its kind, for now.
Snatch Grip Deadlift: 130 x 4. I won't count this one as five reps, as my grip gave way during the final rep. It's not the pulling part of the lift that gives me problems, it's the holding on part. Limped my way through the rest of my sets, and moved on.
Barbell Rows: 110 x 6. Yes! Good lifts.
Meadows Row: 45 x 5. Ouch. Not so good.
Neutral Chin Ups: Top set of 7 reps. Grip gave way again.
One Armed Cable Row: 35 x 5. Pretty good!
Incline Rows: 6 reps.
+22,400 steps.
So no PRs today, just solid heavy lifting.
Got caught in the rain on the way back; glad I packed an umbrella.
Bought a Steam game that was just too good to pass up - it's a survival horror set in WWI called "Conscript". Considering the reviews, that it harkens back to Resident Evil, and the price (26.40 HKD!), it was an absolute steal. I still have games on my docket I haven't checked out, but an addition like this can't hurt.
Super bushed after working out. Going to take a break from the gym tomorrow.
See you on the flipside, Bees!
Playing: I'll boot up Conscript, definitely. Also put a little more time into Witchfire (slooooowwly advancing my build in the direction of a tanky spellcaster).
Also restarted Project Silverfish (again! as my previous char glitched out and is stuck in a death cycle).
Watching: If I don't conk out upon jumping into bed, I'll resume Until Dawn. Or Dave Made a Maze? I never finished that one.
Listening to: Tonebox - Road Runner 77. Here are some smooth synth vibes to see us through the next rainy days.
"Fall back!"
"They got one of us!"
"Fascists!"
Ox could hear the cries through the distance, before another cacophonic storm of gunfire sounded. He could already guess who they were, but all the same, he headed over there carefully. Metropol was just as much a warzone as when he had last visited, the pockmarked buildings and caved-in roofs evidence of the city's scars. He passed by the police station he had hid in the last time he was there. Another crackle of bullets. Not far now. It was clear now what was going on. Ox took cover behind a house.
The street terminated with a large, manor-like house at its end. Muzzle flashes periodically erupted from its windows. But more notable were the NFTA troopers in their cold blue camo who were pressed up against the front wall of the manor. There must've been seven of them, and it looked like they were getting ready to breach the house, not 20 meters away from him. He had to act quick.
Ox leaned out, raised his assault rifle, flipped the selector switch to 'semi', and fired several shots at the lead trooper, who dropped to the ground. The remaining soldiers were in disarray. Several ran for cover, several went prone, and one of them poured suppressive fire at his location. Ox cursed as bullets chewed up the wall near him. When there was a lull in the firing, he crouched down, peeked out again, and fired more shots at the soldiers. Another went down. The remainder evacuated, firing parting shots at his location. When they were gone, the firing from the manor ceased. Ox waited a full minute, then approached the house. "Friendly incoming!" He shouted. The door to the residence opened. "Get in, before they come back!" Shouted one of the men inside. Hesitating, Ox let his rifle hang, before heading inside.
The door slammed shut.
Hey again Bees! Today was one of my final Push workouts before the competition rolls up.
Bench Press: 137.5 x 2, 140 x 2, 147.5 x 2. The first two sets were hard. The third one, despite being kilos heavier than the first two, flowed smoothly, and I was tempted to try for three reps, but decided against it.
Competition Bench: 115 x 3. Tough! May or may not up it to 120 next week.
Incline Press: 97.5 x 6. Hello 100 my old friend...
Dumbbell Flat Curls: 20 x 14. Bleh.
Cable Wrist Curls: 16 x 20.
So my chest has gotten surprisingly strong these last few months. Hmm. Maybe aim for 160 after the competition?
Surprisingly, I woke up to a text saying that one of my clients needed help. Never one to turn her down, I taught my first lesson in weeks. It's good to have more work, and it looks like they may be coming back.
May or may not take a break tomorrow. We'll see. Going to have roasted duck for dinner, while Saturday we're having yum cha! Om nom nom.
Hope your week is going well, Bees!
Playing: A veritable cornucopia of stuff! Project Silverfish and Witchfire are my mainstays, of course. But I've gotten into some creepy first person adventure games.
First, I played Children of Clay. It's a short free adventure game that favours the creepy and the cold over sensational and bloody. Highly recommended!
I also played Teleforum, which is a Brazilian horror visual novel that stretches the boundaries of belief and imagination. Also highly recommended!
Also some comparatively low quality ones like Playground in the Woods, and the House in the Woods. Both of which I found quite naff, to be honest.
Tonight I shall play some of Wrong Floor, which looks interesting (and is said to be quite scary)!
Watching: Not much.
Listening to: Pink Floyd - Time. I don't really listen to Pink Floyd as much as I did when I was in college, but their music is still timeless. Pound for pound, Time is my favourite song off of Dark Side of the Moon; that guitar solo is simply insane!
"And you run and you run to catch up with the sun but it's sinking
Racing around to come up behind you again
Sun is the same, in a relative way, but you're older
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death"
"They got one of us!"
"Fascists!"
Ox could hear the cries through the distance, before another cacophonic storm of gunfire sounded. He could already guess who they were, but all the same, he headed over there carefully. Metropol was just as much a warzone as when he had last visited, the pockmarked buildings and caved-in roofs evidence of the city's scars. He passed by the police station he had hid in the last time he was there. Another crackle of bullets. Not far now. It was clear now what was going on. Ox took cover behind a house.
The street terminated with a large, manor-like house at its end. Muzzle flashes periodically erupted from its windows. But more notable were the NFTA troopers in their cold blue camo who were pressed up against the front wall of the manor. There must've been seven of them, and it looked like they were getting ready to breach the house, not 20 meters away from him. He had to act quick.
Ox leaned out, raised his assault rifle, flipped the selector switch to 'semi', and fired several shots at the lead trooper, who dropped to the ground. The remaining soldiers were in disarray. Several ran for cover, several went prone, and one of them poured suppressive fire at his location. Ox cursed as bullets chewed up the wall near him. When there was a lull in the firing, he crouched down, peeked out again, and fired more shots at the soldiers. Another went down. The remainder evacuated, firing parting shots at his location. When they were gone, the firing from the manor ceased. Ox waited a full minute, then approached the house. "Friendly incoming!" He shouted. The door to the residence opened. "Get in, before they come back!" Shouted one of the men inside. Hesitating, Ox let his rifle hang, before heading inside.
The door slammed shut.
Hey again Bees! Today was one of my final Push workouts before the competition rolls up.
Bench Press: 137.5 x 2, 140 x 2, 147.5 x 2. The first two sets were hard. The third one, despite being kilos heavier than the first two, flowed smoothly, and I was tempted to try for three reps, but decided against it.
Competition Bench: 115 x 3. Tough! May or may not up it to 120 next week.
Incline Press: 97.5 x 6. Hello 100 my old friend...
Dumbbell Flat Curls: 20 x 14. Bleh.
Cable Wrist Curls: 16 x 20.
So my chest has gotten surprisingly strong these last few months. Hmm. Maybe aim for 160 after the competition?
Surprisingly, I woke up to a text saying that one of my clients needed help. Never one to turn her down, I taught my first lesson in weeks. It's good to have more work, and it looks like they may be coming back.
May or may not take a break tomorrow. We'll see. Going to have roasted duck for dinner, while Saturday we're having yum cha! Om nom nom.
Hope your week is going well, Bees!
Playing: A veritable cornucopia of stuff! Project Silverfish and Witchfire are my mainstays, of course. But I've gotten into some creepy first person adventure games.
First, I played Children of Clay. It's a short free adventure game that favours the creepy and the cold over sensational and bloody. Highly recommended!
I also played Teleforum, which is a Brazilian horror visual novel that stretches the boundaries of belief and imagination. Also highly recommended!
Also some comparatively low quality ones like Playground in the Woods, and the House in the Woods. Both of which I found quite naff, to be honest.
Tonight I shall play some of Wrong Floor, which looks interesting (and is said to be quite scary)!
Watching: Not much.
Listening to: Pink Floyd - Time. I don't really listen to Pink Floyd as much as I did when I was in college, but their music is still timeless. Pound for pound, Time is my favourite song off of Dark Side of the Moon; that guitar solo is simply insane!
"And you run and you run to catch up with the sun but it's sinking
Racing around to come up behind you again
Sun is the same, in a relative way, but you're older
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death"
-
GentleOx
-
Last edited:
Best of luck for your competition!! 
@CODawn It is!
@astro_lizard Thank you! The aim is not to beat everyone else, but to simply do better than I have before.
@graoumia It's on September 6th, near my birthday!
The scene inside the deceptively large house was a chaotic one. Two of the squad were at the windows, checking for threats. Smoke lazily rose from the muzzles of their automatic rifles. Another was on the floor, groaning in agony, their bandaged midsection stained with bright blood. Ox noted the calm and seasoned bearing of the soldier tending to them. Somberly, one of their number lay dead in the corner; their eyes had been shut, and their weapon emptied of its magazine.
The squad leader (for that's surely what they were) glanced up at Ox and nodded. Clearly, despite never having met the mercenary word had gotten round. "Gauze. Alcohol. Preferably a medkit." Ox promptly shrugged out of his backpack, grabbed one of his spare (and expensive) medkits, and tossed it to the leader, who promptly unpacked its contents and got to work ameliorating the agony of his wounded charge. Ox took a moment to reload his own weapon, the dumped mag bouncing on the rug.
"Ox."
"Heard of you. Julio."
He took out a painkiller bottle from the box and gently placed several of the pills into his charge's hands. The wounded revolutionary downed the pills. "Booze... Whiskey! F*cking anything!" He moaned. "Hermano, booze and painkillers don't mix." Julio passed him a flask of water instead. Ox joined the two at the windows. "Any sign?" The one on the left shook his head, saying "Not that it matters, they'll be back in force."
"Some reason they're pursuing you? Usually they initiate fire and withdraw. These guys had orders." "We have something valuable to them," Julio said, administering a field dressing. A more mercenary-minded... mercenary would've taken that news as an opportunity to do something untoward. Julio was clearly referring to documents or artifacts that would fetch the right price in the right hands.
Ox simply grunted. "So what can I do for all of you? I'm simply a lone gun, and I caught a squad of conscripts by surprise. Chances are they'll send their rangers or worse, next chance they get. What you guys need is to exfiltrate." Julio sighed, and for a moment, his fatigue was apparent. Then he gathered himself into his persona again.
"We can't move Cruz. And I'm not going to leave Paz here. They would use her body as propaganda. No, we need reinforcements."
"Is your base nearby?"
"In the heart of the city."
Ox wondered at how he'd never found it, and Julio continued. "It's a klick and a half away from here. Take the bridge over the river, second right turn. You can't miss it!" Ox passed them several spare 5.56 magazines and opened the door. "Stay alive." Julio let out a small smile. "We're not that easy to put down."
And with that, Ox began to run.
Another Ox short that I didn't want to write at first, but it took on a life of its own.
Hey Bees! Super sleepy, but I still have the wherewithal to post another update.
Today was a LEGS day. I don't often do legs, so my willingness to risk pain and soreness deserves a celebration of its own:
Paused Squats: 80 x 5, 85 x 6. Ugh. The onset of soreness was instant. I felt it most in my glutes, which is the point, I suppose.
Front Squats: 60 x 6. Hello darkness my old friend - been awhile.
Hack Squats: 100 x 6. Finally, a challenging weight!
Lying Leg Curls: 35 x 10.
Back Extensions: Four sets of ten reps.
And now I have trouble walking. Great.
Tomorrow I'm going to take a break.
If I don't break on Sunday, that will make four days in a week I've exercised, which I haven't done in ages! Yay!
Keep at it Bees, it's almost Friday!
Playing: So, short horror Wrong Floor is kind of silly. And while it got me good a time or two, I'm not a fan of jump-scare heavy horror (one time I played a Half-Life mod filled with nothing but those), so this one didn't really attract me much. I give it two and a half crowbars out of five.
Will try another short horror called "Dressing Room". Man, there are so many of these around!
Did not play any Witchfire last night, which I spent guzzling Smarties and playing Project Silverfish. Ask me about my Smarties diet plan sometime lol.
Watching: Still not much, which is a shame, cuz there's so much out there! Maybe I'll get back into Peacemaker, whose second season comes out soon.
Listening to: Fleetwood Mac - Gypsy. It was a toss-up between this one or Charlie Sexton, and FM won the coin toss. Great song which shows why FM is a master of gentle melodies. One of those song whose melodies I knew about long before I knew the name of the song!
"So I'm back to the velvet underground
Back to the floor that I love
To a room with some lace and paper flowers
Back to the gypsy that I was"
@astro_lizard Thank you! The aim is not to beat everyone else, but to simply do better than I have before.
@graoumia It's on September 6th, near my birthday!
The scene inside the deceptively large house was a chaotic one. Two of the squad were at the windows, checking for threats. Smoke lazily rose from the muzzles of their automatic rifles. Another was on the floor, groaning in agony, their bandaged midsection stained with bright blood. Ox noted the calm and seasoned bearing of the soldier tending to them. Somberly, one of their number lay dead in the corner; their eyes had been shut, and their weapon emptied of its magazine.
The squad leader (for that's surely what they were) glanced up at Ox and nodded. Clearly, despite never having met the mercenary word had gotten round. "Gauze. Alcohol. Preferably a medkit." Ox promptly shrugged out of his backpack, grabbed one of his spare (and expensive) medkits, and tossed it to the leader, who promptly unpacked its contents and got to work ameliorating the agony of his wounded charge. Ox took a moment to reload his own weapon, the dumped mag bouncing on the rug.
"Ox."
"Heard of you. Julio."
He took out a painkiller bottle from the box and gently placed several of the pills into his charge's hands. The wounded revolutionary downed the pills. "Booze... Whiskey! F*cking anything!" He moaned. "Hermano, booze and painkillers don't mix." Julio passed him a flask of water instead. Ox joined the two at the windows. "Any sign?" The one on the left shook his head, saying "Not that it matters, they'll be back in force."
"Some reason they're pursuing you? Usually they initiate fire and withdraw. These guys had orders." "We have something valuable to them," Julio said, administering a field dressing. A more mercenary-minded... mercenary would've taken that news as an opportunity to do something untoward. Julio was clearly referring to documents or artifacts that would fetch the right price in the right hands.
Ox simply grunted. "So what can I do for all of you? I'm simply a lone gun, and I caught a squad of conscripts by surprise. Chances are they'll send their rangers or worse, next chance they get. What you guys need is to exfiltrate." Julio sighed, and for a moment, his fatigue was apparent. Then he gathered himself into his persona again.
"We can't move Cruz. And I'm not going to leave Paz here. They would use her body as propaganda. No, we need reinforcements."
"Is your base nearby?"
"In the heart of the city."
Ox wondered at how he'd never found it, and Julio continued. "It's a klick and a half away from here. Take the bridge over the river, second right turn. You can't miss it!" Ox passed them several spare 5.56 magazines and opened the door. "Stay alive." Julio let out a small smile. "We're not that easy to put down."
And with that, Ox began to run.
Another Ox short that I didn't want to write at first, but it took on a life of its own.
Hey Bees! Super sleepy, but I still have the wherewithal to post another update.
Today was a LEGS day. I don't often do legs, so my willingness to risk pain and soreness deserves a celebration of its own:
Paused Squats: 80 x 5, 85 x 6. Ugh. The onset of soreness was instant. I felt it most in my glutes, which is the point, I suppose.
Front Squats: 60 x 6. Hello darkness my old friend - been awhile.
Hack Squats: 100 x 6. Finally, a challenging weight!
Lying Leg Curls: 35 x 10.
Back Extensions: Four sets of ten reps.
And now I have trouble walking. Great.
Tomorrow I'm going to take a break.
If I don't break on Sunday, that will make four days in a week I've exercised, which I haven't done in ages! Yay!
Keep at it Bees, it's almost Friday!
Playing: So, short horror Wrong Floor is kind of silly. And while it got me good a time or two, I'm not a fan of jump-scare heavy horror (one time I played a Half-Life mod filled with nothing but those), so this one didn't really attract me much. I give it two and a half crowbars out of five.
Will try another short horror called "Dressing Room". Man, there are so many of these around!
Did not play any Witchfire last night, which I spent guzzling Smarties and playing Project Silverfish. Ask me about my Smarties diet plan sometime lol.
Watching: Still not much, which is a shame, cuz there's so much out there! Maybe I'll get back into Peacemaker, whose second season comes out soon.
Listening to: Fleetwood Mac - Gypsy. It was a toss-up between this one or Charlie Sexton, and FM won the coin toss. Great song which shows why FM is a master of gentle melodies. One of those song whose melodies I knew about long before I knew the name of the song!
"So I'm back to the velvet underground
Back to the floor that I love
To a room with some lace and paper flowers
Back to the gypsy that I was"
-
GentleOx
-
Last edited:
"Don't f*cking move!"
He was facing at least five rifles pointed straight at his centre-mass; the men wielding them were behind a wicked-looking barricade of barb wire, furniture, and metal scrap. The street seemed like a dead end, all desiccated, torn out buildings. He clocked a soldier in one of these buildings with its wall torn down aiming a bazooka at him. Ox raised his arms and let his weapon hang on its sling. He took a deep breath, and a step towards the barricade. "I'm Ox, a Freelancer. Julio sent me! His squad is trapped on Brown street in a townhouse." "Stay right there!" Shouted one of the men, who left the barricade and ran into a side street nearby. The soldiers hadn't lowered their weapons. He desperately wanted a cigarette.
It must've been only a minute or two when a woman stepped out of the same side street. She was clad in the same red camouflage coat as the other soldiers, though he noticed an artificial leg that didn't seem to impede her. Behind her was a short, unassuming man in the same fatigues, a wicked-looking rifle pressed to his shoulder. Careful now, Ox, he thought to himself. The woman spoke, her voice calm, but imposing. "We know who you are. What can you tell me about my men?"
"The NFTA have them trapped in a house on Brown street. Cruz is wounded. Paz is gone. Julio and the remaining two are still holding the fort, and they have what you're looking for." "He could be turned," remarked the man who seemed to be her confidant. "Could be a trap... they didn't radio us," he added, and then spat on the street. The commander folded her arms, considering things Ox couldn't guess at. Then she turned to the man, pivoting on her metal leg. "Send three squads, and tell them it's NFTA." If the man disagreed with this course of action, it didn't show. He put his fingers to his mouth, whistled, then turned to someone Ox couldn't see and held up three fingers. Then he made another sign Ox didn't recognize.
Not two minutes after, three groups of heavily-armed revolutionaries poured out of the side street and ran past Ox. The remaining soldiers at the barricade still had their rifles pointed in his direction.
Ox lowered his upraised arms a little. "Am I free to leave?" The woman gazed at him levelly.
"No... You're not going anywhere. For now, you're our guest. Surrender your weapons and follow Captain Diego."
Ox unclipped his rifle from its sling, and then lowered it to the ground. Then, with equal care, he unholstered his pistol, ejected the mag, and cleared the chamber, before setting this besides the rifle.
With no other choice remaining, he followed the captain down the side street..
There is a reference to a certain famous 1999 videogame in tonight's short. Can you spot it?
Hi again Bees! Back in the gym for my Sunday workout. I kicked butt, and got my butt kicked, but it was worth it!
Bench Press: 150 x 2, 145 x 2 (X). 150 twice is a PR, so... yeah! 145 twice is not, and I failed to get it on the third rep. Probably because I spent so much energy on 150.
Competition Bench: 120 x 3. Augh, this was painful. Part of my last minute training before the competition!
Incline Bench: 100 x 7.
Rope Pushdowns: 16 x 10. A bloody, but successful PR set! Yay!
Hammer Curls: 20 x 20.
Cable Wrist Curls: 16 x 25.
I did some cyberpunking around afterward.
The lanes were buzzing today!
The villain hitters were pulling in steady business today!
Have a great Sunday, Bees!
Playing: No Witchfire these last two nights, which is just remarkable. Been playing around with Project Silverfish, of course.
Played some of The Quiet One, a short horror from itch. I gotta say, I'm not a fan of having to do all these mundane tasks these games put you through. You have to wash dishes, get someone a snack, tidy the living room... I play games to get away from this drivel in real life; why do it again in a game? Grumble. And the mechanics of the ending sequence were just rubbish, and defy common sense. Also, your avatar's walk speed brings to mind a granny in molasses. Ugh. I award this short game one and a half giant screwdrivers out of five.
That said, I'll continue to try out more Itch games, as they're pleasant diversions.
Next up is one called Father Figure, which might be... exactly what it sounds like? Huh.
Cute: Behold this absolutely adorable stop-motion animation of a plushie shark (the famous Blahaj)! Definitely not what I expected when I clicked the link.
Now I want to buy a blahaj toy! My old cocker spaniel plushie, Charlie, is nowhere to be found, so I'm in need of a stuffy to hug at night.
Listening to: Cestra - Elision. Powerhouse vocals and a propulsive groove combine to make this forceful sci-fi rock song. There should be a genre for songs like this; I suppose that speaks to its originality. Simply amazing.
"My love you cannot speak of it
But there’s a language for this
You split the sun to exist
Pandora has you by the neck
But you made a language for this
Your crucifixion and gift"
He was facing at least five rifles pointed straight at his centre-mass; the men wielding them were behind a wicked-looking barricade of barb wire, furniture, and metal scrap. The street seemed like a dead end, all desiccated, torn out buildings. He clocked a soldier in one of these buildings with its wall torn down aiming a bazooka at him. Ox raised his arms and let his weapon hang on its sling. He took a deep breath, and a step towards the barricade. "I'm Ox, a Freelancer. Julio sent me! His squad is trapped on Brown street in a townhouse." "Stay right there!" Shouted one of the men, who left the barricade and ran into a side street nearby. The soldiers hadn't lowered their weapons. He desperately wanted a cigarette.
It must've been only a minute or two when a woman stepped out of the same side street. She was clad in the same red camouflage coat as the other soldiers, though he noticed an artificial leg that didn't seem to impede her. Behind her was a short, unassuming man in the same fatigues, a wicked-looking rifle pressed to his shoulder. Careful now, Ox, he thought to himself. The woman spoke, her voice calm, but imposing. "We know who you are. What can you tell me about my men?"
"The NFTA have them trapped in a house on Brown street. Cruz is wounded. Paz is gone. Julio and the remaining two are still holding the fort, and they have what you're looking for." "He could be turned," remarked the man who seemed to be her confidant. "Could be a trap... they didn't radio us," he added, and then spat on the street. The commander folded her arms, considering things Ox couldn't guess at. Then she turned to the man, pivoting on her metal leg. "Send three squads, and tell them it's NFTA." If the man disagreed with this course of action, it didn't show. He put his fingers to his mouth, whistled, then turned to someone Ox couldn't see and held up three fingers. Then he made another sign Ox didn't recognize.
Not two minutes after, three groups of heavily-armed revolutionaries poured out of the side street and ran past Ox. The remaining soldiers at the barricade still had their rifles pointed in his direction.
Ox lowered his upraised arms a little. "Am I free to leave?" The woman gazed at him levelly.
"No... You're not going anywhere. For now, you're our guest. Surrender your weapons and follow Captain Diego."
Ox unclipped his rifle from its sling, and then lowered it to the ground. Then, with equal care, he unholstered his pistol, ejected the mag, and cleared the chamber, before setting this besides the rifle.
With no other choice remaining, he followed the captain down the side street..
There is a reference to a certain famous 1999 videogame in tonight's short. Can you spot it?
Hi again Bees! Back in the gym for my Sunday workout. I kicked butt, and got my butt kicked, but it was worth it!
Bench Press: 150 x 2, 145 x 2 (X). 150 twice is a PR, so... yeah! 145 twice is not, and I failed to get it on the third rep. Probably because I spent so much energy on 150.
Competition Bench: 120 x 3. Augh, this was painful. Part of my last minute training before the competition!
Incline Bench: 100 x 7.
Rope Pushdowns: 16 x 10. A bloody, but successful PR set! Yay!
Hammer Curls: 20 x 20.
Cable Wrist Curls: 16 x 25.
I did some cyberpunking around afterward.
The lanes were buzzing today!
The villain hitters were pulling in steady business today!
Have a great Sunday, Bees!
Playing: No Witchfire these last two nights, which is just remarkable. Been playing around with Project Silverfish, of course.
Played some of The Quiet One, a short horror from itch. I gotta say, I'm not a fan of having to do all these mundane tasks these games put you through. You have to wash dishes, get someone a snack, tidy the living room... I play games to get away from this drivel in real life; why do it again in a game? Grumble. And the mechanics of the ending sequence were just rubbish, and defy common sense. Also, your avatar's walk speed brings to mind a granny in molasses. Ugh. I award this short game one and a half giant screwdrivers out of five.
That said, I'll continue to try out more Itch games, as they're pleasant diversions.
Next up is one called Father Figure, which might be... exactly what it sounds like? Huh.
Cute: Behold this absolutely adorable stop-motion animation of a plushie shark (the famous Blahaj)! Definitely not what I expected when I clicked the link.
Now I want to buy a blahaj toy! My old cocker spaniel plushie, Charlie, is nowhere to be found, so I'm in need of a stuffy to hug at night.
Listening to: Cestra - Elision. Powerhouse vocals and a propulsive groove combine to make this forceful sci-fi rock song. There should be a genre for songs like this; I suppose that speaks to its originality. Simply amazing.
"My love you cannot speak of it
But there’s a language for this
You split the sun to exist
Pandora has you by the neck
But you made a language for this
Your crucifixion and gift"
NightWolf714
The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change. ~Carl Rogers
Congrats on the PR's!
And that stop motion video was so much better than I was expecting. XD
And that stop motion video was so much better than I was expecting. XD
Thank you most kindly @Fremen, @graoumia, @JCU, and @NightWolf714.
@NightWolf714 That video is the cutest dang thing I'd seen in awhile!
"Raise." Ox added a few more coins to the top of the table. Banged up and with duct tape keeping it standing, it seemed to represent the burnt out, blown up neighborhood surrounding them writ small. Ringo raised his lizard eyebrows. A quiet one he was. He'd said less than a sentence since the game began. Flores checked her cards and then asserted herself: "Call". Ox kept up the charade a moment longer before his practicality won out, and he put his cards face down, his bluff unsuccessful. "Fold." It was between the two revolutionaries now, Sofia acting impassively as a dealer. Diego stood behind them looking disapproving, but Ox realized in the short time he'd known the captain that A. he always looked like that, and B. you tried him at your own risk. Soon, Flores' eyes darted to Ringo, who watched back impassively. "Fold," she announced, placing her cards down as well. Ringo finally surrendered his cards; with his two 2s and two kings, he had a strong, but not winning hand. At least that's what Ox thought, annoyed. As Ringo raked in the assorted coins and dollar bills of the pot, there was commotion from below. Diego whistled, and the squad at the poker table looked up at him. He closed his fist, then pointed at Ox. They seemed to understand, instantly getting up from their places. Ringo hurriedly stuffed his winnings into a pouch.
The squad headed downstairs. Sofia grinned, looking back at him. "C'mon, Ox, let's see what happened to the squad." Ox grinned back, but uneasily. As hooting and hollering erupted from below in the courtyard, Ox knew he was safe. As he passed through the doorway leading outside, he could see a crowd gathered. "Heroes de la Revolucion!" One of the men shouted. Seeing Ox approach, the crowd parted a little. He could see Julio, weary but still proud and standing, Cruz in a stretcher, still breathing, and Ana and Jose tired, but none the worse for the wear. Julio spoke up. Still sobering was Paz's body placed to the side, a cloth covering her face. "Comrade Ox is a true amigo! He gunned down a squad of NFTA pendejos and saved us. Hero de la Revolucion!" The crowd cheered, Ox bashfully raising his arm in acknowledgement.
"Suficiente! Fun's over, go back to your posts," Diego, called out. The soldiers slowly dispersed, trading fist bumps with the squad and Ox, leaving Ox to stand in the courtyard with the officer and the remaining squad. Julio approached him. "I need to get my orders, but I'll never forget your risking your hide for us. Take care of yourself, amigo." Ox grinned. "Just paying it forward. Take care of yourselves, y'hear?" Julio pulled Ox into an embrace, and then tapped him on the shoulder as he left. Ana and Jose traded fist bumps with him before ascending the stairs nearby. Only he and Diego remained now. Ox turned to the skeptical captain.
"I can go now, right?"
"I don't know. * Can * you?" His obnoxiousness was almost endearing.
"Am I a friend to the Revolutionaries?"
Diego looked at him, deadpan. "I suppose so."
"Does that mean that you and I are comrades?"
Diego rolled his eyes.
"Don't push your luck."
(Apologies to any of you Bees who are Spanish speakers.)
Hey Bees! Super sleepy, but I braved the summer heat to get in another workout. And to buy lots of Smarties. Got to feed that chocolate addiction, yum yum.
Today was a Pull day. I stopped doing the Snatch grip Deadlifts for now, in lieu of another variant.
Paused Deadlifts: 140 x 5. Fun. In a sick, challenging, not at all fun kind of way.
Barbell Rows: 100 x 6. I lowered the weight again.
Meadows Rows: 47.5 x 5.
Neutral Chin Ups: Top set of six reps.
Lat Pulldowns: 70 x 8.
Close grip cable rows: 65 x 5, I think.
Because the supermarket near my home had run out of Smarties, I took the bus to another part of the city to get more. I really like Smarties! So after my chocolate run, I checked the supermarket which had run out yesterday, and they were fully restocked - rendering my journey somewhat pointless. Oh well, I get my chocolate fix either way.
Flaggle Claggle.
I had a flood of work come in a few days ago, and I'm still arranging and teaching my classes. When it rains, it pours!
Take care in these summer days, Bees!
Playing: Umm, I mostly played Project Silverfish while listening to classic rock. AC/DC + PS is a winning combo! Haven't played much of anything else, though I want to get back into Witchfire.
Watching: Once again, not much! Peacemaker is out (one ep at a time), so I may cotton onto that.
Listening to: Elliott Smith - Wouldn't Mama Be Proud. I haven't listened to this song in years, and it's still as catchy and reflective as I remember it being. I can't pinpoint the exact moment in my life that I continuously listened to it... perhaps 2009/10? I would listen to a lot of his stuff when I was depressed, I recall.
"The question is, "Wouldn't mama be proud?"
There's a silver lining in the corporate cloud
And the pretty post that you're taking as
As an NCO of the great pretender
I should sure think so!"
@NightWolf714 That video is the cutest dang thing I'd seen in awhile!
"Raise." Ox added a few more coins to the top of the table. Banged up and with duct tape keeping it standing, it seemed to represent the burnt out, blown up neighborhood surrounding them writ small. Ringo raised his lizard eyebrows. A quiet one he was. He'd said less than a sentence since the game began. Flores checked her cards and then asserted herself: "Call". Ox kept up the charade a moment longer before his practicality won out, and he put his cards face down, his bluff unsuccessful. "Fold." It was between the two revolutionaries now, Sofia acting impassively as a dealer. Diego stood behind them looking disapproving, but Ox realized in the short time he'd known the captain that A. he always looked like that, and B. you tried him at your own risk. Soon, Flores' eyes darted to Ringo, who watched back impassively. "Fold," she announced, placing her cards down as well. Ringo finally surrendered his cards; with his two 2s and two kings, he had a strong, but not winning hand. At least that's what Ox thought, annoyed. As Ringo raked in the assorted coins and dollar bills of the pot, there was commotion from below. Diego whistled, and the squad at the poker table looked up at him. He closed his fist, then pointed at Ox. They seemed to understand, instantly getting up from their places. Ringo hurriedly stuffed his winnings into a pouch.
The squad headed downstairs. Sofia grinned, looking back at him. "C'mon, Ox, let's see what happened to the squad." Ox grinned back, but uneasily. As hooting and hollering erupted from below in the courtyard, Ox knew he was safe. As he passed through the doorway leading outside, he could see a crowd gathered. "Heroes de la Revolucion!" One of the men shouted. Seeing Ox approach, the crowd parted a little. He could see Julio, weary but still proud and standing, Cruz in a stretcher, still breathing, and Ana and Jose tired, but none the worse for the wear. Julio spoke up. Still sobering was Paz's body placed to the side, a cloth covering her face. "Comrade Ox is a true amigo! He gunned down a squad of NFTA pendejos and saved us. Hero de la Revolucion!" The crowd cheered, Ox bashfully raising his arm in acknowledgement.
"Suficiente! Fun's over, go back to your posts," Diego, called out. The soldiers slowly dispersed, trading fist bumps with the squad and Ox, leaving Ox to stand in the courtyard with the officer and the remaining squad. Julio approached him. "I need to get my orders, but I'll never forget your risking your hide for us. Take care of yourself, amigo." Ox grinned. "Just paying it forward. Take care of yourselves, y'hear?" Julio pulled Ox into an embrace, and then tapped him on the shoulder as he left. Ana and Jose traded fist bumps with him before ascending the stairs nearby. Only he and Diego remained now. Ox turned to the skeptical captain.
"I can go now, right?"
"I don't know. * Can * you?" His obnoxiousness was almost endearing.
"Am I a friend to the Revolutionaries?"
Diego looked at him, deadpan. "I suppose so."
"Does that mean that you and I are comrades?"
Diego rolled his eyes.
"Don't push your luck."
(Apologies to any of you Bees who are Spanish speakers.)
Hey Bees! Super sleepy, but I braved the summer heat to get in another workout. And to buy lots of Smarties. Got to feed that chocolate addiction, yum yum.
Today was a Pull day. I stopped doing the Snatch grip Deadlifts for now, in lieu of another variant.
Paused Deadlifts: 140 x 5. Fun. In a sick, challenging, not at all fun kind of way.
Barbell Rows: 100 x 6. I lowered the weight again.
Meadows Rows: 47.5 x 5.
Neutral Chin Ups: Top set of six reps.
Lat Pulldowns: 70 x 8.
Close grip cable rows: 65 x 5, I think.
Because the supermarket near my home had run out of Smarties, I took the bus to another part of the city to get more. I really like Smarties! So after my chocolate run, I checked the supermarket which had run out yesterday, and they were fully restocked - rendering my journey somewhat pointless. Oh well, I get my chocolate fix either way.
Flaggle Claggle.
I had a flood of work come in a few days ago, and I'm still arranging and teaching my classes. When it rains, it pours!
Take care in these summer days, Bees!
Playing: Umm, I mostly played Project Silverfish while listening to classic rock. AC/DC + PS is a winning combo! Haven't played much of anything else, though I want to get back into Witchfire.
Watching: Once again, not much! Peacemaker is out (one ep at a time), so I may cotton onto that.
Listening to: Elliott Smith - Wouldn't Mama Be Proud. I haven't listened to this song in years, and it's still as catchy and reflective as I remember it being. I can't pinpoint the exact moment in my life that I continuously listened to it... perhaps 2009/10? I would listen to a lot of his stuff when I was depressed, I recall.
"The question is, "Wouldn't mama be proud?"
There's a silver lining in the corporate cloud
And the pretty post that you're taking as
As an NCO of the great pretender
I should sure think so!"
-
GentleOx
-
Last edited:
smarties !!
NightWolf714
The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change. ~Carl Rogers
Thank you so much @CODawn! @graoumia and @NightWolf714 I absolutely love chocolate! Om nom nom.
The Observatory camp was quiet, as usual. A nod to Emily, the sniper in the watchtower. A wave at Joseph and Orban, who were reclining on their makeshift cots. They were eyeing him, for some reason. But he was too tired to care. Entering the observatory that was now his home, he was looking forward to collapsing into bed. Simmi was there - she was facing him as he entered. "Hey," he said, trying to be casual, and given his fatigue, failing entirely. She didn't say anything. She was looking at him strangely, and there were multiple things written on that lizard face: worry, fear, relief... maybe a bit of reproach?
After a moment of hesitation, she closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around him in a hug. Ox stiffened. I shouldn't be doing this, he thought to himself. Life was cheap here, and friendships, let alone relationships could be snuffed out like a flame in the wind. But that didn't stop him from returning the embrace. All the tension, the fear, the adrenaline and the thrill of almost-dying washed out of him in that moment. After awhile, they broke apart. Simmi looked him up and down, and satisfied he was in one piece, stepped away, as if remembering herself, and her place there.
"Had a hell of a day, did you." Her voice was husky.
"Yeah. Not sure how I made it out." He coughed. "We'll talk later?"
It looked like she wanted to say more. In the end, she turned back to her map and notes, looking back at him one more time.
"It's good to have you back."
Hey Bees! I've been very busy, but not too busy to gym, of course. Today was a fun Push day, in which I did some stuff unrelated to my competition (which is next week).
Close Grip Press: 127.5 x 5. Another PR! Wowzers! Never done this before.
Paused Incline Press: 100 x 6.
Paused Overhead Press: 65 x 5. Should do more of these, they feel great.
One Arm Cable Extensions: 40 x 6.
Dumbbell Flat Curls: 20 x 10. Yuck. Just didn't have that much strength today.
Got some yummy chiuchow duck for dinner, yum yum.
It'll be rainy the next few days, but I'm more worried about getting right this spate of classes I have coming up! Busy busy...
Have a great Thursday, Bees!
Playing: Uhh, another new Project Silverfish save in which I'm trying to game the system, essentially. God bless Siris Pendrake for making such an ambitious and playable indie gem. Haven't played anything else, including Witchfire! Hrm, should get back into Conscript (and Dead Space eventually), lol.
Watching: I will retire this section for now, as I never get around to watching anything (I'm more into gaming). If I do watch something, then you'll see this section pop up again.
Listening to: Icehouse - No Promises. Another throwback to the 80s! Is there no end to its timeless, retro appeal? I'm not a fan of most of their work, but they're still an amazing band.
The Observatory camp was quiet, as usual. A nod to Emily, the sniper in the watchtower. A wave at Joseph and Orban, who were reclining on their makeshift cots. They were eyeing him, for some reason. But he was too tired to care. Entering the observatory that was now his home, he was looking forward to collapsing into bed. Simmi was there - she was facing him as he entered. "Hey," he said, trying to be casual, and given his fatigue, failing entirely. She didn't say anything. She was looking at him strangely, and there were multiple things written on that lizard face: worry, fear, relief... maybe a bit of reproach?
After a moment of hesitation, she closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around him in a hug. Ox stiffened. I shouldn't be doing this, he thought to himself. Life was cheap here, and friendships, let alone relationships could be snuffed out like a flame in the wind. But that didn't stop him from returning the embrace. All the tension, the fear, the adrenaline and the thrill of almost-dying washed out of him in that moment. After awhile, they broke apart. Simmi looked him up and down, and satisfied he was in one piece, stepped away, as if remembering herself, and her place there.
"Had a hell of a day, did you." Her voice was husky.
"Yeah. Not sure how I made it out." He coughed. "We'll talk later?"
It looked like she wanted to say more. In the end, she turned back to her map and notes, looking back at him one more time.
"It's good to have you back."
Hey Bees! I've been very busy, but not too busy to gym, of course. Today was a fun Push day, in which I did some stuff unrelated to my competition (which is next week).
Close Grip Press: 127.5 x 5. Another PR! Wowzers! Never done this before.
Paused Incline Press: 100 x 6.
Paused Overhead Press: 65 x 5. Should do more of these, they feel great.
One Arm Cable Extensions: 40 x 6.
Dumbbell Flat Curls: 20 x 10. Yuck. Just didn't have that much strength today.
Got some yummy chiuchow duck for dinner, yum yum.
It'll be rainy the next few days, but I'm more worried about getting right this spate of classes I have coming up! Busy busy...
Have a great Thursday, Bees!
Playing: Uhh, another new Project Silverfish save in which I'm trying to game the system, essentially. God bless Siris Pendrake for making such an ambitious and playable indie gem. Haven't played anything else, including Witchfire! Hrm, should get back into Conscript (and Dead Space eventually), lol.
Watching: I will retire this section for now, as I never get around to watching anything (I'm more into gaming). If I do watch something, then you'll see this section pop up again.
Listening to: Icehouse - No Promises. Another throwback to the 80s! Is there no end to its timeless, retro appeal? I'm not a fan of most of their work, but they're still an amazing band.
Thank you kindly @JCU @Mamatigerj @graoumia and @Fremen!
"Did you know at the time that they weren't going to kill you?" Ox pondered the question for a second.
"No. I thought what would happen to me depended on the missing squad," he replied, taking a sip of whiskey from a tin cup. "If they turned up dead, then my fate was sealed." The liquid, taken from an appropriately abandoned bottle in a house in the Crossroads, still tasted rich and flavourful, and boy did it have a kick to it. They were seated on the ground outside of the observatory, and the passing day was bathing the camp in hues of red. He had invited Simmi outside for a drink, but she had declined; he thought he knew why, and had given her some space. Istvan, a seasoned and loyal stalker who had his share of stories, was more inclined. And so here they were, taking a welcome break from the surreal madness that had engulfed the world. Istvan took a sip from his own cup.
"I don't think they would've, their words, 'liberated you'. Fundamentally a security issue. They were afraid word would get out to the NFTA or the Insurgents what was going on, and that the squad had valuable property. They're not vicious, unlike those pricks in blue. So they held on to you. Good think you made it out - my liver thanks you." He held out his cup shamelessly, and Ox indulged him by pouring some more of the golden liquid into the cup. "I'm aware that they're fighting the good fight and all that nonsense, but when all that went down, I was totally at their mercy. A pawn on their chessboard, so to speak."
Istvan thoughtfully swirled his drink around. "I remember when you first came here, cold, wet and naive. You were making all these claims about other lives you've lived." He laughed a throaty laugh, Ox grunting in annoyance. Nobody had believed him about that, so from then on, he'd left out that detail. "Anyway, you're not a pawn anymore. You're... chyort, maybe chess is not such a good analogy. Cards then. You're a wildcard." Ox hesitated. "I'm not interested in playing kingmaker or moving the pieces or whispering in ears. Just trying to survive."
Istvan grinned, and saluted him with his tin cup. "As are we all. Roam and grow fat off the land."
Ox mirrored the gesture. "Roam and grow fat off the land."
Hey again, Bees! It's only been two days that I took off from the gym, but it feels like an eternity.
Today was my final Push day before the competition (I'll likely work Arms or Legs to compensate).
Competition Bench: 140 x 1. 130 x 3. 140 was quite easy, but doing 130 three times in a row was not!
Incline Press: 102.5 x 7.
Overhead Press: 75 x 5. Need to get 7 reps for it to be a PR.
Hammer Curls: 20 x 22.
Wrist Curls: 14 x 25.
Tomorrow starts September. Competition is this coming Saturday, yup yup. Quite excited.
Have a good Sunday, Bees!
Playing: A dash of Witchfire, a bit more of Project Silverfish. Completed the final quest in the latter, and eagerly waiting for another update. Really should get back into Conscript...
Upcoming: As an enormous fan of The Room (arguably the most entertaining terrible movie of all time), I love hearing different experiences related to making the film, and how the cast coped with Tommy Wiseau's bizarre and capricious whims. This is a trailer for two relatively lesser crew who worked on the film, and I love their illustrated perspective on it!
Listening to: The New Division - Zenith. Hmm, there are more ND songs I haven't listened to. The perfect blend of pop songcraft and synth nostalgia!
"Did you know at the time that they weren't going to kill you?" Ox pondered the question for a second.
"No. I thought what would happen to me depended on the missing squad," he replied, taking a sip of whiskey from a tin cup. "If they turned up dead, then my fate was sealed." The liquid, taken from an appropriately abandoned bottle in a house in the Crossroads, still tasted rich and flavourful, and boy did it have a kick to it. They were seated on the ground outside of the observatory, and the passing day was bathing the camp in hues of red. He had invited Simmi outside for a drink, but she had declined; he thought he knew why, and had given her some space. Istvan, a seasoned and loyal stalker who had his share of stories, was more inclined. And so here they were, taking a welcome break from the surreal madness that had engulfed the world. Istvan took a sip from his own cup.
"I don't think they would've, their words, 'liberated you'. Fundamentally a security issue. They were afraid word would get out to the NFTA or the Insurgents what was going on, and that the squad had valuable property. They're not vicious, unlike those pricks in blue. So they held on to you. Good think you made it out - my liver thanks you." He held out his cup shamelessly, and Ox indulged him by pouring some more of the golden liquid into the cup. "I'm aware that they're fighting the good fight and all that nonsense, but when all that went down, I was totally at their mercy. A pawn on their chessboard, so to speak."
Istvan thoughtfully swirled his drink around. "I remember when you first came here, cold, wet and naive. You were making all these claims about other lives you've lived." He laughed a throaty laugh, Ox grunting in annoyance. Nobody had believed him about that, so from then on, he'd left out that detail. "Anyway, you're not a pawn anymore. You're... chyort, maybe chess is not such a good analogy. Cards then. You're a wildcard." Ox hesitated. "I'm not interested in playing kingmaker or moving the pieces or whispering in ears. Just trying to survive."
Istvan grinned, and saluted him with his tin cup. "As are we all. Roam and grow fat off the land."
Ox mirrored the gesture. "Roam and grow fat off the land."
Hey again, Bees! It's only been two days that I took off from the gym, but it feels like an eternity.
Today was my final Push day before the competition (I'll likely work Arms or Legs to compensate).
Competition Bench: 140 x 1. 130 x 3. 140 was quite easy, but doing 130 three times in a row was not!
Incline Press: 102.5 x 7.
Overhead Press: 75 x 5. Need to get 7 reps for it to be a PR.
Hammer Curls: 20 x 22.
Wrist Curls: 14 x 25.
Tomorrow starts September. Competition is this coming Saturday, yup yup. Quite excited.
Have a good Sunday, Bees!
Playing: A dash of Witchfire, a bit more of Project Silverfish. Completed the final quest in the latter, and eagerly waiting for another update. Really should get back into Conscript...
Upcoming: As an enormous fan of The Room (arguably the most entertaining terrible movie of all time), I love hearing different experiences related to making the film, and how the cast coped with Tommy Wiseau's bizarre and capricious whims. This is a trailer for two relatively lesser crew who worked on the film, and I love their illustrated perspective on it!
Listening to: The New Division - Zenith. Hmm, there are more ND songs I haven't listened to. The perfect blend of pop songcraft and synth nostalgia!
-
GentleOx
-
Last edited:
"We can't do this." Her hand was on his arm. It was a light touch, and he had on his fatigues, but he could still feel that gentle pressure. Ox was disappointed, to say the very least. "Can you at least tell me--" "It's happened before." Her voice wavered a touch. "With him, we went forward with it. Not a care in the world. He was an Insurgent, and I a Freelancer." Ox grinned, and his inebriation spoke for him. "Romeo and Juli--" She raised a hand in admonishment, and he shut up. "He promised he would defect, that he would stay alive. They found out, and made an example of him." She paused, and when she spoke again her voice split open. "It hurt me so badly when they took him away from me, will it hurt just as much if I were to lose you?" Ox was off-balance now, and he replied instinctively. "That won't be me. I've survived so far, and--"
Simmi leaned forward to touch her forehead against his. The whiskey was telling him to kiss her, goddammit. The words were actually showing up in his mind visually. But he didn't do anything. "He told me exactly that." They stayed like that for a moment, before she moved away. Her eyes were fixed upon him, and seemed to communicate more than see. "From now on, just business." His mouth was dry, and he barely got the words out. "Just business."
* * *
It was a bad idea from the start. We're all f*cking lizards, how could it have ever worked out. She could die, I could die. Cigarettes. Istvan, still on his carpet under his tent, watched him take out his trusty pack of Merlbros, hands agitated and shaky. "So what they say is true. You are in the doghouse?" Ox bit his tongue. He wanted to scream out loud, at her, at Istvan, at the stupid little camp, at the sky, but most of all, at himself. In the end, he took a breath, heaved out a sigh from his whole body. "I don't know if we even got that far." Ox finally made it to getting out his lighter, but in his frustration, lighting any cigarettes seemed impossible. "Perhaps is for the best? A lot can happen in the Zone." Right, he was going to kill Istvan. "Did you know most of the camp have wanted to date her?" Slowly and painfully. "I know the cure for what ails you." Hold that thought, Istvan had a point. Ox took out his pack, grabbed the second(!) bottle of whiskey he had stashed there, and took it out. Istvan positively cheered. "I was getting thirsty again." Ox let out a vicious grin in response to this.
"This one is all mine."
(Edit: I changed some of the story to reflect some consistency in Ox's reaction).
Hey again, Bees!
Today was another Pull day. I upped the poundages on my principal lift a little.
Paused Deadlifts: 145 x 5. Unf. Still a challenge.
Barbell Rows: 102.5 x 8, I think.
Machine One Arm Rows: 75 x 5.
Incline Rows: 28 x 6.
Neutral Grip Chin Ups: Top set of six reps.
Machine Behind the Neck Pulldowns: 60 x 5.
Just keeping it simple today. Have a ton of classes this week, leading up to the competition, so will take a break tomorrow to do some lesson planning.
Have a good Monday, Bees!
Playing: I almost didn't play anything last night. I think I played a bit of Project Silverfish, but still no Conscript or Witchfire. Project Silverfish just got a new beta update (celebrations!), so I'm probably diving back in tonight.
Watching: I just started a blind watch of a French cosmic horror titled "All the Gods in the Sky", or "Tous les dieux du ciel" (which sounds like it rolls of the tongue, correct me if I'm wrong @graoumia @PetiteSheWolf ). It's started off on a disturbing footing, and it's likely going to get more dire!
Listening to: AC/DC - Dog Eat Dog. Wait a minute. How did this ever leave my playlist?? Only now do I remember listening to it years ago (like, ten or so). The human capacity for forgetting is amazing, but I assure you, it won't happen again!
Simmi leaned forward to touch her forehead against his. The whiskey was telling him to kiss her, goddammit. The words were actually showing up in his mind visually. But he didn't do anything. "He told me exactly that." They stayed like that for a moment, before she moved away. Her eyes were fixed upon him, and seemed to communicate more than see. "From now on, just business." His mouth was dry, and he barely got the words out. "Just business."
* * *
It was a bad idea from the start. We're all f*cking lizards, how could it have ever worked out. She could die, I could die. Cigarettes. Istvan, still on his carpet under his tent, watched him take out his trusty pack of Merlbros, hands agitated and shaky. "So what they say is true. You are in the doghouse?" Ox bit his tongue. He wanted to scream out loud, at her, at Istvan, at the stupid little camp, at the sky, but most of all, at himself. In the end, he took a breath, heaved out a sigh from his whole body. "I don't know if we even got that far." Ox finally made it to getting out his lighter, but in his frustration, lighting any cigarettes seemed impossible. "Perhaps is for the best? A lot can happen in the Zone." Right, he was going to kill Istvan. "Did you know most of the camp have wanted to date her?" Slowly and painfully. "I know the cure for what ails you." Hold that thought, Istvan had a point. Ox took out his pack, grabbed the second(!) bottle of whiskey he had stashed there, and took it out. Istvan positively cheered. "I was getting thirsty again." Ox let out a vicious grin in response to this.
"This one is all mine."
(Edit: I changed some of the story to reflect some consistency in Ox's reaction).
Hey again, Bees!
Today was another Pull day. I upped the poundages on my principal lift a little.
Paused Deadlifts: 145 x 5. Unf. Still a challenge.
Barbell Rows: 102.5 x 8, I think.
Machine One Arm Rows: 75 x 5.
Incline Rows: 28 x 6.
Neutral Grip Chin Ups: Top set of six reps.
Machine Behind the Neck Pulldowns: 60 x 5.
Just keeping it simple today. Have a ton of classes this week, leading up to the competition, so will take a break tomorrow to do some lesson planning.
Have a good Monday, Bees!
Playing: I almost didn't play anything last night. I think I played a bit of Project Silverfish, but still no Conscript or Witchfire. Project Silverfish just got a new beta update (celebrations!), so I'm probably diving back in tonight.
Watching: I just started a blind watch of a French cosmic horror titled "All the Gods in the Sky", or "Tous les dieux du ciel" (which sounds like it rolls of the tongue, correct me if I'm wrong @graoumia @PetiteSheWolf ). It's started off on a disturbing footing, and it's likely going to get more dire!
Listening to: AC/DC - Dog Eat Dog. Wait a minute. How did this ever leave my playlist?? Only now do I remember listening to it years ago (like, ten or so). The human capacity for forgetting is amazing, but I assure you, it won't happen again!
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GentleOx
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Yep, you got it right dear Ox, and "Dieu du ciel" / "dieux du ciel") singular or plural, was a common mild curse. You'll have to tell us how it is.
@PetiteSheWolf Thank you for telling me that! If I get around to finishing the movie, I'll post my impressions for sure.
He was in bed, under a warm blanket. Was he home in Guangdong? He took his arms out from under the covers. They were paws. Nope, still a lizard. Still in Carcosa. Still in the observatory. His memory was coming back, albeit with some recent blanks. Still rejected by her.
He sat up, and realized that he was clothed only in his shorts. The last thing he remembered was downing the flask of whiskey in several gulps, the thrill of alcohol rushing through him, stumbling around camp drunkenly and... that was it. He was almost too sore, and too nauseous to be mortified. He could hear sounds of someone clacking away at a keyboard. Simmi. He could lay in bed, let the self-pity run its course. That was looking quite tempting. Leave the camp for a bit, adventure around. Impossible right now. But more feasible and tempting was stepping outside and having a cigarette, so he chose that.
He dressed as silently as he could, still hungover enough to put his pants on one wrong leg at a time. Then he tiptoed down the stairs to the first floor of the observatory, hoping to avoid Simmi and any awkward -- and it was too late. She had stopped typing, and was facing him, trying to look as casual as she could. Something was written on her face. Multiple things. "Hey," she said. "You're up." "Yeah," he responded somewhat lamely. She let out a shy smile that was like the sun breaking through the clouds. "It's nice out. You going for a smoke?" "Yep." Real scholar, he was. "Maybe I'll catch you later." She turned back to her work, preempting any further discussion. Ox stood there like a fool for a few seconds before tearing himself away and leaving the room.
The camp seemed lively as ever, and as he walked out, he noticed a few stares and muttering. Currently, in the midst of that nauseous, uneasy and vile feeling that characterizes hangovers, Ox paid them no heed, and found himself a spot on the ground overlooking the sea. Standing made him woozy, so he sat down, crossing his legs, his knees complaining. He got out his cigarettes, slid one out (he was running low), and lit it. Bringing it to his mouth, he inhaled that minty, smokey flavour into his lungs and exhaled a thin stream of smoke into the air. Mmm... tobacco.
Idly tapping ashes onto the rocks below, he realized he could not let her go.
Hello Bees! Been a hot minute since I worked out.
As today is two days out from the competition, I did a fluffy Arms workout, just to get my muscles working.
Dumbbell Flat Curls: 20 x 20. Back to hitting the 20s, nice!
Dumbbell Overhead Extension: 16 x 6. Not so much for these.
Cable Curls: 5 x 6.
Cable Extensions: 5 x 10.
EZ Bar Preacher Curls: 35 x 10. Not bad, not bad. Will up the poundages a little.
Bodyweight Triceps Extensions: Four sets of ten reps.
Been working to keep my weight within limits by rationing the Smarties(!). Hopefully, by Saturday, I'll be below 83 kilos.
Lots of pictures to follow from the competition!
Hope your Thursday is great, Bees!
Playing: Didn't play any PS last night, oddly. Played a bit of Witchfire instead, and a short horror called Gutter Night which has to be the least scary short game I've ever played. I give it one pin out of five.
Also played another short horror named "Replay", which was ingenious - you control a simple 2d platformer on a TV while still using your mouse to look around the room. Scares were reasonable. I give it two and a half Mario Bros rip-offs out of five.
Watching: Was supposed to watch a bit of Nobody 2 (giving All the Gods in the Sky the cold shoulder, for now) last night, but maybe I'll get around to it tonight.
Listening to: Home - Headfirst. I stumbled across more synth/electronic finds last night, so here's a standout track. Feel that warm synth glow wash your troubles away...
He was in bed, under a warm blanket. Was he home in Guangdong? He took his arms out from under the covers. They were paws. Nope, still a lizard. Still in Carcosa. Still in the observatory. His memory was coming back, albeit with some recent blanks. Still rejected by her.
He sat up, and realized that he was clothed only in his shorts. The last thing he remembered was downing the flask of whiskey in several gulps, the thrill of alcohol rushing through him, stumbling around camp drunkenly and... that was it. He was almost too sore, and too nauseous to be mortified. He could hear sounds of someone clacking away at a keyboard. Simmi. He could lay in bed, let the self-pity run its course. That was looking quite tempting. Leave the camp for a bit, adventure around. Impossible right now. But more feasible and tempting was stepping outside and having a cigarette, so he chose that.
He dressed as silently as he could, still hungover enough to put his pants on one wrong leg at a time. Then he tiptoed down the stairs to the first floor of the observatory, hoping to avoid Simmi and any awkward -- and it was too late. She had stopped typing, and was facing him, trying to look as casual as she could. Something was written on her face. Multiple things. "Hey," she said. "You're up." "Yeah," he responded somewhat lamely. She let out a shy smile that was like the sun breaking through the clouds. "It's nice out. You going for a smoke?" "Yep." Real scholar, he was. "Maybe I'll catch you later." She turned back to her work, preempting any further discussion. Ox stood there like a fool for a few seconds before tearing himself away and leaving the room.
The camp seemed lively as ever, and as he walked out, he noticed a few stares and muttering. Currently, in the midst of that nauseous, uneasy and vile feeling that characterizes hangovers, Ox paid them no heed, and found himself a spot on the ground overlooking the sea. Standing made him woozy, so he sat down, crossing his legs, his knees complaining. He got out his cigarettes, slid one out (he was running low), and lit it. Bringing it to his mouth, he inhaled that minty, smokey flavour into his lungs and exhaled a thin stream of smoke into the air. Mmm... tobacco.
Idly tapping ashes onto the rocks below, he realized he could not let her go.
Hello Bees! Been a hot minute since I worked out.
As today is two days out from the competition, I did a fluffy Arms workout, just to get my muscles working.
Dumbbell Flat Curls: 20 x 20. Back to hitting the 20s, nice!
Dumbbell Overhead Extension: 16 x 6. Not so much for these.
Cable Curls: 5 x 6.
Cable Extensions: 5 x 10.
EZ Bar Preacher Curls: 35 x 10. Not bad, not bad. Will up the poundages a little.
Bodyweight Triceps Extensions: Four sets of ten reps.
Been working to keep my weight within limits by rationing the Smarties(!). Hopefully, by Saturday, I'll be below 83 kilos.
Lots of pictures to follow from the competition!
Hope your Thursday is great, Bees!
Playing: Didn't play any PS last night, oddly. Played a bit of Witchfire instead, and a short horror called Gutter Night which has to be the least scary short game I've ever played. I give it one pin out of five.
Also played another short horror named "Replay", which was ingenious - you control a simple 2d platformer on a TV while still using your mouse to look around the room. Scares were reasonable. I give it two and a half Mario Bros rip-offs out of five.
Watching: Was supposed to watch a bit of Nobody 2 (giving All the Gods in the Sky the cold shoulder, for now) last night, but maybe I'll get around to it tonight.
Listening to: Home - Headfirst. I stumbled across more synth/electronic finds last night, so here's a standout track. Feel that warm synth glow wash your troubles away...
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GentleOx
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NightWolf714
The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change. ~Carl Rogers
Those game reviews are great. XD
