[Kathe O'higgins]

"Have you got the popcorn ready?"

There was a *ding* from the apartment's microwave, and a minute later, Ox had two bowls of hot, fresh, popcorn on hand. Ox had insisted that in addition to buttered popcorn, they have sweet caramel on hand as well. While this was sacrilege to Simmi, when she'd heard Ox's preferences, she'd simply laughed it off. Ox brought the bowls over to the coffee table and sat down on the sofa beside Simmi, who was already curled up. "Well, what are we watching?" Simmi ran through the channels aimlessly. "I have no idea, maybe enlighten me?"

As they changed through the programs, Ox offered insights into the things that titillated the citizens of Mei Sing. There were a lot of cooking shows, a few game shows, and even a singing contest. Simmi bit into several pieces with that joy you get when you're just starting to eat a treat. "This is the sort of dreck that people put up with?" Ox popped a few kernels of the sweet variety into his mouth, crunching away delightedly. "I have a feeling that no matter where you go, television's a lot like this. People don't want to worry about the potential collapse of the world."

"If stations are putting out trash like this, maybe the end of the world would be a good thing," observed Simmi. "I mean, over in Carcosa, we have a front-row seat to the kind of mayhem the rest of the world is sheltered from. People need to realize that something disastrous is going on in a small pocket of the world." Speaking of which, they hadn't discuss the conversation they'd had on the waterfront, and Simmi knew why. Too many could bes and maybes; instead, they wanted to enjoy the now. She could feel Ox's shrug. "What would you expect them to do? What can you do?" Simmi laughed harshly at this.

"Not much."

Hey again Bees!

Wow! Another two workouts in two days. How about that.

Today I continued my Push series of workouts, though I'm going to have the lighten up on the reps sooner, rather than later.

Bench Press: 135 x 3. Not gonna lie, this was pretty tough. I'll have to lighten up on the reps moving forward.
Incline Press: 105 x 3. Zzzz...
Overhead Press: 80 x 3, 80 x 2. I'm proud of this one! Shoulder pressing your bodyweight is considered a big deal, and I managed three reps (technically, I'm actually 78.9 kg, so a bit lighter than the weight).
Alternating Dumbbell Curls: 22 x 12. Something new.
Rope Pushdowns: 8 x 8. I gave up on all the progressive overload overload I'd previously been going for. Just doing these for the pump.

My legs are like toothpicks right now, thanks to yesterday.

@Kathe O'higgins You know the feeling! And I'm definitely feeling it today.

I was one breath away from conversing with my gym crush. I swear! Maybe next time...

Listening to some depression music again (Korn is big on my unhappy moods playlist). A bit down, but I had a good day. So that much needs to be appreciated.

Going to take tomorrow off to recuperate a little. Where to go, what to do...

Have a good start to your week, Bees!

Playing: Still exploring the habs of Hope 01. Found a new character. Got my butt handed to me a few times.

Misery lies dormant... I feel like I've exhausted much of what is offered at the moment.

Still haven't played Dreamspring! Should get on that tonight.

Watching: Have watched more of the abominable HotD Season 3, as well as some Invincible (which sits in dramatic contrast to the hot mess that is HotD). Still haven't resumed my watch of Missing Couple. Maybe tonight (yeah right!)?

Listening to: The Sound - I Can't Escape Myself. I will never stop praising The Sound, who were probably the most undeservedly forgotten of the new-wave/post-punk bands. I listened to this song a lot during my drinking days, I recall. It's as dire, stark, and punishing as its title suggests, and kind of apropos for the mixed feelings I've had these weeks.

No matter where you go, there you are.

"So many feelings pent up in here
Left all alone, I'm with the one I most fear
I'm sick and I'm tired of reasoning
Just want to break out, shake off this skin"

@GentleOx Yes, honestly, last week was intense with spinning, running, and weight training. My legs can still feel the effort .

Start that conversation. We’re here today, but tomorrow we never know what might happen. Don’t let yourself be left wondering, “What if I had done it?”

Get some rest, you definitely deserve it

 

[GentleOx]

"Have you thought about giving it all up?"

Simmi's ears perked up at this. The popcorn had all been eaten, and the movie they'd started had finished ten minutes ago. The city was all dark, save for the beautiful multitudes of lights emanating from the buildings in front of the window; they were as much a symbol of life as a symbol of the city's density. Now they were just channel-flipping before bed. "If you mean making a clean start, I've done it several times." She paused, letting the answer settle into the silence, realizing that she hadn't answered the question. "You mean Carcosa, and the Freelancers, don't you?" He quietly sighed in a way that signaled his assent. The warmth of his body could be felt through his t-shirt and shorts, and she burrowed against him.

"Much as I want to be free from the death, the horrors, and the schism of reality, I can't. There's still so much to do, so many responsibilities to fulfill. That's not why you brought me to your home turf, is it?" "I guess it's just something I dream about someday. Coming back to Ch-the Sinese Republic. Starting a farm in the paddy fields. Getting back to my roots as a plow-driving Ox." Was he being figurative? "So yes, if I'm to answer the question, sometimes I fantasize about it. Getting away from all of it and living in peace with my wife. But the world is tearing itself asunder, and though the part I have to play in all of it is small, like you said... maybe, just maybe, we can make a small difference." Simmi was encouraged by this and hugged him tighter. Ox sighed again.

"Now I need a smoke."

Hey Bees!

I kind of flubbed the last few days and went without working out, but not today!

Today was a (disastrous) Pull day.

Deadlifts: 160 x 3, 2. These were way more difficult than I expected. It was just way too much effort to get 160 up, and the additional reps were a real grind. So as I progress, I'm increasing the weight, but dropping the reps.
Barbell Rows: 105 x 5.
Meadows Rows: 40 x 6. Going light again, to work on form, and easy my traps back into it.
Pullups: Top set of four.
Prone Snow Angels: Top set of 12 reps.

Absolutely beat up post workout, but I'm going to take tomorrow off, at the least.

I do have a class early tomorrow morning, but apart from that, should be smooth sailing.

Today's PSA: I was lucky enough to get another sighting of the pharmacy cat. I stared at cat across the store threshold, and surprise, it came over for some pats and cuddles. What a sweetheart!



I couldn't get a good picture as it was moving around a lot, but it's been awhile since I pet a furry creature, so I definitely enjoyed some cuteness time.



I love kitties. They are cute and furry and friendly and make meow meow noises.

We're just about at Friday, Bees! Take a load off.

October Spookies #3: Tonight's spooky October movie is 1974's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

With an impossibly salacious and horrific title, one would be forgiven for thinking that TCM is just another gorefest. But context is required; flick was released subsequent to NotLD, and prior(!) to 1978's Halloween. Because of that, I think TCM could fairly be dubbed a proto-slasher, or the Godfather of Slasher flicks. So out of sheer curiosity, and the urging of a friend who was more of a fan, I booted up the movie.

It was not at all what I expected. I was thinking House of a 1000 Corpses, and what I got instead was... restraint, filmmaking technique, and true terror. Much like with other horrors around this time, TCM codifies certain horror tropes with confidence. There is a group of teens who are on a road trip, and making a detour to visit a relative's(or is it ancestral?) home, find themselves unwittingly stumbling across horror and depravity.

I've already buried the lede: this is one of the best and most influential horror movies of all time for a reason. It's (dare I say) tasteful in its execution. We have the killer - Gunnar Hansen's Leatherface - but he is as much a figure to be pitied as he is feared. His violence is muted, and nigh bloodless; and a lot of the horror and gore is implied. By the time we're introduced to the monstrous mockery of a family, we're well and rooting for final girl Sally to make it out of there alive.

The credits abruptly and cathartically roll, but by then, it's too late - the memories of the massacre loom large in our minds, and in those of legions of horror fans everywhere.

Playing: A bit of Hope 01, though I haven't made much progress. There's a new platformer called "Guns of Fury", which is an intriguing mix of Metal Slug and Metroidvania, that's got my attention. There was also that F2P game, what was it... Once Human! I have yet to open it up, though I should.

Watching: More of HotD and Invincible. Surprise twist, I started watching Disney's The Black Cauldron, which is based on the Chronicles of Prydain. Waiting for the supposedly scary and spooky parts to start, though.

Listening to: Madeline Goldstein - Eye for an Eye. Ah! She's still putting out new songs. Lots of other synthpop artists out there, but Goldstein's amazing vocal prowess and catchy songs help her to stand out. Is that a bit of Cocteau Twins I detect.

"I could live in a dream, I'm missing it
What a world it could bear for me
When I'm living on the line
A little bit of fantasy is fine
And now I see"

 

[Kathe O'higgins]

"Have you thought about giving it all up?"

Simmi's ears perked up at this. The popcorn had all been eaten, and the movie they'd started had finished ten minutes ago. The city was all dark, save for the beautiful multitudes of lights emanating from the buildings in front of the window; they were as much a symbol of life as a symbol of the city's density. Now they were just channel-flipping before bed. "If you mean making a clean start, I've done it several times." She paused, letting the answer settle into the silence, realizing that she hadn't answered the question. "You mean Carcosa, and the Freelancers, don't you?" He quietly sighed in a way that signaled his assent. The warmth of his body could be felt through his t-shirt and shorts, and she burrowed against him.

"Much as I want to be free from the death, the horrors, and the schism of reality, I can't. There's still so much to do, so many responsibilities to fulfill. That's not why you brought me to your home turf, is it?" "I guess it's just something I dream about someday. Coming back to Ch-the Sinese Republic. Starting a farm in the paddy fields. Getting back to my roots as a plow-driving Ox." Was he being figurative? "So yes, if I'm to answer the question, sometimes I fantasize about it. Getting away from all of it and living in peace with my wife. But the world is tearing itself asunder, and though the part I have to play in all of it is small, like you said... maybe, just maybe, we can make a small difference." Simmi was encouraged by this and hugged him tighter. Ox sighed again.

"Now I need a smoke."

Hey Bees!

I kind of flubbed the last few days and went without working out, but not today!

Today was a (disastrous) Pull day.

Deadlifts: 160 x 3, 2. These were way more difficult than I expected. It was just way too much effort to get 160 up, and the additional reps were a real grind. So as I progress, I'm increasing the weight, but dropping the reps.
Barbell Rows: 105 x 5.
Meadows Rows: 40 x 6. Going light again, to work on form, and easy my traps back into it.
Pullups: Top set of four.
Prone Snow Angels: Top set of 12 reps.

Absolutely beat up post workout, but I'm going to take tomorrow off, at the least.

I do have a class early tomorrow morning, but apart from that, should be smooth sailing.

Today's PSA: I was lucky enough to get another sighting of the pharmacy cat. I stared at cat across the store threshold, and surprise, it came over for some pats and cuddles. What a sweetheart!

View attachment 9937

I couldn't get a good picture as it was moving around a lot, but it's been awhile since I pet a furry creature, so I definitely enjoyed some cuteness time.

View attachment 9938

I love kitties. They are cute and furry and friendly and make meow meow noises.

We're just about at Friday, Bees! Take a load off.

October Spookies #3: Tonight's spooky October movie is 1974's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

With an impossibly salacious and horrific title, one would be forgiven for thinking that TCM is just another gorefest. But context is required; flick was released subsequent to NotLD, and prior(!) to 1978's Halloween. Because of that, I think TCM could fairly be dubbed a proto-slasher, or the Godfather of Slasher flicks. So out of sheer curiosity, and the urging of a friend who was more of a fan, I booted up the movie.

It was not at all what I expected. I was thinking House of a 1000 Corpses, and what I got instead was... restraint, filmmaking technique, and true terror. Much like with other horrors around this time, TCM codifies certain horror tropes with confidence. There is a group of teens who are on a road trip, and making a detour to visit a relative's(or is it ancestral?) home, find themselves unwittingly stumbling across horror and depravity.

I've already buried the lede: this is one of the best and most influential horror movies of all time for a reason. It's (dare I say) tasteful in its execution. We have the killer - Gunnar Hansen's Leatherface - but he is as much a figure to be pitied as he is feared. His violence is muted, and nigh bloodless; and a lot of the horror and gore is implied. By the time we're introduced to the monstrous mockery of a family, we're well and rooting for final girl Sally to make it out of there alive.

The credits abruptly and cathartically roll, but by then, it's too late - the memories of the massacre loom large in our minds, and in those of legions of horror fans everywhere.

Playing: A bit of Hope 01, though I haven't made much progress. There's a new platformer called "Guns of Fury", which is an intriguing mix of Metal Slug and Metroidvania, that's got my attention. There was also that F2P game, what was it... Once Human! I have yet to open it up, though I should.

Watching: More of HotD and Invincible. Surprise twist, I started watching Disney's The Black Cauldron, which is based on the Chronicles of Prydain. Waiting for the supposedly scary and spooky parts to start, though.

Listening to: Madeline Goldstein - Eye for an Eye. Ah! She's still putting out new songs. Lots of other synthpop artists out there, but Goldstein's amazing vocal prowess and catchy songs help her to stand out. Is that a bit of Cocteau Twins I detect.

"I could live in a dream, I'm missing it
What a world it could bear for me
When I'm living on the line
A little bit of fantasy is fine
And now I see"

I really enjoy reading the opening narrative. It’s always good to rest, especially when we feel like our bodies are reaching their limits.
Yesterday, I did a few strength exercises, including sumo squats and regular squats, and my muscles hurt like crazy!

That means this week has been a productive one in terms of training.

I like horror movies, but I hardly ever watch them because they give me nightmares . I’ll keep this recommendation in mind.

And that song is definitely catchy! Have a wonderful weekend

 

[GentleOx]

"So we're cooking our own food?"

She eyed the pot of soup with some doubt. The contents were a peculiar mix of vegetables and meat that had been added as stock; the smell was, she admitted, tempting. Ox sighed, though he wasn't really annoyed. "The concept has been around for centuries, no doubt. Think roasting meat over a fire or even... s'mores. And I seem to recall that back in the Carcosa, we all cooked our own food." Simmi snorted. The sound was muted by the din that surrounded them. The restaurant was darkly lit, and numerous tables had been pushed back to back, with electric stoves installed at the center of each one. Large soup pots were placed atop the electric stoves, many of them bubbling away with assorted and delicious flavours. Customers filled the tables happily, and the sound of their chatter was alien, but not entirely unpleasant.

"Back in Carcosa, we didn't have much choice. Now that you and I are here in the lap of luxury, we find ourselves in a restaurant where the drudgery is left to us," she somewhat playfully responded. "And what are s'mores, anyway?" Ox used his wooden chopsticks to add several pieces of mystery meat to the soup. With his other hand, he raised a finger. "Now you're just being technical. Just enjoy this cultural treat. And if your mind can't comprehend the mechanics of it, at the end of the day - it tastes damn good." He gestured at the array of raw dishes on the table. "We have blood pudding, goose neck, tripe..." Simmi tried to tell herself that in this new culture, these foods were par for the course. She shrugged, and wielding her own wooden chopsticks, gripped a few slices of beef and placed them into the pot with a soft plop. Ox laughed, perhaps a little relieved. "We haven't even gotten to the best part."

In the end, it made for quite the meal.

Hello from the weekend, Bees!

I hope that you all are getting some much needed relaxation.

I took the opportunity to head into the gym for another Push day - but with a twist. I took away the heavy weights and just focused on form today. May continue to do this in the future; 1 day of the week for strength, and the other for controlled lifts.

Weighted Dips: 30 x 5. Slow going, but it'll get there.
Paused Incline Press: 80 x 6. Move up in weight.
Paused Shoulder Presses: 60 x 6. Move up in weight as well.
Dumbbell Hammer Curls: 22 x 16. Felt pretty good.
Triceps Pushdowns: 9 x 6.

My hotpot meal tonight inspired tonight's short, I have to admit.



It was a beef mixed parts flavour (I'm not exactly sure how to translate the name into English - maybe beef entrails?), though it was kind of lacking in meat.

Anyways, super tasty.

@Kathe O'higgins Thank you kindly, friend! I'm still working on the balance between going all-out, and getting some needed rest. It's harder than it seems. I love horror movies! But I understand they're not for everyone, and that's okay. Hope you're having a great weekend!

Looking like a quiet weekend, which I'm not opposed to.

Enjoy your weekend, Bees!

October Spookies #4: Tonight's spooky October movie is 1999's The Blair Witch Project.

If you've never seen this, and can tolerate spooky movies, drop everything, make time on your schedule, take the dogs out for a walk, send the kids over to grandma's, and then watch this flick. You may love it, you may hate it (and many do), but it's a seminal horror experience, and single-handedly popularized the found-footage horror genre.

The premise is so well-known to the point of being an instant parody. Film students Josh, Heather, and Mike set out into the woods of Burkittsville, Maryland, to film a student project about the legend of the Blair Witch. However, as time goes by, strange things start to happen and they get the impression that something is watching them. Tensions mount after each frustrating day, leaving the trio trapped - in more ways than one.

This is one of my top five horror experiences. If The Thing or Dawn of the Dead is my number 1, than this is pretty clearly number 2. Seasoned gorehounds will be annoyed by the lack of overt horror. "Ox, whaddya mean it's a horror pic? All we can hear and see is whining and bellyaching!" That's what makes it great. The performances flesh out the characters, and the actors (helped out by invasive and frightening production measures) fully became their roles. Back in the day, the internet was in its infancy and we had little way of knowing that this was a fictional experience - hell, the producers and directors leaned into this heavily. Ergo, the end result is that the performances are some of the most heart-wrenchingly believable in a horror film.

Before I close out, I want to address the scares, and the film's legacy. They're there, and the terror is subtle at first, until it's not. I'm trying not to give too much away, but the final set piece that involves a seemingly abandoned house in the woods is absolutely terrifying. Regarding the film's impact nearly thirty years later, every found footage movie pays homage to this film in different ways. For better or for worse, TBWP almost wholesale invented and designed the found-footage horror movie... with unfortunately mixed results.

Playing: Slowly making progress in Hope 01: have a new boss to confront. How did I miss that? Well, the game is massive, of course.

I played a bonanza of Free Weekend games and demos, so here are some thoughts along my gaming journey.

Played Deepward, which is... hmm, it seems straightforward. It's an FPS in which you go on raids to set locations with a group of heroes, each boasting different armaments. The twist is that your sanity is rapidly depleting, only to be replenished with each kill. I played through it a bit, got stuck, and kind of lost interest. Maybe in the future this will be in a more polished form, but for now, it's Boom! Uninstalled.

An interesting game called Dandelion Void came to my attention. It's an isometric RPG that brings to mind my old fave, Fallout. I couldn't really be bothered for some reason or another. Maybe in the future? Boom! Uninstalled.

Played Core Keeper, which is on a free weekend promotion, but because it's so survival heavy, I couldn't get into it. So off the drive it goes. Boom! Uninstalled.

There's a common theme in my gaming these days. Ironically, as I grow older, I'm more impatient with my gaming. I want to be able to boot up my games and be ready to play, and the more the game requires me to futz around with systems and tutorials, the more likely I lose interest. What happened?

Watching: More HotD at the gym. Almost done with the current season, and definitely not impressed.

Listening to: The Proclaimers - I'm Gonna (500 Miles). This one popped into my head and hasn't vacated yet. Charming little Scottish folk-rock number. Everyone sing it with me!

"But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles
To fall down at your door"

 

[GentleOx]

"You never told me what a s'more is."

Ox laughed at this. "I shouldn't have to tell you what s'mores are. They're a universal constant throughout all these worlds, and I was hoping you already knew." He squeezed her hand gently. Simmi took another lick of her ice cream cone: it was absolutely delicious. The vendor had advertised it as having some sort of Nipponese flavour, and its milky vanilla taste made it worth the extra cost. As they made their way down the street, there was so much to appreciate and enjoy that it seemed that one trip would not be enough. They passed by restaurants, tea houses, mahjong parlours, and internet cafes. She had to remind herself that outside of Carcosa, people were absent such luxuries.

Ox took them down a side street. The alley was dark, shaded by the buildings overhead, and several electrical lines covered different points. The alley itself was greasy, dirty and trash-ridden, and she queried Ox on their desired route. "There's a really cool thing I have to show you that --" he insisted, but stopped short. And just like that, two large shapes stepped out in front of them. Simmi met Ox's eye, and they turned around, only to find the way out blocked by another tough. This one held out his hand. "Bei cheen," he rasped.

Simmi needed no translation.

Hey Bees!

Two workouts in a row! Killer! I don't know what compelled me this time, but I'm glad I went through with it.

Today was Leg day. Ugh.

Squats: 110 x 3. These just about killed me. I'm not sure I'd survive another weight increase, but I'll try, certainly.
Front Squats: 80 x 3. These were just as deadly as the regular squats. Again, not sure that a weight increase is in the cards.
Hack Squats: 100 x 5. This was actually more weight than I intended, and they were pretty tough.
Lying Leg Curls: 50 x 7.

And now I can barely walk. Halp.

May have some more work coming in later this week, so my schedule is fluid.

May watch Street Fighter this coming Thursday? I know it won't be a good movie, but I'm tempted nonetheless. It certainly looks like fun!

Take care of yourselves, Bees!

October Spookies #5: Tonight's spooky October movie is 2006's Silent Hill.

I was in the middle of my depression in Los Angeles. I heard that this movie was playing, roused myself, and took our car over to the shopping mall to see it in the cinema. It's left a mark on me since, to say the least.

A couple's adopted child Sharon has been having dreams of a strange place named Silent Hill. Her mother unwittingly drives them to the location of an abandoned mining town bearing that name, but the two suffer an accident on the road. When Rose wakes up, she's in a strange, fog-encased town filled with nightmarish creatures; Sharon is nowhere to be seen. Rose makes her way through this dark and haunted world in a journey to find her daughter.

A lot has been written about the relationship between this movie, and the games. One example is the fact that the plot is strongly drawn from Silent Hill 1, but there is the inclusion of monster maestro Pyramid Head, who shows up mostly in the second game. Quibbles about lore aside, I should make clear: this is not a good movie. The script is daft, the plot beats silly and unconnected, and the characters never given a chance to really act.

But I still like this one, and watched it again last year. Watching mother Rose make her way past monsters and hazards alike, in a setting that at least has visual fidelity to the games is a treat. The horror and the creatures are top notch. Whenever I rewatch the film, it's to marvel at the horrific sights and sounds that director Christophe Gans instills in the film. It's just a shame that the sequel (which I have yet to watch), was as panned as this one was, and then some.

A much better example of how to structure a video game adaptation would only be seen two decades later in Zach Cregger's triumphant Resident Evil; proof that videogame adaptations need not be bad.

Playing: Played more of Hope 01, and took down another boss. Making my way down the list. I must say that fighting the bosses is the worst part of the experience; I've enjoyed creeping through the corridors and exploring more than memorizing patterns and preparing.

Also a bit more of No Man's Home, but that one is less fun, and more seat of your pants in terms of gameplay experiences.

Watching: Almost done with HotD. Haven't watched anything else today.

Listening to: Elvis Costello - Welcome to the Working Week. Monday is about to begin, and all I have is this little ditty. This was the song that convinced me that Elvis Costello was worth listening to. My aim is true!

"Welcome to the workin' week.
Oh I know it don't thrill you, I hope it don't kill you
Welcome to the workin' week.
You gotta do it till you're through it so you better get to it"

 

[GentleOx]

Tuesday 13 October 2026

"Okay, mouh man tai."

Her mouth was dry. She could see Ox raise two placating hands out of the corner of her eye. He reached into his pants pocket and removed his wallet. She recalled that he didn't keep much money in it anyway, so it wouldn't be a big loss. The thug in front of her nodded at her and made kissy noises. Give me a reason, bud. Then he gestured at her. "Tungmaih keuih." "Ngohdeih chin haih gam do. Louhjyu ge nunbao, ngohdeih m'waan," Ox protested. She cast an inconspicuous glance at the two behind them, who looked uncertain. They were evidently the muscle. The one in front of her shook his head. "Neih bokjeui?" He gestured at his two goombas. "Loh saai keuideih coibouh." Ox drew her close as the two moved forward. "I've got the two fools. The leader?"

"He's mine."

As Ox separated to face off with the two thugs, Simmi took a moment to size up her enemy. He was sallow, wearing a greasy white tanktop and baggy shorts. His hair was cropped short, and his eyes intense. Perhaps he'd huffed something? He had maybe ten kilos on her. He reached out and grasped her shoulder. "Gwaipoh, neih-" Simmi grabbed the outside of his hand and pulled his arm away from her body. With her other arm, she pushed down on his elbow and using her leverage, forced him onto his knees. The man wheezed in pain and cursed profusely - that much she could guess. She could hear blows and grunts from behind. Abandoning her joint lock to grasp the man's greasy head, she delivered a well-deserved knee to his face. He went down cold. She turned around to help out Ox, but there was no need; one of the thugs was limping out of the alley, and the other one out cold on the ground. Ox turned to her.

"We're good."

Hey again, Bees.

I got in a disastrous Push session today.

Bench Press: 137.5 x 3, then 2. At least I was able to get it for three reps. That's not too bad, in the end.
Incline Press: 107.5 x 3. Zzz...
Overhead Press: 82.5 x 0. I could not get this up, even once. I don't know what happened. My muscles just refused to work at the start of the lift. So, I abandoned it and did some lighter work instead.
Alternating Dumbbell Curls: 22 x 16. Doing well with these, on the other hand.

I'm going to be trying out a different program next week, as I feel like I've squeezed out all the gains from GZCLP as of now. I'll definitely hop back on it again in the future, but for now, it's time for something new.

It looks like the week is levelling out. I'm going to take tomorrow off; I'm not sure my back can take more deadlifting. I may be a bit burned out and plateau'd from all my pell-mell, pedal to the metal heavy lifting, so I might need some variety.

This new post format takes some getting used to, but it's not bad, I've decided.

Anyway, I hope that the start of the week is treating you well, Bees.

October Spookies #6: Tonight's spooky October movie is 2017's The Void.

It tracks a group of people trapped in a hospital by a murderous cult, with monsters and surreal madness threatening them from within. The first time I watched this, it was on my phone in a Taiwanese hotel before going to sleep. I remember those moments clearly because I was still actively drinking: but this wouldn't last for that much longer, thankfully. The plot and dialogue in the film are kind of mediocre, to speak fairly. There's not a lot of decent characterization, and you can see the seams where the tropes have been sewn together.

No, the strength of this one lies in its imagery; the latter half of the film boasts practical effects and goopy gore that are almost impossible at such a small budget. There's also the fact that the Void embraces its Lovecraftian influences, and could be the best unofficial Lovecraft adaptation we've ever gotten on film - not that that's saying much, I know. But the film punches high above its weight class, and delivers a suitably disgusting and horrific experience that's also... unique. It also nails the feel of us puny humans being menaced by creatures and entities we wouldn't have a hope in hell of comprehending, much less resisting.

If you're strong of stomach, then give it a watch!

Playing: Just Hope 01 last night. Beat another boss, yessss...

Not sure what else to play (I have a little free time tonight). No Such Place (a Chinese developed extraction shooter) comes out tomorrow morning! Squee!

Game game game, waste my time, gotta play them all

Watching: So close to finishing HotD. The plot is like a dead horse that's already been beaten, and is being beaten even more loudly as time goes on. They never should've diverged from GRRM's vision. Also Invincible, which is far less crappy.

Will try to continue The Black Cauldron tonight.

Listening to: Echo and the Bunnymen - The Killing Moon. Have I seriously never selected this song before? I first heard this one in Donnie Darko, and I periodically revisit it when I'm feeling anxious or reflective. It's honestly a beautiful, low-key song that nonetheless stirs and evokes feelings of finality and inevitability. And that bridge is the cherry on top!

"Fate: Up against your will
Through the thick and thin
He will wait until
You give yourself to him"

 

[GentleOx]

Thursday 15 October 2026

"You doing okay?"

They were on a more densely populated street in which there were more people around. The sun was coming down, and the city was slowly giving way to darkness. Simmi took a drag on her SiuHungMao cigarette. It was harsh, but there was still an interesting density to its flavour. Even across the world, cigarettes were king. She passed the cigarette to Ox, who took a puff, but still eyed her worriedly. She had to assuage him. "I'm fine. Really, I am." She mostly was. As the adrenaline wore off, she felt a slump, but it wasn't as bad as being in a firefight. Ox seemed to accept her reassurance. "I'm sorry." Her eyes widened, and she looked at Ox with a twinge of alarm.

"Babe, it's not your fault. It's a city. There's all sorts of nastiness and crime that comes with it." "That's true, but I never meant for us to get robbed, let alone get into a fistfight. This is our honeymoon. We shouldn't have to worry for our lives." Simmi huffed a breath. "I get your point, but I don't think I was ever really worried. They were rank amateurs." Speaking of which..." You mentioned this city being the home of criminal gangs... what were they..." Then the word came to her. "Were they triads?" Ox almost laughed, and dropped the cigarette to the ground, crushing it underfoot. "They would be so lucky. The syndicates that run the underworld in this city would never dirty their hands in such a clumsy way. We don't need to worry about them. But, I still feel bad..."

"Well, don't." She came across more sharply than she intended, and Ox straightened up, eyes on her. "Babe, I mean it in the best possible way. I grew up in a gang. This is nothing new to me. I just fleeced a criminal syndicate that spans Europe. And we live in what's practically a warzone in which something or the other threatens our lives every day. Don't sweat the small stuff." To emphasize her point, she took hold of his arm and gave a gentle squeeze. Ox softened to her touch. "Anyway, I feel like getting out of here."

"Where to, next?"

Hello once more, Bees! Still chugging along, one day at a time.

Today was a very gratifying Pull day.

Trap Bar Deadlifts: 100 x 5. Just starting out again, so keeping it light this time. Surprisingly challenging, but I got 'em done.
Trap Bar Rows: 80 x 5. Same with these.
Meadows Rows: 42.5 x 5. Will up the weight.
Pull-ups: 3, 4, 4, 4, 3. So 18 reps in total.
Reverse Snow Angels: Top set of 14 reps.

I actually enjoyed today's workout a great more than my usual slogs. Felt good to set the weight back a bit and just focus on form. And I'm not as young as I used to be, either.

So yeah, today felt better than most days.

May or may not check out Street Fighter (the movie). It looks like circus-level rubbish, but I'm still kind of tempted.

Eh, who am I kidding. I can't be arsed! I'll wait for something else down the line.

Friday is tomorrow Bees! You've got this.

October Spookies #7: Tonight's spooky October movie is 2002's The Ring, which I saw in cinema when it came out in the States!

If you watch it, you'll see the eponymous Ring, get a phone call saying that in seven days you'll die. A reporter investigates a series of death which have the common link of a cursed videotape, little realizing the danger that will ensue for her and her son. That's the premise that was inventive back in the 2000s, and has been aped and parodied and even eclipsed in the years since. But this one was a genuine shot in the arm for those not exposed to J-horror. RIP Daveigh Chase, who was the film's suitably frightening antagonist.

It was a creepy movie, I'll give it that. Gore Verbinski ably directs the frights, and the scary bits - such as a drowned body being revealed in a closet - were ably delivered and portrayed in a grim and seemingly monochrome-tinted world. I've never actually seen the original (I feel like it's been spoilt, but maybe it's still worth watching), but I did watch the Grudge several years later. As it stands, the Ring is something of a "modern" classic of horror, and one of the few successful horror remakes out there.

But to be honest, I mostly remember the film for its dialogue scenes, in which I would steal kisses from my girlfriend at the time. We were at our first date together - which is a story in and of itself. But for me... what a time to be young and in love!

Playing: Uh, I only played No Such Place last night. I liked it! It is, however, garnering a ton of negative reviews on Steam. Yeesh. What happened?

My scorned lover Hope 01 was left untouched last night, so I'll try to move forward in that.

Tons of other games awaiting my attention, but I'll try to split 45 minutes between the above two.

Watching: Still not done with HotD. But the finish line is in sight; I may finish it tomorrow. Gods, what an appalling experience it was. Also Invincible, which is much better.

I find myself a little captivated by You Can See Everything, which is like a protean documentary... that operates as a questioning of the truth, or if there even is a truth.

Will also dutifully check out VHS Mixtape, even though it's received poor reviews.

Listening to: Alcest - Eclosion. French metallers Alcest once again blend genres with the utmost care, skill, and artistry. Is it metal? Is it airy shoegaze? It's a bit of both, and all the richer for being so.

"Regarde-moi
Tel que je suis
Et accepte-moi
Ne les laisse pas
Me voler mon âme
Ne les laisse pas la ternir"

 

[GentleOx]

Sunday 18 October 2026

CRONCH. CRUNCH. CRONCH.

The sounds reverberated through the pen as the onlookers goggled and gaped. The large, furry, black and white ursid blissfully chewed away at its bamboo stick while atop a patch of grass, seemingly oblivious to the hubbub around it. In slow and leisurely fashion, it reached down and scratched its behind. Truly, ignorance was bliss. The day after their altercation, Ox had suggested they take a trip to the southern part of the island, which was home to what he described as a mix of an amusement park and a zoo. The park had boasted an exhibit featuring several different animals Simmi had never heard of; one of which was behind the display glass, enjoying just another Monday. Simmi looked at it in wonder, fighting the overload of cuteness she could feel bubbling inside her.

She turned around, grabbed Ox, and shook him. "I see it too, y'know," he said in amusement. "What even is this thing?" She asked him. Ox snickered, but noticed Simmi's frustration, as if she were left out. He reached out with one arm and put it around her. With the other, he pointed at the giant oaf of a creature sitting on its grass. It yawned, as if the day's labour of consuming foods and hanging out had exhausted it. "That is a giant panda." "Panda?" "Yes, a panda. They're an endangered species; it's not hard to guess why," he snarked. Simmi gently smacked his belly, making him jump a little. "What a life. I wish I could get paid to eat, sleep, and be cute all day." They watched the panda (a helpful sign declared its name to be Ge Ge) until Simmi spoke up again, still awestruck.

"Where can we find one, and how do we bring it home?"

Greetings everyone!

I hope you've been having a good Sunday. I did something very different for my early Push day today, and I'm interested in seeing where I end up with it.

Bench Press: 72.5 x 30. This is very light weight for me, and the program calls for between 15-50 reps (I was hoping for 50, but reality set in, meh). So I'll make very small jumps and keep going until my reps drop below 15.
Incline Press: 60 x 12.
Overhead Press: 40 x 12.

And 20000 steps, the most I've walked in awhile.

As you can see, much lighter weights than I usually use. But maybe that's exactly what my body needs right now, as opposed to bouncing off of higher weights, and higher plateaus.

Yesterday we had a great Japanese buffet lunch om nom nom.

Tomorrow is Chung Yeung Festival, so we're going to spruce up my grandfather's grave, and then grab some noodles afterward. There was a place near Times Square that mom wanted to try out.

Hope you're having a good weekend, Bees!

October Spookies #8: Tonight's spooky October movie is The Frighteners, Peter Jackson's underrated 1996 opus.

A psychic who is actually psychic and can see ghosts makes his living off of scamming unwitting suckers. However, he is called upon to use his powers for good when a series of murders threaten his community.

I first watched bits and pieces of this one on HBO as a kid. It's ostensibly a comedy with a few scary scenes (and some that are surprisingly action-packed), but the last chunk of the movie, taking place in an abandoned hospital, is seriously scary, and still sticks in my memory to this day. This one has gone down in history as swing and a miss from Peter Jackson before LoTR, but it's still a creepy flick with particularly creative special effects. Good for watching if its inconsistent tone is not a big deal.

Playing: Uh, I only played No Such Place last night. It's still giving me hours of fun, so reviews be damned, I'm going to continue with my playthrough.

(And some Hope 01 tonight? We'll see).

Watching: Finally, but finally, finished House of the Dragon Season 3. I'm not going to write a review. I honestly can't be arsed. It just feels like plotline after plotline was clumsily pulled out of the writer's butts, and the deviations from GRRM's material were absolutely not justified. It had more going on than Season 2 did, but that's damning it with faint praise, honestly. So yeah. Onwards and upwards.

And almost finished watching Invincible Season 4, which has been consistently great thus far.

Watched a few minutes of Black Cauldron, but it hasn't really grabbed me yet. Taran comes across a grubby little furball named "Gurgi" (I kind of remember the character from the books) who's already worn out his welcome.

Listening to: Vanessa Williams - Save the Best for Last. I haven't listened to this one in full for a very long time. Thanks to mom, who reminded me of having heard that distinctive melody before. Very charming and soothing tune.

"And now we're standing face to face
Isn't this world a crazy place
Just when I thought our chance had passed
You go and save the best for last"

 

[GentleOx]

Tuesday 20 October 2026

"Woman, are you done yet?"

Simmi barked out a laugh as she applied her makeup. "Babe, you never call a lady that." There was a pause. "Wife, are you done yet?" She liked the sound of that. It was their final night in Mei Sing. Ox had managed to make reservations at an upscale restaurant in the Center district, insisting that this an opportunity they couldn't pass up. So they wouldn't. "Give me another five minutes, oh impatient husband." A few more finishing touches, and then she was ready. She looked herself over in the apartment's bathroom mirror.

The weight that she had shed in "captivity" had been restored, making her facial features and figure fuller and more satisfying. In Ruskov, she was akin to a caged bird, hollow and empty. Now with the right diet, exercise, and reasons to live, she looked... alive again. She struck a pose, admiring her fit. The quasi-business suit and tailored trousers would be suitable evening wear, accentuating her lean build and making it cut like a knife. She had never been a dress girl. After leaving Ruscov, she'd sworn to never wear another, and hadn't. Besides, fatigues and plate carriers suited her better. "Babe, for real now. We've got to get going." Satisfied, she stepped out of the bathroom.

Ox was in the same business-wear that he'd worn for that detail in Ruskov: the muted stylishness suited him. He smiled with approval when Simmi stepped out of the bathroom. "It's nice to see you all gussied up and dressy." Simmi smirked. "It won't happen often, so don't get used to it." "Shall we?"
She took his hand.

Hello Bees!

Yesterday was a holiday, and we tended to grandfather's grave, but today I hit the gym for a Pull workout.

Here's what was on tap.

Trap Bar Deadlifts: 105 x 5. Moving up, little by little.
Trap Bar Rows: 85 x 5. Tougher than I thought they would be.
Meadows Rows: 45 x 5.
Pull Ups: X. I realized that doing these had been giving my collarbone pains, so I stopped, and replaced them with...
Lat Pulldowns: 60 x 5.
Reverse Snow Angels: Top set of 12 reps.

It took me awhile to realize that my pains had been revolving around that exercise, but more pressing were the breathing pains I felt last week. I was wondering if I had a heart attack, or something similar. I've narrowed it down to muscle pains that were affecting my abs. Hopefully the pains will subside and I'll be better tomorrow.

Will try to fit in another workout tomorrow, so hopefully my deduction pans out.

Going to spend tonight preparing lesson ideas and browsing for more gaming PCs.

Stay well, Bees!

October Spookies #8: Tonight's spooky October movie is 2002's Dog Soldiers.

A group of British squaddies out on maneuvers in Scotland find themselves the target of predators primal and vicious...
I first watched this one as a rental from our local DVD rental store. I can't place the exact year I did this, but it was likely while I was still studying in the States, and had come home with a hankering for some horror flicks, and in this film, I got more than I bargained for.

This one is an absolute blast. I mean, what's not to like? You've got likeable, down to earth soldiers and an appealing lead (Grey's Anatomy's Kevin McKidd); vicious creatures portrayed practically, without a cgi shot in sight; blood and guts to follow the creatures' sallies; and last but not least, deft action scenes that meet the horror head on, and leave you breathless. This was one of the best parts of director Neil Marshal's career, (along with The Descent, which I may feature next!) until he got mired in ignominy and his filmmaking took a nosedive for the worse.

Playing: Kind of stuck in Hope 01, but it's still a ton of fun. No Such Place has taken up more of my time, and I'm steadily making more quest progress. It's quite a forgiving game, but even so, I've died my share of stupid deaths.

Watching: Finished Invincible Season 4 today. Great watch.

Tonight, it's a tossup between VHS Mixtape and The Black Cauldron. Currently leaning toward the former.

Also listening to more of Behind the Bastards. Tonight's episode is a suitably internet-centered episode about nuisance streamers - of which there are thankfully few in Hong Kong (jinx!).

Listening to: Porcupine Tree - .3. A dark number from a very dark album. That said, it's one of the more "ambient", and spacious songs in Porcupine Tree's oeuvre. The intensity is there, but it never explodes, and the bass guitar washes over the listener with disarming calm. It's like the gentlest apocalypse captured in a song.

"Black the sky, weapons fly
Lay them waste for your race"

 

[GentleOx]

Wednesday 21 October 2026

"Hey, I kind of like this song."

Simmi raised her head off of his shoulder, where she'd be letting her thoughts slowly dream, and gave him a lazy smile. "I like it too." Dinner had been nothing to write home about, the lavish dishes lacking the simple pleasures of pork 'n beans, or MREs. But she wouldn't hold it against Ox. And there was a band! After playing songs like Tom Street, The Best is Yet to Come, and even the pumping, rhythmic Caged Bird, they had turned down the pace for the languid Love's Slave. Ox had protested when Simmi grabbed his arm, but she persisted, and now the two of them were among several couples on the open area in front of the band, slow-dancing. The warmth of his body was comforting, and she could feel his lean body through the tailored suit.

"The sky is burning
A sea of flame
Though your world is changing
I will be the same"

Tomorrow morning, they would return to Carcosa, to the madness of a war zone and the responsibilities both had. But tonight, they could be with each other absent the chaos.

"Now spring is turning
Your face to mine
I can hear your laughter
I can see your smile"

Simmi could not remember the last time she was so content.

Back from the breach, Bees!

Today was a peculiarly wonky, half effort kind of day, but at least I managed to fit in another Push workout at the gym.

Bench Press: 75 x 30. An improvement. Maybe the Bilbo method is working!
Incline Bench: 65 x 8, I think.
Overhead Press: 45 x 10.
Rope Pushdowns: 9 x 8.
Goblet Curls: 22 x 10. Slow and steady wins the race.

So the bench press is high repetition now, and I'm using progressive overload for the other lifts. And if I plateau, I'll just drop down to above where I was when I started.

Going to take a break tomorrow and get some McDonalds. Om nom nom...

My laptop browsing is turning quite interesting, but Black Friday is still a ways away.

Be safe, Bees. It's crazy out there.

October Spookies #9: Tonight's spooky October movie is 2014's The Babadook.

A widowed mother finds herself struggling to balance her job, her troubled son, and her very sanity as a frightening creature, heralded from a picture book, menaces her.

I remember watching this back in the day when I was working my English teacher gig. I loved this one a lot. It very sensitively balances the parenting woes of Essie Davis' Amelia, and the scares provided by the eponymous creature. I don't recall there being any jump scares; this film is like the essentials of a horror flick, along with a heart ache of a commentary on what it means to be a parent. What horror you do see is a collection of some of the best scares and imagery in modern horror; proof that you don't need gore and blood to make a spooky movie. And man, is this one spooky.

"I'll WAGER with YOU,
I'LL MAKE you a BET
The MORE you DENY
the STRONGER I GET"

Playing: Just No Such Place last night, plus some demos.

First up was Super Panel, which is like a post-apocalyptic cyberpunk Rainbow Six? It's an interesting squad-centred concept that I may have given short shrift. It's also punishingly hard, and difficult to get into, what with its lo-fi design. Boom! Uninstalled.

Played a demo for "Skillpoint Warrior", which is an open-world rpg (the demo play area has been clumsily curtailed) that features something I've literally never seen in a game: continuously generated skill points, even if you sit on your butt. Honestly, didn't think much of this one. What's the point? Boom! Uninstalled.

Also played "Hume Index", which I realized too late, to my chagrin, was a multiplayer shooter. On that point alone it goes. Boom! Uninstalled.

Rambling Digression/Nostalgia: I'm not going to play Hired Guns 1993 again; it's a game that I tried out as a kid and found fascinatingly crude and lacking in fun. Maybe if I'd expected less of it. It's a relic of its time: the days when games in DOS still existed before the crushing uniformity of Windows.

I recount it here because I had a bit of nostalgia for the game's four (!) manuals that describe the 12 playable characters and, because I liked the writing therein. I'm a little surprised that a developer would go out of their way to add so much incidental, indirect lore to their game, in a way that predates the equally vague story of Dark Souls. Now that I'm a little older, I find the writing surprisingly creative, if a bit blunt and colourless.

It's fascinating to see how my own inchoate writing resembles the curt, (almost) pithy anecdotes and half-sketched episodes in this manual. Maybe it was an influence that scored on me so many years ago.

Watching: Uh, didn't watch anything last night. But I probably will watch lots of stuff tonight! At least I tell myself.

Tried watching Vinland Saga with a Japanese dub, and... I couldn't make it through. I need and English dub. I know it's just specious and illogical to expect this to be more natural for a series that portrays Scandinavian history, but eh.

Listening to: Thunder - Gimme Some Lovin'. Been listening to this SDG cover a whole lot lately. It injects the already buoyant and spirited original with some nasty hard rock muscle.

"Well I feel so good, everybody's getting high
Better take it easy 'cos the place is on fire
Been a hard day and nothing went too good
Now I'm gonna relax honey, everybody should"

 

[PetiteSheWolf]

The babadook was excellent, the Australians make very interesting "psychological" horror movies. I remember one where the house was kind of rotting and puttling extra spaces, actually representative of the deterioration of the elderly owners's senile dementia.