Congrats
:worried:
 
Thank you kindly @Mamatigerj, @TopNotch, @CODawn, @Laura Rainbow Dragon, @Fremen, and @JCU!

@JCU I love 'em too!
@Laura Rainbow Dragon Every time I watch Choco's videos, I get hungry. So many tasty foods!

The auditorium hall was packed. Professors, ranging from the seasoned to the newly christened, were seated at the front, and engaged in lively small talk, about the new discovery and troublesome students, but mostly the former. Behind them, tenured staff and administrators were exchanging their trite opinions on what the discovery would do for the university. And of course, the journalists and their camera persons piled the back of the hall, less busy with small talk and more set on setting up the perfect shot, or engaging in mic checks. All the hubbub was drawn to a halt when a man in a lab coat took the stage.

"Good evening! And thank you for attending what is surely the scientific discovery of the millenium." A gasp was heard. Almost without a pause, the scientist continued. "It was discovered in the paddy fields of Guangdong province, China, and safely brought stateside. Ladies and Gentlemen, behold!" The curtains behind him parted to reveal a - to all intents and purposes - ordinary ox, contentedly munching from a crate of donuts. There was silence all around.

A professor raised her hand. The scientist grumbled a little at this. "This is not a question and answer session, but yes?" The professor spoke, confusion in her voice. "It's an ox." The scientist rolled his eyes. "Obviously." Undaunted, she continued. "But it's just an ox." "Yes, I'm aware it is an ox, but it's not just any ox." By now, a few snorts and laughs had risen from the audience, who were more than a little nonplussed. The ox gazed at the audience for a beat, then went back to its meal of pastries. "This is... a Gentle Ox!"

Someone in the administrators' sections of the seats spoke up. "But what makes it unique, or worthy of scientific endeavour?" The scientist raised both hands, more in protest than supplication. "Everything! It likes physical exercise, video gaming, writing, eating sugary foods... have you ever seen an Ox like this?" "Yes," The administrator deadpanned. The news crews watched silently. It was clear that what had transpired was more farcical than fantastic, and that their time had been wasted...

I really need to start writing a novel, for fun and profit.

Hello again Bees! I really did not want to hit the gym today, but I dragged my tired carcass over for another Push day. Yeah, I loves my benching.

Paused Bench Press: 135 x 4. Getting there, but not quite at five reps yet.
Larsen Press: 122.5 x 5. Not too shabby.
EZ Bar Pushdowns: 16 x 8.
Hammer Curls: 20 x 20.
Forearm Curls: 14 x 15.

It's been super muggy these past few days, but the temperature is supposed to go down, along with some rain, tonight...?

Hope you're having a great week, Bees!

Playing: A ton of Sulfur (my new and now, long-standing podcast game), and some Trepang on the side. In Trepang, I battled my way to the top of an evil(?) corporation, but got stuck at this ridiculous objective to destroy brains. And it sucks, because it's so difficult, and repetitive, in a game that values the novel (though not the original). C'mon, people. Do I seriously have to lower the difficulty?

Watching: I found a new found-footager called The Wicksboro Incident, that released some twenty years ago. Looks intriguing. Also started watching Severance, which is surprisingly interesting so far.

Nostalgia: Don'tcha open that trap door! I loved this show as a kid. A marvel of creativity, stop-motion animation, and quasi-horror.


Listening to: She Past Away - Katarsis. I, for the life of me, could not choose a song today. It's been that kind of a day, and I love music, so I'm not usually bereft of desire. So I settled on some darkwave, to accompany a gloomy day.

 
Thank you @Laura Rainbow Dragon, @TopNotch, @Maegaranthelas, @PetiteSheWolf.
@PetiteSheWolf Could this be the origin of Gentle Ox??

In the quiet of his room, with ambient music saturating the background, GentleOx was at his computer typing. He had logged on to BeatCat.com's forums and spent the past half hour browsing and liking posts. Hooves raised, massive build comfortably ensconced in his office chair, he pecked away, a word at a time. The gentle sounds of the city at sleep wafted through his window, but he only paid heed to the glow of his screen.

"Hi again fellow Cats! Woop here with another massive workout.

Today was another big Push day..."

Following the format he had used hundreds of times before, he composed his post, after wracking his brains only a few times. Some times it came easy, others he had to think a bit harder. It took him an hour or two, but it was time well spent, and the post finally completed.

Satisfied, he clicked the Post key, before jumping into his cozy bed, wrapping himself in blankets, and slowly drifting off to sleep...

Another Ox somewhere else in the cosmos. I was tempted to make the intro loop in on itself, but it required too much work.

Hey again Bees! I've been absent exercise for too long, so I hit the gym for another Pull day.

Snatch Grip Deadlifts: 80 x 5. These are so light, but they're still challenging. All part of my quest to get the deadlift form correct. I'll try to up the weights by another 10 kg next time, though that may be pushing it.
Pendlay Rows: 72.5 x 5. Same with these.
Meadows Rows: 40 x 5. Ugh. Not feeling it today.
Neutral Grip Pull Ups: 13! A new PR, for now.
Narrow Grip Rows: 65 x 7. Another PR!
Bodyweight Rows: 5 sets.

This is our last gasp of cold weather before it starts warming up and getting rainy. I still love experiencing the cold in Hong Kong, as it's nowhere near as bad as those Oregonian winters I experienced in my youth.

Tomorrow is Japanese buffet day! Om nom nom.

Have yourselves a great weekend, Bees!

Playing: Mostly Sulfur, but a little bit of Fallout 2. Reinstalled Diablo 4 because I feel like I've given it short shrift. I'll lower the difficulty and really take my time this time.

Watching: A little bit of Severance. Haven't watched anything for late night cinema, though I feel a hankering to complete the Wicksboro Incident.

Listening to: Kavinsky - Plasma. This club-ready track has been stuck in my head today. It doesn't reach the towering heights of Kavinsky's previous influential work (which, hell, practically kickstarted the Outrun and Synthwave genres), but it still has its merits as a catchy bit of listening.

"I'm not gonna miss it
I go where I want
And I'm gonna be there
Right there when it starts

Not for lack of trying
But nowhere to fly
I got to believe it
If I'm gonna be fire"

 
Thank you so kindly @Mamatigerj, @WSMC1, @CODawn, @JCU, @Laura Rainbow Dragon, @TopNotch, and @Fremen. You're all so kind!

"Shh! There it goes again," Mirabel whispered to her brother, who was half asleep in his bed across the room. "You're just hearing things! Go back to sleep!" He pulled a pillow over his head and groaned. But then it came again, a peculiar sound that Mirabel couldn't quite place. Low, but almost melodic. It was scary at first, but it had a strangely magical resonance to it. Laurence sat up in his own bed. "It's... real?" Now it was Mirabel's turn to shush him. That sound again... like a cow. Or an ox. The door to their room suddenly opened, and it was a miracle that neither of the siblings screamed in alarm and burrowed beneath their blankets, but standing in the doorway was an honest-to-goodness, flesh-and-blood ox. The massive ox gingerly made its way into the room, and Mirabel could tell that this was no ordinary beast. She noticed the strange objects hanging around its neck; a bell (which had peculiarly stayed silent), a small dumbbell, like the one in her dad's den, and was that a golden miniature explosion with the word "BAM" engraved on it? The ox had trotted its way around the room, in curiosity, avoiding her somewhat frightened brother and making its way back to her. Mirabel reached out in wonder, and pet the ox on its head. The ox nuzzled into her hand, and gently snuffled her hair, causing her to giggle. By this time, her brother had overcome his fear and let out a small whine. The ox docilely made its way back to him, its bulk taking up a significant portion of the room. Once Laurence realized there was nothing to fear, he was petting the giant beast as well. Mirabel wondered why it had come to their home in the dead of night, as if it were exploring pastures far from home...

Hey again Bees! I'm back for another workout after what seems like ages.

Today was a Push day (I'm going to try to hit the gym more regularly this week).

Bench Press: 137.5 x 4. Not close to five reps with this. Yet.
Board/Block Press: 125 x 5. These are always fun, and challenging. I'll start doing them concurrently with my speed bench press.
Overhead Press: 82.5 x 2. Ugh. Totally floored me.
Incline Dumbbell Curls: 14 x 20.
Forearm Curls: 14 x 16.

I ate lots of yummy foods during the weekend, but now have a paunch. Got to work off all those calories.
Oh well :standby:

There was a new store opening near Times Square (I should've taken pics). I found it interesting not for the merchandise (jewelry) nor the punters, but for the large and imposing security guards watching over the event (c'mon, what fool would show up to rob them on such a conspicuous day?). Where do they get these guys from? Goons 4 Hire?

Super sleepy, and I definitely earned some R n R today.

Take care, Bees, and have a great week.

Playing: I finished the campaign for Trepang, so here's a trailer, and a review.


The mute, but immensely dangerous Subject 106 wakes up, restrained, locked away in a secret facility run by the Horizon corporation, and guarded by their private army. Freed from their confinement by a mysterious rescuer, they link up with the enigmatic Task Force 27, whose mission is to halt the amoral experiments run by Horizon, and destroy the corporation. 106 uses their superhuman reflexes and combat skills to devastating effect, but it becomes clear that TF27 has ulterior motives, with his missions throwing their motivations into further doubt. 106 must fight their way through battle after battle to find the truth and gain their freedom.

Synopsis: It's great fun, and in the mold of classic shooter FEAR, but it's too short to warrant anything other than a discount purchase.

Eh. I really liked the combat in this one, as it takes the FEAR (hey, I should revisit that one) playbook and updates it with modern tech. The gunplay is outstanding and the enemy AI amazing, bring forth old memories about how amazing playing FEAR was. The game scores no points for originality, but that's okay. The story is alright, even if one can see the twists coming from miles away. So far, so good.

And then you finish the penultimate mission, and barrel your way through a somewhat underwhelming finale, and... that's it? I clocked around three and a half hours for the campaign, with an hour and a half for the additional side missions (with some being of embarrassingly lazy design). So the primary knock against this one is its brevity. Some of the side missions were pretty darn engaging, and borrowed from the SCP and Backdoors universe to stunning effect, but there's just not enough game to go around, which is a shame when it's a game this well made (and with so few people, I understand).

Because it was a fun little diversion, I give Trepang three and a half conspicuously engraved coins out of five.

And... it's off my hard drive. Oh well. Also been playing more Sulfur (which unlike Trepang, has amazing replayability), and have yet to play Diablo IV, but I'll get around to it. Also bought Take No Prisoners, a nearly three decades old game. More impressions to follow.

Watching: I watched Threads, which was an impulse watch and a miracle, considering that I've been meaning to watch it for years. I finally steeled myself and watched it in one sitting for late night cinema last night. Here's a trailer, and a review.


It's 1984, and the world is tearing itself to pieces in the middle east, but Sheffield youngsters Ruth and Jimmy's minds are elsewhere. After a night of passion, Ruth is with child, and the two are more preoccupied with raising a new family and moving in together (to say nothing of their parents' approval, or lack thereof). Tensions mount, and the UK finds itself pulled into the conflict between the Russia and US. Piecemeal preparations are made, and the UK seems to have everything under control, until nuclear warheads are launched and the world is left in ashes. The survivors are left to pick up the pieces after the devastation, but in a horribly transformed world, this is impossible. Projections and time lapses clinically show a nascent post-apocalyptic world days, weeks, and years afterward.

Synopsis: It may not be the original nuclear war drama, but it's the best, hands down. It's a hard watch, but even so, it's nothing less than essential viewing.

This is an amazing movie. It's mostly a drama about the two UK families of Ruth and Jimmy, while also having something of a documentary structure as it illustrates the lead up to war, and the aftermath. Half of it is set before the war, and half after.

I love how the film never forgets the human side and lives, and the impact of unthinkable horror like the war, and eventually the bombs has on them. I read a review saying the film is expertly paced, and none of it is boring. We care about what happens because we care about these ultimately, empathetic characters and their struggles in the face of annihilation. It's very clear, very quickly that nobody is prepared, even though a sympathetic group of local bureaucrats try their best, and ultimately fail (which could be the world's governments writ small).

And then the bomb drops. Everything changes.

One of the big talking points is that the movie is very ground-level, and spares no detail or technical accuracy. It is very believable and authentic (as much as it can be for something that will hopefully never happen), and is as unlike the fantasy of fiction like Mad Max and Fallout 4 as is possible. Time is an inadequate salve for such devastation. There is nothing fun about this apocalypse, which snips away threads, or lives like a reaper swinging a scythe. We are privy to the details of how the bomb's fallout permeates the lives of the unlucky survivors (I say this because that's basically what they are), and how generations after, it bleeds into their lives. I won't go into the details, except to say that this is not a gore or violence fest. The damage is very realistic, and hard to watch, but comes across as entirely matter-of-fact and cold. In the end, it's absolutely heartbreaking and bleak, unsparing viewing, but one could argue, entirely necessary.

I'm going to go out of my way to issue a WARNING, if you've any interest in this one. This is a gut-wrenching and powerful film, and there is no happy ending or catharsis. Watch at your own risk.

Because it's seminal, landmark cinema, I give Threads five little retro video games out of five.

Still making my way through Severance, and enjoying its chilly attitude. Despite it needing some open-mindedness from me in the beginning, turns out it has a lot of the intrigue (and a few - very sweet - drops of horror) that really draws me in. Also watching a Soviet war movie titled Come and See, which is an amazing watch so far, but I've had to break it up into chunks (it's nearly 2 1/2 hours long, and is as grim as they come). As is customary, I'll write a review for it when I'm done.

Listening to: FINAL DJS - Mountain of Ice. Hey, a new discovery! It takes awhile to get started, but has quite the memorable ice-cold, synthy melody.

 
"It's like, it's hard to deal with him sometimes. I know he works a difficult job at the office with long hours, but sometimes I wish he would open up and communicate with me when he gets home."
"Moooo..."

One would've thought they were in the stereotypical psychologist's office, given the ornate desk, framed certificate on the wall, long leather couch, and tidy bookshelf with copies of the DSM, among other scholarly texts. This office, however, had hay scattered here and there, a crate of pastries behind the desk, as well as an unusually large ox with greying fur, a red pinstripe tie around its neck, round spectacles, and pipe clenched firmly in its mouth. Gentle smoke puffs emanated from the pipe, and the smell of earthy tobacco was surprisingly agreeable. Jenna sighed, burrowing a little deeper into the couch.

"Doctor, we barely communicate these days."
"Moooo..."
"I know, I know, but I really need to know what to do, and maybe you can tell me."

The ox nodded its ponderous head slightly, then cleared its throat. "My dear, life would be easier if we had someone to tell us what to do every time a challenging situation arose," it said in a deep baritone, with a Midwest-American flavoring. "Your husband is distant, and I can surmise that you fear he is entrenched in an affair. These days, your aims as a couple do not align. I am loathe to give suggestions or directions, but I will say that you have been a couple for fifteen years. Long-time relationships connote strength and true love, but are also prone to roadblocks - yours are not unknown to many couples."

This mollified Jenna a little. "Thank you, doctor. That gives me hope."
The ox fished out a chocolate-coated croissant from the crate and ate it in one gulp.
"Moooo..."

Hey again Bees. Did not want to go to the gym today (after I've gone to the gym a single time, I tend to feel like this), but dragged myself over for another Pull day.

Snatch Grip Deadlifts: 90 x 5. Ooph. These were tough. I don't know how many more gains I'll have with this exercise going forward, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
Pendlay Rows: 75 x 5. Tough to get right.
Meadows Rows: 45 x 5. These went better this time! But I'll feel better if I invest in a pair of straps with which to grip the fat end of the bar more easily.
Narrow Grip Cable Rows: 60 x 6.
Behind the Neck Machine Pulldowns: 62.5 x 5, I think.

Did some cyberpunking around and got some egg waffles as a treat.

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Khajit has herbal remedies if you have coin!

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This bread store near my gym always has the most delicious aromas emanating from it. They're apparently well known for their porkchop buns. Seriously need to try it some time...

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I have just enough Chinese comprehension to read this. It says, "Have you ever seen this man in your nightmares?" I've seen some pretty bizarre shit in my dreams, so this weirdo wouldn't faze me.

Have a great week, Bees! We're halfway through.

Playing: I played mostly Take No Prisoners last night. Simple and bloody gunplay crossed with open level-design and light puzzling. This was the first time I've played it in more than a decade. I'll play more tonight, but I also want to get in some Sulfur and Diablo 4.

Watching: Still making my way through Severance, and Come and See (the latter more slowly, though).

Listening to: Kenji Kawai et al - Ghost in the Shell live. (I may have posted this one already, but whatever). I had a craving for this one - it stitches together several themes from the Ghost in the Shell movies to amazing effect, and has lived rent free in my mind ever since I heard it in the films.

 
"Whoa..." Jojo said, as he stepped into the martial arts school with his buddy, Spike. Their phones were held aloft, as part of their endeavor to explore local areas - and of course, ruin and make fun of them in the process. Spike held his phone to his face as he enthusiastically said, "I'm here with my main man Jojo as we see the wackiest places in Eastbend, and ask you the viewer -", Spike joined him in the frame, "...What is this shit?" They loudly exclaimed. That question could easily be answered by a glance around the school.

Smaller than, but still resembling an auditorium, the school held groups of busy students. Several students in Kung Fu uniforms were practicing live sparring, others engaged in drills, and still others were stretching and warming up in the corner. Spike and Jojo continued their youtube spiel: "This is a school run by some sensei guy. We're going to challenge him to a duel and see how lame this chop socky stuff is. As always, like and smash that subscribe button like a wooden plank. Hyah!" The two made faux fighting poses, before accosting a student passing by. "Um... like who runs this joint?" The student seemed baffled by their presence. "That would be Instructor Ox. He's in the corner there." The two swung their phones around to a small corner somewhat far from the busy students. The gruesome twosome made their way over there. "Dude! For real?" Spike blurted out, seeing what was there.

A large brown ox was standing behind a desk, munching on some egg waffles. Every once in awhile, it paused to slurp noisily from a cup of boba tea. The ox's nonchalance was belied by numerous framed photographs on the wall showing the ox posed with different martial arts. One was engraved "Sifu Ox with Sifu Inosanto, 1993", showing said martial artist with a friendly arm around the ox. The two influencers stopped in front of the desk, facing their phones. "Viewers, there is a cow here! Is this a farm or something? As always, What Is This Shit?" The ox stopped its chewing for a second, then raised its head to observe the two. Its large, implacable brown eyes looked them up and down. Then it went back to its meal, seemingly unimpressed. Jojo shrugged at Spike, then turned to the ox. "So you're Sensei Ox?" The ox lowed at them in irritation, then flicked its ears at the placard on its desk. It read "Sifu Gentle Ox."

Now it was Spike's turn to shrug. "Whatever. So you're the super badass that everyone knows about." The ox flicked its ears once more, and then finally spoke. "There is a point to this, I presume?" "Yeah, I thought we'd challenge you to a duel." "They don't weigh the consequences these days," said the ox to itself. It sighed, heavily. "Maybe a test? If you can interrupt my meal, I'll submit myself to whatever vlog or prank or somesuch nonsense your minds can conceive of." If the two pranksters were put off by this, they didn't show it. "Deal!"

Jojo reached out to nab the egg waffles, and then abruptly drew his hand back. "Oww! What the f*ck??" He blurted out, rubbing his hand. There was a red mark on it, as if it had been slapped - hard. "Dude, I have it all on camera," said Spike. As if thinking he would have better luck, he reached out to sweep the boba tea cup off the desk. There was a blur, and Spike drew his hand back and hissed. The two looked around them in disbelief. The school's students were unbothered by the commotion in the corner. For its part, the ox gave no indication that it had moved, or that its meal had abated. "This is bullshit! How did some fat cow do this," Jojo whined. The ox finished off its egg waffles entirely, than licked its lips. "Practice," it deadpanned.

Wow! That story kind of got away from me. When I turn off my mind, I can write a lot. Don't know what that says about the quality of my writing :phew:

Hey again, Bees! I had a tummy ache in the morning, but still went to the gym for a controlled Push day, to try my luck with five reps. I didn't get it, but it was still a good workout, so no harm no foul.

Paused Bench Press: 135 x 4. I tried for five reps, but ended up having to bail the bar on the racks. Oh well.
Paused Incline Bench Press: 107.5 x 5. Felt okay, maybe I'll hit up 110 next time.
EZ Bar Pushdowns: 17 x 5.
Hammer Curls: 20 x 30. Felt like pushing it with the reps today.
Forearm Dumbbell Curls: 14 x 16.

Tomorrow we're going to an especially yummy buffet! Om nom nom.

We made it to the weekend, Bees! Take a load off.

Playing: A bit of Sulfur, some Take No Prisoners (TNP), and a little of... Tiny Tina's Wonderlands?? I might as well, I guess. Sulfur just dropped a new update, so I'll make my way to the new biome and see what it's like.

Also, it's the Steam Sale for Spring. What's that, you might ask? This helpful video will show you! Pity I can't really afford anything...


Watching: Still on Severance. Haven't watched Come and See in a few days, but I'll get back on it tonight.

Retro: I have no idea who this person is, but they've remastered all these different videos from 90s games and movies. Worth a trip down memory lane!

https://www.youtube.com/@VGSuite/videos
Listening to: Machine Head - Unhallowed. This is off of Machine Head's latest album. Has a great pace, pummeling guitars, and forlorn melodies. Lyrics are dark, but very resonant with me. I've been on a real Machine Head kick lately.

"I lay in bed awake, the anguish slowly aches
I'm staring at a dark abyss and wondering why
Crawling back to the womb, my depression a tomb
There's a fog inside my mind"

 
The moon had come out from behind the clouds, and dark cloaked a slumbering city. Slumbering - that is - except for the Happy House apartment room 6/C. Absent any light except for a glowing screen, the barest details of a messy room could be made out. It was a small room that could charitably be considered to be suitable for a single male - let alone one the size of a brick outhouse. Cans of Coke Zero (with straws still inserted) littered the room, an unmade pile of straw was in disarray, and a crate filled to the brim with cookies (chocolate chip, of course) was next to a gaming desk. Behind this, a large ox sat, overflowing out of a plush gaming chair. The Ox was intent on his game, gaming headset perched firmly on his head (pinning his ears back, no less) hooves at his keyboard and mouse. A first person shooter deathmatch blazed on the monitor with harsh, dissonant sounds of gunfire and the occasional insult blaring through his headset. Declared the winner of the round, the Ox allowed himself a gulp of Coke Zero, until its eyes were drawn to the bottom left of the screen.

JimChosen: wtf was that
Arbalesbo: dllm
Kreed102: eat it, suckwad
Torrez: using a freaking aimbot
VasterBastard: who is gentle ox

Annoyed, the Ox typed furiously.

GentleOx: Moo b*tch get out the way
Kreed102: he's a fat cow in his mom's basement
VasterBastard: u suck, GentleOx
JimChosen: Gentle Ox I'll kick ur ass any day name a time and placew
GentleOx: Big words little man

* the next day*

It was just after dinner, and 16 year-old Jimmy Chao Zen had settled down to play another round of "Killing Spree", the new Battle Royale FPS everyone at school was hooked on. Chores, movies, music, hell, even girls came second to this exciting new FPS, which made PUBG look like watching paint dry. He had just sat down and keyed in his login info when there was a ring at the doorbell. "Coming!" Called his mom from down the hallway. "Jimmy?" She called out again. "Ma, what? I'm busy," Jimmy called back, irritably. "It's a friend of yours." At this hour? Whatever it was, clearly the nuisance wouldn't go away. Jimmy got off his chair and left his room, making his way to the front door. "This had better be..." He trailed off, astonished. Standing at the open doorway was a muscular ox, gazing back at him balefully. A metal chain hung around its neck, and attached was a dog tag with the name "Gentle Ox" clearly visible. "YOU??" Jimmy blurted out. "MOOO." The ox said.

"Oh shit!"

Just checking in on my Ox, I think he's doing okay. Honk if you know which movie end credits scene inspired this short story!

So today was a speed Push day, and it was about time. Got several PRs, so I'm chuffed as chips!

Barbell Bench Press: 137.5 x 5. PR #1. This was an absolute grinder of the set, but I got the rep, so I'm going to move on to 140! Yay!
Spoto Press: 122.5 x 5. PR #2. Oh, but these are tough as well.
Rope Pushdowns: 15 x 6.
Incline Dumbbell Curls: 16 x 20. PR #3, as this was my first time using 16s. Funny how a change of angle can make things so challenging!
Forearm Dumbbell Curls: 16 x 12.
+23,500 steps today! My poor feet...

Brutal workout, but I always welcome fresh gains!

We had a very dramatic journey to our tea time buffet on Saturday. Got out of the MTR, and the sky was already frighteningly darkened, with the winds blowing this way and that. Sand and grit were blown from the ground and into our faces, before the rains finally stormed down. We made it to the hotel slightly drenched, but none the worse for the wear.

Next Sunday we're going to try a new da bihn lou, or hot pot place in Tin Hau. Om nom nom.

In the meantime, here are some photos!

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Uh, so I admittedly didn't get photos of the best food, but take my word for it, everything was yummy!

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My local vegetable store has a kitty! What a discovery! Store cat was sleeping on the job, however.

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I gladly report that the three musketeers are still fluffy and good natured!

Start your week strong, Bees!

Playing: I beat the Surface boss of Hades 2! I have an interesting tic when I'm on the edge of my seat - I stick my tongue between my teeth and my mouth gets dry (that happened a lot with Trepang). That was definitely the case here when I whittled down that tank of a boss and delivered the killing blow. Was so excited that I delivered some crotch chops and battle taunts afterward (I actually did this). What's next? There's so much more dialogue and events to unlock that I'll give the game another go, while waiting for the final update.

Sulfur's new biome is interesting - it's a wide open forest with lots of goodies - but the enemies are damage sponges right now (stupid crows), so I'm going to wait and see if an update is incoming.

On a whim, bought Crime Boss: Rockay City again after reading about some ini tweaks that can be made for performance; last time, the game looked like a blurry mess that couldn't outrun a turtle in molasses (I'm going to reuse that metaphor in the future). They worked like a charm! So this time around, I'm able to properly enjoy the game and not worry about its crappy graphics: though to be honest, the game isn't a looker even on best settings.

That's okay... this is a scrappy Payday clone that caters to my introvert leanings (I dislike playing games in multiplayer, and avoid doing so if I can help it - glaring at you, Mass Effect 3!). Now I can just play the campy campaign, and enjoy the cheese. Oh, and the much vaunted celebrity voice acting ranges from the acceptable to the abysmal. Sheriff Norris (hmm, wonder who plays him) is, ironically, quite the offender.

Watching: Uhh... Come and See has been put on pause. I'll try to finish it this week. Will resume my watching of Severance, as well.

Listening to: Gojira - The Trails. A lot of quality cuts to choose from, which, considering the band's formidable talent, is no surprise. I chose this slightly pensive number that recalls Born in Winter (which had some amazing sonic dynamics). This one is particularly epic and resounding, but measured.

 
Thank you so much @CODawn, @JCU, @TopNotch, @aku-chan and @Fremen! @Fremen I'm glad you like the photos of the food.

Jarrett ground out repetition after repetition on the bench press. The bar halted an inch off the bottom, before Jarrett managed to laboriously hoist it again. With the final painful repetition locked out, Jarrett racked the bar, and sat up, gasping. The gym was quite crowded today, and while there were enough cliques and varieties of gym-goer to make a high school envious, there was one particular sight that came across as especially excessive. On the truncated track area to the side, a small crowd of onlookers were whooping and cheering in delight. They were intently watching a large brown ox dragging a heavily loaded weight sled across the gym. Jauntily perched atop the ox was Holly, Jarrett's gym crush. Clad in yoga pants and a workout top that struggled to contain her cleavage, it was clear that she was having the fun playing the cowgirl. The ox (and Holly) eventually reached the end of the gym, and Holly slid off. Several gym members detached the harness from the ox's massive shoulders and gave the ox heavy pats in solidarity, while Holly scratched it behind the ears.

Jarrett grimaced. His added gym efforts had never garnered anything more than encouragement from fellow "gym bros", let alone attention from the opposite sex. Seeing him looking over, the ox made its way over. He's coming this way. What do I do? Jarrett wondered. The ox stood before him, dripping sweat from its chunky muscles. "Good choice", it intoned, in a low rumble. Jarrett looked down at his shoes, and then his top. "Uhh, thanks?" "The bench press, specifically. Perhaps the king of all upper body exercises." Jarrett was caught off guard. He'd seen the ox at the gym a few times, but it had never offered him anything more than a cursory nod. "Uhh, yeah. I hear I can get a bigger chest and stronger upper body muscles if I do it..." Jarrett said, uncertainly. The ox flicked its ears, as if to swat an invisible fly. "Get on the bench. I want to show you a few tricks of the trade."

"Thumbs around the grip, elbows tucked in just a bit, arch your back..." The cues came, one after another. Jarrett was surprised. How hard could the bench press be? You simply push a weight up and down. But it was clear that the ox was experienced in the finer details of the lift. He was brought back to reality when the ox nudge his leg. "And press your feet into the ground; we call this leg drive." Jarrett took a breath, then unracked the bar and went into his set. It would take some getting used to, but this new setup was clearly superior. Finishing his set, he sat up and turned to the ox, who had been carefully watching him the whole time. "Hey thanks, uh..." The ox flicked an ear. "The name is Gentle Ox. My pleasure."

Bench Press Mouse GIF


Fun fact, I've never used a weight sled in my workout career.

Hey Bees! Extra pooped from working out today, but happy I got it done. Today was a Pull day.

Snatch Grip Deadlifts: 95 x 5. My quest to master these continues. At least they didn't feel so bad today, but man is that weight heavy.
Underhand Barbell Rows: 95 x 6.
Meadows Rows: 45 x 6.
Behind the Neck Pulldowns: 60 x 6.
Machine Lat Pulldowns: 65 x 6.

It's still pleasantly cool, but we've been warned that it's going to get hotter this summer. Yuck.

Still awaiting yummy hot pot on Saturdays. Not sure if I'll work out tomorrow, but I do plan to make Legs more of a priority, so I really should head to the gym. Again! Groan.

Have a great Wednesday, Bees!

Playing: I've found myself in a steady rhythm of Sulfur, a bit of Hades 2, and a little bit of Crime Boss: Rockay City. The latter's mechanics belie its silly and audacious presentation. I want to get back into Diablo 4, but I'm kind of... dreading it? I dunno, I still find it kind of underwhelming. Maybe I'll give it a hack tonight.

Watching: Uh, I didn't watch any of Come and See last night. I'm tempted to rewatch (I'm not sure if I've seen it all the way through, actually) John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars, which is more schlock than shock. Choices, choices. Oh yeah! I need to watch the magnificently crappy Samurai Cop! It's been awhile since I've watched one of the worsts of all time, so that fits the bill splendidly.

Listening to: Darren Korb, Ashley Barrett and Judy Alice Lee - Moonlight Guide Us. Once again, Hades 2 and Supergiant knock it out of the park. This is a gorgeous duet from two beautiful voices. It shows up in game as a side activity that can be done with the goddess Artemis. Nothing game-changing, but another beautiful decoration and experience that makes the hub area even more welcoming and homely. (Interestingly, I would have to say it runs parallel to the previous game's Lament of Orpheus, which is one of my favourite songs from that game, and subtly a duet as well.)

"The moon lights your way through the wild woods
Twisting through the dark
To find your refuge here
Be welcome here and safe
The Silver Sisters wait"

 
The recruits bustled about the barracks in a mad dash to do... well, everything. Beds were tidied, the floor mopped, and uniforms pressed, among other sundry tasks. Baldy was harried by his quasi-mentor, senior recruit Grave, as he rushed to get everything in order.

"Everything has to be in order!" Baldy nodded as he buttoned up his camo. "From your head to your... oh shit, your boots haven't been shined!" Baldy rushed to grab a tin of polish before Grave stopped him. "Too late," he hissed. "Get into position and hope he doesn't notice." The recruits stood at attention in lines facing each other, and straightened up as a whistle sounded. Baldy dared not look in the direction of the door, but knew that the instructor had made his entrance.

Clop clop... clop clop... A bead of sweat formed on his brow as he willed himself to look ahead, at Grave. The steps stopped, and Baldy knew another unlucky recruit was getting the third degree from the instructor. "Yes instructor!" That had to be Pony. Baldy heard her hit the deck and hammer out push ups. After twenty five dogged reps, Pony got to her feet again. "Thank you, instructor!" Clop clop... clop clop... the instructor entered Baldy's vision, though he tried not to stare. It was a large, brown, and stocky ox, especially broad, with a DI hat strapped to its head. The words "Instructor Ox" were painted on it in black.

The instructor ever so slowly turned its massive head to him. Baldy waited in agony as he felt the ox's eyes look him up and down. Seemingly satisfied, the ox's head swiveled to Grave, and Baldy relaxed for a second. "Moo?" said the Ox. Grave shouted "Yes instructor!" The ox turned its head to look back at Baldy, its eyes panning down to eye his footwear. Well, shit. "Moo!" Louder and insistent this time. The meaning was clear: Baldy had messed up, but so had Grave. Lowering himself hard enough to feel his palms smack the floor, Baldy began a round of burpees. From time to time during his set, he cast a guilty glance at Grave, but the older recruit held no grudge; he was good like that. Finishing thirty burpees, the two stood up in unison. "Moo," said the ox deliberately. Then it struck one hoof on the tile floor, addressing them all. "MOO??" "Yes instructor!" The recruits shouted back.

Hey again Bees. No PRs today, but I resolved to head for the gym today to get in a Leg day workout. Am happy to report that Legs are back on the menu!

Squats: 105 x 5. I'll work on increasing this over time.
Walking Split Squats: 10 x 12. I don't know the official name for these. Starting light, this time.
Hack Squat: 60 x 6. I made good use of that new piece of equipment in the gym, which hits the front quads pretty well.
Lying Leg Curls: 50 x 6, if I recall correctly.
Body Extensions: Five sets of ten reps.
+21,500 steps.

It's been awfully warm and muggy lately. It's been 26 degrees Celsius, and in the coming weeks, it'll only get warmer. Yuck!

Tomorrow is yummy Hot Pot night! Om nom. We were previously set to go to a smaller, more independent place in North Point, but mom read some less than charitable reviews, and its facilities are grungier, so we're back at our usual stop, Beef Station. Most tellingly, the smaller place was not an all-you-can-eat kind of affair, instead charging for single servings of meat and veggies. We're more used to getting as much to eat as we want.

I heard that there was something called "Complex Con" coming to the city? Even if it weren't upwards of 1000HKD a ticket (seriously?), my interests don't align, and the live acts are tosh, so miss me with this pop culture flash in the pan nonsense.

We're at the end of the week, Bees! Take a load off.

Playing: Uh, in what must be some kind of massive break with tradition, I didn't play any Sulfur last night. I played Hades 2 and schooled the final boss once more. Interestingly, despite being a dramatically massive creature, it's mostly just a stationary damage sink. So in the future, I'll favour damage dealing builds (which is kind of hard to do in a rogue lite).

Also purchased Zombotron on a whim, as I read that it's quite replayable. Just what the doctor ordered! Branching out from my usual action gaming, I also tried the demo for (and seriously considered buying) Underspace, which is a space simulator with Lovecraftian creatures. Right now, it's a bit raw and unfinished for my tastes, but nonetheless, it's got huge potential, and is now on my radar.

Watching: I'm resuming my watching of Come and See. Have considered rushing my way through Severance to catch the Season 2 finale, but eh, I'll watch it in my own time. Still on the to-be-watched list is Samurai Cop (bwahaha) and Ghosts of Mars.

Also, looking forward to watching The Toxic Avenger, which looks to be bloody good fun, and Peter Dinklage is always great. That said, it'll likely never be released here, so I'll have to find it in other ways.

EDIT: Just finished watching Come and See. I'll write a review next time, as it was a lot to process. I will say for now it is a brilliant film.

Listening to: Atlantic Starr - Armed and Dangerous. A catchy and dangerously addictive slice of 80s RnB written for the John Candy and Eugene Levy comedy vehicle. Flick is not remembered fondly (I thought bits of it were kinda fun).

Listening to this again is some sort of record for me, as I haven't listened to it in three decades (!), before digging it up today on a whim; it's lived rent free in my mind all these years, and finding it again after so long made my day. And what do you know, it still holds up amazingly well!

 
Ha, Instructor Ox and the (dreaded) burpees... I felt for young Baldy, LOL!

Peter Dinklage is a darn good actor - in GOT his speech at his trial in Port-Real is a masterclass ; and he had other great moments too (I think remembring a "I never" game with Shae and Bronn, I think, quite early on, that was quite well done ; and his meeting with the Queen of Thorns regarding finances, LOL). Pity that after coming to Daenerys they made him a basically useless advisor ; not fitting the character's brain. Oh well.
 
The students of Granville High were not known as an especially rowdy bunch, but that was because dead men tell no tales. Too cowed by the rebelliousness and disregard for authority in 1B, numerous teachers had simply resigned, no details given. And it looked like today, the cycle would repeat. The students had been told that a new teacher was scheduled to come in, and had taken it as a challenge above all else. In the classroom, paper planes flew, vapes were blown, heavy metal songs blared, and students were generally misbehaving, as they were wont to do. The door swung open, and a whiff of grass and hay wafted through. Some of the students reflexively sat straighter in surprise, which was added to by the heavy clop-clop of something heavy on the tiles. That something heavy turned out to be an honest-to-goodness ox, heavily built, and sporting a dress coat and tie around its massive frame.

Padding into the classroom, it placed itself in front of the whiteboard. "Moo," it stated, in a no-nonsense rumble. Some smartass in the back jibed "I always wanted steak." Another opined, "Hey, free Door Dash!" The ox fixed on them for an unnerving second, then turned its attention back to the class as a whole. "Moo. Moo!" The students laughed. It wasn't that they were being chastised - that had happened many times before. It was that, after the veritable menagerie of substitutes that had failed in their jobs, the head teachers had clearly lost their minds. The same smartalec who'd made a remark crumpled up a piece of A4 and chucked it at the ox. In a blur, the ox flipped its head up and sent the ball back at the wisecracker, whose head it bounced off of, surprised. "MOO!" The ox lowed, and stamped its front hoof on the floor, creating a loud CRACK that shocked the class. When they were later asked what had happened, some of the students claim the ground shook. The class was dumbstruck, and the ox took the opportunity to continue "Moo. Moo. Moooooo..." It bit on a marker, spat out the cap, and then drew two letters on the board in black. When it was done, it dropped the pen, much like you would a mic. "Mooo?" It asked. No one had anything to say.

@Mamatigerj Thank you kindly!
@PetiteSheWolf Peter Dinklage is truly an actor's actor. Tyrion's outburst at his trial: it was even better seeing it on screen than reading it (and it was very well-written). By the time he became Daenerys' advisor, the writers and producers had thoroughly fumbled GoT's converging storylines, I feel.

Hello again, Bees! It's another week, and I'm back with another Push workout. No PRs today, but that's okay.

Paused Bench Press: 135 x 4. Fourth week in a row. Maybe increase the weight anyway? Nah.
Paused Incline Bench Press: 110 x 5. Hrnng. A mighty set.
Straight Bar Pushdowns: 18 x 6. A micro PR. This was one hell of an effort... I can't put into words how impossible it felt to extend my arms. Pretty much the heaviest I've ever gone with this exercise.
Hammer Curls: 20 x 20.
Forearm Dumbbell Curls: 18 x 12.

It's so hot that I'm baking, so here's what I'm currently doing: :toohot:

20250325_150131.jpg

I spotted my gym center's calico once more! She's still quite shy, but I'm glad that she's being taken care of and watched.

20250325_151749.jpg

Charity doggos are also baking in the sun; you can see that the sammy is melting.

Tomorrow is Back day, I'm going to up the poundages again slightly, which shouldn't be a problem.

See you tomorrow, Bees!

Playing: So I've made my way through Zombotron very swiftly; it's a quick one-and-done kind of game, sadly, and after several hours, I'm near the finish line. I'll write a review when (or if) I beat the final boss. Have been getting killed with disturbing frequency in Sulfur, somewhat annoyingly. I gave up on Pay-err, Crime Boss Rockay City because in the end, it just didn't jive.

May check out new shooter Outlawed, which just revealed a PvE mode.

Watching: I finally finished Come and See, and here is the above-mentioned review and a trailer.


Synopsis: Not exactly what you'd expect from a war movie, but absolutely heart-wrenching and horrifying in the way it's filmed, and what is filmed.

It is 1943, Belarus, and youngster Flyora is eager to join the fight against the marauding German invaders. Digging up an old rifle, he joins the local partisan group (to the protestations of his mother), eager to join the fight. Of course, this is not to be the case; Flyora goes on a devastating journey in which he bears witness to the horrors of war, and will see if he can make it out with his life intact, if not his sanity.

So this one is notable in that it was filmed during the time of the Soviet Union, but feels absolutely timeless. In spite of being filmed during a contentious and bellicose time, it is a staunchly antiwar film. Flyora's often bizarre and confounding odyssey is meant to show how grimy, violent, and inhumane warfare is. There isn't really any action in this one, despite it being, y'know, a war film, and the main character does not do anything really heroic or courageous. It's bad enough that we're subjected to bombings, but when the Nazis show up in person, the snapshots of rear echelon life are transformed into blood-chilling horror. There are dashes of the surreal (even though there is an odd magical realism to this film, I hesitate to call it fully surreal) that somehow heighten the atrocities and war crimes committed.

Before I give a rating, I want to point out, firstly, that the film is beautifully made. While the production and on-location filming lends a dirty, ground-level feel, the long and natural takes really sell the sense of immersion. The acting is beyond reproach, and I found Flyora's increasingly traumatized performance very believable. I also want to point out that a lot of the violence is implied. You know what is happening, and we don't need to see it all. While there are films that do, they complement, rather than supersede this film.

Come and See lives up to its reputation and deserves five beat up SVT-38 rifles out of five.

So now I'm free to watch something else! I may delve into the schlocky and get started on Ghosts of Mars, or watch... I forgot what.

Listening to: Glume - Do Me a Favor. Another youtube find, from the reliably bold and captivating record label Italians Do It better. This one features honeyed vocals, a pulsing beat, and some absolutely sublime pop hooks. The video is pretty cute, too.

 
Thank you for your congratulations, @colin @Mamatigerj @JCU and @Fremen.

Bad news, Bees. I had one of those days.

I was supposed to go to the gym and knock out another monster workout, but... I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Too much anxiety and depressed thoughts. So this is a non-exercise update.

I stayed in my room for most of the day, but eventually made my bed, tidied up a little bit, then went out and got some food for dinner. So it wasn't a complete loss.

Tomorrow I'll be back to my usual self, but we'll see.

Stay safe and healthy, Bees.

Playing: A touch of this and that. Will try to invest more time in Outlawed, as it seems like a great podcast game.

Watching: The bright spot on today! I started watching The Monkey, which is a gut-busting blend of horror and comedy (I don't find it scary at all even when it plays to horror conventions). As I am wont to do, will write a review when finished watching it.

Listening: Johann Johannsson - The Beast (from Sicario). Kind of reflects my mood for today. Ominous, foreboding, and very grim.

 
The footsteps were soft, but even. Sometimes a little loud, sometimes softer. Huddled in their closet, underneath piles of clothes, Mirabel and her brother sat silently in terror. They had no phones; mum and dad had decided they were too young for them, and to make things worse, were out taking in a movie. Mirabel dared not wonder what they would come back to. The lights were off, and in the dark, what they could hear was everything. The intruder seemed possessed of two minds; on the one hand, it was clear that he was methodically searching every room in the house, and on the other, he was snarling obscenities in angry bursts: foul bursts of rancid sound that frightened her and her brother. Laurence whispered to Mirabel, "What do we do?" Mirabel's heart ached, not knowing what to tell her younger brother. So she shushed him and hoped, against hope, that the man would pass their hiding place by and leave.

The door to their room creaked open. No such luck. There were those soft, steady steps again. A pause. A click as the lights were on. Mirabel hugged Laurence so hard she wondered if she was hurting him. Then the door to their closet was abruptly and harshly yanked open. The man stood before them, seemingly giant-sized and reeking of menace. He was about her father's age, but Mirabel didn't recognize him. He was dressed in some sort of dirty blue work uniform. She could see his eyes, angry slits that pinned her in place. He didn't say anything, and if he felt any emotions, there was no indication. He just watched the two of them, huddled in the closet. Finally, he reached into his pocket, and out came a shiny object that was clear in the light of the room - a gun. Laurence sobbed, and Mirabel's nerves broke, and she cried, "Mommy!" The man raised his gun.

Then there was a heavy huffing sound outside the room, and the man turned to look away from them, uttering "What the f-" There was a blur, and a huge shape crashed into the man, knocking him off his feet. Mirabel and Laurence covered their eyes, too scared and shocked to do anything else. A loud bang echoed through their room. Sounds of a heavy struggle. Then a CRASH of glass and wood shattering, punctuated by a yell. A thump. Then, for a second, silence. Heavy breathing, which couldn't be human, followed by several clop-clops. Then the shape stood in front of the closet, for Mirabel and Laurence to see, finally.

It was the ox that had visited them several nights ago. Mirabel could see a bloodstain on its flank, but it didn't seem bothered by it. Massive and redoubtable, it radiated calm. Tilting its head at the two kids, it said, "Moo?" Mirabel jumped up and hugged it around the head, knowing that they were saved.

@TopNotch Yeah, the humidity here is, I imagine, quite uncomfortable for fluffy dogs. To their credit, the charity doesn't bring them out to meet the public when it's summertime.

Thank you so much for your kindness @Fremen, @JCU, @PetiteSheWolf, @Maegaranthelas and @Mamatigerj. Your support is everything :thanks:

I did feel better today, and committed to heading back into the gym for a Back... workout.

Snatch Grip Deadlifts: 100 x 5. Tough! I can still feel the fatigue in my fingers. Still, I made it, so I'm going to up the poundages again next week.
Barbell Rows: 100 x 6. Not bad, could've gone a touch heavier.
Meadows Rows: 46.25 x 5. Kind of at a standstill with these. May have to swap for another eercise.
Narrow Grip Cable Rows: 70 x 6.
Machine BTN Pulldowns: 67.5 x 6.
+22000 steps.

And it's night again, only now, I'm taking it as an opportunity to unwind and let the day wash over me.

The Rugby 7s are back in town. I take note of it not because I watch rugby (I don't), but because in past years, the stadium they used was close to a frisbee's throw away from my gym; this year, they've relocated to another district. I look forward to not having to dodge rambunctious tourists on my way to the gym, though I suspect that in cyberpunking around the shopping district surrounding my gym, I'll come across my fair share.

I had some photos handy, but I'll share them tomorrow.

Have a great day, Bees! It's almost Friday.

Playing: Uh, again, I didn't play any Sulfur! What is this black magic that has taken over my life? It's called Outlawed, and while it may be some sort of scam (the free assets kitbashed together don't help...), it's the closest I've come to pure PvE PUBG without having to futz around with online players. Rant: I am not a fan of PvP anymore. I'm not good at it, and I'm not a fan of the childishness that transforms people when they go online.

So I spent two hours on it last night. Hope that it's not a con, and that it'll release steady updates over time.

Watching: I finished The Monkey! Here's a trailer and a review.


When their father vanishes, Hal and Bill Shelburn rifle through his left-behind possessions. Immediately grabbing their attention is a toy monkey with a drum and drumsticks attached to it. Through trial and error, the twins learn of the monkey's supernatural property: when the key behind its back is wound up and the Monkey strikes its drum, somebody nearby will die, usually in an inventive, but violent accident. Wound again and again, the Monkey devastates the Shelburn family, forcing them apart. Making a resolution to prevent its evil from reaching the world and causing harm, Hal and Bill lock up the Monkey and throw it down the well. Twenty-five years later, Hal is socially maladjusted and estranged from his abusive big brother, to say nothing about his relationship with his ex-wife and son, Petey. Taking Petey out on a roadtrip before he loses him for good, a random series of freak accidents and deaths occur once again, forcing Hal to investigate the possibility that the Monkey has resurfaced, and is taking more lives.

Synopsis: Funnier than it is scary, it's well-made and batshit crazy. Come for the gore, stay for the comedy!

So this is part of Osgood Perkins' continuing works of horror, and is a Stephen King adaptation (which I read in Night Shift).

I should point out up front that even though there are a few "scary" (added parentheses because you can see them from a mile away) bits, The Monkey is more of a gory black comedy. It's surprisingly funny; the deaths are played for humor, and alongside the numerous, pithy jokes, drive the plot forward more than the tenuous storyline does. The lore of the Monkey is pretty much set in stone, and it's the most passive antagonist you'll see in a horror movie (it becomes clear that someone is pulling the strings - so to speak).

I liked this one a lot more than most of the Stephen King adaptations I've watched (@PetiteSheWolf). Where the short story was bleak and terrifying, this is... well, pretty comical in its execution, and more well constructed than most other King works (It included). Props to the British actor Theo James, who's usually a charismatic, baritone-voiced hunk; this time he plays the socially awkward and unfortunate Hal, and well as his brother Bill (to say more about him would be to give too much away). Overall, I found this one to be a treat, absent the profound quality of Perkins' previous work, Longlegs, but still holding its own in entertainment value.

Because it's a goofy, fun, and bloody watch, I give The Monkey four and a half toasters out of five.

I was planning on watching something else last night, but I didn't get around to it. Maybe tonight?

Listening to: Swervedriver - The Lonely Crowd Fades in the Air. Gentle swirling guitars with ethereal lyrics. Much like everything else Swervedriver put out, simply sublime - the riffs are to die for.

"And so we've stumbled into the end of days
Where the future comes home to cry
So choose your colors wisely because things ain't the same as in days gone by"

 
It was another muggy city summer, and it felt like being left in an oven left in the desert. The small fan on my right fought a valiant battle, but it couldn't beat back the heat. I mopped the sweat off of my brow and groaned. The small office, which I had originally rented month by month for a pittance, had skyrocketed in rent lately. I gazed at my PI certificate on the wall, solitary in its congratulations, and then fished out a chocolate croissant from the crate beside me. Hey, a guy's gotta eat.

It was late, and I had just finished pouring over the pile of bills that had arrived, piece by piece, day by day, like paper prophets of doom. They formed a scattershot pile on my desk. Rent. Water. Electricity. Business was extremely slow, and I was going to suffer for it, unless I found a new cash flow. I heard footsteps outside my door - hopefully they saw the conspicuous "OPEN" sign I had hung earlier, beneath the letters "DETECTIVE PI OX". The door creaked open.

The scent of her perfume arrived before she did; Jasmine Noir, if I wasn't mistaken. And then, in she walked: five feet and nine inches of trouble, from top to bottom. Dazzling blonde hair, teased to perfection. Patrician good looks that would cost a pretty penny, with tasteful makeup that emphasized, rather than covered up her features. She stood before me, and her coat was open to reveal designer clothing, and a figure that would give men second - or third thoughts. I nodded at the two seats in front of my desk. She took the left.

My first temptation was to see her and think in dollar signs and zeroes, but I swatted the urge away. Obviously, she was distraught. "Detective Ox?" She asked me in a smooth contralto. I nodded, patiently. "I have no one else to turn to, and the police won't listen to me, but they pointed me here." I waited. You'd be surprised at how useful that is in the detective biz. She continued, her voice shaky. "You see, my child has been missing for days... someone must've taken him. Can you help me?"

"Moo," I said, then asked, "moo?" Her head was bowed. "Dahlia Kane." Holy shit. "Moo, moo moo??" "Yes, Rickard Kane is my husband." Land-tycoon Rickard Kane? The one with purported ties to the Black Society?

Oh boy.

This one's for you, @PetiteSheWolf. I had a lot of fun incorporating every noir cliche I could think of.

Hey again Bees! I managed to hit the gym for another reluctant workout. Today was a regular Push day.

Bench Press: 140 x 3. I upped the weight to 140 and it flattened me. I'm glad I got at least three reps, but I'm going to need to work with this weight for a few weeks.
Spoto Press: 125 x 5. A new PR! This toasted my muscles.
Rope Pushdowns: 14 x 8. I think this is a PR? Felt pretty good.
Incline Dumbbell Curls: 18 x 20. Another PR! And this too, absolutely toasted me.
Forearm Dumbbell Curls: 18 x 12.

It feels weird to have the Rugby Sevens going on in Kai Tak, and not on my doorstep, but I welcome not having to dodge crowd-shaped nuisances.

I managed to get back before the rains hit, but mom told me she could smell the petrichor.

We're having dim sum tomorrow! Om nom nom.

Have a great weekend, Bees. You've earned it!

Playing: I still haven't played Sulfur? What is this black magic? That's because I'm still playing Outlawed, which I tentatively think is not a scam...? We'll see, as they say.

Watching: Uhh, still haven't watched anything. Ghosts of Mars is the most likely candidate for my next watch.

Listening to: Bjorn Lynne - Sunlight at the Mooring - a Jetty on the Lake. If you have even a passing interest in videogame music or soundtracks, I strongly recommend listening to Bjorn Lynne's music. His tunes have been used in loads of indie games/RPGS (a few of which I've played), and while of humble origins, is amazingly vibrant and full of character. This one is a suitably rustic song that's also quite peaceful.

 
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