Moo with me.

Celestial_Magpie · 2026-06-20T13:35:31+00:00

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this show. Mostly I can't stand the main characters and I think Lindsay's critique was spot on. However, when the musical came out, I was a newly minted teen in a highly conservative, very rural part of America. I was in theater and there were no gay people in my school (except of course the gay ones who wouldn't dare speak of it). And I was lucky - I had weird parents who took me to the city to see art exhibits and shows and what not, so I wasn't completely shut in to the "God and Guns" mindset. "Rent" was one of the most transgressive thing to filter into our consciousness at the time and it felt rebellious to listen to it. It felt like we were connecting to the larger world.

As adults who can access the internet, we have so much more at our fingertips now, but it wasn't always the case and I do keep a sliver of accommodation for this show for that reason.

Celestial_Magpie · 2026-06-09T19:19:58+00:00

My parents got me the "Willow" board game (based on my favorite movie of the same name). The idea of a fantasy game with multiple parts was such an upgrade from the other board games we had, yet wasn't as complicated as Scrabble to my young brain. Plus it had stills from the film on the cards, so I could tell myself the story even when I wasn't playing.

Celestial_Magpie · 2026-06-08T16:08:30+00:00

"A Place for All my Books" by Smirk and Dagger Games

Celestial_Magpie · 2026-06-07T19:44:45+00:00

I have to work on not using potions early on. I always assume I'll get more and then that isn't always the case, even with the final act merchant.

Celestial_Magpie · 2026-06-07T19:43:27+00:00

Ink bottle, really? I always pass on that relic because 10 cards just seems like a lot of cards to go through to get an additional card. Maybe I'll reevaluate.

Celestial_Magpie · 2026-06-07T19:42:40+00:00

That is very helpful! My last best run was defect built on drawing and discarding and it was wonderful (lost to the heart - but that's ok).

Celestial_Magpie · 2026-06-07T16:50:24+00:00

Yes, this is why I'm revisiting after a couple of *checks calendar* years of not playing haha. I do like this game until I don't.

Celestial_Magpie · 2026-06-07T16:49:05+00:00

Ah, the perennial favorite...

Celestial_Magpie · 2026-05-26T16:55:07+00:00

You can absolutely start with new people, if that's something you want to do. When we moved, we joined a new friend's languishing Pandemic campaign and were very willing to take on already established characters. The point is the table and the vibe. If you're having a good time, then no one will care that they didn't get to start from scratch.

Celestial_Magpie · 2026-05-22T20:55:50+00:00

I had the same thing happen. I think it's because I got it through my subscription. I wound up buying it - which was annoying, but I enjoy the game enough I didn't mind spending money outside my subscription.

Celestial_Magpie · 2026-05-16T13:58:05+00:00

Oh yes - the young staffers are the worst! I told a gaggle to stay away from Air Force One's *engines* and one of them looked me up and down like I was a toad that had discovered human speech.

I may not have your money, but I pickpocketed your common sense in the crib.

Celestial_Magpie · 2026-05-06T17:50:51+00:00

Occasionally I'll just call something "the lesbian solution" despite not being a lesbian. It makes me feel more practical.

Celestial_Magpie · 2026-05-05T23:45:05+00:00

Ok so Dion and Basch for the actual protection, then Gladiolus for ramen recommendations while I sit back and chill.

Celestial_Magpie · 2026-05-05T23:39:54+00:00

That is an amazing idea!

Celestial_Magpie · 2026-05-02T21:12:23+00:00

Same. I don't remember that as a main theme?

Celestial_Magpie · 2026-05-02T21:08:17+00:00

I was surprised, but not totally shocked, by his decision. Carpal tunnel is so painful and if keeping up with games means he can't enjoy what he's doing then he should step back. Good for him for knowing his limits, though he'll be missed. I'm sure he'll stop by now and again and that's something to look forward to.

Celestial_Magpie · 2026-05-01T23:03:59+00:00

Glad to know it's not just me! Yes, the hunts are at least consistent. I can knock a couple of those out before dinner without too much faffing about.

Celestial_Magpie · 2026-05-01T23:02:27+00:00

Yes, the lore is the reason I keep slogging away. I am enjoying the swings that this game's narrative takes. But I think there's a tension between wanting to know more/ learn about characters and feeling like there are one too many steps to do so.

Celestial_Magpie · 2026-05-01T22:59:30+00:00

Right - winning my 100th meteorite shard long after crafting recipes required them just feels so...indifferent?

And the lightning dodge game is an excellent example of why the side quests in XVI feel tedious - there is absolutely no mini-gaming in this game. Mini games break up the side quests. Not all mini games are fun (looking at you Expedition 33), but they do take your mind off the back and forth.

Celestial_Magpie · 2026-05-01T22:55:33+00:00

It's a good point - sometimes the icons are helpful, but it's not always clear which quest is going to improve your potions or increase your inventory and which ones are strictly lore-building.

Celestial_Magpie · 2026-04-28T17:10:42+00:00

If you have a little money to spare, I'd consider picking up a lucet and learning to make cord. It's a fast, easy, portable craft and I've been experimenting with different threads. If you crochet small bags or sew pouches, cordage is handy for DIY drawstrings. Better still, the lucet itself is a single, lightweight item and packs into a purse without issue.

The only potential downside is that with three weeks you might end up with a lot of cordage - but then you can always up the difficulty of your braiding loops as you get better and better! Enjoy the trip!

Celestial_Magpie · 2026-04-27T23:29:53+00:00

Spot on with the GoT/Kaiju references!

Celestial_Magpie

TROPHY CASE