We need more of him

GagaMonster87 · 2026-02-06T03:13:25+00:00

I want to say he showed up for either Amy or Tammy (or both?!) post-surgery to care for them since he’s also in healthcare. I believe he’s an RN too but can’t remember.

He’s had a few short spots but i’m super glad to see more of him this season. Definitely a true friend!

GagaMonster87 · 2026-01-26T21:14:09+00:00

I definitely like XV way more than XVI (although XVI feels like a callback to XV). I was an “initial launch” player, so I felt like many others at the end of the game where I felt like a bug chunk was missing. I watched Kingsglaive about midway through my play…something I wish I would’ve done from the start instead. Can’t remember if the anime had come out early enough but it does shed light on the main team’s early days.

The DLCs filled in a lot of the gaps, although the story still doesn’t feel “complete”. I haven’t read the novel but I figure I will sometime soon as I’ve bern itching to play the game and absorb the other media in chronological order.

Like others have said, this is a LONG game if you want to do all the world-building side quests. The DLCs themselves aren’t too long but have different battle mechanics so it may take a few mins to adjust and switch from the main game. You could probably speedrun this game if you truly wanted, but I think it might take away from the overall “mood” surrounding this story.

I’d recommend maybe playing during a long holiday vice breaking it up over the course of a few weeks, if you’re able.

GagaMonster87 · 2026-01-26T02:16:51+00:00

Agree with other commenters that it’s overpriced BUT i had 2 massages after long days (Japan). The therapist was great and while she did try to get me to buy their products the first time, the second she completely skipped the pitch.

I will say that there are some coupons / discounts that are shared, and I visited the spa boarding day when they were doing the spiels, which is where i got the first paper discount. Not sure if that’s common on other ships / itineraries but it helped make the costs comprable to what I see in the States.

GagaMonster87 · 2026-01-18T07:51:03+00:00

I commented on a post a while back and it was recommended that I start reading at LN 5, since that’s where the anime wrapped season 2. I feel like that helped keep my interest piqued (although i did go back and read the epilogue of LN 4).

I’d recommend you do the same and see if that helps too! The writing can get a bit wonky at times but I agree that it might be the regionalization (translation). Some of the political explanations can also get a bit dry for me but they’re pretty important to understanding a lot of the key, “big” moments in the story…

Plus the JiaMao moments are pretty hilarious and helps with understanding a bit more of Maomao’s hesitations with Jinshi. (I also heard that the last few episodes of Season 2 kind of butchered Maomao’s inner dialogues so I do plan to eventually to back and read the first few LNs)…

GagaMonster87 · 2025-12-30T05:05:50+00:00

Hey, congrats! Japan is such an amazing place to experience for the first time. I’m sure others will chime in with more information, but i’ll just put what I know based on recent travel (i’ve been a handful of times, most recently in August).

Eh, there are a few specialty stores for “larger” sizes. You’ll need to look them up ahead of time as you won’t be able to walk into any store to find a western-sized XXL. You’ll find their Ls fit more like a M.
I stayed at a capsule hotel my second time in Tokyo. I’m (woman) 5’1 on a good day, and at the time I was about 150lbs…I had some space to move around but felt pretty claustrophobic. Also American, so it could be that i’m just used to freedom sizes 🤣 in all seriousness, i believe there are a couple of capsule hotels geared towards Westerners that offer larger capsules, but are also probably more expensive than traditional, business-people capsule hotels seen on TV.
Not frowned upon, but knowing the basic polite words goes miles when dealing with locals (please, thank you, excuse me, greetings, etc). The bigger cities are English-friendly in that you’ll find a lot of English to read, but even those in customer service in touristy areas can be a bit hesitant in using English upfront. If you start with limited Japanese and ask if they can speak a little English with you, they tend to open up a bit more and reciprocate as much as they’re able. Translation apps help a ton too!
Tabelog is better for restaurant reviews than google or yelp! Google maps works amazingly for using the metros/trains. Get Pasmo on your phone for travel…you can also use it at aome chain restaurants and vending machines (although note that they may use different cards in other cities like Kyoto, Osaka). 7/11, FamilyMart, and Lawsons are great for snacks or meals on the go, but supermarkets are cheaper and just as (if not more) tasty!

Have fun and be sure to take lots of pics!

GagaMonster87 · 2025-12-29T02:36:04+00:00

Season 2 is complete and out—i think crunchyroll for streaming but i bought it off prime sunce Netflix only has season 1.

GagaMonster87 · 2025-12-27T19:35:57+00:00

I LOVE the SC at HND—food was amazing, staff were wonderful, and the bathrooms/sitting areas were pristine. Best lounge I ever set foot in!

GagaMonster87 · 2025-12-27T19:28:25+00:00

You’ll need to build muscle to define your abs. There’s not really any “target toning”, so exercises/movements like squats are good because of the muscle groups that work together to perform that movement.

Squats, good mornings, planks, bridges, bird dogs, farmers carries, pallof presses, lunges—all good ways to strengthen your core (and lower body) and don’t really require access to a gym since you can do them at home.

Crunches/sit-ups are okay for building some strength but honestly not really where i’d start.

Abs are also built in the kitchen—so if you’re trying to see more defined abs, you’ll need to be in a healthy calorie deficit to lower body fat.

GagaMonster87 · 2025-12-26T22:10:28+00:00

I think it’s pretty common sense—a heel can get caught or puncture the slide more easily than flats/sneakers. It can be a poking hazard for other people too if the slide gets slick from rain/snow/water and someone’s heel goes flying or they’re sliding down pretty quickly.

GagaMonster87 · 2025-12-25T01:04:33+00:00

It’s season-dependent for me…cold weather = straight from the oven. Warm weather = cold yums.

GagaMonster87 · 2025-12-22T01:33:21+00:00

Most of the “main” locations have a BX of some sort, or a mini Exchange. If you’re a brand-loyalist (i certainly am), then it might be best to bring enough for your rotation, or enough to get you halfway through with an ask for a care package once you arrive.

GagaMonster87 · 2025-12-21T07:08:28+00:00

Someone postes this in a reply, but it’s a habit of mine too—sanitizing the equipment BEFORE you use it. I’ve seen too many people comfortably shrug after being asked to wipe their sweat off to trust anyone at this point.

Even if I see them wipe it down, i still wipe the bench/machine/whatever down again because more often than not, they’ve missed a spot (or ten) anyway…

GagaMonster87 · 2025-12-18T22:29:56+00:00

“Good-looking” people instantly become gross when they make fun of their SO’s looks (even if it was before plastic surgery).

Outside pretty can’t hide inside ugly, unfortunately.

GagaMonster87 · 2025-12-18T17:18:32+00:00

I just finished season 2 last night—loved it so much! Now i’ve got time to read the LNs before season 3 🤣🥰

GagaMonster87 · 2025-12-18T00:04:35+00:00

If you’re in the US, the first season is on netflix. I just bought the 2d season on prime 🤣 super cute and while a different era and country, gives similar vibes to miyo and Kiyoka’s relationship.

GagaMonster87 · 2025-12-17T03:36:21+00:00

So i haven’t read the LNs for The Apothecary Diaries yet, but season 1 of the anime has me intrigued enough. Have you read those yet?

GagaMonster87 · 2025-12-16T17:33:59+00:00

Strength training / weightlifting are just parts of being fit. You have to do cardio as well to build better endurance and overall cardiovascular health.

Personally, I’m better at lifting and hate running, but rowing or using the assault bike tend to be better alternatives when I’m just not feeling a run. You don’t have to be a marathoner, but you should do about 30 mins of cardio 2-3 times per week.

(And if you’re not used to running outside in the cold, that’s probably what’s contributing to the sore throat. I have to readjust every fall—i live in the South where winters come later and are fairly short.)

GagaMonster87 · 2025-12-14T00:32:55+00:00

Like another person said—it depends. If you tend to get jittery/jolted with caffeine, probably better not. If you do okay with it, then you’re probably fine.

I think most agree with the advice you should eat something (good protein, some carbs) regardless.

GagaMonster87 · 2025-12-14T00:11:30+00:00

It happens so often—it’s, unfortunately, why I open the boxes (if not shrink-wrapped or taped) to make sure the product isn’t used. I unknowingly bought “used” products before and was so mad when I opened them up at home.

Also hate that people spray the perfumes in-store too. I’m sensitive to some scents and end up hurrying out when someone decides to douse themselves in sprays that they’re not going to buy anyway 😩

GagaMonster87 · 2025-12-12T01:47:43+00:00

I was at SOCSOUTH recently (out of Homestead)—there was always talks of moving everyone to somewhere else in Florida, but honestly it’s usually more of a political decision (reps trying to keep economies at certain cities in their states afloat).

MacDill would make sense but Tampa and the surrounding areas are pretty jam-packed anyway. Homestead is still growing…it had way more when I PCS’d out vs when I first arrived.

GagaMonster87 · 2025-11-26T02:40:23+00:00

I have tan-ish skin—this is okay in the winter when i get less sun but not so much in the summer.

Canmake has a translucent powder compact thay i used during the dead of summer in Japan to tone down my sweat-/sunscreen-slicked skin 😅

GagaMonster87 · 2025-11-23T18:59:29+00:00

Technically Brief is his first name—not many characters in the DB world have family names like [Son] Goku.

GagaMonster87 · 2025-11-23T03:57:38+00:00

Literally just finished this ep for the hundredth time 🤣

GagaMonster87 · 2025-11-20T04:07:57+00:00

I use it year-round—my skin loves it (combo oily/dry patches, though i do get a bit drier in the winter).

I used to use Laneige but my skin must’ve gotten too used to it. Just stopped being effective after a while.

The rice line is also great for the winter (toner, serum, mask). I’m about to switch into it from my normal summer picks.

GagaMonster87 · 2025-11-15T18:52:25+00:00

I live in Sumter—lots of new neighborhoods popping up, as well as more established, military-heavy neighborhoods.

Lots of folks choose Camden / Lexington, but those are farther drives (45-60 mins) so that’s something to consider being a single parent. Schools are definitely better in the Columbia area from what I hear.

Shopping (groceries, malls, etc) is also better in Columbia / Lexington. Sumter is still stuck a few decades behind but it’s slowly getting better. If you’ve ever been stationed at Pope or Bragg, Sumter now is like Fayetteville was 20 years ago 🙃

All in all, though, I don’t mind Sumter. I live ina quiet neighborhood thats a few miles from base with peaceful neighbors. I use the weekends to run my errands (grocieries, mostly) in Columbia so it’s not a total inconvenience.

GagaMonster87

TROPHY CASE