meisnewbie, linchpin of society

I am unmoored from time and space, drifting through the void. Most of my usual weekly landmarks are gone: No raid last weekend because Dante was away. No team meeting this week and we’re working full remote. You’d think this would be good because it gives me back so much time. I save three hours from my commute alone. But I don’t feel more productive by any metric (art, gaming, reading, work). The time just vanished.

I’m going to have more time on my hands soon because newbie’s going to Japan. That means no Valheim group sessions, no Baldur’s Gate 3, and no raid. (I hear ggg got a 2% enrage on uwu yesterday.) Who knew newbie was such a linchpin of society? Even when there’s no official group activity, newbie’s often online in the evenings streaming a game and inviting us all to hang out.

I need to be more intentional about how I spend my time, or it’s all going to drift away. Currently on tap:

• Watercolors: This is the March “monthly medium” challenge in the Habitica art group. Not sure if I’m going to officially join the challenge, but I’ve been meaning to get into watercolors for a while and plan to buy some next week when I’m downtown.
• Stray: About an hour in, just reached the first town. Enjoying the game, but playing for too long makes me motionsick so short sessions are the way to go.
• (redacted): At the beginning of chapter 4. (redacted) is turning the corner maybe possibly?? go (redacted) go
• The Will of the Many (James Islington): This started out really well. Well enough that I set it aside because I felt I didn’t have the attention span necessary for it (the author has a reputation for intricate plots). But I should summon the attention span because it seems very promising.
• Five Broken Blades (Mai Corland): This is feeling really YA so far, in a fun casual read kind of way.
• The Last House on Needless Street (Catriona Ward): ngl I just picked this up because there’s a cat on the cover. I’m not far enough in to know what the book’s about (and I heard it’s the kind of book it’s best to go in blind).

Meanwhile, meisnewbie (the linchpin of society) is planning for his trip. “Oh god,” he says, “there are fucking 12 colors on this penlight.”

“Is he okay??” says HGR.

Have fun newbie!!