This past two weeks I have been playing a few games, again, on the Nintendo Switch. The NS has become my gaming platform of choice, simply because it’s handheld and I can play under almost any situation, even when putting Luna to sleep.

Fire Emblem Warriors

I’m still playing the crap out off this game. I even purchased all three DLCs which no only add more characters to the rooster but more story gameplay. I have a few characters on level over a hundred. Yes, I am overpowered, yes, I am GOD.

Within the Blade

Within the Blade is an epic game in stealth, platforming, and RPG genres, in which the player takes on the role of a Ninja. Explore the scenic world of feudal Japan, using your stealth to complete missions.

This game is pretty wonderful, I’ll school pixel art, lots of blood, and you’re a ninja fighting demons. It has the elements of a platformer with RPG ones, and is like 10.99 USDs. It is worth both your time and monies.

SAMURAI WARRIORS 5

A new SAMURAI WARRIORS begins

After a 7-year wait, a new installment in the tactical action series “SAMURAI WARRIORS” is finally here!

Alright, if you know me, you should know I am a sucker for Musou games. I mean, Fire Emblem Warriors is a Musou game. I was watching a YouTube video for SW, and the guy was saying that it was almost impossible that anyone had played all the Dynasty Warriors or Samurai Warriors games. Pfft, little does he know!

I have been waiting for a Samurai Warriors game for a long time, and It’s finally here. As far as the gameplay goes, there’s not much new here. The characters, or at least most of them, have been redesigned compared to the previous games. The art, it’s so outstanding. It is probably my favorite thing, is the art style.

I can see myself putting over a hundred hours on this game.

Streets of Rage 4

Currently, my favorite beat ‘em up and of all times. This game has been out for a while, but they have recently released its Mr. X Nightmare DLC. Which adds 4 more playable characters and more moves. I love having a good excuse to play a fantastic game. If you haven’t played SoR4, you are missing out.

Gala: Creativity Welcomed by Brian Hariprashad

Remember when Instagram used to be about photos and not ads? When the discovery section of it was actual photos of people? Remember when Instagram used to be fun to use and browse?

That’s Gala. Or at least it does feel like it. The application is far from perfect, but it is nice to use, and I am happy that it is around.

This week has felt like it had already 8 days and is not even past today’s (Friday) midday. Working from home is one thing, but working from home, with the 2 girls and a busy workload with little fires everywhere to put out, it’s another thing entirely.

This means, I haven’t been able to catch-up with my favorite podcasts, or listen to music. I mean, I play music, in the background, when I can, but I’m not listening. It is all, again, putting fires out and being a dad, or at least trying, el-oh-el!

I am spent, more mentally than physically. I have lost my coolness a bit and get irritated easily.

The only fun activity I have been able to kind of squeeze in is playing Samurai Warriors 5 on the Switch. It actually helps that it is pretty much a jack and slash game and pretty mindless.

Need a break, and a beer.

When I first moved to the 208’s and Annie and I got a place of our own, its location, was what it’s known as Boise’s North-End. Nothing fancy, just an old apartment, like everything in the area, everything build in the 50s and 60s or perhaps even older — in fact, I think older.

This is where all the hipsters lived, or live. Also people of certain status, as most old houses are more expensive than newer ones. Additionally, in its location, it is close to Downtown Boise. 13th Street, Harry’s (the local bar), Hyde Park, Bogus Basin, and easy access to the foothills, and all the stuff people like. We lived in this area for at least 3 years. We loved it! It was our vibe, at the time.

Later we moved to the, I don’t know. The suburbs? Always with the mindset, or goal, that we would come back to our precious North-End Boise. We have lived in our current place for over 5 years now, maybe even more, I can’t remember. This weekend, we went to what used to be one of our most visited restaurants in the area back then, Highlands Hollow. First of, back then, it was a 5-minute drive, and now, it is at least 25-30 minutes. At least long enough for Marley to start complaining that she’s hungry, and it was taking too long to get there. And, while getting there — and once there — seeing the people there and everything, I felt out of place, like I didn’t belong in the area.

I felt like now, in this area, for you to truly belong to it, it is required a level of snobbishness that I no longer have or care for. I don’t know how to explain it, but it either isn’t the same North-End I used to live, or it has always been the same and I just didn’t see it and I have changed.

That being said, our closest friends, live in the North-End, idly enough. They are definitely snobby but they are good people. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Today, well, all this week, I will be working from home. There are no Grandparents in town this week. As part of my duties, I gotta feed these creatures. I am looking at my computer, knowing they are eating pancakes. Without even looking, I yell, Marley, bite, please! (If not they’ll take 5 hours on one pancake). Luna, out of nowhere, actually, from behind the couch. Me doing pee-pee!

She’s pooping…

🇵🇷Elaine Gómez🇩🇴:

On a day like today in 1898, the US invaded Puerto Rico. 123 years have gone by. We lost our native language and indigenous traditions to the Spaniards. Now, we continue to lose our identity and culture as a money making commonwealth for a country that could care less.

It’s been a busy weekend so far. Between Friday and today. In my mind, my parents would be here for another week. Well, I have just left them at the airport. Today was a fun last day with them and family.

I don’t have much to say, but have some to show.

A Thursday turned into a Friday. Not going to lie, it was a busy morning. I got my Macros ready, collected my leaf samples. I was hoping to be done by 10:00am, but I actually didn’t start until 10:00am!

Samples collected, and loaded into the freeze dryer. Meeting, quick “how to take samples off the freeze dryer 101” with my coworker, and left work — around 12:30pm.

Then, putting together the new pool and canopy.

Flamingos are on…

Fun with my parents, wife, and the girls!

And good food.

White Rice

Habichuelas guisadas

Flank steak

Today was a day. For me, it was another Wednesday where I needed to sort things out at work, get some things done, and hopefully call it a day early. My parents are in town — have been in town — for a few days, so wanted to wrap up early, go home, and spend time with them. Well, the day didn’t go as planned, obviously. Had to track down some samples I received whilst I wasn’t on-site yesterday, that was quick and easy — ish. Then I had my CPR/First responder certification training.

Success!

The rest of the afternoon, well, that was a clusterfuck! It’d be nice if people followed process, that would prevent so many issues for sure. And that is all I am saying.

Afterwork, was a lot more enjoyable. I got home, went to pick up a new pop-up canopy with dad. Then we all went for dinner at the Twisted Timber.

Then Dad got me a thing…

And now, we are relaxing before another hectic day — for me — tomorrow.

Around noon ish, we venture out with my folks for some lunch. Dad wanted a burger. We tried our original destination, and due to COVID-19 and lack of employees in the place, they were only serving pickup food to go.

We decided on a second option. And then it’s when everything went downhill. From the time we ordered to the time we got our food, it was about an hour, at least.

This place it’s at the local mall, so my parents decided they wanted to do some shopping around after what at this point was, late, very late lunch.

😩

I hate, no, I loathe our local mall. When I go, it is because I don’t have any other choice and usually is an in-and-out type of thing. Spending more than half an hour in it, drains the life out off me. I can’t stand the place, it gives me anxiety and I come out in a cranky mood.

Thank The Lords for scotch.

I have been playing a few games this week, or so. On the Nintendo Switch, mostly.

Fire Emblem Warriors

This is a Dynasty Warriors type game, you and your allies against thousands! Featuring all the key characters in the Fire Emblem franchise. Lots of fun with this game, I even got some DLC’s to have extra character. Although I am playing other things, I don’t think I am fully done with this game yet.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox

Sometime last year, I played Ys Origin and loved that game!! It was so much fun and when Y’s IX was announced, of course I was looking forward to it. I played the Demo that is available in the Nintendo Store, it looked and played like a dungeon crawler action RPG — sold. I preordered the game, and although I am having fun with the fights and the game looks great, it is feeling a little bit like a sloth. I spend too much time reading and less action. The story is intriguing but not as fun — so far— and as good as Y’s Origins was.

Ruvato : Original Complex

Something about this game just called me.

Stolen Girl, Hidden Truth Play a high-speed, hack and slash, action game on the Nintendo Switch

Well, it was the hack and slash part what got me. Also, it looks great, the art and such, the environments can seem boring and somewhat repetitive, but the story is pretty good so far, and it was only 15 USD.

Super Smash Bros.™ Ultimate

I hadn’t played the Switch version of this game ever before. Last time I played a Smash game was on the GameCube, back when I used to work at GameStop, and that was circa 2007-08. The only reason I decided to check it out was because of its latest DLC/Challenger Pack — Kazuya. I technically don’t even own the game, it’s my bother in-law’s and yet, a purchased the pack. I suck at this game, I don’t understand it, and curse anybody who says this is a fighting game.

It is roughly 10:00 am, and it’s already 81 degrees Fahrenheit (ca. 27 °C). This excessive heat it’s getting bad, and I know other states are having it worse. Can’t really speak for the rest of Idaho but at least here in the Boise area, we could have had a day or two in the entire summer in the triple digits. Now, well, we are looking at two weeks straight.

This heat has had such an impact. For example, we have a trial field grow out that was expected to be full-grown and ready for analysis by mid to the end of July. Yesterday, I received an email stating that the grow out might be ready to read by the en of this coming week.

Crazy-Town Banana-Pants!

Stay cool people.

There is this very personal, weird situation going on, that involves someone dear to me. It is a situation that has been dragging out for a while. It does not involve me directly, but it does affect me emotionally. I am not a hundred percent sure at this point if I should let it out and write or talk about it. To make it public here on my blog or just keep it for me.

The only thing I know for sure is that I am sick of it. It makes me want to punch some sense into someone else due to the erratic ways in which this particular individual is acting. I am truly trying to make sense in my head as to the why of this behavior. Or just don’t even try to make sense of it, just let it play out and let all parties live with the consequences and work it out, and I just keep focusing on me and my family. Even if it’s a selfish way to deal with it.

I wrote that this morning while at work. I am talking about my dad. Not going to get into all the details, but it’s a touchy situation. Later I found out he’s been hospitalized at the VA Hospital back home. I still have issues with the way this came about, but I do hope that this will be the help he hasn’t been willing to recognize or accept he needs.

I am very conflicted, emotionally.

Mom and dad, are supposed to be here next Friday…

Apologies for the bad picture, but I could not find a high-quality one that’s exactly like this. Everything else is a modernized version of this and this not representative of what I am trying to convey, or what I am picturing in my head.

In my hometown, we used to have street stands like these, all over the place.

Charcoal roasted chicken street stands. I so miss the smell! I remember heading out to school early in the morning and these would be going and oh my goodness, the smell 😍.

Not just the smell but the taste. And don’t get me started or pork 🤤

As part of our COVID protocols on social distancing here at work, it is limited to the parts of the building we can access depending on which are you work. With that, comes which restrooms you are allowed to use or when a group of people have access to the break room, etc.

There is a set of bathrooms in the main building closest to our office trailer. Because of these protocols, even though these are the closest bathrooms, my team and me, are not allowed to use these. Only the production team can use them, we got to use the ones by the break-room. It is a walk, not too bad, but they aren’t the closest to get to. Something I really don’t mind most of the time because it gives me a chance to walk around, see people and whatnot. However, there are times like today’s, which having the restrooms being a little far, might be an inconvenience.

Today, it’s hot, like extremely hot, so I have been drinking lots of water and thus making trips to the restrooms very often. I’m on a training call, and of course, I needed to dispense. I thought I could hold through the call and be fine.

NOPE

It was a do-or-die situation at this point, so I said FUCK IT. I put my headset down and ran to the restrooms I am not supposed to use.

Hopefully nobody noticed and if anybody did, I am so ever sorry.

✌🏽peeace

Remember Hey mail? The fancy “new-kid-on-the-block” email service thing?

Anyway, I signed up for it, I think back in March. Regardless of the controversy with the makers of the service, I had decided to stick with it. The main reason is that it made email fun for me in some ways. It made it easier to manage. I have access to my “imbox” on all my devices, including my work computer. I don’t have Gmail, and for whatever reason, I can’t log in to iCloud from my work computer; thus, having access to my email from anywhere at all times it’s nice.

It has been about four months now, and the honeymoon period has fizzled. I still use it, still enjoy doing email from it but, there’s this thing on the back of my head that I can’t shake off. Will this service last forever? Am I putting too many eggs in this basket? Shall I dip out now whilst there’s still time and stick with iCloud?

I mean, getting a ninety-nine dollars refund would be nice.

Japan’s top government spokesperson says Japan would respond appropriately if it obtains information that objects referred to as UFOs could affect the country’s defense.

My hope is that they’ve got a Gundam.

Source: Govt.: Japan will respond appropriately to UFOs | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

Hashtag #️⃣ late post

Last Friday, I did a thing.

I closed my Twitter account…

Like probably most of us, I have been having my issues with Twitter, especially in the past two years or so. I don’t know exactly what took over me on Friday, and I basically rage-quit it.

At (underscore)Gabytron, gone!

It has been a week since then, and it’s weird. It’s like I am missing something. My Instagram usage has gone up considerably in order to fill that gap. I find myself missing it at times, specially after I have been all cough up with my Micro.blog and Instagram timelines. There have been a few. Times that I have wanted to reach out to someone from Micro.blog _separately _from Mb and not being able simply because I ain’t got the twitters.

I knew this was coming, that one day I would just nuke it out of existence. I do have still a Twitter account that I opened this month. I told myself it was to safeguard that specific username — mhm. I haven’t done anything with it yet. It is only following 5 users and simply because Twitter requires you follow 5 accounts when creating it. It’s just sitting there for now.

If I were to get back into the Twitterverse, I would use that account and maybe be better at managing my timeline. Make my perfect bubble and definitely, most definitely, stay away from the official app. I want to avoid being tempted by the trends or “people you should fallow”, etc.

The main idea, though, is to eventually be Twitter-sober, to never look back. Or, I can be honest with myself and realize that I like healthy fun interactions on Twitter, just need better managing skills.

That being said, again, it’s been a week; therefore I cannot call myself Twitter-sober yet.

This afternoon, I went to my local Albertsons store, as I do. I felt so out off place, again. I was probably the only person wearing a mask. And I started questioning myself, if I am really the odd-man-out. Is it okay to not wear a mask anymore? What am I afraid of? The people not wearing them that aren’t vaccinated? Are we letting go far too easy?

In this town, it would not surprise me that we are just letting go easy. This is a conservative, very red state. Specially in my side of town, you still see Trump flags around.

It is hard to decide if is it because we are better than we were months ago, or if the people are just fed up, or is it a political thing. Maybe I’m too used to it that I don’t see we are there yet? Or perhaps all the above.

Is it really okay to let go? Is it “safe”?

Either way, I feel uncomfortable, still to let go.

Here is how I handle my photos. Pictures are taken, the SD Card goes into an Insignia USB Type-C Memory Card Reader. RAW photos get transferred to the 11” iPad Pro, and edited in Darkroom. Then they go to Photos and from there they go to Micro.blog and maybe to Instagram.

Some might consider me a monster for not having a backup system for my photos other than iCloud. Maybe I should look into that…

Update

So, thank you, @pratik, for asking. When I wrote this post initially, I didn’t even think of mentioning taking photos with my phone. And I think is because it is actually much simpler workflow, I guess. I take the photo, some get edited within the photos app or Darkroom, and that’s all there’s to it.

😎📷😉

DYNASTY WARRIORS 8: Xtreme Legends Definitive Edition

In the past few days, I have been playing DYNASTY WARRIORS 8: Xtreme Legends Definitive Edition on the Nintendo Switch lite. And man, am I having a great time with it. My first DW game was Dynasty Warriors 3. I remember I was in college, young and very stupid. I walked by an EB Games, and saw they had on their PlayStation 2 demo unit Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. So, obviously, I had to buy a PS2 with MGS. Then I remember my buddy looking in the used games section and found Dynasty Warriors 3. Oh boy, after that, not only we played that game almost every single night. I have been playing every single DW game ever since.

For whatever reason, I don’t remember playing 8 but then again, almost every DW, it’s just a reiteration of the same game, same formula, over and over. So, in a way, if you have played one, you have played them all.

Before 8, my most recent like-game from the same “franchise” I played on the Switch, was WARRIORS OROCHI 4. This one is more like a crossover of, Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors with other godly characters.

Playing 8, was like going back in time to those first DW games, where the story was the same, maybe adding a few characters here and there. But it was the same old school DW game I felt in love with back in 2001-2002. Even some in-battle dialog are the same.

Love the nostalgia, and I am having a blast revisiting this franchise in all its glory.

Yesterday, I posted some thoughts about my photography skills or lack thereof. Specially around the true way of black and white photography. Although there’s probably no such thing, right.

I guess what I was trying to get at was, how can I go about taking black and white pictures without resorting to filters of any kind with my current camera? Today, I went down a rabbit whole, “there has to be a way I can do this with my camera”.

And there it was, I had forgotten there is an option in my camera under “Picture Mode”, for Monochrome. Like I said on my previous post, a camera like the Olympus PEN-F, has a manual switch for this instead of going into the settings. What I did is that I basically mapped it to one of the dials settings, so I can switch back and forth.

Having rediscovered this, I took my camera, put on the 45mm lens, simply for no reason, I don’t know. I am working from home today, so I started going around the house taking random pictures, just like the day I got my camera for the first time.

Now, in the excitement, I don’t know how, but I’ve lost my lens cap 😅

I’ve to go find it.

Here are some random pictures I took, using the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III with the m.zuiko 45mm f 1.8 — unedited.

I have been a photography enthusiast since my early years of college, and never really knowing what the fuck I am doing. Fast-forward fourteen years or so and still don’t know what the fuck I’m doing, but I do it anyway. I truly enjoy whatever form of photography I’m doing. And in the recent years, I have been enjoying black and white photography more and more.

The same way I don’t know what I am doing with my photography, I also have no idea what I’ll be talking about here, so bare with me here.

I often wonder, how “true” black and white photography, is done… Well, I know that with film there are specific films for this purpose. But what about digitally? I know pf monochrome cameras, I know the Olympus PEN-F has a manual switch to change from “regular” to monochrome. What about regular cameras, like mine? I currently have and Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III that I snap my pictures with. I know it has some black and white grainy filters, which they feel fake in a way, so I don’t use them. If I want a black and white photo I take the normal, in-color, RAW picture and use a filter to make it black and white, Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo!

Is that cheating? Or that’s how most people do it anyway? Is it all in-camera editing? Is there a secret legit editing magic I don’t know or haven’t learned about?

This also sounds like a lot of impostor syndrome 😅

Regardless of what the true way is, if any at all, I will continue with my way of doing it until I learn otherwise, I guess. 😎

New kicks!

Old ones are to be retired — maybe.

They got holes.

Cards from the girls.

Good beer

Fun in the sun ☀️

Good food.