Dan Beeston is

Brushing Off Invisible Spiders

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    It's my first day back after a week off for my birthday. Good night's sleep under my belt. Plenty of little projects and pleasures marked off. Today I'm ready to buckle down and get to work. Make some bucks.

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    46 years old today and it's been a weird year. I thought the whole Covid thing was going to be substantially better but now that we're vaccinated and the borders are open it's the worst it's even been. I'm hoping this is my last pandemic. Also my home was flooded and we're still in that weird limbo where we have no idea when things will return to normal. My favourite teacher got dementia and then died. I'm not as social as I once was. I've become a bit of a home-body bordering on being a hermit. I did finish a first draft of a novel and write some TV scripts so it's not all bad news but so far as years in my live this is probably on the less satisfying end of the scale.

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    I'm fairly unthrilled about Twitter being taken over by Musk. I'm even more enthralled that there are so many tech people who don't think this is important. Being able to make web pages is an amazing power. Not to be all Spiderman about it but it's also a great responsibility.

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    Feeling a bit more optimistic about life.

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    I had such a bad night's sleep. Tossing and turning and fretting about the house not yet being cleaned out. I feel at an impasse. There are fridges and tables and dishwashers that need to be stored somewhere until we are sure that the insurance company doesn't need to see it again. But we don't want to store moldy stuff with our salvage stuff. In a half sleep it feels insurmountable.

    In the light of day it probably just needs hiring or buying a shipping container.

    I'm really looking forward to all these problems being behind me.

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    I've got a kind of low grade malaise dragging me down. The shadow of the "project" that is getting our house returned to normal weighs on me like a sailor's curse.

    It is a 'becalment of the soul'.

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    One frustrating thing about all this time I have to spend cleaning out the flood damage from my home is that it takes away from the time I have for other things.

    I'm exhausted all the time. It's rank.

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    We're slowly slotting in to the new normal. The new normal involves many cats and much cat hair and a less comfortable bed but it also involves home made meals and kindness.

    I suggested that after we paid off our home we'd have nothing to look forward to, but now the universe has provided and I have lots to look forward to.

    So much.

  • May

    • Dr Strange 2

      Standard MCU fare with little story and pretty set pieces. Not that impressive.

    • Factorio - Vanilla

      I keep coming back.

    • Hades

      I finished pretty much everything that could be finished. Amazing game.

    • Strange New Worlds

      Seems really fun. Charismatic cast. Clever stories. I have high hopes.

    • The Long Journey Home

      Looks like there might be fun story things here but I have no patience for the clunky gameplay.

    • Tony Hawk 1+2

      It feels like picking up a guitar. The muscle memory half kicks back in. But only half. So much nostalgic fun.

  • April

    • Brooklyn 99

      Watching random episodes because we need something reassuring.

    • Everything, Everywhere, All at once.

      Frenetic and silly. Enjoyable without being life-changing.

    • Factorio - K2

      Closing in on the end game. It's been so calming.

    • Hades

      Requiring reassuring media. It's not surprising I've fallen back into this.

    • Johah Hex

      I half watched this while doing something else and it seems like nonsense.

    • Palm Springs

      Charismatic time loop film. I had my expectations too high but nice enough.

  • March

    • Astroneer

      Quite cumbersome on Switch but zen like enough to while away some time.

    • Recursion

      Really fun to read sci-fi adventure. Pleasantly challenging to think about.

    • Tetris 99

      It's Tetris

    • The Adam Project

      Great sci-fi conceit that turns into generic action a third of the way through.

    • The Binding

      I started this ages ago and found it a bit of a slog but once it kicked into gear it was a decent little yarn.

    • The Martian

      Read this again. Engaging yarn.

  • February

    • Peacemaker

      Fun. Binge watched it over a weekend.

    • The Tinder Swindler

      Interesting but somewhat unsatisfying true crime story.

  • January

    • Death's Door

      Tough iso fighter. I kind of drifted off after a while.

    • Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze

      Same old Donkey Kong Country. Pleasant to while away time.

    • Factorio - K2

      I'm playing Krastorio again. Trying a train based factory.

    • Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits

      Fun sci-fi by one of the Internet's best funny writers.

    • Ghosts

      Delightful British humour. Feels cozy.

    • Knives Out

      A pretty decent murder mystery film.

    • Script Apart

      Deconstructing first drafts of films. Love it.

    • Star Trek - DS9

      A bit less thoughtful than Next Gen but has some decent sci-fi conceits in there. Characters aren't as likeable yet.

    • The Witness

      Slightly easier to play a second time. Fiendish puzzles though.

  • December

    • A Monster's Journey

      I finished this off. Hard but satisfying puzzles.

    • Hades

      Can't stop. Won't stop.

    • Hawkeye

      The more intimate Marvel shows seem to be the more compelling ones. Hope it sticks the landing.

    • Noita

      A very tricky Rogue-like platformer that's luckily very fun to die in.

    • Spiderman - No Way Home

      The underlying mechanism that requires linking cool set pieces together feels a bit unnatural and uninspired this time round. Good fan service though.

    • Spiderman - The Europe one

      Spiderman does whatever a spider can. Was pleasant enough but probably would have been better if I hadn't been spoiled on plot points.

    • Star Trek - Next Gen S7

      We're almost to the end. It's so nice to fill this hole in my pop-culture knowledge.

  • November

    • GhostBusters: Afterlife

      Though character development was minimal and plotting formulaic it was fun to watch.

    • No Time to Die

      A fun enough James Bond movie.

    • Satisfactory

      Update 5 is out so I'm having a little play around. Though I kind of want to wait until V1.0 to do a proper run.

    • Sunless Sea

      Revisiting a Roguelike that I originally bounced off to see if I've changed.

    • The Movies that Made Us 3

      Fun pop culture doco

  • October

    • Control

      I thought there would be more telekinetic puzzle solving. There's more 'shoot man in face' than I expected.

    • Dead Cells

      Tried to get back into this rogue like but I don't have the patience to git-gud.

    • Luigi's Mansion 3

      Well produced but the novelty of the series is wearing a bit thin.

    • Pretty Smart

      I make it 8 minutes into this terribly written sit-com.

    • Star Trek - Next Gen S6

      Still plowing through. Still good.

  • September

    • Hades

      It's official. I'm addicted. I've been ignoring everything else while I play the crap out of this.

    • Rick and Morty - S5

      It often feels very frantic. A couple of decent episodes and one terrible one.

    • Rosehaven - S5

      Only two episodes left. I'm going to miss these guys.

    • Star Trek - Next Gen S5

      There are still many gems in this show this late in.

  • August

    • Axiom Verge 2

      I loved the original and the sequel didn't quite hit the same heights. I was surprised how quickly it ended and how easy it was.

    • Bo Burnham's Inside

      Oh my heart! This was incredibly artful and touching.

    • Hacks

      Very average. I can't see why people love this. Still some episodes to go. edit: It got much better.

    • Hades

      Not usually a fan of Roguelikes but this one is pretty fun to play.

    • Monster's Expedition

      I had high expectations and it's just a very well put together puzzle game.

    • Star Trek - New Gen S4

      Still solid with a couple of really great eps.

  • July

    • Breath of the Wild

      Second time playing. Such an exceptional game.

    • Factorio - Krastorio

      I'm back. I'm addicted.

    • Inner Space

      It's amazing how simple the storylines from these old films were.

    • Love This City

      Seems apt now that we've won the Olympics.

    • Star Trek - New Gen S3

      Lots more character driven drama at the expense of the sci-fi. Still fun to watch but misses the Roddenberry touch.

    • The movies that made us

      Well made stuff. Makes me happy.

  • June

    • Code 8

      Neat world building ends without a decent climax.

    • Darknet Diaries

      Engaging stories of the InfoSec world. Really good value.

    • Factorio - IR2

      Finally launched a rocket in IR2. Little bit grindy but overall quite satisfying.

    • Loki

      Episode 1 makes me excited for episode 2.

    • Rick and Morty - S5

      It's back baby! And still such high quality. I'm waiting for the other boot to drop.

    • Space Cop

      Irredeemable.

    • Star Trek - New Gen S2

      Such strong writing. Still really into it.

    • The Switch

      Jason Bateman and Jennifer Aniston in a terrible terrible film about rape by deceit. Fun to make fun of.

    • The Witcher 3

      Only a few hours in and I'm not sure what to make of it. I seem to be picking a lot of flowers.

  • May

    • Factorio - IR2

      Addiction is a helluva thing.

    • Jumanji - Welcome to the Jungle

      Vaguely amusing kid's film with a handful of decent laughs.

    • Monster Boy

      Really great Metroidvania based on possibly my favourite game.

    • Star Trek - New Gen

      Still churning through this series. I could be here a while.

  • April

    • Brooklyn 99 - Series 7

      So pleased to be back here. Bubblegum for the brain.

    • Cosy Grove

      Very zen-like game about collecting twigs and seashells. It's nice to not be challenged for a bit.

    • Flood

      They Might Be Giants best work.

    • Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle

      UFO clone. Mildly fun but it's not capturing me.

    • Shovel Knight

      Well made platformer. Just frustrating enough to be a good challenge.

    • Soul

      Like pizza, even when they're average, Pixar movies are great.

    • Star Trek - New Gen

      I can't believe it's taken me this long watch something I think is so great.

    • The Orville

      For a series set in the future by a notorious 'leftie', it pushes some really 1990s social politics. Not good.

    • The Platform

      Brazilian psychological thriller. Wonderfully engaging until it just stops. Dead. Unsatisfying.

    • Venom

      Enjoyed this when I was on a plane. Revisiting it is... grounding.

  • March

    • 3 Bags Full

      Sheep solve shepherd's murder. Cute detective story that doesn't really stick the landing.

    • Spy

      Melissa Macarthy does a great job. Very funny and engaging film.

    • The Mandalorian S2

      Still wonderfully slow paced and engaging.

    • The Orville

      Halfway through S1. Pleasant but flawed. I hear season 2 kicks off though.

    • The Touryst

      Lovely little puzzle exploration game with great voxelart.

    • WandaVision

      Nice reserved pacing. Pleasant mystery.

  • February

    • Beverley Hills Cop

      Holy Cow! This film is still so great. When the theme cropped up I had a nostalgic moment.

    • Cadillac Man

      Robin Williams and Tim Robbins is an intimate little film where little happens.

    • Half Live 2

      I've tried playing this twice before but I seem to be onboard this time round.

    • Minecraft

      The Switch version is currently awkward to play and buggy to run. Absolutely would not recommend.

    • Robocop 2

      A pale imitation of the first film but does has some delightful moments.

    • Ted Lasso

      Watched the first 4 eps. Really enjoyed it. Looking forward to the rest.

    • The Apartment

      It's nice watching old films occasionally. They care so much about the product but have no short-cuts to help them with pacing.

    • iZombie S4

      The procedural elements have fallen by the wayside and a tornado of hubris has scooped the show up.

    • iZombie S5

      I found myself looking forward to the end and when it came it mostly stuck the landing.

  • January

    • CrackerJack

      I love a good underdog sports movie. This one about lawn bowls is one of my favs.

    • Doctor Who: Rev of the Daleks

      As disappointing as ever.

    • Factorio

      IR 2 is still kicking my ass. I'm almost up to ore washing.

    • Mario Kart 8

      Playing a vs. video game with my wife. That hasn't happened since Wii sports.

    • Ori and the Will of the Wisps

      These Ori games are something else. Like playing a painting.

    • Pikmin 3 Deluxe

      There's something so zen-like about these games. So nice to revisit the universe.

    • The Watch

      I leaned into the massive changes they had planned and I'm into it. Looking forward to the next ep.

    • iZombie S3

      Still enjoying this. It doesn't seem to be collapsing under the weight of its lore yet.

  • December

    • A Moody Christmas

      Australian Cringe-Comedy. Good performances and great to watch.

    • Dark

      Binged the final season. I really got into this complicated mystery.

    • Factorio

      Industrial Revolution 2 mod was released. I'm in heaven.

    • Link to the Past

      The original SNES Zelda but on my old GBA

    • Mario Kart 7

      It's like putting on old shoes. Very comfortable but not as satisfying as brand new shoes.

    • Quake 2

      Yes, that's right. QUAKE 2! 800x600 the way it was meant to be.

    • We Happy Few

      Nice style and tone but plays like a dog. Gave up almost immediately.

    • Zelda: Link Between Worlds

      Holy Cow! What a nostalgia button.

    • iZombie S2

      I like the procedural elements. The arc, less so.

  • November

    • Connected

      Goofy pop-science. Pleasant bubble-gum for the mind.

    • Dark

      Still watching.

    • Emily in Paris

      Tried to watch this to make fun of it but it's so lackluster. I feel dumber for having watched the pilot.

    • Gato Roboto

      I like the 1-bit art but it hasn't captured me like other metroidvanias.

    • John Mulaney

      The 2 stand up specials on Netflix were a good comedy feast.

    • Satisfactory

      I've returned to this with a more relaxed attitude. Just enjoying building stuff.

    • Schitt's Creek

      Final Series was absolute twaddle. By the finale we were just hate-watching.

    • Snaaak

      A 10 minute game. Clever, joyous and doesn't outstay its welcome.

    • Spectre

      Latest James Bond. Ticked every box. Great fun.

    • Stick it to the Man

      A puzzle platformer that's a bit simple but great visuals and writing.

    • The Great

      A bit too low-brow for me.

    • The Queen's Gambit

      50 Fashion, Chess, addiction. This is my bag baby. Really enjoying it.

  • October

    • Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life

      The Wombats

    • DOOM

      Doom was a pretty dumb film with a couple of decent moments. Overall disappointing.

    • Enola Holmes

      Cute teen adventure that kept my interest.

    • Free to a Good Home

      Michael Hing & Ben Jenkins are doing great stuff ATM

    • Green Lantern

      This may be the cheesiest thing I've ever seen. It is... not great.

    • Hidden Folks

      It's monochrome 'Where's Wally' and it's so darn restful.

    • Hob

      In the style of the SNES Zelda game but really beautiful and clever. I am delighted.

    • Moonlighter

      A cross between Zelda and Stardew Valley. It feels a bit grindy.

    • Shadow Complex

      This Metroidvania makes you feel unstoppable. Replaying it felt great.

    • Stick it to the man

      A charming enough puzzle-platformer with wonderful visuals.

  • September

    • Baba is You

      This game hurts my brain. It feels a lot like coding.

    • Dark

      Creepy mystery. Okay so far.

    • Guaca Melee 2

      Great Metroidvania. Very pretty. So much cultural appropriation.

    • Raven On

      They're currently reviewing all the James Bond films.

    • Rule of Threes

      Deconstructing comedy podcast.

    • Schitt's Creek

      Dry humour.

    • Solid State - Jonathan Coulton

      Man I love 'Square Things'.

  • August

    • Factorio

      Version 1 came out and I fell back in.

    • Luigi's Mansion 2

      A bit repetitive but good old Nintendo puzzles.