Now that the kids are back at school, I’ve been more focused on trying to work.

And now that I’m more focused on trying to work, I’m less focused on writing stuff here.

I need to consciously remember to write here.

Another year’s school books covered in Contact. I would pay a significant premium to get pre plastic-covered stationery each year.

Finished the last of the _Pirates of the Caribbean _films tonight. It was fine.

By this stage in a franchise, you kind of give up trying to understand the why of things.

What a great family day.

We took the kids bowling. It has been a long time since any of us has been bowling. We were all pretty terrible, but it didn’t matter. We had fun.

We had Yum Cha for lunch and burgers for dinner. We played air hockey and pool and ate Churros for dessert.

It was just a really nice, fun day.

Looking forward to the kids going back to school next week, though.

This was a lot more fun than I expected. Loved the 4th wall breaking — not just the spoken scenes, but especially the looks to camera. I loved the patriarchy-smashing plot and thought Milly Bobby Brown was spectacular. Definitely worth a watch.

I spent today playing the Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Beginner Game TTRPG.

Firstly, I’m shocked that this was the first time I have ever played a game like this. I think that made it harder than it might have been otherwise. But it was still heaps of fun. Will definitely need to play some more. 🎲

Mostly mindless, enjoyable romp. But I’m pretty sure the mermaid ate the missionary guy.

That makes the most sense after he angrily decided to name her like a pet halfway through.

A good friend - one of my old colleagues - built a game.

On his own.

While he was still working.

It’s call Chorus of the Night, and it is really solid. Costs $2.95 (AUD) on Steam. Here’s a handy link to help you buy it.

I think there’s a reason I’d never seen this before. It was… not good.

Cracked open The Hobbit: An Unexpected Party board game from the Christmas gift haul today with my daughter.

It is stunning.

The art is simply gorgeous. From the characters to the cards to the board itself, it is both The Hobbit you know and love, and something new as well.

The gameplay has just enough challenge to keep it interesting, but simple enough for the kids to enjoy.

Will definitely be pulling this game out regularly.

Won #TheHobbitAnUnexpectedParty on 2023-01-24 with 2 players, winning score: 27

🎲

I haven’t seen this in at least 20 years, but Geena Davis was as amazing as I remembered in this film. Samuel L. Jackson was awesome too. Great flick.

This morning we got up early and drove to Thirlmere Lakes National Park to do a barbecue breakfast and then a little bushwalking. The weather was a little drizzly, which made it interesting, but the scenery was nice and the air was fresh. However… My son was not a fan of the leeches. Somehow they … read more

I enjoyed this more than the second movie. It’s still a bit too long – they could easily have cut the whole Calypso thing, given it went mostly nowhere. And I still don’t understand why both Barbosa and Jack were pirate lords when Barbosa was Jack’s first mate on the Black Pearl in the first movie?

Anyway, I’m definitely overthinking it. Fairly ridiculous, silly fun.

This movie is too long. There are too many superfluous set pieces. I may have drifted off a bit.

I really wanted to enjoy it more than I did.

Today was spent mourning my wife’s uncle, who recently passed away.

It was a lovely service and commemoration and we caught up with family we don’t see enough.

As we caught up with these friends and relatives, it struck me how coming together with loved ones, no matter how sad the reason, is still a great cause for joy.

Rest in peace Rex.

I’ve had a few really good work conversations this week.

It’s good to know that even after years of working behind the scenes, people in the industry still know and respect the work you did and want to find ways to work together in the future.

Better than I expected, but I wasn’t expecting much.

Finished reading: Civil War by Mark Millar 📚

Really enjoyed this. Keen to dive a bit more into comics this year.

I was so bored in this movie. The plot was predictable, the protagonist was an irritating jerk, and the music was just terrible. Considering how good Phil Collins’ soundtrack for Tarzan was, I can’t help but think he completely phoned it in here.

I’ve been dreading this film from our “Disney” list for a while, and I’m glad it’s done, and I’ll never have to watch it again.

It’s still school holidays, and today my daughter has pulled out Disney Infinity.

I’ve watched her play through both the Inside Out game and the Star Wars Clone Wars missions.

She is having the time of her life.

I know the toys to life games were such a ridiculous money grab, but I still love the variety of Disney Infinity.

It was such a fantastic implementation of Disney’s many, many IPs. Not just from the characters themselves, but also the story-mission games they launched. Plus there were consolidated games, like the racer and the Marvel brawler game!

I’m still disappointed they cancelled it.

I can’t help but wonder what they could have introduced over the years since it was scrapped.

Combining all the Marvel characters to take on Thanos and the Infinity stones?

Rescuing Grogu as The Mandalorian?

Branching into all the Fox franchises? Imagine a Simpsons game! Even better, being able to play in the Toy Box with Homer and Luke Skywalker.

I guess I should still be thankful for the games we did get in the series.

But I can’t help but wonder what could have been…