Ser Not Appearing

Just follow the stench.

Anyway, deed is done. Plot twist: Pat is preparing to release Winds of Winter.

Maybe. I'm in Honkey-sha. I think Pat is or was in Madison.

Sorry, there's only one way. I'm too committed now! But if the authorities ask - I'm a silly little man and I was obviously joking ... even if I agree that does look like me on the security camera.

Just going to chime in that I think the activity has a pretty strong correlation to one work or another pending release. What that work is ... only one way to find out (stalk him for a few days to find a schedule, break into his house and hack his computer while he's away). I think I live somewhat close by if he's still in Wisconsin, so I volunteer as tribute.

Somebody has to finish a story eventually. At this point, it's neck and neck of doing anything but finish so nobody "winning" is surprising. In fact, I'd pick anyone over GRRM. He's too popular and distracted.

My reading was:

I read (listened to) The Long Walk by Stephen King. Interesting psychologically, though it felt about 3x longer than I cared to listen to. Definitely not my genre or vibe. It was, for me, an interesting slog with a rather predictable outcome (even to the point of knowing with certainty where and how many non-POV would finish). The psychology and interest means it will stick with me longer than the degree to which I enjoyed it and that is, in itself, interesting. My one big takeaway is that there's something unrefined in his writing and it crops up from time to time (including in Dark Tower, which is the only other of his works that I've read) that feels out of place and amateur. I'm not sure how best to articulate it but the majority of the writing feels great and then there's just these flies sprinkled in the ointment. I think maybe he's sometimes too direct or on the nose (for me) in how he addresses emotions and cultural differences ... and the lack of subtlety or nuance just feels wrong.

That's among the funniest things I've ever read in any book, bar none. It just fits so perfectly.

I haven't played anything Monster Hunter. It's something of a rouge like but also not. You pick a character-type and which big boss to try and beat in a given round. You load in and rush from location to location, beating mobs and bosses in each, getting power ups, new weapons and runes for leveling. There are also places to pick up extra flasks or weapon upgrade stones and you've guys be selective on what to do because time is limited. Over time, much of the world becomes inaccessible and it forces you to a certain area to fight a more powerful boss (at night). Beat that and the world becomes accessible again for another day of rushing locations / bosses and leveling. The world will shrink again and force you into a second powerful boss fight (night two). If you beat that, you can portal into an area and engage the final boss you picked. There are random spawning events and challenges, RNG matters a lot and you can unlock various "relics" to apply for a run (this round, I deal more damage with X weapon type or heal on hits, etc). Character-type orders are really different styles of gameplay. I'm enjoying the heck out of it, frankly.

Built-in if it's at ...

Potentially was a built-in invader and not another player but there's no guarantee on that. I loathe player invasions. You can play Nightreign solo. Might even be easier that way. It's basically just a boss rush mode with far better mobility and constant fighting and build / balance practice.

Next up: Nightreign!

Gonna have to tentatively bow out of this round for personal reasons, unfortunately. Don't wait on me if the deadline comes. If I have free time, I may still try and submit but gonna be busy with some things irl.