Weekly Report

Weekly Report: April 1st - April 7th 2024

Good Morning Magpie

07 Apr 2024 — 3 min read

The Week in Summary:

It was the second week of Spring Break camps and we did another week of our city-building program. We came to call our creation, Cherry Blossom City, and got a call-and-response chant going for everyone. Given it was our second week of the same programs, we had lots of the logistical issues improved and knew where additional support might be needed. Though for some added chaos, our last day’s sign-out was interrupted by a fire alarm (and subsequent evacuation of the building).
This week Taylor and I spent more time with our family. On Thursday, we celebrated the 60th Wedding Anniversary of their grandparents. As an absolute glutton, I feasted on perhaps too much cider, prime roast, and lemon cake. On Saturday, we went to dinner at the Jubilations Dinner Theatre with Taylor's parents and some of their family friends. The show was called Journey to the 80s and it was a classic nostalgia trip oriented towards those who grew up during the time with all the tropes one would expect.
After three weeks, I finally beat Elden Ring on Saturday. Most of this week was spent on grinding up levels and trying to defeat the last stretch of bosses at the game (specifically the Fire Giant and Godfrey, First Elden Lord/Hoarah Loux). I have never cheered so loud upon defeating boss battles before. I am trying to determine whether I have it in me to try a second playthrough (as a mage of some variety) or try another game in my backlog.
As for shows, Taylor and I watched the most recent season of South Park and a few of the new specials that they have. Matt Stone and Trey Parker have not lost their edge for sharp social criticism of American life. The Streaming Wars was an absolute favourite, delving into simultaneously streaming services and the recent impacts of climate change (specifically the drought) on Colorado.

Recommendations:

Elden Ring by FromSoftware (Video Game): It could be the lingering adrenaline of finally defeating my first playthrough of Elden Ring, but for myself, Elden Ring is one of the best gaming experiences I’ve had in my life. Classic FromSoftware souls-like experiences have often been equally championed and criticized as excessively difficult to the point of lunacy, but Elden Ring has managed to improve upon this formula through an open-world design and made it more accessible than ever. Whilst I adore (1) the depth of skill needed to push forward and (2) the varied unique builds to work towards, for myself, it is the world of the Lands Between that leaves me in awe. I have heard of the Lands Between being aptly referred to as a “magical post-apocalypse” and that reveals itself everywhere I explore. The world is a fractured and brutal hellscape where I feel insignificant and unwelcome, but also timelessly mysterious and beautiful. I could ramble on, but I digress. Put simply, I love Elden Ring.
A pipeline to send water to southern Alberta? Ideas float to the surface in times of drought by Joel Dryden (Article): An article detailing the use of interbasin diversion to address southern Alberta’s drought conditions.
Alberta Urbanism: Underrated Successes and Massive Challenges by Oh The Urbanity! (Video): A review of where Calgary and Edmonton stand on various urban issues, including their recent successes and challenges. Go Calgary Go!