Weekly Report: May 5th - May 11th 2025
The Week in Summary:
- For starters, it has been a tough week given a recent major rupture between REDACTED and I. It has been years in the making, but this week, a deeper estrangement became inevitable. I thought I would feel more free right away, but the grief has been profound. In any case, this is going to be a long pathway to healing and I am so grateful for my loved ones for their support this week (as always). If you know, you know.
- Paradox Interactive released their 4.0 update for Stellaris, along with their accompanying Biogenesis expansion. It has been a buggy mess, but that is part of the experience of enjoying this Swedish company's strategy masterpieces (a relationship akin to Stockholm's Syndrome). Biogenesis revamps genetic ascension, introduces new origins and civics, adds more biological traits, and provides a new player crisis (Behemoth Fury). As I am still trying to understand the 4.0 update on a conceptual level, I have failed many games already. Oops.
- After doing an allergy test a month ago and not having a positive result for a penicillin allergy (though apparently every fucking tree it seems), I had to do another test called an "oral challenge" to confirm and I had no allergic reaction! Huzzah! Go penicillin!
- This week I finished reading two books: Pepita Sandwich's The Art of Crying: The Healing Power of Tears and Sophie Gilbert's Girl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women Against Themselves. I am getting into a fairly solid reading routine that I have been quite enjoying lately.
- On Saturday evening, Taylor and I joined Alexis, Ang, and Katelyn at Hull's Wood in Fish Creek Provincial Park for a fire with delicious s'mores, spawning white suckers, numerous mayflies, and as always, great company!
- Lastly, after great contemplation (and an unhealthy amount of hyperfocusing), I purchased a new bicycle, Marin Presidio 3, from Bike Bike. I was initially pushing myself towards a fixed-gear bicycle, but common sense prevailed in the end! I'll be able to use this bike as an everyday commuter - including during the winter (due to the bike's internal gear hub, belt drive, and disc brakes)!
The Week in Images:
The Week in Links:
Girl on Girl by Sophie Gilbert review – how pop culture turned a generation of women against themselves
The Pulitzer-nominated journalist recounts how modern misogyny has been shaped by a mass culture attuned to male desire and all-pervasive pornography
Kate Womersley