Weekly Report

Weeknotes: December 8th - December 14th 2025

Good Morning Magpie

14 Dec 2025 — 3 min read

Disclaimer: It should be mentioned that Weeknotes are always a snapshot of the week itself and lack the fullness of life - as is the case with any personal blogging.

✨ Happenings

Whilst I had lingering challenges with muffled hearing for much of the week, Taylor was sick throughout the entire week. For that reason, we had a fairly sedentary week, especially with the cold snap, though I went to the cafe twice; once with Alexis and once with Rand.
During the week, I picked up textured paper from Sunnyside Art Supplies and Taylor gifted me a set of Sennelier soft pastels. With both, I started learning how to use them. I completed two landscape paintings and I am proud of how it is going so far.
On Thursday, Taylor and I watched the Game Awards (after sadly needing to cancel our party due to illness) and enjoyed wonderful food delivered from Tibet Kitchen. As for the Games Awards themselves, it was an absolute sweep for Clair Obscura: Expedition 33! With such a decisive win for the French indie studio, we are even more excited to play through the game over the months to come. As far as upcoming games, there was a few notables including Bradley the Badger (Taylor's favourite!), Ontos, Highguard (which will be released for free to play on January 26th), Saros, and Larian Studio's Divinity.
On the weekend, Taylor and I generally stayed home hanging out. I finished reading a book, did pastel painting, and wrote up my annual Chance's Choice Awards for 2025. On Saturday evening, we all celebrated our dear friend Alexis' birthday at Auttarote Thai Cuisine. Afterwards, we went for a sweet snack at Mama Dessert a few blocks down. On Sunday, Taylor was feeling well enough to help throw Queerly Festive with Calgary Pride. I spent my evening at home, continuing to work on my pastels. It's been challenging learning how to paint - especially cultivating resilience part way through as the picture comes together - but very rewarding overall!

📗 Reading

Blank Space: A Cultural History of the Twenty-First Century by W David Marx - Finished Reading

The second section of the book continued to discuss the emergence of the recent monocultural moment and its tied to global capitalism. There was discussion regarding the collapse of public optimism in Silicon Valley, the Millennial/Zoomer cultural belief in entrepreneurial heroism, and the recent New Right's cultural ascendancy. Whilst the book was encompassing in nearly every regard, there was a notable and honestly glaring lack of consideration for video games as a cultural medium. Generally, it was fantastic in its conclusions, which were well-defended, but it felt somewhat incomplete.

🎮 Playing

Clair Obscura: Expedition 33

Taylor and I continued playing Clair Obscura: Expedition 33 throughout the week. It swept the Game Awards for good reason. This game kicks ass, with a touching story and at times, surprisingly silly creatures. The soundtrack that accompanies its narrative and battles are absolutely beautiful.

🎵 Listening

"All of This Will End" by Indigo De Souza (Song)

Great indie rock song about the inevitability of death. I am becoming more comfortable with the idea that "I don't have answers, no one does /I've been finding comfort in that."