Weekly Stuff - More jazz because I'm predictable, I'm back into Hearthstone, and AJ got sparked - Sep 27 2024
Weekly Stuff is a series from me to you in which I keep you updated on the best stuff I've read (and sometimes seen/heard/watched) this week. It won't always be made or from this week. I'm sure you can deal with that.
I had a decent week, you know! A pretty busy weekend full of socialising and a beer or two, but the kind of busy which left me feeling regenerated. Dare I say, I had a spring in my step. I know. That isn't like me.
The week has been a bit more restful. I always end up booking myself out and struggle to take time for myself sometimes, so I'm glad to have been able to take some evenings for myself this week.
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Taking some evenings to myself has meant I've had time to actually play some video games, which is nice! I don't know why, but I went back to where it all began for me - Hearthstone. Real ones will know that Blizzard's collectable card game is how I got my first break into the video games industry, writing deck guides for a site called Metabomb (RIP). What a time to be alive.
I'm the winner, yay
I was genuinely pleasantly surprised at the way Hearthstone has revamped the returning player experience. I think one reason I never came back to the game was because of how expensive it always was to play at a decently high level. Without completely hyperfocusing on one playstyle, which gets boring, it was always so hard to create enough decks to be both competitive and fun.
When I logged in, I was given an absolute MOUNTAIN of cards to bolster my collection (cards are unusable in 'Standard' play after two years), and without spending any money I was able to craft a half-decent Hunter deck and begin climbing the ladder. Just like old times.
They say never go back, but on this occasion, I've had a really comfy trip down memory lane.
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Sure, I did leave the house. Predictably, I popped over to see some jazz. Somehow I'd never visited Night Tales Loft before, and on Wednesday nights they bring together some absolutely wonderful musicians for an early session before opening up the floor to a jam later on. Before you ask, I didn't bring my trumpet this time. Sorry.
They be tootin'
It's a gorgeous venue - soft furnishing transforms a giant concrete box into a welcoming and relaxing space, Voodoo Ray's pizza is available by slice, and moody lighting keeps the evening at the right level of intimacy and clarity.
The band had a flautist too. I love jazz flute. It's just so damn cool.
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Last Friday was a good one too - I had a little adventure checking out the Lazy Oaf sample sale in Dalston before heading over to a friend's to watch the Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois boxing match. I did boxing for a couple of years (lore drop), but am far from an expert in the professional sport as it exists today. It did look like an AJ victory was assured, though. Just from the size of the man. What an absolute adonis.
Yeah, it turns out I know nothing about how fighting actually works. Dubois looked so much sharper, faster, and after he hurt Joshua early, it always felt like a matter of time before he stopped Joshua.
The wild thing was, just before the huge knockout blow from Dubois, it looked like Joshua actually had a bit of a comeback on, hurting Dubois and going on the offensive. It was a big counterpunch that put an end to it, though. AJ hit the canvas completely unable to recover.
I find boxing such a fascinating sport. The shady business, the charismatic promoters, the fighters putting their lives on the line for glory, it's so bizarre to me that it can all be decided on one big tonk to the head.
There's a reason I don't box anymore. Getting hit hurts a LOT, and I didn't enjoy it.
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I'm not going to be doing any fighting this coming week, I hope. I will be popping over to Margate though. That'll be a nice change of pace, leaving London for a day and trundling around by the sea. It's also wine and cheese night tomorrow, which are two of my favourite things. Can't wait.
Have a great weekend! Don't forget to do a JamsWord to keep your mind sharp!
