I’ve picked up some Japanese learning for my upcoming trip. It’s hard to know where to start. But considering that I haven’t practiced in 10+ years, as well as the fact that I wasn’t very good to begin with, I think that right at the beginning is good. Listening and speaking a little bit has already started jogging my memory on grammar and conjugation. So far, the biggest obstacle is just being able to sit down for an hour. But over time I think that I’ll get used to it and it’ll be incorporated into my routine with no question. 

When I post this, I’ll also have posted a small excerpt from a new piece that I’m working on. I think that a big part of my non-writing is because of my desire for perfection or, at least, something that I want to be “really, really good”, something that people are absolutely wowed by. But, I think that I haven’t really earned the time on that. Like most people, I probably need to put out a lot of things that are bad or just okay, then reflect and build on them to make them into the things that I actually want. I know that something I struggle with is setting and an overabundance of dialogue. I guess that part’s never left me. But, part of the fun is cutting things out and replacing them with something more meaningful.

My computer is also still a little busted. There’s a solution on the way, but I’ve been able to play a little bit in the meantime. That’s sort of been on the back of my mind, as I’ve picked up more reading and have started prioritizing my writing and my health. I love video games, but I think that I’m starting to feel the consequences of time.

This means that I’ve also slowed down on pickleball. With my injury last year, discovering that I’m specific about what I want when I play, the weather, and this feeling of time, it’s become more apparent that I should take it more recreationally rather than more competitively. The specificity thing really makes sense, as I’ve never been one to be super competitive about things. Or, if anything, I am super competitive but it fizzles out pretty quickly. Guess it’s just not in my heart.

Hopefully that doesn’t make me come off as not caring about things. I think the stress of competition isn’t worth the consequence of the result. If I lose, then I feel like I wasted a lot of time. On the other hand, if I win, I feel good about myself, but I also feel bad because I don’t want the opponents to feel like they wasted their time. So, I prioritize fun a lot of the time. I guess that’s why Helldivers has been so fun, because it seems like no matter what happens everyone has fun.

Anyway, I hope that all has been well with you, readers. I think the sun coming out has lifted my mood again.