Weekend Wrap 10/12/2025

Each weekend, I like to pause, reflect, and look back on the past week. This isn't a deep dive or grand reflection—just a quick review of a handful of things that brought me joy, made me think, or challenged me.

I feel drained these days. And I don't have a good reason as to why. It is driving me a little crazy and getting in the way of me being as on top of things as I want to. But that's okay. I enjoyed the habit challenge, and look forward to working on those aspects of my life more. But now on to some levity. Just a day later than planned.

Music

I've been a fan of Frayle for years. And they just keep getting better and better. Yes, the cover should creep you out. Yes, the music is creepy as well. But in a surprising way. Frayle plays an atmospheric sort of doom metal. The vocals are so light and lilting, almost barely there, and contrast with the power of the guitars in an incredibly affecting way.

Heretics & Lullabies is their best album yet. No question.

Every album has been a banger, but this one is just next level. I haven't even really been able to stop listening long enough to give the new Testament album a fair shake. This is a haunting album that has entranced me and won't let me go.

Games

I have spent very little time with Megabonk, but I already know I am going to lose hours to this game.

I, like so many people, love Vampire Survivors and enjoy many of the other "Bullet Heaven" games that came out since. Megabonk is the latest in the trend, but it feels different to me. The world evokes Minecraft, but the gameplay is clearly like so many of these games. I haven't had time to really dive deep and see what the differences may be.

But on initial plays, it feels great, looks good, and is a ton of fun. These days, that is all I need.

Oh, it's also only $9.99. Seriously, just play it.

Movies

Over on "The Middle of Culture", one of my podcasts, my sibling, Eden, suggested we watch Look Back. It is a beautiful, one-hour coming-of-age story that focuses on two girls and their love of drawing manga.

It is also emotionally devastating.

Seriously, this movie messed me up. But it was so beautiful that I loved it. It also helped that I could tell from the start it was going to crush me, so I was waiting. Still, when it hit, it was more than I expected.

Do I plan to watch it again? Not any time soon. But I don't regret it in the least.

Quote of the week

How often have we uttered those words: "I don't have enough time"?

If you are like me, you've uttered it more than you can count. That's usually not really the problem, though, is it? The problem is our choices and our priorities. We can always find ways to be busy, but that doesn't necessarily mean we are being productive.

And often, that busyness is just an appearance. It doesn't move us closer to what matters the most.

Sometimes we have to be busy with stupid crap. That's part of life. But many times, we use it as a reason to not move forward.

What didn't work

I'm finding that, often, the quote that stuck out at me is because it was almost like it was directed right at me. See above.

I felt busy this past week. I felt harried. I didn't spend nearly as much time working on the things that mattered to me (hence, this is coming out late). I "didn't have enough time". Or, I just spent my time poorly.

It's okay not to be working every second of every day, but I wandered down distracting paths, lined with lotus blossoms. I reached the end of the week wondering where my time had gone.

I can do better. Or at least, I can be more conscious of how I'm spending my time.

Wrapping up

I did better with my workouts last week. And I could feel it. I was both more energized and more tired. I suppose that's how it worked. It was good to get to the end of my habit tracking challenge, and I feel it has set me on a better path.

Now I just need to keep moving on that path.