Weekend Wrap 3/15/2026

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.

Music

Years ago, Lamb of God released VII: Sturm Und Drang. I'd been aware of the band, but hadn't actually listened to them. I decided a new album was a good time to give them a chance.

And I never looked back.

Some albums are stronger than others (As the Palaces Burn and Ashes of the Wake are stone cold classics), but I don't think they actually have a bad album. That being said, Omens, their 2022 album, was one that just never did grab me. So, when Into Oblivion was announced, I was a little nervous. The law of diminishing returns, blah, blah, blah.

Then I heard the single "Sepsis". I was hooked. And hopeful.

Not because "Sepsis" was some classic Lamb of God track. Precisely because it wasn't. "Sepsis" starts with a filthy, heavy bass groove that instantly made me say, out loud, "Since when is Lamb of God a sludge band?" I love me some dirty, rotten, fetid, sludgy metal. And this delivered. For about the first half. Then it turned into a face ripper and classic Lamb of God.

Good times, folks. Good times. Since the whole album dropped Friday, I haven't stopped listening. Into Oblivion is an immediate, angry, fierce album. Clocking in at just 39 minutes, these are songs that go for the jugular and don't let up. It is still early, but this might be my favorite Lamb of God album in over a decade.

Books

I've made it through book 3 now, The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook, and continue to enjoy the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. I worry, just a little, that I'm going to burn out. I sense a little of the Dresden Files going on here. Not in the story, but definitely in the way the story is growing more and more complex and the world more layered.

I hope that doesn't make them feel too heavy. They are already feeling more heavy than at the very start, but such is the way of many good stories.

I just don't know if that is what I am up for. Life has been heavy enough.

Refinement

If you read my article from Saturday, you'll know that I find myself in a bit of a creative slump.

This means, by necessity, that I haven't been using my creative dashboard very much. I have been opening it, and then I sort of look at it and close it. We are only halfway through the month, so there is still more time to use it.

This past week, my exercise and nighttime routines fell off as well. I suppose that's why these are refinements: more time to get back at them.

Quote of the week

I came across this quote earlier this week while doing my Readwise review. It must have resonated at some point, or I wouldn't have saved it.

As I read it this week, I was assaulted by an overwhelming wrongness to the quote. It is too simplistic, too trite, too far up its own ass.

I think I want to explore all the ways it is stupid in a future article, but I think it is enough to say it is okay to force it some days. We hope we aren't forcing it every day, but on occasion, we have to force it.

And that is okay.

Area of improvement

This week I need to get back into the groove. Of working out. Of working on that nighttime routine. Of healthy behaviors and habits that I have been able to do in the past.

I'm not trying to add anything new this week. Just get back on track. Sounds simple enough. I'm sure it won't be.

Wrapping up

Life is heavy.

There are many reasons for that. All around us. I am sure many are feeling the same. If you are, I get it. I'm right there with you.

But there are people who care. People we can turn to. Lean on.

And there are other things that can help. They may be different for everyone. I hope you find what lifts you. What makes life a little lighter.

It's one thing we can have hope in.