Weekend Wrap 5/3/2026

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

I love music. That should be no surprise to anyone who knows me.

I also love finding new music. Surprises often are some of the best moments for me. Such it was with Avertat and Dead End Life. A new project formed by founding guitarist of Décembre Noir, it just hits. And hard.

I suppose I would put it in the death-doom category, but that almost feels like it sells it short. The combination of clean and harsh vocals is just chef's kiss. It reminds me, in some ways, of Arjen Lucassen's Guilt Machine album, in that the clean vocals are provided by a specifically non-metal vocalist.

It is emotional, exciting, with plenty of punch to it. I hope this is more than a one-off, as it just clicks so many boxes for me.

Games

Folks, Diablo IV is back.

The first expansion, Vessel of Hatred, didn't ever really click for me. Neither did the Spiritborn class. I just sort of fell off and never finished that storyline. But second expansion, Lord of Hatred, has its hooks in me.

So, too, does the new Warlock class. Being the sucker I am (hey, I knew there was no doubt I was going to get the expansion), I had pre-ordered it and had played the Paladin class some. I loved the Paladin in Diablo III, but in IV, it hadn't really intrigued me.

The Warlock, though, well, that is just demon summoning fun. I have made it a good way through the campaign since release, have my Warlock up into the 40s, and look forward to really putting this class through its paces. Diablo is always a good time, and with its history, I can't help but come back again.

TV

I don't know why I never watched The Good Place. My wife and I remedied that this week.

And it is a delight.

I am laughing out loud, enjoying the characters, and very much look forward to when we have time to sit down together and watch it. I don't know how it holds up over the 4 (short) seasons, but I look forward to finding out.

This is the type of entertainment I need: fun, light, with characters you enjoy spending time with.

Refinement

April was a good month of tightening in my previous refinements. Exercise is becoming easier, again. My nights aren't locked in, but improving. My dashboard was a fun challenge to create, but honestly isn't doing what I had hoped. I don't know if that is the tool or if it is me. Still using it, but I don't know if that persists.

May brings a new opportunity for improvement, and I will have my article out later this week detailing what that is. I'm excited to see how that experience goes.

Quote of the week

Forgiveness.

We all need it from others. We all need to offer it to others. It is part of how we make it through this messy world we live in, full of messy people (including us). This reminder was powerful this week. I have some forgiveness to deal out, and in a big way.

Not even for them. For me. Just like the actions of others are more about them, forgiving is more about us. Because guess what: that other person probably doesn't even know you are hurt. And if they do, there is a greater than zero chance they could not possibly care less.

So let go. Move on. Lighten our own load by not carrying something other people don't care about, much less even know about.

Area of improvement

This week, I hope to lock in some of my plans. There are a lot of balls in the air I feel like I am juggling, and I hope to tighten that up, take out at least a few of those.

Not because they aren't worth my time. But because I will keep the rest in the air much more effectively if I have fewer.

My energy is being stretched to its limit. Time to say no.

Wrapping up

I will say it once again: I am trying to be optimistic.

It is hard as hell.

Every time I look at the news, I find myself more and more disgusted. Depressed. Despairing. I can't succumb to that. None of us should. We have to try to make things better.

Because there is just so much bad out there. Let us not be overwhelmed.