Weekend Wrap 9/21/2025

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 knew going back to work this week was going to be difficult. Between the time off, feeling sick, and the exhaustion, physical and emotional, of the previous two weeks, well, it was a really tough one. Fortunately there were some things that helped get me through the week.

Music

I have been a massive fan of Paradise Lost since I first discovered them, late to the game, with their 2009 release, Faith Divides Us, Death Unites Us. I immediately took to their goth-tinged brand of death/doom.

Their catalog is rich and deep, going back to 1990. And while there have been some interesting detours in their sound along the way, their late era embrace of that death/doom sound has been straight up my alley.

Ascension is very likely the high point of this era. Paradise Lost proves they are some of the best in the business with an album that is heavy, melodic, emotive, and dark. There are moments of hope buried in here, but don’t come looking for happy music. This is dark music for our dark times.

Sometimes you just have to embrace the darkness within to get through the darkness without.

Speaking of…

This has gone too far
How long until we’re found?
How long have I been gone?

Paul Kuhr, lyricist and vocalist of Novembers Doom, sounds increasingly frantic with each line, his voice ripping through the music of the title track of the latest album, Major Arcana, from these Chicago-based death/doomers.

It wasn’t until 2014, with Bled White, that Novembers Doom popped up on my radar. I’ve been in love ever since. They lean more on the death side of the death/doom than Paradise Lost, and don’t have the gothic overtones.

But hot damn, they create powerful music.

Major Arcana is the first album in six years, and it was worth the wait. There is a solid chance that Ascension is the stronger of the two albums released this week, but something about Major Arcana pulls me in. I am loving both albums, but find myself drawn to this offering from Novembers Doom more.

Last Sunday, when I realized that both of these albums were dropping the same day, I told my wife I would be able to make it through the week because I could start Friday with new music.

Thankfully, both albums delivered.

Games

Everyone who could played Angry Birds back in the day. And while they overplayed their hand and flooded the market with too much Angry Birds (AB Star Wars, anyone?), I still have a soft spot for these games.

I also am apparently one of Apple Arcade’s only fans and staunch defenders.

I’ll defend both again. I love that I can get a game from Apple Arcade, and I will never have in-app purchases. I will never have to sit through an ad to play or get more crap. I will have a complete game experience with no bull.

And Angry Birds Bounce is a blast.

The different abilities, the different charms, and the different pig types make each board interesting. The gameplay loop is well done, dialed in, and easy to both pick up and walk away from.

Yes, the only game I’ve played this week is a mobile game. But it’s a damn good one. Come at me, bro.

Quote of the week

I hope I'm not alone in this. Too often, I find myself waiting to be ready to do something. Doesn't matter what it is. Maybe I'm not motivated. Maybe I'm not feeling inspired.

This quote hit hard this week. What matters isn't the motivation, the inspiration. What matters is doing the thing. Whatever that thing is. Just doing it is what matters.

What didn't work

This week was an odd mixture of relief that the events of the past couple of weeks were over, trying to get back into work, and feeling pretty sick for the first half of the week.

My attitude was not what it needed to be. It just didn't work.

I found myself embracing negativity. Fostering it even. Far too often. My attitude is mine. I own it.

This past week I did not make of it what I need or want to. But since it's mine, I can change that.

Wrapping up

I'm working to get back on top of things in my life. There have been so many monkey wrenches thrown in things. I don't say that as an excuse. I say that as a recognition that I can do better.

That's the plan.