Almost Summer Chill & Such

Among the few certainties in life is the fact that people will always complain about the weather.

Then summer hit us like a wall, you know how I might have complained about previously it’s been cold

This 21c-25c might not sound like a lot to some of you, but when you jump from 13c, clouds and cold win to sun, humidity, and a warm breeze it sure feels like it.

Makes you appreciate air conditions, or the natural chill of a basement

Speaking of natural cooling, we took another day at the lake, and no I didn’t go in the water this time either in case you read about the last escapade with the alpha warriors, but this time they didn’t stay in as long either.

I’m curious what is your idea of a good summer weather chill? Picnic in the city park? Reading under a a tree? Dip in the lake or something completely different? Maybe an escape in to the dark chilled cinema?

Let me know on Facebook, Bluesky, or X/twitter

Article will be updated between June 9th - 16th

Check out www.twitch.tv/iivocom for game play VODs and live streams

The Steam Next Fest June Edition is here or “NextFest Summer Edition” as I like to call it, it’s the last spur of gaming before my lazy summer month kick in, so let’s dig in and see what gems we can find.

Day 1

Dispatch

How does superheroes know where to to go? And what do they do if they are unfit for field duty?

Day 2

A little bit of a hiccup as my stream got slapped with a copyright claim for one of the audio on one of the demos, I should have known to mute an unfinished product. Anyway I might do a second stream just so I have a day 2 to show for.

Day 3

Brew

3d platformer comes to mind in this semi-open world fantasy rpg / rougelike / action game. I had fun with the first part even if I struggled a little. 

Master The Tower’s trials as an Alchemy Academy student in this action-packed roguelite. Brew potions for combat boosts, wield diverse weapons, and overcome fierce foes to pass your exams!

Paradigm Island

A fascinating game that blends click and point adventure with dice based mechanics without it being intrusive. 

Play as a mercenary grappling with an identity crisis in a surreal, crumbling world. Shape your fate through choice while navigating shifting loyalties, hidden agendas, and unsettling truths.

Day 4

I usually play old or retro games on Thursdays so with that in mind I digged in the pile of indie demos for just that. 

Mythy 1990

A true homage to yesteryears adventure games, interface, graphics, humour and all

Son of Art

A puzzle game that teaches you about art

First and foremost rip to my parents, you are missed and still in many hearts 💕 To tacle this process I wrote a somewhat humors recount of the experience with the a little help of AI.

I remember the moment I realized my parents’ estate was giving off full-on “Hoarders: Where Are They Now?” vibes. I’d stared down decades of their “treasures"—expired coupons, mystery Tupperware, and yes, a hidden cache of 90s Beanie Babies that threatened to drive me to a nervous breakdown. I knew then that if I was going to tackle this epic mess, I’d need to take a break first. So, I stepped back, grabbed a glass of wine, and let my mental health remind me that sometimes work can wait for a bit of Netflix and chill.

But take it from me—if you really want to conquer an estate that screams chaos, you have to suit up and dive in. I decided to become that reluctant hero of chaos. I rolled up my sleeves and stepped into what felt like a dusty shrine of questionable life choices. There I was, surrounded by stacks of ancient tax returns and a creepy porcelain clown collection that seemed to leer at me with every step. I channeled my inner martyr, ignoring the siren call of my cozy couch, and waded through the nostalgia swamp like a glutton for punishment.

Every step of that marathon cleaning session felt like I was sneezing my way through a mothball apocalypse, yet I couldn’t help but laugh at the sheer absurdity of it all. In that moment, amid the dusty relics of my parents’ long past, I realized that sometimes you have to face the chaos head-on—even if it means clearing out a lifetime of bizarre memories. And as I sorted through each pile of relics and mementos, I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of pride in surviving the cleanup and, in a way, reclaiming my own space.

Now, whenever I think back on that day, it’s with equal parts amusement and gratitude. That experience taught me that managing a mess isn’t just about clearing out physical clutter—it’s about knowing when to take a breather, regroup, and then muster up the guts to dive back into the fray. It was a journey through chaos that ended with a lesson: sometimes, you’ve got to embrace the madness to truly find your peace.

Would you like to know more about how I set up a system for memories and mementos after that ordeal? Or maybe you’re curious about the quirkiest relic I uncovered along the way? Let’s dive deeper into the wild world of family legacies.

There’s a promise in the air—a whisper of summer. The weather report suggests that next week might just deliver a beautiful, summer-like week. But as with every forecast, only time (and perhaps the fickleness of nature) will tell if the promise holds true.

## Digital Generational Wars on TikTok

If you’ve spent a minute or two scrolling through TikTok or any short video platform, you’ve probably noticed the playful tension between generations. The older generation loves to rib the young for being soft, for lacking the hardy spirit of days gone by. It’s an amusing digital tug-of-war that reminds me of how each generation invents its own version of toughness—with a healthy dose of humor on both sides.

## Childhood Memories: Lakeside Adventures

I remember my childhood vividly—at least the parts that survive the selective edits of memory. As soon as the snow started melting up north, that was our cue to head for the river or the lake. One sunny day, when the kids asked me to drive them to the lake at the very first glimpse of sun, I couldn’t help but smirk. “Sure,” I thought, “This will be a short trip, nothing like my daring exploits in the wild outdoors.”

## Testing the Waters—Literally!

My confident assumption was quickly put to the test the moment I dared to stick my toe into the water. The chilly shock hit me immediately: “There’s no way!” I recalled thinking. Yet, as if to defy my caution, the kids began marching into the lake with the determination of adventurers on a quest. I continued to mutter under my breath, “Really, there’s no way…”

And yet—20 minutes later—they emerged from the lake, having braved water that was probably close to 42°F (8°C). Despite the icy plunge, they were grinning from ear to ear, their faces aglow with the thrill of the unexpected. In a delightful twist of irony, I then drove them back, sweating under the full blast of the car’s heat, as if nature itself were playing a joke on our expectations.

## Weekend Weather: A Bit of Summer in the Air

For now, the weekend weather seems to be living up to its promise. There’s a certain charm in these unpredictable moments—a reminder that life, much like our digital lives and childhood adventures, is full of surprises that both challenge and delight us. After all, isn’t this mix of sweet nostalgia and modern banter exactly what makes summer memories so enduring?

As Mark Twain once hinted in his misadventures, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.” And isn’t that the very spirit we’re chasing this summer?

May Musings: A Bridge of Memories, Culture, and Seasons

Here we are again, at the start of May—a month that sneaks up on us like a mischievous cat knocking things off the table. It arrives with the warmth of spring, an existential crisis about the speed of time, and a few good excuses to celebrate.

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As per usual, I had my meticulous content plans all mapped out for Easter—ideas as vibrant as hand-painted eggs and as detailed as a bunny’s hop trajectory. Then, as though the universe decided my schedule needed an unexpected egg hunt, *life got in the way*. No, I haven’t been cooped up without fun—I’ve been out there living my best chaotic life—but oh, how I wished I could have carved out time to blend creativity with tradition!

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I’ve got so many thoughts swirling around this week that I don’t even know where to start. Maybe it will all comes together in the end. Spoiler alert: it probably won’t, but that’s half the fun, right?

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I touched upon spring and daylight savings time in my last post, and since then, spring has been moving forward with an undeniable charm. The days are growing longer, the trees are budding, and the air has that fresh, earthy aroma that makes you want to step outside and soak it all in.

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Spring Forward

Draft article to be updated

Spring is about to knock on the door, or maybe not; it’s that time of the year here up north where the weather just doesn’t seem to be able to make up its mind. Frost one day, cloudy the next, then rain, and before you can find your raincoat - sunshine.

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It’s time for the first steam next fest of the year, as previous year I’m looking forward to diving down to see what obscure and magically whimsical demos I can find. updated

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