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July 2025 Retrospective

One of the best things about moving into a house in a "remote" area has been how much I cook for myself again. I am constantly trying to learn new dishes and this month I decided to experiment with a simple recipe for gyudon that I got off YouTube.

Anyone reading this blog with a rice cooker should definitely give it a shot. It is so easy to make but you can spruce it up with whatever toppings and seasoning you want. I think next month I'm gonna try to dial back the onions, add some chili or cayenne powder, cheese, and marinated eggs.

Donkey Kong Bananza

I have almost beaten Donkey Kong Bananza and I can confidently say that it is the best game on the Switch 2. But that's not saying much given how few great games there are for the Switch 2, excluding ones that have been playable on other platforms for years. I know we're only two months into its release but the Switch 2 has yet to really give anyone a solid reason to buy the console. Knowing what I know now I would have held off because while I did find enjoyment in Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza I could easily have played them in 2026. Neither feel like tent-pole releases that will define the console a few years from now.

If I had to describe Donkey Kong Bananza in three words it would be "simple but fun". It's not as challenging or engrossing as Super Mario Odyssey but I don't think it is any less enjoyable. That said, is it worth $100 CAD or $730 CAD if you don't own a Switch 2? It's hard for me to say yes.

Unpacking my home office

It took over a year but the renovations to my home office finally finished and I was able to start unpacking all of my things (read: crap). This lead to the horrifying realization that all those boxes I've accumulated over the years take up much more space that I could have ever imagined. I've spent weeks sifting through it all trying to decide what to keep and what should be given away. In my defence nearly half of the boxes are full of video games and consoles from the past 35 years. I have saved literally every video game related thing I have ever purchased so I'm going to need a bunch of shelving just for it. I understand these are not things that I will be using every month but there is something about seeing a boxed copy of Half-Life or Halo: Combat Evolved or Final Fantasy Tactics Advance that sparks joy. Not to mention the fully functional Game Boy Advance SP or Nintendo 64 that are in my possession. Video games have been an integral part of my life and for the time being I want to keep those mementoes around.

The one rule I have set is that every single thing I am keeping for sentimental reasons must be stored in my office. No letting them slowly migrate around the house until it becomes a gigantic dumpster. If something cannot fit in my office I gotta rid of something else to make room. I don't wanna become that guy who owns thousands of copies of Sneak King.

Magic: The Gathering

Against my better judgement I got back into Magic: The Gathering this month and purchased a bunch of booster packs to help build out some Commander decks. On a whim I picked up an Edge of Eternities prerelease pack mostly because I love the 80s sci-fi artstyle of their "special guest" cards. Amazingly I managed to pull the one card that I wanted which was the Sliver Overlord. This is how serious addictions start isn't it?

Exercising

I cannot remember the last time I have written about it but I want to call out that I am still exercising six times a week. Three days bouldering at my local rock climbing gym and three days running at least 5 kilometres. Also, the rec room in my home is nearing completion so I hope to turn that into into a gym so I can add weights to the equation. I am starting to get on in years but I truly believe that my keeping active is helping me feel much younger than I am. So to anyone who has a sedentary lifestyle, whether you're 20, 40, or 60, any movement helps. There are so many activities that can be both healthy and fun so do yourself a favour and get out there.

Review July Goals

August Goals

#MonthlyRetrospective