The one where I mention two different birds

Skate 3
I’m nearing the end of Skate 3’s first draft; I am confident reporting that my plan is to be done with the first draft before Christmas – keyword being “plan,” and we all know what Robert Burns had to say about those things. Still, it looks likely. My trip to New York slowed down progress, but not so much that we’re thrown off of that goal yet.

Media
I finished watching HBO’s Penguin, and let me say, the biggest of Oofs. The finale was brutal. Good, but I’m gonna be recovering from that for a while. HBO’s now got the Dune universe series coming out next week, and I can’t imagine passing on that. I’ve also been watching Disney’s Owl House with my son, and that’s been a delight. I particularly enjoy Hootie; there’s something very fun to me about a tertiary, silly character in animated movies and shows.

As far as games go, I’m back in the throes of a Dwarf Fortress season. Send supplies and well-wishes.
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As usual, I’ve found myself drawn – again – to Westeros and another read through of Clash and Storm, the latter of which is

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often called one of the crowning (ha) achievements in modern fantasy literature, for good reason. I’m also re-reading The Devil in the White City for class, and I always appreciate Larson’s prose. I’m not one for non-fiction as a rule, but he makes it entertaining to read, and that’s an achievement all its own.

Miscellany
My town had ANOTHER tornado, but this one didn’t hit my house. The Razorbacks are struggling in football, as ever, and, as ever, there’s always next year. I got to meet Lin Manuel Miranda in New York for a surprise listen-party of his Warriors album! He was very kind.

That’s all from me, for now.

Tell your story!
– J. E. Ayers