PixlBit

The winter here in Colorado has been a little bitter, just like it has been for many places around the country. We got 5 inches of snow last night and we are planning for another few inches later tonight. The heater in my car wasn't working this week so it took a little longer to chisel all the ice off my windows in the mornings, and having to drive anywhere wasn't something I'd characterize as a fun time. Even with my gloves on my fingers were still turning into icicles. Thankfully my car is in the shop right now getting fixed and I'm going to pick it up in an hour. A few months ago I had the water pump replaced and apparently in the process of installing it they created a distruptive air pocket that has been affecting the heating system and needed to be worked out. Luckily it won't cost me a thing and now I'll have warm air again.

I've been feeling a bit burned out and depressed lately because of some issues at home and with my family, so it's been hard to find much joy in the things I usually love. I haven't been playing any guitar or reading my books, and all the big games I've tried to get into like The Witcher 2, Borderlands 2, and Arkham City haven't appealed to me much, but Spelunky is somehow this one game that's been getting me through. I play it every night, and when I stop playing it I continue to think about the game, and sometimes I've even been having dreams about Spelunky.

I've improved my skills and muscle memory in the game quite a bit since I first updated you guys back at the beginning of the month. I've beat the main boss Olmec twice recently and I'm able to get through the Mines, Jungle, Ice Caves, and make it to the Temple pretty regularly now. It felt really good to reach that milestone and know that I was getting better. Now I have to start hunting down all the secrets in the game, and beat the secret boss Yama in the Hell level. Even though I already technically beat the game it's only a milestone because there's still a whole new world to find and a new boss to face, the "real" boss that not many players ever get to or even stick around long enough to know exists. It's tough enough just getting through the main game, so getting to Hell and beating it will be a real shit show for a while, I'll have to practice a lot. Thanks Spelunky, for being designed really well, for keeping me half-sane, and giving me something super engaging to look forward to every night.

I'm still trying to put together my list of favorite games from last generation. I wanted to do a top 5 but I think I'll have to expand to 10, it'll work out better that way. I should be finished with that top 10 list sometime soon in February. I'm fairly happy with how the list is turning out so far.