The 5-Senses

The Decameron (Kathleen Jordan, 2024, series)

Book has been on my to-read-next for weeks, and the trailer intrigued me. I do enjoy a good Dark Comedy, and pretty costuming. I was a bit afraid it would be in the same vein as The Little Hours (2017), which was a closer adaptation of the book. And it kind of is?
It was somewhat enjoyable - some of the characters have GREAT chemistry, the women-taking-no-shit trope is always something I enjoy, and some scenes were pretty funny and some touching. I appreciated especially the characters of Stratilia, the duo Neifile and Panfilo, Licisca and honestly was thirsting over Dioneo.
But it everything is still in that goofy American humour: lots of uncomfortable cringe, jokes that run for too long, the what's supposed to be dark humour but doesn't really land and it's just... blergh. Like it was fine, but nothing more - it really is your run-of-the-mill Netflix series. Good if you have some hours to kill and nothing else to watch.
From what I know of the Decameron, I'm glad I watched this first and will read the book next.

A Man on the Inside (Michael Schur, 2024, series)

Generally fond of Schur's work, so I was pretty sure I would enjoy this one. I think I made de mistake of going in blind, because it deals with dementia, and some episodes were pretty tough to go through (it was tastefully done, but hard for me emotionally). But it's probably one if not my favourite series from Schur - I laughed, I cried, I aaawed. There wasn't a moment where I cringed or got bored AT ALL. The mystery slowly unfold, but it's the characters' antics in the retirement home. Ted Dawson is a gem in this series, and majority of the cast being older was really refreshing. A huge recommend, with tissues close-by.
As is, it was a great series. I am not sure how to feel about it being renewed for a second season...

May Sumo Basho (NHK Japan)

What the actual heck.... Onosato, you fumbled SO HARD on your first basho as yokozuna. PULLING BACKWARDS NEVER WORKS FOR YOU! STAWP IT ALREADY!!! Ura, bby, I hope your knees are ok... we need you to make things fun! (also good job on getting your 8 wins). ;-; Asakoryu, my short king... Tamawashi was insane - he's not the Iron Man for nothing. This was probably his best yusho since I got into sumo. Absolutely insane this 40 y/o throwing kiddos like nobodies business. I think I'm going to add Fujinokawa to my roster, he was fun to watch! Kusano was not much of a surprise, really held his own as predicted. And Aonishki, GOD DAMN. I'm both hella impressed with his sumo this tournament, but also super disappointed he lost against Kotoshoho... How did you fumble on the last match...
Overall, a weird ass basho. Not a fan of the winner. Excited to see how the next one will be.

The Residence (Paul William Davies, 2025, series)

Finally finished the series. I'd been itching, waiting to be able to watch the last three episodes (not alone), thinking about who was the murderer and why and HOW. Every episode added a new layer of complexity, pointing fingers at a new person, changing the setting and the modus and so on. It might have relied a taaaad too much on the flip-flopping of suspects, introducing new evidences pretty late, but it's still done smartly. Rewatching the first episode, a lot was actually there, in plain sight. And Aduba did a FANTASTIC job as the detective - her lines were great, her facial expressions were so on point, she had great chemistry with the other actors (even the more eh ones). I laughed so hard so many times it was great. A big recommend!

Twee voor Twaalf (BNNVARA, 1991-, game show)

623 points?!?! highest fucking score I've ever seen on an episode! Also a bummer no one is going for the third round.

Pattern Recognition (Gibson, 2003)

Begezus, what the fuck is this book? That's what I kept thinking reading it. 9/11 conspiracy meets Cold War spy meets capitalism and ads are the worst meets internet communities and rabbit hole. There should always be space for coincidences. Speculative fiction is great, and can be completely bonkers. I love it. I still don't know what to think of this book. Conspiracies are not about you, you're just a pawn in other people's games. Huge recommend. Loved the whole weird allergy to brands and the internet communities.

Pixel art (web badges, buttons and cliques)

Weirdly... calming. I'm not great at it, but it's very relaxing to do. Also making me a bit nostalgic for my teen graphic design years.

The Last Man (Shelley, 1826)

Should have DNF'd when I stopped half-way through. Such a bore. 300 pages could have been cut out of this book. And for what? A depressing journey of someone rising through the ranks, finding love and happiness, and getting everything yanked away from him bit by bit. Somehow the last man surviving a plague? Did make me chuckle a tiny bit at times, seeing our present mirroring some scenes (which is probably why I tried to finish the book).

The Residence (Paul William Davies, 2025, series)

Only just started, but it's a DELIGHT. So many great one-lines (You lost your dick?). Like all the good of Agatha Christie novels. Also a Kylie Minogue fucking cameo!??!?! Can't tell who did it yet.

May Sumo Basho (NHK Japan)

My boy is getting promoted!!!! Ura and Midorifuji were so disappointing. WTF was happening in the top Maegashira??? Hoshoryu pulling everyone's ass on that last day, setting up a rivalry. Asakoryu missed a prize by a hair, but great performance. Aonishki is someone to keep an eye on!

Pixel art (website icons)

Hands and wrists are not happy.

Sanctuary (Eguchi, 2023, series)

Yeah, the dramatisation of sumo is everywhere. Enno is allowed a lot more leeway for the shit he pulls compared to real life. It's pretty cringe at the start too, but the latter episodes are much better. A good progression on the main story, as the protagonists are learning more about sumo and learning to appreciate and love it. I still can't buy that the very obviously middle-aged actor plays a 19-something kid. The female characters are pretty one-note and all of them are awful people (tbf, no one here is not terrible). Shimizu's arc was bitter sweet, Shizuuchi had the best story line (never says a word), and the hair cutting ceremony was a tear-jerker. I liked that it ended so open-ended (usually hate that!). Good for entertainment, not for a proper representation of the sport.

Baldur's Gate 3 (Larian Studio, 2023): Explorer Mode, Brass Dragonborn, Fighter, Karlach romance. Playthrough ongoing (Act 1 compete)

Hate the combat system and its fucking spell slots and rests mechanics. Main story is a bit generic, but fine. Companions are pretty good: Karlach is such a cutie nerd, Gale is so funny at times, I get the hype about Astarion but I also don't get it (he's just fine). The exploration and looting is fun. It's a very gorgeous game. Still preferring Pillars of Eternity and Divinity Original Sin so far.

Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction (Kurokawa, 2024, series)

What the Fuck was that? The title and credit sequences are bonkers and so aesthetically pleasing. The story is so fucking weird and sad and sweet (give or take some moments). It's like coming-of-age meets multiverse meets apocalypse meets alien contact meets criticism of dependence on American's military? Very much friendship is magic but in a very fucked up way.

Lavinia (Le Guin, 2008)

Had been on my to-read list for years, only got a copy recently. Maybe the best book I've read this year. I'm a sucker for Ancient Greek/Roman retelling, even more for a Women being badasses and doing their thing, and Le Guin is one of my favourite author ever. It's not my favourite Le Guin book, still a very good one. It was hard to put the book down, really devoured it. A forever keep.

Yakuza 7 : Like a Dragon (Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, 2020): completed main story, companions, personality/"romances".

Spent a couple of months on it, playing a couple of hours at a time. A very solid introduction to the new protagonist of Yakuza (a complete psychotic dumb dumb, a golden retriever with no common sense). As hilarious and silly as it is serious and heartbreaking. Twist on twist on twist. Still a bit grindy at the end, and the 2/3rd boss fight being insanely frustrating. Top 10/10 side-quests. Not super fond of the management side (very same-y), but that side-story was fun anyway. Still can't win a fucking game of shogi or mahjong to save my life.

3 Body Problem (Benioff, Weiss & Woo, 2024, series)

Went into it with low expectations after seeing the last trailers. Loved the book, so always iffy about adaptations. It was... just fine. Didn't like the Scoobie-Doo main cast (didn't feel for them or their ordeals). The investigator was just... fine. Both actresses playing Ye Wenjie were great (best storyline)! Sophon is batshit insane but in a good way. Intrigued about the other 2 seasons, but won't hold my breath. 6/10. Decent adaptation for the Western market, though eh on them tacking part of Book 2 at the end.