Instagram

A lot of the entities who follow me on Instagram are business entities and influencers, not 'real people' per se, it is probably programmed, a bot or script of some sort. They follow you and expect you to 'follow back'. It seems to be a custom on Instagram. When you do not 'follow back', they remove you within a few days. It is a photo depository for me, so, I don't care.

In the last few days, I have been finishing up my drawings. I have too many ideas and there were many incomplete pieces that were close to being finished.

I have at least ten more to finish at this point. I will try to finish this last piece for 2018.

Phew! I found my Rotring lead-holder among my brushes. I have been always somewhat careful, thus, it was annoying when I misplaced a thing.

This has been a good year. It has passed extremely fast. There was an emergency earlier in the year but that was settled thankfully.

I had known from the beginning that it wouldn't work, it was quite obvious but I had loved Sweetie all the same, cared for her, thought often of her. I had loved her with all my heart.

This is how life is. Everyone moves on, living. I did. There is nothing more to say.

I lost my Rotring leadholder which I had been using for years. I must have left it at a café. Oh no! What can I do? I called one café up. I will call another tomorrow.

It is almost 2019, I should really order that 2017 OMD album, 'The Punishment of Luxury'. I have put off ordering CDs for a while now.

I did not play Grim Dawn tonight, instead, I spent the night drawing and painting.

I did not make it to Kinokuniya tonight.

I don't go there much anymore. The books are expensive and the place is loud and noisy. The background music is now rather grating.

I used to go there weekly.

Time to go look at gun magazines in a bookstore!

I am painting at Oriole Cafe tonight. I shall vacate my table, the place is filling up.

Bread

I remember buying olive bread for her. Those days are long over, and Sophie Bakery is long gone. In the years that followed, I learned more about bread. If it were today, I would buy bread from Baker & Cook, Crown Bakery and Nassim Bakery for her. I would also buy gourmet cheese and olive oil to go with them.

Dinners

When she had asked me a long time ago about feeding her till she became fat, I didn't say much but of course I would have. It was always evident to me to be loyal to her, even if she had been fat or ugly. It had always been imperative that I would look after her. There was no question in my mind about that. I suppose with many men who are rogues today, people do need assurance.

It has been a few years since I had had dinners with her. I do wonder from time to time if she is eating enough.

I was reminded of her when I saw a couple eating at the next table earlier, the girl was eating happily. Food does and did go to the heart. Oh well, ancient history.

Druid

My level 78 Druid (Arcanist/Shaman). The ranged build has significantly less damage but it should be more survivable than the meleé build.

I am tired tonight for some reason. I am going to read now.

Grim Dawn

Grim Dawn has been engrossing. I started playing it two years ago and finished it.

This year, I bought the Ashes of Malmouth expansion, and finished it. I also managed to get four characters to level 100 with Jeromy.

Wilson and Shawn are also playing it, as was Wout in Belgium.

New ideas, finally putting them on paper. Writing up.

Hopefully, I can finish it by the end of the year. The re-release of The Fantasy Trip is a wonderful thing. I am now writing a background for a world and also writing adventures.

These are things that I have wanted to do since the 80s.

When these are done, I will prepare a GURPS conversion for them too.

I would visit once every one or two years.

Yesterday, I decided to visit a place that I remember with happiness because of the times we spent there. I walked the crowded meccas of merchandise, the colourful concrete blocks, the now deserted place that used to housed books. I went there for half an hour and left. I guess it was enough, there is always be a tint of sadness about it for me.

It has been quite some time since I was last there, there were changes yet, many things remain the same.

I dreamed of her last night. I woke up and went back to sleep.

Leningrad cowboys - Those were the days

Level 100

At level 100, I have yet to finish the Ashes of Malmouth on Ultimate difficulty. There is a tedious portion where one enters the void after Barrowholm. That will require 2-3 hours to traverse as there is no riftgate in there. Ugh.

I think I will take a break with this Witchblade character for now.

BBC radio

BBC radio seems to be only about refugees and minority voices these days. I don't hear much news reporting. I don't hear anything about East Asia, nor Southeast Asia. It is always about Africa, or India or Syria. It is always about social causes. I used to listen to the BBC a lot more. Now, it is interview after interview with displaced people, female social enterprises. Where is the news? I usually turn it on and turn it off seconds after.

Witchblade

I have managed to level my Witchblade (Soldier-Occultist combination) to l00. However, I would have to spend many hours if I want a complete set of the Dreeg equipment. I am not sure if my Witchblade were powerful enough to finish the Ashes of Malmouth. Anyway, I am a bit tired of playing the Witchblade.

I have since been playing my Demolitionist, Arcanist, Necromancer, Inquisitor, Soldier, Occultist and Shamen.

The Arcanist and Necromancer appear to be fun while the Shamen and Soldier were tedious.

It was a rainy, chilly 23.5 degrees this morning. Even at around noon, it was 24 degrees.

Level 98

I finished Grim Dawn on Ultimate Difficulty at level 97. Last night, I made level 98. Now, I will make level 100 and then finish the Ashes of Malmouth on Ultimate Difficulty. However, that may be easier said than done. I may have to rebuild my character. My poison caster character has difficulties surviving despite the armour, shield and more.

Level 96

Level 96 now. I finally found a useful legendary weapon after finding over 30 legendary items.

Front line assembly - Airmech

Quests for the Outcast

It does appear that I would have to venture into the Steps of Torment again to finish a quest. Afterwards, I would have to explore the Bastion of Chaos for another and finally, Port Valbury for the last. Then, I can move into the Ultimate difficulty of the game. Hmm.. Should I go straight into Ultimate?

Finally, I would need to restore my reputation with the Black Legion as the Outcast quests reduce Black Legion reputation.

Ashes of Malmouth completed on Elite difficulty

Whee! I have managed to finish the Ashes of Malmouth on Elite difficulty. I should now seek to boost my defences, the resistances. That will lead to a big drop in dps however.

It is almost time. Phew! I have been distracted. It is such a dreary day.

Relegation candidates 2018-2019

I look back at my prediction for relegation in the 2017-2018 season. I got it right that Swansea City, the Malaysian-owned team would be relegated. Watford and Huddersfield Town stayed up.

My predictions for this season are:

Southampton
Watford
West Ham United

Steps of Torment

I finally finished the Steps of Torment in Grim Dawn for the first time at level 82. It was my second attempt. It was my first attempt in Elite difficulty. Two years ago, I tried for the first time probably at level 20 thereabouts in Normal difficulty, of course, my character died in seconds.

The weekend is too short. I wish it could be longer.

Contempt

People who have betrayed me in the past can expect no pity nor forgiveness. They are less than human to me.

Of Spaceships and Dreams

I dreamed of a spaceship design in my sleep at dawn today. Haha. I shall have to draw it tonight.

Airmech

Airmech has changed a fair bit since I was on it four or five years ago. Great game.

The Front Line Assembly soundtrack is excellent, likewise the Warmech soundtrack.

Elite and Legendary levels

I have managed to finish Grim Dawn on Elite difficulty, thus unlocking Ultimate difficulty! Legendary items have began dropping.

Instagram

Instagram is a funny place. It seems to be a practice there that if someone follows you, you are expected to follow them back. In the past few years, I had various people follow me, and when they find that I had not followed them in return, they stop following me. A few entities did that a few times.

I find a few commercial entities doing that. Likewise, some girls who I have never heard of who I think are probably 'influencers'. (Their instagram accounts seem to be full of pictures of them posing at the pool, at a café, on holiday somewhere).

I will eventually give Pillars of Eternity a third try.

Grim Dawn has been most engaging.

I look forward to going for a run this evening. There is much to do tomorrow.

Ashes of Malmouth

I finished the Ashes of Malmouth on Sunday night. It was the second DLC (Downlandable Content) for Grim Dawn. An excellent expansion and addition.

I can't wait for the new instalment, Forgotten Gods.

A dream at dawn

I dreamt of her at dawn. I dreamt that we were watching a movie in the cinema with her head on my shoulder.

The morning intruded and I returned to the routine of work.

World Cup 2014

I have happy memories of watching the World Cup four years ago. I remember going to a community centre in Tampines and watching it. It was quite something.

Jurong Region Line

The Jurong Region Line (JRL) is finally announced. I think the line is much needed from what I have heard, the crowding at the stations in the western region of Singapore. Given that Jurong is a large area in Singapore's context, the number of stations seem right.

I do wonder if there are enough lines linking Jurong to the city though. If not, the East-West line would still be choked. I suppose the last segment, the JRL extension will alleviate that.

I need to draw another imaginary city.

Buffets. It makes me sad when I think of them now. I haven't eaten at a buffet for a few years now.

It was 24.5 degrees at 6:00 pm yesterday and 23 degrees at 9 pm this morning. Apparently, it did drop to 22 degrees last night. It rained the entire night. It had been raining for three or four days continuously.

This has been the coldest in Singapore in a long while.

It is a chilly 27 degrees this morning. It rained most of new year's eve and the new year itself.

2017 passed swiftly. It is a new year now.