Fun and Games

So much has been going on that I decided to try to piece things together in topics instead of one big, long post.

So much, huh? Like what?

Well, for starters, I've picked up Final Fantasy 11 again. Not really playing like I did before; it's really more of a hobby this time around than an obsession. There's so much that has changed in the game that I would be stupid to try to catch up to the power players. It's just one thing I do to pass time, when I have time to pass. I'm hoping to keep it that way.

Final Fantasy 14 came out, but for various reasons, I just don't feel it has the staying power that 11 has. Don't get me wrong: it's a beautiful game. They spared no effort in breathtaking graphics and a rich foundation world. Unfortunately, that's all it is at this point, even months after it's initial release. You can finish the main quest line in an hour, and you're left wondering "Welp... What now?" Not a good thing for a new MMO offering. We'll see where it goes.

I've also picked up playing D&D with some good friends. It started with Mike, one of the people D works with, his wife Claudia and his roomate Kevin. They'd wanted to start a campaign, but needed someone to DM who could host and be kid-friendly, as they all have kids. Challenge accepted. After some coaxing, D decided to join in the fun. Now we meet every Saturday night to let the kids run crazy, have a drink and put dice to the table.

Lastly, I've taken up homebrewing cider. There's just something about making something with your own two hands that you can share and enjoy. I may eventually branch out into beer or wine, but for now, I'll stick to making what I like. To go along with it, I've almost completed a small refridgerated keg system. In fact, I kegged my first 5 gallon batch just last night. It's a spiced cider, but it has a crispness to it that reminds me a lot of an apple soda. So I decided to name it Shrade's Spiced Apple Soda. I got a batch of pear cider in the works now for the next keg: the chest freezer turned keggerator could feasibly hold up to 3 of them at a time.

So that's pretty much what keeps me busy when I'm not busy - good friends and good times.