I don’t consider myself a gamer, but denial goes out the window if a new Mario or Zelda game is released.
I’m currently an embarrassing number of hours into Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.

Not a fan of motion controls usually, but they work very well here. If things get out of alignment,
there’s an easy way to recalibrate and reset.

As for the quest itself, it is your typical Zelda fare: Go find this thing that’s broken up into pieces spread out
over several worlds and one of them is probably going to be a desert. Traversing between areas is the least
annoying in years thanks to flight, but it can still be a little grating.

My biggest peeve is absurd language and animation that repeats and cannot be skipped.
(When collecting an item or buying something from the store.)

Graphics are not high resolution, but they’ve a painterly quality and never detract from the gameplay.

Overall, it’s been a great game to while away the hours, avoid cleaning my closet, doing real exercise
and politics on Facebook.

Sidenote: The level above looks remarkably like Skeletor’s Snake Mountain from He-Man.

Picked up this old sheet music at Duck Creek Antiques for the lettering.
Every stroke is excellent. See for yourself: Zoom out to see all the details.

A continued tradition: brunch with ma and bro at Take the Cake.

Twice now I’ve seen Andrew Neyer’s work outside of YES.
Always a pleasure.
There’s a playfulness there, but also? I think he’s using my favorite font ever: Univers.

Another fine thing spotted down at MiCA: this flask.

Went with my mom to see the art opening for her friend Mark Sullivan down at Park+Vine (Details)

I stocked up on goods for the pantry in case we ever get snow, and eyed the garden and bike supplies.

Main St. by Andrew Neyer

Strolled around Main Street in Over the Rhine for a while. Visited a few new places we’d never been:
First up was Smartfish Studio & Sustainable Supply. Part design and art supply store, and also makers of shoes.
Really great vibe, and I was smitten with the tools for borrow.

Architecture for Humanity Cincinnati had a setup in the window where folks could denote aspirations for the community.
Each pencil represented an opportunity or a thing to celebrate.

A map outside on the window gave folks a way to add some context.

Next up was Losantiville Design Collective, a shared space and storefront for creative folk.

Capped off the evening at Abigail St., a new joint with wine on tap and a simple menu of plates for sharing.
Mom and I highly recommend the beet salad and carrot salad. I particularly enjoyed the gnocchi, but everything
was quite tasty.

A fine evening for sure.

Links from this post:

• Park+Vine
• Losantiville Design Collective
• Andrew Neyer
• Smartfish Studio
• Abigail St.
• Architecture for Humanity Cincinnati

The precipitation hanging in the air of late is lending a eerie softness to the landscapes. (Millville)

It’s like traveling to another place with these shifts in weather. (Northside)

And it all comes back to home as I sit there at my desk in the studio and this face extends up over the balcony.
It’s a two story loft sort of thing, and Tom has fashioned a long pole from cardboard tubes in the recycling bin
and added a face. (Oxford)

I’ll close out these not flowing images with a shot from Kentucky in the wee hours. (Bellevue)

We’re having a string of gray, wet days here in Ohio.
Here’s the same view from Devou Park in sunnier, blue sky-ier days if you’d like some contrast.

Speaking of contrast, Tom made these salmon salads for lunch from leftovers and they were delicious.
I can’t recall the last time (if ever) I’d had dandelion greens. Chunks of apple made it extra awesome.