December 2023 Favorites

Here we are at the end of 2023. This year was a difficult one - though that's often the case. I ended this year with the loss of my sweet fur baby, Oreo. And a horrible virus. It's difficult to put together end of year favorites posts with all of that. But life is full of both clouds and silver linings. And I think it's important to try to appreciate what gets you through the hard times.

Inscryption: This is a really interesting game that utilizes spooky elements and card-game mechanics, but also has some twists. My bestie played this one for me, but I wouldn't mind playing through it myself at some point.

(More) Mario: Mario Wonder has been healing for me when I feel up to playing it. Colorful and cheerful. And at least the illusion that you're playing with friends. Mario RPG nostalgia has been healing, too. And although not Mario, I recently tried Palia on Switch, and it seems like a fun little game, if super laggy at launch.

Midnights (Redux): So, I think it's time to admit that 1989 (Taylor's Version) wasn't my favorite rerelease. It's... okay. I haven't listened to any of the vault tracks, so I still have hope for those! But as I feared, my intense love for the original 1989 has made it hard not to notice even tiny shifts in the vocals or music. But with the full release of You're Losing Me (which I LOVE), I've been focusing on some of Midnights I hadn't gotten around to before. And it's gaining a second life for me.

Dance Academy: This was my go-to show to (re)watch while miserably sick in bed for a week. Honorable mentions go to Good Trouble and The Summer I Turned Pretty.

Zero Time Dilemma: It's taken time for me to get into this game compared to the others in this series, but watching it has been a go-to while sick. It is a bit on the bloody side for me, but it hasn't been as bad as expected. I'm glad I'm finally watching it.

(Other) YouTube Favs: Jen ASMR Unboxing's Advent Calendar videos, Liam Triforce's Nintendo DS Retrospective, Jacob R's Hampton Haul videos, and more Eeowna videos.

(Other) Music Favs: Nostalgia (Adaline), Again (Empress Of), Fidelity (Regina Spektor), Don't You Dare (Rosi Golan), Hands Clean (Alanis Morissette), Church (Aly & AJ).