Update 4. I’ve been busy at work with a bunch of different things. And I’ve also been slacking this year. Even if my friends don’t think so.
New York
I’m spending the majority of the end of the year in New York, the city that never sleeps, yet always has someone losing their lunch on 8th Avenue in Midtown.
So far, it seems like most things are back to normal. I’ve spent a lot of time here during my winter and summer holidays (because family), and it feels normal. The N train doesn’t take forever to show up anymore, which is kinda nice. And the R train seems like it shows up more often, which is also kinda nice. I know that most people don’t see the improvements on a day-to-day basis, but I don’t know. It just feels like something’s changed.
I’ve also noticed a lot more weed since I visited during the summer. Before, it was somewhat prevalent on the West Side. Now, I feel like I’m huffing it down every block. It feels weird.
Music
I’m finally starting to find out what type of writer I am. I’ve been busy making tunes behind my screen for a while, but it’s always been somewhat soulless and I hadn’t been able to figure out how to change that until fairly recently. In that time, I’d also been off the internet for a while. Sorry!
I’m not sure whether I’d ever find someone to sing a song with. I’ve had a few people in mind that would be sho-ins for the song I’m trying to make, but I’m just not sure whether they’d ever say yes to a crazy proposal like this. Do I even have the equipment necessary for this type of thing? No. My keyboard is also on its deathbed, but that’s a different story.
I’m also thinking of doing something for the talent show (if there even is a talent show this year). Maybe an original song? It would feel weird without voices. Unless I can get some of my friends on board with this. Which is somewhat of a long shot.
I’m a bit of a Madilyn Mei fan, so I’ve only just noticed that I’m starting to write lyrics somewhat like her. I also listened to her new EP, and I’m honestly just going to say my favourite is At The Cemetary. I’m not sure why I relate to so many of her songs – maybe it’s just a relatable experience for everyone?
I’ve recently compiled a playlist of most of the songs I can play on a piano. It’s not perfect, and I’m probably never going to need to use any of this for any reason, but it’s funny. Funny how, once I listen to a song, I’m almost always just thinking about how I’d play it on a piano.
This is a problem.
Writing
I’m busy at work with a club at my school. I’m now co-writing, along with two way more talented and less crazy writers, the debut film for our school’s Movie Maker’s Club. Every single time I go behind the keyboard with ideas, I feel like they’re way too far-fetched and too crazy. But it fits! Everything somehow fits into the story, and I don’t know how the hell it does. Maybe because I’m pushing it a little with the craziness.
I’m also hard at work writing my own story involving two of the six main characters I’d originally devised being killed off in the first day. I’m not sure whether I’d ever finish it, but it’s always fun to try and figure out what new crazy element somehow makes it into the story.
My writing process, however, is probably somewhat detrimental to my health. Part of the problem is the fact that I usually come up with these crazy ideas while being extremely sleep-deprived and drowsy, and the other is just my declining mental health. But it’s fun! (My friend keeps on telling me to stop. I’m not sure I can. This may be a problem.)
Games and More
I’ve been quite busy trying to use my free time for less productive stuff. It’s making me a slacker, but I don’t care. (I do care, but I just want to have a bit of fun time at the end of the year.) My favourite game is probably just Smash Bros. simply because of the jokes you can make about the name. I’m also mediocre at the game, so that’s really all I can say about that.
For Christmas, I submitted a Target edition of Monopoly into the white elephant, and I got a Target edition of Monopoly. This now continues the two-year tradition that whatever I put into the white elephant is what I get out of it. Maybe I’m just a bad gift-giver? Or a horrible person in general?
I’ve missed so much since I last posted on here – I’ve been a bit busy. And one of those things is the new update for Rhythm Doctor! Personally, Act 5 really resonated with me and how my life has changed over the last year. And I’m really grateful for everything that’s happened. My personal favourites are probably One Slip Too Late and Dreams Don’t Stop.
Also, Geometry Dash 2.2 finally released after… what, 7 years? I’m still working on making layouts for levels in my free time, but it’s honestly kinda crazy to see a game I’d never expected an update for to get an update.
Closing Notes
I haven’t been able to write these updates for a while because I’ve just been so busy. And I’ll continue to be busy as long as life throws new stuff for me to say yes to.
Farewell from New York, the city of rats that don’t cook!
Don’t be creepy on the internet.
– Lex Wu