"Suicide" is the only name I've ever known for it.
And what do you mean "when you were a kid/teenager". I was the grown adult at Fuddruckers pouring birch beer and cream soda into the dregs of his chocolate milkshake.
Getting back into recording and streaming is tough. The desire is there, but I am so burned out from pushing myself beyond my limits for the last few years.
I'm trying to take care of myself better, both physically and emotionally, so I can start doing more for others. Better sleep is a good start.
Ever since then, I've kept a Band-Aid in my wallet. I've lost track of how often it's come in handy.
Child with a scraped knee? I've got you covered. Cut yourself moving furniture? Here, let me see that. Heels bothering you because of those shoes? Let me tell you how I got popular with the ladies.
I was visiting my very elderly grandfather when he got a pretty nasty cut. I tore his home apart looking for a bandage, but there was *nothing*.
I found a neighbor across the street in his yard, asked him for a Band-Aid. On the spot, he opened his wallet and fished one out. Never saw the man again.
Screenshot of the equipment menu from Lufia II for the SNES. The equipment list reads as follows: Long knifed Coath armor Power brace Headbandlmet No equiping Horse rock
Screenshot of the equipment menu from Lufia II for the SNES. The equipment list reads as follows: No equipfed No equipmor No equipace No equiplmet No equiping No equipck
I'm playing Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals, a classic RPG for the SNES. While updating my party's equipment, I noticed some...odd...text mistakes.
Hilariously, changing the name in an equipment slot doesn't fully replace the old name; it pastes over top of it. These look like verb conjugations!
Graph of DS9 Season 1 episode scores. Average is 3.47. Asterisks (*) indicate an episode that grapples with a moral or philosophical conflict. "Emissary" 5 * "Past Prologue" 4 * "A Man Alone" 4 "Babel" 4 "Captive Pursuit" 3 * "Q-Less" 2 "Dax" 4 * "The Passenger" 2 "Move Along Home" 3 "The Nagus" 4 "Vortex" 3 * "Battle Lines" 4 * "The Storyteller" 2 * "Progress" 4 * "If Wishes Were Horses" 3 "The Forsaken" 3 "Dramatis Personae" 3 "Duet" 5 * "In the Hands of the Prophets" 4 *
I've long held that Deep Space Nine (DS9) is objectively the best Star Trek...but you need to stick with it.
Season 1, AKA Only Murders in the Station, AKA Yamok Time, doesn't boldly go where you'd expect. But it understands the mission of *Trek* is more than just the mission of the *Enterprise*.
Aca-scuse me? What do you *mean* I've never seen Pitch Perfect all the way through?
Here's a 5-star review of a music movie that objectively isn't as perfect as the name suggests, but that had me grinning ear to ear anyhow:
letterboxd.com/flashman85/f...
Graph of TNG Season 5 episode scores. Average is 3.85. Asterisks (*) indicate an episode where diplomacy saves the day (at least in part). "Redemption II" 4 "Darmok" 5 * "Ensign Ro" 4 * "Silicon Avatar" 2 * "Disaster" 5 * "The Game" 2 "Unification I" 4 * "Unification II" 4 "A Matter Of Time" 4 * "New Ground" 5 * "Hero Worship" 4 * "Violations" 2 "The Masterpiece Society" 3 * "Conundrum" 4 * "Power Play" 2 * "Ethics" 5 * "The Outcast" 3 * "Cause And Effect" 5 "The First Duty" 5 * "Cost Of Living" 4 "The Perfect Mate" 2 * "Imaginary Friend" 4 * "I Borg" 5 * "The Next Phase" 5 "The Inner Light" 5 * "Time's Arrow I" 3 *
If there's anything more exciting than a Kolvoord Starburst or being appointed Executive Officer in Charge of Radishes, it's seeing a Star Trek series keep getting better.
Season 5 of The Next Generation (TNG) sets a new record for top-rated episodes, making up for the ones that merit a "Shaka..."
A screencap from Star Trek: Deep Space 9 of the USS Enterprise-D docked at one of the upper pylons of the titular space station, with the planet Bajor visible in the background. Photo via Memory Alpha: https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Emissary_(episode)
I've reached the point in my Star Trek (re)watch project where there's overlap between TNG (including the movies and ENT finale), DS9, and VOY.
I'll be juggling two series at a time, with a semi-flexible viewing order (hitting key milestones before moving on, but not obsessing over stardates).
Everybody told me not to waste my time on Wicked: For Good, but I only put it off this long because my plans to see it in the theater kept getting foiled.
Do I think it's as good as first one? No.
Does that make it bad? No.
A review:
letterboxd.com/flashman85/f...
When I saw the trailer for Juno back in 2007, I wrote it off as "teen pregnancy movie; not my thing".
Older and wiser, I see a stacked cast (Page, Cera, Garner, Bateman, Simmons, Janney) and a director (Reitman) whose work I've consistently enjoyed.
A 5-star review:
letterboxd.com/flashman85/f...
Screenshot of the cutscene that follows the final boss fight of Mega Man 8. In a large empty room, Mega Man stands on the left; Dr. Wily is on his hands and knees next to a smashed skull-shaped capsule on the right. A dialogue box over Dr. Wily's head says, "S... sorry! I was wrong! Please forgive me!"
I've been dreading Mega Man 8—it's not a favorite, I'm not great at it, and it's *long*.
Early attempts at showoffery weren't fun. So I pivoted and learned how to have fun. Then the showoffery followed naturally.
The practice run is finally complete. Now it's time to record.
Graph of TNG Season 4 episode scores. Average is 3.77. Asterisks (*) indicate an episode where diplomacy saves the day (at least in part). "The Best of Both Worlds II" 4 "Family" 5 "Brothers" 4 "Suddenly Human" 2 * "Remember Me" 4 "Legacy" 4 * "Reunion" 5 "Future Imperfect" 4 * "Final Mission" 3 "The Loss" 4 * "Data's Day" 5 * "The Wounded" 5 * "Devil's Due" 3 * "Clues" 3 * "First Contact" 4 * "Galaxy's Child" 3 "Night Terrors" 4 "Identity Crisis" 2 * "The Nth Degree" 3 "Qpid" 5 "The Drumhead" 3 * "Half a Life" 4 * "The Host" 4 * "The Mind's Eye" 4 "In Theory" 3 "Redemption I" 4 *
Thoughtful and creative stories abound in Season 4 of Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG).
It's tough to maintain any objectivity with my totally subjective scores at this point; ultimately, I'm just glad to spend more time with these characters. My mental pathways have become accustomed to them.
Screencap of Captain Picard from Star Trek: The Next Generation, on the bridge, wearing his first-season uniform, seen from the chest up. Photo via Memory Alpha: https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Jean-Luc_Picard
As I rewatch Star Trek: The Next Generation, it's increasingly apparent how much of a role model Captain Picard has been to me.
He helped teach me how to embrace differences, stand up for what I believe in, change hearts and minds with words, be a good boss, be a good friend. And how to enjoy tea.
![OH JOES! (A Proto Man Adventure): FULL GAME, No Damage, Kalinka on Difficult [Single Segment]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:uxpgqjvdkwm2dsys3t2m22jn/bafkreihbp3xxfu5vuncadeo4s5yvwxsg5goim35xu4qz7qoz5o6bqtluvi)
I wanted to share a special treat: a no-damage playthrough of the Mega Man fangame I made, featuring the secret character. Be sure to read the video description, too!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-R5...
Need a laugh that also makes you think? Let me recommend Lonely Flowers, a comedy special from Roy Wood Jr.
Here's a short(-ish) review, for once!
letterboxd.com/flashman85/f...
Screenshot of the Wily Tower map in Mega Man 8, with a path drawn across the front of a mechanical tower floating over a sea of lava.
WOW. Amazing progress tonight on practicing MM8.
I'd been stuck for a couple weeks on merely *surviving* Wily 1 (you know, the SLEDDING stage). Then I decided to try *even harder* to show off.
Which somehow made the stage...almost easy?
I'm never playing it the normal way again.
Onto Wily 2!
Graph of TNG Season 3 episode scores. Average is 3.73. Asterisks (*) indicate an episode where diplomacy saves the day (at least in part). "Evolution" 4 * "The Ensigns of Command" 3 * "The Survivors" 3 * "Who Watches The Watchers" 3 * "The Bonding" 5 * "Booby Trap" 4 "The Enemy" 5 * "The Price" 3 * "The Vengeance Factor" 4 * "The Defector" 3 * "The Hunted" 3 * "The High Ground" 2 * "Deja Q" 4 * "A Matter of Perspective" 4 * "Yesterday's Enterprise" 5 * "The Offspring" 3 * "Sins of The Father" 5 * "Allegiance" 3 * "Captain's Holiday" 4 "Tin Man" 3 "Hollow Pursuits" 4 "The Most Toys" 3 "Sarek" 5 * "Ménage à Troi" 4 * "Transfigurations" 3 * "The Best of Both Worlds I" 5
It's official: Season 3 of The Next Generation (TNG) is now the highest-rated TV season of my Star Trek rewatch project. Cue the celebratory mariachi band.
This is where TNG hit its stride, refining its aesthetic, setting a new quality standard, and honoring old Trek without trying to replicate it.
One reason why I write Letterboxd reviews is to help people decide what to watch. My ratings only reflect my personal enjoyment; what matters is whether your (dis)likes align with mine.
Mamoru Hosoda's latest film, Scarlet, was not for me. But it might be for you!
letterboxd.com/flashman85/f...
A funny murder mystery with a loaded cast and a director whose work I've enjoyed? Of *course* The Thursday Murder Club was going on my watchlist. Here's a review to dissuade you from putting it on yours:
letterboxd.com/flashman85/f...
Screenshot of Mega Man 8, Wily Stage 1. Mega Man is on a sled over a pit summoning meteors using Astro Crush.
No stream today after all, but hopefully soon. I'm still advancing some other Mega Man projects today, though...
No promises, but...I might try to livestream a couple Mega Man fangames this Sunday afternoon? Watch this space.
Graph of TNG Season 2 episode scores. Average is 3.18. Asterisks (*) indicate an episode where diplomacy saves the day (at least in part). "The Child" 1 "Where Silence Has Lease" 1 * "Elementary, Dear Data" 4 * "The Outrageous Okona" 3 * "Loud As A Whisper" 3 * "The Schizoid Man" 3 * "Unnatural Selection" 3 "A Matter Of Honor" 5 * "The Measure Of A Man" 5 * "The Dauphin" 3 * "Contagion" 3 "The Royale" 2 "Time Squared" 3 "The Icarus Factor" 4 "Pen Pals" 4 "Q Who" 4 * "Samaritan Snare" 4 "Up The Long Ladder" 2 * "Manhunt" 3 "The Emissary" 5 * "Peak Performance" 4 "Shades of Gray" 1
Season 2 of The Next Generation (TNG) replaces Crusher (one of my favorite main cast members) with Pulaski (my least favorite), and yet it still surpasses Season 1.
Average scores for this Star Trek project have been a LOT closer than expected, so we're using two decimal places now. We are smart.
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GOOD! MORNING! MEGA MAN! :D
—FAN-FARE—
is burnout over? am I ready to get back to regular morning streaming? with a guest, maybe?? let's find out as I get closer to that Make A Good Mega Man Level 3 100% completion!
drop on by and say hi, I missed y'all <3
www.twitch.tv/zandravandra
Over a year ago, I spent a few days catching up on the Planet of the Apes reboot movies specifically so that I could watch the latest one: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, directed by Wes Ball.
With this review, I am DONE with this series. What a wonderful day!
letterboxd.com/flashman85/f...
Title screen of Mega Man Relay, with the game name in the traditional Mega Man title style, with options below for GAME START, OPTIONS, CREDITS, and EXIT, with a starfield backdrop.
I'm excited to share the long-awaited release of Mega Man Relay!
Joining the ranks of Mega Man Endless, OH JOES!, and most of the MaGMML series is another fangame with levels perpetrated by yours truly.
Expect a livestream once it's had a couple weeks to breathe. :)
gamejolt.com/games/mega-m...
Graph of TNG Season 1 episode scores. Average is 3.04. Asterisks (*) indicate an episode where diplomacy saves the day (at least in part). "Encounter at Farpoint" 4 "The Naked Now" 3 "Code of Honor" 2 "The Last Outpost" 2 * "Where No One Has Gone Before" 3 "Lonely Among Us" 3 "Justice" 2 * "The Battle" 4 "Hide And Q" 3 * "Haven" 4 * "The Big Goodbye" 2 "Datalore" 2 "Angel One" 4 * "11001001" 5 "Too Short A Season" 1 * "When The Bough Breaks" 2 * "Home Soil" 4 * "Coming of Age" 4 "Heart of Glory" 3 * "The Arsenal of Freedom" 5 * "Symbiosis" 1 * "Skin Of Evil" 5 * "We'll Always Have Paris" 3 "Conspiracy" 4 "The Neutral Zone" 1 *
We've finally arrived in the 24th century, my favorite era of Star Trek.
People will tell you that Season 1 of The Next Generation (TNG) is not very good. Those people are ugly giant bags of mostly water.
Sure, there are rough edges. But it's reverent toward old Trek while boldly going new places.
One of my favorite things in video games is to discover something new on a replay. For the players who *didn't* notice the first time around, you've just saved them a little treat for later. :D
Slightly diminish a game
Kirby & the Pretty Nifty Mirror
Mega Man: The Wily Scuffles
Mario & Luigi: B-List Celebrity Saga
Preowned Super Mario Bros. Wii
LEGO Star Wars: The Video
My first exposure to the work of director Kleber Mendonça Filho—and I think it's my first Brazilian film, too—was not the transformative experience everyone else seems to be reporting.
Here's a review of The Secret Agent, from one of the very few who didn't like it:
letterboxd.com/flashman85/f...