Happy dumpster dive into the brand new year of 2022!

Before I start, I realized that if you are reading my blog directly through your email (thank you again for subscribing) that you are missing out on some of the fun pictures that I have with each post. If you want to see the full blog with pictures you just need to click the link to go to the actual blog page!

I’ve had so many plans to write various topics for the end of 2021, but like many of you would agree, life has been exhausting. It’s been both boring and challenging … a messed up mix of chaos and the unknown. I have been mourning my annual planetary travels. So I’m reflecting now on the things that made me stay sane during the main pandemic time, even though the world is slowly opening up! I’m finally posting things I did during the pandemic, just doing it later than I had hoped!!

One of the fun things I’ve mentioned off and on is that my friend and I have enjoyed working our brains throughout this challenging time, trying to figure out a wide variety of theoretical murders through the unique box sets from a company called “Hunt A Killer” (previously “Empty Faces” which still has all of their older box sets).

We’ve done a selection of box sets that range from a giant box with random items that just inundates you with info and you need to delve / root through the mundane info (murder at an art show) to determine what’s just fun info, or to what may be the clues required (with online assistance if needed), all the way to the ones with multiple episodes that go from basic murder mysteries, and even into trying complex paranormal and cult mystery box sets!

Each one gave us a variety of fun, from ones that lasted for a one night of fun, to ones that caused us weeks and weeks of torment trying to figure things out without the extra hints.

I never expected to get so obsessed by these. I thought, “Let’s try one for fun and try something new”, to I now having piles of these box sets and many hours of fun that captivated me during this crazy time.

I was amazed to find out how much time we could lose, how we could zone out and forget the madness of the world and just enjoy focusing on solving these mysteries. It was amazing to push my brain to try solving unique problems, forcing parts of my brain to learn new concepts, and to discover various types of hidden codes. I had to learn to trust my intuition, and question situations, or words, that could lead us to the true facts.

I found it an amazing to relearn how to “be present”. A concept that has been a major focus in the news and media. I have definitely found this concept hard since the concussions. I would always be thinking ahead of the many things I should do, or what would happen next, rather than enjoying the “now”. I tried techniques recommended to me, meditation, staring at nature, etc. But it was crazy to find that these “games” helped me enjoy “the now” more than anything else.

It would have been way too challenging to do solo, but luckily a wonderful covid person at my home became just as obsessed about these as me. We seemed to work well off of each other. She saw clues where I didn’t, and vice versa. Together we learned about the various types of ciphers, and we even had to learn about semaphore flags as code!

What was so fun to us was the companies helped immerse us with even suggesting Spotify music and drink suggestions to go along with the themes! Of course we enjoyed both of those immensely!

At this point we have been fortunate to figure out who has killed people within a small town, how to stop supernatural creatures from affecting future humans, to many other crazy cult murders, and more! And we have more to work on! The pie of boxes you saw at the begging is the pile of all of the mysteries we have to date!

So why did we do this? Well, it was a great distraction during this chaotic time. It definitely helped my brain find new patterns to develop. And it was just great fun! I may not be as good as Hercule Poirot, Sherlock Holmes or any of the modern figures from NCIS, etc.! But it’s been great fun.

Since its been so long since I did a blog that the shows I was watching seem outdated, but here are my recommendations for those that aren’t as up to date as I tend to be.

TV/Movies: Like many have stated, even if you don’t like chess, watching “The Queen's Gambit” is amazing.

If you want some fun, I recommend “Love and Monsters” for something truly different. In a similar vein I enjoyed “Sweet Tooth” for something unique.

I will also recommend an amazing documentary style movie called “My Octopus Teacher”. Even if you are not a fan of octopi it was extremely well done. Besides, how can you not be a fan of these amazingly brilliant creatures! You need lot learn how intelligent they are!

If you want tolerant about some unique folklores, I also recommend checking out “Invisible City” which is a one season show that showcases Brazilian folklores!

Reading: I have finally picked up my copy of the Risk! Podcast’s book which has a great insight into some of the most amazing stories from the show.

Another indulgence has been continuing into my love a series called “The Iron Druid Chronicles” by Kevin Hearne! Lots of fun, and some great insight into the various spiritualities around the globe with tons of great characters!

Podcasts: I’ve finally been delving into the famous storytelling podcast “The Moth”! I think it has been one of the longest story telling podcasts out there. It’s always great for inspiration.

Music: Hmm, I’ve been pretty eclectic on this. I’ve been enjoying music from Beats Antique, Claptone which was a new discovery for me, and enjoying more and more of Shawn James which we recently saw and had the entire small venue mesmerized by his goals and lyrics!

I would describe all of those, but that’s why I link to them so you can check them out without my poor descriptions!