Weeknotes 198

A busy week at work, so not much else besides.

No energy for reading fiction. Oops.

NOVELTY CORNER: I felt very cold a few times and got properly drenched during my morning ride on Thursday. 🌧️

Later on Thursday I went on a boat and got a good view of a straw bale hanging from the Millennium Bridge.

On Saturday night I got drenched again on the ride to the Barbican to see Kronos Quartet with Chris 1. The music was life-affirming and intermittently bonkers while the steam rose from my jeans and face.

I forgot to include The Wailing (Gokseong) in my rundown of last week’s spooky stuff. It was by far the best of the lot so I shouldn’t have overlooked it, although it’s probably because I was too engrossed in the film to write any notes at the time.

Anyway, it’s excellent and didn’t feel long at all despite running more than two and a half hours. The tone shifts nicely throughout and the pacing is just right. I found myself relaxing and enjoying the mood of it even when nothing much was happening. It’s not especially scary but it’s very atmospheric and beautiful.

Now I’ve run out of spooky stuff to watch and there’s still a week to go until Halloween, so please tell me if you’ve got any recommendations.

I’ve enjoyed the couple of hours of Super Mario Bros. Wonder I’ve played so far. It’s simple and fun and bursting with juice at every opportunity. It gets straight into the action with minimal faffing about, and the unnecessary multiplayer is easy to ignore.

I don’t really understand what’s going on — what’s the deal with the Wonder Flower? why am I an elephant? — but I’m happy to let it all wash over me while I enjoy the snazzy animations and music. I suppose none of the more familiar Mario elements make any sense either.

The downside is that it’s not that interesting gameplay-wise: it’s a collection of new 2D Mario levels, so you get to move from left to right while jumping on stuff. It’s the most inventive entry in its series but it mainly reminds me it’s been six years (!) since the last major 3D Mario game and I’m extremely ready for a new one.

No Spider-Man 2.

I’m delighted that Knower released a video for Do Hot Girls Like Chords? It’s my favourite track on the album and might contain their best bridge ever.

I remember listening to Caroline Polachek’s latest album one time in June when The Guardian wrote about it, but this performance (thanks Chris 2) is so committed and impressive that it’s sent me back to listen to it properly. Blimey.

I’m doing loads more sudoku at the moment (e.g. all of the puzzles in Cracking The Cryptic’s October pack) and loving it. Am I finally improving?