Life Update for 2025
I haven't touched this blog in a long bit. It's not because there was nothing to post about, but I've gotten really lazy and really busy with my current job. Maybe doing a small life update of my year in 2025 will do the trick!
January-March
I finally became a Minnesota resident (!) after some e-mailing and several rounds of phone calls. Working close to Bloomington at the biggest toy store had its perks in introducing me to a lot of Midwestern customs and social norms. What really introduced me to the Gopher State was the biting winter this season. I was practically falling on my ass trying to get to my bus on my work route! This was my first winter season in general, so I've learned to bundle up the best I could. I got to see 12 Rods live during the tail-end of their 2024 tour with opener Mellow Cassette, and both acts were really energetic. This was a great crowd in a small venue and it was the highlight of the start of these few months.
April-June
During these months I wanted to get serious with my social media game for my furry art. It's called Rulo's Art Den and you can check it out HERE. This should hopefully help with my self-confidence, as I've been real shy to post much. I have a big file of sketches and finished art from over the years that hadn't left my iPad nor my computer, and I want the world to see them.
Travel has been more frequent during these months, too. I got to witness my sister graduate from Cal Poly, with an architecture degree in hand. For her graduation, we went to Universal Studios, not just for the Simpsons and the other movie IPs but for Nintendo World as well. I even got to try the Mario-themed burger, which I must admit tasted wonderful at every bite.
July-September
Lots of ups and downs happened around this time. I'm not a travel nut but I just happened to be in Seattle. I did the typical Seattle things like spinning in the Space Needle, watching a Mariners game, and exploring the wonders of Pike Place. I also shopped at the Pink Gorilla, a video-game store that had been on my wishlist for a long while.
Palmer's Bar closed down on September 14. It's a small but homely bar where up-and-coming artists and bands would play regularly. I was lucky enough to be at one of those New Band Nights, featuring a line-up of Trucker Bomb, Chief Opposum, and Sunnbather (of which June LaLonde is a guitarist!). RIP!
I've finally been reading books again, starting with Crying in H-Mart by Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast fame. Incredibly revealing and undoubtedly made me shed a tear. The Mall of America hosted a pop-up tour for Tamagotchi and I scored the USA exclusive Tamagotchi along with a shirt.
October-December
I've gotten really serious about listening to the Beach Boys catalog. This prompted me to also get into DAPs (digital audio players), settling with the HiBy R4. After rebuilding my digital music catalog, I think this was one of the better purchases I've done. I used to own a Sansa Fuze player before streaming was popular, and I'm brought back to that era of my life. During this time I had finished Death Stranding 2 (amazing game, I have a whole blog on the first game) and I watched all of Star Wars for the first time in their original theatrical releases. I can't say I've become a fan but I have a greater appreciation for what the franchise has done.
During the end of the year I like to make a top releases list, which you can find HERE. It has short blurbs and my top three favorites of each release. I'm always proud of my lists, so please take the time to read it. Included on the list is Guerilla Toss, whose album You're Weird Now gets incredibly high praise. I got see them live and they solidified the adventurous year I've had in 2025.