It's really refreshing to go back into a game that you haven't played in a while, and since I've gotten back into Stardew Valley, refreshing is definitely the word to use. I started a new multiplayer game, and since I was craving playing I also started a new single player game on my switch. It's not only a super satisfying game, it's cozy as well, and I love it. I'm honestly having more fun than I did playing Tears of The Kingdom (sorry). Give it a play if you haven't already!

It's national kitten day, which got me thinking about how just last year my cat, Pebbles, was still just a little kitten! It's crazy to imagine how a little over a year ago I barely knew her, and now I can't imagine my life without her!

I think it's fitting that we had a bit of an adventure today, I was training her and Siffy how to use our new pet steps! The bed is  t a l l, so it's a welcome addition, with lots of treats in the training process.

My cat is different than most, she really enjoys company, and I love that she always wants to be near me, even if I'm just laying down. She's wonderful as a kitten and fully grown!

Independance Day has come and gone, but summer lives on, and so does my favorite simple BBQ side dish: Watermelon salad! It only has 5 ingredients, and has red, white, and blue foods in it!

Ingredients:

- Ripe Watermelon

- Crumbled Feta Cheese

- Red Onion

- Mint Leaves

- Balsamic Vinegar

Cube the watermelon, julienne or dice the red onion, and wash and pick the mint leaves. You can tear them or chop them, or just put in the whole leaf!

Then just combine! I usually put the balsamic to the side so people can put on as much as they want! Lime juice can also work in a pinch! It's deliciously refreshing, and perfect all summer long!

I'm back! With a vengeance.....just kidding! But I am back with one of my more highly anticipated movies for this year: Five Nights at Freddy's!

I'm a big fan of the franchise, so I'm a little surprised about the direction that the trailer went lore wise. Nevertheless, I am excited!

Check out the trailer below:

Between Colossalcon, Juneteenth, and other mayhem, I haven't been able to talk about pride month! So happy pride! If you're in the LGBTQIA+ community or an ally, I hope you have an excellent pride month!

I'm a little bummed out that I didn't get to let my bisexual flag fly at Cleveland pride, but I hope to see ya'll at Akron Pride in August!

When we stand together, we stand strong! Have a great rest of your week!

There's no feeling like the one you get when you face just how bad things could become, or even how they already are. I get that bleak, insightful feeling whenever I watch Black Mirror, and I love it. I think the best kind of media we consume is the one that sends a clear message worth pondering, or worth talking about. So now that the new season is out, I want to talk about my favorite episodes from each season!

Season 1: The Entire History of You

Usually when a show starts it needs a bit to find its footing, and knowing how good Black Mirror got I agree that this is the case here. With the three episodes we get, all with stand out concepts, The Entire History of You has the most compelling story. The concept: What if there was a device that logs everything you see, hear, and do for you to replay at any point? What if it exposed all of your secrets as well?

Season 2: White Christmas

No not that White Christmas, but I love that one as well. Where the movie is filled with love and romance, this one is filled with death and heartbreak. There's snow in both though! Black Mirror's White Christmas follows three stories intertwined together, akin to Love Actually. Two men tell stories in a remote cabin, but everything is not as it seems. It's a great episode for people who hate Christmas, or need something to watch early on in December.

Season 3: San Junipero

Happy pride! Season 3 is one of the best in the series, but a clear standout is San Junipero. I also love Shut Up and Dance, but San Junipero has two things I love: tech I'd actually want in our reality, and a happy ending. An outgoing butterfly and a shy soul create a bond unlike any other, and I enjoyed every minute of it. And so did a lot of people, this episode won an emmy!

Season 4: Crocodile

Ahhhhh this one was so hard!!! Season 4 is my favorite, if not objectively the best season in the series. USS Callister is widely hailed as one of the best episodes in the series, and for good reason, but I want to talk about one of the most underrated episodes in the series. Crocodile is an episode I think about a lot. A LOT. The tech is similar to that in The Entire History of You, but this time your memories are whatever you're trying to picture. Which is great for an insurance investigator, who is using it to investigate a claim. But it's so much more than that, as always, and the twist is one of the best in the series. Out of all of my picks on this list, I implore you to check this one out the most.

Season 5: Rachel, Jack, and Ashley Too

No, I'm not just choosing it because my name is in it! Season 5 only had 3 episodes, mostly revolving around happier endings. My personal favorite is Rachel, Jack, and Ashley Too. Long story short: it's fun, and not too bleak. A good intro to Black Mirror if you're dipping your toes in! What happens when a tween obsessed with a mega star gets a robot that sings and dances just like she does? Chaos, adventure, and Miley Cyrus singing. Ashley O, I'm a HUGE fan!

Season 6: Beyond The Sea

Look, it's kind of cheating since I haven't technically finished season 6 yet (I just need to finish Demon 79!) but man. Beyond The Sea. What a ride! Two astronauts are able to control robot doppelgangers while they're in space. It gets dark. It gets sad. You will be horrified. Aaron Paul is incredible.

Black Mirror: Bandersnatch

And finally my favorite Black Mirror film, Bandersnatch. This interactive movie is incredibly well done. The acting, the sets, the story, the choices, it's incredible. A game developer in the 80's has an idea for a game based on a choose your own adventure novel, and you decide how he goes about that. I need to play it again someday, but I got all of the endings! And you can, too. Play/watch it today!

Black Mirror is some of the best television out there, and I hope you give it a go!

Happy Juneteenth! In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday. Maybe you're wondering what Juneteenth is, how to celebrate, and why it's important!

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is a holiday celebrating the emancipation of African Americans from slavery. On June 19th 1865 Major General Gordon Granger of the Union Army came to Texas, bringing news that the Civil War had ended and all slaves were free. This was TWO YEARS after the Emancipation Declaration was declared, so this was a big shock to say the least. So it is a celebration of the freedom of all slaves, since only then were all of them aware they were free.

How can I celebrate?

Great question! There are a ton of ways to celebrate Juneteenth, check out juneteenth.com for some great ideas, and this article as well!. Here are my personal favorite ways to celebrate!

1. Support Black Businesses. Don't just talk the talk, walk the walk! Supporting locally owned black businesses is a great way to celebrate Juneteenth, as well as try something new in your area! Click here to find some black businesses in the Akron area!

2. Talk about it! If you're working tonight, find ways to incorporate it into a discussion! Make posts on social media, put up flags and signs in your yard, get the ball rolling and spread the word to celebrate!

3. Eat/wear red! Red represents resilience and joy, as well as bloodshed and sacrifice. Celebrate by wearing red and eating red foods! Red velvet cake and strawberry soda are some traditional foods. You can also incorporate green, gold, and black into your clothing!

4. Watch black media. Blackish has a great episode about Juneteenth, and so does Atlanta. Movies like 12 Years a Slave and Django Unchained.

Why is it important?

To me, Juneteenth is a way to celebrate not only my culture, but a way to teach others about history that is still making an impact today. We celebrate to remember, bring awareness, and to be joyful.

I hope you found this helpful, and that you take the time to celebrate, in the office or at home!

Today, Pixar's Elemental comes out in theaters, and so does the new short Carl's Date! The short follows Carl and Dug from Pixar's Up as he gets read for the first date he's had since being with Ellie. I'm excited to see it, and I hope you are too!

Check it out below!

I have a massive sweet tooth. I've talked about it before, and it's a blessing and a curse. The curse is it's probably going to kill me someday, either through some sort of disease or eating one too many marshmallows at once. The blessing is that I can enjoy seasonal treats as they come and go, like the one I had today, peach ice cream. I love peaches, I love ice cream, and its a match made in heaven when they come together. I got it from Graeters and it's so creamy and the peach chunks are so sweet it melts in your mouth in the best way possible. I usually only get it once a year (there's so many other flavors to get before they go away!) but I always make sure I get it! Make sure you get it too!

The long awaited finale. On the last day, I cosplayed as Charlie from Smiling Friends. It was also a very comfortable costume! We got there a little after 10. After stopping by a panel we perused the flea market. I found a few things I liked, including a She-Hulk bobblehead! It felt meant to be. Then I went to a panel ranking every Barbie movie possible, then we got to see dogs (!!!!!) and learn about Akitas! Then we learned about Kaijus, AKA giant monsters that roar and level buildings. Then after a few more panels about Japan, we decided to get some grub. We went to Ramen U, a wonderful Japanese food spot. I got yaki udon and bubble tea. We got custard and went home.

It was a great trip. It always is. The people are nice, the panels are cool, the activities are fun, and my cosplays are on point. I can't wait to go back next year!