State of Sterling: Moving And Literally Shaking

Hello, you lovely patrons!

What a few weeks it’s been! First and foremost, I’d like to apologize for not yet providing the written reviews I’d planned to do during the video break, and for skipping out on Podquisition last week. I have a Donkey Kong review partially done and I’m really hoping to get productive again over the next few days. Shit’s just been… a lot.

I’ve been trying to be kind to myself, convincing myself I won’t have suddenly lost all support for daring to take a few weeks off at last. As ever, I’m incredibly thankful for that support, both the usual patronage and the generally supportive nature of responses to me taking that break. The continued encouragement has been wonderful and needed.

While I’d love to say the sabbatical has been a great chance to unwind, I can only say I’m glad I took it before I started moving house. It’s been by far the lengthiest and most expensive moving process I’ve ever experienced, and that includes two international ones! A lot happened beyond my control, there’s a lot of junk to sort through, some removal men broke a pinball table, the letting agency on the old place is trying to fleece me for all they can get on my way out, it’s a fucking nerve-wracking time.

It’s going to take a while to get the new place in order, but I can’t wait to show y’all when it’s ready.

It’s a perfect home for me. It was owned by an older lady so it’s super accessible for someone with my disabilities - all one floor, handrails on exterior inclines, and an amazing number of cute display areas because this is a house made for ornaments. It’s got an oldie aesthetic that reminds me of my grandparents and I don’t want to change how it looks at all. Honestly, it’s awakened some dormant housewife instinct in me, where I wanna keep it pristine. I might get myself an apron.

The new landlord is the daughter of the previous owner, who didn’t wanna sell the house because of the sentiment but doesn’t want it empty. As far as landlord motives go, it’s on the better end, and she’s been really good to deal with especially compared to the last one and all of her unreasonable demands. I can tell none of this situation was planned for her, and she’s not just looking for free money. The lack of cynicism and avarice is entirely refreshing.

We were also allowed to keep a lot of shit that was left behind, which includes an old school heavy duty vacuum, one of those proper hi-fi systems, extensive kitchenware, and all manner of random useful stuff. Oh, and there’s a snake-shaped draft excluder. Of course! I’ve kept most of what was here, as much of it is the kind of thing I could do with but would never be adult enough to think about getting.

Wrestling is wrestling. My match with Kidd Bandit a few weeks back was another classic. We kill it when we’re together - we’ve become good friends as well as people who enjoy kicking the shit out of each other, and we share a mind for the business. I’ve had some disillusioning experiences in wrestling, and I’m done with a lot of it outside of one or two promotions, but I can proudly say I put on fucking great shows when given the chance, and fuck those in the business who try to erase that.

You can next see me doing a wrestles on August 10th in Manchester for Pinfall Wrestling. Check ‘em out if you like!

My writing work is going slower than intended because of all the stresses, but damn if I’ve not got some good things cooking. Most of my focus is on Vampire Survivors, as Poncle regularly has stuff for me to do and the Grimoire book is a significant undertaking. I can’t wait to be able to say more about it, because the narrative I’m writing for that book is truly special. It goes hard.

I’ll leave it there for now, I think. I hope the break from Jimquisitions hasn’t been too dire for people. I’m starting to get my head around returning to the grind, and will keep you updated on when things are kicking up again. Until then, I should have that DK review and maybe one for House of the Dead 2 Remake coming in the near future.

Thank you so much for all the support. I feel fortunate and grateful now more than ever, at a time where my stress levels are at peak.

Love y’all,

Stephanie.