Patron Update: This is actually a blog post

Hello everybody! As the title says, this is more of a blog post than an update. I have a more significant channel update planned after the release of my next video in the coming weeks, but I feel like it’s been a while since I’ve done an update. Consider this my excuse!

How’s the summer treating you folks? I’m happy to say that I managed to leave the basement for a short period of time. My girlfriend and I went on a road trip to Alberta, which is a little over 12 hours of driving. On the way back, I was actually getting worried that my ass would have fused to the car seat… but I guess if it hasn’t fused to my computer chair yet, I’m not in any real danger.

We went to see a show with a few progressive metal bands – Dream Theater, Devin Townsend & Animals As Leaders, if you’re interested. If you’re not familiar with progressive metal, it’s a more technical style of playing. Like 25 minute songs with lyrics about dying and being reincarnated as a person in Czarist Russia. You might have some idea about the clientele who go to metal shows – PROG metal shows are very different. It looks more like comic con than a metal concert. Lots of geeks and wild outfits, very fun atmosphere.

This trip reinforced a few things for me, the first of which being: I just fucking love road trips. Some of my earliest memories are sitting in the back of the family minivan, playing Tetris during a long drive while plugging my ears as my dad plays the same Shania Twain CD for a 26thtime that day. There’s just something perpetually comfy & exciting about being on the road. Fueling up at some gas station that looks straight out of the 70s, listening to tunes while seeing all of this amazing scenery, taking an exit to a rest stop, and having the greatest pee of all time after holding it in for 3 hours. It’s tough to go on an “adventure” in modern times, but I think road trips kind of scratch that itch a little.

To tell the truth, I’m not much of a driver. I grew up in a small, rural town, so getting to the big city was quite a shock to my system. This is definitely true of Calgary, Alberta. It’s actually a fairly straightforward city to drive in, but it’s a lot harder for Google Maps to help when you’ve got 5 lane traffic, and exits every few feet. And also, if you miss your exit, you inexplicably have to drive forward for like 20 minutes and then pull a U-turn in 5 lane traffic. Thank-you to my girlfriend for doing… MUCH of the city driving. I repaid the favor by doing the boring cross-country driving (which I secretly enjoy).

Some might say we’re a boring couple. We’re not really about that nightlife or what-have-you. We’re mostly interested in zoos, museums, historical sights, that kind of thing. I’ll include a few cool pictures. There was a penguin that jumped up on the display glass. The woman taking care of the penguins yelled “NOT AGAIN” and we all have to stand back until the penguin decided he did not want to pick a fight with any of us. I could have taken him.

The other thing that this trip reinforced is that Western Alberta might be one of the most beautiful places on Earth. When you’re on a road trip, there’s countless rolling hills to drive over. Sometimes when you reach the crest, you’ll see something mildly interesting on the other side. When you drive west Calgary, you’ll just be driving and then suddenly out of nowhere there’s just fucking mountains. You’re like “When did these giant-ass mountains get here? How long have these mountains been right in front of me?”. Anyway, there’s just something about a mountain. Devin Townsend (one of the musicians we went to see) writes a lot of songs about mountains and the peace they bring. I totally get it… there’s just something about a mountain.

If you ever decide to visit Canada (or you live there and haven’t ventured outside of your stomping grounds), I highly recommend checking out Canmore & Banff. It is astonishingly, naturally beautiful. You can’t look anywhere that doesn’t take your breath away. Coming from the flat prairies of the country, it just blows my mind that this is just like, a day’s drive away from me.

Anyway, thanks for reading this far. It's been a few years since we last went anywhere, but I’m so glad we got a chance to do this – even if it was only for a few days. I feel absolutely recharged, reinvigorated, and ready to get down to business. As I said, I’ll have a more substantial announcement to make after the Shadow Hearts Covenant video comes out. Just wanted to touch base with you all and let you know that the wheels of industry are still turning.

There will be a stream tomorrow at the usual time (Saturday, the 22nd at 10:00 AM CST). Also, in a few weeks I’ll be having a conversation (podcast) with I Finished A Video Game regarding Vagrant Story. His channel is packed with AMAZING content, so please check it out if you haven’t.

As always, thank you for supporting me and the channel. By the next update, you’ll have another Majuular video to enjoy. Until then, stay healthy, wealthy & wise!