2016 - The 12 Month Pile Plan

ClockworkHouse wrote:

Hey, monkey! When were you doing the 2017 thread?

Yes, I could use a plan, a fresh start, something.

I need a new thread to gaze at my navel in. I've found that putting my purchase restriction into place as of the eighth has shifted my thinking to next year instead of this one.

Same here. I have an idea of how I want to approach game purchases but it's not, like, official until I've posted about it in this thread.

I'm ready for the 2017 thread as I've got my list of purchases ready and I'm curious to see what other people are planning for the next year. I'll keep the 2016 navel gazing here though.

Hi one and all. Sorry for being out of it for a while.

Thanks for the PM too Chris.

I'll post a longer response in the morning, filling you all in on what effed up November for me, and how fracturing the knuckle on my left ring finger and displacing ligaments on its two neighbors early December only compounded things for me.

I'll also get a 2017 thread up ASAP so those navels can get the attention they deserve

Glad your fingers are at least in tact where they are whole.

Good to know things are okay!

That sounds terrible Monkey, I hope you're ok otherwise!

I wish you a speedy recovery, m0nk3yboy. Fingers being out of action is no fun.

It's alive...

IMAGE(https://andyhollyhead.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/frankenstein-its-alive.gif)

It's ALIVE!

We're getting too ambitious in our excuses for not clearing the pile. Broken fingers now? We should de-esculate and return to the safety of "I was a bit busy" before some desperate soul arranges a freak 'accident' where their console falls off a high shelf, concussing them and smashing into fragments for a double-bind excuse. If they used an original Xbox they could be seriously injured! Worse yet, if they used a classic Nintendo console they'd have their skull crushed and the console would still function.

Desperation, thy name is GWJer-with-a-backlog!

Take care, folks.

Nintendo consoles you gotta launch into space. There's no breaking them.

And even then, they just come crashing back down, leaving a crater in your yard, still able to be played.

Anywho, looked back to see some of my first posts in the thread and read this:

ccesarano wrote:
ClockworkHouse wrote:

So what's everyone's goal for this year? Where would you like to be mid-December of 2016?

Not in a scramble trying to complete five games so I can better make a top 10 list by the 31st.

But recalling all the JRPG's coming out next year, this goal is laughable.

The goal wasn't so laughable as I thought! I am technically scrambling to complete FFXV and World of Final Fantasy, and two JRPG's is quite hefty, but December being dominated by two games exclusively ain't bad. But I actually played a lot in the way of JRPG's this year, and learned a bit about myself as a result.

Oh my gosh, m0nk3yboy, that's quite the injury!!! Hope you're mending well!! No worries, just take your time, we'll be here.

ClockworkHouse wrote:

I need a new thread to gaze at my navel in. I've found that putting my purchase restriction into place as of the eighth has shifted my thinking to next year instead of this one.

What's wrong with this one? I love your navel gazing, it's always fascinating!

Well I promised I'd be back with more info about the last few months. I've spoiler tagged it as it gets quite Live-Journally in places and isn't all that thread relevant.

Spoiler:

Some of you may or may not know but I'm "quite the active poster" in our "Depression is ruining my life" thread.

I've lived with it for most of my life, and I was actively diagnosed with it only 6 or so years ago. It's not the kind that 'goes away', it's a constant companion, and one I've learnt to manage through many years of therapy.

Long story short, I've spent the last three years "keeping busy" to distract the brain weasels. First two as an active member of my childrens' School Board (and being elected to Board Chair in that time), and also an active member of the school P&C (PTA). All voluntary positions.

This year, after a really successful homeless Christmas Hamper Drive I ran at our school in 2015 I set about organizing a Schools' Network for the charity (again as a volunteer). The idea being we plant the seed of empathy and understanding in our next generation so that homelessness can at least be on the agenda for our future generations.

It went great. This past Winter, through the network, I facilitated donations of clothing and food drives that helped literally thousands of homeless in and around our capital city. The best part though was how the children grabbed hold of the idea that you only need to make one small change, as a whole community, to have a big impact on those in need.

Mid-August the current CEO and 5 of the 8 member Board at the Charity stood down. She urged me to continue what we were doing as she could see the good in our outcomes.

I did, but the new CEO didn't really get what we were trying to achieve with the schools. What should have been an amazing final school term (Oct-Dec) turned into a massive cluster f*ck of zero support for me, no Christmas Hamper list, and a complete disintegration of the Schools' Network I'd worked so hard to create.

It was a massive loss to the homeless.

It was a real kick in the teeth for me.

I spent most of November feeling numb, broken, and let down.

Brain weasels were rampant.

It was very hard trying to help the schools find other Charities to support at the last minute. Apologizing to Principals, Teachers, Student Leaders and school communities. It was beyond my control, but that knowledge made me feel no less responsible.

It hit me hard.

I then fall over at work. Thankfully I put my hand out, it passed through a few boxes of stock, awkwardly, but I thought nothing of it.

Woke up the next morning with swollen fingers, but it didn't register until later in the day that the two things could be connected. I strapped up my fingers, and that was that. A week later I had less pain in my middle and little, but the ring finger was still quite painful. A triage nurse friend of mine looked me over and gave me the "appraisal". I asked if I needed to go to a Doctor, but we both agreed all I'd be doing is paying for an x-ray to confirm what we both felt it was (I've broken/fractured enough bones to know what that "sweet" pinpoint pain is).

I haven't broken any bones since my near death experience 9 years ago when I came off a motor bike. Recovering from November, in a fragile mental state, I then triggered some of my PTSD tendencies and behaviors associated with that incident through a familiar pain response...

Yeah. Quite a crappy 2-3 months all told.

Think I could do with one of these

[hugs], monkeyboy, and a big :drink:. I'm sorry things have been so rough.

God damn Monkey, that sucks.

I have a million things I could respond with but I'm sure they'd all be no help. So suffice to say I'm glad you're here, glad you're alive, and think you should feel good about the help and charity you did ensure happened, and recognize that the new CEO is a big dumb poopy head.

Thoughts and prayers, man.

Oh Monkey, I had no idea. All thehugs in the world and thank you so much for trying so hard to give back to the community. It's just really freakin' crappy that you got injured and I hate to see so much crap happen to a genuinely good person. Hugs and cookies and good vibes to you.

m0nk3yboy wrote:

Well I promised I'd be back with more info about the last few months. I've spoiler tagged it as it gets quite Live-Journally in places and isn't all that thread relevant.

Spoiler:

Some of you may or may not know but I'm "quite the active poster" in our "Depression is ruining my life" thread.

I've lived with it for most of my life, and I was actively diagnosed with it only 6 or so years ago. It's not the kind that 'goes away', it's a constant companion, and one I've learnt to manage through many years of therapy.

Long story short, I've spent the last three years "keeping busy" to distract the brain weasels. First two as an active member of my childrens' School Board (and being elected to Board Chair in that time), and also an active member of the school P&C (PTA). All voluntary positions.

This year, after a really successful homeless Christmas Hamper Drive I ran at our school in 2015 I set about organizing a Schools' Network for the charity (again as a volunteer). The idea being we plant the seed of empathy and understanding in our next generation so that homelessness can at least be on the agenda for our future generations.

It went great. This past Winter, through the network, I facilitated donations of clothing and food drives that helped literally thousands of homeless in and around our capital city. The best part though was how the children grabbed hold of the idea that you only need to make one small change, as a whole community, to have a big impact on those in need.

Mid-August the current CEO and 5 of the 8 member Board at the Charity stood down. She urged me to continue what we were doing as she could see the good in our outcomes.

I did, but the new CEO didn't really get what we were trying to achieve with the schools. What should have been an amazing final school term (Oct-Dec) turned into a massive cluster f*ck of zero support for me, no Christmas Hamper list, and a complete disintegration of the Schools' Network I'd worked so hard to create.

It was a massive loss to the homeless.

It was a real kick in the teeth for me.

I spent most of November feeling numb, broken, and let down.

Brain weasels were rampant.

It was very hard trying to help the schools find other Charities to support at the last minute. Apologizing to Principals, Teachers, Student Leaders and school communities. It was beyond my control, but that knowledge made me feel no less responsible.

It hit me hard.

I then fall over at work. Thankfully I put my hand out, it passed through a few boxes of stock, awkwardly, but I thought nothing of it.

Woke up the next morning with swollen fingers, but it didn't register until later in the day that the two things could be connected. I strapped up my fingers, and that was that. A week later I had less pain in my middle and little, but the ring finger was still quite painful. A triage nurse friend of mine looked me over and gave me the "appraisal". I asked if I needed to go to a Doctor, but we both agreed all I'd be doing is paying for an x-ray to confirm what we both felt it was (I've broken/fractured enough bones to know what that "sweet" pinpoint pain is).

I haven't broken any bones since my near death experience 9 years ago when I came off a motor bike. Recovering from November, in a fragile mental state, I then triggered some of my PTSD tendencies and behaviors associated with that incident through a familiar pain response...

Yeah. Quite a crappy 2-3 months all told.

Think I could do with one of these :drink:

So sorry to hear, m0nk3yboy. Hope all gets better. Just reading about your endeavors, regardless of their success or not, makes me think you already do quite a lot and, as disheartening as the situation may be, the fact that you do what you do should count for something.

Hope the end of the year sees nothing but a healthy helping of peace and comfort for you and yours and that the new years starts with great things!

Thanks all.

It hasn't killed me, so I'm guessing that means I qualify for the "making me stronger" classification.

I've spent the last two months realizing that I've been filling in those years with "other" stuff as I'm more than likely afraid of effing up the "being a Dad" stuff.

I've got more done around the house in Nov-Dec than I have in the last 5 years, so I'm definitely seeing a pattern here.

So I'm realizing that I need to take some time for myself. I was going to try and set up that Not For Profit network myself next year, but my kids have told me to "take it easy". They're only 7 and 8, but sometimes they are wise beyond their years.

So lots of gaming and other pursuits for me next year, and hopefully a better time had by all.

Thanks again everyone

I'm so sorry Monkey. I hope your recovery is going as smoothly as possible. <3

Aye m0nk3y, feel better and here's hoping you have a better start to 2017!

Also...

m0nk3yboy wrote:

I've spoiler tagged it as it gets quite Live-Journally in places and isn't all that thread relevant.

... kinda wish I'd thought to do that a few pages back!

Your words and encouragement over in that BW thread are appreciated btw.

Sorry to heard about the accident and organizational setbacks, but that charity work is pretty damn awesome to hear. Definitely something to be proud of! Wishing you the best of luck with your recovery and getting things up and running again in the new year *hugs*

That feeling when you realise that there are only 9 days left in the year and you still need to play like 70% of the games which you wanted to consider for your GotY list.

The follow-up feeling when you realise that you will have more time to play than usual in those 8 days.

Then your eyes creep sideways to the stack of library books near the TV. It's over a foot high. Several history books, the new Expanse novel, the fat mass that is Barnaby Rudge, Ken Liu's book of short stories ...

... and along comes the "Oh yes, I also really need to get to those several emails"

Then a glance to the other side reminds you of the books from your own library which you intended to read, including such triflingly short works as the unabridged Count of Monte Cristo and all 5 books in Daniel Abraham's second fantasy series.

Plus got to see people, plus most of the usual life stuff.

Argleblargargheeeeeeeek! [runs around in circles]

On the gainful side, I went back and finished Rise of the Tomb Raider. I'd put it aside about 1/3 of the way through because the 'dead dad' plot points were getting to me. Finished with 89% completion. Good game. Wish I'd been able to play it on PS4 or PC though. Good as the 360 port was, it was a clear step down from my experience with the previous game and that detracted from the joy of exploration a little. I'll doubledip for the PS4 version if I decide I want to play the DLC as it's included on the disc. I do like being neo Lara. As a long-haired British lady with a passion for history and some archaeology qualifications I do have a bit in common with her. Her enthusiasm is refreshing, her delight in history for its own sake rather than how much money she can make from it. Too many game characters are mercenary or willfully destructive when it comes to history.

I'm about ready to blast through the plot of FFXV and call it done; I've spent an unholy amount of time doing side quests and hunts in chapter 3 and I'm running out of patience with the combat system. One fight everything will work as I want and I clean up with ease. Next fight my block inputs fail despite me holding the button down long before the attack, my warp abilities consistently refuse to do what I want them to for no discernable reason, the camera futzes out, and the whole thing is a gigantic miserable mess. As for flying enemies, ugh! Just ugh! Don't even ask me about the craptastic lock on function. Other than that, it's been a fun if flawed time. Travelling. Exploring. Cooking. Finding recipes. Riding chocobos. Having airships repeatedly dump troopers on my head every 2 minutes whenever I'm trying to look around. Wait, that part isn't fun.

frogbeastegg wrote:

That feeling when you realise that there are only 9 days left in the year and you still need to play like 70% of the games which you wanted to consider for your GotY list.

Stop it! You're freaking me out!

frogbeastegg wrote:

The follow-up feeling when you realise that you will have more time to play than usual in those 8 days.

Now you're just making me jealous!

Yeah a company that we work with sent an e-mail to let everyone know their office will be closed all of next week and I'm sitting here like "Well, we get a half-day Friday (that I needed to use PTO for to get the whole day) and Monday off, and....um..."

Which basically means for people who have to travel for Christmas (such as myself), you're saying goodbye to family the day after Christmas.

Granted, I'd probably be taking extra days if I didn't have to spend some of my time-off on my gallbladder thing, but I wish my company acknowledged that keeping many of us from family during the holidays lowers morale and loyalty to the company.

Bleh.

And yes, mid-air combat in FFXV stinks. It happens often enough I keep wondering if I want to spend AP on it to upgrade the air-step abilities, but not frequently enough to actually spend AP on those abilities.

Have got over myself and told other half and family that gaming gifts (even if just vouchers) would be appreciated this Christmas

I always remember and feel sympathy for those working over Christmas and New Year. It sucks and it's too often demanded for unreasonable motives. I spent 5 years working for a bookshop chain which only closed on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. For 6 weeks prior we'd have double deliveries, extended opening hours, and lots of mandatory overtime. After midday on Christmas Eve we hardly had any customers until several days into January so being open wasted money, yet there we were. Meanwhile the compulsory instore music kept blathering on about the delights of spending time with family. I still have games in my backlog from those winters.

This year my bonus free time mainly comes from fewer things to do on the home front. I've deliberately chosen meals where I can cook a big pan all at once, tub up portions, and easily reheat them with no loss of quality. That alone will save me hours of time. Herby pork and apple stew for Christmas Day instead of a roast, that sort of idea. Got all of my food shopping done today, my mother's too, so I won't need to go again until the crowds have reduced.

Bubblefuzz, you must let us know how that works out. Clocky too, with the gift list which she posted earlier.

frogbeastegg wrote:

That feeling when you realise that there are only 9 days left in the year and you still need to play like 70% of the games which you wanted to consider for your GotY list.

Ayup. Ah well, there's always 2017.
I'm not getting any time off this week (aside from one or two days here and there to take care of my eldest autistic son, but that can't be helped and I don't call that time off), but I rest easy in the knowledge that I've gamed more in the past four days then I have in the past four weeks, and that things are going to pick up. I have to be an optimist, or I may as well give up now. I'm not looking forward to my December 2016 report, and most importantly, my overall report for the year. I kinda started looking back after posting my GOTY list in Clocky's thread, and notice two "droughts" of sorts. I didn't finish any game in March or April IIRC, because I was so deeply caught in Geralt's clutches, and then in September, October, and November there was the SeriousCrap®. Which isn't nearly over yet, but has sufficiently died down that I'm comfortable hooking up my rig in my room where it belongs (although I remove and hide a key cable every night to render it inoperative, just in case).

Mantid wrote:
frogbeastegg wrote:

The follow-up feeling when you realize that you will have more time to play than usual in those 8 days.

Now you're just making me jealous! :P

So am I.

Anyhow, hope you people enjoy the holidays, wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, be it with family, friends or on your own, I just everyone's doing okay.

A small but brief question for everyone in this thread since this is something I've been kicking around for the last month or so. Since navel gazing time is upon us this seems like a good time for it:

Which game you bought this year do you most regret not busting the shrinkwrap (digital or physical)? (Or as I like to call it the "The One That Got Away" award)

For me it's probably VA-11HALL-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action which is something I was super excited about, played the demo at PAX East, ordered both soundtracks, and had the game on pre-order from itch.io. Except when it launched it went straight to the pile. Total failure on my part to make the time for something I was significantly hyped for earlier in the year

I regret not even trying Star Fox Zero. I got it not too long after launch and haven't even taken the disc out of the case. I got it as a co-op game, but when it became obvious that my wife wasn't interested in it, I didn't wind end playing it on my own, either. It's just sat there for months.

I haven't bought any games this year that I haven't played, so I've succeeded in that goal at least.

(Not counting free games, of course.)

My goal for the past few years has been to not buy any games that I'm not going to play right away and I've been doing very well with that!