mail day & desiderata.

saturday, january 25th, 2025.

A few days ago, It was snowing here in middle Georgia and the USPS hunkered down while the roads were iced over. Fortunately, it didn't take too long for 'em to thaw and some goodies I ordered came in the mail.

First, this 8BitDo SN30 Pro:

I've been doing a lot of retrogaming lately, and the off-center D-pad on the Xbox controller made it a little uncomfy for games that don't use the analog stick. Happy to report that, after getting used to it for a bit, this SN30Pro is a fantastic retrogaming controller. Beat Streets of Rage 2 on the Sega Genesis with it, and it seems perfectly playable for the input-exactness required of the NES Castlevania games.

Second, these Flesh & Blood Assassin cards, "Leave No Witnesses" and "Surgical Extraction":

These are some of the more expensive Assassin staple cards, but they're also some of the most necessary for my hero, Nuu. Her playstyle focuses on disruption, and these cards banish cards from the opponent's hand or arsenal.

We're going to the Flesh & Blood World Tour in Memphis at the end of the month with some friends of ours and I wanted my little Nuu deck to be at least somewhat competitive when we play there, even if she's not a well-regarded hero for the Blitz format we'll be playing.

other news.

I've been renting a storage unit from a local mom-and-pop business for a while now, but that business was sold to a national chain that sent out new lease agreements to all the tenants. It was exactly the push I needed to clean that storage unit out and turn in the proverbial keys to save myself $50 a month on storage unit rent. Everywhere I've seen the chain discussed, renters can expect regular 200% rate hikes— no thanks!

I am doing my best to try to keep my nose out of the news after the stuff that went down on inauguration day. It's like a trainwreck I can't keep my eyes off of, but paying such close attention is detrimental to my well-being.

Max Ehrmann's 1927 poem, Desiderata, comes to mind:

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be critical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be careful.
Strive to be happy.

"Desiderata" was one of my mom's favorite poems— I think it's one of those that's made the rounds in many a tumultuous time in our history: from the time it was written in the Great Depression, through pamphlets handed out to soldiers in World War II, and once again on posters during the Vietnam War, where she surely stumbled upon it.

I hope this little poem brings you a little peace like it did for me.

Until next time, be well. :)