Cycling, Jigsaws and Ice

My weeknotes from October 6 to 12, 2026. Featuring Outer Worlds Echoes of the Eye, gifting games on Steam, and reading outside.

Another week of October is gone, just like that. The coldness of the air is finally felt enough for me to wear a long-sleeved shirt every once in a while, I am yet to actually keep a jacket on for a whole day honestly!

🗓️ I made a plan! Detailing the videogames and books I want to complete by the end of October (plus one week of November). So far very good, a book finished, a game started.
📚 Updated the firmware of my XTEINK X4 to the latest version of CrossPoint 1.6.5. There have been plenty of changes that I am yet to actually explore! In any case, it’s pretty cool to see the support for even more devices since then.
🕹️ Decided to buy Astral Ascent for Nintendo Switch, I’ve wanted to have a fast-paced 2-player roguelike for those times I want something challenging for a friend and I. We didn’t get around to playing it this time though.
🎮 Realized that Steam finally let’s me gift games outside my region! I’ve been meaning to gift my favorite games to my online friends sometimes, and it wouldn’t work. Now they let you pay the international price (just like GOG has done for ages). I already made use of this feature for a few of my buddies based on their wishlists. Are you one of the lucky ones?
🛍️ Had a fun time going out for lunch with my parents. This was a more normal visit to the mall. We also went to the library there but nothing caught my eye this time around. I also got a Rice Krispies Treat bar which I hadn’t eaten in ages. So good.
🚲 Finally went out on my bicycle after a bunch of lazyness, the day was cloudy and the air was fresh, I still only wore shorts and a t-shirt though. I went downtown and enjoyed the scenery quite a bit!
📖 I actually stayed in the plaza downtown and read a book sitting on a bench under a treeright in front of the city’s cathedral. The weather got very cold while I read some of the latter chapters of The Left Hand of Darkness, an atmosphere that fit the narrative perfectly.
🙏 This note deals with loss of life
My church visited the hospital to give food, coffee or water to people there. During this, a family outside got news of a patient, a loved one, which passed away. It was a sad and difficult moment, my church gathered around them, we prayed, and cried with them. Hope and solidarity among the suffering.

A bar of Rice Krispies Treats, a panel from Alita Battle Angel, my Kobo and my bicycle in the background, some coffee and sweet bread, art from Echoes of the Eye, a puzzle!

Reading

A magazine, two books and a manga this time around. Some great speculative fiction, cyberpunk, horror and the like.

Started

Clarkesworld Magazine #212 - I decided to return to my XTEINK X4 and start this at last! I managed to complete the first short story: Fishy by Alice Towey. I absolutely fell in love with that short story, it was very charming and it brought me joy.

Completed

The Left Hand of Darkness - Chapters 8-20. In just about a week I managed to bring this book to completion! It only got better as the chapters went on. The world grew on me, the characters, the dire situation, a sense of understanding that deepened over time, similarly to the plot of the book and the development of the characters. This was a very interesting read, and I’m glad I gave it a go at last!

Ongoing

The House on the Borderland - Chapters 13-14. I only did a few pages of this book, but they were extremely powerful stuff. It was one of those moments in the story that barely contain any detail, as the understanding of what’s in front of you is null. Pages and incomplete fragments, frightening stuff. Looking forward to what’s next.

Alita Battle Angel - Chapters 45-48. The final volume of the manga has begun, and some more battles are still on the horizon. I have to say I am quite hyped to bring an end to this. A lof of the cyberpunk aesthethic can be seen in this work, although the story was a little mixed, it reached great highs nonetheless. We’ll see if it sticks the landing.

Watching

A movie and a TV show, both of pretty entertaining!

Bumblebee - I thought I had seen this movie before but it’s not on my Letterboxd… In any case, I really enjoyed this Transformers film, the original designs of these characters are just so awesome to see! This kinda feels like a strong edition of E.T./The Iron Giant and I love it.

Lanterns - Watched chapter 5 of this one which seems to have ended an “arc” or big bad guy and I’m curious to see how the show progresses after the very interesting events that happened at the end of this one.

Gaming

A puzzle game completed, a new mystery begins, and some classic multiplayer fun.

Started

Outer Wilds: Echoes of the Eye - The first game on my October plan. My breath was taken away the moment I ventured into this adventure within the main game… I have to say I am extremely surprised by where this DLC is going. I will not make any more spoilers. Just play Outer Wilds

Completed

Strange Jigsaws - I got this on a whim a while back and decided I’d finally give it a shot. It absolutely hooked me and I got it beat in a single day. This is a mind-wrecking title and you really owe it to yourself to give it a go. I definitely had to search a couple hints on the website though, I admit. Superb concepts.

Ongoing

Nintendo Switch Sports - I continue to get decent at Golf but I also played with friends locally this time! Fun times.

Ultimate Chicken Horse - Returned to this epic game and it continues to surprise us, we unlocked a whole new map to play through, and the Fox character! There’s only two maps left to unlock.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land - Played this one for a little while again, I completed one level and then I was asked to put another game, some day!

Around the Web

I’m doing better! I had covid. by Hollie - This was a very interesting summary of what Hollie has been going through lately. COVID is still a danger, and shouldn’t be dismissed.
Laptop Stickers: Yay Or Nay? by Wouter Groeneveld - I have stickers on my laptop and I’m actually surprised I’ve not written about it.
Más cacharros que me gustaría probar by Adrian Perales - In Spanish. A post from Adrian sharing some neat tech he doesn’t have. I want him to have some of these though, what to do?
My Hobby Is Learning by Kev Quirk - This is what I enjoy as well, very well put here.
Here Is a Person: Enter the Tildeverse by Brennan Kenneth Brown - I really love Tildes, and this run down some of their history was very epic to go through.
Outer Wilds (2019) by Robert - I’m glad to be a part of this wonderful journey of making everyone I know play Outer Wilds.