I find that every month or so I have different interests; different things I spend most of my free time doing.

These are the things Semiliner have been into during the month of July.

1. The Sims 2

At the end of June, I got myself a Razer Blade 15 which now allows me to play games (since my Alienware had died about 2 years ago). I have a MacBook Air but I only use it for light things like surfing, chatting, and stuff that I can’t do on my phone or tablet.

NOW I CAN FINALLY PLAY SIMS. Oh. My. God. This is the single most important computer game to me. I’d amassed the entire collection in CDs back in the day (I was still a young teen so I saved up my allowance for that shit). I even trawled Amazon/eBay to get the expansion packs I could not find here.

So I set up the Windows 10 compatible game on my new Razer and I am just so happy. This is like wish fulfillment.

I know Sims 3 and 4 are out and they’re all spiffy and good but Sims 2 just brings it for me. It’s everything that I need without additional facets causing more problems. The animations are better; I’m more used to the navigation and game bar; I’m familiar with it; I don’t have to care so much about the social interactions… or maybe I just don’t do well with change?

Either way I have been playing Sims 2 almost every single day in July. Not to mention the million hours I have thus far spent on downloading mods. My current count is 3GB of mods excluding sims2pack files (residential/community lots). I combed through MTS page by page and I’m not even halfway - page 360 out of 6212. I also got mods from the odd external website here and there like TSR or Simbiology.

I should add a Sims 2 shortcut to my Steam library so I can see how many hours I’ve played… and yes, I know my laptop specifications are way above what is required for Sims but IDGAF. I need great specs.

My Razer Blade 15: RTX 2070 | 10th Gen i7 Intel Core | 144Hz | 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD ($3,299)

2. Cheetos

I have always loved Cheetos Crunch (not puffs, not paws). These are the ones that look like Twisties (or corn turds, if you will). Definitely my favourite corn chip/snack.

My mum was generous and kept replenishing my stash whenever possible - which isn’t often. For some reason, I have unpopular (or extremely popular?) taste in snacks. My favourite corn chip and my favourite potato chip (Lorenz Naturals Original) are just never anywhere to be found! Cheetos puffs? Cheetos Paws? Always in stock. Naturals Rosemary? Naturals Cheddar? Always in stock. But not my Chosen Ones.

I have consumed probably 4-5 bags this month. For me, that’s a lot. I usually have the Cheetos after dinner and usually finish about 1/3 of it. This is a lot for me because I used to have maybe one bag every few months? Damn son, this Covid-19 got me pear-shaped.

3. Survivor

Admittedly, this has been going on since June. For some reason one day I decided to watch Survivor (US) chronologically all the way back from Season 1. As I am writing this, I’m midway through Season 27 (Blood vs Water).

I know, I’m tearing through these episodes but it’s so damn addictive. My all-time favourite is Cochran and his winning season is my favourite season not only because he won but because the entire cast was just a ball of fun and awesomeness (besides Sherri). I’m glad I do have a small group of friends who have watched many Survivor seasons and know what I’m talking about most of the time because at least I have someone to flood with my comments/rantings/analyses as I go.

I just wish I had the patience (read: non-laziness) to find and consume the interviews (especially with Rob Cesternino!) and Ponderosa videos.

4. McDonald’s

Along the same vein, unhealthy eating has become quite a friend this month with my rekindled fondness of McDonald’s. More specifically, their McWings. My go-to meal now is a 4PC McWings meal with a large fries upsized with iced Milo, plus a hot fudge sundae with extra fudge. Tell me that isn’t double the amount of calories I consume a day (like 1,500 or less considering I only get up to walk to the bathroom or to the living room for meals).

The best part is that I don’t even eat/like spicy food. So while I do scarf down the fries and Milo like a Survivor contestant in order to ease the spice, I love it - all of it. That’s very rare for me when it comes to spicy foods.

I might become McWing shaped - whether you choose drumette or the wingette.

5. BONUS Liner’s Obsession: Cocktails

Liner has recently gotten back into cocktails and resumed reading Cocktail Codex: Fundamentals, Formulas, Evolutions. He has set out to try the 6 root drinks and is, as usual, Master Science-ing it in the sexiest ways. Next step: Buy a good shaker and MAKE them. His home is rather alcohol-barren besides his own Whiskey stash so he is welcome to come over and dig into my family’s very (un)healthy alcohol supply.

As is clear from my obsessions, I’m an avid consumer of entertainment and food - I am by self-admission a glutton. Liner tends to be more about the learning and development. Complementary, I like to think.

At least this month’s obsessions are not as bad for my body (although I guess Cheetos and McD’s are debatable). Last month, I was so entrenched in the world of Animal Crossing: New Horizons that my poor posture (lying on my tummy with my weight primarily on my elbows) literally gave me tendinitis in my right shoulder. Spent almost $500 on a few sessions of physiotherapy to get my shoulder back “on the mend” but that’s alright I missed my physiotherapist anyway. He’s a real cool guy and I used to go to him for my knee(s). I’d go back to him for anything that needs physio, no doubt.

Peace out!

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