So what’s “redwind” now for a fancy new thing here? Well, simple: My good old blog buddy Donswelt does this “rewind” thing for a good while now over on his place, and since I do enjoy reading it regularly, I thought: Why not give it a shot myself? Not only a neat idea to kinda keep an journal in terms of what I’m enjoying, but also maybe an effective way to motivate myself to blog a bit more often. Will that work out? We’ll see!
But it wouldn’t be me if I wouldn’t give it some proper name, so of course I named it Redwind. Listen, everything is named something something “Red” on my end, alright? Anyway, let’s get started with the recap of this first week into 2024!
Tech
Off to a good start, 2024 decided to gift me an inflating battery. Of course this had to be the one in my iPhone 12 Mini, and since I do *all* my stuff via Hotspot and an unlimited data flat – go figure. To be fair – with about 2-3 terabyte (at least) per month going through this little device, it’s kind of an wonder that battery lasted about 3 years in the first place. I guess you can consider me an “power user” after all, pun absolutely intended. Gladly, I was able to get it replaced with some non-official thing within a day (warranty is long gone anyway), and it also prevented me from considering an complete new phone. After all, the 15s rendition of the iPhones doesn’t offer anything much for me personally which would make me wanna spend a few hundred bucks, and on top of that they forgot to produce a Mini this time around. I for one am not going back to a huge iBrick in my pocket, so this will hopefully keep this little beauty going for at least 1-2 more years. Here’s hoping!
Cineast
I somehow needed a classic fix, so it was time for a fine rewatch of 95’s original “Ghost in the Shell”. And what can I say – this movie will probably always stay one of my all time favourites. I love the animation work, I love the art style, I love the characters, I love the story, I love, love, love the soundtrack, and beside being one of the most influential Anime of all time, the only thing left to notice for me: This is all set in 2029? Well, that’s not to far away, looks like I can soon just transmit my ghost into a machine and get rid of that ever-aging body. Future, here we come! Cyborgs don’t get migraines, right?!
I also picked up “Midnight Dinner: Tokyo Stories” again. Somehow started that series back when it was released on Netflix, but somehow also ended up watching just a few episodes back then. Right now these short episodes (just about 20-25 minutes each) are just what I was looking for and a perfect company to lunchtime and dinner. Often weird in the best ways, but always charming, I can’t help but feel I will miss this dearly as soon as I’ll hit the final episode. Really a little hidden gem on that platform, can only recommend giving it a shot if you’re looking for something bit off the mainstream.
Games
Who would’ve thought! While I did and do dislike “Zelda – Breath of a Wild” with a burning passion (it is the worst mainline Zelda game for me and yes, this includes Zelda II – The Adventures of Link), it only took roughly 315 hours and I just saw the credits roll for “Tears of the Kingdom” a bit earlier today.
And oh boi, this is truly everything I was hoping to see in BotW already: Not only a huge sandbox’y world, but truly living up to everything I could only imagine back in the day when I played “A Link to the Past” or “Ocarina of Time”. This time around also with the proper spirit, story and mystic vibe I personally expect to see (and *feel*!) in a Zelda game. From start to finish: I salute you, Nintendo, you really did deliver big time. Took me quiet a bit, but not in a bad way: I really enjoyed taking my time, getting lost in this world, messing around with the various mechanics and staying away as far as I could from any guides for the most part.
On top of that: Knowing that there is literally NO DLC planned at all? Lovely! This whole thing really feels like one, huge, wholesome package – there is nothing I personally would like to see added to it, this just feels complete in all the right ways. Kudos to the entire team behind it, it was truly a pleasure to experience this one for sure!
Music
In terms of my own production: Nah, I’m lazy. Didn’t you read the last paragraph? I just rescued Hyrule, I was busy! 😀
Beside that the only thing sticking out is still “Something So Good“, a lovely banger by NAIAD. Found that fine DJ just a little while ago over on Twitch while she was streaming some of her live sets, and I don’t know what it is exactly, but I just can’t stop listening to this one! So, still heavy rotation for this tune, ever since she put it out late last year, I recommend giving it a shot. This is truly ‘something so good’!
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