Category: AFK

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Digital Playground
February Edition by Rivers

Things Change…

I grew up on gaming consoles. It all started with the Atari and from there I had every console that came out until somewhere in my teens. I got distracted somewhere between roleplay and boys. What can I say. The Playstation 2 [I know, this was a long time ago] was probably the last console I was super active on [my favorite game was Area 51] until I came back around maybe ten years later. I had once been pretty adept at gaming, and I thought for sure it was something that I could just jump right back into. But listen. Games changed a LOT in a decade! I suddenly couldn’t figure out how to look around and how to move and how to fight and I got mad and threw the controller aside and didn’t touch it but here and there over the next few years.

Well hello there…

Aside from the intermittent attempts at different games, I was primarily a backseat gamer to others. I’d watch, I’d be interested, but if I took the controller I was lost. Then came Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. I was terrible y’all. I died to much. Like. Every two seconds. I couldn’t accomplish anything. Fuck boars. But somehow – it didn’t matter. The game was beautiful and I connected with it and couldn’t put my controller down. It’d been so long since I was hooked on a game I had completely forgotten that feeling. Often times I’d be asked, ‘hey rivers, what are you up to?’ and I’d respond ‘playing Kassandra!’ which is where I’d be for hours.

Over the course of the pandemic I continued playing, right through all the DLC and eventually beat the entire game. It was actually the first game I ever completely finished. I loved everything about it [even the things I didn’t love weren’t that big of a deal] – the story, the characters, the graphics – I’m certainly no video game connoisseur but to me this game had everything. I literally miss it. It is my absolute favorite game, ever, hands down.

The only negative that I found was the side quests were largely pointless to the main story and the grinding while utterly necessary for leveling and progressing was so distracting that at one point I literally forgot what the main story was.

The best thing was hunting cultists and I was sorely disappointed when the last one was killed.

I wasn’t a huge fan of the story attached to the Legacy of the First Blade DLC. It was very forced, there was no way around a series of events that I felt were unfitting for the main character – however, it does play in to Origins which is kind of cool. The best thing in this DLC was a new set of cultists to hunt down! I loved the Underworld DLC [have you seen my Underworld room? its based on this! shameless plug!] the design and story was absolutely perfect and I was disappointed to have to move on to Atlantis. Preceding the Underworld was Elysium which I felt indifferent about. It was beautiful, but the story was lacking and felt like a means to the end to reach the Underworld. Atlantis was beautiful as well and the story was a bit more compelling than that of Elysium.  

The map on Odyssey is incredibly expansive and I’m fairly positive you could lose days just sailing around the islands. The graphics on the water are stunning and the songs the crew sing are much better than in previous AC games. Battles on the sea are lots of fun and I have to admit I would get distracted hunting down pirates and cleaving their ships in half!

After Odyssey I went back to Origins but didn’t get the same ‘feels.’ I moved on to Valhalla – and while it’s a stellar game it doesn’t give me the same vibe either. There’s just something about Odyssey.

I’m told I’ll always have a soft spot for the game that got me back to gaming. And now I’m clumsily maneuvering my way through new games – still dying a lot – but occasionally making a badass move [often by accident]. Thankfully the people I play with are patient and enjoy the comic relief of my not-so-epic deaths. Even with the multitude of failures – I have found I really love grabbing my controller at the end of the night and playing for a while to unwind. Its okay to be terrible! Speaking of terrible – next time, I’ll tell you about the Phasmophobia nights!

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Boozy Travels with Rivers

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Did you know that Covet’s favorite drinks almost all include Malibu? I like Malibu. It tastes like the tropics and like sitting by a pool on vacation. Malibu actually advertises itself as ‘Summer in a Bottle.’ I feel like thats not only fair but definitely legit. If you’ve never had Malibu its a coconut flavored rum – but it also comes in strawberry, lime and pineapple. 

So when Covet was telling me about liking anything with Malibu it got me thinking – I’ve had it obviously in Pina Coladas, and I’ve had it in Coke – but what else is it good in?

Enter Google. 

So there’s the obvious Bahama Mama, Mai Tai and Sex on the Beach. Malibu is probably good in almost any tropical juice. 

But then I saw this…

Y’all know I love wine. By default, I love a good sangria. But a Malibu sangria? A tropical sangria? I never even considered that! That literally…never crossed my mind.

So here’s whats up – as per Farm Wife Drinks.

Malibu Sangria
1 Pound Frozen Tropical Fruit
1 Cup Pineapple Juice
2 Juiced Limes
3/4 Cup Malibu Rum
1 Bottle White Wine
1 Cup Soda Water or Gingerale

I haven’t tried this yet. But – I probably have to. I imagine its pretty sweet which isn’t necessarily up my alley, but I love the tropical twist on the sangria. If you’re someone who likes sweet wines like Moscato I would think this would be for you. 

Do you have a fun twist on an average drink in your repertoire? Hit me up with it – I’d love to feature it in the next blog post!

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Let’s Get Cooking

Recipes from ReVo

We’ve got another delicious recipe in from Care. Legit. Comfort food at its finest. Potatoes, bacon and cheese? Yes please!

Twice Baked Potato Casserole with Bacon

Ingredients :
2 large baking potatoes
1/2 pound lean bacon
3/4 cup shredded mild Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon dried chives
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 cup shredded mild Cheddar cheese

Directions :
1] Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
2] Poke a few holes into each potato using a toothpick.
3] Bake potatoes in the preheated oven until fully cooked, about 1 hour. Cool for about 15 minutes.
4] Place the bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on paper towels and crumble.
5] Cut a thin slice from one side of each potato; carefully scoop out the flesh and transfer to a bowl. Discard skins. Mix 3/4 cup Cheddar cheese, sour cream, milk, butter, chives, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder with potatoes. Spread potato mixture into the prepared casserole dish; top with 3/4 cup Cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon.
6] Bake in the preheated oven until just bubbling, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Categories: AFK

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Lets Get Cooking

Recipes from ReVo

A new idea was sent in and I have to admit I absolutely LOVE this one! Care sent a recipe which I will be sharing below [that looks delish btw!] and in doing so has sparked an entirely new section for Evolution Theory!

Everyone has a favorite recipe [or ten] and this is the place to share them. From easy weeknight meals to complex weekend cooking – sweet to savory and baked to broiled! Save a friend from the weekly meal rut and send in what you’ve got cooking!

One Skillet Taco Beef Pasta [sent in by Care]

Ingredients
1 pound ground beef, lean is recommended.
1 pouch Taco Seasoning or 3 Tablespoons of Homemade Taco Seasoning.
4 cups water
3/4 cup salsa
8 oz Velveeta Cheese
3 1/2 cups Rotini or any other medium Pasta

Directions

  • Brown ground beef until no pink remains. Drain the fat.
  • Stir in taco seasoning.
  • Add water, salsa and pasta. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat and cover.
  • Simmer for 10 minutes or until pasta is tender. Add more water if needed.
  • Once the pasta is cooked add cheese and stir until smooth and creamy.

Author’s Notes: 
If you don’t like Normal Pasta you can use Whole Wheat or something different. 
I used Whole Wheat and didn’t like the texture and flavor of the pasta.

if you need a recipe for the homemade Taco Seasoning:
1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/4 teaspoon Onion Powder
1/4 Teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon Dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons ground Cumin
1 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Black pepper

mix all together and Store in an airtight container. makes the equivalent of one pouch.

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That’s Just British…

Wit and Wisdom from Across the Pond with Russ

I feel reader, I let you down. I mean technically I promised and offered nothing but still. I wanted to give you a cheese roll experience and I failed. That is not the standard that’s just British sets.

So sadly Cheese rolling was still a no, so if you’ve come here expecting me to have somehow done the cheese rolling, you’ll be disappointed again. Sorry… this blog isn’t going to plan. However here is a video of the Master of Ceremonies (side bar how cool would it be to be a Cheese Master) rolling the cheese to ensure the tradition continues unbroken.

hopefully next year, muggins here will be running after the cheese.

So what can I offer? Well I have mentioned there other bank holiday traditions in my quirky country. And back in the day I did one of them. Almost 10 years to the day I’m going to recount, the time I almost became a world champion….

10 Years ago I was a very different person. Now I’m a below average cyclist, and a way below average runner. Back then I was 5 stone heavier and a crap rugby player. But me and friends were always up for a challenge and decided we would do the Tetbury Wool sack Race. So what in the hell is that Russ? Well Reader is held every year on Whitsun bank holiday, and you run down a stupidly steep hell with a 60 pound sack of wool and run back up it with said sack. Fastest wins. You have different categories. It at the time was known as the world championship of wool sack racing (other options are now available)

We had settled on the Mixed relay race. So two lads and two girls (one would go on to become a gold medal winner at the Winter Olympics… there’s always one who leaves the band for better things) I somehow was the lead out, which meant down the hill hand sack over. It was supposed to be easy and mean the more capable member could make up any deficit I build (they had a lot of faith in me) I approached this event with the usual commitment I had to training back then… I committed to doing little. And so I was not ready. But by 10:30 we were in the pub (rugby play) as we discovered we were the only mixed team! So we had to cross the line to win that was it.. World champion baby!

Except… the organizers felt we should have some competition… we weren’t bothered but they insisted. So a bunch of people from the British Army volunteered…. This went down like a lead balloon with us. Anyway we posed for a photo…

Then it was the start line. And the hill suddenly looked steep. I looked to see who I was racing. The man must have been 4 ft tall, but a Gurkha, a nepalis soldier, renowned for there endurance. Against me and well see in the pics what little I brought to the table.

The gun went off and I was winning, for literally a second. The fact I went early is irrelevant, but the guy was gone, while I looked like bambi on ice trying to balance the sack on my back, and stay upright… drinking was not a good idea. Somehow I made it to the bottom, my dignity and self-respect lagging behind. Handing over to the first of the girls who did a great job but the girl was fast and left our team mate for dead. Then the last downhill leg and the second girl of our team, the downhill skier just went for it, I literally saw a sack and  a pair of legs but she was flying with no fucks for her safety, there were audible cries from the crowd, as we walked back up to discover our final team mate had dropped the sack and we were disqualified, people were telling her that was the best run they’d seen.

And so I became a silver medalist (no medals were given) in a World Championship (it counts) If I do cheese rolling all I will get is some Double Gloucester!

Sadly no video evidence exists of our effort but you can see a video of what the event is like here:

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Boozy Travels with Rivers

First – a thank you!

A special thanks to Seven who came up with the initial idea to have a blog segment about different drinks from different places! To celebrate that great idea the first drink is Seven’s favorite – the Moscow Mule. Aside from being a delicious drink a key selling factor for Seven is the copper mugs they’re served in. I have to agree – those mugs are fabulous. Not only are they aesthetic but the temperature conduction of the copper makes your drink feel extra cold and therefore extra delicious all while looking about as cool as the contents. 

These drinks are super common and variations are available almost anywhere you go but to make the OG at home is simple…a long as you have the copper mug! Accept no substitutes!

Moscow Mule

    1.5 oz vodka

    4 oz ginger beer

    3 lime wedges

Combine vodka, ginger beer and 2 lime wedges in a copper mug and stir. Garnish with additional lime wedge. 

And now to a land far, far away…

Next we’re gonna travel overseas to Belgium! WT has a favorite cocktail there that reminds me of something that would be served in Florida. The Belgian Orange Blossom cocktail comes from Brussels – a mellowed out, smooth drink that WT describes as a not too sweet orange hard candy. This is her go-to when heading out on the town with friends, but as the DD she orders the virgin option also included below. 

Ready for a crazy alcohol fact about Belgium? You are required by law to keep a disposable breathalyzer in your vehicle at all times. They’re sold for around $5 in auto parts stores. 

Belgian Orange Blossom Cocktail

    3 thin slices of orange (peel on)

    2 teaspoons almond syrup

    2 oz. gin [or for a virgin option replace with 2 oz. lemon lime soda]

    1 oz. pink grapefruit juice

    1/2 oz. lemonade

    1 oz. seltzer water

    2 dashes bitters

Using a tablespoon, lightly crush the orange slices in a tall glass. Do not mash the oranges; just crush them enough to release a bit of juice.

Add 1/3 cup ice to the cup, fill with the remaining ingredients, and then stir lightly, keeping the orange slices at the bottom of the glass. 

According to WT, in the clubs they sometimes decorate the glass with candied orange slices and some fresh orange wedges. Sometimes they use other fruits to make it pop or floral sprigs. 

I can’t lie. I think I’m going to have to try this one at home as soon as possible.

Its all in the name…

A random drink with a name that gives pause

We all know at least one drink with a crazy name that makes you wonder. Every post will feature one random drink with a more random name. This time its A Short Trip to Hell. 

A Short Trip to Hell

    2 oz of peach schnapps

    2 oz of strawberry schnapps

    2 oz of wild berry schnapps

    1 oz of jagermeister

    8 oz of Red Bull energy drink

Shake Red Bull, peach, strawberry, and wild berry schnapps in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into glass. Then put Jagermeister into shot glass. Drop in the shot and drink.

Had any of these drinks? Love em? Hate em? Comment below! And if you have a favorite drink that you’d like to share I’d love to hear from you and feature it on the next post!