Gaming: One thing I don't particularly like about Tales games is the way there are all of a sudden a bunch of sidequests when the final boss is looming large over the world That is no exception with Xillia. Without Gaius to lead Rieze Maxia, Kanbalar is falling apart and sheeple are actually learning to figure things out for themselves. That's something wrong with the real world, too - idiots refuse to learn to take life into their own hands and need to be told what to believe and what to do (much like in Abyss). We rescued Dr. Mathis and a miner from a partial cave-in and the former is proud of how Jude has matured into a rational decision-maker. Balan told an amusing story of how a 5 y/o Alvin got wet paint in his mother's hair by making fake light-leaf clovers, then cried into it and got it all over his face (I don't know what those thugs wanted the clovers for, however). I also learned that King Nachitgal approved Rowen's engagement to Princess Carrie, the king's sister, but she was wiped away in the tsunami since, like a typical Tales princess, she wanted to heal/help everyone. There are also dangers with spirit arte use causing spirit clime change - it's not THAT we use it, it's how. The same applies to reality. While climate change is getting better (the ozone layer is healing) because we caught it, it would worsen if we went back to the ways we abused nature before. Emissions restrictions are necessary. China needs to get better at that. (Please no politics! We can talk about the science if you'd like.)
Other sidequests I did include killing another Devil's Beast, the Xerneas-like thing in Xalien Woods that stomped me in 3 seconds once before. Easy fight with higher levels. I'll go kill the one at Bermia Gorge next, which will be the last one given how I got ambushed by one at Helioborg and killed the one that asked us to put it out of its misery - I didn't feel guilty since it didn't suffer through poisoning itself. Speaking of poison... Isla is vile for what she did to Alvin's mother. Murderer. We chased her and she tried to kill herself, but it instead resulted in her becoming deranged. Bitch got what she deserved. She now has to live like Alvin's mother did... but thankfully she has a wonderfully nice guy as her fianc who still wants to be there to care for her. She spit out where Elize was found and I'm heading there now - I know exactly where it is and might have gone into that house before. I believe that's it. A LOT of juicy development for the supporting cast.
I will keep with the sidequests before I go fight the final boss.
Weight loss I had a little too much candy yesterday, but all I had was that candy, a bagel with cream cheese, and plenty of fruit. I survived. Weight is now down by five and a half pounds since the start of this topic! I have a long way (or is it weigh?) to go.
Step count was 14,000 yesterday, too. The weather was nowhere near as bad as anticipated. Awesome! Need to get 10,000ish today if I do yoga like I should... even if the weather is great.
Song of the day: I need some more Weird Al smiles right now:
Other things: -I am hoping to score a slice of the FMTB today, but I'll be making my own anyway since I have the dough. Farmer's Market tomorrow should allow me to buy tomatoes, basil, and fresh mozzarella. Will contact my cheesemonger to bring some for me (he's the only one at this market). -It's annoying how I get password change notifications for two weeks. Uh, I have plenty of time to change it. And it should be 90 days, not 60! -Have I mentioned my caffeine of choice is cold brew coffee? Black, of course. ---
