My year started off with an unexpected health and fitness focus. I’ve been quietly working towards being healthier in a steady and realistic way that works for me since August last year, and what was unexpected about this was that:

1. I started calorie counting for the first time ever (and I hate calorie counting)
2. Usually, I don’t wait for the start of the year to make significant changes, I just do it when I need to.

So the timing and the method was unexpected, and I cannot believe I am writing this but it’s working. So far, I’ve already lost six pounds. I feel good and I have more energy each day. Why do I hate calorie counting? It’s because I’ve always been a believer in ‘Stop eating jam tarts and do some exercise, Paul’, and that’s usually been enough but day-to-day life sitting at a desk for work and then testing in the evening, coupled with simply being older, has made that simple mantra less impactful, so I reluctantly started calorie counting.

That’s the health part.

The next big thing I’ve done is test for all but two of these 15 days. One was New Year’s Day (I’m keen but not that keen) and another random day where I had to attend to an urgent family matter. Otherwise, it’s been all go.

What can I tell you of the games tested? Ok, so anything that I’ve posted on my social media (links are the icons on each of these pages, by the way), is fair game. I’ve finished testing S.C.I.O.N., which is the second title by Sausageware Games after their release of Knightmare last year. Old Skies testing continues, and I’ve even managed to fit in [Redacted] and [Redacted] and a Puzzle Post test; the latter being something I’m so glad to still be involved with. Puzzle Post were one of the first companies I ever tested for and they’ve been a genuine delight over the years.

That’s the testing part.

Stuff. There’s always stuff being added to my collections. Kickstarter project FLEA!2 landed on my doorstep. The sequel to FLEA! by Lowtek Games, this is the special edition but, aside from the gaming goodness included, it’s also another physical edition of a game I’ve tested and been credited for. Seeing my name in print never gets old.

A commission by my friend, a very talented and hard-working artist called irrezolut a.k.a. Joe Nicolia, arrived after a long journey from America. It will be part of a final collection that I’m putting together to remember my time in Destiny 2, and I love it. I find myself spotting subtleties that prompt a memory from the game, and for those of you who have followed me on social media for a while, you’ll know I’ve been collecting pins of in-game titles and adding them to a display. I’ll hang this artwork above it once the last title I’m earning (Slayer Baron) is achieved and it’s been delivered from the store. I’m so grateful to Joe for creating art that brings it all together and tells my story, and it’s exactly what I had in mind. I’ll add a photo, when it’s all in place, in a future 15 Days.

Writing about this is also a bittersweet moment for me because I’ve spent countless hours playing Destiny 2, with so many unique experiences, but I also know when it is time to say goodbye. There can be too much of a good thing and it can diminish my happy memories if I outstay my welcome. Destiny 2 was not without its issues but for a live service game spanning many years, it’s a remarkable achievement and I will look back upon my time there with sincere fondness.

That’s the stuff part.

Planning for 2025 has been fun. It looks like I’ll attend six gaming events this year, one more than I did in 2024. Of course, it all depends upon these events surviving and going ahead. I was disappointed to discover that WASD is no more. I had that one down as a definite. That being said, what remains are some excellent events so there’s a lot to look forward to, including meeting up with people I’ve connected with over the last year.

Writing has gone well but slowed significantly. I aimed to write 1000 words per day and I had stuck with that until the testing took over. I’m not sad about this because as each test is completed, so I find myself with more time to write. It’ll happen; I’ve no doubt about that, and I’m not going to give myself a hard time for not hitting my self-imposed targets.

And that’s the rest. I wasn’t sure what I would write about here so I went with whatever seemed to be at the forefront of my thoughts. I think that’s probably what can be expected, unless this naturally morphs into more regular and specific topics.

Until next time, stay safe, and thank you for reading.

Paul.