September was a busy month of living room renovations. I showed off the nook last month, and this month we repainted the room and had a new floor put in. There was a lot of heavy lifting, chaos, and late nights, but we’re so happy with it. It gave me a chance to reorganise my art and display some new things (notably some beautiful prints Josh and I picked up last UK Game Expo from Norwich-based Dwyn; left above the record player). Here’s some pics of what it looks like now, and a few in-progress shots.

This house has changed so much since I moved in. It’s now the longest I’ve ever lived in one place (five years this month). This is what it looked liked when I moved in, in 2020:

Now it’s so different, and so am I. It’s grown with me. Funny to spot what’s stayed – plants, some art, the mirror, the pets – and what’s changed.

Not much else got done in September apart from house stuff, which is the way it goes! I don’t know about anyone else, but I can’t focus on personal projects when there’s so much to do and think about. Being finished with the reno and settled in the new, cosy living room has put my October off to a great start.

GAMES

September’s GOTM is Vantage, a cooperative narrative roguelike board game where you’ve crashed on a planet and have to navigate around. The art is beautiful, the world building is cool, every game is different, and we’ve had a lot of fun with it. I love rolling dice, the randomisation is great.

Josh’s Vantage review: “8/10 Mysteriöse and enticing — makes me wonder what’s next. Roguelike fun — held back by open endedness a little, it can be hard to have a really satisfying game. But there’s so much to see, and the jump in / jump out is a huge plus.”

And of course, we played a lot of Castle Combo (which has had a small expansion added to BGA!👀). I’ve also had the pleasure of introducing Flip 7 and Fishing to some non-regular gamers, and as always they’re both bangers. Other notable plays in September include Daybreak, Hooky, and What Were You Thinking?.

MUSIC

September’s soundtrack was definitely the new Parcels album, Loved. Their last album, Day/Night, was more experimental (and arguably more interesting), but it gets very few plays from me compared to the rest of their discography. Day/Night is something you put on and really listen to, the whole way through, and whenever I do I have a good time, but… something about it doesn’t hit for me as a regular play. But Loved is Parcels doing what they do best. Groovy, fun, laidback, incredible harmonies. Big fan. Safeandsound and Summerinlove are my top tracks.

CREATIVE

September was a month of rejection after rejection, but hey, that’s the way it goes. I did start a writing course – the Cheshire Novel Prize Summer School – which is occupying my Saturday afternoons and giving me some of the basics I’ve never really covered before. So that’s been great!

Book edits also stalled in September due to the renovation. I have about 80 pages left of my current project and then I’ll have a complete third draft. I can’t wait, because I’m raring to go on something different.

EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH

GARDEN

I’ve started gardening at my parents’ house. They have a nice plot and a polytunnel which has all gone a bit out of control, so I’ve been drafted in to help. It’s been really good fun, not something I’m super experienced in, but I do love growing my own food.

LOOKING AHEAD

October is a month to get things back in order. Back to routines, finishing stuff off, and enjoying the turn of the seasons.

That’s all folks — happy October!