Give us the goods (good or nice things that have happened)

In light of everything and the world in general I thought it might be nice to have a place to post about good things that have happened to you lately, or is in the process of happening, or going to happen soon, or even something you've just heard about it in one way or another. No matter how small or large. Whether it's a good meal or something bigger like a new job etc. A cozy thread for some warm fuzzies is my hope.

For me the last couple days my 1 year old nephew has been enjoying watching me play Dragon Quest XI for a little while. He gets so rapt and then yells at the monsters which is funny and cute. There was also an issue I was having with a work project that got resolved this morning so that's one less thing to worry about. And today a channel I follow on Youtube, Food4Dogs, posted her first video in her project to show and talk about her DS/3DS RPGs and I've been looking forward to that.

So, what are some good things you've had lately?

Honestly, this is a great idea for a thread. Just a little hub to share some positivity. That sounds like a healthy way to balance out all the worldwide struggles and drama.

For me, it was my birthday a few days ago, which in itself isn't that great because I usually don't care much for my birthday and I hate being 27 specifically for some dumb reasons.
But I got some genuinely sweet presents from some friends and one that blew me away especially which just arrived yesterday. A friend I have only known for like 18 months now but grew really close to over that time sent a big ass package all the way from Michigan, USA to me here in Germany full of stuff we've talked about over the last year. It's fucking amazing and the trouble he went through to make it all happen genuinely amazes me.
Some people say "online friends" can't be "real friends" and you should never give out your address online but I disagree very much. This friendship means a ton to me and he's genuinely one of the emotionally closest people I know. Fucking love that dude.

- Matt

Originally Posted by: Cock

it was my birthday a few days ago

Hey! Happy birthday dude! I agree, online friends are as good as real friends -- I had the best time when a close online friend came to town and we spent an afternoon together irl for the first time!

Originally Posted by: Siver

1 year old nephew has been enjoying watching me play Dragon Quest XI

Yes! Get em young! I used to play Animal Crossing with the 2-year-old my mom babysat, playing games with kids is always so fun!

As for me, I recently got my first freelance professional (as in, for money) tabletop game design gig! I don't want to say too much because I'm not sure how much has been revealed about the project, but suffice to say that it's with a major publisher and my work will be out in November :D

For me, it was my birthday a few days ago

Happy Birthday cock! May your year be better than the number. And heck yeah on online friends. Mine are amazing and yours sounds like it too :D

Yes! Get em young! I used to play Animal Crossing with the 2-year-old my mom babysat, playing games with kids is always so fun!

Yep! He likes watching the title screen for Animal Crossing New Horizons too. I look forward to seeing what his first game will be when he's older. It was Mario and Kirby for my older nephew. There's no escaping gaming in this household.

As for me, I recently got my first freelance professional (as in, for money) tabletop game design gig! I don't want to say too much because I'm not sure how much has been revealed about the project, but suffice to say that it's with a major publisher and my work will be out in November :D

That's incredible. Congratulations! If it's okay to say is it a tabletop rpg or board game?

Originally Posted by: Cock

it was my birthday a few days ago

Hey! Happy birthday dude! I agree, online friends are as good as real friends -- I had the best time when a close online friend came to town and we spent an afternoon together irl for the first time!

Originally Posted by: Siver

1 year old nephew has been enjoying watching me play Dragon Quest XI

Yes! Get em young! I used to play Animal Crossing with the 2-year-old my mom babysat, playing games with kids is always so fun!

As for me, I recently got my first freelance professional (as in, for money) tabletop game design gig! I don't want to say too much because I'm not sure how much has been revealed about the project, but suffice to say that it's with a major publisher and my work will be out in November :D

As for me, I recently got my first freelance professional (as in, for money) tabletop game design gig! I don't want to say too much because I'm not sure how much has been revealed about the project, but suffice to say that it's with a major publisher and my work will be out in November :D

Congratulations, that's really exciting! Especially the first gig. Hopefully it gives you the momentum you need to advance a potential career. If that's the sort of thing you're going for.

I've done some freelance professional work myself (most notably on Star Trek Adventures), but artwork is not exactly my forte, so it's nothing I've really pursued. Though after toiling away in obscurity for ages, the money is definitely nice.

You want them goods you say?

Thanks for the birthday wishes, Siver and wrecks7!

- Matt

This morning, my son woke up AFTER 6 AM. It's actually like a miracle happened to us since we've had to wake up with him at 5h15-5h45 for the last few years, including days off and vacations.

This is like a "Post your wins" thread but not related to games and I really appreciate it. Great idea, @Siver!

@Cock, happy belated birthday!

@Wrecks, that's super exciting! I think the hardest part in most careers is the beginning when you still don't have a huge resume/portfolio, and definitely working with a major publisher will do wonders for your future. At least I understood that you're starting since this is your first freelance professional project, so correct me if I'm wrong. :P

@Tiamat, so this is what my parents thought when I used to wake them up at 5AM to beat King Bomb-omb every single day (my Mario 64 cartridge was defective and didn't save; I was too young to understand what to do so both my parents had to learn how to beat King Bomb-omb and do it every single time I wanted to play).

Personally speaking, going through the quarantine and staying mentally sane is an everyday win, as I struggled a lot with anxiety in the past. I'm also trying to wake up really early to work out since I've been eating a lot; it's a work in progress, but hopefully this will become a habit again. Professionally speaking, I'm working on moving to another area inside the company that I work for and it's being really positive so far; this is a long term project and will probably only happen after February, but I'm feeling super positive already.

Completed about 90% of a job for someone this week and it was the easiest process ever - usually there's a lot of back and forth and changes that have to be made and it's a bit of a process, but I literally talked to them on the phone last week and then sent them an update a couple of days ago and a final draft today - on both occasions they had nothing more to say than "awesome, love it". Might not seem like much, but it's always nice when a client is super happy with what you do, even though it's kind of expected that they will usually have changes they want made. =)

Completed about 90% of a job for someone this week and it was the easiest process ever - usually there's a lot of back and forth and changes that have to be made and it's a bit of a process, but I literally talked to them on the phone last week and then sent them an update a couple of days ago and a final draft today - on both occasions they had nothing more to say than "awesome, love it". Might not seem like much, but it's always nice when a client is super happy with what you do, even though it's kind of expected that they will usually have changes they want made. =)

Might not seem like much, but it's always nice when a client

Easy clients are a godsend and a smooth experience deserves celebration. May the last 10% go as smoothly

Originally Posted by: @Siver

If it's okay to say is it a tabletop rpg or board game?

Its a TTRPG! I'm sure I'll post more about it here when I can, haha.

Originally Posted by: @AlphaOmega247

Hopefully it gives you the momentum you need to advance a potential career.

Originally Posted by: @schiemann

I think the hardest part in most careers is the beginning when you still don't have a huge resume/portfolio, and definitely working with a major publisher will do wonders for your future.

Thank you so much for the well-wishes! I am absolutely a deadass beginner in the professional design realm, but I pride myself in writing unique tabletop sessions for my friends. The work feels effortless right now so I'm going to do the best I can with it!

Originally Posted by: @tiamat911

This morning, my son woke up AFTER 6 AM.

Sleep is a godsend, friend. I'm glad you got to enjoy it!!

Originally Posted by: @Siver

If it's okay to say is it a tabletop rpg or board game?

Its a TTRPG! I'm sure I'll post more about it here when I can, haha.

Originally Posted by: @AlphaOmega247

Hopefully it gives you the momentum you need to advance a potential career.

Originally Posted by: @schiemann

I think the hardest part in most careers is the beginning when you still don't have a huge resume/portfolio, and definitely working with a major publisher will do wonders for your future.

Thank you so much for the well-wishes! I am absolutely a deadass beginner in the professional design realm, but I pride myself in writing unique tabletop sessions for my friends. The work feels effortless right now so I'm going to do the best I can with it!

Originally Posted by: @tiamat911

This morning, my son woke up AFTER 6 AM.

Sleep is a godsend, friend. I'm glad you got to enjoy it!!

Very cool! I fell out of playing TTRPGs but my parents are heavily into and other family play. So I still wind up with at least passing familiarity and I still have an appreciation for it. Best of luck!

This morning, my son woke up AFTER 6 AM. It's actually like a miracle happened to us since we've had to wake up with him at 5h15-5h45 for the last few years, including days off and vacations.

A miracle indeed! Kids and sleep's like oil and water... Maybe this will become a new pattern.

This is like a "Post your wins" thread but not related to games and I really appreciate it. Great idea, @Siver!

@Cock, happy belated birthday!

@Wrecks, that's super exciting! I think the hardest part in most careers is the beginning when you still don't have a huge resume/portfolio, and definitely working with a major publisher will do wonders for your future. At least I understood that you're starting since this is your first freelance professional project, so correct me if I'm wrong. :P

@Tiamat, so this is what my parents thought when I used to wake them up at 5AM to beat King Bomb-omb every single day (my Mario 64 cartridge was defective and didn't save; I was too young to understand what to do so both my parents had to learn how to beat King Bomb-omb and do it every single time I wanted to play).

Personally speaking, going through the quarantine and staying mentally sane is an everyday win, as I struggled a lot with anxiety in the past. I'm also trying to wake up really early to work out since I've been eating a lot; it's a work in progress, but hopefully this will become a habit again. Professionally speaking, I'm working on moving to another area inside the company that I work for and it's being really positive so far; this is a long term project and will probably only happen after February, but I'm feeling super positive already.

I'm really glad the idea's appreciated.

so this is what my parents thought when I used to wake them up at 5AM to beat King Bomb-omb every single day (my Mario 64 cartridge was defective and didn't save; I was too young to understand what to do so both my parents had to learn how to beat King Bomb-omb and do it every single time I wanted to play).

Oh my goodness. Do they game or was that something they had to learn completely from scratch? Must have gotten good at handling him regardless.

Personally speaking, going through the quarantine and staying mentally sane is an everyday win, as I struggled a lot with anxiety

Definitely... sounds like you're doing well for yourself as much as can be. Hope things continue going well in your company

This is an interesting idea! As schiemann said, I like the idea of this alternate "post your wins thread".

1) I have an upcoming job interview. Too early to say the outcome of course, but it's always a win to actually get a callback for the interview.
2) The mosquito that infiltrated my living space must have finally died since I've stopped noticing new bites. That might sound a bit morbid... but who doesn't hate mosquito bites so this is certainly a good thing for me.
3) Most of you know that I've been steadily working on Shovel Knight+DLC and I have to say, I haven't enjoyed a handheld game like this in a long time. It's just been really fun and I'm glad I decided to try it.

I'm glad for the "wins" that you guys have had! It might seem minor to some but it can really make a difference to you. Sleep is a beautifully valuable, if sometimes scarce, resource and a smooth customer interaction is fantastic no matter what you're doing. Congrats on the gig @wrecks7, happy birthday @Cock, as someone who is attempting to keep up with in home exercise you have my support @schiemann, and I hope Dragon Quest XI is the first of many games you'll enjoy together @Siver.

This is an interesting idea! As schiemann said, I like the idea of this alternate "post your wins thread".

1) I have an upcoming job interview. Too early to say the outcome of course, but it's always a win to actually get a callback for the interview.
2) The mosquito that infiltrated my living space must have finally died since I've stopped noticing new bites. That might sound a bit morbid... but who doesn't hate mosquito bites so this is certainly a good thing for me.
3) Most of you know that I've been steadily working on Shovel Knight+DLC and I have to say, I haven't enjoyed a handheld game like this in a long time. It's just been really fun and I'm glad I decided to try it.

I'm glad for the "wins" that you guys have had! It might seem minor to some but it can really make a difference to you. Sleep is a beautifully valuable, if sometimes scarce, resource and a smooth customer interaction is fantastic no matter what you're doing. Congrats on the gig @wrecks7, happy birthday @Cock, as someone who is attempting to keep up with in home exercise you have my support @schiemann, and I hope Dragon Quest XI is the first of many games you'll enjoy together @Siver.

2) The mosquito that infiltrated my living space must have finally died since I've stopped noticing new bites. That might sound a bit morbid... but who doesn't hate mosquito bites so this is certainly a good thing for me.

Maybe it didn't die but left because it finally got enough blood to start its own family. Win/win, I would say.

- Matt

2) The mosquito that infiltrated my living space must have finally died since I've stopped noticing new bites. That might sound a bit morbid... but who doesn't hate mosquito bites so this is certainly a good thing for me.

Maybe it didn't die but left because it finally got enough blood to start its own family. Win/win, I would say.

- Matt

I'm willing to call it even if it and its progeny never return to see their unwilling donation supplier. 😶

abatage: I feel that! One of mine told me today he loved what I did a few weeks ago, and he's generally pleased with my work. My clients are usually pleased with my work, but it's nice to have one who sounds so relieved that he's found someone competent to do the work for him; it makes me feel valued 😅

wrecks7: My partner and I first met in an online tabletop community years ago, so meaningful relationships can definitely be found online!

I'm a programmer by trade and don't have much time for tabletop games anymore, but it's always nice meet people on here who make and play them. I recently got back into a (hobby) TTRPG project of mine that is nearing "completion" and I hit a milestone on it today that I'm proud of. I'm glad you can make money doing it, if it's what you enjoy 🙂

schiemann: Get a Wii U. Mine is basically a yoga machine when I'm not playing a game on it 😂 I think I've lost a few pounds from it already.

I'm really glad the idea's appreciated.

so this is what my parents thought when I used to wake them up at 5AM to beat King Bomb-omb every single day (my Mario 64 cartridge was defective and didn't save; I was too young to understand what to do so both my parents had to learn how to beat King Bomb-omb and do it every single time I wanted to play).

Oh my goodness. Do they game or was that something they had to learn completely from scratch? Must have gotten good at handling him regardless.

Personally speaking, going through the quarantine and staying mentally sane is an everyday win, as I struggled a lot with anxiety

Definitely... sounds like you're doing well for yourself as much as can be. Hope things continue going well in your company

My dad had an Atari before buying me a N64, so that was their first experience with 3D games, hahaha. I think I was 3 (or 6?) when they gave me the N64 and I really, really enjoyed riding on the Koopa Shell that would be available after beating the King Bomb-omb, so besides doing that for me every morning they also had to keep listening to the "star" music the whole day. As I grew up my dad started loving playing Star Fox and Yoshi Story with me; he used to work during the night shift as a doctor and sometimes he would wake me up at 6am to play with him. Definitely some good memories. :)

My dad had an Atari before buying me a N64, so that was their first experience with 3D games, hahaha. I think I was 3 (or 6?) when they gave me the N64 and I really, really enjoyed riding on the Koopa Shell that would be available after beating the King Bomb-omb, so besides doing that for me every morning they also had to keep listening to the "star" music the whole day. As I grew up my dad started loving playing Star Fox and Yoshi Story with me; he used to work during the night shift as a doctor and sometimes he would wake me up at 6am to play with him. Definitely some good memories. :)

That's really sweet and I'm sure they neeeever got sick of that 'star' music at all haha.

Our parents were gaming before I was even born, so it was just something I grew up with. There were games mom had no interest in, so dad, my sister and I would sometimes have game nights when mom was out doing school stuff. Often with the N64, though sometimes arcade-y things like Rampage on the computer. Multiplayer with Star Fox, Mario Kart, Donkey Kong, taking turns with Pilot Wings. Killer Instinct (much to mom's disapproval on that particular one...aha, sorry mom) and sometimes some rentals.

It's just always nice to me to see other people having those fond gaming memories with their parent(s) too

abatage: I feel that! One of mine told me today he loved what I did a few weeks ago, and he's generally pleased with my work. My clients are usually pleased with my work, but it's nice to have one who sounds so relieved that he's found someone competent to do the work for him; it makes me feel valued 😅

wrecks7: My partner and I first met in an online tabletop community years ago, so meaningful relationships can definitely be found online!

I'm a programmer by trade and don't have much time for tabletop games anymore, but it's always nice meet people on here who make and play them. I recently got back into a (hobby) TTRPG project of mine that is nearing "completion" and I hit a milestone on it today that I'm proud of. I'm glad you can make money doing it, if it's what you enjoy 🙂

schiemann: Get a Wii U. Mine is basically a yoga machine when I'm not playing a game on it 😂 I think I've lost a few pounds from it already.

Yeah it's the jobs that go so smoothly that you almost can't believe that there aren't any problems, but everyone's just on the same page =) Most clients are cool and even more are happy with my work, but there's a special bit of appreciation for those jobs where everything just jams together perfectly!

My son and I have been working together on a LEGO Haunted House (Model 10228 for those of you who are curious). It's a 2000+ pieces model recommended for age 14+ and so far, my six year old son has built 95% of it himself. He's always been way ahead of the other kids his age for that kind of challenge. I just find the correct pieces for each step and he does it all himself. It's a rather complicated build for him. Instructions are ~200 pages spread across three booklets. It's a fantastic activity to do with him. It's one of the hobbies we share together and we're having a good time. We've spent ~6-7 hours on this so far and I would say that we probably have 40% or the model completed.

This is presentation video done by the creator of that model...

My son and I have been working together on a LEGO Haunted House (Model 10228 for those of you who are curious). It's a 2000+ pieces model recommended for age 14+ and so far, my six year old son has built 95% of it himself. He's always been way ahead of the other kids his age for that kind of challenge. I just find the correct pieces for each step and he does it all himself. It's a rather complicated build for him. Instructions are ~200 pages spread across three booklets. It's a fantastic activity to do with him. It's one of the hobbies we share together and we're having a good time. We've spent ~6-7 hours on this so far and I would say that we probably have 40% or the model completed.

This is presentation video done by the creator of that model...

Whoa, that looks incredible. Impressive for your son and patience too. Can only imagine as he gets older if he stays interested. Do you put finished sets on display or do they get played with until maybe coming apart?

Whoa, that looks incredible. Impressive for your son and patience too. Can only imagine as he gets older if he stays interested. Do you put finished sets on display or do they get played with until maybe coming apart?

If I was living on my own, or didn't have kids, I would probably build a few models from time to time and display them properly. But now that we have toys all over the house and my son just loves LEGO and has many sets, we usually pull them apart for storage. That way, we can take them out randomly after a few weeks/months and he still has a lot of fon building them again and play with them for a few days.

This set is different tho, it's a big one. Given that we already have almost 10 hours of building time on it, I can't imagine how long it would take to take it apart. I'm sure he will play with it for a few weeks but we will eventually have to take it apart I guess.