A few months ago, I was deciding between traditional photo apps and settled on Adobe Bridge. But then I reverted to Google Photos because I had started to lean back into a Chromebook. Yet moving my photo collection from my local PC into Google's cloud over time pressed me: I would soon need to subscribe to a paid cloud storage plan, and I would need to further cull and organize my picture files on my laptop. Then I snapped out of Google Photos. Bridge is the way to go.
A few years ago, when I started making my own role-playing video game via RPG Maker MZ, I discovered map-making software. These are like purpose-built "photoshop" apps for creating fantasy maps. How cool! I was interested but never ended up diving into them. Fast-forward to this month — the creative bug bit me again. Two cartography tools I found are Inkarnate and Wonderdraft. I must choose...wisely.
Well, I mulled it over. After my eyes were opened to Kobo, I decided that despite some greener grass there, I’m gonna stay comfy in Amazon’s pasture. The reasons are simple.
It's been over a week since I last posted. I've been super laser focused lately, building a new room onto our house, even taking time off work. I last mentioned it when I finished the framing. Now the exterior is almost complete! That's a gigantic milestone I've been pushing for. With that and the interior finishing around the corner, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. This DIY project will finally be done before long. I can't wait.
Not all gaming is with video games. My focus now is Xenoblade Chronicles X:DE on Switch. But last year for Christmas, I was given a new tabletop board game — I love it! Made by Keymaster, it's called, Parks. The original base game was accompanied by two expansions, one of which I also was given for Christmas. In early January, before I expanded the base game, I learned that Keymaster opened pre-orders for a new and improved 2nd edition. Coming in two versions, the best one is the deluxe Summit Edition; it was delivered to my house this week — yeah!
Serendipity is nice. I was having a date-night with my wife this past weekend. While eating pizza for dinner, we reminisced about how we went to video stores like Blockbuster and looked for a movie to watch on a Friday night. Sometimes we'd end up walking around the aisles, browsing for something that would catch our eyes. It was nice to discover new entertainment.
Well the big N delivered. Switch 2 is officially here, sort of. You can't take one home yet, but it's been announced and some gaming outlets have reported playing it. The Switch 2 Era has begun! Now we can start speculating on Switch 3, right?
Jason Journals lives...on Blogger! Going steady since 1999 (!), it hasn't changed in years, so what caused me to leave my newfound host, Pika, and rejoin ye ol' Blogspot? Good question.
On April 4th, 2025, I earned my first Skell in Xenoblade Chronicles X. YASSS! It was at 27 hours into gameplay time in the Definitive Edition on Switch. When I first played the game on Wii U, I was about 40 hours into the game when I was still trying to complete the exam certificates to earn a Skell License; I never finished. Now, finally, I got my first Skell. This awesome game just got even better.
It's April, and the Switch 2 should be fully revealed tomorrow - fun! I'm sure it will be really cool, but it must wait. I still have several great Switch 1 games to play and finish.
About two weeks ago, I decided to indefinitely pause social media. So no apps on my phone and no web bookmarks for Mastodon, Bluesky, and Reddit. To visit them, I would need to manually type the name in the browser search field. My reasons are typical; despite some minor benefits, social media isn't exactly healthy or useful. I figured minimizing this area of my life would free some head-space for better things (like blogging).
Over the past couple of weeks, I've been using my almost six-years-old Chromebook for blogging and web-surfing at times. Despite having half the memory of my phone, it's performing well for what it is, I'm glad to say. Who knew that after so many years and other computers, I’d be enjoying my old Chromebook again?
Last night, I fired up my new physical copy of Xenoblade Chronicles X:DE and played for over three hours. I may post my renewed impressions later. For now I gotta say that XCX:DE is definitely in my Top 5 RPGs and maybe even in my Top 3. It's one of the best, one of my faves for sure, just so good. And though the final ranking should settle once I finish the game, I think these high vibes will carry through - haven't even got my first Skell yet.
It’s Xenoblade Chronicles X : Definitive Edition release day! The Switch now has all the Xenoblades — awesome. I picked up the new XCX:DE from my Best Buy pre-order today along with the exclusive mini metal poster. To commemorate today’s release, I’m sharing my past posts that chronicle some of my experience with the series here and there.
Since switching over to an Android phone last Fall, I've continued to carry and sometimes use my iPhone 12 Pro for a few Apple exclusives. That lock-in is hard to fully escape; I was resigned to it. But months later, I've realized some things. Now it's time to make my journey to the non-Apple side complete.
A few days ago, I read John Gruber’s long post about something rotten at Apple. It kind of floored me. I think it’s the most critical thing he’s ever written about the Cupertino company. It took me a while to process it; I also read many follow-up comments around the web. Most folks, including me, generally agree with Gruber on this one.
With Xenoblade Chronicles X:DE releasing next Thursday — yes! — I thought it’d be a good time to talk about why the game is special to me. It goes beyond the fact that it’s a cool sci-fi RPG. I think it relates to my gaming experience as a kid. Let me explain.
Lately, I’ve blogged less. Why? I’ve been immersed in reading a loooong book, and I’ve been busy building a new room addition onto my house. Well, now I can say I finally finished framing it. The milestone feels good. Yet there remains much more work to do.
Buying refurbished devices can often save you much money and extend the life of “good enough” tech. My oldest son and my wife both did so this past week. This also caps off the recent rare bad refurbs on a high note.
Happy March, y’all! Spring is just around the corner… Last year on March 1st, I started blogging at Pika. So how's it going after a whole year? The relatively new blog host remains rock solid and has steadily added new features and tweaks. I enjoy blogging now more than ever. Also, I don't miss managing a website.
There's been chatter, if not mild uproar, on the interwebz lately about Amazon pulling the plug on downloading your "purchased" Kindle books. At first, I dismissed it because I have only ever read on my Kindles, buying books from the Kindle Store; nothing would change for me. Nevertheless, this news may lead to the Biggest Change Ever. It has caused me to seriously consider switching eReaders from Kindle to Kobo.
By default, social media is “opt-in.” But by the way our culture lives, it seems the opposite is true; you must join social media to be relevant or “in the know.” But as Gen Z-er Gabriela advocates, opting out of social media is a valid option. In fact, for some, it may be the only viable choice.
Fellow blogger, Brandon, recently posted on his journal a personal dilemma that is, I think, common, “Too Many Hobbies, and Not Enough Time.” Well, it’s safe to say he’s not alone in that sentiment; I feel likewise. And he hits an insightful mark too, pinpointing a key (first-world) problem. It isn’t so much a lack of time but something else.
Apple has announced its newest smartphone, the iPhone 16e, which replaces the old iPhone SE 3rd Gen. in its lineup. At $399 and finally $429, the SE was the “budget” iPhone that let you into Apple’s walled-garden without breaking the bank. But at $599, the 16e kicks your budget in the groin and says, “Get an Android.”
These days, most people manage their huge photo library with the default app on their phone: Google Photos on Android or iCloud Photos on iPhone. I did likewise, until recently. I took back control of my pictures, trying out Lightroom alternatives: Darktable and Digikam. I almost settled on the latter. But I ended up going with Adobe programs after all: Bridge and Photoshop Elements with Adobe Camera Raw. You might call it something like, "Lightroom Elements."
True wireless earbuds are a modern marvel of audio freedom. But they come at a monetary and usability cost. My blue JBL Tune 230NC buds are overall great, and they only set me back $50 on sale when I bought them. About a year later, though, they started glitching — ugh. It has worn me down over time. And recently, I was turned onto good ol' fashioned wired earbuds. So I decided to give'em a go. To sweeten the new wired setup, they come in vivid orange — yes! Do low-tech earphones sound like a smart upgrade?
As one who can't seem to not switch between gadgets, I enjoyed a recent long post from another switcher. It's someone who identified as “iPad-only” for many years but ended up back on the Mac.
Once upon a time, I used Lightroom. It was awesome. But that was before the Adobe cloud rained down the subscription model - thunderbolts, lightning, very frightening. Now there are alternatives that I'm checking out because I migrated my photo library from Google Photos (the cloud) to my laptop (local drive). The two photo apps in focus are Darktable and Digikam. The cherry on top: not only are they subscription-free, they're just plain free!
Well it’s Groundhog Day…again…and I’m enjoying my annual re-watch of one of my all-time favorite movies, Groundhog Day. In the spirit of the film and its repetition, I’m re-blogging my Groundhog Day post from previous years below. Enjoy.
Looking at cameras online this evening, I think wistful nostalgia took hold. What happened to the good ol’ days of going to a physical store and having no shortage of cameras to choose from? Pocket-sized, point-n-shoots, bridge cameras, DSLRs… Why can’t I easily pick a pocket camera at my local Best Buy that’s reliable and affordable…and just available at all?
8 gigs is not enough gigs. But 40 is. Last year, I wrote about my M1 MacBook Air running great with 8GB of RAM. But let’s get real. It’s 2025, and Apple’s raised its base specs to 16 gigs for new laptops, even the entry-level model. But since switching to a Windows laptop, now my RAM is at 40 GB, plus 4 GB for VRAM. Is that enough? Sure does seem like it.
Ah, the “Cloud.” That nebulous data storage in the ether. All my files…on someone's else's hard drive, far away. What could go wrong? I’ve relied on cloud storage for years, but now that I’ve got plenty of local storage in my new tech setup, I’m starting to revert to the simplicity of my files on my hard drive.
Skyrim is lauded by most as one of the best role-playing games of all-time. And I’ve never played it. Yet thanks to another awesome Steam sale, I now own The Elder Scrolls V, costing just $3.99 (it was 90% off). How could I pass up a golden opportunity to at least try one the greatest open-world adventure games ever?
Since getting an HP Victus, I’ve been enjoying Steam PC gaming more than expected. I haven’t yet put my finger on what, exactly, is different and attractive about it compared to Switch console gaming; maybe it’s more accessible somehow. But there are a few specific nice surprises I’ve discovered or realized more than before.
The new Nintendo Switch is coming out soon but the specs have not yet been revealed. How cool would it be if we learn there’s a cellular version? I want a Nintendophone running nintendOS or mariOS. Seriously, give me a Switch that has a cell chip, a phone app, and a messaging app (with Zelda stickers of course). I don’t want a smartphone that also plays games; I want a mobile gaming console that also telecommunicates.
Nintendo officially confirmed the leaks revealed the Switch 2 today, announcing it in a video trailer. Good news, the successor to the Switch is a Switch! It’s basically the same but bigger and better. The Mario company played it safe and kept it simple, all of which is smart. I predict the Switch successor will be a success.
Switching from Mac to Windows wasn’t hard. I had already mostly migrated to Google’s ecosystem from Apple’s. In doing so, I discovered that most of my iTunes movie purchases are also available on YouTube. But unfortunately, not all are; I don’t know why. Yet no worries because I also discovered that the Apple TV app I enjoyed on the MacBook is — surprise! — also on Windows. Plus one more thing: the Apple Music app is likewise on Microsoft’s OS.
Since getting a big ol’ gaming monitor and gaming laptop, I’ve been in desktop mode far more than laptop mode. But my external keyboard lacked backlighting and my mouse was too low-profile to use for long stretches — the kind where you’re immersed in a time-flying play session. Problems: No backlit keys strained my eyes; the slim mobile mouse cramped my hand. Solutions: photons and ergonomics. Say hello to my first peripherals from Razer.
Nintendo gaming is good. I have a Switch, and there’s a Switch successor coming soon. But for PC and some PlayStation and Xbox titles, I recently bought a gaming laptop, which doubles as a productivity powerhouse. Yes, I switched from Mac to Windows. It’s time to say, “Goodbye,” to my MacBook Air (M1) and, “Hello,” to my new HP Victus 15 as my main personal computer. Here are some of my first impressions.
After using the 2024 Moto Razr for two months, here are some of my thoughts on its camera system. Overall, I’m very happy with it. My most recent camera phone experience is with iPhone 12 mini and 12 Pro. The Razr’s cameras are more than good enough and are a reliable replacement.
What’s it like to use a modern smartphone that flips like an old-school one? Different. And it’s kind of weird at first. Coming from an iPhone to the Moto Razr, I’ll share some of my experience over the past two months. Overall, it really is like having two phones in one.
After using the 2024 Moto Razr for over two months, I’m happy to say it’s been solid, reliable, and fun. This is my first smart-flip-phone, and it’s the first Android phone I’ve used in the last four years. I was all-Apple for a long while. But my main daily gadget has become the dazzling orange Razr. If the flip feature leads to a premature demise (screen issues), then I’ll likely revert to a slab phone — but it will remain an Android. So “Hello, Moto.” And “Okay, Google.”
Alright, with 2024 in the rear view, it’s time to start fresh and new — Happy New Year 2025! There are a few things I’m looking forward to. Some involve gaming and tech. There’s also a huge DIY project I’m eager to complete. Most upcoming changes, especially one for my health, should be pretty good.