C’est pourquoi, j’ai sauté sur l’occasion quand elle m’a mentionné vouloir prendre un dernier dîner avec moi la semaine prochaine avant son départ. Techniquement parlant, je n’ai qu’une demi-heure de repas, mais je pense que je peux négocier facilement une extension. Je pourrais probablement aussi le faire sans aviser mes supérieurs – surtout si ma gestionnaire n’est pas au bureau cette journée-là. LOL

D’ailleurs, Swiss Miss a porté à mon attention quelque chose de bizarre à propos de ma gestionnaire et voisine occasionnelle de cubicule. Il semble qu’elle a décidé de réserver sa “place légitime” pour les 2 prochaines semaines. Même s’il serait possible qu’elle se trouve à venir au bureau 5 jours sur 5, au lieu du 3 jours qui est présentement requis pour les employés non-syndiqués, je pense probablement qu’elle fait cela pour empêcher que sa place soit utilisée par quelqu’un d’autre. J’en aurai le cœur net la semaine prochaine. À ce compte là, peut-être que cela serait plus facile de faire rentrer les gens 5 jours / semaine si on est rendu à avoir un comportement similaire. La prochaine étape va être de laisser une serviette de plage à la place.

D’un autre côté, comme cette place se trouve juste en face la mienne, c’est probablement celle qui m’affecte le moins d’un point de vue “feng shui”, aussi paradoxal que cela puisse paraître.

Today’s MtG Tarot is BOROMIR, WARDEN OF THE TOWER

Feels like: Thoughtful

Playing on CJFL: Rendez-Vous À Montréal – Pierret Beauchamp

In all seriousness (hum!), I find the cosmic juxtaposition of having one of the unhinged characters is just coincidence but I admit I like it, even though I have no intent (at this time) to explore it further. If nothing else, this might provide a way for me to sprinkle RPG-related content in an otherwise completely mundane setting.

In the meantime, it’s been another hectic week at work so far for yours truly. I have so many official and off-the-books assignments that my loyalties are seriously conflicted (or they would be were my cynicism not protecting me) as their mutually exclusive in their resolution. Add the fact that my name is being added to the number of projects that are due to launch while I am on vacation is now greater than zero and is steadily climbing, despite the fact I already flagged my boss about the issue, and one can appreciate welcoming the Merc with a mouth for spiritual guidance.

Meanwhile, in Minnesota, the debacle of Trump’s ICE stormtroopers continues. With the exile/”demotion” of Greg Bovino, the mounting pressure put on Kristi Noem, even from people on the Republican sides (Noem is already parroting the Nuremberg defense), Mango Mussolini has begun mentioning that they will “de-escalate” their actions in Minneapolis. Of course, this might be just a smoke-and-mirrors act as they are probably taking the shit show to another locale, it’s still a victory (albeit a Pyrrhic one) for the Good Guys.

And with the news that ICE is being sent to Italy for the Winter Olympics to provide “support” to the US Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, the tour is going international. Sending the brownshirts to protect the likes of Vance and Rubio will surely bring prestige to the whole affair. Reading that the support of the European Far-Right, which had welcome the re-election of Trump last year, is now cooling off as recent actions like the threats to take over Greenland clash with their pro-nationalistic ideals. Sad!

Today’s MtG Tarot is FARAMIR, FIELD COMMANDER Hmm, Faramir is an interesting character, not as famous or front of the center as the others, he is one of the few to resist the Ring’s allure. I guess this is the Fates telling me not to give in to my Ryan Reynolds side.

Feels like: Bitchy

Playing on CJFL: Giulani – Serenade Op. 127 – Nora Shulman & Norbert Kraft

While playing the game, While playing the game, I have sometimes have to take into consideration whether embracing true randomises is the best policy? Take for exemple, the case of my first leading writing prompt for the new cycle I started at the end of last year. with a mix of inclement weather and public transit woes, I had to repurpose my planned walkabout and instead use the rather limited ressources at BigMediaCo, and even the web was off-limits. I thought that stumbling upon one of those self-serve book depository hoping to find something I could salvage.

Much to my dismay, the best I could come up with is some Pop Psychology Junk, which puts me in quite the conundrum. Since it’s a work-related source, I feel compelled to be drawn towards a Severance-inspired story, especially since the RPG-related elements are few (at least for now) could easily be explained as symbols and cyphers. What is particularly fitting is that, since I am using the company’s desk booking platform to “map out” the layout of my world, the luck of the dice has made my position surrounded by such uplifting items as “Havana Syndrome” and “Capital Punishment”, so one can see how I could milk the dystopia out of this….Heck, even my Burn Noticed story could be used.

To be honest, this feels a bit dark for me, I’ll still take a stab at it – maybe putting my data gathering to the back burner once again.  One thing is for sure, even if I end up focusing on something else, there’s a good chance this will linger until November.

Speaking of lingering, Mango Mussolini is still in the news. First my summoning the “Legion of Doom”, er I mean the “Board of Peace” with a who’s who of despots and totalitarians, but he took the time to tell the Swiss that they would be speaking German, if not for the US in WWII (sigh) and belittling the support (and sacrifice) the rest of NATO provided when the Afghanistan campaign (rich, coming from a coward). What a staggering contrast with the speech made the day before by Canadian PM, Mark Carney that without naming it, basically condemned US hegemony to the dustbins of history.

But it’s not all doom and gloom as I managed to visit the Montreal Auto Show, which boasted that most of the major brands were back, which was true, albeit with a very limited palette. Fiat and Alfa Romeo, for exemple, were folded in the other Stellantis brands instead of having their own section. Still, there were some nice looking vehicles.

From Left to Right, Allard J2X, Lamborghini Temerario, Corvette ZR1X, Toyota GR Supra, Toyota GR86 Yuzu, Mustang Dark Horse, Cadillac Celestiq

And a nice retrospective of Gilles Villeneuve’s career with replicas of his Formula Atlantic and Formula One cars.

Today’s MtG Tarot is MIRROR IMAGE Given my data anxieties, this is… concerning

Feels like: Awake (Ugh!)

Playing on CJFL: La Paix Sur Terre – Conrad Stéphane (Ugh!)

Add the fact that D&D Beyond was very sluggish and that didn’t help matters. On the plus, I did stumble on the custom 500 error message page for Wizards and I have to admit using a Beholder Zombie is probably accurate.

Add the fact that our next session will need to be delayed as it was due while yours truly will be sipping margaritas and one can understand how I feel blasé about the whole thing.

Today’s MtG Tarot is SCURRY OAK Not sure how a walking tree with a squirrel retinue should be interpreted as an omen but it might be a sign that I may be losing it. Better than the Beholder Zombie though.

Feels like: Happy

Playing on CJFL: Trés Golpes – Pa Eleggua – Jane Bunnett & Maqueque

Speaking of which, received an e-mail from HR, which I was expecting but not this early. Since I’ll start next month my 30th year at BigMediaCo (includingmy time at AngloMediaCo) and with the new collective bargaining agreement that came into effect at the start of the year, we now enjoy the same perks as our non-union colleagues that gives some extra vacation days upon reaching certain milestones (like, for yours truly, 5 days on each 5 years anniversary after the 10th). While, they become available only at the actual anniversary date (which funnily enough falls this year on my last day before my Mexican vacation), I decided to actually plan pre-emptively when I would end taking this extra week.

There is one wrinkle to this offer as one must take it with 12 months of it being issued, so I tweaked my usual method of picking my vacation time at random (which usually starts on May 1) to take into account the period from the end of March until May in addition to my usual May-to-May timeframe. To my surprise, the result gave me the week between Christmas and New Year’s, which is probably not a shock since there’s already 3 days that are already holidays. What is interesting is if I take this at full value, I might decide to use this so-called “Golden Week” and make a trip, which I have to admit would be interesting, even though it could be expensive. I will definitely ponder on this and will probably take into account where my other vacation falls on the calendar but the prospect of spending the Holidays in Tokyo is intriguing.

Today’s MtG Tarot is BASRI’S LIEUTENANT I find it interesting to have this particular portent. It could be that my skills will be finally recognized by my boss ?

Feels like: Peaceful

Playing on CJFL: Autoroute Sous La Pluie – Lwazo Sirois Et Le Dernier Rodéo

The weird thing is that I’ve been catching up more on the domestic side of things, with stories like housing developments being set up in Appalachia and other rural areas that caters to certain values, that are definitely dog whistles to “Christian” nationalists. Good to see there is some pushback from the locals

Somewhat relented but since I receive some books for Christmas, I started to read  Scott Anderson’s King of Kings, which chronicles on the fall of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and the Iran revolution. While I was aware of some of the details about the US’ role in putting Pahlavi into power and how the two countries where best buddies, reading about how this situation unfolded is enlightening.

One wonders whether how History would have if Khomeini had been unsuccessful and Iran had remained into the American’s sphere of influence? And yes, I had planned to bring this book to Mexico because I like “light” reading.

On a much lighter note, to usher in the new year, I ended up picking up yet another “mid-season TV show update magazines”. Funnily enough La Semaine‘s emphasis was geared more on returning shows than on any actual new content, which I wonder if it’s an editorial choice or a commercial one.

I have to admit that my TV watching, especially of the local scene has suffered lately (and to be honest I have fallen behind on Dimension 20, which is criminal) but I do like to keep updated if only not to feel behind if it somehow becomes part of the zeitgeist.

And let’s bee honest, this feels like a treasure chest for inspiration…

Speaking of New Year’s, I stopped by Bisou Bisou on the 31 to celebrate. I enjoyed a Pan-American Clipper (Calvados, Absinthe, Grenadine and Lime) which I had discovered at their sister establishment the Coldroom, when they had a rotating menu of “lesser known” cocktails (they even had the Batanga aka Charro Negro in that rotation.

As the night theme was Argentinian, I ordered some cod empanadas with salsa verde, which was not something I expected to enjoy but was actually great. After this, I returned home, watched the end-of-the year specials on Radio-Canada (Shout out to Infoman’s opening song from Lou-Adriane Cassidy who was definitely 2025’s It Girl.

Today’s MtG Tarot is CRESTED SUNMARE Sometimes the Fates are playing with a short stack. It stands to reason that I would end up with a Horse-related omen, given that 2026 is supposed to be the Year of the Horse, but come on!!!  There’s a saying in French about “Le 3 fais le mois” to say that the weather for the month will be roughly similar to what happens on the 3rd day. Hopefully, this does not apply to Geopolitical affairs for the coming year….

Feels like: Contemplative

Playing on CJFL: Pies Descaizos, Sueños Blancos – Shakira

The ice storm yesterday was a little less worse than expected but not without its load of drama, As I got back from my morning coffee run, I saw there was a commotion in the front lobby with someone laid out on the floor and covered with garbage bags as first responders were on the scene. Later on, I managed to talk with the security guard to learn that this was a man he came across as he made his round around the building who had slipped on the ice and hit his head. So he managed to be able to bring him inside.

Hopefully, the guy will be alright.

As for yours truly, I have  almost nothing to do today work-wise (yay!) so I will focus on some extra-curricular stuff that is work…adjacent.

Today’s MtG Tarot is TALISMAN OF INDULGENCE Given the timing, I see this a sign that I should enjoy the rest of the year, but at the same time, not go over the top.

Feels like: Crazy

Playing on CJFL: Philosophie Matinale – Stefan D

Au moins, je devrais être relativement épargné côté travail compte tenu que tout fonctionne au ralenti en cette période d’entre-Fêtes. Par le passé, c’était toujours un peu risqué de choisir de travailler pendant cette période compte tenu du peu de support, du fait que notre boss faisait preuve de “flexibilité” en permettant un nombre de gens en vacances plus élevé que permis et des risques élevés que les pépins s’accumulent, mais que cela soit par dessin ou par un heureux hasard, les ratios sont respectés, ce qui fait que j’ai le champ relativement libre – surtout qu’il n’y a presque personne sur le plancher (la seule personne ayant réservée est la même qui avait fait le coup la semaine dernière sans se présenter.)

Entretemps, j’ai pu travaillé sur ma prochaine session de collecte de données. À ma grande surprise, je suis en voie de non seulement rattraper mon retard causé par mon décembre cahoteux, mais je semble accélérer le rythme. On va voir si je vais être capable sur cette lancée. Pour le moment, je suis toujours à déterminer quelle sera l’entrée principale sur laquelle je vais m’appuyer comme inspiration, les dernières prévisions semblent continuer à pointer sur des sources profanes – reste à savoir si cela sera à partir d’un walkabout ou bien si le temps est inclément. je me trouverais à utiliser BigMediaCo comme source.

Today’s Pokémon Tarot is BOUFFALANT (STELLAR CROWN)

Feels like: Giddy

Playing on CJFL: Pocket Dial – K-Os

Work was unsurprisingly light with almost nothing to know – as opposed to previous years, BigMediaCo has no specific campaign for Boxing Day, to the relief of all the developers… and to yours truly. This gives me time to focus on catching up on different projects at work that I am not directly involved. And I have enough free time (and since there’s almost no one at work) to catch up on the news. While the chaos from south of the border is still on the background, I focus on the international front. Which is why, this item about a ferry capsized in Laos’ Mekong river. has jumped on my radar. Not out of morbid curiosity, but rather as a sober reminder that the Holidays are not necessarily a period without his dark spots.

On a more positive note, I now have officially started my new cycle and, even though I am still a little bit miffed by having to deal with my faulty USB key and the data I have lost,  starting anew does have some advantages.

For my entry, I decided to make a visit to the Northern Dungeon, which I consider to be a “satellite source”, that is a place with limited RPG resources that see so little movement of its inventory that I decided to limit my visits and consider the entries to be static. Meaning that I had not step foot to the store since… probably before Covid. As I am starting anew, I thought it would make sense to visit and survey the land, so to speak.

Have to admit I was surprised by my findings. Although 75% of the RPG entries I used from this source were MIA (goodbye Lone Wolf and Complete Fighter’s), imagine my surprise to see some relatively current stuff that I had not come across elsewhere. Even so, I decided to focus of adjacent sources and this is why I’m starting by using June 2025’s White Dwarf as one my source. The issue is focused on Khorne, one of the four Chaos Gods so it gives some “interesting” vibes (as long as it’s not Tzeentch, I can live with a little Chaos).

It will be interesting to see whether the other Satellite Store (The Butcher shop) is still up and running but overall, having a relatively lean but consistent source is always usefuk

Today’s Superhero Tarot is SHAMAN I find it oddly satisfying to have the Fates give me a Canadian superhero for the Holidays. Elbows up!

Feels like: Exanimate

Playing on CJFL: The Goof And I – Woody Herman

Ces petits inconvénients ont quand même donné quelque chose de positif car j’ai remarqué que dans mon plan de contingence / transition en attendant de voir si je vais pouvoir récupérer mes fichiers, j’ai constaté que j’avais négligé quelque chose. Avec tous les problèmes des derniers jours, cela n’était pas un enjeu mais j’ai quand même rectifié le tir. Considérant que je n’ai pas eu de chances (il faut dire que mon temps a été très limité) afin de résoudre l’enjeu, autant mettre toutes les cartes de mon côté.

Today’s MtG Tarot is MASS HYSTERIA

Feels like: Indifferent

Playing on CJFL: Sonate Pour Violon Et Piano, L 140,1!er Mvt – Robert Uchida & Philip Chiu