Sumo Stables: Managing a Fantasy Sumo Team

In my previous posts [Sumo Stats 1] & [Sumo Stats 2], I shared how I used AI to build a dashboard and why I wanted to dive deeper into Sumo statistics before our trip to Fukuoka. But data is only half the fun. The real goal was to create Sumo Stables—our own version of Fantasy Sumo.

If you’ve played Fantasy Football, you know the drill: you draft a team, track their performance, and pray for no injuries. But Sumo brings its own unique flavor. In our league, we aren’t just fans; we are Oyakata (親方 – Stablemasters) managing a portfolio of six rikishi (力士 – wrestlers). We generally use a name selector [wheelofnames] and the order will be 1,2,3,3,2,1,1,2,3,3,2,1,etc.

The Draft: Building Your Stable and Choosing your Captain

Every tournament, the stables reset. Each player drafts a team of six rikishi, split evenly to reflect the traditional Banzuke (番付 – official ranking):

3 East (東 – Higashi) Rikishi
3 West (西 – Nishi) Rikishi

Similar to the real Banzuke:

Once the picking is finished, you must nominate one Captain. There is a strategic catch: your Captain must be a Maegashira (前頭 – the rank-and-file wrestlers). You cannot choose a top-tier champion (like an Ozeki or Yokozuna) to lead; you have to find the value in the mid-ranks.

How to Win: The Two-Fold Point Scoring System

Unlike traditional fantasy sports where you just aggregate points at the end, Sumo Stables is about consistency and daily performance. We use a layered scoring system.

1. Match Scoring

Each day, your rikishi enter the ring. A win by a regular stable member earns 1 point. However, your Captain is your “power player”—a win from them earns 2 points. All losses count as 0.

2. Day Points

At the end of each day, we compare our match scores. The player with the most wins for that day earns Bonus Day Points that add to their tournament total:

1st Place: 3 Points
Tied 1st Place: 2 Points
2nd Place: 1 Point
Tied 2nd Place: 1 Point
3rd Place: 0 Points

3. Barnstorming (Handicapped)

A Barnstorm (全勝 – Zenshō) is when all six of your rikishi win their matches on a single day. To prevent the leader from running away with the tournament, this bonus is handicapped based on your current ranking:

If you are in 3rd place: +3 Points
If you are in 2nd place: +2 Points
If you are in 1st place: +1 Point

Note: If two rikishi from your own stable are scheduled to fight each other, that match is excluded from the Barnstorm calculation.

4. Tournament Bonuses

On the final day (Day 15), extra Bonus Day Points are awarded to stables holding the top achievers:

Tournament Winner: +3 Points
Prize Winner (Technique, Fighting Spirit, etc.): +1 Point
Kinboshi (金星 – A Maegashira defeating a Yokozuna): +1 Point
Winning Record (Kachi-koshi) per rikishi: +1 Point

Jan 2026 - Sumo Stable Google Sheet

Google Sheet - Jan 2026

Trading: The High-Stakes Marketplace

Trading can occur regardless of whether a rikishi is injured. Our league allows for two types of movement:

Free Agent Trades: On Day 6 and Day 11, players can drop a wrestler and pick up any “Free Agent” (a rikishi not currently in any other player’s stable). This is also the only time you can change your Captain.
Player-to-Player Trades: You can negotiate trades between stables at any time before the start of a day’s bouts.

Replacements: Handling Kyūjō (休場)

Sumo is a physical sport, and injuries—or Kyūjō (休場 – absence)—happen. If your rikishi is injured, the rules are automatic:

You take the loss for that day (unless it is a fusenshō victory).
You then automatically take on the “Replacement Rikishi” (usually the highest-ranked wrestler in the division below, such as Juryo #1).
Once you have the replacement, you can trade them for a Free Agent on any day following the injury.

Part 2: The Fukuoka Forecast; Using Data for Stable Strategy

With the Sumo Stats dashboard in hand, our draft wasn’t just about picking names we recognized—it was about portfolio management. The data allowed us to spot the “Back-end Bandits” (rikishi who dominate the final week) versus those who start strong but burn out quickly. This insight is crucial for our trade windows on Days 6 and 11; if a wrestler’s performance trend is dipping, we swap them for a fresh Free Agent.

Another strategic layer was managing “In-fighting.” Because matches between your own stable members don’t count toward a Barnstorm bonus, we used the dashboard to ensure a varied draft. By picking rikishi across different rank clusters, we minimized the chances of our own team knocking each other out of bonus contention, ensuring maximum consistency across the 15 days.

Part 3: Showdown in Fukuoka; Who Won?

The competition wasn’t just digital. We headed to Fukuoka to witness the action live, managing to secure tickets for Days 6 and 7. There is nothing like the atmosphere of a live Basho, and we even managed to snag some shots with the “big dogs” like Takerufuji.

In the end, the inaugural Sumo Stables title came down to a nail-biting final day between Leighlan and me. Leighlan had been the model of consistency, racking up Day Points throughout the tournament. On the final Sunday, Aonishiki and Yoshinofuji secured me a mountain of bonuses, bringing the score within a hair’s breadth. But alas, no Chanpon (the celebratory feast) for me this time—Leighlan held on for the win.

Poor Joe, on the other hand, picked such a disastrous draft that he became the inspiration for our new Handicap Barnstorm rule. We realized that if someone falls as far behind as Joe did, they need a serious “catch-up” mechanic to keep the group chat interesting!

Conclusion: Refined in the Ring

Since this was our first official Sumo Stables match, we were essentially building the plane while flying it, making several rule changes on the fly. However, the experiment was a massive success. The combination of Python-driven data, a custom Google Sheets engine, and the raw energy of the Fukuoka tournament transformed us from casual observers into obsessed Oyakata (even the tour guide didn’t have the knowledge we had!). We’ll be back for the next tournament—sharper, data-richer, and ready for the draft.

Huge spoilers ahead….

One Piece Solved – The Final Theory: Global Union

👑 One Piece Solved – The Final Theory: Global Union

The final answer is not gold, nor treasure, but a ‘planetary reset manual’. The Elbaf Mural confirmed the war; this theory explains the mechanism of the world's rebirth.

For 800 years, the World Government has perpetrated the greatest crime in history. The One Piece is the knowledge needed to undo that crime and complete Joy Boy's promise. For 25+ years, I have been watching One Piece and only now have things started making sense for me to share with you.

I. The Solution: The "One Piece" World

The "One Piece" is not a treasure chest. It is a single, singular entity achieved by combining three elements, restoring the world to its original state:

Unity of the Seas (The All Blue): The destruction of the Red Line merges all four seas and the Grand Line into a single, contiguous ocean, fulfilling Sanji’s dream.
Unity of the Land & Peoples: The removal of the massive, artificial barriers makes all lands accessible and functionally connected, ending the isolation that breeds slavery and discrimination. This allows the Fish-Men to rise to the surface.
The Knowledge: The blueprints and prophecy left by Joy Boy on Laugh Tale explaining how to achieve this geographical revolution.

Concept art showing the All Blue vision.

II. The History: Sun Gods, Sea Gods, and the Clan of Dreamers

The foundation of the World Government lies in the Void Century (900–800 years ago)—an elemental war between two opposed ideals:

The Ancient Kingdom (The Will of D.)	The 20 Kings (The Celestial Dragons)
Figurehead: Sun God Nika (Joy Boy), symbol of freedom and imagination.	Figurehead: Imu (Umi), the hidden ruler, an anagram for the Japanese word for "Sea."
Ideology: Liberty, shared knowledge, and dreams. The "D" Clan were the Dreamers who willed the first Devil Fruits into existence.	Ideology: Control, slavery, and stagnation. Imu represents the Sea’s wrath—the element that hates Devil Fruits and strips users of their freedom.

The Betrayal and the Savior

The 20 Kings were rulers of independent nations. When they formed the World Government:

19 Kings abandoned their people and moved to Mary Geoise. The Nefertari D. Family was the only one to refuse.
Queen Nefertari D. Lily chose her people over godhood and is the true hero who scattered the Poneglyphs to preserve the truth for the future.

III. The Crime: The Great Division and Imu’s Immortality

The 20 Kings won the war by committing a planetary act of geo-engineering:

The Red Line Construction: They built the massive Red Line, which displaced the global ocean, causing a devastating Global Flood that drowned the Ancient Kingdom (evidenced by the underwater Old Wano).
The Evidence: The massive hole under Enies Lobby is a scar of the earth-shattering weapons used. Furthermore, the Celestial Dragons wear scuba gear/spacesuits—visual proof they prepared for the water-world they created.
Imu's Eternal Rule: Imu survived by achieving immortality (likely via the Ope Ope no Mi’s Perennial Youth Operation). The Empty Throne is a symbol that no one rules, masking the reality that the same immortal tyrant has ruled for 800 years.

Image showing the current Wano Country on the surface.

Image showing Enies Lobby's hole and a destructive force reference.

IV. The Bridge: Gol D. Roger and the Call to Arms

Roger found the One Piece, the truth of the Void Century, and the necessary plan, but he couldn't execute it:

The Timing: Roger was terminally ill and discovered the "Two Sovereigns" prophecy. He was 20 years too early because the new Poseidon (Shirahoshi) had not yet been born.
The Martyrdom: His public execution was a calculated act to become a martyr and energize the world’s most determined spirits to find the knowledge and finish the plan he couldn't.

V. The Execution: The Trinity of Ancient Weapons

The plan requires a coordinated, planet-altering strike. The One Piece is the knowledge that explains how to activate the necessary Trinity of Weapons:

Weapon	Domain	Function in the Final Plan
Pluton	Land/Earth	The ultimate warship (Wano). Needed as the destructive force to physically breach and level the Red Line.
Poseidon	Sea/Water	The Mermaid Princess (Shirahoshi). Needed to command the Sea Kings to stabilize the massive oceans and rescue people during the cataclysm.
Uranus	Sky/Atmosphere	The weapon of the skies (Likely related to Moon/Fairy Vearth technology). Needed to counter Imu’s power and control the atmosphere and global weather chaos after the Red Line is destroyed.

VI. The Wildcards: The Final Factions

Luffy and Imu are not alone. The final act involves powerful forces vying for the future:

Shanks (The Double Agent): By blood, he is a Figarland (Celestial Dragon lineage), but by heart, he carries the Will of D. He is the ultimate Gatekeeper, ensuring the world stayed stable until Nika (Luffy) was ready.
Monkey D. Dragon (The Storm): Dragon leads the Revolutionary Army. His role is to initiate the Initial Breach and Diversion on the Red Line to draw out Imu's forces, allowing Luffy’s fleet to execute the main strike.
Blackbeard (The Chaos): He represents the Void. While Luffy is the Sun and Imu is the Sea, Blackbeard is the destructive singularity. He is racing for the Ancient Weapons to bring about his own chaotic end.
Sun Tree Eve (The Life Support): This colossal tree was likely engineered by Joy Boy's allies to sustain the Fish-Men civilization by channeling light and oxygen 10,000m underwater after the Global Flood. The successful execution of the One Piece plan (dropping sea levels) will make the tree obsolete, leaving it as a monumental symbol of oppression overcome.

Conceptual art of Blackbeard, Shanks, and Dragon.

Conclusion: The Dawn

The evidence is overwhelming. The One Piece is not a battle for gold or treasure, but who can control the planet's destiny.

Roger laughed because he saw the funny story of a man who was 20 years too early but set the perfect stage for his successor.

"Inherited Will, The Flow of Time, and The Dreams of People—as long as people yearn for freedom, these things will never cease!"

Luffy is the embodiment of that yearning. His final adventure isn't about finding the treasure; it's about using it to tear down the repression of the World Government and Nobles System this will then unite the world, Seas, peoples and cultures.

What do you think? Does the scuba gear theory convince you? Let me know in the comments!

From Finance Analyst to Sumo Data Master: Building a Sumo Dashboard for the Fukuoka Tournament

TLDR: I’m a finance analyst who knew zero Python, but I used Gemini to write all the code, connect to a public Sumo API, and build a clean, simple data dashboard called Sumo Stats. I made it so my friends and I can analyze unique stats—like how small rikishi beat giants but lose to mid-weights—before our trip to the Fukuoka Grand Tournament!

The Arena of Inspiration: Why I Built a New Sumo Dashboard

As a Finance Analyst, I live in spreadsheets, pivot tables, and dashboards. My world is about taking complex data, finding the patterns, and presenting a clear story. Recently, my interest shifted from quarterly earnings to rikishi (Sumo wrestlers).

This November, my friends and I are heading to Japan to see the final Grand Sumo Tournament (Basho) of 2025 in Fukuoka! We’ve all recently gotten hooked on the sport, and naturally, our group chat exploded with stats and predictions.

I started looking for online dashboards we could use to easily track our favorite wrestlers and make informed predictions. What I found was often overly technical, cluttered, or just not user-friendly.

I didn’t need a complex academic tool; I needed a simple, clean dashboard that anyone in our group could use to see the unique factors—height, weight, and winning techniques—that influence the bouts. I wanted to share something easy for my friends to get excited about, and I wanted to learn to use coding in the process.

AI: The Ultimate Code Shortcut

My biggest obstacle was simple: I had strong analytical skills from my finance background, but no way to actually obtain the historical Sumo data. The solution came when I found a public Sumo API. The data was available; I just needed a way to ask for it. I decided to treat this project as my personal coding crash course, with Gemini as my technical co-founder. I didn’t master Python; I used AI to write the Python. I’d give it the prompt: “Connect to the data source, extract the entire history of bouts, and save it to a CSV file.” My ‘Aha!’ moment came when I successfully ran that first major extraction, seeing thousands of bout records instantly appear in my Google Drive. The barrier was broken, and I knew I could build a simple, powerful tool for the Fukuoka trip!

The Sumo Stats Pipeline: From Raw Data to Live Dashboard

Using my finance background in process design, I structured the data pipeline:

Extraction: Python code (written by Gemini) connects to the Sumo-API and pulls the raw data as a CSV.
Automation: I upload the CSV to Google Drive. Gemini then helped me write an App Script that automatically imports and updates the data into Google Sheets, keeping the dashboard current!
Visualization: I imported the data from Google Sheets into Looker Studio (Google’s dashboard tool), where I applied my analyst skills to design the visual layout—simple, clean, and focused on our key questions.

Sumo Stats is Born! Unique Insights for the Fukuoka Draft

The power of this dashboard lies in the unique insights we can now use to impress (and probably annoy) each other with predictions during the Fukuoka tournament. Plus, these stats will be critical for the Sumo Stable/Draft we’re planning, complete with trades and replacements throughout the tournament!

Here are a couple of my favorite findings so far:

Height and Weight Match-up Dynamics: It’s not a simple case of “heavier is better.” I found that the small rikishi actually perform quite well against the very heaviest opponents, often outmaneuvering them. However, they tend to struggle the most against the medium-weight wrestlers, who seem to possess the perfect balance of mass and agility to counter them. This discovery proves that it’s not just about size; it’s about the match-up dynamics.
The Daily Bout Winning Trend: By analyzing daily win/loss ratios across tournaments, I noticed a fascinating trend: some rikishi are truly “morning fighters” or “closers.” Certain wrestlers do exceptionally well on the early days of a tournament but fade later, while others are slow starters who dominate the final weekend. Tracking these patterns will give us a huge edge in our Stable/Draft picks!

The dashboard also provides deep dives into Kimarite (winning techniques) ratios, allowing us to see which technical moves are the most reliable. We’re going to be the most prepared group heading into Fukuoka!

Your Skills Are Transferable: A Call to Action

I started this project to create a simple tool for a trip with friends, with zero confidence in my coding ability. I finished it with a live, sophisticated dashboard and a newfound appreciation for what I can accomplish with AI assistance.

This journey is proof that:

Your professional skills are powerful, and they are transferable.
AI is an indispensable tool for turning personal ideas into reality.
You can and should use AI to adapt the skills you already have to new challenges!

If I can use my skills in SQL, pivot tables, and financial analysis to build a sophisticated Sumo dashboard, imagine what you can build by applying your expertise to your own passion project. Go find your AI co-pilot, and start building!

Sumo Stats Dashboard

Welcome to the dashboard! This tool is designed to provide a comprehensive and unique perspective on professional Sumo, moving beyond simple win/loss records to analyze the key physical and technical factors that influence match outcomes.

I became interested in Sumo Wrestling recently and always enjoyed looking into the statistics and bouts. I saw some solutions for this online but never one that really was a good fit for purpose. I don’t know any code, but with the help of my good friend Gemini, I was able to build this dashboard. I have applied the skills in dashboarding (although I was unfamiliar with Looker Studio) from my experience as a Financial Analyst to visually represent the data and insights. I hope you enjoy! A full blog post to come on the effort and skills I had to use in creating this dashboard [From Finance Analyst to Sumo Data Master: Building a Sumo Dashboard for the Fukuoka Tournament]

A big thank you to https://www.sumo-api.com/ for providing a way for me to bring this to life.

Native link here: https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/22b652fc-0032-4890-b47a-142990181a6c

Full Dashboard

[Spoiler Alert] Stormlight Archive Books 6-10

Introduction

: The rhythm of my feet hitting the pavement has become synonymous with the voices in my ears. Running is my meditation, my escape, and often, my classroom. When people ask what occupies my mind during those long miles, the answer is usually podcasts. And within the vast landscape of audio entertainment, fantasy reigns supreme for me. It was a recommendation from a good mate that first introduced me to the monumental Stormlight Archive. From the moment I cracked open (in Audible) The Way of Kings, I was utterly and irrevocably hooked by Brandon Sanderson’s intricate world-building, compelling characters, and the sheer scope of the Cosmere. It felt like discovering a hidden continent on a well-loved map.

Fast forward a bit, and another friend, Leighlan, also succumbed to the allure of Roshar. Serendipitously, we both independently stumbled upon the fantastic podcast, Lost in Roshar. Listening to their deep dives into The Way of Kings, their insightful theories, and their palpable enthusiasm was like finding fellow travelers on this epic journey. We’d eagerly tune in, soaking up their analyses and then bouncing our own nascent ideas around. As the anticipation for Wind and Truth built, we decided to embark on a similar read-through experience ourselves. Every couple of days, we’d connect, dissecting chapters, sharing our reactions, and venturing down the rabbit holes of Cosmere speculation.

Key Takeaways from Our Stormlight Journey

This shared reading experience with Leighlan turned out to be more profound than I initially anticipated. It wasn’t just about discussing plot points or character arcs; it became a genuine point of connection. It stirred up a powerful sense of nostalgia, reminding me of those cherished mornings as a kid, glued to the television for the latest episode of Dragonball Z, and the immediate rush to school to dissect every moment with my mates. There was a shared excitement, a collective anticipation that felt almost communal.

In a way, I think the immediacy and solitary nature of streaming services have, in part, eroded this kind of shared cultural experience. While convenient, it often lacks that delayed gratification and the subsequent eagerness to discuss and theorize with others. Our Stormlight read-through brought that back – the anticipation between our check-ins, the excitement of sharing a particularly impactful scene, the collaborative brainstorming of “what comes next?” It was a reminder of the simple joy of experiencing something amazing alongside a friend and the richness that shared speculation can bring. This is definitely a tradition I’m keen to continue as we delve into the next five books (one day…).

Tin Foil Theories and Spoilers for Books 6-10

(The following section is adapted from an email Leighlan and I sent to the awesome folks at Lost in Roshar.)

G’day Fellas,

We are humble Aussie mates who independently found your podcast and have turned into epic fans. Your podcast has been an absolute blast to listen to. We both devour your theories and predictions, and the way you dissect every detail of the Stormlight Archive is truly impressive. Your enthusiasm is infectious, and it’s inspired us to start having similar discussions and ‘check-ins’ with each other as we read through Wind and Truth together. It’s been a fantastic way to enhance the reading experience.

Our Predictions that came (mostly) true in Stormlight 5: We’ve been reflecting on our pre-Stormlight 5 theories, and we’re pretty proud of these predictions that came (mostly) true:

Dalinar the Unmade: I will admit, this one was a big tin-foil theory at first. Dalinar would lose the contest, and Odium would make him the 10th Unmade. This would break the bond Honor had holding Odium to the Rosharan system. Book 5 would end with Odium being the bad guy of the whole Cosmere.
Listeners (Venli) taking up Odium’s power and that it was always in the shattered plains.
One that was an absolute failure: Syl was the author of Wind and Truth.

Stormlight Archive Books 6-10 Spoilers: We’ve been brainstorming some crazy theories for Books 6-10, and we wanted to share a few with you (brace yourselves!):

[Death Rattle] I climb! I climb the wall of grief toward the light, locked away above! I climb, the weight of my darkened twin on my back, and seek the captive! The light I love! I … Storms … the light I love! This relates to Dalinar & Blackthorn: This Death Rattle could foreshadow Dalinar’s internal conflict as he grapples with the weight of his past sins and the immense pressure of leadership. He may have to confront a “darkened twin” within himself, perhaps a manifestation of his past rage and violence. The “light” could be Evi, as he turns towards redeeming his past sins. In this scenario, Adolin, picking up Nightblood in Shadesmar (which appears “shiny” in that realm), regretfully finishes off Dalinar, ultimately forgiving him.
Connection to Scadriel: With Roshar in fast-motion and all other Cosmere at a ‘normal’ speed. Was this done by the other Shards to give themselves more time (as Dalinar had said)? Will doing this lead to a connection of timelines? The theory posits that Roshar is currently operating in fast-motion compared to the “normal” speed of other Cosmere worlds. This acceleration may have been intentionally orchestrated by the other Shards to buy themselves more time, as Dalinar had previously speculated. This accelerated timeline could potentially lead to unforeseen connections and disruptions across the Cosmere. Cultivation gathers the other Shards, but this unification leads to a split within the group, creating factions. For example, Cultivation and Harmony might align, while Retribution and Autonomy form a separate coalition.
The End of Odium: The other Shards may hold the Kharbranth people hostage to force Taravangian/Retribution’s hand. Retribution plans to double-cross his own coalition. Witnessing the ensuing destruction, Honor may renounce Taravangian and bring the power of Stormlight back to Roshar. Splinters of Shards, even after the Shards themselves are involved, retain a degree of independent power. These shards and their splinters might “unite” towards a common goal. They could potentially “pause” or distract Odium while the other Shards prepare a powerful, Cosmere-wide attack, perhaps akin to a “Spirit Bomb” from Dragon Ball Z.

Roshar Joke

What did the one-armed Herdazian say to the peg-legged Alethi? …… I dunno, I’m Stumped!

Thanks again for all the amazing content, Lost in Roshar. We can’t wait to see what crazy twists and turns await us in the remaining Stormlight books. We are both big Jimmy fans and can definitely relate as we both feel like we are holding onto our oath stones as we stumble our way through Roshar. You will be missed. Storm Bless you both.

Keeping our safehands covered,
Radiant Ross and Listener Leighlan

My First Esports Tournament – 2024 Spring ESL in Dallas

For years, I’ve been an avid esports fan, cheering on my favorite players from the comfort of my couch. But this year, something exciting happened. I finally took the plunge and attended ESL Dallas, primarily to witness the thrill of StarCraft 2 live.

While the heart-pounding matches were everything I’d hoped for (seriously, the strategic genius on display!), what truly surprised me was the incredible atmosphere. The energy from the crowd was electric, and the sense of community was contagious. I found myself surrounded by fellow StarCraft enthusiasts, swapping strategies, sharing laughs, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

But the highlight of the event wasn’t just the games or the camaraderie – it was the chance to meet some of my esports heroes. I managed to snag autographs and even have brief conversations with some of the casters and players I’ve admired for years. It was a surreal experience, and their genuine passion for the game only solidified my own.

ESL Dallas was far more than just watching StarCraft 2. It was a journey of connection, shared experiences, and a newfound appreciation for the amazing esports community. If you’ve ever considered attending an esports event, but haven’t quite pulled the trigger, I urge you to take the leap. You might just surprise yourself with the friendships and memories you create.

Early Access

As a Harry Potter fan, playing Hogwarts Legacy was a dream come true. I remember reading the first book over 15 years ago, and now being able to immerse myself in the wizarding world and attend Hogwarts was an experience like no other. The game was set in the 1800s, so it felt like a new chapter in the wizarding world, but at the same time, it was nostalgic, as I recognized some of the characters and places from the original books and movies.

I was so excited for the release of Hogwarts Legacy that purchased the deluxe edition, which was supposed to give 72 hours of early access. I was so excited that I even woke up a day earlier than the steam date. I would have to wait another 24 hours to play… The next day, I woke up at the same time, and my wife thought I was a bit crazy for waking up so early to play a game. But for me, it was worth it to finally experience the magic of Hogwarts Legacy.

The Best Parts

The game did an excellent job of balancing the nostalgic and new aspects, making it feel like an entirely new experience while still feeling familiar. The graphics were stunning, and the attention to detail was impressive. Walking through Hogwarts felt like walking through the castle in the movies, and the magical creatures and spells were brought to life in a way that was truly magical.

One of my favorite aspects of the game was how mature it felt. The storyline was complex, and the characters had depth, which made it feel like an adult game. It reminded me of one of my more recently found favorite games, The Witcher 3. The combat system was fluid and challenging, and there was a real sense of danger in the game. I appreciated that the game wasn’t dumbed down for a younger audience.

The Let Downs

However, there were some disappointments. Despite the game allowing you to make decisions, it often felt like the choices I made didn’t have much of an impact on the overall story. I had hoped that I could create my own legacy in the wizarding world, but it felt limited. This was a bit of a letdown, as I was hoping for more replay value.

Additionally, one of my biggest disappointments was not being able to become the heir of Slytherin and unleash the Basilisk from the Chamber of Secrets. While I understand that this would have been a controversial storyline, it would have been interesting to see how it played out in the game. I had even named my character “Raze Ash-Lairs” which, similar to Tom Marvolo Riddle is an anagram – Slytherin’s Heir.

Overall

Despite these disappointments, I played the game passionately for 36 hours in about a week, completing all of the main quests and roughly 80% of the side quests. Overall, Hogwarts Legacy was a great game that any Harry Potter fan should play. It was nostalgic yet felt new, mature, and played like one of my favorite games, The Witcher 3. While it had its flaws, it was a great addition to the wizarding world, and I’m excited to see where the game goes in the future.

Story – 9
Gameplay – 9
Music – 10
Visuals – 9
Overall – 9

In November 2020 I decided it was time to tackle a goal I always had wanted to try: Learning the Piano. I don’t think there could have been a better time, partially locked down with COVID, plenty of time at home, working from home. These are not the memoirs of an empress, nor of a queen. These are memoirs of another kind. These are the memoirs of a maestro.

Why did I want to play piano? Linking back to what drives me, my goals and then plans:

Looking back on this now, I think the links are quite weak, which is why with sadness I admit that Piano defeated me. I gave up, I quit.

But Why?

I ~~like~~ must be black or white with everything I do. For most of the important things I do in life, I’ll subconsciously have thought why I am doing something. For example; why buy a house? Investment opportunity, stability, making commitments and building a life with my future wife (at the time), etc. Once you throw together the pro / con list, you should be able to make a decision that you resonate with.

When I signed myself up to piano, I thought that I would enjoy it due to my ‘understanding what drives you’. The more I played the more I really started to understand about myself ‘you are more likely to enjoy things you are good at’. I enjoy listening to good classical style music however when I stepped up to the piano, it was just a hot mess of keys and sounded awful. The most frustrating part of all though was even if I practiced every day for a month. If I missed just 2-3 days without training, I would forget it all and be back at square one.

After losing basically all the minimal progress a few times, I’d lost the motivation to continue. I realised that I would never have the motivation to commit thousands of hours into something I was so bad at and not making progress. It was too hard and makes me respect how these pros can play so well, songs 10,000 times harder than what I was struggling with.

So what now?

It’s not like I’m gaining heaps of time back (maximum 30 minutes per day). But some projects myself and Kel have been thinking upon;

Planning a move to Hong Kong
Setting up an official training schedule (done)
More blog posts
Editing / creating memories and video content
Getting back into languages
- Getting decent at Japanese again or;
- Chinese (Mandarin)

Fandom Kingdom