State of Sterling: Moving And Literally Shaking
Hello, you lovely patrons!
What a few weeks it’s been! First and foremost, I’d like to apologize for not yet providing the written reviews I’d planned to do during the video break, and for skipping out on Podquisition last week. I have a Donkey Kong review partially done and I’m really hoping to get productive again over the next few days. Shit’s just been… a lot.
I’ve been trying to be kind to myself, convincing myself I won’t have suddenly lost all support for daring to take a few weeks off at last. As ever, I’m incredibly thankful for that support, both the usual patronage and the generally supportive nature of responses to me taking that break. The continued encouragement has been wonderful and needed.
While I’d love to say the sabbatical has been a great chance to unwind, I can only say I’m glad I took it before I started moving house. It’s been by far the lengthiest and most expensive moving process I’ve ever experienced, and that includes two international ones! A lot happened beyond my control, there’s a lot of junk to sort through, some removal men broke a pinball table, the letting agency on the old place is trying to fleece me for all they can get on my way out, it’s a fucking nerve-wracking time.
It’s going to take a while to get the new place in order, but I can’t wait to show y’all when it’s ready.
It’s a perfect home for me. It was owned by an older lady so it’s super accessible for someone with my disabilities - all one floor, handrails on exterior inclines, and an amazing number of cute display areas because this is a house made for ornaments. It’s got an oldie aesthetic that reminds me of my grandparents and I don’t want to change how it looks at all. Honestly, it’s awakened some dormant housewife instinct in me, where I wanna keep it pristine. I might get myself an apron.
The new landlord is the daughter of the previous owner, who didn’t wanna sell the house because of the sentiment but doesn’t want it empty. As far as landlord motives go, it’s on the better end, and she’s been really good to deal with especially compared to the last one and all of her unreasonable demands. I can tell none of this situation was planned for her, and she’s not just looking for free money. The lack of cynicism and avarice is entirely refreshing.
We were also allowed to keep a lot of shit that was left behind, which includes an old school heavy duty vacuum, one of those proper hi-fi systems, extensive kitchenware, and all manner of random useful stuff. Oh, and there’s a snake-shaped draft excluder. Of course! I’ve kept most of what was here, as much of it is the kind of thing I could do with but would never be adult enough to think about getting.
Wrestling is wrestling. My match with Kidd Bandit a few weeks back was another classic. We kill it when we’re together - we’ve become good friends as well as people who enjoy kicking the shit out of each other, and we share a mind for the business. I’ve had some disillusioning experiences in wrestling, and I’m done with a lot of it outside of one or two promotions, but I can proudly say I put on fucking great shows when given the chance, and fuck those in the business who try to erase that.
You can next see me doing a wrestles on August 10th in Manchester for Pinfall Wrestling. Check ‘em out if you like!
My writing work is going slower than intended because of all the stresses, but damn if I’ve not got some good things cooking. Most of my focus is on Vampire Survivors, as Poncle regularly has stuff for me to do and the Grimoire book is a significant undertaking. I can’t wait to be able to say more about it, because the narrative I’m writing for that book is truly special. It goes hard.
I’ll leave it there for now, I think. I hope the break from Jimquisitions hasn’t been too dire for people. I’m starting to get my head around returning to the grind, and will keep you updated on when things are kicking up again. Until then, I should have that DK review and maybe one for House of the Dead 2 Remake coming in the near future.
Thank you so much for all the support. I feel fortunate and grateful now more than ever, at a time where my stress levels are at peak.
Love y’all,
Stephanie.
Comments (50)
Wishing you all the best in everything, take all the time you need
Missing your videos, of course, but very happy that you’re taking time to disconnect and if not to rest, to deal with life being kind to yourself. Moving house is always so crazily stressful! The new place sounds great! I live in Bristol, so I always feel your wrestling is so far! But I definitely need to plan a trip up north to see you wrestle. Sending lots of love, rest as much as you need, of course, queen. With everything going on and you’re still writing reviews! Every morning when catching up on the news I’m always saying, damn why can’t we have a government led by Stephanie, Owen Jones and John Oliver?! Lots of love, you’re amazing xxx
I just joined your patreon recently and while I spread my patreon support thin amongst many, I’m still happy to be here to offer what support I can in this moment of uncertainty for you. Not going anywhere, take your rest. :)
I am being quite serious when I say that you deserve rest and recovery and you should take it now and whenever you find that you need it. I want you to feel secure in the knowledge that I'll still be here to support you whenever you get back. I am being quite silly when I say, "Beef parfait with tahini and peanut butter ice cream." Just so you have a basis for comparison.
Thank you. Comments like this really help me feel safer taking the break 💛.
Love you and miss you! Glad everything is going so well!
Love you baby cakes, please look after yourself x
Please, take your time and enjoy yourself.
I'm honestly really happy you took a break, and to be honest, think it might be a good idea if you were to take a month off every year or so!
I’m considering taking more regular breaks now that I’ve broken the seal. Not whole months, but certainly a bit of a schedule reduction. I think it’ll make the show better too.
Self-care is a fucking radical act. Thank the Gods of Gaming for you.
So happy that this is a surprisingly positive update this time (not being sarcastic). Stay safe, and thank God for you ❤️
Life feels much better now I’m in a lovely new home and I’m building a safe space with the husband.
Love ya
I would never rush greatness
Thank God for you!
I’m legitimately happy for you. I find this phase of your life inspiring
So glad you took time away so you were better able to focus on the move. Getting that stability of an accessible and comfortable home is essential!
It really is. I hadn’t appreciated exactly how badly that old place was lowering my mental health.
thank God for you Steph
Take care Steph. Miss you terribly on Mondays but we want you back as healthy and happy as possible!
You're killing it!
DON'T TELL ME THE REMOVAL MEN LET MATTHEW BRODERICK OUT OF THE GODZILLA PINBALL MACHINE.
Nah, they got my Bride of Pinbot table. Only smashed the glass, but it hurts my heart. I gotta chase them up about replacing the glass.
I regret that I never got some of those draft-blocking critters when they seemed to be in every knickknack-selling store in the 90s. The house we ended up in has a bunch of doors that don't *quite* reach the floor, and a couple of rooms that weren't hooked up to the central heat. We just seal them off in winter.
I bet you can nab them online. Might not be the same though - I feel those excluders should just be baked into a house with no known origin. It’s tradition!
You take all of the writing time you need. I'm a huge fan of your writing for Vampire Survivors and am eagerly awaiting more of your fun narrative voice! Thank you so much for what you have contributed for that game. Make Queen Sigma baller.
I’ve been having a LOT of fun with characters and their stories. There’s been so much blank canvas to play on.
You're doing great! Hope you can get settled in with the minimum of fuss and nonsense (and that the pinball table isn't a tricky repair!)
They’re supposed to be handling repairs (should just be the glass panel to replace) but I’m concerned they’ve not got back about it yet.
Take care of yourself Steph, and thanks for the latest episode of BFS.
You're doing great, take the time you need, and we'll wait for you to be ready again.
No apologies are necessary, it has been extremely overdue you having a proper "break" (well, at least a break from videos)!
Glad you found a better home, sorry to hear getting there was such an ordeal.
The most ideal move I ever had was still a time of extreme stress. You have my sympathy, but at least the new place sounds like one heck of an upgrade. Cheers.
Total step up! The stress is already worth it despite still having a lot of unpacking. Such a better environment for Phee and I.
Really glad you found a better place and (hopefully) a better landlord. Again, no complaints about you having a breather…although it sounds like the hiatus has been busy!
Let me add myself to the chorus of voices telling you to take as long a break as you need, as we all know you deserve it. Looking forward to whatever you make in the future and wishing you the best of health and happiness
I don't often respond to updates here (although I do appreciate and read them most of the time), but I just thought this time I wanted to say that to think it's great you are taking the time you need and it is important that you look out for yourself, and I think you have amassed a kind of community who really know that as well and wish you the best. And once you are ready again they will hopefully happily welcome you back, I know I will and until then I just wish you the best with the move and all the other stuff going on.
Thank you so much. And yeah, I’ve never been gladder to have found an audience through advocating against crunch, haha.
Happy to hear that you've landed a much more agreeable tenancy both in terms of property and landlord. Is a bloody minefield! Hopefully the stress levels will go down one you settle in :) Looking forward to the 'virtual open house', but no pressure, whenever :)
going to miss the murder basement.
Murder shed next? :D
Take as much time as you need Steph. Take care of your health first and foremost. Apron would look amazing on you! Can't wait for the house tour. I'll be here waiting for you spectacular return! 💅🏻
Congrats on the move, your new place sounds wonderful! Don't stress about things, you deserve to take time off and not just for moving! Take a holiday!!
Love you in an entirely platonic and respectful manner (unless you're into it, in which case: awooga)
I’ve never turned down an awooga, but I’m an admitted attention whore 😁.
Really appreciate the update! Hope it all truly works out in the end without getting any worse.
My nan had a snake draught excluder! It never excluded anything though as I was always playing with it. I hope the moving stress is over soon!
Same! I think nans were issued them on the birth of their first grandchild.