The Little Things.

So I decided to stay here in Spain this July, on a mission to isolate a little, get healthy, enjoy the sun and write my book. The sun's beautiful, the health is up-and-down (I'm running again, but all too infrequently) and the book is... well, I'm having trouble, but it's a good challenge. If I can get a first draft by the end of the year, I'll call it a success.

The isolation's a bit of a downer though, and I've succumbed to cabin fever a little. Very much looking forward to some good times in Sheffield next month. Still, though, there are those little things here that keep me happy. Like a pint glass full of ice, then two-thirds orange juice and one-third water. Gotta keep my fluids up in this heat and god-damn it's the most refreshing way. I'd drink this all day if I didn't mind acid poisoning and death by fruit sugar.

There's also the simple joy of stumbling upon a little game like Within A Deep Forest.

It's a real beauty, this one. The mechanic's a doddle: you're a ball. That's pretty much it. You bounce your way around a beautifully-designed landscape full of pretty vistas and little critters, finding new materials to transform into, so you can bounce higher or break wooden barriers to open up new, surprising, gorgeous-looking levels. The level of challenge is just right, and as I type I'm itching to give it another playthrough. In fact, off I go. Off to jounce about with my yoga ball as the gentle, sparkling soundtrack burbles happily away. Back into a Deep Forest.

Just play it, please.