Shevanel's recent activity
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
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Comment on Looking for Backroom games with something to do in them other than walking in ~games
Shevanel Link Parent@phoenixrises mentioned Antichamber and I think that’s a solid suggestion that’s more in line with what you’re getting at!@phoenixrises mentioned Antichamber and I think that’s a solid suggestion that’s more in line with what you’re getting at!
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Comment on Looking for Backroom games with something to do in them other than walking in ~games
Shevanel LinkFirst, +1 for the CONTROL suggestion, that’s a fantastic game. Second, you have to be into horror games, but The Classrooms is quite literally just a horror game that takes place in the backrooms,...First, +1 for the CONTROL suggestion, that’s a fantastic game.
Second, you have to be into horror games, but The Classrooms is quite literally just a horror game that takes place in the backrooms, or more broadly, some kind of liminal space. It’s still early access, but there are several different backrooms-adjacent levels (classrooms, library, pool rooms, several more) that all have several types of creatures in them that you must evade while looking for the exit. All of the creatures have some sort of gimmick that you need to figure out in order to avoid or otherwise escape them, I.e. some are blind but have excellent directional hearing, some can’t move as long as you maintain line of sight, and so on.
I’ve never played it, but it gained notoriety on a couple of streamers’ channels, and it seems like a decently well fleshed out attempt at putting real gameplay into a backrooms-like environment.
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Comment on Half way through the 2020's. What's your favorite games so far? in ~games
Shevanel Link Parent+1 for Returnal, I went in expecting a fun and lightweight (if well-crafted) roguelite and walked away with existential dread. And totally agree on the story informing the mechanics as well -...+1 for Returnal, I went in expecting a fun and lightweight (if well-crafted) roguelite and walked away with existential dread. And totally agree on the story informing the mechanics as well - really excellent interplay.
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
Shevanel Link ParentThere are certain days when nothing quite hits like that era of melodeath. Makes me want to dig up some At the Gates and get lost for a while.There are certain days when nothing quite hits like that era of melodeath. Makes me want to dig up some At the Gates and get lost for a while.
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Comment on I need to tell you why coffee makes you poop in ~food
Shevanel LinkLove James Hoffmann, what a gem. His YouTube channel is practically the sole reason why I’ve become a Weird Coffee Person™️. This is a fun intro video all the same, but if you have any desire to...Love James Hoffmann, what a gem. His YouTube channel is practically the sole reason why I’ve become a Weird Coffee Person™️. This is a fun intro video all the same, but if you have any desire to learn anything about coffee, or even everything about coffee, James is your guy.
For me, he changed drinking coffee from “I guess I’ll suck this down so I feel more awake” into “the experience of preparing and brewing a morning cup each day is tantamount to sacred ritual in my eyes.”
Please be forewarned - there is a high chance you’ll start collecting (and using!) a plethora of coffee brewing paraphernalia if you fall into the Hoffmann rabbit hole.
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Comment on 2025 Spotify Wrapped is now out in ~music
Shevanel Link Parent*looks at username* *looks at posting history* …it’s gotta be Cannibal Corpse.*looks at username*
*looks at posting history*
…it’s gotta be Cannibal Corpse.
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Comment on Skarven | Teaser trailer in ~games
Shevanel LinkI’m tentatively interested as a huge fan of boomer shooters! At least, that’s what I’m hoping this ends up being. Arguably more importantly, I’d also like to point out for those who might be...I’m tentatively interested as a huge fan of boomer shooters! At least, that’s what I’m hoping this ends up being.
Arguably more importantly, I’d also like to point out for those who might be familiar with it that the art director of this game is the creator of the old animation short The Backwater Gospel (link goes to his newer 4k reload). The art style looked so familiar and I was pleasantly surprised when I came to the realization upon checking out the uploader’s channel!
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Comment on 2025 Spotify Wrapped is now out in ~music
Shevanel Link ParentI’m convinced that it’s bugged. My wife and her sister’s listening ages were both in the 70s and neither of them recall listening to a single song on Spotify more than 10-15 years old.I’m convinced that it’s bugged. My wife and her sister’s listening ages were both in the 70s and neither of them recall listening to a single song on Spotify more than 10-15 years old.
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Comment on 2025 Spotify Wrapped is now out in ~music
Shevanel Link ParentThey lean more death than black, but given your proclivities, I’d suggest Kardashev if they aren’t already on your radar. You can still very much feel the shoegaze influence (they tongue-in-cheek...They lean more death than black, but given your proclivities, I’d suggest Kardashev if they aren’t already on your radar. You can still very much feel the shoegaze influence (they tongue-in-cheek call themselves deathgaze). I’ll definitely be checking out the others of yours that I’m not hip to, given what I’m familiar with on your list already!
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Comment on 2025 Spotify Wrapped is now out in ~music
Shevanel Link ParentI don’t have anything of substance to add, but wanted to mention that Deafheaven / Lonely People With Power were my number 3 spots as well. What a trip! Didn’t even know this band existed a few...I don’t have anything of substance to add, but wanted to mention that Deafheaven / Lonely People With Power were my number 3 spots as well. What a trip! Didn’t even know this band existed a few months ago and they’ve quickly become a constant presence in my rotation.
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Comment on Flea - A Plea (2025) in ~music
Shevanel Link ParentHe was also featured on the trumpet for two tracks on The Mars Volta’s Frances the Mute - "The Widow" and "Miranda That Ghost Just Isn't Holy Anymore”.He was also featured on the trumpet for two tracks on The Mars Volta’s Frances the Mute - "The Widow" and "Miranda That Ghost Just Isn't Holy Anymore”.
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Comment on Modern Christmas carol renditions that aren't mediocre CCM? in ~music
Shevanel Link ParentI’ll piggyback onto your comment with something that sounds entirely different, but with the same idea - it probably isn’t what OP is looking for, but maybe somebody else might enjoy it. The metal...I’ll piggyback onto your comment with something that sounds entirely different, but with the same idea - it probably isn’t what OP is looking for, but maybe somebody else might enjoy it.
The metal band August Burns Red has put out two LPs (and a few random singles) of metal Christmas carol covers. They are almost entirely instrumental, so even if you don’t normally listen to metal, they are still really fun to listen to. Any vocals that do occur are singalong style, not aggressive/typical “metal vocals.”
Super fun to blast when cleaning up the house this time of year!
Sorry for the Spotify link, but a user put together all of their Christmas releases into one playlist so it’s an easy share: August Burns Red Christmas
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Comment on Save Point: A game deal roundup for the week of November 23 in ~games
Shevanel LinkValley Peaks is ~50% off on Gamersgate with an additional 10% off coupon that might work at checkout (CHILLFRIDAY), though YMMV as I didn’t try it myself. Huge fan of the game, definitely worth...Valley Peaks is ~50% off on Gamersgate with an additional 10% off coupon that might work at checkout (CHILLFRIDAY), though YMMV as I didn’t try it myself.
Huge fan of the game, definitely worth the price of admission! I tried the demo when it first released a while back and told myself it’d be an instant buy when I saw it on sale. It feels very much like a first person “A Short Hike” for those familiar with that game, though instead of trying to reach a single specific summit, you’re climbing a series of increasingly challenging peaks with lots of fun mechanics added along the way. The climbing mechanics are easy to pick up though the different elements of each peak make for a good variety throughout. This is paired with lots of small side quests with cute writing (weaker writing that “A Short Hike” but still solid) and decent rewards throughout. You’re also rewarded extra tools for completing peaks via multiple color coded routes. All of the above is well paired with cute music and a fun visual aesthetic.
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Comment on What are some of your favorite stews/soups? in ~food
Shevanel (edited )LinkCarla Lalli Music’s pasta e fagiole is a mainstay in our house. She also has a video on her personal channel for a new and improved version - I can’t speak to that version, but we make this at...Carla Lalli Music’s pasta e fagiole is a mainstay in our house. She also has a video on her personal channel for a new and improved version - I can’t speak to that version, but we make this at least once every 3-4 weeks and it is one of my very favorite meals to put together. Easy and cheap, too!
Caveats: it is time-intensive (2-3 not-totally-inactive hours if you want to pull all the goodness out of the base ingredients), and I’m sure it’d be a PITA to prep the soffrito without a food processor. But if none of that concerns you, I highly recommend giving it a go!
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Comment on What's your video game comfort food? in ~games
Shevanel (edited )Link Parent+1 for DOOM. I’ve downloaded a ton of Cacoward-winning WADs from the last 20 years and, if I don’t know what to do or play, I’ll just pop one on and work through a couple levels. Great fun to pick...+1 for DOOM. I’ve downloaded a ton of Cacoward-winning WADs from the last 20 years and, if I don’t know what to do or play, I’ll just pop one on and work through a couple levels. Great fun to pick up and play, and the natural momentum break of a level system encourages breaks which I really appreciate.* The map modding community, especially the efforts highlighted by the Cacowards, are phenomenal, and match (if not exceed) the quality of the original game most of the time.
*can’t tell you how many times the “endless” gameplay loop of open world games has caused me to burn 4 hours because it never feels like there’s a good place to stop.
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Comment on What is your 'Subway Take'? in ~talk
Shevanel Link ParentOh for sure, I’m right there with you. I was coming more from the approach of “how do we make this take not-so-hot?” I think everyone should at least try an instrument for sure, maybe even a...Oh for sure, I’m right there with you. I was coming more from the approach of “how do we make this take not-so-hot?” I think everyone should at least try an instrument for sure, maybe even a couple if the first one doesn’t stick. So many instruments feel so different. I grew up a percussionist but had to learn all of the wind instruments during school to become a teacher. I tried flute for the first time at 20 years old - turns out I really really like it. In a different life, someone would have convinced me to give it a shot in 5th grade and I would have saved myself a lot of load-in time at gigs ;)
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Comment on What is your 'Subway Take'? in ~talk
Shevanel Link Parent90% agree (but I’m a gigging musician so I’m definitely biased), and think you might get more buy-in if the take was that everyone should have to participate in some form of the arts, or artistic...90% agree (but I’m a gigging musician so I’m definitely biased), and think you might get more buy-in if the take was that everyone should have to participate in some form of the arts, or artistic creation. Lot more broad, potentially a lot more appealing, same end result (IMO).
Mind you, I also used to be a HS band director so I had a very vested interest in everybody playing an instrument lol. I just know that it’s a tall order, and just doesn’t click for some. But I DO think that participating in the arts in some way, shape, or form offers the potential to enrich anyone’s life.
Edit: I share this quote way too often, but Kurt Vonnegut is once again apropos:
"[The arts] are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven's sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something.”
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Comment on What's your favorite hobby? in ~hobbies
Shevanel Link ParentNever have I resonated more strongly with a comment! If I look around my office right now, I can see my hobby home server, my halfway stood up server-turned-router, my repair kit I set up for tech...Never have I resonated more strongly with a comment! If I look around my office right now, I can see my hobby home server, my halfway stood up server-turned-router, my repair kit I set up for tech tinkering, my unfinished drum set restoration project stacked in the corner, and my recording/production setup for my chiptune project. My whiskey inventory is packed up in boxes in the crawlspace because my one-year-old is moving around the house too much, so I’m not holding tastings, cataloguing reviews, or chasing bottles anywhere near as much. And don’t even get me started on all my partially finished hobby apps and sites I’m trying to stand up :)
(Though if any of my pilot testers see this comment, I promise that my work on plots.club is actually still actively ongoing)
I really appreciate your perspective on allowing yourself to see them as trials that you choose to pursue or let go. I’m still in denial - I keep telling myself that one day I’ll get back to them all, as unlikely as that might be…!
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Comment on Suggestion request - My 75 year old mentor has gone blind in ~music
Shevanel Link ParentI’m certainly interested in hearing more myself, including your presentation and notes if you’re willing to share! My specialization in college was jazz education, but I played in my university’s...I’m certainly interested in hearing more myself, including your presentation and notes if you’re willing to share!
My specialization in college was jazz education, but I played in my university’s wind ensemble all through college and always enjoyed it even though I never dug into the literature as much. Our director was huge on Grainger but I always wished we did more Giroux and Mackey especially.
Maybe I’m just out of touch, but wow this gave me whiplash. “Book review” is not what comes to mind when I think of Anthony lol. But I’m watching the video now and it seems legit!