I still reminisce with my friends about being locked down during the pandemic.

Eeesh, that sentence just made me twitch.

Ironically, since then I don’t think I have spoken to my friends as often as I did when we couldn’t physically see each other - and I know this is true for a lot of other people. Remember House Party?

Truthfully it was online gaming that really kept us together, a place to do something together and just chat all night - because there was nothing else to do.

Call of Duty Warzone kept us together for the better part of two years.

It’s a running joke between us now that we need another lockdown. I mean, we really don’t. But if you stripped away the primary global reason for why we were together most nights of the week, it was the closest thing to staying out all day until the street lights came on when you were a kid.

A study popped up into my doom scrolling this week about men needing 2 guys nights a week - according to science. Robin Dunbar ran a study at Oxford University where the results spoke to men who got over illness quicker, built a stronger immune system, and had less levels of stress, anxiety, and depression when they hung out with their guy friends two times as week.

Dunbar’s research was very prescriptive: two nights a week and a group of 4 doing “guy stuff”.

What about women you ask? Turns out it’s basically the same thing for women, they also thrive through friendships and personal support networks. Research shows similar things for women with friends they can rely on. I think we can all agree friends keep us sane.

But there was nothing like spending every night of the week until 2AM sweating it out for dubs.

And there probably never will be again 😥 

This week's issue is a 5 minute read:

🇯🇵 Yet another reason to go to Japan

🤔 Jacked up online sellers

🏀 This is what’s going to happen in the NBA this season

Why You Should Go To Japan - Reason #3982

It’s no question Japan is one of the hottest countries to visit these days. Ever since they opened back up to tourists a couple years ago, it’s like the world cannot get enough of Japanese anything.

If you’ve never been, then I’m sure you’ve seen enough on social media to intrigue to at the very least think about going. And if you have been, I know you’re plotting on ways to get back out there. When Universal Studios Japan opened up Super Nintendo Land in 2021, that seemed like enough reason to travel to the land of the rising sun.

On October 2nd the repurposed Uji Ogura Plant in Kyoto, which was the original manufacturing facility for the Family Computer aka The Famicom back in the 80’s, reopened as the Nintendo Museum.

The two story museum takes you through Nintendo’s history dating back to 1889 when the company was known for making playing cards - I know right? As expected, there are exhibits galore where you can play video games, see all the old Nintendo relics in all of their glory, and you can buy exclusive merch!

The museum hasn’t even been open for a week and they are already limiting merch purchases to one item per person, while utilizing a raffle system just to get tickets to go to the place.  

Chat, who are we kidding - none of that would stop us from wanting to visit this glorious piece of history.

Dream day trip for any Nintendo fan:

Morning: Kyoto

• 8:00 AM: Depart from your accommodation in Kyoto.

• 8:30 AM: Arrive at the Nintendo Museum (opens at 9:00 AM).

• 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Explore the Nintendo Museum. Take your time to enjoy the exhibits and learn about the history of Nintendo.

Late Morning: Travel to Osaka

• 10:30 AM: Leave the museum and head to Kyoto Station.

• 11:00 AM: Board the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Osaka. The journey takes about 15 minutes.

• 11:15 AM: Arrive at Shin-Osaka Station.

Afternoon: Osaka

• 11:30 AM: Take the local train (JR line) from Shin-Osaka Station to Universal City Station (about 15 minutes).

• 11:50 AM: Arrive at Universal City Station and head to Super Nintendo World.

• 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Enjoy Super Nintendo World. Make sure to enjoy rides, attractions, and themed food.

Mid-Afternoon: Travel to Tokyo

• 3:00 PM: Leave Super Nintendo World and head back to Universal City Station.

• 3:30 PM: Take the local train back to Shin-Osaka Station.

• 3:50 PM: Board the Shinkansen to Tokyo (approximately 2.5 hours).

• 6:20 PM: Arrive at Tokyo Station.

Evening: Tokyo

• 6:30 PM: Take the JR Yamanote Line to Akihabara Station (about 5 minutes).

• 6:40 PM: Arrive at Akihabara Station and walk to Super Potato (about 5-10 minutes).

• 6:50 PM - 8:00 PM: Explore Super Potato, a popular retro video game store, before it closes.

*Super Potato is a must for any video game fan

Welcome to the ‘What’s Wrong with People’ corner

Put your hand up if you’ve ever sold something online 🙋 

And keep your hand up if you’ve ever experienced this:

There’s a really good Reddit thread about people who message people on Marketplace, asking if an item is still available and then completely vanish. Don’t worry, you’re not alone!

But alongside the buyers who are out of their minds, the things people sell sometimes just makes me SMDH. And then you laugh when you realize, ain’t no one gonna buy that!

Like “artwork”…

It’s always nice buying stuff from people who made it themselves. But it usually has to make sense…

I hate when they post something and make you do all the work though…

Or when you show up to their house to pick it up and just be thinking, how TF do you people live like this?

It definitely makes my decision easier when they tell me WHY they’re selling something…

But seriously, you gotta be a rush to just take any old picture and be like, “Yup, that’s the photo that’s gonna sell me some sandals”

I swear someone could create a museum of all the appliances that “just need a cord” in the world…

But if there’s one thing you can always find on Marketplace, it’s a handyman.

We’re So Back

In being blessed that we had Olympic basketball this summer, it doesn’t feel like the NBA finals were that long ago. But alas, we’re just over 2 weeks away from opening night in the NBA. This past off season was relatively quiet if you ask me. Woj retired, Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Brunson had a super awkward exchange on WWE Smackdown, and all eyes were on Caitlin Clark.

With the league returning in full force this month, I’m paying attention to a few stories. Here are my predictions this season:

Bronny is exiled to the G-League

C’mon man, do we really think he’s going to cut it playing in the league? He’s got a decent shot (when no one is guarding him) and he’s athletic and quick but what value is he really going to add to the roster other than taking up a seat on the bench. The universe always makes things right in the world - Bronny on the Lakers makes zero sense.

Klay Thompson Emerges from the Gutter

After having one of his worst seasons to date last year, Klay Thompson finds himself on the defending Western Conference Champions. Now I know - dude has had a rough go battling miserable potential career ending injuries, coupled with a Warriors team on the decline. In joining the Mavs, Klay can now live on the 3-pt line all he wants as Luka and Kyrie work their magic and create insane amounts of space for him to shoot - I wouldn’t be surprised if Klay is top 3 in 3-pt FG % this year.

Here Come the Knicks

Vegas still has the Celtics as the favourites to win the East this year. I think the league woke up a sleeping giant in the Knicks during last year’s playoffs. They were unlucky with the injuries they faced otherwise they would’ve coasted to the ECF and quite honestly, I don’t think the Celtics can match them. This year, with the addition of Karl Anthony-Towns, arguably still in his prime, the Knicks look reeeeeally good. Like, NBA Finals good - BING BONG.

Denver’s Decline

The Nuggets lost KCP to free agency, picked up Russell Westbrook and have a Jamal Murray coming off an non-existent performance at the Olympics. NBA pundits are saying Murray is the key to the Nugget’s success this year as Joker can’t do it by himself. Christian Braun was a shining star for the Nuggets in last year’s playoffs so perhaps year 3 is his breakout year officially? That said, I get the feeling Westbrook comes off the bench as the 6th man and there goes the offense…

Zion Williamson Becomes Relevant

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve picked up a pair of Zion’s shoes in a store and wondered, who’s Jordan’s are these and why are they $110? Ever since 2019 when Zion first entered the league, we’ve seen glimmers of what could be a super star sprinkled with what seemed like career limiting injuries. After losing in the semis of the NBA Cup and getting swept in the 1st round of the playoffs last year, Zion is seeking his revenge. I think he’s got it in him now that he’s experienced what it is to play on a a big stage. But first, let’s see him in the dunk competition!