Final Fantasy Flash #5

So glad I have my insider son to guide me along on this game. I had accepted side quests that were unnecessary to my progresss. He abandoned those for me that made no sense to continue. 

The Fan Festival in Berlin on July 25 and 26, 2026, will be live-streamed on Twitch and YouTube. Anaheim was my first live event, this Berlin event will be my first live stream.  

I am learning there is a whole culture dedicated to capturing images of their character within the Final Fantasy framework. I can see why. The backgrounds are top notch. My character is close enough to what I look like that I can imagine myself in those amazing online worlds. 

Look at the lighting, and the perfect symmetry in the face. She will never age. I could play this game for the next 20+ years and there will be Greercourt forever young. 

Here is an interesting question, if there are game bots, wouldn't it be possible to have your character live on forever in an online world such as Final Fantasy? 🤔

Final Fantasy Flash #4

Once you plough through the initial MSQs (main scenario quests) of Final Fantasy, it does get more interesting. You become more successful at critter crunching. Rather than a magic wand, I now have a magical staff. Throwing spells and rocks are the main forms of combat at this level. (20+).  

Outfit change yet again. Getting closer to how I really want to express myself in character. The shrug is a nice touch. Pose is from a dance move. Next up is to capture facial expressions and head tilts. 

There are so many incredible backgrounds to grab on screen shot. In the image below, my character had on the hempen hat (ugh). You get a glimpse of the thigh-high boots.👀

Can we talk about the dialog boxes when your character interacts with NPCs? (NPC = non-playable characters) You would laugh if you saw how close I have to get to my laptop screen WITH my eyeglasses OFF (I am horribly near-sighted) to read the text.👓

My hair is long IRL. I would love to sport longer hair as Greercourt (my character). There is a way to modify or use MODs. I won't venture there as I want to stay within Square Enix approved items. 

There is so much to this Final Fantasy world. I am sure I am just scratching the surface. I learned that one can employ a Game Bot to automatically quest, gather, fish or combat on your behalf. I could see where that could be useful for fishing, boring as it is. 

Added fish gourd to my garden ornaments. Just couldn't resist him! 

Final Fantasy Flash #3

Tried to keep my novice costume but son and the game called for the recommended get up to keep from getting killed by critters. I look like a female monk. This is not my style but if it gets me through the quests. Not happy about this when others are looking so flashy. Can't even see my platinum hair! 

Went to the casino area of the game and was not impressed. Most areas of the casino are empty. Sort of backroomish, creepy. I am drawn to other players and their activities. Am kicking around joining the game so I can chat with other players. 

There are times I have been stuck in the game - battling with spiders trying to retrieve surveyor stuff, trying to get to the top deck of a ship. The only tools I can tell at this level are a magic stick and throwing rocks at critters that attack you. 

There are emotes, a way to express yourself while idle. I am particularly interested in the dance emotes. In one quest, my character fulfilled a request for an Irish Step Dance. This video demonstrates Riverdance. 

The upcoming 100 degree summer heat means I will be stuck inside and spending a lot of time gaming. Another aspect of the game that is fascinating is the graphic artwork seen throughout all of the worlds. Visually stunning. 

The background music can be described as ear worm hole. I tend to turn the volume way down unless critters attack me, then I want to hear what is going on, and it isn't music. If there were a place in the game one could hear The Primals, I would hang out there FOREVER.💟

Final Fantasy Flash #2

Must admit I get discouraged by all of the running around one has to do as a Final Fantasy character. This is my first online role playing experience so this is all new to me. Why was everyone running? Related question, why was everyone standing around the Aethernet crystal? 

Answer to question no. 1, I believe all the running is to get from one place to another in the quickest method possible. There are "lands" one has to travel through and as you progress through the game different lands open up. 

Answer to question no. 2, all the standing around occurs when the real life player steps away from the game and wants to hold their place in the game. There is no deduction for "standing around." 

The reason I mention the Aethernet crystal is that is the place where you are revived after a critter kills you. Around that crystal numerous characters pass through or hang around. I have yet to figure out how to sit on one of the benches. I don't think Sprouts are allowed to sit. 

A Sprout is a newbie player. I am still playing in the trial version too, so that limits certain actions within the game. 

My son, being very much a fan, told me he had to go "make some food" to earn gil aka $$$$. 

A YouTuber suggested finding a willing Sugar Parent to sponsor your shopping sprees. Why is this seeming more and more like real life? What would be required in return? I hate to ask.

Was finally able to upgrade from the pilgrim outfit to this robe-like getup in mukluks. The otter backpack was earned during the You Otter Be There limited quest. 

Going to hang out in the FF casino for awhile. Maybe get me some smokes. I've yet to see a character smoking a cigarette, drinking, or eating anything. Maybe that isn't part of the game? 

All Planted and Headed to Italy

All of the vegetable plants are in place. There are 4 tomatoes, 3 peppers (habanero, jalapeno, mini bell), a Crimson Sweet watermelon, and a struggling artichoke. The fabric planters worked well in the interim. I will eventually replace those with galvanized steel planters. 

How the L shaped planter looks in the garden area. On the 90+ days of summer, I also moisten the straw around the planters.  

Working hard toward performance level tap dancing. I am starting to improve after two months of three days a week of instruction. If the steps could become second nature to me, then I could add some flare to the routines. The group I am practicing with might have a public performance in the near future. 

I have also applied as a volunteer with our local community services organization. There is an upcoming 25th Annual Summer Spectacular event at the lake end of this month. They sent out an email blast on a call for volunteers, and since I attend a number of events at the center, my name probably came up. 

Took a trip to the local travel agency and booked a trip to Southern Italy and Sicily for the end of April 2027. I tried to do the internet stuff but found it frustrating. So much better to sit down with a REAL PERSON and talk about something so important as a vacation. It will be the first of many trips I hope to take now and into the future. 

Almost There for the Garden Area

The schnauzer/terrier black metal cutout sign was a $3 thrift shop find. I had to dig throuh the hospice thrift framing area to find something suitable to cover the hole in the chain link fencing in the gate. Garden area will henceforth be guarded by both the garden gecko and the schnauzers. I used salvaged wonky chain link fencing sections from our property to make the deer-proof enclosure. That little sign is also a nod to my mom. Even though she never had that dog as a pet, it was her favorite breed. 

None of the hardware fit the gate to latch it. I may have to resort to a velcro fastener. I will fill the planter with at least 4 bags of soil. Then I can start transplating the starts that I have into the planter and purchase some more vegetables like watermelon and cucumber. 

Weeks of hard work have finally paid off. I did all of the assemblage of the galvanized steel planter, down to the attaching the chain link sections together. My son hauled the bags of soil down to the corner but I put all the soil in by the bag into the planter. 

The last piece to this project will be adding privacy screen slats to one side of the fencing that faces the neighbors (section shown on the far left). Researching now to find slats at the lowest cost/highest quality. 

Slice of Garden Paradise

No Tuesday with Mila as per doctor's orders for no lifting. Swung by one of my fav Goodwills in Rancho Cordova, California, and bought a $7.99 bag of toys for Tuesday when I am called back into action as one of the Grandma Brigade. 

The Hape harmonica was worth the price of the bag. I also gained a triangle, a hedgehog accordian, a MLP figurine, and a pink metal lunchbox. The rest I thrifted back to the Great Thrift Shop Beyond. 

My slice of garden paradise is finally coming together. Rather than install permanent fence posts, I utilized the chain link fencing sections we had on site like temporary fencing. The connecting hardware cost less than $30. Landscape fabric was placed at the bottom of the galvanized steel garden planter. Bags of raised bed soil were bought at a big box retailer. Straw around the garden bed aids in weed control. 

Tucker models the before and after. It was his first encounter with the spreading the straw event. 

At least 4 more bags of soil are needed. There are already six bags of soil in the planter. 

Painted metal gecko hides a tear in the chain link fencing. The remainder of the straw will be spread around the fabric planters (not shown). I have the hardware and will need help installing the garden gate. 

Approximate cost turning the area from weeds to garden. Anything not listed we had on site already. 

2 fabric planters 16 bags of soil for each
Hardware for fencing $30
Galvanized steel planter $130 6 bags of soil (so far needs more)
Straw bale

The majority of the hard work is done for this planting area. Now, I can move some peppers and smaller plants around.🪴