Cringy attempt at an edgy podcast opening? 

Check.

I have a podcast bucket list and I was able to check a few things off with this quest. I had a ton of fun, I hope you have just as good a time as we did. Despite the minor hiccups with my plans the conversation went better than I could have imagined, which goes to show that you can never plan things to perfection. Some plans must fall through so that the idea can transcend the constraints we assign to it. 

Perfection is a myth; the truth is so much better. The thing about Truth is: the path is through suffering. 

In order to appreciate light, one must first know darkness.

Cringy attempt at an edgy episode description? 

Check.

One must pay attention to the input and output for the various aspects of life, striving for balance and harmony. Neither is better than the other, for both have their role and purpose; both are two sides to the same coin. 

"As we say in Kung Fu: One hand tells the truth, the other hand lies". -Hundred Eyes (Marco Polo on Netflix) 

I wanted to wait until Valentines Day had passed so that this doesn't become "The Valentine's Episode". Instead, I wanted to poke at what happens after the holiday. Many people spend a good deal of effort and resources to ensure that their actions are "Social Media" worthy, to propagate the image that everything is fine in paradise. But what happens behind the camera and social media post? How many of us have spent Valentines Day with a different person every few years? The most important question to me is: What happens 9 months later? 

As always, if the subject matter doesn't interest you, I wouldn't hold it against you to skip the side quest. One could say these are mere ramblings of a sleep deprived, narcissistic buffoon who over values Lo-Fi music and pillow talk. 

Conversely, as always, should you accompany me down the rabbit hole you have my deepest gratitude. 

Small side note: I tried my best to limit my foul language, so I think I can designate the content "Clean" versus the usual "Explicit". Let me know what you think!

I continue to experiment with the ambience in these sessions, so for this one, it's recommended that you sit back, relax, take a hit or a sip, and just let your mind explore these bizarre ideas.

Or you can totally skip over it, I won't get angry. 

In this Quest we explore precursors of religion, angels having "relations" with just about anything, life after death, and other stuff that you consider while staring up to the night sky. 

Starting the year off with a monologue, hopefully it's followed by a series of Co-Op quests. 2020 is OVAH. Done. History. 

Why do I hear Boss music? 

...Just kidding.

On a not-so-serious note, change is on the horizon. This solo quest gives a bit of an update, has some uncomfortable statements while softening the blow, and, as usual, brings excitement for what's to come. It's great to focus on where we want to go, but let's remember where we came from so we can see how far we've come and make sure we don't go backwards.

-Genekunedo

New things are easier to try when you are able to perceive the task through the common lens of "Fundamentals". A great teacher will always emphasize the importance of the basics, and it is often said by high level artists that achieving mastery leads to returning to basics. Grasshopper Gospel explores those basics, seeking to build good habits that become the solid foundation for strong, effective, and simple techniques that you can rely on, no matter what discipline or endeavor you apply them to.

"Kung Fu. It means, 'supreme skill from hard work.'

A great poet has reached Kung Fu. The painter, the calligrapher, they can be said to have Kung Fu. Even the cook, the one who sweeps steps, or a masterful servant, can have Kung Fu. Practice. Preparation. Endless repetition. Until your mind is weary, and your bones ache. Until you're too tired to sweat. Too wasted to breathe." - Hundred Eyes, Marco Polo (Netflix)

I didn't do my homework prior to this, but it was Oscar Wilde who said, "Give a man a mask and he will tell you the truth."

This is the first episode in a series that I've wanted to do for a long time: Converse with my guest using an "Incognito" tab. This recording was a bit impromptu, so the beginning is a bit slow, but it picks up around the 4:20 mark. I assure you, twas not the intention.

This particular episode is being aired with the permission of my guest. For the future of this particular series, "A Man in a Mask", the upload will always be at the consent of my guest. If you want to be a part of this, let me know via the Paper Street Hero Instagram page. You will be able to determine if the conversation becomes a public podcast episode, or, it can be kept private and I can just send you the Mp3 file via email or WhatsApp. You may even opt out of recording it at all, and it becomes a conversation that does not exist outside of the Paper Street Hero studio. 

In any case, I do hope to include you in this series, in any capacity, in the very near future.

Catch you on the flip side.

-Genekunedo

Mutterings of a melancholy main character, musing and meditating on the misadventures found in mortality. A monologue of mostly mediocre measuring, the moment was nonetheless met with minimum mandates. 

This episode description means to minimize the magnitude sized topic found herein. Mosey on in if you have nothing else better to do, otherwise, you would not be mistaken to mark as "read" and move on.

(Note: This is the 2nd upload. I took it down immediately after the first time, but then Zagreus kinda made me put it back up)

This is the third "Episode 1" that we recorded, looks like this time it was a charm. My guests for this third "First Episode" have helped me to grow significantly throughout the pandemic, and we have encouraged each other to make constant micro-adjustments towards our personal goals. I look forward to doing regular Co-Op Quests with them together as well as individually. I find it interesting that one was a real life "Support" medic, and the other has a lot of "Rogue" qualities. I guess that makes me the bard?

I promise next time I'll do better at letting them talk more instead of constantly hijacking the conversation. Nobody likes it when one member of the raid party hogs all the loot and EXP. One perspective is that I perceive these gentlemen as a lot more advanced than I am, so they patiently allow me to level up as they carry me. The God of War Kratos was quoted during this Quest: "Don't be sorry, be better".

These two extraordinary men inspire me to be better, I just hope it doesn't take me too long to acquire the little "extra" I need in order to be a little more than ordinary. 

-Genekunedo

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a first step."

You'll hear me stumble, get scatterbrained, and generally grapple with my fears as I take the first step of this journey. This podcast is a platform for me to listen to and understand the various characters I encounter along this adventure; but first, I gotta get used to the controls and game mechanics! 

Honestly, it's cool if you don't bother with this one... It was more of a personal accomplishment. I had a general structure for how this was all supposed to go, but as the great "Iron" Mike Tyson said, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face". I thought this would feel like playing the beginning of Final Fantasy, but it ended up feeling a lot more like Bloodborne.

And I LOVE Bloodborne.

See you after the Hunter's Dream.