Contrails: Jul '26, Week 3

Minerva Murasaki
2 days ago
3 min read

It was a rocky week, but still a good one! Went in with determination, and came out still feeling driven! ✨ Things got done, and health didn't throw curve balls!

🐰 IRL 🐰

First, an update on my skin treatment: There was no improvement to the patches on my hands, so I reached out to the dermatologist for advice. They suggested that a different treatment plan in consideration of the fungal skin scrape test coming back negative and seeing photos of how the condition had worsened over a week. They also recommended to use the same treatment for a different skin condition that was supposed to be addressed only after the primary issue on my hands was resolved. To be honest, I'm glad that they didn't try to charge me for the brief phone consultation... 🙃

So the good news is that I feel less itch-ridden now! 🎉 Big thanks to my partner for taking time every night to help with applying the cream because it's difficult to apply the cream on the spots on my back and both hands, and then to wash my hands after I'm done without letting water hit the back of my hands. 🙃

Here's hoping that after I'm done with treatment that the condition doesn't come back even worse like it did the last time... 💀

Medical issues aside, a friend came over to record vocals over the weekend! 💜🖤 Her singing always leaves me wondering how am I so bad at this skill. 🤣 But I'll try my best to believe Yuraia that we're just different. We chat about various things between recordings, and a part of me felt that it was such a shame that we've not worked together on more projects over the years. 🥹

She's a busy bee, but I hope we'll get to work on more projects in future. 💜 That's a thought for after we're done with the current projects, though! 🎵

🌙 Work as Minerva 🌙

Since the recording booth needed to be set up for our friend, I enlisted Yuraia's help to record a solo cover over the weekend too! It's a song that was initially a part of the Anisong karaoke medley project that I decided to do a full cover of since I managed to find the instrumental online (I've been looking for it for years and finally got my hands on it!).

Over the week I also decided what projects I would like to complete before the end of the year. I'm not returning to monthly uploads though! 🙃

🎮 Gaming 🎮

Played a little Divinity: Original Sin at the start of the week! But it's been a week since and I kinda miss it now. :(
Finished watching Gnosia! Overall it was a good anime! Would recommend. ⭐️ But like most stories, it was a little painful to watch the protagonists/ key characters suddenly have lapses in intellect/ memory for plot progression -- if they're too smart or cautious, the drama would have to come from external forces, which can't be overused as a plot tool either, I think. 🤔
Mostly played Granblue Fantasy: Relink throughout the week as my partner and friends are all still hyped about the game. To be honest, I don't share the same enthusiasm because I dislike min-maxing/ planning builds which is the whole point of the game. But I try my best not to cause the team to fail, at the very least. I just do what seems necessary to get through a challenge until I can't. I'm at a point where I'm not sure how much longer I can stay motivated to keep playing because I'm this close to rage quitting the game. We'll see. The only thing keeping me going is my partner's enthusiasm and my appreciation for the characters I play.
Finally saved enough CR in Forza Horizon 6 to buy a Hennessey Venom F5! Realized quickly that I would have just wasted a shit ton of money on a Beyblade if I didn't tune the car. So I tried to tune it, and while it's not perfect, at least I can actually drive it now. 🤣🤣🤣 Spent the rest of the time enjoying the Italian Exotics Festival Playlist because I got to use my Lambos. 🤣 I also realized that my appreciation for a particular style of chassis started from the first time I saw a Lambo IRL in my teens. 🤔