Five Cool Things: Casey Edition

So it’s been a hot minute since our self-proclaimed recurring blog series started — *cough* May 29, 2019 *cough* — but we’re back at it again! This time, it’s five cool things from the one person on our team who hates talking about herself. Quiet introverts unite! So if you’re looking for something cool in this pandemic-ridden world, then the resident introvert at Helix House has you covered.

1. Video Games

Something we all should take a moment to appreciate are video games. Chill games, RPGs, shooters, adventure, and everything in between. There is a game for everyone that just draws us in and helps us forget the real world for a while. March, 2020, that game was Animal Crossing: New Horizons. For me, that game is still Animal Crossing: New Horizons, with some Zelda and ghost hunting simulators thrown in. If I am comfortable sharing one thing about me, it’s my love for Nintendo. I grew up on Pokémon and the Legend of Zelda, so I may be a little biased when I say this, but nothing beats jumping into a cute world, solving some puzzles, and saving the world.Especially when you’re stuck at home and unable to even swing a sword in real life. But semantics. Let’s just appreciate everything the gaming industry has done for us, besides selling out to scalpers. It’s pretty cool. Also, as a writer, listening to some of my favorite soundtracks is the perfect way to get me amped up to write the next sentence, and then the one after that. I don’t have to think when I listen to it — it just motivates me! Lately, it’s been the Legend of Zelda soundtrack.

2. Cats

Are they solid? Are they liquid? Are they little furry demons? No one knows! As a lifelong cat owner, it would be remiss if I didn’t think they were cool. Don’t get me wrong, I love dogs too. But I’ve had cats for as long as I remember — I’ve had my kitty Olive for half of my life and never really owned a dog. I’ve also been lucky with my cats. None of them have been little hellions. They’ve all been super sweet, cuddly, vocal, and playful. None of them pushed things off tables, bit me for the sake of biting me, or really did anything mean. They’ve all been little independent angels...save for when Olive decides she wants to be a part of a Zoom meeting. In short, cats are cool. If you don’t like them, then you’ve clearly never raised one. They’re delightful and I will die on this hill, thank you very much. [caption id="attachment_9548" align="aligncenter" width="413"]

Olive sulks in her basket while I try to work. She can never have too many pets![/caption]

3. Social Media

Okay, I hate social media. But even I’ll admit that it’s cool. It keeps me coming back, despite me hating it. Twitter is a big one for me. I love seeing what trending is, and then losing even more faith in humanity when I find out what politician did what, or what J.K. Rowling said next. Seriously, it’s so cool to be that informed at just a glance, but I hate it. It ruins my day in 280 characters or less.  I’m just lucky I’m not a social media manager like my coworker Vianka is. I wouldn’t be able to do it. Props to her!

4. Kinetic Sand

Seriously, how does kinetic sand work? I haven’t looked it up yet, but I am always curious. I have some on my desk that I use as a fidget for anxiety and it’s great. But how does it work? Why doesn’t it dry out?! Why does it hold shape and then squish so easily! I must know!!But the urge to know isn’t enough to look it up. I’ll let this remain a cool mystery.

Via Giphy

5.Google? Yeah, Google.

If you’re like me and can’t think of five things you find cool (and don’t want to say dragons, because let’s face it, dragons of mythology are the coolest thing and they’re not even real), then Google is the place to go. From dog umbrellas to life-size T-rex skeletons, the internet has everything cool, and you don’t even need money to look at it. You can find books, movies, gaming stores, and everything you need to keep your inner introvert happy. You can find anything you want (and things you didn’t even know you wanted) at the push of a button. It’s just cool, right?