It is Saturday. The day is chill, with highs in the lower thirties. A quiet kind of cold — the sort that settles over Chicago and makes the morning feel still and pale.
I awoke around 7:30 a.m., though I did not get enough sleep. The reason is simple and entirely my own doing: I was up late playing on my Xbox 360. The game was one of my all-time favorites — Mass Effect.
Released in 2007 by BioWare, Mass Effect is a science fiction action-RPG set in the year 2183. You play as Commander Shepard, humanity’s first human Spectre, navigating interstellar politics, ancient alien technology, and an existential threat known as the Reapers. What makes the game unforgettable is not just the combat or exploration, but the branching dialogue system and moral choices that shape the story. The companions — Garrus, Tali, Liara — feel real, layered, and loyal. Even after all these years, the atmosphere, music, and storytelling pull me in completely. It is immersive in a way few games are.
After coffee — strong and necessary — I began my workout on my Total One exercise machine. The Total One is a compact home gym system that uses adjustable resistance and bodyweight mechanics to allow for a wide range of exercises: presses, rows, leg work, and core movements. It’s efficient and surprisingly versatile, ideal for a full-body workout without leaving the house.
Luisa joined me and walked on the treadmill while I worked through my sets. As I exercised, I watched an anime titled Sentenced to Be a Hero. The series follows a protagonist unjustly condemned and forced into a deadly trial to prove his worth, blending fantasy elements with themes of redemption and moral ambiguity. The show carries intense action sequences and explores what it truly means to earn the title of “hero.” Watching it while training added a certain dramatic energy to the workout.
Afterward, I made vegetable and chicken soup — hearty, warm, restorative. Perfect for a winter day.
In the afternoon, we prepared for a friend’s Chinese New Year party. Our friends Sheila and Vinse invited friends and family to their home to celebrate with a wide variety of food, including Chinese hot pot.
Chinese hot pot is a communal dining experience where a simmering pot of broth sits at the center of the table. Guests cook thinly sliced meats, seafood, vegetables, dumplings, tofu, and noodles directly in the broth. It is interactive and social — everyone participates, everyone shares. The flavors build as ingredients are added, and dipping sauces personalize each bite. It is less about formality and more about togetherness.
We drove to Sheila and Vinse’s home in Bridgeport. There was congestion on the highway leading toward downtown Chicago — the usual bottleneck. We arrived around 3:45 p.m.
Both sides of their family were present. Luisa and I greeted everyone. Sheila’s brothers, Boyle and Brian, were there with their families. We greeted Vinse’s father, Oscar, and his family as well. Candice — Luisa’s coworker and the librarian at her grade school — was also at the party. It felt warm and communal immediately.
The spread of food was impressive: fried chicken, dumplings, various fried rice dishes, roasted duck, roasted pork, other Chinese delicacies, and of course the hot pot bubbling at the center. Everyone was enjoying themselves. The children spent their time in Vinse’s game room, which is practically an arcade museum.
Vinse’s hobby is collecting and refurbishing pinball machines — especially vintage ones. The room was filled with beautifully restored machines, their lights blinking and chimes ringing. There were also electronic arcade cabinets lining the walls. It was nostalgia brought to life.
After some time, Robert “Fluke” Aguilar joined us. Fluke had tickets to a live music event happening nearby — also tied to the Chinese New Year celebration, the Year of the Horse. The event featured multiple artists and Asian food vendors. Some vendors were even giving out free liquor samples and dishes.
Luisa and I left the party to attend the event with Fluke. It was held at the historic Ramova Theatre in Bridgeport. Originally opened in 1929, the Ramova is one of Chicago’s oldest neighborhood theaters. Recently restored, it blends vintage architectural charm with modern venue upgrades.
We found street parking and entered after passing through a security checkpoint. The interior was beautiful. The stage was high and commanding. The lighting cast warm hues across the room.
I sampled Tsingtao beer from a vendor offering free pours. It was crisp and refreshing. Luisa tried various seltzers, including S.Pellegrino. Fluke had some THC gummies and seemed to be enjoying himself thoroughly.
We visited food vendors including Kasama, 312 Fish Market, Phodega, and Saucy Porka, from which Fluke ordered a dish. The energy of the crowd was festive and celebratory.
The first act was Maylani Sapaula. She performed an intimate set accompanied by an electric guitarist. Her voice was beautiful — strong pitch, excellent intonation, and a natural stage presence. She performed three or four songs, a mix of originals and covers. The crowd loved her. I hope she becomes well known.
The main act was BOBO.xx, a band from the West Coast. They had incredible stage presence and high energy. One of their songs was a touching tribute to a friend who had recently passed away — emotional and sincere. Despite some issues with the venue’s sound system, they delivered an impressive performance. I hope they make it big.
After the show, we decided to head home. Fluke was feeling the THC gummies pretty strongly, so we drove him home. On our way out of the Ramova, we grabbed a few complimentary S.Pellegrino seltzers.
It was an eventful day — gaming nostalgia, exercise, warm soup, family celebration, music, and community. A winter Saturday filled from morning until night.
