One ending event left, then writing out the dialogue. And the end content.
Last week I was worn out and found myself wanting to see the ocean — and then something surprising happened. A close relative took my wife and me to Jeju, covering everything, flights and lodging included. A completely unexpected four-day trip. It almost feels like I dreamed it. We ate and slept in wonderful places. At one museum, an old magazine on display reminded me of something I’d sent in as a kid, so I got to check on that, and I was able to visit a few art museums and notable buildings. I also had the chance to see the work of a famous painter who has since passed. I remember seeing him on the news when I was a kid and wondering why his work was so popular — and even now, older, I still couldn’t quite see it. His very early work, though, I did like. Apparently he too moved from country to country chasing opportunity, struggled enormously for a long time, and then a chance introduction by a journalist made him famous. For a moment I thought, maybe it was all a bit similar even 50 years ago.
Working through the final assembly, I’ve had the feeling — for the first time in decades — of something I’d imagined and wanted actually clicking together like a puzzle. Along the way I stripped things out and cut things back; early on I’d stuffed in explanations, almost as if to convince myself about what was underbuilt or lacking, and then removed all of it. But lining it all up at the end, the thought that came was: it’s been a very long time since I felt this. Whether many people will play it or like it is a separate question, but getting something I’m satisfied with — that really has been a long time. I want to finish this and start on the next one. Just thinking about building it makes my heart race.