This latest 'Hammered Up Helpful Guide' chapter is actually just a sequel to my other 'Bleach' work, 'Going Down the Line,' one which never got off the ground. Try as we might, Tomas could not think up funny scenarios for each of the Espada. No surprise, considering how many of them were crashing bores whose only interest came from, "Oh, boy, I wonder what their resurreccion will look like!" Hardly worth my time. And...

Hey, I just noticed. That last chapter put 'Lifted Up' over 1 million words.

WHOO-HOO!

Y'know, Tomas has been waiting for this moment. Not that it means anything significant. But now, you could say that I've joined an exclusive club. The club of people on this or other fanfic sites who have devoted themselves to one work so utterly, single-mindedly and, yes, wordily, that it has surpassed mere mortal limitations and entered the realm of the fanfic Gods! Now they shall notice me! Now they shall KNOW MY NAME! With this the gods must needs shower me with reviews, favorites and followers! They cannot help but appreciate my mastery! My vision! My GENIUS! And soon, everyone will have no choice but to admit that I, Tomas the Betrayer, have crafted a story which so surpasses the original that it will now be accepted, the world over, as CANON! Glory to the Betrayer! Glory, I say! GLORY!

Delusional? No, not at all. It's... metaphorical, y'know?! Like... Orlando. One of those... circle of life kind o' things. I'm not crazy; you're crazy. Especially you, Ghost of Nappa!

Well, that was fun. But here we are. And yes, once again, Tomas has failed to deliver on the promise of finishing 'Lifted' by the end of the year. 2025 it is! No way I won't be able to pull it off. We're in the home stretch, people, believe it. Trust me, okay? This time, you can count on me!

I've started watching the second season of 'Arcane,' and so far, I don't know what all the fuss was about. That being, so many people insisted the quality had dropped from the first season. Sure, things aren't developing at quite the same stately, harrowing, psychological thriller pace. But I, for one, am finding the quick, bombastic style quite refreshing! I'm about 2/3 of the way through, and let me tell you, the first three episodes alone could have been stretched out to a whole season. But they didn't! And for that, we should all be grateful. I don't see this show disappointing me with the finale in the way certain others have. Plus the 5th season of 'Danmachi' has been super swell. Nice focus on the Freya Familia so we finally get to learn more about them (even if the whole club seems to be composed of zealots, psychos and a$$hats without exception). And Bell is finally coming to terms with being a true man in a harem anime, which most anime protagonists couldn't touch with a 1,000-foot pole. Who doesn't enjoy a good bit of punishment mixed with a healthy dose of thwarted longing, eh? My point is, there's still good stuff to look forward to as we step into the New Year! Pleasant dreams.

Honesty is the best policy.
Don't believe everything you read.
A bird in the hand beats two in the bush.
Homilies are for the birds.
Laugh and the world wonders why.