Sliding on Ice
Ice racing seems to be a totally different beast. I would like to think we had a good showing overall, but this photo is evidence that you're just spending the entire stage searching for any grip you can get. Thanks to Mele Media for the photo!
Not-Bonfire-Alley
Sno*Drift Rally is definitely a tricky one: no studded tires allowed, icy and snowy roads that are ready to throw you off at a moment's notice... and some of the wildest fans I've seen at ARA events. Even though there was no Bonfire Alley this year, the remaining hotspots of fans were still super cool to get to drive through. Photo courtesy of Mele Media!
Sno*Drift 2026
Keeping momentum on uphill portions of stages, in RWD, without studded tires... can be frustrating, haha. Great shot though (photographer: [Titanium Media](https://www.instagram.com/titanium.media)).
Sunset in Macau
Always wanted to visit here - curiosity about the Portuguese aspect of history was intriguing, on top of the regular things you’d associate with Macau (i.e, gambling and racing). Kind of hard to get a read on this place at first but it’s got charm in a weird way. Grand Prix museum is stunning and worth going to!
After Dinner Walk
A stunningly beautiful city to walk through. Feels simultaneously artistic and hard to even remotely capture well in photos.
Hong Kong by Night
A somewhat rare sight of a central street with no people. This city is absolutely packed usually.
Slice of Life, Hong Kong
Slowly climbing up through Central Hong Kong. The vertical architecture is amazing - and this road struck out at me as photogenic.
Kaleidoscope Christmas Tree
Christmas in Japan seemed muted this year until I stumbled on this massive thing. One of the coolest takes on a Christmas tree that I’ve ever seen.
Fuji Speedway, Day 2
Was not blessed with sunshine and dry track today - but it’s been an incredible experience nonetheless. Had all of Fuji to myself in wet weather, hard to imagine ever having that opportunity again!
Fuji Speedway
Managed to sneak in one final event for 2025. This time it’s another legendary track! In sims I’m never as fast as I want to be here so I’m really interested to see how it feels in real life.
Cornbread Stuffing Recipe (ish)
One or two days before you need it, make cornbread recipe of your choice. Let it sit for a day, then cube it up and make breadcrumbs in the oven so they're dried out. IME this is actually good enough to hold up to liquid you'll add later without dissolving into mush. (Rainbow Plant Life's recipe is a good starter if you want a satiating cornbread, but I would cut the sugar for this use case - it's already high calorie/fat enough. Don't need the maple syrup and don't need even the true amount of sugar she uses, but you do you, it's holidays after all) Night before or morning of holiday, make stuffing with it. I typically use the same base approach I've used for years: carrots/celery/onion, pepper, herbs of choice, crushed up toasted nut of some kind, and then periodically ladle in a broth for it all to soak up as it bakes. I usually avoid adding salt early on since I use a chicken-less broth to mimic the flavors I remember, but it carries a higher sodium content. When it's done cooking, let it cool in the fridge and reheat it before serving - flavor's always improve for whatever reason. (Also randomly picked up a bunch of Jack & Annie's maple breakfast sausages last year and added them in chopped up, which worked really well) Keeps for a few days, acts as a fantastic binder for everything you could slop on a plate, and tastes great with cranberry sauce. It is hands down the only recipe/approach I've tried that gets close to what I remember eating growing up. Served it to multiple groups now and everyone just assumes it's "regular food".
Jack O’ Laterns 2025
Been a minute since I’d bothered to do this. Forgot how much fun it is! Very happy with how my more traditional one came out, very… demonic.