In the last week or so I've played a lot of Roots of Patcha. It's an excellent Stardew Valley clone.

Playing another similar game to Stardew has made me realise how much I enjoy this genre. The beautiful pixel graphics and just the general feeling of warmth is something I love. I find that playing the game really helps me unwind.

It also makes me think about how I'd love to make a game like this. Not necessarily a "farming simulator" but something with the same art style, fun music and some sort of goal to grind towards. I'd love to make a golf game with this art style. I have no idea mechanically how it would work but I just think it would be cool.

Maybe some kind of "golf course builder" where you're the greens keeper. I'm just spitballing ideas.

I've been thinking a bit lately about my membership at Patterson River.

I love the game of golf. I love playing and trying to improve my handicap.

But being a member of a golf club is expensive. I currently pay $300 a month. I feel like I need to go all in on playing multiple times a week to get value out of it.

I feel a pull at the moment to have a bit more balance with my hobbies. I still want to play a bit of golf but I also want to focus a bit more on my physical and mental health.

What I'm thinking right now is cancelling my membership at Patterson River.

My new plan for golf is as follows:

• Pay $91 a month for membership at Golf Studio Mordialloc where I can go hit balls and practise
• Try and play an 18 hole round once a fortnight and just pay green fees: some of my favourite courses I've played recently are Mount Martha Golf Club, Lancefield Golf Club and Beaconhills Golf Club

This opens up some more time for me to:

• Spend time with Emma
• Try some group exercise classes
• Go to dog club with Boots

I think overall this will be a positive step for me moving forward.

A date night in Carlton is really enjoyable.

It may be some nostalgia but going to the Melbourne Museum is fun. The Star Wars Lego exhibition is a nice addition too.

We had dinner at Bistra which was delicious. Very small portions but the food was outstanding.

This was a wild decision that really cost Sam Burns.