For years I have wanted to own an Nintendo Switch. Ever since their launch of the device I have dreamed about owning one and playing games on the go. But I never thought that it would be my friends who would be the ones to bring that dream to life.
Throughout life you make friends, some stick around like your best friend that you’d do anything for, and some move on with their lives. For me I have one best friend who has stuck to me through thick and thin, and all the chaos I’ve been through since meeting 18 years ago, and a group of people I am beyond lucky of being surrounded by. Some are friends I have reconnected with after years apart, others that I have met over the past three years that I could never imagine my life without.
Now you may be wondering why I mentioned about wanting an Nintendo Switch and friendships I have, or you may have read the title of this blog and know exactly why I a, writing this. Well, as the title says, my friends, my amazing friends helped me complete a Not Bucket List Journey goal.
How? Well on my Twitch channel I use a service called Throne (https://throne.com/foxsley). This allows friends, family, and members of my community to purchase or contribute and send items to my PO Box without seeing my address. I have been using throne for a year now and have received some beautiful gifts that have attributed to my streams(some more at my expense for a good laugh), Not Bucket List Journeys and my collection shelf often seen in videos and my streams. Throne has allowed me to have more opportunities than I had before by having the option for others to help contribute. It was suggested by a friend of mine to put up an Nintendo Switch as I have wanted one for years and to have the ability of joining them on gaming sessions like drunk Mario Kart.
So as recommended, I put up the option for an Nintendo Switch on my Throne account and a couple months later, due to kind contributions we hit our goal in raising the funds for a switch. I received the notification to say we reached the final amount and that funds will be released in 10 days. And then I could take the journey, of heading towards a GAME shop to purchase the Nintendo Switch.
But then I got impatient, I wanted to go and get the Switch. So with it being payday, and knowing the funds would drop into my account a couple days later – I got ready to head on out.
It was such a lovely day and the excitement had me on the top of my toes. It was finally happening! I headed out to catch the bus opting to go to a further away GAME so I could also grab some items from the shops nearby.
The excitement continued to build as I got closer and closer all the way until I entered Sports Direct that housed the GAME store inside. I made my way up the escalator and headed towards the section of the store spread out with games, plushies, consoles and more.
I was in awe of all the options, and thought I had my heart set on the original neon red and blue. Having the option in front of me to potentially get an OLED. The poor staff thought I was probably weird, well definitely weird standing in store filming whilst trying to decide which blooming Switch to go for. But it’s okay, I acknowledge that.
After some deciding and walking amongst the consoles and games, I finally picked the one I wanted. The original neon red and blue with Mario Kart 8, a fox case and annual pass. After checking out at the till with my goodies and additional insurance, I headed out to grab a few extra supplies before going home.
Once in and I had my Nintendo Switch unboxed, I was head deep into gaming. I had an initial hiccup of one of the controllers not working, so I headed across the road to my local GAME to swap it out which they did quickly and then returned back home. Though I purchased Mario Kart 8 with the Switch, I headed to the store and bought my net favourite game. Stardew Valley.
And let me tell you what a bad idea that was. Because those of you who play the game may know it takes time to level and make your way through the year. But you see, I fixated on the game. Any free time I had I was face down playing away. and play away I did. Reaching mid year 2 in Stardew Valley in just under two weeks. Yep, two weeks.
Having the Switch has been absolutely amazing. Especially for days when I am mentally struggling, or physically cannot get out of bed. Having the option to distract myself and game in bed has made such a difference to the tough days. Another reason I am so grateful to those who helped towards making it happen.
Only left now to do is have some Mario Kart 8 races with friends.
Thank you, to all those who made it happen!
Not Bucket List Journey 