Staying Sane on Mt. Funk

I’ve been an Animal Crossing fan since I received a GameCube and a copy of Animal Crossing: Population Growing for Christmas at age 7. If you’re not familiar with the series, here’s the gist: You’re a human living in a village/town/island of endearingly dumb gibberish-speaking animal characters, and you spend your time shaking trees for fruit, fishing, catching bugs, shopping, and chatting with the animals. It take place in real time, and certain days of the week bring special characters, a change of weather, new items, and replenished fruit trees or flowers. The pace is blissfully slow, and there hasn’t been a new game since 2012/2013…

Until March 20th, 2020.

In the nick of time, I was able to completely check out of my miserable quarantine life and make a new home for myself on my island. My girlfriend and I have dubbed it Mt. Funk, and christened our characters with the names Kitt and Kaboodle, respectively. In between hours of Zoom class meetings, I’m able to make an attempt to forget about my responsibilities/the news and just catch some bugs.

It isn’t a perfect bandaid for my life’s problems, but it’s pretty damn close.

Celebrating the opening of Mt. Funk’s first store with Pierce, Paula, and the Nooks.

I’m even able to socialize! Friends can visit my island, and the island’s museum is the perfect place for a virtual date.

Kitt and Kaboodle in the butterfly house!