Eulogy for an old friend (Saturday morning cartoons)

Imagine I look like this while you read this blog

On September 27th of this year, an old friend of mine breathed its last breath. Though this friend was way older than me, I've known them all my life.This friend made me laugh, cry, gave me imagination, and most of all, woke me up early every Saturday morning.  This friend is, if you didn't guess by the title, is Saturday morning cartoons.

The best friends a toddler could ever ask for

As an 80s baby who grew up in 90s, I got to see the two greatest eras of Saturday morning cartoons. From cartoons based on comics books, to 30 minute toy commercials, I truly believed I soaked it all in, shaping some of my personality. I know it sounds insane but bear with me here, I can say I got my sarcasm from Raphael of the Ninja Turtles or Heathcliff, a sense of right and wrong from the Thundercats or M.A.S.K. and some my taste of music from Kidd Video (look it up). I'm not saying my parents didn't teach me anything but when you're a kid, you tend to listen to cartoons more than your parents. Well, until your parents threaten to whoop you.

Probably the reason for my obesity 

As I got older, I didn't watch as much many Saturday morning cartoons because if I didn't have to work, I was most likely catching up on sleep.When I did see them, with some exceptions, I wasn't really impressed with them. Within time, the big 4 channels (ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX) stopped showing cartoons altogether, leaving only the CW and after September 27th of this year, they stopped.

I find it a little sad because of the following reasons; 1. They've been around for forever. They were around when my parents were kids. I remember watching them with my parents (my mom always chuckled at "Cadillacs & Dinosaurs and Dad was pretty fond of "Real Ghostbusters") and my sister ( "Jem" was the only cartoon we could agree on to watch). I was hoping to one day watch them with my children but unless I have the internet, I won't be able to show them the classics. 2. I can't be the only person influenced by Saturday morning cartoons. Though we don't like it, Michael Bay is obviously a fan of them. I know books and life can influence kids but what better way to be influenced than to wake up on a 6 a.m. Saturday morning to watch 6-7 hours of animation??

Rest in Peace, Saturday Morning Cartoons. You are sorely missed
Always,
Me

P.S. Below are stills from some of my Saturday Morning Cartoons growing up and some of the morals they may have taught me...  

Teamwork

Family

Patriotism 

Music

Martial Arts

and... More Teamwork

Lonely Summer...

I apologize to my audience (the five of you) for not blogging in so long but a lot has been happening that's kept me a tad busy. This summer left me with the full plate of a new job and a very difficult class, that, in the end, I failed. I do enjoy my new job, there were elements that kept me from enjoying this summer, not getting any personal writing done and hanging out with friends.

Oh and I STILL don't own this yet... 

For over a year, I've been working on a book about how screwed up 2011 was for me and a short sci-fi story I started on in a writing class and I don't even think I've jotted down ideas for either of them since mid May. I wanted to keep this blog more updated or at least conclude the Street Fighter blog by early August but all I finished was "Shenandoh Beauty" and that was late July. As upset with myself I am about not staying on top of my personal writing,  all I can do is make time to work on it whenever the chance is given.

The issue that urks  me the most about this summer is the time, or lack there of, I got to spend with friends. Now my friends aren't fully to blame for this, as there some friends I either avoided, hung out way too much instead of others or just didn't put effort into contacting. There were friends, however, who I truly wanted to hang out with but it always felt like something would get in the way, either on their side or mine. Coming  from a superstitious family (even though I'm agnostic), I feel like this was some form of Murphy's Law, biting me in the ass for said friends I didn't make time for or avoided.

In the end, I don't know what to think. Summer's over with and my schedule is even more hectic. Only thing I can think of doing is appreciate the friendships I have and the time I can get, even with those I previously avoided.

Oh, and I don't own this yet either, Damnit!

Shenandoah Beauty

I think most of us (me and you, the readers) remember how great/ horrible high school was for us. I remember my first dance, first friend, first time someone made fun of me but most of all, I remember my first high school crush.

I began high school in the fall of an undisclosed mid-late 90s time frame at Colonel White high school. Having had a bad experience in middle school, I was a little hesitant on speaking to anybody. In my first month, I found myself extremely bored, mostly because I didn't talk to anybody, and began an old habit I picked up in middle school, skipping classes.One particular day, I sat on the outside steps of the school,debating whether or not to skip when I heard the door open. I panicked, thinking it was a school security guard but seeing who came through the door would make me panic more than any authority figure could, at least at that time.

"Let me guess, the lunch sucked to you too." said a short, caucasian girl. Her hair was blond and frizzy, she wore coke bottle glasses, a row of braces lined her teeth, top to bottom and in my eyes, she was beautiful. I was terrified but I hid it behind a smirk, the first time my face had a positive expression since school started. "It was pretty gross" I said and she smiled, showing off her beautiful braces. I introduced myself, proving that I was more vocal towards women then than I am now, and she told me her name and that she was new. We chatted until we heard the bell and ran inside, with her turning around right when I decided to look at butt. "Well, see ya around."" she said, running off in the opposite direction of where I was going.
An hour later, I had choir class, a class I despised so much that I mostly sat in the back to avoid being seen by the teacher. This day, I sat in such a reclusive spot, I'm sure I could've fallen asleep. A couple of minutes after class had started, the door opened and  there she was again. She handed a slip to the teacher, I guess letting him know she was new and as she turned to face the class, I stood up, hoping she would notice me. She saw me, giving me a small wave but choosing to sit in the front. I was taken aback that she didn't sit next to me but hell, at least she acknowledged me and when class was over, I wanted to be with her but this was my last class and wanted to catch my bus and be at home even more.
Within the months, I felt like I now had a purpose to come to school, her. When she was there, I couldn't have been happier and when she wasn't , I sulked hard. I remember one night when I stayed up to watch "The Lost Boys" (1987) on a school night and just when I was about to go to bed, Wes Craven's "Deadly Friend" (1986) came on. Now I really didn't care to stay up and watch another horror film, a bad looking one at that, but then I saw the character of Sam, played by actress Kristy Swanson and I saw her. Because of the resemblance, I watched this horrible movie in all it's glory and by the time it was over, it was time for me to get ready for school. This experience might explain my long standing crush on said actress.

No, not her but make her hair frizzy, give her braces and coke bottle glasses and just maybe... 

Even though she gave me a purpose to come to school, I still skipped regularly (sometimes, girls aren't enough of an initiative). My schoolwork was suffering, my teachers were concerned and even she admitted she thought I had a rare disease that kept me out of school.

After our school's Christmas break, I returned to student life like nothing happened but it wasn't going to go so easy. Some classmates who I had been grouped with in my science class weren't happy with my lack of being there. I brushed this off and waited for lunch time to come so I could see her. When it happened, I literally ran to the door that lead outside to meet her. I waited outside, in what was freezing weather, and after a few minutes, she walked out. I was ready to hug her but I saw her face and she looked very unhappy  to see me. I asked her what was wrong and she let me know that she was upset that I had not been there, especially before break. She dug through her purse and handed me a Christmas card. "It doesn't mean that much now but here" she said. I was very moved that this girl, who I may or may not have in love with, had taken the time out of her day to buy me a Christmas card. Unfortunately, I think the only words I could muster were "Oh, wow, thanks!"

After that, I began to attend class regularly, and yes, I mostly did it for her. My grades started to come up and being a little more sociable, not just with her but with other to people too. Then, it all came crashing down in three words from her; "My family's moving."

I swear I heard my heart shatter when she told me that but I all I mustered up was a cold "Oh, really, where?". I even remember her telling me where she and her family were moving to, Arkansas. She told me they were moving in two weeks and at that point I stuck to her like white on rice, probably much to her annoyance. On her last day, we sat next to each other on the school steps, in the cold and in silence. I wasn't sure what to say other than good luck. She wasn't sure what to say other than thanks. I wanted to tell that I loved her, or as much as 14 year old knew about love. I wanted to beg her not to go but it wasn't up to her and when the bell rang for us to go to class, we did. In choir class, I sat in the back and she sat in the front, as normal. The first 20 minutes were a blur as all I did was stare at the back of her blond hair and then the teacher asked us to stand for us to sing "Shenandoah". We all sang and I saw her walk up to the teacher and say something and he shook his head, without missing a beat and she walked towards the door. She turned around, looked at me and waved bye to me like she'd see me tomorrow. I wanted to run to her and kiss her but my legs froze and all I did was wave back to her. She walked out and though it couldn't really be heard, I heard the door close, loudly.

Ask me about video games Check List

In between my more serious blog coming up, I saw this checklist on my tumblr page, which I'll post a link to at the end of this blog, and decided "what the hell" and post it on this blog page too. For those wondering, all 3 of you, I'm a retro gamer, meaning I mostly play games that were from my childhood, which was a long time ago. This checklist showcases the likes and dislikes on the various old games I play, you've been warned...

1. Favorite video game?
 Super Mario Brothers 3

2. First console you owned?
Nintendo

3. A game that holds a special place in your heart? See answer #1

4. Favorite video game character?
It's between Mario, Chun-Li from the Street Fighter series and Goemon

5.  Least favorite video game character?
Not sure but it's probably a boss from an SNK fighting game, cheap bastards...

6. Favorite genre?
Between Beat 'em up, side scrolling action and fighting games

7.  Video game character you’ve had a crush on?
Rainbow Mika from Street Fighter Alpha 3

8. First video game you remember playing?
Popeye arcade game

9. Age you started gaming?
Playing games: 6. Actual gaming: 19

10. Hardest video game you’ve played?
Phantasy Star IV, four years and still haven't beat it...

11.  Video game you’ve spent the most time on?
Not sure but it was probably Capcom Classics Collection vol.2

12. Most embarrassing gaming moment?
Losing my shit when playing King of Fighters XI and Art of Fighting, the latter, in front of my then girlfriend

13.  Scariest video game you’ve played?
I tend to stay away from horror themed games but I remember being a little freaked out when I first played Laser Ghost. Damn laughing gargoyle...

14.  Most memorable gaming moment?
Either beating Super Mario World or Chrono Trigger.

15.  Video game character you wish you could meet in real life?
It's between Chun-Li, Mai Shuranui or Kirby

16.  PC, Xbox, Playstation, or Nintendo?
Dreamcast, Nintendo, Playstation

17. Gaming company you’re most loyal to?
Originally, it was Capcom but because of recent mistakes made by the company, I've strayed to SNK and Konami, though they're not perfect either.

18.  If you could only play one video game for the rest of your life, which would you choose?
I dunno but it would have to have ninjas

19. Do you use strategy guides?
No

20.  How often do you use cheats?
Depends on the games

21.  Competitive or single player?
Single, unless it's a beat 'em up

22.  Video game character you want to/have cosplayed?
Never have cosplayed. Who would I cosplay as? Either Goemon or one of the Ninjas from Konami's Mystic Warriors

23. Ever go to a video game convention?
No but I wouldn't be against it

24.   Hardest boss fight you’ve been in?
see answer #5

25. Video game you wish you could burn from your memory?
Power Punch II

26.  Favorite gaming series?
It was Street Fighter but these days, it's hard to say...

27. Do you skip tutorials, or find them useful?
See answer #20 

28. Best online gaming experience?
Jet Li's "Age of Wushu" . It was more fun than I anticipated.

29. Worst online gaming experience?
Really haven't had one

30. Why do you game?
For fun, for escapism, just like everyone else...

Making sense of Street Fighter pt. 2...

Oh, Street Fighter Alpha 3, where do I even begin with you...

Released in 1998, Street Fighter Alpha 3 (Zero 3 in Japan) was to be the final in the Alpha series (an updated version was released on Playstation Pocket years later). Like any good sequel, it upped the ante for the game, bringing in new characters alongside the remainder of whichever characters of Street Fighter II that weren't in the previous installments and providing different modes of combat systems for whichever character the player picked. This may all sound impressive but to me, besides the new characters, all the updates just made the game a bit confusing. When the game was ported to home systems, there were slight changes to every version. The Sega Dreamcast version had better hit sprites (don't ask) and slightly better animation while the Playstation One version, the one I owned, had many bonus levels and the remaining characters from the Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers. With all these different changes and modes, maybe the game designers should've paid more attention to the plot of the game and yes, I'm about to go into heavy detail about the plot of a video game where the key objective is to beat other people up.

Bison, from crime boss to Psychokinetic demi-god and back again

In SFII,  Bison (Vega in Japan) was the leader of the criminal organization, Shadaloo, using the tournament as a possible way of recruitment. After the release of "Street Fighter II; the animated movie" , Capcom decided to make the Alpha series to provide back story for some of the characters. For the first couple games, Bison's origin remained a mystery but two important characters were introduced that were tied to him, the fortune teller Rose, who is spiritually connected to Bison and Charlie (Nash in Japan), Guile's partner who Bison had killed, motivating his grudge.

Things became really interesting during SFA3 (not saying that SFA1&2 weren't interesting), when Bison went from a powerful fighter and criminal organization leader to demi-god. Bison is now trying to harness all of the world's psychokinetic energy through a giant machine. Rose, the fortune teller who's spiritually connected turns out to be the separated good half of Bison's soul and Cammy, who originally just worked for Bison, turns out to be a clone of him. If I didn't know any better, I'd say Bison had definitely had his feminine side. Not that there's anything wrong, it just feels extremely out of place for the series.

Rose, Bison's feminine side 

  In Rose's ending in SFA3, she kills Bison but collapses in the process. She is found by Guy, the game's resident ninja bad ass (those who've read this blog know I love ninjas), and taken to safety, not knowing that Bison's essence (don't ask) has possessed Rose, who later goes off and along with Shadaloo scientists  create a new, albeit weaker body and this is where Street Fighter II starts. Oy vey!

Oh, it gets better. So, SFA3 has pretty much everyone from SFII, with the Playstation one version has all these characters plus the remaining three remaining fighters from SSFII. All these characters and this is supposed to take place before SFII (Capcom's words, not mine), with all these characters coming back for that tournament?? Save me, retcon Jesus!!

Anyway, while that insanity was going on, Capcom had already began making up for this when after five years, they finally made a Street Fighter III, with newer characters and a new storyline that didn't involve Bison. Yet, the inconsistencies that plagued SFA3 will come back to rear it's ugly head soon.

To be concluded...

Making sense of Street Fighter pt.1 ...

I'm a big fan of Capcom games and the game that started my liking for most of the companies older out put was "Street Fighter II: The World Warrior". When I first played this game in 1991, I was amazed by the gameplay and concept. In this game were 8 unique characters beating the hell out of each other with crazy moves like fireballs, sonic booms and hundred hand slaps.

  Before SF II, the few fighting games that were available, including Street Fighter 1, were kind of boring and after Street Fighter II came a slew of other fighters, some good (Fatal Fury), some bad (Dragon Master) and some were just weird (Fighter's History). As all these were being released, Street Fighter (or the company that made the series, Capcom) decided to make improvements to the SF but not in sequels but in special editions of SF II. At first, this was ok, with two players able to play as the same character and being able use the four boss characters and in later games 4 new characters but it just left me, and I'm sure fans of the game, wanting a 3rd in the series. In 1995, there was a new Street Fighter game with a new design and better graphics but it was not sequel but a prequel. Not what I was expecting but anything is better than another SF II.

Street Fighter Alpha (Zero in Japan) takes place after Street Fighter I but before Street Fighter II, making it a side story. Alpha provided back stories for the few street fighter II characters that were in the game, brought back some characters from street fighter I, brought in characters from another Capcom game,1989s Final Fight, and provided two new characters who a important to the street fighter universe. The new animation was incredible, a show of the updated graphics system Capcom began using, and as mentioned earlier, the new character designs gave new life to the series, even if some were a little over exaggerated. Still, this was an amazing game that I know I was addicted to the first time I played it. Capcom went and on to release a sequel the next year, Street Fighter Alpha II (Zero II),doing the same in bringing back characters from previous games and introducing new favorable ones. But a couple of  years later, Street Fighter Alpha 3 was released and it showed, to me at least, that whoever was behind this game either got a little too ambitious or purposely made the game, storyline wise, weird as all hell.

To Be Continued

Saw a star shining bright; two years later

 Today is the second anniversary of the death of my dear friend, Candice. I know this will not feel as heartfelt as the first "Saw a star..." blog but I just felt like writing about her.

These past few days have been weird because I felt like I've been using her death as an excuse for my mood and now I feel guilt for it. In all honesty, I do miss her like crazy, even going so far as keeping her section in the obituary and the program from her viewing. There are considerable small things that I miss about her, her smile, her eyes, her big brea.. um, attitude and most of all, knowing she cared about me. That sort of thing is extremely important because God knows how many times I've been told "I don't see a future for us". Once, I had a girl hesitate to go out with me because my not being able to drive, even though my being unable to drive is mostly because of my epilepsy but I'm getting way off subject...

There's just so much I wanted to say to her, so much to ask. What the hell did she see in me and if she saw a future for us? I'd like to think she did. What would have the perfect scenario of us for her, to be like Ward and June Cleaver?

I think the main thing I would ask her is "why?". Was there that much pain in her life that she felt she had no other choice? Why not call Michelle (one of my best friends and her best friend) or me? Hell, crisis care was right there. If I had known the last time I talked to her would in fact be the last time, I would've...honestly, I don't know I would've done or said. Plus, I don't even know if she died that way. It's just sad that she's gone.

I just hope she is happy, still the shining star in the night sky I saw a couple of years ago.

Candice, You are still missed, you still own pieces of my heart and I thank you for making this frog feel like a prince.

Always,
Me