The Slow Process of becoming an RPG fan Pt.3

Well, my last couple of blogs have been downers so I think I'll pep up this blog with continuing in my telling of becoming an RPG fan.

In 2008, I noticed that there was a new Dragon Quest game (At this point, I began noticing RPGs a bit more) and kept pondering whether or not to buy it. In the end, I didn't so this sentence is a little pointless.

In 2010, I finally owned my first RPG as part of a game compilation and as 2012, I've yet to beat it, Phantasy Star IV.

Phantasy Star IV, Stop being so damn hard!!

Before this game, I was strictly a fighting game/ beat 'em up fan but I was becoming bored with  these kind of games. I began giving RPGs and other type of adventure games a try because I knew it would take more than 30 minutes to beat them. After playing other games on the compilation, I decided to go ahead and try the RPG. The beginning monologue to PS4 was a little long winded but I became drawn in with the game's story and manga-like cutscenes. I wasn't sure what the hell I was doing in the game so for the first week I think I just randomly walked around aimlessly until I got into battles. After becoming extremely frustrated in not knowing who, what or where, I took to youtube for a walkthrough (videos of a complete rundown of a game) which made the game maybe 10% easier. As much as I wanted to kick my tv in while playing this game, I couldn't wait to get any further and see the next cutscene.

In the middle of Phantasy Star 4, I was distracted by a few things, school, depression and a friend letting me borrow two RPGs he owned. These two RPGs are thought to be the greatest of their kind and it's pretty hard for me to disagree, even if I've only played a few.

Best RPG EVER...well, in my opinion.

 I started out liking "Chrono Trigger" for "Dragon Ball" creator Akira Toriyama had done the character designs and animated cutscenes. This, along with funny dialogue and interesting villains kept me playing, no matter how frustrating it got. While in the middle of  a huge depression, this game became my life, which with everything that was going on in my life, was a good thing. I miraculously beat the game in the beginning of summer and it was the happiest thing that had happened to me in a  long time. I almost celebrated until I thought "now what?".  Then I looked and remembered that I had another  RPG game to play, the father of all RPGs to be exact...

If you, the reader, have read my earlier blogs, you know that I had already played Final Fantasy VII but this was the original Final Fantasy and all I hoped was that the game didn't freeze up like FF VII did all the time. For such a retro game, it was originally made in 1987, it was vast and there seemed to be a battle always around the corner. I had fun playing as the 4 light warriors and the story was interesting enough but I did run into a problem, in the games vastness, I got lost. I don't mean lost for a couple of hours, I mean a freaking week and a half. I looked on the internet for where to go but when playing, I would just end in up in the same places. I think when I finally figured out where to go, I had done so much grinding (countless battles with enemies just to raise experience points) when I finally got the final boss of the game, I was so over powered, it only took a few minutes to beat them. I kind of just shrugged my shoulders about it, as the ending wasn't as Chrono Trigger's was. And then a couple days later, My friend wanted his games back, which was a little saddening because I had just started Final Fantasy II.

Now, I have a new respect for RPGs or at least the retro ones. They are games that inspire imaginations, take you on adventures that take a hell of a lot longer than 30-45 minutes to complete and in some cases, like Nintendo's "Earthbound", they have heart. Not all of them are good but to sort out the good from the bad, that's what the internet is for.

Now excuse me, I have to spend my weekend not studying and playing Phantasy Star IV.

End

Free your thoughts, ass will follow...

A few years back, when I was still at a certain university, I was in the middle of a big depression spell and was feeling incredibly lonely when it was suggested to me to join a student organization. I was in a student organization when I first started the school but left it after feeling it was a little lame (it was an anime organization for anyone wondering). I looked through a pamphlet that featured all of the student organization but was not impressed by any featured. One day, I think after leaving class, I had seen an ad for a non-religious student organization that interested me and ironically, it was meeting that same day. And to think, I almost went home and studied.

I went to the meeting, introducing myself as being agnostic, even though most of the group were atheist. It was a fun group and we spent that meeting debating over a political / religious subject I can barely remember. I think I spent 60%  of the debate looking at one members...ahem...assets (sorry, Rachael). Besides that, I did enjoy the group and pretty much attended meetings weekly. I felt like, for a change, I actually had a group of friends in school that would eventually accept me. Well, most of them, I felt a few of them weren't particularly fond of me.

As the months went on, the group did it's good (we volunteered for a couple of homeless shelters), it's bonding, (after every meeting, we either went out to eat or to a members place or both), and it's debates (attended a couple and even had some of our own). And then, came fall quarter of the following year (I began attending meetings in the middle of spring quarter of the year before and the events mentioned took place between that time and summer) came and that's when everything began to change.

Some members left, some new members came but the group felt different. Sure, we still had meetings but instead of being accepting of anyone, no matter what their religious beliefs, it now felt like "We're right and not only are you wrong, you're an idiot". A huge difference in the group is that it almost became a swinger group. I'm not saying the group was having sex with each other but it did feel like everyone was flirtatious with everyone. Even I was flirtatious with the women in our group in an effort to prove to myself I was attractive. It didn't quite work out.

The straw that broke the camel's back (yes, I used that phrase) was a debate with a religious student organization. This supposedly peaceful debate got ugly really quick and not only did this ugliness spread out of the debate but it felt like it had truly spread inside some of our core members. When about five of us went to get refreshments for a party, our fearless leader mocked the members of the organization we had just debated with, loudly. When leaving the chip aisle, ironically, those same organization members came around the corner, having heard everything our fearless leader had said, I'm sure. They looked at us as if we were demons and we just walked by quietly, until we left the store and the mocking started again. At this point, I felt the group wasn't for me anymore and kinda began cut ties with them. 

DMX vs. Zimmerman; The Freakshow

Wow, has the entertainment industry really come to this? Last night, while on my fifth hour on twitter, I heard the news of a celebrity boxing match between rapper DMX and murderer, yes, I called him a murderer, George Zimmerman. I went to bed, hoping it was a rumor, only to see the news confirmed earlier today. My first thought upon hearing this was "What the fuck?!"  Are we, as Americans, really ok with this??

Seriously, who okayed this shit??

Here's my opinion, take it as you may; George Zimmerman doesn't need more spotlight and cameras in his face, he needs to rot in prison for the rest of his life, if not the death penalty because of what he's "famous" for. DMX, who has his own problems  with drugs and...being DMX, doesn't need fame at the moment but de-tox and a psych ward.

On the other hand, the people behind this need souls or at least one hell of a reality check. And we, as a people, need to not endorse this crap.  This whole event repulses me and makes me wonder; would people  be ok with a celebrity boxing match between Celine Dion and Baby Murderer Casey Anthony?

In any case, I refuse to watch this shit but I will root for DMX in the end.

Just random writing on a Tuesday...

This was originally going to be a blog about how bad I was at relationships but I didn't think anyone wanted know all that info (if you did, maybe some other time)  but after  watching a PBS mini-series where the two hosts travel throughout China, I decided to just write about I guess my life goals/ ideas/ plans or whatever;

The China travel show is a goal I wanted to fulfill in my life, either there or Japan (Actually, at this point, I'll take any part of Asia). Part of my goal was to travel overseas to teach English. My school at the time have a program where the students were able to go overseas and do so. It was my goal to get into this program but life has other plans. It is still a goal of mine but the downside being if by chance I end up in China (preferably Hong Kong) or Japan, chances are I would not come back.

I want to not only be a fiction / non fiction writer, I would like to be a comic book writer. This started from my love of drawing when I was a kid. I always drew super heroes and at the age of 8...or 9, a friend of mine and I drew comics but he was a hell of lot better than I was. I, on the other hand, have a way better imagination than he and I liked to put my insanity to good use and see how super heroes would deal with it.

Well, that's all I'm willing to share tonight so, um, please continue reading my blog...

Thank you

2013 Year in Review

1. What did you do in 2013 that you'd never done before?
Began writing a book, Tried bacon soap. That actually might be it.

2.  Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't move so I'll probably try to stick to that resolution. Plus, I'll try to be a better better friend.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
I think one of my bestie's, Susan, gave birth but don't quote me on that.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
My grandmother and my aunt (her sister) left us in 2013.

5. What countries did you visit?
Does Ohio count as a country??

6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
My diploma, a job that is somehow connected to what I want to do with my life (Teaching/ Writing).

7. What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
September 1st- My grandmother's funeral. It was the first I had seen a lot of my relatives in years. It was a time of remembering and togetherness.

8.  What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Sorry, as negative as it sounds, I really didn't achieve much this year. Maybe that's what 2014 is for.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Um, besides not moving out? I'm sure there are a couple of failures that I can't think of off the top of my head at the moment.

10.Did you suffer illness or injury?
I'm epileptic, which has led to bodily injuries when I've had a seizure.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My netbook, "Heroes of the East", "Ninjas attack!: true tales of assassins, samurai and outlaws", "Taito Legends vol. 1", tons of Asian groceries

12.  Whose behavior merited celebration?
My friend Eliza for buying a house, My friend Susan for possibly having a baby, My friend and former ex starting  her new job at a casino.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
besides my own at points? Again, I'm sure there are actions by people and I just can't think of  them at the moment.

14.Where did most of your money go?
Food, medicine and bills.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
the release of "Kyatto Ninden Teyandee" in the U.S. and seeing "Iron Man 3".

16. What song will always remind you of 2013?
Not any song in particular but the artist behind them that reminds me of 2013; Toshiki Kadomatsu.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
 i. happier or sadder?: In between . Tired and Cynical mostly.
ii. thinner or fatter?: My weight fluctuates alot .
 iii. richer or poorer?: Poorer

18.What do you wish you'd done more of?
Being a better friend, tending to my studies more

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Procrastinating and sleeping.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
With my family

21. Did you fall in love in 2013?
Not sure, I think so but not sure

22. Did your heart break in 2013?
Yes, I just wish I could remember what it was (or not)

23.  What was your favorite TV program?
Law & Order: SVU, Sleepy Hollow, Marvel's Agents of Shield, American Horror Story, Ironside (which was cancelled after 4-5 episodes).

24.Did you know anybody who got married?
No

25. What states did you visit in 2013?
Ohio, Ohio, Ohio. Did I mention Ohio?

26. Where were you when 2013 began?
At home

27. Who were you with?
Me, my and I

28. Where will you be when 2013 ends?
At Jenny Border's apartment.

29. Who will you be with when 2013 ends?
Jenny Border, Terry and Jay

30. What was the best book you read?
"Ninjas Attack! True tales of assassins, samurai and outlaw" by Matt Alt and Yutaka Kondo

31. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Youtube to mp3 converter

32. What did you want and get?
See answer 11, plus time with friends, "My Young Auntie", "Legend of the Mystical Ninja", some time with friends.

33.What did you want and not get?
My Diploma, More time with friends, my own place, see answer 15, lasting happiness.

34. What was your favorite film of this year?
"Iron Man 3"

35. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I went to trolley stop and waited for friends who never showed up. It turns out they had shown up earlier and left because I was over two hours late. Go figure.  I turned 101. 

36. Where did you go on vacation?
I didn't.

37. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
Black Hipster.

38. What kept you sane?
Music, writing, friends, imagination

39. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
As always, Sammo Hung.

40. What political issue stirred you the most?
It's between "Obamacare" and Obama's apparent "screw up".

41. Did you have to go to the hospital?
A couple of times

42.  How many concerts did you see in 2013?
None

43. Did you have a favorite concert in 2013?
Zilch

44.  Who was the best new person you met?
Angela, Henrique, Jamie, Kevin, Sara, Ri.

45. Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
There are times I wish I hadn't opened my mouth...

46. What was your most embarrassing moment of 2013?
See previous answer.

47.  Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013:
Before turning the judgment light on others, turn it on yourself first.

48.  What are your plans for 2014?
Continue my academic studies until my degree is earned, continue volunteering and working with GLSEN and tutoring with the Brunner Literacy Center. Be a friend and be myself.

49. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"Life is a beautiful struggle"- Talib Kweli  

Banner doesn't live here anymore...

This blog will be a tad embarrassing of me as it is exposing that I am in my 30s and I still watch cartoons and probably will until I am dead in the dirt and then I will get out of my grave to see what new cartoons have been released.

Besides cartoons, I am also a huge comic book fan and one of my favorite heroes when I was growing up was the Hulk. The story of Hulk is that radiation scientist Robert Bruce Banner was caught in an gamma radiation explosion when saving teenager Rick Jones. Instead of burning him to a crisp, Banner seemed fine until he he became angry or agitated (in the beginning, it could also be triggered by the moon) when he would become the Hulk, a gigantic creature of near limitless strength, durability and invulnerability. He had limited intelligence, making him easily angered and the more angered he was, the stronger he became. Even though he was considered a superhero, due to his quick to punch attitude, he often found himself battling heroes along with villains.

With Hulk's popularity came cartoons, some I found loveable (like the 1982 Hulk cartoon), some I found damn dark (the 1996 Hulk cartoon) and some I found bizarre (the original 1966 cartoon).

 

The 1982 Incredible Hulk show, my personal favorite

These days, the Hulk can be found on the following shows, "Avengers Assemble" and "Hulk and the Agents of S.m.a.s.h." and while they are good enough shows, personally I liked AA precursor, "Avengers; Earth's Mightiest Heroes" a lot better because I think there is something odd about how these shows portray the green goliath. Neither show feature Hulk's alter-ego, Bruce Banner. To me, there is no Hulk without Bruce Banner and vice versa. In fact, there was an brief period where the two were separated but couldn't live without being one entity who just changed into the other every so often. The shows of today though show that Hulk is Hulk 24/7, 365, and to me, it makes the show kinda boring. Banner brought a complexity to the character, he didn't want to be the Hulk but he knew that being the Hulk had its uses. However, in the new shows, He's always Hulk and the easiest way to solve problems was to smash things. Not even the 82 show worked like that and that show featured some goofy storylines and Banner, after Hulking out, always returning to normal with clothes intact.

Though the Hulk is in fact an excellent super hero, and one of my personal favorite heroes, I feel like the more recent cartoons are leaving out what some would could call his best side, his more human side, his Banner side.

The mother of all questions, Answered...

Unlike my last few posts, this one is pretty serious because it involves questions I've been asked for the past 3+ years; "Why is it taking me so long to finish college?"and "How much debt have you put yourself in trying to finish school?" . Everyone or at least everyone reading this, I'm about to give a hopefully reasonable answer so grab something to drink and begin reading...

I began attending Sinclair Community College in 2003, without a real plan of what degree to strive for. Most of my fellow high school graduates were attending Sinclair so it seemed like the best thing to do. I'm sure I spent most of my first fall quarter hitting on women, unsuccessfully. My favorite class at the time was "the freshmen experience", a class for incoming freshmen that was so easy, you could sleep throughout the class and receive an A and ironically, I got a C. Throughout my 3 original years at Sinclair, I took classes that looked  interesting but didn't go really go towards my major, even though my major was liberal arts. I guess classes like "art of horror films" and "tennis" would've just destroyed my academic standing. Well, one day, in my advanced English class, someone from Wright State University came and talked with my class about the advantages one would have at Wright State when finished at Sinclair. This interested me and after speaking with a classmate who happened to be at the event told me I didn't have to finish Sinclair to attend Wright State, that sealed the deal for me.

Like my first time at Sinclair, My first few years at Wright State were me not taking things seriously while being happy that I was not living at home anymore (How I miss those days). While spending most of those times were spent  gaming and hitting on girls, unsuccessfully, I still wasn't serious about school. In fall quarter 2008, the class I was in, linguistics, had a visitor from the English Department who talked about the TESOL program, which would allow students to go overseas and teach English to children. I honestly liked this idea and after receiving more info on the program, I decided that the program what I wanted to do. The following fall quarter, 2009, I was able to take an advanced writing class and I was really influenced by both the class and the teacher. It almost felt like my teacher could bring the best out of students, me included, and I decided I wanted to do that along the TESOL program.

So, in answering one question, part of reason why I am still in school is because I didn't know what I truly wanted to major in, English/Creative Writing, until 2009. The other reason is because, as a close friend of mine has said, "Life happens".

As for the question on my financial situation, I have this to say and I apologize if I come off as rude; I am the only person paying for my school, besides the government. If my financial woes were such a big deal for some, maybe they should help me out. It just angers me that I'm told and even chastised about the further and further debt I'm putting myself into with loans when no one is insisting to help me. Finishing school is a dream for me and if I have to drive myself into further debt to make it happen, then God Damn it, I'll do that! Sorry, I got carried away there.

Now, hopefully, this has answered a few questions and I hope I did not piss off too many people.