Possible Job and an Injury

As I said in my last blog post, I have been very very gung-ho about getting a job for the summer. I've applied online, I've harassed nearly every store employee, I've went door to door. Until yesterday, however, I was quite dejected because nearly no one is hiring and I was practically at the end of my rope patience wise. Then I received a phone call requesting an interview for a job at the gas station a little bit out of town. I went to the interview, and it sounds very promising.

Now about the injury that I mentioned in the title--the day before yesterday, I sprained my ankle riding my bicycle. I wasn't being very smart on my bike, but I suppose I got what I deserved after all. Of course, that didn't look very good at the job interview--despite being presentable clothing-wise, I was on crutches, and she did ask about it. However, there isn't much I can do. If I get the job, that will be awesome and I will be able to FINALLY say, "I worked this summer," when people always ask that question, "So, what did YOU do this summer? (expecting a miraculous answer)" If not, I'll keep on trying. I won't give up on a job for a while; after all, my experience working at food service during the school year looks good and I can say how awesome I was dealing with nasty, impatient people on a regular basis.

I remember vividly how rude my fellow students were to me when I was making them sub sandwiches; the snide glares, the stuck-up air... I am not ashamed at working food service. I have to work somewhere. What really makes me mad is when people complain to me, "I can't find any part-time job anywhere!!" I reply, "Why not work at PACES? It's better than nothing." At that point, they metaphorically stick their nose up and say, "PACES? Ew, I would never work there." The conversation peters off, and I am standing there thinking, You're just not desperate enough.

Random, needful rant over, I guess that's all I have for today. I suppose there is one more thing I could mention...

I now know how to knit AND crochet. Having been personally taught how to knit, I took it on myself to learn crocheting... Crochet for Dummies, did its job fairly well. Unlike a person, a book has unlimited patience... That is in all jest, of course. I would take people over books any day.

That being said, once I get better at crocheting/knitting, I want to try my hand at anigurumi... There are many books on that in the library, but that's going to wait until I'm fairly decent at crocheting.

Musings

Again, it's been a long time since I've written in this blog. Finals week was very stressful, but that has been over for a couple of weeks now, and now I'm officially a junior in college. Yup, a junior in college. When did that happen? Another school year has passed me by, and I've been on summer break for about a week or so.

So my plans for this summer include (trying) to get a job. Also on the to-do list is getting my creative juices flowing, as well as catching up on things I usually don't have time to do--like reading, playing video games, and watching movies. To those who actually read this blog, if you have any suggestions about any awesome games/books/movies you have watched/played/read, please let me know and I'll check them out.

The job search has been moot so far. I have went on several trips to go job hunting, and it turns out that very few places in town are actually hiring. I filled out a few applications (I fear in vain), but the reply I kept on getting was "No, we're not hiring. Do you want to fill out an application?" There's no point in filling out an application if you guys aren't hiring. This is only a summer job... Anyways, I suppose that this is a testament to the fact that the economy still really hasn't recovered since 2008. If I don't get a job, it won't be the end of the world, but it would certainly be a good thing.

In other news, I've been trying to re-read the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and of course it's proving as difficult as the first time (as I have only read in full the first novel in the trilogy). My boyfriend gave me the whole set as a gift (his attention span couldn't handle the dry, boring parts of LOTR), and I've been trying to tackle the novels ever since. My favorite character is either Frodo or Gandalf, I can never choose. Gandalf is awesome in his mysterious superiority, but Frodo is the real hero of the series.

Also going to read some manga this summer. Got out some InuYasha and Full Metal Alchemist from the library today. I have read FMA before, but that was a few years ago, and it will be fun to re-read it again. I remember that it does get darker and more sadistic as the series goes on, but the awesome art and main characters mostly stay the same.

As for my creative side of things, I plan on working on some new comics with my sister, as well as working on my characters, Victor and Oliver. If you don't remember them, I did place an excerpt from a practice concept that I had here. It's very hard to develop Victor because he originally was a dark hero. Then, coming to a realization, I split Victor into two characters--the original Victor is now a bona-fide evil, evil, antagonist. The character that split off, Oliver, is now the light hero. Of course, coupled with my sister's characters (Jelar, a vampire, Celia, the former lover of Victor, and others), we plan to write several stories, or even perhaps a novel together. That will be fun, and I'll keep you posted on that.

Game Review--Blackwell Legacy

Hello, all those in the blogosphere! I have for you all today a game review on the first game in a series--the indie PC game series known as the Blackwell series. Being extremely bored over March break, I bought the whole series on Steam. I have NOT regretted it--I fell in LOVE with the series, and just finished the last game a few days ago (having stayed up until 2 am to finish said game). So as I review the four games in the series, I will post the reviews here as well as on deviantart. So, the first game in the series: Blackwell Legacy.

Awesome game, of course. Having seen the Youtube trailer for the game before buying the bundle, I was expecting a lot. And I got everything I expected, and more.

Summary: Rosangela Blackwell, a young freelance writer living in present day New York City, makes a startling discovery after her aunt's death. The appearance of her spirit guide, Joey Mallone, makes Rosa aware of the fact that she is part of a family legacy of mediums. With Joey's help, Rosa solves the mystery of a teen suicide.

Art/Graphics/Music: The graphics in this game are what can only be called as “retro”--they give the player a classic feel while playing the game. There are portraits for each character while they are speaking, and the art for those portraits is done very well. The music for this game (in fact, for the whole series), is a jazz type music, which is suitable for the dark themes that keep popping up in the storyline. Overall, the graphics, art, and music for this game were done extremely well for an independent company, and there are few glitches to be found in the game.

Plot/Storyline/Characterization: The Blackwell series is mostly plot-focused, so I won't be revealing too much of the plot in these reviews (to minimize spoilers). However, the plot and the storyline of this game was very smooth, the transitions in the plot line not too slow. The plot was fast at times, but as this was the first game, I was not too insulted by that. The characters in the game were very thought out and very well characterized. I immediately fell in love with the character of Joey; his wit, sarcastic charm, and mysteriousness gave the game some much-needed humor. Rosa, too, is an essential, unique character that is the center of the plot and has plenty of focus throughout the game—after all, she is the only character you can control (in this first game, anyway). Even the minor characters of Rosa's next door neighbor and the people she interviews at the college were not unnecessary at all and gave the storyline what it needed to be a very good game.

I did not find very many cons to this first game; however, if there was one thing I could improve on Blackwell Legacy it would be to just add a little more game play to the end of the game, perhaps include one more puzzle to solve for Rosa and Joey. However, perhaps this is what the producer intended—for the reader to be begging for more adventures.

Also a kudos to the voice actors—they really personified the game in a way I would have never thought possible. They did a really good job and this game series wouldn't be half as good without them.

 

Overall Themes: Death, suicide, afterlife, college experiences, loss.

Extras: Two commentaries by David Gilbert can be activated while playing the game. However, this is not advised while playing the game the first time, as spoilers are revealed.

Conclusion: Overall, “Blackwell Legacy” was a really fun game to play and is a great beginning to a nicely thought out video game series. The retro style and some of the themes of the game may not appeal to some players. However, as this game is classified as “indie,” it is expected that only a certain niche of gamers would enjoy this. The storyline, characterization, and music of this game is overall appealing, and generally leaves the player wanting a sequel.

Credits: 

 

Publisher and Developer: WadjetEye Games

Designer/Producer: David Gilbert

Format: PC

Type of Game: Indie/Graphic Adventure/Point-and-Click

Release Date: December 23, 2006

Voice Acting: Abe Goldfarb, Sande Chen

Also, the trailer for the whole gaming series, which I advise to watch:

Have a good one, everybody!

 

Life and a Game Recommendation

Didn't really know what to title this thing, so I just decided to come up with some lame-o title.

Of course, my life has gotten increasingly busy (as usual), what with work, classes, clubs, and the crunch that everyone is feeling as the end of the semester starts to catch up on everyone. I barely have time to breathe at the end of the day--especially yesterday, when the student government had to pass their budget.

Apparently, the college student government budget is a horrid, enormous thing that happens once a year in March. It gives the funding to all of the clubs from our Student Activity Fee. Then the members of student govt (treasurers of clubs and representatives from the dorms) vote on every single club's budget. It took seven hours over two days to pass the budget. There was a lot of tension, and as I have never been a part of student government, this was a surprise and a half. I still have a headache from part two, that happened today.

I'm actually surprised I have half a second to write in this blog. It truly has been quite insane, especially with my plans for this summer, which are continuing to loom over me kind of like a dark cloud. If they are implemented, I will probably write a whole separate blog on the events surrounding it. But for now, since these plans are not in solid stone and may change, I think I'm going to keep it under wraps for now.

I do have one awesome thing to discuss though. Over my Spring break (a couple weeks ago), I was really bored and looking for games on Steam. While looking for good adventure/RPG games (my favorite), I stumbled upon the Blackwell series. Although this series has so-so for graphics, I instantly fell in love with the characters and the storyline. You can find a trailer for the whole game series here. The trailer is just as awesome as the games, but the series is so intense. I'll probably have a review once I finish all of the games. I'm on game number three now, so be sure to watch out for that soon.

Until next time, also known as when I have some free time to write about my life.

Excuses and an Excerpt

Actually, I really don't have any excuses as to why I haven't been posting for about a month. It was just... after two weeks, I felt if I posted again, I would have to make an excuse as to why I haven't been posting. So I waited another week, and another week...

And finally I'm here, home once again from school on break. Spring break, in fact, and even though it is nearly the middle of March (not technically spring), spring has officially begun. 50s and early 60s on and off last week, and it's supposed to be warm all this week too. I really wish I would have brought my sundress, because I certainly would have worn it this week.

Since I have been away for so long, I figure it wouldn't be useful to fill everyone in that's been going on this whole month, because I could write about 10-15 posts at least about everything that's happened. What I'm going to do instead is hop back on the blogging bandwagon and post more frequently, aka a few times a week.

So for my first post back from hiatus, I'm going to put in an excerpt from my newest story in progress. I still have to finish this story, so don't mind if there are grammar/structure errors. This is a battle scene between two of my characters--a necromancer and a mage. Enjoy.

--

Sure enough, there was his cousin, Victor—standing in front of the case. His back was to Oliver, so he did not see his cousin. Oliver started to make an attempt to walk up to Victor without him noticing, but his foot stepped on a piece of glass on the floor halfway there and it made a sharp crunching sound. This gave him away, and Victor whipped around, the greedy look in his eyes changing to hatred as he saw Oliver.

   “Cousin, you realize that it will take you quite a while to open that case with the spells Celia and I have placed on it, do you not?”

   “Fool! I have already managed to destroy most of the pitiful spells your girlfriend has placed on the case. Had you gotten here twenty minutes later, the case would be gone and I would be the rightly possessor of my book again, my spells that are rightfully mine!” Victor snarled, brandishing his staff at Oliver.

      “Well, it's a highly good thing that I arrived when I did, otherwise you have already stolen away with it! Once I get the book analyzed from Aheem, I am simply going to extract the useful spells from it and then destroy it so you cannot get your gnarly hands on it!”

      Victor recoiled, as though his cousin had slapped him across the face. “You couldn't possibly be thinking about doing that!” he exclaimed. “That book has been in the hands of necromancers for CENTURIES! To destroy it would be destroying part of the heritage of the gift of necromancers. The gift that you rejected.”

     “Of course I rejected it! Your art is evil, and look at what practicing such magick has made you become! It has made you a selfish monster with no thought to others except for yourself. Is that what you want to do with your life?”

      Victor ignored his cousin's question. “Enough is enough! I grow tired of your needless insults. You know what I want. Give it to me without any trouble and I will not cause YOU any trouble.”

     “No matter, my dear cousin. You have already caused me trouble by destroying my property and breaking into my home! There is not much more that you can do that will cause me any more harm, Victor.”

     Victor laughed then, a gutteral laugh that sent chills down Oliver's spine. “Oh, I could do much, much more harm to you than you could even possibly know, boy. You are simply a mage. I am a necromancer, a darke wizard. We are much more powerful than you naturally. And I have trained in my art for many more years than myself.” He paused. “So, my dear cousin, be prepared to die!”

What A Week and New Words

Just... wow. What a week. I really can't explain my life in explicit detail right now, because a huge chunk of it is personal. But here is something that happened that I can divulge:


http://centralny.ynn.com/content/top_stories/573286/classes-at-suny-canton-to-resume-feb--20th-after-fire-in-chemistry-lab/ 

The link will lead you to a news story about how on my boyfriend's campus, his science building practically exploded, preventing him from going to classes for a week or more. Unfortunately, he was at my campus at the time, so he is practically without any belongings until he gets back to campus next weekend. So yeah, these past few days have been mind-blowing, just to say the least.

In other news, I had to read a scholarly article for a paper I was doing. Of course, there were so many words that I didn't even understand and I had to go to the Oxford English Dictionary and define them. Also I will include some words that I defined from the novel A Hazard of New Fortunes, by William Dean Howells. It's a long novel, but it's pretty good so far. That book is also for my Literature class. Here are some of the defined words:

Diatribes: Bitter criticism
Quixotic: Ideal, (referring to Romanticism in the novel)
Lacuna: Missing part of something
De-legitimation: Taking away legitimacy
Duplicity: Acting in two ways at different times
Aphonia: Unable to speak

Thanks to Lauren for giving me this idea. :)

First Week of February

My time has instantly went from not so busy at all to barely getting a minute in to write in this blog. Even though I have so many things to write about, just the time to write them has reached nearly zero. My life is still pretty exciting, I just wish I had more time to write about it.

Firstly, I have decided that every Monday, the day I have Thanatology, I will write a blog post about what we talked about in class/what I'm reading in the textbooks. This is mostly for Lauren, who is fascinated by the subject, but it's really for anyone else to gain insight as well. I mean, if someone can have a whole blog devoted to sea glass, I can have a post once a week about dying, right? Sometimes, however, I might have to wait until Tuesday, as I have a newspaper meeting on Monday nights. Speaking of newspaper meetings, I write for the newspaper, so I may put up general info articles I have written here in the near future.

Anyways, this week was slightly stressful, but still as interesting as my life could be. Work at the kitchens (in the bakery department) has reached a whole new level of fun. Even though the job does get repetitive and sometimes monotonous, the guy who works with me is really nice. Thursday he gave me a cranberry muffin :) I think it was because the muffin was extra and he didn't want to throw it out, but it was still very nice of him. My co-worker is very adamant about not wasting food, which is great. In the other place I work, the people who work there throw a lot of food out that they don't need to, which disappoints me.

Other things that have been going on in my life? My friend Bill will be coming back to town next Tuesday, and I will be going with a professor to pick him up. The place that he is at is an hour and a half away, so it should turn out to be an interesting adventure, to say the least.

Also, I didn't mention that I am taking astronomy this semester. One of my friends suggested I take it for the general education credit it provides, so I added it. Of course, I haven't mentioned yet on this here blog that I LOVE ASTRONOMY.

In fact, I dragged my boyfriend outside at 12:30 am last weekend just so I could look at the stars. He lives in a rural area, so the sky there is free of trees and looks absolutely fantastic on a clear night. Thanks to the star chart my professor gave us, I could pick out a few more constellations than I could before. A lot of the winter constellations wind through the Milky Way, so it's really hard to pick them out. What gives the Milky Way its cloudy appearance in the sky is the sheer multitude of stars that is in it. So it's hard to pick out the constellations. However, I did manage to see Orion, Gemini, the Big Dipper (Ursa Major), and Sirius (Canis Major). I couldn't pick out Ursa Minor or Polaris that night, but I'm learning more about them. Contrary to popular belief, Polaris, or the North Star, is not the brightest star in the sky. Sirius, or the Dog Star, is the brightest star in the sky, and also the inspiration for J.K. Rowling's character Sirius Black. Also, stars are measured by brightness using the magnitude scale, 1st magnitude being the brightest, and 6th magnitude being the dimmest. Something else interesting? I managed to see a moonbow the other night, which is when there is a rainbow around the moon. Because it is nighttime, a moonbow appears to be white clouds, but it is actually a rainbow at night. That's a very rare occurrence and I was very lucky to see it.

Wow, sorry for the rambling about astronomy. Something else I'm very excited about is that tonight is the Snow Ball, our college's equivalent of a high school prom. To me, the Snow Ball was the high school prom I never really got to experience (Tara and I were NEVER popular in school), and it's a great chance to unwind from this week and relax. Since college kids are much more mature than highschoolers (with a few exceptions, unfortunately), I always have a lot of fun at the college dances.

I think I've blabbered enough about my life. Until next time!