The Hobbit, A Review (spoiler free)

Here Goes a SPOILER FREE Review of the Hobbit.

THE HOBBIT

Rating: 8.4/10

The Hobbit has a strong cast, and some incredibly beautiful scenery. Some of my personal favorites were Martin Freeman (Bilbo), and James Nesbitt (Bofur). Martin Freeman stars in the British TV series Sherlock, and does an excellent job with that, so I was glad to see his outstanding performance in the Hobbit. James Nesbitt stared in the British TV series Jekyll where he did an outstanding job, he also did not disappoint in the movie. The locations were, as always, beyond beautiful and the lighting was very stunning. Their filming style was more artistic than before, and it added a sense of mystery to the land.


The actors and actresses in the movie all were good at their roles. When watching a movie I enjoy seeing how many of the secondary characters screw up their roles, especially ones that are supposed to be dead. For this movie there were no massively noticeable errors that I noticed, may it be that I was sitting extremely close to the screen rendering my ability to catch them hindered, but I would say acting-wise they all did an outstanding job.

The soundtrack is up for debate. Though it was excellent, and did incorporate some new pieces that are incredibly beautiful it failed in my expectations. I was expecting an evolution from the Lord of the Rings soundtrack, not a large one but enough that there would be a distinct difference. Unfortunately Howard Shore kept many of the same themes without changing them. Many parts were just pieces of soundtrack from the beginning. And of the new soundtrack, in the movie they played very few prevalent ones, and of those that they played it was mostly the same song. Don't get me wrong, the music is beautiful, but I wanted innovation. I must admit, that hearing the Shire theme makes me emotional and I'm glad it made the cut because I feel that for the context, it made sense to be in the film, but for most of the others variation was wanted by me.

Overall I would give the movie an 8.4/10 (yes 8.4 I like to me precises, and I wouldn't give it a lowly 8, or a high 8.5). I really want to give it a 10/10 because of how awesome Martin Freeman is, but I can't being myself to rate it that, for the director massively screwed up. I have to admit, in the first 15 minutes (or so) of the Hobbit it was on a trajectory for being the best film I had ever seen, but then 30 minutes later it dropped in the list, past the first three Lord of the Ring's movies. It irks me to my core when a movie tries to be funny to much. I hate comic relief I like intense deep emotional films. The first thee movies capture this, now don't get me wrong they had comic relief, but it was spaced out and at appropriate times. I didn't see Frodo making fat comments at Sam in the middle of Mordor, that's how bad some of the joke placements are in the  Hobbit. I thought I was going to see the Hobbit, not The Watch (two hours I'll never get back, don't see it, I actually stop watching half-way through (referring to The Watch)). They had so many unnecessary jokes, especially at serious times. I just can't handle that. On top of that the goblins and trolls voices were horrible. The creatures are supposed to be monster, but apparently they had yet to hit puberty. I've heard 3-year old's with deeper voices, heck they sounded like squeakers. (An xbox-live thing).

I would recommend this be seen in theaters, it's an excellent movie and actually made me excited that it is going to be a trilogy. They are really adding to the back story behind the Lord of the Rings in ways that impress me. If you don't mind comic relief or a beautiful (but not innovative) soundtrack, you will love this movie. It is entirely enjoyable. Again I can not stress enough about how excellent of a job Martin Freeman did with Bilbo. I recommend seeing his work Sherlock. It is quite good.


Once I re-read the Hobbit, I will write a more in-depth view of the movie that will contain spoilers. For now, Good-morning.



Again, for my reviews if you think I'm entirely wrong and a complete idiot, tell me I love a good grill. If you liked it, thank you for your time. Enjoy the movie. And no I didn't forget about the 7th Doctor.

Halo 4 Review

THIS WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT PLAYED HALO 4

Overall + Campaign

Note: I will be ranking the Campaign and Multiplayer separately, and each on a scale of 100 to give a more realistic feel than out of 5. Also Spartan Ops will have it's own out of 100. The overall rating is at the bottom, if you just want to see that scroll down.

Upon reading reviews (those without spoilers) prior to the games release, I felt conflicted on what to expect. Many reviews stated that the game felt like Halo, nothing more, while others said it had changed quite a bit.
After playing for myself I have formed my own opinions. Halo 4 remains faithful in most of its feel. You're still Master Chief, and still fighting to save the galaxy. 343 did take it's liberties however, and added a more rugged feel for the Chief, which makes since after all considering how heavy his is with his armor.

When you interact with objects in Halo 4, it shows the chief leaning forward and pressing the button, all from his viewpoint. Also when looking up and down you see his visors edges, which is a cool feel since in reality that it what would happen if you really were wearing such a helmet. Running is now included for the chief, a logical and needed step. Unlike in Reach where running was smooth, as if you were running on flat ground, the Chiefs running is more rough, as the screen will sway like your vision will when you as a person run. (Similar to Battle Field 3 for reference). Also there are new assassinations, something I enjoyed from Reach. They aren't much different, but are still fun to do. Few things than snapping a Grunts neck.

The new enemies in Halo 4 are a nice challenge. The Knights and Watchers work as an excellent team, but the crawlers work more or less with their own kind only (minus the occasional shield help from the Watchers). On Normal, the Campaign seemed like a challenge. It only took me 4 hours and 58 minutes to beat, however. It was a nice level to enjoy the game without getting frustrated with the enemies. I also completed the game on Legendary, which is harder than any other Halo game on the same difficulty. It was incredibly challenging to beat the game on Legendary. Grunts became horrifying with their plasma pistols. 343 jack up the power of those pistols and they actually do damage now. Elite like to charge you, especially in the worst possible moments. There are also a larger collection of cloaked sword elites littered throughout the game, as well as (I believe) two sets of Hunters. But as I fought my was through and got passed the only covenant enemies, the game became a thousand times worse. Though the covenant are bad, the Prometheans are so much worse. The covenant will hid, and can actually lose interest if you sneak around enough, but the Knights use their Promethean Vision to always know where you are, and lob grenades at you, even when you're behind cover. You are not safe anywhere with them, for they will hunt you down. Not to mention if you kill a Knight, and not the Watcher, the Watcher will revive the Knight, and you're right back at it. Ammo goes very quickly against the knights, and I found myself trying to get behind them to assassinate them. 343 was gracious enough to realize that ammo was a greatly needed commodity  and placed (sometimes) hidden ammo around for the Chief to pick up. I couldn't imagine the game on LASO, though that is my next goal. Knight also do this very annoying thing where they will suddenly start teleporting zig-zag at you and then appear in front of you, only to knock you dead. I miss the covenant foes when I fight the Prometheans, for they are on a whole new level.

The graphics of Halo 4 are incredible (though I can't say they are the best grapics I've ever seen on the 360 (for I haven't played every game on the console). The motion capture system the used paid off, and some of the cutscenes look incredibly realistic, especially the final scene, where I was trying to decide if the graphics were using real people or not. Unlike in previous Halos the cutscenes all have a strong substance towards the plot of the game. They actually are so good, it seemed at times that I was playing to get the the cutscenes rather than playing the game for the sake of shooting up some covies. The emotion packed into some of the scene were so powerful they could bring a tear to your eye.

Halo 4, though a shooter, is a love story between Cortana and the Chief. Now before you disagree and close the page, let me tell you what I mean. Cortana is the closest thing the Chief has to a friend, or even family. Being torn from his parents, and changed as a child he didn't connect with many, other than his fellow Spartan IIs, which are "dead" (not true, but the game doesn't elaborate on that yet.) and Dr. Halsey, who the Chief has not seen for a very long time. Cortana has been with him for 8 years, and fighting with him through almost every second (minus the Halo 2 - 3 where she was elsewhere). His life has been in her hands, as well as hers in his. It is only natural for a love to develop (in the sense of caring not physical). This is the tragic story of the Chief coming to terms with Cortana's rampancy, and his desperate fight to get to earth in order to restore her. For a man without a face, Steve Downes does an excellent job of portraying emotion. The story is also incredibly powerful because for one of the first times, the player can emotionally connect with the Chief. We all have lost something or someone that we would have done anything to keep around, but we're only human, and so is the Chief. Though the Didact, the main enemy, is a massive issue, the story is more about Chief and Cortana.

I found one of the most powerful lines to be during the final battle between the Chief and Didact. The Didact has just subdue the Chief and separated him from the bomb - the only real chance the Chief has of defeating the Didact in combat. As the Didact is preparing to kill the Chief (well sort of, but not quite) the bridge begins to freak out. Cortana's fragmented rampant personalities begin to emerge from the bridge. The Didact, still focusing on the Chief, says to Cortana "Your compassion for mankind is misplaced" in which Cortana replies I'm not doing this for mankind" (this is personally one of the most powerful lines, though there are so many). In that moment it shows Cortana, though defending Earth, is not a puppet of the humans. She had developed as real feelings as possible for John, to the point that she sacrifices herself in order to save him.

All in all the campaign was an excellent addition to the Halo story line, allowing for the player to relate with the Chief on a more personal level than ever before. It is a bold step that 343 has taken with the death of Cortana, and the return of the Forerunners. One potentially horrifying step is the Legendary ending of Halo 4. At the very end of the game, after the credits you go through the final cutscene (which is a great piece with a very intriguing monologue in the background) the ending on all other difficulties ends with the Chiefs visor being lifted, and seeing only darkness, while on Legendary  the visor is lifted and you see the Chiefs eyes. This was done to help promote the humanization of the Chief, but it's a big step for 343. One of the Halo commandments is thou shalt not see thine Chiefs face. Well we did. Originally I was horrified, and got incredibly angry due to the violation of the law, but as I began to ponder over it, I realized the signification to seeing part of the Chiefs face. The entire point of this game was to show the humanity in Chief, as he grows to acquire it again. As Cortana had pointed out, he was more machine than she was, and she wanted him to find his humanity. After a week of thought, I finally calmed and decided the showing of his face was a good choice by 343, for now Chief isn't just a suit of armor. He is a man, and a very sad man at that.

Overall I rate the Halo 4 Campaign - 96/100.

I would have given it a 100, but there are two flaws that took away from the perfect score.

1. The Campaign was really short, if not played on Legendary. If you're playing for only story and length does not matter to you then this won't be an issue.

2. This game was written for hardcore Halo fans. A bunch of the issues in the game make sense if you read the novels that are written, but if you didn't you have no idea why some things are happening. For example Jul 'Mdama, he is from Glasslands and Thursday War and you learn why he is at Requiem and why he knows about the Didact in those books. You also learn why "The Covenant" is attacking you. While in the game they don't really explain it. Also the terminals fill you in, but you have to find them first. (or take the youtube approach).

3. The story is perfect, and contains such high quality writing. Props to 343. If you are a halo fan who had read all the books (or at least summaries) and play the game for the story, then this game is perfect for you.

~The Multiplayer Review~

Halo 4 multiplayer is an excellent step forward in the progression from Reach. Reach, though more fast paced still lacked a lot of features I would have liked, to the point that I would rage very regularly. The previous Halo games had slower paced multiplayer since for most of them you couldn't run at all and your shields were impossible to remove.
In Halo 4 the multiplayer is incredibly fast paced. I used to hate big team slayer, due to it's dragging on and extreme unorganized Chaos but now it is my favorite game type. The games go much fast than before and I don't believe I've ever played a game where the time ran out before the game. The ability to choose loadouts opens for new opportunity and intensifies the game since you can now select your best set to destroy the enemies. Spawning with sticky grenades has been a dream of mine, and thankfully it has come true. The loadouts have a lot of variety to let the player choose in which area they want to expand upon, whether it be covenant, Forerunner, or human automatics, or precision weapons.

Unfortunately though, 343 has not released the file shares online yet, therefore I can not access my awesome screenshots. Also the apps for mobile devices is currently dead and constantly crashes. It is an upsetting thing, but survivable.

Also despite the team games, it's really just a bunch of people all out to get number one. The most annoying thing is the people who sit in the back and wait for you to take the enemies shields down, and steal the kill from you. I'm currently sitting at a 1.25 K/D spread, something I am not proud of, while my assist are sitting at ~848. I can promise you most of these assists were me taking down the enemies shields and then getting the kill stolen. If this didn't happen I could be sitting comfortably at a 1.53 K/D spread, but no those idiots had to take from my kills.

Even of team games you may do really well, but your team can still lose and this is an aggravating thing. For example in a game I had 40 kills 11 deaths and had 150 points over the top player in the game. Yet my team lost. These previous complaints are really the fault of 343, but the fault if stupid players. If you are a rager, prepare to do so in a couple of games.

There are a few spots on maps where you could glitch, like on the map Construct there was a wall you could jump into to, and was done quite often on zombies. But 343 just released a patch that fixed a couple of those. I wish all the game types had come out in the first week, but I am content with the ones now so it does not bother me greatly.

Finally Ordinance. Though yes, this may have been inspired from another game (like the loadouts) it is done in an excellent way. The better you do the better chances you have of getting ordinance which sometimes sucks with only grenades, plasma pistol and needler (a thing to be feared). However sometimes it Binary Rifle or Incineration Cannon. Those are the best things. I like how they made the Binary Rifle (an always 1-shot weapon) fair, by the fact that when you scope in everyone can see where you are due to an orange beam shooting out from where you are scoping in. They have good execution, but can lead to camping for those that get luckily and constantly get good ordinance.

Overall I would rank the Halo 4 Multiplayer as 94/100.

1. It is very fast paced, and quite exciting unlike the Reach multiplayer, and the amount of choices you have for it makes the game more enjoyable.

2. Camping is still a thing, and sometimes the ordinance adds to it. They may just sit there in a closed place and wait in a corner. Maps like Exile have that issue. (Though that is my favorite map in the game).

3. Cloaking works.

4.You may do well, but your team can ultimately suck resulting in your teams loss.

~Spartan Ops~

I have to admit, I was very unimpressed with the first two missions of Spartan Ops, to the point that I almost did not play the 3rd. They were very dry, and felt kind of like the campaign only not as exciting and with a really dry story. I also did not care for the first to cinematic as much, but the 3rd through the 5th are something spectacular, and made me very excited for the rest.

In the first two they were very small scale and were like doing the same thing over and over. I can do that, if there is a strong purpose, but it felt lacking as I just fought my way through the covenant, when I should have been struggling.*

*To note, I despise the Spartan III's and I hate the Spartan IV's. Hence the It should be incredibly difficult since I'm a pathetic lowly Spartan IV (sorry to those that like them. I'm a Spartan II kinda man).

However it turns around in the 3rd episode, as the cinematic brings in Halsey, and carries a far greater depth of story. Also the mission begin to have more of a backing as you fight hordes of enemy ships that are coming at you in large proportions. This massive scale battling is quite impressive and incredibly enjoyable. It's what I had hoped for in Halo Reach (but was disappointed  You all remember that warthog scene where there were tons of you and the banshees dropped in, I thought we were going to be able to play that but nooo) but did not get, luckily it is in Halo 4, and done quite excellently. However I don't think a Spartan IV could handle those assaults even with a Mantis, but then again I'm prejudiced against them.

I am excited to see where they go from here, with a very intriguing mid-season finale. I just wish that you didn't need gold to play. (I do have gold, indeed).

Finally, I extremely dislike that when you die you respawn, and that the game doesn't take you back to your last checkpoint. I think the taking back to previous checkpoint adds intensity, and makes it more fun. But then again I assume most will disagree with me on that point. I just feel since it is essentially an extension of the Campaign, it should act more like the Campaign.

~ Overall I would rank Spartan Ops 90/100 ~

To tally it up I give Halo 4 an overall rating of : 280/300 or in better terms a 93.3%

Halo 4 overall rating: 93.3%

If you hated my review comment below on how much I suck. If you liked it, comment on how much you liked it, or don't do anything at all. Any agreements or disagreements go ahead and post those. Also if you think I forgot anything let me know!


Now if you thought my review sucked, read This One and remember, keep your cool. Well actually I freak out when I read that one.

Quick Comments

I am a devout Bungie fan, and was terrified of a company gaining control of Halo, so I looked at the game very critically from the start.

I love a good story, and have read all the books in the Halo Universe (Though there were some that it was a trail to do so).

I was kind of awkward-ed out my Cortana, but she is just an AI so it is ok.

Halo is my life.

I did not proof read this as you will probably see.

I've been dead but now I am returning.

That's all I had to say.

Two Paths Ahead, An Unbound Mind

For all of my life I have had a vision and a goal for my life. It has been dead set and unwavering, even in the changes it always remained steadfast, adamant. It was unbreakable to my perception, but now as I look at my life and re-evaluate the circumstance in which I stand, I find a compete redress, a reboot of galactic proportions, in the way my mind has functioned. For all of my life, I have worked to become a scientist, for like Mendicant Bias, I am a beggar of knowledge. I must know why and how, it is ingrained in the fiber of my being. The more I know the more I crave, to the point of insanity. I do not ever sleep, my mind is always racing  and always thinking. Even my dreams fraught with the complexity of knowing, of thinking.
But unlike many, as my knowledge grows, my absolute awe of the universe becomes exponentially higher. It becomes even more infinitely beautiful.

I have a scientific mind, that is how I function, hence the interest for science. My current projection in life places me in the realm of Astrophysics. I love astronomy, it gives me peace in a tumultuous world. The skies above give me hope of one day spreading across the stars, of journeys and adventures like no other. Of beautiful sights that would bring an artist to their knees in tears. Worlds are waiting for us to find them, and I desperate want to assist in such advancements. So much joy us derived from Astronomy, but as I continue forward the path has become blurred.

Per Audacia Ad Astra

I thought astronomy was the only path for me, for I felt no compelling force into any other interest or field. But as I mature, and take a look at the life I have lived, the capabilities I have, and the future that I seek, another path has entered my vision; I would love to become a story writer for video games.

This all goes back to second grade. That is when my origins for writing began. Even then I overachieved (my spelling lacked, as it does now, but thanks to this wonderful twenty first century spell checker solves almost all those problems, and almost everyone rules of comas are different, therefore my commatic splicing is of my own style). I would write far more than I had to, for it just came naturally to me. Though this post is written in far less complexity than of the normal level in which I write, I feel that the point is still making it's way into your mind.

As I grew, and I acquired more writing skills, I began to write stories on my own, typically of futuristic war scenarios  thanks to Halo. But I made them my own. I made twists and turns that were of my own creation. And unlike most stories of today, mine always ended in a dark manner, for I believe a good story must be full of emotion. It must connect characters with players, and keep them engaged. A good story must make the player care about the world around the character. They must become the character. That is why I have adopted the (unconventional) method of limited characteristic description, so that the character can be imagined to be whatever the reader wishes. The story should not be predictable, it should have twist and turns, and sudden occurrences. The reader/player should be outraged, happy, sad, and interested. A story should be a work of art, a testament to the time. It should create believable worlds that people will want to fully immerse themselves. The characters should be real, and face issues that maybe be beyond the times of now, but have a level of connection to the audience. A story is beautiful and captivating. It is a burning in the mind, that compels one to write down the worlds that reside in their head, not for profit. A story should be written to give those hope, and excitement when they have none.

 My passion for writing has always been adamant, but never before did the thought cross my mind to think of a career for it. And thinking about it, just sitting down and properly thinking about it, I would love to become a video game writer, then I could focus on something I love that comes natural to me. That does not me I have to stop Astrophysics. I can learn on my own, and still be the person I want to be, but it can be done in a time-table realistic to my schedule of learning.

I am honestly torn. I do not know the path that I wish to take. I hope to find my footing, for the future has grown blurred as the past becomes ever fleeting. I seek the answer to my future, but instead I find questions. I hope the decision comes swiftly, and is the right one.

I grow weary of so many thinking that I will succeed so well in college. I also do not look forward to the looks cast my way, if the decision to go into writing is made. People who view me as this incredibly intelligent person: I am no genius the expectations put upon me weigh me down, I can't live to the high standards that I am held to (though I'm flattered you all think I am that smart).

I write for the same reason I do photography. I see the world as a beautiful thing, so I must capture it and share it. In the same respective the universes inside my head are beautiful to me, they are filled with so much, and all I wish is to put them on paper. I must decide sooner than later.

The Farewell of an Era, of a friend.

To be clear, this will potentially contain spoilers to Doctor Who: Angels Take Manhattan, so be forewarned.

Time always progresses forward, and everything changes. We age, our ideas our interest, our love alters, strengthen or weakens. We die, we fade. As stated in my previous post Flare and Fade I am running to the things that I find beauty in, the things that I have found comfort in, and when so much has gone wrong, it can be hard to find any such thing.

These past two to three years of my life have been by far the most tumultuous. Though things have gone wrong before, there was always a period of break in which I could rest, a time in which I could recover. But not anymore, for the past three years it has been one punch to the gut after another, the universe is taking it's rounds. One issue will end, and another will start, or both will overlap. I have had no peace since I believe around 2009-2010. The worst started in June of 2010 and has been here ever since.

Through this time, through the successive sucker punches from the world, I have found comfort in very few things. How can I? I don't want to become to attached to things, because I know that eventually I won't have them to be of comfort. Plus it is no one job but my own to keep my well being in check. It's been ultimately up to me. Of the few things that have comforted me, I become attached, I guess that's why I know so much about such odd things like Halo and Doctor Who. It's because those things comfort me, and I latch onto them like a leech and suck out as much of their universe as I can. Because that's where I want to be.

Through all this time and all this change, I have lost so many, and gained so few. And I hate to lose anymore, but it is how life works. I now find myself alone in a house, in complete silence. It is nice to a degree, I'm not a social being, but you end up talking your own ear off, and it can be quite annoying. Through all of this time I have connected to this things I watch. I consider the characters of the show as a support for me, despite the fact they are not real. It doesn't matter, they are real to me. Through these worst times, the characters of the show Doctor Who have remained the same, (since season 5 aired on April 17, 2010). It's always been Amy, Rory and the Doctor. I have watched them do so much, and re-watched. This show has inspired me, their work as inspired me.

These three people have such a chemistry on screen, that they seem so real. They seem like actual people, and that gives me hope in this dark time. Now, the trio that has been with me since the beginning has now ended. With Rory and Amy departing. I must admit it is devastating  Not just because I think both Rory and Amy are brilliant actors, and not because I think Karen Gillian is super pretty, but because they made themselves so real on screen, and I had tuned into the lives of the ordinary people that became extraordinary  Because they have inspired. They helped give me hope in times when I most needed it, and now they are gone forever. There will be no more Amy and Rory and the Doctor. The Ponds have put in their last piece, and so I am deeply saddened. There will be more, yes. There will be other companions, and other doctors. But none will have the impact that this trio did. They got me through a divorce, through a time when I lost so many, and times that I was so alone. They are and will always be seared onto my heart, for the parts that were broken from all that has happened was filled by them. They were there since the beginning  but have stepped out before the end, their song is over. But that's how it goes for me, that's life. I must continue on, but I will never forget just how much those three did to get me to where I am now. If only they could ever know.
The weekend had not been over. Today is the last time I shall see a friend for a long time. This friend, is far more than a friend to me, I see him as a brother, someone who I will miss. We've been friends for the longest time, and he was the first friend I made at the church that I attend. He is the reason for the faith I have, and therefore I owe him more than he knows. I wish that all of these people I hold dear do not have to leave, but they are accomplishing their dreams, and I would never stand in the way of that. No I want everyone to complete their purpose, for why they take the path they took. This friend is the kindest person I know and I wish him the best on his journey into the next step.

It's funny, when you're kids, all you want to do is be grown up. You want to be that doctor, that hero, the president, a marine, you want to be all these things and you pretend to be them. You spend so much time imagining yourself as these people that it becomes ingrained in your mind that that is who you will be. In your childlike mind it is achievable. I find myself on course of my dreams, but I look back on that oblivious little boy and think of all the pain he did not know he would face. How was he to know that in order to get to where he pretended to be, he would lose so many, and feel so much loss? He wouldn't. He only felt the joys of being the dream he wished to be. While I, the older one, find myself wishing to be the child again. Because when I pretended to be someone when I was a child, I also had my friend the pretend to be his dream as well. But now they have lead us to different paths, but such is the path of dreams. They takes us where we need to go, even if it is not wanted at that moment. I wish him the best, though he will never read this. He was a brother to me, and will always be. He's one of the greatest people I've even known, and if you're so lucky to know him you're blessed.

Farewell to them. And onward I go into a new Era, the road looks dark, for the previous left me utterly broken. But time will tell where this next one leads.

Flare and Fade

"I'm not running away. This is one corner of one country, in one continent, on one planet that's a corner of a galaxy, that's a corner of a universe. That is forever growing and shrinking and creating and destroying, and never remaining the same for a single millisecond. and there is so much to see. Because it goes so fast. I'm not running away from things. I'm running to them before they flare and fade forever." - The Doctor, The Power of Three

I have found so much that explains so little of myself, I have found things that I deemed fit to describe how life works, but finally a quotes that can define to some part of who I am has come to surface. The complexity of myself can at least be categorized to a degree.

My goal in life is to become an astrophysicist. Though I have started down the path to complete this task, it is a long road filled with many challenges, and is incredibly daunting. Why do I like this topic of astronomy? I could not really answer such a question, it was just something I needed to do. It was something I felt connected to. I never could fully grasp, not describe why I felt such a pull towards it. But now I understand and see one reason for my love for space. It's always changing, and is so mysteriously beautiful. I can go out at night and look up to see the magnificent stars look back down upon me. I want to know how it works so I can better understand the beauty I see. I want to know it's future and it's past, to imagine it all before it is all gone. There is so much to see, and I never will see all of it, but I can look and see so much as it changes and shifts into more and more complex creations.
I want space travel to happen, because I want to see the universe as it is. I want to see it's magnificence,  it's grand size. There is so much out there waiting for us to come and explore. The universe that we look up and see is of the past, the creating and destroying of stars and galaxies have left us something new, something that we must see for ourselves as we travel outwards. and no matter where you go, it will always hold something unexpected. The universe is so vast, and we know so very little of it. I want to know about it, and I want to see it.

A brief moment of beauty before it's gone.

This is why I do photography, not because I enjoy taking pictures, oddly enough I hate it. But I wish to capture that moments that I find before they're gone. I want to hold on to it, as I travel towards my end, knowing that each moment I capture I can still carry with my both in mind and in image. But for the most part, the most beautiful moments are those that occur spontaneously, those brief excellent moments that are ever so fleeting, yet so remarkable that they imprint on your mind and remain with you to your end. Those moments that define your life, and give you a purpose. Those moments are so small, yet have such a profound impact upon our lives. That when I face the darkness of my life, I can look at them and bring joy to a joyless moment. These moments go so fast, and all I want to do is run to them. All I want to do is make them last forever, but time continues, and the moment ends and I have to painfully wait until the next, but in waiting, the moments become all the more meaningful.

Just like my friends, and the feeling of when I left highschool, and and other twist and turns in my life. Those moments can be drawn out over time, but they always end. They always fade.

The ever changing world

"Our lives won't run the same. They can't. One day, soon maybe, you'll stop. I've known for a while...You were the first. The first face this face saw. You're seared onto my hearts...You always will be. I'm running to you...before you fade from me." -DW S07E04

They are excellent and I never wanted to leave them, but time has it's hand all set and ready to go. The quote above characterizes how I feel about the people I encounter. I can be the best if friends with them, and have the greatest of memories, but as times change so do our lives, and we can't always remain as close as planned. Soon those moments that were shared become only memories, but the feeling of bonds are still there. For they are seared onto my heart(s) and are a constant reminder of the faded world that was. Those that you knew and loved become stories to those of now. They become legends in your mind, and pains to your dreams. The people I've met have helped shape me into the person that I have become, and the person I am going to be. They have become a part of me in some way shape or form. They helped lead me to where I am now, and therefore I can not forget them. I know that friendships last for a time, but not typically as long as we would like. So I run towards them as best as I can, for as long as I can. I try to keep them from fading, but eventually they do. I am running to them before they fade from me. Before I must look towards the next moment.

The world is so full of such beautiful moments, and it is always changing into more and more things at each second. There is so much to see, so much so that we barely notice a fraction of it. With all the change at least one moment will be a game changer, a memory seared unto my heart(s). Those are fleeting, always flaring and fading. But they are well worth the pursuit, and worth the wait between those moments. The price is worth the gain. The people, the moments that are forever with us are worth it all, they are worth running to.

Shoes

Lots of people give the youngest siblings all the crap because they think that since they are the youngest they are the most protected and most cared for. This is not always the case, and there is a far greater cost to being the youngest than anyone gives credit for.

Let me tell you a tale of thee children. Three brother to be more exact. Their father was an exceptional woodworker, and made many crafts, that were of extremely high standards. Each boy loved the things that their father made them, and each desired to learn the skills to produce works of equal quality. 

When they were young they would take their pocket knives, the pride of their 6 years of age, and whittle wood. They would make spears and swords out of sticks they acquired in the woods. They would play games where they fought dragons and wolves, orcs and aliens. As they grew so did their craftsmanship. Their knives improved, allowing for more detail, and their repetition allowed for a stead creation of wooden weapons.

Soon the two oldest were taking classes in school, learning how to make real objects, with reasonable purposes. They learned quickly, and brought home many projects, and crafts. They made tables, and desks, bowls and chairs. They created so many things, that were shown to the rest of the family in a prideful fashion. Their works were placed in the front and center of the house, in the place where guests could see.

By the time the third, the youngest child reached the classes he was ready to do what his father, and brothers had done. They had followed perfectly in their fathers footsteps, and impressed all. All the third child wanted to do was to be just like them, but he wasn't. Throughout all of his life, he had never quite hit the bar his brothers had set, his grades, and his social stature were never as high. He never seemed to reach the ungodly high bar his brother had set. But he was determined to reach the bar on this woodworking. He was confident he could.

As he took the class it started off well, he thought he knew what he wanted to do. But as time and life change plans upon him, nothing seemed to go well. Each project he turned out, a chess board, a stool, a birdfeeder, each was put in places where none could see. They were even stored away. When he attempted to try to class again, like his brothers and father had, he was unable to do well. He failed at every turn, and eventually came to terms with his inabilities. Each project he made was put in storage, or his room (a place none would go) while his brothers works were everywhere to see.

You see? Being the youngest might have its benefits, but it has a massive downside: Shoes. What do I mean? When you follow in the footsteps of your parents alone, you have big shoes to fill, but when your brothers are following in your parents footsteps, the pressure is on you to succeed. Because lets face it, the parents always seem to be prouder, or at least more interested in the children who are like them. 

The Youngest must either be just as good, or better than the older or else he/she feels the weight of shame and inability  upon their shoulders. It's hard to be the one who fails where all others suceed, especially if they are expected to suceed.

So I guess what I'm really saying, don't look down on the youngest because you see them as the brats, they aren't always that way. They have big shoes to fill, and the pressure is immense. That boy from the story, ended up being nothing like his parents or brothers, he became a completely different man. He is still learning to not worry about the shoes ahead of him, because he walks his own path, he writes his own destiny. 

So if you are like the boy, who I am sure you've figured it out to be me, then realize this. Those shoes that you desperate want to fill, are illusions, and are designed for you to fail. Make your own marks, and take the path you wish. There is nothing worse than being great at something you hate, follow the uncertain path, and see where it takes you. Because that's the beauty of life, it might end up farther than the footsteps you were originally following.

Roads Taken

You see there was a time in my life that people were completely the enemy, though I haven't completely gotten past that entirely, I have come to the realization, not all humanity is as evil as I had expected. No, just most of them. I did have a group of friends that I liked, but I kept to them, and them alone. Luckily I was next to other people in classes who turned out to be quite charming. You see, the female race, though something that I have come to see in better light as of late, has typically never treated me pleasantly. 

What do I mean by this? I was of a low social stature in the good old days of high school. I was that quiet kid who always wore a hoodie and jeans, even in ninety degree weather, (I still wear a similar style even now, and I plan to continue, because I'm awesome). I knew that wearing that would not up my social stature, but it wouldn't lower it, so why not be comfortable in the way I choose, right?

Back to it. So this girl ended up being incredibly kind, and I actually made a friend. And unlike earlier years, she wasn't just being my friend to get good grades in math, no that would have been a bad idea with my math record that year.

 You see that all goes back to my eighth grade Algebra 1 class. Every since that forsaken class, my grades in math went slowly down the slope of unhappiness. My Teacher, Mrs. Terrible (not a real name), told me from the first week that she didn't think I could make it. Now all of my life up until that point I had been the Stephen Hawking of the kids in my grade (prideful? yeah, truthful? somewhat). Now the teacher was telling me I couldn't make it? You might as well hang a demotivational in the room that says, failure achieved. In middle school we were given 1 period of the day to sign up for fun activities to drain our energetic selves, we were children we needed it. Well this teacher made me sign up for her stupid study hall in order to work on my math skills. Instead of helping me, she told me to sit in the corner desk and practice on my own. That following summer I taught myself Algebra 1, but in a way that made sense to me, but apparently the rest of the world can not understand my method of calculation. Resulting in not the best grades.

So the fun class of math. This teacher was a nice person, but his teaching style was...not efficient. Considering a majority of the class did poorly, I think that my conclusion was correct. But luckily I had a friend. In the first week, it was basically just silence, just an exchange of names, that was as far as I ever got with a stranger, I mean strangers are strange. But due to her excessive kindness, or knowledge that she would be stuck next to me all year resulted in her slowly beginning conversations for me. I have to admit, I was kind of freaked out, and I was hoping for silence. But it turns out she had a sense of humor, one quite similar to mine. 

Within a few months our conversations had moved from a simple hello and how are you, the formalities, to a joke, an eye roll about the current mathematical issues that was presented. It then went from there to hobbies, and interests. A topic I had not touched with anyone that I was unfamiliar with. It was something new. I even stupidly began spouting off Nerdiness, which to my surprise was not taken in the usual way. Like Halo for example, I would not stop going on about it. It was kind of a big thing.

You see back when Halo 3 was the big new game (and beyond that) I used to play Halo excessively. This one summer I obtained x box live and thus ended my life. I played that game from morning until dusk. I bought all the books, read them with great zeal, and read them again and again. I even bought action figures. On a regular day, I played the xbox from 8am until 12am, with maybe two or three hour breaks in between. I was quite into the game. It became my life, so much so that I put my health in jeopardy. I ended up losing somewhere around fifty pounds. The Doctors all thought I was dying, and ran tests. It was quite hilarious. But anyways, yes so Halo became a portion of my being.

Despite my over discussion of Halo, this girl was able to handle my company to the point where she was able to share personal facts. In fact she asked for my advice on things. Now being as stupid as I was, I didn't know how to help the situation well, and I tried my best, but she respected that I tried. With the end of the year rolling around, I realized just how important this person had become to me in my life. What they had done created a milestone, a complete upheaval of everything I had been. I wished I had continued contact, as friends, but in my fear I failed to make a lasting connecting. But maybe it was for the better. In the end, my life was ultimately improved because of that math class. I can now talk to more people, I have gain a small bit of confidence that lead to the rise in understanding that I have. 

I wish I could find that person and than them for all they've done, but in the end they would probably not understand what all they did. I didn't, but here I am looking back and realizing the significance. But I guess that's life. At the time, I thought nothing of it, but it became an important part of me.

Life comes at you sideways, when you're not looking. It throws a fastball at your face as you're rounding a corner. You always seem to notice those events, because they are a crisis, and stand out. But sometimes, the moments, the most important events of your life are the walk up to the fast ball. They are the moments leading up to the turning of the corner. Because as we look back in hindsight, those fast balls, those life changing events, were only the paths we took coming to a single point. 

The big moments are what seems most important, but it's the roads taken that lead us there. When you're traveling through life, try to stop and look, because sometimes knowing where you're going is enough to give you the hope and drive to continue. 

Genesis of John

If asked what exciting moments I can recall from my life, I have troubles grasping at the memories within my mind. They are ever fleeting, and resist when pulled. Through trial my mind has learned to lock away parts of my memory in order to keep the rest safe, but in doing so it brought down  clamp upon the entirety of my mind, my memories now must be recalled by some large happenstance, or a mild moment that paralleled the dream.

Recently my mind has recalled a rather hilarious memory (given it is true, that is up to you the reader to decided) which is the beginning of who I am as a person. I am not evil, I am just when I need to be. But Justices has an ugly cousin, revenge, that sometimes is blurred. This may be fictitious, it may not be.
When I was a child of around the age of 6 (I believe), I learned what it was like to feel the fear, and excitement of the lines of life and death. It was a cool September day, of around 55 degrees. My neighbor, a friend, had been walking in the woods when on his stroll he came across men with a rifle (or shotgun, but most likely the , that attempted to scare him off by pointing the rifle in his direction. It work, of course, he was merely a child like me, and we did not understand the difference between a man looking for intimidation and a man looking to kill. Now bear in mind, these woods were not of game territory, but rather close to residential areas, and were public and private properties with no hunting allowed. The boy came down and alerted his mother, who then phoned up the parents/guardians of the fellow neighborhood children.

I do not remember the assembly that took place, nor how long. I do remember standing in my front yard, with my pride in hand; a Swiss Army Pocket Knife. I had just "leveled up" to the age where my parents allowed me to have one, an honor that I held dear. I was with four others, one being a year older than me, another 3-4 years older, then two adults. The 3-4 year old, Tom, was armed with nothing, not that it wasn't much better than my pocket knife. The child who was one year older than myself, Dillian, had a pocket knife as well. The two adults, Steve and Marry were armed with the most, Steve carried a large knife, and Marry had pepper spray.

Petrichor, -DW

We all followed Tom to the spot where he was threatened, and thus began the adventure. It was around 3pm when we entered the woods. Few leaves were on the ground, making our silence ever more easy. It had rained in days previous, and now the saturated ground left some clues as to the origin of the men. We followed a promising trail, with footprints that led to and from a deeper place in the woods. The wind pushed the leaves above as we continue on. The air was damp, and the area was strong with petrichor. A rather satisfying smell, I found it to be quite refreshing. We came upon a stream that cut deep into the sides of the hill. Climbing down the banks, we noticed slide marks, some of deer, and some of men. The smell that filled the air past the creek was of terrible disgust. The sound that filled the air changed as well, going from a gentle shaking of leaves, to thunderous claps, like that of a flag blowing in a storm. Fifty yards ahead, the source of the smell and sound was quite obvious. A white tarp, of large size hung over the branches of two trees, creating a tent like structure. That was the sound, the blowing of the sides. As we approached, the smell became strong, and the source became quite apparent. Inside the structure a rib cage (we presume it was of a deer) hung from one of the branches, it was stripped clean of all meat, but the flies enjoyed it anyway. Below it rested a black bag, that upon further inspection revealed upwards of 80 beer cans. Shell casing were also laying upon the ground, giving us the final clues in the puzzle. This was the home of the men with the guns, but they were not home, and by the looks of it they were smart enough to have satellite camps.


By examining the grass it was easy to deduce the way in which the men had headed, further into the abyss. But our journey was not over, we had to know where to find them in case their threat became an action. So ahead we went, through the grass, through the woods and into the thick darkness. The sky above became closed off as trees towered above, with thick brush rising above our heads. Due to the lack of light, they lack as man leaves as the typical brush, but they were strong, unlike the dry and dead. 


We followed the trail, getting deeper and deeper, not knowing what we would find, or what would find us. The bushes came to a center, and opened in two ways, the way we traveled first leads us to a clearing, where berries covered the brush. A second tent like structure had been created out of a blue tarp, two chairs sat beneath, as did more beer. It was no surprise as to where it had originated. After a sweep of the area, it was simple to conclude that they rarely, if at all traveled past the rest of the clearing, so we went back into the central HUB of the brush and went the second way.


The second way, was far more difficult than imagined. At some points we had to get down on all fours to crawl through. As we passed under the tight sections, we noticed black fur that had scrapped off as an animal had passed underneath. That is when it became apparent: this was the lair of the bear. It had inhabited this zone for the past few years, and had occasionally come down and went to town on the garbage of the street. It had been harmless to this point, but that was on our turf, now we were in it's home field. 


Upon that realization, my adrenaline pumped like it never had before. I was now battling two evils, the men with guns that could have been prowling the shadows, or the bear, with it's strength and mighty claws. But as we had done before, we continued on. Upon our quest, we did not find them, but likewise, they did not find us, we left them little surprises to know that we knew where they were. By the time we exited it was growing dark. We had discovered a total of 3 makeshift tents, and found a the main location of feeding that the bear had. A month later we traveled back their to see what all had happened. The men had packed up and left sometimes far before our second coming. 


Few times in my life have come around when I felt the fear, and excitement to the level of that day. Few days compare to the level of intensity of all that had happened. Well a few have risen to the level; the day I was chased by a rabid raccoon, and Prom. But those are a different story.

The Third Estate: A Tale of A City and a Country

Louis Charles Auguste Couder

              Justice is something we all seek. Fair justice is what the law grants us, where bias and public opinion is meant to stay out of the room. No matter the outcome, justice is to be found in a matter without bias. We see the Supreme Court, the ultimate judge of our land work without major influence from the public. That is what they are supposed to do. Look at what happened in the French Revolution when the public was given the power, chaos, injustice, fear. When the trials were had and the public sat crying for vengeance  and death, they were given what they asked for. They received  the bloodbath they wanted. The guilty, the innocent it did not matter, the people were out for blood. When the rulers of the time, met in quiet to decided the fate of the chaotic city they were interupted by mobs spilling into their halls. What were they to do with their lives on the line? In order to satisfy their prime instinct, they compromised their own beliefs in order to survive, resulting in the degrading of society even more than before. That is the effect, of the rise on power of people who seek blood, from vengeance  and fear. A misspoken word in that time could result in the loss of your head, it could result in your nearly immediate death, simply by sounding different than the usual. Misunderstandings, lack of knowledge, and anger are all the shortest distance to failure. Had they ruled with power from the top, in a gradual and slow fashion, then history might have had fewer blood stains.

              To make a more recent, and more relate-able connection, look at the film Gladiator. In the film we see a defiant Gladiator rise up among the ashes of his former self. He is found to be a man who the emperor had wanted dead, but now could not kill. The Emperor had a Vendetta against this very man he set out to destroy, but now the man standing in front of him, less than the distance of a sword. His new gained protection was due to the public, they wanted him alive, and therefore he was immune for a time.
           To arrive at my point I had to propose those situations for we find ourselves in scenario  with similar outcomes. Anger, and a mass majority have made up their minds about the situation that has presented itself. The town filled with resentment, bitterness, and fear has started to make rash decisions. As stated in my previous post, The King and the Jesters, they folded like a bad hand in a card game, to the pressure of the public eye upon them, if it be right or wrong is not of my judgement , but of the peoples for they now hold the power.

          In this same way, with the current ruling by the NCAA, One must take a step back from the call for blood and ask oneself, was justice what I saw? I hope I still hold on to you reader, and I hope that my points are of logical derivation, for I take no sides in this matter. I can say from a position of neither Judger nor Loyal that the ruling that you witnessed, the ruling I witnessed, and the ruling the rest of the world witnessed was not one of justice, but of vengeance . A ruling that sought out the blood of the innocent, mine as well as my fellow students. I can understand a fine being presented to the football program, and I can see the logical conclusion of taking the record away from Joe Paterno (though I am conflicted on such matters), but to limit the number of scholarships, and to not allow the students that have trained hard all their lives to participate in bowl games, is not justice.

     If the best interest was to fix those that are hurting, you do not add the innocent to the list, and this verdict, this conclusion by the NCAA had done just that. They have soaked their hands in the blood of the innocent, for the public is knocking at their door. Similar to the French Revolution, the leaders in control of that institution submitted to the mob, in an unjust manner, resulting in my blood, the blood of my friends, neighbors and fellow students to be upon them. How can you justify, an action that only effects up and coming students, as justice?

     The football players are playing to attempt to get into the NFL, and make a name for themselves. They are trying to secure their livelihood in this broken economy. It is hard enough to gain entrance into the NFL alone, but now with the limitations, and the less chance of gaining access to such a (previously) prestigious program, how are they to make it in this weakening country? Is it not our duty to secure the future, then why are we neglecting to help them, the children that will someday lead us when we are old and dying? Do we not want a secure country for our children? Then help them.
There is more to The School than sports, there is highly ranked education. I came to this institution for it was highly ranked in my major. It is already barely affordable  with tuition, being the highest in state. Tuition college. Now with the lost revenue, they are planning on raising tuition by 2.4 percent. I am not rich, and by walking along the streets I can tell many others are stuck in my same predicament. We are all trying to become something, to help this country, this world. We are the leaders of tomorrow, but we are just beginning and we need all the help we can get. With the monetary demand, how are we supposed to rise? We have so much pitted against us, a broken economy, a war, fear of more wars. And now a higher monetary demand that we are struggling to meet. How is that justice?

    How do you justify punishing me for something I did not do? How do you justify punishing my brothers, my sisters, my friends, my neighbors, my community? How does that equate to justice? The actions that were made, were not by my fellow peers, they were made by people who have already been convicted. Those involved are no longer at our School, so why punish it further? I did not hurt children, I did not cover anything up, I did not partake in this evil affair, but I am being punished for it? If that is what you call justice, then this world is broken and does not deserve our help. 
And many are refusing to notice the elephant in the room, the new football coach. The man came to Penn State from a professional team, that alone is an honor. But now he is being punished for things he had not committed? He now can not participate in bowl games. That is not fair, that is not justice.
Now unlike before, I ask of you to spread this post, share it, do whatever you can. Justice has not been done here, vengeance  has taken its course. I ask for your help to show the people the error in their ways.

And I leave you with this, a less than civilized rant.

   You soak your hands in the blood of the innocent. You watch us and wish us to burn. This justice that you so dearly cling to, is but an illusion  created by those who seek vengeance . You look down upon us by your imagined high horse, when you have fallen so much further. You look to find guilt in those who are far more innocent  than yourselves. Your sick sense of justice is a shame, and I hope that when we rise as your future, that we are more knowledgeable  and sympathetic. I hope to never stain my hands in the blood of the innocent, I hope to never be you.

The Kings and the Jesters

As I had commented previously about the current eruption, and upheaval of the world of which many of us knew, on my previous post We All Need A Hero, I have remained in a sense unbiased in the current conviction of a hero in our town. I could see the logical conclusions that were derived on either side for both seemed to have truthful standing to some degree. Yes the man should have done more, and yes his name is being dragged through the dirt because he is dead, but to what extent of either? I will never know, for I was not their.

Now, the one statue that has stood, something that all of my life I have known to be, something I thought would outlast, is now being removed. The logical reasoning that they stated is a farce, it is a joke. This is no Berlin Wall, where winners and losers are found on both sides. The statement made by the King, our president of the school, says that he is removing it because it is a source of tension. He thinks that we are all fools, and we are if we believe that is the intention he seeks. How is declaring a clear winner, and a clear loser of a situation ever help? It causes a loathing, a disgust.

Time is what solves tensions, had the statue remained then eventually the war between the Judgers and the Loyals would be over. Who is more correct in their logic? I have to right to say. But what I can say is, if they honestly mean to take down the statue to calm the people, to ensure peace, they are looking for peace in the grip of a grizzly bears jaws. In World War I, who was the clear loser, and had their faces essentially rubbed in it? Germany, and you know what happened, they resented everyone for it. They had a total defeat, and many of the people did not want to resign, defeat was shameful. Had they had one ounce of victory, would they have evolved into the Nazi Germany that consumed almost all of Europe? This I do not know, but something would have changed. In the same way, now the King is ordering his Jesters to remove the statue, issuing a total defeat by the Loyals, leading to an internal, and strong resentment. (I am not comparing any group to Nazis, I just used it as an example).

When total defeat is handed to a group one of two things typically happen. The defeated resign their activity, and halt their continuance of open support, for it has become clear that any person who stands for the Loyals will be cast out into a world of disgust and judgement. Or activism rises. This is a more likely scenario. Even the smallest action from this point on will spur on the crowds. Words spoken now carry weight. The average man in our community now holds a power not known to him in average accounts. With very little attempt, the agitation of either group can be made. And this is the healing, the slow revival of our town that they so foolishly call for? The King himself is merely a Jester. He is submitting to the rest of America as it looks in and judges all of us based upon their own twisted, uneducated views. Both of these defeats share a common ground, a resentment, a disgust, is built up between the opposing groups to the point that they will fight with words, or by physical means. This resentment is the most dangerous thing of all.

Do you not see what has happened? The Kings, the ones who are supposed to keep the peace, and protect all have been pressured by a mass of Jesters, the people. The King now submits, resigning his true power and placing it into the hands of the people, out of fear of what might happen. I believe that in history we had seen this (on a much larger scale of course), the French Revolution. The King was still alive but eventually lost all of his power, as he submitted to the mob. In his short-sited mind, he figured he could get out unscathed. Unfortunately, this Kind this man with all the power ended with his head in a basket. And a war of the people commenced.  With the power out of the "Kings" hands we now have people against people, it is not people against an institution, people against an idea. It is now individual vs. individual. That alone should be a cause for concern.

To return to the point that was crafted: The statement that the "King" made about how he is attempting to help the school progress forward by removing the statue, is a statement crafted to fool the people that he looks down upon, from his high horse. Doing such an act will only declare a final winner, and final loser. This will result in the development of resentment, and even violence towards the two groups. They have opened Pandora's box, and what will exit was a monster of their own creating. The man himself did not commit the crime, but did he do enough to be completely removed from everything he has done? I am no judge to say, it is in the peoples hands to decided, and decide they will.

We now have all the power. We can make war with words, and by merely standing for one group on another. The world wants the school to burn, even those that did nothing, but merely wanted a school of high stature in education. The verdict was not enough for the Judgers, they want the blood of the Loyals, as well as the innocent. At what cost are these Judgers willing to go in order to make the Loyals submit to their will? Time will tell, a time that will be full of vengeance.

Police barricade. Pic. courtesy Jeff Preval (WTAJ Distributed)

So again I ask you, at what cost do we seek "Justice" at what cost do we see reconciliation? If you can not have reconciliation with the outside view of justice, then how can one proceed? Was dragging a dead man through the dirt worth the pain, bickering and disgust? Was this justice/condemnation of a man seen as a hero, who committed no crimes worth the schism that has been formed? Whatever the case, we are the ones that must live with it, we are the ones that must carry the resent of the man or the men that controlled this fall. If peace were to be truly found by this action, why were officers lined up in front of the statue? Does that not shout war, an not peace?

The town is now divided, and the division has been set with the removal of the statue. There is no return to the potential peace. The statue represented the one thing that the Loyals still had to hold on to, but with it gone, the most symbolic move yet made by the Judgers, will carry in the hearts of the Loyals. I do not believe that we should be so divided, but we are being lead by those who do not think. Had an adequate reason been present for the removal of the statue, then it would be less infuriating, but the statement given shows that the logic behind it's removal is entirely flawed, you can not create peace by removing a symbol, only war. And you, King, you Mr. President have thrust this upon us with your failed rhetoric. Are you ready for the answer that is at hand? Because as sure as the turning of the worlds, a response, a retaliation is coming.
 
(To note: not by me).

Good, or Evil? Time Will Tell.

Though my deprivation of sleep and the battles presented to me I find the new me begin to form. Some humans in times of extreme pain, or confusion change themselves, they adapt. That is how they continue on, how they strive. But to what cost? Yes they can then continue on in a less disturbed state of being due to their metamorphosis, but what strains does it have? On the surface it had none, for they have suppressed it for that purpose. But within they can feel the monster rip and tear attempting to escape. The question is, will they let it? Sometimes the evil is able to break free, sometimes it is held strong in its cage. It all depends upon the strength of the person. But after time the cage seems to weaken, and the beast within, the enemy that is within our own selves seems almost to triple in strength. It is at these times of flux that one should be most careful. To release it now would be far worse than just coasting through the pain.
But what will happen? Will it escape, or will it be stopped. My beast is knocking at the door, and has shaken me to my very core. I hope that it does to bloom, but only time will tell, a time that should be carefully watched. Will I change? We shall see. I promised myself I would not, and I intend to keep that. But when you soon come to such conclusions about your own situation, it is an interesting game of cat and mouse.
Time will tell, and it is ticking.

Crimson, Eleven, Delight, Petrichor

I can't help the title it's been stuck in my head for the past two weeks.

So where to start? Nothing exciting has happened to me in the past few weeks, I think. I really can't remember at this point.

Is it weird having a life goal to be struck by lightning, and survive? I've been talking to people and I guess that's not normal. I thought everyone wanted that. I don't want to get damaged or anything, I just want my superpowers. Because I'm still convinced that lightning does give you super powers. But there are rules to the acquiring of such powers. Rule number one: The Doctor lies. Oops, my bad. No.

The Lightning Super-Powers Rules

1. When getting struck by lightning, one must not be attempting to get struck otherwise the 4.2% chance of acquiring super-powers will be null, and void.

2. If you are holding tea, your chances go from 4.2% to 42%, since you know it's the answer to life the universe and everything. Do I have my towel? Oh good.

3. When their is a dolphin present, all powers will be transferred into it, for they have made a complex machine to do so. Do not get struck near a dolphin. It will transform into a land dolphin, and hunt humans for the rest of its life on their home turf, the cities.

4. Don't attempt.

Sucks to be him. See what the land dolphins did?

5. Most importantly, Don't be this guy:



Now Here are 5 piece of advice for life:

1. When you inevitably find yourself in a forest where the only life to be found is the carnivorous plants, do not fret, use the vine of wisdom, it gets them every time.


2. When fighting a unicorn, do not attack from the front, but attack from above. Fall on it's head, it's going to kill you anyways so landing on it's unibrown of a horn will cause you do die on it's face. It won't be able to see and will fall into the trap of peanuts.

3. When struggling to get your breath in a life and death battle with a Hippo, remember you are the one that kept force feeding it in Hungry Hippos the game. They never forget that.

4. When encountering a monkey, it may attempt to steal your wallet. Put a llama in your pocket, so that it steals the llama instead. It will be like a leprechaun, and give you gold. True story.

5. Rabies is like love.

6. Don't over count it messes you up in Language class. Oh and don't make up words in other languages they turn out to be swear words. Oh was my middle school teacher startled all those years ago.


Why can't I have a TARDIS? All I want to do is travel around the universe in my blue box saving people. How could it be any better than that? Would you come with me?

Tea, The Tenth Doctor Knew Where it Was At

"Tea! That's all I needed! Good cup of tea! Super-heated infusion of free-radicals and tannins, just the thing for healing the synapses."

In the constant battle of Tea vs. Coffee, I guess I should put in my pocket of change (better than two cents, eh?)

See What I did there?

Though I do enjoy the occasional cup of coffee, it just doesn't make the day great. For starters I know many people that drink it for the sole purpose of the caffeine boost. When I drink coffee no such thing happens. Instead, I get a bad after taste and my temperature increases drastically. Yeah that's what happens it just gives me fever like symptoms that's where all the energy goes, no boost of hyper-ness nope none, but that's probably a good thing for those who know me. To continue the flow of references, my insanity is comparable to the 11th Doctor, or just as crazy as a madman with a box. Because I have a box. Yes, got it now I'm going to go to a park and sit on a bench while holding a box and act crazy, then I'll literally be a madman with a box. I'm cool I know, I can tell.

Back to the war, not the Time War, but the war of Tea vs. Coffee. Now to turn to tea.

Tea is superior in every way. It tastes better, as a wide range of flavors, and doesn't make me feel sick. Plus it doesn't require sugar, but does work well with it. Also tea is calming, it doesn't give you those attacks of energy.

But yeah, did I tell you about the time I woke up staring at a wall?
Which reminds me of the time that I dropped molten metal on my leg. You see it all started in Chemistry class in 11th grade (way back when). My teacher showed us how to make the Zinc go all intense, and turn golden color with (I believe) oxidation. But then I got the funny idea to take it to the next level. At my house, I started making penny like object become reduced to shiny piles of metal, because they looked cooler, and it was amusing. I honesty forget why I was doing it, but I was. I used a blowtorch to melt the metal, and then let it drop into a container of cold water so that it would cool and solidify on impact. Well one Saturday morning I went outside at 6am, to melt the penny like objects. It was cool, and the sun was barely risen. I was really tired since I had retired for bed at 3am the following night. Needless to say, I was less than careful. As I held one penny like object above the water container, it began to bubble so I quickly moved it in an attempt to lower it into the water. Instead the liquid metal flew down onto my jeans, burning through them instantaneously, and melting into my skin. It was horrible. My fault. Who the heck wakes up on a weakened to burn things? Besides fire-kittens of the ocean. They love fire, lots of fire.
Yeah, then one day I woke up staring at a wall. You're welcome humanity. 

We All Need a Hero

In light of recent events that have transpired, I have turned to the more serious side for this post. Though it can be seen as both dark and light, it does not justify, nor take sides. The title does indicate the subject of the post, and I warn you, if you do not wish to be so somber, then do not follow in my footsteps and read this post. A few posts ago I wrote about a hero who knew his death was ever so close, and that he knew that he would be a hero. He writes warning the audience of the evils of back-story, about how a hero as a symbol is unbreakable, but a hero as a man is but dust and can be so easily destroyed. He warns that the more you know about him, the less of a hero he will be. He puts the burden onto the reader, telling them the choice is there to let people have a hero, or for them to see him in the real light. And let me tell you this: people need heroes. Heroes are a symbol of hope, to give people something to hold onto in the dark. Because lets face it, life can be challenging. I know that when I stare into the abyss I am looking for a hero, whether that be a god, or human, I still look. Don't we all?
Which leads me to my main point. If there is a man who is of such high stature that people see him as a hero, do we dive into their lives, into the details that we do not wish to know? If a man of such high stature, is found to be involved in something terrible, do we look away, or do we cast them out on the road to be beaten by the angered? (Figuratively) If it were any other person, we would tear them apart and hate them but because of the importance of that one person we can look past the issues. Especially if they were only partially involved. And to note I am not referring to celebrities, I am referring to someone who's life has had an huge impact on a society, helping to raise it from the dirt. A man who seemed of genuinely good intention.
A part of me, wants to be the one driving the bus when we hit an individual who has done wrong doing. Just because they are a hero, doesn't make them above the law. They should be punished like the rest of us, I mean they are people too. Why would we have laws if people of power could get out of them (which does happen). Now I do understand that a group of people is covering there behinds, when we should be lighting them on fire. They were not involved in the incident which I refer, but they are doing all they can to blow it out of proportion and away from them, so the facts I hear I am not entirely sure how accurate it is. The man, the punching bag may be no more involved that being in the same area, we will never truly know. We only see the facts, that are scewed by the demons that run the show. But am I a demon for having a glimmer of pity for a man held as a god?
Another part of me, stands fulling behind the man. I do this for two major reasons. One reason being the fact that he is being tarnished due to a failure in a group of others. He might not have been perfect in the incident, but I know his role is being blown up for the sake of the rears of the members of high. The second reason for my backing of a man who some are attempting to bring down to the level of monster is that we need a hero. This person has done so much for so many. He has a statue, and various honors in his name. This man was a god to his community. (In a non-blasphemous way). Even with the exposed imperfections the hero has stood at his stature by the opinion of the majority. You see the predicament? This man still holds a high ranking with many. Dragging him in the dirt after his death is no longer an issue about him. It's those trying to break his status as hero, for their personal gain.
The man is dead, no damage can be done to him, but to the people that need a hero and to his family, there is room for destruction. Should this be tolerated? Should people lose a hero that they see as a father, so that assumed justice can be had? What if the society benefits from his cleansed status as hero, should it be left alone?
Finally, a rift has been struck in the society that holds him up, a split in those who feel he is still a hero and innocent. And those that see him as a man and want him struck down. At what cost does justice come in a case like this? Is justice worth the pain? Is justice worth the lost hope, the loss of a hero?
On this Issue I will not openly take sides, but now you have seen the dangers. I leave you now, hoping that the choice ahead, does not involve one so drastic.
We all need a hero. 

Kittens and Death Metal

To be determined

No, the title isn't about the content at all, but really when do titles correctly summarize the written piece? The answer would be all the time. I just pulled you in to this, like my cat listening to death metal while on cat nip. Step aside Alice, Patches is the new girl in wonderland, oh wait no that's just the drugs you were on.
Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey.

Let's talk about something that is on our mind. Spongegod fatpants and Patrick Stud. Or rather Spongebob Squarepants and Patrick Star. Do they not horrify you? Up until a few months ago, I would definitely have said that Yellow Brick and Pink Star had switched teams, hopped the fence, you know. (Not that I'm saying that the rainbow flag is wrong, because then I'd get burned at the stake like the snake dancers (protestants), by the Catholics of old ba-da-chhh, can't get me now I just offended everyone, so take that nobody can say I was singling them out for their beliefs or preferences, so sucks). Anyway, now to continue not being politically correct, you hypocritical government.

Heart melting tear, oh the beauty.

Anyways. Yeah so I thought Yellow Brick and Pink Star had changed Jerseys, and were now rooting for another team. I mean after they raise a baby clam Pink Star proclaims "Let's have another" well Star, I hope that you're the bearer of that child. The implication is so odd that you have to question it. Not to mention that when they are dying under the light, their tears for a heart as the go ever so loudly and painfully into the night. I mean, whoa ladies and gentlemen, that right there is pulling off a better love story than twilight, (though the 3rd movie was drastically better than the first 2). But instead of Bella-Jacob-Edward triangle of love, there is no fist breaking on anyone's abs. You just have a pathetically awkward moment when two men are crying to form a tear. But as we soon find out, the water comes on and they are save, which also in turn saves them from the awkward moment where the two might be sitting in a tent in the freezing cool, and one stating "I'm hotter than you" no well save that for some other film.
But in recent years Bromance has blossomed into the uncomfortably close cousin of the rainbow parade. I now realize they might not have switched Jerseys, they just might have been following after it like the CHOCOLATTTEEEE man from that one episode, if Yellow Brick and Pink Star represented the rainbow crowd. They are cousins, that meet on many occasions, but just enough not to be the same. That's what they have, a Bromance. So wave your Bromance flags Yellow Brick and Pink Star, because I figured you out. Now what were they really doing in that box on the corner of the road? (drugs? I don't know) and Why did Squidward want in on it so badly?
There is one thing you have to remember, even though it is only a bromance, I'm still fairly sure that Patrick would go all Edward if he thought Brick was dead. I mean he'd probably pull of his shirt with his painted on abs, while he is about the stand in front of crowds. Only instead of sparkling in the light, he's block out the sun and everyone would die. That's how intense their bro-macing is, just like camping. You see Brick and Star really have what everyone wants, kittens listening to death metal and the ability to control their tears after death.

Sponge Bob + Patrick Fo'eva! (BROMANCE) Coming to a theater near you. There I did it.

Don't blink...