Welcome To Technology

It's Everywhere...

Today my mother and I went to Best Buy to help her buy a new computer and printer. Though I'm not partial to the store, I will admit they have a better variety and knowledge than other stores. I prefer to go to smaller computer stores who have people who work on computers almost daily. However, I will admit that they can be very helpful the less tech-savvy. I am also not actually very tech-savvy, I just like reading up on the latest stuff that's coming out to know what's out there as a good investment

Anyway, mom and I started looking at the different laptops when one of the guys dressed in blue shirts came over. He was showing my mom around and she was asking a few questions. That's kind of when I started interrupting, like a lot.

In fact the the sales guys would occasionally just let me explain to my mom what to buy. My mom thought it was hilarious. I started going off about which processors are a better investment for what she is doing versus gaming and programing, etc. I also started talking to a few of the guys about different math classes I've taken and used in connection to working in different programing languages.

I was enjoying seeing the latest laptop models on the market. Almost everything I saw was touch screen technology. All of the models could double as a laptop and a tablet. On some level I kind of miss just having the standard laptop option. Yes, they're bigger and a lot heavier, but I feel like they have the processing power that I need. Then again, that might like someone who worked with computers in the 1960s looking at the computers they were selling in the 1990s and saying "don't you need a whole room of hardware to do that kind of processing?"

Clearly I'm still stuck in the early 2000s.

If I had my mom with me while writing this post, I'm sure she'd be looking over my shoulder telling me about how I missed all the funny conversations and more proof that I am in fact a NERD. It didn't help that we spent nearly two hours in Best Buy debating the merits of what kind of processing power she'll need for future events that are still up in the air.

I also really really want to upgrade my laptop now. And quire possibly take apart my very first laptop (not the one I currently use). I'm very curious to see it's parts up close.

If you enjoyed this post or it really pissed you off, please like, share, or leave a comment. I love hearing from my readers and getting your opinions on my success and failures. This whole 'adult' life is way too stressful for what it's worth.

Welcome To The Reunion

We'll see you again next year...

First I would like to say Happy Shark Week! I honestly miss the years my family would go to the South Jersey shore the week after it aired.

Today was my grandfather's family reunion. This was unfortunately our first year since his passing back in October that we were all together. It was pretty small this year, not a lot of children. I think it was because so many of use have moved away. I have cousins ranging from Boston all the way to Alaska. 

Anyway, what's important is that we all meet at this park in the city of Catasaqua. We have a huge picnic   lunch, have our annual meeting, play a few games and then head out. It's a lot of fun. Even if things are changing.

There's an old creek (it's actually a crick, but not many people outside of the region are familiar with that term) that's now dried up close by the picnic area. We used to play in it, catching small fish and bugs. We used to splash around and then run back to our parents for dessert.

There's also a playground and swimming pool. It was a rare summer we went to the pool, but we were always running around the play ground. There's an old merry go round, probably one of the last since they're considered dangerous, that my cousin whose four months older than me and I would spin as hard as we could to make the younger kids sick. The adultery were never happy when we did that.

In years past my family would go to Dorney or Hershey  Park and ride roller coaster. We didn't this year, but that was mainly because I am working and my sister is off on another adventure. Some days I wish I could relive those days. It was a lot of fun getting my (then) 70 year old cousin on the rides.

If you enjoyed this post, or it really pissed you off, please like, share or comment. I love hearing from my readers. I hope you enjoy these posts and the crazy things I have learned. Until next week.

Welcome To Alternative Culture

Because Normal Is Vastly Overrated...

This past weekend I went to BronyCon. I honestly did not know what to expect. It was my first Con and I had a lot of fun. It's an interesting story about how I found myself surrounded by fans for a show called "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic".

My ex significant other (yes they are an ex now, we haven't gotten around to changing our profiles yet on social media) had been a big fan of the music movement surrounding the Brony movement. They were also a fan of the show. For my readers who do not know, a Brony is typically an adult male fan of the show "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic". However the term Brony is occasionally applied to any adult who is a part of the fandom.

The fandom is huge. I have gotten into the music as well and there are a ton of fan made songs for the show. They are really good and the performers are excellent to watch life. I really like the alternative rock songs myself.  

However a lot of people find it odd that Bronies or really any fandom (other than sports) exist. I don't because fandoms have existed for a long time (see Trekkie for reference). They're really just another medium for people to express themselves with. A creative outlet to escape from reality.

And sometimes it goes against what is the current culture (I repeat see the history of Trekkie for details). It's different and a little odd, but that doesn't mean it's a bad thing. It makes life interesting.

Most people still view comic books and cartoons as being strictly for children, yet people continue to enjoy them well into their adult years (the existence of ComicCon is proof of this). The question is why. Why are shows, stories and other mediums typically geared towards children able to create huge followings that span generations?

I think the simplest answer is: the story. All of these things exist because people enjoy the story. Either because they loved it as a child or have found stumbled upon it as an adult. They find it engaging. That's why I love anime, manga (Japanese comic books) and comic books. There's the conflict, the adventure and the ability to watch characters grow from facing their challenges. It pulls on a person's emotions and makes them beg for more. Even going so far as to help a person struggling with their own challenges.

How many young girls identified with Hermione from Harry Potter because she was a cool bookish heroine? How many young men admired the heroics of Captain Kirk and wanted to be able to be that cool calm leader?

You might still think the idea of a Brony is weird. Yet they are a pretty awesome bunch of people to hang out with and talk to. I especially enjoyed watching some of our military take on the question about what kind of army the world of My Little Pony would have (by far my favorite panel after the voice acting and Who's Line game). Still have doubts?

Watch the show.

I'm serious. I didn't get it either until I watched the first few episodes of the show. That's when it clicked. The show is good and sends a good message. Yes its geared toward preteen girls, but that doesn't mean it's unintelligent.

If you enjoyed this post or it really pissed you off, please like, share, or leave a comment. I love hearing from my readers. Until next week!

Welcome To Thinking Out Loud

Yesterday my mom visited to help me clean out some stuff from one of my closets. I cannot deny the fact that I am a bit of a pack rat. I have old notebooks from middle and highschool, not to mention all my college stuff. I admit, as a personal flaw, that I am sentimental about really stupid things and just won't throw them out because of how much I loved it when I was six.

However, my inability to get rid of junk is not the topic this week. While my mom was here, we went out to lunch for drinks (interpret that sentence how you will) and we bonded as we tend to do when out on the town. I started going off about one of the novels I'm writing. (Fine I admit it, I'm trying to be a writer, it won't be a reality until I actually finish a draft.)  Mom was asking me questions and as we talked I was further developing the plot(s). In essence this weeks post was her idea.

She is right, of course. I tend to do my best thinking when a) I'm pacing around my apartment, b) I am listening to music and/ or c) I'm talking out loud with someone about whatever I'm stuck on. This last method happens more often than not, when I'm angsting about something. I tend to just go off about my problems until there is a resolution or a new problem emergese. I'm sure many of you remember my cable rant(s).

The fact is, writing and talking almost go hand for me. I write to express my problems and come up with improbable, yet hilarious scenarios to solve them. I talk to express my problems and come up with practicle ways to solve my problems. It's also sometimes nice to just have someone as a so sympathetic sound board.

It's just another weird aspect of my personality.

If you enjoyed this post, please like, share or leave a comment. I love hearing from my readers and I hope you guys are enjoying my crazy life. It is certainly entertaining for me, once I stop freaking out. Until next week.

Welcome To Indifference

I find that it is getting harder and harder to find a topic to write about each week. I'm not sure if it is because it's been a year since graduation and all the novelty has worn off or if I've just hit a point where I've fallen into a nice routine with little change to disrupt myself with. I am not sure how I feel about that. I feel I should still be in a constant state of flux and change.

Does this mean I need to take a big risk and cause a major change in my life?

I'm not sure how wise that would be. I'm somewhat comfortable with where I am. I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do and who I want to be. Maybe I need this break from constant learning to be indifferent.

Then again, indifference could be a bad thing. I could stop wanting to do my best or become bored and I am not someone who handles boredom well. Oh don't get me wrong, I love down time as much as the next introvert. However, I feel I should be more excited in general and ready to seize the day with gusto. I remember how I planned my life around getting into the College I wanted to and was so proud the day I got in. Now, I'm not sure what to plan on. I don't know if what I am doing is what I want (let alone need).

So I am back to my first question. Is my current bout of indifference good or bad? Heck, is what I'm feeling even indifference?

I don't have the answers, so I guess I have to keep searching for them. Onward I go.

If you enjoy this post please leave a comment or like and share it with your friends, family or worst enemies. I love hearing from my readers and I hope you enjoy these posts. Until next week.

Welcome to Victories and Defeat

The World Cup has ended and Germany pulled through for me! I'm very proud of them. It was a great game with a lot of intense moments. Hopefully you guys at least caught the last twenty minutes of over time. It was a great victory!

I went to my fist Major League Baseball game this week. It was amazing! I saw the Orioles play the Nats in Baltimore and had a great time with the church people. I rooted for the home team since it was hard not to. I'm typically a Nats fan as I'm originally from the DC area. The pastor and his family are huge Nats fans though, so he earned some teasing from the rest of us. The Os lost to the Nats, but it wasn't that big of a disappointment for me.

My church league softball game could have gone a lot better. We were slaughtered by 21 runs. I just wish the team we had been playing had been a little more considerate. They were clearly enjoying beating the pants off us. Our side still had a fun day, but we were a little demoralized by the end.

That's kind of how my life is. I win some and I loose some. However I wasn't too disappointed by my losses this week. They weren't life threatening and I didn't have any hard feelings against the opposition. It was fun and exciting. I just wish I hadn't been stuck in the outfield baking away in the hot sun for as long as I had been.

If you enjoyed this post please like, share or leave a comment. I love hearing from my readers and joy your thought. Until next week.

Welcome To Fan Perils

Happy Forth of July weekend everyone! Yes, Independence Day was on Friday. I got to set off legal fireworks for my glorious audience and have a wonderful dinner prepared for by my sister. She is an excellent cook and made a truly American meal of pulled pork and corn on the cob on the grill.

Yesterday I was with my roommate and their sig fig (significant other). We got along well and traded anime and Youtube shows to watch. Attack on Titan is my current passion (got my sister involved) and we were trying to get my roommate more into it. We had several adventures and trolled a few people online. I also proved what a nut case I am about my favorite characters.

*Warning Fan On Rampage!

Speaking of favorite characters, I saw Transformers 4 today. Once I left the theater incredibly pissed off. If it wasn't for my agreement to go see them with one of my friends, I would have skipped it. I am angry and not just because the teenaged girl was only ere for eye candy and completely useless. Honestly if you want good Transformers watch Transformers Prime (everything we ever believed about Starscream is true!) or invest in the comics (at least Prowl is in them).

*End Of Fan Rant

Sorry I just really needed to get that out of my system. If you haven't noticed yet, I am a bit of a fan for certain works of fiction. It's a good way to relax and get involved with other people. I mean I did join an anime club and have finally started doing some cosplay. Believe it or not fanfiction also helps with the stress and practice writing fiction for an audience.

It just sucks when someone (Michael Bay) messes with your fandom. I just hope TMNT turns out okay.

To be fair not everyone understands fans like me (and I'm not even one of the really crazy ones), but we all have passions. My Japanese cousins tend to think that I'm a crazy otaku (it's more of a joke now than anything) and I'm okay with that. It's an outlet much like sports fanatics. In fact the word fan comes from the word fanatic. Most of you probably already knew that.

It's what I need to keep me entertained. It expands and influences my imagination. How else am I supposed to make reality stranger than fiction. I have to improve upon things that have already been thought of.

If you enjoyed this post, or it really pissed you off please share or leave a comment. I love hearing from my readers (even the international ones I'll use google translate even if it is a horrible service) and hope you guys enjoy reading about my struggles (and hopefully learning from them). Until next week.