Podcasts . Reality . Variation of it

I've been trying to explore different kinds of podcast channels lately, ranging from crime scenes to game related, something of a short range for my taste. Of course the range of choices won't go beyond what peaks my interest. Laughable as how low my thirst for discovery is at least I found interesting ones.

(Although as I have stated several times in my short span of listening to such things, I end up not fully listening to a lot of episodes due to my brain not withstanding that unpleasant weirdo head ache from so much information. Carrying on...)

The first podcast channel I've ever gotten into was the ever famous "Welcome to Nightvale", due to their interesting world and how sci-fi slash supernatural everything is in their realm. Eventually I've gone and just gotten myself bored of it, even though I go back to it every now and then just to have a good different content to listen to. Don't get me wrong, WTNV is a truly wonderful experience, not including the Cecil-Carlos (or any other) fandom mind you. The realm of Nightvale is mysterious and intriguing, something out of the dream box and just up and out with the normalcy of life. How the morbid can just be something as pleasant as a newly baked pie, without it being overly anything in particular.

WTNV is truly a kudos, something I really am thankful for, especially introducing me to the joys of story based podcast. Even if its comparable to radio dramas, to this i LOL.

Next, after immersing myself to a lot of Jeff Clement stuff from Aural Stimulations, which by the way-ing of the ways a very inspiring experience to Jeffs' production talent, is the Selected Shorts community.

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LINK TO SOUNDCLOUD

Selected Shorts is probably the best cup of tea I have ever found. Their aim, to feature short stories or excerpts from selected works by acclaimed, budding or just plain preferred authors.

To me, the Selected Shorts community will be something of a dream. I've enjoyed my life when I was younger telling stories and doing dramas just by the aural kind. Good voice acting, or modulation, or just plain voice it self is captivating in it's way.

Although some story tellers in the podcast was kind of bland to my ears, it didn't hinder me to the wonder of the stories content. Hearing that tinge of enthusiasm which to my thinking probably might be not in their at all and just me hearing things. That is just the grandeur of it, how deceivingly pleasant our minds are. However I am not joking when I do hear how enthusiastic and clear their voices are in telling stories they didn't even write. Which to me I completely understand, especially if they loved the book they were reading.

Next we've got the famous Serial, according to all those blogs I read about good lists of podcast channels. They weren't wrong, just a tad celebrated, but the content of this mystery-drama podcast is good. Better to the ears of my friend though. I just hope she doesn't go and do a thing I do sometimes when I don't like the voice casting or background sound. Quitting half of the story.

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LINK TO SOUNDCLOUD

The scenarios though is gripping enough mind you. The investigation and social interaction of the detective (lets just say I nailed the lead voices' character) throughout is good. Just I don't  like listening to the episodes in one go, refer to reason in first enclosed in parenthesis statement.

Up next is another cup of my tea, I am getting well caffeinated in my journey for good podcast channels, in the name of Imaginary Worlds. A podcast by Eric Molinsky, and yes I remembered to edit the name (victory pose, cause it used to say Simon-something...).

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LINK TO SOUNDCLOUD

The channel is dedicated to the realm of observational opinions on selected topics under geek-dom. The geek-dom type I can follow, like RPG related games, comics, movies from comics, anything under the sun of the established geek-dom I am slightly well acquainted. Not in a manner of specifics.

He discusses his adventures in the world of Tabletop RPG games, that I never really got the hang of until now, some discussion on trending in the loop of society topics and so on. His inputs are agreeable and some of the people and topics he discuss are the things I rarely hear about, which is good!

My selection isn't too bad but I need more input to fully get the brunt of their content. The type of full content that either enriches me, in a way that maybe one day it would help me while hoping that I won't forget the content in a blink of an eye.

fun watch . Geek & Sundry . Spooked

Currently I'm enjoying myself in an old YT series under Geek & Sundry entitled Spooked.

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It's a 2014 supernatural comedy about the wonderful drama filled humane adventures of a five group of adults, with one kid as the fifth member.

The show seems to try the unique mash up of unusual tropes, which I found quite interesting in itself. Of course it wouldn't be a comedy that didn't twist the nipples of mainstream stereotypes that seems to swim everywhere, starting with the group itself. Even though there are stereotype roles for each, not that I'm saying that my taste for the uniqueness is shallow (might be...I can't really say...*further pondering*), they blend well that the chemistry of the characters are profoundly prominent and eye catching for viewers (in my humble ow-pee).

The leader that did his job due to righteous underlying sister relation issues concerning his little sister recovering fairly well when the supernatural is involved. Matched up with his completely awkward and morbid asian best friend, crushing on the blonde occult specialist that did not reciprocate said feelings. Rounding it up with the science buff, that one guy who amidst all the evidences would not admit defeat in believing the unknown unless solid evidence is recorded.

The scenarios are the common exorcisms, ghost haunting, the occasional poltergeist and some other mash up from the everyday story of horror movie like. Except in the blight of all this serious issues is the manner of which selected characters dealt with the story. Like a little bit of all the Scary Movie parodies.

Scratch that little bit and make it all over the place method like the Scary Movies parody.

The show was enjoyable. Snippets of everyday life challenges, like sibling relationships, best friends, romance, come to think of it these life challenges were overly conventional that it made the whole show human amidst the horror that never scared the shit out of anyones pants. Good thing such horror exist in the world.

The only thing that might be truly lacking is the plots challenge through out the episodes. Everything was engaging and interesting in a normal point of view, since I guess the aim was just fun during horror times. Yet, yearning to have that plot about a greater scare is what I was waiting for.

Which they did do by the last episode. This is one of those stories I see that just sucks my soul for being satisfied and want me to yearn for some more. Marketing purposes they have succeeded. Other sections of my life just wants to say in a convincing manner to be patient and wait and see when they will give a new season.

(trailer released in June 2014)

Speaking of second season for this show, there seems to be no other new if there will be one. There were mentions of it during it's time of airing but somehow the show must have not garnered enough attention and audience during the release, and like all the other sadly bad timed shows they got the bunk. Never to be seen again.

With the same set of characters and actors, or actresses...(etc., rambling commences).

Komikon . Indie . struggles

A month from now is the titular event for all comics enthusiast, greater for the comics makers and artist apparently, called Komikon (a localization of the Comicon from the U.S., me thinks) here in our country (the hugely crab mentally humble Philippines *party poppers*).

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This event is one of my most anticipated things in life since it started back in 2005, I had the privilege of selling comics back in 2009/2010, but had to stop due to work. Now I'm planning to go back, as well as my friend who want or can go back to the society.

Currently I've become recluse in my enthusiasm to socialize in the community and thus has little to not much contacts that could connect me to the industry that I had wanted to grow into. Instead I grew around a small bubble that evidently, every now and then, pops it up in enthusiasm just to be able to commend myself in the crowd of on-going lookers and active goers. Which goes back to it's little introverted bubble to again gain a little strength for the next attempt.

This whole concept of my struggle is me being lazy in the face of my wanted ambition in life. This ambition didn't even spark a strong will to me until the days after my graduation.

Being lazy and hesitant against the concept of risk has always been my enemy. An enemy I shouldn't even be talking about, but since I've accepted to be like this with the concept of not struggling to even remove it from me. Right now, I'm struggling so bad to over come it, at this late stage of my life.

The community however is very admirable, even inspirational for me who is struggling to be a comics indie artist.

I've self published several of my short stories before. My genre or art style isn't that profitable, but I strive to get it there. To earn it.

Needing to do better...

Don't Stay in School . Boyinaband . wow

The first time I heard this song...

(it's "Don't Stay in School")
...I didn't really mind about the lyrics. What I did mind is the awesome tune and rap skills of Boyinaband (or Dave, I'm not sure).

Dave is a really diverse fellow. Things that comes out of his mouth are intriguingly intelligent. Something that sometimes makes my head hurt, but love to hear albeit the struggle of my head to follow. No questions, I am just literally slow at things.

Truth be told I wouldn't be going through his channel without that Reaction video from the Fine Brothers YT channel about "Adults reacting to Don't Stay in School". Which was a relevant thing since the song was intended to be noticed.

Currently his most controversial songs, it garnered such a strong reaction from adults because of the title. If you truly listened to the song, it never said that you should literally leave the school. However, it really rose up some weird shallow like reaction (to me) towards the "misleading" title. Many of the videos with parents involved, luckily has strong conviction towards the concept of a diploma, reacted violently towards the title. But once they hear the song, they praise it. They nod in approval and tell the truth of it.

(Great my intended "not to discuss anything about the song but more about Dave" went out the drain)

Still the world is unfair. There are still reactions stating that aim of the song, which is to remind the school that they should give the children better life learning education than just academic, was not really necessary. Of course it will not be targeted to everyone but only to those countries that thinks exam scores are better than life points, in an RPG game that is one important matter specially if you're in a battle with a stronger enemy.

This was an amazing feat in itself, to let people be aware of such truths. As I recall, there are a lot of shows that depicts past stories that when people went to school they pursued academic courses because they wanted to or are intrigued. I'm guessing that through the course of history basic academic courses were made available or a staple to everyone due to the unfair division of intellectual levels of each person back in the days, I do not know when. However, it began to grow lazy, that instead of people picking the academics because they see it as a necessity rather they were force fed so that the government can hit two apples with one arrow, diminishing the years that will lapse and the time or money they could save.

Our economy, government, and life IS growing lazier by the day through their impatience.

This is a horrible reality for me, who is and will always be a lazy person that has a mind set of a person who wants to achieve and is rather impatient.

Never mind going back to the past and discovering "this and thats" source. Going back to Dave's awesome singing skills, he seems to has become aware of his greater purpose by making songs that hits the spot in higher places than usual. Like his next song Spectrum, although LGBT issues towards LGBT relationships has been quite the number one easily opened discussion even to my friends. The reality of their pain is very true and shouldn't be dismissed.

(Again, why is the thumbnail his face?)
This song is as spectacular as "Don't Stay in School", even featuring Cry and Minx, fellow youtubers.

Boyinaband >> join him

The Promise . Emma Blackery . appreciation

The first song that introduced me to the wonderful Emma Blackery was an awesome song she collaborated with Dave (Boyinaband from youtube). The name of the song, "The Promise".

Her voice was really my type, the type you just feel like you'd go and jam with in a mellow rock like way (mellow rock, really?). But what caught me was the songs. As everyone who likes Boyinaband knows he is known for making songs that hits you in the "kokoro" just like that (gotta make that post about him soon), or just plain funky rap songs about satirical things. He also produces tons of awesome songs that I completely question why he hasn't hit big yet.

Enough about Dave, more about Emma, I say!

I have not immersed myself to Emma's channel yet, since I have yet to immerse myself to Vloggers instead of Music makers and Let's Play youtubers. Although some of the Let's Play and Music Maker youtubers I do follow has Vlogs of their own. I only pick the Vlogs that has a full on "just listen to it" feel, instead of the ones where you need to follow what they do on the video.

Emma Blackery, as I noticed, has majority of Vlogs and mostly the only videos I have immersed of hers is the official video for "The Promise" and most of her music, that I must say is really funky and cute.

More about the song.

The song, as my ears perceive it, tells the story of how no one should feel left alone. That you should hold on, reminding you that you aren't alone. Because as the song says, they promise they will be there for you. No more cutting. No more aching. They will listen.

This is something of a real thing. People all around us are internally dipped in depressing and rotting conflicts. Some can get their ass out of those tar holes inside of us, while the others struggle harder. Maybe they are weak in the mind, heart or soul, or they didn't get to have that good social support from the people they expect to get it from. No matter, because in the end something will always eat them, and they will struggle.

Being a person who has once experienced, or still do in tiny bouts, is luckily one of the few who has someone or a "group of" to help me with my times of struggle. They were there long enough for one day make me able to stand on my own two fat unstable logs for legs. Finally waiting for my time to help others in a way that fits their need.

I honestly say I am still not able to do so. There is no way for me to help someone who is clinically depressed, just the ones who needs an ear kind of "depressed" which might probably just be loneliness. Or the ones who needs to be picked up from their fall, and do my best to push them slowly back up into the sky.

Enough dabbling.

This song, matching it with a heart breaking video is one insta-kokoro-kill!

The song is one of the most heart warmingli-mazing ones I've listened so far, and I just couldn't help but want to shout it out to the world. Since I cannot sing, therefore I will shout it out. Even if no one will hear me or even notice me. I promise I will still "sing" it.

Because everyone should be reminded of such a good story.

Emma Blackery >> join her

concept of being out of place

Recently my friends are getting into this certain famous movie in our local cinemas. I'm saddened that I may be intrigued or even enticed to watch the movie somehow my habit in not immersing myself into something currently trending comes up.

Trending or not, I'm not saying I have anything against the movie, because I actually like the fact that the movie is historical. Although it's topic is not something I want to immerse into, I like the concept and enjoyment of seeing a kind of modern render of historical stories, however accurate it is or not. Still it saddens me that I envy them for watching the movie, but I hold myself back from immersing in the hype.

I. Am. Basically. Torturing. Myself.

The concept of being a masochist is well absurd. Yet, I am only tortured emotionally. By being envious of my friends sharing something in common while I won't be able to follow albeit knowing a little of what they are talking about, I basically indulge my envious self. Accepting being envious of them and repressing or subjecting myself to the temptation of watching the movie, in the end I will not really still fit in with the group discussion of the movie.

Mental arguments eats me sometimes that I fear lashing out onto people. A fear that once I share this kind of thinking or argument or discussion, even with my boyfriend, would just drive them away. Although I'm guessing one of these days I will be discussing it with my boyfriend since I am often times an open book about my self and my thoughts. Even if it sounds gruesomely neutral and vague in opinion.

Confusedly good and bad, all at the same time.

Discussing things at the heat of the moment and event, I am not good with. Needing the time to eat and think of things, arguing about the pros and cons is what I am able to stay strong mentally. How I end up with definite conclusion. To me, inquiring to people about opinions about a situation is something more confusing, unless I'm doing a research about their opinion and won't even matter to me personally.

Allowing myself to discuss it and reading things about it that contradicts each article opinion is a good way to develop a neutral mind.

This is something out of place.

movie list: The Scorch Trials (Maze Runner 2, 2015)

The fad for making movies from books has always been in our culture, humanity in general, since around the first time someone discovered or tried to make a film from a book. So standards aren't much for my taste, yet finally, the first time I had an honest to something opinion of a movie flow or kind of criticism shows up in the second film of the series Maze Runner.

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I've watched the first movie, simply The Maze Runner, repeatedly in a movie cable channel, I've forgotten which one. Personally I liked it, I mean the ending didn't look like an "obvious" open ended one, until of course that one scene that symbolized that its a series in the end credits.

As usual my mother asked me to watch the movies cause she wants to spend some movie time, plus free movies on that day. Lovely perks of the seniors. There were only two movies in the roster, sadly there was no Heneral Luna which is a movie that is locally trending with my friends and majority of the people I know thats got the same taste of entertainment or probably even better than mine. Either a movie about something relationship related "again" and a movie about kids running around trying to survive, or I assume are kids.

Basically watching and getting to know more about the universe of Maze Runners dystopian future made me realize that the second movie, no its not the times I missed those scenes from the beginning that I missed, that I am pretty much confused with some elements that felt "off".

Without knowing anything about the book, basing only from the movie. I was confused about several characters significance, as if their introduction and purpose was "great" yet their time in the movie or even circumstances felt lacking. True, we cannot expect any kind of detail focus as the books can give, but to the extent that I can feel it is not a good sign.

My personal nit-pick are Aris (Jacob Lofland) and Brenda's (Rosa Salazar) significance in the books, obvious by their sudden involvement and roles in the movie.

Dunno how "updated" this picture of him is, still...
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Aris is the character that is the "outcast" in the facility they were brought to prior from the ending of the first movie. He had little time to develop any kind of relationship or kinship to Thomas, the main. But circumstances and a sudden shift of personality from the book tells that Thomas is such a paranoid and curious cat that he was right to trust the information fairly given by Aris as if it was Aris' instinct to tell them. Assuming, he must've done this to all the new comers expecting some kind of rebellious source of energy when ever he shows them around. By instinct maybe, or what ever, Aris shows them. The movie not clearly showing whatever motivation, well besides being paranoid. Whilst compared to the other kids in the facility.

However, I do understand if not much of the kids in the facility would be willing to trade the comfort for something perilous as suspicion of their food and shelter source. Nevertheless, it was something I found lacking in explanation on why. So basically I'm ending Aris' existence as a spur of the moment.

Further information about Aris, researching about the book of course. Aris seems to be a completely important character as he shared a telepathic connection to both Thomas and Teresa, main lead female (?) from the previous movie although we are basing in the books now. Of course another lacking element in the movie.

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Second character nit-pick, Brenda. I shipped Brenda to Thomas the moment she showed her face. Clearly my fan girl side showed, although I did not squeal. Her role in the movie was quite significant, besides being the only other girl Thomas clearly showed interest to. Checking on her, book version, I was correct to ship her to Thomas even though I'm not quite sure how they end up.

Her character, and the actress, portrayed a strong girl. Not just in opinion but in surviving as well. Something that awfully attracted me to her, plus her round eyes. If I compared movie Teresa with movie Brenda in the current movie, they flowed so differently that it even clearly showed that Teresa was finally shifting sides. Although it might be intentional. Meh.

To me it's a matter of taste. The most shocking part for me in the movie was Minho and how...well you'll have to watch the movie for yourself because the only thing I needed to nit-pick were the characters. The flow of the story is the typical dystopian world with an infectious mankind killing virus. What stands out in this story and movie, besides a hand pick of characters some girls would like to fan over, is probably the attempt to reach out to the fan base.

Which by now might be rolling over their beds from sheer disappointment or pride of how the 2 movies has run.