Entry #6: Weather and Emotions

For this post, I wanted to express my feelings about two types of weather, and what they both make me feel. I post about this in particular because as of right now, I feel a bit down due to some personal issues, as well as some other things in general, but i'll try my best not to depress anybody with this post. Because there's not too many types of weather, i'll try and explain my reasoning for why I like/dislike these types of weather, and how they make me feel as much as possible.

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Rain (Overcast, Thunderstorms, etc,.)

I, myself, love the rain. I suppose you could guess why I do, given my blog layout and colors, but there's just something so calming about it, so nice about the falling rain. It's a means to stay in all day and get cozy, doing things as time flows by comfortably and nicely. Thunderstorms are just as good, though your mileage on those specifically really depend on where you physically are in regards to the thunder. If it's off in the distance, it sounds nice! If it strikes relatively close, however, the sound could make you jump, and leave you uneasy for the rest of the night. Rain can also be problematic during the day, as well. It can fall on anything and everything, ruin outdoor events, sports, etc,.

However, I always feel at peace when it rains, and it gives me a calm feeling that everything will be alright. Hearing it fall as I focus on work, taking some time to admire the clouds outside, and watching everything through my window as it all falls. It also gives me an excuse to pop outside and soak in the atmosphere provided by the rainfall. It's soothing, relaxing, and makes me feel that things are very safe... Which is why it pains me to know that the place I live in, Arizona, barely gets any rain at all. I used to live in a different part of the state previously, and so far, compared to where I used to live previously, I barely see any rain clouds during the day or night. It makes me upset, looking outside and knowing that I simply won't get that comfortable feeling the rain brings because of how "perfect" the weather is. And this leads me into the other type of weather...

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Sunny Days (Clear skies, no clouds, etc,.)

 





(My apologies if there's a proper name or something for this type of weather i'm describing, but this feels like the best name I can give it.)

Normally, i'm not opposed to days where there aren't any clouds in the sky. The weather is nice, everything feels alright, it's generally good for everyone because there's nothing coming out of the clouds to fall onto any of us. It generally means that it's a good day to go outside, do some fun activities, and get out of the house/building you're in and bask in the sunlight. And this is true, as a lot of outdoor activities would usually be ruined when rain is involved, and those activities, in addition to sports, rely on the type of weather that occurs. It always means people can go outside and do whatever they want because nothing's stopping them from getting wet. I, however, personally disagree with these "perfect weather conditions", and see them as more of a depressing reminder of where I live.

In a place that's not only sunny out constantly, but also very warm/hot because of said weather, it's a shame that there's barely any rain to speak of here, even when it's supposed to rain in the monsoon season. Summers feel bleak and depressing, because where i'd have the option to go outside and do things, i'm instead forced to stay inside and try to keep cool because the sun is making things just that hot. And when it does rain, it feels very moist in the air and the heat still persists, making the feeling ten times worse. It makes me want to leave to go somewhere else with better rainfall, and somewhere that will actually make me happy to see the sun and clear skies when there's too much rain instead. But i'm sure that day will come eventually... hopefully. It'd just be nice to not worry about heat so often.

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What types of weather do you think affects your mood? Be sure to let me know and respond with your favorite type of weather, and how it makes you feel!

Entry #5: Some "Fresh" Thoughts

So for this blog post, it's going to be a bit hard to detail what I saw as the documentary I watched just recently is very hard to find. I've just watched a documentary called "Fresh", which is about how industrialized farming isn't good for humans or the environment, compared to... "traditional" farming, let's say? It's a bit hard to describe, but the documentary has a strong message about where the foods we eat come from and how, but before I go any further, let's summarize the movie as a whole.

Fresh is, as i've stated, a documentary about farming in the United States of America and how the industrialization of said farming is harming not just us, but the environment around us. Cattle being fed what's basically meat when they should be eating natural food such as grass, mass seed-planting/machine-performed crop growing, those kinds of things. The documentary goes on to state that people should be eating healthier by eating vegetables, supporting local farmers, and so on. There's really not much more to it besides a general message of supporting locally grown produce farmers, and eating healthier, perhaps even trying to inspire people to grow their own crops, if possible. The audience is definitely aimed at those looking into the food industry, or those who want to learn how to start a farm or grow their own food. But did I, someone who usually never thinks too in-depth about these things, enjoy it? ...I think so.

See, the thing about Fresh, in my mind, is that it not only pushes and makes that obvious message of buying locally is better than buying from a restaurant or something similar, but it also really doesn't want anyone to buy from a corporation of food, of any kind. It's very serious about its' message, and as a result, feels a bit dark/depressing at times. There's a scene in Fresh that has someone tell a story of how a friend/family member of theirs goes as far as comparing things like Wal-Mart, or whatever kind of industry food outlet as a "pharmacy" for humans, because the food that's sold only supplies people with the vitamins/nutrients needed to "keep them alive". And after watching the documentary, I do understand why. The industrialization of food isn't really getting better, farm animals need to be taken care of better, etc,. But going as far as calling industrialized food a sort of "pharmacy for humans" is a bit out there.

Obviously, it IS important to eat healthy. But that doesn't mean the healthy option is easily available to people all the time, 24/7. Considering the modern world today, not every individual person in the world can go into a backyard or some equivalent and just start growing plants, especially for those who work constantly. Some people just don't have the time to get home and prepare food, because they might need to do several other things that have to be done when they get home. That's why things such as regular stores and food chains exist; to give people that quick option when nothing else is available. So trying to push the message that everyone should eat naturally all the time and only buy from select produce retailers and stores seems a bit impossible when these people that may want to do this, simply don't have the time to do so.

But is that to say the film is bad or poorly made? Not at all. The documentary stays on tone, uses and shows multiple farmers who are dedicated to their work and the overall message of healthy eating, and makes its' point clear. I may be slightly against the hard "only eat natural food all the time forever" message, but what the movie points out, and shows/depicts what people can do to eat healthier, is definitely an important message, and an overall important movie that anyone that has the ability to support things like farmers' markets, locally-grown vegetables, or anything similar, should give a watch. Outside the slightly depressing themes, Fresh is absolutely important to watch, and i'd recommend it if you're looking to study agriculture or anything even remotely related to food.

...alright, all this food talk has gotten me hungry. I think i'm going to enjoy a nice steak and mashed potatoes for dinner.

Lucas, signing out!

Entry #4: Styles in (Game)Play

So, today i'll be posting about aesthetics. But not just any aesthetics... i'm talking about aesthetics in video games. That feel or alluring factor that sends off different messages about the game itself by either its' content, graphics, or gameplay, and leaves a lasting impression on us. Now, for the sake of post length I won't go too deeply into every game I post on this list, and they'll be restricted to games I feel a personal attachment to, but I do want to use enough to give you all a good sense of what feelings these games give off, at least to me, and what their style, graphics, and visuals feel to me. I choose these games in particular because I feel they also contribute to what I consider my own, personal "aesthetic". I'll also include one song from each game I list to help convey the aesthetic of the game I list, but of course, whatever you read from my posts is entirely up to you to discuss as well. That being said, let's start!

(NOTE: Most to all images were taken from Google Images, so I apologize if some images look bigger/smaller than others.)

1. Sonic Adventure [Dreamcast (1998), Nintendo GameCube (2003), Xbox 360/PS3/PC (2010)]

 






This game, in my eyes, is wonderful. The colors of the levels themselves, along with how the gameplay controls, the visuals, everything about it is so great. I will say, I am biased towards Sonic Adventure because I grew up with it, so I may be singing its' praises a bit too much. But for what's put on display here, complete with how Sonic controls, and the soundtrack, I can't help but love this game to bits. You control Sonic and five other characters through different stages and scenarios in an attempt to stop Dr. Robotnik (or Dr. Eggman, if you prefer...) from taking over the world with a new, mysterious enemy named "Chaos".

For the feel the game gives off, if I had to choose a specific theme, i'd say it's water-themed. The boxart (top-left) seems to feel like water ripples emanating from the center of the image, with shades of pink-purplish highlights, alongside blue and just a touch of green. It does fit, given the look of the game and one of the main villains being an amalgamation of water, but i'll save that for those of you who may want to play the game. But the game's style and feel is very nice, and I think gives off a good feel of a fast, action-packed adventure. And of course, the blue-colored aesthetic of the skies and seas are something that sticks with me the most.

Song: Open Your Heart - Crush 40 (This is the theme song to the entire game!)

2. Kirby Air Ride (Nintendo GameCube, 2003)

Kirby Air Ride is another game I hold dear to my heart. It's a simple, though fun racing game with Kirby as the main character, and comes with some of the same systems and abilities that Kirby usually has in his main games, though when I say that I really just mean copy abilities. The game has three modes as shown in the pictures; City Trial (upper-right), Air Ride (lower-left), and Top Ride (lower-right). All these game modes come together for a very fun racer that, I personally feel, offers just a bit more in quality and a faster pace than what a standard Mario Kart game could give you.

The aesthetic of this game... is definitely hard to pin down. If I had to give it one, i'd say it's very mechanical-feeling, in a good way. The main menu feels like you're almost looking at the inside of a complex machine as it turns, operates and moves like the inside of a clock or a factory using several machines to build something. But the rest of the game and its' race tracks all have their own feel. There's a track based around lava, another around machines, space, ice, but the main, central aesthetic definitely feels more machine/tech heavy than most, though that's not at all a bad thing.

(Fun Fact: For this Kirby game in particular, all of the music that plays for City Trial's randomized events are actually taken straight from the soundtrack of the official Kirby anime in Japan, "星のカービィ", or as it's referred to in the west, "Kirby of the Stars". Example: Here's the song for the City Trial event "Item Bounce" from Kirby Air Ride, compared to the original song from the anime's soundtrack, "Dedede Bustle".)

Song: Menu - Kirby Air Ride

3. SEGA Bass Fishing [Sega Dreamcast (1997), Xbox 360/PC (2011)]

SEGA Bass Fishing is another game from my childhood I hold closely to me not only because of the feel it gives me, but also because it's surprisingly energetic for a fishing game. You play as a professional fisher in Lake Paradise (and/or Lake Crystaldew, but that's if you play the "Original" or "Practice" mode to choose a different location to fish in), setting out for the biggest bass you can catch. There's really not much to this game, but that's also because this one in particular is a home console port of the arcade game of the very same name, and that's a shame 'cuz it never quite rose to acclaimed fame.

Alliteration aside, SEGA Bass Fishing is impressive in making a relaxing and comfortable aesthetic, while at the same time getting fast and energetic solely off of its' music. The only way this game could make fishing for bass any more energized is if there were effects added to the camera when fishing for a hooked bass, and maybe switching around the camera angles when reeling in a fish. The music is calming and focused when it needs to be, entertaining and suspenseful when it should be, and overall relaxing when all's said and done, and this is another one i'd associate with myself for the overall water theme.

Song: Original Mode: Ranking Screen - SEGA Bass Fishing

4. Animal Crossing (Nintendo GameCube, 2002)

 









Finally on this list, Animal Crossing. A game that isn't so much about an objective, but rather, living a life outside of your regular life. A life where all you have to worry about is whether or not you want to fish, catch bugs, dig for things marked on the ground (such as fossils), or pay off Tom Nook so that you may increase the size and space of your house for better interior decoration or item collection. This game is so relaxing, you can purchase a bed in game, place it in your house, and lay down on it as you either listen to some music in your game's house, decide what you want to do next, or just soak in the atmosphere of your home you decorated with your own two hands.

The feel of this game is definitely themed after nature, right down to the very neighbors you live with in game. All of them are actual, real animals (as showcased in the top and bottom right, next to the human player) and you live alongside them in a small town, with plenty of opportunity to do anything you imagine. Alongside this, you can plant things like trees, flowers, and pick weeds and take care of the world around you, and it's all very soothing and calming, complete with appropriate music. This game radiates a calm, nature-set vibe that makes it very nice and wonderful to play, and has a wonderful aesthetic.

Song: 12 PM - Animal Crossing (Nintendo GameCube)

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At the end of the day, a game's style, graphics, art and aesthetics all play a very important role in making the game look and feel amazing. It's one thing to have good gameplay, but if the game looks and feels unappealing, then chances are you won't want to return to it anytime soon. But with these games, I hope you can at least see why I value the graphics of a game just as much as how it plays. Sometimes, it can even play a role into the person you grow up to be later in life, shaping what you wear or the color palette you associate yourself with, and these are just a few examples of games that play well, as well as look stunning. If you have any similar thoughts or games, be sure to comment and tell me what they are! I'd love to hear what some of your own childhood video games (if any) contributed to who you are today.

- Lucas Vincent

Entry #3: It's, Like, So Confusing!

So earlier today, I found myself listening to an... interesting podcast about social media and how two girls calculate things like "likes" and "comments" over their Instagram accounts. I'll say it now that what I listened to wasn't particularly interesting to me, but before I do so, if you'd like to hear the podcast for yourself, click here for the prologue, and here for the first act/chapter. Perhaps you should give it a listen before reading on?

Alright... it's review time!

I'm honestly not sure how to feel about the podcast, or at least what I listened to... Perhaps it's because I don't use Instagram like a lot of people do nowadays, but hearing about how two girls calculate their likes, comments, and similar statistics on the images and selfies they post on their Instagram accounts doesn't necessarily interest me. In my eyes, social media seems like a very odd thing to study, especially when a lot of people have some form of account on a site and don't get say, oh, six likes a minute on an image they immediately posted. If you were trying to make a Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram or something else for a research project or for the sake of statistics regarding likes and comments, chances are you wouldn't get quick results. These girls interviewed on the podcast are implied to have been doing this for a long time, and they didn't just start posting online and getting followers. You have to build a reputation in order to earn those likes, and get a following. For someone like me, i'd be lucky if any of my own "selfies" got to around 10 or 15 likes, and that's on Twitter!

But I digress. I think the one point that just doesn't set with me is trying to dive into the "decoding Instagram comments" angle this podcast goes into, especially the end of the introduction segment by Ira Glass, the interviewer:

Ira Glass: "And that's what these Instagram comments are all about, if you know how to read them."

What does he mean by "know how to read them"? I can understand the snide or sarcastic remarks being confusing or the occasional case where someone comments such as when Ella came across a comment on another image where someone said they hated the poster because of their image/selfie, but there's really not much more to "read" into regarding people's comments on things like this on the internet, at least in my own opinion. You don't have to think that deep or that hard into an offhand comment on a photograph, and if someone really liked or disliked what you post about, i'm sure that respective person would let you know.

However, despite my slight frustration with the idea of measuring likes and comments on people's own personal posts, I do resonate with the idea of comments regarding friends and such. I don't much care what people do behind my back on the internet, because... it's the internet. It's impossible to know who or what is watching you 24/7, or identify if one person is worse than another, so why let it get to you? But when it comes to friends or people you know (for absolutely sure, I should stress) on the internet, it does feel a bit heartbreaking when they don't interact with you when you've posted with or about them. Now does that mean they hate your guts or something when they don't comment on a picture you posted with them in it? In my eyes, not really. Maybe the friend is busy, or, because they were physically there with you, perhaps they don't feel the need to share it, or they just haven't done so yet. It's nothing you need to hold against them, so I can definitely feel that angle being spoken about in the podcast.

I suppose with what the podcast offers, despite myself not personally enjoying the content, it is still relevant. There are still lots of people in the world who use Instagram, even if I myself don't use it, and plenty of people learning about and studying social media. And another point I agree with, are these lines from Julia and Ella from Act 1 of the podcast:

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Julia: Um, actually, if I get a comment from someone I care about, I think it makes me feel good, like it lifts me up.

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Ella: Like, it does make you feel good. You're like, oh, I'm getting all these comments. Like, people like my photo. They think I'm pretty. Like, they're saying that you're pretty. And if someone comes up to you and says you're pretty, like, you're obviously going to be like, thank you, if it makes you feel good. Because it just does. Like, that's like human nature. Like, you're going to feel good.

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This is important because I feel this plays a lot into our current world. Not even about likes or comments, but with the technology provided to us, we can now receive a lot more attention than we used to, and likes/comments help influence that because they let us know we're being seen or recognized, and they help us feel sure about our own images, or who we want to be. Do I think we should be analyzing "likes" or "comments" so often or trying to uncover what they mean like they have some sort of deeper meaning? No, because let's be honest, they really don't. It's just a functioning button on a post on a social media site. But I do feel like it's important to recognize and understand what these likes or comments mean to a wider variety of people. As I stated before, any regular joe can make a blog, start posting and get an obscene amount of likes and comments and what not. But it takes more than just someone posting selfies and images all day and getting so many "likes" and "comments" to really understand what they mean to someone, especially to people who supposedly receive up to 130 ~ 150 likes and 30 ~ 50 comments on their regular posts a day.

I'll say it once more: I'm not sure how to feel about this podcast. It doesn't make me upset or angry, but something about it doesn't set right with me either. It's like asking someone how useful of a resource money is when they receive it daily for no cost to them: nobody makes that much a day, and it's mostly defined by whoever you ask that gets it. Some people may like getting that many likes, but to others, it couldn't be anything to them and just be a number going up. But in all, I think it's ultimately up to you to decide. Here's the podcast again, and an additional transcript in case you want to give it another listen, or read it over. But as for me, I think i'm gonna disconnect from the internet, and go outside for a while. See you all later for my next, big post!