From The Great Beyond

It feels like ancient times, since the last time I ever wrote here. How things have and have not changed in that time. Looking back at my post history, that statement actually rings true for a change. It's hard to believe that it's been 5 years since I've been here, when once upon a time, I'd be writing here any chance I had. Now as I sit here, staring at this familiar screen I find myself struggling to find the words to share in this tiny space of mine. 

Off the top of my head, it sure seems easy to lose track of something like this. The blog I mean. In this day and age, does anyone still really blog? Social media seems to have taken over that spot and now it's easier than ever to be able to share a thought, photo, video... nearly anything! No real thought required. Or I suppose there is some needed, but now you can just upload or share and bam! It's out there...

I admit that I've never really been one for social media. I've never really been the type of person that actively sought out to be the center of any sort of attention. I never was the kind of person that could muster such a thing anyhow, but that is beside the point. I used to crave such attention and would be disappointed when it didn't work out like I had hoped. Truth be told, that is what I felt about this blog for a good number of years. It bothered me that I had absolutely no audience. It felt wasteful, to expend such energy to write things and share my thoughts and to come up empty handed so to speak. But now when I think about it, it served me in ways that I couldn't understand in those days. Hindsight being what it is, I see it quite differently nowadays.

I think I personally prefer this sort of sharing, just because I think it ultimately requires more attention and focus rather than a simple thought or so. It feels more like an investment I suppose, instead of an impulse. This gives a person's words more life, more meaning I think. And I think it used to be therapeutic, to be able to share thoughts and have to structure them out instead of jarring them up inside of my head all the time.

Now I have no idea of this is a comeback or if this was simply a one shot deal. But I am happy to see my blog still around and waiting after all of these years. I might come back again, share a story or two. Or maybe more...

Earthbound Papas

So last night my girlfriend and I finally got our first experience of attending a convention. Admittedly, it wasn't exactly spectacular as far as booths and that stuff was concerned. It seemed like it was mostly local artists and a lot of clothes. And there was quite a few people out and about in cosplay (we passed a rather large group of Batman characters out front) and there were some pretty good ones too.

But that isn't why we went as I suspect was the case with the majority of the people there.

Let me just say that the moment my eyes even saw the card promoting the event and saw the name NOBUO UEMATSU, it was done. If I had to quit my job and attend the event by myself, I think I just would have. The man himself would be attending and performing? Excuse me for saying but... fucking sold!

I admit though, I hadn't heard of his group called the Earthbound Papas until this point. Where they like the Black Mages? I had no clue and frankly I didn't really care at this point. I was going and that was that!

Back to the point of last night, the performance was goddamn awesome! By the time they had taken the stage, I think both of my feet were going a little numb and tingly from having stood up through both the sets prior. But man, the energy up front by these guys was insane and at more then a few points, I thought the floor would cave in.

What was so much more awesome to me was the looks and every one of those people's faces, including Nobuo, will forever be ingrained in my memory. I have never seen a group of people who genuinely looked like they loved exactly what they were doing at that very moment. The smiles on their faces was so cool to see and it showed every minute that they performed.

All in all, it was all worth it and I think it was as close to having a religious experience as I think I will ever experience in my life. It was just that damn good to me. I would absolutely see them again should they return to Honolulu.

Keeping Up With The Times

I'm not exactly one to keep up with current trends, I admit that I do get a little caught up in certain new technologies. I suppose it goes the way of new video games and the like, in that I just get hyped up on something as being the most awesome thing of it's moment. I cannot help myself! Anyway... to be more specific, new phones are a point of weakness for me right now...

Personally, I think we are leaning towards the iPhone 5S rather then it's colorful kin. For myself, I do like the look of the 5S better and it sounds as though that device is a much more powerful beast. Besides that, little did anyone in my household realize that our phones were, in fact, up for an upgrade. But then I guess that is just wishful thinking and plays really to the favor of the phone company. Our upgrading of tech will ensure that they've got us for another 2 years.

Hmm...

Of course the trouble with new tech, especially Apple products, is the pre-ordering madness that ensues. I've heard the stories of their stuff being sold out for weeks on end. I doubt it ever got quite as bad as the Nintendo Wii back in the day, but anyway... yes, it would seem as if we will be entering this fray very, very soon.

Back From The Dead

While I always dislike having to start off a post with hey! It's been a while... but isn't that the truth? Yet again? But just so much going on in all aspects of life these days that I just have not made the time to write. Poor excuse, yes? But there are a few things which I am very excited for and I swear the month of November will be a doozy.

First off, we are going to our very first convention in the beginning of November (Oni-Con), which should be an interesting experience I'm sure. But that isn't the big deal or rather, there is a very big reason why this one is going to be our first outing.

The Earthbound Papas

Nobuo Uematsu will be here! Performing! With his group the Earthbound Papas! Okay, to be honest I didn't realize he had another group. I've only heard of the Black Mages, but this is beside the point. It was always a hope of mine to be able to attend a Nobuo Uemetsu performance and while it isn't the Distant Worlds showing, I will take this opportunity very graciously for sure. There will also be an autograph signing after, but I imagine that will likely be a mad house.

Of course in the month of November is also the releasing of the rest of the next generation of gaming consoles. Despite having been pretty firmly in the Microsoft camp throughout the PS3/Xbox 360 generation, I have to say I'm with the PS4 come this November. The deciding factor for me was not just how poorly they communicated how the Xbox One would function, but also just the overall direction of where they are going with it all. I'm just not interested in a console with other entertainment options which I cannot even use without having to spend more on buying more services.

As for the PS4, well...

While a lot of games that have caught my eye are for both consoles, there was one that helped me to decide which console was the one for me. The game? inFAMOUS: Second Son. If this game actually takes the best parts of inFAMOUS 2 and makes it even better, then this game will be beyond awesome in my book.

Of course I cannot mention the next generation without saying a little something about Kingdom Hearts III! Like its about damn time perhaps? I originally thought that the game play would look as it did in the video from E3. But apparently that is not so. Still, if they can get it to look that good and still keep the style that made the previous main games fun to play... again, beyond awesome.

Oh and Final Fantasy XV! While this, too, looks awesome... I'm just hoping the game gets released before I hit old age. The thing I'm wondering about is this: How does this play? And if it'll really be more open then Final Fantasy XIII? Please, no more linear maps! And no characters I wish to throw off a cliff!

I suppose that last part is more a personal preference than anything huh?

One last gaming bit to share: I've gotten into playing Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. I am/was pleasantly surprised that the game was not like Final Fantasy XI. The level grind isn't anywhere near as brutal as FFXI, which is nice. And the fact that you can generally solo a good deal of quests and what not is an absolute plus for me.

To cap off the month of November, we will also be seeing our very first live comedy show with Gabriel Iglesias. Always thought his shows were funny and now we'll get to find out for ourselves if he is so or just the product of good editing. Wow that sounded pretty gloomy? Be really, I am hoping the show will be as awesome as his specials are on TV.

Well that is it for now. Maybe more again soon...?