Friday, October 21, 2016

Question.

   "Where do you see yourself in 20 years?"

   This question and the various modifications of it (5 years, 10 years, etc.) are questions I have never in my life been able to answer. Even today, at the age of 24, about to launch a business with my two best friends, I couldn't tell you where I see myself next week.

   I'm one of those people who don't do the future. I talk about it, all the time, and there are tons of plans. Things I want, people I want to be with me, places I want to go and so on. I desperately want these to be in my future, and I'll make all the efforts to make sure it happens. But I don't see my future.

   I couldn't tell you with any certainty that anything is going to happen because in my years I've learned life is a storm. The winds of change are always in play. Things you think or even 'know' will never change eventually do.

   I can't tell you where I'll be in 20 years, I could tell you what and who I want then. But life has a strange way of moving things. Only thing I can tell you is I'll still be here.

Friday, October 7, 2016

What's In A Photo

   I love taking photos of everything and everywhere.

   I'm not one that lives the life behind a screen tho, I always take the time to take in the area or the thing I'm photographing before I actually take the photo. Recently with starting a daily vlog it's only increased my desire for photos and taught me a lot in the process. It's all about the memories. You can live in the moment and you can remember a moment but in a photo or video, you perfectly capture the moment.

   Now my vlog isn't one of the most interesting and my photos aren't the best, but for me, they tell a story. My vlog I always try to record beautiful moments for my timelapse and then the parts of the day that are important and noteworthy for the rest of the vlog. With photography again your able to capture the moment in perfect stillness. The emotion of a person, the beauty of a landscape or an animal.

   There are so many stories that can be told through both medians. It's not only an easy hobby but it can quickly become an obsession, I find myself wanting to travel and do more and more photography as time has gone on. Then working with my friends and launching Everything Entrikit as a production company has already shown me so many new ways to look at and see the world both through a lens and with the naked eye.

   Stop and take photos, shoot video, go live. In those moments you capture the world around you exactly as it is, even if you can remember the day for the rest of your life its an amazing feeling to go back and look at exactly how things were that day.

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Escape From Tarkov

 Escape from Tarkov is a game coming soon from the company Battlestate Games, a Russian development company. Now if you haven't heard of this game yet I'm not surprised, as I recently just learned of it as well. But what caught my attention with it is the fact that it is what another game could have been.
  As far as hype for games goes there are few I can think of in recent years that had more hype than Day Z (by Bohemia Interactive.) It started as a mod for ARMA 3 and later turned into a full-scale game which is listed on Steam. The game received a ton of hype, being played by many YouTubers and streamers. But the fatal flaw was the development and the support the game had after launch.
  While it had been listed as in beta they started charging for the game its self which to date has sold over 3 million copies. On steam alone tho the user reviews for the game show errors in the game. With positive reviews numbering in the 100 thousand and negative reviews being 39 thousand. It is a good game but its lacking in many areas.
   This is where Escape comes in. The concept behind the game is close to the same of Day Z but the gameplay, while in alpha, is much more polished than Day Z is. The gameplay features the same mechanics as Day Z in some ways. But the level of detail and craftsmanship that seems to be but in it is amazing.
  From what I've heard of Battlestate Games, they are a small company. There doesn't even seem to be a wiki page for the company currently. There are some developer diaries and reference videos on their site which is listed here. This is looking like it will be a decent game for many different players and play styles. This will be one to keep an eye on as time goes on the page lists 2016 as the year to be ready to escape.

Monday, February 29, 2016

Getting Into Streaming

  Today so much of our world is online. Youtube brought about a whole new form of entertainment in today's world. With it came many changes to the way we receive information and different forms of entertainment. This was followed by the trend of live streaming. From major events, rallies down to people playing games. Twitch brought a whole new light to the world of gaming in its own right.
   Streaming games have become a major income source for some. This originally sounded like a foolish idea. I remember growing up telling my parents I wanted to find a way to make a living gaming. It was something I had always had a passion for. Of course, like any normal parents at the time, they told me I was being foolish. At the time I was. Streaming wasn't that big of a thing during my youth. But today streaming is major. The CS: GO qualifier event brought in over 80,000 views. People watching groups fight for a spot in a tournament where the prize is $1,000,000.
   But streaming is also a challenge in its own right. As we live now in a world where technology is so readily available to the masses services such as Twitch are overwhelmed with streamers. Some performing exceptionally well, generating enough income to survive and go to college, while others sit in the background of obscurity trying to make it into the big time.
   I'm trying to get into streaming still, I've got a small team backing me up and we're all working toward a common goal. This is a competition between 1.5 million plus people while the odds are stacked against anyone getting into this now, it is a dream many have. To anyone who shares the dream of being able to be an at least somewhat successful streamer, I wish you good luck. Hopefully, we'll get to work together someday.

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Merging Of Two Worlds

   So I've got a love for anime and video games. I'm sure my love of video games is familiar to anyone who's been here before. Anime is a much smaller world because I'm so particular about my anime. One I love tho is Sword Art Online. Now mixing the two I've found some love for a particular game, The Division.
    The Division is a game coming in roughly 2 weeks that looks really great. It's a shooter and an MMO that takes place in Downtown Manhattan. Now the thing I noticed about it is that its got a great start to something depending on how well it does and how far it goes. Now granted I didn't get lucky enough to be able to play the Beta so all I have is videos and commentaries.
   The nice thing is depending on how it goes is that if the expand it enough it could reach the same level as something like Gun Game Online from SAO. Now if you're more of a gamer than an anime nerd and don't know what I'm talking about the closest thing I can tell you is they could expand this to a level that would be like the mixing of SWTOR and what you've seen from Division.
   Now personally, I would love this. The expanse and abilities for the customization would be amazing. All they would have to do to expand it is to continue to expand the map beyond where it is now. I'm sure in all honesty it would be a massive undertaking and depending on the support it sees after launch will lead to how the game proceeds.
   If you haven't looked into any of the games or anime I've mentioned here you should. The anime is amazing and The Division looks like it could become a long-term and wonderful game. I'm going to have to get The Division and hope to see one of you on there.

Monday, February 15, 2016

TV Review: Gotham

   I don't watch much TV as I've mentioned before. Though I will binge watch shows on Netflix. One show I decided to watch recently was Gotham. I'm a huge Batman fan and when I originally heard of the show I was interested in it. The idea of a look at the start of the legend if done proper would be an amazing thing to watch. In truth it really is.
    While some of the backstory doesn't quite match what I remember in the comics it does a really good job fleshing out the characters of the world. It covers the events happening right after the death of Martha and Thomas Wayne. Introduced during the course of season one include Selina Kyle (Catwoman,) Cobblepot (Penguin,) Jim Gordan, Harvey Dent, Ivy, and many others. Now this is not a full list of characters due to the fact that this is only season one and I don't want to spoil anything.
    The show doesn't really fit any one archetype per se. Sometimes the episodes run like mysteries, others run like your typical dark crime show and overall a drama. As a fan of Batman there is enough in each episode to keep you wanting more. As a show in general it would be great for anyone who is a fan of any of those types of shows.
    I was worried about this show to be honest, and honestly, the tie in with batman only goes as far as the characters. This show is about Gordan and the city of Gotham itself. It serves as great back story for the Batman universe but if you're hoping to see the dark knight I don't think you're going to find much of him here.

Friday, February 12, 2016

Team Zweihander

   So why am I being so annoying about this concept? Well honestly it's simple, I love video games. Anyone that knows me can tell you that. A year ago I discovered a group called Team Kaliber on youtube, namely their owner Kosdff. He is the owner as well as a YouTuber in general.
   Now I don't spend much time watching TV but I will watch a ton of youtube. I've got different people I subscribe to and regularly watch. It's a whim and there is no guarantee it will work but I decided why not try doing it as well. I've done a ton of research into different aspects of the job, so to speak. When the idea for Team Zweihander first came about I managed to put together a small team of four people. We were going to do competitive Halo and try and make it in the leagues. That idea still exists but sadly only one of the other original co-founders have anything to do with the project still.
   To me that's what it is still, it's a project. It's something I work on in my spare time to pass time and take my mind off of things. While there is the ability to make money and use it as a career currently it;s only just a project. I'm actively recruiting for the team and working on setting up a social presence but this is going to take some time and I'm fully aware of that. But there is also an aspect of "well why not try" to it.

    Currently, the team consists of me, the other co-founder, two new members as well as a part-time graphic artist. The steam group I set up has a total of 12 members including the ones listed. I can't tell the member's I've got now how much I appreciate them indulging me in this venture. It could lead somewhere or it could lead nowhere. But this is something I've seen other's have success at so I'm throwing my hat into the arena and this is going to be a long hard fight but I'm down to try it and hope I will find support along the way.



Now for some links in case you're curious:
Facebook
Twitter
Steam Group

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

TV Is Scary

   A long time ago when discussing different conspiracy theories I thought of one that seemed like it was ridiculous. But today thinking about the recent Zika Virus I thought of a show I just finished watching and its rather ironic in a way. Let me explain and promise you I'm not crazy I just like what if scenarios.

   I'm sure by now almost anyone who will take the time to read this has heard something of the Zika virus. Its a virus transferred via misquote bites. Its been around for a while but recently has reached pandemic levels. There is no known cure but treatment helps one of the new developments that has come out is that it is believed to be linked to birth defects. It's not been confirmed but it is under investigation.

    As a huge fan of science fiction, as well as Netflex I decided to sit down and watch the series Helix. Over all it was a great series if you plan to watch it don't keep reading because I will be giving away the plot line so that I can explain the idea I had. *start spoilers*   In the show there is a group of immortals who are planning to eliminate a majority of humans. Seeing the negative effect they have on the world. One of the Immortals decided to try and do a virus to limit the birthrates in a way which the human population is finally under control.


  Now maybe you can see a correlation here like I did. There is a television show that shows a powerful group trying to control a population via a virus and then an actual virus reaches a pandemic level. Now this isn't an entry in this blog to make a claim of a conspiracy. The original idea I had was the fact that with modern television it would be easier to get away with some things.  There would be a sense of that's not possible, I saw that on TV it's not a real thing. The average adult watches close to 5 hours of TV a day. So how hard would it be to make a show about something and then commit the crime in real life, would it get blown off as a joke or taken seriously. What may have already been done using this method of deception?

Thursday, January 28, 2016

The Value Of a Bedroom

     For a couple year's now I've not had a bedroom. After a small life shake up I found myself living with my mom and sisters. Now this wasn't a problem with me having been staying with my father, girlfriend and an assortment of room mates that came and went rather quick. The only issue we had when I moved in with the girls was a small one; I didn't have a bedroom.
    No I had slept on couches for a long time. Both partying and in general when staying with friends. So I figured it would be no problem to sleep on the couch for a while and it wasn't. Now I had shared beds with people during this time so it wasn't like I missed a bed. I missed having a room. Having a space that was mine. 
     Having a room is something special. A place where one can escape from the world for a little while. That's personalized the way they want it and what is comfortable to them. It serves as a comfort zone be it wrapped up in the blankets in bed or at a desk pecking away on a keyboard. Not nearly as secluded today as it was in the past; with constant connections to the web via twitter and facebook. 
     Not having a room for so long led to me forgetting that sometimes you have to be alone with yourself. A place to face your problems in relative solitary. A place to be away from everything but still close enough by that if someone needs you you're there. 

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Book Review- 'Invisible' by James Patterson

   I had never read a James Patterson book before. I remembered the rise of his book 'Maximum Ride' a few years ago. But even then never really took much interest in him or his books. Upon finishing a previous book how ever I needed one to replace it and seeing as how 'Invisible' serves as a stand alone book I figured it would be a good introduction to James Patterson as well.

   'Invisible' follows FBI researcher Emmy Dockery as she searches for a link between many crimes spanning the country. Except the crimes have a personal connection. The book is intresting in which it shows another seemingly inside view of how the FBI work cases and the effect it can have on its agents. As well as showing how people are in a general light.

    The story itself takes many twists and turns and has you not wanting to put it down. There is a sutale romance plot through the book that thankfully doesn't take away from the crime and action. Its almost like an episode of Criminal Minds in a book form. The ending will have your jaw dropping and wanting more.

   Over all if your a fan of crime novels or even the various TV shows on cable now days this is a must read. Its not a book you will get board of half way through, but you will be sad when it finally concludes. You'll be in for one hell of a ride.

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Modern Disappearing Acts

      I do a lot of reading. Personally I love reading articles written by people who have been through things. Sites like  Thought Catalog or the OffBeat web series. One of my times of reading these articles I came across one that talked about losing people. It had struck a chord with me and left me thinking about it for a while.
         The article was specifically about people just disappearing from your life without a trace. Sadly I had gone through this with a very important person in my life. It was so disheartening to have someone just vanish from my life without a trace. I read the article and it resonated with me due to the fact I had gone through it. Sadly tho the article never mentioned what you would go through when the person who vanished randomly showed back up. As well in the modern age were so connected we usually have a way of finding some trace of the people who vanish but sometimes it does more harm than good.

        A few nights ago one of the people show back up. Having some one disappear you have to kind of accept the fact they are gone. That you may not know where they went or if they were okay but you had accept it and move on or it will tear you up. I had found a trace of the person who disappeared from my life and once they showed back up. I didn't know what to do, I literally had an anxiety attack. As much as I'm happy they are back something seems off. Having found traces of them it seems like there is something so different and foreign. I believe in the long run the traces we leave social media now only have some negative effects but also positive ones. The thing is that either way there's no way to end it now days.

       There was also someone else who vanished from my life years ago that interests me even more. Because all I have of them is a few photos and memories. I'm a good researcher, not anywhere near doing it for a living or getting any awards for it. So when someone vanishes usually I can find a trace of them and see where they are or what they are doing but this one I can't. The most interesting part to me is the time frame in which I lost both people. Person 1 we'll call them Alice disappeared a couple years ago, I had known them for a few years, during the real rise of social media. Person 2 we'll call them Chad; I use these names a lot. I lost touch with Chad before the rise of social media and can't find a trace of them.

       In today's world losing people has become harder in a sense. Most of us have left a trace on social media that anyone we know now will always be able to find it. I believe that the long term effects of social media and our interconnected society will have some sort of outcome in the long run. It will be a subject that will be studied and looked into for years to come.

Monday, January 18, 2016

Well Hello

     Well after much thinking and debating the idea I've finally decided that I'm going to start a blog. Now unfortunately this will not be a subject blog. It's not a food blog, nor a review blog, nor even a travel blog. This will be more of a journey blog. See I've had many idea's over the past few years. A few of which I have followed and some which I've sadly just let slip by. So near the beginning of 2016 I had a few events happened that have led me to a point where I've decided to try and press on with some of them.

      Here I'd like to give you a big of an over view of a few of the ideas I will be pursuing this year and a little about the reasoning behind them:



  • Rave Wolfe Inc.
               This was a company I set up back in 2011 as a DBA (doing business as) under my father and his business. As a result of my parent's divorce I was effectively expelled from the shop I was doing the work in. This resulted in my closing of my Etsy page and a halt on all projects I had at the time. Over the past two years I've realized I've missed the work I was doing. I love to work with my hands and to build things. I always have. So having procured some of the machinery and tools needed I plan to return to work as soon as I can find a suitable area for me to set up shop, no pun intended.



  • Team Zweihnder
                This is a venture into another world I am very passionate. Feel free to roll you're eyes I can see it coming. This was the idea of a gamer group for both Youtube and just for fun. It was originally started by me and two friends wanting to play games competitively at the start in the rise of such things. After a fall out with me and one of the founding members it was effectively ended. Recent partners have brought it back to light and with to help me press the matter having already set up a decent web presence on some sites such as Facebook and the Steam gaming service. While this will be mostly for fun in my opinion, I won't lie and admit to you that I hope there could be some money in it somehow.





  • Vlogs
              Many times now have I tried vlogging. There are a few videos of which are on Youtube of my attempts. Often times I've recorded a ton of footage and never edited or shared it because I just didn't see it as something that was interesting or worth the time of others to watch. IT was during a recent panic attack I had while driving that I started Snapchating and I felt my anxiety lessen. Since which I have tried to regularly post snaps at least twice a day. Having a drop in anxiety problems since I'm planning to use it as a slow leeway into making me more comfortable in blogging and will start to forge into that. 


  • Collage
                 I spent a lot of 2015 with all sorts of different people. I worked as a manager at a store I had only worked at for a year. Exposing to to people of very different back grounds that I was used to being around. From people who acted in such a way that disgusted me with humanity, to people who have encouraged me in more ways than they know. One of which after hearing many stories of their hardships, and a douse a bit of self loathing, led me many a realization. One of which was that I owe myself better. There are hundreds of things I can accomplish. Just because I have had hardships doesn't mean I can't find a way to over come and do something I want to do. This is why in the fall of this year I will be returning to Calhoun to get a degree.



       The past few years have led me to lose and learn a lot. I'd been put down by some of the people I looked up to and was lifted up by people who amazed me. They have pushed me to follow to try new things. To take risks to try things I thought was impossible. I'll never be able to thank them enough. But I hope as I take my risks they will continue to be there for me through all the ups and downs.