Gengar's Myth

Since my breakup last fall, my goals have been to become truly independent from my parents (financially stable, move out, etc.) and build a career. The two go hand in hand, of course. I have wanted a “career” since I graduated college-to feel as though I am a part of something that is growing and evolving, to grow and evolve along with it.

After my breakup I didn’t want to date anybody, and was, in fact, rather afraid of the idea of even being romantically interested in someone because I felt I would be distracted. I felt I might lose sight of what was a large motivational factor in ending my relationship-after all, I felt somewhat trapped during it and I cannot help but blame him a little even though it’s ultimately my motivation. I still feel that way, if I’m being honest. I know what I want within the next three years; what is the point of getting attached to someone if I intend to move away?

Anyways, a friend has decided that she would like to set me up with someone. Someone who is “nerdy like me” and is “cute” and if I would just agree to meet with him, that everything will “work itself out.” She knows I am not interested; I currently have a flirtation going on with someone, and even though that is stressful at times, it’s also just about perfect for where I am in life. I get attention, he gets attention, but there are no heavy relationship undercurrents. I like him quite a bit and would probably pursue that route if it were possible, but it isn’t at the current moment, so I enjoy it for what it is.

But, I do not understand why people insist on trying to set people up with other people. Personally I find it a little insulting and it causes me to be SUPER cautious if I am to meet that person. I don’t know why, exactly…I’ve always been that way. But, if you mention it to me, and I say no thanks, what makes you think that badgering me is going to change my mind? I’ll just dig in my heels. Finally, what is the point? If someone else is in my head, there is no room for anyone else. Therefore, there is no point in trying. Maybe my mind is a little wacky 🙂

What do you think about being set up/ setting people up?

Animal Crossing: New Leaf is coming out soon, and reviews/previews are already starting to come in for the game. I just finished reading this article, followed by this little snippet, and I thought I’d tell my story of Animal Crossing and how it became a huge addiction for me; one of two games my ex got mad at me over (the other was Nintendogs, for a similar but slightly different reason).

Wild World (DS) was the first game I played in the series. It was a dark night, and my gender-neutral answers to the creature driving the taxi (bus? I don’t remember) had resulted in a tomboy that I wasn’t too pleased with: scrappy pigtails and a mildly surly expression. Upon arriving and wandering aimlessly for a few minutes, I told my boyfriend, “I don’t know what this is. I don’t know what to do. What’s the point?” and he said, “Just go talk to Tom. He lives in the super market. He’ll tell you what to do.”

And it was all over.

I met Tom, who offered to provide suitable living space if I would just run some errands for him. While doing this, I ran into Patty, a simple and kind cow. I also met a snobby duck named Mallory, who immediately grated on my nerves. It was winter, so I talked to a friend, who told me that I could get snowman furniture if I make a perfect snowman. There’s only one chance to do this every day, as the game runs in real time and only two or three snowballs generate. I made sure to visit Patty every day, because if I didn’t she would wonder where I went, and sometimes she’d imply that something was troubling her. I discovered the joy of fishing, of fossil collecting. I visited friends who had the same game, and eventually collected a full orchard from which I would harvest the fruit. I got that whole set of snowman furniture. I collected stationery to write letters to the townspeople who mattered, like Patty. I bought medicine for the snobby duck, even though I didn’t like her. I always enjoyed making Blathers, the owl in the museum, get excited because I brought a new contribution, and creating constellations with Celeste.

What really pulled me in, though, were the “project” characters.

The pigeon who ran the coffee shop was one of these. Brewster was rather gruff at first, as though he knew that you couldn’t tell what kind of coffee you were drinking; that you wouldn’t appreciate the “perfect temperature” that scalded your tongue. But, eventually, he warmed up. He remembered me when I’d come in. He’d season the coffee with pigeon milk-his treat!

Chief was a wolf, a Native American wolf, if the sound bite that accompanied his presence was any indicator. He was…grumpy. I greeted him and he answered with the most condescending tone a text bubble under a cartoon wolf could muster. I had been told that the “unfriendly” characters could become friendly, if you talked to them enough. So, I talked to him every day. I visited his home if I didn’t see him outside. I wrote him letters and sent him presents. I wanted him to be happy. It bothered me that someone in my town was just…down. Eventually, he did cheer up.

You can get pictures of the townspeople if they grow “close enough” to you. This was my goal, to get pictures of everyone who mattered to me. Once I achieved this, I stopped playing, for the most part. Occasionally, I’ll still boot it up and collect some fruit to sell, or go fishing, or even just pull weeds, as the townspeople are happier when there are no weeds. I always make sure to go visit the characters I like, because if you don’t, they’ll move away.

Much like real life, I’m ready for the next adventure. I wonder if I’ll still develop an emotional attachment to the new townspeople like I did in the last game, or if I’ll compare them and decide they’re not worth my time. Maybe I’ll actually get every fossil and fish and bug, a feat I did not accomplish in the last game. Perhaps I’ll unlock the largest house, or actually care about judging the contests about whose house has the best lights.

I don’t know what will happen, but I can’t wait.

Today is not the most pleasant day.

Last night, I went out on a date…at least I think it may have been a date but I’m not sure. I’m not good at reading into things too much, but as my friend told me, it was probably just to get to know each other better, as the guy and I had never actually met IRL but have been friends on facebook for a couple of years. I’m trying to be more open-minded about all of that stuff. I guess I feel like it’s pointless to go on a date with someone you’re not interested in romantically, but hey, maybe that’s how you make guy friends…and I like having guy friends!! I need to be less paranoid, methinks.

Anywhoo, the only reason I even mention it is because I am now suffering a terrible allergic windfall from walking outside in cold windiness all evening. I didn’t feel cold or anything, but around 10:30 I started having a sneeze attack that didn’t let up until I took a shower and dosed up on Benadryl. I didn’t wake up until 11 today, and honestly that’s only because I barely managed to drag myself out of bed. I might even go back to sleep in a little while.

Seriously, Houston, what the hell is up with me leaving for work at 75 and sunny and leaving from work at 60, windy, and dropping? I had JUST taken my jacket out of my car yesterday!

I thought I might start a list of articles I read throughout the week; not all of them, as I tend to read quite a few, but just ones that I think are interesting or relevant to my interests/that I have thoughts about and would like to start a discussion over!

McDonald’s Theory was interesting to me…suggesting the worst idea out there tends to kickstart creativity…I think it’s a good motivational tool to use. Motivational/Management Theory articles are always very inspiring to me.

This Penny Arcade piece on Dragon’s Crown speaks to my feelings on the game. I have been excited ever since it was tentatively teased over 2 years ago in Japan. Sidescrolling brawlers are some of my favorites from over the years, and Vanillaware’s art is unparalleled, which is why I am so disappointed that everyone is up in arms about the over-endowed Sorceress. To me, Kamitani actually has his ladies fairly well-dispersed in the jugs department, and that’s more than I can say for most games, where every female is a solid DD who is scantily clad. It’s all because of the jiggling, I think, which I personally find to be quite comical. Kamitani actually wrote a letter to explain the picture he sent to Schreier in response to his article; there’s also an excellent blog and reactionary post (read the comments under this, there’s more about big boobs!) covering Kami’s artistic influences. I don’t consider it sexist if an artist can design his Sorceress, elf, and Amazon and have them all look so drastically different; even looking at Odin Sphere, one of my favorites from the past and another brawler/rpg, and the females all range from “normal” to “BEWBS” to “child” as leading ladies. I think it’s better to acknowledge the variety than make them all cookie-cutter stereotypes. Looking through the gallery on his website, the dude obviously loves naked chicks…I just don’t get the impression that he’s a super creeper. What do you think?

Finally, I have this Cracked Article about superhero movies. I like to shorten the explanation and just call it oversaturation, but the bottom line is that I agree with this. I’m curious to see what will happen, as I do feel the few big blockbuster movies I’ve seen recently have been enjoyable, but it does seem like any time there’s an overly popular trend that it ends up being destroyed over time.