And here we see the raccoon playing the song of its fellow creatures

It’s been a while...

Well, isn’t this interesting? In my last post, I talked about Tom Clancy’s: The Division while it was in Open Beta. In March.

It’s June.

So, time flew by faster than I was expecting, and here we are - looking at just over a month before I start my Graduate experience at Western Illinois University.

This post is just a quick list of updates, just so you can stay caught up. I’ll get back into blogging soon, I’m sure.

I’ve started streaming games I play on Xbox and PS4 as a part time hobby (follow me on my Twitch channel if you’re interested!).

Tess and I are just over one year away from our wedding.

I start grad school stuff in a month.

It’s been an amazing year.

I’ve got a lot of potential projects on my plate at the moment - things I can use to fill the time after work. Keep an eye out for updates on some of those things, but know that I’m still here, and I’m still ready to write about anything that catches my eye and inspires me.

Tom Clancy’s: The Division - Some Thoughts

Over the weekend, while I was battling some flu symptoms, I had the absolute pleasure of playing in the Open Beta of Tom Clancy’s: The Division. The Open Beta allowed players two missions, a limited map space, and access to the Dark Zone - the quarantined area that contains the game’s best loot and gear, but also the threat of other agents. 

The two story missions unlock the Medical Wing and the Tech Wing of our Base of Operations - the Joint Task Force and Division’s foothold in Manhattan. They give access to upgrades that unlock skills, perks, and talents that can be used in-game. This is a really cool mechanic. Sure, the end-game goal is to have all three branches completely upgraded. However, you decide your play-style. Want to be the strong arm of the group? Use your sticky-bombs and mini-turret. Or are you more of a silent, supportive type? No problem, here’s a scanner that reveals enemies and provides a damage boost, and a healing kit. These are the skills that were available in the Beta, but there are plenty more coming, and plenty more to play with when the game releases. 

Let’s talk Dark Zone. The map space is a combined PvP and PvE area littered with Elite Enemies, a separate currency and drop table, and an Item Extraction Condition. Teamwork is encouraged, but I learned that having a buddy is almost a requirement. It never hurts to have someone watching your back, or to help pick you up when another squad decides they want whatever is inside of your little, yellow quarantine bag. I had a great time in the Dark Zone, even as a solo player. On the last day of the Open Beta, however, I lost any and all interest I had as my greatest concern about this area came to life - Super Groups. These players all came together and swarmed the extraction points. Or, they called in an extraction, and right as you come in to send your gear to your stash, you were met with a hail of gunfire and your new toys were someone else’s. I sincerely hope that this doesn’t happen in the main release. Yes, it’s probably my own fault for being a solo player most of the time, but I know I’m not the only person out there who felt the sting of these groups. To avoid sounding whiny, I will say that there is so much joy in finding solid groups of people to team up with in the Dark Zone. There’s also a sweet sigh of relief when you get to take down that Rogue Agent that stole your gear. 

I do have some concerns about the game, though. Paul Tassi wrote an article that spells them out a lot better than I can. The game does feel like there’s something missing. I agree with Tassi, and hope that Ubisoft is intentionally keeping us in the dark (ha, pun) about future content that will keep players engaged and enjoying the game several months after the release. The last thing I want to happen is I look back after playing for a couple months and thinking, “Well, what now?” I think that all games have the potential to flop, and The Division is no exception. However, from my own experience in the Beta, I think the game, while not revolutionary, has so much potential to be amazing.

All in all, I really enjoyed the Open Beta. I’ve always been a fan of Tom Clancy games, and the Division (in my own opinions, and such) rocked it out of the park. I’m extremely eager to find out what happens between levels 1 and 4, what life beyond level 8 is like, and what remains to be found int he Dark Zone. The Division is set to release on March 8, and if you’re getting it on the Playstation 4 and need a Dark Zone Buddy, add me! IGN: NaelcmDSP. Until next time, friends.

For more intel on The Division, visit the website.

Sharing my thoughts on Deadpool, here, and remember friends: everyone is entitled to their own thoughts and opinions. Also, potential spoiler alert?

I’ve been reading Deadpool for a while, and he’s been my favorite Marvel character for as long as I can remember. Not because he’s a stab at DC’s Deathstroke, or because he’s single-handedly killed the majority of the Marvel Universe - No, it’s definitely much more than that. Wade Wilson is the mercenary who takes a job and gets it done - no bureaucracy about it. 

Overall, I was incredibly impressed with how well this movie was made. It had almost everything you would expect to see in a Deadpool comic, save for some internal dialogue and explicitly depicted split personalities. From fourth wall breaks within fourth wall breaks to jabs at the rest of the Marvel Universe, the film adaptation jumps straight from the page to the big screen - especially with Mr. Pool’s thoughts on everyone’s favorite scruffy, adamantium-clawed, Australian super-stud. Ryan Reynolds does gives an immaculate performance in portraying Deadpool’s over-the-top gestures and energy, and overall apathy towards anything that has to do with being a hero.

I don’t want to give away too much about the movie, so in all honesty, if you’re a fan of the Deadpool comics, and are looking for a justified movie adaptation, spend the money and go see Ryan Reynolds star perfectly as everyone’s favorite merc with a mouth. Some warnings for those who are unfamiliar with Deadpool: there is a metric ton of swearing, full frontal nudity, and lots (and I mean LOTS) of blood, murder, and mayhem. I must say, I’m really looking forward to the next installments in this franchise, and I have no doubt that they can live up to the expectations they’ve put in place with this first movie.

Slaying a Dragon in a Week

I’ve always been the kind of person who 1) finds something he doesn’t like, 2) decides to fix the problem, 3) doesn’t fix the problem. Now that I’m entering adulthood, and ultimately the real world, I really had to take a look in the mirror and realize that I wasn’t happy with a lot of things and that I needed a change. So, I gathered up my sword and shield and decided to tackle the biggest dragon in my life - Soda.

I’ve hit what I would consider a small milestone. I’ve gone 7 days without drinking soda/pop/carbonated beverage of death/whatever name you give it. Even when the universe shot me in the back (I picked water at a vending machine and got Dr. Pepper), I’ve been able to stay away from the ridiculously addictive, sugary, heroin.

This is a big deal for me because I’ve always had a monstrous caffeine and soda addiction. To put it plainly, I would buy a 24 pack of *name your soda* (My drink of choice? Cherry Coke), and it would last me about 4 days, give or take. Why? 2 for lunch, 2 for dinner, and 2-X when I’m sitting around doing nothing. You pick the number for X. I bet I’ve gone that far.

That’s 6 cans of soda per day. SIX CANS. 

Let’s do some science - This will be my first time actually looking at the nutritional information on 12 oz cans of Cherry Coke. I’m going to go with about 4 cans per day (which is being somewhat unrealistic of my old habits).

Calories - 150 x 4 = 450cal/day

Sodium - 35 mg x 4 = 140mg/day

Carbs - 42 g x 4 = 168g/day

Sugars 42 g x 4 = 168g/day

Based on a 2,000 Calorie diet, I was getting nearly 1/4 of my calories for the day from soda alone. Not to mention, I never really exercised, so all of that sugar and all of those carbs were pretty much inhabiting my body without paying rent.

Since I’ve cut soda, and kept track of my food, exercise, and sleep (thanks to my Fitbit Charge HR), I’m actually under the amount of suggested calories for the day, so I’m burning more than I’m stuffing.

Also, I want to note how much better and healthier I feel. I’ve had a more regular sleeping habit, I’ve been exercising every day, and I’ve had more motivation to actually do something, instead of crashing and burning until I had my next caffeine fix. I’m starting to not need the sugars and caffeine in the soda to flood my body with dopamine anymore - and this is after only seven days.

Granted, there are a lot of evils out there for the body that I still partake in - the occasional trip to McDonald’s, the weekend pizza night - but I’m working on slaying one dragon at a time. You’re next, Domino’s.

It took me entirely too long to realize that happiness comes from hard work and perseverance, not from a can - even if it has your name on it.

*Disclaimer - This was in no way a direct stab at Coca~Cola, or any other soda franchise, for that matter. I am simply pointing out a change I made in my life that has needed to happen for a long time. This is also not attacking anyone who enjoys soda - I also enjoy soda, so this has been a difficult week, but I made it through, and I made the right choice for myself. My opinion should not influence yours, nor should it influence your opinion of any of the companies mentioned.

when my dog barks for no reason

Well, it’s been a week.

Technically, it’s been significantly longer since my last post. I had a busy summer, and now that I have my college degree, it’s time to hop into the real world. On Monday, I started my new position as the Americorps VISTA (Volunteer In Service To America) at Millikin University. I work directly with the Career Center as the Student Engagement Coordinator. A big chunk of my responsibilities lie in coordinating community service events for the Millikin students, but I also help students access resources they may not have known were there.

What’s really cool about this job though?

I’m getting involved in Higher Education Administration.

That’s right. Student affairs work. This is a perfect position for me. Not only will it allow me to identify who I am as a professional and how to identify those boundaries, but it also gives me the unique opportunity to explore why  I am choosing this as a career. I have the opportunity to work with almost every department involved in student development; meeting incredible people along the way.

I had a great discussion today with the Director of Residence Life, Paul Lidy - my boss’s boss when I was a Resident Assistant not-so-long ago - and it put some things into perspective. Mainly, that I need to identify where I stand as a new professional, and what that term means for me. It will be a challenge, but with the amount of support that I can find around me in this environment, I know I’ll be heading in the right direction when my year of service is over. Who knows, this year may lead me somewhere completely different.

Whichever way the wind blows, I’m incredibly excited for this opportunity to serve my Alma Mater and the surrounding community that gave me so much during my undergraduate studies. No matter where life takes me, I will always have a soft spot for Big Blue, and for Decatur.

AWESOME

DELETE THIS POST

toothless blobs

Yep.

This is the best way I’ve ever seen MTG explained.

007 License to Kill Target Creature I hope I haven’t done the rules a total injustice! I THINK this is the basic rules right? They are so much more nuanced and complex than this, BUT hey, I think it might be enough to loosely follow.

I had a rad time at the Friday Night Magic draft at chezgeeks last friday. I’ll try do a lil mini recap of it! WOO!

This happens when I'm not with my friends....I sit around shuffling.

How The Spoils was made?

I just found this on stumbleupon with no context and no website. Just the image url.

SPN | Random Gifs that Shows that SPN Fans Does with a Hiatus. Part One,  Two

(Or Part 1 of SPN gifs in which I sometimes question our insanity).

cultureblitz - when realism enters fantasy like a bad prison experience.