WUT IZ DIS?!

If you didn't know, the official announcement and confirmation of the Sims 4 was released today at the EA Gamescom Conference.  I am sooooooo frickin' excited. About a week or so ago, I saw some leaked photos of the game and I wasn't quite sure if I should believe that it was real or not, but what I saw was directly from this footage (crazy!). Today, I learned that this new Sims game is based around the emotions of our Sims. Certain activities, social interactions and even home decor can create an effect on a Sims emotions.  I'm thrilled to see, based on the return of Maxis, that the Sims has come back to a more cartoonish game design. I did like the psudeo-realism but this almost feels nostalgic, reminding me of my Sims 2 after school shenanigans.  I must say, I am in loooooove with what they did for the build mode. It looks as if they took the blueprint update from the Sims 3 and modified it into something more free and adjustable - they really thought about us while making this game. I'm also impressed by the new Create-A-Sim [CAS]. In the previous Sims game, I didn't have too much of an issue with the CAS, except for trying to manipulate faces the way I wanted... mainly nose and lips, so I wound up making all of my Sims have the same nose and lips but with minor tweaks with make up or custom content.  All in all, I'm totally excited for this game and I'm glad I'll have GTAV, Saints Row IV, ACNL, and a few other games to hold me over until 2014 Thanks for Reading!

RANT | Closedminded People

If you haven't had a chance yet, now would be a good time to go to my YouTube and check out my latest video. It's a vlog involving my thoughts and opinions about closed minded people... well, it's mostly a rant because I had the weirdest, most annoying, experience the other day and I wanted to share. Here's a link and video. Be sure to check out my other videos, comment, rate & subscribe! Thanks for reading!

Heroes of Cosplay | EPIC FAIL?

Just watched Episode 1 of Heroes of Cosplay so I could formulate an opinion on my own outside of the masses upon masses of cosplayers and otaku in an uproar. So far I've heard good and bad reviews but most of the feedback revolving around this show is just... terrible. Otaku and "normal" people alike are not really feeling this show.
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So... let's start with the website.
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Episode Overview Given By SyFy

I wanted to see what the general public thought about this show because I follow and network with A LOT of cosplayers on a daily basis... actually I network with a lot of Otaku, Gamers, and people of Geek Culture in general, so I rarely have the opportunity to hear opinions from the greater population. I honestly try to stay away from it because I've found that many "normal" people have these very bias and judgemental opinions that don't actually have a root for their dislike or their root is very... weak to say the least. Just saying, "That's weird", "That's dumb", or "That's for kids, isn't it"? Is not enough for me. 

ANYWAY, my search of episode opinions was got sidetracked by some absolute BULLSHIT - the Heroes of Cosplay Episode One write up. The episode overview is just... bad. When you head to the official website for anything, you expect clean and concise explanations with little to no personal input but this entire blurb is the complete opposite. I'm convinced that they, literally, got somebody to watch the episode then hired them as a freelance author for very cheap. Not only is this article poorly done but whoever wrote it made their conversational tone too overwhelming for me to swallow and it pretty much sounded like they were criticizing the people in show (Specifically Victoria/Jinyo and the hobby in general - clearly shown in the little comment, "Becky acknowledges that cosplay is "a really expensive hobby," so cash prizes make a difference. Or switching to reading books from the library, but we suppose it's a bit late to suggest that as an alternative.") more than actually explaining the details of the episode. All I have to say is: Fuck you for wasting my time by explaining the episode overloaded by your snarky comments, lame humor, and personal opinion.
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The Comments

I'm not extremely surprised by many of the comments I saw. It's weird how the general public glorifies geek culture but when they're faced with REAL GEEKS, we're shunned completely with the always fun public & anonymous internet bashing. Many people, like me, came for the beauty and craft of Yaya Han. Some of the comments seem like people were interested in what cosplay is... then this show almost solidified that all geeks are crazy weirdos to them, which blows. Here's an example of comments of 2 completely different sides of the spectrum:

No, I don't block out names. I have no fucks to give.

Why the second guy thought it was necessary to bring up his past experience with Victoria to make some irrelevant point, I don't know. I mean seriously, how many years ago was that? People change and if you weren't talking to her or vis versa... chances are, your "observation" of her personality we completely self made. Whatever. You get my point.
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My Show Review

Short Opinion: I don't love it, but I do like it.

Longer Opinion: People, especially cosplayers and Otaku, are not giving this show a chance. Yaya Han said it best at the beginning of the episode, Cosplay is evolving from a subculture into pop culture. To cosplayers and otaku - this is your own doing. Taking cosplay and using it as a popularity contest to get more followers to know your face and name with the hopes of being a model or promoting your business will, indeed, begin to generate attention.

Cosplays introduction to the general public... shouldn't have been this. This show is mostly geared toward the competition and cosplay aspects of cosplay but honestly speaking, that's only 20% of the cosplay community. Most cosplayer's are normal people (mom's, dad's, children, college kids, and teens alike) who pull together things they have in there house and buy a few supplies here and there to build a decent costume. They save up every paycheck between their family or friends to get badges and split hotel costs. They carpool or ride the bus to a con with a little luggage because they're gonna meet up with someone they haven't seen in a while. They packed a costume, but they also packed some normal clothes (probably nerd merch) to walk around the artists alley or hit up the game room. They might've even made or bought a outfit for the nightly raves.

This is only episode one, but first impressions are everything. They neglected to show you that cosplay is cosPLAY; it's all about having fun. It's a hobby for most; this is showing people who LIVE cosplay. All of the people they showed on this episode are established cosplayers who have turned in the 9 to 5 to become costumers or professional cosplay models and even prop crafters. Not to say none of this stuff aired is a true account of cosplay, because it probably is... for them, but it's not a true to life account of the cosplay community and otaku culture for the greater population. It's not relatable and it kinda gives cosplay a bad name.
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EDIT: Cosplay is supposed to be artistic, self expression, & creative individuality and now it's like a cheesy popularity contest (and that's WITHOUT the help of this show). Most people don't even give a shit about geek culture; it's just a gateway for their business ventures which is making the art die slowly. Remember "Fake Geek Girls"? Yea, they're mainly the reason why cosplay is beginning to fall. I'm not gonna tag the girls who are doing it, but I know  a handful PERSONALLY. If you wanna read more about the topic, I suggest you read Victoria's Blogpost because she literally says everything I've ever wanted to say but could never find the words to. Also... I encourage you to read the comments. Seriously.
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I'm not at all surprised by the outcome of this episode in comparison to all the other shows on TV nowadays. Everything on TV now is scripted reality filled with drama and competition - America's Next Top Model, Iron Chef, Big Brother, Project Runway, Ink Master. If you have a talent or skill and can do it well, chances are somebody else thinks the same thing and just your luck - there's a TV show for that who wants to dangle money in front of your head with hopes that you'll verbally or physically rip someone to pieces and generate more viewers. Admit it: America has become brainwashed by TV and it's cut throat competitions feed our entertainments needs through our animal instincts.

Overall, this show is not half as bad as everyone was making it out to be. Will I watch it faithfully? Probably not, I actually don't watch TV. I catch shows here and there but my main interest is anime. I will watch the second episode though because I think... I think pilot episodes are kinda hit and miss.

Orange Is The New Black | REVIEW

What an awesome show!

I finished Orange is the new Black (OITNB) last week and, let me just say it now: Phenomenal.

At first glance: Ugh... Well, it's something to do when I'm bored.
Upon hearing that it was created by the makers of Weeds: Whoa, whoa... hey, HEY! Fucking Weeds producer? Ayooooooo, I'm watching this shit dudeeeeeeeeeeee
First Episode: Eh... slow start but I'm gonna keep watching.
Last Episode: *Jaw drop/Cries* When is moar coming? Is there MOAR? Is there a book? Season 2?!

Yea. It was that serious.

Anywho... here's my review [ Possible Spoilers Ahead... not really ]

STORY

This show revolves around Piper Chapman, a middle class white woman from Connecticut who lives in New York City with her fiance, Larry. All is normal until she gets thrown into a Litchfield, NY federal prison. Why? Well... 10 years prior to her almost tamed lifestyle, she was a young, experimental, lesbian who, out of love for her former girlfriend, Alex, transported a suitcase full of drug money internationally - how's that for a wild past? Sentenced to 15 months; this show is mostly the trials and tribulations Piper endures while trying to find her place and adjust to the prison life which, to her surprise, puts a stress on her friends, family, and fellow inmates alike.


CHARACTERS

I'm only mentioning the "Main Characters" IMO

Piper Chapman - Don't let her innocent face and culture shock as she enters the penal system fool ya.
Alex Vause - The tall, dark, and sexy reason Piper is even in this fucked up mess.
Larry Bloom - Classic "nice guy", struggling writer, and Piper's fiance. Trust me when I say that Nice Guy's have a Breaking Point.
Sam Healy - Correctional Officer and Counselor who manages Piper's case. Passive Aggressive & annoying. He has the biggest fucking chip on his shoulder when it comes to lesbians but I think I know why...
Galina 'Red' Reznikov - The most brutal Russian woman you will come across. Head of kitchen but most importantly: She basically controls the entire prison right underneath the prison guards

All of these characters, including the side characters that I haven't mentioned, feel real and developed. They all have a story with arcs and a motivation that drives them beyond the prison walls.

THE QUALITY 
Length - I appreciate each episode being a full hour of nonstop storytelling without the interruption of stupid ass advertisements or commercials [cough, cough - how it would have been if Hulu was the host]. I didn't feel like I was left hanging at the end of each episode, but I still felt like I was left at a point where I was curious enough and entertained enough to go forward.

Setting - Despite being a show about prison, I like how they didn't have the entire show stuck inside of a box. They explored each part of the prison and how each of these little places tied into the story from the cafeteria, to their rooms, closets [both a place of love and despair] and even hidden places in the fields. Also, they demonstrated how the outside world was changing no matter how static it was for Piper. The stages of her best friend's pregnancy, the seasonal changes/wardrobe changes, each holiday and how it was for her inside versus her family and friends on the outside. They even showed the outside world through flashbacks that demonstrated how some of the girls became incarcerated.

Element of Surprise - There are many scenes in this show that just leave you with your jaw on the floor because it escalates so quickly and unexpectedly but it fits; it's not like they just insert some random bullshit to make it interesting, no. There is a build up to each moment where you think they are gonna take it "there" but boy, do they take it there and push the limits. Half the time I feel like I'm watching something on HBO (it gets that real). Also, I was pretty shocked by the amount of diversity that's packed into this show. Gay, Straight, Transgendered, White, Black, Latina, Old, Yound, Hillbilly, Middle-Class - there's something for everybody to relate to.

Music - I don't know who the hell picks their opening music but "You've Got Time" by Regina Spektor is about as addicting as Weeds opening music, "Little Boxes" by Malvina Reynolds

OVERALL
I thourouly enjoyed this show. I felt extremely connected to the characters. There were times when I'd be sitting around with my family and watching this with headphones on speaking to my tablet or bursting out with laughter. There was even a few times when I cried real tears because I could feel the terror, disappointment, or shear sorrow of an inmate. Not only does this show tell the story of Piper Chapman, but it gives an interesting insight and background to the side characters, making them more than just a TV show extra. There is some seriousness and drama with a sprinkle of violence but there is also heartfelt, emotional moments with the perfect dose of comedy. Above all - it's REAL. You have people of all different races and walks of life shoved into one place, forced to coexist - homosexuality, racism, and even officers abusing their power are shown. To top it all of, this show has some recognizable faces in the cast! 

I completely recommend this.

You should watch this show if you like: Oz, Lost, or Law & Order: SVU... also Weeds.
A second season was confirmed on June 27, 2013 and is currently in production.
Fun Fact: This show is based off the memoirs of Piper Kerman under the same title.

Click the pic!