Pro Gaming: Yes, It's a Thing.

So this is exciting.

Maybe not for everyone, certainly not key demographics of my readers, but still, I'm pretty happy with it. I'm a little confused why this is still an issue and, to be honest, still a law, but then again It wasn't too long ago that North Carolina made a big deal about it so...There's that.

DOMA? More like...FOMA...Because...Failure starts with 'F'...Sigh...I wish I was funny...

Because He's a Marshmallow! Marshmallow's don't talk! Nor do they have faces or appendages! It's FUNNY! *sob*

Challenges, Breakthroughs, and Observations in Games as Literature

Hey there, Hi there, Ho there, Internet, today I'm pretending to be that one Simpsons character everyone was supposed to dislike but kind of grew fond of anyways for some reason.*

*Tom's exposure to The Simpsons is minimal at best and he has almost no clue what he's talking about.

So for the last few weeks, in my lifetime pursuit of learning Old English, I've been writing all my notes in the fuþorc rune set, though only as a direct substitution, not a full translation (New letters, same words). Mostly I just want to get familiar enough with the characters so I can start reading and then that's another hurdle taken care of. So far things are going better than expected and I'm really starting to get a handle on some of the odder ones (Like F, F, and O, o, which give me no end of trouble for some reason). As a direct side-effect of course, this means that all my spirals are starting to look like this:

Man of Paper: Why We Care About Superman at All

Here we are once again, Internet. Now that paper season is starting to get underway, I think I'm finally starting to hit my groove with this semester so with any luck this will be the latest post I make for a while. Right now I'm going through a bunch of really awesome classics that my school wasn't cool enough to make me read and a few others that I'm kinda meh on but still should probably have read just for the sake of knowing them. All-in-all it's a pretty good time. I'm feeling like I can start feeling justified for calling myself a Literature Major, a thing that was really hard to do a year or two ago when most, if not all, of my classes had nothing to do with my major. Some of you could probably relate to the feeling you get when you explain that yes, you're a [blank] major who has done absolutely nothing even kind of relating to your major that year. College is kind of whacky like that.

"Can't I just write you a five page essay on the sun as a metaphor?" --Me, one year ago

Back From Vacation: Blog News, Future Topics,and Some Nifty Kickstarter/Greenlight games to Keep your Eyes On

Internet! I'm back from my vacation! It was great, I went to all these exciting places and met new people and had a life! The Dardenelles, mountains of Peru, all that shit! It was...haaaah, no. I mostly just spent the last week going to class, playing games and reading. Mostly reading. My combined workload has me reading the equivalent of about 3/4 of a paperback novel per week which really isn't too bad all things considered but I absolutely have to stay on top of that, especially with paper season right on my doorstep. Remember that big pile of books I showed you that one time? Turns out it was a few books (late additions plus downloaded readings) short. 

A degree in Graphic Design probably would have had less reading and been slightly more lucrative but I kinda like the way I do things now. It has a certain charm to it.

How to Literature: The $@#$ does 'Critical Reading' Mean Anyways?

Another week, another late post. Unexpected workloads and more impromptu computer repairs delayed the week's post by a day or two again and also stopped any attempt at writing the Saturday Bonus post dead in its tracks. The good news is that any computer problems are now completely solved for the foreseeable future; I gave CLIO a full cleanout and reassembly and that seemed to perk her right up. Now she's as good as she's ever been, though admittedly down one hard drive.

Yes, CLIO is my computer, Yes, I gave my comptuer a name; I built her from discounted parts off of Newegg and love. Yes, I refer to my computer as if it were a woman. DON'T JUDGE.

Just me and my lady chilling at homeohgodimsolonely.

How to Write: Foreshadowing is Harder

Whoa, okay, I think...I think I'm back...

Sorry I'm a day late on this week's post, Internet. One of my hard drives has started dying and I had to scramble and reformat to try and eek as much life out of it as possible. Between that and school I unfortunately couldn't write anything meaningful without that awful, awful blue screen. I still have nightmares. The problem still persists but I think I've kicked enough life back into the old girl to keep things groovy for a while. Still, I'm a man who hates missing deadlines so to make it up to you guys, I'll also be posting a SSSBP this weekend. Yay for you!

On the subject of school; I started school this week! It was partially the reason why this post is happening a day later rather than just later in the day. I'm almost stupidly excited for the semester because I'm at a shiny new college and finally up to a level where I can focus on my major and do actual literature stuff instead of...you know; everything besides my major. It also benefits you guys directly because while I'll have less time to myself, I'll get a whole new set of ideas for blog content; something I'll openly admit I'm on the cusp of running out of. It's the heaviest reading list I've ever had with the most written work and I'm apparently a masochist because I can't wait to dive right in.

My reading list with a 5" Mega Man action figure for reference. Yes, I have a Mega Man action figure. I also have a complimentary Rush action figure.

Tom Will Never Be Good at Art: WTF is Dysgraphia, Anyways?

Internet; It's 4:15 and I'm just now starting this week's post. It's not because I've been working on other projects or I struggled to find inspiration, no. It's because I rediscovered Mega Man games and am currently in the throes of a huge retro game kick. It all started when my sister and I decided to try and beat the original Mega Man together. We had a blast because It really is a genuinely well-designed game; a fact that sometimes gets lost over the years of unblinking fanboy worship. This lead to me remembering that I had a longstanding nemesis in Mega Man X, which had sent me packing in the intro stage every single time as a kid, so of course I had to try it again. Now I'm browsing sites for some of the more obscure NES classics because oh my God guys; I forgot how good these games were. Expect this latest obsession to manifest into a SSSBP at some point in the future, though I couldn't tell you exactly what yet. It's a secret. Even to me.

No. No, we are not making that joke. Everyone has made that joke and we are not aw shit we just did.

Super Special Saturday Bonus Post #5 Misogyny and Geeks Revisited: A Closer Look at Why

Well Internet, I'm still sick. I'm on the tail end of it; the sore throat and other general "Not getting out of bed" symptoms have gone away, but I've pretty much forgotten what it feels like to breathe through my nose, though I have gotten relatively well acquainted with what my sinuses feel like as they bang mercilessly against my pain receptors. No worries though, I have drugs. Yay drugs! Nothing like something to help you ignore all of your problems until they go away or you die.

Six decongestants later...

How to Write: Developing Characters is Really Hard

Hey there, Internet. You may have noticed that last week I promised a Super Special Saturday Bonus Post and then, come Saturday, there was no Super Special Saturday Bonus Post there for your general consumption and for that I am very sorry. Seriously, what is it with me and missing deadlines recently? Six months on time almost every week then BOOM! Three missed deadlines in the same four weeks. This is just not my summer, I guess. The reason I missed this weekend was because of a suddenly-announced trip to Louisiana wherin I was occupied for pretty much the entire time, but at the end of the day, I really only have myself to blame. If it makes you feel any better, I'm currently suffering from some kind of bacterial sickness and my bedroom feels about three times hotter than it normally does (which is pretty hot), so I take that as punishment.

Thank you, NPH, for giving me the inspiration to continue busting out content like a mad boss, despite my illness. You are a saint and also a gay man so maybe not so much a saint. A really cool guy for sure though.

The Lost Gems of Gaming: Hidden Treasures we all Forgot

Well hello there, Internet! Stay a while and listen! I've never actually played that game but I figure if I make enough references, people will find me funny! Narf!

This week I get to do something I now wish I'd done forever ago; share part of my game collection with you guys as we talk about great, good, or otherwise interesting games that might have slipped under your radar. If you don't like games then I'm sorry; between this article and the Super Special Saturday Bonus Post this weekend about Geekdom and Misogyny, it's just not your week.

Ooh, did I mention that? I'm doing a Super Special Saturday Bonus Post this week! Tell your friends! Get excited! Maybe do a little dance! Then come back this Saturday to read all about it. I think this is also the first time I've announced the topic of a SSSBP before actually posting it, so that's fun. You're welcome. Sneak peaks all around!

Under Review asks you to always sneak peeks responsibly.

Breaking Down the Bat: The Appeal of the Caped Crusader and Dynamic Duo

I won't lie to you, Internet. I struggled with this week's topic. Like really struggled. Like it was 4AM on the night before I was supposed to write this before I finally figured out what I was going to write. It's not like I wasn't trying to work it out all week, either; this one seriously evaded me.

But it's here now. Right in Front of you. And damnit, I'm proud of it. I'm not even going to do some bullshit about "here's some cool links I found this week" or something like that, I'm just going to jump straight the hell into it because this demands your attention. First though; Batman hates Ice Cream.

Just...thought that was worth mentioning.

Homosexuality and Religion Followup: The Other End of the Question

Strap on your goggles and get the rubber gloves, Internet, because it's that time of week again. This is a post I didn't think I'd have to write but it's recently become relatively clear that it's probably a thing that should happen. Before we get to that though, some miscellaneous news.

I'm getting a job! Hooray! Finally I can complain slightly less about never having any money! Internet, I can buy things! I can buy a new microphone! If that doesn't get you excited, I don't know what will* Everyone! Do the employment dance!

The employment dance looks a lot like...hating my life.

A Brief (Incomplete) History of Video Games Part 4

This week's History of Video Games video is up, ladies and gents, better late than never! It was a real struggle to get this one out, not least because of the horribly timed Guild Wars 2 Beta Weekend that I had to miss most of. I hope you appreciate the sacrifices I make for you.




Thank you, Goodnight.

True Story: Video Games Used to Terrify Me

So I wasn't able to post a video this weekend and I feel pretty bad about that. Unfortunately time slipped away and there turned out to be not enough hours in the weekend so I called it and decided that no video would probably be better than a crappy little one rushed out at the last minute. For those of you familiar with the term, this project is now officially running on Valve Time. Ideally though I will start recording this upcoming weekend's episode tomorrow which means maybe hopefully I can make it a bit longer to try and make up some time. For anyone who's weekend was adversely affected by this, you have my sincerest apologies. To make up for it, here's an awesome picture I found.

Yes, that is a penguin with a penguin backpack. I am obligated to tell you that I can confirm the backpack is full of fish.  I count this as proof of a loving God.

An Open Letter to Westboro Baptist Church

*Looks up* Hnn? Oh, sorry, Didn't see you, Internet. Nothing really exciting happened to me this week. No textbooks on obscure subjects or phenomenal moral outrages or fantastical adventures or anything. We've officially hit the lull of summer where you've run out of awesome stuff to do, but still have roughly half of the break left. Sorry, Internet. Want some Coke?

Don't believe what they say about Polar Bears though; they are not famous for their Coke-dispensatory properties.

A Brief (Incomplete) History of Video Games Part 3

It's up! 

And while it's still sort of late-ish, I think that this whole spiel is getting much much easier to put together on the whole. Once I get the assembly-line down, maybe I can start adding more polish to the videos...

One thing's for sure; they're turning out to be a lot shorter than I had thought. Not even that they're shorter as much as they're not covering as wide a scope per episode as I thought; just more evidence that I had totally underestimated the sheer scope of this whole project.

Still, it's starting to grow on me.

Thank you, goodnight.

What Not to Do In: The Nonspecific Apocalypse of your choosing.

Good day/evening/morning/unspecified time-without-time to you, Internet! This week there was a bit of a hiccup with ties and such which resulted in further tying, so I'm going to do my "I'm in charge" thing and make the best executive decision possible based on what, among the two chosen, I think will have the better write up. Normally I try to avoid ties in interest of getting the clearest possible image of what you guys want, but hey; A baby's gotta do what a baby's gotta do and all that nonsense.

Now that we've completed our requisite weekly nostalgia trip, we can move on.

A Brief (Incomplete) History of Videogames Part 2

You know, Internet. Last week I made the first video and it was a lot of work, but the actual video part didn't seem that bad. This week it was nothing less than a marathon as I clearly bit off more than I could chew. I went through various stages of postponing it until next week until I finally settled on just releasing a slightly shorter version for you guys because I know there's probably at least one of you out there who cannot go back to Monday without the sounds of my sexy, sexy, nasily voice. So it's a day late, and I'm sorry about that, I'm still getting around what kind of production time these things take, but here it is, finally. Part 2 in A Brief (Incomplete) History of Video Games.




Thank you, Goodnight.

Controversial Statement: Bisexual is the New Asian

Holy bawls, Internet, between the weekend's historical romp, prep work for this week's post, and just general stuff I gotta do, I have been unusually busy. Hopefully though, that won't last and I can soon go back to lazing about like I don't have a care in the world.

Speaking about last Saturday's video, briefly, the response to it was overwhelmingly positive, both from people who know me and therefore are required to say nice things and people who do not and are not, so that's great. Honestly, there were several things that made me worry about it to the point of almost not posting it and of those, I will be fixing and refining many for next week's video, but on the whole, I'm glad everyone liked it as well as they did. I've decided that until the series concludes, I'm going to post the remainder of the videos on the blog like I did last time, but don't worry, I've got at least one or two more Super Special Saturday Bonus Posts planned besides, though they might still become Thursday posts. Still haven't figured out how I'm going to do that yet.

This picture is totally out of context and has no inherent connection to what's been written, but look, I needed something before the jump cut and why don't YOU try to think of some "Thursday" jokes.

Super Special Saturday Bonus Post #4

Internet, do you know how much I love you? No, you don't. You're about to, though. Because when I promised you guys a Super Special Saturday Bonus Post, I had a pretty good idea of what I was going to do, but did not yet grasp the scope of the amount of work it took. Let me tell you how much work it took.

A day and a half of writing and research. About two hours of hard drinking. About two hours of voiceover work (well after the hard drinking) about four hours of editing that voiceover, wherin I had to hear myself butcher the word "Magnavox" over and over again, and finally, about forty-five second to upload it to YouTube. That was wholly an entire day of work I didn't expect that to take, and I'm not even done. That last bit is actually good news for you, because it means this super special saturday bonus post turned into a super special saturday "Every Saturday for the next while" post. I'll probably still try to do SSSBP's, but they might become like...Super Special Thursday Bonus Posts or something. I don't know. I'm so tired. Without further ado though; this week(end)'s topic.

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SUPER SPECIAL SATURDAY BONUS POST

History of Videogames, Part 1

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Thank you, good*zonk*ZZZZZZzzzzzzZZZZZZZzzzzzz