Month: January 2017

The State of the Gamer: 1/31/17 (& A Special Anniversary)

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<–The State of the Gamer: 1/24/17          The State of the Gamer: 2/7/17–>

A weekly post updated every Tuesday detailing my current gaming projects.  I have quite a backlog of games to either play or watch, and I’m hoping a weekly article will assist with my progress as my other accountable posts have done with reading and writing.
I have an account at Grouvee, which is a essentially Goodreads for gamers, so please feel free to friend me there!
Original source of the banner art is located here.

Title: Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls
Series: Final Fantasy
Genre: RPG – Fantasy
Developer: Square/Tose (GBA)
Original Platform: NES
Original Release Date: December 18, 1987
Current Platform: Gameboy Advance
Current Platform Release Date: July 29, 2004
Date Started: November 20, 2016

dawn-of-souls

I’d put this on my to-do list so that I’d be sure to (more than likely) play it, then I realized that I really wasn’t that interested in continuing with I anymore.  I’m really not up to all the grinding I have to do near Elfheim in order to continue on.  If I could find a decent place to do it so it wouldn’t take forever, I think I’d be more apt to doing it.  As it were, I think I’m going to see what this version of II has to offer.  I’m hoping Squeenix fixed the horrible level up system, and if I don’t find this to my liking either, I’ll move onto DS III.

Title: Final Fantasy IV
Series: Final Fantasy
Genre: RPG – Fantasy
Developer: Square
Original Platform: SNES
Original Release Date: July 19, 1991
Current Platform: Game Boy Advance
Current Platform Release Date: December 12, 2005
Date Started: October 24. 2016

final-fantasy-iv

The to-do list trick did work for GBA’s FFIV.  I’m currently in the Dark Elf’s cave at the first save point.  I haven’t faced the dark fiend himself yet, but I have the Twin Harp, and I’m more than prepared to kick his odd-talking ass.

Title: World of Final Fantasy
Series: Final Fantasy
Genre: RPG – Fantasy
Developer: Square Enix
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
Release Date: October 25, 2016
Date Bought: October 21, 2016
Date Started: November 5, 2016

world-of-final-fantasy

I managed to defeat Omega God in the last Tearoom mission, and apparently when you do that, you automatically get him as a Mirage!  That first day buy really came in handy, as I believe that’s what opened up the option for him.  He has the Mirajewel for Meteor, so you know I’ve been spamming that.  Speaking of the dark summon, apparently Sephiroth is considered an “anti-champion” in Grymoire.  There’s a Tearoom mission where Cloud is musing over his location, and Tama gives that tidbit of information.  I do find it interesting that the one-winged angel is the only “villainous” champion where all the others are considered heroic.  Makes.  You.  Think.

I’m still leveling up, currently in the Crystal Tower, but I think I’m going to switch to Castle Exnine since the experience there is much better.  I just hang around a save point, running back to it after every battle to heal up my HP and AP.  Exnine looks like an MC Escher painting (not sure if I mentioned that before), and there’s absolutely no map, so I have no clue where the next save point is.  I don’t want to accidentally finish the game, so I’m just hanging around the beginning.

My goal is to have all of my Mirages have their original board completely filled out.  I also want to have one of each transfiguration (if that’s possible).  I haven’t heard back from the lady who said she’d trade me Maduin for a Titan.  I’m hoping I do soon, because I don’t have much hope of completing that mini-game.

Let’s Plays Finished This Week

Title: Miracle Warriors: Seal of the Dark Lord
Genre: RPG
Developer: Kogado Software Products
Original Platform(s): Sega
Original Release Date: October 18, 1987
Let’s Player: Hungry Goriya

Terarain (sp) has been defeated, and I can’t wait for the next YouTube or Twitch stream, but no pressure! Lol.  If you want more details about the grand adventure, I suggest you check out Hungrygoriya’s own post right here.

Title: Limbo
Genre: Platform/Puzzle
Developer: Playdead
Original Platform(s): Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, iOS, Android, Wii U
Original Release Date: July 21, 2010
Let’s Player: Vicious Computers

This is actually a combination of me playing and watching.  I got around a quarter of the way through (about a half hour in) before I hit a snag spot and handed the controller over to my husband.  He then played for another hour or so before he became stuck.  I then realized I wanted to just watch how things played out/see the ending, so I found Vicious Computers’ let’s play.  It was his first run so I had a few “yelling at the screen” moments, but then I was just as stumped as he was about things nor do I think I could’ve played half so well.

Limbo has a decidedly dark aesthetic so much so that I needed to watch something else before bed in fear I’d have nightmares.  Though there are some definite terrors (giant spiders anyone), much of the horror comes from the ambience and sudden echoing noises.  The game is mostly silent.  You’ll find no background music, cheery or otherwise, here.  It makes the sounds there are resonate louder, and in the surrounding quiet, even that’s enough to make you jump.

I’m going to date myself here, but the game had a Pitfall vibe to it,

Remember this?

Remember this?

and the LPer mentioned it reminded him of Metroid…only minus the super suit and abilities.  I enjoyed what I played of it, but it would definitely be a game I’d only play once, because I’m a wuss puss.  Also, the enjoyment of it is solving the puzzles, though I could see going through it a few times once you achieve expert mode in order to do a speed run.

Games Currently Watching

Title: Mass Effect III
Series: Mass Effect
Genre: Action RPG – Sci-Fi
Developer: BioWare
Original Platform(s): Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3
Original Release Date: March 6, 2012
Let’s Player: Olizandri
Date Started: January 23, 2017

I think between Miracle Warriors and Limbo, I haven’t watched any ME this week!  A travesty :O  I’ll remedy that tonight.  I want to know more about this Prothean weapon, and I’m also wondering what Shepherd is going to do about Cerberus now that she and them are on opposite sides again.

Games Added to Playlist: 6

  1. Cthulhu Saves the World – Are you kidding me?  Of course I added this once I knew it existed!
  2. Read Only Memories – Thanks to Cheap Boss Attack for putting me on this one’s trail.  There’s an AI named Turing (brilliant) and transgender characters in the cast.  I am all about representation.  Plus this is a point and click style game.  I haven’t played one of those in a long time.  The fact that this has that style put me in the mind to add a few more of the games on this week’s list.
  3. Dare to Dream – Talk about old school…I first played this back when I was in my old school.  I just remember the part where you talk to an alligator.  I’m probably recalling the graphics as looking much better than they actually do, but that’s okay.  This is another point and click.
  4. The Legend of Kyrandia – Let me tell you how long it took for me to find this game again.  I thought the name in the title was Kyranthia, Kiranthia, Kyrintha, Kirantha, and a whole slew of other things.  My old roommate had this game back when I was in college, and I had no idea it was part of a trilogy, nor did I know that the main villain is a wicked clown (not like that paradigm isn’t common).  I’m sure I could find this for pretty cheap somewhere.
  5. Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions – I was told to play this particular version on the PSP.  I forget who told me, but I know it was someone who gives good advice, so I shall heed it!
  6. Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE – Another recommendation from CBA.  I really should be paying him lol.  I love turn based JRPGs, so it’s really not hard to get me to set aside my life for them.  I’m pretty sure I’m set for the next 50 years with that genre alone.  When am I retiring now?

Games Bought This Week: 1

  1. Limbo – Bought, played, and watched.  Done.

So of course I have to talk about this.  Today is January 31, 2017, which means it’s the 20th anniversary of Final Fantasy VII, the game that changed my life.  You’d think I’d remember its anniversary, but I typically celebrate and post about it on September 7, since that’s the day it was released in Japan, and, well, September 7, 1997 is kind of a triple seven (September, 7, 1997).  So I have to thank I ♥ Old Games for not only posting about it, but tagging little old me in the post ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ (seven hearts for yoooou!)

Final Fantasy VII, is (among many other things, but this is relevant for obvious reasons) a dystopian, futuristic (but not that far in the future) story where the ipso facto ruler of the world is a corrupt business man who only cares about lining his own pockets at the expense of the impoverished and the environment/planet.  I am not the only person who has made this observation. The main characters are part of the resistance, and the narrative forces you to dig deep into what’s true, false, and really happening. Like many dystopian stories, it is dead on for events occurring today, and in that above all, it remains relevant now more than ever despite being in the “bastard medium” that many erroneously consider video games.

It was one of the main narratives that taught me to look below the surface and not just take things at face value. Critical thinking is of the utmost importance more than ever, and with this game along with other favorites, I’m reminded of how life not only mimics art, but art can predict and hold a mirror up to society, which we must face else we descend and remain in the depths.

I have many and more personal things to say about Final Fantasy VII, but I think I’ll leave them for another time, as I’m quite sleepy and I have more to accomplish tonight (editing anyone?).

What are you currently playing and/or watching? Is it something new or old?  Is it a first time run or a replay?  What’s the genre?  Would you recommend it?  What’s on your radar to play next?

<–The State of the Gamer: 1/24/17          The State of the Gamer: 2/7/17–>

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A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (A Court of Thorns and Roses #1)

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 16 Comments

A Court of Thorns and Roses

ACOTAR #2–>

Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Series Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Date Added: June 15, 2016
Date Started: November 19, 2016
Date Finished: January 22, 2017
Reading Duration: 64 days
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

Pages: 416
Publication Date: May 5, 2015
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Media: Paperback

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

When I first started this novel, I was immediately hooked by Ms. Maas’s compelling writing style.  Each chapter ended in such a way to nearly force you to read the next, and I devoured the initial offerings in a very short amount of time.  The realm of fairy and the human world were starkly delineated, though the former and far more powerful High Fae were a constant threat to humanity held at minimal bay only by an oft mentioned treaty.

I’m beginning to hate this phrase now, but Feyre is (initially at least) a great example of a “strong, female character,” the sole provider for her broken and impoverished family that she’s sworn to care for based on a promise she made to her now deceased mother.  Her father was severely injured by his debtors, and her sisters  are far too softly raised to do what she does, though I was impressed by how Maas threw me for a loop with her one, Nesta’s, true nature.

It’s not quite accurate to say that things go awry after Feyre kills he wolf, because subsisting hand to mouth in a run down cottage is not exactly prime living, but Tamlin taking her away means that Feyre’s family has lost their only means of survival, and the 19 year old huntress is now supposedly forsworn.  The lord of the Spring Court; however, eventually assures her that her father and sisters are now well provided for, relieving Feyre of both her vow and life’s burden in addition to allowing the young woman time and opportunity to pursue the painting endeavors she so loves.

Despite using the name “Tamlin,” Thorns and Roses has more of a Beauty and the Beast vibe to it rather than the fore mentioned.  Though Tam isn’t trapped in beast form, there is a nefarious spell laid upon his Court and its people that only Feyre can break.

Unfortunately, Maas’s exceptional writing cannot make up for certain lacks.  In Chapter 18 out of the blue, Feyre suddenly ceases her rampant hatred for Tamlin in the rose garden and is suddenly attracted to him.  There was no build up to this (that I could see) in any of the chapters before.  The enemies to lovers trope can be a beast to pull off, because it’s so common, but generally you have one if not both parties torn between their physical attraction against rampant hatred or mistrust of the other.  Then when the person does something that flies in the face of hatred/mistrust, the other begins to see them in a new light, bolstered by their already established attraction.  Or you do it as a slow, gradual change of heart.  It’s so quick in this story it comes off as unauthentic.  It makes Tamlin *spoiler* sending her home in Chapter 27 *end spoiler* so no one will hurt her due to what she means to him have less of an impact, because it really hasn’t been shown.

Continue reading →

The State of the Writer: 1/29/17

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 34 Comments

<–The State of the Writer: 1/19/17          The State of the Writer: 2/5/17–>

A weekly post updated every Sunday discussing my current writing projects and where I stand with them.  This will include any and all work(s) in progress (WIP) be they creative writing, essays/analyses, or reviews of any type.

*I moved the State of the Writer post to Sundays.  Three State posts during the week was too much.  Saturdays are my essay writing days, so I figured Sunday could host a State post.*

Project: Story
Title: The Broken Rose
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Type: Fanfiction (FFVII) Novel
Current Word Count: 276,905
Prior Word Count: 277,027
Word Difference: -122
Status: Editing
Progress: Organizing Chapter 8 notes

I found my errant “your,” corrected it to “you’re,” and continued along the path of literary righteousness.  I did some minor edits on Chapters 4-6, but didn’t completely reread Chapter 6, since I did a very thorough edit prior. The note sorting has been completed.  The next part is deciding which to keep and figuring out where they go.  That will be the goal for this week.  Hopefully soon I’ll start the actual edit

Quote: This tiny maid who’d been so abused was now dripping in luxury.  She slipped on flat shoes as white as her skirt, adorned in white ribbons as well.  Maybe they’d go out to greet the great sea.  Aeris wasn’t sure due to the rain.  Either way she figured she’d complete her dress since she’d put on everything else.  Gazing down at the two strips of white in her hand, the little maid’s lip trembled hard.  She wished she could remember how to bind her own hair as it cascaded down in chestnut waves, but her fingers just fumbled among the soft strands, leaving her only with tears. 

Project: Essay
Title: Half a Tragedy Is Worse Than Whole
Subject: FFVII Comparative and Meta
Current Word Count: 1436
Prior Word Count: 1436
Word Difference: 0
Status: Drafting
Progress: N/A

tragedy-2

No progress this week.  I have a ton of book reviews to do (and completed one this week).  I’m hoping to work on the essay next Saturday.  I made myself a deal that when I finished it, I’d make my appointment for my next tattoo.  Since I’m planning to get it for my birthday, there’s a (reasonable) deadline to make.

Project: Book Reviews
Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses & The Raven Boys
Status: Planning

I initially had four reviews to do, but I completed Tuf Voyaging yesterday and decided not to do one for In the House of the Worm. I rated it on Goodreads, but while it was interesting, I’ve read and listened to enough reviews that I didn’t feel I had much more to add besides pointing out yaga-la-hai sounds like yog shothoth (at least in the first syllable), and the tunnels they live in are reminiscent of the ones where the Children of the Forest dwell in the north.  There’s a great review by Preston Jacobs here, and there’s another review of Tuf by Vassals of Kingsgrave here for the interested.

I plan on writing the reviews of Throns/Roses and TRB this week.  One of those reviews will be glowing; the other, not so much.

What are you currently working on?  Is it a creative writing project, essay, review, or something else?  Have you just started something new or are you wrapping up a long term project?

<–The State of the Writer: 1/19/17          The State of the Writer: 2/5/17–>

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Tuf Voyaging by George R. R. Martin

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Title: Tuf Voyaging
Author: George R R Martin
Date Added: January 27, 2016
Date Started: January 5, 2017
Date Finished: January 17, 2017
Reading Duration: 12 days
Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 449
Publication Date: February 15, 1986
Media: Kindle

Long before A Game of Thrones became an international phenomenon, #1 New York Times bestselling author George R. R. Martin had taken his loyal readers across the cosmos. Now back in print after almost ten years, Tuf Voyaging is the story of quirky and endearing Haviland Tuf, an unlikely hero just trying to do right by the galaxy, one planet at a time.

Haviland Tuf is an honest space-trader who likes cats. So how is it that, in competition with the worst villains the universe has to offer, he’s become the proud owner of a seedship, the last remnant of Earth’s legendary Ecological Engineering Corps? Never mind; just be thankful that the most powerful weapon in human space is in good hands—hands which now have the godlike ability to control the genetic material of thousands of outlandish creatures.

Armed with this unique equipment, Tuf is set to tackle the problems that human settlers have created in colonizing far-flung worlds: hosts of hostile monsters, a population hooked on procreation, a dictator who unleashes plagues to get his own way . . . and in every case, the only thing that stands between the colonists and disaster is Tuf’s ingenuity—and his reputation as a man of integrity in a universe of rogues.

Tuf Voyaging is a compilation of short stories and novellas concerning the adventures of ecological engineer and cat lover Haviland Tuf.  It consists of seven stories: “The Plague Star,” “Loaves and Fishes,” “Guardians,” “Second Helpings,” “A Beast for Norn,” “Call Him Moses,” and “Manna from Heaven.”  Four of the stories are standalone in respect to each other (save for concerning Tuf and his psionic cats), but three: “Loaves and Fishes,” ‘Second Helpings,” and “Manna from Heaven” are the S’uthlam Trilogy.

I read “Guardians” and “A Beast for Norn” in Martin’s larger story compendium Dreamsongs: Volume II, so if you’re interested in my take on them, you’ll find it here.

The first story of Tuf, “The Plague Star” is an origin of sorts.  It explains how the once humble trader came to be in possession of the ancient seed ship known as the Ark, which, though a relic of a long forgotten war, is still an extremely powerful, highly coveted, and advanced piece of technology.  It is also what the title of the first story literally refers to, and the only character in it with any redeeming qualities is Tuf himself.

haviland-tuf

He’s a cat lover, which makes him alright by me.

Reading anything by Martin prior to Song is delving into clues about what his magnum opus is really about and how it may potentially end.  “The Plague Star” brings up the question of justice, power, and property rights.  Tuf vies with five others for control of an ancient seed ship, and in the end he has a stand off with the last remaining where before their final showdown, they discuss why either should claim the Ark.  Tuf acquiesces that might does indeed make right, but intellectual prowess should also not be discounted.  In the end, he manages to vanquish his foe though that and what could be considered luck.  This brings up the argument of whether brains or brawn are the higher power.  Though Tuf possessed both, he detests being touched or touching others and prefers to fall on the side of the former.  It is the combination in the end that wins the day.

Continue reading →

Final Fantasy Friday: Favorite Main Character

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 24 Comments
A Final Fantasy (et al) post to welcome you to the glory of Friday (if you don’t have weekends off then may this hopefully brighten the midst of your work week) with more located here!

Last week I posted a Final Fantasy poll, and it was a big hit.  It actually spawned at least one other post by my friend The Otaku Judge who decided to talk about his top three favorite Final Fantasies.  I replied with mine, which you can see if you check out the Judge’s post (which you should), and the results of my poll were pretty interesting.  There was a surprising tie between Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy IX.  The surprise comes because in my experience, Final Fantasy VI is usually my favorite VII’s main competitor.  I actually like IX better than VI (it’s my second favorite) so this was a happy surprise.  They both received five votes.

This week’s poll is for favorite main character.  Now the term “main character” can be argued with semantics thrown about here and there, but with the exception of FFVI (where they’ll be two options) we’re going to go with the face value, agreed upon main character.  I’m going to start with FFIV, since I don’t think the first three had what you could call a main character, but feel free to disagree with me on this.  We can also of course discuss more of this in the comments.

Forgive me.  I don’t know the main characters for FFXI or FFXIV so feel free to add them in as “Other” if they’re your favorite.

I look forward to your responses!

The State of the Reader: 1/25/17

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 16 Comments

<–The State of the Reader: 1/18/17          The State of the Writer: 2/1/17–>

A weekly post updated every Wednesday detailing my current reading projects and where I am with them in addition to what new titles I’ve added to my to-read list.  Title links go to Goodreads to make it easier for interested parties to add any books that might strike their fancy.  I attempt to use the covers for the edition I’m reading, and I’ll mention if this is not the case.  If you have a Goodreads account feel free to friend me!  I’d love to see what you’re reading and/or planning to read.

Books Finished This Week: 2

Title: In the House of the Worm
Author: George R R Martin
Date Added: June 21, 2013
Date Started: January 17, 2017
Date Finished: January 20, 2017

Media: Kindle

This was a enlightening short story (and I mean that in more than one way) in terms of how ASOIAF is probably going to end.  While finishing shorts feels a bit like cheating in order to up my completed books, I suppose they do still count.  This is another added to my “to-be-reviewed” list.  I still have another Martin novel to review, which I’m hoping to do on Monday.  I really don’t need a review backlog list D:

Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Series Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Date Added: June 15, 2016
Date Started: November 20, 2016
Date Finished: January 22, 2017

Media: Paperback

This book was disappointing.  Not that the ending didn’t satisfy the plot, but when you don’t care about the romance in a paranormal romance, it takes a lot of the fire out of a story.  I skimmed over the final sex part, because I was that uninterested.  I just didn’t like Feyre and Tamlin’s relationship for reasons I’ll elaborate on in my review.

Another major issue I had with this novel was how it dealt with consent.  I don’t like when characters you’re supposed to like or at least sympathize with purposely take advantage of others.  I know there was supposed to have been a dilemma/lesser of two evils situation presented, but for reasons I’ll go into in the review, I don’t think it was necessary.

A good friend told me the second book is better, and many of the issues I have with the first are brought up, but I think I’m going to hold off on putting it on my list for now.  I’m passing curious, but I still have plenty of other books to read.

Books Currently Reading: 4

Title: Rest in Piece
Author: B. W. Ginsburg
Date Added: December 12, 2016
Date Started: January 7, 2017

Media: Kindle
Progress: 26%

I started reading this novella length story by fellow writer and blogger B. W. Ginsburg this week.  It concerns a mysterious puzzle and two girls from separate times who are both inexplicably drawn to it.  Reading the blurb reminded me of the plot of The Lake House, but with a more sinister twist (I haven’t seen The Lake House so I’m only assuming it’s more rom-com and less sinister, unless you think rom-coms are sinister…which could be argued), and I’m curious to see where it goes.

Title: The Illustrated A Brief History of Time/The Universe in a Nutshell
Author: Stephen Hawking
Date Added: June 25, 2016
Date Started: January 2, 2016

Media: Paperback
Progress: 44%

I started the chapter about quantum physics the other day, and I’m taking my time with it.  I usually read this on Tuesdays, but I wasn’t able to .  I’m hoping to get a few pages in tonight, and I can generally read through a chapter in one or two settings.  I’m also scheduled to start another book tonight, keeping up with my pattern of three physical books and two Kindle ones.

Title: The Raven Boys
Series Title: The Raven Cycle
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Date Added: April 21, 2015
Date Started: January 1, 2016

Media: Kindle
Progress: 90%

This is the best book I’ve read in a very long time and I’ve already added the second in the series to my list.  I’ll more than likely start reading it as soon as I finish, which will probably be in the next couple of days.  The magic in this book is low key, but not in the way it’s low key in ASOIAF. In The Raven Boys it’s just waiting to be found, and I love how Ms. Stiefvater refreshes old tropes.

Title: The Mabinogion Tetralogy
Author: Evangeline Walton
Date Added: August 24, 2014
Date Started: July 31, 2016

Medium: Paperback
Progress: 55%

The loss in this compendium is absolutely brutal.  Welsh Mythology knows how to tug on your heartstrings.  It’s bad enough to lose everyone you love once, but to rebuild your life and have it happen again is just unbearably cruel.

Fanfictions Finished: 0

Fanfictions Currently Reading: 1

Title: I’m the Darkness, You’re the Starlight
Author: runicmagitek
Fandom: FFVI
Pairing: Celes Chere/Setzer Gabbiani

She’s alive, hooray!  I love receiving email notifications any day, but seeing one from someone I’ve been worried about is such a sigh of relief.  She hasn’t updated her story,  but I know she’s at least doing well enough to answer some comments.

Fanfictions Added to TBR List: 0

Books Added to Goodreads TBR List This Week: 3

Title: Starlady
Author: George R R Martin
Date Added: January 18, 2017

Another GRRM short story, and this one is quite elusive. It seems that time has shadowed it in obscurity with the only copies to be had in the $20 range.  There are no Kindle versions available, and any prior links online are now defunct.  This throws a bit of a wrench in my quest to read all of Martin’s work, but I’m hoping a lucky break occurs…or I decide to fork over the 20 bones.

Title: Bitch Planet #1
Series Title: Bitch Planet
Author: Kelly Sue DeConnick
Date Added: January 21, 2017

I open up my Goodreads the other day, and what do I see but a book recommendation from Cupcakes and Machetes for a comic about the non-compliant.  In the past few months, I’ve become even more non-compliant, or as much as I can be with my stupid health problems.  I’ve certainly had a lot more to say, nor do I plan on shutting up soon.  So I shall join in the bitchiness by delving into this manual for non-compliant women.

Title: The Dream Thieves
Series Title: The Raven Cycle
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Date Added: January 23, 2017

The thing about adding the second book of a series when you aren’t finished with the first is the risk of reading a spoiler in the blurb.  I made sure to keep my eyes firmly on the picture, and though I think I recognize the character, it doesn’t really give much away.  I figured it makes sense to add this to my TBR list since the first is so far the best book I’ve read all year.  Even though I did give Tuf Voyaging 5 stars, not all five star ratings are equal.  If I were using a 10 star scale Tuf would probably get 9, but The Raven Boys would earn a perfect 10.  Unless Ms. Stiefvater completely completely blows the ending, the first novel is getting that perfect score.

Total Books on Goodreads TBR List: 546
Change from Last Week: +1

Books Added to Goodreads To Be Reread List This Week: 0

Books Purchased This Week: 0

What are you currently reading and/or what’s on your radar to read next?  What would you recommend based on my current and recently added?  As always I look forward to your comments and suggestions!

<–The State of the Reader: 1/18/17          The State of the Writer: 2/1/17–>

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The State of the Gamer: 1/24/17

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 15 Comments

<–The State of the Gamer: 1/17/17          The State of the Gamer: 1/31/17–>

A weekly post updated every Tuesday detailing my current gaming projects.  I have quite a backlog of games to either play or watch, and I’m hoping a weekly article will assist with my progress as my other accountable posts have done with reading and writing.
I have an account at Grouvee, which is a essentially Goodreads for gamers, so please feel free to friend me there!
Original source of the banner art is located here.

Title: Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls
Series: Final Fantasy
Genre: RPG – Fantasy
Developer: Square/Tose (GBA)
Original Platform: NES
Original Release Date: December 18, 1987
Current Platform: Gameboy Advance
Current Platform Release Date: July 29, 2004
Date Started: November 20, 2016

dawn-of-souls

Maybe I should say that I’m putting this on hiatus until I finish WOFF, but I don’t want to say that.  I could play before bed, but before bed is Mass Effect (now 3) watching time.  It’s all so interconnected like a gigantic game web.

Title: Final Fantasy IV
Series: Final Fantasy
Genre: RPG – Fantasy
Developer: Square
Original Platform: SNES
Original Release Date: July 19, 1991
Current Platform: Game Boy Advance
Current Platform Release Date: December 12, 2005
Date Started: October 24. 2016

final-fantasy-iv

Same goes for FFIV.  You know what.  I’m going to put this on my to-do list right now.  Watch me.  Watch me do it.  Are you watching?

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Alright, both this and DoS are on the schedule.  FFIV for Tuesdays and Fridays; DoS for Mondays and Thursdays; both potentially on the weekend.

Title: World of Final Fantasy
Series: Final Fantasy
Genre: RPG – Fantasy
Developer: Square Enix
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
Release Date: October 25, 2016
Date Bought: October 21, 2016
Date Started: November 5, 2016

world-of-final-fantasy

I’m still on the final chapter with this.  I decided I wanted to level all my Mirages up to level 30 or until their original transfiguration board is filled, the latter taking precedence of the former.  This means if I reach level 30, but the original transfig board isn’t filled, I continue leveling until that happens; however, if I finish the board, but the Mirage isn’t at level 30 yet, I keep it until it is.  I figure it’s a pretty decent system.  After I’m done, I’ll update my Mirage spreadsheet…the one I said I was going to put on Google docs.  I’m not comfortable enough with it to do that yet, so I’m holding off.

I also fought quite a few Mirages that I don’t have the ability to catch yet.  They require you to take off a large amount of HP at once, and I’m just not powerful enough to do so yet.  I also cannot win this one mini-game in the Girl’s Tearoom, which means I can’t get the Maduin memento and consequently can’t get the transfiguration for Maduin.  I may have a solution for this though.  In searching for tips on how to win the mini-game, I came across a YouTuber who is willing to trade a Maduin for a Titan.  I have two Titans, and they’re easy to find and obtain.  She doesn’t have wifi until Thursday (and I think she’s in Australia), so I’m hoping I’ll be able to make the trade then.

Let’s Plays Finished This Week

Title: Mass Effect II
Series: Mass Effect
Genre: Action RPG – Sci-Fi
Developer: BioWare
Original Platform(s): Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3
Original Release Date: January 26, 2010
Let’s Player: Olizandri
Date Started: November 19, 2016

mass-effect-2

This end of this game lends credence to my assertion that whenever you see tubes in science fiction (and let’s be honest science fantasy, too), it rarely if ever leads to anything good.  Futurama may be the only exception to this rule.

I’m really hoping I look more favorably on the end of the third game now that I’ve seen the entirety of the first two.  I don’t want to continue hating it.  Okay, “hates” a strong word.  I don’t want to continue being disappointed by it.

Games Currently Watching

Title: Mass Effect III
Series: Mass Effect
Genre: Action RPG – Sci-Fi
Developer: BioWare
Original Platform(s): Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3
Original Release Date: March 6, 2012
Let’s Player: Olizandri
Date Started: January 23, 2017

I started the third installment in the illustrious Mass Effect series last night, and holy shit does it come out swinging.  The beginning is equal parts brutal and beautiful, leading me to totally devour three half hour episodes in one sitting.  Shepherd and crew are currently on Mars looking for ancient information on how to stop the Reapers.  I would’ve continued, because I’m dying to know what the Protheans found, but it was getting late.  Maybe tonight…although I don’t think watching ME is on the schedule for tonight.

Title: Miracle Warriors: Seal of the Dark Lord
Genre: RPG
Developer: Kogado Software Products
Original Platform(s): Sega
Original Release Date: October 18, 1987
Let’s Player: Hungry Goriya

I can’t wait to see more of this.  The Dark Lord will be sealed away.

Games Added to Playlist: 4

  1. Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive People Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner – I never would’ve known this existed if I hadn’t caught Hungry Goriya’s Twitch stream of Miracle Warriors last weekend.  Strong Bad is a major staple of my college and early internet days.  I’ve been thinking about rewatching those email videos for over a year now (I know.  Why don’t I just do that.  Too many things on my to-do list), so when someone mentioned there was a game, I had to hop on that train.  Light switch raves for all!
  2. Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings – I had no clue there was an FFXII sequel.  FFXII wasn’t my favorite my a long shot, but it was still an enjoyable game.  I didn’t detest the gambit system as much as many.  To be honest, as long as an RPG is turn-based, I’m pretty much okay with any battle system they decide to throw at us.  Apparently this game focuses on Vaan and Penelo, and they’re actually the main characters as sky pirates.  I’m hoping it actually makes them useful as more than just windows to the narrative, which was my major complaint with the original XII’s story.
  3. New Super Mario Bros. 2 – a little bird told me that NSMB 2 was easier than the original, er, NSMB.  I don’t think DS games are that expensive any more, so I might pick this up next time I’m at Best Buy if it’s there.
  4. Skies of Arcadia – speaking of sky pirates, I haven’t thought of this game in years.  I forget what dredged it up  It might be that awesome Twitch stream, but although it was totally up my alley, I never played it when it first game out, even though I had access to it.  I watched my brother play a bit of it, but just never got into it.  I was probably being a Final Fantasy snob, and no other RPG would have my attention.  Hm, it looks like it’s still only for the Dreamcast (per Grouvee), but they may have limited console information.  I found Grandia II for the PlayStation II.  There’s always hope.

Games Bought This Week: 1

  1. Journey – the Well-Red Mage’s PSN recommendation post led me to this $5.00 beauty (I’d put the link, but I can’t find it!  I also think the sales therein ended yesterday).  I was going to pick up Limbo, too, but my husband informed me that he’d already purchased it.  He downloaded it to my sign on, so I technically got two games for the reduced price of one 🙂

What are you currently playing and/or watching? Is it something new or old?  Is it a first time run or a replay?  What’s the genre?  Would you recommend it?  What’s on your radar to play next?

<–The State of the Gamer: 1/17/17          The State of the Gamer: 1/31/17–>

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Final Fantasy Friday: A Final Fantasy Poll

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 72 Comments
A Final Fantasy (et al) post to welcome you to the glory of Friday (if you don’t have weekends off then may this hopefully brighten the midst of your work week) with more located here!

Today is a dreary day in the states, and even though Final Fantasy Tarot is over, I’m going to try to keep up the FF Friday posts until my next serial project.

Bad puns are all I have...

Bad puns are all I have…

I present to you a simple poll.

Feel free to comment your love, and keep it nice.  No bashing other Final Fantasies.  My regulars are always nice, so this is more for any newbies who happen to show up and welcome if you do 😉

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The State of the Writer: 1/19/17

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 4 Comments

<–The State of the Writer: 1/12/17          The State of the Writer: 1/29/17–>

A weekly post updated every Thursday discussing my current writing projects and where I stand with them.  This will include any and all work(s) in progress (WIP) be they creative writing, essays/analyses, or reviews of any type.

Project: Story
Title: The Broken Rose
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Type: Fanfiction (FFVII) Novel
Current Word Count: 277,027
Prior Word Count: 277,058
Word Difference: -31
Status: Editing
Progress: Reread-through of Chapters 4-6

I thought this would be an appropriate picture, as Sephiroth certainly treats her like a (stereotypical) princess, and the rose is appropriate in sobriquet and Chapter 7’s reality.  As I am going back through prior chapters and am currently out of pictures, this one seemed fitting for this tale.

At the very least, doing these read-throughs is fairly quick.  I’m already finished with Chapters 4 and 5 with only Chapter 6 left.  I’m supposed to edit tonight, and I’m hoping to get to it through my exhaustion.  If I finish the chapter by this weekend (and hopefully find that errant and incorrect “your”), I’ll be able to start organizing my many notes for Chapter 8.

Project: Essay
Title: Half a Tragedy Is Worse Than Whole
Subject: FFVII Comparative and Meta
Current Word Count: 1436
Prior Word Count: 649
Word Difference: 787
Status: Drafting
Progress: Potential new title and definition of tragedy in six parts

tragedy

I consider any session where I write more than the last to be a success.  Not only that I thought of another potential title besides “Half a Tragedy…” that I like a great deal more.  It explains not only what continually draws me to FFVII, but also metaphorically describes a personal and unresolvable dilemma.  I think I’ll leave what the new title is for when I post it.

What are you currently working on?  Is it a creative writing project, essay, review, or something else?  Have you just started something new or are you wrapping up a long term project?

<–The State of the Writer: 1/12/17          The State of the Writer: 1/29/17–>

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The State of the Reader: 1/18/17

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 13 Comments

<–The State of the Reader: 1/11/17          The State of the Reader: 1/25/17–>

A weekly post updated every Wednesday detailing my current reading projects and where I am with them in addition to what new titles I’ve added to my to-read list.  Title links go to Goodreads to make it easier for interested parties to add any books that might strike their fancy.  I attempt to use the covers for the edition I’m reading, and I’ll mention if this is not the case.  If you have a Goodreads account feel free to friend me!  I’d love to see what you’re reading and/or planning to read.

Books Finished This Week: 1

Title: Tuf Voyaging
Author: George R R Martin
Date Added: January 27, 2016
Date Started: January 5, 2017
Date Finished: January 17, 2017

Media: Kindle

While it may seem impressive that I went from 29% last week to finished this week (if you’re keeping track of such things, which I in no way expect you to), I’d already read two of the stories: “A Beast for Norn” and “Guardians” in Dreamsongs Volume I.  The most interesting offerings in the Tuf anthology definitely center around the stories of S’uthlam.  Martin seems to enjoy playing with the trope of A God Am I, but not in the ways I’ve seen before; however, his methods draw into question the very fundamentals of what godhood is or may very well be.  I’ll be writing a review for this this week, hopefully Friday, where I’ll discuss all of this and more.

Books Currently Reading: 5

Title: In the House of the Worm
Author: George R R Martin
Date Added: June 21, 2013
Date Started: January 17, 2017

Media: Kindle
Progress: 9%

Finish one GRRM book and start another.  As I was going through the stories in Tuf Voyaging, I was listening to reviews/analyses of them by YouTuber Preston Jacobs.  His insights are pretty good, though he didn’t say everything I would’ve, but conversely he said things I wouldn’t know (I haven’t read Plato’s Republic yet, though it is on my TBR list).  He mentions Worm quite a bit in other reviews (in fact, I’m pretty sure he’s spoiled the story already, but I don’t quite remember, so it’s okay), and I figured I should download it, and read it next.  It’s brief at only 56 pages, so I imagine I should be able to knock it out in a week.  I’m pretty interested for various reasons.  One, Martin tends to write about the same thing over and over again.  His stories have similar themes, and this will give clues/insights to how Song might end, at least thematically.  Two, I’m interested for the story’s sake alone.  It takes place on a world with a dying sun.  The people consider themselves “Children of the Worm” or yaga-la-hai, which sounds a bit like yog-shoggoth (at least in the first syllable), which puts me in the mind of Lovecraft (no, I will not post a picture of a yog-shoggoth.  They’re eldtricthy; it’s dark, and I’m home alone).  I do know that the true nature of the Worm is dark and terrifying, which definitely feeds the Lovecraftian vibe.

Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Series Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Date Added: June 15, 2016
Date Started: November 20, 2016

Media: Paperback
Progress: 83%

I’m hoping to finish this before next week.  I keep dandling the rating between a 3 and a 3.5, but if I give it a 3.5, I’ll have to round up on Goodreads to a 4, and this is definitely not a 4 in my book.

What’s odd is that it’s a very compelling tale for the sake of getting to the ending.  I want the evil Faerie Queen to go down, that smarmy bitch, and Feyre is a very capable and likable character.  The issue is her main motivation for fighting is her love for Tamlin, and that just wasn’t pulled off believably for me.  I don’t like their relationship, so her whole motivation for enduring suffering is a bit tainted (though of course I understand doing such for the one you love).  I like the intrigue, the faerie court politics, and the stakes, but it’s like one half of the story is silent.

Oddly enough, I’m just as torn on reading the sequel as I am the rating.  The world is interesting, and Maas is certainly setting up some compelling bits for the next part with the High Lord of the Night Court, but again, the relationship dilemma.  I think I’ll finish this one up, and then make my decision.

Title: The Illustrated A Brief History of Time/The Universe in a Nutshell
Author: Stephen Hawking
Date Added: June 25, 2016
Date Started: January 2, 2016

Media: Paperback
Progress: 34%

I’m trying to plot out my reading of this as if it’s a text book, and honestly, I’m not sure it isn’t.  I might have had to buy this for some obscure class.  Even the price tag on it looks like one you’d find in a student book store.

I finished the chapter that outlined general relativity, which is the macrocosm.  The next part will focus on quantum theory, which is the microcosm, so from the very big to the very small.  I’m too tired to expound upon the fascinating facts this volume explains, but the terms it does so in are simple enough for the average mind to grasp.  Although if you asked me to explain what general relativity was, I’d stare at you slack-jawed.  Einstein had a pretty harsh observation for people who couldn’t explain things simply.  To be blunt, it meant you didn’t understand them well enough.  I am okay admitting that.

Title: The Raven Boys
Series Title: The Raven Cycle
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Date Added: April 21, 2015
Date Started: January 1, 2016

Media: Kindle
Progress: 60%

What continues to fascinate me about this book is how it can burn so slow, yet be such a page turner.  For chapters and chapters, nothing really happened, only the promise of something, and now, the promise is being fulfilled.

Latin.  Speaking.  Trees.

I posted today on Facebook that I really need to teach myself Latin.  While I can always use Google Translate, I would like to have a knowledge base myself.  It is my favorite language to sing in after all.

Title: The Mabinogion Tetralogy
Author: Evangeline Walton
Date Added: August 24, 2014
Date Started: July 31, 2016

Medium: Paperback
Progress: 51%

After more than six months, I’ve finally read more than half of this.  I’m trying to read 1-2 chapters a session.  I still can’t shake the haunting sadness of the last branch though, when the Children of Llyr were all but extinguished.  That was a part that was worthy to be read aloud.  Now only one remains, Manawyddan who is now wed to Rhiannon mother of Pryderi (Manawyddan is his birth father as well, but the prince believes otherwise), and I think this section is really just their long lingering.  I know from needing to see how many pages the compendium has that the book ends with Gwydion son of Don whose name I recognize as he’s an integral character in The Chronicles of Prydain.  It will be interesting to see how the Mabinogion Gwydion compares to the Chronicles one.

Fanfictions Finished: 0

Fanfictions Currently Reading: 1

Title: I’m the Darkness, You’re the Starlight
Author: runicmagitek
Fandom: FFVI
Pairing: Celes Chere/Setzer Gabbiani

I’m worried about my friend 😦

Fanfictions Added to TBR List: 0

Books Added to Goodreads TBR List This Week: 4

Title: The Borrowers
Series Title: The Borrowers
Author: Mary Norton
Date Added: January 12, 2017

Years ago, I read The Borrowers Afield as a part of huge haul of books my mother’s employers gave her.  They were constantly doing that: giving her things for me and my brothers along with Christmas presents.  Now that I’m older, I have mixed thoughts about this (nothing scandalous or anything like that), but as a child, the more books the merrier.

I logicked out that there had to have been a prior Borrowers book since in this current one they were afield, but I never had access to it.  The Well-Red Mage reminded me of this series in his review of Studio Ghibli’s The Secret World of Arriety, whom along with her parents Pod and Homily make up the eponymous Borrowers of the book series.  Now I must correct two egregious affronts: not reading the first book and not seeing the Studio Ghibli movie.

Title: Red Rising
Series Title: Red Rising
Author: Pierce Brown
Date Added: January 12, 2017

She wore me down.  I’ve been seeing this book floating around the blogosphere (and general webosphere) for a few months now.  The blurb was interesting, but as I’ve repeated ad naseaum (and will again, sorry!) I have a ton of books on my TBR list, but Cupcakes and Machetes’ review, well, she got me.  It’s obviously an amazing book, and I trust my friends, so it’s another addition to my TBR list.  Also it has one red wing on the cover, so there’s a little bit of tingling in my VII Sense, which is totally superficial…though it is a story about people who work and live below the surface so there’s that.

Title: Lumberjanes, Vol 1: Beware the Kitten Holy
Series Title: Lumberjanes
Authors: Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, Shannon Waters, and Brooke A. Allen
Date Added: January 13, 2017

With a motto like “Friendship to the Max!” this comes off as a human, more LGBTQ version of My Little Pony, and that along with so many other things makes this another comic/graphic novel I need to read.  I mean holy kittens look at that cover, the diversity is beautiful, and there are lesbian, bi, and trans characters set in a magical summer camp..  I don’t need much more to tell me this is something I should read.  I owe the Writing Hufflepuff a great debt for introducing this to the world through her post!

Title: The Pendragon Protocol
Series Title: The Devices Trilogy
Author: Philip Purser-Hallard
Date Added: January 15, 2017

Despite my lack of official study, I am quite fond of and interested in Arthurian Legend.  I used to own a deck of the Arthurian Tarot, which was beautiful, but didn’t really connect with me.  Either way, a modern day retelling of the legend is refreshing and a necessary deviation from the typical medieval fare.  I was put onto this by a review of the third book by Kim of By Hook and By Book, and conveniently, she had one for this.  It was highly rated, and so I thought it worthy for an add.

Total Books on Goodreads TBR List: 545
Change from Last Week: +4

Books Added to Goodreads To Be Reread List This Week: 0

Books Purchased This Week: 1

  1. In the House of the Worm by George R R Martin – purchased and started this week.

What are you currently reading and/or what’s on your radar to read next?  What would you recommend based on my current and recently added?  As always I look forward to your comments and suggestions!

<–The State of the Reader: 1/11/17          The State of the Reader: 1/25/17–>

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