Sunday, October 21, 2012
Dovahkiin, Dovahkiin, Naal Ok Zin Los Vahriin
If you remember my post about Assassin's Creed, "ASSASSINO!!!!" then you may have figured out that I like to play a lot of video games. Well, I guess technically they're computer games, but that's irrelevant to the point. One game in particular has eaten up a large chunk of my time over about two years (two hundred and sixty hours to be exact) and continues to bring me enjoyment after beating the main aspects of the game. It is the fifth installment of the Elder Scrolls series, but most people just call it Skyrim. You start the game as a prisoner about to be executed for pretty much no reason at all by the Imperials. They put your head on the chopping block when a dragon appears out of nowhere, knocking the executioner down and leaving you to escape with a Nordic man named Ralof and the Jarl of the city of Windhelm, Ulfric Stormcloak. After fleeing from the execution block, you choose to either go with Ralof or Hadvar, one of the men overseeing your execution, and eventually end up in a small town known as Riverwood. From there, you must find out why the dragons are returning and face the strongest of them all, Alduin the World-Eater. In addition to this, you have your choice of joining various factions such as the mysterious band of assassins known as the Dark Brotherhood, the notorious Thieves Guild, the mage's College of Winterhold, and the group of werewolf warriors known as the Companions, each one with their own set of quests. On top of that, the combat system allows for a very wide variety of play styles customizable to your preferences.
WC: 280
WC: 280
Friends and Our Everchanging Lives Together
Has anyone out there ever watched a show called Friends? You know, starring Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox and David Schwimmer? Not ringing any bells you say? Well then stay home and watch some TV for once because it's one of the best shows I've ever watched. I grew up watching the show and continue to watch it, still laughing at episodes I've seen, quite literally, dozens of times. I'd like to bring attention to a certain episode about two of the friends in particular. For those that have seen it or do watch it, you may recall the episode where Joey starts dating a girl named Kathy, whom Chandler meets at the coffee shop. He instantly becomes infatuated with her, despite the fact that she's dating his best friend. Now this plot is used quite often in other shows and movies for both younger and more adult audiences. But that's because it gives it a sense of relatability.
A few months ago, I was watching this exact episode and it really got me thinking about a few questions in particular. "What would happen if you fell in love with your best friend's girlfriend? What would you do? Would you try to get over her or just wait patiently? If you waited, what would you do if they remained together? What if you couldn't get over her?" I asked myself all of these, trying to answer them in the best way possible, even searching for answers from some of my friends (who probably did not appreciate late night texts at eleven/twelve at night).I thought about it for a long while, losing countless hours of sleep that I really don't even need anyway, brainstorming things that I could do if this situation ever happened to me. To be truthfully honest, I have no idea what I would do in the predicament previously placed before my private mind. But there was something that helped me to get through the entire ordeal. That one thing has been there all my life and has improved (most) everything over time for me. I turned to what I always turn to in times like this and that was music.
The song that I listened to a lot when pondering this plot of questions was called "Everchanging" by Rise Against. It may not have been intended for how I interpreted it, but I guess that is the beauty of ambiguity in the meaning of a song. The line that really caught my attention in the entirety of the song goes, "There's nothing simple when it comes to you and I, always something in this ever-changing life." This line really spoke to me because it effectively illustrates the relationship between you and the person dating your friend, especially if they knew that you liked them. Life is ever-changing and there's nothing anyone can do about it, but that's what life is all about. Sometimes, you just need to suck it up and deal with it and that's exactly what I learned while thinking about all of this.
WC: 492
A few months ago, I was watching this exact episode and it really got me thinking about a few questions in particular. "What would happen if you fell in love with your best friend's girlfriend? What would you do? Would you try to get over her or just wait patiently? If you waited, what would you do if they remained together? What if you couldn't get over her?" I asked myself all of these, trying to answer them in the best way possible, even searching for answers from some of my friends (who probably did not appreciate late night texts at eleven/twelve at night).I thought about it for a long while, losing countless hours of sleep that I really don't even need anyway, brainstorming things that I could do if this situation ever happened to me. To be truthfully honest, I have no idea what I would do in the predicament previously placed before my private mind. But there was something that helped me to get through the entire ordeal. That one thing has been there all my life and has improved (most) everything over time for me. I turned to what I always turn to in times like this and that was music.
The song that I listened to a lot when pondering this plot of questions was called "Everchanging" by Rise Against. It may not have been intended for how I interpreted it, but I guess that is the beauty of ambiguity in the meaning of a song. The line that really caught my attention in the entirety of the song goes, "There's nothing simple when it comes to you and I, always something in this ever-changing life." This line really spoke to me because it effectively illustrates the relationship between you and the person dating your friend, especially if they knew that you liked them. Life is ever-changing and there's nothing anyone can do about it, but that's what life is all about. Sometimes, you just need to suck it up and deal with it and that's exactly what I learned while thinking about all of this.
WC: 492
Drunk in a Lego House
You've all heard the saying that gingers have no soul right? I mean, we all have that friend who has bright orange hair, skin as white as a ghost and says things you double take at every once in a while. Often times, they're not afraid to voice truths or opinions, regardless of other's feelings. While these qualities can be both harsh and intriguing, not all gingers exemplify the soullessness of them. In fact, one of the greatest counterexamples a wonderful musician and singer (that bears an uncanny resemblance to famed actor Rupert Grint playing Ron Weasley from the ever popular Harry Potter series).His name is Ed Sheeran and just by listening to his music, it's easy to tell he's not your (stereo)typical soulless ginger. He has an amazing voice, only complimented by his British accent bleeding through his lyrics, which in and of themselves are filled with symbolism and analogous comparisons. As such comparisons, I'd like to direct your attention to the following examples.
The first song that I'm referring to is a song called "Lego House." To me, the whole song is talking about relationship that went wrong and trying to fix said relationship. This is stated at the beginning when he sings, "I'm gonna pick up the pieces and build a lego house." The lyrics continue in the same line to say that if things don't go well again, they can just "knock it down" and either start over or go their separate ways. He says he does everything for her and will protect her, or "keep her sheltered from the storm" as the song goes on to say. In the chorus he talks about how all the things he has done for her, he loves her even more. My favorite lines of the song are those that make up the second verse; "I'm gonna paint you by numbers and color you in, if things go right we can frame it and put you on a wall. And it's so hard to say it, but I've been here before so I'll surrender up my heart and swap it for yours." I think when he talks about painting her, he's referring to hanging out and going on dates with her and if all goes swimmingly they can "frame" their relationship. The second part of it tells how telling her how he feels may be hard, but he's willing to take a risk again by "surrendering" his heart. One reason I really like this verse is because in the video (which you can watch above) Ed, played by Rupert Grint, is playing with Lego's and builds a helicopter earlier on. When he sings "swap it for yours," he drops it, sending it hurtling to the ground and shattering on impact, symbolizing the risk he's taking.
The second song, called "Drunk," is a little more somber. Actually, it is a lot more somber. Whereas the above song talks about fixing a relationship, this song is more about a completely unfix-able relationship and how he wants to essentially just get drunk, and maybe have a one-night stand just to fill the hole that she left.
A great line that illustrates this is when he sings "I wanna hold your heart in both hands, not watch it fizzle at the bottom of a Coke can." It both shows how much he really wants to be with this girl and how badly she hurt him when she left.
WC: 504
The first song that I'm referring to is a song called "Lego House." To me, the whole song is talking about relationship that went wrong and trying to fix said relationship. This is stated at the beginning when he sings, "I'm gonna pick up the pieces and build a lego house." The lyrics continue in the same line to say that if things don't go well again, they can just "knock it down" and either start over or go their separate ways. He says he does everything for her and will protect her, or "keep her sheltered from the storm" as the song goes on to say. In the chorus he talks about how all the things he has done for her, he loves her even more. My favorite lines of the song are those that make up the second verse; "I'm gonna paint you by numbers and color you in, if things go right we can frame it and put you on a wall. And it's so hard to say it, but I've been here before so I'll surrender up my heart and swap it for yours." I think when he talks about painting her, he's referring to hanging out and going on dates with her and if all goes swimmingly they can "frame" their relationship. The second part of it tells how telling her how he feels may be hard, but he's willing to take a risk again by "surrendering" his heart. One reason I really like this verse is because in the video (which you can watch above) Ed, played by Rupert Grint, is playing with Lego's and builds a helicopter earlier on. When he sings "swap it for yours," he drops it, sending it hurtling to the ground and shattering on impact, symbolizing the risk he's taking.
The second song, called "Drunk," is a little more somber. Actually, it is a lot more somber. Whereas the above song talks about fixing a relationship, this song is more about a completely unfix-able relationship and how he wants to essentially just get drunk, and maybe have a one-night stand just to fill the hole that she left.
A great line that illustrates this is when he sings "I wanna hold your heart in both hands, not watch it fizzle at the bottom of a Coke can." It both shows how much he really wants to be with this girl and how badly she hurt him when she left.
WC: 504
Sunday, October 14, 2012
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