Pokemon Go-ing Through Tests

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

Yesterday, Nintendo announced that Animal Crossing and Fire Emblem would be receiving mobile gaming apps this Fall. The gaming company also declared that they would focus on a new Legend of Zelda game at this year’s E3 and that the NX, a gaming console, will be released March 2017.

All this news is fantastic, but where exactly does that leave Pokemon : Sun and Moon and Pokemon Go? We haven’t necessarily heard anything from them in a while, especially the former. Thankfully, we have some information regarding the latter.

Yesterday, test footage of Pokemon Go leaked from Australia. While nothing is set in stone, here’s what  I managed to discover:

·         They’re only using the original 150.

·         To evolve Pokemon, you have to collect ‘Evolution Shards’. From how it appears, there are four sections to an ‘Evolution Shard’. I’m honestly on the fence about this feature, because I feel it takes away the anticipation we have when waiting for a certain level for our Pokemon to evolve.

·         The camera plays a heavy role in this app. The camera allows you to see the Pokemon (which randomly appear), capture said Pokemon, and change the background from a pixelated green field to your actual surroundings. If you pass by something, it may appear on the app as an icon that you can click and receive items from. You can also receive items from Pokemon stores which haven’t been implemented into the game as of yet, but have been confirmed by game creators.

·         Capturing Pokemon is rather unique in this app. When a Pokemon appears it will have a colored circle around it – each Pokemon’s circle is different.  Touch the circle and your ball will be thrown, resulting in a hopefully successful catch. Touch outside the circle and the Pokemon will most likely not be caught.

·         As a trainer you level up by catching Pokemon, fighting, and bumping into circles that level you up automatically. 

·         The fighting system appears to be the same, however, Pokemon only have two moves. An example of this was Porygon only having Thunderbolt and Quick Attack.

·         You can also obtain Pokemon by receiving eggs. From how it appears, you can have more than one egg with you. These eggs hatch into Pokemon from the original 150.

·         The gym is something I’m still trying to wrap my head around. From what I understand, you enter a gym and proceed to join a team (Red, Blue, or Yellow) to fight the gym leader. You select a Pokemon to fight with. Once that Pokemon is fighting in the gym, it cannot be taken out until the match is won.

Thank you for reading tonight’s entry. If you enjoyed it, feel free to subscribe, share, comment, and critique.

So tell me, what are your thoughts about Pokemon Go?

Welcome to the Tardis, Pearl Mackie

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

Pearl Mackie is the Doctor’s new companion for the future of “Doctor Who”.

Pearl Mackie is a native Londoner who is an acting tutor for children and starred in “Doctors” (a British soap opera) and is currently in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time at the National Theatre.  She has also performed in “Svengali” (a British film) and a music video for the band, Years & Years. As an accomplished dancer and actress, Mackie is excited for what the Doctor has in store for her.

Described as a combination of maturity and immaturity, Mackie takes on the role of knowing barely anything about the Doctor. This is a drastic contrast when compared to the last companion, Clara Oswald, who knew everything about the Doctor given her role in his lives. Mackie also emerges as the first non-white companion in approximately eight years with the last colored companion being Martha Jones (Freema Ageyman).

As for Capaldi, he was more than happy to welcome Mackie to the set. In fact, he even requested that the next companion to be a woman because he didn’t “want a bloke, because [Capaldi was] frightened that they’ll give him all the action and [he]’ll be standing around spouting scientific gobbledygook”. The notion of an inquisitive, enthusiastic young lady alongside the Doctor is refreshing to Capaldi and believes the combination works.

So far we’ve only seen a brief clip of her and the Doctor being pursued by a Dalek. Her name in the show will be Bill and she will appear in the series starting next year, after the Christmas special.

Thanks for reading tonight’s entry. If you enjoyed it, feel free to comment, subscribe, share, and critique.

So tell me, what do you think of the new companion?

Harriet Tubman Replaces Andrew Jackson

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

Well, the government has done it. After months of demanding this change be made and waiting for said change, we’re finally getting it. At long last, we are receiving a woman on a dollar bill.

Yes, we already have Susan B. Anthony coins, but now we actually have a woman on a dollar. We use more dollars than we do change, so this is pretty epic.

The lovely lady to replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill is none other than Harriet Tubman. Harriet Tubman led slaves through the Underground Railroad to freedom and a better life. Tubman will be depicted on the front of the bill, with Jackson appearing on the back in front of the White House.

However, this is not the only change coming to money. The $5 bill will still portray Lincoln on the front, but Marion Anderson and Martin Luther King Jr. will be shown on the back. These figures were chosen in particular to remind the nation of important events that happened at the Lincoln Memorial.  Marion Anderson performed in 1939 and Martin Luther King Jr. gave his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech there.

Hamilton will remain on the front of the $10 bill, but on the back Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul, Lucretia Mott, and other famous figures from the Women’s Suffrage Movement will be depicted. 

Thank you for reading tonight’s entry. If you enjoyed it, feel free to comment, critique, share, and subscribe.

So tell me, what do you think of these monetary changes?

The Geeks Have Inherited the Earth

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

Time tends to change concepts. For example, homosexuality in the 50s was considered as something taboo and forbidden as opposed to today where homosexuality is generally accepted. The same applies to the geek culture.

From what I remember, the media often portrayed geek culture as something negative. The dweeb with the pencil pusher pocket, the incredibly intelligent being who knew a ton about “Star Trek” and rocket science, the giant comic book nerd who never got the girl. Granted, these televised tropes are still broadcasted today, but their depiction has shifted in media and society.

Growing up, the media reinforced the notion of it was bad to be a geek. Brawn were better than brain, those who had brains were mocked or ignored. Characters like Dexter (from “Dexter’s Laboratory”) were made fun of for their intelligence and portrayed in a stereotypical dorky appearance. Comic  Book Guy (from “The Simpsons”) was pictured more harshly in being an overweight geek who hasn’t grown up, still clinging to something he greatly admires and knows a great deal about. Comic Book Guy was a cynic at times, but he was still portrayed as a geek given his environment, personality, and what he specifically enjoyed.

Cosplaying was something I remember being made fun of. People were dressing up as characters that people didn’t know like Vegeta from “Dragonball Z” or Sailor Mars from “Sailor Moon”. They wore outfits that weren’t something were obscure in everyday life or just for Halloween.  It was different and therefore, laughable.

Flash forward to the current year and time has changed society’s views on geeks. Characters like Dexter are lauded for their intelligence and not made fun of as much. People like Comic Book Guy are accepted and considered to be cool with their extensive knowledge of various fandoms. Cosplaying is seen as a form of art with fantastic results and original designs. To be passionate about something (an artist, a certain topic, a specific show, etc.) is something that’s admired and encouraged.

The geeks have inherited the Earth and with it, they have changed how our society views them. At one point, people realized that cosplay is amazing, high intelligence is attractive, and being geeky isn’t bad at all. If anything, geeky became the new sexy and socially acceptable.

To be honest with you, I know people who are in their thirties and have a successful lifestyle (well-paying career, a home of their own, etc.) and still cosplay and gush about “Star Trek” and “Doctor Who”. They have active social lives, close friends, and are generally accepted by everyone in my workplace. This has become a reassurance for me – seeing that I can have a fruitful life at the age of thirty and still think that Han shot first or believe that Squirtle is the best original starter. I always believed that at some point you had to give up what you enjoyed doing and what you loved in pursuit of a mature life filled with suits and briefcases. It was a belief the media had reinforced time and time again, but only now is the belief giving away through entertainment and real life experiences.

What was once a culture I found myself allured to despite its trials of being made fun and knowing I would someday have to surrender, I can now found more comfort in. I can be a geek and exercise my enthusiasm for the things I’m passion about, I can cosplay whoever I want to, I can be thirty and be who I really want to be: myself.

Thank you for reading tonight’s entry. If you enjoyed it, feel free to comment, critique, subscribe, and share.

So tell me, what makes you geeky?

Basic Tips for Cosplay

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

Tonight I’m going to impart some wisdom that has taken me a good time to realize, especially when it comes to cosplaying. Cosplaying is dressing up as a particular character that you happen to enjoy. People partake in this activity at various conventions; myself included.

So far I have only cosplayed a Pikachu gijinka, Emily Cavanaugh Gracey, and a female version of Lupin the Third (green jacket). In the near future, I’ll be doing a few more cosplays. From my brief experiment, I’ve realized that cosplay is like crafting a science fair project that can blow up in your face or be incredible. Here’s hoping you learn from my advice.

3. Alter

Alter, alter, alter. Alter your cosplay to fit your budget (especially if you have priorities like bills and rent), alter your cosplay to fit your body type, alter your cosplay to fit your dreams. For cosplaying on a budget, Dollar Stores and thrift stores are an automatic go to. Tutorials also help and show you how to lessen the cost of your cosplay. Or, you could be incredibly lucky like me and somehow unintentionally have your cosplay halfway completed.

2. Plan Ahead

It’s always good to schedule yourself for crafting cosplays. It’s also good to safely financially structure yourself so you can make your orders online (and estimate their shipping time), while paying off your bills. Also, prepare back up options for things you need for your cosplay as opposed to being determined to use that one thing that the stores may or may not have. 

1.Give Yourself Time

This is something I still somehow manage to forget about because time rushes by, especially when you’re older. It’s currently April 14^th. My two cosplays are barely completed and I have two conventions on May 14^th and May 15^th. I also work during the week from 9 to 5 and when I get home I have even more personal work to do.

See my dilemma?

Now what I should have done was start my cosplay back in March or February, thus allowing me more time to do what I want to. Even so, I refuse to half attempt anything or rush it. I’ll be pulling all nighters to finish my cosplays because time is not going to stop me from doing what I want. 

Thank you for reading tonight’s entry. If you enjoyed it, feel free to comment, critique, share, and subscribe.

So tell me, what are some other good cosplay tips?

Hilde Lysiak: Hold On Tight to Your Dreams

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

Hilde Lysiak, a nine year old journalist from Selinsgrove, PA, has been shaking the media world. At such a young age she has recently covered a case on a homicide in her neighborhood, enthralling reporters everywhere. Because of this, they have responded with comments claiming that they are disgusted that a child believes she is a “real journalist” and that she should be having tea parties instead. Even their home phone was filled with degrading comments regarding Lysiak’s actions. However, Lysiak didn’t listen to their criticisms and called reporters out for their comments.

One important question I have regarding this situation is: why were reporters trying to stomp out this child’s ambition?

Children are incredibly impressionable and for them to pursue something they love, only to be discouraged and berated is terrible. It staunches their motivation and resides in their memories. Ambitions bloom in childhood because kids are exposed to the world and its endless possibilities. For them to find something they love and cling to crafts motivation and aids them in working toward their dreams.

From how it appears, this girl has ambitions as big as the moon and it is wonderful. Yes, a homicide case might be gruesome for a little girl, but she seemed to have handled it without any trouble. Plus I can imagine that her parents were there watching her interview people and taking photographs and video of the crime scene.

Lysiak has already developed grass-roots sources within her area which in turned helped her gain people’s trust and is a publisher and a reporter of her neighborhood newspaper, “The Orange Street News”.  For this girl to accomplish so much at this age is purely amazing. Even other media outlets like the Pennsylvania Media Association and “Good Morning America” have applauded Lysiak’s efforts.

Why anyone would want to this staunch this girl’s dreams and desires is a crime. Clearly, Lysiak is passionate about journalism and is exercising her admiration for the field. She takes news reporting seriously, so much so that she’s willingly staked out a police station regarding an act of vandalism in her neighborhood.

The utter devotion she pours into her craft and the field is outstanding and by no means should it be trampled upon or looked down on. Rather, it should be encouraged by parents, loved ones, admirers, and media outlets. More power to Lysiak for handling criticism extraordinarily, for pursuing her dreams, for providing people with the truth, and for being herself.

Thank you for reading tonight’s entry. If you enjoyed it, feel free to share, subscribe, comment, and critique.

So tell me, what are your thoughts on Lysiak’s reporting? 

Music Be the Food of Geeks

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

Anime music is by far one of the most influential genres of our time. For some, it could be motivating, others it could be inspiring, and maybe for others it could be seen as soothing.

As for me, it’s a combination of those three. However, there are some anime soundtracks that I always find myself returning to for nostalgia, good music, and overall, a fantastic anime. Here’s my top three anime soundtracks.

3. “Howl’s Moving Castle”

Hayao Miyazaki is possibly one of the most influential persons ever to exist. His ideas are wonderful, his art style is whimsical, and even the music for his pieces is amazing. I solely chose “Howl’s Moving Castle” because it’s the first musical score I recall when I hear ‘Hayao Miyazaki’.

“Howl’s Moving Castle” follows Sophie on a journey of magic and her fateful meeting with Howl, the owner of a moving, enchanted castle. This movie has gone on to be considered as a Miyazaki classic next to “Spirited Away” and “My Neighbor Totoro”. The iconic art style creates a beautiful tapestry while melding wonderfully with music crafted by Joe Hisashi. It’s a soundtrack that makes you feel like you’re floating. It’s an overall upbeat soundtrack with some mellow tones which exposes the mood of the movie.

Favorite song: Sky Stroll  - this song just oozes with whimsy that is spread throughout “Howl’s Moving Castle” and features some beautiful violins. It’s an uplifting piece that starts off slow and builds up to something truly upbeat and lovely.

2. “.hack//SIGN”

“.hack//SIGN” was an anime from my teen years, when Toonami was fresh. “.hack//SIGN” took place in an MMORPG called The World and focused on Tsukasa, a boy who can’t log out.  The music in this series is classical and pop themed which fits perfectly, given the location of the anime. The tunes surface old memories of late nights watching this series, relating to the characters who were finding themselves, and trying to understand life through my adolescent eyes.

Favorite song: Fake Wings – ah, the song of my teen years. I would play this nonstop until my speakers were worn out. It has a great harmony accompanied with a beautiful piano and tugs at the heartstrings.

1.”Revolutionary Girl Utena”

Where do I even begin with this soundtrack? With this show? The series revolves around Utena Tenjou, a tomboy at Ohtori Academy who finds herself through endless duels while winning the hand of the Rose Bride, Anthy Himemiya. The anime itself is a brilliant showcase of growing up, philosophy, life lessons, and comedy. The music is no exception.

Crafted by the Be-Papas, the music covers a ton of genres. It has a little something for everyone and it does not disappoint. Even the lyrics are strange, but enticing, riddled with deep layers that tie into the scene that they’re played during. The lyrics give way to hours of translating what it all means while jamming out to some amazing tunes.

Favorite song: Watashi Banbatsu Hyaku Fushigi – this song is raw. This song is every heartbreak you’ve ever endured, every harsh realization about yourself, every struggle you have with yourself, and every single roughness that you have ever encountered in your life. It’s powerful and mind numbingly emotional.

Overall, these soundtracks have shaped my musical tastes and inspired me to write or draw. I hope they give you some inspiration as well and open your minds.

Thank you for reading tonight’s entry. If you liked it, feel free to share, subscribe, comment, and critique.

So tell me, what’s your favorite song from an anime?