A New Chance

Another new year is upon us and like the ones before; we promise ourselves and others to do something different or change what we're doing, or pretty much just aim to be a little better. There's nothing wrong with a little wishful thinking. Yet, there are some who do more than that. Be among those few who dare to do what they foresaw themselves doing. It's not too difficult to take the first step once you know where you want to be and how you want to be. The trouble is, many of us need to collect our thoughts, guts, feelings and our soul and put them all together in order to take what we can and make that first step. It's never always easy.

Everyone wants to turn over a new leaf. It's not that hard. It's as simple as turning over a leaf on the road. Start small. Appreciate the little things. Realise that these little things can make a big difference. Once you get past that, every little action seems substantial and you know that it will make a difference. Not everyone will respond the way you expect; do it anyway. Someone will come along and respond like you had originally hoped and that gives you the reason you need to try again with a hundred more.

The turn of this new year has seen many events take place. Some of extreme magnitude, but if that's what it takes to get the ball rolling, so be it. Some people die to live, while some die so others can truly live. There is always hope. There is always will. And when united, they can battle ignorance and win.

Here I am, hoping for a better tomorrow. Happy New Year!

Violent Video Games?

Video games have been around for decades and include a plethora of game types and platforms. However, they have come under the scanner for potentially creating violent responses in children and teenagers. But how many have actually considered the base of this argument? How much of it is actually true?

Almost all video games are a competition or are based on meeting a time crunch. They are about which player can score more points than the other or who can finish the game in the least amount of time. That is how their creators intended them to be. They were made to enhance the players skills and improve upon other abilities simultaneously. Video games push players to use their mental and physical capabilities to beat the machine, or each other, in a battle of time and skill management. In all classic video games, the game challenges the player's timing, reflex, tact and strategy - and builds their ability to perform under pressure; usually a time crunch or deadline of some sort.

In player vs. player games, the outcome of the game is decided by who responds sooner and acts in the most appropriate way to attack, defend or counter-attack as to gain an advantage. Some players adopt a tactical and calculated approach, while many other find a moves that the easiest to perform and begin a continuous barrage of attack which undoubtedly always leads to their downfall.

Strategy games were created with the aim to invoke a player's planning and evasive tendencies. They sharpen your mind and reduce decision making time while improving reaction time.

The point argued is that such games are violent. They aren't! Children don't play video games from the day they are born. They learn, they see, they listen and absorb what they can from around them. This is what makes up the world surrounding their existence. When the child grows enough to handle a game controller; they act upon what they've absorbed and their inner self is presented on screen in plain sight. Parents should let the child choose what sort of games he or she wants to play. They need to pay attention or even partake in the game with their child or children. This will let them gauge what the child is focused on. Do they pick competitive racing or fighting games? Or do they choose a strategy game which involves team work and dependence on the performance of others in times of need. If so, are they focused on the goal at hand or on destroying everything in sight?

Here, it is the parents who are responsible and need to  realize their child's or children's thought patterns and counter actions thereof. Failure to note the difference is what qualifies as ignorance in upbringing. It's the little things that make a big difference later on.

A game is played how the player chooses to play it. An angry child will prefer a game with guns so he or she can shoot at everything to glory deriving pleasure from dissipating their anger among virtual beings. Games like Contra or Quake are mission oriented. They provide you an arsenal to attack and defend yourself but the game is ultimately based on accomplishing a goal - complete the level as soon as you can with minimum fuss. Here, the player can choose to evade game opponents and stealthily complete levels taking down enemies only when they stand in their way. The game can be played several different ways. The player decides how they want to go about it. It's more than a game; it's a gauge of discipline and choice.

Not to stereotype any players or games, but some games actually let you gauge what sort of person the player is. Arkanoid, Tetris and even Pinball tend to be played by those looking to exceed their own limitations -  those who push themselves to be better than they used to be. Similarly, Super Mario Brothers or games of such genre show a curiosity, a perseverance within the player to reach their goal, their prize. Some may even consider people to be addicts. However, there's a fine line between being committed to oneself to see a goal through within a reasonable amount of time and being addicted.

Then there are the games created later by those you could safely say are in need of a psychological consult or even mental help. "Shoot as many as you can" or "shoot as much as you can" are simply not rules. They seem easy enough at first but then you realize that they are mindless violence oriented games with a single track to follow. What's more; they don't last because of that aspect. They don't bring anything else to the table or offer anything else to benefit the player. They certainly don't engage players beyond a single parameter. This is the major difference between those sort of games and games like Call Of Duty or Commandos. These are hot sellers because they actively involve the player and strengthen several skill sets which are basically required to survive. They inculcate responsibility, strategy, planning, tact, team work and sacrifice. They require quick thinking and decision making and utilize considerable reserves of the players memory. They engage the mind and body of the player in ways that few other games can.

Thus, it's wrong to blame video games for the violent tendencies of children. Video games are merely an outlet which lets you see what a child would do given the power and abilities that video games offer in a virtual world. Of course, this does not translate literally to their actions in the real world but there are some who cannot process the difference. There are some who will have certain feelings triggered by events in the real world which cause them to react upon the real world as they would in the game.

As for violent video games; they don't exist! The ones that are simply focus on a singular path of violence never make it to the mainstream. There is always a choice and there are those who choose.

Winter Setting

Once in a while
a rarity is presented.
A winter's day so still.
It almost seems enchanted.

No movement whatsoever.
Not a bird. Not a leaf of any tree.
The sun quietly shines while the winds rest;
letting not a hint of breeze free.

But the world moves on, unheard;
leaving no sign; no trace.
With everything so still;
only my thoughts race.

Four Wheel Drive

Four wheel drive is the best thing to happen to mobility. It is!

It's good enough having all feet firmly on the ground they say; but isn't it better if one wheel can get the other wheel's power when it needs it the most? Doesn't matter if it's needed up front or at the back; the point is to get out of trouble without having a reason to panic. That means everything when the drive is all that matters. You can safely depend on any one wheel to get the other three out of trouble.

No one likes a rickshaw. It's okay if you have to commute a short distance, but you wouldn't wanna spend time in one nor have one yourself. The three-wheeled contraption it is - unstable when things get winding and a sudden stop can lead to one or more adverse situations in a hurry. No one likes a third wheel; not for too long anyway.

Four wheel drive is an awesome feeling. The sharing and caring in the mix is something worth experiencing; worth having more than anything else. Everyone wants to have something like that sometime in their life. The feeling of independence experienced when all four are in it together makes even the most daunting journeys seem more than worthwhile. Every trip is an experience. Besides, you can always switch to two wheel drive when things are calm and let the front wheels and the rear wheels be themselves. The trick is being apart together and then coming together at the touch of a button. Nothing beats that!

Reason being..

They say everything happens for a reason.. Yeah, I believe that. What sense would life make otherwise? The root of every being's existence lies in it's reason to exist, doesn't it?

In matters considered personal; where is reason half the time. Not everything has its reason stemming from what is practical, what must be done. There is reason in nonsensical humor and craved company. Not because you want it or need it but just because, at that point of time, it feels right. Not everything has to make sense.

And whatever happened to falling in love, overcoming come what may and love at first sight? Has the world become so practical minded that one must think before feeling? I'm sorry, but I find that impossible to even believe possible. It used to be said that "love is all you need" but now people are saying that "hugs don't pay the bills"..

Go on, spend you life being practical. Work hard. Pay the bills. Have a robotic relationship.

While everyone out there is on the lookout for someone with a firm footing to make into their soon-to-be better half; someone out there will see me, me anxiously waiting for their hand to hold so I can then climb and get a foothold. Not everything works the same way. I'll do what I have to do; work hard and prepare for the bills. Then we can run away and have what we wanted!

Fishing

There comes a time in one's life sometimes where everything just seems like it's come to a standstill.

It seems like there is little hope except to carry on doing what you're doing while keeping an eye open for any opportunity that may show itself. So there you are, climbing that mountain with one hand holding on tightly to the fishing rod that's cast into the lake below, just in case you feel a tug. And then the day bids farewell and the moon creeps out into the darkening skyline. Rest, some much needed stillness is what it brings about. No shut-eye talk here, there's none of that; you're too mentally active to do something as dormant as sleep. Yes, it's essential, but one side of your brain and you heart beg to differ.

It's at times like these that your mind wanders and makes you relive old memories and create future scenarios in your mind all at once. Those moments make you realise things about yourself. These things may not seem useful at all, but they can be quite eye-opening. You wonder why you hold onto one person so dearly in your heart and that one job opportunity that you stuck you everything into. Not  just a foot in the door, but the barge in - lock door - swallow key routine that Thomas the cat has so often demonstrated. Of course, it doesn't always lead you to the point you want to be at; more often than not, you're left looking for something to break the door down and get the hell out. The key usually lies within you; that was scarily literal in Tom's case! You have four limbs - stick them in different doors and wait for a pull on one of them. If you like the place, stay; else you're gonna have to break the three other doors down just to find what you're looking for. But then there is a lesson, as always, and that is life telling you to not put all your eggs in one basket. It may be an age-old cliché but not many take heed to them now do they. 

And that's when you find yourself climbing up this mountain of a life, while still fishing from the lake you grow so fondly accustomed to.

The Castle of Life

The knight rode on astride his steed
glistening in the moonlight
Through forests and valleys he rode on through
towards the castle visible in distant sight

His helmet was heavy, his chain mail too
And though he kept them on, his sword wasn't drawn
Steadily he rode on to the distant castle
riding all night till the break of dawn

He was drawn to the castle, not unlike magic
twas a place in which he never imagined to be
Knowing deep inside, the journey was worth
His ending would be happy; his soul, free

On approaching the castle he saw a moat
with waters clear and nothing concealed
He circled the massive structure around
until a small window his princess revealed

He caught her eye and their eyes met
for just a brief second till she looked away
He was mesmerised, in trouble; he knew it!
Her thoughts would now rule his every day

A drawbridge of glass lay carelessly retracted
His dreams and eternal happiness were at stake
On through he knew he needed to further venture
if only his princess would wish to partake

Under the moon and with howls from the darkness
Silently, around the castle he rode that night
Ne'er stopping for one breath, lest he should
be forced to give up what he felt his right

For until then, he had ridden alone
He knew not truth, and swore this would stop
His belief was all he had, and hope
that the princess would once more the drawbridge drop