[PP] I'M ALIVE!!!

It's my baby!!

Hello everyone, I'm back to the blog!
Before I go into anything else, I would like to tell you all about why I was gone, if you care please read on, otherwise just skip this paragraph.
Anyway, I was in college back then and I was taking a Robotics class. In addition I am also the new stage manager for my college Glee Club and a college tour guide as well. These three things have single-handily kept me busy the whole 4 quarter, known as d term in my college (we do a quarter system NOT a semester system). First things first we were given a gigantic final project in robotics, where we had to design, build, and control a robot that would compete in a class competition. Although it was a lot of fun, I missed so many meals and hours of sleep over this. I was literally in the RBE lab all the time. The project itself went well, our first round in the competition went amazingly, but then one of our motors overheated (we think so at least) and then things went for the worse. O well it was only a fun competition, no grading occurred during then. Thank goodness.  But that's only a third of what I have been doing. Tour guiding is fun, but takes up a lot of time. When I wasn't in the lab, most of the time I was giving tours to prospective students. Sometimes you meet crazy parents (its never the students themselves xD) but that only makes the tours interesting lol. And finally, being stage manager is a lot of work. Now the stage manager position works a little differently than what you would think. Instead of running the stage and lighting and whatnot, I'm mostly in charge of just concert stuff in general. Therefore I am ordering all the buses, I make sure that the concerts we do generally go smoothly, I keep the tuxes in order, and a bunch of other random stuff as well. It's a lot of fun, even if its a bunch of work.
However, that all finished (mostly) when summer started. My business has turned from that to other things.

I've gotten myself into a tizzy with fan-fiction. I am working hardcore on all my stuff and people are liking it a lot! It's awesome to write up a work and have people love it. My first fan-fic, A Little Ship Lost in Space, is a Mass Effect 3 ending story that simply picks up the pieces that was the ME3 ending and goes from there (indoctrination theory FTW!!!!). The fan-fic itself has 3 chapters and sets me up for other fan-fics. It is my most popular of most viewed of my fan-fics.
My second most popular is Memory Eternal, a fan-fic (that I need to tweak a little) about Thane and his last moments. It won second place in the Retake Mass Effect fiction contest, I was very happy. There are other Mass Effect fan-fictions, but those are the biggest ones.
My newest Mass Effect fan-fic, From the Ashes, picks up immediately after A Little Ship in Space and concerns the reconstruction of Earth, which Shepard gets dragged into. I just posted it today on fanfiction, soon I will get it up on deviant art as well.
Just recently I also went down the Avatar route, submitting No is for Naga, a story about how Korra met and befriended Naga. Although a tiny bit sad, people are loving it!!

My stuff can be found on my profiles on these sites: Fanfiction.net and Deviantart.com. (the links go straight to my profile btw)

Now before I go, there is one last thing I want to go over. I'm going to attempt to change the structure of the blog around a little bit to make it easier to read and more fun (sort of). If you look at the title you can see that two letters, P and U, are bracketed before the actual title. Those are what I will call reference tags, and they denote the subject matter (to a degree) that the post will be going into. So far the reference tags are as follows:

[PP] = Personal post. These posts will be about me, myself, and I. I am shooting for one a week, and anyone who is interested in what's going on in my life can read them!!

[FP] = Feature post. These posts will be anything cool that I find on the web, or to showcase anything awesome that I have done. Look out for these for the cool stuff!

[AN] = Author's note. I used to do my author's notes in the descriptions of all my poems, fan-fics, and art. Since I put the fan-fictions on two sites, I don't want to have to write the author's notes again, plus they take up space and some people don't like to read them at all. That is why I will be moving them all onto the blog, so in the description I can just link them over to here. I also will have the time and space to put in EVERYTHING that I want to say about the piece. The title of the piece will immediately follow this tag, so keep an eye out for these ones.

[EP] = Editorial Post. These posts are ones where I argue my opinion for a certain side, and make an attempt for people actually discussing it on the site (but we will see how that goes).

[IP] = Important Post. Finally, this last post is for anything very important related to the blog or any other announcements. When I have this tag there is something big going on.

I have been debating whether or not to have multiple tags in one post, but we will see how it goes I guess.
Anyway, I have a lot of stuff that I want to put up on the blog, so I'll be busy with that, and of course with fan-fics as well!

NotCras

Back to Mass Effect

I still dont know what happened with the layout, but everything that was in the sidebar was violently thrown to the bottom of the page under the posts... It was weird, and hopefully this new layout won't bother anyone too much. Everything you will need is down at the bottom of the page.

Anyway, time to get to business. Just yesterday I released a new Mass Effect short story. It details one of the origin stories for Shepard. So far people have liked it! If you haven't read it yet, you can find it on fanfiction.net: here, and on deviant art: here. I entered it into the Retake Mass Effect fiction contest, there aren't that many entries (2 including mine) at the moment, but still if there's a chance to showcase my work I will gladly take it. :D

But it doesnt end there. I want to add some explanation of what I did with the piece:

This piece, Shepard: Earthborn War Hero is an attempt to give Shepard some character. I decided to take an origin story of his, since that's really untouched territory, and make it explain some traits that you see in the games. I'll focus on some of the ones I touched on in the story so you can get an idea of what I mean.

The citadel's next big thing

The First Trait is something you can tell from this gif I found: Shepard's dancing. It is a well known fact that he is a horrible dancer and I wanted to add an explanation why.  It's kind of spelled out for you in the story, but he used to be an amazing dancer, even winning a dancing competition with Sam on their shore leave. Shepard even goes into how he learned it: his gang would hold dance fights and rap battles when the other side (or their side) had too many injured.  This is an incredibly stupid reason to be honest, but I added it in as sort of a jab at West Side Story's dance fights. I think it works eh?? Anyway, after Sam died, he lost that free spirit of his, after losing the one thing he cared for.  In fact she was the only thing he cared for, if you just think about it. Shepard left Earth to get away from the gangs and the violence, and he doesn't show any regret. I think this shows that he doesnt really have anyone.  Even at the bar in the beginning, he is all alone, and picks up an incredibly drunk girl.  Later he thinks to himself that he wont bang Sam that night because she was special. In fact he did do it to every other girl, showing that he didn't really make attachments. This is all due to his free spirit. When Sam died, no matter how brief their encounter was, she did show Shepard a different way than what he was accustomed to. That was enough to derail Shepard when she died, forcing him to realize how fragile life is. He became the stiff and workaholic that we all know him for to this day (or at least the way I know him).
Which brings me perfectly to trait two: his obsession with everyone dying on Earth. Again you can see how it all works out with Shepard's promise to Sam as she dies: Not to let any innocent soul die without Shepard giving it his all. Shepard, being a little irrational at the moment (Sam WAS dying...) took it to mean every single innocent being in the galaxy. This could also explain why he doesn't feel for killing everyone that he does, because he rationalized it was keeping his promise to Sam. Furthermore,
His general seriousness is also reflected in this as well.  I remember the scene in Purgatory where James challenges Shepard to buy drinks for the soldiers. Depending on what option you choose, either Shepard will order the drinks and win the hearts of the soldiers, or he'll opt out. I was really taken aback by that one, because it really showed that he was only a legend to others, not a person at all. After seeing what he said for the opting out choice, he really did seem like a dry and serious no-nonsense kind of person. And I made a reason why he was like that.

Finally, I wanted Shepard's romances to be more than what they are in the games. They feel lopsided to me; they are all about how Shepard heals the scars of his Love Interest or something along those lines, and then the LI falls in love with them as a result. Shepard "completes" them in a way, very evident in the OST song "I was lost without you." (which is actually pretty awesome). Shepard can accept their love or not, and yata yata they bang right before the end. But what about Shepard? I wanted that song to be about him as much as it was about the LI. I wanted Shepard to undergo some healing as well, I wanted HIM to be completed by the LI. It gives it a sort of balanced relationship. That's what relationships SHOULD be like anyway right? Plus, there could be some awesome narrative and storytelling magic if that were the case. But its not. I feel that a balanced one that I outlined above would be more fulfilling.
Now I do acknowledge that some people enjoy the relationship that is currently in the games: Shepard is the immovable rock, the one constant in the LI's life that brings about change for the better, I can see that. But for obvious reasons, I like my way better. haha
Something else that I think is that the LI should have a more critical part in Shepard's life, not just staying in their room and wait for the next discussion with Shepard. Maybe after a set number of missions, Shepard is approached by his LI for a discussion about something on their mind or something like that. I think it's definitely doable.
Finally, after all this complaining I want to set something straight: all in all, we cant blame Bioware for this at all. If they gave Shepard some much as a little more back story than he already has, it will take away from the immersion of the player more and more and more. Players just simply wont get as connected to the story as they are now. With some careful planning and fine tuning, I think a game like this can be done, but we cant blame Bioware for not trying either. It's risky business, and they made a pretty awesome game already. It's not like Bioware didn't do anything either, in the end they did give Shepard a big guilt trip, and gave him a trial by fire with indoctrination (which he did or didn't conquer depending on your choices :P). Finally, they gave us the chance, whether they knew it or not, to make our own stories about Shepard like I did. I am making Shepard more of my own by doing this. Bioware's stance on their Mass Effect saga is that nothing is canon. Anyone who wants to accept my story as their own canon, I would be honored. If you don't want to, I totally understand and hope that you make your own story to share with others.

All I wanted was a Shepard that was human. To be human, they have to feel and have reasons for the things that they do, AND they can't do everything on their own.  That is my philosophy at least. I hope you enjoyed my two cents.

Something else I want to mention is that I will be working on my Liara ending chapter two. It will be up soon. Then I will work on Mass Effect: Confirmation part 2 next. Then I'll get more stuff to do!

I shall be off now.

NotCras

What I have done as of late

I have always enjoyed writing, and have a lot of stuff that I have lying around.  Back in High School I fancied myself a poet, which produced some good poems (I'd say at least).  Most of them were whiny and depressing, but whatever that's what teens do. In order to practice my writing I have been trying some writing prompts, mostly making my own, and one of them produced a poem that I was surprised with.  You see what happens in it is sorta-kinda true, I definitely changed things around so it would work, but I am very proud of it, especially since I hadn't don't anything like that in a while.

It occurred to me that maybe I should share my writing stuff on the blog because this is about my brainfarts right? So without further ado, I present to you, my poem... I don't have a name for it.  I feel that this one doesn't need a title because you can tell whats happening Its about a guy that cant get his love, and has to leave because he cant bear the sight of her again.

My ship is at dock,

And I am ready to depart.

I prepare myself for the shock,

That we will forever be apart.

I glance back at the bar that bears your name,

The one I frequented always ordering the same.

Many a man would visit you often,

Some for a drink, and some for a night to stay.

I, a prospective businessman, saved to buy you but then,

A millionaire stood in my way.

In the months that followed,

I still came to your bar.

But I sunk into depression, I became hollowed,

And you were the final reason I needed to go afar.

I write this goodbye not for you but for me,

To cleanse you from my heart eternally…

And so once again I may be happy.

Im very happy with how it came out, but I know its not perfect.  Any suggestions for me??
Also on the note of writing things, I recently put up all my recent stuff that I had written so far on fanfiction.net. Anyway, I have been getting such a good response from people about my Liara ending, in fact someone wanted another chapter.... Now I wasn't planning on one because I wanted to leave it open to the reader, however there were several ideas that I had that I couldn't work into the story without extending it, so I will happily oblige with the plea to extend it.  My confirmation story, the one on the yahg has gotten less views and not really a lot of people are saying anything about it.  Now maybe I just need to wait a little longer, we shall see but it was the one that I put WAAAAY more work into, I just want to see some kind of response.... but o well.  I also had the idea for another ending, but I am torn whether or not I should write it because I had wanted to write one ending and stick with it... But the ideas just keep flowing. DARN IT haha.

In addition, I want to talk a little bit about how the blog is coming along.  A lot of people are checking it out, mostly from the links I post on websites.  I am searching for the right topics to talk about, and for the right audience that will listen to what I have to say (and possibly follow me :P) but I'm working on it.  I enjoy the color scheme and I think that it's turning out well, my posts have become more organized (if you're wondering what it was like before, check the neotokyo post...). Furthermore, I have found a sort of schedule to my blogging, usually around Wednesday Ill send out a post, and possibly on the weekends I like the prospect of a sort of post schedule, but hear this I will not adhere to it at all.  This blog is about whatever is on my mind, and well you cant put your mind on a schedule. xD
I have been very active on the forums for Mass Effect 3.  I have forsaken BSN and instead gone on to a small but awesome forum, the Theorycrafting forums. The people on there are awesome, they will listen to you, AND no flame wars.  Its what the admin set out to do, make a BSN type of environment WITH NO FLAMING. I love it, we actually have to use facts and whatnot in our arguments. Here it is, use it well: Theorycrafting!!

How are you going to get down??

My final point of this blog post is one of bittersweet sadness.  I had wanted to hold off watching the early Legend of Korra premiere until I had finished watching the whole Avatar the Last Airbender series. But now the premiere is off the interwebs. And now for an Avatar rant: The series was perfect, and it reminded me why its my favorite television show.  Much like Mass Effect, it made you feel for the characters, but it also made you feel for the world.  Some of the philosophy discussed in the show is true no matter what religion you are, and the show is full of superb writing. The music is also to die for, in the Sozin's comet special, o gosh it was so perfect.  Zuko asking forgiveness to his Uncle Iroh was one of the best scenes in television, I was on the verge of tears (which for me is the equivalent of crying).  Just the whole character of Zuko is perfect, I loved his character development, making him my favorite character.  The others are awesome too, and they only lose to Zuko by a very small margin, but nonetheless he is my favorite character... Man I feel like such a traitor to the others by saying that.  I'M SORRY :(.  The ending scenes, first the coronation and second at the tea shop, are perfect as well, the music spot on and it just made you smile. After it was over, I was silent relishing the moment, not wanting to leave... but it was around 130 in the morning so I needed to sleep.  Later I was actually moved to meditate, which in itself was an experience Ill touch on later.

EDIT: Well I guess I was wrong. I found the two episodes online still! First episode is here, while the second one is here.  For the first episode I ended using one of the mirrors instead of the standard player, the one called Putlocker. I used the 3rd mirror for the second episode.
More on The Legend of Korra on the official website here!

I guess after having seen the episodes I'll give my spiel on them.They really remind me of Avatar the Last Airbender, but its also totally different. They really did a good job finding a way to make each series unique. (Small spoiler alert go to next paragraph if you dont want to see them) I feel that the show will not just be about Korra, instead it will also focus on Tenzin. It seems that they both will learn from each other. Before I get into the spoilers more, I absolutely loved the troll that the creators gave.  In the end of Avatar, it is assumed that Zuko found out where his mother was.  However we don't know what happened. Katara is just about to answer that very question when she is interrupted... and she doesn't go back to it. Bah Humbug!

I can teach you to be bad-ass and awesome Korra.

Anyway, my initial impressions on the series without any more spoilers is that its going to be one heck of a ride.  I dont know if it has the potential to be better than Aang's adventure, but it will be awesome nonetheless.  The cameos serve as nods to the former series, however that is all.  Everything else is new, for better or for worse, and I look forward for more of the series. And I also look forward to seeing Aang as an Avatar spirit. If he's anything like this fan art here, I cant wait. I cant wait to see what bad-ass remarks he'll have too. Anyway, this is the next thing to look forward to, for me at least!

But I have to get some things done right now instead of being distracted here. xD

NotCras

Confirmation

Well so I told you guys, something was on its way!! and I proudly present, Mass Effect: Confirmation!! Its initially about a squad's struggle to confirm that the yahg are evil to the asari in order to get them to act. However there are a few things that might also be confirmed in this story... read and wait for part two in order to find out!! Anyhoo, here is the codex that i promised. It's pretty basic at the moment, so if there's anything else you would like me to add, just comment away and I shall add it! The story is found here, if you've lost the link. xD


Codex

Setting----------
The story takes place in the year 2258. It is about 70 years after the War of Existence.  The story takes place on a planet of unknown name (still figuring out where Parnack itself is exactly...). It features the struggle against the yahg who have discovered advanced technology.


The War of Existence----------
A galactic scale war consisting of all advanced civilized races against the Reapers, synthetic beings intent on harvesting advanced life every 50,000 years.  The war was in favor of the Reapers until legendary hero Commander Shepard of the Human Alliance brought together every race and faced the Reapers at the human homeworld of Earth. In addition to this combined force, the combined galactic races constructed a massive super weapon called the Crucible. Using the citadel as a catalyst, the crucible destroyed the Reapers once activated by Shepard. (Note: I'm leaving this in general form because what if Bioware comes up with something good, I don't want to conflict with that). Having survived the battle and the war, Commander Shepard called for the destruction of all Reaper forms, save for some small pieces that were preserved for study. Scientists have begun decrypting Reaper memory banks, mostly from the Reaper known as Harbinger.  Nothing has been discovered yet due to the complexity of the encryptions.

Yahg----------
The yahg are a sentient race of towering humanoids native to the world of Parnack, known for their violent and aggressive nature. Consummate predators, the yahg possess unrivaled perceptiveness and mental adaptability. Discovered by the Citadel Council in 2125 CE, the yahg were unceremoniously barred from interaction with Citadel space after massacring the Council's delegation. A Quarantine Flotilla was established to make sure that they were kept in check. (taken from the Mass Effect wiki)
During the absence of the Quarantine Flotilla during the War of Existence, the yahg constructed a massive array of defense satellites around Parnack. When the Quarantine Flotilla returned after the war, the satellites attacked them, sending a cruiser and several fighters to the planet surface.
A year later, the yahg demonstrated a mastery of ship building and advanced technology, both taken from the downed ships, by destroying the Quarantine Flotilla with an armada of their own.  They quickly captured the surrounding systems, but were stopped at the relay by Council forces. 

Yahg society is built around a pack mentality. A group of yahg will not cooperate until a single leader has attained dominance through either social maneuvering or brute force. Once the leader is established, the defeated yahg do not hold a grudge and former rivals serve their new superior loyally. (taken from the Mass Effect wiki)


Reactions to the Yahg----------
The Council was divided on what to do with the yahg.  The turian and salarian councilors called for the eradication of the yahg.  The human councilor called to leave the yahg be in their systems, thereby not provoking them to any further aggression. The asari councilor would not decide anything until she knew that the yahg weren't different since their first encounter.  She reasoned that they were lifeforms just like they were and deserved the respect that any advanced civilization would get.  Unless convinced of their savage nature, the yahg are developing just how the humans did.


Militarily, turian and krogan fleets mostly compromise the Council forces defending the relays from the yahg attacks. The krogan especially feel that they need to prove themselves better than the yahg, due to the superiority of the yahg. Krogan also want to show the galaxy that following the War of Existence they have changed and are not the purposeless mercenaries they once were.