Friday, November 29, 2013

Game Over



   Last weekend was a typical weekend for me, but may be unusual to others. I do not have much of a social life, which may be sad to say, but I enjoyed my days off all the same. Something that I like to spend my free time doing, is watching videos on YouTube. My favorite videos are made by a company called Achievement Hunter, a company affiliated with Rooster Teeth. The Achievement Hunter videos are of a group of men that play video games. Yes, it may sound like these people are "a bunch of losers" because they spend the majority of their time with a controller in their hands. However, they are very successful and so much more than a bunch of gamers.


   A few weeks ago, Achievement Hunter produced the Extra Life event, a twenty five hour live stream to raise money for charity. They ended up raising over eighty thousand dollars! After reaching a certain amount of donations, they would complete a certain challenge. For example, Michael ate twelve lava cakes and shaved his head. This would not be the first time that they have done something like this. Rooster Teeth also holds a huge, annual convention. This convention, RTX, only began a few years ago, but attracts many people and has been growing dramatically. The people of Achievement Hunter, interact with their fans, face to face, during this time.

   One thing that these grown men have taught me, is that this notion of a depressing, boring adulthood is nothing more than a misconception. They are actual, living proof that dreams can come true, when there is effort put into them. They show that it is possible to be a child at heart, yet lead a serious lifestyle. I have also learned that individuals from different places, ethnicities, and cultures, can become best friends, who act like family, and make a difference. This small group of people, hold an incredible amount of influence on me. It is my dream to be like them someday.

                                                      
                                                                     The Achievement Hunter logo

                                 
                                          From left to right: Ray, Gavin, Jack, Geoff, Ryan, Caleb, Michael, Lindsay
                                         
                                                    From left to right:
                                             Top: Ryan, Gavin, Geoff (pronounced like Jeff), Jack, Caleb
                                                            Bottom: Lindsay, Ray, Michael















  
  Michael "Rage Quit" Jones a.k.a my husband (even though he is getting married to Lindsay, on my birthday.)
           
                   
                                                   Gavin (I love him so much! He's British and has a big nose.)

                                                                                                                 
              Ray (He is adorable.)        

       
                        Together, Ray, Gavin, and Michael, are known as Team Lads.

Gavin and Ray, as their alter egos (Vav and X-Ray)

Michael, after he shaved his head for the kids!




          



Friday, November 22, 2013

Die For You

I am willing to fight for the music that I devote my life to. I would not only fight for my right to listen to it, but I will defend those who create the music, as well. I know that these people fight for their fans by working hard to make the music and go out of their way to help us, when we need them. It is not only the bands that save the fans. The fans save the bands too. There are many stories, that I have heard, of the musicians being positively affected by their admirers. They say that we are their inspiration. The saying, “We would not be here, if it was not for our fans,” is cliché, However, when many artists say that, they are truthful. I am proud to call myself a believer in these men because they influence my every thought, and they have changed my life. We give them a reason to fight, along with the will to live.

Friday, November 15, 2013

Somewhere In Neverland

If I could be something for a day, I would be a pirate. I would be a pirate, so that I could live in Neverland. As a pirate of Neverland, I would go on many adventures and experience many things. I would sail the seas with Captain Hook and his men or maybe take a swim with the mermaids. Our crew would fight the Lost Boys, led by "the all mighty" Peter Pan. Upon fighting our enemy, I begin to realize that Pan might not be the guy I was taught to despise. As I get distracted by the boy in the green outfit, I decide that being a pirate is not the life that I want to live. I stop fighting and drop my sword. Then, I run to the corner of the ship, and, shortly after, one of the Lost Boys comes over to battle me. I surrender and explain to him that I do not wish to be a pirate anymore. I ask if I could live with Peter Pan and the rest of the Lost Boys. He says that I will have to take it up with the Pan himself. The boy, dressed as some sort of animal, takes me back to the island, after I swear that I am no longer one of Hook's men. When the other's return, they seem quite confused as to why I was there. All of the commotion causes Peter Pan to come over, and he saw me. At first, Peter was very concerned ast to why I was there,and he got really angry. The boy, who took me to the island, explained to Peter that I was safe and the reason why I was there. There was a gleam in Peter's eyes, and I could see the hint of a smile forming on his face. While living on the island, Peter figures out how much he loves me, and we get married. We get to spend the rest of our long lives together, never growing old. We go on many journies together and experience many new things. I soon realize that I made the right decision to leave the pirate crew, to spend my life with my true love.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Desfile de Moda

Our Spanish fashion show! We look ridiculous, but we are cute. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hnIyWaou9Q

Friday, November 8, 2013

Save Rock & Roll

   Music is a huge part of my life. Music impacts my thoughts and emotions, so it has the ability to change the course of my day. I have heard many people say that they believe that the type of music I listen to has a horrible influence on me because the songs are just about self-hatred and suicide. However, it is the exact opposite. When the bands that I admire write songs, they aim to help and save a person. The meaning and effect these songs have on people is unbelievable.

   I can relate to each and every lyric that reaches my ears because there are more people that go through similar situations. No matter what the situation is, rather it be stress or depression, there is always at least one song that will help me overcome my plight. That is why I need music to survive.