Something a Bit Different

I remember when I was twelve, my father and I had just ended Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. I was seated at my father’s feet while he sat in his chair, watching the final credit roll.  My father asked me to stand up so we could talk.

“Son,” he began, holding my shoulders.  “ I need to educate you about this world we live in.”

I had taken history throughout school, and I could almost predict what he was going to tell me about the Infection.  I believe he was the most informative on the subject, having survived it himself, and being head to the town Watch.

“You know what walkers are, don’t you son?”

I nodded my head furiously.  Biters, walkers, zombies, undead, it didn't matter what you called them.

“They taught us in school, Dad,” I replied.

“Good, what did they say about them?”

“That walkers eat people.  And they will chase us no matter where we go,”

That’s right, son.  A walker never gets tired.  You can run all you want, but they can and will catch you,”

I looked at my father.

“Now, when you see a walker, what do they say for you to do in school?”

“Go find a responsible adult!” I said, proud of my education.

My smile vanished when my father looked at me.

“How old are you, son?” he asked.

“Dad, you know my birthday is next week…”

“How about an early birthday present then?” he stood up.  “Come on,”

I followed him upstairs in our split-level home.  I was told to stop outside my parent’s room, and my father went in.  When he came back out, he was holding a small box.

“You will need to learn how to defend yourself in this world we now live in,” he said.  “And despite what some people may say about kids not being able to defend themselves, you can.  You can kill a walker,”

I looked up at him when he said this.  The box slipped from my hands, the top coming off when it hit the carpeted floor.  I stooped to pick it up, and between the lid and box was a folded knife.  Its silver blade was just visible above the bronze finish of the handle.  I picked everything up, staring at the blade.

“That’s yours son,” my dad said to me, taking the wrapping from my hands.  “I’m going to teach you how to use it.  Because when you’re old enough you’ll have to defend yourself,”

I’m nineteen now, and went off to university.  During high school I joined the Watch alongside my father when I was seventeen.  I killed my first walker with the knife at fifteen.  And I still have the knife.

My dad unloaded the last duffel bag from the SUV on move-in day.  My mother stood by the car with my younger brother and sister, the twins.  After my dad handed me the last bag, She hugged me.

“I’ll be fine, Mom,” I said into her ear.

“Make sure you call us every Sunday,” she said.

I gave my siblings hugs, reassuring them I would be back home soon.  While the rest of the family loaded up in the car, my dad looked at me.

“Do you have everything?” he asked.

“Yep,”

“Knife?”

I instinctively patted my pocket.

“Yessir,”

“Okay son.  Do well,” he embraced me in loving arms.  “Do what you have to,”

I am reflecting upon this now, at my fourth year on campus.  I was still used to walking around at night, patrolling a perimeter around the dorm.  The Watch here was good, but some habits had yet to quit out on me.  When my mind was at ease, I turned back to the residence hall.  It was on the way when I saw something strange a figure other than myself was walking in the yard.  His walk was staggered, jerking right and left.  As it was a week day, I decided it wasn't a drunken student.

My mind clicked after my body swung into action.  My knife was already drawn and ready.  The steel glinted in the moonlight.  The walker moaned, sensing the growing tension in the air.  The sound was low and horrible, making chills run down your spine.  I was going towards it, running towards it.  At fifty yards it spotted me.  I could smell him now.  Dead, rotting flesh.  Ten yards and one could see the black, bloody bile had run down its shirt, shining like my blade.  My body was on autopilot, after some years of experience.  One yard, reaching distance.

My pace didn't slow s thee zombie swung at me with both arms.  I easily ducked them, coming behind the zombie.  I grabbed its hair, jerking its head back and jabbing upwards with the blade.  My knife went into the base of its skull.  The strike wasn't perfect, but the soft cranial bone gave way easily enough, embedding the entire blade in the back of its head.

There was gurgling, then nothing.  I was alone again.  As I removed my blade I checked to see if the walker had landed a lucky shot on me.  Nothing.  My clothes were officially ruined.  But there was nothing I could do about that now.  Maybe a shower.

Lucky Number Ten

So I believe I saw the funniest thing on Monday.  At my university, a four-lane road separates the main part of campus from the rec center, a few other academic buildings, and the soccer and baseball fields.  There is a single light to stop traffic and let students, and/or staff, cross the road.  This stop is equipped with the pedestrian walkway, walking man and high-five hand, and the buttons that will stop cars.  Further down the road, there are intersections that stop traffic normally.  I bring this up because the pedestrian intersection receives little to no vehicular traffic because of the efficiency of the other lights.

To put this into perspective, if I was to cross this street at noon in the middle of the week, I would have to press the cross button to stop traffic.  This process takes five minutes, no matter how many vehicles pass by.  Zero cars, five minutes.  Two cars, five minutes.  It is a malfunctioning unit.  In the interest of getting to class, working out, or to a ball game, students treat the intersection as no cars, no worries.  This is technically classified as jaywalking.  But when there are no vehicles coming in either direction and your five minutes away from class, who is going to wait for the light?

So back to Monday.  After leaving the student center with a friend, we preceded to wards this infamous intersection to get to class across the street.  On our walk, I noticed a police officer at the entrance to the rec center’s parking lot.  The officer himself had dismounted his vehicle and was waiting at the entrance, watching the intersection.

DANGER WILL ROBINSON, DANGER!!!!!

No doubt this guy was waiting for some kids to jaywalk across the street.  The group already waiting at the crosswalk, roughly ten to fifteen students, decided to cross, not waiting for the pedestrian light to guide them.  I stopped at the crossing myself, watching as the officer pulled the crossing group off the sidewalk.  I crossed after waiting for the cross signal (Good boy!), and passed by the “misdemeanor” group.  Now, I didn’t stop to listen, but the officer and one of the students were about to enter a heated debate over the faulty crossing.  I have seen worse jaywalking than what is experienced on campus, and I can say that some of the worst was by the locals around campus.  Why doesn't this supercop, who seemed to have little to do this day, go and get the rest of the unfair people of the town?  I mean, the students did not bolt across traffic, they waited for the entire road to be clear.  They also didn't walk haphazardly into the road, they used the designated crosswalk.  Can’t we get a bit of a break here?
Please give me your opinion of this matter.  Comments are completely open either on this page or on my Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Legoboy347.

“There’s an attitude in the culture that says that everybody is entitled to their opinion, and you’ve got to respect their opinion.  No you damn well haven’t got to respect their opinion!”
– British evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins.

Until next time.

Another Weekend

I'm getting bad at posting in a timely matter, aren't I?  Welcome back, my friends.  The other day on YouTube I watched a video entitled The Great Debate: The Storytelling of Science.  This talk included Bill Nye (the science guy!!!), Neil deGrasse Tyson, biologist Richard Dawkins, physicist Brian Greene, Science Friday's Ira Flatow, science fiction writer Neal Stephenson, director of the World Science Festival in NYC Tracy Day, and Origins Project director Lawrence Krauss.  The talk, broken into two parts, first describes each person's own experiences with science, then is a Q & A session with the entire group.  I have to say that both videos are great entertainment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J4QPz52Sfo&list=FLh0kma3gxC4Rqi_YS4EPygg&index=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40YIIaF1qiw

Earlier this week, I posted on my new Facebook page a question of what you wanted me to answer.  I have some answers formulated.

1.) Interstellar communications and its effects on the space/time continuum.
All I can say about this is watch Star Trek or talk to Neil deGrasse Tyson.  Otherwise I've got little to say about this. Lol.

2.) Food, including Grandma's cookies.
Food is always good.  Especially bacon.  And Grandma's cookies.  Grandma's cookies are always the best. plus, when you're eating them in front of your roommate and he watches with jealousy.  Then when you give him one its like a kid at the fun center.  the pure joy of a single cookie.  Thanks Grandma!

3.) The Magic Kingdom.
Disney is pretty much the most magical place in the known universe, isn't it?  There is so much to do there, and all done with the best efficiency around.  Too bad other things can't be run with the same efficiency.  But it is magical.  Everything is proportional, like Downtown Disney, which is made to look very long at the entrance.  Once you leave the same way, the distance looks shorter so no patrons notice the difference.  Just one engineering marvel at the Magic Kingdom.

So there it is folks.  I hope you have enjoyed what I have been posting.  Please keep commenting, and if you have a Facebook account, like The Chronicles of Legoboy on Facebook!

Until next time.

How the Facebook News Affects Me

So I was on Facebook today, doing the usual check, and I saw a lot of posts about the Boston Marathon bombings.  I believe everyone had some sort of reference, especially my friends on the track team.  After about the fourth post with a link in the description to take me to a news site to watch "breaking" news updates on what the FBI is doing to find the perpetrators, I was getting pretty sick of seeing the same things over and over again.  My heart goes out to the people who were in the calamity, don't get me wrong.  But there is a line one must draw on what to do or say in a situation like this.  If your only response is "Remember those in the Boston Marathon", then post something else.  A few million people just like you have already said that, plus any news program on television or the Internet is shoving it down our throats.  I've seen a few posts on people saying we have to do something, but what can we do?  The FBI and all the other agencies in the US are working on this problem.  When we find out who provoked this tragedy, then we can act.

Watching the news on the bombing has stirred up something inside of me as well.  We have brought the conflicts we are fighting home to us.  It looked like a complete war zone in pictures and videos of the bombings.  I can't help but to think of the same scene playing out at the university or back home.  I think it just goes to show that we as Americans are not immune to the conflicts we engage in.  Anything can happen, any time, any place, any where.

I realize my first thoughts make me sound like a complete ass, but they are still my opinions.  Comment and let me know what you think.

Until next time.

What I Have Learned in a Year of College Life

                So after being in college for a year, I have found some pretty important tools and ideas to surviving the dreaded first year.  I’m not an expert, but I have gained some insightful knowledge to pass on to those who have had difficulty and next semester’s freshman class.

1.)    Yes, it is going to be hard.  It’s not high school anymore.  Universities are supposed to prepare you for the real-world environment.  That means professors will challenge how and what you think. 

2.)    Be open-minded.  Universities are a huge melting pot of people, bringing in different ethnicities, cultures, and religious ideas to one place.  A quarter of the student population are freshmen, so you are not alone.  Everyone will have their own opinions, but don’t disregard them.  The different points of view shape how you see the Big Picture.  Stand by your own opinions, and become more knowledgeable with it.

3.)    It’s NOT Animal House.  I will be honest and say that there is drinking on campus, but don’t think John Belushi is going to be having a toga party at his house every week.  University students are cheap, so be prepared to pay to bring your own drinks or to even get into the Freshman House.  It is also okay not to drink.  I don’t drink at all, and many people who have invited me out to party have supported my decision.  But the choice is yours.

4.)    Have FUN!  You’re on campus and you can’t find anything to do?  You’re doing it wrong.  RA’s and student organizations always have something going on to break up the mundane study, eat sleep routine.  Whether you fly solo or with a group of friends, you can find ways to enhance the college experience.

5.)    Make NEW friends (and keep the old ones).  So your roommate is your friend from high school.  He could be a cool guy in school, but when you find out that they don’t clean up the ramen from a month ago, avoid the roommate-is-my-best-friend experience.  Other people on campus are in the same boat, and have their own stories and jokes to tell.  Diversifying the people you know is a great way to expand a network of relationships.  But don’t throw away those close friends from high school.  Those friends are who you base friendships on, no matter how crazy or obscure.

6.)    Be yourself.  Some people see college as a time to reinvent themselves.  I think it would be more of a hassle to balance old and new personalities amongst the insane pace of college life.  Relaxing and letting people see the true you is the best way make friends.  I underwent a small “rebirth” in my personality, making myself more presentable and mature to match the new world I immersed myself in.

So that’s what I have gained socially in university.  I have liked the input from many of you, so please continue commenting.  Spread the word.  I also have created a Facebook page for you to follow whenever I make a new post.  Thanks for the support.

Until next time.

I'm Here, Don't Worry

Its another great end to the week!  Yes, I know I have not posted in a while, but do not fret! I'm back!!!  I've been busy with school work, and I finally have a break to post to you, the readers.  A few more weeks of school and then my summer begins.  And my summer job.
So onward.  North Korea, what a topic of discussion.  The country has been more of a pain in the ass than a bee sting in my opinion.  Kim Jong-un is the world's youngest leader, and he is acting like it.  I think of him as the kid who just got the Xbox 360, while everyone else has been playing it since the game system came out 2005.  Welcome to the nuclear age, Kim.  How are the rest of your subjects doing?
Now, I have heard some people say that if  North Korea launches an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), we will respond with our own nuclear strike.  Really? In response to a missile that has a range to Guam (furthest speculated range), we are going to turn the country into a radioactive parking lot?  If you think that is a great idea, I want to see if you can push the button, you ignorant bastards.
Okay, so even though the PRK has nuclear capabilities, I don't think they will do anything as drastic as launching one.  There is nothing that says "I'm insane," than launching nuclear warheads aimlessly around the Earth.  Shit, did the U.S. and Soviet Union do that all during the Cold War?  But now with another nuclear power on the rise, we have a ticking time bomb situation.  Is there going to be a war?  Maybe.  Can we prevent it?  Definitely.
Remember that these are my opinions, and if you disagree don't bash me.  State what you believe below.  I encourage discussion, but I will regulate what is said.  Be respectful and be open to other's opinions.
As you readers may have noticed, I am trying to give you a better picture of who I am, what I like, and so on.  So I want you to ask me some questions, anything really.  Please avoid anything really personal, like my name, where I live, stuff like that.  I thank you all for the support, and ask for you to please keep spreading the word.

Until next time.

Thoughts and Influences

So my experiences over the past few days have all accumulated to this post of rambles. First, the use of elevators. They are all great and convenient, but why do people take them only a floor or two up? Seriously, I have been in two elevators where able-bodied, college women have taken the elevator one freaking floor I don't understand why they cannot take the stairs. I think elevators should be used if you're elderly or with a lot of packages/luggage. Otherwise the lift is off limits.
So enough about elevators, and on to other topics. Like how spiders scare the shit out of me. Or how electrochemistry is a bunch of half reactions of oxidation and reduction of atoms. Or even how I think about things and sometimes cannot put them into words. Now I am seriously rambling.
How about influences on my writing style? I read a lot of books as a child. I believe I started reading when I was about two years old. But anyway, my tastes have refined themselves into political thrillers, action thrillers, comedies, and science fiction. My favorite books from each of those genres are as follows: The Bear and the Dragon by Tom Clancy; any of the Sean Dillon books by Jack Higgins; the Stephanie Plum adventures by Janet Evanovich; and the Star Wars Republic Commando series by Karen Traviss. Tom Clancy and Jack Higgins have been huge influences on my writing styles, as well as Robert Ludlum (the Bourne series), and Max Brooks, author of World War Z. Brooks was a large influence on the dialogue aspect of writing, like interviews and first-person accounts told through stories.
I hope you liked this little, or should I say long post. Please comment below, and if you have a google+ profile, let me know. I know I post notices on Facebook for my new material, but there is no way for the readers from Facebook to follow the blog. Again, please comment and let me know how I am doing.

Until next time.

Ben Affleck and Argo: an Academy Award Winner made in Heaven

So I saw the Academy Award winning film Argo last night on campus, and I am completely impressed.  Ben Affleck directed a stellar cast and screen play that could not be told any better.  Based on the true story of the CIA mission to extract U.S. embassy workers from Iran during the Iranian hostage crisis, this film puts you right on the edge of your seat.  There is no stopping the suspense and action in this dramatic flick either, right up until the very end.  I could feel the tension in the theater as the danger mounted for the characters, but release with the film's climax.  This film cannot be missed, so go rent it, buy it, or watch it online.  But just remember the last one is probably going to be illegal.

Until next time

It's a Stylish Way to End the Week

 So yesterday was Fancy Friday, the one day a week I dress up in business casual or better.  It is a great way to become more relaxed in "dress-up" attire for interviews, jobs, and more.  I find it is another way I set myself apart from the rest of my peers at university.  I really like dressing up a bit.  I feel like a famous movie star.  Here are some guys I want to emulate when I dress up.

 1.) English-born Cary Grant lost his accent and created his own before becoming a Hollywood star.  He did every role imaginable, from drama to comedy.  With an easy smile, sparkling eyes, and a personality like no other, he wooed audiences from the 1930's until the 1960's.  His clothes reflected his personality, easy going and yet charismatic.  Not every outfit needed a tie, such as the one above, to be classy.  Just remember that when you go digging around your drawers for the only one that matches.

2.) The King of Cool, Steve McQueen dominated many films after Cary Grant.  His most popular and recognizable role was from Bullitt (1968).  Bad-ass detective Bullitt of the San Francisco PD wears a turtle neck with a shoulder holster, then does an epic car chase between two muscle cars around the hills of San Fran.  All with a "Screw you Police Chief Bob" attitude (I don't know the actual guy's name, okay?).

3.) His name is Craig.  Daniel Craig.  The newest James Bond actor really was strutting everything in Skyfall last fall.  No matter where in the world he is, or what he is doing, Bond looks good beating up baddies and their villainous bosses.  Craig does do some of his own stunts in the movie, while wearing the suit.  But when you fix your sleeves after jumping from an excavator into a train, instant amazing.

So there are some of my influences of style.  There are many more, but it would take me a few weeks to get them all here.  If you want more tips on male style, check out the Art of Manliness website.  I'm happy that so many people have hit up this site already, so spread the word.  I welcome everyone who will follow my progress.

Until next time.

Superheroes, Starship Captains, and Soldiers: Three media launches I am excited to see in 2013

So I am really excited for a few new movies and a killer game.  Like overly excited.  First off, I like to highlight the movies I want to see this summer.  J.J. Abrams, director of Super 8 and the new Star Trek-parrallel universe franchise, is coming out with a sequel with Star Trek: Into Darkness.  This movie looks very good.  The plot is summarized up as a terrorist, former Star Fleet employee of the month with no known name, has a grudge with Star Fleet.  Captain Kirk (played by Chris Pine) and his crew have to catch the bad guy and take care of him.  This new installment looks like your standard try to find and catch the bad guy affair, but now that the cast's back story has been explain (watch the first one!!!) we can get right down to some space ass-kicking.  I have a feeling that J.J. Abrams does have some tricks up his sleeves, and lens flare... lots of lens flare.
Check out the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhz4A5BCMAA

Next on my list is Iron Man 3.  There has been a lot of hints and trailers about this movie, but it looks very fresh and well-made.  Set after the events of The Avengers, last year's summer blockbuster, Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) is dealing with a lot of things, especially a terrorist named the Mandarin.  This baddie is based on one of Iron Man's villains in the comic series.  But it looks like Iron Man has some new gadgets and suits.  Lots of suits.
I am slightly disappointed that the Mandarin doesn't seem to have his mystic powers.  In the comics, this villain wears magic-infused rings that are used in battles against our hero.  Thank you Stan Lee for highlighting the religion versus technology battle.
So here is the trailer.  Ignore the release date, because this is the UK version (US is going to be 5/3): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke1Y3P9D0Bc

My final exciting media is the release of Battlefield 4 this fall.  EA and DICE, the two developers of the game, released a 17-minute single player gameplay video last week, and all I can say is "OH MY...".  There is a noticeable change between Battlefield 4 and its predecessor, which was released 2 years ago.  The gameplay is smooth, images sharp.  I cannot find one thing to say that is negative about the new game based on this video alone.  Maybe when more information is released we will have a clue as to what the game will contain.  Reviews by Youtube gamers, like Levelcap and FRANKIEonPC, are getting giddy over it.  Large changes I have noticed include a toned-down sun (BF3 had a blinding one...) and a tweak in the Suppression effect.  But I will talk about those things in another post.  From the video I can draw it is going to be US Marines (evidence by the Bell Huey helicoptor) and the good old Russkies...  Can't game developers find a better bad guy to shoot at besides Russians or terrorists? Maybe the North Koreans...
Anyway, follow this link and draw your own conclusions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8HVQXkeU8U

Welcome

I just want to start this blog with an introduction to myself, what this blog is about, and some other "administrative" items that comes with the territory.  I am Legoboy, a college student watching his first year come to a miraculous close at university.  I admit I like college a lot, but don't think of this as another "I'm gonna bitch at everything" type blog.  Instead, I want to review many of my interests.  These include videogames, movies, books, anything related to science fiction (seeing a trend?), and some social commentary.  And I can see what else you may be thinking: Am I that guy in the dorm that stays in his room and plays videogames all day?  I can assure you I am not.  I am not the hardcore gamer who just plays games, uploads videos and his commentary to Youtube.  I just play games and have fun with my friends.    I do like a variety of things, so posts may jump from interest to interest.  I only mean to reflect and maybe educate those who will read this.  So bear with me.

Now on to other things.  My name is strange for a college student, don't you think?  I have been stuck with it since I got my Xbox a few years ago.  In need of a gamertag, I summed up my own interests, and threw a bunch of things together.  Eventually I landed on Legoboy.  My friends, being themselves, questioned my choice.  And henceforth the name stuck.  It has been shortened a few times to Lego in the heat of games such as Call of Duty and Battlefield franchises, but now is not the time for that discussion.  So the name Legoboy stuck.

When I went to college, I went with no one I knew from my area or class.  I was called by my first name again.  Unfortunately that soon changed as well.  My room is adjacent to another room with an Andrew, and his room was adjacent to another Andrew.  I also know another three or four (can't remember now...) Andrews across campus.  I honestly never have known so many Andrews before in my life.  Now I just introduce myself and request to people that I go by my last name.

So there you have it.  A little commentary, a little history, and I hope you become intrigued to read some more.  Comments are welcome, but do not be ignorant or rude.

Until next time.