Where to begin?

I regret that I can't offer an apology for not frequently updating the blog. Instead, I ask for a small portion of your time for me to explain myself and why things are beginning to change.

For the last few weeks or so, I've been languishing in the summer, doing whatever I felt like doing (well, other than going to work). I learned the hard way that I should've updated my parents about my job aspirations. For the sake of things, I cannot disclose these matters here. Yet, my parents told me that sitting around and waiting wasn't the solution. That meant getting out of my comfort zone. So here I am, putting together a resume and cover letter for a possible internship. Atop that, I'm assisting at my current job at planning an event. I have to do things that require me to take some serious risks.

But if things transpire differently, I may have to find another job. I hate to do that, but I desire to move out into the world on my own. This won't happen unless I do something, whether it is push for a promotion at my current job or seek employment elsewhere. To most, what I'm going through sounds like nothing. I always prided myself in being able to handle change. But I lied to myself, sort of. I could handle change, as long as it didn't push me past my comfort zone. I've played safe for far too long. I ain't living. No, don't expect me to go do daring things, like skydiving or herding hippos. I need to start moving forward, going out there to do what I need to do. I have few major lifelong goals, but one of them still holds true: become a writer and make enough to live off of it. While the goal is unlikely, I need to try.

~

Things are going to be different around here. I have decided to do something that I had never done for this poor blog: post on a regular schedule. Starting at the beginning of August, I will post something every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I don't know what, but it will be something. It won't be apologies for sporadic postings and lack of novel updates.

Oh, the novel... it seems that I've stopped. I may have to make a serious decision with Invisible. Maybe I was wrong in thinking it was this story's time to shine. It may need to "sleep" for a bit longer. That or I have to break for the rest of the month and re-gather my senses. There is a part deep in me that wants it tackled, most of it down on bytes and Word documents.

I'm gonna rely less on platitudes and more on kaboom. Kaboom is action; in a word that has the risk of drawing out the meaning in favor of a few giggles.

To those who ask, I am fine, thank you.

I think the alarm clock just went off and hit me hard on the head for good measure.

A "so far..." review of "Silent Hill: Shattered Memories"

*WARNING - HERE BE SOME SPOILERS*

Well, I knew I had to prepare myself for disappointment, given I already disagreed with it being a remake and the Otherworld turning into Icy Winter Wonderland. But, wow, y'all. So far, it's just bites.

The controls are wonky, especially the door opening buttons. Whose genius idea was it to have one press the X button repeatedly? I'm glad I could use the left control stick to push it open, otherwise I would have a sore right thumb! (Yes, the Silent Hill series, along with many survival horror titles, have a history of bad controls; but those are easier compared to the ones in this game, trust me...) But seriously, one button should do the trick.

The lack of combat is a joke. Oh, I apologize. Apparently throwing flares or pushing down random bookshelves is the best you can do. If I was put into a similar situation (what a world it would be if that were the case...) I would kick more ass than Harry did. And I'd do it with a 2x4 with a nail at the end of it.

Running around aimlessly (oh wait, your helpful GPS-capable iPhone rip-off leaves a blue trail just in case you get turned around) is your only option! Don't forget to zigzag. No need though, since when you explore the town, there are no monsters! And the monsters are ALL THE SAME when you get to the Otherworld in the Fridge.

Don't even get me started on the story. In all its madness, it is weird for the sake of weird. The scares are almost nonexistent, unless you're real jumpy by nature. Everybody is being thrown in there without explanation, connections made in seconds. I mean, most of the females end up calling Harry which leads me to ask "how in the world did they get his number?!" No scene establishes this.

The camera-detecting-random-spirits thing is a ripoff from Fatal Frame. Wow, y'all who made this game. Really? You had to plagiarize (no, they didn't borrow it) an awesome aspect of a lesser-known series in order to bring something new to the series? No other word for this than: FAIL.

~

Now, there are some good things. Calling the numbers and hearing the messages is the only good thing so far.

Making John Wyndham the founder of Midwich High was effing funny and appealed to the lit geek in me.

Yeah, pretty much it.

~

Y'all want to play the original Silent Hill? Just call me and borrow my copy. Or, if in the very likely chance that you don't know me and can't borrow it, ask your hardcore gamer friend or just buy it off of eBay. Do anything but buy this game. If you do, you're getting a neutered, borderline plagiarizing, sanitized, high-school-drama-havin', nonsensical, weird-for-the-sake-of-weird retelling of a classic horror video game.

*exhales* Now, if y'all excuse me... I have some things to do. Like schoolwork, internship stuff, and chilling the hell down.

Expect a final review soon...