Gaming Guardsman

Boiling Down

2011-12-21T13:03:00.000-08:00

My life has changed in ways the past few months I could never have expected. I moved home, found work, met new and old friends, and learned so much about myself. As the year comes to a close, I take a look back on it and see how bad of a state I was really in and how I came out of it.

Leaving was incredibly hard, but at the same time necessary. I prefer not to dwell on the rough times before that, but not all those times were bad. It's a time in my life that, for now, I've had to put behind myself, but I am sure it will become easier and easier to talk about it in the future. In the meantime though I'm looking towards a new year and what it will bring.

It's rather auspicious that I write this the day before the Winter Solstice this year. I've always heard the old adage that "it's always darkest before the dawn." In my case this turned out to be true, and I have high hopes going forward. This is a side of myself that I like, positive and hopeful. At times it's a struggle to stay that way, but I will endeavor to keep it up.

First off, next month is Chattacon. This will be my second con to actually cosplay at, first being GMX 2011. I'm thrilled that I have such an fantastic group of people to do these things with. Chattacon is noted for it's consuite, where they serve free beer! I'm sure it won't be anything fancy, but free beer is free beer. Who am I to argue with that? Our group is going to be doing Ouran Host Club, and we have nearly every character represented. I'll be cosplaying as Nekozawa, mostly because I already have a nice cloak from my Sith costume. I'm also going to be taking said Sith costume as well, since it hasn't premiered at a con yet and it being colder means it's a good time for multiple layers. I'm hoping to convince the others to also bring their Star Wars stuff so I won't be on my own.

I'm also beginning my first major project where I will be sewing stuff, or being taught to at least. The costume in question is John Hart from Torchwood. There is plenty of time to do it in, but I've got most of the materials for the jacket. I still need buttons and military braid for it. Needless to say, I am very excited about this project, others, and all the cons coming up this year.

To Seek, To Learn, To Do

2011-12-04T14:40:00.000-08:00

These are the words I have adopted. I took them as my personal code to live by, and yes. They did come indirectly from a game. It's a paladin's code. Not some silly World of Warcraft or D&D paladin who is guided by a deity. No, this paladin is guided by their own honor, to do what's right regardless. Sometimes this means you must do what's right despite yourself, sacrifice of yourself for others, and give up things you hold dear. Maybe if you are lucky you will find guidance, but frequently not. It doesn't imply perfection, no one is perfect. We all err, but it's the ability to say, "Yes, I was wrong and will strive to be better and more mindful in the future."

To Seek

There is a great big world out there for us to see, but guess what? Right here, right in front of us there are those that need us. Find them. Seek out the world around you, there is so much that we take for granted.

To Learn

What is learning? It's a process, a never ending process. We always learn, and yet we still tend to choose ignorance. We choose not to learn because it may make us uncomfortable. We should reach out and try for once in our lives.

To Do

Acting. Bad things happen because good people do nothing to stop it. Anyone can take notice and reach out and try, but it takes a special someone to get out there and do something. How many times can you count where you've said, "Yes, I'll do this." Only to never do anything, because it's uncomfortable, because you might fail, because it might hurt. So what if it hurts, who cares if you fail? If you never try, you'll never know.

Carpe Diem and all that!

Im Licht

2011-11-27T21:19:00.000-08:00

"And now... finally..." -Darth Malgus

I wonder to myself, why did I abandon myself? Foolishness, I suppose. But here I am, no more hiding. I've been the Gaming Guardsman for years, and have been through numerous incarnations of blogs. Always trying to find my niche, but I doubt I really have one. So I'll simply write about whatever I like.

Yes, I love Star Wars. Yes, I love games. However, there is more than that as I hope I will prove. Much of this will be dedicated to writing about the things I love, gaming included. As to the rest? Time will tell.