A New Beginning

The game of life is afoot. Recently I accepted a position with the Disney Corporation at their resort in California. This is part of the college program that they run, which allows students or post grads to work and take classes in an effort to improve and hone skills. I will be working about 28-40 hours a week in the area of Guest Relations.

This is a big move from college life into the real world. My first post grad job, and it has gotten me thinking about the changes that are in process and will take place. Moving to a new state, new roommates, and responsibilities.

I am nervous about moving away from all my friends and family, but I know that this is the beginning of my life as a college graduate. I will meet new people, make new friends, and have brand new experiences. The world better watch out because I am out for making something of myself, living out my faith wherever I go, and start looking for a woman that I can make very happy. Even if the latter is a few years down the road. Alright world, I am ready for what you throw at me.

Let the new experiences shape me into a well rounded individual who never forgets that people are the most important thing, everyone has a story to tell!

Insomniacs Unite Later Today?

Well it’s me again, another late night, soon to be remedied with some music and melatonin. But while I wait for that to kick in I just wanted to take the time to update my readers/followers on some thoughts I have been having lately. And yes, it has been 4 month’s since I have posted anything. Sorry to those of you who wanted me to keep writing regularly. Anyway here it goes:

As most of you that know me, know that I am graduating in May (super psyched). At this point I have been hard at work sending in applications and constantly updating my resume, LinkedIn, and Facebook accounts. Something that stood out to me. What comes next, what new things are out there for me? I mean I am leaving college a single guy (never thought that would happen). I am not staying in the same state where I went to school. But most of all I will be leaving the wonderful family of college friends (brothers & sisters) that I have known for the last 4 years. There have been ups and downs, friends come and go, but this is my life we are talking about…… I am almost in disbelief that I will have to start over again making new friends creating a new life somewhere else.

Now this may sound depressing, but I am ready for the change, bigger responsibility, and freedom to choose any path that I have a passion for. This will not include watching movies 24/7 or playing video games. I am ready to move past entertaining myself and start living. Phases in life are full of excitement, sadness, and newness.

What I am really trying to get across is that I am finally realizing what I am truly passionate about. It is life! The chance to live not only for my self but for others. But most of all for God. My faith has alway impacted decisions that I make, but I am ready for it to start becoming part of my life, not something that I hide until I need it. If it is true that God is all I need to sustain me, then I don’t have to worry about where I will go, or who I will be with, because he will always be with me!

The people who I interact with on a daily basis are a gift. I really do care about each and every person that I come into contact with, because you have been placed in my life for a reason. Although sometimes that brings pain, it is a growing experience that will help shape who I am in this life. I am still waiting to meet the one that I will spend the rest of my earthly life with, and I continue to pray for you daily. That you will have the courage to accept a broken sinner like me, and that we would be able to challenge each other to grow, share in our successes, and comfort in our failures.

Finally, I leave you with this thought. “although change may occurs one thing stays constant, we live, we die, it is in either that we are remembered”. Which one will you choose? To live positive, overcoming obstacles, knowing that there is a bigger plan? Or die someone who was afraid to live passionately?

That’s all I have for now. The next challenge awaits me. Spring Break 2012 is going to be one to remember! I will write next from location in Breckenridge, Colorado, where my brother and I are going to do some real living on the mountains!

Night Owl

Well it’s 5am and I’m on another late night no sleep run. And it got me thinking about how lonesome these times are. Consuming my time with movies and homework but no human interaction. It makes me wonder how my life will be in 20 years. Will I still be having these late nighters? Will I still be by myself? Is there anyone that can truly understand who I am?

The answer to that question seems to be that God is the only one that can truly understand me, after all he created me. But I do pursue the question, “will another person be able to understand me”? As I sit here in my suite alone consuming my time with entertainment, my life seems a little pathetic. I don’t know if anybody who is reading this feels the same some times. But it’s at times like this when I envey those that have already found the company of another. Hopefully my day will come, but if not, I only hope and wait for the time when this earth will pass away and leave me in the presence of the almighty.

I would also just like to write a little something to my brother, who is going through a rough time. I love ya man. Although this time in your life is painful I’m sure that you will find comfort someday. Your one of the best people I know. A loyal, caring, and devoted person. Those that are blinded to this fact don’t deserve you. Thanks for always being there for me. I will always be here for you as well.

The Friendship Factor

Upon this fine Monday morning I have decided to write about something that I think every senior in college probably goes through. The choice of who your close friends will be after you depart the university setting.

Someone once said to me; “if you don’t fight for the friendships that really matter to you, you won’t have any that matter.” I was thinking about this and how my life and friendships have changed since I graduated from high school. Because if I’m honest I really don’t talk to or hang out with manny of my friends from that point in my life. Not because they are not important to me, but because I do not want a one sided friendship. If you are a close friend of mine you know that I am not the kind of person who takes the idea of friendship lightly, nor do I casually make friendships. What I mean by this is that if you call yourself my friend, it would be nice to know that you care about me. Even if that is asking how I am doing, or wanting to know what has been going on in my life.

After high school I tried to hold onto friendships that I thought were close, but in reality I was the only one that valued that bond. So as I am getting ready to graduate in 6 months, I find myself at a crossroad. Should I stay or should I go? That is the real question about a lot of people I know. Because honestly I feel as though I may have casual friendships, after I graduate and move on from this place, reallity is that the majority will also move on, and those so called bonds will be broken and forgotten about.

So the question that I leave you with is: what people in your life are worth fighting for, and Which ones are you going to have to leave by the wayside?

That Time of Year……Again

So its been a while since my last post, so I figured I would start writing once again.

I am back at Trinity International University for my Senior year.  Yeah I know, it hard to believe how fast time flies.  To think that in about 6 months I will be graduating and moving on from this walk of life.  I really don’t know yet what God has in store for my life, but I am excited to find out.

This past summer I worked for YouthWorks, as a work projects coordinator in Cheyenne River, South Dakota.  God did so much there in the community and in the lives of the individuals that visited over the summer.  But one thing that I can say for sure is that my life was impacted and changed for the better.  God really showed me a purpose in life, and that I was not just being passed by.  I know that this experience will stick with me for the rest of my life.  And to ensure that I don’t forget about the changes and commitments that I made this summer, I had my left ear double pierced.  And don’t worry its the straight ear…….

So as I move into this semester I am taking 18 credit hours.  It’s a busy load but I am excited to learn what I can to help me in my future.  I have a crazy roommate; Alex Peterson, he’s kinda one of the best guys I know, I am so thankful for his friendship, and his willingness to put up with me.  Because lets face it, I can be a little unbearable at times…….well lets just call it craziness.  I am looking forward to some great memories this year.

On another note, I would just like to bring up the issue of singleness.  I have now been single for about a year and a half.  I don’t know what God’s plan is for my life.  If you had asked me at this time 2 years ago, I would have told you that I would be married by now.  But that is just not my reality.  God has a bigger plan.  I guess that is something that I learned this summer.  Being satisfied with where I am in life is not always easy especially when it feels like everyone around me is getting engaged or married.  I have come to the conclusion that there are people put in your pathway, but it is what you choose to do with those friendships that makes your way.  If I am single the rest of my life it will not be the worst thing, God will just have to keep me busy.                   To find true happiness all I need is Him.  If that is all that I take out of this point in my life then I have accomplished something.  But for all of you ladies out there just know that I am keeping my eyes open.

Well that’s all the insight into my life that I have for now.  I hope to write more often and share whats on my mind.  Thanks for reading!

2011: My New Years Resolution

Its been a while since my last post, but I would like to update you on what I am doing next.  I have decided to record all the movies and TV series that I watch/view in 2011.  Along with keeping track of each film, I will also begin writing reviews on each new adventure that I undertake, through the world of film.  The point is that I tend to escape into different places when I watch films.  Not that I do not enjoy who I am or think that I should be something else.  I just enjoy adventure through my imagination.  It’s like reading a book, but enhances my feelings and emotions.

It has been a while since I started keeping track of all the things that I watch this year seeing as it is almost March.  I have a total of 105 films/tv series that I have watched so far in 2011.  I have been so many places!  I learned how to be a serial killer (don’t worry I didn’t become one ;) ).  I have been inside the mind of poets and romantics from the 18th and 19th centuries.  Including a trip to Middle Earth this past weekend.  I am going to try to start writing reviews of the films I watch but it could take a while for me to post them….(It takes me 2 or 3 views of the same film before I can write a good review) 

So if you are interested, I am currently working my way through the ABC Family series “The Secret Life of the American Teenager.”  Other films that I have on the docket for this week include:  Legends of the Fall, Day of the Dead, The Karate Kid, and Apollo 13.

Let me know if you ever want to discuss film or just catch a show together

Social Networking: Xbox360

Microsoft first announced the release date of the new Xbox 360 Kinect gaming and social media attachment for the consol, on Jun 15^th 2010. This has item been a much looked forward to upgrade for Xbox users everywhere. It will also help to rival the Playstation Move. The idea behind the Kinect is a hands free gaming experience that will enable the gamer to become a part of the game more than ever before.

When Microsoft first entered the gaming industry with the release of the original Xbox consol in the early 2000’s no one realized that they would develop the second most known brand in gaming. Now having sold millions of consol’s worldwide Microsoft has developed their brand into one that people trust, having converted many Playstation and Nintendo faithful. Although the worldwide sales leader still remains Nintendo with almost 78 million consol units sold, Microsoft comes in second with around 45million consol sales. This rivals Playstation who has sold around 40 million units. (Wikapedia, 2010)

This puts the gaming market in perspective. With about 200 million consol units being sold worldwide between these three companies, we can get a better idea of how impactful Kinect will be in this market. Some of the new features that Kinect will be capable of include; live video chat, live video party’s (meaning that you can see and talk to more than one person at a time), as well as movie parties when connected through Netflix. This is just some of the social aspects of this new software. It is truly like nothing else before it. Microsoft has come up with what the business world calls a “golden goose”.

The “golden goose” is a product or idea that will continue to be profitable for many years through change in design and features. This is what they have in the Kinect. This devise allows players to communicate with each other over the internet via video and gaming interactions. With Facebook already being added to the capable features for the Xbox system Microsoft has figured out a way to now compete with Skype and other video chat companies. When speaking with a representative from Microsoft’s Gaming department, he said this of the Kinect. “It is what its name means, we hope to “Kinect” (connect) people to other people. In this world of social networking and online dating we hope that this product will allow people to connect with others, where if not for this product would not have been connected”.

This has been the idea of the friend option on XboxLive, the service that allows Xbox users access to online play. This service is an additional cost on top of buying your consol which can bought in monthly ($7.99-$9.99), 3 months ($15-$20), and yearly ($40-$60) subscription. This service is required to play any games online. There are also many other features that come along with a subscription; access to LastFM, Zune music and video libraries, ESPN, and Netflix online movie viewing. The reason why XboxLive has made the Xbox consol so popular is that it allows friends to connect and makes all the popular social media applications available in one location. Meaning that you do not need a computer to check your Facebook, or to Skype your friends anymore.

The downside to buying a Microsoft system is that the overall cost of online game play does not stop with the initial purchase of the consol which is the case with Playstation. It is however a good system for making customer services a much better and reliable quality. Microsoft has 24/7 tech support that is reachable by phone. It creates a business relationship between gamer and company. From a business perspective this is the best type of relationship to forge because it allows for long term investment into the customer base. Microsoft users also have the sense of security that comes from a company that cares about them rather than a company that severs the business relationship at the time of the consol’s sale.

With my experience as a faithful Playstation, Nintendo, and Xbox customer Xbox does the best job at making me as a customer feel wanted and needed. The personalization of the Xbox system keeps gamers happy, and provides them with multiple entertainment options outside of gaming. I would say that on average I watch 4-6 movies a week and use my Netflix account via XboxLive to do so. It is very useful because I can play movies and TV shows through my TV and still use my computer.

Overall I believe that Xbox has created a culture in an environment where serious gamers and recreational gamers can come together and be connected on a central product. This then brings in the importance of the Kinect. People have been looking for ways to have hands free gaming for years. With the introduction and release on November 4^th 2010, the Kinect will allow people to connect with their friends and strangers on a different level. If the Microsoft dubbed title of “Future of Entertainment” is going to happen it is going to be up to the users to use this new tool to the best of their ability. This means that there will now be Kinect parties at High School parties, College dorm rooms, and Nursing homes around the country. With the ability to promote health and wellness as well as fun this tool will rival the benefits that the Nintendo Wii captured with its release.

Games for this new adaptation are currently in short supply because of the newness of the software. But customers can expect more to be released shortly. In the first 30 days on the market Kinect sold more than 2.5 million units of the social, visual, gaming product. With the popularity expected to skyrocket with the expansion of the game library Microsoft has nothing to worry about at this point. (Presspass, 2010)

Microsoft has had a goal with the Kinect project to get kids, teenagers, and adults off the couch and active. With the development of games such as Kinect Sports and Dance Central, the hope is that gaming will now become active and healthy. It is also something that is sure to be a hit at College parties around the country. Just think about the comedy in seeing someone who has had one too many try to follow a dancing game? Pretty funny huh? This project is meant to be both entertaining and healthy. But the most beneficial byproduct of its existence will be the way that is connects people.

Many college students in this country go to schools that are out of state or too far away to interact with their families on a regular basis. This new product will enable siblings and parents to interact with their family members that are away at college. For me I personally use this option everyday when I hook up with my brother on XboxLive for a game of Modern Warfare 2, a first person shooter that allows me to team up in online play with my friends. This is the best way that I can stay connected with my friends from high school and church. It also enables me to meet new people from my area in Minnesota, so that when I go home for breaks, I do not feel out of the loop.

This is the most beneficial aspect that the Kinect will bring to the gaming and social networking communities. So as we progress into an age where more and more of our time is spent online interacting with our friends. Kinect will allow a little more personal interaction as you can actually talk face to face with someone that you have never met. This is not to say that you would not be able to do this via Skype, but it is more convenient for gamers. You can be having a conversation with someone you just met while playing a game like Modern Warfare 2 and then immediately choose to meet them by Kinecting with them. As you can see it is a matter of convenience rather than availability.

Microsoft has answered that call to make things covenant by giving us the Kinect. This product will enable a better overall social experience for both serious gamers and just everyday people. The benefits have yet to be seen because the product is new, but we should expect to hear lots more about this product in the months and years to come. So next time you are working on a paper or a report for your company, just think you could be conversing with one of your classmates or co-workers face to face instead of having to use the telephone.

Works Cited

Lowe, S. (2010, November 3). Microsoft Kinect Rewiew. Retrieved December 10, 2010, from Gear.IGN.com: http://gear.ign.com/articles/113/1132213p1.html

Miller, R. (2010, November 4). Kinect Review for Xbox 360. Retrieved December 10, 2010, from Endgadget.com: http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/04/kinect-for-xbox-360-review/

Presspass. (2010, November). Retrieved December 10, 2010, from Microsoft.com: http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2010/nov10/11-04KinectLaunchPR.mspx

Wikapedia. (2010, November). Retrieved December 10, 2010, from Wikapedia.com: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Console_wars