The Original Xbox: 20 Years Later

We still have the box too…

Over 20 years later and the Original Xbox still shines on. With Microsoft celebrating this special Xbox anniversary, I thought I would resurrect this blog (last post was September 29, 2019). Back in 2001, I remember my brother and I dreaming about Xbox from all the magazines we used to read (such as EGM and Gamepro). I recall the EGM issue (#149) December 2001, a hefty issue where the Gamecube “battled” the Xbox, where editors shared which console they preferred after a lengthy debate. Back then, the magazines really shaped our opinions of the video game industry as we did not have an internet connection at home.

Movie Spotlight: Beautiful Dreamer

I came across this video on YouTube, and was completely mesmerized by the story on how a terminally ill mother decides to go into outer space to prolong her life in order to see her daughter grow up by returning to Earth every seven years. A powerful movie worth watching!

Song of the Week [#143]

Who could forget the famous song “Better Off Alone” by Alice DJ? This trance song was played everywhere back in the day (which also reminds me of another song “Back In My Life”). I came across a dreampop version by PLEINE LVNE which was recently released, took me away and surprised me. Check out the song here: 

 

Happy Belated Anniversary to Silver.Peace!

This month marks an astonishing 11 years since I started my blog in December 2007. Although my activity on here has dwindled to only a few sporadic posts per year, I still view my blog often as there is always something pulling me back – whether it is a new comment from someone, an email someone sent to me, or an article that I go back to on my blog to re-read.

In the earlier days, my blog was heavily focused on gaming. However, as of December 2018, I still do not own an Xbox One, Switch, or PS4. I do, however, play games occasionally on the 3DS and PC. Will I ever get a new video game console? I don’t know, it’s difficult to say. If I do, I am almost positive it would be handheld (Switch or a future Switch, perhaps?)

As 2019 approaches, I am not certain what is on the horizon for me (does anyone truly have certainty anyways?) I can say though that 2018 has been an important time in my life for taking time to analyze and reflect on my life, while also having had a productive year with a UNAOC Fellowship and 5 different part-time opportunities.

My personal aspiration for 2019 is to solidify a full-time position and pay off at least 1/3 of my students loans from my PhD program.

Although of course, world peace will always be my #1 choice.

Have a happy, peaceful, and beautiful new year.

Song of the Week [#142]

I’ve listened to this song many times since the album released a few days ago. Max Richter, thank you for bringing a deep connection to music and the ability to dream.

My Top 5 Favorite Current Shows

Although I don’t have as much time to invest in watching television series as much as I used too, there are still some new series released in the last few years that are worthy of my time. Here’s a few current shows that have inspired me and helped see our world in different frameworks. In order for each show to be eligible for this list, they all have to be currently airing and/or renewed for another season (at the time of this writing, August 2018).

5. Travelers

The future is bleak, and travelers are sent back in time to help change the events that led up to their own current world. There are missions they must complete, though not all missions are simple – difficult choices must be made that makes you question how the past, present, and future impact us. The cast of characters are highly diverse and each have their own struggles, which helps provide a deeper understanding of why people behave certain ways and that perspectives are not a matter of bad or good, though rather why they made the choices they decided to make. By the beginning of Season 2, the reality of science fiction and the world we live in suddenly take a deeper turn that may be one of the first shows to address a traumatic time in our recent history that has seldom been shown on television. I won’t reveal any spoilers!

4. The Man in the High Castle

What if the Nazi regime had won World War II? This series provides a reality in which this was the outcome, which eerily tries to establish a feeling of normalcy in the beginning of the series. While the idea of this reality is certainly troubling, sequences later on in the show show that there is much more going on that just what is happening. If you are feeling a little down about our own world, try watching this show and you’ll realize that life could be much worse!

3. 3%

Probably the least known show out of the list, 3% follows a group of individuals who are trying to overcome a series of challenges in order to make it to the “promised land”.  Imagine if Fermat’s Room, Cube, The Hunger Games, Divergent, and The Maze Runner were put together into a television show. This is somewhat of the show, though Season 2 strongly diverts from the premise of the first season as its focus shifts into the “promised land”. This show makes you question what is fair and just, and the blurred effect between good and evil.

2. The Expanse

Although the first few episodes take awhile to create a cohesive narrative, the dichotomy that is revealed from the vast array of characters and factions keeps you compelled to keep watching. This show is quite possibly one of the best outer space science fictions shows I have seen. Earth, Mars, and The Belt are at odds with one another, and different characters from each location help provide the reasons behind these conflicts. However, a turn of events soon makes each faction question whether their current trajectory is on the right course, or destined for doom. My personal favorite story arc is Shohreh Aghdashloo’s character, Chrisjen Avasarala, who is Secretary-General of the United Nations. Her presence commands the screen and I personally hope she will be featured more in future seasons!

1. Long Lost Family

The show that helped me decide to research more of my family history and connect with cousins I never knew and long-lost cousins I have yet to meet! These individual narratives bring the best of humanity to the forefront and provides a deeper understanding on the importance of identity, feeling a sense of belonging, forgiveness, and the realization that you are more than what you think you are. A touching show that I look forward to every season. Currently there are new seasons being filmed in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Honorable Mentions: The OA, We’ll Meet Again.

TED Talk Spotlight [#1]: Peace is possible.

Recently came across this TED Talk about how one teenager became involved with a Neo-Nazi group, and how he ended up leaving the group many years later. A beautiful story about how uncertainty-identity can create internal conflicts that may manifest into going down a dark road. A must watch!

Inspiring quote from the speech: …”It’s our disconnection from each other. Hatred is born of ignorance. Fear is its father, and isolation is its mother. When we don’t understand something, we tend to be afraid of it, and if we keep ourselves from it, that fear grows, and sometimes, it turns into hatred.” – Christian Picciolini