AFTERMATH & Thoughts on Portal

AFTERMATH:

Hurricane Irene passed Long Island on August 28, 2011, a Sunday. However, we were quite lucky that 1) The hurricane had downgraded to a category 1 from a 3 and 2) we only had two trees fall in my area.

No one was hurt. No one had to evacuate.

But we had no electricity. We haven't had it since early Sunday morning (2AM) 'till about 10 AM this morning. That's roughly 4-5 days of no electricity. We survived on candlelight and flashlights at night, and most of our food in the fridge spoiled. But we're all alright, and that's the only thing that matters to me.

P.S. I almost forgot what the bathroom looked like with the lights on O.o

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THOUGHTS ON PORTAL:

If you go a couple of blog posts back (Want You Gone - Poetry Inspired from Portal by BJV), I wrote a small summary of a particular game called Portal. I, literally, just finished the game an hour ago and I thought that it might be exciting to share the story behind its plot because I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT <3. By the way, the Portal series have just become one of my favorite games. It's up there with Kingdom Hearts and Zelda series ^w^

First off, Portal is a puzzle game. If you're good at puzzle solving, then this is the game for you. And if you're not, its still the game for you. I hold on to the belief that anyone can like this game because of its extremely unique gameplay and plot.

Second, this game can be traumatizing at parts. An evil robot trying to kill you might be scary (I'll admit that I was scared at times, too). Otherwise, it's a pretty addicting game.

Third, Portal can make you very dizzy. It might also cause strain to your eyes if you play in the dark (or maybe that was just because I was playing too close to the screen lol).

All of the simple stuff aside, let's talk about plot!

Portal is a game with many MANY different components and characters. And, if you're anything like me, then you like complex plots with a strange gratifying outcome.

First the backstory:

Cave Johnson, founder and creator of Aperture Science Innovators, has a knack and thirst for science. He started out by selling shower curtains; quite a bit back before he turned evil scientist. From his growing business of shower curtains, he bought a large salt mine which had a bevy of connected caves. This was to set the stage for the future Aperture Science Laboratories that we all know and love.

Soon, Aperture Labs began to coduct experiments on various objects such as gels that they created, inventions that propel mass, robots, and of course, the portal gun. One of their most infamous creations is known as GlaDOS, an AI designed to put test subjects through courses that test their products and also has control over the whole facility. They also mass recruited many people off of the streets as test subjects; one of them known as Chell, the person you are playing as (pictured above).

But GlaDOS had a flaw, and that was that she turns rogue and often had to be shut down so as to keep her from killing everyone. To try to fix this flaw, Cave Johnson and all of the Aperture Science innovators installed conscience spheres into her to try to keep her from malfunctioning.

A little bit before or after this, Cave Johnson became very sick because of his contact with one of his products known as conversion gel, a substance that makes it possible to have portal surfaces, but is also apparently made of ground up moon rocks. Cave Johnson had a companion in his endeavors, a woman named Caroline who has an even crazier thirst for science than Mr. Johnson. As he was dying, he requested for his "being" to be programmed into a robot. He died before the staff could do this so instead they put Caroline into GlaDOS successfully.

/fast forward

At the beginning of Portal 1, you wake up in a cell to GlaDOS' talking. She then teaches you the basics: how to create portals, how to use the objects in the game, how to use momentum and whatnot. There are 19 levels of problem solving. Along the way, she compliments you about how well you are doing and even offers you cake in the end at your achievement party; and so from there is coined the popular term "The cake is a lie".

heh. So you're at the last test and you finish it. Great. Awesome. Wonderful. Congrats. Except that now that you're no good anymore, and GlaDOS wants to kill you off! But you escape and run through behind the scenes where she can't see you. Eventually you reach GlaDOS, evil robot and all, and you disable her.

At the end of Portal 1, GlaDOS is disabled (you "killed" her) and the facility explodes which rockets you up into the surface. The ending cutscenes show fading wisps of you being dragged back into the remains by a robot. The credits at the end shows GlaDOS singing a song for you:

/fast forward

(here's an official comic of what happened between the two games)

PORTAL 2:

Some 50 years later, you are woken up by another robot. A core named Wheatley. Wheatley is a sort of talkative sphere robot that tries to get you out of the facility. In the process of doing so, he made the mistake of waking up GlaDOS. Being only able to remember the last two minutes of her life, GlaDOS bore a sarcastic (funny) hatred towards Chell (you). She then crushes Wheatley and proceeds to continue the tests for "old times sake". In the middle of testing, Wheatley shows up again, apparently unscathed from the GlaDOS' attack earlier, and he helps you to get to her main system to disable her again. When you solve your way through her test chambers, Wheatley asked you to put him into GlaDOS' body (oh grow up!).

Wheatley then exclaims with the power that he has just attained: the power to run the ENTIRE Aperture Laboratories establishment. Apparently though, he rationalized that "he put his life at risk for you, but you didn't do a thing for him", and he got angry. He then transfers GlaDOS (you know what I'll just call her G from now on cuz its easier) into a potato and dumps both of you down... WAAAAY DOWN the incinerator tube.

You land in a place that's been abandoned, way below the surface, where they used to create and invent different products. You then navigate your way up through a series of SERIOUSLY mind numbing puzzles. Along the way, G helps you and even confesses that she doesn't hold a grudge anymore. Eventually find Wheatley in G's body. You disable him (quite like how you disabled her) and succesfully put G back into her body.

The end of Portal 2 shows G talking to you as if she were Caroline. She tells you that she "gives up" and that you can "have your freedom" because you have "been replaced" by testing robots which were built by her so that she can test without them killing her *coughcough*



So then she calls an elevator to bring you up to the surface, and you are never seen again. She sings you another song in the credits, one that I COMPLETELY misunderstood as I was writing the poem. Please excuse my stupidity.

The game in itself is a masterpiece for geeks of all ages! I truly and whole heartedly recommend it to anyone and everyone I know. Please note that I tried to limit what I say so that you will still enjoy the game. I don't want to spoil much of its majesty. Well, yea thats the end of it, I guess. Have your cake.

P.S.

Go play it. Now. Go. Stop reading this crap. GO PLAY PORTAL.



!! Impending Hurricane Irene !!

If you live in New York, as I do, then you are either 1) prepared for the category 1 hurricane or 2) have already evacuated.

Truth be told, I'm pretty scared. Not only will New York, more specifically Suffolk County Long island, be hit hard by the winds, there is also a high chance for floods. Several towns and cities have already issued mandatory evacuation, mine however still remains safe. It should not be ignored that this storm WILL cause some damage.

Yesterday, my mom went out to do some emergency shopping to buy the neccesities. You know: water bottles, canned food, water containers, hand wipes, bread and the like. She had to go to 10 different stores just to buy what we need! People are panic buying! So I sugest that if you aren't stocked up as well as you should be, go and find a friend or a relative, preferabbly OUT OF TOWN to stay at.

Here's some things to remember for the hurricane:
- know where your hurricane shelters are! In my case, we can go to Suffolk Community College.
- STOCK UP ON FOOD AND WATER. You need at least 2 gallons of water per person per day.
- STORE WATER IN ALL THINKABLE CONTAINERS. Bathtubs, pails, basins, portable coolers, cheeseball plastic jugs, coffee mate containers, cereal containers ANYTHING!
- Fill ziplock/sandwhich bags with water and fill the freezer up with them. The ice will keep your food frozen longer and will keep them from spoiling.
- STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. that is just stupid. Don't even sleep near one.
- designate a safe room for your family. One on the most bottom floor and preferrably with no windows.
- Make sure there are WORKING flashlights in every room. If not, make sure everyone knows where they are. buy batteries, but they are in short supply.
- DO NOT USE CANDLES. Candles are easily tipped over and may cause a fire.
- Keep all important documents (passports, medical records, deeds to houses, contracts, IDs etc) in ziplock bags and in a backpack, ready to go if need be.
- Make sure you have a first aid kit. In my case, my mom bought alcohol, and peroxide in case someone got hurt.
- EXPECT TO HAVE A POWER OUTAGE. Charge all necessities before the power goes out (cellphones, flashlights, radios, entertainment paraphernalia, iPod etc)
- Clear out your balcony/patio/backyard with items that can be easily picked up by the wind. Items such as barbeque grills, bikes, playsets, trampolines, and patio furniture should be brought inside.
- DO NOT DRAIN THE WATER IN YOUR POOL. The water weighs the pool down so that it can't be picked up by the wind.
- KEEP INFORMED. stay on the weaher channel to see the latest happenings and forecasts.
- If there is mandatory evac, LEAVE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Don't wait until the rain starts to pour. The smart people leave when the sun is out.

- BRING YOUR DOLL WITH YOU IF YOU CAN.

As of yet, mine town is still on warning.
Please Keep Safe Everyone!
May God Bless Us With His Protection!

-florescka

BJD Archives - Junkyspot Order/Frei's New Eyes!

Here's to firsts at everything!!! :D
This here is my first order of MSC and my first order from Junkyspot!

This is what the order contained:
- MSC Flat
- Glib 16mm Violet eyes (acrylic)
- Marshmallow candy
- 3 Junkyspot cards (which I just realized that they want me to give them out or somethin)

Well anyways, onto the video! <3

-florescka

BJD Archives - STOP MOTION - Frei :D

Here's to first attempts at everything!! :D I've been wanting to do one of these before summer ends.... and school starts :'(

enjoyz~

-florescka



No More Flickr :( + tiny Update

Apparently I've exceeded my upload capacity of 200 photos on Flickr (something I did NOT know about) and I'm too adamant about not taking any of them down. I'll keep the existing pics up for everyone, but I'll try to find a free image hosting site that allows you to view my pictures.

If all else fails, I'll condense the pictures from photoshoots/etc onto videos that I will upload onto YouTube (I'm actually liking this more than the other ideas). A link for my YouTube page is located on the bottom of the page.

ALSO!!!

Facebook update:
I've made an account for Frei XD (scroll down to bottom of page; there is a link)

This account is purely out of whimisical fun and boredom, and might be my final option for image sharing. On this profile, I'll be giving out constant updates, random blurbs, and whatever I've got on my mind- I mean, Frei's mind ^w^;

HOWEVER, I do have privacy options up to keep trolls and spammers out of her page so you can only view them if you add her as a friend. Please also keep in mind that I will refrain from adding everyone who clicks the sends out a friend request because she is connected to a lot of my friends' personal accounts. Thanks for understanding!

-florescka

BJD Archives - Piccys!! XD

:D I know it's been a looooooooong time, but you should be glad to know that I've been having mini photoshoots here and there :) I have only gotten the motivation to post them up now.... and man have they piled up! Well enjoy! (also check out my flickr for others ^w^)

This particular series of pictures includes outdoors scenes and natural settings ;D
Feel free to listen to some music while you veiw~!
Enjoy~~

I absolutely love this next pic because of the random muffin XD

Photo cred goes to AJ, my friend :3

>:D mwahahahahaha >:D

>:D

:'(

THE PRINCESS IS NOT PLEASED!

OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!

/end

Hope you guys enjoyes yourself :D

-florescka

 

Going Back to Childhood & Current Obssessions

A couple of days ago, I was overcome with a desire to do something that is so out of normal routine that it might seem laughable. Yes. I wanted to revisit the past.

The past is not really something I like to remember willingly; that is, just to clarify things, something so out of "normality" that it usually doesn't even cross my mind. I've done so a multiple times throughout life here in America and often it leaves me in a good mood. Rarely does it bring lackluster memories.

I'm not exactly sure when this craze consumed me; around August 12th at the most. I was simply sitting on my bed, still completely emersed in my routine, when I had a simple craving to watch a show from my childhood. Little did i know that soon, I will be so overcome by this show, and so immersed in it, you may call it an obsession, that I sometimes stress myself from regretting to do summer homework.

BLACK JACK

First aired in Fall of 2004, I remembered seeing this show during my youthful years at home. The theme song was something that almost brought tears of happiness to my eyes because of its familiarity. Being quite an old show, I'm sure that most people around my age can recall such a classic as this. But if you do not, that's fine, too. At least now you know about this diamond in the rough :D

The story revolves around a seemingly scary doctor, ahem surgeon, who's rightfully named Black Jack, and his companion, Pinoco; a short, sweet, rambunctious girl. Backstory aside, Black Jack is a mastermind surgeon, an elite in his class. His, I bate my breath here, only fault is that he charges ridiculous prices for his services. He does, however, maintain a percievable kindness and empathetic mind when the patient exhibits a strong sense of something that I can't really put my finger on right now. Many people see him as a quack doctor. Others respect him. But only one person understands him.

That is Pinoco, his I would like to say, "adoptive daughter". Pinoco is like a housekeeper to Black Jack. She cleans, cooks, and oftentimes helps Black Jack with his surgeries. She also doesn't go to school. But she delivers humor and fun to the series. Black Jack also cares for Pinoco just like any father would his child. Not to be mistaken that Pinoco is somewhat like a servant, she is also the sub-protagonist of the series. Keep in mind that she plays a fundamental part in the plot. There is a huuuuuuge backstory to her but I won't spoil anything for if you ever do decide to watch this classic.

Also, to get away from this whole review-esque atmosphere, there was something I was quite pleased with while I watched. That is: Black Jack has an uncanny resemblance to Allen Walker XD

Don't believe me?

See for yourself.

    

OH SHNAAAAAP :O

haha jk it was mostly their clothes >w<

So riding the obsession train, I've got something to confess.

(Are you scared? Well you should be.)

Lately I've been trying out different stuff. One of my more familiar ones would be Minecraft. Another would be taking photos of Frei. And sometimes, playing random games to see which would suit my fancy.

adsflakjeharflsdfhlasdjhflakjdhfalkjdalkjh;shjfhslkvjbasnmflskrhaojksdhawuowqid

Sorry....

I've lost interest in this topic which doesn't happen AT ALL.

*sigh*

In my defense, Lady Gaga music videos distracted me... THEY ARE SUCH A WORK OF ART T^T they're so beautiful T^T (that, ofcourse, is different from arist to artist).

P.S. please don't make fun of my favorite singer.

-florescka

Want You Gone - Poetry inspired from Portal by BJV

This poem won't make sense unless you play Portal, a computer game.

Basically it is about this research facility called Aperture that conducts tests on humans (aka the person you are playing as). Aperture runs experiments on people concerning a gun that produces portals, hence the name of the game. A robot known as GlaDos oversee these experiments (she is the one who is singing) and teach you about the special gun, but in the end of the experiments, she tries to kill you by making you fall into a pit of fire; meanwhile offering you cake in your "accomplishment" party. But you escape and she slowly gets angry. At the end of Portal, you disable GlaDos. The song "Want You Gone" from Portal 2 reflects some of the mishaps from the first game. Basically, GlaDos got resurrected and you try to kill her again. Shes not too pleased with that idea.

/end backstory XD

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Want You Gone

by BJ

I can’t help but notice

That only you could fill my heart with happiness

And only you can steal it away from me.

Staring into darkness,

All my thoughts were made for you,

Did you know that?

I thought we had each other?

I thought only you deserved to live.

So much for trust.

It wasn’t even worth a slice of cake.

Remember when you saw her?

Her glamour stole the light from your eyes.

How you emptied your mind of me?

Are you going to leave me like everyone else?

Do you remember how we laughed?

How we comforted our tormented souls?

But apparently it wasn’t enough

To make me dead.

I was such a fool

To think that you were worth it

When you tried to kill me twice?

Am I that evil?

I’m Sorry.

I’ll leave you now.

I really wanted to share this cake with you.

Well it’s too late now.

Now I only want you gone.

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-florescka

BoreSumMen & MaDra XD

Boredom + Summer + Men & Make Up + Mama Drama

=

 BoreSumMen & MaDra lol

Ahahahahaha, Pheonix-chan, you have pushed a button that taps the most inner creative recesses of my fanatic mind! XD (in other words, I was, coincidentally, in the mood to write - lol)

Anyways, I'm back in less time than I thought I would be. But, in all honesty, THIS is what happens when boredom knocks and you answer the door... I'm not saying that I don't enjoy doing this. In fact, I actually like sitting down on my nice comfy bed trapped in a bevy of the cuddliest pillows (I have 5 with me right now), with the A/C purifying the room with its coldness and just letting go of everything and anything that has grown and established itself in my mind. It's fun :D Right now, several things have been teasing me; all of which have attained a certain importance and value whether it may seem useless and boring to you.

Summer.

It's over in less than a month. And for those who have the audacity to have gotten into those higher level classes such as me, then you know that time is running out. I'm talking about summer homework. Who the FART was the smart butt who invented this rubbish? I mean, come on, HOMEWORK for SUMMER?! More so, It would be a great help if a certain people would trust me more because lately, my mom has been getting on my case for a lot of things; one of the more exulted things would be summer homework, sleeping routines and cleaning up my room. I guess you can say that it started a little over a month ago, during our trip to Atlantic City, New Jersey. She built a small tantrum into a gigantic emotional quarell about my not handing her her caramel ice cream at McDonald's. You can bet she gave me angry tears and the cold shoulder for the next few hours -_- *sigh* After that, everything became as it was; but I think she learned to give me a little bit of respect (she started using "please"). I won't lie to you. I love my mom, but sometimes she can be very scary. (I don't think I'll ever show her my blog ^^;)

Don't worry guys, I'm dutifully doing homework even though I have to force-feed myself. Notice how I used so many vocabulary words! I don't need your pity.

On to more interesting topics, and away from more dull ones like my earlier rant. I have something to share that's been bothering me for quite a while now and this is the topic of Men & Makeup.

Is there something wrong with it? I think it's perfectly fine to see boys with make up on, no matter how warped my aesthetic vision is due to my exposure to such life-changing paraphernalia (aka Anime).  After all, it is meant to adourn a face with complimenting colors that usually enhance appearances. I think it is utterly unethical to call a man who wears something that appears most on a woman's face gay, because in the same sense, women aren't belittled when they are seen wearing pants (this sounds weird, I know, but back in the old days, pants were worn by men and women wore skirts).

HOWEVER

I do understand that because of modern values and circumstances, men who exhibit this can expect to get what is coming to them. Namely, some sort of feedback. But back onto what I've trying to tell you all this time. This topic of make up came about when I was doing a search for a preferrably male companion for Frei, my BJD by her lonesome. That's when I realized that I can not escape the fact that I would need to paint a face on the boy. Faces are easy to paint. Believe me, they are. The conundrum I faced (get it? XD) leaned toward the blushing and shading.



As you can ascertain, many faces on a male doll can come across as effeminate. The choice of hair (or wigs) doesn't help much either. Often, I read about stories of how people mistake OBVIOUSLY (like they're topless or something) male dolls for female ones just because their cheeks are a little rosy or they have eye shadow and long lashes. How can I compete for manliness in this very obscure world?! Not to mention, I have quite a strong sense of determining between genders due to my journey in the anime world. Except for Justin Bieber. I know he's a girl.

-florescka

What's Been Eating My Mind? - Another Update

Hello all!
As I know you like hearing from me (Narcissim ACTIVATE! XD), i have come back with another one of those update thing-a-majigs :)

Listing, yays :3

1) Started watching Fairy Tail. (an anime).. I'm on episode 58 <3

2) THIS SONG IS STUCK IN MY HEAD... like a week ago

3) THIS SONG IS STUCK IN MY HEAD LIKE RIGHT NOW

4) I finished one of two required summer books :) Adventures of Tom Sawyer left to go <3

5) 3 essays left to do for Pre-AP World History *face palm*

6) My Aunt is at my house and is going to stay for a couple of days :)

7) STIL PLAYING MINECRAFT LIKE I'M TOO COOL FOR SUMMER XD

8)Trying to hold photoshoots for Frei, my lonesome BJD :3

aaaaaaaand that about covers it up! Short post this time beefed with many pictures and videos XD

-florescka



BJD Archives - Frei's First Photoshoot :)

Frei is an amazing person XD she can pull off so many different emotions and moods it's just amazing!

This first photoshoot has a central idea of "The Art of Losing" but all the pictures aren't necessarily related to each other. This set also includes other "happier" themed pictures for fun XD

[please play song as you look at the pictures <3]

======

And so it begins.....

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The Art of Losing

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~.>oOo<.~

~.>oOo<.~

~.>oOo<.~

~.>oOo<.~

~.>oOo<.~

OMAKE(bonus):

LOL

/end

-florescka