Gally’s fun. Will be back again.
What’s In My Name
Hi, my name’s Ryan.
It’s my middle name, for those that don’t know. It’s also what my parents have called me, since shortly after naming me after my dad (I’m a Junior!) It’s been a fun ride since it sounds just like Brian if I’m not careful when giving it to people in noisy places, like cafes.
It’s also super common, so I’m often turning around when similar-sounding names, or even my own, are called, when another Ryan is intended.
I’ll have to find out how it was chosen since that story is one I don’t recall being told.
Is there a story behind your name? What does it mean and how was it chosen?
Leap Month Is Here
[Note: wrote this Saturday, didn’t post due to technical difficulties]
Today was a good day. I started cleaning my room, early for Spring in stead of late.
The first season of “BTOOOM!” is behind me. It’s an anime that’s a bit like Hunger Games and Battle Royale, except that the only weapons allowed are small, personally deployable bombs, and the contestants are sent there by people that hold grudges against them individually. I do hope to see a second season someday. I will likely read the manga for this one.
I joined a few old friends and a met some new ones to celebrate a birthday at a Round 1 entertainment center. I need more Guitar Hero or Rockband practice. 🙂
The room cleaning continues tomorrow. The goal is to not only see more floor space, but to clear space for a new computer. It’ll be a gaming station since I’ve been wanting to play some new (and older) games at good quality settings, and I’ve always had to majorly turn down settings for a while. World of Warcraft, a game I’ve played for about 10 years is getting another graphics boost this summer and I want to be ready for virtual reality, should it be a thing this year. A couple years worth of solid entertainment is what I’m investing in.
I’ve been putting off the upgrade for too long to my primary home machine. I was waiting for Apple to pay attention to games again, system-wise, but there’s no rumblings in the pipes that that’s happening anytime soon, and a Mac Pro isn’t a good fit for gaming. We’ll see if a manufacture I’ve seen good things from will do. More about this at a later date.
When You Were Young
Happy Chinese New Year!
I like when a song makes you feel nostalgic. Today’s choice is a song by The Killers, a band out of Vegas.
They put on a good live show. Hopefully, I’ll catch them the next time they’re in So Cal.
More: Music Mondays #19
Time Management
Managing time is a bit like a game for me. I have a work calendar, which stays relatively simple, and a set of personal calendars. Some of the personal ones are basically like the old paper ones many used to use: they store things like birthdays and anniversaries.
Some calendars, such as the social ones, are automatically generated- there’s one for Facebook, another for a travel site. Even Google now detects events in emails and creates calendar events on the same account’s calendar. That feature is pretty neat because I sometimes forget to go through my emails and create calendar events for social engagements, like concerts and conventions.
I’m not the best at time management, but I’m getting better at it.
prompt: Time Management
Photo Credit: the ryan king via Compfight cc
Back To Tiny Steps For Big Gains
–Confucius
I sit and read another post that reminds me of some key aspects of building new habits, and realize, with a bit of disheartening clarity, that I’ve stumbled on one of the tips put forth by Belle Beth Cooper on the Buffer Open Blog:
Focus on one habit at a timeOne of the hardest things for me when it comes to building new habits is to not take on too many at once. I always have such grand plans for the things I want to get better at, and so much enthusiasm when I first start out, that I want to build several habits at once.
My setback has been due to taking on too many habits at once. I’ve only had success in January with one: writing more consistently. Honestly, I should have paid heed since only one new habit could realistically be firmly established in such a short time.
I actually am at the point where I feel like something important’s not being done if I don’t at least start a post. Even if I don’t hit the publish button, as long as I’ve saved some thoughts, I consider that enough to check the box in Momentum (a fine habit tracking app!)
I think, after this sharp reminder, that I’ll give myself a few more weeks before adding another important habit. I’m also going to hold myself more accountable. Part of that will be to partake in a more formal course of action. Specifically, an email course.
Read more at: How to Build Life-Changing Habits Through Tiny Changes
Uncovering
It’s funny that the first thing to pop into my mind is something I’ve never directly experienced: clearing snow from a walkway in order to reach a car to drive. That’s a winter tradition back east, or so I’ve heard. Don’t mean to rub it in, seriously.
Just Another
Another week, another song. This week, it’s this classic little gem:
It’s not my favorite song by The Bangles, but it does pop up in my head many Mondays. Enjoy! 🙂
More: Music Mondays #18
A Decent Saturday
Another Saturday, another convention. This time, it’s Anime Los Angeles, and it’s the second day. This is only my second anime-focused convention, and it’s certainly larger than the first I attended a couple weeks ago.
The main things noticeably different, to me, than a more general or even comic convention is that the vast majority of cosplays making their prescence known are anime-related, and there seems to be a higher percent (just guestimating that) of cosplay overall. A very colorful couple days this is so far.
I’m also making progress in my solo legendary playthrough of Halo 5: Guardians. I’m discovering that I don’t play as badly as I used to, and my “carry” through co-op legendary can soon be forgotten. Finding hidden weapons caches can help as well as careful coaxing of A.I. teammates to either handle threats, or become fodder (sorry) can help speed things along; against The Warden especially.
I was hoping for some writing inspirarion after almost 2 days without a post. Nothing caught my eye this time, so there you go!
What’s Boring?
Politics bore me. There, I said it. It’s not that I find them unimportant, because I know that very often, there’s matters at stake that affect me or people I care about. It’s just that, far too often, basic logic and critical thinking are less valued by the loud voices, which I quickly tune out.
Kind of sad, isn’t it?
That’s not to say I don’t participate. I do, but it feels pointless to get too rhetorical when thinking about issue. I figure, think about a relevant situation that needs a decision, and based a decision on factual information at hand, or a realistic hypothetical situation, and make a choice. If I have an opinion, I do try my best to make it known, when an opportunity presents itself, officially.
I think that’s why politics does not interest me. Much. I pay attention when something big, or local is up. I don’t need convincing to know that actions matter, and also that considered, informed action is more effective. I still can’t believe there are people who participate nearly “blind”, without any critical thought put in. I don’t want to do that, but I definitely don’t find debating fun. This will probably be a very rare type of post for me, but I feel like it’s an important exercise, especially as it’s an election year.
This will also be the most I say about my leanings, anywhere, so apologies in advance for no comments accepted on this post. I might read linked posts, however.
( YAWN )
What bores you?