Elegant Scum

Having not posted anything in some considerable time, I thought I might post a brief update. if nobody reads it then so be it, this is posted for myself. 

A few years ago, not long after I started to use Tumblr, I decided to write a private blog that could not be read or accessed by anyone who didn’t have the URL and the password to get to the content. Every single post, including the blog page itself was deleted before I moved house for the first time. It was bile. Awful, unforgivable writing regurgitated from an unstable mind. I was depressed. I was tormented by loneliness and I didn’t feel that anyone understood. My friends didn’t understand when I wanted to sit at home and do nothing. It was a safe place to be, sat in the attic. Eventually though I stopped feeling that way. I felt like my presence was toxic to people, and certain individuals amongst my group of friends made me feel that I was on the outside. I don’t blame them, because it’s true. But in essence I was one the one who put myself there, by exercising a stubborn practise of avoiding them, not talking about issues, and being mired down by my own depression. 

Fast forwarding from there, there was a period of change. Things weren’t the same anymore. I wasn’t just stuck in my attic avoiding college, avoiding my friends and avoiding responsibility. I went to University where I got my 2:1 in English with Honours. I tried my hand at a number of professions, some of which didn’t stick, until I found two that did. I started to work at a local pub called the Black Bull. My confidence grew because I was forced to communicate with people rather than avoid them. I met friends who took me and Becki to LARP where I met even more fantastic people. I moved house and went to live with a long-time friend; and recently have moved again to make room for more changes. Our long-time friend is now in a committed relationship and his partner has moved across the county to be with him. Myself and Becki have moved into our own flat to save up money for a mortgage. Now, I’ve recently found myself with a job as a data analyst; the pay is reasonable, good prospects of promotion and the hours work well with my lifestyle. 

The only problems left to overcome are my continuing struggle with my left leg, and saving up some money. 

I find the only problem now is that there is no time for art. No time to write. No time to read. It’s inconvenient but not game-breaking. There are other, less time consuming, pursuits and also plenty of time to spend with Becki. 

I’m trying to use my sporadic free time to write something different instead; that being encounters for tabletop RPGS, and so remain productive in some sense. 

Although not as long or as eloquent as I’d like I think that about sums it up. To any of my old friends that read this; I wish you well, and good luck in all your pursuits. I’ve not forgotten the good times. I’ve not got it in me to let the bad times fester. There’s no sense wasting time on fruitless anger. I hope you feel them same about me. Maybe one day we can all raise a glass and say that we enjoyed the time we spent together - I certainly hope so. 

To all of the friends I have made since, stay awesome. Thanks for taking the good with the bad and putting up with my bizarre humour. 

Now to try to end on a meaningful note; there is still ample time to enjoy all the small pleasures of life. The little sins that make living so satisfying...

“I have done a thousand dreadful things As willingly as one would kill a fly, And nothing grieves me heartily indeed But that I cannot do ten thousand more.“ 

Hellboy: Here, take a beer.

Abe: Oh no, my body is a temple.

Welcome change of pace.

To change the place I call home.

This is going to be a bit of a ramble, so feel free to depart the train at platform one if you’re not wanting to stay on board  for the full journey. As the title above describes, that is what this is going to be about, a full on slog through the bowels of the endless debate plaguing rich kids who get all the new fads on release day and basement dwelling neckbeards alike; what is the best? Console or Computer?

As you've no doubt guessed if you’re still reading this, there isn’t strictly a clear cut answer but instead a series of facts and opinions surrounding the issue like so many microchipped buzzards, and in summation here are a few of them:

When it comes to raw power, graphics handling and quality, you probably aren't going to be able to dust off your SNES, Genesis (or Megadrive for us tea drinkers), PS One or whatever else you have in your arsenal of consoles, and outstrip the power of a high-end gaming PC (This is without getting into the bollock deep issue of “what power graphics card/other components”. In most cases a person dedicated enough (or with the cash needed) to their pet computer will have a decent(ish) graphics card. What a PC doesn't have on a console (and feel free to destroy me with whatever flub-dubbery you want) is sheer simplicity. Region aside as long as you have the correct console, the correct disk and the know-how not to put it in upside down like some sad, ignorant creature, then you know without a shadow of a doubt that that game will work (unless there is an inherent design flaw that can’t be patched) and it will work at the right speed and quality for that console. You probably won’t have to fiddle with much other than brightness to get the ball rolling. 

It is important to note that the following piece is written from the perspective of the character of Nevyn, a vassal of the noble house of Von Dorf, proud follower of the Ancestor, Rom the Traveller, spellcaster and wanderer of the vales and mountains of Teutonia. 

The Spring has been cold and wet as I have made myself at home. The Village is different to what it was when I left and truth be told I never really intended to return. If it was not for the summons of the Lord I would have been content to remain wandering the somewhat familiar landscape of Teutonia. Still, here I am sat in the wind and rain by our lodgings on Azurlon. I can’t even say for sure why I was requested to be here but curiosity drives me on. I am sure the Lord has some designs for me. From what I have gathered he has surrounded himself with some interesting fellows and since I have departed many new faces have appeared. Never mind the strange things that happened to some of my Lord’s noble family, his household has even more bizarre - though not unlikeable - characters occupying positions of importance.