Swoozie's Cheerleader

Okay, if you guys don't know my boy Swoozie, from YouTube, you're missing it. Adande Thorne is infectious. He's one of the naturally funniest guys I've ever watched.  My good friend, Emilio Solano, introduced me to his videos a few years ago, and ever since I've been a loyal fan. I anticipate his videos and when I see a new one has been posted, I literally can't stop the smile that spreads across my face. I usually watch the video right there, right then, even in the middle of a date, No matter what I'm doing, except perhaps while having se... well, maybe even then too, I'll stop and watch a Swoozie video.



He's charming. He's funny. He's adorable.  He puts it all out there, all the embarrassing stuff, all the mistakes, all the funny day-to-day life tragedies and mishaps.  His raw honesty helps restore my faith that good men still exist. He's brilliant. He's talented. It doesn't hurt that he's also very, very handsome. It's also a plus that he's a gamer, but doesn't let the games consume his life. I have this fantasy of us playing a video game and the controllers get all mixed up... and... um... well... where was I?



But, seriously, one of the reasons I love this guy so much, is because I see what's not quite apparent. He's talented and a hard worker, and he's out there doing it, chasing his dreams, and making it come true. He's an inspiration because as a writer, author, and artist, I hear so many people talk about their dreams, talk about what they want to do in life, but I don't see them doing a damned thing to go out there and make it happen.  It's like this world expects everything to just drop in their laps like they're entitled, but dreams require sacrifice, they require dedication, they require sticking with it when it looks like the whole world doesn't give a damn - but you. I've watched Adande back when he only had a few video posts push forward.



Every time I saw him accomplish something else, I smiled.  When my boy went to the White House to interview President Obama, man... Oh, man... I was so damned proud.  His success has NOTHING to do with me, but I can't help feel like I'm one of his cheerleaders from the sideline, cheering him forward, and getting to witness his run right into greatness.  Watch this man!  I'm telling you, watch him... because he's one of the greats.  His spotlight is bright.  His presence is infectious.  His mind is clever.  His determination is steel.  He's going to make it. I can already see it, and I can't express how freakin' proud I am.



The very first video I watched by Swoozie was Video Game Girlfriend, and then a year or so later, Kiss the Gamer Girl.  He blew me away. I know he'll absolutely have you rolling on the floor.



So, guys and gals... if you haven't checked out my friends, Swoozie, what the heck are you waiting for?  Do it now. I promise... I promise... you won't regret it.  In fact, you'll be sending me messages thanking me. Show the love, people. Don't forget to let Swoozie know how much you love his videos once you do fall in love with them.



Till next time,



~Swoozie's Cheerleader

My New Obsession - Halo

Most of you know by now that I love a good story, and I especially love a coming-of-age or the making-of-a-true-hero story more than anything. And… if you’ve been following my blog posts over the past several months, you’ll also know that I’ve discovered FPS video games on the XBoxOne… starting with Destiny and now picking up the ever popular Halo. I dabble a bit with other games like Assassin’s Creed Unity, Grand Theft Auto V, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare and MineCraft, but I’m mostly a Destiny gamer girl… and now Halo.

What draws me to Halo isn’t really the game play, which is a lot like Destiny, but the fantastic storyline. That’s where Destiny fails. They had the potential for a great story, I’m not sure the true reason for its incompleteness, but they really skimped out and the plot lacks drastically. It’s a good thing there’s enough game play, combined with the fact I’ve met a GREAT group of fellow players, that keep me involved in the Destiny universe. But with Halo, it’s the complete opposite. The game play so far (before you jump down my throat, I’m currently only on Halo 2 in the MasterChief Collection) I find is a bit lackluster, but the storyline is absolutely out of this world. I hear the game play gets better as I get more into the newer games. Part of me wants to jump ahead, but I’d really love to let this story unfold in somewhat of a chronological order. I’m excited and really looking forward to it. I’m already fascinated by the MasterChief and I want to know all about him, all about Halo, all about the Flood, the Covenant, the Spartans, Cortana, the Forunners, and everything else in the Halo universe.

Other than the game play, what was it that drew me into this new path of Halo discovery? A friend of mine, a fellow Halo fan I will call Zero (that’s part of his gamer tag), turned me onto the SoundCloud audio series called “Hunt the Truth” by narrator, journalist, and war photographer by the name of Benjamin Giraud . OMG… I spent half the day listening to audio episodes and can’t wait until the next one comes out on Saturday. I was pulled deeper and deeper into the mysterious origins of the MasterChief – John 117. I’m hooked. As a companion to the story, there’s also a Youtube series that breaks down each episode by Ben Halo Canon. I’m hooked on this too. I’m literally giddy with Halo nerdom.

Wow, the nerd inside me is having a serious nerdgasm. I haven’t been this excited since the Harry Potter universe exploded. Well, what can I say? A good thing is a good thing. I hate that I’m so late to this Halo party, with Halo having been out for some time now, but I’m just so glad that I made it at all. This is something I think that I’ve been waiting for - for a very long time. I’ve been searching for something new, something different, something exciting in the science-fiction/fantasy world and gaming and Destiny was the closest thing I had stumbled upon. (Yeah, yeah… I know gaming has been out for a while… I’m late to that party too. I’ve been hidden in the literary world and gaming just hadn’t appealed to me …yet. Now, I can’t imagine my life without it being a part… just like when I first discovered books.)

I heard about Halo a year ago, incidentally from the same friend who sent me those links, when I saw part of a collection sitting on his entertainment center, but I couldn’t fathom the draw. Not because I didn’t think there was one, or that Zero was strange for having one, only because I knew I didn’t know enough of the story. I admired his devotion, but hadn’t got around to poking around it to see what it was all about. Well, damn it, that nest has been poked now, and all I hear is the roar of the loud buzz. I like it. I’m a little miffed at Zero for not sharing this with me sooner, but perhaps timing is everything. I might not have appreciated the draw a year ago, not having played a single game, and now when gaming is such an important part of my life, I can fully appreciate it. However, knowing my love for heroic stories, I’m sure my eyebrows would have arched and I would have went sniffing. Maybe he thought I would think him weird (which would have so been in his favor) so he didn’t share. It doesn’t matter what could have been, the fact is… I’m in now. I’m totally immersed. I doubt Zero realizes the beast he’s unleased. The Halo universe can thank him for this fan… and the dozens of fans I’m going to help create as I continue to blog about this journey.

So, here I am. I’ve got a long list of Halo books, comics, games, companion references, and videos that I must read, watch, and study in the days to come. I’m a complete Halo novice at this moment, but just watch me… before long, I’ll be a Master. LOL!

Now… to find a copy of the book Halo – The Fall of Reach … and so it begins.

Till next time,

~KV Kvothe