Another Random Blog Post

Some of my best creative ideas and shortcomings have come from being on vacation. I have launched projects, websites, initiatives all while sitting on the edge of a pool, sippin’ suds and enjoying the sunshine, but I’ve also cast them all aside and shut them down while doing the same. Naturally, as I sit on the edge of this pool today, all of these thoughts rush through my head as to what I want to do next. I always relate it to having all of this extra time to allow for those creative ideas to flow, but without the ability to do anything about it. (ie; I can’t capture footage, make videos on the laptop I have with me, etc.) Still, I thought it would be nice to sit down and actually put something on my website for the first time in a long time. This post will be all over the map, so bear with me.

WEBSITE What’s the point of a website anymore? I mean, I get it. And if all I did was write blogs and do more with words, this site would have much more relevance and would justify more usage. I do enjoy writing but like so many others, my creatives have come in different forms; videos, podcasts, and various other one-offs. When I get an idea or something I’d like to write about it, I typically just tell myself, “I’ll save that for a podcast”, or something similar. It’s almost a shame because in today’s world, writing seems a lost medium. It seems more folks would rather listen to or watch what you have to say rather than taking the time to read it. Regardless, I’d like to do more blogging so maybe it comes down to finding something specific to write about instead. I guess, if nothing else, the site is a good place to just host all of my stuff in one sense or another. PODCAST Yes, I’m in the process of putting something together. I like to have my podcast segmented together so that I know where I’m going with each episode. So I have my topics, music and quick hits all laid out on paper, and then I go from there. The thing is (and I’ve mentioned this in my casts) that I don’t like committing to a schedule because I don’t want to force content. If I don’t have anything to say, I don’t want to have a podcast filled with ‘fluff’. So with that, my podcasts are few and far between. Originally, my goal was to have my podcast focus on a variety of topics, but inevitably it all goes back to gaming. I’m okay with it, but we’ll see how/if this corrects itself moving forward. Either way, I’m thankful for those that have taken the time to listen. I always tell people that you should create for *you* first and others second, and I certainly subscribe to that wholeheartedly. That said, it’s nice when at least one person listens too. VIDEOS I’ve been slacking on this, but I have a pretty good reason for it. I’ve taken more initiative with creating videos at work, which has been going really well, but then when it comes time to start at home? I’m spent and want to do something other than making a video. I’d rather use that time to play a game or enjoy something else. However, I do really enjoy the wrestling videos I’ve made, and I would like to get back to it. I would also like to incorporate some sort of ‘quick’ video that isn’t all just wrestling related. I thought about doing it with hockey, but I know I wouldn’t be satisfied and would end up making them a lot like the wrestling vids. I’d like to put out a video or two on random games I enjoy, like Tiger Heli on the NES. Some quick, nostalgic hit, you know? But there’s always been another element that has held me back when it comes to videos. I’ve always been conscious of it, but never enough to do anything about it. I always admire the production elements that people put into their videos and I’ve always wanted to add them into mine in some way, shape, or form to help add some uniqueness and flare. The problem is, I often see things in other videos and then when it comes to adding something similar but different to mine, I get a little overwhelmed and it tends to really slow down my process by adding them and then I just get burned out. I’ll spend a full day working on some sort of graphical element for three seconds of footage and still not be totally satisfied with it. So when I read a couple of tweets from NES Complex on Twitter not that long ago, it really resonated with me:

(For the record, I don't monetize anything on YouTube so the algorithm and all that doesn't relate to me)

I admit, after reading that, it totally smacked me in the face. This was the trap that I have fallen into. I knew that I wanted to separate myself from others because, let’s face it, when you’re creating content based on 30+ year-old topics and the like, it’s hard not to sound like a broken record or provide an angle that hasn’t been covered umpteen times. So I thought my production had to stand out. But it doesn’t, really. And it’s crippled my production. I look at someone like ‘SNESDrunk’ and he may create the simplest videos that relate to gaming on YouTube. That’s not at all to suggest that it’s easy or doesn’t take him an lot of time to put it altogether, but his videos focus on the games he’s covering. It’s not overproduced at all. No on camera shots, no silly segments. Just…”here’s a game I played and what my opinion is”. That’s it. And the dude has a large following. That tells me right there that production does not a great video make. Sure, it’s nice and it helps, but it’s not 100% necessary. And I think that’s a focus I need to take moving forward. I’m hoping it helps. (Dang. Didn’t realize I had that much to say about that!)

EVERYTHING ELSE You know, it’s funny. Originally I thought that I was going to have to pull back on almost everything starting in September. As fate would have it, I was set to be coaching a junior hockey club that had made it’s way to town, but to make an extremely long story short, I shortly stepped down as head coach soon after I accepted the position. It was a complete mess and I was really frustrated with how things went down so I completely washed my hands of it. Sooo...needless to say, the time I thought I would lose this fall/winter/spring is not lost after all. However, I do need to do more with my time and get out of habits of just plopping on the couch and overanalyzing everything. I’ve given it a lot of thought, and I think I’m going to try streaming more. Just one night a week, and something simple. I’m going to try and find the night that works best and go from there. My biggest reason for not doing it stems from trying to work around ‘schedules’. I just need to pick a date, a time, and do it. I’ve only done it a couple of times, and I’ve really enjoyed it so I think I just need to pick something and do it. I’ve had a number of other things and ideas in my head that I’ve stockpiled for a long time, but I think I need to just let myself do it and stop holding off on all the excuses. The obvious question would be, “If you have to force yourself to do these things, why even bother?” And that’s a very good question. The answer is simple, though. I’ve sat in this exact same position, on this exact same vacation and I’ve pulled the plug on everything creatively. I thought I was too busy, and it just wasn’t worth the time. I figured it was best just to walk away from it all. The problem with that was that I know myself. I need to have some sort of creative outlet in some form or another. The video games are a great escape. So is the wrestling and the hockey and the cartoons. But, my brain doesn’t allow me to just sit back and enjoy. I need to analyze and dissect and research and dig. Creative types know what I’m talking about. I need to share my thoughts, even if there’s no audience to consume them. I just know that about myself. So in saying all that, I think I’m going to streamline focus, make things simpler, and enjoy it a lot more. Alongside some changes in my physical routine, I’m hoping that things will take a much more constructive turn in a year where I’ve actually done more creatively than I have in years. Here’s hoping I can continue to ride that and keep going. Thanks for reading.