Writer's Block: 3 Unofficial Rules on Romance

I would like to talk about the most important and most life-changing subject that affects the way we live today. And that is love. Well, romance, to be more exact. Stories have it. Media capitalizes on it. And as humans, we go gaga over it. I’ve met people who only live to search for love, people who dream that their love life would be a combination of all the most romantic chick flicks, literature, songs, and Tumblr posts. But no worries, I also met a lot of people who get nausea at the thought of love and romance (Mga halaman o may pinaghuhugutan, my fellow countrymen would like to call it). But yeah, I don’t know if you’re aware about it, but my country is obsessed with the idea of love, whether one detests or glorifies it. I mean, ever since I learned that the Filipinos can get easily persuaded with random love pairings like Aldub or even Lizquen, I became more than convinced that love is something we worship.

Romance has become almost like an essential in something we have to do in everyday life. Can’t wait in life? Give them a love quote. It’ll make them laugh. Politics is not making sense? Relate it to romance and post it on Facebook.

I’m not really hating on the idea of romance. It’s just that there are times when I don’t understand it. It’s supposed to be the most wonderful thing in the world, because it comes with no prejudice nor anything harsh. But thanks to the internet, it looks…no offense, stupid. We came up with these unofficial rules and expectations for romances, and no matter what we say, we exercise these ridiculous unofficial rules and expectations in daily life. Surprisingly, we based this on the fandoms we all love. So what are these unofficial rules? Let’s find out.

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1.) You both need to be attractive

Well you don’t need to be just attractive. You need to be considered attractive by…well, everyone. In the Philippines, we also have this thing called Love Teams, where we simply pair two major celebrities together and that alone is enough to make big bucks. People love them. People wish they have their glamorized life. And since the love teams comprises of two celebrities, expect them to be drop-dead gorgeous. If not one of them is attractive, then anticipate for a gradual makeover. Because of this, looks has become a major standard that is required in a significant other. Now this is a mindset that has been discussed ever since revolution started, but let’s not lie; almost everyone wants a girlfriend with great breasts and a fine gluteus maximus or a boyfriend with at least six-pack abs and a sharp jawline. I’m not saying that wishing for your future lover to be hot is a bad thing. Remember, pretty is a mindset. Whatever suits your fancy, I’d say go for it. However, it becomes bad—even insensible—if you think that being in love means being with someone who looks like a model that you can easily compare to the gods. It completely affects the way you would perceive the opposite sex (or even the same sex). It even makes us freakin’ judgmental, hence the terms like slut, f*ckboy, or desperada. Believe me, I’ve seen this happen and we all do it. So if you’re one of those people who judge other people for being with someone who doesn’t seem to fit your definition of pretty or hot, I’d say you keep those thoughts to yourself or better yet, don’t even question it.

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2.) Sex is needed (???)

Almost every romantic film or literature ever made, now has sex or—for a rated PG audience—an intense make-out session. This kind of practice is somewhat glorified and even encouraged in relationships. However, I don’t understand why is that the case. And no, this is not going to be one of those “oh-sex-is-for-married-couples” topics. I just don’t get why we need sex for the relationship to be deemed as something as romantic or sweet. Because psychology says that relationships that rely heavily on sex don’t work out (that’s right, Christian Grey. They don’t). So why can’t playing video games, be something romantic? Why can’t talking about deep and random stuff be something romantic? Yes, there are films challenging this idea, but in the end, sex still prevails for some reason. Why is that?

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3.) Obligations need to be followed, otherwise life won’t be perfect.

Now this is one of the most important things discussed in the romance sphere. Obligations are like, sending cute text messages every now and then, or giving flowers, or celebrating a monthsary—not anniversary, monthsary because apparently, couples can’t wait for a year to waste their money. I know, obligations are ways to assure yourself that your lover still has feelings for you. But for me, they’re no longer romantic. They’ve become the roots of unnecessary arguments. People nowadays—no matter how much they will deny it—get easily angry when one doesn’t immediately reply back or even remember a monthsary. Becoming unromantic is now an issue amongst couples. In the end, we’re humans and if there’s one thing true about human nature, we eventually get tired of things. Romantic obligations and gestures is sadly one of them. I know a couple who used to do a lot of romantic stuff at the beginning of their relationship, but now they’re no longer doing that but they are still steady and in deeply in love. Of course, there is the issue of drifting apart but that’s a sure sign that what you had was only romance. Not love. One of the most painful things people in love learn that romance and love are not always the same. Romance only lasts for perhaps ten monthsaries, but love lasts a lifetime. If you know that your boyfriend or girlfriend loves you without the need for a flash mob to remind you every anniversary, then congratulations; you have earned true love. You just know, because honesty and all the other good things are present in the relationship. I’m not disregarding romantic gestures or your “lover” duties, though. You can still do those things, if you’re willing and able. After all, obligations are based on your choices. And your choices depend on you.

Remember, love comes naturally and with no prerequisites. If someone loves you for who you are at the right time and place, then that person is a keeper. Till the next post~

Writer's Block: Why I Sometimes Hate Reading

I’m a bookworm and I am proud to call myself as such.  If it weren’t for reading, I would have failed almost every spelling test I got in the first and second grade, and I would not have my own sense of imagination. Reading helped me build wonderful things in my own head, and it kinda built my personality. So in short, it has made me the person I am today. But there will be times when reading will give me a horrible feeling. There will be small instances when I will feel distaste whenever I set my eyes on a book. Why is that? Well, if reading comes with good stuff, it can come with bad things too.

I will probably say the most obvious reasons as early as now. The first reason is simple; books are effin’ expensive. I hate how a simple joy in life called a book would cost as much as a Hipster graphic tee in H&M. That’s how crazy the economy is, nowadays, and that’s probably why Youtubers and celebrities suddenly have the burning passion for writing. Also, books have the ability to make my life look like a dull page, and I mostly read fiction. I read fantasy novels that have all the magic, the sci-fi, the dramatic heroes, the over-cliched romances, and the suspense. Most protagonists in high fantasy novels will disagree with me on this one but, their live are awesome. I would trade my soul just to have one simple adventure that involves dungeons and fairies (wait that somehow didn’t come out right). Unfortunately, in the end I will be slapped by reality and be reminded that there will never ever be a portal that will take me to an amazing fictitious world. But just once, I want my life to be like YA novel. I want to walk down in the hallways, meet a satyr telling me I’m an extraordinary demigod and I’m needed to save the world. It may sound like a heavy burden, but I would take this heavy burden over final exams. But again, no. I’m my own writer of my very own story. So I guess it’s up to me to make my lifetime extraordinary.

I sometimes hate reading because I know I will never get a satisfying ending and this happened half the time I’ve been a bookworm, which has been almost two decades. If I don’t get the ending I want, it’s either I have to wait for the sequel in a year or two or I don’t get a round two or three at all. That alone irks me. It sounds selfish that I’m being choosy when it comes to endings, but books are forms of entertainment. Therefore, they must entertain me. How can I enjoy knowing my favorite character died? How can I be happy not knowing things are going to be okay in the next book? Those thoughts tend to drive me nuts. Don’t even try judging me, I know you’ve been down this path too. Every reader goes through this. And if you haven’t, then let me warn you now; there will come a time when you’re reading a book and you won’t like where the plot is going at all. It’s pretty similar to watching the Game of Thrones, trust me.

In connection to storylines, I hate going on a book hiatus. This usually happens whenever I read book series. I have to wait at least year, if I want to know what happens next. The wait can be the definition of torment itself. It has made me detest waiting. Especially when the story is getting really good, but then it ends in a cliffhanger. I don’t know with you but it can be the worst feeling the world! Finishing a book with a cliffhanger is the equivalent of watching a horror film. It’s going to take time for you to get back to your regular sleeping pattern (assuming you have one), because you will be staying up all night coming up with theories and guesses on what’s going to happen next. Sometimes, I just can’t stand waiting and talking about it. I just cheat on this book series with another, and that doesn’t help at all because this other book likes bringing out cliff hangers, too and I still lose.

I also hate it when a book suddenly gets into the concept of death. It has become an insane trend in between novels lately. Whether it’s about a dystopian world or a kid who’s got an incurable disease, somebody has to die. What’s worse is that whoever dies is  someone  that we care about because the writers know that if they kill of an insignificant character, nobody will give a damn and quickly move on (well that’s what usually happens, anyway). It’s their sly tactic to make us savor their books so we can talk about it more, because this will create more buzz, then more people will be curious about it, which will make them buy the books until they cry about it, and the whole cycle goes on repeat. It’s basically an indirect marketing strategy, because thanks to our “feels”, we are promoting the books for the writers. Luckily most of the books celebrated are really good ones.

And there you have it. A fangirl explaining why she sometimes hates reading. If you can relate to anything that I just said, feel free to comment about your misgivings on reading on my Disqus (yay! I has Disqus) account, which will feature this very topic. That is it and till the next post~

7 Fandom Etiquettes To Follow

As we become more involved in our fandoms, we develop a certain behavior. And I'm not just talking about the squealing and yelling part. We do other habits as well. Habits that may seem normal to your friends, but peculiar to others who don't have the time to understand you. So here are 10 things people in Fandoms tend to follow.

1.) Stalking- For most people, this skill is considered "research". You open your computer and the first thing you type on a search engine bar is the name of your Fandom. If you're a tumblr user, you would naturally follow blogs who cater to your interests and then you would reblog all the pictures and texts to your hearts' content. Initially this would take hours and sometimes, you will be able to tell that you are spending that much time on your computer when an adult starts telling you stop. I would like to call this type of action, "taking some vitamins". Because the main course called, "watching, listening, or reading your fandom" is still not enough. You just need more of it and you thank the heavens for the progression of technology.

2.) Buying the merchandise- If you are blessed with a disposable income or a great amount of allowance, then you have every right to buy whatever nook and cranny that has the logo of your fandom imprinted. When you get this fandom, you tend to identify with it or it becomes a part of you. It helps when you to buy something you use everyday that has the face of your favorite book or actor. Sometimes it feels like you need to let the whole world you love this fandom, and it can also be a signal or magnet for other people who could possibly relate to you, as well.

3.) Explaining Things- One thing we need to constantly remind ourselves when we join a fandom; not everyone will understand us. Not everyone will get the inside jokes or the feels we get whenever we see a specific characters. So there will be times--if you have the patience to do so--to explain what the fandom is, what is about, and what's in it, to other people. But it can be quite a chore, because it's hard to explain it to someone who has no intention to convert at all. In the end, they just don't get it. Why we love fandoms.

4.) Getting the feels reaction- We all get this a lot. Whenever our fandoms does….well, anything… we tend to get "feels". No matter what they do, they tend to hit our hearts with wonder and sorrow. It's a science that cannot be fully comprehended. If someone can do a full study on this, please let me know in the comments.

5.) Being Defensive- As told by my Mean Girls post, we get all defensive when someone says something off about our fandoms. You think Dean is not hot? Then you are in trouble. You don't like what you watched? Then you have bad taste. You don't like J.K. Rowling's writing technique? Then you're the spawn of Satan. When you say something inaccurate about a book or movie, the job of a fandom member is to correct you in a way that will make you feel that you are the most idiotic person in the world. I guess people who are in fandoms have the tendency to be mean. Really mean. So don't take their hatred, personally. The love is too much to handle.

6.) Adapting the Fandom Linggo- Sometimes you tend to copy whatever a character or a member in a Fandom mentions, and it becomes part of the unofficial Fandom dictionary. As our vocabulary grows, a fandom becomes even more incomprehensible to the outside world. However it becomes part of the identity thing. When it gradually becomes a part of you, you adapt to the language too. So fandom can also be considered a culture. Like that of the Kpop fandom.

7.) Creating Inside Jokes- It becomes ten times more amusing when fandoms create inside jokes. It's a sign that everyone who have the same interests are slowly becoming closer together like a family. And whenever someone else mentions it, other fandom members would exchange looks and they would try their best not to laugh out loud like lunatics. But having someone to easily to relate through inside jokes can be one of the best feelings in the world.

Types of Mean Girls

I spent my high school years in an all-girls school, so I guess I have adequate knowledge about mean girls in general. They are not the typical pretty-in-pink gals that strut along the hallways. They come in different forms. It sounds scary, but again, they come in different forms; meaning not all mean girls are necessarily bullies. So what defines a mean girl? Attitude. They have tendency to appear rude, condescending, selfish, or simply stuck-up (intentionally or unintentionally). They're mean with or without the PMS. In order to understand their entire being, we need to be educated with what I call, the "Intensity Scale". This measures the magnitude of a girl's mean level (which will be discussed, shortly).

There are four levels, each containing five sub-levels. First is the basic. She's mean, but her actions do not always affect others. Touchy are usually the annoying mean girls, where their mannerism or social skills are starting to have a negative effect on you. The toxic mean girl is starting to become harmful in a way they terrorize other people, but they still remain sane and they have their own reasons. Finally, we have a mean queen which is a whole new different being. She's mean with no decent reason. Without further adieu, here are the types of mean girls. This post does not intend to generalize all mean girls. Every mean girl is unique, which is why I will only cite a few, all of them representing each level.

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1.) The High Maintenance (Intensity Level: Basic, 2-3)
Candidate: Sharpay Evans, High School Musical
She appears mean and she certainly acts like it. But in reality, she's not all that. She only has a particular way of handling things, and it is likely that her lifestyle shall not be easily compared to most. In the Philippines, she is mostly seen as "maarte". The type who thinks she has OCD, but in reality, she just gets easily grossed out on things she is not very familiar with. If things don't go her way, that's when she frowns and bitches out. It could be because your school cafeteria did not cook the food the right away (in her opinion), or the mall does not have her most preferred Asian restaurant. She is most likely a very detailed person and has the talent to keep everything on track. Is she a bitch? Not necessarily. Actually, might as well take it easy on this specific type of girl. She obviously had a very posh and privileged upbringing. So don't judge her when she can't handle overflowing trash. Just as long as you keep a certain distance from her when you interact, and she is able to buy a drink that is perfectly blended with the right bendy straw, then you won't have to worry about experiencing a bitchfit. But really, she's harmless. For what it's worth, they tend to look very appealing, thanks to their picky taste in clothes.

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2.) The Downer (Intensity Level: Touchy, 6)
Candidate: Aisaka Taiga, Toradora
Just imagine you had the greatest day ever. It was so great, it almost seemed like nothing can spoil your mood. Then this person comes along and tells you, "My life sucks. You should feel sorry for me." and suddenly, the best day you ever had was forgotten. For some reason, they're so negative. And sometimes their negativity easily rubs off on you. Everything you are saying, they fill it up with the down side to it. You know you are talking to this specific mean girl when the crappy feeling slowly reaches the surface. Also this girl is not that hard to find on Facebook, because she's (or at least attempts to be) highly critical. She's most likely the one who typed this long Facebook status about what she thinks of the whole Nicki Minaj and Miley Cyrus fiasco at the VMAs. She's the girl in the comments section who sends hate to random celebrities or even ordinary people. Then suddenly you feel as terrible as this person. They're harmless too, but their words of discouragement can get very annoying. It's like they're only purpose is to rain on your parade 24/7.

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3.) The Brutally Honest (Intensity Level: Toxic, 12)
Candidate: Jade West, Victorious
If you're that kind of person that needs everything to besugarcoated, then best to avoid this girl. She tells you everything you do not want to hear. The truth hurts, but it will hurt even more when someone as frank as her says it. She ain't afraid to tell you how ugly you looked in that prom dress. She ain't afraid to tell you directly what somebody else thinks of you. She ain't afraid to tell you how awful you are at something. And above all, she doesn't care if you get affected by what you said because she know she speaks the truth. Basically, this mean girl has the lowest sensitivity rate of them all, she's most likely the girl who does not think twice about anything. She just--as Shia Laboeuf always says--does it. It pays to have this kind of person around, but their tongues are sharper than any blade you can think of. Whether she says it with a smile or a frown, always brace yourself. Because it ain't going to be pretty. Honesty is the best policy, but not when it comes with no sprinkle of sincerity.

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4.) The Gremlin (Intensity Level: Touchy, 10)
Candidate: Santana Lopez, Glee
Remember that girl who yells and screams right in your face? Ever thought that after yelling twenty-four times a day, they end up sounding inhuman? That's the gremlin. It's not hard to tell if a mean girl is the gremlin type. She's very outspoken about almost everything. She has a built-in megaphone in her voicebox and she always announces what she is about to do even if nobody cares. Not only that, they're extra intense when they're seriously angry. They will constantly yap at your face about everything you did wrong, and it will just keep on coming like random punches to the face. If there is an actual sport for talk smacking, they are the automatic champions. But take it too hard on them. As touchy as they are, they're also very sensitive and emotional. This explains the passion resonating in their tone. The solution to shutting them up remains a mystery to me. The only person who can defeat a gremlin, is well...another gremlin.

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5.) The Punisher (Intensity Level: Toxic, 13)
Candidate: Regina, Once Upon a Time
If you encounter this girl in your lifetime, then best to avoid her path unless you have the guts. This girl is unpredictable, because she doesn't have the time to explain to you what pisses her off. So if you somehow get to their bad side, best be prepared for the payback she has for you. It can either ruin your life, or ruin your life. The Punisher is very mysterious and she is always two steps ahead. She does this because she either doesn't want to be belittled. She wants everyone to know that no one should mess with her or bully her. They may not have the air of mystery enveloped around them, so might as well exercise your judgment of character. If this girl is a fighter, then she is most likely the vengeful type. Their style also varies, so try to look out for that.

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6.) The Defensive Fangirl (Intensity Level: Mean Queen)
Candidate: Mei Ling, Cardcaptor Sakura
Being a fangirl is like being in a different world and being in the actual world, at the same time. Only, you are more focused on what is happening in the other world. I think it's safe to say that if senpai is being threatened, the natural stimuli of a fangirl would be to heavily defend him or her or them. And the defense would almost sound like offense, because it becomes too aggressive for comprehension. Mean words are being exchanged, as well as threats. This happens a lot online, and it is very easy to spot them in any social media platform. And their only reason for them to act like hungry jaguars is because someone said this guy they admire is a slut. Luckily, they're not hard to ignore. They are labeled as drama queens that are not even worth your time.

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7.) The PMS (Intensity Level: Mean Queen)
Candidate: Any girl, really
The menstrual cycle gives us feelings that we thought we would never feel. It was thanks to this, that I was able to feel anger and depression at the same time. When it comes to having our period, common sense no longer exists. All that's left is the great pain right underneath the belly area. It hurts so bad, that all you ask is for it is to stop. The saddest part is that there is no solution. And it becomes frustrating. What I said is almost an understatement. Having your monthly period is no joke, unfortunately.

Never Date a Fictional Character

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Never date a fictional character. 

Never date Edward Cullen. He may have the sparkles and a fancy car, but he's way too controlling and possessive. Don't get me started with Jacob Black and his werewolf pack. They have the symptoms of a domestic abuser.

Never date Zuko. Or basically, never play with fire. You will get hurt, one way or another.

Never date Draco Malfoy. Not because he's a cowardice, but his personality is just unflattering. How is a tortured bully ever an attractive trait?

Never date Augustus Waters. His flirting game may swoon in you in the pages of book, but you won't be able to recognize it in real life because the guys who tried his strategy are the ones you most probably rejected and regarded as "creepy" and "weird".

Never date any shadowhunter. Their occupation has made them elitists, so at the end of the day, they will still think they're better than you no matter what they say. And they can be potential rapists.

Never date Katniss Everdeen. Just don't. Not because she's too busy with the revolution, but she can sometimes be very insensitive.

Never date Korra. The job of an Avatar is way too demanding and if you're the type who wants to spend a lot of quality time, then save your breath.

Never date Dick Grayson. His job can put you in great danger, even if you say it's worth the risk (because there's a high probability you do not know what you are saying). And if you're looking for loyalty in your date, then he's most definitely not for you.

Never date Nagisa Furukawa, because she still has a lot to learn for herself.

Never date Wonder Woman. Her pride may be a bit too much for you.

Never date Hercules, because he's not really a wonder boy in real life.

Never date any Disney Prince, since their basis of love and attraction is quite superficial and happily ever after will forever remain a mystery.

Never date Elsa. No matter how many times you sing her song, she has a hard time of letting go.

Never date Ariel, because stubborn is not necessarily hot.

Never date a fictional character. They're not perfect. They're not any different from real life people. Control over your will is not a sweet gesture. A badass attitude may not be something you're looking for. When they say that they're too dangerous to be with, maybe what they say is true. Then who should you date? Who's the right one? My advice is to look up and never depend on fiction for how your love story will be written. Write your own and it will be guaranteed to be the best.

Till the next post~

Writer's Block: On Tastes and Preferences

Whether we like it or not, we all get judged and judge even if it is considered a bad thing (source: The Bible). What's even worse is that we get immediately judged based on our interests. For instance, if I like watching The Star Wars Trilogy, then I am possibly considered a prestigious geek. If I enjoy reading Twilight, I am immediately labeled as this illiterate fangirl. I know that there are certain kinds of people who don't really care about what others say about their likes and dislikes, but its really depressing and infuriating to know that there are people who will think lowly of you simply because you like something generic.

Let me remind everyone that interest is called interest for a pretty good reason; we like it. That's all there is to it. Liking a movie or a book is kinda similar to being in love as described in most YA novels. In other words, sometimes we can't clearly explain why we enjoy something and I'm sure this is something most fangirls can relate to. In other words, why should someone be badly judged for simply having an interest in something? For me, it's not fair to insult someone's taste simply because it doesn't match your own. I guess it's something that I've learned growing up.

If you guys still can't picture what I want to emphasize, just think about your friends or siblings or anyone you're close to. At some point, you can express yourselves (or in the case of this blog, "fangirl") to them without having this tinge of fear of being teased. And that feeling is great. And I guess that's how your mortal life should always feel. Now think of your dislikes. When you encounter someone who happens to be interested in your dislikes, then the common courteous thing to do is to be polite right? But at times, especially when were still young and naive, we think disdainfully about why this person would even like this thing you consider crap. It may be just a thought to most people, but the fact that you've thought of it in your very own mind? That's terrible.

Looking back at the times I did that, I ended up being very disgusted with myself. Then I began thinking why can't we just respect that person instead of asking why they consider Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele the best OTP in literary history. Just thinking about it is time consuming and very exhausting. Because in the end, we would probably never be able to understand why. That's the beauty of diversity, my lovely people.

Our world is aspiring to become a place were we can be equal, just, beautiful, colorful, and unique all at the same time. But I believe that the beginning of something big starts with the tiniest step. And we can all start with this. If you're one of those people who does hate comments or thinks badly about other people's tastes and preferences, then please consider what you are doing if it is even worth your energy. Learn how to simply respect what they like, because that's the easiest way to go. So basically, yes, this is the best advice I can share to you. When you can accept someone liking something you don't like, then congratulations. You're on your way to maturity. If you guys think this is not maturity, then I don't know what else to say.

I have to admit, doing this is extremely hard. Especially when you consider yourself a very proud and firm person. But sometimes, there would be times that your pride won't be needed at all. All you have  to do is nod, and swallow that disgusting sin. Don't even bother trying to explain why you hate what he or she likes, like you're suddenly some debating expert (because if you think about it, is that really necessary?). Just say what you also like, and move on with your life. Make love, not war.

Till the next post~

Writer's Block: Otaku

There is nothing wrong with being an Otaku. 

If you do not know what an Otaku is then it's obviously a person who prefers to stay in their room and does nothing else but stuff their minds with whatever fandom comes to mind. Most people would see them as bums with no life. Sometimes the culture of an Otaku is also seen as something dangerous or simply unhealthy because they lock themselves in their rooms all day and prefer to face a computer screen rather an actual human being. I admit, living the Otaku life can be dangerous to your health, However, the problem is the a lot of people are only able to grasp just the idea of being an Otaku. That's why it's so easy for them to quickly judge them as sore losers who live under a rock. I may sound like biased person when I say this, but I am going to be completely honest with you; being an Otaku is not that bad. Perhaps it becomes a bad thing when you forget your limits, but apart from that living an Otaku life does not mean you don't have a social life or you are not knowledgeable enough to be considered an intellectual person. In other words, Otakus can be well-rounded people too. 

The first thing I would like to address is that Otakus are not stupid. In fact, they can be intelligent. They read and learn about informative shit in their fandoms and most of the Star Wars or Game of Thrones shit they love are based on actual facts that you ponder in school (or at work) everyday. Not only that, there are now blurred lines about any subject and the definition of a genius or a smart person is one of them. Being smart does not automatically mean that you are just a straight-A student. Heck no one told you that you need to be incredibly ambitious with schoolwork just so you can be considered intelligent. You can be smart or intelligent in your own way. Believe it or not, Otakus are already doing that. Watching one anime episode is enough for them to generate opinions about the most random things, including sensitive issues. Otakus are smart enough to think for themselves whilst reading, watching, or even playing video games (because playing games are not as easy as you think).

Another thing is that not all Otakus are bad at socializing. It may be a struggle but it does not mean we are stuck in this struggle forever. I am an Otaku and I started out as a terrible public speaker. And guess what? I decided that I do not want to remain that way, so I decided to build up my social skills because it was simply my choice. Like I said, Otakus think for themselves. We may make fun of ourselves being socially awkward, but we do not over indulge our faults for an eternity. Also, Otakus can go out. Otakus are not allergic to the outdoors. If some are, then deal with it. It just so happens there are people who prefer to stay inside the comfort of their homes for a reason. And if they prefer to stay there everyday, then I don't see why people have to make such a big issue about it. Staying indoors is a choice, just like going outdoors. When someone you know prefers to stay at home, it does not mean they end up deteriorating on the couch. It means that they just want to stay at home. That's it. There's nothing more to it.

Finally, Otakus do have lives. I am not sure what your definition of a life is, but I'm sure it centers around doing something you love. I have Otaku friends, but they have friends (like me, of course. I just said that they are my friends). They actually go to more parties than I do. They go to malls, have sleepovers, and attend Prom. Otakus can be suckers for the mundane things in life, too.

So if you're one of those people who look down on Otakus simply because of the idea of their lifestyle, then I just want to let you know that we live our lives  the way we want them to. And if you're one of those Otakus who live up to the social constructs that society labeled you to be (a.k.a. a total bum), then please do not revolve around this culture too much because too much of something can also be a bad thing. There is nothing wrong in making a little effort on trying new things. 

Guess Who's Baaack!

Hi!

Wow, I know I've disappeared all of the sudden. Apologies for the very long absence. Let's just say I had computer problems during the last couple of days, and it has hindered me from typing blog posts. But I am proud to say that I am officially back! As much as I want to get down straight to blog posting, I cannot because my systems just came up and running only recently. So give me time to come up with an authentic and senseless blog post for you guys to waste your time on. Anyway, it is great to be back and hopefully I will come up with a brand new post soon. Once again, I am sorry for the hiatus. I am back, and I will try my very best to retain that status.

Writer's Block: Hate on the Internet

Before the holidays even began, I could not wait to dedicate myself to blogging. Now I'm in the middle of vacation, I ended up getting lazy. I'm sure that I am not the only one experiencing this. So, for the sake of sharing my thoughts to you, I will talk about writer's block and how I deal with it.

Writer's block is what I call a sin for all writers. It is the common enemy, the obstacle, the main reason why we can't get any work done in time. It literally blocks your mind to all these incredible ideas that you have yet to use! Because of the mental block, you end up wandering mindlessly and you end up being unproductive. Apart from pure laziness, I don't know what are the other causes of this damned disease. If there was an actual mallet that can dismantle the block in my brain, I'd be happy to sacrifice a huge fragment of my soul for it (I'm only exaggerating, of course).

So yes, this will not be the last time that I will go through something like this. So forgive me if a post of mine becomes bland; it means I am experiencing writer's block. However, there is something I would like to talk about, but it won't be as spontaneous as the others. Since it is about the internet.

This may be the first time that I will be sharing this, but I love watching Youtubers. They're funny, easy to relate with, and very random. I love hearing about their thoughts and their ideas. Their spontaneity and jokes can always brighten up the worst days for me. Lately, every time I try to read the comment section (usually, I do that to read the top comments, which are most of the time hilarious)...I end up finding a lot of unpleasant things. Meaning, it's either spam, a troll comment, or just a plain rude remark. Why is that? Why has the cyber world gone so bitter, is the real world that bad now?

I know that the whole issue of "hate in the internet" won't disappear any time soon but I can't help but to readdress it. Because, I feel strongly against cyber bullying and anything related to that. Nobody wants to be disrespected. Nobody. And if you say that you don't mind being treated with disrespect, then I do not know what's wrong with you. And if you are one of those people who enjoy writing mean or spam-worthy comments, then I get that you guys have nothing better to do with your lives; but do you really have to affect other people with your negativity? This whole hating and trolling is kinda like a virus. For some odd reason, you just feel like typing an offensive comment and sending it means spreading that virus all over the net, affecting a lot of people. And the next thing you know, others are following the very same bad example.

And it is not surprising that nothing much will change regardless of what I say here. As far as I know, this is just the beginning, and unless there is a law on internet etiquette or something, then this whole hate thing won't end anytime soon. I just want everyone to know that it's seriously happening and it's not a laughing matter. I've experienced cyber bullying and I know a lot of other people who went through it, too. A rude comment may not have an affect on you, but it can greatly affect most people. Youtubers like Pewdiepie have made it clear that the internet is no longer a happy place, it is broader than that. Also, I'm sure you've heard about Zoella and her hater issues. It is natural for famous like them to have haters, yes, but at the end of the day...they are people...with feelings. They get hurt, too. And judging from their posts regarding the internet, the comments, and the hate.... it's taking a great toll on them too.

Has the world gone sadistic?

The best tip for every internet user is very overrated yet very simple; think twice before doing something. And I think that's very self-explanatory. For the ones affected by the hate, don't fret. This may be hard to take in, but do not focus on the bad stuff. Appreciate what you already have and once you do, you will realize that you have nothing to lose. Basically, don't listen to the haters and just focus on yourself, because you know yourself better than they do. Stay strong!