ARCHIVED ENTRY AUGUST 18, 2024
Shifting Gears: From Wrenches to Keystrokes
The Beginning
From a young age, I've always enjoyed the roar of a powerful engine, the whistling of a turbocharger, and the clicking of a ratchet. But as much as I loved working with my hands, I also had a strong love for technology. My passion for cars and trucks led me to start my career in the automotive industry eight years ago. Growing up in poverty, we had to learn to fix mechanical issues ourselves when it came to our own vehicles. I found out quickly that I was very mechanically inclined and enjoyed repairing things. My driving skills were strong, thanks in part to my OCD. In high school, I had three career choices in mind: automotive technician, software engineer, or automotive racing. However, I didn't actively pursue any of them. Growing up in poverty and struggling with mental health challenges led to many difficulties as both a teenager and an adult.
My Sojourn
Embarrassingly enough, I've held many different jobs due to my inability to maintain steady employment. I've worked in numerous positions such as stocker, cashier, warehouse worker, truck driver, lab technician, plant controller, machine operator, and sheet metal mechanic. And the list goes on. After two children and a failed marriage, I was able to get my mental health under control and actually start bettering myself. I wanted a better life for myself and my children. That's when I began searching for the right career. I knew I had to start from the bottom, even at an older age. I began my career in the automotive field. Even though I had set my career later in life, I felt like I was now working towards something meaningful. Now I could actually do something for myself, with myself, and have a goal to work towards. For myself, my current wife, and teenage children.
Automotive Technician
Like I mentioned, I had to start from the bottom. The bottom as an automotive technician is an oil and tire technician. I say bottom, but it's still a respectful position. As an oil and tire tech, you help customers with maintenance of their vehicles they use daily to go to work, run errands, go to doctor's appointments, etc. A customer's vehicle needs to be safe and reliable, and an oil and tire tech is the first step to achieving that. I eventually moved up to manage the same shop where I started, but it wasn't the right fit for me. I had the opportunity to do more mechanic work at a local business. I moved up to suspension work, alignments, light electrical, tire pressure monitoring systems, and brakes. I then saw the opportunity on a job board for BMW as a service technician. I sent in my resume, and the rest is history. I have been working on BMWs for four years, and I thoroughly enjoy the work and the challenge it provides. After jumping from job to job and working on some of the most sophisticated cars in the world, I became curious about how the software made them so advanced. As I became more skilled, I realized my true fascination was not just in the mechanics but in the software that powered these vehicles.
Software Engineer
Even though I enjoy my career, I have always felt it was more a love for the technology. I will always get enjoyment from working on cars, but I enjoy learning how the technology works. I've always been intrigued by how software makes hardware function, creating an interface that allows us to interact with technology seamlessly. That fascination only deepened as I worked on today's cars, especially BMWs, which rely on multiple control units to manage everything from engine performance to safety features. Each unit is controlled by software that dictates how the injectors and spark plugs function, how the windows and sunroof operate, how the locks and alarm system engage, how the fuel pump runs, and how the tire pressure monitoring system works, among countless other things. I want to learn how to manipulate and control technology using software. I want to design software to be more efficient and to make our lives better and easier, or just more fun and entertaining. I have already begun to delve into this career by taking classes on Codecademy. My webproject, Noxium Elysium, helps me practice what I learn.
Conclusion
I feel, at my age, that not only will a software engineering career be more rewarding but also easier on my body. I want to show my teenage children that the only way you can achieve the things you want in life is to work hard and never give up. And to never let anything get in the way of your happiness and success. They see me exhausted after a long day of turning wrenches, but still able to provide for them. They see my projects and are impressed, and understand that this career I'm working hard towards will reap many benefits. I look forward to seeing what I can bring to the world with the skills I will acquire in my journey. I encourage anyone with a goal to work hard to achieve it, knowing that it can lead to a happier, more fulfilling life. I hope to inspire not only my children but to anyone who sees my journey. It's never too late to pursue a path that aligns with your passions and brings you closer to your true potential.
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ARCHIVED ENTRY AUGUST 23, 2024
From Motavia to Rykros: My Journey Through Phantasy Star IV
The Beginning of the End
The Phantasy Star franchise started in 1987 on the Sega Master System. I didn't get my start in the franchise until 1995, when Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium was released for the Sega Genesis in North America. However, it released two years earlier in 1993 in Japan. I sat in front of our 26" CRT television watching my older brother play Phantasy Star II in earlier years. I actually had my own saved game data on our Phantasy Star IV cartridge and was instantly hooked. After experiencing my brother's journey through the Algo Star System on his way to defeat Dark Force and then the Profound Darkness, I was captivated. I embarked on my own journey, captivated by the amazing storytelling, soundtrack, and graphics.
Story
The story of Phantasy Star IV continues and completes the story of the original Phantasy Star franchise. We start on the planet Motavia with hunters Alys and Chaz. They travel to the academy in Piata for a job to clear out monsters in the basement. Upon investigation, they come to the conclusion that the infestation was caused by "The Black Wizard" Zio. The party then investigates Zio and his plot. This leads to so many great, and a few sad, events throughout the game. We meet many characters such as Hahn, the scholar; Rune, the magician; Gryz, the Motavian; Rika, the newman; Demi and Wren, the cyborgs; and Raja and Kyra from Dezolis. You'll also have a temporary playable character named Seth, who turns out to be another form of Dark Force. The party travels to many planets and space stations, meeting interesting people and battling fearsome foes. After defeating so many forms of Dark Force and traveling to the unknown fourth planet Rykros, they find out Dark Force's creator: the Profound Darkness. The Profound Darkness is an entity sealed away using the planets of the Algo Star System that manifests its hatred as Dark Force. The party enters the Profound Darkness's dimension to vanquish it before it can destroy the universe.
Gameplay
Gameplay hasn't changed very much over the span of the original series. It's a turn-based role-playing game. You have at most a party of five characters at your disposal. The party traverses a huge overworld over multiple planets and travel to star stations. There are vehicles in the game that you can also use in battle. The party visits many villages and cities populated by interesting people of different races. You can speak to people and join in on side quests from the Hunter's Guild. You'll increase individual characters' levels and stats gaining experience in battle. You can also earn items and equipment that help in battle. The party delves into many dungeons. Battles occur through random unseen encounters unless it's a special event, like a boss fight. In battles, you are at the backs of the playable characters and facing your foes. You choose what actions to do during the battle phase. Those actions are attack, skills, techniques, items, or defend. One interesting feature of Phantasy Star IV is the addition of 'macro' commands, which allow you to preset different actions. This is useful due to the new combo attack system. Different characters can perform different skills or techniques to perform a devastating or useful combo attack.
Other Phantasy Star Experiences
I've played Phantasy Star II, but never have completed it. I've messed around with the original for Sega Master System, and Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom. I have never played the two Game Gear games or the text adventure games based on the Phantasy Star II characters. My next experience with Phantasy Star was with the Online series. I saw many articles for the release of a new Phantasy Star that was set to be an MMO. Phantasy Star Online released in 2000 for the Sega Dreamcast. I never had a chance to experience it online, but I've also played Episode I and II for the Nintendo GameCube. I've never played Episode III or Blue Burst for the PC. I've only played Phantasy Star Universe by means of demo on the Xbox 360. I have never played any of the handheld games of that generation. I spent many hours playing Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis on the PlayStation 4. I messed around some with the original Phantasy Star Online 2, but I haven't played the new Version 2.0.
The End of the Beginning
Phantasy Star IV's amazing storytelling, compelling audio, and impressive visuals make it a game worth playing at least once. It's actually aged well in my opinion. Even though I would love to see a continuation of the original series, it's well-known that Phantasy Star IV is the final game in the series. Hence the name. There is no comparison between the original series and the online series. They are just different games. Phantasy Star Online 2 is all about flash and custom character creation with over-the-top gameplay. Phantasy Star IV was a journey. It immersed you in the Algo Star System and every event that transpired in the game. You cared about the characters, the worlds they lived in, and the survival of the universe itself. This game is the reason for my online handle, and is my favorite out of any game ever released.
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ARCHIVED ENTRY SEPTEMBER 22, 2024
Phantasy Star's Cosmic Legacy: The Planets of Algo
Summary of the Planets
In the original Phantasy Star franchise, multiple planets make up the Algo Star System. Palma housed the Palmans, a technologically advanced human race believed to hail from Earth. Palma was destroyed after colliding with the satellite Gaila, and its surviving inhabitants migrated to Motavia, Dezolis, and other reaches of space. Motavia is a desert-like planet home to the primitive bird-like Motavians. Dezolis is a cold planet inhabited by the Dezorians, who worship the Great Light and the Profound Darkness. After Palma's destruction, the Palmans settled on Motavia and Dezolis. The final planet of the system, Rykros, was created by the Great Light to complete the seal that keeps the Profound Darkness at bay every millennium after Palma's destruction.
Palma
In the original Phantasy Star franchise, multiple planets make up the Algo Star System. Palma housed the Palmans, a technologically advanced human race believed to hail from Earth. Palma was destroyed after colliding with the satellite Gaila, and its surviving inhabitants migrated to Motavia, Dezolis, and other reaches of space. Motavia is a desert-like planet home to the primitive bird-like Motavians. Dezolis is a cold planet inhabited by the Dezorians, who worship the Great Light and the Profound Darkness. After Palma's destruction, the Palmans settled on Motavia and Dezolis. The final planet of the system, Rykros, was created by the Great Light to complete the seal that keeps the Profound Darkness at bay every millennium after Palma's destruction.
Motavia
Phantasy Star II and IV begin on the planet Motavia. In Phantasy Star I, Motavia is a desert planet that is home to the native bird-like Motavians. In Phantasy Star II, Mother Brain influences technological advancements that make the planet more habitable. Even after Rolf and his party eventually defeat Mother Brain, the planet flourishes with lush forests and thriving civilization. However, the destruction of Mother Brain leads to the malfunctioning of the planet's control systems over time. By the events of Phantasy Star IV, Motavia has reverted to a desert planet. Motavia is also one of the three planets that contribute to the seal against the Profound Darkness.
Dezolis
Dezolis is a cold planet inhabited by the Dezorians, who are deeply religious and worship both the Great Light and the Profound Darkness. The Esper Mansion on Dezolis serves as a sanctuary and training ground for psychics, particularly those associated with the Lutz bloodline and the Espers. It is a place where individuals can hone their psychic abilities and gain wisdom. Dezolis is the third planet that plays a role in sealing away the Profound Darkness.
Rykros
Rykros is depicted as a mysterious, ethereal planet, characterized by its otherworldly environment and connection to the cosmic forces of Light and Darkness. The planet is only visited in Phantasy Star IV by Chaz and his party. After the destruction of Palma, the seal against the Profound Darkness was compromised, prompting the Great Light to create a fourth planet to help maintain the seal against evil. Every millennium, Rykros appears to keep the seal intact; however, the Profound Darkness continues to project its hatred through the entity Dark Force throughout the series.
In Conclusion
Space exploration is a key feature of the Phantasy Star series, enriching the narrative of this space fantasy game. Understanding each planet adds depth to the story and provides insight into the events that unfold throughout the series. It is theorized that the characters in Phantasy Star Online are descendants of survivors from Palma. It would be intriguing for Sega to officially acknowledge this theory in future lore or games.
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