Everyone Has a Box

So, it’s been a long time since posting one of these super-reflective posts. I know everyone’s missed those. You’re welcome.

Ellen has been abroad for almost 2 full months now. Things between the two of us have never been better, and I’m beyond thankful for that… but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a struggle for me some days. Maybe more days than I care to admit. Thing is, it’s hard to talk to people about for a couple of reasons. For one, I don’t want to be a burden on them. More importantly, though… what are they going to do? Pat me on the back and tell me it’ll be fine, sure, and the love and support of my friends is important beyond words. But there’s some things you just can’t fix unless YOU are the one making the effort.

This past week was probably the worst one so far. Nothing I did seemed to make me feel happier or take my mind off being lonely. Even hanging out with people, which obviously makes a lot of sense. This morning felt different, though.

Maybe it was talking things through with a couple of close friends. Maybe it just happened naturally and this “phase” was done with… but I know for sure that I need to learn to be happy when I’m not around people. I know a few things that take my mind off of it- video games or drawing, for example- so I need to find ways to use that to my advantage. Otherwise this is gonna be a long 2.5 months left till I see her again.

So begins one of the greatest video games- and, subsequently, one of the greatest stories- I’ve ever experienced. Bioshock Infinite is a lot of things. It’s visually stunning, emotionally gripping, and sometimes morally reprehensible. If there’s only one thing you should know about it, it’s the fact that you will walk away stunned. Not just because it looks pretty, but because the ending will have you talking for days, if not weeks.

The game has an impressive way of keeping you in the dark for as long as possible, which is good. You experience the events just as the characters themselves do. That’s not to say that one or two “twists” were completely out of left field- I was certain of one of them hours before it was revealed- but watching everything unfold is nothing short of spectacular.

Credit also has to be given to the creators for making a compelling character in Elizabeth. When it comes to games like Resident Evil 4, your “objective”- the woman you’re saving- can be fairly one-dimensional . RE4 was brilliant, but Ashley was hardly a compelling character beyond the stock “damsel in distress” factor that sent you on the mission to begin with. On the contrary, you never have to worry about keeping Elizabeth out of harms way. In fact, she often saves YOUR life by finding ammo and supplies, or by opening dimensional tears to help you in several ways.

The greatest aspect of the game, other than its story, is the atmosphere. Games like the Resident Evil series or even the original Bioshock rely on the shadows and monstrosities to keep you on the edge of your seat. Conversely, I’d wager a guess that 60% or more of Infinite is quite bright and colorful- which makes it all the more unsettling when dealing with egotistical, racist, maniacal antagonists such as those you’ll be attacked by throughout the story. To have such heavy themes against the backdrop of a water color painting might make it even MORE disturbing than having such themes against the backdrop of a place such as Rapture.

I don’t know if I can even talk any more about this game without spoiling it completely for anyone who hasn’t played. The fact remains that, having played video games for the better part of my 23 years on this planet, Bioshock Infinite is almost certainly in the top 5. It’s visually stunning, thought provoking, and altogether thrilling. If Hollywood could come up with stories even HALF as good as what you’ll experience in the floating city of Columbia, the entertainment world would be a much better place. Until then, I’ll have to settle for booting up the PS3.

Just the same old thing

Hey everyone, I have recently decided to make my photography a legitimate secondary source of income! I have already done an engagement shoot for a close friend of mine, and more sessions are being scheduled as we speak! I’d appreciate if everyone could take a second out of their busy (re: Tumblr-ridden) days to just click “like” on my facebook page! Thanks :)

www.facebook.com/JordanRicksPhotography