John's Blog Space

Arturia MiniLab 3

2024-10-01T00:52:00.000-05:00

French music company Arturia makes instruments for musicians on many levels. At one point, I wanted to step up my music production. So what I did was order an Arturia MiniLab MK3 MIDI controller. It has helped me make music better. I will explain how I feel about this device for you all.

Arturia MiniLab MK3

^ from: (Thomann) - This is the latest in Arturia's MiniLab series- the MiniLab MK3.

Before I go any further, let me start with a testimonial before I discuss this MIDI controller. The Arturia MiniLab MK3 was not the first choice for me in picking a MIDI controller. I was originally considering getting an AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3. I was going to buy the AKAI MIDI controller... until a YouTube channel convinced me to get another one otherwise. That "another one" happened to be the Arturia MiniLab MK3.

A Quick Note About MIDI Controllers...

A MIDI keyboard and a MIDI controller are two different things. A MIDI keyboard can operate on its own and can generate sounds. A MIDI controller, however, can not generate its own sounds, and it must be plugged into a computer or something for it to work. Your PC must also have proper cables and such to fully utilize. The Arturia MiniLab 3 is a MIDI Controller.

More About the Arturia Minilab 3.

The Arturia MiniLab 3 is the third generation of Arturia's MiniLab series of MIDI controllers. This MIDI controller comes in three colors combinations from the device and its keys: white/white (the one I have), black/white, and black/black. It comes with its own USB MIDI cable through a USB Type-C connection. It has a Control port good for if you are using a MIDI device such as a pedal. Even though the Arturia MiniLab 3 has its own MIDI connection, this device also has a standard MIDI Out port for use for MIDI output.

The Arturia MiniLab MK3 has 25 pressure-sensitive keys along with eight pads for percussion effects. It also has a host of knobs and sliders to adjust the music, along with a unique touch slider that dynamically affects the pitch of played notes. The MIDI controller can be easily set up for any digital audio workstation (DAW) you can get it to work for. This MIDI controller even includes Ableton Lite for you to use. If you want to use the paid version of this program, get yourself Ableton Live.

How I Use the Arturia MiniLab 3.

I am not good at using a MIDI controller for a DAW. However in the past, I have used a MIDI keyboard to input keys into a MIDI music program to make music. The Arturia MiniLab 3 is what I use to plan out notes to use for the Piano Roll in FL Studio. I play out the song in my mind and then input the proper notes to use for instruments in FL Studio.

More advanced MIDI Controller users can record notes and beats using FL Studio or any other DAW. I have successfully configured my Arturia MiniLab 3 for FL Studio, Ableton Lite, and OpenMPT (to an extent). I have not gotten this to work with Linux MultiMedia Studio (LMMS). This keyboard should work with nearly any modern program that utilizes MIDI.

Now that you have a basic idea about this MIDI controller, let me offer you my thoughts on it next.

Arturia MiniLab 3: Final Thoughts

As someone who has never owned a MIDI controller before, using the Arturia MiniLab 3 was a new experience. The

For More Information.../Shopping

To learn more about the Arturia MiniLab 3, here is a link to it from Arturia's website: Arturia - MIDI Controller - MiniLab 3.

If you want to buy an Arturia MiniLab 3, visit any of the links I've provided to you in this section. They will take you to retailers that offer this MIDI controller. So take a look around:

• Amazon
• eBay
• Walmart
• Sweetwater
• Thomann

Happy shopping! :)

I do like the Arturia MiniLab 3, and it does help me in producing music. Maybe I should try to enhance my skills with it to be great with this MIDI controller. Anyhow, Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) in any capacity if you love my work. Share my blog post(s) with others if you enjoy my work. Support me further by connecting with me on social media; and if you are inclined, feel free to donate to me (tips/donations are voluntary but would be appreciated). Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my JohnMarineDesigns Weebly site, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin! Let's connect:
Contact Me via E-Mail	Contact Me via Discord	(tips/donations are voluntary)

Visit and Subscribe to My Blogs...
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS)	Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS)	Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS)	Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS)	Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)

Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends)	Facebook (Fans)	Twitter	YouTube
Pinterest	LinkedIn (professionals only)	Discord	???

Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns		John on Envato
Patreon	Soundcloud	Bandcamp
Twitch	OpenGameArt	TurboSquid

Google Nest Hub

2024-10-01T00:08:00.000-05:00

The Google Nest Hub is what I got for Christmas in 2023. I was unsure what I wanted to get, so I wanted to try out getting the Google Nest Hub. I figured now would be a time to offer thoughts on this device with this blog post. So what you're about to see are my thoughts about the Google Nest Hub.

Google Nest Hub

Meet the Google Nest Hub:

^ from: Google Nest Help - Let Google Nest Hub be your Google-powered assistant for your home.

The Google Nest Hub is a connected device that can serve as your own assistant. You can request it to get weather updates, watch YouTube videos, play songs and sounds, and more. This is Google's answer to the Amazon Echo; and of course, it uses the Google ecosystem. The Google Nest Hub comes in two varieties- the Nest Hub and the Nest Hub Max. I have the former. The base Nest Hub is a 7-inch screen device, while the Nest Hub Max is a 10-inch screen device. The Hub Max can handle things like voice chatting and video calls with sound. The device must be plugged in to work, and you must have an active WiFi connection for it to work. It has no battery to operate on its own.

You can program certain commands to handle certain tasks or remind you of calendar effects. Throughout the months I tried out the Google Nest Hub, I experimented using certain commands for the device. A lot of things you can program it to mention can be trial-and-error. Some things require extra stuff. For example, you can't have it tell you Major League Baseball schedules or National Hockey League schedules without a subscription to YouTube. It used to have a feature that would monitor your sleep and give sleeping advice. Nowadays, I think you have to pay for having this feature.

While the Google Nest Hub uses the Google ecosystem, this device can not be used as a Google browser. For commands it can not process, it will instead link you to certain topics you suggest it. It also can use only so many external applications. You also can not use it to store data. So while you can do a lot with the Google Nest Hub, there are limitations.

I use Google Nest Hub like another clock in my room as well as asking it things from time to time.

Commands to Try.

Should you get a Google Nest Hub and not be sure what you can request it to do, I've created this section to give you some command ideas. To initiate Google Nest Hub to give commands, you must say "Hey Google" followed by what you want it to look up. Remember there are many more things you can suggest than what is in this section. These are just a few ideas, though. Each example is what you can say after telling it "Hey Google":

• ...tell me (sport) scores
• ...tell me (product) stock prices
• ...tell me today's weather (or "tell me tomorrow's weather") (you can also specify what city you want a weather report for. For example, "tell me today's weather in New York City.")
• ...tell me sunrise times; ...tell me sunset times
• ...tell me next game for (sports team)
• ...tell me a motivational quote
• ...tell me a fun fact
• ...tell me a joke
• ...turn up/down the temperature to (temperature) (this would require a smart thermostat)
• ...play a delightful chime
• ...play "happy birthday" (for if it is someone's birthday)

Try out different Routines and commands to enhance your experience with the Google Nest Hub. I told Google Nest Hub to play "Happy Birthday" for my mother, and it did a nice birthday wish to her! :) On a more serious note, if you want to change the routines for Google Nest Hub, it is recommended you do so online by accessing the Google Assistant page online. You can also use the Google Home application; but to handle Routines for the Google Nest Hub, I've had better luck using the webpage for Google Assistant and going to "Routines."

Google Nest Hub: Final Thoughts

The Google Nest Hub can serve as a great smart device to connect you to the world and connect your living space. While it connects you to the Internet and handles your media consumption needs, it is NOT like your smartphone or tablet PC. There are some things I wish it could handle better or without needing any kind of subscription. For the most part, the Google Nest Hub will serve you well for a number of different uses.

If I convinced you to get a Google Nest Hub, you can order one online using any of the following online stores and retailers (read the Affiliate section and/or Affiliate Notes for disclosure on the provided links):

• Amazon
• eBay
• Best Buy
• Walmart
• Target

Happy shopping (if doing any)! :)

That concludes another blog post of mine. Hopefully you found some value and insight in what I have discussed. Make sure to stay with my blog(s) if you enjoy my work. Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) in any capacity if you love my work. Share my blog post(s) with others if you enjoy my work. Support me further by connecting with me on social media; and if you are inclined, feel free to donate to me (tips/donations are voluntary but would be appreciated). Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my JohnMarineDesigns Weebly site, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin! Let's connect:
Contact Me via E-Mail	Contact Me via Discord	(tips/donations are voluntary)

Visit and Subscribe to My Blogs...
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS)	Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS)	Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS)	Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS)	Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)

Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends)	Facebook (Fans)	Twitter	YouTube
Pinterest	LinkedIn (professionals only)	Discord	???

Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns		John on Envato
Patreon	Soundcloud	Bandcamp
Twitch	OpenGameArt	TurboSquid

Livia Corazza

2024-06-21T19:29:00.000-05:00

Livia Corazza is a Brazilian singer who sings sweetly and performs equally sweetly. Smooth vocals to some fine guitar play makes Livia a fine singer. This blog post of mine will introduce you to this fine singer. I hope you all will get to experience and learn of Livia Corazza and her music. Allow me to begin.

NOTE: This blog post is all opinion-based and is not a proper interview of this personality.

Livia Corazza

Meet Livia Corazza:

^ from: (Facebook) - This is Brazilian singer, Livia Corazza.

Livia Corazza is a singer from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Her music is showcased on Twitch and YouTube. The older days of her featured content has her singing alongside her guitar-playing father, Seu Nogueira. Livia nowadays is balancing both singing and guitar play. Sometimes, you may sense a Maltese dog wanting some face time. That adorable dog is named Filomena, and she's fun!

The music Livia Corazza sings to are mostly mellow tunes. It is the kind of music you might enjoy at a coffee shop or at a very nice cafe. The vibes are mellow and lighthearted. Most of what she sings are covers of various Portuguese (and even non-Portuguese) songs. She may perform a song in her native Portuguese tongue, or she may even perform a non-Brazilian or non-Portuguese song very well. Songs she performs even are of bossa nova or samba variety.

Livia Corazza has a sweetly powerful singing voice. Livia opened me towards learning about certain Brazilian singers from the times I visited her channel. She also is fairly adept at the organic trumpet and even using a shaker. At times, channel points were redeemed to do acapella on Twitch.

Suffice to say, Livia is quite talented musically. Her channel is very fun for when she streams. I do miss the classic times of Livia singing and Seu awesomely playing guitar, but Livia is doing rather well (to me) doing both singing and guitar play.

Video Previews.

I'm going to include two samples of Livia Corazza and her music. Both featured videos are in Portuguese. You will get a chance to hear Livia sing here. First is a piece with Livia and her father. Check it:

^ [Live] Lívia Corazza e Seu Nogueira - De volta pro aconchego (Dominguinhos / Nando Cordel)

And here is an older video with just Livia singing along with a band:

^ Lívia Corazza - Anunciação (Alceu Valença)

What I Would Tell Livia Corazza (if she read this)...

You and your music are wonderful. Both you and Seu are great at performing wonderful music. You sing wonderfully, and Seu is a great guitarist. You are even doing quite well doing singing and guitar play. I wish you well in all aspects of life. You are pure talent along with being a wonderful person. It is a pleasure to join your streams on Twitch when I can.

For More Information...

To visit Livia Corazza's Twitch channel, visit: www.twitch.tv/livia_corazza.

Hopefully you enjoyed this blog post. I do what I can to educate, entertain, inspire, or inform. Be sure to follow my blog(s) if you enjoy my work! Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) in any capacity if you love my work. Share my blog post(s) with others if you enjoy my work. Support me further by connecting with me on social media; and if you are inclined, feel free to donate to me (donations are voluntary but would be appreciated). Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my JohnMarineDesigns Weebly site, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin! Let's connect:
Contact Me via E-Mail	Contact Me via Discord	(tips/donations are voluntary)

Visit and Subscribe to My Blogs...
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS)	Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS)	Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS)	Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS)	Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)

Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends)	Facebook (Fans)	Twitter	YouTube
Pinterest	LinkedIn (professionals only)	Discord	???

Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns		John on Envato
Patreon	Soundcloud	Bandcamp
Twitch	OpenGameArt	TurboSquid

Chromebook Confessions

2024-06-06T02:46:00.000-05:00

I have enjoyed my Chromebook since getting one in 2021. It has served my basic online needs for some time. It even improved my productivity while using it. Lately, though, I have come up with a revelation. I will share my thoughts and my revelation in this blog post. If you are interested fully in my latest thoughts on Chromebooks, be sure to stick around for my thoughts!

Chromebook Confessions

Before I get to my main points, let me share some basic thoughts.

Chromebook Thoughts.

^ from: (Amazon) - A Chromebook is capable of so much and does not require much to get basic operation going. However...

My Lenovo Chromebook has served me well. I was sad I did not get the Samsung Chromebook I wanted to get, because it got discontinued. I enjoyed using ChromeOS. It is snappy whereas you just turn it on and won't have to wait minutes to get everything fully up and running. It is equally snappy to shut down. It is a not-cluttered experience for anyone simply wanting to use the Internet.

If all you want to do is use the Internet and do a good bit of productivity, a Chromebook is an inexpensive way to simply traverse through cyberspace.

Chromebook Confessions.

Now for the meat of this blog post and why you are interested. The revelation I have is that owning and using a Chromebook is not for me long-term. There is a reason I never fully committed long-term towards using a Chromebook. I am so used to Windows programs that I feel my productivity is only slightly greater with a Chromebook when it could be greater with a Windows laptop. Would it be worth getting a proper laptop in the future? Possibly. It may be worth getting a decent-spec laptop with about the same performance numbers of my Lenovo Chromebook. Or if I am fortunate, get a great laptop with great specifications (doesn't have to be a gaming laptop) on the cheap.

Why Laptops are Better.

Technically, a Chromebook IS a laptop. What I am referring to here, though, is a regular laptop. A laptop can be a more viable solution over a Chromebook. Even so that laptops can be upgraded. A laptop can last longer and be more capable. Especially if you use a bunch of programs that a Chromebook may be unable to execute to the same level of a proper laptop, you may feel a Chromebook can be a waste of money. Take me, for instance. I do things like blogging, image editing, music making, video editing, also programming. I can find a handful of programs for which to handle all or most of these tasks for my Chromebook. Sometimes, though, my programs for my Chromebook may not be enough.

Also, do you realize that some devices may not work properly with Chromebooks? Just because a device is plug-and-play does not guarantee it will work properly with a Chromebook. You will need to find certain hardware that have been tested to be compatible with Chromebooks. It is part of a designation called WWCB, or "Works With Chromebook. One such example of devices that may not work immediately with Chromebooks are webcams. Chromebooks already have their own integrated webcam, but external webcams and external microphones do a better job of capturing video and sound than what a Chromebook offers. Using a webcam not compatible with a Chromebook can be a waste of money.

Since I have certain needs that a Chromebook may not be able to properly address and be as compatible with my needs, a Chromebook isn't enough for me, especially long term. So I almost feel like in the future wanting to get a decent enough laptop to replace my Chromebook a few years from now.

There is one more fault of Chromebooks that you have to take into consideration. Chromebooks have an end-of-life cycle where they will no longer receive updates from Google. The EOL (also called "auto-update expiration" or AUE) usually happens after 8-10 years with a Chromebook you buy. You can still use your Chromebook after the AUE/EOL date, but don't expect updates from Google. It could even make your Chromebook vulnerable. Some Chromebooks can be able to support using Linux. Though, Linux could give you some security concerns.

Get a Proper Laptop Instead?

All I have been suggesting in this blog post is a Chromebook is not a bad thing to invest in. If your needs involve much less than basic computing and using the Internet, a Chromebook is not a waste of money. I am just suggesting a Chromebook is just not for me long-term after I thought of what a laptop can do over a Chromebook. If you want to be able to utilize basic computing and an Android app or two, get a Chromebook. Just be mindful of what you can do with a laptop vs. what you can do with a Chromebook. Understand your computing needs and decide for yourself if you are better off long-term with a laptop or a Chromebook.

Thank you for reading my confessions regarding Chromebooks. I hope you are able to understand where I am coming from and my own thoughts after Chromebooks lately. Maybe I have given you some insight on the long-term side of Chromebooks. Do you agree or disagree with my points? You are welcome to comment. Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) in any capacity if you love my work. Share my blog post(s) with others if you enjoy my work. Support me further by connecting with me on social media; and if you are inclined, feel free to donate to me (donations are voluntary but would be appreciated). Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my JohnMarineDesigns Weebly site, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin! Let's connect:
Contact Me via E-Mail	Contact Me via Discord	(donations are voluntary)

Visit and Subscribe to My Blogs...
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS)	Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS)	Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS)	Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS)	Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)

Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends)	Facebook (Fans)	Twitter	YouTube
Pinterest	LinkedIn (professionals only)	Discord	???

Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns		John on Envato
Patreon	Soundcloud	Bandcamp
Twitch	OpenGameArt	TurboSquid

Making My Entryway Into Modern Gaming?

2024-06-04T19:53:00.000-05:00

I am still in the PlayStation 3 era, folks. I look to break into the modern gaming realm with one of three choices. I'll explain my situation and choices in this blog post. I feel like trying to finally crack into the modern gaming realm after a considerable amount of time stuck in the PlayStation 3 era. Because I am not any serious gamer, I am not hesitant to join the modern gaming landscape. I am instead just wanting to finally get to this level after so long with my PlayStation 3. I also don't plan on selling my PS3 and the games I have for it, though it could help in financing for a better system.

Anyhow, let me share with you what I am thinking of as a gamer wanting to be current.

Making My Entryway Into Modern Gaming?

Modern gaming is rather expensive and convoluted. As an old-fashioned kind of person, my gaming interests are different from most other people. In older times, online gaming on PS3 was free. You now need PlayStation Plus to play online for PlayStation gamers. I've been a lifelong Nintendo gamer before I eventually moved on to Sony PlayStation. I still want to finally become current gaming-wise. So therefore, there are three options of mine. These options are in the order of recent plans of mine.

Before I begin, I have already eliminated XBOX because I have no plans to join the XBOX realm right now except for maybe get a used XBOX 360 to play some XB360 games and some reverse-compatible original XBOX games. So there will be no talk of me getting an XBOX One, an XBOX Series S, or an XBOX Series X in this blog post. Now for my modern gaming options...

Option 1: Nintendo Switch.

^ from: Nintendo.com - Switch gaming up at home or on the go with the Nintendo Switch.

The Nintendo Switch was originally what I wanted to get once I saved enough money. I figured this would finally be my entry into today's gaming realm. The Nintendo Switch is very much the best value for gaming and online. Cheapest you can go is the Nintendo Switch Lite for $199 USD. You can still snag the regular Switch unit at $299 USD. If you want the best Switch right now, it's the Switch OLED for about $340 USD.

I want to get the regular Nintendo Switch. There are a few pitfalls for me with the Switch. I do want to consider getting the Switch to play the classic games online. The regular Switch Online is good for that, but the Expansion Online includes also Game Boy Advance and Genesis/Megadrive games. So I want to get the Switch and the Expansion online deal. I have no interest in the Switch Lite because I want to be able to play games not tied down to Handheld exclusive. I could get a Switch Lite, but I feel like I'd miss out on a full Switch experience. I don't care for ultra-awesome graphical detail, so the Switch OLED is not in my interests also. Even if the Switch OLED delivers a slightly better performance, I still prefer the regular Switch.

Another issue with the Switch is for a rather old console, many of the games are still full-price. Usually, a lot of the top-selling games are often times sold for a lower price. That isn't the case with a lot of Switch games. Long-timers like Super Mario Odyssey, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom all still sell for about $59.99 USD. A lot of the lesser titles and the indie/independent gamer titles are priced lower. So to play a lot of the major titles for the Switch still cost a good bit. Also, some games aren't available for the Switch currently, such as Street Fighter 6.

The last such issue I have with the Switch has nothing to do with the current state of the system. Instead, it is about its future. There is word of a possible (hypothetical name) Switch 2. Some people I talked to suggested I hold out on buying a Switch until we know as much as possible about the next Switch. We may know more about it in September 2024. If this next generation Switch is reverse compatible with original Switch games, then it would probably make more sense to get the newer Switch than go with the currently-available Switch models. That delay up to that decision is still a deterrent for me getting the Switch regardless of what the next Switch may provide.

Option 2: Get a Used PlayStation 4.

^ from: (Amazon) - The PlayStation 4 is still worth it, even nearly since its debut in 2013 or 2014 (based on market).

I was convinced by online videos and some online forums that the PlayStation 4 is not dead... yet. Some people even swear by using the PlayStation 4 because they don't have the fancy 4K or better TVs of today. I could live without not having a super-powerful console for which to enjoy gaming on. Therefore, I considered getting a used PlayStation 4. The best I could do is find a good or excellent condition PlayStation 4 Pro within my budget. If I don't see a PS4 with a one terabyte drive, I may consider upgrading the PS4 for some more storage. A PlayStation 4 used can either be fairly cheap or near regular MSRP price. Also, you may not know what you're getting and in what condition a used PlayStation 4 can be. You are kind of taking your chances in this regard.

My pitfalls with the PlayStation 4 are kind of the same with the Switch, only more towards the aging process. The PlayStation 4 has been released in America since 2013 and since 2014 in Japan. There was always talk of that 5-year cycle of PlayStation consoles. Even the PlayStation 4 has a lot of games that may no longer be developed for it in the near future. A lot of the PS4 games can still be enjoyed even if/when the PS4 games will be no longer sold instead of PS5 titles on store shelves.

One person suggested I'd be better off getting a PlayStation 5, since the PS4 could possibly have some lag with some games. Games run smoother on the PlayStation 5. I'd even take that chance with a PS4 until I somehow have enough to get a PlayStation 5.

Since I am still into the Sony ecosystem, I feel want to stay in it. I surely could still enjoy PlayStation 4 and not have to worry about saving up too much to get the PlayStation 5. Speaking of...

Option 3: Get a PlayStation 5.

^ from: (GameStop) - The PlayStation 5 is a powerhouse of a gaming console. Features like 4K and such make this a powerful console for those who have the finances to get one.

Now on to the final option- get a PlayStation 5. This is the long-term solution. Once development ends for the PlayStation 4, a lot of people eventually will move on to the PlayStation 5. The PlayStation 5 has been around since 2020 or 2021 depending on the certain market. Having a PlayStation 5 is the best idea long-term despite the lofty current prices to own one. At least you could reverse-compatible play PS4 games and even upgrade their graphics for PS5 if you wish. This means you get the PS5-quality graphics for 4K or better televisions and such.

It is important to note that the PlayStation 5 comes in two different kinds- the Digital Version and the Disc Version. If I get a PlayStation 5, I want it to be the Disc Version. I am still someone who prefer hard copies of games and being able to play older PlayStation games on a modern PlayStation system. The Digital Version is the cheaper-priced option at $449.99 USD. The Disc Version costs $50 USD more, at $499.99 USD. According to videos I've seen, you can actually swap out the disc drive on the PlayStation 5 in case is doesn't work anymore. So in theory, I could get the PS5 Digital Edition and then pay to add the disc drive to it. That to me, though, is still money wasted; so I'm better off simply getting the Digital Version. I would consider getting a replacement PS5 disc drive if the current one fails.

The obvious pitfalls for me are with getting the PS5 in general. It would be weird for me to entirely skip the PlayStation 4 and go to the PS5 from the PS3. A lot of the games aren't too expensive for PS5. Since a lot of store shelves have more PS5 games than PS4 games, I'd be completely current on the gaming front bestowed with a PlayStation 5. It also means I could make my Gran Turismo 7 debut on the top console currently in Sony's lineup. I feel I will be a bit futureproof gaming-wise with getting a PlayStation 5. That is... until the PlayStation 6 surfaces.

INTERESTING FACT: My first game with each PlayStation console has been a Gran Turismo game. PS1 = Gran Turismo 1 (and later Gran Turismo 2), PS2 = Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec, PS3 = Gran Turismo 5, PS4/PS5 = Gran Turismo ???.

Now you know what I am looking at in terms of being among modern gamers.

Which Way Should I Go?

My ultimate decision is going to vary on a number of factors. On the other hand, I have already thought about what would be the ideal case. I am currently considering to save up for a PlayStation 5 Disc Version. I could try my hand at secondhand PS5 consoles, but I am not as confident I'll get my money's worth trying to get a cheaper-priced PlayStation 5.

In a perfect world, I'd have a PlayStation 5 Disc Version and a regular Nintendo Switch (not Lite or OLED). If it turns out the next Nintendo Switch is reverse compatible with the current Switch, I probably can trade my regular Switch for the newer generation one.

That's it for this one. If you care to discuss, then...

What option that I mentioned should I take?

I want to thank you for joining me with this blog post. I also appreciate if you could offer some advice and sway my interest. Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) in any capacity if you love my work. Share my blog post(s) with others if you enjoy my work. Support me further by connecting with me on social media; and if you are inclined, feel free to donate to me (donations are voluntary but would be appreciated). Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my JohnMarineDesigns Weebly site, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin! Let's connect:
Contact Me via E-Mail	Contact Me via Discord	(donations are voluntary)

Visit and Subscribe to My Blogs...
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS)	Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS)	Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS)	Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS)	Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)

Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends)	Facebook (Fans)	Twitter	YouTube
Pinterest	LinkedIn (professionals only)	Discord	???

Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns		John on Envato
Patreon	Soundcloud	Bandcamp
Twitch	OpenGameArt	TurboSquid

Thug Shells

2024-04-27T03:27:00.001-05:00

"I can rap any word," says the "pocket sized self-described bubbly gangster," Thug Shells. There is big time talent from this petite freestyle rapper and entertainer who shares her awesomeness with gangster adorability. Don't worry- it's okay to drink the Thug Juice and become a fan of this impressive entertainer and musician. This blog post focuses in on the wonderful personality known as Thug Shells.

BEFORE I BEGIN...

Everything in this blog post is all opinion-based. This is not meant to be a proper interview or article.

Thug Shells

Meet Thuggy:

^ from: (YouTube) - Thug Shells is a positive pocket-size gangster who offers her awesomeness through gangster adorability. Care to drink the Thug Juice?

Thug Shells is a Canadian rapper from the Canadian province of Alberta. She is best known for her incredible rap skills, especially freestyle rap. One of her first acts where she gained popularity around 2020 by making a music video based on a popular public service announcement in Canada from the 1990s. She since has been at the forefront of many different impressive and fun songs and projects. Thug Shells has a knack for positive-focused music along with lots of lighthearted and uplifting acts.

Thug Shells often likes to say she can rap any word. If anyone visits her Twitch channel, you'll see she gets lots of practice taking in terms from Chat and making a freestyle rap song. Besides the freestyle rap she does, Thug Shells also produces her own music. She's done a number of different rap songs, but she also has done drum 'n bass and some other similar work. One of the simplest showcases of her work can be seen in a 20-minute long video that serves as "Stream Starting Soon" or intermission. Songs of hers include "Thugs Bunny," "Blooming," "Too Sunny," "Not Alone," and more. Recent songs of hers include "Money," "Figure It Out," "Drama Llama," and "Just Be."

Thug Shells has competed in some rap competitions before. She took part in some rap battles and won. What I found most interesting is that some of the rappers she went up against used a lot of profanity-laden rhymes while Thuggy just utilizes her own unique style of hip-hop. Even once in one performance, she mentioned (indirect quote) "...I don't have to swear to be a good rapper."

Thug Shells has a lot of marine wildlife influence for fictional characters. Her mascot is Finnigan, a dolphin. One of the animations on her channel features crabs walking by. So there is a lot of marine influence with a lot of her work.

My Testimonal.

Times previously, I seen Thug Shells featured in my Twitch recommendations, but I never gave thought to visit her channel in the past. Thug Shells finally convinced me of her awesomeness when she performed this freestyle rap session regarding PizzaPrincessG (who I blogged about before here: "PizzaPrincessG" on John's Blog Space):

...and since December 4, 2022, I've been a Thug Shells fan. I also don't regret being of Thuggy, either.

The Thug Shells Experience

Thug Shells mostly is about freestyle hip-hop. A lot of her regular Twitch streams are simply about taking terms said by Twitch chat and then making a song out of those terms. The process is simple- pop into Chat, mention a word or two, and Thug Shells will try to incorporate that into a freestyle song. At times, Thug Shells takes her freestyle rap into the world. She has had freestyle rap sessions chatting with real people. They range from common folk to even a few famous names. All the while, Thug Shells drops some bars that leave people absolutely impressed.

Though she is great at freestyle rap, she also is a DJ. Her DJ work is not exclusively hip-hop; other genres she mixes includes hip-hop, drum 'n bass, breakbeat, disco house, and more. Thug Shells is just as talented mixing music as she is making music.

Her biggest contribution to Twitch is hosting Freestyle Rap Night. This is an occasion held whereas a number of individuals get on stage and freestyle rap to their heart's content. There usually are no major musicians taking part in these rap sessions. Most of the individuals who perform are mostly into real hip-hop and rap for the love of it. More detail on "Freestyle Rap Night" is coming up later in this blog post.

Is Thug Shells all music on Twitch? No. She sometimes does real life streams featuring real-life insight. Her streams can be travel streams, hiking streams, gaming streams, or anything like that. I seen her stream her experience visiting cities like New York City and San Francisco. I seen her stream going hiking in the Yukon. She had a stream of her getting a tattoo. Many things are featured on her Twitch channel.

Back to freestyle rap for a moment, though.

Thug Shells Raps.

Freestyle rap involves putting together an impromptu song based on certain key words. This is a style popularized by talent like Harry Mack. I think Harry Mack is the king of freestyle. Honestly, I think Thug Shells is the queen of freestyle rap.

Thuggy has a very smooth voice that lends power to the bars she drops in her songs. She got that 1990s hip-hop style, and that's what I love about her hip-hop style. Thuggy can rap slow or fast, usually fast. Most of all, Thug Shells doesn't rely on excessively swearing. Her own songs mostly have some great positive messages. She is all about "good vibes only" and positive energy. I honestly think if 2020s Thug Shells went back in time and rapped in the 1990s, she could hold her own against some of the 1990s talent. She'd fit right in. Thug Shells would be right there against Queen Latifah, Salt 'n Pepa, MC Lyte, Da Brat, and even quite a few of the male hip-hop talent of the 1990s.

Thug Shells even competed in a hip-hop battle tournament in Vancouver in 2023. She had to try to hold her own against some other rappers dropping savage bars. Thuggy won her rap battles with minimal swearing and witty humor while her opponents would fill up the Swear Jar easily with savage bars.

Freestyle Rap Night.

Let me use this space to discuss Freestyle Rap Night, hosted by Thug Shells. Every other Thursday night at the River City Revival House in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; various people get up on stage and drop some freestyle raps to the crowd. Some time later in the Freestyle Rap Night, a feature artist or artists will take the stage and perform some of their songs to the crowd. Thug Shells even drops some freestyle bars in between some of the different rappers from time to time. After that, there is usually a 20-minute break before the night continues with more freestyle rap. You could either relax or enjoy what River City Revival House is famous for- its delicious chicken wings.

Freestyle Rap Night was where I got to hear some of the common and popular names. The first personality I grown to love on Freestyle Rap Night is an artist known as STIX the Legend. Later, I got to know different personalities like Jangles and Rat King Radio.

One time, Thug Shells had to serve three roles in one night- host, DJ, and feature performer. This specific night was all on her birthday or around the time of her birthday!

One word of warning... Freestyle Rap Night is purely uncensored with some raw language.

Now for some final thoughts...

Thug Shells: Final Thoughts

Thug Shells is an absolutely genuine and very cool personality. This Canadian excels at hip-hop and doing DJ sets. She has that 1990s style of hip-hop and a polarizing personality that makes her very loveable and enjoyable. One would have to try very hard to not like any of her material. It is very easy to smile, laugh, and/or admire her immense talent. She may be a "pocket sized self-described bubbly gangster," but she is also a wonderful person who has massive talent and personality and executes with "gangster adorability." So go ahead- drink the Thug Juice. What 'chu got to lose?

What I Would Tell Thug Shells (if she were to read this)...

Thug Shells, thank you so much for your awesomeness. Your personality and charm in all arenas of life are absolute boons to the world. I even enjoy being part of such an amazing Twitch community you have. You even introduced me to a number of different personalities through Freestyle Rap Night Maybe my only regret is becoming a fan of yours any sooner. I didn't get to be sold on your awesomeness until you dropped an awesome freestyle rap about PizzaPrincessG at TwitchCon 2022. I even purchased some of your songs from Bandcamp, until I found about your work also available on Beatport. I have been more than honored being part of your community since December 4, 2022. I wish you more success and greater success in the future. Most of all, thank you from saving me from boredom on Twitch (and/or YouTube as well). Stay awesome! :D

For More Information...

To learn more about Thug Shells, visit her official site at: www.thugshells.ca. Also visit her Twitch channel at twitch.tv/thugshells and her YouTube videos at Thug Shells on YouTube.

Thank you to everyone for visiting my blog- including YOU! I hope you enjoy your time here. I blog about anything and everything on my mind at any given time. If you have blog post ideas or legitimate offers, feel free to contact me. Do you appreciate my efforts? If so, Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) in any capacity if you love my work. Share my blog post(s) with others if you enjoy my work. Support me further by connecting with me on social media; and if you are inclined, feel free to donate to me (donations are voluntary but would be appreciated). Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my JohnMarineDesigns Weebly site, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin! Let's connect:
Contact Me via E-Mail	Contact Me via Discord	(donations are voluntary)

Visit and Subscribe to My Blogs...
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS)	Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS)	Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS)	Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS)	Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)

Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends)	Facebook (Fans)	Twitter	YouTube
Pinterest	LinkedIn (professionals only)	Discord	???

Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns		John on Envato
Patreon	Soundcloud	Bandcamp
Twitch	OpenGameArt	TurboSquid

PizzaPrincessG

2024-04-26T02:49:00.003-05:00

(UPDATED: June 24, 2024)

One of the brightest stars of late on Twitch and YouTube is PizzaPrincessG. PizzaPrincessG is the "number 1 pizza streamer worldwide" for a reason. One needs only visit her channel to find out why. I figured as a viewer of her work, I showcase her channel and share with you how I feel about this channel.

BEFORE I BEGIN...

Everything in this blog post is all opinion-based. This is not meant to be a proper interview or article.

This blog post is about PizzaPrincessG, who is this lady below:

^ from: (YouTube) - Meet pizza royalty- PizzaPrincessG.

Giuliana Calascibetta, better known as "G," is one of the most popular personalities on Twitch and YouTube. This Italian-American pizza superstar goes by the handle of PizzaPrincessG across most social media. She makes pizza for Cam's Pizza in Rochester, New York, USA. Most of her streams showcase a day in the life of a pizza maker. Giuliana and her crew help feed the many customers who come in for pizza or some other meals. All of this is done in behind-the-scenes style and features many different lighthearted and funny moments. Besides making pizza streams, Giuliana also does gaming streams, art streams, and real life streams outside of pizza making. She is also a very good singer. Often times, she may be singing whatever is on the radio or singing her own songs in her own way. I jokingly call her singing as the "G Radio Network." :) The highest praise offered about Giuliana and her work is that she is called the "Taylor Swift of Pizza" by PMQ Pizza as well as being the "#1 Pizza Streamer Worldwide." G's stardom has taken her to great heights, including being part of TwitchCon on a number of occasions.

The most important thing to know about PizzaPrincessG is that G prefers to keep everything G-rated. That means there is little to no explicit swearing as you might hear across a number of different channels. Only slips of the tongue and some other situations are the only times you'd hear a naughty word uttered. Same applies for any sort of toilet humor. So this is a channel catered to a general audience rather than a specific set.

The last thing to share about Giuliana Giuliana Calascibetta is that she owns G Universal, which is a portfolio and hub to all of her online work. This is where you can learn more about Giuliana and her online work. You also get to see her showcase her awesomeness to the world. Giuliana is a positive figure and a very fun person.

My Testimonial.

I discovered PizzaPrincessG on Twitch as a recommendation back in September 9, 2021. I thought the channel was cool and fun when I visited it, so I decided to drop a Follow. I since have enjoyed each time I try to catch a stream of PizzaPrincessG.

That's the intro to PizzaPrincessG. Now on to the intricacies and thoughts on PPG's channel.

The PizzaPrincessG Experience

Giuliana Calascibetta is great at preparing pizza. She has made pizzas basically her entire life and has loving passion for her work. G recently enhanced her streams to where she has set up a second camera view where you can see her prepare a pizza in a closeup.

Giuliana prepares pizza as if she is giving life or saving the life of a pizza. From preparing dough to adding toppings, she really treats pizza like a living creature, and she takes great pride in giving that pizza dough proper loving care. That loving care is given to where that pizza is ultimately enjoyed by customers. I won't explain the whole process of her making pizza (I thought about explaining the process in preparing this blog post), but you do get a great idea of how to prepare a pizza by watching her live streams.

Some of the pizzas Giuliana prepares are what I call "art pizzas." Basically, an art pizza usually starts with a heart design from sauce, maybe a smiling face, maybe also "Don't forget to Follow" on it. She also made a unique Christmas tree pizza I remembered seeing her prepare live on stream. Even though G does make pizzas of different kinds, she is never afraid to showcase her artistic side. That possibly stems from the fact she sometimes do painting streams. So one can say she makes her own pizza masterpieces. Perhaps those pizza creations should be in the Smithsonian or the Louvre...

She takes pizza making passionately while still having a lighthearted and fun personality. The vibes are usually good even if Giuliana is not 100% any given day. G provides service with a wonderful smile. She puts full effort and heart into her work every day, every stream, and it shows. G is someone anyone can respect since she does everything with love and heart. Otherwise, why do anything without love or heart?

"Crazy Slices."

Every now and then at Cam's, Giuliana prepares unusual pizzas featuring ingredients not likely any regular soul would order. For example, would you order or eat a pizza that has Lucky Charms on it? What about a pizza with General Tso's chicken? Cam's Pizza isn't afraid to delve into the realm of quirky with pizzas.

Obviously, it would be perfectly normal if one would have some health concerns with some of these Cam's Crazy Slices. These Crazy Slices are not any nasty pizzas or any pizzas made with inedible ingredients. Just the fact these pizzas are even conceived is enough for respect.

While this video is not from Giuliana's channel, it is an idea of pizza prepared by her. It is a stylized look at her preparing a "Crazy Slice." Check it:

^ Bruschetta Pizza | Cam's Pizzeria | Rochester, NY

Cool, huh? :)

The PizzaPrincessG Experience on YouTube.

Giuliana extends her stardom to the likes of YouTube. She has a number of different themes on her YouTube Channel. Among them:

• Sipping the Tea With G - to help younger folks understand things about life, G provides advice and insight in this series.

• Cooking With G - Learn how to cook various edibles from G herself.

• Italian Things With G - insight on Italian lifestyle and culture discussed by G.

• Is This A? Vlog? - This series of videos features real-life insight from G.

There is something for everyone when visiting her work on Twitch or YouTube.

Besides her own channel, Giuliana has also provided content to the YouTube channel Hardcore Italians. One such video I saw was how she prepares pizza from scratch- the traditional way, not how most prepare pizza.

PizzaPrincessG Sample.

Here is a sample of what Giuliana provides to Twitch and YouTube:

^ I GOT PARTNERED ON TWITCH! | Pizza Princess G twitch highlights | giuliana
And there is your look at PizzaPrincessG.

Final Thoughts on PizzaPrincessG.

I personally love being a part of PizzaPrincessG and her fine community. Whether I am watching for a few seconds, a few minutes, or and hour or two; there is no shortage of awesomeness provided by Giuliana Calascibetta and her crew. She is witty and outspoken in all of her work. Personally, while I don't think I can make a proper pizza, she has inspired me to attempt making my own pizza someday. And perhaps, I will make that first pizza. I know I'll have G to thank if I am ultimately successful at it.

Anyone can make pizza. Anyone can make streams mostly about pizza making. But, who can provide the experience of pizza making and living life the way Giuliana Calascibetta does? It is not just making pizza, playing games, painting, dancing, or one factor- it is all of these factors combined with Giuliana's wonderful personality and charm that make her shine like the sun and sparkle like stars. This channel exemplifies the "good vibes only" mentality and a powerfully positive presence. Even if you are having the worst possible day, Giuliana can make your day much better and bring a smile to your face. She is just that powerful and polarizing.

While I don't make a big deal about it, it is at least refreshing G prefers keeping everything G-Rated. That means more people can safely enjoy the content on her channel without being bombarded with excessive swearing or certain toilet humor that could get you in trouble if you view them in certain settings. It just makes for a more refreshing experience from the norm on Twitch and even YouTube.

What I Would Tell PizzaPrincessG (if she were to read this)...

Giuliana Calascibetta, thank you so much for your incredible personality and your fun streams. It brings me great pleasure to enjoy your content for however long I am in your streams. I have been more than proud to always enjoy the experience you provide on Twitch and YouTube. While I don't mind more mature material, I do like you keep things G-Rated so more people can enjoy the experience of PizzaPrincessG without it being overly wild. I congratulate you on your successes in pizza and in being a content creator. I wish you greater success and more success in the future. Stay awesome! Most importantly... thank you for providing your amazing presence and charm in all that you do as well as provide a welcoming and fun community.

For More Information...

To learn more about Giuliana Calascibetta (or "G") and her work, visit any or all of the following sites. Visit her main hub called G Universal at: guniversal.com. Check out her Twitch channel at: twitch.com/pizzaprincessg. Find her YouTube videos at: youtube.com/GiulianaCalascibetta.

This post is over, and I hope you enjoyed my post. If you did, Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) in any capacity if you love my work. Share my blog post(s) with others if you enjoy my work. Support me further by connecting with me on social media; and if you are inclined, feel free to donate to me (donations are voluntary but would be appreciated). Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my JohnMarineDesigns Weebly site, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin! Let's connect:
Contact Me via E-Mail	Contact Me via Discord	(donations are voluntary)

Visit and Subscribe to My Blogs...
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS)	Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS)	Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS)	Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS)	Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)

Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends)	Facebook (Fans)	Twitter	YouTube
Pinterest	LinkedIn (professionals only)	Discord	???

Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns		John on Envato
Patreon	Soundcloud	Bandcamp
Twitch	OpenGameArt	TurboSquid

Jordan Taylor (DJ/Producer)

2024-04-25T03:06:00.000-05:00

Jordan Taylor is not your average trance producer or DJ. This individual is adept in the art of what I call "SaxoTrance." Imagine uplifting trance paired with a saxophone solo... and awesomely putting both together. That's what this gentleman provides. So what I decided to do is blog about this fellow and introduce you to his style.

BEFORE I BEGIN...

1.) For my motorsports fans, this blog post is Jordan Taylor the trance producer and DJ, not the race car driver Jordan Taylor or any other Jordan Taylor.

2.) Jordan Taylor does not call his work by anything. I just call playing saxophone with trance as "SaxoTrance." You know- SAXOphone TRANCE.

This is Mr. Jordan Taylor...

^ from: (YouTube) - Jordan Taylor is the master of SaxoTrance. If you don't think saxophone can blend with trance, you obviously never heard any of Jordan Taylor's music sets or mashups.

Jordan Taylor has always had a passion for music and jazz. His talent level is a mile high of most others- hailing from the Mile High City of Denver, Colorado, USA. He has a number of musical degrees in college as part of his vast experience with music. Somehow, Jordan has dare tested the waters of blending saxophone play with some of the hottest of-the-moment uplifting trance songs. The rest... is history.

Jordan Taylor usually mixes uplifting trance on his Twitch channel. His Twitch community hit 2K followers in February 2024. At times, Jordan Taylor involves his community with a segment called "Smash or Pass," in which Twitch community votes whether a song should stay in his lineup of songs (smash) or do away with (pass).

Jordan has performed at a number of venues with a number of different shows in his career with a career dating back as far as 2010. His involvement with trance personalities is also diverse, including the likes of Andy Moor and JES. While he plays saxophone a lot, he sometimes plays some flute and an ocarina. Apparently, Jordan Taylor also happens to be an avid golfer and follows most Denver sports.

My Testimonal.

I discovered Jordan Taylor some time in 2022 (December, I think). As a lover of smooth jazz, I felt a connection to his style of saxophone play along with enjoying various styles of trance. The Twitch community for his channel is also great. Therefore, it was a number of different factors that led me to join in on the power of SaxoTrance.

Since each stream on Twitch follows the mindset of "Good Vibes Only," each stream is an enjoyable experience. So that's why I try to join in on each set and stream I can join in on.

The Saxophone + Trance Effect.

The saxophone can exude a number of styles. Namely, a saxophone can provide smooth instrumental style. A saxophone can even be romantic. Why, then, would anyone want to pair a jazzy instrument like the saxophone and play some uplifting trance with it? Having jazz with trance offers up a strange dichotomy. If ever you hear Jordan Taylor's streams or his mashups of songs, you will hear bits of saxophone complimenting parts of a song. Believe me- he makes saxophone work. With some songs, his saxophone play beautifully compliments some songs. It is for these reasons that Jordan Taylor stands out among a vast crowd of trance producers and trance DJs.

Want to hear Jordan Taylor mix saxophone with trance? Here is a sample for you. I tried to feature a song complimented with his saxophone play. This was the best I could find:

^ Me Minus You #edm #saxophone

How you like this performance?

What I Would Tell Jordan Taylor (if he read this)...

I vastly appreciate your fabulous work as a DJ, trance producer, saxophonist. You're a cool person overall. I wish you the absolute best in all of your endeavors in the future. You made many a Tuesday or Thursday (or even non-Tuesday or non-Thursday raves) more interesting with your fine play and DJ'ing. Keep up the great work and stay awesome!

For More Information...

To learn more about Jordan Taylor, links to various sites of his can be found here: beacons.ai/JordanTaylorMusic. Check out Jordan Taylor on Twitch by visiting: twitch.tv/jordantaylormusic. The schedule usually is every Tuesday night and Thursday night at 8:00 PM Eastern time.

Oh, and One Last Thing...

Since I posted this blog post on April 25, there is one last thing I wanted to say to Jordan Taylor on this day...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jordan Taylor!

:D

That's all for this one. Thanks for visiting! I hope you get to read more of my posts if you enjoy my work. Visit my other blogs as well if you are interested in my other work. Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) in any capacity if you love my work. Share my blog post(s) with others if you enjoy my work. Support me further by connecting with me on social media; and if you are inclined, feel free to donate to me (donations are voluntary but would be appreciated). Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my JohnMarineDesigns Weebly site, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin! Let's connect:
Contact Me via E-Mail	Contact Me via Discord	(donations are voluntary)

Visit and Subscribe to My Blogs...
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS)	Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS)	Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS)	Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS)	Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)

Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends)	Facebook (Fans)	Twitter	YouTube
Pinterest	LinkedIn (professionals only)	Discord	???

Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns		John on Envato
Patreon	Soundcloud	Bandcamp
Twitch	OpenGameArt	TurboSquid

Interactive 3D (I3D)

2024-04-22T23:51:00.001-05:00

Circa 1993, a 3D game engine called "Interactive 3D" (or I3D for short) was made by Jim O'Keane. It was a game engine in the style of Wolfenstein 3D. I once found version 2.1 of I3D and decided to blog about it. I feel there is great value in discussing long lost things and somehow trying to make light of them. So this is my look into Interactive 3D.

Interactive 3D

Interactive 3D (or I3D) was designed to get people into designing first-person shooters. To that end, a comprehensive and simple approach was given to help would-be game developers the opportunity to create their own games. Several PCX files made up the picture data for the walls, sprites, and map. Different colored pixels for the world map translate into in-world objects. Material in I3D includes enemies to attack as well as some animated sprites and walls.

I3D is not a game. Instead, it is more like a demo you can freely play. It is a first-person shooter set in a futuristic setting. All you can do is explore the area and interact with it. You can explore the world provided to you as well as perform a number of different interactions. Everything from hit detection to opening doors can be done through the play area. You can toggle certain options to better suit your PC's performance. For example, you can increase or decrease the play window (larger windows mean slower performance). You can try destroying the various enemies as well as some of the props, such as the vases. There is no boss or any exit. You are simply playing this demo world for exploration purposes. So enjoy the view!

You can edit a number of things to I3D, including the PCX bitmaps. Be warned that the program will not load the map if the map's memory exceeds a certain number of kilobytes. You can edit the bitmaps as well as the sounds. Remember this program was out around in 1993, so many of the different modern things will not work for such an old program.

My Interactive 3D Experiences.

I made my own levels with Interactive 3D before along with my own textures for walls and objects. For the most part, I never made anything truly unique to where I made my own game. Most of my work was done with the 2.1 version of I3D.

The older version of Interactive 3D did not have sounds to it. When I tried using I3D on modern systems, the program ran very slowly. The first version of I3D did not have any sounds whatsoever. It was strictly an exploration deal. It had only one enemy- the Bugbot. No matter how many times you shot at it, it will not die. Your "gun" is basically for hit detection.

A later version of Interactive 3D had much more stylish art as well as some sounds. There were many different enhancements to this version, including textured floors and ceilings, fog effects, and a panorama sky. It also had some diagonal walls to it- something your average Wolfenstein 3D-style engine could not reproduce. You could also kill off the enemies and destroy a number of the props. Speaking of enemies, while the Bugbot returned, this version of I3D also introduced an Android enemy. Just like the previous I3D, this is all basically a demo model you can modify.

Looking Back on Interactive 3D.

I3D was a fine package for envisioning my own Wolfenstein 3D-style experience. Being a teenager in the 1990s playing this didn't mean I was going to make the next banger of a first-person shooter, but at least I could pretend! Even my brutally slow computer at the time back then still had the power to play this game effectively. I3D helped fuel gaming dreams in ways I never thought possible. I had no programming knowledge, little digital art skill, and a big imagination. It was all I needed to try and enjoy I3D back in my youth. Anyone who was able to try out I3D got to enjoy what was possible with this package.

For More Information...

The reason why I came up with this blog post is because there is very little info on this program, and I wanted to bring exposure to it from my past. So this is about the best resource I can provide in letting you see what I3D was all about. Click on the following link to get to try out I3D: I3D (Interactive 3D) Tool Kit Demo.

Sometimes, I make blog posts to bring exposure to things that are scarce in detail or maybe forgotten in some sort of way. So I hope you had a chance to enjoy the content here. I'll blog about almost anything in this blog about... anything and everything. Want more? Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) in any capacity if you love my work. Share my blog post(s) with others if you enjoy my work. Support me further by connecting with me on social media; and if you are inclined, feel free to donate to me (donations are voluntary but would be appreciated). Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my JohnMarineDesigns Weebly site, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin! Let's connect:
Contact Me via E-Mail	Contact Me via Discord	(donations are voluntary)

Visit and Subscribe to My Blogs...
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS)	Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS)	Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS)	Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS)	Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)

Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends)	Facebook (Fans)	Twitter	YouTube
Pinterest	LinkedIn (professionals only)	Discord	???

Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns		John on Envato
Patreon	Soundcloud	Bandcamp
Twitch	OpenGameArt	TurboSquid

Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition

2024-04-19T00:02:00.001-05:00

Rise of the Triad may be from 1995 old, but this DOS game is a very unique first-person shooter experience. You represent an operateive of the counter-terrorist group known as HUNT exploring San Nicolas Island. You and your team were set to investigate an old monastery on San Nicolas Island. Reports indicated that a cult was hellbent on destroying the world. As you found what you were looking for, the boat was blown up. Now the only way out... is in. So begins your mission to kill the cult leader, El Oscuro, and all of the many minions that inhabit this crazy monastery. While this post was originally about base "Rise of the Triad," this post will now about about "Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition."

Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition

^ from: GOG.com - "They'll bury you in a lunch box!" Get ready for first-person shooter madness never before seen with Rise of the Triad, and its Ludicrous Edition.

"Rise of the Triad" is a game whose origins date back to 1994. It originally began life as an enhanced "Wolfenstein 3D." Its storyline even was an extension of the Wolfenstein 3D storyline whereas three powers came together to form the ultimate evil. Hence- the Triad namesake. Over time, though, the story changed up to something completely not associated with Wolfenstein 3D.

The Ludicrous Edition of ROTT is the ultimate ROTT experience featuring four campaigns in one package. It also features a handful of extras and enhanced material for the best possible ROTT experience. Some of those extras include alternate actors as well as remixed songs. As with most modern games, this package includes a handful of achievements you must try to accomplish.

The Campaigns.

These are the four campaigns of ROTT's Ludicrous Edition:

• The HUNT Begins: The shareware campaign of ROTT.
• Dark War: The registered campaign of ROTT.
• Extreme ROTT: an add-on package that can be difficult to near impossible to beat.
• The HUNT Continues: the exclusive campaign with brand-new levels.

The HUNT Begins allows you to play the original shareware missions from 1994. You won't get all of the stuff included with the registered version, but you will get a basic introduction to the ROTT storyline. It has one episode and at least 10 levels.

Dark War features four episodes and over 40+ episodes. This is the story where you go against El Oscuro and his three top bosses. You also get to use newer weapons and battle newer enemies.

Although Extreme ROTT is an add-on campaign, it is an add-on package featuring difficult (and sometimes unfair) levels. It will test your patience at times.

The HUNT Continues is the exclusive campaign of ROTT Ludicrous Edition with four episodes and about five to seven less episodes compared to Dark War. You get to battle the forces of El Oscuro once again but in completely new settings.

You're going to be quite busy here. ROTT Ludicrous Edition also lets you create your own levels.

Characters.

There are five characters to choose from. Each character has their own advantages and disadvantages. Take a look:
• Taradino Cassatt - fairly average in all departments.
• Thi Barrett - the female equivalent of Taradino but with less stamina. Pronounced "Tee."
• Doug Wendt - built like a tank and can take a beating, but is very slow.
• Lorelei Ni - very quick and speedy, but she is very fragile. She is not good at taking beatings.
• Ian Paul Freeley (yes, I.P. Freeley) - fairly average character overall. Can't really tell what makes him much different from the other five.

Weapons.

To save the world, you have a handful of weapons. The coolest aspect of this game is that you don't have to go around picking up ammo from dead enemies just to have enough bullets left. Your bullet ammunition is UNLIMITED! You are armed with simply a pistol to begin with. You can pick up an extra pistol for two-handed goodness. The best bullet weapon is your MP40. It will save you lots of trouble when you don't have any missile weapons. Speaking of which... there are a number of them. Here is more about each:

NOTE: Items only in the full version are in braces ({}).

• Bazooka - a straight-shooting missile weapon. You get ten shots with these. In the hardest setting, some Lightning Guard enemies use bazookas that you can pick up if you kill them. More experienced and daring players can "bazooka boost" to lift themselves over some obstacles and reach some unreachable points.

• Heatseeker - a homing missile weapon. You get only seven shots. This can come in very handy when trying to hide or attack from a fixed distance.

• Drunk Missile - a weapon that shoots several heat-seeking missiles at once. You have up to seven shots.

• Flamewall - a weapon that shoots a wall of flames. A heavy missile falls to the ground, leaving a trail of flames upon impact to the ground. You can also fire the Flamewall at the ground to quickly take care of a pack of enemies. You get only five shots.

• Firebomb - a straight-shooting missle that explodes a cross-like pattern of flames. This is by far the most powerful missile weapon. You only get five shots with this weapon. Absolutely NOT recommended for close-quarters combat!

• {Split Missile} - a two-way weapon used to take out one enemy or two in the area. Hold down the Fire button for a single straight shot, and tap for the Split Missile to attack the two nearest targets. It has about the quickest firing rate of all missile weapons.

• {Excalibat} - a baseball bat enchanted with evil energy, this can be a good weapon to use to take out multiple enemies in a lot of space. Swings of the Excalibat are unlimited. However, hold down the Fire button to charge to 10 shots of its spread attack that shoots multiple baseballs around the area. It is not a good idea to use this area in confined spaces.

• {Dark Staff} - the Dark Staff delivers powerful magic strikes in a straight line. Each of its charges emits a powerful magic strike. This is not recommended a weapon if you are quickly trying to take out enemies.

Items and Powerups.

There are a number of items and powerups to help you out. Here are some or all of them:

• Monk Meal - recovers one unit of health.

• Priest Porridge - told to be porridge made from the remains of murdered priests, these bowls of porridge recovers two units of health. However, there if you find a way to heat up the porridge, you can recover much more health.

• Healing Basin - drink water from these basins to recover energy. However much energy you recover varies.

• Small Monk Crystal - these crystals will recover a small amount of health upon pickup.

• Large Monk Crystal - the largest heal outside of a Full Health powerup can be had with the large monk crystal.

• Asbestos Armor - temporarily projects you from fire and projectile attacks. You can still take damage from projectile attacks, but they won't hurt you as much.

• Bulletproof Armor - temporarily projects you from gun fire. Find one of these before going into an area with a lot of gun-toting enemies or against gun turrets.

• Ankh - every Ankh symbol collected is good towards adding extra lives. There are four different ankh symbols- the basic silver one with a ring outside of it grants one life point. A bronze ankh with a granite background grants five life points. A bronze ankh outlined with beaded accents grants ten life points. Finally, a red ankh with two rings encircling it grants 25 life points.

Now some (or all) of the powerups...

• Mercury Mode - allows you to float into the air. This can help you reach high up places or get over obstacles like lava pits.

• Blue Ankh - gives full health. If already with a lot of health or full health, it grants an extra life.

• Green Ankh - gives full health. If already with a lot of health or with full health, it grants three extra lives. If not at full health, it recovers full health and gives two extra lives. These are rare to find.

• Elasto Mode - you bounce around the level! It sounds fun until you realize you're in a room filled with dangerous obstacles...

• Shrooms Mode - your vision shifts wildly, and your accuracy becomes distorted. On the other hand, using this powerup can help you get some hints about getting through a level. For example, some of the columns you can push while in Shrooms Mode will be highlighted to let you know what to push.

• God Mode - temporary invulnerability, and you can fire blasts that home in on enemies and kill enemies on impact.

• {Dog Mode} - you are invulnerable, and also pretty powerful. Use this fierce power to viciously rip apart your enemies. You can also use this mode to access narrow openings.

Hazards.

Many hazards (besides the enemies themselves) get in your way in kicking El Oscuro's butt. Here are some (or maybe all) of them:

* Fire Jets - flames shoot up from the ground or from the top. Run through it, and you'll become barbequed on the spot.

* Flame Walls - run into these, and you get burned up. Simple enough? Funny thing is, some of these flame walls can be pushed as push walls. Some of these walls even move randomly, making the trail through each level even more treacherous.

• Fire Chutes - walls that shoot flames will hit anything and everything in their way. Switches and/or Touchplates can disable (or enable) them.

* Spear Rack - a rack of spears shoot up from the ground, piercing into you upon arrival. They may also shoot downward from a ceiling.

* Spinblades - run into these to get your own complimentary flesh wounds. Some of these even shoot up from the ground or ceiling.

* Lava pits - avoid these at all costs! Stepping on these hot coals will slowly chip into your health.

* {Boulders} - rolling boulders fall from the ceiling, down to the ground, and rolling over.

* {Pits} - running over these areas will cause you to fall in. It takes a keen eye to find the pit areas on the ground. It isn't too hard to find these pits on the ground once you really notice the floor.

• {Boulders} - Boulders fall from the ceiling and roll straight, running over anything and everything they touch.

Enemies: Basic.

In this section, you will be introduced to some of the enemies in this game. This a description of some of the enemies you will be facing. They will be described by their appearance:

• Low Guard - a basic grunt that carries a pistol, wearing a gray jacket and black pants. Some play dead and awaken when the player draws near.

• Lightning Guard - an enemy in a dark green coat that carries a pistol. On the hardest setting, some fire bazooka rounds at you. Some may beg when they're about to die. If so, finish them off quickly! Some may drop their bazookas if there is still some ammo left in them (only on the hardest setting).

• High Guard - a bearded enemy in a dark green coat that carries an MP40. Waste them quickly because their MP40 shots can do some damage.

• Strike Force - an athletic enemy in a beige outfit, carrying a pistol. They can roll out of the way of missile fire and can be pesky to take down. It's best to take them down quickly with your MP40 (if you have one).

• Patrol Robot - a robot enemy that shoots drones. It can only be destroyed with missile weapons.

• Ballistikraft - a robot that fires drones and missiles. They cannot take damage or be destroyed. So if you see one, run.

• Triad Enforcer - a man in a gray/grey suit with a chaingun. It takes many hits to take him down. He also attacks by throwing grenades. Rely on missile weapons to defeat him quickly. This is the toughest enemy in the game and the toughest enemy in the Shareware version.

Here are a few more in the full game: • Overpatrol - an officer in a black outfit. Overpatrols fire a pistol but also can shoot nets at you. If caught in the net, you'll need to have a knife to cut your way through or find some other way out.

• Turrets - There are two kinds of gun turrets: (1) a gun turret that rises up and quickly attacks you with relentless gunfire, and (2) a gun turret that fires in four directions when you approach it or enter its firing sight.

• Death Monk - these monks are mostly quiet and do not do any damage until they get close to you. They can take a lot of shots before being finally defeated, so you may want to use any missile weapons if you want to make quick work of them.

• Deathfire Monk - a small monk that fires energy at you. Kill them quickly because their monk fireballs can do some serious damage.

Enemies: Bosses.

You can only damage these bosses with missile weapons. I'll just describe them for the most part. Don't expect any advice on beating them here.

• General John Durian - A boss in a green jacket and white pants that totes a bazooka.

* Sebastian Krist - a man that rides in some sort of motorized chair that is armed with mines and bazookas.

* NME - a formidable and large robotic enemy that is very quick with powerful attacks. It is the toughest boss in the entire game with its great speed, homing missile attacks, and fireballs.

* El Oscuro - El Oscuro. Yes- that's all I'll say about him! You're on your own for this one.

A fun fact is that each of the enemies are actually Apogee employees that lend their image as enemies in this game.

Multiplayer.

The game features lots of Comm-Bat modes ranging from Deathmatch to various triad-collecting modes. There is support for as many as 11 different players.

My Opinions...

Rise of the Triad is a fantastic game. And from a guy who's played two different Shareware versions, it was a great joy to play this full game after years of not getting this game in the past. A lot of people say that this game wasn't all that spectacular for one reason- 90-degree walls. This game can be thought of as Super Wolfenstein 3D the way everything is executed. Instead of wasting Nazis in World War 2 at Castle Wolfenstein, you're trying to eliminate a religious cult and its minions at a monastery on San Nicolas Island in the future.

While it is okay to dismiss this game as a Wolfenstein 3D clone, this game is a first-person masterpiece with a very arcade feel. Its funny nature makes it stand out from the more iconic first-person shooters.

For More Information...

You can look up the original spec "Rise of the Triad" through 3D Realms' site here: Rise of the Triad - Original Spec. To buy "Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition" on Steam, please visit: "Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition" on Steam. Or get it on GOG here: "Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition" on GOG.

Give this game a try and immerse yourself in a very fun first-person shooter. It is from 1994, so don't expect any modern things most first-person shooters today have to them. Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) in any capacity if you love my work. Share my blog post(s) with others if you enjoy my work. Support me further by connecting with me on social media; and if you are inclined, feel free to donate to me (donations are voluntary but would be appreciated). Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my JohnMarineDesigns Weebly site, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin! Let's connect:
Contact Me via E-Mail	Contact Me via Discord	(donations are voluntary)

Visit and Subscribe to My Blogs...
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS)	Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS)	Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS)	Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS)	Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)

Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends)	Facebook (Fans)	Twitter	YouTube
Pinterest	LinkedIn (professionals only)	Discord	???

Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns		John on Envato
Patreon	Soundcloud	Bandcamp
Twitch	OpenGameArt	TurboSquid

Baku City Circuit

2024-02-29T19:03:00.000-06:00

Many people can't find Azerbaijan or Baku on a map. Ever since 2016, though, it has played host to Formula 1's Azerbaijan Grand Prix. I am not as educated about today's F1. After seeing it and thinking about it, this is a pretty interesting race track. So I'll be talking about the Baku City Circuit in this blog post.

Fun Fact:

Baku, Azerbaijan is a Sister City of Houston. Find out about other Sister Cities of Houston here: www.sistercitieshouston.org.

Baku City Circuit

Here is a look at the Baku City Circuit:

^ from: (Wikipedia) - Baku is the fourth-longest circuit on the Formula 1 calendar and one of the fastest temporary courses in the world.

Baku is the capital of the transcontinental European country of Azerbaijan. This track debuted in 2016 and is a great challenge among one of the more modern Formula 1 racing circuits. It is also one of the fastest of the temporary courses. Baku City Circuit is all of 3.730 miles (6.003 kilometers) in length. It was developed by a familiar figure- Hermann Tilke.

The first six corners of Baku are all 90-degree corners. It is a series of left, left, left, right, left, and right. You fly into Turn 1 before facing the first corner. A brief straight follows leading into Turn 2. A straight about three times longer than between Turns 1 and 2 follows leading into the left at Turn 3. A short straight connects Turn 3 with the right at Turn 4. After a medium straight, the Turn 5 and 6 chicane complex follows. The road bends a bit leading into a very sharp right at Turn 7 follows. The toughest corner on the track is the Castle corner, a one-lane left-right chicane that makes up Turn 8 of Baku. Afterwards, the track goes uphill a bit. Turns 9 through 11 is an uphill series that goes uphill. Turns 9 and 10 are a double apex left connected to the right at Turn 11. After Turn 11, the track goes downhill into the left at Turn 12. A brief uphill follows into a kink at Turn 13 followed by going downhill into another kink at Turn 14. Turn 15 is an open sharp left that goes downhill. Be careful not to tag the outside wall upon exit. After going downhill out of Turn 15, Turn 16 is another open 90-degree corner. A rather sharp right kink for Turn 17 follows. Turn 18 is a medium left followed by a medium right at Turn 19. After that, it is flat out to the finish line or make a pit stop. The only thing is that a fast right kink makes up Turn 20 down this front stretch. That is my lap description of Baku. Formula 1 cars could reach over 200 mph heading into Turn 1 after the long front straight.

To me, the Baku City Circuit is as technical as the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, and very fast like Sochi. I like the challenge it provides. I have never played this track in any game or simulator, so I don't know the actual experience of this track. The lap record for Baku is 1:43.009 by Charles LeClerc in 2019 for Scuderia Ferrari.

Video Preview.

Here is a lap demonstration of Baku:

^ 2019 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Valtteri Bottas' Pole Lap | Pirelli

For More Information...

To learn more about the Baku City Circuit, visit its official website at: www.bakucitycircuit.com.

That's all for this one, thanks for visiting! Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) in any capacity if you love my work. Share my blog post(s) with others if you enjoy my work. Support me further by connecting with me on social media; and if you are inclined, feel free to donate to me (donations are voluntary but would be appreciated). Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my JohnMarineDesigns Weebly site, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin! Let's connect:
Contact Me via E-Mail	Contact Me via Discord	(donations are voluntary)

Visit and Subscribe to My Blogs...
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS)	Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS)	Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS)	Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS)	Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)

Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends)	Facebook (Fans)	Twitter	YouTube
Pinterest	LinkedIn (professionals only)	TikTok	Discord

Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns		John on Envato
Patreon	Soundcloud	Bandcamp
Twitch	OpenGameArt	TurboSquid

Women in Gridiron Football

2023-12-25T18:16:00.000-06:00

Gridiron football is exciting to watch. It is such an intense and gritty sport. It's a real man's game. *record scratch* "Excuse me- MAN's sport? Us girls can play football too!" Women in gridiron football is nothing new. Even if women's gridiron football is not as popular as watching the boys play football, at least Girl Power can be had on the gridiron. To that end, allow me to blog about feminine football.

By the way... Merry Christmas, mates! :)

Women in Gridiron Football

Many people usually don't think females can hold their own in gridiron football. Some people may have their best memory of women in football with the popular Lingerie Bowl. That is not what I am going to discuss in this blog post. I'm talking about actual, lace-em-up, tackling gridiron football- just like the boys do.

Some people who follow college football may remember a young lady named Katie Hnida, who was a field goal kicker for the University of Colorado Buffaloes. She would later transfer to the University of New Mexico Lobos. Katie Hnida became the first female to play NCAA Division 1 football when she played back starting in 2002. A later woman would make her mark named Sarah Fuller (also a kicker) for the Vanderbilt University Commodores circa 2020.

In 2023, a woman in NCAA Division 3 school Shenandoah University became the first female non-kicker to play college football. Haley Van Voorhis played safety for the Shenandoah Hornets against the Eagles of Juniata College. Her team won that game 48-7.

Here in the Houston area, I recall a radio personality named Julie Takahashi who played for a local women's football team called the Houston Energy. This team would play their games at The Rig in Pearland, Texas, USA; usually home to the Pearland High School Oilers.

Could a Big Breakthrough for Women Happen in Gridiron Football?

Imagine the following things happening in top-level college football, professional arena football, or even the NFL:

• a female quarterback
• a female quarterback who leads her team [of males] to the postseason
• a female quarterback who wins a championship for her [male-dominant] team
• a female offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, and/or even head coach of a playoff/postseason team
• an all-female coaching staff
• (perhaps) all-female offensive line, defensive line, special teams, two of the three, or all three... against an all-male team

Many of these concepts may seem far-fetched, but these are things that would certainly make female football fans happy. It would even be something of a cool story for males to want to get excited about. We have seen loads of feminine breakthroughs and trail blazers in many different arenas. Seeing such breakthroughs in gridiron football would be amazing.

Women's Football Leagues

I will briefly share some leagues that feature women's gridiron football. You can click on the headers to visit their official websites (if offered). Let me further expand this topic.

Women's Football Alliance.

The Women's Football Alliance (WFA) is one of the longest-running leagues dedicated to women's gridiron football. It was founded in 1999. Like certain collegiate athletics leagues, the WFA has divisions of competition. The WFA has an incredible 60 teams in this league. So you are probably sure you will find a team in your area in the United States.

Here is a sample of WFA Football:

^ WFA 2021 Promo

X League.

Unlike the WFA, the X League is an arena gridiron football league for women. There are only eight teams in this league spread across the United States. It was founded in 2009 as the Lingerie Football League. It was rebranded in 2013 as the Legends Football League. Its current name, the Extreme Football League (or X League), was established in 2020. The league has had here-and-there seasons. Some years had no season of X League football. As one can tell by its former names, this is a league lots of males (and perhaps some females as well) would love- a league with women passing and tackling in lingerie and in protective football gear.

Here is a sample of X League football:

^ X League | 2022 Season | X League on FAN PASS | LA Black Storm Highlights

These were the only two still-running leagues I could pull up. There were some women's football leagues others, but these leagues went defunct, so I didn't include them. Final thoughts coming up...

Women In Gridiron Football: Gridiron Football

Many sports fans usually discredit something like women in gridiron football much like how some dismiss the WNBA vs. the NBA. Some think the game of gridiron football is best played by males. Just the fact that women play gridiron football as competitively as the men do is worthy of praise. It is about expanding the sport and perhaps inspiring future generations of female football players. Even with the *male-dominated* realm of gridiron football, at least females shown they can play this sport as well as any male can. If women shown they can be great basketball players with the likes of the WNBA, women can also show they can play on or around the same level as males. Girls can play gridiron football just like the boys can. Put some respect on these ladies' names and give them their flowers. It's all about GIRL POWER to gridiron football!

I'm glad you could drop by for another fine post of mine. Thanks! Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) in any capacity if you love my work. Share my blog post(s) with others if you enjoy my work. Support me further by connecting with me on social media; and if you are inclined, feel free to donate to me (donations are voluntary but would be appreciated). Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my JohnMarineDesigns Weebly site, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin! Let's connect:
Contact Me via E-Mail	Contact Me via Discord	(donations are voluntary)

Visit and Subscribe to My Blogs...
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS)	Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS)	Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS)	Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS)	Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)

Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends)	Facebook (Fans)	Twitter	YouTube
Pinterest	LinkedIn (professionals only)	TikTok	Discord

Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns		John on Envato
Patreon	Soundcloud	Bandcamp
Twitch	OpenGameArt	TurboSquid

Laufey

2023-12-11T02:05:00.001-06:00

(UPDATED: February 18, 2024)

Laufey (pronounced "lay-vay") is a jazz singer who has popularized jazzy singing lately. This Icelandish singer of Iceland-China decebt who is a throwback that brings old time jazz singing to modern times. She does this so beautifully. She is a jazz throwback whose attention is deserved for her wonderful style of music. I will be using this space to blog about Laufey.

LATEST UPDATE(S)/REVISION(S)...

FEB 18 2024 - added more content

Laufey

Meet Laufey:

^ from: www.laufeymusic.com - This jazz singer from Iceland will captivate you with her style of old time jazz singing.

Laufey comes across as this modern songbird who is a musical throwback to the golden era of jazz music. Laufey is from Iceland and is of Icelandic-Chinese descent. She brings old style jazz singing to the modern musical realm. Her singing voice is deep, but also sweet. In fact, Laufey patterns her singing style after one of the all-time greats in any musical genre- Ella Fitzgerald. She is also a "Swiftie," a big fan of Taylor Swift. Laufey calls her fans as "Lauvers." Get it- lovers? Lauvers? (clears throat) Anyhow...

My introduction to Laufey began when I heard her sing "From the Start." The song had an air of innocence and fun while also having a singing style reminiscent of old movie songs and old time jazz. I then started hearing "Bewitched" among her other songs. "Bewitched" literally sounds like a song in some 1940s or 1950s movie. I'd then hear other songs such as "I Wish You Love," "Valentine," "Falling Behind," and one of her oldest songs, "Street By Street."

What I love most about Laufey is how her singing reminds you of some songs sung in older movies. She literally brings that style of singing to modern times to a younger audience. Laufey is 24 as of December 11, 2023 (born April 23, 1999); but you almost wonder if Laufey actually comes from the past and living in the present the way she sings.

Congratulations, Laufey!

(added: February 18, 2024) At the 2024 Grammy Awards, Laufey won her first Grammy award for "Best Traditional Pop Album" for her "Bewitched" album. Hopefully this will be the first of many accolades for Laufey.

What I Would Tell Laufey (if she were to read this)...

Your music and your style of music are amazing! Even as most people are indulged into the likes of hip-hop, rock, and various forms of electronic music; you are making strides in a genre not as many people listen to. You are also singing very well at it. I have the greatest of respect for you and your music. Keep up the great work!

Music Samples.

Here is a sample of Laufey's singing for you all now. Have a listen to this fun and peppy song:

^ Laufey - From The Start (Official Music Video)

And here is another sample of her singing:

^ Laufey - Bewitched (Official Music Video)

Now you have an idea of Laufey and her singing.

For More Information...

Want more Laufey? Visit her official website at www.laufeymusic.com. From there, you can also connect with her on social media.

I really like Laufey and her singing style. I hope you enjoyed this blog post. Be sure to follow this blog and my others if you enjoy my work and want my latest blog posts once they drop. If you enjoy my work, please Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) in any capacity if you love my work and want to support me any way you can. Share my blog post(s) with others if you enjoy my work. Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my JohnMarineDesigns Weebly site, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin! Let's connect:
Contact Me via E-Mail	Contact Me via Discord	(donations are voluntary)

Visit and Subscribe to My Blogs...
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS)	Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS)	Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS)	Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS)	Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)

Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends)	Facebook (Fans)	Twitter	YouTube
Pinterest	LinkedIn (professionals only)	TikTok	Discord

Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns		John on Envato
Patreon	Soundcloud	Bandcamp
Twitch	OpenGameArt	TurboSquid

Nicole Forcadela

2023-11-19T10:48:00.005-06:00

(UPDATED: September 28, 2024)

If you see a singer with a fun and silly personality and loves koalas, more than likely, you have entered the world of Nicole Forcadela. Nicole (also known as "Nicka") is a great Filipino singer with a wonderful personality and great singing ability. I will be showcasing her in my latest blog post. So if you're game, let's get it!

Thank You All!

Thank all of you for making this blog post popular! I am pleased this blog post has been so well-received. Utilize the links in the end of my posts to connect with me further or support my work further. Thank you!

LATEST UPDATES/REVISIONS:

SEP 29 2024 - added a Spotify link

Nicole Forcadela

Meet Nicole Forcadela:

^ from: (Spotify) - This is Nicole Forcadela, a Filipino singing superstar and overly entertaining personality.

Nicole Forcadela (or "Nicka") is a singer from the Philippines. She sings regularly on her Twitch channel both from home and with some live appearances. Nicole is usually the fun person parading with koalas. Nicole's fans are called as "Nickanatics." She has been singing just about most of her entire life, stemming from four years old or so. The ability to convey messages and have you latch on to each note and each verse she sings is paramount to what makes Nicole Forcadela such an excellent singer.

On the live show circuit, Nicole Forcadela sings at a popular grand hotel in Manila, Philippines. This is where Nicole/Nicka is all dolled up and elegant singing her heart out. She brings the same great singing style from her home shows to her live gigs. However, she is a bit more professional and focused when performing these live gigs. The two situations are different, but Nicole knows how to entertain crowds. Most of all, she brings a "good vibes only" kind of personality filled with positivity and charm. This often times includes Nicole offering positive thoughts after singing certain songs.

I discovered Nicole Forcadela on Twitch recommendations. I visited her channel when not Followed, and I thought she was very cool, so I offered a Follow. I love her humorous and lighthearted personality she brings to her streams. Outside of the live gigs she takes part in, most of her regular streams follow a certain color theme. These streams usually have a certain background color in which even Nicole wears an outfit of a certain color to match. The most special color to her regular streams is purple/violet, since it was the first color she themed her stream after.

As a singer, Nicole Forcadela delivers a bold singing voice and a sassy style. She sings very well. In her in real life gigs, the lighthearted style becomes more serious, yet Nicole still delivers a fabulous singing performance while being all dolled up. Nicole knows how to entertain or make you smile. I think you should visit Nicole's Twitch channel to hear her singing and to take in her eccentric personality. You should also get to visit Nicole's homepage to learn her story.

My Message to Nicole Forcadela (if she read this).

Nicole/Nicka, I enjoy watching your streams and hearing you sing. You are one of the most expressive and eccentric personalities online, and you do a fabulous job with your work. You are a great singer whether in normal streams or doing your live gigs. I wish you the best in all of your work. Thank you so much for your amazing work and sharing your voice and personality to the world.

For More Information...

Learn more about Nicole Forcadela by visiting her official site at www.nicoleforcadela.com. Visit Nicole's Twitch channel also.

Video Preview.

Here is a sample of Nicole Forcadela's singing:

^ You Are So Beautiful - Joe Cocker (Live Cover by Nicole Forcadela) | #NicoleCovers #TwitchTakes

Here is another sample of Nicole Forcadela, but this sample is a look at her live gig singing (and with a personal favorite love song of mine):

On The Wings of Love - Jeffrey Osborne / Regine Velasquez (Live Cover)| #NicoleCovers #TwitchTakes

Latest Song: "Thank You."

On August 16, 2024; Nicole Forcadela dropped a new single called "Thank You." If you have Spotify, please have a listen by clicking on the following link: "Thank You," by Nicole Forcadela on Spotify.

Hopefully now you've gotten to see what Nicole Forcadela brings to the proverbial table from this blog post.

I hope you got to check out some fine music and fine talent in this blog post. Thank you for visiting! If you enjoy my work, please Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) in any capacity if you love my work and want to support me any way you can. You may not know what my next post will be about, so be sure to follow for more blogging awesomeness from me! Share my blog post(s) with others if you enjoy my work. You can even support me on social media or even financially if you enjoy my work. Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my JohnMarineDesigns Weebly site, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin! Let's connect:
Contact Me via E-Mail	Contact Me via Discord	(donations are voluntary)

Visit and Subscribe to My Blogs...
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS)	Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS)	Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS)	Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS)	Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)

Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends)	Facebook (Fans)	Twitter	YouTube
Pinterest	LinkedIn (professionals only)	TikTok	Discord

Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns		John on Envato
Patreon	Soundcloud	Bandcamp
Twitch	OpenGameArt	TurboSquid

NHL in Houston?

2023-11-13T23:49:00.000-06:00

Houston has teams like the Texans of the NFL, the Rockets of the NBA, the Astros of Major League Baseball, and Houston Dynamo FC of MLS. It once had a WNBA team called the Comets, and AHL hockey team called the Houston Aeros. Speaking of hockey, what if the city of Houston had an NHL team? Could top-level hockey succeed in Houston? I want to open this floor to discussion of if Houston had an NHL team. Let's get started!

BEFORE I BEGIN...

All of the material expressed in this post are mostly based on opinion and speculation. It is not entirely based on investigative reporting or deep research. Do not take too much of what you are about to read too seriously. This post is, however, professional enough to warrant proper discussion of the topic at hand.

NHL in Houston?

^ from: (Wikipedia) - Hockey in Houston was last possible with this team- the Houston Aeros. Could Houston join the NHL? Should the NHL go through Houston? This blog post of mine will share my innermost thoughts.

The National Hockey League is one of the most competitive and fun pro sports in America. While I don't watch hockey as much as I used to with the days of NBC Sports Network (NBCSN), I do watch hockey from time to time. I do love watching hockey. There were some plans for if/when the city of Houston has an NHL team. We did have the Houston Aeros of the WHA (World Hockey Association) and the AHL (American Hockey League) before they moved and rebranded as the Iowa Wild. I even been to the final-ever(?) game the Houston Aeros had in 2013 before moving to Iowa. We played against the San Antonio Rampage, and the Aeros won that night. I even saw a good hockey fight in that game! :)

To my knowledge, Houston never had an NHL team. According to the Houston Chronicle, Houston has been the largest city without an NHL team since 1967. We are a proud sports city with lots of talented players, teams, and sporting events. Houston has hosted events like the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals (in the "Clutch City" days), the MLB All-Star Game, the World Series, the College Football Playoff in 2024, the NCAA Men's Final Four, the MLS All-Star Game, some top-level soccer games, and even Wrestlemania among other sporting events. We're even hosting some games in the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup here in Houston. Houston is currently buzzing with the Houston Texans and CJ Stroud, the Houston Rockets starting 2023-2024 from 0-3 to now 6-3 and a six game winning streak, and let's not forget the run the Astros have had since about 2016 and two World Series titles (2017 title controversial).

What if you're a hockey fan who wants to enjoy some hockey in Houston? You don't have that choice. There have been here-and-there rumblings of Houston getting an NHL team. What was the most likely scenario was if the Arizona Coyotes wanted to relocate. It may ultimately come down to if a completely new team joins the NHL like the league's most recent team, the Seattle Kraken. Who knows? Maybe Houston gets an NHL team and may one season hoist the beautiful Stanley Cup and become NHL champions. Possibilities are endless!

Let's think about the logistics of the NHL in Houston now.

NHL in Houston: Logistics

The City of Houston is a great place for sports, even if a lot of the sports teams haven't been too successful. Only a handful of American cities have franchises in the NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball, and the NHL. Houston is one of the largest and finest cities in America. Having an NHL hockey team would further solidify this city as a world-class city. Here are some talking points now.

Before I get into the logistics of an NHL team, let me address something I think will be a main talking point about Houston getting an NHL team:

Does Houston Deserved to be Considered a "Hockey Town?"

Some purists of NHL teams feel hockey only exists and only should exist in Frost Belt states or in Canada. Last I checked... places like Dallas, Tampa Bay, Arizona, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles aren't exactly Winter Wonderlands. Heck, I've even seen on the college front schools like Arizona State and Tennessee State with hockey teams. So what makes Houston less qualified a city if you think only actually cold places should have hockey teams compared to other cities that aren't exactly "Winter Wonderland" or "Hockey Cities?" It rarely snows in Arizona or Nevada, and I don't think Winter even exists in Florida. You could even put an NHL team in Hawaii/Hawai'i for all I care! As long as a team can be competitive and financially stable, any place can be worthy of an NHL franchise, including Houston.

People normally think Texas is a football state (and it still is). However, recent success of the Houston Astros winning two World Series and (cringe...) the Texas Rangers winning the 2023 World Series shows a recent trend of baseball success in the state of Texas. The Dallas Stars won it all in 1999. Who's to say maybe the Houston NHL team doesn't win a title as well should one form here?

Now that I cleared this up, let's talk about more important matters of the NHL in Houston.

Expansion or Relocated?

I feel there may be an expansion team more than a team relocating. I doubt some other team besides the Arizona Coyotes would be so disinterested in staying and decide to come to Houston. The last NHL such team I can remember relocating was when the Atlanta Thrashers moved out of Atlanta to become the Winnipeg Jets.

How about this for a weird scenario- the Oilers return to Houston! Only... they play hockey. Imagine if the Edmonton Oilers relocated to Houston and became the Houston Oilers. I know that will NEVER happen, but it's a weird concept. It's okay to be weird! :D

Team Name and Colors?

I wondered among my fellow Houstonians- do you bring back the Aeros but make them an NHL team name? Or do you go with some sort of team nickname unique to Houston and/or Texas? Do you also try not to use some overused nickname- such as all the Cougars, Tigers, Wildcats, Bulldogs, Eagles, Cardinals, and such in college sports?

Let's say Houston goes the route of unique and indigenous namesakes. When names were being decided for the name of Houston's new NFL team after the Houston Oilers moved out of Houston and became the Tennessee Titans, one of the team nicknames for the ultimately named Texans was the "Wildcatters." That's because one of Houston's nicknames is the "Wildcat City." Wildcatters sound kind of lame to me. Besides the University of Houston Cougars, we have one cat-themed team called the Sabercats of Major League Rugby. The NHL already has a cat team- the Florida Panthers. Surely a livestock-themed team would be completely indigenous to Houston and Texas. Or maybe Houston highlights on space exploration and name their team based on astronomy. We obviously can't be the Stars, because Dallas; and I am not sure using "Comets" would work since that was the name of Houston's WNBA team (I may discuss the Houston Comets in a future blog post). We also could name our team after our insights on energy and oil. I am not sure what a good nickname for Houston would be.

When I researched this topic, some suggested names for a Houston NHL team include the aforementioned Aeros. Also possible names are the Houston Stallions, the Houston Wranglers, and the Houston Bulls. Some people even believe the Coyotes would eventually relocate and become the Houston Coyotes.

Since the Houston Aeros of the WHA and AHL were the AHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild, they had Wild colors- green, red, and white. Back in the WHA days, however, the Aeros wore a dark blue, a lighter blue, and white. Those are your three options- (1) bring back the blue and white colors, (2) bring back the green/red/white colors, or (3) come up with a completely different color scheme overall devoid of any WHA or AHL affiliations.

Potential Opponents and Conference?

One of the most obvious opponents for Houston's NHL team would be an in-state rivalry with the Dallas Stars. I could see a possible rivalry with the Arizona Coyotes since the Coyotes were long seen as a possible team. I could also see a rivalry with the Nashville Predators. Houston vs. Nashville is already apparent in the NFL with the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans. However, I think the greater rival would be the Dallas Stars. We all know Houston-Dallas rivalries including the NBA's "Texas Triangle."

I am absolutely certain Houston would be in the Central Division of the NHL. This would give the Central Division nine teams while the other three divisions have eight teams each.

Arena?

The most likely home of the Houston NHL team would be Toyota Center. That's especially if Tillman Fertitta is funding everything the effort to bring the NHL to Houston.

Second most likely would be using an existing arena. Towards the sunset of the WNBA's Houston Comets, the Comets played at Reliant Arena (now NRG Arena). I am not sure if people would pack the house at NRG Arena as they would for almost any event at Toyota Center. The days of Six Flags Astroworld are [sadly] long gone. The Astros moved from the Astrodome to today's Minute Maid Park, the Houston Oilers moved from the Astrodome to Nashville and rebranded as the Tennessee Titans, and it is really the Houston Texans keeping alive the area now known as NRG Park. I also don't see even the Fertitta Center (formerly Hoffheinz Pavillion) hosting any hockey outside of it being the home of the University of Houston's basketball.

The most unlikely scenario would be a completely new, hockey-specific arena. For that to happen, the Houston NHL team would have to be so good that it gets its own arena and not have to share it with another Houston sports team. This is more down-the-road stuff.

Players and Coaching Staff?

The Vegas Golden Knights had a solid lineup for when they picked out their players for their maiden season in the NHL. I'd have to imagine the Houston NHL team would pick up either some talented free agents or some talented college or international players for their hockey team.

It may also be possible for having some unemployed coaches and coaching staff members help coach up a new Houston NHL team. If coaches see the potential to coach a young team starting up in Houston, that coach will surely take up on that offer and try to coach Houston to success.

Financial Feasibility?

A professional sports team will never prosper with unloyal fans and improper management. I'd have to wonder issues like taxation and such would be factors in determining whether an NHL hockey franchise will last as long as possible in Houston. A number of Houston natives and residents would lovingly support an NHL team here should one come to form both as a team and financially.

Another aspect on financial concerns would be in television deals. In 2023, it was announced that AT&T SportsNet Southwest would rebrand as the Space City Home Network (SCHN). SCHN is the television home of the Houston Rockets and the Houston Astros. I am probably sure it could serve as the home of the Houston NHL team as well. Of course, national broadcasts of Houston's NHL team would be on the likes of ESPN and TNT. Maybe also on the NHL Network.

Well, this was about as many things I could speculate on regarding the NHL in Houston.

Thank you sports fans for checking out my blog! If you enjoy my work, please Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) in any capacity if you love my work and want to support me any way you can. Share my blog post(s) with others if you enjoy my work. Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my JohnMarineDesigns Weebly site, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin! Let's connect:
Contact Me via E-Mail	Contact Me via Discord	(donations are voluntary)

Visit and Subscribe to My Blogs...
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS)	Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS)	Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS)	Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS)	Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)

Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends)	Facebook (Fans)	Twitter	YouTube
Pinterest	LinkedIn (professionals only)	TikTok	Discord

Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns		John on Envato
Patreon	Soundcloud	Bandcamp
Twitch	OpenGameArt	TurboSquid

Farmers Markets

2023-10-08T01:35:00.002-05:00

If you want quality food and fresh ingredients, you may want to visit a farmers market. Rather than the usual processed food, a farmers market offers edibles made from fresh ingredients from outsourced farms. So you know you are getting quality produce and other items from quality sources. I'll be discussing farmers markets in this blog post. If this sort of thing interests you, perhaps I can pique your interest with this blog post. Let's get it!

Farmers Markets

I was kind of inspired to blog about this post when I visited the doctor's office recently. When I was having blood work done, I heard about a Houston Farmers Market in downtown that I didn't know we have. Let me set the tone for this discussion of farmers markets...

^ from: (Houston Chronicle) - Farm-to-market goodness happens with farmers markets. Enjoy the quality produce and other edibles only farmers markets can provide and from the farms that make it happen.

A farmers market offers up quality produce and other edibles sourced from farms and other local sources. These are products straight from the farm to market. You won't find anything that you may find at your average grocery store as opposed to a farmers market. It is possible you may even get unique produce, meals, spices, seasonings, and more that no grocery store or general store could ever sell at a farmers market. For example, a farmers market may sell raw honey or maybe some unique spices and seasonings you can put on your food.

A lot of times, a farmers market is often well away from most urban locales. So you will probably have to go out into rural locations or even to certain farmlands not in any serious urban settings. However, urban areas will have certain conventions and events serving up farm-to-market produce and other items so you don't have to venture out to rural locales or suburbs outside of big cities. The quality of farm-to-market produce remains the same and with the same quality than if you ventured out into rural settings.

In a lot of cases, farmers market produce and goods are more fresh than any average grocery store's offerings. Some farmers market produce can even be healthier for you than a lot of grocery store goods. Their existence can be pretty beneficial in these regards. Having abundant produce and livestock is paramount to farmers markets being successful.

My Own Farmers Market Experiences.

Here in the Houston/Galveston area, the farmers market I know best is Frobergs Farms in Alvin, Texas, USA. I personally have not been to Froberg's in quite a few years, but I do remember seeing the many different farm-to-market produce it offers. There is even a strawberry field where one could pick out strawberries. Froberg Farms also has a smokehouse where you can purchase some good meat products. I know them best for their delicious cheddar sausage. I believe it is called Greak's Smokehouse.

Farmers Market Considerations.

The one thing I would probably consider a negative of farmers markets is some of their food possibly being raw. So you may be mindful of food illnesses and airborne illnesses should you consume their produce. You may need to properly cook everything and prepare everything so you will reduce the risk of any sort of food poisoning.

If there is a case where there is a drought or various other conditions that hamper farms being able to make such produce, these farmers markets can stumble. They need as many different resources to make their produce properly. A farmers market can not generate business without sufficient resources.

Should You Visit a Farmers Market?

I say you should visit a farmers market to enjoy quality produce and some unique edibles. It may a lot different if you are used to supermarkets, but you can still get some great produce and other things for your home. Enjoy the farm fresh experience that these farm-to-market farmers markets provide.

That concludes this post! Care to discuss? Here's my question to you:

Have you been to a farmers market? How do you feel about the experience of a farmers market?

"Anything and everything" is what I blog about in this blog and in my others. You can link to my other blogs with the table below. You may also connect with me across social media and even contact me if you wish. If you enjoy my work, please Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) in any capacity if you love my work and want to support me any way you can. Share my blog post(s) with others if you enjoy my work. Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my JohnMarineDesigns Weebly site, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin! Let's connect:
Contact Me via E-Mail	Contact Me via Discord	(donations are voluntary)

Visit and Subscribe to My Blogs...
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS)	Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS)	Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS)	Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS)	Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)

Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends)	Facebook (Fans)	Twitter	YouTube
Pinterest	LinkedIn (professionals only)	TikTok	Discord

Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns		John on Envato
Patreon	Soundcloud	Bandcamp
Twitch	OpenGameArt	TurboSquid

Three Popular Refurbished PC Series

2023-07-25T23:56:00.000-05:00

Three bases are popular for refurbished PCs. The Dell Optiplex is often seen as the most popular refurbished PC people tune up. The HP EliteDesk is the popular HP refurbished PC. Lenovo's ThinkCentre is their popular model. All three have been the most common refurbished PCs I see on Amazon, eBay, and mentioned in YouTube videos. If you recall from my Refurbished Electronics blog post, I had interest in buying a refurbished PC online to be my new computer. When I saw the options for refurbished models, the majority of them seemed to be the three models I mentioned in this introduction. So for this blog post, I want to discuss these three models that are popular for refurbished PCs.

Refurbished PCs: Why?

If one is looking for a new computer but lacks the finances to get a modern PC, one great option to consider are refurbished PCs. Rather than completely trash an old PC, certain makers are outfitting older PCs with new hardware. Many of them are to a level to where they seem brand new. A lot of the refurbished PCs come in at specifications at or near a lot of PCs offered at brick-and-mortar stores. Often times, the refurbished offerings exceed the specifications of newer PCs but for anywhere between 1/2 to 2/3 less. Because the PCs are given new life, they help add to sustainability efforts and not towards adding to degrading the environment through landfills or waste.

I was interested in getting a newer PC since last year or two years ago. My current Acer PC was the first PC I bought with my own money. I paid just over $300 USD for it at a Wal-Mart/Walmart. That much money could get me a great refurbished PC and maybe some leftover money to enhance it a little more. When I bought electronics on Amazon, a lot of them were refurbished models. I am willing to take my chances on a refurbished PC. I thought about buying a mini PC or a laptop, until I was convinced it is best I stick to a basic desktop PC. Compared to my budget PC I bought in 2014, $300 USD could get me a very competitive refurbished PC with much better specifications than my regular PC.

The refurbished PC I am going for most has to be at least 8GB of RAM and have a 2.9 GHz processor (preferably quad-core). A recommended set of specifications to me is a 16GB RAM PC with a 3.4 GHz processor (preferably quad-core). I have been feeling the urge to try to be futureproof. To me, a futureproof PC for me would have to be 32GB RAM (or more) with a 3.9 GHZ or greater processor. I am willing to live with integrated graphics, so I will not be on the hunt to get a dedicated GPU (graphics processing unit).

The model I was eyeing as of the time of this blog post is not one of the models to be featured in this blog post, but it was a Dell Precision that I was inspired to check out from one YouTuber. It seemed like a PC more than within my budget and with some great specifications to boot when I looked it up on Walmart's website.

Why THESE PCs?

The PCs from Dell, HP, and Lenovo in this blog post are all business PCs. They have popular versions ranging from desktops to even mini PC variants. My best guess is that these have all gotten so worn out and used that they become popular bases for refurbished PCs. Maybe they were durable and dependable in their former lives that when reborn with new technology, they become solid bases for refurbished models. I really do not know what makes them so popular. From one video or a website I read, these PCs are popular because these office PCs were so sturdy and dependable.

If you were to buy any of the latest models of the office PCs to be mentioned in this blog post, you're going to pay at least $600 USD for the latest models and easily over $1K USD for the latest versions of these office PCs.

If you were to pick up the latest versions of the PCs I am about to mention, expect to pay at least $600 USD for each. Many of them don't even have the hopped-up specifications of their refurbished counterparts.

Let me go into detail about each featured series of models now.

Popular Refurbished PCs: Dell Optiplex Series

^ from: Amazon - The Dell Optiplex has been seen as a great PC for PC gamers on a budget.

^ from: Office Depot and OfficeMax - This is the small form factor (SFF) version of the Dell Optiplex.

The Dell Optiplex is a business/office PC that is commonly seen as great for PC gaming when given upgrades for gaming. People who use refurbished Optiplex models usually fit them with upgraded RAM, processors, power supply units, and graphics processing units (GPU). The better refurbished Optiplex models have great enough specifications that they do not really need much to make them better than stock. The gaming crowd, however, prefer technology experiences to be on par with gaming-specific PCs.

Buying a newer Dell Optiplex will set you back at least $600 USD on Amazon. They can cost over $1,000 USD if you buy direct from Dell's Optiplex site. On Amazon, one of the best-selling refurbished PCs is a Dell Optiplex selling for about $186 USD. Some other models cost less and have near the specifications of this model and may have some better specifications. Some people usually buy a used or refurbished Dell Optiflex from around $80 USD to $130 USD and do their own custom modifications.

Popular Refurbished PCs: HP Series

^ from: Amazon - The HP ProDesk series is another popular option for refurbished PCs.

^ from: (Natix) - These sleek HPs are of the EliteDesk series.

This one is going to be tough to explain because there are several models, and I can not tie things down to one specific model. Bear with me here.

Hewlett-Packard makes some great products. My family and I have owned two different HP laptops, and my previous PC before my current Acer PC was an HP PC. The HP EliteDesk series has been popular as refurbished PC base. The simplicity of the mini office PC versions of HP computers have been great bases for refurbished PCs. The mini EliteDesk PCs are easy to open up and upgrade.

Another darling of refurbished HP computers is the ProDesk series. If you don't see the EliteDesk as a common refurbished model, you might see the HP ProDesk being offered up as refurbished. This is another rather popular base for people to turn into gaming PCs.

Both refurbished models of the EliteDesk and ProDesk can be quite a bargain. That is... if you are not willing to pay between $600 USD to $1K USD for a newer model with the latest technology.

Popular Refurbished PCs: Lenovo Thinkcentre Series

^ from: Newegg - The Lenovo ThinkCentre, while not as common as the Dell or HP computers mentioned earlier, is still a viable choice for any shopper of a refurbished PC.

^ from: Walmart - This is the SFF version of the Lenovo ThinkCentre, which again, is a popular base for refurbished PCs.

Of the aforementioned makes, only Lenovo is non-American. This Chinese manufacturer of various electronics made themselves a quality machine in the Lenovo Thinkcentre. The Thinkcentre is offered in versions including a desktop tower, a mini office PC, and a thin client PC. The price range goes from around $350 to just over $1.2K if buying direct from Lenovo's website. Buying one of these Amazon or eBay will not hurt you too much.

Like the aforementioned PCs in this blog post, the Lenovo Thinkcentre is often used as a base for refurbished PCs. They would be a good option if you fancy a PC outside of the likes of HP or Dell. It will no doubt serve you well. These may not be as elegant as HP's offerings, but the Lenovo Thinkcentre still gets it done as a refurbished PC.

That's all for this section. How about I offer you some Final Thoughts?

Three Popular Refurbished PC Series: Final Thoughts

When it comes to buying a refurbished PC, you want to get a PC that you can live with and utilize for some time to come. The one concern about any refurbished product is how long it can last and if its quality will be good enough to serve you well for a long time. Using a device that has been refurbished rather than recycled helps in the sustainability department. You should definitely consider the refurbished market if you are looking for a new PC and do not have the money for more modern PCs. Find a refurbished PC that meets your specification needs and within budget.

I mentioned popular models from the likes of Dell, HP, and Lenovo because they are the most popular ones for refurbished PCs. Most popular of all are the Dell Optiplex series. HP has two popular series if you do not fancy Dell computers. If you do not have the finances to buy even newer versions of these commercial PCs, Lenovo has you covered with a range of options from its Thinkcentre series.

While they are not the only refurbished PCs you can buy online, the ones I mentioned in this blog post are the most popular ones. These are all office-type/commercial-type PCs that are known for being very durable. Their toughness is substantiated. The fact you can buy refurbished versions of these PCs for nearly three to four times less than their original value make these refurbished PCs a viable alternative for those who want a competitive PC and do not necessarily need the latest and greatest technology.

The only concern one should have over refurbished PCs is how well restored and renewed they are. Is a refurbished PC notably damaged or used to where some problems may arise? Could it be poorly put together? Low-priced may not always equate to high quality, so be concerned about this should you get a chance to buy a refurbished PC.

That is all from me. I have one more section for you, and it is completely voluntary. Skip it if you wish not to participate.

Refurbished PCs Online

Want to shop for PCs online from the aforementioned makes or from a secondhand dealer? I can help you here! Please visit any of the sites to begin your quest for refurbished PCs (or even new ones):

• Amazon Renewed
• eBay Refurbished
• Walmart Restored
• Newegg Refurbished
• Micro Center Refurbished
• Microsoft Certified Refurbished
• Certified Refurbished Products - Apple

• Dell
• Hewlett-Packard (HP)
• Lenovo

Shop around on sites like these and good luck finding yourself a refurbished PC!

That's all for this one. Care to comment? Let's discuss:

Have you had much luck buying a refurbished PC?

If you enjoy my work, please Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) in any capacity if you love my work and want to support me any way you can. Share my blog post(s) with others if you enjoy my work. Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my JohnMarineDesigns Weebly site, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin! Let's connect:
Contact Me via E-Mail	Contact Me via Discord	(donations are voluntary)

Visit and Subscribe to My Blogs...
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS)	Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS)	Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS)	Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS)	Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)

Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends)	Facebook (Fans)	Twitter	YouTube
Pinterest	LinkedIn (professionals only)	TikTok	Discord

Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns		John on Envato
Patreon	Soundcloud	Bandcamp
Twitch	OpenGameArt	TurboSquid

Refurbished Electronics

2023-07-08T01:31:00.000-05:00

If you do not fancy the latest technology and lack sufficient funds, then refurbished electronics may just be for you. Refurbished electronics may not be "new," but they are appointed to be as good as new. Some refurbished electronics may even have specifications that are on par with (or sometimes exceeding) a lot of modern electronics. It is possible to get quality electronics for much less than modern electronics by buying refurbished. I will discuss refurbished electronics in this blog post.

Refurbished Electronics

Let me explain refurbished before I go any further.

^ from: (Quora) - Want electronics? Don't have sufficient funds? Consider refurbished electronics. After all, it was said the refurbished electronics market was $10B USD in 2018!

Understanding Refurbished.

It is a misconception to think of refurbished electronics as "used." Sure, maybe one device or devices may have had previous owner(s), but it does not mean you are buying a used product. However, a refurbished electronic product does not mean you are buying what someone else once used. Rather than recycle or destroy such electronics, a refurbished product is instead extensively revived and upgraded to the point where it feels like new. Refurbished electronics are more like products that are old or reached the end of their cycle and are reborn and enhanced. In some cases, older technology that is refurbished can sometimes be even better than it was previously.

Think of a refurbished product more like taking a rusted-out car and bringing it back to life with extensive modifications and modern parts. Is this restored car "new?" No. It is simply taking something old and giving it new life to where it is as good as new. This restored car in this analogy would not be sold as a "new" car, but its specifications would make it as good as any modern car sold at a car dealer.

Could you be taking a chance investing in something refurbished? While refurbished electronics may be enticing and thrifty, there is no guarantee that a refurbished electronics product will hold up long enough or be of great quality. You may buy a refurbished product that may fall apart after a few uses. Reputable dealers of electronics products will extensively test refurbished products for quality and endurance. Refurbished products have standard warranties to them and can be returned if they do not meet your specifications or satisfaction. Some dealers and retailers will allow you to purchase additional protection plans to cover the cost of things such as repair and maintenance. In addition, refurbishing electronics can result in increasing sustainability and cutting down on land waste.

Refurbished Price Difference.

If you were to compare a refurbished electronics product next to a modern one, would you take an older model over a modern one? A lot of people would probably take the modern one over the refurbished one. Not many people have the finances for most modern things. Just like with vehicles, people will buy used vehicles since they can not afford anything new. That is even if people do not engage themselves in financing plans that help alleviate the financial pain of buying anything new.

Latest vs. Refurbished in Perspective: PC Example.

Let me provide you some perspective. I want you to follow my lead. Assume the cheapest-priced desktop computer you can buy new from one dealer is priced at $300 USD. An online retailer offering refurbished computers for near the same price as the budget PC within about $250 USD to $285 USD. Which would you take?

If money were no object, a consumer would want the latest electronics because they are up-to-date, and you could have them serviced easily should you have a problem with the device. You also may get a better warranty of that latest electronic device than you would with something refurbished.

On the other hand, and especially in the case of something like a refurbished desktop PC, you might determine that you do not need the most modern technology for your money. Maybe you just want something that will suit you just fine at around the same price point. As long as you have decent finances and a decent base, you may elect to buy the refurbished product to save money and maybe even have a more capable item than the modern one at the same price point. It can be okay to take a chance with a refurbished product if you feel it is within your means.

Latest vs. Refurbished in Perspective: Smartphone Example.

Let me provide you more perspective. This time, I am looking at mobile devices such as smartphones. Assume a modern budget smartphone costs $150 USD when bought from a specific carrier or with a certain plan. For that same price point, you could get a refurbished smartphone that you can still use with any carrier you so choose.

Unlike the previous example, most mobile devices can not be easily upgraded to modern specifications with the most modern features. This means you may be stuck with (for example) an older operating system or older specifications than a modern version of its features. It would be best to go with a modern smartphone in this case so you can have the latest applications for it.

Some applications and/or games (if you are a mobile gamer) may not be compatible with older operating systems. Think about Android for a moment. A program that may be available for the "Ice Cream Sandwich" interface may not be compatible with the latest Android operating system. If you are willing to live with having some incompatible modern apps or games, then go the refurbished route. You may also be okay with a refurbished smartphone if you do not care for features like face recognition, NFC (near-field communications), heart monitors, and things of that nature. A refurbished mobile device also may not allow you to expand its memory. In other words, a one terabyte microSD card may not work for an older smartphone or tablet PC. You are still getting a smartphone that will handle its smartphone duties.

The main point of this section is to show that you will have to live with whatever you decide to buy between one of the latest smartphones and a refurbished smartphone. It will still handle its duty and serve its purpose. You are only deciding whether you want to go with modern material or be okay with older material.

Refurbished Electronics: My Journey

There is a reason why I created this blog post besides discussion of refurbished electronics. The reason I brought up this topic is because I have wanted to get a more capable PC. It would be best for me to get one from a brick-and-mortar store so I can have the latest material. However, I been searching online for a refurbished PC. Certain refurbished PCs are within a certain budget I have, and some of the ones that have most interested me seem more than enough for my needs. I normally am not an online shopper. Though, some of these deals are best shared online.

My Refurbished Experiences.

Refurbished products are nothing new to me. I bought a Samsung Galaxy Player 3.6 model and the Samsung Galaxy Player 4.2 model as refurbished. Both products lasted me for some time and were well enjoyed by me. So I have experience with refurbished products and knowing the pros and cons of such devices. This was at a time where I was convinced about the Samsung Galaxy Player over the iPod Touch I considered back then.

My Next Refurbished Experience.

Now lies a more ambitious plan for me- buying a refurbished PC. My current PC has 4 GB of RAM and a 1.99 GHz processor with four cores. I looked at what PC specifications would have to be met for me to enjoy computing in more modern times. Through my research, for me to get a better PC, it has to have at least 8 GB of RAM and at least a 2.9 GHz processor (regardless of how many cores). A PC with 16 GB of RAM would be recommended, and 32 GB of RAM would futureproof me for some time. I saw some refurbished PCs on Amazon that have anywhere between 3.2 GHz processors or up to 3.9 GHz processors. Some of the ones within budget I saw had about 3.4 GHz processors max with 16 GB of RAM.

The one thing I would have to get adjusted to is using a SSD (solid-state drive) aside from the old fan-driven hard drives. Since I have two external hard drives with 1 terabyte of memory and another with 4 terabytes of memory respectively, extra memory will not be too much a problem for me.

Besides memory and processor considerations, I also wouldn't mind an HD monitor with a better refresh rate than the one I am using currently. I may just have to adjust the frames per second settings for some programs to better take advantage of my current monitor. It would be great if I could do this more consistently with all or most of certain programs.

A better refurbished PC can even bring me into modern times gaming. Despite the fact some refurbished PCs may not be able to play most modern AAA-level games out the box, some people upgrade their refurbished systems with newer hardware. Some gamers buy certain graphics processing units (GPUs) able to take advantage of modern gaming titles. Additionally, they may upgrade the RAM, processors, and power supply to take advantage of the better hardware. I do not have plans to get a GPU in case whatever refurbished PC I get unless I was gifted a compatible GPU or feel a GPU is necessary to use for gaming. I am also not a real gamer anyhow. So I don't really care about playing certain intense games like "Elden Ring."

I do not go into considering a refurbished device without the fear that whatever refurbished products I get may not last or hold for as long as I would like. A computer is a big investment. Most computers will last most people between 5-8 years before wanting to get something better. You had better get your money's worth when considering a purchase like a computer (let alone refurbished). That is why I am looking to trusted retailers, which is why I am considering shopping on Amazon for a refurbished PC. eBay and other places seem more risky for me online than Amazon.

Refurbished Electronics: Final Thoughts

Consider all factors before thinking about buying refurbished electronics. Refurbished electronics allow you to enjoy quality electronic products without paying high dollar for the latest technologies. Refurbished electronics may also be on par with or better than a lot of the latest products. The one thing to be mindful of is that certain refurbished goods might not be of complete quality, and you may risk buying something that may fall short of what you were hoping for. Consider the refurbished electronics market if your finances disallow you from having the latest technology. Some refurbished products can exceed some of the latest products despite being old and reborn regardless of price points.

What should be most appreciated about refurbished products is in seeing older products bring brought back to new life and enhanced rather than entirely recycled or trashed. The fact you could get even better electronics from an older product at a certain price point than similar items is worthy of love. Even when a lot of people are penny-pinching, refurbished electronics can be a great option to consider for those who may not have the finances for any of the latest technologies.

Refurbished Electronics Online.

Are you interested in refurbished electronics? Here are some online retailers I curated for you to purchase certified refurbished electronics. Visit these sites:

• Amazon Renewed
• eBay Refurbished
• Walmart Restored
• Newegg Refurbished
• Micro Center Refurbished
• Microsoft Certified Refurbished
• Certified Refurbished Products - Apple
• Back Market

Happy shopping! :)

I hope you have found some great value in this blog post. Good luck to you all if you are interested in refurbished electronics shopping. Hopefully you find the electronics you are looking for. If you enjoy my work, please Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) in any capacity if you love my work and want to support me any way you can. Share my blog post(s) with others if you enjoy my work. Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my JohnMarineDesigns Weebly site, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin! Let's connect:
Contact Me via E-Mail	Contact Me via Discord	(donations are voluntary)

Visit and Subscribe to My Blogs...
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS)	Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS)	Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS)	Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS)	Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)

Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends)	Facebook (Fans)	Twitter	YouTube
Pinterest	LinkedIn (professionals only)	TikTok	Discord

Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns		John on Envato
Patreon	Soundcloud	Bandcamp
Twitch	OpenGameArt	TurboSquid

Revisiting Portable Media Players

2023-07-06T23:36:00.000-05:00

I am tech-savvy, but old-fashioned. I still prefer some devices not being replaced by my smartphone. Such examples include portable media players (PMP). For this blog post, I want to reflect back on some of the portable media players I used before. Maybe some of you may remember some of the devices I will mention in this blog post. So let me take you back in time!

Portable Media Players at a Glance

There used to be a time where we would have portable music devices to carry around our music with us. Some of us would get to carry portable radios to listen to local radio stations. We even enjoyed having boomboxes to enjoy stereos and cassette players. We would then see the advent of portable cassette players. Later, you could take your fancy compact discs with your portable CD player. We would eventually see the advent of MP3s and MP3 players.

Some of the more popular portable media players include the likes of the Sony Walkman. The Walkman would be successful with cassette tapes and then later MP3s. Also finding popularity were the line of PMPs from Sandisk like the Clip and Fuze. With Wi-Fi becoming a thing, there were even PMs such as the Sandisk Sansa Connect and the Microsoft Zune. So this meant you could listen to Internet radio stations on your PMP if you were in a place with WiFi access.

What many consider the Gold Standard of portable media players is the iPod. The iPod would revolutionize the way we carry around music. The classic iPod would exist between 2001 and 2022. It would see four different models in its time- Classic, Nano, Shuffle, and Touch. I wasn't fortunate enough to buy or afford an iPod in my time. At one point, I wanted to get one of the iPod Nanos for music and video. I even once considered the iPod Touch until I found something else. Another key to the iPod Touch was in its ability to play iOS games without needing an online connection. The iPod Touch would be a device for those who want to enjoy the perks of an iPod but without the phone functionality of the iPhone.

Even with the iPod Touch and the iPhone gaining popularity, some other companies wanted to make Android a thing. One such company to put forth an Android-powered portable media player was Samsung. Samsung made four versions of their Samsung Galaxy to exclusively play media and Android apps. All of their Samsung Galaxy Players were designated by their screen size- 3.6, 4.0, 4.2, and 5.0 models. There was even a model exclusively in South Korea which America never got- the Samsung Galaxy Player 5.8 player. I think there was also a seven-inch one also only in South Korea, but don't hold me to that.

Today, a lot of any portable media is stored on our smartphones. Either we have our own media stored on them, or we may have them stored on certain memory devices like SD cards. Feel free to try to carry as much media as your device will allow.

Revisiting Portable Media Players I Owned

Now for some of the portable media players I used to use.

RCA Lyra.

^ from: eBay - This was the first portable media player I remember owning- the RCA Lyra.

My first real portable media player was an RCA Lyra. I don't know which model I had specifically, but it is the RD1021/1071/1075 series. This device allowed you to put on as much as between 64MB to 128MB of music with the top of the line model. This was a very good MP3 player for me... except for one thing. That thing is the program you have to use to put music on it, a crash-happy, trash application called Musicmatch. Still, for what it could do, it served me to listen to my music on the go. Of the devices I feature, I think this is the only one powered by batteries you must replace.

Sandisk Sansa Clip.

^ from: QVC - This previous model Sandisk Sansa Clip was great to have and so convenient to enjoy hearing music.

I felt so liberated when I picked up a Sandisk Sansa Clip around 2008 or so. No more of that janky trash Musicmatch to put on music. This MP3 player can be charged through a cable connected to your PC. In fact, you could put on songs simply through Windows Explorer. The Clip had beautiful sound quality whether listening to local radio or MP3s. The one I had was a blue Sansa Clip with 2GB of storage. Going through songs was not a painstaking process. Saving radio stations wasn't bad either. It served me well in my final semester in Community College. Later, I'd be sad because this device would not update my collection of songs or fully charge. So I needed something better down the road for my music consumption.

Sandisk Sansa Fuze.

^ from: eBay - The Sandisk Sansa Fuze offered great sound quality for radio and personal media.

It was a happy time when I got a Sandisk Sansa Fuze. I got a red Fuze with 4GB os space (maximum was 8GB). I liked the pretty color display. Previously, I had one of these to watch videos on the go. However, I don't think I ever got to put videos on it or see too many of them. If you had a microSD card, you could increase the storage of your Fuze.

Samsung Galaxy Player (3.6 Model).

^ from: Amazon - The Samsung Galaxy Player 3.6 is my first Android device of any kind I owned.

I wanted an iPod Touch when I felt like I wanted something better than my Sandisk Sansa Fuze circa 2012. I felt like I was finally able to own my first Apple product of any kind. I then learned of Android. I then learned of the Samsung Galaxy Player series and Android. I thought the Samsung Galaxy Player 4.2 would be perfect for me. Back then, though, my finances would only allow me to get the 3.6 for the time. While the iPod Touch is infinitely better than the Samsung Galaxy Player 3.6, I was still happy to by a refurbished one on Amazon. This device was the first device where I got to take pictures, play music and video, and use a handful of compatible applications and games. I was still happy with my Amazon purchase and utilized its picture taking abilities. I could fit in a microSD card for some more storage. I could also charge it through a USB cable and not need to have a PC on to power it.

Samsung Galaxy Player (4.2 Model).

^ from: Amazon - The Samsung Galaxy Player 4.2 was nearly perfect for me at the time.

My dream portable media player was finally in my possession! The Samsung Galaxy Player 4.2 really served me well from picture taking to using applications. It felt much better than the 3.6 and had overall better specifications than the 3.6 model. Slowly, I wasn't regretting getting an iPod Touch or even a classic iPod using this Samsung Galaxy Player 4.2. Like the 3.6 model, you could put in a microSD card for some more storage.

These were about the portable media players I remember most using and liking.

Portable Media Players Since Smartphones

Ever since getting my first smartphone, I am reminded that the Android portable media players I used did not have the phone capabilities. I still prefer having a portable media player apart from my phone. I want my smartphone to be just that- my phone. Even still, I do not want to rely on my smartphone to be my carry-around computer. I do think my smartphone basically is a fancy portable media player... with phone features.

It's sort of the inescapable reality as far as media consumption goes these days. So even if you don't want your smartphone to be this all-in-one device, you almost basically have to accept it as your all-in-one device handling everything from calls to messages to all of your applications and games. Again- this is old-fashioned me speaking.

Portable media players aren't going to go away entirely; but if you still prefer a portable media player for your media consumption, you can find a lot of them on the cheap these days. Or you may have to elect getting a smartphone but without using the phone features, getting a phone plan, or a SIM card for it. Just be sure to enjoy portable media players for what they are and what they provide.

Have you any memories on portable media players? I shared mine with all of you. I appreciate you being part of this throwback! If you enjoy my work, please Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) in any capacity if you love my work and want to support me any way you can. Share my blog post(s) with others if you enjoy my work. Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my JohnMarineDesigns Weebly site, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin! Let's connect:
Contact Me via E-Mail	Contact Me via Discord	(donations are voluntary)

Visit and Subscribe to My Blogs...
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS)	Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS)	Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS)	Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS)	Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)

Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends)	Facebook (Fans)	Twitter	YouTube
Pinterest	LinkedIn (professionals only)	TikTok	Discord

Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns		John on Envato
Patreon	Soundcloud	Bandcamp
Twitch	OpenGameArt	TurboSquid

Sale Alert: June 30, 2023

2023-06-30T16:41:00.000-05:00

The first half of 2023 is coming to an end. But, wait! Can I share some deals online with you all? My latest sale alert post for you all involves 4th of July sales! In case you are interested in some shopping online, follow the links, read about what is offered this time around, and let me help you to score some deals! Let's get started!

Sale Alert: June 30, 2023

^ Welcome to the latest Sale Alert post on John's Blog Space (click on this graphic to view all posts under the "Sale Alert" label)!

All or most sales are available between the time of this post and any specified date. Be sure to take advantage of any offers that may interest you. Use any available codes to save some extra money. Now for this week's Sale Alert:

DSW

• 25% off sitewide with code SUNNY25 (exclusions apply)
• Valid now through 7/3

Banana Republic

• Up To 50% off sale styles
• Valid now through 7/6

Macy's

• Up to 60% off specials + 20% off with code FOURTH
• Valid now through 7/4

JCPenney

• Up to 40% off + extra 25% off with code JULY4TH
• Valid now through 7/4

Carter's

• Up to 40% off clearance
• Valid now through 7/4

Shop Premium Outlets

• Up to 90% off sitewide
• Valid now through 7/6

Target

• Up to 30% off home decor, swim and more
• Valid now through 7/4

Verishop

• Up to 25% off select fashion
• Valid for a limited time

Madewell

• Up to 60% off summer styles
• Valid for a limited time

American Eagle

• 30% off everything including new arrivals
• Valid now through 7/4

Rugs USA

• Extra 20% off sitewide with code JULY20
• Valid now through 7/7

Saks Fifth Avenue

• 60% off designer sale
• Valid now through 7/2

Savage x Fenty

• 70% off sitewide
• Valid now through 7/5

Aerie

• Up to 70% off swim, tops and more
• Valid now through 7/12

PacSun

• Extra 30% off sitewide
• Valid for a limited time

GAP

• Up to 75% off markdowns
• Valid now through 7/1

Urban Outfitters

• Extra 50% off sale
• Valid now through 7/4

Anthropologie

• 40% off final sale items
• Valid now through 7/4

Faherty

• 40% off sale styles
• Valid now through 7/4

The Kooples

• Up to 65% off all summer styles
• Valid now through 7/4

Thank you for taking part in these offers! Treat yourself to some good stuff!

If you enjoy my work, please Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) in any capacity if you love my work and want to support me any way you can. Share my blog post(s) with others if you enjoy my work. Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my JohnMarineDesigns Weebly site, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin! Let's connect:
Contact Me via E-Mail	Contact Me via Discord	(donations are voluntary)

Visit and Subscribe to My Blogs...
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS)	Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS)	Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS)	Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS)	Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)

Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends)	Facebook (Fans)	Twitter	YouTube
Pinterest	LinkedIn (professionals only)	TikTok	Discord

Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns		John on Envato
Patreon	Soundcloud	Bandcamp
Twitch	OpenGameArt	TurboSquid

Sale Alert: June 23, 2023

2023-06-23T16:45:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the first Sales Alert post of Summer (at least, in the Northern Hemisphere)! Be sure to shop around online for these offers if anything interests you. From fashion, beauty, home, and more; I have you covered with another batch of online deals. Join along if you are inclined!

Sale Alert: June 23, 2023

^ Welcome to the latest Sale Alert post on John's Blog Space (click on this graphic to view all posts under the "Sale Alert" label)!

Use the discount codes (if offered) to get a discount on your orders. Each deal lasts from the current date until a specified date from each entry. Click on the hyperlinked content to view each individual offer and to shop online. This week's Sale Alerts are as follows...

GAP

• Up to 75% off Major Deals
• Valid 6/25 through 7/1

24S

• Extra 15% Off Orders $200+ With Code "EXTRA15"
• Valid now through 6/30

Kohl's

• 20% Off With Code TAKE20
• Valid now through 6/25

YOOX

• Up to 65% off Sale Styles
• Valid now through 9/1

Kate Spade Surprise

• Extra 20% Off Your Purchase With Code SURPRISE20
• Valid now through 6/25

Target

• 30% Off Select Kid’s And Baby Swimwear
• Valid now through 6/25

Fresh

• 30% Off Sitewide
• Valid now through 6/30

Lamps Plus

• Up To 50% Off Select Designs
• Valid now through 7/24

Everlane

• Up To 60% Off Elect Styles
• Valid now through 6/28

Cole Haan

• Extra 20% Off Sale Styles With Code JUNE20
• Valid now through 6/27

NIKE

• 20% Off Select Styles With Code SUMMER
• Valid now through 6/26

Anthropologie

• Up To 40% Off All Gleaming Primrose Mirrors
• Valid now through 6/26

Maisonette

• 25% Off Entire Dondolo X Maisonette Collection
• Valid now through 6/25

Calvin Klein

• Up To 50% Off Sitewide
• Valid now through 6/28

SSENSE

• Up To 60% Off New Styles
• Valid for a limited time

GAP Factory

• 50% Off Clearance
• Valid now through 6/28

H&M

• 20% Off Orders $80+, 15% Off Orders $60+
• Valid 6/24 through 6/25

Mother Denim

• Up To 50% Off Summer Styles
• Valid now through 7/24

Ann Taylor

• 30% Off 1 Full Price Style, 40% Off 2+ Full Price Styles With Code WEARNOW
• Valid now through 6/24

Ashley Homestore

• Up To 25% Off Outdoor Furniture
• Valid now through 7/11

Happy shopping, mates! :)

Please be sure to take advantage of these offers and help support my work. Of course, also be sure to help yourself to some great deals online. I am glad you can visit my blog and have a good read. If you enjoy my work, please Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) in any capacity if you love my work and want to support me any way you can. Share my blog post(s) with others if you enjoy my work. Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my JohnMarineDesigns Weebly site, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin! Let's connect:
Contact Me via E-Mail	Contact Me via Discord	(donations are voluntary)

Visit and Subscribe to My Blogs...
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS)	Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS)	Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS)	Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS)	Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)

Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends)	Facebook (Fans)	Twitter	YouTube
Pinterest	LinkedIn (professionals only)	TikTok	Discord

Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns		John on Envato
Patreon	Soundcloud	Bandcamp
Twitch	OpenGameArt	TurboSquid

Sale Alert: June 16, 2023

2023-06-16T17:19:00.000-05:00

Looking for some deals this weekend? Well, since you want deals and since you trust my work, let me do you proud by showing you some online deals that might interest you. So allow me to show you what the latest offers online are with this blog post. Time for another Sale Alert!

Sale Alert: June 16, 2023

^ Welcome to the latest Sale Alert post on John's Blog Space (click on this graphic to view all posts under the "Sale Alert" label)!

All or most of the sales offered here begin from the time of this blog post to a specified date. Once the dates are done, they're DONE. So take advantage of offers like these while they last! Click on each of the hyperlinked headings to learn more about the offer in question. If a code is offered, enter the code without the quotation marks upon checkout. Let's go!

Walmart

• Up to 65% on Flash deals
• valid for a limited time

Banana Republic

• Up to 40% off sale styles + extra 20% off with code "BRAFF20"
• valid now through 6/18

Shop Premium Outlets

• Extra 10% select sunglasses with code: "SOL10" + free shipping
• valid now through 6/30

The RealReal

• Earn up to $500 when you spend $2500
• valid now through 6/18

Adidas

• Up to 50% off sporty essentials
• valid through 6/19

American Eagle

• 30% off everything
• valid now through 6/18

The Kooples

• Extra 25% off all markdowns
• valid through 6/18

Tory Burch

• Semi-annual sale 25% off select styles
• valid now through 7/5

Saks Fifth Avenue

• up to 60% off designer styles
• valid now through 6/26

Gap Factory

• 60% off clearance
• valid 6/17 through 6/22

Showpo

• 30% off sale with code "EXTRA30"
• valid now through 6/19

Urban Outfitters

• up to 50% off Summer styles
• valid through 6/29

Ann Taylor

• 40% off your full-price purchase + extra 40% off all sale styles
• valid now through 6/20

Nordstrom Rack

• 30% off Ray-Bans
• valif now through 6/24

Neiman Marcus

• up to 50% off select women's shoes, handbags, accessories, and jewelry
• valid now through 6/20

Athleta

• 50% off swim
• valid now through 6/18

Anthropologie

• up to 40% off Summer hosting essentials
• valid for a limited time

Under Armour

• Up to 50% off + extra 25% off with code "SUMMER25"
• valid now through 7/4

Backcountry

• up to 40% off Summer picks
• valid now through 6/23

Nike

• up to 50% off limited time markdowns
• valid now through 6/17

I hope you all have a great time shopping for these offers. Happy shopping! :)

If you enjoy my work, please Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) in any capacity if you love my work and want to support me any way you can. Share my blog post(s) with others if you enjoy my work. Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my JohnMarineDesigns Weebly site, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin! Let's connect:
Contact Me via E-Mail	Contact Me via Discord	(donations are voluntary)

Visit and Subscribe to My Blogs...
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS)	Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS)	Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS)	Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS)	Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)

Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends)	Facebook (Fans)	Twitter	YouTube
Pinterest	LinkedIn (professionals only)	TikTok	Discord

Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns		John on Envato
Patreon	Soundcloud	Bandcamp
Twitch	OpenGameArt	TurboSquid

Hendrick Motorsports Garage 56 Camaro ZL1

2023-06-12T01:51:00.003-05:00

It seems comical for a stock car to challenge the 24 Hours of Le Mans. For most people, what makes a stock car even fit to race a nearly 8.5-mile course against ultra-sophisticated race cars and world-class drivers? However, Hendrick Motorsports was bonkers enough to bring a stock car to Le Mans. Considering the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans was special since it is the centenary anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, this race was going to be special for many reasons. So why not add a little more intrigue to this race besides the potentially frenzied Hypercar class battles? I was so intrigued about this stock car that I decided to blog about it. It is about time I positively waste your time again with another solid blog post. Let's go!

Hendrick Motorsports Garage 56 Camaro ZL1

WARNING: This blog post has some spoiler data regarding the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans! If you do not want to know about the results of this car skip the section called "Racing Summary" later in this blog post. You have been warned.

Before I get into the details of this car, I must explain something.

The "Garage 56" namesake relates to a specific garage at Circuit de la Sarthe designated to an experimental vehicle. These are for any vehicles that are outside of the regulations of the original classes that race Le Mans. The last such experimental car at Le Mans was the funky Deltawing race car. Leave it to one of the most successful and most powerful racing teams in NASCAR to entertain the thought of challenging the 24 Hours of Le Mans not with a prototype or GT car, but... with a stock car. Two words:

Challenge accepted.

For 2023, Hendrick Motorsports built themselves a stock car that can take on Le Mans. They would be the latest entry to take advantage of Garage 56. They knew a basic stock car in its basic form probably wouldn't stand much of a chance at Le Mans. So to that end, they engineered the Camaro ZL1 stock car to be able to handle the rigors of Circuit de la Sarthe and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Prior to something like this, I seen stock cars that had lights affixed to them to see in dark conditions. Namely in the 2002 24 Hours of Daytona, I saw a Trans-Am car fitted with some lights. When the former IROC series raced around the Daytona International Speedway road course, all of the Pontiac Firebird/Trans-Am cars were had lights fitted to them for racing at night. This Garage 56 Camaro ZL1 is RADICALLY different from those two cars I mentioned just now.

While it may seem new for a stock car to race around Circuit de la Sarthe, it really is not anything new. There were efforts around 1976 for stock cars to race against some world-class drivers and against world-class manufacturers and race teams. The best a stock car lasted in the 24 Hours of Le Mans was about 11 hours. Considering that past stock cars have failed to finish the 24 Hours of Le Mans, what makes anyone think a modern effort would succeed in today's landscape of GT/Sportscar/Endurance racing? Well, if you have followed NASCAR and all of the evolution of technology and engineering stock cars, the newer Generation-7 (or Gen-7) is engineered in such an sophisticated way that this new effort by NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports served as a unique challenge to help further develop stock cars but also take on what may seem like NASCAR is engaging in a battle NASCAR knows it can't win. If NASCAR and/or Hendrick Motorsports fielded a completely stock Camaro ZL1, it would get eviscerated by the more sophisticated cars and sophisticated drivers. Anyone who knows stock car racing knows that "stock" does not mean *stock." Stock cars are not the "race on Sunday, sell on Monday" type of cars, as these stock cars are pure purpose-built racing machines boasting the silhouette of the cars they represent. For instance, have you seen Toyota offer their Camry with a V8 engine north of 800hp? I rest my case.

Among some of the changes to a basic stock car, the most obvious difference between this and a basic stock car are the inclusion of lights. A bevy of LED-type lights light the way from the headlights and from the lower lights. The car also includes functioning brake lights. The car weighs just over 400 lbs. (more than 181.44 kg) less than an average 3480 lbs. (approx. 1548.53 kg.) stock car. The car has the same style NASCAR V8 but mated to a five-speed manual transmission with paddle shifters. It also had its regular brakes replaced with carbon fiber brakes. Winglets were added to the car to help aid in aerodynamics. In case of rain, the car has rain racing tires as well as a windshield wiper to battle in the rain. Despite all of its sophistication, the Garage 56 Camaro ZL1 still has the familiar stock car elements of having no functioning doors (just go through the driver's side window to get in), the window net, and the lip spoiler. Overall, the car is beautiful and a real vision of what a sophisticated stock car could be like. It even includes a lovely blue/silver/gold livery baring the logos of NASCAR and Chevrolet.

The 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans effort included the three-driver team of Jimmie Johnson, Jenson Button, and Mike Rockenfeller. This is a championship-winning trio that includes championships in NASCAR, Formula 1, and DTM. This was going to be a different experience to pilot a stock car around a track like Circuit de la Sarthe.

Testing.

Hendrick Motorsports went through some 3600 miles (or approx. 5793.37 km) of testing to try to shake down this race car for Le Mans. This included basic tests of the car's aerodynamics and handling character. Other tests includes wet weather testing and tire testing.

It was then off to Le Mans, France in the Pays de la Loire part of France for all of the practice work. As I saw the different practice videos, you could hear the familiar roar of a NASCAR V8 as it reverberated around the Bugatti Circuit and the public roads around Le Mans. I was even entertained seeing an actual stock car race around a track with its own lighting. The Garage 56 Camaro ZL1 stock car was reportedly as fast as a lot of the GTE AM field but obviously slower than the LMP2 class. As it got its practice work in, it was time to race. Let's get it!

Racing Summary.

NOTE: Skip this section if you want to avoid spoilers about its race performance.

It's show time! It was time for the Hendrick Motorsports Garage 56 Camaro ZL1 to go to work. Once NBA superstar LeBron James waved the tricolor du France, it was time for the Johnson/Button/Rockenfeller trio to work their magic in the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans. The headlines for this race were primarily on the debuting Hypercar class of racing. Despite this, the G56 Camaro ZL1 tried to last the whole 24 Hours. This car was met with lots of fanfare and adoration from racing fans. The early stages of Le Mans was met with a lot of Slow Zones for crashes and even some rainy conditions and wet roads. The G56 Camaro ZL1 held its own despite the brutal conditions early on. With the pit stops, the team even took on NASCAR-style pit stops. Only difference is that there were drivers who had to climb in and out of the car during pit stops. Remember- this car has no functioning doors! The only real problems I heard this car had were either some transmission issues or some brake issues. Otherwise, this car did what one of the past stock car efforts couldn't accomplish- lasting longer than 11 hours. The team drove commendably and masterfully all race long. Most of all, the Hendrick Motorsports Garage 56 Camaro ZL1 completed the entire race, finishing 39th overall out of just over 60 entries.

Final thoughts on this car and this Le Mans 2023 effort are next.

Hendrick Motorsports Garage 56 Camaro ZL1: Final Thoughts

Hendrick Motorsports has done a commendable and admirable job racing the 24 Hours of Le Mans with this stock car effort. Even as some people put together as many memes about it and thrown around as many jokes about seeing this car race the 24 Hours of Le Mans, this car still performed as competitively as nearly any other driver or team in this field. The 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans was an amazing race as it was. It was even more amazing considering what Hendrick Motorsports was able to accomplish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

I would say that this effort by Hendrick Motorsports possibly have inspired people about NASCAR and possibly even get some exposure about NASCAR. It also helped to gain some knowledge in further developing NASCAR stock cars to be even more capable than they are now. Taking on a challenge like this seems odd to some people. Did NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports had to take on this challenge of the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a stock car? No. Did they want to take on this challenge? Absolutely. The fact people gave this car so much attention is awesome in its own right. It speaks to the level of respect for this car and this effort to manifest such a racing effort. Even for a race car not suited for taking on the rigors of road racing and endurance racing on a usual level, the G56 Camaro ZL1 did an amazing job. All of the engineering, testing, and actual racing paid off in this car running the entire 24-hour distance. One would be surprised at just how well this car handled racing around a track like the Circuit de la Sarthe. NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports should be applauded for their valiant and noble efforts putting forth this sort of effort and execution.

As I was praising this race car on social media, I saw some people say this Garage 56 Camaro ZL1 possibly could be the new road racing package for NASCAR road racing events or even spark a new class for IMSA sportscar racing. This car and this Le Mans effort opened a lot of eyes and impress many a racing fan. Even if you don't care one iota about NASCAR or stock car racing, you have to at least "give this car its flowers." I know a lot of people regard something like Formula 1 or sportscar racing higher than NASCAR, but even a motorsports enthusiast like myself can appreciate and admire what this powerful NASCAR racing team did in one of the most unusual, most unlikely challenges for stock car racing. This was an amazing story to follow even if this effort will be a one-time only deal for a stock car to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. If this Garage 56 effort is a "one-hit wonder," it surely provided an incredible hit that will not be forgotten for a long while.

Congratulations to Hendrick Motorsports on an incredible effort! Bless all of you on an amazingly awesome effort at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans!

Video Insight and More Information.

Finally to end this post, allow me to post this video showcasing the culmination of what I've discussed in this entire blog post. Check it:

^ Year in review: Garage 56, NASCAR to Le Mans

For more information about Hendrick Motorsports and this Garage 56 effort, visit: Hendrick Motorsports (all Garage 56 articles)

I hope you enjoyed this blog post as much as I have making it. I blog about whatever my heart and my mind want to share opinions on to the world. If you appreciate my efforts, please Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) in any capacity if you love my work and want to support me any way you can. Share my blog post(s) with others if you enjoy my work. Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my JohnMarineDesigns Weebly site, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin! Let's connect:
Contact Me via E-Mail	Contact Me via Discord	(donations are voluntary)

Visit and Subscribe to My Blogs...
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS)	Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS)	Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS)	Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS)	Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)

Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends)	Facebook (Fans)	Twitter	YouTube
Pinterest	LinkedIn (professionals only)	TikTok	Discord

Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns		John on Envato
Patreon	Soundcloud	Bandcamp
Twitch	OpenGameArt	TurboSquid

Sale Alert: June 9, 2023

2023-06-09T16:51:00.002-05:00

Today's a meme day. June 9. 6/9. 69. Yeah. Anyhow... let's get serious and talk sales! From fashion, beauty, home, and more; here are some deals and offers to take part in. Most sales last between the date of this post (June 9, 2023) to a certain date. So get in on these while they last! On that note, let's get it!
Oh, and I created a new graphic so that these aren't random-looking posts. So check it...

^ Welcome to the latest Sale Alert post on John's Blog Space (click on this graphic to view all posts under the "Sale Alert" label)!

Sale Alert: June 9, 2023

Here are the latest sale alerts to take advantage of. Click on any link in this post that interests you and go do some shopping. If there are any parameters (such as codes), be sure to use those paramaters to save some money on your purchase. Here are today's deals:

Macy's

• Extra 30% off + 15% off beauty with code FRIEND
• Valid now through 6/12

Tory Burch

• 25% off select styles
• Valid 6/15 through 7/4

The Home Depot

• Up to 40% off select furniture, kitchenware & home
• Valid now through 6/21

Jane

• Up to 60% off thousands of markdowns in fashion, home, beauty and more
• Valid now through 6/15

24S

• 25% off full price orders $500+ with code JUNE25
• Valid now through 6/20

Banana Republic Factory

• Up to6% off everything + an extra 15% off your purchase
• Valid now through 6/12

COACH

• Up to 50% off select styles
• Valid now through 6/30

Mango

• 30% off orders $200+ with code EXTRA30
• Valid now through 6/12

Victoria's Secret

• Up to 60% off semi annual sale including swim, bras, sleep and more
• Valid now through 6/13

SSENSE

• Up to 60% off new styles
• Valid for a limited time

Carter's

• Up to 60% off summer styles
• Valid 6/10 through 6/12

Maisonette

• Up to 40% off Angel Dear styles
• Valid now through 6/11

Hey Dude Shoes

• 25% off almost everything
• Valid 6/11 through 6/24

Pair Eyewear

• 10% off first orders and base frames with code CLLCTVEVOICE10OFF
• Valid for a limited time

JCPenney

• Up to 50% off + extra 30% off with code GOFAMILY
• Valid now through 6/11

Aerie

• Extra 25% off your purchase with code TREAT
• Valid for a limited time

Urban Outfitters

• Up to 75% off sale styles
• Valid now through 6/13

LOFT

• 40% off sale styles + extra 25% off
• Valid 6/11 through 6/14

Saks Off 5th

• Up to 70% off Father’s Day gifts
• Valid for a limited time

Neiman Marcus

• Up to 50% off select styles
• Valid now through 6/14

The Double F

• Up to 40% off SS23 + extra 10% off previous collection
• Valid now through 6/26

Happy shopping! :)

Take advantage of these offers if interested. If you enjoy my work, please Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) in any capacity if you love my work and want to support me any way you can. Share my blog post(s) with others if you enjoy my work. Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my JohnMarineDesigns Weebly site, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin! Let's connect:
Contact Me via E-Mail	Contact Me via Discord	(donations are voluntary)

Visit and Subscribe to My Blogs...
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS)	Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS)	Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS)	Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS)	Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)

Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends)	Facebook (Fans)	Twitter	YouTube
Pinterest	LinkedIn (professionals only)	TikTok	Discord

Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns		John on Envato
Patreon	Soundcloud	Bandcamp
Twitch	OpenGameArt	TurboSquid

Sony PlayStation 3

2023-06-05T00:18:00.001-05:00

The Sony PlayStation 3 only does everything! Introduced to the world circa 2006, the PS3 went far and beyond to be its own gaming powerhouse. The PS3 also had to be not just a "gaming console." So the PS3 had some features to it to make it one of the best SYSTEMS out there, not just a gaming console. I take my own look at the PlayStation 3 in this blog post on "John's Blog Space." Let's get it!

Sony PlayStation 3

Meet the PlayStation 3:

^ from: Amazon - The PlayStation 3 only did everything. Honest!

Already established as a multimedia giant, Sony's foray into the rapidly-changing and evolving realm of gaming came in the form of the Sony PlayStation 3. It was time for the PlayStation to further evolve and make more marks in gaming. It did just that in its proliferation in 2006 were the Nintendo Wii and the XBOX 360. The PlayStation 3 was further evolution in a rapidly-changing realm of gaming. Gaming is now a realm where one could play games that get updated and can be enhanced all the further. This wasn't possible much with the PlayStation 1 or PlayStation 2. This also means the gamer can download digital-exclusive games to play. If one wants to connect with online friends, one can do so with PlayStation Network (PSN). During the time of the PlayStation 3, PSN and using the Internet was FREE.

More than ever, the modern gaming console has to be more than just a "gaming console." The PlayStation 3 had to adapt to this and make its own mark on the gaming landscape. You now could connect via WiFi or even ethernet to enhance your overall experience with the PlayStation 3. You could still listen to CDs as well as DVDs. Now, though, enter the realm of Bluray. This technology made not only gaming more powerful, but it also made watching movies amazing. The PlayStation 3 also included its own built-in web browser. You could also install apps to view a variety of apps to connect with friends or access media services like Netflix. You could also access YouTube on a PlayStation 3.

Games were becoming larger and more realistic with the PlayStation 3. Newer TVs were taking advantage of high-definition and HDMI. The PS3 was no stranger to this. Also coming to life was that of Bluetooth. This meant you were able to connect devices wirelessly to the PS3 to play or use.

Features such as these meant what was simply a gaming console has become much more and means much more than ever before. The PlayStation 3 was keeping up with times and was making its own mark on the gaming landscape. The PS3 would enjoy a lifespan that lasted from 2006 to 2017. It would also see three different generations in its lifespan from the big model to the later slim models.

My Introduction to the PlayStation 3.

I was somehow fortunate to save up enough money blogging to where I was able to buy myself a PlayStation 3 around 2011 or so. I had enough to buy a PlayStation 3, but I needed some extra money to buy my first game for it- Gran Turismo 5. I still made it happen and got to enjoy the experience. Some games I played got me to meet a lot of people worldwide on PSN.

Games and Gaming on the PlayStation 3.

Gaming has evolved around the time of the PlayStation 3. Games on PlayStation 3 are of the physical and digital variety. Many of the AAA-rank titles and Sony exclusives ruled the roost for the PlayStation 3. However, a lot of games from independent (or "indie") game developers also wanted their spotlight with the PS3's lineup. If anyone wanted to enhance games someone owns, they can do so by buying downloadable content (DLC).

When you actually get to play games on the PlayStation 3, you are now met with a stylish user interface called the XrossMediaBar (or XMB for short). This UI in its default form has a lovely wavy background with sparkles. This XMB features certain features you can use to set up your PlayStation 3, play games, view your PSN friend list, and more. You could also change the XMB to include a custom background. To exit a game or an app, you need to press-and-hold the PS Button on the DualShock 3 to access a menu and then choose to exit a game. Confirm your selection, and you're out. If your PS3 crashes, then you will need to press-and-hold down the PS logo button near the PS3's loading dock to shut down the system.

Also, there was a new way to keep track of your performance while also challenging you to do certain things. Enter the Trophy system for the PlayStation. Often times, it was a potentially negative thing or a spoiler to learn of Trophy goals for games. Learning of some Trophy goals could spoil details about certain games, making you want to play a game in certain ways outside of playing the way you want to play. These goals were broken up into levels of difficulty- Bronze, Silver, and Gold. If you manage to clear all of a game's Trophy objectives, you earn the coveted Platinum trophy for a game.

Gone are Memory Cards. Now, the PlayStation uses internal memory for you to store your game data, your own media, your own pictures, and more. You can also still place your media on USB flash drives to import/export to other devices (such as your PC). You could also use the space on your PlayStation 3 to download games to the device for faster loading of some games. It made a difference when I downloaded games like Ridge Racer 7, Gran Turismo 5, and Gran Turismo 6 to my PS3. Just make sure you have enough space to be able to put games on your PlayStation 3 for faster loading.

As for games themselves, some of the earliest titles were mostly showcased on kiosks at game stores and in the game section of retail stores. Some of these early titles include "Ridge Racer 7," "MotorStorm," and "Virtua Fighter 5." There were also later games like "Gran Turismo HD," which would give way to "Gran Turismo 5 Prologue," and eventually "Gran Turismo 5." Other PS3 games include the "Uncharted" series, the "Assassin's Creed" series, the "Saints Row" series (excluding Saints Row 1), "Ni No Kuni," "Grand Theft Auto 4," "Gran Turismo 5," "Gran Turismo 6," the GRID series, the DiRT series, "ModNation Racers," "Little Big Planet," "PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale," and more. Besides physical games, some digital games of note for PS3 include "flower," "Minecraft," "Double Dragon NEON," "WipEout HD/Fury," and "Daytona USA." Some of the digital offerings even included games from other consoles configured for the PlayStation 3. For example, you could play "Sonic the Hedgehog 2" from the SEGA Genesis/Megadrive on a PlayStation 3.

If you buy PlayStation Plus, you will be able to purchase many more games and unlock many other content to play on your PlayStation 3. It was not required of you to have a PlayStation Plus subscription in the PS3 days to be able to game online. PS+ gave you the chance to enjoy a lot more content for the PlayStation 3. Nowadays, PS+ is required to access the PlayStation Store or to game online in general.

I bet you can enjoy playing PlayStation 2 games on the PlayStation 3, right? Well, no. PlayStation 1 games can be played on the PS3. You can even play these games with some enhancements to make them play better on your higher-end TV. However, PlayStation 2 games are NOT reverse compatible on the PS3.

The PlayStation 3 even had some non-gaming applications to enjoy. One of those was its avatar service, PSHome. PSHome allowed you the chance to meet people on PlayStation Network and even play games with your friends. I had no such luck meeting too many people with PSHome. There was also a Life With PlayStation program that let you view news and weather updates. It also had a unique "Folding@Home" feature that was helping to battle against Alzheimer's Disease.

Even though the PlayStation 3 was an awesome system in its own right, some say developing for it has been rather tedious. Developers still tried their best to utilize the PS3 as best as possible for their games.

Peripherals of the Sony PlayStation 3.

So you have a PlayStation 3. What do can you use to enhance your experience? Well, let's a look:

^ from: Amazon - Meet the DualShock 3- your controller for PS3 goodness!

The DualShock 3 is more than just any average controller. To the delight of many a gaming fan, the DualShock 3 is not a production version of the "boomerang" controller for the PlayStation 3 in its prototype phases. The DualShock 3 has a handful of features that set itself apart from the earlier DualShock and DualShock 2. For one thing, the DualShock 3 is USB-powered and can be recharged. This means you could be able to use a PlayStation 3 as a plug-and-play device a lot of devices that have USB ports to them. The DualShock 3 is also wireless. Because of this, you could be able to play games wirelessly by simply disconnecting the DualShock 3 from the charging cable. You can play wirelessly granted the DualShock 3 has enough charge to play. The two biggest features of the PlayStation 3 are its SIXAXIS controls and a new PS Button. The SIXAXIS lets you play games from six different axes for a broad array of control in games. You use the PS Button to access the system menu to access a number of features or to pair your DualShock 3 to the PlayStation 3. You could purchase a charging station for which to charge up your DualShock 3 or multiple DualShock 3's at a time.

Here is a weird "peripheral" to use for your PlayStation 3:

^ from: Amazon - The PlayStation Portable can be used in conjunction with your PlayStation 3. To some people, though, why use a dedicated portable gaming system as an extra controller?

That's right. If you have one of these, a PlayStation Portable, you can use it as a controller on the PS3 or for some other PS3 content. Using a dedicated portable device makes for quite an expensive controller or control device for non-games!

^ from: Amazon - Show me your MOVES with the PlayStation Move!

One of the most significant elements of gaming with the PlayStation 3 was that of the PlayStation Move. This allowed you to make yourself the controller in Move-enabled games. This could be thought of as Sony's answer to the Nintendo Wii and the Wiimotes. For example, using one of the elements of the Move allowed you to execute things like aiming and shooting an arrow from a bow and arrow. One of the first games to take advantage of the PlayStation Move was "Sports Champions."

How I Will Remember the PlayStation 3.

The PlayStation 3 is the last of using PlayStation Network for free. It was where I got to enjoy games of amazing quality. While I have only one Bluray movie ("The LEGO Movie"), I have yet to actually use it, and I owned this Bluray for quite a few years! The PS3 is still a special system to me even with today's landscape featuring the still-standing PlayStation 4 as well as the more expensive and more awesome PlayStation 5.

Sony PlayStation 3 Online

If you want to get yourself a PlayStation 3 and want to experience some PlayStation 3 moments, this section is your best friend. PlayStation 3 consoles, accessories, games, and more can be procured if you use the material I provide here:

• PlayStation 3 on Amazon
• PlayStation 3 on eBay

Happy shopping! :)

This one's done. I hope you enjoyed this post. I post blog entries on almost anything that crosses my mind. If you like this kind of thing, then I invite you to Subscribe or Follow my blog(s) in any capacity. Believe me- you can't go wrong doing so! :D If you enjoy my work, please Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) in any capacity if you love my work and want to support me any way you can. Share my blog post(s) with others if you enjoy my work. Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my JohnMarineDesigns Weebly site, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin! Let's connect:
Contact Me via E-Mail	Contact Me via Discord	(donations are voluntary)

Visit and Subscribe to My Blogs...
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS)	Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS)	Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS)	Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS)	Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)

Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends)	Facebook (Fans)	Twitter	YouTube
Pinterest	LinkedIn (professionals only)	TikTok	Discord

Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns		John on Envato
Patreon	Soundcloud	Bandcamp
Twitch	OpenGameArt	TurboSquid