The biggest challenge of being post-student so far is mentally adjusting to no longer being able to work student hours. Aside from just the general job requirements, it is something I want to work on for myself. A stricter, more regular routine. A way to be more productive and put genuine time into pursuing my goals.
As a student, my productive hours were centered around when my lecture times were in the day and how they were spread out over the week. This meant that day to day there was no coherency of routine. This is the perfect style for me. For as long as I can remember I have worked in a way that would be frowned upon in an office environment. My two work modes are as follows:
- Either I get into a zone of focus and complete the entire day’s work, fulfilling all requirements, within three hours. No breaks. Or,
- I work in short, 15-minute batches, interspersed with short breaks such as getting a glass of water or pacing up and down the room.
If you finish work early, you’re still on the clock until home time. If a supervisor sees you strolling around the office, the last thing they care about is your ‘productive process’.
These methods of work allowed me to be incredibly productive in my role as a student. This is because I was unhindered by alternate management styles. The question then for me is, should I change this? Should I make an attempt to change the way I work in order to better fit in to office standards? Or, let’s forget about office standards and speak instead of my own business and my own goals. Is it necessary for me to change my style of productivity to better conform to how a normal workday looks? In the first draft of this blog post, that was the purpose of this section. Me, writing in the affirmative. I decided I would have to change my ways. But upon reflection, I would like to adhere to one of my common motifs, swim with the current rather than against it. Hours worked are important. Work completed during the day is important. The scheduling of this and the norms of the time slots? I now believe to be unimportant.
So, my Draft 2 assertion is not that I need to better adapt my style of working to the norms of the working world. What I need is a system, a method of measurement, and active attempts at working more productive hours in the day. For myself, for my own good. Without a proper system or method of measurement, I will end each day with the feeling of ‘today could’ve been better’. So that is the next objective, a system. Thanks Draft 2.
Media Reviews
Music Review: Tunnel Vision by Beach Bunny
I have enjoyed a number of singles from Beach Bunny in the past. The Blame Game EP was the taster that got me into the music. It is moody, punky and upbeat. I am not always craving for this energy, but when I am, it hits hard. The Tunnel Vision album has some great tracks that encompass these vibes, my favorites so far being Tunnel Vision and Pixie Cut. The lyrical content washes over me for the most part, but my sister, who I also recommended it to, has said that she really enjoys the lyrics and messages in the songs. This probably is not an album or artist for everyone, but I have had fun with it recently. Check it out!
Video Game Review: Clair Obscure: Expedition 33
I downloaded and installed it the day it came out on Game Pass. I had seen zero promotional material and had no idea what the game was about, how it played or what the general consensus was on the game. A few things struck me early on. Firstly, ‘I am not used to these combat mechanics’. I did not grow up with turn-based video games, so whenever I encounter them now, I am unsure how to feel. I knew that I would either hate it or love it. Secondly, ‘Wait, that’s Shadowheart!’. And yes, Maelle is voiced by Jennifer English, who voiced Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3. This genuinely aided in me giving the game a decent chance. I think the fact that I recognised her voice and the sense of familiarity intrigued me.
Thirdly, and this deserves its own paragraph, what struck me so squarely was just how seriously the game takes itself. Later on in the game there is much more brevity, but the opening hours? It was so serious that it felt comically melodramatic. This wasn’t a good or a bad thing necessarily, just something striking. The game doesn’t let up with the drama, and eventually I caved. I thought, okay, I have no idea what is happening and why everything is so devastating, but I am engaged. This happened over and over again throughout the opening hours. I believe that how seriously the game takes itself forces the player to treat the game with a certain amount of respect. The game screams, ‘Hey! I have a story to tell. Listen up.’ And I respect that.
Stone Wave Cliffs. It had been a few play sessions, and I had begun to enjoy the game. I wouldn’t say I was enthralled, but I was constantly intrigued. A lot to enjoy, but not yet entirely convinced, as I think is fair from only a few hours of play time. But Stone Wave Cliffs? Hated it. The longer the level went on, the more I hated it. Towards the end of this section I was certain that it would be my last session with the game. It was so tedious. The traversal, the enemies, the combat. It was frustrating and wearing me down. By the time I got to the final boss area, I was fed up. In spite of this, I decided to finish the level and try the boss fight. I hated Stone Wave Cliffs but I HATED the Lampmaster. I gave it two tries, quit and went to bed. I put the game down with no real intention of picking it back up. The experience lingered though. Lightly, in the background of my mindspace. Feelings of defeat and the determination slowly sprouting. Begrudgingly, I started the game up again for another attempt at the boss. A lot of tries went by. I changed weapons, skills, added points, changed party members and eventually brute forced my way into learning the attack patterns of the Lampmaster. He kicked my ass. For some reason, this boss just did not click with me. But when I finally beat him, that sweet feeling of genuine accomplishment hit so hard. Crazy cutscene, jaw drops, and I’m strapped in for the long haul. I loved Stone Wave Cliffs.
An unforgettable game that hit so many amazing beats. There was no lull in the story, something I was worried about. I had a constant fear that they wouldn’t be able to drive it home. I was wrong; they nailed it. The characters are amazing and memorable, and the combat became addictive and a favourite of mine over the course of the playthrough. All in all, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was a beautiful experience and a game that deserves all the hype and commendations it received. I highly recommend anyone who might be interested to check this one out.
Movie Review: Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
I picked this one out the blue recently. My girlfriend and I decided to give it a try one evening. I was familiar with the story and knew the outline, but had no idea what to expect from the movie.
The stop animation was a surprise. It took a short while to ‘get over it’. I wasn’t expecting that medium and hadn’t really seen many other big films or shows use the same style. It worked so, so well. The unique, quirky flair that it breathed into the movie was perfect.
The movie is furnished with an amazing cast of voice actors who all performed well and shone when called on. Recognising the famous voices throughout was fun.
I had no idea that it was a Wes Anderson movie before sitting down to watch it. The movie is steeped in the classic Wes Anderson style, which, when combined with stop motion, created an exquisite, visually appealing movie experience. The physical comedy that the stop animation allowed for was a lot of fun to watch. The script is so well written and has so many quotable lines. A cute, fun, visually interesting film that was }different{ to anything else I have watched recently. An older movie, but so far it has my number 1 spot for films I’ve watched this year.
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