Slide's Blogs

Hey guys,

So I thought I'd write a blog about something that's really been an issue for me these past few months. I'm finding it very hard to balance all the things I love to do: Performing Arts, Singing in a band, being a house leader at school, purusing media as a career and playing cricket. Along with theses things I have to find time to let steam off, which is, as for most most people on these forums, playing video games.

It begs the question: How does one find all the time to incorporate everything they love into 24 hours? Over the past few months I have found the answer is you simply can't. You must first prioritise and then fit the other things in when you can.

Obviously school work comes first, as it is my future goal to attend Auckland University and gaining a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Television (Haven't chosen a minor) and to become a director. One could argue I should just watch a lot of movies, which I already do, but I feel as though a degree will back me up. So that comes first. Second is Performing Arts because I'm a loud person and I need an outlet to do just that where it is appropriate. My band I have a commitment to and video games are just a pass time.

Just the other day I finally made the choice to quit playing cricket. I love to play cricket and even though I was just getting my spin to work, I have had to make a sacrafice to create more time in my life. Sure, I could've said Video Games instead, but really I needed a huge commitment which was not flexible to give up, and anyone that plays it knows most of your Saturday is taken up and I train twice a week.

The problem is I love to keep busy. I'm not one of those people who like to have a lot of downtime on their hands (like my girlfriend). If I'm not at school, I'm jamming or I'm doing homework, or I'm playing cricket, or I'm at meetings at school, or I'm at a party or I'm watching movies and then writing essays for my media teacher (Yes, film geek. Sue me).

(On a funny note, the other day I suggested to my teacher we watch 'Brick' as part of our Film Noir studies as it is Neo-Noir and he incorporated it into our studies after he watched it!)

On top of all this, I haven't had an opportunity to really settle in and play any games for a good amount of time. I've dabbed in Modern Warfare 2, and I've rented a couple of games but have never really had time to sit down and give it a go. Bayonetta looked awesome and from what I played it was great, but I get a call telling me my team is playing a freindly game against the other team from the club and I am ripped away from it and go out that night and end up just returning it hardly played. I need Video Games to release stress. No matter how sad that is....

The point is the balance between downtime and a frantic schedule is something I have to find. AND PLAY MASS EFFECT 2 GOD DAMNIT!

Intresting to see if anyone else has this issue. I'm 16, I'm sure people older than me have it worse, what with kids and all...

And that's how Sue Sees it!

As always,
Your friendly Neighbourhood Slide