Dearest Ryan,

Coogler, btw. And Zinzi. I rode by the High Museum today as I was out purchasing for my business.

[Uh. I need a job, btw. 😉 ]

As I rode by the High, I thought of Black Panther, mostly, because I heard the news. Good? Bad? I dunno.

I see that you have chosen to recast Michael B. Jordan, one of my loves. That is what has prompted his open letter to be penned to you, kind Hollywood director, and super producer, wife. Please do as I have asked – though quite outlandish. 🙂

I have been a big fan of his and, yours, since CREED I. Wow, am thankful that movie exists. Michael is SO CUTE. In fact, I would go back even further, back to that movie with Zac Efron – yes, I do not remember the name of said film, but I knew then, that he was very, very cute. Update – after a quick search, the movie is called, That Awkward Moment.

Michael likes ice cream, too. I recommend, this.

But CREED cinched it for me. Yes. Creed aside, which is so, so good, I mean, really – for you to have been so novice, it came out so well. I know how hard it was to get the movie made (I have watched all of the ROCKY films and I think you made a good choice with the development of the CREED character). Really, I was very enthusiastic about your start in Hollywood. As you have received so many accolades for Fruitvale, I will not go into further details on that, however, that film is quite, quite good, too.

Michael is really talented at playing crazies.

Have you seen this?

Both of you, and Michael, are on the list.

I have reviewed the work that is forthcoming and, though I am excited (OMG – Michael, Thomas Crown Affair is top of my list next year. Just so you know, I’m going to watch both of the older films just so that I can have a healthy respect for what you have taken on. I’m sure that there is some interesting twist to the film as you are a very creative man.)

Anyway, back to Ryan. I know that are very busy. All those award wins and business meetings. Writing scripts, kids, lovely wife.

I have one ask. If you keep making Black Panther movies and shows – can you make a Kilmonger movie? This character needs more justice than just a few lines in a film, and Michael was in his mid to late 20s when he starred initially – as a visual person, and though Michael is very healthy and looks great (as you know, cause you keep casting him, he is VERY handsome), he definitely looks older. How does one travel back in time while physically racing against the clock (read below to see why this is important)? Not only that, the character isn’t alive in the arcs – or as I believe, should not be. How do they, Hollywood elite, find a way out this one? The character died from a terrible stab wound. Though they do have the ability to heal just about anything in Wakanda, I’m sure that there is some secret overlap with the Xmen – Wolverine? Sabertooth? Or so we assumed, how would he have lived? And yet, somehow, the role was reprised. I have so many issues with this, not only with Hollywood, but with entertainment in general.

Make it make sense and I’m sure it will.

My proposal is that you make a film titled, “ERIK” and that it covers his upbringing and all of the obstacles he had to overcome to get to that point in BLACK PANTHER 1.

I will be your fan regardless, however, I think that would truly bring some real depth to this character beyond what could be captured in the first move. Honestly, when I recollect on the experience of watching the first film, I was kind of lost as the Kilmonger story setting happened at a very breakneck pace. Btw, I do not think that he, Michael was that scary in the first one. To me, he is like Vegeta. He is a man seeking revenge for all that wronged him life, which is inherently unpleasant, but not necessarily scary. When thinking of this within the context of the Marvel Universe, no one really knew that ERIK was doing that, but himself ( based on what I know about what was presented with the character.) I am sure that you, Mr. Coogler, talented screenwriter and notable director, with the help of MARVEL, would truly create something great for ERIK. By the way, years ago, I quickly researched him in the MARVEL Universe and he is not good looking. Much like Vegeta, in fact. I personally, prefer, Goku.

The ARMS. Enough said. As an aside, I do have some issues with Goku as a character, though. He is kind of sucky. Really. Within the context of DBZ, he is not a great man, just a great hero who is really, a man – alien – monkey? His tail was removed – okay. He is like a lesser Superman, of sorts. Superman, though, definitely dreamed of love.

I have a few theories, however, as it pertains to ERIK’s reprisal:

Perhaps the king was not so good himself. RIP Chadwick x T’Challa.

Perhaps, Erik is a mutant.

Maybe, it just needs to be fleshed out.

I could always go back and read the comics.

Ryan and, Zinzi, hopefully we can chat one day. I also hope you read my SINNERS theory. It is somewhat embedded on my threads – SMOKE. Smoke is a day walker. That man is still alive.

Nintendo Switch 2 Review: Featuring Indie Game – “Europa”

I bought a Nintendo Switch 2 a few months back – and to be pointed, I really enjoy the system. Warning: I am a Nintendo Freak – and by that, I mean, I do not play many other platforms. In my youth, I used to game pretty hard on PC, SEGA, & Nintendo platforms, but as I’ve grown into a woman, I only play Nintendo. I most recently got back into gaming, honestly, due to curiosity of how the games have evolved (not much) and I’d like to mention Lupe Fiasco, so due to this song.

A quick rundown of the Switch 2 – it does not vary enough from the initial release of the initial system, which I now call, the Switch 1. Honestly, I think that the gaming companies should only move their players to new systems when they have made significant changes. As this is primarily a handheld system, I’m also mildly upset that it is so big. I’ve adapted, but I do prefer the size of the Switch 1. Also, I’ve noticed that I might be a little too insular – I’m not taking advantage of the cool online gaming features. I do not have great Internet in my area (WTF Google, no fiber for the Southside of Atlanta, almost 16 years in now), so I’m not doing much online gaming. I do research, however. I’ve spent the last month playing Pokopia and I’m exhausted. Pokopia is amazing, but I doubt that I will be able to take advantage of how cool the game is without a Nintendo Online Membership and some online gameplay to visit the cool isles in the imaginations of others. I’ll do a more in depth review of Pokopia another time – right now, I want to write about a lesser known game, Europa. This game, now sold in the online Nintendo store, was developed, at least in part by NovaDust Entertainment.

Someone mentioned this game on Threads (@prabhjotlamba via Gaming Threads) and I immediately wanted to experience it for myself. After a few days of contemplation, I decided to download it. It is immediately breathtaking visually, with its Ghibli inspired styling – I do not believe there are very many games which look like this on the market. Not only that, it currently has a 15.00 price tag. Whoa! I immediately enjoyed Europa upon first gameplay, however, I do not believe that the game is complete.

I was engrossed in the world of Europa, but I lost interest quickly. The visuals bleed into each other too much, the camera angels are odd at times when gliding and landing, and maneuvering through some of the needed movements for the character can be difficult on the Switch 2 controllers when using handheld play. I also had a lot of confusion after entering into the main part of the game – how do I make progress from the ruined temples? I believe that the free roam doesn’t give enough guidance to move beyond this point. I also think that the soft focus is very difficult to play with.

The game itself is very cute. Lovely, even. I can see the differences between the main development teams at Nintendo, or whomever they may outsource to, and the team behind Europa. I do believe that it is still worth playing, but with realistic expectations.

Friday Listen!

I’m sharing Lupe Fiasco’s latest work – Samurai. He now has a deluxe version – hard to find the work as a whole together so I am just linking to the original released in 2024.

Take a look at his insta to see what he has been up to. Loved the images and video captured of him running the 5k through Japan with the ASAP crew. Check it out here.

Python

I’m in the thick of learning python and it is really NOT that easy. Lol.

I’m having some trouble comiting code to memory, so I’m clearly going to have to study, study, study. I do like that the work is challenging and I’m eager to use this in a new position. I’ve done data management for years, however, pulling data is new for me. I have some HTML experience, but I do not see how that will help with learning python.

Website Attack

I’ve been getting a lot of reports of spambots attacking this domain. I wonder what is going on – I barely get hits, so I’m curious as to how I’m getting so much spam in the comments. I’m well protected by my host, I guess. Over 900 attempted log ins in the last month. Whoa.

That aside, I have found THE CUTEST Nelliel stickers on Etsy. I’ll link to them once I get them and see how I like them. Other updates? I am trying to prepare for fall, it is fast approaching.

Coursera

The advanced data analytics course is going well. I’m enjoying it thus far. Does anyone have any other programming or data courses to recommend? I am hoping to move into a position within Data Science soon.

Ghibli Mon

I haven’t been able to post about Ghibli Fest as of yet, I’m not sure that I’m a real fan of this particular studios work, however, I did recently see something really cool on TikTok. A Ghibli mashup art style with Pokemon. What a cool idea – I’m really into animation styles, so this got my attention. I’m unable to share the videos (can’t embed TikTok) but I think that their page is worth a follow. See below imagery, all rights/credits to ghiblimon.studio on TikTok.

Btw, it is national video game day. What are you playing? Me? Pokemon of course. Legends Arceus to be more exact.

Coursera – Worth it?

I have taken Coursera.org classes in pursuit of a Coursera certificate in the past. It did not yield great results after certificate completion, but I recently saw one that I think might be better career wise. At least from a programming perspective. I’m going to give it a try. Have any of you gotten their certificates and been able to advance further?

I’d love to hear any stories about how receiving these certifications have changed your lives.

quick aside – why was the data field using mental illness in Atlanta as a marketing tactic? Schizophrenia and data analytics? How does that work?