So, apparently virtual field trips are a thing. (Part 1)

Apparently virtual field trips are things that exist, and they’re pretty cool! I’m not a teacher nor a student, but I’m still really enjoying some of these virtual “trips” to different places. Yesterday, I was looking around the Louvre on my computer. Today, it was an aquarium.

Since these places are so cool, I’ve decided to share some links with you guys! They’re all virtual field trips or webcams you can look at, or even some resources that you can have to accompany them. So, have fun with these (and maybe even learn a few things)!

Virtual Field Trips to See Animals

California’s San Diego Zoo has a bunch of cute animals on display via webcams. They even have platypus on camera. In addition to the cameras, they also have a bunch of information on various animals on their kid’s section!

The Atlanta Zoo Panda Cam is nice! It shows, well, pandas. Not much I can say about this other than that I really like watching the pandas there. They’re so cute! Unfortunately, at the time I write this the panda cam doesn’t show much on my end. Not sure if that’s a glitch on my end or on their end…

Also in California, the Aquarium of the Pacific has a bunch of webcams where you can see penguins, sharks, and other sea life.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium has a couple webcams, too! This aquarium is in California too… I’m starting to see a pattern regarding which aquariums and zoos I’ve looked at.

The Georgia Aquarium has a lot of different webcams, too! This one is of the piranha tank!

The National Aquarium in Washington D.C. has 360 degree tours of their fish and other things, though it’s not in video form. Rather, it’s more like Google Earth where everything is still, but you can move around in the area.

That’s all I can really post for now, given that it’s 5:00 AM here and I really need to get an hour or two of sleep. Good night, everyone. I’ll post more later ^_^

Fun Things I’ve Found (8/13/2020)

Heya everyone, it’s me again. So, I’m basically stuck in bed for a while and I kinda need something to do, so… Time to post here, I suppose. I can’t really do much else besides try to kill boredom, might as well write about it.

Here’s some things I’ve found, starting with western novels and moving onto other things.

Book 1: “They Both Die at the End” by Adam Silvera

Amazon.com: They Both Die at the End (9780062457790): Silvera, Adam: Books

This book is super sad, and the title is kind of a spoiler, but hear me out. Basically, there’s this thing called Death Cast which can tell when you die and notifies you on the day that you are going to kick the bucket. This book largely revolves around two young guys, Mateo and Rufus, who happen to be looking for a friend on their last day on Earth. (9.5/10)

Book 2: “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie

Amazon.com: And Then There Were None (9780062073488): Christie, Agatha:  Books

This book is a classic, as far as I’m aware, so many of you probably read it in middle school or high school. If not, it’s about a bunch of people who are taken to an island and they slowly get killed off, one by one. They try to find the culprit. Do they ever find them, though, or are they all killed off…? (10/10)

Book 3: “Servant of the Underworld” by Aliette de Bodard

Servant of the Underworld (Obsidian and Blood) (Volume 1): de Bodard,  Aliette: 9781625672049: Amazon.com: Books

This is more of a mature, violent read, at least compared to what I normally read, but it’s really good. It’s a murder mystery set in a fantasy version of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, before the Spanish invaded. It’s a really good read, but can get quite gruesome. (8.9/10, maybe?)

Alright, so I’ve read those books so far. I’m starting on The Rise of Kyoshi soon, but I can’t really say much about it yet since…. well, I haven’t started it yet. What I have started on, though, are some manga series that I can recommend.

Manga Series

Manga Series #1: “Otomen”

Amazon.com: Otomen, Vol. 1 (1) (9781421521862): Aya Kanno: Books

“Otomen” is about a high school guy who is really into things that are often seen as just for girls. Baking, sewing, making bento boxes for friends, that sort of thing. He feels the need to hide this due to his mother’s pressures, so instead of openly buying and making plush toys and baking cakes, he practices martial arts. It’s a really cute series, so far. (8/10)

Manga Series #2: “The Promised Neverland”.

Amazon.com: The Promised Neverland, Vol. 1 (1) (9781421597126): Shirai,  Kaiu, Demizu, Posuka: Books

I’m pretty sure I covered the anime version of this earlier, but it’s best to go into the manga blind, too. For those who need a little nudge, it’s about orphans who find out that the world outside their perfect home isn’t quite what they were expecting. (10/10)

Manga Series #3: “Love in Focus”.

Love in Focus 1: Nogiri, Yoko: 9781632367686: Amazon.com: Books

This is a really good manga about photography and love. That’s all I can really say. It’s only four volumes, so go read it if you get a chance!~

Here are some game recommendations I have, both on Steam and free to play ones:

Digital Card/Board Games

Armello – A digital board game on Steam where you must achieve victory through various means as one of a number of animal characters. You have to save the Kingdom of Armello from its corrupted king, perhaps even saving the king from himself. It’s a good game. This one isn’t free, though. ($20.00)

Hearthstone – This is a Warcraft/World of Warcraft-inspired digital card game by Blizzard. They have it on their Blizzard App, a program for the computer, as well as on iOS and Android devices. While it may not run super well on a phone, it runs well on a decent computer. Anyway, this game is largely free, but you do have the option of paying for certain extra card packs and whatnot. I’m putting it as free here because… well, it’s basically free if you restrain yourself from it. (Free)

Talisman: Digital Edition – This game can be actually really hecking expensive if you get every expansion and extra thing, though the base game itself is fine for at least a while of gameplay and only costs $6.99. The number of players at one game can be anywhere from one (against AI) to six real, living people. At least, you hope they’re living. There are undead in this game, after all.

Rhythm Games

Melody’s Escape – Play music and dodge obstacles to the music. It’s as simple (or difficult!) as that. This game is really fun, but it does cost about 10 dollars so that may be a bit much for some people who don’t really like rhythm games all that much. Personally, I think it’s worth the price for those who like games like this. ($10.00)

Strategy Games

Battle for Wesnoth – This game is very similar to the older Fire Emblem games, with tons of free content for players, often made by the players. In fact, the entire game is free, so check it out. It’s on Steam and it’s own site, too. (Free)

Caravan – This game is all about trading goods from town to town, rebuilding your empire of Iram, and evading and/or fighting creatures from Middle-Eastern folklore like Ghouls and Djinn/Genies. It’s based in part on 1001 Arabian Nights and it has largely slow but relaxing and interesting gameplay. (Currently $0.99 on the Steam Store, but typically $9.99)

Visual Novels

Juniper’s Knot – I don’t know if I mentioned this one before (probably did) but it’s a really good free visual novel, albeit with one story path. Check it out, you might enjoy it too. Keep in mind it does have some adult themes despite its storybook-style artwork. (Free)

Voices From the Sea – Another free VN I might have mentioned. This one also only has one ending, but unlike Juniper’s Knot, this one has more Japanese-style artwork (like the type you’d see in manga or anime) and it’s also far more family friendly. Both are quite good. (Free)

That’s pretty much all I have so far. Sorry for the huge wall of text, I’ll try to format it better next time. Have fun, everyone.

Update: 6/27/19

So, I just got out of the hospital. I went there to try to solve some lung and digestive issues I’ve been having and I was there way too long. I won’t bore you with the details, but I’ve been recovering so I should be able to post another game review or something soon. Wish me luck, and below I’ll post some things I want to try to do with this blog in the future.

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