Jennifer Childers
Bio
I just write thoughts on anime, games, music, movies, or other things that are on my mind. Occasionally a poem or short story might come up.
Stories (52)
Filter by community
9 Anime for People Who Don't Like Anime
"I don't like anime." A phrase pretty commonly heard when you give suggestions on things to watch. I realize that when people say this, what they really mean is: "I don't like the art style of anime" or "I don't like the overdramatic voice acting" or "I don't like the obvious fan-service." And, I'll be honest, these are all valid reasons to not want to watch certain anime. Is there a lot of slop, smut, and cringe content in many anime? Yes, yes, and yes.
By Jennifer Childers10 months ago in Geeks
My Thoughts on Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
If you have played the Like A Dragon games (previously simply called Yakuza, in the US), then you are definitely acquainted with Goro Majima. This eccentric, eyepatch-wielding, ex-yakuza (at least since the game's 7th installment) has been a favorite among players since the game's inception. He's funny, he's charismatic, his fighting style is awesome (but frustrating for anyone who has to beat him in a boss battle), he's tough, and cool. Despite his rough appearance and his refusal to back down from a fight, he's also surprisingly warm, loyal, and protective of those he cares about.
By Jennifer Childers10 months ago in Gamers
The Best Collab We Never Got
I discovered Nick Drake and Vashti Bunyan around the same time. I was a senior in high school and going through some stuff mentally that put me in the darkest headspace I'd been in at that point in my life. The purity and emotional nakedness of their music was truly beautiful to me. It was music I had always romanticized in my mind, but didn't think could actually exist. Despite the melancholy lyrics and gothic-folk air to the songs, their music was like a hug that made me feel like everything would be okay. I clung more fiercely to Nick, as his music spoke to me a little more; though I did and still do enjoy Vashti Bunyan's music as well.
By Jennifer Childers11 months ago in Beat
Let Parents Exist In Public Without Being Shamed
The picture above is the most recent of many viral posts I've seen of parents who have babies and toddlers putting together goodie bags for strangers on their flights. Universally, it seems almost everyone thinks of it as wholesome and "what parents should do if they have to fly with young children." I agree that it is a kind gesture by the parents. But I don't find a woman scared of being harassed over having a child with her to be "wholesome" at all. I just think it's a sad reflection on humanity that parents feel like they need to bribe grown adults to not throw tantrums the second their baby makes any noise.
By Jennifer Childers12 months ago in Humans
The Song That Changed My Life
In the early days of COVID, before lockdown was ordered in my state, I was working at a call center for a travel company. It wasn't my dream job, but it gave me security, plus it had some good benefits. However because of COVID, many resorts and attractions closed down--causing many people to have to cancel their vacations. Which, for me and my coworkers was back to back nonstop calls for a straight 9 hours of work day in and day out. If you've never worked at a call center, there are--surprisingly--times when call volumes are low and you can more or less relax.
By Jennifer Childersabout a year ago in Beat
That Time An Italian Singer Made A Song in Gibberish
For better or worse, American pop culture has been wildly influential all over the world for a long time. Particularly where music is concerned. The Beatles got their start out of a love for American rock n' roll music--particularly Chuck Berry. David Bowie, real name David Jones, was a British Ameriphile who named his stage name after American historical figure, Jim Bowie. British punk bands like the Sex Pistols and The Clash grabbed influence from American proto-punk pioneers like Iggy and The Stooges and The Velvet Underground. I could go on all day, but we'd be here forever.
By Jennifer Childersabout a year ago in FYI
Norwegian Breakaway Cruise Review
I meant to write and publish this in late September after returning from our trip. Unfortunately, I had sustained an injury during the course of the trip which put me out of commission for a bit on return. So writing hasn't exactly been the first thing on my mind upon coming home.
By Jennifer Childersabout a year ago in Wander
Musical Time Capsule: Cold War and Nuclear Anxiety. Content Warning.
I've always been fascinated by the idea that consuming art from previous eras often acts as a history lesson and a living time capsule into what the social and political climate was like at the time. Perhaps I will turn this into a series of other events, somewhere down the road. But for now, I want to focus on the nuclear anxiety from the 60s-80s; where tensions between the US and Soviet Union were at an all time high.
By Jennifer Childersabout a year ago in Beat
A Brief History of MPAA Movie Ratings. Top Story - July 2024.
We all know the modern ratings system: G, PG, PG-13, R, and NC-17. What many may not know is how movie ratings have evolved since the dawn of cinema. For demographic purposes, I will be referring to the system as the MPAA ratings system (Motion Pictures of America Association)--as I am talking about the American ratings system, and the ratings system is different all over the world.
By Jennifer Childersabout a year ago in FYI
Support or enablement? . Content Warning.
Recently, I came across a post on social media. Someone had clearly just gone through a bad friend breakup, and lamented that they had still stayed friends with this person--despite this person giving them plenty of warning that they did not care about other people. They held on hope that their kindness could change them. It didn't.
By Jennifer Childers2 years ago in Humans
Responding to Myself About My Travel Experiences, Three Years Later
Three years ago, I received news that I had been accepted for a teaching position in Japan. In my excitement, there was also a lot of worry. I wrote this piece about what I was excited for, and what I was dreading.
By Jennifer Childers2 years ago in Wander
