Kayla Bloom
Bio
Teacher by day, fantasy worldbuilder by night. I write about books, burnout, and the strange comfort of morally questionable characters. If I’m not plotting a novel, I’m probably drinking iced coffee and pretending it’s a coping strategy.
Stories (50)
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Fried Rice
As I greeted my grandparents in the soft lights of their kitchen, I felt the familiar embrace of the old house. Though the kitchen changed with innovations since the lighthearted days of my youth, it still regulated a firm place in my memory. Every nook and cranny, every organized shelf of candy, every indelible detail even more intrinsically memorized than the houses we moved through. What’s the saying? If only walls could talk. What was missing as I scanned the counter tops and stove was the fried rice. Fried rice - though not an immediately obvious family recipe considering I am a white woman from the suburbs of Sacramento – has come to define the table of my grandparents. Even better as leftovers, this aromatic favorite never failed to see a birthday, holiday, wedding, or casual get-together. It barely registered as a possibility that it, in fact, would not be on the menu. After moving back home from Berkeley upon graduating, my grandfather had tried recipe after recipe from the cookbooks they owned, starting with his interest in Asian cuisine. It was new, even for him, as he had always had an interest in cooking. He was an architectural intern, and another draftsman in his office had given him tips on a drier version of fried rice, having been from Thailand. These tips are the foundations of the version my grandfather uses to this day. As he experimented, he realized that soy sauce becomes saltier over time, rather than sweet as it is brand new. This meant the age and moderation of the soy sauce used is critical to the desired overall taste. While I’ve attempted fried rice myself, although delicious, it never compares to the symphony of flavors my grandfather’s fittingly constructs. Building upon his foundation over the years, he has fashioned his recipe painstakingly into the monument it has become. Only appropriate for an architect, I guess. I give a slight sigh, glancing back up to my grandfather smiling down at me, contentedness beaming from his gaze. This turns inquisitive as he wonders “what’s the matter?” I shake my head, wanting to change the subject to my upcoming transition to college.
By Kayla Bloom5 years ago in Feast
The Planet Kumat
The troopers sat around a sizable bench table, an air of suspense lingering. Some helmets were removed, as they had yet to be called into action, but kept nearby for convenience. No upstanding member of the Dominion’s troops ranks would dare be caught unprepared for the implementation of their duty, lest they be deemed unfit. And yet, as she starred at the ground, K883T’s heart thumped and her pulse quickened with her breath. In her silence, she struggled in vain to reassure herself. It was becoming harder and harder through the years, with her coping mechanisms fading with the memories of home. Resting her elbows on her knees, she bowed her head in a sigh, her long brown braid flowing down her shoulder.
By Kayla Bloom5 years ago in Futurism
Illumination Entertainment
I have long been baffled by the films made by the studio Illumination Entertainment. There was nothing immediately obvious as to why I should dislike them. My own niece watched them numerous times and enjoyed them. By all accounts, they were fine. This, however, was before I learned more about the company started by Chris Meledandri. Meledandri received his start back in the early 90’s working at Disney. After that, he moved on to 20th Century Fox and was an executive in their animation department, playing a role in the acquisition of BlueSky Studios. He also produced one of my absolute favorite films, Ever After: A Cinderella Story. Though he found himself the president of Fox animation, he left the company in 2007 to form Illumination Entertainment. They were now a contender and ready to make some money. The studio was shortly thereafter positioned as an entertainment arm of NBCUniversal, retaining all creative control. In April 2016, NBCUniversal announced its acquisition of another competing studio, DreamWorks Animation, for $3.8 billion. It was announced that Meledandri would oversee both Illumination and DreamWorks following the completion of the merger. Such titles from Illumination include the following:
By Kayla Bloom5 years ago in Geeks
The Handmaid's Tale
As we await season 4, which is scheduled to premiere some time in 2021, I have found myself revisiting past seasons of the critically acclaimed series The Handmaid’s Tale. Although production began in 2016 before the election of Donald Trump, it nonetheless became quite clear this was more than an adaptation of a 1985 book by Margaret Atwood, but a relevant commentary on modern society. From the costume choice, the acting, the plotline which extends beyond the book, the series is an exquisite reminder of what we have to lose and issues that currently face us.
By Kayla Bloom5 years ago in The Swamp
Top Simulation Games
Top Simulation Games I have never been much of a typical gamer. Shooting games, racing, or any of the popular consoles never held much interest to me. When I was younger, we only had a Gamecube and played Mario Party 8 over and over, but that was really the extent of gaming until my siblings and I received a Wii for Christmas one year. Computer games was my go-to as a teen, and it was then I discovered an affinity for simulation games – the more realistic, the better.
By Kayla Bloom5 years ago in Gamers
Could Star Wars Come to The Sims 4?
I have been a fan of both the Sims and Star Wars for a long time now, so imagine my surprise when rumors started circulating recently of the possibility of a new Star Wars themed gamepack coming! Let's dive in. So, on April 6th, the Sim Guru team announced a six-month roadmap for new content.
By Kayla Bloom5 years ago in Gamers
The Planet Kumat
Chapter One: The Planet Kumat Surveying the ground through his monitors, Lawn hoovered the ship momentarily as he proceeded to descend vertically into the circular, pit-like dock. Large domed shields disappeared into the sandy foundations of the building as it opened. The setting sun was beginning to impede his sight, and the ship clunked maladroitly to a halt as he swiftly removed his restraints. He flipped off the engine and hastened through the cockpit exit. No matter how many times he has been to Kumat, his palms still perspired.
By Kayla Bloom5 years ago in Futurism
Why are Marvel movies SO much better than DC?
The epic show-down between two giants has long been the topic of debate in my household. And the long-standing conclusion is that Marvel movies have done a considerably better job at bringing comic books to the big screen. But why? What makes them better than DC? Let’s break it down...
By Kayla Bloom6 years ago in Geeks
What to Write First?
This may sound counterintuitive, but I actually started the idea of tips for writers on my very first visit to the Vocal website. I had little idea where to start, what people would find interesting, and if I was even any good at this whole writing thing. And then it hit me. Someday when my fingers ache from typing, eyes burn from the bright glare of the screen, and stomach growls from the neglect of writing excitement, I will look back to this moment. The beginning. Not really the beginning of all of my writing, but just maybe the most important. What is it I would tell that girl eagerly wanting to begin?
By Kayla Bloom6 years ago in Motivation
Star Wars IX: The Rise of Skywalker
Wow.. all I can say is wow! First of all, SPOILER ALERT! You probably already figured that, but just in case you haven’t seen Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker yet and want to, you have been warned. The final ending to the Star Wars saga has come at last. And although the last one left me a little nervous, see my other review at https://shopping-feedback.today/futurism/star-wars-the-last-jedi-predictions-and-review, I came away from this movie thoroughly satisfied and there are several reasons. There seemed to be at least one missed opportunity, but let's get started.
By Kayla Bloom6 years ago in Geeks
Multicultural Children's Literacy Collection
It is rather difficult to find suitably diverse books to include in a classroom collection. Many common children’s books are written from a western, Anglo-American point of view. How do we include more diversity into the classroom with this limited variety of resources? How do we encourage more multicultural stories for the future? Like we have talked about in class, providing opportunities for all children to express themselves, tell stories, and facilitate their talents will have a large impact on them as adults in the workforce. When they feel represented in the classroom literature, it shows them that all perspectives are important. Children who are encouraged to read and write freely may feel compelled to write their own books featuring their unique cultural experiences.
By Kayla Bloom6 years ago in Education
