Mark Wesley Pritchard
Bio
You can call me Wesley. Former cosplayer, retro gaming fanatic, die-hard Texas Rangers fan, and nostalgic freak. Need I say more?
Threads: @misterwesleysworld
Instagram: @misterwesleysworld
Stories (407)
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Signs That You Grew Up in Texas
Greetings, Vocal creators! We're going to talk about arguably the best state in this country. I'm talking about Texas and it's also my home state, in case you didn't know. Nicknamed The Lone Star State, it has over 31 million people as of 2024 and is the second largest in the country. Last year, I wrote a story about the things that I loved about Arlington, which is where I'm originally from and where I grew up. Some notable people from the 28th state include Matthew McConaughey, Nolan Ryan, Matthew Stafford, and Willie Nelson. You can read the full story by clicking the link down below. The following entries are not in any particular order.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard about 7 hours ago in Wander
A Whole Lot of BS: Part 2
Over the years, we've seen and heard of people suing companies, either for their own clumsiness or something that they willingly chose to do. Such examples involve Red Bull being sued because their product didn't "give them wings", Uber sued for ruining someone's marriage, and a couple suing a video game company for their son's addiction. I feel like these people who do things like this are just looking for attention. What's next? Someone suing McDonald's for making them fat? I have zero sympathy for people who file meritless lawsuits. The topic for this story, however, is about parents suing social media companies for causing their children to develop mental health issues.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 7 days ago in Critique
Taking a Different Approach on Valentine's Day
U.S. consumers are projected to spend nearly $28 billion on Valentine's Day this year, with $6 billion of it would be spent on jewelry. For yours truly, I've always had a huge disdain over this day, mainly because of it being too commercialized and also shames single people not being in relationships. Normally, I wouldn't disclose details about my romantic life, but I'll share some things about the last Valentine's Day I celebrated. It was Valentine's Day 2019 and received a package from my now ex-fiancé. I'll explain the ex-fiancé part in a bit. I received some roses, chocolates, and some underwear. In June of that year, he and I were engaged. Our wedding date was set for March of 2020. I was in love with him and eager to live the rest of my life with him and also take his last name. During Pride Month, he came from Wisconsin to Arkansas to attend the Pride Parade, after months of him talking to me via text. Unfortunately, at the end of October, we mutually decided to split up. It wasn't because of unfaithfulness or arguments. It was due to circumstances that made it impossible for us to be together. Don't get me wrong. We loved each other so much. The dagger that stung inside my heart was my now ex-roommate married my ex-fiancée. I'm a believer that you shouldn't date someone else's ex, because there's a good chance that it won't go well. My ex-roommate didn't respect my boundaries, and I wasn't pleased with that. I was betrayed by my ex-roommate, and I've always had suspicions that he had been lusting for the man I was with once he arrived in Arkansas for the aforementioned visit. It took me a year and a half to get over the end of my relationship, but I've since stopped speaking to my ex-roommate and I'm still good friends with my ex. He's always expressed how much he still loved me and wished we were still together. We talk every now and then, but we never stopped caring for each other. Alas, I had to move on with my life. At the time we first started talking, he was over 20 years older than me, which I had no problem with. I've always been attracted to older men, as opposed to someone my age.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 10 days ago in Critique
Four Reasons Why I Dislike Listening to Podcasts
They say that knowledge is power and that's the truth, in most cases. Podcasts are accessible everywhere: from YouTube to apps such as iHeart and Spotify, either in video or audio form. Almost 55% of Americans listen to podcasts, while 619 million individuals listen to them worldwide. They can be influential and insightful to people. However, that's not the case for me. Netflix is now airing podcasts on their platform. I'll highlight four reasons why I don't like podcasts. If they're your personal cup of tea, I won't judge you.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 10 days ago in Journal
When Baseball Was Actually Enjoyable
Many of us baseball fans, including me, remember a time when baseball was fun to watch. If you search any game from the 80s or 90s on YouTube, many of the comments would say that they were watchable and also capture their attention. Also, the essence of the game made it ten times more fascinating. I'll share three reasons why the game of baseball today seems lackluster and mundane. I love watching my team play, but the game itself is not up to my standards.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 12 days ago in Unbalanced
Texas Rangers 2026 Predictions
Hello, Spring Training! Do you know what that means? That means that the unofficial start of baseball has finally arrived! The Texas Rangers are poised to make it to the playoffs for the first time since 2023. They haven't won an AL West title since 2016, so the ever-competitive division will get even more challenging. The Rangers will have to compete with the Mariners, who have won the division for the first time since 2001 last season, and the Astros, in order to capture the AL West berth. The most notable names the Rangers have acquired in the offseason were Brandon Nimmo, Danny Jansen, and Mackenzie Gore. Finishing third at the end of the 2025 regular season was disappointing with a record of 81-81, they are determined to see October and avoid a third consecutive season without a playoff appearance. 2026 will mark the Rangers 66th year as a franchise and the 55th season in Arlington.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 13 days ago in Unbalanced
Compare and Contrast: 2026 MLB Division Winner Predictions
In my previous story, I shared my predictions with everyone on which teams will clinch playoff berths in 2026 and highlighted what Fangraphs has chosen. I'll have a link to that story at the end of this story. Right now, I'll be going over what Fangraphs and I have chosen as division winners. The following odds by percentages that Fangraphs provided are as of February 3, 2026. Then, I'll offer a summary of our picks.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 16 days ago in Unbalanced
My 400th Story: Celebrating 10 Years of the NES Classic
Greetings, Vocal readers and subscribers! I've reached yet another milestone: 400 stories on Vocal. I'm aiming to reach the 500 stories mark by the end of this year. Is it doable? There's only one way to find out. To celebrate this milestone, I'll be talking about a game console that will turn 10 later on this year, except it's a miniature version of an old game system that everyone wanted to get their hands on. I'm talking about the release of the NES Classic. I'll be sharing the good and the bad of the game console.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 16 days ago in Gamers
Compare and Contrast: 2026 MLB Wild Card Predictions
Spring Training is just around the corner, which I'm looking forward to. In this story, I'll be comparing my picks to clinch Wild Card berths in 2026 to what Fangraphs has predicted. Please note that Fangraphs odds for each team to clinch a Wild Card or division title berth changes daily. The percentages of what Fangraphs with, as far as who will punch their tickets to the Postseason is our sole focus for this story. I'll compare and contrast to Fangraphs division title predictions will be highlighted in the next story. Let's get this show on the road. We're only going to highlight our top six teams.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 20 days ago in Unbalanced
Why Black History Matters in America?. Top Story - February 2026.
The United States of America is celebrating their 250th anniversary in 2026. I'm proud to be an American and as someone who was born here, I wouldn't imagine myself living anywhere else. This is a country where opportunities are possible. Where anyone can be successful in anything they desire to do. Equality, community, and togetherness are the backbones of what America is and should be about. However, we have an administration who wants to erase and disregard those who have made positive, meaningful impacts in our country, specifically Black figures, such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and Maya Angelou. President Trump and his administration have been constantly complaining and fighting against what they call the "Woke agenda". They use this excuse as a distraction from other issues they refuse to address, such as the high cost of living, climate change, and inflation. That equality is dividing America, when in reality, it's bringing us together. Being woke is not tied to a specific political party. No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, you can still care about other people and their plights. Compassion and empathy for others isn't tied to a political party, either. We were taught as children to treat others the way we want to be treated and not judge others because they're different from us. Caring about others isn't a personal attack on your beliefs. It doesn't make you any less of a person. People who are easily offended over African American figures, past or present, or anything related to it, are grasping at straws. Current and future generations need to know who people like Harriet Tubman and Shirley Chisholm were, especially in the classroom. Black History is part of American History. It should be recognized, not hidden or forgotten. Besides, you can't shield children from everything, just because your feelings are easily hurt.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 22 days ago in The Swamp
A Whole Lot of BS: Part One
Greetings, Vocal readers. I'm starting a new series on Vocal called A Whole Lot of BS. The intention for coming up with this series is to share the things that either irritate me, have a hard time understanding, annoy me, or all three. From sports to politics, I'm willing to share my personal gripes. If you have any topics you want to suggest to me, please leave them in the comments section down below and I will take them into consideration. For the debut story of this series, I have a bone to pick regarding Major League Baseball's End of the Year Awards, in particular, last year's winners.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 23 days ago in Unbalanced
Best and Worst MLB City Connect Hats
As someone who has a small handful of Texas Rangers hats and an avid hathead, I'm eager for Opening Day to begin. In my previous stories, I've critiqued and rated the best and worst City Connect jerseys. I'll have links to both stories at the end of this story. In this story, however, I'll be critiquing one City Connect hat that I love and one that I'm not feeling at all. Please note that teams will have more than one hat design and not all hats will be featured on here.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard about a month ago in Unbalanced
