Author: Hunter Nix

Welcome back everyone! As stated last week, this week I continue my list of the things I love about the Avatar the Last Airbender/Legend of Korra universe! Rolling right in: 

6) Metalbending/The Beifong Family

Now, I have always and will always say that waterbending is my favorite; water is simply the superior element (feel free to fight me). However, I will concede a very close second to the Earth Kingdom for the art of metalbending. In all honesty, I’m not the biggest fan of metalbending in ATLA; the way Toph performs the skill is just a little too rough for my liking. However, that is understandable considering she did literally just invent it. The metalbending in LOK, though, is my absolute favorite. I have a specific soft spot for the Beifong sisters Lin and Su. The grace and precision with which those women metalbend was enough to spark my love for metalbending, and along with members of the family like Opal and the twins, my love for the entire Beifong family. 

7) Asami

Honestly, I could leave this section there and any LOK fan would understand. Asami is easily the most beautiful, wonderful character in the franchise. She is easily one of the most powerful and crucial nonbenders in the entire series (yes I include Sokka, come on Asami would destroy him). Not only that, she is versatile in her skillset and knowledge, unbending in her morals, and she is fabulously dressed at all times. I can absolutely see why all three of the main trio had a thing for her at some point; she’s absolutely amazing. 

8) Zuko/Katara Vs. Azula Agni Kai 

Okay, this is easily the best scene of the entire ATLA fight scene selections. This fight topped Aang v. Ozai any day and that I will not even argue; if you disagree, simply be wrong in silence. Seeing Azula slip and finally loose, as well as Zuko truly achieve his final redemption and Katara make her final rise to glory was absolutely heart-wrenching to watch. Zuko and Azula fought beautifully (my favorite firebenders hands down) and Katara’s takedown of Azula deserves every bit of the legend status it got her, both in the canon universe and in the fandom. This scene is the reason Zuko and Katara are my favorite ATLA characters, but mainly Katara (honorable mention to toph). 

9) Tenzin’s airbending specifically 

Okay, I am generally not the biggest fan of Tenzin. He seems a little too uptight for my liking, though I will concede to his moments of letting that facade slip. However, his bending is something that is utterly undeniable. The writer’s of that show did an immeasurably successful job at integrating his deep connection with airbending/his father’s legacy into his character, and it’s obvious in everything from his stance when resting to his every combative move. His fight against Zaheer and the Red Lotus was literally legendary, and it absolutely should be. Every Tenzin airbending moment has me glued to my seat, even on what must be my fifth rewatch. 

10) Korra’s clapbacks

Last but not least, we have Korra’s moments of absolute savagery. In all honesty, I did not think there could be a more iconic moment than when she sicked Naga on Tahno in that noodle place. The idea that she had just completely owned that bully in a public place couldn’t get any better. That is, until she absolutely (and somewhat literally) wiped the floor with him in their one-on-one tiebreaker in the arena. Some will complain that it didn’t go on long enough, but I will forever say that her needing only those two moves to get the best of him speaks volumes towards her character. Plus, she had several other moments in the show where she was just entirely too good at combacks, and you have to admit that, love her or hate her. 

Well, that completes this list and this weeks blog! I love this franchise for many reasons, only a few of which made it onto the list. Feel free to comment some of your favorites if you’ve seen the shows! Until next time, 

Sincerely, someone who would kill to watch a pro-bending match.

Okay, so, I recently began a rewatch of the Avatar The Last Airbender and the Legend of Korra, and it has really reignited my love for the franchise. I go back and I revisit these worlds and I’m once again overcome with my appreciation for them. The creators of these series should be so incredibly proud of themselves, because they’ve made something that is so amazing. So, I wish to discuss my favorite things about the ATLA/LOK universe, because I just want to. 

DISCLAIMER: These are in no particular order, so it’s not technically a ranking. Also, SPOILER ALERT lol. Also on top of the also, excuse any misspellings, I tried to check as much as I could. 

1) Waterbending, anykind, anywhere.

Okay, so I know that I said this wasn’t in order of best to worst, but this item is at the top of the list for a reason. From the first episode of ATLA to the last episode of LOK, I have been in love with waterbending above all other elements. Firebending may be pretty, earthbending may be powerful, and airbending may be graceful, but waterbending is simply beautiful. The intricate, fluid movements that it uses, the sight of the actual water moving, the culture and design of the tribes, all the variants in technique and style; it’s all just so pleasing to look at. If bending ever suddenly and miraculously becomes reality and I am not made a water bender, I will wage another 100 year war. 

2) Clothing that aides in bending.

On a slightly smaller scale is the clothing that exists in the Avatar world. From the metalbending officers of Republic City’s uniform cables, to the plates warn by Kuvira’s soldiers, to the Air Nation’s flight suits, I love it all. The concept of clothing that helps someone with their bending, even something as simple as Katara’s old water pouches, is so so cool to me. I love the idea of all the ingenuity it could bring, and all the different designs it could produce. The concept of more clothing designed for benders fuels my imagination every day. 

3) Wan Shi Tong’s Spirit Library

When I tell you I would commit unspeakable crimes to be able to browse this library, I hope a government official isn’t listening, because I am not joking. I absolutely adore the idea of this place, with thousands of years of actually spiritually ordained knowledge, all under one roof. I can understand what the professor from the desert episode was thinking when he chose to stay there forever, and I can see why Jinora was so excited to find it. Granted, its guardian may be inherently evil, but come on, even he is awesome. A giant owl that can speak and guards thousands of years of books??? That’s just genius. Cliché genius, yes, but genius nonetheless. 

4) The Pets

I would kill a man to pet Pabu. There, I said it, and I will not take it back. I am just as in love with Bo Lin as the next person who likes animated boys, but I would happily shove him aside to get to that tiny red panda. Not to mention Naga, for whose hug I would go to war for. And Appa, which I would transcend reality to meet, and Momo, which I would defeat every villain Aang and Korra ever faced to hold. Please, if you do not find each and every one of these creatures (and any I didn’t mention) as absolutely adorable as I do, see a doctor. There’s something wrong with you. Oh, also, I would love a shirshu, and you can fight me, they’re cool. 

5) Sokka and Varrick

You cannot convince me that Varrick is not a reincarnation of Sokka. They have the EXACT same energy, like actually. When I first watched the series, I forgot the time loop completely and thought Varrick was a grown up Sokka. Regardless, both of their energies are so chaotically wholesome, and I love the chemistry they bring to their respective shows. Also, watching those two fall in love was nauseatingly wholesome. 

Alright, that’s all for this week. Stay tuned for the rest of the list next week! Until then! 

Sincerely, someone who may or may not have daydreamed multiple atla/lok storylines <3

So, it’s undeniable, be it from the coat of yellow dust that is already appearing on every available outdoor surface to the blots of color that are continuously appearing around every corner: Spring has definitely arrived. And, despite what some of my previously published writing may have you believe, I am not the biggest fan of Spring, as a season or a concept. 

As a season, my problem with Spring is simple and lies in the daffodil colored dust of death that is coating cars and slathering sidewalks. As a long time allergy sufferer, I am bracing for the absolute worst. And, judging by the severe sneezing fit I got from a mere five minute maskless walk in the outdoors yesterday, I am well on my way to allergy anarchy. So, if you see me dorm ridden due to inability to breath or see, don’t worry because I missed History, it wasn’t voluntary, I assure you. 

As a concept, my problems with Spring spam a little more deeply. Frankly, Spring makes me feel panicky. ACT scores are rolling in, school years are wrapping up, graduation is marching forward (for my senior friends) with apathetic ominousness. It’s a time that makes me feel like there is a hummingbird in my chest fluttering me towards a thousand different directions to do a thousand different things. Maybe it’s because I’m not ready to say goodbye to my graduating friends or my first year of MSA itself, but regardless, there’s a stifled desperation behind all of my actions. 

So, if I suddenly seem more interested in spending time with you, or if I’m a little bit hectic, that would be why. I’m rushing to make as many memories as I can, and I’ll happily take anyone I can along for the journey. Just brace for a bit of chaos 🙂

Until next time! 

Sincerely, 

Someone who’s trying to enjoy Spring, despite the pollen and panic. 

So, in the spirit of getting back to my blogging roots (and also maybe due to an extreme case of burnout that we will not discuss), the series of friend appreciations is returning with a vigor! There have been several people that have made themselves prominent figures in my social life lately, some of which were expected, and some of which weren’t. In all honesty, I don’t know where I would be without these people, but, in particular, I know I would be a goner without this week’s person. 

Ladies, gentlemen, anyone above, between, or beyond, I present to you King the Vocal. 

Now, if you exist on MSA campus long enough, you will hear good things about King. This is because he is easily the best person on campus, and I mean that wholeheartedly. I have never met someone who manages to cultivate such a positive environment in such an uplifting way as King does. Being around King is synonymous with being in sunlight, but for your emotions. 

A firm believer in karma, a role model for all, and an avid practicer of the ideal that no one should be left alone, King makes it a point in their life to invite and include everyone. I cannot overstate enough how that feels, to be around someone who makes an effort to include and uplift you, especially after you’ve come from an environment where people did the opposite of this. 

King’s table is full of people who, just like him, are firm believers in respect, positivity, inclusivity, and second chances, and thanks to King, I am now part of one of the healthiest friend groups I have ever been a part of, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. 

Not to mention the wonders King has worked with just me and them hanging out. After just a couple weeks of friendship, I feel unbelievably better about myself and my life, because that is simply what it means to be around King: to feel better. 

So, should any of you ever be lucky enough to encounter this angel of a human being, please take the chance to get to know him. I’ve genuinely never encountered a more wonderful person. Until next time. 

Sincerely, someone who’s newly appreciative of the wonders of positivity. 

So, taking the ACT is a common and dreaded occurrence for any high school student. We’ve all done it, and chances are most of us will do it again and again. It’s an awful, grueling, tedious, mind-numbing thing to sit through, and I’m sure we’d all rather be doing literally anything else. Waste of time and undeserved determinant of college acceptance aside, the ACT test does, believe it or not, provide a thing of beauty. 

That thing is silence. Now, it might not be fully appreciated unless you’re someone who gets done early and has to sit there twiddling your thumbs. Frankly, I think most of us are to stressed by the test itself to ever even perceive the environment unless it’s during one of those lulls between tests. However, it’s in those moments of involuntary inactivity that the beauty of the space is observable. 

Whenever I’m sitting in that quiet, somber, still room with nothing but my thoughts, I find that, should I be able to keep them from dreading whatever test comes next in the sequence, they can go anywhere. It’s a wonderous thing to experience, on the rare occasions it happens.

Just today, I looked around at the junior class and I could swear that, for a moment, I could see the thoughts of the other students in the room with me. They were all kinds of things: bright, bursting, colorful things that were arcing and streaking above the multi-toned heads of the people leaning over test booklets around me. It was a wonderful thought to have, and I may even make it into a poem, but I know it can never be a full story. So, I brought it here to you, blog world. 

I figured, since everyone who will read this likely just sat through the same experience as me, I should share this little slice of wonder I discovered today. It isn’t much, but it kept me from going insane among pi calculations and scientific graphs, so maybe, just maybe, it can help you, too. 🙂 

Until next time! 

Sincerely, an imaginative ACT victim. 

So, its no secret that burnout is an issue among the artistic community, but particularly among literary artists. Burnout, coupled with or even in the form of writer’s block, can be a crippling combination to a writer. Sometimes, it just seems that no matter how many deadlines scream at you, or how many ideas float through your head, or how much time you spend staring at that blinking cursor, the words just won’t come. 

It is for this dilemma that I recommend the solution of passion projects. Now, at first, it may seem counterproductive and even wholly unrealistic to consider pursuing the very artform that is frustrating you as a solution, but hear me out. It can be an absolutely liberating experience to write simply to write. 

I mean no deadlines, no prompts, no assignments, no clear story goal in mind, no planning. Just writing for the joy of the action, for the telling of the story, even if you don’t know what the story is. It doesn’t even have to be a certain structure of writing; passion projects, in the way that I refer to them, often come off as short stories or flash fictions, but they can be anything from poetry to play scripts. Write what you want because, for once, that is the goal. 

I, personally, have accomplished a couple notable passion projects in recent days. If you know me well, you’ve likely heard about my recent experience with the brick wall that is writer’s block. In typical fashion, directly in the prime of deadlines and assignments is when the brick wall chose to manifest. I spent an entire weekend in a cold stop, having just completely run out of words literally mid-sentence while working on my play script. And it didn’t even stop there. I took a break from writing the play script and trying to work of assignments for Practicum; nothing. Tried writing a poem for someone; not a line. Tried my hand at an article for my freelancing job; I could scarcely summon a topic to pitch my editor. 

But later that weekend, when the sun was set and my anxiety had burned out for the night, I looked at the page and found hope blinking back at me in that cursor. From there, it was simply a matter of not waking my roommate as I typed with renewed vigor. I’m still not back fully: my playscript, my practicum assignments, and my freelancing article are all only partially completed. But I now have two short stories of thousands of words that I am more proud of than anything. 

And that means that I have hope again. 

So, I implore you, consider the passion project the next time deadlines weigh you down or assignments ice you out. You may just find a voluntary short story/poem/play script to be nothing short of lifesaving. 

Sincerely, someone who’s finding a tentatively renewed passion. 

As promised, this week’s blog is a continuation of the list from last week. I won’t waste time with an introduction, I’ll simply through you directly into the musically styling of Rebecca Sugar and company. Enjoy 🙂

5) What’s the Use of Feeling? 

Now, I will wholeheartedly stand by miss Patti Lupone for the rest of my days, and yes this song is the reason. I still vividly remember the days when the Diamonds were shrouded in mystery, and this episode was one of my favorite things. When Steven Universe was still based largely on Earth, visit into space such as this one were major, and seeing TWO diamonds? Literal star eyes. Plus, Yellow Diamond is an interstellar vocalist. 

Favorite Line: The pearl harmony at the beginning (yes I’m a yellow pearl stan)

4) Disobedient 

Oh, you wanna talk songs that I can absolutely jam to? This. Just this. No thoughts, just this. Granted, I’m a sucker for each and every Sadie song, but the combination of her and Amethyst is a combination I did not know I needed and will never live without. Their voices mesh so well together and it just scratches that one place in my brain, ya know? This song was so close to making the top three, and it breaks my heart to rob it of that, but I can (and will) still listen to it on loop regardless, so I guess it’s okay. 

Favorite Line: I stood awake wondering where my summers went, I wanna be disobedient. 

3) Stronger Than You

This song is, I’m not even joking, the first memory I associate with Steven Universe. At first, I was not watching the series linearly and this episode, and this song specifically, was the reason that I decided to dedicate myself to watching this franchise. I fell in love with Garnet, her voice, and Estelle right then and there, and Ruby and Sapphire are now my love standard. No, I will not be accepting criticism. Easily earned it’s top three spot. 

Favorite Line: I am made of love. Simple poetry. 

2) Other Friends

Oh, my darling baby Spinel. I’m not going to say that I’m completely obsessed with this character, but if she told me she wanted to end Steven, I would tell him to hold still. Spinel is so wonderful and I adore her, and “Other Friends” has that perfect theme to her. Out of all of her songs, save the ever emotional “Drift Away”, this song fits her best, hands down. Plus, it was admittedly nice to see her triumph so easily over the Crystal Gems. My girl is a battlefield queen. 

Favorite Line: Let’s play another game, this time I get to win! (You tell ’em, girl!)

And now, what you’ve all been waiting for, number one! 

1) Haven’t You Noticed (I’m a Star)

Now, hear me out. I have never felt the notes of a song hit my soul as I did when I heard Sadie singing this for the first time. It was entirely, utterly perfect to me, and still is to this day. Plus, it was the beginning of her absolutely incredible character arc! Even the episode itself was amazing, and I loved that the show took time to explore the human relationships of the world, especially the relatable ones like that between Sadie and her mother. Honestly, Steven’s rendition of the song wasn’t awful, but Sadie’s was and always will be better. 

Favorite Line: “Haven’t you noticed I’ve made it this far? Now everyone can see me burning.” Now that one hit. 

Alright, and that’s the main list completed! Thank you for coming along on the journey, everyone! Next week, I’ll finish off with the honorable mentions as I make my way into my next Steven Universe related blog entry! Until then. 

Sincerely, someone coming into view as the world is turning. 

So, if you know me, you know that I am a diehard Steven Universe fan. And, if you know the junior Literaries, you know that top ten’s are our bread and butter for blogging. So, I figured why not put the two together? In this series, I’ll be narrowing down my Steven Universe playlist to my top ten songs from Rebecca Sugar’s animated masterpiece. DISCLAIMER: these are my opinions! Feel free to agree or disagree at will! 

10) Here Comes A Thought 

Now, it was no easy task calculating which songs out of this spectacular musical menagerie made it onto the list, especially when I had it narrowed down to the number ten slot specifically. However, when I was considering what song was worthy of the final spot, I couldn’t help but remember how calming this song used to be. I can still remember listening to Garnet’s voice as she helped me through some of my most anxious moments; from bad weather to fights with friends. For that, Here Comes a Thought earns it’s spot on the list. 

Favorite Line: “Take a moment to think of just flexibility, love, and trust”

9) Change

Okay, I know what you’re thinking. It may not be the most popular choice for this list, especially with it’s competitors, but there’s just something about Change as a song that resonates with me. Maybe it’s the central message lining up with my core philosophy of being the master of your own fate, or maybe its the gorgeously dramatic sky battle setting, but there’s something about this song that just hits different. Plus, Steven’s vocals in this song are simply amazing, and you can argue with the wall. 🙂

Favorite Line: “Starting with tonight” Purely because of that note Zach Callison hits. 

8) It’s Over, Isn’t It? 

So, this song might be the problematic member on the list. Look, it’s not my fault I cannot resist the charms of Deedee Mango Hall’s voice! Besides, if you listen, some of the things Pearl sings about are actually very easy to resonate with. The way that she describes how she felt with Rose…I only hope I can find a love that makes me feel that way someday. (Ya know, just without the codependency issues.) All jokes aside, the song is really beautiful, and the scene from that episode is picturesque. Pearl against a city light background in a tux is a vibe I didn’t know I needed until now. 

Favorite Line: “Out in daylight, my potential: bold, precise, experimental”

7) The Working Dead

Yes, we finally hit a Sadie song! Unpopular opinion, Sadie is the real reason human characters in Steven Universe are as good as they are. The way that Rebecca and her writers took a seemingly two dimensional side character and gave her such depth is a technique I can only strive for. Sadie is easily my favorite non gem character and her music is exactly why. This was a perfect debut song for her, and a fantastic foreshadowing for the phenomenal performances we see from her later. Absolutely jam to this song every time, and I will not apologize. 

Favorite Line: “Stay a thousand miles from the condition that I’ve got from all the stress I’m under.” (Never felt a lyric more)

6) Do It For Her

Okay, so I may have lied about It’s Over, Isn’t It being the most problematic on the list, and I also may be noticing a trend in my favorite Crystal Gem’s songs, but neither of those are the point. This song, somewhat concerning (And later addressed!) issues aside, is actually really good! I remember closing my eye’s to Deedee’s vocals for what felt like hours when this song found me, and I still do without a single regret. It’s so amazing to see Pearl fighting with such strength, even if it is for the wrong causes. She’s still one of the strongest gems, yall just aren’t ready for that conversation. 

Favorite Line: “Deep down, you know you weren’t built for fighting, but that doesn’t mean you’re not prepared to try.” This line summarizes Pearl’s journey so well. 

Well, that’s the first half of the ranking done, and this week’s blog done, too! I hope you’ll all stay tuned for the rest of the list next week! Until next time, 

Sincerely, someone who’s entirely too indecisive for top tens. 

So, it’s no secret that a relationship with poetry, especially one between writer and poetry, is often a complicated thing. I’ve spoken with classmates who hate poetry at all times, who love it at all times, who read it vehemently and cannot write it to save their lives, who write it constantly but can never sit down and read any, and who only turn to the stanza when something in life is troubling them. Writers, as a rule of thumb, tend to have a not so simple relationship with poetry. Now, whether that’s because of the often highly emotional and sensitive nature of the content poetry is usually about, or some inner mechanism incompatibility between the writer’s brain and the rhythmic consistency of poetry, I’m not here to debate. What I’m here to touch on is my personal relationship with poetry. 

Of the above described architypes, I fall into more than one category. I’m the “write it constantly but can’t sit down and read it”, the “love it at all times”, and the “only turns to the stanza when something is troubling me”, to name a few. Frankly, my falling into multiple conflicting categories should come as no surprise to anyone who’s known me for any length of time. What may surprise some people, however, is the fact that I can’t just write poetry. As in, I cannot simply sit down and write a poem. I can brainstorm hundreds of ideas, but if my brain isn’t in this specific mood that I cannot even comprehend, not so much as a single line will come to me. 

Now, as elusive and unexplainable as that headspace may be, I’ve noticed some things about it. I have a playlist that can help me slip into it a little easier. There’s a difference in the way my brain works when I’m thinking that way, like normal thinking is sign language, and poetry thinking is flawlessly spoken words; they’re both thinking, but poetry thinking is so much more smooth and fluid. I can never think anything small in poetry thought, I’m always thinking about something grand. Even trying to write about something as simple as nature, I create this existential plot about the creation of humanity. 

And it’s this line of thinking, in all it’s wonders and splendor, that makes my relationship with poetry so estranged. As I put it in a short story, “It was a terrifying wonder to behold, as most wonderous things were.” I love being in that headspace, but it scares me. It’s so different, and it’s so much. I can never stay away from it, and I can never get to close to it. It’s quite the conflicting balance to walk. 

I want to know, though, what’s your relationship with poetry? Do you have any idea when I’m talking about when I say “poetry thinking”? I’m curious. But, still, I’m also done. Until next time, everyone! 

Sincerely, someone who’s chasing and running from his poetry mind.