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And so it begins, again...
by Matthew Martinez
Since I was fired from KOKE-FM in February 2023, I tried to find work in my field and avoid the torture that comes with jobs in retail. I hate the whole "Customer is ALWAYS right" mantra and the soul sucking nature of working at a nine to five job at a place where I don't want to be, so I looked to my field of broadcasting for work. After one job interview that almost had me working overnight hours that would have screwed up my well-being, a friend of mine told me he had a talk with one of our mutual friends. They suggested that I start creating my own content. Now I absolutely HATE the term CONTENT CREATOR with a passion, but I understood the gist of what he was saying. Ever since 2017, I have been formatting and planning a YouTube series that would be a game review show and interview program. I was planning on starting production in 2020 and launching the show in 2021. The COVID-19 lockdown and ensuing stupidity and chaos surrounding it caused my plans to be put on hold. The original format would have had me upload the game review as one video, part of a sit-down interview with the "program's" guest in another, and a competition between the guest and I in that week's game in the last video of the set. This would give me the power to produce four weeks' worth of programming for just one episode. The complete episode would then be available later for broadcast somewhere online, whether it be through me, or through a premium streaming service. After my friend gave me the nudge to start production, I started rethinking my strategy. Also, in the time I started planning The Matty Matt Show, YouTube, TikTok, and othersocial media platforms were starting to come under scrutiny for shortening the attention span of its viewers and allowing some people to perform banal or nonsensical activities or voicing their undeniably false and ignorant views on the world. It also gave a platform for what I call Whiny Butts. Those people who complain about their current lives, or people who wax nostalgic about time before all this interconnectivity, agnostic views, and globalization "ruined our world" when it's really the Whiny Butts that are responsible for making communicating and socializing such a pain in the ass to begin with.
"I think America
oughta just shut up."
-Pat Paulsen February 1988
I have also gotten annoyed with YouTubers calling themselves "Content Creators" and annoying me with their push to "Smash that Like Button", or "Hit that subscribe button and hit the bell" in the middle of their video. In some instances, a graphic comes up at the bottom and interrupts your viewing by having the on-camera person wave to you and point below to beg you for a "like" or subscription. Some YouTubers even whine ON AIR about how their subscribers have decreased or haven't met their "quota" like that's supposed to matter to a viewer like me. I hate this, so I'll try NOT to do this! Podcasts, on the other hand, have been a pleasure not only to only listen to, but produce as well. Before this, I produced a podcast called Two Guys on the Move. Before we introduced video and added more members to the cast, it had been a pleasure to produce. But with no funding, outside our own pocket money, or promotion, we had no way of growing the podcast. Even when I paid for ads on Facebook and was "Engaging with the Audience" our show never grew. Since I was hyper focused on work and school, I had no idea on how to host or promote a podcast. Now that I've had time to research, I have some idea on how to promote a podcast without social media. I was always under the assumption that podcasts were audio only. I had no idea that I could post a video online and call it a podcast, even though people have done so before. This excited me to no end so now I feel like I have the tools to produce and promote this new project. This new video podcast, The Matty Matt Show, is about my video game collection. I mainly cover games that I have played before, but I also talk about new games that I'm playing for the first time. Many mention how sick they are of gaming podcasts, when they really are starving for quality gaming podcasts. Many gaming podcasts consist of a host and their friend, or friends, sitting around and discussing a game, and everything else BUT the game for an hour. While the conversation is entertaining for some, others may be shouting "GET ON WITH IT!" to their device. A lot of times, the on-air talent laugh and brush off sentiments like this. In my case, these sentiments have not fallen on deaf ears, mainly because I'm the one who shouts, "GET ON WITH IT!" to my device. The program starts with an introduction (no longer than ten seconds, I hope), then gameplay footage narrated by me for the rest of the video. In most cases, gameplay footage consists of live gameplay and screen captured footage. This is to deter CERTAIN BIG BOOBED YOUTUBER DRAMA QUEENS who are sticklers about whether the player is playing the game themselves or if someone else is playing for them. Speaking of drama queens and whiny butts, I'll do my best to avoid becoming one. I know that there will be whiny butts no matter what platform I'm on, so all I can do to make sure I don't call out anyone on the air for doing whatever, or for being stupid and ignorant, much like I'm doing in this newsletter. I may call out a large group of people here, or in a video, but I'll try not to single anyone out by name because Jahna forbids me from starting drama online, and I got rid of my social media accounts to reduce the drama I see online. I plan to release three videos before the January 1st launch date. Further details will come in the next two issues.
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A Letter from the Editor
Dear Reader,
Here we go again with ANTOTHER volume of Somewhere Out There.
Since the last issue, I have been experimenting with printed copies of the newsletter. In the process, I have made copies available at the San Antonio Public Library. This is exciting because I can make the newsletter (Zine if you will) available to more people that aren't the four original subscribers. I don't see subscribership expanding exponentially following this newsletter, even though it would be groovy if it did. All I can wish for is for someone to pick this up and read it, that's all I want. Is that too much to ask? I also closed my Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit accounts. It feels so liberating being free from social networking and the drama its users can cause. I know that I can't escape the drama, and I touch on this in this issue. I have also finished work on the pilot episode of my new project, The Matty Matt Show, and I'm satisfied with how it looks, how it's formatted, and how it all flows together. You may also have noticed a change of address of sorts. I gave myself a dedicated URL for Christmas, and I'm using the email forwarding feature in Gmail and Yahoo Mail. If you are reading this after April 2024, and you get an email from me using the new address, your email service may throw my email into your "Spam" folder. If that's the case, just find my email and either mark it as not spam or restore it to your inbox. Your email service may have different instruction, so follow those instead. Here's to another year of fine writing, and here's hoping this new project gets off the ground soon enough.
- "Matty" Matt Martinez
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The Matty Matt Official Fan Club is in the works. If you are reading this, then you don't have to worry about this publication being hidden behind a paywall or being made available to fan club members only. This newsletter is made available and accessible to anyone. The purpose of the fan club is to support my upcoming project, and this newsletter. Details to come!
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Mommy Milkers Versus BL Manga
by Matthew Martinez
I've noticed Jahna has been obsessing over a genre of Manga. I was shocked to find her reading homosexual manga referred to in Japan as "Boy's Love" or B.L. for short. Don't worry, the characters in the more illicit B.L. manga are over 18. A lot of B.L. Manga that are safe for work are sweeter and innocent for the most part. But it's the LEWDER B.L. manga that has interested many readers for some time now. As much as I am a supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and their community, I suppose I'm not sure what the female attraction is to these types of stories. Of course, it's more obvious as to why I read certain manga like "Do You Love your Mom and her Two Hit Multi Target Attacks?". In this manga, a boy learns he will be transported into the world of an online video game. But when Masato, the main character, arrives, he learns his mother, Mamako, found a way to join him in this new world. As it turns out, this specific game has it set up where the player's mother must accompany the player on his or her quest. Once again, there's two things about the mother that stand out, and they're jutting out of her chest area. Like Take, the illustrator Pochi Iida isn't shy about pointing out Mamako's lovely lady lumps. At some point, this manga book and anime must contain at least one teasing outfit for Mamako to wear. Because she is a mother, and milk comes from breasts, Jahna and I coined the nickname for enormous breasts "Mommy Mikers". Apparently, I have other manga that feature characters that have "Mommy
Milkers". But what about "Spicy" B.L. Manga? What makes them "Spicy"? The amount of nudity and description of sexual content makes these sorts of Manga "Spicy". If you go to a bookstore that carries this type of Manga, you will find each copy sealed, it will also have an "M" rating, or similar "Adults Only" rating. Carrying titles like "Dick Fight Island", is it any wonder these adult rated Manga fly off the shelves? I feel that there is room on a bookshelf for both types of Manga. Mommy Milkers for the guys, and Spicy B.L. Manga for the ladies. A word of warning though: If you feel their obsession may turn into something that is ACTUALLY harmful, then have a word with your partner. Because nobody wants to find out that you have a figure of a character that looks like a child, no matter how old they REALLY are!
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Duran Duran
Rio
EMI (1982)
Dancing Across the Rio Grande
By Matthew Martinez
Duran Duran were in the midst of becoming England's biggest musical act since The Beatles almost 20 years prior. After touring in support for their first album, the band got to work on the new album. They had the advantage of working out material beforehand at their old stomping grounds: The Rum Runner in Birmingham, where they were the resident house band. What followed was a string of success that only ended after Andy Taylor and Roger Taylor left the band. As a trio, Simon LeBon, John Taylor, and Nick Rhodes released Notorious in 1986. 15 years later, the group reformed to much celebration and recorded one more album before Andy Taylor left the band again in 2006. He wouldn't return until 2023's Dance Macabre, and he would only be listed as a featured guitarist alongside his replacement, Warren Cuccurullo. I've enjoyed listening to Hungry Like the Wolf since Magic 105.3 (KSMG San Antonio) played the song to death during the early 2000s. I grew to appreciate the title track and Save a Prayer later, the latter especially.
Rio- This is a fun song to listen to about a girl named Rio. What makes that sound that starts the record? According to an old "Ask Kate" fan forum post, Nick Rhodes "Threw several small metal rods on to the strings of the grand piano at AIR studios where they were recording. This sound was then reversed to create the sound on the record." (Source: Duran Duran Ask Kate posted 11/14/2000, https://duranduran.com/2000/rio-sound, retrieved March 5, 2024)
My Own Way- This song mixes a disco beat with a great rock sound. It also showcases them fancy new electronic drums Roger Taylor was playing on the album.
Lonely in Your Nightmare- This is a haunting song that actually has sweet lyrics about being there for someone when they need it.
Hungry Like the Wolf- This is another fun song I enjoy listening to. It is paired with a video shot in Sri-Lanka where Simon was chasing after a woman in the jungle (Seriously, my friend. If you haven't seen the video, go watch it.) The rest of the band is running through the streets of Sri Lanka attempting to catch up with Simon so they can discuss how he managed to get those nasty scratches on his neck. I wonder if that's considered a hickey in the jungle.
Holding Back the Rain- This song builds on the key and beat of Hungry Like the Wolf. I think this is a great companion to end side 1 of the album. It's synthesizer and drum sound in the bridge satisfies my sonic needs. Now if only I had an umbrella that didn't break apart a year after purchase.
New Religion- The opening notes resonate within me. This song was beautifully crafted. My only problem with this song is that Simon sings over himself and it's hard to hear what he's singing most of the time.
Last Chance on the Stairway- First of all, smoking is bad. M'kay? Each end line of the chorus is oddly satisfying. Maybe it's the drums that establish the satisfying beat.
Save A Prayer- This has grown to be my favorite song on the album, outside of Hungry Like the Wolf. Nick Rhodes does a fabulous job on his many synthesizers. The slower tempo is a welcomed change from the upbeat tempo the rest of the album has. It's a beautiful song, and I hope you get a chance to listen to it and appreciate it like I do.
The Chauffer- Now, this song is NOT called Sing Blue Silver (the title of their documentary of their 1984 tour). This song does feature Simon playing the ocarina rather well.
Overall, there isn't any wonder this album sold millions, leading to the second wave of British bands getting popular through means like MTV in America. Good music usually sells.
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A word about my last time playing pinball, when I was playing Grand Prix by Williams, I noticed something was wrong when I inserted one quarter for one player, but activated it for four players. Then the "Ball in Play" kept showing I was on my third ball, when I was well past finished playing. This went on for about 20 minutes before I walked away and forfeited my game. I immediately let management know about the problem but refused my money back because I still had fun playing Grand Prix, even if I was assisted in cheating to get my best score ever.
Grand Prix by Williams
Player 1: 1,285,120 Player 2: 1,291,630 Player 3: 171, 520 Player 4: 96,040
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Kitty Corner
Dear Hoomanz,
Teh hoomanz got me a new collar. It'z all sparkly and pink. Purrfect for a pincess like me. They think they can butter me up with gifts like this so I wouldn't notice that I'm not being fed when I say so, or when the hoomanz toss me off the bed because they say I give them teh sneezies. We'll see how long that lasts.
-Princess Kinzie