Technology: How I'm Leveling Up IRL XP Making Maps in Fortnite Creative 2.0

What is Fortnite Creative 2.0?

    You can thank the Ninja Turtles for really solidifying my engagement in Fortnite. Grinding to complete the Chapter 5 Cowabunga Pass, as well as owning the Master Splinter skin, encouraged me to invest more time and energy into this game. One of the conditions of earning Ooze, the temporary currency for the Cowabunga pass, was to gain XP in User Created maps. Honestly, the perfectionist in me could hardly get past the flaws of many of the Islands. They seemed so primitive compared to the official channels, understandably so. Building an entire video game is a difficult task. It is so complex that it takes entire teams of people to make the best games and even they can have bugs and other complications. That's why there are updates often. Part of that is because the internet makes it possible to push updates rather frequently. Studios don't need to necessarily get it perfect before it ships, like they had to in the days of cartridges and laser discs. So, I say all that with the utmost respect.

    Fortnite Creative is revolutionary to the gaming industry by simply making this technology freely available to everyone. I've never understood more of the nuance of creating virtual worlds and connecting us around the world to play together in real time ever before. Having grown up in the 90's, it is sort of mind blowing to think about. It reminds me of the impact that Apple made on the music industry when it made GarageBand, a powerful music production tool, available for free on its devices. The same may be said about iMovie, as well. 

    I'll get to the specifics of the Unreal Engine in a minute but, the "Omniverse" concept is decentralizing the way we entertain ourselves. It is empowering players, many of them young, to engage in computer sciences with almost zero experience in computers and coding. Most of all, it's actually fun!

    Fortnite Creative 2.0 is powered by the Unreal Engine (Epic Games, 2024), which has created some of the most iconic games on the market. It is available on PC as a developer tool and has recently launched Unreal Engine for Fortnite (UEFN) explicitly for creating Fortnite Islands. It is currently not available for MacOS so, I haven't been able to fully embrace the power of it but, I have been able to experience the more modest version of Creative on the Playstation 5 console can already see the impact it will have on, not only gaming but, computer sciences and education. 

    If you've been around for the past few years, you are certainly aware of Web3, cryptocurrency, decentralized banking, NFT's, and the Fediverse. The Fortnite Omniverse performs a similar function. The game itself is free for everyone. Most, if not all but one, of the islands are free to access. Anyone can sign up for the Creator Portal, allowing them to receive payouts for creating engaging Islands (Epic Games, 2-2024). Considering the potential to earn a living creating video games is nothing I have ever thought possible but, now it is. More than that, though, I find navigating the environment and using such a powerful tool to access an unlimited level of creativity to be a driving force. 

WriterJoshua's Islands

    Joining the Creator Portal and becoming an Island Creator comes with it's own eligibility requirements, including the 30 days rule, before you can publish (Epic Games, 2024). So, you won't find my Islands, just yet. However, I am live streaming my creative exploratory process to document and reference as I move forward. I am learning so much and have lots of great ideas for game modes and experiences. My biggest goal is to be able to implement my own music, as I have been composing soundtracks for many years. I am also excited to engage my storytelling skills into a fun, playable environment that I can share with you. 

    These games may be classic Battle Royale matches, immersive Solo and Cooperative Campaigns, or even virtual concert and music performance instances. Then, there's all of the innovative ideas I've yet to dream up. Having access to such a platform opens up an entire world of artistic possibility. It's been awhile since I've been this excited about a creative venture. I have a good feeling about it. 

    Until I begin publishing, you can contribute by engaging with my online content, or tipping via financial platforms listed below. I am also interested in connecting with you if you'd like to test some of my Islands, possibly collaborate on a project, or just share ideas and feedback. If you are a writer interested in creating dialogue, or a gaming expert interested in discussing game mechanics and structure, or if you have your own projects that you believe some of my music would fit, leave a comment or connect with me on Epic Games or the Playstation Network.. I am also interested in sharing Nintendo Friend Codes if you prefer that platform. That's the great thing about games with cross-platform capability.

I tried to avoid being charged for changing my Player Name but, it wouldn't allow me to connect a new PS account to my current Epic Games account so, I decided that it is still early enough that it isn't much of a loss to abandon the old account. I'll still have access to my TMNT content on the old account if I need it. Plus, there's plenty of evidence on my gamer YouTube channel. Hopefully, that content will cycle back into the shop at some point. Otherwise, I think it's worth it keep all of my tags easily organized so you can find me in game. 

• EpicGames: WriterJoshua_
• PSN: WriterJoshua

$WriterJoshua on YouTube

This is a new domain as of February 2024. Per the Google Workspace Agreement, an account must be active for 30 days to be eligible to create a YouTube account. It will take even longer to be approved by YouTube to do Live Streaming. I'm just too excited to wait! So in the meantime, I've been using my gaming channel to stream my early discovery experience on Fortnite Creative.

I am also new to the Fortnite Omniverse. Until my new channel is approved (watch this space) I will posting my Fortnite Creative adventures at @BeauHolliday on YouTube. You can also follow as I check out Epic Originals like Zero Build, Festival Jam Session, Lego Survival as well as cool creator maps like, Super Market Prop Hunt and Footnite. The possibilities are quite infinite.

Check out these playlists for some of the Live Stream Replays:

• @BeauHolliday: Fortnite Zero Build Victory Royale
• @BeauHolliday: Fortnite Creative Live

My Gaming History

Video games have evolved significantly since I played my first Duck Hunt on the NES. I was going to mention my experience with Pong at my grandpa's house but, I thought that would have dated me older than I am. Ha! I was heavy into Mike Tyson's Punch-Out, Super Mario Bros on the NES. I was probably too young for it but, I spent some time shooting demons in Doom, when. I wasn't typing book reports or playing Minesweeper and Solitaire. Super Nintendo introduced me to Street Fighter and more Mario Bros, and FIFA on Playstation constituted most of my gaming through elementary school. Daytona USA and Virtua Street Fighter on the Sega Saturn are still some of my fondest memories. My friends had multiple Xbox's and we had a lot of Halo LAN parties.I dabbled in GTA on a Playstation 2 but, I mostly used it as a DVD player, if I'm being honest.

That's around the time I started working full time in restaurants and doing the adult life stuff, you know. I lost touch with video games. I would play the occasional Wii Sports with my little sister but, I spent a lot of time away from gaming. I missed the initial boom of online gaming. I didn't have an Xbox 360 or spend much time gaming on PC. It wasn't until I started playing Xbox One demos of FIFA at the mall in 2016 that I began to feel the pull of video games, once again. 

While it was primarily used to play FIFA, the Xbox One immersed me into the new experience of online gaming. By now, the internet speeds were stable enough to support complex software across vast distances. I felt like a caveman riding in a sedan. With that immense processing power, I was enabled to experience open world games, like the Assassin's Creed franchise, and fell in love with the storytelling aspect of gaming. 

Now, I'm on Nintendo Switch and Playstation 5, in addition to the Xbox One for my Halo connections. Ghost of Tsushima was my first game, and via Playstation Plus, I was able to access Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West. 

Which brings us to February 2024. I had played a quick game of Fortnite a long time ago. With my experience in first person shooters, I did okay but, I didn't understand the Build Mechanics and lost interest. After playing some Minecraft with family over the holidays, the kids finally convinced me to give Fortnite a try. I've leveled up, some, playing Zero Build lobbies. If I had known this was an option, I might have been here sooner. Now that I understand the weapon classes, how the storm works, which consumables do what, and how to strategize, I'm enjoying it. 

Thank you for your time. Please share your thoughts on Fortnite, or gaming in general. Are you an Island Creator? Which platform is your favorite to play on?

--

Sincerely yours,

Joshua Lucero

Send Me An @Email

www.writerjoshua.com

WriterJoshua Around the Web

Joshua Lucero on LinkedIn

WriterJoshua on Facebook

@JoshWritesWell on Twitter (X)

u/WriterJoshua on Reddit

Resources:

Epic Games. (2024). Fortnite Creative Mode. Fortnite.com. https://www.fortnite.com/creative

Epic Games. (2024). Home | Creator Portal. Fortnite.com. https://create.fortnite.com/island-creator/overview

Technology: I'm not ditching my physical media library for a digital one, just yet

Is it too early to put all of your eggs into one digital video basket? Maybe it’s too early to ditch the physical media library, just yet. While digital media has revolutionized the way we consume our favorite tv and movies, in many ways, the plethora of options still poses more challenges of its own. From choosing the right app, to having the right device to play them on, it’s not just as simple as physical vs digital. The market is so new, and studios, developers, and advertisers are trying to capitalize on your attention, that simply choosing one doesn’t serve all of your needs.

Some of the major outlets include Google/YouTube, Apple’s iTunes Store, Microsoft’s Movies and TV, Amazon’s Prime Video, and Vudu, formerly FandangoNow (Nations, 2022). Even though there are a few major sources for buy-to-own digital movies, it can be tricky to access your content without the right device. For the most part, the websites that allow you the opportunity to purchase movies and tv shows each have an app that’s available on most smart tv’s, tablets, and gaming consoles. However, not all companies play nice with each other. Not all apps are supported by all operating systems and not all movies are available to all services. So, while you may have purchased a video on one of these apps, a studio disagreement entitles most of the major outlets the ability to refuse access to certain titles, even if you’ve already paid for it, at any time (Morrison, 2021). 

Now, they can all be accessed from a computer but, if you want to watch them on your big screens, you might be out of luck. Most the media apps I use on my iPhone have “cast” capability but, I don’t always find the connection I’m looking for. If it’s not an Apple Play ready device, then Apple TV becomes useless. If you own a next generation gaming console, such as Xbox One X or PS5, you may or may not have access to the app you’ve chosen to be your library. In many ways, we are forced to use multiple sources keep up with all of our favorites. Not every service offers every movie available. 

It’s understandable that we are all in some uncharted territory when it comes to media and the people who love it. Remember the “mp3” fiasco? Moving music to a digital platform from Compact Discs was a remarkable step forward but, it opened up a pandora’s box of legal questions that, to this day, we don't really have a firm grasp of. When you bought a CD, or cassette, or vinyl (8-track anyone?) you essentially owned your copy. You could play it on any device, whenever you wanted, as long as you wanted. While that is mostly true for streaming, you can download files for offline use and connect to nearly any device with speakers, good luck if you find yourself in an internet dead zone. 

Now, I know, even this is becoming less of an issue, as satellite internet becomes more reliable, and even 5G coverage is extending its range. I used to travel between California and New Mexico, or Montana, and would spend a majority of the trip offline. Now, I’m covered most the way. The point I’m trying to make is that connectivity is not always reliable, and without it, all the streaming services in the world would be useless. Even if you downloaded content, as most services will require you to log in periodically.

That’s not to mention the even more uncontrollable events, such as “business” moves that could pull the rug out from under all of us at any given moment. What if that company you bought all the “licenses to watch,” not copies of the media mind you, gets bought out or goes bankrupt. There’s no guarantee that you will ever access those titles again. That’s worst case scenario. They could just decide that they need more money and charge you “access fees” or force you to watch ads, just because. I’m sure there is legislation that is meant to protect consumers but, as we’ve established, digital media, and the internet in general, is still largely unregulated. 

Whenever I watch a scene about a bunker, or an off the grid cabin, or some situation where internet connectivity is just not feasible, I notice the value in a physical media collection. What about that potential EMP that wipes out the internet and electricity grids around the world? I’m sure, in that scenario, the last thing you’ll be concerned with is your movie collection but, what would that mean for you? Because I’m sure a generator hooked up to a dvd player and a boombox will be able handle cd’s, tapes, and dvd’s as long as there’s power. How will you log in, though?

I know, it’s getting little “doomsday preppy,” but, as long as so much of the legality and licensing legislation is up in the air. I just don’t think it’s worth the convenience of investing in an entirely digital library. I own a few digital titles (or the license to watch whenever I want) and I appreciate the fact that I can access most of them on most of my devices but, even before the “apocalypse scenarios” make this argument viable, it’s still not an ideal situation for media buffs, like you and I.  For instance, while researching this piece, I stumbled across what I thought would be the answer…twice! I thought that perhaps, I wouldn’t even need to write this article. However, Movies Anywhere was not the holy grail, after all. While it is a great idea, to unite the major studios and outlets to let consumers aggregate all of their libraries into one place, for all of the same reasons we’ve been discussing, not all of the movies I’ve purchased are available in the app. 

So, until there is an equilibrium among streaming and licensing regulations, and studios and platforms, even software developers and electronic manufacturers, the digital move is just not in the cards for me. I will keep my eyes up and my fingers crossed. I do enjoy adding a movie on my phone and then, turning on my smart tv to watch it appear in My Library. It’s convenient. I get it but, I bought the PS5 with the optional disc drive for a reason. I still have my old VHS/DVD combo unit, and I have a USB DVD-ROM unit for my computer. Even if the entire system crumbles rendering all licensing and streaming useless, I’m still confident that I can pop in a DVD, from an off grid cabin in the woods, and watch The Sandlot as many times as I want. Until you can beat that, I’m prioritizing my physical library.

Sources:

Morrison, Jeffrey. (2021). You Don’t Really Own the Digital Movies You Buy. NYTimes.com https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/you-dont-own-your-digital-movies/

Nations, Daniel. (2022) The Best Places to Buy Your Digital Movies. Lifewire.com https://www.lifewire.com/where-to-buy-digital-movies-4137638

--

Sincerely yours,

Joshua Lucero

Send Me An @Email

www.writerjoshua.com

www.seejoshsphotos.com

--

Sport Psychology: Can Taylor Swift Win Super Bowl LVIII? 🏈

    Today is the day. This afternoon, the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers will play Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium, the Las Vegas Raiders new super stadium (NFL, 2024). You can watch coverage all day and multiple networks leading up to the Kick Off Show on CBS at 3:00 pm Pacific. You can even watch the Super Bowl with Spongebob Squarepants from Bikini Bottom on Nickelodeon.

    2023's Super Bowl LVII was viewed by approximately 200 million viewers, measured by Nielsen and the NFL in a custom survey collaboration (NFL, 2023). That number reflects how many people watched for at least one minute. It was a 9% increase from the previous years viewership. The NFL, already a pro sports behemoth, continues to grow in popularity. As of Wednesday, February 8th, the lowest priced ticket in the venue was more than $6.8k and prices rise well over $10k each (Elbaba, 2024). The City of Las Vegas is anticipating 330k tourists and workers for the Super Bowl festivities (Hughes, 2024). 

    While National Football League fandom calls to mind the die-hard fanaticism of a shirtless drunk guy cheering through a literal blizzard, 2023 has seen a significant addition to the ranks. You can't really hide from it can you? If you have an electronic device and some form of connectivity, you are most certainly aware of the NFL's new, most amorous celebrity fan, Taylor Swift. The media can't resist publicizing her romantic life but now, she's dating a star football player and the world is watching. 

    According to Adam Budelli, a StubHub ticket expert who spoke with NBC, over the 24-hour period after Taylor attended her first Chiefs game, the team saw its largest spike in sales all season (Elbaba, 2024). That same NBC Bay Area piece also mentions Marketwatch data referencing a 53% viewership increase in girls aged 12-17, 24% in 18-24 year olds, and 34% more among those 35 and older. 

    While this seems like good news for the game, the Swifties gridiron migration has become the source of some controversy. With Taylor's talents creating such a strong fanbase, coupled with her left-leaning political sentiments, it has become a source of inspiration for right-wing conspiracy theorists. I will spare you the details, as I have no desire for this site to become a political, let alone a conspiracy theory, focused outlet. You can read the Rolling Stone post by Nikki McCann Ramirez (linked below) about the various concerns of conservatives, including that the romance is a "deep state plot to reelect Democratic President, Joe Biden (McCann Ramirez, 2024)."

    I've been around for the past few years so, I'm well aware of the remarkably chaotic society we live in. From conspiracy theories to social media's decay into bot frenzy advertising, I am not one to judge, or rule out, the possibility of people with power operating in shady ways but, this one seems a bit far-fetched. As an athlete, I know how difficult it can be to play well. As difficult as that is, it could be even more difficult to manufacture a result, as it would require the same amount of hand-eye coordination, physical prowess, and a fair amount of luck as it would to win a ball game. The idea that the highest level of professional football could manipulate an entire league of organizations, who all strive to succeed with real consequences if they don't, doesn't quite hold me. 

    However, this story has inspired me to think about some other sport related..."energies." If you know anyone who loves sports, you understand the power of superstition. Even if you are completely atheistic towards a game day ritual, or that any one fan can have an impact on the performance of a professional ball club, there is actually a fair amount of science to argue that, it is not entirely unfounded to believe in something more than purely physical contributions.

    Mentality is not a new concept to any competitor. Whether you are playing for a championship or striving towards fitness goals, the way you think can be a deciding factor in failure or success. Confidence goes a long way. In competition, managing emotions can not only will you to victory but, allowing them to control you, can lead to defeat. As read on Psychology Today, above motivation, confidence, intensity, and focus, mentality is at the top of the Prime Sport Pyramid (Taylor, 2010). 

    However, does that mean that crossing your fingers before every free throw, or flipping your cap inside out when you need a hit actually affect your favorite players in a pivotal moment? The answer is debatable, sure but, it's not an emphatic "no." Studies have show that, for the fans, involving themselves with their local teams can lead to lower depression levels, loneliness and feelings of alienation (Association of Applied Sport Psychology, 2009). Identifying with pro clubs also leads to higher self-esteem, higher energy levels, and greater levels of trust in people.

    As for the athletes, there is an entire discipline dedicated to maximizing mental performance. Clubs and organizations around the world have invested in sports psychology professionals to maintain emotional well being of players, particularly in how they deal with fan behavior (Association of Applied Sport Psychology, 2009). Whether home or away, positive or negative attention, players must be able to manage their mentality, and it is so relevant, that medical professionals are required at the highest levels.

    I don't want this site to become a politically charged (let alone a conspiracy theory laden one). However, the latest news cycle has inspired a few questions. Is the NFL conspiring with the Democratic National Convention to manipulate the outcome of matches, like it's the WWE, for political reasons? As an athlete, I understand just how difficult it is to produce results consistently. More than that, how difficult would it be to convince an entire league of professional clubs, who live and die by their success on the field, to give up their own integrity and lose on purpose. Hell, even if that were the case, it would take the same level of dedication, practice, effort, and luck to play well enough to achieve the desired result and make it look convincing. 

    It seems more likely that conservative conspirators see one of the most watched cultural events on the planet as an opportunity to influence public opinion but, have they created a self-fulfilling prophecy? As we've established, sentiment can be a powerful force to an athlete. Who is to say that there isn't something to an entire city (or nation on a global scale, such as the Olympics, the World Baseball Classic, or the World Cup) focusing their collective attention behind their team doesn't have an effect? Even if it's not "juju," or "mojo," or whatever, couldn't the knowledge of that play a role in the mentality of a ball player? Imagine the collective energy of all of Kansas City plus, Swifties all over the world, and any romantic who believes the power of love rooting for the same team. Sure, "you still gotta play the game" but, if any team is likely to be affected, would't it be these Chiefs?

If you read this before the final whistle, leave your prediction in the comments and enjoy the game!

🏈

—

Sources

Association of Applied Sport Psychology. (2009). The Fan-Athlete Relationship. AppliedSportPsych.org [PDF] https://appliedsportpsych.org/site/assets/documents/FanBehaviorcanimpactathletes.pdf

Elbaba, Julie. (2024) Is Taylor Swift impacting Super Bowl LVIII ticket sales? NBCBayArea.com https://www.nbcbayarea.com/super-bowl-2024/taylor-swift-super-bowl-ticket-sales-impact/3447810/

Hughes, Trevor. (2024) Las Vegas Super Bowl has it all: glitz, sex, oh yea, and footbal. USAToday.com https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/02/10/las-vegas-superbowl-preparations/72536972007/

​NFL. (2024) Super Bowl Event Info. NFL​.com https://www.nfl.com/super-bowl/event-info/

NFL. (2023) Super LVII total viewing audience estimated at 200 million. NFL.com https://www.nfl.com/news/super-bowl-lvii-total-viewing-audience-estimated-at-200-million

​McCann Ramirez, Nikki. (2024) Right-Wingers Say Super Bowl Is Rigged So Taylor Swift Can Endorse Biden. RollingStone​.com https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/taylor-swift-targeted-conspiracies-chiefs-super-bowl-1234955940/

Taylor, Jim. (2010) Sports: The Power of Emotions. PsychologyToday.com

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-power-prime/201012/sports-the-power-emotions

--

Sincerely yours,

Joshua Lucero

Send Me An @Email

www.writerjoshua.com

--

WriterJoshua Around the Web

Joshua Lucero on LinkedIn

WriterJoshua on Facebook

@JoshWritesWell on Twitter (X)

u/WriterJoshua on Reddit

How's your English?

If you, or someone you know, is interested in improving their English skills for school or work in a contemporary setting, I may be able to help you with grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and more. Please read "Modern American ESL Tutor For Hire" to know more.

A Pair of Fresh Eyes

Do you have an important document but, you're not sure if it's ready to submit? Is there something about formal English that you can't wrap you're head around? Do you just need another perspective before you send? I may also be available to proofread your documents, blogs, social media posts, emails, assignments, etc. Leave a comment or contact me to discuss your needs and how I can help.

Tips and Payment

$WriterJoshua on Cash App

WriterJoshua on Venmo

WriterJoshua on PayPal.me

Tech: I Use My Desktop Magic Mouse On My Laptop, Too

Hello again!

    I'm rather excited to write this one. First of all, forgive me if this is already common knowledge. I was a strong holdout for Android and Windows PC's before I got my first iPhone. I have only been a member of the Apple ecosystem for a few years, and the content I found, today, was posted in 2010. However, after setting up a new desk, one which allows me to share space between my iMac and MacBook Pro, I began wondering about the Magic Mouse. Particularly, could I use it on my MacBook without messing something up?

    Firstly, I didn't know how to pair the Magic Mouse to a new device. Good news if you don't either, because it will actually do it on it's own! 

    However, there was a snag in my plans. I began by searching the web to find out if this is even possible. In the Apple Discussion forum, user: alzeg posted this query: Magic mouse connect to 2 computers. "Great," I thought. If someone else has already posed this question on the official forum, there must be a reliable answer. He mentioned that he was connected to two computers but, that he has to manually pair to each device, every time.

    To my immediate dismay, though, the "Best Reply" was from user: Eric Maier who quoted "Welcome to bluetooth. The Magic Mouse is a monogamous creature, can only pair with 1 computer at a time," followed by some quip about buying more mice because they're "cute."  It was disappointing. I gave some serious thought to purchasing another one but, it was just going to sit at this desk. Then I would get them mixed up. It would be a whole fiasco!

    Then, I scrolled down to find the new "Best Reply" from user: tolkan (I voted it helpful). It states: "Sorry Eric, you're incorrect. I have my mouse paired to both my PC and my Mac. It can only connect to one machine at a time. If you want to change the computer that the mouse is connected to, you either have to shut off bluetooth on one of the computers, or shut the computer down. Afterwards, the mouse will find the other computer and connect to it."

    Sweet! This might actually work! So, I shut down my iMac desktop and waited for a second, wiggling my one and only Magic Mouse. Then, in my MacBooks Bluetooth list, there it was! It worked! I used it to move straight to the blog so I could share the good news with you all.

If this is something you interested in doing, here's a few key things to note:

• The Magic Mouse will only connect to ONE bluetooth device at a time. I haven't tested it, yet but, it's safe to assume that it will always stay paired to the latest connection by default.
• Shut Down or Turn Bluetooth Off on any device you are not using the Magic Mouse with. My mouse has been sitting next to my laptop for almost a year and I didn't even notice it on my "Available Devices" list until I shut down my iMac first.

    My iMac desktop has the old school USB ports, which makes it easier to connect my audio and MIDI devices. While it's possible to use my iMac to make music, with GarageBand, I prefer the physical touch of my electric piano, which I only have connected to my desktop. So, it's become the "music studio" computer.

My laptop travels with me everywhere, sometimes even, only to the back porch or the living room. Unless I'm at my desk, I don't really need the mouse anyway. However, for some digital projects that require a more concise cursor control, it's nice to have mouse nearby. Even just performing some organizational tasks, like sorting a large number of photos, or reading long pages of text, scrolling with the mouse is just much more enjoyable.

--

Sincerely yours,

Joshua Lucero

Send Me An @Email

www.writerjoshua.com

--

WriterJoshua Around the Web

Joshua Lucero on LinkedIn

WriterJoshua on Facebook

@JoshWritesWell on Twitter (X)

u/WriterJoshua on Reddit

How's your English?

If you, or someone you know, is interested in improving their English skills for school or work in a contemporary setting, I may be able to help you with grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and more. Please read "Modern American ESL Tutor For Hire" to know more.

A Pair of Fresh Eyes

Do you have an important document but, you're not sure if it's ready to submit? Is there something about formal English that you can't wrap you're head around? Do you just need another perspective before you send? I may also be available to proofread your documents, blogs, social media posts, emails, assignments, etc. Leave a comment or contact me to discuss your needs and how I can help.

Tips and Payment

$WriterJoshua on Cash App

WriterJoshua on Venmo

WriterJoshua on PayPal.me

Informative Essay: How to Clean Your Kitchen Like a Pro

Hello all,

    The informative essay is a tool used to simply educated an audience on a subject, without providing opinion or attempting to persuade the reader. It's what you should think of when you consider a news report. Believe it or not, there was a time of truly unbiased reporting. Sure, it may exist today but, it is certainly not as common. I digress. 

    I wrote this paper a few years ago, while completing an English course. I wrote it in the form of a "How-To." Most of my young professional life, I worked in kitchens. So, I decided to approach this assignment as something of a tutorial for creating and applying a plan toward effectively cleaning a kitchen. It is based on my real world experience. Quite frankly, it is still a strategy that I use for cleaning any kitchen I find myself in. 

This is: How to Clean Your Kitchen Like a Pro

    The job of kitchen steward is often overlooked. Being a Chef, a cook, or a waiter is usually the most glamorous position in food service, but a quality cleaning staff is vital to a successful restaurant. While it does not require much technical skill, without a plan, the amount of work to be done at the end of a shift can be overwhelming. There is much to be learned about organization, preparation, cleanliness, and even the culinary arts from this position. To do it well can be valuable, fulfilling, and relaxing. 

Over the course of several years, I have learned several techniques to be as efficient as possible closing a kitchen. In this essay, I will explain the process that I continue to use at home, including the preparation, dry cleaning, and wet cleaning stages. Whether you are starting a new position in large restaurant or it is just your turn to clean up after a family gathering, this approach will ensure that you are efficient and not overwhelmed by the task. If you do it right, you might find the experience cathartic and may even learn to enjoy yourself. At the very least, having a clean kitchen is something any good cook can appreciate.

Preparation

Before doing anything, stepping back, and taking a good look around is a smart idea. Taking a minute or two to analyze the situation and form a plan will avoid any surprises, such as finding loose dishes or forgetting about the dirty pan in the oven after you have already finished. Round up anything that needs to be cleaned and make sure all the tools you will need are readily available. Ensure that the dish rack is empty, collect a few towels, check that you have cleaning products, a broom, a dustpan, and a mop. It is also a great idea to locate a stereo or some headphones. Listening to your favorite music can really motivate you and make the job fun.

Dry Clean

    The same way that a muddy floor is harder to clean than a dusty one, a kitchen mess is always easier to clean in a dry state. Make a dry pass across all surfaces to remove any crumbs. Since this plan includes cleaning the floor, you can just sweep everything right onto the floor. Ideally, you will have some help putting away any left-over food. If not, removing all the food from pots, pans and serving dishes is an important step. Scraping as much food waste into the trash as possible will ensure that your dishwater stays cleaner for longer. Once all the food waste is removed and the surfaces are clear of crumbs, sweep the floor so it is ready to be mopped. Trying to mop an un-swept floor can be extremely inefficient, so pick up anything that will go into a dustpan.

Wet Clean

Before filling the sink with dishwater, rinse the dirtiest dishes and remove any food from the sink to ensure the cleanest water possible. Nobody likes swirling their hands under the water only to be surprised by an unidentified object. For burnt, stained or otherwise difficult dishes baking soda can have softening properties when added to water. Either pre-soaking these dishes or adding a pinch of baking soda to the sink can help release stubborn areas. A splash of bleach will improve sterilization when dealing with raw meat and egg products. Starting with ceramic, glass and plastic dishes can preserve the cleanliness of the water as cookware tends be the dirtiest. Save the worst for last. 

    Provided the water is still warm and clean when the dishes are finished, soaking a wet sponge or cloth in it is great way to deep clean the counters and appliances. This is the time to put some elbow grease into the dried sauces or burnt food on the stove that did not come off in the dry clean stage. You may also use an all-purpose cleaner if the dishwater is not clean enough. Use a clean, dry cloth to finish the counters and appliances to help them dry faster. 

    At this point, you have probably dropped some water on the floor. Luckily, it has already been swept and is prepared to be mopped. When mopping the floor, it is a good idea to plan an exit strategy. You may need to leave the kitchen to empty the mop bucket. Starting in a far corner and working backwards towards the exit will keep you from stepping on your clean, wet floor. A fan can be set up to expedite the drying process. This is also an opportunity to throw out the garbage or take a break while everything dries. You earned it.

Conclusion

    Most of my working career has been in a kitchen, from fast-food establishments to fine dining. Most of what I know about cooking was learned as a dishwasher. I gained invaluable experience handling pots, pans, and knives all day. Knowing the weight of a pan full of water is not much different than if it was full of food and spending so much time with culinary professionals gave me an appreciation for the dedication that goes into creating a delicious plate. 

Assessing the situation, forming a plan, organizing the area, and using resources efficiently can take any task from intimidating to finished. Separating the process into dry and wet stages will keep you from making an even bigger mess. Removing as much food waste as possible before starting dishwater can make it last longer. Finally, establishing a mopping route that will allow you to leave the kitchen without walking on a wet floor will make sure it dries clean and prevent any slip and fall. Cleaning the kitchen may be an unpopular task, but it can still be done well and provide value to any restaurant or home kitchen.

Joshua Lucero

--

This document should provide you with an example of my ability write informatively, while exemplifying my ability to organize and accomplish tasks. It may also show humility, as a proud former dishwasher, who can take responsibliity for simple tasks seriously. This piece should also show you an example of document formatting and the use of proper English principles.

To this day, I truly enjoy cleaning the kitchen. I cook at home so, it's quite necessary most of the time but, it has never been a chore to me. It was not uncommon to spend nearly 8-10 hours mindlessly scrubbing, rinsing, processing, and storing various dishware and kitchen utilities. It was the long, slow, uneventful mornings that were usually the most taxing. I still prefer to clean a large kitchen, as opposed to a single dish and cup every now and again. Look at me, I'm almost tempted to write some more about the zen-like state one could find in the kitchen. Maybe some other time.

For more what an Informative Essay is, and how to write your own, check out Purdue University's Global resource, here: https://purdueglobalwriting.center/writing-an-informative-essay/

--

Sincerely yours,

Joshua Lucero

Send Me An @Email

www.writerjoshua.com

--

WriterJoshua Around the Web

Joshua Lucero on LinkedIn

WriterJoshua on Facebook

@JoshWritesWell on Twitter (X)

How's your English?

If you, or someone you know, is interested in improving their English skills for school or work in a contemporary setting, I may be able to help you with grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and more. Please read "Modern American ESL Tutor For Hire" to know more.

A Pair of Fresh Eyes

Do you have an important document but, you're not sure if it's ready to submit? Is there something about formal English that you can't wrap you're head around? Do you just need another perspective before you send? I may also be available to proofread your documents, blogs, social media posts, emails, assignments, etc. Leave a comment or contact me to discuss your needs and how I can help.

Tips and Payment

$WriterJoshua on Cash App

WriterJoshua on Venmo

WriterJoshua on PayPal.me

Modern American ESL Tutor for Hire

 Hey! How’s your English?

• Do you understand most of it but, have some trouble fine tuning it? 
• Have you mastered the spelling and grammar but, find yourself confused by some phrases?
• Are you still noticing awkward faces when you're sure that you've used the right vocabulary?

    Most tutors will provide a “professional” or “college paper” level of English, and that’s great! However, even if you get perfect marks in those departments, you may still struggle with “slang” or niche phrases that can make communicating with native speakers a bit tricky. That’s ok, too! Most of us understand you well enough to carry on but, if you would like to speak more like a casual American, I believe I can help you to express your ideas with a little panache.

    I am a college graduate, who excelled in English classes throughout all of my education. I enjoy reading and writing for my own pleasure. Even when writing texts, emails, and social media posts, I just can’t help but to use proper grammar and spelling. It’s just a habit that has stayed with me but, I can also appreciate the fun ways we can turn phrases and manipulate spellings to create fun new ways to interact, like, “Dats kewl, bro!” Or, “Yo. Wassup, gurl?” These kinds of greetings would anger your teacher but, to some average Americans, this is an acceptable way to chat.

    I have also spent significant time learning other languages, so much so, that I can often understand “broken English” quite effectively. Not only do I know what you were trying to communicate but, I often know why you chose the words you did and how you can learn to choose a more accurate phrase, because I understand how your language pieces words together. For instance, the way Spanish sentences are formed is entirely different from English. So, a direct, word for word translation might be accurate enough but, some native speakers will be confused.

"Yo tengo hambre."

    In Spanish, this basically means that "I am hungry." However, to translate it precisely, it might read, "I have hunger." Most Americans would understand but, some verbs that indicate a form of possession, like "having hunger," in English are actually used to explain a state of being that one is "participating in." These slight nuances exist across many different languages. That's why simply using an automatic translation tool doesn't always work perfectly. Even some British to American English translations can leave native speakers baffled!

    I grew up in the Southwestern United States. While I am not fluent, I do have an understanding of Spanish and that has also helped me to wrap my head around French, German, and some Portuguese. Along with that, I am intent on learning more about the ESL (English as a Second Language) program but, if you're looking for me, you probably already have that sorted out. I imagine myself as someone that you can bring your questions to about specific instances. Maybe I can read your document, email, or social media posts and check them for readability. 

    I DO NOT have an ESL accreditation, but, I am confident that I can help you polish your vocabulary so that native speakers may not even notice that English is your second language. I am also available to help students with English assignments, such as grammar, spelling, and punctuation, even if you are a native speaker. 

    For a free consultation, send me a quick message about yourself, what your goals are, and how committed you are to mastering English. We may be able to work exclusively via email for a reasonable fee, or we can negotiate a more substantial agreement working with video meetings.I am not a “professional.” I don’t work for a company. I am just an independent writer who is looking to coach motivated individuals and make an honest living. 

    Let's begin by opening up the comment section. Share something that you're confused about and we'll see if we can figure it out, together. If you find my help useful, then you can consider tipping me. If you feel that you need more help, then we can discuss a traditional tutoring session via email, Zoom, or in person. 

Sincerely yours,

Joshua Lucero

$WriterJoshua on Cash App

WriterJoshua on Venmo

WriterJoshua on PayPal.me

www.writerjoshua.com

Why Social Media Ain't What It Used To Be

    Let’s not pretend that we don’t know what went wrong. Once they realized that the most valuable asset was attention, and that they could manipulate it, the “new world” was over. I’ve been around since well before MySpace but, I was there at the beginning of Facebook and Twitter. I was a bit late but, still early to Instagram. Social Media, for all intents and purposes, was the digital era Gold Rush.

    “Head West. Stake your claim. There’s enough for everyone to strike it rich!” The crazy thing is, it was true! It was a literal world marketplace. I like to picture it as a universal swap meet. You show up, present your wares, and the entire world interacted. There was no algorithm, no ideal post time, no keyword strategy. It was just, being on the internet. It was remarkable, really.

    It’s not that anymore, is it? It’s impossible to build a brand without already having an established brand presence. That’s by design. It’s money. It comes down to money. Greed is probably more accurate. Preferential treatment. Maybe even further, preferential dis treatment. “Algorithms to show more of what you want to see.” Pfft! It went from world marketplace to abandoned strip mall incredibly quick. Advertising, lol.

    They got greedy. They saw an oasis in the desert. A beautiful stream of water, enough for all of us, then dug it up to maximize profits and wasted it all trying to keep it for themselves.

    I’m sure there’s political nonsense in it, too. You remember all of the social uprisings as people around the world were finally able to communicate in real time at a grand scale. The glass door effect. Overnight, every agenda on the planet was exposed to the light of day. The world has never been the same.

    So, here we are, pretending that we need advertisers. We don’t need you. We CERTAINLY don’t need you targeting us even more aggressively. If you monopolize the “desire” sector, where does that line between what we want, and what you want us to want, exist? We know your shit don’t work.

    No, I don’t want some “bro” to ambush my YouTube videos, mentally abusing me into flipping houses or listen to some poorly written voice bot tell me my body isn’t good enough and there’s a "miracle" to fix it. That will NEVER generate a click, let alone conversion, from me. We. Don’t. Need. You.

    So, to my point. As you may have gathered, I’ve explored just about every social media there is. I’m trying to make a living (like they all tell me I can and should do) being a content creator. Not an influencer. Not a meme generator or a glorified pyramid scheme but, a genuine creator, a contributor to society. I have been eternally disappointed.

    A few months ago, I found Substack. It seemed incredibly promising. There was positive talk, from founders on the platform, about how it was going to be different. All the same misgivings I had about social media seemed to be addressed. I thought “these guy’s really get it.” I had high hopes and as you imagine, I’m extremely skeptical. Today, though, I received two “notifications” from writers I have NOTHING to do with. I don’t follow them. I’ve never liked, even read, any of their posts. I haven’t even expressed any desire to see their content.

    This is how it started, the demise of all social media.

    Notifications are direct interactions on content: likes, replies, shares, etc. I get that you want to “share with me the wonderful world of your ecosystem” but, that’s not a notification. You do that and consider my trust violated. If I ask you to recommend “accounts to follow” then, by all means, fire up that algorithm to sift through my activities and connect me to an account that is similar to my interests.

    DO NOT try to force feed me stuff that you think will “increase my engagement” on your website application.

    I don’t think I’m asking too much.

Sincerely Yours,
Joshua Lucero
www.writerjoshua.com