Today is going to seem like a very busy day.
Between the errands I have to do and the increasing traffic at work, it's a shame I don't have enough time to juggle things around my way today.
Oh, well. Gotta roll with the punches, I guess. *preps for everything*
So, here's a parting query for the readers out there: color scheme? I've been toying with preview ideas, but none have really grabbed my attention.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
The Long Stretch
Today seems like one of those days that will just drag on.
Not so because the events that will occur will just be a giant let-down (or a drag), but because when one's told to hold out for a certain date in the future, time seems to stretch itself out as long as it can.
Unfortunately for me, my date is two weeks from today.
I'm sure I can hold out, but maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan, that's a long stretch.
...Day One. Well, here goes, right?
Not so because the events that will occur will just be a giant let-down (or a drag), but because when one's told to hold out for a certain date in the future, time seems to stretch itself out as long as it can.
Unfortunately for me, my date is two weeks from today.
I'm sure I can hold out, but maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan, that's a long stretch.
...Day One. Well, here goes, right?
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Flags and Ramen
I realized that there's a game I haven't played in a long time - "Capture the Flag."
Oh, the good old days where people would run around in wooded areas in teams, all trying to nab the other's flag...
...but now, I'm 21. I'm too old for childish games.
I'll make it interesting... by adding firearms.
*cocks a Nerf gun*
...I didn't say I'd make it illegal for public playing...
And then afterward we'll get ramen for lunch. Mmm...
Curry ramen... oh, MAAAAAAN. That was GOOD.
But apart from that little ditty, not much else to report here.
Can't think of a sixth for my White team; trying to juggle a bunch of projects; no work.
Practically super-busy at the moment. Woo.
Until the 'morrow, everyone.
Oh, the good old days where people would run around in wooded areas in teams, all trying to nab the other's flag...
...but now, I'm 21. I'm too old for childish games.
I'll make it interesting... by adding firearms.
*cocks a Nerf gun*
...I didn't say I'd make it illegal for public playing...
And then afterward we'll get ramen for lunch. Mmm...
Curry ramen... oh, MAAAAAAN. That was GOOD.
But apart from that little ditty, not much else to report here.
Can't think of a sixth for my White team; trying to juggle a bunch of projects; no work.
Practically super-busy at the moment. Woo.
Until the 'morrow, everyone.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Artists: DON'T DO THIS
Tags:
writing
In my book, there are just some things a sensible and self-respecting artist should not do. Ever. I mean, if they had a choice between committing these things they should not do or getting shoved into a vat of boiling urine, they'd choose the urine option in a heartbeat*.
One is the inability to claim any other work - especially work in their respective field(s) - as art.
Another is to pompously proclaim themselves as the masters of their field(s).
The third is to allow themselves to become their own worst critic (potential fans will end up hanging on the artist's own opinions and take them to heart).
* = Okay... that contradicts the "sane" point, but you get what I mean.
Yesterday, after receiving a link from one of my friends, I decided to add a fourth item to this list of artist taboos: ignore the differences between a review, a compliment, constructive criticism, and flames, and take them out of hand to the point of destroying your artistic career.
Now, before I continue, allow me to define the aforementioned four terms.
A review would be just that - a review. Whoever is critiquing the piece in question - be it a painting, a sculpture, a movie, a book, or what have you - is giving an expository analysis and only that. There are no opinions or second thoughts in play at all. Of course, most (if not all) reviews have personal opinions and commentary riddled all over the place (commonly classified under one of the other three terms mentioned), and that's perfectly acceptable.
Sample sentence: "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, released in 1999, begins the famed space opera saga's prequel trilogy and introduces us to a young Anakin Skywalker in a time before Darth Vader and the Imperial Empire."
If I have to define "compliment" for you, then obviously someone didn't do well in their English classes.
Sample sentence: "I liked the visuals - they were an immerse and colorful myriad of scenery that helped bring the story of The Phantom Menace to life."*
* = We all know I'm not a fan of the Prequel Trilogy. Hell, most self-respecting Star Wars fans aren't, either. Just remember: that was a sample sentence and in no way does it reflect my personal opinion about TPM.
Constructive criticism is a tricky term to define - mostly because it's tricky to begin with. In a nutshell, the critic brings up things they personally questioned about the work they are reviewing. They understand the concept of different viewpoints and do their best not to attack the artist's perspective. As they question what they felt was "wrong," they do it in a manner that is professional, courteous, and fair - all the while expressing their opinions in a manner that doesn't insult the artist. This allows the artist to analyze it from another person's eyes and helps them grow.
Satire can often be seen here - especially if the critic tends to employ dark and/or comedic methods of reviewing.
Sample sentence: "However, the inclusion of 'midichlorians' as a measurement of one's strength with the Force seemed to ruin the wonder and mysticism the omnipresent Force was portrayed to have in the Original Trilogy."
Now, picture yourself ordering veal at a five-star restaurant and finding it not to par with your expectations. (vegetarians/vegans/PETA members: please play along with this example). As the maître'd asks what's wrong with the veal, you lead out a recently-fed deer to your table and then proceed to decapitate it. A second later, you present a plate to the sous chef - with the deer's head on it - and say that your presentation is better.
Flaming takes constructive criticism, guts out anything positive, and presents the botched review to the artist (nay... attacks them with it) in a distasteful manner as described above. Oftentimes, expletives and primal utterances will accompany them. No "though your story was riddled with grammatical errors, your story was excellent in its execution" or "I personally don't agree with your use of screaming during the song's bridge" - just a flat-out "YOU SUCK" (and that's if your lucky).
Sample sentence: "Overall, The Phantom Menace makes watching a dog crapping on a baby less grotesque. Fuck you, George Lucas. You suck for ruining my childhood."
Getting back to the story at hand, I was presented a link to a book-reviewing blog yesterday by my friends.
On that site: they brought up one particular post dating back to about a week ago: the site's review of Jacqueline Howett's The Greek Seaman.
Even if you're not one to read fiction books or a book-reviewing site (hell, if you're American, you're probably not one to read at all for that matter), I urge you to follow that link.
The review is a classic example of constructive criticism - while he notes grammatical issues, he compliments the flow of the story and how it grips the reader to the end.
Now this is what I want you to do: read the comments and tell me if you think Jacqueline Howett can tell the difference between constructive criticism and flaming.
If your answer was related to the words "yes, she can," then obviously you're as vain as she is.
First things first: you don't insult the critic by dismissing their review. That's discourteous.
Second: I don't recall seeing anything directly attacking her. All that was mentioned was grammatical and spelling errors that seem to detract from the story.
Third: posting reviews from other people and heralding them as the only things that are correct in regards to critiquing seems... well, as an anonymous commenter said, "petty."
Fourth: her reversion to acting primal and petty with her comments just plain tarnishes her reputation.
I mean, it's one thing to use words in an eloquent fashion, but to slowly degrade oneself to the point of insulting the critic and signing off with a vulgar "Fuck off!"? WOW. Just... wow.
Quite distasteful and unprofessional, no?
Despite her crass behavior, I do have to thank her, because her breakdown over one constructive critique now serves as an ominous warning to the rest of us artists trying to make our way into the world.
*raises a shot glass of vodka*
So here's to you, Jacqueline. May your artistic career's downfall pave the way for more sensible artists out there.
*downs the shot*
...oh, shit. I have work in less than an hour.
...whoops.*
* = ...yeah, like I'd drink before going to work. Even if I did, I can't - no vodka in the house. =(
One is the inability to claim any other work - especially work in their respective field(s) - as art.
Another is to pompously proclaim themselves as the masters of their field(s).
The third is to allow themselves to become their own worst critic (potential fans will end up hanging on the artist's own opinions and take them to heart).
* = Okay... that contradicts the "sane" point, but you get what I mean.
Yesterday, after receiving a link from one of my friends, I decided to add a fourth item to this list of artist taboos: ignore the differences between a review, a compliment, constructive criticism, and flames, and take them out of hand to the point of destroying your artistic career.
Now, before I continue, allow me to define the aforementioned four terms.
A review would be just that - a review. Whoever is critiquing the piece in question - be it a painting, a sculpture, a movie, a book, or what have you - is giving an expository analysis and only that. There are no opinions or second thoughts in play at all. Of course, most (if not all) reviews have personal opinions and commentary riddled all over the place (commonly classified under one of the other three terms mentioned), and that's perfectly acceptable.
Sample sentence: "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, released in 1999, begins the famed space opera saga's prequel trilogy and introduces us to a young Anakin Skywalker in a time before Darth Vader and the Imperial Empire."
If I have to define "compliment" for you, then obviously someone didn't do well in their English classes.
Sample sentence: "I liked the visuals - they were an immerse and colorful myriad of scenery that helped bring the story of The Phantom Menace to life."*
* = We all know I'm not a fan of the Prequel Trilogy. Hell, most self-respecting Star Wars fans aren't, either. Just remember: that was a sample sentence and in no way does it reflect my personal opinion about TPM.
Constructive criticism is a tricky term to define - mostly because it's tricky to begin with. In a nutshell, the critic brings up things they personally questioned about the work they are reviewing. They understand the concept of different viewpoints and do their best not to attack the artist's perspective. As they question what they felt was "wrong," they do it in a manner that is professional, courteous, and fair - all the while expressing their opinions in a manner that doesn't insult the artist. This allows the artist to analyze it from another person's eyes and helps them grow.
Satire can often be seen here - especially if the critic tends to employ dark and/or comedic methods of reviewing.
Sample sentence: "However, the inclusion of 'midichlorians' as a measurement of one's strength with the Force seemed to ruin the wonder and mysticism the omnipresent Force was portrayed to have in the Original Trilogy."
Now, picture yourself ordering veal at a five-star restaurant and finding it not to par with your expectations. (vegetarians/vegans/PETA members: please play along with this example). As the maître'd asks what's wrong with the veal, you lead out a recently-fed deer to your table and then proceed to decapitate it. A second later, you present a plate to the sous chef - with the deer's head on it - and say that your presentation is better.
Flaming takes constructive criticism, guts out anything positive, and presents the botched review to the artist (nay... attacks them with it) in a distasteful manner as described above. Oftentimes, expletives and primal utterances will accompany them. No "though your story was riddled with grammatical errors, your story was excellent in its execution" or "I personally don't agree with your use of screaming during the song's bridge" - just a flat-out "YOU SUCK" (and that's if your lucky).
Sample sentence: "Overall, The Phantom Menace makes watching a dog crapping on a baby less grotesque. Fuck you, George Lucas. You suck for ruining my childhood."
Getting back to the story at hand, I was presented a link to a book-reviewing blog yesterday by my friends.
On that site: they brought up one particular post dating back to about a week ago: the site's review of Jacqueline Howett's The Greek Seaman.
Even if you're not one to read fiction books or a book-reviewing site (hell, if you're American, you're probably not one to read at all for that matter), I urge you to follow that link.
The review is a classic example of constructive criticism - while he notes grammatical issues, he compliments the flow of the story and how it grips the reader to the end.
Now this is what I want you to do: read the comments and tell me if you think Jacqueline Howett can tell the difference between constructive criticism and flaming.
If your answer was related to the words "yes, she can," then obviously you're as vain as she is.
First things first: you don't insult the critic by dismissing their review. That's discourteous.
Second: I don't recall seeing anything directly attacking her. All that was mentioned was grammatical and spelling errors that seem to detract from the story.
Third: posting reviews from other people and heralding them as the only things that are correct in regards to critiquing seems... well, as an anonymous commenter said, "petty."
Fourth: her reversion to acting primal and petty with her comments just plain tarnishes her reputation.
I mean, it's one thing to use words in an eloquent fashion, but to slowly degrade oneself to the point of insulting the critic and signing off with a vulgar "Fuck off!"? WOW. Just... wow.
Quite distasteful and unprofessional, no?
Despite her crass behavior, I do have to thank her, because her breakdown over one constructive critique now serves as an ominous warning to the rest of us artists trying to make our way into the world.
*raises a shot glass of vodka*
So here's to you, Jacqueline. May your artistic career's downfall pave the way for more sensible artists out there.
*downs the shot*
...oh, shit. I have work in less than an hour.
...whoops.*
* = ...yeah, like I'd drink before going to work. Even if I did, I can't - no vodka in the house. =(
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
The Small Stuff Adds Up
Nothing like a good breakfast to get your day started properly.
And especially one that's hearty - it'll keep you full for hours if you ate the right stuff.
Anyway, I'm afraid today's entry will have to be short - I told myself I'd get some mini-projects done for today before I head off to work, so I'm getting on that.
The small missions are being accomplished, though, so I guess that's a good thing, right?
And especially one that's hearty - it'll keep you full for hours if you ate the right stuff.
Anyway, I'm afraid today's entry will have to be short - I told myself I'd get some mini-projects done for today before I head off to work, so I'm getting on that.
The small missions are being accomplished, though, so I guess that's a good thing, right?
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Putting the "Gief" in "Grief"
I'm beginning to see how my investment in the Nintendo 3DS is paying off...
...anger management...
So earlier today I got myself involved in a very heated argument involving the future.
To be specific, the debate involved the future of humanity and how we as Americans (nay, as a species) could be doomed.
I'm not going to bore you with the details (I'll save it for another time), but let's just say that it got me riled up like crazy and elevated my blood pressure when it was over.
Not to mention that I was mired up in thought all night long.
So when I got off work and went home, I spammed Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition like crazy and practiced playing as the infamous "Red Cyclone" (as in Zangief).
I've been getting better, and I'm wondering if I'll be pretty good in local circles.
The moral of the story? Fighting games are excellent stress-reducers.
Just one well-placed FINAL... ATOMIC... BUSTAH! ...and bam! Done.
It's because "Russian wrestling is always number one!"
...anger management...
So earlier today I got myself involved in a very heated argument involving the future.
To be specific, the debate involved the future of humanity and how we as Americans (nay, as a species) could be doomed.
I'm not going to bore you with the details (I'll save it for another time), but let's just say that it got me riled up like crazy and elevated my blood pressure when it was over.
Not to mention that I was mired up in thought all night long.
So when I got off work and went home, I spammed Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition like crazy and practiced playing as the infamous "Red Cyclone" (as in Zangief).
I've been getting better, and I'm wondering if I'll be pretty good in local circles.
The moral of the story? Fighting games are excellent stress-reducers.
Just one well-placed FINAL... ATOMIC... BUSTAH! ...and bam! Done.
It's because "Russian wrestling is always number one!"
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Tweaking.
Deckbuilding can be fun... and arduous if you can't get the limits figured out...
Tweaking everything to perfection takes time...
...time I don't have anymore because I have to go to work. Laaaaaame.
*blitz-twinks*
Tweaking everything to perfection takes time...
...time I don't have anymore because I have to go to work. Laaaaaame.
*blitz-twinks*
Friday, April 1, 2011
A Pre-Weekend Confession
This is a very important entry, because this is the 91st one on this blog. Isn't that exciting?
I'm sure good things are going to happen today, because - let's face it - I've been in a great mood lately, and...
I'm sure good things are going to happen today, because - let's face it - I've been in a great mood lately, and...
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Inspirationless Catnap
So today happened to be a good day to do stuff if you live in the same area that I do.
CURRENT MUSIC:
Tetsukazu Nakanishi - "Demons of Razgriz"
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War Original Soundtrack
This track seemed fitting for the ambient mood this entry seems to give off.
I'm just picturing myself on a sort-of secondary alert as I figured out what to do today.
"It's morning, everyone! Today's the day! The sun is shining, the tank is clean, and we are getting out of - *gasp* - the tank is clean. THE TANK IS CLEAN!!!"
- Peach
(Finding Nemo)
Today was pretty sunny - a first for the year. For the past few weeks it's been cloudy across the skies, and it looked as if it wouldn't let up.
However, upon waking up I saw that my assumption was wrong, and I thought, "Finally. A day off and it's sunny. Today's a great day."
...and then I remembered that I had class later on today, and my happiness turned into panic.
On my way to class, this scene from Finding Nemo came up, and I thought it to be perfect when it came to reflecting today's wake-up process.
Good day, ladies and gentlemen who read this blog but don't tell me that they do (because let's face it: most of these ladies and gentlemen don't exist).
Today was a decently sunny (and quite warm, too, might I add) Thursday, and I thank you for reading today's entry.
I have to apologize for two things: the last few entries being all... short... and the fact that most of this blog is just nonsensical talking about nothing.
Oh, who am I kidding? That's why you're here - to read about nothing! =P
It has recently come to my attention that today's entry is the 90th in this blog. Never have I come so far in keeping up with a year-long New Year's resolution. Frankly, I'm impressed with myself (and no, I'm not trying to sound all self-righteous or anything here).
This means that Sunday, April 10 will be the day of my 100th entry - and 100 entries in a row. And boy, will that be quite a celebration for myself and the few readers I currently have.
Heh. I'm starting to get giddy with excitement over here. Just the thought that I'll be hitting triple digits... ooh, I'm shivering with delight.
Lately, though, whenever I want to try to work on something, I can't help but just stare at the screen, completely uninspired, and that depresses me somewhat.
It's not like there's a lack of motivation or anything, but... I think I just lack the drive to do anything.
Yeah, that doesn't make a lot of sense - "motivation" and "drive" can be interchangeable here, but I'm referring to two separate things here.
I want to work on my personal projects. I honestly do. I want to go out and continue writing my fanfiction and my screenplays and my poetry and my machinima, and I want to keep sorting the ever-growing list of music I keep expanding.
I want to be famous; I want to make it as a writer; I want to have thousands (if not millions) of fans who admire me as a writer and as a person who inspires them to live.
I think of these things, and it motivates me to do this.
However, when I'm at the front line, I end up drawing blanks and just stare off into space. Like a car without gasoline and like a fire without combustible materials, there's no fuel to drive me forward. And so I hop out of the car, stop fanning the flames, and just attempt to do something else.
Something tells me I might have some form of attention disorder (highly likely), but some other voice in my head nags me and says it also has to do with me getting bored so easily (which might link up with the attention disorder thing).
I read up on this, and usually people with this sort of problem are those higher on the I.Q. scale.
I'm not saying I'm super-smart of anything - though I was in gifted education in younger years, I stopped going due to boredom, and I'm sure my brain cogs have somewhat rusted over by now. I've been slowly degreasing them, though.
(If anyone dares to question my intelligence here for real, then I'm just going to have to look down on you. I don't look it or act it anymore, but I do have the mental powerhouse. To hell with anyone who says otherwise.)
Digression aside, I just need that spark... that emergency gallon of fuel... something... to help me get going.
However, I've yet to procure matches or a gas tank or anything really that could fan the flames into a combustive inferno.
And if anyone has any information on where to procure some driving materials, please let me know.
With that being said, I honestly don't know why I wasn't able to do anything today.
Originally I had planned to go storage unit spelunking, but the last thing I felt like doing is adding more junk to my room that I'm not even going to end up using.
There were a few boxes I need to send to my storage unit, though, so that might be something to consider.
But other than that, I didn't have anything to do - like I said, I had no drive to do anything.
Still don't.
*insert horribly-placed nap time here*
Oh, well. I'm sure I'll come up with something eventually.
Until the 'morrow, everyone!
CURRENT MUSIC:
Tetsukazu Nakanishi - "Demons of Razgriz"
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War Original Soundtrack
This track seemed fitting for the ambient mood this entry seems to give off.
I'm just picturing myself on a sort-of secondary alert as I figured out what to do today.
"It's morning, everyone! Today's the day! The sun is shining, the tank is clean, and we are getting out of - *gasp* - the tank is clean. THE TANK IS CLEAN!!!"
- Peach
(Finding Nemo)
Today was pretty sunny - a first for the year. For the past few weeks it's been cloudy across the skies, and it looked as if it wouldn't let up.
However, upon waking up I saw that my assumption was wrong, and I thought, "Finally. A day off and it's sunny. Today's a great day."
...and then I remembered that I had class later on today, and my happiness turned into panic.
On my way to class, this scene from Finding Nemo came up, and I thought it to be perfect when it came to reflecting today's wake-up process.
Good day, ladies and gentlemen who read this blog but don't tell me that they do (because let's face it: most of these ladies and gentlemen don't exist).
Today was a decently sunny (and quite warm, too, might I add) Thursday, and I thank you for reading today's entry.
I have to apologize for two things: the last few entries being all... short... and the fact that most of this blog is just nonsensical talking about nothing.
Oh, who am I kidding? That's why you're here - to read about nothing! =P
It has recently come to my attention that today's entry is the 90th in this blog. Never have I come so far in keeping up with a year-long New Year's resolution. Frankly, I'm impressed with myself (and no, I'm not trying to sound all self-righteous or anything here).
This means that Sunday, April 10 will be the day of my 100th entry - and 100 entries in a row. And boy, will that be quite a celebration for myself and the few readers I currently have.
Heh. I'm starting to get giddy with excitement over here. Just the thought that I'll be hitting triple digits... ooh, I'm shivering with delight.
Lately, though, whenever I want to try to work on something, I can't help but just stare at the screen, completely uninspired, and that depresses me somewhat.
It's not like there's a lack of motivation or anything, but... I think I just lack the drive to do anything.
Yeah, that doesn't make a lot of sense - "motivation" and "drive" can be interchangeable here, but I'm referring to two separate things here.
I want to work on my personal projects. I honestly do. I want to go out and continue writing my fanfiction and my screenplays and my poetry and my machinima, and I want to keep sorting the ever-growing list of music I keep expanding.
I want to be famous; I want to make it as a writer; I want to have thousands (if not millions) of fans who admire me as a writer and as a person who inspires them to live.
I think of these things, and it motivates me to do this.
However, when I'm at the front line, I end up drawing blanks and just stare off into space. Like a car without gasoline and like a fire without combustible materials, there's no fuel to drive me forward. And so I hop out of the car, stop fanning the flames, and just attempt to do something else.
Something tells me I might have some form of attention disorder (highly likely), but some other voice in my head nags me and says it also has to do with me getting bored so easily (which might link up with the attention disorder thing).
I read up on this, and usually people with this sort of problem are those higher on the I.Q. scale.
I'm not saying I'm super-smart of anything - though I was in gifted education in younger years, I stopped going due to boredom, and I'm sure my brain cogs have somewhat rusted over by now. I've been slowly degreasing them, though.
(If anyone dares to question my intelligence here for real, then I'm just going to have to look down on you. I don't look it or act it anymore, but I do have the mental powerhouse. To hell with anyone who says otherwise.)
Digression aside, I just need that spark... that emergency gallon of fuel... something... to help me get going.
However, I've yet to procure matches or a gas tank or anything really that could fan the flames into a combustive inferno.
And if anyone has any information on where to procure some driving materials, please let me know.
With that being said, I honestly don't know why I wasn't able to do anything today.
Originally I had planned to go storage unit spelunking, but the last thing I felt like doing is adding more junk to my room that I'm not even going to end up using.
There were a few boxes I need to send to my storage unit, though, so that might be something to consider.
But other than that, I didn't have anything to do - like I said, I had no drive to do anything.
Still don't.
*insert horribly-placed nap time here*
Oh, well. I'm sure I'll come up with something eventually.
Until the 'morrow, everyone!
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