#Aleta’s reviews

[taybatwo2]

Another Mini-review of the IDW Monster High Comics!

The Howliday Haunt comic came out today, and ugggggh, it’s…..yeah.

Again, hopefully I’ll continue my in-depth reviews for these in January, but this might be one of my least favorite…so far…kinda…? I dunno these have me stupidly curious but I can’t say they’ve been amazing…?

It’s still giving Wednesday or Riverdale vibes or the MH Lisi Harrison books, and I have never been into those.

If you want to start in on my actual, full comic reviews you can start here:

A REALLY quick rundown, there will be spoilers:

Frankie goes in before her first day of school to map out her classes and hears Johnny Spirit whistling. They talk and flirt and she says he’s her first “fiend.” Cut to the present, students are still missing, there is a school dance coming up the “Howliday Haunt” and Johnny hasn’t really spoken to Frankie since but he is INCENSED that no one is worried about the missing students and are only talking about the dance.

Frankie can’t dance, and after Cleo blows off helping her to retrain her two left feet, Johnny’s music helps her to dance. Frankie wants Johnny to want to ask her to the dance and he does.

Doctor Frankenstein is still too busy to be a chaperone at the dance (and HE IS STILL IN THE SHADOWS. I HATE THAT). The three ghoul friends all dress up in their collector doll outfits (that Clawdeen designed), and all go to the dance (with Frankie riding on the back of Johnny’s motorcycle).

Johnny pours truth serum into the fog machine (at least he didn’t spike the punch bowl like most bad boys in high school films) to try and see if any of the students/faculty is behind the kidnappings. Nope! And Mr. Rotter vows to lock Johnny up until the school crumbles to dust (again…overkill). Frankie and Johnny escape (thanks to Frankie’s arm locking the doors shut behind them), and he rides off to search outside of the school for what happened to all of their fiends, while Frankie searches inside. He makes her promise to come home after everone is saved. She also kisses him…TWICE!

Pros:

The artwork looks nice.

The decorations for the Howliday Haunt are great.

They made Johnny look VERY handsome, younger me would have been doodling him in the margins of her school book instead of Andy Beast.

We get to see the three ghouls in their new Howliday lurks (and Frankie in her Stitched in Style) outfits. Robecca is in her SDCC outfit. And I think they look much better than the dolls.

We get to see some more background characters in this (Lothar, Johnny Spirit, Valentine, Spelldon, Lagoona, Manny, Holt, Clawd, Rochelle, Venus, Eyera, Kjersti, a shrunken down Gooliope, Toralei, Mr. Rotter, Frankie’s Dad, Bram, Jinafire, Viperine, Finnegan, Iris, Meowlody, Purrsephone, Spectra, Operetta, Deuce, Heath, Abbey, Jane Boolittle, and a witch named Brooke:

-note that Bram was not with Gory, Lagoona was not with Gil, and Operetta was not with Johnny and while Draculaura talked with Clawd she mentioned Poe too, and Frankie said she tried making another boyfriend again, which are all “mehs” to negatives to me.

Some of the party guests have some nice new outfits (Spelldon is a standout).

Johnny dressing up for a dance is putting on a loose tie and that checks.

Johnny calls Frankie “Stitches,” and I can’t help but think that is cute and something HOLT WOULD SAY.

Lore “Additions:”

Johnny said the reason he looks like a greaser and was in detention for 3000 years was because time is “screwy” there. Frankie has a kidney from a guy named Larry.

Frankie apparently met him the day before she started school because she was mapping out the halls beforehand. He became her first “fiend,” then they didn’t talk because he didn’t want to drag down her popularity.

Johnny has a ghost motorcycle.

that also checks out.

Johnny is in detention because he didn’t follow “orders and rules” and “tricked [Nightmare] onto the roof.” Which is kinda small potatoes in my opinion.

You can touch ghosts in Monster High if “you truly believe you can.”

You can only listen to ghost music on a “dead” medium like CD’s (I think Operetta recorded her music and it didn’t need to be on a dead medium…)

The school of Monster High responds to characters (specifically Draculaura after she spilled some of her blood) like in G3 (minus the blood). TW: blood…self harm…?

Frankie lost her right leg to a “Golem Retriever playing fetch.” An actually funny pun. And now has two left legs and can no longer dance except to the sounds of Johnny’s music (or thinking about his music).

There is now a “Monstrous Monarch” contest at Monster High.

Cleo thinks that Frankie dyes the white streaks in her hair.

We get to see the Stein’s mansion. It’s fine.

Draculaura might have alluded to having dated “bad boy[s], or girl[s] or non-binary[s].” Why does she thinks everyone has had that phase….👀👀

Witches can make truth potions (and it reveals that Purrsephone has a crush on her best friend’s date -her sister’s or Toralei’s date….?, Bram took out Jane Boolittle as part of an elaborate bet, Jinafire rigged the Monsterous Monarch vote -we never got the results of it btw-, Mr. Rotter takes ice cream from the -student- creature lounge, Draculaura is tired of trying to be perfect, Clawdeen is afraid of being with Toralei because she might/did screw it up with Toralei, Clawdeen thinks Cleo is a better dancer than her, Cleo likes Clawdeen’s fashion designs and misses talking about designs together and she misses Ghoulia -who is still missing in this-).

Cons/Nitpicks:

I am still not feeling the story. I don’t know why they are putting these random pairings together (they are not written badly here, but it’s just like…WHY?!? She has such good chemistry with Jackson and Holt, and with Andy and kinda with Neigthan if you REALLY wanted to go that route). But why the flirting with Manny in the Halloween special? And why the love connection with Johnny? Probably because it would make me curious to buy the floppies and THIS SUCKER DID! Johnny and Operetta broke up because “they worked better as band mates.”

All three main ghouls are drawn the same height. I badly want Draculaura to be as tiny as she was in the show, and Frankie to be as tall she was too!

Frankie trying to make another boyfriend (his first words were: “AI is legitimate form of creative expression” to show that he was brain dead and that it didn’t work out but it’s okay, HE HAS AN EXECUTIVE JOB IN SILICROW VALLEY). I hate it ALL!!

Abbey has been repeatedly looking annoyed or bored at Heath in this whole comic run including in this issue in this panel:

Toralei doesn’t have her thicker stripes, cat nose, or orange blotch.

Deuce’s outfit at the dance….his fashion sense has taken a nose dive since him and Cleo broke up again.

And some of their new scary puns just don’t feel natural (in my opinion: “school bloody” instead of “school body” is not an upgrade. “Wormy” instead of “worried.”) *shrugs*

What are your thoughts? Are you loving these? Hating them? Forgot they existed? Are you really hoping I’ll get back to it and actually upload my longer reviews with full page artwork (me too!)?

Did you have a Nostalgia Critic flashback when you saw Johnny with his loose red tie and black jacket?

NOW YOU HAVE TO LIVE WITH THAT IN YOUR HEAD TOO.

[littlealeta]

Spellbound (2024) Review [Spoilers]

Long post! Scroll down for a TL;DR and Aleta Rewrites Version!

I, at first, didn't want to watch this movie. But after hearing some surprisingly decent reviews, I decided to give it a chance. Coming out of it, I can understand why it resonated with some people, even if the writing is ultimately a mess. I think if this came out earlier, in the mid 2010s, without all the controversy John Lasseter has got into as well, I think this could've done a bit better among other simplistic films such as Home and Secret Life of Pets. And I probably would've liked it better myself back then, but alas, I am not a slightly mindless 17 year old anymore, and we live in different times where cute, heartfelt stories are not the only things a movie needs to be good. So, I must view this film objectively as it is.

I will have to say, though, the trailers hid way too much. It's not as horrible as they made it out to be, but still mediocre.

Story

So much to say here...

The story is a real mess. It literally pops off with the parents being monsters. We know nothing of their life beforehand at this point.

There are some good ideas here, like the dark emotions tornado. the parents being monsters concept and having the child be the one to parent their own parents sounds like it could be ridiculously funny, but the problem is, it doesn't do much to set it apart from other stories that have done this before, Brave and Spirited Away with the parents being creatures concept, Wonder Park with the dark emotions symbolism, and It Takes Two with two fighting parents going on an adventure. The monsters at the start could just be Eileen's annoying pets and there would be no difference.

I also like that the main conflict revolves around divorce, a theme that is rarely touched upon in media, especially for children. It's unfortunate that this doesn't come into play until halfway through the story. The message is very heartfelt and a good lesson for children going through this same situation.

There are some good scenes here. Like there's some creative and beautiful segments like the echo or the Look for the Light scene. Most of the humor is actually well-written, although, I probably could've done without the freaky friday thing as it doesn't really contribute to the story. There are a couple times where I felt the humor is tacked on, but other than that, most of them felt natural.

One thing that doesn't make sense about the story, though, is the parents gradually getting their humanity back after it was said that they would get it back at the lake. This was never explained. I believe I could subtly see the reason why that may be the case. The parents and Elliaan are starting to accept the reality of the marriage. But, there's not enough implication to connect that reasoning to the story, and it just feels contrived.

The way conflict gets resolved is often anticlimatic. Like, in the echo scene, the parents suddenly saying "Girl" for no reason and getting their humanity back felt rushed and contrived as well as Bolinar being able to somehow call in the other flinks during the big climatic moment.

Characters

The characters either don't really have much personality or feel one-note.

Princess Elliaan is just your typical Disney protagonist. She's cheerful, optimistic, good-natured, and a bit clumsy. She lacks any flaws, quirks, or depth to help her stand out.

The parents only show their personalities when they're fighting. They, too, have nothing to make them stand out.

The only characters who kinda have a personality are Bolinar and the Oracles, but even they feel a bit one-note. Bolinar's only characteristic is that he's perpetually negative, and he really doesn't contribute anything to the story. The Oracles, being minor characters, aren't very memorable.

Flink is just your average trouble-making Disney sidekick.

Animation/Music/Voice Acting

I love Princess Eileen's design, I think she's very cute. However, that is all the positives I have in regards to the animation. There are some different artistic styles used in some of the musical segments, but most of the animation is just your average 2010s 3D animation.

Music is alright. Most of it is not memorable. There are a couple of weird moments where it seems like the characters were talking more than singing. My personal favorite would be The Way it Was Before. It's catchy, and the sweetest and most heartfelt song out of them all.

The voice actors do well with both funny and serious moments. I have to give props especially to Rachel Zegler, for both her singing and her ability to convey emotions. I really felt her character there.

Overall/TL;DR

I give Spellbound 5.4 bells out of 10

The story takes too long to reveal itself and get interesting. There is barely a concrete arc there, it could easily be seen as a movie where "things happen". A lot of the conflict is resolved anticlimatically, too. There are inklings of a deep, emotional, and creative movie in there, but it needed some more drafting to get there. The comedic timing is mostly well-written, though, besides a few tacked on moments.

Characters feel pretty one-note and Elliaan is just your average Disney princess.

Besides a few artistic musical segments, the animation is mostly generic. Although, I think Princess Elliaan is very cute.

Music is ok, quite forgettable. The only catchy one being the heartfelt The Way It Was Before.

Voice actors did their jobs well, especially Rachel Zegler in terms of both her singing and emotional range.

It's passable enough for kids and those who want to Netflix and chill. It's a simple movie with a good heart and there's nothing wrong with that, but in terms of story and characterization, it's pretty bland with nothing much to make it stand out from other animated kids fare.

In an Aleta Rewrites story, I would of course start off with the parents being humans. Elli is harboring resentment for them due to their constant fighting and planned divorce and just wants everything to be peaceful again. Due to Elli's resentment, the parents themselves are having trouble going through with the divorce because they want to "stay together for the kid". Their fighting causes the parents to turn into monsters because this is how Elliaan sees them. At the start, I would try to do something a little more creative with the parents being monsters concept to set it apart from other movies that have done this before. Like, maybe instead of just having them be rambunctious creatures, show more facets of their personalities. Like, maybe the parents' personalities are still somewhere in there and they're trying to talk to Eileen or trying to help Eileen, but their monster sides just keep coming out and it just all ends in the wrong way. Also, show more of the parents fighting as monster forms instead of just acting like pets causing trouble around the castle.

Let Elliaan's growth happen more naturally instead of at the last minute. And her growth (her acceptance of the changes the parents want to make to their marriage) is the reason her parents slowly gain back humanity. Their adventure is a representation of Elliaan and her parents' journey to accept the truth that the marriage is not going to work out well. Show more symbolic elements of Elliaan's resentment and her growth similar to how you showed symbolic scenes of the parents fighting with the quicksand and the echo.

I would also have Bolinar be more of the foil who often ditches and kinda gets in the way of Elliaan and her parents' adventure. His selfish attempts at trying to get back his body hurt their plans (more scenes like the acorn trail scene), until he grows to be more helpful in the adventure and realize his selfish ways.

[beardedmrbean]

A federal judge in Tennessee has ordered the FBI to hand over the "manifesto" left behind by a transgender killer who gunned down three adults and three children at the Covenant Christian School in Nashville last year before responding officers put an end to the mayhem.

Audrey Elizabeth Hale, who police said identified as a trans male and went by Aiden, shot her way into the school in March 2023, killing Mike Hill, 61, Cynthia Peak, 61, Katherine Koonce, 60, and three 9-year-olds, Hallie Scruggs, Evelyn Dieckhaus and William Kinney.

Metropolitan Nashville Police Chief John Drake told reporters that officers recovered a "manifesto" from Hale's car as well as other documents, including a hand-drawn map of the school. He said last year it would be released, but it has not been.

NASHVILLE AUTHORITIES ‘AWARE' OF PURPORTED LEAK OF CHRISTIAN SCHOOL SHOOTER'S MANIFESTO

Even though police shot the suspect dead on the school's second floor, the FBI has repeatedly refused to release the manifesto, arguing that doing so "could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings."

The parent company of the Tennessee Star, a local newspaper, sued the FBI after the bureau denied its public records request under the Freedom of Information Act.

NASHVILLE KILLER AUDREY HALE SLEPT WITH JOURNALS ON SCHOOL SHOOTINGS UNDER BED, COURT DOCS REVEAL

"It has been long enough, and the public has an urgent right to know why this tragedy happened, how future events may be prevented, and what policies should be in place to address this and other similar tragedies," lawyers for the newspaper wrote in a federal complaint. "[The] FBI has no right to retain a monopoly on this information."

The FBI sought to have the complaint dismissed, but Judge Aleta Trauger of the Middle District of Tennessee said the bureau had failed to support its position "with sufficient clarity or detail" and ordered it to submit the manifesto to the court, so she could review the materials.

"The FBI is ORDERED to produce ex parte all documents that are potentially responsive to the defendants’ Freedom of Information Act request for in camera review, with the exception that, based on the plaintiffs’ concessions in this litigation, the FBI need not produce any documents that could not reasonably be construed to bear on Audrey Hale’s motives," Trauger wrote.

In November, portions of what appeared to be crime scene photographs of a couple of pages leaked, however authorities refused to confirm their authenticity.

The FBI, which has previously declined to comment due to pending litigation, did not immediately respond to questions from Fox News Digital.

When Hale burst in, the first victim, Hill, sustained fatal gunshot wounds in the process. According to city officials, Koonce heard the first shots while on a Zoom call, hung up and confronted the attacker. Police found her dead in the hallway outside her office.

Drake said investigators had not immediately determined a motive but that they believed Hale, a former student, had targeted the school and its affiliated church. One of the child victims, Hallie, was the pastor's daughter. 

The manifesto is expected to reveal more about the killer's motive and rage. Critics have questioned the motive behind continued delays in its release.

The National Police Association is also suing the city of Nashville for the same documents.

[ragingphantom666]

Which 5 members should be in Marvel Worlds' Guardians of the Galaxy of volume 1?

Guardians of the Galaxy will be a large team like in the Al Ewing comics. The plan so far is for each volume to focus on a smaller group consisting of 5 random members. I'd like to see who all of you want on the team. Choose well and use the Marvel Database for any characters in that roster you don't know, except Var-Gas who is mostly an original character.

Full Roster

Peter Quill/Star-Lord

Richard Rider/Nova

Rocket Raccoon

Yondu Udonta

Var-Gas

Gamora

Nebula

Beta Ray Bill

Adam Warlock

Eros/Starfox

Chris Powell/Darkhawk

Stakar Ogord/Starhawk

Aleta Ogord

Groot

Cosmo

Drax

Killraven

Replika

Talon

Bug

Mantis

Martinex

Phyla-Vell

Kamaria/Moondragon

Glah-Ree/Captain Glory

Lunatik

Deathcry

Kraglin

[moviereviews101web]

Lolo and the Kid (2024) Movie Review

Lolo and the Kid – Movie Review Director: Benedict Mique Writer: Benedict Mique (Screenplay) Cast Euwenn Mikael Aleta Nico Antonio Joem Bascon Iza Calzado Juan Karlos Labajo Plot: A hustler and the child he took in routinely con the wealthy – but a life-changing opportunity could end their inseparable bond. Runtime: 1 Hour 40 Minutes There may be spoilers in the rest of the…

[sidama-ipdc]

Sidama National Regional Government Industrial Parks Development Corporation conducted a plan implementation review for the first quarter of 2015 fiscal year.

The corporation held a performance evaluation forum at Yergalem Industrial Park with the employees, and the forum was chaired by the CEO of the corporation Mr. Memru Moke and the Deputy CEO and Director of Parks Operations Management Mr. Hailu Yetera. At the forum, the performance report of the first quarter was presented by the Director of Planning and Monitoring, Mr. Belay Bekele, and most of the activities were performed encouragingly as motivational signs to carry out the activities planned by all the directorates during the quarter. However, due to the fact that the budget was not allocated on time, especially the construction works did not perform well.

Therefore, when looking at the activities performed in each sector, the corporation was able to collect 25 million birr in the fiscal year and 6 million birr in the quarter, and it was planned to collect 4 million birr in shed rent, arable land rent, income from cluster centers and various services. In terms of park development works, existing construction projects (shed, road, water, electricity, and Bensa Daye middle park construction) are being monitored to be completed within the scheduled time limit, and new projects (waste treatment and recycling, construction of Aleta Wondo Gowadamo and Morocho rural transformation centers) are being tendered to start. As these projects are in progress, they will create job opportunities for many citizens. From the point of view of park management and operational activities, the service of one center can work properly. In addition to this, according to the plan to buy 2 fire fighting vehicles, payment has been made and the vehicles are in the process of arriving.

In terms of attracting investors and promotion activities, in the quarter, investors are presenting many requests to enter Yergalem Park, and existing factories are preparing to start working with better activity. Another thing is that the work of promoting the park adequately using mainstream media is being done, but preparations are being made to prepare an investment forum in cooperation with stakeholders to promote it more. A detailed evaluation of the performance of these and other major tasks was conducted and the employees of the corporation held a wide discussion giving various opinions and a consensus was reached for the future work.

Finally, after identifying the problems encountered, special strategies should be designed and put into action as soon as possible, and the forum was completed.

[rabbittstewcomics]

Episode 355

Comic Reviews:

DC

Aquaman: Andromeda 1 by Ram V, Christian Ward

Dark Crisis 1 by Joshua Williamson, Daniel Sampere, Alejandro Sanchez

DC Pride 2022 by Devin Grayson, Ivan Cohen, Tini Howard, Greg Lockard, Alyssa Wong, Stephanie Phillips, Danny Lore, Stephanie Williams, Jadzia Axelrod, Dani Fernandez, Kevin Conroy, Travis Moore, Ted Brandt, Ro Stein, Nicole Maines, Lovern Kindzierski, W. Scott Forbes, J. Bone, P. Craig Russell, Lynne Yoshii, J.J. Kirby, Meghan Hetrick, Nick Robles, Brittney Williams, Jess Taylor, Evan Cagle, Zoe Thorogood, Samantha Dodge, Giulio Macaione, Rye Hickman, Tamra Bonvillain, Marissa Louise, Jeremy Lawson, Triona Farrell, Enrica Angiolini

Multiversity: Teen Justice 1 by 

Nubia: Queen of the Amazons 1 by Stephanie Williams, Alitha Martinez, Mark Morales, John Livesay, Alex Guimares

Poison Ivy 1 by G. Willow Wilson, Marcio Takara, Arif Prianto

Earth Prime Flash by Emily Palizzi, Jess Carson, David Lafuente, Pablo Collar, John Kalisz, Miquel Muerto

Marvel

Fortnite X Marvel: Zero War 1 by Christos Gage, Donald Mustard, Sergio Fernandez Davila, Sean Parsons, Edgar Delgado

Jane Foster and the Mighty Thor 1 by Torunn Gronbekk, Michael Dowling, J.P. Mayer, Jesus Aburtov, Marte Gracia, Matt Wilson, Nolan Woodard

Love Unlimited: Red Dagger and Ms. Marvel by Nadia Shammas, Natacha Bustos, Ian Herring

Marvel Meow 8 by Nao Fuji

Image

Skybound Presents: Afterschool 1 by Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead, Greg Hinkle, Giovanna Niro

Dark Horse

Ward 1 by Cavan Scott, Andres Ponce

AfterShock

Astronaut Down 1 by James Patrick, Rubine, Valentina Briski

Where Starships Go To Die 1 by Mark Sable, Alberto Locatelli, Juancho

Ahoy

Justice Warriors 1 by Matt Bors, Ben Clarkson, Felipe Sobreiro

ComiXology

The Very Final Last Girls by Josh Eiserike, Z Crockett, Andres Barrero

Scout

Code 45 1 by Benjamin Hunting, Joe Ng

Archie

Archie and Friends: Summer Loving

Titan

Doctor Who Origins 1 by Jody Houser, Roberta Ingranata, Warnia Sahadewa

Dynamite

Elivira: Wrath of Con by David Avallone, Elvira, Dave Acosta

OGNs

Motherbridge: Seeds of Change by George Mann, Aleta Vidal

Grip of the Kombinat by Damon Gentry, Simon Roy

Girl and the Glim by India Swift, Michael Doig

Secrets of Camp Whatever v2: The Doors to Nowhere by Chris Grine

Slip by Marika McCoola, Aatmaja Pandya

Additional Reviews: Obi-Wan ep4, Ms. Marvel, American Horror Stories s1, Chip n Dale, Jurassic World Dominion, Many Deaths of Laila Starr

News: Joker 2, Ghostbusters animated series, Ezra Miller, Arcane series of prequel shorts on YouTube, more Kevin Smith He-Man, McKeever back at Marvel, Junji Ito anthology series on Netflix, Love Unlimited, Bruce Campbell Evil Dead/Sgt Rock crossover, Thunderbolts movie confirmed, Spot in Spider-Verse 2, Dark Horse gets Ghostbusters comic license, George Stacy cast for Spider-Verse 2

Am It Glenn?

Glenn meets Ram V

Trailers: Spiderhead, Prey, Sea Beast, Black Adam

Comics Countdown:

Oblivion Song 36 by Robert Kirkman Lorenzo De Felici, Annnalisa Leoni

Slip OGN by Marika McCoola, Aatmaja Pandya

Aquaman: Andromeda 1 by Ram V, Christian Ward

DC Pride 2022 by 

Secrets of Camp Whatever Vol 2: The Door to Nowhere by Chris Grine

Time Before Time 13 by Rory McConville, Ron Salas, Chris O'Halloran

Dark Knights of Steel 7 by Tom Taylor, Nathan Gooden, Arif Prianto

Twig 2 by Skottie Young, Kyle Strahm, Jean-Francois Beaulieu

That Texas Blood 14 by Chris Condon, Jacob Phillips, Pip Martin

Batman: Killing Time 4 by Tom King, David Marquez, Alejandro Sanchez

Check out this episode!

[moodboardinthecloud]

Everything I Say Is True: Poetic Bibliography

https://www.serpentinegalleries.org/art-and-ideas/everything-i-say-is-true-poetic-bibliography/

Performance artist Kite presents her script for Everything I Say Is True, now annotated as part of the Creative AI Lab’s database.

The Oglála Lakȟóta artist, composer and scholar Suzanne Kite (aka Kite) is quick to point out that the groundwork for her contribution to Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not obviously about technology: “I can’t point to specific papers about AI that I’m building my work on top of because I’m not building it on a history of technology. I’m building it on this other history of knowledge.” Kite and others in her network of thinkers are writing a theoretical framework for AI that isn’t just a deviation from existing technological protocols, but a new one altogether, built on Oglála Lakȟóta and other indigenous knowledge systems.

Kite’s pursuit to build an indigenous AI directly confronts prevailing Western anthropocentric ideologies that position humans as dominant over the resources and systems around them and technology as a tool used to solely meet human needs. In Making Kin With the Machines, Kite and her co-authors ask how they might conceive of technologies like AI as kin, with an obligation to situate the ‘computational creations’ of AI in partnership with their wider community.

Critical theories of knowledge inform how we distribute power not only in our personal relationships but ultimately in the technological infrastructure built around us. But critique alone doesn’t leave us with an alternative. Kite works generatively, employing the principles and ethics of Lakȟóta methodology to build new frameworks and technologies.

Her commission for the Creative AI Lab, Everything I Say Is True: Poetic Bibliography takes the form of an annotated script from her 2017 performance, Everything I Say Is True, originally commissioned by the Walter Phillips Gallery in Banff. Kite borrows a four-part framework for building collective truth from her grandfather’s sweat lodge ceremonies: first, teaching, then providing evidence, followed by the display of that truth, and finally an accusation to non-believers which introduces critical reflection. Using family ephemera and historical documents she considers truth in relation to Oglála Lakȟóta knowledge systems. These systems in turn signal an ethical method for the development of new advanced technologies.

A. Teaching

When I was 12 I kept a dream journal One night I dreamt it is a sunny day[1] I am in a garden and I look down I see the green grass, the leaves and branches of the trees Below me is a picnic table with an umbrella People sit around it in a circle[2] When I was 14 I went to Ojai with my mother and my uncle to meet my grandfather[3] We sweat and it was intense, lots of lights, lots of medicine[4] I was invited to smoke the pipe but I did not[5] We sat down for lunch around a shaded picnic table but no one ate I looked up and there is a blue bird jumping from tree to tree[6]

Looking down, Trying to get a closer look at us.[7]

Every time you look away I disappear and reappear Look here, I can prove it to you There is a need for constant vigilance, they say FBI calls, they watch Don’t forget COINTELPRO No bullshit, suicide by force is real They set fire to his family’s house during the speech, they say This is a long chain of events, of evidence Manifest destiny, they say[8]

Ogle wakhan kin iyuha kic’unpi They all wore the sacred shirt, they say[9]

How can I think in Lakota if I cannot speak Lakota? How could I have thought in Lakota if I could not have spoken in Lakota?

I’ll teach you some Lakota words I have taught myself Ehánni: always Wihiyayela: time Tohanyan: how long[10] Wowicala: belief Wochekiye: prayer Wakhan: sacred Zintkatho: blue jay Woihanble: dream Wakhangli: lightning

Ay what does this have to do with me? My auntie has to pee outside a gas station They won’t let her ndn mother come inside, It is so cold

B. Evidence

Okay, so. I wanted to share the evidence. How can I be Oglala Lakota? Membership Card? Enrollment documents? What does it mean to make something that is Oglala?[11] This, right now, is a piece of art. How can I make it Oglala?[12] How am I supposed to be Lakota, here? These are Lakota art object. Lakota Flute Lakota Beads[13]

Does making something Oglala require thinking in Lakota? Require wowicala? Belief? Wowicakhe? Truth?[14] If I am Oglala because of location, where am I? Am I in Kyle? Am I in Portland? Am I at my parents’ house? What about events, experience? The Indian Child Welfare Act? The Indian Relocation Act? Counter Intelligence Program?

In Lakota, past and present are much closer together. For example: -ble means “I went/ and I go” and -mni kte- “I will go”. If I think in Lakota, is there a difference between past and present? Time encircles my body on a flat plane, intrinsically connected with space.[15] Time, while appearing to be linear, is a flat circle. If time is collapsed, what has happened is happening NOW.

Maybe the Peltier Trial is happening now.[16] Wanted poster Map of Compound Affidavit of Wilson Bullet casings FBI says COINTELPRO ended in 1971; Still NOW it continues today albeit under other code-names. Memorandum Extremist Matters Referenced Right to continue investigation Investigate all Indians Those Programs are designed to destroy individuals they find objectionable Official lying and disinformation, False charges, Manufacturing evidence, Withholding evidence, Occasional assassination.

Still NOW there is radiation in the water supply. Nitrates and Uranium[17] Resident risk Mine Reclamation Cost

If ‘destiny’ is a “natural” unfolding of events, ‘conspiracy’ is its opposite. ‘Conspiracy’ requires an enemy with a preconceived plot;[18]

But ‘destiny’ is the fulfillment of a natural order. ‘destiny’ requires a beginning point and an end point: Linear time.[19]

Einstein proposed there were two mirrors. Einstein’s two mirrors act as a clock. With a photon bouncing in the in-between. In this model of spacetime,[20] The expanding distance is relativity.[21] Our perspective is faster Light’s perspective is slower. Future is unfolding light photo by light photon Einstein’s mirror, they say.

Are you still with me?

A light cone is the path that a flash of light From a single event Traveling in all directions Takes through spacetime. On a two-dimensional plane, The light from the flash Spreads out in a circle.

These are all the points I ever reach.[22]

All points which are the speed of light away from me at birth.

Speed of light is our limit.[23]

This dark part is everything outside our speed limit Relativity says you must go faster than the speed of light to exit the light cone; To see into the dark. To experience what cannot occur in linear time.[24]

Still now I am a blue bird.[25] Still now buffalo are coming over the hills.[26]

To think in Lakota is for it to be responsibly true for time to cease to be linear[27] For the actions of our past to be unified with the present.

To be eternally responsible for the decisions we make, responsible to ourselves, to our locations, to our communities.

These are decisions.[28] My grandfather constantly tells me to stop thinking.[29] I cannot. I am too indoctrinated.

But I have done the math, and I have designed the models,[30] and I have read the texts, and I have reviewed the articles, and I have come to the most logical conclusion.

This is the shortest distance on the light cone. Most efficient place to exit is NOW.

C. Display

∞ -∞

ehánni, long ago, already

Light cone edge

Linear time

Band separating in winter

Manifest destiny

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Bull Bear to Fort William

Bureau found corrupt

Wovoka Prophecy

Aleta Jo

Indian Relocation Act

Carol Jean[31]

COINTELPRO

Wounded Knee

Fire set

Leonard Peltier in prison

Cynthia Anne

Standing Cloud hears

Suzanne Nicole

blue bird seen[32]

bison appear

Teaching Evidence Display Accusation[33]

D. Accusation

Ah! One of you does not believe!

This conspiracy is an endless one.

They cut off her hands!

You don’t believe me?

I cannot lie.

This is given to me

I am just a conduit.

There is no ending.

Tona akhigle opagipi kin he iyena wochekiya kagapi.

Each time they filled the pipe they make a prayer.

Everything I say is true.[34]

Here I am going to do a magic trick.[35]

The performance of Everything I Say Is True was originally commissioned by the Walter Phillips Gallery in Banff, Alberta March 27th, 2017

Poetic Bibliography

[1]

Hélène Wallaert, “Beads and a Vision: Waking Dreams and Induced Dreams as a Source of Knowledge for Beadwork Making. An Ethnographic Account from Sioux Country.”, Plains Anthropologist.

The calculation of all the stars Kite could have reached so far in her lifetime if she was a flash of light at the moment of birth

[brandeas]

<pdf> ?DOWNLOAD?~ Prince Valiant Vol. 23: 1981-1982 BY : Hal Foster

[*EPUB]-> Read/Download Prince Valiant Vol. 23: 1981-1982 BY Hal Foster Book

Read and download book Prince Valiant Vol. 23: 1981-1982 in PDF, EPub, Mobi, Kindle online. Free book Prince Valiant Vol. 23: 1981-1982 by Hal Foster.

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Read and Download Hal Foster book Prince Valiant Vol. 23: 1981-1982.Renowned painter and graphic novelist George Pratt (Batman, Sandman) introduces the volume. In these full-page, gorgeously illustrated newspaper strips, Prince Valiant journeys from the upper regions of the Alps to the bowels of the Earth on an allegorical quest for humility involving the mysterious Wanderer, a curse on the kingdom, monstrous imps, and a mystical casket. York, Lincoln, Colchester, and Londinium are sacked as Mordred leads an invasion across Britain, culminating in the siege of Camelot. Aleta?s pregnancy promises to bring a new child into the family, but the newly crowned Emperor Justinian plots to have the infant stolen at birth. Arn begins a dangerous courtship of the huntress maiden Maeve and embarks on quests to obtain the Sacred Ring of India and to find his lost newborn brother.? . 

 Prince Valiant Vol. 23: 1981-1982 by Hal Foster

Tags: Prince Valiant Vol. 23: 1981-1982 by Hal Foster Free download, PDF, epub, docs, New York Times, ppt, audio books, Bloomberg, #NYT, books to read, good books to read, cheap books, good books,online books, books online, book reviews, read books online, books to read online, online library, greatbooks to read, best books to read, top books to read Prince Valiant Vol. 23: 1981-1982 BY Hal Foster books to read online.

[taybatwo2]

Monster High IDW Comics Review: Part 1 of ?: Free Comic Book Day 2024 Issue 

A late review, but I wanted to review this and the Pride Comic together.

Part 2:

https://www.tumblr.com/taybatwo2/754406053729452032/monster-high-idw-comics-review-part-2-of?source=share

Part 3:

https://www.tumblr.com/taybatwo2/754555603918127104/monster-high-idw-comics-review-part-3-of?source=share

Part 4:

https://www.tumblr.com/taybatwo2/754946130507333632/monster-high-idw-comics-review-part-4-of?source=share

Part 5:

https://www.tumblr.com/taybatwo2/755042011333132288/monster-high-idw-comics-review-part-5-of?source=share

Comic Overview: The Free Comic Book Day MH IDW preview has an almost completely different staff to the Pride Issue; the writer is Jacque Aye (she/her, writer who has her own series of novels and likes to “spin tales about woeful women with a surrealist, magical touch.” I don’t feel like that necessarily fits with MH, but her novels look good).

She is interviewed in the back of this preview and it sounds like she has about 40 dolls from various toy lines, and loves her Skullector Series Beetlejuice and Lydia (she used to be afraid of them).

She says that the comic “is YA and inspired by the darkness Wednesday and the drama of Gossip Girl.” Aaaaaand the only thing people need to know about the comic beforehand is to watch the G1 animated webisodes, read the new Once Bitten, Twice Dead novel (it comes out in mid-July) and “to buy a few dolls for your collection ;)”  The artist is Siobhan Keenan (she/her, also did “Summer Fangout” in the MH Pride Comic and has a ton of GORGEOUS art on -Twitter- “x” and Instagram: @ siobhanchiffon).

The colorist is Rebecca Nalty (she/her, also worked on “Summer Fangout,” and has beautiful artwork on her own website and Instagram: @ sharkberri). The cover artist (and the MonsterNet artist) is Luciannys Camacho (she/her, again, BEAUTIFUL artwork -including some G3 Venus- on Instagram: @ opal_lines).

Lettered and design is Kielamel Sibal (she/her, another artist on Instagram @ labis_lemaleik). The editor is Riley Farmer (she/her, I think, I can’t access her LinkedIn profile), with the production done by Johanna Nattalie (she/her and has worked on a lot of IDW Sonic titles). They are the same team that also worked on the Pride Comic Issue).

The full series will be rated “T” for teen.

In the back of the preview, it lists a “schedule” for the upcoming releases in the IDW New Scaremester” G1 comic series (I assume they didn’t want to call it Boo Scaremester due to the G1 doll line of the same name).

The floppies will be releasing every month starting in August-May and all 10 copies will probably be collected in the listed “Monster High Fearbook 2024-2025” also in May. ….I assume.

There are three more One Offs: Halloween 2024 (in “Fangtober”), Snow Ball (in December 2024…only October gets a pun), and Spring Break (in April 2025). I don’t know if these will be collected in the Fearbook too, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they were. 

The “2025-2026 Scaremester” will start its new set of floppies in August of 2025. If this schedule is followed to the “t.” 

Some information on the G1 canon to date, because G1’s canon is kinda a mess that contradicts itself EVERWHERE (unlike the EAH books, which all kinda mesh pretty well with another and a pretty good read) and can be broken down into several categories:

The Doll’s Diaries 2010-2022 (I consider these to be the most important as they delve into the characters internal feelings and we get a deeper look at them and their relationships with one another. I wish they continued making them, but not everyone has read them). You can lump UK’s MH Figurine Collection Mini-Diaries, and Nessi Monstrata’s MH Diary Series in with these as they follow the same premise.

The Monster High G1 Animated Webisodes (175 webisodes, 2010-15)/Commercials/New Ghoul at School (these seem to be what most people still imagine the G1 characters acting and sounding like. It’s kinda a mixed bag of episodes -especially the first and ending seasons- and I feel like the diaries do a better job at characterization, but I have a nostalgic soft spot for these webisodes. It does sometimes contradict itself and the diaries). 

Monster High Supplemental Books/Web Stuff: Books that mostly just repeated facts/pictures from the Webisodes and Diaries (such as the MH Annuals 2014-2016, 2013’s MH Fearbook, 2013’s MH My Monster Life, 2013’s MH Meet the Monsters, and the 2014’s MH Collection) or LIGHTLY built-off the canon that was mostly explored in the webisodes and diaries. (For some reason the movies were not mentioned quite as often). These include 2015’s Scare-ific Secrets (this one was a great read for a G1 fan), the Monster High website’s 2012 Boo Year’s Eve Countdown, 2012’s-2013’s Freaky Fab 13, and the 2014 Dance the Night Away: A Night in Scare-adise Prom. 

The 13 G1 CGI Monster High Movies (these would contradict themselves. Like MH’s Ghoul’s Rule involving a lot of more of New Salem/Salem’s normies, or the Great Scarrier Reef forgetting a lot of Lagoona’s characterization. They do have some of my favorite MH moments in them).

Could MOSTLY fit into the lore. These are stories that can technically fit into the main timeline, but may not be mentioned again by other characters (the Ghoulfriend’s Book series -has a whole new villain, some new side characters, and MH dorms, and the two Graphic Novels: “I Only Have Eye for You” -it is mentioned off handedly in Kieran’s Diary, but doesn’t fit in chronologically- and “Hopes and Screams” -basically a collection of original webisodes in comic form, and Shannon Hale’s EAH/MH crossover: “The Legend of Shadow High,” EAH is hinted at in “13 Wishes” and “Boo York, Boo York”). Or they are just slightly off from the main canon (2011’s MH Ghoul Spirit and New Ghoul in School games have in-game only main characters). 

Information given by the creators (such as Garrett Sander’s Q and A’s and Instagram doll breakdowns). They’re really fun and interesting but teeeechnically not canon.

Their own thing (the Lisi Harrison novels were MH in name only and the Monster High Anime: Scary Cool Ghouls, a fun watch, but their own continuity). I’m also going to guess that the just announced Universal Live Action G1 movie will hang out here too.

I’m going to assume (after my breakdown of the FCBD IDW preview that the main IDW comics and Once Bitten will be in the last category…oh…joy…)

Okay, that was a lot of information. Time for my personal thoughts/review and more pictures under the cut!!!!

First off …I don’t have much confidence that I will like it due to:

1. Being out of the age range of “YA” (I still like some of it, but it’s not guaranteed).

2. The writer comparing it to two shows I didn’t personally care for.

3. It sounds like it will be in the same G1 continuity as the Once Bitten, Twice Dead novel and that novel screams NOT FOR ME (it honestly sounds like my least favorite YA fiction tropes: overly angsty and dark…and in a cringy way to try and make it sound more adult. Like CW shows! Or that cancer live action Power Puffs reboot/ continuation). It’s not continuing the G1 MH canon I was personally connected to.

4. Despite all the artists having great looking artwork in their instas, I personally do not care for the artwork….or maybe the layout…both…(?) in the comic. I think it looks a bit generic looking (where is Frankie’s boxier head, Clawdeen’s larger nose, Cleo’s sharp angles?!). Like, it’s not necessarily bad, but the art style just doesn’t grab my attention in this comic (maybe it was rushed…?).

I will probably check out the first full floppy volume for this run, but otherwise I don’t collect floppies (single issue released comics) because they’re so fragile and it’s more affordable for me to get their collected versions. 

5. I am not the biggest western-comics fan and generally prefer independent graphic novels or manga/manhwa due to their stories feeling more cohesive (I generally don’t have to worry about different runs being picked up or dropped by different artists and writers) and I like knowing the inside/panel art will look very similar to the quality of the cover art (generally different artists will work on ongoing western comic series and I find it disappointing to pick up a comic with a beautiful cover to only be met with a different art style inside -like this comic-). 

Soooo taking that all into consideration, let’s delve in:

The opening letter is from Headmistress Bloodgood (using her original G1 signature, what a fun detail). Remember how Bloodgood would fight for her students and was a fair, but lightly strict Headmaster? Maybe the school board gave her absolutely no choice.

Speaking of Bloodgood, is she a reanimated normie? Or does she come from a long line of headless monsters….ghosts?? I’m pretty sure Hexiciah is mostly human (besides the little bit of fairy blood in him), and Victor Frankstein is most definitely human….

I would be surprised if Jackson/Holt are going to be in this continuity. Their mom definitely broke the “no romance with normies claws” to have made them and Jackson is often considered a normie. I’m guessing the Ghouls Rule movie didn’t happen in this continuity either…

This letter is alluding to a bunch of fuuuuuun (aka dark angsty shit with normies) that went down in Once Bitten and that this comic series is going to be dealing with the blowback from that.

Geeze, for being the most “inclusive and accepting school for monsters” it is hardcore against the real monsters….THE normies. DUN! Dun! DUUNN!

I feel like these “no normie rules” are influenced by G3’s NO NORMIE policy; or the Lisi Harrison books. I’m getting a whole lot of vibes reminiscent of the Lisi Harrison books. Woof…

“”The School Board has voted to more stringently uphold these claws moving forward.”” I do find it funny that the Monster High Universe seems to be run by Monster High’s school board.

If the artwork in the corner is anything to go by, it looks like the G1 CGI movie version of the school will be used for this iteration. 

I might have to re-upload the comic pages without the speech bubbles for copyright reasons, but since this one was a free issue, I thought it would slide:

Page 1:

The actual comic starts off with a very distraught Frankie wanting to spend time with her dad this summer, but he declines. He’s too busy with his research into trying to make a perfect reanimating process….?

Whoaaa buddy I’ve got some bad news for you. I think you are a bit late to the party.

G1’s Victor Frankenstein reanimated you and your wife, I believe you guys both made Watzie for Frankie, Frankie created Hoodude and the gingerbread boy and that’s just the Steins. Hexiciah Steam created Robecca, and I’m sure some of Monster High’s Zombies were reanimated and not born naturally!! Another change in this comic, they decided to call Viktor Stein (Frankie’s dad) just Frankenstein. Aaaand make him both conventionally attractive and constantly in partial shadow (is he going to be super broody in this??). I remember him being a lot more playful towards Frankie in the diaries and liking dumb puns.

And, I mean, I’m not against more dilfs in MH (Hexiciah *cough cough* and G2’s Dracula *cough cough*), but I was kinda hoping for a more interesting/fun-take on the monster-y design.

MH already has these designs kicking around!

A small nitpick: they used a distractingly large/thick brush to ink-in the black parts of his hair, and I don’t like how it messily covers the finer lines of hair.

““The day I sewed your parts together and zapped you to life was the best day of MY life.””

From this line, it sounds like G1’s Viveka Stein is going to be MIA in this series as he doesn’t mention her at all in creating Frankie. This man is either taking all the credit here or Viveka was taking a snooze or something…

Pros: Frankie looks very cute in the second panel (except for the fingers which look a bit off) and Siobhan can draw hot older men VERY well.

Page 2:

“Frankenstein” explains to Frankie that he’s too busy trying to get his (redundant) research ready for the “World’s Scare Science Exhibition.” Frankie interrupts and sees that her ghouls need her. Frankenstein once again alludes to this version of G1 being a melodrama “let me know how they’re faring.”

I find Frankenstein’s: “I could never create another you my dear. You’re one of a kind.” Kinda silly.

Alivia has entered the chat (shhh I know she’s G2).

“What I am doing here is something different. Something that’s never been done before.” Again -Vik- Frankenstein, you’re a bit late to the party there.

Personal Nitpick: Why use “Scare Science Exhibition,” when you’ve been using the “Mad Science” pun in G1 already. IMO, I think it also sounds better.

Pro: Frankenstein’s face looks well drawn (especially in the fourth panel-ignoring his blotchy, black hair streaked- look at his cute little bolt eye-glasses).

so does his armchair in the first panel,

and Frankie’s face in the first and second panel.

Con: I think all of their hands look off (especially the fingers). I don’t know if it’s the line work or the coloring, but they all read as awkward and oddly sharp (Frankie’s thumb in the first panel, and whole left hand in the third panel).

Page 3:

Sounds like the ghouls are fighting again, Frankie is caught in the middle, and Draculaura is dealing with the brunt of the shit show from the “Once Bitten” book.

Personal Nitpick: Draculaura is drawn REALLY tall in this photo (in the webisodes and CGI movies, she is teeny).

Pro: Frankie looks great in the first panel, I like her and Clawdeen’s smile in the photo, and her expression in the fourth panel. Con: Frankie’s hands look janky in the first panel.

Page 4:

Apparently Frankenstein remembered electricity being vital to reanimation, and rushes to find his notes (that were apparently not on his desk). But his notes are missing. Dun! Dun!! I wonder who the brains in the jar belong to?? Perhaps Vivika and Victor Frankenstein are in this version of G1 after all…

Pro: I liked his exclamation: “by Mary Shelly’s ghost.”

I really liked how Frankenstein is drawn in the third panel and how he breaks out of the frame of the panel too. It just feels a lot more “alive” and energetic.

The lightning bolt is drawn well and the toppled mug of coffee in the background of the fourth panel is a nice addition. Page 5 (the last of the paneled comic in this preview):

A super eeeevillll person suddenly sprouts up from nowhere (was this guy squatting down in the corner of the room; waiting for Frankenstein to figure out the key to reanimating life) and grabs Frankenstein’s “life’s work;” threatening to destroy it, unless he agrees to work with him. Frankie-boy agrees. Meanwhile, Frankie is still talking to her boos, while flipping through her photo album.

I also wonder if the ghouls are not allowed to fang out during summer break and can only see each other during the school season?? Otherwise, why can’t they all fang out. :/ Personal Nitpick: how did that burglar get into that room?? Was he there the whole time (pretending to be a table) or did he sneak in after Frankie left?

Frankenstein’s “life’s work” is entirely made up of a two whole envelopes(?) and two spiral notebook pages. That’s it Frank?!? That’s all?!? And is Lagoona not part of the main squad in this version of G1 (maybe she WAS actually boiled alive in the previous book)?

Pro: Frankenstein’s hand (once again breaking the panel’s outline) looks very well drawn. Frankie mostly looks great in the last two panels (I love her pose in the fourth panel

and her cute smile in the last one). Con: Cleo’s face doesn’t look like herself in the last panel (where did all of her sharp facial angles go)??

They gave Frankie yaoi-sized hands in the fourth panel. Haha! They’re huge!

This is the last “comic page” in this FCBD preview. There are four Monster Net profiles of the main ghoul, a Schedule (I covered this earlier), an interview with the author (also covered earlier), and another picture of the cover art. The Monster Net is a clever G1 upgrade, I like these and the details that went into them (even if I don’t like the implication of what written here). The artwork is done by the cover artist: Luciannys Camacho, and looks great.

In Frankie’s her dad is confirmed to be her only parent… :/ Boooo!!!

Draculaura’s profile is just…very sad. The poor ghoul apparently has had a bad year with her dad (who may or may not be dead) making her drink blood (to save her life…? Was it a ritual..? He was begrudgingly okay with her vegan life style beforehand) and going to meetings (is she taking over a business, is she being called in to testify what happened the last year at MH)? I am so not looking forward to what’s going down in “Once Bitten”….

I guess that her new step mom from the Diaries Series (Ramoanah) is also not a thing in this either (none of these ghouls get moms). Draculaura also looks super cute in this artwork!!

Clawdeen’s bio really plays up her being a fashion influencer and I think that perfectly works for her. Her bio is also hinting at everyone being sad, distant, and off. It confirms she has a girlfriend: Toralei….which I have mixed feelings on. I really like G3 Clawdeen and Toralei and I have seen REALLY cute artwork for G1 Clawdeen and Toralei. But that’s about it. Besides their dog/cat theme, I haven’t been swayed to ship them just yet (Toralei did some horrendous things to the ghouls and while I’m a sucker for enemies-to-lovers they haven’t done enough flirting with each other for me to hop on board yet). I assume they will have their relationship built up in “Once Bitten” and not just “Summer Fangout” (because that still just felt like it was skimming the surface).

Her artwork also looks great (her outfit especially looks well drawn).

Cleo’s profile is also fine. But WHY did the newest Monster High Diaries (from the Haunt Couture line) and THIS comic want to break up G1 Cleo and Deuce?!? They are a great power couple and have already gone through so many ups and downs in G1 to prove that they love each other. Since when does Cleo care about who Nefera has dated (apparently Nefera has dated someone in another dimension….is she dipping into the fairy tales and dating someone at Ever After High or the Barbie verse? Is this what happened to Blaine after Barbie dumped him to be with Ken again?!?).

Final Thoughts:

Well, that was certainly a preview of what’s to come and I’m super wary of it. :/ Again, I might’ve just aged out of G1’s YA melodrama that they’re leaning into. But I was hoping for a semi-proper continuation of the MH G1 continuity. Maybe see the ghouls graduate (after following them around their senior year) and head to college…? See some of their family members start MH…? G1 Monster High has some good bones and ideas to play around with (it’s far from perfect-I already mentioned how confusing the lore is). Plus, writers now can be inspired (or know what to avoid) by what’s happened in G2 and G3.

I already stated that this fits into the last category of MH G1 Lore “It’s Own Thing,” and this IS just a peak into it, and MAYBE I’ll be swayed, but so far, I’m just not super impressed. I give this preview a 5.8/10. The artwork is mostly pretty good, the paneling is not groundbreaking, but also not bad, it flows well. The story is what’s holding me back (but it is a free issue and it got me to finally go into our local comic book shop for Free Comic Book day).

Anyways, those are just my thoughts. What do you think of the story so far? Are you excited about “Once Bitten”/IDW MH comics living their best alternate G1 lives? Are all of my takes awful? Let me know!

Part 2 of this series of reviews will be part one of (hopefully four posts of) MH’s Pride Issue’s Comic: “Summer Fangout.”

[littlealeta]

Abigail Review (Spoilers)

LONG BLOG! IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ THIS BLOG, SCROLL DOWN TO THE OVERALL SECTION FOR A TL;DR and ALETA REWRITES

We haven’t had an evil child film since uh… Annabelle Creation? So, I was excited to see how this movie would play out.

Unfortunately, it’s like every other evil child film.

So… the positives?

The actors are excellent. They fit seamlessly into their roles. Their comedic timing and wits are great. Abigail’s actress is adorably sweet and innocent and portrays her manipulative split personality naturally. Everyone looked like they were having fun and were really into their roles, which was always entertaining to see.

Some of the scenes are entertainingly quirky. Like Abigail using Sammy as a puppet, while cliched, was humorous and fun with the intercut shots while this wildly unfitting song is playing. The scene is melodramatic but it somehow comes off as ironically humorous (in a good way). Abigail dancing to classical music with Dean’s beheaded body is another moment of good creepiness. And the entire scene with Puppet Frank was interestingly disturbing and sometimes funny. It was crazy.

Rickle was a likeable character who the film, unfortunately, had the misfortune to kill off early on because… I guess they didn’t know what to do with his character.

And… that’s about it.

Story

Like I said, the story, besides a few scenes, doesn’t really do anything special with its concept. It had a good concept (ballerina who just wants to play and can turn people into her slaves), but it never really goes that far with it. Instead, it’s just another horror film where a group of people are being chased by a monster.

The ending is a total wtf mess. Joey gets her heart stabbed and twisted and somehow survives because the protagonist's gotta have plot armor. Abigail turns a 180 and starts protecting Joey for some reason. Lazaar appears and…we don’t know what he’s about, besides the fact that he’s creepy. He and Abigail let Joey out because the movie has to end.

Characters

The cast is an entire mixed bag. The only one I liked was Rickle because he seemed like the most decent in the cast. But instead, they write him off, leaving us with a group of ignorant scumbags for the rest of the hour. We don’t even really get much time to know Rickle because he was killed off so soon. I feel Dean had more personality than him. I don’t remember much about Rickle other than he was the nice guy. And Dean has the same problem. The film fucks him over too early so we don’t have time to find a reason why we should care about these two characters.

Besides Rickle, the cast are all unsympathetic people. Luckily, some of their actors are good enough to make them appealing. And they DO have their moments where they are funny and badass, but when they’re being serious and/or trying to make a decision, they’re just your average dumb horror movie character. Some of the dialogue that they make is on the nose, notably right before they die, they do the cliche “I will always be there for you” kind of shit. 

Joey (seemingly our protagonist) is revealed to have been a deadbeat mother who dabbled in drugs and a life of crime. One poor decision she made was betraying the group over killing Abigail despite knowing she was Valdez! She is also apparently psychic (as she can read other people), but is never said to be so because the film is too lazy to. Dean is the dumb horror character who somehow just has no brains. Implicitly, he seems to be on drugs, but they don’t do anything to make his character likeable, nor do I believe it was stated that he WAS on drugs.

Sammy is my least favorite. Not only do I hate the way her character is designed, but she’s just a total whiny bitch who often has something annoyingly smug to say. Or she just gets pissed off for no fucking reason, like when she finds Dean’s body.

Peter and Frank? They’re on the more likeable side, but they’re not too great either. Peter, for example, makes the dumb decision to kill Abigail before knowing she was Valdez and almost released her from her cage at the expense of his group. Frank is the only sane man, I probably tolerated him the most, considering he was the only one with a brain. However, he can often be harsh and insensitive (like about Joey's troubled life) and, he too, threatens Abigail, screaming at her when for all he knew at the time, she was just an innocent little girl. And then, he just turns completely against the group because the writers LOVE making these characters impossible to care about. He has a similar past to Joey because the writers couldn’t come up with something different.

Last but not least is the titular character Abigail, who apparently has some dark past, but still manages to be a bland villain. She’s your typical horror movie character out for revenge and to kill the main characters. Her ballerina moves can hardly make up for it. Despite having a backstory, her development still feels shallow. There’s a whole slow ass scene where she monologues about how everyone came to be the way that they are. Number 1. How do you know who anyone is? Number 2. SHOW DON’T TELL, MOVIE.

Overall

Abigail gets 3.4 bells out of 10

Actors feel natural in their roles and are hilarious with their humor. The concept is a tad quirky, and there are some scenes where they run with that, but they are few and far in between. Plot feels mostly like your average horror film and is slow at some parts, especially at the beginning. Characters tend to make some horrible and appallingly dumb decisions with Rickle being the only nice guy in the group. If the characters are not horrible, they are shallow, like unfortunately our almost one-note villain. Dialogue sometimes feel so obvious, it’s unnatural. Ending feels very lazy due to the shallowness of the characters and their development.

Aleta Rewrites: I would make Abigail a playfully eerie child, like a Chucky kind of situation. Like, obviously, I think the movie tried to make her out to be this playful, quirky ballerina kid. So, I would lean into that more. So, it doesn’t seem like she’s just some generic character hell bent on revenge, but rather a lunatic with a morbid fascination with gore and death. So, the only reason she’s bodying people is so that she can play and mess with them, like in the scene where she’s dancing with Dean’s beheaded body. Maybe she can kill her victims while she’s dancing/playing, that would be funny. Lean in more into the horror comedy instead of making it a gritty drama about corrupt people.

I would also develop Lazaar more. Maybe make him the final boss of the film. Or preferably, do a twist where it shows that HE was the one possessing Abigail and everyone in the film, so when he's killed off or his magic is wrecked, Abigail will be free and THEN will team up to fight Valdez.

[mundo-misterio]

Finding Dory Movie Review & Movie Summary (2016)

Finding Dory Movie Review & Movie Summary (2016)

Lo que su cerebro podría no aceptar, sin embargo, su corazón podría hacerlo. “Buscando a Nemo” fue impulsada por su perspicaz descripción de la abrumadora necesidad de un padre soltero de proteger a un niño, especialmente uno con una aleta de tamaño insuficiente, en lugar de dejar que se las arregle por sí mismo y adquiera un sentido de independencia. Aquí, Stanton apela al mismo tipo de instinto…

[humanoid-lovers]

Way Better Than A Movie I am so happy to have found this; what a great way to pass the cold, wet, winter days than to cozy up on the couch with the cat and one of these books. Go to Amazon

Full colored strips with the full original text of Prince Valiant by Hal Foster! Hal Foster's glorious saga has been captured here in full color - together with his full text. Arthurian lore is wed together with a heroic quest across the expanse of much of the known world of olden days. Go to Amazon

Fabulous artwork and storytelling The fifth volume of Hal Foster's saga of the civilized world teetering on the edge of the Dark Ages, with his hero Valiant, delivers a heartfelt payoff as Aleta takes the stage in a role that presents her instantly likeable and admirable. Although today's newspaper strips have several series that are well done ("B.C." comes to mind) the quality of the artwork and story here in this volume contrasts sharply with the poor and shrunken strips of today. These panels covering Sundays 1945-6 are vividly printed with the craftsmanship of Foster evident on every page. Go to Amazon

Wonderful Series We own all of the volumes in this series and Vol. 15 is a wonderful addition with beautiful color and illustrations. Reading it is a step back in time to when we read these comics as youngsters. The book makes a wonderful gift. Go to Amazon

Great stuff! Though I am not old enough to have started with the 1937 comic strips, I used to read about Prince Valiant every week in our local paper. When these archive volumes caught my eye last year I knew I would eventually have to purchase one. Well, I guess I'll be collecting the whole series! Volume One was great, I can't wait to see what happens next! Go to Amazon

Graphic Artist genius One review for all of Hal Fosters work is sufficient. Genius artist and story teller, and as a graphic artist/cartoonist for dozens of years there was no one better. I am aiming to own his complete collection. Go to Amazon

Love it! I have always loved the historically based high adventure stories of Prince Valiant and these Hard cover Fantagraphics volumes are even better than the original Sunday comic strips! The exquisitely drawn illustrations by Hal Foster bring to life the entire historical era right in your living room! I often find myself lingering over them as they really transport you into another time. Better than watching a movie! Shipping was prompt, always came securely packaged before the anticipated arrival date, and I simply felt like a kid opening a present on Christmas morning! Go to Amazon

Another Fine Prince Valiant Volume Hal Foster's "Prince Valiant" is one of the best and longest-appearing syndicated strips. The artwork is splendid, the historical research admirable, and the stories always entertaining. Volume 6 of Fantagraphics' gorgeous hardcover reprint series is no exception. The stories in this book mostly occur in America, many centuries prior to the Jamestown settlement. It's fun to see Val and Aleta interacting with the Indians and traipsing around Niagara. If you like the other volumes, or the work of Hal Foster, you'll probably like this. Go to Amazon

Highly recommended Beautiful book. Great detail in reprinting Five Stars Prince Valiant never ceased to amaze me. These hardcover editions are superb Five Stars I have bought all the volumes, PAC Five Stars Working on the set. Books are well made, ... Five Stars Five Stars

[juniperpublishers-jdvs]

Reproductive Performance and Wastage in Large Ruminant (Cattle) in Ethiopia-Review- Juniper Publishers

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to review the reproductive performance and wastage in large ruminants (cow) in Ethiopia. Though the number of female cattle in Ethiopia is high (55.38% (32.0 million)), the production and reproductive performance (crucial factor) needs to be improved. For modern dairy industry, reproductive performance is the most important to determine the efficiency of dairy cattle. Even though, age at first service, age at first calving, day’s open, calving interval and number of services per conception are the most factors; management and cow-level factors also determine the reproductive performance of dairy cow. The indigenous cattle of age at first service, age at first calving and calving interval is 34.4±2.28 to 56.16±7.56 months, 33.9 to 57.69±1.11months and 13.59±0.26 to 26.04 months, respectively. There is wastage of reproductive due to environmental, genetic, disease and management factors. So, to improve the productivity and production of native breeds, detail understanding of current performance, identifying challenges and opportunities with the causal factors is very important.

Keywords: Indigenous cattle; Reproductive performance; Wastage

Abbreviations: DMY: Daily Milk Yield; AFS: Age at First Service; AFC: Age at First Calving; CI: Calving Interval; NSC: Number of Services per Conception; DO: Days Open; BCS: Body Condition Score; RFM: Retained Fetal Membrane

Introduction

Ethiopia holds the largest livestock population in Africa. The estimated cattle population in Ethiopia is about 57.83 million, 28.04 million sheep, 28.61 million goats, 1.23 million camel and 60.51 million poultry. Out of 57.83 million cattle the female cattle constitute about 55.38% (32.0 million) and the remaining 44.55% (25.8 million) are male cattle. From the total cattle in the country 98.59% (57.01million) are local breeds and remaining are hybrid and exotic breeds that accounted for about 1.19% (706,793) and 0.14% (109,733), respectively. Smallholder dairy farms in Ethiopia particularly in regional and zonal cities are alarmingly increasing because of high demand of milk and milk product from resident. However, the existing farming system which holds maximum of 10 or 15 cows per individual is not satisfactory to fulfill the demand. In addition, farming system has a major problem with regards to feed source, feed supply and the amount given per animal below the minimum standard, which entails in reduction in production and reproduction in the farms [1].

Productive and reproductive traits are crucial factors determining the profitability of dairy production [2], and poor reproductive performance, exposed as prolonged calving intervals, can result in reduced milk yield and increased culling rates and replacement cost [3]. The most common reproductive performance is age at first service, age at first calving, day’s open, calving interval and number of services per conception [1,4]. In addition, major reproductive performance factors encompass both management factors (such as methods of husbandry, feeding, estrus detection, semen handling and transition cow management) and cow-level factors (such as age, BCS, post parturient problem, disease, milk yield, and genetics) [5]. Hammoud [6] also proposed, maximum rates of breeding efficiency in dairy cattle are attained through regular calving of one viable offspring per breeding cow in the herd in a year.

Reproductive health problems cause considerable economic loss to the dairy industry [7] due to slower uterine involution, prolonged inter conception and calving interval, negative effect on fertility, drop in milk production and early depreciation of potentially useful cows [8]. Reproductive wastage is normally considered to cover all losses from mating to the first breeding of the offspring or death of a foetus, calf or cow between confirmed pregnancy diagnosis and weaning, and calculated as a percentage of pregnant cows. Reproductive wastage is caused by environmental, genetic, disease and management factors which operate with different severities and in different combinations. These factors interfere with ovulation, fertilization or implantation and during gestation and parturition [9]. Thus, reproductive disorders are one of the most important problems that affect the production and productivity of dairy cows [10]. Therefore, the objective of this review is documenting the reproductive performance and wastage in large ruminants (cow) in Ethiopia.

Milk Yield and Lactation Length Performance of Ethiopian Cows

The main parameter that is used to gauge the efficiency of production in dairy farm is milk. According to CSA reported, the average milk yield per cow per day is about 1.37 liters. Milk production in Ethiopian zebu produces an average range of 2-4 liters with minimum of 1 liters and maximum of 6 liters [1]. The average daily milk yield (DMY) performances of indigenous cows in PLWs was 1.85 litres/day and ranged from 1.24 litres in rural lowland agro-pastoral system of Mieso to 2.31 litres in rural highland dairy production system of Fogera [11]. In addition, the mean daily milk yield/liters for local cow in western Oromiya is 2.2 ±0.6 [12]. According to Mustefa & Adebabay [13] stated, the yield of milk for local cows is 1.96 ± 0.8193 and 1.82 liters/day in Wolmera areas and Bure district, respectively.

There is a variation in daily milk yield performances of cattle (local) due to agro-ecology effect. For example, the value of average daily milk yield was higher in mid land (2.127 ± 0.094) than low land (1.861 ± 0.084) [14]. Also, the average milk yields for the different stages of lactation in Mecha and Bahir Dar Zuria Districts was 2.0, 1.2 and 0.6 litres for the first, second and third lactations, respectively with an overall average milk yield of 1.2 litres for local cows [15]. Moreover, the average milk yield of local cows per day are 2.73±0.82, 2.01±0.73 and 0.85±0.35 litres for the first, second and third stage of lactations, respectively with an overall average of 1.86±0.63 litres per day [16]. In general, the lower average daily milk yield per cow can be attributed by poor management practice (housing, feeding system and feed nutritional value), stage of lactation and poor genetic potential of the sample population and disease (mastitis which contribute to the low milk production) prevalence.

Lactation length is the time, through which a cow continues giving milk in one parturition. The average lactation period per cow at country level is estimated to be about six months. The average lactation length in North Showa zone showed for local breeds is 273.9 days [17]. Beriso [18] also reported, the lactation length in Aleta Chukko District was 9.93 ± 0.2 months. Kedija & Adebabay [19] stated, the average lactation length of local cows was 7.29 months at Meiso 9.8 months at Bure District, respectively.

The overall average lactation length 324.06 ± 15.09 days (10.802 ± 0.503 months) and it varies between agro-ecologies, in midland areas the local dairy cattle can be milking for longer period (11.875±0.748) than lowland areas (9.82±0.66 years). This might be related with, in midland areas by nature there is exceptional longer rainfall period besides, normal rainfall as result there would be forage availability for milking cows for some extent. Tadesse [20] noted that lactation milk yield is influenced by period of calving and parity number, but no by season of calving. Genotype has own effect on yield performance for lactation milk yield, when variation among genotypes in milk production potential is attributed to genetic potential of each genotypes and poor management (housing, feeding system and feed nutritional value) and disease (mastitis) resistance [21].

Reproductive Performance of Ethiopian Dairy Cows

Reproductive performance is one of the most important concerns of the modern dairy industry worldwide, and it is characteristic of outstanding importance in dairy cattle business and often a major determinant of biological and economic efficiency of livestock production in tropics [22]. The reproductive performance of the breeding female is probably the single most important factor that is a prerequisite for sustainable dairy production system and influencing the productivity [23,24]. The causes of decreasing fertility in dairy cattle are multifactorial origin, and the relevance of different factors varies depending on the geographical areas and the herd [25]. Many factors such as management, nutrition, and genetics are among the reasons for deterioration of reproductive performance [26]. There is a relatively better reproductive performance of dairy cows at Bishoftu because of better feed availability, better AI services in bigger towns, and educational status and farming experience of dairy owners [27].

Age at first service (AFS)

Age at first service (AFS) is the age at which heifers attain body condition and sexual maturity for accepting service for the first time. Age at first service in Ethiopia highland Zebu and Horro cattle were 53 and 55months, respectively. Sisay & Assemu [28] also reported for Horro and Fogera cows are 46.79±1.03 and 42.24±0.05 months, respectively. In addition, the mean age at first service of local heifer reported by Adebabay is 42.48 months in Bure district. AFS in selected Gojam zone varies for different production system reported by Melku are 56.16±7.56, 45.00±2.28 and 39.00±5.40 in rural, peri-urban and urban production system, respectively; because there is good management practice (feeding health care and housing sys-tem) in urban production system. The average age at first service for Ogaden heifers at Haramaya University is 34.4±2.28 months, with minimum and maximum values of 22.6 and 51.5 months, respectively. However, 26% of Ogaden heifers the age at first service is below 24 months. Heifers are considered ready for mating from about 24 months of age or about 200kg body weight [29].

The average AFS of local heifers was 42.48 months Adebabay and Beriso reported, 51.24 ± 0.55 in Aleta Chukko District. AFS is influenced by genotype, nutrition and other environmental factors. First calving marks, the beginning of a cow’s productive life and influences both the productive and reproductive life of the female, directly through its effect on her lifetime calf crop and milk production and indirectly through its influence on the cost invested for up-bringing. Also, a substantial delay in the attainment of sexual maturity may lead a serious economic loss, due to additional, non-lactating, unproductive period of the cow over several months [30] (Table 1).

Age at first calving (AFC)

Age at first calving is the age at which heifers calve for the first time. The beginning of productive life the heifer is called age at first calving. The AFC several studies carried out for local cows are varying. The desirable age at first calving in local breeds is 3 years, even if the recommended heifers calve between 23 and 25 months of age, which is considered as optimum that increase profitability of the dairy business. AFC is one of the important factors contributing to economic return and is determined partially by farmer policy. AFC is affected by different factors like breed, nutritional status and management differences of dairy cows. For example, AFC in selected Gojam zone is higher in urban (66.48±7.68) than peri-urban (49.92±7.08) and urban (49.80±5.40) production system because of poor management. First calving marks, the beginning of a cow’s productive life and influences both the productive and reproductive life of the female, directly through its effect on her lifetime calf crop and milk production and indirectly through its influence on the cost invested for upbringing.

Under controlled breeding, heifers are usually mated when they are mature enough to withstand the stress of parturition and lactation. This increases the likelihood of early conception after parturition. In traditional production systems, however, breeding is often uncontrolled, and heifers are bred at the first opportunity. This frequently results in longer subsequent calving intervals. Researchers have indicated in Ethiopia that of highland zebu had 53 months [1]. In general, earlier calving increases lifetime productivity of cows. AFC influences both the reproductive and productive life of the female directly through its effect on her life time, calf crop and milk production and indirectly upon cost invested for her upbringing and the magnitude of genetic progress. Prolonged age at first calving will have high production in the first lactation but the life time production will be decreased due to less no of calving. If the age at first calving is below optimum, the calves born are weak, difficulty in calving and less milk production in first lactation.

Calving Interval (CI)

CI is the gap between two successive calving or a time elapsed between two consecutive successive parturitions, and ideally should be 12 to 13 months. CI probably the best index of a cattle herd’s reproductive Efficiency. The calving interval can be divided into three periods: gestation, postpartum anestrus (from calving to first estrus) and service period (first postpartum estrus to conception) (Table 2).

Calving interval (CI) is one of the major components of reproductive performance that influences livestock production system [31]. Tadesse noted that longer CI may mainly be attributed to the result of longer CFSI and DO obtained which could be related to environmental factors, mismanagement practices like poor housing, poor nutrition or failure to detect heat by the farmer. For example, CI in selected Gojam zone is higher in urban (26.72±6.55) than peri-urban (20.52±3.78) and urban (19.20±2.33) production system because of poor management. Though, calving interval is the best indicator of reproductive efficiency, extended calving interval is one of the major problems that reduce lifetime productivity of dairy herds [32]. Poor reproductive performance, manifested as prolonged calving intervals, can result in reduced milk yield and increased culling rates and replacement cost.

Number of services per conception (NSC)

The number of services per conception (NSC) depends largely on the breeding system used. It is higher under uncontrolled natural breeding and low where hand-mating or artificial insemination is used. The average number of services per conception of local cows was 1.59. Number of services per conception reported around Mekelle, Bako research center, the overall least squares means in the Maksegnit town [33] and Fogera cows [34] are 2.1±0.1, 1.34±0.11 2.0±0.65 and 1.42±0.05, respectively. Also, the number of service per conception reported by Melku for rural peri-urban and urban production system are 2.51±0.73, 1.37±0.71 and 1.13±0.40, respectively.

NSC values greater than 2.0 should be regarded as poor [35] natural service conception has 1.18 whereas artificial insemination users (1.5 up to 2.3). This might indicate that there are problems in using AI methods due to various reasons, of these factors feed availability, time of insemination and heat detection plays a major role. Higher NSC results from either failure to conceive at a given service and/or failure to maintain pregnancy, thus requiring repeated services. Habtamu & Hammoud [36] also reported that year of calving and parity number exerted a significant effect on conception rate to first service.

Days Open (DO)

Days open refers the interval from calving to conception (i.e. the number of days between parturition and the insemination that resulted in a pregnancy). According to Niraj and Sisay stated, the DO is 185.8± 51.2 (Mekelle) and 88.13 ±2.03 (Horro) days for dairy cows, respectively. Due to good management practice in urban production system (233.40±57.60) DO is good than rural (346.80±33.60) and peri-urban (303.60±38.40). In addition, the overall least squares mean for DO in indigenous dairy cows in Maksegnit town is 86.5±4.5 estimated to be days [33]. Year of calving has significant effect on DO but season of calving did not affected DO. However, there is significant effect of parity number, summer season and season of calving has significant effect on DO. A herd average of less than 85 open days indicates that cows are being breed early, 85 to 115days considered as optimum for dairy herd, 116 to 130 indicate slight problem, 131 to 145 moderate problems, while more than 145 open days considered as sever reproductive problem in the dairy herd.

Birth and Weaning Weight

The overall mean birth weight of Fogera cattle breed calves is 21.4±0.09 kg, but the mean birth weight of Fogera calves is lower (20.7 ± 0.11 kg) reported by Addisu. Birth weight affected by sex of calf, season of birth and year of birth while parity of dam exerted non-significant effect. Male calves are heavier than their female counterparts (21.3±0.08 kg vs. 20.5±0.08 kg). Moreover, the overall least squares mean of birth weight is 21.50±0.29 kg, with 20.98±0.31 kg for females and 22.03±0.33 kg for males. Calves born during the dry season is heavier than those born during the short rainy season. This might be because dams calved in the dry season would have better nutrition during the previous season therefore be in a better body condition during calving. In general, birth weight declines as year advances might be because the deterioration of the grazing lands due to over grazing and variability in birth weight across years implies inconsistency of management level of the farm and variability of natural pasture between years. Researchers reported that year (season) of birth a significant effect on birth weight of calves [37].

The overall mean of weaning weight at eight months (mean weaning age of calves at ALRC) of Fogera calves are 102.2±0.77kg Assemu and Aynalem reported 79.0±1.51kg for Ethiopian Boran breed. But Almaz [38] reported for Fogera cattle breed calves at ALRC is lower (88.6±0.33kg) compared to than Assemu. Getinet also reported for Ogaden breed at six months of age is 91.7±1.67kg, this is might be due to the weaning age and production objective difference of the breeds. Weaning weight of Fogera calves is 88.6±1.3kg. The least squares means of live weights of calves at weaning and 9 months are 91.65±1.67kg and 111.1±2.16kg, respectively, with 95.42±1.92kg and 116.64±2.49kg for males and 87.88±1.95 kg and 105.50±2.37 kg for females and the overall least square means weight at 24 and 30 months of ages are 200.7±3.43, and 234.79±3.67 kg, respectively, which meet the minimum weight for the age of export beef animals. Calves born during wet season has additional weight over calves born during dry season.

Calves born in the short rainy season were heavier than those born in the main rainy season (90.2kg vs. 86.7kg), which might be due to the fact that dams calved during the short rainy season would get better available forage in the main rainy season thus produce better milk for the calves while those calved in the main rainy season immediately gets in the dry season. Less milk production by younger and older cows can bring a calf with lower weaning weight. This might be due to the availability of optional feed resource during wet season, which are palatable and digestible for the calves. Season has significant effect on weaning weight of calves for Fogera cattle breed [39]. The trend of birth weight and weaning weight of Fogera cattle breed at the research center had shown a considerable decrement across the advancement of year. The decreasing trend might be due to deterioration of the production environments (feed quality and seasonality; and disease prevalence), lack of care and facility improvement for the center, unavailability of continuous concentrate feed supply for dams and poor recording system. Additionally, the shift of the ranch to the research center without any facility and feeding strategy, increasing the cattle population trend and invasion of the grazing land by unpalatable weeds, and absence of strategic selection mechanism favors for the declining trend.

Factors Affecting Reproductive and Productive Performance of Dairy Cattle

Factors affecting reproductive performance are associated to either to the management factors (such as methods of husbandry, feeding, estrus detection, semen handling and transition cow management) or to the cow factors (such as age, body condition score (BCS), post-parturient problem, disease events, milk yield, and genetics). The performance of animals depends not only on their genetic merits, but also on other factors such as nutrition, management, health, and environment. Genetic factors are likely to explain only a small proportion of variation in fertility within a population of cows and suggests the strong influence of environmental factors such as management decisions on the reproductive efficiency of dairy cows. There is strong evidence that reproductive performance has a negative relationship with milk production.

Report on delay on postpartum resumption of ovarian activity due to longer CFSI, poor expression of estrus by the cow, failure to detect estrus by herd attendant or both are also the major causes for poor reproduction performance. Absence of heat detection aids, improper AI technique, shortage of experienced inseminators, poor management (feeding, housing, and heat detection) of dairy cows and heifers and early embryonic mortality are the implicated factors on reproductive performance and poor AI efficiency of smallholder dairy cows and heifers [40]. The effect of year of calving and birth on reproductive performance of dairy cows could be attributed change in climatic condition during different seasons.

Nutrition has the major limiting impact on productive and reproductive performance in all animals. It also plays a major role on enhancing reproductive efficiency of dairy cows. Energy and protein are the major nutrients required in the greatest amounts and should be in the topmost priority to optimize reproduction in dairy cattle; but also, minerals and vitamins can’t be neglected and must be optimum in the diet [41]. Hammoud stated, changes in feeding systems which occurred from year to another as well as to differences between years in the quantity and quality of forage availability have a significant effect in year of calving or birth on reproductive performance of dairy cows. Proper heat detection, feeding and postpartum reproduction management may reduce NSC, and hence there is a possibility of reduction in day’s open and calving interval. The incidence dystocia retained foetal membranes clinical and subclinical metabolic disease, mastitis and abnormal displacement can have a significant impact on resumption of ovulation in dairy herds through their effects on uterine involution. Changes in management and environmental condition from year to another year delays age at first service and calving.

Reproductive Wastage and Reproductive Health Problem

Reproductive Wastage

Reproductive wastage is normally considered to cover all losses from mating to the first breeding of the offspring or death of a foetus, calf or cow between confirmed pregnancy diagnosis and weaning, and calculated as a percentage of pregnant cows. Reproductive wastage is caused by environmental, genetic, disease and management factors which operate with different severities and in different combinations. These factors interfere with ovulation, fertilization or implantation and during gestation and parturition. According to Amuanmuta reported for Fogera cattle, the overall mortality rate of 4.9 ± 1.3, 6.8 ± 1.4, 7.3 ± 1.7 and 10.1 ± 2.0 at the end of 30 days (neonatal period) 180, 240 (pre-weaning) and 360 days, respectively. Of the 640 total female cattle reproductive tracts examined in Sululta slaughterhouse, 28.9% uterus are found pregnant, 66.6% (426) are cyclic ovarian activities. Of the cycling cows, 7.5% are pregnants. 65.4% of the fetuses are at early (< 3 months), 30.3% are mid (3-6 months) and the rest 4.3% are at late (6 months) ages of pregnancies [42]. Also, the total number of pregnant cows slaughtered during the Hawassa municipality abattoir and Tula slaughter house is 92. Of the total pregnancies, 45.65% are found with early (first trimester), 30.43% are mid (second trimesters) and 23.91% are late stages (third trimesters). It is also found that the right ovaries have the highest physiological activities than the left ovaries and their percentage are 65.45% and 34.55% on the right and left, respectively [43].

Reproductive health problem

The effects of the disease on reproductive tract causing retained fetal membrane that usually leads to uterine infection and hence poor conception rate. The number of services per conception increases when cattle are repeatedly experience abortion, retained fetal membrane, dystocia and other reproductive health problems [44]. High prevalence of reproductive health problems is mastitis, abortion, repeat breeder, anestrus and RFM are the most prevalent problems of dairy cows in Borena zone [45]. In different parts of Ethiopia indicated that 26.5% of cows examined has at least one of reproductive problems in and around Bedelle south west Ethiopia [46], and retrospective analysis of clinical data in central Ethiopia showed 44.3% of the cows has major prepartum and postpartum reproductive problems [47]. According to Bahlibi [48] reported, 51 (19.3%) affected with the major reproductive problems, of which repeat breeding (9.1%), anoestrus (4.2%) and abortion (3.8%) are the major reproductive problems in selected Tigray region. Also, the occurrence of reproductive problems in the same study areas are 26.7% repeat breeding, 20% anoestrus, 5.8% retained fetal membranes, 5.8% uterine prolapsed, 28.3% abortion and 26.7% testicular swelling (Figure 1). Gashaw [49] and Dawit and Ahmed also reported the prevalence of 33.59% and 40.25% of reproductive health problems of cows in Jimma town, south-west Ethiopia and Kombolcha, north-east Ethiopia, respectively.

Reproductive problems like retained placenta, uterine prolapse, milk fever, calf mortality, still birth, abortion, infection, dystocia and others. Calf mortality (34%) and abortion case (16%) receive high proportion among the reported problems followed by infectious diseases like blackleg, foot and mouth, foot abscess. Calves within 1-3 months of age showed relatively high proportion of mortality (42.3%), less than month (30.9%) and above 3 months (26.8%). Abebaw [50] reported, from the total of 396 dairy cows in-Jimma town, 33.59% (133) affected either with one or more reproductive health problems. Retained Fetal Membrane (RFM), mixed problems, dystocia and endometritis are found to be the major reproductive health problem. According to calf morbidity and mortality have short-term and longterm detrimental effects on performance of a dairy farm [51]. Moreover, according to Adane [52] in Hossana and peri-urban farms, repeat breeder, anoestrus, Retained Fetal membrane (RFM), and dystocia are the major reproductive health problems containing 13.08%, 12.06%, 7.18% and 5.9% prevalence rate respectively and other reproductive health problems observed with lower prevalence include vaginal prolapsed, abortion, mixed and uterine prolapsed having 3.44%, 2.56%, 1.03%, and 0.76% respectively.

Females mortality peaked at the end of the big rainy season (August-September) animals, 37%), in the opposite of bulls which peaked during the end of the dry season between April and June (1 out of 22 animals, 45%). Mortality peaked in calves aged 5 to 7 months (45%) and the main mortality peak is during the dry season (April-June) 45% followed by a second peak in September at the end of the dry season (15%) and a third in December [53]. Higher morbidity (77.8 %) and mortality (22.2 %,) is registered in calves below three months of age compared to 50 % and 16.7 %, respectively in calves above three months of age [54]. Among the diarrheic dairy calves, 68.4 % affected at the age of less than two months, followed by 26.3 % at the age of 2–4 months, and 5.3 % at the age of 4–6 months. Delayed first colostrum feeding led to increased morbidity and mortality (80.0 % and 40.0 %, respectively) compared to early colostrum consumption (60.0 % and 10.0 %, respectively. The major reproductive health problems for Borana are mastitis (21.3%), abortion (12.2%), repeat breeder (10.3%), anestrus (10.3%) and retained fetal membrane (RFM; 7.6%; n=31/409). The rate of abortion increased with the increase in the stage of gestation.

Reproductive Performance Improvement in Dairy cattle

Improving reproductive performance of dairy cows requires understanding of current performance, identifying challenges and opportunities with the causal factors, and subsequently creating sustainable options for overcoming the problems. In Ethiopia, there are extreme variations in livestock production systems, climate and access to services; success in breed improvement depends on flexibility. Therefore, breeding programs should be somehow flexible to be responsive to variable scenarios for future needs of the programs. For example, demands for the product type and quality can change with time and hence the program must respond to such changes. Management practices affect pregnancy success and reproductive performance of smallholder dairy cows. Apart from the conventional methods of evaluating reproductive performance, the introduction of evaluation parameters such as submission to service at the right time post-partum, pregnancy by day 200 and non-pregnancy by day 300 provide which are directly influenced by the management practices provide a useful evaluation alternative.

Effect of Climate Change on Large Ruminant Production and Productivity

Climate change is a long-term shift in the statistics of the weather such as temperature, radiation, wind and rainfall characteristics of a region. Climate change has profound effect on livestock. The anticipated rise in temperature due to climate change is likely to aggravate the heat stress in livestock, adversely affecting their productive and reproductive performance. The predicted negative impact of climate change on agriculture would also adversely affect livestock production by aggravating the feed and fodder shortages. The livestock sector which will be a sufferer of climate change is itself a large source of methane emissions, an important greenhouse gas. The paper mainly reviews the contribution of livestock to climate change and impacts of climate change on livestock milk production, reproduction, livestock diseases and mitigation strategies to counteract climate change effects [55]. Livestock systems in developing countries are characterized by rapid change, driven by factors such as population growth, increases in the demand for livestock products as incomes rise, and urbanization [56]. Climate related hazards in Ethiopia include drought, floods, heavy rains, strong winds, frost, heat waves (high temperatures) and lightning [57]. Rainfall variability greatly influenced herd dynamics in terms of herd die-offs and lower birth rates, which also considerably affected milk production for household consumption [58].

Climate change and variability can severely constrain the productivity of pastoral herds by reducing water availability, forage production and quality, and hence the carrying capacity of rangelands. The risk of heavy livestock losses suffered during recurrent severe droughts associated with climate change and variability presents one of the most serious threats to pastoral livestock keepers [59]. On average, global temperatures will likely increase worldwide by 0.2 degrees per decade. There will be fluctuation in precipitation, increase in droughts and floods [60]. Livestock production systems may be affected in various ways, and changes in productivity are inevitable [61]. climate change affects the sector directly through temperature increases and shifts in rainfall amounts and patterns and through ecosystem changes, changes in crop yield, quality, and types, alter the distribution of animal diseases, and increased competition for resources indirectly. In Borana, Ethiopia showed that rainfall variability greatly influenced herd dynamics under the communal and ranch management in terms of herd die-offs and lower birth rates, which also considerably affected milk production for household consumption.

Droughts of the 1980s and 1990s caused 49% herd losses under the communal land use, while 57% of the cattle mortality under ranch management was attributed to droughts of the 1990 [62-65]. Cattle herd dynamics is strongly determined by rainfall variability in southern Ethiopia. Hygienic condition, feeding, housing and health management should be improved to minimize the occurrence of these problems and associated economic losses in the dairy farms. The reproductive problems according to their relative importance in and around Bedelle were Metritis 51 (16.9%), abortion 42 (13.9%), Retained Fetal Membrane (RFM) 26 (8.6%), dystocia 20 (6.6%), repeat breeding 9 (3%), anoestrous 5 (1.7%), prolapse (vaginal and uterine) 3 (1%) and 2 (0.65%), respectively [66,67].

Conclusion and Recommendation

Conclusion

98.59% (57.01million) of country cattle are local breeds and remaining are hybrid (1.19%) and exotic (0.14%) breed. Even though, Ethiopia has a huge livestock from the Africa, because of several problem like feed source shortage, high cost of concentrate feed, genetic potential, policy disease prevalence and lack of infrastructure, the productivity is too low. Reproductive performance of the breeding female is the single most important factor that is a prerequisite for sustainable dairy production system and influencing the productivity. In dairy sector, age at first service, age at first calving, calving interval, day’s open, and number of services per conception are a crucial factor and influenced by management. The indigenous cattle of age at first service, age at first calving and calving interval is 34.4±2.28 to 56.16±7.56 months, 33.9 to 57.69±1.11months and 13.59±0.26 to 26.04 months, respectively. There is wastage of reproductive due to environmental, genetic, disease and management factors. So, to improve the productivity and production of native breeds, detail understanding of current performance, identifying challenges and opportunities with the causal factors is important.

Recommendation

a. Should be improve genetic potential of native breeds though selection or breeding.

b. Awareness creation training for producers on heat detection, feeding and feed ration formulation, housing, record keeping and health care.

c. Creating linkage with Universities, Research Institutes Center, extension service, dairy cooperatives and NGOs for training, technology adoption transfer and dissemination.

d. Should be improve hygienic of dairy house and control those reproductive disease or economic importance disease particularly mastitis.

To know more about  journal of veterinary science impact factor: https://juniperpublishers.com/jdvs/index.php

To know more about Open Access journals Publishers: Juniper Publishers

[phgq]

Congress moves closer to ban single-use plastics; address waste, flooding

#PHinfo: Congress moves closer to ban single-use plastics; address waste, flooding

Contributed photo of single-use plastics

QUEZON CITY, Feb. 13 (PIA) -- Sixty one bills in the House of Representatives seeking to phase-out or regulate single-use plastics were tackled recently in a technical working group chaired by Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Benitez under the House of Representatives Committee on Ecology..

"This legislation is a critical, concrete step towards a circular economy. There are products that we can immediately ban. But for products that are not easily replaceable, we must give manufacturers time to produce alternatives and diversify," Benitez said.

The lawmaker emphasized the need to consult all stakeholders from the sectors that will be affected, in view of the wide range of products to be covered by the bills such as plastic straws for drinks, plastic coffee stirrers, plastic bags of thickness below 50 microns, plastic cups and cutlery, containers of polystyrene, balloons and candy sticks, buntings, and confetti.

Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, for her part as co-author, also expressed strong support for the immediate passage of the legislative measure regulating and prohibiting single-use plastics.

“We have seen with our own eyes and we have known for some time that single-use plastics have a negative impact on the environment. This is even more problematic in our flood-prone areas, where plastic wastes clog our sewerage systems. The issue isn’t just that plastic bags take forever to disintegrate, it is the massive number of plastics Filipinos use and quickly throw away. These plastics are choking the life out of our oceans and forests and polluting our communities,” Legarda said.

Legarda, a three-term Senator and representative of the Lone District of Antique, said that the complete eradication of single-use plastics, a term commonly referring to disposable plastic items that are thrown after one-time use, must be supported as an environmentally-conscious solution to the plastic crisis.

Among the principal authors of various House bills that seek to regulate the use of plastics are House Speaker Lord Allan Jay Velasco, Deputy Speakers  Legarda and Rufus Rodriguez, Representatives Bernadette Herrera-Dy, Bienvenido Abante Jr., Lorenz Defensor, Ria Christian Fariñas, Rudys Caesar Fariñas Farinas I, Kristine Alexie Tutor, Manuel Cabochan III,  Lawrence Fortun, Geraldine Roman, Robert Ace Barbers, Rozzano Rufino Biazon, Greg Gasataya, Luis Raymond Villafuerte Jr., Estrellita Suansing, Horacio Suansing Jr., Jumel Anthony Espino,  Precious Castelo, Joy Myra Tambunting, Angelo Marcos Barba, Jose Teves Jr., Florencio Noel, Rodrigo Abellanosa, Eric Yap, Paolo Z. Duterte, Josefina Tallado, Ramon Guico III, Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado, Alberto Pacquiao, Francisco Jose Matugas II, John Marvin Nieto, Aleta Suarez, Anna Marie Villaraza-Suarez, Frederick Siao, and Mark Go.

As the principal author of Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Law of 2000, Legarda suggested that instead of "disposable" plastics, ready alternatives can be in the form of reusable ecobags, bamboo or wood utensils, or glass-based containers in homes. She added that companies must change their economic mindset, wasteful production processes and packaging methods, from the use of seemingly cost-effective plastics into investing in reusable and recyclable products which are more sustainable in the long run.

The Climate Change Commission (CCC), led by its Chairperson-designate Department of Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez, supports the nationwide ban on single-use plastics as a vital component of a low-carbon economy and to advance sustainability, promote biodiversity, ensure food security, and curb pollution.

The climate body stressed that the passage of a legislative measure on this subject matter will further push policymakers to proactively review the implementation of existing environmental laws, such as the Clean Air Act (Republic Act or RA No. 8749), Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003), Clean Water Act (RA 9275), and the Climate Change Act (9729) to ensure a more holistic, sustainable, and inclusive recovery of our communities and the environment. (PIA NCR)

***

References:

* Philippine Information Agency. "Congress moves closer to ban single-use plastics; address waste, flooding." Philippine Information Agency. https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1066766 (accessed February 13, 2021 at 10:46AM UTC+08).

* Philippine Infornation Agency. "Congress moves closer to ban single-use plastics; address waste, flooding." Archive Today. https://archive.ph/?run=1&url=https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1066766 (archived).

[taybatwo2]

Monster High Skullector Nightmare Before Christmas Review Part 2 of 2

In my last review, I covered the box and most of Sally’s doll, until I ran out of pictures. In this one, I’ll cover Sally’s sculpt and all of Jack.

She has really cute and tiny ears hiding under her soft hair. I feel like most Skullectors’ face molds’ prior use are quickly found by the fandom, but I did not see much for Sally’s head mold, except for a Reddit thread pointing out that she probably used a modified version of the Bee CAM girl (the head does have a 2022 copyright on it).

I can see it, but if so, it was really modified. Bee CAM has a pointier chin, but does have the narrower/pointy nose, similar curving cheeks, and small puckered lips -they’re just over painted on her doll).

If they did use the Bee CAM as a base, they would have had her nose looks better defined, her chin shaved down, her lips look more inline with each other, and she received tiny round ears when/if they did use this sculpt.

They look juuuuust different enough that she might have a new sculpt or someone else’s. Does anyone else think she might resemble another character? I really should take some acetone to clean off those shiny spots on my Bee CAM’s forehead.

Okay, now for the main dish: JACK the Pump-kin KING

More under the cut:

He is seriously SO CUTE! I love his round vinyl head, his sculpted in mouth, his upturned nose, his subtle brow ridges, and blacked out eyes (thank GOD they did not genderswap him and make him look like someone doing a cosplay of Jack- like I have seen some AWESOME artwork of a more “Monster High” Jack and I think they are all playing it too safe or off model for it to be Jack). I mean these were all background characters for G1 Monster High:

He looks like another version of Eyera and would fit right into the Monster High universe in my opinion.

Okay, let’s get a close up of his shoes. They are very intricate (perfectly Monster High, and have the Spiral Hill as the heel and a teeny tiny skullete on the front of his shoes). His outfit is, unfortunately, just the two pieces and that printed, thin, satin fabric (probably to cut costs on Jack’s new head and body sculpt).

Here is his jacket. I like the print of his jacket. It is just different enough from his original movie look without looking garish.

Yup, one piece. I can understand attaching his pants and shirt together (so his pants don’t fall down…although some spiffy Pumpkin King Suspenders would have looked cool too), but it would have been nice if the vest was removable.

Hexiciah has three separate pieces…..and his set was cheaper than this set (but I suppose they need to charge more for the license….does anyone else wish they’d make older characters that were never turned into dolls again???). The shirt has real metal buttons on it though. Also, his vest reminds me of his prequel version in the graphic novel: Battle for the Pumpkin King:

Jack compared to other Monster High Manster body types (minus G3 and Finnegan). But, this comparison is a bit unfair…..Frankenstein’s Monster has lifts, and Jack is wearing heels…

Hexiciah is towering over all of them. He is actually about the same height as the buffer manster body and the default G1 body. He fits right on in. He’s also very fun to pose, but his elbow joints are bit stiff and (I’m going to assume) delicate. They also come off fairly easily.

His stand is taller than most of the Monster High characters (even Hexiciah’s) because his little stand needs to sit up higher in his ribs to hold him. His clip is also the exact same as Sally’s.

With Jack’s rectangle plastic piece under his clothing, it was hard for the stand clip to grip him, so I just tossed it for the rest of the review. No regrets.

Jack and the other skeleton girls: Skelita and her almost trial run: Skeleton CAM (and Skelita’s Re-Ment dog).

His three fingers versus Skelita and CAM (the same mold). The thumbs look pretty similar besides the size. I might paint the joints of his fingers black, but otherwise, they look great.

A close up of his tiny, but VERY detailed feet (I assume they wanted them about the same size so his pants go on easier).

Skelita’s feet dwarfs his.

His leg bones are fused together like Skelita’s, while his arm bones are separated like Skeleton CAM’s.

A comparison of Jack’s and Skelita’s back (Skelton CAM just has a regular one). I like how they still simplified his neck to resemble his simplified vertebrae seen in the film. His sculpting is JUST SO GOOD!!

This set is near perfect to me. I adore it and I really wish that Mattel made it easier for everyone to get one that wanted one.