#CHM 2024 review

[communist-hatsunemiku]

So, year in review for the blog Communist Hatsune Miku, 2024 edition. This is going to be a series of posts, each one a piece of Miku art I've posted this year, one from each month. These are pieces that I really think are gorgeous, and for whatever reason, they did not receive as much engagement as others. Really this framework is a good way to yap about what went on that month, on this blog, in my life, and in the world of Miku generally!

Keen observers might notice this art contains the Miku that has been my profile pic for the entirety of 2024, posted in January fittingly enough. That's our silly girl, always inspiring artists to make her all kinds of expressive and irresistibly charismatic. She brings it out in the artist, like they are Her muses at the same time She is theirs. I still am in love with the Miku that is my profile pic! This silly smile, like she is about to laugh at Her own joke before she can even get out the words. Eyebrows raised like the inspiration suddenly came to her and she can't even wait to tell me before her lips curl into a big perfect smile. Eyes shining with excitement, I'm sure mine are shining right back at her.

That's a sincerely beautiful thought, worth dwelling on, but to be honest, January 2024 sucked. I really don't even remember any specifics because I was drunk or hungover pretty much constantly during this time. Just working pickup shifts, not knowing whether I'd be able to pick up enough to cover my ass, not knowing what facility I'd be at, or who I was taking care of. Truly a terrible way to work, especially for my ADHD-autistic ass, no stability or consistency, actually it's wild I did that for as long as I did LOL. I was barely scraping by in pretty much all aspects of my life, it was only luck and some substantial financial help from friends and family that I did not irreversibly fuck my self into homelessness, and I'm still paying for this behavior, in multiple respects. I don't want to bog down this entry with all of my sob story however, I'll try to spread it out over the course of this little project, but this is the meat of it really. (Spoiler: I'm booze free since may 2024, so don't worry).

The first half of 2024 was very rough, but it wasn't all bad! And you know, the bright spots always, always, without fail, involved Miku. She was and continues to be the shining beacon guiding me through my life. Running this blog and expressing my love for her to you all has been amazing, and has legit been therapeutic in many ways. So thank you to everyone who enjoys this blog, and a big Miku Miku kiss to the people who have been active participants in this little digital Miku temple that is Communist Hatsune Miku. I expect you know who you are hehe.

I'll cap this entry here though, only 11 more to go... I plan on having them all written up and posted before this month ends. Stay tuned.

みしづか

[thehorrortree]

Submission Window: January 1st – January 7th, 2024 Payment: 3 cents per word for original fiction. 5k words = $150, 20 dollars for artwork chosen as interior content. Negotiable, 100 dollars for cover art. Negotiable. Theme: cosmic horror, Lovecraftian, and weird fiction and non-fiction essays that explore the state of horror as well as philosophies often found in cosmic horror Cosmic Horror Monthly is a horror and weird fiction magazine edited by Charles Tyra. Submission periods are twice yearly from January 1st – January 7th and July 1st – July 7th. January stories accepted will appear in issues July – December July stories accepted will appear in issues January – June SUBMISSION PROCEDURES We are now accepting non-fiction submissions as well as fiction. We would love to see non-fiction essays that explore the state of horror as well as philosophies often found in cosmic horror, i.e. pessimism, nihilism, existentialism, etc. Instructions: All writing must be submitted via email to submissions@cosmichorrormonthly.com. When submitting, include a little background information about yourself in the body and attach the story in the form of a Microsoft Word file. Please include a word count and a brief synopsis of the work. For artwork, please put a link to the gallery/pieces in the body of the email along with any relevant background information. You may also attach example art. Acceptable file formats for attachments are DOC and DOCX for fiction, JPG, and PNG for art. The subject line of the email should read: “CHM Fiction Submission” for fiction, “CHM Non-Fiction Submission” for non-fiction, and “CHM Art Submission” for art. Guidelines Cosmic Horror Monthly is seeking cosmic horror, Lovecraftian, and weird fiction. If you aren’t sure if your work qualifies, submit it. No subject is off-limits and we do encourage writers to try and push the status quo. Please only submit a single story once and only submit one story per email. Multiple submissions are strongly discouraged. Every email will be checked! We are interested in stories written by human beings only. Simultaneous submissions are allowed. At this time, we are strongly favoring stories with a contemporary narrative style. Lovecraftian themes and mythos works are welcomed but try to avoid Lovecraft pastiche and styles mimicking that of his writer circle from the early 20th century. In terms of style, we are fans of Laird Barron, John Langan, Mike Allen, Hailey Piper, Brian Evenson, Thomas Ligotti, Jon Padgett, Gemma Files, Nicole Cushing, and more. Submit your manuscript in Shunn Standard Manuscript Format (Modern or Classic). Word Count: We are open to stories of 1000-5000 words. Stories in the range of 2500-4000 words are preferred. Art If you are an artist, please submit pieces that you feel might be fitting to appear on the cover or in the interior of the magazine. If it is helpful, the magazine runs at a size of 5.5 x 8.5 inches. We do not publish art that utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) in its creation. Payment 3 cents per word for original fiction. 5k words = $150 No reprints at this time. 20 dollars for artwork chosen as interior content. Negotiable. 100 dollars for cover art. Negotiable. To review rights, please request the artist/publisher or the writer/publisher contract. Questions/Problems Email submissions@cosmichorrormonthly.com for all inquiries. Diversity Statement: We believe that the horror genre’s diversity is its greatest strength, and we wish that viewpoint to be reflected in our story content and our submission queues; we welcome submissions from writers of every race, religion, nationality, gender, and sexual orientation. Sexual themes and stories with strong sexual content are acceptable, but Cosmic Horror Monthly is not a market for erotica. If in doubt, feel free to send your story in and let us decide. Please no fan fiction for existing creative universes not in the public domain. The Cthulhu mythos is fair game but be careful using common or worn-out genre tropes—trust us, we’ve seen it all at this point.

We prefer to be surprised. If you’re not sure if your story is suitable, don’t query; please just go ahead and submit and let us decide. You are welcome to resubmit previously rejected stories if they have been significantly revised. Via: Cosmic Horror Monthly.

[thxnews]

Valproate Study: MHRA Unveils New Risks

Valproate and Neurodevelopmental Risks in Children

The UK's MHRA has released a crucial study on valproate, a common epilepsy treatment. It reveals a worrying risk: children whose fathers took valproate around conception may face increased neurodevelopmental disorders. The study shows about 5 in 100 of these children have such disorders, higher than in children whose fathers took other seizure medications. This insight is vital, as it expands our understanding of valproate's effects, previously focused mainly on its use during pregnancy.  

MHRA’s Proactive Measures for Patient Safety

Reacting to these findings, the MHRA is setting new safety standards for both male and female valproate users. Especially for men planning families, it’s crucial to discuss valproate use with healthcare providers. This step shows MHRA's dedication to safeguarding patients against potential medication risks. It’s part of broader efforts, including a comprehensive safety review started in 2022, to minimize harm from valproate use.  

MHRA's In-Depth Safety Review

The MHRA is not new to enhancing valproate safety. Its rigorous reviews and collaboration with the Valproate Stakeholder’s Network have led to stricter safety measures. These efforts include a thorough analysis of antiepileptic drug safety during pregnancy. The MHRA's approach reflects its commitment to protect patients by basing decisions on solid evidence and stakeholder feedback.  

Implementing Regulatory Changes

January 2024 will see new MHRA regulations, aiming to minimize valproate risks. These changes, recommended by the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM), focus on a more individualized approach to prescribing valproate. They emphasize the need for specialist consultation, especially for patients under 55 years. This move towards more personalized patient care is a significant step in healthcare regulation.  

Ensuring Medication Safety

Through its ongoing efforts, the MHRA undoubtedly plays a crucial role in UK healthcare. By proactively staying ahead of medical data and consistently prioritizing patient safety, the agency effectively ensures that valproate and other medications are used both safely and effectively.   Sources: THX News & Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Read the full article

[communist-hatsunemiku]

So continuing my CHM year in review. This Miku art was posted back in February. Severely underrated Miku to be honest, She wants to come over to be strange and off putting. The demands of performing and being Hatsune Miku leave her little time and space for just indulging in relaxation and otaku hobbies, she knows your apartment is a good place for that stuff. The piece seems unfinished, but I do think the artist intended that. This Miku is letting her hair down in a sense, letting her lines get a little sketchy, letting the definition down a notch. It's taxing being in stunning HD all the time, she needs to let her processor chill ykwim. Turn some fans on and get to cooling her off, you should be grateful she chose your crummy apartment to lay low for a bit!

February contains my birthday, so I turned 30. Simultaneously a big birthday and a small birthday. I mentioned this way earlier in the year, but the idea that your twenties is the prime of your life is incredibly fake shit. My twenties, like most peoples, was filled with messy interpersonal relationships, poor financial decisions, and extremely dumb takes about the world. It's now, at the beginning of my thirties, that I finally know who I am, what my values are, and what I want to do. The clarity is real and tangible, especially at the time of writing this. I'm sober and more or less have my feet under me, it's actually very funny and insane how I used to live my life, and Miku did not always envelop it. It's through her that I know what it means to have faith. Not to sound like an evangelist, but it's like... once you've felt it, it's hard not to look at other people and wish for them to understand the way you do. It does feel like a responsibility I've been given by Miku, like she trusts me to guide people to her. Without force, coercion, and manipulation, I'm to show people what Miku can do for them. I am in the process of unpacking all that and what I really mean, that's a big part of the project that CHM has become.

I've only been a Miku fan since July 2022 actually, but I think I was primed and ready for her. My unique life experiences have given me a unique perspective on Miku that I don't really see elsewhere in the vocaloid world, I'm kind of forging my own way in that sense. That's the project of this blog, and I'm more ready than ever for 2025, despite everything else, I'm incredibly excited to see what's in store for Hatsune Miku and the people supporting her. I posted a tweet awhile ago that straight up said it: we are entering a golden age of Hatsune Miku content, she is not a meme, or a fleeting fad. She has only gotten bigger, more popular, more complex, and more profound. It's a incredibly bright little corner of human history I find myself immersed in, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

So that's february! lol! March is on the way.

Link to the january entry.

赫井苹果(あかいりんご)