#MLIS? BRO? bro. BRO.

[bardtits]

AS LONG AS NO ONE DECIDES TO FAIL ME OUT OF NOWHERE YA BITCH IS DONE WITH THEIR MASTER’S

we’ll see

[tonyglowheart]

major W, convinced the DM for what will be our next campaign (a homebrew he's working on) to, one, let fantasy graduate studies in library sciences/archival studies be a thing, and two, let my character be paying off fantasy student loans (although in his system it's been translated to more of just tuition, sad) for said fantasy PhD in archival studies/MLIS

[ihopethisendswell]

This is gonna be so left field y'all, I just needed to rant about this stupid book hgvhvgvgvcg

Months ago I got a random book from BG's ( very big supermarket essentially), not knowing it was the second book in a series. I decide to read it anyway, bc I already spent money on it. Only now I'm like. Actively chipping away at the book, and like. I already knew I wouldn't be sold on a romance between two characters missing a shit ton of context, but so far I just. Don't care. Hgvhvgvgvcg. Truthfully I care more about the fem protag bc I think she's interesting, and I do feel for her, but her love interest is. Alright. I guess. I don't particularly like this guy. The main conflict in between the two so far is that the main love interest hides a big ass secret that is directly tied to the mc, and this is focusing on the after math of that. The MC is, rightfully, upset and doesn't trust the guy. The mli,to his credit, wants to make it up to her, earn her trust back, and pursue a relationship. In his eyes, they are the end game. And honestly, that's all fine and dandy if he would actually fucking tell her the truth. Something about asking the questions she wants. And like??? Bro????? Just tell her?????? She's asking you to be honest with her, you both know that you love each other, so why?????? Still hide????? It's so weird bc he genuinely says some sweet stuff and is considerate towards her but also! Just! Doesn't seem to take her distrust seriously. Or maybe he does, but he's shit at showing it, god damn.

Like. I fully get that I am missing a whole nooks worth of content here. I fucking get it. And!! I'm not even half way done with this thing. I'm only now getting invested bc I actually am having fun with this thing. Maybe down the line my opinion will change but. Just. The romance is not appealing to me right now lol. Actually I just think it's not appealing when the main love interest is there. Cause when the mc was talking to her friend about it, or anyone, it's more entertaining.

Like no amount of saying your devotion and wanting to make things work is gonna matter if you don't actually. Say anything, ya know? And I get there's like. A shit ton of reasons why, right? The stakes are high and the mc needs to learn how to mentally protect herself, but also her life has been uprooted, everything she knew was a lie, the least she can count on is her boy toy that she genuinely loves to be honest with her. Which. I guess you can say he is, but not in the way that she wants.

I dunno man. Maybe I don't Get It, but it's not clicking with me.

[sabuleum]

sorry i disappeared for a whole week I was out actively Ruining My Life™

a.k.a. I was at orientation for my grad school program! which starts in 3 days! and if you thought I was busy and inconsistent before, honey, you’ve got a big storm coming

honestly I don’t think my activity will change very much because I’m already such a slow, low-profile rper, (and this is probably something I’ll still dedicate my very little free time to), but it’s just something worth mentioning.

and despite how INCREDIBLY busy I’m about to be, I am really excited! I’m gonna be a real librarian y’all!

[acecademia]

Do you like history? What do you find difficult about history classes? Are there any famous people (from the past) that you would want to meet or historical events you would want to go back in time to (if these were possible)?

Hi, nonny!

This is a difficult question to answer. I don't know if I really like history, but I don't think I actively dislike it anymore, either. I think I mainly struggled with history in school because of the way it's presented and taught. You're given names and dates of battles and wars and laws and blahblahblah and it's just.... it's boring, okay? Like memorizing a bunch of important dates is not interesting. I also didn't like reading historical fiction as a kid and did so very rarely (things like American Girl and The Witch of Blackbird Pond being a couple of notable exceptions). (It also doesn't help that I'm not a fan of epistolary novels, and the Dear America books were very popular when I was a kid.)

I also spent 4 years in Yorktown, VA, where we took field trips to historical Jamestown and Williamsburg and the Virginia War Museum and other historically-relevant places. So colonial American history was basically drilled into my head. I don't know anyone else (aside from people who grew up there) who knows the names of the three ships that brought the original colonists to Jamestown (the Godspeed, the Discovery, and the Susan Constant). I can also still recite the last paragraph or so of Patrick Henry's "give me liberty or give me death" speech from memory. (We were required to memorize it the year we went on a field trip to Richmond and visited the church where he delivered that speech.)

I like random trivia and factoids, so weird and wild facts about history interested me. But what really got me to stop disliking studying history so much was having it presented to me as a story. I like stories. Humans tend to. So when I was in my MLIS program and my professor for my information books & resources for youth class had us read children's and YA information books, I found that I actually kind of enjoyed the history ones. There was a great one we read about Lizzie Borden and one about Bonnie and Clyde, and I was super into them. Turns out, all I needed was an engaging story to make me interested.

Without that thread of story to pull me along, I couldn't really bring myself to care about what precise year some battle happened or which old white slaveowner was on which side of a debate that happened 300+ years ago. We also really didn't learn much in the way of more recent history in school. My sixth-grade history class was supposed to cover all of US history since the Civil War, but after we finished the civil rights movement, it kind of fizzled out and only covered a couple of things after that. The civil rights movement (in the way that we study it in school, at least) ended in 1968. I was learning this stuff in 2006. That's almost 40 years of history that we just didn't talk about?? Like bro, when your students were born 30 years after the last big event you cover in school, you kind of can't just assume we know about what happened since then. Hell, a lot of people my age don't even remember 9/11--I sure don't! So the recency thing was a big issue for me as well.

I think if I went back in time, I would want to visit Victorian England for one reason and one reason alone: I want an authentic Victorian-era corset. Also some other clothes to go with it. Look, it's an a e s t h e t i c. And I'm here for it. I'd stay just long enough to get a trunk full of tailored clothes and then poof back to the present. There aren't really a lot of historical figures that I care about, so I don't think I'd be really jazzed about meeting someone specific or anything. I guess maybe if I could go back in time and meet Carrie Fisher... Yeah, I'd probably do that. I love her so much and I'm still not over her death. RIP Space Mom 💔

Who would you want to meet, nonny? What would you want to see?

[uhelenh-blog]

the stuff Dreams are made of

A square clock is suspended from the ceiling. The short hand is placed on the eight and the long one waves past two. Below the clock, and on the floor, a banner with the Soweto Theatre and Joburg Theatre logos stands tall behind a close-together band set-up including keys, MPC table and a mic stand.

Having put down the rectangular case carrying the bass guitar he learned to play more out of a quest to be in a band that lives a DIY ethos than out of pure necessity, the rapper known as Solo has the microphone in a grip. 

He steals a glance at Instro, who has an iPad in hand to control the sound, while his family chats away in a corner and young people in matching t-shirts come in and out of the room and band members quietly take their places. 

“I dropped an EP on these boys’ heads,” Solo says into the mic, like it’s a conversation only between he and Instro. “In terms of buzz? ‘Bout as loud as the noise gets...” He stops.

It seems like it’s been lightyears since Solo shone with those opening lines on his 2014 single, Star Dust. He featured Proverb and Stogie T on the Star Dust remix. He released three albums - .Dreams. A. Plenty. (2014), Dreams. B. Plenty (2016) and C. Plenty. Dreams (2019) - and established himself as the Dapper Rapper on red carpets and racehorse events. 

Solo co-founded BETR Gang with prolific producer and rapper, Buks, and the Gang got greater with the addition of permanent members that have included Al da 3rd, Solid and Th&o. Together, they put out concept albums and toured Mzansi and Europe. He married his longtime love, actress and singer, Dineo Moeketsi and showed the world this journey on Kwakuhle Kwethu, the TV special put together by the couple’s production company, Langa Enterprise Hub. 

So when I’m watching him soundcheck Star Dust on a Friday evening in December, he is unfolding the answer to: what else does Solo plan to do? He aims to put on his first theatre production, The Dreamers ABCs, at the Joburg Theatre on December 17 and 18. 

THE REASON

“The concept of a play was pitched to me by Reason,” Solo tells me. “He said he wanted to see what it would be like and I said: if we do this, then you will have a front row seat to everything.” Beyond being a rapper, Reason also runs a creative agency and has partnered with Solo on The Dreamers ABCs.

“Reason lives close to my place so there’s a frequency with which we see each other,” Solo explains. “One day in October, he hit me up and told me he’d be hopping onto the Ivyson Tour stage to perform a song he was featured on and wanted to know if I wanted to roll with him.”

���On the drive to the concert, we were just talking and I told him I knew I still had to put on one last show for the year because I wasn’t happy that the work we put in in terms of [Solo and the BETR Gang’s] Tour Dates and the consistency was interrupted. I was getting married. Sometimes I am capped by my ambition because I hope I can do everything. But I have gotten better in realising what’s not realistic and what to drop.”

He continues: “Reason openly admitted that this was his dream for his Azania album,” Solo recalls. “But he said because I had a whole trilogy of albums, he wanted to know how I’d feel about the last show of the year being a theatre production where I do A, B and C. I said: ‘say less, bro.’”

The Dreamers ABCs follows a young man who fantasises about becoming an aviator. Selected music from Solo’s albums is the bedrock of the young man’s trials and triumphs on this journey to realising his dreams. While collaborators like Langa Mavuso, Kabomo, Buks and Dineo will grace the stage and while there are similarities between the fictional character’s and Solo’s life, the rapper insists the story is not biographical. This is why he doesn’t place himself at the centre of the production. 

THE REHEARSAL

It’s just four days before The Dreamers ABCs opens. When I arrive at 6pm, the actors are rehearsing but Solo and the rest of his band have not yet joined them. The musician who has the cables that are crucial to the band literally being plugged into rehearsal hasn’t yet arrived.

“Theatre is mostly conflict.” Those are Solo’s first words to me when I ask him how he’s been. He grins and says: “and then maybe there’s resolution.” 

Since the play’s inception less than three months ago, Solo and his team has had to let go of a director. They’ve had to demystify myths that organisations hold about musicians and money. They’ve also had to assert their right to rehearse in specific rooms despite arriving to other artists being told they are meant to be in those rooms too. As we wait for the cables, Solo asks MPC player, producer and the artist in charge of the play’s visuals, Solid, to do him a, well, solid: to open the rehearsal room door about 15 minutes before we eventually enter.

When we get up to go into rehearsal, Solo stops his wife, sister, brother-in-law, Loot Love and Reason to ask them: “Have you guys been that side? Let me just give you some pointers: it’s super stuffy in there.” He chuckles. 

But when we arrive at the Cas Coovadia Studio for Youth Development, it’s not stuffy at all. Solid leaving the door open worked. There. Resolution. It’s shortly after this that Solo starts with Star Dust. Then, the multi-talented troupe that ranges between 19 and 27 years old files into the studio and most of them sit on the floor. One of them loosely carries a paper plane made from a script page. He is the lead actor. 

The short hand on the clock still rests on eight and the long hand swipes down to four. The scriptwriter and new director, Mli, addresses the seated cast. “We’re going to do a run-through now because we’re not that strong on the lines yet. So if you mess up, just keep flowing. But don’t mess up the cues.”

From the floor, a young lady with a straw hat starts her lines. She shakes her head, then stands up and starts over. Like a flight attendant, she welcomes us to the play and a journey “transporting you from .Dreams. A. Plenty. to C. Plenty. Dreams”. By the time beatboxing emanates from the floor, she seems chuffed with her delivery.

The troupe is a pleasure to watch. They can sing their butts off, they act and they genuinely seem like they’re having fun. Even Mli, seated in front of me, joyfully simulates running when the characters are required to. He’s into it.  

Solo peppers his notes to the backing vocalists with some humour. He keeps them concise when he’s unhappy with the lead’s stage entrance during The Shame. Here, Mli takes his time to articulate Solo’s notes to the cast. Dineo joins them for The Frolic and silently raps Solo’s parts too. She shares smiles with the female backing vocalist and when they’re done, Dineo returns to the corner and Solo calls after her: “well done, mama. Thank you.”

THE RESOLUTION

For his last show of the year, Solo wears many hats. It’s interesting to see where he applies restraint and where he relishes in giving of himself. It harks back to a conversation we had while waiting for the cables. 

He told me for the last two years, in the pursuit of his dreams, he has had to reconcile with not asking for permission. It was after his 30th birthday that he became more rooted in his own decisions and not just what will be acceptable to the broader public. 

Again, it’s the idea of the theatre of life consisting of conflict and, maybe, resolution. “As long as my wife is good and the team is good about a decision,” he explained, “I don’t care about anyone else’s opinion.”

This makes it easy to believe there is no plan A, B or C for Solo. There is only the dreams. And before 2019 is over, he realises yet another one.

Oh! Before I forget: The Dreamers ABCs is at the Joburg Theatre on December 17 and 18. Tickets at Webtickets.

[jocy-diaries]

07.04.2022

Day Thirteen: Florence

Bro I'm just here. Waiting for my bus. And an ambulance stops right where the bus should be to get an old lady back home. I mean that's great but bro if I miss my bus I'm totally blaming y'all.

My bus came late. So I might be late to my next bus. Which would make me late for my walk to the museum. I'm just. So fucking stressed right now. I hate not being autonomous.

I'm gonna fucking cry. The fucking bus was too slow that motherfucker. I could SEE the other bus I needed and the bastard wouldn't stop to let me out. I hate his guts. I'm going to be fucking late now.

What the absolute fuck. Like three busses just drove by and none of them fucking stopped for me. I'm. So angry.

Well. I walked. I walked to the museum and I was sweaty and I felt awful and I was thirty minutes late but I sent them an email and it sucked. But I made it and we we straight into it which I'm really glad for.

The lady is interesting, nice but seems high strung. Little things would go wrong with the system and she would have a fit, but apparently things have been going wrong for a while now so I don't entirely blame her. One of the men in the office made me coffee and then I had a maple Flavored cookie and I was so grateful. I hadn't had breakfast so it was a godsend.

But I gotta say... A lot of the work I'm doing is just data entry. It's interesting because of the documents, but repetitive. I just hope they use me for more than just data Entry is all....And it's also making me rethink my own mlis vs phdlis plan thing. I'm still torn. And I know I've already wasted a lot of time... And I think some of it comes down to. I'm not sure if I'm good enough for it all? Not good enough to pursue my dreams... That is so sad. Cuz who else would do it?

Anyways. You have to be a bastard to catch the bus here apparently so I'm gonna learn to do that. And when I got home I just. Ate. Slept. It was too hot again. I thought about going out to eat but I think I got a bit depressed by the whole academic thing. The thing is, I don't think I'm good enough for a PhD yet. But I don't know about the mlis anymore...

[smilingformoney]

America’s Most Eligible Diamond Scene: Talk to the Jury

You: Let’s hurry. We need to be back before the break ends! You and the others head into the living room to catch up with the rest of the Jury. As you make your way into the living room, the Jury turns to look at you. You: Hey, everyone. Can we talk for a second? [Ally]: Sure, [Name]. What’s up? You: The truth is, I wanted the chance to clear the air. You: Ryder, I know we haven’t always seen eye-to-eye, but I really think you should vote for me. Ryder: Yeah? Give me one good reason. 

You: Easy! -I have more star power than Ivy.

You: Ivy’s so vanilla. If she wins, we’ll all be laughingstocks! You: If you vote for me, at least you can say you lost the grand prize to a real superstar. Ryder: Huh. I never thought about it that way… but losing to Ivy would seriously hurt my street cred. 

-What’s more rock n’ roll than an underdog?

You: Ivy’s an obvious choice. If you support her, your fans will think you support mainstream contestants. You: But if you vote for me, you’ll prove you still know how to shake things up! Ryder: That’s… not a bad point. Ivy’s hot and all, but she’s not exactly punk rock. 

You: Exactly. So think about voting for me, okay? Ryder +5 Ryder: Fine, fine. If you’re so desperate for my support, then… I’ll think about it. You: Lina, I know we’ve had our share of differences-- Lina: You can say that again. You: But I’m hoping you can put that aside for tonight. Lina: You want me to vote for you? Why the hell should I? 

You: Think about it. -Ivy’s a total snake!

You: She’s been working with Carson since the beginning. Who do you think started those rumours about me? Ivy: Seriously? Ugh, I should’ve known! 

-This is a great opportunity for drama!

You: No one would ever expect you to vote for me. If you do, people will be talking about it for ages! Lina: I like the sound of that… 

Lina: Maybe it wouldn’t be totally uncool to vote for you… Lina +5 You: That’s what I like to hear. You: Han, I hope you’ll also consider voting for me. Han: Full offense, [Name], but you and I aren’t exactly bros. Han: I mean, you’re a lady and stuff, so you’re not exactly anyone’s bro-- You: I get you. You: Still, I really think you should vote for me tonight. 

You: Because… -I’ve always considered us teammates.

You: Even if we don’t always get along, I have mad respect for the way you play this game. Han: You do? That’s… kinda sweet. 

-I know you know a winner when you see one.

You: That’s why I’m confident you’ll make the right choice. Han: I mean, duh I’ll make the right choice. 

Han: And I gotta say, I dig your strategy. Talking to us at the last minute is pretty smart. Han +5 You: I wouldn’t have made it this far if I didn’t know how to play the game. You: Zeke, I know there are a million reasons you shouldn’t vote for me--

-If you didn’t keep Zeke’s girlfriend a secret

Zeke: I don’t need a million reasons. You lost my vote when you told everyone about Kendyll.

-If you kept Zeke’s girlfriend a secret

Zeke: You got that right. I don’t care if you kept Kendyll a secret. You’re still a snake.

You: Even so, you should really consider voting for me. 

You: Because when it comes down to it… -You hate Ivy more than me.

You: I’m basically the lesser of two evils. Zeke: Well, you’re not wrong about that… 

-You and I are both heroes.

You: A hero should win AME, don’t you think? Zeke: And Ivy doesn’t exactly fit the bill. 

You: Of course not. So, can I bet on your support? Zeke +5 Zeke: You can bet I’ll consider it. You: Bianca, I’ve always admired you. You don’t pull punches, and you don’t care what people think about you. Bianca: What’s your point? 

You: My point is… -I’d be honoured if you gave me your vote.

You: You’re one of the biggest influencers of the season. It’d mean a lot if you showed America you support me! 

-In a lot of ways, we’re the same!

You: We’re both fine, fierce go-getters. People like us need to stick together!

Bianca: I guess you make a good point… Bianca +5 Bianca: You know, why not? Better you than Ivy. You: You won’t regret it, I promise. You: Teagan, you have such a calming presence... I can’t imagine how stressful it was to live in all the chaos of AME. Teagan: It did throw my chakras off their axis.

You: But if you vote for me... -You’ll play a key part of my destiny!

You: Let’s face it. Ivy probably doesn’t even believe in destiny. Teagan: How awful... She must lead such a sad, empty life!

-Your chakras will be realigned.

You: It helps that tonight is supposed to be a new moon It’s the perfect chance to refresh your energies. Teagan: That’s true! there’s no better time for a spiritual awakening.

Teagan: You’ve convinced me, [Name]. You have my vote and my positive intentions! Teagan +5 You: Derek, I know how much you wanted to win AME… but I still hope you’ll consider voting for me. Derek: I might… if you give me a compelling enough reason. 

You: How’s this for a reason? -It’d make for great TV.

You: I’ve been the underdog since day one. If I win the grand prize, it’d make for a great narrative. Derek: True. And honestly, great narratives are the point of AME. 

-Ivy doesn’t deserve to win.

You: She totally manipulated you during your showmance. And she’s been working with Carson behind our backs! Derek: Has she really? That’s… Derek: Well, that despicable, but I guess it’s not surprising. 

Derek: Look, [Name]. Truthfully, I haven’t decided how I’m gonna vote… Derek +5 Derek: But you’ve definitely given me some things to consider. You: Mackenzie, you’ve been one of my fiercest competitors from the start. I know it can’t be easy for you to be in the Jury, but I think you could make a statement with your vote. Mackenzie: And what exactly would that statement be?

You: If you vote for me... -It’ll be a huge ‘screw you’ to Ivy.

You: She’s been nothing but ride to you all season. It’s high time she gets what she deserves. Mackenzie: You’re really speaking my language here.

-You’ll be giving your support to a winner.

You: Let’s face it. We both know I deserve this more than Ivy does. Mackenzie: I won’t argue with that.

Mackenzie: Alright, you’ve got my support. [FLI] +5 You: Finally... Adam. I’m sure it’s been rough coming back on AME and not knowing who you can trust. You: But even if we’re not always on the same page, I hope you know you can trust me. Adam: I want to... but I need a reason.

You: You have to vote for me... -Or a backstabbing liar will win the prize!

You: Do you really want Ivy to be America’s Most Eligible? Adam: No! I don’t think anyone wants that.

-Or your sacrifice will be for nothing.

You: You stepped aside so I could make it to the Final Two. If you vote for Ivy, then what was the point of all that? Adam: I’m not saying I want to vote for Ivy...

You: Then vote for me! You know I deserve this prize, Adam. Adam is quiet for a moment, gazing out across the tranquil waves. Then, he smiles. [MLI] +5 Adam: I don’t get it. How are you this persuasive? You: It’s one of my many gifts. Once you’ve said your piece, you look from one Juror’s face to the next. You: I can’t force you to vote for me, but I still hope you’ll make the choice that’s right for you. 

You: Because together… -We can bring Ivy down! -We can all be winners! -We’ve made this season unforgettable!

[MLI] +3 Lanzo: Hear, hear. Lina +3 Lina: Dumb speech… but I guess I kinda agree. Ryder +3 Ryder: Seconded. Zeke +3 Zeke: Thirded! Han +3 Han: Fourth…ed? Derek +3 Derek: Thanks for taking the time to talk to us, Stacey. Bianca +3 Bianca: Yeah, this was very classy of you. [FLI] +3 Eloise: And we don’t get much ‘classy’ on reality TV. Teagan +3 Teagan: Well, you can always count on Stacey to make a bad situation better. 

You: I appreciate you all hearing me out… but we’d better get back to set before they start filming again. You lead the Jury outside, feeling more confident than you have all night.

[emly4]

MOUNA L7A9I9IA:

Yoo koul mara kn3ml haja li makifhma twhd hnaia kn3awd ghilrassi bach dor liam w neawd n9ra dekchi, yeah lmhm ana bnesba l rasi 0, mlkher ra maknstahl walo, maknsthlch lhub, mknsthlch chi whd ybghini hit ra 3arfa rassi ankhwi b chakhs li ghaybghini flkher ila fi7allat kont kanbghih fhal ✨ASHRAF✨ wllah w kan b9a hta nb9aw mea ba3tna forever i loved him too much and i still, ra asln i wanted bch nkmlo our lives together but yeah, l9addar kan 3ando ra2y akhour, kantmnalo gher lkhir wakha ma9dartchi nensah mhm ghayb9a mn a7ssan wld 3rafto f hyati, wndmt bzaf het khsrto flwl ihya l ayam li kona kan9aylo knhdro hhh D: awdi mohim maelina nrjeo n hdra elia, ana kifma kolt wlah manstahl lhob w lihtimam mn chi whd w muchkila wkha haidak, bli makijinich hadchi knteasb like bro whats going onnnn ? but anyways, mzyan t3raf rask bli matshlchi chi hajat wila mchatlk chi haja tshla, chti bach mcha ashraf nstahl dekchi li daz elia, nstahl ymchi w ykrahni, nstahl ay haja emla m3aya hit ana elli emlta lwla, ila mbghitch nkhsar chi whd khsni mn lwl nb9a meah machi hh taydoz lwa9t hit howa ayjiblo lah amchi eawd, ra kanbghih wlh ms nstahl ymchi hadi hia l7a9i9a li mktbghich tdkhuli nrasi wlkin ra khsa tfhamlii, anyways ella laah yji wa7d nhar, nhdro wla ay haja mhm, 3rfti dak nhar knt mea rasi w 9t mli ghnsah ghnsrdlo all my past feelings wdekchi li khlani ndwzo am not sure but kheliha tandiksae wnchof chni haneml, lhub seib wila khsk tdkhul fih khsk tkon earf chkateml wmeamn, yaa mouad mskin tried to make me love him, idk wach kibghini wla ghi kihdr but i dont saraha w eandi eziz makhsnichi nkhsro kiejbni nhdar meah wsaraha mahsbachi rassi msahba meah hit ana 3a9li fjiha akhra u know, mhm kan3ti n rasi forssa, mkhsnichi ndy3o w yw9a3li fhal liw9aeli mea ashraf mkhsnichi nzid nt3adb wlh 3it.

[xeppeli]

11, 19, 25, 28

11: hardest game you’ve ever played

ooh boy so, i’ve played games that are designed specifically to be incredibly hard to the point of being trial and error but i feel like that wouldn’t be a suitable answer because their nature for existing are less to be an actual game and more like an elaborate prank. I Wanna Be The Guy is probably the most typical answer but if we’re talking actual games that leave you room to move and not be killed immediately, i’d say Castlevania 3. i played the japanese version Akumajou Densetsu which is slightly easier but only by a little.

19: which game do you think deserves a revival?

(don’t say classicvania don’t say classicvania don’t say classicvania don’t say classicvania don’t say classicvania don’t say classicvania don’t say classicvania) sorry but it’s gonna have to be classicvania. the metroidvania style of game is pretty cool but the industry has become awash with it. i would like to see an incredibly elaborate puzzle-action platformer in the style of the old castlevanias. tight controls, timing is paramount.

25: have you ever used cheats like actionreplay or gameshark?

yes… for super mario advance: super mario bros. 2. i finished the game after a few months and after getting bored i got this actionreplay type thing from toys ‘r’ us and flipped things on for the hell of it. i think there was one that gave mario a different palette which i thought was kind of cool. also, i HAVE used cheats a lot back in my childhood playing wolfenstein 3d. ILM/MLI baby oh yeah oh yueah

28: which character’s clothes do you wish you owned the most?

hands down sotn richter belmont’s. take a look:

i’d ditch the blue though

[rezafernandaf]

KKN Bagian Satu : Perkenalan

KKN atau Kuliah Kerja Nyata selalu identik dengan kerja sementara salama sebulan atas nama perguruan tinggi di daerah pedesaan atau daerah yang terpencil, bahkan Desa Penari. Hahaha. Tahun ini angkatanku mengalami pengalaman yang berbeda dari KKN sebelumnya. Intinya KKN-ku berjalan dengan sangat luar biasa dan mencapai ekspektasiku!

Pada awalnya kami satu kelompok yang berisikan 30 orang, yang lalu dipecah kecil-kecil menjadi 5 orang per kelompok kecil. Kelompokku sendiri dari Kelompok 7. Dosbing kami adalah Koordinator kelompok juga. Kelompok 7.2. nama kelompokku. Ada Aku sebagai ketua, ada Ridho, Rafli, Billy, dan Greg. Awalnya kami mengerjakan KKN hanya berlima saja tetapi kami kedatangan tamu dari kelompok 34, dari koordinator 8. Kelompok 34 ada Angger, Aini, Bima, dan Zaki. Aku merasa bersyukur sih selama 26 hari kemarin aku dapat bertemu dan bekerja sama dengan mereka. Sebelum kita ke apa saja yang terjadi di KKN kami, aku akan memperkenalkan dulu secara detail anggota-anggotaku.

1. Ridho, Si Wakil Ketua yang selalu berpikiran Mindfulnes.

Mindfulness adalah kondisi dimana kita mampu mengerti situasi, latar belakang, dan masalah orang lain. Mindfulness adalah kondisi paham segala situasi tanpa harus menguras energi. Ridho adalah salah satu anggotaku yang paling dewasa diantara yang lain. Dia adalah rem atau break-ku. Ketika aku hendak berbicara ngawur tanpa filter, dia yang selalu “sebentar, za”, “tahan, za”, “jangan emosi dulu, za”. Aku sangat terbantu sekali atas adanya dia di tim-ku. Karena dia, eksekusi di lapangan hampir program kerja kami berhasil dengan mulus. Temanku yang paling dewasa ini mampu menganalisa dan paham situasi-situasi yang bersifat pragmatis. Maksudnya, ketika ada yang mengatakan kalimat A, Ridho selalu berhasil mengartikannya hal-hal tersembunyi di balik kalimat A yang tidak pernah aku sadari sebelumnya. Aku banyak belajar darinya untuk tidak menerima semua kondisi dan situasi apa adanya, aku harus paham situasi yang terjadi di sekitarku. Karena dia juga aku belajar bekerja sama dan meninggalkan sifat egois dan individualisku sejak semester 1. Dari dia, aku belajar untuk memilih-milih mana orang yang bisa aku percaya agar aku tidak merasakan “trust issue” dan belajar untuk memberikan kesempatan orang lain mengerjakan sesuatu. Dia yang menamparku dengan kata-kata “Jangan gitu, mas. Kita ini sekelompok. Jangan main sendiri-sendiri. Aku sama yang lain ya jadi engga enak.”

2. Rapli, Si Komedian dan Korban Bully

Ketika kami habis dari Siola untuk mengurus perizinan, kami mampir sejenak di Kremes. Kami duduk berhadap-hadapan saat itu. Aku saat itu memulai percakapan dengannya agar tau dia secara personal dia itu teman yang seperti apa. Aku mengingat bahwa dia satu SMP dengan temanku jurusanku, Novita. Lalu aku mencoba untuk menyebutkan teman-teman SD-ku yang bersekolah satu SMP dengannya. Ketika aku menyebutkan satu nama, Rino. Dia mengatakan bahwa, dia dulu dibully sama dia. Aku paham kenapa Rino menjadi pelaku pembully-an saat itu. Rino memang hampir sempurna dalam olah raga. Apa reaksiku saat itu kasihan kepada Rapli? Engga dong. Aku bisa paham kenapa dia dibully dan kenapa Rino ngebully.

Satu hal yang dapat aku pahami dan aku yakini adalah Agama tidak menjadikan siapapun untuk berperang, melainkan pemicu perang adalah kekuasaan dan harta.

Rino ngebully Rapli karena kekuasaan atau “power”. Udah anak basket, anak osis, seorang siswa primadona dan sempurna di seantero sekolah. Sedangkan Rapli mungkin dulunya adalah kutu buku dan wibu. Maka dari itu, Rapli memang saat dia berbicara seperti itu, kelembutannya yang menjadikan dia sebagai sasaran empuk bagi pembully. Karena aku mendengarkan cerita yang seharusnya menjadi rahasia dia, aku pun membagi cerita bagaimana aku tidak menyukai sambal. Aku bercerita bagaimana Papa membuat “prank” dengan mengisi isian tahu dengan sambal tanpa sepengetahuanku, ditambah aku mencoba memakan cabe dengan tahu. Sejak saat itu, aku tidak berani untuk memakan pedas.

Dari kelembutan Rapli, dia menjadi tempat yang nyaman untuk bercerita, karena aku rasa dia bukan teman yang “offensive”.

Aku selalu ketawa ketika teman-teman bercanda dengan menyuruh-nyuruh dia melakukan sesuatu, seperti

“PLI, BAWAIN TANGGA PLI”

“PLI”

“PLI”

“YANG ENAK, PLI”

“Mana Kipli?”

“Pli bawain itu, Pli”

“Pli bawain ini, Pli”

“Pli, jadi bendahara ya, pli”

WKWKWKWKWKWKWKWWKWKWKWKWKWK.

3. Billy, Si Warga Negara yang Baik dan Teladan.

Patut diacungi jempol ketika warga Surabaya suka nyeleneh ketika berkendara motor dan mobil, hanya Billy yang paling berhati-hati, pelan, dan mentaati peraturan lalu lintas. Baru saja pada tanggal 28 Juli 2020 aku meminta nebeng dia, dan ketika aku menyuruhnya untuk putar balik pada rambu dilarang putar balik, dia tidak mau.

“Jangan, za. Itu tanda puter baliknya dicoret. Mana boleh puter balik disitu”

Respect Bro!

Billy merupakan teman yang simple, kebapak-bapakan, dan teman yang rapi. Jika Ridho merupakan anggotaku yang paling dewasa, Billy lebih ke bapak-bapak.an.

Kalau sama dia, aku lebih nyambung ketika kita bahas tentang ekonomi, saham, investasi, dan lain-lain.

Kalau boleh jujur, memang diantara 7 teman lainnya, aku tidak mengenalnya secara personal dan lebih dekat lagi. Mungkin semoga apabila kami dipertemukan kembali, kami bisa lebih akrab.

4. Greg, Teman Sejurusan

Ketika melihat namanya berada dalam satu kelompok denganku, aku merasa santai aja dan memang sudah menduga bahwa kita akan satu kelompok bersama. Saat di Jurusan, kita sangat jarang bertemu dan mengobrol bersama. Saat-saat KKN ini aku lebih mengetahui tentang dia lebih dekat. Yang aku tidak tau itu Greg ternyata seorang teman yang memperhatikan hal-hal kecil yang kadang luput dari aku. Dia juga merupakan teman yang peduli pada cerita dan pengalaman orang lain. Yang paling mengejutkan adalah dia memiliki perspective yang unik dalam menyikapi sebuah peraturan aneh yang lalu dijadikan sebuah jokes.

Contoh :

Greg menemukan peraturan atau protokol kesehatan yang aneh yaitu “ketika mengantarkan makanan, pengemudi dilarang turun” lalu Greg nyeletuk

“kalau pengemudinya dilarang turun, ngasih makannya gimana ya? dilempar gitu? Nyoh!” aku tertawa mendengar celetukannya dan ketika dia memeragakannya.

Aku pun menambahi “kalau gak, pas di luar rumah gitu, mas-masnya bilang MISIII!! MAU NGANTER MAKANAN”

Greg pun membalas “kalau dilempar pun, pizza masih enak didengar kalau jatuh…”

Aku menambahi “ho.oh, kalau pizza. Kalau yang dianter itu sop, plastikan gitu gak enak, greg. Kalo pizza kan masih GEDEBUK! Kalo sop plastik bayangin langsung PYARR” hahahahaha. Bangsat emang.

Greg memiliki nama yang paling sulit dieja pada nama pertamanya, yaitu Gregorius. Maka dari itu, untuk memudahkan memanggilnya, kami memanggil dia Greg, dan di Sastra Inggris pun dia juga dipanggil Greg.

Salah satu hal lucu ketika di ForestThree adalah ketika dia mengucapkan namanya pada mbak-mbak kasir. Di notanya, namanya ditulis “Grab”, lalu pada botol minumannya ditulis “Glen”. Oke, Mas Glen!. Percobaan pun dilakukan lagi dua kali di ForestThree. Percobaannya yang kedua ternyata hanya gagal pada nota. Di notanya, namanya ditulis dengan nama “Grek”, sedangkan di botolnya tertulis nama “Greg”.

Well, they did it, Boys!

5. Angger, Pak Ketua Rasa Wakil

Banyak teman-teman yang mengatakan kalau seandainya Angger tidak mengabari Billy waktu itu, kita tidak akan pernah bertemu dan bekerja sama hingga detik ini. Aku setuju. Aku tidak pernah menyesal menerima bantuan dan kerja sama dari mereka. Angger adalah cowok kurus berkaca mata ini merupakan seorang ketua dari kelompok 34. Katanya kelompok 34 saat itu memang dapat kesialan. Dari 30 mahasiswa, 26 mahasiswanya keluar dikarenakan jurusan kedokteran dan statistika boleh tidak mengikuti KKN karena mendapatkan kegiatan yang setara dengan KKN. Maka dari itu, yang tersisa hanya mereka. Kalau boleh jujur, memang Angger dari awal aku tidak merasakan adanya hawa kepemimpinan, melainkan aku merasa dia lebih dominan dengan jiwa pebisnis. Yaiyadong! Lah emang mahasiswa dari jurusan ekonomi. Kehadirannya pun membuat sifat “terburu-buru”-ku hilang untuk sementara waktu dan melakukan kegiatan KKN secara pelan-pelan.

6. Bima, Si Panglima Tempur yang Dapat Diandalkan

Jangan meremehkan cowok bertubuh gempal dengan berat 100 plus plus ini loh! Dia dimanapun dan apapun kondisinya, akan tetap menjadi senjata mematikan dan kartu AS bagi siapapun yang berada di pihaknya. Aku paham semua teman-teman bekerja dengan sangat keras, tetapi kalau mengurus masalah perizinan dan masalah ribet lainnya, aku larinya kalau tidak ke Ridho ya ke Bima. Aku menyukai karisma atau jiwa kepemimpinannya yang luar biasa dan mendominasi. Wajar di nama tengahnya ada nama “Karismanda”. Betulkan kalau salah ya, Bim. Hehe. Jika dia ditaruh pada suatu organisasi, jiwa kepimpinannya bisa menyesuaikan dengan siapa pimpinannya. Jika dia berada di organisasi atau kelompok yang memiliki ketua yang dapat diandalkan, dia akan menjadi wakil ketua yang sangat membantu. Kalau semisal dia berada di kelompok atau organisasi yang memiliki ketua “sampah”, maka dia akan lebih mendominasi dan melengserkan ketuanya sendiri.

Jujur, aku beruntung sih Bima ada di kelompokku. Selain itu, aku juga dengan sifatnya yang terbuka pada pendapat apapun yang datang kepadanya, open minded dan calon-calon public enemy. Haaahhh.. chuakz! Aku kaget ketika dia menyatakan dia menyukai dark jokes, Tretan Muslim, Coki, Majelis Lucu Indonesia (MLI) hahaha. Kalau ibarat game Chess Rush, dia merupakan salah satu hero yang belum keliatan skill-nya di awal game, tetapi Over Power banget di pertengahan hingga Late Game ketika sudah mencapai level 2, apalagi level 3. Hahahaha.

7. Aini, anak WaraWara

Aku terkejut mengetahui bahwa cewe pegiat Seni, Budaya, dan Sastra dan merupakan manager dari tim WaraWara satu kelompok denganku. Dia merupakan anggota paling tertutup dan misterius yang pernah aku punya. Mungkin karena aku tidak dekat dengan dia secara personal dan dia pun beberapa kali tidak hadir untuk melaksanakan kegiatan KKN. Aku minta maaf kalau kadang sikapku ke kamu, Ni kayak meng-anak tirikan kamu atau bahkan cuek banget ke kamu. Aku tidak ingin mengelak dengan alasan apapun, dan jujur memang aku tidak tahu kamu itu anak yang seperti apa. Tetapi aku akhirnya dapat Relasi dari kamu, karena kalau semisal Awali tidak membalas, ada kamu hahahaha.

8. Bang Jeki, anak Sasindo non-indie

Banyak anak sasindo mendapatkan stigma sebagai anak indie, pecinta senja, dan buku-buku yang dipegang kaum elitis untuk menaikkan derajat di sosial media. Temenku satu ini paling demen banget berdebat, sangat bertolak belakang denganku yang lebih ingin diskusi dan terbuka dengan sudut pandang orang lain. Dia juga merupakan salah satu dari dua anak yang memiliki kemampuan analisa sebuah kondisi dan situasi secara pragmatis seperti yang dilakukan Ridho.

Bener katamu, Zak “Mainmu udah jauh”.

Sekian perkenalan dari kelompokku dan kelompok 34 yang akhirnya menjadikan KKN ini bukan sekedar teman kelompok, melainkan sebuah keluarga baru yang tidak akan bisa didapat dimanapun.

[naeshira]

Listen. I love The Magnus Archives so much. But the more I learn in my MLIS degree and the more experience I get in an actual institutional archive, the more critically I can look at how Elias and Jon/Gertrude are/were running things. 

As someone whose career goal it is to work in an archive someday, when I listen to various things about how the archives are organized and maintained I am equal parts fascinated and irritated. And somewhere in there is a deep weird desire to get my hands on that archive and just ORGANIZE IT. ((This, too, would be my downfall I’m sure)).

Jon’s focus to begin with was organizing and digitizing. You know, before all the shit hit the fan and he needed to focus on surviving and saving the world. That’s respectable. Digitizing requires a hell of a lot of funding and time, but I appreciate his effort. And his understandable shock at how Gertrude left things. 

Gertrude... we don’t know her original intent with the archive. But it’s quite clear that actual archival standards and best practices were not in the front of her mind. 

And Elias??? Absolute bastard man that he is, searches for employees he can use for his own benefit, regardless of their qualifications. Does no one in this building have an MLIS? I can tell you several MLIS candidates are weird and sad and afraid but would still like the position and pay. 

Like, if I was working there and discovered that some researcher bro got promoted to the Head of the Archive, I’d be pretty fucking miffed. Homeboy wasn’t even working on his degree. Georgie’s the only one with any sense, I swear. The only one who asked about his qualifications. 

And yes, I realize that the necessity of plot doesn’t even register with any of this. And it’s a field outside of our Jonny’s writing. He doesn’t have to keep things legit, it’s a fiction. Well-written, beautifully terrifying, and I have no problem setting aside the little gripes at the archival mess here.

But the true horror here is the the archive’s organizational system. 

[smilingformoney]

America’s Most Eligible Diamond Scene: [MLI]’s Betrayal

You: I want to know the real story. Adam nods slowly. He glances around to make sure no one else is within earshot before he starts to speak. Adam: We were filming the second-to-last Challenge of Season 9… 

In the AME mansion’s backyard, Carson has just called for a commercial break. Carson: I think that sounded hoarse. Did I sound hoarse? We should film the exit lines again after I get some water! Piper: It was fine, Carson. We’re here to film a Challenge, not your personal monologue. You’re staring just offstage after the hardest Challenge of the season, trying to calm your nerves. Adam: There’s no point in worrying until they announce the scores. I’ve just gotta stay calm when we go onstage… Suddenly, there’s a friendly clap on your shoulder. Vince is standing beside you, looking worried. Vince: Hey, buddy. You doing okay? 

[MLI]: Me? -Never been better!

Vince: You can play cool all you want for the cameras, but you can’t fool your best friend. Vince I know this Challenge was tough. Adam: …That obvious, huh? Vince: Look, it’s too late to change your score. But you’ve got me on your side no matter what. Doesn’t that count for something? You can’t totally shake the nervous feeling in your stomach, but it helps to remember that your friend’s got your back. Adam: Yeah, it does. Thanks, Vince. Vince: We’re gonna make it to the Final Two, man. I can taste it. 

-I’m totally doomed.

Adam: You saw what the guest judge thought of my routine. Vince: Yeah, it wasn’t pretty. But I’ve never known you to be a quitter. Vince: If we’re gonna make it to the Final Two, you can’t give up now! You can’t totally shake the nervous feeling in your stomach, but you know Vince is right. Adam: You’ve got a point. One of us has gotta carry the other in the final Challenge, after all. Vince: That’s the thanks I get for my pep talk? Adam: Eh, it could use a little work. 

Vince holds out his hand, and you shake it, matching his smile. Sierra: So this is where the dynamic duo ran off to. Sierra strolls up to you and Vince, looking bored. Sierra: They want all four of us onstage in a minute. Jesse’s already waiting. Sierra: And Adam, when we get up there… We need to amp up the showmance before this episode’s over. How do you want to play this? 

[MLI]: How about… -I put my arm around your waist?

Sierra: Works for me. The audience eats that kind of PDA up.

-We kiss on camera?

Sierra: Alright, but a real kiss this time. The audience isn’t gonna buy another peck on the cheek. Adam: Right.

Vince claps you on the shoulder again as you all walk toward the stage, where the last contestant is waiting. Contestant: There you are, my dudes! Let’s get this party started! Vince: It’s not a party, Jesse. Jesse: Not with that attitude it isn’t! Carson: If I may have everyone’s attention… it’s time for the conclusion of tonight’s unforgettable Challenge! 

-If you chose to put an arm around Sierra’s waist

You casually slip an arm around Sierra’s waist, and she leans against you, feigning a giggle.

-If you chose to kiss Sierra

As everyone waves to the cameras, Sierra turns to you with a smile. The audience cheers when you lean down and quickly kiss her. 

Carson: Our panel of elite judges has tallied up the numbers, checked them twice… and determined that Vince is this week’s Challenge winner! Jesse: Aw… seriously? Adam: Congrats, Vince. Carson: But that’s not all! This week’s Audience Vote gives our winner the power to decide who will be in the Bottom Two! Carson: Vince, the choice is yours. Who among our three remaining contestants will be safe… and who will be up for Elimination? Vince turns to all of you with a sympathetic smile. His gaze quickly sweeps past you, then Sierra… and settles on Jesse. Vince: I’m sorry, Jesse… but you’re in the Bottom Two! Jesse: That is totally not radical, bro! Vince: And if I have to pick one more contestant… Vince locks eyes with you for just a moment… then turns to Sierra. He sighs sadly. Vince: Adam, you’re in the Bottom Two. Adam: What? You stare at him, too shocked to move, as Sierra slides over to Vince. He puts his arm around her waist, pulling her close. Vince: I’m sorry, but I can’t let Sierra go. Not after I finally found the courage to tell her how I feel. Sierra: Oh, Vince… The cameras push in as Sierra stands up on tip-toe to kiss him. You’re left standing there alone, reeling from Vince’s betrayal, while he and Sierra smile at each other. Piper: And cut! That’s our episode cliffhanger right there. I want Confessionals with everyone, stat! You storm offstage as soon as the cameras stop rolling, but you hear footsteps racing after you. Vince corners you at the side of the house. Vince: Come on, Adam. This is just how the game is played. Don’t take it so hard. 

[MLI]: Vince… -How could you?!

Adam: We were gonna win this thing together. I trusted you! Vince: That’s your problem right there. You take this whole circus… the show, the ‘friendships’… seriously. Vince: None of it’s real, Adam! If you’d gotten that through your head in the beginning, maybe you would’ve won tonight. 

-I hope the prize is worth it.

Adam: Does the money honestly mean more to you than losing your best friend? Vince: ‘Best friend’? Please. The prize money’s the only reason anyone puts up with this charade of a show! Vince: Or did you forget what we’re all here for? 

Without another word, you shoulder past Vince, back toward the cameras. When Piper sees the look on your face, she hurriedly gestures for them to resume filming. Adam: Tell Jesse not to worry about being in the Bottom Two… because I quit. 

Adam: Sierra and me were never a thing. It was just an act to get extra screen time. Adam: But Vince… I trusted him like a brother. Adam: After my best friend looked me in the eye and betrayed me, I couldn’t take it. That’s why I left the show. 

You: [MLI]… -You know I’d never do that to you, right? [MLI] +2

Adam: I do. Adam: I tried so hard to keep my guard up this season… but I just couldn’t help letting you in. Adam: Something about you makes it easy to trust again. You: Is it my sunny smile, or my naturally winning disposition? Adam: Let’s go with both. 

-I wish you’d told me sooner… [MLI] +2

Adam: I’m sorry, [Name]. After everything with Vince… it look me a long time to learn to open up again. Adam: But I know how that I can count on you. And I know that trust is real. Adam: Hell, you’re the first person I’ve told about any of this. You: Better late than never, I guess. 

There’s a knock on the sliding glass door to the patio, and Omar peers inside. Omar: What are you two doing in there? We’ve still got half the Challenge to finish! You: Coming! Adam: I guess duty calls… Despite his words, Adam doesn’t move toward the door. For a moment, he just smiles gratefully at you. 

You: … -Kiss [MLI]. [MLI] +1

You press your lips to his, and Adam immediately embraces you, his arms encircling the small of your back. He kisses you again, slowly but passionately, his body pressed close against yours… You: Adam… When you eventually step apart, Adam catches one of your hands and squeezes it gently. Adam: Thanks for… all of this. I’m glad I finally told you the truth. 

-Give him a comforting hug. [MLI] +1

You: Come here. You pull Adam into a big bear hug. You feel him laugh as he hugs you back. Adam: Thanks for hearing me out, [Name]. I’m glad I finally told someone the truth. 

You: So am I. You: Think you can keep up in the Challenge now that you’ve got that off your chest? Adam: Oh, yeah. You’d better watch out. Adam: I didn’t come back on this show just to go down without a fight.

[acecademia]

Honestly, it's depressing knowing that people think certain things that are rapidly changing are the same as they were almost ten years ago (in this case 2013). Can you believe that you graduated almost ten years ago?

Oh god, I just took so much psychic damage from this ask. Also, today just so happens to be the 8th anniversary of my graduating from high school, so that doesn't help either 😂😂😂

Yeah, it's wild. I still very much feel like I'm a kid at times, probably in part because my myriad medical issues have led to me boomeranging back to being reliant on my parents to take care of me during flare-ups. But also like there was this post I saw on here forever ago that was talking about how younger millennial/older-gen z, in particular (I'm a cusper), have a hard time making the transition to adulthood because so many of the markers or milestones we associate with adulthood tend to come later for us now (getting married, having kids, buying a house, getting a legit full-time job that pays you a living wage, etc.). Also, the largest break I ever took from school was 18 months when I had a medical flare-up that caused me to have to delay starting my MLIS by a year. And that's since pre-school. I've literally just been in school for like 22 years of my life or some insane number like that which probably doesn't do much by way of making me feel like a grown-up lmao

I look back at what the world was like in 2013, and it was just so different? I joined tumblr in 2012, and it was vastly different. YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have changed a lot as well. TikTok didn't exist. We still had Vine (RIP 😔). The summary for this class's textbook mentions Foursquare. FOURSQUARE. Did anyone even use Foursquare??? I heard it mentioned a couple of times back then, and I'm pretty sure I remember a Foursquare share button on some sites?? Maybe?? But it's literally just completely irrelevant now. Like, bro, the landscapes of social media and social networks have changed. The ways we interact on social media have changed. Can you imagine anyone tweeting even half of the crazy shit they post now back in 2013?