#go check out the art it's brilliant <3 this was such an amazing collaboration and i'm so thankful | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

i-did-not-mean-to · 1 year ago

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Okay…I’ve been tagged in this several times, and…I don’t even have words 🥹

This will be so damn long, I apologise in advance!

1) Thorin

The first group to capture my heart and have my back. @lathalea @legolasbadass @linasofia @middleearthpixie @laurfilijames @xxbyimm @enchantzz etc, even if we don’t talk much, I’ll never forget how much you mean to me.

I'd no longer be here if you hadn't encouraged me to keep writing, and supported me so faithfully.

2) Fotfics

Beloved server, full of friends 🥺 I love each and everyone of you! Between @lordoftherazzles, @ahufflepuffhobbit, @sunnyrosewritesstuff, and @fantasyinallforms and all their hard work, something truly amazing has been built.

@lordoftherazzles and @scyllas-revenge in particular are such good friends, I can’t even begin to express how much they mean to me.

The community of writers and artists, the laughter, the comfort, the solidarity, and the sheer madness of it all? It gives me life every day!

3) Idols and role models

Beyond the already named, it turns out that some of the best authors are incredibly lovely people.

I take the risk of sounding presumptuous, but @ettelene, @polutrope, @cuarthol, @z-h-i-e, @maglor-my-beloved, @last-capy-hupping, and so many more big names are just wonderful 🥰

Being greeted and acknowledged by people you're in awe of? Incomparable feeling for someone who has been ignored, dismissed, and belittled all her life!

4) Art, Art, more Art

Oh there are too many artists to name them all. People who own my whole heart, and whose talent means EVERYTHING to me.

There are so many people who have been such important presences in my life in fandom from the start (@mysandwichranaway, @mathelaw, @estethell, @crowrelli, @shrimpsthings, @dodo-doodles, etc)

Then there are new and exciting (and dearly beloved) friends whose art makes my whole day like @lycheesodas, @the-red-butterfly, @sauroff, @sortumavaara, @fishing4stars, @elanna-elrondiel, @elennalore and many more)

(I have a limited number of tags...you know that I mean you! You do!)

Commissions, exchanges, collaborations...I can't express how it makes me feel to be in contact with brilliant, talented, inspired people and have them listen to my chaotic thoughts.

God, I love art!!!

5) IDNMT and events

You've all seen it happen...Besides the already named mods of events (TRSB, THAUC, S&D, TSF, different "weeks"), I want to point out @the-girl-with-the-algebra-book (my e-husband) and @frosticenow (who saved my 1st TRSB by gentle beta-ing) who are modding the Pin-up Calendar (There is also a not safe for Tolkien server...check it out!)

Moreover, the exceptional authors, artists, and readers I've met through events are so near and dear to my heart.

Events kill me, but they also keep me alive. They give me so much joy and a sense of accomplishment I've been chasing for many long years.

(S&D is an amazing event to see art by all your faves and get to meet them very casually)

6) How do I deserve this?

This is about best experiences...Shoutout to people like Wisteria and MoonLord, Missy M, and a handful of others who have read many a story written by me, and who always have a kind word for me afterwards. This keeps me going!

Other than that? The way Razzy loves (S)wiped out and Cílil loves Truce or Dare. I don't deserve that, but it makes me smile every time.

All in all...@cilil, @melkors-big-tits, and their insane but deeply touching support.

Venting with @lordoftherazzles and screaming about art.

Old-timey exchanges with @scyllas-revenge...

You, all of you, give me MORE than I ever thought possible when I started posting silly, little stories. I cannot thank you enough.

7) Bis zur Unendlichkeit...

Last but not least...An excellent experience in fandom? Meeting new people...

@elentarial, @violecov, @goschatewabn and @ruiniel for example have blown me away with their humour, wit, and creativity.

Encounters like that make me believe in better days to come. There is a world outside, and it's not necessarily rotten. Thank you for that!

I am sure I've forgotten some of the most important people, and they'll be terribly vexed (as is their right), but I am tired and I have a brain like a Swiss Cheese. Forgive me.

I love you, I love you, I love you!

Writers/artists/creators alike, I want you to share your favorite interaction(s) that you’ve had thanks to the wonderful things you make!

Tagging a few people to get the ball rolling: @sunnyrosewritesstuff @fantasyinallforms @starthecozy @its-atlass @conkers-theficwriter @consultingpacha @i-did-not-mean-to @lathalea @sotwk @myeaglesong @nocompromise-noregrets @mysandwichranaway @smoking-old-toby @smolestboop @smoothedsmoothie @scyllas-revenge @middleearthpixie @tetchy-frog @mrkida-art @niennawept

#random reblogs <3 #idnmt answers #writing #art #the hobbit #silmarillion #writer positivity #thanks for the tags

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hangryandlazy · 3 years ago

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africa jul 19

wow lol it’s taken me 2 years to actually put this post together. a LOT has changed since then and it makes me immensely happy to recognize how lucky we were that we’d had 2 insane years of travelling right before the pandemic hit. but this post is not to dwell on that, so let’s get on with it!!

this was our amazing 2019 africa trip~

jun 30, 19 ••• we make our way from hong kong to the netherlands on klm airlines. i distinctly remember how impressed i was with the quality of service and the comfort of the 12ish hour flight. after around 16 hours of commute, we just want to stay in and chill, so we order room service and call it a night early. i recall wearing a fun t-shirt that read, “not to be rude, but shut the fuck up” which i personally find hilarious and endearing, but which made the guy at the front desk quite uncomfortable. lollll oops!

vimeo

jul 1, 19 ••• yay! we had a full day alone in amsterdam. we (i) decided to walk from the hotel to the town center, because it’s fun experience new cities by exploring them on foot!! why not? you come across many things that you just couldn’t have planned to find.

look how beautiful the canals in amsterdam are! anywhere you turn, it’s picturesque.

we had lunch at wagamama because i saw that the avant garde vegan, gaz oakley, had done a collaboration with them at some point, so there are some guaranteed vegan options. we then walk around the bloemenmarkt and find our way to the cannabis college, which had 2 verdampers for rent! yesssss! i was so happy.

we explored and walked around more, then stopped by a coffee shop to smoke a bit more. there was a lovely vegan cafe right next door, which i’d been eyeing when we went in to smoke, so we had a top up on coffee and matcha there. we saw a cute frenchie across the road and missed the dogs so...

vimeo

we had dinner at this place called cafe frijdag (which means Friday!) which was delicious! so happy that amsterdam had vegan options for me

jul 2, 19 ••• we got up bright and early to meet my parents for breakfast and we go to the airport to catch our flight to kigali. about 10 hours later, we were buying sim cards at the kigali airport. we then checked in to the radisson for the night, and it was feeling very surreal to be in africa. i remember feeling anxious.

jul 3, 19 ••• today started on a somber note. we went to the kigali genocide memorial. i cried a lot, especially at the exhibit with the photographs of only a fraction of the victims during that time.

then we drove at turtle speed to our next hotel, which was a loooong long way away. we arrived at the lake kivu serena hotel in time for a very late lunch. the cuisine here consists of rice, tortilla-like wraps and papadum-esque crispy rolls.

this fruit tastes disgusting... it looks like a tomato but isn’t sweet at all. i only remember spitting it out, trying another piece from another plate, and still hating it.

vimeo

thankfully everyone wanted to relax and take it easy, so we ordered in for dinner and spent the rest of the night chilling.

jul 4, 19 ••• we drove out to see the border between rwanda and the democratic republic of congo. we were told to be very careful about taking photos of the police officers there, so we were. it felt strange to take photos of the border, i’m clearly very ignorant of the relations and history. it was a very busy juncture, with a sea of people crossing this way and that, lots of cars bumbling about and a lot of fruit, as i recall. hahah.

we then drove out to see a makeshift hot spring. we were asked if we wanted to take a dip, but none of us wanted to..... felt bad saying no, but really not worth it, sorry.

vimeo

https://vimeo.com/568059672 (okay, i’m unable to embed more videos so links will have to do until i figure out something better...)

we took a boat ride along the lake, but there wasn’t that much to see around there, it was pretty dirty and murky... reminded me of the hong kong harbor, with trash floating around. it was also freezing, so i wasn’t having any fun at all.

we went to the gym and worked out a little bit because there was a lot of time to kill in between returning to hotel and our private pre-planned bbq dinner on the beach. we were lucky enough to enjoy traditional rwandan dancing which was absolutely gorgeous.

jul 5, 19 ••• we spent most of our morning in the car, having crossed the border to the republic of uganda. we stopped by a cute cafe along the way for lunch, but it was a grueling 4-5 hour car ride to mahogany springs, which was our hotel for the gorilla trekking. we managed to arrive around 715pm, by which time it was pretty dark and scary outside. the other car had broken down twice, once in the dark as well, so spirits were low and there was a lot of muttering and grumbling done under people’s breath. everyone was ravenous by the time dinner was served, but despite how late it was, it was absolutely delicious and i was happy! (also grateful for our car not having broken down)

jul 6, 19 ••• we woke up VERY early in anticipation of gorilla trekking. we waited around the hotel lobby after some coffee and biscuits for breakfast. it was an awful lot of waiting, but i didn’t sense anything wrong until i saw how pissed off our tour guide looked. it turns out our permits had gotten stolen! probably bribes.

here we were mucking around, still anticipating gorilla trekking.

we didn’t let it slow us down though. i actually am grateful for how things turned out because we wouldn’t have gotten to experience uganda like that without this turn of events. we joined a community tour that showed us how tea is harvested, how coffee is grown, harvested and round, as well as how bananas may be used to make juice, beer and gin! very cool

african tea leaves

jackfruit??

these are flowers from the coffee tree

the different stages of the coffee plant

this is henry, he owns this coffee plantation. here, henry shows us how to the use this contraption, the purpose of which is to grind coffee beans into powder

here henry is, sifting the coffee powder

here are my parents, having the time of their life (lol at my dad)

fresh bananas

these are the different stages of a banana’s life: from raw to ripe to fermenting. it can be made into juice and liquor.

we then visited a local school, where we were entertained by kids from kindergarten to 6th grade. we learned about their mission and goals to educate the younger generations by providing classrooms and a dining hall and even dorms for boarding. the singing and dancing was BRILLIANT. loved every single second of it. wish i’d joined in and not cared about what anyone thought.

we stopped by a women’s community center and saw a lot of cool crafts and art. that was on the way to the batwa pgymy tribe. we learned how they integrated with the batwa community. they showed us some dances they have dedicated to the gorillas, for which they are very grateful because it brings tourists in and therefore gives them an income. they showed us how to use a bow and arrow to hunt, and how they weave baskets and make handicrafts.

alan with the leader of the pgymy tribe

one of our guides spotted 2 chameleons, which was super impressive. he even brought the chameleon down close to us so that we could see it. i won’t ever understand how he was able to spot it in the wild, and from so far away as well.

we returned to the lodge and had lunch. the veggie stir fry was pretty dang good. it was served with posho, which is a maize bread, beans, and also matate (???) which reminded me a lot of plantain. back at the hotel, we chilled (without tv or wifi) until dinner. alan fell asleep, and i kept myself busy sorting out photos. dinner was early, and our night was early because we were promised gorilla trekking in the morning!

delicious!

jul 7, 19 ••• we were up and ready to leave by 7am. we were in the clear! we drove a little bit to the bwindi impenetrable national park for some entertainment (dancing and singing) from local students and a hilarious briefing on what to expect and do’s and don’ts of the trek.

we then had separate meetings within our trekking groups. ours was quite big, with 10 tourists, because michael and our guides had spent HOURS the day before handling our stolen permits. an exception was made to accommodate us all, so our group consisted of the starke’s, alan, kerstin, a couple from oregon, and an english family. we had to get in another car and drive a bit to the mountain, where we met our porters and then began our trek!

the hike up was difficult, and at times i legit feared for my life because the mud/rocks were loose and one wrong step would have had us tumbling down the edge of the mountain... and that was me at age 28!! cannot imagine how my parents were feeling...

alan with meddie

as we made our way to the gorilla family, we encountered a solo young male who was soooo friendly, he cut across our group, like right down the middle, and he even reached out and touched my mom on her jacket! it was wild that a gorilla was that close to us, and then he left as quickly as he had joined.

this is the photo my mom managed to take when the young gorilla male was right next to her

we kept on hiking and found a large. our guide, meddie, told us that we were lucky to have found such a large family doing a whole bunch of different activities: we saw mothers nursing their babies, babies swinging from the trees and playing with one another, sub adult males beating their chests and other members of the family eating and feeding. we even got to watch as a silverback gorilla pulled a very healthy poop out of its butt, and we ran into him snacking again later on.

on the way down, it started raining a little bit. we all slipped at one point or another, but it was especially dangerous for my dad so we all had to slow down our pace a little bit to match his speed. thank god he had a porter there to help him out and save him.

we returned to the same place as where we had started our morning for a debriefing, and we each received a certificate to show that we had been on this trek. we waited around a little bit for the other group to arrive, and were once again very grateful that our experience was much more pleasant. one lady in the other group had to leave the trek on a stretcher, and the others were caught in the rain on their way to the gorillas, so it must have been a cold and awful experience on their end.

us after the successful completion of our gorilla trek!!

we headed to a local inn nearby where we had a late lunch and could change into dry clothes. we then drove a bumpy 4 hours to mweya safari lodge, located inside queen elizabeth national park. we made a couple of stops along the way (one of which was in the middle of nowhere so that people could go pee out in the open where animals are potentially roaming around?!?!?) and when we finally arrived, it was already 830/9ish pm.... we insisted to order room service because we were pooped, and we got showered and hit the hay.

this cute sign was outside the lodge!

this super old school cash register was at the lodge too

jul 8, 19 ••• today started off with a game drive, early in the morning!

we drove around the gorgeous park and saw elephants, warthogs, antelope, eagles, all sorts of bird and butterflies, buffalo and weird-looking lemur or ferret creatures. we thought it was great, but some other members of the group were underwhelmed.

this is the view from the car we sat in for the safari

this gorgeous tree houses sooo many bird’s nests! do you see them?

cute antelope we saw on the tour

after lunch at the hotel, we went on a boat tour around the kazinga channel. i think it was called lake edward? we saw many animals again, including crocodile, elephants, buffalo, all sorts of birds, and hippos.

favorite photo of my parents ¨̮

we followed a few elephant cuties along the bank. it drizzled for a little bit in between.

dinner was delicious. it was a great buffet, although i was severely grossed out by the ants that joined us on the dining table.

there were so many animals on the grounds of the lodge. don’t be fooled by how cute these guys look, we saw them fight over raw meat at some point! we also saw a warthog stroll around.

jul 9, 19 ••• we were up bright and early today for a quick breakfast before heading right on out. on the way to entebbe, we stopped by a local motel for lunch. the service was SUPER slow (maybe because we had such a huge group together!) but it was delicious and worth the wait! i ordered a coleslaw and avocado vinaigrette (this was THE HUGEST AVOCADO i’ve ever seen in my life?!?!?), a veggie biryani and some of paul’s aloo matar. we then filed back into our cars for several more hours of “african massage” to the next destination. had an early night, i think we ordered room service to the hotel room and tried to get our butts to bed as early as possible because it was another EARLY day the morning after.

we stopped at the equator in uganda to take some photos, of course!

i was sooo happy to be able to order room service! we felt like we were finally back to civilization... 🥺 we had wifi and tv and hot water... ugh it was amazing

jul 10, 19 ••• my alarm was set for 4am this morning.... 🥲😅 we left the hotel at 5am for the airport and obviously i was tired and grumpy and just in a crappy mood overall hahahah. our first flight was barely 45 minutes.... to mbarara i’m guessing?? i was assigned a middle seat on my own originally but no one was in the aisle seat so i moved over woohoo! our first layover was 2-3 hours, not too bad. we hung around at the lounge area.

our second flight was to harare. alan and i managed to snag 2 joined seats towards the back end of the plane so that we could watch conan’s traevel shows on his ipad. there was a pretty scary drop when we were descending imto harare. i think we just stayed on the plane for about half an hour so some people could get on the plane and join.

we flew about 3 hours more to cape town, and we were EXCITED to arrive. it was a hell of a time checking in, and it was a nicer hotel in a nice area so we decided to just stay in and order room service again. we had a slow night and it was SOOOO needed. cape town felt a lot closer to the first world and we were enjoying and appreciating it to the max. we even started playing pokemon go and its harry potter-themed equivalent (oops forgot the name), but to be fair, we didn’t get cell phone service everywhere we went, so it would cut on and off.

jul 11, 19 ••• eek, cape town was COOOOLD! luckily i brought a jacket along, we really really needed to cover up and stay warm! got to sleep in a bit, we left by 830am to drive to the pebble beach by the water to take some gorgeous photos. we stopped by chapman’s peak for another photo op, then drove to boulders beach in simon’s town to see the penguins!! it was such a dream, loved every second of it.

i believe this was chapman’s peak??

what a model

this was at the pebble beach at the cape of good hope.

saw a cute ostrich on the way somewhere

next we went to cape point. we took the funicular to the top, then hiked up to the lighthouse. we took pots of great pics but omg it was EVEN MORE freezing there. we had lunch at the two oceans restaurant. fancy and delicious! the calamari was bomb, the arancini was alright, but the main of chickpea and mushrooms was delish. after lunch we headed right on back to the hotel.

when i said it was cold, i wasn’t joking... it was FREEZING at the top. i had a horrible time because i don’t do that well in the cold

alan and i walked over to woolworths to get water and makeup remover and snacks. on the way back we stopped by PLANT for dinner. i was sooo excited to try out their vegan fast food, so i ordered a lot of the menu. we got the quinoa salad, mac and cheez, seitan lasagna, schawarma, pot stickers, siu mai, spag bolognese, tiramisu, milk tart and a bunch of other random vegan snacks. i was in HEAVEN. even though some of the stuff was cold by the time we got back to the hotel and ate, it still tasted DELICIOUS. i was soooo impressed.

this was the lasagna. omfg i need an encore of this restaurant one day!!! wish i knew how to cook like this

jul 12, 19 ••• today we went to a wine blending workshop at grande provence winery. the first step was to blend 3 different mixtures. after tasting them all, we decided the last blend was the winner, with 40% zinfandel, 10% shiraz and 50% cabernet. so then we blended up a big bottle of it, corked it, thew on a hand-signed label, and then walked around the beautiful indoor and outdoor art galleries.

this was our group!

wine blending is literally mixing different wines together in different proportions and figuring out which you like the taste of the best

there was a lot of cute art at the winery! i loved all the dogs and greyhounds around the property. these 3 dancing pigs came a close second

we drove a little way for lunch at another beautiful vineyard. i had a charcoal ciabatta, tomato quinoa salad, root veggie risotto and steamed veggies on the side. we skipped the wine tasting because our lunch overran a bit and our bus driver buford said that the traffic would be pretty heavy on a friday afternoon and it wouldn’t be worth it to be stuck on the bus. so we just walked around the cute little town we were at, franschhoek (??)

there was a lot of cute art and small local shops around this town! we strolled around and got some souvenirs ¨̮

love this

we had a dinner booked way ahead at fyn restaurant. it was stunningly delicious. i loved every single course and was thoroughly impressed.

UGHHHHH just soooo good.

jul 13, 19 ••• FINALLY we had a day to sleep in!!!! we let our group know the night before that we didn’t want to join the walking tour around the city. we woke up and made our way to the company’s garden, which was directly next to our hotel. we played harry potter wizards unite and ran into the tour group. my mom told me later on it was a good decision of ours not to join haha.

we walked to addis in cape for an authentic ethiopian meal experience. we washed our hands at the table, ate the whole meal with our hands, and finally i was able to taste injera. it was 100% teff injera and it did not disappoint. i ordered a vegan platter while alan got a combo. the amount of food was PERFECT for us, we finished every single thing.

we ordered dessert but the hot berries never showed up and the ice cream was interestingly very gummy and very very sweet. the coffee was strong and served with a beautiful platter.

after that, we needed to walk our full tummies off. we headed to the waterfront, where there were many shops and stalls in indoor and outdoor malls. it was just a really good time walking around there and we saw soooo many things. there was bubble tea in south africa, a yogurt bar that made me sooo happy, dogs were up for adoption, and a bootleg jabbawockeez performance at the city square. we walked back to the hotel after that and got ready for bed.

jul 14, 19 ••• we woke up at 430am to head to the airport by 530am. we caught our first flight from cape town to johannesburg, then transferred to a direct flight back to hong kong. it was a TIRING trip but wow, the memories!! really want to go to back soon

#tanjastravels #tansworld #travel #wanderlust #tanja travels #tanjalan #cape town #uganda #gorilla #gorilla trekking #africa #south africa #safari #memories #travel memories #do you even travel

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secretradiobrooklyn · 4 years ago

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Radio Decameron |1.16.21 & 1.23.21

Secret Radio | 1.16.21 & 1.23.21 | Hear it here.

1. Sylvain Sylvain - “I’m So Sorry”

I never feel right saying “RIP” or “rest in peace” about an actual human being who is no longer with us. But I will say: I hope Sylvain Sylvain died content with the music he made and the life he lived.

2. The Honeydrippers - “Impeach the President”

And ideally, then we would never have to hear from or talk about that accursed criminal ever again. We recorded this section before the inauguration — may we never forget how ALL 50 STATE CAPITOLS plus the US Capitol itself were being guarded against attacks by American citizens on that day — and shit was tense there for many days. As of this writing, things are… unviolent. It feels like a lull to me, honestly, rather than, say, all that stuff being in the rearview. It is not.

But meanwhile, check that beat out!

I love how Roy Charles is trying to convince them to stop demanding, but they just keep insisting. This song is brilliant, and the playing is — c’mon now — unimpeachable.

3. Niagara - “Tchiki boum”

We heard this song in the film “Perdrix,” known as “The Bare Necessity” in the version we saw via SLIFF. They’re dancing in a club to this, and it’s just a really distractingly good song for the scene.

- C.K. Mann - “Mber Papa”

We just recently learned about Essiebons by learning that he passed just this August. He was a producer of legendary status to a lot of people. Listening around his music we came upon C.K. Mann and this righteous track, which Essiebons produced. I think this is a pretty ultra track, really. Every instrument really kicks it out. I hope Essiebons died happy.

4. Rocky Horror Picture Show - “Hot Patootie / Bless My Soul”

New president, feeling kinda upbeat and hopeful. Really just starting to feel the tips of my soul from where it’s been getting singed. It’s going to take a long time to scab over what happened to us all over the last four years. I’m so fucking glad he’s gone that it makes me really love that rock n roll!

5. Moon Unit & Frank Zappa - “Valley Girl”

Tell you what: we watched the movie “Zappa” recently as part of a film festival, and I highly recommend watching it at your earliest opportunity. It is absolutely for people who do, and for people who do not, love his music. He shows up as a really interesting character throughout his whole life. The film skips through his songs with amazing speed, which actually works really well in his case. This song is with his daughter Moon Unit, who actually slid a handwritten note under his door introducing herself by name and saying that she wanted to collaborate on a project. They did this, and while Zappa was in Europe, Moon Unit brought the acetates to KROC and the song became an instant hit for them. Meanwhile he was writing for multiple orchestras.

6. Jacques Dutronc - “Sur Une Nappe de Restaurant”

This is totally not how I tune my drums, but I love how Dutronc’s drums sound in every song. I mean, the whole band of course, but there is a physical space both in the drum part as written and in the recorded texture of the whole that is just deep and wide.

7. Nyame Bekyere - “Medley: Broken Heart / Aunty Yaa / Omo Yaba (Nzema)”

This is another discovery via Essebiens, who released it on Essiebons Enterprises. It’s such an intense track! The cover artwork is by K. Frimpong, who plays a crazy Cuban guitar style on his own albums.

8. Ros Serey Sothea - “Tngai Neas Kyom Yam Sra (Today I Drink Wine)”

This is a voice, and a cast of characters, I can’t stop thinking about. This is from “Cambodian Rocks Vol 1,” which is full of great recordings. Her voice could shatter glass, and it’s so skillfully wielded — I’d love to hear her in a face-off with Frankie Valli.

- There’s a moment from Paige’s phone archives of a little George and Isabelle aching to ride rides at the Millstadt homecoming.

9. Les Poppys - “Isabelle je t’aime”

These young boys singing collectively about their — collective? 17 individual? — love(s) for Isabelle is even more innocent in video format:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o618mlIaR7E

- more C.K. Mann - “Mber Papa”

10. The Jam - “In the City”

This song makes me miss the city so much! It sounds like everything we really can’t get up to right now. I feel like this song helps me feel like I’m walking fast under streetlights.

11. Bruno Leys - “Maintenant je suis un voyou”

This 7” from Born Bad is so incredible! Bruno Leys worked on just a few songs with a band that included a guy named Emmanuel Pairault who plays parts on an instrument called the ondes Martenot, a super early, very eclectic and ungainly electronic instrument. The fact that he could actually compose music of any kind on it was considered remarkable. The fact that he was able to write such incredibly expressive parts to thoroughly filigree the choruses is what amazes me.

This band recorded four songs, then Bruno Leys left for his military service, and when he came back it was all completely over — the catalog was sold, everyone was scattered. Four songs.

12. Sleepy Kitty - “Nothing = You”

I’m pretty sure this song was essentially our response to our own growing fascination with French pop. To me it sounds more French than American in texture. We played this song with the Incurables once at The Pageant in STL and it was especially glorious. I think of that moment — Kevin Bachmann harmonizing flawlessly with Paige, four different guitars ringing through the chords — every time I hear this track.

13. Plastic Bertrand - “Pogo Pogo”

I don’t know why or when “Ça Plane Pour Moi” became the one French pop song that Americans are likely to know, but it’s a total banger so I have no complaints. It turns out that pretty much all of his songs sound very similar — one-note melodies in the verse, cool vocalese hooks in the chorus, and super-driving guitar parts throughout. Turns out that’s a formula we totally dig!

14. Os K-rrascos & Vanessinha Do Picatchu - “Bochecha Ardendo”

For whatever reason, a variety of Brazilian music seemed to be the very hottest stuff to be found in Chicago’s art-school party nights, and I remember losing my mind to some heavy Brazilian rhythms that just kept folding over and over on themselves while staying so impossibly funky that the whole night just turned into a deep-green-and-dark orange smear of a late-night winter warehouse dancing and sweating and then way, way later, walking home steaming along a cold sidewalk on a tree-lined street.

- Eric Dolphy - “Hat and Beard”

15. Von Südenfed - “The Rhinohead”

I feel like no one in my zone talks enough about how awesome Von Südenfed is. I mean, we only know this one album, but it’s so fascinating — a band where Mark E. Smith is contributing but not in control, and on purpose. He shows off his pop chops and gets to be a whole different character in this one place, while the Mouse on Mars guys get to play new characters themselves. It feels like it’s related to “Extricate” in how it’s constructed, but the music doesn’t sound like something any version of the Fall has made.

16. Fischer-Spooner - “The 15th”

A friend of Wire is a friend of ours.

p.s. Paige here, they went to SAIC (before I arrived) but they were super famous to all of us in the dorms.

17. T.P. Orchestre - “Pourquoi Pas?”

The depths of this band just continue to amaze us. We’re waiting on some T.P.O.C. vinyl right now, featuring mostly songs we’ve never heard, and the everlovin’ post office is misdelivering it BACK to France even as I write this. It’s driving us totally nuts.

18. Nina Simone - “Mississippi Goddam”

The hardness of her voice, the hardness of her experience, the hardness of her words.

19. Fanny - “Blind Alley”

I don’t know who first put this in front of my eyes, but it was a few years ago. The video is so basic — they’re performing in front of a video-psych effect — but the performers themselves are just so absorbing. And the production is so heavy, it feels legendary.

20. Manmadha Leela soundtrack - “Kushalamena”

I think we first saw a colorful glimpse of this song before we heard it. Paige automatically starts dancing a little dance as soon as “Kushalamena” comes on.

This I think came from the “Now Playing” group I’m in on FB: a guy was holding out a picture of the cover of this album and said he’d bought 40 more like it and he LOVED EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. He just wanted to see if anyone knew anything more about them. I did my best to hear the album he was showing. I think this is it. I think he’s right to be super jazzed about it, we just want to hang out with him and listen to all those records.

21. Francis Bebey - “Je vous aime zaime zaime”

Paige was working on her pronunciation and when to use the ellision — the z sound for the s letter, depending on what comes next — and he said something about, “Unless you’re Francis Bebey and you’re singing ‘Je vous aime zaime zaime.” And she said, “Francis Bebey? I know Francis Bebey!” and he said, “No, you’re thinking of another Francis.” But we all know the truth. This was our introduction to the song though.

- Jack Teagarden - “I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plan”

Paige was looking for the Fred Astaire & Jack Buchanan version from “The Bandwagon,” but found this great instrumental trombone-forward version instead.

22. Pono AM - "Good Vibes"

This is one of those things you see every once in a great while when you’re playing clubs in a music scene — a band hits a natural home run. They just have an undeniably appealing crowdpleaser of a song that they wrote, and everyone flips out when they hear it. We salute Pono AM for writing this perfect song. They enrich the STL music world. My only advice to them was to never get tired of it or take it for granted.

Paige: We took their band photos at our space on Cherokee Street, for an RFT article. I was impressed because they arrived with matching shirts that still had the tags on them, and it was really exciting to see a new band on the scene who was really good and also putting in the effort to be graphically interesting. We believe that stuff counts. All of their shows, if you got there early, you’d see all of the band members blowing up as many balloons as they could, so there would be balloons bouncing around their set for the whole show, and it made it even better.

23. Sir Victor Uwaifo And His Titibitis - "Iranm Iran"

Analog Africa has a new album! It’s called “Edo International,” and it shows off a whole other side of Beninese music that isn’t T.P. Orchestre. I think of T.P. Orchestre as just a giant force in Beninese music, but then this comp comes out showing so many other roots of Benin City’s highlife-funk scene. Victor Uwaifo was a Nigerian guitarist who returned to his hometown in Benin City and built Joromi Studio. The sound he put together at that place, via his own bands and others’, came to be called Edo Funk.

24. Laughing Man - "Brilliant Colors"

This is a tape of one of the artists of one of the group houses that we always would stay at in DC. Benjamin Schurr runs a tape label and it was always such a treat getting the new batch of Blight. releases for the van soundsystem when we’d roll through town, or one of his bands would tour through St. Louis. They were always interesting stuff and a wide range of sounds and styles.

We first met Brandon Moses when he was on tour with Paperhaus in St. Louis. I think it was his birthday, too. He didn’t tour a ton with them. Laughing Man was our first time hearing him front songs. We always enjoyed staying with Erik and Benjamin and Brandon and enjoyed sharing that green power juice that Brandon gave us — really powered us up for the next drive.

- Bembeya Jazz - “Petit Sokou”

I have felt love for this song for awhile, but Josh Weinstein recently sent a video of the band actually performing this song and WOW, it is hypnotizing. The outfits, the instruments, and the expressiveness of the guitar playing are all so vivid in black and white: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpZVF_kKUJ4

25. Maxime le Forestier - “San Francisco”

Our thanks to Paige’s French instructor for showing us this song. Paige’s version is well worth hearing too, I must say: https://www.instagram.com/p/CKhJfqDDe2q/

p.s. Paige again, if you want to see the dragon birthday card that Evan made, here it is!

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littlebitwriter · 5 years ago

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Creator Spotlight: Ty Templeton

(WELCOME TO CREATOR SPOTLIGHT a new series where I shed some light on some of my favorite comic book creators in the industry who have inspired me to become a better writer/artist, today I’ll be focusing on Ty Templeton!)

Tyrone or as us comic book fans know as ‘Ty’ Templeton who is a Canadian cartoonist known to have worked on a massive number of titles from mainstream licensed properties such as Batman, Superman, Justice League International, Moon Knight, (*so many to name*) to his creator owned works like his original graphic novel Bigg Time. Ty is just one of those guys who has done it all. He is as good a writer as he is an artist and when it comes to both he is pretty darn amazing and is extremely consistent.

His body of work is tremendous and one issue in particular that stands out to me as of right now is from Batman Adventures a series of tie-in comics set in the same continuity as the popular and absolutely brilliant cartoon show Batman: The Animated Series. Ty Templeton did great work on this series and it is primarily where I’m most familiar with his work. Batman Adventures Vol.1 #3 which is an issue he collaborated on with tremendous writer Kelly Puckett that came out in December of 1992 so almost twenty seven years ago. It’s an issue with The Joker and as you can see I have the page up top and it’s a perfect example of the mastery of Templeton’s art and storytelling. It is an issue where as you can see from the page it is so authentically true to the character of The Joker as is the issue overall and it is simply and easily one of the best Batman/Joker stories of all time next to Alan Moore and Brian Bolland’s The Killing Joke, Joker’s Five Way Revenge, etc. That one panel with The Joker sweating with his hand over his mouth and other by his head trying to keep himself collected as he utters the words “...Chaos!” is a truly special Joker moment that is easily one of my personal ‘Top 10: Joker Moments Of All Time’ and will easily make the list when the time comes for that episode. It just simply embodies that character perfectly. Point is check out this issue if you are a diehard fan of great Batman vs. Joker stories!

Also speaking of Ty Templeton and Batman Adventures, After the success of the first volume of stories Ty Templeton returned to do writing and art duties on the second iteration of the series that came out in the early 2000’s. For example Batman Adventures Vol.2 #11 which Ty worked on with artist Rick Burchett that came out in came out in April, 2004. It is one of my favorite comic book issues of the series ever that deals with The Riddler being reformed and basically now a millionaire Steve Jobs-esque entrepreneur/innovator/designer type because he sold his inventions and everything is going great for him except he’s going crazy because his compulsion to tell riddles is just not being satisfied in his current day life. So he sends out these cryptic riddles implying he’s going to kill people so that he can grab The Dark Knight’s attention. It’s by far one of the best Riddler stories that shows the genius of Ty Templeton and his brilliant take on The Riddler. Overall it’s just great stuff.

There’s so much Ty Templeton has done that I could mention but I don’t want this episode to be too long and worn out. Ty is just one of those rare cartoonists who can do everything and do it marvelously well. He’s who I want to be as a cartoonist. A magnificent writer as he is an incredible artist, an absolute master storyteller in all respects. I always look forward to Ty Templeton’s work whenever he does something new. He also delivers great advice to young cartoonists about making comics and so on and he teaches a comic book making class that covers all the aspects of making comics that is "Ty Templeton's Comic Book Boot Camp". He’s just a great creator who is able to consistently put out great work. If he were a chef of a five star restaurant I would probably dine at that restaurant every night. That’s how much I enjoy the work of Ty Templeton in comics. Whether he’s just writing or drawing or doing both, he’s just a great cartoonist that the more uninitiated comic book readers should pay attention to. He’s a superbly talented creator who deserves a lot of recognition.

Have a great day everyone and stay tuned for more Creator Spotlights to come!

-LittleBitWriter (11/18/19)

#comic books #batman #dcau #batman adventures #ty templeton #cartoonist #writer #artist

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potentiala · 7 years ago

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Don’t Let Go (Of Me)

@shidgevalentinesexchange for @adeerli !

Nice to meet you! This was really challenging for me to write, but I hope you enjoy all the work I’ve put into this and help spread some of that quality Shidge all around.

As you might be able to tell, this fic was heavily inspired by James Arthur’s song ‘Say You Won’t Let Go’

I will also cross-post this on my AO3, so make sure to check it out over there! <3

“I met you in the dark, you lit me up”

They met on orientation day.

Not her orientation day, mind you, but her brother’s. And freshly graduated Garrison Officer Takashi Shirogane couldn’t help but notice them.

He introduced himself to Matt first.

Immediately taking a liking to the bright young man with the mischievous eyes. He answered his questions and helped quell some of his parents’ worries.

Then he saw her.

“You made me feel as though I was enough”

A quiet, small little thing with long hair and a brand-new dress. Looking half in envy and half in worry at the state-of-the-art facilities all around them. Then she caught his eyes looking her way.

Her’s were gold.

Bright and burning and not unlike a punch to the gut. Somehow, Shiro managed to send a smile her way before he was whisked away by their father, a Commander Shiro had nothing but respect for.

But the look of her and those intense eyes never left him.

===

He was here.

Of course Katie knew him, Matt never shut up about him in his letters. The Garrison golden boy that everyone seemed half in love with, Takashi Shirogane. And Katie definitely couldn’t understand the allure. Absolutely. No way. Not at all. Pffft!

That’s ridiculous!

“We danced the night away…”

Who was she kidding? Katie has faced a lot of problems in her 14 years of life, but this was, by far, the worst one. Katherine Annalise Holt had a crush.

And she had it bad.

“We drank too much.”

So bad that the young girl couldn’t help but wring the hem of her dress in her hands. The Holt family had traveled back to the Garrison after an entire year to celebrate Matt graduating from Cadet to Cadet Corporal at the youngest age of 17. Pride warming away every one of Katie’s frazzled nerves at the sight of her brother standing at attention in a brand new uniform.

Iverson continuing to drone on.

“…as acting Drill Sergeant of this year’s class I have had, not only the honor of watching these young men and women mature and grow, but to collaborate with one of the Garrison’s brightest alumni, Takashi Shirogone.” Iverson’s constantly shrill voice paused to allow the room to fill with applause.

For him.

Katie’s stomach flip-flopped as she clapped along with the crowd. Everyone’s eyes on Takashi. Who looked illegally handsome in his Officer’s uniform. Fit to his figure, it showed off a great deal of his excellent build.

Much to Katie’s destress.

“A few words Shirogone?” Iverson called out, Shiro clearly caught off-guard but accepting the offer graciously nonetheless. Flashing a smile so bright, Katie’s brain had to reboot for a solid minute. He turned toward the graduating cadets, Matt being one of the smallest among them. Dark grey eyes alit with warmth and pride.

“As my first year teaching, I must say that it’s been an eventful one.” Laughter titered amongst her brother’s class, in inside jokes Katie longed to know. The young girl wishing, not for the first time, that the age requirements for apply to the Garrison weren’t so high.

“But I wouldn’t have it any other way.” At this, he looked back to the crowd. That warm gaze sweeping over everyone like dawn’s first rays of sunlight. Katie barely fought back a blush as Shiro’s eyes seemed to settle in her direction. But, to her surprise, Shiro suddenly seemed so nervous.

Those warm eyes lowering.

“I-um…I’m really humbled by this experience. Teaching the next generation like this…has been amazing a-and a tremendous honor. So, thank you all for sticking with me for so long.” There was something incredibly endearing about the way Shiro seemed so bashful in that moment. Something so sweet that Katie could help the bright, brilliant smile gracing her young features.

“I held your hair back when you were throwing up.”

Then his eyes were on her.

Not on the crowd. Not on her brother’s class. But on her. Katie knew it, she felt it. That soft gaze nearly gave her a heart attack, sure, but she did her best to smile encouragingly at him.

And, to Katie’s surprise, it seemed to work.

“Then you smiled over your shoulder…”

“I look forward to seeing all the boundaries you all willbreak. And I know that each and every one of you are capable of incredible greatness. But I must admit…” Her heart leapt to her throat. But what? What did he-Shiro’s gaze on her warmed, a bright smile tugging at his lips as he looked at her.

“And for a minute…”

“I eagerly await the conquests of the newest generation of graduates, I…have a feeling they’re going to do so some pretty amazing things. Thank you.” Katie couldn’t even hear the applause, she was still glued to her seat. Heart slamming against her windpipe. The image of Shiro’s encouraging half-smile and soft eyes imprinting onto her mind. Cementing itself amongst all the other theories and equations that made way more sense to her than her own feelings for Shiro.

“I was stone-cold sober.”

===

Don’t think of her.

Don’t picture her. Don’t try to remember her voice. Don’t try to remember how her eyes shone. Don’t bring her visage to place like this. Don’t say her name.

Don’t you dare bring her memory here.

“I pulled you closer to my chest.”

Who knows how long Shiro had been in this place. Purple fluorescent lights and alien, animal faces blurred together in his mind. Or in what little cognitive function he had left. Everything seemed to be an endless cycle of blood and bone and screaming.

Lunge. Cut. Fight. Kill. Lunge. Cut. Fight. Kill. Lunge. Cut. Fight. Kill. Lunge. Cut. Fight. Kill. Lunge. Cut. Fight. Kill. Lunge. Cut. Fight. Kill. Lunge. Cut. Fight. Kill. Lunge. Cut. Fight. Kill. Lunge. Cut. Fight. Kill. Lunge. Cut. Fight. Kill. Lunge. Cut. Fight. Kill. Lunge. Cut. Fight. Kill.

Katie.

“And you asked me to stay over…”

God, but then there were moments, too many for Shiro to count, where he’d think back to all the people he’s failed. Matt, who was God knows where. Commander Holt, who Shiro hoped and prayed was still alive, despite all the horror of their situation. And…no, he wouldn’t do that. He couldn’t do that. Shiro can’t think of-

Katie.

“I said, ‘I already told ya-‘ ”

Out of everyone, Shiro had failed her the most. He remembered how proud she looked on launch day. How those golden eyes turned molten with joy as she and her mother sent the three of them off. How she jokingly made him promise to keep her family safe.

So lovely he couldn’t breathe.

He still couldn’t breathe as he, guiltily remembered memories of the brilliant younger Holt in a place like this. A place so messed up and violent that it should never tarnish her memory, no matter how secondhand it was.

But Shiro didn’t have long to think.

Two more purplish aliens cornered him in his cell. Shiro couldn’t even muster the spirit to fight them. The former pilot roughly shoved into the wall and muzzled. Bound in strange, glowing chains until it was time to release him.

Out of the fire and into the frying pan in the worst way.

But even as Shiro was pushed and shoved towards the slaughter fest that was the Arena.

His thoughts were of her.

“ ‘I think that you should get some rest…’ ”

===

She saw him again.

Part of her knew she would, eventually. But this time the sight of him did nothing to her. Gone we’re the blushing cheeks and fluttering heart. She wasn’t that crushing young girl anymore.

She wasn’t Katie anymore either.

Nothing like love twisted her heart at the sight of him, seemingly deranged and pleading on that hospital cot. Katie, now Pidge, only felt one thing as she looked at him. Felt something ugly and hideous coil in her stomach.

How dare he?

How dare he be here instead of Matt and her father? How dare he be the only one who came back? How dare…how dare he just show up?

Crashing back, quite literally, into her life.

“I knew I loved you then.”

She had spent so long killing whatever she had felt for him. Exhausting herself with the search to find her family to avoid thinking about him. But it never worked.

Not really.

And now here he was, screaming, pleading for anyone to stop and listen to him. That they were all going to die. That there were Galra just outside-

Pidge couldn’t take it.

She had had enough. Enough with the lies. Enough with the hurt. Enough with the constant dull ache in her chest. She had to end this the only way she knew how.

She had to save him.

“But you’d never know…”

===

She can’t leave, was his first thought.

But Shiro looked at her face, at those burning gold eyes and that furious glare, and couldn’t find it within himself to stop her.

He failed her.

“'Cause I played it cool when I was scared of letting go.”

Shiro a had failed to protect her family, of course she wanted to leave them and find them herself. Of course she’d want nothing more to do with him. Shiro knew all that.

But it still hurt.

“I know I needed you…”

It still hurt seeing how little she seemed to care about him. How much she wanted to get away from him. It cut him worse than the Galra ever had.

But he’d let her go.

“But I never showed.”

It’d kill him, but he owed her so much. So, for the rest of the night, Shiro kept outside. So no one could see how much he was hurting. He liked her.

He really liked her.

Which was horrible because she was only 15. Which was awful because he had left Matt and her father in the hands of the Galra. Which was just wrong because-

“But I wanna stay with you until we’re grey and old…”

“Shiro? Can we talk?” Trying to tell himself that his heart didn’t skip a beat at her voice would’ve just added insult to his many injuries. Shiro took a few moments to school his expression before turning to her.

And how much she’d changed.

“Just say you won’t let go…”

The last time he saw her everything was different. Everything was simpler. Her cheeks were flushed with cold, but Katie’s smile was so electric that she seemed completely immune to it. She was so small then, so delicate.

Not anymore.

“Just say you won’t let go…”

Seemingly everything about Katie had hardened, sharped to a deadly point. She was force to be reckoned with. A young girl becoming a woman in war. And Shiro couldn’t help but morn the fact. Especially like this, when she was standing just to his left in her armor. All its sharp angles and thick plating doing nothing to help Shiro’s guilt.

Doing nothing to stop his heart breaking.

===

“I’ll wake you up with some breakfast in bed.”

He’d get nightmares sometimes.

After the first couple instances and the deep, dark bags under his eyes, Pidge had decided enough was enough. She, despite her best efforts, had begun feeling something for the Black Paladin again. Something gentle and flickering in her chest that warmed her when this war chilled her.

Thus began their unique sleeping arrangement.

“I’ll bring you coffee with a kiss on your head…”

They’d head for his room at about the Earth equivalent of 10 o’clock, and, while Shiro would usually knock right out, Pidge would just slip in beside him and continue working until she was either done with her project or passed out from exhaustion.

But it was usually the latter.

“And I’ll take the kids to school…”

Still, for reasons Pidge refused to think about, Shiro seemed to sleep better with her there. Even when she wasn’t under the blanket with him, Shiro would still rest surprisingly peacefully. And for that, Pidge was immensely thankful.

Even if mornings were a little awkward.

“Wave them goodbye.”

Shiro, for the most part, would wake up before her. But the 6-foot-something guy had no chance of leaving the small, twin sized bed without disturbing her awake in some way. Neither would really talk about it, seeing it was a habit the two just sort of…picked up.

Shiro would leave.

Leave Pidge alone in a suddenly too-big bed in a room that smelled just like him. The young girl having to tell herself over and over that this was bigger than her resurfacing feelings for Shiro. This was for his sake and sanity.

She couldn’t take advantage of that.

So every morning Pidge had to stumble back to her own room, alone. Then go to breakfast and act like the whole arrangement never even existed. Like Pidge never knew how much younger Shiro looked when he slept. Or that sometimes his hand would fall to her waist and sleep would suddenly be the furthest thing from her mind. Yeah.

It’s sucked.

“And I’ll thank my lucky stars for that night…”

But there were bigger things than the aching hurt in her chest to deal with, so Pidge just fought it down and threw herself into everything she did even more. Hoping that, one day, things could be normal again.

That she could be honest with Shiro.

===

Years passed.

Everyone grew harder, tougher. The war still raged on, but now they were fighting fire with fire. The Coalition was growing everyday and people were shedding their fear of the Empire like a second skin. Everything was looking up.

But Shiro didn’t feel that way.

“When you looked over your shoulder-“

They found Matt. And for the first time, in a long, long time, he saw Pidge truly and purely happy. Pidge, now 17, had finally gotten a piece of her family back. Not as battle scarred or traumatized as him, Matt fit in right away with their crew.

Falling back in place with Shiro.

The two rekindling their friendship and trust. But one thing, one very important thing was different now.

Katie.

Pidge.

Before the younger Holt had been a witty, brilliant young girl who Shiro liked to joke with. Now? Now things were different.

Now she was different.

“For a minute, I forget that I’m older.”

She was still as burning and brilliant as those gold eyes, but there was so much more to her now. She was a woman on the war front. Battle-scarred and formidable in every sense. Pidge was someone he’d trust his life with. The only problem?

He wanted her to have his heart to.

“I wanna dance with you right now…”

Pidge had indeed grown lovelier over the years and to say that Shiro had never imagined the two as couple would be false in every sense. As beautiful as she was smart, those golden eyes seemed to spell ruin for suitors who weren’t careful.

And Shiro was one of them.

“Oh! And you look as beautiful as ever!”

Matt had found out embarrassingly easily. But the older Holt never ridiculed Shiro. No. Matt did something much worse.

He encouraged it.

“And I swear that everyday you’ll get better.”

Saying that the two were perfect for each other and that she definitely thought of him the same way. Which, naturally, Shiro knew better to believe.

But a part of him hoped.

Hoped that Matt was right every time her smile seemed to linger on him. Everytime he’d find himself lulled to rest by her focused face illuminated by her computer within his room. Everytime she’d pull him back from the nightmares and visions and into her brilliance. A dear, dangerous part of him hoped for such things.

And maybe, one day, he’d tell her all that.

“You make me feel this way somehow…”

But war was never kind to such sentiments. Such sentiments already begged to be proven wrong.

And they were.

===

Oh God.

Oh God. Oh God. Oh God. This couldn’t be happening. No. No! This wasn’t real! This is just a dream.

Just a nightmare.

“I’m so in love with you…”

“SHIRO!” Her throat hurt, but Pidge couldn’t care. All she cared about was getting down this damn hill and rush to his side. What was he even thinking?

Taking that bullet for her.

Oh God, there was blood everywhere. A usually orthodox sight made horrifically new when she saw who caused it.

Shiro.

Was he even breathing? Oh God please be breathing. Don’t stop breathing. Don’t leave me again. Don’t go until I-

“K-Katie?”

“And I hope you know.”

“I’m here, I’m right here Shiro. Stay with me. Stay with me please.” When did she start sobbing? When had her tears began to choke her?

She grabbed his hand.

Slick with blood, the metal was cooling in her hands. Hunk quickly rushed in, med kit in tow while Pidge tried to keep Shiro awake.

Alive.

“Darling, your love is more than worth its weight in…”

“Shiro! Shiro, look at me! Eyes on me, c’mon. Please!” Dark, blood soaked lashes fluttered up to her. Shiro’s bloodied head in her lap as Hunk tried to stanch the massive amount of blood leaving his body. But his eyes, warm and gray and heartbreaking, still cling to her so dearly.

So preciously.

“Gold…” He murmured weakly as she gazed up at her. Pidge’s tears falling onto his soiled face. Creating clear tracts in the dirt and gore. But, despite all that, the sight of such a soft look on Shiro face made Pidge smile.

And tears fall harder.

“We’ve come so far my dear…”

“Stay with me ok big guy? Well get you patched up s-”

Shiro coughed.

Blood splattering against his lips as the man sounded as if he was trying to retch out his lungs. Pidge cupped his face, trying to bring him back to her. Trying her best to ignore the warmth of his blood against her palms.

“Shiro? Shiro please stay with me…” She hated the whine in her voice, but the tears just wouldn’t stop. The pain in her chest damn near killing her. No…No, I couldn’t end like this.

Not like this.

“Look how we’ve grown.”

Not after everything they’ve been through. Not after how long she’s loved him. He can’t die. She wouldn’t let him.

She couldn’t let him.

“And I wanna stay with you until we’re grey and old.”

“Katie…Katie I-” Pidge saw it then. Saw it in the way he looked at her, halfway dead and broken beyond measure, but still gazing up at her like he’d do it all again for her. She saw it in those gray eyes and how they shone with unsaid words and unshed tears. She saw it in the way his bloody, bruised hands held onto her arms so reverently. Pidge saw it then.

And cursed herself for not seeing it sooner.

“Just say you won’t let go…”

“I know…I know…” She soothed, gazing back at him. Pidge’s face a near mirror of his own. Vision blurring with tears as she leaned down.

And kissed him.

“Just say you won’t let go…”

===

Kissing her was all Shiro wanted to do.

Pidge made a soft noise in the back of her throat as she pulled him closer and out of his thoughts. The air between them, in his room suddenly too hot. Too stifling unless every inch of her was pressed against every inch of him.

“I wanna live with you…”

Shiro’s mechanical hand slid under her shirt. Reveling in the smooth curve of her hips and waist. Against his throat, Pidge sighed contently and sent Shiro’s heart fluttering.

He kissed her again.

“Even when we’re ghosts.”

Kissing Pidge was like nothing he’d ever imagine it to be. Kissing Pidge was all bursting citrus and warmth and freckles against his hands. Kissing Pidge was the best thing in the world, and Shiro didn’t know if he could ever give it up.

Her arms wrapped around his neck.

Pulling him even closer, if that was possible, as Shiro rubbed his hand along the gentle curve of her bare back. He parted away from her, if only slightly. Just to look at her.

And those gold eyes.

Made a little darker from their kissing, but shining in the lowlight of his room nonetheless. Pidge was older now, her features more prominent, and fondness sang so loudly in Shiro’s heart, he couldn’t help but feel weak.

“'Cause you were always there for me…”

“I love you.” He breathed, the declaration coming out half scared and half infatuated. Watching the spark in Pidge’s eyes light up and a bright smile stretch along her face.

“When I needed you most.”

Her palm on either side of his head.

Seeming to memorize all his features with her calloused, thin fingers. Trailing along his jaw and over his temple. Across his eyebrows.

Fluttering over his scars.

“I love you to.”

===

“I’m gonna love you till my lungs give out.”

The war was over.

The greater evil had been defeated. The universe could finally breathe a breath of freedom after so long a time spent suffering.

Especially for the Paladins.

“I promise till death we part…”

Hunk chose to stay with Shay and help her fellow Balmerans discover what it meant to be free. Though, judging by their entwined hands as they waved the Castle off, that wasn’t exactly the only reason.

Allura and Matt had a lot of work ahead of them.

The rebel fighter and the Princess had grown close over the course of the war. Matt every bit a gushing, loving boyfriend that never failed to make Allura laugh. Coran watching the two carefully all the while. Allura’s diplomacy plus Matt’s strategy proving to be an incredible combination for the Coalition.

And, naturally, Lance and Keith went back to Earth.

“Like in our vows.”

Lance, apparently, having promised the Red Paladin an introduction to the entirety of Lance’s family. The sight of their entwined hands and bright red cheeks never failing to bring a smile to Pidge’s face.

Which left only two.

“So I wrote this song for you…”

What was next for her? For Shiro? Well, with the Empire out of the way, someone need to take charge of the noncombatant Galra and establish the Blades of Marmora as pillars of stability. And who better to do it?

Than the Champion himself.

“Now everybody knows!”

He was hesitant about it. She could see it in his eyes and the way his human hand wrapped around his metal one. Pidge knew that the thought of overseeing the entire race of creatures that harmed him would be painful.

But that’s why she was there.

“ ‘Cuase now its just you and me…”

Whatever the challenge, whatever the curse. Pidge would help him bear it. So, come the day Kolivan and the Blade came to take them away to rebuild their enemies, they just held each other.

Steadied each other.

“Till we’re grey and old.”

Shiro looked to her then, concern pinching the worn planes of his face in such a way that he seemed to ask her, “are you sure?”, all over again. He looked older now. Older in ways Pidge couldn’t even describe. But he was hers.

And she was his.

“Just say you won’t let go…”

So while she knew this new adventure would test them, as long as they had each other, Pidge knew that they’d be fine. They’ve gone through too much to just back down now. Squeezing his hand in hers, Pidge took the first step toward leading a new legion of Galra. With her hand in his, Shiro walked right beside her.

“Just say you won’t let go…”

Side by side.

Toward a new future, together.

“Just say you won’t let go…”

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lsesu · 7 years ago

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March Highlights 2018

There’s so many amazing things going on in March. We’ve rounded a few of them up into one handy blog - have your diaries at the ready!

LSESU & Society Highlights

WEEK 9

International Women's Day Brunch

What: To celebrate International Women's Day, your LSESU Women's Officer will be hosting a FREE brunch for all self-identifying women on campus. Come along any time from 11 am - 1 pm to grab some food and chat.

When: Thursday 8th March, 11am - 1pm.

Where: The Venue, Floor -2, SSH

LSE Cocktail Society celebrates International Women’s Day

What: Join the LSE cocktail society as they celebrate International Women's Day 2018! A menu of 3 unique cocktails and 1 mocktail has been created for this event, all named after and inspired by inspirational women.

When: Thursday 8th March, 6pm - 8pm.

Where: 6th Floor Cafe, SSH

Sparks at LSE 2018

What: Founded in 2010, Sparks has emerged as the largest and most prestigious student-run entrepreneurship conference in the UK. This year is no different - expect a dashing lineup of keynote speeches, a VC panel discussion, a networking lunch, 2 rounds of workshops, and closing drinks. Check out the confirmed speakers so far & the conference agenda here, and get your tickets here.

When: Saturday 10th March, 9am - 6pm.

Where: The Venue, Floor -2, SSH

TEDxLSE 2018: Brought to Light

What: In the spirit of "Ideas Worth Spreading", TEDx is a program of local, self-organised events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. This year, TEDxLSE presents its annual conference, ‘Brought to Light’. Prepare for a full day of inspirational talks from a huge range of incredible speakers - check out their Facebook event page to see the full list!

When: Saturday 10th March, 10am - 4pm.

Where: Senate House, Beveridge Hall.

WEEK 10

LSE Dance Society presents Resonance 2018

What: LSE Dance Club’s presents their annual dance show, Resonance at the Peacock Theatre. Featuring dance performances from a range of genres, it’s one not to be missed!

When: Monday 12th March, 7pm.

Where: Peacock Theatre.

AU Pride Night

What: Get out your neon clothes, rainbow laces, and glitter and join us in the Tuns for AU Pride Night. Expect glitter, face paint, and rainbow flags galore!

When: Wednesday 14th March, 7pm - 11pm

Where: The Tuns, SSH.

Working on a Tier 4 Visa

What: The LSESU International Officer has teamed up with the International Students Visa Advice Team and LSE careers to present an informal talk about how the changes to the Tier 4 Visa and how it may impact you after graduation and what kind of opportunities there are after you complete your degree.

When: Wednesday 14th March, 6pm - 8pm.

Where: Room 9.04, 9th Floor, Tower 2

Mature Students Mixer for London Universities

What: Come along to the first ever London-wide social mixer organised by mature student representatives from across the city (including King's, SOAS, LSESU & LSBSU). SOAS is hosting the inaugural event and we invite London's mature students to enjoy free food, drink, music and the opportunity to mingle with other mature students from across London. This event is open to mature students at ANY London university. Please check the Facebook event page to claim your FREE ticket.

When: Wednesday 14th March, 7.15pm.

Where: Room G3, SOAS Students Union

Disabili-TEA Party

What: This is a relaxed social for all self-identifying Disabled Students. It's a chance to meet other disabled students, share experiences and have fun :) There will be tea, cake and arts and crafts!

When: Thursday 15th March, 2.30pm - 4pm.

Where: 3rd Floor Meeting Room, LSE Students' Union.

RAG AU Vertical Rush Challenge

What: 932 steps, 42 floors, one epic competition. AU-RAG’s first ever collaboration takes on this massive skyscraper challenge. Each AU team will race against each other all the way to the top of Tower 42, all in aid of homelessness charity, Shelter.

When: Thursday 15th March, 12pm - 4pm.

Where: Tower 42, London.

St. Patrick’s Day at LSE

What: Irish Society hosts LSE's annual St. Patrick's Day celebration! On St. Patrick's eve (Friday March 16) the Tuns will be transformed into an Irish bar for the night, complete with Guinness and Irish music from UCL Ceilidh Band. All are welcome, Irish and non-Irish alike, so round up your friends and come and take part in the festivities!

When: Friday 16th March, 4pm - 11pm.

Where: The Three Tuns

See LSE’s amazing A Capella group, The Houghtones LIVE!

What: See KCL’s Rolling Tones, Bath’s Aquapella and the brilliant LSE Houghtones all in one go! Your ears are in for a treat!

When: Sunday 18th March, 7.30pm.

Where: The Venue, Floor -2, The Venue

WEEK 11

Talking About Mental Health

What: We have a panel of professional counsellors representing the private, NHS and LSE services. They will discuss the topic of mental health, demystify counselling as a service and provide self-help advice.

When: Monday 19th March, 12-1pm.

Where: The Venue

LSESU Baking Society: Inter-University Bake Off

What: This year, the LSESU Baking Society will be hosting the London Inter-University Bake Off in collaboration with University College London (UCL), Queen Mary University and King’s College! Whether you love baking and want to put your skills to test, want to learn more about opening your own bakery or simply want to taste some delicious cakes, this is the event for you! Check out the Facebook event page for more details on how to enter or attend!

When: Monday 19th March, 6.30pm - 9pm.

Where: 6th Floor Cafe, SSH

Happiness & Wellbeing // A Talk With Professor Paul Dolan

What: LSESU is hosting a lunchtime talk with LSE’s Professor Paul Dolan. Paul is a professor of Behavioural Science with an expertise in human behaviour and happiness. In addition to lecturing at LSE, Paul’s research has influenced government action on Wellbeing. This is one event not to be missed. As the time for exams and revision looms ever closer, we hope expert advice on happiness and wellbeing will put you in a great mind-set for future success!

When: Tuesday 20th March, 1pm - 1.50pm

Where: The Venue

LSESU Pole Fitness Annual Showcase

What: Join the LSESU Pole Fitness Society for an evening of breathtaking performances and body positivity. You will see things you didn't know was possible to do on a pole, and might even get the opportunity to try some moves yourself!

When: Tuesday 20th March, 7.30pm - 10pm

Where: The Venue, Floor -2, SSH.

Click here for tickets

STARS Awards

What: The annual celebration of the most outstanding students at LSESU - the most active, most engaged, those who have made real change - those who embody the spirit of LSE and the Union. Get your tickets here: bit.ly/lsesustarstickets

When: Thursday 22nd March, 5pm.

Where: The Venue, Floor -2, SSH

You Survived Lent Term!

What: Chill event to celebrate finishing Lent term with colouring in, card games and snacks. Also a chance to chat with your LGBT+ Officer.

When: Friday March 23rd, 5pm - 7pm

Where: 1st Floor Cafe, SSH.

LUCA London Students’ Run

What: Hosted by London Universities and Colleges Athletics (LUCA) these organised 5 and 10k races welcome all abilities and are chip timed meaning you’ll have yourself an official new time or even a PB! Plus, there will be goodie bags… need we say more? Pre-registration is required, and you can use the code ‘LSERUNS2018’ to get a discount on your entry.

When: Sunday 25th March.

Where: Victoria Park, London.

Click here to visit the London Students’ Run website.

Career Highlights

Have a browse of all the great events being run by LSE Careers this month here! You will have to login to your LSE IT account.

LSE Life Highlights

Take a look at the events going on at LSE Life this month here, and you can also sign up to the LSE LIFE Weekly Update email in order to stay up to date with everything that's going on in LSE Life. They have some amazing resources for exam planning and preparation - drop by LSE Life on the Ground Floor of the Library to pick up a revision schedule.

Volunteering Highlights

Make this the month you dedicate a tiny amount of your time to volunteering! You can view the current volunteering opportunities on CareerHub, and for more information about getting involved, visit the Volunteer Centre’s website.

LSESU PRO: Beyond The Classroom Highlights

The newly launched LSESU Pro gives you the opportunity to gain and develop professional skills. The Beyond the Classroom emploability training programme has previously run sessions such as introduction to British Sign Language, negotiation skills, project management, and much more - take a look at what’s going on this month here.

Have you been to an LSE Public Lecture yet?

LSE hosts a public lecture programme featuring over 200 events each year, covering a range of debates and topics where some of the most influential figures in social sciences can be heard. These can be extremely helpful to go to as outside research for your course, or to gain further knowledge about an area you’re interested in or passionate about.

The vast majority are free to attend, and they are open to anyone - LSE or not - so you can bring all your friends and family along! If you want to listen to podcasts or watch videos of past events, browse LSE’s extensive library of their past events here.

Do you have an event you’d like to add to this blog, either for this month or for a future month? Email me on [email protected] with the details of your event and we’ll add it in ASAP!

Happy March!

#lsesu #london school of economics #londonstudent #march #spring #thingstodo

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michael-radi-the-glamorous-life · 4 years ago

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10 Lessons Learned In A Decade

Ten years ago today I graduated from SUNY Geneseo and - two hours later - hopped in a car with my mother to drive 20 hours to Granbury, TX for my first professional theatre gig at Texas Family Musicals.

And with that, I embarked upon the journey that has been my post-college adult life.

To say that a lot has happened in the past decade is an almost criminal understatement: I’ve lived in three states, made a home in NYC, made and lost friends (made far more though!), had people come in and out of my life, found my artistic home, grew as a teacher, writer, actor, singer, pianist, arranger, and overall human being, and oh so much more.

As much as people like to call our high school and college years our “formative” years, I think it’s in the decade after the college experience (or your twenties into the start of the thirties, for those who did not attend college) in which we truly discover who we are, what we want, and where we want to go.

So, in honor of this milestone, I would like to share just 10 of the lessons I’ve learned over this decade.

1. People Change

People love to throw around old adages about how “no one ever really changes” or “once a ___ always a ___,” and I’ll admit that these ideas sometimes have merit.

But, are any of us the same people we were ten years ago?

Not at all.

(I mean, even on a cellular level we’re not the same people.)

I have watched as the people around me have grown and changed throughout the past ten years and - for most everyone who is still in my life in some way - I am simply proud. Looking around and seeing how the people I love and admire have struggled to continue growing, learning, improving, failing and trying again, moving in new directions, and taking on new challenges - it makes my heart swell and renews my faith in humanity.

Of course there are always those who change in a way that takes them out of your life, and that’s okay too. We’re all on our own journey.

But people really do change, and I think it’s generally for the better.

2. Self-Care Is Not Optional

We all go through phases of good and bad self-care.

And we have all gone through that period of youth where we abuse our bodies and minds for a full weekend and then still somehow get up at 7am on a Monday and deliver great work.

But that’s not the norm for the majority of our lives. We need self-care.

What does that include?

Drink water

Get yourself some proper nutrition

Move - exercise, walk, hike, anything to keep moving

Treat yourself

Find a good morning routine

Forgive yourself

Be kind to everyone

Find the joy whenever you can

That would be my short list, but an important one nonetheless.

3. Hangovers After 28 Are Terrible

Truly.

Avoid them at all costs.

4. The People Are Your Future

We are taught to think about our futures as something that is “ours.” It’s a personal journey.

And we’re also taught to think about the people around us only in terms of the “now.”

But one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that the people around you in your now - no matter how long they do or do not remain in your life - are going to be a part of your future. And often, it’s an important part.

I’ve met some of my favorite people in the world over the past ten years, and many of them I met in situations where I was not actively looking for my heart to connect to another human, and yet it still did.

Here are just a few of those situations:

A small bar-gathering (that I did not want to go to) of my friend’s friends from a summer stock gig that I was not a part of - I met three wonderful friends and two future roommates that day.

Casting a Rochester Fringe production of my first original musical, PICk Love - Not only did I meet several brilliant friends from this, but it opened the door to my eventual BVT family.

Being asked to drive two co-teachers (who I didn’t work with) back to Queens from the studio during my second year - This is how I met one of my greatest friends and collaborators.

Getting changed for my bartending shift and (half-dressed) being asked to come meet the manager from one of our other theaters - An instant lifelong friend.

Attending the BMI Workshop as an auditor and eventual student - Two entire groups of my favorite people came from that one decision.

Keep your heart open - you never know who you may meet.

5. Unchecked Capitalism Is The Worst

Being a product of the Millenial experience, this is undeniable.

But looking back across the past ten years, it’s clear that every part of the financial and “adult” struggles have been due to a capitalist system that has been slowly stripped of its checks and balances.

And this is from a middle-class, cis, white guy.

6. Fall In Love As Often As Possible

I don’t necessarily mean romantic love - I mean, you do you - but all kinds of love.

Fall in love with work, with friends, with family, with yourself, with books, with stories, with art, with connections, with nature, with places, with movement, with travel, with anything that strikes your fancy.

If love isn’t the answer, then what’s it all for?

7. You Never Really Know Who You’re With

Too often we don’t pay enough attention to who is around us.

This can be in a super temporary sense:

Like the time I was standing next to Mark Ruffalo on a packed 7 train where no one seemed to notice him except me. He gave me that look of “oh you see me, please don’t make a fuss.” And no one else noticed, even when he squeezed his way off the train. Cell phones, y’all.

Or it can be simply treating people as though they are temporary. What happens when you lose track of people from your life?

I mean, I’ll say it, I’ve worked with and known some amazing people who I haven’t been able (for whatever reason) to stay in touch with, and who are now doing incredible things.

A couple examples:

I worked with David Hein and Irene Sankoff for a few months 10 years ago on a musical they wrote, just before they started writing Come From Away.

My roommate from that first gig I did in Texas - Bradley Gibson - has been playing Simba in The Lion King on Broadway the past two years. Casual.

Right after their summer having Dogfight Off-Broadway, I was the personal assistant to Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, right as they were beginning to work on their next three gigantic projects (yeah, those ones).

At the time, these were just people who I thought were talented and cool. You really never know where people are going to go next.

8. Do What You Love

I don’t necessarily mean that in the way of “make sure you love your job.”

But instead, take note of the things you love to do and incorporate them into your life regularly.

If it happens to also be your job - awesome, that’s great. If not, that’s okay too.

As long as you can take part in something that you love in order to help balance your life, the weight of the heavy stuff won’t feel quite as burdensome.

9. Vote And Promote

Change is slow, but it’s impossible without a vote.

And once you have this realization for yourself, I firmly believe it is up to you to help spread that message to everyone you can.

We have been allowed to raise our voices, but that right can also be taken away if we are not vigilant.

As my father likes to say, “Vote early, vote often.”

10. Your Story Is Far From Over

We don’t know what the future holds. I mean, we didn’t know what the past ten years would be as we were living them.

And milestones can be useful ways to look forward or backwards, or to set and evaluate goals.

But at the heart of it - if you are sitting here reading this - your story is not over.

Keep writing it, keep living it. All heroes have goals, suffer trials, experience new worlds, and have their lives turned upside down. And once a journey has ended, that ending is really just another beginning.

So, where to next?

Thank You

For everyone who has been a part of my past ten years, in any way, I just want to say thank you.

You have all helped shape me into the person I am today.

Stay healthy, stay well, stay home. Cheers!

#glamorous life blog #glamorous life #decade #ten years #lessons #learned #people #connection #love #self care

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gigsoupmusic · 5 years ago

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INTRODUCING : Cameron Hayes

Cameron Hayes is not your average run of the mill pop singer. With her poignant lyrics and dark, contrasting aesthetic she emanates deep feelings within her music. Releasing her debut single ‘Drown’, and subsequent music video, we caught up with the singer to find out everything about her. Firstly, tell us a bit about you? Have you always been musical? Hey! Thanks so much for having me. I am Cameron Hayes, 21 and a British singer/ songwriter. I have always been musical for as long as I can remember, I grew up with the radio always on, the TV was always on MTV so some of my earliest memories are 00’s music videos. The style is having an awesome resurgence at the minute, which I’m really thinking of incorporating into my own work. We saw you attended the The Academy of Contemporary Music. How important do you think it was to study music? I was very lucky to have the opportunity to go to university, I had a great time and came out with a first so I’m not complaining, but I definitely don’t think you need to study music to be in the industry. I think that having good musical knowledge, being able to play an instrument and having life experiences are just as important. Music is something you can learn about in a lecture, but actually doing the real thing is so important. How would you describe your musical style? I’d say I’m somewhere in the vicinity of ‘alternative electro-rock/pop’, if you can imagine what that sounds like! I’d say the music I make is authentic and honest; songs always come from something I have experienced, whether directly involving me or just being a bystander. But I look towards the production of the song as much as recording, as it can encourage a whole other level of appreciation for a song. Your new single ‘Drown’ has been released recently, tell us a bit about it. We saw an awesome video for it too, are you planning to be in all your videos? Yes, my new single ‘Drown’ came out last month. The song describes the period of time I was going through when I wrote it, through the metaphor of drowning. I love the music video we created for ‘Drown’. I loved being in it and felt it helped to establish a narrative to the song, but I can’t wait to do a video where I’m behind the camera. One of my favourite music videos, the song ‘If I Get High’ by Nothing But Thieves, doesn’t feature any of the band members, and instead is a story portrayed by RJ Mitte (Walter White JR from Breaking Bad). It turned from being a music video to being a piece of art, and it makes the song so much more powerful. You should really check it out. https://youtu.be/k9HN8JT3dzs Cameron Hayes - 'Drown' How important do you think the visual element to your music is, such as artwork and videos? I think the visuals for my projects are so important - it helps the listener visualise the music I make, but offers other ways to interpret the art I’m trying to put out there. If you could collaborate with one person who would it be? I’ve always been such a huge fan of SG Lewis and would love to work with him one day, his whole vibe is amazing and he’s one of my fave producers at the moment. I’m also a huge fan of UPSAHL and her songs, and think if we worked on a track together that it would be so sick! Let’s talk about you playing live, we’ve seen your covers on just a piano but we’re told you play with a full band? What’s the setup like? Yes! There’s currently 3 of us - Gareth Spicer on drums, Rob Macfarlane on synths and then I sing and play guitar/piano. I absolutely love playing with them - for years it would just be me on piano and now to be up on stage with 2 other people, it's so exciting! It adds a whole other level to my music live. Do you get nervous before performing? I have bad performance anxiety so performing is always a rollercoaster for me, but something I love more than anything! It’s a pretty scary thing going on stage and sharing part of your soul through your songs, and beforehand of course you’re going to be nervous! But then right as I’m about to go on, I suddenly switch and then, bam! I'm on stage and ready to go! It's honestly a crazy experience but there's nothing like being on stage. What has been your favourite live performance and why? My favourite performance was a few months back at The Bedford in Balham. It was only my second show with my band but it went so well, it felt like we had been playing together for years. The sound in the venue was brilliant and it's so beautiful there; it's a big circular room with an upstairs indoor balcony the whole way around the room! It was just such a lovely night! What would be your dream venue? I'd say O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, as I've seen so many of my favourite artists there that it would be mad if I was ever on the side with the stage! I also have so many great memories of artists there that it feels so special to me. What music have you been listening to recently? I've been getting into French electro pop at the moment, my favourite being ‘Amour Plastique’ by video club and ‘Calvaire’ by Spill Tab. I have a playlist on Spotify called ‘The Meritocracy Playlist’ that I update every Monday with my 10 favourite songs of the week, check it out! Finally, what can we expect from Cameron Hayes in the future? I’ve got a new single on the way next month! This one is a bit more rock and I'm hoping to do a video for this one too! As we’re currently in lock down it may be a little tricky but we’re trying to come up with some fun ideas! 'Drown' is out now on all platforms Read the full article

#cameronhayes #newmusic

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jaketheaudiophile · 6 years ago

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Best Albums of 2018.

This is the thing I look forward to most every year. I probably start internally ranking albums after purchasing them and have a conversation with friends and fellow musicians about their favorite releases starting in September.

I personally thought 2018 was a very good year for music, and already have some stuff I’m excited about in 2019. Let’s just jump right in.

HONORABLE MENTION

TTNG: “Animals Acoustic” released October 5 via Sargent House

It doesn’t feel right to consider this a “true” new album since it’s only an acoustic reworking of TTNG / This Town Needs Guns’ seminal debut album. However, this is more than just a re-release; there’s unique, varied instrumentation added cleverly to every song, including strings, pianos and The Kraken Quartet on percussion. It also never gets old hearing Stu Smith sing again or hearing Tim Collis recreate his wizardry on an acoustic guitar. It feels like a brand new thing, which is impressive considering the source material is a decade old.

#15.

The Decemberists: “I’ll Be Your Girl” released March 16 via Capitol / Rough Trade

Props to my buddy Branden for recommending this, but in general Decemberists albums are an automatic purchase for me. I wasn’t crazy about their last few releases (particularly the collaborative Offa Rex LP) so I wasn’t completely up to date on their current activities, but this is another solid entry into a pretty stellar catalogue of music. The lead single “Severed” is a bit of a curveball, but it shouldn’t scare off old fans. In a strange way, this album is a reinvention of sorts but also a harkening back to the songwriting and cleverness that made these alt-rockers famous (”Everything is Awful”, “Once in My Life”). Perfect for old and new fans.

#14.

The Wonder Years: “Sister Cities” released April 6 via Hopeless Records

I can’t quite put my finger on it, but this is probably my least favorite Wonder Years album. It should have worked perfectly on paper: The old pop-punkers expand their sound and influences and graduate to a new level of maturity and success. And in a way, this is exactly that. However, the last half of the album, particularly the closing track, “The Ocean Grew Hands to Hold Me” just feels uninspired and lazy. There’s something to be said for purposeful dynamic choices, and that was something these Philly rockers nailed on previous releases. Still, TWY are master craftsmen, and there are a few great songs and moments throughout this record (”Pyramids of Salt” in particular), but this feels more like a transitionary phase than a masterpiece.

#13.

Mouse on the Keys: “tres” released May 23 via Topshelf Records

Japanese jazz aficionados Mouse on the Keys were a relatively new band for me this year, and their latest record certainly lives up to hype that I’ve seen them receiving. Bringing in a strong, varied collection of guest musicians works out splendidly at times (such as vocalist Dominique Fils-Aime, who absolutely kills it on “Stars”, and CHON wunderkind Mario Camarena’s solo on “Time”) and falls slightly flat at others (unfortunately, La Dispute’s Jordan Dreyer’s spoken word contributions to “Shapeless Man”). When left to their own devices, however, the skills and performances of these three dudes are admirable (”One Hundred Twenty”). The album feels a bit more of a collection of ideas than a full record, but is still worth checking out for any technical music or jazz fans.

#12.

mewithoutYou: “Untitled” released October 5 via Run For Cover Records

This album is a textbook example of what could have easily been a classic, or even an album of the year contender. However, it seems like these Philly indie rock mainstays lost all momentum halfway through and ended not with a bang, but with a whimper. The last two songs on this album are basically useless and meandering. It also seems like the band tried to get in the headspace of their earliest material, maybe pulling some influence on a few album anniversary tours, which is a welcome return to form (”9:27A.m., 7/29″). With that in mind, why are Aaron Weiss’ vocals so low in the mix or drowning in effects to make them unrecognizable? His poetic lyrics are what make so many fans keep coming back, so the choice to completely smother them is an odd one. The highs of this album are here, but they are too dragged down by the uninspired lows to make this a completely stellar record. I hold these guys to a pretty high standard, though, so maybe I’m more critical than most here.

#11.

Between The Buried and Me: “Automata I” and “Automata II” released March 9 and July 13 via Sumerian Records

It doesn’t feel right to separate these albums as its considered one long story and they really do work in tandem. Personally, I like Automata I a smidge more, but they are both pretty damn good. I is a more traditional metal (with the exception of the the epic Dream Theater-esque closer “Blot”) and II allows the band to sow their wild oats a bit, worshipping at the altars of Queen and Danny Elfman at times. Regardless, this is a mammoth achievement for these metal titans, who seemingly never seem to run out of ideas for brilliant, varied albums. Some songs are a bit overlong, and the few purely filler tracks may be a tad unnecessary, but it’s still a rewarding listen.

#10.

Horrendous: “Idol” released September 28 via Season of Mist

Perhaps the only disappointing part of this technical death metal release is the fact that it’s only 40 minutes long. Most bands in this genre would be content to tease out a riff or interlude and create a 12-minute song, but not these guys. Not that there are a lack of ideas; they’re just packed in so tightly and laser-focused to make every track feel adventurous, varied and finely tuned. Combined with one of the most unique vocalists I’ve ever heard (the most apt comparison is “Wolfman transforming from Wolfman back into man”), the listener is left with an album that truly leaves them wanting more. Also, kudos for the creepy Clive Barker-esque cover art.

#9.

Mom Jeans.: “Puppy Love” released July 3 on Counter Intuitive Records

Mom Jeans. scratch an itch I’ve always had for quality emo music and nicely fill a void You Blew It! left when they broke up last year. There’s certainly not a ton of brand new ideas on display in their music, but its earnestness and heart make up for it. I’m willing to overlook a few cliche moments (the acoustic album closing cut, the more-or-less straight up rip off of Weezer’s “The Sweater Song” on “Glamorous”) and instead be grateful that tracks like “Sponsor Me Tape” and “Pickle Bart” took up permanent residency in my head for most of the year. Keep doing what you’re doing.

#8.

Delta Sleep: “Ghost City” released August 10 via Big Scary Monsters

Longtime friends may remember that Delta Sleep’s 2015 effort “Twin Galaxies” was my favorite album of that year. The bar was set pretty high for the follow-up, and for the most part, they delivered. The production is top-notch, the arrangements are all over the place but locked in and expertly performed, and the band cements their status as one of the best in the genre. Unfortunately, there are just a bit too many filler tracks and interlude cuts to really make it stand out, and they tend to make me either skip songs or not want to jump back into the album. This is particularly odd as I didn’t mind this much on their last record or previous EPs, but I feel like they need to ditch this particular crutch in the future. Again, I’m most critical of the bands and groups I adore the most, so maybe I’m nitpicking. This is a really fun record (“After Dark” and “El Pastor”) and is certainly worth your time.

#7.

Tangled Hair: “We Do What We Can” released March 16 via Big Scary Monsters

Without overhyping it, this was easily one of my most anticipated releases for 2018, and something I was hoping for for several years. I quite enjoyed the two EPs this British math rock trio had previously released, and was a huge fan of Colour, a legendary group two of Tangled Hair were a part of. This album did live up to these hopes and dreams, but sadly the last third was lacking that extra “oomph” to make this a perfect record. That said, the drum work of James Trood is well varied and creative (”Keep Doing What You’re Doing”, “Yeah, It Does Look Like a Spider”) and while not full of over-the-top tapping riffs, the songs and riffs have a fun technicality to them (”Nao is my Driver”, “Catalina”). Tangled Hair have a way of crafting songs that don’t beat you over the head with their musicianship but incentivize the listener to pick them apart and then be amazed. This is why I’m a fan, and why I adore this record. Hopefully a US tour is their next big step.

#6.

Antarctigo Vespucci: “Love in the Time of E-Mail” released October 26 via Polyvinyl

For those unfamiliar (which included myself until I heard “Freakin’ U Out” through Anthony Fantano), Antartigo Vespucci is a project made up of Chris Farren (Fake Problems) and Jeff Rosenstock. I have never been a huge fan (mainly out of ignorance) of either’s previous work, but that seems to be at my detriment because I really, really love this record. It’s minimalistic, straightforward and effective. Most songs aren’t longer than 2 minutes and are chock full of hooks and fun instrumentation (”Kimmy”, “Breathless on DVD”) that keep you coming back. The word that resonates and fits most for this record is “sharp”. The songwriting, production and attitude is such. It’s a truly fun little release that came out of nowhere for me.

#5.

Tiny Moving Parts: “Swell” released January 26 via Triple Crown Records

I’m quite impressed with the consistency of these Minnesota rockers. They seem to crank out a quality record every 18 months or so, and their latest offering is no exception. It’s airtight and jam packed with energy and emotion, not to mention the occasional insane guitar tapping lick (”Feel Alive”, “Caution”). Perhaps not as polished as 2016′s “Celebrate” but still damn good. Damn damn good good (”Applause”, “Wishbone”). Anything these guys put out seems to be a lock to be in my Top 5 every time until proven otherwise.

#4.

Justin Courtney Pierre: “In The Drink” released October 12 via Epitaph Records

Like most people, I was incredibly sad to learn Motion City Soundtrack decided to call it quits a few years ago. Frontman Justin Pierre decided to at least make the transition easier by releasing his debut solo album, and it’s full of so many of the things that fans of MCS came to adore. It’s not quite as diverse or well produced as their material, but still contains Pierre’s trademark honest lyricism and songwriting chops. Also present are a few of the members of longtime Pierre side-project Farewell Continental, which makes this feel closer to one of their albums, particularly with the presence of guitar feedback and female vocals. I wasn’t really expecting this to blow away anything Motion City has put out, but it holds its own quite nicely without overstaying its welcome only being 28 minutes long. I’m just so happy Justin is continuing to put out music.

#3.

Vein: “Errorzone” released June 22 via Closed Casket Activities

It’s so fitting that this band is named after a vital part of the human body. They feel essential and basic, but not in a boring way, and aren’t too flashy or breaking any molds. I guess the theme of most of my favorite music of 2018 is “Well, it’s not reinventing the wheel, but it’s still awesome!”. This bleak and brutal hardcore record sums that up quite nicely. Taking influence from Glassjaw, Deftones and every knuckle-dragging breakdown factory playing on the side stages of every Warped tour and sharpening the edges with razor blades, this album’s raw energy and brazenness makes it feel bombastic and energizing. This is also the band I’m most excited to see what happens in the future, as this is their debut full length, and I imagine giving them room to grow and mature will lead to some outstanding things in the future. The traditional hardcore moments are awesome (”Old Data in a New Machine”, “Demise Automation”), but the occasional breaths of melody (”Errorzone”) and clever electronic samples (”End Eternal”) are surprising. Far and away my favorite heavy music record of 2018.

#2.

Lifted Bells: “Minor Tantrums” released March 30 on Run For Cover Records

Bob Nanna must be one of the coolest people ever. The longtime Braid and Hey Mercedes frontman seems to have his fingerprints all over great bands and projects, and this Chicago indie rock collective is certainly no exception. Each song feels like a symphony of spastic drums, distorted bass and Matthew Frank’s (he of Loose Lips Sink Ships and Their / They’re / There fame) insanely varied and skilled guitar lines (”Inevitable Devil”). Every song feels completely unique and different, making it a pretty perfect rock record (”Follow Me”, “Choir Sings The Cure”). Nothing feels unnecessary and it’s infinitely re-listenable. Pretty good for a first full length, huh?

#1.

Monobody: “Raytracing” released November 1 via Sooper Records

I’ve been playing music in some capacity for 25 years and generally try to go to as many concerts and buy as many records as I can afford. With all that said, I have a hard time fully grasping what this Chicago jazz collective have pulled off on this gargantuan release. Seemingly going in every musical direction at once while somehow being accessible and downright fun to listen to, it’s kind of hard to describe exactly how it all works out, but it does. I can’t really recommend it to casual music fans, but if you’re willing to take the plunge into something dense and different that is truly at its best as a whole album and not individual songs, this will reward you. I can’t put any other full-length record above it, so it is without a doublt my favorite LP of 2018.

...except...

So, about that word “full-length”...

...welp...

ACTUAL FAVORITE RELEASE OF 2018:

Invalids: “Fulfillment EP” released March 28 via Choke Artist

I’ve never been in this situation before. I can’t in good consciousness say that I liked any music that came out this year more than this EP, so it feels wrong giving it any other spot. Invalids is a math rock project that was essentially just guitarist / vocalist Pete Davis until recently. For this EP and a few recent tours, he joined forces with 3 amazing musicians who could keep up with his absurdly technical yet melodic songwriting. I hesitate to use the word “perfect”, but I cannot find a flaw on this EP. Earlier records were perhaps impressively performed but lacking in memorable songs, or meandering or bloated. This EP instead sees Davis and company trimming the fat but still keeping things varied, clever and jaw-dropping. Yeah, it’s a technicality calling this “album of the year”, but it’s a glorious album and one I’m willing to make an exception for. Thank you, Invalids.

0 notes

mobilenamic · 6 years ago

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16 Sites to Download the Best Free Game Graphics in 2018!

If you need some free graphics for your game, where do you look? Browsing through tilesets, textures and sprites can take up a lot of your time, time that could be used improving your game. To help you out, we’ve put in the legwork and tracked down the best free assets on the internet. All of these websites offer image assets that are free for you to download and use, with no royalty-fee. We’ve also taken the time to rank them, so let us know what you think of our selections in the comment section!

How to Use Images and Sprite Animations with V-Play

All of these free graphics won’t be much use unless you know how to use them in your game!

With V-Play, adding both Static Images and Sprites to a game is as simple as it can get.

Sprites can be added to your game using V-Play’s SpriteSequenceVPlay element. This is a great element if you have a game object with multiple states like walking and jumping.

import VPlay 2.0 import QtQuick 2.0 GameWindow { Scene { SpriteSequenceVPlay { anchors.centerIn: parent // center it in the scene width: 150 // width of the image in the game height: 150 // height of the image in the game SpriteVPlay { frameCount: 3 // number of frames in the animation frameRate: 10 // how fast animation plays, set this to 50 and enjoy the show! frameWidth: 640 // width of 1 frame frameHeight: 540 // height of 1 frame source: "https://v-play.net/web-assets/shootingGirl.png" } } } }

This animates our sprite like this:

If you’d just like to insert a static image, a simple Image Element does the trick.

The following code will show our image frozen in place:

import VPlay 2.0 import QtQuick 2.0 GameWindow { Scene { Image { id: shootingGirl anchors.centerIn: parent width: 150 // width of the image in the game height: 150 // height of the image in the game source: "https://v-play.net/web-assets/shootingGirlOneFrame.png" } } }

Download V-Play Now and Use These Free Game Graphics To Develop Cross-Platform Games!

Free Download

List of Free Game Graphics Resources

Overview:

Kenney.nl

OpenGameArt.org

Untamed.wild-refuge.net

Crateboy.itch.io

Opengamegraphics.com

Gameart2d.com

Wigdetworx.com

GlitchtheGame.com

Dumbanex.com

Reinerstilesets.de

Sharecg.com

Roenica.com

Blogoscoped.com

Lostgarden.com

Subtlepatterns.com

Openclipart.org

Note: we have collected more free resources for game developers at the end of this site. Make sure to check these out as well!

1. Kenney.nl

Kenney.nl is based in the Netherlands and is producing some fantastic art for game developers. There are some really cool free assets on this site which have been made part of the public domain, meaning you can do anything you want with them. The free game graphics can be browsed according to their category so you can find your game art really quickly. Kenney.nl also makes sounds and game sources available for free which could also be pretty useful for some readers. On top of all that, it’s a really beautifully designed site.

2. OpenGameArt.org

This website has to be first on anyone’s list of places to go in search of free game graphics. OpenGameArt.org is a large site offering all kinds of graphics and even has a selection of sounds for game devs to use. It can be browsed according to category and all of the art is clearly displayed. It has a huge selection of 2D and 3D elements and is also home to a very active forum. The site is constantly being updated with content from its users and is ranked so you can find the most popular graphics of the month or go in search of some lesser used assets.

3. Untamed.wild-refuge.net

This site is a huge resource of free game graphics for anyone looking to make their own RPG. Untamed.wild-refuge.net is home to Sithjester’s RMXP resources, a collection of image assets that are free to download and use how you like. The highlight of this site is the giant collection of 2D game sprites that you can browse all on one page. Clicking on a character you like brings you to a webpage where you can download a .png of the character from all angles, perfect for making your own sprites!

4. Crateboy.itch.io

This collection of image and sound assets is brought to you by Crateboy. The best part of this collection is the 8 bit city resource files. Crateboy advertises that there will be enough 16×16 tiles for you to build an entire city and there really are. This is some really great work and all Crateboy asks is that you credit him in your game. If you end up using these tiles a lot he also accepts a ‘pay what you like’ option. The use of colour tone in this artwork really makes it stand out from the crowd and could really help to define the look of your project.

5. Open Game Graphics

OpenGameGraphics.com gathers the best free to use game assets from all over the internet. All the featured assets can be used in private and commercial projects. Everything is categorized neatly and browsing as well as downloading is fast and easy. As a special note, their collection of full game assets is fantastic. Asset collections can pretty much be used to create a full game with. On top of all that, the site is continually being updated with fresh game asset awesomeness.

6. Gameart2d.com

Gameart2d.com is home to some amazing image assets. This website is run by Zuhira Alfitra a.k.a pzUH. He’s an Indonesian game developer with a real eye for great game graphics. The majority of the assets on this site are for sale but there is a freebies section where you’ll find more images like those featured above. As well as these sprites, there is also a selection of tilesets, GUI assets and many more assorted images for you to choose from. They’re also completely free.

7. Wigdetworx.com

If you need some sprites for your game, you should check out this website. Wigdetworx.com has made a great collection of static and animated sprites available for free in the SpriteLib project. While it’s not the biggest collection of sprites in this list, there is definitely something here for everyone. The pack includes a plethora of landscapes and characters that would look at home in any 2d game. All it takes is a click to download, so why not browse the assets yourself and get some free game graphics.

8. Glitchthegame.com

Some readers will know Glitch as the web-based, collaborative, massively multiplayer game. Having been shut down in 2012 after two years online, the game’s developers have decided to release the game’s artwork into the public domain. There are over 10,000 assets to download and they’re all amazing quality. If you already like the look of these graphics, you’re in luck as you can download the entire package with one click and peruse them for yourself offline.

9. Dumbanex.com

Dumbanex.com is another site that has made some really cool artwork available to game developers. It’s all free to use as long as you credit them somewhere in your game. There’s a really rich collection of sprites and tilesets on this site and a lot of them can be downloaded quickly in .zip format. This site is run by Brent Anderson, who works professionally as a freelance game designer and developer. These free game graphics would be perfect for a mobile sidescroller or platformer.

10. Reinerstilesets.de

This website is run by Reiner “Tiles” Prokein and is brimming with free assets for game developers. Reiner himself is a hobby game developer who has produced a number of games. When he started out developing he couldn’t find the graphics he wanted, so he started making them himself. Ever since then he’s been sharing them online and they’re all available to you to use for free. He’s got a great selection of 2D and 3D images as well as some brilliant tutorials.

11. Sharecg.com

Sharecg.com is primarily a site for artists to upload and share their work. It’s really worth a look if you’re after 3D or 2D art or if you want to find an artist to work with on some new ideas. The art is licensed under different terms so it’s important to check and make sure it can be used freely before you incorporate it into your games. There’s some really great indie art showcased on this site and you can also find tutorials, audio and software to use.

12. Roenica.com

This is a cool site for indie and casual game developers and they have a nice collection of free game graphics for devs. Their assets are categorized according to game theme and can be downloaded as .zip files. The artwork on this site has been made available by a variety of artists so license types may vary but roenica.com states that all details should be clarified within the .zip files. Roenica hosts both 2D and 3D graphics so there should be something here for everyone.

13. Blogoscoped.com

Now it’s time for something completely different. The next site on our list is actually a blog about Google and everything related to Google. So then why is it included on our list? It’s included because in 2006 blog contributor, Philip Lenssen, posted a collection of almost 700 game sprites that you can use under a Creative Commons License. The sprites are all character avatars from a game he was working on called ‘Last Guardian’. If you’re working on something that looks similar, then you definitely should check his stuff out.

14. Lostgarden.com

Lostgarden.com is a little bit different to most of the other sites featured in this article. It’s the blog of Daniel Cook, a game designer working for Spry Fox. Daniel dedicates a section of his blog to game art and likes to update it periodically with free game art for developers. This site is also home to some great essays on game design in general and it would definitely be worth a look, if not to gain the insight of an industry professional, then purely for interest’s sake.

15. Subtlepatterns.com

Subtlepatterns.com offers some of the most beautiful work out of all the websites listed in this article. This website is run by Atle Mo, who designs and curates patterns for the site. He has made all of these wonderful patterns available to use under a creative commons license, so all you have to do is provide him with some credit in exchange for using his patterns. There is a lot of content on this site and it’s all of a very high standard. These patterns would make great UI backgrounds or could even be used in your game levels.

16. Openclipart.org

The great thing about this website is that absolutely every piece of art that they share is completely free to use in every way. Openclipart.org is a great community dedicated to sharing free art to everyone that wants it. But let’s not forget the art itself. There’s some really great looking clipart on this site and a lot of it would definitely look at home in your next 2D game. Another great feature of this website is that you can make requests of the users and get tailor made clipart.

One Extra Free Game Graphic Website

You have scrolled that far – as a bonus we have one extra site with great game graphics for free for you!

CraftPix

CraftPix is a game asset online store, which provides graphics for creating video games. You will find Free and Premium game assets, GUI (graphical user interface), Tilesets (sets of textures and sprites for game levels), Character Sprites (characters in different variations, i.e. running, jumping, etc.), and Game Backgrounds suited to every fancy on their site.

And there you have it. If you know of any other great free game graphics for game devs, let us know in the comments section. And don’t forget to like, share or retweet if you think one of your friends would be interested in this list too!

Do you want to create a game 60% faster than with other game engines like Unity, Corona or Cocos2D?

See the V-Play Game Engine highlights and the tutorials below how you can:

youtube

More Free Game Developer Resources

16 Great Websites Featuring Free Game Sounds for Developers

19 Best Websites for Free Game Music

10 Free Online Tools to Make Pixel Art

18 Best Free Sites for Game Fonts

Cool Names for Games: How to Pick the Best Title

9 Useful Marketing Techniques for Promoting Mobile Games

21 Tips That Will Improve Your User Acquisition Strategy

How to Soft Launch like a Pro

The Best Game Development Tutorials & Free Game Templates

All of these tutorials come with full source code of the games! You can copy the code to make your own games for free!

How to create mobile games for different screen sizes and resolutions

How to Make a Slot Game like Book of Ra Tutorial

How to Make a Match 3 Game like Candy Crash Tutorial

How to Make a Flappy Bird Game Tutorial

How to Make a Doodle Jump Game Tutorial

How to Make a Puzzle Game like 2048 Tutorial

Free Card Game Template like UNO – Singleplayer & Multiplayer

Tower Defense Game Template

Platformer Game Template like Super Mario Maker with user-generated content

Game Development Video Tutorials

How to Make a Game like Super Mario Maker

youtube

How to Make a Mobile Game in 15 Minutes

youtube

How to Use Multiplayer in your Game

youtube

Thanks for reading & scrolling that far!

Do you know any other sites you like for free game graphics?

Or would you like to see a game tutorial about a certain game you always wanted to develop but don’t know how?

Let us know and send us a direct message here.

The post 16 Sites to Download the Best Free Game Graphics in 2018! appeared first on V-Play Engine.

16 Sites to Download the Best Free Game Graphics in 2018! published first on https://medium.com/@TheTruthSpy

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dawnajaynes32 · 7 years ago

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Top 10 Typographers to Follow on Instagram

With April being Typography month at HOW, we’re excited to share some of our favorite typography accounts on Instagram. Typography may be an old art, but it’s seeing a revival today with the current crop of illustrators taking up hand-painted signage, curvaceous illustration and even a renaissance of blackletter. While not everyone is using movable type these days, the art of type is thriving. And with Instagram as the top sharing platform for designers, it’s no wonder that “typoholic” is a hashtag. From Amsterdam to California, here are some of the best lettering, illustration and type feeds to get designers inspired every day.

10 Great Typographers to Follow on Instagram

1. Good Type

This San Francisco-based agency that connects businesses with designers is also releasing a new coffee table book of lettering work from designers this summer, featuring 130 artists from 30 countries. They also host a series of workshops (like handlettering fundamentals) with different designers, and their Instagram account reflects their current work with designers and daily inspiration. @goodtype

“Oh hai” by @alia_bright! Stay tuned to our stories this week as Alia will be hosting us through her experience at @designweekpdx! #strengthinletters #lettering #ohhai #designeeekpdx #pdx #graphicdesign #paperart #quilling #goodtype #typedesign #typography #art #portland

A post shared by Goodtype | Strength In Letters (@goodtype) on Apr 15, 2018 at 5:16am PDT

2. Best Dressed Designs

This account is co-run by Josh Luke and Meredith Kasabian, two Boston-based designers. They not only share their latest design work for their namesake agency Best Dressed Signs. a hand-painted sign and mural company, where they work around the Boston area. The duo also co-founded the Pre-Vinylite Society of sign enthusiasts for renewing the craft and aesthetic of hand painting. @bestdressedsigns

The completed stage sign for @themidwaycafejp, painted a few weeks back. We’re honored to have designed their new logo and painted a few signs for this iconic Boston music venue. Check out a show next time you’re in JP! ✨Last photo features superstar cat model #elkaylukesabian sporting the brand new Midway Cafe T-shirt! · · #midwaycafejp #JamaicaPlain #bostonrocks #signpainting #signpainters #signwriting #handlettering #handlettered #goodtype #typegang #dailytype #typographyinspired #strengthinletters #lettering #previnylitesociety

A post shared by Best Dressed Signs (@bestdressedsigns) on Apr 4, 2018 at 11:02am PDT

3. Jessica Hische

San Francisco-based designer Jessica Hische—who has just written and designed her first children’s book—shares on her Instagram account pages from the project, as well as letterforms she is working on and client work. @jessicahische

Designed the cover and endpapers for this amazing cookbook last year—even got to recommend @charlesandthorn’s lovely Regina font for use on the cover and interior! Thanks for the snap @williamssonoma!

A post shared by Jessica Hische (@jessicahische) on Feb 20, 2018 at 10:03pm PST

4. Letterjack

The account of Jackson Alves, a Brazilian letter artist, calligrapher and teacher, these works range from cursive script, medieval-inspired lettering and calligraphic forms and blackletter forms on paper. Alves also hosts workshops and has online classes, so his website is worth checking out. @letterjack

The letter G for @36daysoftype. Doing some depth effects mixing Ai and @photoshop #lettering #vectorlettering #36daysoftype #flatpenletters #calligraphy

A post shared by Jackson Alves (@letterjack) on Apr 12, 2018 at 8:34am PDT

5. Cre8tivesun Designs

This account is the namesake page of Dawn T, an illustrator based in California who loves to share her hand-drawn type works, from Stephen Hawking quotes to whimsical, curvy phrases that meander over a page like a game of Snakes and Ladders. @cre8tivesun

Love this quote for the #365daysofwonderlettering with my #calligrafriend @the.lettering.fern @365daysofwonderlettering . .thanks again to @indetailcreative for sharing this awesome tutorial, I just can’t get enough! . #type #watercolorlettering #penandink #handfont #moderncalligraphy #calligraphy #handwriting #brushlettered #letter #handlettered #handlettering #lettering #handtype #dndchallenge #togetherweletter #bujo

A post shared by DawnT (@cre8tivesun) on Apr 1, 2018 at 3:58pm PDT

6. Gemma O’Brien

We’ve written about the brilliant Gemma O’Brien before, but we can never quite get enough of her work. If you’re not already following her Instagram account, be sure to start for an infusion of her latest works and inspirations in your feed. @mrseaves101

I have an artwork in the upcoming “26” show presented by @wemakepdx for Portland Design Week. The exhibition opens April 19th and features 26 lettering artists from around the world: @jessicahische, @nickmisani @erikmarinovich @martinaflor and @jordan_metcalf to name a few! Each artist was asked to create a word or phrase in the WeMake colours: black, metallic gold and orange. The final 9×9 pieces were beautifully screen printed by @seizurepalace in limited editions of 40. They go on sale on opening night in Portland and will be available online via WeMake afterwards. 100% of the proceeds go towards arts education. Get your hands on one if you’re lucky!

A post shared by Gemma O’Brien (@mrseaves101) on Apr 13, 2018 at 2:22pm PDT

7. Ora Siripin

This Bangkok-based lettering artist and illustration features stunning work in black and white. From works on black paper to cardboard and pen-based notepads, a positive message is at the heart of all her works, so it’s worth checking out. @oraarts

✌✨ . . #letteringbyora #procreate #procreatelettering #ipadpro #ipadlettering

A post shared by Ora Siripin (@oraarts) on Apr 8, 2018 at 3:12am PDT

8. Typography Inspired

From progress drawings to new fonts and sketches, this account is a daily dose of type inspiration. It also gives shout outs to other designers’ work on Instagram and tags them. They promote their #typographyinspired hashtag to find the work of new designers. @typographyinspired

“Create Something New” – Superb bold lettering by @manuricci_ in collaboration with @thefuturishere, stating that “Done is better than perfect” – Reckon there will be mixed opinions regarding this statement, what’s your opinion? ✍ #typographyinspired

A post shared by Typography Inspired – (@typographyinspired) on Apr 9, 2018 at 5:01am PDT

9. The Daily Type

Created by The Hungry Jpeg, an Amsterdam-based company that sells fonts, graphics and crafts, most of this feed is giving friendly shoutouts to the type community for outstanding work. Check them out for free bundle packages on their website or just for the daily inspiration. @thedailytype

Is it hot today? . From a beautiful work by @skribsinner __ ✔ Featured by @thedailytype #thedailytype ✒ Learning stuffs via: www.learntype.today __ #type #typography #typoholic #design #art #words #quote #creative #initial #poster #ilovetypography #letter #lettering #handlettering #calligraphy #font #graphicdesign #instadesign #graphic #inspiration #creativity #brushlettering #popularpic #photooftheday #instalove #instagallery #instafamous #bestoftheday #love

A post shared by Your Daily Type Inspirations™ (@thedailytype) on Apr 15, 2018 at 8:38am PDT

10. James Lewis

This British design teacher, logo designer and artist often paints and draws on brown paper, which gives his type a vintage vibe from the 1950s. Along with passion projects, James Lewis shares what he is working on and all of his recent projects, like posters and book covers for clients. @jamesllewis

Share with the world what you love and watch as you attract more of it into your life. – – Thank you to the hundreds of people who commented on yesterday’s video where I show you how to paint like this! The answer to my question was Indonesia – – #handlettering #lettering #typography #calligraphy #handdrawntype #goodtype #typegang #illustration #artistsofinstagram #ligaturecollective #artvideo #signpainting #oddlysatisfying #artistofinstagram #sketch #jamesllewis #inspire #creative #workshop

A post shared by James Lewis (@jamesllewis) on Apr 4, 2018 at 8:59am PDT

The HOW Promotion & Marketing Design Awards has a category specifically for self-promotional projects, like those client gifts that promote your design business, your new website for your freelance business, and business card design and rebrands for your firm.

Don’t miss the extended deadline, April 27!

The post Top 10 Typographers to Follow on Instagram appeared first on HOW Design.

Top 10 Typographers to Follow on Instagram syndicated post

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g33khq · 7 years ago

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New Post has been published on G33k-HQ

New Post has been published on http://www.g33k-hq.com/culture/artist-spotlight-sara-woolley/

Artist Spotlight: Sara Woolley

BODYMOD: Are you woman enough to survive Bitch Planet?

Imagine a world where women are subject to punishment for being “non-compliant” and sent away to prison, literally on another planet! That is the premise of the smash hit Sci-fi series “Bitch Planet.” In this dystopian universe, when women are seen as being defiant and resistant they are sent to The Auxiliary Compliance Outpost, aka “Bitch Planet.”

Bitch Planet

I recently started reading the Image Comics series (Bitch Planet by Kelly Sue DeConnick & Valentine De Landro) after first being introduced to Triple Feature issue #4 (contains 3 short stories in one book!) The short stories coexist in the Bitch Planet universe and you can read them without reading the bitch planet series and vice versa. However, it captivated my attention so I am now reading the initial BP series! Check them out Here:

I’m going to focus on one of the mini stories from Triple Feature Issue #4: Body Mod written and illustrated by the super talented Sarah Woolley.

This original story is a perfect demonstration of an extreme sci-fi extension of today’s society.

Body Mod: Written and illustrated by: Sara Woolley

Triple Feature #4

Bitch Planet Triple Feature #4

RATED M

BodyMod is a sci-fi world where plastic surgery is a norm and done to the max. So extreme that there is literally a Build a Babe! Can you imagine, modifying bodies as a part of everyday life.

This mini story presents some touchy subject matter, heavy themes and can relate to society today, which is pretty disturbing. I think it’s alarming thinking of this world as a reality and potentially something that could be likely in the future when our youth is so heavily influenced by what’s trending in pop culture, social media, and “enhanced beauty”. Today’s beauty standards are already disturbing, and Body Mod demonstrates a perfect exaggeration of today’s society with a sci.-fi twist.

Here Sara takes us into the deranged world of BODY MOD.

1. How did you first get involved with the Bitch Planet series?

I met Kelly Sue DeConnick at Heroescon in Charlotte NC, 2 years ago. She not only took the time to check out my work, but wrote to me after the fact to let me know she liked it so much she had passed Los Pirineos all around the Milkfed Criminals office. I love work so needless to say I was totally floored. It was really very cool of her. I sent her the 9th of april when it came out the next year and maybe a few months later we saw each other at ECCC in Seattle. She was looking for contributors for the anthology, and asked if I would be interested. HELL YES!

2. Congrats, as this is your first independent comic that you have both written and illustrated! How did you go about the process of accomplishing this?

When Kelly Sue asked if I wanted to be in the anthology she said “You do it all, right? Write and Draw?” I said yes… and then panicked a little inside. This story is my first professionally published solo work. Up to this point I have always written with collaborators, for example the Los Pirineos Books which I coauthor with my mother.

3. Any issues, you faced or did you have the creative freedom to do you what you wanted with the story?

I definitely had a lot of freedom on Bodymod. Kelly Sue and the managing editor at Milkfed Criminals whom I worked with primarily, Lauren Sankovitch guided me through the pitching and writing process, but they gave me the space and encouragement to come up with and to pursue my own vision. They had me come up with several different story ideas that would make sense in the context of the Bitch Planet Universe – but made me limit myself to very rough, brief ideas. So I was able to really be broad about the story generation process without investing too much time into it. My biggest issue was figuring out how to tell the story I wanted to in 8 pages. I still feel like there was a 24 pages comic in there somewhere… but I tend to be long winded. I learned a ton from Lauren and Kelly Sue working on this project.

4. You typically write children’s books, did you find it difficult working on this storyline, and how did it feel crossing over to more mature themes?

I felt absolutely fine with it. I’m not a child, and I the work I generally read is not aimed at children. To be honest, it actually felt very freeing. However, the different content definitely confuses some people. I’ve had fans of my previous books get a bit freaked out when they find out this is also my work. I’ve been told that it doesn’t look like my work and seems like another artist did it. I definitely don’t agree with that, but I can see where they are coming from. I hate the idea of having to be pigeonholed into one genre of stories and one way of making art. So… I’m just not allowing that to happen.

5. How did you come up with the premise for Bodymod?

The premise behind all the stories I came up with for the anthology came from the experiences of just being a woman navigating daily life. The premise behind Bodymod in particular comes from my feelings around the social pressures that are omnipresent in our lives every day asking that we conform to an idealized and unrealistic concept of feminine beauty. Growing up I had my own struggles with body image. I’m 5’10 and just under 200 lbs, and I’ve been this size since High School. Lets just say the 90’s were not kind to thick girls, and being strong was not thought of as sexy. The anger and sarcasm present in the story is the current me, who feels great about who I am and what I look like, telling the world world just how little a fuck I give about fitting into a role and size I was never going to be anyway. (steps off soapbox.)

6. Although its sci fi, this subject matter touches some heavy themes pertaining to real life. How do some of the themes in the comic tie into issues our society faces today?

The whole premise of Bodymod comes from the idea of redesigning your body to be beautiful to the point of discomfort, in the story its taken to an extreme because the Bitch Planet, sci fi world allowed me to really push it. However its important to understand that the cultural norms that Julie and Monica are assimilating to are not Sci Fi. Whats the difference between lotus feet, stilettos that can only be worn in bed, or feet surgically altered to become mermaid fins? Yes in my story the women essentially turn themselves into helpless pets, but all of them sexualize fettered women.

There’s a spread on pages 2-3 where Julie is on a bus and you see background advertisements behind her. I had intended to make up some really jarringly misogynistic ones… until I looked them up. There is NOTHING I could come up with that was worse than reality. ALL the ads on the page, including the magazine cover, are real. I never stop hating this one ever time I see it:

7. Who has had the biggest influence on you in or outside of the comics industry, and how did they affect your life?

Ok now THATS hard. I would say my mom has probably had the biggest influence on me, but I’m not sure if that is really what you meant. She’s a feminist and raised me to be one too. I wore overalls and did science experiments and was encouraged to be messy and do whatever I wanted to do better than the boys. I am really very lucky. She is a role model for me, but she’s also my inspiration, my writing partner and my biggest fan… which since we work on her memoir together maybe that also makes her, her own biggest fan? hmmm…

8. What’s the most important “big idea” that you’ve learned in life – in or out of comics – and why is it important?

I’ve learned by watching the amazing comics pros that I am proud to call my friends that you must work hard, and I mean REALLY hard, to make comics. That sounds obvious but its not. There are a lot good creators out there who make very little work and just peter out. But the truly brilliant ones work incessantly and when asked how they do it, discipline and tenacity is usually the common denominator. I know an artist who told me he videos his comics commissions so he can see later where he is loosing time on them by “just fucking around”. I know another who every time she is asked for advice says “Draw whether you are sick or well. Draw whether to feel like it or not.” Now, I’m not saying I’m like that, but I aspire to be.

Also what else can we look forward to from you in the near future?

I’m currently working on the next Los Pirineos book to follow up last year’s release of The 9th of April.

So hopefully by next year’s MOCCA I’ll have that one in hand. FINGERS CROSSED. I also have a book of watercolor sketch painting I did while traveling in Thailand for a month this winter. I’m still trying to figure out the format of it. Its a mixture of painting people and places on location… and all my meals! I’m obsessed with food and theres no explaining just how good the food in Thailand is, so I painted it all to help mark it in my memory forever. I might try including photos and recipes too… not sure yet.

To see more of Sara’s work visit: http://www.sarawoolley.com/ @saritajeanine

MOCCA ARTS FESTIVAL

Also catch Sara at Mocca Fest this Saturday & Sunday table A106

Society Of Illustrators

https://www.societyillustrators.org

http://www.sarawoolley.com/

https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/bitch-planet

#artist #bitch planet #body mod #comics #dystopia #Image Comics #indie comics #Kelly Sue DeConnick #mocca arts festival #mocca fest #sara woolley #sci-fi #society of illustrators #triple feature #valentine de landro

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vrheadsets · 7 years ago

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Accessible XR Development After VRTK

As a developer moving from the web and app world into 3D and XR, I’ve had to constantly re-evaluate my platform and tool choices as the industry evolves at tweetstorm velocity. Today’s XR development pipeline is clogged by a glut of proprietary hardware and software APIs and SDKs by competing firms like Oculus, HTC Vive, Microsoft, Google, Apple, Sony and SteamVR — to say nothing of emerging third-party peripherals like Logitech’s VR-tracked keyboard, the new AR-enabling Zed Mini dual-eye camera for the Rift or Vive, or any other industry-disrupting Kickstarters that might’ve sprung up since I started typing this paragraph.

Left to right: a bunch of cool stuff I want.

Each platform’s fine — even technologically stunning, one might argue — with respective strengths, weaknesses and use cases. But the distinctions force XR developers to ask hard questions: Where is the market going? How do I invest my skill-building time? What devices should my app support? What platform can I get a job working on? Developers must be business analysts as much as creative technologists to stay relevant. It’s easy to suffer choice paralysis with such a wide array of options, and easier still to bet on the wrong technology and lose.

Personally, I also face certain technical, logistic and financial realities as an independent XR developer in the Midwest (US), where the industry hasn’t proliferated as it has in major coastal cities. Thankfully, game engines like Unity and Unreal are rapidly democratizing this space. Both engines seek to bridge the gaps between the various XR SDKs, employing thousands of engineers to ensure their software plays nicely with just about any significant third-party API. For example, as I wrote about in August, the Oculus SDK integrates beautifully with Unity and comes equipped with many of the scripts and prefabs needed to quickly prototype, develop and deploy a custom Rift app.

I miss bossing around my hand-modeled #MadeWithBlocks BB-8. Check out my deep dive on this project, The Future of VR Creation Tools.

That’s fantastic, but it’s still non-standard. To port the same Unity app to the HTC Vive or a Windows HMD is non-trivial — not impossible or even terribly difficult, but non-trivial. Maintaining your app for multiple SDKs over the long haul is similarly non-trivial. Non-trivial costs money and time and we’re all short on both.

Instead imagine if XR practitioners had to worry less about betting on the right platform or device and could instead focus on creating unique and compelling experiences, content and UX. The first step down that path was VRTK — but sadly, one of the best tools to combat the VR SDK surplus will soon be hobbled by the loss of its founder.

VRTK: The Open Source Approach

This free, open source Unity toolkit aims to knit together a single workflow for a variety of VR APIs. It comes with the same stock prefabs and scripted mechanics you might find included in any single proprietary SDK, but makes each piece of functionality identical whether deployed to Oculus, SteamVR (read: Vive and, with v3.3.0, Windows HMDs) or Daydream — covering all major VR HMD manufacturers today.

It’s a boon to anyone wanting to dip their toes in the waters of VR development. Think of it: Want to implement teleportation locomotion over a Unity NavMesh? Just drop the component onto your player prefab. Want to test out grab mechanics, or a quick bezier pointer? VRTK’s demo scenes have you covered, and they’ll work easily on a variety of devices. Since it’s open source, you’re also free to dive in and customize the code. Struggling to get a feature working in your own project? Check out this implementation on a varieties of SDKs — not a bad way to grok new XR coding concepts.

Sadly, VRTK’s creator is sunsetting the woefully underfunded project. The UK-based developer TheStoneFox — who until recently was actively seeking contributors, partnerships and support — announced recently that he would will be stepping back from the project post-version 3.3.0. Though VRTK boasts an active Slack community, a growing list of “made with” titles and a recent Kickstarter, TheStoneFox was unable to attract the support necessary to sustain it for the long term.

Now, as the opportunity to contribute to and utilize a premier open-source VR development pipeline expediter will fade going forward, what if anything will replace it?

OpenXR: One API to Rule Them All

The VRTK approach —using Unity scripting to knit together similar mechanics across a spectrum of VR SDKs — is necessary in the current fragmented development landscape, but there are downsides. Some community still has to monitor the various proprietary SDK updates and your end-user VRTK app still has to be mindful of VRTK’s changes over time. In this way, VRTK treated the symptoms of the VR SDK overload, but was not equipped to address the root cause. Enter OpenXR, The Khronos Group’s upcoming industry standard:

The standard, announced December 2016, is being written now and is quickly gaining traction among industry players (with the notable exception of Magic Leap). Instead of forcing developers to grapple with variable propriety SDKs and all the accompanying business consequences, companies will instead tailor their hardware and software to comply with OpenXR’s spec. Khronos, the non-profit responsible for shepherding the Vulkan, OpenGL, OpenGL ES and WebGL standards, is leading the charge. Cue the infographics!

On the left, the problem — on the right, the solution:

Images courtesy of https://www.khronos.org/openxr.

“Each VR device can only run the apps that have been ported to its SDK. The result is high development costs and confused customers — limiting market growth,” reads some fairly accurate marketing copy on their website. “The cross-platform VR standard eliminates industry fragmentation by enabling applications to be written once to run on any VR system, and to access VR devices integrated into those VR systems to be used by applications.”

A working group of industry heavyweights have agreed the standards be extensible to allow for future innovation and should support a range of experiences — anything from a 3-DoF controller all the way to a high-end, room-scale devices.

The only thing missing is a realistic timetable before this standard has an impact on the development community and its day-to-day workflow. Until the market-movers get their act together, we’ll be left scrambling (and patching up VRTK projects, in many cases).

OpenXR supporters: everyone except Magic Leap.

The Cinema of Attractions: Slow Your Reel

But should we so quickly welcome industry standardization while the technology is still so new and full of possibilities? That’s the question asked in a recent Voices of VR podcast by Kent Bye and Rebecca Rouse. The two discussed the early days of cinema — when exploration and experimentation were the status quo — and Rouse drew striking parallels between that era and the current period in XR production and development.

Pure spectacle then and now. Left: a Cinema of Attractions-era still. Right: Chocolate VR.

“[Scholars of early film] came up with this term ‘cinema of attractions’ because they saw an incredible wealth of diversity and kind of range of exuberant experimentation in those early pieces, so they were very hard to sort of clump them together — there was such diversity — but this ‘attraction’ idea was a large enough umbrella, because all of those early pieces are in some way showing off the technology’s capabilities and generate this experience of wonder or amazement for the viewer. And the context in which they were shown is that of attractions, so they were shown at world’s fairs and as a part of vaudeville shows with other kinds of performances and displays.”

— Rebecca Rouse, assistant professor of communication & media at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Sounds eerily familiar, huh? The whole podcast is well worth a listen, but tldr: while there are obvious consumer and market advantages to XR standards, Rouse argues that perhaps we shouldn’t jump the gun here— not during this era of frenetic, often avant garde XRexperimentation across art, science, cinema and gaming. Looking around the industry, it’s hard to disagree.

EditorXR

One man-eating-the-camera-brilliant new application of XR technology is Unity Labs’ EditorXR. Created by Unity’s far-future R&D team (whose roles often find them working on projects and products five-to-ten years away from consumer adoption), EditorXR offers you an interface to create custom XR Unity scenes entirely within virtual reality.

Oh! And there’s flying, among other superpowers — soar through your scene like Superman or scale the whole thing down to a pinhole. They’ve literally ported the Unity inspector, hierarchy and project windows (again among others) to an increasingly user-friendly VR UI pane on your wrist. With the latest update, you’re able to:

hook into Google’s Poly asset database web API in real-time inside VR

create multiplayer EditorXR sessions for editing Unity scenes with friends and collaborators

run EditorXR with Unity’s primary version 2017.x editor

It’s still new and I’ve encountered bugs, but it’s a foregone conclusion that this tech will become a standard feature of Unity’s scene creation process as XR technology matures and proliferates. Even their alpha and beta efforts evoke the same sense of wonder and possibility that early Cinema of Attractions-era moviegoers must have felt.

For more insight on the design side, check out this deep dive on the future of XR UX design by Unity Lab’s Dylan Urquidi or the Twitter feed of Authoring Tools Group Lead, Timoni West.

ML-Agents

Another experimental Unity project, ML-Agents, explores one of the most promising avenues for the future of XR development, design and UX: machine learning. Using so-called “reinforcement learning” techniques which expressly don’t feed the AI model any sample data or rules for analysis, ML-Agents instead applies simple rewards and punishments (in the form of tiny float values) based on the outcomes to their [usually very narrowly defined set of] behaviors.

Stretched out over hundreds of thousands if not millions of trial-and-error training sessions, the computer experiments with its abilities and forms a model for how to best achieve the desired goal. In this way, your Agents become their own teacher s— you just write the rubric.

The original GitHub commit contained some basic demo scenes and the development community quickly took up the torch from there. Unity’s Alessia Nigretti followed up the original blog with one describing how to integrate ML-Agents into a 2D game. On Twitter, @PunchesBears has been demonstrating similar concepts — and showing that often enough, Agents respond to developers’ carefully calculated reward system in ways they don’t anticipate. Similar to actual gamers, no?

In one of my favorite applications of ML-Agents, the developer Blake Schreurs actually brings a 6-DoF robo-arm Agent trained to seek a moving point in space into virtual reality — with slightly terrifying results once he assigns that moving target to his face.

youtube

Imagine someone applying this training model to actual robotics and fat-fingering the wrong key. Or don’t, whatever.

He’s down for the count! I was immediately reminded of the audiences pouring out of theaters in 1895, afraid they’d be run down by the Lumière brothers’ Arrival of Train at La Ciotat. We’re still in the salad days of both machine learning and XR development compared to where we hope to be 10 or even 50 years from now. In that time, some combination of traditional or procedural AI with these new machine learning approaches will doubtless lead to great developments in gaming and XR at large — or even in the very design process and daily workflow of computing itself.

Rift OS Core 2.0

With Rift’s new Core 2.0 OS, your entire Windows PC is accessible from your right-hand menu button. Being able to view and use your desktop apps, as well as pin windows inside other VR apps, introduces new possibilities for XR workflows (and even for traditional computing workflows) in VR.

While working on my next project, entirely within VR, I can watch Danny Bittman’s great Unity rendering and lighting tutorial on YouTube in a pinned browser while messing with those same settings on my wrist in UnityXR. I can watch @_naam craft original assets in Google Blocks at the same time I do, or I could gather assets from the Poly database and deploy them to my Unity scene in real-time VR, pulling up Visual Studio to code some game logic as I please.

That sounds pretty goddamn metaversal to me — and before long, we likely won’t even need code.

The XR Developer of the Future Is Not a Developer

If XR technology is to go mainstream, the development process must be as efficient and accessible as possible — and likely even open to non-developers through content creation and machine learning applications. Spanning sciences and disciplines, there’s so much more to talk about and speculate over that this piece hasn’t even touched on (next time I’ll examine WebVR and A-Frame as viable XR development pathways). More and more pieces of this accessible, standardized XR development pipeline will fall into place as the immersive computing revolution rolls on, though I’m thankful the XR industry isn’t ready to ditch its Cinema of Attractions ethos quite yet.

from VRFocus http://ift.tt/2Bk9BIP

#VRFocus #vr #virtual reality #canada

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ricardobayer884-blog · 7 years ago

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5 The 4 Most Highly effective Types Of Creative Thinking.

Having actually been a self-development instructor for many years I have come to the final thought that when checking out the many life abilities that humans must master so as to mould for themselves a wonderful, satisfying and also creative lifestyle, sped up knowing skills are possibly one of the most important of all. Conceptualizing, idea association and also (shudder) thinking outside package have actually regularly felt a little company and artificial to me. I have actually never ever truly used them on my own, and also after dealing with dozens musicians and also creatives over the final 14 years, I've come upon loads of various other artistic specialists that don't use all of them. In a current Baseball article, an evaluation has actually been actually brought in in between the best well-known games of the world none other than yet Baseball and also cricket. Overview to Creative Presuming through R. Harris coming from VirtualSalt - This web page reviews important as well as imaginative reasoning and covers the myths from creativity. A lot of analysts will assert that creative thinkers do not merely appear different compared to the rest people, they actually are actually other. There are actually lots of sensible techniques to modify the way you respond to the thought and feelings you possess, coming from regular confirmations to even more extensive workouts that examine as well as deconstruct excess views you store about on your own. They require practically different approaches considering that creative creating and also expository creating possess basically various objectives and perspectives. These strategies oblige the mergance from a variety of suggestions to spark off brand-new thoughts as well as processes. When you start to place your hairs as well as bits from assuming together towards making a whole tale that would be appealing as well as purposeful, that opportunity. The main thing that analysts have actually discovered with especially creative folks is actually that they often re-conceptualize the issue more frequently in comparison to their less creative versions. Now you may be starting to observe your own creative abilities ... as well as because we all possess brilliant potential in some (or even possibly several) styles. Read further to observe 3 main reasons an improvement in the setting will certainly help to stimulate your thinking procedure and also rouse your creative thinking. 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Prior layout knowledge is certainly not required, just enthusiasm to focus on issues in a collaborative innovative environment. Famous surrealist painter Salvador Dalí, was understood for making use of the hypnopompic condition to help him produce imaginative concepts. Goldman's study showed ten knowledges that supported the growth of critical thinking: Household upbringing/education; standard work knowledges; becoming a CEO; being mentored; being tested by an essential coworker; keeping track of results/benchmarking; carrying out critical planning; spearheading a major development campaign; coping with a threat to business survival; as well as vicarious adventures. 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The much better you come to be at inventing innovative methods to resolve the unavoidable as well as inevitable problems of life and also work, as well as making successful selections, the much more productive you will definitely be actually. It goes without saying this though there is still one huge mistaken belief which is actually the skill-sets from a business person are not shown however occur normally. B) Home entertainment - much more than anything, individuals patronise creative works for their home entertainment worth. Getting away from organized or even disciplined settings helps to free the thinking procedure and additional completely take advantage of the possibility from your mind. A very famous performer pal the moment informed me that his vital and imaginative effectiveness happened when he eventually ceased trying to make popular music like every person else." The secret, he murmured, resides in generating art that may MERELY arise from you. I regularly inquire non-professional article writers just what they are assuming when they sit at the computer keyboard to compose their text. Important and also innovative thinking methods are a necessary part in each finding out place, nevertheless they are certainly not imitated in the information summaries or even achievement criteria for each. Preschoolers and also toddlers need to have support, opportunity and time to create these lifestyle abilities as well as they know better through 'trying" when they have nothing to worry or fear concerning and all their intelligence and also ingenuity is actually hired to the full. Creative thinking skill-sets are actually as a lot regarding perspective and positive self-image as about ability. If you have any type of questions concerning where and the best ways to use yellow pages uk wiki (stay with me), you could call us at the web site. The relaxed state you experience alongside the workout enables the mind to extra effortlessly take advantage of its own innovative sources. The MA Creative Thinking has actually given me the opportunity to additional develop my research and also study skills which has actually been actually straight beneficial to my functioning life. There are a lot of examples you may attempt absolutely free to examine the kind of vital thinking evaluation test are going to be most appropriate to your Company. Certainly not just do you intend to make on your own more powerful creatively at every juncture, that remains in your best interests to help improve the innovative performance from your total team. This finishes in a critical examine a specialist part of Creative Thinking, where you start to argue for, and comment on, the merits and also weak point from other institutions from presumed on a specialist element of Imagination: for example, procedures for the evaluation imagination. So our experts are actually just capable to value those innovative ideas that are actually indeed reasonable in knowledge. Desire to direct a finger at a particular emphasis as well as to ask for association of ideas.

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