#hopefully i get more motivation to draw during the holiday break

[lonesomenecromancer]

havent posted anything isat related in a while. have this

[affectingmementally]

hey i’ve been so inactive but i’m back now.

May. A new month and, as i’m sure all of you understand, an opportunity to look at where you went wrong last month and start fresh.

so i’ve started something new. some new rules to kind of relax how obsessive i am about calories but still stay in a deficit low enough to be losing weight. i’ve set myself a deficit of 1,200 on mfp, however i will only allow myself to actually reach that at the weekends or special days like birthdays, holidays etc. otherwise, i’m going to do my best to stay at around 1,000 but if not i’ll allow myself 1,100. the only reason i’m more comfortable with having the extra 200 on weekends is because one day i work for 4 hours and i don’t get to sit down at any point, i’m constantly walking around, lifting things, cleaning and if i leave early enough i can walk the long way rather than the short way to get there. during that time those extra 200 cals would have easily been burnt off. the other day i do water sports so again, the calories get burnt.

another thing that i’m doing differently this month, i’ve decided not to track vegetables. this is mainly because my parents are picking up on how much i was weighing stuff and things like lettuce, cucumber, broccoli will never be over 20 cals so i’ve decided not to count them. however i do want to count fruit because the sugar content usually makes them higher in calories.

secondly, to manage my IBS i need to cut down on coffee. so i’m going to try to only have 4 per week and no more than one a day.

third, i’m going to start writing down my total calorie intake for each day on the calendar on my wall. this way i can have a reminder of how much i should be eating and i can calculate my weekly average.

fourth, vitamins. i’ve been awful at taking them in the past and it’s noticeable when i skip them. so i’m making sure i take them before i sleep. i’m keeping them in the draw next to my bed so if i’m tired i don’t need to go downstairs. i take 1x probiotic 1x A-Z multivitamin 2x turmeric tablets (they’re anti inflammatory so help my stomach, nothing to do with weight loss) 2x colon cleanse (not laxatives, they manage toxins) and 2x metabolism boosting. they are all made from my dads line of supplements and it’s just to make me feel brighter and hopefully help me faint less as well as being in less pain with my stomach.

fifth, i start my morning very specifically now. what i want to try to do is walk in the morning but i’m taking things one step at a time. i wake up earlier to go downstairs and make myself a green tea and get a bottle of water (my bottle is 800ml and i usually drink about 6 of them everyday). i also get a hot water bottle for my stomach and sit in bed and make sure i drink all of that before i do anything else. i’ve figured out that if my mornings start well the rest of the day tends to go better.

sixth, green smoothie. some people hate the idea of drinking a litre of green liquid first thing in the morning but THIS SHIT HAS BEEN SAVING ME I SWEAR. i’m always constipated, like to the point where i’m lucky if i go once a week. however, my mum has been drinking this smoothie everyday first thing for a few months now and she’s lost quite a bit of weight. i’m not saying it’s a miracle potion but if it makes you shit that’s at least something. i make it differently to my mum, but it works well and doesn’t make you bloated (yay!).

the recipe:

- 150g frozen pineapple

- 100g cucumber

-50g celery

-25g kale

-around 5 mint leaves (optional)

-125ml apple juice (optional but does make it taste better and it’s still low calorie)

-250ml water

-1 scoop green nutrition powder (optional, i just put it in for the extra vitamins and shit)

this fits in one of the large nutribullet cups and comes to around 150-200 calories (depending on whether you include the optional ingredients)

seventh (??), i want to try to walk everyday but the weather is shit and sometimes it’s just too bad to go outside and physically go on a walk. however, one thing i do make sure of everyday is that i plank. i don’t really like doing at home workouts, plus the ceilings and walls in my house are paper thin so my family can hear everything, as much as i can hear everything they do as well. but planking, no noise :) i’ve been doing it on and off for years but i definitely recommend it’s something people get into just because once you can do it for a good amount of time the benefits are endless. your core, thighs, glutes, shoulders, back, chest. everything is working. i can plank for 5 mins and i do this before i go to bed. it’s a good distraction to listen to music in the background and for me i like to watch the timer on my phone. for some people that just reminds them of how much time they have left but it motivates me because i can see that time go down if you get me.

lastly, actual hygiene. i want to shower everyday and make sure i do my skincare so my skin doesn’t dry out too badly and my acne doesn’t flare up. when i restrict too much this is a huge issue for me and again, people notice and my parents are better now at picking things like this up because i have been enrolled in therapy for my ed before, so they have been told about all the behaviours and signs. anyway, i want to get more comfortable with showering because last month i way leaving it for WAY too long, just because i didn’t want to see my body. if i do it everyday even for 5 mins i’ll get more familiar and it’ll become a habit.

that’s what i want this month to be about i think. breaking bad habits and making new ones. i don’t want to purge anymore because tbh i don’t enjoy it, it makes me feel relieved afterwards but unless i’m really uncomfortable i hate doing it, it’s my last resort. i haven’t for months but i don’t want to self harm anymore. i have a job where i’m on show to the public and i don’t want to have to manage new cuts or scars anymore, it stresses me out and gives me very little release for the price i have to pay afterwards.

BUT, on a positive note i do want to eat over 1,000 calories each day. that will be an achievement and i want to get more comfortable with the idea that you can still lose weight on high restriction. i do want to get back into walking and enjoying it like i did in lockdown. i used to look forward to it but i began associating it with weight loss and that ruined it for me. i need to learn to enjoy it because it calms me down and it’s time on my own with nature, not just an excuse to burn calories even if it does come with that benefit. i do want to start running again even though i know that will be challenging due to how tired i am each day. hopefully with my sleep pattern getting better and with the vitamins that won’t be a problem in the near future. i want to read again, it’s such a great outlet.

I’m not ready to let go of my ed, i’m not ready to let go of the control i have right now. However, i’m doing my best to positively better myself as much as i can. this is how i’m doing it, this account is anonymous so don’t compare yourself. you don’t know my age, build, my lifestyle or my situation well enough to even begin to compare yourself. we all struggle, i am still struggling a lot. this whole post seems like i’m doing great but i still cry over 10g of peanut butter. i still get angry when i can’t stick to the plan. i still get nervous when food is mixed into any social situation. this month is about coping in the best way i can.

i really hope that from this someone can take something positive that will improve your quality of life no matter what stage you’re at and just to disclaim, i fully support and encourage recovery, i’m just not in it right now. this is not a pro account, it’s a place for me to vent without judgement.

have a good day :)

[aki-chan2014]

Decided to get a start on using some of  @ofmymuses list of aesthetics to create/develop a set of OC concepts, with a picrew, drawing and a moodboard for them. Here is the first, for ‘The Scripturient’. I will also be making ‘the catalysmic’ moodboard and hopefully posting it today too (and if not then in the next few days), so won’t tag the OP of the list in that one (but if you do see this, check that one out too if you like).

Anyway, here is Teller Crow, SHSL Cheerleader. He is a Danganronpa OC (these days, most of my OCs are), and I got his name from a YA novel called Catching Teller Crow. In the book, that title is a list of three surnames, but in this case it is of course a first name and a surname-though his first name is actually his Dad’s surname, but more on that in a moment. As the novel also focuses on Aboriginal people, I’ve made Teller part Aboriginal-I am thinking of making a fully Aboriginal OC but that’s for another time and I’m digressing. 

(This has turned out to be longer than expected so I’m sticking the rest under a cut)

Teller was the result of a fling between his American father out on a summer break during his university years (he was only 19 at the time) and his Aboriginal mother (specifically of the Wurundjeri people) who was a few years older and working in a cafe. Unfortunately, Taki Teller’s (he’s half Japanese) break was cut short by family emergencies and thus what was ordinarily meant to be a summer fling was cut even shorter, and so he never learnt that Anna Crow was pregnant. He also never learnt that she died when Teller was one year old, and that he was put into foster care since no relatives were willing or able to take him in. At least, he didn’t learn it until a few years later when, after things at home had stabilised, he decided to go back to ‘finish’ his holiday and thought of looking up the pretty girl he’d met the last time, only to find out the truth. 

It was a shocker, and remember at the time of learning this, Taki himself would still have been very young. But for what it was worth, as soon as he learnt about his sons’s existence, he looked into adopting him and bringing him back home with him. Admittedly, part of this was motivated by the fact that the family emergencies back then had eventually resulted in bereavements, and he thought he had no family left. But still, he stepped up, and finally when Teller was five they went home together for the first time. 

It’s not easy, being a single parent of any type, but Taki did a splendid job. Being mixed, he’s aware of the importance of heritage, and so while for the first few years after the adoption they couldn’t go back to Australia due to finances he’s made sure Teller knows all about his mother’s heritage and once the finances were fine, they visited regularly. But in addition to that, they bonded over hiking and nature-related activities, and baked, went on walks, watched sports matches, all sorts of things. Teller has always had a thing for story-writing, and Taki’s bought countless notebooks, journals and how-to-write manuals and things to help him develop his skills. 

He was also fully supportive (if initially baffled) when Teller, after watching one match, decided that what the cheerleaders were doing was far more fun than the actual sport. You’d expect that Teller would get a lot of flack for wanting to do something stereotypically associated with girls, but while he has received scepticisim, confusion, and inappropriate questions about his sexuality (for what it’s worth, Teller is cis and straight...he just continues to find the cheerleading more fun than the sports the cheerleaders are cheering for), for the most part he’s been well received. He’s made the news a few times, since male cheerleaders are still enough of an oddity/curiosity to make the news, but he is well loved in both his school’s squad and his local squad, and has cheered in a lot of matches, and has a good group of friends. Teller is likeable and breezy, approachable and kind and enthusiastic about life. Quirky and unconventional what with the cheering, exponentially growing collection of feather pens and over-enthusiasm for cupcakes, but he is well-liked. 

Teller’s days have always been packed, since he spends a lot of time in cheer practise, then stays up late writing (stories, diary entries, all sorts), and this on top of his schoolwork, helping around the house, part-time job at the local bookshop, quality time with his father and socialising with friends etc. But he’s always managed it. He has endless energy and spirit, but since two years ago, that spirit has been dampened. It’s hard to see unless you’re looking closely, and even then you may not find it, because he’s been trying to hide it. Because the thing that caused it...people have a hard enough time believing even the most ‘typical’ victim of such an incident. How would they react to him? So he’s kept it locked away from everyone-almost literally, the diary he wrote about the incident in is the only one that has a padlock on it-and he is trying to carry on. But it gets harder, and he finds that now, throwing himself into activities and avoiding sleep are the only way to avoid the demons. And the activity that really helps above all, is writing.  (The ‘it’s torture always remembering’ picture is from the lyric video of ‘My Little Secret’ by Citizen Soldier if anyone is curious. The entire song would fit Teller’s moodboard if one could actually put a song into moodboards)

[chaosbcrne]

lil ooc update abt current situation + whats happening with this blog etc

where to start. i think it’s obvious i’ve been struggling a bit recently, for anyone who paid attention to the quite many times where i kept cursing holiday season for keeping me too busy and exhausted to do stuff here and stating that as soon as i would get a breather i would get stuff done, and then that... didn’t really happen. i had almost a whole week off and could not, for the life of me, get myself to work on drafts, or anything really. it wasn’t just in terms of rp, literally everything else i was planning to get done during my time off did not get done. the moment i told myself ‘ok, you can relax now’ my brain switched off and all i could do was idly play games and watch random series. which in itself is not a bad thing. i know with hindsight after what i dealt with during the holiday (and arguably the whole month of december), it was important that i gave myself a break, a real break. 

the bad thing is the guilt i felt at not being able to keep my word.

and frankly, it wasn’t even because i lacked motivation. it’s just that it never... ends. not that i should want it to, because this is a enjoyable hobby, but whenever i find the time and inspiration to dive into things here, it increases, in a way. the more i do, the more i have to do. the main example being for the christmas stuff i never finished, or the couple of memes i’ve tried to do this week. i go in motivated, full steam ahead. get 3, 4, 5 things done, so more are sent my way, and it feels like what i’ve managed to accomplish up to that point was pointless because it only gets attention in the form of people asking for more of it, if that makes sense. what i do never... feels fully rewarding, in a way. and it kind of deters me from wanting to keep going, even if its flattering that so many people are interested.

given that, like i said, whenever i go into these im motivated and fully intending to get it done, there’s no obvious solution to it. im not a big fan of putting hard caps on things, be it memes or starter calls or whatnot, as sometimes i just get more inspiration for some than others regardless of what order they came in. so the only thing i can do about that particular issue is be more selective. which, is not something i like much either, knowing how many people here suffer from RSD, and that anyone who sends something in that i don’t actually get to will likely feel rejected to a degree. unfortunately it’s probably the best course of action for me, if i want to keep doing stuff without burning the fun out of it. i’ll do my best to find some kind of balance, and i apologize to people who will feel let down because of this.

something else that i feel has been damaging my capacity to get stuff done here is, in a way, my activity. not as in, how much writing i do, but the fact that, as i’ve stated in another post a couple of weeks ago, both my home life and work situation allow me to check on the dash almost constantly. which i love ! i don’t want that to change. i love being able to see what everyone is up to, and almost always being around to join in on whatever discussion or playful discourse is going on, whether ic or ooc. the problem with having such a constant access to the dash is that it leaves me feeling like i should always be doing something productive on said dash. which is incredibly unhealthy, ultimately. this is something else i’ve brushed upon over the last few weeks, but my level of accessibility should not dictate how active/productive i must be.

and this is why i feel like things have been going downhill over the past few months for me here, in terms of actual activity, and also quality (in my opinion); always feeling like im not doing as much as i should for someone who gets to be online as much as i am. because now, whenever i get actual, suitable free time to write, it feels like every other hour of the day where i could technically be writing but am not, and it typically passes me by just the same.

once again, it’s not something i intend to change, per se. i don’t plan to force myself to check on the dash less often or anything like that, and i still want rp to remain one of my main hobbies because i really do love it ! but i need to find a way to make myself not feel like i should always be doing more just because im there, so when i do get that perfect time to write, im motivated to actually use it.

i suppose this is the closest thing i have to a new years resolution: finding a couple of other things to keep busy with throughout my downtime, both at work and at home, so that even if i can always keep an eye on the dash i dont pressure myself to get things done and ruin the experience for myself.

so i can actually hold myself accountable for that, i’ve applied to take some online classes (i want to eventually graduate college despite working full time), so i can spend my downtime at work doing homework instead of scrolling on tumblr and wishing i could will myself to write. i’ve finally secured a url for a potential art blog so i can have a place to dump my aimless doodles on and hopefully, by extension, make it more of a habit to practice and draw. sometime this year i want to teach myself hand-sewing too. anyone who knows me knows that im obsessed with stuffed animals and i want to have made one myself by the end of 2020, no matter how simplistic.

ultimately, i don’t think any of these changes will affect my activity much, since, like i said, i wasn’t being nearly as active as i could have been anyway just because i put so much pressure on myself to be doing things just because i was there. i wholeheartedly believe that pushing myself to take interest in pastimes other than rp will make my actual rp experience a lot more enjoyable and productive when i actually sit down to write.

in any case, i wanna thank everyone for both their patience and understanding, as always. im very thankful for the friends i made here and the many talented partners i get to write with, and i just want that to show in the content i put out from now on.

[thesims4blogger]

The Sims 4: New Game Patch (December 18th, 2018)

Remove all MODS and Custom Content before updating your game!

Update: 12/18/18 - PC 1.48.90.1020 / Mac 1.48.90.1220

Hey Simmers!

It’s cold out there… wait, that’s a Groundhog Day intro. Also, it’s pretty “northern” stereotypical… my apologies. So, it’s a month out there in which some experience a cold season at this time of the cycle in which we revolve (or not) around the glowing ball in the sky, and in which festivities may or may not be observed, and others experience a warmer season, in which similar, or non-similar observances may be made. And I wish you an emotional response relevant to your desire.

With that said…

What’s New?

We have added MORE to the Holiday Pack!

More home things…

Some new light sources!

2×1 Ceiling light

Mason jar candles

A log display… with candles

Some new decoratives!

Ceiling snowflake décor

Mason jar décor

Bough wall hanging

Wood carving wall hanging

A fireplace façade (for decorative purposes only)

A new Picnic table

And more clothing things…

A sweater top for kids

A female full body outfit

Female pants

A female hair

A male sweater

A male hair

Slippers for male and female

Yeti costume, unless you choose brown, then it’s a Bigfoot costume

Not that I’ve ever seen Bigfoot…

And I apologize if you are a Big Foot who happens to play The Sims. Hopefully you see a resemblance.

All Holiday pack objects can be found easily in the catalog by using the Holiday Pack filter, in the filter sort options.

Remember, if you have not yet downloaded the Holiday Pack, click on the Holiday Pack icon from the Main Menu! And if you have already downloaded the pack previously, you don’t need to do anything, you have the updates now!

…assuming you are reading this after you launched The Sims, and finished downloading the update. If not, then you have them then!

In addition to the Holiday content, there are few other new bits…

A female hoodie, sweater, and crop top are new in Create a Sim

Two new recipes for your Sims to cook

Winter Cake

Crown Roast

And the Lin-Z Smart Speaker!

Play music, order a pizza, play trivia, be yelled at… all with the touch of… with the call of the wild… with just a…

You have to just talk to it. Your Sim talks to It.

Please don’t start talking to your computer.

Make friends with your new AI overlord and learn its secrets! Or don’t. It’ll remember

But if you already do, that’s ok, there’s nothing wrong with that. Just don’t name your computer Shodan.

First person camera smoothing updates. We got some feedback about the mode being a bit sickness-inducing (especially if you watch the announce stream and saw the Sim on the swing… or the rock clim… ahm, ur okay, I’m… let’s move on).

“Roll” has been disabled in First Person Camera mode when you are using the Sims 4 camera settings (you can find your chosen option in the Camera Controls menu in the upper right corner of the screen). Roll is essentially side to side movement along a curve, and the primary motivator of discomfort.

If you are a Sims 3 Camera user, and you want the smoother camera, you can use the cheat “camera.fpc.simple on” to switch to Sims 4 camera while in First Person Camera mode. And of course, to turn it off “camera.fpc.simple off”.

In addition players can use the cheat “camera.fpc.smoothing off/low/medium/high” to fine-tune their experience.

That’s that for the new, on to the old.

General Issues

The tutorial has been updated with some new tips in order to assist our new players with the basics of playing The Sims!

Style Influencer stay at home tasks now register as complete, when completed.

You can now hire a gardener if you have plants on your lot for your gardener to garden, regardless of your garden’s gardening needs.

Previously, if your garden was not in need, you were being incorrectly informed that you didn’t have a garden.

The brick01GEN wall pattern has a new name.

Teen interaction Mess Around should no longer duplicate itself in the interaction menu for each target location for said mess around.

Townie Sims are no longer glaring at each other as they pass by on the streets.

Sims have taken social etiquette classes, and now understand that one does not need to constantly mix drinks when hosting a party.

Does the concept of the entire Sims populace taking classes in social etiquette give you an Orwellian chill?

The tutorial's chef aspiration no longer starts your Sim with the Snob, Foodie, and Glutton traits, but instead the Slob, Perfectionist, and Foodie traits.

The former due to a text error.

The later due to the two being incompatible.

First Person Camera will no longer show the inside of the Sim's head when using Intel Integrated Graphics.

I told my mom that, she called my grandma, and said she was worried about me.

Ceilings should no longer look darkened, but instead lighting should be more prevalent in comparison to the location of lights in a room.

The Gardener Career now provides raises when the profession is maxed.

The With Pets, Dogs, or Cats Gallery filter now works, and will no longer break your other filters from functioning.

Z/X and -/+ shortcut keys will now adjust FOV in first person camera mode.

Exiting first person camera will no longer cause a Sims head to become stuck facing one direction.

Many others however are still stuck facing One Direction.

If you have enough traits to fill the Simology panel beyond the window height allowed by your monitors resolution, you will no longer find yourself unable to interact with the Simology panel.

Also, your Sim is amazingly complex.

Non-specific pack issue

Randomly generated neighborhood Sims should no longer shop exclusively within the City Living and Vampires Create-a-Sim catalogs, and are more likely to have expanded their clothing opportunities to all packs you have available for them.

Cats & Dogs

Cats will no longer become stuck on top of surfaces after being lectured about jumping on surfaces.

Cat Whiskers now appear with the proper color relevant to the color chosen in Create-a-Sim.

Seasons

Setting the thermostat to cold when it’s hot out, or hot when it’s cold out, will no longer add a 1.5-5x modifier to your bills.

Get Famous

Take Selfie interaction will now help relieve the Separation Anxiety tense buff that is a result of the Phone Fanatic quirk.

The More Views Video Station can now be cloned with the Eyedropper tool.

Sleeping Pod interaction Less Needy Dreams, has been changed to Social Dreams.

The More Views Video Station memory upgrade tooltip will no longer lie to you.

The Drama King buff received from watching a Sim perform the Perform Dramatic Monologue interaction will now tell you that it is from watching a Sim perform the Perform Dramatic Monologue interaction.

Moving an in use Music Production Station will no longer cause the music to become stuck on.

The Lifestyle Brand interaction now works.

Celebrity Sims set to the normal walk style, should now maintain their walk style setting.

Married celebrity Sims will no longer react in disgust towards one another.

In case you wanted more More Views.

Unless there is reason to.

Like cutting your toenails in bed.

I mean, who does that?!

Spa Day

Sims giving a hand massage, will no longer contort in an excruciatingly painful manner during the massage.

Vampires

The Parts to Copy filter, for vampires in Create-a-Sim, should now actually show what parts you can copy.

Parenthood

REJOICE! Children can once again play on the monkey bars without the compelling need to halt their monkey bar activities to make a mess. Yes, that’s right Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Player, children are free! Free to play! Free to climb, swing, and do whatever it is that children do on the monkey bars. The draw, the compulsion, the absolute need to end their activity to make a mess has finally come to a close. So rejoice! And let your kids climb, until they can climb no more.

Ok, let’s see, it’s been awhile since I’ve done this, so let me just go through my checklist.

Greeting, uh yep, check.

The What’s New section, check.

Various issue commentary, unnecessary expository, overuse of ellipses, random grammar atrocities, run on sentences…, check, check, and… um, check.

References to old and outdated entertainment media, check.

Sign off, and holiday wishes, not yet, but shortly.

Looks like everything is good to go!

Happy Holidays!

-SimGuruGnome

[maxismatchccworld]

Latest Patch Notes

Update: 12/18/18 - PC 1.48.90.1020 / Mac 1.48.90.1220

Hey Simmers!

It’s cold out there… wait, that’s a Groundhog Day intro. Also, it’s pretty “northern” stereotypical… my apologies. So, it’s a month out there in which some experience a cold season at this time of the cycle in which we revolve (or not) around the glowing ball in the sky, and in which festivities may or may not be observed, and others experience a warmer season, in which similar, or non-similar observances may be made. And I wish you an emotional response relevant to your desire.

With that said…

What’s New?

We have added MORE to the Holiday Pack!

More home things…

Some new light sources!

Some new decoratives!

A new Picnic table

2x1 Ceiling light

Mason jar candles

A log display… with candles

Ceiling snowflake décor

Mason jar décor

Bough wall hanging

Wood carving wall hanging

A fireplace façade (for decorative purposes only)

And more clothing things…

A sweater top for kids

A female full body outfit

Female pants

A female hair

A male sweater

A male hair

Slippers for male and female

Yeti costume, unless you choose brown, then it’s a Bigfoot costume

Not that I’ve ever seen Bigfoot…

And I apologize if you are a Big Foot who happens to play The Sims. Hopefully you see a resemblance.

All Holiday pack objects can be found easily in the catalog by using the Holiday Pack filter, in the filter sort options.

Remember, if you have not yet downloaded the Holiday Pack, click on the Holiday Pack icon from the Main Menu! And if you have already downloaded the pack previously, you don’t need to do anything, you have the updates now!

…assuming you are reading this after you launched The Sims, and finished downloading the update. If not, then you have them then!

In addition to the Holiday content, there are few other new bits…

A female hoodie, sweater, and crop top are new in Create a Sim

Two new recipes for your Sims to cook

And the Lin-Z Smart Speaker!

Winter Cake

Crown Roast

Play music, order a pizza, play trivia, be yelled at… all with the touch of… with the call of the wild… with just a…

You have to just talk to it. Your Sim talks to It.

Please don’t start talking to your computer.

Make friends with your new AI overlord and learn its secrets! Or don’t. It’ll remember

But if you already do, that’s ok, there’s nothing wrong with that. Just don’t name your computer Shodan.

First person camera smoothing updates. We got some feedback about the mode being a bit sickness-inducing (especially if you watch the announce stream and saw the Sim on the swing… or the rock clim… ahm, ur okay, I’m… let’s move on).

“Roll” has been disabled in First Person Camera mode when you are using the Sims 4 camera settings (you can find your chosen option in the Camera Controls menu in the upper right corner of the screen). Roll is essentially side to side movement along a curve, and the primary motivator of discomfort.

If you are a Sims 3 Camera user, and you want the smoother camera, you can use the cheat “camera.fpc.simple on” to switch to Sims 4 camera while in First Person Camera mode. And of course, to turn it off “camera.fpc.simple off”.

In addition players can use the cheat “camera.fpc.smoothing off/low/medium/high” to fine-tune their experience.

That’s that for the new, on to the old.

General Issues

The tutorial has been updated with some new tips in order to assist our new players with the basics of playing The Sims!

Style Influencer stay at home tasks now register as complete, when completed.

You can now hire a gardener if you have plants on your lot for your gardener to garden, regardless of your garden’s gardening needs.

The brick01GEN wall pattern has a new name.

Teen interaction Mess Around should no longer duplicate itself in the interaction menu for each target location for said mess around.

Townie Sims are no longer glaring at each other as they pass by on the streets.

Sims have taken social etiquette classes, and now understand that one does not need to constantly mix drinks when hosting a party.

The tutorial's chef aspiration no longer starts your Sim with the Snob, Foodie, and Glutton traits, but instead the Slob, Perfectionist, and Foodie traits.

First Person Camera will no longer show the inside of the Sim's head when using Intel Integrated Graphics.

Ceilings should no longer look darkened, but instead lighting should be more prevalent in comparison to the location of lights in a room.

The Gardener Career now provides raises when the profession is maxed.

The With Pets, Dogs, or Cats Gallery filter now works, and will no longer break your other filters from functioning.

Z/X and -/+ shortcut keys will now adjust FOV in first person camera mode.

Exiting first person camera will no longer cause a Sims head to become stuck facing one direction.

If you have enough traits to fill the Simology panel beyond the window height allowed by your monitors resolution, you will no longer find yourself unable to interact with the Simology panel.

So, this issue has been addressed (see next bullet). However, the fix is easier to understand than the issue... but here it is as it was communicated to me:

Previously, if your garden was not in need, you were being incorrectly informed that you didn’t have a garden.

Does the concept of the entire Sims populace taking classes in social etiquette give you an Orwellian chill?

The former due to a text error.

The later due to the two being incompatible.

I told my mom that, she called my grandma, and said she was worried about me.

Many others however are still stuck facing One Direction.

Also, your Sim is amazingly complex.

Visiting a household with locks set using another household, resets the locks on returning control to the household with the locks

If that was not clear, just go with the fix:

Doors stay locked.

Non-specific pack issue

Randomly generated neighborhood Sims should no longer shop exclusively within the City Living and Vampires Create-a-Sim catalogs, and are more likely to have expanded their clothing opportunities to all packs you have available for them.

Cats & Dogs

Cats will no longer become stuck on top of surfaces after being lectured about jumping on surfaces.

Cat Whiskers now appear with the proper color relevant to the color chosen in Create-a-Sim.

Seasons

Setting the thermostat to cold when it’s hot out, or hot when it’s cold out, will no longer add a 1.5-5x modifier to your bills.

Get Famous

Take Selfie interaction will now help relieve the Separation Anxiety tense buff that is a result of the Phone Fanatic quirk.

The More Views Video Station can now be cloned with the Eyedropper tool.

Sleeping Pod interaction Less Needy Dreams, has been changed to Social Dreams.

The More Views Video Station memory upgrade tooltip will no longer lie to you.

The Drama King buff received from watching a Sim perform the Perform Dramatic Monologue interaction will now tell you that it is from watching a Sim perform the Perform Dramatic Monologue interaction.

Moving an in use Music Production Station will no longer cause the music to become stuck on.

The Lifestyle Brand interaction now works.

Celebrity Sims set to the normal walk style, should now maintain their walk style setting.

Married celebrity Sims will no longer react in disgust towards one another.

In case you wanted more More Views.

Unless there is reason to.

Like cutting your toenails in bed.

I mean, who does that?!

Spa Day

Sims giving a hand massage, will no longer contort in an excruciatingly painful manner during the massage.

Vampires

The Parts to Copy filter, for vampires in Create-a-Sim, should now actually show what parts you can copy.

Parenthood

REJOICE! Children can once again play on the monkey bars without the compelling need to halt their monkey bar activities to make a mess. Yes, that’s right Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Player, children are free! Free to play! Free to climb, swing, and do whatever it is that children do on the monkey bars. The draw, the compulsion, the absolute need to end their activity to make a mess has finally come to a close. So rejoice! And let your kids climb, until they can climb no more.

Ok, let’s see, it’s been awhile since I’ve done this, so let me just go through my checklist.

Greeting, uh yep, check.

The What’s New section, check.

Various issue commentary, unnecessary expository, overuse of ellipses, random grammar atrocities, run on sentences…, check, check, and… um, check.

References to old and outdated entertainment media, check.

Sign off, and holiday wishes, not yet, but shortly.

Looks like everything is good to go!

Happy Holidays!

-SimGuruGnome

[the-last-airbadger]

My 2018

It’s time for my annual evening of reflection everybody! The moment you’ve all been waiting for! It feels kinda weird to make a post like this because I feel like I haven’t done this kind of thing in ages, but it’s tradition and I like making these, so I’ve got last year’s post right with me and I’m ready for some reflection!

The Beginning of 2018 vs. Now Honestly, I don’t really remember much from the beginning of the year? I just know that I was working as a postman back then and that’s basically all I did during that period. It was cold outside, I disliked my job and I was unsure of which subject to pick to study in university. I also had some pretty bad dysphoria days around like... march? I don’t really remember. It wasn’t all bad though, I already felt a lot better than the year before and I was optimistic that it would get even better in the future. 

Best things about 2018 The very best thing to happen this year was my top-surgery. I’d been waiting for the moment I got my surgery for more than 2 years and the dysphoria became increasingly harder to deal with. On top of that I was constantly scared that something would happen that would cancel or delay my surgery. Not being able to get surgery was my #1 fear. Now, I finally can put that all behind me. I’m not fully healed yet, I still need to wear stickers to make my scars less visible, but I haven’t felt any dysphoria since my surgery. I’ve honestly never been this happy with my body. I’m still not perfect and still waiting for some testosterone changes (hurry up beard) but apart from that I am actually.... done... with my transition... whoah

The second best thing of the year was starting university. I honestly love going to school everyday, and I’ve already made a lot of new friends. I even don’t hate doing the homework, and I’m actually motivated to work hard and succeed. University has made my life so much better and I honestly haven’t been this happy since 2015. Bless uni.

Another thing that comes to mind (or things, really) is all the people I saw live this year. I saw Paramore in january, Markiplier in feburary, Evanescence in march, Dan and Phil, Ed Sheeran AND Queen in june, Jacksepticeye (for the second time) in October and Maria Mena (also for the second time) in December and every single one of those events was amazing. I crossed a lot of things of my bucketlist this year haha. Now all I need is to see my favourite kpop groups live (but I’m going to Day6 next month so I have high expectations)

There were more good things this year but they were mostly minor things. SHINee released some amazing music, LOONA debuted, I got into Stray Kids and Seventeen, discovered lots of great music, I (finally) quit my acting class after nailing the main part in our last performance, and I got my driver’s licence. I started driving lessons is Feburary, then had my first exam in june, failed it, took a small break, started again in october and finally got my licence in november. I hated those lessons with all my heart and they really depressed me, so when I finally passed and got my licence, I threw the biggest party lmao

My resolutions for 2018? So here it is, the moment of truth. I don’t even remember last years resolutions and I purposely didn’t look them up so this would all be a fresh new surprise. I always love looking back at these. That’s like 90% of the fun of making them

finally decide what to study - I’m studying English language and literature in Leiden right now and I have tests next week haha

Get Top-Surgery - Did That. Hell yeah

Write at least 100 pages of a story - I have written a little more than the previous year, but I still don’t think it’s more than 10 pages... that’s dissappointing.

Accomplish my reading challenge on goodreads - ...another fail. But! I read 24/35 books this year and that’s already 2 more than last year so there’s progress. We’ll get there eventually.

Start University - You already know the answer to that

Make new friends - Did that too! I’ve got a group of friends from university and they’re awesome

Quit my acting classes - Another success!

Learn how to drive - Even got my license ;)

Improve my drawing skills (maybe make a comic?) - Hmm I didn’t really draw much this year, and I definately didn’t make a comic, but I still think my art has improved slightly so that’s kind of a win?

Reach 300 followers on tumblr - BOI. DEFINATELY DID THAT. I’ve got 812 followers as I’m typing this right now.

Get more than 20 subs on Youtube and consistently create content for my channel - I’ve got 27 subs right now, and I’ve posted every single week. I was only late like once or twice in a whole year. I think I can call that a success.

Learn Divenire on the Piano - Ouch... still only know half the song. That’s a failure.

Dye my hair - Sadly, didn’t do that either. Hopefully next year

Continue to shower every day - I think I only skipped like 5 days in total so I’d call that a success too.

Start working out/exercising regularly - ...fail

Get new glasses - Success!

Expectations for 2019 Oh, I haven’t really thought about this. I kinda just expect a year of going to university and living an average but calm year. I know I’ll have 3 weeks off in january, in which I plan on reading a lot of books and just chill.  I’ll also go and see Day6 live in january (I’m so excited holy shit), and then in febuary my mom will move, so I’ll get a new house. Then I’ll probably pass my first year at university and start my second year. And that’s about it. Oh, and I’ll probably go on holiday to Sweden in the summer, but there isn’t much else I expect. I just expect a chill and happy year to be honest. It would also be great if I got a boyfriend/girlfriend but that’s more a wish than an expectation lol

2019 Resolutions?

Dye my hair (let’s give that another go shall we)\

Get a good haircut

Get a tattoo

Move out of my parent’s house (that’s a bold one)

Accomplish my reading challenge on Goodreads (I really want to accomplish that 35 books goal, it’s starting to haunt me)

Get tickets for A.C.E.’s concert

Get swol 

Communicate more with the people around me

Don’t let other people’s opinions shape my actions

Pass my first year at uni

Go swimming (I haven’t done that in 3 years)

Grow a beard (plz universe)

Learn how to make flipbooks (it looks really cool)

Learn how to knit (I really wanna make my own sweaters)

Read books on storytelling and learn more about how to tell a story

Develop my story more

Write at least 100 pages

Spend more time with my friends, both new friends and old friends

I think that’s it for this evening. I hope this was somewhat enjoyable to read, and I wish all of you an amazing and happy 2019!

[skaiatemple]

Happy Festival of Breath!

We spent the last month (or what was left of it) in a sort of haze, hopefully living it to the fullest and doing what needs be done. Fighting the good fight and not wasting a second of it! We now transition into Breath, and... catch your breath! If all was spent excitingly we're probably still pumped for action, but now we should break to take it more leisurely, and let what comes come. We'll do what need be done should it arise.

The Breath aspect is about being flexible, and ever-flowing. Of touching everyone and bouncing away on the next adventure of whatever caliber strikes your personal fancy.

Whether you follow as a believer in Pop Culture Paganism, a user of Homestuck inspired Chaos Magic, or just want to see if you can use your favorite fandom to help inspire you throughout the year, we'll be here to help!

Below the cut are some different interpretations of how you can use Breath to help you in the coming month.

Aspect Centered

Celebrating the Aspect first is for if you're fully gung-ho on celebrating the base Festivals for exactly what the represent: Their Aspect and the traits independantly associated with it.

"Although Breath-bound do make very good leaders, Breath tends to be a very personal aspect. Often, heroism comes alond as an offshoot of them pursuing their own personal stories."

The Aspect blurb tells us exactly how the Aspects are meant to work. The Breath-bound are flexible and driven my their own fancy. They are light and carefree and just mild-minded people along for lifes ride. This can be considered- listen puns are just unavoidable for alot of these- flighty, and unfocused on a valuable cause. But then, who decides whats valuable? As someone dealing with life-long depression, if you find something that motivates you, fly towards in space cowboy.

You did alot of important work during the month of Time. Or even tried to and didn't get far. Or maybe nothing struck you as doable or worth it. Activism and fighting is daunting no matter how noble. I dearly hope you tried, but if your Time flew by without the results you wanted, you still deserve a break, to let yourself worry about you and what you find is joyful and peaceful. Everyone does.

This month, take a breather.

　

Magical Inspiration

Breath is hard to understand as an aspect of character, or way of life. But looking at some of the cast representing it in Homestuck can clear it up a bit. Being a little airheaded can be healthy, and don't let any 8itch try and train you otherwise.

Now is a time I think for playing with fate. For rolling some dice and pulling a card without a question and using it as your activity for the day. Maybe some motivaiton spells, to get you driven towards that leisure project you're working on, or perhaps some warding, so that nothing bothers you while you do anything but. Do go outside though, weather is fickle still, but nows when it's good to enjoy the breeze and where it wants to take you.

April 30th is a Full Moon in Scorpio! Scorpio Moon in the Days of Breath!! Ironically the correspondences for that are... overcoming bad habits and anxieties, positive rebirth removing any negative influences in your life- Love life especially, overcoming your flaws and nurturing psychic abilities!!!!!!!! can't make this stuff up!!!!!!!!

　

Integration Route

For people in the broom closet who are too timid or strung out to celebrate the Festivals openly and uniquely, you can always integrate the Aspects traits to fit with the most common elements or other holidays of the month. Not even Hussie is Homestuck God, no one will mind!

Mother nature in my section of the globe still can't decide what she wants to do with herself. If we may borrow from a dreaded mainstream(?) pantheon- I think Persphone is arguing with Mom. But if the weather is good four you, get out and enjoy it! Go on a hike! Find adventure!

22nd is Earth Day! a time to love and be mindful of your enviroment- though you really always should be. Get outside and enjoy the wind on your body. It's also Cinco De Mayo on May 5th! a time of celebration for many. The following 13th is Mothers Day. Help your Mom feel free this year- or maybe make the 'flighty' decision to forget and let the wind draw you far, far away...

　

Fandom Driven

For if you're not all for spirituality or routine and just want to enjoy going all-out with your favorite story and characters, honor the ones of the month by driving full-throttle on the fandom bandwagon.

Breath is the Aspect for the Nitrams, freespirited boys who don't care what you think of them, they want to live their lives on their own terms, not tied down by RESPONSIBLITY or COMMITMENT or PLOT RELEVENCE.... Not that this hinders their charisma any. They still win hearts all the same and have plenty of fun in their own right, doing what they truly care about. Kill a spider today.

It's also the Aspect for Homestuck golden boy John Egbert!! arguably the perfect example of the Breath aspect, a mild(ish)mannered hero who asked for None Of This, bust does smashing with it all anyway! He just goes with the flow of things and keeps doing it to help his friends, who never lose sight of his importance or position as leader- even if what they do is often way cooler. John is kind, mischivous, and just self-centered enough for him to put whimsy in everything while still being viewed as the perfect shining example as Hero and Protagonist. Even when he's kissing movie posters and putting cakes in toilets. John Egderp everybody!

Draw art, write fic, and post analysis' for these hilarious, silly, airheaded little boys. And don't be afraid to delve into their uselessness, crude offense, and stifling depressive restlessness in canon.

Please bash respectfully!

　

We hope some of these gave you ideas for activities you or friends can do to better your month. Everyone plays the game of life differently, and your beliefs are your own, celebrate your days as you see fit! And thanks for playing with us.

　

--------~Mod Bee

[saskyaolsen2-0]

Final Evaluation

Introduction

This project has come to a close, and I finally have the ability to look at my finished work and discuss its condition. I am able to observe my project in all its forms, from journal and Tumblr work to my final video outcome, whilst outlining links between each and reflecting back on the entire journey. In this final evaluation, my ambition is to communicate any final thoughts that haven’t had the opportunity to be spoken about in the critical review. By doing this, I hope to form a strong finishing point to my final major project. Writing this evaluation forces me to look through everything I have done in the last eleven weeks, which will hopefully bring up unexpected discussion topics.

 Step by step, weeks 1 to 11

Prior to week 1, I started making some foundations for stage 3 by carrying out an artist research exercise. I also used a holiday trip as an opportunity to collect reference imagery and reflect on the experience through written work. This preliminary basis of work allowed me to discover the head space I needed to be in early-on, making the work I produced in week 1 more effective, as I had already broken-in the context of my project. I felt empowered in week 1, because I had given myself a head start.

Unfortunately, this feeling didn’t last long; with no outcome idea to give me motivation, I soon fell into a slump. Looking back, I still admire the blind research frenzy carried out during the whole of week 1; the volume of pages I was accumulating was reassuring, and I know that there’s no such thing as too much research! This uncertain period also introduced me to the power of book research, which was thoroughly unexplored in my other projects. Initially, I didn’t trust any novels unrelated to my interests, but I soon discovered how much you can learn by independently applying ideas to your own practices.

The beginning of week 2 was a similar situation as I still had no solid idea. I found peace by simply trusting the process, focusing on idea building and seeing where research lead me. I began feeling braver and ventured into new territory such as the exploration if Adobe Fuse. I would have immediately pushed this workshop aside in the past, but I found the software rejuvenating and I was able to identify the character creation potential in this newly found programme. My open-minded attitude kept consistent after this, allowing me to read ‘Modernism in Scandinavia’ even if it was relatively unrelated to my project. Through this book, I learnt about Icelandic folklore, which helped me write my project realisation, an important milestone for my outcome idea and the most successful piece of work from week 2.

The pace quickened in week three, as I had a new and exciting idea about Icelandic mythology to be explored. I haven’t applied my interests in Scandinavia to any other projects for this course, so my research ideas were bursting at the seams. I quickly realised how much I loved the stereotypical styles depicted through Nordic landscape art, and I knew it was something to use for my outcome because of how immersed I felt for the subject. Applying knowledge to an idea made me feel self-assured; my hesitation at the possibility of my Folklore idea being childish faded as I was demonstrating factual writing alongside my fantasy design work. I reminisced on the doors that Adobe Fuse had previously opened for me, so I got to work making some very basic composition ideas in Photoshop.

To my relief, week 4 propelled faster than 3, as I assuredly created a solid storyboard draft and began linking my Amsterdam trip to this project. I was finding puzzle pieces from all kinds of sources, each coming together to help strengthen my ideas on Iceland and its ‘Landvaettir’ folklore story. The two main characters took shape, a giant and a young boy. I was surprised at the method in which these characters were generated; they seemed to just narrate the story the most effectively…a dystopian Icelandic universe where the battle between metal and nature is prevalent in the landscape. I quickly continued on with as much design work for these two new people as possible. As the pace of the project process quickened, I noticed how ‘natural’ the base ideas have been discovered; I just focus on what feels right and fix any flaws along the way. A level of understanding arose in week four, allowing me to find my core ideas and story line. I confidently worked with cinematography as well as drawn art.

Week 5 was all about ideas finally taking shape; using Fuse and Photoshop for my original ideas and turning thoughts into visual representations. I took a more in-depth look at anatomy, aided by the whiteout tasks I completed at the start of the ‘concept design’ pathway. I turned my character feature designs into a science by focusing on a single limb or characteristic through pencil drawings. Both my characters and environments came to life this week, as I also completed my first digital scene in preparation for my video outcome. This was an extremely significant part of the week as it showed how far I had come since week 1; I had finally accumulated enough self-made resources to happily create a scene including characters and architectural features. I left week 5 extremely proud from the achievements I had started to tick off my mental list. I worry slightly over the time I have left, but all I can do is work efficiently and ensure my work sticks to the key seven assessment criteria topics and to my personal main focuses.

I ruled out the possibility of rotoscoping in week 6, which felt progressive and gave me the motivation to continue my method investigation. I moved forward with this explorative mindset by carrying out some fabric research, progressing the clothing ideas for my character concepts. I was feeling energised, fuelling the completion of the second scene of my video outcome, along with its supporting process ad evaluation pages. Having competed this scene creation process twice at this point, it was becoming a routine. I stayed diligent with contextual research, adding to my sources with Amanieu Rebu, who conveyed similar interests to my own through his work. I also nurtured my informative sources by reading ‘Landscape and Nature’ by Michael Freeman, I noticed that I was becoming bolder and more experimental with my book choices, which was benefiting my written language and development influences. Week 6 initiated my ability to begin linking research and study to the formation of an outcome.

I began week 7 brainstorming exhibition and general presentation ideas. This included some gallery-space sketches, and collaging visuals for zine possibilities. These tasks hit more unique areas of the core assessment criteria such as ‘planning and production’ and prevent surprise and stress towards the end of these eleven weeks. I also demonstrated further contextual research through presenting some pages about Alexander Forssberg, who greatly inspired me to experiment with my own character turn-around in week 10. I believe that the biggest success I experienced in week 7 was the completion of my short story. I believe that it showcases the growth of my written language since the beginning of the project, which is heavily dependent on the amount of reading I have carried out. I continued with this successful trajectory for the rest of the week by completing a third illustrated scene and it's supporting journal pages.

Week 8 saw a lot of similarities to the previous seven days, which formed a lot of repetitiveness in my journal. However, I knew that the work I was producing in week 8 was important to the progression of my project, which helped me get through the workload. I finished a fourth illustrated scene and made the effort to present its process page nicely. To my surprise, I managed to also create a fifth scene, making this one of the most productive weeks of this project in my opinion. I finished the week visiting a Nucleus Arts exhibition, where I was exposed to the art of Simon Mills. This trip was a refreshing change to the repetitive work I had been conducting in week 8.

Similarly, to previous weeks, week 9 began with some contextual research on the book ��Earth’ by Iain Stewart and John Lynch. I had noticed a considerable improvement at my efficiency with these tasks, allowing me to finish far quicker than previously. I changed up my workflow by constructing my two narrative characters using air dried clay. Carrying out this task made me feel extremely experimental, and I was confident that this example of a practical skill was drastically improving the quality of my overall project. My creative mindset carried over into the process of a sixth illustrated scene, and I believe that this is the strongest composition out of all six I digitally drew. This week, I also received an extremely unexpected email response from artist Simon Mills, who’s work I had viewed during the Easter break. I was able to elevate my project further by including an interview with Simon, which was a pleasant surprise. I made a great effort to apply his responses and tips to the drawing process of my sixth composition, which could be why the outcome was the strongest compared to the other five. I reflected on this possibility whilst developing on my exhibition ideas through wood printing research. During the last portion of the week, I created my zine using Illustrator. I successfully created an A4 draft of the product which made me feel optimistic about the inclusion of this in my project. I felt excited to present a finalised piece of work that differed from my final video. I ended the week by forming the basic atmosphere of my final video in after effects, allowing me to finish the week feeling extremely accomplished, as this was a huge checkpoint in the journey of this project.

I got back to basics in week 10, which is an important thing to remember. I had recalled a tutorial from week 2 in which the idea of context was emphasised, which is why I conducted some basic research on the origins of Landvaettir. I was shocked to discover I hadn’t yet done this in the ten weeks I had worked through so far! I followed this up with some contextual book research and watched a concept design documentary. I wanted this week to cover simple tasks, preventing me from getting too caught up in the finalising process now underway. I made good additions to my final video alongside journal work this week, which gradually reduced my stress about the task. I was growing concerned about the time I had left to complete the outcome, but I knew that the process would speed up once the basic structure of the video was down. This week saw some dramatic process to my portfolio and other general paperwork. I was able to find a good alternating approach to basic research and finalising. My ability to multitask enabled me to reach targets effectively, and I left the week feeling contempt.

The final week, week 11, was an intense compiling of all the work I had conducted during this project. I had to ensure that I was still progressing the final stages of my project whilst staying organised and prepared. I was extremely relieved to finish and export my final video successfully and begin analysing the product. This was a huge milestone that I had been tackling for a few weeks in between other tasks. I progressed with bookwork at a much slower pace, since I was no longer progressing an idea, I was perfecting content instead. I was also able to view my completed zine, which I had only held as a draft until this point. I believe that this piece of work is a great garnish to go alongside my outcome, and I was relieved to be able to incorporate my short story into an actual product. This final week felt less intense because I had used my time wisely in previous weeks. I believe that the end portion of this project was extremely successful and enabled me to end the experience positively.

 Strengths, Weaknesses + the unexpected

I believe that I have more than one main strength within this project; some of the individual components that went into my final video are very strong. The main achievements that stand out to me include my sixth illustrated scene of my giant character, which I decided to present at the exhibition. This scene generates an effective atmosphere using its choice of camera positioning, deep colours and texture. In my opinion, this composition is the strongest because it is effective at developing the story visually, which was my original ambition. I am also proud of my finalized zine; I am happy to have found a way to incorporate my completed short story into its own product. I am confident that my ability to timetable my workload has a big part to play in my project, which also makes this a significant strength. The success I had with this style of organisation is evidence to how effective time management can be, and how important it is to experiment with planning techniques.

 My project shared many weaknesses along with its strengths. For example, I believe that I frequently became distracted by written work and abandoned visual development. This is most obvious in my journal work, where imagery is very sparse. I think that the links between my project and my concept design pathway choice are strained because I didn’t showcase very much drawn imagery. Becoming distracted with written work ultimately reduced the quality of my journal presentation.

 One of the most fundamental elements to the progression of my project was an unexpected discovery. This was the surprisingly useful resource that reading was to my project! I now understand how naïve I was to reading in past, as I have picked up on so much knowledge missed by online research only.  Reading ‘Modernism in Scandinavia’ is also the sole reason I discovered the ‘Landvaettir’ folklore story originating from Iceland, which was from a book that initially didn’t relate to my project at all! I learnt my lesson and analysed a book at least once per week, leaving me with eleven books for my bibliography. My interview with Simon Mills is another example of an unexpected predicament, but It certainly improved the quality of my project overall.

 Links + references to contextual research

The most influential elements of contextual research I have encountered over this project have involved Simon Mills and Simon Stalenhag. Simon Stalenhag’s style and aesthetic initiated my aims for a Nordic narrative. His art also helped provoke composition ideas, which can be seen in the metal sphere used in my first and second digitally drawn scenes. I believe that my aims wouldn’t have been as effective If not for the help of Simon Stalenhag’s art. Another huge influencer over my work has been Simon Mills. His dramatic use of yellows and purples persuaded me to explore similar techniques myself. I therefore believe that my illustrated scene successes are widely down to the help of Simon Mills, whose methods I analysed and applied to my own practices. As I progressed through the project, I learnt to be more open to inspiration from new sources. As soon as I allowed my concept designs to be influenced by Beau Lamb and saw drastically successful results, I realised the potential resided with an open-minded attitude. Beau’s influences can be seen in my concept sketches and finalised character turnaround through colour and positioning choices.

Reading has been an immense help to my project too, and I believe that my project would be extremely poor without the assistance of read material. Along with ‘Modernism in Scandinavia’ and ‘Tales from the Loop’ (important books from the beginning), I also extracted ideas from ‘Norse Gods’ by Arthur Cotterell, which allowed me to develop my ideas into something factually supported. The magazine ‘imagine FX’ included articles about outdoor creativity, which initiated my motivation to capture my own filmed footage whilst understanding how to use natural space. This was solidified by read of ‘Earth’ by Iain Steward, who’s page illustrations captivated and provoked me to uncover the extraordinary hiding in nature reserves.

Contextual research gave me masses of opportunity that I could pick from in order to make the most effective body of work. In the future, I wont be so stubborn about reading and learning, as it has certainly contributed to a huge portion of this project!

 Conclusion

To my relief, I believe that I have achieved what I initially set out to accomplish, which was to create an immersive video with heavy Nordic traits. I think that the outcome will show its true effect when observed during the exhibition. However, from what I can see after completing week 11, I have created a body of work that I should be proud of. I am contempt with my project meeting the core assessment criteria. I’m also confident that I have made good use of my time, which shows in the clarity of my preparatory work and the strength of my outcome. This is also evident in my ability to recall the most significant attributes out of each week, which shows I payed attention to my progression, and understood my position within the project at all times, weather it was good or bad. Overall, this project has been a successful process, because I effectively planned my way around challenges. For example, understanding what was overambitious and choosing not to go crazy on the marketing and promotion of my outcome. As I look over my finished project, I am contempt with all the forms that it takes, from sketchpad to my journal, my Tumblr, and my outcome. Nordic and Scandinavian themes along with natural and woodland aesthetics link all bodies of work into a single product that coincides with my immersive video, allowing me to convey a clear artistic message to viewers of my work. I also believe that I have developed drastically from last year’s final project, which completes my satisfaction with this project now that it’s finished.

[bensaundersposts-blog]

Blog

Wednesday 14th November 2018 Sat down with my collaborator to discuss the upcoming project. I had already decided on doing a concept album based on The Great Gatsby, as we had actually started work on a song with such a concept a few months prior, titled Buchanan Street. We chose this source of inspiration because we both love the book and have great reverence and understanding of it, and we know it is a deep well from which to draw inspiration.

Wednesday 21st November

Had our first songwriting session dedicated to this project, repurposing a song we had started earlier in the year as I thought the mood and lyrical content of the piece fit with the direction of the project nicely. The lyrics evoked to me an image of Gatsby and Daisy Buchannan on their first night together, talking things out late in the evening after the excitement had died down, picking apart each other’s minds and motivations, and trying to peel away the layers of pretence surrounding their personas. The music is melancholy and atmospheric and suggests the beginnings of the disillusionment of Gatsby’s dream as he is finally presented with the object of years of his desire, only to find it imperfect and something that could never live up to the dream.

Wednesday 28th November

Continued work on the aforementioned song which we decided to entitle Behind Dark Glasses. Also started a new song, Sins of the Father, following a discussion on how nobody ever really thinks of the events of The Great Gatsby from Daisy’s perspective, focussing instead on Gatsby and Nick’s feelings, so it would be interesting to look at things through her point of view. As such, we began to think how she would view the situation, torn between an unhappy-but-stable marriage, and the distant promise of a potentially better future with the man she had all but given up on years prior. We also thought about a concept brought up in the book of the cycle of negative behaviours and how they are learned. Daisy is, in essence, as we all are, simply acting out based on her surroundings and upbringing - repeating the sins of her father, as each generation tends to repeat the same mistakes as the preceding one, because it’s how they’ve been brought up, and all they know.

Wednesday 5th December

Decided to potentially do Sins of the Father as a duet, with one verse from Daisy’s perspective and another from Gatsby’s, with the two of them singing in harmony by the end. To accomplish this we can get our singer’s sister to do a guest vocal spot. This was an idea from the mind of my collaborator, who noted that the vocal harmony part I had devised for the end of the tune would lend itself to this approach.

Wednesday 12th December

Decided to employ some of my reharmonisation skills in an attempt to make Behind Dark Glasses more musically interesting. Perhaps a symptom of having spent so much time playing/listening to it, the simplicity of the chord progression was starting to get to me. The song is in 7/8 and alternates meter with 4/4 several times throughout, so is interesting rhythmically, and structurally, but I still felt I needed to spice up the harmony a little. I went from a vi-IV-I-V progression of Am-F-C-G to a vi-ii-I-iii progression of Am-Dm/A-C-Em, which I felt was significantly more interesting and slightly less predictable, and the inclusion of the E minor especially lended a darker, sadder tone to the overall piece.

Wednesday 19th December

Again continuing work on Behind Dark Glasses, I looked at the B section of the song which modulates from A minor to A major and features the progression Dmaj7-E(7). I liked the way the E7 acted as a turnaround chord back to A minor via its appearance in both the A major and A harmonic minor scales, but suddenly realised that I could use the Dmaj7 and E7 as bVI and bVII chords respectively to modulate to the new key of F# major, which sounded extremely triumphant and lended itself to a big, bombastic final “chorus” section for our song. Initially the two A minor and A major sections were already in contrast with each other, one dark and brooding and the other more uplifting and catchy, but this third section really elevated the song to new heights, soaring and really giving the song the kick it needed. How exactly the lyrics would progress into this section after being about such a somber topic for so long, we were yet to discover.

Wednesday 9th January 2019

After a short (ish) break for Christmas, we got right back into the swing of things by practicing the two songs we had written thus far, making slight alterations to the lyrics and melody. We then re-began work on the song that started it all, Buchanan Street. We already had a vague idea that this would be a more general, retrospective look at the events of the novel, mentioning things like he green light, the expensive cars and the valley of ashes. We also had a line for the ending of the song, “Don’t know where to go//Got to go my own way”, which we felt encapsulated a feeling of wanting to move on after the life-changing events of the novel, albeit being unsure of exactly where or how.

Wednesday 20th February

Contact with my collaborator at this point had become very sporadic and it was becoming increasingly difficult to actually get any work done with him. In his defense he had a couple of good excuses - his uncle died, then he had to attend the funeral, then his family went away on holiday, then his grandma got diagnosed with dementia and he had to help out in the purchase and renovation of a property close to his own house to which he and his family members could easily travel to look after her, etc etc. Every week he had a new excuse and every week I began to get more and more anxious over whether or not I would be able to make the May deadline for our project, and it was my degree on the line, not his. I don’t really blame him for circumstances outwith his control, but he has also proven to be somewhat unreliable on occasions prior and since. Due to all of this, during discussions with my lecturer we elected that I make a final decision on whether or not to proceed with the collaborative side of the project, or just do it all on my own, most likely completely instrumentally. Feeling that our idea had a lot of potential and that it would be a shame not to attempt to push forward with our project as initially planned, I decided to carry on with the collaboration, but really start to drill into my partner just how important this is and how little time we have left. Perhaps I could have planned things a little better, met up with him more than once a week and had other avenues available for myself to explore should our partnership give way, but I was a little one-track-minded on this idea and hoped everything would work out well.

Wednesday 6th March

We decided from this point on to really get a move on and to try and get one studio rehearsal session and one at-home writing session per week, in order to work on vocal melodies and lyrics respectively. We found that writing at my house was great for coming up with lyrics but bad for trying to come up with vocal melodies as we couldn’t be as loud outwith a studio, so decided to combine approaches. Continuing to work on Behind Dark Glasses, Sins of the Father and Buchanan Street, I had by this point created MIDI demos with some recorded audio tracks in Logic, nailing out structures and sounds and other minutia of our songs, coming up with vocal melodies and harmonies, etc. I had also started music for two new songs, tentatively titled Sailing (Track 01) and Oatabix.

Wednesday 13th March

At this point I had noticed something - all of our songs thus-far are mostly mid-tempo, ballad-y sorts of songs, which are great in isolation, but a good album needs variation. Look at my favourite concept album, American Idiot, for example - it has a nice blend of short, punky songs (American Idiot, She’s A Rebel), longer, more operatic songs (Jesus of Suburbia, Homecoming), and slower ballads (Are We the Waiting, Wake Me Up When September Ends). Noting this, I decided to make our opening track Sailing a faster, more exciting, more direct and more simple, back-to-basics rocker, and attempt to come up with at least one other new song in a similar vein, as Oatabix was another slow-burner.

Wednesday 20th March

Finding it very difficult to come up with more exciting songs than the ones we have already, we turned our attention to first tidying up the lyrics we had written thus far, and then finishing off all of the lyrics for Behind Dark Glasses, Sins of the Father and Buchanan Street. Noting that is was getting very close to April, the month in which we had initially planned to begin our recording process, we chatted briefly about recording avenues, and decided to record at West College Scotland’s Greenock campus, as we know Andrew McDermid who works there, and my collaborator guaranteed that we could get in. For the recordings I decided I am going to re-amp all of my guitars, meaning I will get perfect performances recorded at home into my computer which I can then bring into the studio to be re-recorded through amplifiers, in order to save time in the studio. I am going to do guitars and bass and program any synth parts, and Mark is going to do all the vocals, and we are going to get my friend and longtime collaborator Jake Fisher to do the drums.

Wednesday 27th March

Another week of no correspondence from Mark, I was beginning to get very stressed. However, we arranged to meet up in a studio on the upcoming Friday and hopefully blast out as much as we possibly can in the three hours allotted.

[mathildadellatorre-blog]

Easter Break - Week 3

This Week I did:

IPS - Barbican:

I have finished the Barbican Brand Guidelines! Finally! This is what I focused on for most of the week. After chosing what type of ‘colour effect’ to use, which was duotone on Photoshop, the last steps were really time-consuming as I really wanted the document to be concise and professional following the brand values they have now but adding my own interpretation. Overall, I am really happy with what I have and I have learned so much during the process, which was the most important part. I am looking to get feedback from someone at the Barbican and have sent various emails, but no reply so far, so I will keep and keep trying.

These are some of the pages from the final document:

Now What - Kickstarter:

We have reached our goal for the week (well, almost), we are now on 3,588 so 2 pounds away from 3,600! This is really good, we’re back on track and I’m hopeful we can make the last 1,400 in the next 2 weeks. I have also ben contacting different people for sponsorship opportunities around Menier Gallery, especially from Flat Iron Square. I have met with someone who seems to be interested and have been making progress!

Other - PPD:

I have done our PPD homework for the holiday which was to gather the contacts of several places we would like to work at/with once we have graduated. I focused on graphic design and branding studios around the world, including a few of the ones I already interned at or have some sort of connections with and then added lots of new ones who’s work I really admire. This has given me the motivation to keep working so I can have a strong portfolio to show them.

Other - Exhibition:

The highlight of my week was probably going to see ‘The Japanese House: Architecture and Life after 1945′ exhibition at the Barbican (http://www.barbican.org.uk/artgallery/event-detail.asp?ID=19951). I absolutely loved it and cannot recommend it enough. It was the perfect balance between an installation piece and informative material, which taught me a lot. My interest in plants, spaces, the idea of the home, concrete architecture and Japanese culture was all combined in one exhibition. I was fascinated by the idea that the Japanese have about the home and how that has changed over time. The concept of making a house feel alive by bringing nature into spaces or by creating a space that acts as a barrier against the chaos of a city is something I discovered about there but that I could really relate to. I did a few drawings (and took too many photos) when I was there, but I want to develop this material and use it as a starting point for my final project.

This exhibition made me realize that I want to go back to the theme of home (from my Write It project) for my final weeks and to develop that in a completely new direction. I think I want to create some sort of installation that involves communicating or responding with the viewer. These ideas are still very new and abstract but I think I am on the right track.

Next Week I want to:

IPS - General:

Since I have decided to back to the theme of home, the main task I need to do next week is to get my concrete ideas down and narrow down my plans so I can have a clear picture of what I will be doing when I am back in uni. I want to work more from the Japanese House exhibition as well as branch out and do more research about artists that work with the theme of home. Hopefully, I will have a much clearer idea of where I want to go with this by the end of next week.

Other - Iceland:

I haven’t had the time to work on developing my drawings from Iceland this week, but hopefully, I can do some of that next week, so I have some material I can bring through to etching and screen printing when we’re back in uni. Somehow, I’d like to relate this to my final project about home.

Now What - Kickstarter:

Same as last week, just need to keep pushing for Kickstarter and other sponsorships. We should be on 4,300 by the end of next week, fingers crossed.