#like a girl

[nickysfacts]

Remember, girls have been programming and writing algorithms way before it was cool!

👩🏻‍💻💜👩🏾‍💻

[drunk-on-writing]

i resolve to rage like a girl. to raise my voice like a girl. to scream at the top of my lungs like a girl. to make them hear me like a girl. i won’t be ignored like a girl. i won’t be underestimated like a girl. i won’t be a second thought like a girl.

i resolve to fight like a girl. you can check underneath these girl nails for proof that i fought like a girl. that i drew blood like a girl. that i left a mark like a girl.

i resolve to write like a girl. to let the words flow like a girl — like this girl blood that flows through my girl veins. this girl blood will be the paint and the ink i use to tell this girl story. and i will make you hear me like a girl.

but what is a girl? what makes a girl? let it be known that i am a girl in the way that a hurricane is a girl. a ship is a girl. a galaxy is a girl. nature is a girl. a girl is not physical; a girl is so much more.

(cc, 23)

[no-more-hide]

At school, they said to me in physical education: „You run like a girl.“ „You threw the ball like a girl.“ „You play football/soccer like a girl.“ The classroom said: „Languages are only for girls.“ „Romantic books are only read by girls.“ „Oh, I thought you were a girl.“ During the school examination, the doctor stated: „You are very small for a boy.“ „You have a petite physique, like a girl.“ Your muscles are weak, like a girl. At home it was said: "Only girls play flute." „Ballet is not for boys.“ „Why don't you climb trees like your brother?“ And now that I finally want to live like a girl and be a woman, everyone is surprised.

[mystarrybrain15]

guys im listening to lana del ray for the first time rn and... yes.

[willbrakeforneature]

Knobstone Trail

Part 1/3 of the Indiana Triple Crown, 50 miles in 13.5+ hours and put my name as the first lady on the FKT leaderboard for this trail!

The Knobstone Trail is the longest, and arguably toughest, trail of the three; toting 10,000 feet of elevation with steeper climbs and descents throughout the escarpment. I completed this in the ides of May 2023 and it is my longest run to date (time and distance)! By this time, it was already becoming overgrown in sections especially reroutes and there are many, many tree blow downs throughout from the inclement winter we had.

The idea started with a deep love of the trail and confidence from the hundreds of miles I spent on the Knobstone since learning about it in 2020. There were some local races that interested me at the 50 mile distance, but the most exciting and rewarding goal for me was to compile the trail in one effort, marrying all my dedication to it over the years. So I began to plan; how far apart were each trailheads again? where were the sources that I would filter water? could I really carry that many snacks? I was already very familiar with the weight of my pack at this time but realized that incorporating strength leading up to this endeavor would be paramount to my success so I became more dedicated to adding that to my training (and could my hips, calves and feet have done it without this?).

Based on fuel training and familiarity, I compiled my nutrition needs. Half of this in the front pockets, the other half stored with the bladder to be moved to the front around mile 22. ~ Ten salt tabs, two 16 oz front flasks filled with 1:1 scoops of Skratch hydration and Skratch super carb, two Skratch hydration servings for later, 40 oz of plain Louisville tap water, 2 Skratch rice krispy treats, 2 packs of Skratch gummies (with caffeine), 3 Bobo's oat bites, 2 granola bars and 2 GUs. While clearly aligned with Skratch, their cookbook taught me the importance of liquid hydration and I planned over half of my calories to be consumed that way, not to mention keeping up with the salt/electrolytes requirements.

I topped off the "oh shit" bag in my vest with a reflective blanket just in case, headlamp (needed to start), phone charger and cable, nut butter, sanitizing wipes, bandages, bug wipes, headphones, extra socks (not needed) and attached my trekking poles. My vest weighed in over 10 pounds, is this overpacking or complete preparedness?

Waking up that Saturday morning it felt surreal. Was I really about to wake my partner up, have him drop me off at a trailhead in the dark and continue north for 50 miles? I guess so, so I got out of bed.

I sipped my coffee on the ride there, a storm just passing over the knobs as we neared the the parking lot at Deam Lake, mile 0 of the Knobstone Trail. I put my pack on, said goodbye and off I was. Immediately I was wet, it was a humid morning and the passing leaves were holding water from the nights storm until I brushed against them. But even that was slipping from my mind, a continuously calling whippoorwill was the only sound I could focus on, followed by my breathe in the dark. I could see the lightning bugs still flickering, off to bed as I began my day. It felt magic, this had to be the morning for such a feat.

The first hour heading to Round Knob, the tallest point and most scenic overlook of the trail, I kept on track with nutriton plans (100 calories an hour, steady water, salt tab each 90 minutes or less) for the long day ahead. Getting here is a feat in itself, I stopped to enjoy the foggy view and then let it go behind me.

Time and miles went with ease. I was nearing mile 20 and as planned, my front pack snacks were running low and in a few miles I would be nearing a water source I planned to stop to filter water and rearrange my pack. Woof, putting on a pack filled with another 60+ ounces of water felt heavy but I kept out a snack to work on as I climbed back up to a ridge and out of this valley.

Next, the crux. It was nearing 90 degrees at this point in the afternoon and I was passing Leota (mile 25+) on my way to Elk Creek, 30 miles from the start. These hills always seem the most daunting and unrelentess, climbing up and down hollers in seemingly the middle of nowhere. I stopped again to refill water and worked on moving forward, running when I could even if just moments as I think its good for morale. This trail isn't what I would call "runnable" to begin with but it definitely pays to have the mental strength and strategy to settle in with the glorified hike, as I often hear of sections like this causing folks to bonk and tap out. I was beginning to miss the water bearing leaves, as that had evaporated by this point and I was focusing on staying hydrated and eating at this 9th hour.

I filled my front flasks again near mile 40, a flat mile or two that runs along the creek before the Delaney loop. This area was where my last longest run ended less than 6 months ago; that and thoughts of past runs with close friends in upcoming sections fueled me onward. Was I really this close to 50? I started to hear thunder in the distance, whose clouds I saw as I climbed, would this run end in a storm as it had almost began? Each turn on the last loops leaves you feeling like the last is just around the corner, I tried to stay in the moment and not to expectant as I broke 13 hours and thunder seemed closer. Nearing 13 and a half hours, I started going steeper downhill, the end was near! It started to sprinkle. Then I could see the ending trailhead. I was so proud, how did all of that just happen?

The rain started to pick up so I changed in the back of the car and got a Coke out of the cooler and some chips. We drove out of the park as the rain picked up. It was more than I could have asked for. Fifty miles on the Knobstone Trail. I am still giddy with a humility.

[squideo]

Advert Alchemy: The Music

In this series, Squideo is breaking down the eight key ingredients to turn your advertising content into gold! In the last edition, we examined the importance of a slogan in creating the perfect marketing campaign. This week, we’re looking at the heart of every video advert: the music.

The ultimate tone setter, choosing the right music will underscore your entire advertising campaign – reinforcing the tone of your brand, captivating the audience and ensuring memorability. 

Why Does an Advert Need Music?

After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music. 

It’s a quote from 1931, but Aldous Huxley still has it right. Music will always take your advert to the next level. As we’ve explored in our Squideo Submarine series, music has a strong connection with memory and advertisers leverage this for one of five outcomes.

01. Evoke Emotion

This is the big one. Through music, you can influence an audience to feel the way you want them to. Looking for something energetic to get people onboard? Something understated to accompany serious footage? Make sure it matches your brand to avoid audience confusion. Don’t use a song about heartbreak to sell air freshener, and don’t use a song about the great outdoors to sell cinema tickets. 

02. Inc. Identity

Creating a strong brand comes down to some key choices. The company name and logo. The slogan and tagline. The colour scheme and font style. And the music used in your media. Nothing brings a company’s identity together like a well selected piece of music that encapsulates a brand. 

03. Transform Tales

Music can underpin the narrative of your advert, strengthening the story. Whether you use music to invoke a sense of adventure, compel an emotional response, or create a light-hearted atmosphere, music cues the audience to the most important part of the advert – whether they were watching or not. Nothing is more attention grabbing than a climactic swell of music. 

04. Convert Customers

We’re all familiar with the call-to-action (CTA), but instead of using a voiceover or onscreen text consider delivering with music. We’ll explore jingles later on in the Advert Alchemy series, but consider how a song choice can influence a customer. In Coca Cola’s Hilltop advert (better known as Buy the World a Coke) the song reinforces the message: do something kind; buy your friend a Coke. 

05. Advance Action

In 2015, Always launched a successful advertising campaign called #LikeAGirl. Targeting negative gender-related stereotypes about women and girls, #LikeAGirl is recognised as the second-most viral advertisement campaign worldwide. The advert is accompanied by a simple, understated score that slowly increases in volume as the advert moves away from stereotypes to focus on its uplifting message. The music supports the tonal shift without detracting from it. 

What Type of Music to Use

There are two main music options to choose between: existing music and original music. Are you going to use music your audience is familiar with? Or create music to set your advert apart from the competition?

01. Last Night of The Proms

If you’re looking to save money, it’s a good idea to choose music that is in the public domain. A lot of classical and opera pieces fall under this category which has made them a favourite of television shows, films and adverts, helping these pieces stay at the forefront of the public consciousness despite their age.

Alton Towers used the Peer Gynt Suite: In the Hall of the Mountain King. Cornetto popularised ‘O Sole Mio for British audiences so well that people abroad have been bewildered by outbreaks of Just One Cornetto amongst travelling Brits who hear the tune. 

02. Top of the Pops

Lots of adverts have used popular songs, and some can even take credit for popularising tracks. Unlike songs in the public domain however, these might come with a heftier price tag. It could be worth the cost, however. 

One of the most notable examples of successful soundtracking can be found in Cadbury’s iconic 2007 Gorilla advert. Cadbury’s use of Phil Collins In The Air Tonight put the song back on the charts 25 years after its release, but it did more than repopularise one song. The visuals were popular enough to spawn spoofs in shows like The Mighty Boosh and Children in Need. 

In 2016, it was voted Britain’s favourite advert. Not bad considering it has no Cadbury’s chocolate in it and no clear "message."

03. Name That Tune

Classical music and opera pieces may be easier to access, but there are other instrumentals to consider for your advert music. 

The theme song from Chariots of Fire has been used repeatedly, for example, including in advertisements for The Olympic Games and Nike. When looking for the perfect music, consider some of the most impactful music from modern media. Think of film scores, television themes, or modern classical pieces that have perhaps not permeated the public consciousness yet. 

https://vimeo.com/260803961?embedded=true&source=video_title&owner=82883588

04. Never Mind the Buzzcocks

For some companies, it’s not enough to soundtrack their advert with a hit song. They have to commission something just for them. The song We’ve Only Just Begun, for instance, was commissioned by an advert agency in 1969; when it was later covered by The Carpenter’s (after seeing the advert), the song became a top hit. 

Perhaps one of advertising’s best-known music hits – I Want to Teach the World To Sing (In Perfect Harmony) – was developed by McCann Erickson for Coca Cola to run in its Hilltop advert. It became so iconic, the advert is still considered one of the greatest of all time and has become intrinsically linked to Coca Cola’s brand. 

05. My Kind of Music

An original soundtrack is usually the hallmark of television and film, but occasionally an advert produces a piece of music so popular it becomes independent of the original piece. Take for example Chris Gunning’s theme for the Martini Bianco adverts. 

Their advert series – The Right One – ran internationally during the 1970s. The music, reminiscent of a James Bond theme, was especially fitting for the brand. Martini, the vermouth producer, is thought to be the namesake of 007’s favourite cocktail. 

Where Can You Get Music?

At Squideo, we’ve used a mixture of original songs and readily produced soundtracks. For the latter, we use platforms like AudioJungle and Envato Elements for royalty-free music. 

Looking for the perfect music on your own? Check out the following options.

On Social Media. For advertisements run on social media, there is an option to embed music directly from streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music which gives you a good variety of songs without incurring any fees. 

From Record Labels. Looking for something recognisable for an advert you want to share more widely than social media? Record labels offer advertisers music that’s under their ownership for royalty payments. The more your advert is shown and seen, the more you pay. 

The Public Domain. Numerous websites host copies of public domain music, free to download and share without the risk of infringing copyright laws. Some of our favourites are Musopen, Open Music Archive and Digital History. 

Directly From Artists. Interested in commissioning something original? If you don’t know any artists personally or through your business network, consider looking at freelance websites like Fiverr and Freelancer. Ensure the artist grants you the copyright at the end of the process. 

Music Sites. Like Envato Elements, music from these sites is paid for either individually or on a subscriber plan. Once the track has been downloaded, you can use it as many times as you want. 

Alternatively, if finding the perfect piece of music sounds like too much work, get in touch with Squideo. All of our videos include music. Have a look through our video examples to listen to some of our favourites!

Content Worth Gold

Get in touch with the Squideo team today to find out how we can improve your advertising strategy with video production, motion graphics, social media management and much more! 

[rainbowrosegames]

Streaming ended awhile ago but now the video for kickoff is up!

https://www.twitch.tv/firstinspires/v/1700452001?sr=a

Watch FIRST robotics kickoff for the 2023 season CHARGED UP at any time!

[inkskinned]

please i love you i'm begging you bring back suspension of disbelief bring back trusting the audience like. i cannot handle any more dialogue that sounds like a legal document. "hello, i am here to talk to you about the incident from a few minutes ago, because i feel you might be unwell, and i am invested in your personal wellbeing." "thank you, i am unwell because the incident was hurtful to me due to my childhood, which was bad." I CANT!!!!

do you know how many people are mad that authors use "growled" as a word for "said"? it's just poetics! they do not literally mean "growled," it's just a common replacement for "said with force but in a low tone." it's normal! do you hear me!! help me i love you please let me out of here!!!

[pansyfemme]

everytime i hear someone call depression and anxiety ‘destigmatized mental illnesses’ i wonder how they react when they find out someone has spent weeks or months in bed or struggles to shower or eat

[nickysfacts]

Woman are and have always been capable of amazing athletic feats, but are only able to do them when they are empowered and not held back!

🏃🏾‍♀️🤺🤸🏾‍♀️

🏺🥇🏺

🏌🏼‍♀️🏊🏽‍♀️🚴🏻‍♀️

[crow-caller]

as a child there's nothing cooler than a kid who gets subjected to evil experiments and gains special abilities. it's even cooler if these abilities also cause unfathomable suffering to use/against others. children love stories like this.

[isatoru]

loving a character so much will unlock such vulnerable and cringe parts of you that you try to suppress so bad but you can't like it's so humbling

[biggest-gaudiest-patronuses]

girl why the hell WEREN'T you at the devil's sacrament 👀 that's three sacraments in a row you've missed 👀 👀 👀