#obviously meant to be reminiscent of analog productions

[dying-suffering-french-stalkers]

Plot aside, I'd forgotten just how charming the animation of Lupin Zero is

[styrofauxm]

I don't think I really properly explained myself in my original post, because I do actually agree with you for the most part.

I don't think there is any inherent harm with just changing a character's identity in a fanwork.

But I don't think that's what's happening. If that's all it was, it would happen at a similar scale to any other queer identity with mainstream representation.

I know people say this happens with gay and lesbian characters as well (that's actually why I went with a different analogy). But I've tried to find examples where a fandom consistently, on a large scale, overwrite a gay or lesbian's character's identity. And I couldn't.

The only sexualities that consistently get changed for fanworks are straight, asexual, and aromantic.

Aspec people being seen as straight+ is a well documented phenomenon on Tumblr. So when something is only happening with aspec characters and straight characters, I don't see how you could avoid the connection.

Going back to my original analogy, I think people would be pissed at me for ignoring and/or modifying a trans character's canon identity for my own amusement. Because it's incredibly reminiscent of what happens to trans people in real life. So it would be a reasonable assumption that I, consciously or not, held transphobic beliefs. Similarly, nearly everything I've seen regarding changing an asexual and/or aromantic character's identity I've personally experienced, or people I know have. It is a reasonable assumption that someone saying and doing those things holds, consciously or not, aphobic beliefs.

Furthermore, not only are aspec identities the only ones changed, but they are also the only ones where people argue over them instead of just celebrating the queer rep. Even in relatively small fandoms, I've seen whole swaths people get unreasonably angry at the author (and other fans for some reason???) for "sinking their ship." I've literally never seen anyone a character is confirmed any other queer identity (besides once about a bisexual character).

In addition, fandoms are just not great for aspec people in general. I've had people get very angry at me and seen people get very angry at others for just headcanoning a character as aspec and/or not liking a ship. (@that-siege this is what I meant by "ruining our fun" - in retrospect this was super unclear in my post and I don't think a single person could have gotten it lmao).

All this together makes it clear to me that it's not a simple "people having fun," but rather a demonstration of unconscious aphobia within fandom spaces. If people were just having fun, there wouldn't be such a clear pattern.

Beyond all of that, I think it's kind of weird that so many people's first response to "I'm aspec and this makes me uncomfortable" is to argue with us that we shouldn't be uncomfortable. (this is not a dig at you, just a general comment on aspec character discourse). I think it would be a weird response to any marginalized group saying something makes them uncomfortable.

Now, that's not to say that everyone who changes an aspec character's identity is aphobic. That's obviously untrue.

It's also not to say that people should be barred from doing it, even if it is the product of bias. That would be silly. There are no fandom police, and there shouldn't be.

I don't have a nice conclusion to this. I tried to explain myself better. I probably still didn't in some parts. I'm happy to expand more as needed.

look. i'm sorry. really sorry for not just letting this die. but it bugs me. so suffer i guess.

If I saw a canonically trans character and said "well I prefer to write them as cis" people would be pissed at me, for good reason.

If I saw a canonical trans woman/man character and wrote them as a demigirl/boy and said "while the show just says she/he's trans, not that she's a trans woman" people would be pissed at me, also for good reason.

If a character was directly implied to be trans, and the creator confirmed later that they were meant to be trans, and I went "well it wasn't said explicitly in the show so it's not canon," people would be pissed at me, for good reason.

If the majority of a fandom did those things, we could collectively agree that the fandom is really transphobic.

You can sub this out for any queer identity with mainstream representation, and probably non-queer identities too.

So why is it considered acceptable to do these things to aspec characters?

Why are ships contrary to aspec identities the only ships against a character's canon queer identity that get popular?

Why are aspec people the only ones that get consistent ship discourse over our real identities?

Why are aspec people the only ones asked to sit back and take it?

Why is it on aspec people to not ruin allo people's fun in fandom, but allo people are allowed to ruin ours?

(The answer to all of the above is: aspec identities are viewed by other queer people as functionally straight and are treated as such)

[vapormaison]

Best of 2019 Vaporwave Release 1/4: Constant by Hotel Pools

There’s an argument present in more ideologically-possessed, Boston-Brahmin administered art history circles that goes something a little like this: for a work of art to be truly great, it must innovate. All other attempts ultimately function at best as imitation, objects d’art meant to be consumed, then disposed, forgotten. “Good art” must always be in a savage competition to experiment and challenge for these galaxy-brained individuals. I won’t expound on this theory too much as it could land me in some hot water with these very university art departments my day-job is occupied with consulting. I merely mention this to preface the review by stating that I’m fundamentally opposed to any totalizing view of art and it’s worth.

In short, looking at creativity in this way takes an axe to aesthetics in lieu of novelty. And while I I can find novelty intriguing, I cannot enjoy it without an accompanying aesthetic appeal. On the contrary, I can enjoy pure aesthetics without novelty. I can enjoy them a lot, in fact. And what we have in Hotel Pools is pure, unadulterated sonic aesthetic. 

Constant stays consistent — it doesn’t attempt to reinvent the wheel, and I say this as complimentary as one can — as it does what knows with aplomb. What it does, which surprisingly few vaporwave LP releases do nowadays, is provide a sonically sound and unapologetically focused LP that slaps from start to finish. From track one to track ten, we get strong, full, repayable compositions that string together a solid sonic narrative from beginning to end.

I’m never left questioning arrangement, as a quick test in tractor studio 3 confirms my suspicion that one could play each track in a live set and mix them seamlessly in sequence with minimum effort. We’re not just looking at a set of singles. What we have is a real LP crafted with a classic artisan’s eye. Again, it’s that attention to detail that makes this album so remarkable in its polished-ness. Each of these tracks is — to use a culinary analogy — a plate of magnificently cooked tapas plates that combine to create a sequentially perfect Manhattan brunch in a pricey, Hell’s Kitchen restaurant like Sevilla. They exist as great individual dishes and in a carefully curated sequence. And that must be enjoyed — and moreover, appreciated for what it is: great.  

PART 1: THE MUSIC

Accelerate gets the show on the road with a synth-heavy, late 80s analog sort of sonic space. Perhaps it even ventures into lo-fi. A timely drum loop does the work of progressing the track to more complex layers of added synths, which, coming over the really full midrange of my KEFs, did a lot to create a feeling of acceleration that’s only enhanced when you hear a purring engine and the sound of tires burning out on asphalt. It wouldn’t feel out of place somewhere in Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive, or a new-wave remake of Two Lane Blacktop.

Stardust transitions seamlessly from the closing snares of Accelerate and brings the album into a very well-trodden synthwave/futurewave arena. The layering of light percussions on each hook is done expertly, and Hotel Pools doesn’t let them sit for too long, allowing the synths to bear the weight of progression.

s o l o brings the energy of Stardust down a notch and opens by veering more onto the lo-fi end of the scale by presenting us with a sonic array that wouldn’t be out of place in an old IBM or AOL infomercial for the first half of the track — and then seems to pick up with the space, grace and pace of an Jaguar XJR of mid-90s vintage once we pass the minute mark. This peppy sonic landscape seems to exit as abruptly as it enters, however.

Flare does exactly what you’d expect it do sonically with its array of distortion-driven percussions and synths that seem to fade in and out in a procession that seems almost elegiac. This is probably the track that sounded the plainest in my digital listen. Luckily, vinyl adds just enough warmth into Flare to make it really sizzle. You get richer, fuller vibes from the low-end of the spectrum, and each percussion hit seems fuller and more robust — complimenting the synth array instead of seeming in opposition to it, bringing analog harmony where there is compression-fueled digital dissonance.

Vega is the most vibe-worthy of all the tracks. By building a very ambient soundspace and then developing it with a playful chord progression, we get something really unique. I’m tempted to use that phrase from the state of Rhode Island’s disastrous marketing campaign that made its appearance on the New York City metro in 2016: “cooler but warmer”. That phrase manages to capture the energy of Vega. It does very little to represent the moribund, decline-managed, means-tested myopic dystopia that calls itself Rhode Island.

Disconnect definitely feels the most “synthesized” in a synth heavy album, giving us a vintage array that would be very much at home in a sci-fi flick like THX 1138 or Videodrome. The song’s title is intriguing, because I didn’t detect much in the way in discordance or manipulation — this is more reminiscent of vapor-synth in its younger form — before the great proliferation of the genre that took place around 2014/5 or so. If anything, it’s more aptly titled re-connect, considering that it brings us back to a simpler era of the genre — and, at the risk of becoming political — our lives.

Melt exists in a formless state somewhere between mall-wave, synth-wave, and that traditional vapor sound. It is also another track I was initially rather cool on during my initial digital listen. But this is where I have to give a firm, firm, recommendation for the physical. Melt’s simultaneously playful but methodical sound sounds compressed to hell on Spotify, Youtube, etc. You get the full-breadth and depth of the piece with the vinyl in a way that goes beyond my capacity for expression. If you want to confirm for yourself, buy the album and enjoy the lossless. That’s near-on what you’re getting with the press.

Hover is a damn good composition — but in album with great pieces throughout, you have to like one the least. Hover is that for me. I think this may be because Hotel Pools gives us a really polished, layered composition from beginning to end — and while progression is not a necessity, for me, at this stage in the album — it is welcome. But as a penultimate piece, it still performs well.

Return closes on a strong note. With a smattering of blaring synths, lo-fi loops and light drum hit, we’re gently faded out of this record as the track glides along a well-planned denouement. The soft note it ends on actually gave me a sort-of ASMR experience — which while not my intent when going into a dedicated listen, is appreciated nonetheless!

PART 2: VINYL LISTENING EXPERIENCE

My previous experiences with Stratford Ct. built in a bit of bias going in. While their Cassette releases have always kept me satisfied and been kind to both my eyes and my aging deck, I had almost resolved to stop buying vinyls from them altogether. My “Strawberry Banana” edition of Fall ’18 was received brutally by my system. Tinny highs, unimpressive muddy lows. My first assumption is to never blame the release. I make every effort to readjust my equalization, switch speakers (to SX-50s, which reproduced even more of that sound profile, albeit with the bass even more diluted). I even brought the LP with me to flex on a friend and coerced him to run it on his Technics system — a SL-1200 (a DJ, obviously) run through a mid-fi rack of Black-Box gear from the early 90s accompanied by a pair of JBL studios (230s I believe) for what could approximate a real reference listen. They sounded marginally better there — but I still can’t say I was impressed enough for it to regularly feature in my regular listening lineup.

This difference can probably be chalked up to a difference in analog amp technology at the time: because the Japanese systems are brighter — where my amps designed by Dr. Matti Otala from the early 80s carry on that tradition of funky, 70s warmth in a lower TIM package. This naturally means that the 90s Japanese systems are going to clean up more imperfections on a press but provide a slightly less warm and comfy listening experience.

All that said, I’m perfectly willing to accept that I might own a dud, or an mis-press, who knows. This happens with vinyl — as contrary to hipster opinion, it’s not actually a precision medium. At a certain stage of audiophilia, you learn to accept it. I took that one on the chin. You have to with this hobby — given the low production runs.

This release, however, is solid. It comes through with energy and vigor in my system, with tracks like the heavily layered Vega, mid-melodic Melt, and the synths of Return gently guiding your exit from the sonic space built so masterfully by Hotel Pools. There is also a certain crispness to the vinyl which is reminiscent of some of the newer digital manufacture of coming out of china recently. The technological sounds of this profile actually gets just enough warmth from my system to make the whole project a joy to consume on vinyl hi-fi.

Whatever pressing or manufacture issues happened with my copy of Fall ’18 were not present here, and redeemed Stratford Ct. enough where I’ll definitely be picking up their vinyl releases in the future without hesitation. All in all, an impressive release from both artist and label.

[asianartscenterblog-blog]

Beginning A Martial Art

The primary and very last thing you need to remember about martial arts is that it is a discipline of discipline that's supposed to arrange you for combat. It's not simply a set of actions that look great to spectators. Each motion, each breath carried out by the martial artist is meant to accomplish something during a fight encounter. If you are ready for the idea of utilizing your martial arts expertise for fight conditions, then you are ready to train and progress in martial arts.

Inasmuch as the term "Martial Arts" literally means "the art of Mars" (Mars being the god of conflict in Roman mythology), try to be ready to invest in martial arts equipment to coach for extremely combative situations. Although some cultures frown upon girls collaborating in martial arts, there are different cultures that anticipate women to learn martial arts too - like in historic Japan, wives of samurai warriors were anticipated to defend the home if attacked within the absence of their husbands.

Martial arts may be subdivided as to what skills they appear to prioritize - this will inform you what forms of martial arts gear it's essential to use. For putting, you may need the "wood dummy" that is used as Chinese martial arts tools - this kind of Chinese language martial arts equipment tries to coach your thoughts to anticipate the place angles of assault would come from. For kicking sports activities like Taekwondo, the required martial arts gear to make use of can be a mouth-guard and a head-guard (for each female and male jins or fighters.)

Male jins want other martial arts tools like a crotch guard or sport cup in order that their groin just isn't uncovered to damage. Chest protectors are standard martial arts gear for novice matches and Olympic-level matches. However, in real life you must anticipate such protecting martial arts equipment to be absent so some sparring matches involve absence of any protecting gear, so that you get used to being in actual-life fight conditions.

Uniforms are standard martial arts equipment for nearly all martial arts these days. Usually, you can distinguish what sort of martial arts is being carried out primarily based on what the fighters are wearing. But uniforms usually are not simply nice to take a look at - since they are made from thick material, they're fairly durable in order that they can face up to constant strikes and friction during fight conditions. Uniforms these days are also product of breathable material like thick cotton so that fighters don't overheat or really feel too uncomfortable within the warmth of a match.

Since martial arts were developed for combat, typically fighters or martial artists is perhaps members of the military. Within the Western context then, it might be necessary to have entry to necessary martial arts equipment resembling strength coaching gear. Though up to now, the burden of your opponent might have been sufficient to workout with, these days many martial arts recognize that energy coaching is quite essential too. So if you'll find a method to buy your personal health club tools (as your funding into obligatory martial arts equipment) or no less than lease them by the hour, that would aid you develop power and power for your matches.

In lots of Chinese martial arts, there are other types of martial arts tools that Western martial arts don't require. Some Chinese disciplines would require you to break wooden blocks or planks with your fist. This straightforward but staple amongst Chinese martial arts gear checks your power, focus, and skill to marshal your chi (energy) into your fist the place it meets the wood. One other type of essential martial arts gear for the Chinese martial arts would be concrete blocks. Some instructors may ask you to interrupt these concrete blocks together with your fist, feet, or even your head.

As you possibly can see, the Chinese language martial arts require a distinct set of martial arts equipment compared to the Western type of martial arts. Do spend money on the kind of martial arts tools acceptable to your self-discipline. Martial arts tools will allow you to be a stronger, higher and extra confident fighter ultimately.

Those of us old enough will keep in mind trying to find a martial artwork membership was almost not possible. Many golf equipment educated in backstreet gyms and halls, had been often only a small group of friends. When you knew someone coaching already, it was straightforward to get in, if you didn't, nicely, it was just about not possible. Fast ahead to the early 70's. It was at this time that the 'Bruce Lee Phenomenon' hit the West. Enter The Dragon, a major Hollywood backed film, hit the silver screens. It was explosive, right here was a man who might do nearly magical things, at blistering speeds, and so, as a direct results of that movie, so was born the trendy age of martial arts within the West.

Clubs started to spring up in every single place, individuals flocked to be educated so that they might be like Bruce Lee! The reality of that was considerably harsher! Soon, could realised that to achieve even a fraction of Lee's means required years of painstaking practise!

The primary martial artwork to really explode because of Lee's film was Karate. With colleges already effectively established within the UK, they capitalised on the phenomenon by popping out of the again streets and into the college and church halls etc. Adverts sprang up, and all of a sudden, you might discover a membership to train at! Karate is probably one of the vital well known of all of the martial arts, with a rich historical past and tradition spanning centuries. And so Karate golf equipment started to increase, together with other martial artwork kinds, which started to realize curiosity from a Western tradition suddenly smitten with the lure of Eastern mysticism and legends.

Inevitably, this boom light, folks left because it was too hard, that to get wherever was a lifelong commitment, not something achieved in a matter of weeks or months, but years of exhausting graft. And so, golf equipment misplaced members, however to not the extreme ranges that they disappeared again into the dingy training halls of earlier years. Many thrived with a gradual enhance in college students, dropping others along the way, but retaining adequate to maintain going.

Then, as with the Bruce Lee films, along got here one other Hollywood Blockbuster that was to push martial arts again into the general public domain...Karate Kid. The film was easy, a younger lad being picked on by a group of Karate school bullies, boy comes throughout a Japanese janitor, who simply happens to be a grasp in Karate....

Mr Myagi. It was a wonderfully simplistic movie, where, I am sure we all bear in mind, the young lad, 'Daniel san' was taught the rudimentaries of Karate by washing a car! 'Wax on, wax off'.....marvelously clever analogy, from which he learnt every little thing he wanted to do Karate! Of course, it is not that simple in reality, but right here we had a movie, which spawned 2 sequels, that all of the sudden showed that training was not only onerous work, but could possibly be fun as effectively!

And, what this movie did that no different movie earlier than it had performed, it attracted Children to the martial arts! It was actually a catalyst within the meteoric rise of martial arts golf equipment across the world, with dad and mom dashing to enroll their children to study this glorious manner of looking after yourself, of learning respect and self-discipline, and making their youngsters better individuals for after they finally enter the world as Adults.

Karate was the principle benefactor of this growth, obviously I suppose given the film's title, however the knock on results had been felt proper across the assorted martial artwork kinds. Reputation rose through more movies, with stars reminiscent of Jackie Chan, who, along with his unique mix of undoubted skills and comedy, made Chinese language martial arts appear enjoyable to learn. And so there we have now it, a really transient historical past of the rise in recognition...However! Here we're in 2008, and regardless of all of the publicity, do you know which martial art is which? I hope the following provides you with some guidance:

Karate - Most likely one the most recognised. There are a number of kinds, which I can't elaborate an excessive amount of on right here, suffice to say that each does have it's differences, but each also has lots of the similar characteristics, specifically a focus on conventional etiquette, self-discipline and exhausting work. Karate (that means Empty Hand) is a very traditional martial art, where you'll certainly learn respect for others. The main styles are Shotokan, Wado Ryu, Goju Ryu, and Shitu Ryu, although there are an important many extra.

Karate has also change into one of the vital 'bastardised' styles. There are a terrific many schools and organisations whose Chief Instructors have studied most of the types, and have combined this data to develop their own programs. These Organisations have developed their own curriculums and grading syllabus. Essentially they are still Karate, and, with the best membership or organisation, you'll study an awesome deal about your self.

Taekwondo (or Tae Kwon Do) - This is a Korean martial artwork, 1000's of years outdated, however solely really becoming fashionable prior to now 20 or 30 years. The trendy idea of Taekwondo was developed by Normal Choi in Korea through the 1950's. Right now, there are two styles, ITF (International Taekwondo Federation) and WTF (World Taekwondo Federation). Both educate the same fundamental beliefs.

Taekwondo (which means the best way of hand and foot) is, predominantly, a martial artwork based around kicking methods. Very spectacular and effective strategies, but these learning Taekwondo will even learn beneficial hand methods, and self defense. ITF Taekwondo is far nearer to the unique concept of Common Choi. The WTF type has developed more right into a Sport, and is, actually, a recognised Olympic Sport. ITF sparring is semi contact, whereas, if you happen to fancy your chances, the WTF style concentrates on full contact.

Judo - Judo means 'The Light Method'. It's a very trendy artwork, and, actually, isn't actually a martial artwork, but a sport. Judo is, however, a very efficient self defense artwork, teaching you how one can put locks and holds on an opponent, and learn how to throw. There aren't any kicks or punches in Judo. A effectively established Olympic sport, it gives an alternative choice to more traditional 'combat' model martial arts.

Kung Fu - A Chinese language martial art. There are a whole bunch of kinds out there, the most popular as we speak being Wing Chun. Bruce Lee was a famous exponent of Kung Fu, but he additionally studied a lot of it is various kinds and developed his own Jeet Kune DO (JKD), a method of preventing that used actual life avenue conditions to develop an efficient method of attack and protection.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - That is the fastest growing martial artwork style in the world at the moment. Japanese Judo and Ju Jitsu masters exported their martial arts to Brazil across the 1940's and 50's, where it rapidly gained popularity. A Brazilian family, the Gracies, took this data and developed it into some of the efficient floor fighting systems recognized at present. Though much like Judo and Ju Jitsu, the Brazilian artwork concentrates rather more on getting your opponent into a submission by locks, holds and chokes. It's, to many, a much more realistic method for the road, where rules don't exist.

MMA - Not likely a martial artwork as such. MMA means 'Mixed Martial Arts'. It is origins are again Brazil, where it is called Vale Tudo. Right now, MMA, or perhaps you would realize it better as 'cage fighting' is a large sport, dominated by the UFC, Pleasure and Cage Rage. It has, for a lot of, change into a substitute for boxing. MMA is a 'no holds centerville martial arts barred' sport, whereby opponents can punch, kick, elbow, knee and wrestle each other into submission, or, get a knockout. Very explosive, and definitely not for the faint hearted! These in MMA will have additionally trained in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, as well as Karate, Taekwondo or different martial artwork style, hence the term Blended Martial Arts.

[drjacquescoulardeau]

Jacques Coulardeau & James Crittle at Amazon (26)

 AN UNTELLABLE STORY

A dramatic Confession

THE NINETEEN STATIONS OF SARAPHIC LOVE

 James Crittle, a famous pilot of the French Air Force, later turned university professor, on February 18, 2015, was found dead in full uniform Rue Montmartre in Paris. He had used some cyanide to put an end to his life. The French Air Force took over his funeral in Bordeaux, but Joseph and Magdalena Seth, two young people who had been his friends up to three years before when James Crittle stepped out of their life without any explanation, hearing the news on the radio decided to claim his body since he had no known direct relatives.

They are entrusted then with an important envelope addressed to them and that contains the manuscript of this “Untellable Story” and my name and contact. I had been James Crittle’s friend some fifty years earlier when I was going to the university and met him then. He had obviously kept track of me over these years.

I here try to give you his confession, since he calls it a confession, about his first twenty years in this life and I just try to put, as far as I can, this text into perspective with an introduction. Joseph and Magdalena Seth added a short conclusion. Most of the pictures and illustrations were in the initial envelope. We decided to use them, with some prudence though because some of the people on these pictures are totally unknown to us and they were not identified.

We also retained some documents from East Germany and the USA and his military papers, considering they had nothing to do with this “Untellable Story.”

 Jacques COULARDEAU

Olliergues, France

March 14, 2015

 Format : Format Kindle

Nombre de pages de l'édition imprimée : 201 pages

Utilisation simultanée de l'appareil : Illimité

Editeur : Editions La Dondaine; Édition : 1 (13 mars 2015)

Vendu par : Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.

Langue : Anglais

ASIN: B00UP4CX88

Synthèse vocale : Activée 

$ 8.51 - EUR 7,84

  EXCERPTS

Crucified Nightmare 1 to 12, + two poems inspired by Hildegard von Bingen [Kyrie Eleison (Coutras, Eglise Saint Jean Baptiste) & You need eternity (Bordeaux, Basilique Saint Seurin)]

Excerpted from An Untellable Story, a dramatic confession, The Nineteen Stations of Saraphic Love,

Amazon Kindle 13 mars 2015, in

Percutio N°9, 2015,

Bill Direen, ed., Editions de Titus, Dunedin, New  Zealand,

http://titus.co.nz, © october 2015,

Excerpt recorded at https://vimeo.com/138818370 or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc0YYG-yJQY&feature=em-upload_owner

by Jacques Coulardeau in 2015.

   AN OPINION

A certain 'Je ne sais quoi' — Percutio with JAAM

VAUGHAN RAPATAHANA

 Percutio http://alpha.books.online.fr./, (Latin — to pierce) is an interesting and important New Zealand-International hard-copy poetry magazine.                      

 It comes from the Deep South of Aotearoa-New Zealand, where it seems so many distinctive poets reign, but it resides in France. It comes out irregularly. It features a bewildering array of internationally-based contributors, ranging from 'conventional' poets through to off-the-wall experimentalists. For example, Jacques Coulardeau who, 'has contributed to Percutio almost since its inception. He is a very interesting outsider on the French 'scene'. He researches what he wants to, but has a strong interest in US politics and European music'. I - Rapatahana - can only wonder as regards the existential je ne sais quoi of an outsider in outsider France, home of Camus, who lent this title, of course, to Colin Wilson...such are the interesting personages found in this publication. Indeed, William Direen, head sherang at Percutio and a particularly interesting character himself, points out further about Jacques, 'He was recommended to me by Université Paris Dauphine, who saw in him a renegade academic, and could not find a place for him within existing structures'!

 Percutio is the brainchild of Direen. He writes, 'The magazine began when I realised that many of the people I visited when I was overseas were writing, and they were unpublished. They were often my friends and their writing was of a high standard. They were also constructively bridging cultures. Building bridges (poetic) rather than walls (polemic), and describing reality rather than blowing their own trumpets. That's where it came from.' For William there has always been a financial struggle to produce a finished product- 'It has been a passion and not a job.'

 He continues, 'You are probably aware that Percutio is not funded nor supported in any way by any national institution. It is registered as a periodical in France, and for the moment we have simply continued with that, editing, crediting , and giving writer bios in French...Significant French influence on NZ culture has gone largely undocumented...Percutio also published writing by German writers, and really, there is no editorial swing one way or the other. We also had articles on Sri Lanka and travel writing...'

 Even gaining distribution channels for the annual issue, has always been difficult, 'Until last year it was distributed in New Zealand by the time-honoured means of passing around contributor copies or copies purchased online. In France, however, people have been more supportive, with some support from individuals.' Reiterates William, '  It has never managed to recoup all the costs involved, but it is not a money-exercise. It is something I felt I had the qualifications to do, as an English graduate and experienced editor; I was in the ideal position to realise the project (travelling fairly often and meeting unpublished, often neglected, and marvellous, writers and artists). With a poetry magazine, someone has to foot the bill, but I have been pleasantly surprised each year by material assistance from unexpected quarters.'

 Direen continues in this surprised mode, 'This year, Atuanui Press/Titus Books in Auckland (chief practical collaborator and serious business partner for Percutio) have undertaken to present it to bookshops the length of NZ, and this has meant that it is, for the first time, being offered to people outside the circles of the contributors. i.e. the "book-buying public" (which is, of course, is its own information system with it own standards and industry ethics). I'm very happy about this.'

 He has quite definite views (about many things, actually) but most especially regarding poetry within his home country of Aotearoa-New Zealand, 'Published Novazelandian/Aotearoan poetry I have had the pleasure to read seems to me to have been strongly influenced by contemporaneous economic philosophies. I do think that more than ever NZ poets need affordable access to literature, and they have to be able to read it in places where they can think about the content. So printed books (or, eventually, fully evolved electronic books) should be available for sale or sharing, and libraries need to acquire works that may seem to defy market-driven logic. This is very important for poets in the most isolated country in the world. Literature frees the mind. The lack of it may stultify and turn us into economic slaves.' And to conclude, Direen states, 'What would I like to see? More of the good, and less of the terrible...Percutio does carry a lot of daring work, but , as mentioned, isn't that what poetry is? Isn't that what literature should be...too much poetry, particularly on the web, is really a nice layout on the page for ideas that might be better expressed in prose, and especially in journalism. In fact, for the most part, it IS prose.'

 I conclude this summary of this interesting poetry publication with work from Direen, himself also a well-known musician, including being in The Bilders with Brett Cross. It is an extract from a longer poem called 'Centre'. It is a reminiscence of Wellington, when Direen attended a course in Electronic Music run by Douglas Lilburn.

But recall light things ... Lilburn in The Glen ... cicadas, His studio an analog of the Garden.                                                 I saw him listening and heard Welcoming and thereafter Waves noise sense-syllabics inflected by natural context, Death, sun and leaf, growth and predation, And such desperate clausal anomalies as our verbal selves Our adventurous ones self-imperilled Purchasing disturbances Of optic and audio messaging paths.                                                                                                                             

Facebook page for Percutio, https://www.facebook.com/titusbooks

Link page to Percutio videos, https://vimeo.com/percutio

Link page to all contributors to Percutio – ever, http://alpha.books.online.fr/Percutio/html/PastContents.html

(NB. Direen believes that, 'I think this issue P2015 will be the last issue of Percutio...I doubt I will have the time or money to edit it next year...')

Cover photo credits are due to: David McKenzie - 2015; Catherine James - 2012; Nigel Bunn - 2008; Arno Loeffler - 2007. William Direen was happier to have these here, rather than his own visage.     

   ☼♀♂☼

  Percutio & The Nineteen Stations of Saraphic Love

https://www.academia.edu/17762827/Percutio_and_The_Nineteen_Stations_of_Saraphic_Love

  Abstract:

Parcutio It features a bewildering array of internationally-based contributors, ranging from 'conventional' poets through to off-the-wall experimentalists. For example, Jacques Coulardeau who, 'has contributed to Percutio almost since its inception. He is a very interesting outsider on the French 'scene'. He researches what he wants to, but has a strong interest in US politics and European music'. I - Rapatahana - can only wonder as regards the existential je ne sais quoi of an outsider in outsider France, home of Camus, who lent this title, of course, to Colin Wilson...such are the interesting personages found in this publication.

« James Crittle, a famous pilot of the French Air Force, later turned university professor, on February 18, 2015, was found dead in full uniform Rue Montmartre in Paris. He had used some cyanide to put an end to his life. The French Air Force took over his funeral in Bordeaux, but Joseph and Magdalena Seth, two young people who had been his friends up to three years before when James Crittle stepped out of their life without any explanation, hearing the news on the radio decided to claim his body since he had no known direct relatives.

They are entrusted then with an important envelope addressed to them and that contains the manuscript of this “Untellable Story” and my name and contact. I had been James Crittle’s friend some fifty years earlier when I was going to the university and met him then. He had obviously kept track of me over these years. . . »

  Research Interests:

History

, 

Algerian war

, 

Contemporary Poetry

, 

Hildegard von Bingen

, 

Post-Traumatic Growth

, 

Moses

, 

Early Childhood Development

, 

Heroes of War Orcs vs Knights

, and 

Moses and the Bronze Serpent

 ☼♀♂☼

[viralhottopics]

Nintendo Switch: hands-on with the world’s strangest games console

At a London launch, we got our first look at Nintendos hybrid gaming system, as well as playing Zelda, Splatoon 2 and more

Some are calling it Nintendos last chance. At least at manufacturing a games console. The creator of smash-hit machines since the original Nintendo Entertainment System in 1983 suffered an ignoble commercial failure with Wii U. Announced last year and revealed in full on Friday, the new Nintendo Switch machine has a lot to prove.

Its a typically idiosyncratic creation. Described as a hybrid system, it works as a traditional home console, plugging into your TV, but it can also be slid out of its dock and played on the go, via a built in screen. The concept is fascinating, merging the portable and home experiences into one product, but what about the practice?

On Friday afternoon, Nintendo held hands-on events in several cities around the world. Outside the Hammersmith Apollo in London, a long queue of lucky fans, media types and industry insiders waited patiently, many bleary-eyed from having stayed up until 4am watching Nintendos Switch console livestream from Tokyo. All were eager to get inside, away from the cold and towards Nintendos future. Heres what we discovered.

Hands-on with the machine

The Nintendo Switch games console. Photograph: Chesnot/Getty Images

Immediate first impressions. Its small. The central tablet-shaped unit is smaller than a Wii U GamePad and has the same size screen – 6.2 inches, which is smaller than an iPad Mini. The dock through which you connect the device to your television is just a little bulkier. The Joy-Con controllers, which can be connected to the sides of the Switch to turn it into a handheld console, are tiny. Wrap your fingers around them, perhaps for a motion-controlled game of boxing, and they almost feel like they could disappear. You might want to actually wear your wrist strap for these, and dont let your children run off with them or youll never find them again.

Still, with their curved edges and soft finish the Joy-Con are surprisingly comfortable in every possible configuration. The grip that turns a pair of Joy-Con into something that resembles a standard controller might look a bit silly – and canine – but it nestles snugly in the hand. It was difficult, however, to get a proper feel for the weight of both the grip and the handheld mode with Joy-Con attached to either side of the screen, because they were all attached to their stands with thick security cables.

Nintendo Switch in its box. Photograph: Nintendo

Because of the security measures, it wasnt possible to try much of the actual switching that gives the console its name, with one exception. When playing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, attendees could switch from television to handheld mode by removing the Switch from its dock, which proved to be almost instant, and back again, which took a second longer. Placing the Switch in its dock didnt seem to quite have the satisfactory click expected, but that might again be blamed on the thick cable throwing off the balance.

Attendees werent allowed to try attaching the Joy-Con to the grip or the Switch itself, but the different games around the room were set up to be played in different ways. In handheld mode, games were displayed at 60fps and 720p, which looks pretty good on a screen that small. Some games were set up with the Switch as the display and the controllers detached, and for those it was common to see players leaning in to see more closely. It works, but is best saved for when you cant use a television.

Importantly, while it wasnt usually possible to test physical switching from one mode to another, moving between games set up to be played in different ways felt natural. Those with experience with the likes of analog sticks and triggers should have no problems adapting to the feel of the different control methods.

Hands-on with the games

Here are the titles we got a chance to play.

Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Photograph: Nintendo

Given the popularity of this long-running adventure series, its unsurprising that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was the only game with a substantial queue. Many of the attendees had already played this demo at E3, but on a Wii U. The Switch version is largely similar, right down to the existence of Links Sheikah Slate, which was obviously meant to reflect the second-screen experience provided by the Wii U GamePad an experience you cant have on Switch because when its docked, the screen is not visible. You can of course undock your Switch and explore that beautiful world 720p but still lovely on the go, if only for up to three hours at a time.

1-2 Switch (Nintendo; launch title)

1-2 Switch. Photograph: Nintendo

The game that best showed off what the Joy-Con can do was 1-2-Switch, a collection of mini games designed to get players looking away from the screen and at each other. Each mini game on show was one-on-one competitive multiplayer, each player using a single Joy-Con to perform some action mimicking real life.

Quick Draw and Samurai Training use the accelerometer and gyro-sensors inside the controllers to test your reaction times, by respectively asking you to shoot your opponent or catch the sword they swing through your open hands. The latter also demonstrates the sturdiness of the Joy-Con, since you catch the sword by clapping the controller in your hand.

Ball Count and Safe Crack demonstrate the HD rumble technology in the devices that can make it feel like there are little balls rolling around inside the controller. Nintendo claimed that the rumble tech is so intricate it can even make the Joy-Con feel like a tumbler full of ice cubes. Its cool, but unlikely to be used to its full extent in many games.

But the 1-2-Switch mini game everyone was talking about was Milk, for which you hold the Joy-Con vertically, wrap your fingers around it, and move it up and down while applying rhythmic pressure to the top and bottom in turn. You know, to milk a cow. In the background, the screen shows a stylised view of a cows teats delivering the … product. Unsurprisingly, footage has already been a hit on social media.

These mini games are great the first time you try them, and would probably go down well at parties, just like the original Wii games did a decade ago, but the collection lacks the lasting appeal required to justify a purchase. Its a shame Nintendo hasnt chosen to bundle it in with the console, especially given the popularity of Wii Sports.

Snipperclips (Nintendo; March 2017)

Snipperclips. Photograph: Nintendo

Another game that caused a lot of buzz on the showroom floor was a cooperative 2D puzzle game that involves two shapes with feet and faces cutting chunks out of each other in order to create new shapes and solve challenges. Played in pairs with a Joy-Con each, Snipperclips fits well with the tendency players have to lean in when using the Switch on its kickstand as the display. Its unique mechanic feels very refreshing, and appropriate for a Nintendo console, but Snipperclips might not be as new as it seems. A very similar game called Friendshapes, from brothers Tom and Adam of SFB Games, was playable at EGXs Leftfield Collection back in 2015.

Arms (Nintendo; March 2017)

Arms. Photograph: Nintendo

Arms is reminiscent of the boxing game in Wii Sports, albeit with characters whose arms extend on springs and end in a variety of weapons. Hold two Joy-Con vertically and turned so that the buttons face inwards which is still comfortable but makes you grateful for the wrist strap and punch. You can also tilt the controllers to move, turn them inwards to shield, punch both at once to grab, press L and R to dash and jump, and press ZL or ZR to use a characters special move – heal while shielding, hover, teleport and so on. Theres plenty of strategy here, but just as boxing was the lesser played of the Wii Sports games because it required each player to have a nunchuck, Arms is likely to suffer from its need for two Joy-Con each, especially given their listed price of 75 a pair.

Splatoon 2 (Nintendo; summer 2017)

Splatoon 2. Photograph: Nintendo

Despite promises of a full sequel, Splatoon 2 feels very similar to the original, which will probably be just fine for those who racked up dozens or hundreds of hours and just want more of the same, or those who skipped the Wii U altogether and will experience it for the first time on Switch. The demo did include one new weapon, Splat Dualies, which let your squid shoot their coloured ink from both hands at once. Using motion controls in this case in handheld mode still feels gimmicky, fun at first but not ideal for fast-paced competitive play.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Nintendo; 28 April)

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Photograph: Nintendo

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe isnt pretending to be anything more than an upgraded version of Mario Kart 8, which will suit both those who want to bring that experience with them when they upgrade from Wii U to Switch, and those whove never played the game before. Changes include the introduction of a battle mode, some new characters including ones from Splatoon, and an optional smart steering feature that keeps players on the track.

But the biggest Switch-specific feature, of course, is the ability to play in many different ways. At the event, attendees could play eight-player local multiplayer in handheld mode, with the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller in television mode, or with the Switch on its kickstand and two players each using one Joy-Con in a tiny steering wheel. Any way you play it, Mario Kart 8 is still great.

Fast RMX (Shinen; March 2017)

Fast RMX. Photograph: Nintendo

This colourful futuristic racer looked great in 1080p and 60fps on the television mode, but it would have been good to test out how it plays in handheld mode, whether you can still play two-player splitscreen and if that causes the frame-rate to drop. Still, with little more to worry about than staying on the track and switching your anti-gravity vehicles colour in time to catch boost strips, Fast RMX is good simple fun.

And the rest

Sonic Mania. Photograph: Sega

Sonic Mania (Sega; Spring 2017) was described as a homage to Sonic. Its neither a new game nor strictly a reboot. The demo was the first level of the original Sonic but with added Tails and dash ability, and a different boss encounter at the end.

Skylanders Imaginators (Toys for Bob; Activision; 3 March) was demonstrated the NFC, with players bringing Skylanders into the game by tapping them against the right Joy-Con. It works well, but feels less magical than placing them on a solid pedestal.

Super Bomberman R (Konami; 3 March) was also played with two players with a Joy-Con each, leaning into the Switch on its kickstand. This setup seems to work well for retro-type games, and well probably see more come to Switch.

Just Dance 2017 (Ubisoft; 3 March) also worked well with each player holding just one Joy-Con, their small size and light weight an advantage for those who want to forget theyre holding a controller at all.

A Nintendo Switch launch event. Photograph: Chesnot/Getty Images

Our verdict

As its name suggests, the main selling point of the Switch is the ability to play it in all sorts of different configurations. Though it was disappointing not to be allowed to try many of these actions at the event, most of the configurations were available and proved viable even if they sacrificed some resolution or power or in the case of leaning in to better see the Switch on its kickstand comfort. The question is whether people will see these options as reason enough to buy.

If were going to question the necessity of certain features, when will we see why the Switch needed a capacitive touch screen? What games will make the HD rumble worth whatever extra cost it added to the expensive Joy-Con controllers? Without having 1-2-Switch bundled in with every console, will players care about the motion controls and will developers bother to create more games that use them? Will there be enough online content to justify paying a monthly subscription after the free introductory period ends?

Of course, you could just see these features as a bonus to a console that looks and feels great, but then the selling point has to be the games. As far as launch titles go the Switch is lacking, but then the hardcore fans wholl buy the console on day one will likely be satisfied with just the huge open-world Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. And for those who wait for Christmas therell be lots more to choose from, supposedly including a new open-world Mario game in Super Mario Odyssey.

As for third-party developers, word on the show floor was that the Switch is far easier to develop for than the Wii U, which could translate to better third-party support. Given the architecture is apparently similar to the latest Sony and Microsoft machines, it should at least be easier for developers to port across their PS4 and Xbox One games to bulk out the Switch library. Whether they do this or not will depend on whether the console shows signs of success. Low initial sales can quickly cause a vicious cycle in which publishers withdraw support and further lower a consoles chances.

This was a fun event, filled with familiar Nintendo experiences, but doubts remain. Given what happened with the Wii U, heres hoping Nintendo can switch things up.

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from Nintendo Switch: hands-on with the world’s strangest games console