#sufficient knowledge of games to be able to know more than like. ellie from the last of us so u can recognize in the tags

[miawinters]

hiii, would anyone be interested in helping to post at all and joining the blog lgbtvideogames perhaps to keep it a bit more active🤔

[tongkachiunit04]

UCAS Personal Statement Draft

Now more than ever, Gaming technology is rapidly developing, teenagers have easier access to games. Gaming has been an important part in my teenage years, ever since I discovered my interests towards animation and digital drawing, especially towards the game art industry became the major career that I am targeting.

I have more than enough experiences in 3D modelling, animating with Blender, and most Adobe Creative Collections in the course for Lv3 Ext Diploma in Graphic Design, which I am currently studying. I am confident that by the time I finish the course, I will have sufficient knowledge and skills to take part in different tasks and projects at good quality. Before taking this course, I discovered my talent and interest in digital design and 3D modelling by watching Youtube tutorials for Blender, while I was studying science-related A-level subjects. I was able to get my hands on sorts of different techniques in digital art with fewer time spent than others in terms of self-learning, and more on developing and enhancing my skills. I can feel a stronger connection towards this digital art industry than any other careers that I thought I would be, with my talent giving me a great sense of achievement. 

During my time creating game content and animations, I have self-taught lots of the digital drawing techniques on different media, for instance, Blender and Clip Studio, by watching tutorials and exploring techniques on the internet. At first, I found out the skills required are very technical and the specific skill level range is huge for both 2D and 3D arts; In the beginning, it took me a while to know about making meshes and there were lots of mistakes with the vertices and the polys, and start drawing from fine arts to digital art are a step up for everything. But after more practice and trials, I started building up more passion and confidence when I made fewer mistakes compared to that in the beginning.

 Being able to make good judgement and decision are the key aspect of this industry, I have taken part in different work experiences, for example, in a company program on Woman’s Rights, I have given lots of visual ideas in our team for redesigning the format of visualising the book into a more pleasing animated result and the clients from the company adored it. I was also recommended to a new Chinese company by a friend from Canada to redesign their logo by using Illustrator and Photoshop. I feel excited whenever my clients praise my ideas, even though the restrictive guidelines make the job more challenging, it took me more than 2 weeks to produce a perfect result for my client, but I’m still enjoying the progress of communicating with them and the process while doing the work.

Last year my Diploma course gave me a good shot at being a group leader of my idea for my horror-themed group project called Morkit. The leadership experience gives a better understanding of how crucial group work management is, especially when it involves working in a busy industry. I learnt how to study my team’s weaknesses and strengths and take advantage of different teammate's skills so they can work in a zone where they are capable of producing the best piece and reduce the amount of stress from either my teammates and I. 

In the future, I aspire to be Senior Game Artist for games companies like Capcom, Mihoyo or Riot Games. I’m well organised with the work I have been doing, I have a positive and hard-working attitude to work and also to motivate other people in their work, while helping them with ideas or with the skills they need. I am looking forward to expanding my area of skills with both quality and quantity of new skills while working on more projects and companies. I believe my strong work ethic and dedication to working and helping others in a team will make me a strong candidate, especially when teamwork and passion is such a crucial value in the animation and game art industry.

Feedback from Elli:

You need to explain your technical skills further, as you focus too much on the 3D modelling. Since you are applying for game art and animation you should talk about skills related to these. I am not sure why you want to study this yet. You have a lot of words that don’t say a lot. Some things are repeated. The person reading this needs to get a sense of who you are, I don’t get that yet. Remember, you are selling yourself to the Uni, you should be using very positive language.

[lionesslair77]

Self Sufficiency Blog Post #3

I’m back with part 3 in my self sufficiency blog series! This post will cover hunting as a means to procure your own meat or fish.

Disclaimer: I live in the United States, so the guidelines/laws that will be discussed in this post relate to hunting/fishing in the US. That being said, each state regulates their own wildlife resources. I will be relating to the laws that govern wild game resources in my state, you will need to contact your state’s department of Fish and Game to make sure you understand the rules and regulations regarding purchasing tags, hunter safety, harvest season dates etc. In every state YOU are responsible for knowing all hunting regulations, season dates, and public land access dates. Your state game wardens will not accept “I didn’t know” as an excuse, and violators of such laws can receive fines, lose their hunting privileges, or face jail time.

Before you can begin hunting wild game you must complete a hunter safety course taught by your state’s fish and game service. Once you have completed your hunter safety you are eligible to apply for and purchase tags to hunt wild game. Visit your state’s fish and game service in person at one of their offices or online to learn about the costs associated with all licenses and tags. All season dates, bag limits, and other important information will be listed online, or available in print at their office.

Hunting is not as simple as picking up a rifle or bow and heading out to the woods. Make sure you select the appropriate rifle and ammo type for the species you plan to hunt. Or if you chose to bow hunt, the appropriate arrow tip, and have a bow that will reach the recommended draw weight to humanely harvest a species. Most importantly hit the range in the off season! You want to be sighted in on your fire arm, or bow long before the hunting season starts to ensure you can quickly and humanely harvest your chosen game. If you are unfamiliar with firearms or bows and would like to learn, buddy up with someone you know who already hunts to teach you proper handling, safety and maintenance. If you do not know anyone, many firearms or archery dealers will offer classes you can take to learn. Many Fish and Game departments also offer classes geared towards new hunters that will go into detail on firearm/ bow use, and hunting tactics for different species.

Terminology you need to familiarize yourself with:

Game: any wild animal that can be hunted for meat/fur resources managed by your state.

Big Game: Large ungulates such as deer, elk, moose, etc.

Small Game: Small mammals and birds such as pheasants, grouse, quail, rabbits, squirrels etc.

Tag: License to harvest a specific species during a specific season date dictated by your state’s fish and game department.

Bag Limit: Specific number of a small game species you are allowed to harvest of each sex each day during the hunting season, and posses in aggregate. For example: Pheasants- bag limit 5 per day, no more than 3 may be hens, and no more than 12 in possession.

GMU or Game Management Unit: Most states are divided into a number of GMUs, to better monitor the game populations and regulate the number of hunters in each area. Before purchasing any big game tag, make sure you have thoroughly researched, scouted, and found public/private access to your chosen GMU.

Now that you are legally eligible to hunt you will need to decide which game species you wish to pursue and make sure you apply for the correct tags. In the state I reside in, tags are typically drawn in March/April for the fall big game season. You submit your requested game species, along with specific GMUs, generally they allow you to pick your top 3 choices, and your name is put in a lottery. The lottery, or draw is conducted in late spring and results are sent out in early summer. You may or may not receive the tags you applied for depending on the GMU and species, or you may receive your 2nd or 3rd choices. This process may vary greatly depending on your state of residence. Tags for non big game animals such as waterfowl, small game birds/mammals, or fur bearers do not require a draw and can be purchased over the counter from most outdoor retailers or the state’s fish and game office.

You have your tag and you know what species you plan to hunt now you must research and scout the area you plan to hunt, and acquire some important gear. Purchase detailed maps of the area you plan to hunt, you can also use specific models of Garmin GPS equipped with the “goHunt” app which provides an extremely detailed map of your entire states GMUs, including public/private land, fences, trails, roads etc. The next most valuable tool in your pack should be a set of quality binoculars. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars, but make sure you have a set of binos you feel comfortable with, and provide you with a clear view, recommended magnifications are 8X12, and 10X12. You will spend hours scanning ridge lines, waterways, fields, and meadows for game and game sign. It should go without saying that you will also need appropriate clothing for hunting in the fall/winter months when almost all states set their hunting seasons. Plan for a variety of weather conditions expected at this time of year, also take into consideration what altitude you will be hunting at. If you plan to hunt waterfowl or turkeys, you will need to acquire and learn how to use game calls, and decoys. Waterfowl and turkey hunting tactics are more of a sit and wait style of hunting, trying to draw the animals in close to you. Where in most Western states, big game hunting will require you to go out and pursue your quarry. While my hunting knowledge mostly applies to hunting in the Western US, I know that throughout the east and midwest, tree-stands are widely used to hunt white tail deer. I cannot speak much on tree-stand hunting, and would recommend anyone who plans to pursue whitetail to talk to someone who actively hunts whitetail deer.

It is an extremely good idea to scout the GMU you will be hunting well in advance of the hunting season. This way you can mark on your map areas you find game trails, lots of game sign, water sources, and areas with quality forage. These will be areas you will want to revisit come hunting season. Another factor to consider is access. In the Western US where my husband and I hunt, we are lucky to have access to millions of acres of public land. This land is owned by all US citizens, it is for us to use and care for as a state and national resource. The National Forest Service, Bureau of Land Mangement, Division of Wildlife, and State Trust Lands are all different public land governing agents that control public lands across the US. Technically this would also include the National Parks land, however none of the National Parks allow hunting (except for Wrangell-St Ellis in Alaska). This land offers access to the public for hunting and recreation purposes.  Make sure hunting is legal in the area you plan to hunt, and that you will be able to access it during the hunting season. Be sure you have a clear understanding of where the boundaries of your GMU are, and that you know where the public land ends and private land begins. If you plan to hunt on private land, you must secure permission for using the land for the purpose of hunting during your season dates. Many ranchers are intolerant of trespassing, and can prosecute you for trespassing on their land. Always know where you are at all times!

Research, research, research! Study the game species you plan to hunt. Learn their behavior patterns, their seasonal patterns, their favorite foods during different seasons, times of day they are and aren’t active or moving, and if they migrate. This will help you map and plan different areas of to focus your hunt on. Reach out to other hunters, especially if you are new to hunting. Get yourself in shape! Hunting in Western states is physically intensive, you will need to be prepared to hike upwards of 8 miles per day or more in search of big game while packing your gear. Make sure you have proper footwear, and that you’ve worn that footwear out hiking many times prior to the start of you hunt. Do everything you can to make  your trip easier on yourself and your body. if you plan to camp in the backcountry you will also need to pack food, backpacking tent, proper sleeping bag etc.

Remember you may not be successful, and that’s OK. The more time you dedicate to research, scouting, and mapping the more likely you are to be successful, but always remember you are after wild animals. These game animals are prey animals to many other predators, they live their lives being hunted year round by things like bears, coyotes, and mountain lions. They can easily outsmart, or outrun you. Always pay attention to the direction of the wind, the sound of your footfalls, noise your clothing makes,and take care not to expose your position on a ridge line. Be patient, utilize your binoculars, and do not get discouraged if you aren’t finding the game or sign you hoped for. My husband has been actively hunting his whole life, and rarely does he harvest every animal he draws tags and pursues. This year he only harvest a black bear, and was not successful in taking a mule deer or elk. All sorts of things can affect your hunt outside of your control, such as weather patterns, other recreation activities in the area (such as ATVs, hikers, or mountain bikers), and access closures.

Now if you are successful in your harvest all your hard work and dedication will have paid off. If you have taken an accurate shot you will now have 90+lbs of meat(depending on species harvested, white tail does are quite small, but a bull elk can yield 300+lbs of meat) for your freezer! The work really begins now!  Make sure you follow yours state’s fish and game laws regarding tagging, reporting, or getting your game inspected. You will need to carefully skin the hide from the meat, remove excess fat, and quarter the limbs to make hauling out your animal easier. Many large hunting retailers sell game meat bags to make storing your meat safer and cleaner. Using sharp butchering/processing knives will make the job easier too. For small game animals if you want to keep your birds whole for cooking you will need to pluck them and gut them, many books and online tutorials are available, an their area variety of methods. If you are to be an ethical hunter it is your responsibility to make sure you harvest all edible meat from the animal you kill. First and foremost take extra care while gutting and removing the hide/feathers to ensure the meat stays clean, and safe for human consumption. Almost all of the animal can be used in some way, I have seen many hunters leave hides, and other edible parts of animals in the field. You can eat the heart and liver, there are many easy and tasty recipes for these organs, so do not waste them. Even if you yourself do not plan to use the hide, you may be able to find someone who will want it in advance.

Once you have gotten your quarters home you have two options for getting the meat into cuts just like you would find in your local grocery store. Option one is to take your meat to a licensed game processor, they will clean, cut, and package your meat into steaks, burger meat, roasts, and some even will make sausage for you. Fees for game processing range form $100-$300 per animal in my state, but may very where you live. Option two is learn which muscles make which cuts of meat and cut and package the meat yourself. In order to make sure you meat lasts a year or two you’ll want to first wrap it in plastic wrap, then wrap it in freezer paper. Once its packaged its ready to store in your freezer and will be safe to eat throughout the year, I’ve even seen meat last two years. For small game and waterfowl using a FoodSaver vacuum sealing device will help preserve the meat for freezing. You can also use the double wrap in plastic/freezer paper method.

If you take the leap and decide to start living off of wild game meat, make sure to pay attention to public land use issues in your state. Many states sell off large areas of public land to corporations or the wealthy elite. This is land we will most likely never get back. Without public land, my husband and I would not have meat or be able to go out and pursue game. Be involved and be a voice for keeping public land access open to hunters/anglers in your state! Organizations like Back Country Hunters and Anglers, The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundations, and many state by state groups who have organized to help keep public access open.