#theres no nuance theres no complexity theres no FLAVOR

[arson-09]

the average acotar fans r so boring. like wdym you have no concept of media literacy or complex characters. Why does everything have to be spelled out for you? I have never seen such a flat and lowkey boring male character receive so much love (rhysand) when he does the bare minimum and also. SUCKS.

[kaleidoscopicbullettrain]

dont read the other rb tags on this if you dont want to have the game spoiled, but if youre not playing the game and getting the full picture, idk how its appropriate to describe it as "bleak / harrowing / no truly good outcome to be had." 

its nuanced, complex, and theres a lot of bright, shining moments that are silly and fun and you get to choose to be that source of silliness. both as the character and the player, you have the reigns to see the goodness in something or someone, or simply be the source of levity that otherwise might feel absent. 

like, if its themes are heavy, yeah its not gonna be the flavor for everyone, and theres nothing wrong with that. its okay to not like something, but still understand that its not inherently unfun.

i really hope this doesn't come off mean or anything but idk how else to ask it: what makes disco elysium FUN? like, from what i've seen of it being discussed seriously the story seems to he rathrr bleak and harrowing, without a truly good outcome to be had. and that's not a bad thing! but for a game that seems rather narrative driven, it makes me wonder where the enjoyment lies. is it in the depth of the storytelling? is it an intellectual enjoyment, learning how to navigate through the senarios in different ways? is being put into a hopeless situation with seemingly ni right answers the point of the game and i'm just the wrong audience?

I mean like. Do you think a sad story isn't worth telling? If a book doesn't have a happy ending is it not worth reading? Not that I think DE is "sad" or even that it "doesn't have a happy ending" because I think those are very simplistic descriptions of a complex and nuanced game but like. It's fun because the story is engaging, the characters are interesting and you care about them, the story and world is rich and it's fun unpack and discover more about it. And it's also fun to solve a murder mystery, etc etc. I definitely wouldn't recommend it to everyone because if you don't like games with a lot of reading then it's probably not for you, but like. I don't understand the perspective that narrative games with bleak storylines/unhappy endings can't be fun. I just don't see how those two things correlate, from my perspective.

[clannfearrunt]

btw, any update on shiver's japanese personal pronouns now that the full game is out? theres a tweet going around saying she uses both uchi and onore and that it's a feminine+masculine combo, i wanted to double check and see if that is actually the case or if onore is a common pronoun for women to use? people are getting really militant abt this for no reason (unsurprisingly)

I think I've seen that tweet, yeah, and it's wrong.

So to start this off so everyone knows what’s up: I’m a native Japanese speaker, and I’m nonbinary myself. I’m approaching this topic as someone who WOULD LOVE to have canon, intended, Cisn’t rep here.

However, the situation in regards to Shiver is just a misunderstanding of the... complexities and nuance (?) that comes with the myriad of ways people can refer to themself in Japanese, and there’s actually nothing being censored by NoA when they confirmed that she is intended to be female. As of me writing this (September 17th 2022), there has been no content in the Japanese dialogue that ever suggests that Shiver might be intended to be nonbinary or otherwise some flavor of Not Female.

Before I even get into pronouns I gotta point out that her Japanese name is Fuuka, which is a regular ass girl's name in real life (albeit it's also being used as a shark pun). I think that if they were going to put a canon nonbinary character in Splatoon they're going to be more obvious about it.

Anyhow, with regards to The Question: the instance that Shiver uses "onore" is actually in the Rock Paper Scissors splatfest dialogue, right here:

おのれの魂をコブシに宿し、天につき出すその姿... 勝者のポーズゆうたらコレや！

I always have a hard time doing my own translations because my brain gets caught up on a million different things, but one way I'd write this to try to get across how she's using "onore" as is this:

"Placing one’s soul into one’s fist, raising it towards the heavens... That's the pose of victory!"

It's true that "Onore" has seen some historical use as a personal pronoun, but it's an archaic kind of usage in standard Japanese. It's not actually necessarily masculine either. Now, it does still see relatively common usage in various dialects in western regions, but mostly in the second person. I don't think I've ever heard "Onore" being used as a personal pronoun in the way you'd use stuff like "Watashi" or "Boku" (which is the kind of usage it's being confused with in that tweet) these days, even when writing fictional character dialogue.

That's irrelevant here, however, because that's not how it's being used here! It's being used to refer to a generalized "self" for theatrical effect, and not even as a personal identifier really. I'd say in this case a similar comparison in English would be "oneself" - kinda formal, depending on how you use it it might also be including the speaker, but not explicitly Just The Speaker. Does that make sense?

The like... connotations and perceptions surrounding how one chooses to refer to themself in Japanese is really complicated and context dependent and I DO understand how it might be easy to get confused! I can also see how people learning Japanese as a second language might have extra trouble with Shiver's dialogue in general since she speaks in the Kyoto dialect instead of standard Japanese. Shit's hard! Anyways unfortunately this has been once again a misunderstanding sorry everyone. We can do other things in headcanons, but we can't be going after people or the translators for this.

...

On the subject of personal pronouns though FRYE uses "washi" which has been fun because that is not something typically used by young people! In dialects where it's still common for young people to use "Washi", it tends to be more commonly used by guys, but the more common association is with Old People. Frye in general just speaks like a stereotypical Old Person though I love her she's great. Where's the fucking Frye crowd at

[wineanddinosaur]

Aperitivo Hour: 7 Excellent Campari Alternatives for Your Next Negroni

“We see from history that Campari and sweet vermouth are really good friends,” Sother Teague, beverage director at Amor y Amargo in NYC, says. You’ll find them mixed together in equal parts in the classic Milanese aperitivo, Milano-Torino. And if you introduce seltzer to the equation, you’ve got a spritzy Americano.

The most famous Campari cocktail, however, is the Negroni, made with equal parts Campari, sweet vermouth, and gin.

The ratio makes the century-old mix one of the world’s simplest cocktails to prepare. Its rich and complex flavor profile, meanwhile, makes the Negroni a favorite among cocktails enthusiasts and bartenders alike. Some might adjust proportions, and others argue over which gin and sweet vermouth to use, but one thing’s almost always a given: Campari is the red bitter of choice.

“It’s the most popular, the most recognizable, and, for most people, the reference point,” says Naren Young, creative director and bartender at New York’s Dante, of Campari’s dominance. The world-renowned bar boasts a dedicated Negroni menu, and even serves Negroni on tap.

Campari will “probably be the king of red bitters forever,” Young says; and yet the growing number of red bitter brands available in the U.S. shows just how the category has grown. There’s absolutely no problem, he says, discovering new and interesting variations on the drink.

So where, exactly, should we turn for crimson red, bitter-orange-flavored substitutes?

“There’s no wrong answer,” Teague says, (“Except for the guys at Campari, that is.”)

We asked Young and Teague to share a few of their favorite Campari substitutes so that you’re in good shape the next time cherry-red supplies run low.

Cappelletti Aperitivo Americano Rosso

Bitter, sweet, herbal Cappelletti looks like Campari, but, unlike the category leader, this Italian aperitivo is made with a wine base. Its fruity flavors are lighter and sweeter than Campari, so we recommend mixing with drier red vermouth and less juniper-forward gins, like Hendricks or Bluecoat. Alternatively, sip it alone over ice. Average price: $20.

Contratto Bitter

Contratto has a strikingly beautiful bottle and bright red hue, which comes from 100-percent natural carrot and red beet extracts. Made from an Italian brandy base, this aperitivo’s botanical aromas will appeal to Campari fans, while its muted bitterness will lure in those who traditionally prefer Aperol. Mixed with gin and sweet vermouth, Contratto serves up a rich, nuanced Negroni. Average price: $25.

Leopold Bros. Aperitivo

When Denver-based Leopold Bros. launched its Aperitivo in 2015, it provided us with our favorite domestic Campari alternative. This liqueur complements gin and sweet vermouth so well, it almost feels like it was custom-designed with Negronis in mind. Less sweet than Campari, with attractive grapefruit peel and red fruit flavors, this is a well-balanced aperitivo with a lasting dry finish. Average price: $33.

Luxardo Bitter

Cocktail enthusiasts will no doubt be familiar with Luxardo’s tall, straw-covered bottles of Maraschino liqueur. U.K. millennials, on the other hand (like this writer), might closer associate the brand with sambuca shots and bad decisions. But Luxardo’s Bitter earns the brand inclusion in the Campari-alternative conversation. The strongly flavored, bitter-orange, rhubarb, marjoram, and thyme liqueur is robust enough to handle juniper-heavy gins and sweet, viscous vermouths. Luxardo also makes a Bitter Bianco for those who prefer a White Negroni. Average price: $23.

Meletti 1870

From Marches, Italy comes Meletti 1870. It’s a traditional Italian aperitivo, blending sweet orange, bitter orange, and spice and herb distillates with pure spirit. The result is a slightly bitter, refreshing liqueur. In Italy, drinkers traditionally prefer 1870 as part of an Americano, but its bittersweet citrus notes and complex, spiced finish also make it ideal in a Negroni. Average price: $23.

Martini & Rossi Riserva Speciale Bitter Liqueur

When talking about Negronis, mention Martini & Rossi, and most will think you’re debating which vermouth to include. But the iconic Italian brand also offers a crimson-colored, intensely flavored aperitivo. Infused with cinchona bark (which you might recognize from its inclusion in tonic water), this is one for fans of extremely dry, bitter Negronis. Average price: $20.

Tempus Fugit Gran Classico

Gran Classico originally hails from Turin, but, in 1925, its recipe was sold to Swiss distiller Tempus Fugit. Its gold-amber color means the liqueur doesn’t look like a Campari alternative, but its recipe, which contains 25 herbs and roots, capably delivers the flavors required to stand up in a Negroni. Sipped alone, or with gin and sweet vermouth, Gran Classico offers a lasting, complex finish, dominated by rhubarb, burnt orange peel, and gentian. Average price: $38.

The post Aperitivo Hour: 7 Excellent Campari Alternatives for Your Next Negroni appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/7-best-campari-alternatives-negroni/

[tiredrobin]

@avimaka hi, to preface im so so so sorry for how long this is. i love to talk so much, and i implore u to ignore this if ur like "what the hell calm down" HFHSDFHSDFHSD

nods. and thats, like, normal! for literally any fandom! theres always gonna be character interpretations that just dont Jive, but in a lot of cases im personally generally somewhat capable of putting that aside and still finding value and enjoyment in works with characterizations that dont necessarily fit My Vision. theres always some new angle to look at things, which is a nice experience, and even if i decide that the fic im reading has nothing to offer me beyond distaste, at Least its managed to help me better Understand Myself and my thoughts and feelings on the character in question

except, somehow, that isn't how it works with six!!! i get So Upset in a way that is distinctly silly and unproductive whenever an interpretation feels inaccurate, ESPECIALLY when i feel like the author is… glossing her over? i guess? she's a weird, awkward kid who does Weird Things like snap mannequin/prosthetic fingers out of place for apparently no visible reason and warm herself in front of a furnace fire someones being roasted in. (and like. i personally feel like she acts weird that whole chapter in a way that to me implies discomfort/stress, either due to general fear or what could be a particular trauma-based response. all of this takes place literally immediately after getting kidnapped by the bullies and rescued by mono!!! but its still Weird, shes still a little weirdo, and it bothers me so much when people reduce her weirdness to, like… "gremlin energy" or whatever. idk.*)

she clearly has a rich internal life, and we literally only see what she gives us. and a lot of what ive made brief contact with tends to feel weirdly reductive of that. add on to the desire to, like… idk, make her more Appealing? i guess? her actions are reduced as well into something easier to sympathize with. which is not in itself A Bad Thing or even Actually Reductive, because most people are sympathetic because most people are just doing their best. i am a firm loud Six Defender for Life and i think all her decisions have reason (MAYBE not Active Reasoning on her part, but at Least reactive-type reason) behind them, reasons i understand and will shout from the rooftops in order to add to my defense of her; and taken in that light, with those reasons, its a very simple matter to find her sympathetic. but what i've seen seems to either paint her in a distinct… uhm.

okay, so the issue is a little more complex than i can (or should) try to get into this post/reply-that-im-using-as-an-excuse-to-ramble. really what's happening—what all this nonsense im spouting sums up to—is that i have my own extremely particular concept of who she is (a traumatized nine year old with symptoms that arent pretty and look weird, all in my own particular flavor of understanding), and im not actually making room for other interpretations. i am so set into my personal nuance of her, nuance that literally no one can Perfectly Replicate because its nuance born of my own interpretation (an interpretation which is not The Only Right One, no matter what my brain insists), and then im getting Upset when the things i read dont hit all the beats i expect.

so ACTUALLY what im saying is that i keep throwing hissy fits (internal) over Perceived Slights against her character. my annoyance is unfair and in some cases obviously misplaced: most interpretations have value, even if i cant see it. people who write her as a gremlin-y kid have merit, and people who treat her like she's older (as in, knowing she's nine but writing her with the internal life of an older child) and should—but refuses to—have a stronger moral compass are Obviously acknowledging the themes of the story itself and channeling that thru her, even if it feels ultimately unkind to her. all these angles—and even the angles that outright change her decision to drop mono (which i really cannot jive with At All)—have merit and value but i'm over here holding a big sign that reads BUT IS IT WHAT I WANT???? as if thats the Only thing that matters. its NOT, but im acting as if it is

so ACTUALLY what im REALLY saying is i cant read little nightmares fanfiction because im being a huge nerd doofus about six. thank u for listening and im so sorry to subject u to this rant

—

*not to say she DOESNT have gremlin energy, its just that when people define her personality around that single aspect of herself it just feels frustrating and demeaning of her character and the story as a whole

worst thing on the planet is i cant actually read little nightmares fic because in my mostly isolated fixation space ive reached my own sort of conclusions and headcanons that im so invested in and firm about that anything i try to read has me going "but do you understand the layers of nuance to six" like cups my cheeks. "its fanfiction not an essay and the authors opinions are secondary to the actual contents and messages of their works" i tell myself, but my brain screams BUT ARE THEY NORMAL ABOUT SIX because i see so many people rewriting her actions or behaviors into something more palatable despite her character being the most goddamn compelling thing ive seen in MONTHS. so i try to read a fic and someone says something a LITTLE sideways of my thoughts on her and i just leave. like hi robin. how bout YOU be normal abt six