![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
liquidstupid's journalLog in Create a LiveJournal Account Learn more
| You are viewing liquidstupid's journal Log in Create a LiveJournal Account Learn more | Explore LJ: Life Entertainment Music Culture News & Politics Technology |
|
|||||||
 |
|
|
|||||
|
Liquid Stupid's Ramble  I want to start this post with an impulse transcription of a song I've fallen hard for: The Metal Lyrics and Song by Tenacious D Transcription by Liquid Stupid You can't kill the Metal the Metal will live on Punk Rock tried to kill the Metal but they failed as they were smacked to the ground New Wave tried to kill the Metal but they failed as they were stricken down to the ground Grunge tried to kill the Metal Ha ha ha ha ha they failed as they were thrown to the ground Aaaaaaaaaaaaa-yeah! Aaaaaaaaaaaaa-yeah! (Vocal guitar bridge) No one can destroy the Metal The Metal will strike you down with a vicious blow We are the vanquished foes of the Metal We tried to win forth why we do not know New Wave tried to destroy the Metal but the Metal had its way Grunge then tried to dethrone the Metal but the Metal was in the way Punk Rock tried to destroy the Metal but the Metal was much to strong Techno tried to defile the Metal but the Techno was proven wrong - yeah! Metal It comes from Hell --- To iron out a well worn music lover's shirt... I like what I like, I don't care what genre it is. I firmly believe most people in the world feel this way. Good is good, and therefore genre is just an intellectual classification for clarity's sake. I could have said "style paranoid", but that's only true for a few - and not my point. Metal does not come from Hell... but individually we allow ourselves to be affected by it. That's our choice. A matter of self control and discipline. Pretty simple. I really don't like losing a day to a cold, but if this is what it takes to finally be rid of the damn thing then so be it. I'll suffer through. I decided not to be stubborn and actually take to bed before I was overtaken by a potential migraine. Yeah, no thanks. There is a plus - I have a clearer picture of what I need to accomplish on Press ESC, and I actually feel up to doing it, just two hours later. The list: -> Make tables for the news and twitter update box for the main page -> Construct a sprite page, or make a deviant art site to post my sprite sheets on (yeesh, another account to manage?) -> Finish the Phoenix Wright sprite sheet -> Make an original sheet for Dire Miva aka "Ray of Sorrow" That's it - twitter is increasing my awareness of how I spend my time, and it's another step towards my goal of "release perfection". A little peace is nice on my day off - hanging out with family so soon after my birthday. As yet I haven't celebrated it - and hanging out with Trevor, Larissa and Steve is about as much as I can come up with. It's affordable, at least. I wanted to thank Larissa again for making that "Lemony Snikt" cake. It was totally, totally awesome. You're the first one to ever make a cake for me just out of the blue. The thought really did count. Again, to Ben - thank you as well. Both of you boosted the morale of this landmark day. It's been three decades, and after about half of those spent in indecision and disinterest, I understand my career path. This I owe to Bret, Larissa, Ben, and my Mom. You guys have been the determining factor - so I thank you. ^_^ Current mood:  awake.Current music: The Metal-Tenacious D. Realistic - that's a challenge for me. When it comes to Press ESC I debate the format, fending of reasons to revert to its original four panel daily layout. Is that not sustainable for me? I have a long history - so if I am going to miss updates it's simply going to happen. Either that or I have to adopt a professional attitude and not miss any updates at all, or have plan when I do. Somehow in my thought processes, schedule, and mind, it all has to meet harmoniously. This isn't going to happen at 2:32 in the AM as much as I try, but typing it out is one step closer to success. Accepting what is, rather than running away from it. Press ESC does not appear to be concerned with it's primary story operator: Shiva's defection from the ranks of Summoned Monsters. There are deeper questions at hand, such as why she first agreed to be summoned - who first fought and defeated her, and why she continues to serve Summoners as a whole. Aha - you see, this the inherent brilliance and effectiveness of writing. Clarity of thought. I can picture this as a mindmap, now - so that seems a feasible next step. Press ESC will work if I know where I am going and where I can go. Otherwise it will fail. On The Rock is unresolved, and though I let it falter - I want to answer the question I never asked: What if another hero existed like Buddy? It's simple, really - would he change events? No. He is instead having his own story that is completely solitary and interesting unto itself. That is only fair - deserving of its own dramatic weight and presence. Thus it shall receive that attention. He's just going to do it in the Press ESC universe, that's all. Answering Shiva's question will just lead to more fun - and why not? I'm glad we had this little chat. I feel like we're going to get along really well. Would you like a cookie? Current mood:  contemplative.Current music: Autobot-Decepticon Battle-Vince DiCola. Originally "Less Tissue, Same Sneeze" on Oct 10th, 2007, Just how many projects and changes are they going to slip under our collectively stuffed noses? As if we had any concept, but here are a couple I recently bumped into: An officially announced energy initiative includes proposals for stiffer penalties for those who break emissions law; a stringent (and likely expensive) measurement system; "action now"; among others. How else do you get the attention of a business but to attack the pocketbook? Granted, but here's a clever initiative that has only one true benefit: B.C. Hydro proposes variable rates for peak hour uses of electricity. Is this consumer only, or will government and industrial sectors agree to pay as well? Painted as a energy saving plan, I have a different take on it. While it is possible to reduce energy consumption by simply shutting everything off at the end of the day (the store I work at saves several thousand dollars a month because we do this), the reality is that during what would normally be considered "peak hours" we are running at full steam. We cannot afford to do otherwise. Can you imagine walking into Future Shop, for example, and seeing only one of the twenty LCD displays evidencing its insurmountable rendering of digital splendor? Please, someone out there bring me an editorial comic on that one... it's too good to pass up. Don't worry about credit - I just want the idea out there. Customers demand to see running product so that they can make a decision that in the long run will save them consumable fuel by not having to return or exchange what they buy right then. Realistically, if it happens then there's no avoiding it, but it goes beyond skill in the sale. There are times when something won't fit, the interface wasn't as pictured, etc. Here we are, gang - we can't negate consumer demand, now can we? Naturally that isn't true. The lack of "powered up" product will have a strongly adverse effect upon sales. As much as 60% of potential sales, people who would buy if they could see it in action, walk out the door. 20% without so much as a complaint. Few actively gripe about the inability to test product, but when anywhere between $200 to $2000 dollars a day is walking out of your store, what other option is there? Let's compare it to gas prices. Do we honestly drive less because our prices are the highest in Canada? Hell no. We groan and winge, but fork over the dough anyway. Guess what? Apart from "real" energy initiatives, just how many companies are going to "go green" during peak hours? Was it Sweden that won't be making it's projected energy saving goal by 2050? Whatever happened to good old wartime technological progress, huh? Right - the war is invisible this time, and has nothing to do with energy conservation. Remember that. We won't know what really happened for another ten years anyway, so let's not count on those details. Unfortunately those intimate of military intimates impact everything, so it's like judging the health of an eighty year old man without examining the condition of his heart. It makes me wonder just why we're talking about all of this. Oh, don't mind me, we have to talk about something, regardless of the factual or fictional nature of the information, heedless of the difference. It's like a science experiment fated to be a washout or brilliant success without most of the testing materials in plain view. "Restructure an atom, blindly." Idiotic on the atomic level, if you ask me. Ah, existence in its current state is debatable. Just ask Decarte. Current mood:  blah.Current music: Joy-VNV Nation. So last night I ended with an incomplete thought. Using scenes from the interaction between Naru and Nephrite would fail... for exactly the same reason as the others I mentioned. The nature of their intimacy was the raw emotion, and the very fact that Nephrite was introduced to his own undiscovered feelings. It was a sweet, innocent relationship - forgetting for a moment that Nephrite was probably a couple hundred years old... >_> However, that turned out to be only half the problem. I'm using iMovie 4, so importing directly is going to be slow - I have to transpose the scenes I want to DV format before I can import them, and I can only do that 9MB at a time. Talk about awkward! I may set that aside for now, so I can focus on the appropriate song. I have another potential AMV in mind... it involves Short Skirt Long Jacket. Points to you if you know who's track that is... Once I decide what I'm going to do, I'll just do it, and not make any fuss about the details. That how I operate. I would like to talk about how today's Press ESC turned out, though. Photoshop is NOT ideal for producing comics - effects are its prime use, and even Fireworks has more than realized the effects you've seen in Press ESC. Every last one. The inability to auto-select objects has always driven me crazy, and it Fireworks makes my authoring life so much easier that way. Oh, how about sluggish text editing? Despite a very nice text manipulation system - rather than just distorting text - it is very clumsy, and not time effective. Thus - what you got to see today was a lot of text and five whole sprites. Admittedly I would like to have seen some background detail in there, and I would have - but I was tired of Photoshop already. I have yet to try the latest version, but it is in desperate need of an update. The fact that objects exist independently and can be grouped into layers would be just the shot in the arm PS needs. What was amusing that my script just wouldn't stick to the page! I had to re-write the entire scene according to Rydia and Miva. They just wouldn't have it - so... they halved my original dialogue. I'm beginning to get used to this... but this can't keep happening, especially not later on. Ah, what is a script but to be re-written, anyway? Anyway, I'm tired - so I'm gonna re-write some more of Bold Curves and then get some snorks. G'night! Current mood:  thoughtful.Current music: Land of Confusion-Disturbed. I'm STILL listening to this song - it's been a clear two days. In a bizzare way it's comforting. No, I am not a Tatu fan. I'd say there were a couple ... oh, maybe uh... four songs that have caught my attention so far. What? Okay, who am I kidding? They're talented - though I have limited tolerance for most of their stuff. I won't listen to them for very long - they're too high strung for my tastes. Then again, I don't enjoy as much techno as I used to - I guess I just don't have the angst anymore. Friend or Foe caught my attention, however. It consists of subdued vocals, a smooth beat, and a melody very reminscient of the theme music from the Sega Genesis game Columns. The chord progression is nearly identical, but I'm okay with that - in fact I love it. Listening to the song brings to my mind images of Sakura and Sasuke from Naruto, except that vengence central never paid her any mind, so the effectiveness of an Anime Music Video from this series dies almost immediately. I considered also Tsubasa Chronicle, with Sakura having doubts (and no memory) of Sayoran's existence in her past, thereby questioning their relationship. The trouble with that is neither of these couple ever once shared bed covers... except perhaps when Sayoran was holding Sakura's hand when she was ill, but... I haven't yet watched an Anime that displays the necessary amount of romantic intamacy to fully communicate the message of this song. Betrayal most vile, and the melodic drama of her suspense... that's pretty refreshing. What? Moving on... It's a little older than the characters I am typically acquainted with as Anime goes. Even Bleach, with its fearless display of female (ahem) assets wouldn't cut it (that's just for looks, not drama) - Ichigo and Rukia get along just fine, and there are not as yet any doubts between them, and when there are the line isn't blurry enough. I can think of another one... the brief stint between Usagi and Mamoru (names I did not previously believe I would type again) where he is being controlled by the Dark Kingdom. Naturally, once can simply pull from earlier in the series, but nothing in the first 25 ... oh snap. Well, there IS always Naru and Nephrite. It's ambigious enough in Naru's mind to be effective. It would be relatively easy to do - the plot extends a mere four episodes at its peak, and fitting that into three minutes shouldn't be a problem. Now... what to do about importing those into iMovie? Heh - it's just my style, to have access to all this software, but no clue as to how to use it. I'll be damned if I'm going to mess with Windows Headache Maker. It's corrupted - stupid program, not to mention being irritating and useless. Oh great, will you listen to me? I'm griping. I promised I wouldn't do that. So, let's see - what can I do? Transpose, of course! All I need is the video, at any rate. I know what I'm doing tomorrow! In the mean time, here are the lyrics for the song I've been rambling about... --- Friend or Foe Lyrics by Tatu Transcribed by Liquid Stupid [Copyright notice: Ownership is exclusive to the current right holders of this material, and no claim is made by this "publication" in any way, shape or form.] Is it too late? Nothing to salvage You look away Clear of the damage The meaning to Our words of love Has disappeared We used to [Chorus] Love one another Give to each other Lie under cover so Are your friend or foe? Love one another Live for each other so Are your friend or foe 'Cause I used to know [End Chorus] The promises And the concessions An innocent Show of affection I touch your hand A hologram Are you still there? We used to [Chorus] We used to We used to We used to Used to Used to Is it too late? Nothing to salvage You look away Clear of the damage The meaning to Our words of love Has disappeared We used to [Chorus] [Repeat chorus] 'Cause I used to know Are you friend or foe? Lie under cover so Are you friend or foe? Love one another Live for each other so Are you friend or foe? Current mood:  creative.Current music: Friend Or Foe-Tatu-Dangerous And Moving (Advance). It's easy to gripe and whine - this entire community is evidence to that effect. I refuse to contribute to that particular facet. Rather, I am more interested in the subject of beauty and power. As you may or may not know, I am an Anime fan. Sailor Moon was my introduction to power in a skirt and a cute face... For the record, Sailor Mercury is my type, there's just no getting around that. I am attracted to girls who have warm hearts and a cute figure. >.> I'm a sweetheart fanboy, I won't deny it. I am most definately attracted to the type of girl who wants to be treated like a lady - so I can be myself, a gentleman. I need some depth of character to stay interested, and some inner strength - but Mercury is without a doubt a toughy under all that adorable intellect. ^o^ Enough about my longings - I want to talk about where this line of thought began: Gunsmith Cats, a series centered on four very attractive girls, Rally and Minnie-May (17 in the original, 18 in North America - however, she appears to be twelve, having taken steps to maintain the look) who is deeply involved with a Ken Taki, who is significantly older. This is a very physical relationship, and it is clear she's just "Ken's type", if you grok. Ew. The lead protagonist, named "Rally", is so chaste it's suggested she may even be a virgin. She's in her mid-20s, and she doesn't find the slightest hint of romantic interest until she meets a dangerous, noble and reckless delivery driver named Bean Bandit. A walking tank, he wins her over by out-stubborning and outdriving her - and in the end, proving that chivalry is not dead. It just needs a good excuse to make the gun parade. I was put off by Minnie-May's overt sexuality... if I am to be a fan of the series, I have to condone all of it, or at least, accept it. Anime and Manga has a knack for depth of character and realism of personality. Everyone gets a back story, even the thug who gets it in the back of the head with a kitchen knife in the first panel. Poor schmo. This is not a problem for me. I "studied" under Steven King, and accept that in order to make the main character believable, that everyone else must have the same voracity, even if they have as much presense as a piece of tissue. That's okay, because there are people like that. Getting back to May's promiscuity: I followed the story, partially because I was enjoying the sharp-as-a-razor artwork (think Bubblegum Crisis), and partly because I wanted to see where it went. I'm not the sort of fan who will watch attractive characters move just because they're so much eye candy. I bore easily. It was a little unsettling to see her audition at a brothel - - but then the artist later presented her storyline. She's not well adjusted; she has a bomb obsession (in fact, she's a demolitions expert thanks to Ken), and a perchance for social trouble. In fact, she runs with a Gunsmith/Bounty Hunter. If that's not disturbed, what is? However, reasonable. That's right. Her mindset is the direct result of her past experiences, and she's not without remorse or regret. Unfortunately, the result is still less than I would have hoped... however, she is legally entitled to make the choices she does at the series' end, whatever side of the ocean the translation might be on. Can't ask for more than that, because it's out there. Doesn't make any of it right, but the reality is accounted for and the writer gives her psychological condition the appropriate weight - she's an adorable little whacko! I can think of a lot of people who probably read the comic for its gorgeous characters, gunsmithing, car races and violence, but none of that matters to me. To put it like this: I have my own meter and standard, and it is to those I will judge what I read, thank you very much. Simpler? I enjoyed Gunsmith Cats for its art, depth of character, action, and pin sharp action. (Read: Pretty, power, go girl!) There were unquestionably parts I would drop ("Feeling excited?" Guh), but the emotional and physical dilemma the girls experience - - is an interesting tact, and I very much was rooting for the heroines of this manga. Sonoda protected his girls within reason, and their battles are satisfying. I never once felt cheated or short changed. This brings me to another point about beauty and power. Only lately have I discovered Sailor Moon Uncut. Getting me to watch anything is a laborous task - I simply can't be bothered, until I like what I see and become interested. Chances are I'll marry a movie buff and spend the rest of my life catching up... life has a nasty sense of justice, that way. Moving on... What I have taken from the original, subtitled release of Sailor Moon is "don't hide the truth". We all know by now the travesty a reinterpretation of the series that took place in DICs unskilled hands. They gave us Sailor Moon... in the only way they could. Think about it. I would have a FIT if my 14 year old ran around in an outfit like that... she'd be grounded until she was 24! At least! Oh? Uptight? Is that so? Why is Rei the only one who gets panty shots and high heels? Does the fire she wields give her that sort of appeal? Give me a break. It's a type - Usagi is the "pure", so she's idealized and projected as the noble, caring friend. Not at first, of course - but that is her nature, even though she''s been spoiled for so long. Subtle intonations about potential relations among the Sailor Senshi (to use the Japanese) abound from the very start. Rei and Ami on a cruse, anyone, with the latter showing little interest in anyone? This has all been discussed... but that very point made me realize something. We all knew something was up. Watching the series, even without access to the Japanese series, our suspicious arose, to be confirmed by those who could quote in English what were were missing. I spent a lot of time bantering about various aspects of what was done in the newsgroups. It is why I wrote Sailor Rifts, after all. I picked up and explored those ideas... and put in my best effort to justify the storyline as I saw it, and bring it down to Earth. Unfortunately, to this day, there is not a complete version hosted ANYWHERE online. Some archives have less than half of the entire text. I knew enough not to hide behind false ideals. I'm getting tired, but I want to make a final point: Sailor Moon suffered, and it may have been a great injustice, but it paved the way for what we have now, and I think we should be grateful for the event, if not its excution (even though it would not have been accepted any other way). It's not a matter of readiness, folks - our values are simply different than the territory from which the story originated. We need not alter ours to bridge the gap. Consider this part of a continuing rant on the topic of beauty and power in Anime and Manga. Good night! Current mood: introspective. Current music: Friend Or Foe-Tatu-Dangerous And Moving (Advance). |
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||