Groovy Friday!
Friday, November 7, 2014
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Five Reasons 'Don't Hug Me I'm Scared 3' is good
For those of you not in the know, watch these three videos (or just the ones you haven't seen).
These videos are some of my favorites on the internet: I was part of the Kickstarter for #3 (and future sequels). So far #3, LOVE is getting the least love. But upon repeated viewings it's actually very good. Here's what you may have missed...
5. It waits.
Unlike parts 1 and 2, it waits till almost the end to hit you with unsettling imagery. The audience expects it by now, and the creators know that. There are plenty of hints (Love-Bug's giggle and "Harder!" especially), but it doesn't blow up early. Very smart!
4. Stylistic updates
The puppets are basically the same as before, but the animation has come forward by leaps and bounds. From the bleak despair of Michael to the rainbow flight at the beginning, the production values have fairly soared.
Granted, 100k+ pounds helps.
3. Fandom nods
Some of the fans of the first two Don't Hug Me I'm Scared videos have put the notebook and the clock into a relationship.
The creators have caught wind of this: during the mass marriage section of #3, we can see the notepad and clock, apparently getting hitched.
I love that this is both a nod to the rabid fandom AND a jab, as this is during a dream sequence, AKA never gonna happen.
2. Cults
It's no secret this video is an allegory for cults and their ways. We get brainwashing, Yellow guy constantly told he loving wrong and that he's confused, suspiciously happy people, sexual undertones ("Harder!") and creepy robes and chanting. The best part is, like most cults, you never see it coming.
1. Hetero normative agenda
The way love is described is in keeping with how heterosexual relationships 'traditionally' progress: soul mates finding each other and sealing the relationship with a ring. "That's the way it's always been!"
It's a commentary on how culture generally emphasizes this path as the one and only way to find love. You have a soul mate of the opposite gender that you will find, love, and marry. End of story.
And, as most of you know, that's not how love goes. Yet Hollywood/the media/the government/any number of religions and or cults still give us this as our only option.
Think about that the next time you stumble on a mind-bending puppet show.
These videos are some of my favorites on the internet: I was part of the Kickstarter for #3 (and future sequels). So far #3, LOVE is getting the least love. But upon repeated viewings it's actually very good. Here's what you may have missed...
5. It waits.
Unlike parts 1 and 2, it waits till almost the end to hit you with unsettling imagery. The audience expects it by now, and the creators know that. There are plenty of hints (Love-Bug's giggle and "Harder!" especially), but it doesn't blow up early. Very smart!
4. Stylistic updates
The puppets are basically the same as before, but the animation has come forward by leaps and bounds. From the bleak despair of Michael to the rainbow flight at the beginning, the production values have fairly soared.
Granted, 100k+ pounds helps.
3. Fandom nods
Some of the fans of the first two Don't Hug Me I'm Scared videos have put the notebook and the clock into a relationship.
The creators have caught wind of this: during the mass marriage section of #3, we can see the notepad and clock, apparently getting hitched.
I love that this is both a nod to the rabid fandom AND a jab, as this is during a dream sequence, AKA never gonna happen.
2. Cults
It's no secret this video is an allegory for cults and their ways. We get brainwashing, Yellow guy constantly told he loving wrong and that he's confused, suspiciously happy people, sexual undertones ("Harder!") and creepy robes and chanting. The best part is, like most cults, you never see it coming.
1. Hetero normative agenda
The way love is described is in keeping with how heterosexual relationships 'traditionally' progress: soul mates finding each other and sealing the relationship with a ring. "That's the way it's always been!"
It's a commentary on how culture generally emphasizes this path as the one and only way to find love. You have a soul mate of the opposite gender that you will find, love, and marry. End of story.
And, as most of you know, that's not how love goes. Yet Hollywood/the media/the government/any number of religions and or cults still give us this as our only option.
Think about that the next time you stumble on a mind-bending puppet show.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Five Things I Like about The Age of Ultron Trailer
For those not in the know, the trailer for the second Avengers movie was leaked. Several clips were put out after. Take a look!
SEE? SEE?!!
Ahem. Excuse me. I just love the Avengers. So, what in particular has me excited?
5. The Scarlet Witch
Name another Marvel movie where a woman has actual superpowers. And no, I'm not counting the X-Men, Fox technically owns those. And no, Gamora doesn't count she's an alien and her 'power' isn't a power, she's just an assassin.
My point is, super powered female avenger is win. I would have preferred Janet Van Dyne, but Scarlet Witch is awesome too.
4. Bruce Banner, nutjob
I see Bruce Banner as a Woobie. This image DOES NOT help. I want to wrap him in a blanket and give him tea. Who hurt him? Why is he in restrains? Why isn't he Hulking out? WHYY?????
3. Just WHAT?!
I'm a casual reader of Marvel, and to my knowlage, NOTHING can destroy Cap's shield. This seems doubly true for the movie verse, which I am 100% familiar with. With that in mind, HOW? How did this happen?!
2. The WTF imagery
What's with the ballerinas? Seriously, I want to know. What POSSIBLE reason are they not only in the movie, but important enough to feature in the trailer?
1. James Spader as Ultron
I'm a fan of James Spader from Boston Legal: I really haven't seen him in much else. But I'm more than excited to see him, not only as the villain, but friggan ULTRON. It's a dream come true.
The original leaked trailer
The special extended trailer
SEE? SEE?!!
Ahem. Excuse me. I just love the Avengers. So, what in particular has me excited?
5. The Scarlet Witch
Name another Marvel movie where a woman has actual superpowers. And no, I'm not counting the X-Men, Fox technically owns those. And no, Gamora doesn't count she's an alien and her 'power' isn't a power, she's just an assassin.
My point is, super powered female avenger is win. I would have preferred Janet Van Dyne, but Scarlet Witch is awesome too.
4. Bruce Banner, nutjob
I see Bruce Banner as a Woobie. This image DOES NOT help. I want to wrap him in a blanket and give him tea. Who hurt him? Why is he in restrains? Why isn't he Hulking out? WHYY?????
3. Just WHAT?!
I'm a casual reader of Marvel, and to my knowlage, NOTHING can destroy Cap's shield. This seems doubly true for the movie verse, which I am 100% familiar with. With that in mind, HOW? How did this happen?!
2. The WTF imagery
What's with the ballerinas? Seriously, I want to know. What POSSIBLE reason are they not only in the movie, but important enough to feature in the trailer?
1. James Spader as Ultron
I'm a fan of James Spader from Boston Legal: I really haven't seen him in much else. But I'm more than excited to see him, not only as the villain, but friggan ULTRON. It's a dream come true.
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
NaNoWriMo 2014
NaNoWriMo is short for National Novel Writing Month. The goal is to write a 50k word novel by the end of November. I attempted this last year, but ran out of steam at 38k. It wasn't useless: the exercise was good for my brain.
This year, I'm trying something different: I've plotted out the major events of my novel before hand. Usually I just wing it with the vague outline only in my brain (a time-honored technique by many writers). So far it's helped a little: Day 2, I'm on my second chapter, and the plot is SPEEDING along. I just wish the word count was: I still have 500 words to finish today to make sure I stay on schedule.
I'll keep the blog up over the month, but it's gonna be busy: I'm in a play, the new job has started, and my time is short. I may even blog more about my progress, if things go well.
To compensate for the shortness of this blog (I still have 500 words and only a little time to do them before rehearsal) here's some funny stuff. Enjoy!
This year, I'm trying something different: I've plotted out the major events of my novel before hand. Usually I just wing it with the vague outline only in my brain (a time-honored technique by many writers). So far it's helped a little: Day 2, I'm on my second chapter, and the plot is SPEEDING along. I just wish the word count was: I still have 500 words to finish today to make sure I stay on schedule.
I'll keep the blog up over the month, but it's gonna be busy: I'm in a play, the new job has started, and my time is short. I may even blog more about my progress, if things go well.
To compensate for the shortness of this blog (I still have 500 words and only a little time to do them before rehearsal) here's some funny stuff. Enjoy!
Monday, November 3, 2014
The Job Hunter Games, tiny midquel
As my longtime readers know, I was out of work during November of last year through late January of this. Then I was employed by a local funeral home. It was good work, and I was happy.
Then I was transferred and things went south.
So, a few weeks a go, I quit. Unlike the last time I left a job, I had an interview lined up the next day. By the end of the week I was hired into my current job: I am now a vet tech (in training).
The relief is immense. I still get anxiety attacks, or the beginnings of them when work comes up but then I remember: no, I have not fucked anything up. No, I have not been scolded nor do I expect to be at any moment. No, I like my new boss and coworkers just fine. Yes, they tell me I'm doing well, and give me answers when I ask questions.
Best of all, I'm off my meds (which I only used days I worked with my old location manager. These are NOT daily things, so don't worry).
I'm happy. I'm not having stress dreams or panic attacks. I feel normal again. Plus I get to work with animals: that's been my dream for a while, but I never thought it could happen. Sure, it includes picking testicles off the floor and mopping, but I also get to snuggle cats and dogs. So that's a win.
I'll keep you guys updated as things develop, but right now I've got some work to do for NaNoWriMo. Work starts in just over an hour.
Then I was transferred and things went south.
So, a few weeks a go, I quit. Unlike the last time I left a job, I had an interview lined up the next day. By the end of the week I was hired into my current job: I am now a vet tech (in training).
The relief is immense. I still get anxiety attacks, or the beginnings of them when work comes up but then I remember: no, I have not fucked anything up. No, I have not been scolded nor do I expect to be at any moment. No, I like my new boss and coworkers just fine. Yes, they tell me I'm doing well, and give me answers when I ask questions.
Best of all, I'm off my meds (which I only used days I worked with my old location manager. These are NOT daily things, so don't worry).
I'm happy. I'm not having stress dreams or panic attacks. I feel normal again. Plus I get to work with animals: that's been my dream for a while, but I never thought it could happen. Sure, it includes picking testicles off the floor and mopping, but I also get to snuggle cats and dogs. So that's a win.
I'll keep you guys updated as things develop, but right now I've got some work to do for NaNoWriMo. Work starts in just over an hour.
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