lurkingpuddle

[lurkingpuddle]

Body dysmorphia fueled by internalized fatphobia be like: oh no, I'm fat

The rings on my fingers: slipping off at the slightest provocation

Pant legs: have amount of free space that can be rented out.

Bitch, citation needed.

[lurkingpuddle]

I picked up the most basic of all bases book, Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes by Edith Hamilton, because, well, you need to build your foundation from something. And seeing how this book is now on 75th edition and counting, and still used widely, it seemed like a logical choice.

I find it pleasant to read and easy to digest, so I don't regret my choice. Some of the wording in it is quite interesting, and I bet it stems from it being written in 1940s.

Speaking of wording, I wonder if Hamilton's use of term "sin" when talking about ancient greek myths also stems from the book being written so long ago. It might be pedantic of me, but I feel weird about this word choice. Was "sin" a concept back there? It seems way too christian of a word to use for this civilisation.

What precisely tripped me was this bit from conception of the world myth:

...The Giants, the fourth race of monsters, sprang up from his [Cronus'] blood. From this same blood, too, the Erinyes (the Furies) were born. Their office was to pursue and punish sinners. They were called “those who walk in the darkness,” and they were terrible of aspect, with writhing snakes for hair and eyes that wept tears of blood. The other monsters were finally driven from the earth, but not the Erinyes. As long as there was sin in the world they could not be banished. (p. 67)

So at this stage world is just being born into what we know it, humankind doesn't exist yet, the land is populated with Giants, Cyclopes, Titans and primordial gods like mother earth and father heaven (Gaea and Ouranos). So what even is a sin at that point? Who would Erinyes pursue?

Sidenote: at the beginning of this book it was established that ancient greeks were concrete and logical in their mythology.

"That is the miracle of Greek mythology—a humanized world, men freed from the paralyzing fear of an omnipotent Unknown. (...) It may seem odd to say that the men who made the myths disliked the irrational and had a love for facts; but it is true, no matter how wildly fantastic some of the stories are." (p. 4)

So why would they put entities who hunt for sinners into the existance before there was anyone for them to hunt?

I'm probably dragging ancient greeks for their shoddy worldbuilding (ha-ha) in vain, but it's my blog, and I do what I want.

But back to the translation matters: is "sin" really the best word to use to describe an act that was deemed offensive in that culture? Because in my modern time brain this word is so deeply steeped in christian context that I find it hard to not ascribe it such tone, or think that the writer prescribes it. And what about Hubris? Isn't that a more common concept in ancient Greek literature?

So now I'm on a side quest to understand the concept of sin as it is related to mythology. Whoops.

Several months ago my hard drive had a stroke which resulted in me formatting it completely and installing new OS on my PC. A lot of small things came down with old OS. That includes my safe file for Returnal game.

I had somewhere around 100 h on it, and no, it wasn't Steam edition, so I didn't have the save uploaded to a cloud. Besides, I wasn't against the idea of starting it fresh.

That game me an idea: hey, how about I stream this new play through to a friend? Because I really wanted to share the mindfuck of this game with them, just point a finger at what's going on and scream "ARE YOU SEEING THIS SHIT?!" But the friend in question didn't feel up to it. Said that scheduling and retention is kind of a pain. Disappointed, to be honest, but not unpredicted.

So THAT gave me idea that Maybe instead of streaming it I can. Like. Make video play through. And show them. This way they can watch it on their own convince, and return (har har) to it whenever they feel like it. It takes away from live reaction, sure, but maybe that's not a terrible idea?

To be clear, I know fuckall about video editing, but even then the thought still excites me? Like, I want to try? Learn how to do it??

It's been awhile since I felt even a tickle of creative drive, so maybe I will go through it after all. I still feel strongly about making at least 1 stream, just to make some initial impressions live. And the rest can be cut and edited, especially if we consider the amount of failed runs I guarantee to accumulate. Some sully death compilation is a must.

Anyway, I have time. So for now I decided to sit and do some research on classical greek mythology, so I can have more context and material to work with when trying to interpret this game. Because there is just So Much to unravel.

[lurkingpuddle]

Tattoo idea for future consideration: a band/simplified belt wrapping around right hip with hunter's rune on a clasp/buckle.

[lurkingpuddle]

Several months ago my hard drive had a stroke which resulted in me formatting it completely and installing new OS on my PC. A lot of small things came down with old OS. That includes my safe file for Returnal game.

I had somewhere around 100 h on it, and no, it wasn't Steam edition, so I didn't have the save uploaded to a cloud. Besides, I wasn't against the idea of starting it fresh.

That gave me an idea: hey, how about I stream this new play through to a friend? Because I really wanted to share the mindfuck of this game with them, just point a finger at what's going on and scream "ARE YOU SEEING THIS SHIT?!" But the friend in question didn't feel up to it. Said that scheduling and retention is kind of a pain. Disappointed, to be honest, but not unpredicted.

So THAT gave me idea that Maybe instead of streaming it I can. Like. Make video play through. And show them. This way they can watch it on their own convince, and return (har har) to it whenever they feel like it. It takes away from live reaction, sure, but maybe that's not a terrible idea?

To be clear, I know fuckall about video editing, but even then the thought still excites me? Like, I want to try? Learn how to do it??

It's been awhile since I felt even a tickle of creative drive, so maybe I will go through it after all. I still feel strongly about making at least 1 stream, just to make some initial impressions live. And the rest can be cut and edited, especially if we consider the amount of failed runs I guarantee to accumulate. Some sully death compilation is a must.

Anyway, I have time. So for now I decided to sit and do some research on classical greek mythology, so I can have more context and material to work with when trying to interpret this game. Because there is just So Much to unravel.

[lurkingpuddle]

Losing my GODDAMN mind over sponsored post about jojo siwa on a reality tv show situation. Someone paid money to have this up.

I'm starting a collection of sponsored posts that come across my dash that I call "who paid for this?"

First category, AI art

[lurkingpuddle]

No comment

I'm starting a collection of sponsored posts that come across my dash that I call "who paid for this?"

First category, AI art

[lurkingpuddle]

Oooohhhh, the prophecy. It all makes sense now. With how enclaves are build, and what El has been doing.

So all of the mawmouths are exclusive result of that ritual, huh? Didn't see that one coming.

Can't help but feel that Yancy is involved with the enclave attacks. And her being this free spirit party girl is just a misdirection.

Plus her chameleon dress really makes me think of it as a more literal clue.

[lurkingpuddle]

Mesmerized by this poorly done illustration (very likely AI methinks)

Kinda wish they also formatted the ad text like a proper tumblr post, like. "You can imagine the scenarios in your head. But watch out" and the shark is flying towards your face. Incomprehensible? Yes. Intriguing? Hell yes.

I'm starting a collection of sponsored posts that come across my dash that I call "who paid for this?"

First category, AI art

[lurkingpuddle]

Can't help but feel that Yancy is involved with the enclave attacks. And her being this free spirit party girl is just a misdirection.

Plus her chameleon dress really makes me think of it as a more literal clue.

[lurkingpuddle]

I'm right in the middle of second book of The Scholomance series by Naomi Novik, and I desperately wish I loved it more.

My main problem with it is that these books have been too rambly so far. Every action, decision or event is followed by a paragraph or a whole page of explanation of said occurrence: how rules and customs of the world frame this event, what it might imply and how it might turn out in near future, also have a short example from history of this world that relates to it. And don't forget a snippy comment from El on top of it all, thanks, come again!

And, like, I don't hate having more context or curious historical origins, or snarky remarks. What I find troubling is that it feels like at least third of the book is that: explanations. And they occur so often that I lose track of actual events.

We would be in action scene, a dangerous situation is unfolding right now, a spell is cast aaaand we get a page and a half of rambling. By the end of it I can't connect the action and the reaction, and have to go back and remind myself Um, what were we doing?

This hurts me so bad. I loved other Novik's books that I've read, specifically because how she constructed the world and interactions with it. But this series ain't it. It seems like a lot of thought and imagination has been put unto the world, so much in fact that it bloated beyond manageable, and now she struggles to fit it into confines of a linear story.

I'm not a writer so I can't say What should have been done differently and How to fix it, so I won't even try. Hell, maybe it's a deliberate decision that I just personally don't vibe with. That's cool as well. And I still intend to finish the series, all three books, because despite my grievances I'm still invested, and I want to see where this is all going.

Again, I just wished I loved it more.

[lurkingpuddle]

On public transit observed a young teenager drawing on their busted phone. On a touch screen. With their finger. A lot of zoom-ins, rotations and zoom-outs were involved, as well as Undo button. But they were doing, like, proper black lineart. Didn't see a sketch layer underneath, so might just rawdogging it too.

I'm low key impressed. Like, is that how kids get into art in this decade? Makes sense, but also looks so alien to my old brain. And uncomfortable. But then again, if you have to draw, you will find a way.

[lurkingpuddle]

Jesus grinding on a stick, just got offered an administrative post in my dept, turned it down so fast I nearly catched flames.

There is no way I can handle that, I will crash and burn after a year of that kind of work TOPS.

Been in that boat before, didn't like the ride.

[lurkingpuddle]

I... suppose that fits this site.

Trisha Paytas meme. And something about eternal life. Sure.

I'm starting a collection of sponsored posts that come across my dash that I call "who paid for this?"

First category, AI art

[lurkingpuddle]

I love chapter 30. The formatting is impactful.

One short sentence. Lengthy footnote.

It happened so quickly, and the aftermath lasted for so long. Like dust refusing to settle. Like waves still rippling. Like giant chasm of an impact with its edges crumbling around it.

[lurkingpuddle]

Well I'll be damned, I was wrong. The bastard didn't lie, mostly. He did omit some details, but overall? Surprisingly true.

Guess that shows what I know.

Some spoilers about Hermes incident in the middle of the book under cut

So Lovell tearfully tells Robin the story how Griffin killed poor innocent brilliant Evie buy detonating a silver bar with chinese matchpair, and I smell bullshit. Not only because this man never cried before, but because we know that Griffin is Shit at silverworking, and didn't even get into the program. We SAW him fail to make invisibility bar work in the very beginning.

Lovell is full of shit. I wouldn't be surprise if he killed Evie himself.

[lurkingpuddle]

Robin is such a good protagonist. Not only because his train of thought and feelings are easy to follow and understand on a personal level, but also because he is Not Stupid.

Spoilers for ch. 21 under cut

When Prof. Playfair started dropping big hints and winking with both eyes that he was with Hermes I was DREADING that Robin would go stupid route and fall for it, because somehow I grew to expect that. But he didn't! And he navigated the situation very well, definitely better than I would have, and that elevates him in my eyes.

Are my standards too low? Who knows.

[lurkingpuddle]

Negative amount of effort was put into this. Amazing.

I'm starting a collection of sponsored posts that come across my dash that I call "who paid for this?"

First category, AI art