#it'll be an uphill battle for sure </3

[astoundingbeyondbelief]

Kaiju Week in Review (January 21-27, 2024)

Godzilla Minus One made awards show history in both Japan and the U.S. this week. Its Oscar nomination for best Visual Effects is the first of the series (Godzilla [1998], Godzilla [2014] and Godzilla vs. Kong were previously shortlisted) and the first for any Japanese film. Small wonder Takashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya, and their team went berserk when the nomination was announced. The other nominees are The Creator, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Napoleon, and Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One. According to IndieWire, The Creator has the edge, but Minus One could very well win. And while it naturally made less headlines in the Anglosphere, Minus One also picked up a whopping 12 Japan Academy Film Prize nominations, exceeding Shin Godzilla's 10.

Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color is now in North American theaters. I was intrigued enough to make it my fourth theatrical viewing of this movie, but in the end it did basically strike me as a gimmick. Godzilla Minus One was shot digitally with sets designed for color, so making it actually look like a film from the 40s was always going to be an uphill battle. Even with the regrade, there wasn’t a ton of contrast in most shots, and some of the scenes taking place at night were quite hard to see. Still, apart from the Odo Island massacre, I found the Godzilla scenes as gripping as ever.

Thanks to Minus Color, Minus One made $2.6 million this weekend, crawling back into the box office top 10. Its total in the U.S. and Canada now stands at $55 million, third among all foreign-language films released in the U.S.

Brush of the God, Keizo Murase's directorial debut after a lifetime in movies, is finally complete. It'll play at the Osaka Asian Film Festival in March (link contains more images), and hopefully travel overseas very soon. Murase will also receive an Association Special Award at the Japan Academy Film Prize.

Clover Press shipped out copies of Godzilla & Kong: The Cinematic Storyboard Art of Richard Bennett to Kickstarter backers, myself included. It's an excellent art book, and there are plenty of deleted and altered scenes mixed in with more familiar sequences. Believe it or not, Bennett drew the panel above for Kong: Skull Island—they considered having James Conrad (Tom Hiddleston) flash back to an encounter with King Ghidorah in Vietnam. Not sure how that would've worked, as Ghidorah is generally not one to lie low for a few decades, but it's the first I've ever heard of it being considered. I'm hoping to post some more scans soon. Here's the order link.

Minecraft social media accounts teased a crossover with the Monsterverse, in what's likely to be the most high-profile of the Godzilla x Kong video game collaborations. The Mobzilla mod was created over 10 years ago, so this is long overdue.

The big toy news this week was Titanic Creations revealing the digital sculpt for its Yongary figure. This guy's had even less figures than Gorgo - I can only think of one, and very few of them were made - so expect massive demand. New Godzilla toys were also on display at London Toy Fair, both at the Playmates booth and among the plushies made by an unknown company.

[anvoo]

Why I think about Cat still sometimes.

I still think about Cat sometimes.

Mhmm?

And there are patterns to it too, as with everything I suppose. I don't think I miss Cat particularly, or that I would want to talk to / get back with her specifically; I think I miss the feelings and senses that came along with her during those times.

What do you exactly mean by that?

I miss having connections with people. Be it friends, family, romantic, platonic,... I tend to turn away and shut myself in, as a defense / escaping mechanism, but at the same time I also really enjoy and would like human-to-human/face-to-face interactions.

Having concrete goals and working towards them is another thing. I should have them written down and pinned somewhere that I can easily find, cause I couldn't the other day when I wanted to look for something that I wrote down as my goals and wants.

I think that's a good idea. Having it around keeps you reminded of what it is that's important to you right now.

Escapism is still something that I'm fighting against, and it's an uphill battle. I'm happy at least that I am aware enough of the signs and causes, and that I do see positive changes in both behavior and mindset.

I guess thinking about Cat is how my brain is shielding itself from the negative feelings, emotions, and thoughts about my present problems and struggles. Bringing up memories, and some positive feelings that came along with it to pull me away from being super judgemental and critical of myself, most of the time at night, right before sleep.

It doesn't exactly make me feel great, but to my mind, it seems like the lesser of two evils. It would, in a way, make perfect sense, considering my character and thought processes. Having things that I should, want to, and can work on, but then not being able to do as much as I wanted to or should according to some metrics, subconsciously feeling incredibly guilty and bad about it, then resorting to just abandoning it and escaping into something else entirely, which in this case is thinking about my past relationship, which elicits just enough feelings and thoughts to keep me distracted. Conveniently, I can't really do anything about it, or more like, I really wouldn't want to be in a relationship with Cat or anyone right now, so it's just me, reciting and melancholically replaying memories and feelings in my head.

Crazy. Maybe you're overthinking it, or maybe you're right on the money. Not entirely sure which is which. But it really doesn't matter, does it?

Yeah. I don't think I'm confused, or wondering why I'm thinking about Cat sometimes still. I think it's 1) normal to think about past relationships every now and then; 2) showing me my insecurities and what I'm missing, or wanting more of in my life (connections, feeling validated); and 3) my brain's way of avoiding me tearing myself down in moments when I'm subconsciously guilty and upset at myself.

That's something, yeah. What do you want to do now though?

Keep working and moving forward, and really give it my all; but also, if I have made an attempt or tried, be kind to myself. Doing the best I can, and being happy and content with my best.

Sounds nice. It can feel like there's no way out, and you're just stuck in a shit-cycle, but you know for yourself that that's not true. You know very well how you can do better and have a fighting chance against all of it, and how fast the results come even, it's all about just biting the bullet and pushing through sometimes. It'll pay off tremendously, and you'll come to really thank yourself for it. I believe so.

Me too. Thank you.

[guestpostblog]

5 Tips For Using Guest Posts To Promote Your Travel Blog

When you’re trying to promote your travel blog, travel Guest post can be one of the best ways to reach new audiences and get your content in front of more eyeballs. However, when used incorrectly, guest posting can backfire on your business and make you look bad instead of helping you achieve your goals. That’s why it’s important to follow this advice when doing any type of guest posting so you can use it as a powerful marketing strategy instead of making yourself look bad and damaging your brand in the process. Here are seven tips that will help you do just that!

1) Do your research 

it's important to spend time researching guest blogs to get a feel for their audience and style before submitting content. It doesn't take much effort to Google around a bit, but doing your research will help you tailor your pitch and create more targeted content that resonates with readers and publishers alike. If a blogger agrees to publish your post, it can lead to more links (in turn, leading to more traffic) back to your site. In other words—it’s mutually beneficial!

2) Get feedback before submitting anything

If you plan to use guest posts to promote your travel blog, your first step should be to take a good, hard look at your content. If you're aiming for long-term gains and want to build up a readership base over time, start by writing engaging content that appeals to both new and returning visitors. Once you have that down pat, write an email pitch that clearly explains what your goal is. (In most cases, it'll be driving traffic.) Make sure you spell out exactly what you hope to achieve through Guest Post on travel Niche on another site. Include any interesting statistics about yourself or your website and explain why other blogs would benefit from featuring you—it's always good to give as much information as possible without sounding pushy or desperate.

3) Include links and images to all your social media accounts

It's important to find as many guest blogging opportunities as you can, and social media is a great way to stay in touch with your audience. Build an active presence on all of your social media accounts — including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Have at least 100 followers on each channel; anything less will make you look like a brand new user who doesn’t know what they’re doing yet. Whenever someone comments on one of your posts, reply within 12 hours if possible. Stay active and show people that you care about their comments. Those simple actions will ensure you have an engaged following which is exactly what every blogger wants!

4) Understand their audience

First, you’ll want to understand your target audience. After all, not all travel blogs will be interested in what you have to say. Finding a guest post opportunity on a site that’s popular with your target audience is key, and will give you more credibility and exposure for your content. This is why it’s important to do your research before contacting any sites about writing for them; once they agree to publish a post by you, if they don’t have an existing readership interested in your topic, it can be an uphill battle getting people on board with their website. Make sure you take care of business first before making any attempts at guest blogging. First impressions are everything!

5) Keep it consistent

Consistency is key to effective blogging. Consistent blogs are easier to promote than inconsistent ones because they’re less likely to drop off readers' radars. If your readers can expect you to publish at least once a week, then they're more likely to return again and again—and if you have hundreds of repeat visitors per day, think how much more effective your promotions will be! Make sure each of your posts gives something of value to people in some way; that way it's easier for them to promote you on their blogs or social media accounts.

[janeelyakiri]

100-150 years have passed since S/O died, skeles have moved on with their respective lives and things are going well... until recently. Throughout the last couple nights their plagued with Dreams? Memories? Dreamories? of S/O and can’t seem to get them out of their head. It’s gets to a point wherein they begin hallucinating S/O in crowds or just in the corner of their eye and whenever they reach out they disappear, fading away out of their reach. Their respective bro is getting extremely worried. Eventually they go out for a walk with no real destination in mind just trying to clear their head and figure outs what’s happening with them. Before they notice they’ve ended up in their and S/Os favorite spot (up to you Jan ;) and after standing around a bit they here the sound of someone clearing their throat, they look beside them and it’s S/O the same as the first time they met, just standing their smiling at them.

S/O Reincarnates

Under cut bc i feel some of this gon get loooong sdjfk

also from the sound of it, S/O remembers so we'll go with that!

Macaw- He doesn't believe it at first. He's not the lucky one to get someone he loves *twice*! He's more likely to believe he's hallucinating or that S/O is from another dimension. It takes a LOT of convincing. But his S/O would know how to help and handle him <3

Lupo- Tears, big fat orange tears as he scoops them up and swings them around. So SO happy!! He Immediately invites them over, to talk their ears off about all that's changed- HE runs the Garage now! Oh wait sorry nono please tell him how life has been! Was anything different?? They stay up all night to talk, falling asleep on the couch holding eachother.

Falcon- Thinks it's a trick at first. A bit cold, dodgy, but if S/O is patient with him, he'll relax and accept that this IS his S/O. Then he'll be crying and holding them and not letting go.

Jackal- Like Falcon, he's SURE it's a trick at first. He interrogates them rather rudely. But if S/O is honest and well, prepared for this, then Jackal tentatively lets them back into his life. It's going to be an uphill battle, but Jackal /is/ willing to learn to love again.

Jay- More than eager to scoop them up and kiss their face! Perhaps a little too eager to return to how things were. He's gonna fuck up a little here and there, and S/O will have to help him out. Not EVERYTHING is the same after all, a lot happens in 150 years.

Fox- He thinks he's being stalked. He's panicky and scared, till someone calls out to him as he's at his and his S/O's favorite park. He hears S/O's nickname for him and spins around, sockets wide and a little scared. There is S/O, and he breaks into sobs. His S/O, his mate! He'll take a bit to calm down, but he'll snuggle with them so HAPPY and feeling safe and loved.

Crow- If it's still standing, he's working at The LABS still when he bumps into them. He's grown (not physically) and has mellowed a little. Seeing his past partner everywhere has made him a little on edge, but then turns the tables and corners them. He's shocked, and a little bit of his old self shines through. He picks them up and holds them, tears of show slipping out his sockets. He'll bring them back to the LABS to excitedly show his brother he wasn't crazy. Hound might still believe otherwise.

Hound- He's sus. He doesn't trust one bit. He's gonna avoid them for some time, but S/O will wear him down eventually. He breaks when he finally allows touch, and wraps his arms around them. He's missed them *so much*. It takes a while for things to reach 'normal' for them, but if S/O is patient, it'll be worth it <3

Vulture- He was just doing another job in the same AU he met his first S/O in. They just have to say his *name*, and he stops in his tracks. He doesn't care how, they smell like his mate. The look like his mate. They're coming home with him, ready or not. He missed them so, and he's not letting go.

Hyena- He didn't want to go to that AU again, the one his S/O was from. But his favorite store is there... The one he and S/O would shop at all the time. Granted it's different thanks to time moving but it still has his favorite meats and pastas. They reach for the same box of pasta and stare at one another. Hyena then drops his basket and scoops them up, face buried in their neck and soft sobs heard. His mate... his...

Robin- It's not so great for him. His S/O DIED. Dead things STAY DEAD. S/O's gotta be very careful or they might end up dead again. Robin and Dingo are the only two of the group to deal with a resetting human in their underground.

Dingo- He can't tell if he's actually being stalked or if someone's messing with him. Shattered loves doing that after all. When he and S/O finally meet again, he's... torn. He wants SO MUCH to be with them, to sleep beside them and have more puppies with them... But he knows his brother will remember their face, and freak out. Dingo and his S/O will have to keep things secret.

[wulfderg]

Haters Guide to Worlds Knockout stage (LoL)

(This was written before Knockouts stage which as already ended)

After the craziest play-in stage and group stage in League of Legends history, knockouts is gonna be full of silver scrapes.

Griffin

With having HKA in our group and the dumpster fire that was C9 you had an easy guaranteed spot into the knockout stage but then showed everyone your full power by defeating G2 two times in a row to take 1st seed in group A after losing to them in your first game you'll have an easy game against the 2nd seed from one of the weakest groups. Top 4 is easy but good luck playing either FPX or Fnatic. Time for you to prove that the LCK is back!

Invictus Gaming

You also had an easy group playing against another LCS failure in Team Liquid and AHG and despite being the world champions DAMWON proved that the LCK is relevant again you need to fight back to defend your title but this year it'll be an uphill battle. This year I expect nothing. If last year was the failure of the LCK this year is the fail of the LCS and LPL and the beginning of the LEC era. Prove me wrong.

FPX

Your the LPL’s brightest hope but you've got some roadblocks ahead of you.

You lost to J team in your first game. Need I say more?

The LoL gods have not to pity for you, you've got a quarterfinal matchup against the team that made the demon king look like a civilian. Good luck  

Fnatic

In the group of death which no one could predict you looked all but dead after the first round, the decision to do what you always do and destroy everything in your path in the second half. In a group with SKT, RNG and the team that probably didn't deserve their spot over Mammoth and UoL in Clutch Gaming. Everyone is looking at you as tournament favourites and to make the G2 Fnatic dream final a reality. The LEC era has begun it started in Vietnam and will continue in Germany, Spain and France on home soil it's time to finally take Fnatics second world championship.

SKT

The days of SKT making every world final every time they attend is over and winning the majority of them don't even think about it. You made it out of the group of death sure but Fnatic came for your souls and the rest of Europe will want to dance on your grave. quarterfinal game against Splyce most possibly G2 in semis and Fnatic in the grand finals. The 3 horsemen of the apocalypse.  

Splyce

The team that was taken to a game 5 in the playing is now in the knockout stage. Knowing how dominant the LEC has been the storyline of SKT making finals the appearance of every world could be over. SKT is one of the tournament favourites but they've got a gauntlet to run through and it starts with Splyce. Splyce had a hard time in the group stage almost being knocked out by the J team who took some insane upsets against FPX but had a relatively easy group. This game will be hard but I can definitely see Splyce continuing the storyline from last year where no LCK teams made semi-finals. 

DAMWON

After joining the LCK this year they made it very clear that DAMWON wasn't gonna be relegated at the end of spring placing 4th place and then going one step further taking the 3rd LCK seed to worlds being the first Korean team in the play-in stage.

Undefeated in the play-in stage only losing one game in the best of 5 against Lowkey. 

G2

You won MSI by giving us the fastest best of 5 in International League history and have dominated the LEC since its inception. Need I say more? Yes, Fnatic almost beat you in 2 best of fives in a row but in this new meta, you look far too good in bot lane with the prominence of mages this tournament. I think Fnatic will win but it'll be very close. They found themselves in group D for group stage joining them were current world champion Invictus, MSI finalist and absolute failure Team Liquid and LMS 2nd seed ahq. Easy 5-1 only losing to Liquid. Now they find themselves playing the literal peak of League of legends. No, it isn't from Korea, no it isn't the unkillable demon king Faker and the fallen SKT dynasty. It's the gods of Europe looking for a grand slam on home soil G2 esports. This is a very easy prediction, the tournament favourites vs the lowest seed from the region that got destroyed last year by every other major region. I'll happily watch that 2 years in a row.

Predictions