#most fun i've had playing with software in years

[smovs]

had a ball today learning how to wield 3D models in CSP [Riku’s turn]

[amaiguri]

When you're a Writer and a Vtuber...

If you like storytelling, Vtubing, or both, this one's for you 🥰

You'd think there'd be more overlap of "People who want to be fantasy characters and hide their face" and "Writers" but there really aren't. I know like me and @moonfeatherblue and that's it for the writing/worldbuilding and Vtuber overlap lololol. I think there should be more of us!

So, let me convince you to become a storytelling/worldbuilding/writing Vtuber like me...

In addition to just loving all the cool things you can do with Live2D as a software (if like art and you don't just stare at rigging showcases on YouTube, you should. It's so cool!), I also love storytelling in a social media space. Like, how do you tell a story over time? How much information should you reveal and when? What colors, images, and sounds evoke the feelings you want? And what feelings will keep people coming back for more? Basically, Vtubers have made me fall in love with marketing because the best marketing is just storytelling with some sort of call-to-action at the end.

Am I GOOD at marketing? No, lol, but maybe YOU would be! KEEP READING to find out XD

On the flipside, so so many Vtubers are like "I'm the embodiment of sin and also a gamer and a singer" or "I'm a cottagecore whale who is also the collector of lost souls and I play video games" and it's like... clearly Vtuber audiences LIKE the fantasy aspects of this. Why is the Vtuber default just gaming? Why is there not waaaaay more whimsy and storytelling? (This isn't to say Gaming Bad TM. I'm literally a game dev. I NEED streamers to play my games. I love them.) There's just so much opportunity for cool storytelling with Vtubers!

If you wanna get into being a fictional character/having a kayfabe-like wrestling persona for your writing, you should 100% get into Vtubing. You don't even need to stream to be a Vtuber -- and honestly I'm not even sure you need to post videos necessarily lol -- GIFs and pictures could probably get you pretty far on the right platforms. You could start out using a PNG --there are so many good, free PNGtuber softwares and you could use Picrew images (with the right permissions!) for your PNGtuber to start. Or if you can draw, you can just DO THAT.

Or if you have like $50 USD, Raindrop Atelier has a FULLY rigged Vtuber "Picrew" with chibi models that are so high quality and cute! Or if you have like $300 USD, you could get one of the Picrew-like Vtubers from Charat Genesis. (Yes, that's a lot BUT most Vtuber models — 2D and 3D alike — run you from $2000 to $8000 sooooo $300 is a steal in comparison.)

And then, over time, you could post and reveal facts about yourself and tidbits of your lore! And you could give writing advice or talking about your worldbuilding in-character! I've had this idea to make a fantasy creature mockumentary for actually years now and I'm just trying to find a good scope for it...

On the downside, as with all "storytelling in real time", it can a little discouraging at the start when you don't have a big audience. And this specific niche is especially underdeveloped so it's definitely hard to find a foothold. BUT I find that, because it's all play -- it's all FANTASY -- I have a lot more energy for this kind of marketing than I would if I were promoting myself as "just a writer, trying to sell my writing." Getting people to like me is exhausting. Getting people to like my writing is part of the writing process!

Cuz like, aside from just "inhabiting a fictional character" and "reducing your face presence online while still giving your personal brand a face", being a Vtuber is also a fun way to tie into your work.

Like, my Vtuber model is Arlasaire and she's the protagonist of my (probably) upcoming RPG, Untitled Yssaia Game, (Not the final name, real name pending lol). She talks about cooking and music and geography over on my YouTube channel and it's all infused with cool fantasy music and sound effects. She speaks in and teaches you about conlangs in the world. And she goes on fantasy dates or fantasy vacations! So now, I'm getting people attached to this character and her world BEFORE I even get into her actual story. And all her merchandising and stuff is really just game merchandising and so on and so forth... and that's just good branding! Hopefully some day, this translates into more people playing the game and seeing more of my work!

But obviously, I'm very new to marketing or else this blog post would convince more writers to become Vtubers and more Vtubers to write lol.

Anyway, here's some Arlasaire art (art: LexiKoumori on IG, rig: Kanijam) AS WELL AS some of her earlier model sketches before I asked for her hair to be silkier and less feathery! And lastly, a short unedited video of me being cringe so you KNOW you could do better :DDDD

[7grandmel]

Todays rip: 12/05/2024

Gadget 4

Season 4 Episode 2 Featured on: The SiIvaGunner Spooktacular Halloween Horror Special: Curse of the Fallen Angel

Ripped by Scribble1k

(Audio too big for post) Requested by an Anonymous reader! (Request Form)

It wasn't all too long ago that I covered Scribble1k's ripping on here with How 2 Do Anything, but it was in writing that post that I was reminded of something pretty significant. Out of the 25 excellent rips she contributed to the channel with from Season 2 to Season 4 Episode 2, I'm yet to cover perhaps what she's most known for, a series of rips with one release a year since their very debut. The Minecraft With Gadget Boss series - Go Go Gadget $400 Meme Making Software, That Gadget Arrangement from 2017 2​, Gadget 3, and today's very topic - Gadget 4.

Now, this is far from the first time that Inspector Gadget has been brought up on this blog (and if you're new here, hi! I'm sorry LOL). I've talked about the Inspector Gadget takeover of Season 2 many times and the gravity the event felt like it had, notably Become As Gadget - how the entire channel just morphed into something wholly new overnight and stayed that way for days on end. It clearly left a strong mark on people, Mike Matei's shitty cartoon character impression keeps showing up at irregular intervals on the channel and the takeover itself is a really notable part of the series' lore - and, of course, it was what led Scribble1k to make her first ever rip. The original Go Go Gadget $400 Meme Making Software was a wholly self-made arrangement by the ripper, reimagining the Inspector Gadget theme into an ominous boss battle theme, filled with clips from the aforementioned Mike Matei video and various Season 1 SiIva memes throughout, as if to suggest a battle between Gadget and the very channel itself. Four years later, Gadget 4 feels like a culmination of everything Scribble1k has learned through her time ripping - her magnum opus, if you will.

To that end, then, it absolutely succeeds at its job - and there's something I just find oh-so-befitting about Scribble1k's last-ever Gadget Boss rip dropping during the season all about celebrations. The notes Scribble1k herself has left on the wiki herself are surprisingly detailed in a way I could only hope to be, but the point is the same that I'm aiming to convey here - the rip fucking bangs. It goes for a far more dark electronic sound than the prior installments, a dramatic piano intro paving the way for shit absolutely hitting the fan. I love that even with the Inspector Gadget melody as the central focus, Scribble1k has grown confident enough to be more self-indulgent with Gadget 4 - as described on the Wiki and heard in the rip itself, a whole 2 minutes in the middle serves to play a medley of music from the Touhou series, for instance.

There's tons of cool shit hidden in this rip that I wish I had the time to truly dissect, but I feel that I need to reign myself back a little. It's a super interesting, fun listen regardless - I highly recommend taking a look at all four rips just to see Scribble1k's evolution as a ripper over the years. Having such a clear "checkpoint" for each year of one's ripping journey is a really fun quirk to have, and just one more fun little wrinkle onto SiIva's massive catalogue.

[klapollo]

is copywriting a good job to look into as a writer? im job hunting and i see quite a few openings online but im worried the work will be extremely dreary

i didnt set out to be a copywriter -- frankly when i graduated i had no idea what i wanted to do. i spent about three and a half years freelancing and doing gig work and i'd make like 140 bucks a month on a good year. i happened to apply for a copywriting job among a sea of other entry level things -- social media coordinator, communications associate etc. and i feel SOOOOO fucking blessed that i fell into copywriting

in terms of money: copywriting is very lucrative if you get the experience for it and stay the course. my very first position with no prior copywriting experience (just freelance writing experience) paid me 35/hr. starting off you'll probably make about 50k but moving up the hierarchy can pay a LOT. with four years of experience, during my job hunt i would say the vast majority of the positions i interviewed were within a six figure salary band. moving up the hierarchy, lots of senior copywriters make six figs, and some associate creative directors make over 200k. you can definitely live comfortably as a career copywriter if you play your cards right.

in terms of work: personally i love copywriting, but it's an arm of marketing. if you cant stomach writing marketing materials or learning how marketing works, it might not be for you, but i kinda make it into a game in my head. there's a lot of different kinds of copy -- short form (landing pages, social media blurbs, headlines, emails, product descriptions etc) and long form (white papers, SEO articles/blog posts, ebooks). i would aim to find a copywriting position that will have a wide scope of copy types, because that helps cultivate a well-rounded resume (i.e. shoot for a job that'll have you writing landing pages, emails and blog posts etc over one that's just headlines and captions).

there is also B2C (business to customer, as in marketing a consumer product to individuals) and B2B (business to business, as in marketing a product like mailchimp to a business). i mostly do B2C, but I also do B2B now. it's fine to start with just one, but i'd say right now demand is very high for B2B

the good thing about copywriting is that basically any industry requires it in some capacity. i've worked predominantly in entertainment and digital media, but right now i'd say the biggest demand is in healthcare, fintech and SaaS (software). i freelance for a telehealth company right now in part because i want to make my portfolio more well-rounded. but as i said, nearly any industry can need one -- hospitality, beauty, fashion, retail, nonprofits, anything that is a business that needs to be advertised. when i started, i worked in television, which meant my days largely consisted of watching shows before air and writing episode descriptions. i had a lot of fun!

personally, i dont find my work dreary. sometimes it can be a LITTLE tedious if i'm writing something more technical/internal, but the whole point of copywriting is to figure out how to entice someone to check something out, which means puzzling out how to write something fun and engaging. if you want something less marketing-focused, i would look into getting into technical writing. this is basically writing informational texts and guides for technology and similar things. it pays VERY well and is usually in high demand, but i will say it's definitely more tedious than copywriting.

in short: yes i love copywriting and you can be very financially stable in it! i'd argue it's one of the most financially comfortable day jobs for someone with writing experience. happy hunting anon!!!! i hope u get what ur after

[withlovefromsimtown]

Get to know you- Sims Style

I got tagged by @12raben & would like to procrastinate cleaning my entire house for Thanksgiving, so here we are.

What’s your favorite Sims death?

Run With Scissors! It was available on the official Sims 2 site wayyy back in the day & is now located Here (link)

Alpha CC or Maxis Match?

Can't it be both? Realistically this is one of those that just doesn't apply to Sims 2, because almost all of the BG hairs are made of alpha panels & so is the lace on the bottom of the BG silk nightgown. But yes to improved & later-EP Maxis textures.

Do you cheat your sims weight?

If I have a specific outfit I want them in, & the outfit doesn't have a fatmorph or has one that breaks through the top/bottom of the outfit, sure. Until the next time I close the game, at least... adding & fixing fatmorphs is stupid easy, resisting the urge to throw out the clothing & create a whole new wardrobe is very hard. Then I'll cheat it back if I remember the next time I load the game.

Do you move objects?

Yes.

Favorite Mod?

ACR (link).

First Expansion/Game Pack/Stuff Pack?

Either Livin' Large or House Party. I wanna say House Party because that was the one that had celebrities come to your house for a good party, right?

Do you pronounce live mode like aLIVE or LIVing?

I've actually never said the words "live mode" out loud. I could see both being accurate. aLIVE. Like "go live" in software terms, they are software that is becoming operational. Or LIVing... Build/Buy/Live, as the actions that you as the player are taking in the game. I would probably swap back & forth if I was ever forced to talk about it using the words "live mode".

Who’s your favorite sim that you’ve made?

Oh nooo... I don't often make my own Sims, but use premades or recreations of Sims from different games... so... Goopy Gilscarbo.

Have you made a simself?

Yep! Sim-Me helps facilitate photoshoots in games that I'm playing, since my house is located outside of time in terms of the game. (Any unpaused action while there is another playable Sim on the 111 Lifa Lane lot is not saved lol). I also like to play around in my Sim house to figure out redecorating & rearranging ideas for my IRL house.

Which is your favorite EA hair color?

(sarcasm) Piss Yellow. (/sarcasm) For real though I like Pooklet colors.

Favorite EA hair?

M&G stupid anime hair lol. Although I also like a few of the store hairs (link)

Favorite life stage?

Everything but Baby. I'm so glad that Baby only lasts a day in the unmodded game, they're little screaming larval annoyances. I love the little mischievous things that the Toddlers can get into, like playing in the toilet, hugging the pets, & stealing bottles from their siblings. I think the Child anims for everyday activities are sooo cute, like when they whip out the step stool to put away dishes or brush their teeth, or sitting on books to play Chess. Teen Wants can be a bit annoying but they're chaotic in a fun way, like sliding down the stair rails & playing on the fridge door. YA is a good age stage even if college is kinda tedious, specifically because they're super resilient & have a ton of freedom & very few responsibilities. Adult, well, that's most of the game, isn't it? If I hated Adults I probably never would've played at all. Elders, even when retired, can be really sweet especially if you have them in close friendships & group homes - it can be pretty chill to hang out in the retirement home lot for an afternoon watching Sims play Myshuno & Mahjong.

Are you a builder or are you in it for the gameplay?

Both!

Are you a CC creator?

...If I said "no" would literally anyone here believe me? (Yes. Yes I am.)

Do you have any Simblr friends or a Sim Squad?

Sure do!

Do you have any sims merch?

Official merch? No.

Do you have a YouTube for sims?

I've thought about making one, & have been asked to make one... but not currently no.

How has your “Sims style” changed throughout your years of playing?

I'm more into making neutral & basic things now; I used to be VERY Hot Topic type of vibes. I mean, I still am that way, but most of my Sims are normies because for the most part it doesn't make sense to park Grandpa in the goth club in all of the old ClubCrimsyn outfits, ya know?

Who’s your favorite CC creator?

There are so many it would be hard to list them all! Just the fact that everyone who currently creates CC is still around making things for this ancient game is amazing to me.

How long have you had Simblr?

Over 10 years? I think I got on Tumblr in like 2010 or so, & it was specifically to publicly post gameplay pics to a small group of friends.

How do you edit your pictures?

I crop it in Photoshop & then slap text on it. You've seen my CC preview pics, I'm not doing anything fancy.

What expansion/ gamepack is your favorite?

Nightlife! I mean, come on... Spooky haunted house, vampires, cars, bowling, karaoke, restaurants, & ALSO the goth club? Sign me up.

Tagging: No tags just vibes, if you feel up to it you can join in the fun.

[coutelier]

This week - well, pretty much all last month to be honest - I have been playing Phantasy Star Online 2. Just because I have fond memories of the original PSO for the Sega Dreamcast and PC (actually one of the few discontinued MMO's you can still play, as fans reverse engineered the server software which you can download and run on your own PC). And it had been sitting in my library for quite a long time and I'd never gotten around to it.

First of course comes character creation. This is a 3D anime game of course, but still you've got more options than most games give you over how your character looks:

Although, really, this is the only thing that matters - this is what I'm looking at the vast majority of the time while playing the game:

I will usually play as a woman protagonist whenever that's an option in games, although even when it is - even today - I sadly find that those games are still very clearly written with a male protagonist in mind:

Which is actually odd in this case, as one of the notable things about the original Phantasy Star - released for Sega Master System back in 1987 - was its protagonist:

I've played the original on an emulator years after, with upscaling and smoothing etc. It was pretty good. But it caught my eye because of the protagonist, and even decades later there aren't that many JRPGS with females leads. To me that made it interesting. It's a bit sad that today we live in world where people have decided to eschew things like imagination and empathy, and are only able to consume media if they can sub themselves for the main character and picture Luke Skywalker handing them his lightsaber saying 'truly, you are a great Jedi and the only one who can save the galaxy!'

Er, but I digress... the game! I mean, it's an MMO; fun at first, but inevitably reaches a point where it feels like all you're doing is grinding and then start to lose interest.

[aspisera]

10 things I've learned as an artist

(Resources below text)

Take a step back - I know we all get a lost in the sauce but if you look at the bigger picture, you can pick up on things that look strange or that you don't like.

You can criticize your art but don't hate it - I've said this before but hating your art is hating your progress. The only way to grow is by learning the things you liked/disliked about your older pieces.

Listening to music helps you more than you think - Every art teacher I've ever had always played music in their classroom. Classical, alt, rock, pop, etc. ever since I've noticed my art had more emotion tied to it and (imo) was sharper.

You're only able to draw anime? That's not a bad thing - Drawing anime can be very helpful when it comes to drawing human profiles and it can also help with proportions. No one can tell you how to make art. That's the whole point of it. It's subjective.

You can totally have multiple art styles - Of course you would hear this come from me. Having multiple art styles can help you find the one you like and it's fun to do. I usually take all the sketches I've done and take bits and pieces i like outta them.

Never be afraid to use a reference - Reference models/artist put their pictures on the internet for people like us! The their whole thing is to help young/inexperienced artist to get a grasp of anatomy, creases, and gestures. Never be scared to use one.

If you're working on the computer, give your eyes a break - This doesn't just go for artist, this goes for everyone. I know I'm gonna sound like a parent here but looking at a screen for hours really can make you tired. It can fuck up your melatonin production because of blue light from the screen.

Don't just give your eyes a break, give your hands a break, too. - For the love of fuck please don't spend 4 hours on a huge piece and not give yourself at least one (1) 30 minute break. Carpal tunnel and Arthritis are artist killers. Rest yourself.

Avoid burnout - (This goes for everyone too) Feeling burnt out can take you out for years if you let it get bad enough. I know your art is important to you but remember to keep an eye on your mental/physical health. Being well rested, having good nutrition, and going on a walk every so often can make you feel amazing.

Show your family and friends your art (if you're comfortable with it) - I like to show my mom and siblings my art sometimes. Even though my mom doesn't get it most of the time, she's always happy to give me pointers and compliments. My brother really likes my art and was super excited when I got confident enough to show him. He thinks the way I draw Kris (Deltarune) is incredibly gender and loves it when I send him my pieces.

Here are some apps and websites I use to help with my art:

Pureref - This is an app I use to keep an eye on references while drawing. You can set it to remain open even when in a different software. It's free but they accept donations.

Krita - This is the art program I use. It's reminiscent to Photoshop (something I'm familiar with) but it's completely free and you can get it through their website (Or Steam... if you wanna pay $15 for it).

Krita-Artist.org - Krita has a forum for their users to help other users and give news/updates. There's hundreds of resources, free brush packs, and tutorials on there to help you out.

CapCut - Video editor that's mostly used for Tiktoks but it's easy to use, free, and has it's own copyright detection system. I use this for animatics.

AdorkaStock - Reference photo website that allows you to choose poses from angles, objects, number for models, and positions. All the models are clothed, it won't jumpscare you. They all also have different body shapes so if you're worried about having to draw a chunky character with a slim model, you're all good on that front.

[schnuron]

Games... #1

In the video game world, there are games that get the most attention to the public and some games sold 6 million, 10 million or 20 million copies to the public. But there are games that get less attention to the public eye.

Not Baldur's Gate 3, Elden Ring, The Witcher 3, etc.

I'm referring to Palworld and Helldivers 2 in this year.

Welp, both games are getting the hype today.

I like those two games. And I won't do a review them.

Okay, okay. This post was clickbait, but scroll down the page.

I've seen people were playing Titanfall 2 to this day and how the game wasn't popular back then. I wouldn't mind if that game was popular, while the amount of shooter games was oversaturated back in 2016 and 2017. Many people had noticed and played Overwatch, COD Infinite Warfare, Rainbow Six Siege, PUBG, Destiny and Battlefield 1.

Despite Titanfall 2 sold not big numbers of copies back in 2016, I still love Titanfall 2, but it's not for everyone.

Do you know what underrated game I used to like in 2010, but don't want to play it anymore today?

Amnesia The Dark Descent

--

Here's another example. Back in 2005, gamers and me got to play Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, Resident Evil 4, Burnout Revenge, Need for Speed Most Wanted or God of War on PS2.

But not Psychonauts, until gamers have noticed that underrated game years later.

I'm sure that not every game was made for you. If you bought a game on Steam and you didn't like it for the first 1 hour, you could refund it.

It's easier said than done, but if you're on PC, you can pirate a single-player game and see if that's your vibe. You can't do that on consoles, unless you find a way to download softwares to play an older game.

Can you enjoy the game, even though it's not your vibe or thing?

I could say yes. I played Skyrim in early 2012 and I liked it. I'm biased towards science fiction, but I appreciate any game that's fantasy.

I had a nice affair with a male Argonian in my journey of the game.

I don't know if Helldivers 2 would be the GOTY in 2024, I don't have big expectations of it.

Despite how good and fun Helldivers 2 is, though the campaign is non-existent

nor Palworld…

Just enjoy either of those two games, while the servers are still running live.

[thegeekyartist]

hellooo 💌 for the fic ask meme: 💖🧠🏅📥🍰

Hello, friend!!! 💖💖💖

💖 What do you like most about your own writing?

I think I do a pretty good job with dialogue and humor. I like writing things that make me laugh, and when I get a comment from someone saying they laughed at that same particular thing, I feel like I won the damn lottery.

🧠 What’s an idea you have that you can’t quite call a WIP yet?

I keep playing around with this idea of a pre-s4 Cyrano de Bergerac AU, where Gail enlists Guillermo's help to write love letters to Nandor because she knows she's on thin ice with him after the botched proposal. It's chaos bordering on crack, but knowing me I'd make it way too sincere lol. I think it would be a super fun read, if I could ever start typing words for it.

🏅 What is something you recently felt proud of in regard to your writing (finished a fic, actually planned for once, etc).

Sometimes I look at the BEHEMOTH of a fic that is Big Bloody Bake-Off and I can't believe I wrote essentially 10k each week to keep up with a weekly posting schedule. Someday I'll go into it and fix any egregious errors, but the fact that it's done and 99.9% readable is astounding to me. (EXTREME shoutout to @sketchysketchin for being my muse/cheerleader for that one).

In general, though, just looking at my fics and seeing the improvement makes me feel a nice bit of pride. I never wrote ANYTHING prior to a year-ish ago when I started writing fic, so to have people that WANT to read my work and that LIKE it, while I'm still very much figuring out what the hell I'm doing, feels amazing.

📥 What is your fave fic to receive comments/messages on?

Truthfully, I'm RUNNING to my inbox every time I get an ao3 email, but I especially love getting comments on the longer fics, when someone is trying to guess what happens next or rant about something that happened in the chapter - something that shows they're really engaged in the story and excited to move on but HAD to say something about it first.

(That being said, though, Dear Friend has a special place in my heart and I always get super warm fuzzies when I get a new comment on that one)

🍰 Name one of your fave comfort fics (doesn’t have to be your all time fave).

Well, as I've already gushed, yours of course. Lately I've really enjoyed tucking into a good AU. Another fun one in the wwdits fandom is Bittersweet and Strange by Jay Auris (which I read on Christmas last year and might do again).

I also just finished What We Make of It for Good Omens, which I have a feeling will definitely be a comfort fic for me. It's MASSIVE and so fun and fluffy but has very real discussions/gripes on the US medical system bs and the US educational system, which - as an educator that thankfully exists in the outskirts of it but has to deal with the consequences - I just resonated with so hard. There were parts when Aziraphale was just incensed about how awful the public school system treats students and how things like standardized testing and education software kills children's desire to learn - and refuses to accommodate the individual's needs - that had me pumping my fists.

[lizhasablog]

Hello

I just thought I'd take a moment to list the various things I've though about doing/talking about on this account.

My personal life

My life is a mess of a thousand problems. Everything makes me miserable anymore. You've been warned.

I kinda don't want to talk about certain subjects both directly and publicly, but it seems there's nothing like "followers-only posts". That would be a good feature.

My current programming project(codenamed Escape)

Sort of a game to provide a happy place for me to mess around in, although it's yet to reach a playable state. I'll detail work that's previously gone into it, the current state of it, and future plans for it. It's sadly also the only thing in this list that could make for decent picture material.

Reviewing various shows and movies I've watched over the last 5 years

I'll have to do a separate post listing all the things I've watched, assuming I manage to remember them all. Things will likely be grouped with other similar stuff or things in the same series if I don't have enough to say about a single item. I figure I'll try to review stuff immediately after watching them going forward to properly establish my sentiments while they're fresh in my mind.

Pokemon stuff

Mainly Go as that's the one I play the most currently. I also do a bit of Unite playing but my interest has really waned in it. Violet I only really touch for a day every time they do a new promotion.

Computer stuff

Largely programming or software stuff, but also occasionally hardware related things. I guess game systems could be thrown in this category too.

3D modelling software and model/texture hosting sites?

This was an idea I had sort of born out of my inability to find an instance either of these things that I liked. Everything seems to have some major issue. I have a soft spot for sort of medium-poly models; particularly landscapes, home furnishings, and simplistic architecture. While I haven't messed around much in this department, it seems like something fun to review. The modelling software might be better fit for a youtube series though to really convey the thought process using a program and any interface issues.

Reviewing games I play?

Honestly I don't do that much playing of games outside a few comfort games and games I've worked into my daily routine. I have played slightly more games in the last half a year, although nothing that's left a lasting impression.

"Art"/Artists I like?

I mean, yes, it is art even if it's NSFW. Stuff that's just cute/funny images I come across or stuff that's not even remotely sexual I'll just reblog regardless, but I don't know if I wan't to incorporate other stuff into this blog.

Feel free to request specific things to be talked about.

I'll try to tag everything appropriately so people can filter out my various ramblings. No promises though.

[lorz-ix]

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon (2023)

I've been trying to play through a bunch of AC games this year, in order to prepare myself for this. And when I finally got here, my mind was blown. The first mission, when I got to control the AC for the first time, had me feeling awestruck, because the handling was that good. This game simply feels fantastic to play and rewards both skill and experimentation, the story is engaging, the cosmetic customization is incredibly fun. It might not be perfect, but it's a great package, and the fact that it's a standalone entry (and such a different one from the old games) makes it the best starting point for new fans.

As for those flaws though, the biggest one is for sure the variety in customization options compared to older entries. They put a lot of effort into making each leg type have its own unique mobility/utility quirk for example, but it doesn't feel great if you like the utility that tank legs provide when you have like 2 or 3 options to choose from. Meanwhile, regular bipedal legs have several times the amount of models compared to any other leg type. It makes it feel like you can't fully tweak your AC as much as you'd like, or you'd even be able to in previous games.

Some fans have also criticized the Dark Souls-esque boss structure, feeling like From Software is making the Armored Core series feel less unique, with less variety in mission objectives to boot. This is a valid criticism, particularly if you fell in love with the series for what it was before, considering how drastic the changes have been since AC4, and the things that have been watered down or simplified.

In conclusion, this should be great fun for most people looking for an action-packed mecha game where you can customize your own giant robot, particularly if you don't mind having to overcome some tough challenges from time to time. Just try to keep your preconceived notions and expectations in check. All the negativity I've seen around it has to do with what people expected it to be, and what it isn't.

[dragonsongmakhali]

<Get to know the mun!>

1. Are you named after anyone?: Nah, though my middle name is from my father's side. Fun fact: my dad actually wanted to name me Trillian, from Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Kind of wish he had won.

2. When was the last time you cried?: I think I may have teared up at some point during Suzume when we went to see it in theaters.

3. Do you have kids?: No, and I do not plan on having any at the moment. I've got a niece, though, so I've got a little one in the family to buy obnoxious toys for.

4. Do you use sarcasm a lot?: It's part of the family vernacular, so yes.

5. What sports do you play/have you played?: sports??? Not really. I was in color guard in high school, and I practiced kung fu for many years in/after college. Sadly I have lost all of my athletic ability as I've aged.

6. What’s the first thing you notice about other people?: Their outfits! I love seeing the stuff people choose to wear, even if I don't put any effort into my own clothing.

7. Scary movies or happy endings?: Happy endings, I'm terrible with scary movies.

8. Any special talents?: I am extremely good at making chicken pot pies specifically. Alright at most other forms of cooking too.

9. Where were you born?: Orlando, Florida.

10. What are your hobbies?: FFXIV/gpose, I suppose gaming in general, writing (generally only for the current hyperfixation, and even then only in the notes app on my phone never to see the light of day), and once in a blue moon I draw.

11. Do you have any pets?: Just one, a german shepherd named Orion who has the most adorable face I've ever seen.

12. How tall are you?: 5'1.7", but they let me say 5'2".

13. Fave subject in school?: I think the class I was most excited about was Calculus (thank you Sho Minamimoto).

14. Dream job?: I've got a job that pays the bills and that treats me well, which is pretty much as close to a dream as you can get in this economy. I'm a software developer :)

15. Eye colour?: Brown.

Tagged by: @loveliestbun (thank you!! This was such fun :>)

Tagging: Grabbing some folks from my tag post, if you've done this already/don't wanna do this then uh. post a screenshot for me instead :D @aethericfist @airis-ray @duchessdynamic @ae-fond-seeker @aethericmusings @blackestnight

[sonicenvy]

more reflections on new computer (MSI Delta 15)

The speakers are not particularly powerful. My macbook air from 2013 with only one functioning speaker has better sound. I think if this were my only computer, this might be more annoying, but since this is one of 6 functioning computers that I own, I can let that go. Like they're not .... bad. They're just not super great either. Then again, this seems to be a continual theme with every windows PC I've ever owned lol (this is my 7th windows pc since 2005) Somehow all my PCs seem to die after 5-6 years (excepting my last one which made it 9.5 years whooo!) and my macs are still chugging along after 10+ years (oldest mac turned 14 this year and I finally had to replace the battery. Daily driver mac turned 11)

This computer is stupid fast and that's really nice. You know having a really fast computer is something that you give up on when you live in old computer land. So like, y'all my macbook pro 2012 is not much slower than this one (owing to the SSD and the 16GB of ram that I gave it) but it still has a longer boot time than this thing. This is making me wonder if they sell NVMe to SATA adapters so I could install a 1TB NVMe in the macbook (I have a 1tb SATA SSD on board right now). The boot time on this new PC is like 10 whole seconds which slaps.

So much less heat out of this computer compared to my last one. The reviewers of this computer complaining about the heat literally did not have my 9.5 year old PC y'all. They haven't played video games on a 14 year old mac and lived to tell the tale. The heat on the bottom of the 2009 macbook is scorching to the touch after 25 minutes in on civ v, as is the heat out of the charger. The charger on this computer is still room temp 2.5 hours into a video game. That's nice.

Also, holy shit y'all just found out that I can pick WHATEVER color I want for the backlight in the keyboard. This is a pointless but very fun feature that I LOVE.

The colors are decent in the general system and good in game. They're no adobe colorspace in PS -- my mac definitely has brighter coloring in adobe software.

once again so glad that explorer patcher exists because it has made the windows explorer/start menu experience tolerable in windows 11 which the native system does not offer. if you have windows 11 and hate the windows 11 start menu explorer patcher is for you. google it and download it. (note that there is currently a bug in it where if you have it use the windows 10 taskbar that the task viewer/gestures in the system break. Still you are able to use the start menu fix, which in my mind is the best most useful feature of the patch.

[corpish]

10 random facts about your childhood/teenage self and 10 about your adult self.

10 fun facts about my childhood/teenage self:

I learned (and still know) how to play piano, marimba, and various percussion instruments (ex. snare drum, drumset, etc)

My most-eaten food until college was peanut butter sandwiches (honestly, I feel like I averaged 1-2 a day)

In high school, I got paid to perform "Love is an Open Door" as Hans (my friend was Anna) for a child's birthday party

I bought my first laptop from my hometown priest

In like 5th grade, I unfortunately got a really bad haircut once and my family and I agreed not to take photos of me until it grew out (so there's like literally no photo evidence, but it sucked and I def cried lol)

Two friends and I had a YouTube channel in middle school where we would do sketch/improv comedy

In high school, I did an internship with Univision, got to help do lighting production for the 2015 Premios Juventud award show in Miami, and ~technically~ worked for artists like Pitbull, J Balvin, Maluma, Karol G, and Fifth Harmony

I was really into music mashups to the point where I taught myself how to use music software and made a ton of mashups of my own

In middle school, I once won a hula hoop competition

I decided on a somewhat whim to run for senior class president in high school and won, becoming the first Latinx president in my school's history(!!)

10 fun facts about my adult self:

In college, I gave a TEDx talk a niche topic I'm passionate about regarding the intersection of music and politics

I flew on an airplane for the first time and spent a month and a half backpacking across northern Spain

I was once interviewed by Ziwe on her TikTok Live

In college, I mentored a guy who's now an NBA All-Star?!? (Darius Garland!! the main reason I've semi-kept up with the NBA)

I worked as a radio host in Nashville for a little while and got to interview artists like the Jonas Brothers, Lady A, and one of the Fifth Harmony girls (her hairstylist also found me on insta and asked to hook up lmaoo)

I candidly have over 200+ playlists on Spotify...

This year I officiated a wedding for the first time! (for two of my friends from high school!)

I've really gotten into songwriting over the past few years and written a bunch of songs for fun and therapeutic reasons

I had my first threesome and foursome last autumn, the latter of which led to my bf and I becoming more than "just friends" lol

I saw Post Malone and hung out backstage for free earlier this summer because my cousin opened for him??? (his band is Beach Fossils!!)

ask me anything!

[murumokirby360]

My Yearend Techs & Misc. Items Summary - 2022

Hello! So, 2022 is about to end in a few hours. A few positive moments 🙂⬆️, but some are negative moments in the past 😞⬇️, with my most heart breaking moment was my old hard drive will soon vanish because I can't work it right, and I'm unable to save my precious files. 😭 But, don't worry, I'll be strong when it hits 2023. 💪 As some would say, "Where there's a will, there's a way". 🥲 And, since I can't retrieve my old template, I decided to create my own template from scratch instead of fetching a traceable template from the internet image search. Which is good for me.

Anyway, enough for that, let’s talk about my ‘My Yearend Techs and Misc. Items Summary 2022’! And here are my choices per month so far, both ongoing & done topics:

• JAN - Redragon Rudra (K565R) Full Size Mechanical Keyboard (done): So far, I'm having fun typing & playing with my 1st ever owned mechanical keyboard from the 2021 Christmas gift. However, one con that I've found from experiencing mech keyboard was wearing off the tactical keystrokes after longevity used. I'm still curious to see if this mech keyboard from Redragon is swappable/removable key switches; though it didn't advertise or include this feature. Regardless, it is still worth it to use my daily computer activities.

• FEB - 8bitdo Pro 2 Controller (ongoing): Arguably the most worthy controller in my review, the 8Bitdo's Pro 2 controller is my current go-to 3rd-party controller on multiple gaming devices (Android, iOS, Steam, Switch, and PC/Laptop). Though to be fair, the SN30 Pro+ had a special place in my heart, so much so that I want to buy another one. But, I digress. The Pro 2 controller improves the predecessor by adding back paddle buttons, a profile switch, toggling four platform devices, and connecting the 8bitdo ultimate software app on Android/ Apple iOS on the go without bringing a bulky laptop.

• MAR - Oria 120 in 1 Screwdriver Set (done): As a tech-savvy enthusiast, I decided to buy my own Screwdriver Set, in case that I want something to fix on my daily used devices, namely "Smartphones". Because it's very common now, to this day.

• APR - Fixing my PC - Volume II Story: A sequel to my last year's story, I made another huge mistake after I disassembled & cleaning the entire parts of the PC desktop harmlessly until it went down south. So, my mom provided me to buy a new motherboard & CPU to keep my computer alive. I'm still concerned about my 160 GB HD (that contains my important & precious files), therefore, my puzzle is incomplete, to this day.

• MAY - Adata HD330 External Hard Drive - 2 TB (done): On the bright side, I bought my own brand new 2 TB external hard drive from the folks of Adata. And while I'm filling out some files by drawing digital artwork or recording videos, I always stored my NEW precious files onto my portable memory drive.

• JUN - N-Power LED RGBW Bulb w/ Remote (done): A single-color light bulb is boring to some. But, a light bulb that contains different colors using a remote on our fingertips is far better & entertaining. And I can't do without N-Power. Plus, it's way cheaper than other brands.

• JUL - Unbranded USB AA Rechargeable Batteries (done): This unique cell battery doesn't require a battery cell charger, instead, it uses a USB type A to charge using either from the computer, a power bank or a USB wall charger (or any similar devices that involves USB type A). A fully charged AA battery estimates up to 6 to 7 hours, not 2.5 to 3 hours. Yeah, that's a downside, but you won't regret owning it.

• AUG - Phone Tripod Mouth Adapter (done): I want something that rotates my mouthed smartphone without adjusting from my tripod, and thankfully my wish was granted. To this day, I'm still using it for my recording & snapshot purposes using my current smartphone (Honor 8C).

• SEPT - Keweisi (or KOWSI) USB Multifunctional Tester (done): Honesty, I'm tired of manual time using my phone & opening a stopwatch as my timer. I just can't tell what's the real estimated time during my charging test. Well, not to worry! Because the USB Multifunctional Tester from Keweisi (or KOWSI?) should do the job. The only thing I need to do is to keep an eye on a specific time when charging any device is full.

• OCT - QKZ AK6 Pro IEM Earphones (done): My ZNT R620 earphone [CLICK ME!] might be an ‘A-Okay’ status & using it as my primary earphone. But, all that changed when I switched to QKZ's AK6 Pro as my first ever owned IEM earphone! It's the cheapest IEM earphone (on the market) with the ability to remove IEM cables, and I'm still embracing it. I just love these IEM earphones so much, that I need someone to compete against other brands.

• NOV - Rechargeable Light Tube (done): By far, the most likable & unique item I ever owned, this fluorescent light look-a-like has three available sizes; depending on their amount of watts. And right here is the 40 Watts. Perfect for outside activities, travel, and even camping.

Here is my honorable mention:

• FEB - ZNT R620 Earphones (done): As I said, it's A-Okay. However, their loudness sound didn't match, particularly the right channel. It's a good thing I'm done using it because I've already got the aforementioned QKZ AK6 Pro IEM Earphones.

Alright, back to my topic pick & this is my last!↓

• DEC - Sonicgear Quatro 2 USB Speakers (done): And finally, my last item review is the Sonicgear Quatro 2 USB Speakers. Their design & sound quality are decently average, in my opinion, but their four bass drives could use a little tweak to make it better, or maybe swap it out from other brands & make a custom for your music taste.

Well, that’s the end of my “My Yearend Techs and Misc. Items 2022”. We’ll see you in 2023. 

🥳 Happy new years eve to all, and as always, stay safe!😷

If you want to see my 2020 & 2021 version of that, then I'll provide some links down below.↓

• My Yearend Techs and Misc. Items 2021

• My Yearend Techs and Misc. Items 2020

tagged: @lordromulus90, @bryan360, @carmenramcat, @leapant, @alexander1301, @rafacaz4lisam2k4

[health-experience]

Taking a Chance on Chance: How Lottery Defeater Software Improved My Lottery Experience

For years, lottery tickets were a bit of a guilty pleasure. A small investment for the chance at a life-changing win. However, after countless unsuccessful draws, it started to feel more like throwing money away than a fun flutter. That's when I stumbled upon Lottery Defeater Software, a program that promised to give players an edge with its data-driven approach. Skeptical but curious, I decided to give it a go, and I'm happy to report it's significantly improved my lottery experience.

Data-Driven Insights, Not Guarantees

Let's be clear, Lottery Defeater Software doesn't guarantee a win. It's not magic, and lotteries are inherently games of chance. However, what the software does offer is valuable data analysis. By crunching historical data and identifying trends, it suggests number combinations with a potentially higher chance of being drawn. This doesn't eliminate the element of chance, but it does provide a more informed approach to selecting numbers, which for me, was a game-changer.

User-Friendly Interface and Easy to Use

One of the things that impressed me most about Lottery Defeater Software was its user-friendliness. The interface is clean and intuitive, and even someone with limited technical knowledge can navigate it with ease. The software guides you through the process of selecting a lottery and provides clear explanations of the data it analyzes. This user-friendly approach makes it accessible to a wide range of lottery players, regardless of their technical expertise.

Increased Wins and a Renewed Sense of Fun

Since using Lottery Defeater Software, I've noticed a definite increase in my lottery wins. While I haven't hit the jackpot yet (fingers crossed!), I've had several smaller wins and numerous near misses. These wins, no matter how small, have made the whole experience more enjoyable. It's no longer just about the potential life-changing win; it's about the anticipation and excitement of each draw, with the software giving me a sense of playing smarter, not just harder.

A Valuable Tool for Serious Lottery Players

While Lottery Defeater Software isn't a magic bullet, it's a valuable tool for serious lottery players. By offering data-driven insights and a user-friendly interface, it helps you approach the game with a more informed strategy. It's important to remember that lotteries are still games of chance, but with Lottery Defeater Software, you can at least ensure you're playing with a bit more knowledge on your side. If you're looking to add a touch of strategy and excitement to your lottery experience, I highly recommend giving Lottery Defeater Software a try