#that in itself is meant to highlight a theme of theirs ‘to see’

[akkivee]

Ooh what's up with hitoya and heterochromia? 👀

forgive the phone stylus doodles i didn’t want to grab my laptop for this lol but hitoya has two different eye colours in one iris!!!!!!!! technically all the characters have two different eye colours; jyushi has blue and chuuou pink as his eye colours, for instance. but hitoya managed to have three colours in his eyeball lol like it’s not quite heterochromia but it also is and it’s a weird detail lol

[sunnymusingsao3]

director's commentary: haunt me, then? :3c

Behind the Scenes: Fanfic Edition

Edit Post-Writing: Buckle up, friends, this got LONG (so sorry slkdjf)

So you, Crow, were there when we discussed the idea to haunt me, then, so I'll try and keep this about stuff that you may not have seen! However, before I do that, a quick tl;dr for those who did not see us hollering about this idea lol:

It happened right after we got the Rise of the Titans teaser trailer, back when we still knew so little about the movie itself. In the teaser, we saw Bellroc and their cool fire titan, and that spawned a whole myriad of ideas-- some earnest speculation, others just forming from the metaphorical playground because they were fun. One such idea that, if I remember correctly, was somewhere in between "wouldn't this hurt?" and "oh god what if it actually did happen?" was born, in order to explain why Skrael wasn't present in the teaser. Crow suggested the truly heartbreaking (compliment) idea that someone had to be sacrificed in order to raise the volcanic titan, and oh boy did that one gain legs.

So, moving on, I got permission from Crow to write this fic because the idea was just so good, and also because I was really in the mood to write something in the vein of horror, with romantic themes undercutting it. I was very enticed by the idea of monstrous love, and the different forms it can take, as well as the idea of loving someone so much that when it comes time to sacrifice them, you do it, because you know that not doing it would feel too much like coddling them. You have a mission that you both would lay down your lives for; to not allow your lover the chance to do so, when it is necessary, would feel like dishonor-- it would be an insult.

So this was the thesis of the fic, as it were; the central idea behind all of the themes and imagery that I wanted to explore.

Now on to some things that, to my memory, were not told to anyone as I was writing!

I toyed a LOT with the idea of Skrael figuring them out before they actually sacrificed him; I ended up landing on "he's suspicious, but doesn't stop them"

The reasons he has for not stopping them are: 1. It's his job 2. He was always prepared for the possibility that only one of them would end up making it to the new world 3. He wants to see if they did their research; was this an impulse decision, or are they really sure about this?

By the time they stop him from grabbing his staff, he is sure that it's not an impulse decision; that was his last reservation-- because if he can get his staff, he can fight back. But if they ensured that he couldn't even fight back, then it meant that they'd prepared for even the least likely outcome. It's not that he doesn't believe they know what they're doing, but it reassures him to know that they are taking extra measures to stay safe, and to make sure their plans come to fruition

In the final act, where they lean him over the volcano's lip, it's a much calmer version of what I'd initially had in mind, but I liked it better because the slow inevitability was more compelling to me. It felt like a natural progression. And if I wanted drama, it could come after, when the grief actually hits Bellroc, so there was less harm in delaying some of that higher emotion for a little bit later in the fic

The more dramatic version, however, was Skrael beginning to fall, and him grabbing their arm on instinct. It was a good image, the idea of him dangling openly, held only by a hand that he knows now is going to let go, but it also felt too much like Skrael didn't know what was happening beforehand, which didn't feel like the right character choice for him. He admits to being unfamiliar with the ritual they're about to perform, but the pieces rather start to add up, and he's always been good at reading Bellroc.

Speaking of that ritual, I imagined that he is less familiar with this one because it's one born of fire magic, and he just simply does not possess the necessary understanding of that magic to make it-- in his mind-- worth his while to read the spellbook it's in. He's surely dabbled in reading about fire magic a little, because it's smart to at least have some level of understanding when you live with a fire mage, but it's more like he was reading the Fire Magic 101 textbooks, while Bellroc was about to submit their PhD dissertation.

However, though he is less familiar with the ritual in the fic, I also like to think that he has a similar one in his own practice. He hasn't needed to use it, but he knows it, however distantly. I think it would involve a much, much slower death for his sacrifice, leaving them exposed to the ice and the elements, to slowly wear the person away. This would be why, if the Order were given the choice between Bellroc's ritual and his, Skrael would always push to be the sacrifice in theirs, because he does not think he could be steadfast enough to last the length of their death. With his death in theirs, he knows it would be quick, and they'd have little chance of changing their mind, but with them in his, he'd have to wait hours to days, and he just doesn't think he could subject them to that.

It's linked in the fic itself, so this is known, but the song that inspired this was The Horror of Our Love by Ludo. However, the other songs I primarily listened to for this were Eternally Yours by Motionless in White, Brutus by The Buttress, and a slowed version of Teeth by 5 Seconds of Summer (blood warning). These helped set the mood, and then in between them, I wrote to darker classical music playlists on Youtube!

The quote at the end was almost the one from Black Panther, between W'Kabi and Okoye: "Would you kill me, my love?" "For Wakanda? Without question."

I went with the Wuthering Heights one, however, because it felt more appropriate to Bellroc's grief, and since that grief was focused on less in the fic than the sacrifice parts, I wanted to highlight it a little more

This was also an idea I talked about with Crow, but I wanted to share it here, too, since idk if it'll ever gain proper legs, but I really like the idea of, after this, Bellroc becoming the new North Wind, as well as the Keeper of the Flame, because I don't think you can truly get rid of the North Wind. But, perhaps the "powers that be" (whether that's something sentient or not) see that they've only really got two options left for who they could make the new North Wind, and, well, Bellroc's got his staff already, and they're right there when he dies, so maybe they just kinda... pop that magic right in there

It's a very AU idea though lol, so I'm not sure if there's enough grounded basis for it

However, if I ever did write it, I also really like the alternate idea of... the best way I can describe it is Greeling in FMA:B? Body sharing, basically, and Skrael being a whisper in the back of their head. When they want the North Wind to "take over" as it were, they don't change their form or anything, but suddenly, they grow very, very cold, and they can no longer perform fire magic, but ice magic, instead

I just think it would be neat to see the North Wind and the Keeper of the Flame as one person, whether it's only one soul in the body, or two!

This is one of like, three fics I've considered making a podfic for!

I think that's about everything I can think of off the top of my head, but if there's anything else you or someone else would like to ask about, please feel free to come into the inbox again! <3

[glumvillain]

GlumReviews #7

As we continue to explore bands that have pioneered sounds we find ourselves on the 4th studio album from Faith No More.  A peculiar but unique band.  While the New Wave was waving, Faith No More blazed their own path of funk rock and blended it with metal to come out as one of the more interesting bands of the 90′s.

The 90′s is cursed with a playing-field of post-punk bands just doing their own thing and getting swept up in the Grunge era madness.  Faith No More I think is one of those bands that refused to be part of that wave and incorporated heavier metal with their funk and was looking to standout rather than be swept away by the wave.

1. Land of Sunshine

The album opens with a metal-esque satire about the parental state of the United States at this point in time.  Told in a theatrical spitfire of infomercial messages.  You get a real sense of alienated youth and rebelliousness, a band that really wanted to come out swinging.  To build upon--and sort of leave behind their old sound to go a new direction for a new era.

2. Caffeine

A chugging metal tune, that is no worse for wear than the previous track, we keep the momentum moving along.  I really get a sense of the Alice Cooper theatrical movements and big sounds all around.  It’s a loud album meant to be played loud, you try to digest it like a metal album but it perhaps is too interesting and weird to be taken at face value.  So far the album has my curiosity in its hostility and lyricism. 

3. Midlife Crisis

This is probably my favorite song off of the album, it stays in this very sterile space of not being metal, kind’ve poppy but also a little bit of that funk groove lays dormant in alot of their songs.  This song probably being one of the more cohesive and structured songs, also has this kind’ve strange “Pretty Hate Machine” bridge portion that I really dig.  You reach this point of the album wondering if this is a metal record or just an alt rock band flexing their styles for fun.

4. RV

I really don’t know where to approach this song from.  They dip their toes into this Primus style of storytelling and twangy bass, which I don’t necessarily hate.  I really think this song is just making fun of white trash ignorant racists and after 2020 I’m pretty comfortable making that judgement, especially if you check out the lyrics.  Humorous and fun, definitely different and not the direction you expected the album to take. “Toss me inside a Hefty and put me in the ground”  that line just really resonated with me for some reason.  

5.  Smaller and Smaller

Mike Patton is a powerhouse vocalist as far as I’m concerned, able to hit these beautiful clean almost operatic vibratos, ALSO while being able to nail the metal hardcore screams when needed.  You got this Anthraxy main riff, sprinkled with a Pantera-y guitar lick and can you really complain.  Maybe Patton’s vocal style is a bit different but the music on display in this album is pretty different from the saturated grunge playing field.

6. Everything’s Ruined

The lead guitarist, after touring this album quit the band.  Citing the direction of the band declining, calling it “gay disco”.  Admittedly this is my first Faith No More album so I don’t have much to compare it to.  Perhaps a 1985 single of theirs that sounds like a “Midlife Crisis” b-side.  Perhaps coming from funk metal, and ending up on this song may not seem like the coolest choice but it’s not bad music, the guitarwork is awesome and if at anytime you feel a lull in the energy you can expect Patton to delivery some awesome vocals.

7.  Malpractice

I don’t know how anyone could feel their band going the way of the dogs whenever they have such a random array of genres to lean into.  I initially wanted to remark on how much this chorus kinda sounds like an Alice In Chains type of song but stylistically it just makes too many twists and turns for you to really nail them down to a comparable band in their class.

8.  Kindergarten

One area you lose me is the rap/rock hybrid. And this song straddles that fence of Run DMC and Aerosmith if that makes sense.  White dudes trying to evoke the coolness of rap and mix it with basic metal noise is usually a way to get skipped in my playthroughs but again, the musical direction this album takes makes this it pretty easy to listen to because it is just different enough to remain interesting. One of the better songs off the album.

9.  Be Agressive

This is that funk metal you keep hearing about.  Like a badass Red Hot Chili Peppers.  Just another face smasher of a song, but again we get treated to these very theatrical.. heavy metal Phantom of the Opera moments.  This is one song I’d definitely wanna see live as it just has that big opener energy.

10.  A Small Victory

This sounds like a song written completely on synths and a drum machine and Faith No More just said “fuck it, transcribe it”.  Undeniably lighter than the album preceding, an underdogs anthem.  Gets a little repetitive and doesn’t come off as a highlight of the album for me.  Let’s call it filler.

11.  Crack Hitler

Did I tell you about that funk metal? And I mentioned how they kinda dip their toes in that strange strange Primus water?  Here’s the masterpiece of that.  Sweet funkitude.  This just has everything going for it with that badass bass slap, wah wah pedal is just working overtime to bring you the jam.  Maybe the previous song needed to fall short so this one could hit that much harder for me.

12.  Jizzlobber

This is where I unearth a Nu-Metal artifact.  I mean--name the band, this is that sound and Patton abandons his clean vocals for heavy distorted screamed.  Half rapped, half screamo, this is a pretty decent song and oddly stands out as the black sheep of the album.  What the hell are you doing in THIS album? This is their most normal song to me, oddly enough. I was gonna make a joke about JNCO jeans but it flared out.

13.  Midnight Cowboy (Theme From)

This is a pretty chill (mostly instrumental) jam.  Theatrical rock music if I had to give it an official genre that I made up.  I’d say more filler but I know there are a few people who enjoy a nice instrumental soundscape and this could be one of em for you.  It reins in the heavy and gives you a nice listening experience.

14.  Easy

Funnily enough, their one cover song that was only included on later reprints of the album--is the one that earned them most of the acclaim.  A cover of Lionel Richie’s laidback sunday morning jam.  Is it better? mmmm arguably.  But I’d say they’re in a tie for being good.  Faith No More doesn’t change it in anyway that makes it unique into itself but comes off as a pretty decent tribute to the entire energy of the song.  Carefree and fun, all this after an album full of chaotic guitar and operatic rock singing, and a beautiful way to end an album full of twists and turns.

As stated before, this was my first Faith No More album and I really didn’t know what I was getting into, even for being knowledgeable about their singles that really doesn’t set you up for what their album contains and that's largely an overlying mission of this review series.  Discovering bands past their singles, their one hit wonders, and perhaps there’s something to be learned in that journey alone.

this journey was a

⭐⭐⭐/5

The good moments of this album really shine, I don’t see it as something I can play through without skipping a few tracks though.  I enjoyed the heavy metal elements blended with funk and I think Mike Patton is one of the funner vocalists of our time.  Worth a one time listen at the most and I think you could very well come out liking a song or two.

[geek-gem]

This Sonic Movie Sequel Idea

Had to click in here again okay OK KO is on, "My Dad Can Beat Up Your Dad" yeah that's the title my phone remembers the words.

But this....I'm gonna tell you it's very random and makes no sense. This is something that has been in my mindset for maybe since August maybe I forgot now it's September and just.....it's insane...

It's basically my fan fiction and this idea.....I think about it at times. But I'm thinking about other fandoms because the obsession with that Sony Sonic movie in 2019 and thinking of a cinematic universe and sequels. Basically if you've been following me and saw that post imagine if combing both the stories of Sonic Adventure 1 and 2 into a movie.

Of just how insane it would be. This is basically the crowing beautiful thing I keep imagining and want for a Sonic movie sequel despite we haven't gotten a movie yet. But also just.....I should mention I really like BVS as a film. Including yes the ultimate edition.

Just....I want to write this because I feel this might never happen or could happen yet it's seriously insane.

Basically it's a battle between Super Sonic, Super Shadow, Metal Sonic, and Perfect Chaos against the Biolizard who's basically been wanting to say this I forgot the God damn Doomsday.

It's a battle so huge and is supposed to be the big highlight of the film and it's themes and other stuff and what it means for the franchise.

Basically it's this idea that the Biolizard is on Earth now wanting to kill everything on Earth and Shadow tries to stop it but gets his ass kicked so Super Sonic and Perfect Chaos and also Chaos is basically reformed and now using his form and powers to try to kill the Biolizard. Yet the Biolizard is programmed and grown to be huge and is able to survive and handle itself against beings like Super Sonic and Perfect Chaos. After the two try to keep fighting the Biolizard and it kills a shit ton of people including Station Square is fucked up because Chaos flooded the place which makes it worse. Along with using many of it's powers like the laser out of it's mouth and bubbles and just which helps it against Perfect Chaos. But Shadow with the help of Sonic becomes Super Sonic I remember decides to forcefully bring the Biolizard into space and even punch it up higher and wants then others to fire the Space Colony Ark's Eclipse Canon

Okay my mom came in and had to put some clothes away just socialized with her a bit to not be weird including used Google to spell eclipse it's difficult and changed channel to MTV 1

But okay read it he wants the others to fire the Ark's Eclipse Canon at the Biolizard and he's trying to keep it still also this is a reference to the ending of Shadow's game where he takes the Black Comet in space. But Perfect Chaos see's what Shadow is doing but he doesn't know theirs a plan going on so Chaos decides to shoot a laser from his mouth that can go into space everyone is shocked and doesn't like this and fearing all this energy could seriously not just kill the Biolizard but also Shadow. So Shadow notices this and shocked but he decides to keep going and the Ark is still gonna fire so he tries his best to hold the Biolizard enough where both the Eclipse Canon and Perfect Chaos's can hit the Biolizard at the same time hoping it can kill it and Shadow having to keep the Biolizard in place.

Also said hi to dad after I put Chaos's.

Both enegry beams from the Eclipse Canon and Perfect Chaos hit Biolizard and Super Shadow at the same time. Thus theirs a mixture of green stuff and blue white stuff in the air the battle is taking at night time almost to morning. It's like a nuke went off in space and everyone is shocked and freaking out. Then two things crash down from space. The biggest one being the Biolizard crashes down in a part of Station Square and the other the smaller one is Shadow and he crashes down some where far from Station Square.

The others including some far away from the battle realize and figure out the Biolizard can not be killed unless it's by pure Chaos enegry mainly straight to the heart. Including it's been now breed to be so tough it just can't die.

So Super Sonic and Perfect Chaos try to fight the Biolizard and at first it kills a shit ton of people in the part of Station Square it's at.

While Shadow still in his Super state is just in rough shape but others find him and he decides to fly back where the battle is going on.

The Biolizard is taking a lot of beatings yet able to kick Super Sonic's ass and even Perfect Chaos too. Then Metal Sonic comes in using his shield and his beam thing that can be fired from his chest which is more powerful now protects Sonic and yeah even shielding him from the Biolizard's laser. Then Super Shadow comes in knocks the Biolizard and makes it fly away in another direction. The reason Metal Sonic joins them and this is on his own will. Including Eggman before this was wondering where Metal Sonic went off too.

Metal Sonic has realized that if the Biolizard isn't stopped it's gonna kill the entire planet with everyone and everything on it. Along with the fact also yeah he mentions he will be the one who will kill Sonic not the Biolizard yet the main thing is the planet. So he realizes they need well super powered beings they have and can get to try to kill the Biolizard. Including Metal Sonic is built to be so powerful he's able to take on something like the Biolizard but has to be careful and use his shield a lot.

Then the huge battle is going on, Sonic and Shadow trying to keep punching the creature and speeding towards it, firing beams from their hands, also spindashes let's put the there too, Metal Sonic like Sonic and Shadow also using his beam, Perfect Chaos trying to bite and fire at the creature even trying to drown and strangle it with water and and water tentacles, and Shadow using Chaos Spear and you know what let's add Chaos Blast in there too. Also during that while all four are trying to keep blasting it, as Shadow arrives by firing a beam at the Biolizard it fights back using it's laser from it's mouth and a laser stand off ensures as Shadow let's out battle cry or something and even the Biolizard roars while firing but the laser is so powerful it boosts up and now pushes Shadow away far away yet Shadow is still going and gets back up.

Seriously the fight is insane, big, people stuck in buildings or just all around are watching and trying to get away from the fight. Along with theirs News helicopters getting footage from far away of what's happening. Seriously everyone's freaking out and terrified because their hasn't been something this big that so many lives are at stake and so much energy all around. Including the Biolizard smacking around the four even at times grabbing them with the tail.

Yet after so much fighting and Shadow now far away and just beaten very badly. He see's Sonic, Metal Sonic, and Chaos keep going at it with the Biolizard but it's not stopping. Including it's becoming more powerful even as the three with Chaos trying to hold it down with tentacles, and Sonic and Metal firing at it for a long time at the same time hoping it can be killed from all of that.

Shadow realizes and surrounded by others people he's met that made him rethink what he's been doing. Seeing the Biolizard not dying and realizing even more it's never gonna stop until everyone is dead. It's never gonna tire until it's mission is complete.

Now a thought by me when I was typing that. He and the others I'm gonna others now they realize this is basically Shadow before he thought of other things. Consent anger and hatred of everything. The one thing he was becoming. Including it's taken so many lives and it's Shadow's fault in a way why it's their and everyone realizes this.

Then Shadow thinks about this. He realizes even more of what he needs to do. But he also realizes even more in depth of Maria's promise. He now realizes and the others see his reaction that he knows now why Maria wanting to give the people of Earth a chance to be happy. They are like Maria, they have families and friends they love and care about. Along with the idea not everyone is bad and people make mistakes and their can be forgiveness. Along with the idea Maria sacrificed herself so he make the world a better place, to give them a chance.

He tells these others what's he learned of even more into Maria's promise and seeing everyone in fear of what could be their death tonight. He mentions that Maria gave shit a message scared me. But he mentions that Maria gave him a chance and okay another message.

But Maria gave him a chance and wanted him promise her to help people. Including saying he wants to give them a chance be happy. During this talking he summons a Chaos Spear big enough and after he's done talking he gets off the ground and fly's off while the others have in a way realized what he meant that Maria gave him a chance despite dying in the end, and what he said to them.

As he flies towards the Biolizard and Sonic see's Shadow coming and this idea that he thinks Shadow is gonna do something crazy including before he got off the ground he took all four of his inhibitor rings off to make sure this attack works. Sonic yells at him of don't you dare. Shadow doesn't care because he knows what he has to do.

He gets close to the Biolizard and stabs with enough power to get the Chaos Spear near where the heart is at. With the Biolizard roaring in agony and the other three Sonic, Metal, and Chaos fall back because of so much chaos enegry around Shadow and the Biolizard. The Biolizard takes this chance and some how is able to stab Shadow where his heart is and his scream is so loud that everyone in Station Square can hear his screaming of agony. Including because he's in his Super state and all four rings are off.

Despite the pain that is so painful and the Biolizard looking at him in anger. Shadow tries to keep pushing the Chaos Spear into the Biolizard's heart and as he goes through the Biolizard's heart the chaos enegry gets out of control and the I'll add this the Biolizard roars in pain and Shadow screams in pain one final time and at this state it's so loud and him using all his power with his rings all off. Shadow's scream is so loud and powerful it's heard beyond Earth such as other dimensions and other planets or others.

Basically I thought now around the world but also hinting the idea even Blaze from the Sol dimension, the Deadly Six on the Lost Hex, maybe hint at Dark and Light Gaia too, and also Infinite hear his scream.

As the energy around them drops even the Biolizard drops. Then we see Shadow in his super form with the huge gash where his heart is at, and his eyes in shock, and mouth opened worth blood coming out a bit, in slow motion he's begins falling down to the ground a visual reference to his fall or basically his death scene in Sonic Adventure 2 where he falls to Earth. But this time Sonic manages to catch him before he hits the ground. Yet he realizes when he is about to catch Shadow.

Shadow is dead after that last burst of energy. Their was no life flowing through him. Including as he slowly loses his super state.

As everyone is shocked and everyone who are close to the battle which well Chaos who returns in his normal state, Metal, Amy, Tikal, and anyone involved with Sonic Adventure 1 and 2 and even new characters try to get over to Sonic still in his Super state holding Shadow's lifeless body. Sonic sets down on the ground, I had an idea Metal and Chaos would help carry him that's part of a joke picture in my head.

Yet as Sonic sets down he slowly sets Shadow on the ground, and everyone surrounds them. Including Amy goes to Shadow's lifeless body and gets on her knees with tears in her eyes and as one of the people who screamed Shadow's name when Sonic caught him as they were running towards them.

Also Sonic decides to return to his normal state. Including honestly I've decided I'll let Amy be the one who closes Shadow's eyes with her right hand. As she and others see Shadow is dead. Including even Metal and Chaos are surprised by this.

Everyone is surprised by this. As everyone see's and news helicopters film then moments with the news saying Ultimate Lifeform Dead or Ultimate Lifeform Ultimate SACRIFICE or some shit. Basically telling people the hedgehog that was trying to kill them saved them but also died in the process.

Including Sonic decides and then others hear it his famous line before he leaves the Space Colony Ark in Sonic Adventure 2, sayonara Shadow the hedgehog. Had to look on YouTube Google like last time to spell that right. Along with as Amy cries atop of Shadow.

After the death of Shadow and the destruction of Station Square things changed. But also helping out people clean the city and Chaos is reformed.

Yet everyone realized something. Shadow died saving the planet, and the fact he was the one wanting to destroy the planet so bad, he hated the world, and was despite he was programmed a bit, his emotions and rage controlled him. Yet he realized he was becoming the monster he hated and wanted to destroy. The one thing his sister Maria never wanted him to become because he couldn't deal with the idea of what she said and he was so angry. But realizing now of what he was doing.

Including the symbolism that Maria died giving Shadow a chance to escape, and Shadow died to save the planet to give everyone on Earth a chance to be happy.

People saw that he could of killed us all. But he realized what he was going and he changed and died for us. The idea a God like creature created to be the Ultimate Lifeform sacrificed himself for everyone to survive the next morning changed people. Including made even some shitty people realize of what they were doing and that someone like Shadow could give their life for everyone like that despite everything that's happened to him. What could they do to change their lives.

Except Eggman yet he was still surprised by the fact Shadow died to save everyone but didn't change. Yet Metal Sonic actually even reconsidered his life is and what is he doing. That someone like Shadow similar to him would actually do that. Along with the idea...it made Metal feel emotion and the idea.....does he really wanna kill Sonic anymore. Or should he just stop. Along with Chaos learning more the world isn't such a bad place no more and the Chao are okay. Yet seeing Shadow die for the planet even made him think differently of others now despite both having similar goals of hating the world and killing everyone.

Including maybe not the next day maybe a week later theirs a massive memorial for Shadow as even GUN and everyone else decides to give him a burial, with everyone attending except Eggman and any of his robots. Okay yeah Chaos and Tikal. But also Sonic watching from building but still there.

Including it's a visual reference to him sitting on a building in that one end credits animation from Sonic X the one with Amy in it. Along with as he watches and thinks about what happened the past week. About how things changed now.

Theirs even a statue of Shadow using his post of his CGI model for Sonic Adventure 2 the one seen in the part after the credits that models. Theirs also memorial stones with everyone's names who died during that night at Station Square.

Including so many people attend and they even bring candles or just...it's like a monument yeah it's that and had to look on YouTube Google for that word monument. Where they are sad for everyone but also Shadow's death.

Including afterwards the memorial service is done. Sonic and others are just standing near it but not too close such as under some trees.

Along with Sonic talking about Shadow doing that and how it made him think a bit and others. Basically what I talked about. His death changed people. It made people realize they could change, their can be forgiveness, yet even beings like Shadow could help out to give us a chance. Thought about that a bit more in detail.

After that it's mainly done. Also stuff like a post credits scene showing Blaze maybe yeah I think it was coming into their world now or her dimension after Shadow's death things such as dimensional rifts are slowly opening. Along with some how a end credits scene with the Deadly Six.

Honestly....well God damn I've been writing this for hours....oh stomach yet yeah that's my idea.......I can't typo more it's length tags

[karinaaajayy-blog]

Slavery.

When discussing issues that pertain to Race, Crime, and Punishment, it is inevitable to discuss slavery, and the way it has shaped the United States as we know it today. This atrocious act began when white people created the idea that the color of their skin meant that they were more superior than any other human being on earth. Furthermore, their own beliefs gave them the authorization to decide how to keep themselves in power, and maintain dominance over any one who did not look like them. One of the first ways we see this is when white Europeans traveled across the sea to steal and colonize America. In order to ensure the land remained theirs, they murdered thousands of Native American people. Shortly after this, they brought people over from Africa, to serve and be sold as slaves on their new land. Their servitude would help build America into the great nation they dreamed of it to be, however, they would keep black and brown people as slaves even when the foundation was built. Eventually, slavery became completely normalized despite how gruesome and inhumane slaves were being treated. One of the reasons why white people felt the need to enslave black people and keep them under their control was, they created the notion that black people were monstrous and barbaric by nature. However, the reality was that white people were truly the monsters because they found a way to enslave an entire population and cross them over seas to serve them, and because of the way these people were treated once they were slaves. Slaves were tortured, beaten, whipped, and killed on a daily basis. White people treated them like property, because in their minds, they were just objects who did not know pain. One prominent case of slavery that highlights the horror of forced servitude in America was that of the murder of one of Arthur William Hodge slaves. Hodge was a West Indian Slave plantation owner in the 1800s, and he brutally murdered one of his slaves by the name of Prosper, because he had eaten a mango that fell from one of his trees and did not pay for it. Hodge wanted Prosper to pay for the fruit, but he did not have enough. This angered him so he ordered his other slaves to hold Prosper face down on his belly, while he endured a beastly whipping. This continued for about an hour, until Hodge decided that it was not enough. He made his slaves carry Prosper up a hill and tie him to a tree. He was beat over and over again, and left overnight against the tree. The next day, he was whipped again however, Prosper had fainted during it. A couple of days after the assault, Prosper had passed away from the injuries he had received from it. It was not until three years after the incident hat Hodge was criminally charged for the murder of Prosper. After the court found him guilty, Hodge still found the means to flee The story of Prosper clearly shows us a common theme that was discussed throughout race, crime, and punishment and it was that white people have brutalized and dehumanized black people far more than they ever could. There was a belief that black people were savages and needed to be controlled, however, it was white people that should have been guided differently. During slavery, slave owners constantly mistreated and abused their slaves in private and in public. Not only did slavery become normalized, but so did violence against black people. A film that also exemplifies that the notion that white people were truly barbaric, and heinous in the way they treated black people can also be seen in 12 Years A Slave. To be specific, this is clearly demonstrated in scene were Patsey is tied around a tree, forced to strip out of her dress, and face away from owner, Epps, to be whipped. Epps does this not only in front of his wife, but Solomon, a friend of Patsey as well. As Solomon tries to look away from the harsh whipping, Epps wants him to watch the entire thing or he threatens to whip him as well. Due to the fact that Solomon cannot bear to watch it, he makes him whip Patsey instead. Although Solomon tries to be gentle, Epps continues to threaten him with more violence if he does not whip her with more force. His fear and distress forces him to truly inflict gruesome pain on Patsey. Despite the fact that Epps is not the one who finishes the whipping, it was barbaric in the sense that he forced someone close to Patsey to harm her. This if anything, makes the matters worse because Patsey understands that he had to do it in order to spare himself but at the cost of someone he loves. There is something truly sinister behind Epps’ act of violence towards Patsey, and it demonstrates how cruel and brutal white people have always been. During this time period, there were no laws or an official system to protect slaves and their rights as human beings. Slavery set the precedent for abuse that black people would continuously endure for centuries after. White people in positions of power have been able to get away mistreating and dehumanizing black people for far too long. This is seen not only during slavery, but in our modern day lives as we have seen many white police officers murdering and injuring black civilians. Just like slave owners, their crimes and brutality were unaccounted for and justice was never served. Slavery was clearly a crime against all black people, and it specifically targeted this race. It set the foundation for the years of suffering even after slavery came to an end, because this time period devastated this race so heavily. White people recognized how much they were benefiting off the exploitation of black people and wanted it to stay that way. Therefore, even when slavery came to a legal end, they were still able to keep black people under their control by finding new legal ways to do so. Both the cases of Prosper and Patsey demonstrate the savagery behind slavery and the manners in which slave owners behaved. Since way back in time, white people have truly maintained the idea that they are superior to all mankind because of the color of their skin, and they must perpetuate this power by keeping everyone else in oppressed classes. Everything about the slavery era is ultimately wrong, the true monsters were not black people, they were and have continued to be white people in positions of power. Prosper and Patsey have showed us that it began with slave owners, but these same slave owners remained alive through the generations after them and these people are now our law enforcement officials, senators, governors, and the list goes on. Despite what white people may have believed back then about the nature of black people, the history they are allowing to repeat itself will never allow black people to prosper. Resources: http://theconversation.com/american-slavery-separating-fact-from-myth-79620 http://slaveryandremembrance.org/articles/article/?id=A0011 http://www.pbs.org/black-culture/explore/slavery-in-america/

[ellesdunn-blog]

Professional Contexts - Graphic Design for Web Part 2

The brief for Graphic Design for web was to produce a personal website design to showcase our work and to begin to create an online presence for ourselves. After creating a website design in semester 1, these sessions allowed us to improve upon our previous designs and use wix.com to produce a working website that at the end of the sessions would be made live.

To begin designing my wix website, I began by researching practitioners websites and find ones that i found inspiring and consider how my own website could take inspiration from theirs.

One website I looked at specifically was graphic designer Mike Kus’ personal design website.

http://mikekus.com

Mike Kus’ website is a multiple page design that is easily navigated and highly organised. The website features a grid of images of Kus’ work as the first thing you see when visiting the site, which works particularly well in showcasing Kus’ freelance design work. The website is simplistic and minimalist in its design which works well as it provides no distractions from the portfolio of work it is intending to showcase. 

Overall the website works fairly well in showcasing the artist’s work but is not necessarily very engaging. Whilst a multiple page design works well in making it easily navigable, I have decided to use a parallax design for my website as I think it worked well in my wireframes and mock designs last semester.

As well as looking at Mike Kus’ website, I also looked at Sagmeister & Walsh’s design website to give myself more inspiration in regards to producing a professional and organised website.

http://sagmeisterwalsh.com

Sagmeister & Walsh’s website is extremely high tech and professional in its presentation and features a feed video of their design offices at first visit to the website. The website also features an organised but busy parallax grid system showing their commercial work and is extremely effective in showcase their design work. Whilst using a parallax design, the website does also feature a menu bar at the top of the page that when clicked on, also opens a sub category menu to easy navigation of the vast amounts of work featured on their website.

The use of a parallax design and a menu bar together is not something I had put much consideration into but is definitely something I will consider when designing my own website. Overall, I think Sagmeister & Walsh’s website design is highly effective in showcasing the work of the company and also the personality of the company itself.

Another artist’s website I considered when thinking about my own designs, was Shepard Fairey’s Obey Giant website.

https://obeygiant.com

Similarly to Sagmeister & Walsh’s website, Fairey’s website features a mix of parallax design and the use of a menu bar for navigation. The website is well organised and sleek and makes the most of a grid system to give it a professional look. The website’s colour scheme follows the colour scheme used in the majority of Fairey’s work, utilising a red and monochrome theme which works extremely well in highlight the important parts of the website by using the bright red. 

Out of each of the websites, Fairey’s Obey Giant website seems to be the most personalised and fitting of the artist and features a news post/ blog stream penned by the artist himself which works exceptionality well in making the website and artist seem more approachable.

After considering the websites of relevant practitioners, I began to consider the wix templates that I could use for my own website. Wix features a vast amount of designs that are all intended for different purposes from restaurant websites to porfolio pages so I began by exploring the designer template options in order to assess which would be the most appropriate for my self promotion website.

Web & Graphic Designer

One design website template I looked at was for a web & graphic designers as I thought this would be a good place to start my research. The website is extremely simplistic in design and features a large photograph as a background image with bright and eye catching text over the top. The simplistic style of this website is something I’m interested in however the design is very basic and does not do much to showcase the artist’s work. The use of only two pages on the website also means that there is a lot of repetition as you navigate around the website which is not something that works very well.

Graffiti Artist

One design website template I looked at prior to design my website, was the Graffiti Artist template. The template features a parallax design but also includes a menu bar that links to the information and images further down the page which is a feature I think works really well. This template works well as it is modern and easy to navigate and has no distractions from the work it is intending to showcase. The template also works well as it allows for a grid system to be used for the images and means I can have my portfolio fill the screen as you scroll through it which is something I am keen to have. Overall, out of all of the templates I looked at, this one stands out as being the most effective and useable as a basis for my own design so will be the template I use when I begin designing. 

Multidisciplinary Designer

As well as looking at design websites intended for graphic designers and also graffiti artists, I decided to look at a website for multidisciplinary designers as I thought this may have a more neutral, middle ground design to it. The website features a vibrant and bold initial image when you first reach the homepage which works well in grabbing the viewers attention and is rather simplistic and well organised which I think works well but does not necessarily shown any personality which is something I am wanting to implement in my website design.

Consideration of previous design

After selecting a template for my website, I considered whether I would adapt my previous website design to fit the template, or alter the template more significantly to accommodate my original design. Overall, I think the original design for my website worked effectively in showcasing my design work without any distractions and the parallax format meant the audience was naturally lead to see my design work in the order I selected. With this in mind, I tweaked my original wireframe slightly to better suit the template and the wireframe is shown below.

After creating a wireframe, I began to create my website design on wix. My original website design actually created several issues when it came to replicating it in Wix, one issue I was faced with is the photograph grids in wix. In my original design, the portfolio images do not follow a particular grid and instead were fit together based on the original formatting of the pictures. Whilst this looked good in my original design, it was extremely difficult to implement in wix and the website ended up looking unprofessional and clumsy. 

With this in mind, I decided to reconsider my original design and opted to also change the wix template I was using, and instead decided to use the Multidisciplinary Designer template. The multidisciplinary designer template was more organised and professional looking and will best showcase my design work. Also it will allow me to stick closer to the original template which means it will be significantly easier to add more work as I go along which would have been complicated to do with the original design.

Creating the new website:

To begin editing the website, I decided to begin by selecting the images and design work I would most like to showcase and organise them in to an order that would be refreshing and not blocks of work that is all the same. I decided to stick with this background image I had created for the previous template, which I had created by photographing my desk set up and creating a blue to purple gradient over the top. Using this photograph natural gave me a colour scheme to work with so I decided to use blue as the main colour for the rest of the website.

Adding images:

With the new template, adding images to the website was a lot less problematic that previously and is shown below. Wix’s image upload system is good as it allows you to store multiple images which means you don’t have to go through finding and uploading an image each time you want to add an image to the site which is good for saving time when designing.

Editing Text:

Rather than having the information about each piece of work in the bottom right corner of the image like I had when I was using the previous template, or as a rollover like on my original design, I decided I liked the information being readily available and easily accessible to the viewer. The process of adding text to the website is shown below.

Adjusting Tags:

Using a parallax design in wix means tags are needed to attach buttons to the part of the page that they navigate the viewer to. As I added more images, the tags shifted away from where they were intended to be, so as shown below, I had to manually move them to where I wanted the viewer to be navigated to when clicking the menu buttons.

Info Pages:

One change I made to my original website design was what happens when you click on an image. In my previous design, if you clicked on an image it would open as a full screen image with text underneath. However as my new design is a lot sleeker and more organised, I decided it would be better if the click took you to an information page about each project, which features more images of the work and a bit more information. The process of doing so is shown below.

About Me and Contact:

The last thing needing to be done on the website was to add an about me section and contact information. For these headers, I decided to stick to my original design and have them together at the bottom of the page, after all of the design work has been seen. I decided to do this as it is a good way of insuring the viewer sees all of the work I am wanting to showcase, even if they have only come to my website to find my bio or contact details. I have also included social media links to LinkedIn, Tumblr and Behance so that visitors to the website can access more of my work and contact details.

Website Evaluation (peer evaluation)

After completing my website, Laura gave me feedback on the design and successes and flaws of the website overall. After looking at my website, Laura said that she thought my header/initial image was effective as it immediately shows what my interests and design style is like, she also found that the information links were effective as it meant the website was clutter free but easy to navigate and scroll through. Laura also identified that the parallax scroll may be slightly extensive and could be improved it was combined with a multi page website, for instance having the info/about me as a separate page to break up all the information and suggested I should consider how the website would work if more work was added in the future. 

Website Evaluation (self evaluation)

Overall, I think my new website works well in showcasing my design work. Whilst it showcases my images as well as the previous design did, the clean and organised look to the website showcases my graphic design skills better than the original design did, which looked more haphazard and less formatted. Whilst the website does work well in showcasing my work, it doesn’t necessarily echo the aesthetic elements of my design work, which is mostly illustrative which is something I could improve upon in the future. As the website is extremely organised and sleek it does not have as much of a personal feel as I was originally intending for and looks more corporate than I would have liked. 

https://esdunn.wixsite.com/esdunndesign

[mimiges]

Supporting Transformative Education in First Nations communities (what should a supporting org look like?)

Bringing concepts of  Entrepreneurialism into the Work Environment...

The concern I have working with a First Nations organization is establishing and maintaining our common Indigenous values and delivering quality services to our members that are culturally appropriate and innovative.

Our organization does not receive core operational funds from the government of Canada; however, we do manage community funds and various projects on behalf of member communities. Canada and Western models of structure do cast a very large shadow.

When I reflect on First Nations education, I try to locate our current position on what has proven to be a very long, challenging journey. We have yet to reach our final destination, and for the moment, we are at rest, taking a breath, assessing and reassessing our situation, and “setting up camp” so that we can prepare for the last leg of our journey. It is this part of the journey that will prove the most transformative and empowering if we commit fully to supporting student-centered learning and if we recognize the potential and power in our students.

For information about the image, please visit the artist's site at https://4nishart.wordpress.com/page/2/).

To be truly transformative, as opposed to becoming more proficient, I believe the spirit and intent of entrepreneurial education can serve to revitalize and reconnect our students to their history, values, languages and futures in ways that are innovative. If we adapt and apply those concepts at all educational levels, from the community school to the regional organizations, we will activate a revolution.

Acting indigenously and entrepreneurially are not mutually exclusive endeavors. In fact, they can be used to support and enhance each other. In the following and image below, there several Indigenous values listed (love, respect, courage, humility, honesty, truth, and wisdom) that the authors/creators view as being necessary to move forward as strong Indigenous Nations. Entrepreneurial education can incorporate these values into student-centered learning activities, and in turn, these values can support and enhance the depth of entrepreneurial social education.

Seven Sacred Grandfather Teachings by artists Melissa Muir, Darla Martens-Reece & Scott Sampson

What I like best about entrepreneurial education is the relationship between teacher and students. Teachers view students as “potential” and “knowledge” rather than empty vessels or blank work plans. By recognizing the potential in students, and by believing in their student’s ability to self-direct, problem solve and initiate action and change, educators allow students to develop confidence and self-awareness. “Unconventional” skills (e.g. chatty, fidgety, “bossy, etc.) are encouraged and students improve their ability to collaborate, communicate, and “make a real difference.” By these actions, teachers are acting out of love, respect, humility, etc. for their students. I would love to see this same attitude and dynamic in a management context.

A poem posted on Muskrat Magazine...( I highlighted in bold text the parts of the poem that resonated in relation to supporting entrepreneurial education at a regional level).

I am sorry for not always being there - I feel your hurt - I have struggled to find the way of the good life/ Mino Bimaadiziwin in a society built on the cultural genocide of our Peoples.

We are the People who are one with the greatness of the land. Our Native spirit and the knowledge of our ancestors runs through your blood.

It is my job to help connect you to the beauty of the land and teachings of our Native culture. I will take action and be a role model to you.

We need you. Together we can look to the resiliency of our ancestors to find solutions based on love, respect, courage, humility, honesty, truth, and wisdom.

Native youth are leaders in your territories. Along with the land you are meant to survive and thrive in this world.

I can’t wait to see you live your purpose. YES we each have a purpose and together we will help you find and nurture yours.

The regional organizations are more about the management of educational services and programs than they are about the delivery of programs. However, to better guide, develop, implement and support entrepreneurial education in our schools, it is vital to align regional management’s attitudes, philosophies, and cultures with elements of entrepreneurial education.

It is our purpose as a provider of second and limited third level services to help educators connect “to the beauty of the land and teachings” by taking deliberate action and serving as a role model. If, as a regional organization, we choose to support fully entrepreneurial education and concepts of sustainability, we need to explore how we can align our management with the key principles of entrepreneurial education (socially and sustainably oriented).

Reflecting on how we can align our management, especially as we are an Indigenous organization, I selected three areas/actions where management can apply entrepreneurial education concepts.  

They are as follows:

1. Establishing Management/Employee Relationships built on Indigenous Values and Principles of Entrepreneurial Education.

Management can reassess its relationship with employees.While my organization has a culture of respect and we support the autonomy of member communities in all local decision making, there is still a hierarchical element to professional relationships within the central office. And while I feel acknowledged for my knowledge, skills and contributions, there are times where I feel that I am not in control (which is to be expected in certain situations) and uncomfortable with certain decisions.

I would like to see employees empowered, or rather, I would like to see a culture where the expectations are that staff will problem-solve, be action-oriented and lead projects, form meaningful partnerships with education stakeholders (with appropriate management supports). 

Management/staff would co-establish or identify project norms, and management could guide or (lightly) oversee project design, development, and implementation and follow up, or defer that to the team itself.

2.  Explore “Ownership of Work.”

Related to the first point, ownership of work is an admirable concept related to entrepreneurial education; ownership over one’s work is a form of empowerment and demonstration of trust. Working in a First Nations organization is challenging, given the amount of required work and lack of adequate resources. It is a truth that the government of Canada funds First Nations discriminatorily and ties available funding to problematic program guidelines that exacerbate the lack of funding. Therefore, many First Nations operate will less personnel than are needed. Under hierarchical management structures, the problems related to a reduced work force can result in further delays in moving projects forward.

While this will be challenging and require a great deal of reflection and planning, I would like to see employees provided with ownership over their work and projects. This is not intended to remove management from the equation, but it does involve redefining and refocusing the relationship to better empower employees and provide them with opportunities to develop their  projects (this is great management capacity building). Management’s role would evolve to reflect the role of a teacher/facilitator in the entrepreneurial education model. For example;

Management will be the “holder of the vision” – they will set the vision, and ensure staff upholds, considers and incorporates key values into their work (that also serve to advance the organization strategically).

Management would provide staff with the professional development they need to self-direct their work as individuals and/or teams.

Management would ensure staff makes strong connections between the Indigenous values of the organization/communities with the work they undertake.

Management would nurture a truly collaborative culture and allow for and support staff independence.

Management will know its purpose and “will help Staff find and nurture theirs.”

3.  Create “New Knowledge.”

Perhaps the most intriguing part of entrepreneurial education is the creation of new knowledge. While there have been many studies done on First Nations, much is based on the views of outsiders and from research likely conducted without OCAP considerations.

Also, there have been too many challenges against Indigenous knowledge and having it recognized it for its truth, insight, and sophistication (this has been a long hard-fought battle).

Thus, when we engage in a new project or program, we often have to settle for and adapt research that is not reflective of Indigenous values (or entrepreneurial values for that matter). As students are the generators of new knowledge, employees can also serve as a very valuable resource and producer of new knowledge. Through the values of entrepreneurial education, management can support and galvanize employees to produce the work needed to create an indigenous knowledge bank, from which solutions, rooted in indigeneity, can be applied.

While not a perfect example, the following is an example of how my organization, through principles of entrepreneurial education, collectively approached a problem, analysed it,   

Our organization and member communities collectively developed governance standards in nine areas to supports its visions and aspirations of delivering quality education based on collective values, traditions, languages and worldviews.

The whole endeavor was a rigorous process that involved work from numerous partners, communities and stakeholders in education. My organization oversaw and provided supports, however, it was the communities who drove the project. 

Teams working under a common project developed 51 Themes and 217 standards across nine areas.

Standards reflect industry and professional standards and are ISO comparable.

Standards are voluntary and adaptable to each community.

Communities decide which standards they want to implement, develop or strengthen.

Further action is taking place in communities to adapt and implement standards to meet local needs and realities. As a further result of this collective project, some communities are developing local structures of governance that did not exist before. 

The following video provides a brief introduction.