Achieved Above Target

May 10, 2011 ~ Sue ~ Leave a comment

Ever seen something that seems to hit a relevance somewhere beyond it’s intended target audience? It happens frequently with cartoons, comics and computer games. And what ever it is, takes on a life of it’s own, and gets a following so much better than the original product itself.

Well, anyone paying attention to anything I have posted within the last few months on the various sites I frequent, would have picked up mentions of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic. A cartoon series aimed at young girls, produced by American Kid TV channel The Hub. Which is getting attention from adult males, so much so that they call themselves ‘Bronies’.

Lauren Faust, who worked on The Powerpuff Girls and Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, was signed up by Hasbro, for their new reincarnation of My Little Pony, after they saw her fan art on Deviant Art. After almost 2 years in production, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic was launched on The Hub, and the rest they say is history.

The story is, that Unicorn pony, Twilight Sparkle and her helpful assistant, baby dragon Spike, are sent from Canterlot down to Ponyville by Princess Celestia, Twilight’s mentor. Twilight is sent to discover friendship, as she is a bit of a bookworm and needs to learn that ‘life isn’t all in books’. Whilst in Ponyville, Twilight Sparkle befriends 5 new ponies.

Hardworking Applejack, an earth pony who works in Sweet Apple Acres, growing and harvesting apples.
Playful Pinkie Pie, another earth pony, who is little Miss party planner, and is always bouncy and full of fun.
Tomboy Rainbow Dash, who is a show off pegasus pony, who is a skilled flier and aims to be a member of the Flying Team the Lightning Bolts.
Vain Rarity, a unicorn who prides herself as the premier clothes designer in Ponyville. She is an old fashioned type of girl, who is looking for prince charming.
Gentle Fluttershy, is always caring about the animals in and around Ponyville. She is a really quiet pegasus pony.

The series documents the adventures of the 6 ponies, and what Twilight Sparkle learns, is fed back to Princess Celestia at the end of each episode. This sounds a bit flat, but the stories and can be really funny without resorting to toilet humour, like most kids shows these days.

The main interest in the series in a meme sense, came from 4Chan, an image board. One user posted a video of the show, and people started to watch and the crazy started and the show quickly became one of the fastest, most popular Memes on the internet. With screen shots, animated GIFs and fan art quickly becoming extremely popular. The makers of the show, including Lauren Faust, are aware of their unintended audience, and have approached the Bronies. With people on the show posting on the /co/ (comics & cartoons) forum on 4Chan, and thanking the people there for their part in making the show such a success.

Without the Bronies and 4chan, the series would have not been as successful as it has been, and it would be questionable if the series would have continued. In fact the first season was split, because there was a chance not all the episodes would air. But the internet, gave the series a life of it’s own, and it became more and more popular.

On Saturday, The Hub showed the last episode of series 1, which coincided with a statement from Lauren Faust, saying that she is stepping down as executive producer. People were shocked, but with the mid-season split because of uncertainty, you can see that the show was maybe only planned to run 1 season. So because there is a season 2, changes had to be made. With season 2 in development (expected to air in December), and the fandom going from strength to strength, this is a meme which isn’t going anywhere.

A Life In Print

May 6, 2011 ~ Sue ~ Leave a comment

For the majority of my life, I have been a nerd, the type of girl who would rather read a good book, than go out on the town. This hasn’t changed at all, in fact, if anything I am find myself reading books more and more. I find it relaxing, and I love the idea that just by reading some words on a page, I can be carried away to another world.

I wanted to crawl in between those black lines of print the way you crawl between a fence…— The Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath

I guess, I get it suggested that movies and TV shows should also have the same effect on me, as they are also a form of escapism. A break away from the real world. But it doesn’t, unless it is very character driven and dialogue heavy, I can’t seem to get into TV or movies. I am guessing, that is because there is a lot of substance in most novels, so that the writer can paint the reader an accurate picture. Because story has to have depth, I find a lot of things on TV fall flat. I like when there is 3 or 4 stories interlinked and you follow them all, and it always takes more than one viewing to get EVERYTHING.

It’s just most things I try to watch, seem to try too hard, and end up being flat. That is all in my opinion, of course. But I think it helps that because I work during prime-time TV watching time, I have gotten out of the habit of watching the same shows, with the same story lines, just different words. And once you get out of that habit, you find yourself wondering how you could ever spend so much time in front of a TV.

Anyway, books are the opposite to TV, and reading one makes me happy and keeps me occupied. I love the idea of getting lost in a world, that noone else can see. It is like, the book creates a little world for only you. Like it’s my secret. I like holding a book in my hand, and knowing how perfect each printed page is. I’m sorry, I can’t see myself getting such an attachment to an ebook reader. A piece of plastic, which ultimately takes value out of literature, as much as the value was taken out of music. Yes, there is still value in music, but it has decreased massively. In fact, the only way a lot of bands make money these days, is through selling merchandise and touring. People think they are owed music and things for free.

I had someone tell me that they had downloaded the whole Shakespeare collection onto his Kindle. He downloaded it off Frostwire, for free, and didn’t care who he told. He said he really enjoyed the plays, and it was the best thing on his device. This upset me, because although he liked it, he didn’t value the work enough to even pay for it. That is the one thing I hate about the digital age. Everything is condensed into files which hold no value to anybody.

A book or an album, when you hold them, you feel great having the product. You feel like you can really appreciate it, because you own it. It is the self-satisfaction that you worked hard, and you are going to enjoy what you spend your money on. But that’s maybe just my brain that works like that.

‘Your opinion is wrong.’

May 4, 2011 ~ Sue ~ Leave a comment

Is the reaction I got from the previous post I did on here. *sigh*

It is opinion, someone’s thoughts an ideas on a situation, which they put into the wilderness to invoke discussion. Yes, discussion, a too-ing an fro-ing of thoughts on the topic in question. And an important part of discussion, that whilst you should have your beliefs, you also need to accept the other persons opinion and be respectful.

I had 6 death threats, 4 accusations of being racist, and was told I was a member of the Taliban. This is from people I don’t know. Is this the punishment I get from expressing my opinion? It is hard trying to hold back retaliation, because then I would be a hypocrit. Also, I have always been honest when I have written on here, so I have no reason to change.

The fact that so many people wished me death for typing up words unsettles me more that the ‘Bin Laden death party’. Is this what the internet is becoming? A place where the only safe thing to do is post tripe about ‘celebrities’ or hipster photos. Because if you actually say something of value, you will be opposed and actually regret sharing your thoughts. And that is not what the internet is, or not what it is to me anyway.

But what it does do, as it confirms what I have said before. To make people validate their righteousness, they vilify others. It is human nature that people beat others down, so that they seem better by comparison. It is bad enough that it happens over the internet, but the same behaviour continues in all human existence. I mean, that’s all war is, rather than sitting down and compromising, someone attacks someone else so they retaliate. Yes, it is more extreme than internet hate, but the basic idea is the same. *shrugs*

I was trying to point out that there are similarities with parties at both sides of any war. But what people focus on, is the differences. And of course differences end up with conflictions of interest, and this ends up in disagreements which may lead to fighting. But if we look at the similarities, that people want freedom, they want to have healthy families, have a good life, there is little to conflict over. And any differences are just opinions, and they should be treated with grace and people should be allowed to live.

“Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.”-Bertrand Russell

The Unpopular Opinion

May 2, 2011 ~ Sue ~ Leave a comment

I am preparing myself for a lynch mob over this, but I need to say something.

This morning I woke up to the news that Osama Bin Laden had been killed. The target for the Allied forces, their goal, had been achieved. The world’s most wanted man is dead. The news resulted in images broadcast around the world of people celebrating. And that unsettled me.

Why would the death of a mass-murder upset me? Well, at the end of the day, no matter how messed up he was, he was still a man. Still someone’s son. Still someone’s father. Still a human being. I’m sure all of us sitting in the Western world, like to think we are more civilised than the Taliban or whatever, but are we really? Our troups killed THOUSANDS of innocents just to get to one man. Hundreds of our own countrymen were killed trying to get this one man. Does that sound civilised to you? Are we really the ‘good side’?

It is easy to paint the West as the bad side, because, to be honest we seem to do a good job of it ourselves. The leaders spout that this is for the good of the world, that we are closer to having peace. No! We are nowhere near fixing anything. As long as the human race believes in ‘getting their own back’ on others, then no, there will never be peace. You blow up two office buildings in America, we will destroy entire towns with our bombs. That is not how you bring about peace.

To be honest, it really got to me, to see people celebrate the death of a man. Are people really that stupid? I don’t care who it was, or what he did, but having a party because someone died is disgusting. It makes you no better than them who have parties because their bomb plot was a success. It makes the West NO DIFFERENT to the Middle East. We enjoy the death of our enemies. Don’t deny it, because it’s the truth.

It started with Saddam Hussein, where his death was as praised as the recent Royal Wedding. And people celebrated because our armed forces killed a man. And since then, the target was Bin Laden, and people have waited for the day he’d be another trophy of oil-hungry war. And now he is, except this trophy is at the bottom of the ocean. To stop people using Bin Laden’s body as a shrine.

And now, we are about to get the aftermath. You killed your target, now deal with the consequences. Every Westerner is at risk, because we all represent the world that praised the death of Bin Laden. The man who wanted his own people to stand up and be counted. The man who wanted Western oil companies to give the land back to the natives. It doesn’t sound so foreign, so evil, when you look at it away from the misguidance of the press. The press has a duty, as propaganda for whatever the government in power decides to do. The UK press, although showed Bin Laden, were not as jubilant as they were with Hussein. It is maybe because they know, the ball is no longer in our court. This is going to lead to some serious retaliation. This is going to lead to the death of more innocents. The UK press seemed to meet the issue of Bin Laden’s death in a sombre fashion. As if, everyone is thinking ‘what now’.

For the record, I don’t blame troups. I have a brother in the army, and I know that if he were to go to war, they go to help people. They go with the idea to make things better. It is the men in power who send our troups over, to do their dealings. The army should be used to protect its perspective country, not start endless wars in other countries. *sigh*

This has come out as a muddle, but I have said what I wanted to say. I don’t EVER think a death should be celebrated, I don’t give a fuck who it is.

“People who fight fire with fire usually end up with ashes.”- Abigail Van Buren

Blog Filled Gap

April 26, 2011April 26, 2011 ~ Sue ~ Leave a comment

Why are blogging sites only used when people ‘remodel their website’?

Now obviously, this is not the case for most people who spend time learning how to blog and actually get something out of doing so. This goes to the people who use blog sites for nothing more as a stop-gap, till they get their new website up. Now, there actually isn’t really wrong with this, but as someone who considers herself a blogger, I find it insulting.

Why should I feel insulted? Because it feels like the person doing so, doesn’t care enough to write a proper blog. They don’t think of a site, such as Blogger or LiveJournal, as anymore as a temporary space. But why? Why use a blog site when you obviously have no idea of how to actually use one? Its because it is free, because it is worthless. And that is what it comes across as, like you don’t care.

What will a client think, when they see that the only time you updated your ‘blog’ was that one post when you opened the account, and a new one saying that you are going to use it now whilst re-designing. Of course, you need the mandatory 5 posts a day, to make the blog look active, and pretend you actually use the thing. But after a few days you’ll get bored, and you won’t even share a sentence, never mind a few of your thoughts.

And if you can’t even update something that costs you nothing, what’s saying you’ll deliver on something you are paid to do? You obviously aren’t as passionate about the internet as you so claim, are you? That’s what a client will think.

If you do use a blog, or even think you are going to use it for anything to do with business, then update it. Even if you are going to do it once a week. It is something. And shows you have long term interest in things, that you don’t get distracted. Also, don’t underestimate the power of opinion. If you wax lyrical about a particular topic, and are passionate, people will listen. The thoughts in your head are what will REALLY sell you, not some pixels shaped into a website. If you can convey those thoughts well, people will approach you for work. Trust me. That’s how I get a lot of work.

—
Felt like writing this after seeing 6 people I know doing this in one day. I think highly of blogging, so got a bit upset. :S

Good (Charlotte) Monday?

April 25, 2011April 25, 2011 ~ Sue ~ Leave a comment

I have spent all day listening to music. Now, I don’t mean the usual ‘I can’t make up my mind, so I’ll put my ipod on shuffle’ kind of mood. Usually I have to be in a certain mood to do that, unless its a new band or album, and I obsessively play that music till I’m sick of it.

But today, I was tactically listening to, wait for it, Good Charlotte. I’m gonna be honest, I like to call myself some kind of uber-fan when it comes to Good Charlotte, but I don’t really listen solidly to their music for hours on end. Not like I used to, anyway. I mean, music to me is an emotional experience, so I like to listen to something that matches my emotions. For example, Municipal Waste is my angry music right now, because, well the music is a tad shouty and GRRR.
But anyway, today, I solidly listened to Good Charlotte. I watched videos, read articles and this feeling came over me. I felt proud. I know it seems stupid being proud of a band that don’t know I exist, but I can’t help it. I have been a fan of this band for 10 years, that is over a third of my existance on this planet. And they are still going so strong. I am guessing its what a parent feels when their kid does well.

Longevity is a big issue in modern music, what with the endless ‘talent’ vomited out by TV shows every year. So every band that remains a success for a long time, on their own talent, should be honoured. And to know that Good Charlotte have stood the test of time and are now winning over the critics, why shouldn’t I be proud? They are not existing in name only, they tour, they make albums and the most important part, they talk to their fans.

That takes me to the big reason, why at 27 years old, I am so fond of this band. The fans. Or GCFam. Whilst, yes, as a group there are some disagreements there is so much support there. No matter what a person goes through, the friends they have in the GCFam will support them regardless. Which for having friends from a mostly online community, is maybe frowned on by some, but that’s just because they don’t understand how close people can become.

I’ll shout it from the roof tops that I am a Good Charlotte fan, and I don’t care what people will say back to me. I’ll ask them if their favourite band gave them friends for life, if their favourite band inspired them to be where they are now. I just am protective about the band, which is strange. But when you make such a personal connection to something, you can’t help wanting to protect it. You want to keep them safe from harm, and it seems a bit strange, but its true. Its the truth of what a band can mean to so many people.

Good Charlotte are the truth.

Intelligence?

April 24, 2011April 24, 2011 ~ Sue ~ Leave a comment

Was having a thought today whilst watching The Simpsons. It is an episode where Lisa falls in love with her substitute teacher, because his passion for education. So much is the urge for her to bond with someone who matches her intellectually, that she thinks of her teacher almost as a father figure.

Throughout the continuing series of The Simpsons, Lisa is mocked for her intellect, which is abnormally high for an 8 year old. It clarifies how the world in general mocks intelligence. Yes, every school child is educated to go to University, and to be clever to a certain degree. But if they ever use their intelligence in a real situation, they would be ostracised and treated like a leper by their peers.

If people think intelligence is such a laughable quality, then why do so many people go to University and College? Then again, having a formal education doesn’t necessarily make someone intelligent. Its a persons thought patterns and opinions that make them appear to be clever. An age old method of measuring intelligence is if a person can show opinion and put across reasonings for that opinion. But opinion isn’t something that seems to interest a growing number of people. Why? Because it is easier and more convenient to agree with the masses and gorge on reality TV, rather than read into things and actually have to think about things. Which is sad really.

People also try to fake being intelligent. The art school, nerd is on trend right now, with the bookish dress-sense and over-sized glasses. Books and libraries are cool and trendy. But more people pose outside on the steps of library and post the photos on their Tumblr site. Because so many hipsters believe in style over substance. It makes me sad that things that mean so much to me, are used as nothing more as a accessory to some, as they try to appear smarter than what they actually are.

I don’t know why it bothers me so much. Maybe it’s because I was mocked when I was younger because I like the library. Maybe it’s because I made up my own mind about things rather than just go with what’s said by others. This left me alone, and I found my solace in books and music. Maybe it saddens me because I take great pride in learning new things, and to know that some people just mock it is sad.

I will never be a successful accountant.

April 22, 2011 ~ Sue ~ Leave a comment

I forget to look at letters, and I always lose emails.

Have just spent 45 minutes locating an email sent from the bank about them changing my online password. It is nice of them, but they should have told me. It wasn’t my fault hotmail thought it was spam and hid the email beside all the advertisements for pay-day loans and viagra. Neither of which I require by the way. Well, at least not at the moment.

But, feeling rather good about myself because I have been able to get my financial things sorted. And I now feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. This is mostly because they have been pestering me about things. Now, if you know one thing about banks, when they pester you, they call constantly and send 10 letters a day untill you do what they want. Which is a tad annoying.

Ah well, it’s the weekend now. Although it is tainted by a Saturday shift. -.-

Mood– Chilled

Music– The Plastics- Champers

:/

April 19, 2011 ~ Sue ~ Leave a comment

Hi.

Have not been spending too much time in front of a PC lately.

If you hadn’t heard, Scotland has been enjoying the most gorgeous weather, so I have been spending time away from my computer. Which, I’ll admit has been a little strange, but was a nice break. And sometimes everyone needs a break from things.

But because of that, I have not felt the need to compulsively update the internet on every minor activity I have done. So things were abandoned for a while. This isn’t a bad thing, okay maybe it wasn’t the best thing to do during BEDA, but still, it was nice. I make it seem like I am physically attached to my PC, and that isn’t the case, it’s just I am so used to spending time on my own. So when people do actually want to spend time with me, yes it does happen, I guess the computer is the one thing that gets a little left.

I suppose it is a good thing, that I am not the type of person who will abandon my IRL friends for something that is happening online. I am just not that kind of girl.

Also, have been looking at buying a bike. I need to get fit, and this will save me spending money getting the bus to work. Sounds like a good idea, just need to get a good deal. 🙂

FA-Sues

April 13, 2011April 13, 2011 ~ Sue ~ Leave a comment

Yes, it’s that time of the month where I have nothing exciting to say, so I am going to answer questions I seem to get asked all the time. Apart from the fact this is the first time I have done this. Hmm… nice.

Do you get money for writing blogs? Not unless I pay myself, which I don’t. I feel like I get asked this questions A LOT. Which is nice that people want to know if you can make money, but NEWS FLASH, unless you are immensely popular and get +1k views a week, then you have no chance. And, I feel like by saying that, so many people have given up writing a blog. Seriously folks, if you are writing to try and make money out of writing an online diary, then stop. IT ISN’T GOING TO HAPPEN IF THAT’S YOUR GOAL.

How long have you blogged for? About 5 years over on Livejournal, and I believe I am approaching my second WordPress birthday in the next few months, I believe. So yeah, I have had A LOT of practice in venting constructively online.

What were you like at school? Very quiet. I tended to stick in the background. Most people who are like that, were very intellegent and achieved well. I didn’t. I kinda stunk out my last few years at school. Which is strange, because I have always loved both reading and writing, and so studying should have really come easy to me. But it didn’t. I had my small group of really close friends, who I still talk to (9 years after leaving school), but that’s it. I wasn’t a prefect, I wasn’t on the honours list, I won no awards, but I was there. Only just.

You mention college a lot, what did you study? I have been to college in two periods. First time, was after I left school, and I wanted to be a Veterinary Nurse. I spent almost 3 years studying, but I failed the exam. I have never been good at exams. And I couldn’t afford to reset. So I ended up working for a bakery. Back doing a job at 22, that I did when I was 16 and at school. Which kinda sucked.

Then I started studying Art and Graphic Design. Apart from doing animal care, this was the other thing I really wanted to do. So I spent 4 years trying to improve on what I already know, and I really enjoyed it. Again, the underachiever in me, lead me to not applying myself 100%, but I did learn a lot. I am now a freelance designer, and would love to get the chance t0 go back into animal care at some point.

Some people class me as a failure, for being at college and not having a job at the end of it that relates to my education. But I gave it a fair go, and am fairly content that I have done so. I would recommend anyone to give it a go. 🙂

What are your interests apart from blogging? I skulk the internet, on forums, video sites, and just reading things. I also spend A LOT of my time both reading books and listening to music. I obsess over things in a really intense fashion, to the point that I talk about the things enough, I just get strange looks from people. But my main musical obsessions are Good Charlotte and Rancid, and TV wise, I am obsessed with the Gilmore Girls.
After many conversations with my fellow internet junkies, it seems that obsession is a childish trait picked up by geeks. Which is fine with me. It’s like how I used to watch the same episode of Hong Kong Phooey all the time, to the point I think the video became overplayed and stretched, or my mum threw it out, because it was irritating. Charming.

Anyway, that’s just a few small things I felt I could answer. If you have anything else, please feel free to ask me on comments or anywhere, really. Hope all my readers have a great Wednesday.