Author: elemonated

Gay Gaming Characters

Posted on by elemonated

The PBS Youtube shows are just so good! I don’t even play that many video games and this channel is incredibly intriguing.

This isn’t an issue I’ve ever even thought about, and now I’m  a little upset because it’s  obviously such an overlooked problem. I’ve only vaguely read about the social issues within the gaming world as it is, and part of that is that I’m not a gamer. It’s interesting, but it follows the pattern: nerds are really insular. Even now, when nerding is a big trend, there are people that try to keep themselves encapsulated: the backlash against “fake cosplayers” and “gamer girls”, brony culture, “filthy casuals”, haha. I can see the big patches of people who put up the red tape, whether or not they realize it or not. I mean, the whole stereotype of the gamer in their mom’s basement eating junk food and lacking a job is based on the notion that gamers don’t like social change/”growing up.”

The lack of acceptance top-down? Makes sense business-wise. It’s risky. The community is loud when it wants to be.

Girls Chase Boys – Ingrid Michaelson

Posted on by elemonated

I need to start rocking a red lip, is what I’m getting from this video.

And just in case we’re not actually friends yet, the video is a gender bend of Simply Irresistible – Robert Palmer.

Haha, I’m sure both videos were kind of awkward to film at first. Half the time everyone’s just standing around looking bored. Still rather entertained!

Asian Women are Submissive!

Posted on by elemonated

I love David So!

Anyway, I won’t write that much about it because he certainly covers all of the areas I’d focus on, but frankly, all of the women in my mom’s friend group are hard-working ball busters who are managers and senior accountants in their respective companies with real influence over their shit. My mom owns her own business with my dad. My cousins are all making bank whilst holding down the house. Man, exactly how much evidence do you really need before your eyes are crossed from having to ignore everything in front of your face?

Plus, anyone who’s dated me knows the title statement is hilarious.

Schnoodles

Posted on by elemonated

A schnoodle is a domestic dog breed and a cross between a schnauzer and a poodle. It can be fluffy or wiry depending on whose coat it inherited.

And oh my god sometimes it looks like this:

The schnauzer can be affectionate, naturally protective, intelligent and strong-willed; the poodle is often clever, active, and excels in obedience training. Schnoodles may inherit any combination of intelligence, personality, temper and protective nature of the parent breeds. They make good pets and are often devoted and affectionate to their family. Like both parent breeds, schnoodles are usually active dogs and are impressive runners and jumpers; regular exercise and activity are necessary components of their lives.

And normally I wouldn’t care this much because although I love puppies of all shapes and sizes, I’m most partial to chow chows, rottweilers, bulldogs, and pugs, but my boyfriend’s actually getting a schnoodle! I’ll post pictures and squee and copy and paste more facts from Wikipedia when the puppy is chosen and picked up.

Journalism

Posted on by elemonated

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/world-appalled-james-foley-beheading-obama/story?id=25052699

DailyMail picture, photographer in the corner!

One of the reasons why I decided against pursuing journalism, after several years in high school of thinking about it, after visiting the Newseum several times both by myself and with others, after adoring my time at NSLC, arguing with my parents and finally winning, and being crushed when I didn’t get into the Syracuse S.I Newhouse School of Public Communications…well. Part of the reason was that I decided that I couldn’t do what James Foley did and what field journalists in heart-breaking and explosion-filled continue to do in pursuit of truth and knowledge. Rest in peace Mr. Foley, and I wish his family well and hope the pain and stress his execution has caused them is not exacerbated too much by other terrible, terrible people in the world.

I’m not saying the whole field is excellent and courageous or that there isn’t any value in blogger and other user-created content (far from it! I’ve been involved in the YouTube community since Brotherhood 2.0 started, and I always make sure to support the internet folks I learn from and enjoy), but I always think it’s funny when bloggers say they’re journalists, or that they’re “arm-chair journalists” or “keyboard journalists.” Coming from a blogger as well, one who is just as cowardly as many of the writers I’m talking about, I think it’s stupid.

Even if we’re not comparing ourselves to journalists like Mr. Foley, I don’t know any blogger who’s had to (because as bloggers, we CAN stay anonymous. That’s not always an option if writing is your profession.) sign their names on pieces of writing that people take seriously indicting someone famous of a crime or simply unethical behavior, or take on a government for their sins (Link 1). Maybe even their own (Link 2).

Emerging Voices Fellowship – PEN

Posted on by elemonated

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/337765805/emerging-voices-fellowship?ref=HappeningNewsletterAug1114

Time for another Kickstarter push!

I had the opportunity to go to a PEN World Voices Festival event in NoHo a few months ago and learn about writing about superheroes and the power of mythology in modern literature, and it was probably the most pleasing lecture I’ve been able to attend in a while (and certainly one where I didn’t have to worry about elbowing my way into an opportunity; always a thankful reprieve.) Chris Farley and Sarwat Chadda had excellent chemistry, one warm and calm and the other brasher and hilarious, and it was interesting to hear Chadda’s take on racism in Britain as the issue of race encompasses so much in the US, not to mention I missed missed missed informed discussion about mythology. Absolutely missed it.

I believe the PEN organization is one that deserves to be bolstered by the public, and the fellowship program is a fantastic opportunity that would be amazing to provide to someone talented and passionate.

PEN Center USA initiated Emerging Voices as a literary mentorship program designed to launch potential professional writers from minority, immigrant, and other underrepresented communities. The program has now evolved into an eight-month writing fellowship for writers who lack access to a traditional writing education for those who seek financial and creative support.

I think the only loyalty I’ve never wavered in was my loyalty to the literary community and I hope this project goes through!

Nerd food

Posted on by elemonated

http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2014/08/functional-chocolate-legos-by-akihiro-mizuuchi

Edible Chocolate Legos Will Make Your Inner Child Go Nuts

CHOCOLATE LEGOS OH MY GOD THEY’RE STACKABLE. I want to make tons of little Lego battleships and maybe even attempt a famous tower (just maybe not the Space Needle because I would need round parts for that) before DEVOURING MY CREATIONS LIKE GODZILLA IF GODZILLA WAS A PREGNANT FEMALE MUTANT LIZARD.

http://www.quirkbooks.com//post/keep-cool-national-ice-cream-month-book-inspired-flavors

On the other hand, apparently the imagined Whirled War Z Ben and Jerry’s flavor has no actual brain in it. Disappointing! They could have at least added Crunch Bits for some chocolate-y texture that kind of looks like brains.

Happy eating!

Robin WIlliams

Posted on by elemonated

I’ve been in Seattle the past few days, so I’ve been kind of MIA (I’ll have something to write about the pretty city when I get back though!) Plus, with Robin Williams committing suicide, well, that by itself kind of had me stuck. I’ve read a lot. Watched a lot. I’ve written what I could on Facebook and shared other people’s way better tributes to the actor. I don’t think I could do anything better, so I’m just going to post something I thought was lovely.

Suicide. Suicide isn’t something I’m really in the headspace to talk about right now, not on vacation with my parents who don’t acknowledge mental illness unless it’s dementia or the recognizable forms of schizophrenia. Anyway. There’s always a choice. Even if it’s hard to see.

First.
Tribute by Lad Bible

And now, a game that represents depression pretty damn well. Again, there’s always a choice. Sometimes you can’t see it. You’ll see what I mean if you play.