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jell-o101 · 3 months

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Out of curiosity. What do you think would be the best thing to improve on in the Mario Movie that could be acknowledged and improved on in the sequel?

You know, other than Luigi getting more screentime because I think we can all say and agree on that.

I apologize for any weird grammar down below lol

The pacing could have been better. The start of the film was PERFECT, but as soon as they enter the warp pipe, everything seems so desperate to get to the next part.

I also wish Peach was fixed. I wish she was the same as in the games, but a little more “umph.” Yeah, she was awesome, but she lacked the sweetness she’s known for, and none of her lines in the film were memorable. They were basic lines. The only mildly entertaining moment was when she was trying to comfort Mario after failing the course for the final time. Girl boss Peach was ok, but maybe if she was written as “adorkable,” maybe I’d liked her more.

Toad and Mario’s friendship was completely swept aside in favour of Mario and DK’s rivalry. The LAST TIME Toad and Mario EVER spoke a word to each other was when Toad was begging Peach to join the adventure. After that, nothing. He’s just there to cross of a checkpoint in the list of characters that needed to make an appearance.

The Prisoners could have been handled better. We were introduced to the Snow Kingdom back in October of 2022. The Penguin King became iconic throughout the entire time we were waiting for the film to drop. They even introduced a blue Hungry Luma as a nod to Mario Galaxy (another checkpoint character unfortunately). The last time we see the penguins was when Kamek announces the sacrifice. We never get to see them OR the other Kongs escape. The penguins being shown escaping would have sufficed. Maybe having some of the them hold back KP from trying to fight Kamek for easily taking them down (they would have made such perfect comedic reliefs). And maybe having the Luma fling himself towards the explosion to reverse it would have made TONS OF SENSE, especially for those who played Galaxy.

“It’s time for my demise! Bye bye!” Flings himself into the explosion, reversing the effects.

Those are my top four complaints for the film. I’m sure they’ll make the sequel better. After all, the film works as a good start for how the Bros came to be in the Mushroom Kingdom. They needed their first impression of Bowser to be bad to seal their rivalry.

One thing I do appreciate about the film is Mario’s reason to stay throughout the film. People complained about Luigi being the “damsel in distress,” but it makes sense as their origin story. Mario BARELY knows Peach, so why would he go out of his way to rescue a stranger? By having Mario and Peach join forces to accomplish a goal that benefits both of them was a great way to get them to know each other, thus having Mario feel SO GRATEFUL that he’d do anything in return.

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borderlandsmostwanted · 24 days

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can we have a sir hammerlock appreciation post pls ... and try 2 avoid mentioning wainlock bc as much as i love it i think alistair can and does and should be allowed to stand on his own merit and not merely because he's in relationship with a white man

Actually Hammerlock has been one of my all time faves since 2, so I'm happy to oblige!

He's extremely funny right out of the gate. I love claptrap but I'm sorry electrocuting him so he would shut the fuck up was honestly a top tier bit. Also his little march out for his intro cutscene..iconic.

I can forgive him being British for the fact that it makes his bullymong quest 10x funnier.

This is only a little embarrassing but as a child playing this game for the first time after I got to sanctuary and found Hammerlock I would do fuck all except hang out with him. Like I wouldn't even do his quests I literally just stood around him to try and engage conversation. Yes I was dumb...but I was also committed. I know a lot of his idle lines now.

And, you know this goes without saying, but LOOK AT HIS DESIGN

Gearbox can't improve beyond this. This is peak and they will never reach such heights again.

I of course could go on but I'll stop here to let others reblog with additions, lest I rant all day

#Hammerlock tell me stories pls #im dedicated #i can be your bestest friend #ill kill for you #ill do it #can u tell im writing this late at night #apologies for spelling #borderlands #bl3 #borderlands 3 #alistair hammerlock #borderlands 2 #gifs #bl2 #sir hammerlock #thank you for the ask!#wainwrightjakobshammerlock #ask #Sir Hammerlock Appreciation Post

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pricechecktranslations · 9 months

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the heavenly yard blog infomine, part 1: Discussion of Daughter of Evil et al, Initial plot notes

For a while now I've been meaning to translate mothy's producer blog so that it's another piece of creator commentary and Evillious history that isn't locked behind a language barrier. Frankly though that's way too much to translate (and I don't find a personal blog particularly fun to translate anyway), so instead I am just reading the blog when I have the inclination and then writing quick notes on what's there (mostly when it relates to Evillious).

The purpose behind this is to give the basic information for those who find it interesting, and to give a guide to where the information can be found for those who'd like to examine mothy's words more closely but would rather not dig through years of blog posts to do it.

Click here to visit the blog yourself

Without further ado, here is the first round under the cut:

22 June, 2008 ~ 7th August 2008

----June, 2008---- 22nd

Starts blog to more easily give info about his songs and ideas

23rd Page 1

-mothy talks about 10 Minute Love (took him 2 weeks to make since he wasn't familiar with the programs he used)

-made it thinking a cute, girly song would get popular on NicoNico (it wasn't)

-lot of mistakes were made when making the video

-probably won't make a song like it again but he'd also kind of like to give it another shot sometime

Page 2

-mothy talks a bit about Wordplay (such as being a song he made for himself rather than for an audience)

uses Beethoven's 9th symphony in the climax of the song

drew the image himself

even though it wasn't very popular it's his favorite song so far

Page 3

mothy talks a little about the inspirations behind Clockwork Lullaby (such as following the trends of electronic music being popular on NicoNico at the time)

-suggests that Rin in the song as being the same one from Wordplay, making a song with the words she's discovered (or rather, he seems to think of her as just being Rin the VOCALOID rather than a separate character?).

-Drew a Len version of the song's image which he used as his social media icon

Page 4

-mothy shares the songs that he's made up to this point so people can download them

24th

-hints at his upcoming song (Reticent You, I think)

26th

-mothy talks about the leadup to making Daughter of Evil, how he wanted to improve as a producer and make something that would be seen and appreciated by more people.

-he decided the best way to do that was to make something that would be emotionally impactful

27th

-more discussion of the making of Daughter of Evil

-Riliane's laugh was inspired by Satoko's laugh from Higurashi: When They Cry (the anime), which was actually quite tricky to do because VOCALOID isn't made for talking. Her famous line was to make the laugh flow better into the song.

-basically the opening of the song was written before the rest of it

29th

-mothy expresses a desire to interact more with the broader VOCALOID community, but hasn't been able to just yet (still has his day job)

-also replies to some comments talking about his illustrations, his blog posts, if he's gonna get karaoke for his songs, etc. It seems he's quite busy

30th

-can't reply to people because he's working on a video

---July, 2008--- 2nd

-Might upload video tomorrow

4th

-Uploaded Girl of the Miniature Garden (part of the delays were because this is one of those videos that had multiple artists working on it).

-He tells people they can think of it as unrelated to his "of Evil" series, but hints he might make them connected eventually.

-Apparently this song was inspired by Rozen Maiden, even though he's never read it himself.

5th

-he returns to discussing the making of Daughter of Evil--he started from the main line and worked out from it that he wanted a Doronjo-esque, female villain protagonist who was also an uninhibited, Marie Antoinette-like queen ignorant of the ways of the world (but made her a princess due to Rin's age).

He also thinks Doronjo inspired the style of the song being a Showa-esque ballad as well.

he wanted it to have a solemn, orchestral feel, but also the cheap quality of a young girl performing at a musical festival (which is con-ven-ient because he lacked the skill to make it sound good).

first stanza was an introduction, he gave her a horse named Josephine because he couldn't give her a Road Roller due to time period. He made Len a servant rather than a prince because he didn't want his presence to reduce the feeling of Rin as the song's protagonist (at the time he didn't think much of Len as a program and wasn't planning to ever use him).

8th

-shares Servant and Daughter of Evil's rankings and answers some questions (used to be in a band, has diverse music tastes but likes Western (non-Japanese) music, etc).

-Someone asks if "Len" really killed "Miku" (because some fans seem to interpret him as secretly saving her), mothy hints that he'll be exploring that later but refuses to confirm or deny it.

12th

-more on making Daughter of Evil. Making the lyrics got complicated quickly, so he decided to come up with a basic plot writeup first and base the lyrics on that.

-Because of Len's inclusion he brought in other VOCALOIDS.

-He accidentally made too much plot for just the one song, and wound up creating 8 basic chapters. 1) Princess making a mess of things, 2) Famine, 3) Feud between swordswoman and princess, 4) jealousy makes a war break out, 5)The aftermath of "blue" and "green", 6) the revolution, 7) The ending, 8) the epilouge

-Mothy cut most of it for the song so it wouldn't be too long, but he would like to work with the full story someday. As such, he's going to upload his plot writeup to the blog, though he cautions people to view this as an in-progress plot rather than a final draft.

15th Page 1

-Mothy shares his notes on the song's first "chapter". The backstory for the kingdom is pretty much like his final version (king made country, died, queen took over and was great, died, daughter took over and was terrible, also had servant, etc etc). Most of this was just a bonus, he never intended to put it in the song.

It sounds like Rin's mother was always intended to be Sweet Ann.

Page 2

-muses on when he'll receive RinLen act 2, answers some misc questions.

-Encourages someone making a DoE PV to make the story how they want to rather than strictly adhering to his plot outline.

18th

-RinLen Act 2 came in, discusses how it sounds for a minute

20th

-The second "chapter" of Daughter of Evil. Again pretty much like the original--Rin is a queen in all but name, there was a famine, she was indifferent to her people's suffering, etc.

-mothy admits he made this part solely so he can have her say the "let them eat cake" line. He shares a Wikipedia quote that specifies that the original French for that quote actually says brioche, etc etc. (and of course brioche shows up in Servant of Evil). Also that Marie apparently never actually said that any of that.

-He wanted it to deliberately parallel the war to come later and her reactions to it, showing that she can't learn from her mistakes. In the end, though, all of it, including the famous line, got cut because it didn't fit in the song.

27th

-He's going to rerelease Daughter and Servant of Evil with RinLen act 2

28th

-does the rerelease for Daughter of Evil

31st Page 1

-does rerelease for Servant of Evil

-He got Gackpoid in and is thinking of using it.

-He got Adobe Premier Elements 4

Page 2

-Answers more questions. Apparently some people thought he was a woman, he clarifies he's a man (though not a beefcake or anything).

-another ask about JOYSOUND karaoke, which is still a no-go.

---August 2008---

1st

-discusses the third "chapter" of daughter of evil. Again very like the final story, has the captain of the guard from the previous monarch oppose the princess to relieve the famine (also intended to be Leon even at this early stage, though mothy notes he is nothing like the popular depiction of him). Princess summons him to her chambers at night, heavily implied her servant killed him, he's dead on the river the next morning. The girl in red, his daughter, vows revenge.

-even here mothy has omitted some of the story to preserve some suspense (like how the servant killed the guard). the girl in red is implied to be Meiko.

-Most of this was cut for a variety of reasons, but one that he gives is that it was more about Len than Rin (and also that it was weakened by cutting chapter 2).

2nd

Page 1

-now it's "chapter" 4, again very similar to what comes later. Princess falls in love with the "blue" Prince, she sends a minister to propose (I guess they weren't already engaged in this version of the story), he rejects her because he loves a girl in the "green" country. Princess goes mad with jealousy and, not knowing WHICH green girl was his love, has all of them killed. She isn't bothered at all.

-mothy refuses to elaborate on the "blue" and "green" people, but he does have specifics in mind for them.

-I'm a little confused by this next bit, I think I'm misunderstanding it. He says that he wrote a little side story for the minister who shows up in this chapter that has him as the protagonist while he was gathering illustrations for Servant of Evil after uploading the song on Piapro? I think he's referring to Twiright Prank, maybe?

-The most important part of this chapter is Riliane going "Oh, it's teatime/snacktime" at the end (which was originally supposed to contrast with "then let them eat cake" from earlier).

Page 2

-"chapter" 5 of DoE--again not much different here. green country is destroyed, but the "green girl" is alive because the servant sheltered her in a well (as he too loved her) thinking he could just hand her over to the "blue" man to keep her safe once things had cooled down. princess uses a wish in a bottle to tell him to kill the girl (and it was him who taught her the legend that caused her to start doing that). Later "blue" guy sees his love dead in the well and vows revenge also.

-again mothy keeps things hidden for tension. He suggests that people came make up their own answers if they want to. He also makes a comment about the glass bottle which makes me think it's some kind of obscure reference or in-joke or something.

-Though he cut it, he really liked this part which is why it wound up in the next song after it.

Page 3

-Now it's "chapter" 6. Basically the same again, a rebellion starts led by the "blue" man and "red" swordswoman. They overwhelm the tired army, surround the palace, and capture the princess, who was abandoned by her ministers.

-He cites this as the climax of the story. He makes a veiled reference to the twin switch that happens here.

-He's happy he got to redo the "You isolent thug!" line with RinLen Act2 since it was very poorly delivered with Act1

4th

-on "chapter" 7 of DoE, it's pretty much the same as the end of the song. princess gets executed publicly with bells ringing, gives her "teatime" line rather than any apology or begging, everyone thinks she's dead etc etc

-apparently he struggled a lot with whether to write "her" or "princess" in the lyrics (they're very similar words in Japanese) and what that would imply tonally. during the reprise at the end he also made her reign past tense as well (it's present tense in the first stanza), which he's really chuffed about having done.

7th

-we're finally on "chapter" 8, the epilogue. It seems that originally it was supposed to be a reveal at the end of Daughter of Evil that Rin pulled a twin-switch with Len. It got cut from the song because (in addition to the issues of length that plagued the other chapters), he figured her execution was a better ending for it as a standalone song. Naturally he does end up making it the subject of Servant of Evil.

-mothy discusses the twin switch idea a little, noting it's pretty common and citing Eve and Alexandra from "Master of the Game" by Sidney Sheldon as a particular inspiration.

-Anyway, the plot chapters he's shared are what he used to craft the lyrics for Daughter of Evil.

He has more to tell on the series, but I think that's a good stopping point for this infomine for now.

#()mothy blog posts #forgive me if i've mistyped or anything #even though i find most of these tidbits interesting #this kind of stuff grinds on my focus pretty badly

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ctl-yuejie · 6 months

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3 Will Be Free Rewatch - Epsiode 1

while I adored 3 Will Be Free when it came out, I believe I didn't pay proper attention to it (besides hardly anyone watching it on here) and now that I am also more familiar with jojo, I am looking forward to this rewatch

GMMTV really holds the title for great bar names (only beaten by TheLastGoodBar) Greatest MotherF*cker

I wonder how deliberate Joss' casting was since he not only was still young when this was filmed but he also feels very young. On one side GMMTV hasn't casted main characters over 30 for most of their series (which is now changing since so many of their ogs are around 30 now). I suppose he was mainly casted because of his physique fitting most closely to the other gogo boys but I cannot deny that I enjoy the extra layer of him looking visibly younger than the other two and his customers. They do mention that he is new to the job, so it could very well be that they are leaning into it.

- the card coming up with the '3 months later' and the three gun shots is a thing i can very much live with -

While I knew that the central set-up focuses on why Miw and Neo need money I forgot how central it is to most of the dialogue in the first episode. Not only the need for money in general but if and to what degree it is separated from happiness. Shin's dad wants affection as well and seems to try to include his new wife on an emotional level into the family beyond just wanting her status acknowledged. At the same, time, as soon as she crosses him he speaks of her like property.

With Miw it is interesting because we are shown that her mother needs more money. Still, she draws a hard line between hosting and prostitution which holds exactly as long as it needs for Shin and his friends to turn up. She does mention however that she cannot do it with random customers because she's not attracted to them. First sign that Shin might not just be a job for the money.

Equally curious whether Neo actually entertains Vanika honestly to some degree, since he could technically get more money out of her. Possibly his hard line of not wanting to become too dependant on her money.

The whole Neo Miw dynamic with them slut shaming each other and having differing opinions on what is the shameful way to earn money. No wonder they will fuck about it. 25.000 bhat is a hefty sum (even here where prices are higher than in thailand for sex)

I remember feeling unsure about Tay's acting during my first watch - even though he did improve since - but I very much enjoy his performance this time around (some of it is not that well-rounded, especially when he's in the same scene as Ssing. That man will put everything into the smallest amount of screen time). He is in the closet but doesn't seem too anxious about his friends setting him up to sleep with a woman. I think I will ponder this during future episodes. Why did he chose Miw though. As a reluctant hostess she might not be any good. It is possible he picked her assuming she would turn him down. But then, what is your plan b little gay boy? Shin also doesn't feel self-concious about being a virgin, his nervousness at Miw approaching him was very nicely done. Did they actually end up sleeping together? Do we know?

Max, my love, a short king! Gunsmile, it has been a long time. Jennie really should get bigger roles. I love her and the to men in this show, I only wish she'd gotten more scenes with Max since the diner scene is pretty iconic. And I can appreciate that Max's character is a gangster on the verge of turning into a wife guy. And how fucking scary his run after Joss is. Short kings, I tell you.

iconic scenes

the mustard on that fucking guy in the diner

all of the outfits (+ the stupid lollipop)

the move where Miew removes Shin's glasses and then playfully pulls them against her lips, very hot and novel move. will have to try it

the surprising softness of the scenes between Shin and Miw (even Miw seems surprised by their familiarity)

Joss voice breaking when he panics

Shin being so naive and polite asking for his wallet in the gogobar and sulking at the booth instead of getting out of that place

Neo covering Shin's mouth with his hand to keep him quiet. So hot.

random observations

there was a threesome teased with Kitty...Jojo...I think you have to deliver at some point...

the sound mixing etc isn't great, but better than some more recent shows - even with birds in the background

favourite bit: the connection Shin and Miw form even though they shouldn't feel this familiar and comfortable with each other

#3 will be free #yes i am doing a very slow rewatch instead of watching anything new

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an-honest-puck · 1 year

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I have watched Pray Don't Be Fickle far too many times than is normal (thanks @personinthepalace for sharing the whole scene lol) and I simply cannot get over how incredible Jonathan's voice is- like, the tone of his voice?? so crisp and clear it's amazing

(also, I love rewatching it and watching everyone reacting to him lol)

the fact that it's Harry who first summons him and names him Reverend Jon

Nancy suggesting a silly summoning spell to give Jonathan time to get on stage

the musicians in the background looking at Jon, waiting for him to cue them

Nancy double checking that he's coming and Harry trying not to break as he watches Jon walk on

ok no but hold on, the pure delight on Nancy's face when she realises that Jon's actually going to get on there and sing is so wonderful and lowkey kinda heartwarming?? idk, she's just so hyped for this moment y'all, it's hard not to get swept up in the excitement ya dig?? lol

not Jon Oscar starting his cameo with a pun XDD

"I sense someone has become something jarred!" - Oscar

Charlie: Our headmistress has been turned into a pickle! We need you to reverse that. Oscar: Of course. Well, my children, there's only one way to do that of course. Charlie: Of course- Oscar, breaking half way through this sentence: Which I fear is through song.

Nancy absolutely setting Jon up for a big dramatic song and of course the kicker: "Why don't you take... centre stage?"

listen, I know Nancy literally gestured for him to be centre stage, but that still doesn't explain why he starts this song kneeling pfffff- fr who knows, but it's a bloody power move if I ever did see one

speaking of brilliant moves, shoutout to Charlie for inviting everyone in the cast on the stage to be a part of this iconic moment 😌

Oscar: Uhh. My children, I must say, I'm disappointed that tonight is the only show my parents are watching.

Almost everyone else in the cast: *breaking*

Oscar: But here we go.

the band and Jonathan being perfectly timed on that opening chord and note??? wtf is this improv magic????? /amazed

I'm sorry but even from that very first line "When you've been turned" his tone is so crisp and so strong my god

also, I can't tell if rhyming 'jarred' with an alternate pronunciation of 'prepared' (i.e. 'preparred') is lazy or lazy enough to be genius XD

I adore Lauren and Nancy's all the little interjections in the first few lines and Jon including them in the song XD

Jon: When you've been turned into something jarred Lauren: Sing it, Reverend! Jon: You must be prepared, be preparred Nancy: It's just you! Jon: It's just me it's a solo, that's unfortunate Nancy (literally just as Jonathan has goe up to the two Henrys and Shields looks like he's about to help him lol): Don't try and pass it, Jon! Jon: But do not worry, things are gonna turn out great!

the knowing laugh of the audience when Jonathan sings "Pray, don't be fickle..." (because how else are you gonna rhyme 'pickle' ya dig?? XD)

but fr tho, Jono vocally popped off on the chorus!!!!!!!

also can we spare a moment to appreciate the way he physically embraces this song?? he's not dancing, but he absolutely nails the 'possessed by the music' acting direction of the scene and I friggin love it!!!!!

(the man is surprisingly light on his feet I would love to see him tap - Charlie says he was a great tap dancer back in their LAMDA days lol)

gotta love the musicians changing the rhythm of the song on him - to be fair, they are keeping in the gospel style of shifting the rhythm lol

and in true improv style, Jono incorporating that into the song XD

"A different kind of rhythm has started / And I know that we're all gonna see the change!" - Oscar

(yo how did he hit that note on 'change'?!!?!?)

and then of course he pops off lyrically and vocally

yo I legit have to record it here because this bit of lyrical improv is Showstopper level!!!!

A different kind of rhythm has started And I know that we're all gonna see the change! Magic's here and the lord is upon us So don't be fearful, now don't be enraged!

his vocal interjections in the second chorus!!!!! the way he becomes a choir director and gets everyone to do the chorus again because no one actually knew how the chorus went, least of all him!!! XD

and then he gets back on his knees and it's all over for us bitches /affectionate because it's me, I'm bitches XD

the way he signals for the music to stop is so fckn cool omg

THE RUN HE HITS ON 'PRAY' ADFSAKHDJFKSLAHLDJSK 😩😩😩😩😩😩😩

(Nancy in the background looking so proud!!!!!!!!!!!!)

THE TIMING OF THE BAND TO COME BACK IN WITH THE MUSIC ASDFHADSFJLKAFHLJK 😩😩😩😩😩😩😩

again with the badass stop-the-music signal?!?!?! we get it you're a fkcn bombass vocalist AND you're musically trained goddang- /jk

and to top it all off: a pitch perfect exit featuring a Shields flourish to end

in conclusion: Mischief, give the people what they want and let Jonathan Sayer sing more in your future productions!!!!!!!

#jonathan sayer #mischief movie night in #pray don't be fickle #the day harry got cut in half #mischief theatre #i rewatched it to finish writing this post and i still get giddy/hyped listening to him hit that final run DAMN #i think the hype got to me and the last half of this post is a mess of me just screaming in capslock at how good this song is lmao #but listen i could legit yell about this song for ages lol #(sidenote: it's funny because if the fans appeal to mischief comedy they're kinda appealing to jono because he's the company director lol)#(it's what the people want jonathan!!!!!!!)#day says hey

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heartsoulrocknroll · 2 months

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Piano Man Ranked

This was so hard for me, because I love every song on this album. These rankings are based primarily on the album versions, but if I was unsure, the position was ultimately determined by my favorite live version. I firmly believe that you can't truly appreciate how great the songs on this album are without hearing them played live by the 1976-1982 Billy Joel band.

1) The Ballad of Billy the Kid

I am so obsessed with this song. I think it's one of the greatest songs Billy has ever written, from the excellent instrumentation and arrangement to the fanastic storytelling lyrics. I love the album recording. The clip-clop of the horse hooves. The campfire harmonica. But the back and forth between the band (especially when the strings come in) and those ICONIC piano riffs does something to my brain. I freak out every time I hear it even though I've heard it repeatedly for 12 years. And the piano work throughout the entire song is just phenomenal. The live versions obviously don't have the strings, but the post-1975 live versions with the core Billy Joel band have a whole different energy that make the strings unnecessary. I have to mention the 1976 University of Connecticut live performance of this song, because that particular combination of Billy's vocals, Billy's kickass piano playing, and the band's pure energy literally makes me the audibly-yellin', hand-wavin', object-throwin' kind of insane.

2) Somewhere Along the Line

This song reminds me a bit of James Taylor in parts, but then those big backing vocals and piano riffs come in and take the song in another direction. The melody is great, the lyrics are some of the best on the album, and Billy just goes nuts on the piano, especially on the break after the third verse, during the fourth verse, and on the break that closes the song. I love the album recording, but this is another song that really comes to life in the live setting with the slightly higher tempo, the more prominent guitar riffs, Liberty on the drums, and Billy singing and playing like the world-class singer and piano player that he is.

3) Worse Comes to Worst

This song rocks so hard and blends so many musical styles. The signature guitar riff is super funky. The pedal steel guitar makes another appearance for more country undertones. The background vocals provide a gospel flavor, while the steel drums come in later on for a bit of a Caribbean feel. But even still, this remains distinctly a rock 'n' roll song. The album version is great for the aforementioned reasons, but the live versions rock so much harder. I love the 1977 CW Post live version more than life itself. I know I never shut up about it, but my god, Liberty's drumming adds so much drive to these early songs, and Billy sings the hell out of this song live.

4) Travelin' Prayer

I love absolutely everything about this song. The brushes on the drums, the bass, the opening piano, the banjo, the fiddle, the lyrics, Billy's vocal, the psychotic tempo. This is just a fantastic country/bluegrass song that takes what is great about those genres and improves it with the incorporation of Billy's brilliant piano breaks, especially the piano solo during the first instrumental break, which just rocks. This song doesn't have as strong of a country feel without the banjo and fiddle, but the live performances with Liberty's energetic drums, Richie's sax additions, Doug's driving bass, and Billy's piano improvs are incredible in an entirely different way.

5) Ain't No Crime

The soulful, gospelly vibes of this song really do it for me. I LOVE the use of the organ, and the piano riffs slap so hard it ain't funny. This is another song that needs to be heard live to be truly appreciated, with Liberty on the drums and Richie adding some sax. Billy goes crazy on the piano and does such a fantastic, soulful vocal on this song live.

6) Captain Jack

This is just an epic song. Billy's piano parts in the intro and the verses are beautifully done. The combination of Billy's organ and that legendary guitar riff in the chorus is so dramatic and really gives the song its epic feel. The lyrics are a great commentary on how people can have everything and still be overcome by the aimlessness and hopelessness of life. I like the album version, but this is another song that really takes on a whole new life in the live setting with Billy improvising on the piano and singing so incredibly well, while Liberty adds the dramatic opening cymbals and the ridiculous driving drum transitions from the third and fourth verses into the third and fourth choruses. 😭😭

7) Piano Man

No matter how many times I hear this song, I will never stop loving it. It's popular for a reason: it's great. That iconic opening piano riff gets me every time. The harmonica parts are great. The piano break after the third verse rocks on the album, and rocks even harder live. These are some of the best lyrics on the album. They are excellent, immersive, storytelling lyrics with a great rhyme scheme.

8) If I Only Had the Words (To Tell You)

This is a gorgeous melody with a distinctly beautiful opening piano riff, more beautiful piano work throughout the song, and some nice strings toward the end. This is also one of those songs that really makes me go, "Damn, that guy can sing." I am a freak about singing, and there is a live version of this (supposedly from Carnegie Hall in 1974) in which Billy gives a vocal performance that brings me to tears if I focus on it too hard. Billy may not like the sound of his own voice, but I'd give anything to sing like that.

9) You're My Home

This is a great, country-sounding song. It's one of those classic, beautiful Billy Joel melodies. The album version isn't very piano-heavy, but there are a few nice piano bits in there. And the instrumentation is great nonethless, from the finger picking on the acoustic guitar to the pedal steel guitar. Billy's vocal here is really beautiful as well.

10) Stop in Nevada

This is a beautiful song with a great melody and a great build from the quiet piano and pedal steel in the verses to the big, full choruses with the backing choir and the strings

#billy joel #piano man #personal

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republicsecurity · 5 months

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A Glimpse Behind the Red Visor

Teen Tech & Heroes, Issue #24

By Sarah Summers, Teen Tech Correspondent

Imagine a world where heroes don't wear capes but red body armor, and their smiles are hidden behind visors. In this world, Tactical Paramedic MA35X is one of those silent saviors, a young hero working tirelessly to keep us safe. We had the chance to accompany him for a day.

The Early Morning Routine

The day for MA35X begins long before the sun graces the horizon. Rising from a sleeping capsule with the precision of a well-oiled machine, they step into a world where every moment counts.

One of the first tasks involves ensuring is that their chastity gear is secure. For Tactical Paramedics like MA35X, control over every aspect of their lives is essential, even down to their most personal choices.

MA35X: First thing, we climb out of our sleeping capsules, still a bit groggy. You get used to those cozy coffins, I mean capsules, after a while. Then comes the delightful part - checking the chastity gear. We've got a buddy system for that. It's all about trust and camaraderie. A fellow paramedic helps ensure everything's locked up tight, so to speak. I've come to appreciate the discipline it brings.

Physical Prowess

Next comes the morning physical training, a grueling session designed to keep their bodies in peak condition. Tactical Paramedics need to be strong and agile, ready to respond to any emergency. It's a regimen that forges both physical and mental fortitude.

Trainer: (with a sardonic grin) MA35X, your body's like a well-oiled machine, Just remember, even the most finely tuned machines need a little maintenance.

Cleanliness and Precision

As they enter the prep area, they both grab their shaving kits and get down to business. Precision is key, and they've had plenty of practice. With the hum of electric razors and the careful application of foam, their bodies soon gleam hairless, like polished warriors.

Their camaraderie and dedication to their roles are evident in every move. Hairless bodies aren't just for aesthetics; they help streamline their movements and ensure their armor fits like a second skin.

Reporter: I noticed you don't seem to mind that I'm here while you're getting ready. Isn't that a bit… invasive? MA35X: Not at all, ma'am. Transparency is crucial in our line of work. We're used to being watched, especially during training. It helps us learn and improve.

TP19R: (nods) Absolutely, MA35X. A clean slate for a new day of duty.

The Iconic Red Armor

Once their body is prepared, it's time to suit up. The red tactical gear is more than just a uniform; it's a symbol of readiness and a commitment to duty. The armor is a complex fusion of protection and technology, tailored to fit each paramedic like a second skin. The armor, a blend of protection and technology, hugs every contour of MA35X's body. It's a symbol of dedication, a reminder that they're always ready to respond to emergencies.

MA35X: (adjusting his armor) You know, when I first started this gig, I thought wearing this tactical armor would be a pain, but now, I can't imagine it any other way. It's like a second skin, Ma'am. Reporter: (curious) Really? It doesn't look comfy at all. MA35X: (smiles) Well, appearances can be deceiving. This armor is designed to be snug and secure. It moves with me, almost like an extension of my own body. And the way it distributes the weight of the gear is just... efficient.

Their helmets are a marvel of augmented reality, with heads-up displays that provide vital patient information, communication with the command center, and even live video feeds from drones above.

The Breakfast of Heroes

No morning would be complete without a hearty breakfast. High-energy rations fuel them for the strenuous tasks ahead. It's a meal eaten with focus, every bite a reminder of their dedication to service.

MA35X: (smirking) Well, you know how it is. Strict control over what we eat, when we eat it. Keeps us in tip-top shape.

Strategic Planning

Finally, there's the briefing. Tactical Paramedics gather to review the day's assignments, discussing potential scenarios and how to respond. It's a time to sharpen their minds and ensure they're prepared for whatever challenges they may face.

As MA35X takes us through this daily ritual, it's clear that being a Tactical Paramedic is more than a job; it's a way of life. It requires unwavering discipline, physical prowess, and a readiness to face the unknown. The red armor they wear may hide their identity, but it reveals their unwavering commitment to keeping our world safe.

Tactical Paramedic MA35X and their fellow heroes may work in the shadows, but their impact shines brightly in our lives, reminding us that heroes exist among us, ready to protect and serve.

Training Beyond Ordinary

Becoming a tactical paramedic is no walk in the park. MA35X went through rigorous training that included everything from mastering advanced medical techniques to self-defense drills. But the most challenging part? Learning to stay calm under pressure.

Reporter: How did you end up as a Tactical Paramedic? MA35X: Ah, ma'am, it was a path that found me. After my basic training, they saw potential in my performance and recommended this specialization.

A Rare Glimpse Beneath the Visor

MA35X: (with determination) Time to gear up and lock down, Ma'am. MA35X reaches for his helmet, which rests nearby. He carefully places it on his head, securing it with practiced ease. The helmet seals with a soft hiss, locking into place. His face is now obscured by the reflective visor.

Reporter: (intrigued) Why do you always wear your helmet, even during interviews? MA35X: (matter-of-factly) It's a part of the job, Ma'am. We're trained to be ready for any situation at a moment's notice. The helmet not only protects me from potential threats but also keeps me connected to our network. It's got a heads-up display that provides vital information, and I can communicate with my team and HQ through it.

While the red body armor may hide their identity, it doesn't conceal the compassion that lies beneath. MA35X recounts a touching story of helping a scared child during a chaotic accident scene, using their calm demeanor and kind words to ease the child's fear.

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aerial-ace97 · 1 year

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Every Show Should Have an Aftermath

So today I watched the final Owl House episode and the last two episodes of Orphan Black (third time watching) and one thing stuck out to me as I watched both episodes. That being that I really wanted to know more about what happened next.

Now bear in mind, both of these shows are amazing. I’ve watched Orphan Black three times and my icon is from the Owl House. It’s the fact that these shows attempted to give an aftermath segment at all that I’ve started thinking about this. I think though that they could’ve benefitted from more. I think they both should have, and every show should have, an entire final episode dedicated to what happens after the conflict. Not that there is a negative to not having it. That would be silly, since few shows do it now, but I think you only improve most shows by giving them this.

Orphan Black almost has this. I think roughly like a half or maybe even two thirds of the final episode are dedicated to the aftermath of the characters. Which was a great idea for a show that was super character driven. They came pretty close to having a true aftermath episode. I just don’t know why they didn’t fully contribute to it (other than the fact that shows just don’t do that I suppose). The entire final conflict of Revival and the last members of Dyad could’ve just been the penultimate episode if they’d adjusted some of the timings. Everything feels well put together with the final episode but I’d have liked to see some more of our characters and what they ended up doing (maybe some more of my boy Scott?). I feel like Orphan Black would’ve been a good structure system to do this as well. They already take a different design philosophy by putting their mid-season climax in episode 6 of 10 instead of 5 of 10 (sometimes to better or worse effect). The last episode of season 4 also feels a lot like an aftermath to the conflict of that season, even if it serves to quickly ramp up a new season.

Owl House didn’t benefit as much from an aftermath. That of course is hardly Dana or anyone on the team’s fault though. Disney is just homophobic and bad. So we can take what we can get. I think their were a lot of places where these 3 episodes really got hurt by the story having to be so abbreviated (Thanks to Them holds up the best), but it’s impossible to criticize that when its the fault of such external forces. It has become pretty commonplace amongst the best children’s cartoons that we get a bit of a flash forward or at least a solid amount of time dedicated to an aftermath, and Owl House was no exception to that. Buuut... I think that all of these flash forwards have all could have benefitted from more time and I think that the Owl House got the worst opportunity of all of them. There are just SO MANY characters in the Owl House to wrap up. I just don’t feel as though I got enough about what they will be doing in the aftermath to satisfy my curiosity. I think Hooty gets like a single line in the entire episode. Not that... much probably changed for Hooty. But still.

I know that Game of Thrones is kind of hated on now for its last two seasons, but one of the best things about that show for me was that they did their big climaxes in the penultimate episodes, which is not something most television shows do. Now the reason for this wasn’t entirely in order to give us a happy chance to see our characters just live lives afterwards, but it still was something that I really appreciated. And it certainly never came anywhere close to taking away from the story to do this.

Now people might say that if you have the climax in the second to last episode people won’t care much about watching the finale. After all, for a lot of shows that is just going to be seeing characters just kind of ‘exist’. But if you liked the show and care about the characters, most people will absolutely get comfortable seeing a wind out episode even if ‘the story is over’. If they don’t care enough, I honestly think you failed as a story creator. Giving your characters an episode to just chill shows that you are confident that people want to care about your characters.

A lot of shows might want to leave things ambiguous about their ending too and let people make their own conclusions of where their life leads. But you can still do that by just expanding on the elements you do see. I absolutely would’ve stuck around for 5 minutes of watching Gus just tutor his crossover human class or seen 15 minutes of the characters interacting at the final party in Orphan Black, without needing more explanation of what to expect of them. Or just being able to see Luz and Amity go on a date in the human realm (I watched like an hour or so of just a date in Critical Role, I’ll absolutely take that in Owl House).

Also let’s not neglect the fact that most shows... have bad endings. How many shows do you know that have a great and satisfying ending? I don’t know many. Um... Orphan Black. The Good Place. Oh and look at that. Those both have extended aftermaths. Endings for television shows need to try really hard to feel like enough and I feel like a proper aftermath gives us an opportunity for that. Maybe I’m just picky, but most shows feel very much like the story kinda just cuts out right before we get that chance to feel closure. And the weird thing is that I usually don’t feel this way about movies, because the aftermath of movies often feels well matched to the time I’ve spent with the movie. But television needs more than I think most programs are willing to give them.

Clearly of course this doesn’t work for shows that want to have an ambiguous or sudden end. Which a good number of shows try to go for these days. Not... always the biggest fan of it myself but it can work when done well. But for the vast majority of shows, especially ones where characters matter a lot I wanna see my peeps just chill a bit in their last moments. Or not chill. Depends on the tone I suppose but you get what I mean. I don’t have a final word here so we’re gonna cut out like most television shows before I can give a solid final reasoning.

#Orphan Black #The Owl House #Aftermath

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kirby-the-gorb · 1 year

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reply roundup :)

I am so sleepy. also photo of my fancy phone case I was so excited about under the cut.

on [flap] @macro-microcosm said: HAPPY KIRBY FLAP HAPPY KIRBY FLAP HAPPY KIRBY FLAP- so glad I'm not the only one who thinks he does this. and I relate, things aren't great but at least there are cute things to be a comfort

he is my little projection orb, therefore he must flail his little nubs around in excitement as I do. (also I hope things have improved for you, I’ve still got another 2 1/2 weeks to wait but hopefully the news will be good -n- )

this is how the phone case turned out btw! it’s by CandyDulceDeco on [etsy] or at candydulcedeco.com, they were very patient with working out all the little details and everything :> (that little post in the top corner is for a little loop to put phone charms on, I repurposed a bracelet with rainbow gummy bears as a little phone strap sometime after taking this photo)

on [meds] @plushslug said: I have MCAS too. Sucks hard. Keep fighting the good fight out there and may your symptoms be manageable 🫡

same to you *salute emoji I can’t find rn* (love your icon btw)

on [milk] @graycoin said: Ah shit, that sounds rough. You can Get Through It, but I am sorry you gotta. :/

thanks, I appreciate both the vote of confidence and the sympathy -n- (and in your other comment as well. thank you in general to the folks leaving supportive comments even though I don’t post them all, I really do appreciate it.)

I also appreciate everyone who rushed to give baby his choccy milk or demanded he get it, with special mention to @justawanderingfan who went so far as to [add] the glass (and the resulting smile) themself :)

on [keyblade] @angeryspeedo said: look at him. he is just a little guy...

every time someone tags my kirb as “just a little guy” or “a bean” or something like this I become more powerful :) (I even made a post on my personal blog when I first saw this tag that it means I Win At Art. there are many ways to win at art and I win often. drawing something that makes me laugh, drawing something my wife thinks is pretty, drawing something, drawing something that makes a stranger add a funny tag, etc. these are all Art Victories of equal value. I think this is a good way to think of creative hobbies.)

also on [keyblade] @joekingv1 said: *wonders who was baby's favorite character*

I think of the playable characters in birth by sleep, ventus would be their favorite. (both because kirby probably relates to him most and because his combat is most amenable to just mashing regular attack and dodge the whole time (which is mostly what I did lol)) out of all of kingdom hearts I do think they’d vibe with sora. my dirtboys.

on [crochet] @duerme07 said: this -feels- crochet in a way that few other images have conveyed

thanks! it’s because I hate making small gauge amigurumi and have bad eyesight so this is exactly what I looked like for approximately 3 hours immediately following this drawing :)

on [blanket] @ceylonsilvergirl said: life has its ups and downs, is never just one or the other. stick it out through the difficult times And I will find comfy blanket time again

comfy blanket time can be anytime. even or especially during the hard times. (I hope you’ve got a break coming down the line too.)

on [valentimes] @wishiwould said: I sent this to all my family and sent the creator money on ko-fi bc delightful

extremely sweet of you, thank you so much! I always love finding valentines like this to send to my wife so I’m so glad I could make something similar for someone else lol (yes I did send this drawing to my wife and my partner for valentines day :v )

on [vacant] @sagessmoke said: he's a static image right, when i scrolled onto him he blinked and i need to know if im okay

yep, he’s a static image. when you’re seeing stuff directly from me, I always tag any moving image with “gif” even if it’s a small amount of animation. (my eyes play tricks on me sometimes too.)

anonymous asked: Do you like META KNIGHTTTT METAKNIGHHHHHYYYTTT

yeah he’s pretty neat! significantly more Shapes required to draw him than a kirborb tho lol

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fleurarmor · 1 year

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Raise and Other Job Action Macros for FFXIV

If you play FFXIV long enough you'll end up seeing a message in chat while running a duty letting folks know someone is getting raised. These are usually done via macro.

Why Do People Use Raise and Other Job Action Macros?

Raise messages basically boil down to "Other healers and raise capable members of the party, I am raising this person so don't waste your Swiftcast."

They can also communicate if this is a hard rez (no Swiftcast) and will therefore take time.

They tell you who scraped you off the floor so you have a suggestion of who to give your commendation. (This is why I appreciate others using them, personally).

They communicate part of a mechanic that another player might not know. The classic example was Paladin's Divine Veil, where they needed to be healed for the action to be completed. Although Divine Veil no longer requires it.

Creating and Editing Macros

Click the System button.

Click User Macros.

Select an empty macro or one you would like to overwrite.

In the opened macro, click the macro icon.

Select an icon to represent this macro. Or, use /micon in the macro itself to use the icon for the action.

Enter a descriptive name in the Name field, like Sage Hard Rez.

In the main body of the macro, you will enter the code of the macro, making sure each line is its own line.

Macro Components

/ac tells the system you are starting a command about an action.

"Action Name" says which action you want to use. This is job specific so you will need to make a rez macro for each job as it is Egeiro vs Raise vs Resurrection vs Ascend etc.

<wait.#> is telling the system to wait before executing the next line. The number tells the system how many seconds to wait. How long you need depends on your computer, internet connection and how congested the immediate area in game is. 2 seconds works for my current machine very well, 3 seconds worked better for my old laptop and if I'm at a world boss Fate or hunt train I don't even try to use the macro due to the long wait time needed.

/party tells the system to send the text that follows to the party chat.

<t> tells the system to substitute the name of who you are currently targeting in whatever message you are sending in chat.

<#> The number will tell the system who to target based on the position in the party list. So a 3 will target the 3rd person on the party list.

/micon "Action Name" will tell the system to give the macro the same icon as the named action.

Optimizing Rez Macro Placement on Your Hotbar

To get the most bang for your buck on your rez macro, I recommend the following order on your hotbar:

[Swiftcast] [Quick Raise Macro] [Raise] [Full Heal Action]

This set up will let you see if Swiftcast is still on cooldown. If it is you can skip your Quick Raise macro and either just click Raise directly or a Long Raise macro (which in that image is the X icon below my Quick Raise macro's icon).

Example Macros

These can all be directly copy and pasted into the body section of the macro editor.

Basic Rez Macro (RDM)

/ac "Swiftcast" <wait.2> /ac "Verraise" <wait.2> /party Raising <t>! Get back in the fight!

Hard (Long) Rez Macro (SGE)

/party Swiftcast is down! Hard rez-ing <t>! <wait.3> /ac "Egeiro"

Rez Macro with Swiftcast and Thin Air (WHM)

This is specific to WHM level 58+ and will allow you to instantly cast Raise with no MP cost to help make the most of your resources.

/ac "Swiftcast" <wait.2> /ac "Thin Air" <wait.2> /ac "Raise" <wait.2> /party Raising <t>! Get back in the fight!

Improvisation Macro (DNC)

Unless your team has played a lot of Dancer themselves they likely won't understand how Improv works. Macro messages are great for telling other people in your party what they need to do to benefit from things like DNC's Improvisation or PLD's Passage of Arms.

/micon "Improvisation" /ac "Improvisation" /party Stand near me until you hear the bongos for healing!

Aetherial Manipulation (for the BLM Who Can't Target Party Members to Literally Save Their Own Lives)

Its me, I'm that black mage. This automatically targets the third person in the party's list which will be the healer in a Light Party or the second tank in a Full Party. You will aether skate over to whoever that is.

/ac "Aetherial Manipulation" <3>

Living Dead Macro (DRK)

This is no longer required as Living Dead has been updated. But it is a good example of making a macro message fun while giving a needed instruction.

/micon "Living Dead" /ac "Living Dead" <wait.2> /party Whether by accident or purpose, I have used Living Dead. Please heal me to full or else I will soon be Dead Dead. :')

#ffxiv guide #ffxiv tutorial #FFXIV code #FFXIV Beginner Guide #FFXIV Beginner's Guide #FFXIV macro #FFXIV macros #Asti Spumante's FFXIV User Guide

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petrovna-zamo · 1 year

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What does it mean if Katya is putting up her costumes on depop already, new costumes? Their tour ain't even finished yet.. admittedly it's only the leotard/skirt from NY and the final number.. but im too emotionally attached to this tour that I don't want any of it sold 🥺

Well, if you want to commiserate about the fact that Katya will literally touch a piece of fabric for one second and then immediately sell it on her Depop… You’ve come to the right place! It makes me so sad too. I know she loves to immediately clean out her closet to make space for the new and she’s always done this but still it stings a little. Normally I’d say get the bag sis go ahead and overcharge for the privilege to smell your smoke and sweat soaked garments but in this case (and actually all cases because I’m sad every time she’s does this) I’m like… is nothing scared?! Katya you don’t need the money please save something! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again but in 10 years time Trixie will have a whole museum dedicated to everything she ever wore and Katya will be living in the woods without a trace to remember her by.

But if it means anything? Besides the fact that she’s definitely not as attached as us lol… No I don’t think so. She’s selling the previous versions of costumes she’s since updated and she’s done that before. Also I don’t think there will be a lot of new changes or updates for the last couple of shows since there’s only 11 left. You never know though! But it is sad that she’ll sell stuff she and Andrew/Astor Yang have made as well as pieces from drag and costume designers like Marco Marco/Dallas Coulter/Amie Sarazan… these are all very talked people and I want their work appreciated by all… but I don’t necessarily believe that means a resale is needed. The only perk is that we now know more about the clothes like the fact that she has at least two leotard versions (makes sense it’s good to have a backup). But all of this does give me an excuse to talk about the changes in the costumes she’s sold so far…

During the first leg of T&K live for the NY/NY number their dresses/leotards were a brighter pink/red sequined fabric but more high cut around the legs and they complained about it during the live pod in Austin (you can see their shapewear and after the skirt reveals they were always adjusting their outfits like it was uncomfortable) so it makes sense they updated those. The newer versions are more full coverage around the legs and are lined around the neckline. I will say I don’t like the almost silvery sheen to the sequin fabric they used this time because the dress colors look more muted? But maybe it was just what they had available. Just in my opinion the originals captured the light better in photos.

For the closing Chicago number they added the fringe to the bodysuit and gloves. 10/10 improvement. Turned cute leotards into flapper fringe mini dresses perfect for dancing. No notes.

Now for the robes they went from sequins to shiny and I think they look sleeker and more distinctive from all the other shades of red and pink they’ve previously used in the show. A+++.

The iconic Cекси outfit… loved the upgrade from the first leg to what she wore in AUS/NZ but this final version is the perfect combo of the original outfit and the more sexy update. Plus it fits better and she can move around in it more. All excellent choices here but they settled on the best for sure.

So while I’m sad about all of these original costumes being sold I don’t thing there’s anything deeper going on here besides it’s definitely ending and she’s definitely not saving anything despite all of us definitely wishing that was not the case!

If anyone has their eye on anything, especially the updated versions of the costumes, save up now and turn those notifications on because there’s a 99% chance she’ll sell them one day. Honestly there’s a lot I would be tempted to buy because I love literally everything she wears but I’d rather shes hang onto it in the off chance she wears it again. Maybe once this tour is all said and done I’ll do a full T&K Live costume retrospective and then a follow up with an in memoriam post once she inevitably sells everything…

#so sorry I’m just getting to this now!#I’ve been offline for like 3 days #blame 2023 so far #but thank you for the excuse to talk about this lol #omggggg I’m SO wordy

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iloveabunchofgames · 1 year

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#JakeReviewsItch

Angry Video Game Nerd I&II Deluxe

by Retroware

A review in two parts.

See Part I for The Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures.

For The Angry Video Game Nerd II: Assimilation and The Angry Video Game Nerd In Tower of Torment, read on.

Review:

If AVGN I was Mega Man, AVGN II is Mega Man X. This is still a game that laughs at your attempts to skirt its deathtraps, but it’s mellowed slightly. Fewer lasers; more health pick-ups. And like X before him, The Nerd can slide down walls.

It’s all thanks to a pair of “Grip Loafers” that appears in the tutorial. In later stages, you’ll find additional enhancements in the form of NES accessories, like a Konami LaserScope that reveals hidden platforms or a Bandai PowerPad cape that slows descents. These permanent upgrades replace the first game’s character-swapping; a change for the better.

The first AVGN was seven distinct levels. The sequel has four worlds (three levels and a boss fight), plus a shorter fifth at the end—an improvement in some ways, but the theming is hit and miss.

Mouse Trap mice and Hungry, Hungry Hippos attack in a Crossfire-themed level. Awesome! Enemies in the horror world are…ghosts? Mummies? Yawn.

AVGN has covered plenty of Japanese games. Why is this “Tokyo” so reliant on broad sushi jokes?

Fortunately, Tower of Torment splits the difference, throwing assets from both games in a pot and mixing in an inspired Big Rigs joke.

+ Almost everything you loved from about the first game, with enough new twists to give it a unique identity. + Excellent challenge. So intense it makes my hands sweat and shake, but after having cleared several levels without losing a life, I can attest that this game is always fair. Slightly less demanding than the original, but no less rewarding. + Mega Man X-esque upgrade system. Looking every piece of hidden equipment is a fun; returning to old stages with new powers is even better. + Assimilation's final boss is a bit anticlimactic, so I'm glad I have the Deluxe edition, and no the standalone release. Tower of Torment is an excellent ending that calls back to both games and a few other iconic AVGN moments.

– Nerd commentary still falls flat. – Boss fights were a little too difficult for my taste in the first game, so I'm glad they've been toned down, but there's been a slight over-correction. – Mega Man and similar games have conveyor belts. Sushi travels on conveyor belts. Cinemassacre is home to a lot of videos about Godzilla. I get how these three concepts were combined into a sushi/neon/ninja level, but the execution feels out of place in an AVGN game, and borderline racist. Make jokes about specific ninja media! Get the Toho creatures out of the background and into the stages! – AVGN I took hard swings with its jokes, references, and themes, and a lot of them missed. The sequel comes across as more timid and less inventive, without being ant more consistent. There are no "I can't believe they did that" moments.

🧡🧡🧡🧡🤍 Bottom Line: If 8- and 16-bit action games aren't your cup of tea, Angry Video Game Nerd I&II Deluxe probably won't change your mind. I don't think you have to be a fan of the Web series to appreciate the game, but if all things crass and crude rub you the wrong way, keep your distance. Don't play this one in front of the kids. For anyone else, this is a no-brainer. Which game is better? Who cares! Individually, they both get a strong recommendation. The best versions of two great games, packaged together, complete with a worthy epilogue? Go for it.

#JakeReviewsItch is a series of daily game reviews. You can learn more here. You can also browse past reviews...

• By name • By rating • By genre

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shadowofthehost · 2 years

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god the expressions and poses are so nice. and the lineart, cleeeeean. thinner lines but big hair/floof with loooooong legs and sexy ankles.

//Ahh! I love expressions and poses!

Doing a ton of doodles and character sheets/studies is great. It becomes muscle memory for how to draw them and if you're a role player who uses icons you get a ton of reaction images out of it without even realizing it!

I have probably mentioned this before but I used to work in a tattoo shop so I got used to drawing clean continuous lines from just practicing on a constant basis. Same with drawing poses and shapes even if you only draw garbo for five minutes a day that's enough to keep pushing you forward.

Another way of doing it is looking at how other artists draw things like hands, poses, eyes and expressions. I love how comics and cartoons push expressions and body language and that's where I get a lot of my inspo from which is why I try to/can do expressive faces and postures.

I like telling people how to improve so I apologize for this getting off the rails from appreciation to 'here's how you can do it too!'

#mun speaks #gunna make me cry in the club lol #I'm sorry you probably didn't want a draw class but here i am xD #lmfao

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spoilertv · 3 months

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#SpoilerTV

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woozi · 6 months

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hiii yza… this ask’s a bit of a long one but! thought u might appreciate some svt rambling from yours truly, car crash anon. I was rewatching a bunch of dance practices lately (been on a real svt kick trying to find all the moments of them singing live during dance practices bc I enjoy that. I did find them only I didn’t take any notes which will be tragic for me like a year later I bet) and noticed that like. there’s this part in HOT (the like… post-chorus? whatever comes right after the hot hot hot bit) where both hoshi and dino take center for a brief period, and what they do differs. and the Way it differs is like, the move hoshi does really focuses on his lower body while dino’s focuses like. on the upper body. arms and shoulders. it's a great time for me no matter what bc like hey. my biases. but this did remind me of the kind of unhinged ask I sent u where I mentioned that hoshi like. almost imperceptibly bends his knees a little more in the fear chorus. It did get me thinking tho like. I feel like that’s a really distinctive characteristic of how he dances—the way he uses his lower body, I mean—and I always enjoy taking note of it? it just adds a little extra… pizzazz, yknow? so I thought I’d pick a few moments of like. things I think r really indicative of hoshi’s style. to share. (apologies I did not also include dino stuff in this ask bc I think it would be… way too long. to appease my own self I want to say that somehow it was only today I noticed that during vernon’s bit in _world hoshi and dino r having fun in the back lol)

clears throat. firstly in insomnia zero II #1 mingyu makes fun of how hoshi stands and I’ve never stopped thinking about it bc its so true. I genuinely love it. not really music in that one but I have to mention it

off the top of my head, hot & god of music both have hoshi feature in a lil solo dance that draws attention to his legs (god of music to a lesser extent but I did replay the beginning of the little instrumental solo for the god of music dance practice so many times bc hoshi’s legs like shift sooo quickly in his bit)… cheers has his iconic line and that bit definitely has moves centered on his lower body.

okay now moving past the parts that could conceivably be normal to mention lol. in the inside seventeen for the bss circle chart awards around 4:55 hoshi’s fun little improved adlib absolutely counts as smthing that I see and just go “oh that’s so distinctively hoshi” for me. like. the way his hand is on his hip and the exaggerated degree to which he’s leaning. to that regard… if u look up a fancam of crazy in love from the ode to you tour around 2:30 there’s this lil dance break bit they’ve added and like. the Angle at which hoshi puts his hands on his hips is like. he’s bending back and his legs are planted fairly forward and it makes a really striking pose to me. let’s see… there’s also his choreo for bad which is like. that drop where he just like… slowly squats into a kneeling pose is like. yeah. that makes sense. and then there’s a move where he like. bends? rolls? idk he sits a little differently and it’s like. that same thing. OH. ok I think I can describe it. there’s this way that hoshi will like. lean back and SINK into a pose that I really like. like there’s this drop and it feels really… stable? which happens in both fear and crazy in love and in bad. and it happens right at the beginning of touch. love that performance. touch also has his basically doing the limbo in one of the choruses.

(also I didn’t know how to put this in the ask naturally but. I don’t think I’ve seen this opinion before even though I feel like it should be common. So. I just need to mention that crazy in love is simply THE hoshi song for me. like. on the vocals end it’s a GREAT showcase of the different places his voice goes: first lower in the intro, and a really good demonstration of the distinctive way he shapes his vowels, and then after the chorus, it’s higher and lighter, and then he starts off the final chorus and his voice has a different vibe then, too! i really struggled with picking out hoshi’s voice when I first got into seventeen because like… it sounded like different voices at different pitches to me I guess? anyways I wrote a guide to myself about it (out of curiosity I opened up that guide again and. Why is it almost 5000 words.) and I’ve never had trouble since. and then it’s like. he’s always great at dancing and he’s got a lil fun dance break in the ode to you concert. awesome. also I like the song.)

CAR CRASH ANON HI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <3

the way u keep rewatching footage is SAUR saur interesting to me that's very blair waldorf love it 😋 ALSO HIGHLY AGREE WITH THISSSSSSSSSSSSSSS, i noticed that too!! also love how perf u's in the middle of that sequence 😋 also SOOO true!! i feel like hoshi's energy brings a more rugged and raw feel to his dances which i think is just SOO fitting for him tbh. and u wON W THAT PLS FDJFDJKFDJK

AND NOT CONCEIVABLY NORMAL 😭😭😭 LOVE HOW U EVEN MENTIONED TOUCH TBH?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? one of my favorite hoshis <33

and u would be right 😋 hoshi IS a very versatile performer and i think he just has Something (a certain je ne sais quoi 😭 LMFAO) that really draws u in about him <33 obsessed w how much love this ask exudes for the dude u r SOO horangdan <3333

and thank u for sharing these w me <3333333 love that, and i missed it sm!! hope ure having a great one 😋

#car crash anon #anon #y.ask #long post

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