Off-Topic Tuesday!
Sep. 6th, 2016 10:31 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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scans_dailyIn the comments to these weekly posts (and only these posts), it's your chance to go as off topic as you like.
Talk about non-comics stuff, thread derail, and just generally chat amongst yourselves.
A G20 summit took place, President Obama's last, Prime Minister May's first
The Paralympic games start tomorrow in Rio.
The President of the Philipines forced to issue an apology to Obama.
Old adage about 'The reticent female employee' disproved by study which shows that women ARE as pushy as men when it comes to seeking pay rises, they just don't get given them as often (and in other shock news bears DO shit in the woods and the Pope IS Catholic)
Controversy over historical depiction in new Bollywood. Well, it makes a change from Hollywood whitewashing history.
Talk about non-comics stuff, thread derail, and just generally chat amongst yourselves.
A G20 summit took place, President Obama's last, Prime Minister May's first
The Paralympic games start tomorrow in Rio.
The President of the Philipines forced to issue an apology to Obama.
Old adage about 'The reticent female employee' disproved by study which shows that women ARE as pushy as men when it comes to seeking pay rises, they just don't get given them as often (and in other shock news bears DO shit in the woods and the Pope IS Catholic)
Controversy over historical depiction in new Bollywood. Well, it makes a change from Hollywood whitewashing history.
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Date: 2016-09-06 10:07 am (UTC)I love Poison Ivy sdm
ALSO gonna play Sonic Adventure. I played Sonic Adventure 2 Battle, and that's my shit. I really love Tikal though, and she makes a pretty big appearance in SA. So I'm gonna see if I can play that.
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Date: 2016-09-06 10:24 am (UTC)It actually debuted in the UK BEFORE it did in the US, of course. :)
The first episode of "The Cat and the Claw" was shown at 9:30am on that Saturday*, which allowing for the time difference, puts us some hours adhead of even the East Cost US broadcast of "On Leather Wings"
* Of course, there was no promotion or the like for it. The TV listings magazines only mentioned a Batman cartoon being shown in the middle of "What's Up Doc?" a new Saturday morning magazine program, and given it was the UK in the early 90's the assumption was that it was going to be the Filmation series on it's umpteenth rerun.
I remember turning on the TV to catch the program and they had a "Coming up after the break" clip of the upcoming Batman cartoon and nearly spilling hot tea down myself when I saw that it was the NEW Batman cartoon (Which of course I'd heard about but didn't expect to see on UK terrestrial TV until the 21st century or so).
I then had a mad dash to the phone to let anyone I knew who might care to turn on their damn TV during the 5 minutes remaining before the episode started..... Ah those pre-Internet days.... ;)
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Date: 2016-09-06 10:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-09-07 03:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-09-06 04:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-09-06 04:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-09-06 10:54 am (UTC)You could aslo talk aboot the new miss Japan who is half Indian.
Anyway I recently rewacht Assault On Arkham, who was really good, but something always bother me, the scene when Harley and Frots are nude, for justify reason, who never see they breast even if they filmed for emphasize their "sexyness".
I always tought the wiew of nude of the american very hypocrital, especially when violence is so decomplxe.
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Date: 2016-09-06 11:11 am (UTC)(just give ya a moment to process that lunacy)
Surprisingly, I find myself not really having any real reaction to this.
It's bizarre, there's not doubt about that, but after four films all about the Human Friend having Human Problems, and the terrible "comedy"...
What harm can it actually do?
What's one more wad of nonsense at this point?
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Date: 2016-09-06 12:02 pm (UTC)*SPOILERS*
I like it so far. Windblade's characterization as Megatron's violent buddy is a bit weird, considering that in the comics she is defined by compassion, but it's very entertaining so I don't mind it (I actually laughed at the headbutt). The animation could be better, but it's shiny enough that I'm content with it. Mistress of Flame is annoying, but Windblade calls her out on her crappy attitude and Starscream refuses to back down when she tries to chastise him, so that's good.
It seems to have a slight plot-hole: supposedly Megatron's cannon is the most powerful weapon in the universe, as Optimus say it's the only thing with strong enough firepower to destroy the Enigma, yet when he shoots Starscream point-blank in the chest it seems to barely hurt him. I suppose an explanation for that is that the cannon has different power levels, and Megatron can choose how powerful the blast will be, like an hair dryer rather than a gun. That would also fit the usual "Megatron threatens to kill Starscream all the time and beats him up, but never actually finishes him off" dynamic.
Though I do like it, I'm a bit perplexed by the way it has been advertised. "Transformers cartoon for adults." It's not bad or immature or anything, but it's not exactly treading brand new ground mature content-wise. Characters dying violent deaths, terrible government, the threat of genocide and a dead world were all explored in Animated and Prime. So far it seems like the only real difference with those shows is that there are no humans.
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Date: 2016-09-06 01:06 pm (UTC)I can see Windblade getting this hacked off after Kamino was devastated.
Starscream is intriguing, he actually does seem to be trying to reform, and of course, I'm not sure I buy it, but that's the fun.
Mistress of Flame is just... there, and there to be annoying. Snce I have no idea who she is, or what her allegiances are (I assume that she represents the non-aligned Transformers who weren't Autobots or Decepticon, but who knows) it's hard to work out whether I'm supposed to be rooting for her or not.
Megatron is a delight, his "Oh, I LIKE her" as Windblade tries to kill him is a VERY Megatron line, and his sarcasm is wonderful.
Optimus - We'll try a peaceful approach first"
Megatron (deadpan) - I like this plan, there's no way it can possibly end in destruction and death.
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Date: 2016-09-06 01:33 pm (UTC)Actually, now that you mention it, it's weird that the Council includes her, who is not even a Cybertronian, but there is no leader of the Neutrals. Guess they didn't have the budget... They couldn't even hire voice actors for the Constructicons.
Megatron is my favourite character in it so far. Everybody else is so dramatic and serious, and he is just having the time of his life XD
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Date: 2016-09-07 09:35 am (UTC)I am not, and have never been, a Titan. >_>
(Nor a planet full of cloners. I had the name first, dammit (though just barely).) [Edit...actually, not that 'barely'...I remember talking about going to see The Phantom Menace on my LJ, so I've been using this name since at least 1999.]
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Date: 2016-09-06 01:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-09-06 11:18 am (UTC)I doubt there will ever be another Marvel game with such a huge cast of characters, especially C/D-list characters like Chase Stein, Excalibur or Phyla Vell.
Mutants, Fantastic Four, Guardians of Galaxy in their pre-movie, pre-Bendis version... Not to mention all those alts: Future Foundation, 70s Ms Marvel, Duck cosplay Squirrel Girl... So much fangasm!
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Date: 2016-09-06 12:40 pm (UTC)The more recent Lego Avengers has some of the Runaways, the Young Avengers and the Avengers Academy kids, but it's lacking the X-Men and FF.
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Date: 2016-09-06 01:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-09-06 10:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-09-07 01:19 am (UTC)Though it was great getting to meet so many Marvel characters I had no idea existed (and I imagine the FF/X-Men/Spidey-at-the-time embargo had a lot to do with that). "Spitfire, who da hell is that?" *after getting her* "OMG, if you didn't win her in spec ops she's one of the very few TOTALLY worth 200 Command Points to buy!"
Well, at least the Spec Ops gave us an ending...even if it is open to a rather bleak interpretation. "See you on the other side!"
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Date: 2016-09-07 11:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-09-06 11:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-09-06 11:52 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-09-06 12:57 pm (UTC)It's a cliche, but unless you're really wanting to completely reinvent yourself (Which is a great thing for some people), just be yourself, it's a lot less tiring and stressful in the long run.
If you are not natually a sociable person don't tire yourself out in the first weeks. On the other hand it ca be worthwhile being a _bit_ more outgoing at first, since you'll have a lot more chances than usueal to make new friends,
Always put a little money to one side, for later in the term, just in case.
Never be afraid to say "No" to something you don't want to do, and peer pressure be damned.
One of the most useful lessons I learned early on was actually a realisation; "Shit, none of these other people know how to adult any better than I do!" Chances are everyone, no matter how together they might appear, is just as confused as you are likely to be. And that's okay, that actually never changes as you go through life and the sooner you realise this, the less surprises life has to throw at you.
Make sure you know how to use the laundry facilities early on. You'd be amazed the number of people who didn't know because their parents had always done it for them.
If you're in self catering, someone who knows how to cook will never lack friends (and you'll know they are friends by them offering to do the washing up unasked... such friends are to be treasured)
Adhere to golden rule in life "Don't be a dick" (To which I'd add my personal modifier; "....unless you can be Dick Grayson, in which case, be Dick Grayson, because paradoxically, he wouldn't be a dick")
Other than that kick back and have fun.
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Date: 2016-09-06 04:18 pm (UTC)That's the top item on my list of Things I Wish I'd Known. Second is that if you're not actually confident in a situation, just fake it. No one can tell the difference.
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Date: 2016-09-06 10:55 pm (UTC)When I moved up to the Cities for work, I sublet an apartment from a couple in their thirties...then the guy's girlfriend left him. It turned out he had never done his own laundry in his entire life! (First Mom, then wife, then girlfriend he left wife for...) I had to show him how to separate whites from colors and check for dye-fastness, among other basic stuff.
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Date: 2016-09-06 01:56 pm (UTC)In seriousness, make sure you've got a realistic study timetable. It shouldn't be so complete you've stifled spontaneity but you should also not be doing so little that you are always catching up or planning to get "just a pass" all the time either. Remember, part of what you are at Uni for is to learn how to network too. So make sure to sign up to a couple of clubs or groups. And exercise, book time at a local gym and stick to it better than your study plan, otherwise you will gain weight.
I'd also advise, unless you have specific religious objections, going to the local church for Sunday services at least twice a month and speaking to the minister as well as finding a lawn bowling club and joining it. Believe me, that will help your networking and references when it comes to graduation in four years time. You'll hear a lot of vacancies and have come to know people in the right places to support you.
And have fun, this is probably going to be the most exciting time of your life and you are going to be challenged every day to think in exciting new ways. You'll love it.
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Date: 2016-09-07 08:34 pm (UTC)Most courses in the UK are only three years, so I guess Owlbrigade1 might be from the US?Apart from Scotland, apparently!tbh, I wouldn't expect many networking opportunities in a UK church due to declining congregations. There are definite benefits to joining a community outside of uni, where you'll meet people of different ages and experiences, and if the OP is religious, I absolutely recommend trying out a bunch of local churches (or temples or mosques etc) to find a community that suits you, but it can't be with a network-first-worship-second attitude (vicars can tell!). If you're not religious, consider volunteering at charity shops or local museums and galleries for similar reasons. Looks good on the CV later, gives you an edge if you want to go into the same sector, and is a good reality check when uni starts to feel like it matters more than it really does.
Also, you absolutely have to go to the National Museum of Scotland (especially the new bit) because it's amazing. The ancient bit is really creepy.
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Date: 2016-09-07 09:13 pm (UTC)Not to mention congregations tend to be of the older generations, and they are generally the ones making a lot of the decisions in companies as well as in politics too. I know it really shouldn't be that way, but I have known more than a few people take that route to successful careers across many different industries. They are good connections to have, even these days. That is why I suggested it unless they have significant religious objections or feelings on the subject, it is still a well travelled route and worth taking if you can (I couldn't, btw, as I did have moral objections).
Still even as we disagree, let us agree the OP should take the opportunity to have fun and enjoy their time at uni. I think that genuinely is the best years of a your life.
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Date: 2016-09-09 12:37 pm (UTC)Have to say i do find the idea of attending church services purely for possible professional advancement to be one of the more cycnical I have come across. If you don't actually believe in the faith that the church teaches then that's fine, but too seek to take advantage of it regardless of that, just... would rub me the wrong way, personally. (and I say that as both a churchgoer and someone with a lot of interviewing experience from the employers side)
Certainly joining a community group of some sort, something which will show future employers a sense of commitment to your community is worthwhile, but it'd be better, I'd have said, if it was something you actually believed in.
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Date: 2016-09-07 07:30 am (UTC)Are you in halls? If so, the people you share with will probably be your first friends, but make an effort to hang out with people on your course too. Go to as many freshers events as possible, and get everyone's details (pref with photo!). Join every soc that looks interesting, go to them all at least once, and cut the chaff until you're only in one or two by Christmas.
(oh god, we didn't have facebook when I went to uni. I still have numbers in my phone for people from freshers week and I have no idea if I ever saw them again)
If you don't know your alcohol limits, don't feel bad for surpassing them, especially in freshers week. Just make sure you're in company you trust. Take dressing up clothes that you can blag as fitting most obvious themes (super heroes, films, animals etc). If you don't drink, still go out it's increasingly common these days, so it's unlikely you'll be the only sober person.
In terms of comics, Giant Days is nailing the first year of uni feeling. POssibly more fun to look back on than to warn you of what's ahead.
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Date: 2016-09-06 11:53 am (UTC)On Chapter 2 right now
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Date: 2016-09-06 01:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-09-06 03:16 pm (UTC)It was very basic. Not much of a ride, really. It felt very safe with a lot of overdone material. I'm not down for Ivy turning over a new leaf (this pun was prob my fav thing about this mini-series), but I am open-minded to new interpretations or storylines, and this just didn't capture me.
No one had much of a voice, either. Anyone could've been anyone, even Harley, which shouldn't be a thing lol
coulrophobia cw
Date: 2016-09-06 12:47 pm (UTC)I'm hoping this is some sort of viral ad for the 2017 remake of Stephen King's IT, because that seems like the least bad option.
Re: coulrophobia cw
Date: 2016-09-06 12:59 pm (UTC)It's that time of year, for fun and for fear,
For dressing as ghosts and ghouls,
Kids go down the street, they yell "Trick or Treat",
And they follow these simple rules.
Don't take any candy that smells like cheap brandy,
Open manholes, don't crawl down,
But the thing to do first is beware of the worst --
Too late! Look out -- it's clowns.
Nobody knows where they came from,
Or how long or why they're in town,
No, all that we know is they're here, they won't go,
And they seem to be all around,
Scary clowns.
With whiteface, bulb noses, and cute squirt-gun roses
And clothing that Sears doesn't sell.
They remind us what's good about our childhood,
If we lived in Kabuki Hell.
Their fluorescent shaped hair makes Anime fans stare
And those big floppy shoes really fit
Whether feathered or furry, there's no need to worry
-- Say, is that not Tim Curry from It?
They can pack thirty-five in a clown car,
So they've no trouble under your bed,
Ignore that noise 'cause it's not clowns in your closets,
Waiting for you to lay down your head,
Scary clowns.
no subject
Date: 2016-09-06 01:55 pm (UTC)Latest trailer popped up almost an hour ago at the time of this post. Another organization, new Pokemon, big time differences between the two, and more.
CLICK ME PLEASE
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Date: 2016-09-06 03:59 pm (UTC)Plus, the regional variant is a bizarre idea.
It actually seems to have made Exeggutor... interesting?
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Date: 2016-09-07 03:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-09-06 02:06 pm (UTC)IT'S BEAUTIFUL I WANT TO PLAY IT SO BAD
http://catgoboom.tumblr.com/post/149607369980/some-fake-screenshots-because-this-idea-has-been
no subject
Date: 2016-09-06 04:24 pm (UTC)Apparently on tumblr there's some fighting that Dick should get played by a Roma actor in the upcoming movie, but I'm a little uncertain. What little I found on a cursory search seemed to imply that it was kiiiinda a shitty representation that a lot of writers swept under the rug.
And I know I'm not sure how I feel about Dick being Roma when that would make his story, "Roma relatives get killed, Dick gets adopted by gaje billionare." Like, the idea of Dick being Roma sounds good in theory, but in practice... it feels kinda like that, "Deadpool should be schizophrenic in the movies!" thing that went around a while back.
Thoughts?
EDIT: Er, note that I would be fine with it if the movie actually did a good job... buuuuut I just really don't think they would. I guess this boils down to, "would it be kinda a crappy representation, and if so, would that still be better than none?"
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Date: 2016-09-06 04:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-09-06 04:49 pm (UTC)Yeah, I was taught 'Romany for language, Rom/a for the people,' and maybe it's to avoid exactly that confusion.
I mean, I WISH representation were as easy as find/replace, but it often requires deeper thought than that. It's COMPLICATED.
no subject
Date: 2016-09-06 06:15 pm (UTC)For most of his existence, Dick Grayson was from a straightforward Caucasian family.
Then, in 2001, in Gotham Knights, Devin Grayson wrote a story which had as a plot point, that Dick was Kalderash Roma, and always had been. (I might see if I can post from the story, it's.... problematic in many ways)
Anyway, from then on, Ms Grayson wrote Dick as Roma, and pretty much no one else did.
Given that she wrote a long stretch of Nightwing's solo series, a run of Titans and the infamously heavily suggestive novel "Inheritance" which features Dick's backgrounnd quite heavily, it got a lot of coverage, but didn't actually seem to do anything other than make Dick Roma... because he said he was, repeatedly.
Anyway, new 52 Dick Grayson had his backstory more complicated by the whole "Court of Owls" story meaning his surname was nothing to do with an Anglicised Kalderash name and it was uncertain what his ethnicity was. (It also, IIRC reveal that more than his parents died at the circus, but his other relatives in the act, which makes sense, because who ever heard of a trapeze act consisting of two people (and a part time kid)?)
However, the Grayson title did confirm that he IS of Roma descent, so it is still canon.
If it's handled sensitively I have no issue with this in a movie, though the other name I've recently seen suggested for Nightwing is Steven Yeun, which would likewise be interesting (though he IS ana dmittedly youthful looking 32, so might be a bit old)
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Date: 2016-09-07 06:15 pm (UTC)A Korean friend of mine was actually where I first heard about this, since she was weighing in on the idea of Steven Yeun's casting--she had issues with it because (A) she didn't want Korean representation at the expense of the Roma, and (B) there's an ugly undertone "given the pretty fucked-up history of Korean kids being shipped to Western countries to be adopted." Which is kinda similar to my issue with the idea of a Roma Dick Grayson--apparently the Roma have a rough time with their kids getting abducted for "looking too white."
I'd love it handled sensitively... but I'm really uncertain DC WOULD.
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Date: 2016-09-06 04:28 pm (UTC)Seems reasonable, in the circumstances.
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Date: 2016-09-06 04:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-09-06 11:07 pm (UTC)Sturdy nephew picked up some stuff but is now out of town until after the move, need to get comics sold or donated by the end of the weekend, and the anime club needs to pick up the videotapes.
Fundraiser still technically open, lots of expenses to cover and more popping up all the time.