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YouTube Channels I Love That I’m Subscribed To
Back in my day, YouTube was the video search engine where you sought out music videos. Where you saw Madonna whip it good. Or to watch uncomfortable homemade clips without the slightest inkling of what was to occur next.
Had TeacherTube ever really “made it?”
Goodness, then I couldn’t keep up with the changes! Make an account to save your fav vids or to make your own! Pay for YouTube Red! Oh, now it’s Premium. I’m already behind the times. Ads that blocked our enjoyment as we hoped to finish watching Bad Lip Reading! Go back to the way you were, YouTube!
As if all technology seems to go through puberty and adolescence, so did YouTube, where if you wanted all your videos saved in one place, make an account. Add those to a subscription.
Did I ever! I’ll barf out all my subscriptions right here!I believe in the power of education. How weird that must sound. I think not. As I’ve aged–and not like cheese–I’ve found to learn something new every day is rewarding. That’s where I take you to The Infographics Show. Their animated videos are done in infographics, complete with voiceover. This YouTube channel has thousands of content is uploaded daily. It covers topics from animals, countries, history, the human body, natural disasters, the paranormal, sickness, technology, and war. Broken down, each video details statistics, wicked facts, and recent updates on what it covers. I say updates because there is an abundance on the channel that mentions reality: a survival story, an actual person. Most recently–in the past year–there were uploads on the coronavirus. There you go. I find this channel addicting, rife with endless content you never knew you never knew.
I didn’t use to imagine myself as a YouTube kind of person. Can’t take it back now.
There will be more posts about YouTube! So have you heard of any of these channels? Watch any of them? Let me know in the comments!!
While I did ask for the following for their permission: Buzzfeed, Elliandra, Merman Simmer, Merrily Kristin, Tasty, and Tucker Budzyn, I did not hear back from them for comment.
Sources:
Entertainment, 3 Arts. YouTube, Bad Lip Reading, YouTube, 22 Mar. 2011, www.youtube.com/user/BadLipReading.
Buzzfeed, director. YouTube, BuzzFeed Video. BuzzfeedVideo, YouTube, 10 Aug. 2011, www.youtube.com/c/BuzzFeedVideo/about.
“BuzzFeed.com.” BuzzFeed, BuzzFeed, Inc., Nov. 2006, www.buzzfeed.com/.
Meal Swaps, YouTube, BuzzFeed Video, 21 June 2021, www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5vtqDuUM1DlR4z2DN_YpQAOxrR9zY12g.
Food Swaps, YouTube, BuzzFeed Video, 13 Aug. 2021, www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5vtqDuUM1DnT3fh2UZGf20LSgiTB7OPC.
Trying Other People’s Food, YouTube/BuzzFeed Video, 13 Aug. 2021, www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5vtqDuUM1Dk_e_U3KtNJm083SqH3bOH4.
Cieszynski, Zach. Police Try Playing Grand Theft Auto 5 Without Breaking Any Laws Professionals Play, YouTube/BuzzFeed Video, Apr. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JxL7qaDk9w&t=6s.
Kang, Sean. Baristas Guess Which Coffee Is $100, YouTube/BuzzFeed Video, 15 Oct. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hGM8ARkBG8.
Elliandra. Elliandra, YouTube/Elliandra, 29 Aug. 2016, www.youtube.com/c/Elliandra.
Elliandra. Create a Sim, YouTube/Elliandra, 19 Mar. 2021, www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxfFiM36790Ol0bVhhf5GJJKlOXGiMJlO.
Elliandra. Sims 4 House Building, YouTube/Elliandra, 9 Oct. 2019, www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxfFiM36790MQdE4AEUNEFxugBSW_wXo2.
“GameChangers EA.” Ea.com, EA, 2018, www.ea.com/game-changers.
Elliandra. Sims 4 House Building, YouTube/Elliandra, 9 Oct. 2019, www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxfFiM36790MQdE4AEUNEFxugBSW_wXo2.
Simmer, Merman. Merman Simmer, YouTube/Merman Simmer, 24 Mar. 2015, www.youtube.com/c/MermanSimmer.
Simmer, Merman. Sims 4 Mermaid Tail, YouTube/Merman Simmer, 14 July 2021, www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgFAaICl0aOygrbmB1JIl3Fi5AtbvYtz0.
Simmer, Merman. Winx, YouTube/Merman Simmer, 16 Mar. 2021, www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgFAaICl0aOyNKujbSZC51mfpp4OniUmk.
Simmer, Merman. Disney, YouTube/Merman Simmer, 21 Oct. 2019, www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgFAaICl0aOyYPv_1KSEQqNwsIrS1giVy.
Simmer, Merman. League of Legends, YouTube/Merman Simmer, 27 July 2020, www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgFAaICl0aOzY8W-QhtUJbqC_XpVX30Kr.
Hackett, Kristin, director. Performance by Kristin Hackett, Merrily Kristin, Merrily Kristin, 2013, www.youtube.com/c/MerrilyKristin.
Hackett, Kristin. “Welcome to MERRILY KRISTIN!” Welcome to Merrily Kristin, Merrily Kristin/801red, 15 Nov. 2020, www.merrilykristin.com/2020/11/15/welcome-to-merrily-kristin/.
Hackett, Kristin. “Mini-Reviews #2: With the Fire on High, Say Yes Summer & Love, Creekwood.” Merrily Kristin, Merrily Kristin/801red, 18 Dec. 2020, www.merrilykristin.com/2020/12/18/mini-reviews-2-with-the-fire-on-high-say-yes-summer-love-creekwood/.
Hackett, Kristin. “Harry Potter Store VR Experience.” Merrily Kristin, Merrily Kristin/801red, 14 July 2021, www.merrilykristin.com/2021/07/14/harry-potter-store-vr-experience/.
Hackett, Kristin. “Claudette, All the Bookstores & Ice Cream (Obviously).” Merrily Kristin, Merrily Kristin/801red, 30 June 2021, www.merrilykristin.com/2021/06/30/claudette-all-the-bookstores-ice-cream-obviously/.
Hackett, Kristin. “Party Planning: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.” Merrily Kristin, Merrily Kristin/801red, 12 Sept. 2018, www.merrilykristin.com/2018/09/12/to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before/.
Hackett, Kristin. “Best Movies of 2020.” Merrily Kristin, Merrily Kristin/801red, 4 Jan. 2021, www.merrilykristin.com/2021/01/04/best-movies-of-2020/.
Hackett, Kristin. “About.” Merrily Kristin, Merrily Kristin/801red, 12 Dec. 2020, www.merrilykristin.com/origin-story/.
Tasty, YouTube/Tasty/BuzzFeed, 22 Jan. 2016, www.youtube.com/c/buzzfeedtasty.
Tasty. Tasty Latest and Greatest: Everything You Want to Cook Right Now (An Official Tasty Cookbook). Clarkson Potter, 2017.
Vohra, Dhruv. 7 Recipes That Will Take You to Chocolate Heaven. Tasty, YouTube/Tasty/BuzzFeed, 27 Oct. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkLuCN_7AtY&t=1s.
Soni, Paroma. 8 Rich & Wholesome Fall Soups. Tasty, YouTube/Tasty/Buzzfeed, 24 Sept. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcK9jrAy_GU&t=2s.
Lo, Tiffany, et al. How To Make The Best Strawberry Shortcake You’ll Ever Eat. Tasty, YouTube/Tasty/Buzzfeed, 29 June 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQsjLASGVwA&t=2s.
Soni, Paroma. 7 Bubbly Spiked Drinks To Deliciously Cool You Down. Tasty, YouTube/Tasty/Buzzfeed, 13 Apr. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiyXQ0NMR1E.
Ward, Stevie. 17 Microwavable Late-Night Snacks. Tasty, YouTube/Tasty/Buzzfeed, Nov. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=iARG9TXtlFI.
The Infographics Show, YouTube/The Infographics Show, 26 Feb. 2011, www.youtube.com/c/TheInfographicsShowOFFICIAL.
Incredible Survival Stories, YouTube/The Infographics Show, 26 May 2021, www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxwd9rWENEb_seQrosn74ImhaBMfcaKdP.
People With Incredible Stories, YouTube/The Infographics Show, 26 Apr. 2021, www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxwd9rWENEb_tu9wFqDBcXUczD_-vKqd9.
What It’s Actually Like To Have The Coronavirus (COVID-19), YouTube/The Infographics Show, 19 Feb. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvArUcf-1V4&list=PLxwd9rWENEb85nFNaT0ZaCcvP_qsAdkrz&index=2.
Budzyn, Courtney, director. Tucker Budzyn, YouTube/Tucker Budzyn, 14 July 2018, www.youtube.com/c/TuckerBudzyn.
Budzyn, Courtney, director. Dog Reviews Food With Baby Puppy | Tucker Taste Test 20, YouTube/Tucker Budzyn, 13 Dec. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpyB54lSpYg&t=84s.
Budzyn, Courtney, director. My Dog Has a Beach House Vacation, YouTube/Tucker Budzyn, 22 Nov. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhXH7W5ESRc.
Budzyn, Courtney, director. This Is What My Dog Does With Hair Clips, YouTube/Tucker Budzyn, 9 Jan. 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm1rxbgnBBQ.
Budzyn, Courtney, director. A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!, YouTube/Tucker Budzyn, 5 Sept. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjB9Hk0f5-c.
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I’m Getting Nostalgic Vibes from PBS Kids’ Arthur
If you are up-to-date with what’s happening in pop culture, if you have a child at home, chances might be, you’ve heard the bittersweet news about PBS Kids: Arthur, the longest-running animated children’s TV series of ALL time, will come to a full stop at 25 seasons.
Twenty-five seasons sounds like a reasonable number of seasons for an animated series. For children, it’s impressive as much as I’d love for them to press on, though. How about 30 seasons? No? There are enough great-grandchildren from the writers who work on the show?
It hasn’t been long since I’ve wanted to write about Arthur. This is my chance since the TV show’s developer has made the most significant announcement.
First Arthur began as children’s books in the 1970s. By the early ’90s, video games developed to feature the beloved aardvark. With the transcendence of book sales–at OVER 65 million books sold alone in the United States–it’s no wonder Arthur got a TV show of his own. Episode one aired in 1996. Arthur, you are older than me. Not by much, I’m happy to say.
Okay, if you were like me, who watched Arthur when you were a child (you grew up with it), then admit you are feeling like all the greatest kid shows of all time, from the past, are dying out.
I recall the days when after school, I hurried home to watch episodes of Arthur. Episodes I hadn’t seen since I was . . . four. Whether I was six or seven at the time, I hadn’t a care. By 2005, there were already 120 episodes, so don’t expect a kid of my age to recall every episode ever seen.
Additionally, I can watch episodes repeatedly; others I’ve watched too much to enjoy them once more. The classic episodes hold a place in my heart since they are the best episodes, without question. Of those classics, I almost know them from start to finish. In contrast, for the classics I can barely recite, they make for happy reruns.
Once I hit my tweens, I silently debated whether that was where a kid puts a stop sign to the TV shows they’ve watched since childhood. From what I heard at middle school, those in my age group viewed Jersey Shore and Keeping Up with the Kardashians. I did not desire to turn off at Kid Street and onto Adolescent Avenue at age eleven and twelve. My heart beat for me, not my classmates. Arthur remained a continuity until I was a tween. No one would convince me that show was subordinate at my age then.
Those picture books I mentioned earlier, I can thank my mom for interesting me in Arthur. Then there’s my dad, where a specific memory stands out: when he read me one of the books, he lightheartedly referred to the grandmother in the book (known as Grandma Thora) as Grandma Thorax. It tickled me.
Later in grade school, I graduated from the Arthur picture books and onto the chapter books. I can’t say I stuck with them.
I’m not a crazy Arthur fan, but I will say I got my hands on a scant amount of merchandise: the juice tasted more delectable with that aardvark face plastered on the mini carton; Arthur’s Camping Adventure CD-ROM fed my computer addiction; I’m sure I occupied my time with one of many activity books which starred Arthur and his friends.
Recently, when I was out and about, maybe a year ago, I spotted a teen girl in a mid-riff top with the Arthur title card on it. I called out in excitement as to wish that I owned one.
As I mentioned earlier, Arthur aired in 1996. From the early days until the newest episodes, special guests made their appearances. Real celebrities used their voices to voice themselves within an episode. Matt Damon made “an appearance” going back over ten years ago. Joan Rivers voiced a pushy yet humorous Jewish grandmother. Ming Tsai stole the spotlight as a judge for the childrens’ food contest. Alex Trebek’s appearance was that of a television host on a game show. Michelle Kwan brought her voice to that of herself as an ice skater. Yo-Yo Ma reminded us of the beauty of classical music. From the “Car Talk Radio”, the Car Talk Guys cameoed perfectly as what they mirrored best: offering advice when it came to car trouble.
Other than celebrity cameos, Arthur made it real as his show covered IRL, diversified problems. Season 18, as it aired in 2015, covered hurricanes and their aftermath. More current episodes involved same-sex marriage and giving recyclables a second life by turning them into art.
Characters had their relatable stories, too. One little boy hailed from Africa and settled down in the fictional Elwood City. A girl in Arthur’s class moved constantly as her father was in the Army.
For those in our generation, we’ve seen the changes Arthur has taken. He’s made himself a thing on the internet. Anyone who reads through enough social media or the most up-to-date funniest content knows what I’m getting at:
Arthur, you’ve become a meme!
Several memes that is!
You went from that animated aardvark in online games on PBS Kids to an angry face on Buzzfeed!
Dang, how you’ve grown!
So there, Arthur. Your hand-drawn profile gets annihilated, and instead, for the upcoming generation of kids, your animation is drawn through computers. What’s more, you are a meme.
Arthur fans can only hope that when they walk down the street, and if they believe in themselves, you will be back someday. Maybe in a short video. Maybe your sister D.W. will supersede you, grow up and star in videos instead–after she takes “Dora” as her name.Have you ever watched Arthur? Will you miss it? Any episodes that stood out to you? Lemme know!!!
And a thank you to Marc Brown for allowing me to mention you in this post! 🙂
Sources:
Limbong, Andrew. “’Arthur,’ The Longest-Running Kids Animated Series In History, Is Ending.” WNYC, NPR, 28 July 2021, www.npr.org/2021/07/28/1021687616/pbs-kids-show-arthur-ending.
Brown, Marc. “The Little Aardvark with a Big Agenda.” Marc Brown Studios, Inkberries, marcbrownstudios.com/arthur.
Bailey, Greg, director. Arthur. Cookie Jar Studios, 1997. IMDB, www.imdb.com/title/tt0169414/?ref_=ttexst_exst_tt.
“Episodes.” Arthur Wiki, Fandom TV, 2021, arthur.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Episodes.
“People from the Real World.” Arthur Wiki, Fandom TV, 2021, arthur.fandom.com/wiki/Category:People_from_the_real_world.
“Arthur Merchandise.” Arthur Wiki, Fandom TV, 2021, arthur.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Arthur_merchandise.Brown, Marc. “Arthur’s Teacher Trouble (Video Game).” IMDB, Brøderbund Software/Living Books, 1992, www.imdb.com/title/tt7063748/?ref_=nm_flmg_wr_6. PC.
Brown, Marc. “Arthur Books.” Arthur Wiki, Little Brown and Company, arthur.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Arthur_Books.
Brown, Marc. “Arthur Chapter Books.” Arthur Wiki, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, arthur.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Arthur_Chapter_Books.
“Arthur’s Camping Adventure (Video Game).” CNET.com, The Learning Company/Mattel Interactive, www.cnet.com/products/arthur-s-camping-adventure-box-pack-1-user/. Apple. Microsoft Windows.
“Arthur Activity BOOKS (BENDON).” Arthur Wiki, Fandom, arthur.fandom.com/wiki/Arthur_activity_books_(Bendon).
“Matt Damon.” Arthur Wiki, Fandom, arthur.fandom.com/wiki/Matt_Damon.
“Is That Kosher?” Arthur Wiki, Fandom, arthur.fandom.com/wiki/Is_That_Kosher%3F.
“Ming Tsai.” Arthur Wiki, Fandom, arthur.fandom.com/wiki/Ming_Tsai.
“Alex Lebeck.” Arthur Wiki, Fandom, arthur.fandom.com/wiki/Alex_Lebeck.
“Michelle Kwan.” Arthur Wiki, Fandom, arthur.fandom.com/wiki/Michelle_Kwan.
“Yo-Yo Ma.” Arthur Wiki, Fandom, arthur.fandom.com/wiki/Yo-Yo_Ma.
“The Car Talk Guys.” Arthur Wiki, Fandom, arthur.fandom.com/wiki/The_Car_Talk_guys.
“Season 18.” Arthur Wiki, Fandom, arthur.fandom.com/wiki/Season_18.
Hirsch, Peter K. Shelter from the Storm. 9 Story Media Group/WGBH, 2015. IMDB, www.imdb.com/title/tt4135838/?ref_=fn_ep_tt_18.
Hirsch, Peter K. Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone. 2019. IMDB, www.imdb.com/title/tt10139500/?ref_=ttrel_rel_tt.
Berger, Glen. George Scraps His Sculpture. 2021. IMDB, www.imdb.com/title/tt13703460/?ref_=ttep_ep3.
“Cheikh.” Arthur Wiki, Fandom, arthur.fandom.com/wiki/Cheikh.
“Ladonna Compson.” Arthur Wiki, Fandom, arthur.fandom.com/wiki/Ladonna_Compson.
“Arthur’s Big Hit/Gallery.” Edited by DJ et al., Arthur Wiki, Fandom, arthur.fandom.com/wiki/Arthur%27s_Big_Hit/Gallery?file=ABH_56.JPG.
Hough, Soren. “The Golden Age of ‘Arthur’ Comes to an End.” Massachusetts Daily Collegian, The Student News Site of University of Massachusetts, 5 Nov. 2013, dailycollegian.com/2013/11/the-golden-age-of-%E2%80%98arthur%E2%80%99-comes-to-an-end/.
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What I Have Learned From Publishing (1 Month in)
So . . . I’ve been an author for a month now. Feelings range from shock to alleviation to disappointment. First-time authors deal with a range of emotions.
Before I get into the details, this is my own experience with publishing. I am self-published. A self-published author does not experience everything as a traditionally published author would.
Enough with the variations now! I’ve got a plethora of info to share with you! Publishing has been my education! I will cut to the (Chevy) chase and offer you my newfound knowledge!1) Copyright everything
Any new addition of work needs to be copyrighted. Any change, be it a new paragraph to something as simple as adding punctuation, means you copyright it again. In this case, before you send off your creation to the Copyright office, be oh so sure it is the final copy!
Besides the hassle of sending it off to the Office, there will be payment involved. The amount of charge varies on how many copies you send to the Copyright Office, plus what kind of application you send them. I mention this since you might not copyright your work ONCE. More copies may follow.
Now, you aren’t chained to a chair to copyright your work. There’s the public domain, meaning that that specific work is not under copyright law. Put this way; there is no law to copyright your work.2) ISBN
What does that stand for? INTERNATIONAL STANDARD BOOK NUMBER! Say it with me!
It’s a book’s identification. Needless to say, products besides books have them as well: audiobooks, coloring books, maps. However, not too many products besides books themselves receive an ISBN. It’s okay board games; we still love you.
Like copyright, you aren’t held against your will to buy an ISBN. ISBNs are for the benefit of searching for a book quickly enough in a database. Not to worry TOO much if you can’t locate your book without the ISBN. You will, though, look as if you are in the know of the publishing field.
I mentioned buying one. You’ll need to register to obtain an ISBN. As a warning, they’re expensive. Luck’s on your side when you can purchase two or ten at once.
Upon purchasing an ISBN, each is used once for one title. No sharing for titles. That’s a no-no.
Once the purchase goes through, give yourself time to fill out the form online. I was shocked at all the steps involved. :03) Prices vary
Not every store keeps the same price as your publisher does. This shouldn’t be too much of a surprise, now. Think of Amazon, where it has its costs rise and fall every day. Personal in the publishing business? No. It’s retail. You’ll see stores sell your book for less, and depending on what country, it sells at a higher price. At least that’s what it appears. Here’s to someone who has never used currency!4) It’s not you who edits
I did not want to believe this for a while. Authors write their work. Why can’t they edit their work, too? It makes sense to have someone else read it. A fresh pair of eyes that is. You don’t see it the same way a professional editor does. Authors who have been in the business for DECADES don’t edit their work. Spend money on one. Decide if it’s a line editor, copyeditor, or letterer that will suit your needs.
Editors have a way of reading carefully. They aren’t there to criticize, only to improve your work. Here’s a tip before sending your manuscript off to an editor: PLEASE edit it yourself in some form.5) Be patient with timing
Depending on the company that publishes your book, you must plan on your book’s release date and give yourself time to promote beforehand. Should there be any backlogs with your book, you’ll want to have a date set months in advance. For the publishing house I chose, the pub date I placed had no turnaround.
The following goes for what publisher you go with: you won’t receive payment that first week your book goes on sale. Ebook companies vary, also. You might receive payment weeks, a month, or MONTHS later. It’s frustrating, sure. In the meantime, make yourself a shopping list to burn all that hard-earned cash. 🙂Publishing is a long haul. A long haul that is worth every effort of work you put into.
Any questions about today’s post? Feel free to write a little something in the comments.
Love, Eileen -
Why I Haven’t Crossed Cursive Writing Out of My Life
For children of this decade, of last decade, you might seldom ever write a thank-you card to your relative. Yes, as in, you worked your muscles and physically wrote on paper to take the time to write an appreciation to them.
I feel a swell of pride that I still carry out this formality. There within a handwritten letter, I tell that person, “I thought of you. I took time to write to you.”
Call me an old soul. I don’t care! If you think you can’t handle this reading, please stand by, as this is not a blog about etiquette. Thank you. 🙂
Allow me to carry on. Those a generation younger than me (perhaps two) who won’t know what it is like to write a formal letter. There have been kids my age, where they RSVPed for my party, and it was a text message! This unceremonious outcome hurt my feelings! I’m telling you, a handwritten note is much more meaningful!
What am I getting at here? Cursive, of curse! Of course!
Cursive means “joined together,” from the Latin verb currere, which translates to run. The sole benefit of the development of cursive was for the writer to write quickly. Men had the training to write in what claimed as “a fair hand,” where the correspondence appeared in the same script. As for women, their cursive had loops to them.
Which is the prime reason for my style of handwriting: how swift words get written down. Moreover, if practiced correctly, cursive sure can look legible and beautiful.
Speaking of beautiful, I have received compliments in the past on my old-fashioned handwriting. One that stood out to me from my Freshman year came from a teacher. “Eileen. You have very, very nice handwriting. It’s pretty impressive.”
Overall, I suppose my grandma treasured my cursive writing the most. She adored my cursive since I wrote her thank you’s and other cards. Now and then, she brought up how she saved them.
That’s how I am with her! The woman’s cursive writing had that dainty, nineteen-twenties appearance to it. Without a doubt, it looked like it belonged in a newspaper ad from then or a movie during the war era. She had used the finest tipped fountain pen for her penmanship. She kept at it, even after a series of strokes muddled her penmanship, and she made fun of herself for it.
Now I’m the one who’s saved her consummate calligraphy. When I gaze at it, there’s a sensation in me as though I’ve stepped back in time. Even more so, at the sight of the numerous letters she wrote decades ago, it has inspired me to pursue this inveterate art for years to come.
Earlier I mentioned the compliments I’ve received throughout the years on my cursive handwriting. Lucky for me, I learned the art of cursive back in third grade. As we progressed throughout school, teachers had us believe us students would only write in cursive for school papers. The horror–for everyone else!
Later in high school, in one of my condensed classes (I have a learning disability), we were to refresh our minds by writing out our names in cursive. Everyone struggled but me. This baffled and fascinated me at the same time. When I expressed this to my parents, both expressed how proud they were of me.
According to the NY Times, as of 2019, cursive writing is gradually returning its way to the Common Core. While that’s all well and good, my mind goes to those children who missed out on the art of cursive writing. It’s a practice that must never die and will be advantageous throughout life.
We owe it to those before us, the subtle but widely recognized form of handwriting. There’s plenty of room for practice if you haven’t already.Sources: “The History of Writing, and Writing in Cursive Italics.” The Daring Book for Girls, by Andrea J. Buchanan and Miriam Peskowitz, 1st ed., Collins, an Imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2012, pp. 10–11.
Rueb, Emily S. “Cursive Seemed to Go the Way of Quills and Parchment. Now It’s Coming Back.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 13 Apr. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/04/13/education/cursive-writing.html.Did you learn cursive in school? Do you ever write in cursive? Let me know by writing in the comments.
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A Breakdown on the Creation of Babyland
Overall, Eileen had her Baby. Her character that is. She had the comedic, plus polyphonic voice, the gestures, the jokes, and the storytelling. Yet, Baby needed to be visionary. By all means, Eileen’s soulful craft begged for a story behind her.
Literally, the more Eileen babbled about Baby and acted like her, soon did the wheels begin to turn. Either seated at the kitchen table or ogling over her baby pictures, did it spark inspiration in Eileen. She loved (still does) the adorable baby that eyed back at her in those baby photos. According to her parents, whenever out with them, people stopped and took in the sight of the young one.
Eileen felt blotted out in those (ephemeral) years in the time of her infanthood. She yearned to have seen herself firsthand at six months old, from a third-person point of view. She desired to cradle her baby self, hug her, get her to giggle with no sense of control.
“I wanna make a story about myself as a baby!” Eileen (probably) said as she can’t exactly recall what she said upon her newfound idea. “I want all these babies to look like myself,” she probably added.
Babyland–a colorful, mystical land where only babies exist–churned out in her mind. Babies that looked exactly like her and names described their personality, occupation, hobbies, or lifestyle. Baby deserved a best friend; that’s where Funny Baby came along. It clicked on the whim, the name Funny Baby. Soon others like Nature Baby, Fashion Baby, and Sleepy Baby contrived from Eileen. These babies were to be neighbors and friends other than supporting characters in the story.
Once she conceived the story, Eileen wrote up a quick draft, along with pencil illustrations. She hadn’t drawn up a conclusion of who the audience was to be, as well as the type of format the story would fall in.
Her writing indeed hadn’t seen an audience, as it screamed editing, and while it was not her creative writing that called for improvement, Eileen had not yet reached seventh grade at the time.
An instance of this, taken that unedited writing, Eileen read the first draft of the Babyland series to her mother, where she, too, shared the rather lewd illustrations as well.
Quite . . . taken back by the pencil drawings and the Babyland story, Eileen’s mother hadn’t any fondness of it at first. It took years for Eileen to drive up the courage again to go back to writing the series.
In the early fall of 2018, about two months after losing her beloved grandfather, Eileen remained keen on job searching–job searching in the film industry. See, Eileen had finished up seven weeks at drama academy that summer and felt certain she’d nail an acting role after all the skills she’d studied. Skills she studied on the weekends, mornings, afternoons, and nights, with the education that forced her to engross all her waking hours to film study. Within the remaining hiatus, Eileen soaked up upon completion from the academy, and nothing seemed confident.
I know what I’ll do. I’ll write a book and earn my money there. I’ll get my career going from there, Eileen thought.
Eileen had at it. She first pondered over what she could write: there were ideas she had in the back of her mind but weren’t ready for publication. What’s more, when she pondered over her Babyland series, what started was what format the series would take place.
Graphic novels–Eileen concluded–though, and she wasn’t interested in them. Never read them or liked them. Indeed a tyro, there was much to process over this unfamiliar territory.
It would have to do. Babyland was to be picturesque and fit for teens and young adults.
As an outcome, the research took off: information about graphic novels, the pricing, the art supplies included, history of graphic novels, how they differ from comics. The list drove on for a long while.
Which is where the creative process of Babyland began . . .Know of any movies or TV shows that also started as graphic novels or comics? Let me know in the comments.
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A Breakdown on the Creation of Baby
Babyland has yet to be world-renowned, much less a household name. While in its infancy, marketing and publishing orbit, what’s new to its creator–Eileen Gillick–informs the world about her first novel. What isn’t new is the story itself.
Eileen dreamed up of Baby around the age of nine or ten. What began as a funny, high-sounding voice altered into a story series. More on that in another post. Going from there, she entertained her family daily with her animated voices and dramatic facial expressions, where tales told on the whim with gesticulation. The character she acted for them was Baby–rather herself as a baby–with a mammoth vocabulary.
To get a clearer picture, she gave herself the name Baby. An alter-ego, if you will. A six-month-old (yes, she decided on that, as she feels that’s when babies are the cutest) with a dirty mouth and suggestive behavior, along with a risqué mind. If she’s asked a question, she’ll often come back with a terse response when not a cheeky, (jokingly) mean, melodramatic, perverted, or clueless one.
Her acts are quite random when Eileen acts as Baby. It’s all part of the act. When you think you have quiet time to yourself, such as watching TV, Baby (as Eileen prefers her name to be when she acts as her and as a general pet name in her immediate family) will shuffle in and stare at you with puppy eyes. As a distraction, she’ll face a wall and stare at it, waiting for you to notice.
Should Baby find something she likes (i.e., a Target ad for diapers), she’s known to slap that down upon her mother’s dresser and wait for her mother to see it. Shopping lists get edited to list “baby food” on the bottom of them. Now and then, before leaving the house, she’ll write a note indicating her whereabouts, with “Baby,” signed at the bottom. Others have had the words, “Love your bae,” at the end of them.
Baby is playfully disgusted at the sight of genuine babies. Babies rolled up the streets in strollers by their moms. Baby hurries over to her own mother to inform her of “an emergency.” Mind you, her immediate family plays along. They’ve grown accustomed to this “baby.” Her mother frequently addresses Eileen by her nickname. What’s more, her father playfully worries her that babies get eaten for dinner, or he got attacked by one while walking his dog.
Eileen and her mother have running jokes about Baby, at any time of the day, in any situation. Stuck in traffic, she will turn to her mother, with her face fixed in the cutest expression, and say, “Did you ever think to let me drive as a baby?” With a scrunched-up face, her mother will spat, “No!’ but in a high voice, to play along.
Riddled with low self-esteem and low confidence, Eileen didn’t dare share her character with friends and family. As a result, a lack of support from extended family gave her the impression Baby was best shared with her immediate family. Above all, Baby was her creation, and a creation she was not yet ready to release into the world.
Baby has always been her heart and soul. In due time, she’d gain enough support and confidence to go from a shy to unabashed creator/artist. For now, an author stands in wait.Next blog will follow part two to this. Stay tuned!
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A Farewell to My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
For the past nine years, another generation of My Little Pony has graced the screen. This past version, generation four, closed in after nine seasons. Nine seasons, where season nine took my breath away as it inched closer to the two last remaining episodes. This reboot eclipsed the previous TV series and movies, which goes for my opinion. For those who recollect the series from ’86-87 but take this new MLP to heart, you understand this TV show and the fundamentals behind it.
Alright, you know the gist of the series: egghead Twilight Sparkle is on duty to study friendship in Ponyville as she is a star student of Princess Celestia. Dope. In Ponyville, she befriends five ponies–two earth ponies, two pegasi, and one unicorn. All six are the exponents of friendship. All throughout the series, the mane six (yes, mane not main) learn that with friends at your side, friendship is magic.
My love for MLP has expanded ever since I discovered the reboot and moved farther away from the ponies I grew up with. I recall the generation three-movie, The Princess Promenade. The particular characters in the film that partake in the TV show running today are Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. The film I speak of, Pinkie Pie does not come close to the humorous Pinkie in the TV show on the air today. Rainbow Dash in the movies of yore is exquisite. To add to her refined manner, she speaks with an accent–that’s all fine–in contrast to the Rainbow Dash of the show we have now, I want nothing to do with the past Rainbow. Further, the colors of Dash’s mane in G4 does it justice. As I noted, the G3 ponies still have my love, but not as much after I’ve seen the rebirth of the story.
The variety of uniqueness shaped the installment of the series; that’s what I adore about it. There’s the inclusion of fillies, colts, stallions, and the elders. Each age group shares reminders of how they come into play in our own lives. I can’t forget to mention stallions and colts exist on this show to branch off the age groups! They never appeared indispensable in the previous generations. Both serve as brothers and fathers on Friendship is Magic—guards, classmates, construction workers, shopowners, and celebrities.
Moving on, there is such a thing as dull colors in the oasis of Ponyville. A gothic pony appeared on the screen.:) Ponies in muted browns and oranges are nothing new. Dark grey, brown, red, and black are what’s in for the ponies of Friendship is Magic. I’d like to point out the accessories spotted here and there. What may appear minute, it adds verve: glasses (yeah!) goggles, earrings, helmets, outfits, and ties. For those in the millennial age, we get it! These equines get it!
What MLP gen. 3, 2, and 1 remained strict upon was the endeavor of the “pony only” in the TV title. Minus the humans in the G1 TV series. The revival of it in 2010 offers donkeys, yaks, buffalo, a minotaur, a mule, and a zebra. MLP: FiM wouldn’t have gone far if it excluded creatures: changelings, hippogriffs, seaponies, to name a few. Friendship isn’t appearance-related. A proverb from New York states, “We love our friends in spite of, not because of.” (A Dictionary of American Proverbs) No, not correctly cited.
Friendship is Magic goes beyond the toys and picture books. I have a graphic novel featuring them, and if I had the shelf space, I’d buy more! In my early high school days, I owned a “20% Cooler” Rainbow Dash tee. Browse Etsy for cutie mark jewelry. Funko Pop shares stock with the colorful equines. ComicCon is well aware of the Bronies who promenade there every year. Hooves down, the 2017 film was the best out of all of them!
I finished up the series with a heavy heart. I cried silent tears at the last episode. I’d like it to have continued for three more seasons; that was my wish. More so, I learned from the show: friendship is precious, a gift. Those six ponies each taught me what truly matters in friendship. Through each episode tells a powerful message; I can’t explain it all here. It’s the perseverance of the six friends which made my heart feel whole.
As I finish this up, I have one friend. Sure, I really do wish I had friends like the mane six. Maybe over time, I will. If I end up only sticking with my one friend, that’s fine, too.From the Dictionary of American Proverbs, “Reproduced with permission of the Licensor through PLSclear.”
Sources:
Faust, Lauren. My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic. IMDb, IMDb.com, 10 Oct. 2010, www.imdb.com/title/tt1751105/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0.
Batchelder, Warren, director. My Little Pony ‘n Friends. IMDb, IMDb.com, 15 Sept. 1986, www.imdb.com/title/tt0184761/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2.“My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic Wiki.” Edited by FANDOM, Fandom, Fandom TV, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/My_Little_Pony_Friendship_is_Magic_Wiki.
Chele, Victor Del, director. My Little Pony: The Princess Promenade. IMDb, IMDb.com, 28 Mar. 2006, www.imdb.com/title/tt0490668/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0.
Mieder, Wolfgang, et al. “A Dictionary of American Proverbs.” A Dictionary of American Proverbs, © Oxford University Press, 1992.“My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic ‘The Beginning of the End’-Part One.” IMDb, Hasbro/DHX Media, www.imdb.com/title/tt1751105/episodes?season=9.
“Twilight Sparkle.” Friendship Is Magic Wiki, Fandom, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Twilight_Sparkle.
“Princess Celestia.” Friendship Is Magic Wiki, Fandom, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Princess_Celestia.
“Characters.” Friendship Is Magic Wiki, Fandom, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Characters#Main_characters.
Chele, Victor Dal, director. My Little Pony: Pinkie Pie and the Lady Bug Jamboree. IMDb, Hasbro/Sabella Dern Entertainment, 2006, www.imdb.com/title/tt12235168/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_3.
“Elements of Harmony.” Friendship Is Magic Wiki, Fandom, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Elements_of_Harmony.
Kuenster, Dan, director. My Little Pony (TV Series 2003-2009). IMDb, Hasbro/ Sabella Dern Entertainment, 2003, www.imdb.com/title/tt11355390/?ref_=ttep_ep_tt.
“List of Ponies/Foals.” Friendship Is Magic Wiki, Fandom, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_ponies/Foals.
“List of Ponies/Earth Ponies/Stallions.” My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic Wiki, Hasbro/Fandom, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_ponies/Earth_ponies/Stallions.
“List of Ponies/Elders.” Friendship Is Magic Wiki, Fandom, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_ponies/Elders.
“Category: Royal Guards.” Friendship Is Magic, Fandom, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Royal_guards.
“Category: School Students.” Friendship Is Magic Wiki, Fandom, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Category:School_students.
“Jack Hammer.” Friendship Is Magic Wiki, Fandom, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Jack_Hammer#Earth.
“Spa Ponies.” Friendship Is Magic Wiki, Fandom, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Spa_ponies.
“Category:Celebrities.” Friendship Is Magic Wiki, Fandom, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Celebrities.
XIII, Imperfect. “Fake It ‘Til You Make It/Gallery/My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic.” Mlp.fandom.com, Fandom, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Fake_It_%27Til_You_Make_It/Gallery?file=Hipster_Fluttershy_approaching_Goth_Pony_S8E4.png#Fluttershy_the_goth.
“Limestone Pie and Marble Pie.” Friendship Is Magic Wiki, Fandom, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Limestone_Pie_and_Marble_Pie.
“Category:Eyewear Wearers.” Friendship Is Magic, Fandom, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Eyewear_wearers.
“G2 Ponies.” My Little Wiki, Media Wiki, 7 May 2020, mylittlewiki.org/wiki/G2_Ponies.
“Category:Generation 1.” My Little Wiki, MediaWiki, 11 Dec. 2012, mylittlewiki.org/wiki/Category:Generation_1.
“Cranky Doodle Donkey.” Friendship Is Magic Wiki, Fandom, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Cranky_Doodle_Donkey.
“Prince Rutherford.” Friendship Is Magic Wiki, Fandom, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Prince_Rutherford.
“Buffalo.” Friendship Is Magic, Fandom, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Animals#Buffalo.
“Creatures.” Friendship Is Magic, Fandom, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Creatures#Minotaur.
“Mule.” Friendship Is Magic Wiki, Fandom, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Animals#Mule.
“Zecora.” Friendship Is Magic Wiki, Fandom, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Zecora.
“Hippogriff.” Friendship Is Magic Wiki, Fandom, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Creatures#Hippogriff.
“Seaponies and Mermares.” Friendship Is Magic Wiki, Fandom, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Seaponies_and_mermares.
Hasbro. “My Little Pony Royal Ponies of Equestria Figures [Toy].” Hasbro, Hasbro, shop.hasbro.com/en-us/product/my-little-pony-royal-ponies-of-equestria-figures:DA767685-3680-4972-8EAF-72099142E4C4. Pawtucket, RI
Hasbro, Inc.Berrow, G. M. Rarity and the Curious Case of Charity. Hachette Childrens Books, 2015. Friendship Is Magic Wiki, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Rarity_and_the_Curious_Case_of_Charity.
Cook, Katie, and Andy Price. My Little PONY: Friendship Is Magic, Vol. 1. Vol. 1, IDW Publishing, 2014. Friendship Is Magic Wiki, mlp.fandom.com/wiki/The_Return_of_Queen_Chrysalis#Issue_.231.
Bubble, Red. “20 Cooler T-Shirts.” Redbubble, Redbubble, www.redbubble.com/shop/20+cooler+t-shirts.
“Cutie Mark.” Etsy, Etsy, www.etsy.com/search/jewelry?q=cutie%2Bmark&explicit=1&ship_to=US.
ToyWiz. “Funko The Movie POP! My Little Pony Rainbow Dash Sea Pony Vinyl Figure #12 [Regular Version] [Toy].” ToyWiz, Funko POP!/Hasbro, toywiz.com/funko-the-movie-pop-my-little-pony-rainbow-dash-sea-pony-vinyl-figure-12-regular-version/. Suffern, NY:
ToyWiz.“My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic – Conventions, Events, Comic-Cons.” Roster Con, Roster Con/ My Little Pony, www.rostercon.com/en/tv-show/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic/events/34657.
McCarthy, Meghan. My Little Pony The Movie. IMDB, DHX Media/Hasbro Studios, 2017, www.imdb.com/title/tt4131800/?ref_=ttco_co_tt.
Tell me: did you like MLP: FiM? What about it? Is there another generation you prefer? Let me know in the comments.
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Movies I’ve Seen Recently
With the slow of my work schedule, I’ve harnessed more time to the silver screen these days. It’s only a coincidence I’ve watched more during a pandemic: I did not come to finish my project until the summer of 2020. Until recently, I’ve caught up with movies that I’ve seen for the first time, most filmed before a pre-pandemic world.
The Assistant
A movie all too familiar by today’s standards of the still-reigning-but still misunderstood Me Too movement. Follow Julia Garner’s (Ozark) invisible and unappreciated character in this male-dominated film that clocks in at only eighty-eight minutes. It leaves you with the disappointing foreboding of how much we must succeed with a movement still in its infancy.
American Psycho
Not all serial killer movies are watchable–what churns one’s stomach makes another’s heart beat with excitement. I was able to sit through this bloody movie; I sat through it with laughter. I am somewhat of the type of person who will laugh at a scary or gory sight to ease my nerves. For this film, Christian Bale pulls off such a diabolical persona, right up there with his narcissism, that I’d probably chuckle nervously if I met someone exactly like him. The film is categorized as a dark comedy, mind you. A dark comedy describes a film involving morbid or gloomy satire. Christian Bale might overdo it in this movie, but I recommend it if you think you might guffaw at this gorefest.
Run
Damn, Sarah Paulson, for someone who doesn’t like to watch herself on-screen, reconsider: you scared the devil out of me! The latest of her films and the first I got around to watch on Hulu. (Thanks, Hulu!) My praise goes to Kiera Allen, who plays the daughter. It’s her second film in six years. For an actress with a slim résumé and I say this respectively, all I will say is that her role here shocked me. I felt inspiration all through. I’m holding on to hope that although her role comes after a six-year mark, she retains a malleable career to land another fantastic role.
Booksmart
I wasn’t Miss. Popular in high school and have watched this film on the topic of girls who were more about academia than the male genitalia; this was a green light. I won’t say how crazed their last day(s) of school is; I will say, at least my stories of how incredulous high school was might sound believable. The cast seen here is still relatively breaking into the spotlight. Kaitlyn Dever is recently known for her role in Netflix’s Unbelievable. As for Beanie Feldstein, she starred in the delightful comedic film Lady Bird. In Booksmart, those two gals go together. There’s a chemistry between them that might make one think, “Is there a reality to their friendship, or is there a falsehood to it?” Realizations hit me as I watched this in awe: Somewhere out in the befuddled world we all inhabit is a friend for every individual. You don’t need twenty friends to get through life–it’s unrealistic to say the least. Another is that I did miss out on entertainment outside of school. That’s another story for me to tell in the future. Last, by expiating others rather than burning ears, that’s where you learn the real them.
Sources: Green, Kitty, director. The Assistant. IMDb, IMDb.com, 31 Jan. 2020, www.imdb.com/title/tt9000224/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1.
Ellis, Bret Easton. American Psycho. IMDb, IMDb.com, 14 Apr. 2000, www.imdb.com/title/tt0144084/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0.
Chaganty, Aneesh, director. Run. IMDb, IMDb.com, 20 Nov. 2020, www.imdb.com/title/tt8633478/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0.
Allen, Kiera. “Kiera Allen.” IMDB, IMDB.com, www.imdb.com/name/nm6266674/?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm.
Wilde, Olivia, director. Booksmart. IMDb, IMDb.com, 24 May 2019, www.imdb.com/title/tt1489887/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1.
Anonymous. “Kaitlyn Dever.” IMDB, IMDB.com, www.imdb.com/name/nm3239803/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm.
IMDB. “Beanie Feldstein.” IMDB, IMDB.com, www.imdb.com/name/nm2788156/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0.Bateman, Jason, director. Ozark. Zero Gravity Management/Media Rights Capital, 2017. IMDB, www.imdb.com/title/tt5071412/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1.
“Christian Bale.” IMDb, IMDb.com, www.imdb.com/name/nm0000288/?ref_=tt_cl_t_1.
“Sarah Paulson.” IMDb, IMDb.com, www.imdb.com/name/nm0005299/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0.
“Stream TV and MOVIES Live and Online.” Hulu, Hulu, www.hulu.com/welcome.
Cholodenko, Lisa and Michael Dinner, directors. Unbelievable. CBS Television Studios/Katie Couric Media, 2019. IMDB, www.imdb.com/title/tt7909970/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_12.
Gerwig, Greta, director. Lady Bird. Scott Rudin Productions/Entertainment 360, 2017. IMDB, www.imdb.com/title/tt4925292/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1.
So what did you think? See any of these movies? Want to? Write them in the comments below.
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