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Three hundred sixteenth entry - being secretive
2007-05-06 15:20:53
Time - 1:08, Noise - Vast - "You"
What I really wanted to post was, "Everybody, shut the fuck up."
^ Disregard that; it has nothing to do with my journal entry. Just a totally unrelated thought I had.
Worked a little more on my FMV segment. I'm doing it a bit oddly. I'm just editing the video straight without any effects, and then I'm going back and adding them in later. Keep in mind that these are Ultima-styled effects, so they won't be anything too amazing.
Went back and watched THE Video again. Now that I'm not so strung out over the poor video quality, I can finally watch it for what it is. For the concept, and the editing, and the effort I put in. I feel a lot better about it now - not so stressed. Of course, the more I watch it, the more I realize that it's really not going to win anything at ACen. If they just show it, though (and Cod damn it, they had *better* show it), I'll be happy.
Got a huge English paper that I have to write all today. I have zero desire to do it, but I'll have to force myself through it.
I keep randomly watching movies lately. Last night, I watched all of the extras in 'Memoirs of a Geisha,' and then I watched the movie itself. Most of the extras are just repeats of what was said in other ones, and I didn't even understand why the fuck there were two segments dedicated to a chef who happened to be acting in that movie. There were a few interesting points, but it didn't really focus on the stuff I wish it had focused on.
I loaned my sister Brandy Chobits and Saikano recently. She's seen all of Chobits in both languages, but I guess she wanted to see it again. She asked for Saikano because I told her that it would probably be the kind of series she'd like - except for the ending. Brandy really doesn't care for anime that don't make perfect sense to her right away. She didn't understand The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya either. It was weird, because I thought she would really enjoy that one.
I wonder about Brandy sometimes. She's always picking out characters that she thinks are hot - which is normal - but then she always makes such a big deal out of the fact that she's bisexual. Like... she'll point out an anime girl, say she's hot, then occasionally I'll point out that the girl's breasts are too big or something, and Brandy always replies with, "Well, I AM bi, you know."
...yes. I know. It doesn't bother me. Quit acting like it's something I'm trying to deny. She does this all the time, too. I mean, there's being comfortable with your sexuality, and then there's making a big deal of it when it's NOT a big deal. It makes me wonder if she really is bisexual or not. There are days when I think she just says it to get attention for being different - but she's with an environment of people that don't mind that sort of thing at all.
She's getting married next year to a guy that's about ten years older than her, but acts right around her age. They seem to really be in love, and I'm happy for that, but she could be marrying a woman and I don't think I'd react any differently.
Anyway, enough about my sister and her obsession with trying to shock people around her with her preferences. My brother, on the other hand, plays the role of the guy who pretends to be grossed out by things like yaoi. You know he really isn't, because he'll joke about it right along with us, but he kiddingly pretends to be. He's 100% straight, by the way - wouldn't look at anything that didn't have a pair of boobs attached to it. But he's not sexist or anything. He grew up with three women and no father, so he actually treats girls like equals or better. Basically... he's a gentle nerd without really looking the part. He's the guy that walks around dressed perfectly normally, but there's a Star Trek communicator pin tacked onto his shirt. Just enough to let you know that he's a nerd, and nothing more geeky than that.
As for me... I'm asexual, or something similar. Can't really describe it well, and I don't feel like stumbling around trying to do so. I'm an open nerd. I wear the Chomp Hat, the Silent Hill t-shirt, and I rant about making music videos and playing videogames, even to people who don't have a damn clue what I'm talking about. I find it difficult to relate to folks around me, so I usually don't. It's easier for me to hop on my computer and find people with similar interests that way. I'm addicted to being alone. I loved the four days of April Break when it was just me on a dead silent wing of the dorm hall. I'm going to detest being forced to have a roommate next year.
Anyway, I'm rambling now. As far as we siblings go, my brother hates my sister, my sister loves my brother, and I get along well with either one of them. I hate being around both of them at the same time, because Brandy will just try to start a conversation, and Jonathan will shoot an insult at her for no reason. He doesn't approve of anything she does, and I don't understand why. She'll probably be around for a little while after I go home for the summer, and I swear that the first time I hear Jonathan go off on her, I'm going to blow a fucking gasket in his face.
Okay, now I'm really rambling. Time to quit and go... edit... or something.
See you, folks.
- Jen -
Three hundred fifteenth entry - progress and slacking
2007-05-03 16:06:23
Time - 2:10, Noise - Project FMV mix
So, I started working on my segment for FMV. I'm trying to use the natural action in the cutscenes to my advantage, since that makes for a lot of internal sync. That's not to say I'm avoiding basic beat sync, but this is the closest I've ever come to editing action. I don't want it to be just a simple cut-on-every-beat style of editing. In any case, I've only got a small part done, so I still have a ways to go.
That's the "progress" part of this entry. The "slacking" part has to do with two papers that I have to finish soon. One is a twelve page research paper for English (about three pages finished) and the other is a Spanish civilization paper (haven't even started it). To be honest, I really need to work on finishing one of them tonight - probably the English paper, as I think it might be the easier of the two.
Convention in a week... I'm excited, but at the same time, my best friend has been in a pissy mood, and I really don't want to provoke her anymore. She's getting mad cuz she has to keep picking me up from school. No car, so I can't do it myself. However, the con weekend, I'm bringing home as much of my stuff as possible so that move out day will be quick and efficient. She's not too happy about having to pick me up THEN, either. But what other choice do I have? My mother can't take a sick day where she works, and even if I were on good terms with Jarred, he's moving out too. His car will be loaded with his own stuff. I don't have any other friends on campus, and none outside of campus besides Nicole herself. So, like it or not, she's my only ride until I get my own car this summer. And then I'm probably never coming home due to not only the price of gas, but also because my mother can barely keep food in the house for her and my brother (forget me), AND because with Nicole working frequently and schooling the other part of the time, what the hell is the point in me coming home? Not like I have any other friends, so the only person who would be happy to see me (and capable of doing it) is my mother.
Speaking of the convention and friends... I wasn't sure if I really wanted to post this here, but I want to write it down somewhere. Here is better than LJ because Nicole reads my LJ and I'd rather she didn't see this.
<emo>
My worst fear when I finally meet the .org members at the convention is actually a two part scenario. The first is that Nicole will be mistaken for me. It wouldn't surprise me, but it wouldn't make me feel very good either. The second is that they'll like her better than me. This is NOT an ungrounded fear. Nearly everyone I meet likes her better and I usually just end up saying and doing nothing. Last year, when we were in the game room, she instantly made friends with these people we met, but I got ignored for so long that I just walked out of the way of everyone and sat down against a wall. When she asked me about it later, I think I said something about my feet being tired from all the walking we had done that day. Half true, but not the reason I removed myself. The trouble is that she's just more expressive than I am. It's not a bad thing, but it just means that my personality tends to pale when compared against her. I feel horrible for thinking this, but on more than one occasion I've pondered parting ways with her when I go to meet everyone. Does that make me a bad person? People will tell me that the real solution is for me to just be more outgoing, but I'm not shy at all. I don't mind meeting new people, and I'm good at starting conversations. Just not when I'm with her. The focus always shifts to her whenever we're with anyone. Part of the problem is simply being in a group. I can never get a word in edgewise because I stutter (unbelievably irritating biological problem - not a nervous habit), and her interests are just more mainstream than mine. Thus, she can hit on a conversation topic more quickly than I can - and it's usually something that I don't much about. So, even if I could get a word in, it wouldn't be very relevant. It's infuriating, but I feel like a total ass everytime I resent her for "stealing the spotlight," so to speak. I still don't know what I'm going to do. It's wrong for me to exclude my own best friend just because I think she's going to trump me, but she isn't a part of this community. I am. These aren't her friends. They're mine. It's the only thing I have that she can't one up me on, and I'll probably regret every minute of pushing her away just to keep it.
</emo>
I know what people are thinking: if I didn't want Nicole to read it, and I was unsure about posting it here, then I should have just made this entry private or not posted it at all. However, I hate hiding my personality. Even if some parts are ugly, I want people to see who I am for real. Even on the internet, where you're almost expected to wear a mask of some kind. I've never made an entry private, and I never will. It just seems deceitful to me - not as much to other people as to myself. Sure, I lie - who doesn't? - but the less stories I have to make up, the less stories I have to remember when dodging the truth. Which, obviously, is the point here. It's easier to tell the truth than it is to lie.
*sigh* I'm tired now. That was an exhausting topic. Remind me not to go <emo> for a while. Well, then again, it won't be until school is finished that I'll be able to avoid being <emo> over something or other...
See you, folks.
- Jen -
Three hundred fourteenth entry - um... stuff... and stuff...
2007-05-02 15:42:36
Time - 2:17, Noise - X-Treme - "My Fire (Nonstop Mix)"
So I voted for logos. I mainly stuck to the simpler ones, because when you think about it, what banner maker wants to deal with something really complex? I think my favorite was the one with the red sakura petals in the background. I hope it wins, because it's attractive all on its own, but it's also plenty easy enough to work with.
Mind you, I don't make banners, nor have I ever tried to, but I think it's most important to keep the banner editors in mind when choosing a logo. No, the site was not made for banners, I know. But if we weren't encouraging some kind of artistic endeavor, why would we bother changing the logo each year? That's how I think of it, anyhow.
Hrm... they have fish for dinner tonight. But I already had a fish sandwich at lunch (those things are de-frickin'-licious, by the way), so I'm not in a very fishy mood. Maybe I'll raid the pizza/pasta line instead. The other thing is chicken stir fry, but Glenview's take on oriental food is usually questionable at best. : /
Still no response from the Japanese teacher. I'm about ready to throttle her, because I need this crap before too long. I only have about a week and a half of classes left, and then finals week. Fucking ACen is the weekend JUST before finals. Talk about nerve wracking. I really hope I don't have a Monday final, because it would be very nice to be able to just be taken back the next day. Although, it would also depend on Roanne's finals schedule and whether or not Nicole works. It's an extremely slim chance, but it's worth asking her anyway.
...I keep smelling garlic. It's odd.
I need to do something. Maybe I should edit my FMV stuff. In any case, I'm bored, so I'm off.
See you, folks.
- Jen -
Three hundred thirteenth entry - 312 was a cooler number ;_;
2007-05-01 21:55:42
Time - 8:42, Noise - Katamari Damacy - "Lonely Rolling Star"
At first, this entry was going to be emo, but then I realized I should leave that for LJ where the number of people who read it is limited.
Then, it was going to be an angry rant, but I've gone into the topic more on LJ than here, and I'd rather keep it that way.
Finally, I thought I would talk about gaming, but I don't think anyone cares about Dark Cloud anymore. Besides... that was discussed more in (you guessed it) LJ.
So I find myself without a topic. And when there is no topic... I do stats. We'll do the "lite version" this time.
You have downloaded 5218 local videos totaling 250 GiB.
5 = Two thumbs up 241
4 = Thumbs up 1192
3 = Eeeegh 1782
2 = Thumbs down 1584
1 = Two thumbs down 409
Oh, and tacking this onto the end, since I haven't posted stats on it yet:
Discontinued Thoughts (2007-03-27) [hits: 128] [ops: 1] [stars: 38] [star avg: 2.87]
Check out that glorious below-average-ness. Just another thing to make me insecure about ever releasing my ACen video.
And that's all for today.
See you, folks.
- Jen
PS: entry title is an amazingly obscure reference to Room 312 in Silent Hill 2, which is very cool and of great importance in the game.
PPS: Room 313 sucks because that's the room my ex-friend lives in in another dorm. >: ( -
Three hundred twelfth entry - Glitchy McGlitcherton?
2007-04-28 19:28:50
Time - 5:37, Noise - Loreena McKennitt - "The Mystic's Dream (live)"
This is troublesome. Anyone familiar with how this works?
http://www.animemusicvideos.org/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=79302
About that thread... well, at least I know the glitches in THE Video weren't due to my poor DVDs. If the game clips I'm using also do that, then it has to do with the encoding. I'm not entirely sure *what* the reason is (that's what I'm trying to figure out), but those crappy DVDs aren't quite as crappy as I thought, I suppose if the glitching isn't their fault.
It occurred to me that I'm not really up on the times with anime. When I find one I like, I tend to stick with it and ignore whatever the latest rage is until after it's died down for some time. Let's see... probably the last five new anime I've seen are... part of Karas, part of Hellsing Ultimate, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, xxxHolic, and Tsubasa (season 2).
Most other new releases have totally escaped me. I still love anime as much as I always have, but something has changed. Now I'm getting fixated on all of those video ideas that I ever wanted to do from years ago. So I'm kind of ignoring new anime in favor of my old favorites.
Back on the note of the thread, though, the reason I'm troubleshooting this is because I'm finally getting around to cleaning and rendering my clips for my Project FMV segment. Like with any other video, I only rendered a few clips before I decided to test them out in my editing program. Just to make sure everything works, of course. I'm very paranoid about doing a ton of work for a video and then suddenly realizing that I have to redo it all because of one silly mistake. So, I stop and make test renders and betas about a billion times along the way. I think I mentioned before that I did eighteen beta renders of THE Video before I did my final encode. Six of those renders were after I had completed the video and was just weeding out the glitches.
Eighteen renders may not seem like a lot, but consider that this is a fairly linear video, and I have enough RAM to be doing most of my timing checks right on the timeline.
On another topic, I only check the Anime Series Discussion forum every once in a blue moon, but a member of interest to me happened to post there, so I checked to see what had been posted. Well, while I was in that forum, I noticed that Tsubasa was on the first page still, and I went to see what was being discussed. In short, they were saying that there might not be a third season of the anime.
This is upsetting if it's true, because there's really blame to go all around. CLAMP can't get mad at the anime producers for boring filler arcs (if that is, indeed, the case). It wouldn't be fair. What were the producers supposed to do? The anime was catching up the manga way too quickly, so it either would have had to postpone in the middle of a season, CLAMP would have had to write quicker (which may have resulted in crap), or the producers would have to be allowed to do filler material to prevent bypassing CLAMP in the storyline.
Yeah, the filler was boring for the most part. I don't deny that. I seriously could have done without the Chaos arc that monopolized the end of the second season. However, I would rather deal with a few episodes of filler material than have the Ruined Tokyo arc be screwed over. I have been waiting very patiently for the third season, and I'll be pissed as all hell if it's dropped because of something the anime producers did their best to deal with.
Although... I have to wonder this aloud: did anyone else notice that the animation near the end of the second season started getting crappy? They started drawing the characters really badly. I could scan through any one of those Chaos episodes and screencap a Picasso-esque Tsubasa character somewhere within. The quality of the coloring and other animation aspects seemed to stay the same (to my eyes), but the drawings themselves weren't very good.
Gotta give the Chaos arc credit for one thing, though: it resulted in probably the most amusing noise Kuro-chi has ever made in the whole anime. Look for the part where Mokona goes around kissing everyone and you'll see what I mean. Trust me. You'll laugh too.
Seemingly in direct contrast to the mediocre second season of the anime, the manga just keeps getting more and more awsm. I'm pretty sure I do an audible squee every time a new chapter comes out. ^_^;; You can tell that it's coming to a close soon, though. Another two volumes at best. I'll be looking forward to it.
Also, xxxHolic has been consistently improving, too. One of the characters who just seemed like a pointless pretty face for a long time has actually ended up having great significance in the storyline. Sadly, she's not evil. I was SO hoping she'd be evil. ;_;
Oh, and Tanpopo = <3333
Hrm... this entry is getting longer than I had planned, so I'll cut it off here.
See you, folks.
- Jen
JOURNAL: dj_ultima_the_great (Jen )
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