#if i had the commercial license for the font (and other fonts) i would take commissions for them but alas
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Tagxedo For Mac
Tagxedo For Mac Free
Tagxedo For Mac Computer
Tagxedo For Mac And Cheese
Tagxedo is another word cloud generator, one with even more bells & whistles. Like Wordle, the program counts the number of times a word is used. The more it is used, the larger it appears in the graphic. Small words like 'a' and 'the' are not counted. Both Worlde and Tagxedo can make word clouds from text or websites. I prefer Tagxedo for the images it creates, but for analyzing the message of a literary work, Wordle actually works better. See my previous post about Wordle.
By default, Tagxedo's image editor will put words in the black part of your jpg. Choose 'Add Image' from the 'Shape' options dialog box. When prompted, upload the black on white jpg from your computer. In the resulting dialog box many tiny copies of the word 'Tagxedo' will appear in the area where your word cloud words will show up.
Tagxedo is another excellent choice when searching for websites like Wordle. One of the features that sets Tagxedo apart from the other options here is being able to create word clouds from your Twitter profile, your blog and many other sources online.
Tagxedo can either scan text or sites for words, or you can create a list of your own. Critical Update! Tagxedo is built on Microsoft Silverlight, and Microsoft Silverlight is dying. By April 2015, Chrome browsers will phase out Microsoft Silverlight plugins, but Tagxedo still works fine on Safari, Firefox and Internet Explorer — for now.
Here's my Tagxedo image of this blog.
Tagxedo For Mac Free
Before we could use Tagxedo on our Macs, I had to install Silverlight. Tagxedo provides a link for this installation. Similar to Flash, Silverlight allows the interactive display to function. I've never needed Silverlight before, and this took a bit of time, but it was easy. By the way, don't even think about running Wordle or Tagxedo on on Mac OS 10.3. Our lab has 12 machines with 10.6 'Snow Leopard.' The other 18 have 10.3, so my students take turns using the newer machines. We don't have any 'Tiger' machines anymore, so I can't say if Tagxedo will run on 10.4. Perhaps one of my readers can tell me. I believe you need to install before you can properly view this embedded version. Here's an article about embedding Tagxedo on your web page.
The print function in Tagxedo allows you to save it as a PNG or JPG. The graphic above is a PNG. I was curious about which format is better for this type of thing. I found a very clear explanation on Inverse Karma, the blog of software engineer Ganesh Prasannah. I chose PNG based on his suggestion that if the image contains text and hard lines, PNG is better than JPG.
Tagxedo For Mac Computer
I ask my students to save their work and turn it in to my digital turn-in tray--a 'write only' folder on our server. Not only does that allow us to have a paperless classroom, it gives us the option to add the image to a web page, make a slide show, or print in color when I get the color printer working. Both Wordle and Tagxedo have public galleries for you to share your artwork. Be advised that not there may be graphics in the gallery that are not appropriate for the classroom.
Want some more ideas? Check out '52 Interesting Ways to use Wordle in the Classroom.' This is only one of the 'Interesting Ways' collaborative Google presentations started by Tom Barret.
Tagxedo For Mac And Cheese
Tagxedo has more fonts, allows you to use more than 1 font on your word cloud, and offers more controls in layout. It's best known for pouring that word cloud into a shape, like the one below. This is part of the first chapter from my favorite Sherlock Holmes story, The Sign of Four. Cool!
Tagxedo
Benefits
Free.
No sign-in or e-mail required.
Licensed under a Creative Commons Non-Commercial, Attribution, Share Alike License. (In other words, you may not sell items with images created by the Tagxedo application).
It is very easy to copy and paste text from the Internet or from student work in Word or another program into the Tagxedo application. Text may also be entered directly.
Keeps a history of previous configurations during the creation phase, so you may go back and find an earlier rendition of your word cloud.
Allows you to create word clouds in shapes.
Many options for saving to your local machine and on the web.
Many color / theme options.
Tagxedo has a stemming protocol built into the application which recognizes derivatives of a word. For example, walk, walks, and walking would be recognized as derivatives of the word walk and would only appear in the Tagxedo as the word walk.
Not a dedicated educational site, however, the owner has stated that all Tagxedos showcased in the gallery will be educationally friendly.
Several ads appear on the site.
Not as easy and intuitive as Wordle or ABCya.
Several shape options are available. However, the ability to create custom shapes or some of the shapes featured in the gallery require a premium subscription (which is not yet available, as far as I can tell).
Requires Silverlight (not available for older Mac computers).
The Tagxedo site is not searchable for previously created Tagxedos.
Helpful Hints
This short video tutorial is very helpful when beginning to use Tagxedo
Intro to Tagxedo
Multiple word phrases may be entered by using the Tilda (~) between words, but this is only available when adding text through copying and pasting or direct entry. It does not work when pulling text directly from a website.
By allowing to repeat, you can generate a more solid shape. See the embedded images to the right.
The borders of the shape may be set to a 'hard border' to emphasize the shape or the shape shadow may added for clarity of the shape.
When using the embed code provided by Tagxedo, a small image is generated (and does not include the shape outline if left on the Tagxedo). One of the cool features of the embedded image is that you may actually click on a word and a web search is done on that word so if a student did not know the meaning of a word the Wikipedia or other site would be available for help. See the embedded image to the right.
Tagxedo uses a formula to determine the emphasis of the word in the word cloud that is partly based on the number of times the word appears in the text. See the Tagxedo FAQ page for more information.
Default settings eliminate common English words such as the, a, an, prepositions, etc. are automatically disregarded by the application.
Numbers are eliminated from Tagxedo by default..
Words may be removed from a completed Tagxedo by clicking on the Word / Layout Option link and selecting the Skip tab. Simply select the words you want to eliminate from the Tagxedo and Accept the changes at the bottom. This will cause the Tagxedo to 'respin'.
If you are going to embed your image, either keep a record of the URL of the image or download the image as the Tagxedo gallery is not searchable and the embedded image does not automatically link to the URL as it does in Wordle.
When creating a Tagxedo for a class, I recommend saving the Tagxedo on the web making note of the URL and saving the image to your own computer. You may then use the image in either PowerPoint Presentations or on a Website and make the image itself a link to the image on the web where the interactive functions are available. See the example below.
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Heyo...I’d like you to answer all of the weird questions that say a lot please...😇🖤
That’s very naughty of you. I expect payment when I’m done...
1. coffee mugs, teacups, wine glasses, water bottles, or soda cans?
Wine glasses. I love their shape
2. chocolate bars or lollipops?
Chocolate
3. bubblegum or cotton candy?
Bubble gum, I like the oral fixation
4. how did your elementary school teachers describe you?
Wierd, creepy, creative. “He needs to find an outlet or have a beating”- My arabic teacher
5. do you prefer to drink soda from soda cans, soda bottles, plastic cups or glass cups?
Glass bottles
6. pastel, boho, tomboy, preppy, goth, grunge, formal or sportswear?
Tomboy
7. earbuds or headphones?
Headphones
8. movies or tv shows?
Both
9. favorite smell in the summer?
river in the cedar forest
10. game you were best at in p.e.?
Fencing
11. what you have for breakfast on an average day?
Nothing (sometimes fruit if I need to)
12. name of your favorite playlist?
SHmood
13. lanyard or key ring?
key ring
14. favorite non-chocolate candy?
Turkish delights
15. favorite book you read as a school assignment?
Simon versus the Homosapien agenda
16. most comfortable position to sit in?
Legs to my chest on a chair
17. most frequently worn pair of shoes?
My trainers
18. ideal weather?
Thunder and rain
19. sleeping position?
Curled up on my side
20. preferred place to write (i.e., in a note book, on your laptop, sketchpad, post-it notes, etc.)?
Notebook but laptops are great for convenience
21. obsession from childhood?
Horror stories and or occult (Yes I cringe too)
22. role model?
Don’t have one
23. strange habits?
I like to practice voices and movements (mostly for DnD) anywhere. Shopping, cooking, with the cat. normally I’m on my own but I’ve been caught a few times.
24. favorite crystal?
Obsidian
25. first song you remember hearing?
Wide, wide as the ocean- My dad sang it to me as a kid
26. favorite activity to do in warm weather?
Swimming
27. favorite activity to do in cold weather?
Bonfire jumping (used to do it with the scout kids)
28. five songs to describe you?
Fall into me- Alev Lenz
Rush- I am waiting for you last summer
Smile- Nat King Cole
Limb to limb- Fatal
Kiss breakdown- Micheal Brook (Perks of being a wallflower soundtrack)
29. best way to bond with you?
Discuss your passions and your fears. Other than that, play silly games with me.
30. places that you find sacred?
Anywhere that is deemed so.
31. what outfit do you wear to kick ass and take names?
My pajamas (honestly no idea)
32. top five favorite vines?
Don’t have favourites.
33. most used phrase in your phone?
I love you to the moon and back.
34. advertisements you have stuck in your head?
I have adblock so I don’t hear enough for them to get stuck. Maybe the old spice commercial.
35. average time you fall asleep?
12-1am
36. what is the first meme you remember ever seeing?
The orly owl
37. suitcase or duffel bag?
Duffel bag
38. lemonade or tea?
lemonade
39. lemon cake or lemon meringue pie?
Lemon meringue pie (obviously)
40. weirdest thing to ever happen at your school?
Nothing too weird. We did have a slew of dead birds that were killed and placed in weird positions. They were claimed to be omens.
The culprit was never caught. But I did have an old journal where I kept notes on them. I lost it in the move though..
41. last person you texted?
My online friend in the uk
42. jacket pockets or pants pockets?
Jacket pockets
43. hoodie, leather jacket, cardigan, jean jacket or bomber jacket?
Hoodie, I need the soft
44. favorite scent for soap?
sandalwood
45. which genre: sci-fi, fantasy or superhero?
Fantasy, DnD for life
46. most comfortable outfit to sleep in?
Shirt and underwear
47. favorite type of cheese?
Brie
48. if you were a fruit, what kind would you be?
Orange
49. what saying or quote do you live by?
Already answered
50. what made you laugh the hardest you ever have?
When my friend and I got stuck in traffic so we listened to the John Mulaney story about the salt and pepper diner. Afterward we actually made the playlist and listened to it. We died, the song got to us and we lost our minds.
51. current stresses?
My Father being ok back home. Me not finishing uni. Breaking my promise to my friends back home of making something of myself.
52. favorite font?
Bree Serif
53. what is the current state of your hands?
Their ok, quite dexterous. My nails have grown out too
54. what did you learn from your first job?
People take production for granted. The public opinion of a show means little. The entertainment industry is weaker than everyone treats it.
55. favorite fairy tale?
The Bloody Chamber
Book by Angela Carter
56. favorite tradition?
Our family does breakfast in bed for the birthday person
57. the three biggest struggles you’ve overcome?
Self harm, the invasion of my country, getting out of my old life.
58. four talents you’re proud of having?
I improvise well, I remain calm in an emergency, and am often the first to act. I have good emotional skills. I will always find a way, though it often comes at great cost.
59. if you were a video game character, what would your catchphrase be?
After someone tells me I can’t do something “HAVE YOU MET ME?!”
60. if you were a character in an anime, what kind of anime would you want it to be?
Probably Shonen. Love me some JoJoBA
61. favorite line you heard from a book/movie/tv show/etc.?
Yeah, I stayed. I stayed, because every time you threw a brick at my head, or said I smelled, it *hurt*; but it could never hurt more than every day of my life just being *me*! I *stayed* because I thought, if anyone can change me, can make me... *not* me, it was you! - Kung Fu Panda
62. seven characters you relate to?
Tarzan-Stich-Quisimodo-Ginger (From Chicken run)- Po (Kung fu Panda)- Mulan (Yes really)- Charlie (Perks of being a wallflower)
63. five songs that would play in your club?
Shut up and dance with me- Walk the moon
Suzy- Caravan Palace
Rocket Fuel feat. De La Soul - DJ Shadow
Come with me now - KONGOS
Dance with me tonight - Olly Murs
64. favorite website from your childhood?
Miniclip
65. any permanent scars?
Some on my arms and a large one on my forearm
66. favorite flower(s)?
I’m a cliche, I love roses
67. good luck charms?
My Celtic ring and my pride pin
68. worst flavor of any food or drink you’ve ever tried?
It was chocolate shrimp in Sanfrancisco. Fad food with an abhorrent mixture.
69. a fun fact that you don’t know how you learned?
Spiders don’t kill every prey that falls into their web. Sometimes they just wrap them up and let them squirm helpessly.
70. left or right handed?
Right, unless eating
71. least favorite pattern?
Uh... not sure
72. worst subject?
Maths
73. favorite weird flavor combo?
Fries and Icecream
74. at what pain level out of ten (1 through 10) do you have to be at before you take an advil or ibuprofen?
8
75. when did you lose your first tooth?
I was 5
76. what’s your favorite potato food (i.e. tater tots, baked potatoes, fries, chips, etc.)?
Baked potatoes, especially with Sour cream and garlic
77. best plant to grow on a windowsill?
A succulent?
78. coffee from a gas station or sushi from a grocery store?
Sushi from grocery
79. which looks better, your school id photo or your driver’s license photo?
School Id (not by much though)
80. earth tones or jewel tones?
Jewel tones
81. fireflies or lightning bugs?
Fireflies
82. pc or console?
PC
83. writing or drawing?
Writing, though I wish I could draw
84. podcasts or talk radio?
Podcasts
84. barbie or polly pocket?
Neither
85. fairy tales or mythology?
Mythology
86. cookies or cupcakes?
Cookies
87. your greatest fear?
That I had no impact on anything
88. your greatest wish?
To gain the power to change the world
89. who would you put before everyone else?
The one I love. A partner (If we had a child then it falls to them)
90. luckiest mistake?
When I had an accident at work over my selfharm wounds. Some metal staging scraped against my arm.
91. boxes or bags?
Bags
92. lamps, overhead lights, sunlight or fairy lights?
Fairylights
93. nicknames?
Teddy, Monster, Quis
94. favorite season?
Winter
95. favorite app on your phone?
Reddit is fun
96. desktop background?
My current Pfp
97. how many phone numbers do you have memorized?
2 My parents
98. favorite historical era?
Don’t really have a favourite
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Top 7 Commercial Ads of all time
Commercial Ads: A Brief
Reaching your target audience online has never been easier or harder. On the one hand, video, the undisputed king of digital content is now easier to create commercial Ads and spread to your audience than ever before thanks to social channels and ad networks. On the other, everybody’s getting involved with video advertising. You need to create something truly excellent, perfectly tailored to your audience, to stand out.
Here are some Top 7 commercial Ads of all time what should you learn from them!
Coke: Share a Coke Commercial Ad Campaign: Print
Big brands are often hard-pressed to do something ground-breaking when they’re already so big. So, what did Coca-Cola do to appeal to the masses? They appealed to individuals — by putting their names on each bottle.
The Share a Coke campaign began in Australia in 2011 when Coca-Cola personalized each bottle with the 150 most popular names in the country. Since then, the U.S. has followed suit, printing first names across the front of its bottles and cans in Coke’s branded font. You can even order custom bottles on Coke’s website to request things like nicknames and college logos.
It was a breaking story across the marketing and advertising industry. Many consumers were enchanted by it, while others were confused by it why make a temporary item so personal? Pepsi even released commercial Ads shortly after the campaign launched
The Lesson
Coke fans are regular buyers, and the company leaned into that sense of individual ownership with full force. Wondering what name you’ll get out of the vending machine was a fun thrill in and of itself even if it isn’t yours, it encourages you to “share a Coke” with whoever’s name is on the front.
2. Miller Lite: Great Taste, Less Filling (1974) commercial Ad Campaign: Print, Television
Think it’s easy to create a whole new market for your product? The Miller Brewing Company (now Miller Coors) did just that with the light beer market and dominated it. The goal of the “Great Taste, Less Filling” campaign was getting “real men” to drink light beer, but they were battling the common misconception that light beer can never actually taste good. Taking the debate head-on, Miller featured masculine models drinking their light beer and declaring it great tasting.
The Lesson
For decades after this campaign aired, Miller Lite dominated the light beer market it had essentially created. What’s the lesson marketers can learn? Strive to be different. If people tell you there isn’t room for a product, create your own category so you can quickly become the leader
3. Volkswagen: Think Small (1960)
commercial Ad Standalone : Print
Many marketing and advertising professionals like to call Volkswagen’s “Think Small” campaign the gold standard. Created in 1960 by a legendary advertising group at Doyle Dane & Bernbach (DDB), the campaign set out to answer one question: How do you change peoples’ perceptions not only about a product but also about an entire group of people?
See, Americans always had a propensity to buy big American cars — and even 15 years after WWII ended, most Americans were still not buying small German cars. So what did this Volkswagen advertisement do? It played right into the audience’s expectations. Do you think I’m small? Yeah, I am. They never tried to be something they were not.
The Lesson
That’s the most important takeaway from this campaign: Don’t try to sell your company, product, or service as something it’s not. Consumers recognize and appreciate honesty.
4. Metro Trains: Dumb Ways to Die (2012)
Commercial Ad Campaign: Internet, Radio
Yes, you read that right: Dumb Ways to Die.
In Melbourne, Australia, Metro Trains wanted to get across a simple message: No horsing around near train tracks. Disorderly conduct could lead to injuries or even death, but instead of typical warning signs or announcements inside train stations, Metro Trains came up with Dumb Ways to Die, a song that has garnered 157 million YouTube views since it debuted in 2012.
The song is about dumb ways to die — for example, by poking a grizzly bear with a stick, or taking your helmet off in outer space — and it features a catchy little chorus you won’t be able to stop humming to yourself (because singing it is a little morbid): “Dumb ways to die, so many dumb ways to die.”
At the end of the video, after you’ve watched adorable cartoon characters dying in the dumbest of ways, you get to the moral of the story: There are many dumb ways to die, but the dumbest possible way would be if you died while standing on the edge of a train platform, drove through a railroad sign, or tried to cross over a train track.
The video ad went viral on YouTube, the song was made available on iTunes, and it even played over the radio with an accompanying ad.
The Lesson
This beloved, now-famous campaign communicates a simple idea creatively and memorably — and you don’t feel like you’re being nagged, the way some public service announcements do. If your subject matter is grim or boring, consider using creativity to get your message across.
5. Clairol: Does She or Doesn’t She? (1957)commercial Ad Standalone Ad: Print
The first time Clairol asked this question in 1957, the answer was 1 to 15 as in, only 1 in 15 people were using artificial hair color. Just 11 years later, the answer was 1 of 2, according to Time Magazine. The ad was apparently so successful that some states stopped requiring women to denote hair color on their driver’s license. When your ad campaign starts changing things at the DMV, you know you’ve hit nerves Clairol did the opposite of what most marketers would do: They didn’t want every woman on the street running around saying they were using their product. They wanted women to understand that their product was so good that people wouldn’t be able to tell if they were using it or not.
The Lesson
Sometimes, simply conveying how and why your product works are enough for consumers. Showing becomes more effective than telling.
6. De Beers: A Diamond is forever (1999)commercial Ad Campaign: Print, Television
In 1999, Adage declared De Beers’ “A Diamond is Forever” the most memorable slogan of the twentieth century. But the campaign, which proposed (pun very much intended) the idea that no marriage would be complete without a diamond ring, wasn’t just riding on the coattails of an existing industry. De beers actually built the industry it presented the idea that a diamond ring was a necessary luxury. Where almost every person pledging marriage feels compelled to acquire a diamond engagement ring.”
The LessonAdvertising can make a relatively inexpensive product seem luxurious and essential.
7.Procter & Gamble: Thank You, Mom (2012)commercial Ad Campaign: Television
‘ll give you a minute to dry your eyes after that one.
Seriously — you wouldn’t expect a household and cleaning Products Company commercial to pull at the heartstrings like that, would you? Lately, though, Procter & Gamble (P&G) has launched some of the best commercial Ads we’ve ever seen from the consumer goods industry.
That’s because P&G identified the story behind the story of Olympic athletes — the stories of the supportive moms who pushed these world-class athletes throughout their entire lives leading up to that crowning moment. And yes, they probably had to do a lot of laundry and cleanup along the way — presumably using P&G products.
The Lesson
Make your audience cry (just kidding). The season or time period of your ad is important. But even if you run an ad during the Olympic Games, as P&G did, make sure it has longevity and a message that can influence people no matter when or where they see it.
Emotional nostalgia marketing is powerful tactics to get people to make buying choices, so if there’s a bigger, more universal story behind your product or story, tap into it and showcase it front-and-center.
Courtesy: DigitalHemanth
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the whole list
I’m sorry that I took so long, and I’m so boring, but here you go!
1. coffee mugs, teacups, wine glasses, water bottles, or soda cans?
Coffee mugs
2. chocolate bars or lollipops?
Chocolate bars
3. bubblegum or cotton candy?
Eww, no to both.
4. how did your elementary school teachers describe you?
My mom worked at my elementary school, so I was very much a teacher’s pet.
5. do you prefer to drink soda from soda cans, soda bottles, plastic cups or glass cups?
Plastic cups
6. pastel, boho, tomboy, preppy, goth, grunge, formal or sportswear?
Pastel or boho
7. earbuds or headphones?
Earbuds
8. movies or tv shows?
I really want to say tv shows, but I’m awful at finishing them. I still need to watch the last few episodes of Apocalypse. Don’t at me.
9. favorite smell in the summer?
Is it weird if I say my cats? It’s weird, I know. They all have different smells, and it’s comforting to be around them when I’m stressed or upset.
10. game you were best at in p.e.?
Nothing, literally nothing. I was that kid who always had their nose in a book, so you can imagine how awkward I was in p.e.
11. what you have for breakfast on an average day?
A peanut butter and jelly sandwich or pancakes
12. name of your favorite playlist?
The only playlist I listen to is my own. I listen to a lot of country, some musicals, and a handful of older songs.
13. lanyard or key ring?
Lanyard
14. favorite non-chocolate candy?
Gummy bears
15. favorite book you read as a school assignment?
The Handmaid’s Tale
16. most comfortable position to sit in?
Why sit when you can lay down? I usually sit with my legs crossed.
17. most frequently worn pair of shoes?
My work pair of tennis shoes
18. ideal weather?
WINTER. All the cold.
19. sleeping position?
On my stomach
20. preferred place to write (i.e., in a note book, on your laptop, sketchpad, post-it notes, etc.)?
Laptop
21. obsession from childhood?
Books. I read so many books as a kid.
22. role model?
I don’t know. My therapist is pretty cool. Sarah Paulson maybe?
23. strange habits?
I eat soup with a fork. I have to put on my right sock and shoe before I can put on the left. I eat pop tarts upside down.
24. favorite crystal?
I don’t know. Rhodochrosites and amethysts are pretty.
25. first song you remember hearing?
Queen of the Silver Dollar
26. favorite activity to do in warm weather?
Stay inside, lol. I play a lot of animal crossing, try to write sometimes. Read.
27. favorite activity to do in cold weather?
Also, stay inside- still playing animal crossing and writing or reading.
28. five songs to describe you?
I honestly have no idea.
29. best way to bond with you?
Just hang out and talk with me. I like to stay home, or go on simple dates. I love, love, love aquariums.
30. places that you find sacred?
Churches, cemeteries
31. what outfit do you wear to kick ass and take names?
I’m not very confident in myself, so I tend to stick with t-shirts and shorts or leggings.
32. top five favorite vines?
I do not watch vine.
33. most used phrase in your phone?
Sorry or what’s for dinner
34. advertisements you have stuck in your head?
Those lawyer commercials that come on all of the time
35. average time you fall asleep?
Between 11:30 and 2:30
36. what is the first meme you remember ever seeing?
Probably something with SpongeBob
37. suitcase or duffel bag?
Duffel bag
38. lemonade or tea?
Tea
39. lemon cake or lemon meringue pie?
Hear me out, what about no lemon?
40. weirdest thing to ever happen at your school?
These kids started a metal band, and our administrators thought the student body loved it, so they got to perform a lot.
41. last person you texted?
@grilledcheeseandguavajelly
42. jacket pockets or pants pockets?
Pants pockets
43. hoodie, leather jacket, cardigan, jean jacket or bomber jacket?
Hoodie
44. favorite scent for soap?
Some sort of berry
45. which genre: sci-fi, fantasy or superhero?
Fantasy
46. most comfortable outfit to sleep in?
Shorts and a t-shirt (wasn’t kidding when I said I only wear shorts and a t-shirt)
47. favorite type of cheese?
American
48. if you were a fruit, what kind would you be?
@grilledcheeseandguavajelly says "something unique but sweet but with a lot of depth to it, so like a kiwi or a honeydew or a prickly pear.”
49. what saying or quote do you live by?
Do no harm, but take no shit
50. what made you laugh the hardest you ever have?
Probably something my sister has said or done
51. current stresses?
So much. I lost my job recently, and there's just a lot going on in my life right now.
52. favorite font?
Can I pick people’s handwriting as my favorite font? I know it’s dumb.
53. what is the current state of your hands?
Well, I should use more lotion
54. what did you learn from your first job?
That the whole world is going to expect you to know things without you actually ever being taught those things
55. favorite fairy tale?
The Little Mermaid?
56. favorite tradition?
Getting cake for birthdays because I love cake
57. the three biggest struggles you’ve overcome?
Me, myself, and I
58. four talents you’re proud of having?
Writing, caring for others. I don’t know.
59. if you were a video game character, what would your catchphrase be?
Don’t fuck up
60. if you were a character in an anime, what kind of anime would you want it to be?
I don’t really have any anime knowledge
61. favorite line you heard from a book/movie/tv show/etc.?
“You want to tell her that there are between two hundred and four hundred billion stars in the Milky Way, but when you look up, you could only ever see, like, twenty five hundred of them. You are one of the ones that no one can see. She is one of the ones that’s even visible in the city.”
-The Moment by T.C. Anderson
Guys, this is my favorite book. I highly recommend checking it out.
62. seven characters you relate to?
Alice Macray, Maura Isles, Temperance Brennan, Regina Mills, Callie Torres, Olivia Benson, Rachel Stevens
63. five songs that would play in your club?
She’s a Rainbow, Free To Be You and Me, Defying Gravity, Goodbye Earl, Queen of the Silver Dollar. My club would not be very cool.
64. favorite website from your childhood?
Webkinz
65. any permanent scars?
I cut the side of my thumb off with a pair of scissors once.
66. favorite flower(s)?
Zinnias, Passion flowers, sunflowers
67. good luck charms?
I don’t know that I have any?
68. worst flavor of any food or drink you’ve ever tried?
GRAPE
69. a fun fact that you don’t know how you learned?
I am so bad at thinking up answers on the spot. I’m sorry I suck at this.
70. left or right handed?
Right handed
71. least favorite pattern?
Any sort of animal pattern
72. worst subject?
Science
73. favorite weird flavor combo?
Peanut butter and chocolate on ritz crackers
74. at what pain level out of ten (1 through 10) do you have to be at before you take an advil or ibuprofen?
Depends on the type of pain. Headaches- I usually take it pretty soon, but for other things, I tend to wait.
75. when did you lose your first tooth?
I would assume kindergarten or first grade?
76. what’s your favorite potato food (i.e. tater tots, baked potatoes, fries, chips, etc.)?
fries
77. best plant to grow on a windowsill?
Flowers
78. coffee from a gas station or sushi from a grocery store?
Neither
79. which looks better, your school id photo or your driver’s license photo?
I no longer have a school ID, but that definitely looked better
80. earth tones or jewel tones?
Earth tones
81. fireflies or lightning bugs?
Fireflies sounds so much better, but I say lightning bugs
82. pc or console?
Console
83. writing or drawing?
Writing
84. podcasts or talk radio?
Podcasts
84. barbie or polly pocket?
Barbie
85. fairy tales or mythology?
Fairy tales
86. cookies or cupcakes?
Cupcakes
87. your greatest fear?
I’m going to be single and alone for my entire life
88. your greatest wish?
To fall in love
89. who would you put before everyone else?
My sister
90. luckiest mistake?
I don’t know
91. boxes or bags?
Boxes
92. lamps, overhead lights, sunlight or fairy lights?
Fairy lights
93. nicknames?
Kat, Kate, Backpack
94. favorite season?
Winter
95. favorite app on your phone?
Tumblr
96. desktop background?
It’s a sunflower drawing
97. how many phone numbers do you have memorized?
Maybe 15-20?
98. favorite historical era?
I don’t know
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actually all qs cuz I wanna get to know u :) boink!
OF COURSE BOINK ANON!
I will be excluding the ones Ive done (:
1. coffee mugs, teacups, wine glasses, water bottles, or soda cans? Wine glasses/water bottles c:
3. bubblegum or cotton candy? Bubblegum! im not really a big fan of cotton candy tbh.
5. do you prefer to drink soda from soda cans, soda bottles, plastic cups or glass cups? for some reason, soda from plastic cups hit different 😞
7. earbuds or headphones? headphones in the winter, earbuds in the summer.
9. favorite smell in the summer? the smell of my oncoming de- the smell of flowers blooming.
11. what you have for breakfast on an average day? it depends, some mornings I skip breakfast all together, others i’ll have a light snack, or I just have some cereal or make an egg.
12. name of your favorite playlist? ‘Recently added’
13. lanyard or key ring? landyard so I can find my keys easily. I still lose it tho-
14. favorite non-chocolate candy? spicy or sour candies are dope a f.
15. favorite book you read as a school assignment? The first book I read that I actually enjoyed was twilight.
16. most comfortable position to sit in? with my legs w I d e open because I cant sit properly.
17. most frequently worn pair of shoes? my tan/floral converses.
18. ideal weather? cloudy, cold, and raining 😌.
19. sleeping position? on my stomach, leg raised to my abdomen while the other is in the open air, and hands underneath my pillow. the BEST.
21. obsession from childhood? picking my scabs-
22. role model? my mom and sisters.
24. favorite crystal? garnet. It’s also my birthstone! I have it as a gem for my class ring.
25. first song you remember hearing? “bidi bidi mom mom” by selena quintanilla.
26. favorite activity to do in warm weather? if it’s not scorching hot, go on walks.
27. favorite activity to do in cold weather? snuggle up in a blanket and watch movies.
28. five songs to describe you? ‘humble’ kendrick lamar, ‘cry baby’ melanie martinez, ‘stupid’ ashnikko, ‘paparazzi’ lady gaga, ‘or nah’ ty dollar $ign.
29. best way to bond with you? send me M E M E S-
30. places that you find sacred? my bed.
31. what outfit do you wear to kick ass and take names? ripped jeans, boots, a crop top, and a jacket.
33. most used phrase in your phone? fuck.
34. advertisements you have stuck in your head? that empire carpet wash commercial.
36. what is the first meme you remember ever seeing? DAT BOI.
37. suitcase or duffel bag? duffel bag.
38. lemonade or tea? how about both of them combined 😉.
39. lemon cake or lemon meringue pie? I hate pie 🙊
40. weirdest thing to ever happen at your school? someone brought a gun and it fell out of their backpack during 2nd period.
41. last person you texted? @caws5749
42. jacket pockets or pants pockets? pants pockets. BUT THE DEEP ONES NOT THOSE SMALL FUCKING ONES.
43. hoodie, leather jacket, cardigan, jean jacket or bomber jacket? hoodies or a bomber jacket.
44. favorite scent for soap? Lavender.
45. which genre: sci-fi, fantasy or superhero? superhero!
46. most comfortable outfit to sleep in? naked-
47. favorite type of cheese? queso fresco.
48. if you were a fruit, what kind would you be? mango.
49. what saying or quote do you live by? “im a bad bitch you cant kill me”
50. what made you laugh the hardest you ever have? anytime my friends and I joke around.
51. current stresses? school, personal issues, and my NEW JOB THATS RIGHT YALL YO GIRL EMPLOYED.
52. favorite font? calibri.
53. what is the current state of your hands? kinda rough but smooth.
54. what did you learn from your first job? that people fucking suck.
55. favorite fairy tale? little red riding hood.
56. favorite tradition? eating tamales during christmas time.
57. the three biggest struggles you’ve overcome? that im not perfect, my flaws are just as beautiful as my perfections, and that im just ug-
58. four talents you’re proud of having? im not talented aT ALL. uh...
59. if you were a video game character, what would your catchphrase be? ‘let’s fuck ‘em up’
60. if you were a character in an anime, what kind of anime would you want it to be? sasuke from naruto or mey-rin from kuroshitsuji.
61. favorite line you heard from a book/movie/tv show/etc.? “see you in a minute”
62. seven characters you relate to? natasha, cristina yang, dexter, ford, thor, scott lang, and tony.
63. five songs that would play in your club? ‘bodak yellow’, ‘man of the year’, ‘rockstar’, ‘bickenhead’, ‘slumber party’.
64. favorite website from your childhood? I forgot the name but it was that educational site with the orange robot and human.
65. any permanent scars? my entire body is riddled in scars no joke.
66. favorite flower(s)? hibiscus and roses.
67. good luck charms? my dog’s name tag.
68. worst flavor of any food or drink you’ve ever tried? onions-
69. a fun fact that you don’t know how you learned? that cracking your joints won't give you arthritis.
70. left or right handed? im mixed handed but I do the majority of stuff with my right.
71. least favorite pattern? plaid.
72. worst subject? MATH FJSKSJKFSJS I HATE IT.
73. favorite weird flavor combo? have yall tried chocolate milk with chicken nuggets-
74. at what pain level out of ten (1 through 10) do you have to be at before you take an advil or ibuprofen? 8-9 because I tend to fight back and not admit there is something wrong going on 😬.
75. when did you lose your first tooth? 2nd grade I believe.
76. what’s your favorite potato food (i.e. tater tots, baked potatoes, fries, chips, etc.)? for some reason my love of tater tots has come back.
77. best plant to grow on a windowsill? uh cacti?
78. coffee from a gas station or sushi from a grocery store? coffee from a gas station cus im not trying to die-
79. which looks better, your school id photo or your driver’s license photo? oh man, I look like shit in both of them. School id.
80. earth tones or jewel tones? earth tones!
81. fireflies or lightning bugs? ive never seen either 😔.
82. pc or console? i’ve own consoles for most of my life.
83. writing or drawing? writing. I cant draw very well.
84. podcasts or talk radio? podcasts! I listen to ‘last podcast on the left’.
84. barbie or polly pocket? barbies! did anyone make their barbies have sex or was it just me-?
85. fairy tales or mythology? mythology. yall don't know this but I have fallen into the greek mythology rabbit hole-
86. cookies or cupcakes? I fuck heavy with cupcakes TILL THIS DAY.
87. your greatest fear? to see those I love die.
88. your greatest wish? to be happy.
89. who would you put before everyone else? myself.
90. luckiest mistake? guessing on a question and getting it right 😎.
91. boxes or bags? i’ll go with boxes. it makes everything easier to stack and organize.
92. lamps, overhead lights, sunlight or fairy lights? fairy lights are so pretty.
93. nicknames? clown by @caws5749, bottom by @domromanoff, and variations of my real name.
94. favorite season? fall/winter TIMEEEEE.
95. favorite app on your phone? mario kart. if anyone wants to be friends give me your friend code-
96. desktop background? it’s black with a colorful smoke cloud exploding.
97. how many phone numbers do you have memorized? mine and my oldest sister’s because she has had that same number since I was in the WOMB.
98. favorite historical era? I would say the WWII era since ive studied more about it than any other era.
UPDATE; this would've been done last night but my screen decided to just crash and not save anything I had done and my girl sent my ass to bed so I couldn't finish it but here ya go boink!
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How I Designed My Book Cover: Part One of Two
A lot of authors and publishers alike will tell you that making your own cover is pretty much a guarantee that your book will never sell- and they say that for a reason. If you don’t know what you’re doing, if you don’t even like graphic design to begin with, you won’t have an easy time.
That being said, I decided to create my own cover. My reasons:
I didn’t have the money to pay a graphic designer what they deserved to make in commissions
I have a decade of experience working with photo manipulation programs, and it’s something that I enjoy doing/learning about
Now, you can be a total pro and still churn out a cover that doesn’t attract readers. There’s a science to it. What attracts a sci-fi lover will repel a romance reader, and there are subtle indicators in the cover that will tell if a book is right for someone. That whole “don’t judge a book by its cover” thing is false. People can, and will, judge your book by what they see on the front (and back- and side. Especially the side).
So how do you figure out what attracts readers?
Marketing Research
This is not for the faint of heart. I took about two months to research before I even touched my editing software. Basically what I did was:
Look up the top ten to fifteen books in the genre/age group of the story
Take notes on what the first editions feature on their covers
Take notes on the special editions (but take these with a grain of salt- the designers had more leeway with later editions because the story itself already had a following. That’s why researching the first editions always comes- well, first)
Based on findings, start making a list of reoccurring themes. This includes fonts
Be mindful of the latest trends among readers (at the time, color-coded book shelves were growing in popularity, so I made sure to incorporate a striking color scheme that would complement other books with similar tones)
Then comes the second phase of marketing, which is using the above to set guidelines. As my book Maple Street is a Halloween Middle Grade read, I can give you what I found in that field as an example.
The unspoken “rules” of MG Halloween books:
It has to be animated (a.k.a. cartoony)
Fog creates a sense of ominous mystery (Mist-ery, if you will)
The less scary the story, the more colorful the cover/animated the scene
It usually depicts a pivotal scene or character/s in the book
If not, then it has important objects and symbols
No bloody, scratchy fonts, as that suggests adult-level horror
Finding photos for your cover:
Most covers are comprised of stock photos. Even publishing houses don’t have have the resources to keep a fully-stocked photography studio on hand, or the time to make brand new photos for every project. So the designers go and find ready-made stock photos to make what’s called a composite image- multiple photos compressed to one layer.
Important note: If you are going to use photos that aren’t commercially licensed (or CC0), you have to pay a copyright fee. If you don’t pay the fee to use the pictures, you will face legal issues. Even the fonts have to be commercially licensed, as well as being the appropriate fit for the genre and age range you are writing in.
But don’t worry!
If, like me, you’re dead broke and can’t even afford that, there are sites that offer stock photos free for commercial use. You should know that your choices will be more limited than if you would have paid to use copyrighted photos, but if you’re patient enough you can get around this hiccup.
This is the site I used for finding my photos (you’ll need to make an account in order to download the images in the highest resolution). You can also check out this and this to get more variety.
The Images I Used:
Before we get into the actual pictures, I cannot stress enough how important it is to use more than one photo. Since these pictures are publicly available (even copyrighted photos), other authors and designers will have access to them. This doesn’t mean you’re banned from using the same images, but if readers see your book with the same picture as another, they may get yours by mistake or be reminded of the first and compare the two. Not only that, but slapping any image on your cover will make it apparent that the cover was not specifically designed for your story.
So get more than one picture. Even if you did use the same photo as someone else, people won’t know the difference if there’s more in the mix.
The images I used for my cover will be added in my part two post!
#writing#books#maple street#writing tips#advice#inspiration#writeblr#writing community#hope this helps someone out there#book cover#rescources
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Inspired by @dialup2002 to post some more old stuff. :) This is a desktop screenshot I posted on my DevART account January 2005. Kicking it with Windows XP, but I loved/preferred the classic style that I was accustom to (95-98-ME). I made the wallpaper used, but I’m having trouble finding a copy of it. I’ll prob try to remake it in non-1024x768 resolution lmao. Not sure if this is from 2005. It might have been from 2004, but I hadn’t posted it yet. I did that a lot.
Some fun notes about some of the software icons pictured (lots of info):
Firefox - THE FIRST BROWSER TO DO TABS OMG. I was a huge advocate for Firefox, especially in its initial releases. They were doing things on the internet nobody had really seen up to that point, and made it popular! Since I had so many issues (as most people do) with Internet Explorer, I was shopping around for a new browser at the time of this shot. Google Chrome didn’t exist yet. (Can you imagine??)
IE - As stated above, I disliked IE. It was kept for various reasons, however. Such as testing website layouts, since the mass-majority of people used it and things looked different in browsers when you were coding.
Opera - While giving Firefox a try, I also managed to snag a very, very early copy of Opera. I’ve always been the type of person that loved to try out new stuff as early as possible, and this was a very special piece of software that I wanted to give a go. The reason that it was special? You had to send away for a CD for it. That’s right, kids. They snail-mail’ed me a CD because it was considered “commercial software.” I paid to get that browser lmfao. I was super super hyped later in 2005, because it became “freeware” and I was able to more-easily push my friends to try it out. The devs were (and still are) seriously awesome. This is why I still use Opera as my main browser today! Ya’ll should try it if you aren’t already! You can even use your most-beloved Chrome extensions on it. :)
Soulseek & WinMX - Holy crap, you guys! lmao Is anyone here old enough to remember these programs?? XD This was basically where most people went after Napster bit the dust. This was when we were all scrambling, trying to find a new P2P sharing program. This was right in-between the eMule/Donkey phase and before the Limewire/KaZaA fiascos where people’s computers were being overloaded with viruses from companies trying to stop pirating. Ahh, the wild, wild west... Days were so exciting when you spent hours downloading something that could potentially ruin your computer lmao
WS_FTP - Still one of my favorite FTP programs for Windows! Works like a charm! These days I use Transmit 5 for Mac, but this was my first program ever for file transfer protocol. It’s basically a tool for uploading files to my website’s server, because back when I first registered it, there was no web uploader for that kinda stuff. Now I stick with that because it’s easier and I’m used to it lol
Veo Digital Studio - Used to use this for my webcam back before webcams were built into laptops, and before they were common enough to have amazing freeware available for them. (Also this is hilarious.) The quality was horrible, but I was hella excited to take pictures and share them with friends and on my blog at the time. From what I remember, there was something I used after this that was some type of South Korean selca software. Haduri? Something like that. It was really cute and even let you do little animations. :)
Animation Shop - Okay. So... from what I remember, this might have been owned by the people that made Paint Shop Pro? I think it was Corel. I honestly don’t remember where I got this from, but this is what I used to use to make animated gifs (because Photoshop just....didn’t for some reason? I had to use PSP at some point, I remember that. I just don’t remember why lmao. It might have been my copy didn’t allow it, or my computer was just too shit to run it good enough, or just stopped working because....Windows).
Adobe Photoshop 5.0 - I originally got this rip from a friend of mine, whose dad got a CD from his company that he worked at. It was an official/real license, which was really awesome! I think this was the first version of Photoshop I ever owned (!!), which is pretty amazing to think about about! I had that CD copy for a few years. I initially was gifted a copy of the CD around 2001-2002 or so. I know for a fact I had newer versions (7.0 was legend before CS suite came around), so I’m not sure why I was using this one at this point lmao. My guess is, like mentioned above, something happened with my computer and I didn’t want to format it and reinstall everything lol or because it was the fastest version I had installed to boot up and do a quick photo edit.
Adobe Photoshop 7.0 - I do remember this took a long time to start up. I can only imagine this was like a bad pirated copy or something, or was so bloated with new stuff in it, and that’s why I kept 5.0 for a quick boot. I know I used this majority of the time, though. Most of my backups for brushes and fonts are from backups that include 7.0 as a zip. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ My computer wasn’t the most powerful at the time, despite what I pushed it to do, so this is prob why. But hell yeah! Photoshop represent! lol I still use it today, and its still one of the first things I install on a fresh OS install. Enjoying CC 2017 these days.
Nero Start Smart - I was so excited to make mix CDs and share them! Back in the day before you had stuff like playlists that were sharable on YouTube/Spotify, etc, you had this to share music. Or play in your car. Or CD walkman. Nero was a software you could burn your CD-Rs and make your own laser-etched album art! I begged for years to get a CD burner lmao. Back when casette tapes were still around enough that my parents were like “but why???” lmao. They were not common back in the day like they became over time, just, like, included on your computer. Back then you had to buy one and install it into your computer tower yourself! I got mine I believe.....in 2001? It was the year after the Playstation 2 was released. The first one I got was just a very standard burner. Did a very specific type of CD burning at a low (slow af) speed. It was $700 lmfao. Let that sink in for a minute because my parents didn’t let me forget about it for the next four years lmfao. I saved up birthday and Christmas money and went halves on it. Then I upgraded to the one that this one was! c: Which did the laser etching, and DVD burning! (And you better believe I was burning DVDs of stuff I was downloading online lmfao this was the golden age of the internet where everything was just available everywhere as long as you had the patience to download that shit, because it took forever to download)
Volume Control - My dad and I messed with the wires on all of these random computer speakers and stereo speakers that we had collected over the years and hotwired our own version of a 5.0 surround sound in the room, which was mounted to the ceiling corners and above the computer station. It was lit. I needed Volume Control easily accessible because sometimes the speakers needed redirecting, or I needed to turn the beats down because my mother was tired of my fifth time playing the Gundam Wing OSTs and Miyavi. (It was metal, okay???)
Windows Media Player - I did not use this to listen to media. Let me reiterate that. I did not use it to listen to media on. lol this was specifically used to rip tracks from CDs that friends lent me, because it was the easiest software I was able to use to change the KBPs for quality control and the ID3 tags so I could save it and organize it for use in Winamp and know wtf I was listening to lol. Nobody used WMP for listening to music.... xD
Winamp - The best music player. Period. Still. Nothing beats it. Pls, pls, Nullsoft! Come back and make a native version for MacOS. :’(((( I would buy it! Doesn’t even have to have new features or look different. Classic look, pls pls!
Media Player Classic - Do people still use it??? This player was amazing! Paired with k-lite codec pack, it played everything. It was like VLC before VLC. And it looked good. Clean. Small. Could be installed anywhere which was nice. And the codec packs just made everything look and run fantastic!
Recycle Bin - .... Trash XD
Magnifier - This was for my dad because he had bad eyes and couldn’t remember CTRL +/-/0 to increase the text on pages that he wanted to read.
My Documents - Where I saved all the stuff I downloaded. Not the real My Docs. Just a folder that I named as such, with a custom icon. I don’t know why I wanted it there lol. I think to just have a uniform square on my desktop haha
Journal - I renamed this. I forget the original name of the client, but it was the official client of LJ. It was basically a program that let you write up posts for Livejournal and you could format things, draft them, etc, and post without uploading to your journal/blog. I liked it because sometimes I couldn’t post right away, and it made making drafts a lot easier for me to go back and edit. It also let you edit past posts, which was really convenient instead of looking for it on the web version one post at a time.
AIM+ - I loved AOL Instant Messenger, but over time the ads became too much. I invested a lot of time in 3rd party clients. I was constantly switching between AIM+, Adium, DeadAIM, Pigeon, Trillion, etc. Depended on what I wanted to do that day. Want to clone a SN? Want to skin the colors of the chats? Need transparency? Want to customize your lists? Want to log into more than one msg system at once? They all had their strengths. This was my msg service of choice. Back in the day you were either on this, MSN, or Yahoo!. Some people rocked ICQ and there were a few others, but these were the most common from who I knew/hung out with. I miss those days. <3
You can see WinMX running in the taskbar lmfao so I was prob downloading something at the time of snagging this quick shot. I also had DevART open (prob because I was gonna share this on there). I really wish I had more programs open at the time of this! XD It’s wild to look back at some of the software changes over the years!
Anyway, that’s one of my oldest screenshots that I can find that I’m able to share right now. :) I’m going to be posting a remake of that wallpaper that I did later today for those of you that want that, too.
If you read this far, thank you!! Hope you had fun reading about old stuff!
#*#long post#mine#anime#old anime pictures#old anime images#old#old images#old internet#old web#webcore#the internet of old#windows#windows xp#sailor moon#old windows#old software#old screenshot#screenshots#software#old stuff#2005#2004
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START SMALL, MOVE FAST
by Frietzie Ann Lofranco - BAFM2A
From all the lectures I have watched in the past 2 weeks, I have inferred one thing. If we want to take the path of doing business, we have to start and move fast with our ideas.
Yes, doing business is very difficult and we have to do a lot of things, research, analysis, validation and all the stuff. But, all we have to do is to start to get things done while learning on the process. Now, why am I talking again and again about starting and moving fast? Let me share to you these lessons from the amazing lectures that rooted on my mind.
The first lecture was about the Intellectual Property Rights and Technology Transfer. This tackled about the protection of intellectual property which is “first to file” basis. Whoever comes first will have to enjoy of having their product registered to their name. This topic very important because it helps he owners of intellectual properties to prevent competitors from copying their concepts and trademark, avoid waste of investments in developing it, and facilitate negotiations of the licensing and legal agreements. Having an intellectual property is like owning a land wherein you can valuate, monetize, transfer, regulate and take ownership. Some of the intellectual property rights are the trademarks, geographical indications, patents, industrial designs, copyright, and related rights. Another thing I have learned is the invention spotting which tackles about the comparison of a person’s art and its differences on the prior arts. All of these can be applicable and beneficial for us, students, for protecting our ideas, concepts, and researches from being copied.
The next lecture was about the Commercializing of Startup which tackled about the Musuan PEAK Incubator. They offer product commercialization, enterprise development, access to networks, and knowledge transfer. From this lecture I have learned that an incubatee doesn’t need to have a perfect concept or abilities, but has the desire to commit and persevere in an incubation program. Other classifications are would-be entrepreneurs and start-ups or existing businesses that needs more enhancements. This incubator has a pre-incubatee registration procedure, incubatee registration procedure, and phases of incubation. Phase I is the PAMULA, Phase II is TANUL, and Phase III is LEGTAY or the graduation. The Musuan PEAK Incubator is very helpful for people who have ideas or concept that could be a solution to the market’s problems which has the potential to be profitable. With this incubator process, incubatees could either graduate, have a premature ejection, voluntary exit or continuous loss of income. However, the incubator will definitely help us to develop a good startup and guide us for our concept to be successful at the end of the program.
Next lecture is about Doing Things That Don’t Scale. In this lecture I learned about the Minimum Viable Product which tells us that starting something small would be good for us to learn more about our concept. Start-ups could start from an inconvenience or problem which is showed on how Zappos started their concept. With the MVP that they created, they learned more about the essentialities, run an experiment, create a better version of their idea, and understand their market. They were also able to see the real world and test whether their product will have customers and enhanced their product on the process. Also, I have learned that Start-up success could be learned and taught. It has a process focusing on build, measure and learn. In creating MVP, we should place primary focus on the learning and do things that don’t scale to improve. In this way, we will see a clearer picture of the direction for our concept and have insights for betterment. We just have to start small until we get on the destination we want.
The last lecture is about the Funding and Pitching. The different sources of funds are the founders, F.F.F. (family, friends, and fools), angel investors, venture capitalists, and public investors. They invest on the traction, big market size, and the team. Pitching has 3 types, the elevator pitch, short form pitch and long form pitch. Pitch deck is a 10/20/30 rule. This means pitching only needs 10 slides, no more than 20 words, and 30-pont font size. It consists of the problem, solution, product, target market, traction, economics, competition, team, ask, and summary. Pitching is not just like a normal report, it is a significant part in a start-up as the opportunity of having funding and investments will depend on how well we deliver our concept and product. It depends on how we convince and get the attention of the people, especially the investors to provide for our product especially if we don't have enough resources to have it started and developed. Also, this is a great way to let other people know that our concept exists and that it is worth trying.
In my start-up journey I learned a lot of things. One thing is teamwork and really good analysis and understanding of the problem and the market because without these things our concept will be put into trash. It is very difficult but we have to push through. However, we should also know when to stop so we won’t waste all our efforts, time, and resources for nothing. The biggest highlight is the lesson that I have learned especially about the characteristics that we should possess if we want to be an entrepreneur and in making a start-up. We really have to take risks and be brave in facing disappointments and failures. We just have to know what things are worth fighting for and deserve all the resources we will invest. In our team we had a lot of uncertainties and doubts, but we managed to pull it off together as a team and get through it with a positive outlook in mind. I can’t say that our concept will be something of really great value, but I think it’s still a good start. Even the successful entrepreneurs didn’t get in their positions right now without failures. They didn't start big right away, and that's my inspiration and motivation to keep moving.
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Java Device Tests In Visual Studio Code
Read Java For Testers.
#toc background: #f9f9f9;border: 1px solid #aaa;display: table;margin-bottom: 1em;padding: 1em;width: 350px; .toctitle font-weight: 700;text-align: center;
Content
Certified Software Application Test Automation Architect.
Automation Testing Resources.
Examination Automation With Selenium Webdriver.
Leading Tips For Understanding Java Programs.
IDE Integration is a very helpful attribute in AppPerfect items. When product is integrated in IDE you can begin IDE and also can execute Java Code Testing for your Java/ J2EE resource from within IDE. You can incorporate AppPerfect applications with Eclipse, IBM Rational Application Developer, NetBeans, IntelliJ Suggestion, JBuilder, Oracle JDeveloper and also BEA Workshop studio. We have had some blackouts before and some attributes really did not operate in some cases.
Licensed Software Program Test Automation Engineer.
For Java, the significant negative aspect for JDoodle contrasted to Codiva is, you have to by hand click put together whenever you complete the code. After that read through the error messages, discover the line number, and go back to the editor. You will certainly locate it annoying if you have actually utilized a desktop IDE or coded with Codiva before. Codiva supports multiple data and also bundles, and can have custom documents names. So most of the topics for beginners learning Java and Algorithms program can be finished with Codiva itself.
JDoodle has excellent incurable support for running interactive programs. By default, the programs are run in non-interactive setting with 10s limit. Yet you can switch to interactive setting if needed for every job. Some disadvantages of Codiva are, it sustains just Java, C and C++, does not use UI motifs, or various compiler setups.
Automation Testing Resources.
When coding, these two functions will save you a lot of time. The single greatest attribute of Codiva is, it assembles as you kind, analyzes the compilation errors and also shows it in editor. By the time, you complete inputting, you get the collection results. On the other end of the spectrum, there are on the internet IDEs like Codenvy and also Cloud 9.
Which programming language is best for selenium?
Python is object-oriented and functional. It lets programmers decide if functions or classes are better for the needs at hand. This is a major boon for test automation because (a) stateless functions avoid side effects and (b) simple syntax for those functions make them readable.
Place on your own up for recognition and also win fantastic prizes. Our programs contests have rewards worth up to INR 20,000, $700 and great deals even more CodeChef rewards up for grabs. It permits you to write actual code in Java as well as run it right in your browser. I've been looking for this service for a long period of time as well as found that the codiva.io is the best option. You can report us so that we can correct the problem if you have any kind of issue with our java compiler.
Which tool is best for API testing?
Atlassian JIRA is designed specifically as an agile software testing. The commercial testing tool is used widely by QA professionals for tracking environmental and project level issues in addition to bugs and defects in agile environments.
Examination Automation With Selenium Webdriver.
However this is the very first time I am hearing about information lost. So far we haven't seen any type of proof of it, yet if you can supply some information, I can try to recover it from backups. Can any person advise a DEPENDABLE on-line Java compiler? Ideone is just one of the initial on the internet compilers that are still about.
The Java online examination evaluates candidates' expertise of shows in the Java language as well as their capability to utilize commonly used components of the Java Course Library.
You will need to check APIs as well as sites built on various web technologies in a structured and methodical way.
You'll have coding abilities with a tester's state of mind, to comprehend the context of a system and after that take on a "test-to-break" approach.
It is vital for maintaining code maintainable and understandable.
Top Tips For Discovering Java Shows.
Which is better for selenium Java or Python?
When programmers and testers don't like each other, often it's because they mistakenly imagine that their goals conflict. I've found that these issues are greatly mitigated when testers and developers are on the same team, rather than a "test team" and a "development team".
Browxy is the only online compiler that has practically no restrictions. You can also send out network requests to outside Links. Numerous individuals can modify at the very same time, therefore much, I haven't seen a glitch.
Codiva sustains Java 9, however doesn't sustain Java 9 Components. Naturally no other on the internet compilers support Java 9 components either. Below is where you can show off your computer shows skills. Participate in our 10 days long monthly coding contest and also the much shorter style Cook-off as well as Lunch break coding competitions.
The 2nd downside is, it just supports one file. If you are using it for programming training course, then the idea of bundles, encapsulation, etc can not be taught. If you are a type of a person that finds out a lot of programming languages, or changes between multiple languages frequently, JDoodle would be an excellent choice.
Produce opleiding tester
However, we ensure you that you will not locate any kind of trouble in our java compiler tool. This on-line examination needs candidates to address coding issues in Java and also discover and deal with bugs in a Java program. Lintian-- Checks Debian software for typical inconsistencies as well as errors. Our "Show Java" device makes it simple to find out Java, it shows both the outcome and also the code.
Is Python good for automation testing?
6. Software Testing is considered as hard and difficult because in several cases, it is not almost possible to test the software/application in real/actual environment. You can do the complete testing only in a simulated environment.
It sustains greater than 40 languages, as well as is integrated with SPOJ as well as RecruitCoders. Ideone is the most effective site for the on the internet code running, debugging and also it provides additional performance stats also. As it presently stands, this concern is not a great suitable for our Q&A layout. We anticipate response to be supported by facts, referrals, or know-how, however this question will likely solicit debate, debates, ballot, or expanded discussion. If you feel that this question can be enhanced and also potentially reopened, check out the aid facility for guidance.
youtube
youtube
CodeOj is currently prolonged with the adhering to languages, so you need to mount their corresponding compilers in your run atmosphere. CodeOj allows you to use whichever database you wish to use or at any type of stage of development procedure you can alter the DB.
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Designrr the honest review. What can you expect from this ebook creator tool by Paul Clifford Bannister?
A Professional and fast way to create amazing lead magnets for your Email and Branding campaign with Designrr.
When you are in Internet Marketing, you know the Dilemma in creating ebooks. Lots of tools are out there to create a good ebook, some are pricey, complicated, and some are just plain useless.
Designrr is one of the latest ebook creators on the market since 2016, and it claims to create an ebook in less than 2 minutes.
Creating an ebook is not a one time process, after a while, you need to update the content in your ebook and for this, you need an ebook creator that is easy to use and saves you time.
When you land on the Designrr.io website, the first sentence you can read…
Transform your Blog posts, Podcasts, Videos and PDFs into eBooks, Show Notes, Dynamic Flipbooks, Transcripts, PDFs and Web pages. To see how easy it is and what are the pro and cons read on.
Review of Designrr e-book creator software.
Table of Content.
What is Designrr Tool?
Who can use Designrr?
Quick Designrr Features.
How Designrr works?
Designrr pro and cons.
Designrr Pricing.
Designrr Alternatives.
What is the Designrr Tool?
Designrr is a cloud-based software. There is no need to download or install software on your computer. Compatible for Mac and Windows.
Designrr is more than just a design tool. It is an online software platform that cuts down the design process when creating different types of media.
Designrr not only saves time in creating an ebook it even has the features to make it easy in updating your e-book content in a later time.
There are multiple options available what you can do with Designrr.
Who can use the Designerr Tool?
Anyone and everyone is able to use the designrr tool.
Content Marketers,
Coaches,
Course Creators
Ebook Marketers
Coaches
Podcasters
Small Businesses
Webinar Marketers
Brand Marketing
Video Creators
YouTubers
Marketing Agencies
Writer's
Project Managers
and so many more
You can say that if you are doing any kind of content marketing and you do have lead magnets on your site, then you can definitely benefit from using designrr as a way to enhance your email and marketing campaigns. It is a great way to reach more audiences and grow your email list. Designrr gives your ebook a professional look.
Designrr Features the best Parts.
You can publish a podcast as a PDF.
Transform a Wordpress blog into a PDF E-Book.
Turn a YouTube Video into a Word Press Blog Post.
Transcribe YouTube Videos into an E-Book.
Convert a Word.doc into an e-pub e-book.
Transform a blog post into a dynamic flipbook.
Convert Podcast into an amazon kindle e-book.
Publish a PDF as a dynamic flipbook.
Transform a Podcast into Blog Post show notes
You can export any file as PDF, Kindle, E-Pub ( i-books) and HTML.
Designrr is a platform for content re-purposing.
Designrr has free optimized conversion templates.
Cover templates can be done in 3 D.
A Rapid e-book maker.
Cloud-based software. Works with Mac and Windows.
A flexible and creative tool.
What are the benefits of using Designrr?
Create Ebooks in Minutes
100 Project Templates
720 Google Fonts
Unlimited Copyright Free Images
Publish Unlimited Ebooks
FREE Commercial license
Easy To Use
Save $300 on expensive Design tools like Photoshop and Indesign
Save hours of writing from scratch
Avoid technology overwhelm with this easy to use & fun online tool
How does Designrr works?
First, you need to log in with your username and password. If you have not yet signed up click here to go to designrr.
1.Click on create new project.
Choose the source of import you want to take the content from. You can also write your content from scratch.
Choose your source of import.
Designrr takes your content directly from your Website, Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, Google Docs or any Editor and converts it into a stylish, beautifully designed ebook ready for you to use to publish.
You have choosen your source and I have chosen PDF.
Then you need to type in Title ... and Footer link as well as the source of PDF either from your computer or from a URL. Then you click next.
It will take a bit and the import will be done. When the import is finish you can choose a cover template. There is a free media library available for cover images.
Now you need to adjust the pages and the page numbers and align the text.
When you are finish with aligning your text and pages you can save your e-book.
Tip. Save from time to time your work as sometimes you might push a button and you will lose your work when you have not saved.
After that you can check the preview .... to make sure all is aligned and looks good.
If all looks good you can export it to the options below
Mobi for Kindle
PDF
HTML
or EPUB
Voila and your e-book is created. You will get now a link or you can download it to your computer.
Now you can create your 3 D book cover. In step one, you choose which cover you want, and step 2 Designrr will create it and you are able to save the image on your computer.
Below is the image I only use a small cut out there are different options available.
Your E-book is finish.
What are the Pro and Cons of Designrr?
Pro Designrr...
Designrr has great support and when I had trouble in the beginning the answers came quickly. They also helped me in lending me a helping hand when I had trouble.
Creation of ebooks looks good and it is a benefit to have the designer software. You can easily be updating the e-books you created and keep them up to date. No one likes outdated content. It saves you time and money.
If you have a project and more people working on it you can easily communicate with them. ( Business and Premium Plan)
3 D Cover option and you can choose from different options.
It even works with content that is a bit large in memory. It works well.
Designrr saves you lots of money. You can say in 1000 of $$$$$
Cons of Designrr
The software is sometimes lagging. Save your work otherwise, you will start again.
Sometimes the page arrangement is not working when you import and you have to spend time and passion to rearrange the content.
You have to use keyboard short cuts as you can only copy and paste with the keyboard shortcuts.
Media Libary is not always aligned.
Text can get out of alignment when you do not lock it.
Limited access with different payment plans.
In General, designrr is a software that I do not like to miss as creating my lead magnets is now so much easier and updating is not anymore a hassle.
Pricing Plan for Designrr.
Lifetime Plan US$27.
Designrr has a Lifetime Plan for US$27 a great deal and you can check it out.
Even if you do use it only a few times it is a real time saver.
Standard Plan is US$29 per month.
Gives you access to 100 templates and unlimited projects.
The Pro Plan cost US$ 39 per month
The Pro Plan cost US$ 39 and gets you 200 templates and 200 cover designs.
For the Pro Plan, you have one user and unlimited books.
You can with the Pro Plan export your projects as Kindle or Mobi e-books. It comes with different features and one of them is the 3 D cover creation.
Normally if you wanted to create a 3 D cover you would need an external tool or pay someone on Fiverr.
Premium Plan
For the Premium Plan you will pay US$49 per month. You get the same as for the Pro Plan but there are more features added.
One of them is that you can also export in HTML. ( If you can or know the coding)
Plus you get the transcription for your video and podcasts. ( 4hours )
Business Plan US$99
Will Cost you US$99 a month and includes all of the business plan plus 8 hours of transcription. If you love Facebook live, you use YouTube or podcast a lot it is a great benefit and will save you money. You can also have more than one user.
If you are still undecided check it out and see how you like it. It comes with a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee.
Designrr comes with different Bonuses
The free commercial license US$ 497. The commercial license allows you to create unlimited eBooks and sell them to clients with no fees or royalties to pay.
picture source designrr.io
2. BONUS
FREE Marketing eBookGet the digital edition of my book: Content Marketing For Dummies
Learn how to market your ebooks and your business online
3.BONUS
FREE Facebook Community & Coaching
Get Peer support, experience and advice from our 9000 members strong community. Weekly Livestreams covering various coaching topics, software features and implementation guides.
Free Personalized TrainingSimply leave a message in the support chat.
4.BONUS
Free Personalized Training, whenever you want.
Simply leave a message in the support chat
Conclusion
If you compare Designrr to the other e-book creator tools out there , I can honestly say that Designrr even it is not perfect is easy to use for beginners and advanced marketers.
Other software tools to create e-books.
Designrr vs Canva
Another alternative to Designrr. It is hard to create a good e-book with Canva takes a lot of time.
Designrr vs Adobe Photoshop Illustrator
I love Adobe Photoshop but it is overkill. Adobe Photoshop is something you must like otherwise it is hard to use.
Beacon vs Designrr
It is expensive and will cost you US$ 49 /month if you want to export a PDF without the logo from Beacon. It is easy to use and if you can afford it a good alternative.
i-books Author
unfortunately only for apple products. If you are a window or android fan you are not able to use it.
Ultimate E-book Creator.
This is an app and it is more for writers. A great thing is you can publish your book in over 80 languages. It is not suitable for marketers.
Designrr has for me 4 out of 5 stars.
The reason is that it has it ups and downs. It is lagging from time to time and for a great ebook creator that should not be the case.
Join Over 53,000 Customers Loving Designrr.
Read the full article
#affiliatemarketing#affiliatesuccess#beacon#createfreebooks#crushingitXX#designrr#designrreview#designwork#ebookdesign#ebookmaker#ebooks#Fiverr#freeleadmagnets#leadmagnet#makemoneyonline#Success#successful#website
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Cover Designer Breakdown: What You Should Know Before Hiring A Designer
Let’s talk more about cover design if you couldn’t tell Graphic Design is a big passion of mine. It’s up there with storytelling, my dogs, video games, books… Okay, you get it lol.
In my previous post, I barely scratched the surface of cover design so I want to expand on what I started and give you all a true breakdown of what you should do when you’re looking to hire a cover designer. Now, these tips are more tailored to those of you who are going the Indie publishing route. HOWEVER, since there are still a lot of things left up to the author who goes Traditional these tips can apply if you need bookmarks, banners for cons, business cards, etc.
Just a note before we get into the steps make sure your book is fully ready for print before you commission a designer. Make sure your book is formatted and any extra little pages you need/want to include ie the copyright page, the acknowledgments, maps and artwork, etc. is all accounted for because ACCURATE PAGE COUNT MATTERS because it determines the sign of the design for printing. If you don’t have this done and you get your covers designed you may have to go back and pay MORE to have the whole design adjusted to fit the proper size.
Inspiration!
When you hire a cover designer you’ll usually be asked to provide images of book covers you like that fit within the context of your book. For example, if you are writing a cutesy YA contemporary romance about two teens who go away to a summer camp hating each other only to fall in love by the end of the summer you would want to give them covers that reflect that vision. Now the whole cover doesn’t have to fit your book but if there is some aspect of it that you like that does work for your story save it.
The other thing that would be smart to give but is not as important as the book covers themselves is fonts. If you see a font that you like, you should also send that to your designer as well.
Now a note with fonts not all fonts are free to use in a commercial since which a book cover would fall under. So depending on the designer, you may be charged extra if that designer has to purchase a specific font. Usually, these fonts licenses are no more than $25.00 American though I have seen some bat shit crazy prices like $150.00+ which is stupid and I’d never pay that for a font.
I personally have font licenses covered in my pricing then again I have roughly 1,500 fonts that are either free for commercial use or that I own licenses for. That goes for most designers as well we all have a catalog of fonts.
But like I said this is not a requirement in the least because even if you send a font to the designer there is no way of telling right off the back if that specific font will work with the overall design.
Finding A Designer
There are several ways you can go about finding a designer.
Social media:
You can look on Instagram under the #CoverDesigner #GraphicDesigner or #BookCoverArtist hashtags.
Websites:
99Designs which is strickly for graphic designers and then there are Fiverr and Freelancer who also houses a large number of freelance Graphic Designers. I have also seen more and more graphic artists and designers on Etsy offering cover designs. Hell, even here on Tumblr you can find graphic designers selling book cover if you look. There are a lot of options out there.
Ask Indie Authors:
More and more Indie Authors are taking advantage of graphic designers (THANK YOU) so if you see a book that is Indie Published DM that author and tell them that you really loved their cover and was wondering if you could get the name of their designer. Now they may not want to give you that information and that’s their choice but most of them will.
Indie Editors:
A lot of indie editors work with cover designers and can put you in contact with them if you ask. Some of them even offer packages that include edits for your book along with cover designs.
Graphic Design Companies:
I put this option last because it is by far the most expensive. There are thousands of these all over the world thus making them easy to find. I live in a SMALL town and there are 3 different graphic design companies within 30 minutes of me. A plus side of going with this option you’re less likely to have to plan so far in advance to book one of their artists but you will pay for that convenience.
A lot of designers especially the more widely known designers have a backlog of clients and thus usually have a post on their websites and or social media accounts stating if they are open to new clients or not.
No matter who you choose or what method you find them the one thing above all others is that you like their work, liking them as a person is also a really good plus lol.
Consultation & Booking
Now that you’ve found a designer(s) you like its time for the Consultation.
Most designers will have a price list/breakdown on their websites but on the off chance they don’t message them and say:
Hello, my name is NAME I found you on Instagram (or wherever) I am looking for a cover designer I liked your portfolio and was wondering about your price list because I didn’t see one on your site.
Thank you,
NAME”
or something to that extent. It is best to be professional.
If their prices are within your budget then message them back and say that their prices work for you and you would like to talk about having them design a cover for you. Tell them that you are looking for a book cover (Hardcover, Paperback, E-book, and or Audiobook) Tell them about your book usually the synopsis will do. Tell them that you have inspiration pictures of other book covers that you think fit this book in some way.
If they are open to new commissions they will let you know and if they like the concept aka your synopsis. Some designers will take any client but most of us won’t want our name on something we don’t believe in. For example, if somewhere to come to me with a book about how Transgender people are the worst and should be killed. I’d be as “professional” as I could and let them know that a Transgender Graphic Designer isn’t the best choice for their project. True that is an EXTREME example but it’s not out of the realm of possibility.
You will give them any ideas you’ve had for the cover most authors/writers I know, myself included, have at least a basic vague idea of what they want for their book’s cover. It’s not the end of the world if you don’t just make sure you communicate that to the designer.
As I stated in my previous post depending on the designer you will most likely have to pay at least a portion of the coast up front and the rest before you’re given the final print ready copy. To keep it strictly business and to protect both you, the author, and the designer a contract will likely be sent over for you to read through and sign most of the ones I’ve seen break down like this:
The author agrees to pay this set amount unless extra work is requested that goes above and beyond the stated arrangement ie 5 revisions and fixes, etc. set forth by the designer.
The Author agrees to pay this amount upfront before any work is to start.
The designer has this period of time in which to complete this work baring unforeseen illness and or death.
The author is to pay the remaining balance before they are given the high quality unwatermarked version of the design.
If the designer fails to meet the deadline and grace period of a set number of days has elapsed they designer forfeits the remainder of the contracted payment and is to finish the design within a timely manner and the design in question is to be given to the author who commissioned the work.
If for any reason the author fails to pay within a set time and grace period has elapsed they forfeit the design and said design can be used going forward by the designer as they see fit.
Then both parties sign and things proceed from there.
There are also stipulations within some contracts that I’ve seen that say if you as the author make the payments and get your product and you turn around and file a claim with PayPal (if that is the method of money transfer) to get your money back thus stealing from the designer you open yourself to litigation for usually double if not triple the original amount of the original contract plus any bank fees and lawyer and court costs. So think long and hard before you want to steal from someone.
Just like in the traditional publishing world people talk and if someone were to do this the designer will make sure that no one works with you at least not without knowing what took place.
The first payment is usually always made upon signing of the contract or within a set amount of time. The contracts even when signed, unless your designer is a monster, usually won’t be valid until that first payment is made and the money is in the designer’s position.
There you have it a more in-depth breakdown of what the cover process is likely to be. I hope this helps you on your journey to publication.
#books#writing#writer#amwriting#self publishing#independent publishing#graphic design#graphic designer#book cover#book cover design#book cover designer#Cover design#cover designer#how to find a cover designer#how to find a graphic designer#self publishing resources#Self published books#publishing#publishing strategy
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1-98 weird asks!
First off: Thank you so much! I’m very excited to answer all of these :)
Second off: Let’s begin
1. coffee mugs, teacups, wine glasses, water bottles, or soda cans?
Coffee Mugs
2. chocolate bars or lollipops?
lollipops for sure
3. bubblegum or cotton candy?
bubblegum! (though i do love cotton candy)
4. how did your elementary school teachers describe you?
honestly I’m not sure. I’m sure it was something about me being quite and bad at participating
5. do you prefer to drink soda from soda cans, soda bottles, plastic cups or glass cups?
(reusable) Plastic cups
6. pastel, boho, tomboy, preppy, goth, grunge, formal or sportswear?
I love the look of pastel
but I think I dress more preppy ? with a hint of grunge(maybe goth)
7. earbuds or headphones?
I wear earbuds more often but I do prefer headphones
8. movies or tv shows?
MOVIES
9. favorite smell in the summer?
how the pool smells and sunscreen
10. game you were best at in p.e.?
none. P.E. was awful.
Stick to the back and hope the ball doesn’t come at me, that’s how I lived.
11. what you have for breakfast on an average day?
Cereal. I am a simple woman
12. name of your favorite playlist?
currently it is my “Jean + Scott angst (and love)” playlist off spotify
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3VAC9t28sIrgO7Y4os5a34
13. lanyard or key ring?
key ring
14. favorite non-chocolate candy?
anything gummy but more specifically gummy worms
15. favorite book you read as a school assignment?
Wide Sargasso Sea
If you like Gothic novels with some unrequited love and desire… hit this book up. Look up the plot of Jane Erye first.. it’s like a prequel. Btw I hated Jane Erye. But love Wide Sargasso Sea. Lots of symbolism and even witch craft
16. most comfortable position to sit in?
Legs stretched out, both on the ground
17. most frequently worn pair of shoes?
My black tennis shoes. Very comfortable
18. ideal weather?
Fall weather. Wind and sunshine
19. sleeping position?
Usually on my right side. But I wake up on my back
20. preferred place to write (i.e., in a note book, on your laptop, sketchpad, post-it notes, etc.)?
Laptop
21. obsession from childhood?
Barbie dolls! and my little pony+ littlest pet shop
22. role model?
This is a hard one because I don’t really have anyone. But I guess Dan Aykroyd (my senior quote is from him)
23. strange habits?
biting the inside of my mouth, fidgeting + folding up papers that are given to me (like in mass), and chewing my straws
24. favorite crystal?
Rose quartz and orange Calcite
25. first song you remember hearing?
Here Comes the Sun
My mom used to sing it in the morning to wake up my sister and me
26. favorite activity to do in warm weather?
Swim
Or walk/ride my bike to the library
27. favorite activity to do in cold weather?
curl up in a blanket and stay inside
28. five songs to describe you?
(In no order)
Not Today by Twenty One Pilots
Wow, I’m Not Crazy by AJR
xanny by Billie Eilish
I’m In Love With My Car by Queen
Why Do You Feel So Down by Declan McKenna
29. best way to bond with you?
Going shopping (clothes or other). This way we can chat and also have something to do
30. places that you find sacred?
The library and church
31. what outfit do you wear to kick ass and take names?
idk full outfit but my black pleated skirt makes me feel good
32. top five favorite vines?
In no order
*girl vapes* wow
I smell like beef
Lets’s tell each other secrets. I’ll go first, I hate you.
Chris is that a weed?!
This is how I enter my house. What’s up fuckers?!
33. most used phrase in your phone?
omg
34. advertisements you have stuck in your head?
that one for the shampoo made for curly hair. and it goes “That’s curl power”
35. average time you fall asleep?
11 or 12 during the week. 1 or 2 for weekends
36. what is the first meme you remember ever seeing?
Rage comics. idk which specifically. But i used to run a rage comic meme account. I was pretty popular ;)
37. suitcase or duffel bag?
suitcase
38. lemonade or tea?
lemonade (though i do LOVE tea)
39. lemon cake or lemon meringue pie?
Lemon cakes
40. weirdest thing to ever happen at your school?
omg so. There was this girl who told on this other girl for cheating on a test. Then like the whole grade just ganged up on this other girl and started calling her “the snitch” because the cheater’s friend group started saying “snitches get stitches” (lol even tho i went to an all girls, majority white + prissy + upper class, catholic school but go off) that went on for too long.
at some party they started to chant “snitches get stitches”
the girl who started the chant then got suspended
41. last person you texted?
my ex. (it was a good breakup)
42. jacket pockets or pants pockets?
jacket pockets
43. hoodie, leather jacket, cardigan, jean jacket or bomber jacket?
hoodie
44. favorite scent for soap?
strawberry
45. which genre: sci-fi, fantasy or superhero?
sci-fi (lmao x-men is under sci-fi at the library. so it counts)
46. most comfortable outfit to sleep in?
XL t-shirt from giving blood and some very loose pajama shorts
47. favorite type of cheese?
American
48. if you were a fruit, what kind would you be?
Mango (I eat enough to turn into one)
49. what saying or quote do you live by?
“Comparison will kill you”
50. what made you laugh the hardest you ever have?
OMG so there was this big spider web. And me and a friend thought it would be funny to call another friend over. And then be like “’lol u just walked passed a huge spider”–we didn’t think she would walk into it or near it because it was right by the edge of a lake we were by. So we call her over and this girl starts sprinting over toward us and RIGHT toward the spider web, and she had this big smile. And my friend and I yelled at her to stop. And when we were laughing saying she was about to run into a spider web and showed her the big spider, she began to freak out (maybe even cry).
She was okay after the shock and fear wore off.
I literally have tears in my eyes from typing this
51. current stresses?
My friend moving away really far
Starting school
making new friends
52. favorite font?
I honestly don’t have one
53. what is the current state of your hands?
kinda dry
54. what did you learn from your first job?
That I really love kids
55. favorite fairy tale?
Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel
56. favorite tradition?
Every one of my family’s Christmas traditions
57. the three biggest struggles you’ve overcome?
My self doubt
sharing my art + writing
My self confidence + learning my worth
58. four talents you’re proud of having?
I can play the piano
I can draw and paint
I can embroider and sew (not well but I have fun)
I can write pretty creative stories
59. if you were a video game character, what would your catchphrase be?
“Oh gosh, now what?”
60. if you were a character in an anime, what kind of anime would you want it to be?
Magical Girl Anime
61. favorite line you heard from a book/movie/tv show/etc.?
Darjeeling Limited directed by Wes Anderson: “What’s wrong with you?” / “Let me think about that. I’ll tell you the next time I see you.” / “Sure, tell me then.” / “Thanks for using me.” / “You’re Welcome.”
62. seven characters you relate to?
Will from Stranger Things (with the whole not wanting to give up “childish things” and other stuff his friends are growing out of)
David Wong from John Dies at the End (with how he handles the situation and thinks)
Molly from Booksmart (not the going to a great college or being super smart + looking down on people part. But wanting to go to a party and flirt with cute boys)
Erin from Derry Girls (Tbh, I relate to all the main girls in this show)
Eric from That 70s Show (sometimes)
A mix between Ben and Andy from Parks and Rec
63. five songs that would play in your club?
Good Old Fashion Lover Boy by Queen
Dance, Baby! by Boy Pablo
Hooked On A Feeling by Blue Swede
Fake Happy by Paramore
Sober Up by AJR
64. favorite website from your childhood?
Club Penguin and Webkinz
65. any permanent scars?
On my knees from falling as a child. A small scar under my eye from a dog bite
66. favorite flower(s)?
Roses and Daisies
67. good luck charms?
I wear this necklace a friend gave me when I am nervous
68. worst flavor of any food or drink you’ve ever tried?
Green Tea flavored Mochi is kinda nasty to me
69. a fun fact that you don’t know how you learned?
Dan Aykroyd lost his wallet that he always kept chained to his belt. He was freaking out and searching all over while John Belushi was laughing his butt off
70. left or right handed?
right
71. least favorite pattern?
anything with too many circles / holes
72. worst subject?
Anything Science related
73. favorite weird flavor combo?
idk but do NOT try lemonade with Doritos. it taste like throw up
I’ve made this mistake twice
74. at what pain level out of ten (1 through 10) do you have to be at before you take an advil or ibuprofen?
it has to be an 7 or so
75. when did you lose your first tooth?
gosh, i’m not sure
76. what’s your favorite potato food (i.e. tater tots, baked potatoes, fries, chips, etc.)?
tator tots
77. best plant to grow on a windowsill?
this is a question for my sister
78. coffee from a gas station or sushi from a grocery store?
I regularly buy sushi from a grocery store so that works
the grocery store I go to has a sushi bar and has fresh sushi every day
79. which looks better, your school id photo or your driver’s license photo?
tbh they both looks kinda good.. not to BRAG. but i guess driver’s license
80. earth tones or jewel tones?
Earth tones
81. fireflies or lightning bugs?
fireflies
82. pc or console?
pc
83. writing or drawing?
BOTH BOTH BOTH BOTH BOTH
both
84. podcasts or talk radio?
podcast – no commercials
84. barbie or polly pocket?
Barbie all the WAY! Though I do love me a good polly pocket
85. fairy tales or mythology?
Fair Tales
86. cookies or cupcakes?
Cookies
though i like making cupcakes more
87. your greatest fear?
Being kidnapped and never being found
88. your greatest wish?
To find my ideal man
89. who would you put before everyone else?
Anyone in my family
90. luckiest mistake?
Thinking a test is sooner so I study. But then ending up having another day to study as well.
91. boxes or bags?
Boxes
92. lamps, overhead lights, sunlight or fairy lights?
lamps
(maybe some fairy lights in the background)
93. nicknames?
My real name is Veronica but I go by Ronni
Ron Ron, Gonni, Ronica
94. favorite season?
Fall
95. favorite app on your phone?
music
96. desktop background?
I’m a Kaneki slut (Tokyo Ghoul)
97. how many phone numbers do you have memorized?
two
98. favorite historical era?
style wise: 1800 rococo -- Marie Antoinette period
media wise: 1970s
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Driving in Europe after Brexit: what will I need, and are there different rules?
Brexit is looming, and the UK may end up leaving the European Union without a deal if nothing is agreed by Friday 12th April 2019. Leaving without a deal will mean that current rules for driving abroad will no longer apply, so make sure you know what you may need to take and how a no-deal scenario might affect you.
In this guide we’ll cover IDPs, green cards, hire cars, taking a trailer onto the continent and more. Below, we also list out the things you’ll need to do when driving abroad, if the UK doesn’t secure a deal.
Driving abroad to-do list:
Buy an International Driving Permit
Inform your insurance provider
Get a green card
Buy a GB sticker
Register your trailer (if applicable)
Get a local driving license before 12 April (if staying in the EU for a longer period)
International Driving Permits
If the UK hasn’t struck a deal by 12th April, you may need additional documents to prevent getting into hot water. You may need to buy an International Driving Permit (IDP) from your local post office, which costs £5.50 and takes a matter of minutes to complete at the counter. Although it’s essentially a European translation of your driving licence, you’ll also need to take your UK photocard driver’s licence.
There are two main types of IDP that you might need if you plan to drive in Europe after Brexit, and if your route includes France and Spain you’ll need both types. If this affects you, you’ll need to pay for two IDPs at the post office. Try to get into a country that requires an IDP without one, and you’ll either be turned away or fined. Depending on the type of IDP you choose, it is valid for either 12 months or three years.
Green cards
Unless the UK and EU manage to reach an agreement about the UK’s departure, you may need to have a green card when you drive abroad - in addition to an IDP. A green card is a document that shows you are insured to drive overseas, and can be issued by your insurance provider through a quick phone call. You should always inform them when you are driving abroad to make sure you’ll be covered.
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Green cards shouldn’t cost you anything, but, again, you would in theory need a different one for France and Spain. The document needs to be printed on green paper, and must have at least 15 days cover on it.
Hiring a car abroad after Brexit
It varies, but you may need an IDP to drive a hire car in Europe from mid-April. Check with your hire company to make sure. If they do require one, make sure you get one before you go, as you either won’t be able to hire a car or you’ll have to take out a more expensive policy from the hire company.
What happens if you have an accident?
Up until now, your insurance company would deal with the other party if you have an accident in Europe - and if they wouldn’t, you could go to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) and they’d sort it out.
In the event of a no-deal situation, neither are expected to help you. Make sure you ring up your insurance company before you go to find out whether they will contact the other insurance company in the event of a collision. If they won’t, you’ll have to deal with a foreign insurance company. This is likely to be a lot of hassle, and we’d recommend packing a translation device if you’re not a fluent speaker - expect the proceedings to be in the native language of the country in which you had the accident.
GB stickers and correct number plates
When travelling in the EU after Brexit, you may eed to have a GB sticker stuck on the back of your car. If your car’s number plates have the blue EU logo on them, you previously haven’t needed a GB sticker, but Brexit rule changes mean you’ll need one as well.
Can I tow a trailer in Europe after Brexit?
Yes you can, and this is an aspect of driving abroad that won’t change much in the event of a no-deal. You may have to register your trailer, but only if it’s a commercial trailer weighing over 750kg or a non-commercial trailer that’s heavier than 3,500kg. The trailer needs to be registered with the DVLA, will need a separate registration plate, and you’ll need to be able to produce the trailer registration certificate if you’re asked for it abroad.
Will expats be affected when driving abroad?
British residents of a European country may need to swap your UK licence for a local licence before 12th April. If the UK crashes out without a deal, you’ll no longer be able to do this - not easily, anyway. Your UK licence won’t be valid outside Britain any more, and you may have to take a local driving test to continue driving. The Government’s Department for Transport (DfT) has advised emigrants to switch their license to a European one as soon as possible, as extra demand will lead to queues and longer processing times.
Will EU nationals be affected when driving in the UK?
The current arrangements for EU nationals won’t change after Brexit. If you have either an EU or an EEA licence, you won’t need a separate UK licence, and won’t need an IDP to drive over here. EU and EEA car or motorcycle licence holders who are (or become) UK residents can drive in the UK using these licences until they are 70-years-old or for up until 3 years after they become resident, whichever date is the later. At this point an application would need to be made for a UK licence. It's worth noting that there are restrictions to license exchanges if an European licence holder passed their test outside the EU or EEA. If this describes you, you may need to take a UK driving test.
If you would like any more information about any of the topics above, read the Government's guidance to driving in Europe after Brexit.
[Font: Car Buyer]
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Discworld: The Fifth Elephant
This one’s another theme title, like Jingo, and the theme THIS time is unstated/invisible/minor/ephemeral/unknown/dead/nonexistent things that, regardless, happen to VERY important, and to influence events and behavior deeply.
Though, tbf, what Uberwaldians might call a “fifth elephant”, seems somewhat like what we readers might call “the elephant in the room”. There’s a nice irony in that, though, since “the elephant in the room” is a huge and obvious problem no one wants to deal with or acknowledge, whereas a “fifth elephant” is an invisible or unknowable influences everyone acknowledges. I’m basically just going to list and discuss the “Fifth Elephants” that jumped out at me while reading.
The Fifth Elephant itself. It’s mentioned as a dwarven myth near the start of the book and not really mentioned after, yet it is the source of Uberwald’s mining wealth, thus the draw of of the outside world’s attentions, thus the impetus for the weres’ plot, the dwarves’ civil strife, and the main action of the text. It also rears up again at the end as the true reason for the visit, during Sybil’s negotiations with the Low King. As an aside, I just want to say how much I LOVE the idea of fat, treacle, and other such “organic” mines, as a Fantasy Worldbuilding decision :] Particularly given the geological approach Dwarves take to bread and other confections :] :]
Candlefat. Fat is sort of looked down on by most of the characters in the book when put next to Uberwald’s gold, iron, and other mineral wealth, but it’s what A-M, and A-M’s “progressive” society, run on. And it is, literally, running under the surface of the whole place, erupting at point like Yellowstone geysers. As the setting for Vimes’ final fight with Wolfgang’s ...wolf gang(well, were gang)... it enacts a quite direct and literal influence over the plot. And, returning to the above para, it’s the final prize for Vimes’ efforts, and reward for A-M’s diplomatic victory in the region.
Silver. This is a lesser and more subtle example, but I think that actually makes the fit better. It’s very rarely mentioned -once to say that it’s banned under the Diet of Bugs, once again at the end- but its value is keenly felt by the reader through its lack and all the fighting against werewolves. Which is pretty cool from a meta standpoint, too, as it turns a necessity of the story -not having any silver around so that the werewolves provide a serious threat to the protags- into a tool for increasing the reader’s emotional engagement, and does it with a plausible in-universe justification. More prosaically the absence of its use and the license that gives the weres emphasizes it’s importance. The reader is shown, directly, how the prohibition on silver mining allows the current power-structure to exist and keeps the peace, and by closing the books with the Dwarves reopening their silver mines in response to the weres’ violation of the Diet, declares the collapse of that order and the rising of a new one, more in-line with A-M’s industrial, commercial, “civilized” worldview.
Vampires. We only see ONE vampire, and she’s sworn off blood, but we know from the Diet, and Uberwaldean architecture, and the decisive role Lady Margolotta repeatedly plays in the story, and her patronage of the Igors(and how we’re introduced to them through her) how powerful, influential, and important to Uberwaldean society vampires are. And, through the unnamed and unseen members of her Recovery Group, we know not only that there are more vampires, but that there are also unreconstructed ones. Which leads to a sort of second-tier Fifth Elephant re: Lady Margolotta’s power: there are other vamps but they don’t interfere in Vimes’ mission, despite the importance of it to Uberwald’s future, suggesting that crossing Margolotta, despite her non-traditional choices which MUST annoy some of this, is not something other vamps feel willing or able to do.
Wolfgang’s plot. Its fullness is not revealed til the end though it, and thwarting it, forms the main-action of the book.
Angua’s past, and particularly her family politics. Wolfgang’s motivations are not entirely political but also personal(a nice riff on Carrot’s “Personal isn’t the same as Important”); Angua was the only one who could stand up to and defeat him, and he resents this, and that she left, and that she is romantically involved with a particularly tall dwarf. Serafine’s shared anger over this, which she sees as an abandonment and repudiation, is how she justifies giving Wolfgang his head. One can also take this into more pretentious territory :p Angua, through her place in the A-M City Watch, represents and is creating a world in direct opposition to the one Wolfgang represents and want to bring into being. So, in both a familial and philosophical sense, the font of Wolfgang’s actions, the plots which drove the main-action, are founded in his antagonism with Angua.
Dee, Dwarf Gender, and Cheri. This is another one, like Silver, that flies low under the radar but ends up having played a huge part in the story. Dee went along with Wolfgang’s plan, and destroyed the Scone, primarily in an attempt to halt the changes in Dwarven society Cheri had, by having the courage to be herself, set in motion. Dee wanted to stop these changes out of projected self-loathing and frustration over her own inability, as a deep dwarf, to express her feminine identity. So, without Dee’s envious anger at Cheri’s freedom of identity, Wolfgang’s plan would have come to nothing.
Carrot’s feelings for Angua. Until now, we’ve always only seen Angua and Carrot’s relationship from her perspective, and even here Carrot’s feelings, in true Fifth Elephant style, go unspoken. However we do see them, quite explicitly, put into action. Angua always feared Carrot cared more for the city and the Watch than for her. Carrot resigns his commission and abandons the city to the tender mercies of a fright-mad Fred Colon to pursue her. He chases her through winter cold, hunger, and exhaustion without once mentioning any of it. In fact, in a rather excellently explicative literary move, Pratchett leaves all of this to be mentioned by Gaspode, and described by Angua, after she had saved him from his own poor decisions. We also get to see more hints at Carrot’s hidden depths in general; not only through the immediate leap to resigning his commission(suggesting a guilty jump to self-blame, via his love for the City and the Watch and the alienation and insecurity it caused her, in Angua’s departure), but also through hints at his perception, his capacity for cruelty, deception, and manipulation, and even, through his frightening smile, the brittleness of his usual “civilized” behavior.
The lives and world of wolves. Through the Howl, Gavin, and Angua/Carrot/Gaspode’s travels, we see how complex and influential the lives of wolves on the Disc can be.
Gaspode. This is a rather direct one. Gaspode convinces humans to do what he wants them to by exploiting the fact that they, knowing “dogs can’t talk” will rationalize away his arguments and demands as their own thoughts. He’s a literal, doggy embodiment of the entire Fifth Elephant concept.
Sybil’s pregnancy. It is the unspoken, but rather obvious from even the beginning, motor of her actions in the book; a situation not mentioned til the end, but constantly important both for why she was there and, more metawise, for making the dangers Vimes’ faces more suspenseful for those readers who realize what she’s trying to tell Sam for most of the book. Without the pregnancy she might not have insisted on coming, and those wouldn’t have been there to seal the deal, either.
History. Much of the behaviors of the Uberwaldians towards the characters is influenced by the history of Dwarf/Troll/Human/Undead violence there. Detritus alludes to this once when confronted with the troll head in the embassy, it is referenced a second time in the clear absence of mounted(presumably human and dwarf) heads from the von Uberwald’s wall, and there is a constant reminder of it in the treatment of Detritus by the Uberwaldians Vimes’ group encounters. I AM kind of disappointed that Cuddy, maybe via the helmet he gave Detritus, didn’t turn out to be a Chekov’s Gun for this book though, at it would have fit really well thematically for his friendship to Detritus to pop up again and be important in this book.
Vetinari’s past. There’s barely any discussion of it, but what there is assures us that it is one major reason why Margolotta is interested in Vimes in the first place. She acts, to help or hinder, in response to her past with Vetinari, and her relationship to him, whatever that is.
Related to the above, Margolotta’s interests, which are never directly mentioned or addressed, but which we know also motivate her actions, and thus influence how the book plays out.
The Beast. This is a great, though direct, example of a “Fifth Elephant”. It’s what Vimes calls his desire to do violence, to act reflexively on hate, to just burn the whole stinking rotten world down if he can. He describes it directly as an internal motivation that is always there, always threatening to get out, always trying to influence his actions, but which he keeps contained, controlled, and never mentions. It is, literally, an unmentioned influence he is always having to deal with and work his way around.
The Igors. They are a background to Uberwaldian, and particularly Noble-Uberwaldian, life, taken as a given and rarely mentioned, but always there, managing the health of the people in the region through their mysterious medical expertise. Where they come from and what, exactly, they do isn’t precisely known, and yet they are incredibly important to the Uberwald.
Networks and Communications, both of which are invisible, non-corporeal, yet very real, things. The Howl, the Clacks, Dwarf Rumor, the Igor Organ Donation service, Margolotta’s informants, the Black Ribboners, Copperness; as themes, Networks and Communications come up again and again and again.
Unspoken Rules. The Lore, Hot Pursuit, the 12 Steps, Wolf social cues, Dwarven law, the nuances of Command and Rulership implied through Colon and Vetinari’s parts in the story, probably lots of stuff I’m forgetting.
Wallace Sonky, referenced directly as an unsung, little recognized hero for his prophylactics and how they’ve slowed A-M’s population growth.
Knockermen. Unseen, considered dead by their families, working in the dark of new delvings, covered head to toe in armor which obliterates their private identities, and the absolute heart of dwarven identity, mythology, belief, and politics since their leaders are almost exclusively chosen from this class. And of course, knockermen also form the core of the “Deep Dwarves”, essentially a priest-caste who deliberately eschew sunlight and the surface, making them an “invisible”, underground, influence.
Natural Gas. It’s invisible and without scent, but it will most certainly “influence” anyone who comes into close contact with it in a whole host of ways.
The Scone of Stone. Most Dwarves, even underground ones, will never see it, yet who sits upon and protects it arbitrates their entire world. Its power and influence comes not from itself, but from the place it holds in their culture and mythology through B’rian(sp?) Bloodaxe and the opera/stories/myths revolving around him.
Ideas. The current Scone is not THE original Scone in a physical sense. And yet, in a very real and practical sense, it carries the concept of the Scone with it, and so all the believe and functionality the original Scone carried, and so it IS “The Thing and the whole of the Thing”. This idea comes up in one other major way through Rhys Rhysson’s explanation of “Family Tools” in the dwarven mindset. Tools get old and worn and they break, and when they do the broken piece is replaced or repaired. After a certain point the tool is no longer, physically, the same tool that it once was, and yet it remains “the Family Axe”, or whathaveyou, because it continues to carry the idea and identity of the original. Basically Ideas, which are formless and metaphysical and exist only within the brains of living creatures, persist beyond the death of those who hold them and even the destruction of those objects they were invested in. They exist and influence without any real existence. Ideas are “the Thing and the Whole of the Thing”.
Culture. The Fifth Elephant is a story of cultures in conflict. A-M, and it’s culture of innovation, “progress”, and openness, is drastically changing the Disc, and other cultures, whether that of the Dwarves, the wolves, or the Uberwaldeans, are forced to respond to it. The influence of culture is shown not only through the actions self-conception brings out in others(Dee’s destruction of the Scone, Wolfgang’s plot to keep A-M out of the Uberwald, the peculiar individuation within the corporate identity Igors share), but also through this direct clash of cultures, most visibly displayed through Vimes’ interactions with Uberwaldean figures.
Choice. Albrecht(and any number of Dwarves before him) chooses to keep the secret of the Scone’s true nature. Dee chooses to destroy the Scone. Vimes chooses, again and again, to be civilized and rule-bond. Skimmer chooses to stay at the tower, and to check the door. The Igors choose their calling, and the good it can do for others, over their own lives. The Dwarves choose to believe in “Dwarfishness”, even when they live on the surface, in the light, in A-M. Choice, that ephemeral, invisible, here-and-gone thing, again and again shifts the story, and makes the world it takes place in.
Discipline. Margolotta and the Black Ribboners. Vimes. Angua. Gavin. Cheri. These characters stick to their choices, no matter what it costs them, and live authentically, and in doing that they, without really meaning to, drive the story and change the Disc.
Belief. This is probably the biggest and most central Fifth Elephant of the book. Through Wolfgang’s philosophy and Dee’s internalized self-hate, it drives the main-action of the plot. Through Vimes’ dedication to Civilization it informs all his choices in the book. Through Dwarfishness, the Low King(basically a Dwarf Pope), and the Scone of Stone, it is the motivation and central suspense(the possibility of civil war in Vimes’ fails) of the book.
Ok I think that’s everything. I know some of these are more cursory than they deserve, but I was kinda getting tired of writing there at the end -__- Also: for IRL reasons I wrote this over the course of about a week, and read the book two weeks ago, and I was much clearer on the book when I started writing it than when I finished it just now -__- -___-
All in all I really liked this book and its focus on politics. I also thought it did a great job of showing how the personal IS the political and vice versa, and how pretty much everything is “political”. Comments and questions welcome, though it may take me awhile to respond. If you read all of this Good on You :p
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