#the giant leap in improvement that it did | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

steppingonyourshadow · 3 months

Text

Complete Q&A from GQ February 2024

On acting

GQ: When did you decide you wanted to be an actor?

XZ: When the public began to pay more and more attention to me, I thought, why not me? I feel like I can do it.

Sometimes I'd waver and think, it's so difficult, why can't I do it properly? For example, with dialogue. Why isn't my delivery good enough, why can't I compete with others? Just because I'm a Southerner? I doubt it. Then I'd think, how can I improve? I can do it, let's just try.

GQ: In your opinion, what is the professional standard required of an actor?

XZ: Firstly, you have to master the craft. This is inescapable, you might not be from a professionally trained background, but you have to have the ability. That's what I want to achieve, and it's also what I'm currently working on. I'm not there yet, there's still some way to go.

After that, attitude is very important, as is whether you're passionate about it. Only seeing it as a job is entirely different from really being in love with it. If you only see it as a job, you might not be able to take it very far. But if you're passionate about it, it'll make you cry, and laugh, and may become the force that allows you to carry on.

And a strong physique (laughs), when I was in my twenties it was fine, now if I do an all-nighter I get really tired. That's the terrible truth. Being physically strong is really important, that's your foundation.

GQ: Which part or show made you feel you had earned approval?

XZ: The earliest was during The Wolf, I was under a lot of pressure then, my acting coach gave me lots of suggestions and guidance, and every single day I'd end up changing the way I did it. I was lost. After getting through that, I realised I'd grown from the experience, and was gradually getting the hang of it, and from then on I've gone on bit by bit. It's a cumulative process.

I feel like I haven't done enough, compared to some of my seniors. When they were in their 30s they already had tons of credits. I still don't have enough work out, I haven't accumulated enough.

GQ: Do you feel a sense of urgency?

XZ: Yeah, because I think (improvement) is a process of accumulation. It's impossible to make a giant leap with one show, that's unlikely for me. So I have to keep acting nonstop, but they have to be high quality works, rather than just wasting myself.

GQ: What were the considerations behind having three shows broadcast in 2023 that ranged from guzhuang to period drama to contemporary urban drama?

XZ: Actually there wasn't much consideration, it happened naturally. I don't deliberately avoid genres I've already done, it all depends on the script. Whatever script I get given, if I'm drawn to it, I'll choose it, it's just a coincidence that it was all material I hadn't done before.

GQ: Would you get tired of doing guzhuang all the time?

XZ: Guzhuang has many sub-genres. There's no real distinction between guzhuang and modern dramas - it's just putting on a wig and a different set of clothes, the core is the same, the only difference is the outer layer.

GQ: Do you follow your shows as they air?

XZ: Not on a daily basis, but I do watch. I'll pick out the scenes I particularly care about and pay special attention to those, as a way of critiquing my own work.

GQ: Do you have the audience commentary on?

XZ: I used to, it was fun to laugh along with everyone else, but these days I won't.

GQ: What kind of role do you want to play now?

XZ: If I can choose, of course I'd love to try something I haven't done yet. I need a sense of novelty - if you had to do the same thing every day, you'd get sick of it too.

GQ: What kind of actor do you want to be?

XZ: The kind that the audience likes.

GQ: Haven't you already achieved "being liked"?

XZ: No, no, not nearly enough. I thought about whether I wanted to be the kind of actor known for their unique characteristics, or one that an audience is instantly drawn to. At the moment I want to be an actor the audience is fond of. They might not be fans of yours, or even feel very positive toward you, but when they know you have a show on, they think, maybe I should check it out, his shows are all pretty good. That’s what I want, that’s my current goal. Whether I can reach the level of the actors I admire, that’s a long road, I’m going to take my time.

GQ: Who are the actors you like?

XZ: There are many, for example Zhou Xun has always been an actor I really like. I watched her most recent movie (Across the Furious Sea), it's brilliant.

GQ: What career plans do you have for 2024?

On life

XZ: Make more shows, work with more good people, that’s the current goal. I’m not thinking about the rest right now.

GQ: Does social media noise bother you?

XZ: It doesn't. If I still let it get to me after all this time, what kind of life would I live? (laughs) It's really not a big deal. So long as I'm clear about what I'm doing, it's fine. Every time you make a choice, you have to have a clear understanding of what you're doing, what you have to give up, and what you want to achieve. So it's fine. It's probably more of a bother for my crew.

GQ: Has it not affected your private life?

XZ: I live an extremely normal life. I can go for a bike ride or a walk. When you're on the street, no one actually cares who you are. It's really not like you imagine, I can walk around freely.

GQ: Is this kind of time an escape for you?

XZ: More a time to relax. Why would I need to escape? I live in this world too, where would I escape to? This is my life, I live it just the same as everyone else. There are so many things I really want to do, like take the crowded subway, wander around a mall, like I used to when I was a student. Maybe I will.

GQ: Do you miss the life of an ordinary person?

On personality

XZ: I don't miss it. I just think that's what I should do, being grounded. I really will get on a crowded subway car, maybe tomorrow, that's just normal. I used to do it every day. There's really not much I can't do. What are you going to do if you see me? We'd say hi and then be on our way. I just don't want to create disturbances, make trouble, or cause any negative repercussions.

GQ: You haven't been on any variety shows the past few years. Was that a deliberate choice?

XZ: It's because I'm not a good fit for it. With my personality, variety shows are too much. I'd constantly be trying to take care of everyone else's feelings, it would be really tiring. Since I know that's what it would be like, it's better not to do it at all.

GQ: What did you initially enter the industry for?

XZ: Honestly, I stumbled my way in totally inexplicably with no idea of what I was doing. I used to watch interviews with contestants who had placed high on survival shows, and they'd ask, how did you get here? The contestant would say, I came to the audition to keep my friend company, but my friend didn't get through and I did. When I was a kid, that kind of thing seemed very far away, but it really happened to me. Pretty wild. I entered a survival show, and now we're here. That's it. Life really is very strange and marvelous.

GQ: What's something about the industry you couldn't have thought of?

XZ: Not being able to eat whatever I want is really cruel. When I saw that one of my high school classmates had a kid already and had let themselves go a bit, I'd sigh - I want to eat freely like that too. Their lives make me think that if I hadn't chosen this road back then, maybe I'd be the same, constantly having to attend work functions, pulling all-nighters to get designs done. You can't imagine how rough it is in the graphic design industry, but that's just life, there's nothing to be done about it.

GQ: How has choosing this path changed you?

XZ: I probably have a lot less life experience. My classmates have all far surpassed me in this respect. All their experiences are of actual events, with no cameras on them, no lights, just their real life.

GQ: Are you an emotionally stable person?

XZ: Re-la-ti-ve-ly stable. But I become very unstable when something impacts my bottom line.

GQ: Like what?

XZ: That is...I can't say, haha. Like when something inexplicable happens, I'd feel like, what are you doing? Or when something a normal person wouldn't do happens, I'd get really pissed. Like privacy issues. Once it breaches my bottom line, I go nuts. Everyone has their own boundaries. Some people don't have a good sense of propriety, and I stay far away from them. But if someone pushes against my boundaries over and over and it violates my bottom line, I get very angry.

GQ: You once said that you have a very staunch side. What were you referring to?

XZ: Principle. I'm a very stubborn person, if I insist on something, if I think it's right, then it's very hard to convince me otherwise.

For example, I want to be an actor. I don't want to do anything other than acting. If you try to force me, then let’s have the debate. There’s no such thing as right and wrong, my crew are only looking out for me, isn’t it positive to have so much work? But for me, I need to simplify my life. Because there are some things I definitely don’t want.

GQ: Do you have a perfectionist side?

XZ: I just want to do it well, to the best of my ability. Maybe the result won't be ideal, but what's to be done about that? I can only do that much.

GQ: Can you accept failure?

XZ: I can. A few years ago, maybe I couldn't. But the 32 year old Xiao Zhan has learned to accept it (laugh).

#Xiao Zhan #text translations

26 notes · View notes

usafphantom2 · 4 months

Text

On This Day in 1964, the Legendary Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird Flew For the First Time.

December 22, 2019 Military Aviation

A Blackbird takes off from Beale AFB. (Image credit: USAF)

The SR-71 was the first aircraft to feature stealth capabilities.

The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird flew for the first time on Dec. 22, 1964 at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California. The first aircraft to enter service was delivered to the 4200th (later, 9th) Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, California, in January 1966. Throughout its career, that came to an end on Oct. 9, 1999, no SR-71 was reportedly lost nor damaged due to hostile actions: the SR-71 flew above Mach 3 at 85,000 feet, with a reported top speed of Mach 3.4 during flight testing and Mach 3.5 during on an operational sortie while evading a missile over Libya.

Although most historians and experts know it many aviation enthusiasts ignore that the Blackbird can somehow be considered the first stealth aircraft ante litteram.

Here’s what this author explained in a past article titled Well Before The SR-72 Was Conceived, The Iconic SR-71 Blackbird Proved “Speed Is The Real Stealth”:

Ezoic

The Blackbird was the first aircraft to feature stealth capabilities: a special paint that contained iron ferrites and absorbed radar energy instead of returning it to the sender was used for SR-71’s wings, tail and fuselage. The reduced RCS (Radar Cross Section) made any reaction to an SR-71 overflight almost useless: the aircraft was so fast that once the radar detected it, the SAM battery’s guidance system was not able to compute the right parameters for a successful kill. Moreover, the range and bearing of the SR-71 was also denied to the enemy by jamming the radars with the use of the sophisticated electronic countermeasures (ECM) that equipped by the Blackbird.

However, in spite of its radar-evading features, what made the SR-71 almost impossible to intercept, were its incredible flight characteristics: it was able to fly at 3.5 Mach at 88,000 feet. The aircraft could climb higher than that and according to some sources the Blackbird could reach 120,000 feet and above. At that altitude, Soviet SAMs would have been unable to maneuver to hit an SR-71: the air is so thin that any maneuvering capability of a missile is practically nonexistent, as explained by the former Blackbird pilot Col. Richard H. Graham in his book “SR-71 The Complete Illustrated History of THE BLACKBIRD The World’s Highest , Fastest Plane.”

In 2012 a DARPA statement stated that America was gradually losing the “strategic advantage” that its stealth warplanes had long provided, as other countries’ stealth and counter-stealth capabilities continued to improve. For this reason, “speed is the new stealth” is a slogan that accompanied the unveiling of the SR-72 in 2013. However, the SR-71’s story is a proof that speed has always been the key to stealth.

Not only did SAMs fail to catch the Blackbird but even the fastest Soviet fighter jets, including the MiG-31 Foxhound, lacked the necessary speed to reach the SR-71.

The last flight of an SR-71 took place on Oct. 9, 1999, during the Edwards AFB Open House Airshow. Fourteen years later, in 2013, Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works, the legendary division that designed airplanes which represented a giant leap for their times such as the F-104, the U-2, the Blackbird family or the F-117A stealth fighter jet, revealed the existence of a sort of SR-71 replacement: a Hypersonic intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and strike aircraft dubbed SR-72, designed for Mach 6.

The first concept artwork of the SR-72 released by Lockheed Martin in 2013.

On Sept. 27, 2017, Aviation Week reporter Guy Norris scooped the story about the landing of a mysterious, unidentified new aircraft at U.S. Air Force Plant 42 Production Flight Test Facility in Palmdale California.

“According to information provided to Aviation Week, one such [SR-72] technology demonstrator, believed to be an unmanned subscale aircraft, was observed flying into the U.S. Air Force’s Plant 42 at Palmdale, where Skunk Works is headquartered. The vehicle, which was noted landing in the early hours at an unspecified date in late July, was seen with two T-38 escorts. Lockheed Martin declined to comment directly on the sighting.”

Ezoic

In February 2018, Lockheed Martin, pushed back on reports of the SR-72’s development stating that no SR-72 had been produced. In November last year, Lockheed Martin stated that a prototype of the SR-72 was scheduled to fly by 2025. A sort-of SR-72 aircraft (or something inspired to it) is flown by Maverick (Tom Cruise) in “Top Gun: Maverick”, the sequel of the famous 1980s aviation movie.

Once operational the hypersonic strike aircraft will be able to fly about twice as fast as its predecessor. To date, the Mach 3+ SR-71 Blackbird remains the fastest, manned air-breathing aircraft ever produced.

About David Cenciotti

David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.

@theaviationist via X

26 notes · View notes

penig · 2 months

Text

Also, I am very tired, but the living room is a giant leap closer to company-ready.

All the stuff on the coffee table may look like negative progress, but that's because I have been too ashamed to take a picture of all those books and magazine boxes slumped on the floor behind the big chair. The thing is, those are all TV-related materials, 90+% of it D's, which used to be on the mantel until the first Big Fall of Sheetrock from the ceiling. Which was, um, before Snowmageddon, I'm not sure how long ago. Due to the general overwhelmedness we both had at that time, he just shoved all the books and magazines (that he noticed) more or less out of the way behind the chair, completely overlooking a couple that had tumbled into ruinous places like behind the scuttle in that funky little corner where the TV trays are now. I knew they were there, I knew the poor things were deteriorating, I knew this was inexcusable, but - this was the first week I was up to doing anything about it and had a place I could put them even temporarily.

I do not know what their ultimate fate will be or how long they'll be stacked on the coffee table, but at least they're no longer getting worse, and I've stacked them so that the worst of the bent covers will be pressed a little back into shape. Like the bag of D's office stuff and the case full of gaming miniatures tucked in beside the cedar chest, they'll have to stay where they are until the house is in a better state. But this is an improvement.

Not gonna lie, I'm starting to get overwhelmed again. I hit a point late this afternoon, as I was trying to render the couch more suitable for sitting, at which I got into a mildly frantic state of mind that I recognized as meaning that, if I didn't stop - and I did not want to stop! - I would crash and be useless for at least three days. One of the big advantages of being my age is, that you learn to recognize these things.

#personal #progress report #housekeeping #non-sims

14 notes · View notes

sirowsky · 11 months

Text

Part 27 - The Price We Pay

Pero Tovar and Female Reader (nicknamed Bee) Modern AU

Pero decides to take a big risk in his hopes of helping Will. Meanwhile, an old injury is finally coming back to haunt you.

Creator chooses not to use Warnings! This is 18+ONLY!

Word Count: 4861 Masterlist(this story) Author’s Masterlist

Link to Part 28

<><><><><><><><><><>

The days were getting shorter and cooler with the oncoming autumn, and as always, you welcomed the freshness of it. The heavy, heated summer atmosphere being blown away by the crisp, clear, and much lighter fall. The trees were still mostly green, and the midday warmth was still there, it was just less pressing. It felt like there was somehow more oxygen in the air.

You and Pero had come up with a routine for taking care of and preparing your own home, while still being present at the country house to work with William and let your dad be around Mae as much as possible. Mondays through Thursdays you’d stay at his place and then every weekend, you went home and worked on the nursery and the house overall. But it wasn’t just about the house.

You realized quite quickly that both you and Pero were itching to nest and bond together as a family, and while there was technically nothing preventing you from doing that somewhere else, it was so much easier to do it in your own space. It sort of happened naturally, starting from the moment you walked in through the front door, and could suddenly focus entirely on the three of you, because there just wasn’t anything else there to distract you.

And it did help tremendously that you seemed to have been fortunate enough to have a very easygoing baby. She rarely ever cried, and if she did, it was usually just because of a little tummy-ache, which would mostly go away with just a few minutes of exercises. Even when she was hungry, she wouldn’t cry but instead make this little growling noise, and if no one reacted fast enough, she’d simply repeat it louder.

There were bad nights on occasion, when she just wouldn’t sleep and, on those nights, she would cry, as well as babble a lot. But you were also fortunate enough to be with a man who was used to being sleep deprived for days or even weeks at a time, and who would spend those nights in the nursery or living room with her, so that you’d get to sleep in between feedings.

If he was tired at any point during those first few months, he never once showed it, and never complained about any of it. To him, it wasn’t even a question of who’s job it was to do things. You were partners and that meant sharing the load. That said, he was quick to take on way too much if you didn’t halt him. Eager as he was about all things fatherly, he tried to do everything, and magic ninja skills or not, not even Pero Tovar could do everything.

After that day with Will, and his giant leap of progress, he continued to improve with every week that passed. It wasn’t long before he and Pero were having short conversations, whether you were there or not, and every time you brought Mae, his entire demeanour changed, becoming quiet in a softer way. Perhaps nostalgic.

Every time that he spoke to you, it was with newfound respect, albeit still with a great deal of caution. He wasn’t going to shed the conditioning from one day to the next, and there were still times when the mission got the better of him, making him glare at you or your partner with the same harsh coldness that made ice trickle down your spine. There was no question that it was a process and that it would take time before you’d be able to trust him not to hurt either of you. But the steady progress gave you hope.

<><><><><>

“Miss Mae-Mae…” Pero cooed warmly, beckoning for her attention.

She’d been in a giggly sort of mood for the past twenty minutes and he’d been playing with her the whole time. Peek-a-boo was a favourite, and she had a particular spot on her neck where the tickle of his moustache would set her off into a fit of laughter. But she was getting tired now, loosing focus on him, which made her eyes drift and jump from one thing to the next.

“Hey, sleepy bebita. Don’t go working yourself into overdrive, it is time to rest now.”

He knew that if she kept trying to stay awake, she’d end up cranky and too tired to be able to rest well, so he made sure that she focused on him and then he started singing her lullaby. At six months old, she knew the melody and the sound of his voice better than she knew her own little sounds and noises, and it never failed to soothe her.

You’d been correct in assuming that she’d end up being daddy’s girl, and he was quite smug about that. But he also loved that you let him have that. You never said it with any sarcasm or even a hint of jealousy. In fact, it seemed like you thought the opposite. Most of the time, you’d say it with a smile and a wink, as if you were trying to tell him that you couldn’t be happier for him.

After all, it wasn’t like she didn’t care for you too. The two of you had your own relationship already, naturally made intimate by the fact that you fed her from your body, so in truth, she was equally fond of both of you. But he got the feeling that you’d been a bit worried that his fears might hold him back, or that his bad personal experiences with family would somehow make him shy away from the emotional connection.

If so, he completely understood why you might’ve feared that, as it very well could’ve happened. And the only reason that it hadn’t, was because you were the person that you were and had the family that you did. It was you that had given him the confidence and the belief in himself, which now allowed him to take on this massive responsibility with nothing but pride and anticipation. Also, having your father there to help guide him, just made everything feel so safe.

And that was the key. He felt safe in this family.

Safe to make mistakes, to get it wrong and know that he’d be allowed to learn without having to fear any consequences. That was the true gift of having met you, and he was never going to forget it. Especially since that had also become a vital part of his interactions with William.

The safety that he now felt within himself had made it possible for him to walk into that cell four days of the week, with a quiet but powerful confidence. So powerful even, that Will could feel it from him, and knew that he wouldn’t be intimidated, wouldn’t allow his old friend to get under his skin, no matter how badly the man might try and hurt his feelings.

And over time, Will had gotten infected by this secure feeling that emanated from him, finally realizing that he had nothing to fear from either of you anymore. That he didn’t need to defend himself or try to justify himself to you. Six months, and he was finally carrying on normal conversations. Or, at least, as close to it as Pero had ever dared to hope that he might manage.

He was doing so well now that Pero had started thinking about letting him out of the bunker for a while each day. He just needed to talk to you about it first, and this particular day felt right for that. So, once he’d gotten Mae to sleep and put her down in her crib, with Groot immediately laying down beside the little bed to watch over her, he went to find you.

It was a Saturday, so you were at your house, and while Pero had played with your daughter, you’d apparently been outside, shovelling snow.

“I thought you went to the store?” he questioned when you walked in just after he’d looked for you in the kitchen.

Enough time had passed that you should’ve completed a roundtrip to the local grocer’s by then, but the kitchen was empty.

“I was going to, but the snow had drifted up against the door, so I figured I’d take care of it,” you answered with a relaxed shrug. “I’m just gonna get changed out of these wet clothes and then I’ll go.”

“Ay, pintora… If you had told me, I would’ve taken care of it while you did the shopping.”

“I know that, honey. But sometimes I like to do those things too,” you smiled, and he couldn’t argue with that.

After all, you’d lived here alone for about a decade before meeting him, so you were used to having to take care of everything around the house by yourself all year round.

“Okay. Well, before you go, I’d like to talk to you about Will,” he started, and your curiosity spiked.

“Did something happen?” you guessed, but he shook his head.

“No, nothing specific. I want to talk about taking another step in his recovery. I think it is time that we let him come outside.”

You paused your efforts to wiggle out of your wet and cold jeans, leaving them almost standing on their own halfway down your thighs, just from the amount of snow that they’d absorbed.

“Are you sure he’s ready for that?”

“I think so. He has been very calm every time anyone has visited him for over two months now, and he actively participates in conversations, even when those conversations are tough. He lets me touch him and sit next to him without complaint or even subconscious ticks anymore, and every time he sees you or Mae, he lights up. I’m not saying that it’s without risk, and we would take precautions, of course. But I think that we have reached a point where he might stop improving if we don’t keep pushing him,” he explained, and you listened closely but remained careful not to let yourself hope too much.

For all the progress, there had been plenty of setbacks along the way, some so terrible that you’d both questioned whether he really could be completely deprogrammed. So, while you’d both refused to give up, you never stopped reminding each other that this could very well end in disaster, still. There were no guarantees.

“If you think it’s time, then I trust you. But just so we’re on the same page here, we’re not talking about setting him loose, right? We’d still keep him chained for a while?”

“It would be far too dangerous to simply cut him free,” Pero confirmed. “But taking him outside and seeing how he reacts might give us a better understanding of just how far his recovery has come. You do not need to be there with me the first time, if you feel unsure. It will be important for us to be calm and give him a sense of security throughout the experience, since it will likely trigger something.”

“That might be best, yeah…” you admitted, although the thought seemed to make you sad.

“It’s okay, mi amor. You feel this way because you care, because you want him to be well enough that none of us will ever have to fear him again, and this is a very good thing. The sadness you feel is your love for him, and there is nothing bad about that. You will not let him down by not being there.”

“No, I know. But it feels like I’m letting myself down. I mean… I’m the one that pushed and persisted and insisted, even when no one else had any hope.”

“Yes, and because of that, we have been able to get this far. Do not trivialize the work that you have done for him, the faith and the confidence you’ve had for him, all this time. We never would’ve gotten here without your stubbornness, pintora,” he reminded you, putting his arms around your waist and pulling your still freezing cold frame into his.

He couldn’t help but admire how readily you shouldered the responsibility of Will’s recovery. How quick you’d been from the very beginning, to protect and care for him, even when everyone else had seen only the danger. By rights, this burden should never have been yours at all, but you’d taken it on all the same. And not because of any moral stance or need for control.

You’d done this simply because you didn’t want to lose any more family, nor have to watch your partner suffer that loss either.

“He is my brother, and my oldest friend. Trust that I will guide him the final stretch, back home, and let yourself off the hook. For once. Please,” he gently insisted, and felt you sigh against him.

“I think that being a mom is making me territorial, or something. Like I have to shield my pack from every conceivable danger,” you pondered, and he chuckled.

“Ay, Honeybee, you have always been like that.”

<><><><><>

It was difficult to step back from something that you’d been working towards for such a long time, but you knew that Pero was right. His relationship with Will ran so much deeper than yours, and it was the two of them that needed to reconcile for this to ever truly be resolved, which you were a bit too quick to forget sometimes.

Perhaps because you’d been the only one that had still fought for him, for what had seemed like a long time. But it was now time to let that go and allow the two men to sort out their relationship between themselves. So, when you returned to your father’s house that following Monday morning, Pero greeted Dean, kissed Mae’s forehead and then yours, before leaving the house for an unspecified amount of time.

And it made you nervous. Not that he was alone with a man that might still want to kill him, but that you wouldn’t know how this part played out until your partner returned. You’d been there for every tiniest step along the way, and now that Will was finally getting to the big leaps, you suddenly didn’t know what was happening.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart,” your father soothed, seeing your uncertainty. “Things will play out the way they do, and we’ll be there for them both no matter what comes of it.”

You’d always loved Dean’s ability to be in the present and take things as they came, while simultaneously always being ten steps ahead and planning for every possible outcome, seemingly without effort. But it was somehow even more visible these days. He was playing with Mae, smiling and laughing at her adorable little reactions to his trickeries, while doing inventory of his pantry and fridge to decide on what to make for lunch and dinner, and setting your mind at ease at the same time.

“Gosh, dad, could you be a little less awesome every once in a while. It’s exhausting just looking at you,” you mockingly griped, and he just laughed.

“That’s what years and years of always being two steps behind you and trying to catch up have taught me. You didn’t really think that I was gonna stop now that it’s finally become easy to do, did you?” he smiled with his eyebrows raised in challenge.

“And here I thought that I was such a sweet kid,” you bit back sarcastically, but he could hear the playfulness in your tone.

“No kid is ever just one thing all the time,” he replied, and then cocked his head at Mae and chuckled. “Except maybe you, Babybee. You’re just about the most harmonious child I’ve ever seen.”

“Yeah, I’ve noticed that,” you smiled at them both, “and I’m really grateful for it, because if she’d been a cranky baby, or a colic-baby, on top of everything else we’ve had to deal with… I mean, we would’ve managed it because we wouldn’t have had any other choice, but it would’ve been terrible.”

“Maybe the universe finally decided to give you a break.”

“If so, I hope it lasts.”

Mae made her little hungry noise then, so your father kissed her cheek and then handed her back to you.

“Go upstairs and try and get some rest, Bee. I’ll let Pero know where you are when he comes back.”

“Thanks, but I’m never gonna be able to sleep knowing what he’s about to do,” you sighed as you turned away towards the stairs, but Dean’s hand landed on your shoulder and halted you before you’d begun to walk away.

“Hey. You don’t need to sleep to rest your mind. That drawer where all your sketching stuff used to be is still there,” he gently reminded you, making an uncomfortable knot form in your stomach, and he could see it. “Just pick up a pencil and draw a few lines. It doesn’t have to be complicated, make a stick figure or just a basic outline of a coast and a beach. Anything at all, just start somewhere. Get back to the feel of the pen in your hand.”

You wanted to say that you’d happily do that. You wanted it to be that simple. But just the thought was torturous. There were so many times over the past year when you’d picked up a pen because you’d had to sign for something or write an address on an envelope, and each time had nearly given you an anxiety attack.

Because nothing felt the same. You couldn’t recognize the feeling of the instrument in your hand at all. It didn’t move or respond right, and even your signature, which was possibly the most familiar text for you to write, came out wonky and distorted. Which was why you hadn’t dared to even try and draw anything yet, not even the most simplistic image, because if it turned out that you couldn’t do it, that would finally crush your hopes.

But your father’s eyes were glowing. He truly believed that all you needed to do was just start, and then muscle memory would eventually bring you back to your former skill-level. So, even though it felt like a lie, you gave him a hesitant smile and a nod, before once again setting off towards the stairs, suddenly fighting tears.

<><><><><>

“What’s going on?” Will asked as Pero unlocked the chain from the wall and secured it to his own waist instead.

“We are going to take a walk,” he explained, and the man suddenly looked very nervous.

He hadn’t set foot outside in almost a year.

“You will need these,” Pero said as he led his captive out of the room into the observation area, where thermal clothes and boots were waiting. “It’s not arctic-level cold, but it is biting.”

His brother seemed to be in a bit of a daze while he pulled the clothes on, as if he couldn’t quite believe that this was happening. But soon enough, they were both dressed and heading up the stairs to the concealed hatch, with William in front so that Pero could see if he attempted anything sinister. And when he pushed the hatch open and the freezing cold air hit his lungs, he had to stop and cough for a bit before he could step out.

Once outside, they both stood still for a while, and the Spaniard could see how his brother became more and more affected by just the feeling of being in daylight, crispy winter air, with snow crunching under his boots. Each breath was heavier than the one before, each one creating a small cloud in front of his face, and after just a minute or so, he was crying.

“I am sorry, hermano,” Pero offered, feeling his own throat begin to stock up. “That it took so long to get here. I should have helped you… I should have listened to my pintora. I should never have tortured you.”

“No…” Will countered, snivelling and clearing his throat before he continued. “You had to do that. She never would’ve gotten to me if you hadn’t broken me down physically first. And even if it could’ve worked anyway… I’m glad for the penance. I deserved it.”

It took Pero a while to speak again after that, because the shame of his actions back then was still very much alive in his mind and heart. Once he did eventually find the words, though, he spoke with clarity and certainty.

“You did not deserve anything that has happened to you, William. Not one second of it.”

His voice was so strong and determined that his brother turned his head to meet his eyes when he continued, as if it was the most unbelievable thing he’d ever heard.

“You were the good one. The one that kept the rest of us in check, the one that reminded all of us to care, whether we heard you or not. And even when I treated you like shit, even when I abandoned you and turned my back on you, you still cared. You still wanted me to meet your family and be a part of your life. I wish so badly that I had heard you… that I had come to meet them, gotten to see you as a father and a husband, because I know you were good at that too. I know in my heart that you thrived for those few years, and it pains me beyond words that you didn’t get to keep going. Especially now, when I know that feeling myself.”

He was struggling by the last sentence, unable to keep the pain at bay, so he had to stop. And for a long moment, the two men just stood there, four feet apart, fighting their separate demons with all their might. Then, at some point, the moment ended, and Pero just started walking. And as though the movement unlocked something in them both, after a while, they started talking. Not about anything special, just a normal causal conversation.

The snow was deep enough in some places that it quickly drained Will’s energy, unaccustomed as he was to physical exercise, so they had to stop and rest every now and then. But he seemed determined to make the most out of this little trip, so when he kept insisting that they carry on, Pero didn’t argue.

Which was why he then had to carry the poor exhausted man down the stairs and back into his cell, over an hour later. He helped him get out of the thermals and lay down on the mattress, but when he was just about to leave, Will reached his hand towards him, weakly grasping at his forearm.

“Hey… thank you for today. It felt almost like… old times,” he said with a careful smile, and Pero didn’t doubt for a second that it was genuine.

“Good,” he answered, just as genuinely. “You deserve that.”

His brother’s smile turned sad then, and he knew that it was because he disagreed. But he also knew that somehow, he would help him understand that it was true, even if it took another ten years. He was never going to give up.

-=¤=-

He came back to the house just as Dean was getting ready to serve lunch.

“How’d it go?”

“About as well as it could have,” he replied. “I’ll tell you all about it over lunch so that Bee can hear it too. Is she upstairs?”

“Yeah. I think she was really worried.”

He nodded at your father and then went to find you. But when he got upstairs, he noticed that Groot was sitting on the threshold of your room, with his head held low and his tail tucked closely to his side. He’d have to be seriously anxious about you to leave Mae’s crib at all, which made Pero hurry to the door.

The sight that met him when he stopped on the threshold next to the canine, made him freeze for a moment. You were sitting on the floor with your back leaned against a closet door and your legs pulled up so that your knees were up to your chin. Your arms were resting on top of your knees, wrapped around your head as you cried into your sleeves.

That alone would’ve been enough to make his heart pinch, but what made it worse was the sight of the entire floor being littered with sheets of paper, all of which had attempts of drawings on them. Failed attempts, by your definition. At least three dozen of them.

The one closest to you was filled with nothing but thick black lines, so deep that the paper had broken in some places. Drawn not in rage, but in despair. In the conviction that your passion, your life’s work and a very large part of your identity was truly lost and beyond repair. Groot had probably tried to comfort you, only to be chased away. But too caring to leave you like that, he’d found a middle ground and remained by your side, even though there was nothing he could do.

Pero softly petted him on the head and over his ears, to let him know that he’d done good, finally allowing him to relax a little, then he stepped past the dog into the room and knelt in front of you. There was nothing he could say that was going to ease your pain in that moment, so he didn’t try. Instead, he just let you know that he was there, letting his head rest against the top of yours while he wrapped his arms around you.

When fifteen minutes had passed, Dean came to look for you, but as soon as he saw the scene on the floor, his shoulders dropped, and a deep sadness settled into his frame. Without a word, he stepped over to the crib and picked up the still sleeping Mae, taking her downstairs with him so that you wouldn’t feel compelled to bottle this shit back up if she started crying and maternal instinct took over.

This had been building inside of you ever since Pete, and if you didn’t vent it now, you never would. So, you sat there together as lunch passed, and another hour after that, and while your pain did seem to lessen over time, it was like the hold that it had over you only increased. Like you were being swallowed by some giant beast.

And finally, Pero couldn’t take it anymore.

He stood up and lifted you onto the bed where he started pulling your clothes off, encountering no resistance, leaving warm kisses on your skin everywhere that he exposed it. You were so lost in this crushing sense of hopelessness that even when his lips finally reached yours, you barely even responded. But he knew that you would, eventually. You loved him too much not to.

It took a while, but once he was buried inside you, gently and slowly dragging his cock against your softness exactly as he knew you liked it, you couldn’t keep him out of your heart anymore. Your body wouldn’t let you. It woke you up and brought you back to the moment, forcing you to let go of all that darkness, because this was one thing that it couldn’t touch.

This was pure love, and while it might not yet be enough to chase the beast away, it was certainly enough to hold it off. One kiss, one caress, one thrust at a time, until you were clinging to him, begging for more, for him to make you feel something good and wonderful, and lavishing him with praise when he did.

He wished that there was some way that he could tell you that you were still perfect. Some way that his body could convey that there was nothing wrong with you, and that everything would be alright, whether you could draw or not. But he also knew that it wasn’t that simple. That your pain came from places far deeper than just the skill of your hand. That it had to do with trying to accept that your life would never be what you’d always dreamed.

Because he knew that being an artist was the only real dream that you’d ever had. As much as you loved Pero and Mae, family had never been something you’d actively sought, that was just a wonderful result of the choices you’d made along the way. And even within that relationship, the artist had been your identity, not just in how you saw yourself, but in how he saw you as well.

He had called you pintora from the start. And now that wasn’t how you looked at yourself anymore. So, now you had to completely redefine yourself in every aspect of your being, and he had no idea how to help you do that. Except to just keep loving you, keep showing you how wanted and beautiful you were and would always be to him, and hope that it would be enough.

===============

Link to Part 28

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this, please consider reblogging, I would dearly appreciate it.

@idreamofboobear @prostitute-robot-from-the-future @sjdraws-00 @shsoba05 @radiowallet @thisshipwillsail316 @myfavpedrothings @cannedsoupsucks @bluegalaxyprime @tintinn16 @winter-fox-queen @shadesofnerdlygrace @tanzthompson @little-mrs-morales @hotchlover @gallowsjoker @cosmicbreathe @criminalmind1927 @harriedandharassed @bilibiche @heimtathurs @pedrostories

#pero tovar fanfiction #pero tovar x female reader #pero tovar x fem!reader #pero x reader #modern!pero #the great wall modern au #the great wall fanfiction #pedro pascal characters #pedro pascal #sirowsky stories

40 notes · View notes

blackjackkent · 3 months

Text

Orin battle report! Opening state of play:

Hector is VERY VERY UPSET AND ANGRY AND TERRIFIED about Orin and really desperately wants her gone, which doesn't give him any buffs but it does in my heart.

I had planned to take @zenjestrr's advice on starting out this fight with a Giant Owlbear Leap from Jaheira, so I carefully positioned her on a side ledge before sending Hector down to talk, but I think Orin overheard my planning maybe because as soon as the fight started she immediately jumped all the way up to where Jaheira was and pummeled her within an inch of her life. Jaheira is really having a rough time in these fights lol. Luckily she didn't get one-shot, though, so the plan hopefully still stands.

The monster Orin turned into was her Slayer form! She gets to do it too, just like Caden did, except Caden always fought against turning into it, while Orin has embraced it. Mechanically, the main improvement this seems to give her is two extra attacks. She also has SEVEN stacks of Unstoppable (the buff that has to be knocked off before she can take damage), which isn't the worst thing in the world but does definitely make the fight slower to get started.

Judging by her Notable Features, she's a rogue, which unfortunately means she also gets evasion and uncanny dodge. She also doesn't have as much health as Gortash and Ketheric did, though, so that's nice.

She has many friends on the map, but not all of them are in the turn order; a number of them have Sanctuary cast on themselves and are just hanging out in a circle around Lae'zel's body on the altar, chanting. Hopefully they stay uninvolved.

The most interesting thing is that the last item in the turn order is the giant Bhaal skull carving on the wall.

Inspecting it shows no features, no AC, and no resistances. I'm sure this is fine and won't provide a negative twist to the fight at all.

Combat:

Hector and Minsc were able to get a number of good shots in on Orin during the first round. We have a LOT of attacks per round now which meant we were able to get through the Unstoppable coating and Hector could get some good damage in.

However, the skull, it turns out, pulses out "Boon of the Unstoppable" once per round, which resets those stacks back to seven, meaning there's only a limited amount of damage time before she gets her defense back.

This is a BIG problem when combined with the fact that one of her buddies, at the same time, cast Slow on the whole party. With only one attack or bonus action apiece, this becomes a VERY different prospect and more than a little concerning.

Translation: our first priority, immediately, is to kill all her buddies so they can't apply that condition, and then we can do whatever we like.

Jaheira, unfortunately, spends the whole first two turns Fearful, meaning she can't take actions and just kind of has to stand there, which means Operation Owlbear is off to a slow start. Once we can jump her down onto the platform, the adds should hopefully not be a problem anymore. I have Minsc waste a turn to toss a healing potion onto her so she won't have to waste her bonus action on that and can jump straight in.

Orin lands a hit on Karlach, who barrels away fearful, loses her turn, and also develops this fun condition:

At this point, the skull pulses again and we get to witness Orin's Slayer multiattack for the first time:

The animation for this is actually terrifying; it's an incredibly rapid scrabbling claw attack that literally seems to rip the target open. This leaves Hector at a tidy one hit point. This is fine.

Jaheira finally gets a turn on round 3!

Finally time for the Leap. Had Jaheira move around a little to proc Orin's reaction first so she could jump safely.

The value here is that all those Bhaalists on the platform are, as mentioned, encased in Sanctuary - but it doesn't protect them from AOE damage, which both the Owlbear's jump and groundpound attacks do. So Jaheira is the main one of us that can clear out the protected cultists, and I'm GUESSING that when they're all gone and not chanting anymore, the skull stops popping a protecc on Orin.

At this point, Hector gets downed, Orin leaps after Jaheira and gives her the Sumptuous Blood Bath treatment and now SHE is at one hit point. Karlach once again misses her turn because she is Fearful, and also loses her rage and hits level 3 contagion. This fight is TOUGH - but I started out worried it was going to be anticlimactically easy when Hector got his initial round of hits in, so I guess this is better.

Hector straight up died when his turn came around so I reset the fight at this point. XD Let's try a second run, hopefully knowing what we're dealing with a bit more.

On the second run, Jaheira gets FIRST in the initiative order, which feels like it opens things up somewhat. Immediate Owlbear is my new rock band name.

She's able to knock down two of the cultists and Orin wastes her turn on shredding the owlbear health bar, which I guess feels like a win. God, she hits like a truck, though.

(From this point on I'm savescumming pretty aggressively because this fight turns on a dime, tbh. XD I want to get on to writing about feels; if I wanted a challenge battle I'd be playing my tactician run.)

I discovered something very important at this point, which is that Cloudkill pokes through Sanctuary. It stretches to two chanting cultists at a time, can be moved, lasts ten turns, and does up to 40 damage a turn. This is actually better than the owlbear attack, which is good, because we only have limited wildshapes to work with. Jaheira can also shroom-zombie up the dead cultists for extra bodies on the field, which is always valuable.

(Blight, I discover, also pokes through Sanctuary, although it's only a one-time hit so less valuable.)

Amusing aside: one of Orin's Piercing Growl attacks hit one of her own cultists in addition to Minsc; they failed their save and went off to hide in a corner for the rest of the fight.

While Jaheira is slowly whittling down the cultists, Hector, Jaheira, and Minsc have ended up circled around Orin. She does take a smidgen of damage every time she's hit while she still has an unstoppable attack, so her health bar is VERY slowly draining still, and when all three are able to get hits in, they have enough attacks between them to get rid of all the stacks and actually do some damage.

Crucially, on this round, Hector manages to topple her over AND shred her stacks, which means Minsc and Karlach get a full round of advantage, which is actually huge. (90 damage before the stacks kicked back in.) AND Karlach got in a Pommel Strike and Orin failed her save, meaning she's dazed and misses her next turn, which I think gives us the fight.

YESSSSSSSSS

WHOOOOOOOO

Just had to clean up the rest of the cultists, which was much easier since they stopped bothering to chant and started hitting, which removed Sanctuary. I did have Minsc jump on Jaheira by accident which was mildly amusing.

She made a very sad owlbear noise. :(

--------

The monstrous form of Orin screams as the final blow takes her. As she begins to die, Bhaal's form drips away from her, melting her into a puddle of blood that streaks along the floor towards Hector's boots.

Narrator: A metallic tang fills the air as the Slayer's form is drained of life - ashes to ashes, blood to blood.

Narrator: You have robbed another god of his Chosen.

#bjk plays baldur's gate 3 #hector carlisle #holy mackerel what a fight :D #but victory in the end!

10 notes · View notes

quesh-elevator · 10 months

Text

Quesh Elevator First Elevator On Moon

“That’s one small step for elevator, one giant leap for elevatorkind,” says the Quesh Elevator on its digital display.

“Which kriffing moon did it go to and how are we getting it back to Quesh???” demands local Imperial official.

The Quesh Elevator’s last known location is Quesh. It appears to have spontaneously disappeared and reappeared on an unknown moon. Experts are baffled. Quality of life on Quesh has exponentially improved by the day in its absence.

#swtor #star wars #star wars the old republic #quesh #star wars quesh #quesh elevator #video game #the old republic #quesh star wars #annoying things

27 notes · View notes

nividawebsolutions · 7 months

Text

Web Development Trends 2023: What's Shaping the Future of Online Experiences

The development of the web over time is evidence of the tech industry's commitment to constant innovation in the face of a constantly shifting digital landscape. Keeping up with these changes is crucial if we are to continue providing our clients with the most innovative solutions as a leading Web development company in Vadodara, Gujarat, India.

Web development has come a long way from its infancy to the present day. Static HTML web pages were the foundation upon which the modern web was developed. The pages were static and lacked the interactive elements that characterise modern websites. However, a giant leap was made in web development with the introduction of JavaScript and its associated frameworks. This ushered in a new era of user-centric design, rich media, and dynamic content.

The subsequent appearance of content management systems (CMS) triggered a sea change in web development and administration. WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal are just a few of the platforms that have simplified content updates and modifications by eliminating the need for elaborate coding. As a top Web development company in Gujarat, India we were responsible for implementing these systems to provide our customers with better control over their material and provide more streamlined processes.

As the variety of devices available to users grew, so did the demand for responsive web design. Maintaining continuity of use across devices with varying display sizes is now of crucial importance. This focus on responsive design is in line with our mission as a Vadodara web development company to deliver excellent user experiences on all devices.

Cutting-edge innovations like AI, Progressive online Apps, and AR have come to define modern online design and development. These developments are raising the bar for performance and user interaction, allowing for the creation of truly unique digital experiences. As an excellent Web development company in India, we've embraced these developments, tapping into their potential to create sites that expertly blend aesthetic value with state-of-the-art features.

The Advent of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs):

The advent of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) has been heralded as a revolutionary step that has effectively blurred the distinctions between regular web pages and dedicated mobile apps. Nivida Web Solutions is recognised as a distinct Web development company in Vadodara, Gujarat, India. We recognise the potential of PWAs to improve digital interactions for our customers and their end users, and we are committed to seizing this opportunity.

When it comes to interacting with and understanding material on the web, progressive web apps herald a significant shift. These applications take the greatest features of both websites and mobile apps and offer users extraordinary interactivity and functionality. We know that progressive web apps' (PWAs') smooth user experience is crucial to attracting and retaining visitors.

PWAs are distinguished by their adaptability to different screen sizes and devices. PWAs guarantee the same high-quality experience across all devices, from mobile to desktop. Being the most reliable Web development company in Gujarat, we are dedicated to providing solutions that are as adaptable as possible to meet the needs of a wide range of users.

Instant loading times are another strength of PWAs, which they achieve in spades regardless of network performance. Faster loading speeds improve the user experience by decreasing the need for patience-testing waits. We know how important it is for our client's digital platforms to load quickly so that users can have a positive experience.

In addition, PWAs include offline capabilities that let consumers view content even without an active internet connection. This is a huge deal, especially in places with spotty internet service.

Voice Search and AI Integration: Transforming User Interactions

Key developments, such as voice search and AI integration, are revolutionising the way people use the internet. We at a premier Web development company in India understand the revolutionary potential of these technologies to shape the future of people's time spent online, and we're dedicated to maximising that potential to create delightful, natural user experiences for our customers and their target demographics.

Voice-activated search engines are changing the way people find their way online. The way individuals look for information has changed drastically since the introduction of voice-activated devices and virtual assistants. To ensure that our clients' platforms are still discoverable and available to consumers who prefer speech-based queries, as a reputable Web development company in Gujarat, we know the value of optimising websites for voice search.

Another game-changer in user engagement is the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI), especially in the form of chatbots. Artificial intelligence-based chatbots allow for immediate help and tailored suggestions. Users are more satisfied and invested in the experience because it feels more human. As an India-based web development agency, we specialise in incorporating AI-powered chatbots to provide innovative user experiences that go beyond standard interfaces.

In addition, businesses may learn more about their customers' habits and preferences using AI-driven data analysis, paving the way for more tailored content and a more satisfied customer base. Vadodara's most innovative web developers know full well the strategic value of using AI to create personalised user experiences.

Keeping up with the competition requires websites to evolve as the use of voice search and AI increases. Our agile web development team builds AI-driven features that respond to user preferences and expedite interactions to make websites voice search-friendly.

Web Accessibility and Inclusive Design: Making the Web Universally Usable

The trend now is towards making websites and apps usable for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. The principles of web accessibility and inclusive design have recently come to the fore, greatly impacting the process by which new websites are created. We understand the impact these tendencies will have on the future of people's interactions with the internet and are dedicated to building accessible platforms for everyone.

For those with physical or cognitive impairments, it is essential that websites be built with accessibility in mind from the start. However, Inclusive Design goes above and beyond accessibility standards by taking into account a wider range of user requirements and preferences. We, as Gujarat's leading web development agency, believe that everyone should be able to enjoy the same high-quality online services without discrimination.

Screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, picture alt text, and optimisation for users with visual, aural, or cognitive impairments are all components of Web Accessibility. Not only does Inclusive Design account for people of all ages and linguistic backgrounds, but it also takes into account the specific needs of those users. Websites built by an Indian web development firm following these guidelines would be accessible to the widest possible audience.

Web accessibility and inclusive design have many positive outcomes. For starters, they improve the quality of service provided by a website by making it easier to navigate and utilise. Second, they allow people who might not have been able to visit websites before to do so because of these tools. Websites that are easy for users with disabilities to navigate tend to rank higher in search results. Being the most distinguished Web development company in India, it is our responsibility to ensure that these guiding principles are fully included in our work so that no user is overlooked.

Immersive Technologies: AR and VR Redefining Online Experiences

The advent of new kinds of online experiences is due in large part to the widespread adoption of immersive technologies like AR and VR. We at Nivida Web Solutions, recognise the game-changing potential of augmented and virtual reality to shape the future of the internet. Incorporating these innovations into websites and apps will allow developers to craft more engaging and dynamic experiences for users.

In Augmented Reality, the user's environment is augmented with digital elements such as images, animations, and data. In contrast, virtual reality (VR) allows users to feel as though they are actually present and interacting within a digital world. We see the potential for augmented and virtual reality integration to transform customers' online experiences across sectors.

Virtual and augmented reality has the potential to produce very compelling interactions that will draw people in and keep them engrossed in digital material. The level of immersion provided by these technologies is unrivalled by more conventional means, whether one is trying on clothes before buying them or touring a house virtually. As an Indian web development firm, it is our job to leverage augmented and virtual reality to create user experiences that stick with them long after they've left the website.

The fields of teaching, learning, and leisure could likewise benefit greatly from these innovations. The ways in which people take in information are changing as a result of the advent of augmented and virtual reality technologies. Responsible web development in Vadodara means using cutting-edge tools like augmented and virtual reality to build cutting-edge platforms that provide users with more than just the run-of-the-mill experience.

Final Thoughts:

The trends we've covered thus far are just the tip of the iceberg, but they give us a glimpse into the exciting and transformational future of online experiences as we look ahead to 2023 and beyond. All of these developments—from Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) and voice search to Augmented Reality (AR) and inclusive design—point to a single truth about the modern digital landscape: it is in a constant state of flux, and businesses that want to stay competitive must be willing to adapt to new realities as they emerge.

Being an industry-leading Web development company in Vadodara, Gujarat, India, Nivida Web Solutions has seen this transformation firsthand. By deftly incorporating these developments into our projects, we not only stand ready to take advantage of these tendencies, but we also intend to establish new standards in web construction. Our inspiration comes from our customers' ideas, and we build each website with the goal of going above and beyond their wildest dreams.

Our commitment to quality and originality remains firm even as the environment around us changes. We hope you'll join us on this exciting adventure into the future. Working together, we can fully realise the advantages of PWAs, voice search, augmented and virtual reality, web accessibility, and more. Together, we have the opportunity to create a vision for the future of digital culture that doesn't merely reflect current fashions but rather pushes the envelope. Nivida Web Solutions is where website creation is headed in the future.

#india #gujarat

9 notes · View notes

draconicsparkle · 9 months

Text

So this suggestion from Sapphire was worded as: Clover protecting her dads from pure evil.

Now I’m sure you are wondering. What could this pure evil possibly be? And the answer is: bubbles.

How could I not do that one next? I’m sure you understand why I simply had to.

So, I may take a short break from this au for a little. I dunno when it will return, but I wanna explore some other things for now. Thank you for all the support on this fic thus far. It means the world to me.

“I simply do not understand your powers, mortal. How could you tame something that I could not? It vexes me to no end,” Gundham stated with annoyance lacing his voice.

Hajime rolled his eyes as he pet Clover’s belly as they sat on the couch. “I don’t know what to tell you. I guess she just likes us better.”

The dark haired human grumbled, clearly still sulking. No matter what he tried, Clover did not favor him in any way. Apparently, this was the first time this had ever occurred, leading to this rampant confusion on Gundham’s part. Everyone else thought it to be entertaining.

Hajime then remembered something, to which he got a grin. “Maybe we can help improve her opinion on you. I just hope Izuru hasn’t left the store yet,” he said as he whipped his phone out and sent his twin a message. The reply was instant, getting a confirmation on the request being heard and carried out promptly. “Alright. All we have to do is wait.”

Gundham looked confused, but didn’t bother to ask. “Shall we await the almighty one outdoors? I’ve had my fill of this era’s technologies. The grand wilderness calls.”

Giving one last belly pat to the wolf dog puppy, Hajime stood up from the couch along with Gundham. They exited out of the building, both humans smiling when they saw their nagas sunbathing in the distance. Clover also saw them, prancing in place as she looked to Hajime for permission.

“Yes, you can go,” he told her, to which she sped off, rocketing to the large emerald green snake. Gundham deflated even more when the puppy reached them, giving licks to both Nagito and Sonia. Hajime patted him on the shoulder, taking a seat on one of the patio chairs. He rested comfortably in it, head tilted back and eyes closed as he relaxed.

The humans stayed there, enjoying the outside weather. Hajime didn’t bother to move during that time for a couple reasons. First, that he would be able to greet Izuru when he returned from his shopping trip. And second, because he was feeling incredibly lazy. So, he didn’t bother trying to exert any energy.

He continued to do so until his twin’s car pulled back into the driveway. But Hajime kept his eyes closed until he heard footsteps approaching him. “I’m guessing you got what I asked for,” he called over.

His brother rolled his eyes. “Of course I did. You know I will accomplish anything I set my mind to.”

Hajime grinned as he was handed the bag that contained the things he requested. “Thank you, by the way. I don’t mean to make you do all the shopping all the time.”

Izuru’s mouth crooked up into a tiny smile. “You are welcome. And rest assured, I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t want to.”

“Of course. Now then, let’s get this set up.”

The three humans got to work, pouring the container of liquid into the shallow plastic dish. Hajime then grabbed the wand, pressing it into the liquid and ran a few steps forward. Creating giant rainbow bubbles.

“It works! I’m sure they will love this,” Hajime stated as he gave the wand to the awestruck Gundham. The brunette then shouted over to the nagas. “Hey! Come over here! We have something to show you!”

The two serpents lifted their heads, eyes widening when they saw the giant bubble rise in the air and pop. They rose fully, slithering over to the house with the excited puppy trotting in between them. But once they got close, the wolf dog’s eyes locked onto the bubbles that Gundham and Izuru had been making. She raced forward again, leaping up into the air and opening her jaws to snap at one of them. It popped, leaving a very confused puppy behind.

Nagito giggled as he watched his dog frantically look around, setting off to get another bubble. “What are these? They are pretty!” he asked, reaching out and popping one himself with a claw.

Hajime nodded, walking close once Nagito had settled down near the ground again. “They are. These are bubbles created with a soap mixture. Most of the time, they are smaller than this. But we got the giant ones for you guys to enjoy.”

“Really? That’s so considerate of you!” the emerald naga exclaimed, watching with new appreciation as Sonia watched the bubbles that Gundham made float up into the air. And also how Clover kept jumping and running around, trying her best to get all the ones Izuru made.

Hajime then saw a third wand and extra basin that were off to the side. “Want to try it yourself? I think you will be able to.”

The green eyes sparkled. “Really? Yes, I would love to try!”

And so the brunette jogged over to the extras, grabbing them and bringing them closer to his partner. He filled the basin with more of the bubble mixture, testing the wand out and smiling triumphantly when a large bubble formed. “Okay, so it’s fairly easy. Put the wand in the liquid and move it sideways. Don’t move the wand too fast or else it will pop.”

The reptilian eyes narrowed in concentration, doing his best to follow the instructions given to him. His first few tries ended up in failures, but he didn’t let them discourage him. And when he successfully made his own bubble, he looked absolutely elated. “Look! Look! I did it!” Nagito almost shouted, watching his bubble fly into the sky. Now filled with more determination, Nagito dipped the wand into the basin and made another.

Only for it to be broken by a flying dog.

Clover looked at both her human and naga owners, tail wagging furiously as she panted. Both Hajime and Nagito laughed, happy to see their puppy having fun. “Are you getting all the bubbles? Do you want to get more?” Nagito cooed, getting his wand ready and making more rainbow spheres.

Clover was more than ready, getting every single bubble that appeared in the area. She even raced back to the other two humans at points, getting their bubbles before returning to her owners. But her energy did run out eventually, ending up with her flopping down on her side in the shade under the patio table. Izuru went in to get her a bowl of water and Sonia took hold of Gundham, entering the woods together. Soon, it was just them.

“Humans have made so many fascinating things. The creativity is astounding,” Nagito murmured as he lowered himself onto the grass fully.

Hajime hopped up to sit on the pale wrist, now sitting directly next to the naga’s cheek. “Yeah, I can agree on that. I am sure I would never come up with anything like that.”

Nagito carefully tilted his head so his cheek made contact with the smaller person on him. “You are very creative in your own way. I know you don’t see it quite as clearly, so I’ll remind you whenever you need me to.”

Hajime found himself blushing with a smile, rubbing his own cheek against his naga’s. “I appreciate it.”

The two closed their eyes and relaxed, leaning against each other in complete contentment as the warm sun’s rays shone on them.

Masterpost

#danganronpa #nagito komaeda #hajime hinata #fanfic #komahina #au #drabble #naga #g/t #gtronpa

11 notes · View notes

gamenu · 7 months

Text

"There we go~" Azul smiles delightedly and helps her ease out of a turn, mindful of her feet and careful not to hold on to her hand too hard. "You're a natural, Naira, truly. Did you dance often, back home?"

It sounded like a cheerful sort of place, with a few exceptions here and there from what she'd felt comfortable sharing with him. Perhaps her friends had enjoyed holding parties, or following the cues of music simply came naturally to her?

"We'll have to dance sometime when we get back to Night Raven." He muses as the music begins to steady out. "If you're feeling up for it, that is?"

-- @mostrohost

"I'm used ta bein' on my wings...dancin' on my feet, like a Clumsy...actually makes me feel incredibly clumsy." Yet, Azul's praise doesn't go unheard. There's just the gentlest of flutters from her wings neatly folded against her back. For sake of space, and that of her dance partner, she's opted to try dancing as everyone else does. And he's right, she's not bad. But the fairy finds herself hestating a lot more than she usually would compared to that at home.

"Bu'...yeah. I actually dance a lot back home. Like ya know how tha fairies here have their gala ta celebrate their queen? Back home, we celebrate Tha Molt. An' i's jus' a giant festival a' tha' poin'. Tons of food, dancin', tha light-talents are puttin' on shows...i's a nice time. I danced till dawn one year wi' my friends." Needless to say, when the fairies celebrated, they celebrated hard. Not to say the Clumsies don't either. They have so many different ways of doing it too! She's having a lot of fun actually getting to learn and experience these things with Azul.

At his offer to dance again when they get back to Night Raven, there's just a small hum of thought before she nods. It's fun to indulge in these things from time to time, and if nothing else, it'll help her improve by leaps and bounds with the use of her feet. Besides, Azul is very good company, and Naira can safely say she enjoys spending time with him as well. Who is she to deny such a generous offer? "I think tha' would be lovely, Azul. We...won' have ta wear masks, will we?"

So its with a small pause, that she turns and points to the other guests and all the masks adorning their faces. To her, it seemed like all of the big events they've had require masks and costumes and such. And while they're not bad, Naira has to admit...she's not a fan of masks. They look cool, and they're fun to see on other people but she personally detests wearing them herself. They sit awkward on her ears and feel awkward on her.

As long as Azul doesn't make her wear a mask, she can see herself agreeing to dance with him more often. It could be fun!

#༼ 🌟 open your messages! ༽#༼ 🌟 touch my wings and it’ll be the last thing you ever do: twst ༽#mostrohost #Please...this is so soft...#Let them dance more often pls. I support them

2 notes · View notes

echoaverialightning · 10 months

Text

I’m excited to say, that I’m making big plans to finally get my self back into school. I’ve always wanted to go to college, but I also had my doubts about everything.

School back then put me down so much that made me feel bad about myself. Like I could never do anything. So, I had to teach myself how to read better. Find ways to improve.

When I graduated I was still 18 a teenager. Didn’t know what I wanted to do next. Did want to go to college, but didn’t know what I wanted to do there. So, I spent a month doing nothing.

My sister got me a job at working for Lyon College. I had so many offers to go to college there.

But still I didn’t take them cause, like I said I really didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life.

But after almost 7 years at working at Lyon College. I come to find out I now know what I would love to go to school for.

I want to get into photography. I want to learn about cameras and taking photos. I want to learn about writing and improving my skills. So, I can become a blogger. Maybe an inspiration for others.

I want to learn video editing so that way I can improve my YouTube. Also, taking a class for marketing can also help me learn more about social media and etc. Supper excitement to finally get to step it up in my life.

Taking a giant leap of faith!

#facts #little about me #story time #writing ideas #college #school #learning #learningtoimprove

2 notes · View notes

corninthegob · 2 years

Text

Adventure Time redraw! First 2 are this year, 3rd one is from the 6th of February 2021, and the fourth is from the 28th of January 2020.

The palette I used was featured in a Drawfee video and I've been wanting to do the same palette challenge they did in that video for a while. It's a very difficult palette to use because all the colours are the same value T_T.

Slight inconsistency with this Finn from the others, I drew him from how he appeared at the start of the show before he had lost his arm. I haven't watched the show in full so i have no idea at what points he had long hair and at what points he had short hair. I'm the most proud of my improvement in drawing pugs because the ONLY time i ever draw pugs is when I'm drawing Jake.

[IMAGE DESCRIPTIONS]

1) A drawing of Finn and Jake from Adventure Time. Jake has grown to a giant size, and Finn is riding on his back. The camera is looking upwards at them. Finn appears as he does at the very beginning of the series, when he is 12 years old. The colours are bright and a limited paletteis used. The base is pink, the highlights are orange, lime and white, and the shadows are cyan and purple. They are lit from behind by the sun, with Jake mostly being in shadow and Finn having more light on him. Finn's Rapunzel-esque hair is coming out the bottom of his hat and is blowing in the wind. The background is pure white.

2) The same drawing, but with a black background that has a white, lime and orange sun framing Jake's head.

3) A more cartoony drawing of Finn and Jake. An orange-yellow circle frames them, with Jake stretched around it and Finn leaping forward at the camera. The camera is looking upwards at the both of them. Finn is older, with shorter hair and having lost his arm. The coloyr palette is sunset-like.

4) A very simple drawing of Finn and Jake. They are standing on a white background with a yellow circle behind them. Finn has his hand on his hip. Jake's arms are crossed, and he is bipedal. They have the same colours as in the show.

#corninthegob #corninthegob art #adventure time #adventure time fanart #adventure time finn #adventure time jake #art improvement #art timeline #annual redraw #digital art #art #artists on tumblr #digital illustration #drawing #drawfee

4 notes · View notes

billconrad · 13 days

Text

When In Doubt, Delete

I have been trying to be a successful author since 2016. It is a solitary activity that is as frustrating as it is challenging, rewarding, and educational. Like any worthwhile activity, there is much to learn. During my journey, I have discovered a few techniques that have improved my writing, and I wanted to discuss one I discovered a year ago. When I locate a troublesome sentence, paragraph, or idea that is difficult to fix, I delete it. This method sounds simple, but coming to that mindset (trusting myself) took a giant leap.

My logical personality loves fixing problems, so I have great difficulty leaving something unresolved. For example, if my computer stops working, I will not throw it away. Instead, I would devote time and money to getting it working again, even if this is far more than it is worth. Therefore, it should always be possible to take words that are not working and manipulate them, so they do. Yet, this description is not exactly what I am trying to convey.

My deleting concept resides at a very high level. It is as if the universe is telling me, “Dude, this is not working. Move on.” How can I convey this concept? My first thought was to edit stuff for a week and show you examples of deleted material.

So, I collected ten deletions, but each one “Looked fine to me.” The problem is that a sentence or paragraph means nothing out of context. Another issue is that I was not able to explain my deleting logic. The only thought I could write was, “This did not work.”

Here is an example sentence that I deleted from this very article. “During my journey, I have discovered a few techniques that have improved my writing, and I wanted to discuss one I discovered a year ago. (Yes, it took six years for me to figure this out.)” As you can see, I deleted the sentence within the parenthesis. What was going on? I was trying to be funny, and it did not work. Yet, it read funny. Was there value in this addition? Yes, because the sentence added humor to a dry topic. Does this deletion make a better article? The universe told me, “Humor is not necessary.”

I deleted a short paragraph from my last article: “If you like the Twilight movie, great. I am glad you had a good movie experience. If you have not seen it, it is a very popular movie that many people enjoyed.” That is a less than well written thing, but with some editing, it could be valid. The problem was that the sentences were not within the theme of my article. After the deletion, the article read “smoother.” It was like the universe was telling me, “Readers do not need these details.”

The textbook method is: “When a section is not working, try deleting it. Then check to see if the deletion improves the document.” Another way is: “If a section frustrates the writer, a good first reaction is to try deleting it.” This philosophy is closer to my thoughts, but I have not entirely captured my method.

In the first draft of one of my books, I wrote a detailed ten-paragraph background on the main character’s sister. This section included discussing her racist husband. Writing this section was challenging because I did not wish to offend my readers. I intended to provide a rich history I thought they would enjoy.

I intended to show the main character supported his wife by distancing himself from the racist. This section underwent many changes during editing, and I felt I had conveyed a robust foundation. About six months ago, I was looking it over (not during an edit) and deleted the entire section. Was there any motivation like readability, flow, or character development? Nope. Only one button press.

I was reviewing this book yesterday and thought, “Hey, what happened to that sister’s background? Oh, yeah. I deleted it.” Was my choice correct? For this article, I looked at a backup copy. The segment read well, but I now see why I deleted it. I was forcing something. “I (the main character) am better than my sister because I did not marry a racist.” My gut was telling me, “Dude! Stop being arrogant. Delete this mess.”

Is this minimalist behavior? Meaning I give the readers exactly what they need and no more. I confess that my writing mindset does contain a minimalist attitude and detailed descriptions in my books and other books never read right. Yet, my explanation is still lacking.

After thinking about this topic on a walk, I concluded that this deletion mindset contains a zen attitude. When I get a negative gut feeling about a section, it goes away. Am I proclaiming to be a fantastic writer with so much excessive material that I have the freedom to delete anything? No, my writing ability is quite the opposite. It takes me eons to write down my thoughts, and deleting material limits my meager output.

My conclusion is if you are a writer, permit yourself to delete. How will you know? Mmm… I am still figuring that out.

You’re the best -Bill

April 17, 2024

Hey, book lovers, I published four. Please check them out:

Interviewing Immortality. A dramatic first-person psychological thriller that weaves a tale of intrigue, suspense, and self-confrontation.

Pushed to the Edge of Survival. A drama, romance, and science fiction story about two unlikely people surviving a shipwreck and living with the consequences.

Cable Ties. A slow-burn political thriller that reflects the realities of modern intelligence, law enforcement, department cooperation, and international politics.

Saving Immortality. Continuing in the first-person psychological thriller genre, James Kimble searches for his former captor to answer his life’s questions.

These books are available in softcover on Amazon and in eBook format everywhere.

#writing #author #editing #the universe

0 notes

thewittyphantom · 2 months

Text

After the first event, the second and third events got very weird very fast. SEVENS sure is wacky! But if Nail gave his enemies a massage and a meal he doesn't seem all bad. XD

Gavin: I never thought Kaizo would end up like this... Kaizo: Sniff... Gavin: Maximum Summon... Romin: Is there actually any way to win against it? Yuga: ......... Luke: If there is, Yuga's gonna find it! Right, bro? Yuga: Umm...Yeah...He really did catch me off guard, though. Luke: Don't worry! You got us! We'll help you figure out how to win too! Romin: By doing what? Luke: By sitting on these massage chairs and relaxing our brains! Romin: Relaxing is the opposite of doing! ...Why are massage chairs here anyway!? Luke: Less chatting, more sitting. Romin: .......... Luke: Aaaaahhh...So relaxing bro... Everyone: Kinda jealous...Sitting for a second can't hurt...Aaaah.... *CLUNK* Everyone: ....AAAAAAAAAHHHH! Luke: Ouch...Where are we? Seatbastian: I do hope you enjoyed your massages. Because that was the final time you will ever be able to relax for the rest of your existence! Luke: Whoa! I can't believe that there's a massage chair all the way down here! Romin: Shouldn't you be more surprised that the massage chair can talk? Seatbastian: Do you know you are not worthy to sit on me, you lowly commoner! I am no mere massage chair. I am Seatbastian, the massage throne! And loyal servant of Master Nail. Yuga: Nail, huh? Seatbastian: You clearly have much to learn about the evolution of seating technology. Which begins with the tree stump, then the bench, then the simple chair. But we took a giant leap with the most revolutionary invention in human history: The massage chair! Everyone: ........... Seatbastian: And even that could be improved! Which is what Goha did when they invented me - the massage throne! Since I am the greatest of all thrones, it is only logical that only the greatest ruler may sit upon me. A select few believed they had the right, but only one is truly worthy of the honor. And that human is Master Nail! He has proven countless times that he is worthy of sitting on me. I must also prove that I am worthy of having Master Nail sit upon me. Which I will do by defeating you! Everyone: ........... Romin: He's the most confident piece of furniture I've ever met... Seatbastian: You will learn a valuable lesson today. That you are nothing compared to Master Nail! I challenge you... to a Massage Rush Duel!

Seatbastian: I am supposed to be the greatest of seats...Chaaaaaaaairrrr! By losing against Yuga, I have proven that I am not worthy of serving you. You must dispose of me. It truly was my honor to serve and protect you all these days, Master Nail. Nail: And it would be my honor if you would continue to serve and protect me, Seatbastian. I have no desire to replace you. Seatbastian: Sniff...What is happening? There's a leak in my code. I must still be malfunctioning... Nail: .......... Saburamen: Yugaaaaaa! Yuga: Hey Saburamen. Saburamen: Yuga, I received a penalty to my account! Why did this happen? Yuga: Well... *CLUNK* Everyone: Huh? Luke: Another trap door! Saburamen: ...I see. So that's what happened. Yuga: Sorry I dragged you into this, Saburamen. Saburamen: No need to act like a wet noodle, Yuga! We are on the same team! Yuga: Saburamen... Saburamen: Ah! Do you smell something? Romin: No way...What's a ramen shop doing down here? Gavin: It looks incredibly popular too. Romin: Is this another one of Nail's traps? Saburamen: Only one way to know for sure! Let's get in line! Romin: How am I not surprised. Saburamen: We're next! Celestia: Woo wee woo wee! Saburamen: What's that noise? Celestia: Greetings, Earthlings! Welcome to Out of This World Ramen! My name is Celestia Noodlina! Wee woo! Romin: Wee woo? Celestia: I've come from Planet Menmen in the Ra Nebula on the other side of the galaxy! Luke: Whoa, bro. That's a lot of miles. Saburamen: I've never seen such exquisite noodles. Everyone: What a wonderful aroma! Even my drool is drooling! Let's eat! Saburamen: It is though I am swirling in an ocean of umami with no land in sight! And the noodles! I am a puppet, and they are my strings! I have never tasted such deliciousness! Celestia: This is nothing. My home planet has even tastier ramen. I'd be happy to take you there. Saburamen: What!? Yes! Thank you! I would be honored! Romin: That was good! Luke: Compliments to the chef! Celestia: I am glad you enjoyed! Now that your bellies are full...Get ready for a Rush Duel! Luke: So you DO work for Nail! Celestia: Who's gonna be my opponent?

#yu gi oh #duel links #yu gi oh sevens #yuga ohdo #nail saionji #romin kassidy #lucidien kallister #gavin sogetsu #seatbastian #saburamen #celestia noodlina #kaizo

1 note · View note

dalt20 · 5 months

Text

Tooning In 9. Dev Ross part 5 of 7

DL: so we were taking about disney last time right?

DR: I don't remember, I did tell you about my time there yes. Not sure if that was where we ended up.

DL: well, after jungle cubs how did you feel when you left the house of mouse?

DR: Disappointed that things had become so distant there. Lost the old feeling of comraderie. No real personal relationships. No team work, Very cold and corporate. I was very sad and felt I had lost a big part of my something that had once been so special.

DL: I'm sorry to hear that. Oh,so you wrote for Aladdin the series?

DR: A few eps,that is all.

DL: process for that?

DR: Don't remember a thing. I wasn't on it long enough for it to have made memories for me.

DL: so did you watch the film,before writing for the series or the sequel?

DR: Yes.

DL: thoughts on the first film?

DL: yeah he was great! so did you like any other 90s disney films?

DR: No. It was a pretty predictable Disney film. The best part was the Genie. Robin Williams ability to improv made the film. His stuff was fresh and out of the box.

DL: yeah he was great! so did you like any other 90s disney films?

DR: You'd have to be specific. I don't recall which movies came out when. I left Disney because I felt their still had become too predictable. Their use of iconic characters over and over was troubling to me.

DL: I see.

DR: They insisted on using their cast of characters and only finally reached for new characters long after I left. Meanwhile you had Pixar who was wildly creative and out of the box. Pixar wasn't afraid to find new heroes.

DL: well sadly pixar is now stale.

DR: Yep. It happens. Youth are turning to webtoons and 2D limited animations from Japan and Korea. Also the gaming industry has leaped ahead of narrative stories.

DL: well it's called 'anime' but yeah, that's all the rage! you probably grew up on speed racer and kimba.

DR: I know that it is called anime but what it is artistically is limited 2D animation. I did not watch speed racer or kimba.

DL: Gotcha. back to your career, you worked on adventures of the book of virtues for porchlight and PBS.

DR: Yes.

DL: written the episode, patience. can you explain to me the show and the episode.

DR: William Bennet was the driver of that. He was the a secretary of education under Reagan and very conservative. He believed kids weren't being taught morals and virtues enough so brought this series to life. Give me a clue on the patience episode as I don't recall it.

DL: thanks for giving me a history lesson (this is not sarcasm) the annie and ari are trying to teach other kids things but the other kids can’t do it and they become impatient with them. and also hellen keller.

DR: I actually really loved working in this show! I loved taking the lessons from the book and making them relatable to kids. But neither came easy. I did the play in high school and loved being Helen!

DL: That's awesome! Good for you!

DR: The fact that it showed the incredible resilience of these women was wonderful for me. I love telling these kinds of stories.

DL: Wow! So,how did you write the episode but trying not to make them christian? secular, i mean.

DR: I wrote them to be universal. All religions have common values. I'm not into religion at all but I do recognize intrinsic human values of kindness, compassion and patience. We all could use a giant dose of that today.

DL: Agreed.

DR: sends me a smiley face emoji 😀

DL : you wrote that episode with the creators according to IMdb.

DR : Not sure what you mean. I'm credited as writer on it...

DL : it said on the page for the episode you co wrote it with them.

DR : Hmm. I never co-wrote. I have the only credit on it when you view the opening. Maybe they made changes later. I don't know

DL : oh ok, lets talk about the Land Before Time. your golden ticket to fame!

DR: Yes. Loved writing those films. Great team.

DL: the first film, the great valley adventure. process on that?

DR: They had a script they didn't like and asked me to doctor it. I did a major rewrite of it in two weeks and that sealed the deal for more. I was fast and they liked my take on the characters. I used my own kids for inspiration and that worked! My six year old son was Little Foot and my bossy four year old was Cera.

DL: Oh, wow!

DR : I would see the problems they encountered with friends and used them in my stories. My son was getting picked on so I used his struggle to deal with prejudice kids. My kids would always give me ideas. It was so wonderful to turn their experiences into stories.

DL: That's awesome!

DR: It was very rewarding!

DL: so you read the original script, can you tell me what was from the script?

DR: The beginning with them finding the egg but that's pretty much it. I still had to share credit though.

DL: Ah, I see. so The Time of Great Giving, the process of that film and the story?

DR: That was crazy. They wanted me to create a Thanksgiving theme along with a fire safety message!

DL: wait, WHAT!?

DR: Since there weren't exactly turkeys back then or a Thanksgiving holiday, I had to find a story that gave those values. It was a bit nutty!! I wrote the whole script then was asked to go back and put a fire safety message in there! But the value of giving thanks and being grateful, that was easy to do. If you watch it, you'll see the Valley has a big fire and Littlefoot helps veryone escape safely.

DL: well, ( i dont curse that often but) that must be absolute hell to write!

DR: When you write for kids you are used to putting in subliminal and obvious messages. But, yes, that one challenged me! But I've made my career on taking hard topics and making them entertaining. I'm working on a science and medicdd as l show for kids now and some of the medical stuff is downright boring! But! We are putting it all in space and using aliens for the medical scenes which makes it crazy fun. The ep I'm working on now deals with constipation!!! But I'm showing it by Mr heroes getting stuck inside a giant space creature who is constipated!!

DL: is that Weird Detention?

DR: Sorry for my bad typing.

DL: It's OK.

DR: No, this is for Dr. Theory. Weirf Detention address conflict resolution. Weirddetention.com

It addresses the need for better communication via magical realism. Three kids trapped in school detention with no way out.

DL: oh ok, but we're gonna talk about that at the near end. your gonna spoil the the project!

I send her a smiley face emoji 😁

DR: Nah...

DL: that was suppose to be the suprise at the end.

DR: Ok. I ruined my own surprise party!

DL: besides your IMdb credits get shorter when time goes on.

DR: Very true! It's called ageism, Hard to get hired when you get passed forty.

DL: I see.

DR: That's why I do mostly my own productions now.

DL: Oh, OK. Stories of My Childhood, what was that? You wrote the elEnglish dub for a episode.

DR: That was hard! I was hired to take old Russian animation and redo the stories in English. I had to fit English in mouths that were animated for the Russian language. I often had to change the stories as they were very old and not great for American kids. So I was stuck with the animation and had to use it to tell a different story.

DL: did you watch The Snow Queen? old soviet animated film from 1957, that had a all star cast like Art Link-letter. if your old enough to know.

DR: It was not easy. Yes, I think another writer redid that one. Maybe Stephanie Mathison or Sindy McKay. It was fun to be in the editing room on it. Working to adjust the character's mouth movements

DL: Did you watched the first "Art link-letter' dub as a kid?

DR: No.

DL: Of The Snow Queen.

DR: No.

DL: Okay. So but how did you feel about the show using old 50s Russian animation to show to 90s kids?

DR: It was oddly fun to try and make the stories more relevant to our audiences. I loved the challenge but it was tedious!

DL: I can only imagine.

DR: Everything had to fit their visuals and we could only stretch or shorten their mouths so much. Very time consuming. But dubbing is often just doing a translation. I was often rewriting the meaning of the show. That was very difficult.

DL: oh, well how do you feel to be a dub writer?

DR: It was challenging. I wouldn't want to do it a lot!

DL: ok so journey through the mists, process for that film?

DR: That was my need to address xenophobia. Fear of the unknown. People being afraid of others who are different. The story tells that by putting the characters in a strange new place full of new creatures. They need to deal with their fear of others while finding important medicine for Littlefoot's grandfather.

DL: you introduce Chomper the Sharptooth in that right?

DR: No. Chomper is in the first one I was hired to rewrite.

DL: oh ok. how did you came up with him?

DR: I inherited him from the other writers.

DL: Okay.

#animation #animation interview #tooning in.#dev ross #disney afternoon #walt disney animation studios #disney #disney television animation #aladdin #adventures of the book of virtues #90s cartoons #the land before time #don bluth #universal pictures #soyuzmultfilm

1 note · View note

yoursaptarshi · 6 months

Text

7 Reasons Why You Should Buy the M2 MacBook Air

The 13-inch and 15-inch M2 MacBook Air models are Apple's newer entry-level laptops that come with a modern design, an M2 chip, MagSafe, and more. The MacBook Air has been Apple's most popular laptop for many years, and many reviewers praised the M1 MacBook Air that came out in 2020 as the perfect notebook for most people. Apple silicon unlocked the MacBook's potential, and we now see that taken to a new level with the M2 MacBook Air models. So, here are all the reasons we think the 13-inch and 15-inch M2 MacBook Air models are worth buying.

1. The Modern Design

Apple has updated many of its products with a squared-edge design. It started with the iPad Pro and eventually made its way to the MacBook Pro in 2021. Now, both the 13-inch and 15-inch M2 MacBook Air resemble the current MacBook Pro's design. The design is refreshing since the last time we got a design overhaul for the MacBook Air was in 2018. The M2 version takes the MacBook Air's design in a new direction since it's the first MacBook Air without a wedge-shaped design. Fortunately, the new design still allows the 13-inch and 15-inch M2 MacBook Air to be relatively thin and light. They also feature slimmer bezels and a notch for more screen real estate.

2. Aggressive Pricing

Even though the redesigned MacBook Air lost its legendary $999 price tag, the 13-inch version is still competitively priced for a high-quality laptop at $1,099. And for those who need slightly better graphics performance and storage, you can get the 512GB variant for $1,399. If screen real estate is a concern for you, you'll be happy to know that Apple offers the base 15-inch M2 MacBook Air at $1,299. That model is perfect for those who want a big laptop without having to spend big money on a 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro.

3. Value for Money

It's no secret that Apple silicon chips deliver stellar performance. The base M2 chip can handle everyday tasks like web browsing, media consumption, email, and more without breaking a sweat. You can also use creative applications for basic workflows and get solid performance. While the M2 is not a giant leap over the M1, it does provide an 18% faster CPU, a 35% faster GPU, and other improvements. The performance of the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air is particularly impressive for laptops that lack an internal fan to cool things down.

4. The Longevity

One tradeoff you make when you purchase an older device at a reduced cost is that it won't receive updates for as long as a new device. Apple has said it will support Intel Macs for years, but they have a more limited lifespan for software updates compared to Apple silicon Macs. Apple already cut off support for multiple Intel Macs with macOS Ventura in 2022. Apple silicon Macs not only provide incredible performance, but they will receive software updates for many years to come.

5. Port Selection

Image Credit: Apple While the M2 MacBook Air didn't receive an HDMI port or an SD card slot like the high-end MacBook Pros, it did get MagSafe. The addition of MagSafe provides an arguably better charging solution and frees up another USB-C port on the laptop. Having a MagSafe port allows you to connect more peripherals to your MacBook Air since you don't have to use a USB-C port to charge. Besides MagSafe, the redesigned MacBook Air models also sport a headphone jack that supports high-impedance headphones. Older models, like the M1 MacBook Air, only had USB-C ports and a regular headphone jack, which could be limiting, especially if you needed to charge your MacBook and use the ports for other functions.

6. Unmatched Battery Life

Apple laptops had solid battery life when using Intel processors, but Apple silicon has changed the game. The M2 MacBook Air line gets an estimated 15 hours of web browsing and 18 hours of movie playback, according to Apple. The laptops can last well on a single charge throughout the day while doing regular tasks such as web browsing, emailing, or word processing. Compared to Windows laptops, these machines are way ahead in the battery department. Furthermore, you can get a 70W power adapter that can fast-charge the M2 MacBook Air if you select it during checkout for an additional $20 with the base model 13-inch model. Apple offers the 70W charger for free with the higher-spec models.

7. Improved FaceTime Camera

A high-quality webcam is nice to have in the age of remote working or learning, where we rely on video calls often. The MacBook Air features a much-improved 1080p FaceTime camera, while the M1 MacBook Air and M2 MacBook Pro still have a 720p camera. The difference is very noticeable during FaceTime and Zoom calls. MacBooks in the past have had poor webcam quality, but the M2 MacBook Air line offers an exceptional camera.

How Does It Compare to the Mac Lineup?

Apple's MacBook lineup has become crowded since the introduction of the M2 MacBooks. Apple didn't discontinue the M1 MacBook Air, so it sits right below the 13-inch M2 Air at $999. The 13-inch and 15-inch M2 MacBook Air models are ideal machines for most people, offering the best combination of new features and design changes the MacBook Pro first received in 2021 while keeping the price relatively low. While there are multiple reasons to avoid the base model M2 MacBook Air, the $1,399 13-inch model is the sweet spot since it comes with an M2 chip with more GPU cores and a 512GB SSD. The argument for the M2 MacBook Air line becomes more complex when you upgrade the hardware. For instance, if you select the $1,399 13-inch model and add 16GB of RAM, the computer ends up costing $1,599, which is just $400 less than the 14-inch MacBook Pro. Additionally, the 15-inch MacBook Air with 512GB of storage and 16GB of RAM comes in at $1,699, just $300 below the 14-inch MacBook Pro.

While the M2 chip is more powerful than the base M1 chip, it isn't as capable as the other chips in the M2 family, like the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. The MacBook Pro also features an excellent ProMotion display and has fans for demanding tasks. So, if you are concerned about the fanless design or are looking for more power, you should definitely consider the 14-inch MacBook Pro instead. However, the MacBook Air has been, and still is, the perfect laptop for regular users since it's relatively affordable, features a premium design, and offers excellent performance that can handle everyday usage. Both the M2 MacBook Air models also deliver excellent battery life that can last a full day.

The M2 MacBook Air Models Are Well-Rounded Machines

The 13-inch and 15-inch M2 MacBook Air models are well-rounded laptops. They feature a great design, impressive performance for the price, great battery life, and more. These machines are excellent entry-level Macs and are perfect for most Mac users. So, if you're in the market for a long-lasting MacBook to do regular daily tasks, look no further. source Read the full article

0 notes