Hello fellow otaku base, and welcome to the SEMIFINALS of the Mr Congeniality Contest! You will be pleased to know that we have three semifinalists from our previous rounds as well as some other new contestants, who will appear due to popular demand! Please give a hand for Arthur Kirkland from England, Ludwig Beilschmidt from Germany and Gilbert Beilschmidt form Prussia - who have all made it into the semi-final round!...click on the title to read on!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
What Was I Thinking Back Then?
A break from the the Mr Congeniality contest that is currently running - a snippet into my daily life, I hope this'll be what I hope it to be - bitterly sarcastic...(click on title to read on..)
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Mr Congeniality Contest Part 2
Hello people, and welcome to the second anifantastic installment of MR CONGENIALITY!
Author: Today we would like to welcome everyone's favourite useless boy...
Fangirls: who-who-who??
Author: This little laddie loves to give up...he loves art, and architecture....everyone, please welcome Feliciano Vargas, from North Italy!
Author: Today we would like to welcome everyone's favourite useless boy...
Fangirls: who-who-who??
Author: This little laddie loves to give up...he loves art, and architecture....everyone, please welcome Feliciano Vargas, from North Italy!
(please click on the title to read on!)
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Mr Congeniality Contest ;)
Today, dearest readers, yours truly will do something mind - blowing, creative to the upteenth power and reaching the height of innovativeness.
That's right, awesome fans, today I shall be...
That's right, awesome fans, today I shall be...
Monday, February 14, 2011
Valentine's Day (ouch)/Single's Awareness Day
Ach! That date, everywhere! The idiotic Hetalai calender with the quirky picture of Feliciano, the proper calender in the living room, the computer, everywhere is screaming 14TH OF FEBRUARY.
No...not again..not THIS day...
It's not THAT bad, I s'pose..but I feel that it's a teensy bit too overrated. Now, I s'pose all the cute couples are banging their fists at the screen, but hey...aren't couples supposed to love each other like, oh, I don't know, every day of the year? You don't exactly plan on forgetting your special liebling all year round, then boom - suddenly this day comes along and you hand them a bunch of roses and a stuffed toy. Oh. gee, thanks. Didn't know you had it in you.
I used to know a boy who would act as though I was stone statue all year round. His brain only came into real-world mode at around exam time, when he could badger me for help with his studies. As soon as the bell rang for the hols, he'd revert to the simple, uncomplicated belief that, alas, yours truly is none other than a stone statue. Ignorance really is bliss.
Image taken from http://www.zazzle.com/anti_valentines_day_cards-137390295864010731 After being taken as an emotionless statue, I kind of went off this idea of lurvee, at least for the moment, and decided to take up an unbeaten stance as a cynical valentine's card-burning freak. Ahem. I know, I'm so productive :)
So what did I do today to celebrate this auspicious date? I played break up songs on my lovely piano. Really, my lovely piano Ludwig is the only real romance; never lets me down.
Some great songs to play if you're bitter on the 14th of February:
Now to the other question: why can't people be a bit more creative when it comes to giving valentines? It's the same all the time...the roses, the stuffed toys 'I love you' blah blah'...if you want to share it, THINK IT! Some ways that you can maybe show someone how you feel are:
No...not again..not THIS day...
I used to know a boy who would act as though I was stone statue all year round. His brain only came into real-world mode at around exam time, when he could badger me for help with his studies. As soon as the bell rang for the hols, he'd revert to the simple, uncomplicated belief that, alas, yours truly is none other than a stone statue. Ignorance really is bliss.
So what did I do today to celebrate this auspicious date? I played break up songs on my lovely piano. Really, my lovely piano Ludwig is the only real romance; never lets me down.
Some great songs to play if you're bitter on the 14th of February:
- Madonna's 'The Power of Goodbye'
- Coldplay's 'Viva la Vida'
- The Fray's 'How to Save a Life'
- Evanescence's 'My Immortal'
- Evanescence's 'Bring me to Life'
- Madonna's 'Frozen'
- Beethoven's 'Moonlight Sonata' (the first movement)
- Mike Posner's 'Cooler Than Me'
- Lady Gaga's 'Alejandro'
- Paint their portrait!
- Dedicate a song to them, perform it
- Write a story or a poem for them! Doesn't have to be a love song or story, you just want them to have something they can treasure for keeps
- Give them an origami model! This has got to be one of the best ideas. Make them an origami rose, and tie it with a music score pleated. Origami roses can be trialed through these websites: http://www.bloom4ever.com/how-to-make-origami-rose.php
- video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpCN8_M5RAQ
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Don't Just Play it. Perform it.
If you've read the 'about me' section of this blog, you'll know that I enjoy a spot of piano now and then. And one of my greatest pleasures in playing piano is the fact that I have mostly taught myself and with some invaluable help from a great friend of mine, and some of the awesome pianists on Youtube too :)You know when you grow a tomato plant in your own garden, then you cook something with your home-grown tomatoes it automatically tastes so much better? That's exactly the feelign I get when I play piano. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm DEFINITELY not pro or anything, but I like the freedom that comes with doing something independently, and I'm proud to say I havn't failed music yet :p
One of my friends recently entered a competition and played the keyboard. I reckon playing in front of people is good training if you want to be successful in your musical studies, so I fully encouraged her. However, she played her piece, but she failed to perform it.
When you play something live and on-stage, you have to aware of how you present your piece to the audience. You don't want people to get bored and yawn in their seats, ja?
A fine example would be the yearly Encore Concert, where the best of the best perform, and they are truly a sight to behold as well as listen to.
Here are some tips when you are performing in front of a crowd:
One of my friends recently entered a competition and played the keyboard. I reckon playing in front of people is good training if you want to be successful in your musical studies, so I fully encouraged her. However, she played her piece, but she failed to perform it.
When you play something live and on-stage, you have to aware of how you present your piece to the audience. You don't want people to get bored and yawn in their seats, ja?
A fine example would be the yearly Encore Concert, where the best of the best perform, and they are truly a sight to behold as well as listen to.
Here are some tips when you are performing in front of a crowd:
- Dress classy but neatly. Don't wear lots of loose bangles or bracelets, otherwise these will interfere with your playing.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Especially if you are a pianist (for the pedal) Practise beforehand wearing those shoes.
- Now for the hard part: treat your instrument like a part of your body. This is easier said than done; and for harpists/pianists etc its harder as you're basically rooted to the spot. But really, anyone can play an instrument, but very few people can actually bring the emotion out effectively. Remember, it's not just for the audience, it's for YOU too. Express yourself, lose yourself in the music. Remember, music is, first and foremost, for YOU, then the audience.
- Be confident! I've seen people practise, and they do everything right, they move around, they bring out the emotion, but on the day/night of the actual performance, they turn robotic. they play flawlessly, but it's just dry. Forget abotut he people who are there to watch you; do they really matter? No! Think of yourself as the boss of the whole hall/room, and simply PLAY.
- Bring out the theatrics! The stage is where you rule, and you have the means to show you arre the boss. If you are a singer, project your voice to the far corners of the hall. Understand the song, and then bring it out, into the heartf of the audience. If you are playing 'My Heart Will Go On', for example, think about someone you may love, think about LOVE itself. Play softly, emotionally, let it flow. If you are playing the Narnia theme, play loudly, bring out the tension of war, of battle. The glory of the rolling hills in the movie should be reflected in yoru performance. Visualise, feel it, think it, live it. Here is an example of astounding playing - I was looking at Narnia themes on Youtube and I came across this young gentleman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KsGRBN2m04
- Last but not least, remember, you are the moment here. Live this moment, on the stage, remember that music does have the power to change lives. You have this opportunity as a musician and as a performer, play your respects (pun intended) to the world.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
'Women in History? What, I Thought Only Boys Were Allowed To Play!'
'In my end is my beginning.'
Yes, so I continue with my little fandom of Scotland, this time following Mary, Queen of Scots. Yes, the little lady who competed but in vain with the vastly successful Elizabeth for the English crown - that's who I'm talking about.
This picture of Mary was taken from http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040208/spectrum/main1.htm Notice the red Bible in her hand, which tells us she was quite religious.
Yes folks, for today I will be rambling about one of my favorite topics: notable women in history.
A lot of people, even nowdays believe a woman does not have the brains or the guts needed to actualyl stand up in the world. Ahem (cough cough), please stand while I hit you on the head, people.
Mary was the daughter of James IV and Mary of Guise. When she was very young she was shipped of to France, where she was engaged to the Dauphin, Francis. However, because he was a really sickly boy, he died in his teens, possibly of a simple ear infection. Mary was siad to become really brokenhearted, for he was one of the few people she had actually liked and trusted during her life.
A lot happened in between; she was married to Lord Darnley, who was a capital moron, as we call them. He was mean and nasty, in spite of his good looks he really was a tough lot to put up with. He drank gallons and gallons just for fun. Mary disliked him, and when he was found dead, it was immediately assumed that Mary had played her cards in killing him. She was also married to a man named Bothwell in the middle, who was one of the suspects in the Darnley murder case.
So anyway, ou may or may not know that one of the most dramatized aspects of Mary and Elizabeth's battle was their religions. Mary was Catholic, while Elizabeth was a Protestant. After futile attempts to claim the English throne, Mary was soon locked up, and beheaded at the end, for treason (trying to grab the throne) and also because people feared that England would become Catholic once more.
But did this gal back off? Did she cry, and BEG for mercy?
Ah....no.
Elizabeth was really quite unwilling to have this distant cousin of hers beheaded. Elizabeth was a collected and logical thinker, and she really didn't want to stain the court with all this business of cutting off people's heads. However, she signed the papers under pressure from the court.
On the day of the execution, Mary stood tall and strong by the block. She pulled off her black overgown/cloak, revealing a blood-red gown. Now, this powerful colour was the symbol for Catholic martyrdom in those days. Imagine, how much mental strength a person would need to have, to not abandon their morals, their beliefs even when they know their head will be hacked off the shoulders in the next 20 minutes! It is said that it took about 3 blows for the guy with the axe to sever the head completely (....I usually try to imagine myself in various situations in history...but I think I'll pass on this one) but thankfully she was already unconcious by the first hit.
I'm DEFINITELY not taking sides here,neither politically nor religiously, because as all good historians know, narrow minds and biased brains can go in the gutter when it comes to the beautiful study of the past. I really think that women in history should be brought to the forefront more. A girl, from the day she is born, is pushed into a little, narrow stereotyped niche where she is expected to stay. Maybe not by her parents, maybe not by her friends, but society, be it rich or poor always has other plans for women.
This website is a marvellous site for anyone who wishes to actually look into Mary's life: http://www.marie-stuart.co.uk/
Come on, sisters, who says we can't get in the field?
Yes, so I continue with my little fandom of Scotland, this time following Mary, Queen of Scots. Yes, the little lady who competed but in vain with the vastly successful Elizabeth for the English crown - that's who I'm talking about.
Yes folks, for today I will be rambling about one of my favorite topics: notable women in history.
A lot of people, even nowdays believe a woman does not have the brains or the guts needed to actualyl stand up in the world. Ahem (cough cough), please stand while I hit you on the head, people.
Mary was the daughter of James IV and Mary of Guise. When she was very young she was shipped of to France, where she was engaged to the Dauphin, Francis. However, because he was a really sickly boy, he died in his teens, possibly of a simple ear infection. Mary was siad to become really brokenhearted, for he was one of the few people she had actually liked and trusted during her life.
A lot happened in between; she was married to Lord Darnley, who was a capital moron, as we call them. He was mean and nasty, in spite of his good looks he really was a tough lot to put up with. He drank gallons and gallons just for fun. Mary disliked him, and when he was found dead, it was immediately assumed that Mary had played her cards in killing him. She was also married to a man named Bothwell in the middle, who was one of the suspects in the Darnley murder case.
So anyway, ou may or may not know that one of the most dramatized aspects of Mary and Elizabeth's battle was their religions. Mary was Catholic, while Elizabeth was a Protestant. After futile attempts to claim the English throne, Mary was soon locked up, and beheaded at the end, for treason (trying to grab the throne) and also because people feared that England would become Catholic once more.
But did this gal back off? Did she cry, and BEG for mercy?
Ah....no.
Elizabeth was really quite unwilling to have this distant cousin of hers beheaded. Elizabeth was a collected and logical thinker, and she really didn't want to stain the court with all this business of cutting off people's heads. However, she signed the papers under pressure from the court.
On the day of the execution, Mary stood tall and strong by the block. She pulled off her black overgown/cloak, revealing a blood-red gown. Now, this powerful colour was the symbol for Catholic martyrdom in those days. Imagine, how much mental strength a person would need to have, to not abandon their morals, their beliefs even when they know their head will be hacked off the shoulders in the next 20 minutes! It is said that it took about 3 blows for the guy with the axe to sever the head completely (....I usually try to imagine myself in various situations in history...but I think I'll pass on this one) but thankfully she was already unconcious by the first hit.
I'm DEFINITELY not taking sides here,neither politically nor religiously, because as all good historians know, narrow minds and biased brains can go in the gutter when it comes to the beautiful study of the past. I really think that women in history should be brought to the forefront more. A girl, from the day she is born, is pushed into a little, narrow stereotyped niche where she is expected to stay. Maybe not by her parents, maybe not by her friends, but society, be it rich or poor always has other plans for women.
This website is a marvellous site for anyone who wishes to actually look into Mary's life: http://www.marie-stuart.co.uk/
Come on, sisters, who says we can't get in the field?
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Hetalia Scotland (fangirl scream!)
Scotland. As soon as you hear the name you think rolling, beautiful highlands, the sound of bagpipes and men in kilts? Ah, yes. It's a wonderful place to be, this planet of ours, and Scotland is one of the beautiful gems that grace it.
Okay. Now savour: Hetalia Scotland. Yeah sure, if you know Hetalia then you'd think, maybe a guy with England's eyebrows, slightly taller, wearing a kilt, with bagpipes and the Lock Ness Monster trailing along! Ah yes. But you forgot one thing. The AWESOME HOTNESS of Hetalia Scotland <3 Yay!
This image was taken from Zerochan.com. I think I read somewhere that this character design was first found on Pixiv. But yes, I'm sure my fellow fangirls are already having a swoon, aye? I really want him to come into the show soon.
Apparently Scotland, as England's eldest brother is what all big brothers should be (sarcasm) :cruel, narcisstic and enjoys making fun of Iggy...AWWW :( But his motto is: 'I can tease and hurt my brothers all I want, but if anyone else tries to come for them, they're HISTORY' Isn't that cute? Scotty for the win <3
Coming along my last post, I was talking about how everytime I study my history I visualise James Stewart as this gorgeous laddie here. And, well, lets just say that it makes my awesome study of history so much more interesting :D
I saw a picture of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England once on Zerochan, and this person commenetd 'aww England is so hot, but I suppose he doesn't notice it because he has hot brothers anyway.' To my knowledge, apart from England and Scotland the other character designs aren't quite as popular, but I sure hope they soon will, come on ladies, wouldn't you like to see a family portrait of Iggy and brothers?
Okay. Now savour: Hetalia Scotland. Yeah sure, if you know Hetalia then you'd think, maybe a guy with England's eyebrows, slightly taller, wearing a kilt, with bagpipes and the Lock Ness Monster trailing along! Ah yes. But you forgot one thing. The AWESOME HOTNESS of Hetalia Scotland <3 Yay!
Apparently Scotland, as England's eldest brother is what all big brothers should be (sarcasm) :cruel, narcisstic and enjoys making fun of Iggy...AWWW :( But his motto is: 'I can tease and hurt my brothers all I want, but if anyone else tries to come for them, they're HISTORY' Isn't that cute? Scotty for the win <3
Coming along my last post, I was talking about how everytime I study my history I visualise James Stewart as this gorgeous laddie here. And, well, lets just say that it makes my awesome study of history so much more interesting :D
I saw a picture of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England once on Zerochan, and this person commenetd 'aww England is so hot, but I suppose he doesn't notice it because he has hot brothers anyway.' To my knowledge, apart from England and Scotland the other character designs aren't quite as popular, but I sure hope they soon will, come on ladies, wouldn't you like to see a family portrait of Iggy and brothers?
Random Ramblings
hahaha, my first blog post, okay...please forgive me while I try and get myself organized.
Sims, art, music, and ANIME are my life blood so yeah: today I made a sims family. The Starrs, they called themselves, and they were a fine lot, Fiona Starr and Geoff Starr, and they soon adpoted a little baby daughter from the orphange. Awww!
But Fiona was EVILL, and she went to the spa, leaving poor Geoff in a tiny room...with the fireplace on...the poor young man passed away.
Grim reaper: hullo, hullo! What's this?
Geoff's ghost: ACHHH! What the hell happened? I'm SMOTHERED IN AN ORANGE FLAMING COLOUR! And where may I ask is Fiona?
Grim Reaper: Yep, you're dead all right.
So beg and beg as he might, Geoff was sent off my the black-clocked figure, and Fiona came home from the spa to find Geoff's tomb.
So...Fiona did exactly what we would all expect a grieving sim-widow to act. She took the kid, went to the town hall and changed her named to Madonna Ranger, sold Geoff's gravestone for 6 simoleons and went to the pool to seduce the richest sim in town....
Geofferey Landgrabb!
Geofferey: Why hello!
Madonna: hellol hello! (provocative pose): I see...you have money you might need some help spening?
Geofferey: ermmm....
Madonna: (grabs hand): yay! SHOPPING HERE I COME, BABY!
Geoffery figured that Madonna was a pretty cute woman, and slowly and surely he became entangled in his snares...however, he was already in another woman's net: Nancy Landgrabb!
The richest and most successfull bussinesswoman in town, Nancy had NO INTENTION of ever having a young silly girl come and take her husband...however....Fate(read: ME) had other plans in store for her MWAHAHAHA sorry.
On another note, I finished watching Hetalia the other day...and...wait for it...IT IS AWESOME! (FANGIRL SCREAM) So cute! And the fanart on deviantart and zerochan is too hot for words! Especially Scotland - he is like @.@
And everytime I study Mary, Queen of Scots and James of Scotland, I always visualize James of Scotland as the Hetalia version of Scotland. And even though Scotty isn't an official character, I really really hope he comes in the anime soon, and I hope he has the AWESOME RED HAIR
Tune in to my blog: I promise I'll make it more interesting soon!
Sims, art, music, and ANIME are my life blood so yeah: today I made a sims family. The Starrs, they called themselves, and they were a fine lot, Fiona Starr and Geoff Starr, and they soon adpoted a little baby daughter from the orphange. Awww!
But Fiona was EVILL, and she went to the spa, leaving poor Geoff in a tiny room...with the fireplace on...the poor young man passed away.
Grim reaper: hullo, hullo! What's this?
Geoff's ghost: ACHHH! What the hell happened? I'm SMOTHERED IN AN ORANGE FLAMING COLOUR! And where may I ask is Fiona?
Grim Reaper: Yep, you're dead all right.
So beg and beg as he might, Geoff was sent off my the black-clocked figure, and Fiona came home from the spa to find Geoff's tomb.
So...Fiona did exactly what we would all expect a grieving sim-widow to act. She took the kid, went to the town hall and changed her named to Madonna Ranger, sold Geoff's gravestone for 6 simoleons and went to the pool to seduce the richest sim in town....
Geofferey Landgrabb!
Geofferey: Why hello!
Madonna: hellol hello! (provocative pose): I see...you have money you might need some help spening?
Geofferey: ermmm....
Madonna: (grabs hand): yay! SHOPPING HERE I COME, BABY!
Geoffery figured that Madonna was a pretty cute woman, and slowly and surely he became entangled in his snares...however, he was already in another woman's net: Nancy Landgrabb!
The richest and most successfull bussinesswoman in town, Nancy had NO INTENTION of ever having a young silly girl come and take her husband...however....Fate(read: ME) had other plans in store for her MWAHAHAHA sorry.
On another note, I finished watching Hetalia the other day...and...wait for it...IT IS AWESOME! (FANGIRL SCREAM) So cute! And the fanart on deviantart and zerochan is too hot for words! Especially Scotland - he is like @.@
And everytime I study Mary, Queen of Scots and James of Scotland, I always visualize James of Scotland as the Hetalia version of Scotland. And even though Scotty isn't an official character, I really really hope he comes in the anime soon, and I hope he has the AWESOME RED HAIR
Tune in to my blog: I promise I'll make it more interesting soon!
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