Topic: The Chit-Chat Thread

So I started making creature designs for my game and I feel that I need to do a lot more

I am also thinking about the environments as well I will do those quickly without color. The color will come when I start making the sprites.

This is The Gold Smelter. A slave that died while working in the Forgotten Mines (area in the castle). Those unfortunate souls are bound to forever roam the mines He will "sprinkle" boiling gold in an arc when close to the player.

@Tyranexx I'll throw my birthday wishes into the ring, that's a phenomenal age. Here's hoping she lives to at least a hundred, that would be an absolutely massive party. Mine are in their seventies but my grandfather's been dealing with cancer for the last five years. The treatment has worked so far and he's been able to complete ten kilometre walks with surprising pace.

But the downside is that his mood has significantly degraded. About six months ago when I was with them he had a full-on go at me because I adjusted the thermostat, which didn't even work. It was almost as if I had walked into the room and spat on his face, which is something I would never do. He did it three times overall and each time was for an increasingly meaningless thing I'd do, like opening the fridge door as I look for something to eat, or jokingly accusing him of cheating while we were playing a game of sjoelen (table shuffleboard). I was shaken every time, so it's unpleasant to think about... It's a real shame cancer has such a detrimental effect on people.

Despite having a 9th generation videogame console I don't even have a 4K television... but it doesn't really matter to me, graphics were never a point of complaint for me. If there's games that have both performance and resolution modes I always choose framerate. It's a 43-inch screen so sitting away from it is necessary so that I don't damage my eyes. The race-chair and wheel are always positioned so that I can read small text but aren't too close.

The battery issue's seemingly worsened a lot in the last week. I began feeling the curvature of the screen, on the left side of the phone and then realised that shouldn't have been there. I took it out of the case and the phone screen is starting to get pushed out of the holding by the battery. Only thing stopping it from popping out are the screws. It does explain why the battery drains not only while I'm not using it but even when it's fully turned off and shouldn't be consuming power. I was told not to keep it on charge when it was initially repaired and I still don't, but it's very tempting. It also seems to die when it gets below 25%... so sometimes that's mid-text or mid-scroll.

I hope I can get the replacement sorted, I am very much like you in that I only replace tech when it breaks. Having said that I believe you should replace your phone, or begin the process soon. I don't like Apple's business model of releasing a new phone every year, especially because they're all the same, with more cameras, less buttons and more gimmicks. Now they feel less like phones and more like accessories, or a statues symbol. Similarly to what happened to AirPods, people just wear them out as a fashion accessory.

I'm the kind of person in adventurous situations that needs a push to get going, and after a bit I'll have it covered. When I learnt I was going it didn't fully register, until I arrived up in the forest four hours on foot away from the park gates. It wasn't explicitly dangerous until the summit day but it was a sight to behold. Many a trouser leg got soaked because of the dew in the air, the frost on the ground and the water droplets accumulated on plants. I remember on the school trip I was sharing a tent with some classmates, and when one of them opened their tent we got our bags covered in ice, because of the humidity, and the subsequent freezing temperatures. I also made the mistake of stabbing my walking pole into the ground the night before, and it nearly got stuck...

There was some students who opted not to go, and when I asked some of them after I found at least some reasoning excusable. The usual anxiety and all, but going up was indeed stressful at times. This was my favourite trip to go on, though, because I proved that my determination was enough, along with my fitness, to get me up a mountain.

Attack on Titan's characters are human and that's the best part about the story, it's about humans versus Titans, at least at the start. As the Titans show, and as the manga and anime show, the story isn't afraid to kill off a character or five to prove that these things are a threat. I love it, and it makes for a very unpredictable journey.

@Anti-Matter I had a test a few months ago when I arrived here, and the nurse doing my double nasal swab dropped my test after doing it, so I had to have four tests in about two minutes. In any case I'm glad you're at least willing to act in the name of safety, you'll no doubt save many people by taking the vaccine.

I'd love to have it too, but I'm under eighteen. I hope the government legalises the J&J vaccine, because it can be applied to "children"-mainly teens. It's the reason I couldn't watch the Formula One.

@Zuljaras I can't wait to see what it looks like when coloured. Funny you talk about gold, I made some edits to my cover design I posted back on the NL Artist thread, and recoloured the text "2020-21", and a flower motif, to fold. It's beautiful now. Keep it up!

@TheJGG No coloring those sketches. Those are just design ideas that I will use later when I am making the actual enemy inside the game. I might also use them as in-game collectables like some other games do.

@Zuljaras If you've seen the movie Stardust, you'll remember all the dead brothers, who remain in the exact positioning and condition when they died. So a guy who drowned is completely soaking, a guy who fell to his death is all squashed, one guy has an axe through his head, and so on.

This follows this trend and I really... really like it.

@TheJGG
It was from the government policy to give priority for teachers, merchants and public places staffs with vaccine injection at this time. I heard from governement that probably we will do regular school with limited students amount but it will be depend on current situation. I was thinking maybe we are not ready yet to open regular school with this current situation, probably we will do Online learning again for next academic year on July 2021.
But during this situation, my school library was very empty, just only me inside the library, sometimes other teacher visit the library to browse the books for their teaching materials.
I'm also teaching just for Extracurricular Drawing and Math Club after school time (2pm - 3pm) on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I did it from school library as it has portable white board for teaching. I always use my laptop for Zoom meeting, facing forward with white board and my handphone for 2nd additional screen to show the process of drawing or making something from top view.

How many peanut butter eggs until one is officially poisoned, 100? I think I’m there.

@BruceCM - I like the pour over more than any automatic maker I’ve had, even more than the percolator, which is a pretty good cup of coffee. It’s actually really similar to a French press in its simplicity, except gravity pulls the water through the grounds as opposed to the press actually expelling the grounds a bit.

I like a good cup of French press, but the pour over coffee is a bit less intense, and more smooth with an almost oily consistency (in a good way) and zero grounds in the coffee. It’s just a bit labor intense as you have to stand with it and pour manually. The whole process from bean to a cup of coffee takes me 25ish minutes. It’s not too bad, but it seems longer than that in the morning when I really just need a cup of coffee.

@Anti-Matter - Congratulations on getting vaxxed, I have my first appointment next month. It’ll probably be summer before I’m fully dosed.

@ThanosReXXX - No problem on the email, though you probably will need to watch the film again to re gather your thoughts! You know, I’ve read a few different pieces over the last year that deal with how the pandemic really can add just a “film” of mental and physical fatigue for most of us. I suppose massive, worldwide sickness and suffering is especially taxing for an empathic person.

I’ve only gotten to my junk shops a couple times in the last year. The inventory at every place is really stale because there haven’t been auctions, estate or garage sales. I had to buy an old perler bead witch to add to our Halloween collection that I had passed up several times prior! So, unfortunately, no cool lamps, or creepy statues added to the collection this year. One more reason to hate Covid.

I have gotten major work done in the basement... the basement that was going to be our barcade before kids. Now it’s a play room, and it’s where we’ve done school this year. Haha, I’m giving away CRTs and just hoping I can end up with a corner somewhere in the house where I can set up my old guy vidya games.

@TheJGG - Good ole typing. I guess the best I have on it is that I had a typing class in high school that was taught by an old man who couldn’t type. He did a really slow hunt and peck, and his sausage fingers were so big that it was impossible for him to hit just one key. Guess he had to hope the correct key registered first, and he could delete the rest.

@Tyranexx - I just had our plumber out last week! I bounced around for a while, and then found someone I like and trust, which takes a load off the mind. I do as much as I can at home, but I always call a professional for plumbing, HVAC, and most electrical. That’s a nice little project, especially if you end up with a new, working hose bib. Plumber emergencies are the worst though!

Yeah, we’re rapidly approaching yard work weather. A few of my neighbors have already mown, but it seems a bit dry for it at the moment. We need two or three days of rain, and then everything will explode. Pretty soon you’ll be carving out big chunks of your weekend to tend to everything! You have roses, correct? I have some wild roses in the yard, and they actually seem ahead of schedule.

Well, I'm happy with mine but glad you like it, @bimmy-lee.... Sounds like you've been quite busy, too

@Eel I might just have to second that sentiment...

On a side note: looking at the moon with the naked eye has given me the perfect insight in how the infamous "man in the moon" picture came to be, because the shadows/valleys on the surface really do make the perfect face on the surface.

@TheJGG We really have to stop debating the points comment. I was obviously just pulling your leg, but by over-explaining back and forth, the joke has kinda turned sour.

On selfie shots: none of them are genuine, or maybe only ever a handful of them, because in general, the pretty faces and smiles are either all doctored or acted out, so indeed very disingenuous.

Far as the "disable things" options in games are concerned: I'd argue that, contrary to it's supposedly lewd reputation, Dead or Alive is doing that WAY better than the games you mentioned, seeing as it does NOT have jiggle by default, you have to switch it on, whereas with the titles you listed, it's the other way around, which might much sooner damage all the tender souls confronted with such material...

@Tyranexx Yeah, I can imagine, being the person that you are. Well, at least: from what you've shared here about that. I still marvel at your ability to host/star in horror events though, regardless of your social awkwardness, which I'd probably count as a personal win, if I were you.

Far as hunting for super hero photo opportunities go: I'm still anxiously awaiting your pictures of/at the Superman statue. Here's hoping we'll all see that day happening some time in the not too distant future...

@bimmy-lee Ah, I see. So, honestly: who cheated you out of your man cave? Was it the kids or was it the missus?

And giving away CRT's? Oh, man. I actually wished I still had one, if only for my Sega Dreamcast light gun games...

"an old perler bead witch"

I have NO idea what that means, except for the last word...

I'm pleasantly surprised by the way, concerning your memory. I don't even remember the last time I used the word "empath" or empathic in a sentence, although to be honest, it's so second nature that I may not even notice myself anymore.

@MarioLover92 Honestly that scraping noise isn't a big deal; again, it's probably just my OCD talking lol.

I don't have much experience with Mario Kart outside of the two games I mentioned to be honest. I've played a session of Mario Kart Wii at a party once, and I was...very bad lol. Apparently Rainbow Road is considered a "warm-up" in that house. Probably would've been better if I'd had a practice run on an easier track.

I will concede on that point that Super Mario Kart's soundtrack is indeed good!

This pretty much summarizes it. Still seems odd that there isn't pro controller support. Wouldn't be too hard for them to add it retroactively since the controls are basically there already for handheld mode.

@Anti-Matter Good luck! Some side effects from the vaccine, depending on the type and how your own body handles it - everyone is different - is normal. Fatigue, body aches, chills, headaches, and so on are all pretty normal.

@TheJGG Thanks for the birthday wishes! For the most part she's optimistic but sometimes jokes that "This'll be the last year for X event". She's grateful for her long life, but the negative is she's had to deal with a lot of friends and family passing away before her. My grandpa wasn't nearly as lucky; he passed away when I was three. He was hospitalized by a stroke, then had a heart attack shortly after. I barely remember him.

My sympathies for your grandfather. Cancer isn't fun to deal with, and it certainly affects people negatively despite their intentions otherwise. I really hope you haven't taken any of that to heart.

I don't own a 4K television either; I can afford one, and it would be nice to have, but it's not a necessity. I'll likely upgrade eventually, but right now I really don't see a need to. When I do, I'll likely offer my current one to my parents should it still function (very likely, as I don't use it much outside of playing games) as their living room television is smaller.

On your phone: Okay, if it's dying with the battery at 25%, that's DEFINITELY another sign to replace it. I've started phone shopping a little and am thinking about getting a Google Pixel (not the newest model, but one with decent support for the next few years). It'll be a few months in any case. As for Apple....With the industry I'm in, I will say they do hold their value well. But I'm not overly fond of the company. I don't feel they've done much of anything notable since Steve Jobs's unfortunate passing, and I highly dislike how easily replaceable components (such as SSDs and RAM) in their laptops are soldered to the motherboard. If one of those conks out? No choice but to buy a whole new/expensive system! And the older iPhone slowdown controversy is well-known. They are pretty much overpriced status symbols in my book.

Humid ice? Can't say that's a common phenomenon around here! That would be something to see, though I'd prefer it not happen to any of my gear. Certainly a memorable experience for sure. I certainly would have attempted the climb, though admittedly I probably would've been very anxious. My brain likes playing the "Worst Case Scenario" game quite a bit lol.

On Attack On Titan: Not afraid to kill off important characters? Another positive box checked!

@bimmy-lee I do as much around home as I can as well; sometimes if my brother is available, I'll also have him help out with a couple of things if what I'm doing requires more than two hands (He's also better with some tools than I am lol). I also stick with professionals if something is way out of my wheelhouse though. My bro and I have switched out both my bathroom and kitchen sinks at different points, but that was...mostly easier. There's a shut-off valve in the house. It won't shut off what I need done however. I'd rather call in the experts now before I somehow make something explode.

I've mowed once so far; part of my yard didn't need it, but my front yard (which of course everyone sees lol) certainly did! If I had waited for everything else to catch up, it wouldn't have been a fun time. I've already pruned my knockout roses and the one lone normal rosebush; those are leafing out already. The two main Rose of Sharon bushes (finally figured out what those are called) usually leaf out later. I started a third sprig last year. It was growing along my fence, and I was able to transplant it. I blame the birds and their seedy shenanigans. XD

@ThanosReXXX To be honest, I think the haunted house participation has in part helped out my social awkwardness. Though in that situation, you're (albeit temporarily) in control of the situation, and the normal rules of society and etiquette don't apply to a point; both the staff and patrons have rules we follow, of course, but it certainly isn't a normal environment. I'm there to entertain, have fun, and (hopefully) scare the living daylights out of patrons for their fear and/or enjoyment. I don't have to conduct any small talk.

Outside of that, my social skills are gradually improving. But it really depends on the type of environment I'm in and my current mood.

On the Superman Statue: That trip is certainly still under consideration! Covid threw a wrench in my plans last year, but I'm thinking about doing a day trip down to the general area that statue and museum resides in later this spring/early summer. There's also a natural area near there I'd like to spend an hour or two in as well.

@ThanosReXXX
But Japanese peoples long time ago believed the Moon's face was like a rabbit pounding the mochi pestle.

@Tyranexx
I felt body aches and a little bit dizzy this morning. 😩

@ogo79
Did you mean my avatar Beatmania IIDX 17 SIRIUS ?

@Anti-Matter
@Zuljaras
that dog is impressive
@bimmy-lee and how have you been?
peanut better eggs is the way i wanna go out personally.
i can think of worst ways.
but i mean look
rip ogo79
"here lies ogo79, death by peanut better eggs"
it sounds proud

@Anti-Matter
no the skateboarding dog i posted like last week.
im late

@ogo79 What else is new?

I like the vibe of this thread. There's people that post randomly like @ogo79 and then just... people who text wall like their lives depend on it. Lookin' at @ThanosReXXX.

Best part is these parties don't hate each other.

@Tyranexx I think it's pretty safe to say that with ALL people, social skills, or at least proper usage of them, depends on the environment and their mood...

So, some nice surrounding areas near the statue as well, huh? Can't wait to see the pictures...

@Anti-Matter Don't you tell me about pounding rabbits, I don't want to know about rabbits pounding anything. That's all evil devil 18+ stuff and I hate that kind of... oh, wait....

@ThanosReXXX Despite my wordplay and comedy I can be very slow on the uptake at times and this was one such instance! I'm extremely conscious about the fake nature of selfies, so I don't take them, at all. The only reason I'll take them is if someone else asks me to, or if a family member just ropes me in. And in selfies I don't smile. It's not something I can do on demand.

Thing is with gratuitous violence and sex in video games, the ones with over-the-top or adult-only content at least, is that they should have an option to turn it off. Men aren't all perverts and women can be admired in other ways. I'm glad the Dead or Alive series at least has jiggle physics turned off, that can allow some people to focus on the fighting itself.

@Tyranexx It's good your grandmother has such optimism, there is of course the chance she could sink into depression and give up her grasp on life as her friends and family leave her behind. Must have been awful for her because her husband passed away over twenty-five years ago, but that's pleasant to hear. My aunt... she's in her early fifties. She's had three strokes in the last six years and has fully recovered from all of them. I legitimately do not know how much luck she had, but it must have been a lot. As I type this I'm just laughing to myself at the very thought of surviving so many strokes.

I've taken that advice to heart, and I know it's due to cancer and not due to his true feeling. The first one maybe, but I began ignoring it, just quickly apologising just to leave the room. Being left by yourself in a situation like that is not good because it allows negative thought to fester, but if you're in the room with the rest of your immediate family who share the exact same sentiments I do, it can have an unintended effect of amplifying the feeling a bit. It was six months ago but now I'll think back and laugh at it, because of the pure idiocy.

Good plan for 4K television; gaming's really the only reason I would want to get such a device. The time hasn't come yet so I'll look for some serious incentive, like a really pretty game or something. Maybe Gran Turismo 7, or Horizon Forbidden West, those have beautiful instalments on the PS4

I hope I can get my replacement phone by the end of the week. I'll make a post when I do; it's more the camera that intrigues me, I hope I can take some good photos on it. My landscape photography isn't too bad so I'd like to try and hone it instead of leaving it behind. You've also began on the road to replenishment so hopefully that plan can sprout into something interesting. When shopping for new tech it isn't always bad to get some really high quality stuff.

Steve Jobs was the reason they had their phoenix-like renaissance back in 1997, and though the company thrived after his death, it lost a visionary. The products have been very similar, designs building on each other like minor system firmware updates instead of true upgrades. Getting an iPhone means all but committing yourself to spending twelve hundred dollars a year on getting a new phone.

Haven’t said much lately so here’s an update on everything.

I’ve been working for about 3 weeks now and it’s been going pretty good. Mostly just running food to customers and restocking the sauces and all. Kinda hated it the first week, but I’ve been warming up to it. Especially with all the super nice people working there. It’s definitely an interesting experience with all the different personalities😂 I got my first paycheck on Saturday, and finally got a debit card! Already used about $120 of it on games and helping with my school’s Econ project. Speaking of, we’re planning a sports and worship kinda thing at a nearby church, but the guy in charge of advertising has been kinda slacking. We still haven’t made near enough money to do it though so I might have to put even more into it lol.

On the topic of anime I’ve been watching: I finally finished Love Is War and Assassination Classroom. Both are excellent shows and should be much more popular than they already are tbh. Also I am getting spoiled daily about upcoming MHA episodes. Guess that’s what I get for looking at anime news websites.

As for games I got all my free PS4 play at home games which I’ve hardly played. I also bought Crash Trilogy and Hollow Knight which have been pretty fun so far. Even if I’m bad at them😂 I also got Clannad for the switch and it is easily the best utilization of the touch screen I’ve ever seen on the console. Seriously, even nintendo hardly uses it. I would highly suggest clannad for any visual novel fans, it’s super fun.

I also started a YouTube channel (currently with no video) and I had a question. Is there any easy way to record long videos of gameplay without paying a bunch of money. Also is there any way to get clips of other YouTube videos or streams for me to use for videos? Hopefully I’ll get some downtime soon to finally get to editing, but I’ve been pretty busy lately with work, school, and soccer starting soon. I also wanna get me a Vtuber avatar to stream. We’ll see how that goes though lol.

Welp, that’s about it...