Some stuff

Stuff, you know?

[laura-ess]

The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR), also known as the International Transgender Day of Remembrance, has been observed annually from its inception on November 20, 1999, to memorialise those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia.

Usually, I create a "list of the dead" which lists those who died in a 12 month period. I couldn't do that this year, as the usual source of this information have removed all names, and only had code numbers for each case. For more information, go to Trans Murder Monitoring.

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Metropolis (Tezuka/Rintaro)

This is a second fan video that celebrates the song METROPOLIS by The Church. , which was originally featured on the GOLD AFTERNOON FIX album, released in 1990. Metropolis was released as the lead single of that album, and the writing was a joint effort between Marty Willson-Piper, Peter Koppes, Richard Ploog, and Steve Kilbey.

The original version I made used footage from Fritz Lang's classic film. This version uses footage from METROPOLIS (2001), and entirely different film but one that has roots in Lang's film as well. The Manga version of METROPOLIS is also known as "Osamu Tezuka's Metropolis" or "Robotic Angel" (in Germany), and was created by Osamu Tezuka in 1949. Though it has parallels to the 1927 film of the same name directed by Fritz Lang, Tezuka has stated that he had only seen a SINGLE STILL IMAGE OF THE FILM in a magazine at the time of creating his manga.

In the original version, there is an android called Michi who has 10,000 horsepower (7,500 kW) super-powers - including helium-induced flight, gills in his ears to breathe under water, and a gender-change button in his throat. It also features the first appearance of Detective "Moustachio", and his nephew, Ken'ich. Both characters appear later in Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion, and Astro himself bears some similarity to Michi. The anime version of Metropolis uses some of the original plot, is heavily influenced by Lang's film, and has an oppressed robot underclass which echoes much of Tezuka's themes in his work. If you watch the 2001 anime version of Metropolis, after watching the 1927 film, it's easy to see similarities, but the films have different outcomes and characters.

COPYRIGHT: I don't own the copyright for either the song or the film. This video is intended as a tribute to both, not to rip them off. I suggest buying a copy of GOLD AFTERNOON FIX (on CD) and renting it from an appropriate streaming service. Metropolis (2005 Digital Remaster) - The Church is (c) SME and UMG. Metropolis (2001) is (c) Tezuka Productions/Metropolis Committee.

SOFTWARE This video was edited by Edited by Laura, using SHOTCUT. https://www.shotcut.org/. I was surprised just how capable this video editor is. I was able to put this video together in an afternoon. Originally I intended to use KDENLIVE however I found KDENLIVE a bit buggy and SHOTCUT did what I needed anyway.

[laura-ess]

I made this yesterday. You might or might not be able to play it for copyright reasons.

[laura-ess]

It's been 12 years since I started making this compilation, and there was an extremely long pause in the middle. CREDITS This is track 12 from Enchanting Angels Music, a CD that was released by ONGAKU MUSIC DISTRIBUTION. I am not the music artist for this nor do I own the copyright. In fact I cannot find any trace of the the original publisher at all, other than on discographies and the occasional eBay item, otherwise I would include that link to their website. The music from Enchanting Angels Music has been extremely helpful me, enabling me to reduce my tensions and place me in a calm centred spot. This is why I'm uploading this track to Youtube. No copyright infringement is meant and if you are the original artist (uncredited on the source) pls contact me!

This video was created using Corel VideoStudio 2023 Ultimate. The stills and videos used used in this video comes from the following sources.

PEXELS Artem Podrez: https://www.pexels.com/video/person-typing-on-the-laptop-6586059/ Yaroslav Shuraev: https://www.pexels.com/video/woman-walking-into-a-waterfalls-4937035/ cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/video/a-woman-in-a-blue-dress-walking-through-a-field-4919750/ Kelly : https://www.pexels.com/video/a-person-and-a-white-dog-walking-on-grass-field-5623805/ : https://www.pexels.com/video/low-angle-shot-of-trees-5623810/ : https://www.pexels.com/video/beautiful-scenery-of-autumn-mood-forest-5597117/ Pat Whelen : https://www.pexels.com/video/a-wooden-staircase-in-the-middle-of-the-trees-during-daytime-6533277/

PIXABAY thedog777 https://pixabay.com/videos/sunrise-horizon-sun-atmosphere-246405/ https://pixabay.com/videos/sunrise-horizon-sun-meadow-fog-246224/

TonyDias7 https://pixabay.com/videos/people-fisherman-fishing-sea-302098/

doitboy https://pixabay.com/videos/love-story-relationship-fantasy-40706/ https://pixabay.com/videos/sunset-seagulls-birds-gulls-203196/

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GIFS

Sad Art Link, ARTEfr, https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExbG10bXJtcDlmaHRza2x2ajJmMTdlOHVienpiaWNmeWQ4aWRsN2tqayZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/3o6ozBHysRLMBYuNaw/giphy.gif

Nikki Elledge Briwn, wondering 2. https://media3.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExOWp4Z2tnb2hhZmMyaXB4YnhucXBjYzU5dHZ2OGFoZjFpMmEwd2xsNyZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/z4VIgLBKgYnm1Yw3rB/giphy.gif

"Ryan Renolds", https://giphy.com/gifs/smile-ryan-reynolds-sly-oYxNkISitSQo

Weird Trick, https://ar.inspiredpencil.com/pictures-2023/thats-weird-gif

WIKICOMMONS

Mississippi Fred McDowell, Senatobia, Mississippi, 1960, Public Domain

Adam.J.W.C.;Sydney sunset from the Balmain wharf. Sydney Australia, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:City_of_sydney_from_the_balmain_wharf_dusk_cropped2.jpg

FILMS

Another Round, Netflix; https://pixelmas.com/la-impactante-pelicula-en-netflix-que-expone-la-cruda-realidad-del-alcoholismo-y-se-alzo-con-un-premio-oscar/

Popeye, Paramount; https://style.corriere.it/spettacoli/cinema/shelley-duvall-attrice-morte-film-da-vedere/2/

Querelle; https://www.critic.de/film/querelle-4118/

TINY BUDDHA

Out of the cage, https://tinybuddha.com/blog/change-challenges-blog/the-cages-we-live-in-and-what-it-means-to-be-free/

BLOGS The Ethical Dilemma of a Bad Hit. https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/the-hunting-ethics-of-a-bad-hit How To Not Throw Up When Drunk, https://asktheman.xyz/

FLICKR

E Palen, "New York Skyline", CC BY 2.0, https://www.flickr.com/photos/cygbin/8081550964

Starry Night Sky Desktop Wallpape https://getwallpapers.com/collection/starry-night-sky-desktop-wallpaper Mountains and Lake https://c.pxhere.com/photos/8f/8b/beautiful_landscape_mountains_lake_adventure_attraction_beautiful_blue_calm-1284947.jpg%21d

QUOTE FANCE I die of thirst beside the fountain, https://quotefancy.com/quote/2301208/Francois-Villon-I-die-of-thirst-beside-the-fountain Life is a Waste of Time, https://quotefancy.com/quote/101276/Billy-Connolly-Life-is-a-waste-of-time-and-time-is-a-waste-of-life-Get-wasted-all-the

SHADOW CABINET Magician amoung the Spirits Cover, https://www.shadowcabi.net/albums/magician-among-the-spirits.html

YOUTUBE: THE CHURCH perform COMEDOWN from their 1996 album MAGICIAN AMONG THE SPIRITS in SYDNEY 16 June 2023, https://youtu.be/RJepbHDsanA?si=ETqn2kGtD4QJ-uM2 (Thumbnail)

TUMBLR Fred Seibert's Frederator Tumblr, Mississippi Fred McDowell; https://fredseibert.frederator.com/post/25389352862/oblivionrecords-mississippi-fred-mcdowell-live

Blue To The Bone: The History Of The Blues & The Relevance Of The Blues Today With Racism & Its Impact On Modern Music; https://medium.com/the-music-magnet/blue-to-the-bone-the-history-of-the-blues-the-relevance-of-the-blues-today-with-racism-its-1d96d6daaf6d

Woman in Hat, Public Domain; https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/view-image.php?image=4856&picture=young-woman-pointing

Gothic Harajuku Girls: https://tokyofashion.com/gothic-harajuku-girl-black-lace-mini-dress-vivienne-westwood/

Depression Symptoms and Diagnosis: It Can Look Different in Men and Women and in Teenagers, Too; https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/guide/symptoms/

Perpetual Comedown, Pages: 256, Paperback, New Island; https://www.redbrain.shop/p/09781848408487?locales=en_GB

Rosie Ruiz crosses the finishing line: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/rosie-ruiz-boston-marathon-course-cutter-dies-66-n1040651

Marat and the Maquis DeSade; https://www.letov.ru/MARATSADE.htm

I know, huh?; http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/353vvr

Edward Hopper, Morning Sun (1952); https://news.artnet.com/art-world/edward-hopper-morning-sun-jo-1895972 Edward Hopper, Nighthawks; https://www.100artists.co.uk/typing-paint/most-influential-food-paintings

[laura-ess]

Oh, and I made this three weeks ago.

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I just made this.

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Some Berserk/ Rurouni Kenshin fanart.

THE BACKSTORY: Miss Kaoru heard from a distant relative in Okutama Town that a group of bandits was attacking the town and stealing from the local. Okutama is a bit distant from Edo, so Himura Kenshin and Sagara Sanosuke are accompanying her, not just for the trip, but to help sort out the bandits. Meanwhile in a different world, Griffith, leader of the Band of the Falcon, has heard about an artefact held in a local church, and decided to examine that himself. He takes Guts and Casca with him as bodyguards and they take a shortcut through the nearby forest.

Miss Karou and friends, just happen to walk under an old Torii, at the same time that Griffith and cohorts just happen to walk under an old wooden arch. Then strangely the local vegetation looks different to both parties, who see each other! After an initial distrust each group realises that they need not fear the other. Sanosuke spots Guts' Dragon Slayer sword and sees that this is like his Zanbatō. He offers a friendly match with Guts and this is accepted, and both parties stand ready to start!

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SHRIKE REACHES BLACK ISLAND (night version) I felt the need to do one more fanart scene based on MORTAL ENGINES. This features Shrike once again. He's been following Hester Shaw and Tom Natsworthy to the Black Island. They were enslaved by the Mayor of Tunbridge Wheels but the locals with the help of the Jenny Haniver destroyed that amphibious traction pirate town before it got to shore (you can see its wreckage in the background). After examining that, Shrike has reached the shoreline, and continues to seek his prey.

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Before Brighton - Jenny Reports

This is based on the MORTAL ENGINES series, but from INFERNAL DEVICES. The REQUIEM VORTEX airship is en-route to BRIGHTON, a floating resort city where a priceless artifact is hidden. Jenny (seen in cargo pants at right talking to the Day Officer and Dr Zero) has been exploring the broken Earth and returned a second time to see if anything changed. It has - an alliance called the GREEN STORM is at war with the Traction Cities, and is led by Stalker Fang, the resurrected stalker from Anna Fang (seen front left). Next to her is General Naga who has a set of stalker legs after severe injuries. In the back left we can see a couple of Green Storm stalkers, and at back right is a refurbished Stalker Shrike (refurbished by Dr Zero, who's in the black uniform). Jenny's just passing on the location of Brighton, and will be leaving before any attacks.

The character of Jenny Everywhere is available for use by anyone, with only one condition: This paragraph must be included in any publication involving Jenny Everywhere, that others might use this property as they wish. All rights reversed.

[laura-ess]

Incident at Airhaven / The Shifter meets a Stalker (a bit of fanart)

This is taken from chapter 12, "THE GASBAG AND GONDOLA" in MORTAL ENGINES by Philip Reeve. The main power of AirHaven has just been cut and only the self contained lights (as per the film version) and outside light are on. Shrike is just about to say "HESTER SHAW!" I've taken liberties with this, by rights they should all be standing up asking questions of each other after the power's been cut, but I think this is more dramatic. We see Anna Fang at the right table with Hester Shaw and Tom Natsworthy, talking to Captain Khora of the of the gunship Mokele Mbembe. A couple of local louts are at the middle table, playing poker. At right is a punter with a sex worker, and in the background with can see the Stalker SHRIKE (last of the Lazarus Brigade). Just behind him is a bystander, in front of poster for a Pennyroyal book and lost America.

Just coming out of the W/C is Jenny Everywhere a.k.a The Shifter (not in the book but she can shift anywhere), on her way to the table at front, but who's wondering what will happen next. The character of Jenny Everywhere is available for use by anyone, with only one condition: This paragraph must be included in any publication involving Jenny Everywhere, that others might use this property as they wish. All rights reversed.

[laura-ess]

This is a list of trans people killed (or forced into suicide) in the last year (September 2023-September 2024). Full details at https://www.tgeu.org/will-the-cycle-of-violence-ever-end-tgeus-trans-murder-monitoring-project-crosses-5000-cases/.

[laura-ess]

Well, I've worried some about, you know, why write books … why are we teaching people to write books when presidents and senators do not read them, and generals do not read them. And it's been the university experience that taught me that there is a very good reason, that you catch people before they become generals and presidents and so forth and you poison their minds with … humanity, and however you want to poison their minds, it's presumably to encourage them to make a better world.

-- "A Talk with Kurt Vonnegut. Jr." by Robert Scholes in The Vonnegut Statement (1973).

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THE BACKSTORY:

When the Simpsons decided to go on vacation at Seymour's Bay, they bumped into the Hills. Homer knows Hank from some escapade of his high school days, when they met at Camp Whatchamacallit, the only one that his dad could afford to send him to. It was starting to get late on a Sunday and the only cafe open was Bob's Burgers. While they were having a meal the three families (and friend) started mixing and one thing lead to another and Gene and Bobby put on a show. Louise does not look happy holding on to Maggie, but you know what babies are like. I'm not sure what Daria's doing eating there, but that's her business. Perhaps she just wanted to get away from Lawndale for a bit? 😉

This image was drawn using Affinity Designer 2.5.5, and numerous image shots were used to make this accurate. Some, like Bob tripping while carrying a tray are iconic, though this is a new variation of that. Hank's pickup truck is a an MLT Ranger, which I thought was closest to what I saw in the series. Why this scene? I have a history of drawing crossover fanart and am currently a Disney+ subscriber. The Simpsons, Bob's Burgers, and King of the Hill are all on that service. Daria and Archer aren't, but I've long been a fan of Daria and I imagine that this is a place she'd go to in a strange city, when the pizza place cross the road is closed. Archer is shown on the TV because both he and Bob are voiced by H. Jon Benjamin. There was an episode of Archer where the title character had gone missing and was discovered working as a chef in a burger joint! It also seemed to me that Bobby and Gene have certain similarities and would be the most likely to connect.

Bob's Burgers, King of the Hill, and The Simpsons is (c) Fox. Daria is (c) MTV. Archer is (c) FXX. This fanart is meant as a celebration of all these shows and copyright infringement is not intended.

[laura-ess]

Another Designer exercise, which was making your own flag.

My flag, which reflects my home "Rainbow Haven" in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales (white star). The Swan emblem is lifted from my home state of Western Australia (W.A.) in which I grew up and spent half my life (yellow Star). The Southern Cross (Crux Australis) is borrowed from the Australian and to a lesser degree the New Zealand Flag.

[laura-ess]

This is my contribution for Jenny Everywhere Day for 2024 and is title Holiday on Barsoom. You check out current and past contributions at the website.

The character of Jenny Everywhere is available for use by anyone, with only one condition: This paragraph must be included in any publication involving Jenny Everywhere, that others might use this property as they wish. All rights reversed.

[laura-ess]

Always acknowledge a fault frankly. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you opportunity to commit more.

Mark Twain -- More Maxims of Mark (1927); edited by Merle Johnson