It has been a crazy busy few weeks. There’s been work and me participating in NaNoWriMo. Of course…there’s been everything else going on in the world especially in America.
Relax, I won’t be talking about anything partisan let alone anything political in this post. I can hear the collective sigh of relief no matter if one is to the left, right, center, independent, or apolitical. With that said, I still have been thinking about serious things nonetheless.
In addition to work and writing another book, I have been having thoughts of so many things going on in my life.
As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve been bullied in my life and at times it was quite severe. In hindsight, some of it was very low-key that psychologically affected me. When I would fight back, I would be treated like the bad guy even though I wasn’t being physical against anyone or insulting them. It made me wonder how docile I was while abusive people get away with everything even when I would call them out on their crap. It’s no wonder I can’t stand those who hurt others with impunity as well as never owning up to their misdeeds. I’ve had to own up to my mistakes and sins, so why couldn’t they? It’s like I’ve been getting bad advice for years from people who should know better. Part of me wondered if I should’ve improved in snappy comebacks or insulting people because I’ve always struggled in that regard. It’s sick how I felt like I wasn’t “allowed” to stand up for myself.
There are times where I wonder if it was worth having certain kinds of dreams and goals. I’m sure I mentioned this in a post earlier this year about random goals I used to have like owning a record label, voice acting, or being a touring musician, etc. I guess with COVID, in a weird way, I’m relieved that i didn’t go forward with those pipe dreams. My goals have changed like getting more into writing as well as videography. I have those skills and it allows me to put them to use. There are other ideas for goals that could be more constructive, but I wondered how possible they would be.
The last movie I saw was a documentary about the Congolese Genocide and Leopold II. It was so heartbreaking and it was one of those historical aspects I wish I learned when I was a lot younger regardless of my DNA results. I learned more things and I certainly was uncomfortable with the brutality. It angers me how Leopold never got punished for being responsible for several millions of people dying under his colonizing rule. It was a powerful watch and I think more people should learn about this atrocity.
Those were various thoughts I had recently. I just had to talk about it instead of just a poem or opinions on a news story. Sorry it wasn’t fun. I hope you understand.
Tag Archives: Videography
Brotherhood of the World Award! (or There’s a joke involving X-Men, Doom Patrol, or Fullmetal Alchemist in here somewhere.)
I was nominated again so soon! This time, it’s the Brotherhood of the World Award. I would like to thank Chizurue for nominating me. She reviews anime, manga, and books on her blogs such as Of Midnight Ravings and Mnemosyne.
Here’s how the award works:
-Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.
-Answer the questions sent to you.
-Nominate around ten bloggers.
-Create your set of questions for your nominees.
-List the rules and display the Brotherhood of the World logo in your post.
Without further ado, I’m going to answer the questions used during Chizurue’s post.
Briefly explain your blogging style (where your favorite blogging spot/tools – as in, on the couch using your smartphone or something).
For starters, I blog using my phone or my desktop. I’d say it’s 50/50 depending on which blog I’m using and what kind of content I’m posting.
I all my blogs I tend to write like how I talk or what I believe, but in different ways. When it comes to some kinds of content, I just let something like a video or song speak for itself before I explain things briefly.
Ospreyshire: I do my best to talk about my creative project under this moniker. This is my main blog as one could guess. I show as much content that I create on here like my year-long Katauta 52 Project or my stories behind my songs/poems on here. Things couldn’t just be a bout me, so I do my best to cross-promote people like other people on ZAP Records (the indie label I’m affiliated with), nominating others for awards, and the occasional post about some real-life friends of mine doing great things.
Autumn Peal Media: I don’t talk that much on my blog. I just let my video projects and photography speak for themselves on there. Just don’t expect me to be all that vocal on there.
C. M. B. Bell Fiction: This is different since I deal with my original stories on there. I try to have a conversational style of dialogue while also adding some more poetic narration. My fiction writing style tends to use atypical protagonists, referencing social issues, having diverse casts, and making plots for things or characters I’ve never seen before. I also enjoy satirizing tropes and cliches whenever I can. Most of the stuff on there is micro fiction or my Hollandus Landing cell phone novel. Stay tuned for more content on there though.
Iridium Eye Reviews: This blog allowed me to be more overt in my honesty as I review some obscure media and anime. I wanted to have a mix of formal things such as researching concepts for fun facts while also having a bit of humor. There are times where I drop some uncomfortable truths if I disagree with the majority consensus or mention some controversial elements depending on what I review. I felt like I’ve become more assertive as a person after making this blog March of last year.
How do you manage your blogging time including blog reading time?
Good question. I do read some articles when I have some free time or checking some things out on my breaks if I’m at work when it comes to blog reading time. Some days, I can read several articles while other days I barely have any time given my variable schedule, so I just go with the flow. However, I make an effort to catch up when I can and I’ll intentionally read bloggers’ older/archived posts besides just their newest ones.
Blogging time? Most of this has gone to this page and Iridium Eye. The Ospreyshire page is straightforward and I don’t have to post that much, but most of my time is spent writing poems and filming for the Katauta 52 Project. Iridium Eye takes longer with reviews, finding a picture with it, researching things, and scheduling 3 reviews per Saturday with some cases a whole month in advance.
Who is your most read author?
I haven’t read as much as I used to. As far as books read per author, then I would say Ted Dekker. I read a bunch of his books years ago, but I haven’t read his newer fiction books. As far as more recent authors are concerned, I would say either Winona LaDuke or Rev. William J. Barber II. Both are nonfiction authors who talk about the history and concerns from the American Indigenous and African-American communities respectively. Both were really insightful and I really like how they get real on those issues, are well researched, they know what they’re talking about, and they do not make race a partisan issue which is a huge godsend to me.
How did you come up with your blog name?
I’m sure I’ve answered a question like that when it comes to the Ospreyshire moniker, but I’ll talk about how I got the names for my other blogs.
Autumn Peal Media: I was born in October, so I was certainly an Autumn baby. Peal is an uncommon word that I thought would sound cool and it’s a wordplay with something else, too.
Iridium Eye: Iridium is one of the rarest and most precious metals. This rarity aspect plays on the fact that most of the content I cover is lesser-known. The eye refers to the critical I that I use whenever I review indie films, foreign films, anime, non-mainstream Western animation, short films, and documentaries.
What keeps you blogging?
It is a platform for my creative outlets across the board and it has helped me to have a voice when I’ve been bullied into silence in my past. I’m able to be more honest and assertive online and real life. There’s also a goal I have for using bigger projects to give them a place to be posted online such as books, albums, and video projects.
Thank you! I hereby nominate the following bloggers…
Shokamoka
Ra’ahe
The Things I’ve Seen
Brandon Knoll
B. (Aphorisms)
Blog Posts From the Edge
Angie Trafford
Bloom Reviews
Emily Curry
Milly Schmidt
Here are my questions for my nominees:
1. What was a post that you created that made you feel better as a blogger?
2. What is your biggest guilty pleasure?
3. What improvements could you make on your blog? How can you improve as a blogger?
4. How has blogging changed/improved you as a person and in your real life interactions?
5. If you can visit any country that you’ve never been to, where would you visit, which tourist spots would you check out, and why?
Blogger Recognition Award? Oh, wow!
It’s been a while, but I was recently nominated for the Blogger Recognition Award by Brittney over at Brittney’s Blog. She’s an up and coming blogger who covers subjects like anime and her own life experiences. Feel free to check out her blog. Thank you so much, Brittney!
In order for me to move forward with this award, I have to follow these rules:
1.Say thanks to who nominated you and leave a link back to that persons blog.
2.Give the story or history of your blog.
3.Give two or more pieces of advice for new bloggers.
4.Nominate 10 other bloggers and link their blogs.
Now without further ado, here we go!
1. The story of my blogs:
Ospreyshire: I used to be active in the music scene, but I took a long hiatus. Not only that, but I wanted to to something new. I’ve loved poetry and experimental art, so I wanted to incorporate those elements into a new project. Thus, Ospreyshire was born. My little spoken word/avant-garde/anti-pop project.
Autumn Peal Media: This was a way for me to show off my photography and videography in a blogging format. Even though it’s currently on hiatus, I have several articles showing my works on there like a portfolio. Granted, I’ve been making videos for years via Vimeo, but I didn’t want it to be the only site where people can watch my stuff.
C. M. B. Bell Fiction: I’ve been writing for years, but this was me finally getting off my butt and finally posting stuff on there. I felt like my friends never knew about my fictional projects, so I needed to get some of my works out there. I’m also working hard to finally get my books to the world. I’ve written 15 books over the past 4 years, but I never showed anyone, so I needed a platform where I can post them once they get published. It’s mainly short stories and chapters from my Hollandus Landing cell phone novel so far, but expect more this year.
Iridium Eye Reviews: This blog has been a labor of love since I started it last March. I wanted a platform where I can talk about movies and anime that not many people were talking about. I actually have a film background and I wanted to show my knowledge on various aspects of film and animation. For years, I wanted to post reviews online, but I was scared to post my opinions on there. Better late than never, I guess. As some of you may know, I got sick of so many mainstream movies out there getting all the attention. At the same time, my affinity for indie movies, documentaries, anime, foreign films, and short films was rekindled, so I wanted to share my unorthodox thoughts on the media that doesn’t get much attention from reviewer circles or bloggers.
2. Advice for new bloggers
I don’t know how many people will take this to heart, but here’s some words I hope people can follow.
-Be honest and researched in your opinions.
-Don’t just follow the crowd. Be original by carving your own identity.
-Get connected with other bloggers. It’s a community, not a competition.
-Not everyone will have the same opinion as you. If you do have a different opinion, don’t be a troll or try to be contrarian for controversy’s sake.
I guess that’s it for now.
3. Nominations!
I nominate the following blogs…
Ani-dotes
The Zone of Nerders
Raistlin0903
Elle Nguyen
Canadian Globe Trotter
Jenn
Fractured Faith Blog
The Otaku Judge
Jeannette Jonic
Mechanical Anime Reviews
Thanks and have a great day!
-Curtis
Do you like video projects and/or photography?
Here goes my 2nd week in a row about my other blogs. Hahaha!
One thing I’ve been doing for years is some videography and some photography. I have my own little DIY thing called Autumn Peal Media.
The video projects I’ve done in the past involve concert footage, some sports highlights, poetry, and some music videos including the following:
The Old-Timers “Mammon” which I do-directed with lead singer Dave Emmerson [Hardcore/Punk from Scotland/South Africa]
Watercolour “Ulysses” [Indie Folk from England]
Praiser “Your Ego” [Hardcore from Germany]
Ospreyshire “My Heart is a Crater” [Spoken Word/Anti-Pop/Avant-garde]
I have these projects on Vimeo and I also have some photo projects including my Shutterbug Saturday stuff where I show off photos from my trip to Ecuador on the WordPress blog.
Feel free to check out my other works! I post photos every Saturday and reference throwback videos on Thursday.
-Curtis
Unique Blogger Award (My first award!)
Well, I legitimately didn’t see this one coming.
I was awarded this Unique Blogger Award from a blogger named Irina.
Thanks, Irina! I really appreciate it.
In order for this thing to work, I must do the following:
-Mention the blogger who nominated me while linking them.
-Nominate 8-13 other people.
-Answer questions from the person who nominated me.
-Give three questions to those I have nominated.
I know this award was for my work at Iridium Eye where I review lesser-known movies, documentaries, anime, short films, international movies, art house cinema and other films of that nature that aren’t getting the Hollywood treatment. http://iridiumeye.wordpress.com
I’d like to nominate the following bloggers:
1. Jeannette Jonic
2. Lauren Mann & The Fairly Odd Folk
3. Jon Spencer Reviews
4. Peach’s Almanac
5. Through Open Lens
6. Rodrovich’s Anime Blog
7. The Pantless Anime Blogger
8. Hikeminded
9. Mechanical Anime Reviews
10. Sarah Doughty
I hope you all appreciate that!
Here are the questions I was asked by Irina.
1. What post was your favorite to write and why?
Well, I have multiple blogs. I’ll give you an answer for all of my pages.
Ospreyshire’s Realm: It was when I made a video for the “My Heart Is A Crater” track from my debut EP “Verses Vs. Anhedonia”. Here’s a link to the video.
Autumn Peal Media (Photography/Videography): That’s tricky. It would be some of my Ecuador photos such as when I visited Quito or parts of the Andes Mountains.
C. M. B. Bell Fiction: That would be my currently ongoing cell phone novel Hollandus Landing. This has been a huge undertaking for me as I write this story with 40 different perspectives with 200 words or less per chapter.
Iridium Eye: My two favorite reviews I wrote would be a very close tie between the documentary Hate Crimes In The Heartland and the 60s anime series Kimba the White Lion.
Hate Crimes In The Heartland is the first documentary and American film I’ve given a 10/10 points to. It’s a very powerful film that deals with the tragedies of the Black Wall Street Massacre and the Good Friday Murders in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I thought it was amazing how they got survivors from the former event that happened in 1921 while also having a narrative that focuses not just on the racial impact, but also the economic one without politicizing everything.
Kimba the White Lion was a fun anime to review despite being way older than the other anime series I’ve critiqued. Even though it’s super old-school, I was really impressed with how much depth there was and how they handle various issues in a G-rated way. This and the last review allowed me to be very honest and brave with my opinions. I didn’t think it was a perfect series especially with some of the meddling in the English dub with a couple of storyline changes, but it was still a good watch. If you’ve heard of Kimba, yes…I do give my 2 cents on the infamous “Lion Controversy” as well. Feel free to check out these reviews and my other ones, too.
2. Is there a subject you would like to write about but haven’t quite figured out how to do it yet?
I’ve thought about a few, but I don’t know which blog I could post them on or what format it could be. I’ve thought of little essays involving media theories, connecting films and anime to various social issues (without looking like an SJW), some music-based posts, and even posting some poetry outside of my ongoing Katauta 52 Project.
3. What was the last random thing that made you happy?
This happened yesterday, actually. At my day job, I was feeling beat after doing so much work quickly to the best of my ability. One of my managers saw this and gave me an iced coffee as a token of appreciation. It really made me smile.
Now that I’ve answered Irina’s questions, I’ve got questions for those of you whom I nominated.
1. What was the bravest article you’ve posted on your blog(s)?
2. Which creative hobby would you most like to try? (keep the answers civil, please)
3. If your blog was a meal or dish, what would it taste like?
Alright. That was a fun post and this award did brighten my day despite me not posting about it sooner.
Have a wonderful day.
-Curtis
Shameless Self-Promotion Post ;)
I normally don’t post on Mondays with this blog (yet), but I thought I’d make a random post.
You see, making spoken word poetry over some avant-garde and post-minimalistic soundscapes isn’t all that I do. I have other creative pursuits, and if you weren’t aware of them, then I’d be happy to tell you about my other blogs.
Autumn Peal: This is my little DIY video and photo thing that I’ve been doing for a while now. Most of my videos are music related (concert footage and the occasional music video), but I’ve also done sports highlights, poetry, and a few travel videos since visiting Ecuador for the first time. You can find this stuff at http://autumnpealmedia.wordpress.com and http://vimeo.com/autumnpeal. I post things on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays on the blog.
C. M. B. Bell Writing: Did you know I do fiction projects? You do now! I’ve been posting microfiction/flash fiction on Mondays and Tuesdays so far, but I have future projects that will be featured on this blog, so watch out for them. My stories tend to use deconstruction, satire, and the occasional parody. What? I like messing around with tropes. Check it out at http://cmbbwrites.wordpress.com.
Iridium Eye: This is my film review blog where I post things every Saturday for the time being. Iridium Eye isn’t some place to get Hollywood movie reviews or juicy gossip in that realm. Instead, the emphasis is on independent films, world cinema, documentaries, and even anime of all things (most of it being lesser known). I want to give some unknown movies a chance by giving my thoughts on what I’ve been watching lately. Feel free to check it out at http://iridiumeye.wordpress.com.
Okay, that’s enough shameless plugging today. Pardon my arrogance in this post. Hahaha!
-Curtis
Friendship Friday: Korisa Madayag
Meet this week’s entry to Friendship Friday: Korisa Madayag!
She’s been a friend of mine since we met at college and she does some great video work as you can see right on this page.
Thank you, Korisa. Keep on being creative!
Checkout her Vimeo channel at https://vimeo.com/kmad.
-Curtis
Ospreyshire's Realm 