007. Finish 3 games - Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2

 

For the 3 games I need to finish, I decided to begin with a fairly easy one to complete - Guilty Gear: Xrd REV 2. It was enjoyable going through each episode mode story and I always like the strangeness of most of the characters. 

My favourite character from this series has always been Faust because he's a pretty odd guy and though his movesets aren't always the easiest to use, they're so fun. Plus, I love his character design. I'm really not very good at playing as him, but I choose him anyway.

Other characters I'm fond of are Zappa (though he's not in it anymore since Faust "cured" him of his possession) and Venom (who also isn't in the newest installment).

Since this isn't a review of the game, but just explaining that I've finished it, there isn't much more to say.

BONUS - screencaps from the Guilty Gear -Strive- Beta:

009. Draw 20 fanarts.

As I mentioned in my post about the novel, I'm currently watching the Thai series 'Manner of Death'. I'm a big fan of the actors Max Nattapol and Tul Pakorn who play the main characters Tan & Bunn, but I decided to draw someone else from the show first instead. Meiko Chonnikan Netjui plays the character Janejira/Jane, who I absolutely love in the show. So I attempted to draw her:

It's not the best, but it sort of looks like her at least I guess. She looks a lot older and not as pretty in my drawing, but I tried! It's based on this screen cap of her:

011. Make 10 meals from recipes you've never tried before

 1. Green Curry

The first dish I made was green curry (it was a lot more green than it looks in the photo). It's originally from Thailand (though I know this version is probably nothing like the original, other than the sauce ingredients) and is made predominantly of green chilis, coconut milk and shallots with other herbs/spices/flavourings added. When I was a teenager I used to work in a shop where this was sold under the name Thai green curry (the Thai name is แกงเขียวหวาน, which literally just means 'green curry') but I never tried it back then.

Apparently you have to make the curry sauce a day in advance to let the flavours develop, so that's what I did, but it doesn't take that long. You add vegetables to the sauce - I chose to add them after cooking everything separately, but that isn't generally how they do it in Thailand. Since I made this for two other people as well, I had to change the kinds of vegetables to ones they like. Really things like spinach, aubergines and courgettes would have been better, but I didn't have that option. I also had to use less chilis in the sauce for the same reason.

It tasted good, but I think I'd like to make it just for myself one day with the right ingredients, using the right cooking methods too.

006. Listen to 20 new bands/band you haven't heard before: Cold Cave & Anilah

 3.Cold Cave

Genre: Darkwave/coldwave

Firstly, I want to say that I really do love the darkwave/coldwave genre in general, but a lot of the band do  have a problem with being quite generic or not being distinguishable from each other sometimes. For me, Cold Cave are one of those bands. Don't get me wrong, their music is good and I love some of their songs, but it just gives me a feeling of "yeah, I've heard this a million times before".

4. Anilah
Genre: Ambient/Dark Ambient

Anilah make hauntingly ethereal music, which mostly consists of instrumental and chant-like vocals. When I'm trying to focus or clear my mind, it's really helpful music. The use of repetition, calm tones and certain chords creates beautiful melodies. I have to be in the right mood to listen to this, but if I am, it's wonderful.

003: Watch/finish 20 foreign language films/shows - Part 2 (4 - 5)

Today I watched 2 more films for number 3 on my 101/1001 list: Watch/finish 20 foreign language films/shows. 5 down, 5 to go!

Name: Shadow (影)

Language: Mandarin
Year: 2018
Rating: 15
Genre: Period, Action, Royal Court Politics
Director: Yimou Zhang
Starring: Chao Deng, Li Sun, Ryan Zheng
Synopsis:  The story of a man in ancient China who, taken from his homeland as a child, becomes a pawn in the political games of the Pei royal family.

Thoughts: When beginning to watch Shadow, my first thought was 'this film is absolutely stunning visually!'. The whole film is very stylised, but not overdone. All of the costumes, sets and cinematography are absolutely beautiful and I particularly liked the use of black and white theme in the Pei palace. Not only is it a stark contrast to the other scenes in the film, showing that things inside and outside of the court aren't the same, but also the black and white signifies the balance of yin and yang, which is a big theme in the film. I also enjoy media in which parasols are featured as weapons, so I liked that too.

Visuals aside, Chao Deng plays the role of, Jing/the Commander, a man struggling for his freedom through obedience and patience well, while Ryan Zheng plays the King of Pei's ridiculous facade and cunning charmingly well. Li Sun also plays her role as the Commander's role well, though I preferred the storyline of the king's sister (played by Xiaotong Guan) much more.

Overall Shadow was an enjoyable watch with a well thought out plot, strong performances from the actors and gorgeous aesthetics. If you love Chinese period films, which I do, then this is one to check out.

Name: Freaks: You're One of Us (Freaks: Du bist eine von uns)
Language: German
Year: 2020
Rating: 15
Genre: Action, Superhero, Fantasy
Director: Felix Binder
Starring: Cornelia Gröschel, Tim Oliver Schultz, Wotan Wilke Möhring
Synopsis: Tipped by a mysterious tramp, a meek fry cook discovers she has superpowers and uncovers an unsavory, vast conspiracy.

Thoughts: This film could have and should have been a good film. When Wendy, the very likeable main character, first realises she has superpowers (super strength), it's fun to see her confidence growing at the same time, making her able to stand up to the 'bad people' in her life. 

But when the film tries to inject a more serious message into the plot  (ie: just because people are different to other people, doesn't make them dangerous), it just didn't work. The two groups of people who came to mind whilst watching were LGBTQ+ people and the mentally ill (there were subtle references to both groups). But, as I mentioned, it just didn't work, mainly because they showed that both Wendy and Elmar - Elmar in particular -  used their powers to hurt people and enjoyed it, on several occasions and therefore could legitimately be considered dangerous. 

While Dr Stern was obviously one of the antagonists, she genuinely thought she was doing the right thing and trying to help them, and was portrayed quite sympathetically. This also didn't really help the message that was behind the film either. 

Freaks was an okay film, but if you're looking for a superhero film that isn't really about superheros, then, in my opinion, the Spanish film Unknown Origins would be a better choice.

019. Read 20 books: Manner of Death - 1

 

Title: Manner of Death (พฤติการณ์ที่ตาย)
Author: Sammon
Original Release Date (Thai): March 2017
English Release: 2020
Genre: Suspense, Romance, Crime
Length: 439 pages

Plot: Dr. Bunnakit Songsakdina Bunn) is a medical examiner from Bangkok, who begins working at a provincial hospital in North Thailand. When he's called to the scene of a recently deceased woman, Janejira, who has apparently committed suicide he starts to have suspicions that she was murdered. At first he suspects that her boyfriend, a teacher and part-time gangster called Tann, had something to do with it, and it soon becomes clear that meeting this man will change the course of Bunn's life forever.

Thoughts: Manner of Death - a novel by Thai author, Sammon, which was released in 2017 - is essentially a BL novel, but one with a complex plot that generally centres around the crimes not the romance. The version I read was the English translated version. I actually only heard of  the book because I am watching a Thai drama show of the same name, based on the book, that started airing last year. It's a little bit different than the novel, but I'll write about it more in another post. 

In the book, chapters consist of bits and pieces of Bunn and Tann's respective timelines (not always in chronological order), but it's easy to follow and it's interesting to have earlier parts of the story be given more significance once you have another view of them. I suppose it's a little like an investigation or a puzzle, which is a great storytelling device for the subject of the book. 

In addition, the main characters are likeable and always have a reason for doing the things they do, even if it's something irrational, fueled by emotions. Their relationship develops throughout the plot; going from strangers who don't trust each other at all, to having to rely on each other in life or death situations. Also, during the course of the book the two of them eventually develop romantic feelings for each other, but it's done very naturally and makes sense. As does Bunn's unwillingness to accept his feelings. 

Overall it was an enjoyable read and I recommend it.

006. Listen to 20 new bands/band you haven't heard before: The Ayoub Sisters and The Weeknd

006. Listen to 20 new bands/artists you haven't heard before.

 1. The Ayoub Sisters
Genre: Classical pop

The Ayoub sisters are a Scottish duo who do covers and original instrumentals using mostly strings and piano. Their music is beautiful and, though not all of it is to my liking, I can appreciate the talent and skill they use to create it. I probably won't add them to my playlist, but I'm glad I've heard them.

2. The Weeknd

Genre: R&B pop/Alternative R&B

The Weeknd is an R&B artist from Canada. I know he's pretty famous, but apart from hearing 'Blinding Lights' a couple of times on the radio at my old workplace, I've never heard him before at all. I'm not sure if I like The Weeknd's music or not, but I do prefer the more electronic sounding tracks than his other ones and I don't mind listening to them when they're on.

003: Watch/finish 20 foreign language films/shows - Part 1

Yesterday I continued number 3 on my 101/1001 list: Watch/finish 20 foreign language films/shows. I had initially intended to watch films in the languages I'm learning (Thai, Russian, Mandarin, Japanese, German), but they may not all be. 3 down, 17 to go!

Name: Inhuman Kiss (แสงกระสือ)

Language: Thai

Year: 2019

Genre: Horror, Romance

Rating: 15

Director: Sitisiri Mongkolsiri

Starring: Phantira Pipityakorn, Oabnithi Wiwattanawarang, Sapol Assawamunkong 

Synopsis: In 1940s Thailand, a young girl becomes a krasue (type of demon in Thai mythology) lives a normal life by day, but at night her detached head seeks out flesh and blood.

Thoughts: First of all, I have to confess that I chose to watch this film because the actor who plays Jerd ("Great" Sapol Assawamunkong) is also in a show I really like - and I'm glad I did! I really enjoyed it. I love films where the "monster" is to be sympathised with instead of feared. If you want a happy feel-good ending, then this is probably not for you, but if you like mythology mixed with some romance and  horror, then you'll probably love it, like I did.

Name: Sputnik (спутник)

Language: Russian

Year: 2020

Rating: 15

Genre: Horror, sci-fi

Director: Egor Abramenko

Starring:  Oksana Akinshina, Fedor Bondarchuk, Pyotr Fyodorov

Synopsis: The lone survivor of an enigmatic spaceship incident hasn't returned back home alone - hiding inside his body is a dangerous creature.

Thoughts: Although the film has a similar feel and theme to the Alien film series (which I love), it takes a different angle on it. The main theme, to me, seems to be how the way people behave and view each other creates the responses they get back. I really enjoyed this film♥

Name: Under the Shadow

Language: Persian

Year: 2016

Rating: 15

Genre: Psychological Horror

Director:  Babak Anvari

Starring:  Narges Rashidi, Avin Manshadi, Bobby Naderi

Synopsis: A mother and daughter are haunted by a mysterious evil in 1980s Tehran, during the War of the Cities.

Thoughts: This is a film about djinn, set against the background of a family trying to survive during the War of Cities in 1980's Tehran. It's an understated horror and works well. I did find the little girl a tad annoying in places, but not enough to ruin the film. I enjoyed Under the Shadow, but of these three it was probably my least favourite.

101 in 1001 Again♥

 I don't know if it's still a "thing" but I've decided to try the 101 in 1001 challenge again. Basically you make a list of 101 things you want to do and then have 1001 days to complete them. This is either things I want to do, things I have done before but want to progress with, or things I've never done before. There are a lot of learning and art-based activities on the list this time, because learning/studying and drawing are honestly my favourite things to do. 

If I find that the courses are no longer free, or that I simply don't have time for some of them (I'm learning 5 languages - which I won't give up - as well and there are 33 courses listed below) then I will swap them out for another goal instead.

Starting today, that means I have to complete them by:

6th November 2023

start date: February 06, 2021

number completed:

percentage completed:

bold ones are works-in-progress.

The List:

001. Learn to read and write Thai and be able to have a basic conversation in it.

002. Write one short story in each of these languages: Japanese, German, Russian.

003. Watch/finish 20 foreign language films/shows. [Letterboxd MyDramaList][1-3][4&5][6][7]

004. Learn and be able to write, read and have conversations in standard Mandarin. *Bonus: be able to do it in Taiwanese Mandarin too.

005. Finish a mural.

006. Listen to 20 new bands/band you haven't heard before. [1&2][3&4]

007. Finish 3 games.[1]

008. Finish a writing/drawing a comic.

009. Draw 20 fanarts. [1][2]

010. Draw/paint 30 original pieces of art.

011. Make 10 meals from recipes you've never tried before.[1]

012. Make 3 items of clothing.

013. Make presents for 3 friends.

014. Write a book/book-length story.

015. Write a song.

016. Create 5 make-up looks.

017. Go for a walk every morning and evening, for 2 months.

018. Write 20 short stories (not including those in 2) [Writing blog]

019. Read 20 books. [1]

020. Write 5 things you are thankful for and 3 things you like about yourself, every day for a month.

021. Crochet something.

022. Learn to recognise all of the 88 officially recognised constellations.

024. Complete the Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence free courses.

025. Complete the Indian & Tibetan River of Buddhism free course.

026. Complete the Robotics free course.

027. Complete the Philosophy: The nature of persons free course.

028. Complete the Imagination: The missing mystery of philosophy free course.

029. Complete the Start writing fiction & Start writing fiction: characters and stories free courses.

030. Complete the Getting started on classical Latin & Continuing classical Latin free courses.

031. Draw all of the Roman & Greek gods.

032. Design a Tarot deck.

033. Embroider something.

034. Make 5 mini-paintings.

035. Make and decorate 3 cakes.

036. Try 5 foods you haven't tried before.

037. Write a collection of 26 poems, each with titles beginning with a different letter of the alphabet. [writing blog]

038. Watch 5 documentaries.

039. Complete the Exploring Japanese Avant-garde Art Through Butoh Dance free course.[COMPLETE]

040. Complete the Intellectual Change in Early China: Warring States and Han free course.

041. Listen to all the episodes of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms podcast.

042. Complete The Beauty of Kunqu Opera free course.

043. Write to a penpal.

044. Keep a journal and write in it everyday for a year.

045. Complete the Basic First Aid free course.

046. Learn sign language.

047. Learn origami.

048. Finish a colouring book.

049. Make a wish jar and fill it with your future hopes and dreams.

050. Learn macramé.

051. Make a flower arrangement and a pressed flower book. 

052. Be able to locate every country on a map and know its flag too.

053. Make a list of places on Bimble that you want to visit after lockdown.

054. Design 10 outfits.

055. Fill a sketchbook with drawings of ears, eyes, faces, feet and hands.

056. Make an altar.

057. Drink 4 litres of water per day for a month.

058. Meditate for at least 30 minutes a day for 2 months.

059. Do the Couch to 5k challenge.

060. Get your weight down to 60kg.

061. Take 20 art photographs.

062. Make a short animation.

063. Draw 5 self portraits.

064. Make a short film.

065. Dance in public (by this I just mean anywhere outside of my garden/house).

066. Watch 3 plays (online for now, obviously).

067. Complete the Moralities of Everyday Life free course.

068. Complete the Principles of Biochemistry free course.

069. Complete the Fundamentals of Neuroscience course, part 1, part 2 and part 3.

070. Complete the Visualizing Japan (1850s-1930s): Westernization, Protest, Modernity free course.

071. Complete the China’s First Empires and the Rise of Buddhism free course.

072. Complete the Paradoxes of War free course.

073. Complete the AnatomyX: Musculoskeletal Cases free course.

074. Complete the Power and Responsibility: Doing Philosophy with Superheroes free course.

075. Complete the Japanese Books: From Manuscript to Print free course.

076. Complete the Introduction to German Opera free course.

077. Complete the The Ethics of Memory free course.

078. Complete the Philosophy of Science free course.

079. Complete the Buddhism and Modern Psychology free course.

080. Complete the Buddhism Through Its Scriptures free course.

081. Complete the Hinduism Through Its Scriptures free course.

082. Complete the Sikhism Through Its Scriptures free course.

083. Give a genuine compliment to someone every day for 2 months.

084. Do my stroke recovery physical and memory exercises once every 3 (waking) hours for a month.

085. Complete the 100 Push Ups Challenge.

087. Learn the names and positions of every bone and organ in the human body.

088. Draw 10 surprise pictures for other people.

089. Do an art collaboration with someone.

090. Grow 3 types of succulents/cacti.

091. Complete the Russian History: The 9th Century to the 1920s free course.

092. Complete the Russian History: from Lenin to Putin free course.

093. Read a book in another language.

094. Make a sculpture.

095. Make something out of papier mache.

096. Make a toy/puzzle feeder for the rats.

097. Make a toy for the cats.

098. Keep a dream journal for 6 months.

099. Listen to 3 new to you podcasts.

100. Take 10 photos of wild animals.

101. Make 20 zoological/botanical/anatomical drawings.