Saner to be "Insane"

When the alternative is to either take yourself out, shut down your brain, or devolve into degeneracy, isn't being "insane" the saner option?

The Artist’s RPG / Base Panels (WIP)

It’s about time! The Artist’s RPG is coming to life!
(And I’m bringing a few visuals, with mostly placeholders, as something to show for it.)

If you haven’t heard already, The Artist’s RPG is a project I’ve been working on that is born from and in alignment with the mission of “Unbridling & Sustaining Artistic Abilities”. It is another way of looking at art, what it implies and what it entails, and hopefully bringing together those who take a genuine interest in and are enthusiastic about art.

If that’s you, WELCOME.

Time and timelines are of relevance over here, both to know and understand where it is all coming from and to keep up with and keep looking forward to the stories that unfold within this space.

The PERIODS panel will put into perspective what has happened and what is happening that sets apart the decades, while the MILESTONES will put stamps on events that furthered relevant plots (might call the main plot, to become and be an artist, 'Are you kidding?').

As an Artist, there’s no single correct way of being - there are several. However, while you move, you may either be earning enemies or allies as well as either playing to your gifts or missing out on the advantage of that.

The MODES & CREDIT panel gives you a glimpse into the actions you can take and the consequences that they could bring. The TALENTS & PATHS panel, on the other hand, speaks on what you’re made of and meant for (talents to be filled out with components and paths to be selected as they pertain to your character and their destiny).

And if you think that art is only about making pretty things, you’re wrong. You learn, oh, you learn. But that really depends on how far you decide to take it. Art, nonetheless, is but a medium for everything that there is, could, and might be.

Within the SKILLS panel, you’ll find packs of developables, in the more general (yet concise) arrangement. Within the ABILITIES panel, you’ll find the countless departments that also have much to contribute to your development, in the more specific (quite scattered) arrangement - this is application at its finest.

Ahh, the components. And their three respective planes. This is what the universe is composed of that you can compose with! For better or for worse (though I recommend the ‘for the better’, as, otherwise, art dies out). But regardless, it is important to take into account what goes for or against art. Including what goes against art, yet, ultimately, does it a favor. Plus, with certain matters, it is about keeping a balance for existence and coexistence.

COMPONENTS’ panels gather all these “bits” that are to be encountered as the mysteries of art are unraveled. In the abstract (Conceptual), the concrete (Structured), and the morphing (Reforming) planes.

Okay, so there’s plenty. Stuff that you are, stuff that you do, stuff that you have, stuff that you can use, etc. But there’s even more to it. Many of those can operate in a wide range of expressions, from worst to best or simply different.

With ACHIEVEMENTS, you can gauge where you are in terms of capabilities as well as take note of what’s been accomplished (or can be accomplished) that is also worth noting. With EXTENTS/DEGREES, it is more about seeing how you carry yourself with what you carry. And what results from it.

Maybe you’re more confused now than before you started viewing and reading this article. That’s fine. Give yourself room to mull it over and more will come to you, I bet. And give me, too, some to bring you all the formal descriptions and explanations of all the parts that have been hinted at here!

CARDS & BOOKLET sets will soon be regularly published…

The End of An Era

At the risk of sounding like a Swiftie…
It was rare. I was there. I remember it all too well.

Although no. As much as I would have liked it, I wasn’t there in the flesh. However, I was there in spirit. And for many of us, that’s enough to make it an unforgettable experience to cherish now and forever.

From being surprised with Midnights, an album I wasn’t expecting but immediately loved (not over the shock of Antihero and what followed), to the first announcement of what was about to become the greatest tour in history (it seemed ambitious from the start, but the magnitude of it turned out to be something else), it was like stepping into a dream. And an outstandingly wonderful one at that. One that I never wanted to wake up from. To say I was dumbfounded would be an understatement.

Taylor Swift, giving her absolute all to make every minute and every moment special, bringing her fans more than they could or should even ask for, engulfing everyone attending within a massive atmosphere of what I can only describe as the most extraordinary manifestation of work that is done with, in, for, and out of love. You just had to be there.

That’s definitely a state I can voluntarily subscribe to and wish the world ran more on. But while it isn’t the default, at least we had this ‘escape’ (more like a floating bubble you can still see out of) that she crafted and provided, taking us through all of her eras and more - while also mashing up songs on a whim as if that’s not a superpower.

And the cynics were outraged, screaming, "This is absurd!"

  SPOILER ALERT!   Keep reading at your own risk. There are spoilers ahead... 

Ed Sheeran's Castle On The Hill

I ought to bring this up because it is a song I’ve loved since I first listened to it and now can love even more! Furthermore, I don’t have anything by Ed Sheeran posted here before this (at least not currently visible), and that’s pretty much a crime, on my book, as I did listen to his music plenty and his work became a part of what shaped me.

This song, in particular, can be such a maze of multiple interpretations or messages to draw out of it. I’ve been listening to it lately and I’m mind-blown by all it encompasses, WHILE being oddly specific nonetheless. The first time I listened to it, I was vaguely relating, mostly connecting with the mood, attitude, and orientation of it. But now? It’s like, HOLY DAMN, we’ve LIVED. 

I may not always be a romantic person, but I’ll definitely always be sentimental. If I’m not, something’s wrong. I have died. My spirit is blocked. Or something else - and it’s momentary. So I can especially appreciate this one as a piece that revolves around sentimentality rather than romanticism. And particularly because it goes out to lived experiences and what made those experiences wonderful, albeit bittersweet at times. 

I’m also immediately captured by the theme of castles, because of reasons I haven’t yet made completely obvious but they are there and they will be made so eventually. Thus, it is more than a mere bonus that they came into focus. Can you really be an artistic storyteller if you can’t transport yourself to medieval periods at least once? It is so fitting!

There’s so much I love about this song that I could not pinpoint it all (I go insane thinking about it). The tale of running away, all the individual mentions, the scattered details, including making friends and losing them through the years as well as how they hadn’t seen the roaring fields in so long. How it even goes, “And I miss the way you make me feel. And it’s real.” Jeez. I don’t know what it is like for you but, for me, it is the perfect scrapbook. 

“I’m on my way. I still remember these old country lanes. When we did not know the answers…”

How far we’ve come and how far we’re yet to go, huh? 😌

New Year Month

January is here!
It’s New Year time.
You can expect an emphasis on organization-related content.

Garbage's The World Is Not Enough

That intensity sure is intimidating and threatening! I, truly, cannot think of anything else more representative of unhinged ambition than this song and its music video. I tried. Believe me, I did.

But before I start with the disclaimers, because this is the internet (and you probably know what that means by now), I’ll just straight out mention that I’ve always liked this one to extraordinary degrees, and even beyond my own understanding. I do get more of it now, though, but I would fail to explain or even describe it. It is just so… vivid. If you know what I mean. And I’m eternally amazed by how that richness was captured.

Villain or anti-hero? Either way, that woman pushes through and utilizes what’s at her disposal to get to where she’s going as if nothing could, or even should, stand in her way. And that level of determination, in itself, is astounding. It does sound like a whole lot, how she goes, not simple at all.

You might know me, though, I’ll take things symbolically too. And that being so, I like to ponder what alternate meanings the final explosion, along with more that’s shown, could have. Taken literally, it is what it is, and I’ll reserve my comments on that for now. But symbolically? Damn. I can feel my brain expand with the possibilities.

This isn’t the only piece by Garbage that caught my attention, however. There is also When I Grow Up - which I used to listen to over and over and can still listen to over and over! It is so incredibly igniting to me! And sort of resembles the same fiery attitude, though coming across as feisty more than deadly in this case. Then there’s Special, being unapologetically spirited even while wounded. Another personal favorite. The lyrics are genius, also, if I may add.

I’m revisiting Garbage now and it’s kind of mind-blowing. I’m like, “Huh, I REALLY was THAT into this specific brand of alternative. Even then. Guess I don’t ever have to worry about being a poser!” But then again, that’s not a concern. Still, though, the liking is off the charts and it is shocking me! I’m super grateful that they exist!

Types of Brands you will Encounter as an Artist

As an artist, and in other roles too, there are different types of people that you will encounter. They may prove to be anywhere from extremely favorable to extremely unfavorable to you. Here are only a few (more might be added in the future). Not necessarily in descending order from best to worst, but grouped by how recommendable they are or not to be invested in. And under this category, as brands.

Recommendable
• The Solution
What you’ve been striving for or struggling with, the mission or task that you’ve been on, that you are better not doing on your own, they take over and solve it for you. And no, it is not a ‘they tried’ or ‘they had the intention to’. It is an undeniable solution to your problem. Problem solved, literally. You can sigh in relief now. And spread the word in solidarity. Definitely worth it.

• The Complement
What you’re working or have worked on can go side-by-side with what they’re working or have worked on. You could do without them, but you’re bigger and/or better with them. Your ‘much’ is ‘muchier’. And bringing them along is like introducing a missing piece and revealing more of the picture. It may be a luxury, but of the fine kind.

• The Small/Local
They’re often assumed to be unserious, but it can be quite the opposite. In certain cases, you will find the most devoted and dedicated people, giving their all to offer the best quality they can, intensely invested in their craft. They just haven’t, for one or another reason, scaled up. And having your own criteria to figure out which is which, and to dismiss vanity metrics or even peer pressure, speaks highly of you. Plus, it shows support.

• The Public Service
Especially after becoming and while being abundant, looking for those who genuinely help others and helping them will not only help you sleep better - it will also help make the world around you better. Which, whether that directly or indirectly positively affects you too or not, can bring you profound fulfillment and set an example for others to go along with.

Tolerable/Manageable
• The Trending
It is an opportunity, and maybe a quite worthwhile one at that, but it could be one to quickly evaporate. Being too eager to jump into whatever is trending can keep you from considering whether or not something is truly meant or at least suitable for you. And over-relying on chasing trends can leave you without solid ground to stand on, as well as have you looking frivolous. If there’s more to it, great. But if not, eh.

• The Irrelevant
If there is room to spare, you could fit it in. However, it’ll come across as desperate or undiscerning on your part. And for those keeping up with you and what you do, it could be a tedious or even annoying ‘added ad’ they’d rather skip over. Why are they being put through this if it has nothing to do with you? Some may even view it as a lack of respect and consideration for their attention. You would have to keep its display to a minimum.

Not Recommendable
• The Public Disservice
This is what net negative means. By little or by much. The bad outweighs the good. Usually in the form of waste and/or harm. They leave a trail of destruction that they don’t make up for. You can repeat “the end justifies the means” all you want, but it is not applicable here as far as reality is concerned. It may go overlooked for a while, unbeknownst to most, but it is likely to eventually come out and be what they’re identified for. Enabling them further makes you a part of the issue.

• The High Cost/Low Value
We know that value can be subjective as well as abstract (or seen in the potential), so it can be missed. But this is not the case here. Here we’re talking about how, no matter where you look at or from, there is very low or no value at all, especially when contrasted with the cost. It screams tacky wannabe. The sort of mentality that goes ‘this is expensive, so it’ll give me status’ while having no taste. Alternatively, it is the lazy thinking that has you assuming that high cost = high value. Worse if you’re aware and promote it regardless, then it’s just scammy.

• The Fraudalent
They talk a big game to compensate for the lack. Or what faults they may be attempting to hide. It is because of this that the “too good to be true” saying came into rotation, casting doubt and skepticism onto everything that sounded promising, including what is legitimate. They will view you as just another fool to fool. And once they’re exposed, the embarrassment of associating with them will probably not be easy to handle and dispel.

• The Guinea-Pigger
They do not care, at all. You, and mostly everyone, are just a number. How much can they push it? How much can they get away with? How much can they profit and save? And how much can people buy and fall for it? It isn’t about innovation or testing, though those may occur. It is about having no humanity and no remorse as they position themselves. No guilt and perhaps not even shame. It can get twisted beyond belief. Horror clowns.

Alternatively, as a brand, do you see yourself among the Not Recommendable or the Tolerable/Manageable and don’t like it? Start/keep working on your improvement.

Alanis Morissette's Ironic

It’s messed up that this classic wasn’t already here. Being such a cultural phenomenon, along with being an undeniable personal favorite. And I’ve always admired (and found relief and comfort in) Alanis Morissette’s character and what came from it. But it’s not like I’ve been keeping my appreciation a secret, either!

Ironic, in particular, is especially peculiar to me because of how anecdotal it is, as it goes through and over many of the ways in which life can go, both being grounded and having perspective. I first listened to it around the time it came out, while I was a kid, and couldn’t get enough of it. Back then, I lacked the life experience to relate to it and more fully grasp it, but I was still intrigued and fascinated, somehow resonating regardless. Later on and still today, it became and remains relatable in a more pinpointable way.

“Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you. And life has a funny way of helping you out…” I mean, tattoo worthy indeed! Albeit not fond of the tragedy, I absolutely love how full of terrible, or just non-ideal, things the song can be, but then this line hits. Then it’s like, “Oh.” And it is sooo stabilizing. Yet, also, ironic.

I did listen to many of her songs while I was growing up, maybe chasing a similar effect and/or state (but don’t get me started about her more hot-tempered songs because I totally enjoyed those too! Talk about snapping!). Going back, though, I remember listening to Hand In My Pocket a lot as well and found it profoundly reassuring. It is, to me, such an ‘Everybody starts somewhere’ anthem. Plus, her personality is all over it. And this is just another example of the gem that she is.

I am so fortunate I didn’t miss out on Alanis Morissette’s art during my upbringing that I have to try really hard not to project my inclinations & preferences onto others and feel sorry for them if they did. And if that’s the case for you, I don’t know how to console you. Other than, hey, it is not too late!

There's an Exclusive Uniquenes to You

It sounds fake, but it’s not. You are unique. Exclusively so. Whether that’s something you reveal, let come through, and highlight is on you. If not completely, then partly.

It won’t make sense if you tend to strip subjects and objects to their bare structure and most basic components, missing nuance, ignoring context, and overlooking what’s clearly in sight. You may assume that this makes you more profound, more metaphysical, but really… it only makes you blind to what the spot that only you take has to offer.

Because think about it. Who else is exactly like you? And where are they? The mere fact that they aren’t precisely where you are, in either time or space, already differentiates them from you. You may share traits, a bunch of them, eerily so, but you’re in different realities. And that’s already two wholly different points of view.

So even when it seems as though all’s been done, it hasn’t. You may just need to be more attentive, take another angle, and get to appraising what you, from where you are, best can. Lean into it. Don’t try to replicate what others are doing. Try to map out what others can’t or would struggle to. That is how to be original.

Tried and proven formulas for success are fine. You can work with them in a few or many instances. But if you want to bring something of your own, to integrate with these formulas or while completely dismissing them, you’ve got to start from where you’re standing.

You’ll notice, if you really look, that you’re both filled and engulfed by infinitely more than you could ever ask for and that even a lifetime might not be enough to fully depict everything. So you get to choose what to focus on. What, of everything, will you bring attention to? Sometimes what’s important is already tugging at you, but sometimes it is elusive and you must search and search until you find it.

From there, it is your dedication to manifesting and materializing it that will make or break something exceptional.

Capricorn's Season

♑ CAPRICORN

As we enter the season of Capricorn, it is believed that the universe will be affecting us with energies that will cause us to work diligently and pursue goals. We will be more in tune with our ambitions, and abilities to plan and persevere will be enhanced. If you are receptive to them, you might be imbued with discipline and commitment. If you are resistant to them, you might be conflicted with rigidity and workaholism. If you are completely blocked out, you might not notice them at all. And if you don't pay enough attention, you might miss opportunities to create long-term success.

Motivational Quote: "Climb mountains not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world."

For context and more of relevance, please read about The Zodiac.