exurb1r
patreon
Happy new year, hope you're doing awfully etc.
🕑 Added 2024-01-14 10:59:34 +0000 UTCHello sparrows,
How are you? As is tradition, I thought I might drop in to ruin your day with a few recommendations and a spot of news about projects in progress... unless you're busy with something else in which case I'll wait, no it's fine, I'll wait, I'm sure you have far more important things to be doing. No no, I wasn't muttering anything under my breath, you just take your sweet time, I'll sit here waiting and doing nothing you ungrateful sack of
I mentioned the new book is getting going, and it is but I lied slightly. So: I was walking down a street in Hamburg a few years ago listening to Ghost of Stephen Foster . Do you daydream sometimes when you listen to music? Every now and then I can't help imagining what the music should be set to if it's a really decent track, and this one was a really decent track, and just for a moment I had a very clear image of a load of explorers descending into the belly of some enormous alien machine that I knew was a consciousness accelerator. And the deeper they descended, the more their minds would expand and fold over on themselves, and the stranger the creatures would be that they'd meet down there. For whatever reason I decided I wanted to know more about that universe and started idly making notes about it, hoping maybe it was the next book coming over to say hi.
Anyway, recently I was working on one of the stories and began to wonder why the hell I wasn't turning it into a video. And I asked the same of the other stories and it hit me they should probably all get made into animations, that's what they've been telling me they're supposed to be. And stupid as that decision was considering I'm allergic to work and spiritually opposed to effort in general, that's just what they were supposed to be, so that's what's going to happen. I wonder if you've experienced that weird period when you don't quite connect with many people around you, the signal strength is always about 50% and you convince yourself it's your fault, you're just too weird or not fit for public consumption etc. Then suddenly you chance on someone you immediately can talk to, the bandwidth is so high it's almost telepathy, you don't have to hide any of the strangeness, and either you instantly fall in love or attempt to turn that person into a best friend. Well I must say, I've found stories can be like that too. You spend years collecting little odds and ends of plots and half-baked ideas, never quite sure where they go but knowing they have to go somewhere. And the right project turns up out of nowhere and suddenly it all makes sense, that's what you were waiting for, that's where this was all heading, thank you Mum, thank you baby Jesus, everything is going to be amazing forever, phew.
I won't lie, there are some slightly difficult days when I'm convinced this is a stupid idea and it's going to blow up in my face, and others when it all just seems like I'm about to embarrass myself with my worst work yet. But I'm also rather aware that if I don't do this I'll regret it more or less for forever. So yes. When there's anything to show you, of course I will. At some point I'll also drop in to see how you might feel with Patreon support for the illustration side of things, but let's burn that bridge when we get to it. Plus I thought why not also release a book version of the stories at the same time they're all uploaded, just because. Anyway, I just gently ask that you're a little patient with me as this one might be a bit of an undertaking.
Okay okay, housekeeping nonsense out of the way and to put it directly: you should be playing Chants of Sennarr. Just before this Christmas I was about to fly home and see my family, been ages, was massively looking forward to it. Then one evening I come down with the flu and wake up yelling at fever dream spiders coming down the walls of my bedroom – my neighbours must be thanking all their lucky stars for the day I moved in. Took a covid test and guess what. So I isolated in my apartment in Sofia for Christmas instead. Wasn't great, wasn't terrible, but I admit I wasn't the happiest panda for a few days there. Right at the low point I somehow chanced on Chants of Sennarr on Steam. And was immediately, totally smitten. It's a very simple concept – you're a wanderer climbing up through the Tower of Babel (at least that seems to be the implication) and you have to learn the various languages of the strange people you come across: the religious devotees (quite pleasant), the soldiers (wankers), the bards (melodramatic actors), the alchemists (friendly scientists), and a mystery group. Each language is grammatically rather different, some using plurals at the start of nouns, others doing it by repeating a singular word twice, but the joy is in slowly learning to understand what the hell is going on around you. And the level design is gorgeous, and the pacing is perfect, and oh god if you get sick or even if you aren't, I'm sure you'll love it. There's a word maybe English doesn't have, whatever that relief is when you're sick enough that you simply can't work, so you stop feeling guilty for all the work you're not doing and get to be a kid again for a few days. That's when video games and books seems to hit the best in my experience, during those lovely horrible malady windows.
And 1670, another covid gem I found, a Polish comedy about a feudal village, one of the funniest shows I've seen in years. You can find it on Netflix and if you don't enjoy it then I'm afraid we can no longer be friends.
And Mutiny on the Bounty by Peter FitzSimons, the insane (and true) story of mutiny aboard a British ship in the 1700s, all for the sake of some breadfruit. I listened to it as an audiobook, can big recommend.
And finally Sons of the Forest, a fairly weird take on a zombie survival game that allows you to wear....people's remains as armour, among other fun mechanics. I would strongly recommend playing it with a mate. Once you find the handglider and the katana sword it's hard not to have an absolute blast.
So yes, a belated happy new year, hope you're doing well. As soon as there's anything to show you then I'll be doing exactly that. And as always, thank you ever so much for sticking around here. I know my upload schedule is spotty at best and neglectful at worst, but I'm forever touched you're willing to tolerate it. Looking forward to showing you something a bit different anyway,
Massive love,
Ex
And what's that? - you want some cat photos? Oh fine, fine, if you insist. Isn't that a fetching winter sweater?
Comments
Okwss
wheres this guy
Cullen frierson
Hey exurb1a I just turned 20 yesterday and have been watching you for five years now. It’s ridiculous, I feel old now. Thank you for the great content. You’ve literally changed how I view the world.
Siân Powell
What info would you like to know? :) it’s just a little notebook that I’m jotting stuff down into! Could be any notebook if you fancy doing something similar 😁
RobotWobot
You're carrying a notebook for a short story? Could you share whereabouts we can get more info? ^_^
feelovenergy
Is there a way I could send you some vids on here? I don't have a website for work yet
Lynn Bochnick
I'll mark the landing spot with a small, red x, just the size of Hamburg. Painted with blood (I will sacrefice children for cat pics).
exurb1a
Hello there cyborg friend, a pleasure as always - Ghibli is a wonderful suggestion, always seems to get me out of sad places. Howl's Moving Castle usually seems to do the trick, I'm sure you know it, what a masterpiece. (And congratulations on trying ice skating for the first time! I managed to end up with stitches my first time while failing to impress a classmate so I'm sure your version went better than that.) And just had a read online - the reviews for Mr Bates vs The Post Office are insanely good, I'll check it out the second I have some free time, sounds fantastic, thanks. I've thought a few times about making a video waxing about how great keeping a journal is. I started when I was 13 and forgot to stop. I have friends who prefer a notebook like yourself, but my handwriting is unreadable even to me, so a digital version seemed like a better idea. So glad to hear you're going in that direction though. It's rather surreal to look back on who you were a few years ago and realise that person is already giving way to whoever this is now. And I'm just ever so sorry to hear you weren't feeling great over Christmas. I won't grill you about it here as I'm sure it's rather personal, but I really hope things are improving. Genuinely, it's always lovely to hear from you - massive warm wishes to you, Robot, Ex
exurb1a
Hello there Malcolm, I'd certainly be very curious to see your work if I may. And cheers for following my stuff, that's ever so kind
exurb1a
I do hope you love it
exurb1a
I'll be dispatching them by drone - please prepare for a whole cargo container of them
exurb1a
Totally agreed!
exurb1a
That's some of the most hypnotising candy I've heard in quite some time, thanks Bashar.
exurb1a
Cześć! - ahh, it had me in hysterics, especially the scenes with the father. And thanks for the kind words, Gurumaru, massive love and happy new year
exurb1a
Absolutely Rick - and a happy new year to you too
exurb1a
Hello there Siân, always a pleasure. Ahh, happy new year is ubiquitous and great for anytime really - I suppose one could always say it's for Chinese New Year too instead if it's closer to December. And Elden Ring absolutely kicked my butt into submission - big respect that you're sticking with it, that's a lot more determination than I could muster, beautifully designed as the game was. I can confirm God Emperor is where it's at, and I promise it's worth suffering through Messiah if you're having a tough time. I remember a very lonely year in Taiwan in my twenties when I discovered that book; would go read it on the waterfront in Taipei and began to wonder if taking advice from a worm god thousands of years in the future was maybe affecting my mental health a little ittly-wittle bit. I do hope precarious medical tightropes have been navigated and stepped down from and you're in top health, Ex
Peter Riley
As a Collie dog I don't normally apply my paws to a keyboard for anything other than reaction and interesting noises - get the fuck off - is a personal fave. That said, and the actual human is doing what he should (that being type or die) - ensured by threatened pain of beer glass contents becoming an embarrassing unexplainable carpet stain... so let's go; I'm old, some days too old, an antiquarian of my own rather odd life - but without the will to ever put pen to paper...normally...I've spent my time exploring, but not in that "It would appear that your prostate is fine sir" kinda way, more bike, yacht and sheer bipedal bloody mindedness. Places have been interesting, occasionally people laughed and sometimes they died, well what else ya gunna do in remote regions when arguing with Zimbabwean "police" on a farmstead. Yes this is an off the cuff attempt to gain attention, but its all real, and not in that cosmological crystal whipping sense, just real. -The Point- this year I'm collating my lifes knowledge on everything Woo Woo - from Electric Cool Aid Acid Test (yes I had a bus) through to Liber Null, which I'd only had a passing acquaintance of, if we pass over some rather odd hedonistic practices on rural Scottish islands - really to flippin tedious and dull to mention. So back to Woo, and without the rituals that allow the neuron deficient to concentrate upon the shiny symbolism with their mates (group hug) - (ffs). So it's just me looking for knowledge, sieve in hand sewage below, hoping to find that Tosheroon. If there's genuinely folk that have a way forward or info that isn't set so low like the bar on a pelvic floor (looking at you DMT aficionados) then come and insult me on Twit X before I close that account. Oi Lanky @YourEgoMyArse It won't be there for long and I don't want followers because I'm not JC, but I do want to crack open the universe - without nuclear fusion. WOOF
Siân Powell
Happy New Year Ex! I think we’re allowed to say happy new year all throughout January at least. Although I’m tempted to say it to anyone I’m seeing for the first time in a year. Meet a new acquaintance in June? Happy new Year! I absolutely daydream when I listen to music. The amount of songs that I have created very elaborate music videos to, or created the perfect movie scenes for, is almost endless. In fact so many of my writing prompts come from music and also going for walks. I’ve started taking a notepad with me on my long walks and am jotting down every little tiny murmur of an idea I get so I finally write my short story this year. I always enjoy these recommendations as well! So thank you for that. I’m finally playing Elden Ring which is stunningly beautiful but I am a little bit terrified of everything. It’s definitely teaching me to embrace failure a bit more though and not be so scared when things go wrong. And all that from a video game? Amazing! I’ve started off my year strong by finally reading Dune after letting my copy get dusty on my bookshelf for too long. I thought it would be a heavy slog of a book but that I’d love the ideas within however I found I flew through it! The slog is unfortunately Dune Messiah but I’m persevering through the court intrigue and plots and schemesv so I can get to the juicy batshit insane God Emperor that ive heard a bit too much about. I am so looking forward to your animations - I think they’ll be wonderful. Happy to support you with whatever endeavour you undertake. Your videos were a strange healing balm to me last year as I precariously balanced on a tightrope of constant medical terror! This year is looking much stronger and I wish you the very best with everything you have planned!! :) Siân
feelovenergy
Hey so I would totally animate your ideas for free :) Im a seasoned fan, bought all of your books and would be honored to partake. DM if interested
Qazzie5
No way! I've had Sennaar on my steam wishlist forever but I've never sprung for it... suppose that'll be changing
Lynn Bochnick
Hello fellow traveler? How much for all of your cat photos? I take your entire stock, I am addicted to them. Cats are just the ultimate being, there is nothing superior to them.
RobotWobot
Hellooooo!!!! Funny you start it with a joke about saying how busy I am - because I was! I saw this while I was on the train to go ice skating for the first time. It was cool! 45 mins session and you can just about get the hang of it. 👌 Omg idly ingesting entertainment and getting ideas. I used to do that all the time. This one you have sounds really intriguing! 😄 I don't think I can relate to your story in terms of projects (unless it's when I'm working on something and something new and much more exciting comes along). But people? Oh it's so nice to meet someone who’s on your wavelength; someone you're not afraid will stop liking you. Shit, COVID again? Oh jeez, at least you made the most of it with that interesting game. I'll take a look! But in terms of the “feeling unwell” thing I tend to find Studio Ghibli movies are perfect. I watched Ponyo, Castle in the Sky, From Up on Poppy Hill and Spirited Away a couple years ago and I cried my way through all of them. I feel like entertainment is not always about how good it is, as much as how you experience it. A couple Christmas holidays ago I found a Netflix anime called “Komi Can’t Communicate” and I found it so comfy to curl up under my warm, snuggly duvet and watch. Wowowowow more recommendations. All very interesting! Will take a look. Meanwhile I randomly started “Carol and the End of the World” on Netflix this weekend and although the main character is very introverted (and I'm the opposite), I’m two episodes in and it's really relatable & beautiful. Also “Mr Bates Vs the Post Office” on ITV was really good. My nan, mum and I were crying by the end. Sons of the Forest. Not my cup of tea, but SovietWomble made a v long & interesting video about the first game. (...and thankies for the cat piccies!!!) So what have I been up to? - I got a physical notebook and have been using that to journal. - I realised if I batch make quiches every fortnight I can save myself 30 mins every morning at work by not making breakfast. - I spent half my Christmas screaming at the void and demanding answers from the Internet because I was waking up feeling awful constantly. Then instead I calmed down and breathed instead - which seemed to fix all my problems suddenly. - I was getting burned out at work, but then we got another staff member, the train timetable improved and gained 30 mins a day from quiches. All of these seemed to solve a lot of my unhappiness. Happy New Year, folks & Mr Tortoise boi man. All the best for 2024. Much love ‘n joy, Robot ^_^ 💛
Harper The Great
ha! the only way I know how to enjoy music is to, while listening, imagine dramatic and elaborate visuals to go along with them. cheers.
Bashar Shahrouri
(they're polish)
Bashar Shahrouri
happy new year!!! I feel like you should check out the song "lato2002" by a lil band called coals! always a pleasure seeing our cat tell them I say hi
Gurumaru
Ahh it's nice to see these posts pop up every now and then. It's cool you liked 1670 so much! As a polish person in my head I now automatically go "POLAND MENTIONED 🇵🇱" when I see people talk about the show outside my country. Can't wait to see what comes out of your animation idea. The concept itself sounds exciting and mind boggling, best kind. Best wishes in the New Year and stay healthy man
Rick Craig
Happy new year to my favourite Channel. Hope you’re planning on sticking around for it
