Tag: storytelling

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Down the Fence

Here goes my best attempt at trying to make the sport of Reined Cow Horse sound super cool and hopefully convince anyone that has had poor experiences with horses to give them another chance. A little background information on myself, My mom and I both share a love for horses and one of the things we aim for is to be fierce competitors in the sport. Something that has stuck with me from this show is when the quote “You never truly arrive”. This hits me both in the context of the difficulty of competing in a judged event, trying to showcase you and your horse to the best of your abilities, in and out of the arena. As well as life in general, sometimes it can feel like we never truly arrive at the destination we think we should be or where we want to be. 

Today, we’re diving into the thrilling world of Reined Cow Horse through the lens of the captivating documentary, “Down the Fence.” (https://downthefencemovie.com/trailer ) Directed by Lori Adamski-Peek and

 MJ Isakson, this film takes us on a mesmerizing journey that explores the passion, dedication, and bond between horse and rider in the intense sport of Reined Cowhorse. So, saddle up. 

In “Down the Fence,” we witness the essence of Reined Cow Horse where the skills of cutting and reining converge into an extraordinary display of athleticism. The film highlights the discipline’s rich history, showcasing how it has evolved into a sport that requires immense precision. The film introduces us to a diverse cast of passionate individuals who dedicate their lives to Reined Cow Horse (https://www.horsenation.com/2018/01/16/documentary-review-down-the-fence/ Trust me it’s not as easy as it sounds. Through intimate interviews and immersive footage, we get to know the riders, trainers, and owners as they share their personal journeys and the challenges they face in pursuit of excellence. 

The film beautifully captures the emotional highs and lows of their experiences, leaving us inspired and emotionally invested in their stories. It showcases the unbreakable bond that forms through countless hours of training, patience, and understanding. Whether it’s a special  moment between a trainer and a young horse or the power and finesse displayed during competition, “Down the Fence” emphasizes the Cowhorse community as a whole and shows the deep trust and partnership required. As the film progresses, we are shown thrilling scenes during competition  that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The riders extraordinary horsemanship skills are on full display as they navigate intricate reining patterns, execute precise maneuvers, and exhibit their horses’ exceptional athleticism. The intensity and adrenaline of the competitions, combined with the camaraderie among riders

Down the Fence” is a must-watch documentary that beautifully captures the heart and soul of a Reined Cow Horse. Through mesmerizing visuals, compelling narratives, and unforgettable moments, the film immerses us in the world of these incredible equine athletes (https://www.aqha.com/-/equine-stars-of-down-the-fence- ) and their partners. As we explore the film’s remarkable stories and witness the profound connection between horse and rider, we gain a deeper appreciation for the dedication, skill, and passion that define the sport of Reined Cow Horse.

Prepare to be awed, inspired, and, most importantly, reminded of the extraordinary bond between humans and horses.

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Nier: Automata – A Story Which May Leave You with an Existential Crisis, but in a Good Way

Whenever I experience a new story, I always begin with the hope that the story will leave me yearning for more — that the story will leave a lasting impression, that it will keep me up late at night after I’ve finished it and leave me with an endless stream of thoughts related to it. As someone who has read, played, and watched their fair share of stories and had several lasting impressions, there is one story that was able to do all of the above, except it wasn’t just for one night; it was for a whole week. And that story is called Nier: Automata.

Nier: Automata is an action RPG that follows earth in a dystopian future, one where androids (created by humans) and machines (created by aliens) are locked in a constant war. At its surface, Nier: Automata seems like a generic, dystopian plot – but that is far from what the story of the game is. The story of Nier: Automata is one that will ask you philosophical questions about life, death, the future, and everything in between. Now, why does this story resonate so much with me?

Nier: Automata goes beyond the five W’s. The game implements each excellently throughout the story to strengthen the narrative — it goes beyond to leave an impression, to leave the player wanting more. Within the game lie my personal taste of dream ingredients: loveable characters, an emotional rollercoaster of a story, quest lines that enhance the world, and music that is some of the most atmospheric I’ve ever heard in a game.

Take a listen to this song from the soundtrack. Do any of these words sound familiar? Do they sound kind of like a language, but not really? The story is set in the future, a future where they use “Chaos Language” — a language that is made from our own languages, but blended together as if the languages merged as time went on. The producer of the game, Yoko Taro, mentions that “[w]e wanted something that could truly serve as background music. If you don’t know what these mysterious words mean, you can’t get side-tracked.” By using a unique style of music like this, you not only keep the audience engaged with the story, but keep them engaged after the story — why the music uses what sounds like jumbled lyrics is actually a brilliant way to emphasize the dystopian world and make the world within the story stand out even more.

An element of storytelling that Nier: Automata uses to keep going beyond the five W’s, especially ensuring that different viewpoints are told and fair to who the story represents, is the fact that the game has three separate protagonists — 2B, 9S, and A2. Not only does the game have three protagonists, each protagonist has their own section of the game, and their own ending. Yes, that’s right — multiple endings. To get the true story of Nier: Automata, you must beat the game three times. (You probably want to play it an extra two times, too, to get the full story.) By playing as each separate protagonist, you get a feel for each character — you see their perspective of the same events, the differences in thoughts and feelings, and feel more of a connection to each character. Each character reacts to events differently; and that is part of what makes Nier: Automata such a special narrative experience. By showing how adversely different characters in the same situation can react — and letting the audience react with them.


Nier: Automata tells its story of the future through its soundtrack, its story of motivation and drive through its characters, its story of the world through quests and the narrative itself. There is one thing we do not have yet: what is the driving question of Nier: Automata? There is a reason that I’ve left this for last:

The game is unique in that you do not know the driving question until you finish the game. 

 At first, the story of the game may leave you with more questions than it asks you. The weaving of several endings and interwoven storylines leaves the player to have to piece together questions to end up at that answer. And once the story gives you the answer, it will leave you in awe. Because the question that comes up throughout the story is:

 “What is the point? Why is the game’s narrative going in this direction?”

and then, the core question of the game clicks. All the puzzle pieces click together to ask you,

“What would you do if you found out everything you’ve been fighting for is pointless — there was no point. Would you keep fighting? Who would you keep fighting for?”

Nier: Automata is not a happy story, it is a story of strife, determination, about a bleak future where there does not seem to be an end to the fighting. But, there is one key element to Nier: Automata, and that is hope. Even when everything seems pointless, like there’s nothing more left, there still is one crucial element left: hope. Whether that hope lies in the world, in someone you love, or within yourself, that hope still shines through. That is why Nier: Automata’s narrative is one of my favourite: it excellently uses its format of a video game to weave that theme of hope everywhere: within the characters, the soundtrack, the world, and most importantly, the story. 

When you need a reminder that hope still exists, check out Nier: Automata — it will be worth it.

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A Lifelong Love of Gargoyles

Growing up, my mother was big on introducing me to shows she watched as a child, which were primarily shows produced by Disney. One that has stuck with me from a young age was Disney’s Gargoyles, an animated show not normal for Disney in that time, the 90’s. It had complex storytelling, darker themes and would be considered a melodrama. I think the first time I watched it, I was in elementary school, I might’ve been as young as 8 or 9 when my mother introduced me to the show.

Even now, at 20 years old, I’ll go back and rewatch episodes of Gargoyles now that it’s available 24/7 on Disney+. It’s a show I’ve grown to immensely love and want to delve into deeper if given the chance, something I’d absolutely write an entire essay on if I was allowed. The show had on-going character development over the course of the four years it was aired, 1994-97.

The show’s darker themes and continuous storylines was probably what drew me in. I enjoy shows that aren’t episodic with its storytelling, like normal kids cartoons meant to keep children’s attention for the standard 15-20 minutes. The show would keep continuity from the first episode all the way to the end of season two. It ran for 65 episodes, plus a 13 episode third season that is not considered to be part of the main continuity, both by fans and the creator, Greg Weisman.

Overall the show is something I happily recommend to those looking for something new, or maybe even reminding people who have seen it before that it exists, prompting them to rewatch it like it’s brand new to them. It has dark themes and lots of tie-ins to Shakespeare works, giving interesting world building. I continuously rewatch it, probably having more than a few episodes subconsciously memorized at this point, and I’m happy to have it easily accessible so I can watch it now that I can fully comprehend the topics and overall story. The creator has even gone on to currently continue the series with comics, working more on the storytelling and happily showing more of what he wanted to do with the original series.

Gargoyles tells stories of the nocturnal, titular species, gargoyles, showing them grow accustomed to ‘modern day’, at least at time of first release it was. They were originally from 994, living in a castle in Scotland, before being forced to sleep in stone for a thousand years. ‘Modern day’ is referring to 1994, the year they awoke from their spell. It’s then, in Manhattan, that they must adapt to all the new technology and human customs in order to keep their clan alive. The show goes on to follow them in 1994, while occasionally diving back into the past either before 994 or in the thousand years of sleep, showing other characters’ backstories and how they came to still be alive and kicking in 1994. The episodes are full of brilliant ways to give children life lessons you’d traditionally find in other kids shows, though the show is more straightforward and doesn’t hide behind needing to censor everything to make sure it’s appropriate for young children to see.

We get to learn about and befriend all the characters we’re meant to learn to love, and we follow the characters through betrayals, losses and across-the-world adventures. The show gives us characters we’re meant to hate, but then learn why they act the way they do, and that they weren’t always the villain, now acting out of fear and self-hate for what they did in the past.

The show is a beautiful example of amazing, long term, storytelling, giving us reasons to pity the villains, love the heroes, and even give us chances to disagree with the characters we love the most. Practically every character ends up written so wonderfully that it’s clear any character flaws are meant to be a normal flaw you’d find in a person you’d meet every day.

I enjoy Shakespeare probably a little more than the average 20 year old, not a crazy amount, but just a slightly above average love that originated from Gargoyles. It used characters like Macbeth, Puck, Oberon and many more from Shakespeare’s works. It had characters use the same names and mirror the love triangle from the play Othello. The use of his works in Gargoyles made me interested in reading the actual plays, and I always get excited when it’s brought up in conversation.

I think the show is a wonderful example of storytelling and giving life lessons, not being afraid to delve into darker themes while still retaining its rating of TV-Y7. I’ll always recommend it to people and love hearing people get back to me after they’ve watched a few episodes and tell me their opinions!

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Uncle Ben said it best…

With great power, comes great responsibility. Even to this day, those words spoken famously by Uncle Ben to his nephew Peter Parker, send chills down my spine. It is a quote forever marked in time. The story of Peter Parker, AKA Spider-Man will be forever marked in time. It has been classified as good storytelling since its inception by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko in August 1962.

The story has evolved over time, from comics to tv shows, to numerous franchise movie reboots. Some done better than others (*Cough* Tom Holland *Cough*).

But most recently, Sony Pictures created a newly animated Spider-Man story that follows a young New York teenager named Miles Morales in the movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and this story has inspired a new and great storytelling platform for Spider-Man.

This story still has the fundamentals that make Spider-Man good, the unlikely hero we love and cheer for. Good vs. evil, the witty loveable supporting characters, the struggle to triumph journey. But what sets Into the Spider-Verse apart? It’s the visual storytelling.

The colours, the animation, and the digital design all draw you in because it is new and exciting. Something we have not seen done before.

Let’s dive deep into how visual storytelling is setting itself apart and why it’s paving the way for new ideas.

The unique modern-day comic book design hits the nostalgia button for all comic book readers, which still includes action and thought bubbles. The colours are bright and vibrant, which is shown off in the spray paint art Miles does at the beginning of the film, or the portals that open between different multiverse. You can’t help but have your eyes drawn in by it all.

But the most intriguing aspect of the movie is the frames per second (FPS). When you first watch the movie as Miles learns about his powers and starts his journey to becoming Spider-Man, he is displayed as clumsy, awkward, and lacking confidence in the way he moves. Compared to Peter Parker, who is teaching Miles the ropes of being Spider-Man, who moves smoothly, and effortlessly across the screen. Typically, in animation, this is hard to show. Animators would have to use incidents, like dumping into things, falling down, etc. This conveys to our brain that the character is indeed, clumsy.

But as you watch Miles, his walking, running, and swinging just seems…wrong. This is where it gets interesting, and where Sony has stepped up visual storytelling. The movie and characters were filmed at a 24 fps for Into the Spider-Verse.

Watch how Peter Parker swings verses how Miles Morales swings…

But, Miles, at the beginning, was filmed at 12 fps compared the 24 fps around him. This creates a message to our brain, that something is off, that he seems to be slower and clumpier. As Miles becomes more confident as Spider-Man, Sony began to increase the fps on Miles until the end when he is finally at 24 fps with the rest of the film and easily glides across the screen. Pretty cool huh! This small attention to detail has set this film apart from other visual storytelling. It has become one of the most beloved Spider-Man movies to date.

Visual storytelling allows us to create these magical worlds and scenarios that seem impossible and fantastical. But when you take that storytelling outside of the box, like filming at different frames per second, the storytelling is taken to a whole new level.

For me, the story, the animation, and the characters have made Spider-Man: Intro the Spider-Verse one of my favorite stories, and it will continue to be for a very long time.

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Lights. Camera. Action. Behind the curtain of a photoshoot.

Details aren’t just details, they’re the key to the whole thing

– Virgil Abloh, Off-White –

I wanted to share my most recent experience I had at a photoshoot for Goat Track, a lifestyle x golf clothing brand based in Edmonton, Alberta. This was an opportunity for me to showcase the brand’s latest spring collection and bring their creative vision to life. Although the day had its challenges, we managed to overcome them and create some ideal content, for both social media and their online store.

Prepping for this photoshoot required a lot of setup. I began by searching out for 2 models who aligned with the brand’s core identity. And, that also had that evening free. Next, I chose a location that would complement the clothing collection. That place? A warehouse off Whitemud Drive. Doesn’t sound ideal, but the space I had to work in was perfect. Paired with studio lighting, a white backdrop, a couple models and some quality clothing to showcase.We were ready to cook! You couldn’t even tell we were in a warehouse, just behind Leon’s on 50th street.

On the evening of the photoshoot, I arrived early to set up the equipment and finalize the models’ looks. Everything was going smoothly. Everyone arrived on time, had all the pieces of clothing on hand (been known to forget a piece or three) and smiles were big and bright. We only had one minor issue.

I forgot to mention to the team to remove their shoes before stepping on the white paper backdrop. So, when our first model stepped into the frame for the first shot. The backdrop was instantly covered in soot and dirt. We are in a warehouse after all! That’s on me! But, despite the minor issue with the backdrop, we kept focused and worked together to get the job done. After 3 hours and 297 photos later, that was a wrap.

After the shoot was done, I headed back to my studio (also known as my house) and began to review all of the images and selecting the best ones for editing. In post-production, I use a couple basic techniques to enhance the images, including color correction and a little retouching. I tried to remove the dirt footprints from the floor. But, after reviewing with the team, we decided to keep it in. We felt it actually added to the photos, spoke more on the brand of what Goat Track is.

Real, raw and unfiltered (just a little edited).

The final images from the Goat Track photoshoot are a testament to the hard work and dedication from the entire team. I feel they showcase the essence of the brand and will hopefully capture the attention of their target audience.

The process of creating these images was a complete labor of love, and I’m so proud of the results. I invite you to visit the Goat Track instagram (@goat.track) to learn more about the latest collection.

Thank you for reading and I can’t wait to share my next photoshoot with you soon!

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Am I a helicopter dog mom?

Assignment 6: EXSM3989 Meg Berry

I wasn’t always like this…

You know, a nervous dog mom who is super paranoid about the safety of her pet. But somehow, I can rival a helicopter mom jacked up on a double-shot vanilla soy latte after spin class when it comes to the welfare of my fur child.

We grew up with big dogs like golden retrievers, Great Pyrenees, yellow labs, and Newfoundlanders so I never really worried about them. They were huge and could protect our family and themselves when needed. So, when my partner and I decided to expand our family, I thought that we would get a big dog. My partner is an avid hunter and outdoors person and so, for our lifestyle, I thought we should go to the shelter and see if we could find a big mix-breed dog that was good with kids and liked to run and be outside. But my partner had another idea. He always wanted a little chihuahua, and so one Sunday morning when I got an alert that a chihuahua pup needed to be re-homed our family went from two to three.

Roo is perfect. She is a sweet, loving little soul with a bratty personality. She is an avid walker, likes her toys and her grandma, and hates to eat all the healthy and expensive food and treats I buy for her. At Christmas one year she ate an entire bowl of sour patch kids that I left on the coffee table and has rallied through a hunger strike for more than 2.5 days when the $20 tin of dog food I tried to feed her did not suit her pallet.

I have to admit, when I first got her, I was easygoing. I kept my cool when she leaped off the local pond dock into ice water during spring breakup and my partner and I had to go in a save her (she was 4 months old), and I did not freak out when I was cleaning the shower and she jumped into a bathtub of boiling hot water at 5 months. I just put her under cold water, called my mom, got in the car, and rushed her to the emergency vet with unbelievable calm.

My anxiety over this little dog’s safety all stems from a friendly vet visit when she was 6 months old. During this visit, the vet took me aside and said to me in a very stern voice,

“DO NOT EVER TAKE HER TO A DOG PARK. IF YOU TAKE THIS DOG TO A DOG PARK SHE WILL DIE. THE OTHER DOGS WILL KILL HER. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WITH LITTLE DOGS. DO NOT DO IT”.

And so, I have NEVER taken little Roo to a dog park.

We drive past them every day, and they look like fun. We see the neighborhood dogs walking to the dog park through the front window every night too and they seem happy. I could never understand how they could be such little dog murder machines, but if the vet said it, it must be true, right? Poor Roo though, she just wants to go, have fun, and be included with her dog friends (or lack thereof because of me, her mean, scared mom).  

So, this weekend I decided I wanted to give my fur child the opportunity to go to the dog park. This brave dog mom researched her heart out to be prepared and took Roo to the big dog park by the river for 37 minutes of incredible, horrifying fun.

During my research, I was surprised at how few websites discussed little dogs at dog parks. I was hoping to make this a how-to blog post with some trustworthy links for other dog mamas out there. I couldn’t help but wonder if I should buy anything special for our trip. Do I need a stick, a cattle prod, or should I  just get some good-kicking boots in case I need to defend my baby?  But there was no mention of these required tools.

There was really nothing out there that was super informative. Some websites talk about staying close to your dog (do not focus on your phone and lose sight they say), watching out for wildlife and do not take the dog somewhere with threats like birds and snakes, and, keeping the little dogs in the little dog area and the big dogs in the big dog area. Don’t EVER mix them they say. There was one blog that spoke quite profusely about how irritating and disrespectful it is to big dog owners when little dog owners pick their dogs up and walk past the big dogs.

We got to the river dog park, and there was no small dog area, just a big open space for all the dogs. I expected Roo to act like all other dogs on Instagram. You know, run around like crazy and have fun (something that I could video and put sound to and share for this assignment). But she didn’t, she never left my side, she stuck close and only ventured off a couple of meters from me. During our time down there, I only had one freak out. I looked up from my phone at one point and Roo was nowhere to be seen, but then I realized that she was just right behind me, walking less than 3 inches from my feet.  I just couldn’t see her because I was taking pictures with my phone.  

Her little face and mine were both full of worry during the trip, but I knew she felt wild and alive because she was finally at the dog park.  I felt wild and alive! She sniffed every blade of grass and played for a couple of minutes on the rocks by the river.  There were only a few other dogs at the dog park; a Rottweiler, a pit bull, shepherds, and a dumb doodle that would not stop jumping on me when I walked past holding Roo. His owners suggested I put her down so they could play. I graciously said, “No thank you” thinking that I didn’t want my baby trampled to death.

The dog park was stunning, a great place to bring Roo and let her play. It’s a special place with a beautiful landscape and is a wildlife sanctuary for rattlesnakes.

Roo and I both slept well last night. Probably from both the stress and excitement. I am proud of both of us though and I feel that if I can be this good of a dog mom to my little golden Roo, and not be a helicopter mom I do not understand why parents say it’s hard with human children.

Roo and I are going to visit another dog park in the town beside us next week. It apparently is right next to the “Birds of Prey” center which is a  refuge for eagles, hawks, and falcons and should be lovely.

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Flush with Excitement: The Story of My Bathroom Renovation

Hey there, DIY enthusiasts! Jill MacDonald here and I’m thrilled to share my latest renovation project with you. This time, I tackled the downstairs bathroom, and boy was it a ride! From measuring twice and cutting once to hammering out the details, I’ve got all the puns and dusty details to share.

At the beginning of this course, I shared the process of hanging a mirror in my main floor bathroom on Twitter. I casually mentioned I was on a HGTV show called “Home to Win” in 2016 and figured this would be the opportunity to elaborate on that experience and how it helped me with the renovation.

I landed on the show after submitting an overly emotional video a few days after being evacuated due to the Horse River wildfire. Never in a million years did I expect to be selected and the experience was certainly full of highs and lows. I was hoping I could share my video summary package but alas, it’s been removed. This show promo will have to do.

I’d like to think that my experience on Home to Win has helped me in more ways than just getting better at home improvement tasks. I learned how to work under pressure and how to make quick decisions when things don’t go as planned. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned from renovating my own home; things NEVER go according to plan. Check out the full episode on Prime (S1, E10) to see how things panned out.

Now onto the renovation at hand. The downstairs bathroom. *insert dark ominous tones* DUH-DUH-DUHHHH

First things first, I knew this bathroom needed a facelift. It was just begging for some TLC, and I was more than happy to oblige. So, I put on my tool belt, grabbed my measuring tape, and got to work. I knew this was going to be a long journey, but I was ready to plunge in! The first step, of course, was coming up with a plan. I put my creative mind to work, brainstorming ways to make this bathroom pop. When I finally had a vision, it was time to source all the materials.

I picked out a beautiful wallpaper for an accent wall, a paint color for the vanity, and some funky accessories to help with storage. I couldn’t wait to see how it would all come together. Once I was happy with my direction, it was time to flush the old and welcome in the new. After I cleared everything out of the bathroom it was time to get to work.

First step was to get rid of the sad brown colour. I’m sorry but who would EVER paint their bathroom BROWN? I mean… I know what we all do in there but that’s a little on the nose don’t you think?

After letting the beautiful white walls dry it was finally WALLPAPER TIME! Thankfully my sister is an expert in this area and offered to give me a hand. Knowing that a busy pattern would require WAY more brain power than I was willing to spend on this project, I opted for one that was going to be easy to line up. #winning

Two sets of hands meant this part of the project went quickly. I can’t stress that enough! If you plan on hanging drywall, go for an easy pattern, one that is pasted or unpasted and use glue. Peel and stick wallpaper is a NIGHTMARE. If you’ve ever tried to hang it, you’ll understand. The bubbles are so difficult to get out and although you can peel it back and readjust, it’s just not easy to work with.

Once the wallpaper was up it was time to refinish the vanity. Since the wallpaper was a darker grey, I wanted to paint the vanity white so it would pop next to the wall. Three coats of high coverage cabinet paint and we’re starting to get somewhere!

Once the paint had dried and the cabinet doors were re-installed it was time to mount the new vanity and facet. Oh husband? I have a job for you! Goodbye 1980’s vanity top! Not that the 80’s were ALL bad. I mean I graced this planet in 1983 so…

The final large project I had to tackle was caulking and painting the mouldings. This unfortunately is where I ran into problems. The Caulking fiasco can be viewed in all it’s glory HERE . An entire tube of caulking wasted, but we finally got back on track and finished up the space.

At this point I can finally start the finishing touches!

I’m ‘flush’ with happiness now that my bathroom renovation is finished! All in all, this renovation project was a success. I’ve proven that with a little hard work, a dash of creativity, and a healthy dose of humour, any project can turn out beautifully. So, to all you DIY enthusiasts out there, keep hammering away and remember to always measure twice and cut once – it’s a nail-biting experience, but the end result is worth it.

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Can Fish Get Botox?

A question everyone needs to ask themselves when addressing aquatic species conservation.

This week we were tasked with live tweeting a story in real time, and while I can honestly say I did not excel at this task, I think that my story is kind of cute and quirky and I am going to repurpose it when I actually know how to use this technology. This tweet may be just the thing that draws more people into the wonderful world of aquatic species conservation, right!? (sigh, one can dream can’t she?)

Using Twitter is new to me. As I noted in my first Twitter post for this class, I always thought that it was for people with opinions (mostly political ones), and while I have lots of those, I don’t necessarily think that anyone needs to hear them.

I loved tweeting TBH. It allowed me to explore alternate ways to draw people into the projects I am working on. To think about key messaging and what I am really trying to communicate. And, while Twitter may not be where I excel in the realm of social media, it made me think that maybe it could just be a tool for me to use to draw people to my Instagram, Facebook  and project websites where I actually know what I am doing.  

For my tweet I took advice from Gary Vayernchuk. He says, “Document. Don’t Create”, so that is what I did.  I documented what I was doing at that moment, which was starting my journey to create a fish exhibit (thrilling, I know!). I then thought of the Cat dad on Twitter and his story thread, and tried to draw on that style of posting.

I pulled the flow and story development from the 8 Point Story Arc. I tried to set the scene, create the rise of action, and start the quest early in my post.

The protagonist is (obviously) me and the villain is my real life sister, Shaina. Shaina thinks that fish are boring, and I set out to show her that they are not boring. They are, in fact, very cool and beautiful.

I let myself dream in the tweet about what this fish exhibit will look like. I talk about colour, beauty, and glamour, and lead my readers into thinking that this is going to be one pretty little exhibit that I am going to create.

Then I drop the surprise.

It is not that fish are boring. It’s that the one we are creating the exhibit around is … how do I say this?… it’s ‘UGLY’ (gasp!).

Now my quest is not to show that fish are cool, my quest is about how I am going to make this species beautiful and sexy; in order to sell their conservation and protection. This task takes us on a wild ride of ups and downs that are full of information and dialogue that no one see’s coming  (hang on, it gets intense).

I tried to build tension in the thread and get to the point where I ask readers, why does everything have to be pretty and cute for us to pay attention to it? Why can’t we just embrace something that many would deem ‘ugly’ and use it as an advantage? What is it about this fish that people think is ‘ugly’? Is it their colour or their size? Or…. is it their RESTING FISH FACE?

I then tried to pose some questions about beauty standards to the readers. I hope that this will help many of the readers relate to these poor, ‘ugly’ fish, in a funny and sympathetic way.

I then tried to bring this thread and what I consider the first part of the fish story, to a climax. I consider that it is pretty unfair that we hold nature to the same beauty standards that we have for our selves.

I mean, fish can’t get Botox, can they?

So, not only is their habitat slowly being destroyed, their waterways are rising in temperature, they are overfished, and they are commonly held out of the water too long by overzealous fisher people; on top of all of this, we don’t think they are cute enough. And, they cannot even help that because they are limited in their beauty regime.

What is interesting is that that fact alone may actually be the biggest hurdle I need to overcome in my fish exhibition journey.

Can fish get Botox? is a question that is meant to throw the reader for a loop, to catch them a bit off guard, make them laugh, but also make them think. I tried to add an interactive component where people can vote.

Bringing it to a close, I wanted to sign off, but leave an opportunity to pick the story back up at a later date and build on it. I wanted to leave the readers on a little bit of a cliff hanger in order to keep their interest. I re-introduce my sister, the villain, who may not actually be the villain after all. She calls and says she has some ideas for how we can make our ‘ugly’ fish sexy and maybe, a little less boring.

I hope readers will stay with us as we figure out how to make people care about these ‘ugly’, but important fish.

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No carts. All heart: Not all heroes wear capes.

“a significant impact on someones day and help create a sense of community and connection.”

We all know how awful grocery shopping can be, especially during busy times or when we’re short on time. The task of wandering around crowed aisles and searching for that specific item, can be both a daunting and exhausting experience.

However, within the hustle and bustle of the grocery store, there can often be an unexpected source of support and kindness: strangers. Whether it’s offering to help carry a heavy bag, sharing a friendly smile and nod or helping someone find a loaf of bread because they desperately are craving a sandwich. The kindness of strangers can make a big difference in the shopping experience.

For many people, these small acts of kindness can be a reminder of the good in people and can help to lift a persons mood. While these gestures may seem small, they can have a significant impact on someones day and help create a sense of community and connection.

So, the next time you are struggling with going grocery shopping, remember to look for the good in the people around you. If you have the opportunity, don’t hesitate to pay it forward by offering a helping hand or a kind word to a stranger. Together, we can make the awful task of grocery shopping a more pleasant and supportive experience for everyone.

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A Bright Little Love Story

The Last of Us Episode 3

**Trigger Warning: Please note that this post discusses an Episode of an HBO show that contains death, personal loss, and suicide.**

I love when I  hear, read, or see a great love story. Whether they are set in the past, take place currently, or are in the future, I am a sucker for them. I am not sure if it is the emotion of love or the exploration of relationships in love stories that is so captivating to me. But I love that love stories are not always what they seem, they are dynamic, and they can be interpreted in many ways (whether that’s a good or bad thing).

As an archaeologist, I know firsthand that love stories are not something that is highly visible in the archaeological record. Love is an emotion, and you cannot see emotion, you can only infer that it was there based on other material evidence. What you can see in the archaeological record is relationship. So, for example,  when we hear in the news that a “Lover’s Burial” has been uncovered somewhere overseas, it is that archaeologists are probably interpreting the relationship of materials and objects found in that burial as inferring love.

While you cannot always see love in the deep past, we know, or maybe we hope, that it was there and love stories existed. Love stories are unique in this way. Other stories or narratives can be interpreted more clearly in the archaeological record but love and human connection are not the easiest to see without additional context.  

Love is universal which makes it a perfect storytelling device. While everyone experiences love differently, there is something about it that is relatable. Love stories have a formula that slides smoothly into the ‘Story Spine’ . They generally start with the ‘meet cute’ and build from there. Love stories can be the center of the narrative being told or woven throughout the background.  

My favorite love story, this week, is the story told in Episode 3 of the HBO series, ‘The Last of Us’. ‘The Last of Us’ isn’t really a show that I would normally choose to spend my time watching. It has gained my attention simply because it was filmed in Alberta and the Kardashians are between seasons. So, every week my anxiety level hits an all-time high as things that make creepy noises jump out from dark shadows. 

HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’, is a show about a disease outbreak that, when it infects, it alters people’s behavior and turns them into flesh-eating zombies. These creatures are not like regular zombies though, they are fungi zombies that look like deadly decomposing tree mushrooms. The story is set in 2023, 20 years after the outbreak that saw people turn on each other, governments betray their citizens in the name of containment of the disease, and individuals do things they probably thought they would never do in order to survive. The main story is about Joel, a man that lost his daughter at the beginning of the outbreak due to government policies on containment, and Ellie, a teenager that was born after the outbreak and has never known life outside of government-ruled compounds created to keep the infected out. Their story revolves around the fact that Ellie is immune to the disease and Joel is smuggling her to a rebel base where they can use her blood to make a cure.

The story that I wanted to share today is not Joel and Ellie’s though,  it is Frank and Bill’s.

Frank and Bill are introduced in Episode 3 of the series. Bill is presented to us as a middle-aged man who lives in a small town in Massachusetts. He is essentially a prepper that is described as defensive, has unique social skills,  and what would be considered to many, a different way of looking at the world. When the outbreak hits and people are told to leave their homes, he defies those orders and stays. He builds a large, impenetrable fence and creates his own compound for survival. He has good food, wine, and a lovely home where he lives alone in a solitary, but safe, and fearless existence.

One day, alarms go off outside of the fences Bill has put up and he meets Frank. Frank is the opposite of Bill. He is outgoing, friendly, confident, and self-assured.

The story of Frank and Bill is a bright love story set in the dark world of a global pandemic. Their story is one of give and take, vulnerability, love, and agency. Within the episode, there is incredible symbolism, visuals, and foreshadowing. Their story takes viewers on an hour-long journey spanning 20 years, showing the development of their relationship and them as individuals. The story tells how they overcome loneliness and seclusion, how they develop friendships, and tells how they experience everyday situations in a changing world. Their story highlights how letting people in, and in their case, loving someone (even if that makes you vulnerable), changes you as a person. It tells how in life, no matter how dark it is, there can be amazing moments of light.

“I was never afraid before you”.

Bill to Frank in HBO’s ” The Last of Us”

At the end of the episode, Ellie reads a note that Bill wrote to Joel. While hearing the note, I turned to my partner and said through tears, “Well I really hope that Joel and Ellie leave that piece of paper behind. It would really help archaeologists from the future interpret Bill and Frank’s bright little love story”.

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