One-Shots (Just for Fun)

______ _______ One Shots (1-3)

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[I]Shortly after Uriel joins Vidar, he reflects on Vidar's vocal charisma.[/I]

He mentally paused. What made Vidar's voice seem so... Different? Maybe it was the upward tilt of his timbre when asking a question. Perhaps it was the musical way the pitch if his voice became higher then lower when speaking. 

Or maybe it was simply the passion behind every word he uttered. The diamond-hard dedication beneath his tongue's phrasing, or the emotion that oozed from his every pronounced word. 

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[I]Saul dies while Uriel struggles to make sense of it all.[/I]

Saul coughed once, twice, then heaved. It was painful for his former friends to watch his body shut down. 

"Why would you protect a monster?" Uriel choked out, whispering to Saul's unmoving visage. "Why would you sacrifice yourself for him?!" 

Uriel's anger simmered and threatened to boil over. He had lost both his mentors -- one to revenge, and another to sacrifice. As Saul's labored breathing continued to slow, his eyes flickered open like a dying candle's final flame. His tired eyes, covered in a glaze, slowly drifted around and finally focused on Uriel. 

"Would you not do anything... for your family?" 

Uriel's lips parted, but no words came out. His eyes widened and his expression shifted from anger, to a state of shock, and a pain that suddenly ran deeper than losing a friend. 

"Saul... Saul! It shouldn't have been you! He didn't deserve you! I, I didn't deserve you! ... I'm so sorry, please don't go. Don't go, don't go..."

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[I]Vidar betrays his group of fighters and joins Chao after slaying The Wheel of Fortune.[/I]

"If we take him together, we could still win!"

"No... He's the only other one who understands what has to be done. The only one who understands The Numbers, the blight they are. I can't believe it took me so long to realize..."

There was a strange look in Vidar's eyes. Uriel took several steps back, nervously looking from Chao to Vidar, back to Chao. Something broke inside of Vidar -- he was grinning lopsidedly and slowly stepping towards Uriel and the others. Everything was still for a split second, then it all fell apart. 

"Run!" Uriel screamed. Vidar kicked off towards Uriel, drawing his sword and laughing. Chao stood still and observed. Uriel blocked Vidar's swing, blocking his way while the others fled. Vidar hacked viciously at Uriel, cackling the entire time. Uriel blocked each stroke, then pushed back with a blow of his own. Vidar lost his balance and fell unceremoniously on his butt.

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Genesis and Exodus

This idea came to me when I saw World War Z. I think I'm going to revisit it and expand my idea some time soon. 

Genesis

After a creature -- zombies, aliens, genetic monstrosity, whatever -- overthrows humanity and all but wipes them out, they gather their resources into one last stronghold. From this super-secure, ultra-careful base, humanity's survivors create mecha that go out and "purge" sectors. They are very slowly retaking the earth. Because they wipe *everything* out when they purge the land, their base also doubles as an arboretum, and a "Noah's Ark" of sorts. Brilliant minds are constantly at work, because their work is indispensable. Advanced technology is at the heart of humanity's struggle. 

Endgame: they realize that Earth isn't theirs anymore. With scientific breakthroughs, they discover they'll be able to terraform the moon in half the time it'll take them to finish purging, meaning a quarter of the time it'll take them to bring the earth back to "livable." They'll live on the moon, and give the earth to the creatures. 

WILT 8/4/13

What I Learned Today (8/4/13 Edition)

Each generation has the potential to overcome the previous one, but only if they strive to be the best they can be... We are one ever-improving loop of generations. 

“It is the struggle itself that is most important. We must strive to be more than we are. It does not matter that we will not reach our ultimate goal. The effort itself yields its own reward.”

- Gene Roddenberry, delivered by Brent Spiner as "Data"

Corrolary: JST Matt., 5:50: "Ye are therefore commanded to be perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Even if we can't reach true perfection in this life, our efforts towards an impossible goal will reward us, and will enable us to achieve this goal in the life after this one. 

Blue Bird Fanslation Baikanon

I've never done this song before; my familiarity with it comes from the English dub's lyrics for the American import of Naruto. However, I love Ikimono Gakari and I think this song is one of their best. It's also a blast to sing. 

Blue Bird by Ikimono Gakari

If I was a blue bird,

I would never stop flying!

I'd strive for that blue, blue sky!

I'm starting to learn what sadness is,

And I'm beginning to understand pain.

My feelings for you are starting to turn,

Into tumultuous words!

Leaving behind my old self,

Waking up from a strange dream,

I unfurl my wings and take flight!

If I was a bluebird,

I'd never stop flying!

I'd aim for,

The white, white clouds!

I know that if I break through

I'll finally find my home!

So I'll keep trying,

To break through that blue, blue sky!

That blue, blue sky!

That blue, blue sky!

A decisive noise echoed out 

And the barred window

Finally broke 

Look, I'm so sick of my cage,

That I'm leaving it in pieces!

My heart and soul 

Unite as I kick off 

Of the ground,

And I take off, 

For the sun!

I think if I fly,

I'll be able to catch it.

I'm tempted by your distant, distant voice.

I reach for your dazzling, dazzling hand,

Until I reach beyond the blue, blue sky!

Sometimes I get lost 

I'm sure you understand 

I won't give up, 

I'll follow, 

The rising sun!

If I was a blue bird,

I wouldn't ever stop flying!

I'm looking for those white, white clouds!

I'll pierce the sky, to find where I belong!

So I'll keep trying, 

Until I pierce that blue, blue sky!

To break that blue, blue sky!

To shatter that blue, blue sky! 

By My Side Fanslation Baikanon

Like my Moshimo Fanslation, this is more of an artistic interpretation meant for singing than a word by word direct translation. 

By My Side

It's alright if you don't, 

Have an answer, 

For your problems.

Just keep on looking for it.

Searching's better than finding,

That's part of growing up.

Even if my heart wants me to run away and give up!

(By my side, 

By my side~)

If my search for life's answers,

Brings me to your eyes,

I want to stop there and rest.

There couldn't,

Be anything more important,

Than me and you holding hands!

So yes, right here and right now,

I need your hand, I need your love, 

I need you here right by my side~

By my side~

Thank you for believing in me.

I think I know what's important.

My life has purpose,

My life has meaning,

You've helped me discover that truth!

(By my side, 

By my side~)

Even if your fear takes you,

Further and further away from me, 

I won't ever let go of your hand!

This world is,

Truly beautiful~

You've shown me that by our love,

And now I want to fully live!

Right here, right now,

I need you here right by my side~

By my side~

(By my side,

By my side~)

Ah, ah~

(By my side~)

Don't ever go of our hope,

Yeah, ah~

Don't ever let go of my hand!

By my side~

(By my side)

Ah, ah

(By my side)

(By my side)

Ah, ah

(By my side)

My Disposition Shift

The other day at seminary, we were asked about how we think the gospel has changed our dispositions. The following is what I wrote as I reflected. 

How has my disposition changed?

When I was dating this girl, I was totally focused on being happy with her -- making the gospel work wasn't even a thought. It was all about what I could do to be happy with her. Not only was it unhealthy, but it didn't last. That girl was my top priority over everything. 

Now, I've experienced a change where I care about mine and God's happiness more than anything else. Because of this, I care more about every single person. In a way, I've dramatically increased my circle of care. My heart is filling up with more and more people. What's ironic is that the girl I dated is still there in my heart. I still care about her a lot. But now, my disposition has changed so that I care in a more healthy way, and for lots more people. 

Updated Moshimo Fanslation

Moshimo Fanslation Baikanon

I dreamt of someone from long ago, 

They ran away and hid in tall grass

I chased after the fading memory 

I can't reach them, no matter how frustrated I get 

It's so far

How long has it been?

My hearts trapped

In a time that's long gone 

If only, this was a dream!

I could undo all my mistakes!

I could live true to my heart!

Instead I'm running after the past

Trying to escape my loneliness

Grasping on to the times when you and I were one!

I'm living in a world where you're only a memory!

When my memories finally start to fade

I realize forgetting is the most painful thing of all

Ah

Even the deepest heartbreak can keep on festering 

Cancers can keep on spreading

If only, this was a dream

I could see you again and again!

My feelings which won't die

Might get a bit of closure!

I'm still running after you

Sifting through my slipping memory

The future's looking cold, and the present's getting old

I'm living in a world where you're only a memory!

Even though you're no longer here 

The world keeps turning around and around!

I won't let time take away my memories!

I won't let go of you!

If only this was a dream!

I could see you one last time!

My feelings won't budge 

Even if my memories do!

I have hope that we'll meet again, 

Even if it's just in a dream!

I can stand through any pain until that day! 

The future, grown from the past, will surpass the present 

I'm living in a world where you're only a memory!

One Shot Songs

I've been posting what I call "One Shot Songs" on my YouTube channels. They're basically just recordings of me singing a song through. It's low quality. I don't have any video or even an accompaniment on the first ones. But... Maybe you'll enjoy them?

Here's the links to the first two. 

http://youtu.be/1VdUne7aTTQ

http://youtu.be/YhIiFQsVlOU

Sorry if I sound gross. 

Soaring and Sinking

Found this just all written up. 

I Refuse to Sink/I Will Soar Up High 

The phrase "I refuse to sink" is a popular one. It denotes a refusal to give into emotional distress, a refusal to let yourself be destroyed. But... It also says that you're in the middle of that process. You're treading water. You're saying that you won't let your past get to you, but you won't think of the future either. It's focused on what's wrong, what can go wrong - what will go wrong. It's a defeatist attitude! 

I propose that there are better phrases out there. For example, the one I use: "I will soar up high." I prefer this phrase in every way. First off, the consequences of not managing to reach your goal ("to soar") is far less dire than failure in the other ("to [not] sink"). The word "will" shows you're living in the present and the future, working towards goals. More importantly, it declares that you can do something. You are not helpless, barely keeping your head above the water. Rather than "not" doing a negative thing, I "will" do a positive one, once again contrasting the different attitudes. Of course, both can be used at the same time.

Ex: Not only do I refuse to sink, but I will soar up high. 

But most importantly, to my present and future, I will soar up high. 

Side note: Anchors don't keep anything floating, and they certainly don't keep you from sinking. To replace the anchor that normally accompanies the former phrase, I'd use a pair of wings to symbolize the latter. 

WILT 5/5/13

What I Learned Today (5/5/13)

- Brother Goodrick remarked that having grandchildren, and children, is really the best thing. Going off of that, and Frankl's remarks (and my own thoughts) about love, growing our family and loving it is paramount because it's more to love, and more people who love you. 

- It's also important because if you're in a good family, the more people you add to yours aren't in 'bad' families. 

- 

WILT 6/1/13

What I've Learned Today (6/1/13 Edition)

- What do we stand to lose by striving for our best?

- After Earth =\= Scientology. 

WILT 5/5/13

What I Learned Today (5/5/13)

- Brother Goodrick remarked that having grandchildren, and children, is really the best thing. Going off of that, and Frankl's remarks (and my own thoughts) about love, growing our family and loving it is paramount because it's more to love, and more people who love you. 

- It's also important because if you're in a good family, the more people you add to yours aren't in 'bad' families. 

- 

Good Decision Making

Ala Brother Wofford's missionary prep class. 

How to make good decisions 

1) Pause (reflect)

2) Ask Clarifying Questions

3) Decide (decisively)

2/23/13

WILT's are my random notes from across the day. Sometimes they're based on church talks, movies, songs, etc. Later WILT's note that, but not these earlier ones. 

What I Learned Today 

(2/23/13 Edition)

- You should never depend on a person's presence to make an event enjoyable. If it's a requirement that a certain person is present, that event probably isn't worth it. 

- We ought to "check things out" whenever we hear a siren in our life, regardless of whether or not it's commonplace. 

- Unity can reduce damage to one person, by spreading it amongst the participants. 

- "Fake tears hurt only others, but a fake smile hurts only yourself."

- Recurring motifs are doubly effective for groups, both to promote unity and pride, as well as to increase community recognition. 

- 

Smurfs

This might be a weird one. 

We were running commercials for the Smurfs 2 DVD at my workplace, and I started thinking about what appealed to people about the smurfs, from a storytelling perspective. I had an epiphany, and decided that, in my opinion, the key plot point is Gargamel's unholy obsession with a near-idealic people. The following came out the dark recesses of my brain over an hour LNG period. 

Smurfs (Baikanon)

- The most important aspect is that Gargamel is obsessed with the smurfs. 

- Gargamel sells his soul to a wicked being who wants smurfs in return for a magic cure to the kingdoms problems. 

- Azrael -- the cat -- could be the being, in that form to supervise his work?

- Maybe Gargamel is this spirit's name, and it's mistakenly attributed to him (such as if he attacked the smurfs, saying it's in the name of Gargamel, and they assume that's his name, etc). Or, Gargamel could be a name he is given to exemplify his fallen state. 

- Gargamel would be a noble xharactee at first blush. A benevolent magician under employ of the King is what I'm thinking. 

- Smurfs are stars that fell to earth. Thus, they posses mystic properties. 

- The key idea here is that Gargamel is obsessed with smurfs. This obsession would stem from this deal with the devil, or maybe because they're ingredients in a potion he needed to save the kingdom. 

- Smurfs are intentionally archetypal characters, because stars represent human traits?

- Overall, Gargamel should be a tragic figure. He was a good person, dedicated to the kingdom, but then fell awry when the kingdom was in trouble and he couldn't save it under his own power.