WrathOfTheHydra's recent activity
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Comment on Timasomo 2025: The Showcase in ~creative.timasomo
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Comment on Timasomo 2025: The Showcase in ~creative.timasomo
WrathOfTheHydra Link ParentI'm sure you belt a wicked Whitney Houston in the shower. ;) Thanks for listening and the compliments!I'm sure you belt a wicked Whitney Houston in the shower. ;) Thanks for listening and the compliments!
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Comment on Timasomo 2025: The Showcase in ~creative.timasomo
WrathOfTheHydra Link ParentIf you've ever gotten a song stuck in your head that you don't know all the words to, and then you go look up the lyrics because you're tired of humming the chorus and some verses with no real...Out of curiosity, do you have a process for composing? Do you play around then transcribe?
If you've ever gotten a song stuck in your head that you don't know all the words to, and then you go look up the lyrics because you're tired of humming the chorus and some verses with no real vocabulary behind them... that's basically my process, lol.
The following is more detail behind this process, but it is more longwinded than it is technical. :P
I usually have a good portion of a song in my head, complete with backing track and chorus singers and whatnot, pretty much immediately without noting anything down. The words, however, will range from incredibly crystal clear choruses to muddy incoherent concepts. It'll be around the time I get tired of the liminal space between the clear chorus/catchy verses that I'll pull out the guitar.
This particular song is a bit different because I've had it bopping around for over a decade in my head (think I first twinkled it out on piano briefly around sophmore year of college? Ah man, I feel old.). I didn't start actually song writing until about 2 years ago, and I had to learn guitar to start for some reason, so it was fairly dormant when I returned to it, which meant I didn't have clear lyrics in my head other than the chorus and I think "-and it's a looong waaay faaar from home, there's no one else I'd share this ride!" So the roughly 2-3 actual days to work on this had a lot more lyric-slapping than usual.
For when I'm actually writing-writing, I'm at my standing desk in front of the computer with a guitar. I'll strum out the chords I mentally have mapped out and sing the bits I know. When I naturally run out of confident material, I fall into this cycle:
Part 1:
- Type out some lyrics within the bars between known sections.
*2. Read it again and ask myself if it's what the character/voice of the song wants to say, and then-
*3. Sing it outloud with guitar and see if it sounds good.
I then bounce the section between 2 and 3, which becomes a bit of a compromise: 'You can say your piece, character-in-song, but you have to sound good doing it!'
Rinse and repeat through all of the parts of the song. Song writing and playing has really just been for my own fulfillment, so I haven't really gotten a good workflow with recording and sharing with others. (besides this preview since the point was to share it :P) I've technically done it before, but I just get angry at recording setups and software and bleeeeeeh. So I've just been settling for jotting down the lyrics and basic chord progressions ftm in case I abandon the song and need a refresher later.
Hilariously, one of the river-based rhymes/vocab I was planning was between January and Estuary... There may be hope for 'This is just a Tributary' just yet...
- Type out some lyrics within the bars between known sections.
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Comment on Microsoft is adding AI facial recognition to OneDrive and users can only turn it off three times a year in ~tech
WrathOfTheHydra (edited )Link ParentThis turned into a ramble, so I've collapsed it into this summary. To be clear, it was less about the update and more about what the changes to Windows 11 have brought. There's a lot of pent up...This turned into a ramble, so I've collapsed it into this summary. To be clear, it was less about the update and more about what the changes to Windows 11 have brought. There's a lot of pent up angst behind my original comment...
From the general user-side experience, there are a lot of 'nuh-uh-uh, you have to say the magic word' moments with Mac that are just jarring. I don't have any intricate examples at the moment, but having to hold specific keys before entering certain menus to... change your resolution? To access basic server connectivity options? Why are some of my home folders subject to permission blocks, so I just save/use the Documents folder on the fly to toss photos into and avoid it?
Now I've learned how to get through all of that properly at this point, and for the general public it can be great to have a system that points you away from things that may be potentially damaging. As someone who does more wacky stuff, I've learned all the tricks and have gotten really good at jumping through the hoops, but I don't... want to jump through hoops when I can just search and click through to the thing I need.
Windows (generally speaking) was a lot more open in that you could click through to find anything, and even just break stuff if you wanted. If you're someone who does niche things on a computer, you can really feel the amount of times you have to strong arm through some superficial wall that isn't just a limitation of the computer's inner-workings. Windows fit the niche of someone that wants to tinker around a bit more, or at the very least use the system with confidence.
Now, unfortunately, Windows has gone from suggesting what you should and shouldn't access or change to forcibly removing your control. This has covered issues as big as the Copilot updates to incredibly small dumb stuff like accessing your audio devices quickly. I'm going to Arch in part because I use it for work, but also because I have a lot more patience for issues I run into because open source developers are trying to figure things out, versus a large company putting their thumb over the switch and handing me a rattle. Mac has esstablished what it wants to be and does it well: It's a fairly closed system for security that handles segmented apps well with a polished branding to boot. Windows is trying to copy that aesthetic and formula with the charisma of a cement brick to the temple.
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Comment on Microsoft is adding AI facial recognition to OneDrive and users can only turn it off three times a year in ~tech
WrathOfTheHydra Link ParentAs the original commenter, aaabsolutely. I use Arch for work, and while the skill ceiling and bugginess have all dropped significantly in the last 3 years, it is not an intro-distro. Bop around on...As the original commenter, aaabsolutely. I use Arch for work, and while the skill ceiling and bugginess have all dropped significantly in the last 3 years, it is not an intro-distro. Bop around on the Debian distros for a bit and then you'll be fine, but it will feel incredibly overwhelming to start with Arch.
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Comment on Chinese takeout menu in ~food
WrathOfTheHydra Link ParentI mean, it's been his MO ever since Video Game High School. VGHS was just a demo reel for the different styles of TV he could do for producers (hence the wild changes in genre in season 2)....I mean, it's been his MO ever since Video Game High School. VGHS was just a demo reel for the different styles of TV he could do for producers (hence the wild changes in genre in season 2).
Personally I'm glad he's been open about it since his return. These things cost money (especially indie things), and after years of financial dancing with movie execs it definitely feels like he knows the blunt approach is the best one. If you've ever read a thread here with a bunch of engagement but barely any upvotes, you've seen the apathetic engagement trap that free content is oft to fall into.
If anyone hasn't seen Boxcar Fight, I highly recommend. Its roughly 15 minutes of skit and then an hour and a half of behind-the-scenes on how they filmed it.
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Comment on Microsoft is adding AI facial recognition to OneDrive and users can only turn it off three times a year in ~tech
WrathOfTheHydra (edited )LinkLiterally just spent tonight moving files around and grabbing ISO's to switch everything to Arch Linux. I'm just so tired of the lack of privacy and Mac-ification of Windows, I can't stay on it...Literally just spent tonight moving files around and grabbing ISO's to switch everything to Arch Linux. I'm just so tired of the lack of privacy and Mac-ification of Windows, I can't stay on it anymore.
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Comment on Timasomo 2025: The Showcase in ~creative.timasomo
WrathOfTheHydra Link ParentWhat a sturdy looking set of shelves. Nicely done, and I'm glad the little dino has a home in the corner! :)What a sturdy looking set of shelves. Nicely done, and I'm glad the little dino has a home in the corner! :)
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Comment on Timasomo 2025: The Showcase in ~creative.timasomo
WrathOfTheHydra Link ParentAw danks :D I love Big Fish the movie, so I'll have to check out the musical at some point. Once I listen to a musical soundtrack, it manifests in my cranium and will not let go for months, so I...Aw danks :D I love Big Fish the movie, so I'll have to check out the musical at some point. Once I listen to a musical soundtrack, it manifests in my cranium and will not let go for months, so I gotta schedule when to introduce myself to OST's so I don't drive my partner up the wall humming it around the house. (shoutout Kpop Demon Hunters T_T) Thanks for listening!
Follow up notes on the Riverbend:
- I'll be toying around with bookending the song with the older version of the character.
-Branching off that, starting with a more narrative/freeflow introduction similar to sections of Hadestown with Hermes might help pacing, as well as balancing the song to be more 50/50 with both voices. - I do not have the skill on any instrument for a good solo, but this song feels like it would benefit from it. Potentially some violin thrown in there? Dunno atm.
- I don't currently have the range, but I'd love the younger 'agaaain' high note to climb to a B and settle back onto an A, and then the older note would switch to the G - F# that's currently in there. When I'm done being sick I'll keep working on my range. :P
- I'll be toying around with bookending the song with the older version of the character.
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Comment on Timasomo 2025: The Showcase in ~creative.timasomo
WrathOfTheHydra Link ParentNot disappointing at all! I like how much character you put into the description on the github page, and I look forward to a video demonstration if you decide to make one at some point!Not disappointing at all! I like how much character you put into the description on the github page, and I look forward to a video demonstration if you decide to make one at some point!
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Comment on Timasomo 2025: The Showcase in ~creative.timasomo
WrathOfTheHydra Link ParentThis is obviously a super idealized thought experiment, but I think everyone should get the chance to wear a dress/skirt at some point. I got to wear a couple things like that in college, and even...This is obviously a super idealized thought experiment, but I think everyone should get the chance to wear a dress/skirt at some point. I got to wear a couple things like that in college, and even as a cis man there is a perspective to be learned from wearing more feminized clothing. If it doesn't specifically appeal to you and your personal image, it's still great to have the experience of what women typically wear and how that feels.
Thanks for the comic! It's incredibly raw and open about you experiences, and it's appreciated!
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Comment on Timasomo 2025: The Showcase in ~creative.timasomo
WrathOfTheHydra Link ParentI agree with the 'messy' being a perk. Gives it a punk vibe which I enjoy. Any of these patches being 'messy' is honestly just refreshing that it wasn't made by a machine, frankly. This is...I agree with the 'messy' being a perk. Gives it a punk vibe which I enjoy. Any of these patches being 'messy' is honestly just refreshing that it wasn't made by a machine, frankly. This is something I would have traded around in school if I knew about it then! (especially since my jeans were ripped to shreds at the time).
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Comment on Timasomo 2025: The Showcase in ~creative.timasomo
WrathOfTheHydra Link ParentThese are so fun! This is also such a good way to practice with a needle. Are you going to do more embroidery or move to other types of needlework (like the bag) after?These are so fun! This is also such a good way to practice with a needle. Are you going to do more embroidery or move to other types of needlework (like the bag) after?
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Comment on Timasomo 2025: The Showcase in ~creative.timasomo
WrathOfTheHydra Link ParentI thoroughly thank you for not only taking on this feat but specifically documenting your steps for others. It is so so annoying when you hit the fringe part of a hobby that no one else has...I thoroughly thank you for not only taking on this feat but specifically documenting your steps for others. It is so so annoying when you hit the fringe part of a hobby that no one else has documented while seeing several people online have clearly done the thing with no repro steps. This is going to help a lot of people! Good job!!!
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Comment on Timasomo 2025: The Showcase in ~creative.timasomo
WrathOfTheHydra LinkWHEW. It has been quite the dang sprint with 2 weeks abroad, illness, slicing my finger on a gosh dang potato peeler, birthday and holiday shenanigans... but we did it boiz and girlz, yeayuh. My...- Exemplary
WHEW. It has been quite the dang sprint with 2 weeks abroad, illness, slicing my finger on a gosh dang potato peeler, birthday and holiday shenanigans... but we did it boiz and girlz, yeayuh.
My project was to throw together a song outline, with bonus points if I threw together a pre-vis (or pre-audio, I guess). I actually managed to make a janky mock-up of what it generally sounds like. Things to note before listening:
- This is designed to be a duet between a younger and older version of a character. As a theatre guy, I'd have two singers (one young, one old) wearing the same outfit with one fairly warn and weathered. However, I want to design the song so that technicallyyy~ a single singer could catch voice lines in the first half of the song and then play them back later to harmonize with for a solo show. Ideally the younger would be on guitar and the older would have a piano, but I don't have a piano that works well with my setup atm so you get 4 guitar chords in the pre-vis. :D While I don't really change my voice too much, note that the minor-key sections are from the 'older' singer (also noted in the lyrics in the description).
- The audio editing is... not great. This is stitched together with duct tape and some EQ in Davinci Resolve, lmao. This is not winning a Grammy for the editing (but it could win an Oscar, heyoooo~).
- The writing is faaar from complete. Like I've done with other songs, this is the 'get some lyrics on the page and worry about making it good later' version. I did not have the time to apply any voluptuous river vocabulary or hammer out the syllable-stuffed sections, and I think there's an entire section currently missing in which the relationship falls apart so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ if you're confused that's why. Really just a proof of concept to decide whether this is even worth polishing, which I guess you can decide since you're listening to it. :^) Without further ado...
Riverbend (Pre-Vis)
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
WrathOfTheHydra Link ParentHaving seen mention of both Until Then (by @Protected) and No Case Should Remain Unsolved in this thread, I noticed there's a developer bundle with both of those games (and a bunch of others) on...Having seen mention of both Until Then (by @Protected) and No Case Should Remain Unsolved in this thread, I noticed there's a developer bundle with both of those games (and a bunch of others) on that Steam page for anyone lookin' to batch-buy.
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Comment on Timasomo 2025: Week 2 Updates in ~creative.timasomo
WrathOfTheHydra Link ParentJumping on the 'no progress' since I just got back :D any prep I could do I did last week, so just starting actual progress on my shenanigans now!Jumping on the 'no progress' since I just got back :D any prep I could do I did last week, so just starting actual progress on my shenanigans now!
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Comment on Can you really be addicted to food? Researchers are uncovering similarities to drug addiction in some eating patterns. in ~food
WrathOfTheHydra Link ParentI could live off an endless conveyor of steamed broccoli with melted cheese if my poops didn't become DeAtH iNcArNaTe as a result.I could live off an endless conveyor of steamed broccoli with melted cheese if my poops didn't become DeAtH iNcArNaTe as a result.
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
WrathOfTheHydra LinkKind of a different response, but I've been listening to live Irish music around the Belfast and Dublin areas. I've been getting to know a bit of the history between the starting era of modern...Kind of a different response, but I've been listening to live Irish music around the Belfast and Dublin areas. I've been getting to know a bit of the history between the starting era of modern Irish music (around the 1870's, depending on the group of artists you follow) and the accompanying dance culture around it (traditional Irish tap, clogging, riverdance and the morph into Broadway tap dance, among other things).
I've also learned of a few songs I hadn't really paid any mind to before, Irish or not in origin:
Brennan on the Moor
Whiskey in the Jar
Rattlin' Bog
Will Ye Go Lassie GoI'll be taking some time to learn the lyrics pat so that if I ever have the pleasure of visiting Ireland again, I can sing along with the room on a few more songs!
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Comment on Timasomo 2025: Week 1 Updates in ~creative.timasomo
WrathOfTheHydra LinkAs per the first post, I'm going to be busy for half of this month before I can work on songwriting (which is my project). But I have been re-aquainting myself with the main melody and lyrics, as...As per the first post, I'm going to be busy for half of this month before I can work on songwriting (which is my project). But I have been re-aquainting myself with the main melody and lyrics, as well as some potentials for the connective tissue between the main theme. Wont be able to touch a guitar for a bit, but planning to use simple chords anyway so no biggy!
We have some pretty drawn-out plans to get my childhood upright piano into the house at some point, and if that happens then I'll definitely get on that. 👍