NaNoPoblano 2022 (Ext.): SocMed + Life, So Far

#NaNoPoblano2022 Day 18

(FB Post Date: August 8, 2023)

WAZZUP?!! Me, nothing and everything. Just a few highlights of my recent days:

– No one has given me #feedback about the excerpt I shared. Surprise!!! (Dripping sarcasm)

– I got my first set of bashers when I promoted one of my vids. Trolls and, I believe, kids. No use fighting with kids and even adults who haven’t “adulted”. Really, the more you expose yourself to the outside world, the more you make yourself vulnerable. #SocMed is a cruel world in itself.

– #TikTok invited me to promote their PROMOTE feature. Not doing it. One-day campaigns once or twice a month is enough. I am not pushing for an #influencer status. I am not delusional. I just want to create, reach a bit more people and, hopefully, be appreciated.

[NOTE: I may have made it sound like I’m special. I am pretty sure they’ve invited various creators, too, who have had some level of success with the promotions they availed of.]

– Seriously considering deleting my #Twitter that I only really use for one specific purpose. Elon Musk is ruining it for me. (Also, “X” feels so unholy.) I have to find a platform that can give me what I need. But don’t expect me on #Threads any time soon, or ever.

– #ChatGPT is starting to be a threat to actual writers like me. Unfortunately, I have to use it, as required. I appreciate #AI, but only up to a certain point. If only AI could force people to read…

– I was offered to do voice-over/acting for a #YouTube channel. Unfortunately, it turned out the decision is not up to the one who invited me. It was her idea that she was pitching to her boss. But there is still no decision. I will give this a month and maybe, I’ll just volunteer to decline if nothing’s happened after a month.

[UPDATE: It didn’t work out. Her employer wasn’t ready for another person to do voice-overs. If  I have to be honest, I suspect the employer isn’t really paying what the talent is really due. She seems overworked and underpaid. I wouldn’t want that for me…That over, I decided to be friends with her, why not? So we’re socmed buddies and I even invited her to an online group of voice actors that I joined.]

Alright, that’s all for now. Till next time!

NaNoPoblano 2022 (Ext.): “STOP!”

#NaNoPoblano2022 Day 17

(FB Post Date: July 10, 2023) 

I’ve been trying to write lately but I always end up sleepy and unproductive. But this song certainly woke me up. I’ve developed #LSS !!! That’s “Last Song Syndrome”, if you don’t know it yet.

I really like this song. It specifically brought back memories of me choreographing a dance using the song. I don’t remember the steps now, but hey, MAYBE I should create a new one. What do you think? 

I will keep listening to it to keep me perky and ALIIIIIIVVEE!!! Why there are two versions is another story that I won’t bother explain, to be honest. But let me know which you like better audio-wise! (Personally, my vote goes to version no. 1, but viewer opinions count, too)

@jgifederizo1

#STOP by #SpiceGirls #duet with @THOSE GUYS Short story: Posted Ver1 @J.Gi. Algo prob. Posted Ver2. Worse algo prob. Now set to private. So I stitched the two. Twice the Fun! And maybe Post No.3 is the charm… Lemme know which version you prefer! #Song #Cover #Acapella #ForYou #ForYouPage

♬ original sound – J.Gi – J.Gi

NaNoPoblano 2022 (Ext.): Be Extra!

#NaNoPoblano2022 Day 16

I found one audio. First Girl asks, “Why do you keep making TikToks when nobody watches them?” Second Girl’s answer? “You wanna know what? Somebody does watch them. I watch them. I watch my own TikToks. Okay?“

Well, I can relate, Girl #2. And for some reason, I am so stubborn. Maybe it’s the Taurean in me, I dunno. For years, I have been blogging and posting videos that hardly anyone gives the time of day for. I have a few “wins” or successes, but most fail. Some on an epic level.

But do I ever really stop? Nooo. I take a hiatus more often than I should, but I keep going back. Why? BECAUSE I LIKE THEM. I love what I do. My need to create outweighs my “need” to conform to what others expect of or from me. It’s like answering the question “Why do you still write when no one reads your work?”  

Not because it’s something others don’t do, or won’t do, I shouldn’t either. Most times, they just can’t do it. So they’ll rather that I don’t also, to feel better about themselves. And no, I am not being conceited. Me? I currently only have more or less than 100 followers (people follow, people unfollow, you know).

• 85%-90% hardly care about what I post

• majority just want follow-backs even when some have little to none to show

• a good number just want to sell me things

• a good number, surprisingly, are kids who, while easier to impress, are often not that active (they actually shouldn’t be)

I am already lucky when I hit 230+ views despite the algos being whacked (I just as often get just 2 or 5 or 7 on algo-related bad days). I feel appreciated already when people, however few, hit on the heart button. And  it is already an honor for me when someone saves my works as “Favorite” once in a while.

I am obviously no big shot in the social media world. So, what is there to brag about? Only my efforts to try to make good and creative content. At least, I’m proud of that.

Those who can’t, hate on others, ignore, or accept. Jealousy is just something you feel when you can’t have/do what others can, no matter how trivial. You just don’t have the time to spare, maybe resources, or enough patience to learn and execute. We all go through that, don’t lie to yourselves. We just differ in how we address it.

I try to address mine in positive ways. I either accept or I do something about it. Like the time I was so envious of the then-current DJs on our college radio. I had always wanted to be a DJ. How did I address the problem? I turned envy into inspiration. I cast away insecurity, practiced, and auditioned. I simply enjoyed the process and got what I wanted.

For a better example, check out The Muthership:

@themuthership

I think I just made my TikTok resume ⭐️ #tiktokteacher #tiktoktransitions #tiktoktutorials #cancersurvivor #themuthership

♬ vampire – Olivia Rodrigo

Everything paid off, needless to say. 

Did I go off-tangent here? Not really. I am just saying (and reminding myself, too) that if you want to do something, do it. Do it without hurting anyone, including yourself, in any way. Do it without worrying about whether people will like it or not, or you’ll end up with nothing. Do it because while everybody thinks s/he’s a critic, someone may actually appreciate you and/or help you improve. Do it because, well, you want to!

Here’s an example. This trend in 2021 re-emerged in 2022. I found it and told myself I’d make it. But I didn’t just want to do it the way others did. I wanted to make it good. So the project got pushed aside for many months. No, a half-baked output just wouldn’t do…I finally decided I had to create it already or forever hold my peace (so to speak). I went to work on it and, well, you might want to hit play and see the outcome. I guareantee, my entry for this trend may not be the most viewed and most liked, but no one can say it’s not the Most Extra Entry for the trend. I’m proud of it, views or no views.

@jgifederizo1

Never too late for this #trend started by @Dewey’s Piano Party . With any luck, one or two might actually watch this, ha ha haaa!!! I did work hard on it. Credits to @theasherhouse for the dog clips. #GetToKnowMe #GetToKnowMeChallenge #Introduction #AboutMe #FYP #ForYou #ForYouPage

♬ original sound – J.Gi – J.Gi

I think it’s safe to say I will keep making content, ‘no? When people expect less, BE EXTRA!!!

NaNoPoblano 2022 (Ext.): “THE MERMAID QUEEN”

#NaNoPoblano2022 Day 15

Here’s an example on how I try to stay creative in the days of #socmed and digital technology.

I found an interesting filter. So I thought, why not make something with it? So I added water and voice effects and made a little story out of it. It’s the story that made/makes it different from the rest.

It was fun! I mean, at one point, right before I finished, the phone ran out of battery and everything was lost (!). But good thing I already knew what to do so remake was way easier. I made sure to keep saving this time.

It may not be a whole story, but it’s an exercise especially on keeping a creative mind. You may find I often post things on #TikTok, but if you check them, I have added extra things or twists to them to make them more interesting. Well, to me, at least, and hopefully, to like-minded people.

Unfortunately, there aren’t/weren’t many like-minded people. Most obviously just took a look for a second and didn’t even read the caption. They left almost immediately. If I were a big content creator, they’d finish it then praise me to high heavens in the comments, even if the story sucked. It’s like ignoring normal people who can sing. Then you give great lip service to popular, almost off-key ones in hopes of getting noticed and replies…I knew that even as I was creating it. Yet, again, the need to create was overwhelming, I just had to do it. That is what non-creatives don’t understand about us.

So below is that very short one-shot scenario. I was considering making it a series but I have decided to pour my efforts on other projects. I could write a short story out of it, why not? Tell me what you think!

#POV : The powerful #Mermaid #Queen finds you trespassing in her kingdom

@jgifederizo1

#POV : The powerful #Mermaid #Queen finds you trespassing in her kingdom Should I turn this into a full story? Lemme know Feel free to #duet this! #Trend #Acting #Roleplay #FYP #ForYou #DuetThis #Story

♬ Mermaid, sorrow, mystery, fairy tale, fantasy(1227981) – Yasu

NaNoPoblano 2022 (Ext.): My Well-Appreciated English Translation

Subscribe to continue reading

Subscribe to get access to the rest of this post and other subscriber-only content.

Already a subscriber?

NaNoPoblano 2022 (Ext.): Creepy and Cringy Songs

#NaNoPoblano Day 13

The more that I dive into social media, the more I find out about things. They are mostly good to know, but sometimes,..Okay, I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s backtrack.

I had always wanted to do reaction videos. I’ve done some food product reviews on my YouTube channel. Reviews, not exactly reactions. They are similar but not the same. I did post about rapper EZ Mill’s song PANALO. Still, it did not feel like a reaction. I was planning on reacting to the newer CATS The Musical movie but I haven’t gotten around to it. Full movies posted by YT do not come for free.

Fast-forward to TikTok. When I encountered Greg Foster‘s videos, I decided to finally do reactions on his reactions. Actually, more like do reactions with him. The reason was simple: The songs he features are usually creepy, cringy ones. Thus, he calls it his Creepy Cringy Lyrics Series. He has amusing reactions and it’s good that he already has the songs recommended to him.

The plan was to create one whole video featuring three song reactions that I blindly chose from his list. However, I soon found out that all three together would not meet the 10-minute maximum length allowed. In fact, I had to also split two of the videos in halves.

There are people who actually know the first song. It’s a “kid’s song” after all. The third song wasn’t cringe but could be creepy for those not used to such plots (I knew the plot immediately). It’s the second song that fit the “creepy” and “cringy”definitions to a T.

This is where I now explain what I meant by “bad things”. I’ve been following Greg eversince. People keep suggesting songs that he should react to.

I tell you, I am shocked at the amount of songs out there that if you really listen to, would shock you, too! Surprisingly, there are even songs by famous artists and songwriters we admired during their time. These have made me lose respect for them.

They sing of graphic violence. They sing of child grooming as if it’s okay, pedophilia, child abuse. They sing of abduction, of raping as punishment. They sing of murder like it’s the most natural thing in the world. They sing of beating, chopping off body parts, playing with human entrails…To be honest, they’re much worse than just creepy and cringy!

I am appalled that such songs were created, even recorded and played on radios! It makes you think why no one taught of looking into those songs. If they could simply write such songs like it’s nothing, maybe there’s something there that’s closer to reality. Maybe they should’ve been jailed.

Not all of the songs are that crazy, though. Some are funny. I am sharing the three videos I reacted to below. They are already compiled in one. ENJOY!!!

You might want to visit Greg’s TikTok if you want to hear more.

NaNoPoblano 2022 (Ext.): “Walking the Path”

#NaNoPoblano Day 12

Social media has made access to various things available to us. But suddenly, too, anyone can be an expert.

For instance, I have encountered so many posts related to astrology and horoscopes. They tell me what I am, what I’m not, which signs are the best/worst in this or that, what I should do to find true love or become rich…Etcetera. The funny thing is, those who tell me these are mostly people who are not qualified to talk of such things. If anything, they are delusional enthusiasts pretending on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and other platforms, nothing more.

If you don’t know how to identify the legit ones from the fake or wannabes, be careful what information to believe and follow.

This post is not about astrology or horoscopes, though. I only want to emphasize how much easy it is to fall victim to wrong information. So what I do is I take most things with a grain of salt. Once in a while, there are posts that I feel could be true. I take tests, read interpretations, listen to explanations. Then I decide if I should believe.

Below is a psychological test that you, yourself, might want to take. The next one explains what each mentioned item represents. Mind you, I believe this. I had my psychologist-friend, Melany, look into it. The account owner’s professional background does add to her (owner) credibility.

@aylen.healer

How well do you know yourself? Walk the path #psychologicaltest #quiz #test #testyourself

♬ original sound – Harmony&Healing

@aylen.healer

Psychological test explanation #psychologicaltest #quiz #test #testyourself #testresults

♬ original sound – Harmony&Healing

Of course, I had my answers. For fun, my friend interpreted my answers. I have to say, I’m satisfied. Would you like to know her findings?

This is verbatim:

J.Gi. Projective Test Audio

“Backgrounder: I used to profile people using psychological results. I’ve written a lot of personality profiles in my lifetime. One of the tests I use is a projective test similar to the lady’s. But I’ve always done it in pen and paper. So, this verbal recounting is something new to me. But the principles still follow. In my training, ‘House’, ‘Tree’, ‘Path’ and ‘Water’ are all deeply symbolic.

What you recounted:

• House – Western style, big, roomy, comfy

• Trees – Tall, their effect is calming

• Path – leads to concrete, easy access, but not too easy

• Water – you said you played and splashed

Melany’s Take on what it means

Your family life is normal. Somehow, you idealize it. Typically, this means your background is normal. Your marriage and kids are OK. Some ups and downs, but all normal. I do not detect trauma.

Your attitude towards life is live and let live. You’re not highly anxious. You have a good sense of self. You know you can do things, you’re capable. Self-confidence is at an average level. When you encounter difficulties, you just see them as something that can be overcome. No drama about it being too hard for you. You tend to be hardworking. This is related to the last point.

You are open-minded. You are attracted to the arts, as you tend to be idealistic. You have a good aesthetic sense. You have a growth-oriented mindset.

But you are very practical and down-to-earth. I saw this with your choice of container (same as mine). As I mentioned, you tend to be industrious. You like to touch and see the results of your labor. And physical objects matter to you to some degree. In the end, you balance practicality with your idealism. Your tendency is to be a productive member of society. Family-oriented. Pleasant person to be with generally

Well, that’s all!

Tell me if any of what I wrote hits the mark!”

I think she got me perfectly!

NaNoPoblano 2022 (Ext.): Me as a Fashion Endorser

#NaNoPoblano Day 11

Let me tell you about the time I got an offer to endorse a brand (that was actually last week, heee…). I was surprised — more like shocked, really — to receive this message on Instagram:

Say whaaat? 

Three questions came to mind.

1. What gave them the idea that I’m into gothic fashion?

2, What gave them the idea that I’m actually into anything-fashion?

3. What gave them the idea that I’d be a good fashion influencer AT ALL?!!!

I thought hard and realized they just got alerted by keywords that I (and others) used.

The rambunctious spirit tries to trick the little girl

From me, they picked up “gothy”, I think. I remember sharing the Girl Scout (My Name is Sky) video on IG.  You’ve probably seen it here. It is a song from the musical Beetlejuice. The lyrics include the word “gothy” to describe a main character.

It was my first attempt at various things related to video-making for social media. That included my first attempt at making a character using a filter, which I have now mastered so that it doesn’t look that weird anymore…

Anyway, maybe also, for some reason, they saw the duet video, traced it back to TikTok, then reached the little girl’s solo. In the comments, I said,

“Context in the musical, if you don’t know: Beetlejuice, a rambunctious spirit, makes Goth teen Lydia lure in unsuspecting little girl, Sky.”

And,

“I just finished doing a duet of THIS duet so I can add Lydia the Goth Teen.” 

My work has helped me learn to recognize truth from fallacy online. That message looked like something that could be sent randomly, or a template to send to people who are likely to say yes. In other words, I wasn’t really special. OUCH.

So, okay. I didn’t appreciate the strategy. But it could be a legit offer, nonetheless (do people still use this word?). Free is free! And it’s still a little boost to the ego.

However, how gothic was gothic going to be? ‘Cause we all know with what we usually associate the word “goth”. Darkness. Evil. I didn’t want that!

I just wanted cute gothy clothes like those worn by my fave NCIS character, Forensics scientist Abby Sciuto, and comedienne Gen X’er Janeane Garofalo in various films. Heck, add Jenna Ortega‘s It Goth, Wednesday, on the list.

Janeane Garofalo as The Bowler in the film Mystery Men

Pauley Perrette as the cutest goth Forensics girl Abby Sciuto in the NCIS series

I checked the brand’s IG accoumt. Being a fair person, I wanted to see if I might like them, and to send a proper reply regardless of my eventual answer. I am not a rude person.

The photos were dark (well, a given) and, frankly, not of good quality. In fact, there didn’t seem to be a consistency in the quality of shots. There were jewelry also, but as expected, they were designs normally associated with darkness — skulls, snakes, coffins, the ram head, weird crucifixes, and the likes.

There were a few supposedly religion-related jewelry possibly meant to make the more religious clientele more trusting of them. I maybe wrong, but anyway, I have long ago sworn off wearing religious items as accessories, because they aren’t. The only accessory I want that is wrongfully associated with goth is the ankh. I didn’t even see any.

I did more digging and looked at the comments. Woooow…the amount of comments saying “Scam”/”Scammer” was overwhelming. I found these, too:

Needless to say, I will not take their offer. In fact, I have decided that I see no point in sending them any response after finding all of these.

So, yeah, just like that, I lost the chance to be a model (HA HA!!!). Model, my foot.

Sorry, not sorry. Thank you, but no thank you.

NaNoPoblano 2022 (Ext.): I Joined a Video-Poem Marathon

#NaNoPoblano Day 10

Last December, I read a call for poets:

It sounded like a really relevant project. Naturally, I decided to join. I wanted to be a part of something this special, and I wanted to represent my country! Good thing that I already had a poem in mind, something that I also translated already. All I had to do was record.

Fast-forward to today. Well, actually, I posted about it on my Facebook writer’s page right before midnight here. I’ll just copy-paste, I hope you won’t mind.

HERE IT IS!!! I honestly did not expect to be included. Hoped, but did not expect.

For one, they already received so many entries when I submitted ON THE LAST DAY. I really forgot about recording it! So in the wee hours of the morning, I combed my hair well and let it down, powdered my face and put on a little lipstick (that’s my idea of wearing makeup), and prayed to God I looked decent enough.

I’m not into poetry-reading (and might never do it again), but this was required. I had to write down the poem because I hadn’t memorized it perfectly. Tried so hard not to be that obvious that I was reading it. Unfortunately, I couldn’t record using the preferred sizes but was told my output was okay.

So fast-forward to today. I followed/subscribed to them because I do want to check out the other entries. Most importantly, I wanted to see in case I got included. Guess what? After a few weeks, I FORGOT to check! I also wasn’t checking my notifications in my private account. I just happened to NOW. Guess what again–somebody ACTUALLY tagged me 2 days ago!

So yeah, here is my entry. Sorry in case it seems the voice is not in sync with my lip movements. Some may remember this poem. I’d like to say “Enjoy” but I don’t Know if you will, HA HA HAAA!!! That said, I’m really just glad to represent! I dunno yet if there are more Pinoys there (I won’t be surprised). Oh, and special thanks to Sir Santiago Villafania

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY!

HAPPY WORLD POETRY DAY!

MyPoem #FloresDeMayo #FlowersOfMay #Filipino #Tagalog #Poetry #SpokenWord #VideoPoem #TLRC #TranslationandLinguistic #PENInternational #InternationalMotherLanguageDay #WorldPoetryDay #IMLD2023

 

 

 

NaNoPoblano 2022 (Ext.): I Love to Eat My Cats and Write

#NaNoPoblano Day 9

I found something on Facebook the other day. And it reminded me not to slack off from writing. I saw a post about the importance of punctuations but I lost it in the newsfeed. It said something like “I like to do three things. I enjoy eating my cats and…” doing something else that I don’t remember…I just laughed out really loud!!!

I’m also glad that I understood immediately. Quite frankly, I’m kind of a stickler to the Oxford comma. It’s that “comma used after the penultimate item in a list of three or more items, before ‘and’ or ‘or’ (e.g. an Italian painter, sculptor, and architect ).” The definition is from the Oxford Languages site. I also only Googled it.

When I write, I often find myself deciding if I should use it or not. I don’t often feel right not using it and that bothers me. The shorter sentences give me that dilemma. I always think twice about adding it or not. These modern times, not adding it is acceptable. Hard to accept for someone like me.

It’s a lot easier for me if they are made of phrases — putting a comma before the last phrase makes sense. You want to use the Oxford comma to better send your message across, not confuse people. It makes your sentences readable, too.

Would you or would you rather not use the Oxford comma?

**********************************************************

UPDATE: FOUND THE IMAGE from The Language Nerds FB page!!!