So, I just heard last night that another student at my old school has committed suicide. I'd like to say there was a gag in that sentence somewhere, but there isn't. It's a blessed relief that it's not someone I knew, and just saying that makes me feel disgustingly blithe.
My younger brother [now in his 12th and final year of highschool, the same position I was in four years ago] dropped that bombshell last night. He went on to say that there's a police investigation going on, apparently something suspicious was found or observed. Apparently it's the second student from my brother's year that has taken their own life.
I'm sick of this, I really am. I don't like counting how many friends who have died, but I remember them all every time I get this news. What is going on?
Oh right, I know.
The school changed principals [ha, even principles] the year after I graduated. The new principal put in changes to support the performing arts [yey-about time], he changed the uniform [weird, but sort of makes sense] and caused a variety of shakedowns on the academic side as well as playing down the importance of sport.
A key thing here to know is that when I was at that school, we had four days a week where we had 6 subjects a day that went for 50 minutes each with a short morning tea break [30min] and a lunch break of approximately 1.5 hours.
Wednesday was an exception, only 4 subjects and then the remainder of the school day was spent doing Sports and Options. A time where people could do their athletics training etc, driving courses, self defense, rehearsal for the School Musical and so on. The last half of the year this Wednesday period was used by the year 12 students for study.
Problem: New principal has abolished Sport and options. 5 days a week, solid school. The breaks are now shorter over all by apparently 45 minutes. During "exam block" instead of students being able to study and prepare for that 5 day period where end of semester exams are on, students are to attend normal school classes and learn new material.
What the hell? University isn't even that harsh!
Basically from reports I've heard, students are freaking out with added workloads, and all are being denied time to simply chill out and take a breather. Even the Performing arts are being toned down. Student committee groups are being dismantled.
Ugh. They've made a machine out of these kids. Is it any wonder more and more are cracking under the pressure? There's no support any more.
I'm sorry. I'm just too worked up over this right now to do an "In one Hour"
Well you'd think that SYF would be well and truly dead considering how long ago it ended...but it didn't. Asphy and myself continued to write and theorise on it for quite some time after. It was a fun exercise and we loved our characters to bits, ...
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I decided to dedicate one hour today to the first concrete thought that came to mind. I fleshed it out and it evolved into something completely different. I haven't done a short story like this before. It will have mistakes (I have not proof read,...
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Personally I don't understand why exactly I've found myself here at otaku worlds, or the reasons why I'm actually posting here. Actually, I don't even know if I'm using this new shiny otaku feature properly, but whatever. If I break the internet, don't blame me.
Anyhow, I've finally decided to become active again on the boards with the last two (2) months I have here in the country. The OB has been a huge part of my life for the past eight (8) years, and I feel kind of crummy for becoming slack in my attendance while I was studying at university. I guess I'm trying to make up for lost time, while at the same time trying to create a buffer or memory or impression of myself here again before I leave for two years.
I'm getting ahead of myself.
Considering my absence (and how little I actually spent in the foreground of the boards) I'm going to assume I'm pretty much a new guy. For those of you who remember me, cheers, it's nice to see some oldbies around. Forgive me if I don't instantly recognise you, I still haven't caught onto all the name changes just yet.
I am a writer. It's what I do in my spare time. I love my anime and video games, but I'm trying to invest myself more into writing. I feel it's a better use of my time. I like spending a few hours on something that gives me a very real return.
The OB really, and I mean really helped me progress and mature when it comes to the world of fiction. I started off average [Don't look. It will hurt your brain], absolutely shockingly below average if I'm honest, but I was forced to improve.
You know, stop using smilies in RPG posts. Progress from the "script" style of "Jack: What about the weather?" to a more appropriate narrative style. Realising that people actually understand things better if I describe stuff.
You laugh now, but I'm sure all of us had a point in life where we were exactly the same.
I'm rambling.
I haven't written anything seriously on the boards in about two years, so I'm hoping my solo piece Stoked shows some of the growth that I've gone through in my absence. I dunno, maybe I have stagnated [as I've been told], or maybe I've matured. You tell me [Please do, I'm ever so lonely when it comes to criticism].
Also, you may or may not have noticed (Wow I've got a high opinion of myself. Can't help it, apparently I already have 1 fan) a few other pieces I'm trying to muddle my way through Rai's(Grand Theft Otaku) as I learn the swing of things again. There are a number of interesting and innovative RPG's brewing in the Theater, I'm definitely going to have to start reading again (I'm open to suggestion here).
One thing I'm glad to see up and running again is my first love since SYF {Has it really been that long?), my very own British Crime Drama One Per Minute. It's been on the backburner for a while on the boards, but it's always been ticking over in my mind. [b]Sere[/b] and I are finally free enough to get the ball rolling again, which is great.
I guess that announcement is a little (see: A lot) belated considering the ridiculously high amount of views the thread has gotten since the most recent posting at the start of the year. 905? Really? It boggles the mind.
We're both flattered, to say the least.
There are few more ideas buzzing around in my head, but I may not start any RPG's myself. As I said, I'm flying out of the country in two months. If you want to brainstorm, drop me a line.
