Un-Iverse Progress Reports!
Aug. 26th, 2025 05:40 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
matt_zimmerYou guys seen this new feature on the site?
gildaandmeekandtheuniverse.blogspot.com/2025/08/un-iverse-progress-reports.html
"In this specific entry, I will update how many pages I have completed on a given day and how much longer the issue I'm working on will likely take to complete! You'll be getting Un-Iverse updates is real time!"
The cool thing about this for me is I'll be able to stop clogging my Dreamwidth Journal with updates. Just keep regularly checking that entry and you'll see how things are progressing.
gildaandmeekandtheuniverse.blogspot.com/2025/08/un-iverse-progress-reports.html
"In this specific entry, I will update how many pages I have completed on a given day and how much longer the issue I'm working on will likely take to complete! You'll be getting Un-Iverse updates is real time!"
The cool thing about this for me is I'll be able to stop clogging my Dreamwidth Journal with updates. Just keep regularly checking that entry and you'll see how things are progressing.
Finally started The Dark Child Saga: The Fall Of F.I.S.H..
Aug. 24th, 2025 09:45 ammatt_zimmerTechnically did five pages, but in reality I did the Book title, the Spoiler Quotes, the cover (which is good) and the first two pages.
I was planning on doing more, but it looks good so far, and I don't want to half-ass anything while I'm tired.
I predict the issue will be between 40 and 50 pages long. I have between 38 and 48 pages left.
I was planning on doing more, but it looks good so far, and I don't want to half-ass anything while I'm tired.
I predict the issue will be between 40 and 50 pages long. I have between 38 and 48 pages left.
Personality results are in: I'm INFJ ~
Aug. 24th, 2025 07:26 ama_natural_beautyA week ago or maybe it was two weeks ago now... eh, time sucks at times trying to remember - my head is sort of in a fog currently as I waking up... I read and finished a pretty neat personality quiz book. My mom had it in books for the yard sale Mike and I had last summer and it was left from that to be donated and it caught my eye so I figured why not give it a shot. I'm going to add it to a free little library now. I took a similar test twice over like the last 15 years and got the same results.
'What type am I? Discover who you really are' By Renee Baron
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/330847/what-type-am-i-by-renee-baron/
In this book it discusses the Myer Briggs personality tests and you answer questions set up in a similar way. It was pretty detailed, I enjoyed it. And honestly it was a quick read because after taking your quiz and figuring out what type you are then you just need to read the parts that relate to your results - unless you want to read the whole book. The more power to you then!
Have any of you read similar books or taken personality tests?
I'm a part of the 'Ideal Seekers' - The NF temperament. Their are 4 NF types: INFP, ENFJ, ENFP and INFJ.
NF personality types at their best: compassionate, warm, loyal, helpful, idealistic and genuine.
NF personality types at their worst: hypersensitive, overly emotional, judgmental, impractical, unrealistic and self absorbed.
The one part that stuck with me was that we have an anti-authoritarian attitude and often take sides with the underdog.
We can be known to be warm hearted, affirming, nurturing and empathic.
E: is energized by the external world
N: focuses on visions and possibilities
F: decides according to personal values
J: wants things settled and decided
'What type am I? Discover who you really are' By Renee Baron
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/330847/what-type-am-i-by-renee-baron/
In this book it discusses the Myer Briggs personality tests and you answer questions set up in a similar way. It was pretty detailed, I enjoyed it. And honestly it was a quick read because after taking your quiz and figuring out what type you are then you just need to read the parts that relate to your results - unless you want to read the whole book. The more power to you then!
Have any of you read similar books or taken personality tests?
I'm a part of the 'Ideal Seekers' - The NF temperament. Their are 4 NF types: INFP, ENFJ, ENFP and INFJ.
NF personality types at their best: compassionate, warm, loyal, helpful, idealistic and genuine.
NF personality types at their worst: hypersensitive, overly emotional, judgmental, impractical, unrealistic and self absorbed.
The one part that stuck with me was that we have an anti-authoritarian attitude and often take sides with the underdog.
We can be known to be warm hearted, affirming, nurturing and empathic.
E: is energized by the external world
N: focuses on visions and possibilities
F: decides according to personal values
J: wants things settled and decided
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds "What Is Starfleet?" Review (Spoilers)
Aug. 24th, 2025 07:11 ammatt_zimmerAlso reviews for the season premiere of Peacemaker, and the latest episodes of South Park, and Alien: Earth.
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
Just saw the Netflix Documentary "Fit For TV"
Aug. 24th, 2025 12:54 ammatt_zimmerIt details the controversies of The Biggest Loser. This isn't a review per se but I jumped at the chance to watch this because that's a show that despite me never having watched it, always skeeved me out for unspecified reasons. I felt the same way about both Fear Factor and The Apprentice, both other reality shows that aired on NBC.
When it came to broadcast TV reality shows, NBC wasn't QUITE as exploitative and tasteless as Fox was, but it was the only network that actually tried to compete with them there. It was SO on-brand the host of that show for most of its run was the evil chick from Days Of Our Lives. The best word to describe NBC was (and frankly still is) shameless. They did everything in their power to appeal to the baser instincts of mediocre white people and they were GOOD at that specific pandering. I never fell for it but I was always bothered that so many people did.
Because of stuff like Frasier and Seinfeld NBC had this unearned reputation as being slightly more upscale and urbane than the other networks. But those shows were only the successes they were because NBC knew the proper way to sell them to stupid people. "Must See TV"? More like "Dumb people will do anything if you frame it as a command" and NBC was right to use that specific manipulation.
But I was right to avoid The Biggest Loser. I just learned about these so-called "temptation challenges" and I'm like "There is no moral difference between this level of humiliation here and on Springer." No daylight between either thing in both cruelty and ill intention.
One of the producers defended both those and the cruel way the trainers yelled at the contestants by saying that's the kind of thing that makes great television.
You wonder why TV sucks as much as it does? It's literally because producers believe shit like that is "great television". Jesus wept.
I remember J.D. Roth as the punchably-faced host of the Double Dare rip-off Fun House back in the 1980's. Never could stand him. I could totally see that smirking asswipe cocreating something like this.
I recall similar levels of revulsion after seeing the documentary "Quiet On Set" about the skeeviness of 1990's kidcoms on Nickelodeon, but unfortunately, after the fact it turned out the producers of that doc were just as exploitative to people's experiences as Nickelodeon was. Wouldn't shock me if that was the case here too so I do want to keep that in mind. I DO take note that this was far more even-handed than Quiet On Set was. When Drake Bell had nothing but good things to say about how supportive Dan Schneider was to his sexual abuse suffering and that he was the only person on his side, the producers of that doc quickly changed the subject, which should have been a red flag for me. Some people in "Fit For TV" actually say nice things about the show which gives the people saying bad shit even more weight.
This is why I hate television. It's also why I put up with far less than other viewers seem to. Make no mistakes: My standards are actually quite low. The fact that as much stuff pisses me off as it does is an indictment of how bad things are. I'm actually really easy to please. I don't actually want much, and TV spends most of its time making sure I never get it.
It floors me how much my reviews pissed off the people at Toon Zone. I mean, goddamn, all of those negative reviews boiled down to, "You deserve better and you ought to speak up and demand it." And that ruffled a LOT of feathers. I sometimes miss Toon Zone but I found the mindset there about criticism quite weird.
I think I would have had an easier time there if I were an actual troll. But because I both came to my opinions honestly and was usually right in my criticisms, the mods didn't know what to do with me. Sigh. It depresses me. I would fit in so much easier with other people if I simply had the ability to get on the bandwagon and pretend things that are shitty are just fine. Another reason I refuse to get into superhero comics and usually find that fandom insipid.
Superhero comics usually have the same level of prestige to me as daytime soap operas and Judge Judy. So it makes sense when people INSIST they are for adults and the new Shakespeare I try to avoid that fandom at all costs. For my own sanity.
When it came to broadcast TV reality shows, NBC wasn't QUITE as exploitative and tasteless as Fox was, but it was the only network that actually tried to compete with them there. It was SO on-brand the host of that show for most of its run was the evil chick from Days Of Our Lives. The best word to describe NBC was (and frankly still is) shameless. They did everything in their power to appeal to the baser instincts of mediocre white people and they were GOOD at that specific pandering. I never fell for it but I was always bothered that so many people did.
Because of stuff like Frasier and Seinfeld NBC had this unearned reputation as being slightly more upscale and urbane than the other networks. But those shows were only the successes they were because NBC knew the proper way to sell them to stupid people. "Must See TV"? More like "Dumb people will do anything if you frame it as a command" and NBC was right to use that specific manipulation.
But I was right to avoid The Biggest Loser. I just learned about these so-called "temptation challenges" and I'm like "There is no moral difference between this level of humiliation here and on Springer." No daylight between either thing in both cruelty and ill intention.
One of the producers defended both those and the cruel way the trainers yelled at the contestants by saying that's the kind of thing that makes great television.
You wonder why TV sucks as much as it does? It's literally because producers believe shit like that is "great television". Jesus wept.
I remember J.D. Roth as the punchably-faced host of the Double Dare rip-off Fun House back in the 1980's. Never could stand him. I could totally see that smirking asswipe cocreating something like this.
I recall similar levels of revulsion after seeing the documentary "Quiet On Set" about the skeeviness of 1990's kidcoms on Nickelodeon, but unfortunately, after the fact it turned out the producers of that doc were just as exploitative to people's experiences as Nickelodeon was. Wouldn't shock me if that was the case here too so I do want to keep that in mind. I DO take note that this was far more even-handed than Quiet On Set was. When Drake Bell had nothing but good things to say about how supportive Dan Schneider was to his sexual abuse suffering and that he was the only person on his side, the producers of that doc quickly changed the subject, which should have been a red flag for me. Some people in "Fit For TV" actually say nice things about the show which gives the people saying bad shit even more weight.
This is why I hate television. It's also why I put up with far less than other viewers seem to. Make no mistakes: My standards are actually quite low. The fact that as much stuff pisses me off as it does is an indictment of how bad things are. I'm actually really easy to please. I don't actually want much, and TV spends most of its time making sure I never get it.
It floors me how much my reviews pissed off the people at Toon Zone. I mean, goddamn, all of those negative reviews boiled down to, "You deserve better and you ought to speak up and demand it." And that ruffled a LOT of feathers. I sometimes miss Toon Zone but I found the mindset there about criticism quite weird.
I think I would have had an easier time there if I were an actual troll. But because I both came to my opinions honestly and was usually right in my criticisms, the mods didn't know what to do with me. Sigh. It depresses me. I would fit in so much easier with other people if I simply had the ability to get on the bandwagon and pretend things that are shitty are just fine. Another reason I refuse to get into superhero comics and usually find that fandom insipid.
Superhero comics usually have the same level of prestige to me as daytime soap operas and Judge Judy. So it makes sense when people INSIST they are for adults and the new Shakespeare I try to avoid that fandom at all costs. For my own sanity.
Gilda And Meek And The Un-Iverse Site Clean-up Finished!
Aug. 22nd, 2025 10:31 ammatt_zimmer
Brief Synopsis of The Terran Wars added! New section where I chart my progress added! Big night last night!
Check it!
https://gildaandmeekandtheuniverse.blogspot.com/2020/02/welcome-to-gilda-and-meek-and-un-iverse.html
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds "The Sehlat Who Ate His Tail" Review (Spoilers)
Aug. 18th, 2025 07:42 pmmatt_zimmerAlso reviews for the two-episode premiere of Alien: Earth, and the latest episodes of Bob's Burgers and The Great North.
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
Some devastating news for my family
Aug. 18th, 2025 06:57 pma_natural_beautyThis past Saturday - on the 16th - my nephew Alex passed away from an auto accident. He was just 25, literally at the prime of his life. We don't know the surrounding details of the crash. It sounded like it was quick, which I hope it was and I hope he didn't suffer. He was such a smart young man, had a good job, loved to travel, loved nature, loved his family & friends. When I think of Alex I can't think of anything negative or bad. Just a happy, warm soul. His smile lit up his face and he gave off such warmth and friendly vibes. This news has left me feeling pretty numb and broken. I haven't cried this much in a long time. It's been on and off now. I wasn't expecting something on this level to happen. At least not to someone to young. I regret not talking to him more or giving him more hugs.
On Facebook his mother has been sharing pictures and memories of him as well as other people - and he's smiling and looking ahead so proud and ready to take on the world in all of them. Laughing or doing something goofy. I'm glad there are so many memories of him out there now to look back on when we need to. When I think of Alex the expression free spirit comes to mind. I've recently learned and saw new things about my nephew I didn't know. Like he was a Jimmy Hendrix fan - in some recent photos he has some cool band shirts on. Or how passionate he was when it came to nature. I knew he loved it and did some landscaping but had no idea hos personal views on engineering and how nature can be connected. It makes total sense - but hearing it from him left me with goose bumps. He recently cut and donated his hair for wings for cancer patients just like me. His father who is my brother, his mother and two other siblings had a special trip this past April that they went to Florida and had a lovely time. I'm glad they had that trip together.
When he was born in 2000 I was just a teen but I remember being around and watching him grow up. He was always such a happy baby. Beautiful blond hair, blue eyes, a wonderful glowing smile. He was their first child and what a wonderful family they always were and became right before our eyes. All so successful and inspiring, I always feel good when surrounded by them. The idea that he is gone now just tears my heart wide open. I don't know why such cruel events have to happen to any of us - let alone someone so special. The last few times I've seen Alex were at family get togethers like Thanksgiving and Christmas. His mother created this game that we play that was fast placed and fun. It involved dice and switching around random gifts and at the end of the game we all got socks with different designs. I loved it because we all got the same gift, it was a game made for the whole family to connect over. And I remember Alex and I think a few others talking out new ideas for next years game - he was so excited and full of ideas. I love thinking of that little moment. Being together under their family roof and seeing their children as adults now sometimes would leave me aw-struck. I can't imagine how it is for actual parents to have raised a child all the way to adulthood. But just as an aunt siting on the sidelines I witnessed such beauty, love and growth. To see these babies become their own people with their own personalities and then to go out into the world and make a difference - it touches my heart that I knew him and that he's made an impact with so many individuals.
This reminds me of siblings I have lost at all young ages as well. Again, I'm not sure why young souls are taken so early. I like to think Alex is up there in heaven now having some much needed time with relatives he hasn't met yet, some that he has and some new guidance and angles at his side. I made plans days ago with a friend who our thing is going to parks to walk and explore. So I didn't want to cancel, I figured getting out of the house would be good for me. Today while we were out I thought of sweet Alex with almost everything I saw. The trees, the flowers, the water, rocks, birds and butterflies I got to watch. Feeling the breeze, the water as my shoes got wet at times, smelling flowers... How much beauty there is on this earth and to know he will always be with me as my friend and nephew brings me some strength in these difficult times.
I wanted to share this article about him and this short video he is in.
https://quietremembrance.site/alex-forristal-accident-mantua-ohio-man-dies-in-traffic-collision/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMQkI5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHvBlD7dLwVnqxSaOk8ugu0GWrGB9y3bMOnCNyxUZ-kehUBLGFf6qn8MR7Xym_aem_59HarmSNSHDY0PKW_CezGA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WYDBWy4_OI
On Facebook his mother has been sharing pictures and memories of him as well as other people - and he's smiling and looking ahead so proud and ready to take on the world in all of them. Laughing or doing something goofy. I'm glad there are so many memories of him out there now to look back on when we need to. When I think of Alex the expression free spirit comes to mind. I've recently learned and saw new things about my nephew I didn't know. Like he was a Jimmy Hendrix fan - in some recent photos he has some cool band shirts on. Or how passionate he was when it came to nature. I knew he loved it and did some landscaping but had no idea hos personal views on engineering and how nature can be connected. It makes total sense - but hearing it from him left me with goose bumps. He recently cut and donated his hair for wings for cancer patients just like me. His father who is my brother, his mother and two other siblings had a special trip this past April that they went to Florida and had a lovely time. I'm glad they had that trip together.
When he was born in 2000 I was just a teen but I remember being around and watching him grow up. He was always such a happy baby. Beautiful blond hair, blue eyes, a wonderful glowing smile. He was their first child and what a wonderful family they always were and became right before our eyes. All so successful and inspiring, I always feel good when surrounded by them. The idea that he is gone now just tears my heart wide open. I don't know why such cruel events have to happen to any of us - let alone someone so special. The last few times I've seen Alex were at family get togethers like Thanksgiving and Christmas. His mother created this game that we play that was fast placed and fun. It involved dice and switching around random gifts and at the end of the game we all got socks with different designs. I loved it because we all got the same gift, it was a game made for the whole family to connect over. And I remember Alex and I think a few others talking out new ideas for next years game - he was so excited and full of ideas. I love thinking of that little moment. Being together under their family roof and seeing their children as adults now sometimes would leave me aw-struck. I can't imagine how it is for actual parents to have raised a child all the way to adulthood. But just as an aunt siting on the sidelines I witnessed such beauty, love and growth. To see these babies become their own people with their own personalities and then to go out into the world and make a difference - it touches my heart that I knew him and that he's made an impact with so many individuals.
This reminds me of siblings I have lost at all young ages as well. Again, I'm not sure why young souls are taken so early. I like to think Alex is up there in heaven now having some much needed time with relatives he hasn't met yet, some that he has and some new guidance and angles at his side. I made plans days ago with a friend who our thing is going to parks to walk and explore. So I didn't want to cancel, I figured getting out of the house would be good for me. Today while we were out I thought of sweet Alex with almost everything I saw. The trees, the flowers, the water, rocks, birds and butterflies I got to watch. Feeling the breeze, the water as my shoes got wet at times, smelling flowers... How much beauty there is on this earth and to know he will always be with me as my friend and nephew brings me some strength in these difficult times.
I wanted to share this article about him and this short video he is in.
https://quietremembrance.site/alex-forristal-accident-mantua-ohio-man-dies-in-traffic-collision/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMQkI5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHvBlD7dLwVnqxSaOk8ugu0GWrGB9y3bMOnCNyxUZ-kehUBLGFf6qn8MR7Xym_aem_59HarmSNSHDY0PKW_CezGA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WYDBWy4_OI
Un-Iverse Update
Aug. 18th, 2025 07:43 pmmatt_zimmerI'm going to be real with you. I am freaking exhausted. I have been working 14 hour days at the site clean-up. I am SO determined to finish that specific chore (although I am aware it will never truly be finished) I have forgone a lot of sleep and a lot of enjoying my other pastimes.
It's necessary.
Why? I have this HUGE itch to put down The Dark Child Saga: The Fall Of F.I.S.H. I thought I was dying to tell The Terran Wars, but the truth is it's been SO long since I'm actually put a new issue in the canon on the site I am equally as desperate for that, especially knowing all three parts are going to be up to "Timeline Trilogy" / "All Blood Things..." standards. But I'm itching to continue Lance's story and tell the turning point of the cynical asshole turning into the genuine hero he always wanted to be but never was.
I'm probably gonna run myself ragged for another two days in a row on site clean-up. And then I'll probably be done (for now). And then I will just sit down and draw the best damn comic book I possibly can.
A hopeful note for the reader, and something that relieves me. The amount of detail and effort I'm putting into the site clean-up shows my upped game is permanent and every issue is something I am going to go all out on from this point forward. There were issues in both this miniseries and The Terran Wars that I was afraid I simply did not have the skill to illustrate properly. My absolute refusal over these past few weeks to half-ass fixing spelling errors tells me I've got this. I really do think that now.
It's necessary.
Why? I have this HUGE itch to put down The Dark Child Saga: The Fall Of F.I.S.H. I thought I was dying to tell The Terran Wars, but the truth is it's been SO long since I'm actually put a new issue in the canon on the site I am equally as desperate for that, especially knowing all three parts are going to be up to "Timeline Trilogy" / "All Blood Things..." standards. But I'm itching to continue Lance's story and tell the turning point of the cynical asshole turning into the genuine hero he always wanted to be but never was.
I'm probably gonna run myself ragged for another two days in a row on site clean-up. And then I'll probably be done (for now). And then I will just sit down and draw the best damn comic book I possibly can.
A hopeful note for the reader, and something that relieves me. The amount of detail and effort I'm putting into the site clean-up shows my upped game is permanent and every issue is something I am going to go all out on from this point forward. There were issues in both this miniseries and The Terran Wars that I was afraid I simply did not have the skill to illustrate properly. My absolute refusal over these past few weeks to half-ass fixing spelling errors tells me I've got this. I really do think that now.