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~StatesTheOblivious~

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Blog Entries posted by ~StatesTheOblivious~

  1. ~StatesTheOblivious~
    So I was sitting there right before the episode aired without actually expecting anything. I had read the synopsis when it was posted for the first time and had already considered to be this episode the usual hit or miss that Spike episodes sadly are in most cases. As someone who considers Spike his favorite character, my inexistent expectations were not just unfulfilled, they were brought into existence just to be crushed with every further minute of airtime that I hoped to get some increase in quality while I sat through it. This episode is not just “meh”, it’s actually bad.
     
    I don’t think I need to sum up the plot for this one, as I’ll already spend enough time on picking the one big and complex flaw out of it. So, let’s start with his first actions as the one who just tried to grant his friend much needed rest. Not just were these things the ones that, due to Spike’s actions, led to the destruction of the gemstone statue, they were also the things he did without either knowing that they could do harm in the end, nor with any bad intentions.
     
    Ironically, the things he did as “Princess Spike” weren’t even the ones anyone complained about in the end. Even the selfish things like the massage or the cupcakes didn’t cause further harm. And the worst thing about it all: If you look at it this way … Spike only had to deal with the ponies’ problems because:
     
    1) Spike tried to do what he was ordered to do in order to help Twilight - so his job.
     
    2) Twilight organized everything, so any problems that occurred due to her planning were her fault.
     
    3) Spike didn’t make any decisions that were presented as being totally wrong, except for the three initial actions that led to the rather unfortunate and unexpected destruction of the gemstone statue and the few “services” that no one complained about in the end.
     
    4) Instead of thinking on their own or talking to another princess, the ponies wanted to only see Twilight.
     
    What he did before he “abused” his power was done without any selfishness. And after he started to do it as “Princess Spike”, it caused no direct harm. Still, it’s what he has to apologize for in the end, even though it was unforeseeable that it would end this way. (You cannot tell me that Fancy Pants foresaw this exact turn of events.)
     
    And Twilight even makes him do so, even though he, without anything shown or said to actually contradict it, managed to fix her mistakes and finish her tasks. So a dumb coincidence led to him be the bad guy? Really? That is the result? After doing power-hungry yet not incompetently, he has to go through a forced lesson that only has to do something with an accident? Really?
     
    You could even say it was everyone else’s fault, too, because Twilight failed to organize the Summit better, because none of the other princesses felt the need to take over after Twilight got to bed, because Spike was left alone with dealing with all the problems and because the ponies were as intelligent and individual as ants.
     
    All in all, I fail at trying to find anything good to say about this episode. Spike gets the short end of the stick for a stupid reason again, everything he probably did well is totally ignored because “just because”/ it happened for the wrong reasons, Equestrians are presented as stupid again and all that was done to write it as a comedic episode failed immensely because it’s more tragic than funny.

    I’m done with this review.
     
    Personal Note:
     
    Do you see hope for Spike? I do not. Not anymore. I gave up. After five seasons, the staff finally did it. They produced the episode that made me finally accept what most of the fans have already decided as given long ago: That Spike is a lost cause. Thank you, guys. The one thing that made me stick to the show even through my depression is now gone: The hope that Spike would get positive development in the show.
  2. ~StatesTheOblivious~
    First off: If you expected to get an over-the-top-episode with this one, you were right. “Slice of Life” is, without being as casually random as “Make New Friends but Keep Discord”, one of the most entertaining episodes of the show. But this status comes with a cost. Before I skip or leave anything out, I should talk about the plot first.
     
    So, instead of focusing on any characters of the Mane Cast, this episode starts with Cranky and Matilda, two characters we’ve seen close to nothing of since the second season. Preparing for their wedding, they find their invitations to be referring to the wrong date, so they literally only got a few hours left until they marry instead of over a day; which of course means that some actions need to be taken. What now starts is a split into several minor plotlines that all come together in the end. Cranky and Matilda trying to rearrange a few things, Derpy trying to make up for her mistake when writing the invitations, Time “Dr. Whooves” Turner running through town to get his attire done, Lyra and Bon Bon friend-shipping and the fusion of classical music with electro starring Octavia and Vinyl Scratch. All of this comes with appearances of several additional secondary and background characters. Luckily, the wedding is successful and we got a cute donkey pair in the end.
     
    Now, after summing this up, let me get to what I found to be positive. Finally, after four and a part of the fifth season, we got an episode that didn’t have the usual suspects starring. What was done by several great TV-Shows already is now also a part of FiM’s canon. And it was done in a partially very splendid way. Some really funny scenes, with Gummy’s internal monologue being both, the icing on the cake and perhaps the most genius scene I’ve seen in a long time. Nice and overall still improving animation, several little details like the jumped shark and Letrotki’s Cutie Mark and a really nice piece of not vocally supported music. But as I said before, this all comes with a little cost, or might I say an unpleasant overtone?
     
    See, I am glad that the staff obviously appreciates the fandom’s continuing support for the show. But fan-service and fan-pandering are very closely connected. If I have one thing to openly criticize about this episode, it’s not that they made the episode, it’s not that they focused on characters that didn’t get any or just little attention until now in the show – but it’s that they actually made many things canon that were only fanon until now.
     
    It’s not done in a bad way if you focus on quality of execution, but in a kinda bad way when you think of it this way: So, they actually also focused on many background characters in this episode, but where did they take the ideas of their characterization from? Well, obviously not from their own creativity. And that’s the slightly sad thing about “Slice of Life”. Instead of breaking up the structure of usual fan-service, they just did what several fans wanted and expected to see in their fanon dominated expectations and view on canon elements that lacked development.
     
    This episode is pandering. Not entirely, but a big part of it. But it’s not even entirely bad in this aspect. Why? Because this episode was obviously written for just one thing: for the lulz. And for a big thank you to the loyal fans. If else, they wouldn’t have added the shark jumping in the Rave-O-Mobil scene and especially they wouldn’t have added this:
     
     
     
     
    I hope you liked my little text here and I’m sure to write some more little reviews in the future.
     
    Till next time!
  3. ~StatesTheOblivious~
    WHERE DID IT COME FROM!?


     



     
    So, as I already said in the episode’s discussion thread, I ask myself that question. And so I thought about it. Okay, there are actually just a few variations of explanations that I can think of … but each of them leads to a few further, and sometimes rather, interesting thoughts.
     
    1a) Spike bought it himself.
     
    If so, where did he buy it? Well, considering the Mane 6/7 have saved the world (or at least Equestria or just the day) numerous times already, it’d be weird if no one in Equestria ever considered their deeds to be something worth more than just a little attention. I mean, even Scootaloo founded a Rainbow Dash fan club as seen in The Mysterious Mare Do Well, so it’s perfectly within possibility if someone founded a Mane6/7 fan club. So, this group of … Manesixnies … Harmobros … uh, you get what I’m trying to say – so these fans would, of course, want merchandise. And someone sure would make it to earn some money. Ha! Possible source of Spike’s Rarity plushie found! Still kind of weird, though … Would he consider buying himself? Would Scootaloo buy one just to let it be signed by RD? Would any of the Mane 6 be ultimately be okay with this? Hmmm …
     
    1b) Someone bought it for Spike.
     
    So, this one is still consistent with the prior “fandom theory”, but adds something to it. Who would buy it for him? Twilight? Someone else? Rarity even, for whatever weird reason? (Well, not for me, I ship them.) But it’d have to be someone who not just knows about his crush, but also to be okay with it. And I mean “okay to the level where they actually buy a plushie of his crush for him”-weird kind of way. Uh, this train of thought leads to a dead end for me. Um, probably the worst explanation for how he got it, but, oh wait, there’s more …
     
    2a) Someone made it for him.
     
    Okay, this one is even weirder, unless it was a commissioned work. Because it’d mean that someone actually put in the effort to make it and that that someone would, if it wasn’t a commissioned work by someone who’s not close to the Mane6/7, definitely think something like this: “Dude, a plushie? What’s this supposed to mean?” Again, it could be a Mane 6/7 fan, but if not … Well, here come the imaginations of ponies looking in a weirded out way at Spike. So, this is still not really a satisfying explanation, but I’ve still got one left …
     
    2b) Spike made it himself.
     
    Easy as that. He wants one (or anything to remind him of her, or to appreciate her … even more) so he grabs a few things and makes one. Not even contradicting canon, given it is hinted several times that he’s skilled in many things. Forget about Spike at Your Service here. Best explanation for me.
     
    Yeah, I think I’m satisfied now. Are you? Other thoughts or answers? Post them below in the comments!
  4. ~StatesTheOblivious~
    Hello? Is this thing on? Test, test. One. Two. One, two, one, two … *coughs* Okay … So, well, um … it’s my second bronyversary today and there are a few things I want to say. I wanted to make this super short in the beginning, but I thought “Hey, you’re posting that little on the forums these days, so why not at least a little wall of text?”
     
    So, where do I start … Ah, yes.
     
    You see, two years ago, if anyone would’ve told me what I’d experience in the following 730 days, I’d have laughed at them. Partly because I was convinced that most of what happened in the end would never happen to me, partly because some of it was quite … predictable, but I was just in denial about most of my problems, so … yeah. Shucks, I’m talking about the negative stuff again. I actually wanted to stop with that. So, yeah, as some of you know and remember, I posted a few blog entries about what happened. I deleted them, I tried to get over it and … well, what can I say? I’m feeling better. Not as good as many months ago, but simply better.
     
    I quitted studying, started a voluntary service, met new people outside of the internet and even made some friends. Working at a hospital is interesting. Now I’m just trying to find my new path in life. I’ll probably study German philology or psychology. Who knows?
     
    Many things changed. Interest in MLP faded. Okay, Season 5 will reignite it, for sure. (On that note: Can’t it just start sooner? Okay, we’re probably all asking for that, so, yeah.) Spike is still best pony, Sparity is still my OTP and Equestria Girls is still the worst thing ever … Just kidding about the last one. And even though I’m not as hyped for Season 5 as I was for Season 4, I know – and hope – that it will be a nice watch. Especially when things like an actual Spike song and an Earth Pony villain happen.
     
    The show and the fandom did well. Nice content, official and fan-made. I read a few fanfics, tried myself at fan-art and enjoyed the ... well, joy it brought to me. Even in my darkest hours. Still gotta write my own fanfic, though … And the community is overall filled with nice guys and gals. Okay, I’m not the talkative or active one, but … I’ve seen many good things and …
     
    Well, this wouldn’t be an entry worth posting if I’d not add a few things regarding this site and my time on it.
     
    First, I have to and want to thank @HeartFeltPuma23 again. You’re an awesome guy and without you, I would’ve left ages ago. You kept on talking to me even when I didn’t. Thank you.
     
    Second, I tried to restart posting a few times, but now … I think I’m ready for it. Just need new episodes to discuss about …
     
    And third, I like the development of the site, the progress in design and held events and contests. Keep on going, MLP Forums! There are still a few years of Bronydom ahead.
  5. ~StatesTheOblivious~
    Well, it’s been a while since I wrote one of these …
     
    What’s happened in my life over the past weeks? Well, after quitting on university after five semesters of studying social sciences, I started on my first job; a paid voluntary service, to be exactly. Called Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr (voluntary social year) here in Germany. It’s like a full-time job in a rather easy task with a little wage and some seminars to learn a few things and exchange some experiences with other volunteers. What am I doing exactly? Being an assistant doctor’s assistant in a radiology. Planning patients’ stays, arranging appointments … and so on.
     
    Am I happy? No, not yet. Do I want to continue in the medical field after that? I don’t know. I’d have the chance, yes. The five “wasted” semesters can be count as waiting semesters and a year spent in a job related to medicine can be helpful as well. German higher education system is a bit tricky. And what if my interest in literature, history, politics and philosophy comes back? Yes, it faded. If you’ve read my last few blog entries (which I deleted) and paid attention to a few of my posts on the forums, you’ll know that I’m dealing with … problems. A crisis – and my first attempt at getting help made me once and for all mistrust a certain group of doctors.
     
    Right now I’m just sitting here and thinking of actually writing that fanfic for the Poniverse contest. My idea is less about Nightmare Night and more about shipping, but it has that Equestrian holiday in it. … Yes, the shipping in question is Sparity. You know me.
     
    So why am I even writing this blog entry? Except for sharing some information that isn’t even that interesting for most members since my activity and contact to the people here has never been that high since last summer. (See? I'm rude ... ) The answer is simple.
     
    I want to publically thank @HeartFeltPuma23 for his support over the past months.
     
    You’re the only one who sent several PMs to me after some of my less cheerful blog entries and status updates and the only one who actually acted like he cared more than just a bit. And even though my emotions and ways of thinking are far from being normal, I just know I have to - and want to - say two simple words to the person I consider a friend: Thank you.
  6. ~StatesTheOblivious~
    Guardians of the Galaxy.
     
    I watched that movie two times already. My town happens to inhibit a lot of movie-interested people so I could even watch it in English one time, even though the German dub is quite good. But nothing’s ever as good as the original, so …
     
    What I liked was not just the good balance of serious action and genre-breaking humor, but also the soundtrack. Especially what’s also sold as Awesome Mix Vol. 1 as a single album or together with the original score. And it’s interesting to know that this is the first soundtrack ever that reached the top of the US -Billboard charts without even having a single new song in it.
     
    From the very beginning when “Come and Get your Love” was played, I fell in love with that soundtrack. The idea of having several rock/pop songs of the 60’s and 70’s in a movie that has a modern science fiction setting, especially the exact choice of songs, might come off as cheesy, but once one hears them and how they are implemented in the movie, the idea seems to be way more original than on first thought.
     
    Okay, it’s probably a bit expensive to pay 10$ (or around 10€, yes it’s more expensive in Europe) for forty-five minutes of old songs, but I’m glad I did: It’s totally worth the earworms. Seriously, try to get “I Want You Back” out of your head after that ending scene.
     
    But before I spoil any scenes, I can just recommend music-interested people to go to YouTube (multiple uploads by several people; I really like it every time when more “classic” music becomes popular among younger people, even if it’s just because of a movie) and everyone who might still have the chance to watch the movie to do so if you want to do something in your spare time and are still searching for something.
     
    It’s a feel good movie.
     
    Just like the soundtrack.
  7. ~StatesTheOblivious~
    Imagine a cold and boring time in February. Last lectures, learning for exams… you stumble over a few pictures on the internet. Pictures of something, or should I say someone, you‘ve seen before. A pink cartoon pony. And then you think to yourself „Hey, I‘ve read it‘s good, so… why don‘t give it a shot?“ It‘s a Thursday. And three days later, you‘ve watched all sixty four episodes that have been released until that day.
     
    February 10th 2013. The day I became a brony.
     
    …
     
    Gosh! What an odd introduction…
     
    But you all remember that time, don‘t you? The time you watched one, or a couple of episodes and you just thought to yourself - you felt - that you like it. When something so cheerful begins to brighten up your day a bit more. I won‘t say that it‘s still all the same. Things changed. The magic of the first encounter, the magic of the new, is gone and I mostly prefer to blame the writers for things I don‘t like instead of trying to give in-universe explanations. But it‘s still something that makes me spend a lot of my free time on it. Episodes, fan fiction, fan art… and of course, the forums.
     
    Everything that happened… At first I didn’t have a favorite character. Then I started to read fan fiction… At first I fell for AJ. Strong, down to earth… Now you know what kind of women I like. But then I came across another thing: Shipping. And there it was: My OTP, the OTP; but that’s what everyone says about their OTP, right? Sparity. And then I understood. It wasn’t just the dynamic between these two, no, it was especially Spike who I liked. The relatable, the sarcastic, yet caring voice of reason and mature child at heart, no matter what his actual age is. Yes, there he was, another character to be added to the list of my favorite characters of all time. Placed right between Patrick Jane, Harry Callahan and Kaworu Nagisa.
     
    And the things that were added; Equestria Girls and additional fan service like the comics. The long wait for season four and all the speculations during the summer. And me joining the forums. The people I met here then. Some left, others are mostly online when I’m not, but most of you are still here. And even though I admit that I have severe problems when it comes to social interaction - and my psychological and sociological knowledge is making it even more difficult - I have to say: Thank you.
     
    Thank you all for being there. Because without you I’d have no one who talks about the ponies except for myself.
  8. ~StatesTheOblivious~
    I’m back. Well, back to my old display name, that is. Being my ponysona became a bit boring, to be honest.
     
    I actually wanted to take a longer break from the forums. Might still happen, don’t know yet, but I’ll try to stay.
     
    Why did I want to take a break? Well, let’s say that letting the ponies into my life just to realize that all the good things they display - friendship, goals, happiness - are actually things I don’t have in my life and even fail to find is… quite discouraging. But for now I’m okay with that. I think. Some people are probably not made for that. But not necessarily.
     
    The following weeks will be quite the change for me. I’ll quit my study course, I’ll find help in order to find what I now realized I miss. There are more reasons I’ll do that, but I actually don’t want to bother everyone with that. Sometimes I won’t be online for a day or two perhaps. Sometimes I’ll force myself to stay away from here, so I can’t vent and rant where it‘s not appropriated.
     
    So while I’ll change my life outside of the internet, I also want to change it here. You know how many posts I made in the past few weeks? No? Good, I don’t as well. Instead of posting, I often don’t do anything or even spread gloom. And the latter is far worse than doing nothing. Sometimes I feel like a hypocrite for that one post I made in the “Of Mods and Men” thread. So what can I do to actually stand for what I say?
     
    Well, even though I think that New Year’s resolutions are usually pointless - call me a pessimist, but I’ve never seen them working and once a professor at university even confirmed that; The concept of self fulfilling prophecy seems to not apply to them that much - I’ll now make one anyways. Or something like that.
     
    I promise, even though it will be something that’s actually very difficult for me, that I’ll try to be not just a more active member of the forums, but also a better one.
     
    Hmmm… feels kind of awkward…
     
    Nah, whatever!
     
    So… It’s still the first day of the new year. And that means I can still say the usual words for that occasion without being too late.
     
    Cheers! Happy New Year everyone! It shall be a good one for all of you!
     
    ~S.T.O~
  9. ~StatesTheOblivious~
    Okay, this is a serious, well not that serious, problem...
     
    How long do you think did it take to write this blog entry here? A few minutes? Five? Ten? Or more? Yes, it took longer... No kidding. I guess this is not unfamiliar to all of you who are not native speakers of this wonderful, yet sometimes confusing language. I started to learn English in the fifth grade. That's been over ten years ago now.
     
    Can I speak it fluently? Not really. Do I need to frequently use a dictionary? Yes. Is this annoying at some times? Yes. Do I improve? Is it an improvement to undestand it way better than to be able to express myself in it? Well, it is, right? I mean, watching shows, playing games and reading texts in English is mostly not a problem, but when I want to talk to English speaking people or try to respond to topics here on the forums, for example, I often don't know what I'm doing. I'm serious. I often just sit there, for several minutes, and think about a single sentence. Can you write it that way? Is this the right word for what I mean? Is this comprehensible? And then I often delete what I already typed in and leave the thread...
     
    I don't even try to translate German into English. I directly think and write in English because the former is a futile attempt when you want to be at least a bit fast. But still... I feel like I'm using a tool that I'm not really familiar with. Even though I've been using it for over a decade. I often realize that it'd be easier if I was able to speak English as good as I speak German. So many topics I don't reply to, so many posts that end up to be more simple than I wanted them to be... The problem is that I actually know that there is no way that I'll ever be able to speak it perfectly. Has something to do with genetics and psychology.
     
    But do I give up? No, sir! Am I alone with this problem? I'm sure I'm not. Will I try to do my best? Yes!
  10. ~StatesTheOblivious~
    "Later, mama!"
    "What are you gonna do downtown? Buy something?"
    "Yeah."
    "And what?"
    "Well... that's a secret."
    "A secret?"
    "Gotta go! Later!"
     
    I could virtually hear her sigh when she shook her head. Well, so I got outside. Still difficult to wear my new biker boots. Got blisters. Yeah... But it was worth it. After I checked a few stores downtown, I came to the conclusion that I really had to go to another city. Not that difficult. Got the train, ride of twenty minutes. Walk of five more until I got to that NICI store. When I entered, I immediately saw what I was looking for. My reaction:
     
     
     
     
    The saleswoman said hello and asked me if she could help me. Well, I stood directly in front of the shelf with the FiM merch, so I just said "I already found what I'm looking for. But thank you."
     
    "Oh," she said, "There were several others the days before looking for these. I never heard of that franchise before, it's totally new to me. But they sell well, so I won't ask."
     
    After a bit of small talk, she also said that the three they got won't be the only plushies that this company will make and that Applejack will apparently come with hat. Yes!
     
    But for now, I'm just happy to have these, no matter how show-accurate they are...
     
     
     
     
    But that's just the first part of the story. I was totally aware of the fact that hiding these from my parents would be nonsense. And I was in a pretty good mood, so I decided to simply "confront" my parents with me being a brony. The fandom and the show are not a big deal in the media here in Germany. When I finally got home (stupid Deutsche Bahn and their delayed trains!), my mother's first question was "Got what you wanted?"
     
    I said yes and walked into the kitchen. My father got interested too, so he followed me. When he saw the bag with the plushies in it, he asked "NICI? You bought plushies? Why?"
     
    "Well," I said, "sit down, I'll tell you."
     
    I spent about an hour to tell my parents about the show and the fandom, after I placed the plushies on the table. Having the three standing there helped a lot for demonstration. My mother could recall that she once saw an episode of a very popular talk show here that also featured the show and the fandom.
     
    She was amused, yet fascinated, while my father simply left the room. Well, he thinks that fictional things in general are uninteresting, so... whatever.
     
    But the most important thing is: I now have my first pony-merch ever and I can also watch ponies without minimizing windows or switching between tabs anymore.
     
    And I'm in the best mood I've been in weeks.
  11. ~StatesTheOblivious~
    Happy birthday, Lauren Faust!
     
    I know you will most likely never read this, but since writing a letter now (My preferred method of saying "Happy Birthday") would be rather... well, let's skip that.
     
    I know, some of us bronies think, that it is unnecessary to be that thankful to you anymore since you left the show. But I say: Thank you. Thank you for creating what led us all together, no matter where we come from, as who we were born and what we are now. Without that little cartoon about talking horses the last five months of my life wouldn't be the same.
     
    Cheers, a random fan.
     
    (In case anyone of you - yes, I'm talking to you, fellow bronies - has the possibility to wish Lauren a happy birthday in an appropriate way, do it.)
  12. ~StatesTheOblivious~
    You know, I like to watch many TV-Shows german-dubbed. I might understand english better than I can express myself in it, but listening to your native language is much more comfortable. Especially if the dub is well done.
    And usually this is the case here in Germany. I mean, they do great jobs. They have to deal with the PAL-acceleration, lip-sync issues and the fact that many expressions in german simply require more words than in english.
     
    All fine.
     
    Until it comes to some exceptions like the FiM dub.
     
    Listen to this.
     

     
    Totally failing to transfer the personality of Discord, in my opinion. He sounds like a sleazy pickpocket. And know what? The same guy does Data from Star Trek TNG. That's the only funny thing about it.
     
    But it gets worse.
     
    You see, many voice actors here in germany do multiple actors and foreign VAs at the same time.
    That's not necessarily bad, but they are often using the same voice.
     
    Yes, they don't alternate that often.
     
    And so some uncomfortable things happen like Spike's german voice. Because the same guy is also Steve Smith from American Dad. And he does both with the same voice. I facepalmed when I heard Spike's german voice for the first time. It was simply awful because I immediatly had to imagine Steve instead of Spike. Ugh...
     
    But the worst thing is the following.
     
    Just because FiM is a Cartoon intended for little girls in the beginning, the dub exxagerates in terms of "expression". I know that they have to translate some things into german, alright. But that doesn't mean that they have to reduce emotions.
     
    Now some of you might say "But StatesTheOblivious, many people find that german sounds less gentle and sometimes aggressive. It has a very hard pronounciation".
     
    Yes. But only because it sounds that way to others, it doesn't have to sound that way to germans. We know how all emotions sound in german. And the FiM dub simply sounds too plain and monotonous in many cases, because they want to make it easier to understand for children. And there fails my understanding. Many other shows get a much better dub. Even cartoons. Why not in this case?
     
    And that's why I prefer the original english voice-acting to the german dub.
  13. ~StatesTheOblivious~
    (imagine dialogues in german)
     
    1)
     
    Mom: Don't you think you should get a haircut.
     
    Me: It doesn't bother me how long my hair is.
     
    Mom: But it looks better when it's short.
     
    Me: (in english!) I really like my mane.
     
    Mom: ???
     
    Me: Uhm... nevermind
     
     
    2)
     
    Friend #1 to #2 : Hi! (does special handshake: slightly clapping/handshaking each others hands, followed by brofist)
     
    #2 to me: So, you showed up today. (tries the same thing with me, but I go for brohoof)
     
    1#: What was that? Do it properly!
     
    Me: I, uhm...
     
    1#: (graps my hand) Here you go.
     
    Me: (still puzzled) ...
     
    #2: Something wrong?
     
    Me: (in english!) Nope!
  14. ~StatesTheOblivious~
    Imagine a day in early february. You have nothing big to do because studying for exams recently bored the hell out of you and nobody you know wants to hang out. You have no books to read, no games to play and everything on the TV are reruns. So you search for something to do. Just when you googled for some random pictures, you come across a screenshot of Pinkie Pie. It reminds you of something. You know about "Friendship is Magic". You know about it's fandom. Since over a year, but you didn't care. You were not sceptical, though. You have been part of the Star Trek fandom before, so you know that a fandom that big has to be someway right about what it likes. And you do not prejudge, because you still enjoy things from your own childhood and know that being targeted at children doesn't necessarily mean that something can't be enjoyed by grown ups as well.
    So you say to yourself "Let's give it a try" and search for the first episode on You Tube. There it is, "Friendship is Magic, Part 1". You don't have that high expectations in the pilot because all pilots you've ever seen were worse than the first "actual" episodes that followed. And you want to avoid the situation where you would have questions about the plot or characters that can only be answered if you start from the very beginning. So you watch the intro and think "Quite... childish for now". But you continue. You gave it a chance, remember? And then, after a few minutes, there comes the scene that actually makes you say "I will watch at least the first episode after the two-parter." It is a simple, but so adorable scene that every Brony knows.
     

     
    And you have to re-watch it two times, because it is the cutest thing you have seen in months. And from then on, you know that this series could actually be your thing. You don't deny it. Hell, you still have Lego and play Poke´mon, so what? And you continue. After the third episode, you start thinking "Maybe it's yet too girly". But then you watch "Applebuck Season" and it clicks. Right in one very charming, because so very human and therefore understandable situation.
     

     
    From that point on, you are totally sucked in. You watch all 64 episodes that have been aired up until that weekend. But that's not enough. You've heard about the fandom. Where is it? Google has the answer and you soon discover sites like "Equestria Daily" or "Fimfiction" and you realize one thing. After reading some stuff, looking at some art and so on, you say to yourself:
    "This is perhaps the best and most dedicated fandom you've ever heard of. And you want to be a part of it. You are a Brony."
     
    This is how I became - and now proudly am - a Brony.
  15. ~StatesTheOblivious~
    Seeing loved ones die is always the hardest pain. It reminds us of life’s fragility and reignites our estimation for the ones we lose. This applies to people near to us, but also to people we look up to, but never meet in person: idols, role models and childhood heroes. When the latter die, it’s always a strange kind of loss. You never met them, you never had the chance to build an actual relation with them and you never shared memories, experiences or anything like that with them, but about them.
     
    They are the ones that were there when we grew up and explored the realms of fantasy and childlike imagination. They led us through worlds we never dreamed to see and inspired us to become more than just people living their daily lives. Because of them we wanted to become knights, gunslingers, adventurers, astronauts, scientists and so much more. Because of them we wanted to become heroes ourselves. They are the ones who leave an idea in our memory: an idea that is not the same as the love for a beloved person, but not less defining to who we are.
     
    Childhood heroes are like beacons of times gone by that are part of our memory and nostalgia is one of the most wonderful feelings. Most of us know these little moments when you hear a tune of a series opener or see a character or a scene from a movie we loved when we were young and that certain smile of reminiscence appears on our faces. This also happens when we think about people we lost years ago, of course. But this here is not about saying that these people are less important than childhood heroes. It’s about saying that childhood heroes are something that’s sometimes just as important to who we are as so much more that happened during our childhood, because these years are some of the most defining ones to our personality.
     
    Today, Leonard Nimoy died. Mr. Spock died. When I was little and watched it for the first time, the original Star Trek series was already 30 years old. The movies had already been shown on TV for several times and I knew it was just one role Leonard Nimoy played, but this single character was what defined my image of him. He was Spock. He didn’t just play the character: he played the character with devotion. To me, he seemed eternal in this role, immortal.
     
    I will always like to remember this most iconic role and everything related to it. The arguments with Bones, the heroic sacrifice in The Wrath of Khan and the memorable appearances in later installments of the Star Trek franchise. And even though I never really had that much interest in many of the other things he did – which is kind of sad -, I will always remember him and not just the character he played because it was him and nobody else who played the character that was a big part of my childhood.
     
    Rest in peace, Leonard. You will be missed.
  16. ~StatesTheOblivious~
    It’s the ninth of November! Woohoo! Everyone, dance and celebrate this awesome day as we …
     
    Wait, what? What you’re supposed to celebrate? Ah, right … Well it’s the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, even the twenty-fifth one this year. And it’s always important to remember that this date is also known as “Schicksalstag der Deutschen” (“destiny-day” of the Germans) because some other stuff happened during the past two centuries that is considered important in not only German, but also international history – some of them not in a positive way. Like the execution of German revolutionist Robert Blum in 1848, the Beer Hall Putsch in 1923 and the Kristallnacht in 1938. But also good things like the end of monarchy in Germany in 1918 and – of course – the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
     
    So why am I posting this entry in my media blog? Well, there are two songs that are considered as having some connection to the fall of the wall ever since that event and the things that followed in the weeks and months after it.
     
    The first is “Looking for Freedom” performed by David Hasselhoff. Here, you might listen to it in really bad quality. He sang it there at the Brandenburg Gate on Sylvester that year.
     
    http://youtu.be/0zXiClnK8oE
     
    And there’s “Wind of Change” by the Scorpions, which is also considered a song that has to do with not only the German situation at that time, but also with the whole fall of the USSR and the entire change of the world thing and the end of the Cold War.
     
    http://youtu.be/7axdhBYkD4s
     
    So, there you have some music and don’t forget to remember your German friends about the importance of this day in our history.
     
    But don’t be surprised if you get mixed reactions – the whole reunification thing is seen as pretty badly executed here in Germany. (But don't tell that the politicians!)
  17. ~StatesTheOblivious~
    And I still do. Not that I ever did much to change that wondering to knowing. It even stopped to interest me; or that’s at least what I thought. I never did enough to actually know it, to actually feel it. I was bullied, lost interest, became someone whose only daily goal was to do what felt good, not what was good.
     
    I never knew what actual friendship is like. My expectations were that people would just like me and care about me for no actual reason. I based the “friendships” I had on interests, not on interest in these “friends”. I never got it. And now I have to learn it.
     
    Why am I posting this blog entry? Well, I said I wouldn’t leave this site. But what I will do is to visit it less often. What will I do instead? I’ll try to get a life. I’ll try to get what hurt me when I realized that I didn’t have it; the one thing this show we all like is about. I’ll try to find goals, dreams, positive way of thinking and everything what makes life worth living.
     
    It’ll be difficult. It’ll drive me close to giving up again. And I know this isn't the first time I announced a personal change on here. But there’s one thing I can say and that’s the one thing I want to be able to say every day of my life from now on.
     
    I want to live.
     
    I know there are a few people on here that did more for me than I did for them. You know who you are. And I want to thank you. Thank you all.
  18. ~StatesTheOblivious~
    First off: This post here has to do with, as the title hints, Celestia and Philomena, even though Celestia is the one who I'm going to focus on. In case you want to see some Celestia-bashing, I have to inform you that this won't happen here. Look elsewhere. Now, let me begin and I hope you'll find this here interesting.
     
    But keep one thing in mind: This here is merely speculative and more or less random headcanon-whatever-thoughts.
     
    From the first moment I saw Celestia and the more I got to know about her backstory and character (even though we all know that especially her backstory is still quite limited in its presentation in the show) I had to ask myself "How does she deal with it?" With "it" I mean her immortality/longivety. Well, now one could say her experience and wisdom make it perhaps irrelevant to her to struggle with it, maybe not even possible. Or not possible anymore.
     
    As we all can imagine, being a princess like Celestia comes with big responsibilities and the necessity to be able to always represent specific values and the strenght of a leader, also being able to let certain things not touch you, too. But that also has to apply to Luna. And as we know, Luna was not immune to emotional pain. She became Nightmare Moon and it is not even important how exactly, but grief and jealousy overwhelemd her. So, a legit question would be whether Celestia could also fall for the same reasons or not.
     
    And this is the reason why Philomena is kinda important for my further deliberations. After I rewatched "A Bird in the Hoof" for the fifth time, a simple, not to say trivial, question came to my mind. Why does she have an immortal pet? Well, of course, being immortal and having an immortal pet seems to match. Not forgetting that she is the princess of the sun and phoenixes also originate from several sun-myths in different cultures, so giving her a phoenix as a pet is an overall fitting choice.
     
    But, especially considering my first question and the fact that Celestia is still more of a mystery when it comes to her weaknesses and flaws than Luna, this is simply not a really interesting explanation. I know, this whole thing here is merely speculation. And what comes next might cause some people to scratch their head.
     
    Celestia is either an uber-pony or an emotional time bomb.
     
    You say what now?!
     
    Okay, maybe that was... extreme.
     
    Okay, I'll admit it, it was.
     
    But, let's face it. Why is Celestia not just loved by her subjects, but also by many bronies? With legit reasons, by the way. Because she is like a mother, I think. That is actually the most fitting term to describe her with one word that I can think of.
     
    And here comes the problem. She seems to be so full of life, so caring but yet strong and confident in her decisions, that to question any of her actions seems mostly unreasonable. And at the same time she lived a life that simply can't leave one emotionally unharmed.
     
    I'll explain why. Just imagine: You lived for - I don't know how many - centuries, ruling an entire nation, you had to - no matter what the exact circumstances were - banish your own sister, the only being that was someway like you and probably your only living relative and then you are lonely until she finally returns and you're not even the one who could help her. As I said, lonely. Not alone. Why? Well, I'd say it's pretty difficult to not be lonely when you simply outlive generations of your beloved subjects while you stay the same.
     
    But she wasn't entirely lonely, of course. She had Philomena. We don't know for how long, but I guess for a very long time. And now comes the overanalyze-part.
     
    While I think that one of immortality's biggest flaws is perhaps when you can't share it, the only being Celestia had during that long time without outliving it, was her pet. Not a pony. From the way Celestia acts towards her subjects and the way she appears to be as a character, she is, like I said before, easily to describe as some kind of mother. A mother who outlives her children everytime.
     
    I know, this comparison is not to be taken literally and perhaps I'm overthinking the whole thing way too much. But wouldn't it take a lot of strength to actually be able to sit there, rule and care, while every pony you get to know might be able to share their whole life with you, but you can only spend a small part of yours with them?
     
    Now one could interpret Philomena as some kind of an "allegory". Hm, can't find a better term. While the ponies live and die, others will come, just like the ones before, but still different. Death and rebirth of the "roles" around Celestia. Phoenix from the ashes. Maybe that's why she is actually extra-caring. I mean, she's not like one would expect a ruler to be. Mabe that's her way to compensate this permanent, repeating "loss". If this is how she feels it... She simply can't make friends, or maybe even more, without knowing that she will still be alive, many years after they passed away. And a pet might be the closest thing to an actual relatable being she has.
     
    Yes, this interpretation is... But still...
     
    If Celestia is able to simply deal with how the situation is - and probably will ever be - then she has to be really strong in her character. Probably stronger than Luna. Stronger than many real persons. She would be a character that has overcome something many people wouldn't be able to handle, I think. Okay, she is an alicorn, totally different from her sister and perhaps it's really just the way she is and not what she became.
     
    If she simply hides her feelings, the potentially negative ones, then I can only commiserate with her. Because I don't want to be in her position. I can't imagine to swap places with her. Outliving so many... No. But it also means that if it is this way... she deserves even more respect. I mean, if it is this way, she's obviously able to handle it all.
     
    I know, she will probably never be shown in... that "special" flawed way in the show. Damn, we don't even know if she was ever a "normal" pony. But Luna was "able" to be corrupted by negative emotions. So it maybe is possible to show Celestia in that way, too. Not the exact same way like Luna and Nightmare Moon. And it would not be a permanent thing. I mean, we already had several situations in the show where one character had more or less deep emotional problems and they were always solved, so why not Celetia, too? Would it really hurt to give her that kind of flaw, to make her character a bit more... multifaceted? Would it destroy the illusion of her as the nearly "perfect" and loveable character she is now?
     
    And before someone asks or remembers some of my posts about Celestia; I really don't dislike her, I just prefer Luna. My reasons are based on speculations about how she will be portrayed in the future and her being simply some kind of... opposite to Celestia. And how Celestia is presented now and apprehended/percieved by other characters in the show. Period.
     
    So, that's all I wanted to share about this. Maybe you have different ideas, or want to add something. You can leave comments here, if you want to, I'll try to reply then. I know, this entry here could be more structured, but that's simply the way I tend to think and talk, so... yeah.
     
    Thank you for reading and until next time!
  19. ~StatesTheOblivious~
    *DON'T READ THIS UNLESS YOU WANT SPOILERS OR ALREADY ARE SPOILERED*
     
    So, since everything calmed down a little, I thought I could drop my own thoughts on the new information we have about season four from that panel at San Diego Comic Con.
     
    From Equestria Daily http://www.equestriadaily.com/2013/07/comic-con-2013-my-little-pony-main-panel.html
     
    Season 4 (Kinda spoilery):
     
    Meghan is excited about the new opportunities Twilight as an alicorn unlocks, but she stays true to her usual Twilight Sparkle adorkable way.
     
    - Well, it's what we wanted, right? Before someone brings it up, I'll do it myself... Personality doesn't change that fast... usually. But I hope that at some point her new role will actually change something. Would be inconsistent if not. In case the show will run that long, or the presented timeframe will allow that.
     
    They are doing something that they have never done on the show before but keeping it the same pony style.
     
    - What's that supposed to mean? I don't have any idea... maybe referring to a subject you wouldn't expect or a kind of plot device... Hmmm... Any ideas?
     
    Tons of music this season, including characters that haven't sung yet. Between 15-20 songs tota.
     
    - Discord song? Started a topic about that already... Would be awesome. Luna song? Awsome as well. I'm excited.
     
    Daniel is most proud of season 4 in comparison to all other seasons so far. He is just finishing up the final song right now.
     
    - Well, the song we heard in that video was good. Really good. I was afraid he may have lost his talent by composing those songs for Equestria Girls... But that's just my opinion. I think they were too generic.
     
    Most of the names people shouted out have songs according to MK (Luna, Scratch, and a few others, though everyone kept shouting Derpy. It's going to be a tough sell to let her sing)
     
    - Derpy singing? The rest, okay. Hopefully it doesn't turn out to cause another Derpy-gate. Just in case that really happens. What I doubt.
     
    They think of the episodes as actual movies as opposed to short half hour episodes.
     
    - What now? Are they half an hour, or not. Or are they stronger connected to each other. Two parters everytime, maybe? Or actually hour long episodes? Twenty six of them? Phew, in case it's really that, it's a huge amount of work.
     
    Spike has a lot of fun in season 4.
     
    - Sparity? I like that idea. Okay, it's the only shipping I do really support, since it is the only one between two main characters that has at least some kind of a basis.Or it means another hard time for my favorite little dragon... *sighs*
     
    Meghan promises Rarity does get an episode this season. She doesn't want anymore "DON'T BELIEVE HER LIES!" memes!
     
    - How about two?
     
    They think they broke Tabitha with the Rarity lines this season
     
    - How? With the content or the pronounciation and stuff? Hm. Let's skip that.
     
    Andrea says Pinkie Pie's season 4 writing is hilarious, and piles of crazy stuff happens to Fluttershy.
     
    - Pinkie is nearly always hilarious. And Fluttershy... don't let her cry, please...
     
    The musical style episode in season 4 centers around Pinkie Pie.
     
    - Who would have guessed? No kidding, really, who? Maybe it's a part of what we saw in the video... I like where this is going. More about the video below.
     
    Pinkie Pie meets someone who gives her a run for her partying money.
     
    - Antagonist, or not, that's the question.
     
    Spike is put into situations much more uncomfortable than normal.
     
    - Not the Spike-abuse again, not again. Please... I know, it might turn out well in the end, but... Wait, another idea for that statement above about something they never did... maybe a situation that in fact turns out bad... intriguing thought... I'll keep that one in mind, I think.
     
     
    Q&A Section:
     
    Kids Questions started these out. And they love Derpy/background ponies. They were also my favorites.
     
    Q: Are we going to see more Derpy?
    A: The same style of love for Derpy from Equestria Girls will be throughout season 4
     
    - Lovely. No overload, but still present, I think. Good.
     
    Q: Are we going to get an episode around Derpy?
    A: Part of the fun of pony is how we have taken characters as our own through fanfiction and art, and they like to let us have our fun with them. There are too many stories with the mane 6 and Spike to split off for background ponies
     
    - Makes sense and is actually better than to focus around moer and more characters. There's a limit of characters that a story can handle before it's overloaded. Doesn't mean they can't have a few lines, though.
     
    Q: Soundtrack on the Way?
    A: Yes
     
    - Aww yeah. Exactly what I wanted. Hopefully it comes to Germany as well...
     
    Q: Is Scootaloo an Orphan?
    A: Just because Scootaloo's parents haven't been on screen yet, doesn't mean they are dead.
     
    - I always knew they would either never mention her family at all or let them appear in the next season. So, both options are still there.
     
    Q: Why haven't Pinkie Pie's parents and sisters visited her?
    A: Season 4 has a Pinkie Pie sisters visiting episode.
     
    - Yes. More backstories and relatives. Also something that may have to do with that song in the video. It was about family and Pinkie was in there with the Apples, so...
     
    Q: Little girl is worried about Derpy being removed
    A: Don't believe anything you see on the internet.
     
    - Was stated before and kinda obvious after the first answer about Derpy. Can understand that some are worried, though, especially the younger audience.
     
    Q: Will Rarity be famous due to Twilight's alicorn status and clothing line?
    A: She's already famous
     
    - But why didn't it ever feel like constant fame? Nah...
     
    Q: Hardest lines for the VA's
    A: Andrea - Chim Cherry
     
    - Can understand that. Quick as hell.
     
    Q: Now that Twilight's an alicorn, are the mane 6 going to be alicorns?
    A: ALL THE PONIES WILL BE ALICORNS (not really!)
     
    - In case of doubt, there's always Hasbro... Just kidding. I want to see how it works. not just alicornification, but also Twilight as a part of her group.
     
    Q: Are we going to see more Pinkamena?
    A: It's a very strange place for her, and they dont like doing it too often
     
    - Often doesn't mean never. But I agree, it's rather uncomfortable to see her like that.
     
    Q: Will Vinyl and Octavia get an episode?
    A: Pony needs a side series for all these ponies!
     
    - I approve this... not. Just a joke. We get comics and a bit of appearence with a few lines is enough, I think.
     
    Q: More cake twins?
    A: They will be there, but not focused on
     
    - At least they're not "killing off" babies... Ugh... Bad joke.
     
    Q: What was Derpy reading in Equestria Girls to cause her to blush?
    A: My Little Pony Fanfiction
     
    - But it's not all embarassing... Some are actually presenting her in a rather moderate way, others merely positive. Okay, the... less nice ones are there, too.
     
    Q: Is it hard to keep track for Andrea with Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie? She heard Fluttershy's voice on Pinkie Pie once!
    A: It's really tricky, but shes getting better at it
     
    - Good news, but I never cared about that too much.
     
    Q: Will there be more babs seed?
    A: No More babs Seed
     
    - Aww, come on! She appears in two episodes and then never again? Nice move... well, maybe a certain VA didn't want to have that role again. Happens.
     
     
    Brony Questions:
     
    Q: Movie references coming up?
    A: Some good ones coming up, expecially if you pay attention to background characters.
     
    - Good ones? Ahhh, I'm right there to catch them up when the time has come.
     
    Q: How far adavnced is the storyline planned overall
    A: Things were set up and planned to be explored in season four from season three
     
    - In other words, Equestria Games (like we can assume from the video), Rainbow Dash the Wonderbolt, chrystal Empire, Discord and reasons for Twilicorn, I think. Awesome.
     
    Q: More Zecora?
    A: Consider it done!
     
    - I mean, why not. She's one of the best supportive characters in the show... would like to see more about Zebras in general, too.
     
    Q: Will the Changelings come back?
    A: In season 4, ALL THE CHARACTERS ARE CHANGELINGS (shhh)
     
    - Joke in the end, classic.
     
     
    So and now to the vdeo.
     
     
     
     
    First part:
     
    Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash will try to to get Scootaloo to the Equestria Games, no matter the cost and despite the fact she can't fly. By now. I bet RD will help her. Maybe she'll never fly, but then the lesson about respecting people with disabilities will kick in, I think.
     
    Second part:
     
    I think Spike's either dreaming, a spell went wrong (I mean the mane 6 obviously don't know that they're the Power Ponies), or some weird illusion thing is going on. Or interdimensional travel. *Looks at Double Rainboom* Maybe that's where everyone taking the Powerpuff Girls reference from. I think it's about super heroes n general in the end. And... "GO GO POWER PONIES!" Sorry, couldn't resist. Wait, maybe that's what McCarthy was referring to in that tweet.
     
     
     
     
    But I still prefer a Sparity hint, like I elaborated in a previous thread I started.
    That villain is, I think, a part of that comic world, or whatever it is, they're in. Fiction becomes reality in fiction. Ponyception. I like it. It's what I favor as theory.
     
    Third part:
     
    I think that this is:
    - the musical episode around Pinkie Pie
    - the episode that has her family in it
    - and that she is there together with the Apples because she misses being part of a family since she's far away from home
     
    And the song is quite catchy. Good work, Danny!
     
    Fourth part:
     
    It's a flashback. Many people already pointed that out. No matter if it's a dream, an illusion, a time travel or some kind of memory spell like in Harry Potter. The words Luna spoke in there are not fitted to be adressed to Twilight. And Twilight's confusion totally fits into that context. It is Celestia's point of view, her memories, I think. But the most interesting part is:
     
    If you look on the bottom of the screen, I think you can see the episode number. 401. If that is correct, we will have the long-awaited "History of Equestria" episode directly in the beginning of season four.
     
     
    Before I finish, I want to say that none of the theories and assumptions I brought up here are necessarily my own. Look up the other threads about season four spoilers and information and the thread I started about the panel.
     
    Thanks for reading and leave some comments if you want to!
     
    StatesTheOblivious
  20. ~StatesTheOblivious~
    Short answer: No.
     
    Long answer: Yes, but only in general.
     
    You see, since life is change, you have to accept that there is the concept of change, that nothing will ever be the same. But that doesn't mean that you have to embrace a change you don't like. You have every right to act even against it. As long as you are able to accept that your actions against a change are also a change.
     
    The status quo is nothing but an "old change". It came after another change was "abandoned". And so on. You don't have to like a new one. You can run away, ignore, hate, destroy. Whatever. But you can also embrace. You just have to accept that the game is played that way.
     
    And now comes the tricky part. Logic.
     
    I read many posts here that present change as the combination of change in general and a specific change. Yes, this is an allusion to Twilicorn.
     
    Lines like "People have a problem to accept change", "You have to deal with it", "It is a good change" or "Embrace it". You know what? Mostly it felt like those people were trying to convince others that a change has to be accepted. Wrong.
     
    I know here are many who pointed out that it's just their opinion and that they accept it but others don't what is absolutely legit, therefore right.
     
    Kudos, you bronies!
     
    But now a question for those, who seem to fail to make a difference between one change and change.
     
    If I'm wrong with my decision to refuse a change, isn't then everyone who ever changed something also wrong, because they also refused a change that happened before?
     
    You see the point? Where ends being "conservative" and where begins being "progressive"? Can you even talk about a status quo? Is change a thing that comes distinct from prior changes?
     
    Twilicorn is a big change. But FiM itself was already a change. In everyone's life who admires it. Twilight's ascension might not set an end to the premise of the show, but it is different from what initially brought us all to this show. A change we liked. We don't know what Twilicorn will cause. But I have had enough of those who simply appear to accept everything and then simply try to project their opinion as a directive on others.
     
    You can leave, if that change is unbearable to you. You can be hurt by it and stay because you don't want to loose something you like. You can accept it because you like it. You can love it because you see a bright future with it. But you can't accept change just to accept it.
     
    Will I ever leave the fandom? Yes. There is one thing I know will come. And it will be against everything I believe in, I guess.
     
    Will the fandom end at some point? Yes. All good things come to an end. To desperately maintain them is a refuse of change.
     
    Is this a change you will accept?
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