_News: Finals and writing a book and work and street fair planning many other shenanigans so here. *shoves a pile of scraps from desk* *stalks back to desk* *cat settles on lap*

_News: It's happened guys, I am Undertale trash. Full blown, AU trolling Undertale garbage._

It's been said before but it is a golden age for the independent artist. With real practical means to market and distribute product, consumer art is no longer defined by what is the most popular or what pleases the most amount of people. Not only that, but new ways of supporting one's self through thoughts are being explored, breaking down a long standing barrier between art and those who would admire it, the price tag. Yes, artists are freer then they've been in decades and it is all thanks to that lovely all-encompassing monster we call the internet.

And I gotta tell ya, as someone who on the best of days has no money, I'm loving this trend.

I'm talking about indie games, youtube channels, online comics, blogs, all of it! Things that are made by independent creators out of love. Is all of it professional quality? No, far from it. But it's worth a look anyway, for so many different reasons. One, it promotes the growth of new ideas. Right now the status quo when it comes to art and media of any kind is signing with a big company and answering to the public before answering to yourself (which isn't so much bad as it is dangerous), just because that's how you make a living off of art. Notice, making a living off of art is not the same as making money off of art. No artist wants to admit that they need to sell to eat to live but we do. But that's a balance that's starting to change, thanks to the internet, thanks to crowdfunding and thanks a more accessible line to artistic sponsorship. The result of all of this is a more intimate relationship not only between creator and creation but between creator and audience. And this relationship has created some pretty awesome weird and gross stuff.  And so, with all that rambling out of the way, I want to share some of the best places to get free content and shine a light on some of the best independent creations out there. (This'll probably turn into a series of posts, seeing I'm constantly discovering new things to fall in love with.)

Tapastic.com
This site is a hub for independent comic creators to showcase their work, much like youtube is for video creators. You don't need to jump through hoops or sign any contracts to get your work out there, just upload and go. The rest is up to you. I personally love this place because of the variety of stuff people put out there. You can find anything from 4-Panel funnies to full blown Manga epics. Plus, their staff is pretty dedicated to shining a light on work with potential. If they see something with an interesting plot, even if the art isn't necessarily up to snuff, they'll still put a feature on it. I browse their features nearly everyday and, speaking from personal experience, they have pretty good taste. I will go ahead and warn you that if you go far enough down the rabbit hole you will find some sub-par stuff, but you have to look for it. Front and center is usually the goods, the veteran creators that really have a love for what they do and excel at it. Couple of comics on there worth checking out are King's Folly by Whispwill and Owlturd Comix by Shenanigansen (Excuse the icky name but that dude is hilarious).

Night Vale Presents
Excuse little old me if you've already heard of this gem (it's gained quiet the following over it's lifespan), but shame on me if I didn't bring up Welcome To Night Vale because GOSH DIGGITY DERN THIS IS GOOD STUFF WANT SOME GOOD STUFF HERE'S SOME. Originally just a passion project with Joseph Fink and Jeffery Cranor (with the soothing sounds of Cecil Baldwin on vocals),  Night Vale presents started out as a bimonthly podcast serial, a community radio station in the middle of the desert where every government conspiracy theory is true. Quirky is putting it lightly. Since then these guys have started going on tour with live shows, have put out a novel that's made the New York Times Best Sellers list, and have started another serial podcast called Alice Isn't Dead. This is an indie project that you can expect outstanding quality from, there is little difference between this and studio work when it comes to production. Give them a look and you'll be in for a fun, weird time.

OverCloccked Remix
Fans make the best stuff, they really do. From parodies to music to merch, when fans get invested they redefine what a passion project is. OverClocked Remix is where you can find such projects. It's a huge hub strictly for remixes and melodies of video game soundtracks and guys, the things these people do with source material is mmmmmm so tasty. In it's time (which it's my understanding that this site is a relic from 1999 if you can believe it) has even garnered attention and praise from the original creators that created the material they were remixing. It's an especially great resource for other independent creators because (don't quote me on this) as long as you give credit where credit is due you can use this music for anything. Almost all of it is available for free download and it's great as background music for videos or podcasts or even as trance music for focusing on work. I will say, although through all the time I've used it I've never encountered it, seeing as it's a hub and not just one over all company working together there's bound to be some lousy stuff on the site somewhere. But, much like tapastic, you have to really look to find it, the amount of stuff on this site is mind boggling. They have a remix for almost every video game soundtrack I can think of off the top of my head. (Expect for Animal Crossing tracks. Come on OC, get on that.) But, seriously, give it a looksie.


That's all I got. 'Til next time nerds.

Education has been on my mind this year.

Well, this semester. There's been an ongoing discussion about it in my speech class and ever since it's been popping up all over the place in my life. So I really feel like talking about it because for some reason it's so gosh darn fascinating. Now, I haven't really formed my own concrete opinion on it just because, in a way, I'm still a part of it so it's hard to come at it unbiased. Also I feel like I don't know enough about how it works to really back up my own opinions and suggestions. So I've been more listening to others then I have actually critically thinking about it, so here's the general opinion that, for now, I agree with. (Also acknowledge that this is a GROSS over-generalization of the public school education system. Some schools might not even have the problems I am addressing in here.)

As a whole, it needs to improve. The one-size-fits-all system we have right now fits no one anymore.

There needs to be more variety.
I know it would be a monumental task but we need to have our education system meet the child rather then the other way around. I'm not saying personally create a different curriculum for every individual child, but take this into consideration. It's been proven that every child learns differently. In a general sense they tend to do well either in auditory learning, visual learning, or interactive learning. So why not create a test to see which way any given student leans and then place them in core classes taught by someone who specializes in that specific type of learning process. I don't claim to know how easy or difficult this would be, but I can't imagine that I'm the first person to come up with this idea and it seems very possible so what is holding us back? That's just a small way to increase learning and it would still make a world of difference.

There needs to be more creativity.
For as long as I've been alive (that admittedly being not very long at all) art programs have always been considered "extra curricular" and been treated as an optional way to keep kids invested in school, more so geared towards the well being of the student then serving any sort of academic purpose. As such, when cuts need to be made, they are the first to go.
This is a gross underestimation of what classes that encourage creativity do.
Classes geared towards creation force students to think beyond picking A B C or D, they teach creative problem solving. Now, you can argue that yes this generation has this or no this generation lacks it but none of that will change the fact that creativity is integral to society, even more so then just factual knowledge which right now the public school system (in my experience) favors. This isn't to undercut basic comprehension (what math science and english generally teach), because clearly that's important too. But when you cut out or undermine creativity (drama, art, music) it's like halving education, teaching kids only half of what they need in order to succeed. When it comes right down to it, people have to know how to think outside of the choices presented to them. Creativity is so much more then we give it credit for.

There needs to be more learning. 
Say it with me now, kids do not need to be taught how to ace a test. Knowledge retention after you leave high school is so low. When I was fresh out of high school to have at least a flimsy grasp on algebra, but now, a mere three years later I've forgotten almost everything I learned. I was helping an eighth-grade girl with her homework the other day and I couldn't solve her work for the life of me! Obviously at one point I knew how, I passed the test I was given at that time, but after that it was virtually worthless to me.
Maybe this goes hand-in-hand with the creativity problem but it seems like school curriculums have become more like glorified study groups then actual classrooms. They drill in concepts, give a test, then move on. Lather rinse repeat. It's no wonder that knowledge retention just doesn't exist. And if we don't remember what we learn then what even was the point of learning it to begin with? Not for nothing but if I wasn't going to use these skills later then why was I learning them rather then actually doing something productive instead? It can be argued that learning for the sake of learning creates a well rounded individual, a sort of societal boy scout who's always prepared for anything. But, again, what is the point if that boy scout is going to loose all the lessons he's learned and all the equipment he's gotten as soon as he leaves the program anyway? Classrooms need to be re-geared towards not just teaching math and science and english and art, they need to instill it into their students. These things need to be practiced in a practical manner, outside of the context of a piece of paper in which they'll eventually get evaluated for nothing more then the trade off of being able to move on in their studies. Science, I will say, is probably the closest thing to getting this right. Outside of tests they experiment with the things they learn, they're able to play around with them and see how they effect the world.

I've already gone on long enough so I'll close with this. Right now, despite all I just said, schools right now aren't that bad. Obviously they're doing something right if society is still functioning, technology is progressing and humanity is advancing. (You can argue all those points on some level but hey, I'm just happy that as a species we've stayed away from cannibalism for the most part.) It's just that, like most things in this world, it's a work in progress. And I'm sure once we find a better system it'll still have flaws much like these. But, that's just my humble barely-educated opinion. Honestly, if you're reading this (whether you're my fan, friend or fam), I'd love to know you're take. Comment below if this whole thing got you thinking. Also, scroll down a little more for some links, they're the things that got me thinking about all of this in the first place.

'Til next time nerds.


The Creativity Crisis:
http://www.newsweek.com/creativity-crisis-74665
TED Talk: Sir Ken Robinson's Do Schools Kill Creativity? 
https://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity

_News: Book review with Princess Faith is up, see it here._


Ladies Gents and Germs, I have a confession to make. I, Nikmacpattywak, am a fan of coffee. I know, shocking. I love coffee. I love drinking it,  I love pictures of it, I love pictures of me drinking it. Also, coffee has very little to do with this post.

So, in church we're going over Philippians and how to be a "cool christian", or how to be one that's grounded, and one of the first things that my pastor went over is how to deal with difficult situations. He described it as this, when you are in hot water, be a coffee bean. Most of the time when something is placed in hot water it either dissolves or hardens but coffee changes the water while remaining the same. As followers of Christ, we should be the same, tough situations don't have the power to break us but in our faith and with help from Christ we can change the situation, no matter what it is. It was a really good metaphor, I wish I had come up with it.

But here's the thing, what happens when the coffee is already coffee?

I think a common problem in a seasoned Christian's life is what to do when life is normal. God calls us to devote every second of our lives to him, but we're not spending all those seconds on mountains screaming His name. Sometimes, we're just sitting there drinking the coffee we worked so hard to make. It's okay to admit it guys, life is boring sometimes.

Boredom has a tendency to disconnect me from God.

It's hard to think of waking up in the morning and going to work and eating Cheerios as acts of service to God and when I feel like I'm not serving God I feel empty. Like, that's what I was put on earth to do, to love and serve God, and it's SO easy to do that when you're at Jesus camp or Feed My Starving Children or Sunday morning. Heck, it's easy to feel that way when you bring God into a conversation with your not-yet-Christian friends. But when I'm sitting on my couch with Mo's butt in my face trying to watch Arrested Development, how is that serving?

Here's the thing that I'm realizing as I write this, that's service in the way of investment, like reading your bible. Sure, you're getting spiritually fed, but you're also storing knowledge for later, knowledge God will for sure be taking advantage of. It's the same when you're quell. When you eat, you build energy and maintain your body. When you watch TV or are working, you are adding to experience to your database. All things that God intends to make good on later. Still service, just passive. Prep work.

I guess that still leaves the issue of feeling connected to God. To that I say endure. We're all going to hit empty points, we can't be full throttle all the time. And if you're really a seasoned Christian then God's always going to be in the back of your mind, you'll always be aware he's there. That's a good as it gets sometimes, and still leagues better then being without. Just remember that there'll be another day where you make coffee again, when you'll feel Him there in your bones.

That's what I've got. 'Til next time nerds.

*If you prefer to read, script below*
What up nerds, this is an update. If you are a person who don't care about updates then I can respect that, why don't you go enjoy some Sonic tater tots instead? As for the rest of you, might have noticed my blog is different now. You might have also noticed that I haven't posted a video in quiet some time. You might also notice that this is not Geeks Under Grace, where I usually upload. All of these things happened for the same reason. I am no longer with Geeks Under Grace. It's a bit of a story, one that perhaps isn't best shared here, so let's not linger. I'm not done making videos though, make no mistake of that. I'm going be on my very own channel now, the nikmacpattywak channel, where I'm going to focusing more on talking about the craft of writing and how its implemented. Fans of GUG will recognize the series I started shortly before I left, The Geeky Writer's toolbox. That will be on this channel. What else will be on this channel? Videos about the lore of different franchises, whether it be comics or video games or books. Vlog reviews done with friends of things that I pick up that I love or hate. Inconsistent uploads because I am in college and at some point I'd like to sit down and eat. And maybe much more, I don't know what's going to happen but I trust God with it! So, if you're new to the channel or new to me in general I have the last two episodes of Geeky Writer's Toolbox, click on the screen or in the description for that. I'm working on episode number three or maybe a vlog review of The Rest Of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness with Princess Faith because it's the new book love of my life. So look forward to either of those, soon. ish. I also have a new thing up on my blog, it's called {here's how we make the world a better place} and I'm guessing you should read it.
And, lastly, don't forget that you have a great God and he is with you every step that you take.


The Geeky Writer's Toolbox
Ep. 1-Starter's Kit
Ep. 2-Hitchhiker's Guide to Characters

_Stop making fun of people for auto correct typos. Auto correct needs to get its crap together, we all know that. We can't always be on top of it. We've tried, we've failed. Time to move on with our lives. And I feel like all the time we waste making fun of people for typos is time we could spend curing cancer or making a decent Superman movie. (#lowkeyburn)

_On the train, your space is your space and my space is mine. Listen, gentlemen, I see you. I know that on the train we're not supposed to make eye contact but when you sit next to me I see you with your peacoat and your samsung and your fashionable jawline scratch. I see you weigh about the same as me. Heck, you may even weigh less, and I forgive you for that. But I fit in my seat. Look at me, legs together, backpack on my lap, not intruding into anyone else's world. Like, don't worry, you be you and I'll just be here listening the Welcome To Night Vale. No problems. But you, that's a different story. You just need to chill. You've got your body fanned out and relaxed and no, it's cool, I guess you own this train and I don't have a corporeal form that you're shoving elbow up against. Don't be that guy, stick to your box.

_I really don't care when you got into twenty one pilots. I don't, honest. You shouldn't either. I'm happy that you've had them in your life for such a long time, that doesn't make you better then me. I could just as easily listen to their old stuff. In fact, I think I will. And then I will cry. Because twenty one pilots.

_Everybody should be your different favorite. I don't have many friends. Those I do I cherish. My Mom is my favorite Mom because she does the Mom things. My Sean is my favorite Sean because he's awesome at Sean-ing. My Mocho is my favorite Mocho because she's a technically cat but she doesn't let that stand in the way of her being a dog. Everyone can be your favorite something.

_Kingdom Hearts 3. Let's make it happen people. No more 2.8 bull.

_Smile at people in hallways. I get it. You're repulsed by me in general, I'm repulsed by you in general. It's not an ideal situation. But honey, the day ain't getting any better and we've still got eight hours of it so let's just pretend.

_If people are pretty, tell them. We hear at least 10 negative things about us a week, let's add something nice to the mix. Don't worry, I'll start. I like your bow tie. Bow ties are cool.

_Toilet etiquette. If you don't know it then let me refresh you. Gentlemen, seats down when you are finished. This bothers people. I don't know why, but it does. People in general, replace the roll when it's gone. I promise you the person behind you will not notice until it's too late. That's not on them, that's on you. Don't do that to people. Lastly, if the toilet is clogged, inform the master of the house. Yes, you will be embarrassed. Yes, the master will be mad. I feel like you'll get over it.

_Pregnant people eat pickles. That's not really a life lesson, just something I learned that's interesting. Kinda a tongue twister too. Pregnantpeopleeatpicklespregnantpeopleeatpicklespregnantpeopleeatpi-

That is all. For now. 'Til next time nerds.

_News: School starts next week._

Valued Reader, I'm trying. I'm trying really hard to not be the type of person who needs to talk about everything that happens to me professionally, whether it be good bad or just plain ugly. But, seriously, I just got an awesome rejection. I loved it. It was the best.

[context]

I said in my last post that I had gotten published for the first time. Yes, true, but that wasn't the first time I tried.
*takes a sip of coffee*
*stares meaningfully out at the world at large, contemplating the bigger mysteries of life*
Once, Reader Dearest, I was but a child. And as a child just growing into a practice that would become a passion, I thought what most my age thought. I was invincible. Nothing could touch me. What a fool I was. *but seriously* When I started high school I really started writing hardcore. I spent all my study halls in the library at the computer working on what would eventually become my first three written novels. Yes, Reader, I was working on a series. That series was called Scrapper: The Connection Reborn. That title, it should tell you what you need to know about that particular project. But wait, it gets better. It was a Young Adult Paranormal Romance birthed from the era of Twilight. As I said, what a fool I was.
If I were to honestly grade it now, being a somewhat more seasoned writer, I'd give myself a solid C. It wasn't terrible, it had it's interesting points. The cast was diverse and I somehow managed to avoid most cliches. All the same, the prose was horrendous and it had so many holes it may as well have been a Manitowoc County police investigation. (yesIcanbetopical) (alsoI'mneverlivinginwisconsin) (I'malsoreallyproudofmyselfforthatjoke). But anyway, none of this was the point.
So, here I am, with a finished novel by the end of freshman year. Already getting to work on the second. What do I do? I try to get it published of course. What else do you do with books, read them? That's for babies.
As you can imagine, I got many rejections. Many. 'Bout twenty if I'm not mistaken. To be fair to myself and the agents that passed, it was a good call. That book should not be published. But most of those rejects were out-and-out we-didn't-even-look-at-the-book slush pile rejections. Ones that were automated responses. Ones that replied to my pen name rather then my real one. (yesItriedtohaveapenname) (nowe'renotgoingtotalkaboutit).
So now, seven years or so later, I'm actually decent at writing. And I'm submitting. And I'm getting real responses back. Responses that say "yes we've really read your work and we like it but it's not for us" type so. So I wake up this morning and I find one such email in my inbox this morning. It says this.

Dear Nikki,

Thank you for sending "The Great Oak of Hypothetical Nowhere" to [redacted]. While we appreciate the opportunity to review your work, we will have to pass on this submission. The story is delightful, but it's not quite right for us.

We hope you find a good home for this story, and we look forward to seeing more of your work when we next open for submissions. Thanks for sharing this one. It's got great energy, and the character relationships are fantastic. I fell in love with Aggie instantly, and Eileen is just as charming.

Best,
[Really respectfully editor who deserves nice things]
Senior Editor

Look at that! They read it! They liked it! It just wasn't for them! They also asked to see more of my things! It's all right there! What more could you want from a rejection? I tell ya, this just makes my day. I feel like I'm hugging a puppy right that, that is where I'm at.

In other news, The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness is the new book love of my life. Props to Friend of the People Faith for recommending the book and Patrick Ness for not making me cry. Plus, Friend of the Nation Darby lent me a book called Madman and, no joke, someone stabbed it. It came in the mail with a stab mark. In the envelope too, so she says. One of the more interesting things that has happened to a book, or so I suppose. Finally, I haven't been on Geeks Under Grace in a while. That's on hold for now. Stay tuned, I'm not done making videos.

'Til next time nerds.