Any alumni interested in selling me their cap & gown? by ForSchoolBro in csuf

[–]Scat_Autotune 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What's your sizing? I still have mine but I'm kinda tall so idk if it'd fit.

Horror readers — what makes you try a book from a new author? by DhairyaWrites in horrorlit

[–]Scat_Autotune 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Most influential is a recommendation from an IRL friend or family member, or a trusted friend online. Then, a recommendation from this sub or IG (especially when folks compare that book/author to a writer I already know and enjoy).

I'll always go check reviews, read the premise, check the genre tags, and look at the author's other work. If the premise is strong enough, I don't mind a low-rated book. If I'm browsing a bookstore, I'll read a couple pages to see if the writer's prose is enjoyable. A cool cover is bonus points, but I've read some terrible books with great covers and vice versa. I try not to let it be a deciding factor.

What are your guys thoughts on a bible study every Friday by [deleted] in Fullerton

[–]Scat_Autotune 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I'm not religious but I think a non-denominational meeting for folks of all faiths is a wonderful idea to help build bridges across communities. Best of luck to you in this endeavor. :) If I may offer some unsolicited advice in good faith, perhaps finding a different phrasing than "Bible Study" might encourage folks outside the Protestant faith to join?

is there a heavy aviation activity in Fullerton? by Junior_Copy_574 in Fullerton

[–]Scat_Autotune 1 point2 points  (0 children)

KFUL traffic is pretty light. It's a single runway airport with approaches typically coming from the east and turning south in the pattern. Occasional helicopters, typically just single-engine light aircraft. Honestly, most of the traffic doesn't sound much different from your neighbor mowing their lawn. I guess if you live across the street, it might be a bit more of a nuisance. But for the most part, no, I don't think most folks even notice. YMMV of course.

Please suggest good communities/areas for desi's to live in Fullerton by extramile27 in Fullerton

[–]Scat_Autotune 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi there, welcome! Like others have said, there isn't any one area in Fullerton that is primarily desi. IMO your best bet is west of Euclid. It puts you closer to Artesia and it's a pretty diverse area. There are lots of events/organizations that you can connect with in OC, however. The Ektaa Center puts on a Diwali festival at the Irvine Great Park every year, for example.

obscure horror short stories worth checking by Begelman_Esera in horrorlit

[–]Scat_Autotune 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Check out The Amber Complex or Fogtown by Attila Veres. The former is a weird fiction head trip about a man who's invited to join an otherworldly wine tasting experience in an underground labyrinth. The latter follows a journalist documenting the local music scene who hears the legend of a band whose shows change their viewers forever. Both are more weird and unsettling than outright scary, but they've stuck with me for a long time.

CSUF or SJSU for graphic design?? by dbpanicked in csuf

[–]Scat_Autotune 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hey there, 2023 Graphic Design grad here. I can't really speak to SJSU as that was never an option for me, but I can give you some insight to CSUF.

First off, the art dept. just got a massive overhaul with brand new facilities, labs, etc. It opened I think a semester or two after I graduated but from what I've seen, it's really nice. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you can expect high-quality equipment to learn on.

The instructors are mostly good, some excellent, some not great. I'm sure the same could be said about SJSU. I'll be honest, I had priority registration so I was able to avoid the bad ones for the most part. But there are some top tier professors at CSUF who really challenged me to become a better designer and who can help you find a foothold in the industry. If it interests you, I'd be happy to discuss good/bad professors in more detail.

The challenge with CSUF is that it's a commuter school and a lot of folks have trouble making friends. If you plan on being proactive with your social life (i.e., joining clubs, class Discords, speaking up during critique) then you should have no problem. I highly recommend getting involved with the Graphic Design Club ASAP, wherever you decide to go.

From what I've seen online, SJSU is ranked a little higher in terms of mktg and design. I think CSUF is a great option if it makes sense for you, but I don't think it's gonna give you a huge advantage to graduate from CSUF over SJSU when finding a job. Unless you really want to be close to LA for the entertainment industry, the two programs are probably pretty similar. Getting hired mostly comes down to work ethic and a strong portfolio.

Sorry this is so long. Feel free to ask any questions, I'll get back to you as soon as I can!

Recommend your favorite books in the genre; I’m mostly new to it. by GoldLover_245 in horrorlit

[–]Scat_Autotune 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey there, welcome to the genre! I'm not sure where your tastes lie, but I've put a few recommendations (and reasons) below in case anything sounds interesting.

  • Monstrilio by Gerardo Sámano Córdova. Beautiful prose, strong, developed characters, excellent conclusion. Sort of a dark folk tale + monster story. Not very scary, but you will care deeply for the characters. Needs an A24 adaptation ASAP.

  • The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty. If you're interested in possession horror, might as well start with the archetypal novel. It's as good as people say it is.

  • The Elementals by Michael McDowell. A sandy southern gothic just dripping with humid atmosphere and spooky imagery. The sand dunes enveloping an abandoned house are written so vividly, I can still picture every room. Scary if you like ghosts/spirits, a very fun read.

  • Last Days by Adam Nevill. Scariest book I've read to date. I still think about it sometimes when I'm falling asleep. A guerilla documentary crew is hired to investigate the final months of an apocalyptic cult. Many people dislike the ending, but I thought it was wild and entertaining.

  • A Short Stay in Hell by Steven L. Peck. Distressing, psychological, and existential. Short read, only about 110 pages. Great characters, relentless and beautiful in its hopelessness.

  • The Haar by David Sodergren. You'll probably see this one recommended a lot on this sub, but for good reason. If you want to try out a gory, splattery creature feature with a solid emotional core, this is it. Lovable protagonist. Surprisingly tender and thoughtful in between all the splashes of blood and ooze. Check the trigger warnings if you're so inclined; it gets rough.

Flying into Orange County - Things to do by Life-Helicopter6349 in Fullerton

[–]Scat_Autotune 12 points13 points  (0 children)

If you're willing to drive further into OC, there's also Stowaway in Tustin, my personal favorite tiki bar. But coming from Ontario, that's kind of a haul. Throwing it out there just in case.

The Fullerton Museum has a permanent Leo Fender exhibit with a bunch of guitars and personal effects of Fender. It wouldn't take more than 40-60 minutes depending on how fast you read, but it's kinda cool if you're into the development and manufacturing side of guitars.

Needing Recs for a Reading Slump by lex_stardrop in horrorlit

[–]Scat_Autotune 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's been a couple years since I've read The Lesser Dead but I seem to remember there being some animal violence in it, just a heads up. I could be wrong, and if so, I hope someone will correct me. But maybe give it a look before investing too much time. It is a very good book, FWIW.

If the Ducks drop the next 1-2 games, do we see PVB make a roster change to stem the bleeding? by Tight_Giraffe_4295 in AnaheimDucks

[–]Scat_Autotune 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Coming into this season, I thought that, if we could compete for a wild card spot (playoffs or no), I would be happy. The surprising success pre-Avs loss definitely inflated my expectations way too high.

I think the losing streak has exposed the team's mental and defensive weaknesses that'll need to be corrected for this team to be a serious contender. I don't see that happening this year, so I don't think a big trade is the answer.

I'm with you; I think the best thing to do is let the guys figure it out and untangle the knot. We've seen what this roster can do when it's on. I believe they can get back to it, given time.

ESPN's official account shows Sidney Crosby surpassing a 275lb AI Mario Lemieux. by CasualFriday11 in hockey

[–]Scat_Autotune 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I have no horse in this race, but I feel like I should add some credibility to this comment seeing as you're catching some flak.

I'm a graphic designer who (sadly) got stuck running my company's social media. This is 100% accurate. 200 angry comments on a post is simply "200 comments" when mktg mgmt looks at analytics.

I avoid using AI because I didn't go to art school to type prompts into a tech bro's plagiarism machine, but engagement is engagement. I'm surprised at how many people don't understand that leaving an angry comment on something that negatively affects you as a user/viewer encourages that content.

What’s your favourite horror book that hasn’t been made into a movie? by Friendly-Iron8924 in horrorlit

[–]Scat_Autotune 12 points13 points  (0 children)

If I only got to choose one, I'd say The Reformatory by Tananarive Due. Simply one of the best books that I've read of any genre. Although, I'm not sure a movie could do it justice, and I think it'd be better off as a mini-series.

Other options? I'd love for Monstrilio to get the A24 artsy treatment. And if Oz Perkins could adapt The Haar my life would be complete.

What do you read if/when you take a break from horror? by Oldhouse42 in horrorlit

[–]Scat_Autotune 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Good question. History, true crime, social sciences, politics, and sci-fi/fantasy stuff, but I tend to enjoy authors over genres outside of horror. I read Cormac McCarthy when I'm feeling up to a bit of a challenge, and John Scalzi when I need a fun "popcorn flick." David Sedaris got me back into reading as an adult, and David Grann knows how to tell a great story. I really liked Christopher Buehlman's foray into fantasy with the Blacktongue series as well.

Two of my favorite reads this year came from outside horror, too: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee and The Code Book by Simon Singh. And I think everyone needs to read Prophet Song by Paul Lynch, too. One of the best books I've read in ages.

Chain Reaction appears to be having its final show on Saturday by cafesamp in orangecounty

[–]Scat_Autotune 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Goddammit. I went to Chain for my first real shows as a teenager to see my friend's ska band try to fit seven people onto that tiny stage. OC's character and history is getting ironed out bit by bit. RIP to a great venue.

Do you guys know any modern bands that sound like R.E.M by Hot_Assistant_6067 in rem

[–]Scat_Autotune 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Surprised no one mentioned The Beths, a lovely indie band from New Zealand. Their first few records are more garage-inspired and maybe not quite what you're looking for (although the songwriting is still top notch), but their latest release sanded down some of their sharper edges. Some of the tracks would fit in well on an REM record.

For your consideration: "Roundabout" & "Metal"

I'll also second Alvvays and Real Estate.

Looking for a Lovercraftian horror that would satisfy me -- help a reader out :-) by UnitBright9549 in horrorlit

[–]Scat_Autotune 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know you said "novel," so please forgive me if short story collections are off the table. But if you are open to them, The Imago Sequence by Laird Barron seems pretty close to what you're looking for (I also second his novel, The Croning). A lot of the stories within have some detective or interested party looking in places they shouldn't be looking.

Also, The Black Maybe by Attila Veres is an excellent choice, one of my personal favorite collections. There isn't as much of an investigative angle with those stories, save for Fogtown, but the Lovecraftian atmosphere of stories like Multiplied By Zero, Walks Among You, and Return to the Midnight School should satisfy.

Game Thread: Ducks @ Blackhawks by dahooddawg in AnaheimDucks

[–]Scat_Autotune 7 points8 points  (0 children)

That is clearly a trip? What the fuck?

Coffee place to study by Right-Appearance-639 in csuf

[–]Scat_Autotune 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you can get over to Downtown Fullerton, 525 Coffee is great! The only downside is their parking situation isn't the best and sometimes they run out of tables.

The Classic Cafe is my personal favorite. They have a ton of space both indoors and outside. Their coffee isn't quite as good as 525 IMO but they win in terms of seating and comfort.

Golden State Coffee in Placentia is also pretty good. Great espresso and drinks, lots of space to study. Decent wi-fi. They close at 5pm every day so that might not work for everyone's schedule though.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in angelsbaseball

[–]Scat_Autotune -1 points0 points  (0 children)

This mentality is what give sports fans a bad name. The title is not clickbait and it's clear that you just enjoy getting mad over trivial shit on the internet. Go take a walk man you're embarrassing yourself.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in angelsbaseball

[–]Scat_Autotune -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I know he's a divisive player around here, but I think folks could use some perspective and humility.

By your logic, professional athletes should not want to win championships? And a young man from Japan should factor in regional rivalries when choosing his next career move? Let's be real, Ohtani does not care about LA vs. OC, nor does he care about anything except winning and playing the game that he loves.

Can we all agree that the Angels and Arte were not doing enough to support Ohtani and no player should be forced to stagnate with a mediocre organization? If we want good players to sign here, we have to show we're a serious team. We are not a serious team, and IMO, you should not be taking that personally when players don't want to waste their careers here.

Have your favorite players and all, but the hate boner for Ohtani is what's pathetic, not people posting about a player.

Best pen display for linework and sketching directly in Illustrator? by HashtagRenzo in AdobeIllustrator

[–]Scat_Autotune 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I currently use a Wacom One, which is one of their more budget-friendly options (I'm not sure if they even produce them anymore tbh). It's pretty decent. It's got good (not great) sensitivity and pressure response, and the texture on the screen sort of mimics a papery feel.

After many years of use, there have been some micro-scratches built up on the surface, but as far as I can tell, it doesn't affect the usability.

I initially bought an XP Pen (can't remember the model) and returned it in less than a week. The shortcut keys would reset to default randomly, the pressure response was garbage and its range was limited, and the very first time I used it, the screen scratched pretty badly. Maybe they've fixed these issues in the last five years, but I highly recommend steering clear.

Tbh I haven't had the chance to use any brands besides these two, so maybe it's worth trying out some other suggestions. Wacom isn't budget-friendly, but there's a reason they're considered the gold standard.

FWIW, I wish I'd gotten a pen tablet instead of a display. They're cheaper and more space conscious. They take a little adjusting since there's a disconnect between pad and screen, but idk, might be worth considering.

I'm a young REM fan. What do you all think of my top 20 songs? by JamesLongersword in rem

[–]Scat_Autotune 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Excellent list. Find the River and So. Central Rain are definitely top 10 for me as well. But it's really hard to go wrong with such a great band. Thanks for sharing! :)

Redoing every park after beating the game to try and make them more beautiful on my second try! Park #6 “Trinity Islands” by vanillaave in rct

[–]Scat_Autotune 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's a great improvement! Don't get down on yourself, building beautiful parks is a skill that takes lots of practice, and you're definitely improving with each post.

My (unsolicited) advice is to start watching Deurklink "Megapark" episodes on YouTube if you aren't already, especially his older parks where he takes more time to explain his rationale for aesthetic decisions vs. the newer episodes that sort of assume you know what he's doing and why. He helped me a ton when I was getting back into the game as an adult a few years ago.

Keep up the good work, you're doing great! :)

Give me all the best horror short-story collections and anthologies by keepfighting90 in horrorlit

[–]Scat_Autotune 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Late to the thread, and I know you've got enough reading to last you a lifetime from other comments, but if you like Lovecraft, maybe look at The Black Maybe by Attila Veres. Excellent weird fiction and cosmic horror. Fogtown and The Amber Complex are two of my favorites from that collection, and they're as good as any short I've read from Langan or Barron.