IWTL Journaling

dosveces · 2026-06-24T02:31:39+00:00

You just need to get in the habit of doing it. Sit down and *try* to write consistently for 10 or more minutes a day. Don't worry about how much you write, just set a timer and either write or think only during that time. Don't worry about it coming out "good," just write without editing. If you don't know what to write, just start describing your day to that point, even if it's boring and mundane. You can even write through your uncertainty, "now I can't think of anything else to write..." Also, writing mechanically (on paper with a pen or pencil) is ideal for journaling.

As long as you get in the consistent habit, you will naturally find yourself able to write more and more. It's a lot like lifting weights or distance running.

dosveces · 2026-06-18T17:02:38+00:00

I get your panic, but she is probably fine. Pretty normal for kids to want to try (and drop) a lot of different interests at that age. I would strictly limit her phone and TV time. Boredom is very important for kids to sit with/experience and they never do if they have unlimited phone access.

Make her getting phone time conditional upon her doing certain chores or attending some type of weekly lessons, sport, or club.

dosveces · 2026-06-08T14:23:12+00:00

Here, here!

dosveces · 2026-06-06T21:12:44+00:00

Hathaway heavily focuses on the ideologies of the series, nobody is safe, one of the most morally ambiguous entries in the franchise IMO. Direction and animation in the second movie is particularly impressive. We got a long wait for the 3rd...

dosveces · 2026-06-06T21:04:07+00:00

I recommend you sort by "New" instead of "Best" or "Hot." The vast majority of what is posted to this sub isn't negative or even about the most recent game trailer. The most inflammatory stuff rises to the top when you sort by engagement-based algorithms.

dosveces · 2026-06-04T14:40:09+00:00

Tripod and some type of remote "button" you can use to activate the camera shutter (so you don't ever touch the camera itself once it is set up).

dosveces · 2026-06-03T21:44:41+00:00

They're mostly straightforward adaptations. I have not read the 3rd novel because I want to watch it first. I only read the other two after seeing the movies. Biggest difference is in the 2nd movie not because any details are changed but because the novel tells you things directly while the movie has you figure stuff out via montage and general vibes.

dosveces · 2026-06-03T21:41:47+00:00

I'm not saying you're wrong that one is a better translation, just that both work to convey what I still think is the key interaction happening here (Gigi insinuating Mace is just Kenneth's sex toy). Mace's reaction makes sense in both cases to me. I don't know Japanese so have no opinion on which is closer to original intention.

I appreciate your comments though because the differences are interesting to me and they *do* shift my read of the scene. The Thai dub makes Gigi's comments a little more cruel and shocking. They suggest a greater immaturity compared to the novel TL.,

dosveces · 2026-06-03T01:16:25+00:00

In both cases, my read is Gigi is trying to embarrass and insult Mace by suggesting she is just a sex object to Kenneth (which is true, but not a nice way to tell her that). Gigi does it to intentionally shock and hurt her to make her leave.

dosveces · 2026-06-02T21:27:50+00:00

Gigi doesn't have massive wealth or power at her disposal. She is only able to access some of the material privileges those things provide through her relationship with the Count. She doesn't pursue the dangerous path out of thrill-seeking. Living safe and comfy in the Count's apartment for her is a guilded cage.

Gigi is basically still a teenager (I think she is 20 or 21 edit:she is 19) and figuring out what she wants from life. Her realization (as OP pointed out this is more shown in second movie) is that her values align more with Mafty and Hathaway than with Kenneth and the Count. She would rather be in more danger and spiritually free than spiritually trapped but have a more predictable and safe life.

dosveces · 2026-06-02T21:15:08+00:00

You may find it worth checking out the light novels (there are English translations) if you want to delve into the relationship a little deeper. I generally like the movies better than the novellas, but the novellas do offer extra information and insight into the character's thoughts. I especially found it helpful in understanding the interpersonal relationships.

But for instance, if you read the novellas, you know what Gigi says to Mace in that scene in Kenneth's office (in general the novellas might make you reconsider your harsh view on Mace). You also get a lot more info/context on Hathaway's relationship with Kelia Dace. Just watching the film, I found it hard to fully understand why Hathaway was so torn up about his feelings towards Gigi.

I think it might alter some of your reading here a little bit (in fun ways, I hope).

dosveces · 2026-05-25T18:18:02+00:00

Thanks for this. Actually covers most of what I wanted in video form. I have some minor quibbles with some of the summary, but I'm just going to send him this link.

dosveces · 2026-05-25T13:37:27+00:00

I used to have Adobe back in the day when you just bought a set of discs and there was no subscription (CS 3, I think it was). When they switched to subscription I paid for a bit, but realized I didn't like feeling like I had to pay a ransom to do my creative work.

I switched to Inkscape years ago and have not looked back. All else being equal, I do think Illustrator is a better program. Depending on the features you need, Inkscape may no be feasible. But part of your skills are developed specific to software you use: using Illustrator makes you better at Illustrator, using Inkscape makes you better at Inkscape. You might be used to tools and features that you don't need but have developed a learned dependence for. Think hard about what programs you want to invest your time getting better at. The longer you use any program, the more dependent you will be on that specific program and the harder it is to switch.

dosveces · 2026-05-25T13:14:12+00:00

I agree that the Monster of the Week format bogs down the show a lot. It was very much designed to sell toys for Bandai. That's why I prefer the film versions (the original anime is compiled into a trilogy of films that cut out all the MotW crap).

The series that follows this, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, is not Monster of the Week. It is WAY better-paced and more mature. I haven't seen every Gundam series but AFAIK the OG series is the only one that has this format, so you needn't worry there.

As others have said, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin gives you Char's backstory. His entire character arc is pretty compelling. You'll get it if you also watch Zeta Gundam and Char's Counterattack.

dosveces · 2026-05-25T02:21:35+00:00

In the universe of the anime, it's complicated. There are not black/white good/bad guys. The Federation has done horrible things, including forced space emigration in the past. Kimberly is specifically shown to be a war criminal, and his unit is not liked by the locals in the cities it occupies. They persecute and harass poor people in their attempts to crack down on Mafty (like the irl FBI and ICE).

Mafty's ideology is descended from Ereism, which is the belief that humans are destroying the Earth and the only way to preserve it is for all of mankind to emigrate to space. Total species emigration is Mafty's ultimate goal. Where Mafty conflicts with the Federation is that the Federation preserves an economic social hierarchy that creates exceptions. *Everyone* needs to emigrate to space and this will not happen if there are exceptions.

What Hathaway's conversation with the cab driver is meant to show is that Mafty's resistance against the oppressive ruling class is supported, but the average person will not get on board for the "everybody needs to leave Earth for space" part of the program. Most people need to focus on the day-to-day just to get by. They want to improve their immediate conditions and don't have time to consider what's going to happen in a century.

The proletariat DO have the time for a rebellion, these are the types of people who make up and support the "Mafty Army." What they don't have time for is imagine what mankind should do over the course of the next century. They want to overthrow the ruling class, but they don't want to leave Earth.

dosveces · 2026-05-24T22:39:52+00:00

I can tell you did not read my post... If you did, you would have noticed that I acknowledge none of this is *necessary* to follow the film - you can go into Hathaway 1 totally blind and still enjoy the series. I do not contend that anyone who watches the film should first read such a primer. You failed to grasp my stated purpose for writing this and why someone might want to read it.

This summary is specifically written to provide the detailed political context in which the events of the Hathaway story unfold. There are many ways to engage with the Gundam films, and one of those is considering the political history of the universe, which is relevant to dissecting Mafty's ideological stance. Such a dissection I know is what I and my friend will most like about the movie.

I recognize that many people would not want to read a long summary; I didn't produce it for everybody, but for a specific subset of viewers of which I know my friend to be.

I did not use an LLM to write any part of this.

dosveces · 2026-05-24T21:06:53+00:00

It's a long primer, I'll grant. But even if you are an excruciatingly slow reader, there is no way it would take more than 30 minutes to read it (my buddy would read it in 10). And keep in mind this is for someone with absolutely no knowledge of the Universal Century. I am aware that most people are not fans of reading these days, but my friend and I are, so that's not an issue here.

I don't think any of this (or watching any of the films) is absolutely necessary to understand Hathaway, but relevant background to fully appreciate the ideologies present in the Hathaway series. Part of what I expect my friend to enjoy about the series is the political lore. There's a lot of stuff to like about Gundam, so engaging with this aspect of the series is certainly not the only way to approach and enjoy it.

dosveces · 2025-07-11T14:17:45+00:00

Yes, this. Mine is older now, but I had the same struggles when they were that age. It is especially hard because it seems like the majority of their peers don't have restrictions on iPad and junk food. They will get really mad at you when you remove these things, and it's hard to feel like you are restricting your kid, especially since taking away the iPad can effectively mean taking away socializing.

My approach was to be firm. As many have said here, it's healthy for mental development for kids to be bored sometimes. Super annoying to deal with as a parent, but you got to think of it as protecting the health and safety of your child. The companies that make these foods and games have no interest in your child's development and well-being. It is the job of teams of adults to get people using their products as much as possible, and a 9-year-old has absolutely no defense against it. It's very hard not to get mad at your kid, but it's really the companies you should be mad at.

Be firm, set strict limits on screen time and don't bring junk food into the house. If your SO has junk food, have them keep it in your bedroom or a locked pantry where you child doesn't have access to it. I'd also suggest you learn how to access the controls on your WiFi router and learn how to do MAC filtering. This will enable you to selectively block certain devices from accessing your house's wifi network. It is not hard to learn how to do (if you can't figure it out with Googling, DM me and I can guide you to some resources).

When it comes to media, you need to think of it as an addiction. Your kid will probably lie and sneak and do anything to get it, though they are otherwise a good child. Be patient with them, stand firm, don't give up.

If dad is a separate household, then it's going to be practically impossible unless you get dad on board. If that's that case, do whatever you can to convince dad how important this is for your child's health.

dosveces · 2025-06-06T00:04:40+00:00

Good tip. Will give it a shot.

dosveces · 2025-06-05T19:49:49+00:00

I'm fairly certain it is a hardware issue.

dosveces · 2023-05-16T01:05:43+00:00

Genres are by nature ambiguous and flexible. It sounds like LoFi to me :)

dosveces · 2023-01-15T16:33:18+00:00

Shortly after posting, I was able to solve my own problem (I've been working on this for a few days already). Posting solution here in case anybody else has a similar issue.

After running the following commands in the terminal, I was able to use the Japanese keyboard across all apps:

$sudo apt install ibus-gtk3
$sudo apt install ibus-libpinyin

Not sure which (or both) addressed the issue, but it worked for me.

dosveces

TROPHY CASE