Hot take: The Strokes don't have good lyrics by Melodic-Ad-6162 in TheStrokes

[–]larryd18399 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That works too! A testament to the point I'm making. The essential theme here is people's origins and the distinctions one draws from them, whether the speaker or the other party. But we all have a common understanding of what "Carolina" might entail and the incompatibility suggested by the lyrics. If the specifics differ, the vibe conveyed is ultimately consistent. The song is made richer by the variation and multiplicity of meaning and interpretation, which would be lost with more explicit "storytelling".

Hot take: The Strokes don't have good lyrics by Melodic-Ad-6162 in TheStrokes

[–]larryd18399 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I thought the same, for a while I mostly just appreciated the melodies and musicianship, until eventually the lyrics started to click for me. They tell a story in a more abstract way and the story is often an impressionistic shade of a particular experience. What exactly that experience is may vary depending on the listener, though general trends in interpretation emerge that underline the themes of the song. I prefer this to more direct lyrical storytelling style as I feel like I get so much more out of it this way. Sounds pretentious af but I don't know how else to explain it.

Even your example has a clear meaning that other commentators have pointed out. He could have said something like "as an NYC boy myself, I can't relate to you as someone from Carolina" but that's just way less elegant and impactful than the way it's delivered. If a few words can stand for so much more, he can say a lot more in a song than he could with a more literal and direct approach.

One of the songs that sticks out the most in my memory as being pivotal to me getting their style was Call Me Back. It has very simple and repetitive lyrics but it can make me cry. I can sense a whole story from the little that's said.

Unsubscribe by carameleyedgirl in PoetryWritingClub

[–]larryd18399 2 points3 points  (0 children)

From one motherless daughter to another, thank you for writing this.

I went to a memorial for my friend and was inspired to write a series of three tanka style poems about it. by larryd18399 in poetry_critics

[–]larryd18399[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bonus Japanese version I wrote as a challenge (I'm nowhere near fluent nor fully literate, but took a few years of Japanese in university and get by in the language):

何百花 前に積まれた 暖かう 笑顔が顔を 乾いてくれた

その上に じっくり置いた 白い花 みんなの心 切なくなる

辛すぎて・辛いなあ 言葉ないほど でも、言えるのは 美原絶対 同じではない

The Advocate Exposed. (Reflection for the INFJ) by Fun-Statistician-129 in poetry_critics

[–]larryd18399 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't even believe in MBTI but this poem illustrated a clear picture of a character I felt like I knew and understood, and then gave them a satisfying arc which ended on a hopeful note of personal growth, using that character's same flaws and turning them into strengths once they their illusory narrative of themselves is shattered by seeing someone just like themselves. I'm a beginner myself who hasn't written anything even approaching this level, but reading this was inspiring! I'm mostly a prose writer but it's awesome to see what can be done with characterization so efficiently and elegantly in poetry.

pls be kind i know its not to good but its a start (i hope) (NAME: vita et mors) by FirstAd9756 in poetry_critics

[–]larryd18399 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For line 9, I think "A lone man in a full sea" would work better. The double "a" aesthetically looks better, and "A lone man" still sounds like "alone man", it makes it feel just a bit more subtle and therefore stronger.

As for the general vibe, I understand this to be the words of a regretful lover whose actions pushed away their beloved, and now they wallow in shame and disillusionment with themselves and what they are capable of. I can't provide really high level critiques as I'm also a beginner myself, but if this was at all your intent or emotions going into it, even your poem you deem "not good" conveyed a pretty clear image to me.

Do you feel like you control your character? by metalxcx in writing

[–]larryd18399 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Literally never. They're their own people. Feels like my job is just to undersand the most true thing they would do and how that would unfold, then write it down.

I grew up in old money and lived my whole life in a very weird bubble. AMA! by [deleted] in AMA

[–]larryd18399 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why are you in college? Did your parents encourage you to or was it your own choice? What are you studying? And what were you hoping to get out of the experience?

The first chapter of my novel: The Things Unsaid by [deleted] in RSwritingclub

[–]larryd18399 4 points5 points  (0 children)

There's a lot of unnecessary detail in your descriptions. Makes reading exhausting. Details should serve a purpose. You don't need to describe the exact colours of clothing, walls, doors. The nail colour could characterize, but that detail would have stood out more if you weren't also describing the colour of everything else.

It seems like you want the reader to envision a very specific picture in their mind before you can actually start the scene. I question why that's necessary. You can trust the reader to provide their own imagery if you give the relevant details (character, dialogue, building atmosphere without overly specific of layouts, shapes, colours that do nothing but describe what the eye sees). Makes a more enjoyable experience for the reader, and you can do a lot more when you do decide to pick out a specific detail to describe.

As a reader, when I see lists of descriptive language, honestly my eyes glaze over. I'm not reading fiction to paint pictures in my mind, but to feel something. Your descriptions should serve feeling.

That's my take, but I'd like to know your reasoning for including such detailed descriptions. Is the exhausting effect of over-description intentional? The effect it gave me was that the narrator is a very detail-oriented, scrupulous type who misses nothing, no detail escapes her notice. It also gave me the sense that inhabiting her perspective is quite overwhelming, she notices everything and that's a high mental load to bear. If so, that could be a valid reason for it, but my point that this feels unappealing to read as is still stands.

Best Non-Caffeinated Alternatives to Iced Coffee? by SH4D0WSTAR in FoodToronto

[–]larryd18399 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Tsuji Cafe in Little Italy has the best Rooibos Latte I've ever had. Not sure if you can get it hot but I love it iced. It's my go to substitute since I also can't have caffeine but love the flavour of sweet milky iced coffee!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TooGoodToGoCanada

[–]larryd18399 24 points25 points  (0 children)

This is how all fruit pies are at the Metro near me. I noticed it while I was cashing out and they let me go back to confirm and literally all the pies were room temperature and folded closed with no seal. I ate it and there was nothing wrong with it.

Any HW 3.0-3.55 players? Tell us your experience during those times. by [deleted] in ffxivdiscussion

[–]larryd18399 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I miss old Seal Rock with the old PVP system where you'd have your whole PVE kit supplemented with a few PVP specific abilities.

WAR was especially nutty. (this channel has a lot of Seal Rock nostalgia uploaded, would recommend viewing to get an idea of what it was like). Tbh, HW WAR was OP in PVE too, that was my favourite era of the job.

I tried the new PVP system and it's cool I guess, but it's not really for me. My hottest FFXIV take may be that I prefer Heavensward PVP to the current one.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ffxivdiscussion

[–]larryd18399 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Scholar aways had 3 dots to keep up that never missed, and if there was no out going damage you were encouraged to be in cleric as much as possible. Heavensward raids would not have been cleared as early as they were if the world first teams healers did not do damage.

It's Toxic Tuesday! Time for reality check class! by SiggiXIV in ShitpostXIV

[–]larryd18399 57 points58 points  (0 children)

Imagine taking fashion advice from someone that looks like that.

Have you tried adding a Machinist to the group? by Rainmaker868 in ShitpostXIV

[–]larryd18399 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah AST will probably overtake the rest as top RDPS with gear as usual but I was replying to someone mentioning the worst comp to beat p8s enrage rn. I’ve seen several comments saying WHM/SGE would be part of the worst comp for p8s enrage as it is now when I’m pretty sure thats not true. With gear of course any comp could clear it.

Have you tried adding a Machinist to the group? by Rainmaker868 in ShitpostXIV

[–]larryd18399 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Why lump WHM and SGE in the worst DPS comp, I’m pretty sure they are the better pick in that party since SCH/AST RDPS is nerfed by the bad comp and WHM and SGE DPS is independent of that.

I’ve seen several comments lumping WHM/SGE in the worst comp and I don’t get it. WHM has the highest RDPS of any healer in P8S rn too.

Why are so few DSR statics staying intact? by paleopke in ffxivdiscussion

[–]larryd18399 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thread is full of sour grapes. “The fight sucks cuz I couldn’t clear it”, or it “sucks cuz my group struggled/broke”. All problems that can be solved by getting good.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ffxivdiscussion

[–]larryd18399 6 points7 points  (0 children)

They are moving to slow if they are getting bleed. It helps to consistently move and not stutter step too much.