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"Happy life with the machines scattered around the room,
Look what they made; they made it for me, happy technology;
Outside, the lions roam feeding on remains,
We'll never leave, look at us now;
So in love with the way we are... here.
The world that the children made."
" - Chris James, "The Veldt" by deadmau5 (feat. Chris James)



Aloha there guys, Dylan or TheDarkOfNight-D here with a journal update!

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NEWS FROM THE LIFE OF D (Dil):

So, what's up folks?

So, the first few days of 2013 have flew by with some good friendly hangouts and some good times had, and I've been feeling totally superb about it! Nothing really big has happened in these last whiles and days, beyond chatting to the folks about college and of course, working on the occasion.  So far, costs seem to be the problematic with college, especially with the fields I want to get into (screenwriting and graphic arts), but I'm planning to work around it soon enough, to try and make a plan soon at least. Winter has also been rolling by, as recently some rain has come along to wipe away snow that's staking itself from over time as well, so the humidity's been going back earlier than expected. Anyways, otherwise; things have been same 'ol, same 'ol; so I'll get on with some news for ya!

First off, my friend took me to see a grim film today; a film that has been a huge Academy player and a film that seems to be referencing a key point in the last decade in America. And that is of course, the 9/11 / Al Qaeda arc where Americans, Canadians and many others kept the peace in Afghanistan and tried to scour out Osama Bin Laden after the destruction of the World Trade Center and the memoriam of Ground Zero. The film in question is "Zero Dark Thirty", a film that dropped into North America this month after a lot of controversy revolving around the filming and subject matter. So, how was the film? ...HOLY. COW. This film was an experience. The film not only takes into account all of the events that happened between the 2001 calamity and the 2011 death of Osama, but also splits it into a four act film. The acting and cinematography of the film is greatly achieved, accomplishing a mesh of acting from the characters including the hellbent main character Maya (played by Jessica Chastain), and the soldiers within the film; with that of real life media and audio from the disasters as they happened. Like the bombing in the CIA base or the London bus bombing (both events included in the film). The main character, Maya is a perfect example of what war can do that to people, and as the film progresses, the emotional impact and the changes she goes through is simply a powerful enough message and moral alone that war isn't the best way to resolve things. The only downside to it was that it was a tad bit dragging, but it picked that up with enough details and information thrown into the film to make it still feel connected. The film is indeed graphic, and indeed a risk of a watch; but if you do get the chance to watch it, go ahead and do so, as the film is a great yet controversial watch. Not worth Best Picture, but indeed worthy of other nominations, if you ask me. Anyways, thoughts done; onto other deals!

"TRON Uprising", Disney's courteously and popular animated TRON spin-off series has actually had a soundtrack released recently, featuring material from of course, series composer Joseph Trapanese; alongside remixed material from Opiuo, 3OH!3 and even that of Disney's resident Hollywood Records DJ Cole Plante. I actually have it, and it's quite the emotional and electro-rockin' soundtrack; if you're a fan of the series, then I'd recommend it. However, I've gotten some bad news in addition to that one. And it involves the same series I'm talkin' about. It appears that only after one season and a ton of timeslot moving in the US, Disney's finally thrown the cancellation sign onto "TRON Uprising". This in turn is unfair, as Disney only canned it due to the struggle in timeslot, and thus, the drop in audience was their fault and their fault alone. However, there are ways we can help; and that's by petitioning to Disney and bringing back the series alongside it's companion "Motorcity", which has also been cancelled from Disney XD as well. Petitions exist out there, look around; I among other Programs would love to see the show come back. As for now though, we can enjoy and keep the viewership strong for the last few episodes set to air and also grab and support the new soundtrack that came out. Also, let us pray to the I/O Towers that Uprising comes back. Anyways, next!

So, if you don't know, "Wreck-It Ralph" has a big Disney favorite of mine in the last while since I watched it in November; and unfortunate to say that the whole world hasn't exactly been exposed to the WRECK'N hero's film, as Japan and the United Kingdom haven't seen it yet. Before I get onto what's going on with the others, lemme say that the film is finally set for a release over here in North America on both February 11th and March 5th; releasing first in digital and then in home entertainment form after. However, beyond the DVD release is the upcoming UK release on February 8th, and the upcoming Japanese release of the film as "Shuuga Rasshu" or "Sugar Rush" on March 23rd. It's assumed the Japanese version of the film may have something completely different with it, considering the film is called "Sugar Rush" instead of the usual Ralph name. Beyond that, the UK release is marketing the film in a different way; as their fellow street in London, Brick Lane's Truman Brewery is being transformed into "8BitLane". And it's just how the name is, Brick Lane being gussied up with 8bit models and caricatures in an attempt to harken back to classic gaming. Check it out here, Disney posted up a video for you guys to see, while we move on:



While still on the subject, the Oscar nominations have since come out; boasting such films as "Zero Dark Thirty", "Argo", "Lincoln", "Life of Pi", and many others vying for the title of Best Picture. But what of Disney's branch? Well, THREE of the films in the running for Best Animated Feature are Disney films. One's the Pixar film "Brave", the Scottish film that could and did. Another's Tim Burton's own remake and Halloween opus last year "Frankenweenie". And the last was of course, the video-game wrecker "Wreck-It Ralph". In addition, Disney's short attached to the third option, "Paperman", is nominated for a nice animated short film nomination, and thus; Disney's quadruple force is down in stone. Add to the fact that "The Hobbit" and "The Avengers" also have small nominations, and this makes it a solid hard choice on who to keep a vote for. However, in AND out of Disney, I'm hoping for only the best of the best to win when the Oscars happen later next month, so, fingers crossed!

So, on one last note though... if you haven't heard the news from friends ~Stitchthebest36 and ~Chris-Dilke, you'll know that the sequel series to "Stitch!", "Stitch! ~Zutto Saiko no Tomodachi~" is getting dubbed and is already running underway with a nicely planned Experiment number contest. The question is, am I excited? Well, to be honest... I'm not too crazy. Now, let me explain. I have seen each and every episode of "Stitch!", the original AND Zutto Saiko combined. Same goes for the dub; I've seen every episode of the dub up to Zutto Saiko though, obviously through the English dub unearthed by ~Chris-Dilke before his removal of the episodes. The only thing I haven't seen is the Japanese special "Stitch To Suna No Wakusei", but that hasn't emerged yet, but anyways; onto the point. Out of both series, between Madhouse's and Shin-Ei's, I'm absolutely ecstatic over Madhouse's two-season original. Now, don't get me wrong; "Stitch! ~Zutto Saiko no Tomodachi~" is a decent enough series, and it's got some good points to it. Not to mention, I'm actually happy to see they dubbed it and didn't just leave it at Madhouse's. But my problem is that while Zutto Saiko looks nice and feels nice, there was lots different to the series that lacked the original flair and meat to the bone that Masami Hata had for the series; as per, the Okinawan lore and presence to it. The animation style and everything else to it completely changes it into another show entirely too. It had a lot to live up to, and I feel it didn't do too much to do that beyond the Lilo episode; which I thought was one of the strongest episodes of Zutto Saiko. Not to mention they roped in the director who was doing "Digimon Xros Wars" at the time, and Xros Wars was excellent. This sequel series wasn't to my taste though, and as a fan of the anime, that's surprising. Again, I'm happy to see how the the sequel series' dub goes, and how things roll on with the dub, but after watching the Japanese version in it's entirety back in the day, I'm gonna stick to the original "Stitch!". No offense to Zutto Saiko, but I'd much rather do what Disney Channel Japan does and leave both "Stitch!" and "Stitch! ~Zutto Saiko no Tomodachi~" as separate series, but equal in essence. To me? "Stitch!" > "Stitch! ~Zutto Saiko no Tomodachi~". Plain and simple. However, if I do end up seeing the Zutto Saiko dub, I won't hesitate seeing it, as the series is still decent enough for an occasional watch.

As well, is anyone looking for PSN IDs? If so and you're wondering about mine, mine's NeonYuna626. So, if you wanna, go right ahead and add me. Anyone with a Wii or 3DS who also wants to play me, just ask.

Anyways, I'll be back next time for more news to strife on next journal. Now onto other matters!

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"SONGS OF THE MOMENT" SECTION:

This week's "Songs of the Moment" are two completely offset ones, that is of usual electronic fare, but comes from an artist you wouldn't expect, so let's go on:

Skrillex or the artist known as Sonny Moore is one of the biggest names in the dubstep genre. However, he's been dabbling outside of the dubstep genre nowadays, like with the example of his side project with Boys Noize called Dog Blood. On top of that, the OWSLA frontman has also dropped a recent EP called "Leaving", a three-track one only available to those subscribed to his OWSLA web music service on drip.fm, "The NEST". This first song is from this EP, and is the title track, called "Leaving". The song is a different one from Sonny's usual fare, because if you've heard a Skrillex track before, you would know that it is filled with loud sample work, synths that growl and of course; keeps something that listeners know is heavy and thumping. This track however, leaves that sound for a much lighter almost simple darkly house sound, and also features a melody from Sonny's unreleased solo work "Copaface". The story of this song comes from Sonny's leave of Mexico, as his time there was most notedly incredible; though there are hints that this could also hint towards Sonny's leave from Big Beat Records and Atlantic Records in the coming months after one final EP release. That theory is very faint though. With a sound that harkens back to Burial, Skrillex's new track "Leaving" is a listen that you'll be surprised to call a Skrillex song. And I mean very surprised, as the sound is a breath of fresh air from the heavy growling synths he's delivered. And yes. This is very real, Nestlings.

Skrillex - "Leaving"


Meanwhile, the other song I'm featuring isn't another Sonny-related tune, but it's from an OWSLA artist named Seven Lions. The producer, Jeff Montalvo is an influential and recent one, fusing together the elements of dubstep with the surprising form of trance, creating a fusion of what one could call "trancestep". He only came into the scene two years ago with some remixes for popular acts like Florence + The Machine and Paul Van Dyk and his original EP called "Polarize". His recent OWSLA EP, "Days To Come" featured four tracks that showed of his intriguing music, including the one I chose out of the four, called "Fractals". A little more heavier than his more stellar powerhouses on the EP, the track features a powerful build-up, and an even more powerful electronic smashdown; Jeff shows his attuned and unique production skills in this heavy "trancestep" song. Among the EP, it's a different one, and third track out of it, but it comes off as a four to the floor production, and a solid state of trance. Take a look and roar with this lion, you may or may not be disappointed.

Seven Lions - "Fractals"


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COUNTDOWN SECTION:

TV/FILMS:

OZ: The Great and Powerful: = March 8, 2013
Oblivion: = April 12, 2013
Iron Man 3: = May 3, 2013
The Great Gatsby: = May 10, 2013
Monsters University: = June 21, 2013
The Lone Ranger: = July 3, 2013
Pacific Rim: = July 12, 2013
Thor: The Dark World: = November 8, 2013
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: = November 23, 2013
Frozen: = November 27, 2013
The Muppets 2: = 2013

Phineas and Ferb Live-Action/Animated Film: = 2014
Maleficent: = March 14, 2014
TR3N: = 20??
The Avengers 2: = 20??
Finding Nemo 2: = 20??
Toy Story 4: = 20??
Cinderella (Live-Action): = 20??
Captain America: The Winter Soldier: = 20??
Disney Double Dare You's The Haunted Mansion: = 20??
The Black Hole Remake: = 20??
Tux / Tuxedo Gin: = 20??
Aida Movie: = 20??
The Magic Kingdom: = 20??
1906: = 20??
Mickey Mouse Film: = 20??

MUSIC:

Josh Groban - "All That Echoes" = February 5, 2013
Modestep - "Evolution Theory" = February 11, 2013
Teddy Killerz - "Toys Riot EP" (The NEST Exclusive) =February 11, 2013
Atoms for Peace - "Amok" = February 18, 2013
The M Machine - "Metropolis: Part 2" = February 19, 2013
Major Lazer - "Free The Universe" = February 19, 2013
Kavinsky - "Outrun" = February 25, 2013
Blood Diamonds - "Barcode" = February 26, 2013
Michal Menert - "Elements EP" = February 2013
Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike and MOGUAI - "Mammoth" = March 4, 2013
How To Destroy Angels - "Welcome Oblivion" = March 5, 2013
Reso - "Tangram: Remixed" = March 11, 2013
Lockah - "Only Built 4 Neon Lites" = March 11, 2013
Dirtyphonics - "Irreverence" = March 2013
Birdy Nam Nam - Untitled New Remix Album = March 2013
Various Artists - "Spring Breakers Soundtrack" = March 2013
M83 - "Oblivion Soundtrack" = March / April 2013
Doctor P - "Animal Vegetable Mineral: Part 2" = March / April 2013
Paramore - "Paramore" = April 9, 2013
Black Sabbath - "13" = June 2013

Alvin Risk - Untitled New EP = 2013
Daft Punk - Untitled New Album = 2013
Kill Paris - "To A New Earth" = 2013
Noisecontrollers and Showtek - "Get Loose" = 2013
Datsik - "Vitamin D: Remixes" = 2013
J-DEVIL (aka Jonathan Davis) - Untitled New EP = 2013
J-DEVIL (aka Jonathan Davis) - "Spike In My Veins (feat. NOISIA)" = 2013
Le Castle Vania - Untitled New Album = 2013
Depeche Mode - Untitled New Album = 2013
BT - Untitled New Album = 2013
Chase & Status - Untitled New Album = 2013
The Glitch Mob - Untitled New Album = 2013
La Roux - Untitled New Album = 2013
Sub Focus - Untitled New Album = 2013
Chromeo - Untitled New Album = 2013
Red Hot Chili Peppers - "I'm With You Sessions" = 2013
My Chemical Romance - "Conventional Weapons Sessions" = 2013
My Chemical Romance - Untitled New Album = 2013
The Prodigy - "How To Steal A Jet Fighter" = 2013

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ART / STORY NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

'Kay! Some art and story news for ya here. First of all, I unfortunately, within the first part of the new year, haven't gotten into some more work for "AQUOS" and "Stitch! ~ Crossed Timelines"; but do not fret! I'm hoping to start on Part 3 and Part 2 of them soon and respectively. Otherwise, I've also gotten more designs from friend ~HappyAggro for my upcoming story "TREASEARY", so more plus to there. Separately, I've got a few developments here. First of all, for those following me and *Son-Void's collab "Squid Stitched", you'd be happy to know it's a new month and a good time to be writing at a new part... hopefully when we get the chance. We also have to get the sixth part up too, which is another thing. Second, the has been holding collaborative works recently, and as soon as a heroines collab comes up... I'm convinced to shoot into there with a certain heroine and favorite of mine... keep your eyes peeled. Third, I have had plenty of new commissions and requests and gifts done, and I wanted to feature them first.

One is a duo of point commissions involving two of my story universes by *Son-Void. First was an "AQUOS" fan art I requested up featuring his own stylized Romy and Marina. The second is a nice fun and competitive pic between Yuna and his OC Teruko having a breathhold battle... but knowing characters, it seems a bit one-sided. Check 'em here:



The second is a long awaited commission I paid a pretty penny for from an artist known as ~DFer32. And from that; I decided to commission my favorite two Disney characters, Yuna and Stitch; in a nice and summery commish, something unlike the winter season that hangs upon Canada. The style came out in a psuedo-realistic sense, and the coloring and such was incredibly well done! Don't believe me? Take a look here:



The other two are from friends of mine; gifts from ~Stitchlovergirl96 and ~BlueIke! One's a late birthday gift for me, one that features Stitch nomming own a cake... that was supposed to be mine. Thanks, but sokka's not gonna give back a cake, Stitch. The other is a gift comic of a ShoutmonXStitch combination that OWNS Gantu at his own biz, featuring Taiki and Yuna! Honestly, if me and ~BlueIke were shooting for a collab; I would love to do so in the style of his gift comic here. Anyways, check 'em as well:



Other than those commissions and gifts; expect a few more down the pipeline as is, and expect their featurings to be a usual in this year's journals. Anyways, expect the two new parts of "Stitch! ~ Crossed Timelines" and "AQUOS" to be started up sometime this month, and expect development for the new "Squid Stitched" part this month too. Fingers crossed!

As you guys also obviously know, I've got collabs I'm doing as well, mainly just writing ones at the moment. Some are huge projects of mine like "TREASEARY" or that of my "Lion King" stories; while others I did specifically as collaborative efforts with others. Hit up my Side Projects in my Writing Schedule and you'll see them. So, anytime you guys wanna try and write a collab together, note me or contact me with an idea and maybe we can try it out? Or perhaps you can hit me up for an RP sometime too; I do those as well.

WRITING & ART RELEASE OUTLINE/SCHEDULE
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CURRENT WRITING PROJECTS:
"AQUOS" <Working on Part 3 of 11>
"Stitch! ~ Crossed Timelines" <Working on Part 2 of 10>

SIDE PROJECTS (WRITING):
"StitchXDisney" Cross Stories (by !AnnyMorrison)
"Crossed Dimensions 2: Teh Sequelz (with ~justsomenut626)
"Stitch! ~ Face of the Depths" Bloopers (with ~Slushy-Fan)
"Squid Stitched" (with *Son-Void)

COMING SOON IN TERMS OF WRITING PROJECTS:
TREASEARY (with ~HappyAggro)
"A STITCH In Reality"
"The Lion King: Descension" and  "The Lion King III: Simba's Lineage" (with ~KingPengvien)

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CURRENT ART PROJECTS:
N/A

SIDE PROJECTS (ART)
"AQUOS" Character Designs / Theatrical Poster
"Stitch! ~ Crossed Timelines" Theatrical Poster
"TREASEARY" Teaser Posters / Future Projects / Character Designs / Theatrical Poster <Most likely working on these with ~HappyAggro and ~Tanaya001.>

COMING SOON IN TERMS OF ART PROJECTS:
"A STITCH In Reality" Theatrical Poster / Character Sheet / Teaser Poster
More Stitch!XDisney Crosses

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If anyone's interested, I have also made a Yuna reference sheet out of screencaps and all, showcasing several of her attires in the Stitch! series (first series [Season 1 + Season 2] only). Whoever wants it, go ahead and note or comment me and I'll be happy to provide it for you.

And as always, I would love for more to join in with some help for art, musical scores, or what have you; anything you have would be great and a big help to any of the projects I have lined up!

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MUTUAL OHANA SECTION:



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That's it for this journal dudes, so, see ya guys next journal and as I would say, mahalo and aloha folks! Ichariba Chode!

Dil  // TheDarkOfNight - D ~