Making Diamonds Out of Dust

I can still recall the words I never fail to tell my mom before going to bed, “Story telling, story telling, story telling.” Ever since I was young, I have always been hooked on storytelling. Then, new technology started to rise, the impossible was made possible, and so my fascination grew.

Humans are natural storytellers. Storytelling existed in all civilizations through time. It involves passing on knowledge from one generation to another. Being in the 21^st century gives us the satisfaction of living with the new and improved way of storytelling – digital storytelling. This is the practice of combining narrative with digital content which includes images, sound, and video to create a short movie that is almost always combined with a strong emotional component. Digital storytelling, with the help of technology nowadays, opened up doors for experimentations and innovations.

The Snowfall project of the New York Times has been said to be the future of online storytelling as it combines text, graphics, photography and loops video in a parallax scrolling form. After going through different snowfall-like projects, I settled with the most unique case I have encountered in terms of plot and elements – Pitchfork’s Glitter in the Dark (http://pitchfork.com/features/cover-story/reader/bat-for-lashes/). But before anything else, what is Pitchfork in the first place?

 Pitchfork Media, commonly referred to as Pitchfork, is a Chicago-based online music magazine which has created a series of multimedia interviews as part of their ongoing ‘cover story’ section. What’s more interesting is that Pitchfork’s articles are extremely tailored to the artist or band that they cover. Another unique thing I have noticed about Pitchfork is that the use of graphics, typography, colors, and animation styles of each feature matches perfectly with the subject.

Unlike cliché romantic stories told online, Pitchfork’s Glitter in the Dark by Laura Snapes is about the story of recording artist Natasha Khan, better known as the musical act “Bat for Lashes,” and how her past shaped and helped her to become at peace with herself through all the struggles she went through.  

While stories are shared to the world through blogs and articles, Pitchfork goes to a whole new level with creativity in telling the story. Unlike normal things we see online, Glitter in the Dark is distinctive as it layers multiple shots in the background that changes as you scroll, as if an actual photoshoot is taking place. Each time you scroll down, you see Natasha Khan coming to life, moving from one position to the next, showing various expressions and telling a different story.

The shots of Khan range from full body to intimate close-up shots which allow the audience to feel the subject which makes everything more exciting. The sharp eye contact of Khan in her close-up shots transcends the initial view of her image and allows readers like me to establish that personal connection. These images are powerful as they draw us in, keep our interest, and give us time to view the entire image as the eyes of her portrait look into our eyes. When I first saw the photo, I felt a connection with Khan as if I was sharing the moment with her. It’s hard to describe in words the feeling that it does need words to explain it... because we just. feel. it.

The color also adds up to the uniqueness of the whole piece as it uses a monochrome effect – using only a black and white theme. Colors can be terribly distracting in some images and can also take the focus away from the subject. Almost all photos in the piece are portraits. Because of this, I think that taking out the color of an image lets the subject, Khan, in this case, speak for herself. I find these photos amazing because they are raw, stripped back, honest, and most important of all, they allow the subject to show the person she truly is. Black and white may sound boring, but I’d say that there’s more than what meets the eye. There are so many shades in between and I really love how the photographer deals with the challenge of bringing them all out in Khan’s images. The creative process of using black and white images is so artistic as if molding clay where you can shape it into a myriad of shapes. In fact, black and white images can be strong with its high contrast and powerful impact or they can also be so soft, gentle, and subtle which conveys a different tone and mood.

Another unique thing about Snapes’ Glitter in the Dark is that Khan’s music plays in the background while one is reading and scrolling through the story of Khan. This is not something that is common to stories posted online and what easily caught my attention was the ambiance the music adds while I was carefully reading the singer’s story. The music speaks a lot about what Khan was going through. It starts from a mellow tone which engages the reader in her emotions and lets the reader know that even if Khan is struggling and facing difficulties, one will know that she is trying to fight and survive. The music goes upbeat in the middle of the song and after this part, I was in awe. I was teary-eyed. The lyrics do contribute to the over-all digital storytelling experience. My favorite was when Khan sang the last line of her song “Lilies” which says, “Thank God, I’m alive.” Even after all the storms in her life, at the end of the day, she still manages to look at the bright side of life and thank God for everything, for bringing her that far.

How the whole text was organized and arranged is also something to dwell on. The patterns on the screen allow interaction with the narrative and full-screen strips of alternating text and image. After every chapter of Khan’s life, a quote from her is emphasized which makes the story itself livelier.

"I got really fed up with seeing women naked and feeling unempowered by it so, for the album cover, I didn't shave my legs, or dye my moustache, or pluck my eyebrows."

This, by far, is my favorite quote from Khan. Quotes like these which are placed in between the narratives also serve as attention grabbers and lessen the reader’s chance to get bored. These quotes are short yet strong and they bring about the most important key points that the author wants to share to the world.

The graphics, typography, and animation styles also follow the story’s theme. The font is simple, basic, and blends well with the topic.  Ample white space and simple contrast makes the text appealing and easy to read. Khan’s page really does glitter in the dark in classic black and grey hues. All in all, Glitter in the Dark is considered an innovation as it goes far from the norm. It gives the readers a new experience through the use of its designs and parallax form that also allows different reactions from the readers. As previously said, what sets this case apart from the other stories posted online is the innovative photography which creates a stop-animation feel. As you move through the article, images of Khan move with you as well. Things like this do not usually happen in just any other article. It gives the readers a new perspective and attracts them to the piece.

Unlike famous singer Taylor Swift’s blog, Khan’s case is unique because of the innovations and the graphics used. While the fact that Taylor Swift is widely known makes people read her posts, the new elements present in Khan’s story clearly shows how these can attract more and more readers. The layout and effects applied in Khan’s case is not something familiar to the world. As a result, people tend to go for the new trends and those that give them a different experience. This proves to show how digital storytelling changes and improves storytelling.

Other Pitchfork articles cover the same topic - centering on an artist or band. Daft Punk (http://pitchfork.com/features/cover-story/reader/daft-punk/), for instance, also uses particular graphics and effects based on its theme. Daft Punk uses jolty, robotic animation to introduce new elements to the readers and makes an impact through these. It also uses  'techy' font and style for the text which moves from a binary presentation through to letters on scroll. Like Glitter in the Dark, the experience upon encountering and reading Daft Punk as a whole submerges the reader into what is effectively the branding of the group.

Another similar story that touches on the same theme is No Heroes by Laura Snapes (http://pitchfork.com./features/cover-story/reader/savages/), author of Glitter in the Dark. Like the interview with Khan, alongside the interview of the Savages, the designs and execution also maximize the potential of the cover story and the experience goes a long, long, way. The features of this case uses the same principles as those that are used in the previous stories but in its own unique way, also makes an entirely different effect.While the man appears to be a GIF, the words are somehow distorted making the readers also feel what the man is actually going through.

It is an undeniable fact that people nowadays are exploring the potential within digital publishing in order to make online storytelling even more exciting. They make the most of new technologies so as to elevate content. Time will come, I believe, that people will forget about what it feels like to have the paper under their fingers. When such time arrives, the content for sure will faultlessly include striking animation, interactive narrative flow, and astounding design which will leave readers in awe of the things they read, see, and experience online. Imagine going through articles and cases with these types of innovations, and try to ask yourself, how far could digital storytelling take us? Through creativity, thoughtfulness, and innovations, we are able - we are able to make diamonds out of dust.

From Facebook to Snapchat

As the saying goes, “change is inevitable.” Change can’t be avoided, evaded, or escaped. “It’ll happen whether you like it or not. We all know it’s going to happen because it just does,” my brother used to say.

As we all know, Facebook used to be one of the top social media avenues that teens use regularly, but as time passed, research showed that teens refrain from using social media for intimate options. As mentioned in the article, “people are actually transitioning from broadcast social media and switching instead to using narrowcast tools like Messenger or Snapchat.” The question is, “Why? Why are teens leaving Facebook?”

If you ask the college students, they won’t deny the fact that most parents monitor their kids’ activities through Facebook. The students, on the other hand, don’t want their parents’ to see their Friday night-outs with friends. Students also think that once photos are posted in Facebook, they will be there forever. By using Snapchat, they know that parents won’t be able to track them as well as the photos they share with their friends. Because of the fact that some employers use social media profiles to form assessments, teenagers have the tendency to create multiple profiles under various names. I have had this friend who made three Facebook accounts – one for personal account, another for fan-girl account, and one more for public profile. They carefully curate the content they post and control which ones they want certain audiences to see. Some opt not to use Facebook as it is also used for advertising platform wherein the company said to have earned almost $18 billion.

When you come to think of it, Facebook users are really decreasing. Teens choose to go for private messaging rather than sharing publicly. In fact, older people are now more into Facebook.

Stage Rush: Imagine Dragons - One Click Goes A Long Way

If you love downloading new applications and games, you know this fun and fast-paced endless runner game launched today on iOS and Android - Stage Rush: Imagine Dragons. And chances are, you're not only spending time to play one awesome game. You're making the world a better place, too. 

How so, you ask? During the first month of release, for every $1.99 download purchase of the application, $1 would be donated to the Imagine Dragons' Foundation - the Tyler Robinson Foundation. After the first month, 25% of the revenue for each game download will go to TRF. They will help families deal with financial and emotional costs of a childhood cancer. "The ability to incorporate meaningful charitable components in ordinary, everyday activities and purchases is something the younger generation appreciates like no other. We teamed up with Zig Zag Zoom to bring that giving spirit to the mobile gaming, an area not really explored in the past. The game is a blast, but we're even more excited about the money it will raise to rescue pediatric cancer families by way of our charity, the Tyler Robinson Foundation," Imagine Dragons shared.

Stage Rush: Imagine Dragons is an entertaining and captivating Endless Runner game for anyone and everyone's smartphone. This is the only mobile game where Imagine Dragons fans can play to get exclusive access to the band. Play and get access to fun and interesting facts about the band! You will get to see never-befroe-seen photographs and also a chance to ask your questions directly to the band. The game was developed and published by Zig Zag Zoom, a group of former Disney Interactive executives and game makers whose mission is to "Have Fun and Do Good." 

If you belong to the Imagine Dragons' fanclub, then this one's for you! If you don't, still, the game is as much fun because you get to run as members of the Grammy-winning rock band Imagine Dragons - Dan Reynolds, Wayne Sermon, Daniel Platzman, or Ben McKee. I mean, how cool is that? You run, dodge, slide under or jump over obstacles that block your way as you pass through iconic cityscapes and the band's hometown Las Vegas and the beautiful streets of Paris as you sing along and feel the beat of the band's signature music - "Demons," "Radioactive," "Shots," and more. This game also features unlock secrets and bonuses. You get to collect letters to unlock the secret bonus stage for in-game prizes! What's more, you ask? You get to dress like a rock star, as well! Use in-game currency to buy new outfits and accessories worn by the band members in some of their most popular videos. Lastly, you get to pick your favorite mascot or even pet to bring along with you!

"With Stage Rush, we are establishing a franchise that brings together entertaining games, artists, their music, and their CAUSES. Working with Imagine Dragons to launch this franchise has been rewarding and inspirational. Their passion and commitment to TRF is unwavering and totally aligned with our mission to Have Fun and Do Good," said Tom Kang, CEO of Zig Zag Zoom. David Moon, COO of the same company added, "In the game's first month of release, we are stepping up our commitment to our mission by donating more than 50% of the revenues from STAGE RUSH: Imagine Dragons to TRF. We are proud to help families fighting cancer with the Dragons."

You might not be contributing as much to the world, but I believe we can all do small things to become a better person and to be able to help others. Help families fight Pediatric Cancer! After all, you're just one click away! 

Remember, Remember: The First Encounter

Upon being asked about my first encounter with the Internet, I go down the memory lane and remember the first time I actually got to use our computer and surf the net. I am not certain about the exact date or year, but I do recall that I got interested with this matter not only because many people around me are using it, but also because my brother asked me to watch a cartoon video. This sounds cliché, but like everyone else, the first website I got to visit was the all-famous and still-trending up to date website - Youtube. Though I was still young during that encounter, I know for a fact that I felt really glad for the invention of Youtube. However foreign it seemed, my curiosity led me to explore the said application. I remember how every after meals, my mom would just give me exactly thirty minutes to use the computer. I would always plead for more time because that's just how Youtube had a grip on me. Up to the present, I still spend hours watching Youtube videos not only for entertainment but also because through these videos, I feel that I always learn something new.

Yahoo Messenger was also one of my firsts and favorites. During my time, this was the most famous chat application that everyone was using. If Youtube took much of my time, Yahoo Messenger took more! Even when I do not have anything important to say, I would go online and opt to chat my brother whenever I want to talk to him. Yahoo Messenger has features like group chats and unique stuff like “buzzing” when a chatmate is not responding and this made it more fun! All in all, my first encounter sounds typical, but it sure was memorable! 

Prayer

It's been more than a year (17 months) to be exact since my last entry. Today, I've decided to share my poetic side. After having read Khalil Gibran's The Prophet (which is a really good read, btw!), I've managed to make a response to one of my favorite chapters.

Visit this link for a copy of The Prophet:

http://www.brainybetty.com/2007Motivation/Khalil%20Gibran%20-%20The%20Prophet.pdf

Here it is, my favorite chapter: Prayer.

PRAYER

Then a priestess said, speak to us of prayer.

And he answered, saying:

You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might pray also in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance.

For what is prayer but the expansion of yourself into the living ether?

And if it is for your comfort to pour your darkness into space, it is also for your delight to pour forth the dawning of your heart.

And if you cannot but weep when your soul summons you to prayer, she should spur you again and yet again, though weeping, until you shall come laughing.

When you pray you rise to meet in the air those who are praying at that very hour, and whom save in prayer you may not meet.

Therefore let your visit to that temple invisible be for naught but ecstasy and sweet communion.

For if you should enter the temple for no other purpose than asking you shall not receive:

And if you should enter into it to humble yourself you shall not be lifted:

Or even if you should enter into it to beg for the good of others you shall not be heard.

It is enough that you enter the temple invisible.

I cannot teach you how to pray in words.

God listens not to your words save when He himself utters them through your lips.

And I cannot teach you the prayer of the seas and the forests and the mountains.

But you who are born of the mountains and the forests and the seas can find their prayer in your heart,

And if you but listen in the stillness of the night you shall hear them saying in silence:

Our God, who art our winged self, it is thy will in us that willeth.

'It is thy desire in us that desireth.

'It is thy urge in us that would turn out nights, which are thine, into days, which are thine also.

'We cannot ask thee for aught, for thou knowest our needs before they are born in us:

'Thou art our need; and in giving us more of thyself thou givest us all.'

My response to the poem:

Yes, perhaps in anything and through everything,

The trivial and the considerable, be it big or small,

Can make the joyous or even the hardest of hearts sing

If and only if one allows Jesus to have them all.

At one moment of our conversation, I learned

About the importance of praying and how prayer is

Something that guides one's path from getting burned.

A single twig breaks, but he who constantly prays sticks in the bundle of His.

Through prayer, all things are possible.

What once was a fortress of the weak and poor is still

A mighty stronghold despite our attempts so feeble.

Prayer indeed is the best armor against one's Achilles' heel.

Reminiscing, I used to tell my sister during the nights:

"One must not pray as though he considers himself

A hypocrite who stands in the highest of heights,

Just to be seen by the crowd, oh darling instead be an elf.

Teeny-weeny as you seem, to the crowd you may not win,

But when you pray to the Father behind closed doors,

The Supreme One, the Omniscient, and yet unseen,

Sees your actions and will reward you with the stronger force."

Now, all ears on me: When one opts to pray, he does not

Have to be in a holy place like that of the temple.

Intentions of his should show utmost sincerity

In the Lord - to know, to love, and to hear the Father's call.

As you've mentioned, one cannot teach another

How to pray in words or which words to utter

"For what we speak of," says my faithful mother,

"Can be different to what we actually feel," adds my sister.

Finally, let us all be not like a pagan

Who thinks he will be heard for all his gibberings.

Little does he know the truth about prayer, so the Bible began

To preach: "Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him so pray from the heart." Blessings, earthlings!

The Start of My Perfect Summer

SUMMER. This is the time of the year that everyone, and I mean every single one, looks forward to. For most people,  summer is the time to rest after a year's hard work. It's the time to take a nap all afternoon in the hammock. It's the time to see the latest movies and better yet, make every week a family night. It's the time to pig out and eat all day. It's the time to dip in the water when you're feeling bored. It's the time to read a book from cover to cover. It's the time to keep a journal and write a diary of all the events on that day. And most of all, it's the time to travel places you've never been to.

The persepective of summer for people now-a-days goes something like this, "This summer, do something you would never think of doing, like going on a roller coaster or that water slide; the one that you've always been scared to go on. This summer, act crazy and not care what anyone thinks. This summer, don't worry if you're single or not. If you're in a relationship, then that's great. And if you're single, that's what friends are for, right? This summer, stop worrying about what people say about you 'cause drama is made for school. This summer, live each day like it's your last 'cause before you know it, it'll be over. Make this summer the best and live without regrets."

It's my fourth day of summer today, and I can say that yes, I've slept all day. I've eaten too much. I've spent hours going movie marathon and just laying on bed. It's only been four days, but it feels like years. I get to the point that I really really feel bored. They say one must value spending summer properly because you won't get to have so much time to do the things you want to do everytime. And so, I would want to share something that sparked me just a few minutes ago. As I was going through my Bible, I passed through one of the most important verses in the Bible. Revelation 2:4-5 says, "Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken Your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first." After reading this passage, I started reflecting about my life. I've come to realize that my usual reasoning that I could not spend time with God was that I was busy with school. I was always busy with school, and I know that's not a reasonable excuse to stop spending time with God. I talked to God and He made me realize that I'm not making Him my top priority. That is something I know to be true. And for that, I am very guilty. I got so many flashbacks back on the days when I was still prioritizing God above everything else. Back then, I didn't care about anything at all except for spending most of my time singing praises to God and talking to Him. And I feel very thankful to have read this passage, because the lost Michele finally has found the light. I am very sorry, dear Lord and I know there's nothing I can do to take back the things I have done in the past, for not prioritizing You, or for making the things that don't matter my top choices. But from this moment on, I commit that I would start all over again. It's time to do the things I did at first. Yes, Lord. I will. Now, this is my way to start the perfect summer ahead!

My Best Friend, My Other Half, My Big Brother

Somewhere down the road, someone comes along and makes a lasting effect in the decisions you make and the way you perceive life. It is that one person who knows you best and has the most influence in your life. This person can be very inspirational, caring, and loving. Even more, if he is someone close to your heart. My brother has always been there for me right from the moment I was born. He has been there supporting me in my decisions, be it smart or foolish ones, and it is thanks to him that I am the ambitious, responsible, and God-fearing person that I am today. I... just don't know what I'd do without him in my life.

What, then, makes me say that he is the best among the best? Well, here are...

The top 10 things about having a brother  MY BROTHER:

1. "When everything comes to pass, only those done in Jesus' name will surely last." 

When asked about his motto in life, this is what he tells everyone. The top and best thing I admire about my big brother is that in everything he does, he always makes sure that he is able to make God smile. Whenever I doubt myself, I come to him and seek for help in making decisions. I remember how he would always tell me that I shouldn't choose the best thing, but instead choose the right thing. It is also thanks to him that I have a better relationship with Christ now. Above all, just by the way he lives each and every day, you would clearly see Christ in him (which gives him 100++ pogi points!)

2. He's a built-in therapist and he'll always care for you.

I love how he always talks to me, even at around midnight, just so he could show he cares for me. Even the simple things like, "How do you feel?" and "What are doing today?" can make me smile. There are times though when I feel really down to the point that I just sit around the corner in complete silence. During times like these, he would start conversations, and he allows me to rant and say what I really feel. He's not like other siblings you would have that would just ignore you when you're sad. He would really take time to listen and comfort you through singing. YES, you got that right! He sings for me and whenever he does that, I feel a lot better.

Here is the song:

3. He'll help you out, especially if you ask nicely.

Even if his schedule for the day is so jam-packed, he would be there to help me. At first, he will tell you he's too busy and that he has things to accomplish too. But at the end of the day, I always win. It just proves to show how much he loves me. Knowing the fact that I am really slow, he still has patience and gives me an hour every single day. He won't stop until I get the lesson. Even in simple matters like getting things that are placed in places I don't reach, he'll help me (with me asking nicely, with the cutie patootie eyes. HAHA), and even with my projects that involve electronic stuff and wood works. To sum up, he helps me in everything - from the simplest things to the life decisions I make.

4. He'll give you compliments when you need them.

Even if I don't have a "brother-approved" outfit on, he would compliment me in some way; from "nice shoes" to "You look great today!" Sometimes I go through tough situations and my brother complimenting me makes me feel special.

5. He'd always be your #1 encourager and motivator.

In everything I do (unless of course it's bad), he supports me and cheers me on. He never allows me to feel left alone. I'll never forget how he always reminds me, "Alam kong kaya mo Ach e. Kaya mo e. You can do better than that." This is also something that you would not always get just by having a brother. That's why I am really grateful that he never gets tired of reminding me what I am capable of doing and what I can achieve in life.

6. He'll tell you when to shut your mouth so you don't get in trouble.

I'm that sister who can really be so talkative that at times, I don't make sense anymore. When my parents reprimand me, I sometimes make faces and answer them just because I feel like I'm not good enough. Then my brother enters the scene and signals me to zip my mouth so I won't get in trouble. And once again the day is saved, thanks to my dear brother!

7. You always have someone to bug!

My brother is weird. Trust me, he can always go wild and randomly sing and dance in front of me just because he 'wants' to. He'll tell me the random-est things in the world and make me laugh. I admit, sometimes he can really be annoying (just like me). But once in a while, when he's not there, I start to miss him and all his craziness. Having a brother like this 'loser boy' (because he always calls me 'loser girl') is like no other!

8. Kastaridaphobia - Fear of cockroaches (LOL! HAHA)

Honestly, I never knew that he's afraid of cockroaches until he told me. He told me, "Well, everyone's afraid of something." Then ever since, I started scaring him. When we walk along the street,  I go "Ahia!!! May ipis!!!" and he suddenly jumps and jumps and runs. And that's when I laugh real hard. He doesn't show his fear of cockroaches, but if you really know him... you'll see. According to him, he's more scared of 'flying ipis' daw (LIKE REALLY REALLY SCARED!).

9. He takes a bath for long hours.

I don't know how or why he does that, but every time he enters the bathroom to take a shower, you will have to wait forever. As for me, I always make sure that I take a bath first so I won't have to wait for a long time. While he takes a bath, I get to be productive. Yep, that's one of the perks of having my brother! :)

10. He believes that, "Everybody deserves a second chance and a third chance and fourth chance."

His exact words were, "I believe that everybody deserves a second chance and a third chance and a fourth chance because the third chance is the second chance of the second  chance and the fourth chance is the second chance of the third chance. Therefore, everybody deserves infinite chances. Forgive and forget. Because everybody makes mistakes and everybody makes decisions that they regret in the future. Because second chances are to make things right. It's like when you're given an opportunity to go back to the past, yeah?"

BONUS:
11. "He always tells me I'm fat even though I'm no. But, it's really true!"

So sorry, I just had to. He just asked me to do this and because I love him, here you go brother! Thank you for being my best friend, my other half, my big brother. ❤

HEARTS EVERYWHERE!!!