The competition had nothing to do with me or Skulduggery — it was all to do with an educational video game designed to teach you maths and have, you know, actual fun while you do it. Incorporating historically accurate aspects of Native American tribal life and culture, the game was called Spirit Lake, and the competition was to find someone to become a character in it, using your name and likeness. Here's what I said about it at the time:
"And if this works like they hope it will, this could be the beginning of something huge. This could revolutionise teaching, and learning— not just in America but across the world— and it could be just the thing that's needed to help struggling students make that singular, all-important leap. This could change people's lives."
The competition was a great success. I got in some hilarious responses, and also some heartfelt ones, and while it was not easy to pick a winner, a winner I did pick.
And now I'm going to do it all over again.
These same awesome people — people who include the mother and sister of my personal (Twitter) friend, UFC champion Ronda Rousey* — have another game in development, called Forgotten Trail.
SO — if you like the idea of having a video game version of yourself teaching kids maths across America, give me your reasons why. In no more than thirty words, explain why you should win, and send your entries to skulteams@hotmail.com. You can enter as many times as you like, you can be any age, from any country, and the winner will be announced at the end of July.
Good luck!
* Yes, Ronda does count as a friend**.
** By friend I don't, of course, mean someone I've ever actually met, but that's not what's important here***.
*** What's important is that we're PALS. Some might say buddies. Kindred spirits, perhaps. I might even go so far as to say I've taught her everything she knows****.
**** I haven't ACTUALLY taught her everything she knows, but she knows that I would have, if ever I knew something that she didn't already know. Such as writing*****.
***** Although seeing as how Ronda's autobiography has made it to the New York Times bestseller list — a list I have yet to ACTUALLY grace — this probably isn't the best use of my, or her, time. But even so, I am sure there are PLENTY of things I could teach her. Though probably nothing useful or, you know, not-imaginary, like unicorn-taming, or yodelling******.
***** I'll shut up now.
Posts
4,893 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 601 – 800 of 4893 Newer› Newest»*hugs Jai gently*
Only a few weeks 'til summer, though, right?
I know everyone says getting bad grades isn't the end of the world and it never feels that way at the time but-- The best you can do is the best you can do. Like, absolutely aim high, and put in effort, and learn from having started too late this time around to start earlier next time; but don't beat yourself up about school because that doesn't get you anywhere? Idk. Just do what you can?
Also bear in mind that if being yourself in your art is important to you -- focus more on that?
You can't please everyone, so you may as well please yourself?
(okay thank you (for the offer and the hear hear )
And that's great how it was good and a surprise :) )
(GUESS WHOS GOING TO BE SIPPIN BUTTER BEER AT HARRY POTTER WORLD NEXT WEEK!)
(Yea I didn't believe my parednts when they told me in the morning...
tis okay
they say don't burn bridges *shrugs*)
(yeah, I get where you're coming from with that :P
I wouldn't believe my parents if they said that to me
Mainly coz I would be crap.... (honestly now )
And yeah I guess they do say that
And in all fairness, coz I'm me and with my brain
You can't burn bridges (well modern ones anyway )
But yeah you have a solid point there )
(Im sure youd be fine
see
I know few things)
@Chloe: xD
A friend of mine, her instructor took her on a main road and a roundabout her first lesson. O_O
I'm too terrified to learn. xD
@Gar: I have no idea?? O_O
Mostly okay, I think? I tend to banish them from my mind as soon as they're done. xD
(I did quite a few roundabouts
and a dual carriage way)
(*mutters* I couldn't go out with my family on my birthday cause I had my driving lesson)
hey people ^_^
(*hums along to sweet transvestite*)
(Hey Fera *looks at watch* a bit early for you isn't it? XD)
Maybe, don't know till I try (that comes later in my life anyway ) a
And you're right you do
You almost put me to shame with your amount of sayings.... )
@Taia,
Well that's good
So here's to hoping you're right and yeah that might help you in the long run
Otherwise you could get worked up about your results) )
@Jai: That's... Surprising? But, in fairness, the teacher probably has experience of that.
(Although I do think, it depends on your fantasy? Like, imagine doing LOTR and you could have the ring and Sting
You would have a legitimate excuse to spend hours staring at Orlando Bloom because IT's foR ART
You could have Gollum conversations crawling up your page
And HOBBIT FEET
WITH TINY HOBBIT POCKETWATCHES AND TEENY HOBBIT TROUSERS
You could do a series of alternative book covers??
HOLY MOLY HOW IS THAT LIMITING?)
(... Sorry, probably not helping)
(*seems to have run off track here, was trying to give credit to your teacher's decision :p*)
(I do? XD
thanks, I guess)
clo: yes, i couldn't be bothered to do anything else today XD
(haha right XD how art thou?)
i am fine, gonna go on omegle a little bit :) how are you? :)
(cool
I am good
I am debating something in my head)
what is it? :)
Hi.
(for my English course work next year, I have to write a 3000 eord essay, comparing Tom Harrison poems, the novel 'things fall apart' and a partner text. we have tochoose from a list, which partner text to use.
Not sure whether to do Frankenstein or sons and lovers)
(Hey Kassy O)
((((((IGNORE ME I'M JUST THINKING
I'm JUST THINKING
I mean--
If illustrating fiction was so limiting and badly done
Who would there be to illustrate book covers
Or do concept art for film & games
?????????????
Those are huge and relevant occupations an artist might consider
They're big employment options
Why would you discount those as an option?
That's stupid
If anyhting
Schools should be preparing students more for the world of work
Let people know what they could DO with an art qualification or art skills
Let people learn how to apply skills and ideas !
Being free to express yourself through art is important
But encouraging art a s a profession by educating about it
That would be so
That woukd be so????
Haierprrrrrrrb{oi$qthenbnmqe:fnh hqoebk avqerng ;
I protest))))))
OH
OH
@Jai: Is there a musical album/artist you're particularly interested in? You could do album artwork or concepts based on that?
Hey Taia, Chloe and Fera.
@ChLOe: CURRENTLY READING FRANKENSTEIN AND GOLLY IT'S SO SAD
... if that helps your decision at all :P
(calm down Taia XD)
That sounds hellish...
Finished my final, but I have still roughly an hour until school is over....
-Zaf
(*whimpers* I don't like sadness)
(Hey Zaffy ^.^)
do frankenstein, i like that better ^_^ lol, it saddens me how many sad people there are on omegle :D
(sons and lovers sounds interesting though... I mean, the Oedipus complex...)
Hey, Zaf. Yay for finishing your final! :)
Gtg. See you guys later.
(wont be surprised if I catch a cold -_-
I thought it was warm today, so I wore a top with a shredded back and shorts
BOI WAS I WRONG)
(Byi Kassy O O O O O)
@Chloe's driving lesSon: Oh! :0
YOu must be good at driving :P
@Gar: Thanks! :) That's a good way of looking at it.
HEY KAS! *hugs* :)
@Chloe: SORRY
I'M INVIGORATED :P
I wrote that entire comment with a finger on the shift key
And had to find a caps to lowercase converter because it was too much. :P
ANd- I haven't read Sons adn Lovers, so I'm not sure what that one's about?
I don't think Frankenstein is sad in a 'I am obviously here to tear out your heart and shred it to pieces along with everything I made you care about' kind of way, but it is sad in a :( kind of way? Sort of?
@Zaf: Oh! How'd it go?
(I'm not that great
I see)
ALso @Rhos(belated): Gorgeous dedication. Good thing. :) :) :)
*hugs Kas* See you later? :/
Hey, Fera! :)
@Chloe: OH NO :(
A lot of people did that today, I think. It was very misleading weather :/
(@Taia see, I'm so 'shallow' that pleasing myself only happens when I please others.
And no. There isn't an albums/music I'm particularly interested in.)
('Twas very misleading )
(If I'm distant it's because my brain has decided that what I really truly need right now is mood swings.)
(Right
Now the pinks totally out of my hair *cries*)
@Jai: If by 'shallow', you mean incredibly empathetic and caring and harbouring an exceptionally kind and thoughtful attitude involving others. ^^
Oh. :/ I'm sure you'll figure something out, Jai, in any case. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful. Good luck with it?^^
*hugs*
*hugs Chloe too* ...dye it?
(*huggles* the hairdresser does it
And it only lasts for a few washes
She only did it last week )
*hugs abck* Aw :/ :/
Couldn't you get a more permanent one, if you like it?
(Mum won't allow it)
(_frgomoyrau mpy vtuomh tohjy mpe smf adibjomh sy jpe qsyjryov o sx_)
I have blonde highlights, they grow out eventually, and it isnt bad for hair.
It went well, today was geometry and government, tomorrow just English then I am freeeeee!!!
(Awesome Zaf! )
Its my last day tomorrow, well okay, the last day I have to come in, in high school when you finish finals its suggested to stay home for the last days afterwards.
(Nooooo ! I really like you started playing! Now it's in my head!)
Might be back. Hi again.
@Zaf When is the last time you've talked to Danni? I'm worried for her...
(I have to go in for two weeks to start my second year work then I'm free!)
((Sorry
Got distracted by a story on Dugglyn's blog
O_O)
Aw, Chloe. :(
@Zaf: Great! :)
One day to go!!
*huggles Kas* Hey. :)
@Chloe: *GaSPs*
I HAVE TO GO IN FOR /FOUR/ WEEKs :P
@Jai: Lol I only revise for half my actual exams the night before. If at all. Dw.
Chloe. Taia. Star. *nods*
@Jai: My best advise for achoolwork that requires creativity?
BE YOUR FUCKING SELF.
I spent so long trying to write essays like a robot and I screwed myself up so much and started getting B's instead of my previous A*s.
If your teacher tells you not to, do it bloody anyway.
Also, help. I think Cat might have schizophrenia. What do you do if your friend has a harmful delusion and can't seem to see logic?
(Hehehehe XD I'm lucky)
(*totally isn't watching baby looney tunes*)
I hope you're doijg OK, Kas? ^^
@Star:*nods* That is probably better advice than what I said. *nods again*
A harmful delusion? HArmful in what way?:/:/
Not really, Taia. Life seems pointless.
@Star I have a suggestion but it's not feasible.
As in, every time she's got majorly depressed, a person has died (like, someone she only vaguely knew of. Like Robbie Williams), and so she is convinced that she has caused their deaths because she thinks someone is monitoring her and they kill people when she wants to commit suicide to show her there's no easy way out, and she thinks this means she's a murderer and she has to die because iy's the only way she'll stop hurting people.
And she is utterly convinced that this is like a Thing because she says it fits too perfectly and there is no other way.
Help?
Like. I am seriously worried here. Help.
Tell her that's about as stupid as believing in illuminati. It's just a coincidence and she's trying to make it into something more.
(*face palms* baby tweety asked where babies come from)
Me and Lizzie have spent the past couple of hours trying to convince her it's just a coincidence.
I
Am seriously worried.
My grandfather told me where babies come from when I was about eight. I miss him...
(That is...odd)
(Right O.o)
I just grew up knowing that a man and a woman made a baby.
Hell. Hell. Guys wtf do I do.
Keep trying, Star.
(I don't know star...)
I don't think it'll work.
Guys.
Seriously.
When my friend thought I had schizophrenia (idk how. I have neither hallucinations nor delusions. We've known Cat's hallucinated for years but never thought much of it) She went and told the head or year.
And I was pretty angry.
Do I go do that or would that be a betrayal as a friend am I just being a hypochondriat wtf I'm scared.
Do you think she's just stressed bc exams
that was Lizzie's conclusiom
will she be fine
do I not need to worry
should I do something
omg.
wait why am I asking you people if you asked me I would just be sat there like 'wtf idk.'
Um.
*goes to Google*
I don't know, Star. Looking out for her health is important, you should definitely make sure she doesn't kill herself.
(*returns after half an hour of crying and weird looks from my cat*
*hugs star* Use her logic against her. She believes she should die now? Then following her logic someone she vaguely knows will be dead by tomorrow.)
Hardcore, Chloe. :P
Oh, Kas. :/
It's not. It's not pointless.
THere's always more out there, yeah? Even if it seems pointless right now, it won't be later on. That more is always worth hanging in for. ^^
Star. :/ :/ :/
Every day has its obituaries?
According to 'worldometers', >129'500 people have died today on Earth.
Every day thousands of people are born and (considerably fewer)thousands of people die.
MAny of those will be celebrities or famous people, every day.
Everybody means something to someone. Famous lives aren't worth more than the others, and they're not different from the others.
When you look at it like that, it's not even a coincidence?
(Schizophrenia.
One sec..)
Jai? What's wrong? Why are you crying? Wanna talk about it?
(*huggles Jai*
I don't know
I should ask my dad,.. His biological father had it
He's been dead for years
But he doesn't know I know
No one does
Kinda worries me that it can be inherited )
(Hallucinations.
Delusions.
Muddled thoughts.
Behaviour changes.
Social withdrawal.
Unusual sleep patterns.
Loss of motivation.
Loss of concentration.
It can be genetic. Stress can set it off if its genetic, as can a dopamine/serotonin imbalance.)
(And if they should and swear for no reason, find conversations difficult, become more unpredictable, hear voices (usually abusive and rude).. yeah.
@Kas I'll be fine.)
(**shout)
@Jai I'm here if you ever want to talk...
*hugs Jai tightly*
And - thanks. :)
Gonna do some serious googling now.
I only said schizophrenia because I know it's a disorder with both hallucinations and delusions, so. Yeah. Google.
(*hugs star tightly back* You're welcome. I was researching it a bit back..
@kas I'm fine.)
@Star: Her safety is important? Had you been in a position where you could have hurt yourself, wouldn't you have preferred that your friends made sure you were safe, than if they hadn't?
Is there a school teacher or adult you could talk to instead, who she might by less bothered by your talking to? Trusted/responsible older sibling or something?
Exam stress is a legitimate conclusion.
Bear in mind, with diagnoses, here-- Diagnosis of mental illness is probably the most unreliable aspect of healthcare there is - since it bases on 'abnormal' behaviours, but every individual is different.
Shouting and swearing isn't that uncommon, and could indicate stress rather than schizophrenia. Social withdrawal, loss of concentration or motivation, unusual sleep patterns - you can look at those things, and lots of people have/do them for lots of different reasons.
Don't get caught up on a diagnoses and causes, so much as the matter at hand which is if a person is a danger to themselves and/or others. If you're checking positive there, you're probably looking at asking somebody more qualified for help? ^^
@Jai: :) Thanks.
Yeahhhhh I researched it once when I was feeling like a hypochondriat.
(I read the darkest powers series
There's a girl called chloe
She freaks out after seeing a ghost at school
They diagnose her as schizophrenic and put her in a group home
Turns out she's actually a powerful necromancer and that all the kids in the home were subjects in a supernatural experiment)
@Jai people who are feeling fine don't cry for half an hour.
Alright I am SCARED.
(Star, calm
Getting out if control won't help her
You need to try as be level waded about this
If she sees you freaking out, how will that make her feel?)
*hugs Star* :/ :/ :/
What about a parent you can talk to?
(@Kas women who are fine do.
Not sure when I started classing myself as a woman..)
@Inky: The only reason I'm here is because I need to freak out about how scared I am and I can't do it in front of her.
But thanks. :)
@Taia: . . . Good point.
But it might take me a while to summon the courage to do that.
I font know Jai
I class myself as a girl)
@Star Robin Williams committed suicide. Pretty sure he did it because of the illnesses he had, not because of someone he didn't even know existed in a far-away country. Tell her that.
*sighs* when people cry, they're the opposite of fine.
(@Chloe yeah.. I'm weird..
@Kas yeah but I'm always some variant of the word fine.)
@Kas: I am.
We have.
She just insists there is no other way they could have died.
@Inky&Jai: I'm not that fond of 'girl' and I really don't like the word 'woman'. (That 'w' and that 'o' and that 'm' ugh. :P) I class myself as female. :)
I keep thinking I should be agender because that would just make way more sense because like there are so many things pointing to that but like . . . I'm still female. Somehow.
(Tis okay
Just stay strong
She needs you to stick by her side)
Thinking you're fine doesn't make it true, Jai.
So if you're feeling down, I'm here, okay?
@Inky: Thank you.
D:
(tis okay
*realises how im not really helping)
There are more people with schizoaffective disorder than aromantic asexuals.
Outnumbered AGAIN!
Only by one and a half to one this time though. C: YUS!
(I sort of have a little competition in my brain for some reason. :o)
(@Kas but I am fine.)
@Inky: You are helping. :P
(im glad )
@Jai fine.
Okay. If I was diagnosing myself here, and like, I've had a lot of experience with trying to diagnose myself with shit, I would at this point conclude I was being a hypochondriat. And over the years I have got pretty damn good at working out when I'm being one - like, so much it doesn't really impact me any more.
So.
Yeah.
She's still delusional though.
(shouldn't she see a doctor?
does she sleeps for really long periods of time?)
Sorry. Talking tends to help me with everything in life, and like, unless me talking is harmful I don't see a reason to stop doing it. So yeah. Enjoy my thoguhtspam.
(Seriously. I spent a long time feeling guilty for talking to people purely beacuse I wanted to talk, and then I realised how non-benefical that was and now I'm like "screw it I'll spam people.")
@Inky: Yeeeeesss . . . well. She sleeps for longer than most people and has to have caffeine to keep her awake in the mornings, but she ALSO regularly takes medicine that makes her drowsy, so I kind of put that down to that. If she didn't take her medication she'd probably sleep normally.
Recently she's been sleeping less, anyway.
(Hmmm
as I learnt in psychology, when someone goes to get checked for mental disorders, the first thing that sets alarm bells off if the person sleeps a lot
like 13 hours or more)
Oh. She doesn't sleep that much. No.
@Chloe Why would sleeping a lot set off alarms?
@Kas: It's a sympton.
(okay then
im not sure... I forgot
like, one study we did was to see if the way of diagnosing mentail illness was accurate and reliable
our lecturer had us to rank what would set alarms bells off more or less
the most alarming thing was sleeping for a long period of time)
3% of people have psychosis.
DAMMITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT FIFTEEN TO ONE
Well... I generally sleep for 11-12 hours unless I specifically have to get up earlier. I mean, I didn't tell my doctor that, but he didn't explicitly ask...
And I'm still tired.
(hmmmm
that is quite long, maybe you should mention it?)
But still have enough energy to bike for 20+ miles. Go figure.
I normally try and go for eight. I an survive on sveen but like . . . yeah. I will normally anturally wake up after about eight too, although if I've been tired recently I can sleep for nine.
(I don't know
im not yet an expert)
I'm not going to the doctor's. He's useless.
@Kas: They often can be, I think . . . :/ Find a better doctor?
But yeah. I've heard several NHS horror stories. I don't trust doctors anymore.
I won't. I don't want to talk about doctors, nor go to the doctor's.
@Kas: :/ Yeah but . . .
no doctor = . . . no doctor.
*** most teenagers do sleep for longer than adults
Again, psychological diagnosis is very unreliable??
brb
Star, doctors are useless.
(im not sure
twas an old study
I think its more reliable now... )
(I got this nice doctor *blushes*)
Yup, just as I said that Lizzie started complaining that she had to sleep on a special pillow and go through tubs of wax to make her skin looking normal enought hat she didn't scare people into thinking she was a zombie, because the NHS couldn't be bothered to work out what was wrong with her and so just took her meds off her and were like "Er good luck."
(I mean, they tested her on all this stuff she could possibly be allergic to, and they said, "Okay, you MIGHT be allergic to cobalt. You're probably NOT, but we can't work out what else it is, so here's a list of stuff with cobalt in, and we won't do any more for you. Bye.")
Yeah. Healthcare is just wonderful in Britain . . .
(You don't even want to know what's been going on with this kid my mum works with, actually. Just - woah. So much failure on so many levels.)
Wbd, see you later.
:/ Okay.
(Okay Kassy O
*listens to addicted to a memory*)
I haven't heard of that. :/
(its by zedd feat bahari
soooo catchy )
:)
Liliana: *she lifts the creature off of Onwa* There's a good boy. *she smiles, giving it a gentle cuddle before putting it down on the ground* We should go and find Ember sooner rather than later. *she smiles at the creature* And you can come with us, yes you can.
Claire: Why not?
Lily: Yes... Poverty is important.
(I only have two lectures most days now O.o)
i am on here now, stopped omegle ^_^
(Hey Fera ^.^)
Hi Fera. :)
hey starry, hey clo :)
how're you starry? :)
@Fera: Kind of panicked. :/ But otherwise okay.
How're you?
(*so wasnty just talking to you XD*)
Onwa: *rolls her eyes, wiping her face clean*
Because all she had to do was make a wall of light..
Manuel: *nods*
How about poverty prevention?
*yeah, we so weren't just talking on skype :P*
starry: aww, why *hugs* is there anything you'd like to talk about, anything i could do to make it better ?^_^ i am fine thank you :)
(what you think of the song?)
@Fera: I'm panicked because I'm rather worried about my friend.
I am the one who is fine. I am fine. Thank you. :)
starry: well still, would u like to talk about it? :)
(Hello everyone ^.^)
(Hey Gemmy ^.^)
hey gem ^_^
@Fera: I kinda just did.
*gestures upwards at previous comments*
So yeah. I'm okay.
*nodsnods*
Hi Gemma. :)
star: i meant to talk talk about it, not simply mention it, but oh well :) *hugs*
(*pouts* are you ignoring me fera?)
@Fera: Yeah. I talked about it before you came on.
Alright I should probably actually revise for my history exam at some point . . .
(revise Star!)
star: oh ok...sorry ^_^
clo: NOOOOO I didn't think it was for me...and i liked the song a lot, i just didn't realize that message was for me, i am not ignoring you clo! *hugs*
@Inky: Yeah. I'll try.
Shower first though. Brb.
(*huggles* okay, if you say so
okay STar )
clo: what do you mean, i wasn't ignoring you !!!!
(promise?)
I PROMISE *hugs tightly* I do! ^_^
(thanks *huggles tightly*)
(I had my interview today for a job in a children's play area. I got a trial shift on Sunday :D
i'm so excited.)
there there :) ^_^
(well done Gem! *huggles*!)
gem: good, i am excited as well XD :)
(why are you excited Fera??)
(back)
(((... I accidentally wrote a long line of defence for British healthcare which I'm not posting, but I am going to paraphrase that the NHS isn't perfect --- but is IS fair, and the obvious alternatives can't say the same.)))
*hugs Star*
Hey, Chi! :)
(welcome back Taia ^.^)
clo: *shakes head* what are you thinking chloe XD just cuz, i can be :p ^_^
(what do you mean what am I thinking? *tilts head*)
clo: nothing :P XD
(really?)
NOTHING XD
Agree, Taia.
Thanks, Chloe.
(FERA
WTH
I DIDN'T REALISE YOUR PICTURE WAS A .gif
I JUST LOOKED UP AND IT WAS TALKING
I SWEAR IT WAS STILL BEFORE
THAT WAS TERRIFYING)
(I don't believe you)
Liliana: Are you alright, Onwa?
Claire: Ah. Right. That's fine.
Bethany: I also had to fill the room with light...
Lily: I was more wanting to help those who are in poverty at the moment...
(Hey gemmy. Well done :)
Onwa: I am.
*nods*
Manuel: I see.. Hmm..
taia: XD well, that's aizen in a nutshell for you, terrifying and deceiving :P
clo: but IT'S NOTHING :D
(why you getting so worked up then?)
clo: I DON@T THOUGH *furiously moves eyes*
*hugs Star*
*hands Chloe and Fera cupcakes* shh. :P
(*munches on cup cakes*)
Omg
last month or so I REAL I SEX WHY CUPCAKES WERE CALLED CUPCAKES
and the world just made that bit more sense. :P It was great.
*REALISED
I'm not sure what it says about me that I type 'sex' more than 'realised' . . . XD
STAR XD
XD
(hehehe XD)
Liliana: Good. *she continues to walk through the mist again* Mmm... Do not expect the other creatures living in this mist to be so friendly.
Claire: Is that why the floor's burned?
Bethany: Yes... In my haste I may have done it a bit too strong.
Lily: Preventing poverty is alright, but it does nothing for the people now...
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