Anarchy Advent 2018!

It's September again, and you lot know what that means...

This is the third year I've done Anarchy Advent, so if you wish, feel free to acquaint yourselves with the previous years... 2016 and 2017...

What is Anarchy Advent?

Anarchy Advent is a 24-day countdown to my birthday, September 24th. So naturally it starts on August 31st and ends on September 23rd. During this time, I will post one UNIQUE piece of content every day to YouTube and where possible, related blog posts on here. By unique, I mean there would only be ONE review, ONE unboxing, ONE Charm Agony rant - in a sense, it's a way for me to challenge myself and try out new things.

While I'm posting this stuff, I also run a competition alongside it - in which the winners can win Steam games or vouchers towards Steam games (or other games on other formats, but thus far, nobody who has placed has asked!)

Competition Details

This year I've decided to narrow the brief somewhat. The last two years were general creativity competitions - and in a way, it still is - but you lot have a requirement set in stone this time.

MAKE MOG A BIRTHDAY CARD.

Whether you want to draw one, write a birthday poem, make a video e-card, write a birthday song or otherwise make a tribute to Mog Anarchy - that is your brief. Essentially, any form of creativity goes - art, music, writing, video, animation, sculpture, embroidery - whatever you're interested in!

The prizes will be games or credit to purchase games on a digital download service of your choice. Last year, the winners all opted for Steam games, but prizes can be arranged for Xbox Live, Playstation Network, Nintendo e-Shop, Amazon, Origin, iTunes etc.

Said prizes are...

• 1st place - a game or games from your chosen wishlist/format gifted up to the value of £15
• 2nd place - a game or games from your chosen wishlist/format gifted up to the value of £10
• 3rd place - a game or games from  your chosen wishlist/format gifted up to the value of £5

Competition runs from August 31st to September 22nd. The winner shall be announced on September 23rd - and I shall showcase all of the entries!

Terms & Conditions

• Entries must be submitted to me via DM on Twitter or via e-mail - please don't @ them to me, I'd like to keep them a secret from other entrants!
• Prizes are to be awarded in vouchers or download code only, no physical cash prize.
• Once you've submitted your entry, I can do with it what I wish, post it on my blog, Twitter, use it in videos or other content etc.
• If you need anything from me in order to complete your entry - like sheet music to my opening, the colour of my eyes, my shoe size, Jet's inside leg measurement - whatever - just let me know and I shall provide you with whatever you need.

Mog Anarchy's Creative Writing Competition

Oi you lot, in the mood to be creative and win some Steam games? In honour of hitting my 1500 subscribers mark on YouTube, I’m running a little competition… A creative writing competition, to be exact. I want to see your amazing creativity channeled through your keyboards and presented in the form of lovely little stories, poems and plays...

EVERY entrant will receive a Steam key! I bought a big bundle of random keys (admittedly I have no idea what they are until they are redeemed, I can’t guarantee they’ll be triple A titles) - and thus have plenty spare! The one(s) I like the best will receive either a gift card or Steam wallet gift… or I’ll buy ‘em a game from their wishlist.

The only requirement I'm asking is that you make the main character of your story either me, Cat Chaos or Charm Agony. You may include all 3 of us, only one of us, any combination. Can be 1st or 3rd person and can be a piece of short prose or written in a script/play format with just dialogue or even some poetry!

Feel free to include your own original characters or any characters from games/comics/movies etc - feel free to be as realistic or as nonsensical as you want! And sure, if you really can't control yourself, I'll even allow more *ahem* adult content.

I'm not enforcing a strict word count limit or anything like that - but when I say “short,” I mean don't write half a novel. A couple of pages will do fine - double that if you're writing a script/screenplay style thing to account for the spacing.

I would like to read some of the entries out - perhaps in character, or as all of my characters doing a sort of “dramatic reading” type video or several videos… And if I *really* take to your idea… I may steal it and rework it into a skit! So bear that in mind, you lot!

Make sure you get your entries in by the 3rd of July!

Why I Create Content

In this day and age of multi-millionaire millennials who have made all of their money using the Internet, garnering hundreds of thousands and often millions of views, likes, subscribers and whatnot - it can see somewhat baffling and even delusional when somebody says they create content or make YouTube videos for fun or as a hobby. No doubt the listener is thinking "yeah right, you just want to be the next [fill-in-the-blank]" or "you just want to make ad revenue." 

I discovered YouTube when it was still in its infancy - the year 2006 to be precise. Around this time vloggers were all the rage - the group who I followed had very small followings and seldom hit 4-figure viewcounts - yet they were still idolised. Having smaller audiences also meant that they gave a shit about you. This was when the video response system still existed - so we could challenge each other to "name 10 fun facts about yourself" or "tell a funny story about school" - and under everybody's videos there would be pages and pages of these video responses. It was pretty cool. Yes, some people did make a lot of money during this era - one that immediately springs to mind is Brookers - but compared to the "YouTube stars" of today, she was fairly small-time.

Regardless, whether or not you believe me or not - I create content as a hobby. I write blogs and make videos for fun. I started this blog back in 2013 as a creative outlet. I wrote blogs for myself. I wrote about things *I* cared about. Then when I moved onto making videos I discussed content *I* liked, did unboxings of products *I* wanted to show off - etc. And to this day that is still true. If I didn't enjoy doing what I do, I'd stop doing it. If a certain aspect of content creation became boring or frustrating to me to the point where I didn't look forward to doing it - I'd stop doing it.

So why do I post it online? If I make what I make for myself, why publish it?
The same question could be asked of a person who plays a musical instrument and sends a video to their friend. An artist or sculptor who creates a piece and displays it in their home. A chef who bakes a cake and then offers it around - it's exactly the same thing. I am proud of what I produce and thus I want to share it with other people who may also be interested in the same things I am. Shock horror, an easy way to make friends is to share common interests and start meaningful discussions. The point is, whether I get one view or one thousand views - I made that *thing* for myself initially - the fact that other people were interested in it and/or enjoyed it is a bonus.

So why do you monetise? Why run ads? Why have a Patreon?
So you're telling me you wouldn't like to get a little bit of money for doing something you like doing? You'd rather sell off hours of your life doing some bullshit menial job for somebody else? I don't make a *lot* - but the amount I make is irrelevant and of little consequence. Everything I make is fed back directly into my content somewhere along the line. I buy games to review, products to unbox, gunge powder to mix and throw over myself - and of course sometimes fund larger things that are essential to content creation - a new camera, a green screen etc. So you're telling me if somebody can paint a portrait and go on to sell it for £50 that they then spend on more paints and canvasses, they shouldn't do it?

You're wasting your time, you're not learning anything or doing anything meaningful.
Au contraire dear - in the process of content creation I've learned many things - quite a few being transferable skills that helped me get actual paid employment. Did you know that *this* blog was included in a portfolio that secured me an SEO copywriting job and social media manager position? From that job came another - writing content for websites? Then I got my seasonal work that I've done for 3 years in a row - an essential skill for that job? Knowing how to use Photoshop. I'm self taught in Photoshop and keep my skills honed making thumbnails (mainly), banners, buttons and other fun things.

Here is a little list of computer programs, technical things and personal skills I've learned or improved on whilst working on my content creation:

• Self confidence
• Speaking aloud
• Creative thinking
• Problem solving
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Premiere
• WavePad sound studio
• SEO
• Social media management
• General written communication skills
• Video camera technical skills
• Screenwriting & film directing

Now I don't know about you - but they seem like pretty useful things for someone who is interested in working in media/IT/communications roles to me.

But negativity contributes to worsening mental health!

Yes, while that may be true - having a creative project I can use to occupy myself on a day-to-day basis is more beneficial to me. I get to spend time writing and talking about subjects that interest me, learn new skills and techniques constantly and keep my current ones up-to-date and I've met a lot of cool people who I can chat with, exchange ideas or just spam with cute cat pictures. I don't often get negative comments, but those I do, I reply back with a superior air or just counter-troll them. They are the vast minority and are more of an annoyance than anything. They're like having a mosquito bite on your arse. Kinda annoying, but not life threatening - and will eventually go away if ignored.

If you have anxiety, how can you post videos of yourself online?

Ah, I get this one a lot. The answer is simple. I'm in control. Streaming on the other hand is far harder to control than edited and scheduled videos. Firstly, I can script videos. I can plan, I can use cue cards or refer to some sort of script. I can edit. If I go wrong or record something I don't want to share - use that good ol' razorblade tool and chop it off! I can re-record. If it goes wrong, I can always try it again another time. And if in the end I'm not happy with whatever I've done - I just don't post it. It's simple. I can present myself online exactly how I want people to see me. Whereas in day-to-day life, I can't script. I can't edit. I can't re-do over a social situation if I fuck it up. Now do you get it?

But you only have ____ subscribers/views/likes - hur hur why bother?

See above. I make content for myself. Numbers are irrelevant. Plus, the way I see it - 50 views is 50 views. Imagine 50 physical people. They wouldn't all fit in my kitchen, that's for certain. Also, how many people are interested in the mundane shit you post dear? Yeah, I thought so. Also, consider this. Every successful creator, be they an artist/writer/musician/etc started somewhere. They didn't just go multi-platinum or Turner art prize overnight. Everybody started out small, for the most part - many had to struggle, work hard and deal with their own failures, shortcomings and lack of recognition. Only a few manage to achieve stardom - but what ignoramuses like you fail to realise is that not everybody *wants* to be fucking famous! I know I certainly don't. I've never been recognised by someone in person - and the day that happens I'll probably run away and cry because I'm ridiculously shy off-camera. Plus - celebrities are not role models. They're just people. They have all had diarrhoea at some point in their life.

You're wasting your time/money/effort!

Regardless of if I am or not - which I feel I'm not - how does that affect you? It's my time. It's my effort. It's my money. I fail to see how I spend *my* time affects you. I'd rather sit and create than sit and blandly consume. I want to watch/read/see things that are specific to me - and being a bit of an oddball, not much actually exists - so I decided to make it myself!

So in conclusion... Creating content has:

• Improved my overall self image and self confidence
• Allowed me to be creative and try out new and exciting things
• Amuse and entertain other people with my nonsense
• Make a little bit of cash that can be fed back into the blog/channel/etc
• Learn new skills and improve on ones I already had
• Make new friends and chat with cool like-minded people online
• Spend my time doing something meaningful that I enjoy instead of sitting around bored and allowing the negative thoughts to take hold

As I personally enjoy what I do - if anybody else is inspired or has been thinking about content creation and is still dithering about it - I recommend you at least try it. After all, it's the age-old adage that you don't know what you enjoy until you try it - and believe me, there's no greater satisfaction than seeing your vision come to life - seeing your idea blossom from notes into a finished product. And if you're still jaded and bitter and cynical and who hates the idea of anybody enjoying themselves, go back to your sad, boring, lonely and pathetic existence.

Charm Agony's April Fool's Takeover

I'm a big fan of pranks - thus April Fool's Day is a great day for me. I mean, I'll pull pranks any day of the year, but having a day where it's expected of me? Hell yes.

With the advent of the Internet, the possibility for pranks became endless. Of course, no prank will ever beat the amazing "Spaghetti Harvest Documentary" by the BBC in 1957 - but I digress.

In March, I began writing a script for a 2-part video sketch in which Charm Agony took over my YouTube channel, Twitter, blog etc. And as it was Charm and she's dumb, she acquired it in a bit of a dodgy way - by me leaving it to her in a will. 

Now obviously I didn't expect anybody to believe this prank - the main goal was to confuse, amuse and potentially annoy. And I reckon it did that - but I had more than one message asking if I was actually changing my Twitter into Charm's... wut?

So step #1 was to record and post Charm's takeover video - "This Is MY YouTube Channel Now!" - a semi-scripted Charm Agony rant-style video complete with "previews" of what Charm intended to do with the channel now it was hers. Around half of the previews were genuine clips from videos that are in post-production or scheduled storage - the others were random ad-lib bits and pieces that I recorded just for this.

Step #2 was the re-branding of the Twitter and the YouTube - as you can see, I designed a basic pink and white banner for Charm, gave her a tagline and included a nice graphic of Cat Chaos' face with a no entry sign over it. Also, glitter. To complete the ruse I also altered the bio, changed the link to specifically go to Charm's page on this blog and changed the birthday to Charm's - June 10th, 1997.

Step #3 was to keep up the ruse by posting tweets as Charm and even sending DMs to people in the persona of Charm - which I admit I enjoyed way more than I should have. Incidentally, as I signed all of Charm's tweets as "- CA" and a kiss emoji - I now have the means to tweet as her on my own Twitter whenever I like, really. I may do that on occasion. The ruse had to continue until part 2 of the video sketch was completed, so it went on for 3 days...

The biggest obstacle in the way of getting part 2 of the video completed was a) Easter and b) the weather. I'd ordered some black gunge to use in place of the "tar," as I can pretty much make any colour of gunge... except black. It's really difficult to make a really thick and opaque black - so I bought some instead. This was delayed massively by the frigging Easter post - or more accurately, the lack thereof. The Royal Mail fucks off home on Good Friday, Easter Sunday (well, it's shut Sunday anyway) and Easter Monday... Also - the weather - it's April and thus it feels the need to piss down constantly. Filming the outdoor scenes was a nightmare.

(This video was flagged and removed by YouTube for "nudity and sexual content" - which we all know is complete and utter bullshit, so now it's uploaded to Vimeo so you lot can still watch it...)

But eventually it was all done - I uploaded the 2nd part of the sketch and returned my branding back to normal - Charm's little joke was over - but I personally will be a little sad to see it go. It was a lot of fun - and really gave me an opportunity to explore new aspects of Charm's character. She's really starting to grow on me - unfortunate perhaps for her detractors, but great news for her fans... yes, believe it or not, Charm has her own little fanbase. It's weird.

Now I can do my own make-up for Charm, I can more or less play her whenever I like. I'm now exploring different styles of content I can make with her - like the Charm Plays videos - somehow I can ad lib and maintain the accent 99% of the time for over 10 minutes of gameplay! I know, I'm impressed too. Charm now has a real name and a legitimate food allergy in the form of aubergines (or eggplants, as she calls them) - it's hard to flesh out a character like Cat Chaos whose facial expression never changes, as he's a mask... but with Charm I have a lot more freedom.

I'm also having lots of fun writing scripts and recording the skits - in addition to the usual slapstick routines and the "comedy" bits, I also want to try to see if I can do a scared Charm, a sad Charm - maybe even see if I can still do stage tears... We shall just have to wait and see. :)

Anarchy Advent 2017 - Awesome Competition Details!

It's September again, and you lot know what that means...

If you were here last year, you'll no doubt be aware of Anarchy Advent and all of its Mog-related goodness, but if you're new here; feel free to acquaint yourself with it.

Done? Good.

Like last year, I'm running the creative competition where you lot can win prizes! The prizes will be games or credit to purchase games on a digital download service of your choice. Last year, the winners all opted for Steam games, but prizes can be arranged for Xbox Live, Playstation Network, Nintendo e-Shop, Amazon, Origin, iTunes etc.

Said prizes are...

• 1st place - a game or games from your chosen wishlist/format gifted up to the value of £15
• 2nd place - a game or games from your chosen wishlist/format gifted up to the value of £10
• 3rd place - a game or games from  your chosen wishlist/format gifted up to the value of £5

So... what is this competition? What do you lot, my lovely greasy Anarchy Burgers have to do to be in with a chance of winning?

Simple! September 24th is my birthday - and I'd like you to make me a present. However, this is not specifically a "fan art" competition - don't feel restricted by what you can and can't do or make - this is a CREATIVITY competition. Last year's entrants included fan art, comics, tribute videos, music remixes, a bracelet, a Mario Maker course, a text adventure game and even a cake!

So essentially, any form of creativity goes! Art, music, writing, video, animation, sculpture, embroidery - whatever you're interested in!

The only rule is it has to be something to do with me - either feature my likeness, my logo, one of my tropes (i.e. gunge or unboxing videos) or one of my characters Cat Chaos or Charm Agony. And for those of you who choose to make me something physical, a photograph is enough for a competition entry, but if you want to mail it to me - that would be awesome. :)

Competition runs from September 1st to September 22nd. The winner shall be announced on September 23rd - and I shall showcase all of the entries in a special video.

Terms & Conditions

• Entries must be submitted to me via DM on Twitter - please don't @ them to me, I'd like to keep them a secret from other entrants!
• Prizes are to be awarded in vouchers or download code only, no physical cash prize.
• Once you've submitted your entry, I can do with it what I wish, post it on my blog, Twitter, use it in videos or other content etc.
• If you need anything from me in order to complete your entry - like sheet music to my opening, the colour of my eyes, my shoe size, Jet's inside leg measurement - whatever - just let me know and I shall provide you with whatever you need.

Good luck you lot!

And if you're looking for inspiration, why not check out the showcase of last year's entrants and winners?

Awesome ANARCHY ADVENT Competition Details

Oi, you lot!
Do you like Steam games?
Do you want to make Mog Anarchy something awesome for her birthday next month?

Read on…

As  part of next month's ANARCHY ADVENT, I'm running a competition for all of my awesome followers. You can win a great Steam prize!

The prizes?

1st place - a game or games from your Steam wishlist gifted up to the value of £15
2nd place - a game or games from your Steam wishlist gifted up to the value of £10
3rd place - a game or games from your Steam wishlist gifted up to the value of £5

And if you don't have Steam - we can arrange something else - Origin or Amazon wishlist or something - I'm flexible!

What do you have to do?
Well, on September 24th, it's my 25th birthday. I'd like you guys to make me something. It can be anything you like, here's some ideas:

You can draw me some fan art or a comic. You can write me fan fiction or a poem. You  can record me a tribute song or sample my voice in a dubstep remix. You could make me a model or some embroidery. You could put on a Northen accent and some black glasses and make a parody video - be creative! I'm more likely to award prizes based on creativity!

The only rule is it has to be something to do with me - either feature my likeness, my logo, one of my tropes (i.e. gunge or unboxing videos) or one of my characters, (i.e. Cat Chaos.)

And for those of you who choose to make me something physical, a photograph is enough for a competition entry, but if you want to mail it to me - that would be awesome. :)

Competition runs from August 22nd to September 22nd. The winner shall be announced on September 23rd - and I shall showcase all of the entries in a special video.

Terms & Conditions

• Entries must be submitted to me via DM on Twitter - please don't @ them to me, I'd like to keep them a secret from other entrants!
• Prizes are to be awarded in vouchers or download code only, no physical cash prize
• Once you've submitted your entry, it becomes my property and I can do with it what I wish, post it on my blog, Twitter, use it in videos or other content etc.
• All entries must be safe-for-work; swearing is permitted but nothing I couldn't show in a YouTube video

If you need anything from me in order to complete your entry - like sheet music to my opening, the colour of my eyes, my shoe size, Jet's inside leg measurement - whatever - just let me know and I shall provide you with whatever you need.

Good luck you lot!

Unboxing: Fan Mail Mystery Box #1

So today I received my first "fan mail" package! I somewhat jokingly posted on Twitter if anybody wanted to send me something random to unbox - and somebody did! 

That somebody was Rock Lobster, @rockest_lobster - who sent me this gigantic box that was bursting, literally with bizarre items... Said box was addressed to "Mogina Dixington Simthe..."

This was great fun, and I can't thank him enough for sending me this! 




So, this massive box, which incidentally was marked with "YouTube TAT," contained the following:

• NHL 2K7
• Get Fit With Mel B
• The Michael Jackson Experience
• The Rajah's Daughter
• The Black Sapper comic
• Meg & Mog counting book
• Crochet kit
• Sony Experia display model
• Fish tank cave
• Mug Anarchy mug & coaster
• Mog Anarchy logo stickers
• A big BEASTY dead wasp!