The Artist's RPG / Components: Puzzle

PUZZLE

INTEGRATORS

OVERVIEW - DETECTION - MATCHES

This existence is but a giant puzzle. Made of countless puzzles more. And if you’re lucky, you stumble upon the pieces, notice them, pick them up, and can place them where they belong. It is not about forcing them to fit into a vision, but about letting them reveal the vision. What picture are they painting?

“It is a mystery until it is not. Inconceivable until not. Impossible ’til not.”

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Intrigue and fascination are ever-present. There is more to see, more to catch, more to put together. And far too often, something just seems off. Not quite right. Or not quite as simple. Can’t put your finger on it, not yet. And might not rest until you do.

There are trees, of course, beautifully intricate leaves too, but don’t miss the forest. Take a step back, or several, and realize how limited your point of view is or has been. Furthermore, how looks can be deceiving. Can you really be sure that you are seeing what is truly there?

All you know is that there is a, perhaps secret, order in the chaos of confusion, of all that has not been made sense of. And every now and then, here and there, you get a clue, you figure something out, it clicks into place. And it can be euphoric. It is all coming together in astonishing ways.

This existence is but a giant puzzle. Made of countless puzzles more. And if you’re lucky, you stumble upon the pieces, notice them, pick them up, and can place them where they belong. It is not about forcing them to fit into a vision, but about letting them reveal the vision. What picture are they painting?

The pieces may be laid in front of you, waiting for your attention and some organization, or scattered around, for you to search and hold on to until you are finally able to tell where they go.

How many times did you encounter a piece of a puzzle, ignore it, and later go back for it? They aren’t always so obvious. And even while getting a tingling of suspicion, you might choose to brush it off. Only to then be surprised by how relevant it ultimately was.

Overstimulating, So-So, Understimulating

Easier said than done, but you must always remember your ability to make the most out of situations. It is not always possible, granted, and often you can only do so much, but adopting a ‘How can I work with this?’ outlook goes further than a ‘Why won’t this go my way?!’ attitude when it is not within your hands to immediately change your circumstances.

Yes, things can be frustrating. And worse than that, they can be debilitating. Harmful and destructive even. And in such cases, you must fight to get to where you’re as safe as possible as soon as possible. Then, once there, you can get to work.

What is going on and how is it affecting you? Is it too much all at once? Is it too little all of a sudden? Or is it a happier medium in between? Though you can (and likely should) strive to set and maintain your ideal levels of stimulation, within some favorable range, it is not guaranteed that you’ll have control over what does or doesn’t happen for and/or around you.

You are not necessarily stuck, though. Chances are that this, too, shall pass. And while it is on, believe it or not, it could be a bundle of countless opportunities for you to do what you otherwise wouldn’t be able to. So take advantage of it while you still can!

Overstimulation? There is a lot happening? This is your chance to look and spot all the raw materials that can be useful to your craft, with an overwhelming amount of options, and ultimately select what you will be turning into art.

So-so? Something is somewhat happening? This is your chance to have a balanced approach between picking and packing what pertains to your field, with minor or no adjustments to your pace and approach, just doing some of this and some of that here and there.

Understimulation? Nothing seems to be happening? This is your chance to search within, into what you are already carrying with you, or to dive into what the past or the future may hold, via research and reflection, so that you can bring it forth as it deserves in your own manner.

It helps to keep in mind that, regardless, there is inspiration to be found and to be had. It’ll be on you to get yourself to where you can catch it, rather than be consumed and defeated by the irritation that comes with being overwhelmed or the boredom that comes with being underwhelmed. But nonetheless, things are probably not as helpless as they can intially come across. And who knows? Maybe you will later see, in hindsight, how it was in your favor.

The Death of Slim Shady (Live Performances)

I'm wrapping it up! Watching him perform is something else. I have to limit my exposure to Eminem’s live performances because I don’t wanna be, let’s just say, pathetically starstruck by his awesomeness. But it isn’t a complete day without these theatrics. He did make a full comeback! 

PS: I was in awe of the sets at other concerts, too, featuring more of a graveyard. Absolutely nothing was half-assed, huh?

The Death of Slim Shady (In Conclusion...)

I wanted to open a can of worms, and a can of worms was opened. Surprisingly, can even directly quote some of the lyrics going, “Just opened the biggest can of worms on the whole planet Earth.” But to be fair, it could have been worse.

Boys are dumb, I still cringe and get grossed out witnessing and/or listening to Slim Shady’s antics, tons is rotten, and I’m confused af about what a lot of it meant or was referring to. I tried to go at it in order, but it doesn’t seem very chronologically organized. Maybe there’s a different sort of arrangement to go by. I don’t know. I’m expecting I’ll have realizations over time, to further comprehend it all, when more dots manage to connect (or I come across the answers).

At this point, what I can firmly say is that I sincerely appreciate all the work that went into giving Slim Shady a funeral. Or something like that? It is unclear! But, I mean, how it was so on theme and how imaginative and creative it came out as. If I weren’t such a blatant admirer of artists’ abilities, I’d be envious. ‘Cause, jeez, what a show!

Personally, I believe I can declare Temporary as my top favorite track. I hated it so much. But then loved it so much, too. Death (and moving on) is always a heavy subject, but oughta confront it nonetheless. It was also such a magnificent time-capsule-message embedded piece that it blew my mind. Then, against my will, I fell in love with Guilty Conscience 2. (Don’t get me started about how much Guilty Conscience stood out for me and what a treat a continuation of it is for someone like me!)

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: Though the King of Controversy is sorely missed, that’s one hella demanding job. Besides, I want to see Marshall, the “chopped liver”.

The Death of Slim Shady (Tracklist)

A mere few days definitely aren’t enough to take this album in as thoroughly as I would like to. Thank goodness that it is not the end of it (it remains there to be revisited) and it is only the end of my current reviewing. I AM listening to all of the tracks, though, and trying to piece them together. But for now, just emoji-coding them!

. Renaissance (intro) 💣

. Habits 🚩

. Trouble (short) 👥

. Brand New Dance 🎈

. Evil 👿

. All You Got (skit) 👥

. Lucifer 📓

. Antichrist 📓

. Fuel 🥊

. Road Rage 🚩

. Houdini 💣

. Breaking News (skit) 🚨

. Guilty Conscience 2 👥

. Head Honcho 🥊

. Temporary 💔

. Bad One 🚩

. Tobey 📓

. Guess Who’s Back (skit) 💀

. Somebody Save Me 💔

. Steve Berman (skit) 🚨

. Fuel (Shady edition) 🔥

. Like My Shit 🔥

. Kyrie & Luka 🔥

The Death of Slim Shady (Lyric Video)

Okay, I’m not even gonna attempt to grasp everything that’s going on here. But there’s wordplay to catch, a ride into and through that side of town, and what seems to be an ongoing fight between Marshall Mathers and Slim Shady - including zombie Slim Shadys (and both of them swollen, pfft).

Possibly the craziest Lyric Video in existence, but I’m mostly captivated, and humored, by how it’s done in a retro pixelated video game style. Plus, comic books’ flair. And just so shamelessly absurdist that I realize all over again that Eminem’s the sort of guy to name himself after M&Ms. And that’s… brilliant. To say the least.

The Death of Slim Shady (Music Videos)

I immediately appreciated how Houdini seemed to be an ‘answer’ to Without Me’s line, “Now, let's go, just give me the signal. I'll be there with a whole list full of new insults.” Yet, more than that, how it played with the passing of time. It’s been a while indeed and things have changed plenty. It packaged and delivered the nostalgia outstandingly, bringing it into today. It did come across as pretty random, though, nevertheless, clever. And I was hooked by the line, “And for my last trick, I’m ‘bout to reach in my bag, bruh.” I suppose it was referring to the insane content within the album?

Not gonna lie. This one was triggering the heck out of me. I had to force myself to actually listen to what was being said. Or attempting to communicate. And remind myself that it wasn’t catering to me and my sensitivities, in particular. That ~I’m not the only one with issues~. My snap judgment was that it was such a defeatist pity party, and I, forever the ~where there’s a will there’s a way~, despised that. It might be that it painfully reminded me of my own powerlessness to help people dealing with addiction problems (been there, not a happy ending story) and the sad reality that you can only help those who want to be helped and who will also help themselves. But taking myself and my personal issues out of the equation, and valuing it for what it is, I’m so grateful that such an intimate look at the struggles one could find themselves in was given. Somebody Save Me is heartbreaking, especially if you’re the kind who’s there for others or wishes to be.

Then, Temporary broke me. Confused or not, damn it. I was not ready to cry this much over a freakin’ song by no other than EMINEM. I ended up MAD. Like, what even was this about? Some hypothetical death and being asked to move on? But then again, it’s a family thing, and I’m only a stranger on the outside looking in, so what can I even say? I don’t know, but it messed me up regardless. ‘Cuz wutcha talkin’ about? I don’t want to move on! SIGH. Anyway, I listened to it recently, and it doesn’t stir me like that anymore. But it’s still so damn upsetting and unsettling. Jeez. The girl in me, with an absent father, was made to experience a multitude of feelings.

In general, though, gotta keep applauding Eminem’s genius.

The Death of Slim Shady (Teasers & Trailers)

Umm, yeah. Can’t tell if Marshall Mathers’ brain is more saturated with horror movies and overall stories than mine is. I’ma have to bet yes. What even is that thing? “Fear not, you’re in the hands of heroes!” Not sure if I should read that in a serious or mocking tone, either. But okay, let’s keep going…

Why are you spitting on Slim Shady’s grave? What’d he do to you?! Man, it’s times like this when I realize that I wasn’t enough of a fan, tracking every move of each and all these personalities, because I’m missing so much context. I mostly just remembered Slim Shady as ‘problematic’, ‘politically incorrect’, and ‘giving free advertisement’ to everyone he picked on or merely mentioned in his rapping. Along with the many abilities he rightfully gets credit for. But what do I know? Maybe it does take people like Dr. Dre to withstand him. And even then…

Hmm. This ambiance struck me as familiar. I don’t know if it is intentional or not, though. Or just a coincidence. But even if it’s coincidental, it might have been subconsciously connecting to it for some reason. It reminds me of “Not Afraid”. Maybe I just really liked that music video. But most importantly, what is this person being forced to watch and why? Guess I’ll have to listen to the album…

There’s even an Expanded Mourner edition?

Truth be told, I was reluctant to expect much coherence within this whole fictional universe. Could all just be a mixture of sensationalist stuff that rhymes and references. Which, if the case, whatever; at least it sells. Not everybody can, or should even attempt to, be a die-hard nerd. But if I’m not mistaken, he emphasized somewhere that it was a CONCEPT album and asked to listen to the tracks in order so that we could get it. Or so I heard. If so, sounds like there was plenty of thought put into it.

The Death of Slim Shady

Buckle up, ‘cause I’m finally going into it! I’d been puzzled about it and drawn to this concept album since it was first announced. Horror, crime, antiheroes? Count me in! I couldn’t give it the attention it merited before (too angry, too sad, too ‘can hardly give a f**k’). Now I can, though.

It is not a secret that this is actually my all-time favorite side of Eminem. The darker stuff, shining a light on it. And how, even while being quite hands-on, raw and explicit, it gets quite psychological too. Talk about thrillers. I love him for it (understatement).

This came as a shock to me, however. Killing Slim Shady? Look, I disagreed plenty with the guy, er, character, and believed he’d be my high school bully if both were put in the same setting, but killing him? Really? I can’t kill my own OCs that nobody’s heard of, how can anybody permanently kill a figure as great as Slim Shady? This had to be some sort of joke. But anyhow, I was clueless about where all this was coming from and where it was headed, so I tried to suspend my judgments until later.

Today is Friday the 13th, and digging into The Death of Slim Shady seems oddly fitting for the occasion.

CURRENT, UPCOMING, and PREVIOUS Events

The week to open this can of worms has started. Excuse me while I try to deal with it amidst the state of the world and my own instability... 

I decided I wouldn't be putting it off for too long after all. Though I do hope and pray, and am doing my best, so that I'll be free enough for all of it by the time the dates come. This is truly some historic stuff!

(More of the previous events are to be listed later on...)