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.
4,986 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 4801 – 4986 of 4986violet: *hugs* :)
I'm here :)
hey violet ^_^ How are you? :)
I'm pretty good. Don't have to go to school or take an exam tomorrow :)I still have a couple exams, but tomorrow I get peace. I'm hoping to spend it writing this book I've been working on(if you can call it a book at this point, it's about four chapters)
How be you?
violet: Hehe, what's it about? ^_^ I am fine thank you very much, finished all my exams a while ago, school is going fine, though I might get suspended for not going to the charity walk today :P There was a charity walk for the people in Nepal and i didn't go, and not because i wouldn't want to help them, it's because we have a sponsor anyways and the money is already going to help, i just didn't see the point of going for a little walk, instead of doing something productive ^_^ It's not like a walk's gonna help the people who have suffered from the earthquake, right? The money is already done and dusted, and i would gladly do voluntary work, if it's productive.... ^_^ sorry for rambling :P
and oh yeah, i am not sure, but i think every had to do it, but i didn't, cuz didn't see the point :P
Perfectly alright, and I see where you're coming from. It stinks that you may get in trouble though. And it's about 4/5 teenagers in my very own subculture of magic, and they work for the government. They fight some baddies along the way, I suppose. I mean, it's more complicated than that, but I'm trying to summarize into something that isn't obnoxiously long.
violet: Thanks for understanding, and as i said i would like to help, i just don't think what they did would help anyone ^_^ hehe, i see :P I would love to read it :) would you like to continue the RP btW? :)
If you wanna read it, I posted the first two chapters on my blog, and will probably continue to post them. I'd love it if you read it. The more the merrier. And yeah, totally :)
Andviolet: *picks up phone in the middle of the night, having not been able to sleep, fishes the card out from her pocket, and dials Fera's number. The phone starts ringing*
violet: hehe, i will definitely read it ;) ^_^
fera: *pick up phone* ummmm...hello? *says it in a soothing voice*
(Awesome, can't wait)
*deep breath* There is absolutely nothing I can say that will make you not go after this thing?
fera: well...considering i've already tracked its exact location and made a capture device specifically for it...No i don't think so *laughs mildly*
fera: why would you not want me to go after it anyways? *sticks tongue out*
*another deep breath* Then I'm coming with you. I have what you call...good intuition.
*can't see tongue because I called on a phone*
fera: what, right now? At 2 am? *hmphh*
*laughs* not necessarily right now. Well when are you going?
fera: right now *giggles* unless of course, if you've got any problems with that? :P
Hello? Anyone on?
hey hopey ^_^
Not at all. Right now it is. Where are you?
Hey Tam :) *hugs£
*waves*
Hi Frank. Hey, Vi. How are you two?
fera: say my name *laughs*
hopey: I am fine thank you ^_^
I'm pretty good. Got a day off tomorrow, so, ya know. How be you?
Andviolet: *rolls eyes* Fera, Fera, wherefore art thou my sweet Fera? *very sarcastic*
Good to hear, Frank. ^.^
Awesome, Vi. :)
I be tired and distant.
*nods*
*remembers to ask*
Oh yeah, how old are you, Violet? Just curious.
I am in high school, but I don't really want to share my age.
fera: just say it *giggles*
Nothing against any of you, just privacy
OMLI. I'm in high school tooooooooooooooooooooo!
Okay, Vi.
I'm nineteen. :P I FEEL SO OLD BUT STILL REALLY IMMATURE. XD
Fera: I just did. Three times. Nothing happened. But fine, I'll try it just alone. Fera.
DUDE, DUGGY. YOU BARELY STARTED. XD
*hugs the duggle*
Hey Duggy! *hugs*
And awesome! High school people!
...I haven't started. BUT I'M STILL A BIG SCARY HIGH SCHOOLER!!!
*huggles Tama back*
GUYS VUYS GUYS I'M IN ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES EVER
*hugs Vi back*
I READ YOU'RE NEXT CHAPTER AND OMLI IT'S GOOD
Where are you? And yes, I'm sure you're very big and very scary.
fera: *feel a breeze on your cheeks* boo...right here
Oh yay, thank you. Glad to hear it XD
Heh, i am almost done with high school, i am bigger and scarier than you are dugglyn :P
Fera: *rolls eyes and is sarcastic again* Ah, you scared me! *feigns fright*
DUGGY TAKE PICTURES!!! Lots of them!!
Hah, Frank. I AM done with high school. Take that. :P
(I'm in the middle somewhere! Yay! Awkward middle child!)
hopey: yeah but you're 4"6, you're not big or scary
fera: *door open in a loud crash* oops, sorry neighbors *sarcastic* go through the door *only hear my voice, can't see me*
hopey: just remembered, 4"8, sorry :P
*giggles* just get in here, you big doof.
of course all yey'all are bigger and scarier! I'm still fresh. Hahaha, get it?
I'm in Canada! On an island between Vancouver island and the main land.
I have pictures, I'll put em on my blog, just a sec!
(awesome, Duggy! Hope you're having a good time)
Yay, Dug. :)
-_- Geez, you had to remind me, Frank? XP
*face darkens*
I can be scary if I wanted to.
*brightens up with a smile*
But I don't, so you're lucky. ^.^ ;P
*takes a look at Dug's profile to get to her blog*
*notices a part in her favorite music area*
I AM NOT A REAL ARTIST, DUGGY, I DONT COUNT. XP
hopey: i thought you were aware? :P oh I am so lucky ;P
fera: *appears on your bed nearby you* hello there *doesn't have coat on, his body is rather built*
But-but- on the blog, I can forget how short I am. *pouts*
Yes, yes you are. *nods* :P
Violet: *sighs* and why don't you have a shirt on, might i ask?
fera: *said i don't have a COAT on* XD i have no idea what you're saying? *shirt appears on him*
hopey: oh don't pout *hugs* hehe :P
*huffs and grudgingly hugs back*
*ruffles his hair as pay back and runs away quickly after, laughing*
hopey: *runs after her* :P
*turns on lights* Okay, so what were you planning on doing at 2 am? Are we going straight after the monster, or is there other stuff to do first? You said you have some sort of device?
*hides behind a tree, moving out of his sight if he passes by it, still grinning*
*looks at the time*
Gotta go. :/ Sorry, Frank! ^.^
*comes up behind him and hugs him quickly*
Bye, Duggy and Violet!
*happily poofs, knowing she was 'saved by the bell'*
Rick Riordan
Doing Norse mythology...
My life = complete
I might actually die of excitement and i'm more excited about this then Demon Road....
Opps.
-Zaf who might explode
By Tam! *hugs*
fera: I think the best plan of action would be to go after it *nodS* oh yes, well during our last encounter i had pin pointed its soul structure, i have made a device especially for it to be captured *grins* do you have any stuff that you would like to take with you, or do anything before we go? *there's clearly noticeable sweat dripping down his face which he didn't mention*
hopey: oh, bye :/ *hugs*
nothing I can think of. Let's go get ourselves a minster
*sighs and goes*
-Zaf
fera: *wipes sweat off* fine by me, though you might wanna change your clothes, while i like you in pijamas more *smirks* the enemy won't care about that *giggles* something more ready-to-fight? *smiles*
*glares at Fera* Fine, give me like two minutes * shoves Fera out the door and closes it* *returns roughly two minutes later in boots, pants, and a leather jacket with hair tied back* Now are we ready to go fight a monster?
Eeep! Major Poof, soy!!!
Uploaded pictures!
And not currently here!
fera: sure thing *puts hoodie on* grab my hand ^_^
(Tis okay, hey again Duggy!)
Looks at hand. I'm going to fight a monster... *deep breath**grabs hand*
fera: oh...forgot to mention...*clears throat* several *wall of dark redness starts engulfing both of us*
*is engulfed, irritated that there is going to be one of those game changing things he purposefully didn't tell me because then j wouldn't have came*
fera: *both of us appear in a dark place, rather chilly, surrounded by stone walls* it's a bit cold, so i hope your dress can keep your body temperature constant...now see these 3 paths? Each of us has to walk a different one. We can't go down the same path. however they all lead to where the THINGS are....plan is, we separate here, and meet up there. Nobody does anything until we're both there. got it? *takes little glowing device out* here, this will start glowing brighter the closer we're to each other. Use it as a compass to find me. Once you reach the end of your path, it will drop you off anywhere random in the space that we want to each *smirks* good luck *books it down the hallway at superhuman speeds without letting you ask anything*
*looks down at attire, confused as to why Fera called pants and a jacket a dress* *moves on from pointless detail* *studies two paths closely* *heads down path to the right*
fera: *cuz he likes it XD* *fera while booking it down the hallway* I hope you're as strong as i think you are, otherwise...*andviolet starts hearing loud screams*
*hears loud screams* *bolts further down hallway, trying to drown out screams with the wind rush of running*
fera: *the further both get, the louder the screams become*
*stops, analyzes scream sounds* *stands up straighter, plugs ears, and walks quickly standing up tall*
*light shows up at the end of each hallway, fera makes it however, violet is behind, fera can feel something coming towards her, a lot faster than he is* crap, i have no authority here, come on violet! *grinds teeth*
*senses something* *bolts and joins Fera at the end*
fera: *quickly throws violet in the portal while he jumps at it as well* *both appear in random locations of a huge, but weirdly dark room*
Okay. So are you going to tell me exactly what we are doing? Or keep me guessing?
James: *closes his eyes*
Then I'd heal myself then find my way home.
That poor lorry driver..
Hi Jai *hugs*
fera: shhhhh *points at the middle of the room* *something growling in the darkness*
fera: shhhhh *points at the middle of the room* *something growling in the darkness*
*lowers voice a little, but probably not as quiet as Fera would like, knowing it won't disturb the creature* You seriously think I didn't notice that thing? I told you, I've got pretty good intuition. If you wanna say that.
fera: *glares* you mean, thingS?...well, i've gotta get close to it, and you've gotta help me *nods*
Yes, I meant things. But did you? You referred to them as "it" multiple times. But enough semantics. Now is really not the time. What do I need to do?
fera: you push me, with wind preferably, then I've only gotta get close to IT...the others can wait. You watch my back while I am setting up the trap and ...it's right behind me isn't it *turns head slowly*
*it isn't right behind Fera* Wow, you really just couldn't resist saying that, could you? And push you? With wind? Push you where, and what?
fera: right there *points near middle* it's...a bit tricky to explain. no time. Just do it. *smirks*
*gives deadpan look* You're not Nike. *shoves Fera towards the middle*
fera: *lands on one hand and pulls out weird looking device while still on one hand* there we go big boy, come with us *a little demon-like creature bites of fera's hand and he drops device* oh man...
violet: I am gonna have to go in a bit, girl...it was fun, would you like to continue tomorrow? :)
i understand something must've happened/you had to go somewhere, but i can't stay no more...I loved RP-ing with you, hoping to continue tomorrow, sayonara *winks* *smiles* *disappears*
(I'm off to harry potter world in London in a few hours!
I am fangirling so much I can't sleep!!!!!!!!!!!)
http://dereklandy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/anz-tour-locations.html?m=1
Next free post :)
Liliana: Mmm... That seems like a better option. I will be one moment, Onwa. *she and James vanish in a flash of black, reappearing in the middle of a desert in the pitch black* Welcome to a realm without a name, which is very close to the realm of my mother. There is a portal... Perhaps reachable by walking for a week and a half. But I am not going to tell you what direction it is in. As it is close to my mother's realm, she has set certain... limitations. You cannot teleport - that right is reserved for her, and by extension me alone. Any healing will cause you excruciating pain - a deterrent for the angels. There is one lake here, half a week before the portal, but in the same direction. That means if you choose wrong, you will die. There are also demons, so you may be needing this. *a black dagger forms in her hand, and she throws it to the ground in front of him* Use it to kill demons or slit your throat.
If you manage to reach the portal, there will be a short physical test. Do not worry, if you die during the test you will simply be set back at the beginning. Then you will be able to go home. Sound fair?
Claire: I was doing my best to save you!
Ghar's clickable thing... also have a mouse? scroll wheel click me :P (howdy. *nods before gunslingin' and firin' into the air*)
(I'm actually drinking butter beer now)
(it's good right :P
*prefers real beer still*)
James: *stares at her*
You just removed my arm and leg and expect me to be able to walk for a week without water and without blood loss or dehydration killing me?!?! Then you expect me to walk for half a week without water and find this portal AND manage to complete a physical test all without Bering swarmed and killed by demons?!?! Wait.. you said healing will cause pain, how long for? Will the healing still work?
I know.
*smiles*
Thank you Claire..
Oh my gosh Fera I'm sorry, I actually fell asleep. I was that tired. I just slept for 12 hours too. I guess I was REALLY tired.Yeah, I totally want to continue.
(On bus back
Got a death eater wand and ravenclaw vest)
Awesome, Inky! Was it a good, fangirly time had by all?
I miss school.
Aw. It's okay Star. Try to enjoy summer while you can: the warm weather, the free time. But then it'll be over before you know it! I know that always happens with me...
('Twas amazing
I fangirled soooooooo much!)
That's always a fun thing to do ;) fangirling is the best!
(It is!
I actually Stood in the great hall!
Wbd
On bus still)
Ooh, the Great Hall! That sounds so cool! I'm not like a hard core HP fan, but I read the books and watched the films and definitely enjoyed them a lot. So that sounds pretty awesome.
(It was!!! I loved seeing the werewolf model )
Liliana: Of course it will still work - you will just have to relive the pain of the injury until you stop healing yourself.
Claire: No problem.
@Abdviolet: I'm never gonna get it back the same way, though . . .
. . .
I miss my year group.
I havwn't visited the Harry Potter studios, but I'be been to the castle where Merlin was filmed.
It was very cool. :P
I'm glad you had fun. :) :)
James: *whimpers quietly*
*grabs the knife with his only hand, lunging to stab Liliana in the leg with it*
*kisses Beth gently*
(Thanks star
And that's awesome!)
(Disclaimer: Completely random thing I remembered)
A few months ago, in my art class, we had to draw caricatures of a famous person. Naturally, my friend and I chose our one and only Golden God. A few weeks later, every art student in the school submitted a piece to our school's fine arts festival, and three types of ribbons were awarded. There were a bunch of third place ribbon winners, a bunch of second place ribbon winners, and a bunch of first place ribbon winners. With my caricature of Derek, I got one of the first place ones!
(Well done vi!)
Thank you! I just figured, hey, this is Derek's place, so I should mention that here! My friend drew him too, but she didn't enter it in the festival. She did a different picture. But hers turned out looking like a old man/baby, and she is waay too happy about that ;)
(Awwwwww XD the golden god is awesome)
He is! He's the Golden God for a reason, after all.
(That's true
I remember when I was a finalist in one competition)
Ooh. What was the competition?
(we had to mention why our school was so awesome
If you won, derek would visit your school
I was a finalist
So close...)
Aw, that completely stinks. That sounds so cool. If it makes you feel any better, I missed every single Derek Landy contest ever that took place before this year. I only got into the series in about December, and so I missed everything. Hopefully there will be some for Demon Road, because I would love to participate more. Not that he would have come to my school in that one anyways...America, and all...
(*sighs the tiniest bit and glares slightly*)
(Awwww
Hmmm I got Into the series around the time death bringer came out.
I hope so too
I hope demon road is just as great)
(What's wrong Jai?)
(*gestures at the time and the fact I'm a needy individual*
*huffs*)
(Awwww)
(Not Aw.)
(Yes awwww)
(How is that Aw?)
(Cause I feel sorry for you )
(*huffs* Yey. Rp?)
(can someone tell me what I did this time?... I'd like to know so that I don't do it in future.)
(*goes to record for youtube* ...
art piece in 5th year lol found this and it made me laugh... I had to make an eye and well I went for sci-fi theme so I made it all "alieney" --------------------> ><_>< )
(Sorry Jai
I'll be distant so I won't be able too
Phone battery and signal are dodgy)
*looks at page views on my blog*
*looks at how many views for country*
*sees someone in South Korea looked at my blog*
O.o What the hell?
*US views: 96*
Yeah, like 86 of those are probably me...
(*sighs*
*decides to just go to sleep*
*I don't want to spend another night waiting*)
(Soooo tired)
(*waves to people(s)*
*sits quietly...* )
Hi Gar :) *hugs*
I accidentally deleted all of my photos from the first two days because I'm a fucking moron and clicked the button
And I had so many cool photos of Troy and mosques
And i just
I just
I hope to die of a heatstroke or drown in the sea or leap off the boat
(*listens to rocky horror sound track*)
(*huggles noelle* live
Hey rhos)
*waves to Vi and hugs back*
*offers hug to noelle*
I know what its like to do that... You will feel bad but honestly it'll be okay so just hold on :) )
*waves to Chloe* )
(In just seven days, I can make you a maaaaaaan!)
*raises a questioning eyebrow and looks at Chloe* )
(It's rocky horror show
You wouldn't understand )
(*nods in understanding*
*shrugs...* *the film doesn't appeal to me
But I've seen some rocky still shiz in a game....*
*shivers from the bad memory*
*not fun... * )
(It's a good film)
*my mom calls me(she's at work in at home), I answer, conversation ensues*
Mom: did you do all the stuff I asked you to?
Me: yeah, I think so. See ya when you get home!
*hangs up phone, proceeds to do everything I just said was done(that my sister didn't do, she actually did some of it before that phone call) before mom gets home because I've actually been sitting on the couch all day doing nothing*
(I'm going off the blog for a bit to save battery
Txts still available)
Hello? *looks around for people*
*this place has died faster than my attention span for somethings...*
*thats a record in its self lol* )
Fine
You'll forget this happened by the next page anyway
Bye
(Hello.)
Liliana: *she hisses as the blade enters her leg, stepping away from him* And now you have lost the ability to use the dagger in a futile attempt to kill me, further weakening your position. That was hardly smart now, was it? *she vanishes in a flash of black, reappearing beside Onwa, pulling the knife out, hissing* *she limps a few steps, hugging Onwa tightly* I left him in a desert containing thousands of demons. He will have to walk for seven days without water. I told him that he had to choose a direction to head and there would be a portal leading to his realm if he chose right. No matter which way he goes, he will end up in the same place - being able to drink after a week of doing without water, followed by a short physical challenge - and then he will return home.
Bethany: *she kisses Silente back* ... So we should go and see the Steve person?
Noelle??
Sorry I'm slightly lost now....
We've dropped hugs for you
And well I know how you feel (with the accidentally deleting pics bit... )
So *offers another hug*
Honestly not much I could do really I do apologise :/ )
(Noelle - Perhaps they missed it? It is a shame about the pictures, but at least you have the memories. However, if you thought something nice enough to take a photo of - it was something worth seeing. If you kill yourself, you will not see it again.)
Greeting mortals.
(Hi Em! *offers bro hug* )
(Hi Soph )
(wbd now, reading and what not )
(Hello, Emerald. Hello, Garrett.)
Hi Emerald! Have we met before? I think not.
(*hugs Noelle*)
Onwa: *hugs her back, healing her* A week? Humans last three days without water..
James: *bites down on his hand and heals himself, screaming into his hand, muffling the sound*
Yes we should.
(Hey em!)
Liliana: Then he should better kill some demons and drink their blood. *she grins* Mmm... I got the idea from a tale I once read about sailors marooning mutineers on a desert island. Although this is not an island, just a desert. It is possible for him to survive. It is just hard for him to do so.
*a black mist is in the distance, visible just over a small dune of sand*
Bethany: ... So where do I go?
Claire: It might be better if Silente portals. Remember the house that we stayed in?
And Adra, I would respond to some of your comments, but we don't even know each other, and you just seem like a person who needs some reinforcements from people you know. Correct me if I'm wrong, If I am, you seem like a great person to get to know, and I would love to do so.
And hello Gar, Sophia, Jai, and Chloe!!!
Don't think so, I'm kinda the phantom of the blog so don't get too used to me. I come and go quite a lot.
But nice to meet you!
(Hey vi!)
Onwa: *nods* Mmm. And how difficult would hand to hand combat with demons be?
James: *stands up shakily, glaring at the sand* *looks around then starts walking in what seems the flattest direction*
Yeah, I remember.
*opens a portal to there*
Nice to meet you too! Hug?
But of course...
*hugs tightly*
(Hi vi.)
(Hi Mel.)
Liliana: Mmm... It depends. Most demons you could possibly manage. Some are much harder. It is possible, though, to craft weapons from their bones - if James would kill some lesser demons, he could hold his own against some of the more powerful ones with the weapons he crafted. *she grins* That is, assuming James has any sense.
*a young girl steps in front of James' path, crossing his view before vanishing into thin air*
Claire: Preferably outside? One moment. I'll get the Lamborghini.
(My mum wasn't overly thrilled about how much I spent on a wand...)
Onwa: I hardly doubt he has any sense whatsoever.
James: *jumps back slightly*
*glares and walks quicker, head down*
Oh. Right.
*closes the portal, reopening one to the road near the house*
(I'm off or an early night
Nos da)
(Nos da Chloe)
(Goodbye, Chloe.)
Liliana: True. He stabbed me, so I took away his dagger.
*a girl's laugh can be heard right in James' ear*
Claire: *she runs over to where the Lamborghini managed to spin out to, climbing in via the door which has broken off* *she changes into first gear, slowly beginning to drive the car to the portal*
Onwa: Idiot.
James: *jumps, looking around quickly*
*growls* Illusions. Stupid b*tch.
*walks*
*opens the portal wider, making room for the car*
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