NOTW #63: ExLibrisMortis

[ExLibrisMortis]

Oh snap... look at this. I actually got chosen to be a NOTW. Lurking around here for the better part of a year I figured it would never come my way. Well, here it is, understand the man behind the mask, and have a good chuckle at my expense, free of charge. (No seriously, enjoy, it'll be fun! )

Who are you?

Spoiler

Tell us about yourself! Where are you coming from, what languages do you speak, what do you do, how old are you, tell us a few words about your family, work etc. This is the job interview part.

Hey Everyone, I'm Ex Libris Mortis, or some of you may know me as James. I'm 21, I live in AZ, and I've been apart of the community for over a year now. I am sadly, currently unemployed (looking hard for a job, haha), and I spend all my free time doing a vast variety of projects such as Avatar Nation Podcast, schooling, and other audio endeavors. I am a master of the English language (at least I like to think so ) and have studied German, Spanish, and Hawaiian.

Why are you here?

Spoiler

What brought you here to the Learn Na'vi forum in the first place? Did you fall in love with the language? With Pandora? With a character? Did someone invite you? Or did you stumble upon this site? Once here, why did you decide to stay? How much time do you spend here every day?

Well, let's see.... trying to remember exactly what brought me here... Hm.... Oh, I got it! There was this movie that came out at one time, it was a really good movie, stunning graphics, and these weird blue aliens speaking some strange language. Yup, it was Avatar. I had watched the movie when I got back home after being in Georgia for a year. Me and my sister were just stunned at the sheer awesomeness of the movie. I went back the next day to understand the plot better, rather than just be in awe over all the visuals.

After watching the movie I went online to just absorb everything I could about the movie. Searched sites, forums, and everything I could my hand on to continue the experience. Then I found Learn navi, and well anyone can follow my activity from here.

Where do your alias and profile pic come from?

Spoiler

Do they have a special significance? Is you alias a translation of your real name, or just a bunch of random letters thrown together? Is that you on your profile pic?

My Alias is actually an old one that has been in use by me for a very long time, the better part of 6 years now actually. It's literal Translation is "..From the Library of Death", and it's really in reference to the Black Library from the Warhammer 40k universe, that Library that the Eldar watch over.

My Avatar pic, which is recently changed to this one, is actually the picture that I have for an RP character withing the Ikran Tribe of the Eastern Sea RP. It a portrait of Phantoms leader, Major James Ikaika.

Srak nga tsun nìna'vi pivlltxe?

Spoiler

How well? Why did you start to learn it? What is your ultimate goal with the language? Do you have specific methods/tools you use in learning the language? How did your friends, family, or colleagues react to your interest in learning Na'vi? Have you told them at all? Have you converted any of them?

The definite of being able to speak a language is quite relative. Personally, I know bits and pieces, but not much. I can usually take sentences, and with the assistance of a dictionary, be able to pick apart it's meaning over the course of an hour or so. I used to study the language rather heavily and helped in the development of a language learning software, very similar to rosetta stone, call the Tree of Voices. It used to be extremely popular here on this website before me and the Creator kinda let it go to the wayside.

What's you favorite Na'vi word? Did you incorporate it (or others) into your everyday vocab?

Hmm, honestly my most favorite Na'vi word that I love alot, which is not even a "official" word at all is Txepay which stand for "Fire Water". Me and a good friend of mine that met on the website constructed that word one day out of sheer boredom, and to kinda explain the parallels between American Indian culture and the Na'vi experience.

In your opinion, what are the top three user-created content on the LN website?

Spoiler

Anything from the main site, the wiki, or the forum including language docs, threads, quotes, literary works, images, etc.

My top three, starting with the top, would have to be Kaltxi Palulukan's original workbook, the Tree of Voices software, and then the Avatar Nation podcast.

Have you made any contributions to the LN community that you're particularly proud of?

Spoiler

What made you make those? Do you plan on contributing (again) in the future? How?

There are so many things that I've had my hand in from the begining, its really astounding now that I look back. My first delve into giving back to the community was the Tree of Voices software mentioned above. Then I lead the making of a Panel and a Booth at the Phoenix Comic-Con in 2010, which was -the- most successful panel at that convention, in terms of attendance. Then I took part of the All Things Avatar podcast. I am currently working on re-vitalizing an Audio drama that is Avatar themed, and also currently work on Avatar Nation podcast. I have personally met with Paul Frommer, Ty Ruben, and other members from FOX, all in the intent to promote LN and all of the Avatar Community.

What is it that you liked/hated the most about Avatar ?

Spoiler

How many times have you seen it? How big of an Avatard are you? Prove it!

The thing I like the most about avatar was the stunning display of Humanity ability to adapt, overcome, and achieve. Just the sheer fact of them being on Pandora in the first place was pure bliss, then followed by all the technology and ingenuity that was displayed purely by the RDA forces.

The thing that I hate the most was that the re-release of the movie, with the extra 8 minutes, should most definitely been the original release. Reason being is that it totally cast an entirely different light on both the RDA and the Na'vi in their perceived intentions and motives behind what they did. It would definitely have helped dissuade the ideal of the "Noble Savage" and shown that the Na'vi are just beings that do what they need, when they need it.

Has Avatar  changed your life in any way?

Spoiler

Are you trying to become a Na'vi? How and to what extent? Do you live on a tree? Do you wear your hair in a long braid? Or are you just simply blue? Do you bond with animals? Is Gaia on your contact list? Did you have your photo 'shopped?

Avatar has actually changed my life in a very interesting manner. No I am not living in a tree or getting cosmetic surgery, but I have definitely taken on a new skill set because of the movie. Namely in the realm of Podcasting, I have learned quite and extensive amount of skills in the fields of video editting and audio engineering that are truly valuable to me.

If you could ask Frommer or Cameron three movie or language related questions what would they be?

Spoiler

You can make requests specific words/expressions too.

Cameron: What exactly is the plot of Avatar 2/3? hehe

Cameron: What is the exact way that the ISV travels through space.

Cameron: Can I have an exclusive interview for Avatar nation? =3

What else do you do in you free time?

Starcraft 2, Warhammer 40k, Mass Effect 1 & 2, script writing, and job hunting.

Name your top three favorite Earth animals from most favorite to least. Why those? What's the animal you're most terrified of?

1: Dogs, I love my dog, its the most loyal thing to me and my best friend.
2: Turkey, original what was to be the bird of the nation, or at least suggested by Ben Franklin. Attacks only when threatened, allows its young to do as they please, and also taste very good
3: Lions, who wouldn't want to be the king of the jungle?

Terrifying: Well nothing is "terrifying" to me. As long as I got my gun, i'm good. But for the sake of the question I fricken hate scorpions.

Pirate, ninja, zombie, or robot?

Spoiler

Something else? Maybe a combo? Exactly what subtype? Why? (For those of you not so versed in trash tropes, this question basically amounts to asking "What superpowers would you like to have?")

Robots, because the pirate, ninja, and zombie will all eventually die out, but robots will live on FOREVER!!!

What three items would you take to a desert island and why?

Spoiler

Anything from books, movies, games, instruments, music, sporting equipment, etc. You'd be provided with means to fully utilize the chosen items – electricity, MP3 player, etc. –, but you couldn't use them for anything else. Escape is not possible.

Hmm.... a pallet of Mountain Dew, a single pistol, and long hair (Sea turtles mate)

If you could travel to anywhere in space and time (including fictional universes), where would you go and why?

It would either have to be the EVE universe, or the Avatar Universe, yet be a human.

If you were granted one single wish what would it be?

The Capability to meld reality as I see fit.

What is a question you'd ask yourself? How would you answer it?

To me: Who are you?

Back to me: Why do you have my face?

True or false?

Spoiler

Write three statements about yourself, the more extravagant the better. At least one of them must be true. At the end of the week, you'll have to tell which ones were truthful and which made up.

I am Hawaiian

I am an Eagle Scout

My Major is Aeronautical Engineering

What is the funniest, weirdest, or most embarrassing Na'vi or Avatar  related thing that has happened to you?

Spoiler

Something along the lines of a MLIA short.

When I told everyone I know that I am learning the Na'vi language... boy did I open the door on that one.

"Would you rather be attacked by one Palulukan sized atokirina or a dozen atokirina sized Palulukan?"

Spoiler

Asked by the previous NotW.

I would have to say one Palulukan sized Atokirina... DEATH BY FLUFFINESS!!!

[Amaya]

  Got you first~!

Okay, my guesses are t/t/f but I could very well be wrong

[Dreamlight]

This one is a tough call but I'm going to say True, False, True.

[DJ Makto]

Congratulations good sir. 

T/T/T

['Oma Tirea]

Seykxel nitramsì

Oeyä pxen: Ts/Ng/Ng

[Maria TunVrrtep]

Congratulations, ExLibrisMortis! 

I'm going to guess
True (partly because you say you speak Hawaiian)
True (because you said that correctly)
False (because one answer has to be false HRH)

Have a great week!

['Itan Atxur]

Congrats!! You undeniably deserve it It's way too late to read your entire post so I skipped to the T/F

1) F (Just because one of them had to be false)
2) T (If you're not an Eagle, nobody is )
3) T (I could totally see this)

[ExLibrisMortis]

You were actually on my list of potential nominees

I appreciate that. 

[archaic]

Congrats on NoTW!

I'm going to agree with Amaya and Mrrìa TunVrrtep on my guesses .....

Ngay (some one has to be, and I don't see why not)
Ngay (seems plausable)
Tsleng (I know how easy it is to find info on aeronautical engineering and aerospace maintenance on the net)

Enjoy you week of fame!

[Swoka Ikran]

Congrats ma ExLibrisMortis.

I'll guess Tsleng/Tsleng/Ngay

[akiwiguy]

Seykxel sì nitram ma oeyä 'eylan

Ngay/Ngay/Tsleng.

['Oma Tirea]

Ma ExLibrisMortis, you never revealed your true/false answers.  Ayoe newomum!...

[Maria TunVrrtep]

And we haven't heard who the new NOTW is yet also.

[ExLibrisMortis]

Yeah My apologies, Ever since I got back from the Seattle trip my life's been shut down with school.

Answers are T/T/F

I am hawaiian and an Eagle Scout, also my major is aerospace engineering, not aeronatuical

The next person has been notified on whom they are and should post soon