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Screaming into the void
Oct. 30th, 2025 09:01 amIt's been a long time since I posted anything here. But today I feel the need to scream out into the void and maybe have the void kinda listen and maybe have a small response, but all my other post into the void sites have people who are too close to the subject.
For the 2nd year in a row I have been organizing an Advent Holiday Ornament Exchange. (I was a participant for one year then organized it last year and this year). The premise - 25 people make 25 handmade ornaments, I collect them all, and pack them up so 25 people get a different ornament to open each day from December 1st to December 25. Yes, I know advents are 1-24, I can't count so I ended up with 25 people signing up.
The due date to get their ornaments to me was September 30th. This was to give me time to see what size box/bag I would need to hold the 25 ornaments and give a little wiggle room for the inevitable "I just need one more week, sorry" that always happens.
Packing party day is November 1st. As of today, October 30th I have 24 sets of ornaments. It's the 25th person who is driving me to the point of rage and fighting the urge to quit this all for good.
She signed up last year and half way through the year contacted me saying that life was too much and she had to drop out. But she said she had more than half of the ornaments done so she would now have plenty of time to complete the rest for this year. I understood - life happens. So when the sign up for this year happened, I let her join because I was going with the she had more than half done already.
Throughout the year I would post to the FB group for the project asking how people were doing and if they anticipated any issues withe the delivery date. She would respond with that she was on track. Great!
Then came August. I sent out a reminder of the end of September due date. Other participants did the "Oh crap, gotta finish mine right away". She was silent. September came - silent. I messaged her directly and after several pokes got "I just have 6 more, I may need a week or so". OK. October 1st arrives and I contact the few stragglers about when I can anticipate delivery. She's silent. I poke SEVERAL times and end up having to ask a mutual friend to reach out on my behalf because I feel like I'm being ignored. Mutual friend comes back with "she says she still has 6 to do and will get them to me by October 18th.
The weekend of the 18th comes and goes with her ignoring my messages of "when can I expect you to stop by with your ornaments?" Ask mutual friend to step in again. Straggler finally messages me at 10pm on Sunday saying "I still have 6 more. I can bring them to packing day". I tell her that is not an option, I need them ahead of time so I can do the labeling needed before packing. She says OK, she will get them to me by Wednesday (yesterday).
Tuesday comes and I ask her when on Wednesday is she dropping them off? CRICKETS! I ask a different friend that she has more connect to to call her (also he's participating in the exchage). He gets back to me around 3pm on Wednesday saying she's still working on them and that she will have them by packing day.
I lost it. I told him to tell her this is not an option. She has until Friday at 6pm to get me her ornaments.
It's not just the constant putting off of the deadline thinking that since she agreed to be part of the packing process, she can just bring them there. It's the ignoring my direct messages. It's the constant "6 more to do" when she's now had almost 2 years. Frankly, she's the reason I had initially set the deadline for end of September and not mid-August like I had initially wanted to. Just to give her a little more time.
I do intend to talk to her.
The two friends who are participating in this year's exchange that I have spoken to agree that if we do this next year, she will not be allowed to participate. I have no problem with that part of the conversation. It's the conversation about how her behavior in this has affected me. I know it will spiral her anxiety and possibly cause her to shut down, no matter how softly I approach with with "I feel" statements. But I feel like she needs to know how this has made me stress over this project to the point of coming close to saying someone that else needs to come take all the ornaments from me, pack them up and distribute them because I'm done.
She's part of my SCA household and chosen family and it's the disrespect I am feeling towards me and this project that frankly hurts.
I want to scream that this is why I hate to do group projects. There's always one.
Anyway, thank you void for letting me scream into you.
For the 2nd year in a row I have been organizing an Advent Holiday Ornament Exchange. (I was a participant for one year then organized it last year and this year). The premise - 25 people make 25 handmade ornaments, I collect them all, and pack them up so 25 people get a different ornament to open each day from December 1st to December 25. Yes, I know advents are 1-24, I can't count so I ended up with 25 people signing up.
The due date to get their ornaments to me was September 30th. This was to give me time to see what size box/bag I would need to hold the 25 ornaments and give a little wiggle room for the inevitable "I just need one more week, sorry" that always happens.
Packing party day is November 1st. As of today, October 30th I have 24 sets of ornaments. It's the 25th person who is driving me to the point of rage and fighting the urge to quit this all for good.
She signed up last year and half way through the year contacted me saying that life was too much and she had to drop out. But she said she had more than half of the ornaments done so she would now have plenty of time to complete the rest for this year. I understood - life happens. So when the sign up for this year happened, I let her join because I was going with the she had more than half done already.
Throughout the year I would post to the FB group for the project asking how people were doing and if they anticipated any issues withe the delivery date. She would respond with that she was on track. Great!
Then came August. I sent out a reminder of the end of September due date. Other participants did the "Oh crap, gotta finish mine right away". She was silent. September came - silent. I messaged her directly and after several pokes got "I just have 6 more, I may need a week or so". OK. October 1st arrives and I contact the few stragglers about when I can anticipate delivery. She's silent. I poke SEVERAL times and end up having to ask a mutual friend to reach out on my behalf because I feel like I'm being ignored. Mutual friend comes back with "she says she still has 6 to do and will get them to me by October 18th.
The weekend of the 18th comes and goes with her ignoring my messages of "when can I expect you to stop by with your ornaments?" Ask mutual friend to step in again. Straggler finally messages me at 10pm on Sunday saying "I still have 6 more. I can bring them to packing day". I tell her that is not an option, I need them ahead of time so I can do the labeling needed before packing. She says OK, she will get them to me by Wednesday (yesterday).
Tuesday comes and I ask her when on Wednesday is she dropping them off? CRICKETS! I ask a different friend that she has more connect to to call her (also he's participating in the exchage). He gets back to me around 3pm on Wednesday saying she's still working on them and that she will have them by packing day.
I lost it. I told him to tell her this is not an option. She has until Friday at 6pm to get me her ornaments.
It's not just the constant putting off of the deadline thinking that since she agreed to be part of the packing process, she can just bring them there. It's the ignoring my direct messages. It's the constant "6 more to do" when she's now had almost 2 years. Frankly, she's the reason I had initially set the deadline for end of September and not mid-August like I had initially wanted to. Just to give her a little more time.
I do intend to talk to her.
The two friends who are participating in this year's exchange that I have spoken to agree that if we do this next year, she will not be allowed to participate. I have no problem with that part of the conversation. It's the conversation about how her behavior in this has affected me. I know it will spiral her anxiety and possibly cause her to shut down, no matter how softly I approach with with "I feel" statements. But I feel like she needs to know how this has made me stress over this project to the point of coming close to saying someone that else needs to come take all the ornaments from me, pack them up and distribute them because I'm done.
She's part of my SCA household and chosen family and it's the disrespect I am feeling towards me and this project that frankly hurts.
I want to scream that this is why I hate to do group projects. There's always one.
Anyway, thank you void for letting me scream into you.
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne CollinsMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Haymitch is my favorite of all the characters across the series. He has been such since the first book. The way Suzanne Collins wrote him - I instantly saw a broken human who has been through so much that being a total prick is the only defense mechanism he has left.
So when it was announced that we were going to get a book that focused on his games, I was thrilled. That being said, when I finished this book, like many who had read it, I was emotionally wrecked. There were so many points of sheer emotional trauma.
I saw a TikTok reel that asked for a synopsis of the book without spoilers - and the best one was "Worst Birthday Party Ever" as Haymitch's birthday is Reaping day and so on his 16th his was reaped.
By page 75 I had tears streaming down my cheeks as I read. When I finished the book my only statement was "I am not Okay."
That being said, there were so many easter eggs in this book where we see things that are prominent in the original trilogy. We see younger versions of characters from the trilogy like Wiress, Mags, Beettee, Effie, Plutarch. We meet Katniss' parents.
This book focuses so much on the political statements surrounding the use of propaganda and that you can never trust anything you do not fully witness with your own two eyes.
The best line in the book that best sums up Haymitch during and after his game - "They will not use my tears for their entertainment."
Despite the emotional damage of reading this book - I loved this book. I bought it on a Friday evening and finished it Monday night. I will eventually re-read this book to do a deeper study of the Easter Eggs, and the like.
I do say, that I do not agree with other reviewers (mostly on TikTok) that because of reading this book, we do not need the stories of Fennick's games or Joanna's games. Through extrapolating off what happened in this one, we do not need those stories. That would be too much. There are other stories in this world we could get without that kind of devastation.
View all my reviews
Do your job. Uphold your oath
Feb. 27th, 2025 08:17 amDear Congress.
I am here to you to remind you that you took an oath to preserve and uphold the Constitution of the United States. The Preamble says that it was created in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.
How can there be justice, promotion of the general welfare and securing of the blessings of Liberty when funding for health services is ripped away? How is the general welfare promoted when the elders and children of our nation go hungry? When they are unable to access health care or means to make the living that “the American Dream” promises?
If history has taught us anything it is that when people are starving and dying, they will reach a tipping point and domestic tranquility will cease to exist.
I want to remind you that the people of your State are the ones who voted to give you a CONTRACT job and your contract comes under renewal every 2-6 years. Please look at this as your PIP request. We have long memories and will consider your performance when it is time consider extending your contract for another term.
Kowtowing to greedy billionaires out of fear of being primaried is a sign of cowardice and a failure to uphold the oath you took when you were sworn into your office. You further swore to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. These billionaires are systematically succeeding in stripping YOU of the power of Congress and thereby working to remove you from office. They will not have to work to primary you out of a job if there is no job.
I demand you take actions to stop the systematic dismantling of our Democracy.
You took an oath. Keep your promise to the American People.
Signed,
An Angry Constituent
(yes, a version of this was sent to both of my Senators and my Representative)
I am here to you to remind you that you took an oath to preserve and uphold the Constitution of the United States. The Preamble says that it was created in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.
How can there be justice, promotion of the general welfare and securing of the blessings of Liberty when funding for health services is ripped away? How is the general welfare promoted when the elders and children of our nation go hungry? When they are unable to access health care or means to make the living that “the American Dream” promises?
If history has taught us anything it is that when people are starving and dying, they will reach a tipping point and domestic tranquility will cease to exist.
I want to remind you that the people of your State are the ones who voted to give you a CONTRACT job and your contract comes under renewal every 2-6 years. Please look at this as your PIP request. We have long memories and will consider your performance when it is time consider extending your contract for another term.
Kowtowing to greedy billionaires out of fear of being primaried is a sign of cowardice and a failure to uphold the oath you took when you were sworn into your office. You further swore to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. These billionaires are systematically succeeding in stripping YOU of the power of Congress and thereby working to remove you from office. They will not have to work to primary you out of a job if there is no job.
I demand you take actions to stop the systematic dismantling of our Democracy.
You took an oath. Keep your promise to the American People.
Signed,
An Angry Constituent
(yes, a version of this was sent to both of my Senators and my Representative)
This has got to stop.
Feb. 13th, 2025 09:48 amI need to express my growing outrage at the way that the President and the Republicans in Congress are systematically destroying our country and ignoring the Constitution that they swore an oath to protect.
Why is no one stopping them from following the rules? Executive Orders are not law, yet they are acting as if they are. Why are they permitted to ignore the rulings of the Federal Judges?
And why are they allowing an unelected, unapproved, unvetted person to dictate how the various Departments of Government are to operate, especially when everything that is being decided on is to his benefit?
Elon Musk stood in the Oval Office for a press conference, behind the President with clear body language that the President is nothing more than a puppet doing his will. Even Elon’s child looked at the President and told him to shut his mouth and that he wasn’t the real President. There is only one way this child would have that belief – he was told that.
This needs to stop. People around the world and here in the United States are suffering and dying because of arbitrary decisions that this man and his “employees” make. This is only going to get worse.
Yes, I call, email and use the forms on my Senators and Representatives websites daily. Each day covering a different topic of my concern. I will continue to do so. I am scared. But more so, I am ANGRY.
But I am not just angry at those in Washington who are doing this. I am FURIOUS at those who voted to put them there and are now claiming they didn't know, WE TOLD YOU. But you dismissed us as being "emotional Liberals" when in reality we are realists who have read a history book. We are the ones who read Project 2025. We are the ones who listened to all the words that were being said and not just the ones we wanted to hear. And it's too late for "I'm sorry".
If you are truly sorry, you need to do what others of us are doing - educate yourself on the issues. This means research beyond the talking heads on the TV and Social Media (like me). Read the Constitution. Go to Congress.gov and read the bills that are being put before the House and Senate (make sure you are reading the ones for the 119th Congress). Read the daily updates of the Executive Orders, Memorandum, and Proclamations that are on Whitehouse.gov. If you don't understand what is being said, ask! Talk to others and learn. And then, call and write your Congressional members.
Our forefathers fought to enshrine the words of the Constitution. In just three weeks domestic tranquility, general welfare and the liberty of the people have been destroyed. In just three weeks, it appears we are coming closer and closer to vacating the idea of common defense as the President continues to ostracize our allies, insult our closest neighbors and make deals with dictators.
I, and the people of the United States, need Congress to do more than sternly worded letters of condemnation and holding press conferences. We need them to stop this madness and they need to know you are demanding them to so so.
Why is no one stopping them from following the rules? Executive Orders are not law, yet they are acting as if they are. Why are they permitted to ignore the rulings of the Federal Judges?
And why are they allowing an unelected, unapproved, unvetted person to dictate how the various Departments of Government are to operate, especially when everything that is being decided on is to his benefit?
Elon Musk stood in the Oval Office for a press conference, behind the President with clear body language that the President is nothing more than a puppet doing his will. Even Elon’s child looked at the President and told him to shut his mouth and that he wasn’t the real President. There is only one way this child would have that belief – he was told that.
This needs to stop. People around the world and here in the United States are suffering and dying because of arbitrary decisions that this man and his “employees” make. This is only going to get worse.
Yes, I call, email and use the forms on my Senators and Representatives websites daily. Each day covering a different topic of my concern. I will continue to do so. I am scared. But more so, I am ANGRY.
But I am not just angry at those in Washington who are doing this. I am FURIOUS at those who voted to put them there and are now claiming they didn't know, WE TOLD YOU. But you dismissed us as being "emotional Liberals" when in reality we are realists who have read a history book. We are the ones who read Project 2025. We are the ones who listened to all the words that were being said and not just the ones we wanted to hear. And it's too late for "I'm sorry".
If you are truly sorry, you need to do what others of us are doing - educate yourself on the issues. This means research beyond the talking heads on the TV and Social Media (like me). Read the Constitution. Go to Congress.gov and read the bills that are being put before the House and Senate (make sure you are reading the ones for the 119th Congress). Read the daily updates of the Executive Orders, Memorandum, and Proclamations that are on Whitehouse.gov. If you don't understand what is being said, ask! Talk to others and learn. And then, call and write your Congressional members.
Our forefathers fought to enshrine the words of the Constitution. In just three weeks domestic tranquility, general welfare and the liberty of the people have been destroyed. In just three weeks, it appears we are coming closer and closer to vacating the idea of common defense as the President continues to ostracize our allies, insult our closest neighbors and make deals with dictators.
I, and the people of the United States, need Congress to do more than sternly worded letters of condemnation and holding press conferences. We need them to stop this madness and they need to know you are demanding them to so so.
Review of 2024 Reading Habit
Jan. 20th, 2025 10:09 amI am choosing to not give the fascist narcissist that is moving into 1600 Pennsylvania Ave the video ratings he craves. So because I am off work for the Federal Holiday of honoring a true hero (Martin Luther King, Jr.), I’m going to focus on other things.
One of the things I thought I would do is review my reading statistics for 2024. For this I am not short books/stories – maybe for 2025 I will.
Cutting to save space for those who honestly don't care. ( Read more... )
One of the things I thought I would do is review my reading statistics for 2024. For this I am not short books/stories – maybe for 2025 I will.
Cutting to save space for those who honestly don't care. ( Read more... )
2025 Predictions
Jan. 2nd, 2025 09:55 amI've been doom scrolling TikTok and seen the trend to create a 2025 Bingo Card. I saw some who used their BINGO card for their personal goals, others for predictions on what will happen in the world.
I thought it would be an interesting experiment to do a World Predictions one to see how well I am reading the state of things. I did some very serious ones and a couple very NOT serious. I did ask my friends for some suggestions when I came up short of the 24 needed and took a couple that were offered up.
So, I present my 2025 Bingo Card. I'll return at the end of the year to see how well I did.
I thought it would be an interesting experiment to do a World Predictions one to see how well I am reading the state of things. I did some very serious ones and a couple very NOT serious. I did ask my friends for some suggestions when I came up short of the 24 needed and took a couple that were offered up.
So, I present my 2025 Bingo Card. I'll return at the end of the year to see how well I did.
Glad Game 2024: NOvember 7 and 8
Nov. 8th, 2024 08:41 pmNovember 7:
After going to two stores yesterday and not finding it, on my way home from work today I went to an out of my way one and found the Aldi’s cheese advent calendar.
November 8:
Got a very good Annual Review today.
After going to two stores yesterday and not finding it, on my way home from work today I went to an out of my way one and found the Aldi’s cheese advent calendar.
November 8:
Got a very good Annual Review today.
You can't take the sky from me.
Nov. 7th, 2024 01:28 pm
All kidding aside... I may say I'm an Imperial Girl at heart ... that is for fiction. I like the bad guys in many books and movies. But in real life, I do not tolerate bullies, oppression and using differences to stress otherness and through that "wrongness".
After seeing that the majority of voters in my country are in favor of a party that has openly said they want to make me and others like me, those I love who are not hetro/cis/white men into non-humans (go read Project 2025 and tell me how there is any other take from it) - I have found my heart just broken.
DON'T tell me that it's the economy. Tell me why you are actively trying to give me less body autonomy than a corpse. Explain to me that it's freedom of religion - but only one extremist version of one religion. Explain to me how you can support the proposed systematic rounding up of one group of people to detain in camps for undisclosed amounts of time, separating family members from each other.
No, I'm sorry. You can't. You have made it clear to me who and what you are.
If you find yourself saying "but I'm not like that", by voting for a convicted felon over a qualified woman, you are. Go ahead and see yourself out.
Meanwhile, I need to find a blue bracelet and a brown coat.
Return of the Glad Game
Nov. 6th, 2024 01:08 pmI think I need to bring back the Glad Game for my own mental health.
For those who do not remember, or are new to me, I used to do a "find one good thing in every day" - and that one good thing could just be something as small as "I got a kiss from Grimmy this morning" or "I did not actually trip over my own two feet today", or something as big as "Got a kick ass review at work" or "found $20 in a coat pocket"
It's not a big thing, but any small step I can do to keep from spiraling into bad brain space will be good.
So for today: November 6, 2024
Two people have come forward to me and nominated others for Ashley Boxes. I will be able to send them out this weekend and hopefully they will help bring a small bit of joy to others.
For those who do not remember, or are new to me, I used to do a "find one good thing in every day" - and that one good thing could just be something as small as "I got a kiss from Grimmy this morning" or "I did not actually trip over my own two feet today", or something as big as "Got a kick ass review at work" or "found $20 in a coat pocket"
It's not a big thing, but any small step I can do to keep from spiraling into bad brain space will be good.
So for today: November 6, 2024
Two people have come forward to me and nominated others for Ashley Boxes. I will be able to send them out this weekend and hopefully they will help bring a small bit of joy to others.
Lucky Leap Day by Ann Marie WalkerMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Just before a long weekend getaway to Ireland, Cara's boyfriend of 6 months breaks up with her. Rather than stay home and wallow in her misery, Cara decides to use the plan ticket and goes anyway.
Upon arrival, she learns her luggage has been delayed and her first uber driver splashes her with a puddle and takes off rather than pick her up. The second uber driver, gives her a lift and the literal sweater off his back. Add to the prince charming, his looks don't hurt things either.
Over the course of the next couple days, Cara keeps running into Finn, the prince charming driver. On the her last night in Ireland - which happens to be Leap Day - she goes drinking at a pub recommended by Finn. Too many whiskeys later, Cara wakes up the next morning in Finn's bed being told she proposed to him and they got married by the pub's busboy who also is an internet ordained minister.
Needing to get home for an important meeting, Cara convinces Finn to come back to LA with her so they can sort out the marriage thing and work to get it annulled. He agrees and they go to the US, where Cara is a wannabe screenwriter/working for the world's most important but biggest bitch of a talent agent in Hollywood.
But she needs to figure out how to advance her career, end a marriage she doesn't remember and not lose her heart in the process.
++++
Cute, though I saw the twist coming a mile away. That doesn't mean I didn't like it. It was entertaining enough, though trope central. I did like that it was all fade to black or referenced sex without going into details.
All in all, I would consider more by this author.
View all my reviews
A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger ZelaznyMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Many of my friends read this book in the month of October with a "one chapter a day" as it has 31 chapters. While I understand the attraction of doing that, I found it extremely difficult with my reading style. Many chapters were only a couple pages and having to stop after just 3-5 minutes of reading actually caused me to have a visceral anger reaction. That being said, if I do read this book again, it will be in "chunks" not single chapters.
As for the story - it was ok. But my reaction to the story may be colored by my reaction to the "reading challenge rules". I may try again next October and do it more in longer stretches of reading.
But I can see how others would really enjoy the book.
View all my reviews
How to Kiss Your Enemy by Jenny ProctorMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
They were bitter rivals in culinary school. So imagine his surprise when he learns his sister hires her to be the catering chef at the family's farm-to-table restaurant and event center.
But maybe the time apart will help them get over the rivalry and they can learn to work together.
++++
I felt the romance in this book was rather flat. The character of Lennox was rather 2 dimentional and just annoying. I agree with other reviews that had this just been a character arc story of Tatem, it would have been much more enjoyable.
That being said, I did not hate this book. And I did like that there was no graphic spicy time scenes. But I finished the book with a "ok, that was a book" feeling. I won't recommend but I also won't dissuade.
View all my reviews
This was book #81 for the year
In with the new
Sep. 17th, 2024 09:06 amLittle over two years ago a group of friends who had a long standing virtual TTRPG group invited me to join them for a new campaign.
I had been itching to play again as it had been a long time since I played (I want to say a decade? maybe less, maybe more) so I agreed. It was a system I had never played - Cypher, but I trusted my friends to be kind as I fumbled my way through not only a new system, but a new platform AND streaming it to the interwebs.
Not only did they welcome me and help me through learning the mechanics, they provided encouragement and helped me bring a late teenage goth ice mage to life. I very much enjoyed playing Black Ice (her superhero name as it was a superhero campaign) and forming the bonds that comes from good roleplaying.
But two weeks ago, the campaign ended. It was hard to put the characters to rest after two years of playing them, but the story arc was complete and it was time for the Queens Gambit to move on.
We all knew it was coming so had begun taking about "What's next". P, our GM for the superhero campaign, expressed he'd like to return to playing and T was ready to return to his place as the groups GM (which he had been many times before). I expressed that after having binged the first season of Critical Role that I would very much like to do a fantasy game as I could not remember the last time I played one. Prior to "The Powers that Be" (the campaign we were wrapping up), I had played Call of Cthullu and Shadowrun and it had been way before those that I played anything D&D-esque. T readily agreed to run the campaign and we the players started working on our new characters.
Over the course of a month, we 5 players inundated poor T with character concepts, volumes of backstories and such that he said he could easily write a novel on each character just based on what we sent him for set up. I have to admit that while I was a DM for a text based, turn-by-turn game almost 20 years ago, I do not miss that aspect of play, but it was a lot of fun watching the 6 of us create a new world and see how T was taking our suggestions, thoughts, and writings to form a cohesive thing.
That thing has become "Echoes of the Undying" and we started playing last night. I did have a little bit of disconnect switching to my new character of Zahar (a Paladin for the Goddess of Death) but was able to quickly enter a new way of thinking and approaching problems (she's a melee warrior, first and foremost, and Ice had been a ranged attack mage when given a choice).
I do like some of the new house rules that T has introduced as I think they bring new elements for storytelling, how the 5 players are interacting and building off each other in new ways and a new world to explore. Not to mention the mental image of a Gnome artificer ad hoc building a silverware attack weapon with an egg beater.
And T closed us on a cliff hanger on our first session! (Ok I get it, we were well over our end time but it was fun). I look forward to returning to the world of Korr and seeing where adventure takes us.
If you'd like to watch a bunch mid-aged adults play you are welcome to find us at: Echoes of the Undying AND The Powers that Be
We have no delusions that we are Critical Role or Dimension 20, but we have fun.
I had been itching to play again as it had been a long time since I played (I want to say a decade? maybe less, maybe more) so I agreed. It was a system I had never played - Cypher, but I trusted my friends to be kind as I fumbled my way through not only a new system, but a new platform AND streaming it to the interwebs.
Not only did they welcome me and help me through learning the mechanics, they provided encouragement and helped me bring a late teenage goth ice mage to life. I very much enjoyed playing Black Ice (her superhero name as it was a superhero campaign) and forming the bonds that comes from good roleplaying.
But two weeks ago, the campaign ended. It was hard to put the characters to rest after two years of playing them, but the story arc was complete and it was time for the Queens Gambit to move on.
We all knew it was coming so had begun taking about "What's next". P, our GM for the superhero campaign, expressed he'd like to return to playing and T was ready to return to his place as the groups GM (which he had been many times before). I expressed that after having binged the first season of Critical Role that I would very much like to do a fantasy game as I could not remember the last time I played one. Prior to "The Powers that Be" (the campaign we were wrapping up), I had played Call of Cthullu and Shadowrun and it had been way before those that I played anything D&D-esque. T readily agreed to run the campaign and we the players started working on our new characters.
Over the course of a month, we 5 players inundated poor T with character concepts, volumes of backstories and such that he said he could easily write a novel on each character just based on what we sent him for set up. I have to admit that while I was a DM for a text based, turn-by-turn game almost 20 years ago, I do not miss that aspect of play, but it was a lot of fun watching the 6 of us create a new world and see how T was taking our suggestions, thoughts, and writings to form a cohesive thing.
That thing has become "Echoes of the Undying" and we started playing last night. I did have a little bit of disconnect switching to my new character of Zahar (a Paladin for the Goddess of Death) but was able to quickly enter a new way of thinking and approaching problems (she's a melee warrior, first and foremost, and Ice had been a ranged attack mage when given a choice).
I do like some of the new house rules that T has introduced as I think they bring new elements for storytelling, how the 5 players are interacting and building off each other in new ways and a new world to explore. Not to mention the mental image of a Gnome artificer ad hoc building a silverware attack weapon with an egg beater.
And T closed us on a cliff hanger on our first session! (Ok I get it, we were well over our end time but it was fun). I look forward to returning to the world of Korr and seeing where adventure takes us.
If you'd like to watch a bunch mid-aged adults play you are welcome to find us at: Echoes of the Undying AND The Powers that Be
We have no delusions that we are Critical Role or Dimension 20, but we have fun.
I was stupid and paid the price
Jul. 8th, 2024 11:52 amFriday while I was working from home and in a Zoom meeting, I got a FB message from a friend asking for help. It was in the chat history we had and I didn't think anything of agreeing as I was distracted by actually working.
After I helped, I instantly realized what I had done and scrambled to get into my FaceBook to change the password. But it was too late. Hackers struck and blocked me out of my account.
What followed was 2.5 days of nightmare trying to recapture my account (which FB sucks at helping because they are run by AI now and not real people). Through the help of friends, I got the word out that I was hacked and not to do the stupid I did.
While that was going on, my wonderful sister used the fact that she was still friended to the account and spent her entire Saturday painstakingly downloading every picture off my account (all but 2 or three albums that were not that important).
Meanwhile, because there are groups on FB I need to be in for Pennsic, I created a new account and then got instantly put in FB jail for appearing to be a bot due to so many friend requests. I then had to go through the appeal process to prove I was a real person. Luckily that was approved this morning so I am back onthe platform.
The upside (if there is one) I can carefully curate my friend list.
The downside - Sunday was the most isolated I felt in 18 years. Because without a FB account I had no access to messenger and I do not have phone numbers for everyone I chat with to send a text.
But I'm at least back on and will start the process of creating a new space there.
After I helped, I instantly realized what I had done and scrambled to get into my FaceBook to change the password. But it was too late. Hackers struck and blocked me out of my account.
What followed was 2.5 days of nightmare trying to recapture my account (which FB sucks at helping because they are run by AI now and not real people). Through the help of friends, I got the word out that I was hacked and not to do the stupid I did.
While that was going on, my wonderful sister used the fact that she was still friended to the account and spent her entire Saturday painstakingly downloading every picture off my account (all but 2 or three albums that were not that important).
Meanwhile, because there are groups on FB I need to be in for Pennsic, I created a new account and then got instantly put in FB jail for appearing to be a bot due to so many friend requests. I then had to go through the appeal process to prove I was a real person. Luckily that was approved this morning so I am back onthe platform.
The upside (if there is one) I can carefully curate my friend list.
The downside - Sunday was the most isolated I felt in 18 years. Because without a FB account I had no access to messenger and I do not have phone numbers for everyone I chat with to send a text.
But I'm at least back on and will start the process of creating a new space there.
You Should Smile More by Anastasia RyanMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
For several years, Vanessa has worked for a small telemarketing firm. She hates it - the guy in charge is a complete self-centered wack-a-doodle - but it lets her pay her rent and take care of her foster kittens.
Then one day she is called into the conference room where he is let go because "We don't like your face". The boss says her resting b*tch face gives off bad vibes and shows she has a dark soul not cut out for the business. Never mind that she always hits her targets and is one of the best producing people on the team. She refuses to sign the paperwork to get the laughable excuse for severance pay, and files for unemployment. Through the unemployment office, she learns that no one who has ever been terminated from that company has ever requested unemployment insurance. That is quickly followed by her old boss sabotaging future job prospects.
After a drunken night with her former work besties, they hatch a plot for revenge. And they all learn more about themselves and their old company than the ever imagined.
+++++
This book was an absolute hysterical fun ride. Was it great literature? No. But it was a book that made me laugh all the way through and live out my revenge fantasies fror a heinous toxic job that I left not too long ago. I'm pretty sure the author wrote this as a revenge fantasy/satire and that is perfectly OK.
The one thing I will say is that many classify this as a rom-com book. But the "rom" part is so minor that it almost didn't need to be there. I think this would have worked just find as a Chick-lit comedy.
I have already told MANY friends they are in the rotation for this book. Highly recommend if you want light hearted fun.
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The Love Hypothesis by Ali HazelwoodMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a book that I was initially put off of due to the hype. I admit that the more a book is raved about in general, the more likely I am to put off reading it. I mean this got HUGE acclaim in the reading community AND it was said to be a reworked Star Wars (Kylo/Rey) fanfiction.
But I got a copy on sale and put it on my self to read. Even then I put off reading it until it was part of my "blind date with my bookshelf".
That being said, I enjoyed this "Slight Age Gap/Fake-Dating/Grumpy-Sunshine" contemporary romance. Where there things that were a bit overly Trope-y? Yes. Did it detract from the overall story? Not for me. Even the spicy scene was enjoyable.
I enjoyed this enough that I will probably look for others by this author.
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Shine by Jessica JungMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
3.75 stars but not enough for me to bump it up.
Rachel is an American-born Korean who was recruited when she was 11 to join DB Entertainment in Soul, South Korea. DB is an entertainment group who trains and pumps out K-Pop groups and stars. She's been working for 6 years towards the hope that she will be picked to be in the next new group. She has several things going against her:
1) she's American born
2) unlike the others in the training class, she does not live at the training compound and attend the training sessions 7 days a week. Her mother agreed to move to Korea but Rachel has to still attend regular school during the week and thus only train on weekends.
3) She gets massive stage freight when put in front of a camera.
4) Her biggest competitor, Mina, for the lead spot in the group is actively working to get her disqualified and kicked out of the program.
Enter a new complication - Jason Lee. He's the lead singer of DB's current top K-Pop Boy Band and he has the hots for Rachel. The reason for the complication is that there is a strict no dating rule for the girls as long as they are a trainee and under contract, AND she's starting to have feelings for him too.
What's a girl to do when her dreams are within reach but people keep trying to keep them just a hair's breadth away?
+++++
Disclaimers:
1. I am NOT someone who is in to K-Pop.
2. I am a 50 year old white woman.
1 + 2 = I am NOT the demographic this book is geared for.
That being said, of what i would classify as a YA (the main character is 17) book it seemed to hit it's mark for enjoyable escapist real-life fantasy.
Yes, there were some cringe worthy interactions. Yes there were parts of the story that felt a bit forced. Yes I would have liked to have seen more into the darker side of these singing group factories.
But I did like how the girls were all facing sexist, ageist, body-shaming, double standard issues. And I loved the relationship between Rachel and her younger sister.
All in all - for what it was, I liked it.
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Armageddon by Travis BagwellMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
3.5 (almost 3.75 so I rounded up)
I have greatly enjoyed all the books in this world and this was no exception, though this may be one of the ones I liked the least. There was just SOOOOO much going on and, as I have done them all as audiobooks, it was at times very hard to keep track of all the pieces-parts.
Additionally, there seemed to be a shift in "game play" in that suddenly non-avatar characters had the ability to take down the entire gathering of Avatars. And random shifts in personalities.
But regardless, I do not read/listen to these books for high literary value. I do so to be entertained, and this book certainly did that and I am looking forward to the next book.
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