Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Exploring Second Life : Finian's Dream

None of us are really going anywhere. There's nowhere to go. Everything is cancelled. We're staring at the same walls, day in and day out. It's starting to get old for a lot of people. Me? Well... I'm tired of being home, but I also know everything I normally would be doing is cancelled.

So I guess that just leaves me with Second Life to explore for now. Anyway here's some pictures of a place I checked out recently called Finian's Dream. Let's pretend their photographs. It's as close to being somewhere else as I'm going to get for a while.












Monday, April 27, 2020

Music Monday : Another Monday

It's another Monday. The days roll past mostly without events changing. I don't even want to talk about it anymore. There's nothing to talk about. I don't even really have inspiration to come up with a positive statement or thought this morning.

All we can do is keep going. That's what we need to do. Keep going.

I hope you're safe. I hope you're healthy. I hope you'll be with me when this is all said and done.

Ricky Martin : The Best Thing About Me Is You

Hanson : Song To Sing

Little Big Town : The Daughters

Tones and I : Bad Child

Eliza Doolittle : Big When I Was Little

Monday, April 20, 2020

Music Monday: This Again Already?

The weeks seem to be going in a haze. It's hard to know what the day really is anymore. It's absolutely crazy. Are we going back to work soon? Are we stuck home for more time? Are we going to have anything better than the void we have been trapped in for... weeks now? Does anyone really know?

I don't know. I'm sorry I don't have any answers for the questions I ask at times. But we're all still floating along, and that's all we can do right now. Keep going. Just because we don't know doesn't mean we have to stop.


Twenty One Pilots : Stressed Out

Julia Michaels : Anxiety

Julia Brennan : Inner Demons

Ruelle - Carry You

Mallrat : Charlie

Friday, April 17, 2020

Everyday Seems to Get Longer

I hate to say this, but it seems like the hold this virus has on the world is never going to end. It may not seem like it has been going on very long to some people, but... to some of us it feels like an eternity. All the days are blending together, making it hard to know exactly what to think.

A lot of people have turned to video games as a way to have company. I have to admit I have as well, though I'm not very good at video games in general. The game I've gone back to playing is Second Life. Don't knock it if you haven't tried it. It's free form, and has something for everyone if you're willing to look.

And since I doubt you want to hear about me sewing masks, or just waiting for the virus scare to end. I figure I can share pictures, and style cards. It will at least break up the time.



Skin :.::WoW Skins::. Eshe Bronze
Eyes & Makeup: [Void ]
                            [V] Lacerate II (Constricted)-- Violet--Eyes
                            [V]Makeup Enhancement-- Cat Liner/Gloss/Blush
                            [V]Lipstick(New Gen)--Black(Gloss)
Hair : Exile:: Britney
Mesh Body : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara V5.1
Shape: My Own
Tattoo: My own
Clothes & Shoes:
                        #Brigadeiro Open Hoodies [Jelly]
                        ~FF~ Ink Dipped Shorts - Malibu Sunset
                        Maitreya Gold - Shanti Fatpack Lara

- I did use the Baked on Mesh option. My Head is my own head. So I know the skin may not have appliers? Not sure how that all works. ^_^

Monday, April 13, 2020

Music Monday : Hold On

It's hard. I know it's been slow, things aren't necessarily perfect anywhere right now. But everyday is a chance to exist. If all we do is that, we can get through it. We just need to hold on. I know it is hard. It is really, really hard.

But hold on just the same. It will end eventually. We'l make it through to the other side, we just have to make it past this first. Take each day one at a time. It's a little easier than projecting and hoping that the furthest point out is going to be when things go back to the usual. I know it isn't something people want to hear, but it won't go back to the way it was. Not entirely at least. So we're going to need to find a new normal. Which is going to take time.

I'm still feeling nostalgic. So I'm still playing miscellaneous music that  brings a smile to my face, and helps break up the silence of the day. There's too much silence when you're alone. As crazy as that sounds, being alone is way too quiet for me. It lets my mind wander to places it shouldn't. SO here's to holding on and getting past this period of time.

I hope you have a great week.

Remedy Drive : All Along

Kid Rock : Johnny Cash

Karan Casey : Mother Earth's Revenge

Ron Pope : A Drop in the Ocean

Reel Big Fish : Somebody Hates Me

Friday, April 10, 2020

Book Shelf Revisited : Villains Children Know

So in the new year I'm sure we all have been watching the news, and their always trying to paint various people in a villainous light. And I'm seeing a trend. Kids have a habit of turning people they don't know into villains. And today I've got two such stories to share with you about kids and their villains. Neither are very factual, but they are both enjoyable shorts. Just a bit of fluff to lighten things up.
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The Pumpkin Eater
Justin Cawthorne
18 pages

This unique seasonal story looks at the kinds of stories that parents tell children.(You know, if you don't behave the boogeyman will get you" type of stuff) The made up things, like how flashlights scare away monsters. This one is set in October on Halloween and examines what happens when a boy heads somewhere that is frightening. Yet he is determined to trick or treat the place anyway, to prove something to his friend. We learn something very interesting about the person who lives there though, he's not your everyday neighbor.

A fun read for most ages, though an adult should pre-read it to determine if it is appropriate for their child. It isn't traumatizing, but it can seem scary to very young kids.
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The Demon of Walker's Woods
Dan Dillard
79 pages

This story is a much more grim look at the way children demonize older people that they do not know. It also examines the reactions that children have when something awful happens to someone that they are close too. You're shown how they progress to various levels, pushed by curiosity, only to have their fears confirmed. Recommended for and teens and up, children should only read this piece at an adults discretion. As it may be crueler than most can stand.
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Well, Happy reading folks! Hope you have a great day and I hope the new year is going well for you ^_^.

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Originally Posted January 4th, 2012 at http://thebookshelfgoblin.blogspot.com

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

I'm trying. I hope You are Too.

It's still hard to find something to write about. I'm not good. But I really have a feeling  that currently, no one really is all that good. A large number of us are scared, frustrated, trapped, and highly frustrated. We have every right to feel whatever emotions we are feeling. But we do need to remember not to take those feelings out on the people around us.

Yes, we are angry. There are a lot of factors in the worldwide situation that none of us can control. Yes, we are afraid. Who wouldn't be afraid of something that makes us question our mortality. We're afraid of the unknown. And while some folks are trying to play the whole situation down like it is nothing more than an inconvenience to them... There are others who are dealing with the cold frightening reality of living day to day wondering about who may or may not be infected around them.

And this won't be going away quickly. The projection is that there is still over a month of time before we'll know the full extent of how this illness is going to effect us long term. The idea is terrifying. A number of us aren't leaving our homes. Our jobs are... non existent? We don't actually know what is going to happen. There are hundreds of questions and worries, and no answers. At least, not enough answers to make things seem less worrisome.

So yes, some of us are turning to video games to try and cope. We are turning to the arts in just about all forms; movies, music, and digital tours. Anything that might be able to help distract our minds from the unknown and the fears that are filling our minds. A number of companies are offering their services at discounts, or even free to try and help people fill their time. The boon is one that I doubt many will forget when things are over. It's helping people fill time, and break up boredom.

The arts are often overlooked, and even more so of late. At least, prior to this situation. People are so quick to dismiss the arts as worthless. But they are the ones coming to our aid now. Attempting to at least salve the wound that loneliness is cutting in so deep. We're not meant to be alone. Even those of us who say we're fine alone, need some amount of human interaction to function properly.

I'm trying. I'm genuinely trying to make it past this ok. It doesn't mean it is easy. I doubt it is truly easy for anyone. But we need to make the attempt. This can't last forever. It may take time for things to change, but it won't last forever. Normal won't be the same again though. We're all going to need to learn new skills. We're going to have to have empathy. And we are most definitely going to need to start to work together.



Monday, April 6, 2020

Music Monday : Re-finding My Center

It's been interesting, this isolation I've gotten almost accustomed to. It's not enjoyable to be honest, but I understand why it's being done. I've started poking around in my music collection and remembering how happy music makes me. I know I haven't been staying on the ball like I wish I could. This year... has been absolutely insane in so many ways.

So as I have been exploring my collection I have found songs that I've forgotten how much I enjoyed. So I am going to share some of those today. Some I may have shared in the past, but this is more a day to post things that have been bringing me nostalgia and happiness.

The Kooks : Naive

 The Battlefield Band : The Devil's Courtship

Fall Out Boy : The Phoenix

S.J. Tuker : Cheshire Kitten

Dirty Siren : Smile 

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Checking in : Because I Should

I  know I have fallen off the wagon again. But things in general are crazy the whole world 'round. So I am sure many of you understand how it can feel like there's little to discuss or write about. Mostly because many of us are stuck at home. I'm not even sure about writing about possible events that were supposed to be happening this year. A large number of them have already been postponed or cancelled, which is both good and bad.

Good because it is being social health responsible. By not having events where large a number of people gather, it helps reduce opportunities for infection by the virus. But it is leading to social isolation which is hard on people that do enjoy socializing.

Myself as an example. I went from having work 5/7 days a week, tabletop gaming 2-3 days out of seven a week, and social outings with my friends as they would present themselves to staying home. And I usually would get to see my boyfriend, even if just for a little bit at least 6/7 days. Now I get to see him incredibly sparsely and it is a little stressful. We have been called into work on a rare occasion since they imposed the pause, but we worked on disinfecting the school, each of us alone in our sections. But at least we were able to see other people and be out of our houses for a small amount of time.

So now I have a problem. I am a social person, and my social opportunities went from a fair number of days to basically nil. My wonderful boyfriend thought maybe this is an ideal time to go back into Second Life. So the past.... 5 days or so I've started exploring in sl again and looking for things to do. It is definitely filling my lack of social encounters, because the avatars are an illusion of other people. Each one another person in a digital world just like myself.

I know it is not everyones cup of tea. But for me it is helping. Last night we found a sim called Chronicles of Waterdeep, which is a dungeons and dragons themed role play sim. We are thinking about joining in on some para rp, or maybe even some of the missions depending on how many of us end up going. But I just wanted to check in. And share a few snapshots I took from in world. It's not the same as being out in rl, but it is nice.

The sim has an in world visualization of The Yawning Portal, a place that is well known to modules and various dnd campaigns. 

We paused there to enjoy the atmosphere. I was excited because I thought there were ears scattered about on the table... When they finished rezzing they were roses and rose petals. XD

The details throughout the sim are gorgeous! It was fun to bounce around and check things out.

They even have a fully stocked wizarding tower!

And  different places to hang out and just enjoy the atmosphere.


I am definitely looking forward to getting my character sorted out and being able to play with other people.
Yes I know there are other opportunities to play. But I have... a hesitation in doing text only or voice only. I miss the visual aspect of having people all together at a table playing. I even miss things like... fishing or making things in some of the other games. Because even though you may be doing things alone, other characters drift in and out letting you feel as though you are part of something.

Plus... Sometimes I have a short attention span q.q So visuals help me focus.

Anyway. there I have checked in. Not such a bad check in I guess. Maybe a little visual heavy than I have done of late, but If I can't go out, I may as well share some of what I am doing while I am stuck in. I hope things are treating you well, and that you have something in your life that is bringing you joy in this time of turmoil.