Lads!

Lads, lads!

I may have wept.

Will you?

Lockdown.

I was once told that every era – or historical period, if you prefer – happens to be one of two: reasoning, or emotion. This was either back in 2006 or 2007. The person explaining, quite reasonable, said that it was always swinging back and forth between the two, and that we currently were graduating towards emotion after being within reason for some time. What I recall was that I, at the time, was quite excited about this as I at the time, imagining an upcoming era of positivity and various ways of expressing joy.

Ah, that sweet summer child – neglecting (or perhaps not willing to subconsciously accept) negative emotions being part of this equation. As such, I have come to realize that if one would look back at this period of time, one emotion above others should be the defining one: Fear.

Fear.

Let that take a moment to sink in.

The past few years may have laid the foundations of it, but seldom has a specific moment – to my experience, at least – as these few past years. Oh, we’ve had our fair share coming up to this point:

- 9/11; fear of terror.

- Global warming; fear of planetary destruction and our own.

- Political; fear of the far right/left, depending on what side you favor.

And now, the biggest and current one:

- Covid; fear of infection, contamination, sickness and death.

Fear.

I find one quote to sum it up quite nicely:

“The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.” H. P. Lovecraft.

What strikes me as morbidly funny is that nuclear destruction isn’t on my list. Perhaps it is on yours, but to me, that is something the generation prior to my own was more concerned with rather than the current day. However, taking that into the account, fear may have been seeping it’s insidious tentacles far slower than what I initially considered.

Fear.

How to combat it? For me, it is trying to stay positive and spread a little joy whenever you have the capacity to do so. After all, who can forget a bunch of crucified folk next to one another singing Always Look On the Bright Side of Life? As for being afraid of the unknown, the strange, what you do not understand? Educate yourself.

So, if I can make a request, dear reader, it is to try to make the best out of a bad situation. I know I’m trying, and despite not always succeeding, an attempt counts for something.

Even if Pandora may have opened the box, one thing still yet reside inside.

Hope.

Title: Pregnant Elves scissoring.

I am not joking, this was the first thought that popped into my head

when seeing – in dim light – some of the Christmas decorations

being put in the bathroom. I can, however, reassure you that

the actual decoration is not this at all, but I thought it would

be a funny image none the less.

I’ve also been looking over some of the old RTS games,

the very first ones like Tiberian Sun and Red Alert.

I genuinely found myself missing them, even as they are

pushing 20 years now.

Shows how a good game can make lasting impact.

Oh, and it’s been snowing and dropping below zero degrees outside.

Winter hast cometh at last.

Simple pleasures.

I had forgotten the scent of freshly lit candles. Or a single one, even. The match stroked, the traces of smoke and natural chemical reaction, the lingering warmth and comfort. Truly, the ability to harness fire in controlled forms is one of our greatest accomplishments as a species.

Fire is of the Wu, a topic of which I know next to nothing about. But if it did come down to picking one of the five Chinese elements, I'd favor Water, or maybe Metal. Those who know me might suggest that I'd be better off with Earth. Perhaps they are right.

Plant watered at zenith.
Winter, bulb closing, natural happening.
Always kept warm.
Always let it keep the light.
Access to the sunlight.
Change soil once a year, summer solstus.
Sick, losing it's glow.

Hello, autumn.

So, we meet once more. The temperature dropping, the early dark evenings, colors sprouting instead of green, and you bring out a thicker duvet. I love this time of year. Of course, it doesn’t help with certain people counting down to Christmas.

To be fair, I love most seasons – for the share variation they represent. Stagnation is a form of repetition of the familiar, isn’t it? Or a lack of change. No, I say – bring diversity, randomness, and happiness for all! Bit of too much a mouthful for a chant, though. This gives me an idea for a new character, too.

Oh, and take a look at the date, please. I know the hour stamp isn’t matching, but then again, nothing’s ever perfect, is it?

That random fantastic and fabulous feeling when you meet strangers that are positive potential friends.

Well, I was working (as I have been doing this entire summer but for the odd day off now and then), it was a full moon week and a small happening called Midgardsblot not far from my home town. Yes, it’s as Viking themed as you can imagine, and metal music is a big part of it, too. Meaning I’ve got a year to gather some of the still-surviving clothes I used back in high school, back when I was a goth.

I’ll be going to next year’s Midgardsblot with the two people that started the previously described emotion, and I’m already hyped.

Of course, I have other preparations to do other than gathering a fitting wardrobe for the event, like listening to some of the bands that’s been on stage there.

I also read a very heartbreaking article online that I suggest you read, too. While it may be more relevant to some than others, I would recommend it to all. So, go ahead and read it.

As a result, I’m rolling up several (because I’m all for variation and have serious trouble sticking with only one character over time) Orc and Half-Orc Wizards. Keeping with the theme, it might be a character that likes loud music and constantly dresses in black. But pretty black dresses and robes of silk that they’re concerned about getting dirt upon.

Until next time, dear reader, all the love.

Recap.

- So how did you spend your Sunday?
- Well, I slept until around 19:30, watched some stuff on Netflix, watched a stream of a friend of mine concerning lots of cosplay and a random set up a visit that would involve going to Pride in the new city they'd moved to and then was transferred to another streamer of their choosing that I approved of, had a late night D&D session for fun with a couple of folks I know online, made some easy-to-cook dinner and had some beers.
- ...so, good times?
- Oh, yeah. Good times. Very good times.

Thursday is a lamp. Title.

A charming and lidless lamp, casting light through the naked bulb, not intrusive or off-putting.

Unless, of course, you're at a concert and just as you're about to leave you're being throat tackled by some uncivilized person to stone bricks falling on your back and smash your head. That is not cool.

No, I would never frequent such a place, but it happened to the spouse of a coworker of mine.

Pride in my hometown

First time ever, too! 50 years since Stonewall, but the first of many to come, I hope.

Just finished writing the first draft of what might end up being my speech at the second one next year. Yes, I was that inspired, and it's important to share and care - we are all humans, and we should start learning to accept one another as such, too.

The turnout was great: about 400 people, good speeches (some filled with emotion and hope, others more technical and reminding that the fight is far from over), 25 degrees Celsius, not a cloud on the blue sky and an overall excellent Parade. Most of the people were young, I think 50%-60% were under the age of 30.

To me, it was a bit modest, being used to march in the one in the capital.

Should also note that I did not knew a soul going there, as people I had talked to was more on the fence showing up, and even if some of them did, I would be hard pressed to go over and say hello. Pride is more of a solitary experience for me. Sure, I'm part of the Parade, part of the happening, part of cheering on and smiling. But when I walk, I walk alone. Granted, at this stage I have my place in the Parade and most of those around me have I seen and greeted before (being part of a small subgroup tends to do that). Still, the experience is a very private matter to me.

On that regard, I'll publish a picture. I think this might be the first picture of myself I've shared with people here on this blog, at least personal. Pushing boundaries and challenging oneself, right?

Happy Pride.

The joys of randomness.

"Sadly, he will not be saying anything right now, as he is smoking." (The character in question referred to is a droid that's just been shot to pieces.) "Yes, smoking is bad for you, kids - don't do it. Especially if you set yourself on fire as well; it's a terrible combination."

My friend, the youtuber. I kept running that part of the video over and over and over again, and the more I kept listening, the more it started to sound like Stephen Fry. Granted, my friend is NOT Stephen Fry (even though it would be awesome to be friends with him, too), but his delivery is on point. I'll link the video in question, so you can listen for yourself, if you'd want to. (The quote arrives at the 2:00 mark.)

Weird dream.

- Ever read Animorphs?
- Yeah.
- Remember those early books when all the info you got about the Hork-Bajirs and the Taxxon was that the Yeerks slaughtered their worlds and people?
- Yeah?
- This is what this feels like, only with a conscience.

The dream was much sneaking about, then at one point turned into a brawl with various cleaning implements and tools (also, I was in high heels). I think it started in a hallway library.

Sometimes it's hard to make sense out of what goes on in our sleeping minds.