I went skiing up at Wachusett Mountain today with my dad and brother. It was awesome. Cold and a bit windy this morning, but otherwise the conditions were great. Not that I would really know, this was only my fourth or fifth time downhill skiing, but still it was a great day to be out. Started off on the easy slopes and then moved to the intermediate ones after a while. The guys went up the summit later, but I stayed inside with my book at that point. The intermediate slopes were enough for me.

I have come to the conclusion that skiing is nothing more than controlled falling, and sometimes its not all that controlled. I only fell 4 times, but considering that two of those were not my fault, 2 is not bad. Once of the ones I don't count it was either fall and slide away or hit a little kid that cut in front of me. The other time I was knocked down by a snowboarder. She ran right into me after coming down way to fast. Fortunately, neither of us were hurt and she apologized about 6 times.

So now I am tired and sore and know I will be even more sore tomorrow, but it was totally worth it.

I like this one!

After reading some great advice to follow what interests me so that I have the most fun and a great brain-storming session with Kumir, I have decided to play a Changling. This means I will not be able to start out with the team who had asked me to join. I am really sorry if this disappoints anyone and I hope we still get to play together a lot in game, but I have to do what will make the game the most enjoyable for me. I have started to put together a character concept that I am really excited about for the first time since I started thinking about this game. (yay floon!) I still have a lot of creating to do (for instance, a class) but at least now I am excited about reading the rules and making the character.

I am sad that I won't get to play as closely as I might have with some of the members of the team, but I hope we will still have some great interactions. Thank you guys for inviting me in the first place, I really really appreciate it and sorry that I am not joining. I just really want to play this race. :)

So I am really torn about playing Seven Virtues. Well, not so much playing, as what to play. I have been invited to join a group, but I kind of have my heart set on playing a Changling and to a part of the group I would play the daughter of a human. I don't want to disappoint anyone in the company, but I don't really want to play a human. Plus, although a few members of the group were really excited about me joining, it took the others a long time to decide if they even wanted me to join, so I don't really feel all that welcome. I just really don't want to disappoint the few who were eager for me to play with them.

So, I don't know what to do. I actually don't know anything about the group, really, which might be part of the problem, since I am not excited about joining it. I need to spend more time reading about the campaign overall, but I find that I hate reading rules and even descriptions of races and stuff. I don't know why. I am so torn about what to play that I'm contemplating not even playing at all. argleblargle

As of 11 am my office is closed until noon. That means that I was able to cancel my morning kids with no worries. The problem is that although the weather is starting to take a turn for the better in Southbridge, where our office is, its still freezing rain out here on the edge. I have two kids this afternoon that are both out in the middle of nowhere down windy, hilly roads. I have decided, for the sake of safety, to cancel those two appointments as well. I am hoping that my boss decides to close for the rest of the day and I can take the whole thing as a snow day. If not, I need to see if I can take the afternoon as sick time or planned leave time or if I just have to suck it up and lose the productivity. Considering this is what my overtime bonus is based on, I would rather not do that.

I also volunteered to help out with a parent meeting at the office this evening, should be interesting to see if that still happens. Maybe by 6 tonight it will only be raining and not icey anywhere. I guess we'll just have to wait and see! For now I'm going to go make some tea and enjoy my snowday.



Edit: Apparently I have to use time off, but only four hours, so its not too bad. Better than trying to make it through icy back roads. Meeting for tonight has been canceled!

So sad the weekend is over already, it has been so nice. Yesterday I went down to my mom's bank with my "niece and nephew" so they could see Santa. Then I went to lunch with my old supervisor and a friend I used to work with. Its always so nice to catch up with them. They are "speechies" too so I get to talk shop with people who understand all the jargon. Spent the rest of the afternoon pretty much finishing up my Christmas shopping. Got some great decorations for my apartment!

Last night and this morning were all about crafting. Finished two of my presents (I may put up some pictures of the things I made once they have been given to the recipients). Went grocery shopping with my mom today, which is boring but more fun when we do it together.

Tonight was the best part- wrapped Christmas presents while watching The Muppet Christmas Carol, my favorite Christmas movie. This was followed up by a great on-line rp session with Rowan! Slept late both days and cuddled with Loki a lot. Altogether, a very restful, enjoyable weekend.

Klee stands at the edge of the camp, her back to the fire. Her eyes gaze outward but do not the see the trees in front her. Memories, faces float before her sight, some from years ago, others more recent. Her voice raises in song, started out very low but slowly gaining a little strength as her hands reach out to the branches around her.

"If I could tell the world just one thing
It would be, we're all okay
And not to worry
'Cause worry is wasteful and useless
In times like these

I won't be made useless
Won't be idle with despair
I will gather myself around my faith
For light does the darkness most fear


My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
and I am never broken

Poverty stole your golden shoes
But it didn't steal your laughter
And heartache came to visit me
But I knew it wasn't ever after

We'll fight, not out of spite
For someone must stand up for what's right
'Cause where there's a man who has no voice
There ours shall go singing

My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
and I am never broken

In the end only kindness matters
In the end only kindness matters

I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray

My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
and I am never broken

My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
and I am never broken
We are never broken"

Her voice breaks slightly on the last word as tears she is unable to show the others run down her face.




(Klee's Song- Hands by Jewel)

I just found out tonight that my doctor is leaving the office she is currently working at and that since 3 others are also leaving, they have decided to close down the office completely. I have been seeing this doctor for just about as long as I can remember (she's a family doctor, not a pediatrician) and really don't want to go to another. She knows my medical history, and what is more, she is my doctor for everything, including "woman stuff". There is another Fallon office in my town, but they have only two male doctors there. I am not going to a male doctor for that kind of stuff. I have no idea if my current doctor will still be working as a primary at the hospital she is going to, or not.

I am left feeling very unsure and rather nervous. Having a doctor you are comfortable with and trust is a huge thing. I know her decision to leave has nothing to do with me, but I still feel somewhat betrayed that she can just leave the practice she has been a part of for the last 15-20 years and leave me without anyone. I am not looking forward to finding another doctor. *sigh*

Klee lies in the middle of the battle field as blood oozes from many cuts. She is just barely conscious but unable to move her body. She is vaguely aware that the monster that cut her down still looms above, sword pointed towards her broken body.

The sword taps her chest. Through the haze of pain Klee realizes with horror that the monster is searching for her heart to kill her off and there is nothing she can do about. A second touch.

Suddenly, from nowhere, issues a familiar “Argghhh!” and a sickening ‘crunch’ sound as Grum’s shield connects with bone. The monster reels back three paces and falls to the ground. “Get away from my daughter!”

Klee finally allows herself to sink into the comforting blackness, knowing that even in the middle of a battle she is safe, as long as her father is standing near.

I tried my best to respond to all the comments pertaining to my last post, but if I miss anyone, I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. I was feeling out of sorts last night and really needed to talk about what has been bothering me for a few sessions now. Madrigal is one of the best things that has ever happened in my life. I cannot believe how many amazing people I have met and how both Klee and I have grown throughout the last three years. I'm not sure if people understand how much I cherish each interaction, especially with people I have not spoken with much before. Perhaps many of you do understand. I have a feeling that those of us who pursue an activity such as this were not the most popular people in school, were shy bookworms who are grateful to be included, and amazed to find ourselves not only included but loved and cherished for who we are. I have had some wonderful in the past and continue to have the best ones to this day, but it still blows my mind that I can walk around Shadowfane and wave or smile to almost anyone and get a similar response back.

I am going to try my best to take everyone's wonderful advice to make the game even more fun for myself. I know that people are not going to pull me through it, which is why I wrote to you all for advice on how to help myself. I have already started trying to get to know a few characters better and will continue with this. I will screw up my courage and start talking to more NPCs. I hardly ever say no to a mod as it is, but I will actively seek to join more as well. And if any of you out there have characters that need help with something or are just bored and looking to make some fun, I'm your wolf!

I hate playing in the rain. That being said, I had a great time this weekend. Go figure. Maybe it was the fact that it was warm, or that fact that I was so busy I didn't have time to be uncomfortable. Whatever the reason, even my squishy boots couldn't ruin the event for me.

Considering I went into this event with zero floon (and I mean zero, I actually had a few moments where I felt I would rather just stay home and sleep), I am tremedously glad I had such a good time. I didn't get to bed until 4 am Friday night. I left the cabin at 1:30 with the intent to go to the tavern and see if anything was planned for the rest of the night and then probaly go to sleep. I didn't even make it to the tavern before ended up in three different battles and a race to find a life spell. Saturday was filled with more emotional ups and downs for both me and Klee that I had a headache by midnight. I missed out on most of the Shetra fight, though 3 am did find me standing in the middle of the cabin, barefoot and in pajamas, determed in to defend my sleeping companions. Fortunately, we ended up webbed in before I had to put my wet clothes back on and I was able to crawl back into bed.

The OOG breakfast Sunday morning was really unsettling and made it hard to get back into game for a while once it started. However, I understand the reasoning and think it was a smart call on RJC's part. The fight to get the town back on Sunday was pretty cool. I felt like a superhero, outnumbered and determined to do everything we could to save the town and our friends.


The rest of this post is not so much about the event as about how I am feeling about the game in general. Feel free to skip if you are only interested in the recalling of events. Sorry its so long.

I spent the weekend with Sasha and Grum down at their new apartment, which is sooo pretty and wicked cool.  We spent the majority of the weekend shopping (both for Christmas and just for fun), watching movies and crafting.  Oh and eating Sasha's amazing cooking, of course. (yes, be jealous!)  I got about 70% of my Christmas shopping done and crafted one item and started working on another.

Sasha introduced me to the wonders of the Reduced Shakespeare Company on Friday. If you haven't yet seen the Complete Works of Shakespeare Abridged see it. I have not laughed that hard in a long time. It helps if you are a Shakespeare fan, but the two they spend the most time on are Romea and Juliet and Hamlet, so just about everyone should be able to enjoy the show.

I will now spend the rest of the evening working on the Christmas presents I am making and cuddling with my cat.

My dad took this beautiful picture the other day when he and my mom were bird watching in northern MA.

( Wolfy! )
Werewolf costume for a party I'm going to tonight. I did the make-up and made the fur gloves myself. A bit more wolf looking than Klee usually is, but I may use some of these elements in game soon.


Post party edit:  The gloves need a little reworking before they will be ready for Madrigal, but I am excited to try them. I think I have also figured out a way to secure the ears enough to stay on in battle. I don't think i like the lips and chin of the make-up and so will continue to stop at the level of the cheeks/nose in a "mask" like fashion. I find that I can blend the cheeks into the rest of my skin to make it look more natural, like fur.

I have decided that lj needs a mood like "floontastic" or something of that sort. Excited just isn't quite right.  :)

I just moved the first of the boxes to my new apartment! It is no longer inhabited only by a bar of soap and some toilet paper, as it had been all weekend. I figure if I do a carload of stuff each day this week I will have most of the small stuff there and ready for moving the big stuff on Saturday. I would love any help with moving Saturday, there will be pizza, munchies and beer for all.

Fortunately, moving Saturday will be a little easier than I thought because I will have one of the best helpers: my Dad!  He and his friend RIch decided to cut their trip short when it started to snow on them! They made it to Minnisota but the weather is just not safe for riding anymore. They took the train home last night and should be back anytime now! I can't wait to see him again, two months is a long time for him to be gone. My mom is thrilled.

Madrigal was awesome, as usual. It was actually a slower event for me than usual, since I have very little personal plot going on and Matthias wasn't there this weekend to make it happen. The lack of NPC's made for less random fights in town that often fill up my day. ( I did not fight a single thing until late morning on Saturday, abusrd) However, the things that did happen were huge. I was describing the weekend to my mother and it came out like this. "Slow relax easy OH DEAR GOD... relax lie around "HOLY SH*T.... food laughter relax "AAHHHH, WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?"   That about sums it up I think.

 My favorite stuff from this weekend revolved almost entirely around Shoarthri for a change. Ro is now one (one of us, one of us!) which is so wicked cool I can't even describe it. I got invited to go on a mod with a bunch of the Pride. I doubt they understand the honor of that for me, being an "outsider shoarthri". Best of all was playing meatshield for Chance. I managed to take down two enemies with shields by myself because I went after their legs as she stood behind me with her hand on my back, giving healing as I needed it. It was awesome.

After the game ended the lot went to Applebees, as usual, where I got some great advice from trickyskricky as to what I should do with the CP I have been storing up. I think Klee may learn to be a ranger as well as a beastmaster soon! I'm excited about this, which is great since I have not been excited about new skills in a while. Nice to have a direction for her again.


Uppidy hedgehogs, heh.

That's right! After weeks of looking at different places and either not liking them or not being able to afford them I found the perfect place! Its in Spencer, which is just the next town over from mine, but does make me a little closer to my office and to my dance class. Its a one bedroom, in my price range and has good sized-rooms. It even has a little deck off the bedroom that I can put a little bistro tables and chairs on! 

I am sooooooo excited. I'm putting in the deposit and application tomorrow after work and I can move in after Madrigal! I can even bring my cat!

*happy dance*

I came to conclusion today that I have not saved any money from my paychecks this month. After bills I have about 2/3 of my pay left a month. For a while I was doing a really good job of saving most of that, but I seem to have gotten into the habit of just spending money whenever I want lately. I have spent half of my month's income on frivolities this month. Since I am looking to get an apartment soon, that is just not acceptable. I need to get back into my better money-spending habits before I try to live with rent and utilities.
( Mostly for myself, for future reference  )

So my Dad jsut left to fly to Washington state. Starting Tuesday, he and his friend Rich will be riding their bikes across the country back home. When I say "bikes" I don't mean motorcycles, I mean bicycles. They are taking about two months to following a northerly route that will include Montana, South Dakota and Iowa, at least. Not sure about the rest of the planned route. I will be making periodic updates about where they are and what they have seen if anyone is interested.


( Ramblings on the rest of my life right now )