Pros and Cons of Roleplaying

VIA Pinterest--(isn't everything?)

   For those of you who are not familiar with Roleplaying, let me give you a quick overview of what it is. A group of people associate via an online group, and write a story together using paragraphs per individual. For example:

Player one: Caroline rips the sword from the beast morphing before her, glancing over at Peter. "We have about ten minutes 'till this place lights up like Pompeii during doomsday."

Player two: Peter wipes his brow; beads of perspiration mixed with onyx blood trickling down his face, "you think I don't know that?!" He bellows across at her, wondering if this will be the last time he has the chance to speak with another human being.
   They're coming now, faster than ever. Through the shattered window to his left, he sees them flooding across the landscape below. Spreading like a dark spill across a pristine canvas.
   Coming to take their humanity from them.

    As you might imagine, Roleplaying is incredibly fun if you can get the situation right. Instead of just writing with your own pool of ideas, you are able to loop others' creativity into your plots in a seamless manner!
   Putting aside all the glitter and gold however, it's the darker side of Roleplaying that has urged me to write this post. You can say it's my way of both warning and inviting, future prospects looking into the tumultuous networked world of Roleplaying.

(Though you can find roleplays anywhere, I've always used Goodreads.com; just because people are more literate there, and tend to be aspiring authors.)

_______CONS:

   ✘ The Addiction
   I think the hardest part of getting into a fantastic Roleplay, is that it's hard to separate real life from fantasy. I'm super guilty of repeatedly refreshing my Goodreads tab to check if anyone replied to my post over the course of a few seconds. Which is not a great thing for those who actually have lives, and in particular: schoolwork.

   ✘ The Excessive Amount of Pansies
   When I say pansies, I mean people who melt down every three seconds with some fit spurred on by some serious background problems. The amount of people who are overly concerned with intentionally getting their feelings hurt so they can start a drama fest is just ridiculous. I've been tempted to quit Roleplaying several times because of the preschool tantrums that go on there. Let me tell you, It's excruciatingly aggravating.

   ✘ Getting Looped Into Roleplays With People Who Can't Write 
    Everyone has their own style; I get that. However, there are quite a few people whose style happens to be:

Player one: caroline blinked
Player two: Sam at on da prk bench
Player one: Ur not sittin on da chair rit Sam like stop
Player two: ok
Player one: Caroline blinked
Player two: he sighed
Player one: "what is wrong Sam?
Player two: nothing
Player one: ok then"
Player two: I like you
Player one: Kisses Sam me to

   I am NOT joking right now. This is literally the dialog that some people waste time Roleplaying with. You'd think that the individuals writing this tragedy would get bored, but no! They have more diligence in hammering out their two word responses than I have for spewing out praises for Brandon Sanderson and Lindsey Stirling; and that is saying something! I wouldn't mind this situation so much if these people didn't tend to end up in 1x1s with me. (It makes escaping harder.) I can live with one liners doing their thing amongst each other, but when they try and reply with one word to my arduously detailed passages--things do get messy. 
   
 ✘ Roleplayers Who Take Three Years To Reply
   Oh wait... I'm one of them.

 ✘ Character Templates That Require You To Write A Novel
 This gets really aggravating. Some groups become so infatuated with the concept that if people are willing to write ten pages in pre-background for a character, they'll surely have some skill in actual writing. Ironically, I've found this not to be the case. For some reason, quite a few individuals seem more adept at making character templates look fancy, than actually turning those templates into characters.
   *It's also my firm opinion that any group requiring more than basic information from a template isn't taking into account that characters are born while writing, and not while planning. 

_______PROS:

ღ Amazing Roleplayers
   There is nothing on this earth quite like getting into a great Roleplay. It's nearly as exhilarating as riding on a euphoric moment while writing your novel; that moment when suddenly the world at your fingertips just comes alive. Not only that, but there is someone with you to share your passion for the story, and who can give it the inspiration needed to carry the plot over rough spots that would usually leave most sitting at a desk overcome with writer's block.
   To be quite honest, this is the sole reason I Roleplay at all.

ღ Getting To Know Other People
   There really is so many flavorful personalities out there, and over networks such as Roleplaying, that becomes very evident. I find that people generally are very accepting of who you are as a person when you share writing in common; and not just who you are as a Roleplayer. You can just drop into chat threads, and start up friendly conversations with strangers as though you've known them for years. 

ღ Having Something To Do That Isn't Incredibly Wasteful
  Though Roleplaying itself really has no point, the writing practice that you can gain through it IS helpful. Getting to read experienced writers posts, can in some ways enhances your skills as a writer too. 

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   I hope those of you who are familiar with Roleplaying were able to empathize with this post, or at least have a good laugh at some of the items addressed here. Do understand that I intended no offense to anyone in writing this; this is just some of the things I find annoying/enjoyable about a particular hobby.
 Thank you your support, and for sharing these posts with your followers! 
 It means a lot!

We hold onto the familiar, even when it hurts.

Via Pinterest

   Despite how impressed you are at this moment, the quote above wasn't actually conjured up by the unfathomable depths of wisdom I keep piled in my mind for blog posts. I ran across it while listening to a Dr. Laura podcast.

   Though brief, the simple words: we hold onto the familiar, even when it hurts, really hit me hard. Mainly, because it so clearly defined myself.

   Breakups aren't easy; whether it is in regards to friendships, or romantic relationships. Going further into that, interestingly enough, most of my cherished attachments ended around the same time about a year ago. Though I understand why I ended them, and why I proceeded to then ignore any attempts at contact my past friends and romances tried to use to reach out to me. It still hurts. Despite the rationality of what I did--

   It hurts a lot.

   Now, a year later, I've met new people. I attend an actual school where I associate with them every day! Yet unexpectedly, they somehow feel dull to me, and incredibly shallow. After having known such vibrant and unique people in the past, those with whom I associate now seem very little in comparison. At the end of the day, I can truly say that I'm lonelier being surrounded by all these individuals than I was when I had my old friends and sat at home doing schoolwork on a computer.

   It's this thought process that makes me distortedly angry and somewhat bitter with myself. I feel like I should have already moved on with my life, but instead I sit here replaying my old memories like it will somehow improve the situation I'm in. I keep clutching at people who I shouldn't even remember anymore; and hoping for dreams that died the moment I decided to stand up for myself.

   We hold onto the familiar, even when it hurts. The people in my life a year ago, hurt me so much--be it intentionally, or not. However, that sort of pain was, and is, familiar to me. I may have not always been thrilled with my situation, but I wasn't as alone as I am now.

   I know I'm lucky to have gotten out when I did; yet at the same time, I so desperately want to go back. Back to a place where I had people to talk with who wouldn't look down on me for being obsessively dark, and perhaps a little too morbid.  People who didn't pull religion out every time we started a conversation, and who just accepted me for who I was. I miss that. I miss the times when I felt that, maybe, people other than my amazing family cared about me.

   Despite all these feelings however, it doesn't change the impenetrable fact that I can never go back. I was indeed hurt during those relationships; yet towards the end of them, I did a lot more of the hurting. Things like that can't just be washed away. They leave stains darker than crimson; and remain heavier than the overbearing sky above. Though part of me longs for a chance to change things, I know without a doubt that I wouldn't have done things any differently if I were to go back and do it again.

   I think we as individuals try and hide ourselves from the simple truth that relationships do really change us. We come out different people at the end of them; people who are no longer compatible in the ways they were before. I'm not sure if I can say I'm better for it; however, I accept that I am who I am because of it. I'm more respected than I've ever been, because I've grown above and beyond the timid girl I was a year ago. I'm a 17 year old, early high school graduate, who is in charge of a bunch of twenty-somethings from class because they look up to me enough to place me in charge! It's crazy! I have the second highest grade in my biology class, and am sailing with flying colors everywhere else too. 

   The girl from a year ago, couldn't have done that.

   I've grown a lot.

   And maybe instead of thinking about the good days, I should focus on this goodness.

   I think the most important thing that I need to remember, maybe what we all need to remember, is that we hold onto what's familiar--but that the future will be different, and will give us new memories to cherish. I'll meet people who I can love with all my heart; because that is how time works. It takes a while to roll its course; and so because of that, just enjoy where it’s at right now.

  

The Most Important Things I've Learned at Community College

 
I know it's been forever since my last post, and I apologize for that. However, my mind has been a barren wasteland for the past few weeks, and nearly all of my energy for writing dried up with it. Recently, I've just craved reading something good! The ecstasy of picking up a book, and dissolving into it's pages is something I haven't felt in months. Because of this, I feel that in turn, my writing has begun to suffer as well. Without words to stem the river of the mind to life, where else can you derive the motivation to pass into a world you barely have control over in the first place? It's just another essential that makes books even more amazing: they bring life within a life. (It's like inception.)

   So, turning away from my introductory deviation, I'll now get to the reason for this post. The most important things I've learned in community college. If this doesn't make you want to skip it altogether and just slide right into a university, I don't know what will!

1. Group projects = sleepless nights spent agonizing over the stupidity of human kind. 
Honestly, people. When we go to college, regardless of what kind, we don't just assume that those who actually want an A should do the group work 100% of the time. (Yes, that sucker is indeed me.)  On top of that, when you get an F in an exam and then feel it's your right to dish out your complaints to every ear that will listen, just remember, it's your own bloody fault. (Those who study: will continue to study, those who don't: enjoy your lifelong work at McDonalds.)

2. Suck up to your teachers, regardless of how stupid it feels.
I know this sounds pretty dumb, but trust me, it's saved me so many times. Teachers actually listen to you when they feel like you actively participate in the class, and give a heck about what they're saying.  On your first day, choose a seat right at the front, and then follow that up by staying after class and asking the teacher to go over material that you didn't understand. The two classes I did this in are pretty easy going, I haven't had many issues with the instructors. The one class I chose not to I ended up dropping. (It was English, my most ADORED subject. Though the situation was much more complicated than this, look at the coincidence!)

3. People are jerks, don't let them walk over you. (Long angry rant of disparaging adjectives for human kind removed.)
I secretly wrote a whole post on this one topic, but it just felt to negative for me to release. It was great to get it out all in writing, but I just haven't quite decided to what extent I should/want to laden you guys with my problems. However, to get to the gist of this, no matter who you are or what the situation is: stick up for yourself. Once others see you don't have real guts the news travels like a wildfire. You'll have people you don't even know imposing on you in ways you didn't even think were even on the clipboard. By your actions, you show people how to treat you.

4. Welcome to the world of liberality.
Just don't even mention religion, politics, sexuality, education, or pretty much anything pertaining to your real opinion on life. From now until graduation, just assume that you are a sheep among rhinos, and that you might as well be burned over the things that don't matter than over the things that do. It doesn't hurt as much that way.

5. Your syllabus would be your best friend if professors actually followed it.
Wait, what? We have a syllabus?... I even wrote it myself? Wow. Maybe we should actually use that thing!

Until next time guys,
please comment with your own advice/experience!

Memories

Him

Nutella and Vulcans?...

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   No-no, I'm just as surprised as you. Ardently, I've refused to participate in these awards since I started this blog! Why now am I finally doing one?... 
    Lack of time to give to a wholly developed post, and a realization for the purpose of these awards. 
   (I designed the award logo myself as everything else was to mainstream.) 
   (...That second part was sarcasm, okay?)

     The rules are as follows:

                   ➳ Link back to the person that nominated you.

                   ➳ Answer all questions provided.

                   ➳ Choose 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers to nominate.

                   ➳ Write 11 questions for them.

                   ➳ Let the nominees know.

➷ What is the most important lesson you've learned? 
   I have so many! Naming just one is hard, (I mess up quite a lot basically). If I had to point out a specific lesson I suppose it would be that,
   all pain passes with time.
    No matter how deep the wound, the scar won't sting forever.

➷ What are you most scared of?  
   It might be silly, but I'm very apprehensive around darkened water. Maybe it's because in water I'm out of my element, and the inability to see what lies beneath it only makes that feeling of utter powerlessness worse.
   Another one of my fears would be isolation-- being alone in other words. I don't mean the kind of alone where no one else is around, I mean the type of alone where no one cares about you.
   The kind that has no words. No thoughts. No life. No love.

➷ Do you believe in love at first sight? 
   No. Love is something you develop over time, not within a single moment. I believe in lust, or attraction, at first sight. However, the love has a much deeper meaning in my mind.
 
➷ If you had a time machine which era would you travel to? 
   Victorian, or Medieval for sure. Coming from a psychotic Lord of the Rings fan, and a Downton Abby buff, I'd say that's a given. Anything from Pride and Prejudice, North and South, to Wives and Daughters is a favorite of mine.

➷ What is your favorite show?
   Now, before I even say this I want to make it ABSOLUTELY clear that I watch this through Clearplay, a company which thoroughly filters movies and TV shows. It basically takes a PG-13 or R rated product and makes it PG. How do I know this movie/book/show is so bad then?  
   I read.
   I'll come out with it then, my family and I watch Game of Thrones together on the weekends. It's  my favorite show at the moment. Which probably isn't a huge surprise to some of you as it has all the elements which caused me to fall in love with Lord of the Rings.

   *Note for people who are confused: In the past, I'd have immediately replied with Doctor Who. Currently however, I'm of the opinion that Stephen Moffat is ruining the show. Yeah, I said it. I'm sure there are some of you who will be burning down my house by tomorrow, however, let me explain why before I char to death.
   There is too much focus on special effects, snappy scenes, and liberal politics in the newer series. What happened to the days when developing characters, spinning out detailed plots, and using creativity and imagination mattered? Directing movies is an art, and sadly Moffat just doesn't have that. However, I do enjoy his Sherlock series, so that's at least one virtue I can praise him with.

➷ What are your favorite bands/artists?
   Twentyone Pilots, Three Days Grace, Panic! At the Disco, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Jimmy Eat World, Christina Grimmie, Max Schneider, Tori Kelly, and LINDSEY STIRLING.

➷ What are your favorite movies?
   Do I even need to say it? Lord of the Rings is my number one favorite, without question. As for the other movies amongst my favorites, I could be here all night. To name a few off the top of my head: 47 Ronin, Catching Fire, (anything by Studio Ghibli), Batman Trilogy, The Mortal Instruments (because Jace is freakishly hot), Bourne Trilogy, Inception, and the Matrix.

➷ What fictional character do you relate to most? 
   Vin, from Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson; or Mikasa from Attack on Titan.

➷ What is your guilty pleasure?  
   Nutella.

➷ What are fifteen things about you others might not know?

   ♦ I sing; used to take voice lessons, but I stopped a while before I quit piano. I've also been in two separate choirs, one through college the other religious.
   ♦ I love Biology.
   ♦ I still cry every time I watch this scene:
  
   
   ♦  The Joker is my favorite character in Batman.

    ♦ I have a continuous internal monologue. Sometimes it's me arguing with myself in there, or sometimes it's a fictional character.
    ♦  I quickly take charge of most things if there is no given leader. I'm a different person when I'm in control, and I like the person who emerges when that happens.
    ♦ I don't cry easily.
    ♦ I'm an artist!
    ♦ I'm an Librocubicularist, definition: A person who reads in bed.
    ♦ I'm pretty sarcastic. (If you haven't noticed yet.)
    ♦ I dislike texting.
    ♦ I'm not joking here...

    ♦ I always pay attention to the L and R on my ear buds, and put them in the appropriate ears.
    ♦ When I'm having a conversation with someone though texting/emails/etc. I use periods when I'm ticked.
    ♦ I'm terribly organized but at the same time spontaneous. How that makes sense?... I'll never know.

➷ Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance?
   I feel it depends a lot on the person. Most of the time, yes. However, I don't believe in third chances or hundredth chances, and that often times happens when you give someone another chance. It's hard to say no after letting it slide once before.

     My Questions:

➶ What is your favorite book character, and why?

➶ What fictional character do you think you relate with the most?

➶ Any weird quirks?

➶ Do you get excited over small things, if so what?

➶ Favorite color?

➶ Do you have a favorite book? (Can list up to five)

➶ Chocolate or vanilla? 

➶ What are your hobbies?

➶ What are fifteen things about you others might not know?

➶ What is your favorite songs currently?

➶ Do you have a Fandom?

➶ If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

➶ Favorite music of the moment?

➶ What are your favorite movies or TV shows?

➶ Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance?

     You might have noticed that I failed to link back the person (Whimsical Youngster) who nominated me for this award. This is simply because so many people have nominated me for various awards through blogger that I wanted to have a chance to acknowledge them each individually. (If I missed anyone, PLEASE message me or leave a comment. I will see it and quickly add you.) SO here goes!

                                                                          ✺ Special Thanks ✺

☞ Obviously, special thanks to Whimsical Youngster! At: 

The Starry-Eyed Dreamer 

☞ Lizzie Wolfe, at:

Castle In the air

☞ Ilsa Eruaistaniel, (one of my REAL life friends, so check her out!) at: 

Serious Sarcasm

☞ Nymisha, at:   

This is Nymisha

☞  Yasmine M, at:

Cloudy Dreams

☞ Faith, at:

Princess Faith

☞  Catalina Blue (she is awesome, check her out as well!) at: 

The emo wolverine writes

  

My Nominations: 

 ☛ Rigby64, co-author of a blog we run together (Fandom Alliance), and dear friend.

You can find her blog at:

My Geeky-Self and I

Just Rigby

☛ Kat, (not only is her formatting stunning but her writing is too) at:

(Almost) Completely Mad

 ☛ Madeline, (super sweet, and incredibly insightful) at:

In the wind

 ☛ Cindy, (amazing person and writer, if you don't love her blog I will be shocked) at:

Eat. Sleep. Read. Fangirl.

 Though I love many other blogs as well, I'm going to stop here. 
(Time is of the essence).

Thank you all!