[Caelum's Scrapbook] Use Your Words.

[Caelum]

Yeah, I’m back. Hide your gin. Here, however, is an article made of awesome. They put science in my fiction. A clipping: The brain, it seems, does not make much of a distinction between reading about an experience and encountering it in real life; in each case, the same neurological regions are stimulated. Keith Oatley, an emeritus professor of cognitive psychology at the University of Toronto (and a published novelist), has proposed that reading produces a vivid simulation of reality, one that “runs on minds of readers just as computer simulations run on computers.” Fiction — with its redolent details, imaginative metaphors and attentive descriptions of people and their actions — offers an especially rich replica. Indeed, in one respect novels go beyond simulating reality to give readers an experience unavailable off the page: the opportunity to enter fully into other people’s thoughts and feelings.

[Caelum]

Like a genius, I went and broke my phone. It still technically works, but the screen is busted which causes it to be literally painful to type on. Clearly this is a message from the phone gods to stop doing that. (The phone gods apparently aren't aware I've got a phone hook up and will only be getting the latest and greatest, new and improved version by the end of the week.)

[Seven Xu]

USE THIS SOMEWHERE IN LHAVIT OMG

[Caelum]

Holy wow. I totally will. That is awesome, Cody. Thank you!

[Caelum]

A note on users. I curse a lot. This has nothing to do with modding in Mizahar. I volunteered to be a storyteller and people are supposed to come to me for help, advice, with questions and requests. I totally signed up for that and am happy to oblige. This has to do with relationships that I did not literally volunteer to "work" for or sign up to receive a paycheck to do. People ask me for favors. This is not something I generally mind. I ask people for favors too. I'm not a count keeper. I don't keep a list in my head. If you're my friend, you don't owe me shit. Period. I didn't do whatever it is you asked because I expected payment, be it monetarily or otherwise. I did it because I care about you and had the time and ability to lend a hand. Or I did because, even though I don't know you well enough to call you a friend, I had the time and ability and I actually like people. I also like being helpful when it's possible. That stated, what in the name of all that's holy makes someone think that they can come to me with a cheap ass compliment, a shallow claim of having missed me and a goddamned emoticon to ask for even a medium sized favor after having dropped me on my ass when shit got real in my life? Some people are just assholes. They call people friends like it makes them special when in reality all it does is occasionally make them amenable to their user's charm and manipulation tactics. Well, you can't guilt me, jerkface. I have nothing to feel shame over insofar as you are concerned. And as for that favor? No, I can't do it. I'm done with always being the better person in our dead, so-called friendship. /end rant

[Tabarnac]

Dear Katie, Stop airing our dirty laundry on your scrapbook, kthxby. Love and sloppy kisses, Daniel PS I'm still coming over so clean the sheets and take Fat Cat out to pee her little bladder empty.

[Colombina]

That's the last time I ask you to bail me out of county at 3am with a texted emoticon. Also, word on the street says you're making Tabby Cat homemade mac and cheese for his auspicious arrival. Maybe I'll make Kraft that night and pretend I am there in spirit. Chaz might have to be there in spirit too, because I don't feel like making multiple meals.

[Caelum]

The funny part is that I’m sure it was the emoticon that was the final straw for me. I have a vague recollection of receiving that gchat and then saying out loud: “Oh, no he didn’t.” When I told Greg, he offered to edit the script for me and sneak in a whole lot of dick references and other awful things. I was super tempted. “Dear Sir/Madam: Please find enclosed herein A Certain Slant of Shade (and Douche) for your (worthless) consideration. The first three chapters have been delineated (by my dick) for…” And so on. Dani, our dirty laundry would be Fed Ex’d to Jon Stewart if I felt the need. Also, the Fat One is waiting for you. She told me so this morning. While sleeping on your freshly washed sheets. Heatherly, let’s not have that happen again, eh? Your bail bondsman is still harassing me for your phone number. I think he’s sweet on you. I think I’m not gonna do mac n’ cheese now. I feel like steak and this delicious salad recipe thing I found. Dani can eat the salad. What? Beef is expensive.

[Mok]

I agree with everything you said here about friendships and favors Caelum. Every point your making is so spot on...it's sick! I loved reading that post in your scrap! Good rant!

[Tabarnac]

Well, I'm bringing your belated birthday present and a bottle of Spanish red, so you should have my friend check ready. This one had better not bounce. Elsewise... :