[Caelum's Scrapbook] Use Your Words.

[Caelum]

Art history humor and anxiety issues. Today could be better. My father is having a heart procedure and I’m anxiously waiting to hear from my mom how it went. It should be fine. It’s a non-invasive ablation thing that I don’t completely get but I understand is way less insane than, say, open heart surgery. The problem from my end is that I now have an ingrained suspicion of so-called “non invasive/simple procedures” as such a thing is what I was supposed to have back in February when I got sick. That “quick little scope, you’ll be home tonight” turned into an emergency surgery wherein they ended up fileting me like a fish to save my life. So I’m a wee bit dubious. Understandably, I think. But I recognize that my fears are illogically based so I’m distracting myself with work, writing, and this amazing thing here titled “Normal Moments In Art History Where No One Is Getting Murdered”. Yes, it is exactly as amusing as the title suggests. My personal favorite is Arthur Rackham’s illustration “Rhinemaidens” with the following commentary: hi hey hi i like you yeah you i like you your face is good stop being on the land so much come be with me i can help you breathe under water none of my boyfriends are riverbank corpses if that’s what you’re worried about

[Gossamer]

I totally love Arthur Rackham. He does fantastic horses, ravens, and other fantastical things like faeries and mermaids. I have a copy of one of his prints hanging in my house to remind me as an artist to play with the horizon to make your art more interesting. This picture wouldn't be nearly as good if the water wasn't slanted. This piece is called Braided or Woven Stream... I think its Braided Stream.

[Caelum]

Here’s a warm and fuzzy for you. Yesterday I was hanging out in chat like I sometimes do. (The distracting quality most of us complain about I occasionally find useful during my work day. I’m one of those “works best when working on three things at once” weirdoes. I’m my best multi-tasking. My brain gets clogged up and refuses to go if I’m stuck with just one thing.) I don’t remember why this came up, but that's insignificant. Aoren made remark regarding how the forum has a number of “old geezers” who have been or are still moderators. I’m one of those “used-to-be-a-DSers” myself. It seems that number has increased. This is doubtless due to the aging of the game, first off. When I started playing in 2010 Mizahar was too young to have any former staff members hanging around. Or, if it did, it couldn’t have been more than one or two. Fast forward to 2014 and it seems most of the people I know here are either staff or former staff. There are probably more than I realize too as I’m terrible at remembering who is who when it comes to what staff member plays what PCs et cetera. And, you know, some people would prefer that be kept private. I’ve noticed that a lot of the former staff members automatically help out. Some do it in an official capacity like grading or guest storytelling, both of which are fantastic, but they also tend to help out in other, less obvious ways. They answer questions posed in chat thoughtfully and (important) correctly. They have solutions to overcoming some game related road blocks. And they will assist in neutralizing disruptive players who break the TOS. They also tend to be plot producers (vs. followers) in whatever city their PC is in, thereby helping to further enrich game play for everyone. Most of them do these things more often and way better than I do. It makes me realize that I should increase my efforts and also reminds me to be grateful for all of the things people put into Mizahar for the good. Our staff is incredible and so are most of our players. I know that there is always room for more staff and more help and sometimes it feels like we can’t get enough, but this is a warm fuzzy post, ya’ll, so don’t ruin it. I’m feeling good about the world today, and this little pocket of it. -k. post script: I am completely stoned on cold medicine. Fair warning.

[Radiant]

Agreed, Cae. Sometimes I wish Dusk is still here so I can ask her about Syliras in the old days.

[Caelum]

A wee bit weirded out. A few weeks ago my friend and neighbor told me that she noticed our back gate was open when driving home. Our back yard has two gates, one on either side of the house, and the left gate I only happen to notice once in a blue moon as I neither come into the neighborhood from that direction nor is my driveway on that side. Recalling that the power company had asked permission to trim a few trees around lines that week, I mentally checked the open gate off as having been the fault of a forgetful power tech. This past weekend, Dan and I went out of town and we returned home yesterday evening. We didn’t go into the back yard until today when my mom (ever so kindly) returned our dog to us. When that happened, Dan discovered that both our back gates were not just open, but wide open. He called me a little bit ago to tell me about it. Confused, I called my friend (same neighbor who pointed it out to me the first time) and asked if she or her husband had needed to come by our house for any reason while we were gone. They have a spare key in case of emergencies. She said they drove by after the big storm this weekend to make sure there wasn’t like a tree through our roof but they didn’t even get out of the car. She didn’t notice at that time the gates being open. My next call was to the property management company as we rent to find out if they or the owner had any reason to come by. Nothing. They said no one’s been by since two weeks ago when they had some people out fixing our busted garage door. It’s probably stupid, but I’m unsettled by the idea that someone might be coming into my backyard when I’m not at home. I don’t see any reason why they would. We don’t have anything particularly interesting back there, not even great lawn furniture. The grill is old. Et cetera. And further, none of that was missing or appeared in any way tampered with. I don’t really know what to do about it. Dan goes out of town for business at least once a month and while I'm normally not the skittish/don't want to be left home alone type, this makes me nervous. Any suggestions? I think I'm going to buy a pair of padlocks for the gates.

[Gossamer]

Simple fix. Rent or borrow a couple of game cameras from a buddy or local gun shop/hunters supply. You'd be surprised at what you'll find on one of those.

[Ball]

Jen is right, we had issues with stuff coming up missing and what not where we lived and people going through our yards and after we had a game cam put up the stuff stopped as I think they knew we had one up. Regardless, though she makes a good point. locks prolly won't hurt though

[Caelum]

What is with people’s blatant disregard for our TOS? I won’t bother pretending I’m not talking about Septimus, because I am. I don’t think she and I have ever had a serious conversation or any real interaction. My entire opinion is based off of her rant and unfortunately that rant was rude and disgusting. She used aggressive insults and filthy language in addition to conducting herself in an intentionally inflammatory manner which, as someone who is not only a JrST but also claims to understand all of the inner workings of Mizahar, should know very well is neither welcome or tolerated. It also appears as though she spammed the entire message board system. It is obvious she is upset, but any valid complaint or criticism she may have is being done a disservice by her complete lack of class and common decency in addressing them in this manner. What is wrong with people? Act like compassionate adults, or at the very least decent human beings. Nothing anyone here has done to you or not done for you is worth degrading yourself.

[Caelum]

And now for character pictures to cheer things back up. Caelum-by-night, aka Kasb’el Sunsinger. Unedited pictures.

[Caelum]

This thing here is fantastic. It's set in my city and has some gorgeous images. Also, I'm a fan of the song.