I imagine you’d like to know what I’ve been up to?
After the election I needed to take a break from a lot of social media, and it’s only been in the last week or so that I felt good enough to start going back online and posting things. The overall situation hasn’t changed that much; there’s still so much gleeful hate going around online but I feel I’m in a better place to deal with it and with those who spread it both knowingly and out of ignorance.
I saw several news organizations asking if cutting ties with family and friends is “worth it”, while others bemoaned the creation of “echo chambers” online. I can say that establishing boundaries is completely necessary for mental health, and the boundary of “voting against my human rights and dignity is wrong” seems to be an obvious one that shouldn’t be crossed, and yet some need that reminder. And as for the echo chambers, those cries are coming from folks who believe you must listen to absolutely everyone invading your online space. Blocking people online is good, actually – some opinions aren’t worth listening to. White supremacy and Christian Nationalism for example. Blocking those folks isn’t creating an “echo chamber” its refusing space to vile ideology.
But you’re not here for my political commentary, I don’t think. You probably want to know what I’ve been doing in November and December, so let’s get cracking.
You might recall that some time ago one of the World of Darkness campaigns I was involved in went on indefinite hiatus. Well, two years, three months, and two weeks after our last session we picked up the story once more. We’ve now had two sessions, and while things aren’t exactly going well for our characters at the moment, they’re finally in a place to start to fix the problems they’ve uncovered (and in some cases, created). I actually got to bring back an old PC for some closure, Banner the Sluagh, and continue Cyrus’ story – Cyrus is a werewolf who looks like Robert Pattinson, in case you forgot.
The big event for November, literal years in the making, was our friend Rosie’s wedding. Rosie is a player at many of our TTRPG tables and is one of the most fiercely, even militantly kind people I know. It was quite the trip, and I even splurged on taking toll roads (which cut our trip by four or five hours). We got in the night before and met up with many of our TTRPG friends for supper and catching up in-person.
Rosie and I share a love of Bees Knees, and I now have the fond memory of her coming to find me toward the end of the evening and asking if I would escort her to the bar to share a drink. We passed her husband, my arm in hers, and he asked us if everything was okay. “I’m kidnapping the bride,” I said while Rosie said “I”m with my friend Jay and we’re getting a drink.” Her husband replied “Have fun” and gave me a fist bump. Do I have a picture of the two of us at this moment in time? No, but that makes the memory all the more special – just the two of us, enjoying our friendship.
Rosie and husband invited us over to their house for the next evening, and when we protested we found out they weren’t traveling until the spring and had planned on having friends over. So off we went. During the course of our visit we went for coffee and I made friends with their cat, Elliot. I’m told that Elliot has, for the last several years, made himself at home next to the speakers during our games, and I think that actually having us in the room with him was a highlight for him. We became fast friends.
Since we were together, some folks passed out gifts both for this winter and winters passed; I received a pair of fingerless gloves made by Rosie and a great Artificer themed D&D tumbler from Rosie and Ciarán and Jax. Nor was that the only gift we received; our friend Tasha made us dice trays, and our friend Alex gave each of us art based on our current Hilan D&D campaign!
All the art is by Hexbayne; Alex got her own character in color, which we all agreed was entirely correct but also we need to chip in an get her sketched so she matches with everyone else! We’re only mostly kidding on that.
The ride back home was less than ideal; according to our GPS the non-toll route was only an hour more than the toll road; I forgot that one of the states we were traveling through was nothing but stoplights every quarter mile for several hours. Next time I’m taking the toll roads.
We made it back just in time for Thanksgiving. This year, for the first year in the fifteen that we’ve been married, we did Thanksgiving on our own – and we enjoyed it immensely. I did the cooking, making baked beans, an orange-and-bourbon marinated chicken breast, stuffing, and rolls. There was also pie.
We cleared the living room to allow for all-day lounging and spent the day relaxing with movies and food.
Speaking of food, my mom sent me some lebkuchen, and I made myself a Dr Pepper marinated steak for my birthday (along with mashed potatoes and gravy and broccoli). My mom called for my birthday and when I wondered aloud what I wanted for breakfast, she said I should have an omelette. She was right.
As we came into late November and Early December, Spotify released their annual Wrapped lists. For those wondering, here’s mine:
I gave out Yule cards this year; they seemed to go over well. I also survived another Krampusnacht, so that’s a victory for me. I celebrated with toast and stollen.
Candlelight has come and gone, likely the last for me for some time. After volunteering each Christmas season for the last seven? eight? years I need a break. This year I was portraying a Philadelphia merchant Quaker named Ephram, and growing my hair out for two tears gave me perfect 18th-century hair. Seriously, I showed up for my hair appointment and they changed my part from the side to the middle, applied a lot of product to keep the curls in, and called it good. I was done in five minutes.
Pardon me; wouldst thou care to purchase a cartload of oats? My horse hath gone lame and I fear I shall not be able to continue on my journey.
Here’s some random things I received over the last two months: a small acorn, a Pusheen sweatshirt, a fireplace plushie (since I love fireplace DVDs), and a Pusheen oven mitt.
Christmas was good if overstimulating. I ended up helping family put together a flat-pack vanity last minute, went for lunch with my mother in law (a tradition), and was able to celebrate the actual day with my sister-in-law’s family in attendance. They mostly speak Portuguese but are great people and love giving gifts. I received a warm blanket, a lovely mug, and some Brazilian chocolate and wafers. When we were leaving one of the uncles went to give me a big hug, stopped himself and waved a finger playfully, then reached out a fist for a fist bump. I don’t know who told him about me being touch-averse, or if he just picked up on it, but it was such a kind gesture it made me very happy.
I spent the late hours of Christmas Day eating homemade fruitcake and watching Monty Python thanks to the generosity of one of my brothers.
Today I’m not feeling the greatest but I’ve felt well enough to type this up.
What have you been up to?
Running In My Head 