Zhavi

Zhi snickered, the sound dry and hissing. Yet, she listened, and listened closely; her memory was honed from constant use and the dedication of a young woman who took her jobs seriously, no matter how many times she managed to fuck things over. She had a good memory. She would remember what he read. The Duskwight comment took her off guard, and her eyebrows knit together in consternation for a moment before she smoothed it over with another snicker. "Aye," she said. "Where t'deliver, an' then ye can get out."

The first time I decided to strike a cucco on the legend of zelda: ocarina of time. WHAT?! YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO RISE UP AGAINST ME I AM THE MASTER OF THIS GAME! WAIT NO, STOP, WHAT ARE YOU DOING OH GOD MAKE IT STOP I'M DYING NOOO A lesson was learned that day.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/the-silence/ One more. This one is kinda depressing, but since I know some of the people in it irl, I can attest to how well it was done. I feel it covered both sides pretty well (and fairly), and I think it was pretty good journalism (though the voiceover was unnecessarily dramatic at times).

It's a confidence thing. As in, you're lacking confidence in your writing abilities, and as a result you're biased towards other people over yourself. Pretty much everyone who has ever confided in me that they think they're writing sucks I've found to have perfectly delightful writing. If you can, I would try going into it with a learning mindset. Look at how people write that you like, and aim to steal techniques from them. Copy methods you like, adapt them to suit you. Try new things, come at it with the headset that you're not where you want to be, but that you're looking to improve. If you need to, tell your rp partners that. That way it makes it more acceptable to 'not be as good' as those around you -- hey, you're learning and improving, and there's never anything wrong with that. I mean hell, there's always something new to learn anyways! It's helped me during those times that I feel like my writing is shit, my ideas are shit, everything is shit. I think most writers go through that, even some who are wildly successful. Sometimes you can work your way out of it, sometimes you just gotta muddle for awhile feeling like shit and take a break to reset your brain, as it were.

Kinda. . .she's kinda like this (she's the one with the cig, ofc): it's how she shows affection. Probably. <3

Declining by Degrees - by PBS, talks about the US college/university system. Had an adjunct professor who had us watch this in class. Interesting stuff. All of the following can be found on netflix: Trash Dance - A contemporary dance choreographer has a group of city trash collectors agree to let her coordinate them in a contemporary dance number using trucks and props to highlight what it is they do in their job. Surprisingly good. It's a Girl - Looks into Chinese/Indian society that promotes keeping boy babies over girl babies. Interesting stuff. Definitely biased, though (primarily the goal of this documentary isn't to inform but to convince you how bad/shocking these practices are ... still an interesting watch, imo). Somm - About a group of sommeliers looking to gain the highest title you can get as a sommelier. If you like food/wine stuff even a little, watch. Otherwise, it's definitely a people-focused documentary; I found myself rooting for each of the guys. They're just eccentric enough to be charming and likeable. It's one of those documentaries I'd watch again with other people. Red Obsession - About China's recent obsession with red wine and the status it can convey. Also goes into why this is happening and talks a bit about recent Chinese history. I'm taking an East Asian Civilization class this semester (with a professor who has done extensive study of East Asia, and has lived there for a couple decades in the past), and found quite a bit of it to be pretty damn accurate. Thunder Soul - About a highschool soul band from the ... errr, 70s, I think? This band was professional quality, shows them getting back together after several decades, and dips its toes into how politics fucks over students and teachers. If you like music and warm fuzzies, this one is for you. Dancing in Jaffa - A man returns to his hometown in the middle east to teach children how to ballroom dance, with the goal of getting children from opposing cultural beliefs (who are taught to hate each other) to dance together. Interesting because of how much cultural differences he had to overcome, though the primary focus is on the kids and his evolving relationship with them. More of a feel good than informative. Gotta Dance - A group of senior citizens are hired to train as a half-time dance troupe show for a basketball team. Funny, charming, adorable. First Position - This one follows teenagers competing for the Youth America Grand Prix, which is touted as being a pre-eminent competition for aspiring ballet professionals. I don't know how accurate it is, but I was rooting hardcore for the little boy. Dude is a class fucking act at such a young age. Super enjoyable. Happy - A small, tiny little dip into not-really-psychology about what makes people happy. I don't care about how informative/accurate this one is -- it's feel good and made me happy. Jiro Dreams of Sushi - A brief look into the passion of a man who is supposedly (I have no idea how accurate this is) considered one of the tippity top sushi chef masters. Beautifully done. Would watch again. Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf's - A fluff piece about blowing lots of money at a high fashion department store. If you like glimpsing into the life of those who have lots of money and can blow it on fashion, or just like looking at pretty things, or like the fashion industry, watch. This was a guilty pleasure for me. and aw hell, why not NSFW 18+ both on netflix: Neither are particularly ... well, they're more of sort of stark looks rather than something I would trust to be non-biased or meant to be informative. Still interesting, still thought provoking. After Porn Ends A scattered look into the lives of porn stars after their careers have ended. How it has affected their lives, how it has affected them. I liked it because it covered a broad range from '10/10 would do again' to 'it ruined my life but I'm okay now' to 'this person is a total mess who needs help'. Whores Glory A look into prostitution in a couple East Asian countries as well as Mexico. Mostly follows random prostitutes and shows brief glimpses into their lives without being very thorough (surface glimpses only, no real depth or social commentary, though with what they showed it kinda seems like it was edited to sorta raise awareness about it). Mostly depressing. Depictions of sex acts towards the end.

AMG this is amazing. Kudos.

I love your about me, and that you decided to give rping a chance even though you just stumbled upon it. I wish others were as open minded.

Warren, Roen, Crofte, Dogberry (that one time DIDN'T COUNT), C'kayah and his band of merry misfits (that one time DIDN'T COUNT), Kage, Tiergan, Aya, McBeef, Jancis, Faye, Val, Berrod (that one time DIDN'T COUNT) ........ okay, pretty much half of the people regularly posting on the rpc (I can't remember all the names, but trust me that I stalk most of your writing and plot happenings and daydream about potentials that in all likelihood will never happen). Most of the rest I've rped with, except people who joined since I've been on and off since last August. So much intriguing and interesting writing talent here. Not enough time or sanity to nab everyone.

I love research. I spent a couple months on and off reading/watching documentaries on gangs and the various ways people interact with that kinda ... thing. I've lived most of my life in a place where there was a gang-related incident exactly once, and all other criminal activity is not in the least organized. Or it's corporate stuff, lulz. For fightery stuff, I've read testimonials, watched fighting videos with people who were actually familiar with it and could explain shit to me, and talked to a couple amateur/semi-pro mma fighters (my favorite stories were when he had his retina detached during a fight, and what it felt like to piss blood after someone got in a good hit on his kidneys). STILL NOT VERY GOOD AT WRITING IT, THOUGH. (which is why I tend to make characters who aren't very good at fighting) The rest is more just general knowledge or common sense (though I'm sure I still do a bajillion things wrong or in a way that wouldn't make sense to someone, but hey, it's a learning process!). To me, it makes your writing --rp or otherwise-- feel way more visceral and real (and as a result, interesting). It's not always necessary, as common sense will go a long, long way, but to me it's what makes the rp more enjoyable.

The problem is, as Verad says. Many villains aren't logical or have good motivations. That's part of what makes villains scary. They don't play by the same rules as 'normal' people. I think many villains do have good reasons for why they're doing what they're doing. However I don't think it's a prerequisite. Why not? Some of the most villainous people in our history were very logical in their thinking and to them and those who followed them had perfectly good motivations. To some people in the world, your country/culture is villainous (and no, I don't necessarily mean the most obvious example for us western folks). It can be a matter of cultural or historical reasoning, or religious or personal. Just because they aren't necessarily good motivations to you doesn't make that a universal truth. There's all sorts of people and perceptions in the world, and that counts for fictional worlds too. Subjectivity is all well and good, but the point is more that for every logical and methodical villain with motivations that make perfect sense from their perspective if you look at it from that, there are as many who are illogical, irrational, or intentionally lacking in understandable motivation. One isn't better than the other. But both exist. Meh, it's my opinion that a vast majority of people tend to make sense, even if purely to themselves, over those who don't (which is why psychology took off the way it did and why good marketing pays off). I guess that's because it's my opinion that 99 times out of 100, characters built who are illogical, irrational or intentionally lacking in understandable motivation are sloppily made, with the onus of that burden being not on the villain, but the creator of the villain. ....but I did totally misread the post I quoted. ....because I'm awesome like that. ....and I think I'm arguing with smoke because I'm not really disagreeing with you, but it's a lame attempt to save imaginary face.

I'm still mulling over in my head, but I wanted to gauge interest. I had a short conversation with the lovely ShayRei today, and sorta came to the conclusion that right now Zhi is a little too much to handle. She's the sort of character who's always scheming, and right now that's too much for me to play. I have to take the lead with her in rp, and right now I don't want to take the lead. I want someone else to take the lead, and that'll in turn let me slip into the supporting role, which is what's easiest for me. So, in short, is anyone interested in me building a character as part of some idea they have, whether or not their character knows the one I'm making? Keep in mind that I would prefer someone who's enthusiastic or has needed a spot filled for their rp -- in my experience people who are lukewarm on ideas tend to fizzle.

The problem is, as Verad says. Many villains aren't logical or have good motivations. That's part of what makes villains scary. They don't play by the same rules as 'normal' people. I think many villains do have good reasons for why they're doing what they're doing. However I don't think it's a prerequisite. Why not? Some of the most villainous people in our history were very logical in their thinking and to them and those who followed them had perfectly good motivations. To some people in the world, your country/culture is villainous (and no, I don't necessarily mean the most obvious example for us western folks). It can be a matter of cultural or historical reasoning, or religious or personal. Just because they aren't necessarily good motivations to you doesn't make that a universal truth. There's all sorts of people and perceptions in the world, and that counts for fictional worlds too.

"Me-- wait, where d'ye --" The roe was gone, with Solitaire half out of his seat, the table blocking him from dashing after the roe; he'd gotten his foot all tangled up with one of the legs, and almost kissed the floor for his troubles. By the time he'd gotten himself to rights, there was no trace of the other man. There was snickering at Solitaire's expense, which only earned grumbling and half-hearted glares from him. He righted his chair and sat back down, folding his arms across his chest. He'd given out valuable information that he'd yet to receive coin for, and the roe thought he was going to leave without getting paid? Far more likely the roe was going to off and be gone, and not come back. And if that was the case, Solitaire would see to it the man would pay, one way or another.

Zhavi wasn't drunk, and she hadn't been smoking. Goultard had put her on edge, and it was that edge that had her leaning -- almost instinctively -- away from Goultard as she walked by. It wasn't any obvious thing, it wasn't a sense of danger: some things the streetrunner didn't want, and there were some things that she avoided as a matter of course unless some specific circumstances were met. Touch was one of those things. She looked up at the elezen with a gamine smile.

My apologies, sir!

It boggles me that people feel comfortable making all sorts of assumptions about him, and are creeped out by him, and yet feel utterly no desire to understand why he stated what he stated. If it was reverse, and someone had posted 'prefer the person playing the woman to be a man' I highly doubt people would have reacted so strongly. I understand that sometimes you get burned when a rp partner finds out you're playing cross-gender and disappears, but this is not the same person as those who may have done you a bad turn in the past. (unless you have had a bad experience with him, in which case, excuse me) This thread bothers me, because it is skating ever so close to the edge of double standards.

Hmm, after reading this thread . . . you know, I play both male and female characters. Most of the people I rp with play both male and female characters. It doesn't matter to me. That said, coming at someone and telling them or insinuating that they're weird, and creepy, and wrong for preferring one thing or another is doing the exact same thing to them that you feel they're doing to you. You'd likely get much better results pming the person and asking why they feel that way, did they have a bad experience, and just seeing why they feel that way (as Melkire said -- could just be he feels that female writers write better female characters and vice versa) as opposed to making them feel unwelcome and harangued. Like, this isn't even really a discussion about which is better done from an objective perspective -- it reads like people reacting defensively to a statement he made and then him trying to defend himself and back out of the argument. Not really great grounds for an open and productive discussion, imo.

It's pretty common that we get older donors who call and want to share their life story with you, problems with their kids, relatives, locals, whatever. Then, every time they call back (either to donate or for whatever), they tell you the same exact things, just with different wording. I think for most of them they just don't really have people irl to talk to. They don't use the internet, they really just don't have an outlet. Same thing for spousal issues -- sometimes you don't want to talk to people you know about it, because you don't want anything to get out (you tell your friend, your friend tells his/her SO, the SO tells someone else . . .and it gets back to the person you weren't ready to talk to yet, oops). So while you have that stranger captive on the line, it just comes pouring out. People sometimes are very easily disarmed by niceness. Sometimes I'll get someone who sounds perfectly fine calling to have their dead relative taken off the mailing list -- soon as I say that I'm very sorry about their loss, you can hear them start to lose it. I never intend to make someone cry, but sometimes all it takes is that little bit of sympathy to break down all the barriers.

The line is there to keep people safe. I mean. . .would you wish someone luck if someone started stalking you? I didn't just pull that out of my hat, I have known people who that has happened to, who showed me the messages, whose addresses were dug up, whose identities were revealed. It is not good. Too, I have seen instances where predators would use rp sites to dig up young players and try to gain their trust -- also extremely bad. I'm not saying like, never allow any ic/ooc cross happen, I'm saying what Tiergan was saying -- do no harm. Don't allow the emotions the rp provokes in you to make yourself or someone else feel shitty irl. That ain't cool. And yeah, I agree that some small part of yourself will come through, but the idea is to stop it from becoming something negative. If I am frustrated by something that happens icly, I don't take that frustration out on the people I'm playing with! I don't try to guilt them, or make them feel bad, or get angry with them! Similarly, I don't blame them for what happens. I might not like it, but rp happens, and imo it's key to understand that they are playing their characters the best way they can, just as I am with mine. Being willing to communicate, and not take things personally, is instrumental to having a good experience and helping those around you have a good experience, too.

Oh oh, we can talk about the stuff we hate about ourselves, too? I could go on for days about the little nuances about myself I hate. Seriously, though, I feel you on the writing thing. It's not so much writer's block for me as it is... petering out of motivation. A large part of it comes from hoping, begging for someone to look at it and let me know something - good or bad. If it's good, I'm perked up and energized to continue. If it's bad, then I can go "Oh, that needs to be fixed" and try to correct what I did wrong. But if there's... nothing? That's when the petering out occurs. I start thinking that my work is so... blase that it isn't even worthy of attention. Then I start wondering if it's even worth it if no one is going to read it, and it all just snowballs from there. Which is why with my little Gogon story, I keep glancing at the number of views to see if it changed - seeing it tick up by even one or two helps negate that feeling just a little bit. I've had several other writing projects that I started on that I just... gave up on because all desire and motivation for it evaporated from my own chronic worry that no one cared. It's kinda selfish, really. I think that it's a normal desire to want to share what you've created. We are social creatures, after all. I get the same way. I like having feedback, especially with writing stuff, because while it's fun and nice to enjoy your work, it's so much better to experience it with someone else. And when you get nothing, you're right -- it does feel like, in some way, you're doing something terribly wrong and you have no idea how to fix it. It's easy to feel like there is no way to fix it, because it is just that bad. Learning how to be a fair critic to yourself is pretty much the hardest thing ever, at least for me.

I believe in you!

I disagree. Certain things need to be kept separate -- one thing that I have seen happen too often is when two characters fall in love icly. Now, it's fine if both of the players are romantically involved, too, but sometimes one of the players starts liking the other player, but that feeling isn't returned. OOC stalking ensues, kills the rp, and leaves the player being stalked feeling unsafe and harassed. Another thing is two characters have a disagreement, or a character does something really bad. The other characters start to dislike that character. OOCly, the players start to dislike the player of the bad character. That player then becomes an outcast in the community, despite the fact that the player is nothing like the character. Last one: Something bad happens to a character. The player of that character takes the pain the character is going through and internalizes it until it gets to the point that the player is depressed with everyday actions, and the angst begins to affect the player's life. These are a little extreme, yes, but they can and have happened before and clearly show that there should be a line between the characters and what they are doing, and the players' lives. Yes, you're right that there will be some bleed-through, because we are the ones in control -- but there is a line that should not be crossed. We are not our characters, and we do not live in the world our characters live in. That must be acknowledged at all times. We are playing pretend in a way that lets us have fun and experience occasional catharsis, nothing more.

Where I live, it's winter eight months of the year, and gravel is mostly used for traction. Finding a car with a windshield that doesn't have a crack or chip in it is pretty much a miracle (but doesn't stop me from think ill thoughts about the person in front of me when a rock or two or three hits my windshield or the front of my car). I think I have around ten-fifteen chips in my windshield, and one little crack on the bottom. AS LONG AS YOU CAN STILL SEE, BABY.

Yessss. I've been housesitting the last few days. Two giant mastiffs, and a wood stove. I have never used a wood stove before. Temps are hitting -40 every night. Every day when I get back the fire has burned itself out. Getting it going again, doing homework after work, and dealing with dogs that CANNOT SEEM TO HOLD IT FOR SEVEN HOURS WHILE I AM TRYING TO SLEEP has meant that I have turned into a zombie at work. My productivity is at an all time low. Someone entertain me! Keep me awake!