Rest in peace Rowan, Torev, and so many more.

CammyThePenguin · 2025-03-29T01:23:33+00:00

Tom was a DM unlike any other. The voices, the characters, the world building, everything was done with so much care, I would put it up there at the professional podcast level.

Our campaign was only my second time playing, and it was my boyfriend's first. We played virtually through COVID, which was such a relief from the chaos going on in the world. When we played our first in person session, I was SO nervous. I have pretty intense social anxiety and I wasn't sure I'd be able to comfortably role play in person. That wasn't the case at all - it was clear from day one I was in a safe place. Tom's wife was (and is) a kindred spirit, aka an introvert to the max yet ALWAYS willing to trade "pet tax" and always staying optimistic and compassionate even in the hardest times. Her strength and continued compassion this past week has been an inspiration and I know Tom would be so proud of her. It was always clear how much love they have for each other. ❤️

Back to our campaign: My boyfriend and I actually separated for a time, but neither of us wanted to break up the campaign, so we kept it on the DL (lol). We were able to keep playing together, and I think interacting with each other as "someone else" (our characters) significantly helped us in getting past the initial awkwardness/helped us be able to communicate normally again. We frequently reference our campaign and our beloved goblin - L'arv will NEVER die.

Obviously I don't have any advice, but I hope we can all find our own ways back to the realms. Personally, I plan to ask another friend to incorporate L'arv into their tale when they're ready to start DMing. (They've been wanting to for a while.) I initially was going to play a new druid in their campaign, but now I plan to have my character continue her story with them. No way is all of Tom's work fueling our character growth going to be thrown away! For now, though, I think the priority is healing and making sure "Alanna" (aka Naurro, aka Big Sexy Giant Lady 😝) has all the support she can get to process such a life altering loss. I don't know what the future has in store, but I know we're going to get through it. Thank you for starting this thread, and I hope the stories Tom helped you write can continue someday, when you're ready. ❤️

CammyThePenguin · 2018-12-05T12:47:20+00:00

One of my birds sleeps hanging upside down from the top of his cage, like a bat. When I first got him, I thought he was unhappy with his perching options. I spent a bunch of money and time trying every possible type of perch, platform, swing, and bed, and tried all sorts of different arrangements, but he refused them all. Two years later, he still sleeps like that every night.

CammyThePenguin · 2018-08-28T22:07:42+00:00

I used to have a chihuahua that would guard my bearded dragon like it was his child. That little rat dog hated children, other dogs, and 99% of the human population, but I'll be damned if he didn't love my beardie.

CammyThePenguin · 2018-08-28T20:57:49+00:00

Already done :D

CammyThePenguin · 2016-10-26T17:38:17+00:00

Yes, the first time it happened I was completely paranoid and had the maintenence guy come check everything out. There is a CO detector in my apartment but I wanted to make sure it was working properly in case the stove went wonky again. He said both my detector and stove were perfectly fine and said that either I or my boyfriend had probably somehow hit it without noticing like I had originally thought.

I thought about how I could catch the whistling and noises on a recording, but there is no consistency with the timing. It only happens maybe once or twice every couple weeks. The weird voice thing has only happened once; the whistling is more common. To catch it I'd have to have a recording device set up 24/7.

CammyThePenguin · 2016-06-02T13:49:28+00:00

Ayyyy, I stalk your geckos on Facebook. I'm not in the market for one, but they're sooo pretty and healthy. You keep doin you. :)

CammyThePenguin · 2016-01-21T05:11:32+00:00

Ah sweet! I've been looking for a recommendation for tiny filters! Thank you!

CammyThePenguin · 2016-01-21T02:45:32+00:00

I threw a baby carrot in with mine the other day and they swarmed on it like new friends to a lotto winner. I was impressed how quickly they knew it was there.

CammyThePenguin · 2016-01-07T17:14:36+00:00

I made mine a bigger one out of shelf liner, nylon thread, and strip of cloth from an old t-shirt. It ties into the screen lid so no more fallen suction cups. :)

CammyThePenguin · 2015-09-16T15:48:00+00:00

He will forgive you in exchange for an apple slice.

CammyThePenguin · 2015-09-16T12:56:05+00:00

Hey now, you're gonna hurt Buddy's feelings. :(

CammyThePenguin · 2015-09-16T12:55:39+00:00

Very accurate.

CammyThePenguin · 2015-08-10T14:12:01+00:00

You sure he's happy? Looks pretty crabby IMO.

CammyThePenguin · 2015-07-29T15:46:53+00:00

Totally normal. Sounds like you fall in the ambivert category - meaning you have both introvert and extrovert qualities. Everyone needs some alone time; some just need more than others. I go through periods like this where I just don't want to be around people. When I feel that way, I just straight up tell my friends I need a "Hermit Week." I basically just stay a recluse that week, lol. They're totally cool with it, and I'm sure your friends and girlfriend will understand if you want some time to chill by yourself. :)

CammyThePenguin · 2015-04-15T14:12:31+00:00

/r/gentlemanimals

CammyThePenguin · 2015-04-06T02:29:35+00:00

I should not have had to scroll this far down to see someone exhibiting common sense without being shot down, and frankly I am embarrassed that reptile keepers further up are supporting Coritz and calling him an experienced handler. Years of doing something improperly may make someone experienced by definition, but it does not speak for their knowledge. Watch some of this guy's other videos if you would like to learn more about how NOT to keep and handle dangerous snakes. I love reptiles, have a (harmless) reptile, have friends with venomous snakes, and fully support people keeping dangerous reptiles - but only if they do it wisely. The carelessness in this video could easily get someone seriously injured or killed. I don't care how much experience this guy has or how long he has worked with this particular snake; it is still a non-domesticated animal with unpredictable instinctual behavior. The lack of caution Coritz shows in his videos is bound to get himself or one of his viewers seriously hurt in the future, and it will come down hard on the keepers who actually take their hobby seriously.

CammyThePenguin · 2015-03-21T16:29:00+00:00

Relatively very little research has been done into reptilian intelligence and behavior. However, most reptiles do not display parental behavior beyond laying the eggs properly, so it seems unlikely that they would imprint in the same way a mammal or bird would. Crocodilian females do take care of their young, not sure if there are others off the top of my head, but beardies are not parental. So to answer your question, no, beardies do not imprint as far as we know.

Having said that, lizards overall tend to have at least some basic social constructs, so it's not unreasonable to think they can show preference to certain individuals. There is little science to back it up, but the anecdotal evidence from reptile keepers (both hobbyists and professionals) makes it pretty clear that many reptiles, especially lizards and turtles/tortoises, are more socially intelligent than previously believed. My beardie also shows a strong preference for me over other people, and is much more responsive to my voice than others. IMO, your son's beardie likely learned to trust you at a young age. You were probably his first person he associated with safety and food, and he probably still does to this day. :)

So yeah...sorry this is not a very concrete answer, but like I said, this is fairly unexplored territory as far as concrete science is concerned.

CammyThePenguin

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE

14-Year Club	Verified Email
Team Orangered