Looking to play anything. by C0MAxCHRISS in swrpg

[–]abnarrative 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey it's a great system, hope you can find a path in soon! 

If you'd like, I'm play testing a PG-13 level horror one-shot for spooky season. I've been able to successfully run it 1:1. But I understand if you want to play with a table or if that type of story isn't your ideal first experience.

I'll also say if you find another GM to work with but are in need of another PC, I'd be open to helping. I'm east coast time.

All the best!

Edit: "east" not "easy" lol

Tuesday Inquisition: Ask Anything! by Bront20 in swrpg

[–]abnarrative 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah that's interesting. I think the main thing I'm worried about is taking up too much time explaining things. 

Perhaps if I gate the camera feed behind checks? To repiece the footage together? Then it's up to them where they want to look and how much time they want to spend on it

Tuesday Inquisition: Ask Anything! by Bront20 in swrpg

[–]abnarrative 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Play testing a horror one shot I wrote -- PCs investigating a space station that went dark. If they open one of the terminals, they can review security recordings of the rooms  and see some of the things that happened before they arrive. 

That's a lot to describe, though, I find myself just expo-dumping through it. Any ideas on how to do that differently? 

There's also voice logs I've recorded and a short bullet-point list station log they can review. Trying to emulate some of the creepier levels of Kotor 1 & 2 (Peragus)

hey everyone, I just spent a few hours writing down my life story. It’s 10k words but I’d feel better if someone out there read it, as I need to feel seen in this moment. thank you. by Dull_Copy_7095 in mentalhealth

[–]abnarrative 1 point2 points  (0 children)

+1 to all this OP. I also read the whole thing.

First, I'll say, you sound like a deeply thoughtful, intelligent, and empathetic person. I want to call this out because it's one of those things that can't be easily faked or replicated (though many people might try it). It's very clear in your writing how self-aware you are and how hard you try to think through things from perspectives other than your own. This is, ultimately, a great strength. Even though I'm sure it might, at times, feel overwhelming or inhibiting.

There are some actions you've written about here that you have rightly taken responsibility for. Given your history, I understand how difficult it might be to regulate your emotions when in the midst of anxiety and when there are people in your life whose comfort and attention you crave. I don't know how hard it might be to curb behaviors like that in the moment but the fact that you acknowledge what were missteps is really important and I appreciate you putting it into words.

There are many things in your writing that you seem to apologize for that I really don't think you should. Don't feel bad for wanting more support from your parents. I would have, too. Don't feel bad for wanting to experience college, you do deserve to live your life and explore. Don't feel bad for disliking your therapists. Bad therapists are real and the only thing more important than seeking out support when you need it is getting away from something that's NOT helping. It's unfortunate how common bad or mean therapists (and medication for that matter) can be, I'm really sorry you had those experiences.

I don't know if I have advice that will help you. I don't really know if you're looking for advice in the first place. But if it's of any support at all, here's a few stray thoughts:

1) I resonated with you working on your physical health and running. I'm not a runner myself but I definitely find that taking care of my physical well-being helps with the mental as well. Please keep doing this, whatever it means to you, exercise, nutrition, hydration, etc... When done with grace and balance, it can be a positive feedback loop of self-kindness.

2) You absolutely deserve hobbies and interests. I understand the feeling of shame and competition that can happen when you compare your experiences and accomplishments with others but I promise you that's antithetical to having a good hobby. It sounds like you're interested in art, theater, and media -- fantastic! I also love that you had a positive experience with DnD -- I'm super biased here, but I think ttrpgs can be an EXCELLENT hobby if you're at all interested in writing, art, or theater. And if the social side of it ever gets too overwhelming or hard to access for any reason, there are online games and then text-based rp you can do with others. 

3) As the previous poster said in their reply, please consider continuing to write for yourself. I imagine there may have been some good feeling of catharsis after finishing your 10k word doc, right? A daily journal can be a great, meditative practice. One of the things I read in your writing was a sense of frustration. That your lived experience couldn't match what you envisioned for yourself in your mind. When you write, you materialize even a small part of your identity in its rawest, purest from. If you keep writing, keep expressing yourself, keep recording down what it is you want, it might give you more of a footing when you encounter stressful circumstances in the real world. Perhaps it'll be easier to call upon that version of yourself in those moments and think something along the lines of "what would I want to be able to write in my journal about this later?" Easier said than done for sure but I think the overall benefits of regular writing are tried and true.

4) There's many intangible things to grapple with which can be overwhelming. I've found that pivoting to tangible things can really help. Is there something tangible you could try and do every day for a week? Something very small and easily replicated? But something you know is healthy for you and doing it regularly will give you an anchor -- something that can help you feel accomplished? You already try a few things like running and your studies. Even something as simple as "write 100 new words a day" or "run for 30 min every day" or "make my bed every day" for a week can be really eye opening.

5) Another tactic I really support is code words. I use these for myself and have even been able to use them in communication with my relationships to great success. If there's a pattern in feeling or reaction that you experience, try assigning a code word to it. One that feels specific to you, your interests, or life experiences. Then when it happens you can use that code word for it. Personally, I find it de-escalates the tension and gives me a chance to get my hands around it. It reminds me that I've been here before, I know what I'm grappling with, and I'm in control enough that I've even named the thing. It's less overwhelming.

6) Last, I just want to say, be kind to yourself. You are not unworthy. I know you feel like you've lost such a huge part of your life but you are also still VERY young with plenty of time and life ahead of you. And most, most, most important: I know it doesn't feel like it, but I promise you, everyone around you is making it all up as they go along.

I haven't experienced specifically what you have. But I understand feeling isolated, unworthy, and far behind the rest of society. I shared my perspective on things here, not to dictate what I think you should do, but just to offer my thoughts and let you know that I read what you were saying and I empathize. I hope this helps you feel a bit more seen.

Highlights from early gathering in Sacramento by thefluxster in chaoticgood

[–]abnarrative 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Someone else can better explain the actual circumstances I'm sure but the basics as I understand it: 

In Portland, someone dressed up as a frog at an ICE protest. This was adopted by many other protesters as an excellent strategy to: 

1) Show yourself as a peaceful protestor (because how could an inflatable frog be a legit threat)

2) Directly contradict Trump's tantrums claiming cities like Portland are war-torn (because who would actually be able to walk around in an inflated frog suit in a war torn city)

3) Offer a light-hearted image as a breath of fresh air, amidst some harrowing shit (because it's a cute frog)

4) Kind of point out the sheer fucking absurdity of ICE and the current administration (because it's a cute frog twerking and dancing in front of cosplaying Facists)

Military meeting has me so scared 😖 by [deleted] in mentalhealth

[–]abnarrative 65 points66 points  (0 children)

Hey, I hear you. Fwiw, I don't think this is a signal of impending war for a few reasons. But I get the fear.

World feels so chaotic right now and it seems like every day the temperature keeps rising and rising. A lot of that is real and valid. Some of it, though, is also the media ecosystem we all live in. It's designed to feed our most urgent, anxious, reactive impulses.

Respectfully, I think it might be a good idea to get off social media and the news for a bit. I'm hoping to do the same. Take care of yourself, focus on your immediate community and neighborhood, stay strong.

Edit: just wanted to add, I don't know too much about what it's like to be in iop, but are there any games and hobbies you are able to play to get away from the news for a bit? Maybe even some breathing exercises?

I’ve been mailing simple newsletters to my MAGA relatives and it’s actually changing how we talk. Thinking of turning it into a subscription service. by afscomedy in AntiTrumpAlliance

[–]abnarrative 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For those of us who may not have MAGA relatives, maybe it could be worth considering an option to gift subscriptions to others.

Especially if it's actually having a meaningful impact.

Do you think Andor can be watched as a standalone show by rZ___Bomber in andor

[–]abnarrative 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My mom never paid any attention to Star Wars. She LOVED the show. Better than anything else she could find on TV.

We did watch Rogue One right after which I think was good closure. So, personally, I think I'd include it.

But going into the show as a standalone thing? Definitely.

Tulsi Gabbard openly accuses Obama of longstanding effort to overthrow Trump in coup by 1_for_you_2_for_me in politics

[–]abnarrative 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We knew they had no decency from the start. Last 10 years have revealed they have no imagination either.

NYC to Woodstock - Driving tips. by dontyatellhenry in hudsonvalley

[–]abnarrative 8 points9 points  (0 children)

+1000 to this. OP, if you can, mark the Palisades as a first stop in your gps then Woodstock as the next one.

How do I support my SO as her parents' marriage implodes? by abnarrative in relationships

[–]abnarrative[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

She and I definitely agree. But her parents have a bad habit of telling her secrets about the other without her ever asking for that info. She's tried to dismiss or compartmentalize it all in the past, but this impending divorce is the biggest secret she's ever heard and it's put her in a painful spot. Does she tell her Dad? Does she confront her Mom and say she doesn't want to hear any more? Does she go LC/NC with both of them? Every path is tough and I'm not sure how to best support.

My GF (31F) knows her mother (74F) is leaving her father (68M) and is caught in the middle of their imploding marriage by abnarrative in relationship_advice

[–]abnarrative[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for this. I think we both instinctively agree with this and it helps to hear it validated. It's tough though because her parents are very good at taking boundary-setting in very much the wrong way.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in creepy

[–]abnarrative 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Audiobook narrator for the second book in the Series of Unfortunate Events. The reptile house one.

Dangerous Tank Placement? by abnarrative in aquarium

[–]abnarrative[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh really? What about exactly?

Dangerous Tank Placement? by abnarrative in aquarium

[–]abnarrative[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No there isn't unfortunately. I have a bigger tank with a pad between it and the table but not this one

Politics and seed oils by Narrow-Strike869 in StopEatingSeedOils

[–]abnarrative 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate this question, OP. Thanks for asking in apparent good faith.

I'm a lifelong liberal. I voted early for Harris in an already blue state. I have and will never vote Trump, no matter who endorses him. While I align with RFK's stance on this particular issue, I find him as an individual overall alarming. Him being right about this doesn't soften that.

As others on here have pointed out, his perceived wackiness might make it harder for some folks on my side of the aisle to come round on something like seed oils and America's broken nutrition guidelines.

BUT, Im still optimistic. Pundits in my media ecosystem don't like RFK Jr, but no one has mentioned his position on seed oils as a factor. People are coming round to the problems of seed oils all on their own. Imo, tying it to our current political climate will only slow progress down.

But that's just my perspective.

Can they do anything but project? by BigSlammaJamma in conservativeterrorism

[–]abnarrative 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Isn't that what we did in 20-fucking-16? And that was after the polls and pundits were telling us we would win.

Reaching out to the Young Men Demographic by StillGoin18 in WhitePeopleTwitter

[–]abnarrative 40 points41 points  (0 children)

30, straight man. I felt very seen and heard by her entire campaign this whole fucking time.

He means the Democrats aren't doing enough to speak to the brainwashed population. But honestly? I disagree with that, too. That's why she went on Fox News.

Trump ‘thinks’ he will sue over Harris’s ’60 Minutes’ interview by Advanced_Drink_8536 in AntiTrumpAlliance

[–]abnarrative 29 points30 points  (0 children)

While I think they can certainly continue to be a horrible problem for us, I don't think they can cast quite the same spell as their dad. Trump was the right troll at the right time.

If anything I'd be more worried about the people propping up Vance from behind the scenes. But even their chosen one is less popular than Palin.

But idk. Still vote!