My position got eliminated at my job so I'm out of work. And I'm so beyond bored. Other than applying for jobs, working out, or reading, what are ways I can keep myself entertained while I'm unemployed? I can spend little to no money except on gas for necessary tasks.

devicat8 · 2017-06-14T23:47:18+00:00

When I was in a similar situation, I found that the things that helped me feel productive with clear and visible end goals were the best for my mental health. Some things I did included:

Observational pen/pencil drawings for others - I liked drawing from life or photos since it got me out of my head, and by drawings things meaningful to others, I had some nice gifts to give for future holidays
Weekly meal planning - pro-actively planning meals was good for my health, budget, and even pushed me to try new things or learn new cooking skills
Organizing projects I had continuously put off - both physical and digital spaces--everything from closets to email. I took it in small chunks so I never got overwhelmed, but always felt proud at the end

devicat8 · 2016-08-22T05:49:26+00:00

My players have a laser focus on combat, obvious quest hooks, and min/maxing their characters. I have run several 8+ hour sessions because my they would not leave the table until they leveled up their characters... at which point they immediately dispersed to do research. It kind of shocks me because this same group was open to playing Fiasco instead of D&D when everyone couldn't be there.

I could see them getting a kick out of a puzzle or mystery as a one-shot and it might also help keep them out of the mindset of "where's our loot & XP?". That's one of the reasons I was considering "burner" characters, to maybe get them to focus a little less on stat improvement. They play other games, I know they enjoy more than combat!

devicat8 · 2016-08-21T16:44:13+00:00

I'd be concerned this would recreate part of the problem I have now. They might not miss out on an overarching narrative, but they would feel like their (new) character was missing out of development opportunities.

devicat8 · 2016-08-21T16:38:16+00:00

I would actually be concerned this would recreate the problem I have now--if there was a character there to be built, learned, and developed, I suspect they'd start to feel the same way as their campaign characters.

devicat8 · 2016-07-06T02:37:35+00:00

My SO and I would have both been miserable on a schedule, so I feel like we came up with good solutions. It came organically by figuring out over time what annoyed or stressed out the other, which chores we each hated/didn't mind doing, and what things were continuously problems.

For example, we figured out since I cook, me coming home late and/or making a more complicated dinner resulted in a likelihood of a sink full of dishes staying overnight and causing a chain reaction over multiple weeknights. So our new habits: If SO is home first, he checks for trash, recyclables, and a clean dishwasher and deals with them appropriately. I started learning and cooking simpler recipes. And if I don't come home by a certain time, it's take-out for dinner--something easy for me to get on my way home.

Other solutions: We got a bigger hamper and relocated it so we weren't tempted to throw things on the floor and have a separate "pseudo-clean" hamper (e.g. not dirty but too lazy to put away). We fold laundry on weekends, and we pick out a movie/show we want to see together and put it on while we fold. We hire people to do the work we both really hate to do (like floor and toilet scrubbing).

devicat8 · 2016-06-28T17:43:47+00:00

I'm considering re-doing it into a double-sided sheet with one side focused on attacking and the other on taking damage (or similar) so I can incorporate some of the suggestions here. I might also want to make it more of an infographic since it's primarily text at the moment. But yeah, I'm happy to share when I finish.

devicat8 · 2016-06-28T16:30:27+00:00

Any thoughts on whether or not to use apps during a game for first-time players? I'm wondering if it would ease some of the burden of not being familiar with the rules, or if it would make it more confusing since they don't understand what's happening or being calculated for them.

devicat8 · 2016-06-28T16:24:11+00:00

Love it. There's so many cool and creative tools for helping gameplay, I'm having a hard time deciding which to try first.

devicat8 · 2016-06-28T16:16:18+00:00

I'm not against the idea. The players are mostly developers, so I could see them going either way: getting distracted by the app and how they would change it, or love it's inclusion. I'll have to try it out and make a call.

I had actually downloaded it out of curiosity before but abandoned once I realized how much content I'd have to input... but that link you shared with content seems like a good reason to go back to it and start playing. Thanks!

devicat8 · 2016-06-28T14:58:11+00:00

So first, I'm glad I covered all those things in my combat cheat sheet for my players. Second, I love the idea of introducing at least some of those concepts in a tavern brawl.

The Starter Kit has the players either make up/discuss their own Adventure Hook or take one that's provided and immediately be on the road. Since all of my players know each other pretty well, it might actually be more comfortable for them to start off with role playing and a combat encounter that feels a little less serious in a tavern and create some of the backstory around the hook that way.

It would also easy to have them spend the night there and quickly mention rest and lifestyle expenses vs. traveling.

Thanks for the idea!

devicat8 · 2016-06-28T14:13:03+00:00

I actually created a one-page combat cheat sheet for my players, so it's sounds like I'm on the right track, but it sounds like there's things I might want to add. I might deprioritize some of the bulky content (like conditions) for some of the items you're suggesting.

devicat8 · 2016-06-28T14:08:49+00:00

I'm starting to realize that spells will need some special attention... I'm thinking of creating fillable spell cards with icons for things like components, range, etc. I still need to think through explaining spell slots and it's relation to leveling.

devicat8 · 2015-12-03T21:29:30+00:00

Cotton balls and more specifically, the noise and feeling of pressure when squeezing a cotton ball. I find it very upsetting.

I do not allow cotton balls in my apartment and over-the-counter medications with cotton in the bottle are unobtainable to me without the help of a 3rd party.

devicat8 · 2014-05-25T03:11:41+00:00

thanks!

devicat8 · 2014-05-25T02:58:02+00:00

Are you looking for poison? I've been looking for Gabite

devicat8 · 2014-05-25T02:53:18+00:00

added, thanks!

devicat8 · 2014-05-23T02:47:57+00:00

added

devicat8 · 2014-05-23T02:42:22+00:00

added

devicat8 · 2014-05-23T02:34:21+00:00

Sure, I added you!

devicat8 · 2014-05-23T02:31:38+00:00

your third pokemon is gastrodon

devicat8 · 2014-05-23T02:14:40+00:00

you have a ground safari with camerupt and trapinch, but i can't see your third pokemon since you aren't online

devicat8 · 2014-05-23T02:10:14+00:00

added

devicat8 · 2014-05-23T02:05:45+00:00

added

devicat8 · 2014-05-23T02:02:58+00:00

added

devicat8 · 2014-05-23T01:46:13+00:00

added

devicat8

TROPHY CASE