Vivienne's Adventures

  We get a fresh blank slate for the new year, starting tomorrow! I mean, yes, it is technically just another day, but it's the symbolism that counts. It really does, though. I love the end of the year and the beginning of a new one. Sure, 2020 could have been better all around, but that's not to say there was nothing good about it. But it's nice to have a fresh start. This year was the Year of the Phoenix, according to the 13 year zodiac I created. 2021 will be the Year of the Kitsune. The kitsune is a supernatural being from Japanese folklore that I find absolutely fascinating. I filled my zodiac with mythical creatures from all over, but I chose the kitsune to follow the phoenix for a bit of balance and transition...and a bit of protection lol. Do some research on kitsunes, they're really cool!  I'm going to take my blank slate and make actual progress on some of my big goals. I'm getting my book looked at by an editor, and I'm going to see how far down t...

  Happy End of the Year! I can't believe this year took so long to get over with, in some respects, but to be fair, A Lot happened. While it was a rough year, it wasn't totally awful.  I was looking back at my photos for the year, and my gosh! I went to a fancy princess party, got to see two of my friends get married, got a nephew (but we already knew that lol), I was able to visit my friend in Oregon, laughed over stories, I started running two of my own DnD games, dyed my hair purple, did lots of art, and, obviously, got to spend lots and lots of time with my sister and her baby.  I'm not gonna lie, parts of the year were pretty dang rough. Two of my families moved to other states (my cousin and her family, as well as my aunt and uncle and their kids), obviously the pandemic hit and shut everything down, a couple people from my church passed away, and I've really struggled with mental health.  But! I got to do lots of hiking with my aunt before they moved, and I go...

  We all know I'm a geek, right? Ok, good. The holidays are exhausting. Even if they were a good time, they use up so much energy! And I'm not one with leaps and bounds of extra energy, usually. So, like the Little One pictured above, I'm tired but still wanna play. And actually, that's what I'm doing!  Since the last few days of the year are always kind of weird, I've decided to just chill, let myself rest, and get some gaming in. My friends got me hooked on a new game, so much so that I started a private chat with them so I could live-blog my reactions as I play. It's awesome! It's also great because when I get stuck, I have people to turn to that can actually help me!...I really like this game, and I've stayed up probably too late several nights in a row, but hey. It's fun! What about you, what do you do to restore energy and relax?

  Holidays are great because sometimes you get to see the cousin you grew up with but haven't seen in at least a year. ^_^ I love this kid and I miss him!! It was so nice to catch up, see him meet the Little One, and sit next to him during the chaos of the Gift Exchange. (It's a little different every year, and always chaotic!) I miss being able to do fun things with my cousins. It's been a while since all five of us have been in the same place at the same time. But hey, that's what technology is for, right? Here's to hoping I get to see my cousins soon! (Or just, you know, more in '21 than I did this year.)  Merry Christmas! And Happy New Year!

  For everyone who celebrates, Merry Christmas! ^_^ From me and mine, I hope you all have the most wonderful Christmas possible! Yes, this year everything is different and weird, and probably pretty sad, since there are a lot of people we wont be able to see and hug, but this wont be forever. (At least, it better not lol) Merry Christmas! My wish for you all is that each and every one of you is able to enjoy a peaceful day full of love and hope for a better new year.  <3 Vivienne

  I can't believe that it's finally actually Christmas Eve! This year, my ability to track time has turned into soup, and this year has been so long. Did you know I had actually declared last year that this year, 2020, would the be year of the Phoenix? I came up with my own zodiac calendar, and yes, I had way too much fun with it. (I'm actually hanging onto it for a new story world!) I'll have another post before News Years to talk more about that, and the mythical creature I chose for 2021. For now, tho, I'm glad that we're nearly at the end of the calendar year, because with January, even tho it doesn't actually change anything, it's nice to have a fresh starting point. There's something about starting a new calendar, planner, or whatever you use, to pretend that this is a new blank slate.  I don't know about you, but I plan on doing a lot of writing, and filling up my 2021 blank slate with stories! But until then, I'm going to enjoy the ho...

  It's not often that I get to play Santa (namely the dropping off of gifts), but this year, I did! The Little One and I were able to deliver my presents to a couple friends of mine (safely with masks, etc), and I'm so excited! I love getting people fun gifts I'm sure they'll like, and usually it's most fun to see them open it. Alas, this year things are weird, but we do what we need to. ^_^ I'm absolutely delighted with the gift I got today (it was a book of art from my favorite fandom), and I cannot wait to delve into it! I'm excited to hand out the rest of my gifts. This is why I like Christmas, personally. It lets me love on my friends and family by getting or making thoughtful gifts. <3 

  Christmastime is fun, because I get to plan presents for people. This year, since I'm broke, I've been trying to make more presents than I buy. (That means lots of time making art!) It's always fun to be surprised with something handmade. Like these hot cocoa bombs! Aren't they pretty?  I was recently housesitting for my aunts, and they came back with these lovely little things, and I can't wait to enjoy them! I'm waiting for Christmas Eve <3 How about you, do you like making gifts, or receiving something handmade? ^_^ 

  Today's post actually has little to do with this adorable picture of the sleeping Little One. I just chose it because after a really hard year, we need all the cuteness! Anyway! Music! I know lots of people LOVE Christmas music, but I can only stand to listen to so much Christmas music before it makes me a little batty....wonder if that's from working in retail. Hmm. Despite that, I do have favorites.  I love me some Trans-Siberian Orchestra. They're at the top of my list, (topping that list is "Christmas Canon." My absolute favorite song ever!) followed my Straight No Chaser's version of "The 12 Days of Christmas." (Mom and I always sing along lol) If you've never heard it, go listen! And then listen to their "The Christmas Can-Can." ^_^ Outside of that, I tend to listen to the music from White Christmas, "You're a Mean One, Mr Grinch," and lots of pretty music from Lindsey Stirling. ^_^ How about you, what are your fav...

  The sheer delight on the Little One's face! He decided to help me repack my suitcase from housesitting and he was helpful...in keeping me entertained any my hands full. (He kept pulling things out of my bags, until I gave him a small toy to chew on) I love this little monster, even when he's trying to eat my phone or trying to help me type something up on my laptop. He's so cute and curious and full of energy. ^_^ This morning, he decided to be all loud and talkative. Really makes me wonder what all he's trying to tell us <3

  So, archery is fun, but have you ever gone at midnight after watching an energetic ten month old for several hours? I have! (Totally worth the exhaustion) I got to the range and since it was midnight, no one was there. (Where I go, members have 24/7 access, which is amazing!) After putting my bow together, I grabbed a target, stuck it on a bale, and moved the bale out so I could shoot it. Several rounds in, I realized I wasn't doing as well as I was used to. Hmm. Was it my shooting? My aim was off, though I was still hitting the paper. Then it dawned on me. The target was positioned further away than I normally have it. Oops. Oh well! I continued to shoot for a bit, then moved it back to where I am used to having it, and guess what? I was hitting the yellow central circle! It was like night and day, I was laughing. It's kind of funny, how sometimes the only thing wrong is that one thing is a foot or so out of place. Happens to our bodies (hence the reason I see a chiropractor...

  Running a DnD campaign you're writing as a newbie is entertaining. Or at least, I find it highly entertaining. I like having lots of notes, just to be prepared, because I never know what will happen. My players may just play and I'll go through All my notes, or we'll only go through a portion. The last two sessions, I was prepared with lots of notes, anticipating a number of things that could potentially happen. Since my players didn't run into too many dangers in the Feywilde, I figured I'd at least have a few more options as they traveled by sea towards dangerous ruins. Oh man.  On a whim, I changed the number they needed to roll if something were to happen, and I had 4 events prepped for those three days....we went through three of them. And I still have lots of notes before they reach their final destination by land! I can't wait to find out what happens :D

  One thing that's hard to do in these current weird times, but still important, is spending time with family. I've been fortunate to keep my sister and her Little One in my germ circle, so I get to see them often. Mostly, it's been me watching the Little One and briefly catching up with my sister before she goes to work, but we haven't had much time to really hang out.  But today! I get to spend some quality time with my sister and do something fun! So we're going to make angel food cake, watch movies, and (attempt to get the baby to take his nap...) be silly together. ^_^ Love you all! I hope that you all get a chance to spend time with family (in person safely or over digital means, whatever works, right?) this holiday season. <3

I have been watching quite a few Christmas and holiday movies lately. I rewatched the Nightmare Before Christmas for the first time in ages, and watched for the first time, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. Oh man. I can see why people obsess over Nightmare, but I absolutely loved Nutcracker. Both stories made me realize something, though. I liked how in Nightmare, Jack obsesses over this new holiday and wants to try it out and make it his own, but ultimately, he is not Santa. Jack is the king of Halloween. Conversely, in Nutcracker, Clara goes on this whole adventure, and ultimately finds out that even though grief has shattered her and her family, she is an awesome, clever girl who is loved, and that's what she holds on to. Sometimes you have to try something new and fail, in order to remember who you are, but sometimes it takes trying new things, failing and succeeding and meeting new people, to realize that even in grief, even when you feel lost, who you are doesn't chang...

  Why do we crave the escape of TV shows and movies and books? I think it's because through stories, we can live vicariously through other people and imagine ourselves doing things that are otherwise impossible.  I love the escapism of playing DnD. As a player, I have access to all these skills, spells, and traits to help my party and navigate this awesome imaginary world. As a DM, I get to create the imaginary world for my players to navigate and run around in, and I get to throw in things for them to solve.  As an auntie, I see my days of extra worry approaching, as the Little One is discovering he can walk around a bit more on his own...it wont be long before he's tall enough to reach the door knob and try to escape on his own. Lol. I have my work cut out for me already, but here's to hoping I can teach him to escape into stories first!

  So I mentioned earlier that I was starting an editing project and I've made some good progress! I condensed down 55 pages from 15.4k to 11.4k :D (In other words, I've deleted over 4k words, and I still have a little wiggle room with my goal!) It's been a Process, and I'm taking meticulous notes and just going page by page.  This week, I've had to take a break. The holidays are coming up, and things are a bit...well, crazy at the moment. So I'm trying to take things easy so I don't get totally overwhelmed like I have been all year. It's a process. lol. How about you? Are you wonderful people taking care of yourself this week?

  As the year is beginning to end and December brings memories of the year as a whole, it's nice to take a break from that and reconnect with friends. This year has been all kinds of up, down, and sideways, but there's something to be said about reaching out to people you know and haven't seen lately. It helps remind us that we're not alone, well, not as alone as it can feel. I enjoy seeing people, but since we can't do that right now, texting and calling people is the next best thing. It's hard to know how people are doing unless you reach out to them, so do that! Make a list and just check in with the people you'd normally get to see more often. Chances are they'll be as excited as you to reconnect. ^_^

  I recently got two awesome necklaces that are designed to be chewed on, and the Little One seems to really enjoy them. It helps that he's teething and wants to chew on Everything. But I'm laughing because the Little One may look like daddy, but he acts like momma. He has her sassiness (yes, he's ten months old and sassy) and her stubbornness. Oh my goodness.  The other day I was watching him and put him down for a nap around noon...which lasted all of 45 minutes. And then he refused to sleep. He was quite obviously tired, which was funny to watch, but he was happy and squealing with delight, and every few minutes face planting onto his blankie for a moment before resuming the I'm-not-tired act. This kiddo is so funny. He did eventually crash and take a half hour nap, but this child. He never ceases to be adorable and amusing. ^_^ (If you're curious about the necklaces, I got two food-grade silicone necklaces from a company called Stimtastic. They're awesome!)

  Countdown to Christmas in my house! This year, my mom got me something really cool. It's a Tea calendar! Each day, a new tea to try out! Some of the flavors I've tried so far (I'm sadly behind) include Chai, Peachy Keen, and Super Star Anise, the last of which I've never tried on its own. But it has a very nice flavor. ^_^ I'm so excited to try all the teas and find out what they taste like! My favorite thing about this, though, is that it goes to show how well my mom knows me. It's so easy to go out and find a chocolate advent calendar, or something like that, but mom went and found me one with tea! Don't get me wrong, I love chocolate, but it's always fun to try new tea! (Plus the packaging is so cute!)

I recently had the great pleasure of chatting with a close friend, reading her some of my work, and enjoying her exuberant voice as she read me a story she'd been dying to have me read. Turns out, as I suspected, she was right. I liked the book. Better than that, though, was the fact that we were sharing the experience of the story, and greatly enjoying the antics of the characters, both wishing we could wrap them up in big hugs! It's more fun when you get to share a story, like listening to an audiobook with your mom, or catching up on a book series that your aunt and sister have recently started obsessing over. But even still, it's fun because even though we're all reading the same story, we experience it differently. We find ourselves different little things, focusing more on this aspect than that, or hearing the voices differently in our heads. Same story, unique experience. That's my favorite part of it all. Ok, that and being able to gush about your favorite c...

  Now that the insanity of writing 50k in a month is over, I have a new monster to tackle....namely, take my 100k novel and cut 15k out. yeesh. That's a lot. I calculated it, and that's about 72 words I need to cut and condense from my story, per page. 72, out of anywhere from 240 to 330 is....well, it's a challenge. But it makes me a lot more mindful about wording and description, and figuring out what doesn't Have to stay. But it's about as painful as writing 50k in 30 days.  Writing is nothing if not an interesting ladder of challenges, but I like the challenge. I've never had to go thru and condense this much of my own work, so I'm excited to see how much I can chop before I hand it over to my editor. (The revisions and edits of this book will cease someday...I hope.)

  Yesterday, I got to visit Pike Place Market down in Seattle for the first time in forever, with my sister, the Little One, and a friend. (Dont worry, we were safe and had masks on the whole time.) It was quite the shift to see it so empty...or maybe that's because we were there so early...either way, it was really cool. As a family, we each have our favorite things, our go-to foods that we pick up in Pike Place. For my sister and the parents, they always get the hom bows (tasty BBQ pork buns) from one of the permanent stalls, and I always get a jambon buerre baguette (bread bread with butter and ham. so simple, so yummy!) from Le Panier, which is probably my favorite part of the market, other than the geeky store in the lower levels. (And yes, we made sure to stop in and see what goodies they have.)  Thinking back on Pike Place, I love walking through the stalls and seeing what people are selling, but there are four or five places we Always Visit, no matter what. And now, we...

  This weekend, I got to revisit a movie I haven't seen in ages! My aunt decided we should watch Phantom of the Opera, and man, rewatching this movie was a trip. For one thing, I sang these songs So Many Times back when I took singing lessons.  I love the music from Phantom, especially "Think of Me," which was my introduction to the whole musical, "The Phantom of the Opera," of course, which I sang last year at my aunt's 25th anniversary, and "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again," because it's so heartbreaking, and I can't help but sing along. It was a fun movie to revisit, because it felt a bit like visiting the past (in more ways than one, since that's kind of the plot of the movie.)  How about you, what are your favorite older movies to revisit?