The Artist's RPG / Paradise (Overview)

I heard some of you can't wait to see/hear more about Paradise.

So, here's another sneak peek. As usual, open to revisions!

I'm still figuring out what each space will contain and be defined by, and hope to have a more complete breakdown before the end of the year. Initially, it was just going to be "one" space, with room for practically anything (within reason). But as I realize more and more what it all implies and entails, it's become quite thematic. 

And speaking of thematic, maybe eventually a space that is more 'generic' will be added too. You know, for more compatibility with players that don't enjoy the constraints found in these.

In any case, looking forward to Paradise! Whether as something fun to design and develop (and cope with and escape to) or as a potential immersive virtual reality, within this game or another.

Saturn Overview

In the case of Saturn, it primarily affects your responsible side and discipline. Saturn, just as it is encircled by distinct rings, represents limits, boundaries, and structure. Essentially, Saturn stands for restraint, and confrontation with reality. And it is in and through it that patience, endurance, and maturity develop.

When it comes to Saturn, the signs Capricorn and Aquarius share certain similarities and are said to be ruled by it.

What are Planetary Placements?

For context and more of relevance, please read about The Zodiac.

Ghosts in The Shelves

So ghosts move things around? You bet! They might even be in your room, adding, removing, and switching things up, without you realizing. The darn audacity!

However, intrusive and violating as that may undeniably be, it is still important to make a distinction between which moves are considerate and respectful vs. which moves are inconsiderate and disrespectful.

Considerate & Respectful:

- There is an empty space spotted on the shelf waiting to be filled up.

- When filling up space, nothing or little else is knocked over or even shifted.

- If making space is required, only throw out trash or worthless clutter that won’t be missed.

- Put in things that are helpful and in line with the owner’s projects.

- If one or certain obsolete or outdated things are holding others that must stay, swiftly swap them with the up-to-date or updated kinds instead of making a mess and changing more than it’s justified. (Indiana Jones style.)

Inconsiderate & Disrespectful:

- Ignoring all of the above.

- Basically just being a parasitic, normopath, and/or confabulator ***. 

- Making things worse rather than better.

Furthermore, to emphasize, if a corporeal person has been made aware of the existence and presence of ghosts, and has explicitly or implicitly told them that they’d rather have no interference or alteration, or are only fine with specific sorts, going against their wishes is NOT OKAY. And doing so regardless better have a VERY GOOD EXCUSE AND/OR COMPENSATION. Enough to legit make them go like, “Yeah, ok, it’s what I didn’t know I needed/wanted. I’ll take it.”

Also, DO. NOT. TOUCH. WHAT. IS. SACRED.

I repeat: DO. NOT. TOUCH. WHAT. IS. SACRED!

Motherf***ing s***.

Unfortunately, though, it is not like you can simply throw salt and command them to stop messing with your stuff. Maybe some of them will, but not all. Only the friendlier ones (too bad we don’t know for sure who’s who). And even the most caring might at some point find themselves in a predicament that has them deciding that it is what is best for you, whether or not you approved prior to the (re)arrangement.

How are your shelves? Are they full of cobwebs? Try not to obsess over each and every thread!

It’s October in The Ghost House

Have you heard about ghosts? All sorts of ghost stories abound. Many are quite unbelievable. But some can make you ponder. What if there REALLY are ghosts among us?

There’s a rumor that they operate in a, let’s say, eerie realm that somehow intertwines with ours. Yet, oddly enough, time isn’t the same there. Past, present, and future? It is a mess too messy to wrap one’s head around. While we seem to be moving linearly, at a steady pace, they… don’t have to.

In any case, though, they are certainly sneaky. And potentially, if we’re being realistic, more subtle than spooky tales would have you expecting. They can be abrupt, yes. But most of the time, they are hiding in plain sight. They can BE and they can DO, but you wouldn’t notice unless you are paying attention exactly as you ought to in order to tell when they are behind what is happening.

Furthermore, 'Mediums' may exist; basically, people who are more open to the idea and able to communicate and/or express on their behalf, someone whom one or more ghosts would regularly turn to for consciously carrying out work. However, charlatans and impostors exist too. And even the most honest and trained person could get it wrong sometimes. Hence, there are no guarantees. Yet, the possibility remains.

Now, I won’t lie to you and say that they are not dangerous and cannot hurt you. They are - and they can. Just pray that you are protected enough to not be left at the mercy of the cruelest or simply clumsiest ones. (Indeed, they were humans as we know them and are not above screwing up and screwing with us.)

Is everybody who dies a ghost? That would leave no room for anything, I believe. Perhaps only those with “pending issues” (got the reference?) get to stay. Or rather, are forced to stay. If you died, would you prefer to become a ghost and roam the planet for a while or be undisturbed until you can get sorted into heaven, hell, or purgatory? And speaking of purgatories, serving as a ghost might count as such.

We don’t currently know much about ghosts and their whereabouts. What they can and cannot get away with. How and why. But maybe, just maybe, if you ask your questions, the answers will come to you in some shape or form, sooner or later.

Nevertheless, please try not to turn into an absolute lunatic!

Halloween Month

October, be spooky…
They’d rather you don’t see their shadows.

Late September

Something terrible happened.
Things have not, are not, and will not be the same.

Rachel Croft's Bittersweet

As I wrap up this month, I’d very much like to bring and keep this song and music video here. It crossed my feed several times before finding me again when I could finally stop and immerse myself in it.

Oddly enough, in this life I’ve been given, there is still someone living within me who absolutely adores this type of work. I didn’t just wake up one morning and decide to prioritize it, as if yelled at by a boss (or by my inner child). It is an integral part of all of this. I’ve been, all through it, craving and yearning for the time to be able to devote myself to making art as such. I’ve put it on my schedule countless times, but kept pushing it off. What keeps me going right now is the promise that next year will be slower and softer for me. Then I can, at last, begin crafting the way I used to as a kid, filled with wonder. So that everything I do starts having that magic I so deeply cherish - and it spills over.

This lovely artwork took 4 months? I wish I had some sort of time capsule to step into and come out 5 seconds later, having lived for whatever amount of time set or required. But nop. I’m in the daily grind, struggling to get what I ought to do done in time. Artists who are able and enjoy this level of care and devotion, though, please keep up the great (and priceless) work! I love this so much, and the world will be better off with more of it in it!

"CCC"

People who go against the betterment of and for humanity not only lack compassion - they also lack curiosity and creativity. These are people who can't and/or won't see another way as better (or even viable) because they barely, if at all, possess these three traits. And when they do to a degree, they are still subjugated and in the service of what dilutes and destroys them.

The Infodemic - and The Scientists Fighting It

When this popped up, I was reluctant to go into it because, "Yeah, no sh*t, Sherlock, water is wet. THE INVISIBLE WORK CARRYING THE LOAD." But just seconds in, it was so satisfying! This is a splendid conversation between two great women and I absolutely love it. Fully agree, too.

I recommend it to you all, but especially to scientists and/or humanitarians.
It might help restore some hope in you!

"Could Be Worse"

As much as I can dislike the "could be worse" attempt at consolation, sometimes it is the most effective consolation. It could indeed be way worse. It could be WAY BETTER. But it also could be way worse. And some of us are fortunate enough to not be completely stripped of everything that can, now or later, bring some genuine joy and relief. However, gotta keep facing a few awful things before finding our footing again and making it toward something more worthwhile. I'm moving in that direction.