Month: Nov 2020

Whizzing Through

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Wait, did we just have a weekend? We must have done because technically its now Monday. Hmm, well I was working on Saturday, so that explains that chunk of missing time. It was actually very productive, and a lot more quiet decoration of library windows took place than expected.

Then I had counselling, and that was challenging and wiped out the few reserves I had left.

Sunday was quiet, but I managed to get the Christmas tree up and wrap more presents despite the continued low ebb – and then we had the joyous chaos of our D&D session which has energised me and lifted my spirits so much my cheeks are aching from grinning.

So, that happened…

Visitor News

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I’ve just noticed that as of today we have exceeded the total unique visitors (3357) and views to this site (6250) compared to last year, and are rapidly closing on the totals for the previous record holder of 2015.

I just want to say thank you for reading my irregular and irrational meanderings – and a big hello to all the GMs reading and downloading past session maps. I really must get round to making some more available.

Decking The Halls

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Yes, I know it’s not yet (quite) December, but its been a horrible year so letting people start to get creative in their decorations is an important morale booster.

At the libraries this week this has led to innovative thought on how to use scrap materials to brighten the place up. We want to welcome people in as we leave lockdown.

So I’ve been both encouraging people to come up with ideas, and leading the charge – and yes, I may be a bit proud of what is starting to take a hold in our little cluster of libraries this week.

Here’s a couple of examples as we get started…

Let’s have some fun

Away Day

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We realised that myself and the other managers haven’t really had much opportunity to meet and catch up with everything going on this year, so yesterday we arranged to meet in a library that was closed to the public.

It was equal parts socialising with peers and brainstorming how to move the service forward out of lockdown. As we won’t know until later today what tiers we’ll be placed in it had to be largely contingency planning in very broad strokes.

And then we put on Christmas jumpers and recorded songs for the library YouTube channel. There was a lot of silliness, flubbed lines, and shuffling to maintain social distancing but it was worth it. We now await judgement as to whether we’ve made the grade, quality wise, and I’ll post links if they become available.

Odd Week Incoming

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It has started well, with yesterday being a fairly productive day off, but this morning I was due to be working a late shift. The universe, however, had other ideas so I’m manning the barricades elsewhere on different hours.

Tomorrow, I’m due to be having a managers’ team day – and have had a last minute request for Christmas jumpers and or hats so we can film something. One colleague has already reached out to see if I have any spare hats or jumpers.

Okay universe, I see you. Game on…

Well That Was Chaos

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There was shouting, laughing, and more than a couple of insults flung my way in tonight’s gaming session as the group tangled with suits of animated armour and a couple of animated blades – and the bad dice rolls took effect.

We had a good number of visitors drop in and out, as well as some who stayed the distance. Despite the occasional technical issue with sound, it was a good session – and I needed it, having had a couple of post-work low energy and spoon days.

Even two hours before the session i was curled up on the bed, just exhausted. I’ve just been spending so much energy looking out for other people that I think I just ran out. A couple of laughter-filled hours of silliness and dice rolling perked me up no end.

Things to do following the session? Design an intermission/title card graphic for the stream. What’s the worst that could happen?

Well It Keeps My Step Count Up

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I got home today and realised that I’d been on my feet all day, barring a quick sit down for lunch. With only a small crew on duty today, it kept me on my toes, and so when I had got home and showered, I took a moment to lie on the bed and just pay attention to my body.

My feet were tingling in that “oh you’ve stopped” throb, while my calves and thighs started to feel like they would melt off like petals. A stiffness at the base of my spine suggested not running around too much more.

Of course, my brain wanted to now start doing all the creative things, but then I got distracted with food, television, and blowing up aliens on the xbox. So, I shall dig into the archives some more instead, and plonk them here for a while for a splash of colour.

Found in the Horrors folder…

Kindle Things

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I have finally got round to leveraging having sorted out my financial relationship with Amazon to include the ability to self publish. Its something I tried to sort out a few years ago, but system errors kept cropping up.

So I’ve begun going back over first drafts of short stories to get them up in both quality and word count, and will likely start putting individual ones for a few pennies here and there while I get to grips with it all.

I’ll post links as I sort things out. I’d say it’ll keep me out of trouble, but let’s face it that’s not likely.

Haunted Housing

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A good D&D session this week, and as with last week we streamed it through Lady B’s Twitch channel between 7.30 and 10 (ish) – we’re enjoying it enough that we’ll continue as regularly as possible with that. Hopefully we’ll also have things uploading to YouTube soon.

This week saw them starting to explore the dilapidated house on the cliffs in search of the missing owner who was working on alchemical “stuff”. The scene before them was full of broken and moldy plaster, and rotten woodwork. Initial investigations revealed cold spots and flashing lights out the corner of people’s eyes. So far so spooky.

A heavy fog rolled in from the sea, and being rather cool customers this was met with a “huh” – by contrast, when myr s investigated the remains of the kitchen and disturbed a nest of giant centipedes there were cries of dismay fuelled by phobias and recently viewed video games.

I’ll take it.

With the group split (yes, they actually split the party in a haunted house environment), there was nearly a smattering of deaths, but quick thinking, sprinting, and maaaaaybe one or two fudged rolls on my side saw them pull through and licking their wounds.

Investigations continue, with hidden doors and ongoing spookiness… As ever, it was a great tonic after a long week

At last, the weekend

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It’s Saturday night, I’ve been working, and I’ve had counselling. I think I can stop now. At least, I would if not for all the Diwali fireworks that are making me flinch.

So, here’s some more digital art from the archives. I’m going to put the kettle on and listen to something loud enough to drown out the explosions