Month: May 2021

Representation Matters

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As we head into Pride Month, I’ve been musing on conversations about representation – particularly in the context of Equalities and Diversity at work. This has played a prominent role in recent interviews in our restructure and in conversations arising from them.

It is very often the little things that have the most unexpected effects. I was reminded of this when someone remarked this week that they were wearing a bisexual pride pin on their lanyard because they had been inspired by my wearing one.

They had found it a relief to be able to make this statement, and hoped that in turn they would be able to help someone else be able to accept and be their proper selves too.

I was profoundly moved by this. Its one thing to have previously noted the addition of the pin to their daily appearance; another to have someone say in a public forum why, and their hope for further supporting others in a similar way.

I’m proud to work in a diverse community, and be part of ensuring that my workforce reflects that too. Representation matters. Being visible matters. Showing people they’re not alone matters.

Maps and Chattering

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We didn’t have a game this evening as myr s isn’t feeling well. Instead we sat in our Discord server and nattered away while doing our own things. In essence a quiet polycule evening being both together and in our own spaces.

Being a fiendish DM I spent a good portion of time downloading and editing map elements for the next few weeks most likely set piece battles, and making up a few random maps that I can turn to multiple uses “just in case”.

It’s one of the key behaviours I’ve adopted while running sessions in a virtual space – to have things relatively generic set aside that can be pressed into service. Contingency planning is a large part of running a more ad hoc series of adventures – with skills gleaned from years of project management, copy writing, and managing staff in general. Transferable skills work in all directions.

Oh, we may also have spent some considerable time looking up properties that we could buy up between us as well. Many interesting decorating decisions in many properties on estate agent websites have been critiqued this evening.

How Pleasant

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I’ve actually enjoyed today. It’s been one of my regular days off, but instead of flashing by it has lasted. If working you might say it dragged, but this was more the joy of being able to spend significant time on different things and find there was still time to then go and do other things.

How pleasant.

I even had a message saying I could wander in to Walton and have my second Covid jab, but as I’m already booked in for it next week I decided to stick to the original plan.

Hopefully work in the morning will also go largely to plan – said plan being to enjoy being front of house at one of my libraries and encourage the creation of some new displays by the Saturday staff.

Claiming Time Back

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I’ve been working extra hours to balance the rotas over the last few weeks so after checking with colleagues and setting out daily timetables I took today off and went down to Portsmouth.

Yesterday’s activities were exhausting on a mental level, so catching up with myr s and the rest of the polycule was a good antidote. Food and drink and a bit of shopping later and it was time to go home again – it was just a much needed break to get some sun and good company.

I wish I could have stayed longer, but we’re obeying the restrictions regarding staying over in the hope we can restart normal visits next month. Here’s hoping. It’s been difficult to be so separated.

Easing Into The Week

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Today started a bit frantically as I picked up various emails from yesterday, but I soon got things settled, and had a conversation or two to address some not-so-hidden elephants. So all in all not a bad day.

Tomorrow will be busy with a variety of things, not least of which will be interviewing people who want to work for me, or at least are looking for jobs and don’t object to me being their manager (hello imposter syndrome) – oh and apparently there’s a photoshoot booked for a project launch in the building so there’s that too.

So to unwind I drew a thing this evening:

Up and Away

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Sunday’s game was a quiet contrast to the previous session’s conflict. The group had boarded a skyship as it was leaving, and this week found that the owner was going in search of the ship that had been carrying Kemsler when it apparently crashed. If the group agreed to defend the ship, the passage cost would be waived and they could join the search.

Most of the session was spent meeting the crew, adjusting to flying on a ship, taking watches, and getting to grips with the practicalities of raising a baby kobold.

Tiefling horns were teethed upon, a papoose rig designed, wild pegasi seen flying through the clouds, and the peace of the journey remarked upon when the baby settled.

And then, as we ended the session, large flying dinosaurs carrying halfling bandits flanked the ship, and prepared to attack…

Monday Musings

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My weeks normally start with a day off, but with the new job starting in a month or so I’ll be working full time so I want to try and use the time while I still have it.

So today I finally got round to catching up with Lady G for lunch, and the first pub visit since I can’t remember. As is traditional, we both waxed lyrical in our gossip about work and people we know – and it was just nice to see her again.

We both play (I use the term loosely as it’s a mostly zero-interaction game) Godville, so I got challenged to draw her hero and their animal companion – as if I need an excuse to doodle away – so thought I’d share the results here:

Meanwhile, I’m trying to limit checking on work emails while I’m off, but there’s an awful lot happening all at once so I did respond to a couple of them. The very minor issue that it has highlighted is the continuing tightrope I’m walking where I’m still substantially working in my existing job but am being called upon in the new role, while that new role is also still occupied by someone.

I shall have to have a conversation or two about how best to manage this over the next few weeks to both manage expectations and limit any treading on toes.

The Hidden Geekdom

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I was pleasantly surprised this morning while talking to a colleague to find that not only did they know what Dungeons and Dragons is, but had also played it when younger.

It was someone who I did not have on my radar as a geek in any way, largely because all conversations had been about food, community work, health, and family – with non of the usual pop culture references, or expressed taste in media, that I normally listen out for.

So, that’s another reminder from the universe not to make assumptions.

On an unrelated note, I did chance on a thing to buy for payday as celebration of the new job:

Now that’s a big helmet…

Odif Has Arrived

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I couldn’t resist, I went looking on Etsy for some kind of plush kobold to stand in for Odif for the game, and found someone in Chester who crochets very cute and geeky things.

So cut to a week later and Odif has already disrupted several of Lady M’s Teams meetings, and enchanted the DDC group chat – so time to share the cuteness

Oh dear

I think we may have found a strong rival to Grogu…