|
|
Post by Lizica on Mar 31, 2020 16:39:52 GMT -5
*long inhale* *long exhale*
Okay, so I feel obligated to first start with the "AAAAAA" portion of this whole series of events. I've talked about Feelings with a couple people in sidechats, but basically, everything feels extra terrifying because both of my parents are over 65, and my mom and I are both immunosuppressed, and my siblings are both off in big cities, one of whom works in a hospital, and just...aaugh. All around aaaugh. And additionally constantly worrying about germs, and what surfaces are clean, and have I washed my hands enough, and how's the news doing--is all just so exhausting. (I honestly would probably really enjoy being quarantined, except for the constant fear of germs and disease.)
But my parents and I are staying at home as much as possible, and we've recently only been leaving the neighborhood to go to doctor's appointments, pharmacies, or grocery stores. And I know we're really lucky in that we're even able to get out of the house and spend time in the yard or take walks down the street. (And bonus, one of my pharmacies does mail delivery now, so I won't even have to go there.)
We had a group video call with my siblings last weekend, and everyone seems to be doing okay so far. They seem like they're being innovative with food and creative things to do around the house. So basically, panic and intense worry aside, we're doing okay for now. And I hope you're all hanging in there, too. <33
....On the lighter topic of forum stuff to do, these are some really fun ideas! =D I always love simpler events like Spirit Weeks, I loved Color Clash, and I would totally be down for playing some online games together like EpicMafia. (Potentially, I suppose if we did it right on a small scale, if someone had a board game at home and wouldn't mind setting up their webcam and moving the game pieces for others, maybe that could be a fun thing, too.) I personally wouldn't mind a big RP event, and with regard to Mafia, I've always had fun figuring out ghost plans for if my character dies--but I do see where that doesn't appeal to everyone, so a variety of games and events sound like it could be pretty cool. =D I think if we did do multiple things, it would probably be good to bear in mind the time commitment of each one, to keep people from getting overwhelmed? Like, hypothetically, maybe one big RP Event, one board game style game, one weekly Pictionary night, one profile dress-up event; but not three huge RP events all at once?
Additional idea throws:
Sometimes I've thought that it would be fun to do a group reading over Discord of a play that's widely available. (What Shakespeare story is good for social distancing?)
And I'd also be extremely down to do another Magical Girl / Cowboy / Superhero-Supervillain / Whatever Themed Art Exchange, just saying. x3
|
|
|
|
Post by Birdy on Mar 31, 2020 23:38:54 GMT -5
*dumps love and support on the thread for everyone* <3
Me? I've been trying to stay as safe as I can. My mom and I are considered essential workers (we work housekeeping), though things are super-slow at work currently. (Partly because this is the post-ski-season time when things slump before Spring and all, and partly because of well, yanno.)
It's also a bit interesting, because we live in Tennessee, but work in North Carolina; so there's that "border crossing" we gotta do. (Though our boss gave my mom and I each a letter, explaining how we're essential workers, so if we're stopped/questioned, we have some sort of proof.) (Also at least what we're working on now is "spring cleaning" the condos we're responsible for, so we're basically isolated from people anyway while we work.) I think it's only been recently that my county put out the "stay at home unless absolutely necessary to go out" orders, so. (Then again, it's only been within the past week or so my county even had an official/reported case, so.)
Though yeah, it's also worrisome, since my parents are both 60+, and my dad is diabetic/has other health issues too...
Anyway, as for forum events, I like the ideas that have been discussed here - play readings, EpicMafia (never played but it sounds fun! ...Did we ever get a Mafia III deck? I recall not due to various reasons, but. That was a while ago.), Spirit Weeks...
And Hunty mentioned the Superlatives - that'd be awesome to bring back!
And speaking of bringing things back, perhaps we could do another "Free Rice" event? That was fun last time. Even if I wasn't able to be the most active, eh-heh...
|
|
|
|
Post by Huntress on Apr 1, 2020 6:18:46 GMT -5
I found a cute lil thingy when browsing Reddit:  Simplistic, of course, but a good first-step-baseline to remember to fall back on. It's also occurred to me that I need to just outright stop reading the news >> I mean, in all honesty, right now we can only ever get two types of actual news: - infection rate now at X, death toll now at Y, also there are these other horrible news related to the madness. Only variation is in numbers. - yaaay it's all over, time to re-emerge blinking into the sunlight! Which ain't happening this or next week so I won't lose anything if I tune into the evening news on TV once a week or so. If there's anything the entire populace has to know, the government sends emails and texts anyway. and yet it's so easy to fall into news-browsing addiction these days. Pro tip, there's a Chrome app called StayFocusd that allows you to set a daily limit on browsing specific websites. I have all local news limited to a total of ten minutes a day, but may need to block things out even further. And also do something about my endless reddit browsing (but but but it also brings the good with the bad D: ) Continuing on the forum event front, I have very fond memories of FreeRice and it's a good event to participate in on the side of other stuff ^^ And RL boardgames via videolink would work nicely for anything that's purely luck- and die-based (which is frankly how I like my boardgames anyway.) |
|
|
|
Post by Thorn on Apr 1, 2020 6:24:04 GMT -5
Ahh this is a cute graph! Though if I'm stressed + tired, I usually do need a nap. =P
As for news: daily we have an update on cases (numbers and stuff) at 1pm, a speech by our PM at 3pm (where she reiterates how to behave in a firm but reassuring manner!), and the usual news broadcast at 6pm. I tune in for all of these, am not reading anything online anymore, and am feeling okay.
Obviously not all countries have this nice easy pattern to follow, but I think establishing a pattern of when you check for updates (if indeed you wish to do so) can be helpful. It helps structure your day (if you're like me and stuck at home with very little to do sooooo....have too much unstructured time), and stops you from looking for updates All The Time.
|
|
|
|
Post by Celestial on Apr 1, 2020 6:41:32 GMT -5
I've blocked all news sites for that exact reason, Hunty. I was getting caught in the cycle and all it was doing was causing me stress. These days, I only check BBC News once a day and then go on the Scotland Corona tracker once a day to see what the numbers are. It's done wonders for my mental health.
I would be down for another FreeRice event. =D Or any other forum event which does not consume a lot of free time, since now my classes have resumed and I am back to my usual level of Masters busy (another reason why, besides having no ideas, I probably won't run an event.)
|
|
|
|
Post by Pixie on Apr 2, 2020 12:04:06 GMT -5
Lizica and I have been plotting a short forum event for awhile, less than 2 weeks long. Would there be interest in us breaking it out soon? It will feature puzzles, team ups, light rp, and wacky weather.
|
|
|
|
Post by Liou on Apr 2, 2020 15:24:50 GMT -5
*topples out of the not-art zone* Hiii I'm catching up with this thread, sorry if I missed anything while reading through the longposts! Firstly do you know what dogs are like when they want a walk and they jump up whenever a human so much as *thinks* of walking the dog? Wag tail scamper towards front door give human an encouraging boof? That me. (don't need outdoors much but when I do I need it badly) Had another video workout session with best teacher and there was a new dance which was BHANGRA, and that was very exciting as we both stan Indian dance in general and on that music I can go WILD 8D Regarding online games that happen in real time such as EpicMafia: my experience of those is that they tend to start shortly before my bedtime, tempt me into staying up too late, and then make me feel bad for missing most of the action when I log in and sadly read the backlog in the morning. As for group video watching events, so far I've never seen a single one happen during my timezone's decently-awake hours.
So I very much prefer events that are spread over several days rather than instant games.
On having more than one event at a time: I would HAVE to partake in every single event and scramble to keep up with each. xD You'd think that since we have more time at the moment, I wouldn't be afraid of missing out. But my FOMO is actually through the roof. Now that I do have time to do things, if I can't do a thing, I can't blame it on the big meaniepants Work and Adulting. It's all on me for not being able to schedule and organise and do everything I want. (And I want to do so many things) Regarding voicechats: I get the impression that they simply snowball into being when enough people are online and up for it at the same time. It seems to happen best spontaneously and I can't see us using like, a Doodle or spreadsheet to pick The Best Time, but it can be frustrating and time-consuming to keep checking back and stay online waiting for a voicechat to happen... ** I typed the next paragraph before realising that ToT has started and I heard nothing of it, WAAAT** Roleplaying /other forum events: the ideal event for me would be arbitrarily-timed Trick-or-Treat houses! So we can have a Revenant Halloween! =D Okay I may be a little bit biased in favour of Trick-or-Treat, but regardless of the theme or season, I think it has a pretty good format. Each individual player creates their own setting with more or less plot, there is a simple, low-pressure goal (goals are important!! we do need some sense of where we're headed before diving in) of collecting virtual treats or the friends we made along the way, no need for an archmod to shepherd everyone into the same story, people with little time to participate can simply visit, and the time limit prevents things from spinning off too wildly. Puzzle-based events with some roleplaying thrown in would be magnificent though I would feel bad for the brave souls who make up all the puzzles! Mafia roleplays: the deaths never prevented us from having amazing ghost character arcs, buuut the very good post-death roleplaying did not prevent that initial useless feeling or the anxious waiting for each round. Pretty intense!! |
|
|
|
Post by June Scarlet on Apr 2, 2020 20:26:41 GMT -5
Lizica and I have been plotting a short forum event for awhile, less than 2 weeks long. Would there be interest in us breaking it out soon? It will feature puzzles, team ups, light rp, and wacky weather. I'm interested for sure! |
|
|
|
Post by Gelquie on Apr 2, 2020 21:11:11 GMT -5
(Note, a ToT event has not started; it was a personal April Fools Day thread. That said, people are welcome to start something of a similar format if they want!) Lizica and I have been plotting a short forum event for awhile, less than 2 weeks long. Would there be interest in us breaking it out soon? It will feature puzzles, team ups, light rp, and wacky weather. Absolutely! I think this is a good time for it. ^^ |
|
|
|
Post by Thorn on Apr 2, 2020 22:08:51 GMT -5
I could be interested! I'll wait to see the information/sign-up thread first before confirming either way though. =)
|
|
|
|
Post by Celestial on Apr 3, 2020 7:30:03 GMT -5
I'm definitely curious. I will have to see what it is before I sign up for sure but I will check it out!
EDIT: (For a bit of light-hearted comedy)
Everyone, remember to be careful and stay safe. I know boredom is a danger during these trying times if you are stuck indoors but do not do anything too insane. Or you might end up with something like this.
|
|
|
|
Post by Liou on Apr 3, 2020 16:22:18 GMT -5
May I offer you a video in these trying times? Here is how Emperor Palpatine is handling the quarantine, brought by the How It Should Have Ended channel:
(video contains Covid humour and implicit off screen toilet humour)This made me think of Wrighton, of all things. Lockdown under a dome with a Scip and/or lockdown inside the tunnels with a Scip sounds quite all right. |
|
|
|
Post by Huntress on Apr 4, 2020 5:32:51 GMT -5
This made me think of Wrighton, of all things. Lockdown under a dome with a Scip and/or lockdown inside the tunnels with a Scip sounds quite all right. Man, the RETON would be the absolute best place for quarantine. It's a city-sized spaceship with a completely self-sustained ecosystem, top-notch sealing capacity and good ol' alien scanning tech so anyone who gets in can presumably be tested and declared clean (or, failing that, at least kept properly quarantined and cared for in the sickbay). Only problem is that anyone who wants simple earthly pleasures will have to order them from outside and then you have to painstakingly explain to Scip that why yes, spraying your pepperoni and mushroom pizza with disinfectant is diligent and compliant with proper procedures but still not a very good idea. (...hm, I wonder if having a short Wrighton roleplay in RETON-quarantine would be in bad taste and too close to home or exactly the thing people could go for right now...?) Meanwhile, this is what I'm up to this fine spring:  Not gonna lie, I'm mostly posting this so I have someplace to hold me accountable so that I don't forget about dealing with these lil suckers xD March and April are a good time for planting and we have a closed balcony that I plan on turning into a glorious herb garden totally-sometime-in-the-future anyway, so this is my shot at growing from seeds. These are cherry tomatoes that were planted about a week ago and will be thinned Hunger Games style until there's a single strongest plant remaining in each pot. Also got teeny tiny basil coming up. They need daily attention and grow fast so it's a pretty good homebound activity. |
|
|
|
Post by Celestial on Apr 4, 2020 7:06:01 GMT -5
(...hm, I wonder if having a short Wrighton roleplay in RETON-quarantine would be in bad taste and too close to home or exactly the thing people could go for right now...?) This is exactly the right time for this sort of thing. People can try to spin their frustrations into humourous situations and try to achieve some catharsis. I support this. \o/ |
|
|
|
Post by Gelquie on Apr 5, 2020 16:49:52 GMT -5
Sometimes I've thought that it would be fun to do a group reading over Discord of a play that's widely available. (What Shakespeare story is good for social distancing?)I wanna make this a thing! If people want to let me know a good time and date for Shakespeare readings, I'll get something together! I'll also need a good list of plays to choose from. I'm thinking of doing this for one play a week. Might try and stagger times a bit, in case one leans a little too close to night and another leans too close to morning, so that if someone misses one, they can catch the other one. (Would two a week be better? One closer to one time zone and another closer to another?) (Or we can try it once and then see how we feel?) (Of course, I don't have to host all of them, if someone else really wants to set something up!) I'll probably suggest this format for play readings that's been done for other Shakespeare readings I've been to: Have a list of readers available that people can add on to (giving each a turn and allowing people to just listen if they want), and assign roles per scene, changing after each scene (barring really short ones or "I want a consistent character for this climax!"), going down the line and looping back up. There's also usually a narrator/host, who reads the action lines, or announces a new scene, and the next readers for that scene. Usually people take turns being the host, whoever wants to do it! So there are a few plays that were written (or supposedly written) during quarantine, the most cited one being King Lear. Whether that's true or not, it can be added to the list anyway! I also recall that there are parts in the play Romeo and Juliet where a quarantine is a factor, and it's been a while since I read that and while I don't buy the romance, I'm still a sap and like the play, so I'm absolutely adding that to the list. But I feel they don't need to be related to current events. If there's a play someone is interested in, bring it up! (Note: I recall there are a few that have some NSFNTWF language or borderline. Nothing terrible. I also don't recall which ones off the top of my head. I can always host this somewhere more off-site, if there's concern?) It also doesn't have to be Shakespeare; lemme know what people wanna read! I was thinking of using the NTWF Discord as a venue. Those who don't have an account could use a temporary account or (in case of marriage) talk through someone else's. However, I understand it may not be an option to everyone, and I will absolutely consider other options if they're brought up. Anyway, I can also create a separate thread for this. (Or if there's language concern, I can host an off-site group.) Just lemme know if people are interested! (...hm, I wonder if having a short Wrighton roleplay in RETON-quarantine would be in bad taste and too close to home or exactly the thing people could go for right now...?) I'd absolutely be up for one! I think there's something to say for works that resonate with RL events. Gives a safe avenue to explore or vent feelings while being in RP mode. ("But why don't they just leave Earth for a while?" Oh, I can think of a host of reasons. Maybe it's on the ship. Or maybe it needs repairs just as this happens.) |
|
