I Digitized My Earlier Sketch Of A Coworker Named Chloe :)

Here's a cute couple pic I drew for my Neopets story ❤️

In the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School killings, pundits, parents and media have jumped on video game violence as a possible scapegoat. Right after his tête-à-tête with gun rights advocates, Vice President Biden convened meetings with video game industry leaders. Then there was a "Videogames Return Program" run by a group called SouthingtonSOS, based in a community neighboring Newtown. The notion: On a designated day, anyone could redeem their old copies of “Thrill Kill,” “Postal 2” and “Call of Duty” for gift vouchers for more family-oriented, non-lethal entertainment. (In the end, that program was cancelled, likely due to fears of negative publicity.) Now, even as President Obama announced Wednesday four major legislative proposals and 23 executive actions to curb gun violence, suspicion still clouds the gaming industry. Even the National Rifle Association blames violent video games for this nation's blood lust. Perhaps violent video games aren't only "not so bad," but actually help keep the real-world killings where they belong — in our imaginations, as harmless fantasies. Remember rock 'n' roll? Comic books? Heavy metal and rap music? Dungeons & Dragons? We've all been down this clichéd road before. For now, anyway, we will not see the repeat of what often happens when our well-meaning citizenry seeks to demonize the latest scourge on America's youth. So erase the image of mountains of XBox and PS3 cartridges and discs set afire by angry mothers. Still, the search for for cause and effect remains a noble pursuit. If only we could stop our troubled young men (and so often they are troubled, young and men) from being exposed to X, then we wouldn't be asking ourselves, again and again, "Why?" In the case of Newtown, gunman Adam Lanza was a gamer. But he didn't fit the profile of the typical first-person shooter fan. He liked non-violent games such as Dance Dance Revolution. Yes, a game that teaches you how to dance, not how to blow apart the chest cavities of other dancers. Amidst all the soul-searching and finger-pointing, video game industry spokespeople are quick to note that no credible study shows a direct relationship between TV, movie or video game violence, and aggression. And, as those opposed to restrictions or bans on video games frequently cite, the youth violent crime rate is at an all-time low. Paradoxically, could it be that violent video games are an important outlet for aggression? That, on the whole, these games and "play violence" let us express anger and aggression in a safe way? Perhaps violent video games aren't only "not so bad," but actually help keep the real-world killings where they belong — in our imaginations, as harmless fantasies. It may seem counter-intuitive to suggest this. But in my experience, gaming — be it video games, or live-action role-playing, or D&D, or the greatest war game of all, American football — offer relatively safe, participatory narratives where we get to play good or evil, the aggressor or the defender, the killer or the killed. We engage in the fight. Our hearts race and our blood pumps. We have an emotional stake in the action, even if that action is largely make-believe. There are bangs and bruises from foam-rubber swords, and yes, concussions from errant tackles. But for men (and some women) who need to run and hunt and hit, I'll take a broken rib or swollen ego over actual carnage on the battlefield or playground. The vast, vast majority of players don't let their violent fantasies get the better of them, or others. We have perhaps civilized ourselves more quickly than our psyches know what to do with. Not long ago in our nation's Tame-the-Wild-West mythology, any trouble with the neighboring tribe was settled with tomahawks and shotguns. Centuries prior, in other eras, we settled scores with battle axes. Our species still craves action. They offer a hunt/shoot/kill scenario as a way to solve problems because, well, our psyches seem to need these visceral, adrenaline-rich experiences. Our most violent video games are another expression, another evolution of this same phenomenon. They're simply another way to feel the fear, scare away the zombies and save the day. They offer a hunt/shoot/kill scenario as a way to solve problems because, well, our psyches seem to need these visceral, adrenaline-rich experiences. That's why they sell so well. Vision quests, ropes courses, and roller coasters offer similar thrills. But we can't very well go deer hunting or jump out of airplanes every weekend, can we? In response to the Newtown deaths, a better question to ask might be this: Why does our culture continue to fail young, vulnerable men like Lanza — men often described as "intelligent but withdrawn," who disengage from society so completely as to become mass killers? In Lanza's case, he was described as "smart but shy," a "genius" and a "Goth." A skinny kid estranged from his father. A nerd. If some of these men are hopelessly mentally ill, then we need to do all we can to prevent their access to real guns. But sane or depressed, many men feel powerless. Many feel angry. Many feel disengaged. They just want a stake in the action. Video games might be the best outlet they've got.

Ethan Gilsdorf in ‘ Why We Need Violent Video Games ‘

This article is an all-time favorite one of mine. The man makes some good points!

As I was reading this really thorough natal chart on cafeastrology, I had this idea of what someone with Pluto in Capricorn may look like. A similar image came to mind and I did my best to recreate it in paint.net.

Listen to this description of the trait and let me know how you think I did!

Pluto in Capricorn Traits:

Determined

Purposeful

Overhauling

Conquering

Heavy

No-nonsense

Forceful

Freeing

Methodical

A friend made this for me a couple years ago and I'm sentimental and I love the goofy little encouragement this doodle gives. 🥹🥰

Every time I take it out, it makes me smile!

"Symmetrical Onsen" A hot springs inspired Sims 4 build that could be used as a rental, vacation rental, park, spa, or retail lot. I created this build under my pseudonym, NOPETHANQ, on the Sims 4 Gallery.

Attached are recent drawings belonging to me. I think I'd like to try entering the mutant Grundo and the purple Aisha into the Neopets beauty contest. Fingers crossed!!

The original sketch actually looks much sweeter than the digital art. 🥺

The time lapse video showing the process for drawing this:

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moveoverbeaches

26/F/♐/💒

Time Management Strategies for a Busy Lifestyle

As someone with general anxiety, the worst feeling for me is being unprepared. It’s a sure way to send my stress through the roof. Over time, I’ve found that the best way to calm my anxiety is by facing my fears head-on and breaking them down into manageable steps. Planning and organizing everything I can has been a lifesaver.

In fact, I’ve created several documents and simple systems that help me stay on top of life’s chaos. Whether it’s throwing a party, hosting a garage sale, or meal prepping for the week, having a plan makes all the difference.

Here are a few strategies and tools I’ve developed:

Party & Event Planning

Back in high school, I learned a lot from Public Speaking class about organizing events. Since then, I’ve fine-tuned my approach to planning parties or gatherings. I break everything down into clear steps—like creating a guest list, planning food and drinks, and setting up a timeline for tasks. It’s all about avoiding last-minute scrambling.

Document Link

A Simple Garage Sale Model

I created an easy and effective pricing system for garage sales that takes the guesswork out of it:

Small items = $1

Large items = $5

Not only does this model make shopping easier for customers, but it also prevents sneaky tactics like switching price stickers. Plus, with today’s rising costs, being "cheaper than Dollar Tree" makes it a hit!

Doc Link 1 Doc Link 2

Meal Prepping Made Easy

Finding time to cook or shop during a busy week can be overwhelming, but meal prepping has been a game-changer for me. I created a simple meal prep document to streamline the process:

Plan meals for the week – Stick to a few versatile ingredients that can be used in multiple dishes.

Order groceries online for pickup – Saves so much time compared to wandering the aisles.

Prep in advance – Chop veggies, cook proteins, and portion meals into containers.

Having meals ready to go reduces stress, saves time, and makes it so much easier to stick to healthy eating habits.

Doc Link

Try My Tools!

I’ve shared my documents for party planning, garage sales, and meal prepping in the links. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by a busy schedule or just need some extra guidance, feel free to use them.

If you’re struggling to figure out how to tackle something in your life, don’t hesitate to send me a message. Whether it’s organizing, planning, or breaking down a challenge into steps, I’ll do my best to create a plan or document to help you out. Let’s tackle it together!