Miley's Used To Be Young

I have played and replayed this an embarrassing number of times and I’m still not tired of it! I love it so much. It is so soothing and refreshing. And it heals parts of me I didn’t even realize were wounded or ill.

I especially love how “minimalist” it is. You’d assume that you’d be bored by a lack of stimulation, but everything in it comes together in such a peculiar way that you’d want to stop and marvel at the matches and “mismatches” it brings with it. And how very human this angle and focus result in.

Miley is outstanding at portraying what I’ve yet to find a suitable name for. But within her wide range of works, I can for sure say that many of her pieces are ‘lifelong’ favorites!

The Artist's RPG / Characters (Valkyries)

Y’all, this is something that came to me a few days ago. I went from wanting to post it that same day, to choosing to postpone it to the end of the year, to deciding it should be brought up today. I previously hadn’t added the gray one, but now it’s on!

These are the Valkyries. Within The Artist’s RPG, they inhabit and rule over different continents outside of the world where souls go to incarnate and reincarnate for spiritual awakening, revelation, and transformation. A.R.T. They govern sections of the so-called Paradise, where many of these souls get to go for an undetermined amount of time. Yet, they are also on duty to interfere and help out when things get too rough or dire, between what may be SolarPunk vs. CyberPunk battles. Or simply any other day.

These Characters… let’s just say they came to and from me. Two of them come across to me as a Higher Self and an Inner Child, while the other two come across as Adaptive and Aspirational (if you know what I mean). Then, the remaining one, well, you can tell who/what it is. Extensive lore to be made scripture…

First and foremost, it is of extreme importance and an absolute requirement for them all to have ‘Wings’. And not just any lousy kind. How else would they be able to handle the responsibilities bestowed upon them? This is not up for debate. That much power cannot go to individuals who are not even capable of devoting themselves to growing wings. This is a standard that applies to Valkyries as to others awaiting or moving toward positions of extraordinary power. (I will elaborate more in the future on what each wing represents, though some of you already have some idea.)

Secondly, are they compatible with what they are there to do? I’m not in the business of trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. What is the point of putting all this together if it all breaks apart? Be for real. So, besides the qualities and traits that their jobs demand, can they be counted on and relied on to properly deliver? The answer should be a firm Yes.

Certainly, they won’t be working alone. And Eternity seems too long a period. However, this is what we’re starting with.

I Still Miss You

 

I don’t know what to say on such a day, in a life like this, with the way everything goes. So I’ll just be candid rather than attempt any kind of inspirational speech.

I have not ceased to cherish my time, brief as it may have been, with my family. Those I’ve called my main caregivers. They were gone too soon and calling what resulted from that ‘ironic’ would be the understatement of the millennium. I pondered for years and years why it had to be so. And the answers I’ve come to find are far from pleasant. Yet, that is what I was dealt. And I can only try to accept it.

If they could really watch over me right now, I bet they would be unspeakably angry and sad. I’d rather they wouldn't. I’ll keep deriving strength and more from my moments with them, as I continue to be grateful that, in the chaos of all cause and consequence, mine was a blip in history that allowed me to have that much. To grow up surrounded by such unbelievably loving people. And I wish that, if I eventually make it to heaven, I’ll get to see them again and catch up over tea or coffee. Maybe even their friends will join us. That would be nice.

I still hit lows in which the only consolation I have that works is recalling their existence. But I’d be lying if I said I am alone. Yes, I can still miss them terribly. They are irreplaceable. However, this orphan was, nonetheless, given a remarkable family down the line. And amidst all the injustice we face, I can hold on to and treasure that.

Grandmother Herminia, Uncle Alejandro, and Uncle Rafael, as well as the unforgettable Altagracia (a.k.a. Taty). That dear friend we'd often visit and spend hours with, talking about everything, who was also trusted and relied on as our family's lawyer, and fondly remembered as someone who always looked out for our best interests. May you rest in Peace. Undisturbed. How I’ve come to know you.

I will recreate our #30 home.

Thanksgiving Month

November, be cozy…
You’re rich when you’re blessed.

Tape: 13 Radio Ghosts

I put together a tape named 13 Radio Ghosts! It’s a playlist containing a kinda spooky mix of popular melodies that linger. I went and added a variety of pieces from some of my favorite artists that have that ‘haunting’ quality. If you’d like to tune into music that is not absolutely horrifying but still suspenseful (and maybe magical too), this is for you.

I couldn’t include everyone and everything I wanted to; there are certainly many more hits that fit the theme. But it’s a start. And, parting from this, you can probably recall what and who else is missing!

This almost didn’t happen.

An Ed Sheeran song came up,

and the rest is and will be history…

▶ 13 Radio Ghosts

Ke$ha's Backstabber

Who enjoys having a backstabber in their circle? Certainly not me! And that’s only one of the many reasons why I could absolutely roll with this banger.

To me, personally, it was as if this song and its music video were an answered prayer. I’d been enjoying Ke$ha’s work since way back and was quite dejected when I was left hanging for a sequel to Jem & The Holograms, where she’d play as one of The Misfits. So seeing her now, full of glitter and glamour, rocking out to badass lyrics, being sensationally edgy, is a wish come true.

These 80’s moods and vibes do something to me that I cannot explain. And I just love it so freaking much. The hairstyling, the makeup, the outfits, and the whole scene...

Did You Take a Look at That?

One of my favorite aspects of having the capacity to engage in reflection any other day is finding out that there is more in you than you knew. Maybe you were given valuable experiences or enough proximity to witness and/or study them. And while they may have affected and moved you in the moment, you haven't quite yet internalized them and made them a part of YOU. So you can examine them now. You get a say in what stays and what goes. Alternatively, perhaps they were already made a part of you, yet disintegrated and faded over time, too. So you get to decide again whether or not they will join you again. It is ownership over what makes up your life.

And speaking of what makes up your life, you could also regularly set aside time to take a look at it. The whole of it. Acknowledge it for what it is. And be at greater ease moving forward...

Walkie Talkie Ghosting

Can we communicate with ghosts? Maybe. Can they communicate with us? Also maybe. The message could get lost in transmission - or in translation. But for all you know, you might have already spoken or even interacted with them. They can walk and talk among us.

Are you tuned in, though? Will you notice when they take possession of something or someone in order to express themselves? A possession is rarely as dramatic as it’s been portrayed. More often than not, they whisper. Or they blend in so well that they can straight out yell and you might still miss it.

Ghosts can take over much of our reality. They could appear:

• Within you, as a fleeting vision, a random thought, a strange feeling, an impulsive movement, sudden itchings and cravings, typos and misspellings that you assume are your own but have another meaning.

• In the media you consume, as a headline, a caption, a segment, or a whole piece. Cast and all. Whether online or offline, digital or physical.

• Behind a person telling or showing you (or somebody else, yet perceptible by you too) something, unbeknownst to them, for barely a second or for an entire moment and more.

• Hidden in plain sight, as signs and signatures, blatantly spelled out for you, with full words and sentences, through literal or figurative speech.

• As symbols in your surroundings, in the form of items (that could as well be ‘accidentally’ dropped to get your attention), figures (in shadows, splatters, and other scribbly messes), creatures (a flying insect buzzing around and in front of you, for example), etc.

And so on. They are versatile and adaptable like that. Sometimes oddly responsive too, getting back to you instantaneously. Possibly popping up with pop-ups or “pop-ups”. That is, if they’ve chosen to be in communication with you.

So you may now wonder, “If it is this sneaky, how is it not merely delusion?” If a ghost really wants you to notice them, they will make it so obvious that it is undeniable – as much and as often as it takes. If, instead, they only care to get a message across to you, then they’ll do just that and let you believe whatever you will believe. “Simply a bit of ‘handy’ information that you luckily got ‘handed’ somehow,” does the trick.

Should you call out to them? Ask them about and/or for stuff? You could but, again, you don’t know who you’re dealing with. Unfortunately, not all of them are good (and many may hold resentment and have hostility regardless). Even among the good (and free of harmful ills), not all are capable. You could, however, call for someone, anyone, who is able and willing to help, and maybe they’ll show up for you. No guarantees.

As for staying in touch, going back and forth with specific ghosts, it is also very uncertain. Some of them can be especially crafty in letting you know that it is them, via peculiar behaviors, mannerisms, or marks they’ve established as theirs. Might even include a little present to represent them. But impostors exist, and so do coincidences that are no more than that. Therefore, you ought to leave some room for doubt always.

Remember, as extraordinary as exchanging with ghosts can be, never forget those in flesh and bones that are with you, even if they seem boringly ordinary by contrast. They got you on a whole other level.

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.