Califia
Hey V~~Great to see you on. I've been away awhile. Still writing though. Thanls for voting!
~~Califia
v_silva
Califia
Hey V. Glad to hear you're aproaching the end of your educational committment. Soon you'll welcome in the real world. I used to tell my students once you step off the curb at your university, you're entering a totallty different mindset, Expect to be shocked and disapointed in humanity. Remember what American novelist and huorist Mark Twain once said. "God created the monkey because he was dissatisfied with Man."
Not to wax too philosophically on my part, but reflecting on the receent death of one of my longtime friends, I'm reminded of the harsh words of British Novelist and poet, Thomas Hardy: "Down our carved name the raindrop plows."
Enjoy your new found freedom soon. And remember, you still have a lot of time-- . . . but none to waste.
~Cal
v_silva
@Califia Turns out I created an account on said site all the way back in 2016... time to put it to use.
v_silva
Merry Christmas, and such!
Just letting whoever still lurks here know that I "want to" resume TYEO. Unfortunately, I am uncertain if I have the necessary time, energy and mental capacity at my disposal; my life situation has changed since I started it back in the days.
So, as per usual, no promises. To be honest, I don't even know who are still here, but it does not hurt to scream into the abyss and see who (if anyone) replies...
v_silva
@Ladysausten unsure if the University thinks the same, but I might juggle the two for a while...
v_silva
@jimrileyenlight Thank you for the regard! Pursuing higher education is certainly time consuming. Philosophy (as I am sure you're aware) involves much reading and writing, as well, so often I find myself wanting to do something else to unwind.
Califia
V~~Loved your analysis of "Aurora." You pretty much nailed the psyche of the protagonist. As a parallel read on accepting death and "going silently into that good night," I offer you my short story, "The Dark Side of the Hedge.'
Enjoy.
~~Califia
https://www.wattpad.com/story/52132620-the-dark-side-of-the-hedge
v_silva
@ Califia Thank you for the compliment! I felt that commentary was somewhat more faltering than my usual commentary -- glad to see I still said something of value.
Will be sure to return to "The Dark Side of the Hedge" after I've completed "Aurora".
Califia
Hey V. Thanx for adding |Prisoner of Dreams" for future reads. I would also be interested in your critique of "Dominance Factor" which I have recently re-edited and have posted on the Romance platform app RADISH. Your insight into the dom/sub world might be illuminating.
~~Califia
https://www.wattpad.com/story/284888998-dominance-factor
Califia
V~~Merry Christmas to you too, good friend. Looking forward to your further commentary on "Ode" when the gods permit.
Stay safe. Stay phenomenal.
~~Califia
v_silva
@Califia ps. I hear the term "special" thrown about (in a derogatory sense) plenty while staying in Southern Norway during Christmas. I always wonder why these people concern themselves that much with how other people live their life... I ultimately believe it says more about them, than those they term "special".
v_silva
Hello, there!
I wrote a little piece about my unfortunate experiences this year:
https://www.wattpad.com/1146675095-a-manifesto-of-an-emotional-narcissistic-abuse
I hope this can give you solace if you have gone/are going through something similar. If so, this is my appeal to you: greyrock/go no-contact. Do not subject yourself to it under the guise of "being a friend", thinking you can "fix" someone. What you are experiencing is NOT a friendship -- it's abuse.
If you choose to read, thank you. Any support would be appreciated; I am still rebuilding after some hellish 10+ months.
v_silva
@hrb264 Thanks for the regard! I've been accused of being "ruthless" regarding the people in my life; I do cut contact with people if they are unhealthy for me. Unfortunately, I tend to have a unique ability to attract these individuals; it's not the first time I've dealt with toxic people, though this was a scale of its own. My life is definitely more tranquil now that this person is gone from it.
Califia
v_silva
@Califia @Califia I remember reading this story (quite a few!) years back! Perhaps worth revisiting it when I am not being pummeled by academic obligations. I am aware of the term "neurodivergence" (or "neurodivergent", "neurodiversity", etc.) It encompasses other neurological conditions than ASD, though, which is why I choose to go with "autism"; it's simply more specific. Multiple (the majority, in fact) of my friends from senior high are neurodivergent, but only a couple of us are autistic. Other of them have dyspraxia, ADHD, or other neurological conditions.
Califia
Hey V. Thanx for commenting and nailing the end of "Angel's Ride." You certainly got the point and impact of the story. It is interesting that I posted that back in 2015. The plot seems so much more possible today. As you stated, there's nothing actually dystopic about it now. Love how you have the ability to drill down into the cultural/ societal aspects of my stories, and certainly the psyches of the characters. Angel is quite a piece of work, but there are people out there like her I'm sure. She is so a product of the Machiavellian consumeristic transactional state we live in today.
All best with all you are doing these days.
~~Califia
v_silva
@Califia Yet again: it was a magnificent read! I am inclined to say it certain has a prophetic air about it; you appear to have foreseen it all! I agree with you on that there certainly are people like Angel out there, at least people who share some core aspects of her characters. Online (especially dating) scams is an all too common occurrence, after all. I have read some harrowing and painful accounts from the victims of such scams. There are probably other areas where these personality traits are present as well; look at all the online adds promising a possibility of "getting rich fast", "becoming a successful entrepreneur overnight", or something like that. Yet again, these are phenomena which appear to have "blown up" recently... making your writing of "Angel's Ride" even more fascinating. Keep writing! I am always eager to get a chance to consume and analyze your work. It is, genuinely, among the finest on this site.
v_silva
I am still living (if barely) -- life requires too much of me presently; barely keeping my head over water requires immense paddling (so to speak).
I might get around to write some, eventually, as it is a pursuit I enjoy... but, unfortunately, much of my time is spent in a dark room, sleeping, these days.
Patience is key, both for myself and for others. If you're still bothering to follow my profile on Watt, despite my all too sporadic activity: thank you.
jimrileyenlight
@v_silva What you describe is me last winter, but with lack of sleep! I will resist the dark days of the coming season sending me back to such a place. I'm all for long winter's naps when the sun sets early. Also, following your posts is no bother. Both they and your communications are a source of happiness for me, however this one tempered by empathy for your current state. Please stay in touch however much that seems trying at the moment.