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Silva

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Status Updates posted by Silva

  1. Happy birthday! ^_^

  2. As today is Yom HaShoah (Israel's Holocaust Remembrance Day), I thought to take a minute and write something. There have been years that I haven't left one of these notes, feeling little purpose in doing so since I'm hardly around anyways, but I often find myself regretting, having failed to do this one small thing to spread awareness where it otherwise might not have reached. I had hoped to write in advance and have time to edit, but time flew by quickly, so please forgive any grammar short-comings. ^_^ This year, I want to focus on names, as it's something that's been especially pronounced to me over this past year.
    We all have many names. The name given to us at birth is only one of the multitude we gain throughout our lives. There are the nicknames, the terms of endearment, the slurs others apply to us, and the names we choose for ourselves on online forums like this one. Each comes with its own host of connotations and impressions, of memories and regrets.
    Those connotations and impressions change and develop as time goes on. I don't view my name here the same way I did when I first chose it and I suspect that others experience similar. Some choose to pick a new name that they feel fits better and some continue with the old, adding further texture to the name's tapestry of impressions. Our names are defined by us and capture parts of our essence, intentionally or not.
    It took me a long time to truly absorb what it meant that the Nazis tried to wittle down the Jews and the other prisoners of concentration camps into something less than human, how they sought to forcibly remove that essence of their names by tattooing a number, free of impressions, on their arms.
    Some time ago, a teacher introduced me a website called Illuminate (https://www.illuminatethepast.org/). Essentially, each Yom Hashoah, they have people around the world light virtual candles in honor of someone who died in the Holocaust. The website provides a name and a little about the person when possible.
    It doesn't capture all the nuances of a name, all the slight implications and meanings so innate to the person and those who lived around them. How can it? But it's something, a start, and that's worth something.
    If you feel comfortable doing so, take a minute, light a candle, remember a name for those who cannot. As the days go by and you hear of recent events, please pause for a moment and recognize the fortune of your own world and immediate surroundings; they might not be ideal, but they could be much, much worse. Recognize the power of the names in your life and never think it your right to deprive another person of their own. As many a fictional character has said, names have power; don't take it for granted.

    1. Nathrangking

      Nathrangking

      Powerful. If I may add on I have a thought. What are names? Some might view names as identity. This is who I am boiled down to a couple of syllables or words. Some might say a name is power. You can classify the world by way of this power. If it is either of these things then the Nazis sought to take identity and power from millions. We too often lose sight of the significance of having a name. Maybe every now and then we can take a moment and reflect on how lucky we are and remember those who will not be.

  3. ...totally did not forget it was my Shardiversary till just now...*yawns*...

    Um...

    So...

    It's been another year.

    I've been here three years. Th-three years. I remember times early on when I saw even being here a year as crazily far away. Well, now I've done 3 * (crazily far away).

    That sums up this year fairly well. I...haven't been around here nearly as much. Crazily far away most of the time. Took on a lot irl and then some. It's been insane, stressful, and overall wonderful. I can't promise to be around any more next year--if anything I will have new joys to add to the mix.

    But, that said, you guys deserve to know that when I do stop by, my bad days turn good, slogging thoughts become quicker, negative mindsets gain a spark, droughts of creativity become flooded.

    Thank you for that.

    Thank you for these three years and, preemptively, thank you for the future. Thank you all for existing. For creating the warmest corner of the internet. For being here and being yourselves.

    I'll leave it at that. Thank you and goodnight. ^_^

    1. Show previous comments  1 more
    2. Channelknight Fadran

      Channelknight Fadran

      ...how many peoples' Shardiversaries are there today?

      Happy Shardiversary regardless! Woop!

    3. The Awakened Salad

      The Awakened Salad

      Happy Shardiversary!

    4. Doomstick

      Doomstick

      Happy Spike Day, Miss Forest!

  4. Happy birthday! ^_^

  5. חנוכה שמח! @Nathrangking @Blessed peace

    I don't know--this year it kind of didn't hit to me that חנוכה was soon until we were lighting candles tonight...time's both flown and dragged through these past few months.

    1. Show previous comments  3 more
    2. Tesh
    3. Furamirionind

      Furamirionind

      !חג שמח

      I didn't realize it was Hanukah until my family told me the night of. Lol

    4. Blessed peace
  6. *hesitantly steps up to Archer's door and knocks*

    Trick or treat?

    (I'm dressed as a high school student this year, equipped with heavy textbooks and everything!)

    1. Archer

      Archer

      *opens door*

      AHHHHHHHHHHH. SCARY!!

      *slams door shut*

      *throws door back open and chucks a Harbaugh 26" Table Lamp into your bag*

      BEGONE, MEMORIES OF HIGHSCHOOL. AAAAAAAH

      5f9b03f349b01_Harbaugh2622TableLamp.jpg.ea87a054f6dd2216364f13fd9513c82e.jpg

  7. Happy birthday, Rebecca! ^_^

    1. Rebecca

      Rebecca

      Thank you so much, sorry for responding so late haha. ^_^

  8. Another year, another Shardiversary. Hard to consider--two years of my life with the Shard as a part of it.

    There have been ups and downs, good times and less nice ones, happy moments and more stressful instances, well-constructed sentences and not as well-constructed replies posted. You've helped carry me through some of the lowest points of my life, been there for me, and never failed to share a smile and/or hug when one was needed.

    It's been a great two years. ^_^

    Looking forward--I'm hoping for the best.

    I've set myself up for a very busy year, come fall, and while I'm looking forward to most of it, quick math estimates four hours of work a night. That might sound extreme, and maybe it is, but I'd rather mention this now and have things be nicer, than underestimate and end up worse off. So, this coming year, I'm not going to be around much. Maybe once a week or so and on breaks, just definitely not on a daily, or every other day, basis. Which is sad. I love you guys and I'll miss you and I'll be working extra-hard to squeeze in Sharding when possible. Life, however, has this unfortunate habit of making things difficult. :ph34r:

    1. Show previous comments  4 more
    2. Ark1002

      Ark1002

      another one down...:(

      actually, happy shariversary. I'm sorry to hear this, but at least we've got some time before that, and you'll still exist. That's nice.

    3. Doomstick

      Doomstick

      Explanation of my post as it seems mean in hindsight:

      im happy that you’re not leaving, and anytime spent with you is a great time, so even if you not come once a week, it averages out to a great year

    4. AonEne

      AonEne

      Happy Shardiversary, Silva! I’m sorry to hear you’ll be around less, but the time we do have with you will still be fantastic, because you’re fantastic! 

  9. People aren't terrible beings.:blink:

    People aren't evil at heart.:wacko:

    People deserve a better rep. :rolleyes:

    People are great. ^_^

    People are wonderful. :lol:

    There is good in the world. :D

    - A spontaneous dose of optimistic thinking by Silva's brain 

    1. Show previous comments  6 more
    2. AonEne

      AonEne

      *raises hand in the corner* May I spectate your debate? 

    3. Ark1002

      Ark1002

      yes, provided you're willing to deal with my lack of religious beliefs and note that in my debate...

    4. The Awakened Salad

      The Awakened Salad

      Thank you, I needed to hear that ^_^.

  10. In the likely case that I don't have a chance tomorrow: פורים שמח! :lol:

    Though, this does mean that cleaning for פסח is going to start soon. Yay. 

    We'll see how cremmy the formatting of this ends up being...Shard isn't a big fan of mixed together language posts normally...:ph34r:

    1. Show previous comments  1 more
    2. Nathrangking

      Nathrangking

      Yay and Boo! Chag Purim Sameach!! Here is my Purim Shpiel of the Year hope that its worth a good laugh!!

      Purim Shpiel 2020.docx

    3. Silva
    4. Nathrangking
  11. Hey, all. I don't know how stating-the-obvious this will be due to the state of my activity lately, but I'm kind of swamped at the moment. Stuff keeps piling up, one on top of the other. Today, for instance, I had an assessment in every class but one. And that's just the least of it. The next few weeks are going to add in more late nights and stress (unless the coronavirus forces my school to close for two weeks in which case I might end up with a little more time for however long that is--always a possibility, but most definitely not a great one or one to hope for) and even less Sharding than normal. If I'm taking longer than usual to respond to things, this is why.

    The good news is, it should clear up by April. Yay. 

    But till then, I'm not intentionally spiting anyone by not replying when recently online. It just means that I haven't enough time to formulate response that didn't make zero sense or address what it was intended to. ^_^

     

    Unrelated note: I found a pair of metal size one knitting needles in my basement. Their resemblance to Hemalurgic spikes is uncanny...:ph34r:

    1. Show previous comments  1 more
    2. Truthless of Shinovar

      Truthless of Shinovar

      Hang in there Silva! We’re all rooting for you!

    3. Nathrangking

      Nathrangking

      Seriously though as Truthless said Gam Zu Letova you'll get through this we know you will!!

    4. AonEne

      AonEne

      Good luck with your schoolwork! 

  12. Happy birthday, Bit! ^_^

    1. BitBitio

      BitBitio

      This is a bit (lol) late, (ok you got me it's 2 months late) but thank you!

  13. I'm back.

    The Shard hasn't imploded yet. What a pleasant surprise. ^_^

    Only reason 3 isn't fully dealt with, but that's a very long term project. 

    Thanks for the moral support, all. 

  14. Hello, people who actually read these.

    I'm going to not be on for about a week for a couple of reasons:

    1. My copy of Starsight came and, yes, that takes priority.

    2. I want to finish writing my first draft of a book. I'm extremely close to being done and want to just do a big push be done with that world already, for now. Then I go back to drafting, which will actually give more time for the Shard, temporarily. See? An investment that'll, probably, pay off! 

    3. I've been overwhelmed with stuff lately and need some time to reinforce the seams of my life before they dismantle.

    4. It'll be Chanukah. This isn't really a real reason. Three reasons just looked sad.

    That's about it. 

    I do apologize to you specifically, Ark (and Truthless, Grey, Chas, and co.), since it'll pause ANF, but I don't think a week will kill anyone. Hopefully. And if it does, I'll show them to afterlife computers and do my best to resurrect them. ^_^

    1. Show previous comments  2 more
    2. Sorana

      Sorana

      Have a great week and good luck with finishing your first draft!

    3. Doomstick
    4. AonEne

      AonEne

      What everyone else said! :ph34r: 

  15. My rank finally calls me Scadrian and a waffle cook. What more could a person want out of life?

    1. AonEne

      AonEne

      Actual Scadrian waffles ;)

    2. Sorana
  16. @Nathrangking @Blessed peace חג שמח! Hope you haven't had too much wind or rain.

    Let's see how messed up the Hebrew formatting gets this time...^_^

    1. Nathrangking

      Nathrangking

      Unfortunately, we have had a lot of both.

    2. Blessed peace

      Blessed peace

      Mostly wind though, and one day had no dry option, but anyhow good shabbos and חג שמח. 

  17. Warning: I'm about to go deep, so only read the contents of the spoiler if you think you can handle it. I needed to let out some steam, and this was as good a way as I could find. (It relates to what happened in Germany yesterday, if that influences your decision one way or the other.)

    Spoiler

    Every time there's a shooting we fill up with tragedy. Anger and fear--lots of different emotions. Everyone feels it, I think, to some extent. And I'm not here to talk about gun control, because there are too many aspects to that that I don't fully know and therefore can't give an opinion. 

    But when stuff like the shooting in Germany yesterday happens, I can't keep all the thoughts in my brain, you know? That's why I'm writing this. To let out a little emotion on it. 

    It's ridiculous. Yesterday, I was walking to synagogue and when I passed a police officer standing outside, it occured to me that when I was really little, one hadn't been needed. At least, I don't remember ever seeing one this often. For years, even after the Yom Kippur War, we hadn't been afraid that someone might have the nerve to enter a room on the holiest day of the year for Jews and attack.

    And yesterday?

    Yesterday was an anti-semitic hate crime. Even that terminology sounds weak, though. The thought isn't anything new to me. Fine, there are people who have never met me who hate me because of my religion and culture. They hate Jews simply because they are Jews. That's how it's been for hundreds and hundreds of years. Thousands at this point. It's nothing new. 

    Just...you would think there would be even an ounce of respect for a religion's holiest day. Even from the far-right.

    The world is in a strange place.

    How do you balance freedom of speech with freedom of religion? I don't know. I really don't. But there has got to be some way that doesn't end in death time and time again. Humans aren't all bad. Good exists. 

    I've said this many times before, but that doesn't make it any less true: you all are wonderful.

    Sorry for ranting. It really did help, though.

    On a more positive note, cookies for all. Nothing makes things better than cookies. Except maybe plain chocolate. It's pretty close. ^_^

    1. Show previous comments  1 more
    2. Doomstick
    3. AonEne

      AonEne

      You shouldn’t have to balance freedom of speech and religion. Nobody should ever do things like they did yesterday (though I don’t actually know what happened, as I do not keep up with the news or media). 

      I am very sorry it happened, and hope you’re doing okay. Talking almost always helps, and I’m glad it did here. 

      Is there a phrase along the lines of Happy Yom Kippur? If so, that. If that’s rude to say, my apologies. 

      *gives Silva chocolate* 

    4. Nathrangking

      Nathrangking

      @AonEne technically speaking it would be have an easy and meaningful fast.

      (Though the fast has ended the thought is appreciated!)

  18. Drawing with touchpads is starting to become less horrible.

    Sylphrena here might not look great and could probably use some cleaning up around the edges, but she resembles something beyond blobs. That's successful art by my definition. :D

    5d87b7ee7317f_Screenshot2019-09-22at1_09_57PM.png.8770d052a56a1333c36092afcd500fa4.png

    1. Nathrangking

      Nathrangking

      Caption: Sylphrena annoyed at Kal

    2. Archer

      Archer

      Ooo! Although, I must protest the wintery theme you've got going now. Can't I go on pretending it's still summer for just a few more years?

    3. Silva

      Silva

      Never. Winter is so much better. You can wear boots without getting weird looks. Boots!

  19.  5d7516a2b453a_Screenshot2019-09-08at10_56_10AM.png.f7e93d87a57b6911aa1f10053f2723b1.png

    Thanks, Truthless. Losing over and over truly is a character building experience.:D

    (Unless it wasn't you... :ph34r:)

    1. Truthless of Shinovar

      Truthless of Shinovar

      Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t! We skybreakers need not make sense....

      Spoiler

      Yes I just shamelessly stole a Kelsier quote and forced Szeth to say it:P

       

  20. Hm..right. So, I leave Tuesday morning and tomorrow I need to stop procrastinating and be productive with my time, meaning there isn't any other for sure time I'll be on the Shard for a while.

    Before that, though, I do need to get some things said for Alleyverse characters.

    Eiran and Freedom are taken care of. Eiran's doing some unspecified stuff to help and Freedom we're just going to say is wherever the most living citizens of Alleycity are. After most things are cleared up, Eiran is going to Newcago for a bit and Freedom is going to vanish. I'll figure out more explanation for both afterwards.

    Eve, however, is not at a vanishing point. Sorana, if you and Itiah could just treat her as an NPC, that would be great. Maybe she can even fall asleep. Whatever works best. I'm really sorry to leave her like this...there just wasn't any way that made sense with her character to have her leave.

    That should be it. I'll probably appear sometime tomorrow, but it's not a guarantee. 

    If I don't, then, see you all in a month and I'll miss you!

    1. AonEne

      AonEne

      Miss you too! Have fun! 

    2. Doomstick

      Doomstick

      I’m not too late!

      bye!!

    3. Sorana

      Sorana

      Don't worry about Eve and have a great time! We'll miss you!

  21. Silva

    Happy birthday, Ink. We miss you. 

    1. Archer

      Archer

      Can confirm. Have a good one! 

    2. AonEne

      AonEne

      Can give a second confirmation. Happy birthday, squid-kid! Ngyes! (Did I do it right?)

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