mentallyalex

mentallyalex, 7 hours ago to random

Often people mention the "pocket people" who live in their phones, or greet "the people who live in my phone" and as one of those people...

I kind of like that idea. It's weird, I know, but it's kind of funny to me imagining that there exists a tiny world a bit like that Emoji movie, in which little digital versions of us exist.

Are they partial or almost complete mimics? Do they realize they are digital ghosts? Would these tiny little versions of ourselves be playing the roles we present to the world, or living authentically? I want to read the story of these worlds...

mentallyalex, 1 day ago (edited 1 day ago) to random

I sometimes feel like I am able to spin a nice story or line.

Then I look at my replies and comments and wonder why you put up with me.

Thanks! Ya'll are awesome.

mentallyalex, 1 day ago to random

"This must be the kinds of Magic Underpants Gnomery the credulous press engaged in during the jetpack days," says @pluralistic in his latest article discussing AI and it's implications across the industry.

A fantastic and very witty read. Absolutely worth your time.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/05/17/fake-it-until-you-dont-make-it/#twenty-one-seconds

mentallyalex, 2 days ago to random

By muppet bus, I mean a bus attended primarily by muppets.

The bus itself could be relatively common, however it will need to accommodate numerous individuals who experience muppety behaviors, ideas and mannerisms.

mentallyalex, 2 days ago to random

Two positive beta reader feedbacks. :dancing_nya:

mentallyalex, 2 days ago to random

Dear old man glaring at me,
It's a song called Stick Seasons by a young man named Noah. Stop staring, I don't mind an audience.

https://songwhip.com/noah-kahan/stick-season

mentallyalex, 2 days ago to random

Good time of the day to you, Fediverse! How are things?

Today has already been a day of contemplation and prep for action. I woke earlier with an agenda rolling through my mind, a timeline seeking finalization and a drive to finish this first draft! That last task might have an addendum (for the love of God!) :blobcatgiggle:

The weather is warm but in a good way? The kind of warmth that feels like a warm embrace or a kind shoulder to sob into. Not the oppressive and angry heat that will come later.

I hope your day is going well?

mentallyalex, 3 days ago to random

I just found out indoor skydiving is a thing and exists and I am physically able to participate if I enter the building.

I am not exactly sure how I feel about this information yet. Do I know anyone that has done this?

Have you done this? Will you tell me about it? Am I doing it?

mentallyalex, 3 days ago (edited 3 days ago) to random

I stare at the mirror before me. This isn't my first performance but I haven't been on in over a month and I feel rusty. The lines in my face seem exaggerated in this stupid mirror but I know it's just who I am. I'm not as young as I once was, I think to myself laughing.

Someone outside the door knocks softly. They need to alert me but don't want to disturb my process, I think laughing.

"Come in," I say to the mirror loud enough for the person on the other side of the door to hear, I hope. My reflection looks angry as I yell and I remind myself to relax my face if I have to speak loudly on stage.

A small boy, no more than twelve enters the room. He is dressed for the harsh cold of the winter streets, heavy layers of what look to be rotting and discarding cloth have been wrapped around his torso and limbs. His dark brown hair appears matted and dingy, shoved haphazardly beneath a hat. The style and form of the hat long ago lost under the crush of time.

I turn to look at the young man and notice he seems to be pale and underfed, his eyes hollow and haunted beneath a heavy brow. He licks his parched lips and fumbles for a boombox from the eighties in an anachronistic move that brings me pause.

Looking at me with a confidence brought by a short life of hardship, the little boy clears his throat and greets me in the high pitch of youth with a perfect victorian accent. I am in Chicago, and this is not a common accent to hear now.

Bowing curtly the young man, in a voice far more formal than warranted the occasion said, "Sir, a message for you,".

Holding the boombox in his tiny hands he held it aloft in a manner befitting a Cameron Crowe film. As he held the machine above his head and pressed play I heard from the box the following statement.

"Alex, you are on in five."

From there, the young man lowered the box and nodding to me again bowed and left the room.

I laughed, remembering the silly rider request and found myself more impressed with this theater than I had at first realized.

• Inspired by @GayDeceiver :blobcatgiggle:

mentallyalex, 3 days ago to random

Zara is mostly over my "writing"/"playing on mastodon" and is literally sitting under my chair yelling at me.

Overshare perhaps but I have a tall stool that I write on sometimes? She's sitting under it meowing and rubbing my calves. If I pet her she nuzzles and starts meowing again when I try to type.

She's rubbed my foot THRICE since I started typing this post.

I'm not going to get these pages out! pets kitty

mentallyalex, 4 days ago to random

So many people!

#AlexGoesOutside

mentallyalex, 5 days ago to random

Alex may be rated TV-MA and not suitable for all audiences.

mentallyalex, 5 days ago to writing

3,438 words in and my computer prompts me to plug it in for fear of power failure.

I quickly "quick save" before I step away to get my cable and I'm prompted to "Save As"...

#ShortHorrorStory
#Writing

mentallyalex, 5 days ago to random

I have nachos. They are SO TOO HOT and I'm pretty sure I just scalded my lip.

But, I have ~3k of words so far and I feel like they are pretty "tight". Definitely need some editing and obviously I'll need to play with word choices a bit but I am happy with pacing and discovery so far. About to get into the magicy stuff so it'll be cool to play in that lane a bit.

Dialog is always hard. Why can't all the voices in my head (stories, just stories) be more consistent and just... wordy like me? :D

mentallyalex, 5 days ago to random

"Yes Zara you are a fierce and terrifying predator," I think.

My cat has been sitting and enjoying an open window for hours. While surveying the neighborhood, a young man began walking through the area doing something service related. He has a vest on, lots of work equipment, etc.

She tracked him as he moved through the area for probably ten minutes. As he came close to her window...forty feet or so... she scampered off the window and made her way to the rug. Glancing at me and then the window and me, I assured her he was not interested in her.

Over maybe thirty seconds or so, she crept back to the window sniffing and trying to stare through the wall. Carefully jumping up fully expecting the man to be waiting to snatch her away to whatever kitty hell she has imagined, I supposed.

She is on the window staring at him again.

mentallyalex, 5 days ago to random

I know we are all midday and fast approaching the excitement of the afternoon but I have a music treat.

https://songwhip.com/pentatonix/over-the-rainbow

:blobcatdj:

Listen to it at super high volume and just experience the song. :blobCat_aww:

mentallyalex, 6 days ago to random

A crack of thunder just rattled my house and I think someone has poo'd my pants!

Zara and I will be under the basement floorboards going forward.

mentallyalex, 7 days ago to random

16:38 seconds into episode 1 of Fallout and I have already decided I will play through the game.

I know the storyline of fallout (roughly) but this is just tantalizing.

mentallyalex, 7 days ago to random

egg rolls? For dinner!?

:blobcatdrool:

mentallyalex, 8 days ago to random

I struggle to report on today out of fear of being callous to the greater world. Please know that I have spent a lot of time worried today. Our climate is a problem, the politicians around the world seem dedicated to mutual destruction, price gouging and other things are rampant.

However, in the minute of the day. In the precious moments and tiny details...today has been very wonderful.

A small accommodation was made to help me feel at ease in a location. It wasn't major, nothing too troubling I don't think, and the venue agreed. I was able to attend with a much higher level of enjoyment and "normal".

It's not that I travel through the world crashing and breaking into things. I don't lumber through the world like a hulking monster seeking shelter from the storms. I am able to carry conversation, watch movies, and do a great many things that everyone else does. However, I need to pivot slightly to enjoy myself fully. I was just super grateful for the experience.

The weather is humid and gross, the windows are closed and the breeze is a cold and shivery gale. But I was treated like a valuable member of society with needs that should be met. That isn't something that always happens and I wanted to remark on it .

mentallyalex, 8 days ago to random

Someone just told be about #fairycore and it doesn't seem to exist here yet.

Apparently it's people who really just want to go off into the woods and live amongst the fae?

I know this isn't a new idea but I'm very intrigued by it.

mentallyalex, 9 days ago to random

Anyone have anything fun to talk about today?

mentallyalex, 9 days ago to random

🎵
'Cause these words are my diary screaming out loud
And I know that you'll use them however you want to
🎵
:blobcatdj:
https://songwhip.com/anna-nalick/breathe-2-am

mentallyalex, 9 days ago to random

"So you were definitely alive in the 80's... right?" She asks nervous to the answer.

"Yes, most assuredly," I answer chuckling.

"That was a long time again, huh?" She follows up, excited that I am not upset at her questions.

mentallyalex, 10 days ago to random

Fatboy the Squirrel has opened negotiations today. At least, I believe that is what I believe his intentions to be.

I found Zara alert and begging for me to please open the window this morning. Normally there are birds chirping or a particular interesting tidbit floating around outside.

Today, to my happy surprise, Fatboy and his friend were dashing and playing through the bushes and trees. Darting through the underbrush and climbing up the bark of the tree to leap high into the air.

In what I can only assume is a testimony of his grace and power, Fatboy leapt across the yard, dashed directly at my window and then before coming too close turn hard to disappear into undergrowth. Clearly this squirrel is a champion parkour artist amongst his people.

Zara to her credit seemed readily impressed and stared at me as if to say, "If you would open this blasted barrier I could eat this guy and we could go back to more important things like petting me" though to be fair - I am not exactly sure what her mentality is in regards to these assailants.

For my part, I imagine she would find Fatboy to be more than she could handle. Clearly she has the height/weight/reach advantage but I have seen my kitty fall while sitting solidly on the floor. Fatboy would clearly go to the last round of American Ninja Warrior - I imagine he would be able to make light work of her pursuits.