Raxie is as Reasonable as They Come

[starpuck]

Oh man that picture is awesome!!  I agree with Elastigirl on the framing it in your house!   You can't see your face, so no one would accuse of narcissism lol!

[Raxie]

22 hours ago, Elastigirl said:

Ohv my goodness, that picture is so amazing, and beautiful! You are making  print copy of it and hanging in your house , right?! 

 

Thank you I'm really happy with how it turned out.

 

21 hours ago, Jarric said:

That sounds familiar! I do this more when I'm feeling tired/stressed, though I've not figured out the exact trigger for it or how to stop doing it.

 

I think it happens to me when I have down time. I start feeling like I have all the time in the world to do something so I procrastinate.  It's part of the reason I keep so busy because if I wasn't busy I wouldn't do anything haha.

 

21 hours ago, Jarric said:

Could you have 2 versions of each encounter depending on who shows up? Easy to have 2 tables for random encounters, more difficult for set piece combats.

 

Or you could go full gygaxian naturalism and just kill them if they're not smart enough to run away

 

Yeah  my plan is to rescale the encounters but to keep the old ones too and whoever happens to be there just pick one as we go.

 

20 hours ago, starsapart said:

BELATEDLY, I AM HERE AS WELL.

 

YAY!!!!

 

17 hours ago, Starpuck said:

Oh man that picture is awesome!!  I agree with Elastigirl on the framing it in your house!   You can't see your face, so no one would accuse of narcissism lol!

 

Thank you!!! Hahah I probably won't, if I had pictures of myself up at all in my place I'd totally do it but I'm not really a photo hanging type person so it would be kinda weird. However I will say you kinda have to be a little narcissistic to be a performer so I honestly wouldn't even take offense if someone did accuse me of that. Dancers are nuts. XD XD

[starsapart]

Just gonna slide in here to say I have more than one picture of myself on my walls, including some dance photos... totally non narcissistic imo. It's a good way to preserve happy memories!

[mitch_dee]

On 1/14/2020 at 7:51 AM, Raxie said:

I haven't trained in any fighting, aside from a few one off boxing and kung fu classes I've taken over the years (literally a grand total of 3 classes).

Just remember, fighting is very foreign to people (unless you have been in a lot of fights) some folks have a bit of trouble adapting to a class, especially when it comes to actual sparring.  You seem determined in driven in all that you do so I think you will be ok, but it was one of the things we heard the most in our adult training classes for BJJ, the fact of not being prepared for the physicality.  So we use to focus with new folks to prepare them mentally for it....fight or flight can be hard to overcome.  Something to keep in mind, but it is all worth it in the end.

 

On 1/14/2020 at 9:45 AM, Raxie said:

I did have to cancel my D&D last night because there were schedule conflicts for 2 people.  One of my players is pregnant so I have a feeling she'll be missing a lot of sessions coming up.  I'm going to have to go through and rescale a bunch of encounters so that if 2 people are missing we can still press on. I want to keep going with this group and this storyline and I think that's the only way that's going to happen.

Why are there no groups near me .  With so many playing NFer's has it ever been thought of to start something virtually, like a google hangout or Roll20 (I think that's what I saw the other day)?  I take it you are DMing, how long have you played?

 

PS: Love the picture!!

[Raxie]

On 1/15/2020 at 12:03 PM, starsapart said:

Just gonna slide in here to say I have more than one picture of myself on my walls, including some dance photos... totally non narcissistic imo. It's a good way to preserve happy memories!

 

That's totally fair - but I also kind of like the implication that all performers are a bit nuts and owning it. Because we kinda are, aren't we?? XD ❤️ Though to specify narcissism probably isn't the best,  you're right.

 

On 1/18/2020 at 9:07 PM, mitch_dee said:

Just remember, fighting is very foreign to people (unless you have been in a lot of fights) some folks have a bit of trouble adapting to a class, especially when it comes to actual sparring.  You seem determined in driven in all that you do so I think you will be ok, but it was one of the things we heard the most in our adult training classes for BJJ, the fact of not being prepared for the physicality.  So we use to focus with new folks to prepare them mentally for it....fight or flight can be hard to overcome.  Something to keep in mind, but it is all worth it in the end.

 

This is actually part of the reason I want to do it! I really want to be able to take a hit and also allow myself to let go and really hit something/someone else.  Though I won't get to sparring for a very long time so it'll just be padwork for me for the forseeable future. I know it's not hitting, but I could also see just all the touching being weird for some people, and that's something I am very much used to from dancing so that shouldn't be a problem either.  The hitting though... we'll see how that goes when I get there XD

 

On 1/18/2020 at 9:07 PM, mitch_dee said:

Why are there no groups near me .  With so many playing NFer's has it ever been thought of to start something virtually, like a google hangout or Roll20 (I think that's what I saw the other day)?  I take it you are DMing, how long have you played?

 

Actually two of the groups I'm in are NF based! One is from camp and one is from the forums.  There seems to be a tonnnnn of D&D interest around here so I'm sure it would be possible to drum up another group if you put it out into the world!

 

I recently started seriously DMing (prior to 2019 I had just done a few one-shots).  I'm currently running Lost Mines of Phandelver (table top) and Waterdeep Dragon Heist (roll20). I've been playing seriously since 2012 ish (started with 3.5, now am on 5 with all the games I'm in), before that I had dabbled but nothing very long running. 

 

Here's some more about my D&D exploits because YAY D&D TALK - I'm playing a tabaxi valor bard in a Dungeon of the Mad Mage Campaign (roll20), an eladrin swashbuckling rogue in Dragon of Icespire Peak (table top), an assimar hexblade warlock in a homebrew being run by @DarK_RaideR (PbP), a woodelf kensei monk in a homebrew (roll20), and technically I'm also playing a dragonborn draconic bloodline sorcerer but I we haven't met in a LONG while so for all intents and purposes that ones probably dead.  Though I do miss my super dragon lady

 

On 1/18/2020 at 9:07 PM, mitch_dee said:

PS: Love the picture!!

 

Thank you!!

 

[GoodDoug]

5 minutes ago, Raxie said:

On 1/18/2020 at 6:07 PM, mitch_dee said:

Just remember, fighting is very foreign to people (unless you have been in a lot of fights) some folks have a bit of trouble adapting to a class, especially when it comes to actual sparring.  You seem determined in driven in all that you do so I think you will be ok, but it was one of the things we heard the most in our adult training classes for BJJ, the fact of not being prepared for the physicality.  So we use to focus with new folks to prepare them mentally for it....fight or flight can be hard to overcome.  Something to keep in mind, but it is all worth it in the end.

 

This is actually part of the reason I want to do it! I really want to be able to take a hit and also allow myself to let go and really hit something/someone else.  Though I won't get to sparring for a very long time so it'll just be padwork for me for the forseeable future. I know it's not hitting, but I could also see just all the touching being weird for some people, and that's something I am very much used to from dancing so that shouldn't be a problem either. 

I took karate many, many years ago and maybe the second time sparring I got paired up with one of the higher up black belts. I was used to getting taken down, but one time he went to sweep my leg, and I leaned forward to knock him over. I quickly stepped back and apologized. He laughed as he got up and said, "No, you're supposed to finish me off!" And that was how I realized I am not cut out for martial arts  Though I have a feeling I could get into Aikido

[mitch_dee]

5 minutes ago, Raxie said:

Here's some more about my D&D exploits because YAY D&D TALK - I'm playing a tabaxi valor bard in a Dungeon of the Mad Mage Campaign (roll20), an eladrin swashbuckling rogue in Dragon of Icespire Peak (table top), an assimar hexblade warlock in a homebrew being run by @DarK_RaideR (PbP), a woodelf kensei monk in a homebrew (roll20), and technically I'm also playing a dragonborn draconic bloodline sorcerer but I we haven't met in a LONG while so for all intents and purposes that ones probably dead.  Though I do miss my super dragon lady

I am always available for D&D/rpg exploits....It's been over 30 years since I played (besides a few PbP here that I fell out of when I left the forums) but I still love reading up on it all and just got the Pathfinder books and have been making characters for no reason but to make them and develop stories.

[starsapart]

18 minutes ago, Raxie said:

That's totally fair - but I also kind of like the implication that all performers are a bit nuts and owning it. Because we kinda are, aren't we?? XD ❤️

 

 

Also, I can't even tell you the number of times I've wanted to try D&D, but finding a group and finding the time have always defeated me.

[mitch_dee]

1 minute ago, starsapart said:

Also, I can't even tell you the number of times I've wanted to try D&D, but finding a group and finding the time have always defeated me.

 

I see the need for a NF D&D Newbies game....run by an NFer with DM experience....now where could we find that, hmmm......... 

[Raxie]

3.W

 

Whoopsie fell a little behind here. It's super crazy crunch time in Raxie land right now - this weekend is my first dance comp of the year, and then next weekend is the gala that I've been helping to plan since November and of course EVERYTHING last minute is sweeping in for both of them. That's OK though, I'm just keepin' on. I'm feeling pretty good about where I'm at for the comp this weekend since I've been doing these dances for about a year now and the showcase to Singing in the Rain we are doing (and finally retiring after this) I've performed what feels like 900 times. Hopefully we go out with a bang and do it the best we've ever done it :). 

 

For the gala we are behind on our fundraising goal so we are still quite behind and I'm kinda stressed about it but also... it is what it is I've done literally everything I can and it's a volunteer thing after all so I've gotta chill.  My biggest concern right now is finding a swanky outfit to wear to the actual event.

 

I finally finished The Glass Bead Game and ultimately I think I decided I didn't like it.  It kept me turning the pages but I didn't care for the ending and I still don't even really know what it was about.  It was interesting to say the least, and I don't regret reading it, but overall a definite meh.  I started reading the second book in the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy and after FLEW through the first one, I'm pacing myself a bit more in the second one but that's mostly due to time constraints.

 

Unrelated - I started taking preworkout again before lifting and WOW.  I forgot what that stuff does to you XD I can't believe I ever stopped using it hahah. The rush is real. Similarly related - I recently got a cold stone ice cream flavoured protein powder and I'm dying over how good it is. I... kind of just want to live on this stuff right now.  I can't do that, right?

 

All in all it's been a good week so far, AND I've been doing much better with stretching! Here's my totally reasonable schedule (some of it retroactive, obviously):

 

Spoiler

 

Monday

• MLK Day of Service Volunteering (painting a public city elementary school)
• Lift
• Dance Lesson
• Play in D&D (Dragons of Icespire Peak)

Tuesday

• HRC monthly phone conference
• Latin Jazz class
• Gold/Open Gold Samba technique class

Wednesday

• Lift
• Dance Lesson
• Maybe go to a cha-cha class to squeeze some extra practice in before the comp, but it's a class I typically don't go to so we'll see.

Thursday

• HRC Meeting
• Spray Tan
• Working HRC meeting w/co-chair

Friday

• Lift
• HRC Training Meeting
• Mani/Pedi appointment

Saturday

• Dance comp!
• Probably watching the pro show at night

Sunday

• Smooth performance team rehearsal
• Viennese waltz technique class
• Open Latin technique & styling class

 

 

 

[mitch_dee]

7 minutes ago, Raxie said:

My biggest concern right now is finding a swanky outfit to wear to the actual event.

And posting pictures of said swankiness!!!

[Mike Wazowski]

I am kvelling that your weekend plans include dance competition on Saturday followed by three dance things on Sunday. 😍

 

Also, go you for arriving at a good perspective on your volunteering thing for HRC - if you're anything like me, it isn't easy to tell yourself you've done everything you could and be satisfied with the work you did in spite of missing a measurable goal.

[darkfoxx]

❤️ Daughter Of Smoke & Bone series. 
 

also: daaaaaaaang, that list tho’

[shaar]

On 1/14/2020 at 10:45 AM, Raxie said:

Then I started reading Daughter of Shadow and Bone by Laini Taylor and COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN.

 

 

WAAAAA I just put this on my To Read list on Goodreads with the quickness!  I'm face deep into Children of Blood and Bone (similar name ahahah) by Tomi Adeyemi and it's REAL good too.  B O O K S ❤️ 

 

On 1/22/2020 at 2:59 PM, Raxie said:

Similarly related - I recently got a cold stone ice cream flavoured protein powder and I'm dying over how good it is. I... kind of just want to live on this stuff right now.  I can't do that, right?

 

wait what

 

[Jarric]

Hope the competition went well this weekend!

[mitch_dee]

Hope the competition went well, and the Gala was a good time that raised LOTS of money!!!  (still waiting for swanky outfit pictures and dance video...lol)

[thekatisalie]

COLD STONE PROTEIN POWDER WHAT WHERE

 

(also hello and you're doing amazing)

[Raxie]

On 1/22/2020 at 3:08 PM, mitch_dee said:

And posting pictures of said swankiness!!!

 

I for sure will!!

 

On 1/22/2020 at 3:18 PM, Mike Wazowski said:

I am kvelling that your weekend plans include dance competition on Saturday followed by three dance things on Sunday. 😍

 

Hahah and then a guest coaching session AND a private lesson on Monday.  SO MUCH DANCING!

 

I am also kvelling at your use of the word kvelling XD

 

On 1/22/2020 at 3:18 PM, Mike Wazowski said:

Also, go you for arriving at a good perspective on your volunteering thing for HRC - if you're anything like me, it isn't easy to tell yourself you've done everything you could and be satisfied with the work you did in spite of missing a measurable goal.

 

Thanks, I'm still really struggling with it to be honest - I know everyone in charges knows it's a weird year for a myriad of reasons and doesn't blame me at all but I still feel kinda bummed about it.  But still pushing through to get some last minute stuff and trying to focus on what I DID do. 

 

On 1/23/2020 at 1:48 AM, darkfoxx said:

❤️ Daughter Of Smoke & Bone series. 
 

also: daaaaaaaang, that list tho’

 

UGH IT'S SO GOOD! I have had to take it much slower with the second book since I have so much going on but I can't wait to have the opportunity to just snuggle up with it and finish it soon! Hopefully I can do that next week after all the madness.

 

On 1/25/2020 at 1:41 PM, loire said:

WAAAAA I just put this on my To Read list on Goodreads with the quickness!  I'm face deep into Children of Blood and Bone (similar name ahahah) by Tomi Adeyemi and it's REAL good too.  B O O K S ❤️ 

 

YAS that series is on my list as well!! Ugh. For real. Bookkkkssss ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

 

On 1/26/2020 at 4:33 PM, Jarric said:

Hope the competition went well this weekend!

 

Thank you It really really did. Probably one of the top 5 days of my entire life.  More updates to come.

 

On 1/27/2020 at 11:38 PM, mitch_dee said:

Hope the competition went well, and the Gala was a good time that raised LOTS of money!!!  (still waiting for swanky outfit pictures and dance video...lol)

 

Thanksss!!! The comp went AMAZING, the Gala isn't until this weekend (thank goodness - my head probably would have exploded if they were the same weekend haha). Swanky pictures will be provided!

 

On 1/28/2020 at 8:37 AM, thekatisalie said:

COLD STONE PROTEIN POWDER WHAT WHERE

 

(also hello and you're doing amazing)

 

(cc: @loire) The Berry Berry Good Flavour is my favourite so far but I still haven't tried a couple of them... but the ones I have tried (which in addition to the Berry one are Mint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip and Germanchökolätekäke) are all also SLAMMIN'.  But... for real the berry one is next level.

 

(also hi! and thank you <3)

[starsapart]

1 hour ago, Raxie said:

Thank you It really really did. Probably one of the top 5 days of my entire life.  More updates to come.

 

Th pictures on your Instagram were awesome!

 

1 hour ago, Raxie said:

YAS that series is on my list as well!! Ugh. For real. Bookkkkssss ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

 

I wanted to love that series. I WANTED TO LOVE IT. But instead it made me furious and I barely finished the first book. 😑 If you read it, mind giving me a brief summary of the second one? I can't bring myself to devote time to reading it, but I do care about one single character out of the lot.

[Raxie]

4.W

 

Goodness what a crazy past week it's been... and it just continues to get crazier.  I am SO PUMPED for the gala this weekend but I also kind of cannot wait for it to be over haha. So I definitely owe an update on my goals because I did not do this last week.

1. Read 4 books: I've been done with this one for a while.  I might even get to 5 if I have some time to read next week.
2. Use my bullet journal daily: I've been tracking every day. I have definitely not acheived 100% but the point of this was to track and keep myself accountable so. that's a win so far.
3. Stretch daily: As it will show on my tracker, I've definitely slacked on this a bit. But I've been consistent in terms of maintaining momentum on it even if I haven't done it every day.
4. Research races in my area for the year: Done! And also officially signed up for a Spartan Stadion and committed to doing a Color Run later this year.
5. Sign up for boxing lessons: This actually might end up not happening, because my friend I'm doing the Spartan with wants to sign up for these obstacle course/parkour training classes which would be WAY TOO MUCH TO DO in addition to boxing.  So I think I might push this to either the next challenge or the one after??? I might be able to do both once the gala is over but for right now I can't even think about it.
6. Be Reasonable: This week's schedule is below!

The most reasonable schedule of all time

Spoiler

 

Monday

• Guest dance coaching session
• Private Dance Lesson
• Lift

Tuesday

• Modern Dance Class
• Latin Jazz Dance Class
• Samba Technique Class

Wednesday

• Cha Cha Technique Class
• Lift
• Gala working meeting to finish up last minute stuff

Thursday

• All the HRC work - so much to do this day for finalizing the silent auction!

Friday (took today off from work because I'm so reasonable)

• Lift
• Physically setting up the silent auction stuff and running around the city picking up various donations
• Gala pre-party at night (YAY can't wait for this one)

Saturday

• THE GALA AHHHHHHH

Sunday

• Smooth performance team rehearsal
• Viennese waltz technique class

 

 

Rehashing the last week -  UGH I had such a freaking amazing last few days.  The comp was ... so great.  Like I haven't felt that amazing in I can't even remember how long, I still feel like I'm coming down from the high. I danced the best I've ever danced, beat some people, and for some stuff I was actually not competing against anyone but I still felt like I put my absolute best dance foot forward and was SO PROUD of what I put on the floor I can't even describe it.  The other comps I've done I've always felt a little upset about mistakes I've made or the energy I brought but this time I just gave it absolutely everything I possibly could and I don't think with my level of skill, training, and technique (which is not extremely high but still) I could have possibly done any better. And we did our Singing in the Rain dance for the last time, and we did it the absolute best we've ever done it.  We did lose our show dance competition (which was the Singing in the Rain dance) to another dance that I frankly thought was not at all that great - the first and second place winners were AMAZING and absolutely deserved to be there (I was literally screaming my head off at the dance that placed first with an All That Jazz number and I would have flipped tables if they didn't win first) but I really felt like I should have been third.  I think it was because their costumes were more elaborate than ours.  Blargh. But honestly it's OK, someone came up to us after the dance and said it absolutely made their day and made them so happy to see so that's really winning in my book. 

 

My absolute favourite picture from the comp is this:

 

 

And here's our cha cha, this was when we did best of the best which means because I beat people in my division all of the division finalists competed against each other so we got to pick our best dance (out of cha cha, samba and jive) and do that one alone on the floor.  We lost best of the best, but the winner was 100% better than me so I'm cool with it.  But it's still the best I've ever done this routine in my life:

 

And under the cut is the rest of our dances because they're fun but no pressure if you don't want to watch them haha. I'm particularly proud of the paso since I only just started learning both the routine and the dance as a whole technique-wise a few months back.

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There's 3 parts to singing in the rain so you'll have to scroll through if you want to see the whole thing.

 

 

My guest coaching session went SO WELL too.  I was kind of amazed... he watched me dance for like 2.5 seconds and was like "oh OK so you used to do ballet then?"(I had not told him this) and then proceeded to describe all the exact issues I've been having with so many things without him even having seen me do them??? I swear my rumba walks improved like 110% in the first half hour. 

 

ANYWAY taking a semi-chill pill on dance for the rest of the week while I finish out all the HRC stuff and gear up for the gala this weekend! I think I've finally decided on a dress.

 

Also, lifting has been going well

 

Sorry... that was really long.

 

TL;DR - comp was 438209578045382584% amazingly awesome. onto the gala! also might have to scooch the boxing goal to a later challenge.

[Jarric]

I'm so glad you're dance competition went so well! Just reading your description /I'm/ getting excited your reaction is so infectious!

 

When I can watch Instagram with sound I'm definitely going to go through all of your dances!

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Congrats on such a good comp!

[Terra]

Love seeing all of your dance videos, pictures and enthusiasm!!!  Wahoo!

[mitch_dee]

Ok, first....DAMN gurl you are stunning, your movement when you dance is amazing and you make it look so easy!!!

2nd...Damn you guys were killin' it out there!  I am so glad you enjoyed it all so much, and you can see on your face when out there that it makes you truelove happy!  I hopped on your insta so I can see all the dance goodness.  It amazes me how hard dancing is on the technical level, even the small movements, the precision to each move but to make it looks so fluid and put together.  Seriously awesome work out there.

 

I did not even look at you up coming week cause I'm sure I will need oxygen and a nap just from reading how busy you will be.  Good call on putting off the boxing if you are looking into the Spartan.

 

Glad the coaching session went good as well, sounds like it was definitely worth it.  It's always good to have new eyes from those with experience see what you can do.  They have a way of seeing something no one else might have and in helping improve in ways others might not know how to articulate.  

 

Way to have a great week!

[starsapart]

Your videos are so great - you made me grin and miss ballroom sooooooooooooooooo much. Great work, and I'm so glad you feel good about yourself too! I struggle sometimes with feeling I didn't do my best at performances (sounds like this is an issue we share) and that euphoria when you feel like you absolutely delivered a personal best is SO great and rewarding.

 

You're killing it!