[starpuck]

THE CHALLENGE!!!    

STARPUCK FIGHTS THE BEAST

 

I've fought this beast before.  He's often goes by the title Gloom Monster, but we're referring to him as The Beast on this challenge.  He gets more powerful as summer ends and autumn gives way to winter.   He's a little stronger this time around, because our heroine has been fighting a side of apathy lately.    One of my greatest weapons against that is momentum.   But to get momentum, you have to get a first step underfoot and follow it up with a second, and third and so on.

 

Bio: 

Spoiler

Yo, I'm Starpuck.   I've been here at NF since 2013 if you can believe it!  For any newcomers, this place is great.  Quite honestly life changing.  My weight and general state of health and fitness have ebbed and flowed since being here, but that's life and to be fair - the fluctuations have been smaller and the slips much more short lived.  Going into autumn/winter always becomes my most challenging time as I bloom best in sun and good weather, and well, I live in Chicago.    I'm a gamer girl, sitting pretty in her mid 40s, who wants to be healthy inside and out, and keep active so I can enjoy the golden years with lots of fun things to do.   I'm a HUGE D&D fan, (and other RPG systems too), I'm a gamer (PC games) and also really into music, art, travel, outdoors, biking, oooh just about everything.  (Ranger for Life!)   I'm actively working on getting some anxiety (over thinker here) under control and take some next big steps in the life quest.

 

ON TO THE CHALLENGE

Doing much of the same old same old!  In fact, I found a google sheet tracker I made in May 2021 and just changed a few of the things I plan on tracking.   I really need to get my food consistency back in place.  I do fine at work and during the early part of the week.  Going into the Thursday gaming night and weekend tends to unravel full tilt.  Exercise is not a problem ever, but I'd like to be more focused in what I am choosing to do.   Art is back on the table, on top of me trying to practice three instruments at once.   (I did mention Ranger, right?)

 

Goals:

1. Track food daily.   If unable to track on a weekend meal, eat sensibly, guesstimate cals.
2. Exercise 5x a week.
3. Art some times a week.
4. Music - try to get 3-4 practices on each instrument, length of time not important.  (** Might switch this to amount of time on each per week.  Some days I get on a roll, and might jam out for a good amount of time on just one instrument.)
5. Track Spending.   I gotta get this under control too.

 

 

As a side note, I am 8 sessions into our latest TTRPG game;  Vampire the Masquerade.  I am SO into this game right now, so lots of art for it has been kicked out.   It's also where I have borrowed the idea of fighting against the beast within.   For vampires, that beast is their monstrous side.   For me, it's apathy and inconsistency as we hit the S.A.D heavy days.   I'll try and catch up on sharing some art (and a quick backdrop as to what it means.)

 

Vampire Art
 

Spoiler

My character, Jules.  A young Chicago musician (bass player) raised in the rock scene and embraced by an infamous Anarch who has a reputation for rolling into town, siring new vampires and leaving them to cause chaos in the wake.   She was rescued by another Brujah who knew her mother, and took to showing her the ropes.  A bit. 

 

Taking Zero Week to get slowly back into a better groove after this last hurrah, lol.

See ya Rebels tomorrow!

[Elastigirl]

Hey there, glad to see you!

What is your fall weather like? Right now ours is gorgeous. Everybody keeps talking about pumpkins, and halloween, and that of course makes me think how close it is to our dark season.  But generally, September is really nice, so I'm trying to focus on that and now winter darkness-that's forever away, right? right?!

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Hey Puck. I think I'll follow again.

[Artemis Prime]

Hey, fellow incredibly articulate title-maker. Rangers unite to do the Stuff and the Thing!

[Rebel Pilot Gar]

Following!

[Cheetah]

I'll be around.  🙂

[Everstorm]

[DarK_RaideR]

Heck to the yeah! Plus (True) Brujah are my favourite clan, glad you're enjoying your game 🧑‍🎤

[starpuck]

On 9/5/2022 at 10:56 PM, Elastigirl said:

But generally, September is really nice, so I'm trying to focus on that and now winter darkness-that's forever away, right? right?!

Hey Elastigirl!!   I've missed you!  A lot of these other folk I chat on discord with, but you're OG FORUM GIRL!      This is a good angle on the pending winter, and I think I will give it a solid try!  Always there with the quick wisdom.  Thanks!

 

21 hours ago, DarK_RaideR said:

Plus (True) Brujah are my favourite clan, glad you're enjoying your game 🧑‍🎤

Oh man, now that you've said that, I keep imagining you as a supremely awesome Brujah!!!   I can totally see it!

 

Thanks all for the follows and hello's!  I shall try and get around to tagging in on your threads as well.    I'm excited to get active around this side of things again.  It's only the second day of shortened zero week, but I've jumped back in fairly well.   Last night was home cooked foods, and an hour of piano, an hour of guitar and about 2 hours of art while getting caught up on Critical Role C3.  (Episode 29, so I am just a few behind.   And I fell behind because between July and August I watched all 51 episodes of the LA By Night stream of Vampire:tM.  LOL.)  I got a lift session in, and a good long stretch session after - so really hit yesterday with a lot of marks checked.   Today was a bike ride at lunch, and I am hoping to get some doodle sketch time in at work here.  This evening will be some bass and then Wed night gaming with the boys.

 

Since I'll be spamming art like crazy (hopefully) I will share more recently made stuff so the stage is set for future pics.

Vampire Game Art

Spoiler

This is Asher Roth and his cat Churchill.  Ash is a young (embraced at 17) Gangrel.  He has a terrible origin story- he was actually taken and held hostage by a cruel and deranged Nosferatu, who ended up in trouble with the local Camarilla.   They sent some people after him, and Deckert, seeing this kid's condition, opted to embrace him rather than kill him after dealing with the rogue Nosferatu.    Ash ran into Jules during one of her frenzies (Brujah, it happens) and thought she was the coolest bad ass ever and they became friends.  (Once Jules realized she didn't have to kill him for seeing a masquerade breach - he had hooked a finger into his mouth to show her he too had fangs.)   So the two kids live in a crappy apartment above a liquor store, with the giant cat and his snarky attitude.

 

 

[DarK_RaideR]

3 hours ago, starpuck said:

Oh man, now that you've said that, I keep imagining you as a supremely awesome Brujah!!!   I can totally see it!

Appreciate the compliment. Yeah I like their more philosophical, let's-all-get-along vibe (even if it comes with a lot of whining over Carthage) over the stereotypical rebel-for-rebellion's-sake stuff of most modern Brujah (as in, Molotov anarchists and red star beret Brujah suck but Smiling Jack rules). Guess I'm a humanity guy, because my second favourite clan is Salubri (especially the paladin over the healer branch) and then it's a tie of the tormented ones (Malkavian and Nosferatu).

 

3 hours ago, starpuck said:

And I fell behind because between July and August I watched all 51 episodes of the LA By Night stream of Vampire:tM.

Not a big fan of game streams, but kept up with LAbN until the... 4th season, I think? Even though it's a show and not how an actual game plays out, it feels a lot more like how Vampire is supposed to be played and feel, as opposed to how most groups do it. I'm just wrapping up New York by Night now, not as exciting so I don't think I'll bother when it moves into Season 2

[starpuck]

4 hours ago, DarK_RaideR said:

Appreciate the compliment. Yeah I like their more philosophical, let's-all-get-along vibe (even if it comes with a lot of whining over Carthage) over the stereotypical rebel-for-rebellion's-sake stuff of most modern Brujah (as in, Molotov anarchists and red star beret Brujah suck but Smiling Jack rules). Guess I'm a humanity guy, because my second favourite clan is Salubri (especially the paladin over the healer branch) and then it's a tie of the tormented ones (Malkavian and Nosferatu).

 

Not a big fan of game streams, but kept up with LAbN until the... 4th season, I think? Even though it's a show and not how an actual game plays out, it feels a lot more like how Vampire is supposed to be played and feel, as opposed to how most groups do it. I'm just wrapping up New York by Night now, not as exciting so I don't think I'll bother when it moves into Season 2

 

-- Sooo I know nothing about Vampire lore or canon because this is the first time I'm playing it.  (Played plenty of Werewolf, but different side of things that.)   I've imagined her to strive to be like the philosopher-Brujah of old, but my DM has said she wouldn't know that exists as an option yet.  😛  He's also asked us to not read too much, as learning it organically is a pretty cool thing to experience.   If/when this becomes a thing she can pursue, I'd love to hit you up for your thoughts on it!    And uh, heh...  I took the flaw of Infamous Sire.   So she was "jumped and dumped" (and then picked up by another Brujah who became her mentor.)   Her sire, chosen by the DM?   Smiling Jack.  LOL.

 

I originally started watching the stream because I was so excited to play and our players were alternating vacations and we had 2 games across 8 weeks.   But then just like you said - it felt like how vampire was supposed to be played, which, as Jason Carl said once, 'by playing a monster, you can learn what it means to be human.'   Our table is all very much playing on the notion that we're working to maintain that humanity as part of the core element.    I watched only the first episode of NYbN, but B Dave Walters and Cynthia Marie really won me over fast for LAbN, and the new cast is a little less "instant hooks in" for me.

 

Oh gosh oh gosh oh gosh.   I am so excited to chat with someone who has so much knowledge on this stuff already!

[DarK_RaideR]

Well, if you're excited, I guess it's ok to stay on the topic for a bit...

3 hours ago, starpuck said:

I know nothing about Vampire lore or canon because this is the first time I'm playing it

 

3 hours ago, starpuck said:

He's also asked us to not read too much, as learning it organically is a pretty cool thing to experience.

Very true. I almost envy you for playing the game with a clean slate, it's always much fun to be as clueless as your character.

 

3 hours ago, starpuck said:

but B Dave Walters and Cynthia Marie really won me over fast for LAbN and the new cast is a little less "instant hooks in" for me.

Alex Ward was my case of instant win. Cynthia Marie took a bit to convince me she's more than another pretty face playing a pretty Toreador. Kinda same with Erika Ishii, took a bit to get over her being overly, obnoxiously emotional all the time. B Dave Walters started as indifferent for me, but the power plays and hide in plain sight stuff were slow burn awesomeness. You are right that the NYbN cast isn't as instantly captivating (except Alex Ward, as a Tzimisce, but you probably have to know a few things about that clan to be excited) and Aabria Iyengar specifically, as a person and a character, is the type to grate on my nerves so that's not helping.

 

Have you kicked off the challenge yet or taking the zero week break?

[starpuck]

12 hours ago, DarK_RaideR said:

Alex Ward was my case of instant win. Cynthia Marie took a bit to convince me she's more than another pretty face playing a pretty Toreador. Kinda same with Erika Ishii, took a bit to get over her being overly, obnoxiously emotional all the time. B Dave Walters started as indifferent for me, but the power plays and hide in plain sight stuff were slow burn awesomeness. You are right that the NYbN cast isn't as instantly captivating (except Alex Ward, as a Tzimisce, but you probably have to know a few things about that clan to be excited) and Aabria Iyengar specifically, as a person and a character, is the type to grate on my nerves so that's not helping.

 

Have you kicked off the challenge yet or taking the zero week break?

Oh yeah, obviously Alex Ward!  He was the one I heard so much about.   Ditto on Nelli G.  I liked her more when I saw the depth.   And Erika was a bit much for me, lol.  But I think that's the actors personality sooo.     One of our players got into the vampire genre after playing Bloodlines, and when I showed him the actors they cast for Nines, Therese and Jeanette, he hopped on board to start watching.  I REALLY like Luis Carazo as Nines Rodriguez.  I never played the video game myself, but he was just a really cool Brujah to watch.

 

As I share more of the art, I'll fill ya in on the things that have been happening lol.    

 

As for the challenge, yeah I jumped in.  Doing the things and marking the boxes off.   The early part of the weeks are always easy and on track.   The Thursday night into weekend is the trap.    At least I have a spot to focus on, eh?

 

[starpuck]

Did things today!

 

I went for an outside run/walk and covered about 3 miles.   It's cooler than it has been, but the air still somehow feels "icky" at 84.   Maybe humidity and pollens and Smog™.   My allergies are being real obnoxious as of last night and into today.  Eyes burn and throat is irritated.   I'd be concerned it is something more than allergies, but at this point I'm about 20 hours into the first hint of it, and I've not gotten worse, or any other symptom in on things.  Also, sharks are due in 2 days and I always get a little punkish right before.    Did some art while at work, so that's gone well.  Just a chibi sketch that will get inked down the road.   I've been doodling at work a lot, and have less evening time to convert them all, so the pencil drawings are in surplus and storage for now. 😛    It's Thursday - which means V:tM night.   Tonight all but one of us are going to be playing a guest NPC.   We're doing Clan Meetings now that our neonates are officially introduced to the Prince and can start going to proper functions.  It's Ventrue night.   I am not thrilled.   My inner Jules is showing hah.   Before that, I am making a silly dinner.   Crunchy Chicken Ramen Stir-Fry.   It's a package of cole slaw mix, some marinated chicken breast, a bag of ramen noodles for crunch and some chipotle mayo.    I'm hoping for early bed and good sleep tonight after that.

 

Vampire Art
 

Spoiler

This is Aaron DeChavilier.   A shrewd business woman who was making waves in the late 80s as one of the front running ladies in business.  (Back in that era, it was still a bit iffy ya know.)    The Ventrue liked what they saw in her and she was called in for the cause so to speak.    Interestingly,  she is played by our buddy Jim.    Two key notes to her background.   She had, as a mortal, always planned to be successful in business and THEN start a family.  Obviously being embraced halted that dream.   As fate would have it, she also has the flaw of Infertile Vitae - meaning she is incapable of siring a vampire childe!    Add into this mix is the nature he chose for her as "Caretaker".    A nature that craves the thing she is incapable of doing.     Jim and I have talked OOC about this, and think this is going to create some awesome opportunities for Aaron and Jules to interact.    (More on Jules background later.)

 

[Sloth the Enduring]

Hooray for doing the things!

 

It might be bad air quality from the smoke blowing in.  

[Rebel Pilot Gar]

Haven’t quite gotten into Vampire, but B. Dave Walters DMs a D&D Ravenloft based campaign I watch (Black Dice Society) and has Jason Carl as occasional guest Strahd so I tried  a couple episodes of LAbN (before getting distracted by something else probably) . Definitely need to get more into it, Alex Ward is awesome from the couple eps I saw.  
 

but most importantly all of your art is amazing so any story stuff that inspires you to do good art things is fantastic in my opinion

 

sleep well and I hope the allergies pass soon!

[Rhovaniel]

For some reason, I don't think I've followed many, if any, of your challenges. It is time I changed that. Hi!

[Cheetah]

13 hours ago, starpuck said:

Did things today!

 

Great job!  Keep it up!

 

[Artemis Prime]

The crunchy chicken sounds delish (or maybe not when I say it like that). How did that turn out?

[starpuck]

I must post before it has been too many days since I posted.   Zero week went off swimmingly.    3 Move Days, 2 Strength Days.   Tracked calories Tue-today solidly.  Tracked money out.   5 arts happened,   3 each on guitar, bass and piano.     All in all pretty good.    Finished writing up some lyrics for the song my V:tM character would have written.   Heading over to TheBoys™ house to make dinner for tonight and so we have left overs for Thursday before Vampire.  I'm going to catch up with all of you guys tomorrow at work!  See ya then!

 

Vampire Art

 

Spoiler

This is Jaques Renoit.   The player said he was modeled after Poroit from Agatha Christie and shared that pic as his character pic - but then later stated it was for concept only, lol!  So once he finally gets me some descriptions on how he is supposed to look, he'll be redone.  But the final member of the coterie to be needed to be introduced.   He is an investigative detective ... or was before his embrace.  He's a Toreador now, with fancy cars, and servants and money and a well polished 'look down one's nose' at the lessers.    Getting set to a task with a couple of one year old neonates was probably not his idea of a good time, but he's ... tolerating it.  He gets along with with Aaron, and the both of them speak French.   And too often!!! (if you ask Ash and Jules)

 

 

 

[Rebel Pilot Gar]

Great job smashing week zero! And as always I love seeing your art

[starpuck]

Monday, had a busy day because I forgot I had to cover for my work bestie for the afternoon.   And it got busy too!  That's what I get for complaining about it being slow, woopsies!     I did get a strength in today, and also bass and piano and art.   Tracked calories and feel pretty good about things.   I am STILL waiting for Sharks to show up and that's getting annoying.    I suppose that might just be a sign of the times though... (the hip band "Peri and the Men of Pause" are considering starting a North American tour soon I think lol..)   My tweaked knee behaved pretty okay during my workout - but I wisely chose to do box squats rather than ATG squats since it's been irritated.   In other amazing news, I've had my favorite cookies in house for a week straight, and have managed no more than 2 per night!   Tomorrow should be a cardio day - but it's too cold for a bike ride, and running is out (as that really messes up my hip / abs tweak.)  [Have I mentioned I am slightly fallen apart right now, haha?]

 

I super promise to finish checking in on folks tomorrow.  I got to some of ya today!

 

Vampire Art
 

Spoiler

You guys have met all the coterie, but I DID update Jaques today.   He is younger, thinner, more hair and bigger mustache.   Basically a cross between David Suchet and Kenneth Brannagh, since Jaques in the Vampire game is supposed to look more 35-ish.

 

 

New to share picture ---  Ash, the night that he first met Jules.   He saw her get hit by a car, then attacked by some gang members, which triggered a rage frenzy, and the subsequent murder of the two thugs.   To which, Ash, a kid whose biggest hero is Van Damme, thought it was, "The most bad ass thing he'd ever seen!"    (She did rip the car door off the car...) Jules looked over and saw this excited kid looking at her, realized he'd witnessed the whole thing, and new that by the rules, she was supposed to 'take care of him'.   He too knew the rules, and hurriedly hooked a finger into his mouth to show her, "Whoa whoa, it's cool.  Me too!  See, see?   I'm cool.   ... you cool?  Kiiindred... "

 

[Elastigirl]

59 minutes ago, starpuck said:

(the hip band "Peri and the Men of Pause" are considering starting a North American tour soon I think lol..)  

Nope.I've attended their concerts before, and I really didn't like it at all😉

 

[Everstorm]

On 9/13/2022 at 12:52 AM, Elastigirl said:

Nope.I've attended their concerts before, and I really didn't like it at all😉

 

Really?  I have been looking forward to seeing them live.  The Magician show I usually get tickets for is horrible.

 

[starpuck]

On 9/8/2022 at 6:43 PM, Sloth the Enduring said:

Hooray for doing the things!

 

It might be bad air quality from the smoke blowing in.  

 

Getting around to some belated replies!  That could have been it maybe.  I was out on the weekend and felt fine.  Then back out on the trail yesterday and kind of rough.  (Also the grasshoppers made it rough.)    So good to have you along Sloth!  ❤️

 

On 9/8/2022 at 10:43 PM, Rebel Pilot Gar said:

Haven’t quite gotten into Vampire, but B. Dave Walters DMs a D&D Ravenloft based campaign I watch (Black Dice Society) and has Jason Carl as occasional guest Strahd so I tried  a couple episodes of LAbN (before getting distracted by something else probably) . Definitely need to get more into it, Alex Ward is awesome from the couple eps I saw.  
 

but most importantly all of your art is amazing so any story stuff that inspires you to do good art things is fantastic in my opinion

 

sleep well and I hope the allergies pass soon!

 

I am so thrilled with B Dave Walters that I want to see his other stuff.   When you have a chance, can you link me that stream?  I'll put it on my list.    Also, in LA by Night, they get some ahmazing guest stars, including Taliesen and Matt Mercer!

Thanks for the art love too! 

 

On 9/9/2022 at 4:38 AM, Rhovaniel said:

For some reason, I don't think I've followed many, if any, of your challenges. It is time I changed that. Hi!

Oh hi you!  Hi!  Welcome!   Thanks!   I am trying to expand my follows too!  So I will see about peeking in over yonder.

 

On 9/12/2022 at 11:52 PM, Elastigirl said:

Nope.I've attended their concerts before, and I really didn't like it at all😉

 

Bwuahahaha!  CLASSIC LINE ELAS!

 

8 hours ago, Everstorm said:

Really?  I have been looking forward to seeing them live.  The Magician show I usually get tickets for is horrible.

 

And this one puts the icing on the cake!  HAHAH omg, you guys got me cracking up!!

 

 

On 9/9/2022 at 10:45 AM, Artemis Prime said:

The crunchy chicken sounds delish (or maybe not when I say it like that). How did that turn out?

On 9/9/2022 at 6:29 AM, Cheetah said:

 

Great job!  Keep it up!

 

Thansk Cheets.  Hoping to get some momentum.