Green Room - Week 3 - Day 1
Jul. 19th, 2024 09:11 am I accidentally posted the new prompt to my personal DW account last night. The messages I woke up to this morning were "You didn't post a prompt" NOT "you posted it to the wrong place"... which just goes to show that no one else is looking over there either! ;)
I've since posted it to the correct place therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1146151.html
The results post was (fortunately and unfortunately) posted to the correct place however therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1146053.html
It's going to be the first Idol poll of my new job era, so I wanted to make sure it was at a point where you not only had a few days to write, but that I would be able to get as much done ahead of time as I could (just in case there was anything that needed to be fixed at last minute, since there is no way I can get away with staying up late. :D)
We're going to be trying some things out, kicking some wheels and seeing what works best over these next few weeks. So bear with me and I will bear with you. (Which is, as we know, better than "man with you" ;) )
***
Speaking of "trying things out" I've been thinking about how people aren't really talking in the Green Rooms these days and how a lot of that probably has to do with the fact that so many of you are connected through other social media outlets. Whereas "back in the day" this was the main source of interaction so you'd see a lot more of it. Now a lot of you already know what is going on in each other's lives before someone even posts. which, of course, is a disadvantage for the newbies among us and doesn't encourage them to speak up because no one else is talking...
So I was thinking about this and stumbled on the one time in recent memory that *did* get more responses. Not a ton of them. But more than we've been getting (from my memory. I didn't go back and prove that I was wrong. That's what you are probably going to do. )
Tribal Councils during our Survivor event. Where I would ask people direct questions. Most people didn't like the "strategy" questions that come up in Survivor. But they did seem to enjoy the writing ones. I can't ask 50 people a question every day. But I CAN direct questions to a few people. Not every day. But maybe once or twice a week. (Probably on weekends going forward)
Will it pull people into the conversation? Will people opt out completely? Who knows! Let's find out together!
oxymoron67 - First and foremost, welcome to the mini season! I'm glad to have you here. I was scanning back on your previous entries and it hit me on just how much you enjoy playing with dialogue and bits of conversations from your real life. How much of that is that you are just naturally attract interest characters in your life and how much is it that you just have a good ear for catching that kind of thing and applying it to your writing? Have you worked much with full scripts (plays/script writing) to continue to flesh out some of these moments? Or do you prefer the bite-sized re-telling that come from capturing specific moments?
reidharriscooper - Sooner or later WE are going to end up meeting/hanging out. I'm in full agreement that Deep Ellum needs to be experienced both during the day *and* night, because they are almost two different places. (I enjoy both of them) My Facebook cover photo was taken in Deep Ellum. (for those who follow me over there). I've never been to the Houston Meow Wolf (or any of the others) but I HAVE been to the one in Santa Fe and that was a LOT of fun. I'll admit though that I had the same issue that I've had in escape rooms. I keep expecting them to be these futuristic, technology to the point of magic, places and then I see the actual practical effects and go "Oh, I should probably stop trying to open these drawers. They don't open portals to other realms. Need something bigger for that!" :D) It's no surprise (given your background) but you are really good at capturing the essence of pop culture and travel. I hope to see more of that, while continuing to dig deeper into the human/emotional impact.
unmowngrass - This is going to be embarrassing, but when I read your entry this week I had the thought "I should introduce her to my FB friend. I think they would get along!" You seemed to be in similar places in your life and personal growth. Spoiler: I realized TODAY that YOU are that FB friend. :D So you should meet yourself some day. I think you would get along, with you! I love how your entries are an "old school" approach to what Dreamwidth/Livejournal is about - detailing your personal journey through life. Given the naturalism you mentioned in the entry - do you find the same comfort in being able to walk around your inner thoughts in front of other people? Do the two relate directly or is it just about being that open book and being able to fully relate to other people?
mollywheezy While scrolling through and deciding "Who should I talk to this time around?" you jumped right out immediately because I'm absolutely fascinated by the choices in your week 2 entry. You are also someone who tells personal stories, which is something I admire. But this time around, you decided to tell someone else's story - in first person - with yourself as a supporting character! What was that mental process like? How did you come to the decision of what to write about, and what was it like taking yourself out of your own head and putting yourself into the head space of your friend? How did that impact the perspective and given that Julie recently passed away (echoing the sympathies already expressed by others) did you feel closer to her by being able to tell a story about her life?
***
For other folx - Do YOU have any questions or comments for these 4? Anything else you would like to add or comment on from Week 1, 2 or what you would love to see them do for future weeks?
Regardless of your answer to that, anyone have anything cool going on this weekend?
I've since posted it to the correct place therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1146151.html
The results post was (fortunately and unfortunately) posted to the correct place however therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1146053.html
It's going to be the first Idol poll of my new job era, so I wanted to make sure it was at a point where you not only had a few days to write, but that I would be able to get as much done ahead of time as I could (just in case there was anything that needed to be fixed at last minute, since there is no way I can get away with staying up late. :D)
We're going to be trying some things out, kicking some wheels and seeing what works best over these next few weeks. So bear with me and I will bear with you. (Which is, as we know, better than "man with you" ;) )
***
Speaking of "trying things out" I've been thinking about how people aren't really talking in the Green Rooms these days and how a lot of that probably has to do with the fact that so many of you are connected through other social media outlets. Whereas "back in the day" this was the main source of interaction so you'd see a lot more of it. Now a lot of you already know what is going on in each other's lives before someone even posts. which, of course, is a disadvantage for the newbies among us and doesn't encourage them to speak up because no one else is talking...
So I was thinking about this and stumbled on the one time in recent memory that *did* get more responses. Not a ton of them. But more than we've been getting (from my memory. I didn't go back and prove that I was wrong. That's what you are probably going to do. )
Tribal Councils during our Survivor event. Where I would ask people direct questions. Most people didn't like the "strategy" questions that come up in Survivor. But they did seem to enjoy the writing ones. I can't ask 50 people a question every day. But I CAN direct questions to a few people. Not every day. But maybe once or twice a week. (Probably on weekends going forward)
Will it pull people into the conversation? Will people opt out completely? Who knows! Let's find out together!
***
For other folx - Do YOU have any questions or comments for these 4? Anything else you would like to add or comment on from Week 1, 2 or what you would love to see them do for future weeks?
Regardless of your answer to that, anyone have anything cool going on this weekend?
no subject
Date: 2024-07-19 02:52 pm (UTC)I like the idea of individual questions! Even if you just asked us very specific things as a group. I like coming over here and commenting/interacting. Facebook, for me, used to be my primary social media and it still is, but lately I’m getting more suggested posts than I am posts from my friends and I miss talking to actual people.
The story about unmowngrass was funny, I do that sort of thing a lot. I did get to meet her years and years ago, she should definitely meet herself. She’s pretty cool :)
no subject
Date: 2024-07-19 03:29 pm (UTC)I've been having the same issue with my FB, I'm not seeing a lot of actual friends - but a LOT of suggested posts.
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Date: 2024-07-20 12:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-07-19 03:22 pm (UTC)I was traveling for work this week, and was grateful that I had written my entry, read all the others, and voted before I had to leave. I'm back at home today, but not much is going on. A repair technician for our washing machine was scheduled to come out this morning, and to his credit did show up, but couldn't do anything because they had sent him the wrong part. The phrase "rinse, repeat" seems appropriate. (grin)
Dan
no subject
Date: 2024-07-19 03:28 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2024-07-19 03:36 pm (UTC)i look forward to getting a question. i should warn you though, i very rarely post anything online that is completely true or completely fabricated. but i will try to keep my responses interesting.
no subject
Date: 2024-07-19 03:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-07-19 05:10 pm (UTC)I think these are things we can help both newbies and longcomers with...
Prompts are just that. Opening spots to rabbit hole off of and create something intriguing.
(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2024-07-19 03:54 pm (UTC)I started off here years ago only writing personal essays. Then I switched to mostly writing fiction and focusing on that. Now I have a desire to get back to personal stories again. I think the evolution and now downfall of FB has played a roll into that change for me.
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Date: 2024-07-19 05:12 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2024-07-19 08:03 pm (UTC)Dan
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Date: 2024-07-19 04:07 pm (UTC)As for the Green Room, I'm glad to answer questions directed to me or questions directed to the group as a whole. When I haven't responded previously, it's generally that I have nothing to add or nothing interesting is happening in my life that week.
As for this weekend, I am supposed to be going to a gathering tonight for New Covenant Emmaus (Christian retreat). I've been asked to be on the Board of Directors, and they will introduce new board members tonight. However, this shindig is almost an hour away from me and with my current level of sciatica flare-up, I can't drive that far. I've been trying to get a ride, but no luck yet. If I don't manage to get a ride, no big deal, because I can go with my husband to the 60's and 70's party at our dance studio. Either way, I will be having a fun evening. :)
no subject
Date: 2024-07-19 04:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-07-19 04:50 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2024-07-20 09:05 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2024-07-19 05:36 pm (UTC)Gary?
I don't see a question!?!?
So let me discuss Meow Wolf a bit more. Of course you haven't been to the Meow Wolf in Houston, it hasn't opened yet! Currently there is the one in Las Vegas (the front is an actual supermarket that is weird, it opens into crazy though, this is inside a space called Area 15 which also houses other immersive art experiences and soon Universal's Horror year round), the house in Santa Fe (their original location located a bit off the beaten track) , a house in Grapevine, TX (located inside a mall that ALSO has a Lego park, Pepa Pig, a Sealife Aquarium and a Rainforest Cafe) and one in Denver (the largest of them all, its inside a converted factory but the concept is that its a "train" station to four different worlds that share a space). They also have Los Angeles on the map as of now.
Now you speak of opening drawers hoping to find portals. I haven't been to Santa Fe, but I have read on it and watched videos and opening evry drawer, reading every little piece of paper, examoing posters, bookshelves, computers are ALL part of finding that next portal. Even if that portal is in your mind creating a nugget based on the information provided in the large lore of the Meow Wolf universe.
This is actually sometimes how I use Prompts. Not always, but I also have to get into my swing... but a prompt can just be that if open enough.... here's a fake prompt:
"Telluride"
do you know how much is there??!
FOUR or FIVE different songs
A vast history of a town that is famous for Butch Cassidy, skiing, and mining among other things
a car
.... see you can go so many places just from from thing.
Now, though... what was your question?
no subject
Date: 2024-07-19 06:01 pm (UTC)So how about this: You talked about a series of trips. How did you decide on what to use as a framing device to bring them together as a cohesive entry?
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Date: 2024-07-19 06:05 pm (UTC)That's a great way of looking at it - and all true. I was literally talking about how my brain was trying to break the laws of physics beyond what practical effects could master. Once it adjusted to the actual rules of that universe though, I had a great time and enjoyed fitting the puzzles together. I think it's cool that you can just walk around and look at the amazing art AND that people have a story to follow with ways of gaining deeper understanding/unlocking secrets (that makes it appealing for multiple trips, since you are always finding new things)
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Date: 2024-07-19 06:12 pm (UTC)Still pondering which direction to take this prompt in. It really does lend itself to continuing with last week’s entry, but we shall see.
no subject
Date: 2024-07-19 10:16 pm (UTC)(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2024-07-19 06:20 pm (UTC)I haven't been around very much yet. Gary rudely started this season just as we were getting ready to head out on vacation :) We're at my in-laws now, but I'm technically still working this week so it's been busy. We head to Orlando tomorrow night, though, for 8 days with Mr. Mouse. The kids are very, very, very excited (me too lol).
I have no idea if I'm going to get an entry in for Tuesday. I don't really want to have to use my second bye already, but I'm also hoping to try really hard to be present in the moment while we're at Disney and enjoy the kids and the magic and just being there. Make memories and all that stuff. And eat a lot.
So we'll see how it goes. But I should be around a lot more once we get home!
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Date: 2024-07-19 06:41 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2024-07-19 08:37 pm (UTC)For
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Date: 2024-07-20 11:42 am (UTC)I mean, the broadest possible answer: all of us. I have crazy family stories going all the way back to my great-great grandparents.
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Date: 2024-07-19 10:34 pm (UTC)I was name checked!
Date: 2024-07-19 10:54 pm (UTC)My mom wants me to write a book of family stories. I think she wants me to do it because she knows I'll include the stories that piss family members off, and she can go, "I never told him to do that" while totally agreeing that I should have done it.
As for dialogue... I'm not entirely sure. Everything I've written has been based on my life. I've edited those conversations down.
I have never really tried to do anything bigger, like playwriting. I think I'm attracted to dialogues because I'm an instructor (all good teachers know that there is a performance aspect to teaching) and I have performed in the past.
no subject
Date: 2024-07-20 01:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-07-20 04:11 pm (UTC)It would be more funny if THAT was what I actually meant. :D HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE INSECTS??? ;)
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Date: 2024-07-20 06:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-07-20 06:53 pm (UTC)