https://islandsmoke.dreamwidth.org/ Work avoidance practiced here... - Dreamwidth Studios Wed, 24 May 2017 18:21:02 GMT LiveJournal / Dreamwidth Studios islandsmoke personal https://v2.dreamwidth.org/127380/190058 https://islandsmoke.dreamwidth.org/ 100 100 https://islandsmoke.dreamwidth.org/215979.html Wed, 24 May 2017 18:21:02 GMT https://islandsmoke.dreamwidth.org/215979.html Spent the last weekend (plus) at MISTI-Con in New Hampshire. If you've never been to one, it has great people, great programing, and great entertainment, but here is why I really go. This is an excerpt from something I sent to a friend:<br /><br />"Standing alone in the shifting shadows under a leafy tree on a warm, breezy, spring night while listening to harp music echo over the lake, and feeling totally comfortable even with other unidentified shadows moving in the dark nearby, is all part of the MISTI-Con experience. They foster, and vigilantly guard, an environment that is safe for all. Meet a strange man while walking through the dimly lit parking lot late at night? Smile, make eye contact, and say hello - and be assured of the same in return." <br /><br />I have fought a painful shyness most of my life, and while the last few decades have been better, it still sometimes rears its ugly head to put a crimp in my fun. Combine that with a general fear of the dark, and you might begin to see how extraordinary this is. Plunking down at a table full of strangers to share breakfast, and feel not only at ease, but welcome, is something that only happens in rare places. MISTI-Con is one of those rare places.<br /><br />Hug a perfect stranger? Sure. Approach a large and scary-looking man and compliment him on his costume? You'll earn a smile.<br /><br />One of the admonitions of the MISTI-Con staff? Be kind to each other.<br /><br />MISTI-Con is a rare and comfortable place, and a whole lot of fun, to boot! I highly recommend it!<br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=islandsmoke&ditemid=215979" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> comments https://islandsmoke.dreamwidth.org/215979.html misti-con 2017 public 0 https://islandsmoke.dreamwidth.org/215697.html Tue, 18 Apr 2017 21:28:49 GMT https://islandsmoke.dreamwidth.org/215697.html I have imported my LJ to DW, and am currently unpacking boxes and hanging pictures. I need to figure this all out....<br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=islandsmoke&ditemid=215697" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> comments https://islandsmoke.dreamwidth.org/215697.html new to dw public 1 https://islandsmoke.dreamwidth.org/436.html Fri, 01 May 2009 22:40:43 GMT https://islandsmoke.dreamwidth.org/436.html ... um... hello?<br /><br />This journal is, for now, a place-holder as I am usually on LJ.<br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=islandsmoke&ditemid=436" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> comments https://islandsmoke.dreamwidth.org/436.html public 0