Coming Back

Here I am making a comeback!

I have completed a Detective Conan Magic Kaito fan fiction of 174,000 + words! Had way too much fun writing it. Trying to turn my attention now to my original writings. 

However, I am available to discuss commissions if you would like me to write for you. Just check my About Page to learn more details. 

Never stop moving forward. Until next time!

Unemployment Rut – Someone Give Me A Chance!

Unless we are lucky to find a great career with a decent company early out of school, or have awesome networking skills; we are likely to experience an unemployment rut at some point in our lives. When it happens, it can become our absolute lowest point.

Rock bottom. No where to go and no way to get out. That college degree means nothing but a river of student debt threatening to drown you against the sharp rocks.

The "obvious answer" is to seek further training. Learn a trade skill that is in demand in your area. Sign up on tons of job sites and pour out resumes and cover letters for hours every day. Call and walk-in to businesses to see if they're willing to give you a chance. Leave a good impression instead of just being another digital applicant.

One tries again and again and again, but no matter how up-to-date a resume is kept and no matter how much research is put into trying to ace interviews, nothing pans out. No one looks at you twice.

In sets feelings of worthlessness on top of mounds and mounds of worry. When does the void end and making a paycheck begin? What do you have to do to get a job? You ask yourself this after you've already decided to settle for anything that comes your way. However, as the days turn to weeks, turn to months and so forth (sometimes even years!) one can only start to lose energy and hope. It feels as if you and your skills are drying up along with your confidence.

You're willing to do anything to survive and you do your best to think outside the box. Come on! There has to be a way! You're willing to give your all in a job, why isn't anything panning out? Even odd jobs are not as plentiful as before. You're at your wits end.

I wish I could tell you that there is a foolproof pathway to success. At this point you're probably tired of hearing this, but it's true one never truly fails until they refuse to get back up again. A master is someone who has fallen many times, but got up that one last time before succeeding. If there is a will, there is a way. One just has to keep their eyes open and be ready to seize opportunity. A door won't just unlock for someone. Most times, you have to be the one to kick a door (or two) open.

Can there be such a thing as trying too hard? This article brings up an interesting concept: https://careerconservatory.com/how-i-overcame-my-unemployment-rut/

Basically, stop trying to be a perfect fit for a company and instead show that you fit as an individual. Good companies don't want robots; they want humans with diversity. This doesn't mean not to research the company you are applying to, or not to make sure you are adequate for the position you're applying for.

Be yourself. Be confident in yourself. Don't let your jobless situation hang over you during your interview.

Do you have any thoughts on this matter? If so, please share with me in the comment section below. Have you ever experienced an unemployment rut? What helped you?

If you have any suggestions for topics you'd like me to discuss, please let me know! Also, if you have any stories you'd like me to voice on YouTube, please visit my Reddit to submit them to me. I'm currently working on getting permission for some fantastic stories from there, so expect to see my YouTube Channel linked in the social media above in the (hopefully near) future.

Until next time, pups and goslings!

Anybody Seen Requiem For The Phantom?

Would you have the mental capacity and a firm enough sense of self to withstand being kidnapped and forced to kill, or be killed? Which option would you take?

The way I see it, either you're killed so your body dies, or you kill to survive and your spirit dies. Neither are an optimal choice.

How much harder (or easier) could these choices be to choose from if one suffers from amnesia? Could you become an assassin? What sort of goals would keep you going in life? How long until you're mowed down just like the targets you're forced to break, stab and shoot?

It's okay, though. You're not alone. An assassin who has already successfully went through the grooming phase is now grooming you. She's prepared to kill you if you don't listen, or if she is given the order to kill, but she understands you. Maybe. Her emotions seem a little...broken.

As you know by now, Requiem For The Phantom is a dark, grisly mind-twister. It's a fantastic anime for those who love the harder stuff. It has impact! The presentation, animation and relationship development is definitely good. I most definitely recommend this one if you're old enough to handle it.

Remember, anime shouldn't be treated like kiddie cartoons.

The opening has a haunting quality to it. If you'd like to see it, here is a link: Phantom OP

The ending has perfect energy to represent the series: Phantom ED

Go watch this one! If you already have, please tell me what you thought of it. No spoilers in the comments, though!

What should I post about next? I haven't quite decided. Any suggestions?

Until next time, pups and goslings! RoonRune is out!

Dealing & Coping With A Breakup

We think of breakups as if they are an emotional roller coaster of turmoil. It can be a dark time in a person's life. However, if we are to discover not only the person who suits us best, but ourselves (better know our needs, desires and hard limits) then dating and breakups are necessary.

While there is always some form of mourning and a sense of loss after a breakup, it doesn't have to be a gut-wrenching, heart-stomping, nerve-frying period of grief. People can be sensible and accepting of when their values, or personality just don't quite mix well with a partner's. Breaking up doesn't have to mean two people do each other wrong, or hate each other.

Breaking up can be more of a positive experience than a negative one. Two people who don't align in ways that benefit each other and make each other stronger suffer from a disconnection. Somewhere, somehow someone's needs, or wants are not realized, or are unfulfilled. In such a case, if communication does not fix the issue(s), it is best to part ways. Parting doesn't have to be full of blame, dramatic, and/or deliberately painful, but can be respectful.

Hey, sometimes things just don't work out. The fact two people tried is still a good thing. Each have better learned what they need. Plus, they got to know each other on a deeper level. Two people may not make the best romantic couple, but they can still be great friends.

However, there may come a time when we find ourselves in an ugly breakup. These are usually generated by one, or both people becoming angry over an issue that one finds insignificant, but the other considers it a big deal. Everyone views things differently. Everyone places a different value on different things. Anger caused from this, or a misunderstanding, or miscommunication can become highly charged because love is on the line. Love makes everything more electrifying.

And so, we have feelings smashed as the blame game begins. An ugly breakup indeed.

One must understand that mistakes do happen. None of us are perfect. Apologize and move forward. We learn from each other and also through example. Try not to blame yourself, or your ex too much for causing the breakup. Try to appreciate what was shared and what was learned during your time together. Take the time you need to mourn the loss of the relationship and during this time evaluate what you need from yourself, from a potential partner and from life. When you're ready, move on and, if you want to, try another relationship.

If you've experienced a negative breakup and are finding it difficult to move on, here is a wonderful site that can help: Dealing With Relationship Breakups.

Keep your chin up! You will be fine. Allow yourself to have proper time to recover and feel free to message me if you'd like to talk about a bad breakup you may be struggling with (I never ask for personal, or identifiable information – I'm just an anonymous, friendly ear). Breakups can be serious and depressing. As a crisis counselor, I often deal with others figuratively (sometimes literally!) bruised and battered from ugly breakups.

Take care, pups and goslings! See you in the next post! Feel free to drop suggestions on topics you'd like to hear about in the future.

RoonRune is out!

Happy, Lasting and Fruitful Relationships

What makes these type of relationships possible? Is it love? True love can hold out against anything (right?), so that must be the answer.

Well, that's mostly correct, but it takes more than love for two (or more) people to maintain a healthy relationship together. Love is one of the two main keys, but what generates love? How is it given? How is it shown?

First thing is first. Nothing can replace the necessity of taking proper time to fully get to know your partner. One cannot jump headlong into a relationship and expect it to “work out”, or remain stable. Time has to be given in order to learn how to properly communicate and convey love to each other – AKA learning someone's love language. Everyone is unique in how they express love and what actions resonate the most deeply. Time is also necessary so partners can see all facets of each other. What is the good and the bad sides of each other? How are hardships dealt with?

Getting back to “love language”, what exactly is this? It's difficult to describe because this can be just about anything. It all depends on the individuals. It can be a shared look that each correctly interpret to mean “run and snatch up your paintball gun because there is about to be a lover's showdown”, or not getting your partner that newest trending fantasy novel, but instead the latest novel from their favorite fantasy-writing author and have a glass of vanilla milk and their lavender-scented pillow waiting for them as they walk in the door.

Love language is a language developed between people who understand what motivates and comforts their partner(s). It's born from truly caring and observing what a partner needs. It's a must-have for every relationship.

Love is both the easiest and most difficult thing to give. How can one cultivate it and make a relationship work? One truth that must be understood is no ONE person can make a relationship work. It takes all individuals giving EQUAL effort. There is no point (and should be no desire) to maintain a relationship if all parties are not fully invested.

If both (or all) individuals are willing to try, then (once again) time is your greatest ally in making it all happen. With time, as long as one is open about their wants and needs, is willing to compromise together and communicate what they absolutely cannot compromise on (hard limits), then this honest, open communication will generate trust. Trust is the second main key and an absolute MUST in any relationship. If you can't trust your partner, why are you together? Same thing if you both have conflicting hard limits. A relationship where needs are not met, or are neglected is toxic.

Be yourself. Be comfortable together. Communicate, communicate, communicate and don't forget to communicate. Communication is vital to the health of a relationship. It is the main ingredient that allows everything else to grow.

Give respect. Understand boundaries. Unless a valid reason is given to suspect a partner – DON'T. Don't let unfounded fears, or past hurts snake their way in and constrict the relationship. Don't be that insecure person. Jealousy is ugly and shows a lack of confidence. Be yourself. Listen to your partner. Time will reveal everything. If you start suspecting your partner of doing wrong, then at that very moment it is time to reevaluate the relationship.

Please do not ever blame yourself over a cheating partner. 

It takes proper communication and honesty on both sides to keep this from happening. You didn't make them stay silent on their needs, or desires. You didn't make them go behind your back. These were choices they made instead of communicating and working toward a compromise, or communicating and ending the relationship before cheating.

That's all there is to it. A healthy relationship takes time to cultivate and equal effort from everyone involved. Honest, open communication, respect and the ability to compromise are the ingredients to building keys of love and trust. Also, while love doesn't keep tabs on what it gives, it is only polite and decent to maintain a balance of give and take in a relationship. One shouldn't give too much, or take too much all the time, every time. If one truly loves, then giving is as easy as taking and vice versa. The health and happiness of one's partner means just as much as their own.

What do you think about this? Are you in the type of relationship you need? Have you ever been in a bad relationship? I'd love to hear your thoughts if you'd like to share!

Thanks for joining me today, pups and goslings. The next post will most likely be about how to move on after a breakup, and then I think I'll touch on unemployment rut. I'm also considering posting about three-way relationship dynamics. Any suggestions for what you would like to read next?

Until next time!