I've noticed a lot of unhappiness over the network since I've arrived. Granted, there was the sand, but I believe people were unhappy about it and other things even before there was adequate reason to be unhappy. It's all well and good to air grievances when there are grievances to be aired, but I've devised a way to ensure some respite of happiness even when there are small things here and there to be unhappy about.

Things could always be worse.

Reminding ourselves of this and of ways that it isn't worse is the perfect solution. For instance, there could be an ongoing war over an unknown power source. War is terrible, so I've learned. It comes with killing and dying... the kind of dying where you stay dead. People here come back to life like its magic. I like coming back to life. Much better than staying dead.

Also, instead of dwelling on the issues that make you unhappy, one might engage in an activity that they enjoy. Rose and my dad finger painted when she was cursed to be a child and they seemed to find that enjoyable. Seemed a bit messy though. Sometimes kissing and holding hands seems to be enjoyable too. Personally, I like to do a good deal of running about when I find myself upset over something or other. I really enjoy the running.

Something else I've come to find both fantastic and relaxing is music. Oh! And books! Books are brilliant! I don't know how a world can exist without music for listening and books for reading. Although I suppose that's where war comes in. Without books or music you just... fight.

Anyway! I'm certain this will help you all in a quest to be a little bit happier and appreciate what we all have rather than what we don't. That is... should you choose to take on this quest. There's always a choice, as my dad's™ say!

Happiness is much easier than most people think.

Frankly, all you have to do is stop caring so much.


[ooc: she will give seriously heartless advice about any topic on the planet.]

Dear City,

I would like to take this opportunity to offer you all just a little bit of advice. There is no need to be concerned about the validity of this since I can assure you that it is all very worthwhile should you decide to pay attention as you should. Now, shall we begin?

Watch out for angels. You heard me...angels. Though they may seem to be the wonderful guardians of good and righteousness, they are actually rather selfish beings that can manipulate our lives on a whim. Life and death are mere words to in their lives, not at all as vastly important as they are to humanity. We are tools in their battle though they claim that they desire to protect us.

I know that this information can be shocking to some but you should pay attention.

Of course, it's your own problem if you don't, I suppose. It's not like it's my problem.

Sincerely,
J

[ooc: Jace is so very cursed.]

I have advice to give to people.

Run if I happen to shoot at you. The chase will last longer and give us more to do.

[Video / Or Geo’s Sweet Shoppe Action ]

A little more to the left… I think it would be better if we hung that sign straight.

[Giving advice to the two workmen who were up on ladders ensuring that the candy store’s new sign would be properly aligned. One of them grumbles that it was straight already, but who can argue for very long on a ladder? ]

After thinking about it, I decided to stick with the original name after all. I believe it is better not to confuse people with a name change after so many other things have been altered.

[The transition from the Dessert City to the Glass City had not been a gentle one. ]

I do have a few suggestions to make, things I thought of today that I can’t believe I hadn’t suggested sooner.

For instance, Garrus… you should never wear a pink tutu. It just would never look good on you. If you want to try some Earth fashions some time you should go for something less fancy.

Rita, my advice is to stop dying. Really, I know everyone was doing it in the dessert but just because it is the latest fad doesn’t mean you have to do it too. Ok, so maybe you started the trend yourself, I’m glad it took off like it did, but I know you can come up with something better.

And Lantis? You should definitely take up modeling. Don’t make that face… I know you won’t think so. But, since you are so very attractive I think you could do very well at this. Maybe I could even use you for a marketing campaign for the store? A giant cardboard Lantis near the door to welcome guests? It could be cute. No?

[Want some advice? Will it be good or bad? Eagle is cursed to give you some whether you want it or not.]

With all the confusion last month, I didn't even notice I'd passed the three year mark in the City. I wish I could say experience has given me an edge on getting by through curses and semi-natural disasters, but it's never that easy; most of the advice I could give is just common knowledge here.

I'd say the most important thing is not to put too much trust in patterns. Patterns in curses, in schedules, in what is or isn't possible. Repetition allows for prediction, and adaptation; keeping things inconsistent makes it more difficult for us to get used to it, to take the City in stride. No matter what you believe the purpose of this place to be, that does seem to be one of the few constants: keeping us all unsettled.

I'd also recommend, if you find yourself cursed, putting your device somewhere out of reach to minimize the amount of trouble it can cause... but of course, depending on your circumstances, you don't always have that option.



[ooc; will be butting into your business if she knows you well enough to do so; may deliver generic advice otherwise.]

All right this is how this shit goes:

Happiness is an elusive bitch. I mean if Fleetwood Mac couldn't figure that crap out, there's no way you're going to. Just listen to Go Your Own Way a few rounds through and you'll hear it. Never Going Back again? This is classic shit, man. This is just an album in a long line of albums that are all about how much everyone is fucking miserable.

And I mean, really, who the hell writes happy songs? No one is interested in that shit. Raffi? Give me a fucking break. Let me tell you, no one over the age of six listens to Baby fucking Beluga.

So happiness is an elusive bitch. Better off, in my opinion, taking shit as it comes and making the rest up.

Oh, and listen to some fucking good music, while you're at it.

So, hey. I've got my birthday coming up this month, so while we're all making suggestions, I'm going to suggest you all come along to my party. It doesn't really matter how well I know you, so long as you aren't going to stand around being all night. Just make sure you bring booze. It's not like I can afford to buy enough for all of you. [Or anyone, probably.] Weed'd be a nice addition. Maybe someone could bring along some E, or something.

It's probably going to be on the 15th. Or the 16th, if there's a really bad curse going. Sort of hard to tell around here.

[He's about to switch off his device when he realises he's forgotten one important detail.]

Hey, Barry. When's your flat going to be most freed up? You don't have plans those days, do you?

[Asking people whether they'll host your party before deciding to hold it there is overrated.]

I realise I've been almost unbearably quiet of late, but I'm fairly certain that there's only so much one can say about sand and the desert. [ a beat. ] I had quite enough of sand as a small child — I discovered fairly quickly that it had a terrible habit of getting everywhere one didn't want it to go, and managing to not stay where one did want it to stay. My sandcastles were never quite as impressive as I envisioned them before construction. [ another pause, and will rubs idly at a mark on his trousers, his attention quite clearly not on the device to any great degree. ] It goes terribly with sandwiches, too. And bakestones.

It'd be appreciated if someone were capable of making it so that there was something sand did manage to accompany that wasn't wholly, distastefully gritty. I imagine it'd be a far better way of spending their time than moping about whatever the deities have decided to do this week.

—Although, if anyone's curious, I'd heartily recommend against mixing it with viscous liquids, or imbibing viscous liquids that aren't syrup in general.

[ his gaze flickers up towards the camera for a moment, the corners of his lips quirking upwards briefly. ] Flour, butter, lard, currants, sugar— [ a pause, and his expression flickers for a moment. ] Spices, I think, eggs and milk. Tessa, I seem to recall you insisting that I ought to invent Welsh pancakes, or something equally ridiculous. I'll do it only if you provide me with cakes. The way to a man— [ abrupt pause. ] The way to a man's heart is through his stomach, or so they say, and I dare say I'd be better at cooking if I had something to spur me on.

I don't know the full recipe, but I imagine you'll be able to figure it out. There's a library here — you read enough as it is, you must have read a recipe book somewhere along the way. They'd only be three days late.

—And Rosiel. You are aware that flitting between insults and backhanded compliments is hardly any way to conduct a conversation, aren't you? [ he's aware, of course, of how utterly hypocritical the comment is, but he has a burning desire to point it out. ] Although I can't complain about the fact that you've decided that calling me Narcissus has become fairly dull. I still believe that Galahad is far more preferable, if you're looking for a new name. I believe I mentioned that once before, and it would certainly suit your nonsensical idea that I'm to be noble.

[ tch. elliot's not normally one for advice-giving, but he's going to flick on the communication device regardless, his (usual) look of annoyance firm on his face for all the network to see. ]

If you want to make life easier for yourself and everyone else, don't go around trying to be [ oz vessalius ] some sort of self-sacrificing hero. It's idiotic and stupid and it pisses people off.

(ooc: backdated to the fourth!)