(no subject)

[etherwhere]

Name:
Emile

Age:
Mid-30s

I mostly post about:
My hobbies and interests, daily life, and creative projects—tbh I haven't journaled like this in more than 15 years, so I'm a little clumsy wading back in.

My hobbies are:
Art & crafts, reading (I'm open to most genres), creative writing, playing video games, learning and studying (language, art history, druidry - plus whatever niche topic catches my interest at the moment), gardening, divination, dancing, listening to music, watching films, spending time in nature, spending time with my cat & snake, making up silly songs, dreaming and designing (mainly whimsical but conventionally useless things). I'm naturally curious and like to do a little bit of everything.

My fandoms are:
I'm a fan of various franchises, but I don't actively engage with other fans or seek fanfiction/fanart. Past experience tells me fandom goes hard, while I prefer to go softly. Franchises I might write about casually include Kamen Rider, Lodge 49, Studio Ghibli, and various cartoons & video games from childhood.

I'm looking to meet people who:
I can connect with on some level. Honestly, all I ask of others is empathy. Even if we share more differences than similarities, as long as you have empathy, I'm sure we can find a common thread between us and enjoy learning from each other's perspective.

My posting schedule tends to be:
I'm aiming for at least one post weekly.

When I add people, my dealbreakers are:
Bigotry, right wing extremism, animal cruelty, rampant disregard for the environment & more-than-human world. I try to be fair-minded, but I cannot be your friend if I am constantly angry about your journal content. Also, I generally won't subscribe to fandom-only journals simply because I prefer to connect with people beyond the scope of a franchise.

Before adding me, you should know:
I experience chronic illness and mental health issues. While they will likely not be topics of focus, I may mention them in passing, and my anxiety-fueled awkwardness can be glaring. If you're susceptible to secondhand embarrassment, feel free to keep scrolling. :') Also, if you have a snake phobia, be aware I will write about/share photos of my lil guy.

Comments

[cassildra]

hi. you look really interesting, and i'd like to see if we have much in common beyond surface stuff! you seem cool. i'm a sporadic poster about my own chronic health issues at the moment, but i do try to comment on people's posts in an on-topic way. i do also try to catch up every day at least once as health allows.

[etherwhere]

Aw, thank you so much! You seem interesting, too - from your profile, I already see quite a few shared interests, experiences, and attitudes. I'd definitely like to get to know you! I've subscribed to your journal and granted you access to mine. :)

Likewise, I try to read & comment regularly as health allows. It's reassuring to meet others who understand where I'm coming from.

[cassildra]

a lot of the folks i run with in general (at least here) are very cool about my needs and patient as hell, frankly. a few of them are also spoonies as well. i'm not that lucky everywhere online--i have STORIES about time in role playing circles, lmaosob--but dreamwidth is really chill.

i think at least one of the co-founders is chronically ill, so it kind of sets the tone!

[etherwhere]

Oh, I had no idea about the DW co-founder! It's reassuring to know that's kind of ingrained into the culture here. Likewise, I've experienced my fair share of apathy online, but this might just be the safe space I've been looking for.

[cassildra]

i really hope i'm not overselling it or something. but yeah, this is a really solid space for me. i hope it becomes one for you, too. ♥

[etherwhere]

Thanks so much. ♡ I'm glad it's been good to you! I feel a sense of community here already. :)

[moomintroll]

Hello! We have a lot in common - I'm an illustrator, and I enjoy a lot of similar things to you and tend to be quite whimsical and a daydreamer. I also love snakes and have been considering getting one of my own, so I'd love to see yours. Would you like to be friends? :)

[etherwhere]

Yes, I would! I checked out your profile and you seem absolutely delightful. :D I've subscribed to your journal and granted you access to mine.

It's wonderful to meet other snake lovers! Once I get fully into the swing of things, I expect you'll see quite a lot of my guy, haha.

Hi Emile! I'm Claire, also mid-30's

[claire_chan]

How are you? Right now I am reading a couple of books - right now my current favourite is an ebook about a bullied girl whom I could semi-identify with because I was lied to and stolen from when I was trying to reach my own créme de la créme elite school - but I am not planning on saying a word about that in the GR review since that would give the wrongdoer too much credit.

My friend Katie ADORES Studio Ghibli and talks my ear off about it! Absolutely.
Historically, although I've written most in the Cardcaptor Sakura fandom (as a Japanese student) I've explored several dozen others out of curiosity as time went on and my linguistic abilities improved in Chinese. I've been dabbling in Korean as well and a little bit of Hindi (but all Indian languages seem equally complicated so I've stayed with East Asia where I might have family ties hence better funding).
Yikes, the Duolingo list is long, extensive and complicated of everything I've ever tried. I am bad at all of them, effectively, including the east Asian ones I was talking about before. I was laughed out of the JLPT room when I took that test T_T IT WAS SO HARD OMFG SO MUCH HARDER THAN I WAS EXPECTING EVEN THOUGH I AM THE BEST AT JAPANESE OF ALL MY HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS - so I went and signed up for some other language when it was time to pick courses from the undergrad catalogue T_T Svetlana Anatolyevna was very kindly to me, at least, and her colleague, the head of the languages and cultures department, coaxed me down out of the linguistic tree I was just about to hang myself off in shame.

What video games are you currently playing? I have befriended a few gamers in the past.

My own chronic illness/mental and physical health problems may show up - they have been putting a huge damper on my own plans to take over the world. But I think we might be able to be friends when I'm not sleeping off my shame!

Lastly, I would like to see your lil guy, if you should like to add me :3 I've been slowly exploring herpetology as funding allows! This Dreamwidth, unlike the LiveJournal I've kept since long before it was bought out by that Russian company, is Access List Only - while my LiveJournal (by the same username) has always been Public.

Re: Hi Emile! I'm Claire, also mid-30's

[etherwhere]

Claire, thank you for such a lovely comment! You are definitely my kind of person, so yes, I'd like to add you - I've subscribed to your journal and granted you access to mine. :))

I also read more than one book at a time, though it's often impossible for me to choose favorites, haha. I look forward to seeing what you're reading in your updates!

Your linguistic journey is so relatable... Likewise, I want to learn all the languages but am not the best at retaining them. :') And I'm also learning Japanese! CCS was a childhood fave, so we have common ground there, too.

I just started playing Felix the Reaper (a dark humored puzzle game), alongside my regular fix of Animal Crossing. I've never considered myself much of a gamer, but my brother gifted me a Switch last year, so recently I've had a lot of fun exploring the indie games available for it.

It goes without saying that I understand how chronic issues can knock plans askew, so you can expect supportive comments from me when you're having a hard time. :) Glad you reached out here!

[lysytsya]

"Also, if you have a snake phobia, be aware I will write about/share photos of my lil guy."

Aww, what kind of lil' guy do you have? I have two myself! I'd love to see pics and post some of my own. Mind if I add you?

[etherwhere]

Ahh, I love connecting with other snake parents! I've just subscribed to your journal and granted you access to mine. :)

I have a Mexican kingsnake - he's been with me for about 10 years now. What about you?

[lysytsya]

I’ve added you back! I have a ball python and a boa constrictor :)

[etherwhere]

How gorgeous! I hope to see pics of them at some point. :D

[montmartres]

A snake as a pet? That is so cool! You also sound lovely. I’d love to add you if that’s okay?

[etherwhere]

Aww, thank you so much! Absolutely - I've granted you access to my journal, and subscribed to yours, as well. :D

[silviarambles]

Hello, I think we might have a few interest in common - I work in the culture sector and I love learning new things, art, history, reading, languages. Personality wise, I'm more of an extrovert so I suspect we might be different, but as you say differences don't mean there isn't common ground. I'll say upfront I'm not a huge fan of snakes but I'm not freaked out either!

[etherwhere]

Hi! I checked out your profile and definitely see common ground. It's wonderful to meet people who get excited about history and culture, and view differences as learning opportunities. I've subscribed to your journal and granted you access to mine. :)

Also, re: snake photos, I can certainly place them behind cuts to avoid any unpleasant surprises on your reading page. ;) I may find my guy adorable but totally understand snakes aren't everyone's cup of tea!

[silviarambles]

Only got to reply to this comment now...but yay, done the same yesterday! Looking forward to getting to know each other :)

[rafiwinters]

Hello and welcome to DW! I'm going to run over to your profile and add you, because we share some interests and personal factors. Here, have a free peek at my profile. I go through phases of not looking at DW at all and then phases of EVERY SINGLE DAY. See you around!

[etherwhere]

Thank you so much! I did take a peek and see a lot of common ground. :) I've subscribed/granted access, and excited to get to know you!

[rafiwinters]

Cool beans, new friend! I'm going away for a week as of tomorrow and will be (blissfully) offline most of the time, but I'll report when I get home. :)

[etherwhere]

Oh, nice! Enjoy your week (effectively) offline! :D

[pianogurl330]

We have a few interests in common and having a snake as a pet is so awesome! Do you mind if I add you?

[etherwhere]

Aw, thank you! I don't mind at all. :D From your profile, you seem really interesting, and we do indeed share common interests - I've granted you access and subscribed to your journal, as well!

[pianogurl330]

Awesome! Thank you for reading my profile! I granted you access and subscribed to your journal as well! Cheers to a new friendship!

[earthspirits]

Looks like we have several interests in common (art, writing, pagan, environmental, empathy, etc.). Would you like to add each other to our mutual access / subscription circles? Thank you & best wishes.

[etherwhere]

You're absolutely right! I also see a number of interests on your profile that I hadn't thought to list. I've subscribed to your journal and granted you access to mine. :) Looking forward to getting to know you!

[earthspirits]

Thank you for adding me, and I just added you back. I look forward to getting to know you too! : )

[goblinesque]

Hello! We have quite a few mutual friends and even just from your responses to comments here you sound lovely. We also seem to have quite a lot of common interests (the bit about making up little songs made me smile because I do that almost DAILY, ahaha).

I'd totally be up for hearing about/seeing your snake, I'm very fond of reptiles although I haven't owned any (I currently "just" have two little cat sons, haha).

Mutuals? :)

[etherwhere]

Aw, thanks so much! We can absolutely be mutuals. :)) I'm glad to meet other people who indulge their musical spontaneity, haha. I've just subscribed & granted you access. Looking forward to getting to know you and your cat fam!

[tinkaton]

Hi there! I'm also trying to get back into journaling mode after not doing so for a long time and you seem really interesting! I love hearing about other people's art/hobbies and we've got some overlap (writing/reading, video games, movies, history). I've mostly been posting about stuff I'm reading/watching/etc so if that's too fandom-y for you I completely understand, but if not would you like to add?

[etherwhere]

Aw, thank you! I took a peek at your journal and you seem interesting, too. You're right about the overlapping interests - I see quite a bit of common ground. I'd for sure like to get to know you. :D Expect some subscription notifications soon!

Re: fandom posts, writing about books, games, etc. is totally fine! I do that, too. And honestly, I don't mind people posting their fanworks or ranting about their faves, lol - I think that's a valid way to get to know someone. It's just harder for me to engage when the sole topic is a fandom that's (more often than not) unfamiliar to me. (I... might be living under a rock, haha.)

[tinkaton]

Awesome, I've added you back! And I know what you mean, though I'm always impressed when I see people with blogs dedicated to like, one fandom or something. That could never be me I've always got 5 things bouncing around in my head at once at all times haha.

[cassie_faith]

Hello, I have an unlocked intro here: https://cassie-faith.dreamwidth.org/276.html check it out and let me know :)

[etherwhere]

Hi! I checked out your intro and profile, and I'd love to get to know you! (LOL'ed at your profile, for I, too, care about my Sims way too much.)

Just FYI, I'm in the middle of moving, so I probably won't be around much until the end of the month. Hope that's not a dealbreaker!

[ranawinter]

Adding you :)

[etherwhere]

Aw thanks! I've added you back - just FYI, I'm in the middle of moving, so you probably won't see me around much until the end of the month. Looking forward to getting to know you!

[ranawinter]

Strangely enough, I am also in the middle of moving. Currently living amongst a packed up house of boxes while I wait for my contract exchange date!

[matsushima]

Past experience tells me fandom goes hard, while I prefer to go softly.

Oh, mood.

It sounds like we have a bit in common - also chronically ill, also a crafter, etc - so I went ahead and added you (my journal is all locked) to see if we get on.

[etherwhere]

Hi! I apologize for replying so late - I spent June moving and July recovering from that move, so I've been offline for that time. Thank you for adding me! I've added you back and look forward to getting to know you. :)

[moonscented]

Hey, your username and icon are beautiful, and remind me of my old journal which was ether-themed too and inspired by a film called "All About Lily Chou-Chou"-- you might know of it?

It seems like we have a lot in common as I'm also mid-30s, a lover of nature and passionate about environmentalism; I also enjoy listening to music, watching films, learning about the occult, and am nostalgic about cartoons from my childhood, including Studio Ghibli films! And I struggle with chronic mental health issues as well, including severe anxiety.

I don't know if you're still active on here but you're welcome to add me if the interest strikes you!

[etherwhere]

Hi! Apologies for the late reply - I'm just returning from a summerlong hiatus, but yes, I'll be active on this site from today.

I'm definitely interested and have added you! All About Lily Chou-Chou is, in fact, my favorite film; I fell in love with it at 15, and this username has been around (on other sites) for about as long. I so rarely meet another fan, and what good fortune that we have so many other things in common! I'm excited to get to know you. :D

[moonscented]

"All About Lily Chou-Chou" seems to have fallen into obscurity now but I'm not surprised that we both know it given our similarity in age! Add you now!

[pshaw_raven]

If you don't mind, I'd like to add you. We seem to have some things in common - I'm late 40s, a creative type, nature lover in the homesteading hippie vein, and I definitely want to see pictures of your snake. I post pretty regularly about my day to day life, and I'm trying to convince my Anxiety Brain that posting some of my art or writing is a good idea.

[etherwhere]

Thank you for commenting! I definitely don't mind. :) I checked out your profile/journal and feel like we'd get on well, so I've added you and granted access.

I understand anxiety brain soooo well; it's kept me in a chokehold in the same way. I'm finally learning to be brave and share my creative work, so I'll be happy to encourage your creative sharing, too. You can always expect a kind word from me. ♡ I look forward to getting to know you!