Tag Archives: joy naomi
New York in Need
By Joy Naomi
It’s common during the holidays to open our hearts and minds to the less fortunate, but many people forget that those in need don’t stop being in need once the calendar turns over – or that they don’t want to be there in the first place. In this issue, Joy Naomi invites us to accompany her as she visits with those who are often out of sight, out of mind, and out of luck.
Numerous people have asked me about my trips to New York to work with the homeless, as well as women and children who have left their home country, so I decided to just write it all down. This isn’t to get praise or anything – it’s nothing more than to answer questions all at one time – so with that being said, read on, and I hope you enjoy!
The very first time I ever set foot in New York City was for vacation, but it was with a tour group. You know the kind – the ones that are all, “To your right there is blah blah; now to your left is yadda yadda,” so it wasn’t like I actually got to go exploring. Boy, did that show when I went back many years later!
The first year I went specifically to work with the homeless was in 2014. Other than the tour, I had no clue how to get around New York at all. Needless to say, I got lost quite a bit! It was also up to me to find a place to stay, eat, and means of getting around. Let me tell you, it was rough for this little country girl in the city! At any rate, I finally found a place that would rent me an apartment for the week. I eventually learned the subway system, too, and that was an adventure all on its own. After getting settled in, I got started on what I went there to do.
The first place I went was to Central Park, where for the next three days, I handed out food and water to the homeless. It’s something I’ll never forget. While there, I heard a lot of interesting stories. The one thing that seemed to be a running theme was that people didn’t want to be homeless. Homelessness is one of those things where people are quick to say “Oh, they’re just drug addicts. If they wanted a job or a place to live, they would kick the habit and get it,” or, “They just got lazy and didn’t want to go to work. They deserve it.” Out of the twenty people I talked to that day more than half of them said they had good jobs at one point – some of them were even working on Wall Street – but the economy basically took a shit and they got fired and lost it all. It was all downhill for them after that. They lost their jobs, their homes, and some even lost their families.
One man who really stands out in my mind was a veteran who fought in Vietnam. As we sat there talking, he told me that things were all right when he first got back from the war, but they soon started to take a turn for the worst. He suffers from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), and because of that, he lost everything. He never got the help he needed for it because he couldn’t afford it and nobody would help him. He lost his family due to the flashbacks – he thought he was still in the warzone and would attack his family without realizing it was them. His wife felt that she and their children weren’t safe there, so she left him. He agreed that they weren’t safe with him, but at the same time, he didn’t want them to leave. He hasn’t seen his wife or his two children since. After that, he just gave up. He couldn’t hold a job because of the depression. Soon he fell behind on payments and ended up on the streets. This man who fought for our country, who put his life on the line every day and came back a broken man, was now living on the streets begging for food on a daily basis because he couldn’t get the help he needed. To this day, I can’t stop thinking about him.
For the rest of the week, I volunteered at a place that helps women and children who have fled their home country. Each had a different story to tell. Some ran from the government, some ran from abusive husbands, and some just wanted a better life. Whatever the reason, they all had one thing in common: When they got here, they barely knew English and didn’t have any money or anywhere to stay. The organization that I worked with takes these women in and teaches them English, as well as life and job skills, so they can start over. While I was there, I did everything from looking after children to teaching English (I know; me teaching English to people is kind of funny because God knows I can’t speak it right half the time!).
One of the women I worked with told me that she came here with her two children and only $30 to her name. She chose to leave her country because her husband was abusive, both mentally and physically, to her and her kids, and the police wouldn’t do anything about it because where she was from, it was a normal thing due to the view of women as subservient to men. After getting here, she found the program and was able to learn English and get a job; however, her husband tracked her down to try and make her come back home. She didn’t tell me how he was stopped or what happened after that, but that was a few years prior to our meeting and she was still here, safe and happy.
I really enjoyed my time in New York. I was able to go back the following year and do all of it again, and I hope not only to go back a third time, but maybe even make it a yearly thing. The biggest thing I took from this experience is to not judge someone for how they are, whether it be homelessness, refugee status, or even just how they look. We all have our own story to tell and our own reasons for how we are today. They’re our stories and our reasons, and nobody deserves to be judged for that.
New Releases
October 2016
Mafia III – October 7
Gears of War 4 – October 11
Skylanders Imaginators – October 16
Battlefield 1 – October 18
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI – October 21
The Last Guardian – October 25
Titanfall 2 – October 28
Skyrim Special Edition (will now be available on PS4 and Xbox One) – October 28
Dragon Quest Builders – October 31
November 2016
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare – November 4
Dishonored 2 – November 11
Watch Dogs 2 – November 15
Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon – November 18
December 2016
South Park: The Fractured But Whole – December 6
Dead Rising 4 – December 6
Steep – December 30
Dead Island 2 – December 31
WWE 2K17 – December 31
Fun and Games: Crossword and Word Search
By Joy Naomi
Interview With A Gamer
There’s nothing quite like a long conversation with a long-suffering vampire, but what do you do when you want to talk topics that are a little more down to earth and a little less buried in it? Joy Naomi is here to help! In this issue, she pushes Psychobarbie’s buttons to unlock the gamer within.
When did you start gaming?
Depends on what you mean by actual gaming. I’ve been gaming since old school Atari, first gen Nintendo, but if you mean newer gaming about 2011, I think. MMORP has pretty much just been in the last year.
What game did you start with?
Super Mario Bros? Again, it really depends on what you mean by gaming. I got back into my gaming with Skyrim and it pretty much has been nonstop since then.
What do you game on?
XboxOne, 360, Wii, and Computer. Mostly XboxOne right now.
What do you play now?
I’m hitting Neverwinter pretty hard, but I relapse for Dragon Age Inquisition.
Name your top 5 games:
Skyrim, Kingdom of Amalur, Fallout 4, Saints Row IV, Neverwinter.
What are your major game crushes?
Brynwolf (Skyrim), Dritzz Do’Urden (Neverwinter), Hancock (Fallout 5). Don’t judge.
If you could only play one game for the rest of your life what would it be?
Dragon Age Inquisition, if I could mod it.
If you could have one item/power from a game character what would it be and why?
Uh… The ability to change my body and appearance in a menu every morning?
Any advice for new gamers?
Not really, we all play different. Find what works for you and don’t be afraid to try things. If you’re in a MMO, ignore the tards that mouth off. Never underestimate the power of looking things up before you get frustrated.
Do you prefer computer or console and why?
Honestly I love modding games so I’d be a computer gamer if I had my preference, however I like having my Xbox controller and not being up close to a computer screen as well, so both have their merits. What I want is friggen consoles you can mod like a computer -sighs- Such a fevered dream.
New Releases
By Joy Naomi
July 2016
Song of the Deep – July 12
Monster Hunter Generations – July 15
Batman Return to Arkham – July 26
August 2016
No Man’s Sky – August 9
Madden NFL 17 – August 23
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided – August 23
World of Warcraft: Legion – August 30
September 2016
ReCore – September 13
NBA 2K17 – September 16
Destiny: Rise of Iron – September 20
Forza Horizon 3 – September 23
Fifa 17 – September 27
Final Fantasy XV – September 30
Yo-Kai Watch 2 – September 30
Featured Room: Ruins of Aetheria
By Joy Naomi
While our chatters are the heart and soul of roleplay, rooms are what give their characters a place to become incarnate. Managing rooms can be a difficult but ultimately rewarding task, and each leader has taken their own road to the “top”. In this issue, Joy Naomi gives us a look into the world of Ruins of Aetheria.
What is your name?
Psychobarbie, or Holly, either way.
What is the name of your room and what section is it in?
Ruins of Aetheria in Fantasy Envisioned
How did your room come about?
I really like Skyrim?
What kind of things do you think sets your room apart from the others like it?
Well, we’ve got the random events pulldown which gives you a start off point into r/p if you’re not sure what to do.
What kind of things have you done to make it more fun?
Well, the room is pretty much open to anything, so any character is playable in the world due to how it’s set up. It tends to put people more at ease to at least know their character even if they aren’t familiar with the room setting.
What kind of scenes can we see within your room?
The world is obviously fantasy so there are dragons, trolls, mages, elves, and different races like the cat or reptile races, so you can really see about anything going on.
What is your favorite thing about the style of play done in your room?
I just love the “anything can happen” idea of the room.
What is your favorite character that has ever been in the room?
Well, Kysa Lundgren (Joy’s character) is an example of anything can happen.
Has your room ever had events? If so, what?
Not yet.
What is the funniest thing you can recall ever happening in play?
A character that has a pet dragon that was in the palace of the high king of Skyrim and ate the tapestries.
What would you like people to know about your room? Give it a chance?
You really can play anything in the room – just because it’s set in a certain room and theme doesn’t mean you can’t play other characters. It’s just a matter of diving in.
Featured Character: Ryan O’Connell
By Joy Naomi
ReVolutionary Theory is the magazine that’s all about you – whether you’re a chatter, a player, or even a character! This month, Joy Naomi explores the mind behind Ryan O’Connell.
How did Ryan come into creation?
Well, it was odd. Ryan was created for another SoA room entirely. That one closed so when it came about that I needed another character for Anarchy Vegas, that is who I used. Worked on a backstory and there he is.
What are his dreams and goals in life?
He’s had a lot of dreams and goals. Some never made it past the planning stage in his life. He threw away an opportunity when he was very young to stay and become a member of the club. This was to honor the man that raised him, and he never told anyone about the opportunity back then. A couple others found out about it through roleplay. One goal accomplished was opening his own garage with Dominic. It was never his goal to become president of the MC – that was dropped in his lap and he puts all he is into trying to keep everyone safe (which is impossible and takes its toll on the character).
What is one of the scariest moments that you recall?
One of the scariest moments for Ryan as a character was a scene recently done while he was detoxing. He carries a heavy burden of the lifes lost and in his head always thinks in some way they come back on him: that he couldn’t keep people safe, that he somehow let them down, so the visits he got in these hallucinations, telling him in the most brutal ways of his failings for them, was probably the worst thing for the character. And because this is all happening in his head, no one else can see whats going on and no one can truly help him. The scariest thing for Ryan is to lose someone he cares about, so when all those moments collide it is pretty frightening for the character.
What is one of the funniest moments?
Again recently, on a road trip (and we all know how travel posts suck and we try to avoid them), but on a road trip hundreds of miles it can be pretty hilarious to see what happens to these guys during long times of just driving: getting punchy and basically getting on the nerves of fellow passengers, demanding pit stops, fun times to be had in that. Also breaking that fourth wall between the character and model can be fun at times, and we had a night where Mutt burst into Ryans office and yelled “Hey, guys! There’s walkers in the barn and Lori’s pregnant!”
What is one of the saddest moments?
There are a lot, but I think the one that still stands out (and is still at work in the background) is within the Dominic coma story line – and it’s a toss up on those, but I think the defining moment in that was the downward spiral Ryan took after the beat down and subsequent coma of his best friend. Ryan probably loves Dominic more than anyone would ever understand, so to see him fall like that and not come out of it, to be told that he has to make the decision rather to leave him on life support or take him off, it was a real struggle for the character, knowing his brother wouldn’t want to live like that on machines, but also not wanting to give up on him. There were a lot of flashbacks to an earlier, simpler time between these scenes, showing different periods of their relationship as they grew up together as well, so there was a build up that brought other people who had come in later, some not even having experienced the character of Dominic to become invested in what was happening and would he or wouldnt he make it through.
What three character traits would Ryan’s friends use to describe him?
Loyal. I have seen several say that Ryan has too much heart, so passionate, dependable.
List five words that describe him:
He’s loyal, brave, stubborn, reckless at times, and generous with the ones he cares about.
What has impacted him the most and how?
I think actually getting the club presidency and having to step up, to right wrongs that had happened, to take on this club without losing what he is to it has taken a lot for the character. He has taken the mantle and not only everything that is in it but everything he thinks should be in it as well.
What is his greatest fear?
Ryan’s greatest fear is losing the people he cares most about (which happens a lot).
What is his biggest regret and why?
Ryan’s biggest regret will always be not telling those closest to him how he feels about them, because a few times he has lost the opportunity to do so.
Do you think a leader should be liked or feared?
I think a bit of both. I mean you aren’t going to follow someone you can’t stand, but on the other hand there has to be that inkling of intimidation there, especially in the life he is in, so that no one thinks they can step up and take it from him without a fight.
Who are his heroes?
Bill. The man who raised him is a hero to him – a flawed one, but a hero none the less. He never knew Bill was his father until he was older, but the man always took care of him. Dominic was/is one of his heroes because when they were growing up Dom always helped him and stuck up for him, and Ryan’s always viewed him as the “strong” one. Also now that Dom is in a coma, Ryan’s view of his heroism has grown more idealized. Tank, because Tank has what Ryan can only dream of – a normal loving relationship outside and separate from the club, but still manages to do what needs to be done – and Random, because Random is fiercely loyal to the club, and to him, no matter what way it manifests itself in. Pretty much all the guys in the club have some presence about them or have something in them that he admires them for.
What does he do for fun?
Oh, there are a lot of things to do for fun in Vegas. Strip clubs, Chick N Tits (topless wing joint – really great garlic wings). Sometimes he just hangs with the guys at the club house playing poker and drinking beer and smoking whatever is available. There are occasional trips to the Den of Sin out in the desert, and now and then he just spends time at his family’s cabin outside Vegas to relax. Oh, and the fight club. He has fun at the fight club, but we can’t talk about it.
If he was an animal what would he be and why?
A wolf, I think, because sometimes he has the need to do things on his own, but his pack is always there to back him up when he needs it. In roleplay once he was told “You’re not a lone wolf anymore. We have your back,” which he carries with him and tries to remember.
Is Ryan a nice person?
No. He can be nice, but everything he is is about the club and those close to him, and any threat to that is something he would kill over. He’s not in this world to make friends outside of his lifestyle. If he does that’s great, but he doesn’t have time for people that dont get that his first interest is the club and those in it.
Is he competitive?
Of course he’s competitive. He’s in a club with a bunch of dick swinging bikers!
What are his pet peeve?
Weak and stupid people really get on his nerves. Also those that perceive themselves to be above any others. And mouthy chicks.
What kind of goals (if any) do you have for the character?
Ryan’s goal is always to have the club in a good place where people in the club can be kept safe. Sometimes he longs for a “normal” life, but he knows that will never happen. Not with what he is and the life that he has chosen.
Is he ever hard to write?
Sure. I think every character has that time when they are hard to write. Ryan is very complex, so sometimes there are days when I’m just not feeling him because there is the buried poetic aspect about him that is sometimes hard to reach. Many times in the roleplays I do with Ryan, other literature is vaguely referenced and is a slight theme throughout the play so that can be hard to carry through as well.
Have you ever written something then wondered “wtf”?
All the time, and I hope I get that reaction from others as well. It is always shocking to people when Ryan hits a woman (it’s happened twice – out of all the times everyone says that bitch needs smacked, he’s done it twice, so it’s not his go to), but generally when I get myself immersed in Ryan’s head space, anything can happen and I have looked back on roleplays and went, “Well, shit, I never would have done that.” I mean you just don’t whip it out and piss on someone’s face, right? Not without asking first.
If you the writer were ever to meet the character what do you think that would be like?
I think it would be ok. I mean I’m a pretty laid back guy and would likely get along with most of my characters. I think if I ever met Ryan I would probably buy pot from him or something, but it wouldn’t be a long term friendship. I would ask him where he got his tattoos done.
What other things would you like us to know about him?
Ryan is one of my most real and complicated characters. His background has been built through roleplay and there are many dimensions to him, not just the surface biker bad ass guy. He does have a kind heart that manifests itself sometimes in roleplay, but he will never put it off as a kindness and buffer such with a quip or slight insult, because he thinks it is a weakness to show that side of himself.
What made you decide to try online roleplaying?
A friend I was gaming with several years back suggested it. I tried it and was hooked.
How long have you been roleplaying?
I have been roleplaying online for 7 years in May.
What are your favorite and least favorite genres?
My favorite genre has always been medieval fantasy, though I have had a hard time playing it lately. Just the imagery you can get like no other. As a typist it’s a challenge to convey that in text, what is taking up room in your head. I won’t say my least favorite as I have pretty much tried everything and some just ring more true and are easier for me to get into than others.
What advice would you give to someone new to online role-play?
I would tell them to be friendly. To observe and to ask questions of the people leading the room or the ones that have been there long term. Most people are friendly and will help you as much as they can. Get an idea of playing in and may even offer to be a counterpart. Also research. Know at least a bit of something about the genre you are going into.
The Birth of a Gamer Girl
By Joy Naomi
Just as there are many styles of roleplay, there are many different types of player. Some were born to the “geek” life and follow in their family’s footsteps, while others discovered it on their own (and some would never consider themselves geeks at all!). It’s no surprise that roleplaying and video gaming often go hand in hand as well, whether the two are long-term companions or a case of one leading to the other, and in this issue, Joy Naomi takes a walk down memory lane to show us her journey from roleplay to gamer girl.
Growing up I had a Nintendo, then a Super Nintendo, and finally a Play Station 2, with a few games to go with each. Though I had these consoles, I really wouldn’t have considered myself a gamer back then for the sole reason that I just played every now and then when I got bored or wasn’t out with my friends. Sure, I had the classics like Super Mario Brothers, Zelda, and Mortal Kombat, and who could forget Donkey Kong? Yes, I had the games that were good back then, but instead of playing a lot to try and beat the games, or goals, or whatnot, they just sat there looking sad and lonely. It wasn’t until quite recently that I entered the world of gamers and can finally call myself a gamer girl.
It started innocently enough – a friend of mine opened a new room with a setting that I have never heard of: the name of the room, Ruins of Aetheria; the setting, Skyrim. As I write this, I can start to hear the gasps and the “Oh my God, you didn’t know what Skyrim was?!” through my screen, but no, I did not know what this thing called Skyrim was at the time. Once I figured out what the setting for the room was, I did what I usually do when starting a new roleplay room – I researched it. From asking questions of the room owner to Googling my little heart out, I did it all, and the more I found out about this game, the more interested I became in it. After figuring out what was what in the room I made a character and thought I had enough of a grip on things to do her justice, and for the most part, I did, but there was just something missing. Things would be said in roleplay about items or beings, and I had no clue what was being talked about. It felt like I knew a lot, but not enough. The more I played in the room, the more I wanted to know about the game, but there was one problem: I didn’t have an Xbox to play the game on. The solution? Get an Xbox. It just wasn’t that easy because I didn’t have the funds at the moment. Fast forward to that year’s Black Friday, and it was like a sign from the gamer gods! I got an Xbox on sale and low and behold, Skyrim was on sale. Of course, I had to wait in line for five hours just to get them, but hey, it was well worth it in the end because I finally got to play Skyrim! Needless to say, I was hooked from the very start.
After playing Skyrim for a while I wanted to get more games, so eventually, I did. Now I have upgraded to an Xbox One, but I still play games on both the One and the 360. My game collection continues to grow and I find myself playing for longer and actually trying to beat games rather than just have something to do to pass the time.
The moral of my story? Never underestimate the power of roleplay. For me, what started out as simple research for a new room turned into something much more. The worlds of roleplay and gaming can go hand in hand as well. I find myself getting character ideas all of the time from a game I’m playing, whether it’s a back story or a character concept. So go forth, explore new rooms, and explore new games – whatever you do, don’t stop searching for that one new and exciting thing, because you never know where you may find it.
New Releases
By Joy Naomi
April 2016
1979 Revolution: Black Friday (PC, Mac) – April 5th
Dead Star (PS4, PC) – April 5th
Dirt Rally (XBox One, PS4) – April 5th
Enter the Gungeon (PS4, PC) – April 5th
Dark Souls III (XBox One, PS4, PC) – April 12th
Ratchet & Clank (PS4) – April 12th
Stories: The Path of Destinies (PS4, PC) – April 12th
Masquerade: The Baubles of Doom (Xbox One, 360, PS4, PS3,PC) – April 20th
Alienation (PS4) – April 26th
Dungeons 2 (PS4) – April 26th
May 2016
Battleborn (XBox One, PS4, PC) – May 3rd
The Magic Circle: Gold Edition (PS4) – May 10th
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (PS4) – May 10th
Doom (Xbox One, PS3, PC) – May 13th
Homefront: The Revolution (XBox One, PS4, PC) – May 17th
Valkyria Chronicles Remastered (PS4) – May 17th
Mirror’s Edge Catalyst (XBox One, PS4, PC) – May 24th
Overwatch (XBox One, PS4, PC) – May 24th
Sherlock Holmes: The Devil’s Daughter (XBox One, PS4, PC) – May 27th
Dead Island: Definitive Edition (XBox One, PS4) – May 31st
One Piece: Burning Blood (XBox One, PS4, Vista) – May 31st
June 2016
Carmageddon: Max Damage (Xbox One, PS4) – June 3
Assetto Corsa (Xbox One, PS4) – June 7
Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir (PS4, PS3, Vita) – June 7
Grand Kingdom (PS4, Vita) – June 21
No Man’s Sky (PS4, PC) – June 21
Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Xbox One, 360, PS4, PS3, Wii U, Vita, 3DS, PC) – June 28
*Please note that the dates of releases are subject to be changed by the company. These are the dates as they stand now.*