Who sings and so this is chrismas

** BOTH FRI 12/22 AND SAT 12/23 *\*
5 - 10 PM River of Lights ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, 2600 New York Ave NW Over 800 light displays, animated and 3D sculptures, and millions of twinkling lights await you at New Mexico's original and largest walk-through holiday attraction. Hot cocoa, holiday treats and food available for purchase! Closed Dec. 24 & 25. Friday-Sunday: $17 adults, $9 children 3-12, 2 and under: Free. FREE Park & Ride: Beat the traffic and utilize the official River of Lights free Park & Ride at the ABQ BioPark Zoo. Service runs nightly. Pick Up: ABQ BioPark Zoo, 903 Tenth St. SW. Drop Off: ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden – River of Lights. Return service to the Zoo runs until 10 pm. All proceeds from this fundraising event directly support the ABQ BioPark. River of Lights is organized by the New Mexico BioPark Society (website)
** ALL WEEKEND (FRI 12/22 - SUN 12/24) *\*
Fabulously Festive Afternoon Tea Snapdragon Tea, 115 Harvard Dr. SE Leave the holiday stress behind and let us prepare take care of the food. A great opportunity to reconnect with family and friends before the holiday season comes to a close. We'll be serving an elegant spread of unique bites and treats. Menu includes three courses of food and two pots of your choice of hot tea sourced locally from New Mexico Tea Company. We welcome kids of all ages to join our super fun tea parties. Full gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, plant-based, and kids alternative menus are available (reservations and menu)

• Fri 8 AM - 2 PM
• Sat and Sun 10 AM - 4 PM

10 AM - 8 PM Big Jim's Christmas Tree Farm, 4140 Montano Rd. NW Big Jim Farms is known for offering New Mexico U-Pick experiences in the summer and fall, and now we are extending our season to winter with our new Christmas tree farm. The transformation of our farm into a holiday destination will include the addition of a field of Christmas trees. This holiday experience will be unlike any other in our area amidst the beautiful, agricultural setting as you stroll through rows of these evergreen beauties to pick your perfect tree. We will also have beautiful wreaths for sale, luminarias, firewood, and our winter farm market which includes red chile pods, red chile powder, ristras, beans, winter squash, and more. Warm up with some made-from-scratch hot chocolate that will be made with local farm ingredients, including our raw honey. We have also built a special green house for the poinsettias that were grown locally for us in Corrales. Get a traditional red poinsettia or go with something different, as we will have white and cinnamon colored poinsettias to choose from. Free Entry. As always, we do not charge admission to visit our farm, but rather you pay for what you pick. Plan to bring your cameras and family as there will be lots of photo opportunities amongst the trees (website)
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! Albuquerque Little Theatre, 224 San Pasquale Ave SW The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, by Barbara Robinson. Rated PG. In this hilarious Christmas classic, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids - probably the most inventively awful kids in history. You won't believe the mayhem - and the fun - when the Herdmans collide head-on with the story of Christmas! This delightful show is adapted from the bestselling Young Adult book, and has become a holiday staple for groups across the United States. The crowd-pleasing comedy features plenty of great roles for children and adults, a few favorite Christmas Carols, and lots of laughs (tickets)

• Fri 7:30 - 9 PM
• Sat 2 - 3:30 PM AND 7:30 - 9 PM
• Sun 1 - 2:30 PM

Winter Wonderland Another magical year with even more attractions and interactive light shows for you to enjoy! Winter Wonderland's immersive multi-section interactive Walking Tour, features full attractions in both Villa Hispana and Indian Village. Enjoy more local vendors, live performances, photo opportunities and of course a chance to take your picture with Santa Claus! Each ticket is valid for a vehicle's guests to pass through the magical winter experience any night Winter Wonderland is open. Your ticket also gets you and your passengers access to the Winter Wonderland expanded Walking Tour which includes access to local vendors and opportunities to take photos with Disney-inspired Princesses and the big man himself, Santa Claus! **Photos with Santa Claus sold separately **A portion of every ticket sold from this event will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charities - New Mexico , Assistance League of Albuquerque and Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation (tickets and schedule)

• Fri and Sat 6 - 10 PM
• Sun 6 - 9 PM

** Fri 12/22 *\*
Fri 11 AM - 2 PM Christmas Toy Giveaway and Meal Albuquerque Indian Center, 105 Texas St. SE Come and join us for our annual Christmas Toy Giveaway and Meal! Kids 0-17 will receive a gift while supplies last. Kid must be present. Lunch will be served
Fri 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Christmas Lunch The Rock at Noonday, 2400 2nd St. NW Come out and volunteer, donate food for the Food Pantry, give financially to help make the event the best it can be, or come in and spend time eating with others in the community. Let's keep working together to make Christmas special for everyone in our community!
Fri 2 - 4 PM AND 7 - 9 PM The Nutcracker KiMo Theatre, 423 Central Ave Ballet Repertory Theatre’s beloved holiday classic returns once again! Celebrating the sights and sounds of the season, BRT’s Nutcracker is full of your favorite mischievous mice, sweet dancing treats, and a sprinkle of sparkling snowflakes! Bring your family and friends to BRT’s Nutcracker– an Albuquerque favorite since 1996 (tickets)
Fri 2 - 8 PM Pajama Party The Chill Zone, 4320 Ridgecrest Dr. SE, Rio Rancho Wear your favorite PJ's, do a fun Christmas craft, and watch a Christmas movie for our pajama party! Join us to meet Santa from 6-7 PM! Free gift with purchase while supplies last
Fri 5 - 9 PM Youth Film Festival and Holiday Show Fusion ABQ, 700 1st St. NW Our students from NMARB/New Mexico Youth Ambassadors will be presenting their films, they've worked very hard and it would be awesome if you could join us. A $10 ticket to the Film festival gets you into the Keith Sanchez and the Moon Thieves performance too! This going to be an amazing show, beer, wine and spirits from Safe House Distilling and Teller Vodka will be available, the sound is fantastic and the space acoustics are second to none
Fri 5 - 10 PM Gin & Jazz: Winter Cocktail Edition Tractor Brewing - Wells Park, 1800 4th St NW We've got a special edition of Gin and Jazz celebrating our mixologists and winter cocktail menu which is amazing! The evening starts at 5 pm with Alma Quartette playing only to be followed by the super talented Swing Magique at 8pm! Get out your best Jazz outfit and spend your Friday with us!
Fri 6 - 8 PM Santa's Pajama Party Pinspiration, 6271 Riverside Plaza Ln NW Wear your favorite PJs and head to the studio for a creative and fun-filled event. We’ll be crafting a timeless self-portrait ornament, painting and customizing a snowman craft, and making a jungle bell necklace. Meanwhile, the little ones can decorate cookies, make reindeer chow, and sip on some delicious hot chocolate! Tickets are $49 per child, and seats are limited, so book now! Please note that all sales are final, but if you are unable to attend you will be given a studio credit for crafts, another workshop or our splatter experience. Each session lasts approximately 2 hours. This event is perfect for children aged 3-12, and accompanying parents/guardians get in for free. Keep in mind that Santa’s Pajama Party is not a drop-off event and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Santa and his elf will arrive 30 minutes before the event ends to read a book with the kids. This will be the perfect opportunity, mom and dad, to get a picture with your children and Santa!
Fri 6 - 10 PM Charles Dickens Winter Ball Holiday Dance Studio, 5200 Eubank Blvd. NE, Ste D Join us for a festive Formal Winter Ball and Dinner with all the magic and beauty of the holiday season! The evening will be filled with romance and elegance as you dance the night away with Holiday Dance cheer! All elegant formal holiday apparel and/or Victorian formal apparel is encouraged. A romantic Waltz Lesson will begin at 6pm followed by dinner, dancing, and performances. $50 for members and $70 for non-members at the door
Fri 7 - 10 PM Ugly Sweater Party Tractor Brewing Westside, Kicking off the Holidays at the UGLY SWEATER PARTY with DJ Kaleido! Enjoy Groovy Tunes and Drinks, show up with your Best Ugly Sweater and Vibe out the Night. No cover
Fri 8 - 11 PM A Very Wae Fonkey Christmas Tractor Brewing, 118 Tulane Dr. SE It's Twinkle Light Parade and everyone's getting in the spirit. Especially Wae Fonkey who will be spinning some Christmas-ish Jams for you!
Fri 8 - 11 PM Jingle Beats with DJ Soiree Two Cranes Bistro and Brew, 901 Rio Grande Blvd., Ste A Join us for the Jingle Beats Pre-Funk! DJ Soiree will be keeping the energy high with a variety of music. We’ll also be offering an extended Happy Hour with $5 wells, $3 Dos Equis and $5 house margaritas. Come out and have some fun with us, dance if you would like, socialize and enjoy the holiday vibes and we kick off the holiday weekend. This is your Go-To spot for good food and music! Save the date, round up your people, and come out for a fun night!
Fri 8 PM - 12 AM Second Annual Apparition: Krampus Night Launchpad, 618 Central Ave Local vendors Spectral Youth and Person of Interest Arts, and more! Don your best Krampus (or dark holiday) garb and have a chance to win the best prizes we've ever given away! We'll be giving away one pair of tickets to see KMFDM and one pair of tickets to see Twin Tribes (both shows coming up at Sunshine Theater)! $10 with any devilish or dark-leaning holiday costume. $15 without. Advance tickets are available for $8 online! Doors at 8 pm. Music at 9 pm. 21+. Goth, deathrock, darkwave, dark post punk, horror punk, synthpop, dark dance, synthwave, industrial and more
Fri 9 PM Santa's TWERKshop Albuquerque Social Club, 4021 Central Ave NE Get ready to jingle all the way down because we're turning up the holiday spirit with Santa's Twerkshop – an unforgettable night of festive fun that you won't want to miss! DJ Justin Cristofer (9 pm) and Kuwani (10 pm to close) - Groove to the beats of DJ Justin Cristofer and Kuwani as they keep the dance floor alive and kicking - Dazzling gogo boys by New Mexico Stripper, ensuring the night is as spicy as it is festive - Dress to impress in your favorite holiday gear – let's make the dance floor sparkle! Members: Entry is on the nice list with no cover charge. Non-Member Guests: Bona fide guests are welcome with a cover of just $10 - Don't forget to check out Groundware in the East Room starting at 9 pm – because one party is never enough during the holiday season!
Fri 9 PM – 2 AM 360 House Sessions Feat. CHIDDY × ANA M Effex, 420 Central Ave Let us introduce our new Friday Night event series: 360 HOUSE SESSIONS presented by We House Fridays. For first time ever, we are bringing party from rooftop to inside LOFT with 360 DJ booth right in middle of the room. FOUR DATES ONLY: DEC 22, JAN 12, JAN 26 and FEB 16. Each date will showcase two top notch hometown talent who will be bringing that proper House Music All Night Long! Sound By Digifunk and Visuals By Scin.Til.Late. We are kicking off these special event series with two hometown heavy hitters CHIDDY × ANA M. You already know they gonna bring it ALL NIGHT LONG
Fri 10 PM NEW MEXmasICO Bollywood Club Rio, 10205 Central Ave NW INNI ENTERTAINMENTS Presents NEW MEXmasICO Bollywood! This is at one of the best venues in Albuquerque. We are Christmas special in South Indian and Bollywood movies style. Dress Code: Christmas colors The promoter reserves the right to refuse service to anyone. No refunds (tickets)
** Sat 12/23 *\*
Sat 11 AM - 4 PM Festivus Fiesta & Foodie Pop-Up Boofy's Best for Pets, 4610 Cutler Ave NE, Ste A It wouldn't be the holiday season at Boofy's without a proper Festivus celebration! Join Tía-Mom's Cocina and Doña O's around the Festivus pole. Air your grievances about 2023, participate in feats of strength, take care of last-minute gift shopping needs, and earn Boofy Bucks along the way. You definitely won't want to miss out on the delicious savory and sweet plant-based goodies & beverages, so come hungry!
Sat 11 AM - 4 PM Last Minute Holiday Market High Desert Flame Works, 7208 Jefferson NE Sip n’ shop with your favorite friends, artists, scientists, non-profits, and vendors! Catena Commons x High Desert Flame Works
Sat 11 AM - 10 PM The 4 Casks of Christmas Steel Bender Brewyard, 8305 2nd St. NW, Los Ranchos STOUT FANS! This holiday tradition is for you! Our winter warmer, Brickie American Stout, cask-conditioned with a few of our favorite things, and then we pair a pint with four different treats from local businesses. This year's theme is Cozy Coffee House, all casks have the addition of local coffee! For $7 you get a pint + a treat (WHILE THEY LAST)! And remember, casks are available THAT DAY ONLY...tapping at 11 am. Cask #4: Peppermint Mocha Brickie with Espresso Blend Coffee from Trifecta Coffee Paired with Coffee Nib Chocolate from Eldora Chocolate
Sat 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM 25 Days of Flixmas: The Polar Express Flix Brewhouse, 3200 La Orilla Rd. NW All aboard The Polar Express! Gather the family and come dressed in your favorite pajamas for this magical holiday family favorite at Flix! (tickets)
Sat 2 - 4 PM Meet Santa New Mexico United, 3500 Central Ave SE, Ste 2 Meet Santa at the United Team Shop! Swing by for a jolly good time! Grab a free holiday sticker, shop our holiday collection and get your gifts wrapped and ready for Christmas!
Sat 2 - 5 PM Music on the Patio: Le Chat Lunatique and Ugly Sweater Party Canteen Brewhouse, 2381 Aztec Rd. NE Stop in for some "addictive, filthy, mangy jazz,” that navigates through a wide range of genres, blending Western swing, classical, reggae, doo-wop, and “anything else we damn well please..." Always a blast, one you definitely don't wanna miss
Sat 4 - 7 PM The Dirt Cheap Band Craft Republic, 4301 The Lane at 25 NE Join us for live music by the amazing Dirt Cheap Band! Plus, a special guest appearance from none other than Santa himself!
Sat 5 PM Winter Solstice Sound Bath Synaesthetic Bodywork, 1751 Bellamah Ave NW, Ste 2105 Let’s celebrate the winter solstice together with crystalline sound. The solstice is the apex of winter when the day is the shortest and the night longest. We will tune in through light yoga-based movement, breathwork and guided meditation to listen to what the silence in the long night of winter has to teach us. Tune in to your body as it rests in hibernation while the healing frequencies of crystal singing bowls surround you. Then set an intention to grow with the days as we welcome the light within and without back into the world. Please bring anything you wish to be comfortable, though mats, blankets and bolsters will be provided. An eye cover is recommended and all are welcome to stay for tea afterward (tickets)
Sat 6 PM Holiday Cheer Vernon's Speakeasy, 6855 4th St. NW, Los Ranchos Craft cocktails & Sonic Luxury with Ray Anthony & PowerSlyde, local talent playing their own brand of funk and contemporary jazz
Sat 6 - 8 PM Gingerbread Fiesta: A Night of Decorating, Paletas + Family Fun Chatter Paint West, 10131 Coors Blvd. NW Join us for a festive evening of gingerbread decorating, paletas, and holiday fun! Celebrate this special season as a family as you design your very own gingerbread masterpiece. With a variety of toppings and icing, the possibilities are endless! Our cozy venue will be transformed into a gingerbread wonderland. Bring your friends, family, or even go solo - everyone is welcome! Your ticket includes: -A Gingerbread Decorating Kit (1 per person) -Candies and Toppings -1 Holiday Agua Fresca or Hot Cocoa -1 Mini Half Dipped Paleta (You can choose from our holiday menu, too!)
Sat 6 - 9 PM Cool-astic Bookfair & Last Minute Market Tractor Brewing - Wells Park, 1800 4th St. NW Still need to get your shopping done? Well why not do it with some beer! We got a night of wonderful books by Books on the Bosque and 10 vendors from Person of Interest Arts! Come shop, drink local, and have some fun!
Sat 6 - 9 PM Holi-Daze Dance Party! Albuquerque Press Club, 201 Highland Park Cir SE There is both indoor and as well as outdoor space here to boogie down! We could primarily occupy the back brick patio for outside dancing and the adjoining dart room for indoor dancing but there is also decks on the upper floor and the big room at the entrance... Guidelines: No outside beverages. Please stay clear of the narrow hallways and stairways. Under 21 is allowed, but all kids must be accompanied by an adult at all times. You will sign in as a guest of Brandon Kennedy at the front entrance. In lieu of a cover, we will be accepting donations that will be given to the Club. No one will be turned away if they cannot afford to donate! Also, anyone signed in as a guest will need to leave when Brandon leaves... Parking is limited at the top of the hill but is abundant along the outskirts of Highland Park
Sat 6 - 10 PM Country Western Night Ponderosa Brewing, 1761 Bellamah Ave NW The Southwest's top Country Western bands, joins us for a night of classics, standards and new country hits every Saturday! This is a FREE, Family Friendly event! Free Dance lessons at 5pm!
Sat 7 PM The Emo Nite Before The Night Before II Launchpad, 618 Central Ave Third Shift Media & Launchpad present: The Emo Nite Before The Night Before II: Thursday Marks Fall, Circled By Sharks, IHATEMYLIFE, Good housekeeping, Atlas Below. Live bands playing originals and christmas/anti chrismas covers. Christmas Emo playlist to be played between bands and to close out the night! Pre-sales: $8, DOS: $12. Bring canned goods to be entered in raffle contest! 21+
Sat 7:30 PM Holiday Fiesta w/ Alex McCue! Tractor Brewing, 118 Tulane Dr. SE Happy Holidays! Come on down to Tractor in Nob Hill to celebrate with some live, acoustic holiday music from internationally-touring singesongwriter Alex McCue! Free entry, tips welcome. Music runs from 7-9pm
Sat 8 - 11 PM Big Lebowski Robe and Beards Event with The Ross Brothers Band Gecko's Bar & Tapas, 3500 Central Ave SE White Russians, Robes, beards and Lebowski! Robe party… drinks, food, and live music with The Ross Brothers Band celebrating The Big Lebowski!
Sat 9 PM - 2 AM Saturday Night Techno Affair Feat. PANDA × DOM DRAPER Historic El Rey Theater, 622 Central Ave ABQ needs more TECHNO and we up to something at EL REY MEZZ! We got one & only PANDA and DOM DRAPER will be dropping nothing but TECHNO ALL NIGHT in very intimate setting. Visuals by SCIN.TIL.LATE! A night before Christmas Eve, so come get your techno fix before family time. This is also gonna be a birthday celebration for DOM DRAPER. Doors at 9PM with Cover Charge. 21+ with Valid ID. Limited Amount of $13 tickets now
Sat 9:30 PM Mark Farina With Adobe Disco Electric Playhouse, 2688 Coors Blvd. NW Mark Farina returns to Electric Playhouse, 21+ (tickets)
** Sun 12/24 *\*
Sun 10 AM How the Grinch Stole Christmas Historic Lobo Theater, 3013 Central Ave NE THE HISTORIC LOBO THEATER along with Albuquerque Film & Music Experience is excited to bring How the Grinch Stole Christmas to the big screen! Showing Starts at 11:30 am Tickets are ONLY $10 for General Admission Come Early Brunch Starts at 10 am Full Buffet Available for only $21. The ticket price is for entry to the movie only. Pajama brunch and a movie. Exclusive Brunch Menu! Made to order pancakes, mimosas and more. 10% off if you come in your pajamas
Sun 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM AND 2:30 - 4:30 PM 25 Days of Flixmas: The Polar Express Flix Brewhouse, 3200 La Orilla Rd. NW All aboard The Polar Express! Gather the family and come dressed in your favorite pajamas for this magical holiday family favorite at Flix! (tickets)
Sun 3 - 7 PM Festive as F**K!: TEA DANCE Albuquerque Social Club, 4021 Central Ave NE Ho, ho, ho! Get ready to jingle all the way at the Albuquerque Social Club's most anticipated event of the season - the "Festive as F**k" TEA DANCE! Join us for an unforgettable afternoon filled with holiday cheer, fantastic beats, and the most festive vibes in town. Supreme Host: The one and only Steve Westman will be leading the festivities, ensuring an experience that's as fabulous as the holiday season itself. Guest Hostess: The glamorous Allison Saint will be gracing us with her presence, adding an extra sprinkle of magic to the celebration. Dancefloor Maestro: Shake it to the tunes spun by the incredible Justin Cristofer, who will keep the dancefloor alive with energy and excitement. Visual Enchantment: Prepare to be mesmerized by the artistic touch of Brian Fejer, who will transform the venue into a visual wonderland. Gogos: Our fantastic gogos, led by New Mexico Stripper, will keep the energy soaring with their electrifying performances. FABULOUS DOOR PRIZES: Attendees stand a chance to win some dazzling door prizes that will add an extra dash of sparkle to your holiday celebrations. HOUSE JAMS ALL DAY: Dance the day away to the hottest beats, spanning DISCO, HOUSE, and POP, curated to keep the festive spirit alive from start to finish
Sun 3:15 PM Sunday Matinee of Tablao Flamenco Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town, 800 Rio Grande Blvd. NW As the flamenco capitol of the United States, when in Albuquerque, experiencing a tablao is a must! Presented by the National Institute of Flamenco & Heritage Hotels, Tablao Flamenco Albuquerque features award-winning international artists, as well as performances by members of Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company, the first ever US/NM-based flamenco company to be invited to a Spanish flamenco festival — the 27th Festival de Jerez. Flamenco is a UNESCO-protected artform. A defining characteristics of a tablao is the intimate setting. Tablao is a structured improvisational conversation between the dancers and musicians, so no two performances are ever the same. Our tablao was designed from the ground up to serve as the country's premier home for this vibrant artform (tickets)
** Mon 12/25 *\*
Mon 6:30 - 8:30 PM December Full Moon Run! Rio Grande Park, 957 Alcalde Pl SW Yes, we're meeting on Christmas Night! Enjoy an evening bit of exercise to shake off the craziness of the Wild Holiday Festivities...burn off some calories with a healthy activity. We've held FMR on Christmas Night before and it has been a great break for parents who's kids have become a bit overwhelmed with the day. All are welcome. Meet at Rio Grande Park at 6:30 pm to begin signing in. Our 20 minute Out-N-Back Fun Run/Walk begins at 7ish. There'll be water, snacks, Hot Cider and fun raffles after. Dog treats also provided. As always, Full Moon Run is free and open to everyone. Don't forget your Santa Hats and Jingle Bells!
Mon 7 PM Grateful White Elephant Holiday Gathering Source Community Healing Oasis, 1111 Carlisle Blvd. SE Come and enjoy the space of holiday cheer with potluck and white elephant fun in a field of warmth and gratitude. Come early to destress at 5:15 and focus on gratitude at 6:15 if you’d like. Text rsvp or questions to Charey 505-991-0839

First post here. Glad to have a spot to yell into the void about this type of hurt.
Commented on a post today in another sub about my grandmother's passing and realized that it's been 8 months since she's passed. The realization felt like being hit by a semi-truck. Time truly feels like it has stood still since April. She was a mother to me, in almost every way. I know that I have to keep going on like I normally would (mainly because she would be ornery as a hornet if she knew I was at a stand still just because she isn't around anymore), but it still feels like wading through quicksand.
I still write her letters all the time and keep them in my journal. I still haven't been able to visit her gravesite. I still have days where it feels like none of it is real, and that I'll come home and hear her voice again, see her face, and get a hug that us warmer than anything I've ever known, and that smells like Virginia Slims and Giorgio Beverly Hills Red perfume. I know visiting her gravesite is going to cement it into reality, that she's left the plane that I'm currently inhabiting, and I'm still not ready to face a reality and life that doesn't have her in it.
There are some days where I can listen to the music we loved (all things 70's, ABBA, Fleetwood Mac, old country music like Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline, lots of early Dolly Parton, in case you were wondering), and some days where even a single note of Super Trouper makes me weep in that uncontrollable, gut-wrenching way. Landslide is impossible to sing without my voice cracking and tears falling, even though it's one of my favorites, because it was her favorite to hear me sing. So much of her is ingrained into me. My artistic abilities, my love of music, my love of old horror. The way I cook, the way I drive, the way I shop.
Tiny habits of mine are like breadcrumbs she left behind. Sometimes, I'm able to see the positive in that concept. She can never really be gone, because she continues on through those tiny things I do. But some days, it just contributes to the never-ending, all-consuming hole in my heart, feeling like I'm missing not only a vital person in my life, but also a vital portion of myself.
The impending holidays have exacerbated the latter. She was the most thoughtful gift giver I'd ever seen, remembering small details from months before in order to get something you didn't even know you wanted so badly, or had forgotten about in the shuffle of the year. She loved Chrismas decorations. She was an avid birdwatcher, so all of the cardinal-printed tat that flooded retail stores absolutely delighted her. She loved cooking for the holidays. The absolute ferverous determination to ensure the gravy didn't separate before Thanksgiving dinner was served was unmatched. I can still hear the sound of her frantic whisking if I think about it hard enough.
I hate to say this, but the bond that we had trumps any of the relationships I have with anyone else in my family. Due to a lot of past trauma, my relationship with my parents and older sister are fragmented (with no effort of their end to repair it), and I chose to cut contact with my other set of grandparents many years ago due to them not being accepting of who I am (unlike my grandmother, who proudly announced she picked up something for me at her latest doctor's appointment, and pulled out a brochure for the local LGBT youth services organization, all before I had ever even come out; no doubt her unspoken way of saying, " I see you, I acknowledge you, and I love you." ). All the interactions I have with them leave me feeling hollow, especially in stark contrast to all of the moments I shared with her that left me feeling so deeply understood.
We operated on our own wavelength, far beyond what the rest of my family and I have ever shared. The only person who even comes close to that nature of mutual understanding is my partner. While I thank whatever is out there every day for bringing her into my life, I still miss having someone there that was present for every significant moment (though I'm learning that I can create brand new ones with the the love of my life by side, no matter how hard or bittersweet it is without her).
I will cap this post here, but know I could go on forever. Grief pours out of me like a fountain, at times. If you managed to read this far, thank you and please forgive my typos, run-on sentences, and overuse of parenthesis. I just needed some good ol' stream of consciousness rambling for a bit.

The thing about my situation is that I've only seen her in person but actually never got the chance to interact with her. She's one of the biggest superstars in the world and I saw her in concert and it was the craziest experience of my life. When she walked on stage and I saw her, I felt and indescribable warmth in my chest that spread through my entire body. It felt like a reunion from a twin that I was separated from birth. Just extreme euphoria, bliss and love. I literally could not believe what I was seeing and experiencing. Absolutely impossible to grasp what was going on. I felt like I just knew who she was the first second I saw her.
What was even crazier was that the second she looked out in the audience, her gaze locked on me after the first note, and she held it for as long as she possibly could on pure instinct. I just stared at her in disbelief and she stared back. I don't think she actually saw me, but felt me. We stared at each other for like 5 seconds but it felt like a whole minute.
I also experienced what I believe was a spiritual orgasm? I'm not really sure what the right words for this are, but when she hit a super high note (she's a vocalist) on the first chorus, it felt like I got a lightning-strike that went through my neck down my spine, and it felt like someone put a heroin-needle in me. An absolute climax. My entire body got the warmest feeling ever and I suddenly had more energy than a 5-year old on chrismas. It was unreal and felt too good to be true and I just went batshit crazy.
After that I don't remember much since I felt like I was on the highest high in the history of mankind. One thing I remember after the concert though was that my whole body was completely wet from sweating so much. I was in absolute shock how wet I was, like I've been running a marathon or something. I was almost worried that I was about to die from dehydration. It was insane.
She's my role model and the reason I picked up singing too. I would never have done that if it wasn't for her. And I love it. Singing her songs just gives me this crazy energy that makes me feel so alive that nothing else does.
But I don't know really. Is it possible that I'm just obsessed with this person? Is it possible to experience those things if it was just an obsession? I just can't get her out of my head. She has left such an impression on me that I can't forget her. I've wanted to but it's impossible. And also because of this situation, I can't share my experience with anyone in my life because I feel like people will think that I'm insane. It's also worth noting that I just see my expressions and symmetry in her face when I see pictures of her. In my eyes she looks like a twin. She doesn't look EXACTLY like me obviously since she's female and from the other side of the world, but her facial features are basically identical in my eyes. And when I listen to her during interviews it just sounds unreal how her voice sounds like and the way she speaks.
This is driving me insane since I can't stop thinking about this and I would like to know if there is anyway possible to know if she in fact is my twin flame, or possibly a soul mate, or that I'm just obsessed? I probably have more to say but I think this is enough for now. I would love to answer any questions.

Hello everyone! The history between humans and dragons continues after the era of Ilia! Now, we step into the history near the Second War of Binding, and see more how the Dyrenell Empire, the Church, Morsayati and Elysium unfolds! More importantly, how did Alberius come into all this? How did the Dragonblood come to be as well? It's time to really know the meaning and story behind the game's name (or at least, derive our own impressions and opinions)! But before that, let's present the cast, shall we? In fact, I know what everyone's been thinking. Notte's English voice will finally be revealed? Just who voiced our little sassy mascot with slang and jargon that we'd hear in our day and age? I think I'll leave that to the last! We've got HuMids and Myriam to hear, and if you know a little bit of their previous history (plus Myriam being Mym's inspiration), then I'm sure you have an inkling of who they are, (or if you've listened to Myriam, then you know who's voicing her). Note that this will be a little bit short. So, let us charge for a wider world!
Midgardsomr - Nils Hognestad. From his normal to his high form, to his previous life, and even to his human form, Nils has been with the Windwyrm all along (and Rawn too)! To recap, he was born in Bergren, Norway, got his Classic Acting Diploma from London, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Toronto, and while also continuing his career as a VO, he's also working in the Vancouver Acting School as a Coach! Oh, and he's also mostly done live-action in the form of TV movies and series, with Midgardsomr being his current VO role in video games. Here are a few:

• Evolve: Year Zero (Forst)
• Supernatural (Akobel/Chris)
• Backpackers (Mitchell)
• Hint of Love (Claus)
• Cross Country Chrismas (Curtis)

What do you think of his voice without the echoing sound effects that dragons have? I know TV movies aren't quite so popular, but every bit counts as experience!
Myriam - Tabitha St. Germain. Indeed! Just as the Dragon who took upon her guise, the who loved Alberius is voiced by one and the same! Also, another member to join Mym, Philia, Chelsea, Cupid, Orion, Naveed as a team to get everyone to understand the concept of love! Ah yes. Initially, Brunhilda and Gala Mym (alongside the stickers) were originally voiced by Kelly Marie which was Kelly Sheridan's Pseudonym. However, from her Halloween alternate, it changed into Tabitha. While it's interesting that the old voice stays (along with the actor continuing to voice new characters), it seems clear that any future alt of Myriam or Mym will be Tabitha's role from now on! As for Tabitha herself, she's a big veteran in Voice Acting, that's for sure! Western Animation and Anime too, I'll let her roles do the talking 5 of each! Fun fact, she is Canadian, but she's born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

• Death Note (Naomi Misora)
• Zoids Fuzors (Sandra and others)
• Shakugan no Shana (Shana)
• Gundam SEED and 00 (Flay Allster in SEED, Soma Peries in 00, Haro in both and other spin-offs)
• Alice (Project ARMS)
• Captain Flamingo (Milo)
• Monster Buster Club (John and Wendy)
• Lolirock (Auriana)
• Super Mario World (Kootie Pie Koopa AKA Lulu AKA Wendy O. Koopa under the name Pauline Gillis)
• My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (Rarity, Princess Luna, and MANY other characters)

Yeah, I mean, when I first heard her voice in the Gala Dragalia video clips on Twitter, the moment she spoke, I can already hear the Rarity Estelle in her voice, though only just then. All her other lines are definitely distinct, even to Mym. Not that it's a bad thing. I personally like that little unique tone that VAs have, which a lot of VAs over in the USA have! What do you think of her take on the Secret Admirer?
Notte - Arielle Tuliao. So it's true! The voice and the signage behind Notte is none other than her! For the record, this is her second role as of now, the first being Cibella formerly under the pseudonym AJ Vasquez. For context: You've noticed on Reddit or Twitter that the VA team will be signing DL prints for the 2.5 Anniversary. You've also heard u/MacTheActor saying that Notte's going to show up! On her Twitter page, Arielle posted that her Cibella prints are available, as was Notte's for some strange reason... now we know why! How cheeky and Notte-y!
Sorry. Anyway, Arielle was born in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and has mostly done live-action. Of course, she did do a few VO for some animations, which will be listed, but here a few shorts, TV series and movies she's been in:

• Her Story (Her)
• If I stay (Astrid)
• We're Laloopsy (Spot and Rosy)
• My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (Scootaloo's singing voice for 2 episodes)
• Netflix's A Series of Unfortunate Events (Volunteer Singer #1)

So? What is your opinion on this wonderful faerie who's been travelling with us?
Alberius, Elysium and Chthonious still have their voices kept a mystery. Yes. Somewhere along with the version update, it is said that Chthonious will be getting a voice! And it seems like this event won't be over until we really see what happens. How have the 300 years passed by when there is still so much doubt and mistrust between human, dragon, and the Church that was supposed to bind them together then? Alberius kinda reminds me a lot of Euden with his optimistically sticking with his ideals, carrying a big burden, and even that he still seeks peace for both, though his hand was forced? Only time will tell. Also, by the time I finished writing this, the live signing of Dragalia Lost art by the English VAs will be round the corner! I'll try my best to come and see; by the time it starts, it would be very early in the morning in Australia!
Nils H. - IMDb, Vancouver Acting School), Instagram (@nilshognestead), Twitter (@___AndTheNils)
Tabitha St. G. - IMDb, BTVA, Her own Website, Twitter (@StTabitha)
Arielle T. - IMDb, Twitter (@ajtuliao), Instagram (@ajtuliao)

The session opens with a fantastic poem that I am too slow at typing.
There is some confusion over Derek Bobacious’ name. But it’s definitely Bobacious with a B. None of that D shit.
Derek is drinking brandy. G’arbigail comes in after hunting.
G’abby talks about the small points of portmanteau.
G’Applesauce has a stupid name he’s trying to fix. He sucks by self admission.
Ghenri stands for things he doesnt know what they mean and berates Gappy
Gerald is there.
Mr GBonko is also there.
Derek says there’s a problem for the Gary guild. The guild of Chrismas exists. This is bad.
Gabby slams her hand on the table for funsies.
Derek says the Gary’s need a monopoly on name based guilds. He says that today is Chrismas Eve, making tomorrow Chrismas.
Gabby says giving gifts for free is to deny the right to earn it. Preventing them from their sense of pride and accomplishment.
Derek questions whether people like heroism more than free shit. People value leadership. Knowing theyre worth less than their betters.
Ghenri suggests poisoning the Chrismas guild.
Derek counts slowly and demands an end to Chrismas.
Derek suggests stopping present production and crashing the Jennys ball, making sure it is a disaster as it is Chrismas themed. We need to find out who the leader of Chrismas guild is and take them down.
GBonko is interested in the toys. His business was ruined by the devaluing of the toy market.
There is more discussion over whether pure free market capitalism or free toys makes society better.
Derek discusses why the most powerful Gary isn’t called Gary.
GEric is the lone person arguing for kindness and happiness for all. Disgusting.
Derek suggests unconvincingly less murdering is better for the Garys image.
GBonko asks for some secret payment from Derek who graciously obliges.
Gabby wants to hand out pamplets questioning what the purpose of the Garys is. Seriously. What is it? We want to know.
GBonko spouts some anti Gary shit. GHenri questions why he’s even here. Gabby says we should leave rather than listen to GBonko.
GBonko blames the orcs for the downfall of his business.
Cut to a warehouse. Bustling toy-making noises emanate from within. It’s in a basement with 1 entrance. Fire regulations beings ignored clearly.
Geric knocks on the door, and a rude man answers through a shutter.
Geric explains we’re here from the Gary guild, but Gabby talks smack and says we’re here to fuck them up.
Geric says we just want to talk about Chrismas.
Ghenri tries the old inspector routine to no avail.
Geric gets frustrated at the rude door man and gobby Gabby. GBonko still questions who Gary is.
Ghenri readies a fire arrow. GBonko pours a questionable liquid onto the arrow in attempt to put it out.
Geric and Gappy knock on the door again. The rude man answers again, ignoring Geric.
Gappy pretends to be Crapplesauce and gets us in the door.
Geric puts the roof fire out, but still makes it through the door. With no rolling at all. Disappointing.
The warehouse map uses Papyrus font. Nice.
The warehouse is full of robots singing an annoying christmas song.
The rude man is revealed as Chris Tingle. GBonko inspects his face for orcish features.
Crappy addresses Chris. He asks if he’s the real Chris. “We’re all Chrises”. “But are you THE chris”. “No Im just Chris.” Crappy stabslashes Chris. GBonko is incredulous at the stlashing. Geric tries to disarm Crappy. A Crappy sword flies from his hands as Geric shoves Crappy away from Chris.
Geric berates Crappy saying he’s out of control.
Chris instructs the robots to kill, who start singing a jolly murder song.
The robots mostly attack GBonko. They miss Ghenri. They attempt to wrap GBonko in wrapping paper. A robot watches Gabby fire pissing. Gabby flails wildly in response, twatting the robot and running away.
Ghenri stabs a bitch.
Chris whips at Geric. An amazing verbal sparring occurs between Chris and Geric.
GBonko reflects on his poor life choices and bitch wife. He retreats behind some nearby crates and starts continues to drink.
Ghenri continues his stabathon and grabs a chunk of robot wiring.
Crappy picks up his sword and stabby stabs a robot.
Geric once again turncoats and tries to sleeper hold Ghenri, but panics at the last minute and bolts from the warehouse.
Ghenri gets wrapped up good. With a bow. And hammered.
Gbonko and Gabby also get hammered. Apt for Gbonko.
Gabby flails repeatedly. It’s pretty effective. Except when it isn’t.
Chris whips Crappy.
Gbonko drinks more and has PTSD flashbacks about why he hates orc so much. It’s because of his father I think. His wife slept with a lathe? He pulls out a giant hammer. Too little too late? The robot doesn’t die despite some great alcohol fuelled hits. Everyone listens to sad Carol of the Bells.
Ghenri bursts out of the wrapping paper and attempts to jump onto the crates. He’s struck twice in the air and goes limp, but just before he lands jolts back to life with a second wind.
Geric is looking for the police but hasnt found them in the ensuing 6 seconds. He tries instead to clothesline Crapple unsuccessfully, who has also tried to run away it seems. Probably sensible.
The robots continue their murder spree. One manages to gracefully follow Ghenri onto the boxes, but drops his hammer in the process into the box gaps. Gbonko laughs at the pathetic toy robot hammers.
Crapple tries to do something but the context is lost in meta discussion. It seems fine.
Gabby rifles through her pockets for flammable materials finding the pamphlets. She drops some smoldering tinder into some nearby boxes as she darts away from the bots.
Chris takes on Gbonko, whipping in his drunk face.
Gbonko thinks Chris thinks he’s better than him and finally kills one of the robots.
Ghenri jumps away from the bots and looses a fire arrow at Chris, but misses, instead sending some boxes ablaze.
Crapple cries out to nearby Chrismas revellers for help while courageously sprinting away. They oblige in providing assistance, letting him know where a nearby sawbones lies.
Geric follows the revellers to the police station.
The robots huddle in the middle of the factory. Probably conspiring to form a union. Another unsuccessfully wraps Gbonko.
Gabby continues her full lap around the factory, but clumsily smacks into a box, setting it aflame.
Chris whips Gbonko, who feels the old familiar sting. He still hurts.
Gbonko channels the rage into a reckless attack on the robot before him, smashing it to pieces. He drinks its oil, spitting it onto the fire, then vomits.
Gbonko pleads with Chris to leave this damn burning factory. As he does, a flaming arrow bursts through Chris’ cranium. As he crumples to the floor, Gbonko tearfully holds Chris’ limp body in his arms, offering him help.
Gabby tells Gbonko, and especially Ghenri, that they could one day be Garys.
Geric and firefighters arrive as they are leaving. Gabby tries to blame pedophiles, and Geric in particular. The firemen tell Geric that he’s in dodgy ground, but looking at the teenage Gabby, ephibophilia isnt pedophilia, and promptly leave, not wanting to get involved. Everyone is concerned by this response to serious sexual assault allegations in the current climate.
Gbonko wants to get paid and get (more) drunk. Gabby reassures him that after a hard days Garying they will get drunk.
Everyones rests and heals up. They head back to Bobacious.
The group explain what happened at the factory to Derek, Gabby explaining that Geric was exposed as a pedophile. Derek is relieved to hear that at least the factory was burnt down as desired.
The group reflects on their lost comrade and their own actions, but agree that they must press on FOR GARY. It is also pointed out that ultimately Geric tried to get the authorities involved, and snitches get stitches.
Derek tell the group to crash the Jennys Ball and make sure it’s terrible, but with no violence.
Gbonko feels shaken and nervous about the ball, and inquiries as to if he has anything that could help with that. He is handed a bottle of “cough syrup”. Derek tells the group to get dressed up.
Ghenri knows a poisoneer, and not the fish kind (he’s French. GET IT?).
The group head to the ball.
Gapple reminisces about all his favourite apple based holidays, lamenting these newfangled Chris based shenanigans.
A crooner singing festive hits is on the stage. Chris Martin. It’s populist, but dull.
There are 3 guards around from the Jennys guild and the thieves guild, known as the three Ho’s.
Ghenri scopes out the kitchen and asks to compliments the chefs. The waiters lead Ghenri back to the kitchen.
Gapple creepily talks to the security Jennys, asking if they’re after any mercenary work. They explain that everyone here is a violent killer so they’re not really needed, they’re there more for diplomacy.
Gabby looks around skeptically, worrying that she could easily be persuaded into being a Jenny being the young, impressionable whore she is.
Derek Bobacious is there and spots Gabby. Gabby berates Derek for being at the ball at all, warning him of the Jennys pleasure. Derek is up for seductive pleasure, being “immune” to their charm.
The chef takes Ghenris compliments poorly, refusing to give up his recipe, but Ghenri just wants to talk cooking being from the famous for its cuisine city of Jecede.
GBonko asks if the most approachable person wants a drink. He talks about shitting on people. “I’ve heard people pay good money for that” “Yeah, fucking Orcs!”. GBonko is very cynical and angry at the fancy ball, stating that it’s nothing but shit and slaves. He’s trying to ruin the party by making people miserable. Unforunately he’s far too charismatic, finding his deep philosophical learnings grossly interesting, inspiring them to forget the woes of society he espouses by drinking, dancing, and revelling. He tries to vomit to make up for his excessive charm, but his iron stomach after years of heavy regret drinking, means he is incapable. He resigns to being the life of the party.
Gabby continues to look for clues and ins, but she’s starting to become obsessed with the singer, Chris Martin.
Gapple notices one other guard in red. Big and hench. Hunky. Big white beard. Phwoar. He introduces himself as Chris Mas. He’s there to tell them all about the Chris’ special bulking regimen, saying they can all learn to be swole like him, and how the Chris’ are dedicated to making everyones lives better. Awful.
Gapple says he’s a Jennys pleasure boy, and says he’s here at Chris Mas’ service. Chris Mas looks him up and down. “You’re not my type. Too small” Gapple is deeply offended.
Ghenri has engaged the chef in conversation, and tries to poison the food, but the chef clearly sees him mid poison. Ghenri tells him he’s actually a terrible chef, and that he didnt want to hurt his feelings, so was trying to secretly improve the food while also sharing his knowledge to help him improve as a chef. The chef bursts into tears and asks to try the poisoned food. Ghenri convinces him that he is not worthy of this fine cuisine, and he should go home and reconsider his career as a chef.
Gabby did some stuff I didnt hear while I typed the above.
GBonko gets out an acoustic guitar and tries to play badly on stage, singing off key and playing annoying scales. It’s very mediocre, which of course is worse than both good and very bad music.
Gabby sounds fucking wasted, trying to convince Chris Martin they have to get really wasted? She wants to sing a song. GBonko pushes Chris Martin off the stage, and tells GBonko to hit it. GBonko starts to play Classical Gassy Orcs. Gabby sings Wonderwall. GBonko starts playing guitar percussion. It’s really really bad. BOOOOOO
The poisoned food comes out ready. Appalled by the performance, everyone rushes to the buffet and stuffs their faces.
Gapplesauce joins in the performance. Everyone starts screaming. The guests have started bleeding out of their eyes. Gapple asks Chris Mas from the stage about the “real Chris”, pressing him for the HQ location. Chris is no chump, and ain’t giving up shit. Especially as everyone is currently bleeding out of their eyes. He storms out, but conveniently drops a letter behind him.
Derek is very happy about the terrible party. It’s gone midnight and Gabby worries about her parents reaction to the late night. Derek reads the mysterious Chris letter.
“Tomorrow Chris Mas day will happen. Make sure everyone has a good time so the plan will happen. A. B.”
Derek turns Scottish with anger. It’s a phrase. He tells everyone to return to the Gary guild tomorrow to finish this.
The group arrive at the Gary guild. Gabby feels rough. GBonko hasn’t shown up.
“Today we ruin Chris Mas once and for all!” says Derek. Derek leads the group to an unassuming house. Gabby flails at the door. Gapple snaps his lock pick in the lock. Gabby continues slapping at the door, smashing it open. GBonko stumbles upon the house. “Hey! Itsh, shyou guysh. I think?”
The group blindly enter the house and begin rooting through the drawers. Gabby happens to move the drawers in the drawers finding a secret switch, opening a secret passageway.
Gabby hears some clucking from the passage and heads down. The group are attacked by 2 rafters (swarms) of gobbling turkeys. The group fight back obviously, and probably win easily. It’s not a classic fight or anything. The details don’t matter much, but GBonko drinks cough syrup, Gabby runs away a bit, the turkeys have chicken rabies, which Gapple contracts and will probably die in 6-8 weeks, Gabby also gets chicken aids. Ghenri garlic arrows the turkeys, making them tastier. Gapple stabs em up as usual, dicing up the garlicy turkeys. Gabby flails at the rabid pecking turkeys remaining while running further away and holding a door shut to keep the turkeys out, but the turkeys burst the door down against her measly strength. GBonko drinks. Gabby finally murders the last of the turkeys.
Gabby coughs up turkey aids blood and feathers. GBonko pisses on Bobacious unimpressively. Derek mocks GBonko’s pathetic penis. GBonko passes out, but conveniently wakes back up with a promise of an ending very soon for this ridiculous one shot adventure.
Bobacious enters the final room. “Goddamit, I knew it was you”. A blonde woman and older man stand before him. “Oh hello father”. It’s Amelia Bobacious! DUNDUNDUN. Josh is impressed with this deep deep reference. The other man says “Oh hello father.” “No, you’re not my son! You’re my son in law!” Harsh.
There’s some family back and forth about guilds and stuff. Amelia explains her business to Derek. Derek questions how she’s making money off giving away free toys. “Quith” explains that everyone receiving a present or gift today has actually signed an agreement stating they will owe the Chris guild lots of money, they just didn’t read the small print. Dastards. “But people will never pay such a hidden agreement!” shouts Derek incredulously.
Derek demands Amelia divorce Quith and stop this nonsence. Amelia presses a button opening a secret door revealing MegaMechaSantaClaus. “I believe this Claus will be able to uphold the contract clause”. Everyone groans and bays for blood and/or Santa oil.
Gapple stabs Quith in the heart, who lays dying. Amelia pleads with Derek to spare Quith. Mechasanta anticlimactically explodes on his own. Ghenri stands in confusion, unsure what to do. The group stand down in deference to Derek.
Amelia and Derek make up over Quith’s dying body, with Amelia agreeing to give up the guild to spare Quith. At this moment, Ghenri accidentally looses an arrow, which ricochets off several walls before killing Quith instantly. He awkwardly walks backwards out of the room. “Well, I guess that’s the meaning of QuithMas.”
Roll credits.
Epilogue: Gabby and Gapple both die of chicken aids. GBonko succumbs to his alcoholism, leaving behind a widow and some children who probably starve to death. Geric becomes a police officer, but is brutally cut down in the field of duty by a mysteriously angry group of children. The case remains unsolved. Ghenri decided to follow his first passion and opened a cookery school, but was brutally murdered by what was assumed to be a jilted former student unhappy at Ghenri’s harsh teaching methods. Scribbled on the walls in Ghenri’s blood at the crime scene were the words “YOU’RE ONTRAYS ARE SHIT”.

Okay, so, I need to get a reddit thread on this, because it's going to bug the shit out of me for a while.
The console on Meridian where you get all the messages from people, we've all seen the emails from Sera, Varric and (most excellently of all) Anders, but it seems like just about half of them are some sort of reference or another, and I KNOW I'm missing some of them.
So, here's the chars I recognized, please add them so I don't lose my mind (further). Bolding the one's I'm sure of, for clarity, not including some names because... I think some of them are lower-rung employees that might not want their name blasted out on reddit?

• Bran Cavin: Also known as Seneschal Bran of Kirkwall, and I now know why he's very happy he didn't have to do anything...
  
• G. Daniels: I mean, it could be Gabby Daniels from DA2, but it's cosigned with "Posie Rothe", and that... just seems like a name maybe?
  
• C. Pernia: I think this is Calpernia, a secondary villain from DAI?
  
• Paul Mugman: I think this is Bioware Writer Paul Blinov, who... did a thing on Chrismas where was he Mug Man as part of a promotional stream? Look, google takes you weird places.
  
• Pony Moses: .......I got nothin'.
  
• Captain I.: Well, since she's saying I can drive her boat anytime, I do believe this is everyone's favorite pirate Captain Isabella from Dragon Age!
  
• V. Tethras: Not the most subtle one, but Varric's always good for writing. :D
  
• R. Jenny and Widdle: Also not subtle, but who doesn't love Sera and Dagna?
  
• C. Hawke: Yes, Carver, I'm sure you could've done it allllll yourself. You're still the worst PC sibling in Bioware games :P.
  
• M. Fentan: Mazzy! This one's for the old school, Mazzy Fentan, the Halfling Paladin from Baldur's Gate 2, back in the game as she should be! One of the many stellar roles put to life by Jennifer Hale.
  
• Jen Zi: Radiant Jen Zi from Jade Empire, one of the potential female PC models! Great game, sadly overlooked too often.
  
• Alora: Another of the old school chars, this is a minor recruitable companion from the original Baldur's Gate!
  
• D. Sutherland: ...I mean, the obvious name that springs to mind is Donald Sutherland, but I don't think he's ever worked on a Bioware game. Just a fan on the writing staff, maybe? He is a goddamn legendary actor...
  
• Sing Wa: ...maybe a coincidence, but there's a minor NPC in Jade Empire who... is utterly hilarious in her short presence in the game.
  
• MFK: ........to goddamn bizarre a message not to be a reference to SOMETHING.
  
• A. Hendyr: ...dear lord, Bioware, you were evil with this one. Aveline Hendyr neé Vallen from Dragon Age 2.
  
• A. Gend: Decent odds this is a coincidence, but seems like a reference to Aarin Gend from Neverwinter Nights, a... semi-important NPC from that game.
  
• Anders: ...god damn it, this one seriously made me laugh so goddamn hard when I first saw it. Dragon Age Awakening and 2, of course.
  

And, look, I KNOW I missed some. They referenced Alora FFS, just can't place them. Any ideas?

I got bored so I started writing up parody verses to carols. Let's write some Touhou Chrismas carols. Feel free to take a verse of a song for yourself, or start parodying a carol of your own!
Jingle Bells
Dashing through the snow
With the dearest of tengus
O'er the hills of Gensokyo
Awoo plus puppy, too!
In Scarlet Mansion's light
Pray Orin and Chen won't fight
Who would pass the chace to sing and dance
And play with pets all night!
Ohhhh~
Jingle bells, Former hells
Rumia lost her sight
Sakuya's seen serving Flan whipped cream
And Sanae's dress is too tight!
Deck the Halls
Deck the halls with Touhou lolis!
Falalalala la la la la!
Flandre makes the tree look jolly!
Falalalala la la la la!
Reimu dons her gay apparrel!
Falalalala la la la la!
Suika belts this drunken carol!
Falalalala la la la la
Little Drummer Boy
A shiny horn for Chen, Fa-onk-honk-honk-honk
We try to talk but then, Fa-onk-honk-honk-honk
It's so damn annoying, Fa-onk-honk-honk-honk
"RAN TAKE AWAY THAT THING," Fa-onk-honk-honk-honk, honk-honk-honk-honk, honk-honk-honk-hooonnnk
And Chen has her fun, ^{Fa-onk-honk-honk-honk,} Please be done...

This is a copy of the open source shrine. I suspect this work might morph into other stuff. I created it earlier this year while trying to make sense of the madness of civilization. The purpose of all of this for me was not to make any assertions, but to explore and express, and see what kind of signals I get back from people. Peers are hard to come by due to systematic suppression of the evolution of consciousness. I figured some of you guys might appreciate the effort.
This also inspired this post where you can see this effort to reach out and learn through intense exposure. This active creation was my main practice which lead me through the experience I needed to come into alignment and understanding since major events left deep cracks in my views of life and existence
Throughout all of this experience that I had, over the last year especially, one common conflict I noticed was that there is very little meaningful participation that most people seem to have in their own life. I began posting to inspire collaboration and creativity, and to give others starting points and leave hints and clues about work to be done. I can finally understand why I hardly got any of it back. Imagination colonized by the spectacle. fully mediated existence.
original shrine:
Omni Syntheism is an open source religion founded on January 11, 2015. It's birthplace is the Internet itself, and it is designed to usher in planetary consciousness and Civilization 2.0. The intent is to help others to discover Omni Syntheism and to collaborate on its development while hiding nothing from view. This is open source.

cat pic

This is Misha, a 6 year old Manx cat. She is the protector of this sacred shrine. Her wisdom is deep.

Syntheism

Syntheism is a religious movement focused on how atheists and pantheists can achieve the same feelings of community and wonder experienced in traditional theistic religions. Pantheism is the belief that all dualistic theisms are based on the mistaken assumption that God is something external to our existence. According to Pantheism, The Universe and God amount to one and the same thing. God is internal and not external to The Universe and everything that exists is divine. An atheist can therefore also be a pantheist and vice versa.
Syntheism comes from the Greek syntheos (from syn- for with or creating with and -theos for god). Rather than discussing whether gods exist independently of us or not, we admit that all gods have been created by humanity and nobody else, and we are consequently free to keep creating gods as long as we admit that this is precisely what we do when we conduct religion.

Omni Syntheism

13'000 years ago, Omni was the foundation for meaningful human existence. During the development of agriculture and domestication, humans were accidentally mistaken for livestock. The sacred consciousness which lifted us out of the animal kingdom was repressed in every possible way so that we may again submit to those above us, and dominate those below.
The Three Commandments are designed to bring us back to our path, to connect with one another, and to encourage sharing and community.

The Three Commandments:

Create: Omni is consciousness expressed through connected commons.
Connect: Planetary consciousness is emerging as the Internet multiplies and strengthens our connections.
Converge: As Omni converges, God is revealed.

Ushering in Civilization 2.0

Without trying to make any ultimate statements, a new civilization, based on equality seems to be emerging with the following traits:
Planetary Consciousness
New Urbanism
Open Source Everything
Local Import Replacement
Resource Based Economy
Connected Commons
Borderline Cat Worship
Sharing Economy
Automated Abundance

Spreading Consciousness

Use these guideposts to compare the old ways, still seen all around us, with what is emerging:
Unconsciousness → Consciousness
Inequality → Equality
Credentialing - Education
Conditioned - Unconditioned
Repression - Expression
Hierarchy → Network
Production - Creation
Linear - Fractal
Personality (ego) - Individual
Authoritative - Collaborative
Private - Open
Deception - Awareness
Scarcity → Abundance
Political - Civil
Foreign Responsibility - Local Responsibility
Exploitation - Cooperation
Specialization - Generalization
Dependence - Interdependence

Celebration

No matter how well intended, engaging in negative narratives only gives power to the divisive worldview. The term rebellion has been intentionally mistaken for revolution. Rebellion is not about opposition, or about overthrowing governments; that is revolution, to replace violence with violence. Rebellion simply means to drop the old way and create the new.
With this understanding, we can realize that celebration is the ultimate form of rebellion for our times. It is for this reason that we pay respect to Bastet, goddess of cats, protection, love, joy, music, dance, and healing. Bastet also protects humans from contagious diseases and evil spirits. This is deeply relevent as we learn that Native Americans viewed the deception and exploitation (profit motive) exhibited by white explorers as a cannabalistic disease.
On Christmas Day, 1914 (WWI), against the orders of the hierarchy, soldiers courageously rose up from the blood and decay of their trenches to meet their supposed enemies in the spirit of celebration. All day long they sang and ate and played games together. Next Christmas, the hierarchy employed relentless airstrikes and artillery fire to ensure that this expression of unity could not again disrupt their objectives.
We have now become so connected, that mass celebration will soon overwhelm the crumbling momentum of division. Protesting and armchair activism are well contained activities, coordinated by broadcast media to devolve into destructive violence. Connect with each other on a local level to cultivate Omni, celebrate everything and everywhere. Please look to the Omni Commons of Oakland and to the Decentralized Dance Party for inspiration.

Omni

Omni cannot be strictly be defined. It is something that you know when you see it. It is the creative work of consciousness connecting through shared spaces. It is an expression of love and community. It is manifested through awareness and cooperation. The Open Source movement of modern times is a massive expression of Omni. The vast works of all kinds licenced under Creative Commons provide further example. These works enrich us all, and that is the reward.
Physical expressions of Omni represent radical achievements of collective consciousness. It is in these places that we take refuge from exploitation and come together in celebration of life. Omni is our temple, our connection to each other, our foundation. Dense concentrations of Omni such as the Omni Commons in Oakland represent a launch point for bringing consciousness back into every facet of our civilization as we upgrade to a foundation of equality: Civilization 2.0.

Rituals

Rituals are an important part of community cohesiveness. If tailored to achieve a specific goal they become an incredibly powerful tool for change. Regular collaboration can help to cultivate Omni, and to bring a sense of community back into our common spaces. This is completely open to local preferences, but some rituals may involve the sharing or expression of member created art, discussion of local affairs, a Decentralized Dance Party, or cultivation of Omni. Regular meetups will encourage further ritual development as the Omni expands and converges.

Magic

Magic is the act of manipulating the subconscious to manifest changes in the world around them. This has been intentionally misunderstood because it is the basis for control used by hierarchies such as church or state or corporation. For example, seeing a big yellow M might trigger a state of hunger as commercial images flash through the mind. One may have a certain song which puts them in the mood for some activity. This is magical invocation. We may sing Chrismas Carols which evoke the spirit of Christmas, who symbolizes the patriarchy, our way of life, and rewards our obedience with a bounty of gifts.
In reality, magic simply offers us the key to our subconscious, and through narrative, allows us to manifest the world we choose to live in. Without an understandinf of magic, we really have no control of our own story, and are unconsciously subject to those around us.

How This Works

This work is currently in its very early stages. You can help by retweeting or sharing on any other social media platform. You can also copy this entire shrine or make your own and upload it anywhere. You can print it off and put it in some public place. Please use your own imagination.

Welcome to my humble Advent calender, check back daily for an awesome new subreddit to discover or rediscover. It will be a mix of small, big, wierd and really cool subreddits!
The only rule is that it has to be part of the network! So without further addo, here is the calender.

1. /ImaginaryFood - All the imaginary food you could ever want, the perfect place to go window shopping for the Christmas meal!
2. /ImaginaryMindscapes - Already stressed out by buying presents? Here the perfect place to relax with amazing Art!
3. /ImaginaryAetherpunk - Even high up in the air you can feel it is christmas time. It is that time of the year where you can blast of with your airship while singing christmas carols!
4. /ImaginaryCityscapes - Isn't is romantic to look over a city full of lights at night while it is snowing! Now it just needs to snow :(
5. /ImaginaryOrcs - There isn't /ImaginaryKrampus, so I gues you will have to go watch the movie (It is horrible I heared) or simply visit this subreddit.
6. /ImaginaryClerics - Well this time there is no /ImaginaryNikolaus, so I gues this subreddit has to be the substitute for all things Clerics :)
7. /ImaginaryCastles - The perfect place to chill during a snowstorm in Winter! I mean who would want to sit in the cold outside?
8. /ImaginaryPathways - The best subreddit if you are looking for a way to the perfect Chrismas Cheer! With 100% and they are all going somewhere!
9. /ImaginaryStarscapes - There are 9 Planets, right? Also who doesn't want to look up to the sky and find a ton of stars. The subreddit is so good, that even the admins featured it in one blog post!
10. /ImaginaryWalls - Normally build to keep things in, they are also necessary to keep us warm in winter.
11. /ImaginaryNewNewYork - I am pretty sure that there are many christmases (am I writing this correctly?) between now and the time Fry woke up, so sad that he missed so many of them :(.
12. /ImaginaryMaps - Whether you are looking for inspirations for a tabletop campaign or simply love to imagine how a country would look with an alternative history or simply love maps, then this subreddit is perfect for you.
13. /ImaginaryWitches - Some say that the number 13 is an unlucky number, this is of course not true, or at least when you are looking for amazing witch art!
14. /ImaginaryPortals - It is winter and really cold, so it is a good idea to try to escape to somewhere where it is warmer and if you are too cool for airplanes, why not try portals?
15. /ImaginaryStarships - Just taking a short break from the "boring" and down to earth subreddits I present /ImaginaryStarships to you, a great subreddit if you dig flying through space and maybe even find a flying telfon box.
16. /ImaginaryDragons - Flying high in the sky, beings that can be good and evil and I heared that they are the back-up for Santa when the reindeers!
17. /ImaginaryBooks - I don't know what is better than sitting next to an open fire, in a cozy house with a book while it is cold outside and it is snowing!
18. /ImaginaryElves - Well, normally I write something about the sub and how it connects with christmass, but this time I am all out of ideas! Still a really really awesome subreddit!
19. /ImaginaryWords - This is the perfect subreddit to discover new words you never knew you would need and I am sure that you will find many usefull words for christmas there.
20. /ImaginaryTurtleWorlds - Originally founded as a joke subreddit, this is the perfect place to have deep discousions about turtles and find cool turtle pics.
21. /ImaginaryArchitecture - This is the perfect subreddit to find inspiration for your next house, or at least a place where you can find inspiration for daydreaming your next house!
22. /ImaginaryWinterscapes - Well, I don't think I have to explain too much why this is an awesome subreddit for the winterstime, the perfect place to see snow when there is none outside btw ;) .
23. /ImaginaryTrees - This subreddit has nothing to do with /trees, however it has something even better in it, the real thing, trees, as in christmass trees. There are also all kind of trees if the standard christmas tree is too boring for you.
24. /ImaginaryBestOf - The best of the best, a speciality subreddit that presents a new post from the network each day.
25. /ImaginaryCyberpunk - Yes our Advent Calender has more than 24 doors :). I once had one and I really liked it because it was even more chocolate :). So here I present you /ImaginaryCyberpunk, for those people who hate Christmas because it is to happy and for everybody else who loves SiFi and other distopian stuff.
26. ??????????
27. ??????????

i was in jail last week... and now i'm not.
i didn't think i'd be out for chrismas, but i guess the judge had some kind of heart.
older generations do not understand ours... but that's a topic for another day.
i found this. i found reddit. i play guitar and sing, but i can't show the world, because i don't want the world to know who i really am.
cliche johnny reznik, i know (goo goo dolls)
in totality... in actuality... i finality....
i am me. nothing more and nothing less. everything more and everything less.
and yet, none of those.
i am.
or am i?
these are the most simple questions that people seem to find unimportant.
we're too wrapped up in mtv, e!, bet, abc, nbc, and whatever else there is to pay attention to what we are.
we're so focused on the "external" world that we forget to look "internally"
those of us who focus on self become selfish though, because we forget that there IS still an external world.
the truth is, to me at least, they are one in the same
you are what you see and you see what you are.
it's a difficult concept to wrap your mind around... yet it's not
am i a contradiction? yes.
so are you
internal = external

Rather than just the one video this week, I thought I would do a Christmas covers special
 
Kpop stars love to Cover Christmas song whether it be for a release or a special stage on a music show.
 
Here are a selection of these festive crackers:
 
Bom and Lee Hi - All I want for Christmas - This one got a fair bit of netizen hate, but I really like the song, even if Bom is a little dead behind the eyes in the video.
 
Sung Si Kyung and Ailee - Baby it's cold outside - I love Ailee's voice and she pulls off just the right amount of cheeky here!
 
SHINee - Last Christmas - I am not a SHINee fan, but this is a classic Christmas tune!
 
Dal Shabet and MINX - Rockin' around the Christmas tree- Love this song, a great sing a long!
 
TVXQ - Sleigh ride - It's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together!
 
Jimin and ChoA - Last Christmas - Only slightly concerned by Jimin's murderous eyes in this....
 
Ailee - My grown up Christmas list
 
And let us not forget all those SNSD covers from their Fairy tale show:
Santa baby
All I want for Christmas is you
O Holy Night!
Last Christmas
Have yourself a merry little christmas
When you wish upon a star
Winter wonderland
Silver bells
Welcome Christmas
 
Which Chrismas cover is your favourite? Who would you like to see doing a Christmas cover in the future and what of?
 
Of course, Kpop Christmas songs aren't all covers. Feel free to share your Kpop Christmas playlists below so we can all find some Kpop festive gems!

Hello Reddit.!
I am 18 years old, almost 19. I have this dark secret (no crime commited) that is killing me inside.! It is something i can't bring myself to tell anybody.! My friends and parents know i am depressed, but are left with no reason why. I was forced to lie my way out of it for so long. It kills me to know that its not something i should tell them, because its life altering and will most likely bring more darkness into my life. Every year for the passed 4-5 years i have been drifting down into depression more and more.! Everybody is trying to convince me to get help. Unforntunately i am unfixable. I cry myself to sleep every single night, and smiles only seem to come out when i'm drunk. This is a sure sing that i am turning into an alcoholic, and the thought of that is also depressing.! I have so many friends, and i feel so lonely.! I have been feeling suicidal for so long. But I can't do it. I have a sister that i love too much, a loving mother, who'd do anything for me and a loving father, who I love so much.! I just can't do it.! It would ruin so many of my Loved ones lives.!
Thank you for reading my story.! i really needed to get this out. especially during chrismas. This is when i feel the loneliest.! Thank you, and happy new years.! I hope you all enjoy it :)