I love love love Captain Howdy's adventure games and I'm so excited to watch my story unfold over this event. [eager]

[b]Day 1: Transportation Home[/b]
[quote]Choice F +7 points
[img]http://www.menewsha.com/img/43187/0b5efecd82d64cfa39577de4d44721fc.jpg[/img]
When it comes to getting from point A to point B, a boat may not seem like the best decision. Versus traveling by land, the route is a much longer journey. But breathing in the cool, crisp air and looking out over the peaceful waters, you think you made the right choice.[/quote]
I'M ON A BOAT! Hahaha, out of all the options for transit home, I actually like the boat best. Not the fastest, no, but I love riding on boats. :D

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[b]Day 2: Who I'm Shopping For[/b]
[quote]Choice B +2 points
[img]http://www.menewsha.com/img/43187/3fc5fd97853c02b43f8e65252e65334c.jpg[/img]
Whereas your brother Tommy is basically one step up from a vagrant, your sister Melinda is on the complete opposite of the spectrum. Melinda’s all about keeping up appearances. She lives in a big house. Drives an expensive car. Wears only designer clothing. She is a person accustomed to the best, and demands nothing less. Not such good news for your wallet.[/quote]
Let me just say right now, Melinda is getting something homemade from me whether she likes it or not!

[hr][/hr]

[b]Day 3: Where am I staying?[/b]
[quote]Choice E +6 Points
[img]http://www.menewsha.com/img/43187/846c2ee4a790b9352c46b123a2a4e199.jpg[/img]
It’s not a grand hotel and not the most posh of accommodations, but the motel is okay. Good for the budget, though. It’s lacking some of the things you would like. Room service, for instance, and cable TV. At least there’s WiFi.[/quote]
I've always enjoyed staying at motels. Fanciness is okay, but also pretty overwhelming. And I'm not the sort to call for room service anyway. I'm not even bummed about the lack of cable either, cause all my movies and shows are online anyway. [XD]

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[b]Day 4: Who am I running into today?[/b]
[quote]Choice C +10 Points
[img]http://www.menewsha.com/img/43187/c223809b0e86683e9f60b631f7a074c1.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.menewsha.com/img/43187/9347fb6ff3b6cd15901c22cecb908041.jpg[/img]
Just outside the mall, you feel a tap on the shoulder. Turning, you’re surprised to see your old flame from high school. Back in the day you two were pretty serious, and thought you’d be together forever. Things change though, and going off to college the distance proved to be too much. But seeing them here again, you can still feel that old spark. Could this turn into something more serious?[/quote]
Aaaawwwww yeeeaaaaahhhh!

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[b]Day 5: Shopping Expiditions[/b]
[quote]J +6 Points
[img]http://www.menewsha.com/img/43187/fd3e0b8b3a04926f9e174c50f30ef9f7.jpg[/img]
What’s worse than having to scour one store? It’s having to drag your carcass from place to place. At the first you were told, ‘No we don’t carry that. You should try such and such across the mall’. So you head over there and get, ‘Nah, we haven’t sold that for months. Check out blah blah blah.’ So you mosey on down to ‘blah blah blah’, only to hear, ‘What, we never carried that. You’d be better at yet another location.’ This goes on for three more stores until, thank glob, you find what you’re looking for.[/quote]
Bummer! Could have been worse though. But really, why was I so dead set on that particular item...? See I can't even remember what it was! This is why I prefer to do homemade. [sweat]

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[b]Day 6: Unwrapping Presents[/b]
[quote]A +5 Points
[img]http://www.menewsha.com/img/43187/c1820664449b1af5bf7915158e4dc374.jpg[/img]
If there’s one thing to be said for Chad’s gifts, they’re definitely unusual. This can be either good or bad. You’re not sure how to react to the dancing cat speaker at first, but the little guy eventually grows on you.[/quote]
That reaction is pretty much spot on. That thing probably would grow on me. [XD]

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[b]Day 7: Dinnertime![/b]
[quote]Choice G +8 Points
[img]http://www.menewsha.com/img/43187/9ddb1c57d70d697ff63e53cb3d9de8b5.jpg[/img]
Nothin’ says lovin’ like what comes out of mom’s oven, but unfortunately Mom’s decided she’d like to take it easy this holiday season. This year’s dinner will be professionally catered. It’s quite the feast, to be sure, and undeniably delicious, but seems to lack that special, quality home cooked magic.[/quote]
Would not have expected mom to hire a caterer for Christmas! I didn't even know you could do that. :o This is so fancy, in a deliciously weird way that I like. XD

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[b]Day 8: Last Night and Journey Home[/b]
[quote]Choice D +5 Points
[img]http://www.menewsha.com/img/43187/a2a69ef508071accbbb031f86e69755e.jpg[/img]
What’s the perfect way to cap off a perfect day? If you said a five hour nighttime church service, there is something seriously wrong with you. But perfect or not, that’s how your family closes the holidays. It’s what Grandma insists, and no one, not even Grandpa, can say no to her. So you sit, on the same old wooden pew, your butt falling asleep, listening to the same old sermon. You try to get in some Zombie Madness on your phone, but Mom slaps your hand and tells you to behave. Oh well, only four and a half more hours to go.[/quote]
I'm not at all religious, so I can't say a five hour nighttime sermon is a great way to end the day. Good thing I've got such a chatty head, maybe I can think through some of the details of my next writing project. Or maybe I could start that meditation practice I've always wanted. [lol] Besides, it could be worse. At least no one got in a fight and the house didn't burn down. [rofl]

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Total points: 49

Aside: Chose a different letter each day, and got through all except H and I. No particular reasoning behind the letters I picked, just followed my feeling in the moment.

I enjoyed making daily posts of my Halloween adventures this year, so I'm going to carry on this new tradition by kinda live-blogging my Festival of Winter Nights experience. ^^

Part of this will be real life, and parts might be in character as Chex. :3

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[b]Day 1[/b]
Start of the event, yay! Checked out all the staff games and contests and started participating. Got dressed up in a holiday outfit.
[IMG]http://www.menewsha.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=7792&pictureid=59092[/IMG]

Picked up a free siggy from Maha-Aamir's thread:
[IMG]http://www.menewsha.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=87&pictureid=59088[/IMG] [heart]
I love these Menewshan scenes she makes, they're so cute! Definitely want to get another one after the event, and maybe try my hand at making my own.

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[b]Day 2[/b]
Wasn't online as much as I wanted, but made sure I was up to date with all the games and contests. Got dressed up as a waitress from Isle of Cacao for the costume contest:
[IMG]http://www.menewsha.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=7792&pictureid=59089[/IMG]

First results from Captain Howdy's "Home for the Holidays" are out, but those will get their own post so that the whole unfolding story can be in one place. :D

Exchanged some sass with Peeblo. ;)

I've got lots of holiday stuff to do tomorrow with my family, but I'll have FoWN on my mind while I'm cooking and baking.

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[b]Day 3[/b]

Spent most of the day at home, cooking and cleaning for Christmas Eve dinner.

When I finally got into town, I spotted my brother Evander flirting with Esmme in the Festival Tent. [lol]
[IMG]http://www.menewsha.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=7794&pictureid=59097[/IMG] [img]http://i.imgur.com/UGWRdnl.png[/img]

Channah delivered some wonderful knitted gifts for the community, so I updated my holiday outfit to use the adorable hairpins!
[IMG]http://www.menewsha.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=7792&pictureid=59099[/IMG]

Day 1:
Lots of running around and chatting. Took over a corner of the event to have a dance party. Many taters were collected. Dressed up as a Milos Island faun at harvest time.
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/0IqKpKE.png[/IMG]

Day 2:
Asked the Ouija board who my true love is, and got engaged to Elirona! Consulting further with the Ouija board to plan our wedding!
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/0IqKpKE.png[/IMG] [heart] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/YOgnduJ.png[/IMG]

Day 3:
Happy Halloween! Joined the ranks of secret assassins, attempted to off my target. Added cute new gourds to my harvest collection.
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/d6n0t0H.png[/IMG]
Day 4:
Got offed by an assassin. Entered contests, got quite drunk and played around in the festival tent and the corn maze. Took picz for yanyan13 in exchange for arts; now belong to him forever. [lol]
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/5m3UjvR.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/T4sUObM.png[/IMG]
Day 5:
Killer hangover. Almost lost my soul over a bucket of fried chicken in the festival tent. Apparently the feasting table is cursed! [illgetu] Amane tried to warn me, but in my hungover condition, I thought she was trying to get my soul! [oops]
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/DB5SOFr.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/GsfAVCV.png[/IMG]

Day 6:
Winding down as the event winds down. Decided to mellow out in the Festival Tent.
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/IDtZb3d.png[/IMG]

Day 7:
Finally decided to change out of my stinky Halloween costume. Went on a massive shopping spree in the Event Store, and got some lovely new threads. I love these purples!
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/sF82bBZ.png[/IMG]

Dear Journal,
It's been awhile since I wrote in this blog, I'm very upset and disappointed at not only CEO but whole staff members over the rigging INFLATION!!!
I discover it after reading [URL="http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/site-feedback/133tgate-staff-interfering-with-the-mp-inflation-tickets/t.94022785/"]this topic[/URL],my questing,earn the old fashion way [b]WILL NOT[/b] work in their society!

So,you wanna cheat,lie and steal,huh?! I'm sorry but you not getting a gold coin ( or GC) from me while play favorites w/ staff member!! (Like P.U.G. Halloween contest)

Now I find out you are USING OUR kick starter gold to curate AI our hard to earn item( like SD dolls the one I questing for?) So we can buy over MP price (400 bil!!)? FORGET IT!!

Well two can play THIS GAME!!! Guess what I'm not selling anymore RARES in my shop!! You are gonna have PMed me for an offer and better NOT see you be a mule for staff member!!

Members ONLY!!!

Also,CEO...congratulations... You just brought the F***** royal heir out of me!!
I don't wanna use this,but when comes to Gaia cheating,lying and stealing I have no choice.. (Take her queenie gloves off..)
[IMG]http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view6/3783053/homer-duel-o.gif[/IMG]
This a duel.. You are mine,CEO..anytime cause problem on Gaia you THINK twice.. I make your time miserable...

Sincerely yours,
Very upset gaian and Queen of Gaia.

Once upon a time
In a land far away
Lived Dys
Dys lived in a castle with a large closet
A closet that held ever outfit imaginable
Except for one
Dys had seen a girl wear an outfit she had never seen before
and she knew she had to have it
So she talked to her hunter Anarchy to fetch the girl
So the girl could tell her where she got her clothing
Anarchy searched and searched but he could not find this girl
But Dys would not let this go
She told Anarchy to find her this girl
or
She would kill him and his kin
So the hunter went out on a quest
on his horse Wonder
in search for this girl
He went to the town and asked if they had seen this girl
he described the girl and her cloths just as Dys has described
but no one had seen her
He had to search farther
He asked a woman who lived at the edge of the city
Her name was Hummy and she listen intently to his plight
But she had not seen this girl
She did however
know someone who could help him
She pointed him to the Music Guild
There he would find Amane
For she was known for having information
The journey to the Music guild was long
The horse Wonder was strong and powered through the rough terrain
Anarchy was delighted when he saw the Guild in the distance
And he ran the rest of the way
He called for Amane in his excitement
She came out of the guild bewildered but greeted him kindly
He asked Amane if she had seen the girl
He described her wonderful clothes that Dys had admired and envied
Yes Amane had said
She had seen this girl
She remembered her because her clothing had been so beautiful she could not forget
This had Anarchy excited
Even Wonder whinnied
Where is she he asked
She left
Amane did not know the girls destination
but she did know that the girl left heading east
This made Anarchy happy as he and Wonder took off in that direction

Dys however was becoming more and more anxious
Where was Anarchy and the girl with beautiful clothing
Why was this taking so long
She could not take it
So she made the decision to leave herself

Anarchy rode the path east
Unaware of Dys' actions
That was until Wonder tripped over a large rock in the road
That's when Anarchy noticed that Wonder was tired
He had pushed her to hard and she needed rest
Anarchy had no choice but to make camp.
He and Wonder sat underneath the stars
He wished to find the girl soon
He wished that for his kin's sake
Morning rose to soon for Anarchy and Wonder
But Wonder was still to beaten to continue
So Anarchy had to walk beside her
Because he would not leave his companion behind
Then he spotted a house on the side of the road
He knocked on the door
And a woman answered
She was a poet who would not give her name
Only her title
A wondering poet
She let Anarchy stay and eat
She fed Wonder and the horse was healed
Strong and ready for the rest of the journey
But the poet would not let them leave so soon
She required compensation in return
But Anarchy had nothing he could offer the woman in return

Dys was headed south
because that was the village she had last seen the girl
So it was a fitting place to start
She went to the exact spot she was at when she saw the beautiful clothing and the girl who wore them
She went into the store that the girl had walked into
It turned out to be a wood-crafting shop
What would that girl have wanted here
Dys wanted to ask this question to the man who worked here but the shop was closed
So she had to move on
Dys walked the path even further south also finding a house at the edge of the city
Where the humble Hummy lived
Dys asked the woman if she had seen the girl with beautiful clothing
Hummy was surprised to hear the same question as the stranger before her
Hummy told Dys exactly what she had told Anarchy
That Amane of the Music Guild could help her
But Dys knew that Guild was far
And Dys had no horse
That trip would take her days
And she wanted to find those clothes quickly
Dys went back to the cafe to think and rst a moment
There she met PiM a waitress who was very kind and quick
Just what Dys liked
She couldn't help but think how much easier her life would be if her Hunter was PiM instead of Anarchy
She couldn't wait on that man
Seeing her distress PiM asked Dys what her troubles were
Dys revealed that she was the one who lived in the castle
And this shocked PiM because everyone knows the woman who owns every type of clothing lived in that castle
Dys told PiM of the girl she had seen in the most beautiful clothes she had seen
PiM had seen this girl with eye-catching clothes
That made Dys excited
Where did she go?
Well PiM said she was talking to a Poet and they had left the cafe together speaking of songs
That made Dys think of the Music Guild
No PiM said they had spoken about separating there
The poet wanted to write about the girls beautiful clothing and the girl was reluctant
The Poet wanted to write songs for the girl
The girl had other plans
PiM over heard that the girl was heading back to her village that was by the coast

What kind of compensation asked Anarchy
The poet laughed
Why you must listen to my new song she said
But Anarchy did not have time to listen
But the Poet made him stay
She sang with a beautiful voice
A song about warm smells
Of clear waters
and youth
Then the lyrics began to describe the girl that Dys had said
Anarchy interrupted the Poet
And this made the Poet angry
Where did you see this girl
But the poet did not want to listen
this was the first person she had sung this new song to
And it was a beautiful song indeed
The poet would not answer the rude man and left
This mad Anarchy very worried
what if this was his last lead
he thought back to the song that described the girl
of the warm smells and clear waters
he then remembered there was only on place that matched that description
He looked to Wonder with determination and climbed upon her sattel

Dys stood upon the warm sand and breathed in the salty air
this place was true heaven
fitting place of origin for the most beautiful clothing she had ever seen
But she saw no girl
as she talked to the villagers and merchants no one had seen a girl with such wonderful clothing
But Dys knew this was the place PiM had spoken of
as she walked around a man approached Dys
he told her tonight was the night of a gala
that people from all over were here to dance and mingle
wearing the most beautiful clothing they owned
Dys knew that the girl had to be their
why else would she wear such wonderful clothing

Anarchy pulled back the reigns
Wonder skidded to a stop
this had to be the place
the crystal clear coast
the scent of warm sand and salt in the air
there was no mistake
the girl must be here
but where
looking around he spotted a girl wearing clothing he had never seen before
but it was not the beautiful clothing Dys had described
He approached the girl and Vera was her name
Vera was here to attend the gala
but only those of the upper class could attend
Vera told him she had not seen this girl but she could help Anarchy sneak into the gala
that there was an unattended room in the back that he could sneak in through
that she would unlock it for him
Anarchy was thankful and surprised the girl was so willing to help
Wonder to guard his things in the woods

Dys was dressed in her most expensive and beautiful dress
but she still felt as though it was just rags in comparison to what that girl wore
As the party started the host Grapefruit came out
She came out and thanked everyone for attending her party
as the party commenced Dys kept and eye out for that girl with the beautiful clothing
she used her skills she obtained as a noble to dance with and socialize with as many people as possible asking about the girl with beautiful clothing
As Dys chatted with the host Grapefruit Dys was begging to feel that anxious feeling again
where had that girl disappeared to
Dys had about given up
and chose to drink the rest of the night away
Dys stumbled tipsy into the next room
There she saw Anarchy climb in from the window
I must be drunk she said
But Anarchy shushed her and explained
He was surprised to see Dys here
But he told her that he believed that the girl Dys was searching for was here
Dys shook her head on disappointment
She had already talked to every person
The girl was not here
As they talked a maid rushed by them tripping and spilling wine all over Dys
The maid named Ant bowed in apology and Grapefruit was quick to rush in and help
not wanting her party to be ruined
While the servants cleaned Dys' dress to keep it from staining Grapefruit let Dys borrow one of her dresses.
Dys noted that the dress was not as beautiful as the one she wore here but it would have to do

Anarchy on the other hand was caught up with some women who wanted to dance
and he couldn't dance