Aimee

I miss when I had not only the time but the motivation to read. I have stopped and started so many books over the last year it's just sad. And will do!

I'm struggling to stick with any one book and also struggling to find something to hold my attention long enough to read more than a chapter or two before setting and forgetting. (Thanks, ADHD) Currently have bookmarks and tissues and other household objects stuck in: Doctor Who: The Ruby’s Curse - Alex Kingston The Hobbit - J.R.R Tolkein (running the e-book and audio book at the same time because the writing style doesn't work with my brain when trying to read it) The Lost Apothecary - Sarah Penner Skandar and the Unicorn Thief - A.F. Steadman I might just give up and pick up Eragon to try and get my drive to read going.

I'm with @Triller on this; this is a must review and a 10/10 for sure. I think this might be one of the most professional looking graphics I have seen on this forum. I feel like I'm looking at a professional rendering during the off-season for an NHLer's new mask. The colors pop and the images are soft yet really stand out. The angles also of where the image warps to the shape of the mask is incredible. Amazing job and I'm definitely going to be checking out any other work you've done as well as keep an eye out for future work.

This past weekend Jesse Teno and their fiance flew home to Vermont to celebrate Channuakah with their family. Sunday was the first night and Jesse was seen attending the chanukia lighting at their synagogue. They brought with them presents for friends and family in attendance as well as some surprise ones for the kids who attend the Hebrew school to bring home and open up with their families during the week. The synagogue provided Jesse and their family with a traditional oil based meal of potato latkes and jelly filled donuts called sufganiyot. Jesse surprised their fiance with a necklace that had a small pendant with a since diamond and she gave Jesse a new watch with the London United’s logo pressed into the leather band. This will be our last report on Jesse Teno’s whereabouts for the year so we are wishing everyone a Happy Channukah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanza, and a Happy New Year. Or as a kids tv commercial once called it, Happy Christma-Channa-Kwanz-ika! 167 words for week ending 12/25/2022

You know the drill! 1. It's the last day of the regular season and we're way out in 1st. How do you feel? 2. How do you think we're going to hold up in the playoffs? 3. Anything advice you want to give your teammates as we move on from the regular season? 4. Looks like we'll be crossing into January for the post season. Are you ready to ring in the new year with a cup win? 5. How many points do you think you'll have in the post season? 6. Are you home or away for the holiday season?

Claiming 2/2

First night of channukah!

Having just come off an incredible season with the Cologne Express, Teno was riding a high that they had not been able to experience in the VHLM. A winning record in the regular season (29-12-5) boosted Teno’s confidence in a way that it had not been since they last played for the University of Vermont. A hard loss in the playoffs followed but Teno still managed to help get their team far into it. The off season saw Teno at the training rink every day trying to get ready for the VHL. They wanted to be able to compete at a higher level starting day one. The expectations for their performance seemed high among scouts and coached alike and Teno was determined to prove them all right. Being drafted 10th overall by the London United shocked Teno. Not only did they get into the coveted top 10, but it meant that all their hard work in the VHLM and VHLE truly paid off. The determination and dedication to growing their skills was showing real world rewards. Teno has spent their rookie season more on the bench than off but that doesn’t mean that they haven’t put up decent numbers. With a current 7-3-1 record, Teno is holding their own against seasoned veterans. Talks regarding rookie goalies are not always the most positive so it’s been good to hear that Teno is not only doing well, but also getting praise for their hard work. They continue to be near the top of their draft class in terms of production and have expressed interest in continuing their constant climb. One week out from the end of Teno’s rookie season and they are looking good to get the coveted spot of starting goalie for the United next season. Spending their rookie season as a backup to David Davis has allowed Teno to hone their skills and learn from some of the best. It was announced prior to the start of the season that the United has planned to make Teno the starting goalie one day and now with the announced retirement of Davis, it’s officially happening as of S86. This just means that Teno has a few more weeks to prove themselves as being worthy to take over. As the rookie season comes to the final stretch, Teno has said that they feel good about where they are and plan to continue to do well. Only time will tell at this point how the next few seasons will go but hopefully the upward trajectory will continue.

In this thread

Newly engaged Jesse Teno will be heading home for the holidays to see their family along with their fiancé. This will be the goalie’s first trip home since leaving for London a few months ago and their first holiday season mostly away from home. We asked Jesse how they plan to spend the few days and they said that they will be visiting all the friends and family that they can, hit up a University of Vermont hockey game, as well as do some holiday shopping. Jesse has also recently started the Teno Foundation which provides hockey equipment to low-income kids all around Vermont. They are hoping that with investors, time, and proof of concept that they can expand beyond the Green Mountain State. Currently the foundation has provided equipment to 150 families and Jesse is hoping to one day be able to either buy or build a rink that would provide free lessons and free ice time as well. 160 words for week ending 12/18/2022

In this thread

As I normally do this time of year, I have donated to the Anti-Defamation League.

1. Jesse's parents got them their first hockey lesson for Channukah. 2. Jesse loves the necklace they got their fiance last year. 3. I hope so! Handful of games left to climb the standings. 4. I did! Third season doing it and I really like it. I've been consistently sitting in 3rd in my group and my lowest scoring player is Jacob's which is just sad. 5. GO DANIEL GO! 6. Of course we will! We are an amazing group who deserves to move on.

Answer 3 for 1 or 6 for 2! 1. We're officially in the back end of the season. Do you think we can hold onto the number 1 spot? 2. We had our first night of all losses. How did your player cheer up their teammates? 3. Are you going to hit 200 tpe and move up? If not, would you like to stick around with the Marlins for another season? 4. If you could take any VHL player and bring them to the Marlins, who would it be and why? 5. Does pineapple belong on a pizza? Why yes but only with bacon? 6. What holiday(s) will you be celebrating this month? If no holiday, what are you doing with your days off/vacation time?

So we’re five weeks into Jesse’s rookie season in the VHL and so far so good, I think. Due to work and life I have definitely slowed down in some ways but I am still committed to reading along on Discord and claiming as much of that sweet sweet TPE as possible. Speaking of, Jesse has managed to move from their long standing 7th place among the S85 draft class up to 6th, passing Henry Tucker Jr in TPE. By my calculations it’s still going to take me a few months before I can pass Phil Strasmore so we’ll see how that goes over the next few seasons. I am still enjoying it here even though my social life on discord has taken a bit of a hit. I am sure there’s a joke or two I have missed in the Moscow LR that Garsh @Garsh wouldn’t have been surprised to see me suddenly pop in on. I am most active in the Marlins LR since as the AGM I am trying to be there for new players and earn that nonexistent AGM pay. I have managed to actually keep up with giving out Starfish of the Sim but lately due to Thanksgiving and getting engaged, I have had to do multiple days all in one go. But otherwise, I am still enjoying talking to those I do. Speaking of being an AGM, I really do love my players and how amazing the Marlins are doing this season. Jacob @jacobcarson877 really did an incredible job with the draft and has brought in some really active members since then. Praise be to Simon. I have also been thinking about what else I want to do in the VHL in terms of content and applying for jobs. For jobs, I have decided that I don’t have the personal time or the consistent energy needed to be a GM. After learning a lot from Shindigs @Shindigs and working alongside Jacob, I think I am a good learner and a good teacher, but I don’t think I would make a good leader. For starters, I work a job that has me working 10 hour days 7 days a week from March 1st to April 15th and I know that I can’t be a GM during that time nor should I go into the job before promptly dumping a month and a half on an AGM. So I think I am comfortable in the AGM position and am happy to help wherever and whenever I can. I also would like to get an updater job when they open up. I am on the site constantly and know it’s something I could check in on a lot. I did also apply for a mod position but nothing has come from that application and since I have only been here six months, I wouldn’t be surprised if I am still too new to really be considered for the job. In terms of content, I have been thinking of giving podcasting a try. It’s crossed my mind the few times I have been too stuck to write a media spot or when I have no ideas for a graphic. But then I force myself to do one of those two because who wants to listen to me talk about the VHL when I still only know a handful of people. I do have a big interview with Lachlan Summers @kirbithan that I have been meaning to write for VSN but every time I think about working on it either I get busy or I just don’t have the motivation to write it. Which is so sad because I was really looking forward to it and then I just got some brain fog and it was all over. I still have my interview saved so maybe one day I’ll finally be able to sit down and write it. And yes I see the irony of me writing up a 1,000 word media spot right now but when it’s practically a stream of consciousness it makes it easier. As for Jesse’s performance, I think they’re doing pretty well. I am happy with where I have been applying TPE and I think it’s definitely working. (Thanks Shindigs!) As of writing this, Jesse has a 7-3-1 record with one shutout. Their current save percentage sits at a comfortable 0.923 and their goals against average is 2.43. Compared to the other four backup goalies in the VHL, Jesse has played the second most games behind Thomas Price @Thunderidge (20), has the second highest save percentage behind Sam Tombstone @samthemancub (0.938), and is running middle of the pack in respect to goals against average. For a rookie season, I think it’s going pretty well and I am looking forward to seeing where we end up over the next few weeks. Honestly I feel good about how this is going. It feels good and I think it shows that Jesse is capable of holding their own against the big players. I am also glad and thankful that Dil @Dil is trusting Jesse to get the job done here and there. Earning a starting position is definitely a goal for Jesse and I am looking forward to seeing what I can do with them. I think for my first ever sim league player I’ve got a pretty good handle on it. I think as far as my first six months in the VHL and my first go around with a sim league, all around it’s going pretty well. I have some consistent cheerleaders behind me and honestly this has been the most fun I have had in an online community in a long time. When people congratulate me on my engagement or wish me well when I post that I’m sick, the responses really feel so genuine and as someone who has been on the internet since before the MySpace days, it’s really refreshing to find such a positive community. I appreciate you all and I look forward to what the next six months has in store. Oh and since I’m feeling like a real member of the community now: #blamecole 1022 words for weeks ending 12/18/2022 and 12/25/2022