OngoingWorlds blog

News & articles about play-by-post games, for roleplayers & writers

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Turkey Day and Beyond – How should we celebrate?

Turkey on a computer monitor

A day for giving thanks, family, delicious food, and… good simming? Well, yeah! We all loving simming, some even count our fellow players as a surrogate family of sorts. But how should we celebrate?

1. A Break, Version 1

Since it is a holiday, why don’t we save the whole haliday for the real people in our lives? For the holidays, no role playing. We may miss our online family, but they may also want to take a break. Be sure to tell everyone that you won’t be on that day and why. Read More

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Announcing FallFest V

FallFest V

2015 Simming Fall Festival
image by Jalana Rajel

That’s right, the 2015 Simming Fall Festival will be held on December 5th from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM EST (1:30 PM to 10:30 PM GMT).  Ongoing Worlds is proud to announce that UFOP: StarBase 118 will be hosting, with James Drysdale serving as chairman.  You may remember that UFOP also hosted the 2013 festival, which was wildly successful.

For a few short hours in December, the entire simming and online role playing community will come together to share ideas, role play, and join in a few trivia games–all in IRC chat rooms.  James and UFOP will be on point to make it all happen.  FallFest is not only open to all simmers and role players on the net, but all are also permitted to host one or more one-hour events within the festival.  So what does it mean for you?

  • First, plan to attend:  This is the premier community event of the year!
  • Invite all your friends:  Let them in on the fun too!
  • If you would like to host a one-hour discussion, role play, or trivia game, email James at renos[at]starbase118[dot]net

Read More

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Apology

Small Avatar 2Hey OW family, I’ve been away from my home for awhile [my home here at OW] and honestly, as a moderator and a member of the community, I feel I owe everybody and explanation and an apology. And that’s exactly what I’m here to do. Read More

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Congratulations to all of our 2015 Squiddie Nominees!

Ongoing Worlds Medal for Superior Online Role Playing

Ongoing Worlds Medal
for Superior Online Role Playing

In case you missed it, the nomination period for the 2015 Squiddies (aka the Ongoing Worlds Medal for Superior Online Role Playingended this past weekend.  We asked the entire online role playing community to nominate the best people, games, and clubs for the highest honor bestowed by this organization.  The community answered:  We received nominations 28 different people/games/clubs.  And wow, what a great list it is!

Unfortunately, we will only able to present the award to three (one person, one game, and one club).  As you can see, we certainly have our work cut out for us!  Without any further ado, here are are this year’s nominees:

People

In no particular order: Read More

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How it all began

Fitness Tips For The Beginner

If you’re about to embark on a new fitness journey, you may be wondering what kind of advice you would receive from a personal trainer or coach. Now, we would hate for you to miss out, so we have decided to share some important lessons learnt along the way. The Happy Way founders Ben and Hien began their careers as personal trainers after all. So, while we can’t keep an eye on your form and tell you to drop and do ten, what we can do is offer you the kind of mindset and preparation that will make a difference between tipping your toes in the water and a lifelong commitment to living a healthier life. Because fitness is not about comparing yourself to others and proving your worth on Instagram, it’s about becoming the best version of yourself possible. It’s about being strong, powerful and having the kind of energy you truly deserve. So take note. 

The ten tips personal trainers want you to know before you embark into the world of fitness, this is how visishield works.

FIND THE ‘WHY’ OF YOUR JOURNEY. 

If you are looking to form a long term commitment to fitness, then identifying the ‘why’ of your journey will mean the difference between an unused gym membership and a lifelong pledge to yourself. Before you sign on the dotted line, before you invest in new gym wear and before you stack up on protein powders and powerful supplements, take the time to identify your driving factors. Is it a desire to be healthier, to have more energy or to fit back into those favourite jeans? Whatever drives you, put it into writing and make it a permanent reminder. Leave sticky notes next to your alarm clock, on your mirror, in the bathroom and remind yourself why you’re pushing ahead even on your hardest of days. 

Remember that you are not in competition with anyone else but yourself. Become the best possible version of ‘YOU’ because you are deserving of it. 

THEN FIND ‘THE ONE.’ 

If you live on Instagram and love social media, then you may feel like a new fitness fad is just around the corner. Whether it be KX Pilates one day and boxing the next, there is always a shiny new form of exercise to keep us engaged. But if you really want to commit to something long term, don’t follow the crowds but rather find a way of keeping fit that suits both your tastes and lifestyle. Consider whether you like big classes or smaller and more intimate settings. Consider whether you want to work on your cardio, flexibility or both and consider whether you want to be outdoors or indoors. With most gyms and classes offering introductory packages and free trials, the time to test the waters has never been better. 

Don’t forget that the biggest gym in the world is free. The great outdoors offers the perfect backdrop for walks, runs, bike rides and hikes. Why not start by getting more active outside before you dive into a membership at your local gym, read more about exipure.

INVEST IN THE JOURNEY 

When it comes to gym clothes, shoes or supplements, it’s less about being part of a clique and more about having the tools to perform. While some labels have gained somewhat of a cult status within the realm of fashion and food (yes, yes we know Happy Way is thecoolest protein powder to own), investing in P.E. Nation tights or a quality powder may mean the difference between an enjoyable gym session and a speedy recovery or an uncomfortable session. If you are taking up running, invest in running shoes which will deliver support. If you are taking on a gym membership, invest in gym clothes which will help keep you cool, dry and will provide extra support for your muscles and if you want to take your post-workout recovery up a notch, invest in quality protein powders which will help you recover faster. 

Also, if we’re really honest, there is a motivation factor that comes with putting on a brand new pair of tights and runners. If you look the part, you will also feel the part. Treat yourself to some new gym threads because you deserve it. 

PARTNER UP WITH LIKEMINDED PEOPLE 

Embarking on a fitness journey is half the battle, the other half is longevity and making it a part of your life for years to come. This is where your girl gang can step in to help. While your entire friendship group may not be into fitness or exercising in the great outdoors, find that one friend that will keep you accountable and will come on the journey with you. Even better, be that positive influence on your friends by inviting them to gym trials with you or by suggesting a takeaway coffee and walk instead of your usual sit down breakfast or brunch date. Small changes deliver the biggest results because they are sustainable and will become a welcome part of your lifestyle. For more information about healthy supplements visit sfexaminer.com.

If you can’t find a partner who will consistently join you at the gym, become your own best friend. Write encouraging notes to yourself and leave them at your desk, at your bedside table and in places that will surprise you when you need the encouragement the most.  When seeking healthy habits, you should check out this Mind body podcasts.

MAKE IT CONSISTENT BEFORE YOU MAKE IT HARD. 

Before you step into hour-long sessions at the gym and block off several mornings a week, start with smaller and consistent steps, then work your way up. This goes both for the number of sessions you commit to and the intensity you put into each workout. If you have been planning on taking up running as an example, don’t start with hour-long runs which will leave you burning out before your first week is even up. Instead, opt for 15 minute runs instead and work your way up. The sample principle should be applied to your gym classes. Don’t be a hero and book into an intermediate or advanced class because it sounds tougher. Allow your body to ease into the routine and avoid injury by pushing your body below its limits. 

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A few nice words about last year’s Squiddie nominees

Ongoing Worlds Medal for Superior Online Role Playing

Ongoing Worlds Medal for Superior Online Role Playing

Earlier this month, we asked for nominations for our top award, the Ongoing Worlds Medal for Superior Online Roleplaying (aka the Squiddies).  The nomination window is quickly closing as all submissions must be received by November 1st.  Before that happens, however, I’d like to share some of the kind words given for last’s years nominees.  It’s clear that we have quite a lot of talent and sharing in our community!  Please also read about 2013 and 2014 winners.

Clubs/Groups

Star Army

“For over 10 years, the Star Army has been Read More

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Emily Wake Wins the Next Community Honor Award

The Ongoing Worlds Community Honor Medal

It gives me great pleasure to present the Ongoing Worlds Community Honor (OWCH) to Emily Wake for outstanding articles published on the Ongoing Worlds Blog.  Indeed, she has written eight articles dating back to August 21st of this year about various simming and online role playing topics.  Her tips are must reads for anyone who enjoys our craft!  You can read them all here.

Because of Emily and others like her, the blog has grown its humble beginnings of David Ball reporting on the development of his new Ongoing Worlds website to the intellectual center of the simming and online role playing universe.  This is where major announcements are made, this is where clubs come together, and this is where you can read the latest and greatest ideas form the best and brightest of the entire simming world.  Thanks for being a part of that, Emily. Read More

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Now that Back to the Future Day is over, it’s time to plan FallFest!

October 21, 2015

October 21, 2015

Back to the Future has long been one of my favorite movie franchises.  Indeed, the original 1985 film was probably my favorite movie for a good portion of my childhood.  It had everything you could possibly want from a classic 80s flick… plus time travel!  Even though Marty McFly and Doc Brown didn’t find simming and online role playing in 2015, we’re still here!

With that in mind, it’s time for us to plan the community’s premier event: The Simming Fall Festival!  And this year we’ll be celebrating FallFest V! Read More

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What’s more important, recruiting new players or keeping existing ones?

people being social

Last week, Charles Star posted an article stressing the importance of recruiting new players (read it here). Crimsyn had an interesting point about this in the comments, I’ve pasted it here in case you missed it: Read More

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We are now accepting nominations for the 2015 Squiddies!

Ongoing Worlds Medal for Superior Online Role Playing

Ongoing Worlds Medal for Superior Online Role Playing

That’s right–it’s time to nominate the best of the best from the entire roleplaying and simming community for our top award presented annually:  The Ongoing Worlds Medal for Superior Online Role Playing (affectionally known as the Squiddies).  Nominations will be accepted through October 31st. Read More