text - absence makes the heart grow until it explodes

[h2no]

YO.

I KNOW THERE'S ONE THING A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALLY WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE BECAUSE WE ALL GET IT: HOMESICKNESS.
I KNOW EVERYONE IS MISSING THEIR HOME AND THEIR FRIENDS. I'D BE SURPRISED IF THERE'S PEOPLE HERE WHO AREN'T.
NOT TO SAY IF YOU AREN'T THAT YOU'RE A WEIRDO, OF COURSE, I SUPPOSE YOU'RE JUST A BIT LUCKIER.
NOW, I'M NOT GONNA ASK YOU TO TELL ME ABOUT THE PEOPLE YOU MISS OR THE PLACES YOU MISS. THAT WON'T HELP, IT'LL PROBABLY JUST MAKE YOU FEEL EVEN WORSE.
I AIN'T EVEN GONNA GIVE A BIG SPEECH ABOUT HOW WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER AND WE GOTTA TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER, BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THAT CRAP AIN'T GONNA HOLD UP.
BACK HOME I HAD A LARGE TEAM OF PEOPLE WHO VARIED IN AGES. A LOT OF THEM GOT HOMESICK AND WHEN IT OVERWHELMED THEM THEY WENT ON A DOWNWARD SPIRAL.
THING IS, IT'S REAL EASY TO LET IT OVERWHELM YOU.
MAKE A LIST OF EVERYTHING YOU MISS. EVEN IF IT'S SOMETHING YOU THINK IS SILLY, LIKE THE TREE THAT WAS NEAR WHERE YOU LIVED, OR A CAFE THAT DID THE BEST VERSION OF A FLAT WHITE COFFEE YOU'VE EVER TASTED.
ANYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF. EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT FROM EARTH. I GUARANTEE YOU THERE WILL BE SOMETHING HERE THAT IS SIMILAR ENOUGH IT'LL BE LIKE BEING AT HOME. EVEN IF IT'S JUST A GIANT ROCK THAT'S THE SAME SHAPE.
NOT TO MENTION GETTING OUT AND GETTING FRESH AIR ALWAYS HELPS.
DO STUFF YOU DID AT HOME. DON'T GET WRAPPED UP IN THE FACT THAT IT'S NOT THE SAME. YOU HAVE TO ADAPT TO HELP YOURSELF, THAT'S LIFE.
BUT THAT THE SAME TIME... DON'T SINK INTO IT. DON'T THINK OF NOTHING BUT WHAT YOU MISS.
IGNORING IT WON'T WORK, BUT NEITHER WILL DIVING INTO IT.
FIND A BALANCE.
DON'T LET IT OVERWHELM YOU.

Comments

[devoutish]

I explore this world, but I don't get settled in it.

[h2no]

I don't think I could get settled even if I wanted to... ya found anything noteworthy?

[devoutish]

Sure, yeah. I like the technology - the cameras, the internet. I was able to find a temple to attend.

[h2no]

Ah-- that's lucky. The temple must really help things, huh?

[archie isn't really religious, but he knows enough about how it works.]

What's the tech like where ya come from? This is only just a little advanced for me.

[devoutish]

Nothing like this. I'm from 1922.

[h2no]

Huh.

How'd you actually feel about all this tech? Like, computers that can do almost anythin' and most people fuckin' upload cat videos on 'em!

[devoutish]

They do all sorts of things with them. Why mention the cats specifically?

[h2no]

...Honestly, if I was gonna show someone from 1922 anythin', it would be the cat videos.

[devoutish]

Any sort of videos are interesting. I've been here months, and the quality still amazes me.

[h2no]

Have ya seen a film in 3D? Those are real fun!

[devoutish]

I've seen HD TV. Is that something different?

[h2no]

3D stuff is like... it comes out at ya! But it's not really there! It's cool as fuck, bro! They use it in a lot of movies, now!

[devoutish]

It stands for three-dimensional, yeah? I've heard of it.

[h2no]

Yep! It's pretty fun! Ya gotta wear weird glasses to make it work an' all.

[devoutish]

And what about those who already wear glasses?

[h2no]

Ya can wear them over your glasses. See, the thing is, it's not a pair of glasses to focus your eyes. It's a pair of glasses with blue and red lenses to help you see the image.

If ya take them off, then you just get a blurry blue and red image, no matter what you were watchin'. Weird, right?

[devoutish]

Yeah. I don't see how it works. You'll need to show me, someday.

[h2no]

Sure. It's pretty weird, we could go watch a film or somethin' together. Make a real date of it.

[he doesn't mean that, archie is just A Shit.]

Say, what was on your list?

[devoutish]

3D films.

[h2no]

Clever. Dunno what relation that kid is to ya but if you wanna ask him along, feel free. I'll pay.

[because honestly chico was really sweet and a Good Pal.]

[devoutish]

We're not related, no. Different world's entirely. The boy's from South America.

[He is a cute kid though, and he probably would get a kick out of 3D movies.]

Sure, yeah, we'll take him along to one.

[h2no]

Aw.

[AWWW look at this horrible criminal man being a good dad!]

Nice, just let me know whenever you wanna go, yeah?

[devoutish]

Late evening. That'll work best.

[Preferably a show that gets out after 10PM, because that'll annoy his parole officer.]

[h2no]

Noted.

[he winks and gunfingers at the screen.]