Casual Calico

I'm Gabi. I'll be talking about Nancy Drew games and a few other things I find fun. :{D I'm 24, a Christian, and a girlfriend of 7 years. :)

[casualcalico]

If you like D&D with few dungeons and even fewer dragons, DMs that question their life choices, and players who are too attached to their characters for their own good, please check out our video and podcast series! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOOoA1_cLsyn50cMZT1DgHg

[casualcalico]

Hey, my dudes.

So I’m in a Dungeons & Dragons group. We call ourselves Path of Most Resistance. We just started a new series, our second one. We’re gonna be making a podcast of it which is coming out this week. Our first episode is up on YouTube right MEOW!

It would be a butt ton to me if you’d give us a follow and check out our adventures.

I play a minotaur named Charles Bullregard. BULLREGARD, I said. So if that doesn’t do it for you, idk what will.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOOoA1_cLsyn50cMZT1DgHg

[casualcalico]

If you’re looking for a D&D series to watch, I run a pretty cute dramedy series that’s on Youtube!

I’m a brand new DM and 2/3 of the players are new, so we’re learning together and having a lot of fun!

[minettestan]

For your consideration a tile pattern of conversation hearts I made with everyone’s favorite Nancy quotes on them.

[marvilus-magpie]

I needed some happy Danse on my dash.

[casualcalico]

Hey, cool cats. I have a completed Danse/Nora fanfic with a spicy hint of Deacon/Nora that only has 2 comments on it. I’d love if you’d give it a read!! :)

http://archiveofourown.org/works/12157884/chapters/27590202

[casualcalico]

I have 2 unfinished Fallout fanfics and just got an idea for a 3rd... Taking all my strength not to start a new one.

[badacorns]

continuation of this. Hope you’re happy now anon <3

[casualcalico]

this 7-year-old comment on the video that inspired Baby Driver

[casualcalico]

Made my 2 friends a CD with 30′s-60′s music based on Fallout 4. Named it Bunker Hill Radio, so I made this to slap on the cover :)

[casualcalico]

me n boyfran

[casualcalico]

hey i write dumb fanfiction and im really proud of this one so maybe take a look if you like Fallout 4? ;__;

http://archiveofourown.org/works/12157884/chapters/27590202

[casualcalico]

Going to Liverpool next month!! I made a tiny John Lennon in the meantime.

[casualcalico]

How I'm packing for 3 weeks in Europe... in this bag

This is my new backpack! It matches my primary-based outfit, feels great, and has lots of pockets inside! Here’s the Amazon link for anyone interested!

My boyfriend received an internship in Portugal, and I can hardly be expected to go a few days without him, much less his whole 8 weeks overseas. For 3 weeks, I’m going to travel to Europe and see him each weekend I’m there. :)

So how am I going to do that with one little backpack? And why?

I’ve been interested in minimalism for almost 6 months now, and actually just presented a project on the topic as my rhetoric final. I’m looking forward to only have to carry around this little bag, not waiting for baggage claim, and having everything I need in one place.

Things that help:

I stopped using shampoo. Grotty! I have super oily hair. Grottier! I decided to use charcoal soap to absorb the oil. My hair, though a little drier, had no volume! I was told to stop using volumizing products, as they can actually weigh down hair. So I did. And my hair is poofy as ever, with only charcoal soap and a comb! No blow-drying, no bristly brush, no mousse, no powder. So I’m only taking a bar of soap, a case, and a wood comb to Europe.

I don’t wear makeup or jewelry. I mean, being a natural pizza face (oily hair, oily face, c’est la vie), I use foundation to cover blemishes. But since I’ve cut down on soda, my sugar intake has been lowered exponentially and I no longer get bulging whiteheads as a result. I also have contacts, but am opting not to bring them, so as not to bring the case and solution bottle. (I wear glasses.)

Everywhere I’m staying has laundry services and towels. Whether Air BnB or hostel, I’m covered for washing the few clothing articles I’m bringing and I can use their towels as well.

I made a capsule wardrobe. It consists of:

2 red shirts

2 white shirts

Blue jeans

Thin grey jeans

Swimsuit

Red hoodie

Grey jacket (Yes, 2 jackets. England be cold, yo.)

Grey tennis shoes

Flip-flops for the hostel shower

I’m not bringing a laptop. I considered renting a tablet for the trip, but we’ll see.

Those things are what really allow for me to travel so lightly.

So, without further ado, here is the list of what I am bringing:

Capsule wardrobe mentioned before

Socks and undergarments

Charcoal soap for hair and body

BPA-free, partially-recycled soap travel case

Bamboo toothbrush with travel cap

Travel toothpaste

Pen

Wood comb

Menstrual cup

Cell charger

External charger

Voltage converter (European and UK)

Passport and case

Hand sanitizer

Homemade deodorant in a 2oz jar

And in my jacket pocket and backpack’s side pockets:

Cellphone

Carmex

Headphones

Hankie

Wattle bottle (rare refills in Europe- drink water, y’all)

Boarding passes

As you can see, the bag isn’t even full, so I’m free to bring a few extra shirts, bring snacks, or pick up some postcards to bring back!

[casualcalico]

share

Ok.

I have dealt with severe anxiety for a long time. Most of my friends don’t know that about me. My anxiety is not someone else’s problem, and I don’t ever let it stop me from doing things, or ever let it get in the way of plans I’ve made. I’m probably awful for saying this, but everyone has anxiety, and I don’t want to come off as a “special snowflake” for sharing mine with my loved ones. I have anxiety about telling people I have anxiety. Cute!

But here it is, laid out for people who don’t know me. I guess I feel comfortable writing this here, so I don’t feel like a burden...?

I’ve been dealing with this for... 5 years. It was the worst at the beginning. Sobbing fits of absolute rage and agony. Begging God to help me through tears and screaming in my car at the top of my lungs. I was violently angry with God for not giving me refuge from my fears.

No matter what my family said or how many articles they found or verses they provided, it was never enough to comfort me.

But today, there was a breakthrough. I found someone who has the same problems as me. Her video talked about her severe religious anxiety. I felt... so uplifted knowing someone out there was having the same struggle. I found out my condition is a facet of OCD.

I don’t like labels. I’ve never given my condition a name other than “severe anxiety.” I don’t want to be white or female or, apparently, OCD. I just want to be Gabrielle, one of the dudes, quirky. But it helps knowing there’s a name for my condition. It means that enough people deal with this absolute BS that I’m not alone in my battle. So, TIL I’m OCD. I don’t like having a label, but I don’t like being alone even more. I’m not happy I have company in my misery, but I am comforted by it.

I learned today that I’m not a burden for sharing. If anything, telling people about my agony can actually be a benefit to them and to myself. Like, sincerely, up until this point, I thought I was maybe one of six people on the entire planet dealing with this. But seeing the flood of comments and the many videos dealing with this specific facet of OCD (”scrupulosity”, it would seem) hit me so hard. Choking-tears-of-relief hard. You’re not alone. I’m not alone. Other Christians have thought they committed the unpardonable sin. Other Christians have horrible thoughts about the Trinity they cannot force out no matter how many vases they break or how loud they scream-cry in a school parking lot at midnight.

So tell people your story, because they may feel alone in their struggle too. Bless them with the comfort of knowing someone else out there has it just as rough, so they don’t think they’re some unique monster for the things their mind creates. Share your story.

[mxnette]

i love drawing Nancy in outfits from @detectiveworkisalwaysinstyle !!!!!! here i did Royal Tower, Haunted Mansion, Crystal Skull, and Haunted Carousel!

[casualcalico]

I love the poses and colors!

[casualcalico]

Nancy Drew’s 85 Years: How the World Shaped the Titian Teen Sleuth

1927 saw the creation of two of the mystery genre’s greatest heroes: Frank and Joe Hardy. They were the brainchild of Edward Stratemeyer who had the books written by ghostwriters, creating 190 ongoing books of a single successful series from 1927 to 2005(1). But while these adventurous young lads were appealing to young men all over the nation, their creator craved more than the fame the Hardys had brought him. With the teen boys raking in so much monetary success, perhaps the same could be done if a series appealed to female readers. Stratemeyer was opposed to the idea of woman as outspoken and adventurous as the Hardys, but he sure liked money. The thought of stacks of cash fulfilled Stratemeyer, and he set out to create a character which would mean selling more books by appealing to ladies, even at the cost of cringingly producing a strong, independent female. To help him approach the anomaly that is a woman with her own agenda, a ghost writer was hired- one Mildred B. Wirt, an established writer(2), who would shape the kind of character Stratemeyer thought the ladies might enjoy.

Though Stratemeyer had female leads written into his books before, there was never a lady quite like Miss Drew. What made Nancy so lovable was not only the classic qualities smiled upon by both boys and girls at the time, but she was also something new: a headstrong young woman with traits not often experienced in reality. Nancy came about in a time that began to see women standing up for themselves. She was “the first to appeal to girls who would have... the right to vote, the option of having a career, and the ability to pursue their dreams without benefit (or limitation) of an ever-present male protector”(12). In her time as a ghostwriter for Stratemeyer, Wirt pumped out 35 best-sellers. She bestowed upon Nancy wonderful qualities which would last for generations to come.

Looks aren’t everything, but, boy, did Nancy have them. In the intro of every Wirt novel, the author doted on Nancy’s looks- from her fiery red hair to her stunning blue eyes. She was noted as thin and pretty and collected, particularly beside her best friends and constant companions- one of whom had what was referred to as a boy’s haircut and the boy’s name George, and the other being “slightly plump”(7) and bubbly. Other central characters included her college boyfriend and football star Ned Nickerson, and her famous lawyer father Carson. Nancy had great respect for her friends and family. She was kind, charitable, and quick-thinking. She was also studious, knowing many facts about the case at hand, like a teeny-bopper Sherlock Holmes who conveniently had all the information relevant to a book’s theme. She was everything a girl could dream to be, and the girls who did treasure Nancy supplied the publisher with the ability to pump out more novels. The sale of books allowed for many other franchises to be produced in years to come, including films, television shows, video games, and several lines of books. Over the 85 years of the character’s existence, Nancy has retained her central qualities. She is caring and knowledgeable, and she would do whatever it takes (even put her life in danger) for the sake of a case. However, time has seen Nancy change in many ways as a result of the audiences to which directors and publishers try to appeal.

Because Nancy has existed for 85 years, she has evolved greatly. She appears in many venues. Her books range from the 35 original novellas with countless copies sold, to modern day graphic novels. She has been the star of multiple films and an Emmy-nominated hit television show. She stars in her own ongoing video games, having sold millions of copies. What was it about this Titian that has had so many fans devouring her stories from day one? Each of these portrayals have shown Nancy in unique light, the changes thereby relying on influences of the era in which they existed.

In 1938, Nancy took her first steps beyond the page by starring in “Nancy Drew: Detective”, played by actress Bonita Granville(9). On screen, she was a rambunctious tomboy who snuck around and lied in order to solve a case- actions quite contrary to the teen girl portrayed in the original books. She disrespected her potential boyfriend (called Ted in the films) disobeyed her father, and feigned an identity in order to gain access to case information. While Nancy has been sly before, she rarely out-right lied to her advantage, often portrayed as the ideal 30’s child. “They did not depict the true Nancy Drew, of course, but that was not their purpose. They were designed as light entertainment” says Drew expert Karen Plunkett-Powell(12). The humorous take on Nancy’s adventures was popular among the younger crowd, seeing three sequels, but were actually B-movies, played only in double-feature matinees(12). Romance movies tended to rule the playing field in the late 30’s, but humor certainly had its place, with such high-rated hits as “Bringing Up Baby” and “You Can’t Take it With You”, each with both comedy and romance. The Nancy Drew films had Nancy throwing Ned more sassy glances than kisses, but perhaps this can be chocked up to an assumption that the younger crowd was not interested in romance movies.

In the 1970’s television show “Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys Mysteries”, Nancy wore the pants in her relationships- quite literally. She was in charge, bossing around Ned (her boyfriend now portrayed as spineless and always encouraging her to give up on the detective scene), going on wild adventures in psychedelic outfits and getting into danger without any plan for backup. Nancy also now knew how to operate an aircraft and a handgun. With the rise of mystery-action television shows such as “Magnum P.I.” and “Charlie’s Angels”, the Nancy Drew series took a strong motif and added a touch of youth. Kids could watch an exciting show about someone with a relatable attitude solving crimes, and adults could smile upon this character they had grown up with. It was a family show and saw three seasons, though mostly focused on the episodes starring the heartthrobs who played the Hardy Boys. In fact, the show was so popular that many viewers chose it over other well-known crime titles like “Starsky & Hutch” and “Kojak”, outranking them in weekly views on occasion(12). Not long after, Nancy would receive a wild revision of character that made her nearly unrecognizable.

In 1982, Stratemeyer’s publication company was sold, and the rights to Nancy with it. A new set of ghostwriters were hired and they brought with them a new, edgy style. Where once stood a titian beauty in a pencil skirt, the covers of the 1980’s Nancy Drew Files book series showed a blonde bombshell in swimsuits(5) or in a leather skirt under bright studio lights(8). She was constantly on and off with Ned, sometimes even cheating on him! The books contain makeout scenes, computer hacking (which, in the 80’s, meant copying a file from one floppy disk to another), and other attempts to appeal to a young, fresh audience of big-haired, rock-and-roll-loving kids. The books were such a success that 124 novels were published(10)! The real mystery here is why the original books only numbered 35, yet over 100 were able to be written about the same character. Really though, the only qualities this character retained was her name, her friends, and her love of mysteries. This Nancy was wild, crude, and disrespectful. The publishers could have created a whole new line of novels with a character in no way associated with Nancy, but instead used the familiar name to boost sales. The Nancy Drew Files gave young readers what they wanted: a daring hottie solving crime and taking names. As the 80’s simmered down and the world moved into the decade of belly-button shirts and giant tees, a new generation of readers rose with different ideas of what a teen detective should be.

In 1995, a short-lived Canadian Nancy Drew TV show came about. Nancy’s red, sometimes blonde hair was traded for a short brunette style. She wore bright red lipstick and, naturally, the fashion of the decade. In this series, she had returned to a more true version of the original Nancy. She was respectful and never had a selfish, emotional breakdown that lead to cheating or angry scolding sessions, as with the Nancy Drew Files. She and Ned got along fine and the show had a touch of comedy. The series reflected popular teen pieces of the 90’s, such as “Clarissa Explains it All” or “The Secret World of Alex Mack.” While explosions and slow-motion running on beaches ruled the 80’s, children of the 90’s sought more rewarding series. The importance of hanging with friends and light-hearted boy drama was the theme in the most popular teen shows of the time, so producers tried to appeal to this new generation as they had done with past ones, and as creators would do with upcoming generations.

Her Interactive is an independent game-making company out of Bellevue, Washington. In 1998, the first Nancy Drew computer game was released, titled “Secrets Can Kill” and tagged with the slogan, “For girls who aren’t afraid of a mouse”(4). It was a two-dimensional point-and-click game in which Nancy interviewed suspects of a murder case. Players, acting as Nancy, would choose what questions to ask characters and would complete puzzles to collect clues to solve a murder mystery. Mildred Wirt even played the first game and wrote the company a congratulations on its completion. This note is hanging in the company’s lobby, the opening to a tiny office where a small team is able to complete a new game every 6 months. Over time, however, Her Interactive has made a few changes, chasing new leads as to what audiences want to see. For starters, the initial slogan has changed. Gender roles are becoming frowned upon, so the cute tagline has been replaced with “Dare to play.” Much to the chagrin of more conservative members of the audience, Her Interactive also included its first homosexual character in its latest production. The company is also leaving its old software behind, switching to a new design engine which will have upcoming games take place in a three-dimensional world in which players can have Nancy walk freely, as opposed to clicking from scene to scene. The company has been very successful thus far. As of 2013, the company had sold over 9 million copies of its game and was the #1 best mystery game seller(11). While the games are blossoming with new art styles and content young players are praising, a new television series starring Nancy Drew is coming to television, but with fewer youth watching television, some adjustments to the characters must be made accordingly.

Contrary to any project involving Nancy Drew in the past, CBS had a new television show called “Drew” in production, which was to feature an adult Nancy. After the 1995 television series and the 2007 film misfired, producers sought to throw it back to those who made Nancy so popular years before. A middle-aged Nancy would draw in middle-aged-or-older viewers. Baby boomers make up a large portion of the living population of Nancy Drew readers, mostly devouring the classic yellow cover Nancy Drew books, 1950’s revisions of the original 35(12). This older generation got a taste of the classic Nancy: a respectable, polite young lady who dressed smart and was clever enough to outwit any criminal. Though she has completed cases for police departments before, Nancy has never been a police force detective herself, but CBS’s Nancy was en route to work for the NYPD(3). Television is full of officer dramas at the moment, with such hits as “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”, “Castle”, and “N.C.I.S.” ruling the evening screen. Members of younger generations are not watching television as much as their parents, with many of them never having bought cable at all after moving away from home(15). Television producers must adapt their shows towards an older audience, and it seems crime drama is where the money is. Contrary to significant hype surrounding the show, the pilot failed. Speculation suggests that a randomized audience were the ones testing the pilot, not a group of Nancy enthusiasts eager to see the show(16). Because the series could not appeal to a wide audience, it was cancelled before ever reaching evening TV(16). Nancy has been portrayed quite uniquely and in unexpected ways, some which worked for her, and some which did not, so only time can tell if writers can portray a universally-appealing Nancy Drew onscreen.

Nancy Drew has changed significantly over the years, though her defining qualities typically remained. She has always retained her passion for mystery and (feisty bombshell of the 80’s) her kind heart and gratitude for those in her life. Her film debut saw an addition of spunk to her character, her original books were revised for a civil rights movement, her television show balanced an appeal to both kids and adults, and her 80’s books… well, one can only hope the authors inhaled a bit too much hairspray. But all these changes had one thing in common: they met the expectations of potential fans in their time, or at least tried to. As generations changed, this timeless character changed with them. Producers sought to adapt Nancy’s medium and attitude to new trends and desires, but while Nancy has developed into dozens of different people, in the end, the name Nancy Drew will forever resound in that hearts of fans with the memory of that well-mannered Titian beauty penned by Mildred Wirt.

1. Connelly, Mark (2008). The Hardy Boys Mysteries, 1927–1979: A Cultural and Literary History. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland Publishing.

2. Dyer, Carolyn Stewart, and Nancy Tillman Romalov. Rediscovering Nancy Drew. Iowa City: U of Iowa, 1995. Print. 3. Goldberg, Lesley. "'Nancy Drew' TV Series in the Works at CBS." The Hollywood Reporter. N.p., 2015. Web. 1 Dec. 2015. 4. Her Interactive. "#01 Nancy Drew: Secrets Can Kill - Her Interactive." Her Interactive RSS. N.p., 2015. Web. 04 Dec. 2015. 5. Keene, Carolyn. Hit & Run Holiday. New York: Pocket, 1986. Print. 6. Keene, Carolyn. The Secret of the Old Clock. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1959. Print. 7. Keene, Carolyn. The Secret of Redgate Farm. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1931. Print. 8. Keene, Carolyn. False Moves. New York, NY: Pocket, 1987. Print. 9. "Nancy Drew: Detective." IMDb. Amazon, 2015. Web. 02 Dec. 2015. 10. Newfront Productions. "Nancy Drew Files." Nancy Drew Mysteries Book Lists. MysteryNet, 2009. Web. 11. Nieuwenhuis, Jared M. "HER INTERACTIVE, PIONEERING FEMALE VIDEO GAME COMPANY." Her Interactive. N.p., 2013. Web. 2 Dec. 2015. 12. Plunkett-Powell, Karen. The Nancy Drew Scrapbook: 60 Years of America's Favorite Sleuth. 1st ed. New York: St. Martin's, 1993. Print. 13. Rehak, Melanie. Girl Sleuth: Nancy Drew and the Women Who Created Her. Orlando: Harcourt, 2005. Print. 14. Turoczi, Laszlo. Tragica Historia. N.p.: n.p., 1729. Print. 15. Zulueta, Adrienne. "More Households Ditching Cable, Satellite TV." ABC News. ABC News Network, 21 Apr. 2014. Web. 01 Dec. 2015. 16. McNutt, Myles. "Drew Was Never a TV Show, so Why Does It Seem like CBS Canceled It?" A.V. Club. TV Club, 19 May 2016. Web. 30 Aug. 2016.