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cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
Mel
@cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
150 followers 570 following 300 posts
27 | She/her | No AI | Support me: https://ko-fi.com/cheerfulmel

✨Hi! I love reading/writing, video games, music, photography, and whatever random interests take over my free time. Sometimes I post.✨

All photos and writing are mine except for reposts.
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cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
Duck 🦆

Two of 'em, actually.

📷: Canon Rebel T5i

#photography #photographersonbluesky #nature
Two ducks swimming in a lake. There isn't any light on them, so they look more like silhouettes.
November 23, 2025 at 8:30 PM
cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
There's no true antagonist for Inferior Design, so here's the one thing the trio has to deal with throughout the story, featuring more of my lovely scribbles.
3 stick figures (left to right: Seiji, Flynn, Rin) stand together as a crudely drawn meteor labeled "big life changes" is headed straight for them. They have no idea.
November 15, 2025 at 5:15 PM
cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
Seiji would find this funny just because. He's got the kind of humor where watching people fail is funny. He'd probably laugh at most out of context fails, to the confusion of Flynn and Rin.
A photo of a motorcyclist flying through the air with his bike too far away to reach, the aftermath of a failed stunt. The caption reads "You're doing it wrong".
November 13, 2025 at 5:44 PM
cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
There's a reason why I'm a writer and not an artist 😅 Have a very speedily drawn Rin. I did use the picrew I made for her as a reference so maybe that was a tiiiiny little cheat.
A very crudely drawn picture of Rin, my OC from Inferior Design. She has short hair and typically wears a mischievous smile, not that you can tell here.
November 9, 2025 at 6:49 PM
cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
Oh yeah, it's #caturday. Have one silly kitty.
#cats
A tuxedo cat is laying on its side, its face partially obscured by the paw reaching for the camera. One green eye peers up at the lens.
November 8, 2025 at 8:27 PM
cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
From a recent trip to a park before it got too cold. These lovely birds are always so abundant and very friendly. I believe this one is a female red winged blackbird, but don't quote me.

📷: Canon Rebel T5i
#photography #photographersonbluesky #birdphotography
A red winged blackbird stands on a wooden rail, backed by reeds. It has dark feathers with burnt orange highlighting them, especially on the wings. It stares at the camera with its head slightly tilted.
November 7, 2025 at 3:17 PM
cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
Found a random pic of a plant from years ago. Idk what it is, some kind of wheatgrass maybe? Anyway, plant 🌱

📷: Panasonic DMC-ZS100

#photography #photographersonbluesky
October 21, 2025 at 3:40 PM
cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
I have no idea why my laptop makes screenshotting things such a horrendous experience, but here's a random snippet from an old fic.

#WIPSnips #creativewriting #writingcommunity #writersonbluesky
Transcript: The Zone had an unusual layout; large, open spaces the size of a football field before winding, narrow canyons. A bit like massive crop circles, to put it in Sherman’s words. They’d gotten a reading on the Key pretty early on but had to split up due to not knowing which path was correct. It took some trial and error, and numerous run-ins with the Vandals, but nothing they couldn’t handle.
October 19, 2025 at 5:54 PM
cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
Found a copy of Crazy Taxi for cheap! Yet another excellent addition to the collection. This has both the first and second games on it.
#psp #videogames
A transparent purple PSP showing Crazy Taxi's mode selection screen.
October 16, 2025 at 7:28 PM
cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
Behold the majestic fry thief soaring through the sky.

📷: Canon Rebel T5i

#photography #photographersonbluesky #birdphotography
A lone seagull flying against a cloudy blue sky.
October 10, 2025 at 5:47 PM
cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
Dungeon, cell, same difference haha. Flynn's taste in interior decorating is nonexistent regardless.
#WIPSnips #writersonbluesky #writesky #creativewriting #writing #writingcommunity
Transcript: Her eyes roamed over the apartment for the umpteenth time since sneaking in. 'It' appeared to be living in minimalist hell, wasting away in mundanity. Ex-military or not, the place was more sparsely decorated than a prison cell. She could feel her sanity slipping the longer she stayed between the empty white walls. Flynn regarded her with a wary gaze, arms crossed. This was not the quiet evening he'd hoped for after getting out of the shower. "Why the hell should I trust you?" he spat, tense with anticipation for the other shoe to drop. "You break into my apartment and think I'm gonna jump at the opportunity to work with you?" She was skilled and ballsy. It was quite the combo.
October 8, 2025 at 3:38 PM
cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
I've been working on a bit of backstory for the MCs of Inferior Design. Needless to say, none of them were ever normal people lol.

#WIPSnips #creativewriting #writersonbluesky #writingcommunity #writesky #writing
Transcript: Standing in the middle of the dimly lit street at whatever ungodly hour of the night it was, there was nothing but the two of them and the all-encompassing shadows. Seiji huffed and stared down at the drunkard who dared to talk shit. The man was still breathing and, missing teeth aside, his face was hardly worse for wear. He'd be bruised, sure, but it wasn't anything severe. Seiji brought his soiled hand up and flexed his fingers. No broken bones. Good. The pain he was feeling was just the usual then. It was a blessing and a curse that his damaged nerves prevented him from using his full strength because if he had been giving those punches his all like he wanted to, he'd be going into hiding to avoid murder charges. All he had to worry about now was whether or not the sorry bastard would rat him out to the police for this. His tired eyes roamed over the unconscious man before scanning ahead to the twenty-four hour convenience store he'd been planning to visit for a late night snack. So much for that idea. Glancing back down at the body, he heaved out a sigh and turned to head back home. Given the putrid stench of alcohol that was radiating off the man before their one-sided fight, Seiji figured he wouldn't remember a thing come tomorrow. Assuming his ass-kicking didn't break the memory loose already.
October 5, 2025 at 3:32 PM
cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
Another Inferior Design snippet as I continue to figure out the characters and how they should meet.

#WIPSnips #creativewriting #writing #writersonbluesky #writingcommunity
Transcript: Flynn stood motionless as he inspected the woman—Rin—before him. She wasn't an intimidating figure, though he'd be foolish to underestimate her abilities. She'd already broken into his apartment with terrifying ease. His nerves buzzed in discomfort and anger. He hadn't even heard her. Either she had immense skill or civilian life had made him soft. Both were frightening possibilities.
September 23, 2025 at 5:19 PM
cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
In flight.

📷: Canon Rebel T5i

#photography #photographersonbluesky #birdphotography
A flock of seven geese flying along a hazy blue sky.
September 22, 2025 at 7:39 PM
cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
Another random snippet from my WIP, Inferior Design. I enjoy writing Seiji and Rin's banter.

#creativewriting #writing #writersonbluesky
Transcript: "What's that supposed to mean?" She bumped him with her shoulder and he backed away. "Well… it's just that you…" His hands gestured in a vague way when the words failed him. Dropping them to his sides, he settled on, "You're you." Her scowl was vicious. "Seiji, you are the last person who should be doing any sort of negotiations. I can handle it just fine." He scoffed. "Rin, you have the social skills of a feral cat. One wrong move and you set this guy off." He glanced back at the photo of the man leaving a local grocery store. He knew there was no changing her mind if she was willing to hack every camera system in the city just to pinpoint his exact location. Even with his form obscured by the baggy sweats and oversized hoodie, it was easy to tell that this 'Flynn' could snap either of them in two if he felt so inclined. Yet here Rin was, ready to corner him and give him her would-be sales pitch. In Seiji's eyes it was akin to cornering a bear in the wild. Something that would put her in the hospital as a best case scenario. Rin waved him off and shut the laptop. Her fingers tapped the lid as she thought about her approach. Seiji broke the silence with a soft hum. "If you're really gonna do this, try to keep your expression neutral." Train of thought derailed, Rin turned to face him, brows knitted together. "You don't exactly have a welcoming smile," he clarified to her confusion. "Ex-solider or not, the way you grin would put anyone on edge." "Except you, apparently." "Eh." He waved his hand in a so-so gesture before dodging an attempted smack. "If you're gonna use me as a baseline, you might as well stick the bar in hell," he chuckled as he moved across the room and out of grabbing range. His expression flattened when he reached the doorway. "But seriously, be careful. With how much digging you had to do just to find this guy, I think it's more than obvious that he doesn't wanna be found. Maybe you should just let sleeping dogs lie."
September 21, 2025 at 11:35 PM
cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
Some interesting tree textures from my recent trip to a park feat. a zoom/macro lens I clearly need to start using more.

📷: Canon Rebel T5i

#photography #photographersonbluesky #naturephotography #closeupphotography
A close-up of a tree with light shining on the left half of it, highlighting the details in the bark. An up close photo of a tree, the lines, bumps and ridges in the bark visible.
September 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
For #BlueskyMonday here's one of my favorite old photos. I just really like pics like this, they're very serene and calming to look at.

📷:Canon Rebel T5i

#photography #photographersonbluesky
#naturephotography
September 15, 2025 at 12:33 PM
cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
Another one from the archives. I don't remember where this was, just that it was a really peaceful day and I had a nice time walking some trails.

📷: Canon Rebel T5i

#photography
#photographersonbluesky
A small sailboat on the water, with trees lining the background.
September 13, 2025 at 9:17 PM
cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
Haven't done one of these in too long! Here's a brief bit from Rin's first meeting with "Flynn" who's not too happy with her having broken into his apartment.

#WIPSnips
#writersonbluesky
#creativewriting
#writing
#writingcommunity
Transcript: She was wrenched off her feet and grunted as her spine met with the solid edge of the counter. Her vision flashed white and she soon registered she was half laying against the countertop, head sparking in agony. An inhuman grip blocked the air from her lungs as she struggled to free herself. "Start talking," he growled, a hair's breadth from losing his last shreds of patience and breaking her head open against the cheap glaze. He was getting sick of the boring white anyway. Pain seared her spine and skull as her thoughts grappled with panic. She knew he was volatile but hadn't anticipated just how short his fuse was. Clawing at the hand holding her hostage was futile and she wasn't sure he realized how much pressure he was putting on her windpipe. Strained gasps and spittle flew out of her mouth at her attempts to tell him. She didn't have the leverage to get any forceful kicks in, what little they'd do against his build. The edges of her vision grew dark as her hands lost their strength and she resigned herself to dying on the counter of a shitty apartment.
September 9, 2025 at 9:19 PM
cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
Bet you thought I was done with random screenshots from #JapaneseDriftMaster huh? Joke's on you, I never get bored of goofing around in games.

#indiegame
#JDMgame
September 5, 2025 at 6:13 PM
cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
My tree after an unexpected ice storm a few years ago. It looks oddly painterly.

📷: OnePlus Pro 10
#photography #photographersonbluesky
A photo of a tree whose branches are completely covered in ice.
August 7, 2025 at 9:52 PM
cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
Another pic from the day at the park a while ago. I know it's a little underexposed, but I kind of like it.

📷: Canon Rebel T5i
#photography #flowerphotography #photographersonbluesky
A photo of a black-eyed susan standing out from the rest. A tiny inch worm(?) sits on the center of the flower.
August 7, 2025 at 2:25 PM
cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
A little exercise in making an unlikeable character. I wrote this ages ago and don't have plans for it right now, but it was still fun. Michael is based on some of the worst people I've met or known lol. You know what they say about pissing off writers.

#writersonbluesky #creativewriting
Transcript: Michael wasn't at fault for the accident. Not in the true sense, anyway. Yes, he had run the light. His aging Durango didn't have the acceleration it used to, having been bogged down by delayed oil changes and a general lack of care. The loss of power meant he was nowhere close to making it across the intersection on an amber, and as such he barreled through the red and into the side of a minivan that was turning left. An inconvenience for sure, but not one he couldn't handle. After all, he knew this was nothing more than a test in patience and logic. "Oh my god! Oh my god!" The woman driving the minivan had short black hair styled boyishly, pierced brows, and a nose ring. She looked to be in her twenties, although the damage she'd done to her face would likely give her an older appearance in a few years' time. She was unharmed, albeit shaken up from the ordeal. Michael couldn't see how. He was the one who had suffered the harsher blow. He was fortunate to be coherent enough to exit his car and walk over. "Oh my god... What the fuck..." "There's no need for such language, Miss..." He trailed off, knowing full-well he was on thin ice with such a term. Despite her 'style' she appeared to be a woman, but he was all too aware that anyone could call themselves anything these days, and be insulted if one didn't read minds. The young woman snapped her head to him, eyes wide and mouth agape. "You... You fucking ran the light and hit me, you asshole!" "You turned in front of me. You should really be more aware of your surroundings." Nevermind that he'd taken the impact head-on. Young people these days were so self-centered, only concerned with their well-being and no one else's. "Well, I'm sorry I don't expect pricks to run the light everywhere I go."
August 3, 2025 at 6:05 PM
cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
I got bored and was messing around with stuff on my desk when I took this pic of some dice. I don't even play DnD I just really like colorful things lol

📷: Google Pixel 7

#photography #photographersonbluesky #phonephotography
A close-up photo of two purple dice with gold numbers stacked atop each other. They are transparent with bits of color showing from the light shining through them. The bottom die shows a 5 and the top one is partially turned to see both the 4 and the 5.
July 26, 2025 at 8:11 PM
cheerfulmelancholy.bsky.social
So there's one very particular spot on the map where you can send the camera below the ground, no effort required. Enjoy these lovely out of bounds shots. The underside of the car was more detailed than I expected it would be lol.

#JDMgame #JapaneseDriftMaster #indiegame
July 23, 2025 at 8:45 PM