Auto-Dictation software
© Ray Software 2009
…software version v3.1.1
…configured to user: PGiles
…special character dictation is OFF
…phonetic spelling parser is OFF
…multi-user recording[BETA] is OFF
…auto-recording is OFF
…auto-recording trigger is AUDIO
…censoring filter is ON
…auto-correct is ON
…auto-upload is ON

NOTICE TO USER: Auto-Dictator was unable to establish a connection to the server. Auto-upload will begin when a connection is found.

Auto-Dictation begun November 14th, 2009 @ 12:09 MDT

[deep breathing] I should have bloody well known immediately. Kadish was [unintelligible] the snake-oil seller. This place is a man-made construct. Some sort of [unintelligible] or dome containing an Age [liquid dripping] wrought of metal and stone instead of ink and paper. The structures in the distance were as much a lie as the [unintelligible] Garternay Kadish sold his followers. I must admit however, in the time I’ve spent in this [rustling sound][liquid dripping] Age I had no idea of its nature. There were clouds, a breeze. Live animals. Such [unintelligible] attention to detail.

Moments after the discovery, I began to [unintelligible] what lay outside the dome. [deep breathing] Why did Kadish choose this place? What does the rest of the Age look like? Is it uninhabitable? Dead and barren? I could absolutely see Kadish [unintelligible] a place where his little playground could never be disturbed from the outside.

On further inspection, I found a large crack in the surface of the dome. I thought it would be possible to widen the crack and use it to escape my [unintelligible]. I left any non essential items in camp and linked to the Watcher’s Sanctuary to retrieve the tools I had left there. After spending the majority of a day attempting to [unintelligible] the crack in the shell, I realised it was a futile gesture. Now only that, but [liquid dripping] I became increasingly nervous further [unintelligible] a weakness in this structure. The more I think about it, the more dangerous I realise it was. The outside atmosphere could be poisonous for all I know [deep breathing].

I stand now, in some sort of maintainance tunnel hidden on the other [unintelligible] of the dome. Nothing seems to be working in here, although I have a feeling there are other nearby domes. [deep breathing] There is a D’ni numeral one [unintelligible] everywhere on the Ahnonay crest. I wonder how many there are in total? Did [buzzing sound] the DRC know this place was a fraud when they released it? I can’t be the only one who [unintelligible] the truth, so why did I never hear of it? Did the cavern empty too soon?

Auto-Dictation ended by User November 12th, 2009 @ 12:20 MDT

PG_AD091114_1.amr saved to memory
File PG_AD091114_1.amr transcribed and uploaded to server November 29th @ 21:54 MDT

Auto-Dictation software
© Ray Software 2009
…software version v3.1.1
…configured to user: PGiles
…special character dictation is OFF
…phonetic spelling parser is OFF
…multi-user recording[BETA] is OFF
…auto-recording is OFF
…auto-recording trigger is AUDIO
…censoring filter is ON
…auto-correct is ON
…auto-upload is ON

NOTICE TO USER: Auto-Dictator was unable to establish a connection to the server. Auto-upload will begin when a connection is found.

Auto-Dictation begun November 12th, 2009 @ 07:31 MDT

My god, what is this place? It’s some sort of [unintelligible]!

Auto-Dictation ended by User November 12th, 2009 @ 07:31 MDT

PG_AD091112_1.amr saved to memory
File PG_AD091112_1.amr transcribed and uploaded to server November 29th @ 21:53 MDT

Auto-Dictation software
© Ray Software 2009
…software version v3.1.1
…configured to user: PGiles
…special character dictation is OFF
…phonetic spelling parser is OFF
…multi-user recording[BETA] is OFF
…auto-recording is OFF
…auto-recording trigger is AUDIO
…censoring filter is ON
…auto-correct is ON
…auto-upload is ON

NOTICE TO USER: Auto-Dictator was unable to establish a connection to the server. Auto-upload will begin when a connection is found.

Auto-Dictation begun November 11th, 2009 @ 06:12 MDT

As I sit here amongst the [unintelligible] water, I begin to wonder if maybe, just maybe Kadish did forge a link to an earlier [clicking sound] chapter in the D’ni story. The buildings in the distance are clearly [unintelligible] of stone, but their design is too crude to have been made by the skilled D’ni stonemasons. This [clicking sound] place is truly beautiful. [sqeaking sound][clicking sound] Oh! I’m sorry little fellow! [clicking sound]

We all know [rustling sound] Kadish is the master of the unseen, but if he truly did create this place I am in [unintelligible] of his ability. 

His trickery however, is so well [clicking sound] documented. [breathing] There must be something here. No, I must think [unintelligible]. This cannot be Garternay. The namesake of this Journal has been dead and gone for many [water rushing] lifetimes. The D’ni are capable of a great deal, but not this. Even Yeesha’s eldritch powers can only do so much.

[heavy sigh] There is nothing more to do about it. [clearing throat] I’ve decided to attempt to swim to the nearest island. I don’t [clicking sound] expect to find much, but this [unintelligible] place and its crabs has nothing left to show me.

Auto-Dictation ended by User November 11th, 2009 @ 06:19 MDT

PG_AD091111_1.amr saved to memory
File PG_AD091111_1.amr transcribed and uploaded to server November 29th @ 21:52 MDT

Auto-Dictation software
© Ray Software 2009
…software version v3.1.1
…configured to user: PGiles
…special character dictation is OFF
…phonetic spelling parser is OFF
…multi-user recording[BETA] is OFF
…auto-recording is OFF
…auto-recording trigger is AUDIO
…censoring filter is ON
…auto-correct is ON
…auto-upload is ON

NOTICE TO USER: Auto-Dictator was unable to establish a connection to the server. Auto-upload will begin when a connection is found.

Auto-Dictation begun November 9th, 2009 @ 11:50 MDT

When the Cavern was full and alive, the [unintelligible] flowed. I was so excited to [rustling sound] explore and see all that I could. When the Er’Cana and Ahnonay books were released to the public, there were two lines of people attempting to access these new places. There was good natured jibing between the two lines, people tossing soft insults [rushing water] at each other, two [unintelligible] factions having picked their new experience from the available options.

I remember being fascinated by the how easily we humans can fall into this behavior. Feeling an emotional attachment to a group of people for a simple decision, deriding others for not making the correct choice.

I had chosen Er’Cana. I was instantly enamoured by the [unintelligible] machinery and grand scale. I spent a great deal of [clicking sound] time there. Poring over every nook and cranny to see how all the pieces fit into their D’ni gestalt.

Then the cavern emptied. I [clicking sound] never visited Ahnonay. Not once. It was something I regretted at first, but then forgot about, only to regret again. To this end, I’ve walked away from my [clicking sound] quarters by the lake and decided to take a long awaited walk through Ahnonay. I know very little about it, only [clicking sound] what I’ve read, and re-read in the Watcher’s Sanctuary. [unintelligible] attached to Kadish, Ahnonay was supposed to be a link to the original Garternay Age. I must admit that I am skeptical, although the walk through the Ahnonay Cathedral was absolutely amazing.

I spent the first night of my journey  in the Watcher’s Sanctuary. I had been meaning to [unintelligible] the supplies I had left here on my trip through J’Taeri (listed earlier in this Journal) but never did. Lucky for me in the end, as I had a cot to sleep in.

I awoke early the next morning, and made my way to the Ahnonay book. I’ve learned to [unintelligible] the crippling nausea I get from linking, but it still upsets me that I cannot enjoy the first glimpse of a new world for well [clicking sound] over ten minutes. I link in and immediately [water flowing] see stars. Once they cleared [water flowing] however, the haunting beauty of this faded into view. [water flowing][water flowing] What a lonely world! I’ve spent some time constructing a lean-to shelter and bringing supplies back and forth from the Sanctuary. As you can imagine, each trip [unintelligible] quite a while.

Auto-Dictation ended by User November 9th, 2009 @ 12:10 MDT

PG_AD091109_1.amr saved to memory
File PG_AD091109_1.amr transcribed and uploaded to server November 29th @ 21:51 MDT

It’s unusually cold in the cavern today. The bubbling and whistling of my kettle always solves that problem though.

Some of you have sent me emails asking how it is that I can be in the Cavern for months at a time, completely isolated from everyone.

To be honest, I never really notice the lack of people as I never required companionship. I’ve heard stories about people befriending inanimate objects and assigning them personalities as their isolation grinds at them. The worst I admit to is talking to myself, and even that I’ve been doing since childhood. 

To be fair, I don’t really feel alone. I’ve got music, books and this journal. Strangely ironic perhaps, that this that was once a private place has been so enriched by the people who visit here. How can I feel alone with such a gift? People joining me on my journey for a few minutes or hours then leaving to forge their own. The constant coming and going feels as alive as the Cavern was once.

I think I’ll be fine with talking to myself. Just so long as I don’t get an answer back.

Feeling better today, more energetic. Thoughts are more organised. Strange, seeing as I got little sleep last night. I think I may be in need of a new cot.

Just got back from a walk in Eder Kemo, I hadn’t been in a while. The sound of falling water from the fountains always calms me. It’s such peaceful white noise. Strangely, the Age’s frequent thunderstorms did not appear once.

The walk did me some good, I’m going to step away from my parchment and tools today I think. Perhaps read for a bit and explore the City like I used to. I think I’d prefer to spend the day in the sun. Of course, Will made sure to point out how pale the darkness had made me. No KI tech for you Will, as if I could get my hands on any.

Lady Grey continues to brighten my mornings. I just wish I could link with a mug in my hands and not be in fear of dropping it from the lurching my stomach does…

“A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted. You should live several lives while reading it.”

                                                    - William Styron

I’ve noticed that the majority of you out there reading this seem to be doing so through a Feed system. I had tried to disable such the moment you all “discovered” this place, but it seems to not have had any effect.

There are many things that are missed if using a Feed, many textures and experiences I would hope the journey here would be worth, both in the past and to come.

That said, would this place become barren, an unintentionally private space once again were I to take the steps to disable the Feeds?

 Only a few of you bother to leave your mark here, and that is understandable. Many Read, few Write.

How do you feel?

(As an aside to make this post somewhat interesting, I’ve also noticed I’m on a huge Lady Grey binge lately. I love this tea. Love it.)

The time I spent with William gave me a new perspective on my work. I spoke with him at length about my Age. He had very many things to say, and a perspective on things that I value for how radically different it is from my own.

I was able to refine a great deal of clutter. William helped me realise that I should cut down on a lot of the things I would have thought essential. “After all” he said, “it isn’t supposed to be a place to live! Simply a place to visit and recharge.” Well said Will, I realise now on re-reading some of my older Journal entries (and the amazingly insightful comments left there) that my design had become bogged down with details, turning almost a complete 180 from my original intent.

I was too focused on the small, detailed brushstrokes, when I should have still been filling the canvas with colours and textures. I leapt in, anxious to create beauty as if I could simply open a container and pour it out, already made. I must create the foundation, plan, chart and map Luminesce from the bottom of the wine-dark seas to the very top of the sky. I’ve already begun anew. The planning process already filling me with an excitement and direction I hadn’t felt for a while.

The question now is, what to do with the book I have been so painstakingly ruining with my childish scribblings. My first thought was to burn it, lest someone stumble through this flawed mirror into a flawed Wonderland. However there is a small voice that decries such an action. Why, I cannot say. Burning the book and starting with a fresh one is only logical, neat and tidy. Somehow it tugs on me though.

I suppose for now, there is no harm in adding a fourth book to the stack. This one isn’t a One Word though.

I don’t know what to consider it.

Oh well, I refuse to dwell on the past. Instead of books I work in another medium for now. Thankyou Will, bringing me the tools I needed helped me realise what was next!