Cici Woods
Bio
College student, writing hobbyist, and most definitely not an alien.If you would be interested in giving me more verbose feedback on my writing than what the platform currently allows, please do so here: https://forms.gle/fCY5pZK7iuLb8Pbb9
Stories (16/0)
Fox's Fear-Mongering Lies
On March 21, Lucas Manfredi of Fox News reported, “ID.me, a computer security firm which verifies worker identities across 19 states, roughly 75% of the national population, finds that more than $200 billion in federal assistance for unemployed Americans may have been pocketed through fraud.” Conversely, ID.me’s press release on the matter of federal assistance fraud states, “ID.me, a federally certified identity verification provider, announced that it has been able to verify the identities of over 200,000 citizens who filed claims for unemployment benefits over the past several months. As a result, an estimated $1.2 billion in claims have been distributed to the citizens of seven states, including four of the most highly populated in the nation. […] ID.me is used by federal agencies such as Social Security and Treasury as well as the states of Florida, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, California, and Pennsylvania.” A far cry from Fox’s assertion that ID.me has empirical evidence to suggest that the government has failed, ID.me has publicly mentioned it’s close work with federal and state governments.
By Cici Woods3 years ago in The Swamp
I'd Save You if I Could
Authors Note: As both a Dungeons & Dragons player and an author, I've decided to retell sessions of a recent campaign I've started with my friends. This is not simply a transcription. I have put this in my own voice based on the events that "happened" in the campaign session as I would if I were writing a fantasy novel through traditional mechanisms. I'll put this note at the start of any following episodes in case people are just tuning in. If you haven't read the previous episodes, please find them on my profile and if you're enjoying the series so far, please consider giving a like or a tip. It is much appreciated!
By Cici Woods3 years ago in Geeks
Surprise! The First Demise
Authors Note: As both a Dungeons & Dragons player and an author, I've decided to retell sessions of a recent campaign I've started with my friends. This is not simply a transcription. I have put this in my own voice based on the events that "happened" in the campaign session as I would if I were writing a fantasy novel through traditional mechanisms. I'll put this note at the start of any following episodes in case people are just tuning in. If you haven't read the previous episodes, please find them on my profile and if you're enjoying the series so far, please consider giving a like or a tip. It is much appreciated!
By Cici Woods3 years ago in Geeks
Actually, WE'RE the Morons
Authors Note: As both a Dungeons & Dragons player and an author, I've decided to retell sessions of a recent campaign I've started with my friends. This is not simply a transcription. I have put this in my own voice based on the events that "happened" in the campaign session as I would if I were writing a fantasy novel through traditional mechanisms. I'll put this note at the start of any following episodes in case people are just tuning in.
By Cici Woods3 years ago in Geeks
What Makes the Perfect Vocal Article
I published my first story on Vocal about a month ago, and this has been my first foray into paid writing; however, I've been writing as a hobby since high school when I dreamed of becoming a novelist. While I have created this purely for myself as an emotional and creative outlet, my sense of ambition can't help but notice some of my stories have gone completely unread.
By Cici Woods3 years ago in Journal
Beyond Death
It's been nearly a year since the Pandemic started. Some countries have gotten it under control like Australia and New Zealand. Some are having a second wave that's worse than the first like the US, where I so happen to live. When I'm not writing on Vocal, I'm an "essential worker." No, not a glamorous healthcare provider, I work at DashMart, one of many convenience stores popping up across the country that are owned by DoorDash and therefore can only be shopped through the app. As the need to grocery delivery and food delivery increases due to attempts to social distance, more and more people find themselves working to one degree or another with similar mechanisms in their professional life.
By Cici Woods3 years ago in Humans
Reprocessing
Many people have encountered gaslighting to varying degrees of severity and intentionality. By definition, these behaviors from others create an inaccurate picture of the world around us. Emotional abuse is highly dependent on this tactics to force the victim to want what the abuser wants, even when it destroys them. Those of us who endured it for years and escaped from its clutches slowly start to realize just how inaccurate everything they believed was, but depending on the duration it can be easy, even natural, to fall back into those patterns of thinking. It's difficult to accept that the truths your life may have literally or figuratively depended on for years aren't truths at all, especially when they developed subconsciously and you have to correct them consciously. As I uncover new ways that my PTSD impacts my life now, in particular how I manage difficulties in romantic relationships, I wanted to go through an article by Psychology Today that discusses the 11 Warning Signs of Gaslighting and recall a specific instance when my ex would use this tactic. I hope in writing this I will be able to revisit these when I notice myself falling into my former self-perceptions of failure and inadequacy. I also hope that maybe this can help other survivors break down where the lies they believe started and therefore actively combat them.
By Cici Woods3 years ago in Psyche
Mermaids and Morons
Authors Note: As both a Dungeons & Dragons player and an author, I've decided to retell sessions of a recent campaign I've started with my friends. This is not simply a transcription. I have put this in my own voice based on the events that "happened" in the campaign session as I would if I were writing a fantasy novel through traditional mechanisms. I'll put this note at the start of any following episodes in case people are just tuning in.
By Cici Woods3 years ago in Geeks
Self-Destructive Selflessness
I don't want to give up hope. I want to believe most people are good, but what even is "good?" It seems that what I deem for myself as "being good" isn't the same as everyone else. Bending over backwards for those I love is sort of my M.O. I don't mind. Really, I don't. Seeing how shocked and happy people get when I surprise them with cookies on a rough day or drive an hour to have a 30 minute lunch with them makes my day.
By Cici Woods3 years ago in Humans
I Finally Found The Answers!
Trigger Warning: Emotional Abuse Disclaimer: This discusses the questions I've had as an emotional abuse victim and the answers I've found. Mentions of the experience may be present, but brief. If this were a movie, I would give this a PG rating, but I recognize that particularly in the early phases of healing, even the slightest mention can trigger painful recollection, but the intent of this is to facilitate healing not prevent it.
By Cici Woods3 years ago in Psyche
My BO$$ BFF
I have known Alexis longer than her last name has been Adkins. My girl and I go way back. Therefore, there is no way in the world I am missing the opportunity to tell the world what a BO$$ with two dollar signs she is. She is an artist of immense talent in any craft she tries. They may say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but anyone who beholds her work and doesn't see beauty needs a trip to the optometrist.
By Cici Woods3 years ago in Styled
