The Feinics Gate Podcast - Issue 168 - The Power of Playful Madness

Ladies, now it's Showtime. Let's show them we can rise from Ash, Jane, Lavender, and Scarlet Phoenix. Power so can't. Go where we rise. They try to ban us when? One's like a flower. They didn't. Know we had a Phoenix's power. Phoenix Power. What's up everybody? It's your girl, Jade Phoenix. We are here. We are in a different place. We are actually in a Griffin's nest. So because of that, I'm actually going to introduce First Crimson.

Hi. Hey, how's everyone going? Thanks for having us in your nest. Of course of. Course and then of course, we are joined by it. All started when I was. Born our lavender. I and I really love how cozy your nest is, Mr. Griffin. Thank you very much. So it is a very cozy. It almost feels like a Dragon's nest because there are so many goodies in here and shiny things. Yeah, You know, I. Like my collectible. Who knows, you might have some dragon DNA in there somewhere. Probably. The hoarding of magical objects.

The hoard No, that Griffins do that too. We know that we we hoard and protect. As well. Wow, OK. I love that I'm learning something new everyday. Yeah, why? Don't you lay some Griffin lore on please. Do. Well, Griffins are considered guardians of treasures as well, yeah. So where Dragons are greedy, a Griffin is not correct. In a way, yes, because Dragons, they, it's like they they'll protect something, but it's more for themselves. Griffins. They'll protect something, even if it's not for themselves.

Yeah. Got it. So like how I'm a book dragon along with jade because we love our bookies and sometimes we will share them sometimes. I share them with. You exactly because we're a couple of book Dragons. So like, we understand the importance of the book coming back and the book making its way back to its lair. But I collect them for myself. They're they're not to protect for anyone else unless it's ones that my grandpa left me. That's like the one exception. I'm starting to make like some small book collections.

It's. True. I've been helping with that. I literally just got the well and this is because of magic and everything, but like for Magic the gathering I actually got the new strict saving book too. Oh cool. Which is great. Wait, there's books? Yeah, there's so much lore in magic that it's ridiculous. They actually do have a whole series of books. It's the same way that Dungeons and Dragons also has whole, like, backstories and lore and like, critical, Critical Role. Gotcha. Yeah. And stuff like that.

That has become like gospel to, to the, to the actual game gameplay and stuff like that. But Magic the gathering does have that whole like worlds with like the planeswalkers and everything like that. And it's really, really cool. And it's great that you mentioned that because our episode last week was me and you talking about Magic the Gathering, which you can catch on all our listening platforms. It was very. Fun everyone. I felt really bad that I had to miss it, but I loved tuning in and listening to my two besties here just divulge all things magic.

You were too busy watching your team lose. You know what, Sandhausen, I am calling to you. No. Into the beyond, please. I will give you human monies. You're a monster. I will actually pay you to one. Curse the Mets. He didn't say that he would do it. He did and he didn't get enough human money, which is why it only worked for the one game. I Dan Hausen. However, I'm receiving bonus human monies that I am willing to give you, but you know you got to deliver and you always. Do would he accept money if I outbid?

Would he counter that? I think he might, he might. He cares very deeply about. Him if I give him the same amount you're giving but $1.00 more. Maybe you'll have us like, you know, prove who is the most worthy of being uncursed. Just like OK, just because you give one. Dollar, I trust that, you know, Dan Hausen obviously will hear this through them. Very evil, very nice. The magical ether in which he lives. Well, considering the fact that the Nando Squatch does call me Jade Housen. It all makes sense.

He's. Called me Jade Housen for years now because I am very very nice but very very bitchy. You may laugh, you may laugh. Just let it last, it's the same place. Just let it out. We're in your place. You can laugh at me, but actually it is true. Jade Housen is very, very nice, very, very evil, you know, because I'm, I'm very sweet. But I'll fuck you up. You will be cursed. You will be cursed. I mean, I did it already to a couple people, but.

I'll be right back. And most importantly, that was my plea to you, Dan Hausen. Before we dive into today's topic, which kind of, you know, goes into Dan Hausen a little, he is kind of the whimsical, evil creature of the WWE right now. Sort of. I mean I. Call him whimsical. I would say that he definitely has a whimsy style of being, but I wouldn't say that he's a magical, whimsical creature. He's more of a of a demon, yeah. But then again. You know, I mean, then again, we also actually got the demon back.

Oh my God, WE. That was the most. Well, I had a feeling about that storyline ever since all the beef originally happened. Yeah, I knew with Tom like I knew it was going to happen. It was just a matter of when we. Kept getting hints, all right. They were like anybody who's been a fan of wrestling. And big shout out to Mid Island Collectibles for hosting ECW Day at the store. It was a great turn out the Phoenix Gate was in attendance. Our Crimson was not though because he was readying his nest for our invasion.

Yes, but we have so many amazing interviews coming to you guys. So you need to be following us on all of our social media, our YouTube, our Instagram, our TikTok. That's where you're going to find those interviews. Also if you give the shop IG afollow mid Island collectibles on Instagram you'll see a lot of stuff there. Also big shout out because our Lavender finally got to see the Phoenix Gates physical brick and mortar store in person. It was very exciting. I loved it. It was beautiful. It was everything I hoped it would be.

It was amazing. And we are still doing every Thursday night at Mid Island Collectibles. We are doing OpenTable game night where you can learn. Since we will be talking about whimsical things today, if you haven't noticed, we're going to be talking We do D&D, Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-gi-oh, Kola, Cthulhu, and Pirate Borg and Warhammer. I didn't know Kola Cthulhu was a tabletop game. Yeah that is so fucking neat. I love that I'm at the Zulu girly so if. You ever come out to one of the game nights?

You could totally play, But yeah. So it's every Thursday from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Mid Island Collectibles in the Broadway Mall. Yes, it is still open, so come out. Don't be scared, we're not leading you into a cult trap. I'm so done with my plugs though right now because like all I've been doing is just plugs. Plugs. I mean, this is what I do exactly. It's what we do. But Speaking of whimsy, what would your definition of whimsy be? Crimson, Since you are the most unwhimsical, whimsical person I've ever met.

So if I am, then why are you asking me this question? Because you are the most unwhimsical but whimsical person I've ever met. You are very it. It is like a it is an underground whimsy. It's like I have to drag it out of you with freaking just clump out whimsy. I have my own style of doing things. That's it. Really, I would never guessed Nah you. Forgot of you. Come on, I don't know, like, I mean, that's. Your story. Me in terms of whimsical tell. Us your story. Do it. I mean, hey, when it comes to whimsical stuff, I mean, for me, I just like being more of that sort of way of just making people laugh in some sense.

Not really too much of like the other aspects of whimsical or being whimsical. I'm not really too it. It's just not me. I can't. I can't sit here and say yeah, I'll do it now. It doesn't. It doesn't suit me. OK, well, what would you say? Because divining whimsy. It's playful, it's unpredictable, it's slightly absurd, but not chaotic evil, more like chaotic charming. I think you're chaotic charming. I definitely think you're chaotic. Charming. Yeah. So you are whimsical. Because I like busting people's balls and laughing.

Exactly. I feel like that balls under whimsie. Yeah, I think so. But which, you know, so like, what about, what about you love? Like what is your definition of whimsie? So for me, if I'm talking like personally, for myself and how we use Whimsie as human beings to just deal with the decrepit world around us, I personally view it as just like having no inhibitions. You have that nice magical kind of sense of just being able to live out a form of a fairy tale or a fantasy, whether it be cosplay, whether it be Kaluna Embassy.

We get to take the time to kind of breakdown these barriers that we've been told are the reality of being an adult. And I think it's so important to have these whimsical outlets where you're just being yourself, living as your most authentic self, even if it's in being fun and creative and wacky. Because honestly, we have a lot to be concerned about all the time as human beings, no matter what's going on, where it's going on, it's concerning to be an adult. So it's nice to break those chains and just be able to be.

Yeah. Agreed, I completely agree. For me, I think that whimsy is like glitter for the brain. I love that. You know it's unnecessary, slightly impractical, and somehow everything feels better once it's there. Yeah, it really does.

Oh my God. You totally like glitter. OK Gold I hate. Glitter. I'm going to put it in your beard. Gold dust speckles. The glitter beard is going to happen. I want to see this glitter beard, isn't that? Fucking you have a choice, Glitter beard or flower beard. Neither. Pick one. Pick one. Picking none? Well. This is your whimsical little like if you had to. If I had to, yeah, I would rather put. He's going to be so annoying. Though yeah, he's. Going to say I look like I'd rather shave my whole face, no?

No, absolutely not. I would rather put Christmas ornaments in my beard than flowers. OK, but we'll do that. I've done that. We're. Going to do it again. I would love that it's. Too bad I ate the holidays. No, be it will be. And like, what if with Kaluna, you put these little things on your beard? Christmas in July? That's whimsy, right? There, just take a vacation to Portugal for the month of December. Now we're talking Christmas in July, my friend. This is happening in July. So now here's another question I have for you guys.

Absolutely. What would you say is the difference between whimsy versus weird versus pure delusion? You know what, I think this is essentially a pretty easy to answer. I feel like weird is like not a fair assertation just because like, who's to say what's weird and what's not weird? So I'm going to typicals exactly. So I'm going to completely ignore that one. However, we do need to remember that it's OK to sip the delulu lemonade, to chug it even. However, you know, part of what makes whimsy so wonderful is that it's your escape from your real life.

But you also have a real life. Yeah. You know what I mean? So that's when it does cross a line. If you think that the whimsy is just I. Think, I think, I mean I kind of have a different, slightly different. Perspective. Yeah, it's more just like you're saying the difference between whimsy weird and then delusional, correct. Yeah. So the way I would say I, I view the whimsical part is more you're, I guess whimsical would be like, yeah, like you're, you're, I guess let's say you're, you're taking on sort of a, a character, right?

For like any sort of role play or whatever, right? You're, you're acting out in this sort of character that's whimsical, right? And it has, they have their sort of interesting characteristics. That's a little bit more, you know, either chaotic or, you know. Glitter. Glitter, Yeah, but. Shiny. There's a difference between that and delusional. Like if we're talking about like, let's say in the aspect of delusional, even if you're playing that character role, you, you, you still understand where. Like you understand the line.

Where there there's a line when it comes to delusional people, there is no line, is there? There is. There is no line for delusional people. They don't. That's the point of being called delusional. No, exactly. It's like I cosplay Ray from Star Wars, but I don't think I am Ray, nor do I think I'm Daisy Ridley. Not even just like that. Let's just say, let's just say you even play a character that has wings and you just think you can fly and you just automatically jump off a fucking five story building.

Like that's delusion. That's dangerous. That's dangerously delusion. We. We don't suggest that, by the way. Very, very much unsuggested the. Phoenix Gate does not condone you jumping off of A5 story. Yes, please don't. Yes. I mean, it's great job security for me, but don't do it. Don't do.

It don't. Do it. But yeah, that's that. But you get my point. Like there's there's almost like you still you're you're taking yourself out of quote, UN quote, like reality, right? To kind of taken or take on this sort of persona. Yeah, that's whimsical, but it doesn't take you out of let's just say if a situation happens, you need to actually. Exactly. You know where? You are what's like, yeah. No, like prime example, like when I'm dressing up as the Summers fox for Kaluna Embassy, I don't think I think I'm an actual fairy queen when I'm out of my persona crazy.

I mean, I'm a queen. And you are a queen. I'm a queen, but not a freaking, you know, magical fairy that can turn into a fox. I wish. I think we all wish the. Fucking wish. But I do not actually think that that's a, you know who I am. Does that make sense? Like it is a aspect of my personality that I created because I wanted to be whimsical, because I wanted to escape everyday life. It's not my actual personality. Yeah. It's just it's an add on. Exactly. That's what. And that's what. Skin yeah, it's like a video game so that's.

Why? I'm like, that's what I'm trying to get at, where it's just like you, you, you know where the line is, where it separates. Yeah, so, but let's be honest. There are a lot of people that don't. Yeah, there are a lot of people. There's a lot of people that don't and they'll, they'll, they'll sometimes they even cross lines with people, which obviously is not right in terms of in that that even plays into the aspect of of weird in the sense of just like, you know, they'll, they'll, they'll take the character just a wee bit too serious.

What did he say? Just a wee. Just a wee. Just a wee. Well, yeah, no, like the the as as long as anyone who is playing in in a sort of character role of any kind, they know where the lines are usually. Usually I'm just saying in general, like if they actually do, preferably you know it it it, it's more for not just for their own comfort, but also. Safety. Safety. Yes, no, because that is true. Because honestly, if you aren't, we are talking whimsy versus weird versus delulu. And The thing is, is there is very, there's also a very fine line between weird and whimsy, personally.

I mean like you can be whimsical and also so fucking weird that even other whimsical people are like. No, I've, I remember meeting a couple people like that too. Yeah. Oh yeah. Oh yeah, where they like they take it and instead of making it an escape, they make it their entire personality. But they. Still. Don't cross into the delulu zone. Yeah, like they understand that, that there are some just like limitation. Not even that they understand that they are not what they actually are, but they make that their entire being anyway.

They make it a little too like over the top, but also like I do sometimes think that can be, you know, what's the word dependent on certain people. Agreed. And then also at the same time, I would have to point out that, like, it is also very much where you start making other people uncomfortable with your whimsy. That's when you're in you, you cross into like weird and just not good territory. Like, like you're still not. You're still not the Lulu. Yeah, but you're still just like. Like, you know, you know, you're, you're crossing those boundaries when you even make the people that act weird feel weirded out.

Yeah. Like, you know, you know, well, you're you're you're you're doing the most. Yeah, for real, for real. Because like, here's the problem. And we're being, we're all cosplayers of various levels. And when you, you especially in cosplay world, you run into those cosplayers that truly think that they are the actual characters that they are cosplaying, which is great as an escape from everyday life. But when you literally make that entire thing, your entire persona, that is a, that is the Lulu territory.

Oh, A. Million percent. It's like those those are people that like make me uncomfortable. Like, and also you need to remember, especially in whimsical activities, you don't even need to be the person that's participating in the whimsy. Please understand that people still have boundaries and they still have not normal human respect. Right, Because I feel like that happens a lot in like the cosplay space is a good example. Like my little form of whimsy is I get to dress as my favorite Star Wars character.

I don't need a gross smelly man baby telling me that I'm not pretty enough to be that character and or oh I hate your character so much. Yeah, because they don't like the movies. And it's like, OK, like, totally respect your opinion, but obviously I enjoy this character. You see that I enjoy it. Please leave me alone. Fuck your life, Bing bong. Basically so like this is this brings me to another question I have for for the masses for you 2 is, is whimsy more of an aesthetic, A mindset or a coping mechanism?

I'm just thinking of that little girl in the Taco commercial. Except instead of saying like oh, why not both? I would say why not all three? I think it's a little bit of each I. Do say that it takes a piece from each pie, but at the same time, when is it that's enough slices? That's fair. Like I think it also is like it depends, right. So I think a really great example is like I love going to Disney World like besides the fact that like I worked there, I love Disney overall, right and it's like a little bit of everything.

It's a coping mechanism. It's a place where I can escape. Yep. Where I can kind of like, live within the fairy tale, but also knowing the boundaries of it. Right. I know it's not everyday life. I know that it's just for fun and relaxation and to take the stress off my shoulders. Yeah. And then it also goes into like, kind of an aesthetic cause also, like when I go to Disney, I like to get all dressed up, like I'm somewhere magical. Like, it makes me feel good to put like, a nice dress on with my cute little sequin ears that I would never wear anywhere outside of Disney World.

Like, you know, that's where the aesthetic pieces. And then what, what was the other piece you were asking about? I didn't oh, it was just aesthetic, aesthetic versus mindset versus coping mechanism. So mindset I feel like also goes a little bit into coping mechanism because it's like a great when I'm in Disney, I am in the mindset that I'm in Disney that it's about play. It's about fun. Everyone at Disney is just, every adult in my opinion is just a big kid and you should be there to be able to have be fun and have fun and play.

And so it's like, that's what I mean. Like I feel like a lot of situations it is a little bit of everything. OK, that's fair. What about you, Crimson? I guess when it comes to that, yeah, I mean, I kind of agree with Kayla in this aspect because I even said it right at the beginning when he asked it. But yeah, I mean it, it is definitely a little bit of everything. It's it kind of see.

Yeah, Lavender did totally do that. Every single nail on the head. Yeah, in, in that aspect, 'cause it's just like, you know, you, you have, you have a little bit of everything when it comes to that. And yeah, it it is. It is also true that it, it, you know, mindset and the, Oh my God, what was the third one? Again, coping mechanism. Coping those kind of at least mindset kind of goes into coping a little bit especially, you know, some people they like it as a way to emotional damn it yeah to kind of just either just, you know, get away from life stresses and and just kind of a way to kind of decompress from day-to-day life.

So yeah, I mean, it's, it's, you know, I feel like for, for people who do love cosplaying or even just even any form of Larping too. It all falls in the same category. It all falls in the same category, so you can you know it it it takes a little bit of aspects from all. I agree. And like, so this is where we go into like the psychology of whimsy and this goes where why do our brains crave the novelty and surprise? Like obviously dopamine hits, serotonin, you know, things that we loved in our childhood that now we get to do as adults with adult money that's always very expensive or, or things that we weren't able to do because we were suppressed from our whimsiest children.

So I do feel like on a psychological level level, this also does like allow whimsy is like a rebellion against routine and burnout, which as adults we are forced into. Yeah. Like we have our jobs, we have our responsibilities, we have to, you know, we live in a capitalistic society where not the almighty dollar goes a long way. So like, why not use our human monies to give a little sparkle, you know, be, you know, go and be the the magical Griffin or the fairy or, you know, a book dragon. Like that is all in the realm of whimsy.

I fully agree and I think something I've been seeing a lot and I actually really love these trends online and while I don't think like don't see everything you see on tip tock for they hate them, but I do love that it's allowed. Some of us that are like and I'm going to use the word weird again, but I mean it in just we have different types of interests that aren't normally considered by. Adults. To be mature. Like one of my favorite little videos I saw recently was a girl and she had posted with all her friends and said, you know, make it a point that as an adult, just do the weird thing like go to the American Girl store and go to the little lunch and bring your doll you never got to bring to the little Cafe and get just dressed up for you.

I'm like, you know what? That's so real. Like, why would I like, look, the world is hard enough as it is, especially now, especially now. So why wouldn't? I just say damn it. That makes me happy because it's not harming anyone as. Long as you're not harming anyone. Exactly, like in that respect, you're not harming anyone, you're just enjoying something that you love with people that you love who are also into this interest. Yeah. I mean, as long as you have a good core group of people that don't try to like turn it into this whole gang mentality.

Yeah, you don't want that. You know where there's, you know, hierarchy and this persons in the popular click that persons not in the popular click. So therefore you can't come and hang out, you can't go and party, you can't wear the the, you can't wear the pretty things, you can't wear the sparkly things. That is not OK when you start gatekeeping whimsy. That's not even whimsy in my opinion anymore. No, it it becomes something completely toxic and completely different. Agreed. So would you say that whimsy is a form of emotional regulation?

Yeah, it is for me, Crimson. I mean, at least for me, for you. It's not. No for me, but I could see how it could be for other people. Right, like I do fully enjoy being able to go into my different personas when I need to, you know, just to let not be me for just a little bit. And it makes me feel better. And then I'm fully able to, once I have to be forced back into my human skin, do the things that I need to do. Like, you know, edit all of our content and make sure that it's on the Internet and pay bills and, you know, answer emails and all sorts of like work my store.

So like, it allows me to step outside of myself long enough to recharge just a little more a lot depending on what I'm doing, and then I'm able to face the horror that is real life. That's exactly it. Like that's why I would also call it emotional regulation because like, look, it really I was like texting my partner the entire time we were at the photo shoot that we do with Kaluna. And if you guys don't know about Kaluna embassy, we can go a little bit more in detail. But I had just gotten some news I didn't love from work and I was really bummed out about it.

Like I was like, why do I bother doing anything? I work so hard and then nothing comes from and yet like I was in a really dark. Spiral and we were trying to make her feel. Better, and then just being able to be at this photo shoot, like slip into this just magical version of myself, getting to dress up pretty, getting to be outside in nature with the cherry blossoms and just talking with good people, It really gave me the regulation I needed. So then while I was still upset and still struggling with it, it gave me a respite, but it also gave me the ability to be like, OK, I've calmed down a little.

I can now regulate this really horrible feeling I'm having. And maybe it takes a few days. You know, it's different for everyone and I was like oh now this was like 4 less days of me being sad because I had this one thing in the middle of my week that is true that helped ground. Me like that. Yeah, exactly. And I know it's true and it helped ground me and I could be like, oh, and a lot of it comes from just anxiety, racing thoughts, cyclical thinking with anxiety. So I was like, oh, I just had this thing.

It helped bring me down. Now I can kind of reset. I might still be upset about it, but now I can look at it more logically because I had that time just for me that had nothing to do with Oh my God, bills, Oh my God, my career, Oh my God. Like, you know, paying off whatever, you know, I didn't have any rent, paying rent. So like, I didn't have to think of any of that. No. For just a few hours. And that was enough. And it was enough. And The thing is is I was also going through it that day. You were due to some other shit with stupid people.

And honestly, I was just like I was, Oh my God. Crimson can attest because poor Crimson has to deal with me on. He is my emotional regulator. When I get to a point between him and Diginan, they're always holding me down when I because like I tend to go zero to 60 very, very quickly. And then once I hit 60, I crash into a wall. Valid. And I'm like the crash test dummy who's just, and then after it, I'm just like, Nope, I don't want to get up. I don't want to move, don't touch me. But then they, they, they're like, knock it off.

We can do this. And I, you know, get my brain in because one of the things that I, I'm going to point out, especially when it comes to whimsy, is that like we're adults. Unfortunately, I hate it. I didn't sign up for this but because we are adults we have to schedule our whimsy where kids just live in it like almost all the time until it's literally choked out of us by the world. Which is really upsetting to think about. You think about that. I mean, we're all millennials, right? I'm in the elder millennial and you 2 are.

You're like the younger, like end of millennial era. That's you 2. You 2 are the end of millennial era, but I am you. Know, I think, I think she. I think I am. I don't think she is. You guys know? I'm older than her. So you would be Gen. Z. I'm 97. Gen. Z, yeah. So I was kind of like. You're the elder Gen. Z. Exactly. So I was kind of in millennial, but not really. I was just surrounded by. You're you're you're a weird. Zennial. Yeah. I'm like, right in the middle, yeah. Because they keep moving the line and.

They keep moving it around and. Then they'll put it back and then they'll go before. Exactly because 97 used to be included in that. Right. I think it might still be, but I'm not exactly sure. So either way, you know, either the very last of the millennial millennials are the very first of the Gen. Z's, yes, which is fine for you. But me being an elder millennial, I got to see a lot of stuff like just be killed off in me and the kids that were my age and around my age. And it kind of went from like all these magical things.

Like keep in mind, I grew up in, in, in, I was born in the 80s. I grew up in the 90s and during that time I got some of the most amazing TV shows, events. We were still like able to do certain things without the Internet blasting it everywhere and all sorts of stuff. Cringe culture was not a thing when when I was growing up, even as a teenager. It started a little bit, but it wasn't to the point that it is now where even as adults they they claim that cringe culture is, you know, it, it becomes where it's like people are afraid to let their whimsical side out because of cringe culture, because of cancel culture, because of people just judging you for having a small spark of joy or creativity or anything like that.

And it drives me absolutely batshit because you got to see, especially when we're dressed up as, you know, the Kaluna, when we do Kaluna Embassy and we go places the way that people, adults and children, absolutely light up seeing a real fairy. It just makes them happy. And I think for adults, in a lot of ways, it gives them that joy of like seeing, I find a lot of joy in seeing people feeling comfortable expressing themselves. And I can't say that for everyone, but I feel like especially for a lot of the adults that we meet, especially with their kids when we're doing Kaluna, they appreciate that we're kind of setting an example in a way that it's OK to be magical and to be yourself.

Even as an adult. Even as an adult, because look, I will say, like we, I think my generation was very much the beginning of cringe culture, even though we didn't have the Internet as much. Yeah, it was. You know, every joke in ATV show or a movie was about like, Comic Con and the weirdos getting in the car. And the only time we kind of stopped being the negative joke was once The Big Bang Theory really came out. To be honest, whether you love it or hate it, I personally love it. I do too. And you know, like I wanted to cosplay so badly and I was told by my mother, no, you'll be a freak.

Everyone's going to think you're a freak. She understands, You know, like, because once I became older, I was like, why am I like, why I'm an adult? I don't need to listen to my app about that. So when she saw like, oh, it's this creative outlet and you, that's how you were able to, like, make friends and how you were really able to find people that understood you and you were able to just do something that was creatively fulfilling for you. It's like, yeah, 'cause that's what it should have always been about.

We shouldn't be preconditioned to think just because you do something slightly outside the pale, especially when you're not harming anyone, that it's cringy or weird. And I just see it now with like kids not wanting. I was actually talking to a friend of mine about this recently. I think it might have been you, Jade. Most likely that we don't really like have clubs anymore, which is why I love when we go to the events like the Black Parade where people are allowing themselves to dance and have fun and let loose because now.

You can shout out to QXTS. Like you can see it online. I've seen it in so many of these tik toks like kids when I say kids, I mean like I guess like what are they like 1819 now? But to me, kids, they none of them dance at clubs. There's really no culture of just they stand around and look at, they just stand around, they stare at their phones, they look at the floor. And so much of it stems from this fear of being recorded and being made fun of online. And that's insane, that. Doesn't make any sense to me.

Like there's so much whimsy in pop culture as well. Yes, like we're talking, you know, you have SpongeBob for you know that that that is definitely, I would say chaotic whimsy to think that the sea creatures at the bottom are like, you know, things like then you have a shows like Chowder. I loved chowder you. Know he's a big Chowder fan. Oh yeah. Rada rada rada. And then you also have like Adventure Time, which is like existential whimsy, but it was also low key devastating. Oh my God. Yeah. You know, huge Adventure Time fan.

Huge Adventure Time fan, but like, you know, we're talking like, if you even want to go back, like Lewis Carroll wrote Alice in Wonderland, you know, and then Disney did Alice in Wonderland and there's been so many iterations of Alice in Wonderland that is like the original whimsy. 100%. Like that is the original fucking whimsy as far as I'm concerned. And then you also have like The Grand Budapest Hotel, which is an aesthetic controlled whimsy, you know. Then you have even if you want to go even darker, you have Pan's Labyrinth.

You you all cannot see, but Lavender is is making the yes. I am like praying to the God that is Doug Jones and Caramel Del Toro. Yes, which we were so blessed to meet at Moonlight Market Expo. And you need to stay tuned to our socials because we have an exclusive interview with Doug Jones. Which was incredible. He's the nicest man alive and great example of how someone can embody whimsy just in their being. Like talking to Doug, he's so fully embodies this idea of whimsy. Cause whimsy doesn't just have to be hey you walked around in a fairy outfit.

Whimsy can also be you have a positive attitude on life despite things being around you. Negative. I think that in and of itself is a form of whimsy and rebellion. I. Agree. I was so kind just talking to somebody who loved that people loved his work so much and even just beyond him, but about like, oh, these things that these characters did for these people. And This is why I feel comfortable being my most authentic self with my fans and it says a lot. It does. It does. I mean, and it's like, I'm sure there is tons of other examples out there.

Like of any fantasy movie is whimsy. Like literally like Lord of the Rings. I love fucking whimsy. 100% fucking. Whimsy. Elves and fucking orcs and and Wizards and hobbits. Like come on, that's not fucking whimsy. Acatar's whimsy. Absolutely not. Oh, Oh no. Sarcasm. TMB. Nosy, nosy or annoying? Yes, both. But why not both? Like, you know, like I feel like the whole romanticy genre has done a lot for whimsy and it's really it's. Bringing it back. Done so much, I feel like for us as adults, because a lot of these are adult novels that have been coming out that have gained so much traction and popularity like ACOTAR, like 4th Wing.

And it gives this whimsy while also using that whimsy to tell stories of resilience, to tell stories of unlikely protagonist being able to win and being able to bring joy back into a bleak situation. Well, here let me let me give you an example so Crimson can be a little bit more like, you know, argumentative about whether this is whimsy or not. Digimon is whimsy. Who doesn't think that there are actual creatures that could be your partner in a digital world? That's whimsy. Same with Pokémon. It's whimsy because who wouldn't want these magical, powerful creatures to be your friend?

That's whimsy. Well, depends on which ones. Yeah, that's fair, because some of them are a little. That's fair though. But like, you're going to sit there and tell me that's not whimsy? It is, yeah. At least. Well, I can't. I can't speak for Pokémon, but for. Digimon. It is why? Because for those who don't know. Why don't you know? I'm going to explain OK, when it comes to Digimon and a certain kid or person having a Digimon a a Digimon as a partner. It's not as simple as just like, Oh yeah, you just, you just stumble upon a Digimon and then he's your, your, your partner.

But that's not the case. No. Digimon, especially when it comes within the story, it is a reflection of the individual's personality. Yeah, and sometimes even interpersonality. I agree. So you know, it it it, it hits a little bit more on the personal aspect then how Pokémon does. Pokémon is just like, oh, you go out, you just catch them. But. They can choose to jump out of the ball. But we're talking about more on a personality, deeper emotional level. Fair. And I mean hell, you could even use the new anime Bee Breakers as an example.

Like if any of the people out there that are listening have been watching the anime, highly recommend it if you're not. I'm going to catch up with that. I haven't been able to sit down and watch. It it, it definitely touches on a little bit more serious aspects of the series than it than previous. And I think it, I think it kind of started from Digimon Survive the game, because the Digimon survive like you have people actually dying in the game. Dark whimsy. So it it it, it definitely touches on a lot of different aspects.

I agree on. That especially since I mean hell, even how they evolve is based on your emotions. Yeah, that's whimsical. Exactly. That's so whimsical. And then like, let's to even go so far as to some of the games that we play. Obviously, Magic the Gathering is fully, fully whimsicy. That's not even an. Argument. That's not even an argument. DND. You have to be whimsical to play DND. Anybody who tries to argue that is not. Stupid. Just uninformed or stubborn? Yeah. Yeah. We never call anyone. We do not call people stupid.

I'm sorry to their faces. Yeah, yeah. Animal Crossing, I feel like is the best form of like, cozy whimsy. I don't disagree. Like, to me, it's such a whimsical, cozy thing to just be like, hey, I get to just make this life what I want to make it, even if it's just buying something from the store and planting a garden. Like Jade could tell you how obsessively. Yes. Yeah, exactly. Like, my thing I loved during COVID was I just made a nice little garden in my town and I wasn't good at building anything else.

But I just liked going as my little character and watering my flowers. The Sims Moving on if The Sims day. Yeah, no, if The Sims is not also an example of like, whimsy in a lot of ways, especially when they did that version of The Sims where it was like all the magical creatures where you could be like a vampire or werewolf or fairy. I know. But like, how is that, like, not a whimsical thing that they added to a very real game that was supposed to simulate real life? So obviously, because whimsy is such an intrinsic part of what humanity needs for that serotonin and dopamine hits, and as we are as children, why wouldn't we put it in one of the most beloved games that have ever been created?

Oh yeah, like that. I've always loved The Sims. Oh yeah, Are you kidding me? I still have. I'm pretty sure. I think I'm pretty sure I still have it. Unless, unless the I think I might have gave it to somebody and they they fucking ended up keeping it. But I had the original Sims full collection. Wow. Oh my God, I loved it. I missed. I played the hell out of that game. Me too, I only ever had The Sims they made for Nintendo DS and I don't know what happened to it because I still have most of my DS games and for whatever reason that one is missing.

Your brothers probably I. Let's call us famous. Exactly. I had three younger brothers and definitely got passed along somewhere never to be seen again. Just stolen. But The Sims, like I remember just loving it on DS. I've never played the PC version. I. Have I would spend. Hours loved the DS version and I love just being I'm like oh I'm cooking my food in my kitchen, I'm getting my little dog. This couple is meeting at a bar. Like I loved Sims and being able to like create your own reality. Yeah, for real, for real.

Like, and this is where it comes down to light versus dark whimsy. So I would define light whimsy as like, you know, the the glitter E Pixie dust, you know, Disney fairies kind of whimsy, soft, pastel, charming, glittery and happy. And, and there's no, never anything wrong in light whimsy where dark whimsy is way more. It's like eerie, gothic and just a little bit dangerous if you ask me. And this is where our brand, the Phoenix Gate, actually sits. I was actually like as soon as he brought up Disney fairies.

It's hilarious because I am obsessed with those books. Yeah, and they are pretty like the early ones. Dark dark onesie, yes, definitely. The things that happened at Tinkerbell in those books, man, she literally ends up with a knife. It's. Crazy what they did to her crazy. So like I'll. Say, Disney has definitely dipped its toe in dark whimsy, not even just with like the Disney fairies, but when you think about like, Nightmare Before Christmas, that's a good example of dark whimsy. Darker. Yes, definitely.

I would also say that even in Kanto, yeah, it was very, you know. Had that dark whimsy. Because like, who doesn't want to have be part of a family that has powers, you know? But then of course, you're not the one exactly. You're not the one that has them and. Then even the ones that do have powers, they're being burned out to a crisp, right? Because they're told they need to be a certain thing. Yep. Yeah. And then like dark whimsy. Always hits harder emotionally. Oh, 100% because it's. Going to explore the.

Darker aspects of fairy Dome like that's why even in ancient lore about fairies, you have a Sealy and unsealy courts. You have the dark and you have the light. You had whimsical fairy creatures that wanted to eat you and then you had the ones that wanted to play with you. And even then, even if they were the nice ones, they still were going to fuck with you. Yeah, because they have a completely different. Conception of what? Fucking with people is Agreed and like so like even then. Like you need to understand that there are limitations to this in ways that, like most people don't even understand.

And that's why, like it comes down to where it's very beautiful but very unsettling. Like if you've ever wanted, like in every single epic that's ever been written, story that's ever been written, legend that's ever been written, you always find that something is beautiful but terrifying. Even in the Bible, they describe angels as beautiful but terrifying of a million eyes to look at. How is that not whimsy? Yeah, it's not like it. Come on. You know, like in all the ancient legends about the different gods.

Beautiful but terrifying. Terrifying to look upon. Their visage was so Immaculate. You know what I mean? So, like, this is where it becomes. It's like, where is it? The dark is just. It's still gets you in such a way where it pulls you in, but it also is enough to make you say, whoa, maybe a little bit too much there. And that's kind of where we can like, circle back and say like, you know, the Lulu weirdo aesthetic, you know? Yeah. So like 'cause you. Sit there and tell me that being a goth is not whimsical 'cause it is.

Totally is. Oh fuck yeah. And I mean like, look. We've kind of. Also from the Internet been like, oh, whimsy goth, which is kind of like an updated kind of term, but you know, like just a nice way of saying pastel goth. Exactly. That's literally pastel. Goth. So like, there's so many. Ways that it can be just like enacted in small like forms of like personal style or like rebellion right? Agreed. As much as I don't love Euphoria, I loved what the aesthetic of Euphoria season 1. Never watched it, did for a lot.

Of people. 'S fashion like it, like people started like letting themselves be. Colorful again. Letting themselves play with fashion in a way that, at least as I was a young adult, was very like, frowned upon. Like you didn't want to look too weird. You didn't want to look too out there in public. And then they did the show. Euphoria and while they did it for. Stylization purposes. It was incredible to see. Just like the response of people after that first season with people literally throwing Euphoria themed parties right and people getting all.

Dressed up with. Their glitter on, with their corsets on and just like really embodying this for me. That's just a Tuesday. Look, you know, and hey, that's. Like a very dark whimsy when you think about you. Because it's all about the underbelly of addiction and depression and mental health issues. And teens agreed. So then this is. Where another question I'm going to have for the masses here. When does whimsy become escapism instead of enrichment?

I think that is a good question and. I think my a follow up question to that just so I can kind of understand. Are you talking escapism negatively? Yes. And why is escapism inherently negative here? Because you're now neglecting. Real life. OK. So you're talking about like extreme? Escapism. And I'm talking like I'm talking about where. Whimsy now becomes such a focal point of your life that you can no longer function in a normal neurotypical style of being, which I don't. I'm not sitting here and shitting on it like if you have a routine, then you have a routine.

I'm saying when does whimsy become so much that you chase it to a point that it's it harms you as opposed to makes you feel better? Oh 100% like they say this. About all therapy tactics, right, You, you need to have a little bit of everything. You can't have one true like therapy tactic and it's not suggested because it's not nothing is ever going to fully fill that void. But especially with escapism. That was one of the ones that when I was in DVT, that was something like, yes, it is an important form of self soothing, but it can't be the only thing you're doing.

There needs to be escapism but also add on your other tools, right? So are you avoiding reality or are you? Enhancing it like I say you need to. Enhance it. It's like, yeah, I hugely view going to Disney for a week as my form of escapism, but it also enhances my OK. Like, my stress has leveled out. I allowed myself to have a lot of fun. Now I can step back into my life, feel better, feel more regulated, and take on the things that I was really struggling with. What about you, Crimson? When it comes to.

That I think definitely having a sense of balance, yes, grounded versus. You know, yeah, enchanted. Yeah, so. So when it comes to that, it's. Definitely, you know, trying. To use it as. An excuse to avoid, let's just say responsibilities and stuff like that. That's not, that's like the extreme right of like agreed. You know, I have these important things to do, but I rather just, you know, go on, you know, a very crazy tangent of like whimsy and taking on this persona and this and that and. And.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And you're just like, hey, you know, you're you're you're kind of avoiding these things that you should be doing. Yeah. So definitely having that sort of balance is extremely important when it comes to this. You know, it's obviously, you know, need to take a breather, take a breather, go out on a day and and you know, dress up as character if you go to a convention or or or a Renfair or. Anything like that? And you want to just dress up and play a character and and and all that, then yeah, then that's great.

That's great. But to do it on a regular, I mean, hell, I'll I'll even, I would say excessive, not regular. No, no, no, I'm saying like on a. Regular I'm I'm just talking about if it's like bad add to like an extreme. Yeah, excessive, Excessive where? It's just like every. Other day, you know. Oh no, then I'm excessive. No, no, you're not. I'm totally. Excessive. Damn, it's like. Every other day I and you're going out and dressing up like as the fox, as a. Let's just say as the. Fox like for example, like what does the fox say and.

You're out like all. Day, right? And that happens a lot where no, no, no, no. No, no, no, no. As the fox and you're not really doing what you need to be doing. Oh, yeah, OK, that's different. OK. There you go, you understand what I'm saying. Yeah, where it's just. Like, oh, you're picking up what? You're I'm just playing this character and I'm just going out and, and and socializing. And this is just like, yeah, don't get me wrong, that is great. No, but you do have things that you do as an adult.

I don't want to. I know. A lot of. People don't. I don't want doubt I. Know so. All right. Like here. Here's my final question for you 2. What is? One whimsical thing. That you have done recently. Recently, yes, I. Mean we just had our event with Kaluna, that's true. And that was a very fun whimsical thing to do. But I think in a more grounded version of whimsy, even just sitting through. My day and being like. You know what, I'm just going to like dress nice today. I know I'm not going anywhere.

I know I'm not doing anything spectacular, but man, would it just make me feel better to sit at my desk with a nice little sun dress on that makes me feel great and fun and light. Yeah, sometimes. It can be as simple as that. Folks, Yeah, even making your coffee instead. I'm making a potion. Exactly. It's a potion that makes me like you. The best kind of potion. For early morning meetings with European teams, it's called a hustle sweetheart. Facts. But what what about you Crimson? What is what is a whimsical thing that you have done recently, but you know, because you were also there for our Kaluna yes embassy photo shoot at the Botanical Gardens.

What was the whimsical thing? I did, yes. Just take. A wrench straight to. APC for a whole week. That's not whimsy. That is just. That's whimsy. Especially if I do it in a. Whimsy way it's rage that's rage bait. Range, whimsy, The wind. Rage is not whimsy. No, at least as far. As the Kaluna thing, that was probably the last thing that I did that was like, oh really? Are we not going to talk about? The other thing that is pretty whimsical in a darker way? Iron. Guard that's that's just another last Friday of the month for me last Friday night.

I I don't that. That's just, that's my routine, but it's still real it.

Is still whimsical. Admit you are. Whimsical, you fucker. It's it. Listen, no, because the no, I mean, I that's because The thing is when it comes to Iron Garden, I'm actually there. Not like I'm there taking care of things. It's not Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's not like I'm not enjoying it. I am, I do. But it's not like it's like whimsy. But no, you know, I usually like, I like talking to people there and just busting their balls. Yeah, like you're doing to me right now. Yes. OK, I'm yanking your chain.

You're yanking my leg. But yeah, no, like, I don't know. I don't really consider that. Personally for me, I don't consider that as like whimsy whimsy. No.

No, but you know that that I mean as as of lately I haven't really done anything whimsy since the Kuluna event. Fair, I'll take it. Yeah, so me, I am actually pretty lucky. Besides our Kaluna event that we went to the Botanical Gardens, I also managed to go to Salem. Very nice. Where? I did get. To, you know, play around in Salem as the fox. And I was with the winter. 'S Doe. And we did get to go around and meet people and just, you know, people actually mistook us for buskers. For what street? Performers.

Yeah, that that makes. Total sense because they have a really intense St. performer culture there, right? Especially around Halloween, people were like asking if we were performing. We were like. No. Did we did you want us to? Because we can. I mean, if you want to give me human monies, I will take it, you know, as you know, to quote Dan Halson. But like on top of that, like I also kind of find the time as best as I can every day to find whimsical stuff. Like I'm lucky enough to because I run game nights every Thursday now I am able to dip into the world of Magic the gathering and be whimsical in that way as well as be around everyone else who's doing the DND, the call of Cthulhu, you know, pirate Borg.

I'm able to be whimsical in that way most once a week at the very at the very minimum, as well as also like whenever we get together and you know, do this show. I find it whimsical, honestly, because we talk about so many different things. And then I can even sit there and say that sometimes just reading one of my books, yes, is an act of whimsy because I can immerse myself in a world that is not this one. And it takes you away. From that responsibility, even if just for an hour every single night before you go to bed.

Agreed. But any closing thoughts? Closing thoughts I mean. Like I I, I had mentioned before, you know, there there's when you're going. Out and and. You know, embracing the whimsy. Embrace embracing. The whimsy. Just I guess. In as a general. Day-to-day life sort of thing. Just keep it a balance, yeah. Keep it a bean, yeah. Keep it. Keep it balanced. Laughter. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. No, I think that's I was. Say that. I think that's like that. That's like the only thing I have to say for that. I was going to say like pork Crimson.

Was ready to get higher on his soapbox, start his dissertation. But I would say it's just really important to have those things in your life, obviously with moderation and with the things that you need to be able to cope and still live your everyday life. But having those small little things that give you joy, I've come to learn as an adult and even like deeper entrenched as. Someone who is not neurotypical, having those little pieces of joy are really important to my coping and the way that I can sometimes help myself recontextualize harder situations.

So everyone, I, I think it's healthy for everyone to have that form of whimsical outlet. Just don't let it harm other aspects of your life. And I and even just that everyday act of rebellion whimsy of just getting up in the morning and saying, you know what, it's going to be a good day, even though literally everything going on in the world isn't good, but I'm going to make it a good day And I. Think that's really important to? Just be able to survive as a as a human being in this world. Yeah, I don't disagree.

I guess my closing thoughts. Going to be honestly find a way to make you know everyday whimsy for yourself. Like dressing a little extra for no reason. As Lavender mentioned before, naming your plants like they're coworkers, they're the best. Or turning mundane routines into rituals like coffee is potion brewing, stuff like that. Or demon. Just tiny little chaos choices like taking a different route to go home or to your to the store or you know, when you're in a supermarket pretending that you're, you know, hunting for food in the wild.

I got little things like that to just take yourself out of everyday mundane life and just give yourself a little bit of that brain glitter that I mentioned in the beginning. And as always, thank you for listening. Stay tuned. We're going to be back. And now, as always, follow us on all the socials and until then, say bye bye.

The Feinics Gate Podcast - Issue 168 - The Power of Playful Madness

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