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Robocraft!
Posted 11 years agoYeah, I'm advertising a game. No, I'm not getting paid for this or any other reward. I just think you should try it.
Robocraft is free right now, and can be downloaded directly from the developers or you can nab it on Steam.
Basic premise: Build a robot, go blow up other people's robots and capture their base. You build your robot one cube at a time, fill out a tech tree, purchase better cubes(with in-game currency, not real money), and build better robots. It's like a mix of Minecraft and the show Battle Bots from back in the day. With lasers. You get one life per match, and if you die, you're out of that match - no respawns.
Keep in mind, however, that the game is still in Alpha stage, so it has plenty of bugs and balance issues. The devs are constantly taking feedback and making tweaks.
Who doesn't love some mindless destruction?
Robocraft is free right now, and can be downloaded directly from the developers or you can nab it on Steam.
Basic premise: Build a robot, go blow up other people's robots and capture their base. You build your robot one cube at a time, fill out a tech tree, purchase better cubes(with in-game currency, not real money), and build better robots. It's like a mix of Minecraft and the show Battle Bots from back in the day. With lasers. You get one life per match, and if you die, you're out of that match - no respawns.
Keep in mind, however, that the game is still in Alpha stage, so it has plenty of bugs and balance issues. The devs are constantly taking feedback and making tweaks.
Who doesn't love some mindless destruction?
Care about e-cigs, even if you don't smoke
Posted 12 years agoAll right, time for a post that part rant, part information. Don't you just love those? Today's topic will be electronic cigarettes, also known as nicotine vaporizers. Even if you don't vape or smoke, I suggest paying attention to what I'll be talking about here - secondhand smoke smells awful to you too!
As many of you know, over the last couple of months, I put down tobacco and started using an e-cig. Over the last five years or so, they've been growing quite a bit in popularity. This means that tobacco sales are down, vaping-related sales are up, and less people are smoking standard cigarettes. Just as no good deed can go unpunished and everything in this country has to have the government stick their ass into it for redundancy to "protect" the people, e-cigs have made it to the FDA's radar.
After a court case to try to classify e-cigs as "medical smoking cessation devices" and have them regulated as such, the pro-e-cig side compromised at having them classified as tobacco products. This means that they now fall under the jurisdiction of the FDA, which will treat them as tobacco. Soon, the FDA will be putting out its proposal for the regulations.
Myself and many others are worried that these regulations will essentially fall victim to the whims of Big Tobacco. It's not exactly a secret on just how corrupt our government and its agencies are, especially when it comes to multi-billion dollar industries like tobacco and oil. If Big Tobacco gets its way, these FDA regulations will be so strenuous and complex that it will essentially limit production of e-cig devices and e-liqiud to the companies that are already supplying tobacco cigarettes. This means they will get a stranglehold on the entirety of the market, and we will be at their mercy. This means that they'll be able to treat e-liquid the same way they did tobacco, adding many adulterants to raise addiction and further damage the consumer's health.
It has been proven time and again that the current formula for e-liquids has no health detriments. That's right, it is not bad for you. Not even the nicotine. In fact, there are several studies happening right now that are looking at nicotine as a pharmaceutical grade drug that will assist in treating many health issues. The other current ingredients are already FDA approved for human consumption. So why do we need further FDA regulation on this? Because Big Tobacco wants to strangle literally hundreds of small businesses out of the market and keep us handing our cash to them, by any means necessary.
What does all this mean to you non-smokers, you may ask? I'll tell you. Do you enjoy the smell of cigarettes? The majority of the non-smokers I've met do not. In fact, it gives many of them health issues - allergies, breathing troubles, light-headedness, nausia, and so forth. As far as I've been able to tell, if your only issue with cigarette smoke is that you don't like the smell, you're lucky! If these FDA regulations get pushed through in Big Tobacco's favor, it could very easily grind the entire e-cig market to a halt. This means current vapers may have no choice but to go back to tobacco cigarettes, and that current smokers won't even have the option to switch to vaping. Do you want your friends and family to smell like Marlboro Red cigarettes or Jolly Rancher candies? Do you want to be inconvenienced by your friends' constant smoke breaks, or would you rather hang out with them while they're puffing on what might as well be an air freshener? I, for one, after having regained my proper sense of smell, know which option I prefer.
So, when is all this happening? In the next few weeks, the FDA will be putting out its proposal for review and approval. At that point, we, the public, may have as little as 60 days to provide commentary for analysis and consideration. Please, please, please, please, PLEASE get involved and be aware of this. I can't remember the last time I was this passionate about something, and for the sake of getting at least some small measure of justice and fairness in our society, please get involved in this with me.
If you'd like more information on vaping, citations for my claims here, or anything else, please contact me. I'm more than happy to link you to articles, studies, trusted vendors, or just to chat.
As many of you know, over the last couple of months, I put down tobacco and started using an e-cig. Over the last five years or so, they've been growing quite a bit in popularity. This means that tobacco sales are down, vaping-related sales are up, and less people are smoking standard cigarettes. Just as no good deed can go unpunished and everything in this country has to have the government stick their ass into it for redundancy to "protect" the people, e-cigs have made it to the FDA's radar.
After a court case to try to classify e-cigs as "medical smoking cessation devices" and have them regulated as such, the pro-e-cig side compromised at having them classified as tobacco products. This means that they now fall under the jurisdiction of the FDA, which will treat them as tobacco. Soon, the FDA will be putting out its proposal for the regulations.
Myself and many others are worried that these regulations will essentially fall victim to the whims of Big Tobacco. It's not exactly a secret on just how corrupt our government and its agencies are, especially when it comes to multi-billion dollar industries like tobacco and oil. If Big Tobacco gets its way, these FDA regulations will be so strenuous and complex that it will essentially limit production of e-cig devices and e-liqiud to the companies that are already supplying tobacco cigarettes. This means they will get a stranglehold on the entirety of the market, and we will be at their mercy. This means that they'll be able to treat e-liquid the same way they did tobacco, adding many adulterants to raise addiction and further damage the consumer's health.
It has been proven time and again that the current formula for e-liquids has no health detriments. That's right, it is not bad for you. Not even the nicotine. In fact, there are several studies happening right now that are looking at nicotine as a pharmaceutical grade drug that will assist in treating many health issues. The other current ingredients are already FDA approved for human consumption. So why do we need further FDA regulation on this? Because Big Tobacco wants to strangle literally hundreds of small businesses out of the market and keep us handing our cash to them, by any means necessary.
What does all this mean to you non-smokers, you may ask? I'll tell you. Do you enjoy the smell of cigarettes? The majority of the non-smokers I've met do not. In fact, it gives many of them health issues - allergies, breathing troubles, light-headedness, nausia, and so forth. As far as I've been able to tell, if your only issue with cigarette smoke is that you don't like the smell, you're lucky! If these FDA regulations get pushed through in Big Tobacco's favor, it could very easily grind the entire e-cig market to a halt. This means current vapers may have no choice but to go back to tobacco cigarettes, and that current smokers won't even have the option to switch to vaping. Do you want your friends and family to smell like Marlboro Red cigarettes or Jolly Rancher candies? Do you want to be inconvenienced by your friends' constant smoke breaks, or would you rather hang out with them while they're puffing on what might as well be an air freshener? I, for one, after having regained my proper sense of smell, know which option I prefer.
So, when is all this happening? In the next few weeks, the FDA will be putting out its proposal for review and approval. At that point, we, the public, may have as little as 60 days to provide commentary for analysis and consideration. Please, please, please, please, PLEASE get involved and be aware of this. I can't remember the last time I was this passionate about something, and for the sake of getting at least some small measure of justice and fairness in our society, please get involved in this with me.
If you'd like more information on vaping, citations for my claims here, or anything else, please contact me. I'm more than happy to link you to articles, studies, trusted vendors, or just to chat.
I love my job.
Posted 12 years agoAs none of you know, I've taken up working as security at concerts through the summer.
Last week was awesome: I got called in to work at a Widespread Panic concert.
Not only did I get to listen to them play, but I was assigned to watch over a group of hot girls selling cigars/cigarillos for the evening. I basically got paid to just stand around and flirt with a bunch of girls that have the bodies of strippers all night.
While I was there, I also got to meet a radio DJ for one of the favorite stations in my city. We talked for a bit and she even let me take a couple of pictures with her before she left.
And tonight? Well, tonight, was Foreigner. Need I say more about that? I got paid to watch a Foreigner concert. Fuck yes.
Last week was awesome: I got called in to work at a Widespread Panic concert.
Not only did I get to listen to them play, but I was assigned to watch over a group of hot girls selling cigars/cigarillos for the evening. I basically got paid to just stand around and flirt with a bunch of girls that have the bodies of strippers all night.
While I was there, I also got to meet a radio DJ for one of the favorite stations in my city. We talked for a bit and she even let me take a couple of pictures with her before she left.
And tonight? Well, tonight, was Foreigner. Need I say more about that? I got paid to watch a Foreigner concert. Fuck yes.
Meme thing, answer me!
Posted 12 years agoBecause they're not annoying enough to just read, here's one you should fill out!
1. Who are you?
2. Are we friends?
3. When and how did we meet?
4. Do you love me?
5. Give me a nickname and explain why.
6. Describe me in 1 word.
7. What was your first impression of me?
8. Would you hug me?
9. What reminds you of me?
10. If you could give me anything, what would it be?
11. How well do you know me?
12. Are you gonna put this in your journal and see what I say about you?
13. Would you meet up with me?
14. Do you enjoy having me as a friend?
15. Would you spend some quality time with me?
1. Who are you?
2. Are we friends?
3. When and how did we meet?
4. Do you love me?
5. Give me a nickname and explain why.
6. Describe me in 1 word.
7. What was your first impression of me?
8. Would you hug me?
9. What reminds you of me?
10. If you could give me anything, what would it be?
11. How well do you know me?
12. Are you gonna put this in your journal and see what I say about you?
13. Would you meet up with me?
14. Do you enjoy having me as a friend?
15. Would you spend some quality time with me?
Shadowrun Returns
Posted 12 years agoA friend recently gifted the game to me via Steam, and I've gotta say that for just $20, it's a hell of a buy. In the good way.
I went through the main campaign in about 23 hours(mainly because I read slowly and had to do a couple of parts over), and was very satisfied. It's a good portrayal of the setting in the pen-and-paper game. You get choices between money or morals, you have to decide whether to trust certain people to deliver on their promises, and the dystopian cyberpunk environment doesn't give an inch toward being anything else. If you're looking for a game that gives an emphasis to story more than anything else, this is more than worth the cash, especially since you can download user-generated content for free and even create your own to put out there.
However, this doesn't come without giving up a couple of things. The graphics are on the mediocre side compared to what's available today. They're not horrible, but they're nothing to sing praises about either. The combat is turn-based. This has its advantages and disadvantages, but more than anything, it makes the combat more tactical than action-packed. If you like that sort of thing, then great. If not? You'll hate it. As with what I suspect most turn-based games are like, this can lead to some awkward scenarios where you either steamroll things you shouldn't, or vice-versa. There are also some grammatical and spelling errors you'll find in conversation with NPCs here or there, but I didn't find it horrific enough to stop playing, obviously. They exist, but it didn't break immersion for me. You'll also note the lack of voices in the game at all. Whether it was due to the low budget(remember, it was funded via Kickstarter) or they just elected to leave it out, I'm not sure. Again, it's a slight aggravation having to read everything as opposed to being able to listen to it all, but I suppose I can chalk this gripe up to being spoiled by other modern games.
This next issue is simply a personal complaint: I don't like the attribute/skill upgrade system. If you want to specialize in a single weapon, you have to upgrade 3 different areas to do so. I went strictly pistols. However, to do that, I had to upgrade Quickness, then Ranged Weapons, and finally Pistols. Ranged Weapons can't be higher than Quickness, and Pistols can't be higher than Ranged Weapons. So, to raise Pistols from 4 to 5, both Quickness and Ranged Weapons had to be at 5.
Now, don't get it wrong because of all the bitching for the last two paragraphs: This is a good game. I enjoyed every hour I played it. Even if I hadn't gotten it for free, I still would have the same opinion. Worth every bit of the $20 and then some. You should play it.
I went through the main campaign in about 23 hours(mainly because I read slowly and had to do a couple of parts over), and was very satisfied. It's a good portrayal of the setting in the pen-and-paper game. You get choices between money or morals, you have to decide whether to trust certain people to deliver on their promises, and the dystopian cyberpunk environment doesn't give an inch toward being anything else. If you're looking for a game that gives an emphasis to story more than anything else, this is more than worth the cash, especially since you can download user-generated content for free and even create your own to put out there.
However, this doesn't come without giving up a couple of things. The graphics are on the mediocre side compared to what's available today. They're not horrible, but they're nothing to sing praises about either. The combat is turn-based. This has its advantages and disadvantages, but more than anything, it makes the combat more tactical than action-packed. If you like that sort of thing, then great. If not? You'll hate it. As with what I suspect most turn-based games are like, this can lead to some awkward scenarios where you either steamroll things you shouldn't, or vice-versa. There are also some grammatical and spelling errors you'll find in conversation with NPCs here or there, but I didn't find it horrific enough to stop playing, obviously. They exist, but it didn't break immersion for me. You'll also note the lack of voices in the game at all. Whether it was due to the low budget(remember, it was funded via Kickstarter) or they just elected to leave it out, I'm not sure. Again, it's a slight aggravation having to read everything as opposed to being able to listen to it all, but I suppose I can chalk this gripe up to being spoiled by other modern games.
This next issue is simply a personal complaint: I don't like the attribute/skill upgrade system. If you want to specialize in a single weapon, you have to upgrade 3 different areas to do so. I went strictly pistols. However, to do that, I had to upgrade Quickness, then Ranged Weapons, and finally Pistols. Ranged Weapons can't be higher than Quickness, and Pistols can't be higher than Ranged Weapons. So, to raise Pistols from 4 to 5, both Quickness and Ranged Weapons had to be at 5.
Now, don't get it wrong because of all the bitching for the last two paragraphs: This is a good game. I enjoyed every hour I played it. Even if I hadn't gotten it for free, I still would have the same opinion. Worth every bit of the $20 and then some. You should play it.
Since no one responded to my last journal...
Posted 12 years ago...I don't expect you'll notice this one either. Here's this thing: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/4762602/
Could use some help from an artist(NOT looking for free art)
Posted 12 years agoI recently downloaded GIMP, and I have no fucking clue what I'm doing.
My goal is to make a map of an archipelago for a pen-and-paper RPG game my group is picking up, but I can't make heads or tails of this program. I've been playing around with it for a few hours, but every time I think I've done what I wanted to, it just kind of... doesn't happen.
I've been trying to take clusters of existing islands from maps, paste them into the program, and arrange them as I like, but I just can't seem to get the hang of it.
This is where you come in, if you're feeling generous enough to lend me your aid. I could really use a crash course in how to use this program. I'd rather pull from existing maps than freehand my own - I tried drawing them free-hand with pencil and paper already, and it just looked awful and I can't imagine it would be any better trying to do it with a mouse.
So, anyone out there willing to teach me how to use this thing, or know someone that may? It would be greatly appreciated.
My goal is to make a map of an archipelago for a pen-and-paper RPG game my group is picking up, but I can't make heads or tails of this program. I've been playing around with it for a few hours, but every time I think I've done what I wanted to, it just kind of... doesn't happen.
I've been trying to take clusters of existing islands from maps, paste them into the program, and arrange them as I like, but I just can't seem to get the hang of it.
This is where you come in, if you're feeling generous enough to lend me your aid. I could really use a crash course in how to use this program. I'd rather pull from existing maps than freehand my own - I tried drawing them free-hand with pencil and paper already, and it just looked awful and I can't imagine it would be any better trying to do it with a mouse.
So, anyone out there willing to teach me how to use this thing, or know someone that may? It would be greatly appreciated.
Starcraft 2
Posted 12 years agoDo you play it?
If so, wanna jump on multiplayer sometime? I mostly play Hero Attack 3 and a few other arcade maps since I suck at the melee matches.
If so, wanna jump on multiplayer sometime? I mostly play Hero Attack 3 and a few other arcade maps since I suck at the melee matches.
Eh, why not?
Posted 12 years agoBeen a while since I've done one of these things, so.. yeah:
Comment here and I will...
1) Tell you something I learned about you by looking at your FA page for 10 seconds.
2) Tell you a color you remind me of.
3) Tell you my first memory of you.
4) Ask you a question.
5) Tell you something I like about you.
6) Tell you the object that is in front of me.
7) Dare you to do this yourself in your own journal!
GO!
Comment here and I will...
1) Tell you something I learned about you by looking at your FA page for 10 seconds.
2) Tell you a color you remind me of.
3) Tell you my first memory of you.
4) Ask you a question.
5) Tell you something I like about you.
6) Tell you the object that is in front of me.
7) Dare you to do this yourself in your own journal!
GO!
Two journals in just a couple days?! What?!
Posted 12 years agoNo, it's not the end of the world. I just got delivered a nifty icon that I had forgotten I requested. So F5 to see it. If you're wondering, it was 
that did it for me.
that did it for me. FREE STUFF FOR YOU!
Posted 12 years agoI lied. :3
It's just my birthday, thought you should know.
No free stuff for you here. Now go away.
It's just my birthday, thought you should know.
No free stuff for you here. Now go away.
I usually don't do these things, but what the hell.. [meme]
Posted 13 years agoI jacked this from someone I'm watching, who jacked it from someone else. Does it really matter where it came from?
1. You can ONLY answer Yes or No.
2. You are NOT ALLOWED to explain ANYTHING unless someone messages/comments you and asks. And believe me, the temptation to explain some of these will be overwhelming... things are not exactly as they seem.
3. It is harder than it looks, but NO explanations !!! You will want to... but don't!!!
Have you ever:
Kissed any one of your Facebook friends? - No
Been arrested? - Yes
Kissed someone you didn't like? - No
Slept in until 5 PM? - Yes
Fallen asleep at work/school? - Yes
Ran a red light? - Yes
Been suspended from school? - Yes
Experienced love at first sight? - No
Totaled your car in an accident? - No
Been fired from a job? - Yes
Fired somebody? - No
Sang karaoke? - Yes
Pointed a gun at someone? - No
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't? - Yes
Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? - Yes
Caught a snowflake on your tongue? - Yes
Kissed in the rain? - Yes
Had a close brush with death (your own)? - Yes
Seen someone die? - No
Played spin-the-bottle? - No
Sang in the shower? - Yes
Smoked a cigar? - Yes
Sat on a rooftop? - Yes
Taken pictures of yourself naked? - No
Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes? - No
Skipped school? - Yes
Eaten a bug? - No
Sleepwalked? - No
Walked a moonlit beach? - Yes
Ridden a motorcycle? - No
Dumped someone? - No
Forgotten your anniversary? - No
Lied to avoid a ticket? - No
Ridden on a helicopter? - No
Shaved your head? - Yes
Blacked out from drinking? - No
Played a prank on someone? - Yes
Hit a home run? - No
Felt like killing someone? - Yes
Cross-dressed? - No
Been falling-down drunk? - Yes
Made your girlfriend/boyfriend cry? - Yes
Eaten snake? - Yes
Marched/Protested? - No
Had Mexican jumping beans for pets? - No
Puked on an amusement ride? - No
Seriously & intentionally boycotted something? - Yes
Been in a band? - Yes
Knitted? - No
Been on TV? - No
Shot a gun? - Yes
Skinny-dipped? - No
Caused someone to need stitches? - No
Ridden a surfboard? - No
Drank straight from a liquor bottle? - Yes
Had surgery? - Yes
Streaked? - No
Taken by ambulance to hospital? - Yes
Passed out when not drinking? - Yes
Peed on a bush? - Yes
Donated Blood? - Yes
Grabbed electric fence? - No
Eaten alligator meat? - Yes
Eaten cheesecake? - Yes
Eaten kids' Halloween candy? - Yes
Killed an animal when not hunting? - Yes
Peed your pants in public? - No
Written graffiti? - Yes
Still love someone you shouldn't? - No
Think about the future? - Yes
Been in handcuffs? - Yes
Believe in love? - Yes
Sleep on a certain side of the bed? - No
Now let's see if any of you ass-hats actually ask about any of this.
1. You can ONLY answer Yes or No.
2. You are NOT ALLOWED to explain ANYTHING unless someone messages/comments you and asks. And believe me, the temptation to explain some of these will be overwhelming... things are not exactly as they seem.
3. It is harder than it looks, but NO explanations !!! You will want to... but don't!!!
Have you ever:
Kissed any one of your Facebook friends? - No
Been arrested? - Yes
Kissed someone you didn't like? - No
Slept in until 5 PM? - Yes
Fallen asleep at work/school? - Yes
Ran a red light? - Yes
Been suspended from school? - Yes
Experienced love at first sight? - No
Totaled your car in an accident? - No
Been fired from a job? - Yes
Fired somebody? - No
Sang karaoke? - Yes
Pointed a gun at someone? - No
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't? - Yes
Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? - Yes
Caught a snowflake on your tongue? - Yes
Kissed in the rain? - Yes
Had a close brush with death (your own)? - Yes
Seen someone die? - No
Played spin-the-bottle? - No
Sang in the shower? - Yes
Smoked a cigar? - Yes
Sat on a rooftop? - Yes
Taken pictures of yourself naked? - No
Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes? - No
Skipped school? - Yes
Eaten a bug? - No
Sleepwalked? - No
Walked a moonlit beach? - Yes
Ridden a motorcycle? - No
Dumped someone? - No
Forgotten your anniversary? - No
Lied to avoid a ticket? - No
Ridden on a helicopter? - No
Shaved your head? - Yes
Blacked out from drinking? - No
Played a prank on someone? - Yes
Hit a home run? - No
Felt like killing someone? - Yes
Cross-dressed? - No
Been falling-down drunk? - Yes
Made your girlfriend/boyfriend cry? - Yes
Eaten snake? - Yes
Marched/Protested? - No
Had Mexican jumping beans for pets? - No
Puked on an amusement ride? - No
Seriously & intentionally boycotted something? - Yes
Been in a band? - Yes
Knitted? - No
Been on TV? - No
Shot a gun? - Yes
Skinny-dipped? - No
Caused someone to need stitches? - No
Ridden a surfboard? - No
Drank straight from a liquor bottle? - Yes
Had surgery? - Yes
Streaked? - No
Taken by ambulance to hospital? - Yes
Passed out when not drinking? - Yes
Peed on a bush? - Yes
Donated Blood? - Yes
Grabbed electric fence? - No
Eaten alligator meat? - Yes
Eaten cheesecake? - Yes
Eaten kids' Halloween candy? - Yes
Killed an animal when not hunting? - Yes
Peed your pants in public? - No
Written graffiti? - Yes
Still love someone you shouldn't? - No
Think about the future? - Yes
Been in handcuffs? - Yes
Believe in love? - Yes
Sleep on a certain side of the bed? - No
Now let's see if any of you ass-hats actually ask about any of this.
Profile update
Posted 13 years agoTell me what you think?
Dungeon planner?
Posted 13 years agoSo, as some of you know, I'm a super-nerd and play pen-and-paper games. Here lately, I've started running a game. However, I suck at coming up with dungeon maps.
Halp?
If anyone has a planner or dungeon generator you'd be so kind as to link me, that would be great. I'd prefer not to have to download anything, but I will if need be.
Thanks for any help you decide to put forward in advance!
Halp?
If anyone has a planner or dungeon generator you'd be so kind as to link me, that would be great. I'd prefer not to have to download anything, but I will if need be.
Thanks for any help you decide to put forward in advance!
MFM
Posted 13 years agoFor those of you that are heading down there this weekend, I hope you have a good time!
Unfortunately, I'm not able to make it this year - don't have the cash for a hotel room, much less registration fees, food, and other unexpected costs as well. :[
Perhaps I'll see you all next year!
Unfortunately, I'm not able to make it this year - don't have the cash for a hotel room, much less registration fees, food, and other unexpected costs as well. :[
Perhaps I'll see you all next year!
Move along, nothing to see here
Posted 13 years agoWell, since you clicked anyway, here's this thing: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/3438348/
I'd like some opinions, please.
Posted 13 years agoSo, I was just looking through some stuff and I remembered something. A while back, a few people said they would give me a few things on my birthday(which has been just a few days more than a month ago now).
Now, I know it's dickish to whine about not getting free things, which I'm not. What bothers me though is that these people said they were going to do something, and then didn't - nothing was even mentioned about said items. This makes me question how much I can trust what they say. If there had been a "Hey, I would have, but this came up and have to deal with it, sorry," then I wouldn't be bothered. Things do happen, and I'm not so self-centered as to believe someone's sole purpose is to appease me. I just think it's a bit showing of someone's character, or at least their feelings toward me, when they won't even acknowledge something they said they'd do.
What digs at me a little more is that these people said they normally do this for their friends when birthdays come around. Am I wrong in taking the lack of acknowledgement on this as a sign that I may not be friends with these people so much as someone they tolerate any longer? I honestly can't think of anything I may have done to slight them or push them away, but I have been known to overlook such things in the past.
Am I being paranoid, selfish, or otherwise dickish about this? I haven't mentioned it to the specific people I'm refering to, and don't particularly plan on it.
Now, I know it's dickish to whine about not getting free things, which I'm not. What bothers me though is that these people said they were going to do something, and then didn't - nothing was even mentioned about said items. This makes me question how much I can trust what they say. If there had been a "Hey, I would have, but this came up and have to deal with it, sorry," then I wouldn't be bothered. Things do happen, and I'm not so self-centered as to believe someone's sole purpose is to appease me. I just think it's a bit showing of someone's character, or at least their feelings toward me, when they won't even acknowledge something they said they'd do.
What digs at me a little more is that these people said they normally do this for their friends when birthdays come around. Am I wrong in taking the lack of acknowledgement on this as a sign that I may not be friends with these people so much as someone they tolerate any longer? I honestly can't think of anything I may have done to slight them or push them away, but I have been known to overlook such things in the past.
Am I being paranoid, selfish, or otherwise dickish about this? I haven't mentioned it to the specific people I'm refering to, and don't particularly plan on it.
Sick ferret is dying
Posted 13 years agoI hate having to post this, but remember the last journal I posted about my friend's ferret being possibly dying? Well, he got Krispee checked out, and it's quite terminal. There is a tumor the size of a pingpong ball near Krispee's kidneys, as well as smaller tumors riddling his body in numerous other places.
We're not entirely sure just how long Krispee has to live, but he definately can't be saved. I'm sorry to have bothered you all with the last journal, though the very few of you that did offer to thelp are appreciated very much - Michael and I thank you for those offers.
We're not entirely sure just how long Krispee has to live, but he definately can't be saved. I'm sorry to have bothered you all with the last journal, though the very few of you that did offer to thelp are appreciated very much - Michael and I thank you for those offers.
Help me save a friend's pet, please?
Posted 13 years agoOne of my friends offline, Michael - my best friend actually, has a pet ferret. This ferret's name is Krispee. Unfortunately, Krispee has been diagnosed with cancer. We have reason to believe that Krispee can be saved, though. Soon, tests will be done confirm this. In the meanwhile, we are going to start a fund for Krispee, because Michael's financial situation is rather abysmal at the moment and so is his family's. This will likely happen later on today, at which point I'm going to put out the details for anyone that can help Krispee out.
I'm writing this right now to tell you that we'll be needing any help that you're willing to give. I'll be taking donations for anything someone would want me to write for them - image captions(roughly a paragraph to give an image some context or additional flavor) and short stories primarily. I'll likely set the price at whatever you're willing to donate, but that's a detail I'm going to hammer out later on today.
If you're an artist and you're reading this, it would be a huge and awesome favor that I would owe you if you'd be willing to extend your arting abilities to help Krispee out in any capacity you care to. I won't be offended in the least if you choose to decline my plea for help here. However, if you are willing to do charity work for this cause, please either comment here or send me a note, and we'll hammer out the finer details.
For those of you that are inclined to send a donation of any sort, Michael and I have agreed that if we recieve any donations before a firm diagnosis comes through, if that diagnosis is terminal, ALL of the cash will be refunded to those that gave it. Also, if we are unable to meet our goal in a reasonable amount of time, likely a period of 1-3 months, then it will be time to end Krispee's suffering and Michael will have him put to sleep by a proper vet, and ALL money will be refunded from that point as well.
This charity is for the sole purpose of saving Krispee, and giving him another 1-2 years with Michael before he will inevitably pass away due to old age and the natural lifespan of the ferret. I would much rather do everything in my power to give my best friend another 1-2 years with a member of his family than to sit idly by and watch him suffer the unnecessary death of his pet simply because of a lack of financial ability.
This is the last avenue Krispee and Michael have to turn to. Krispee, Michael, and I would be infinitely grateful for anything you're willing to do.
Also, we'll be setting up a website so you can see pictures of Krispee soon, and I'll be updating the progress toward the goal we'll need to set once a firm diagnosis comes through. When that happens, I'll be writing up another post here.
Thanks for reading this.
I'm writing this right now to tell you that we'll be needing any help that you're willing to give. I'll be taking donations for anything someone would want me to write for them - image captions(roughly a paragraph to give an image some context or additional flavor) and short stories primarily. I'll likely set the price at whatever you're willing to donate, but that's a detail I'm going to hammer out later on today.
If you're an artist and you're reading this, it would be a huge and awesome favor that I would owe you if you'd be willing to extend your arting abilities to help Krispee out in any capacity you care to. I won't be offended in the least if you choose to decline my plea for help here. However, if you are willing to do charity work for this cause, please either comment here or send me a note, and we'll hammer out the finer details.
For those of you that are inclined to send a donation of any sort, Michael and I have agreed that if we recieve any donations before a firm diagnosis comes through, if that diagnosis is terminal, ALL of the cash will be refunded to those that gave it. Also, if we are unable to meet our goal in a reasonable amount of time, likely a period of 1-3 months, then it will be time to end Krispee's suffering and Michael will have him put to sleep by a proper vet, and ALL money will be refunded from that point as well.
This charity is for the sole purpose of saving Krispee, and giving him another 1-2 years with Michael before he will inevitably pass away due to old age and the natural lifespan of the ferret. I would much rather do everything in my power to give my best friend another 1-2 years with a member of his family than to sit idly by and watch him suffer the unnecessary death of his pet simply because of a lack of financial ability.
This is the last avenue Krispee and Michael have to turn to. Krispee, Michael, and I would be infinitely grateful for anything you're willing to do.
Also, we'll be setting up a website so you can see pictures of Krispee soon, and I'll be updating the progress toward the goal we'll need to set once a firm diagnosis comes through. When that happens, I'll be writing up another post here.
Thanks for reading this.
Motherfucker.
Posted 13 years agoI hate it when this happens.
Have you ever beeing hanging out, likely under the influence of alcohol or something else, and then suddenly have an extremely depressing realization? And even worse, it feels like if you mention it at all, it just looks like you're being a selfish dick and just fishing for sympathy/attention simply by voicing your thoughts aloud?
Motherfucker. I hate it when that shit happens.
Have you ever beeing hanging out, likely under the influence of alcohol or something else, and then suddenly have an extremely depressing realization? And even worse, it feels like if you mention it at all, it just looks like you're being a selfish dick and just fishing for sympathy/attention simply by voicing your thoughts aloud?
Motherfucker. I hate it when that shit happens.
Valentine's Day and Geoffrey Chaucer: The biggest troll ever
Posted 13 years agoThe biggest one I've ever seen, anyway.
If you're wondering just what the hell I'm on about, I'll lay that out for you in a minute. First, however, I'd like to address something I wrote last year about this time. It was a journal, which is burried somewhere in the list of them here, and it was discussing Valentine's day(I use the term "discuss" loosely there, though). That was written during a time when I was filled with anger, depression, loneliness, and a lot of other unpleasant emotions that I don't care to get into. Some of you were with me through that, others weren't; either way, I'd like to apologize for the nastiness contained in that journal. It was a bunch of emotionally charged drivel that isn't worth the pixels it shows up as, written while I was in an unstable place.
Now then, on to what I actually sat down to write about here. Valentine's day and how Geoffrey Chaucer has committed the biggest troll that I've ever seen. For quite a while now, I've been somewhat outspoken in my dislike for this holiday. Having chocolates and red hearts and the idea that you have to appease anyone on a certain day because a corporation shoves it down your throat has never set well with me, and neither have the social connotations and pressures that go along with it. Call me cynical, bitter, just lonely, or whatever else you like - it's probably not a stone's throw from the truth.
This year, instead of just going on a rant about how I dislike the holiday, I actually decided to do a bit of research on how this whole shennanigan got started. I dug up some interesting facts, too! For example, did you know that Valentine's Day was originally a religious holiday? Yep, that's right. It was established in 496AD by Pope Gelasius I, to commemorate the memory of a few Christian martyrs named Valentine. Christian martyrs. As in, people that gave their lives for their religion, and nothing to do with romance. At all. It was also deleted from the General Roman Calender by Pope Paul VI, in 1969, even though it is still celebrated nearly world-wide. The holiday was to remember Valentine of Rome, and Valentine of Terni; both of which were burried in Via Flaminia.
You're probably asking yourself, "what the bloody hell does any of this have to do with Chaucer?" I'll tell you! In 1382, Chaucer wrote the poem "Parlement of Foules," which was written in honor of the first anniversery of King Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia. This poem contained the line "For this was Saint Valentine's Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate." Let's take a look at this for a second, though. The line refers to birds coming to find their mates. February is a very unlikely time for this to occur, since it's so damn cold during that month in England. It's more likely that he was not refering to February 14, and instead referencing May 2, a day of celebration in the liturgical calender of Valentine of Genoa, which was an early bishop of Genoa that died around 307AD. Since that point, Chaucer had written a number of other poems that makes romantic references to Valentine's Day, and the mass public has mistaken the reference for a completely different date!
Another common misconception that reinforces the romantic tones that overpower the holiday now, is that in Rome during February 13-15 was the festival of Lupercalia, which was part of the celebration for the marriage of Zeus and Hera, as well as an archaic rite connected to fertility. The misconception alleged that there were links between this celebration and Valentine's Day, but there were actually none. That's right, it was just a coincidence. Incidently, I believe this is where the image of Cupid became associated with Valentine's day as well.
In addition to this, in Paris in 1400, a High Court of Love was established to deal with domestic disputes. The day it was created happed to be, you guessed it, Valentine's day. The judges for this court were selected by women, which judged the men vying for position by the love poems, or "Valentines" they were able to write and read for them.
By 1797, Valentine's Day was just a stone's throw from what we know it as today. Men were expected to write poems and give confectionary and all the rest of that stuff, but there were no cards to buy or anything of the sort - instead, people had to do their own writing and create their own gifts. Well, until this particular year. 1797 is when a British publisher put out "The Young Man's Valentine Writer," a book of sentimental and romantic verses for young men who had trouble creating their own words. What put the final nail in the coffin and sealed this as a corporate holiday was that around the same time, companies began printing Valentine's Day cards to purchase and send to whomever you please. I'm sure you can guess the rest from there.
And guess what? It all started with Chaucer making a few vague references in a poem written just over 600 years ago. So, here's to you, Geoff. The biggest troll that ever lived. 600 years later, it's all still going strong and nobody is letting go of it.
Now excuse me while I drink myself to death.
If you're wondering just what the hell I'm on about, I'll lay that out for you in a minute. First, however, I'd like to address something I wrote last year about this time. It was a journal, which is burried somewhere in the list of them here, and it was discussing Valentine's day(I use the term "discuss" loosely there, though). That was written during a time when I was filled with anger, depression, loneliness, and a lot of other unpleasant emotions that I don't care to get into. Some of you were with me through that, others weren't; either way, I'd like to apologize for the nastiness contained in that journal. It was a bunch of emotionally charged drivel that isn't worth the pixels it shows up as, written while I was in an unstable place.
Now then, on to what I actually sat down to write about here. Valentine's day and how Geoffrey Chaucer has committed the biggest troll that I've ever seen. For quite a while now, I've been somewhat outspoken in my dislike for this holiday. Having chocolates and red hearts and the idea that you have to appease anyone on a certain day because a corporation shoves it down your throat has never set well with me, and neither have the social connotations and pressures that go along with it. Call me cynical, bitter, just lonely, or whatever else you like - it's probably not a stone's throw from the truth.
This year, instead of just going on a rant about how I dislike the holiday, I actually decided to do a bit of research on how this whole shennanigan got started. I dug up some interesting facts, too! For example, did you know that Valentine's Day was originally a religious holiday? Yep, that's right. It was established in 496AD by Pope Gelasius I, to commemorate the memory of a few Christian martyrs named Valentine. Christian martyrs. As in, people that gave their lives for their religion, and nothing to do with romance. At all. It was also deleted from the General Roman Calender by Pope Paul VI, in 1969, even though it is still celebrated nearly world-wide. The holiday was to remember Valentine of Rome, and Valentine of Terni; both of which were burried in Via Flaminia.
You're probably asking yourself, "what the bloody hell does any of this have to do with Chaucer?" I'll tell you! In 1382, Chaucer wrote the poem "Parlement of Foules," which was written in honor of the first anniversery of King Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia. This poem contained the line "For this was Saint Valentine's Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate." Let's take a look at this for a second, though. The line refers to birds coming to find their mates. February is a very unlikely time for this to occur, since it's so damn cold during that month in England. It's more likely that he was not refering to February 14, and instead referencing May 2, a day of celebration in the liturgical calender of Valentine of Genoa, which was an early bishop of Genoa that died around 307AD. Since that point, Chaucer had written a number of other poems that makes romantic references to Valentine's Day, and the mass public has mistaken the reference for a completely different date!
Another common misconception that reinforces the romantic tones that overpower the holiday now, is that in Rome during February 13-15 was the festival of Lupercalia, which was part of the celebration for the marriage of Zeus and Hera, as well as an archaic rite connected to fertility. The misconception alleged that there were links between this celebration and Valentine's Day, but there were actually none. That's right, it was just a coincidence. Incidently, I believe this is where the image of Cupid became associated with Valentine's day as well.
In addition to this, in Paris in 1400, a High Court of Love was established to deal with domestic disputes. The day it was created happed to be, you guessed it, Valentine's day. The judges for this court were selected by women, which judged the men vying for position by the love poems, or "Valentines" they were able to write and read for them.
By 1797, Valentine's Day was just a stone's throw from what we know it as today. Men were expected to write poems and give confectionary and all the rest of that stuff, but there were no cards to buy or anything of the sort - instead, people had to do their own writing and create their own gifts. Well, until this particular year. 1797 is when a British publisher put out "The Young Man's Valentine Writer," a book of sentimental and romantic verses for young men who had trouble creating their own words. What put the final nail in the coffin and sealed this as a corporate holiday was that around the same time, companies began printing Valentine's Day cards to purchase and send to whomever you please. I'm sure you can guess the rest from there.
And guess what? It all started with Chaucer making a few vague references in a poem written just over 600 years ago. So, here's to you, Geoff. The biggest troll that ever lived. 600 years later, it's all still going strong and nobody is letting go of it.
Now excuse me while I drink myself to death.
It's my birthday today.
Posted 13 years agoYup, I've survived another one of this marble's revolutions around the giant fiery ball of death that floats about in the sky. Woohoo?
Another journal whoring!
Posted 14 years agoNot entirely sure if I did what I should have...
Posted 14 years ago...but I'm pretty sure I did.
So, earlier tonight, a friend of mine celebrated his birthday. I've known him for a while and we're fairly tight. The plan was to go see the new Sherlock Holmes movies(which was pretty cool), and then go a friend's house to get drunk. The only catch was that the person whose house he had picked to retire to after the movie, that person and I have had a bit of trouble in the past and as far as I'm currently informed, I'm not welcome at that person's house. Now, I was never told directly, but I got the impression that this "ban" would be lifted for our mutual friend's birthday party.
I ended up going to the movie, but I declined the invitation to go drinking afterward. Why? Well, I can think of several things to do that are better than sitting around with an awkward tension in the air while drinking and hanging out with someone who is only tolerating my presence in a place I'm unwelcome at for someone else's sake. Not to mention, aside from my friend whose birthday it was and myself, the only people that showed up to the movie were another friend of mine, some girl the birthday-friend is halfway involved with, and of course the person whose house they were all going to drink at after the movie; and the other friend of mine has some interest in the person who was hosting the party at their house and vice-versa, so not only would I be in an atmosphere where I'm being barely tolerated by the host, but I would also be a third(fifth?) wheel essentially as well.
Do you think I did the right thing by removing myself from that? Or should have just bit the bullet and went anyway since it was my good friend's birthday party?
So, earlier tonight, a friend of mine celebrated his birthday. I've known him for a while and we're fairly tight. The plan was to go see the new Sherlock Holmes movies(which was pretty cool), and then go a friend's house to get drunk. The only catch was that the person whose house he had picked to retire to after the movie, that person and I have had a bit of trouble in the past and as far as I'm currently informed, I'm not welcome at that person's house. Now, I was never told directly, but I got the impression that this "ban" would be lifted for our mutual friend's birthday party.
I ended up going to the movie, but I declined the invitation to go drinking afterward. Why? Well, I can think of several things to do that are better than sitting around with an awkward tension in the air while drinking and hanging out with someone who is only tolerating my presence in a place I'm unwelcome at for someone else's sake. Not to mention, aside from my friend whose birthday it was and myself, the only people that showed up to the movie were another friend of mine, some girl the birthday-friend is halfway involved with, and of course the person whose house they were all going to drink at after the movie; and the other friend of mine has some interest in the person who was hosting the party at their house and vice-versa, so not only would I be in an atmosphere where I'm being barely tolerated by the host, but I would also be a third(fifth?) wheel essentially as well.
Do you think I did the right thing by removing myself from that? Or should have just bit the bullet and went anyway since it was my good friend's birthday party?
Something I fail to understand
Posted 14 years agoWell, this may be a bit rantish, but that's better than all the other depressive shit I've been posting in my last few journals, yes?
Things have been going unusually well for me during the past few days, nothing particularly special other than a really fun Halloween party, but quite a bit better than usual daily trudge. Anyways, I have a facebook(no, you can't have the name). The only reason I have this thing any more is just to troll my friends on it, and have an easy messeging system when I don't feel like bothering with an actual messenger. I forewarn everyone of this before I add them. One particular person I added on there, who happened to be female, apparently didn't like what I had to say on a status update, so she simply removed me. That's fine, I'm not losing any sleep over it; I had no interest in this person at all, adding them was more of a social courtesy than anything else.
Now, just last evening, I was hanging out with some friends of mine and casually mentioned what happened as we were all sitting around chatting and whatnot since the story had some vague relevence to the topic at hand. One of them said "Dude, you can't do that.." my response to which, was "Why not? You know all I do is troll on there." He responded with "Because she's a girl." .....What?
Did I miss a memo somewhere that females are now exempt from being trolled simply for having non-male bits between their legs? The conversation changed topic shortly after that to avoid any butthurtedness, but I couldn't help but get to thinking. Why should a person be treated any differently simply based on their gender? I fail to understand this concept or come up with a logical reason behind it. I'm well aware of the old fashioned way of thinking, that females are supposedly some delicate princess types that you have to treat special, but isn't this day and age supposed to be focused upon equality between genders, religions, sexualities, nationalities, cultures, and everything else? This may be only my perspective, but the belief that a certain gender is inherently entitled to a pass from exposure to a certain social behavior is directly contradictary of the belief in equality, which bothers the fuck out of me to no end. It may just be a difference in my view of people and my friend's, but the idea that I'm supposed to be inherently nicer to someone or refrain from my usual line of thinking around them based on nothing more than the fact that their anatomy is of the opposite gender is archaic, backwards, and a bit insulting.
I find it insulting because that implies that all women, until proven otherwise, are automatically better than I am just because I'm a male and they aren't. It's just a step away from being called a second-class citizen, in my opinion. I'm not going to attempt to talk my friend out of his line of thinking, since that would just create conflict. I just find myself strongly disagreeing with him on this particular point of view. He's entitled to his view and can treat people any way he likes, but that won't keep me from disagreeing with it. It also won't stop me from being a bit irked when it arises in conversation or action in my presence, but I can bite my tongue and deal with it.
If you have commentary or other opinions, don't feel discouraged about posting them here. I welcome the challenge of discussion. I'd also like to apologize if that jumble of words up there doesn't make any sense to you.
Things have been going unusually well for me during the past few days, nothing particularly special other than a really fun Halloween party, but quite a bit better than usual daily trudge. Anyways, I have a facebook(no, you can't have the name). The only reason I have this thing any more is just to troll my friends on it, and have an easy messeging system when I don't feel like bothering with an actual messenger. I forewarn everyone of this before I add them. One particular person I added on there, who happened to be female, apparently didn't like what I had to say on a status update, so she simply removed me. That's fine, I'm not losing any sleep over it; I had no interest in this person at all, adding them was more of a social courtesy than anything else.
Now, just last evening, I was hanging out with some friends of mine and casually mentioned what happened as we were all sitting around chatting and whatnot since the story had some vague relevence to the topic at hand. One of them said "Dude, you can't do that.." my response to which, was "Why not? You know all I do is troll on there." He responded with "Because she's a girl." .....What?
Did I miss a memo somewhere that females are now exempt from being trolled simply for having non-male bits between their legs? The conversation changed topic shortly after that to avoid any butthurtedness, but I couldn't help but get to thinking. Why should a person be treated any differently simply based on their gender? I fail to understand this concept or come up with a logical reason behind it. I'm well aware of the old fashioned way of thinking, that females are supposedly some delicate princess types that you have to treat special, but isn't this day and age supposed to be focused upon equality between genders, religions, sexualities, nationalities, cultures, and everything else? This may be only my perspective, but the belief that a certain gender is inherently entitled to a pass from exposure to a certain social behavior is directly contradictary of the belief in equality, which bothers the fuck out of me to no end. It may just be a difference in my view of people and my friend's, but the idea that I'm supposed to be inherently nicer to someone or refrain from my usual line of thinking around them based on nothing more than the fact that their anatomy is of the opposite gender is archaic, backwards, and a bit insulting.
I find it insulting because that implies that all women, until proven otherwise, are automatically better than I am just because I'm a male and they aren't. It's just a step away from being called a second-class citizen, in my opinion. I'm not going to attempt to talk my friend out of his line of thinking, since that would just create conflict. I just find myself strongly disagreeing with him on this particular point of view. He's entitled to his view and can treat people any way he likes, but that won't keep me from disagreeing with it. It also won't stop me from being a bit irked when it arises in conversation or action in my presence, but I can bite my tongue and deal with it.
If you have commentary or other opinions, don't feel discouraged about posting them here. I welcome the challenge of discussion. I'd also like to apologize if that jumble of words up there doesn't make any sense to you.
