FA+
Shop
PSA: Careful about extremely new accounts
Posted a year agoThey may or may not be a scammer but if you are an established commissioner, I'd recommend not to pay up front when the account is brand new and the offer is unusually good...
Judging by their reaction to me offering to pay after just a b/w sketch, I may have dodged a bullet, lol.
P.s. their payment method was the (at least to me unknown) site "hipolink.me" which seems to be very new as well.
Judging by their reaction to me offering to pay after just a b/w sketch, I may have dodged a bullet, lol.
P.s. their payment method was the (at least to me unknown) site "hipolink.me" which seems to be very new as well.
Do you ever feel like a plastic bag?
Posted a year agoIt's MerMay!
Posted a year agoA full month dedicated to mermaids! >w<
Fear I may only have two to three artpieces for FA this time, but we will see~
Wish all fellow aquatics out there a nice time!
Fear I may only have two to three artpieces for FA this time, but we will see~
Wish all fellow aquatics out there a nice time!
AI Music is a thing now as well! "Udio"
Posted a year agohttps://www.udio.com/
Note that the wait time is currently about 10-15 minutes but it's free.
It can do heavy atmospheric stuff:
Prompt:
"Deep deep underwater, inside the ocean, dark mysterious sounds, lurking in the shadows, bubbles rising, far distant waves"
Results:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0lhs.....qzz81&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/jx53.....ezwwb&dl=0
As well as full on pop songs xD
Prompt:
"A happy pop song about wanting to drown underwater"
Results:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/u4jp.....in1db&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/39h8.....sxasq&dl=0
Even generates a little video..
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6mgq.....59v2c&dl=0
Note that the wait time is currently about 10-15 minutes but it's free.
It can do heavy atmospheric stuff:
Prompt:
"Deep deep underwater, inside the ocean, dark mysterious sounds, lurking in the shadows, bubbles rising, far distant waves"
Results:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0lhs.....qzz81&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/jx53.....ezwwb&dl=0
As well as full on pop songs xD
Prompt:
"A happy pop song about wanting to drown underwater"
Results:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/u4jp.....in1db&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/39h8.....sxasq&dl=0
Even generates a little video..
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6mgq.....59v2c&dl=0
Figure 01: AI (robotics) getting insane o_o
Posted a year agoMind you, there is a non-zero, if not solid chance that this is partially or fully fake, but.. this definitely gives me gooseskin o.o
This is the sci-fi future we have been waiting for so long...
On another note, the EU AI-Act has been confirmed by the parliament today. Now countries are required to form national laws that reflect it.
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa......y-framework-ai
This is the sci-fi future we have been waiting for so long...
On another note, the EU AI-Act has been confirmed by the parliament today. Now countries are required to form national laws that reflect it.
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa......y-framework-ai
Life lesson: Rule of thumb regarding scams
Posted a year agoDue to just having had to witness someone not following this rule and having big problems:
WHENEVER SOMEONE PRESSURES YOU to do something quick, the person applying pressure is harmful and it is 99% of the case a scam!
This attacks our stupid instinct of "just react" (flee/attack) when under time pressure which shuts off our common sense.
Therefore unless it literally is a situation of physical harm (which online situations never are even if someone may claim otherwise*), ALWAYS take at least 3 deep, conscious breaths before responding or (re)acting.
This applies mainly to discord scams, but it is generally a good advice. Even IRL and even in business situations!
*in my opinion that includes claims of suicide. If they wrote you, that means they won't do it at least for the time untl you respond even if it takes a full minute. [Yeah I've seen some crap in my 14 years of online life :/ ]
P.s. here an incomplete list of common Discord scams:
"I have accidentally reported you on Discord/Steam, do this or that to be safe."
"Free Vbucks/Nitro if you do this and that"
"I'm blocking you until you clear your name because I can't believe you've done what people on server [link here] say about you!" (that server requires an authentification which leads to your account being stolen - admittedly I ALMOST fell for that one. Luckily pulled out when a manipulated QR code was shown)
"I'm a game developer now! Wanna check it out? [Harmfull/spam link here]"
"You can get access to lots of OnlyFans/[insert other paywall site here] if you do this and that."
If you receive any of these, report the account for the sake of not letting others fall for it...
Yet remember you are not talking to the person who used to have that account! Have seen people taking "revenge" on the former owners other accounts >_>
Always follow the rule of thumb above when you are angry too, because that does exactly the same to our instinct-driven brains (when we are angry, we effectively pressuring ourselves to act)...
WHENEVER SOMEONE PRESSURES YOU to do something quick, the person applying pressure is harmful and it is 99% of the case a scam!
This attacks our stupid instinct of "just react" (flee/attack) when under time pressure which shuts off our common sense.
Therefore unless it literally is a situation of physical harm (which online situations never are even if someone may claim otherwise*), ALWAYS take at least 3 deep, conscious breaths before responding or (re)acting.
This applies mainly to discord scams, but it is generally a good advice. Even IRL and even in business situations!
*in my opinion that includes claims of suicide. If they wrote you, that means they won't do it at least for the time untl you respond even if it takes a full minute. [Yeah I've seen some crap in my 14 years of online life :/ ]
P.s. here an incomplete list of common Discord scams:
"I have accidentally reported you on Discord/Steam, do this or that to be safe."
"Free Vbucks/Nitro if you do this and that"
"I'm blocking you until you clear your name because I can't believe you've done what people on server [link here] say about you!" (that server requires an authentification which leads to your account being stolen - admittedly I ALMOST fell for that one. Luckily pulled out when a manipulated QR code was shown)
"I'm a game developer now! Wanna check it out? [Harmfull/spam link here]"
"You can get access to lots of OnlyFans/[insert other paywall site here] if you do this and that."
If you receive any of these, report the account for the sake of not letting others fall for it...
Yet remember you are not talking to the person who used to have that account! Have seen people taking "revenge" on the former owners other accounts >_>
Always follow the rule of thumb above when you are angry too, because that does exactly the same to our instinct-driven brains (when we are angry, we effectively pressuring ourselves to act)...
SHOUT OUT: A 4K Dolphin(F) X Human(M) animation!
Posted a year agoThought to give a shout out to the underapreciated 
Neglect_Illusion
and their absolutely gorgeous animation over here:
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/54968050/
Since their upload to e621 seems to be encoded a bit oddly, failing on mobile,
I've re-encoded it here:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/p5p0.....k2mn7&dl=0
Download it and play locally for full quality.
Neglect_Illusionand their absolutely gorgeous animation over here:
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/54968050/
Since their upload to e621 seems to be encoded a bit oddly, failing on mobile,
I've re-encoded it here:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/p5p0.....k2mn7&dl=0
Download it and play locally for full quality.
Eye Laser Surgery went well! :)
Posted a year agoFollow up to: https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/10761904/
Phew that was quite a thing!
Thank you everyone who has left a comment or otherwise has been with me <3 Love you all!
Gotta say it was not as bad as the average procedure at the dentist. Did not feel too much and all doctors and nurses/assistants were incredibly kind.
It's about 22h since then and I am "workable". Writing this is hardly a strain. Vision has a slight bloom effect - which makes me for the first time ever really appreciate websites and apps with a darkmode xD
Especially one eye is stinging now a bit, but not too heavily.
Vision itself is already far better than previously without glass but not quite as good as with them. That can take up to 3 weeks though worst case so everything is going normal.
Gotta put lots and lots of drops in my eyes '>w<'
By the way, you know how some people can squirt milk from their eyes? Well, turns out that works the other direction too as I can taste the drops.. uh.. sorry for TMI ._.''
Aside from the practicality, it is weird to look into the mirror and not see the glasses. But I like the looks~
Oh and I have a feeling half the time that I forgot my glasses xD
That said, think I can recommend the procedure already. Or at least the "Smile Pro" I had which keeps the eye in the most stable way (no flap that theoretically could come loose).
So if you have considered it and the price is not a huge impact for you, go for it. There is nothing to fear (but fear itself o3o)!
Anyways, gonna take it a bit slow but stay with parents anyways in the next week.
Happy Holidays again (but it probably won't be the last journal on that and possibly there gonna be a kinky drawing to post too >w< )
P.s. shout out to the sweet
FuzzballFox who has their birthday today =3
Phew that was quite a thing!
Thank you everyone who has left a comment or otherwise has been with me <3 Love you all!
Gotta say it was not as bad as the average procedure at the dentist. Did not feel too much and all doctors and nurses/assistants were incredibly kind.
It's about 22h since then and I am "workable". Writing this is hardly a strain. Vision has a slight bloom effect - which makes me for the first time ever really appreciate websites and apps with a darkmode xD
Especially one eye is stinging now a bit, but not too heavily.
Vision itself is already far better than previously without glass but not quite as good as with them. That can take up to 3 weeks though worst case so everything is going normal.
Gotta put lots and lots of drops in my eyes '>w<'
By the way, you know how some people can squirt milk from their eyes? Well, turns out that works the other direction too as I can taste the drops.. uh.. sorry for TMI ._.''
Aside from the practicality, it is weird to look into the mirror and not see the glasses. But I like the looks~
Oh and I have a feeling half the time that I forgot my glasses xD
That said, think I can recommend the procedure already. Or at least the "Smile Pro" I had which keeps the eye in the most stable way (no flap that theoretically could come loose).
So if you have considered it and the price is not a huge impact for you, go for it. There is nothing to fear (but fear itself o3o)!
Anyways, gonna take it a bit slow but stay with parents anyways in the next week.
Happy Holidays again (but it probably won't be the last journal on that and possibly there gonna be a kinky drawing to post too >w< )
P.s. shout out to the sweet
FuzzballFox who has their birthday today =3Getting my eyes cut tomorrow ._.'
Posted a year agoAfter long consideration I have decided to get laser surgery for my eyes to not need glasses anymore.
Surely quite a luxus problem since I can't really say that I'm suffering from glasses. However I am short sighted which makes it annoying when going to a beach or generally swimming. Goggles with prescription lenses tend to suck in my experience :(
Well, can't deny that I'm nervous. Apparently there is one 10s long phase (per eye) where I REALLY gotta keep staring in one direction without moving the pupil or it can go badly.
Anyways, in every case I will likely be offline for ~2 days (not blind, but you are at least not supposed to use screens for this long and vision can be "milky").
Wish everyone nice Holidays in advance ^_^
Surely quite a luxus problem since I can't really say that I'm suffering from glasses. However I am short sighted which makes it annoying when going to a beach or generally swimming. Goggles with prescription lenses tend to suck in my experience :(
Well, can't deny that I'm nervous. Apparently there is one 10s long phase (per eye) where I REALLY gotta keep staring in one direction without moving the pupil or it can go badly.
Anyways, in every case I will likely be offline for ~2 days (not blind, but you are at least not supposed to use screens for this long and vision can be "milky").
Wish everyone nice Holidays in advance ^_^
A positive message from Neil deGrasse Tyson
Posted 2 years agoIt's so easy to forget things like these thanks to modern media :/
P.s. the [yt][/yt] used to work, didn't it?
Truly self printing 3D printers by a dreamer and genius
Posted 2 years agoEurofurence #27 report =3
Posted 2 years ago[Note this is a journal just rambling about my travels as I'm bored right now xP Feel free to simply ignore! ]
As a few friends know, I attended Eurofurence #27.
It's my fourth time at EF but the first since 2018!
Gosh time flies and Corona really threw some boulders in the way. I even had a room at the main hotel reserved 2020.. Oh well.
Anyways, this EF was a fair bit different. First time in Hamburg after it had been in Berlin for about a decade.
The Panels
Since I hardly have contacts in the RL side of the furry fandom sadly and am also not a huge party dragon, I mainly go for the panels. Everything with Uncle Kage is a must see xP
Other organizers were great too. Really enjoyed the panel by the special guest Pechschwinge ( https://www.deviantart.com/pechschwinge ) who taught us on character design.
The e621 quiz was a highlight as well. It made me realize that way more people are into vore than I would have expected ._.
Art and Dealers Den
Cool as usual~ This is the first time at EF since I'm not a student anymore, thus finally having some money to spend. Frustratingly I messed up at the Art Show with bidding, having misunderstood how the end would go. Got to get rid of my money at the Charity Auction instead, haha.
Seriously a worthy charity this year: UAnimals - an organization that rescues animals from the war torn regions in Ukraine... https://uanimals.org/en/
The Pawpet Show: All Cats are Beautiful
An absolute cornerstone of every EF is the Pawpet Show. 3+ hours long theater play at the end of the con. This time they fent full on political >w<' Heated story on racism (canine vs feline), police violence, conspiracy, peaceful protests turned riots by aggressors, betrayal, false accusations and reports by "Dogs News - the only news outlet without an agenda". XD
Blessed be Europe where we can show such a thing without alienating half the viewers, haha. I do still wish for more fantasy oriented plays though ;w;
Still the puppets were wonderful and emotionally played.
If you are interested, keep an eye on their YT where they will post a recording in a couple months: https://www.youtube.com/@EFPawpetshow/
In the meantime I can recommend to watch "The Skies of Astar" which has been my fave from the four I've seen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7thVP7UOZBA
Fursuits
Sadly sadly the suit partial I have ordered half a year ago is not done yet (I might post about when it's done here). Instead I got a plushy on my shoulders for now xP
As usual it was amazing to see all the suiters around and there was also the Fursuit parade again!
CCH (Hamburg) vs Estrel (Berlin):
Like many larger cons, EF has moved to a congress center. We don't very exactly know why (probably they'd get sued if they'd fully disclose that), but from what they hinted, the organizers had been unhappy with numerous smaller things at the Estrel and then were presented the ever increasing bill for this year xD
Big respect to the organizers though as apparently the decision for the new location was only made 6 months ago!
Honestly the move was a good idea.
A few things were lost like no more event-streaming right into the hotel rooms (coolest gimmick ever, lol) and the lobby of the CCH is very boring compared to the Estrel's.
On the other hand, that lobby is not a literal greenhouse (glass ceiling at Estrel) and it has good AC. The location of the CCH is in general better. A truly gorgeous park next to it (the "Planten un Blomen"].
I was too late to stay at the "Radisson Blu" which is the hotel directly attached to the congress center unfortunately but I heard fairly good things of it. It's a four star hotel like the Estrel, however this year there was no special deal for us Furries. The organizers hinted that they will bargain though, so maybe it works out next year. Unfortunately the Radisson is only half as large as the Estrel was. On the other hand there are way more hotels nearby than there used to be in Berlin.
I had no problem booking in 10min walk distance, just a month before the con ( don't ask why I had to book that late q_q' ).
Hamburg vs Berlin:
Since I have never spent time in Hamburg before, I added a couple days of sightseeing to my little vacation there. Really a gorgeous city! Soooo much water! <3
Can't say there's anything I'd miss in Berlin instead. Especially now that the huge aquarium which I visited back then, got destroyed :(
The con in Hamburg is also at a way more central location, allowing you to see much of the city on foot. I should check where to rent a bicycle next time since there are lots of bike lanes in the city (when on foot you gotta remember not to walk on the slightly redder stone though, since those are the bike lanes ).
Other Events
Have used the opportunity to visit the theater play "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child". It was an entirely "curtain free" show! All props were dynamically brought onto the scene with a lot of mechanics and great visual effects. Costumes were on point - immediately recognizable.
The story was tense yet with amusing skits and very well played. A worthy continuation of the HP saga without starting a new storyline that may not be able to keep up with the original.
Phew, that was way more rambling than planned ._.
Anyways, looking forward to next year!
P.s. anyone here from my FA watchers have attended as well? o:
As a few friends know, I attended Eurofurence #27.
It's my fourth time at EF but the first since 2018!
Gosh time flies and Corona really threw some boulders in the way. I even had a room at the main hotel reserved 2020.. Oh well.
Anyways, this EF was a fair bit different. First time in Hamburg after it had been in Berlin for about a decade.
The Panels
Since I hardly have contacts in the RL side of the furry fandom sadly and am also not a huge party dragon, I mainly go for the panels. Everything with Uncle Kage is a must see xP
Other organizers were great too. Really enjoyed the panel by the special guest Pechschwinge ( https://www.deviantart.com/pechschwinge ) who taught us on character design.
The e621 quiz was a highlight as well. It made me realize that way more people are into vore than I would have expected ._.
Art and Dealers Den
Cool as usual~ This is the first time at EF since I'm not a student anymore, thus finally having some money to spend. Frustratingly I messed up at the Art Show with bidding, having misunderstood how the end would go. Got to get rid of my money at the Charity Auction instead, haha.
Seriously a worthy charity this year: UAnimals - an organization that rescues animals from the war torn regions in Ukraine... https://uanimals.org/en/
The Pawpet Show: All Cats are Beautiful
An absolute cornerstone of every EF is the Pawpet Show. 3+ hours long theater play at the end of the con. This time they fent full on political >w<' Heated story on racism (canine vs feline), police violence, conspiracy, peaceful protests turned riots by aggressors, betrayal, false accusations and reports by "Dogs News - the only news outlet without an agenda". XD
Blessed be Europe where we can show such a thing without alienating half the viewers, haha. I do still wish for more fantasy oriented plays though ;w;
Still the puppets were wonderful and emotionally played.
If you are interested, keep an eye on their YT where they will post a recording in a couple months: https://www.youtube.com/@EFPawpetshow/
In the meantime I can recommend to watch "The Skies of Astar" which has been my fave from the four I've seen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7thVP7UOZBA
Fursuits
Sadly sadly the suit partial I have ordered half a year ago is not done yet (I might post about when it's done here). Instead I got a plushy on my shoulders for now xP
As usual it was amazing to see all the suiters around and there was also the Fursuit parade again!
CCH (Hamburg) vs Estrel (Berlin):
Like many larger cons, EF has moved to a congress center. We don't very exactly know why (probably they'd get sued if they'd fully disclose that), but from what they hinted, the organizers had been unhappy with numerous smaller things at the Estrel and then were presented the ever increasing bill for this year xD
Big respect to the organizers though as apparently the decision for the new location was only made 6 months ago!
Honestly the move was a good idea.
A few things were lost like no more event-streaming right into the hotel rooms (coolest gimmick ever, lol) and the lobby of the CCH is very boring compared to the Estrel's.
On the other hand, that lobby is not a literal greenhouse (glass ceiling at Estrel) and it has good AC. The location of the CCH is in general better. A truly gorgeous park next to it (the "Planten un Blomen"].
I was too late to stay at the "Radisson Blu" which is the hotel directly attached to the congress center unfortunately but I heard fairly good things of it. It's a four star hotel like the Estrel, however this year there was no special deal for us Furries. The organizers hinted that they will bargain though, so maybe it works out next year. Unfortunately the Radisson is only half as large as the Estrel was. On the other hand there are way more hotels nearby than there used to be in Berlin.
I had no problem booking in 10min walk distance, just a month before the con ( don't ask why I had to book that late q_q' ).
Hamburg vs Berlin:
Since I have never spent time in Hamburg before, I added a couple days of sightseeing to my little vacation there. Really a gorgeous city! Soooo much water! <3
Can't say there's anything I'd miss in Berlin instead. Especially now that the huge aquarium which I visited back then, got destroyed :(
The con in Hamburg is also at a way more central location, allowing you to see much of the city on foot. I should check where to rent a bicycle next time since there are lots of bike lanes in the city (when on foot you gotta remember not to walk on the slightly redder stone though, since those are the bike lanes ).
Other Events
Have used the opportunity to visit the theater play "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child". It was an entirely "curtain free" show! All props were dynamically brought onto the scene with a lot of mechanics and great visual effects. Costumes were on point - immediately recognizable.
The story was tense yet with amusing skits and very well played. A worthy continuation of the HP saga without starting a new storyline that may not be able to keep up with the original.
Phew, that was way more rambling than planned ._.
Anyways, looking forward to next year!
P.s. anyone here from my FA watchers have attended as well? o:
Pressure(?) to Succeed
Posted 2 years agoUgh, it's not often that I vent on something related to my RL, but today it gotta be.
Was announcing to my parents today that I've overcome the junior status at my workplace (where there's no senior or so - just junior and normal).
First reaction from my father is 'that's not good'. He meant it half jokingly but clarified that now I've reached the max in this position - and that I need to next strive for a higher position.
Pretty much never I heard a "well done" from him or that what I achieved was enough.
I know this is the oldest stereotype ever and it's covered in so many cartoons and movies - and thanks to them I should know better than to let it affect me in any way. Still it is frustrating.
It gets even more stereotypical btw. - my fricking entry salary years ago was on level of his peak (he is retired now). More awkward is that despite them holding themselves just barely above water with his pension (mom did not earn enough to qualify) he strictly refuses to receive any regular financial support from me. He does want that I spend the money myself (or well, buy a house which is next on the agenda once I'm fully debt free very soon).
So yeah.. dunno.. Thought to tell this out into void while it's past midnight here.
Rubberduck debugging without the programming part I guess ._.
Was announcing to my parents today that I've overcome the junior status at my workplace (where there's no senior or so - just junior and normal).
First reaction from my father is 'that's not good'. He meant it half jokingly but clarified that now I've reached the max in this position - and that I need to next strive for a higher position.
Pretty much never I heard a "well done" from him or that what I achieved was enough.
I know this is the oldest stereotype ever and it's covered in so many cartoons and movies - and thanks to them I should know better than to let it affect me in any way. Still it is frustrating.
It gets even more stereotypical btw. - my fricking entry salary years ago was on level of his peak (he is retired now). More awkward is that despite them holding themselves just barely above water with his pension (mom did not earn enough to qualify) he strictly refuses to receive any regular financial support from me. He does want that I spend the money myself (or well, buy a house which is next on the agenda once I'm fully debt free very soon).
So yeah.. dunno.. Thought to tell this out into void while it's past midnight here.
Rubberduck debugging without the programming part I guess ._.
Cute raccoon used for racism >_<
Posted 2 years agoOne would think using animals derogatory is something you just see the bad guy do in movies like GotG Vol.3 but no...
This is one of the things shown at a meeting of the youth organization of the AFD - the German far-right party:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/2z169enjj.....Ituqs.jpg?dl=0
They literally retweeted something with that image too >_>
https://twitter.com/jafuernrw/statu.....40159386050565
The text says "Invasive species - deport [them]" and it shows a raccoon in what probably is meant to be a turban.
These flyers were supposedly shared there as well (albeit cannot confirm independently): https://www.dropbox.com/s/rxi24poff.....EF_0v.jpg?dl=0
The top-middle one says "it's okay to be white" and the bottom one "German hunting club". The bottom-right one surely needs no translation...
What the heck man?..
It is a tad worrysome over here. While countrywide this party hardly gets beyond 15-20% support, in some states they have become significant. It is a painful irony that they are most popular in former east Germany - the region that should know best what indoctrination towards "it's all the other peoples fault" leads to. Apparently too many of the sane people fled westwards once the wall fell though, leaving the people who swallowed all the propaganda to raise the next generation. Support for Putin is greatest there too.
Also just two days ago the other nasty end of the horseshoe*, Antifa interrupted a wagon at a Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade and attacked + injured the speaker.
Source (use translator): https://www.bw24.de/stuttgart/antif.....-92433695.html
Supposedly they intend to demonstrate with that against the fact that the CDU was part of the CSD festivities.
Yes, the CDU is Germanys conservative party but at least 1/4 of their members in the Bundestag (parliament) did vote to allow marriage independent of gender (a law that was passed because most other parties agreed with it).
However full on calling them problematic and justifying violent protests is just.. gaaah.. Can't we just get along without such crap? >_>
Not to mention that this may be just made up after the fact and it seems likely they attacked that person specifically because he criticize that Antifa was piggybacking on the CSD festivities in another city ( Freiburg) where they somehow got a LGBT group to showcase this logo:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/cvxjhoi51.....-100.webp?dl=0
If you ask me such activities don't help their cause the slightest bit. Just like the "street gluer" (people who block roads in unannounced protests) don't help the green movement either. If anything, this causes division and hate since both sites feel reinforced...
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horseshoe_theory
Urgh, sorry, I had to vent for once :/
Wish I were an active artist.. That raccoon in a turban looks so cute and deserves to be shown in a way more positive context X3 Hope none stabs me now for cultural appropriation though ._.'
EDIT: Since that was brought up somewhere else: On the "it's oaky to be white" flyer:
It's not wrong to believe that your skin color is okay, absolutely no matter what color it is. We are of course not responsible for actions of our peers, let alone our ancestors etc.
However the "it is ok to be white" slogan is unfortunately used as a direct counterpoint to "black lives matter" and is intended to diminish the meaning of that.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27.....ay_to_be_white
This is one of the things shown at a meeting of the youth organization of the AFD - the German far-right party:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/2z169enjj.....Ituqs.jpg?dl=0
They literally retweeted something with that image too >_>
https://twitter.com/jafuernrw/statu.....40159386050565
The text says "Invasive species - deport [them]" and it shows a raccoon in what probably is meant to be a turban.
These flyers were supposedly shared there as well (albeit cannot confirm independently): https://www.dropbox.com/s/rxi24poff.....EF_0v.jpg?dl=0
The top-middle one says "it's okay to be white" and the bottom one "German hunting club". The bottom-right one surely needs no translation...
What the heck man?..
It is a tad worrysome over here. While countrywide this party hardly gets beyond 15-20% support, in some states they have become significant. It is a painful irony that they are most popular in former east Germany - the region that should know best what indoctrination towards "it's all the other peoples fault" leads to. Apparently too many of the sane people fled westwards once the wall fell though, leaving the people who swallowed all the propaganda to raise the next generation. Support for Putin is greatest there too.
Also just two days ago the other nasty end of the horseshoe*, Antifa interrupted a wagon at a Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade and attacked + injured the speaker.
Source (use translator): https://www.bw24.de/stuttgart/antif.....-92433695.html
Supposedly they intend to demonstrate with that against the fact that the CDU was part of the CSD festivities.
Yes, the CDU is Germanys conservative party but at least 1/4 of their members in the Bundestag (parliament) did vote to allow marriage independent of gender (a law that was passed because most other parties agreed with it).
However full on calling them problematic and justifying violent protests is just.. gaaah.. Can't we just get along without such crap? >_>
Not to mention that this may be just made up after the fact and it seems likely they attacked that person specifically because he criticize that Antifa was piggybacking on the CSD festivities in another city ( Freiburg) where they somehow got a LGBT group to showcase this logo:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/cvxjhoi51.....-100.webp?dl=0
If you ask me such activities don't help their cause the slightest bit. Just like the "street gluer" (people who block roads in unannounced protests) don't help the green movement either. If anything, this causes division and hate since both sites feel reinforced...
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horseshoe_theory
Urgh, sorry, I had to vent for once :/
Wish I were an active artist.. That raccoon in a turban looks so cute and deserves to be shown in a way more positive context X3 Hope none stabs me now for cultural appropriation though ._.'
EDIT: Since that was brought up somewhere else: On the "it's oaky to be white" flyer:
It's not wrong to believe that your skin color is okay, absolutely no matter what color it is. We are of course not responsible for actions of our peers, let alone our ancestors etc.
However the "it is ok to be white" slogan is unfortunately used as a direct counterpoint to "black lives matter" and is intended to diminish the meaning of that.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27.....ay_to_be_white
Damage Report (& Inkbunny Sync)
Posted 2 years agoSo,
had a deep (and nostalgic) look through my gallery regarding the rule changes, following the response by staff mentioned here: https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/10579497/
Deleted have been:
- 16 submissions with
- 472 faves and
- 84 comments (mainly since I used to do some RP in comments long time ago xD)
- 10 more submissions with well over 500 faves are to be evaluated by staff (have opened another ticket).
EDIT: Update: Only 3 of these 10 were deemed to break the rule. Another UW kissing one due to an oshawott... And that picture of a naughty Finizen.
You know where you will find all these! ^-^
By the way, if you are averted off Inkbunny due to it allowing cub art, please note that you are not forced to see those.
Tagging is mandatory and viewers can suggest tags. This works in tandem with the great blacklist which you can easily access here: https://inkbunny.net/blockkeywords.php
had a deep (and nostalgic) look through my gallery regarding the rule changes, following the response by staff mentioned here: https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/10579497/
Deleted have been:
- 16 submissions with
- 472 faves and
- 84 comments (mainly since I used to do some RP in comments long time ago xD)
- 10 more submissions with well over 500 faves are to be evaluated by staff (have opened another ticket).
EDIT: Update: Only 3 of these 10 were deemed to break the rule. Another UW kissing one due to an oshawott... And that picture of a naughty Finizen.
You know where you will find all these! ^-^
By the way, if you are averted off Inkbunny due to it allowing cub art, please note that you are not forced to see those.
Tagging is mandatory and viewers can suggest tags. This works in tandem with the great blacklist which you can easily access here: https://inkbunny.net/blockkeywords.php
FA Rule Ticket: TF and Vore: OK - Aquaphilia: NONO >_>
Posted 2 years agoSo FA staff responded to my note where I have asked for a couple submissions whether they will be allowed or not after the rule change.
The answer was only a list of three submissions that would violate the rule and no direct answer to my additional questions, but doesn't really matter.
So this drawing is out: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/50307909/
This one of Varra on her own however isn't: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/30374455/
So I guess the snivy is out, or Varra looked tooo cute there?.. Not fully clear, but at least clear enough on what to keep in Inkbunny and not here.
What I'm more annoyed by is that they deemed this as forbidden:
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/35815091/
As well as another persons submission which didn't even have a kiss.
Both just UW peril themed without genitalia or arousal.
So TF and Vore with minors-looking characters are allowed (according to the TL;DR; here: https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/10557600/ ).
But underwater scenes you see in RL movies even below PG13 are forbidden?
Not to mention that of course they are not intended to be children in those commissions of mine.
Oh well, at least Freggie was not deemed as problematic.
So I guess 10-20 drawings in my gallery will have to go (mostly of Lira the sneasel and those few with Varra).
I will make another journal in a week or two with the titles of all removed drawings and matching links to IB :)
P.s.: Even someone like
Narse got hit hard: https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/10578974/
And apparently Dragoneer himself removed a couple digimon drawings from his gallery?!
This is all reaaaally dumb.. but me and hundreds of other people have already said that, so guess it's to no use.
The best way we can fight this is by reducing our activity here and using adblocker (something I normally never advocate for).
The answer was only a list of three submissions that would violate the rule and no direct answer to my additional questions, but doesn't really matter.
So this drawing is out: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/50307909/
This one of Varra on her own however isn't: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/30374455/
So I guess the snivy is out, or Varra looked tooo cute there?.. Not fully clear, but at least clear enough on what to keep in Inkbunny and not here.
What I'm more annoyed by is that they deemed this as forbidden:
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/35815091/
As well as another persons submission which didn't even have a kiss.
Both just UW peril themed without genitalia or arousal.
So TF and Vore with minors-looking characters are allowed (according to the TL;DR; here: https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/10557600/ ).
But underwater scenes you see in RL movies even below PG13 are forbidden?
Not to mention that of course they are not intended to be children in those commissions of mine.
Oh well, at least Freggie was not deemed as problematic.
So I guess 10-20 drawings in my gallery will have to go (mostly of Lira the sneasel and those few with Varra).
I will make another journal in a week or two with the titles of all removed drawings and matching links to IB :)
P.s.: Even someone like
Narse got hit hard: https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/10578974/And apparently Dragoneer himself removed a couple digimon drawings from his gallery?!
This is all reaaaally dumb.. but me and hundreds of other people have already said that, so guess it's to no use.
The best way we can fight this is by reducing our activity here and using adblocker (something I normally never advocate for).
PSA: Don't click away the DISCORD name-change request!
Posted 2 years agoSo discord wants to get rid of the #1234 postfixes in all usernames: https://discord.com/blog/usernames
They roll that out in waves, so not everyone gets notified at the same time.
However APPARENTLY if you click away the request too often, the account gets disabled and cannot even be reactivated?!
One person claims to have that happened to at least. Might be true, might not be.
I'd still recommend to be on the safe side.
You can change again later!
So just take the proposed name with is your original just without the "#" in-between.
They roll that out in waves, so not everyone gets notified at the same time.
However APPARENTLY if you click away the request too often, the account gets disabled and cannot even be reactivated?!
One person claims to have that happened to at least. Might be true, might not be.
I'd still recommend to be on the safe side.
You can change again later!
So just take the proposed name with is your original just without the "#" in-between.
The Little Mermaid!
Posted 2 years agoJust came home from watching the movie! >w<
It was really captivating - maybe I'm getting more adult, but the romance scenes were not boring at all xD Guess Sebastian's singing helped a lot with that, haha.
Main lesson learned: I'll never let myself be unsettled about a movie by the dumb Twitter mob again. None right in their mind can critique this movie for the skin color of the protagonist and the CGI animals were well done after all!
The movie was as intense and gorgeous as the original if not more. You can feel the power in Bailey's voice and McCarthy gave Ursula an impressive feel as well (especially with the more modern voicelines).
If I really had to criticize something, then that the final fight was a bit lame and didn't give Erik the chance to do much himself.
However it's a movie worth watching! Won't beat Avatar 2 and GotGVol3 as my fave movies this year so far, but still. Think it's the movie that made me smile the most xP
So if you want something semi-lighthearted and sweet, don't hesitate!
**If you did already watch it, what did you think?**
P.s. for us aquaphiles here:
The scene of air-breathing Ariel dashing for the surface was not too spectacular. Seeing Scuttle dive underwater and talk to the others for a little while was lovely though xD Maybe it's the furry in me talking, haha.
Wish they had shown him actually bubbling, but they did not completely forget that he needs air!
P.p.s. gotta find a ripped version somewhere - the movie contains sooo many references for UW themed backgrounds (like shipwrecks) and interactions for commissions~
It was really captivating - maybe I'm getting more adult, but the romance scenes were not boring at all xD Guess Sebastian's singing helped a lot with that, haha.
Main lesson learned: I'll never let myself be unsettled about a movie by the dumb Twitter mob again. None right in their mind can critique this movie for the skin color of the protagonist and the CGI animals were well done after all!
The movie was as intense and gorgeous as the original if not more. You can feel the power in Bailey's voice and McCarthy gave Ursula an impressive feel as well (especially with the more modern voicelines).
If I really had to criticize something, then that the final fight was a bit lame and didn't give Erik the chance to do much himself.
However it's a movie worth watching! Won't beat Avatar 2 and GotGVol3 as my fave movies this year so far, but still. Think it's the movie that made me smile the most xP
So if you want something semi-lighthearted and sweet, don't hesitate!
**If you did already watch it, what did you think?**
P.s. for us aquaphiles here:
The scene of air-breathing Ariel dashing for the surface was not too spectacular. Seeing Scuttle dive underwater and talk to the others for a little while was lovely though xD Maybe it's the furry in me talking, haha.
Wish they had shown him actually bubbling, but they did not completely forget that he needs air!
P.p.s. gotta find a ripped version somewhere - the movie contains sooo many references for UW themed backgrounds (like shipwrecks) and interactions for commissions~
"I canceled my FA+" - Raffle by WordCaster
Posted 2 years agoAm hardly ever partaking in raffles but this one by 
WordCaster is a good one:
https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/10557670
For my own reasons, you can read my last few journals and probably half of everyones else journals these days xD
I mean really, I had hoped with financial support they'd bring the site forward. Instead they bring it backwards by banning more stuff >_>
WordCaster is a good one:https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/10557670
For my own reasons, you can read my last few journals and probably half of everyones else journals these days xD
I mean really, I had hoped with financial support they'd bring the site forward. Instead they bring it backwards by banning more stuff >_>
Assumptions...
Posted 2 years agoFrom the most current news journal (https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/10560608) :
“Minors younger than 13 may not be depicted as pregnant.”
The reason we originally implemented this clause on April 16th, 2020 was to allow representation for those persons to illustrate or tell their stories, as this may be important backgrounds of themselves, loved ones, or even as contextual story elements (e.g. the movie Juno), but NEVER as something to be fetishized.
So staff assumed that the liberty this rule provides, which can only be correctly used via the 0.01% of people who actually have experience or contact or non-sexual interest in teenage-pregnancy (above 13), would actually only be used by those people. And not by people fetishizing it?
Okay, so FA staff has a lot of faith in our community. Let's give them that.
But at the same time now when it comes to remotely childish looking pokemon and digimon where easily 50-70% of all the artists of that here on FA, draw it because they just like the cuteness of those looks, staff suddenly assumes that those artists are in fact drawing cub porn?! (the consequence of breaking the rule is identical to posting straight up cub porn here).
What the frick, where's the logic?
P.s. I am assuming here too with the 50-70% of course. The base of my assumption are the many journals of people announcing to leave the site or build a second gallery. Roughly 50% consider or already use inkbunny and even some of them say they'd use the black list to actually hide straight up cub porn there.
“Minors younger than 13 may not be depicted as pregnant.”
The reason we originally implemented this clause on April 16th, 2020 was to allow representation for those persons to illustrate or tell their stories, as this may be important backgrounds of themselves, loved ones, or even as contextual story elements (e.g. the movie Juno), but NEVER as something to be fetishized.
So staff assumed that the liberty this rule provides, which can only be correctly used via the 0.01% of people who actually have experience or contact or non-sexual interest in teenage-pregnancy (above 13), would actually only be used by those people. And not by people fetishizing it?
Okay, so FA staff has a lot of faith in our community. Let's give them that.
But at the same time now when it comes to remotely childish looking pokemon and digimon where easily 50-70% of all the artists of that here on FA, draw it because they just like the cuteness of those looks, staff suddenly assumes that those artists are in fact drawing cub porn?! (the consequence of breaking the rule is identical to posting straight up cub porn here).
What the frick, where's the logic?
P.s. I am assuming here too with the 50-70% of course. The base of my assumption are the many journals of people announcing to leave the site or build a second gallery. Roughly 50% consider or already use inkbunny and even some of them say they'd use the black list to actually hide straight up cub porn there.
It's not the backlog of art that defines our community...
Posted 2 years ago..., it's the interactions and friends we had and made along the way!
Thought to give some calming words in those tiring times ^_^
Take care everybody and thanks to the people who followed me on IB!
P.s. something cute'n silly!
Thought to give some calming words in those tiring times ^_^
Take care everybody and thanks to the people who followed me on IB!
P.s. something cute'n silly!
Furachiver: A backup of FA (and another)
Posted 2 years agoJust FYI, there is this site: https://furarchiver.net/
It's essentially a backup of FA. You can find artwork posted many years ago there (including deleted posts).
In light of the current content purge, I'd say this can come in handy.
That said, careful not to overload that site. Apparently it is a tunnel into darknet and thus fairly slow and limited capacity. Use it for galleries you REALLY care about.
EDIT 1: What I mean by "use this site" is to download a copy of a gallery you love to your own computer. Since you do never know if that archive will remain alive forever.
P.s. myself will likely not initiate a big content purge, but am still waiting for a response on my ticket.
Other journal for context: https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/10553627/
EDIT 2: Alternatively there is this site as well which includes the description of submissions:
https://iwatchitfortheplot.romesilv.....raffinity.net/
You have to go into the "indicies" folder and find the artists name in the file starting with the corresponding letter.
It's essentially a backup of FA. You can find artwork posted many years ago there (including deleted posts).
In light of the current content purge, I'd say this can come in handy.
That said, careful not to overload that site. Apparently it is a tunnel into darknet and thus fairly slow and limited capacity. Use it for galleries you REALLY care about.
EDIT 1: What I mean by "use this site" is to download a copy of a gallery you love to your own computer. Since you do never know if that archive will remain alive forever.
P.s. myself will likely not initiate a big content purge, but am still waiting for a response on my ticket.
Other journal for context: https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/10553627/
EDIT 2: Alternatively there is this site as well which includes the description of submissions:
https://iwatchitfortheplot.romesilv.....raffinity.net/
You have to go into the "indicies" folder and find the artists name in the file starting with the corresponding letter.
If FA bans my Vap or Freggie I'll retire from here.
Posted 2 years agoYeah, FA is not only since today simply relentless about making fantasy equal to reality when it comes to supposedly "protecting" minors. Cute pokemon, digimon and imps getting forbidden while at the same time the most traumatizing works of hyper and gore are still shown to people of 16 years here.
Have opened a ticket to clarify for drawings like these:
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/50307909/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/30374455/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/43528549/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/44287921/
And also in general whether snivy and similar "non evolved" pokemon like Eevee, Pichu, Popplio, Charmander and Riolu are seen as minors.
Honestly, if the answer to these is yes, I'll end my FA+ membership and likely fade out over time from here. An almost 13 years long era coming to an end (yeah I did join when I was underage myself and I had been caught >w<' ).
Since a good while I've been crossposting everything new and some old works on Inkbunny (https://inkbunny.net/VarraTheVap) anyways.
Life lesson: Never put all your eggs in one basket~
See yeah there folks, if worst comes to worst ^_^
EDIT: Judging by how they even ban Pikachu when it "plays into childlike features" somehow, I guess the answer is fairly clear.
https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/10553034
Have opened a ticket to clarify for drawings like these:
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/50307909/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/30374455/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/43528549/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/44287921/
And also in general whether snivy and similar "non evolved" pokemon like Eevee, Pichu, Popplio, Charmander and Riolu are seen as minors.
Honestly, if the answer to these is yes, I'll end my FA+ membership and likely fade out over time from here. An almost 13 years long era coming to an end (yeah I did join when I was underage myself and I had been caught >w<' ).
Since a good while I've been crossposting everything new and some old works on Inkbunny (https://inkbunny.net/VarraTheVap) anyways.
Life lesson: Never put all your eggs in one basket~
See yeah there folks, if worst comes to worst ^_^
EDIT: Judging by how they even ban Pikachu when it "plays into childlike features" somehow, I guess the answer is fairly clear.
https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/10553034
Rain, way out, stay left, bag checks and ABBA
Posted 2 years agoWho can guess what city this title refers to? xP
Some friends already know where I spent this past week. In London!
And wow was this an adventure!
Here a few notes because I'm currently waiting at Heathrow and am bored =3
Wheather was mostly terrible and not well forecasted. Is England the land of rain? ._.
Ended up in the usual schrödingers-luggage dilemma. If you bring stuff for warm weather, it's gonna get cold. And if you bring for the cold, you'll sweat your scales off.
Oh well, it is what it is. Doesn't stop a water derg!
Did the usual: visiting Tower of London, seeing some of the crown jewels - a number of them were are already gone to "preparation for the coronation". Of course up on the "London Eye" (ferris wheel). Been to the National History Museum for many dinosaurs and other fascinating things like water creatures and crystal formations. Learned a few things about dolphins too o:
Madame Toussauds was a real highlight! Maybe I'm easily to be fooled but multiple times I felt my attention caught by someone staring at me.. who was a wax figure xD
All in all very recreational (except for the busy taxi-coaster ride at through historical exhibits).
As a city guy I naturally had to be wandering through the city till my feet hurt - three times - but there's a looot to see. Even been in a Disney shop and in an anime shop (without having any clue about anime), lol.
What was surprising: All the bag checks. I quickly learned not to forget any camera batteries in side pockets q_q
But seriously.. Tower of London, of course. Ferris Wheel, okay, albeit a terrorist would have better "yield" blowing himself up in the tightly packed waiting line for the bag-check than inside the cabin with 10 people >_>
However.. there are bag checks at the SeaLife too?! Do they think somebody will attack the aquariums or what? o.O
Speaking of SeaLife, that was just a casual decision since "how could I call myself an aquaphile but miss such an occasion?" xP Yet it turned out to be quite cool!
Especially the VR experience. They recorded 360° videos of a dive among sharks and even attached the cam to the dorsal fin of two sharks as a mini-documentary.
Then you got an egg-shaped seat with some movement capabilities and a VR headset showing the videos. This gave quite an impressive perspective.
Was the most expensive SeaLife I've visited so far but it was absolutely worth it.
Last but not least: Transportation.
There I'm a bit mixed.
In the end I'm impressed by how little trouble there was with navigation. Google Maps did a perfect job and the signs inside the stations were almost always extremely clear. By the third day I could effectively travel "by intuitition".
Just surprising to see the "Stay left" signs (but they make sense) and that there's always a "Way Out" and never an "Exit". Also it's "The train for Westminster", not "The train to Westminster".
Oh on the same note, a cashier really confused my programmer brain by asking "have a bug?".. until it turned what's pronounced like "Bug" in american English is the "(shopping) bag".
British English at its finest =D
That said on transportation, while the "Oyster Card" system is not the worst idea it's getting quickly annoying to have to take out that card that often. In Germany we do not have those gates that block your way or checkpoints outside the train.. Sure the number of ilegal traveling possibly is lower in London (would be quite curious to know actual numbers), but is it worth inconveniencing everybody?
Speaking of inconvenience: While very punctual (probs for that reason), the doors of the "Tube" are brutal o.O What the frick, when it hit my shoulders it downright hurt. Imagine an elderly person or a child with a little bad luck. That could end badly.
Think I prefer the German trains which stay open until the doorway is truly clear and immediately open on resistance. Even if that occasionally results in idiots being able to easily force the door open until all their friends down the road have entered...
Anyways, I shall not end this on a rant >w<
Food was also great! Fish'n chips at a pub. Some yummy beagels, Pea cake, tea with milk (which I already love at home) and so on. Albeit it was not easy to find british restaurants in Britain ._.
Italian and asian restuarants are omnivalent (like here in De too of course).
Last but not least, the main reason I visited here (inviting my father): The Abba Voyage concert. Quite a nifty concept. The effects were really cool. Supposedly the backdrop is a screen with 65 million pixels! Together with the super high quality "ABBAtars" and being in sync with the stage lights it looked incredibly convincing.
All in all it was an awesome experience and I can recommend it. Not a place I'll likely visit again because there are so many other places I wanna see, but it's a neat once-a-life experience :)
Some friends already know where I spent this past week. In London!
And wow was this an adventure!
Here a few notes because I'm currently waiting at Heathrow and am bored =3
Wheather was mostly terrible and not well forecasted. Is England the land of rain? ._.
Ended up in the usual schrödingers-luggage dilemma. If you bring stuff for warm weather, it's gonna get cold. And if you bring for the cold, you'll sweat your scales off.
Oh well, it is what it is. Doesn't stop a water derg!
Did the usual: visiting Tower of London, seeing some of the crown jewels - a number of them were are already gone to "preparation for the coronation". Of course up on the "London Eye" (ferris wheel). Been to the National History Museum for many dinosaurs and other fascinating things like water creatures and crystal formations. Learned a few things about dolphins too o:
Madame Toussauds was a real highlight! Maybe I'm easily to be fooled but multiple times I felt my attention caught by someone staring at me.. who was a wax figure xD
All in all very recreational (except for the busy taxi-coaster ride at through historical exhibits).
As a city guy I naturally had to be wandering through the city till my feet hurt - three times - but there's a looot to see. Even been in a Disney shop and in an anime shop (without having any clue about anime), lol.
What was surprising: All the bag checks. I quickly learned not to forget any camera batteries in side pockets q_q
But seriously.. Tower of London, of course. Ferris Wheel, okay, albeit a terrorist would have better "yield" blowing himself up in the tightly packed waiting line for the bag-check than inside the cabin with 10 people >_>
However.. there are bag checks at the SeaLife too?! Do they think somebody will attack the aquariums or what? o.O
Speaking of SeaLife, that was just a casual decision since "how could I call myself an aquaphile but miss such an occasion?" xP Yet it turned out to be quite cool!
Especially the VR experience. They recorded 360° videos of a dive among sharks and even attached the cam to the dorsal fin of two sharks as a mini-documentary.
Then you got an egg-shaped seat with some movement capabilities and a VR headset showing the videos. This gave quite an impressive perspective.
Was the most expensive SeaLife I've visited so far but it was absolutely worth it.
Last but not least: Transportation.
There I'm a bit mixed.
In the end I'm impressed by how little trouble there was with navigation. Google Maps did a perfect job and the signs inside the stations were almost always extremely clear. By the third day I could effectively travel "by intuitition".
Just surprising to see the "Stay left" signs (but they make sense) and that there's always a "Way Out" and never an "Exit". Also it's "The train for Westminster", not "The train to Westminster".
Oh on the same note, a cashier really confused my programmer brain by asking "have a bug?".. until it turned what's pronounced like "Bug" in american English is the "(shopping) bag".
British English at its finest =D
That said on transportation, while the "Oyster Card" system is not the worst idea it's getting quickly annoying to have to take out that card that often. In Germany we do not have those gates that block your way or checkpoints outside the train.. Sure the number of ilegal traveling possibly is lower in London (would be quite curious to know actual numbers), but is it worth inconveniencing everybody?
Speaking of inconvenience: While very punctual (probs for that reason), the doors of the "Tube" are brutal o.O What the frick, when it hit my shoulders it downright hurt. Imagine an elderly person or a child with a little bad luck. That could end badly.
Think I prefer the German trains which stay open until the doorway is truly clear and immediately open on resistance. Even if that occasionally results in idiots being able to easily force the door open until all their friends down the road have entered...
Anyways, I shall not end this on a rant >w<
Food was also great! Fish'n chips at a pub. Some yummy beagels, Pea cake, tea with milk (which I already love at home) and so on. Albeit it was not easy to find british restaurants in Britain ._.
Italian and asian restuarants are omnivalent (like here in De too of course).
Last but not least, the main reason I visited here (inviting my father): The Abba Voyage concert. Quite a nifty concept. The effects were really cool. Supposedly the backdrop is a screen with 65 million pixels! Together with the super high quality "ABBAtars" and being in sync with the stage lights it looked incredibly convincing.
All in all it was an awesome experience and I can recommend it. Not a place I'll likely visit again because there are so many other places I wanna see, but it's a neat once-a-life experience :)
Harry Potter by Balenciaga
Posted 2 years agoYep ._.'
