Guild Wars 2 will be here very soon! I figured it was a good time to announce where I would be playing.

Keep in mind (for those who do not know) that picking a server will mostly only effect World vs World combat and you can play with your friends on any other server (as far as I know this has not changed) for free. So even if you pick a server you can still play with your buds on another server. Only pick a server with people you expect to be doing World V World with.

Also, I am aware that there are other servers floating around that are grabbing for the "furry server" spot. I'm not particularly interested in this and instead wish to find a place with friends whom I will probably be playing with. That's not to say they're the only people I'll be playing with, but it's where I'm going to start.

That said, I'm going to be playing on Maguuma.

Another note. All servers are central time (they're all in texas).

If you plan on playing on Maguuma, please let me know! I'd like to be sure that everyone knows early enough about who-will-be-where so they can make plans.

And as a final note I will likely not be active for the next few weeks as I will be in Arizona and Tennessee visiting a few friends!

Cheers. <3

I know the title is a little vague, but I couldn't think of a good way to capture what I wanted to talk about.

In summation, I'd like some input into what models of payment or donation that appeal to you. I'd also like to hear from the people who don't want to pay at all but still want to see the art. I'm not passing judgement. Just looking at options for everyone to get a little of what they want!

My reason? Commissions don't work for me. Art is a hobby for me and I'd like it to keep that vibe. I am far more interested in my own ideas than to draw ideas for other people. I feel like I can put more life into something that I create than I can for someone elses idea.

******************************************

Here are a few models that I've been pondering over:

a) Open donations: Artist posts art as it comes and donations feed in whenever people find it appropriate or are feeling generous.

For obvious reasons I don't find this option very viable. It doesn't encourage people to do it, and can often seem flaky. To me, it's like saying "I don't really expect money from this, but here, I'll suggest it anyway." The people donating don't necessarily get anything extra out of it either, so obviously it doesn't encourage donation.

b) Offer high resolution imagery for donators: Artist makes a notification that the new page/picture is complete and asks for a donation level to be met before it will be released to everyone in standard resolution, and given in high resolution to all those who donate. If this is a comic or series, then any donation taken at any time will give the high res of all others (obviously getting just one page of a comic is kind of a ripoff).

This idea is appealing to me as a standard of payment is met. The donators get benefit by getting the high res and supporting something they like. Everyone else still gets the standard resolution.

c) Create bundles or portfolios and sell at a very cheap price at high resolution: The artist notifies the public when a portfolio is ready and emails out the package of images to those who pay in after a certain date.

Obviously this option would encourage people to pirate and just get the pictures from someone else, but people who support the artist and the subject matter may be generous enough to do the right thing. I just don't know how many people that would be!

d) Offer half built commissions and slot commissioners into the image: Artist posts a picture of an image already in progress and by some means or other, sells off the position to someone who will then have a fitting character placed into the image.

Honestly not sure how I feel about this one because usually character choice means something to me for the composition of the picture. Sometimes I just like to draw a pose and don't know what characters to involve, but its less common. Obviously this is more appealing to some people because they actually get their characters drawn (which is a huge draw for some people).

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Let me know if you, personally, would go for any of these options and if yes, which one? If no, maybe offer a different option or tell me why! Even if it's "I dont like paying for art" (which is totally understandable).

Thanks for reading and for the feedback. <3

Saw it last night at the midnight release in a Batman movie marathon. Enjoyed it thoroughly. It actually had some twists I didn't predict! I recommend it (and I'm usually really picky about my movies).

And guild wars 2 this weekend, too! It is a good weekend.

This is a notice to all who were looking to commission me at some point or other whenever they happened to open again.

I will no longer be taking commissions and I do not plan to open them again.

This probably comes as no surprise to anyone considering how much art I produce these days, but regardless, I felt the need to say this here so that people can understand my reasons.

I still have outstanding owed art which has been owed for some time - past the points where it's probably acceptable to say it's "late". My service is unreliable and as such I wish to close my doors to expectations that I will open again for commissions. I accept my shortcomings and I have no excuses. I feel guilt for leaving people waiting for art that I said I would do and once I am rid of this guilt completely I no longer wish to place myself in this position again.

This won't stop me from drawing. In fact I think it's better that I focus on things for me and the people in my life. Money never was enough of an incentive to keep me drawing.

Again, my apologies for any of those who have been affected. I have been very unfair to you and I very much appreciate how patient you have been with me.

Thank-you.

This will simply be a summary of my thoughts on the game based on the small window of time that ArenaNet allowed for play. Nothing overly about analyzing the balance of the game or a list of how everything works (since really you can find that information somewhere else that will be far more reliable than my findings)

There was a lot of hype going around about this game between the folks that I planned to play with. The hype is now leveled off to more of an "eagerly awaiting" stage now that I've got my taste of the game. Much of what I experienced was very much what I expected based on what I read.

First, the things I was pleasantly surprised about:
- Depending on how you build your character's backstory at the start of the game, your personal story quests will be different. Not only that, but you can make choices during your story to direct the course of events. For a game that I didn't really see advertising a storyline like this as its main feature (unlike TOR) it was surprising to see how your character's adventure plays out based on some of the choices you make.
- The beta ran surprisingly well despite all the people who were playing. Very little lag and very few game-breaking glitches.
- All the races were uniquely pleasant to play. The worlds really look spectacular and distinct if you take a moment to just look around and soak it up. It makes the small areas that you play in feel much bigger than they are.
- All the classes I tried out (some for only a few levels I admit) all had something about them I really liked. It was hard to find a class that I couldn't see myself playing or trying.
- The introduction segment to teach you the game is freaking short. Maybe about 5 minutes tops. Then you're free to join your friends without having to go running to search for them (portals connect all the main cities).
- The combat was something that felt familiar to me with the action bars and such, but the mechanics of attacking enemies was still foreign and new. Mobility is a huge part of the game, even just with pve.
- The game encourages you to test and try things. As of right now, it doesnt seem to block you into a certain talent build or anything like that. Its not immediately obvious how to play and be successful because there is a huge number of utility and weapon skills to swap and test. (Though this may just be because the game is new and I was still learning.)
- Strafing is not full speed movement. Its maybe 2/3 your max speed. For those who don't know why this is important, strafing is a pretty vital part of kiting successfully. Because strafe speed is reduced, the melee classes have a chance of catching up more readily to ranged classes. (I think this is a good fix to a very big balance issue between ranged/melee classes)
- The music is fukkin rad.

Things I did not like so much:
- The overflow instancing is a pain because it pretty much made playing with other friends impossible. It would often even split up grouped people to different instances. I suspect this will be changed for the release, however.
- The classes do need a bit of work with balance. Again, this may be because I was a noob, but I felt like some classes certainly had a greater potential for success than others. This may also change at higher levels as well. Too hard to tell at this point.
- It was starting to feel like a grind sometimes. You may find that after doing everything in your main starting area that you just dont have a high enough level to progress. Usually that wouldn't be too big of a problem, but a difference of 2 levels is pretty significant. A difference of 4 could mean you get 2 shot by a monster. Any higher and you die instantly. Its not challenging to gain a level, but I felt that some of the areas just didnt have enough level progressing content to move on at a regular rate. Grinding did give me an opportunity to try out new things rather than using what I found to "work" and sometimes I surprised myself with new success.

Things I still want to try but havent yet:
- higher level content
- dungeons
- pvp
- large scale world events

This weekend! Exciiiiteeeeed.

Gonna be going to the Maguuma server. No doubt there is going to be a lot of server fluctuation, but that's where I'll be if anyone wants to hit me up.

I'm so ready for a new game like this to play.

I know some of you folks don't use twitter, but it is the best way for me to communicate when I'm streaming. Making/deleting journals and/or submissions seems unnecessary.

So if you want to watch me streaming, on the rare times I actually do it, follow me at Spottycheeks ( https://twitter.com/#!/Spottycheeks )

I promise I dont spam twitter with tumblrs, youtube favorites, song lyrics, MLP videos, or foursquare locations.

Cheers!

What should submission 200 be?

Ideas! Gief them to me. For great justice.

This past year has been full of good news for me. It feels.. different to have things actually work out for a change. Certainly something I'm not used to. You always hope for the best but expect the worst because you wont be disappointed and can be prepared if something goes wrong. But once again things have gone right! First I find myself a well paying job of relevant experience, FC was an awesome trip, and now I've just been accepted into a specialized program for the summer semester.

Considering that only 8 people from my faculty were to be accepted for this opportunity, I feel pretty privileged. I'm not sure how many people actually applied, but nonetheless, I'm pretty happy with myself. Work has been an enjoyable experience for probably the first time in my life, and I'm ready to take on this challenge.

For those of you who want to know what it's about, I'll do my best to explain with the information that I have. The program is essentially an equivalent of a full load of university courses, but it is a single entity. I will be working in a team of 24 students to conceptualize, design, test, and prototype a mobile application for my school while working alongside students from the faculty of business, computer science, and my own faculty, interactive arts and technology. Now those of you who have gone to university know that most classes don't allow opportunities like this. On top of that, the program is meant to be flexible and it gives the students the freedom to direct the course of how the project is done. The profs merely act as advisors. There are also going to be lectures from industry professionals that we can talk to.

With luck, this should be my break to help me stand out from all the other grads from my class and hopefully allow me to find a job all that much easier when I'm finally free.

It does mean, however, that this summer will likely be spent in school all day and many late nights. But I'm definitely excited to throw my skills into this opportunity.

Wish me luck!

(And now to play ME3 until bed 8) )

Are only open today and tomorrow! If you're interested in the game (or excited about it like me) no harm in signing up.
https://beta.guildwars2.com/
Fingers crossed I that I get a spot! D|

I am taken by this ol' big-butt named  nixx lessthanthree !

I don't normally make announcements like this because typically, I don't want people to treat me or other people any differently just cuz of a relationship. I just figured folks would like to know.

Thanks for readin'. c:

First of all, I wanna say a big thank-you to all of you folks who make me feel so welcome and wanted at conventions. I honestly met too many people to make a list so I'm sure you know who you are! I'm sorry if I missed some of you, too. I heard that I was pretty hard to catch and keep up with for most of the con.

There were some amazing highlights this con including the ADP, socializing afterwards, partying on Saturday, chilling with friends new and old, and generally just having a good ol' time. I think this was probably my most memorable convention despite the fact that the venue was probably my least favorite. Regardless, thank-you to those who helped put the con together, I know its probably thankless work for the most part, and the con would be impossible without you.

But yes, I am safe home now after driving through a snowstorm where we saw about 10 cars in the ditch (Yikes!). Kept things interesting at least.

ADP art to be posted shortly! And now a new year of art can begin. Maybe I'll be more productive this year.

Cheers! <3

Its easy to look back and see all the things that sucked, but in the long run, we remember the things that were good a few years ago. (Maybe because things always seem like they suck more now rather than a few years ago? Its all perspective.)

Anyway, I had some big successes this year. Got a good job and made some more progress through my degree. Of course, theres still a bit left for me to do, but in the meantime, it's nice to just have money again.

And of course, things to look forward to! FC is gonna be CRAAAZEEEEE. Seriously. I think I'm gonna be overwhelmed. I'm still madly crashing through my art trying to get things done in time for FC so I can go back to the things I owe to you poor people who have been AMAZINGLY patient with me. Thankyou thankyou. I promise it will be my top priority to finish these things next year.

I won't be making any resolutions of the typical sense. Instead.. its mostly "stay the course" Keep improving myself. Moving towards my career. Be a better friend for those I care for. Same old.

Cheers guys. Here's to another year passing. Whether good or bad, just make the best of what you have now!

Good or bad?

I'd be interested to hear what people think. I could be surprised, but I have a feeling most people will say that cliques are bad.

As defined, cliques are an exclusive group of people.

I ask only because I have mixed feelings about it. I used to feel that I did not wish to be enclosed in a small group of friends and remain shut off to others. Giving everyone equal opportunity to communicate and interact with me was important (unless they did something to lose my respect), and I wouldn't feel right singling one or more people out as being more important than any other person that I considered a friend. Being respectful is important - and you never know when you might stumble across people who you just strike it off with if you simply shut your doors and huddle and giggle with your little group of in-friends.

I still feel this way to some degree, but I'm starting to understand why people display cliques of friends in their profiles, and the benefits of having that interconnected web of buddies that you mostly stick with.

As my network has grown, I have found myself to be slowly distancing from friends I once knew well, and still respect greatly. Due to recent events, I have had a change of heart and have been making slow attempts at trying to rekindle that spark I had with people in the past as well as trying to be more sincere and kind instead of that guy who is always sarcastic and never commits to anything. Try to communicate with them more and initiate conversation more often rather than simply letting people come to me all the time. As a result, however - I have found myself desiring to clean out my contact lists and close out the people whom I no longer wish to deal with because it feels as if I would be wasting life, which is too short as it is, trying to please people who I don't really care about. It's a little selfish, but sometimes trying to talk to people is like flogging a dead horse. I want to make the people who I care for feel special and loved instead of leaving them to wonder if I'm just too busy with people who just want attention or to fanboy or w/e. Saying "No" is so hard sometimes. I want to be respectful, but how do you communicate "I do not think we get along well enough for me to use time talking to you, sorry" without being offensive? It's almost a personal attack.

I'm sure people reading this and who talk to me are probably going to wonder "does he want to talk to me?". Do not overly be concerned with this (I know some people are always worried if people like them, but never ask). I am hopeful that those I care about know by now that I care about them. If you are unsure and -really- need to know, asking will sate your curiosity. I will give an honest answer if it is requested, regardless of how much I want to avoid hurting people.

Regardless, lemme hear what you think about cliques. I hear so many people say that they hate exclusive groups, but they are often those who have them without really thinking about it, and are simply jealous they can't get in with someone.

The last FC ever because the world is ending next year. It will be very sad :c

So lets make it the best FC ever! I already have a great lineup of folks that I'm itching to see for the first time. And of course those who I will be seeing again!

FC is also the reason why I havent posted anything iiiiin.. uh. Holy crap 2 months. Christ I'm a lazy fucker. Don't worry I'm working on stuff! It's just taking me goddamn forever (it's a 7 page colored comic for  dragonshoard). Hopefully I will have enough time leftover to do ADP stuff as well.

Uh yeah. That about sums it up. Hope to see you at FC! C:

A quarter of a century old. (Okay, more like in 1 hour, but I felt like writing this now)

*dance*

Okay celebration over back to work.

This is what I want: An easily accessible multiplayer game which can be fun for both casual players and hardcore players (or at least have a community that isn't overbearing to one side or the other). A game that doesn't leech your time just to progress. A game that has social aspects. I want to have fun with the friends I care about and not have to deal with ones I don't.

I've been a moderate gamer for years and years (much like many of you, I am sure), stuck between the casual players of today (those crazy people who play farmville and other facebook games) and those hardcore gamers who spend countless hours on CS:S or WoW.

Problem is, I guess I don't know where I fit in the gaming community anymore.

Here's my story:

I think the most fun I ever had was with consoles down in the basements of my friends in highschool playing Perfect Dark and Super smash bros. We tacked countless hours on those games, knew all the maps by heart, and stayed up late into the night on the weekends playing the same game over and over.

Today, in comparison, I find a game loses its luster after one or two playthroughs. Even just looking at those coop games like L4D, Borderlands, and Dead Island (which I think I've already started to lose interest in after only finishing chapter 2). Even with friends, it's like you're just running through the motions. Spinning your wheels. Maybe I was just easier to please as a kid?

I'll admit, I've played a lot of TF2. It doesn't need new maps or content to be entertaining. It caters to casual and pro players because of its comical style and the fact that it doesn't really take itself seriously most of the time. You can have fun even if you're losing (if you're not necessarily trying to win.)

Maybe THAT is what is missing. Games emphasize WINNING over FUN. Everything has to be either serious - no bugs, no issues, no goofs, no gimmicks, nothing that can ruin your chance of winning... or it removes the winning aspect altogether and just gives you goal after goal to achieve on an endless path to oblivion. God forbid someone joins a battlefield game to fuck around in a helicopter and try to land on people's heads before getting blown to bits. Or play starcraft just to see how fast they can build a base full of sentry turrets and how long it takes the enemy to crunch through them all. Maybe those trolls you find in game servers are actually trying to have fun in a game that otherwise is just a mindless competition.

I guess I'm just a little frustrated lately. I see these new games coming up, read about them, get into the hype.. and then fall flat on my face after dolling out 50 bucks. The community of gamers is ruining it the games for me. Problem is, you can't play social games without a community - else the game doesnt have a multiplayer.. and unless you want to try to find a small group of people who ALWAYS like to play the same games together as they come out, you're going to have to play with people who are going to call you out for trying to enjoy yourself.

Such is the life of modern multiplayer games, I suppose.

PS: Please don't use this as an opportunity to suggest games to me. I'm just venting.

Thankyou to all who commented. I learned a fair chunk of useful tips with computer operation from everyone who helped out c:

I have ordered new computer parts and will be building my own machine. It seemed like the best option considering the things that had gone wrong with the previous machine.

Hope it works out!

I feel like this journal should have more than that so uuuh... uh...

Ask me something you've always wanted to ask but were too scared to do so? c: Do it in public because that is the best place to ask personal and possibly emotional questions.

If there isnt anything like that and you still want to contribute something to this pointless journal, ask me about anything else!..? Or something.

Just for the sake of not wanting to repeat myself too many times, my PC is currently out of commission and thus I cannot effectively : a) play any games and b) do any progress on artwork.

What this means for most people? Nothin! I haven't really been posting much artwork anyway (been working on stuff for FC that I can't show as well as a commission or two).

For those who are curious as to what my computer problems are, here is my description and current analysis, as well as my plans.

Over the past 2 years my computer has had issues. They may/may not be related to the current problem, but I figure mentioning them may be worth some value (and I havent got much else to do today since i can't draw or game x.x). Since 2 years ago, I have had a reoccuring problem of being unable to boot my computer effectively. What would happen is that upon pressing the power, the lights would come on, but there was no starting beep, and the fan would simply run but nothing else. A few restarts would usually get things moving, but on some rare occasions I've had to resort to removing a stick of RAM before it would turn on. I would also get an unusual startup message saying that the overclocking failed (when I hadn't even set it up to overclock) before functioning normally.

This occured inconsistently for the next 2 years. I usually dealt with it fine just by turning the power off at the back every time I shut down.

Now the problem has evolved. Once the machine starts running, it gets to the windows loadup and bluescreens immediately after. Every time. I've tried in safe mode, I've tried booting from the install disc. Same problem. The only progress I ever got was when I unplugged the HDD with the install disc boot, and I got to the repair/install windows screens. This doesn't necessarily mean hard drive failure, but it's the probable cause. I do have backups from last month, so I've recovered most of my work, but it prevents me from continuing until I can get something new put together, or this current machine fixed. Hopefully both if possible.

In any case. Hope you guys have a good weekend! I'm enjoying mine so far. <3

I feel bad about posting that last journal since I'm about to go back on it. I can't believe that I was so blind not to realize it sooner, but I found the person that I love after so much searching and waiting.

He's the smartest guy I know, we have everything in common, and he always knows how to make me smile. He is a little critical of my art sometimes, but I think he's appreciative that I can do it. I don't think I could ask for anyone better!

Love you, babe!

<3<3

(Writing this for the sake of explaining it to multiple people instead of individually.)

1) I try to plan too far ahead. This is why I don't do distance/online relationships anymore. I think that I am to be partnered with someone that I want to know how they act IN PERSON. People act differently online than they do in person. And eventually I will likely want to be physically with the person I am with. I could always do an online relationship to test the waters with someone I like and if it doesn't work out in person then... yeah I could - but that leads me to point #2
2) I don't want to ruin perfectly good relationships. I have bonds with people now that I wouldn't want to ruin - and promising someone that you'll be with them, only to break it later, usually snaps the closeness you once had - and often its hard, if not impossible to get it back.
3) I am too lazy to play the dating game. I admit it. I don't want to go on dating sites, spend money in restaurants to do blind dates, go to bars to hook up with strangers, or play sports to meet people. It's just not my scene. Spending money on a date sucks too because it's almost like a black hole with no guarantee of return. You sink money into someone and it's probable that you won't be with that it wont work out (I'm negative). That money could go towards things that make you happier (like going on vacation to see friends).
4) I am very picky. And wishy washy. I could probably compile a huge list of wants and don't wants and in the end, nobody is perfect. Someday I'm going to have to accept that nobody will probably live up to all of my standards, and that I probably set the bar too high - but hey, sometimes people can surprise you. Also see #1 with this one. You never know when that online person may bother you down the road when things get past the flirty stage.
5) I still don't really know what I want sex wise. It probably comes from being a bit sheltered when I was younger, and being a late bloomer, but perhaps it's not all that bad, either. I'm still open minded - and I think I will appreciate someone more for what's between their ears rather than between their legs.


In other news - my work started today. Still too early to say if I'll enjoy it or not, but I'm leaning towards no (go negativity again!) At least it pays good and my coworkers seem nice.. I'm starting ponder over doing freelancing. Maye look over how to do it in the near future. Gonna have to start making some serious decisions in a few months.

I miss Europe. :c

PS: I did not make this for sympathy! I just wanted to explain mostly why I will say no if people want to date online ~_~

I came, I saw, and I left relatively happy.
I cannot say it was the best con that I've been to, but for someone who can be as timid as me around unfamiliar people, I'd say it went pretty well. Met some amazingly friendly people (and generous too) who took the time to chat me up and drag me around when I probably looked very lost and unaware (mostly due to the fact that most people prefered to talk in German).

Highlights:
- Steak house! Tasty (and expensive) steaks.
- New badge and cute sketch from  nyemi (Pimping her because she does awesome work!)
- A short swim in the pool and visit to the sauna and I am a melted dragon.
- Some yummy beers and drinks (Cab (flavored with dragonfruit) grapefruit beer drink, rum/whiskey cokes)
- So many nice folks buying me food and drinks. I can't thank you guys enough <3
- Meeting with Jathiros, Daloon, Goddy, Kidra, Nemmy, Raitsh, Vlooi, Aquilus, Muzz/Pliskin, Token, Spunkyracoon, MrPerson, and at least 3 others I can't recall the names of (if you see this and you saw me there, please remind me!)


Overall I'm glad I went to experience the folks over here (and the nummy food! Its nice that things can be flavorful and yet not as unhealthy as most places back home). Kinder chocolate nomnom! I've toured a fair bit of Germany now and will be heading home tomorrow. Thanks for showing me a good time you European folks!

Yeah, apparently I'm going to Eurofurence. How the heck did that happen? Never thought I'd ever go. Too far. Too expensive for a con.

But..! (for those of you wondering how I even have the money)

1) I finally got myself a internship placement for the fall and spring semesters (with amazingly good pay - better than what I was expecting).
2) I have about 3 weeks from when classes end to when my work begins, so I figured it was a perfect time to travel! (with a bit of a loan)
3) The last minute booking to Germany was surprisingly cheap (and I wanted to go there since I missed going there on my last Eurotrip).
4) Friends overseas had time off work booked for EF (it would be hard to ask people to take time off on such short notice)

So there it is. I don't know how many folks I even know are going to EF, but I'll be around (likely on a short leash because I will have no phone to text with :I)

Rooming with  jathiros and  mnementh !

Not gunna do that meme cuz it asks silly questions c:

Any suggestions as to what I should do while there? (aside from have fun!)

First off - I apologize to those who have attempted to contact me for contact information in the attempt to speak with me. I am very flattered that you have extended a hand to get to know me better, and I'd be more than happy to talk to you - but I have had problems in doing so.

Allow me to explain.

I feel as if I have reached critical mass, or even surpassed it, with regards to how many people I have contact with. This is not to say that I could not be friends with more - but I do not come onto my computer to solely talk to people. I do artwork, homework, and play games too. In order to do these things and talk to people takes a fair amount of my concentration as I am no master of multitasking. In fact - I am probably pretty bad at it. I don't think I can read and listen at the same time (thus I probably IM less if I'm in a skype call). Many many people who talk to me know that I am notorious for not responding for 30 minutes to an hour, or just forgetting to respond at all.

Why have I not responded to at least tell you that I won't add you to my contact list? I find it rude to say no to someone who just wants to be your friend - especially when many of you are people who I would probably get along with quite well. It's hard for me to say no to people. At the same time - it is hard to say yes as well. I don't want to add someone just to nearly ignore them as I do other things.

I also want to apologize to those I already have contact with. I know it can be frustrating to talk to me. I would be frustrated too if someone I wanted to talk to was constantly poofing for long periods of time without a peep. I often have the problem that, when I say I'm doing something, it often splits off into a conversation instead of sending the message that I will probably have delayed responses. I don't mean it to say that "I'M BUSY, DONT TALK TO ME" because then I would never talk to anyone because I am -always- doing -something- (which is why I wonder how some people can -always- be bored - there's always something to do!) I guess I am not sure what I want, really. I don't know how to manage everything well.

I'm sure someone could suggest that I work offline, or just don't come online until my work is done. Or I could always show myself as offline. Or I could just cut people from my chatlists. There's solutions which fix certain issues, but they often break things too.

This has been on my mind for a while now, so hopefully letting it out will help a bit. One more week of summer classes woo!

As a general rule of thumb - it's not respectful to talk ill of the dead, especially those who have recently passed.

However - I heard something on the radio today about an music artist who recently died (I forget the name exactly because she wasn't familiar to me). They held a moment of silence for her.

Later, a caller phoned in and said something along the lines of. "She was a drug user, it's not too surprising that she was killed."

The radio host seemed to think this was offensive and accused the caller of having a lack of courtesy.

Another caller came in and pointed out the fact that there wasn't a moment of silence given on the show to people who die innocently, and yet who are not celebrities (terrorist attacks, major accidents, ect).

I was thinking - wouldn't saying something along the lines of "He/she was old and lived a long life, it's not surprising that they died." about the same as the previous quote? Why should we consider it to be more offensive about weather a druggie dies? Why is that more offensive to say than the fact that someone lived a long life? It's merely a statement of their history as a reason to their eventual demise.

I understand why celebrities get more attention when they pass because more people connect to names in the media than say.. fred down the street. But I don't understand why stating their likely reason for death would be considered disrespectful.