Begin the "new site" bitchfest!

Personally I don't care either way. How's THAT for my bitching? :P

I am such a terrible, terrible student... D:

Looking for a few more drawing ideas. Been in an artistic mood lately.

Anyone have any thoughts?

That during the course of March, about 5% of those submissions were deleted?

The more you know!

I've discovered that one thing that totally burns me up is the need for some atheists to voice how atheist they are. They break into long-winded explanations as to why they don't believe in anything which only shows how blatantly religious they are. They argue, force, and thrust their beliefs on everyone around them with a determination that rivals the most zealous and religious of Christians.

Proportionally, you don't hear Christians, (or any other faith for that matter, but we Christ-followers are some of the worst) vocalizing how Christian we are and why and how and explain backwards and forwards with constant references. For as many as we are, there are surprising few neurotics. Yet, it always seems that every single Atheist I meet has to get all uppity and superior about their beliefs.

Granted, though, I've also come to realize that I hate this trait in any person, regardless of what the believe in. In fact, I think the worst of the worst of the worst are those that worship the almighty dollar. They NEVER shut up.

Maybe we should all go agnostic and do the whole "can't we all just get along" shtick. If we all actually accepted the idea that we're all in this together and we should all just be decent to each other (not necessarily nice, just decent) maybe the world would be a better place.

It's naive, sure, but hey, sometimes people need some idealistic thoughts.

Meow.

End of Line.

Have you noticed that when you're feeling down, that no one really makes you feel better? It seems that the common thing to do nowadays is "help you find yourself."

While there's a lot of validity to that and I feel that a lot of people don't do enough introspection, it's sometimes a real huge slap in the face. You're looking for some sympathy or help and all you get a rebuke. It may not seem that way at first, but when you really look down deep into it, it's just a twist of your problem or your issue into being entirely your fault.

You: "I feel like I suck."
Them: "Well you need to find who you are" (or "what's important to you." or "realign your priorities" or whatever. Ultimately, the translation is "Well, its your own damned fault.")

"Gee, thanks."

I don't blame the attempt to help; it's wrong to condemn good intentions. And, like I said, people don't always do enough soul-searching. But somewhere along the line "make sure it's not my problem" became synonymous with "helping someone feel better."

When trying to bolster someone's spirits, there are a few usual suspects on the list of rhetoric. (Yes, I'm just as guilty as anyone of using them.)

Often times, all people do is offer compliments that feel exaggerated or insincere (mostly because you feel like shit, but also partially because generic catch-all compliments don't mean anything).
Or they try and explain on how its your own fault or own weakness and how you should do some soul searching.
Or how it doesn't matter what other people think and therefore there really isn't a problem because its "them, not you" (usually in the same breath in which they're saying that if its "real enough to feel, then it's a real problem").

And all you really want is a little bit of encouragement ("Just do it." might work for Nike, but it's total bullshit. Period. It doesn't count).
Or someone to remind you why they talk with someone like you.
Or give you an idea of what you are or might be good at (cause when you're down, you DO forget).
Or tell you when you're overreacting or being irrational.
Or someone to talk to just to distract you from it for a little bit.
Or just a goddamned hug or some stupid pat on the shoulder saying "There, there."


Here's an insight:

Yes, I need to know all that stupid unspoken-but-implied bullshit.

I need to know WHAT you and others think of me (yes, even strangers sometimes).
I need to know HOW I'm any good and where my strengths are.
I need to know WHY and/or HOW I'm important to you.
I need to know WHAT makes me valuable.
I need to be INSPIRED, not fixed. I need direction with my problem. Suggestions help, but new approaches and points of view are usually better.
I need SPECIFICS. Sorry, but "You don't suck" may sound nice, but doesn't help all that much.
I need to KNOW when I'm being illogical, irrational, hysterical, or overreactory (Hint: try after I've calmed down a little bit)

I DO NOT need someone to give me a run-around. Life does that all by itself.
I DO NOT need pity.
I DO NOT need someone else to solve my problems. They are my problems, not yours, and being told what to do isn't always well-received.
I DO NOT need you to get angry on my behalf. I'm usually plenty frustrated for two people as it is and the last thing I need is more fuel for the fire.
I DO NOT need backhanded compliments. That little word "but..." should not be in any attempt to help someone feel better. Keep your suggestions, observations and nagging separate from your sympathies. Parents and in-laws can be notoriously guilty of this.

I've only come to this realization about myself as I was coming up to my birthday. Yes, it seems obvious, but no matter how much introspection is done, there will always be things hidden, and it's the obvious things we often fail to conceive.

This isn't to say that I don't appreciate every sincere offer of sympathy or assistance (and yes, they all help a little). But I what I really need that which very few people give:

Amelioration, Validation and Direction.

--PCA

No, not the Green Day song.

September is the month of my birth.

I always become distressed around this time, especially when the date finally comes around. This year, I don't feel any better about it and I'm not sure how to approach it. Should I do something special? Should I not? Should I even acknowledge its passing? It's a big year for me, too, which only makes it more depressing.

This year feels more lost and lonely than others for some reason.

--PCA

Everyone!

Just got back from the Zoo (I hadn't been there in years).

The relatives say hi and wondering why you're not writing.

-PCA

I think that there should be a specialty kind of therapy or support group. One which treats people who think their opinion matters on the internet.


"Hello my name is Novus, and I think my opinion matters on the internet."

"Hi, Novus!"

I'd definitely be one of those people :P

-PCA

I've often found myself jealous of certain people I know who seem to be close to people I admire. It's an odd feeling, jealousy, and nothing that I'm very proud of.

On the other hand, were I to pursue some kind of acquaintanceship with said admired people, I would feel as if I would be doing it for no more than to improve my own measure of self-worth so guilt abounds. At the same time, there's not much I would say to these people either, so there's no real reason to head into said acquaintanceship to begin with.

I wonder if this is perhaps something a little more than jealousy towards others because they know certain people that I happen to admire. Perhaps I am jealous of people who seem to get along well and have active relationships with lots of different persons. I like to think of myself as sociable, but far from social. I don't have many friends, but the ones that I do have I consider myself very close to.

If I were to go out of my way to pursue conversation and companionship that would be decidedly one-sided, wouldn't that be untrue to myself, or at the very least, rather selfish?

If that's not the case, then perhaps it's a heavy sense of insecurity that prevents me from expanding my circles. I consider myself rather boring and one-track minded which leads to rather stagnant conversations at times.

But all that aside, my biggest personal issue really is the sense of jealousy. I don't particularly like this feeling. It makes me feel selfish and generally a bad person. Should I not feel happy for others instead? I realize that the few times jealousy rears its ugly head is hardly a case to build on, realistically, but it's still a sting inside that leaves me a bit disgusted with myself.

The truly ironic thing about Atheists is that they are perhaps some of the most religious people I know.

They call them deadly, but like all things there should always be moderation. That said, what sin out of the classic seven deadlies is the most enjoyable?

For those who can't remember: they are Lust, Greed, Wrath, Sloth, Gluttony, Pride and Envy.

My order of preference is:

Sloth
Gluttony
Lust
Greed
Pride
Wrath
Envy

What are YOUR favored vices? The ones you like most, not the ones you do the most.

Been seeing this around quite a bit.

On the one hand it's a really good way to get the practice I need to get better.

On the other hand, I don't think I Could honestly deliver. (Laziness isn't ALWAYS a virtue).

I dunno. It's a something to do that I've actually considered. *braindump*

What would they be?


I've gotten down two out of three, but I'm kinda stuck on the third.

1. Unlimited shapeshifting.
2. Able to forgo food, water and sleep at will.
3. .... Profit?

Makes me wonder what others have as their three wishes.

365 days later, and a whole magnitude older....

Been kinda wanting to draw again, but not really feeling like drawing anything.

Anyone have some suggestions or recommendations to get going?


PCA.

Actually, that's not strictly true.

My friend's looking for a bit more artistic work and I figured I'd help him out. He's not COMPLETELY open for commissions as his workload's kinda heavy at his day job right now, but he really want to start pursuing his artsy stuff again.

For those interested, a sampling of his work can be found here:

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/23305/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/141582/
http://cain187.deviantart.com/
http://www.myspace.com/mannlyman187

or, perhaps, more specifically on myspace here:

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/ind.....albumId=812518

You can also note me your contact information and I'll be glad to pass it on to him.



P.S. I'm not open for commissions, but rumor says I could be convinced otherwise...

I know I've talked about this before... but with the new "Submission has been deleted" (by the owner) thing that FA has, one starts to realize how often this stuff happens.

Heaven forbid one favorites anything nowadays.

http://www.geocities.com/princeofsc.....er/Deleted.jpg

Its interesting how in times where one is desperate for money, one comes up with strange ways to make it.

*Goes into confession box*

Bless me, for I have sinned. I Thought about offering commissions.

*goes to say five Hail Marys and two Hello Dollys*

Another sign of the end of the world.

Survived another complete revolution about our local mass of galactic gas.

That makes 112.

PCA

Did you know that the value of my father's son is a $500 junk car?

I desperately need to talk to someone, but I wouldn't even know where or how to begin.

It's an odd feeling, having one's worth quantified.

PCA

I've thought about it now and then, and go searching for it more often than I'd care to admit, but I think I can safely say that there is little material out there focusing on growth of any type. More often you find stories or pictures of varying themes where the focus is more on actual size rather than the idea of increasing size. This seems to go for any kind of fetish to which size is a prominent factor: muscle, hyper, macro, paws, and others. Inflation seems to have the most "getting big" material, but there doesn't seem to be too much in the ways of any others. Yet, ironically, it seems that most who are interested in big things tend to have more than just a passing interest in the growth aspect, which in turn, makes the relative lack of material more inexplicable. For me, the getting there is much more fun than the having. But that's probably just me.

On a related note, are there any places anyone knows about with themes of growth? Or even just of size? I know of a scant few, but it might be nice to have others share their finds.

-PCA

I wonder often exactly what is the point of having an online art gallery when everything is taken down. I'm not really sure what the point of that is, really.

I'm not talking about people who no longer want their art posted around. That's understandable. I can see that perhaps, one would want to get rid of old stuff, clean things out that was disappointing, or whatnot. But then again, that's what scraps are for. Moving accounts is another thing. Though I suppose that one makes more sense. If you want to universalize your username or would like not to be associated with a previous name due to professional reasons or whatever, there's nothing wrong with that.

However, what gets me is when others take down their entire gallery for no apparent reason, often repeatedly. It makes me wonder why people put them up in the first place. I find it a big discouragement to favorite or comment on any submissions since, again, there really isn't a point if, well, it's gonna be gone anyway. It would seem to me that favorites and comments are kind of what keep the game going, so to speak. It's nice to feel "Appreciated" or enjoyed or contributory. I can't count the number of times I've tried to go back and find a picture I favorited to show to a friend, only to find that it's been removed by the artist. I know of several artists who have become or are becoming notorious about this. Sad to say, but, I stop watching them. It's not worth the time.

I know I'll get the "You can always save them to your hard drive" but that's not really the point, is it? Why join the game if you don't want to play? Why have a gallery if you want to hide your work?

Got a new scanner.

Dang, it's tough to get used to. Had the same scanner for a long time so now using a new one is completely foreign. Ah well, I'll get used to it.