Hey again! See, I promise I haven't just vanished back into the aether. I'm still here, see?

I got a bit busy for a little while again, but I'm still working on being back in this position of existing and being visible here. I finished moving, lost my job, kind of overlooked my birthday...

But anyway. Not a whole lot of note right now, but I'm working on making some new uploads! A small comic has already made it through, if you'll forgive a little initial weirdness creating nav links in the descriptions. It's been a minute, and creating my formatting but having to go back to fill in the links once I have them afterword makes it look a little odd for the first minute or three. I'm sure one of those cross-posting services like PostyBirb probably handles that more conveniently, but I want to get back in the habit of posting at all and relishing in the nostalgia that is making new submissions in the first place before I worry about that.

I hope you all look forward to it! And as a reminder as I do post things, I'm into a wide variety of things and don't intend to be that shy about posting them. I won't pretend everything will be for everyone, and it may blindside some of you who have followed me over the years while I've been dead silent. Sorry about that in advance, but hopefully at least most of you will enjoy what's to come!

I'm here! Come say hi!

Well, hoo boy it's been a while since I've posted anything at all. Or shown I'm still alive to anyone here, unless people have kept tabs on my occasional +fav. There have been many, many changes in all this time, as there have for us all!

I'll get into things at some point, maybe. For now, I've finished catching up my backlog of notifications, and I'm sorrynotsorry to those artists and friends I follow who just got inundated in a flood of fresh favourites from not-so-little old me. Because not only had I built up a hefty backlog to work through, but I've also neglected to show my appreciation for all the wonderful work everyone creates! And I've almost certainly missed a good, hefty handful of things that deserve the attention, too. My apologies, dear friends.

But, to those who may wonder, I am still alive. I never left, so much as I simply went quiet for a while. A...long while, outside of my occasional social orbiting.

I have quite a backlog of things to upload, and gods know if I'll ever have the time or patience to do it. But, if I do, we've got some updates to myself I'm eager to reveal to you all.

I'll try not to take another *checks notes* eleven years?! Good gods... Well, I'll try not to disappear for another decade or something. Cool?

Cool.

Well, here I am. Not dead, yet. I've been pretty busy with college lately, I've got my programming capstone this semester (finally!) and I'll be devoting a fair amount of my time to working on my project for it. To those of you who like playing Magic and have a large collection, you might like what I'm working on!

In other news, the season's hit me pretty hard. Woke up feeling minorly eh on Saturday, which quickly worsened until I had to go to the hospital on Sunday. Bloodwork and an IV and 11 hours or so later, I was let home with a diagnoses of the flu. Some of the tests showed I also had bronchitis, so yeah. Double whammy. I'm gonna be mostly bedridden until at least next week while I get over this.

I guess there's not much else to mention, after all. I'm pretty tired right now, but hey, it happens.

Hoping I can get back to normal soon. Take care, guys!

Well, I'm in 2014 now. Woo.

Just want to say thanks to all the new watchers I've gotten this year; I know I haven't gone and done so personally like I usually do.

Now let's bring the new year in with a party!

Well, it's my birthday. Now I'm 20, woo.

I want to apologise to everyone who's STILL waiting on commissions from me. I've been having a lot of trouble with my tablet since moving to my new laptop, and the driver only works about 10% of the time despite reinstalls and computer exorcisms. I'm still trying to fix the issue, and I'm still working on what I owe, but I'm forced to slow down because of it. Thanks for your patience, guys, and I'll still try to get it all done ASAP.

Well, first off, I'm still alive. There's a plus!

New Laptop
Kicking things off is just what it says: I had to get a new laptop because mine is currently dying (at least, it is for my intents and purposes). I've got a new one on the way, but it's set me back a whole hell of a lot. So to try and make what I can back, I'm fixing up my current laptop to be sold.

This offer is available to everyone within North America. This is due to the fact that shipping will be obscenely expensive otherwise, and I only have an AC adapter for US outlets. You can buy an EU one somewhere I'm sure, but if you're overseas and wish to buy this laptop, then it's up to YOU to find and purchase one for yourself.

For all interested, the laptop specs are:
Asus G60Jx Gaming Powerhouse laptop
CPU: Core i5-430M @ 2.67GHz (dual-core)
Memory: 8GB DDR3 1066MHz
Hard drive: 500GB 5400rpm
GPU: nVidia GeForce GTS 360M with 1GB GDDR5 VRAM
Optical drive: Standard DVDRW/CD-R/RW drive
Assorted ports and things: 1x HDMI, 1x VGA, 4x USB 2.0, 1x eSATA, 1x 1392 (Firewire, I think)
Monitor: 15.6" 16:9 (widescreen), native resolution: 1366x768
Integrated numpad: Yes.
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate x64

Things to know:
-This laptop will be sent with a fresh install of Windows 7 Ultimate x64. It will be wiped totally clean, and drivers will be installed.
-Should the buyer will it, I will also install programs they want installed, including (most) security software, any programs in the Microsoft Office 2010 set, or particular emulators/drivers (a good example, for you PS3-furs, is MotioninJoy, driver software to let you use your PS3 controller on PC)
-There IS a problem in that the speakers DO NOT WORK. This is due to a hardware issue on the part of Asus, the manufacturer. The speakers DO actually work, but the headphone jack constantly reads as headphones being plugged in. There is a fix to this I can make that involves a registry edit, and I will do it if requested. HOWEVER, if I do this fix, headphones will be useless, since the fix will force the system to play audio through both speakers and headphones. Yes, the headphone jack still works perfectly.
-It will be sent with a brand new battery, as the current one has gone corrupt. No worries on that!
-This laptop is still fully functional, for the most part, and can handle most games you throw at it. The only thing I will recommend is you get a cooling pad for it, just in case heat becomes an issue.

-I'm looking to sell this laptop for around $600. I HAVE to recoup as much as I can with the cost of a new laptop. I will take the best offer I can get, and the buyer will also pay the shipping costs, which I will quote given a shipping address. Shipment will likely be through USPS, though I'll try to get FedEx or UPS if requested (and paid for). If the extra shipping option is paid for and not available, I'll refund it. However, once the laptop is sent, beyond a difference in shipping, there will be no return or refund.

Payment only via PayPal, please. Contact me if that isn't available and I'll try to work something out. Also, the laptop will NOT be sent before I receive payment for it, or before the replacement arrives.

---

Moving
I've told a few people already for the past several months that I'm trying to move out at the end of the summer. Exactly where I'll go hasn't yet been decided, or what I'll do when I get there. If you're all wondering, this is why I'm pushing for as much as I can get in selling my current laptop. Every penny of my moving funds was spent (along with a few loans) in buying a replacement laptop. Things can (and very likely will) end very badly if I can't recoup at least most of it (to the tune of ~$700).

On a similar note, the semester ends 3 May and I'll be free of academics for the summer. At least, I should be. For the most part. I'm having a difficult time deciding whether or not to immediately pick up college or try to find a job first, and that decision depends heavily on if I can move and where to. In an effort to earn more funds for the move, I'm going to be kicking into overdrive with commissions. I still have a bunch from a year or more ago to finish and those will be done first so I can finally receive payment for over half of them. I'll also be willing to take on more, but PLEASE keep in mind that I can't draw. I'm a colourist, and I intend to learn how to shade decently so I can improve the quality of my work for all of you.

---

I guess that's the most I've got to say for the time being. All the important stuff, anyway. If anyone wants to contact me about the laptop (more information, or interested in buying), or if you want to see me about a commission, please feel free to send a note my way.

With the head-start to come within the next five hours or so (two if we're lucky!) I thought I'd remind everyone of my info.

I'll be playing on Tarnished Coast with my friends and probably will NOT change servers. If you want to contact me in-game, comment on this journal and I'll give you one of my character names or my account name so you can add me to your friends list, or feel free to leave me yours and I'll add you to mine.

This is gonna be pretty much ALL I do for the weekend, since I start my college courses on Monday... So yeah! Hope to see you all there!

NOTE: I will NOT be joining the furry guild that seems to have formed. I've got no real interest in guilds, alright? Just never been my thing and I prefer joining groups and guilds and such when I know the people who are in it. Feels more fun and friendly that way.

Details found here: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/3782314

Well guys, yeah. I'm playing. I'll be on Tarnished Coast alongside  maxfuchskojote and  ironhidewolf once the game comes out.

Until then, well... The beta's already begun. This is the LAST BETA WEEKEND until the head-start period and final game release on 28 August.

And guess what guys? I'll be streaming it! For all of you curious about what the game will be like (sans a few bugs and such that may still appear), or those of you wanting to buy but need that little extra push, I will be showing off as much as I possibly can of this beta during the weekend.

Stream is here: http://www.livestream.com/deamnitrel

Hope to see you all there!

Yeah, as a few of you know, a particularly bad summer storm rolled through Friday afternoon (around 6 PM EST) and killed the power to a large portion of the state of Ohio. Four days later, I'm happy to say that I finally have had my power turned back on, and hopefully I won't suffer what has been a common occurrence to most people who have had the same: the power being shut back off. The heat's been ungodly, and having nothing to do the entire time has been driving me insane. Having the A/C back and power on is amazing.

I've fallen far behind on my commission schedule thanks to this. Now I plan to get back in the swing of things and catch up on work, and then some. Look forward to a few surprise livestreams people!

Yup. I'm 19, people.

You know, for a change, my birthday was pretty good. Not a whole lot happened, but you know... I really think that's alright. I've never been one for huge celebrations (usually), so the fact that it was pretty much a typical day didn't bother me. Hell, as most of you I talk to know, I had to do a metric shitton of homework on what is most likely the blandest, most mind-numbing subjects to ever be conceived: business. I've had to work through half of a textbook over the past two weeks for a class, and today was included. At least it's almost done. One chapter to go, after today. But hey, I got work done and I got to spend some time playing games. It's been a decent time. The most I did was go out to eat at Applebees. And no, they didn't do the birthday song thing.

All this aside, I feel pretty awesome. Despite not doing anything, so many of my friends, as well as my effective brother and both mates, went out of their way to wish me a happy birthday in a variety of ways. Some people feel bad that they didn't get/do anything for me. But you know, I told them all the same thing.

I don't care. I don't need presents or special treatment to celebrate. I don't need anything over the top or spectacular or whatever just because I survived another year. No... All I really need is the only thing that matters to me at the end of the day: my friends. Without you guys, I'd never have survived this far. You guys have put up with so much bullshit and complaining from me, and I do a lot more mooching than contributing. Still, most of you have stood by my side the past few years and been there when I've needed you most. I can't thank you guys enough for that. Really. You're all the best.

In my life, I've never truly felt a familial connection. I've always felt alone; orphaned. I don't have parents. I don't have siblings. I don't have anyone. But thanks to you all, my friends, my mates... I've been able to feel that. Maybe not the same as actual family would have been. But it's definitely more than I've ever felt. For you guys, I'd give anything up. I'm happy to listen when you need it, as you've all done for me. I'm a shoulder to cry on, the support you need most. I'd donate an organ for any of you. I'd take a bullet for most of you. And some of you... I'd gladly give my life. You guys are all I have, and I'd be so lost without you.

So yeah. You can stress all you want about gifts, guys. Little trinkets, special treatment, whatever you like. I won't say no; I like getting things as much as the next guy. But what I'm saying is this: The fact that you're all here for me is the real gift. It's all I could ever ask for. And it's all that matters to me in the end.

So, I want to formally thank everyone. My mates,  argonianslayer and  ironhidewolf, my best friend and brother  maxfuchskojote, and all my other friends; you know who you are. You're all the best things to happen to me, and no matter what happens, I'll always hold the moments we've shared close to my heart.

Sappy reflections and such aside, let's get going. I'm 19 now, people, and there's a whole new year for me to live through and fill with new experiences. So how about we all face my new year alive together and tack on another 365 days to this everlasting party? DJ of the Soul is in, and he's sure as hell not planning to go anywhere.

Remember to cherish every moment you have. Life can end in an instant. So make the most of the time you have, respect your existence and that of others.

Life is what you make of it. I chose to make it a party. I chose to love as many as I can. I chose to spread euphoria to those around me.

My life is an everlasting rave filled with the best tracks, mixed with the memories with my loved ones and imbued with pure emotion as it plays directly to the soul.

-Everlasting DJ, Deam Axel Nitrel

Party on.

Copied from  draggy

There is a man in Uganda who is in control of a literal army of terrified and manipulated children. He does this for no reason aside from personal power. He has so far abducted at least 30 000 children who fear for their lives every single day. He is at the top of the list of the worst criminals in the world, and today he walks free. His name is Joseph Kony, and we are going to stop him.
All it will take to catch this man is for the government to feel that enough people care that it is worth keeping their resources there long enough to find and stop him. This is one man. An overwhelming show of awareness is what it will take to prevent him from doing the things that he has done and continues to do each day that he walks free.

WE HAVE THAT POWER.

This is the glory of our age. The ability for millions, billions of unrelated people to band together with such overwhelming force as to make a real change in the world. It is easier now than it has ever been.

My watch list says that as of right now I have 2625 people that might read this if I post it. I am asking each one of you to spread it. If you each tell just three people, that is 7875 people who will know. If each of them tells three people that number becomes 18 375. Let's prove to each other, to the world, that we are capable of this!

Spread the word. Do what you can. It will change the world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc

Yeah...

As a few of you may already know from the last journal, I lost my best friend recently. The funeral was held last Friday (9 November, 2011), and Blake's family set things up so I could attend via Skype. I wrote a eulogy, which they were also kind enough to read in my stead. The whole ordeal was... Hard, to say the least. Some of you know I've been able to get through pretty much everything without that much problem. This, however... There's no bracing for this. I can't get back up like I have in the past, even with another death. Blake was one of the closest people ever in my life, and without him, I wouldn't be anything like the person all of you know today. Knowing that the person responsible for almost everything I am today is gone is... Yeah...

It's the first day since... A day I purposely don't remember that I've been wholly and completely numb. I haven't felt anything emotionally or, even, physically. I'll occasionally feel all this sorrow all over again, yeah... Because that tends to happen when someone close to you dies. But other than that, I don't feel any emotion. Nor do I feel hungry, or thirsty, or tired, or even when I'm touching something. And gods know how long it'll last this time... I know it lasted for a few years last time. The difference here, is I don't really have the strength to put up the usual facade, looking like I still feel as a normal person does. That's not to mean I won't try, but there's just too much going on for me to do it as well as I used to.

Basically all I'm trying to say is this hit hard. Really hard. And I've been knocked on my ass. And I can't get back up. And I don't know how long it'll be before I can. I'm going to have moments of weakness, and I'm more cynical, colder, and overall just... Terrible with critique.

Until things get back to normal for me, I'm going to try first and foremost to get my ability to, well... Think, back. I need to focus on things again first. Then I'll be working on my school things for a while, to make sure I don't have another problem for winter quarter like I did over summer for fall. For this, I PROBABLY won't make any headway in commissions. So just a heads up: I'm sorry everyone who's already waited so long. I will try and get your work done in my spare time. I'll continue to take on additional commissions, but to be honest with all of you... I may not actually start kicking anything out until around Christmas, when things are all cooling off and I get more time.

So yeah... Guess that's it.

P.S. For everyone who's been there for me for the past week, I can't thank you enough. You're all awesome and I owe each and every one of you. Stay awesome.

As much as I've had the joy of facing this question by sheer experience, I'm still no closer to the answer as I was the first time. Allow me to elaborate: I've had that special kind of luck that has resulted in many, many people I've been close to over the years (everyone in my biological family I felt related to, for instance) dying fairly suddenly.

As of 12:58 AM EST (GMT -5:00), 13 November, 2011, this person was Blake Torin. His house had collapsed from the heavy snow that many on the east coast have had and he was caught inside. He was taken to the hospital, and at first glance I was told he would be alright. He was rushed into surgery within an hour, and there he died on the table; cardiac arrest due to hemorrhagic shock (to those without medical knowledge, he bled out).

Blake was not a fellow fur. He was a regular person, but he did so much to help those around him; even those like me, who live miles away. He and I were together briefly, a few years ago, for all of six weeks. In that time, he helped me begin breaking the habits I had developed. He held my hand and helped to guide me, even after we broke up. He was the first person I had been with who remained friends after splitting up, and continued to care for everyone as best he could. Over the years, he taught me that sex is not everything in a relationship. Love is, and that's the only thing that matters in the end. He taught me that everyone makes a difference, no matter how slight, and everyone is important to someone else. No matter who they are or what they've done.

One of the most important things he taught me, was that sometimes one must suffer, take one for the team, take the penalty for the sake of others. This lesson is one I have tried to adhere to for the sake of helping others. I have been trying for years to do it as he did, to take the pain for others in a way that reduces the pain others have to feel, and I haven't been entirely successful. I know that I have tried to force it (many times it needs to) and I have wound up causing more problems than I solve. But I will continue to try for the sake of others, and hope to someday be able to do as he did.

Through these few years I knew him, Blake was always very close to my heart for the person he was and the things he did. He was selfless and always considered what might happen to others when making a choice. He was truly my best friend and I will never forget him.

In his memory, I ask all of you out there who read this: think more of others than yourself. If you see someone in need, step in to lend that helping hand. Sometimes that's all it takes to change someone's life for the better. If you see a homeless person on the street, spare a little change or give them your jacket. If you see a little kid steal some food, pay for it for them. If someone's being mugged, step in (it might mean taking a knife or a bullet, but you might save someone's life). Or, best of all... If you know someone who's having a hard time dealing with something, be they a friend or a family member, show that you're there. Show that you care. Make sure they know they aren't alone.

To quote Blake when he first showed me this look on life: "Everyone needs a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen and a voice to guide them at some time in their life. They may not show it, but providing these things to those in need will help immensely." I have never doubted these words, not once. And I have tried my best to be that shoulder, that ear, that voice wherever needed. Everyone has that capability. Everyone can be there for someone else. I want all of you to go out of your way today and be that shoulder, that ear, that voice.

I will continue to be these things for everyone I meet.

To everyone: Spread word of this. I don't want the attention, I don't want any drama. I just want others to know what Blake did in his life. I want him to be remembered as he deserves to be. Thank you.



In loving memory
Blake Torin
17 March, 1989 - 13 November, 2011
Requiescat in pace.

Now you're the angel you always were in life... I'll miss you.

Because I'm the type to spread the stupid holiday-and-onomatopoeia jokes. Have a spooky one :3

Yeah, against the odds I managed to pull it off. I was able to put in an appeal for my financial aid and it was approved- I was indeed able to get the full $1,850 I normally had for courses, and I did sign up. I'm largely in the clear for the time being, with about $300 excess from the aid, but that doesn't mean I'm all done. By all means, I need to keep getting as much as I can. Because the economy sucks and I might need a new place to live just because I can't afford to stay at home. So please guys, commission me! Donations are also welcome. Oh yes.

Info's still in the same place.

I'm also getting better, I seem to finally be sleeping and I don't feel like I'm going to keel over every few hours.

Look, guys, I'm at my limit here. The past what... Six days? I've been sick. It's been wearing on me. Alright? This is aimed mostly at one person who's probably not gonna read this, but this should clear up things for others.

I've been dealing with a lot lately, alright? A couple months ago, I mentioned my financial situation. I needed $1700 so I can cover college long enough to NOT be completely and entirely screwed. I've never made much more than $100 towards this goal, and it seems like whenever I get beyond $120 saved, something new comes along and I'm forced to spend some. Usually for food. But who knows how long it'll be before bills start taking?

Look. The college I go to is utter shit. I don't mean to insult anyone and I'm sorry if I do, but for gods sake I swear it's for the mentally challenged. The classes are very slow-paced, and the ones I'm supposed to take force me to work every bit as slow. If not SLOWER. There's no option for me to take the classes as PACE (which is a thing some classes do, it means I do the work on my own time at my own pace), and there's no test-out option for the courses I need but already know everything for. Which, to be honest with you, is pretty much ALL of them. When it's forcing me to be slow like this, I simply can't function. I just can't work like that. I can work at a slow pace, yes. But I have a limit. I can only go so slow before my mind just shuts down. Because of this, my academics got to the point where they removed my financial aid. This is why I needed the money, so I can get back just long enough to get things to the point where I can at least go somewhere else.

Just to be clear: Classes start on 27 September. This means I have five more days to get SOMETHING worked out. I'll also remind you all that not making things work stands a VERY good chance of me not having a place to live anymore. Got me? It's extremely stressful. My attention has bee pretty much there for a while. And I'll say it again, I've been sick with something the greater part of a week now. Dunno if it's been a cold or the flue or something else, all I know is it's knocked me on my ass more than a few times. My insomnia's worsened now where I'm easily up for a few days, and when I'm not, I've passed out either from sheer exhaustion or some other reason and I'm out for hours. I often don't get the chance to shut my laptop off before I pass out, it just happens at random. Given everything above, I want people to stop getting pissed when I DON'T RESPOND TO IM AND TEXTS. Seriously guys, I've got enough on my plate here and I'm trying my best. But it's only so much.

So yeah. I'm pushing my limits, hoping I can get well for a change and trying to make a miracle happen so I can keep going. I'm trying to get commissions done, both so I can get money and so my commissioners don't have to keep waiting. No matter how many commissions I have however, until I can make ends meet, I will ALWAYS be open to take more. My full commission info is on my FA page, in the artist profile. Please guys, I need your help. I don't want to get kicked out on the streets.

So yeah... I think that's about all I have to say. Again, most of you are fine, this is just an update I want you all to keep in mind. I'm sick, I'm stressed, I'm tired as all hell and I'm still trying to keep things going. For some of you, I hope this'll keep you off my tail for a little bit so I can focus a little more in getting better instead of listening to complaints and whatever else (no offense if it's validated, I understand those cases.)

I think I'm gonna end the rant here, I'm too tired to keep going and I think I've run out of stuff to rant about anyway. I'll probably pass out before long for more sleep. But while I'm here, I'll let you all know that I'll be livestreaming some commission work tomorrow (22 September) assuming I'm physically able. As my commission work often is, it'll be NSFW in content. So mind the kids.

Alright everyone, I'm having some money issues. Namely, I have until September 27 to come up with $1700, if not more. I need the money to pay for college. My problem is, of course, if I don't come up with the money in time then I can't go back to college. I'm honestly fine with that. Though if I can't make it, I'll probably get kicked out of the house. I don't wanna be homeless! $1700 is the minimum I'd need to get by. For this, I'm once again advertising commissions. Please, everyone, I need this! I don't quite have a place to go yet, either. Here's my current commission info:

Sketches: $10 apiece, flat rate. Both traditional and digital, I rarely do these. I suck, plain and simple. I am practicing of course, but I don't consider this work worthy of commissions. All the same, this is up to you all. Despite it, keep in mind that if you commission one of these, you ARE on a backburner. I'm sorry, but I try to get done what I KNOW I can do first. Not to worry, it will get done!

Digital Inking: $5 apiece, flat rate. This is for those who have a traditional sketch they want converted to a digital form. I make a set of digital lineart, getting as close to the original sketch as I can. If I did a traditional sketch for you and you wanted me to make it digital, I charge $2.

Example: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/4112102/

Digital Flat Colour: $10 apiece, standard rate; $15 for comics per-page. Price subject to change depending on the job. This is for those who have lineart and want the colour done. This is what I'm best at, art-wise. I'm happy to take on work for this at any time, and it usually takes priority over sketches. I've been doing a lot of flats for sketches by  fenrir-lunaris, and I hope I can get plenty more to do! If I'm working a pic I did for you, it WILL be $10 for flats.

Example: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/5224878/
Example: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/6026589/ (NSFW)
Example: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/6173263/ (NSFW)
Example: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/6173287/ (NSFW)

Traditional Colour: $20 apiece. This is more expensive but I need to pay for the materials somehow. Plus, you know, it's more time-consuming. Still, I'm more than happy to work this!

I do NOT do shading. I can't do it, but when I can, I'll let you all know. It'll be an added step you can choose to have done for a reasonable price.

Writing: $20 per story/chapter. I don't get many takers for this, so I don't really have examples to show for it. But I'm good at writing, or so I've been told on a consistent basis. I'll write up short stories for the listed price, and longer ones will be done at $20 per part. These also take a backburner, mostly because they take me a bit of time to write, and I don't like to rush. Rushing leads to decreased quality. I won't lie, it could be a month or two before you get your story done if you buy one, but I'll do my best not to disappoint!

Alright, everyone. Now for a policy: IF you want me to draw or write about characters that ARE NOT YOURS, I will need permission from the character's owner before I work. If I can't get it, then we will need to discuss something else. I have good faith in all of you, and will take your word if you say I have the permission. HOWEVER, if this becomes a problem, I will start personally checking to make sure I have the permission. Also, I'm usually good to wait until after I finish your commission before taking payment. However, as I get closer to the deadline, I will start taking payment BEFORE working, to be safe about my situation. After all, I can't give you guys your work if I'm homeless! Because of the reason mentioned above, I will ALWAYS take payment for writing commissions before working. I only have two months to raise this money, and since it can take so long before getting a story to you, I can't afford to wait so long to be paid.

Alright, here's all the info plain and simple. I know the economy's rough on everyone, but I need your help to make sure I can stay around. To those who don't want anything but want to give, I thank you for your generosity and will gladly accept donations. Alternatively, if you don't want anything but don't want to or can't send any along for whatever reason, I ask you to please, PLEASE spread word of this. I'm not too well-known, and the more people who can help get the word out, the better.

I take payment through PayPal, if you need the information to send there then please send me a note and I'll give you the information. Also, if you are interested in a commission, feel free to note me or contact me at any of my IMs; they're on the main page for adding. Let me know who you are if you do!

To those who can't pay through PayPal, I also accept checks, money orders and cash through the mail. If you need to know where to send those, note me.

Thanks everyone, I need all the help I can get!

Yep. Title says it all. I'm now officially 18. That is all.

Right over here, mon amis. http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/2340984/

Stole this meme from  loralillie_rowle

Start with 100% and subtract 1% for everything that you've done.
Then repost as your __% Virgin Innocent. Lowest number you have the more you've done!

100%

(x) Smoked.
(x) Drank alcohol.
(x) Cried when someone died.
(x) Been drunk.
(x) Had sex.
(x) Been to a concert.
(x) given a handjob.
(x) gotten a handjob.
(x) given a blowjob.
(x) gotten a blowjob.
(x) Been verbally/sexually harassed.
( ) Verbally/sexually harassed somebody.

PERCENTAGE SO FAR: 89%

(x) felt someone up and/or been felt up.
(x) Laughed so hard something came out of your nose.
(x) Cheated on a boyfriend/girlfriend before.
(x) Been cheated on by a boyfriend/girlfriend.
( ) Been to prom.
(x) Cried at school.
(x) Gotten lost in a WalMart or a department store.
( ) Went streaking.
(x) Given or received a lap dance.
(x) Had someone of the opposite/same sex in your room.

PERCENTAGE SO FAR: 81%

(x) Had someone of the opposite sex sleep over.
(x) Slept over at someone of the same sex's house.
(x) Kissed a stranger.
(x) Hugged a stranger.
( ) Went scuba diving.
(x) Driven a car.
(x) Gotten an x-ray.
( ) Hit by a car.
(x) Had a party
() Done serious hard drugs.

PERCENTAGE SO FAR: 74%

(x) Played strip poker/darts.
( ) Got paid to strip for someone.
(x) Run away from home.
(x) Broken a bone.
(x) Eaten sushi.
(x) Bought porn. (commissions count!)
(x) Watched porn. (Watched it being drawn)
(x) Made porn. (Writing!)
(x) Had a crush on someone of the same sex.
(x) Been in love.

PERCENTAGE SO FAR: 65%

(x) Made out.
(x) Laughed so hard you cried.
(x) Cried yourself to sleep.
( ) Laughed yourself to sleep.
(x) Stabbed yourself. (An accident, I assure you)
(x) Shot a gun.
(x) Trash talked someone and then acted like their best friend the next day.
(x) Been online for 9 consecutive hours.
(x) Watched TV for 9 consecutive hours.
(x) Watched an animal die. (Sad...)

PERCENTAGE SO FAR: 56%

(x) Watched a person die.
(x) Kissed and/or messed around somewhere with at least 1 person.
(x) Pranked somebody.
(x) Put somebody in the hospital.
(x) Snuck into someone's room and/or your own room after being out.
(x) Kissed somebody of the same sex.
(x) Dressed punk.
(x) Dressed goth.
(x) Dressed preppy. (I fucking HATED school picture day.)
(x) Been to a motocross race. (I didn't enjoy it.)

PERCENTAGE SO FAR: 46%

(x) Avoided somebody.
(x) Been stalked.
(x) Stalked someone.
(x) Met a celebrity.
(x) Ridden a horse.
(x) Cut yourself.
( ) Bungee jumped.
(x) Ding dong ditched somebody.
(x) Been to a wild party.

PERCENTAGE SO FAR: 38%

( ) Got caught stealing something.
(x) Kicked/punched a guy in the balls.
(x) Stolen a boyfriend/girlfriend from a friend.
(x) Gone out with your friend's crush.
( ) Got arrested.
( ) Been pregnant.
( ) Made a girl pregnant.
(x) Babysat.
( ) Been to another country. (SO close to going to Canada for a bit)
(x) Started your house on fire.
(x)Had an encounter with a ghost. (Constant basis, this one.)

PERCENTAGE SO FAR: 32%

( ) Donated your hair to cancer patients.
(x) Been asked out by someone that you never thought you'd be asked out by.
(x) Cried over a member of the opposite/same sex.
(x) Had a boyfriend/girlfriend for over 3 months. (14 months is the record!)
(x) Sat on your butt all day.
(x) Ate a whole carton of ice cream all by yourself.
( ) Had a job.
( ) Gotten cut from a sports team.
(x) Been called a whore.
(x) Danced like a whore

PERCENTAGE SO FAR: 25%

(x) Been mistaken as older than your own age.
( ) Been in a car accident.
(x) Been told you have beautiful eyes.
(x) Been told you have beautiful hair.
( ) Raped somebody.
(x) Danced in the rain.
(x) Been rejected.
( ) Walked out of a restaurant without paying.
(x) Punched someone/slapped someone in the face.
( ) Been raped.

FINAL PERCENTAGE: 19%

And yes, I'm surprised it's this high. Now all of you.. DO EET!

Well, let's kick this off with the updates. My nose is almost healed again, and I'm now able to guarantee my safety at home until the summer. This means I can focus more on the other important things. Like my college classes. However! This brought up a new worry. My laptop's on its last legs. I COULD order parts to keep it running, but that's incredibly expensive. So instead, I've decided to take up a fund in order to buy a new one. Now, I've got my eyes set on this beauty right here http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat.....amp;CatId=4965 but it's still WAY out of my price range. It's really just a short step up from my current laptop in terms of hardware. And to you friends of mine who play games, this would let me finally join you with that graphics card! But the important thing is that I get a new laptop, period. My required budget is $800, regardless of whether or not I get this particular laptop.

For this reason, I've decided to be much more active: I DO COMMISSIONS! I'm sure I've made this known before. But really, I need the cash. The important thing is that I can keep my work going and maintain contact with everyone. I used to have my commission info on my header/footer in these, but I can't post that anymore without my DA subscription. Which is all well and good anyway, since I've updated it.

COMMISSION INFO
Short Stories: $10
-My strongest talent, I'm offering this. I know it's not as popular as artistic commissions, but I'm told that my writing can be every bit as wonderful. I hope to share that. Stories can be short, or you're free to commission longer stories. I am also willing to do longer stories, obviously for a greater price, and I'm also willing to do story series' and multi-chapter stories. Multi-chapter is often treated as a short story per chapter, so you can expect a $10/chapter fee. Prices MAY vary depending on what's requested.

Traditional Sketches: $7
-This is, BY FAR, my weakest talent. I am willing to try drawing, although it's harder to find the time for it. I am NOT skilled in the slightest, but I am more than willing to try. It will be traditional since I feel I do much worse on tablet. Prices may be changed if discussed, depending on the difficulty of the anticipated work.

Digital/Traditional Inking: $5/$2
-I should say, really, only digital inking. It's a time-consuming process on digital media, though if it's ordered digital with a sketch, I'll do it for $3. I WILL digitally ink other sketched works, BUT I will only do so if the original artist has given me permission to do so. I will NOT accept it otherwise. This is to avoid legal issues. If you have a sketch you want inked digitally, I'm more than happy to do it for the fee of $5, possibly even less. Please discuss with me ahead of time. If you desire a traditional inking job, chances are you'll have commissioned me for a sketch. Traditional sketching takes me a LOT less time to do, so it'll go for a flat rate of $2 each.

Digital Colouring: $5 ($7.50 bundled with digital ink)
-This is my best work in terms of art at all. Due to lack of supplies, I really can't do traditional colour. However, I'm more than happy to do a digital rendition. Due to the lack of a scanner, plus general ease, I will only digitally colour work that has already been digitally inked. If you have good digital lineart for me to work on (And as with inking, this requires permission of the original artist) I'll do it for $5, no matter what. If you want me to digitally colour something I've inked for you, then you only need to pay $7.50 for both jobs instead of $10. If I sketched it for you, the price will be $2.50 as long as I'm the one who digitally inked it. I may attempt shading, it's still experimental for me. I'll always attempt shading if I feel I can do it, unless otherwise requested. Will be flat colour otherwise.

I know these prices may seem a bit much, but given the goal this is going for, I'm afraid I've got no other choice.

If you're kind, I ask that you at least spread the word. I need as much help as I can get. And, needless to say, donations for the sake of giving me a few spare dollars would be greatly appreciated. :3

If you're interested or have questions, you can contact me in any of the following methods:
Note me!
Note my DeviantArt page (found here http://fanofart555.deviantart.com )
Email (Be warned, this is RARELY checked) or instant message me at any of these:
Yahoo: nintendoguy243[at]yahoo.com
AIM (for IM only): nintendoguy243
MSN: thenran[at]hotmail.com
Gmail: thenran[at]gmail.com
Skype: Deam6393
Steam: deamacx

I look forward to hearing from you guys! ^^

Getting straight to the point. Things have gotten just fucking UNBEARABLE at home. I get a black eye this morning just for getting texts from another country. I get another one and a bloody nose just because. I'm sick of this fucking shit, and I want to get away. I need everyone's help.

I live in the The Plains, Ohio, USA right now. I currently attend Hocking Technical Community College, near Nelsonville. I would strongly prefer to be in the Nelsonville area or Athens. I don't care, so long as I can still get to Hocking until summer. Anyone in these areas, PLEASE let me know! I am low-maintenance and can mostly fend for myself. I only require a way to get there, a way to get to Hocking (I have no car, and I can only walk if I'm in Nelsonville), internet and a spot to, well.. Live. A room, a cot, whatever it is. I don't need that much.

If none nearby are around, I am MORE than willing to leave the area altogether. I will, however, need transportation to wherever it is, as well as the things mentioned above. I will sort out the legal issues that are sure to follow, being only 17. I'm already looking into the process. Again, if anyone out there is able to get me, I will BEG you to.

Please... If I stay here much longer, I know someone's going to end up dead. Either me or my mum, one of us is going to kill the other. I don't want it to get to that.

Contact with notes, emails or MSN.

P.S. If you read this, PLEASE put up a journal with my situation and/or a link to this one. I do not get much notice here at all, and I need as many people to read this as I possibly can get. Thank you.

Okay, well guys, I have a shocking announcement: dA IS FULL OF THANKLESS DOUCHEBAG PRICKS.

Why do I say this? Because most of the inhabitants will not provide any feedback to those they watch, and when they say they'll be your friend, they won't. Sadly, many of the users here on dA are people who will watch, occasionally fav, and will otherwise do little or nothing else but use those they watch for their own publicity without so much as a thank you. It's wrong! I understand that just because you watch someone, you don't have to go be that person's best friend. But there's a point where you can at least provide feedback when it's asked for, or you could at least give thanks SOMEHOW when they do something for you. Show you appreciate the people you watch, regardless of whether or not they directly help you.

Also, has anyone else noticed this really odd pattern in which people who really aren't that good at art (people with little practice, people who generally suck- I mean no offense, guys. I'm among your ranks.) will get a lot of favs and general popularity sometimes when they post work, but more experienced artists, namely people who STARTED bad but improved dramatically, lose those favs and comments and stuff and eventually that all trickles to a stop? I don't think it's right. While I'm not saying that favs and comments should increase with improvement, I believe that the ones that were already coming shouldn't stop just because someone improved. And oddly enough, people who do recolourings, who either post blank lineart or take existing artwork from OTHER ARTISTS, get a great deal of popularity more than the skilled artists? It's just fundamentally wrong.

This brings me to my feature, related to this. Zack Johnson, aka  lurker89 has been a very good friend of mine who lately has been taking the two above-mentioned problems pretty hard. He's a very skilled artist with a LOT of potential who started out just like the rest of us: not that good. He's gone from beginner to a very talented person, and he has been debating whether or not to quit drawing altogether because no one has given him any thanks, or even really noticed him since he's improved to where he is now. He is a very generous person, who always does everything he can for people. He has provided dA subscriptions for people, and he has done a lot of risky things for the sake of helping others. He features, he gives thanks, he's selfless, he has a LOT of artistic potential and though he's improved considerably since he started, he still has a lot of potential to improve, and he deserves to get more than nothing. So guys, go check his stuff out and show him the treatment he deserves to get. Show him that people out here are still capable of caring about others without the focus on gaining popularity for yourself.

So all you people who understand this problem, or at least took the time to read this, go look this guy up, give him some good feedback, and give him a feature. Gods know he deserves it.
You can find his dA over here, at http://lurker89.deviantart.com

So yeah.. That's all.

P.S. To all FA users: Isn't it a shame how it seems that the ONLY way to get noticed on FurAffinity is to draw LOTS of porn or to be almost superhuman with artistic ability? It's a real shame, a lot of good artists I know are getting overlooked because they don't have that UNGODLY ability to create art and they don't draw porn (at least, not ALL THE FUCKING TIME). So come on guys, let's show some respect for these unspoken artists and start making room for them in the spotlight instead of ignoring them because they don't like to draw smut.