How to Be Happy

This is a guide to letting go and not living a life of stress and despair. I found this once on the internet, but the site was taken down, unfortunately. I've since added to it greatly and always kept it up everywhere I go since I feel this is the most straightforward piece I've ever seen on the topic.

Stop Being a Shit
Seriously. Just stop. Even when other people are being shits. Just stop. When you get a reaction from strangers, they're not actually reacting to you. They're reacting to some stereotype and set of assumptions about who you are based on how you look, how you carry yourself, what they would do, and the kind of person they are expecting to bump into in their current situation. So whatever it is they just did, whatever it is that you think was some great offense to your person, just let it go. It's not worth escalating the situation, because you aren't going to get anything positive out of the situation and you're just ruining everyone's time. So leave strangers alone. As for everyone else, you've got even more reason to stop being a shit. If someone says something that you don't like, yelling isn't going to accomplish anything except make everyone else sorry they're around you. Oh, sure, you may get them to shut up. You may even intimidate them to admitting you're right or taking back what they said. But they didn't mean it, and as soon as you leave the room or they think you won't notice, they'll go back to being exactly they way they were before you yelled at them. Congratulations, you've done nothing by being a shit except make everyone regret that you were invited to the party. So how about you stop being a shit?

Stop Whining
Look, everything you might want to whine about falls into one of two camps: either you can do something about it, or you can't. If you can do something about it, then put the energy you were going to put into whining into actually fixing it. If you can't do anything about it, then your whining isn't going to do anything except continue your cycle of self-loathing and make you a general downer. Reality isn't going to change because you whined at it, so deal with the life you have, not the one you want. Whining is counter-productive to everything you want to accomplish. Save your energy and use it to find a hobby instead.

Get Out, Get Some Exercise, Unplug, and Deal with Real People
If you're in your house all the time, surrounded by your own hand-picked decorations and designs, and you go out only when insulated by your iPod's earphones and something to be burying your eyes in, the it's no surprise you're unhappy. Human beings are social creatures. That means you will be a lot happier if you socialize. And, y'know what's really weird? Most people won't think you're anything other than friendly if you strike up a conversation. We're also creatures of nature and built for movement. Being surrounded by neon and advertisements has been scientifically proven to make you unhappy, so get into nature and go for a walk. Discover a local park. It's a bigger deal than most people give it credit for.

If People Are Treating You Like Crap, Then Let Them Go
There are lots of people out there who aren't listening to #1 ("don't be a shit"). They, for some reason or another, are out to bully you, to passive-aggressively control you, to tell you that you are wrong, to use you as a punching bag (verbally or otherwise) and to generally be a problem. So let them go. Stop hanging out with them, and put plenty of distance between you and them. No matter what that person might say, you know that you don't deserve what they're dishing out, so pick up your dignity and hit the road. There are 7 billion people on this planet. You can afford to not hang out with that one again.

Your Critics Are Always Right
Ever watch the show Kitchen Nightmares? Good God, these people miss the obvious - if 100 people don't like your food, then quit saying "it's good"! If someone seriously says that you are some way – if they tell you you're embarrassing to be around, or if they compare you to someone you hate, or if they say you're not a very nice person, or whatever – then you are that way. You may not be that way in the core of your being, and you may not want to be that way, and it may be a surprise that you have come off that way, but their perception of you is valid, and you need to accept and deal with that. What did you do that made them think that was true? Where are they coming from with their experience of you that made it seem accurate? Ask yourself (and them) these questions, and see if you can take it as an opportunity for self-improvement. Don't do what most people do, which is to take it as an attack that needs to be responded to with anger and yelling. Then you're just taking an opportunity to make yourself better and replacing it with an opportunity to hurt your relationship with them. Now, of course, you need to be sure they're serious: something said in the middle of a fight doesn't really qualify. So you need to be sure they're serious. But if your critic is serious, then your critic is right in some way.

Do Hard Stuff for a Change
For some reason, our society tries to ask as little as possible from you. Don't let it. It's hard to make a new friend. It's hard to vest yourself in a job, or in a project, and to really start to care about it. It's hard to fight for your career, and to do what needs to be done to advance it. It's hard to get out of your comfort zone and draw something difficult for you to draw, experience things or listen to people that are totally foreign. Nothing takes your sorrows away more than thinking about something besides yourself. Give freely and with a smile. Find a new friend or get involved in your old one's lives. See if you can donate some hours to the community food bank, or a charitable organization. Or how about talking to that new employee at your workplace? There's a ton of things that you can do. If you are single and lonely, this is a sure-fire way to help ease that void, though it's not fair to others if you only show up someplace because you expect to receive a spouse. It's hard to demand your dignity, it's hard to submit to humility, and it's hard to focus on self-improvement instead of self-destruction. But, if you do those things, you'll be happier for it. Take the hard road: that's where the good stuff is.

Let Stuff Go/Suck It Up
Most things aren't worth the effort we put into them. We get angrier about them than they're worth, we worry more about them than they're worth, and we ruin ourselves over nothing. Let it go. Not a huge fan of where the RPG you're playing in is going? Suck it up and roll with it for awhile. Try something different. Did someone "blacklist" or "foelist" you? Let it go: the reality is that they probably don't even remember it - or they won't in a year or so, maybe less. Whatever it is that you're all hung up on that's been ruining your decade, just let it go. It's seriously not worth the effort you're putting into it. Along this same vein: you can't control everything, so don't try. Let it go. Have some confidence in yourself: you'll find a way to deal with it – whatever "it" is – when you get to it. Human beings are wonderfully adaptable creatures, and there have been others who have found ways to deal with worse than you will ever see. 

Emotions happen. Sometimes it's good to really be present in the moment, but you shouldn't always live there. Don't be emo about your life. It's not just you that has a hard time, everybody does. And there isn't a soul on earth who looks as happy and together as you think that they do. Also, I can guarantee you there's always a person that has it worse than you. Take the opportunity to learn how others dealt with the situation, don't just act like you're the only one who has had this happen to you – being self-centered is the fastest way to lose friends. So, cheer up, I'm sorry that you're having a rough time but things are going to get better- if you let them and work a little at it.

Appreciate Stuff
There's lots of cool stuff on this green earth, it's always helpful to find things to keep your mood lifted. Perhaps a pretty sunset, the smell of coffee, your best friend, how much you pet loves you, how mind boggling it is that the universe has no end and no beginning. If you find yourself hating everything and everybody, act like you appreciate something instead, pretty soon, you will. This trick works great for troubled marriages. If you listen/read any kind of media, you will observe that people get hurt and sometimes die. Next year could be your last year. Seriously, I'm not kidding. Or next week, or even tomorrow. Appreciate the time you have here. Tell your spouse you love them, pet your dog a little more. Stop telling yourself "I'll donate blood when I'm not busy" or "I don't have time right now to be happy, I'll do it when I'm married instead", and do it now. I'm not saying that you should spend all of your life savings on a Porsche; act responsibly, but stop putting off the small things you want/like/need.

Drawing for you?

Like every artist alive, I need money. You know, to continue paying the bills and such. So if you like my work, here's a chance to get some for yourself! I'll be adding to this page often, so check back if you're interested, or drop me a line.

Never fear! Professional here.
I'm a 39 year old freelance artist with a Bachelor's under my belt in graphic arts/web design. When you buy art from me - whether it's writing, drawing, a craft or whatever -- it will be very different from most types of "commission work" you can get online. I am committed to excellence and must feel that I have perfected everything that I work on. You will be updated on the progress, shown sketches/samples and/or concept(s), and sign off on a final draft of whatever type you are purchasing, so you know exactly what you are getting. I work quickly and well, you will not be waiting for weeks. It often takes only a couple days for me to finish something unless I'm bogged down by holidays or a big workload.

For both download art and writing, you will not receive a physical copy, of course. You will be emailed a downloadable form of your piece in whatever file form(s) you want. You can use it on things that you will be enjoying, for your personal pleasure. Please do not mass produce anything that I make for you for any resale scenario.

I have the right, of course, to refuse any request that makes me uncomfortable, and I will not draw or construct anything illegal. Just ask if you're unsure - I won't freak out. If I decide I don't want to or should not draw it, I'll let you know calmly. 

Trading
Yes, I do trades! If you're an artist and want to trade artwork, crafts, your own writing and/or anime/game stuff you have for what I can do/have, just let me know. I'm open to most trades if your skill level is at least equal with mine. I feel sad that I have to say it, but I get a lot of offers from folks that should know their work isn't comparable. If you have doubt, show me samples! I promise I won't be "mean", I'll just say yes or no.

Artwork
I can draw anything: inanimate objects, animals, cartoons/anime, any body type of person (male or female). Prices are below, for one character/object each. For additional, simply ask - depending on complexity prices vary.

Work sheet showing my art is coming! I've got to reinstall some programs.

) MS Paint b/w: $1
) Pencil Sketch: $5
) Pencil drawing: $15
) Inked drawing: $20
) Oil Pastels: $30

) CG simple color furry badge: $5
) CG black and white sketch: $10
) CG black and white/graytones drawing: $20
) CG simple color drawing (plain color BG): $25
) CG complex color drawing (full BG): $40
) CG Couple art color (simple BG): $50
) CG Static Avatar (bust or simple): $15

) Flash Dressup Game (simple, 10 outfits): $50
) Animated Avatar (simple): $20
) Hand-drawn cartoon poster (many characters/objects): $100 b/w, $200 color  - example 1 (color)



Crafts
I can usually work anything: inanimate objects, animals, cartoons/anime, any body type of person (male or female). Just ask, really. Prices vary depending on complexity of the object/character and materials used. You will receive an item from a crafts listing, and I can place it in my Etsy Shop if you desire for your safe shopping concerns.


Work sheet showing my art is coming! I've got to reinstall some programs.


) Clay (sculpey, simple): example 1  . example 2 . example 3 (on right) . example 4
) Needle-Felted Soft Sculpture (simple): example 1 (on left) .
) Needle-Felted Soft Sculpture (complex):

) Sculpture Repair (prices vary): example 1  . example 2

) Plastic jewelry/keychains/tags/Con IDs (prices vary): example 1 . example 2 (b/w)
) Photo Collages (prices vary): example 1 . example 2 . example 3

Writing
If you want to see examples, I have an erotica blog for that. I really have to know the series that I'm writing about to get it "just right" so this is a bit tricky. If you ask for something I haven't read or seen, I may have to immerse myself in it before I begin. This is why written pieces are a bit pricier than drawings. The prices below are for series I know.

Standard size for my works is around 3,000-5,000 words. I don't cap myself when writing as it stifles me. The only thing I do not write is female x female (yuri) pieces. 

Standard Fluff - romance, nothing serious, just cute stuff. $25 /PG
Minor Romance - romance, a little seriousness. $35 /PG-13
Adult Romance - simple sexual scenes, nothing "fancy". Missionary stuff. $40/adult
Adult Romance, extra - extra interesting stuff! Fetishes, etc. $50/adult
Yaoi Adult - guy/guy pairings. $60/adult



Books
I'm looking into getting some of my finished work printed instead of sold as eBooks, so this will be coming soon. I have more erotica novels in progress as well, all with original characters of course.

Pokemon Center LTD Suicune GB Advance - // sold!

eBay Link

*edit: sold! It's a reseller of course, but they understood it was worth more than I was asking for that very reason and purchased it for the full amount. 

Okay, so I've been trying to sell this for a year or more now. I'm open to some offers, but... seriously. WTF. I paid $300 way back when for this, as it was hard to get something that was limited to Japan only. It still has the box, paperwork, and isn't damaged at all - the box has some wear but that's it. I used it like, maybe 6 times. Seriously. And once was to test it before I started selling it.

Every one I see that's being sold is a refurb or doesn't work, or doesn't have the box, etc., etc. I've got all of that. I'm asking $100 less than I paid, and I've seen these damn things sell for $500.

All I get are vintage game/game system SHOPS, asking for way less because they want to resell for loads of profit, or jokesters that want to pay $50.

I'll keep the damn thing, you know? I'd like the money, but I have other stuff to sell, you know. And I'm scared shitless to sell besides, knowing people will whine about it (Pokemon collectors and game folks are notorious for cheating you or blackmailing about the "condition" of something). My stuff is always in what condition I list it as. I don't lie; I show pictures and I even underestimate how good it is because it's easier than saying how awesome something is and then someone not agreeing. I'd rather someone be pleasantly surprised it's better than they thought.

I even had one asshole ask if I could send more pics so they could see "the scratches" on it.

It doesn't have scratches.

I've listed it doesn't, for chrissake. I mean, maybe you can see some barely-there something, but if you're that type of buyer you can f- off. I don't need that.

I always want to make people happy with what they buy from me, but more often than not they're just selfish little bastards that want $300 for a penny.

Oh, and free shipping. And shipping yesterday. They always want it shipped the second they buy. I can't do that, okay? ;_;

Twitter Hijinx: WARNING for users of popular named accounts!

So, I Beta-tested Twitter.

I really did! My account here is from July 2007. And I gave some accounts out when they started... one account run by my beloved is a super high anime ranking one. The actual name, you know. The kind that gets hate tweets and mail because others want it. Awhile ago, he had a tweet from someone that tried to interact with him. He answered back, and they "freaked out" and immediately requested that he "DM" (direct message) them.

Get this straight: the person contacting him wanted him to DM them.

DO NOT EVER DO THIS TO SOMEONE YOU DO NOT KNOW. It's a trap. Folks can infect your Twitter account this way and steal it, with a link (or on the page I found, without, which is weirder). He's naturally reticent, kind of like his avatar, so he didn't and I looked up why someone would have wanted him to do that... it's actually true. They will screw your account up and then usually sell it.

Anyway, Google "dm virus twitter" or some such and you'll see what I mean. It's not cool. Just a warning!

Review: One Piece Variable Action Heroes Roronoa Zoro

This is going to be a pure, unadulterated "angry nekomata" rant, so if you're not in the mood..

TL:DR - Crunchyroll sucks, don't ever order toys from them (especially pre-orders) & this toy sucks, is not worth the money.

This is off the Crunchyroll website. Mine's back in the box (never have I stuck a Zoro toy so quickly back in his box) and I don't care to open it again for pics. It looks like that.

Anyway, I pre-ordered this with birthday money on June 3, 2015. I got it around December 20 or so of the same year (thank God, or I'd have been foaming with rage  worse than I was already). The Crunchyroll site doesn't care about pre-orders. This is my second purchase, and I'll never make any more. I had the exact same experience last time! Anyway, no contact for months, and then when I see it's showing up IN HAND on sellers' eBay shops, I contact Crunchyroll. The same day the item magically "shipped out". Don't tell me that was a coincidence. They forgot!

Anyway, I was super excited to receive this, it being ball-jointed and posable. I was nervous about the damned robe though - his robe gets in the way all the time. The site and others convinced me that it was soft enough rubber that it would be okay, though. The box came, I opened it... and immediately had an issue with the manufacturer's plastic wrap. The middle of the figure - inside the haramaki (green belly band) -- had plastic wrap. The figure doesn't come apart there, so how the hell are you supposed to get it off? I Google'd "unboxings", but those are all by dipshits that talk about the figure, not actually unbox it. No mention about how hard it was to get off, no mention of what they did. So after nearly breaking it by trying to separate his robe near the part, I clipped a piece of plastic with a small scissors and gently tugged for around 20 minutes. The f- I was gonna break this, it cost $97!

Okay, now I'm pissed anyway, and I have gotten a good look at his face after fiddling with it for ages.

IT LOOKS LIKE HE HAS LIPSTICK ON.

Natural style, but still, what the hell?! Gross! The face is disgusting! On an expensive figure?! UGH! That's a major breaking point for me. And at this point I was willing to place it in our figure case just to get it out of my sight ... we go to put the swords on, and ohhhhh. Guess what? They don't fit. It's a long peg with a hole, and it just won't fit.

@#$%$.

I said some very nasty things and placed him back in the box. I may mess with him later (see below), but long story short: this one's just not worth the exorbitant cost.

Oh, pose-ability on the super mega poseable figure? Next to nil for Zoro, because his robe gets in the way. Crouched, or slightly not crouched.

*edit: took him out and figured I'd swap the head out for one that didn't look lip-sticky. This required a bandanna head, so then I had to take the forearm off (the original has a bandanna wrapped around it) and place the one without (in box) on the figure. HOLY CARP, IT'S SO HARD TO TAKE THINGS OFF/PUT THEM ON! Capslock was needed there, truly, so you can understand I nearly broke my fingers trying to put the damned arm on. I thought I'd broken the figure, too.

*grumbles*

Zoro Dakimakura

Let me rephrase that title - it's new Zoro dakimakura (or, as some call them, "hugging pillows").

I got three *wiggles* but only two were decent, the ones I got from "Yes! Anime" on eBay. The other seller shipped me a graphic mess, a sloppily enlarged image that was fuzzy as heck and terrible. The seller was shit about it as well. Anyway!

This is my favorite. Although, it does bother me that no one ever has drawn the scars on his ankles. I mean, it disturbs my OCD fangirl-ness. Also, green eyes? Nice touch, though.

Husband-Zoro was a bit grumpy about sleeping with this one, though. One night he commented, 'I'm off to sleep with sexy Zoro', so I giggled. The response back was a flat 'It's not funny.'

LOL.

'Course it is.

Especially as RL-Zoro makes my bed half-smell like character-Zoro would: beer and manly soap. No steel, otherwise it'd be 100%.

*snort*

Oh yeah, here's the other one (not as good, and Law looks creepy as shit (click for larger image)!

Birthday & Bull Dawgz

So yeah, I posted on Instagram and didn't post anything here. HARR HARR. Sometimes I forget "computer internet" since I have a smart phone...

11-11 again! I just took some photos this year. They're up on Instagram (see my links above), but this is my favorite.

:3

I love my Rement pirate ship cake so hard.

Boof. I drew these a while ago for my sis in law and never posted them here. I figured what the heck. Also, I really have to get Photoshop installed again so I can resize properly and whatnot. Huh.