bondagewriter

Long story short, I have a job now. After months looking for work, writing applications and doing all I could to find a job, I got one now. It's a night shift, so it works well with my natural circadian rythm, but it's also hard work (don't worry, it's not grueling, just takes some getting used to), so I don't have a lot of energy left after it, and I usually end up doing nothing in terms of creative works (writing, etc.) when I'm home. I even promised a person here on dA to read some stories on their site to give critique, but I haven't even had the time or energy to do that (I'm so sorry! You know who you are).

I'm still lurking around, but not as much as I used to, and I'll probably not upload anything for a while unless I'm suddenly struck by a bolt of energy and motivation.

On the plus side, the job might mean I can soon have disposable income to support some of the artists I really like here on dA by buying their work if I'm interested. So there's that

So for the last few months, I've been getting blocked by a bunch of people, bit by bit. The reason why seems to be me telling others my opinions on something.

For instance, a while back I got blocked by an artist selling the end of a comic when I told the artist in question I found it distasteful to slowly release 17 pages for free, then make the last 3 pages something you needed to buy. I tried being respectful and give full and detailed reasoning to my opinion. But according to this artist, I was apparently rude and had no understanding that artists need to make money (spoiler alert: I made it very clear in my comment that I agree that artists should get paid for their work).

More recently, I started talking with another person here on dA about self-bondage, and she wanted to brainstorm ideas for herself. During it, she asked what I thought of some self-bondage pictures she had uploaded. Now, being an honest person, I told her that they were "ok." When she asked me what I meant with them being "ok" I specified that they weren't bad, but they didn't please my own subjective sense of aesthetics or quality. I told her I was happy she had fun with it, though, and that I'm sure many people loved them more than me. In response, she tells me I'm an asshole and blocks me.

These are the two most prominent examples. There are others, and on top of them it seems they also get many of their friends to block me, seeing as there are many other artists I haven't had such interactions with, or perhaps others I don't know at all, whose art and profiles I cannot view any more. It seems voicing opinions or having different tastes is not allowed any more, even in the BDSM/kink communities, and anything other than a "everthing you do is great" comment is seen as disrespectful, rude or intolerant.

Whenever I talk about a subject, I try to be respectful and kind and view both sides. It's not always easy, but I try. What's more, I want to be honest. I will tell you I like it if I like it, but if I don't I'm not gonna flatter you just to spare your feelings because your skin is razor-thin. Rather than blow up at me for voicing an opinion, how about trying to make your own set of arguments that you can fire back at me, rather than getting angry and/or claiming I understand nothing? It is much more productive for both sides.

But here's the thing: While I am ranting about this subject and clearly annoyed that this even happens, I have had a realization a few months back. After a long time of depression and feelings of guilt and doubt, I got to a point where I realized an important thing.

I am a good person, and I am a good friend. If a friend tells me a secret, I will keep that secret. If a friend needs someone to vent or rant to about their troubles, I will listen. If a friend is sad, I will do my best to cheer them up. And whether you are a friend or a stranger, I NEVER say or do anything with ill intent. I may stumble in my words and actions sometimes, but being unaware that I may have accidentally done or said something rude does not make me a bad person, and I appreciate it when people tell me if I did something wrong. That way, I can improve as a person by avoiding those actions in the future. At the same time, I am honest, for better or worse, and I will not hold back on holding you accountable if I think you did or are doing something wrong, all in order to help you improve as a person, much like I would expect others to hold me accountable of my wrongdoings to help me improve. Not through raging at each other or being butt-hurt, but respectfully telling each other what we think the other did wrong.

I am a good person, and if you think you're better off distancing yourself from me, blocking me, or even telling others what a horrible person I am, then guess what.

That's your loss.

This will sound like I'm blowing my own horn here, but for now, I will throw humility out the window.

I am a great person that you would be lucky to call your best friend. I am trustworthy, I love helping others, and if you think any less of me just because I opposed your views in something, then you don't deserve my friendship, and I deserve better friends anyway.

So to all you people who blocked me: Good riddance. I wish you luck in your life, and if you wanna talk again sometime I don't mind mending bridges. I love being able to make things right again with people I have had fights with, but the ball is in your court. Until then, I repeat: Good riddance.

I recently saw this video uploaded by MatPat (aka The Game Theorist) on YouTube, and it deals with a lot of stuff I think is well worth knowing about if you draw fan art or write fan fiction.

Also, while the video does base itself around something that happened regarding a teaser image for a new Five Nights At Freddy's game, it's worth watching even if you don't know the franchise, or even if you don't like the franchise. Heck, even if you hate the franchise, this video is worth watching because it centers around a lot of stuff about fan art that should be known to anyone involved with it.

I have long been doing editing work on videos as a hobby, and I even have an education in media production. Unfortunately, these days I don't have many possibilities to use my skills, and I find myself growing stagnant.

Then lately, I got into a conversation here with about photo editing. It sparked the idea that maybe I could do something for someone here on dA.

As such, I am putting it out here that if anyone wishes to have an editor for their works, I'd like to offer my services. For free. It'll be a hobby project for me just to be able to keep doing something I love and at the same time help out this community I've grown so attached to.

I am mostly familiar with video editing, but can do some photo editing if wanted. I use Adobe programs, and I am highly experienced in Premiere Pro and somewhat experienced in Photoshop and Lightroom. I have not used After Effects a lot, but I am somewhat familiar with it.

Sharing files for me to edit can be done in a number of ways, which can be discussed to find out what's more practical.

Oh, and if you are considering this, but thinking "oh, but I couldn't ask you to do it for free," then consider the fact that I'd get early access to all your work that I edit. Just consider that enough of a reward for me. Besides, I cherish being able to do something for someone and use and polish my skills.

That's basically it. Please note me if you wish to take me up on the offer. And if you know someone who might need my skills, please do forward this to them so that they may see it.

Any questions may be asked in a note or in comments, and I will update this journal with important information if neccessary.

EDIT: I thought this would be a given, but I will ONLY edit things you own or have unquestionable permission to use. I do not do photomanipulations or video edits of material you do not own.