in this aquarium that sits on my desktop.  Strange, colorfull wraiths, to poke and prod. See what will they say, what will they do?  No, no, don't be angry, what should I think, I log in to this computer generated world in a box on my desk.  Are you real? or just some bits, constructs, in this elaborate game world?

Colorfull, flitting, dancing, clashing, thoughts in my mind endlessly chasing eachother, till one hesitates and I fleetingly recognize it.  Do I detect a pulse, an ebb and flow way down low in this world? perhaps some unconscious purpose to it all?

Sitting here overlong, I have fallen in, have forgotten a world beyond these glass walls.  Someone shake me, wake me, the colors whirling, twirling in my mind.  Shapes hazy and vast in the mist, haunting me till give them shape, color, and recognition in my world.

Are you real?  Or just fish in a box on my desk?

Some stray thoughts, was wondering if anyone else ever gets that same detatched feeling while wandering the forums?  Any stray thoughts of your own?  I'm not crazy!

What ever drugs you are taking please pass them over.

Chihuahuas slaving over a hot tamale cart serving them up to Scottish terriers whom are too cheap to pay for them as teary eyed drunken Irish wolf hounds sing songs from the auld sod.

Phantom, that's a wonderful bit of word smithing!  I feel the same way sometimes!!

Oh, I have many stray thoughts.
But they're not to be aired here!

Quote - Chihuahuas slaving over a hot tamale cart serving them up to Scottish terriers whom are too cheap to pay for them as teary eyed drunken Irish wolf hounds sing songs from the auld sod.

Love to see this one as a rendered scene. 

I have a textured ceiling like the surface of an alien world.  Sometimes I let my mind soar over the vast alien vistas of twisted sandstone and amber basalt cliffs.  Deep canyons shine with reflected light from the multiple suns.  The vast deserts reveal the ruins of a long dead civilization lost long ago to the mists of time.  The ruins are worn down to nubs long before the coming of man and linger in the eternal twilight of the long afternoon of forgetfulness.

Some deep pits lead to the deeper layer of the planet, where life might have lingered longer in it's long wane into night. Who where they? Why did they die?  Did any leave that dying world for greener places of youth and life?  Is our lot like their's? What did they leave and why? 

My mind reflects on the rusty yellow sands of that dead world, as if I could see it outside my window, while the PC plods through a render and my mind drifts far from this world of green seas and blue sky to worlds undreamed.

Excellent!  The creative spirit of the mind takes us on marvelous journeys, always with something new and fresh. 

Out on a Sunday to explore this seedier section of the city where I've lived most of my young adult life.  On a nameless street pushing through the crowded walks of people scratching to survive, or looking for that next fix. Most run down and spent , shifty looking men with this and that to sell.
     I come to a new hand painted sign, "Tonys' video rental and game arcade", on a post next to the steps leading down.  Used to be a bar I thought.  A heavy square door set between old moss grown and crumbling brick.  The worn hinges complain as I push my way in.
     Stale, sour breath brushing my face smelling of many years of urine, smoke and mildew.  Faint afternoon light streaming from a single box window faintly illuminates, cobwebbed corners and water stained cracks in the stucco, to fat Tony the proprietor.  Sitting behind a bar converted to a counter with the rows of video tape behind.  Some nameles cheap music pounding from the T.V. he watches with wicked interest.
     Looking off through a large arched doorway to the next room, with its single naked bulb dangling between the concrete pillars. Rows of video arcade games with colored lights of their own, hypnotically flashing off the faces of their thralls, seated or standing intent and mesmerized.  Their small hands, fingers, frantically tap, tap, tapping the buttons and levers to create an orchestra of grunts, screams, bells and whistles.
     A tug on my arm, "Hey mister ya got any quarters?" and then Tony "Get outa here kid, can'tcha see he's a customer!"  The kids face imploring, bright fevered eyes in a dirt smudged face.  Shifting from foot to foot, the need to urinate put aside for the chance to make another go at slaying the dragon, the chance to get his next fix.  "Hey mister got any quarters?"

Flashbacks to my younger days, might make a cool Poser scene.

Thinking of my younger days in relation to Poserizable themes, my thoughts turn towards my roleplaying experiences:

• accidentaly seducing a female dragon;
• a fairy dragon causing an innkeeper to set fire to his own inn;
• giving directions in the style of "go upstairs, then turn left at the third corpse";
• blue camels being worshipped by desert tribes;
• and several dozen other weird situations.
  When I think back I can't help smiling at the outrageously immoral things I did in those fantasy worlds.

Alas, some of my younger were going down to the pier and camping on the 2nd floor (top) of a parking garage. There was an opening from the roof (top) all the way down to the pavement of a good span, and this was right after they paid the parking attendent...so they were all going real slow. I would camp up there with my best bud, straws and lots of napkins. It wasn't who got hit but where. Enough distance where you couldn't be accurate, but an insured bogey confirmed hit.
Ahhhhhh, the good ole' days.

4/16/08

Sitting at my computer for an hour looking up references. The words seem to run together. What was it that I wanted to know, anyway?

A shadow falls across my keyboard, and I realize something has passed by my second story window. I stand and look out at the parking lot, and see a grizzled old boar hovering over the cherry trees upheld by fluttering lacy wings. Two young pigs are chasing each other in loops and turns that seem impossible for such small pinions. Low over the lilac bushes a large sow lazily glides with eight little black and white piglets following behind in an ordered line.

Suddenly the air is filled with a menagerie of sleek graceful swine flying in synchronized choreography to a Viennese waltz.

I realize that this is the perfect time to ask for a raise! The only problem is that I must awaken to do so. With a start, I find myself sitting in front of my computer again. Was it really a dream? Maybe it was a sign?

I go down the hall to my manager’s office. I politely ask, “ Please, I think it is time for me to get a salary raise.”

“What brought this up,” she responds with a questioning expression?

I relate to her my experience with great detail. Again I ask, “how about that raise?”

“In your dreams,” she responds with an ironic grin.

LMK

Cool this is fun,  I wish for all to get along and no more fights it is getting depressing.  So I think threads like this are a good thing so we get to know eachother a little better. We all have dreams and something to offer.

I agree.  All individuals have different points of views and different dreams.  Being able to express those differences shouldn't mean conflict.  Sometimes people just forget that different people are just DIFFERENT from them.  Myself, I love the differences between people!

Individually, we might be only one color, but together we can be a rainbow of imagination across the sky.  Besides being an idealist, I'm a dreamer as well.  ^__^  (And writer, artist, carpenter,3d modeler, and jelly bean eater. Heheheheh)

Well I'm gonna head out.  I don't belong here. I still intend to finish my models and hopefully offer them here at renderosity.  But I don't want to come to the forums anymore. Too much hate and discord, people looking for others to attack.  Too many people who think it's their job to police everyone else, honestly, running off to harass other sites, my god I thought I left that kind of thing behind in jr. high.  This is nothing to do with the admin here they have been wonderfull to me and I appreciate their kindness.  But I don't like feeling depressed or as if I must be very very carefull to not offend the wrong wolf pack here.  as I said I do not belong in that type of environment, my life and my work suffer for it .  Some of you I have come to know as friends and I hate to leave you here in this mess, as if in abandonment.  I am sorry. I will look for somewhere or create my own site if need be.

Hmm.. I should probably send you an Im but no harm sharing this here.

Forum interactions, unbound by traditional manners of face-to-face discussion, float between being a place to share and a place to vent.

Some people just post to read their own thoughts. I call this "Dear Diary" syndrome. To others, forums are like an online puzzle game where you must strategically outwit your opponent, engaging in exciting and heated discussion.

Many, myself included in this group, post the "how to's", tutorials, link references, info based content. This group, and definitely me included, can also be prone to sharing too much personal insight and reflection as well; intending to help or warn of course, but still...

Then there are the gatherers. They want or need or collect. They come in, go out, post fast, brief, and don't linger. They are asking quick "where can I find", etc. I think for some, forums are like a google search.

Then there are fence sitters. They always have an opinion, but never take sides. To them everything is in shades of grey and they usually post in the middle of a heated debate. Never in the beginning. Never at the end. With exception of course.

There are trolls, who also have the "game" mentality, but are in it more for sport than intellect. They are what they are and troll is as good a description as any. Regardless, trolls stir the pot for pleasure.

And there are others types too, of course, being all make up forums across the Internet. Some post to unwind and some post to wind up; either themselves or others. Whether studying, learning, teaching, lecturing, spamming, trolling, or gathering, they are on every site,server, and board in one form or another.

Being online for hours on end is like being underwater for a long time. Time, perception, and reality changes. And it is hard to judge things sometimes for what they are. Some people just poke at each other in fun; others mean it.

With different age groups, from teen to elder, various languages, and cultures, the comments of one person, which might be very normal to them, can seem offensive and harsh to someone else.

And last, but not least, many people, who have problems preventing them from interacting in the real world, favor online interactions. Online they are as beautiful or cool as they can pretend to be with no one to slug them or walk aways, or lock the door. :) There used to be a joke that the "P" in Poser stood for Prozac.

Most people take forum breaks, myself included; sometimes for days, weeks, or years at a time. Just don't get too disappointed, annoyed, or frustrated. I think i mentioned once to be wary of forums. This is part of what I meant. They aren't always rewarding. Sometimes they are.

I just don't want you to feel funny, nor think it is going to change either. It is what it is. I just ignore most things I find unenjoyable. Some I don't though. Whatever works for you. You mentioned you had been around for awhile but didn't post. Most people feel the way you do at some point. It's normal. Just consider it a break.

PS: hey does that coun't as a stray thought?

Thanks Anton:

After just my short while here and experiencing just a little of what you must have gone through, I have much respect for your willpower.  I think I am one of those people who just does not belong in the forums.  Things do get to me too easily.  I don't beleive in or condone harassing other people or sites just because they do not follow my personal beleifs.  I am speaking of fariewyld in particular.  I have never even been there, but I am sure as long as they have been around that they were not doing anything illeagle, why not leave them and their comunity in peace? People read something here about this site or that site and run off to harass and harangue. This also happens within the forums here I have noticed. Those people with the attitude that they must be everyones moral or ethical policeman disgust me to the core of my soul.

I was just thinking of starting a site and the number one rule would be no damn forum cops, if you can't leave people in peace to do their own thing (as long as its not against the law) then get the hell out!

Change comes from those who WANT change enough.  I want to help people because I faced death when I had a stroke just over a year ago.  People immature to want to cause trouble on the internet is small peanuts to me.

The anonymity of the internet can give some inviduals the urge to say what they want without regard to other's feelings because they might not even recognize that other people have them.  That's sad.

I can only speak for myself, though.  I get online to meet people who are interested in the same stuff as I am and exchange ideas, make some new friends and have some fun!  I LOVE joking around with people, and playing word games and coming up with ideas that other people spark from the interactions!

I will be sad if you leave, but I REALLY understand the feeling.  The problem is that there are exactly as many dumbasses,twips,jerks,feebs, trolls, and bullies as there are in the real word!

Here, at least, the worst they can do is shoot off their mouth, and not actually shoot you.  I've seen a man shot to death during a robbery in the real world.  The internet IS safer. (Except maybe during a lightning storm! LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL)

Maybe you'll develope the coping mechanism to handle the internet dummies, and look for the jewel-like people who shine like diamonds who spirits transcend just the typed words on your screen.  People like Anton, Acadia,Philc and others are worth dealing with all the stupid crap in the world, just to hand out with them!

Dealing with the internet IS all a matter of having the right POV, that you yourself must develop.

Also takes alot of "skimming" ability.  Certain people are just looking to stir up crap wherever they go.  Some people just like to argue.  Recognize who those people are and just start "skimming" them.

There's this movie 'Merlin', its a B movie, but really good for being a B if you ask me.  Anyway at the end Merlin causes Queen Mab to fade into nonexistance by simply forgetting her.  You can do the same to these unsavory forum fellows.  It's neato to have the power of Merlin on the internet =D

Please don't go, cuz I'd miss you so.

Attached Link: Flame Warrirors by Mike Reed

Flame Warrirors by Mike Reed:
http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/index.htm

p.s. I think I will have to submit a new kind of Flame Warrior: 4chan Picture Spam - That's the newest trick I've seen to kill a thread.

Oh that link is pricessless. :) A must read.

Quote - Are you real?

I can't speak for anyone else here, but personally, no!

Quote - Oh that link is pricessless. :) A must read.

LOL. I've been many of those back when I first started posting at newsgroups and forums. I started as Lurker and Innocence Abused, then graduated to Bliss Ninny, Eagle Scout, Royal, then Admin, before going bad with Jekyll and Hyde, lol. 

Quote - > Quote - Are you real?

I can't speak for anyone else here, but personally, no!

I'm as real as I believe I am!  Dammit.  At least I think so.  Even if you can't see me, prove I'm not!

Tplplplplplplplplpl < Or other appropriate tongue sounds of a raspberry. :lol:  Nyahahahahahha!

The Flamewarriors thing WAS a hoot.

  *The Flamewarriors thing WAS a hoot.

I haven't read all the descriptions but personally I think I'm a "Bong", but perhaps that has to do with me being dutch.

Phantom3D, I hate to see you go! It makes me depressed! I liked your threads about your progress with your new model and the better rigging for Victoria, People like you are a profit to this forum, and I'm serious about that. In my experience here there are some discussion that go beyond real life discussions, sometimes just when you don't expect it. And I agree that it can get very nasty. My main advice is to step out that thread and enter the more friendlier, this place is stil a goldmine in spite of the mudpools.

Bopper.

Phantom3D, please stay. I've already learned quite a bit from your posts, and I'd love to learn more.