Attached Link: http://www.acerebel.com

I'm going with Deloulark to win. I find the scene is creative, original and evocative. It suggests rather than states and uses the software in an unexpected way. I prefer the abstract rather than the literal in this instance, yet I can feel the hot summer night and see the lights of these insects. Good job by all entrants, though.

Just want to clarify that I did not mean to say that Rayraz HAS agoraphobia. I've commented in relation to my own experience, which is all any of us can do, and said that some of the behaviours are like symptoms of agoraphobia. I've re-read what I wrote in haste, and I can see how it's misworded so that it sounded like "you've got it!". HOwever, I stand by the idea of seeing the family physician, without escalating anything or agreeing to medication or what have you. A general practitioner can be a great sounding board when one is feeling a bit uncertain or tentative or even "at risk". I'm not meaning to sound defensive (so sorry if it appears that I am in the context of e-mail having no visual references). Whatever Rayraz concludes will be his/her response to the world is up to him/her. I'm sure we're all just trying to offer the benefit of our own experiences and thoughts. Good luck, RR!

Rayraz, you sound to be developing some of the symptoms of agoraphobia, which I had at 25 and the residual effects of which I still struggle with. I'm not qualified to diagnose, but your description of your reactions within crowd situations sounds terribly, terribly familiar. Give some thought to asking a professional (your family doctor, perhaps) about these sensations. Absolutely none of my business, of course, but I'd hate it if what I've offered might help, and I'd failed to put it forward.

Oh, just you wait. At 17 (nearly 18), I had all the time in the world. But then life kicks in, with a vengeance. Even if you think you'll never have to do it, sooner or later, you too will have to start to pay attention to way more things - mortgages, work deadlines, gardening, who's doing the grocery shopping, children, school requirements, ageing parents, taxes, teenagers and where they are and what they're up to, health concerns and the list goes on. Remember when you were a kid, and you could stare into a puddle for ages or focus on a trail of ants walking across the garden? It was great, eh? But you could only do that because you didn't have to think about all the other things that make life livable - cooking, cleaning, laundry, learning, teaching, playing with kids, relating to your partner, paying the bills. Sorry, Rayraz, but it comes to us all, eventually. Make the most of 17 (nearly 18). There'll come a time when you'll welcome the computer screen as one of the last escapes into the concentration of childhood! Sorry for the lecture. If you find a way to avoid what I've described, and still have a life worth living, please, please, please, let the rest of us know!

And it gets faster when you leap and gambol past the old 45! Yikes! Am I the "oldie" of the group?

My vote: 3 points - Mloates 2 points - bknoh 1 point - Zhann Great fun!

Thanks, Rayraz. I haven't looked at the area yet, except to see that I was there - wow - talk about self-absorbed ;-)! I'm going to be really interested to see what's been done by others. I don't know if this is "the done thing" in polite society, but when the challenge is over, I'd be happy to make the mats available to anyone who wants them. 'Course, someone will have to tell me how to do that, since I've never been in a Bryce community before and wouldn't have the foggiest notion of how to go about it!

What a nice group of folks you all are! My entry is there, and so are lots of other people's. And of course Drac and Brendan should be given an extra 24 hours if needed. I had no idea that there was so much generousity of spirit out there; it's really good to see. Thanks to AgentSmith for his patience and to all the people who took time to reassure a Newbie.

The act of estimating something as worthless. One would participate in floccinaucinihilipilification. Don't attempt this at home. :>}

Now that comment wasn't intended to floccinaucinihilipilificate my post, was it? ;-)

You're all very kind to admit to your own trepidations! Thanks everyone! And yes, I too am a Brycer from way back - version 1 if you don't mind - and I've never stopped loving it. No matter what I feel I've accomplished, there's always so much more to learn and create. Not too many things in this world you can say that about!

I missed the thread, so my shortcomings there. How silly to get so anxious over something that doesn't pay anything, that isn't all that public, and that will be finished in under a month. Ah, let's blame it on a hyperactive artistic temperament! ;-) At any rate, I'm relieved now and I thank you for that.

Addendum: I posted the image to the Challenge upload area as well as to my Gallery, so that's not the issue.

Attached Link: Revised link to July challenge image - the bigger, non-official version