Retribution

[SIZE=1]I'll gladly point you in the direction of some tutorials. I'm sure there's [i]something[/i] worthwhile at [B][url]www.pixel2life.com[/url][/B]. Anyway, the club should welcome [B]Squiggles[/B] to the club. Whoo! New member! Help them out with any questions they may have. ^_^ And finally, without further ado, I present to you the [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=48501][B]Last-Man-Standing Graphic Engagement[/B][/url], First (annual? maybe...) Graphics Club tournament! You are allowed to join if you are in the Graphics Club. Have fun! Rising Sun vs Hack Helba's battle is official over! I'm pleased to announce [B]Hack Helba[/B] the winner of this very intense graphic engagement. Very good show, both combatants. This is what I love to see in graphic battles -- close competition, not some blow-out. Both your records have been updated. Thanks, again[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]This battle is official over! I'm pleased to announce [B]Hack Helba[/B] the winner of this very intense graphic engagement. Very good show, both combatants. This is what I love to see in graphic battles -- close competition, not some blow-out. Both your records have been updated in the official thread. Thanks, again[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]I'm torn on the suicide issue. 99/100, Suicide is a terribly selfish thing to do, hurting those who love you more than you realize. When done for attention, it's completely ironic, as you're not there to recieve the attention anymore. The whole "they'll be sorry when I'm gone" is stupid, selfish, and utterly blind. However, for the rare occasion, where the person's life is living hell, they've been treated like a diseased mutt, raped, missing two parents, living with a drunkard/abusive set of grandparents, I can [i]almost[/i] see those people's points. But I guess after fleshing out my thoughts more, I'm against suicide. Those who do commit suicide are short sighted, not seeing that they're free when they become old enough to move out. Their gates swing open. Their life becomes beautiful. [B]However, I say that we don't all go preaching that suicide is shameful and stupid and selfish, until you walk a mile in that person's shoes. You'd probably only want to walk a foot or so, before you realized how painful and terrible their life may be.[/B][/SIZE]

[quote name='Sage']Anyway, it's very sad that you Americans hate French only because they don't agree with you. FYI, most Finnish people don't agree with this war either. War has never solved anything in the entire history of mankind. It only spreads hatred and ill will.[/quote] [SIZE=1]Just thought I'd chime in real quick -- [i]us[/i] Americans don't hate France. [i]Some[/i] Americans hate France, just as [i]some[/i] people hate [i]some[/i] other people. Generalization is never a smart route to take. And that group of Americans who hate France, hate France because they got completely decimated in WWII, even with England's help. The rift just gets deeper with all this current jazz.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Yay! My second shot at glory! I would like to enter the Last-Man-Standing Graphic Engagement for only a few reasons, and I'll put them bluntly for you. I'm not here to get better, or say that "we're all winners at the end of the day." I want to win this tournament, because I think I have the skill to do so, and I want another chance at winning a graphic tournament hosted on OtakuBoards. The Otaku Graphica 2005 was an unfortunate coincidence, where I had to leave prematurely due to a week-long vacation. I will admit, that I'm bitter about that happening. With that being said, I will not be bitter at having fairly lost in this tournament if I am eliminated fair and square. I don't think I'm a sore loser, so being knocked out the old-fashioned way would suit me much better. I hope you accept my entry to the tournament. Thanks.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Wow. Nice RPG -- I'm in, and I hope you accept me. [U][b]Basics[/b][/U] [b]Name:[/b] Rafael de Machiavelli [b]Age:[/b] 24 [b]Gender:[/b] Male [b]Appearance:[/b] [url=http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/retri_trib/RPGdude.jpg][link][/url] He has brown hair and hazel eyes, and wears light, loose-fitting fabric imported from Egypt. He usually wears exotic pants and long-sleeve shirts that breathe well to get rid of excess heat. It is not surprising to never see him wear the same outfit twice, as his wardrobe is expansive, and Rafael loves to don new apparel. [b]Personality:[/b] Rafael is from a very rich area, and thusly can appreciate art in any form. It also has formed him to become a creative individual all around. He approaches problems from many angles, and thinks from different perspectives. In the company of friends, he is very sociable and happy, but with strangers he tends to quiet down more, sit back, and watch things. It is a difficult task to accomplish, as Rafael is a temperate man, but when you upset him, he becomes sarcastic and unaccomodating to those who anger him. [U][b]Weapon of Faith[/b][/U] [b]Appearance/Weapon Specifics:[/b] (rapier at left hip, daggers on right hip) [url=http://www.extremely-sharp.com/es/images/10048b.jpg][link][/url] [B]Technique:[/B] The [I]Épée[/I] (franco-italian style) stresses the delicacy of movement and accuracy of point, achieved with a minimum of force. The almost straight grip allows the greatest freedom of movement of the fingers... Footwork is light and catlike. Guards and parries are very close, and to this end the arm in the guard position is generally more bent than in the other schools. The dagger is employed to ensare the opponent's sword, so as to leave them open to a thrust by the rapier. Rafael does not have lightening-fast thrusts, but can hold is own with the fastest duelists with his unparalleled reflexes. [B]Weapon Power:[/B] Rafael's rapier is charged with high-voltage electricity, which can easily run down his opponent's blade and deliever a painful shock. In rare circumstances, when the blade's direction is changed suddenly, the current will jump off the blade and move towards the opponent's body. Of course, this technique does nothing to affect him. [U][B]History[/B][/U] [B]Bio:[/B] Rafael was born in Venice, and raised in Rome. His father was a senator, and his family was wealthy. As a child, he was taught fencing by private instructors, and in his free time he went to museums and bid on outrageously priced art. The walls of his family's mansion are adorned with it, as well as a few of his own. Fencing removed his pretty-boy side, afraid of pain and uncleanliness. However, his mother instilled an air of gentleness and calm on him. Rafael was highly attached to his mother, and seeks kind people who remind him of her. He is constantly reminded of her through a small ruby amulet, encrusted in silver. Rafael's sword was forged by himself after completeing his training in Rome, and as a result, means alot to him. Only the best smiths were called to help him in the forging of his powerful rapier, [i]Giusto[/i]. The blade is made of specially-tempered, highly-conductive steel, and his family crest is engrained near the hilt. His dagger and knives were created in an identical manner; superior craftsmanship and infinite patience. [B]Character Snippet:[/B] "Father, this one!" The boy was young, and his voice laden with childish faith and innocence. Of course a child would be excited at the sight of Italy's best candy, and even most exciting was the prospect of it being his own within a few moments. "Hm? I don't think so... candy makes boys weaker fencers," he toyed with his son in a joking tone, trying to sway his decision. A woman grinned at Rafael, and patted her son on the head. "Mother, can you tell Father to let me have that rock-candy?" Her face went soft, looking at her only child pouting for candy. Her child, no older than 5 years, asking for [i]only one more[/i] luxury. The dilemma was great, but servitude to her husband trumped her sympathy. Rafael's eyes dropped upon hearing her next sentence. "No, honey. We're here to get you a practicing foil," Rafael remained unsatisfied with her explaination, but she continued, attempting to sway her small child's mind from stubbornness. "Then you can practice with your father, and soon you could even beat the big boys!" Taking the time to think over the enticing proposition, he noticed a bee swimming through the summer air, thick with humidity. He idly shot out his hand, capturing it within his index and thumb fingers. It squirmed, fearful of its death; Rafael let go of it, though. The bee darted out of his grasp, flying away from him. His mother shook him back to reality. "So, what do you say?" She grinned, warmly looking into his eyes. "I can beat the big boys with practice? Do you promise?" He sounded hopeful. "Yes! Of course you can! And your father will teach you how. Now, let's go." His father nodded reassuringly, confirming with his son he would indeed train him, and the family set off together. It was not long before Rafael was led into a swordsmith's store, the storekeeper gleefully looking at his rich family. They would be perfect for making money. "Oh! Welcome, do come in!" he heartily said, shaking hands with his parents. They walked down the aisles of training weapons, inspecting each foil to see if it would be right for Rafael. [i]Oh! What's that for? Looks fearsome. Could probably even kill father in one blow! Hmm... what's that? A real rapier. The ones men wear. And... that.[/i] His small eyes rested upon a training rapier, the correct size for him. His parents and the storekeeper were huddled around it, and his focus on the conversation came and went. "...very light." "Good. But is it the...." "Yes... and... best metal..." "We'll take it. And a scabbard... belt?" It was hard to listen, voiced echoed all around the dimly lit, small shop. Other people browsed the fine wares, tried things on, and sometimes even briefly testing it with a stab into a wooden counter. The conversation became more audible went they made their way back towards Rafael, who stood staring pensively at the rapier. He had realized that it was now his profession. He could not be a painter, an architect or a sculptor. He was now denied the right to become a carpenter, or a scientist or a silversmith if it were his field of interest. His family had sold him into swordplay without his consent, and he was slave to the profession as he watched the gold coins change hands. With their hollow clatter went his choice. "Here you are! Oh it looks perfect for my knight in shining armor!" His father smiled, mussing up his hair as his mother attached the rapier and scabbard onto his waist. It was a perfect fit, and any other boy would be happy for such an excellent gift. They moved out of the crowded area into a relatively empty plaza, where his parents questioned his silence. He did not directly reply. "Mother, can I be a painter when I grow up? I love it," his voice grew weaker, as he anticipated his crushing response. "I mean, I don't have to learn swords do I? Do I, Father?" "But swordplay is noble! Swordplay has been in our family for generations, and every man of our family has become great with it. So will you, if you train hard," his father said. He gave a faint smile, realizing he could not beguile his son from the immediate sadness. "You should consider it an honor to be able to duel with others, rather than having to work for a living. Many other people would die to be you, honey." "But... I don't want to..." He sniffed, tears welling in his eyes as he fought the sadness back. His immature mind could not cope with the concept of [i]forever[/i], and as a result did not fully grasp the magnitude of his next sentence. "But I must... right, Father? I will don a rapier forever, just for you!" He cried even harder, wanting to use a brush rather than a blade, but he wanted to choose. So he chose the only path allowed to him. The way of the sword.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Brace yourselves -- mine puts yours to shame, Lore. Watch out! [url]http://artpad.art.com/gallery/?ijwd6v17a7dc[/url] Didn't know I could draw, didja?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]We seem to have encountered a lull in Club activity. [B]Please note that this does not mean that we are dead.[/B] There is currently a battle between Rising Sun and Hack Helba at [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=48459][b]link[/b][/url]. Please vote, so there is a better idea of whom the Boards prefered more. Thanks! As for current members, don't be afraid to ask for help in your threads, we will give you ample criticism if you desire it.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]I used to play Magic and 40k a few years ago. I want to play D&D -- it sounds like a fun game, despite the social stigma. All the customization is boggling, and fighting should be ever more enjoyable. For Magic, I have a Green and White trample deck, but I lost it. So now I have a Red and Blue deck, and the strategy is to summon high costing cards for very very low costs. As for 40k, I already toldja. I play(ed) Tau, the alien riflemen who are very civilized, and do everything for a Greater Good. They suck at close-range combat though, so they have these Gundam-esque things that conpensate for their weak bodies. How about you?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Ahh... Warhammer 40k... *nostalgia attack* =_= I have a Tau army, and in an allied war with Dark Angel Space Marines fought off a massive horde of Bugz (that's slang for Tyranids) as well as Necros. Tau have extremely long ranged rifles with high power, and picked off the bug horde as it approached, but a few of them got in close combat with my units and butchered them. At the same time, by Railguns had taken down the Necro monolith on the first turn, and the Marines were slaughtering them. So the war was a good one... except for getting caught in close combat. For a Tyranid army, you have the number advantage on your side. Your units are close-combat based, and won't really stand up to exchanging fire. Aside from that -- ask other experienced Bug players about them. They'll know more about how to start an army off than I do.[/SIZE]

[QUOTE=Pumpkin][SIZE=1][FONT=Tahoma]Wow thats pretty good. And you did that yourself? I've always wanted to live in a city. Seriously, it's wierd how where I live you know people who know people who know people that you know. Did you even get that? lol. Well thats how it runs in my small little town. I guess I'll only experience this feeling when I go to a college in a city. Nice metaphors by the way. [/FONT][/SIZE][/QUOTE] [SIZE=1]*awkward cough* Um... yes, I did in fact make this poem by myself. Why do you ask? Is it too good for poor 'ol Retri's writing skills? :p I live in a city, and I get this feeling alot, so I wrote about it. I hate small towns -- I lived in one before, and everyone knew your fears and your dreams, your hopes and past. I prefer to be slightly more reserved about those. As for college, I would recommend going to a college city too! If you live in a small town all your life, you become sort of jaded, and subconsciously think that the world is full of these places when it's not. Expand your horizons, rather than talk to Barber Joe at 6pm every Sunday afternoon on your walk back from the store. But by the same token, I like to just watch the city grow. Hm... I think an would be appropriate.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Pretty good! I wish you'd be a bit more active on the forums, cause you have some really grade-A stuff. Anyway, the [B]background[/B] seems pretty good, but there's a 'calm' area underneath "Killer" ... I suppose it's kind of pinkish, and disrupts the flow of it. I love the colors, but the purple transition is too violent when going to a gentle, softer color. Overall though, I love the background. Beautiful and well utilized. The[B] typography[/B] is very good as well; what font is that? The only suggestion I have for you is to make the 7 a bit smaller, or Killer a bit larger. Adding a catch phrase like "You only see him once" underneath Killer would help balance things too. [B]The man[/B] is wonderful, he looks vectored, but I'm pretty sure he came like that, as this is probably because he's from a videogame. But I wonder -- how much manipulation did you do? If it's not too much of a hassle, could you upload the original? Thanks![/SIZE]

[SIZE=1][quote name='James']I've been looking through this thread a little and I have to say, I've noticed one major thing - your work keeps improving by leaps and bounds. Although you have some clear influences and there are certain general design trends evident in various pieces, I think your work has deviated from the "Photoshopped-look" into something more unique.[/quote]Yeah, I'm glad I've been straying away from the abstract sig stuff and more into simplistic design, but I'm not sure why. I suppose modern art interests me more... [quote]This is probably because, from what I can tell, you've dramatically simplified your work over time. I think this is a great demonstration of the idea that simple things can be (and often are) so much more powerful than highly complex, flashy imagery. A silhouette, a shape, a series of basic objects - that can create a very powerful response in any viewer. And I think you've achieved that level of effectiveness in a lot of your pieces here.[/quote] I stopped trying to make just aesthetically pleasing work, and added a message to most of my pieces now. So instead of it being an awesome sig, it's an interesting, meaningful splash. [quote]It also seems to me that you put quite a lot of thought behind most of your designs - the more simple they are, the more thought goes into them, it seems. If there's less on the page, you presumably have to spend more time considering what to place where. Every object counts in that sense.[/quote] Yeah, with fewer elements on something, you have to make them look good. One flawed piece of glitter won't be recognized amid the tons of other filters, effects, brushing, etc., but with just a few words, everything counts. [quote]I particularly liked [url="http://www.otakuboards.com/showpost.php?p=666076&postcount=78"]this post[/url], largely because these images are pretty intriguing (especially "The Editing Process"). I would be interested to read your thoughts on these pieces - specifically, I'd be interested to read your interpretations. Perhaps that would stop me coming up with my own...but I'm definitely curious.[/quote] It's good to come up with your own interpretations for art. It means more to you that way, but since you requested, I'll spill what they mean to me. [b]Cielo de Hierro[/b] in my mind, shows that even when things look nice and soft (like a sky), they can end up to be something as cold and hurtful as iron. [b]Que Revolu[/b] shows chaos in general, and revolution. The single red letter standing out against the rest of the black and white. [b]The Editing Process[/b] was just showing you how it might look in my mind while creating images. Nothing really deep about this one. [quote]I really love "DO NOT THINK", even though I think that the actual subject it deals with has become very common - that is, I see "rebellious" and "individual thought" type pieces everywhere. But I suppose that this is only because it's such a universal idea (and such an important and passionate one). But having said that, I like the actual graphic design you've used on this piece. The background is [i]particularly [/i]appealing to me - very nice brushwork. I don't use Photoshop, so I often can't achieve brushwork like that. A collaboration might be interesting at some point. ~_^[/quote] Actually, these pieces aren't meant to show freedom of speech or anything controversial. Moreso the products of reading books such as Brave New World and Anthem, and other dystopias where you conform and dont' think twice about it. This was a photomanipulation, so that's a texture from a wall, not brush work. I wonder if it looks as nice know that. Hm... [quote]Anyway, that's a kind of summary from me about your semi-recent stuff. Now for your latest pieces. BRAINWASH ERROR: Somehow this piece makes me think about a typewriter or some kind of automated machine - probably the font and the stipples on the page. I'm not sure what to say about it. I like it, but as with the "DO NOT THINK" piece, I personally don't see a particularly fresh message. Not that there [i]needs [/i]to be a fresh message, but for me, I suppose it just comes across as a bit repetitious. Still, it's a nice piece, though not my favourite of this kind from you.[/quote]Again, I was trying to imitate the feeling I got after finishing Anthem. Yeah, it might not be a fresh message, but I love the way these turned out. [quote]Lovely, You and I: This is interesting more because of its potential meaning than its raw graphic design, I think. "Gasoline rainbow" and "mistaken love" make me think that this piece may not be talking about the love between people...but perhaps the fact that humans are too reliant on fossil fuels, or something like that. Or perhaps "gasoline rainbow" is referencing something else that I'm missing. Still, it's intruiging and I'd be interested to hear your own thoughts on it.[/QUOTE] No, it's actually talking about love between humans. Aside from that, I dont' want to explicitly say the meaning of the poem. That detracts alot from the piece as a whole hen you have one specific way of looking at it. I'll tell you via AIM, so that I don't ruin the piece for everyone. ^_~ Again, thank ya Jeh for honoring my thread with your post. It's rare that you're in the Art Studio, so thank you for such a rare occasion. Here's a new piece I made today. More typographical art! I used a brush from [url]www.angryblue.com[/url] for the blood. The rest was me... tell me what you think of it. [b]Luche una idioma[/b] [URL=http://img292.imageshack.us/my.php?image=fightlanguage3nu.jpg][IMG]http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/2184/fightlanguage3nu.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [b]Raise thy Sword[/b] [IMG]http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/7998/retrogaming1we.jpg[/IMG][/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Yeah, I don't like towns where everyone knows your name, past, favorite color, and first crush. I prefer telling that information to those closest to me as a gesture of friendship, rather than that stuff being standard. Solitude in the city ... isn't it a beautiful oxymoron?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Another half-assed attempt at making poetry. This was spontaneous in a converation with Mugen today. Very entertaining how it came out... [CENTER][b]Solitude in the City[/b] Give me a bustling city that I can get lost in. Give me indifferent people, who keep moving down the crowded sidewalk during evening rush hour. Give me no name in the crowd, solitude in the city, and I love it. [/CENTER][/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]My favorite type of music? Perhaps techno (like Daft Punk?), electronica, a dash of rap here and there, and rock. I seem to like a bit of heaviness to songs, but not even close to what metal has -- more like AT THE HEAVIEST Linkin Park. Haha. Lame, right? And jazz roxors.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]I thought emo stood for emocore. Hm... Anyway, any rant about being labeled is a complete dead-end and here's why. The people label you do it to make life easier. So that they don't have to deal with understanding you as a person -- they toss you in a nice little clean cut box, and their day is a better one. Stereotypes exist whether you like it or not, even if you 'refuse' to be stereotyped or labeled, it happens. Not to sound mean, but deal with it. That's not to say that the people calling you 'emo' as an insult are right in doing so, but you can't really change what they think/say. It's better to not take their harsh words to heart, and continue being who you feel you are. That's what counts. People are using emo as an insult now because they find the music annoying, and those who identify with the music just as bad. I will admit, I'm not fond of emo music -- it feels like all it is, is a bunch of complaining about problems rather than facing them. But I don't hate those who enjoy that kind of stuff -- their cup of tea, and music's a great big opinion anyway. They use the insult because they find people who are 'in touch with their emotional side' to be 'cry-babies,' 'whiners,' or just general [spoiler]pussies.[/spoiler] It's just like if you act 'in touch with your emotions' in front of a bunch of stoic jocks, you're going to be made fun of. As for my 'emoness?' I go no farther than black pants on a hot day... and I'm not sure if that's emo. I don't wear glasses, scarfs, my hair black, or anything else that one might possibly associate with being emo. I write poetry, but not the stereotypical emo stuff. *shrug*[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]I've been to the beach for a week, camp for a week, and I will be going to soccer camp for a week as well. I prefer to stay in town and hang out with friends rather than going away to some god-forsaken camp where you develop blisters larger than your eye and other sickening things like that. Such as NO AIR CONDITIONING OMFG1!11one+shifty[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Let's be realistic here. The world isn't physically able to stop itself from consuming such mass amounts of things like metal, food, space, or oil. How many of us are there on Earth again? [B]Nine billion[/B], last I checked. This means that all nine billion (or so) of us are using up resources, and so many economies are bolted into the ground and dependent on certain products that they can't reform their economy to be some super-enviromentally-friendly thing. A good example was post-WWI. Our economies were centered around wartime production of stuff like guns, tanks, shells, bullets, fatigues, oil and such that when peacetime came around, it was hard to stop producing wartime material and go back to normal. You lose alot of jobs that way, and the economy suffers from it. Now if you will for a moment, imagine how many cars run on oil and gasoline. Good. Now imagine trying to stop that magnitude of consumption of those things, and change it to something like a hydrogen cell. God knows how long that'll take, and we haven't even made the hydrogen cell safe and dependable yet! It could blow up on you in an accident ... zepplin tragedies all over again. All I can say is that necessity is the mother of invention, and that us humans refuse to die. We'll find something -- be it in comets, the moon, Venus' atmosphere for all I care -- to sustain us for a much longer time. Until then, we're on a sad path to destruction, and all we can do is slow down the inevitable.[/SIZE]

[QUOTE=Rising Sun][COLOR=RoyalBlue][SIZE=1] [FONT=Verdana]JPG-ish look? Can you maybe expand on what your vision of a "JPG-ish look" really is?[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE] [SIZE=1]I was wondering the exact same thing. Sun, if your picture was a "JPG-ish" look, I want my pics to have it too. Cause your submission was kickass. But such a battle requires in-depth criticism! [b]Hebbster[/b] I love the vividness of the stock first of all. Is it just me, or does she look rendered, and thus radiate a comic book feel to your banner (aided by your font and circly background)? Interesting style there, but the best thing by far about yours is the clear, crisp stock. However, the background is perhaps a bit too large for Ms. Hotstuff, and the rectangles feel uncoordinated. [b]Sunshine[/b] This reminds me of my own work: THIS IS NOT BEAUTY. Even the typography feels similar. Either way, I love how you made her two different 'scenes' and had the colors fit together so well. I think you could've, however, faded the scanlines more. They're too prominent on the yellow side. Also, the text feels a bit off balance, maybe because it's leaning on it's side? Hm... Either way, color harmony trumps. Good stuff. My vote goes to [B]Rising Sun[/B]. Good job to both of you![/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]To clarify what I meant, Chaos, I'll reword my arguement. I meant to say that no matter how you come across that hate/love/whatever, be it being told on or stabbing someone with a pencil, it doesn't matter. It doesn't need to be profound -- [B]it only needs to be the strongest emotion for the person experiencing it[/B]. But even that can be skewed in perception, I'm just saying that a person's strongest feelings could have arisen from being told upon. It's not rational or probable, but it's possible. [quote name='Cyriel][SIZE=1][COLOR=Purple]I [B]disagree[/B]. I would have to agree with Kamuro when he says that [B]love is the strongest emotion[/B]. It's true, of course, that hate does overwhelm and control many people. It's extremely contagious and destructive. However, hate is also easy to give in to. It's like the easy way out. I would say that love is the stronger emotion because people actually have to bring themselves to work to overcome and defeat their hate. It takes more effort to forgive than to punish, and more effort to love than to hate. So perhaps more people hate because it's the easier thing to feel, but that in no way makes it the stronger emotion. I think that the stronger emotion is the one that you have to apply to, even if other things threaten to topple it or overcome it. The stronger emotion is the one that you have to work for, and strive to achieve, because then you won't let go of it. Love is that thing.[/COLOR'][/SIZE][/quote] You see, anger being destructive and more contageous than love, it makes it stronger. The ends and final outcome of love may be more beautiful and bearable to gaze upon than that of hate, but that doesn't make it stronger. True -- it is easy to give into hate, and that's what makes it more durable, more powerful than love. Love easily collapses when you add drops of hate to the concoction. What if all of the sudden, your father started to beat your mother, and genuinely hated her? I'm sure your mother would go through denial, then eventually come to hate your father. Hate destroys love more easily than love destroys hate. Just because it's harder to do doesn't make love stronger -- just harder to commit to.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]For once it saddens me that this thread isn't out of sight after a week of being away. It means that the Studio is relatively dead for a while. Ahh well. Anyway, here's some art I've been dreaming up and all that crazy jazz. Second one is inspired by an encounter at camp. Crit and all that jazz is welcome. [b]BRAINWASH ERROR[/b] [IMG]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/retri_trib/brainwash.jpg[/IMG] [b]Lovely, You and I[/b] [IMG]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/retri_trib/lovely.jpg[/IMG][/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]I play soccer aka 'football.' I've been at it for nearly a decade (makes me sound old, neh?), and it's still just as fun as when I picked it up. As my skill increases, it becomes more and more of a mental, tactics game rather than one of endurance.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Hm... Alexander. Well, my name is common among my peers. My parents wanted to give me a name that was unique, and it ended up being generic/boring. Sounds noble and I love it though. ^_^ So far I've noticed that the Alexanders I've met are socialites, but I'm not. I mean... I'm not a geek, but definetly not a social butterfly either. Strange, no?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]How would you feel if someone was 'evicting' you, for the public good? Your house was on your own private property first, and the government decides to take it away because it is for a greater good. Now you must pack up all your belongings, move to somewhere else, who knows how far away to find another house, and you must make new friends, new connections, go to a new school all for the public good? Just offering the other side of the coin, as most of the people here seem to be for eminent domain.[/SIZE]