Whitechapel - OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Horrible Warning Si — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 03:58:40 -0700

You know how this goes by now, right?

Open Mic is a tradition founded by Spacedaddy Warren. I'm experimenting with launching it on Fridays rather than Sundays, on the grounds that most of us have accumulated a working-week's-worth of toxicity and hatred, and the sooner we can trepan our collective psyches the better.

To paraphrase herr Ellis:

This is your judgement-free space to vent, get stuff out of your head and otherwise experience special Internet Catharsis. Screaming into a well, 21C-style.

Instructions: Tell us about your week. Tell us what you hate, what you love, what's pissing you off. Tell us what's broken about the world, tell us what you want. Tell us how you plan to change everything, tell us what you're building in your basement, or, hell, just dance or play a tune.

I, we, and all of us are here for you. Smash your wordvenom against us.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

IsaacSher — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 04:17:56 -0700

I'm out of work, and the timing on it so exquisite because my wife is about to give birth -- so I need to find work again FAST. I have an interview for next week, but it's in no way a sure thing. I'm pissed off at the situation, and the only two things keeping me sane are my amazing wife and the love we feel for each other and our coming child, and to a lesser extent, the new website I've launched with a friend that is having some modest success (but of course not so much that it would actually generate any money, oh if only).

However, being the editor of said website is getting me a press badge to Wizard World Chicago this weekend, so I'm hoping to attend today and tomorrow, have a relaxed time and make some connections, and decompress a bit.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

keyofsilence — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 04:54:58 -0700

I just got turned down for a job that I really wanted. I had an interview for this job earlier in the year and was rejected, and this time I was the runner-up candidate. If the person who got the job turns down the terms of their contract then they'll make it work with me, so I'm told. I'm holding out no hope of that happening whatsoever.

Thus begins a fucking shitty weekend.

Tequila, meet liver. I believe you two are already very well acquainted.

EDIT: Apologies for the downer. There are good things going on in my life and I really shouldn't let the bad news ruin the good.

After eight months of yelling at insurance reps my house, as of this week, has been completely repaired. In December there was an "escape of water" (read: FLOOD OF DEATH FROM MY MOTHERFUCKING FROZEN-OVER COLD WATER TANK) but, as me and my partner had the hindsight to insure ourselves for such an occurrence, we protected ourselves completely. AXA forked out for complete replastering, redecoration and refurnishing of our house. It goes without saying it looks a lot fucking better than it used to. "Celebrations" (see prior negativity) are happening with my in-laws this weekend, although as of now I have both celebrations and commiserations to keep in mind when I approach the weekend.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Foamhead — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 05:23:19 -0700

Well, this is nice, in't it?
</Northern mode>

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

mojokingbee — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 05:36:19 -0700

Well, my day job work week's been ok and uneventful, still only doing 4 days since it's quiet which means not as much moolah to go out.
On the fun bits, finally started doing an 8-pager for a local comic anthology. Slow and steady...is it always this slow?! Sorry, I'm still new at this and learning as I go. Currently slugging through an 12 panel page...educational but wanna strangle the writer...lol. Keeping focus seems to be the tricky thing as my mind keeps wandering. Looks like the weekend's gonna be comic creation and lots of movies running in the background. Deep breath.... I will finish this!!!
hope everyone has a fun weekend.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Fauxhammer — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 06:04:38 -0700

The blog advertising an ebook project a homeboy and I are working on had a spike in hits yesterday, which (to my positivity-starved brainmeat) looks promising for sales when we finally go live.

As to said book, I'm nearly finished writing, with two of the five stories completed, and the remaining three about 3/4 finished each.

I am getting excited.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Berserker — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 06:27:21 -0700

I've actually had a good week, more or less.

I got a new chair for my drawing desk at home - but the back broke off of the very next day. My wife and I were about to drown in debt and bills and after over a year I finally got a job I started this week. It's menial and brainless, but I get to play with a talking laser gun all day, so that's something I guess except the only thing you can kill with it is barcodes. It just annoys the piss out of everything else. Unfortunately, I'm only a temp, so I'm really hoping the 'to hire' part was sincere.

All of which means that the shiny new Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 that I was gifted is forced to sit by idle and unlearned most days because I come home from work pretty well exhausted. It's been a while since I've had a lot of physical work to do, and suddenly having 8 intense hours of it daily leaves an immediate mark. I've melted off several pounds already, and my pants that used to fit snug are loose again.

And holy shit, guys, exercise HURTS. Apparently. When you really over-do it.

Now I have to try and whip up a picture of Sekhmet before I go finish this week.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Labyrinthine — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 07:39:31 -0700

Today I had to deal with the fucking bureaucrats at the RTA about my long-delayed learners' drivers license. I don't need or want a fucking car or I would've gotten it at sixteen, but I need ID for clubs (I was using my old expired passport for ages but then I lost it) and it costs the same as getting a proof of age card, so I figured I would accommodate the possibility that I might want to learn to drive in the next few years.

Except it turns out I wasted my time and have to come back next week because my godamn citizenship certificate isn't the right kind of citizenship certificate and my birth certificate is in Russian. So I either have to deal with STILL MORE BUREAUCRATS to get a ~more acceptable version~ of my naturalisation document, or dig up an English translation of my birth certificate and proof I entered the country. I mean, aside from me fucking standing there.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

allana — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 09:03:01 -0700

Ooh. Bitching about jobs, I'm on it.

I just got fired, two hours ago. Woke bright-eyed for a long day of work (newly opening place, lots of cleanup/setup to be done), did two hours, got told nonchalantly to come upstairs, put into the office, and fired. They refused to give an explanation because, well, they can. Other than "We're a corporation and you're not very corporate," I don't know what I did. Last week I was told I was being kept in mind to be bumped up to supervisor. This week, fired. Whaaaaaaat.

Joke's on them, though, I'm still claiming EI, and since the ROE will say "let go" instead of "quit" I just lucked into $1500 of gov't money a month. Still, my dignity is bruised, and I really want an explanation. Serves me right for accepting the job in the first place, I guess. I just wish they had told me about the uniforms during the hiring process.

In other news, my FM broadcaster is up and running. Had to resolder one component that had come loose, but that was it. Pretty good, for months of neglect and then a cross-province move. So, I'm playing Lou Reed's "I'm So Free" all over the house.

Hrm, what now? Maybe I'll get a part-time bartending job. Maybe I'll... not. Maybe I'll actually do creative work for a change! Ooh! I do have a few articles that need writing. And a paper that might need copyediting help, and stuff.

Okay, spleen vented.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Chris Blakeley — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 09:14:39 -0700

I've had a pretty good week all in all. Vended for the first time at a bondage workshop and possibly found a new partner in kink, which is cool. Got some greeting cards in and they look amazing so that shop will probably be going live in the next day or two. It's an interesting twist in my life.

But god DAMN I'm sick of the scolds near me.

I had a really fun/bizarre/WTF! shoot last weekend with two girls (burlesque friends) who wanted to do a scene of one of them dressed up as a unicorn assaulting the other, dressed as a princess, in some pretty fun/bizarre/see above ways. It was weird, we were all kind of uncomfortable since it is a touchy subject but there are some really damned good pictures in there.

And, of course, the minute I mention this shoot online, I get a couple of folks who think it Just Isn't Funny! And there went that day right in the shitter. Being lectured at that my friends and I need to see shrinks because we have these kinks, that we're obviously spending our days fantasizing about abusing people and that they will never ever ever ever ever ever work with people like us again!

Which A) is a relief and B) is a lie because one of them is working a show with a girl who does an act that involves assaulting some poor guy who just isn't that into her.

So fuck the scolds. To hell with anyone offended with the premise of a piece before ever seeing it or wasn't there at its conception.

Thank you, now back to the rope factory.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

oldhat — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 09:23:53 -0700

Hmm, well I'm on my second coffee, so I think I have the energy for this.

The week sort of exploded with the revealing of my Secret Project (with an explanation behind the concept following on my site) and it's been getting some really good feedback and I think I'm going to go with my idea to turn it in to a series. Already have ideas for victims of Poison Ivy, Clayface and the mad Hatter, so we'll see where it goes. Regardless, it's a fun personal project to work on.

And a line from Clive Barker's The Hellbound Heart (which I read for the first time last week) has really got my imagination going and leaving me inspired and thinking of where I could take it:
"The condition of its flesh beggared her imagination -the hooks, the scars. Yet its voice, when it spoke, was not that of a creature in pain."

Dead people, their murderers and mutilated beings, it seems, might be my thing. I blame my parents.

Personal-wise not too much to report. I got a really sweet e-mail from someone last weekend that made me smile and has so far put to rest any low self-esteem. I also seem to be patching up some friendships that have been gradually separating apart, which is great. I'm also getting bonuses at work now for every time we get a new client. So hooray, I might actually be able to save up for something. Like an apartment.

I didn't go to boxing this week, as I was feeling completely out of sorts. Next week I get back to it and I can't wait.

Beer-wise, my homebrew Audacious Bitch is done aging in the bottle and...it needs work. The elements are there and god knows I don't need to remove anything, but something needs to be added to give it more of a body and texture to the taste. Hell, I stirred a spoonful of honey in a pint of it and it just made it all the better. But I'm not saddened by it. Beer making is a SCIENCE and everyone knows that Science demands experimentation before obtaining perfection. I'll get it right next batch. :)

I've applied for a part time job at the retail section of the brewpub of a Toronto brewery whose beers I'm really fond of. I hope I get it.

Tonight (9pm EST) is my google+ Thirsty Wench Beer Workshop on stouts. We're all bringing one Guinness and one local brew to talk about. I need to get my research on for that style (and especially the makings of Guinness) and head over to a brewery for a particular stout I have in mind. Just before I go home though, I'm off to a pub where a brewery I like is having a sampling.

And that's all. This weekend I'll be meeting a friend, but otherwise swimming, eating a pizza and sleeping. Because I've EARNED IT.

Here's a currentish pic of me.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

RenThing — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:18:43 -0700

To politics - I wish I could quit you! This week's political news has me wanting to move myself and family to a small island in the middle of nowhere and ignore the rest of the world. We had the stupid political theater of our government over the debt ceiling with the god damn Republicans openly admitting to holding the process hostage in order to push through a bunch of bullshit cuts that, ultimately, won't do a damn toward the deficit because, additionally, they didn't add any new revenue coming into the government to balance rising expenditures. And now, because of the way that our Congress acted, stocks are falling faster than Charlie Sheen's career and we're probably going to go back into a recession because of those right-wing douchebags. The GOP has, even more so, lots its god damned mind and its sad because I believe that we do need conservatives, real ones, to make our political process work and to keep the more liberal liberals balanced. Instead we get this bullshit.

Then there's last night GOP debate which was filled with so many untruths and crap that I'm wondering how they didn't all choke to death from the sewage. I hate the fact that so many of my countrymen fall for this bullshit, and it's not even cleverly disguised bullshit either, and eat it like its fucking candy. And when I think that one of those smug fuckers standing behind the podium, or that god-botherer Rick Perry, getting to take a crack at the Presidency fills my heart with fear. I know liberals and those on the left look at the GOP presidential line-up and think that none of them stand a chance but if history has shown us anything its that the Democrats are incredibly skilled at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory and cocking up a sure thing. Our country is going tits up and no one in power seems to care and no one who is actually getting hurt seems to mind either.

Then there's London which looks positively fucked from this side of the pond. I don't know enough of the situation to comment but my heart goes out to those people who were hurt as a result of people's frustrations and anger at the situation (or their selfish opportunistic use of a bad situation to hurt others because they think they can get away from it).

Other than that this week hasn't been bad. I have an awesome wife and partner, a growing and health son, I've been writing, gaming, and seeing some friends. Other than the downer that is politics and the state of the country I don't have a lot to complain about. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

JP Carpenter — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:36:16 -0700

Today's the last day of my two week holiday. OK - I have the weekend, but will probably spend that getting more and more tense about going back on Monday - I don't think I'll be able to come up for air again until the end of September. Has been a bit of a mixed bag - we managed to do a few of the things we planned - lots of picnics, a theme park for the kids, met up with my parents, I managed one swim in the sea before the weather turned crap - but I've been fairly depressed throughout, and never fully relaxed, which has been really frustrating . I'd really wanted to make music too, but that just hasn't worked - seemed to have just lost it, my guitar playing has been really clumsy and ham-fisted, and then stuff kept breaking - desktop PC randomly crashing, laptop power socket intermittently fails and the damn thing crashes, have also wasted loads of time trying to sort out stupid driver problems on it, with the net result that I've made it worse than ever. In its defence, Toshiba make them quite tough - I really lost the plot last night and gave it a few pretty hefty punches, which it surprisingly survived. So in all, I don't think I've been great company for my partner and kids - bad tempered and snappy and rubbing them all up the wrong way.

And there were the riots. The nasty authoritarian bullshit from the right wing has been pretty depressing too, just feel very sad and despondent watching it all and its aftermath. Lucky to be nowhere near it - my sister, who is pretty unwell right now was near to trouble in Lewisham - she's now staying with a friend in Croydon, so just hoping nothing kicks off there again.

This week was our second anniversary of moving into this house (which we'd forgotten until today) and today is also the 14th anniversary of my partner and I getting together (although we did have an 18 month split in the middle), which is quite sweet I suppose, she's somehow put up with my Olympic-level bastard moroseness for all that time and we've managed to spawn three she-babies...

So tonight I'm going to drink and be merry and try and put the sad aside and celebrate a little. I may try doing something cathartic like writing down and incinerating some of the things that are pissing me off right now - that might help, and can't hurt...

@Allana - sorry to hear - that sucks. Corporate bollocks...
@Isaac - good luck with the baby
@Oldhat - mmm, beer!
Peace to all...

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Argos — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:38:48 -0700

I had to cancel my Burning Man trip this week. I cried my eyeballs out for about 3 days straight, yesterday being the third. I'm hoping this doesn't turn into the 4th day. It also triggered a mini-depression; partly because I can't go, but partly because of why I can't go, the details of which I won't be talking about for the sake of my internet privacy. Needless to say it's gotten in the way of my life before, and I'm getting fed up with it.

Day before yesterday I was going to pre-order the special edition of Bjork's "Biophilia," (the manual edition, not the Ultimate Edition), and couldn't because I ordered black toiled paper from Fab.com and the fuckers keep authorizing my card, and every time they do it, it fucks with my available balance. So I tried again last night, which was still Aug 11 for me (preordering closes on Aug 12), and it was already closed by then. So now I'm stuck without this amazing special edition of an album that I really, really wanted. I've never purchased a special edition of an album before. And I know at the end of the day it's just something materialistic, but....it was really great art.

Good news is I'm losing weight still. Down to 168ish now. I'm getting stronger - I can do a real pushup again (though still training with modified pushups), and I can almost do crow's pose. I realized yesterday that it's a really good thing that I've gotten into the habit of exercising, because it's one of the few things I currently have. It costs nothing (but free time, of which I have a lot currently), is a thing in which I can experience progression, and is really good for my health. So, exercise is kind of what my world is currently revolving around.

Other good news is that since I can't make Burning Man, I've taken up the responsibility of hosting a Balsa Man (balsaman.org) in San Diego, which makes me the regional lead for San Diego. Basically it's a tiny version of Burning Man. The effigy is only 2.5 feet tall, and the community is encouraged to bring their own tiny art, which then gets burned. It's a short event, only a couple hours, so no huge stress planning it, but should be lots of fun. I've been having a hoot looking through the San Fransisco Balsa Man Flickr and seeing all their teeny tiny art. They even give out art grants as small as $1 to fund the works, haha.

Um, that's it.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

VertigoJones — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:39:14 -0700

Yesterday I found out that the company I work for lost a tender to supply the company I work at (It does make sense if you look closely) with staff. Upon asking the company I work at what was going to happen, they explained it was the job of the company I work for to tell me, Even after dropping hints, there is nothing, the people I work for have a great track record for keeping things to themselves, possibly in the hope that if they ignore it it's not real, but for me, it means I'm now on dismissal anxiety and I didn't even have time to go loot myself any saleable items this week. This week has consisted of a lot of cat-sitting, for my own cats, who live with Misat0, as much as I love them, I don't care where they got the unnering ability to start sniffing my eyelids at exactly 06:35 from, but I want them to stop it, as waking up in the morning before 07:45 has left me at times, wanting to vomit, in a quite literal fashion. I am in two minds as to whether or not I should buy a tattoo gun. It's never too late to start something you love.
I am old, and forever retroactively styling. I've reached the early 1940's. (This is not true, but the quiff is too much work in the morning)
I finally grew some facial hair into some kind of shape. It might not be much, but having got to 38 without any beard ever, in a forum full of hairylovefaces, it's a small comfort.

I look old. it disturbs me greatly.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

JP Carpenter — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:44:27 -0700

@Mark - god, that sucks too. Presumably you're protected by TUPE, if if the work you do is continuing though - would have thought you'd be transferred to the company that did win the contract?

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Gekko — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:53:29 -0700

Some of you who know me have noticed that I come back here these days. I've been missing you but was unable to do everything that life asks me to do. Also, the most amazing story is happening to me: a friend of mine, who was a heroin addict, died a couple of months ago. He was such a trickster that all the posse we used to be had gone their way, and stopped seeing one another. Yet, we gathered on his funerals. We are scattered all over France and Ireland. We have started meeting on a regular basis again (in fact: a secret page on Facebook which we visit several times a day) The fact is we were a band at the time, that was 20 years ago. We have decided to play music together again. Without that dead bastard. And shit, it feels good.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

VertigoJones — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:02:17 -0700

@jon Carpenter unfortunately, I'm a contractor, so no safety net for me. :/

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

JP Carpenter — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:22:15 -0700

Oh. Bastards.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

chris g — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:24:17 -0700

Working all damn week in a furniture store building all by my fucking self. Sometimes it tries to get to me but I just draw all day or go buy comics to stay sane. Relative connected to me died so lately I reeeeally find it hard to give a fuck if some stupid mattress or night stand is out of some shithead's price range. I just do not care about these flip-flop wearing zombies coasting through life like complacent little mutants.

Anyway, it is nice to know you care enough to bring back Open Mic, Si. When you showed up you're writing style made me think "This guy writes like he's super into himself!" but it takes getting used to. All part of the transitional period. Warren has been a big part of my/our lives but it appears the time has finally come to leave the nest and do great things on our own now. Hope you appreciate the honesty.

Anyway, take it easy you sick f*cks! <3

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

outlawpoet — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:43:14 -0700

Things are still pretty bad. My family is pretty torn up after the loss of my sister, and I've been keeping an eye on my little brother for a while, he just went back to Utah to stay with mom.

The recession doesn't help, he's unemployed, my sister is going back to school, my mom's contract work is threatened, my dad's dealing with challenges from within his department. I've somehow become the stable one, with the job and the place to live and plans. Very strange.

Crashspace is moving forward, unfortunately I've kind of lost a bit of the joy in it. Lecture last night on neurophysiology was well attended, next week I have two nights, A Basics class at Radio Mondays, and the monthly Neuroscience Group meeting, both of which should be good.

I've been trying to jumpstart myself, but I'm having trouble keeping up with my pre-existing responsibilities, much less getting going on my private projects I want to do.

Work is alright, we've got more and better customers, and internal productivity is up. I might actually get done with all my customer stuff and get to do a little research this month, some voice recognition error correction. First time in a while.

Had to cut my hair short to be respectable for the service three weeks ago:

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

brittanica — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:18:44 -0700

I hope everyone's enjoying their weekend. My weekend doesn't start until Tuesday evening, unfortunately. I'm in the middle of a seven-day work week (yay retail), but I can't really complain. I get to FINALLY be a cake decorator for a full 40-hour week for the first time... after they promised I'd be working on cakes over a year and a half ago... Oh well.
Money is rough. The fella quit his evil evil job a month or so ago, but is now on his second week at OfficeMax. At least it's something. I've been used to have a tiny bit of extra money, but now we're cutting it very close every week. And w/ both of us looking into going back to school (he's kinda giving up the rock 'n roll dream and has been getting applications and what not together to go back for special education. Once he's taken care of I want to get a business degree, maybe even culinary schooling), seems like it's gonna get worse before it gets better.
The whole "what the fuck am I doing w/ my life" feeling I usually have isn't so bad right now, but it's probably only because I know I can't afford to take any chances.

Everyone gets /hugs, because they deserve them. Well, maybe not Si, I'm still not too sure what diseases that guy carries. At least w/ Warren, my only fear was losing my e-arms.

Old, old picture, as I look like complete and utter shit right now. Hair is not as cooperative as it's been in the past...

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

RobSpalding — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 15:15:48 -0700

Finally got my appeal against cutting my benefits in. Took 3 weeks because I'm ill (which is what the appeal is about) and because my doctor prescribed new anti-depressants for my CFS which have fucked with my "Turning thoughts into spoken or written words". Apparantly the stuff I'm on is known by brand as Zoloft. I'm getting this shit changed when I see him next.
Had a blood test, nearly passed out because I'm a complete wimp when it comes to needles.
Getting taken to Berlin in a fortnigh as a long awaited Christmas present - was supposed to be a show in London, now it's 3 days in Berlin, I'm not complaining.

On Sunday I'm taking my new shiny DSLR to take photos of my football club for the first time. Meanwhile I'm home alone, waiting for my brother to arrove so he can have an interview at Butlins tomorrow while my parents are away.

Oh, and I'm drunk on wine I found in the lounge, which seems to be why I can manage to get this out of my head onto the forum.

Yay alcohol!

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

icelandbob — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:26:09 -0700

Hi everyone

the week has been boring as i have no money! I am reduced to whining and begging the general manager of my local newspaper for him to stop dragging his feet and pay me for work outstanding that i'm owed. He always pays me in the end, but man he does take his time!

So this week has been about reading, writing and being all anti social (again), which has been fine as i'm back at the day job.

The latest issue of the paper came out today and.... i'm a bit pissed

See here's the deal. It's all about "editing". I'm have come to realise and happily accept having pieces clipped and chopped sometimes due to space issues. I've also had pieces spiked on occasion because in the word of my editor "they're not good enough". Again fair enough.

But on this issue he mutilated an album review which made it lose a lot of it's meaning, while another one has two spelling mistakes that I didn't put in. And to cap it all there is a review for a schlocky rock band called... Deep Jimi and the Zep Creams (this is actually their real name) that i reviewed... UNDER ANOTHER PERSONS NAME. Actually it's not my review. You see, i wrote my review for it, a while back and it was very uncharitable to their sound (i.e. they were shit), but my editor instead passed the album around till he got a favourable album review, and he printed that one in its place! Apparently he is known for printing "favourable" reviews about certain bands on the scene, at the same time spiking ones for said bands that aren't completely glowing. I know it's not a major issue, but it got me really annoyed. What is the point of me going to this trouble, time and energy to do this if he then just discards what you do for something that is more "on message"? This has been building up for a while and i need to pin him in a corner and discuss this with him....

I have one beer in my fridge. But a large bottle of vodka in the freezer.

Rant over

Be Good....

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

taphead — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:28:04 -0700

Jesus what a week.

I am now somewhat heavily involved in Lucky Productions (non-facebook pages to follow), and hence semi-professionally in the music industry. How the hell did that happen?

I'm afraid to look too far, but I think I may be finding my niche.

Fuck.

Hope this finds you well.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

BrianMowrey — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 18:48:03 -0700

@outlawpoet

that guy sees what you are doing. don't you try any kinky shit or terroristing, he's ready

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Beamish — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 19:26:32 -0700

I am watching Planet of the Apes (68) which has been the high point of my week. A dear friend of my had his first oncology apointment this week and new tests show that he has a tumor the size of a softball pressing against his lung. At this point they don't were it came from but the outlook is pretty grim. There is nothing about my life that compares to his pain so I will shut up. If you pray, please do, his name is Mike Zaremba.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

LokiZero — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 20:33:57 -0700

I can not complain.

Cheers, Whitechapel!

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Casey Moore — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 20:44:47 -0700

Working on one show as we prep another one. Plus prepping the next one after that, but having to do it all around the network folks. I am getting left behind as basically the liaison/person who knows everything. Which means the rest of my office crew get to go work just one show while I deal with two people who are above me, but I have more experience than. It is a bit maddening and frustrating and I want October to get here because supposedly on this next tv series there is a raise for me.

But feeling in a rut because by Next February I will have been a production secretary for basically two years while others with less experience in production offices are working as coordinators and assistant coordinators.

Of course really all that is mute because I really want to be on the artistic side, not the nuts and bolts side. And I keep thinking about transferring to the AD department and working on set, but that means i go back to start form the beginning.

And for all this complaining I feel guilty because really my life is going well and i have work booked through next February at least, which is a very good thing.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

muse hick — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 22:39:52 -0700

i have been working like a madman on various fiction projects - editing, illustrating, and writing the bloody things, and my transhuman saga ortoematic is nearing the end of the first volume. i am also working on putting a magazine together and am looking for submissions for the magazine idea i had themagazinemagazine. many things in my life which have kind of been on hold forever are also about to start moving forward at a very rapid rate, which i am looking forward to immensely. i also have a massive thing which i am working on which will guarantee me a regular daily output of work, writing-wise, for the next year.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Alan Tyson — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 23:09:14 -0700

I'm ah... I'm doing okay.

The job I have won't last 'til the end of the month, my roomie just got a job that pays infinitely more than the short-lived one I have, I have only $130 to my name, and my car needs its bumper looks at, but...

Guys, I'm okay. I just had beer-talk with some fine, fine people on this very forum, I got something deeply personal off my chest and received the greatest possible reward for doing so, and the friend I keep ranting about is headed straight for the head-heavens of sanity, by way of the American highway system (same way I got there).

I'm also EXTREMELY boozed up on beer, all of it 9% ABV.

Si, Whitechapel... I'm happy. Hope you're happy, too.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Horrible Warning Si — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 02:48:40 -0700

I bring Questionable Cuddles to those of you in pain and sadness. You're not on your own, digichums - bear that in mind.

Mmmmmmore.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

snafu — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 08:13:16 -0700

Arrrgghh! I almost missed it. Very sneaky Your Horribleness. The past week has been a series of ups and downs with a big down at work on Friday then a very bad Eggs Benedict this morning. Note to all you restaurants out there. If you are asked is the Hollandaise is made in the restaurant, opening a tin or adding milk to a powdered mix does not count. Blech. And then they drowned the poor thing. When I cut the undercooked egg the yoke ran into the ocean of nasty sauce and was lost. I know the yolk should be runny, but this was ridiculous. What can I say? I take my Eggs Benedict very seriously. Hollandaise and Béarnaise are two of the worlds great pleasures. They should not be mistreated or taken for granted.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

razrangel — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 11:03:24 -0700

The week - well, recent history, ie this month - has been really hard a lot of good people I know. Illness, job losses, deaths even. it's a mess before I even turn on the news and then it sounds like all the world has had the same thought "ah fuck it, go nuts, let someone else put out the fire."

I've been ok so far though could stand some serious improvement. I'm just used to not having money and not having work that must get done and feeling a little distant from my art. It's not a development or particularly painful right now. But it would be neat if the situation changed in favor of earning my keep.

I can't describe the feeling that sort of embarrassed and sort of relieved that getting back into acting, doing theatre, being creative has been extraordinarily effective for keeping depression away. The embarrassment comes from having wasted my 20s in a submerged mood, trying to be a good office drone and just assuming that the endless stream of suicidal scenarios were just something I'd have to live with. [I'M NOT THERE ANYMORE!!! No need to call any medics, I'm writing this to note that I don't have that movie playing continuously in my head. (Only on special occasions.)] A couple of years ago a friend delightedly noticed how I light up when I talk about theatre and acting, etc. He was surprised because even when I smile and talk about fun things like music or movies it's not nearly how alive I become when talking about theatre. It's so funny that I knew this without knowing this when I was a teenager and geared everything to studying theatre. But I forgot about it when I was an adult and desperate to pay bills. I tried so hard to let that part of me go, thinking that sometimes the more responsible thing was more important, etc. So...embarrassed because I had nearly kill myself trying to have another life before figuring out that what I wanted all along was what I wanted from the beginning.

Hilarious.

I have collected a bit of critique on my demo. I'm satisfied with a lot of it. I know I have work to do as an actor but I feel the demo is solid enough on its own (though I'm still looking into editing) that it's provided me a good place to start. Next is marketing it and myself. Probably the most terrifying prospect - I've always been terrible at sales. And here I'll be trying to sell me!

So. I'm worried about my friends and family. And I'm worried about you guys...losing jobs and losing loved ones. I'm trying to convince the world and myself that I have to keep driving forward if I'm going to be of any use to anyone. I have such deep debts to all you good people for keeping me afloat, firing me up with inspiration and hope... maybe it's cheesy. Or maybe it saved my life. *shrug* Keep at it, friends. I'm cheering for you.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Fishelle — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 12:21:09 -0700

One more week, then it's back to school, and no more living with parents or working the job I hate so much.

I've become so incredibly lazy with my job. It isn't like me at all to be lazy with work, but ever since that sort of mental breakdown I had a little over a week ago, I'm just done. I don't want them to hire me again, even if it means I end up without money for school. This last week better go by quick.

I'm still a bit worried about money, even with the money from work. It won't give me enough to buy food, for instance. I need to sell some art or get a part time job at school or something. But I've got so many credits I'm taking in the fall, I don't know if I'll be able to handle a job. I've got a scholarship to keep, after all. And because I'm transferring, my grades from my other school are no longer actually part of my GPA. So if I get a single C, I lose my tuition. And tuition at this place is expensive.

Meanwhile, when I ask my mom for an allowance this year I get, "We'll have to see how much things are going to be for [my little brother] first." She's got to pay for tuition (at a cheaper school, at least), fees, housing, and food for him. I've got a scholarship to cover tuition and most of my fees, got a summer job to pay for rent, and now all I need is money to eat, and I'm not even sure I'll get that. And even though it makes money super tight apparently, my brother can't get a small loan. My parents haven't even pushed him to find a job for the school year. Does this make sense to anyone? It doesn't to me.

Yesterday I did a little thing online to see if I could qualify for food stamps. Not even a chance. I'll be living with my sister for the school year, who's got a fairly large income. The deal with living with her, though, is that she can't support me. That is not her job, and we agreed on that. She's already letting me pay less than half of what I should be in rent, making it so I don't have to deal with living with strangers, and giving my my very own bedroom, among other things. I'm not going to ask her for any more. But according to the food stamps system, I should be able to. I also have enough in my bank account to pay for food (even though all of that is going to be rent and utilities over the next several months) so yeah, no food stamps for me.

I'm not in as dire a situation as many people, but it's still a frustrating thing. I wish I didn't have to worry about having enough for food. It would be nice if I just had enough to buy a comic every once in a while or support a thing or two on kickstarter or something. I wish that my mom's top priority was the health and well being of her children.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

ZJVavrek — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 13:07:11 -0700

Let's see, this week...

I'm not sure anything eventful enough to mentioned happened in the first half of the week. The highlight was Thursday, when, for the first time, I finally went through an Orientation session for a school. I graduated from High School six years ago and have gone to two community colleges, but only Portland State University actually required me to attend Orientation. Met the head of the Philosophy department (currently, my chosen major), who seems like an awesome guy. I also found out about an awkward Financial Aid limit I hadn't known.

I was aware that there was a dollar limit (about $57.5k) on loans, but not that at a certain number of hours attempted (270), Financial Aid gets annoyed and becomes less willing to loan money. My folks are kind, generous, and affluent enough to pay Jr. College tuition out of pocket, so I haven't given much thought to Financial Aid until this year (I stand around 120-130 hours so far). It seems that if I pursued what I wished to study at a Uni level, I'd go far past when Financial Aid would be cutting me off. I aim for a career in Nuclear Engineering, so I've never been afraid of having to pay back my loans, but now that I'm thinking of cutting into what I do and do not strongly care about... I'm not sure how much I want to bother with significant upper-division work in fields outside of my career, when they're all designed to help me get into a grad school and do research. I want an MEng degree: Professional, not Research.

The moral of the story? I need to get to Oregon State University and ask them, "What undergrad work would do well in your Master's program?" and just get on that. But this weekend? This weekend, I'm sleeping.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

flecky — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 13:53:03 -0700

please ignore this online crap messin with me

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

flecky — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 14:15:23 -0700

hey it seemed to work.wow.Aint been to this wonderful site for sometime.With everything im going through i still feel like cryin over the goodbye from Mr Ellis.Seems like all ive been doing this past year is detox from a life of substance abuse.Im not there yet but will keep trying.Wont go into a pity me yet my body is fucked and my heed is raw/emotional.Spend everyday at meetings listening to same old 12 step shit.It works but fook it does my brain in. yeah,life is sweet..dont do hard drugs kids..

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

icelandbob — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 14:50:15 -0700

You hang in there Flecky! Or i will come there and hug you. And you don't want that....

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Osmosis — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 14:57:19 -0700

I'm starting a graduate degree in six weeks. If I wasn't sitting in on a Saturday night I'd say that'd be the end of my social life. Ho hum.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

JP Carpenter — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 15:38:22 -0700

Or i will come there and hug you. And you don't want that....

Hahaha... The medics say I might be able to breathe unaided in a few months, but the steel pins are there permanently.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

flecky — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 15:57:11 -0700

Yeah,JOnCarp3nter..you gotta laff.Or sneer.Or anything.Medics..

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

JP Carpenter — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 16:10:54 -0700

nonono... not sneering at all.

Bob's ManHugs, as some of us found out at the london meetup a couple of weeks back, are somewhat robust...

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

ZJVavrek — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 17:26:44 -0700

@Osmosis
Congratulations! What's your field/specialty?

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

icelandbob — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 17:26:58 -0700

but they be full on manlove! Gentle Ben was my dad!

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Finagle — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 20:08:35 -0700

Well, I've just cracked open Sierra Nevada number *mumble*, and have just put Franks Wild Years on for a listen. I don't think I've played this, as an album, in....a while.

I find life less that satisfying lately, and is largely my own fault. I've gotten myself around to where I'm fairly well broken, wasted the low-hanging fruit, squandered my potential, and generally have not been facing up to things.

On the other hand, I still have a roof over my head, and can still afford to drink Sierra Nevada. So there's that.

The bats are in the belfrey,
the dew is on the moor.
Where are the arms that held me
And pledged to love before,
And pledged to love before?

It's such a sad old feeling,
the hills are soft and green.
Its memories that I'm stealing,
but you're innocent when you dream, when you dream,
You're innocent when you dream.

Thanks for being there, Whitechapel. I know I haven't been coming around much lately. It isn't you, its me. Really.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

celan — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 22:16:59 -0700

I'm absolutely knackered, Whitechapel. Admittedly a sizable portion of my exhaustion is attributable to my own tail-chasing neuroses.
But if you're gonna be tired it might as well be from doing something you love...and ten months or so later, we've finally released our little EP.
Some friends of mine shot this video last night:

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

trini_naenae — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 22:50:06 -0700

Week: This was the last week of work for my more fun and reliable co-worker. So I'll miss the banter and discussions. He said we'd still hang out but I highly doubt it. And for some good news, the duplex I was interested in hasn't been sold, and it seems like the seller wants to wait for 4 to 6 more months, which would give me time to build a credit score etc. So who knows? I've also been playing my uke more, and am starting to even get decent at some songs. My co-workers ask for performances and seem to think I'm ok, so that's a great encouragement. I've decided it's ok that I'm not really drawing because at least I'm still doing creative things.

Hate: My dad lacks an inside voice when he's on the phone. I don't care what time of day it is, I don't like being woken up because he's talking too loudly.

Love: Hmmm... Puns. British comedy. Stories. Beautiful art. Mythology. Folk Tales. Fairy Tales. Anansi Stories Well, those last four go with stories, but you know.

Pissing me off: While I am off the pill, I have a raging libido for at least a week or two every month. I also lack a
boyfriend/fuck buddy or whatever. If I'm on the pill, the libido stops being so overwhelming, but I gain weight even faster than I have been already. Also, I already have crap self control with food and exercise.

What's broken about the world: Too many to list. London riots, US politics/Economy, my lack of motivation for things I should want.

What I want: I'm not sure. My own place would be a good start. A pretty boy to talk to about interesting things with and to have hot sex with. As long as we don't have to talk about feelings too often until we've really gotten to know each other. Really boring predictable stuff really.

How I plan to change everything: Hah. Yeah right.

What's next: My mom and I are planning on a weekend (Friday morning through Saturday night) in the Twin Cities. I actually set up a thread regarding that. I'm hoping a meetup happens. Wouldn't a meetup be lovely?

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

JP Stargazer — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 23:36:46 -0700

Fucking week from hell!!!

First and foremost: I had to retriev some paintings I left for months in a friend's bar. These were the paintings that I had presented for the faculty's final exhibition, with wich I graduated. I finally got a vehicle to transport everything from the bar to home, then, once in the bar, my friend told me that two boxes with my paintings where missplaced; apparentely, the guy who sells him booze took the boxes by mistake. So, he started to phone this guy to see if the paintings where somwhere to be found, with no result. Yesterday I told my friend to give me the guy's phone numbers so I could put some pressure meself. I spent the whole day talking with this one guy, then with another one, who supposedly was the one who went to the bar to retrieve the unselled wine boxes and mistakenly took my boxes. So this third guy explained me that there was no way he could have mistook the boxes with the paintings for the boxes with wine bottles; yadda yadda yadda, no one knows what happened with my boxes. Gonna have to wait until monday, then me and my friend will go to the storage to ask so we can look for my boxes ourselves.

The cherry for the cake: today at work, customers where more assholes than usual. And, at closing time, my key got stuck and I got shut down at the store for almost two hours, that is until the locksmith came. Oh, and I put a thermos badly closed in my bag, so it dripped water and some drawins got wet.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Osmosis — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 23:47:55 -0700

@ZJVavrek

Thanks! It's an MA in War Studies. Which I know I know sounds a bit intense. If they had just called it International Relations and Security which is what it is I would have approximately 47.33% less embarrassment when telling people this.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

flecky — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 06:13:04 -0700

once again must piss around wit my server.existential teen anxiety off tappin in shit that dont leave confines o own mind is foookin hideous!

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

flecky — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 06:30:46 -0700

gotta keep it brief.got thru the nite.ta for threat of hug icelandbob.its the small things that help!where i live in London is crack and heroin central..bit like most of this fooked up city.Ive somehow managed to get off state horror of methadone maintenence BUT stil usin lesser evil of another opiode.so today im doing this in my gaff,watchin Corrie and toying with the idea of going to a meeting and hoping to see someone with a Planetary or AUTHORITY or Grendel or even a bleedin Batman T shirt on..then i would share like the mean old bastad i am..

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

government spy — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 10:23:07 -0700

Sunday morning, first day back at work in a week after being on vacation.

I took my daughter and my girlfriend out west of San Antonio, to Hill Country, where we stayed in a little log cabin with no TV, no cell reception, no internet, no microwave. My daughter is more hooked on Internets than I am. She lives with her mother and mom's boyfriend, and they're both programmers. So I thought cutting that cord briefly would be a good idea.

We spent one day hiking and swimming in natural waters, one day riding horses, which neither the kid nor I had done before, one day looking at bats in a cave, and one day at a little water park, enjoying some more modern recreation.

I learned a bit, about how bad the drought really affects these ranches. Some of them have to have water shipped in to keep their livestock alive. The bats in Devil's Sinkhole have dwindled from 4 million to a couple hundred. Not that all have the bats have died, but they have left their normal habitats because there is no food.

Texas has been growing on me. I grew up outside Chicago, and later lived in the windy city. I always had a prejudiced view of the South in general, and Texas along with it. When I first moved to Texas, I lived in Austin for quite a while, which is no small town, and very liberal, and still encouraged my "anti-redneck" opinions. The stereotypes are just that. I've met so many hard working people in the Hill Country; ranchers, farmers, etc. and we never discussed politics or religion, mostly because it never came up. But those people made me and my family welcome. It may have been because we were vacationing tourists, and they need the income, but I truly felt it's because that's how they are; friendly welcoming good-natured folk.

I don't listen to a lot of country, normally, I don't like it. But since we were out in the country, I brought out my Johnny Cash, my O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack, and a few others. A week later, my daughter (who professes to like Lady Gaga, but cannot name any of her songs) was singing along to "I'll Fly Away" and "Big Rock Candy Mountain."

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Peter Kelly — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 12:11:24 -0700

So, the company I work for is moving. Which is good, 2 offices will become 1, which SHOULD help with the god awful communication we have.

BUT, they have left the bulk of the work to 1 guy (no, not me) and he is about to crack.
People who don't know all the facts are giving opinions and he is too nice to just tell everyone to back the fuck up and let him work.
Enter me, who unexpectedly had to work a 13 hour day on Friday.
And then another 8 on Sat.
Now it's sunday, I'm 3 hours into what is likely a 12 hours shift and thinking...I have a fucking 9-5 gig, what am i doing?

I'm spending far too much time on some one else's dream and if I get even a thank you for it I'll be surprised.
In fact the only reason I am willing to work this weekend, is cause the guy left to do it all is just way too nice to leave stranded.

If I was in his position, the company would go through some really shitty times next week but maybe, just maybe it would force everyone to get their shit together.

Ah well, another weekend and the freelance gig I have been doing afterhours for the last year will be done, my debt will be slightly lower and the short film in my head screaming to get out will get put on paper.

Thanks for listening whitechapel, gotta get back to it.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Mercer Finn — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 15:01:24 -0700

Have to write a 12,000 word dissertation in three weeks. Currently have 14,500 words of organized quotations and notes. It's doable, right?

Topic is the role of teleology / God / religion in Adam Smith's thought. Man was so reticent about the issue it's impossible to give an uncomplicated answer. It's thesis-worthy, in other words.

Celebrating the mother's b'day tmrw. She has organized a fancy restaurant, and is now making her own cake, because she (wisely) doesn't trust anyone else to do anything. She's extra special / crazy and I love her for it. She'll hopefully like the prezzies I got her -- DVDs of two of her fave films (Amadeus + The Age of Innocence) which she had on video but cannot watch because we threw the VHS player out aaages ago. And a pricey cafetiere, because she needs her coffee in the morning.

Now back to work.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

KPatrickGlover — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:06:11 -0700

Lost my main, desktop computer last night. Major hard drive failure. I've been slowly transitioning into the laptop as my primary unit anyway, but I hadn't fully made the change and so I'm stuck trying to figure out what all's been lost. So far, it's been mostly software, which can be easily replaced. I've made a habit of emailing most of my writing to myself, so any stories in progress have copies in my email box, as does a copy of the file for the upcoming Kindle book, although I don't think I sent out the last batch of edits, so I have to do all that over again.

Of course the excel spreadsheets that catalog all of my books and comics and such were on that computer. So, gotta do all that over again. sigh.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

brittanica — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:59:03 -0700

...I guess I actually do have something to complain about.

My left hip hurts so that I can barely walk. My shoulders feel like someone stuck a knife in them. My left hand keeps going slightly numb. I've worn at least one blister on my foot. And, because, I couldn't get everything I needed to do today done (which I know isn't entirely my fault as I kept getting more work added and my managers failed to let me know that they'd be gone most of the day and therefore unable to do things I absolutely needed done), I feel like a complete and utter waste of humanity. It just feels like I'm wearing myself down to dust there, and I have neither the time or the money to do anything to fix myself. I know, in the grand scheme of things, I'm not bad off. But the fella had to go to the emergency room a while back, and now we owe them over 600 dollars, for sitting in a room for a couple of hours to wait on blood work that came back okay anyway. We have no extra money. Not for anything that involves the medical industry.

Driving home from work today, for a split second, I wondered how I could slam my car into the rock wall in a way to kill myself quickly.
I'm frightened.
I don't like feeling this hopeless about my (our; the fella was depressed when I got home, completely separate from mine but likely similar) life.
And I can't even afford to see a therapist about it.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

RenThing — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:52:51 -0700

@brit

Have you considered calling a hotline? They may have resources in your area that can help.
And I think I speak for a number of people here when I say, please, don't do any harm to yourself.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Aurora Borealis — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:46:05 -0700

I have just finished reading Fullmetal Alchemist today and I'm still in the happy daze. The ending was awesome, the last chapter made me cry throughout it (the last two things to hit me so strongly were Bone and Scott Pilgrim I believe). And now after finishing this thing I can't stand looking at the endless superhero soap operas that Marvel and DC publish. Because neither Batman nor Spider-man will ever lead to an amazing conclusion, they'll just keep on being published until the interest fizzles out and so will these stories... they'll fizzle out or get cancelled mid-arc or whatever.

Basically, the whole adventure was amazing, but the ending made worth it. All this build up, all these characters, it all amounts to something. A never-ending title will never amount to anything.

This made me sit down and think again about what I want to achieve with my own work.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

razrangel — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 22:58:26 -0700

@Aurora - Sweet! I'm watching Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood via AdultSwim. I'm taking my time with it (so please no spoilers) but I really like how it's rolling out as it barrels into the last ten episodes. the plot is surprisingly complex and every strike and counterstrike, ploy, gambit, blow and deflection has a host of consequences that develop into moves the other side can exploit. It's like a really taut game of Risk (I'm guessing, I've never played };P). So I'm definitely looking forward to how it all wraps up.

I watched Fullmetal Alchemist before, the one that starts in the same place but diverges about midway through because the manga wasn't finished. I thought that it was stunningly impressive. I mean just gorgeous, you'd have to go to Cowboy Bebop or something to find another anime with as much subtext and nuance in the characterization. FMA:B isn't that nuanced for the characters, but what it lacks in emotional depth it easily makes up breathtaking plot twists.

More than once I've thought of writing to Hiromu Arakawa to ask what she read when studying up on alchemy. And, you know, generally to thank her for the awesome work.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Aurora Borealis — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 00:53:29 -0700

@razrangel: No spoilers from me, I promise! But if the Brotherhood anime is as close to manga as they claimed it will be... you're in for one hell of a ride :D

I really hope I can achieve this level of storytelling skills at some point.

edit: I've been going through a lot of creative stress and anguish. 2011 started awesome (50 pages of comics completed!), then worsening tablet issues pulled the rug from under my feet and now it's the 5th month that I didn't complete any actual art (other than some sketches).

Been trying various things, still nothing. I know I'll beat it someday, I just hope this day happens sooner than later cause I'm wasting time I could spend being creative.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

flecky — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 02:28:59 -0700

@ brit hey, i've been away from here for long time..it would be pretty "cheeky" as us brits say for me to say i know how you feel.Unless under the influence hospitals aint much fun.I was tortured,for want of a better word, a few weeks back by this islands fooked medical system.god damn inept dr digging at my feet with a massive spike trying to find veins which i told him had collapsed like the Berlin Wall.I went into full WTF panic attack mode.."fook,doc,stop that shit".I told him i would need a bottle of Jack Daniels and a fistful of Valium for him to keep doing his calling..which would have really pissed me off as i am a recovering addict.So i just had to walk..limp..crawl out off the house of pain! Most of this year i have felt like i am to damaged,to old,to special to be part of humanity..may as well keep going on like some sorta unemployed Desolation Jones!Sometimes i still feel like this but now i realise its all just the cunning part of my head trying to fook me over. it may sound corny but feelings are just feelings and they will pass even though at the time it seems like they have taken up permanent residence in the skull. Shit,ive got my tuesday off to yet another happy start! Got this hideous taste of metal in me mouth..Sitting on my bed taking ages to tap this in listening to LCD Soundsystem..Sound of Silver.To do list..go to a dank,smelly church basement in Ladbrooke Gv,West London in an hour and sit in a room of fellow addicts and give it "My name is Hulk.Hulk smash puny narcotics anonymous meeting!!". Damn,that would be good! Thank you,Whitechapel..sorry about bad spelling cos im dyslexic!

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

sellmeyoursoul — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 04:11:31 -0700

@Brit - Pain is an evil sonofabitch head twister and likes to go drinking with his besty depression. Sounds like the two of them are partying hard with you at the moment. The nasty bit about all of it is that being depressed makes you feel pain more acutely and being in massive amounts of pain makes you depressed. You need to find a way to break the cycle or it's just going to get worse. The numb hand is probably the most troubling to my, non-trained but experienced way too much with this shit, eye. That could well be damaged nerves. If you have shooting pain as well, see a doctor. I really don't care how you pull it off. If you've got a disc pressing or something, letting it go could make it worse. Trust me, you do not want any nerve damage to become permanent. I also second RenThing's please don't do anything to hurt yourself. Pain and depression also lead to poor decision making. I'm pretty sure once you get yourself sorted, you'll be glad to be alive (at least given the alternative).

As for my week? It was OK I guess. Work is kicking my ass and has been for months. We've got this thing where we need to hire more people so that the department's work load isn't beyond that of our ability to keep up. I'm trying to pace myself since I really don't need totally burn out. Gah! I spent the weekend on a mountain in a tent with my daughter at my family reunion. It was a good time. Last night I got a bit of reading/notes done for the WC writer's group we're trying to get going. I also put that down and worked on my own stuff for a bit. All this while enjoying a few well deserved drinks. And now... back to the mill.

Cheers all.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Beamish — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 04:21:57 -0700

@brit Two things, one, I know how you feel, definitely call someone for help. What always kept me going when I have bad days is the affect that it would have on my family and friends and it always brought me back around.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

glukkake — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 09:43:57 -0700

I ended my 5 year long relationship this weekend. My heart hurts, I'm lonely and currently trying to find a new apartment for next month.
Guh. As if I haven't been on the internets much before, I'm going into an even deeper isolation.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

trini_naenae — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:47:39 -0700

@Brit: Please don't hurt yourself. Someday you'll be able to manage your depression. Someday I will too. It is work, and that sucks, but I think it's worth it. Are there any resources in the area to help you and the fella get through this? If you can find a way to push each other through it, to get the help you need... ok?

@glukkake: Ouch. Hugs?

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Cameron C. — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:29:43 -0700

I've got some silly comics I'm working on. That's /kinda/ been keeping me occupied. I made a Zines a few weeks ago documenting myfirst convention. Anime expo.and the people I went with and things I bought. Over thelast weektheyve been arriving to the people that had wanted copies and ivewoken up multiple times in the past week to emails with horribly nice thingsto say about it.

My desertbuddy is leaving. She was supposed to leaven October but now that's changed to December 27. The date keeps getting pushed back. When she leaves I wont see her again. At least, not for years. I've spent the last month so insanely sad and upset over this. I'm trying to veterinary driveupto visit me again before I go back to school. Ideally I couldnconvince her to spend a weekend.

I'm typinf this up on my newly received nook color. As for the room of the house I'm in, you can guess B)

Edit: this keyboard is gonna take some getting use to :p

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

JP Carpenter — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 12:03:22 -0700

@Brit, echo what everyone else says - I really hope you can get the support you need, and do always remember that people do care and you can feel better even if it doesn't feel that way now. Feels like there are many of us here who have had similar experiences with depression, it is hell, but it does pass, and it can be managed. Good luck and my thoughts are with you.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

brittanica — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:37:20 -0700

Thank you guys. Today, I wasn't in as much pain, so I've been able to manage better (sellmeyoursoul is so right).
But, yeah, thank you. It does help to read the supportive things you guys have to say.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

dorkmuffin — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:10:51 -0700

@Britt, come back often. We like you here, if you hadn't noticed.

@Glu, oy. I'm super sorry to hear that. If you need commiseration/empowering drink time, lemme know.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

oldhat — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:29:47 -0700

@Britt, Anything I could possibly say has been said already. We love you here. Don't do anything harmful.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

flecky — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:57:21 -0700

@brit, sellmeyoursoul put it down so well. I really need you lot at the moment to. This is only site i really love and you guys are helping me get through the night on the de-tox i am finally doing.Thank you all for just being who you are.Shit,we are the good guys!

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Labyrinthine — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 06:52:15 -0700

Hey, anyone want an update on pointless bureaucracy? I know you don't, but you're getting one anyway! It turns out that not only is my birth certificate too Russian to prove my identity and my Citizenship certificate too lacking in date of birth, but the TRANSLATION of my birth certificate isn't valid because it's a photocopy. Now, it's an OFFICIAL photocopy, it's been certified and everything, BUT. NO. I have not fucking clue where the original is. I hate everyone.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

MrMonk — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:47:44 -0700

I received free advice at work today: either shave the (grey) beard or color it. I'm thinking of orange.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Foamhead — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:59:10 -0700

@ MrMonk: What're their objections to a grey beard, exactly?

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

oldhat — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 12:52:43 -0700

@MrMonk - Option 3: FULL-TIME WIZARD.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

256 — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:42:43 -0700

@MrMonk

color it

NO.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Foamhead — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 03:20:47 -0700

All this talk about beards is making me pine for the "Question for the facial hair owners" thread of yesteryear. (Well...May.)
wistful sigh

Stay strong, MrMonk.

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Beamish — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 05:07:55 -0700

Some friends and I are having a beard battle starting September 1 and you are all welcome to join in...

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

government spy — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 10:39:45 -0700

Tell me about this beard battle. Rules?

OPEN MIC. The Spleen Venting Thread, 12-18th August.

Beamish — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 10:55:38 -0700

Shave, baby-smooth, then stop shaving and let let it grow.