When you break down the word "business", you have "busy-ness", which is what I'm about!

[merimask]

So I'm makin' stuff!  A new "Blue Moon Wolf":

All that blue, it makes me happy!

Also, a new version of my old standby, "Dragon On A Half Mask"...

I like it!

I was going for the look of those brightly colored Chinese dragons and I think I got it. 

Of course all those different colors means I spent a LOT more time painting it than I would normally spend, and yet I didn't charge significantly more for it...but whatever.  Sometimes I have the bottom line in mind, but much of the time I do what I do the way I do it to keep my love alive.  Often, it's all about keeping your love alive.  The older I get, the more I believe this is so.

Another way I keep my love alive is with gifts!     angeljapan , I'm so glad you like yours...you totally deserved something special for everything you've done for me.  Let me know if it's okay for me to put a picture of it in here, okay?  I'm giving you first crack at it 'cause it's yours now & you get to show it off first.  ^_^
 
A last note (and I'm not talking about anything that has happened on LJ...LJ is my oasis of happy & safe, almost always, & that's the way I like it); I hate online drama, you know?   It's small...it diminishes everyone involved.   Because of some online communities & the connections I've made there, I've gone to so many places and met so many people.  They are wonderful vibrant busy interesting people, and these connections have enriched my life.  So when I see people use an online community in a negative way; for personal aggrandizement or to make other people feel small...it just disappoints me terribly.  It feels like such a petty way to misuse a potentially awesome forum.

The key to getting the most out of ANY social situation, in my humble opinion, is to be as honest and compassionate as you can.  A little humility doesn't hurt either.  I try to remember that none of this *gesturing towards the intarwebs* is a video game...that everyone I meet here is a real person with real feelings, and I try to act accordingly.

I see some people online who are pretenders; they are starring in their own personal online fantasy.  The thing about dreaming is, though, eventually one day you have to wake up.   As in real life, if you conduct yourself with integrity you will draw GOOD things to you, but dishonesty breeds contempt.   Better to be who you are and revel in that.  In the end, reality is the best dream any of us could ever hope to have, because the best thing of all is real love and friendship, and pretenders don't ever hold those things for long.

*hopping off soapbox*
 
Today is freaking COLD.  Tomorrow is even freaking COLDER.  Windchills of negative 25 are not something human beings were built to endure.  I am not going outside unless the house bursts into flames (and at that point I will stand as close to my burning house as I can get, because it is COLD outside).

  

Comments

[zannachan.livejournal.com]

ooh, I like both of the new masks, but especially the new dragon mask! Very cool.

I hope that the on-line drama wasn't too bad, or at least doesn't involve you personally. I have a relatively limited experience when it comes to on-line communities, and the ones I am part of are generally good about being respectful and friendly to others and I've met a ton of great people through them. But occasionally things will blow up and I hate it. I come on line to relax, not to get drawn into heated arguments, let alone be insulted or whatever. So when something flares up, I tend to take a mini-break, at least from that community until things calm down. But I don't make my living on-line; you don't really have that option.

I hope angeljapan lets you post a picture of her gift! I want to see it :)

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Eh...the online drama was upsetting 'cause it was SO stupid, really. Everyone behaving badly & when that happens, no one wins. All you can do is remove yourself from the situation. I'm taking a bit of a breather from all the drama & just focusing on work for a while. Like you said; hard to extricate myself 'cause yeah, I have to be online a LOT. But the human animal is a versatile thing so I'm just breaking some old habits & avoiding certain sites & it's all good.

[wildwose.livejournal.com]

We like our gifts too! And then new designs. Lovely, as always!

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Yay! Glad you like them. ^_^

[moonphased.livejournal.com]

Online drama is so very draining... I know exactly what you mean by people being total jerks online just because they can hide behind the relative safety of the internet. It can really burn you out... XP

But meh, I always take things with a grain of salt these days. Definitely don't spend as much time online or in online communities like I did before. ^^ But like you said, I'm still eternally grateful of real friends I get to meet and talk to that I met online. :)


And I have to one again squee over the blue dragon mask! And the blue wolf! :D So much love! :D

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Yeah that's how I feel; weary. Also disappointed. *shrug* It'll pass. It always does. I never learn!

Glad you like the blue stuff (I'm a sucker for blue too!)

[paynesgrey.livejournal.com]

As I said at DA, love the blue mask! The blue color is so rich and vibrant. Of course the crescent moon is awesome.

Online drama sucks so hard. I've seen people so hurt by it, and I've been hurt myself. It really sucks because most people come online to get away from RL drama. Ah well. I agree about being more compassionate. I wish people would act the same to you online as if they were looking at you in person. <3

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Thanks...I'm glad you like the wolf. ^_^ That version is one of my favorites to make.

Oh, I've seen the stuff you put up with in some of those communities...if I had to deal with that kind of drama as often as you do, I'd hate humanity in no time flat. Such willfull stupidity!

[kls-eloise.livejournal.com]

I have to tell you, usually the first thing I think when I see one of your blue wolves is "I bet she ran out of black again."

I think I like that dragon half mask better than any of them that I've seen you do before. The shots of color really make it stand out.

[merimask.livejournal.com]

LOL...no, this time I chose to work in blue intentionally. Actually I used it all up & I need more (but forget about going out to get more...it's too freaking cold).

I love the colors on the small dragon mask too...I was trying to capture the look of those multicolored dragons at the Chinese Lantern Festival in Toronto & I think I succeeded.

[kls-eloise.livejournal.com]

So now when we start seeing a lot of black it'll be because you're out of blue?

It's cold here - I feel bad about taking Charlotte out in it between the door and the car!

Warm Hugs

[(Anonymous)]

Hiho! It was chilly here today. It will be chillier tomorrow and the day after that chillier still. But no negatives, unless it's the wind chill. Our low for Friday night1 is 11 degrees. That's freekin' COLD for Augusta, GA!

I was sick last night, therefore missed all the drama. I'm glad. I don't like that kind of drama. Makes me ill. Oh, I already was... nevermind :)

As usual, your masks are unbelieveable beautiful. I think it's cause you put so much of yourself and your love into each one. Therefore, some may be similar but each is unique, no matter.

Sending warm hugs your way. Pile on the blankets and break out the marshmallows, hot chocolate makes everything better. And it's HOT! :)

Re: Warm Hugs

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Hey! I know...the cold goes all the way down to Florida (my sis lives in Tampa & she says it's cold there too), though honestly her version of "cold" makes me chuckle.

Drama is draining. I don't handle in-fighting well. It turns into a pissing match & everyone loses. Better to just climb out of the sandbox, take your toys & go home, unfortunately. :-/

Hot chocolate is a good idea! I could use some right now, actually...

[ramblinsuze.livejournal.com]

Holy effin crap it's cold! And, yes, colder over the next few days. At least we're not in International Falls - they said it would be -31 ACTUAL (not including wind chill) there tomorrow night. 0_0!! Um...global warming can start any time now....thanks...

I love the dragon on a half mask and this is a cool variant of it. I really want to get a gold one for myself one of these days. Damn bills. ;)

[merimask.livejournal.com]

LOL yeah...I can't tell you how annoying it was for me when I learned that global warming = changes in patterns & not neccessarily changes in seasons. We'll still get cold snaps (in fact we will get them at odd times & for odd intervals). Buffalo will never be Tampa. *sigh*

Great work

[(Anonymous)]

Your masks are amazing, merimask. You deserve great and wide recognition for your talent. I'm eager to see one up close and personal. Mick.