Computers seem to hate me, one way or another. This is what happened: the computer that I use on a regular basis has run out of its virus subscription and there's a red octagon there that's bugging me. I moved to my personal laptop because of that. Problem is that I can't update my profile because it's in HTML mode and I have no idea what I'm supposed to do! Until then, I'm going to update my "profile" on here.

Dont worry about the virus thing, you can find some good free stuff to keep your computer safe. Try using Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE Personal and Spybot (Just google them for free downloads) A lot of people use things instead of ones you pay for.

Off-topic from my original rant, but it's still something for me to go crazy over. Let's say I'm trying to write the next chapter to my story. I know exactly what I want to happen. For some reason that I have yet to pinpoint, the transition from my head to paper or computer isn't so smooth. Not to mention that now I have to make sure that I'm not repeating words or starting paragraphs with the same words and all that. Why does this have to happen?

Maybe you're trying too hard? I guess you just have to find the mode that works for you. I write better when I'm listening to music and relaxed, but some people like busy environments where they feel unnoticed. Anything to get the ideas to flow smoothly from your head.

My biggest problems with writing stories is: I think my ideas are never good enough! In fact, most of my ideas never see the light of day because I think: what's the point? But right now I'm working on a story that I think has potential, and isn't written about very often.

That's another issue I have. When I write, I try my very best to think of storylines that no one has ever done before. Which is very hard...if I want to get published some day, not only do I have to have exceptional writing skills, but I have to have a story that is worht their attention...grrrrr...

The problem with people I talk to over the Internet ... is that they usually have problems and argue a lot!

I've had my fair share of fights with people online, but I don't think that it's a joking matter when one of these people is suicidal and the others are making him/her depressed further. Sure, they're people on the Internet and you shouldn't have to listen to them. Depression, though, will make everything seem bad and even a minor crack from an online person can send you over the edge.

A couple of times before this has happened to me. And I try to give that person someone to talk to, but it's hard when I'm just someone they talk to online and can't help what's going on in the real world. This is most likely untrue, but nobody seems to take this kind of stuff seriously on the Internet. It feels like I'm the only on willing to listen ... or care. I know this isn't the case. Please, stop being a jerk to the depressed person. If you want to point them towards professional help, do it nicely. Would you like it if someone acted like that to you?

Well, in a counter rant, I have to say uber depressed 'suicidal' people shouldn't be chatting in the general populace of the internet. Face it, nobody really cares if you die if they don't know you and they will probably never hear about. And if they do hear about in a live journal or myspace page, there's a good chance it's a fake.

There should be a few common things people should know about the internets (otherwise they need to make a lable sometime.):

1. Unless you already have a trademark on it, it can be stolen. Sure, you'd never dream of stealing another person's work, but there are people out there who don't believe in the honor system.

2. Because of the anonymous nature of the internet, people are more likely to actually state their mind, no matter what kind of thoughts are going through it. It can be a place to actually feel like venting can accomplish something, with out the repercussions of actually having your honest yo god name out there. Just like you can be anyone you want to on the internet. You may really be a middle school student who, like most people, chooses to extend common courtesy, but on the internet, you can be one of the brave, outspoken person you wish you were.

Thank you internet for your lack of repercussions against stating my mind!

Update dates for WIASB

Chapter 4: 11/30/07

Chapter 5: 12/6/07

Ah, the internet. It's probably the ficklest community that exists. On the other hand, it can be easier to tell your problems to some random person on the internet because they have nothing to gain from spreading it around their friends. on the other hand, people can say whatever the hell they please because they dont have to worry about facing up to the consequences of their words.

Updates for WIASB:

12/31/07

Happy that I managed to update that story right before the year ended. It was a productive year. Finished Hurricane Wind, started WIASB and a bunch of other stories (all of which are on hiatus aside from WIASB), and got in the planning stage for most of my other stories. This year better be even more productive, or I will be really annoyed.