I figure it's time to let you all know whats up. A lot of you will judge me for what i'm going to say, a lot of you are going to understand what i'm saying... and a lot of you are not going to agree with me. I want you to know, that these are my own observations and, even if you don't know the entire story, understand that there is a reason for all being said.

As most of you know, I haven't submitted any Lissie-quality photomanipulations in a long time. To be honest, it's because my heart really isn't in any of the work I do anymore. My life is only increasing in stress, and my family really doesn't aprove of the art I do (or.. well, did.). Normally, this wouldn't bug me. There are a lot of things I do my family hates and I tend to ignore because I'm not the same person as them. However, it's beginning to put a strain on relationships and when one thing is creating such anger in a household, it really makes you stop and think. My family doesn't want me to be unhappy... but maybe they're seeing something I'm not...?

I'll be the first one to admit that I've wasted countless hours on a computer with not much to show for it (except the skills of photoshop, which are incresingly useful and I don't regret any of the time I've spent learning the program). I've known for a long while that thats how you learn, practising and spending time on one thing to get better... but it's also very unhealthy. I've been looking around at some artists (I'm not giving names. If this fits you, don't assume i'm talking about you.) who post a few pieces of art a day, of which they've worked about 2 hours on each piece *in that day* (i'm not talking about they've done it over the past week i'm talking about they've spent their day working on it). Well, if you add that up... thats like.. 6 hours at a computer -minimum-. I used to think this was fine. In fact, I used to spend about 14 hours a day at the computer when I had nothing else I could do.

What i'm trying to say is that recently, I started going out with some new friends. I've not been on the computer quite as often (My mother still thinks i'm on too much.) and I find that i'm feeling a little more er... alert? I've got more time for things.

All this... is the reason why after this summer, I will not be doing photomanipulation. Not never, but it'll be rare. I'll probably lose watchers... but when it comes to art, it's about doing what you love. Photography happens to be what I love. I'm not amazing at it.. but i'm sure trying! Photography gets me outside more, but yet I still get to use photoshop (and, I still get that photoshop-rush that when I was photomanipulating I used to get (it's sad.. i don't get that same rush when photomanipulating anymore.)

So. There you go. My very crappily-written little... er.. whatever.
^{I've got some collabs going on for the summer. one with =cowsandwatermelons, possibly one with *devils-horizon, and one with =inPrint. If anyone else is interested, please let me know.}

Please note: If your point is to slander me, dont post. I'm really not up for it today. I'll be hiding your post if that happens.
However, if you'd like to -politely- give your spin on the whole thing, please feel free.