/SIGH (DA-related venting)

[Kastarakovski]

Okay, I'm an artist as some of you know (a writer here, creator of cartoony goodness on DeviantART), and sometimes I wonder why I honestly bother?

About 2 months ago I entered an art contest, run by a good friend of mine, Katie D (Miss D as folks know her as). Simple stuff, design an chaotic evil counterpart for a chaotic neutral character. By the ending date, only four people including myself had full-colour entries (of the 25 odd that said they'll make one). I made an entry in late December because I knew by the end date (20th January) I'd be too busy with work and commissions to contribute anything worthwhile.

Long story short, I didn't win first place.
To be honest with you, I wasn't expecting to win anything outrightly because my entry, in my honest opinion, was so rushed it was unbelievable *LOL* But I was pleasantly surprised to learn I'd come in second place (her drawing an image my evil counterpart facing the neutral character of my choice FTW).

Now, that's the back history out of the way...

In comes someone who I've only known for a short time, commenting I should have won 1st place, rushed entry or not, because clearly, if we're going by "talent", I'm the better artist. And he lists a whole bunch of reasons why I should have won. Way to talk about people I actually enjoy the company of, dude. So I figure, why not just tell him the winning entry had a backstory and mine didn't? I meant it as a joke and to leave the impending argument that was coming from him alone...and unfortunately this idiot didn't pick up on that (I cannot call this guy the brightest bulb in the light socket - he's proven on several occasions that is the case with him), and proceeds to give me a lengthy expenditure, on my behalf, why the Joker from Batman doesn't have a backstory.

I know, threw me for a loop at 8am in the morning.

Real detailed devnote followed, with this guy's argument ending with clearly I was the better talented one of the four and it was fookin' stupid that I didn't win. All I got out of it was some guy so hooked on my characters he'd do anything for me and looked like he was going to take the fight to Miss D's doorstep (unwise, because the girl's been through a lot of shit lately capped off by her grandfather dying about a fortnight ago and she'd probably bitchslap this guy into next year if he so much as said a word...). I'm flattered, but, honestly, who the hell needs a rabid fanatic?

So I tell him, honestly and bluntly, drop the goddamned argument. I don't give a shit I didn't win. I went in to have a bit of fun and to possibly cheer Katie up in the process after everything she's gone through...

Nope.
Fucker takes the argument straight to Katie's doorstep, right when she's not in the mood for it.

SO, long story short, I end up banned from her DA page along with the nutcase because somewhere in his faggotry spewage, he says I sent him to her. Miscommunication obviously, but she's in such a state that I'm not going to bother arguing with her. After all she's gone through, the bastard just HAD to open his damned mouth, take a bloody one-sided argument to someone who was doing all this to cheer herself up, and get me banned as a side serve of Dewey Fook-Yu & How...

All this over a bloody piece of coloured-in paper!
And other folks I know on DA wonder why I don't bother entering contests X(

GODDAMNIT ARGH AND SCREW IT. And in that order!


{Pardon my excessive language...}

[Vephriel]

Ugh, that sounds like an ugly situation. =/ I definitely feel for you.

So, if I'm understanding correctly, this rabid fan of yours pretty much made it seem like you sent him to insult your friend, who in turn now feels betrayed because she believed him. That's really rough, but I would hope that your history of friendship is a little stronger than one raging idiot could destroy.

Perhaps she's just overwhelmed and took the easiest way out at the moment. Do you have any other means to contact her or talk about it? I'd definitely want to get the truth straightened out as soon as possible. I know how horrible it feels to be wrongly accused and having a friend think the worst of you.

Anyways, that's too bad you had to suffer at the cruel hands on internet drama. -.- I try to avoid it as much as possible, but that's not always doable.

Good luck getting it sorted out, and don't worry about ranting....it always helps to get things off your chest.

[Dragonpuff]

Oh yes, gotta love the crazies. Especially the one who think they are 'helping'. /facepalm

The best thing you can probably do right now is give Katie some space, and hope she'll be willing to talk to you in a few days. When shit like this happens, even the best of friends need some time to calm down. Then, you need to talk to her, and explain what really happened. It would be even better if you had some proof to back you up. Screenshot/Copy+Paste that devnote to her, pull up anything else you have that shows that you told the 'fan' to drop it, anything to show that you never told him to do anything. Hopefully, Katie'll understand, and let it pass. Then, you can go back to trying to cheer her up even more.

Drama Llamas abound on the internet, and it's really difficult to avoid all of them. But, we of Petopia will always be here, to lend ears to rants, and much love and hugs after! I hope things work out for you, and that you don't let this discourage you too much about your work!

[Aleu]

Awwww. I've had my fair share of arguments on DA. It's the reason I only go there to view art. I very rarely every comment on some things since I've two fanatics go after me for comments I left on some fan art. The last time I did anyways. (It on Ginga and Warrior Cats art. I apparently got something wrong in the storyline and they had to bash me for it.) However in those cases, both those fanatics got banned for harassment. >.<

I say, give her a bit of time. Let her calm down and then explain what happened. If she's a good friend to you, then she'll understand.

[VelkynKarma]

Oy, can I relate. Drama seems attracted to DA like flies to rotten meat. Gross analogy intended.

I agree with what the others said...give her some space. When she's had a chance to cool down, forward the devenotes to her--it's fair proof that you told the guy to shut up and sit down, and never sent him in her direction.

All I can say, really, except that feel free to rant away--we're good listeners here

~VelkynKarma

[Chrizesu]

You'll get drama like this no matter where you go.

Now try being an administer of a site where that would go on daily. Yup, been there, done that.

[Kastarakovski]

You'll get drama like this no matter where you go.

Now try being an administer of a site where that would go on daily. Yup, been there, done that.

Before finally saying "You know, my life's worth a lot more than this", I was Moderator on 5 other forums (2 videogame related, one comic, two RP forums) and Administrator of at least 6 more (4 videogame (all fail), 2 RP). Henceforth why I now bury myself in art and am a self-righteous, pretentious bitch who doesn't give a half-damn if I come off as OMGPOPULARR11!1!! Fortunately WoW-Petopia is the one place where people haven't called me this, nor made any attempt to belittle me for bringing my love of WoW and other videogames and the like to the table. Coherent opinions for the fookin' win an' all <3

In short, this place has become my little niche on the web. Only forum I keep up with these days...
...well...'cept for the SiF...the drama there is yummy stuff for my sarcastic muse...

[Chrizesu]

You'll get drama like this no matter where you go.

Now try being an administer of a site where that would go on daily. Yup, been there, done that.

Before finally saying "You know, my life's worth a lot more than this", I was Moderator on 5 other forums (2 videogame related, one comic, two RP forums) and Administrator of at least 6 more (4 videogame (all fail), 2 RP). Henceforth why I now bury myself in art and am a self-righteous, pretentious bitch who doesn't give a half-damn if I come off as OMGPOPULARR11!1!! Fortunately WoW-Petopia is the one place where people haven't called me this, nor made any attempt to belittle me for bringing my love of WoW and other videogames and the like to the table. Coherent opinions for the fookin' win an' all <3

In short, this place has become my little niche on the web. Only forum I keep up with these days...
...well...'cept for the SiF...the drama there is yummy stuff for my sarcastic muse...

Hmm, Smeargle's Canvas is the only place I still administer at. I think I've been watching over it for 6 years now. I personally don't like drama, but I'm loyal to my friends. I try to avoid mainstream actually since it's where the crazies like to hang out.

A lot of it also has to do with how you present yourself. If people see your vulnerable, people will try to troll you, and if you are targeted, there isn't much anyone except yourself that can stop it.
If people see you draw mainstream it is also a double edged sword. You could get extremely popular, but not by the kind of people that are all that great to hang around with.

Isn't really your fault, but time heals most wounds. If you get really defensive about it and don't keep your cool, it'll only end up worse.

[Sarayana]

Wow. What a crappy situation. Sorry to hear about all that shit, Kas. *hugs*

So, if I'm understanding correctly, this rabid fan of yours pretty much made it seem like you sent him to insult your friend, who in turn now feels betrayed because she believed him. That's really rough, but I would hope that your history of friendship is a little stronger than one raging idiot could destroy.

I agree with this 100%, but I'm going to guess that she just didn't want to deal with the situation right now and decided to just cut everything off. Sounds like she's got waaaaaaay too much shit on her plate right now. Of course that doesn't mean she was right to cut Kas off, but hopefully she'll come to the same conclusion and the two of them can talk. Hopefully. /fingers crossed

And someone seriously needs to beat some courtesy and common sense into this dude. Wow.

[Ryai]

Ok basically what you had was a White Knighter. When and if you get the chance, you need to explain this to Katie. Or if possible get a friend to do this for you? I mean it should be possible to show the logs of this. If you are clueless as to what a white knight is, it's basically something as bad, or worse than a troll.

Your case clearly shows this.

To be honest her cutting you off like that is wrong- I would have cut off the little annoying wipe, and then taken the case to you. Demanding an explination and upon getting one realized oh well it wasn't your fault you got targeted by someone who wanted attention so badly :|

[Karathyriel]

I can only tell you what I would do. I don't know if you have the same, positive attitude towards yourself.

First of all, I'd tell that stupid idiot that I am old enough and got the guts and brains to fight my own battles. I'd tell him that in a way he can't miss my point and I'd probably use many words mommy told me not to use! He's not bright enough to get it? Well, even animals can learn by pain and rewards...

Second, if someone like Miss D decides to judge me by other peoples words without asking me what really happened, well, that is something I absolutely love. People like this, having a miserable life right now doesn't count for anything, are so absolutely unnecessary and so undesired in my life, I'd probably just congratulate them for showing themselves the red card and spare me the effort. Life is to short to bother yourself with people like that, so screw 'em!

But one thing I gotta tell you too!
If writing, drawing, painting or whatever is something, that you enjoy, why would you let the behavior of some idiots ruin it for you? Why would you stop enjoying yourself just because of stupid people? There is something for you to learn here: Idiots are not an endangered species. Should that bother you? Well, yes it should but only in a way that you smile pleasantly and tell them to get out of your life as it is to short to be spent with dipsh*ts. In germany, we say "Every day, the number of people, who can kiss my butt, is raising inevitably."

All this over a bloody piece of coloured-in paper!

No, not a simple piece of paper. A piece of art, created by you, expressing your feelings, your thoughts, your experiences. They don't like it? Who cares!

Hope you get my meaning here...

[Sarayana]

Wow Kath. Reading it, it was like it suddenly occurred to me, "oh, well, heck yeah! He's right!" It's so easy to fall into a bad habit of letting people push you around...

And really,

Idiots are not an endangered species.

Brilliant.

[Ryai]

First of all, I'd tell that stupid idiot that I am old enough and got the guts and brains to fight my own battles. I'd tell him that in a way he can't miss my point and I'd probably use many words mommy told me not to use! He's not bright enough to get it? Well, even animals can learn by pain and rewards...

But see that's the problem with WhiteKnight[s] on the internets. They aren't people who really want to help you, or defend you, or even listen to you. They're to caught up in their own actions that they rabidly go out and crusade. Trying to defend someone's honor to the point they make the victim of their White Knighting look WORSE than they are or infact give them false images like the OP recieved from the lying snottball.

In germany, we say "Every day, the number of people, who can kiss my butt, is raising inevitably."

I love you.

Marry me.

j/k

[Vephriel]

I love you.

Marry me.

Hey! I'm pretty sure I already have dibs. You know, Karathyriel and I take secret flights across the world every weekend. Geez.

[Karathyriel]

@ Vephriel:
What? You absolutely refuse to get rid of your boyfriend and now that I have a little something going on, you just throw in the jealousy-towel?
We talk about that, young lady! Next weekend...

@ Sarayana:
Well, I'm 40 (or will be in a few days) so I've already been through so much crap. And I usually learn something from it.
It is that simple! You just need the guts to stand up for yourself and not make yourself dependent on other people, so you can wave them goodbye any old time they start freaking you out.

@ Ryai:

But see that's the problem with WhiteKnight[s] on the internets. They aren't people who really want to help you, or defend you, or even listen to you. They're to caught up in their own actions that they rabidly go out and crusade.

And what keeps you from telling everyone that this person is not acting on your behalf and you despise his actions probably even more than those he is bothering?
And I absolutely love to defeat people with their own weapons! So why not starting a crusade against HIM?

Well, if the following things can be answered with "yes", I'll marry you:

• you are female
• you are an adult
• we can live in the states
• you have a job for me

Anything to get out of here right now... *sigh*