A(n unimportant) message from your Landgrave · 1:01am Sep 30th, 2016
Like last time, this is not going to be a normal blog post and will likely be deleted sometime in the near future. Simply put, I need to write something and post it somewhere and this is that place... so without further adu...
Attend and bear witness.
Where do I even start?
I assume that if you're reading this you're hoping for some tidbit of information about a follow up to Cuori. If that's the case, than I'm sorry. Hard to believe it's been over a year since that last came to an end. The worst part about that, for me at least, is that it doesn't feel like I've made any progress since then. I powered through the end of a story on my other account, bringing it to an unsatisfactory end, and... I think I've written at least three outlines for a third and final story, the latest of which really seemed like I'd found what I was looking for. I didn't. I feel like I'm grasping at smoke. There's something missing, either in the story or in myself, and every attempt ends with me looking at what I've got and... I hesitate to even try describing what I feel. To do so would be to force a form onto a fromless emptiness and so color your understanding such that you would think you understand as I thought I understood each time I thought I'd finally found it.
That probably doesn't make any sense.
I've been watching a lot of athiest youtubers recently, and that's probably not been the best thing for me. It's been oddly consuming, honestly. It makes me want to argue with my parents (catholics) until the moment that I see them and I realize that the last thing I want to do is get into an argument with them.
It's probably bad that I feel the need to assure you guys that I'm not depressed. I mean, like, in this moment I am, but it's something that will pass as soon as I find something to distract me. I'm usually too oblivious to be depressed. Hell, in the middle of writing this one of my coworkers let me play with his Samsung VR. That was pretty cool... might have to pick up the new s7 just to get that...
What was I talking about?
Maybe I'm trying to plan too much. I used to just start writing and let that take me where it would. But... I don't know. I want to write. I want to write anything at this point, but my ideas are just... I don't know. I've toyed with the idea of doing commissions before... what do you guys think? Any of you have a story that you would like to see written? I wouldn't charge... at least not at first. But I'd also want it to be something short... and not clop... I'm done writing clop.
Your bemused Dictator
The Landgrave
Re: the atheism thing, I probably have some idea of where you're coming from (ex-Catholic here), and the best advice I can offer is: chill. I don't know how new to the subject you are, but there's usually a period that goes something like "but everyone is WRONG and it's causing BAD THINGS and I need to tell them that!" Really, chill. Most people honestly don't want to know that they're wrong. They're happy as they are. Even if you're right and they're wrong, if they aren't already leaning in that direction, telling them all about it is just going to upset them. Give it time, and you'll be able to disagree quietly, without wanting to argue with everyone.
Angry-ish YT videos are great when you're first de-converting, and they're tons of fun after you get over the "correct everyone" phase. When you're still in that phase, though, they're just going to wind you up (as they seem to be doing). Bookmark the channel, and come back to them when you're calmer. If you still feel the need to consume some sort of atheism-related media, grab some books from the many, many non-religious philosophers history has produced, as well as some of the pre-Christian Greek and Roman philosophers. They're in the public domain, and are available for free all over the internet, often on atheism-related websites (are those still a thing? It's been a while).
I personally would love to see a slice of life/romance fix starring Tia and Rarity. Perhaps a story of how the seamstress stole her heart. And the cute moments when they get to steal away together. I think you'd be great with it!
4233002
Heh, I appreciate the advice, but... I'd be hard pressed to pick a point where I became an atheist... but it's been more than a few years. My de-conversion was too long and drawn out for any sort of anger to manifest... and any issues that do develop tend to be on a personal level rather than anything like an all encompassing need to 'spread the truth'. The issue with my parents is that they've gone in the opposite direction... and it physically hurts when your mathematician dad starts tells you that he believes in 'Table Tipping'.
I think I might have portrayed the situation poorly. It's not so much what you're describing as it is being distracted by the backlog of videos and wanting to catch up. Of the channels, two are focused on examining and understanding the bible and the third was all about breaking down the logical arguments. It's all been very informative and thought-provoking. I've gone through similar things when I find things like Crash Course... so it's less about the content and more about a personal need to 'complete' things.
4233012
I would love to see that too... but I think you should reconsider your stance on my ability to write such a story. If you look back over the things I've written, you'll soon realize just how little romance there is.
4233075
Ah, OK. Apologies for the misplaced lecture, then.
4233012
Seconded!!!
4233075 To me, romance doesn't have to be grand gestures (in a story anyway). Maybe focus on how their relationship affects/is affected by everyday things. Maybe even a little bit of Tia's feelings every time the EoH are called out. Having read both stories in the Curori series, I DO think you are very good at showing romance in your atories. If even in your own way...
I've been an atheist all my life and find the (seemingly widespread) fascination with atheism a bit odd (albeit understandable), given that it's my 'default' state. I've never opened a bible as far as I can remember, never mind read it. I've had (converted) friends and acquaintances who'd go on an on about these youtube persons and the great lectures they give, how they debunk everything, and suggest me to watch it. I try and turn it off after a minute because it's super boring, pretty much like a lecture about water being wet (which could actually be pretty interesting now that I think about it).
I think it has a lot to do with people's surroundings. If they're surrounded by Christians and brought up religiously, those video's can be a sort of much needed validation or support, I guess? A sense that you're not alone? At any rate, I don't see there being any advantage to bringing that stuff up with your parents (but that might be because atheism is no big deal to me), just as I don't think there's any point in 'coming out' as a fan of either MLP or GoT. At best, probably, it's just going to create weird and awkward situations that may be long lasting, while keeping it to yourself does no harm. I suppose there may be cropped up feelings and times you'd want to burst, but I think that will pass. Everyone has a bunch of different beliefs and opinions, yet most people still get along fine despite those. I think religion or the lack of one is just one of them.
And yeah, I'd love some Rarity x Princess romance, be that Celestia or Luna. Hell, I even have a (IMO) pretty decent Rarity x Luna outline that I proved incapable of writing. I think that's a lovely pairing full of potential.
I know this is a rather old blog, and I apologize for potentially bringing up the thing here, but...
As a thought... Rarity could already know about the Spa Sisters and try to convince Twilight it's fine, thinking that's what is bothering her. And... accidentally convince her that Luna and Celestia are okay as well. Meanwhile, Luna and Celestia are freaking out over, well... that.