This is just a quickie to tell you that I am here and I have not forgotten about the critiques poll [link] - I thought I'd get a bit more time last weekend but ended up only doing one critique after all BUT that I'm slow doesn't mean I don't plan on doing more critiques, so if you want to add your name to the list, go right ahead.

Warning: I am not doing them chronologically. And I'm not going to be doing all of them either, that's for sure. I'm doing those I feel I have actually something useful to say about randomly - there's no first come first served. Not only because I think it's unfair to those in a time zone that sleeps when the poll goes online, but also because I rather not force myself to do something like a critique. I also won't force myself to critique when I feel fed up with everything around me (so usually after work), cos believe me, it'll turn out less useful and more bitchy

Aaaanyway...

What the f**k is up with those raffles for points (most of them are illegal btw, see FAQ #894: Can I run a lottery for Points on deviantART?)? Or those journals where you get points for faving something specific, becoming a facebook fan or even for suggesting a DD?! For one, who the hell pays people (in amounts that are seldom worth more than a few cents to begin with) to like them? Are they so desperate? Is their art so bad that they need that kind of attention? I've even seen people with a donation module supposedly collecting points for a subscription (which is perfectly fine on it's own, it's what it's here for and there every point is a nice gesture when it's given freely I think) in parallel run a journal saying they'll pay each person who gives a watch + a fave 10 or 20 points... Wth? Why don't you use that for your sub?! And what do you think happens with those who now watch you? They become loyal fans? I don't think so. They will unwatch you as soon as you run out of points to give. Are you really that naive that you believe they'll stay for your art if you had to pay them for a fave and a watch to begin with?! And paying someone to suggest your shitty manip (or whatever else) for DD is just pathetic. You do know you can suggest yourself, don't you? And you are aware that DDs are not won in a lottery but awarded for excellent deviations? How does it change your quality if 40 people suggest you? Not one bit. You'll only annoy the cv (who btw is definitely going to find your journal or figure out that you're swapping suggestions amongst friend or what not - they're not dumb). What you won't get is a DD for something that doesn't deserve one, no matter how many people profess their undying love for it *rollseyes*.

So to the points-givers: stop kidding yourselves! You're not popular for your art, you're "popular" for being a goose that lays golden eggs. Stop investing your time in uselessly trading points and start working on your technique instead.

And to those who accept points for watches/faves/likes/etc: stop feeding idiots' egos. In doing so you become a joke yourself. And that for a few points worth a handful of dollars (if you're lucky). You can make more at McD. And you can even pay something besides dA stuff with the money you make there.

Okay, rant(ish part) over Just had to get it off my chest as I'm always amazed at what people will do to "earn" or "save" or some such thing...

Now on to nicer things:

I'm going to Paris this weekend

My boyfriend and I are going to leave on Friday morning (via train it's only 4 hours from Frankfurt!) and return on Tuesday evening. Wish us good weather and if you know some good tips, be it for sights we shouldn't miss or a nice cozy and not too expensive restaurant to celebrate our anniversary in, please do tell in a comment!!!


Jasmin