Welcome to Gaia! ::

Ah, I see. Well that seems dumb; shouldn't be doing that anymore.
I didn't even know DA had points...
What's funny is a lot of friends tried to get me to join DA for so long and I kept putting it off because the layout was intimidating. XD I couldn't figure anything out for a while. But finally I joined because... I don't even remember why. I think Karma convinced me. And it took a while to get used to, but now I go on the site all the time, and definitely watch a lot of artists. I also like using it as a means of letting out any current fandoms I'm obsessed with. Like usually when I get really into a video game, I'll become obsessed with it for a while as I play and have to look up a bunch of art for it, and I use DA, YGal, and Pixiv to satiate that hunger.
The Cracked article posted today on dating misconceptions was quite good. Made me feel better about being a gamer and a feminist.

I never got the llama thing. Sometimes random people I don't know give me llama badges, and I don't know if I should thank them or not, because I don't know what they mean. XD;; I didn't get a message for Karma's DA birthday either, but that's probably because I don't subscribe to notices or whatever.
As for YGal, it seems to be glitching less lately (I haven't had the search function not work in forever, even though it used to every other time), and with Pixiv, apparently Karma's internet browser automatically translates it for her. I thought she used Firefox, but mine doesn't, though I've used Chrome before, which automatically translated everything. I prefer it not translated though because it loads quicker. XD;;
I'm surprised you say far from a feminist for yourself. I never expected you to be identified as one, but sometimes some of the things you say sound similar to feminist ideals.

I don't even send them back. I just kinda ignore. XD;; And though I like reading and learning more about people, I have a horrible thing where when I'm on an art site, I want art, dammit. I'm just in the mood to look at something, enjoy it, then move on, and I always feel put off when I see someone's posted a writing piece. I'm always like, "...but I don't wanna take the time to read it..." even though shortly after I'll be sailing over to Cracked and be easily reading way longer things. It's stupid, but I can't get over it. XD
Yeah, I haven't had trouble with it in a long time. It's gotten a bit busier too; still very small for an art community, but it's getting there. And I don't think the Chrome browser would translate your own search terms for you anyway, though if you ever want something specific to search on Pixiv, just say so and I can translate it for you.
Ah, I see. Yeah, I'm generally against those more extremist views as well, and totally agree that you should not cry for gender equality while saying women are superior. But that's more like... extreme, scary feminism. I think a lot of people automatically see it that way, because that's what gets in the news. But I mean, just because there's extreme feminist, or extreme racial/gay pride groups, doesn't mean we should let them force us to alienate ourselves from any form of equality groups.
Feminism at its most basic is more about equality among genders, as well as sexualities and races, while dabbling a lot in viewing how social norms and situations change the way we view ourselves and others, and how power dynamics fluctuate in society. Talking to feminists, reading feminists texts, and learning about it, I only read like... two articles that were man-hating, one describing women cutting men from their lives because women can be independent where's men can't, and one arguing that feminists should practice separatism and lesbianism, even if they considered themselves straight. And those are considered extremely over-the-top feminists, and I have never actually met any feminists who agreed with them.
From what I did learn, feminist studies actually felt way more like psychology than it did a women's pride group, though was more about social psychology rather than focusing on the psychs we're born with. Equality was considered something important, but it was more about analyzing why so many groups possess power over other groups, and how to balance that out. So I guess what I'm saying is, a lot of the things you said in the past, and the way you analyze things, it sometimes would remind me of the way feminists analyze things. XD;; Not the extremist sexist ones though.
I mean, it's like how any group can have extremes, and you can still associate or have some agreements with that group while avoiding the extremes. Like how I'm liberal, but OMG I'm terrified of the far left. Or how so many people believe in the Christian god, yet are disgusted by the insane protesters who hand out Bibles every which way. It's just learning to realize when groups are more often characterized in society by the extreme sides, rather than what the group actually generally stands for.
Oh, dude, happy birthday! You should put your birthday on your Gaia profile so I'll know when it is. XD Do you want any items or anything?
As for the drama, sucks to hear. I think I have a general idea of what it's about through other people, but it doesn't sound like fun. I really don't think it's your fault at all though... I mean, introducing people isn't a crime. It's not under your control what they do once they meet. How could you possibly predict something like that? The only way to prevent it would just be to never introduce any of your friends to any of your other friends, and keep them all separate. But it wouldn't be worth living in such paranoia. I'm sorry that happened at your birthday though; that was unfair. The day should've been about you.

Yeah, thankfully I don't actually get much writings either. I have one friend who posts writing pieces often, and one who does occasionally, but other than that it's mostly art. And I know you focus on writing, but you haven't really posted much since I started watching you. XD
Fair enough. ^^
Ah, I see. Well that's a good way to think about it, being independent in your ideals. I definitely don't care for following group mentalities, but when I happen to have very similar ideals to a certain group (Liberal, feminist, gay rights, etc.), I have no problems associating with them. I don't try to change myself to fit into them, but instead realize our similarities and use it as a means to define my own feelings in a more easily-to-understand way.
Yeah, I remember when we first started talking a lot I looked on your profile to see when your birthday was and it wasn't listed, so I just assumed you had it as private, but I would still get a message to say your birthday was the next day. XD Guess not. But happy belated birthday then! Hope you can figure out how to put it in so I'll know for sure when it is next year.
Well, either way, I've always felt someone's birthday is that one day of year where they *should* put themselves first, you know? Just once a year isn't much to ask.

Ah, I see. XD
Interesting. I guess I'm more okay with associating myself just in general with groups. Like I'm a nerd, but I don't play MMOs, and I'm a gamer, but I don't have all the systems... there's just so many 'categories' we automatically put ourselves in, and most people don't fit in them 100%.
How mean of Gaia. >=(
Bah!

Ah, I see. That makes sense too. I guess I just have myself already figured out in those regards. XD
Well, I see it too on your profile, and if it's showing up then it should display notifications. But damn, your birthday is the day before my sister's. I do not like associating my friends with my sister in any way. XD

Fair enough. XD
Oh, that's definitely a better way to think of it. I'm at least neutral to Obama.

Don't think of it as the Suite Life twins. Think of it as Ross' kid from Friends.
...I don't know anyone who shares my birthday. *angst*