Kanashii

Boy, you do have it bad in the UK. (I noticed you mention pounds in your post so I'm assuming you are from the UK). I got my first non-military passport just two years ago (even though I'm 45, I just don't leave the country that much) but here in the US we don't have to have a photo certified, it just has to meet certain requirements for size and view. Here, you can walk into nearly any drugstore(pharmacy), photo shop or even other places and get "passport legal" photos for fairly cheap. Sorry that you had to go through all that. I know in the US they were backlogged for awhile, because unlike our friends overseas, we haven't needed passports in the US to go to Canada or Mexico or the Carribean forever. It only started up after the 9/11 attacks over here. Warmly, Kanashii

ANd because people carry guns on them and commit felonies and could be possibly psycho or drug users who might rape or torture you for real...This impresses you how? This interests you? Be very careful friend... There are some sick dangerous people in the world and you don't want to be some poor statistic of someone who was raped, beated, drugged and then murdered. And yes, it does happen all teh time, even to guys...And no, it isn't "hot or sexy" like the made up stories here on AFF. It's fuckin' scary. Trust me. Warmly, Kanashii

A few things here. I have no idea whether the story is true or not. Either way these people seem either like A) Drama Llama's (Husbands beats up security guards, now he is in a coma for 3 DAYS, but then is suddenly justy hunky dory?) WTF??? Or they engage in heavy duty drug use. Idiots. I used to work as a security guard many years ago for a 14 story building full of offices (Lawyers, doctors, shit like that). I did NOT carry a gun, and yes, it could have probably been very easy for someone to "overpower" me. But I also know, once I would have regained consciousness I would have been calling the POLICE, 911 and the sheriff, because you don't KNOW what the perps stole! Forget the broken vending machine (which would have been dusted) an ASSAULT on a security guard would have been called in by said guard to the police. Period. Their job descriptions requires them to do it. The guard would be more concerned about what was stolen and the fact he was assaulted. No guard would just ignore it. So, want to see if it's TRUE, simple, look up the police blotter in their town...They will have a record of the police being sent in to a call of the building where the assault took place. Also, DarkLord, realize that IF this story is true...You are now an accomplice. Because they told you and you are NOT reporting them, if shit ever goes down where they are prosecuted for a felony (and they would be). You can be arrested and/or called in. Either way, I would have nothing to DO with these morons. But then I am a mature person who has met my quota of bullshitters, TRULY "bad apples" and just jerks. I tend to avoid the 3 I mentioned and just trust people who EARN my trust and respect. The "Drama Llama" game ended for me when I was like 10 years old, ya know? JMHO... Warmly, Kanashii

Thank you for the heads up on this Demongoddess: It is indeed unnerving to know that malicious people are always coming out with "better more virulent" malware and virus'. *sigh! It's better to know that we as forums and communities can alert one another and take care of our own folks. This sounds like a bad virus indeed. Thankfully I don't use "chat" programs to much. Warmly, Kanashii

Yeah, I'm still lurking around. Warmly, Kanashii B)

Original: 17 Harry Potter: 4 Television: 4 Warmly, Kanashii

Beta found, please remove request. Thanks! Warmly, Kanashii

Thanks PC, it sure did help. Warmly, Kanashii

What the others have said is very true...Much of it depends on what "fan base" you are writing to. And even within that, some times readers are fickle. Most of my stuff is Original, and those reviewers are die hard friends and fans who really like my stuff. My Harry Potter stuff is too dark and gritty for most, and I don't write slash or really that much with "main characters". Personally I would rather have 5-20 really honest and heartfelt reviews than 70 of "Ooooh write more pleeze!" Also, you will notice that people who just post one-shot or straight porno stuff often get more "hits and reviews" most people don't want to sit and read a true novel, or something that isn't just straight sex and porn. You will notice though once you start getting reviewers, they will generally be pretty consistant and read your other stuff as well. When I first joined I used to worry about reviews and what not, now, not so much. As I said, just one really well written and heartfelt one can make me feel great. Also when checking your hit counter, realize that maybe only one out of 60-100 readers bother to review or even rate. Laziness on thier part I reckon. Warmly, Kanashii

Alright then...You and I Canterro...We can be Murder Incorporated 2. Actually, I'll let you have the honors of "enforcement" and doing the hits. I'll be the quiet Don-Padrona behind the scenes. Warmly, Kanashii

Ok...I really do like you Dark, and this is going to be my strongest post I have ever written here, and since I am nearly old enough to be your grandmother (Or at least your mother) I speak from experience... Do you have even one shred of respect for yourself??? Seriously man. Or do you just like the drama and angst as well? Do you like her treating you like crap? Or is this something you thrive on? She runs over you emotionally and you let her, making excuse after excuse. Do you really even WANT someone who could be a perfect match to you, and would respect you for who you are and would treat you golden the same way you treated them? This girl ain't it man...No amount of cajoling, begging, wishing or pleading is ever going to get her to CHANGE until she is at least in her mid to late 20's. What about her so has you "in love" with her? It isn't sex...As far as liking the same music or talking, my God man...ANYONE can do that. There are tons of people who like the same music as you, who will listen to you, be a REAL friend and respect you. But you will never find that unless you respect yourself. And right now, you aren't. Yes, I remember what it was to be 16, 17, 18 and to be so in love, that the whole world revolved around that person. I know the pain of breaking up with that person and thinking "no one could ever be as good as them, and I will never find another..." guess what. I did. I finally ended up with my true soulmate and we have been married for over 24 years. When I look back on how I "thought" back at age 17, 18, 19, I was a fool. Don't be a fool, Dark Lord.... Move on, go to college, move away from your town, find OTHERS, and there are other women who will make this chica pale by comparison. Someone who you will one day smack yourself over your head repeatedly and say "How stupid could I have been to be hung up over someone who could care less about me, or play me like a violin to jump at her every whim." She's a user, immature, and an idiot plain and simple. Let, her, go. Seriously....For your own sanity. You won't change her, she is not as into you as you are into her, and there is better out there. Of course, unless you just like all this drama and "I'm so sad and poor, my true love doesn't like me back." Off my soapbox now, and honest. I am not meaning to pick on you. I just read post after post from you that sounds exactly verbatim the same. (about you and her). Isn't it time to find something else to enjoy besides this back and forth drama between you and her? The "Mom" lecture is over now. Peace to you, and happiness. I really honestly hope you DO find it, because it is out there for you, but only if you respect yourself and open yourself to it. Warmly, Kanashii

Tell me about it! These guys like to dress nice and flaunt it off (as you said, mainly the Capos and above, although a few cugines aren't above 'wearing it' to flaunt it.). There were a few places in Chicago and Philly I would hang out at, and you could just SMELL the money off some of these guys. One fellow used to come in at a place in Chicago and he must have wore close to 200 grand of clothing, shoes and jewelry or watch at any given time. Drove an old jalopy (Delta 98), but he sure did flaunt his wealth in clothing! Ok, so we have Brioni, Lucchese, Cadini..(those are all I am aware of off the top of my head) what other big Italian name mens clothing (expensive) can you tell me about? (Filing all this information away for future stories). Feel free to take it to PM or email if it is off topic. Warmly, Kanashii

Well Porkchop, If I need advice on expensive mens clothing, I am warning you right now, you will be my sage! Since I write a lot of stuff on the mob, and many of these guys like to flash the nice expensive stuff (Yep, know about the Lucchese and Cadini's) But as someone who really has studied what these guys wear, the details may be interesting to me and you, but, your average reader will not really be able to tell the difference between a Lucchese shoe or just a "generic expensive Italian show" but occasionally name dropping a designer can work in a story. And yes, Buffalo steak is the best! I love your quote about us helping out the vegetarians. I need to read up on Maddox. One thing I always enjoy about your posts is the detail of your research and knowlege. Yeah, I'm a detail and knowledge freak as well, so enjoy reading it. Warmly, Kanashii

Hi Zan: Honestly I am a bit biased as I mainly write in the Original section I do agree with the other poster that many fanfic's tend to have a different "feel" to them than original stories. My only guess to this, is that because fanfic already has a base to draw on (characters, etc.) If I mention Lupin, from the HP books, you already know who he is...If I was writing a story with a werewolf in an Original story, I'd have to really flesh out the characters. That being said, I do also dabble in the HP and Soprano's section, however, most of my stories aren't "hit" on as much as those that are short "straight to porn" stories. I think that is because I write my stories to fit in along side with cannon stuff that can already be happening, and don't really use many of the "main" characters. (Either that, or there just isn't enough gratuitous porn in my stories...At least not the smutty kind, mine is more darker Non-Con and BDSM based.) Overall, I really enjoy the Original stories on AFF. I just read the one you started, about the kidnapped college student and love it. But then you are writing about a favored subject matter of mine Just my humble opinion. Write on, writers! Warmly, Kanashii

Then I am looking for you! I am looking for a Beta who can help me to correct grammar and punctuation for my work "Tender is the Night". This is an Original story, with Original characters in it's final draft. I am looking for someone who is a bit of a grammar/English Language perfectionist. There are no "codes" or warnings to the story, except some graphic violence in a few places. But nothing gratuitous. The story itself is an original work that deals with a woman's being kidnapped and ending up within a mob family. It is a long story, and I appreciate someone who has the dedication to stick with me on it. I am very easy to work with and always appreciate my beta's "notes" on story flow, characterizations, etc. I am not super sensitive and an eager student. Please be serious in helping. I will be serious in learning the gift you have to share. If you are interested to know more, drop me a private message or email. Thanks for your time. Warmly, Kanashii

That is sad, Dark Lord.... Gimme the steak! Steak for breakfast, lunch and dinner. No other side dishes, just ultra rare, still bleeding steak or (Mutton, goat, Buffalo, I'm not picky). I am a self-avowed, practicing Carniverian. That is, I only eat meat and leave the plants to live in peace. Warmly, Kanashii

I just wanted to pipe in here, Shini... (and no, I am not picking on you) Animals actually have NO fear of the unknown or their future. Thinking of the esoterical "What if" or "Is this all we are" or "What happens when we die" is only unique unto humans. This does not mean animals do not have spirits, or intellect. An animal does not ponder if it is going to die, or when it will die, even when it is tied up and the gun is pointed between it's head. You can slap a dog 10 times in a row, call it to you, and it will come right up to you, tail tucked, wary, but not thinking "She's gonna slap me again, so I'm not coming up to you." Slap a human 10 times in a row, and it will expect that 11th slap, and hate your guts. An animal will forgive. My example is merely to point out that ANIMALS are in fact often far more spiritual than humans can be. (I'm not talking organized religion, but merely the cosmic ebb and flow of life and death and the here and now.) You did hit the nail on the head when you (and Porkchop and others) said that ORGANIZED religion is often the "opiate" of the masses, insofar as people as a mob/crowd often want to point a finger at someone when something goes wrong. (Riots, "woe is me" thinking). However, hatred, genocide, killings have been going on from the time our Stone Age ancestors were fighting over Mammoth bones. They had "religion" too, after all. (Which God-Godess is better? The Sabertooth Tiger Godess, the Thunder God or the Mammoth God?) People singling out people to dislike based on skin color, region, religion or anything, is only something uniquely human. There is no racism amongst animals. Get 10 horses of different colors and breeds together, and the Clydesdales won;t gang up on the Arabians or Andalusians. Collies won't fight Irish Setters, just because they are Irish Setters. Philosophers have been mulling this shite around for untold millenia. Trust me. Warmly, Kanashii

Geeze, and I thought he was talking about the cute fuzzy little mammals...I kinda like them...Roundish looking mice. Onwards, fuzzy Lemmings! Er, and watch for the hawks and eagles. Warmly, Kanashii

I think as an author one walks a fine line about using designer lables in stories. First, you run into the problem of "dating" you work, (which is fine, if you don't mind a story 'dated') for example. In the 1970's the name "Casio" would be what Rolex is now, same with some Timex watches in the 1950's, however, today "casio and timex" are considered "cheap" or everyday items. If I mentioned Bill Blass or Hugo Boss, or Givanche (I know I mangled that spelling!) it would be very "1980's". Back in the 1980's there was no "Praada". 20 years from now, Prada or Gucci or whatever, may be as "by the roadside" as Bill Blass and Hugo Boss or Adidas. Now, I do agree that sometimes one can and must put in some description of something in a story. For example, a powerful CEO or Mob Boss might be wearing a custom made Italian designer suit or shoes. A Movie starlet may be wearing a high-end watch or jewelry or fragrance. But, nothing bores a reader in my humble experience of making your character sound like a Police Rap sheet. "Suzie Q was 5'10 and 120 pounds of gorgeous hollywood tan. She wore a pink designer dress, with gold dangle earrings and carried a sparkly name-dropping purse with her Chihuahua, Bowser, inside. Suzie wore only the best pink shoes with a 5 inch stiletto heel on it, and ...." You get the idea. I like to sprinke a characters description throught the story so you get to know them a little at a time, just as you would someone in real life. As Porkchop said, there are folks who it is nothing for them to drop 10k on some "casual" clothing. It's their money and they can do as they wish. If in your story you are writing about a high powered Lawyer or Movie executive, then a few snippets here and there on their dress can enhance them. But, as Dark Lord said, not everyone knows what certain names are. Cadini shoes may mean something to men who buy them, but to most people they scratch their heads going..."Huh?" So it can help to write your story to the widest audience and say, "He wore expensive Italian loafers that cost the price of new car". That leaves to the reader that this man thinks nothing of dropping a bundle on his clothing without having to "date" your piece. JMHO Warmly, Kanashii