blog

  • Started
  • Last post
  • 75,525 Responses
  • bjladams20

    we’ve been back in nz for a couple months now and settling in to the new house, kids in school, wife catching up with people after 15 years away. I really thought i’d miss the studio, etc. but finding that it was actually exhausting and am enjoying the freedom that comes with less. i’ve not gotten back into painting again either and think it might be a while yet. our local beach is a nude beach, so there are plenty of volunteers to model and i’ve taken a sketchbook a few times but mostly its nice to just take a beer and a book and chat with jess. overall, feeling more calm.

    yesterday beach trip to Te Aira Point, rock jumping and the kids caught an octopus:

    and our new place:

    and our local beaches:


    • Looks perfect! Good move, enjoy and don't look back...OBBTKN
    • Congrats and enjoy!Maaku
    • sounds idyllic, you're gonna live longer now. :)sea_sea
    • no too long thoughbjladams
    • Awesomethumb_screws
    • nice pad!prophetone
    • this looks way better than Tennesseefooler
    • Looks fantasticcannonball1978
    • Congrats!!!utopian
    • sonava.... that place doesn't look cold at all....pango
    • Very good !d_gitale
    • really nice place you got there.dorf
    • wow, looks amazing!SimonFFM
    • yeah!mekk
    • Wow, you earn a very good living as an artist, congratulations.i_was
    • How are the housing costs compared to TN?HijoDMaite
    • Amazeballs!ridlerontheroof
    • damn, you're living in paradise. how are you paying for all of it?pinkfloyd
    • cheers all - art is only part of my income -i'm also a partner in a marketing firm with a handful of offices across the US and maybe one here soon.bjladams
    • javier - housing in tn is stupidly inexpensive. i already miss the flavour of the mountains, rivers and lakes there - but the change is good toobjladams
    • Great post amigo!stoplying
    • Feel-Good post of the week!
      :)
      Krassy
  • Maaku0

    I was unemployed for the most part of 2017, couldn't afford health insurance, and had to give back money to the unemployment office because of some bs and still got a little money back when I did my taxes.

    This year I have to pay them $800, even when they take about $600 from each paycheck.

  • MrT3

    Lack of decent sleep in this bloody heat is making me maaaad.

    • i sleep like a baby every day,
      from 0:23 to 4:01 hahaha
      sted
    • : )MrT
    • Except yesterday when it rained like it was the end of the worldautoflavour
  • freedom0

    My left COMMAND key doesn't work unless I really hit it.

    Can that be fixed or has it been broken by using it soo much?

    • Thought Apple had a lot of problem with last gen butterfly key switch. Maybe it's related.pango
    • Yeah is this a last gen Mac Laptop butterfly Keyboard? They are the pits, stock up on canned air.thumb_screws
    • I have a keyboard protector cover on at all times so I think it maybe internal?freedom
    • Is it all jammed up with jizz cream?utopian
    • Pango hates when that happens.utopian
    • remove the keycap, clean the area and re-install.dorf
  • freedom1

    I have roughly 25 souvenir or brand tee shirts in my closet that I have never worn because I like them and don't want to ruin them.

    So I keep wearing the same blank tee shirts over and over and over.

    • it's not mint condition when you take them out of the box!pango
  • thumb_screws3

    Walking the hounds down by the river and witnessed a pod of about 20 dolphins schooling and snacking on fish. Fuck it was amazing. The were about 10 meters from the shore.

  • section_0140

    No more buying any shoes online that aren't Vans (or other skate shoes). Sending back yet another pair of pricey leather shoes because the fit is so far off. I even used a Brannock (foot measuring device) to get my size. And, sized down a full size (even though they recommended a 1/2 size).

    • Yeah I'll only by shoes online if I have tried on or worn that brand before and know the size.sarahfailin
    • The whole notion of buying clothes online is crazy to me, I must be old or something.zarkonite
    • most places offer free returns if you spend $XX, buy multiple pair and return the ones that don't fit.imbecile
  • sarahfailin2

    G Suite is freaking the fuck out over Google+ closing down.

    No one cares! Stop emailing me!

    • seriously! i am getting a shit ton of emails. just close already and leave me alone.capn_ron
    • I thought it shut down ages ago.i_monk
  • Ianbolton6

    My concern of the day is that Mugs bowed out of QBN expressing a few problems, which we were happy to help with in whatever way we could. But he has only left QBN, right? Not the entire planet? Read his post a few times this morning thinking, is he really out there still. Just hope the lad's okay.

    Can we be a bit more supportive of each other please, not a keyboard warrior with the aim of taking down anyone who contests your views and opinions?

    • Hope he's OK. He was a good chap.set
    • blimey that's a bit dark, isn't it? i just took him to mean he's sick of the endless back biting in this place, not the whole world...hans_glib
    • Agree with this sentiment. And sad to loose him too...hopefully he will return one day.dee-dubs
    • QBNEXITrobotron3k
    • ^this guy...pango
    • it bothers me that he also left Lichess a month ago:
      https://lichess.org/…
      Krassy
    • @set sameKrassy
  • Nairn4

    Nngh.

    I just signed up to a Facebook account as there's a work-related group I keep having recommended to me.

    I hate that sort of social media and want nothing to do with it - I did have an FB account, when it was novel and we were all innocent, but deleted it something like 7 or 8 years ago.

    Anyway, I decided to ringfence things and created a specific container in Firefox for it, and what have I just done? Logged in from browser normal, no container.

    I imagine poisonous myceliel tendrils all making contact and putting two and two and twenty together and now it knows who the fuck I am. Again.

    I hate the modern internet.

    • it really doesn't mattermonospaced
    • Nothing innocent about the 'Hot or Not' app back then you naughty boy.microkorg
    • not to you perhaps.Nairn
    • I'm not fussed either.Fax_Benson
    • me and mono are pretty sanguine about the whole thing to be honestFax_Benson
    • I really just don't give a fuck if they know who I am. I'm a nobody and always will be. My private life still remains private.monospaced
    • seeFax_Benson
    • nope it really doesn't matterfadein11
    • It's true. Mono doesn't care if I make stupid comment on his baby photos XDpango
  • Maaku-1

    Alexa, play "Despacito"

  • Gnash2

    Where's face_melter?

    • QBNEXITrobotron3k
    • good question. not seen him in ages. I hope he wasn't intimidated by robo's razor-sharp witFax_Benson
    • Fax, we are all intimidated by robo's amazing wit. I mean really, QBNEXIT on repeat has me quivering over here.capn_ron
    • He's not been on here since early last Summer - at least not publicly, under that name. A shame. I'm not sure he liked the feel and politics in here...Nairn
    • ...my own included, I'm sad to say. or at least, my ego thinks I had any part in it.Nairn
    • Strange you should mention this today, earlier I saw https://www.bbc.co.u… and thought of him.Nairn
    • https://i.kym-cdn.co…Nairn
    • maybe he took QBN's advice and started writing proper, like. Hope he comes back.Fax_Benson
    • still.....QBNEXIT eh?Fax_Benson
    • QBN is a launching board for success —
      so many members over the years have done yuge, great things.
      All of us left, on the other hand..
      Nairn
  • Bennn0

    Albums come and go in Spotify. Your playlists you carefully built can see songs disappearing without you even know it.

    Is this true?

    • What isn't true, Bennnn?
      The important thing is to Imagine.
      Nairn
    • In your settings you can check a box that keeps those tracks visible (though not playable) in your playlistspl33nidoru
    • What do you mean by albums come and go? I've been using it for 6+ years and I've never noticed an album not be available.mg33
    • Nope, not true. In the event the song isn't available on Spotify any longer, which is totally normal, it just grays out.monospaced
    • ^not exactly true. My fave van morrison album - tupelo honey, simply isn't on there. maybe it has never been.sarahfailin
    • Annoying AF! Tried playing Jimi Tenor Saxentric the other day... Gone!spunji
    • Van Morrison has kinda been anti-streaming for years. He only allowed his stuff on any platform for a limited time, but pulled it again.monospaced
    • basically, it's not available on any streaming service, not even iTunesmonospaced
  • jaylarson1

    Anyone have an idea why my posts aren't showing up? I can see them when I log out.

  • NBQ000

    There used to be a fad in the early or mid 90's with morphing effects. It seems it has pretty much died out completely and when done it's mostly done more sophisticated in CG.

    But I'm still surprised there's no real dedicated software or plug ins (?) that can do high-end morphing or am I wrong? It used to be 'Elastic Reality' but that software was discontinued like over a decade ago...

    • There is a plugin for AE called RE:Flex that does it. But I'm not sure how easy it is to use. https://www.youtube.…PhanLo
    • combination of fading and liquifying... premiere has a built in tool called morph cut, that makes the liquifying part of it automaticallyuan
    • There used to be dedicated software back then I played with all the time! Can’t believe it died. Wish I remember what it was called because it was fun.monospaced
    • Was it a Kai power tool?monospaced
    • I only know Elastic Reality which was the top morphing tool back then. You could draw splines to define specific partsNBQ00
    • https://i.pinimg.com…NBQ00
    • I wrote my college dissertation on this. It all stemmed from ILM’s work on T2. I phone interviewed the ewok leader himself...MrT
    • http://www.fantamorp…imbecile
    • Nowadays you would likely distort a 3d plane with some bones, cross-fade two texture images. I suspect thats what elastic reality was doing back in the day.monNom
  • monospaced0

    Want to put together an online portfolio, but have no skills in web development, so I'm considering one of those super simple web templates, like a squarespace or wix. Are these my best options for creating and maintaining a simple portfolio for a non web designer? Can I use them with my own domain? Are these really that frowned upon for designers who just want to show work without the fuss of building a custom site from scratch?

    • I once used Apple's free WYSIWYG website builder, and then Adobe Muse, but both were discontinued, so DIY feels out of reach.monospaced
    • portfolio site is fine on squarespace. or I have a great wordpress theme. I would happily help if we could all share personal deets on herefadein11
    • and yes you can use your own domain whatever path you choose.fadein11
    • if you have your own adobe CC account (as opposed to an employe one) they have a portfolio site included with the subscription-- it can also have custom domainGnash
    • indeed but when I tried typing it I realized it’s banned here ;)monospaced
    • Not that one... :) This:
      https://portfolio.ad…
      Gnash
    • Format.com has nice minimal templates, ability to add password and very easy to maintain.robotron3k
    • square space is your best option mono.utopian
    • the adobe one is freeGnash
    • Thanks all.monospaced
    • Thanks too, I have the very same questineMrT
    • you best share once your site is up, mono :)PonyBoy
    • try cargo collective.. I used it a while back it was pretty good specifically for portfoliosBoz
    • I would share but there are some creeeps on QBN that have forced me to become anonymous. When someone emails you and knows your address that’s it.monospaced
    • I regularly want to post work here but am afraid of adding the company logo because of the ridicule.monospaced
    • The reason I need a site is because I want to look for more work and I need one to present. Even if temporary.monospaced
    • I would love to see your work, but I would not post the link, there are a few creepy stalking trolls here. You never know what they might do to you.utopian
    • Thanks. I don’t even know if you’re joking or not, but I have a family and the kind of creepy shit I’ve received is not cool.monospaced
    • Not joking, that's why I don't post my work up here anymore. The troll farm would love to do personal damage.utopian
    • update later on. curious to hear what your experience was with whatever you end up usingGnash
    • SquarespaceHayoth
    • I use squarespace. It was pretty easy to set up, and looks pretty good.Frosty_spl
    • has anybody used adobe's portfolio site?Gnash
    • squarespace.hotroddy
    • yes, adobe portfolio is the fastest way to do a presentable one...you can map your url to it, password protect areas, use images, videos, every kind of media.uan
    • I'll admit I'm that creep. I will send dickbutt to your phone and email.pango
    • css grid, bit of javascript, pinch of php and job is done, if you do your self, you can add HTML, CSS, JS, Php to your CV.shapesalad
    • oh pango, it’s the guys who say they’ll drive 300 miles to see me after pointing out my address and the names of my wife and child that freak me outmonospaced
    • I’ll look into both squarespace and adobes offering. And maybe I’ll get the balls to post some real work here soon. Be nice.monospaced
    • I know exactly who you're talking about.pango
    • 15 E 15th St, New York, NY 10003utopian
    • Semplice template will take you very far.noRGB
    • how do we share contact info?canoe
    • Adobe Portfolio or Squarespace good yep. Wordpress and a theme is super simple too. Very easy to get that up and running.pedromendez
  • freedom0

    Someone I'm friendly with is starting a new community weekly event thing and I was excited and sort of volunteered to design some materials for them. I offered some logos but he was kind of just like "I got it under control" so I stopped.

    Now he has a bad logo and a lousy wix site that I think he just threw together himself and I'm kind of turned off from the whole project.

    • google 'community', might give you some hints on what's going wrong in that relationship.uan
    • a) you can move on to next cool project in that communityuan
    • b) you can take the content and put it in your version of the design and then confront your idea/execution in the groupuan
    • c) work on what's available and help improve ituan
    • d) leave the ‘community’imbecile
    • Let it go. If the person who made it is happy, why you sad?robthelad
  • notype2

    Who here has a generator for the apocalypse?

    • I have one. but it's mostly just for ice storms powering tools offsiteGnash
    • something that will generate the apocalypse? Twitter?Fax_Benson
    • ^ zing!Gnash
    • Over population. Already happening.Krassy
    • lolnotype
  • OBBTKN2

    Woah!! What to do when you're really tired of everything?? You job, family, wife, kids, friends.... ? What to do when you are this lost?

    Give me a pair of advices guys... I feel this day is near

    • read camusGnash
    • exercisemoldero
    • Thanks, and yes, need to exercise, too much work lately and little time for me...OBBTKN
    • Use alcohol as a cheap escape of reality? :)NBQ00
    • Also don't get married and have kids = life is easier and when you have enough of everything you can go wherever you want.NBQ00
    • Fix your sleep. I've had great improvement since taking l-tryptophan, some people are low in this natural amino, it's helped my sleep greatly also kinda calmingrobotron3k
    • just wait till spring startsuan
    • Gnash, thanks for the Camus suggestion, totally in-line with my personal philosophy, he’s fascinating._niko
    • Though I’m not yet sure why he rejects nihilism so much when there are obvious commonalities between it and absurdism._niko
    • because nihilism is... well, nihilistic!Gnash
    • "...all that matter is – is the will to happiness, a kind of enormous, ever-present consciousness. The rest; women, art, success – is nothing but excuses...."Gnash
    • Realize that a lot people have it much worse than you. Be thankful for what you have.Hayoth
    • Get outside, hike, run, exert yourself physically, spend more time in the natural world. This helped me so much.thumb_screws
    • Watch a man restoring a vice: https://www.youtube.…Wolfboy
    • https://www.youtube.…notype
    • Wolfboy, thanks for that video.notype
    • You buy a Harley.pango
    • Your not going to like it but you just have to suck it up. If you find something that helps all the power to you but just don't give up.eryx
    • Be the man your dog thinks you are.eryx
    • volunteerok_not_ok
    • get a hobby and power through - you have responsibilities now dude.trooperbill
    • do you, buddy. just you. workout, do shit you always wanted to do but postpoined or shy-ed away from that puts smile on face. It will make you feel amazing andBoz
    • make people around you happier too. Do shit that you were too chicken to do, go learn to dance or rock climbing or whatever you thought you couldn't.Boz
    • Happiness & satisfaction comes from within and nobody can provide it. Find challenges and overcome them. I did that, and it took a long time to realize it trulyBoz
    • Thanks all, not in this situation yet... But I feel I'm on the way.OBBTKN
    • Ah! And you guys rock!!OBBTKN
    • Sounds like a midlife crisis to me. Buy a new car or find a new hobby that you wanted todo all your lifemilfhunter
    • You're not gonna like what I have to say; Sit on the end of your bed, and pray, just let it out, speak all your truths into the open, ask for help. It will comerobthelad
    • Do the whole30 diet and clean yourself out, body and mind! You can't drink alcohol but you can smoke the devil's lettuce!davey_g
    • you buy a convertible.pango
    • walking, nature, hikes, working out, less time on social media, carve out the time to take care of yourself. Also, special activities with the wife and kids...exador1
    • take the time to have 'me time' but also make time for family fun... nature hikes with the kids, date nights with your wife.exador1
    • I'm turning 47 this year, and celebrating my 20th anniversary. my kids are now both in highschool.exador1
    • burnout is a real thing, but you can recharge those batteries man. and remember, YOU made these choices. your kids depend on you to be the super dadexador1
    • you're supposed to be. You want them to look back on their childhood with joy and happiness...not misery.exador1
    • and your wife chose you as a partner for the journey. Time to man up and BE the husband and father you know you can be.exador1
    • invest in yourself. and invest in your family. at the end of the day, it's all you have. No one is going to remember that 'awesome' design you did. but yourexador1
    • kids and your wife will remember all the special times and moments. so recharge, re-invest, and spread the love, dude.exador1
    • I get it Exador, nothing new in all this... We're in our 19th aniversary this year, and I'm 47 too in may. Allways been the good guy, husband, father, son...OBBTKN
    • Simply, I'm getting tired, too much weight sometimes... Meh! I'll manage, but it's been a good read guys. Srly. Thank you allOBBTKN
  • Gnash0

    and buddhaHat?