The thing is, here in the USA we’re taught that stuff will make you happy. In fact, the TV is plastered with ads for this that and the other newest and best bit or bob that will somehow fill that undefined yearning that we all seem to feel. We’re told that a new X will bring us happiness, but the truth of the matter is that it rarely does. So what actually does make us happy? I gave this considerable thought and decided to make a list of the happiest moments of my life, a top ten if you will. What I found was that very few of the memories had ANYTHING to do with stuff.

So, what did they include? Experiences and the people I had them with. You see, owning a computer doesn’t make me happy. The experiences I can have with/through my computer (staying in contact with friends, artwork, writing, blogging, etc…) are what makes me happy. Owning my first car didn’t make me happy. Experiencing the freedom that owning a car allowed DID make me happy, not to mention the memories I have of experiences with me and my friends/family that were had in said car. The happiest times of my life often didn’t even include any stuff at all, there were 100% experience, many of which cost me little to no money at all.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I still like to own stuff. I’m not about to sell everything I own and go roam the streets preaching anti-materialism. However, it has changed the way I view stuff in general. Now, I don’t care much for the thing at all, I think to myself “what can I experience with x?” and if I don’t like the answer, I don’t get x. It’s as simple as that. Obviously, anything which is a necessity is covered by such logic. For example if you replace x with food, it is obvious that I couldn’t experience much if I starved to death.

Another thing worth pointing out is that these experiences are rarely solitary. Despite the fact that I’m not just antisocial but social-phobic, my fondest memories are those which I share with someone else. Usually part of the experience includes a strengthening of social bonds (friendship/romance).

It’s not just me either. I’ve asked several people this same question and they’ve all completely agreed with me. We all have very few happy memories which include stuff and of those that do, it’s not the stuff that makes us happy, it’s the experiences we had because of the stuff and the people we had those experiences with. Don’t expect that new car, house, computer, etc… to make you happy because you’ll just be disappointed. What seems that if we really want to be happy we should just go have some fun with our friends.

In any case, it seems as if one of my quotes has been picked up by a coach somewhere and he ran with it. Here’s the link. He credits me of course, but undoubtedly has no idea who I am. The quote reads “The strength of a person is often weighed by how they deal with their weaknesses.” and I firmly believe this. He took this and applied it to sports, which is awesome, I’m glad this saying has enough mutability to apply to a wide range of topics.

I am amused, however, that a quote from a hardcore nerd and anti-sport-ist is being used in this context. Also, it amuses me that I’m being quoted as if I’m someone with any degree of importance. Sure Nathaniel sounds like the name of someone who is important… and not like someone who is working a 9-5 while living with his in-laws and taking online art courses. Perhaps I’m selling myself short… but I prefer to think of it as being humble :P

In case anyone else is interested, here are some of my other quotes:
“I’m not lazy, I’m efficient.”
“Carnivores do not understand herbivores, they eat them.”
“If you can’t laugh at it, you’re taking it too seriously.”
“I trust so few that it is much easier to simply keep no secrets.”
“If all my enemies and all my allies have the same information, none can use it against me.”
“Clothing is a form of deception.”
“Your political stance is completely dependant upon whose lies you believe the most.”
“The strength of a person is often weighed by how they deal with their weaknesses.”
“A life without direction goes nowhere.”
“Once inspired one seeks to inspire. In this it is obvious that inspiration is rather infectious and we are little more than vectors through which it spreads.”
“Sacrifice is the deductible when insuring peace.”
“If someone does not see you as beautiful, this does not mean that you are not beautiful, but rather that they simply do not see you.”
“If truth is beauty and beauty truth, then as long as you are true to yourself you will never be anything less than beautiful.”

Even so, feel free to get in there, check out my artwork, and leave some comments to try out the new system.

The holidays are right around the corner and ChimericFire has the perfect gifts for the more demented among you. But remember, if you want them to arrive in time, you’ll have to order them soon.

Deadlines for a Dec 24th delivery:

{{hr}}

A few random products:
Almost any one is sure to earn you some coal in your stocking.

I personally wear the heck out of these T-shirts. I just love the looks I get at the mall when I know my shirt has caught someone’s attention. It’s the simple things that I truly enjoy in life. One of them happens to be offending people with my sense of humor. I’m sure all my avid readers know what I think about people who get offended. So, if you are offended by any of the content of my product designs, I am not sorry, and you should take this opportunity to examine yourself, get to know yourself, and discover why you have such issues. In this way, my products offer… a form of therapy to all who view them.

Nah, I don’t believe that. I just think they’re funny. That being said, if you like my stuff. If you know someone who might like any of it. Why not get some? It’s the holidays anyway. It’s time to splurge! Keep in mind that 100% of the profits from these products go towards helping a needy family. MINE!

I really have big hopes for this site. I know it has great potential as a downline builder and that’s show I’m going to market it. It isn’t receiving much traffic yet, but I expect it to start building up fairly soon. I do want to add more features to it as I go which include but are not limited to:

1. The ability to submit new free traffic sites for people to advertise.
2. The ability of members to rank these free services and only display the top ranking services on the ad page.
3. An online community devoted completely to helping others gain traffic for free.
4. Add revenue generating affiliate ads that can turn members’ FTW ad pages into sales pages as well.
5. Add a linkback section that displays links back to members’ sites to help them with search engine ranking.

I think I’m having way too much fun creating new websites. I’m serious, it’s like a sickness. I’ve created 3 new websites in the last 3 months! Hopefully, these sites will keep me too busy to create any more for a while… although there is that one that I have been thinking about starting… a community site for local DFW Art Institute Online students who want to create games in order to include them in their resumes when applying to local game production companies… but I think I’ll put that one off until I’m actually able to create a game worth playing.

Seriously, web authoring is addictive! I guess I just need to work on generating content for these sites for now. I can create new projects later… let these grow a bit.

It is dedicated to increasing the quantity and quality of comments on Elfwood and Deviantart galleries. If demand exists for it, I will extend the use to blogs as well.

It’s actually a very unique and powerful idea. I took what I know about traffic exchanges and created an online community that helps get amateur artists what they need the most, comments and critiques. It’s a powerufl traffic generating tool. If I extend it for use on blogs as well… it will really open things up.

For now there are no ads or anything. If the traffic is substantial I may add some adsense and/or banners to either make me some money or drive traffic back to my other sites. For now though, completely ad free.

If you’re an Elfwood or Deviantart artist, check it out. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. If I extend this for use on blogs, i’ll let everyone know.

Type to you later,
~Nathaniel

This info is not really all that important, but I figured that everyone should at least know that for all the touting of free traffic exchanges that I make, that they know that using them with adsense is a no-no… unless they can set it up such that the ads are not displayed under certain circumstances.

Here’s the code I use:

First I define a variable early on in the page:
<?php $adsensecount = 0; ?>

Then I insert a little simple bit of code to tell whether or not the ad has been shown more than 3 times or has been sent from a traffic exchange:
<?php if ($_GET['te']!=”")
{
$adsensecount = 3;
} ?>
<?php if ($adsensecount <3) : ?>
<script type=”text/javascript”><!–
google_ad_client = “youradsenseaccnt#”;
google_ad_width = 468;
google_ad_height = 60;
google_ad_format = “468x60_as”;
google_ad_type = “text_image”;
google_ad_channel = “”;
google_color_border = “adddff”;
google_color_bg = “000000″;
google_color_link = “adddff”;
google_color_text = “ffffff”;
google_color_url = “008000″;
//–>
</script>
<script type=”text/javascript”
src=”http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js”>
</script>
<br />
<?php $adsensecount++; ?>
<?php endif; ?>

And that’s it. Keeps me from getting in trouble, keeps my ads showing otherwise.

Type to you later,
~Nathaniel

I am particularly fond of “We’re all Pink on the Inside.” because it’s a direct stab (pun intended) at the Gothic subculture. I actually consider myself quite Gothic, but not because I wear all black and heavy eyeshadow. I am Gothic because of my morbid sense of humor… as evidenced by that particular piece. I have never been too fond of the elaborate makeup that some Goths wear. Although I think it’s totally HOT! I also think that it’s vain and pointless… although I think the hotness might be some sort of use. I suppose I’m just against it because I’m too lazy to put forth that much effort into my appearance. In which case, I have no room to talk.

Hope you like ‘em.
Type to you later,
~Nathaniel

In any case, check out what I’ve got up so far at http://www.cafepress.com/chimericfire

Type to you later,
~Nathaniel