hanalways

I couldn't bring myself to read it. Opened it in a bookshop once out of curiosity, saw a random, unexplained tense change, and closed it again. Even ignoring the dangerous and offensive content, it's terrible writing. Even when I was a young teenager writing smut fics, I could do a bit of research to make sure what I was writing was accurate. It's really not that hard. If a gay female can write about two guys getting it on with anatomical accuracy, a straight girl should be able to write about straight sex without too much difficulty.
It's just really really bad writing. I don't understand how this could possibly be published. I can think of 100 fanfic authors off the top of my head (including myself) that can write better than that. My eleven-year-old music students could probably do a better job.
 
 
I'm sorry, but I have to say I'd disagree with this one. My beef isn't with Ana's female sexuality or submissive role in the bedroom. As stated in previous comments, Christian is controlling and abusive. For me, feminism is about saying that women should be just as powerful as men. They don't necessarily have to always be the agressor in a relationship, but they should NEVER be made to feel that their body, mind, workplace, or home does not belong to them. If you want to wear pink, frilly skirts everywhere, that's totally fine. If you like subbing for your partner while they do cool stuff in the bedroom, that's also totally fine. What's not fine is when you have no choice over when or how you get to have sex. I actually didn't mind Twilight that much. It was no Shakespeare, but I got through all four books. However, there were a couple of things that made me uncomfortable and one was that part where Bella went for a girls' night out with her friends and she was being harrassed by some guys. Edward was stalking her. Of course I'm happy he could help her, but the fact he was there at all made me really uncomfortable.
Their relationship is abuse, plain and simple. The books glamorise abuse and that's not okay. You can bet your socks that girls are reading it and thinking 'hey, this is kinda hot. I should try this stuff with my man.' People will get hurt by the existence of this book.

I also just decided to try food club, and I used jellyneo's guide. I just made my first bet and only put a couple thousand. I just want to make sure I understand what I did, and even if I didn't and I lose, it's only a couple thousand. It looks like a lot of work though, because there's always 5 rounds going on.

I just made myself some chicken with mushrooms and onion cooked in balsamic vinegar with some goat cheese. MMM. I love balsamic/goat cheese together. ^_^

50 Shades? How about 50 Shades of Lies? Yes? Okay.
 
My point of view on this book is based on how the author wanted the relationship of the characters to be.
 
I have come to hate this book and all it's fan's cheering because I am a Librarian. We have at least 70 copies in our system and people rant and rave over it. I did skim through it, i read the reports and summaries. Not interested. Mainly because (as someone from the BDSM community) it's not true to what would happen. It's hard to really go over this on TDN forums but those of us who are part of that actual community are sort of offended. (Not all of us, naturally)
And we have noticed that the author seems to be nothing more than a soccer mom wanting to experience the other side and so she writes about it. But she doesn't actually know. It's pretty much fantasy for soccer moms and vanilla peoples, again not saying this is bad, but not my style nor many others.
 
I have no interest in where this book got it's start but if it's from fanfiction like you say, then I'm definitely not interested any more than I was to begin with. That's just a load of crap that I won't stand for, and thus I become grim every time I have to hand out that book to patrons at my Library. Enjoy the book, if it's your thing. I'm just quite offended by the whole deal of vanilla folks wooing over the thoughts of the other side.
 
/end rant.
 
KINK-SHAMING INDEED!

I'm super late to the party but in my opinion.
 
No. No nono nonononononononononono. No. This book is FULL of nos.
 
Horrible writing, character development, etc aside it is riding a VERY fine line between exploring your fantasies and encouraging non-consensual behavior and the latter is just downright dangerous. This book is NOT BDSM, even though people keep attributing BDSM to it. The BDSM community is all about safe, consensual sex.
 
BDSM is all about trust, and with that trust you can open up a whole new level of understanding and intimacy. BDSM can often be exhausting, and there is a term in the community called "aftercare". Aftercare is when they help transition out of these fantasies and often talk and take care of each other, ensuring that the submissive OR the dominant gets the emotional support that they need after such an ordeal. In the book Christian does not do any aftercare, which is one of the most important priorities in a sexual relationship, and in the BDSM community (and in all honesty, how sexuality should be viewed) this is straight up abuse. In the book Ana is scared, feels trapped, and feels often misunderstood. These are terms that should not EVER enter a sexual relationship.
 
He uses alcohol to sway her consent - this, by legal definition, is rape. If you ever get in a situation where you do not want to be there, and a partner is trying to make you change your opinion with substances, this is not a sexy time and do not confuse your feelings by his wants. It is your right to say no, and do not be swayed by his persistence, he should respect your decision. He says that he needs to her to be honest with him, but he holds a double standard that he doesn't have to be with her. THIS STRIPS AWAY HER POWER TO HOLD HER OWN THOUGHTS AND BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY HOW SHE WANTS TO CONFIDE IN PEOPLE. Christian overpowers her, not just in the bedroom but by buying her a car, owning the company she works for, etc. This disempowers her as she has no identity anymore.
 
I'm not going to say that you shouldn't read the book, but if you do please please please keep these things in mind and do not let it alter any perception in how beautiful, unique and amazing you are as an individual, especially sexually. You deserve a healthy, open, trusting and consensual sexual relationship NOT an abusive, manipulative one (which Christian continues to be throughout the whole book). Smut is awesome, reading things to get the lady-bits (or man-bits) tingling is great, but please do not let the things you read sway what you know is right, and what keeps you feeling a strong sexual individual.

My major beef with with the #YesAllWomen trend is that it's basically started by bashing guys who say "Not All Men" when they are grouped with a mentally ill mass-murdering psychopath. I'm female, but if I were male and told I am no different than him, that not only me, but my father, brothers, cousins, and friends were born rapists, misogynists, whose only purpose in life is to bring physical and and mental anguish on any and every woman around me I'd tell them to do something I'm not allowed to say here. I'm a frequent tumblr user and I cannot stand feminism as portrayed on that site, which is why I consider myself egalitarian instead of feminist. Men have just as many injustices in the western world as women, and I dislike how feminists push off any MRA member as some woman-hating-fedora-wearing-creep. Just because the injustices are different doesn't make them invalid or less relevant.
 
I actually like what #YesAllWomen has turned into but it's origins make me really uneasy. You shouldn't have to bring others down to bring yourself up.

I wonder why Peophins and Koi, are cannot wear Maraquan items when why are both underwater creatures anyway and can't be painted maraquan, if anything, I think they should be considered exceptions and allowed to wear Maraquan items.
 
Also, The WORST part of Neopets, being a gamer, is the shifting payout ratios. I LOATHE them. This most recent change in the ratios,you have to be at nearly top form on many of the games I play, or in some cases EXCEED what's possible when comparing the payout ratio to the current TOP scores for that game. I can't recall which it was I was looking at, but the ratio was something like 5.12, and the top scores were only in the 3300s. The major problems with the Neopian economy, as far as I know, have mainly been with people cheating at getting items, not so much playing games. Dear TNT, please HELP us gamers and make a stronger effort to block people taking advantage of exploits in the item buying system! Maybe then HONEST neopians, like the Majority of Neopians, could RS some decent things once in a while.

YES on the mutant pets! I LOVE the mutant lutari, but there is literally no clothes or really any accessories to go with it - or the accessories that are available are long out of the trading circuit. It gets frustrating especially considering it feels like new baby clothing gets released very frequently.
 
And I never experienced the DDR, but it feels like I don't have a chance to win with Mystery Island :( It's like my contribution doesn't even matter.

Please don't ask for or disclose this information. TDN does not condone the use or discussion of cheating programs.
 
Marmota, I'm sorry this happened to you, and I hope you can get everything cleared up soon.

I'm not quite old enough to have had experiences like this, but I'm getting close to that age and it's a little scary. I know I could most likely defend myself if physically assaulted - I have the knowledge and skills to do so - but it would most likely do emotional damage, and that I could not deal with.
 
I'm sick of seeing women objectified, scared to go out for fear of assault, being taught that "boys will be boys" and that you must try not to get raped, instead of teaching boys to not rape women, and that a short skirt or otherwise "revealing" clothing is "asking for it" and it's the girl's fault for being attractive. I'm sick of seeing guys complain about how a girl "friendzoned" him after he was nice to her or complimented her, and how they feel as if they're entitled to the girl for doing something so simple as holding the door for her or saying she had nice hair. I'm sick of the advertisements that depict how women are "supposed" to look, with hourglass figures, extremely long legs, flawless skin, long slender arms, a full bust and hips, and an overall over-sexualized pose. I'm sick of men treating women like they're simply fanciful things for them to play with and treat as they please, and not have a care if they break them.
 
I'm sick of this patriarchal society as a whole, and I feel it needs changing.

The people who play two at the same time are insane, yet magical.
 
Like.. HOW DO

1. Firstly, the number of all-star groups / cheat groups that band together and join one particular team is making the AC beyond ridiculous. The AC is now exclusively a competition between these groups and while playing to compete has its own joys, playing while knowing you have no chance of winning is frustrating to say the least. I mean, Faerieland is actually topping the chart right now for heaven's sake. With all due respect to fellow TDN members and guests who are genuine supporters of this team, we all know that the team is getting some type of external help. Why bother if it's going to be rigged anyway?
 
2. The games are repetitious and boring. From year to year the format hardly changes - the brackets system made things worse instead of better, as I know that most of you agree. There should be new games every year, some type of achievement unlocking scheme, and generally something to look forward to every year. The same 4 games a bajillion times a day are hardly a motivation to anyone I know. If anything, people play DESPITE how boring this whole thing is.
 
3. The prizes are insanely out of reach. I am not an All-Star player myself (mainly because of the reason above). But if I were, what would be the point if All Star doesn't even get me the highest prize possible? The fact that Double All-Star exists as a concept is understandable - yes some people will want to play their fingers to the bone - but I hardly think this should be a requirement to get the best prize once a player has supposedly maxed out. Does TDN really expect players to spend 8+ hours a day playing the same 4 games? The prize to effort ratio is highly out of balance and in this day and age, kids are NOT willing to do so much for so little.

Is there anything you guys are frustrated with? Please add!

Me too. I ESPECIALLY loathe Delina. There is thankfully a way to avoid her during the Faerie Quest event by changing the language into Chinese, but I'd rather TNT just ax her. Nobody wants to do her stupid quests, nobody likes her, she isn't working, so get rid of her! I hated picking up all those useless Crystal Neggs before finding the real Neggs I was after, too. But at least the Crystal Neggs are pretty, so I may keep them in my SDB for a while. *watches the sparkles*
 
Another complaint I have is the lack of love Maraquan and Mutant pets receive in the wearable department, especially in the NC Mall. Baby pets get something for every category, while Maraquans and Mutants only get ONE wearable per year and it's only seasonal. They never get any Wonderclaw machines or Mystery Capsules for them. At least the NP wearables are nicer to them, giving us wearables made for those two colors. But because they're NP items, they cost millions. Sometimes the NC items are easier to obtain in that regard.
 
And will we ever lose this horrible bracket system? I swear that no matter how much we complain, TNT likes this new system and will keep it forever. I want the DRR back! Or at the very least, a SRR! (Also I'm sick of the games; having been participating in the Cup since the third one, so I'd like some new activities.)

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I hate, hate, HATE NC push. Don't give me crystal neggs if to open them it's 125 NC EACH. That's ridiculous and absurd. Stop using my inventory as a bribe - I can't trade them, I can't use them, and I seriously refuse to pay $5 to use them. If I wanted to pay for it, I would have in the NC Mall. But forcing it on me and making me SDB it drives me up the wall.

Thank you all for the congratulations and all your thoughts and great ideas! <3 We're just starting the second trimester, but since I'll be 35 at the birth, and we had a previous miscarriage, my OB wanted genetic testing done to rule out serious problems. So the testing will tell us the gender anyway. So my husband will get his way, he'll have to read the test results! I told him I would rather not know, since I'm terrified of letting it slip accidentally while talking to my sisters or mom. It's been REALLY REALLY HARD to not spill the beans inadvertently about the pregnancy! (We're telling our families on June 7th after a tour of a chocolate factory! Yay!)
 
I honestly hadn't even thought about setting up a nursery yet, we'll be moving within the next few months, so I suppose that'll come post-move. I think the under the sea theme that Shelley suggested would fit well with my husband and I. :) That way, I can use green and blue without judgment regardless of gender! :D
 
Mouseykins, thank you for the offer. I will almost certainly take you up on your offer to be a resource for me. You may end up regretting it! :*

This times a thousand and fifty percent. Poopvolcano is definitely a thing, and hopefully your baby will be growing fast into new sets of clothes anyway - but the guests LOVE buying cutesy clothing and they do look pretty adorable.
 
I don't have children, but have been around them and I have two little tiny nephews (except not really, they are fast growers!) I feel that if you don't want to know, that's your prerogative, there is enough gender neutral things that shouldn't be a problem for the shower and stuff. I personally wouldn't want to know either, but I bet anything my husband would want to know immediately. I would probably give him the option of knowing and taunting me about it, haha.
 
Also when knowing the gender, if they say a girl be careful! They might be tucking in between the legs in the sonogram and the birth may be a bit of a surprise that you were looking for anyway - that's happened a few times!

Yes, though I don't feel like mine is quite as big (I try really, really hard not to mix them up xD). I went to pay for something with my debit card, and I literally just froze for a second after typing in the first digit. I was putting in my Neo pin, and for the life of me, I couldn't remember my debit card pin for a couple of minutes. I just stood there looking blankly at the screen and the cashier :weird:

String instruments are definitely tough! I played an assortment of instruments, starting with the piano and clarinet. I got a scholarship into college with my oboe though, although I quit band in college during high school it was one of my best memories was hanging out with the band kids.
 
The best advice I can give is practice at least 10 minutes a day, every day. Even if you don't know anything now, give yourself a year and look back. At the beginning just work on good form of holding the violin and feeling how the bow is used on it.
 
Good luck, band is so much fun! :)

I am a mother of a four year old and also expecting :P and I'll find out what my fiance and I are having our next appointment as well. I prefer to know because it drives me crazy not to. And you'll soon find out whatever clothes your family buys for your little one will either be soon ruined or he/she can't wear long anyway. I'd say find out and allow your family to shop as much as they like. It helps a lot actually :P As for the frilly/blue stuff all you need to do is just express that you'd like different styles or neutral colors etc. Of course some frilly/blue stuff will be baught most likely but it doesn't hurt to have the stereotype clothing around either (: As for toys, it's always nice to have a variation because kids can get bored of the same thing. For my four year old I put some toys away in storage because she had too many in her play room and after a few months I switched them out with other toys. It's like she got a whole tub of new things and was interested again in playing with the toys.
 
Also maybe only your husband could be told what the baby is and he can tell the rest of the family but they could keep it a secret from you while being able to shop? It'd be difficult probably not telling you or wanting to show you the new things before the baby is born but it might work out :P Good luck and congratulations!

I used to play the flute from 5th grade until I graduated high school. I really enjoyed it but wish I had joined my school's flute club (yes, we actually have a flute club) or the orchestra. One of my friends at college plays the flute and I always go to her concerts. My mom plays violin and I used to play it from time to time. I wasn't very good and I found the violin extremely hard. I Could play a few scales, but I just found it really uncomfortable to hold and I couldn't get the bow from bouncing on the strings haha. I'm just going to stick to my flute. I've always been bad at string instruments haha

This is going to be my first year doing the AC.
 

I think I'm going with Roo Island.

I'm a regular blood donor, and they pretty much vampire everything they need out of my body xD
 
I have AB- blood which apparently is like the most exclusive blood type of the world, and which makes me a target for a lot of blood donor communities - but I'm happy to oblige. My plasma and platelet count are often off the charts, so lately they've switched from just pints of blood to two or three platelet or plasma draws.
 
I've always thought about donating bone marrow! Keep us updated with how it goes, I don't think I even know where to start. Haha. Kudos to you for being awesome and donating, I know the blood banks are always looking for more blood and more donors. It's an awesome experience if your body will let you do it.

Tyrannian Victory Day is actually the celebration of Tyrannia's freedom from an event waaaay back in 2001. The Obelisk War will likely be continuing for a long time, so people still have the chance to get the avatars they missed.

Pacific Northwest represent!
 
I'm from Seattle, WA and we're really well known for our "Seattle freeze". We're very polite and gracious, but we're known as a flaky city. We tend to make random plans like "Oh yeah we should totally get together for coffee sometime..." and then we leave it like that. A lot of out of state transplants really don't like that.
 
Lesee, we're known for coffee, technology, and liberalism in general. One of the best things about Seattle in my opinion is how diverse we are. We have one of the largest international ports, so we get to interact with people all over the world - which makes our food INCREDIBLE. Well, once you get over the fact that we're closer to Asia then we are to Mexico (we're not great in the Mexican food department). But sushi, thai, pho, french-vietnamese, korean, ethiopian, indian, pakistani - I've been in a really huge mediterranean kick lately.
 
The biggest "downside" to a lot of people is the weather though. It doesn't rain a lot - it's just always grey. Depression is pretty rampant up here. Personally, I LOVE the weather, and hate it when it gets all hot and sticky/icky. It snows maybe for a week(ish?) in winter, but rather than that it's just varying states of grey and drizzly. Definitely makes the cup of coffee, a hot bowl of pho, and a really great book go by better :D

It depends. I used to divide time equally between my Neopets - until they all got painted. I often would keep my cheapest-painted pet as my active (until I sent in a basic colored-Cybunny for my fifth slot). He was my main active for a while, and then I doing Faerie quests often when I could get cookies for them, and began keeping my battle pet active as a result. It also makes going into the Battledome easier as your active pet shows up first, so I can skip that step where I have to choose a pet.
 
And that's the basic story, so far.