The Positive Side of Illness

I realized something over the last few days.  Despite the fact that I've been sick, and thus, whining about being sick, there are still some positive things that come with it.

For instance, I ended up getting to de-stress, since I obviously spent most of my time laying around and sleeping.  I also got to catch up on some reading, and played a little bit of my video game, which I hadn't had time to touch in over a week.  Best of all, I got lots of time to relax with my boyfriend, who has been a total doll the last few days.  Although I've been in something that I like to call "zombie-mode", and have been half asleep the whole time, Derek's spent a lot of time the last few days sitting with me, or cuddling with me on the couch.

Basically, what I'm trying to say is, although I hate how crappy I've been feeling, there are some positive sides to being sick as well.

The worst part is really that I haven't managed to shake the bug, and I have to go back to work tomorrow, for a closing shift, followed by an opening shift... And that opening shift also happens to be on my birthday...

But I'm going to try not to dwell on that and get negative, because focusing on the positive is a lot nicer.  So, for now, I'm just going to be grateful for the people in my life who have been putting up with me the last few days.

<3

An Unexpected Mentor

Last week I found out that one of my co-workers is a fellow artist, and it really lit a fire under my derriere to work harder at both my art and promoting my art.  It's always nice to meet someone who shares such a big passion, and the fact that she's so much better at it than I am actually helps me a lot.  In a way, meeting her has given me a new person to look up to.

Actually, she is the reason I decided to make this public blog - and start working on my art site.  I'm also looking into getting proper business cards made, since she told me about getting hers made.

I realize now that she is the first artist I've known personally that I have really admired since high school, so this really is a good thing for me.  Her style and mine are completely opposite, but I can't help but feel amazed that she has taken even the slightest interest in me - it's honestly really made me feel good and motivated to keep working at it.

Basically, what I'm saying is, no matter your skill level, never forget about the little guys, the newbies, etc.  You never know what a little recognition can do to help motivate another person to keep trying, or to try harder.  Even if she may never realize how grateful I am, I really am.  It's always great to have another person to look up to. :)

Oh, and for anyone reading this, you should definitely check out my co-worker's website, since she truly is amazing!  http://rainlongson.com

How Do They Do It?

I'd like to start this journal entry off by saying that I have never deluded myself into thinking I would run a popular blog.  I have neither the wit nor the skills to write interesting posts every single day, and I am genuinely impressed by those bloggers out there that can.

What I'm wondering about in this post is simply how other people manage to do it.  How does one become a popular/famous blogger?  How does your blog go from being read by family and friends, to millions of people you have no acquaintance with whatsoever?

Granted, there really aren't a whole lot of bloggers out there that I would consider "famous", what with there being thousands of blogs out there, but still.  How do those few people manage to get their stories read by the masses?

No, I really don't have the answers to these questions in this blog, nor do I expect any of my few readers to have the answers for me, I merely wanted to express my wonder.  There are so many blogs out there that I simply can't comprehend how one person manages to stand out.

If anyone has any insight into this topic, please, feel free to post a reply here.  Even if you simply have views you'd like to discuss, I'm all ears!

Until then, I suppose I will just have to keep pondering these questions.  Perhaps I will never know the answers.

Welcome to Santra City!

While at work today, I realized that I should really make a public blog, since I do often come up with interesting things to write about, but most people never get the chance to read them, as I post them to my personal blog (which I don't share with many people).

So!  This is the birth of my public blog.

To all of you who are reading this, hello!  Thanks for dropping by, it's a pleasure to meet you.  I do hope you enjoy your stay.

For those of you who aren't familiar with who I am, my name is Ally, I'm turning twenty-five in a few days, I live in beautiful British Columbia, I work in a book store, although my life's passion is for art.  Someday, I hope to publish my own comic book or graphic novel, although for now, I content myself with drawing for pleasure, as well as taking on the occasional commission.

I recently started going out with the love of my life, Derek, whom I have known since I was in high school.

Other things to know?  I'm a huge animal lover, everything from cats to dogs, to rats, to lizards... I love them all!  I'm also a huge foodie!  I'm a particularly huge fan of baked goods and anything that's bad for me.  As for books and movies, I like a bit of everything; teen, to sci-fi, to horror, to non-fiction books.  I'm a very inquisitive person by nature, and I love to learn!  Oh, you also can expect me to talk about video games, which I love, but sadly am not especially great at.

Other things you might see me talking about are things about anxiety and other mental health related things, as I have struggled with them my whole life. I also have to warn you that you are likely to hear a lot about things like LGBTQ rights, and other such things that some might find offensive.

Now that I've likely bored you with my ramblings, I will wrap this up.  Expect site updates soon, as well as more actual blog posts.  Once again, thank you for your time. <3