In Case You Hadn't Noticed...

I'm AWOL again. Landlady forgot to pay the nice internet people again so, like Neo popping that red pill, I've been once again forcibly ejected from my warm and cozy metallic pod, confused, scared and, yes, naked.

Don't ask.

I'm still working on getting my own internet but that's taking longer than planned.

But while that may limit my presence here in the ol' interwebz, it's not enough to stop me. Being exhausted from the crazy hours at work and the assignments heaped onto by my lecturers at school, that might be enough.

Nah! Not even all that.

So I'm here. In whatever limited capacity I can show up in. But I do come bearing a gift: a brand spanking new post over at Sprocket Ink! Thought it wasn't going to happen, did you? I know this isn't one of my usual days but I thought I'd mix it up a little. Keep you on your toes.

As always should you choose to accept this post (honestly, there's no reason not to) just click the link or the SI badge to the right and you're all set.

The Return Of Anime Catgirl.

I'm not really here today. I'm over at Sprocket Ink where I made another drawing of my anime catgirl. Just one, but she's there.

Plus, there's a story there that I wrote too, fyi. It's sort of a disturbing one, but I won't give anything away here.

You know the drill. Follow the link and get your read on.

Multiple Sightings.

We have received numerous reports of multiple sightings of the blogger known as Vinny C.

Eyewitnesses have claimed that he has been simultaneously sighted on his blog as well as on Sprocket Ink and Studio 30 Plus.

While some call it an invasion, AVCI contacted various experts of the interwebz to provide a possible explanation to this phenomenon.

"We think he may have mutated due to over exposure to a highly concentrated combination of caffeine, internet and free time," one scientist said.

Authorities are urging the public to not panic, stating that following the the various links to where he was sighted seems to keep the spread at bay.

"Now-now! There's no need to get all worked up here people. Our advisers guarantee that Vinny's intentions are friendly and he means us no harm." a senior political figure stated as he (and several prostitutes) were being quickly escorted into his bunker.

AVCI will be monitoring the phenomenon and will update you on any further developments.

Finding Love Online... The Fun Way.

Once upon a time, long, long ago, I was single. I try to forget about those days. Let's just say I wasn't known for my swagger and smooth moves back then. Actually, I'm still not known for them. Sigh...

The dating world was tough. You needed money to take a girl out. You had to wade through all the obsessive psychos, liars, control freaks, and so on, and so on... It also involved having to do two things I've never been a fan of: going out and meeting people.

I much preferred staying in and playing video games, instead.

Online dating wasn't around yet and, luckily, I met Mrs. C before I ever had my turn at that roulette wheel, so I never had to go through that. I've heard more than a fair share of the horror stories people have told about their adventures with that though.

Nope, video games worked just fine for me.

When I started playing World of Warcraft I actually made a few friends there. A guild I belonged to even had a married couple who met playing WoW and another pair who eventually decided to meet and start dating.

Somehow, it just seemed easier to find compatibility with fellow gamers, I guess. Plus it was easier to avoid the freaks. Just don't go into Goldshire late at night. Trust me. There's just something really unnerving about a horny druid in bear form talking dirty to you.

To show you what I mean Tony Shin and his team from the Online University  went out, compiled the stats and put together this cool retro-game themed graphic that shows you why it's better to stay locked in your room, playing online video games instead of staying locked in your room trawling online dating sites.

Created by: OnlineUniversity.net

What more needs to be said. So stay home and take your death knight up to level 85. Don't worry about finding love and it will find you... probably in the form of a peppy Gnome priest who makes sure she heals you first during all your raids together.

Vines.

Vines grow everywhere in our backyard.

They spread quickly and can thrive in the worst conditions. And, of course, they're hard to get rid of. When I think I've pulled them all, there's this one tiny root stuck in a crack in the wall that's waiting until the coast is clear to spread again. It's a never ending fight.

Vines can only feed off the strength of others. If there no other plants or anything else to cling to, no matter how far they spread, they're stuck on the ground. But when they find a plant, or wall, or anything that rises above them, they grab onto it, hold it tight and follow it up as far as it goes.

Some people are like vines. When someone starts growing on your own strength they try to latch onto you and climb as far as your efforts will take them.

But vines are smart. They've learned they can't totally choke you out. They've realized they can't reach the heights they want to if you're not there to keep them up. They need you. So they let you continue to grow. But your growth is slowed now because your vines are weighing you down.

The irony is, when vines do reach as high as they need to, they actually have the potential to achieve something, in their own small way and finally get the attention they want.

Vines are survivors. You can't argue that. But it's a sad existence. They can only shine if they can climb up on the shoulders of others.