Hi everyone, Mari here. Happy 5th of July. Yesterday in America, Independence Day was upon us.

Again, let me begin by saying that I apologize for my lack of posts. I am still without a scanner and a desktop computer, but eventually, the money will be there for both. I’ve also been bogged down with articles for Demand Studios, but I’m starting to get faster with those. Once I get $70 together, I’ll be back and posting regularly. I promise.

Today, I’m going to stray off topic a little because I need to vent. I, personally, feel that people suck. I’m not talking about you, our viewers, but others that I know in non-Internet life and from forums that I frequent. As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, I am a regular poster on the AMC forum, where, for the most part, I thought was a great place. I met several wonderful people there (or so I thought), and I made some friends. Well, friendship is disposable and people are cruel. Over the past few weeks, there has been several trolls on AMCF who have made people’s lives a living Hell. And for what? A few chuckles at people’s expense? Things like that make me wonder about people’s wellbeings. What kind of person would poke fun at a sick person? What type of person would keep tearing people down, making them feel lower than a worm’s stomach? What pleasure is derived from this? And to constantly go to the jugular… people are sick.

Because of the above people, this world is f—ed up, pardon my language. There’s no kindness, no goodwill toward men, and definitely no greater good for humanity. People need to wake up, simple as that. Doesn’t anyone realize that with cruelty, nothing in this world will ever be right? How about a little kindness?

Frankly, I’m very sick of people, and I’ve had enough. Sometimes, I think living the hermit life sounds good. Just live alone, me and my dog, and screw everything else. Anymore, that sounds best.

With that, here are some pieces I’m working on that will eventually be posted as tutorials. I hope you enjoy.

“Wedding Dance”

The light and dark is a good mix. I

An image featuring my and Alex’s characters Kitana and Ikura. They’re dancing at their weather, which really, is just Kitana’s distant dream.

“Tsuyoi”

This is the picture I’m using for my inking tutorial. The pose is from an anime book, but I liked it, so I used it.

“Catch Me If I Fall”

Kitana being kicked out of Heaven by God, falling gracefully into the crystal, icy waters of Hell. The calm water is meant to be deceiving. In a way, it’s based on Milton’s Paradise Lost.

This will be used for water effects tutorials.

Tags: All My Children, Cruelty, People, Personal, SoapNet Forum