I guess that's it...

Another one bites the skinning-dust

from WinCustomize Forums

After about 5-6 months of 'skinning-hibernation' I finally got back in the wizz again, creating a WinAmp skin.
I had hoped that this would be the spark that would once again re-start my 'skinning-fire' - but sadly no.
I just can't get back into the groove and have therefore desided to quit once and for all.

I won't be leaving all together though, I'll still be around, due to my admin'ing duties at Skinbase and here on Wincustomize. :)

Any final wise words?
Only that everyone should keep these lines in mind:

"because skinning should be fun" - Jason Brown (Scarebear)
"Life is good - skinning makes it better" - Larry Kuperman (Koop)

5,732 views 22 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hah!....as if we'd let you leave.....
Start11 - Customize the Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 10/11.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
t'is sad, indeed. hopefully, things will change and the juices will flow again. you're still odd, tho.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Perhaps you're only having a period with lack of inspiration.
I hope to see you down on earth with a comment, now and then.

You're latest wallpaper was excellent.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Tomorrow is another day...don't give up because of one bad day. You never know when the real spark will hit you. And with all the crap you've been going through lately, its no wonder your in a slump.

Fall down seven...get back up eight.

Hey!...I just turned 52! You don't hear me complaining...then again...theres no one here to hear me complain anyway.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Ya have to do what you feel is right.

We will be here if you need us.

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Sometimes you need to take an extended break to refresh those ice cubes. Just remember, "you can check out anytime you like but you can never leave"
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
From Butch123...

Hey Snowman...you know when I first joined Stardock you were one of the guys that inspired me to start porting. And even though we have had some disagreements in the past, it would be a pity if you were to hang it up. You know, D.A. is full of VS's that you could port and besides who would I have to bash if you quit?? So come on man, wake up and lets smell the coffee ! Looking forward to seeing your next port.....
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Doing nothing is very hard to do...you never know when you're finished - Leslie Nielson
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
There was a interesting read about something similar to this on MacNN.

What you're experiencing is just a part of the sport. Getting the edge back is a personal journey and no two people find success with the same remedy. Here are some suggestions:

- Relax. No, really relax. You won't come up with anything if you try to squeeze it out. To date the best work of my career was done with a writer who could never grasp this concept. We'd work for days on end and he'd completely freak out. I'd let him run his course then, when he wasn't suspecting, get him to kick back and forget about the project. That's when the magic happened.

- Walk away. Yep, that's right, forget about the whole darn thing. Go to a baseball game, a movie, read a book, go for a run, whatever. Just forget about the logo or whatever you're working on. While it may not be top-of-mind your subconcious will be busy at work.

- Open yourself up to inspiration. Most of the interns I've had all take the brief and run to their offices to crack open a copy of Communication Arts Advertising / Design Annual or the One Show. That's good because it lets you see how others have solved problems. That's bad because you just re-do what others before you have tried. Don't take your inspiration from other current ads / designs. Look to the obscure. Maybe there's an old building with paint coming off that gives you an idea for a type treatment. Perhaps something in nature makes you look at composition in a new light. Open your mind.

- Share your thinking. When you work in a vaccum you only have one view : your own. Show your thoughts to others. They may be right, they may be wrong but they definitely will help you see it in a new way.

- Random lists. Sit down with a pad of paper and write down words as they come to you. Doesn't matter if they have anything to do with your project. They're thought starters. Truth be told this has never worked for me. An old ad industry veteran told me she did this and it worked. Maybe it will help you.

- Turn off your computer. You've been around a while so this may not apply. Too often young people fire up Illustrator, Quark and Photoshop without even thinking about the problem. This is, in my view, the biggest mistake people make. The art of the thumbnail and a good concept has been replaced with fonts and technical BS. That's not where the journey begins, it's just a stretch of road; it's the nuts and bolts. If you start to concept a layout or design on the computer you've made mistake number one. Why? Because you're devoting too much of your early thinking on type selection, kerning, leading, color, etc. You need an idea first, not a bunch of mechanical boogers limited by a computer program.


http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.php?t=267590
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Don't feel bad, Snowman.

Things change, and one should live an enjoyable life.

Your skins are well put together, and that is something you will always have as a plus.

See you around...

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
...but....but...All your friends are here.

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Me too. I just can't be bothered anymore. Inspiration is missing and so is the time. I'd rather do other things anyway. Besides, the last five items I've uploaded all have had a rating of '1' slapped on them from go. It's a pain having to sort that out everytime and just not worth the aggro.

Skinning should be fun. If it isn't, then it's time to quit.

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Snowman.....You've done some pretty neat stuff and it'd be a shame to see your name also absent from the 'just in list'. Okay, so you're going through the artistic doldrums right now, but what I suggest you do is pop along to the doctor to see if he can prescribe a viagara to stiffen your artistic resolve/enjoyment.

Seriously though, I went through a similar thing with one of my favourite past-times (fishing)....just lost interest and didn't enjoy it anymore, but just recently, I've been re-envigorated and find it pleasurable again....whether I catch anything or not.
Let's hope that happens for you with the skinning.....you too Fuzzy, as well as any other skinners who are feeling a bit down....you know, chins up, stiff upper lip and all that stuff.....
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You deserve a break. Take as long as you want.
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Think the world of you Snow. Don't know what to say that hasn't been said before. Attachments grow deep with people even in a community like ours. Kinda miss the good "ol" days I guess, but can't seem to turn back the clock. Keep in touch.
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You gotta do what you feel and know is the best for you. I know you got other commitments, that are more important than anything else. To just ignore those, life wouldn't be worth enjoying - at least not in my little book.

Bet I'll see you around from time to time anyway though.

Hope the retirement works out for you.
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Best of luck matey (on and offline ) Make sure you do continue to stick around though. It wouldn't be the same if you didn't.
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hope the retirement works out for you


Make sure you do continue to stick around though. It wouldn't be the same if you didn't.


Ditto.
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Just got here and saw this thread, Snow...

The upside is that you'll continue to be around.

Bummer about the skinning though....

really.

Be well mate.
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Awww...

You'll get back in the groove mate. It kind of parallels my situation with poetry, I have written maybe 3 or 4 in the last year, whereas I used to average at least one a week. I've had a spark of creativity last week, wrote 3 in one day, but most of those are hit and runs rather than a prolonged case of uber creativity. Having said that, I can't imagine not getting back into "it" at some point in time in the future.

You'll be fine

~Mack