My thanks.

I have not been posting in the forums of late. The reason being that I was building ~Scorpio's Darkskin~. I had not realized how hard it was to build a dark skin that is fully functional. There are aspects I still could not make readable. I had downloaded programs that I do not use or have financial means to purchase, just to see how they were skinned. On my side, most everything was readable. But, I am now done with that skin and moved on to another (and 2 more).


I really just wanted to let Jonep know that all his help and his giving me opportunity to give input helped spur me into creation mode. Through email we both made adjustments and observences that the other might not have seen before. I love skinning! And thanks to Jonep asking me my opinion on his first skin via email (making it a personal contact) I am sure to never stop.

I'd also like to thank the wonderful adepts that still wander the corridors here at WC. The "old school" skinners I thank for inspiration. Seeing what and how things work in their skins initiates wild thoughts of creativity. Some of course, cannot or will not come to fruition. But that will not stop the machine.

I'd like to thank Cavan for the pointers on graphics editing, even though he "speaks" his own language, it was very helpful in the end. In the beginning, I had no idea what the alpha channel was or how I could tune it in.

And finally, I would like to thank all of those in forums that communicate with me. I feel I belong to a community. My real social life was devastated by my lack of control and alcoholism. During recovery, I have been a hermit. Surfing the forums has given me a sense of belonging, and I thank you all for the warmth you show, not only to me but all others who deserve it.

Merry Christmas Everyone!
8,514 views 16 replies
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Merry Christmas to you, SL!!
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Merry Christmas!
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Thanks! Nice troll, bichur, but if you think I am even going to contemplate smooching it cuz of the mistletoe...
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Merry Christmas, SL! New year, new start

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Nice tree, better lighted than mine! Thanks.
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(I didn't make it)
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Congrats on hanging in there during your recovery!
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Have a Merry Merry Xmas SL.
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I know how hard it is to make a dark skin but I like them too. Continue on your recovery path; you have chosen the right road. As you have accomplished the one goal, so you will accomplish the other. Hope your Xmas was great.
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Merry Christmas to you too SL and kudos for your effort on your recovery.
I look foward to see your work
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My thanks: for your Darkskin and the effort you put into it...I've thoroughly enjoyed using it and look forwards to more great stuff from you.
I'm also thankful that you've sought another direction which is creative, rather than destructive. I too gave up alcohol, 3 years ago now, and feel a much better person for having done so. I suffered a deep depression after my younger brother died tragically and went on a drinking binge that lasted several weeks.
A short, sharp shock brought me back down to earth with a thud, and I'm thankful for the people who decided they had to be cruel to be kind. I'm thankful for the fact they showed me that I'm made of better stuff than that.
Otherwise, I could possibly be seeking solace in the bottom of a bottle over a crisis I'm facing now.
Reality can be quite painful at times, but better that than becoming totally oblivious to it with alcohol, only to find its still there when sober...and alot worse for having neglected it.

I'm thankful for my wife, who stands by me through thick and thin...because she truly is my better half and never ceases to amaze me with her strength and continuous encouragement. I recently suffered a minor stroke due to stress over my step-daughter running away, etc, yet my wife has still been my tower of strength during this difficult period.
Thankfully it wasn't a more serious stroke, which could have resulted in major impairment. However, what would make me even more thankful is my step-daughter doing what's in her own best interests and coming home so we can help and care for her.

And last but not least, I'm thankful for Stardock, Wincustomize, all the artists, skinners and forum contributors who have given me countless hours of: pleasure; amusement; fascination; enjoyment; humour; laughs and thought provocation. You've all helped to keep me sane...insane when the topic called for it

Thank you all, and a very happy holiday season to each and every one of you
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That was very touching Starkers. You have a great wife. Just keep believing for your step-daughter. She will come around. Everything is just a matter of time. I know.
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That was very touching Starkers. You have a great wife. Just keep believing for your step-daughter. She will come around. Everything is just a matter of time. I know.


Thank you for that, Starone, it is much appreciated. My wife is absolutely the best, and for that I am blessed. I just wish, hope and pray that my step-daughter would come around sooner rather than later...for all our sakes.
We are desperately trying to help her avoid a much worse situation for herself, but sadly, she flatly refuses to communicate with us and ignores the common sense advice of others.
Time is fast running out for her, however, as a warrant for her arrest has been issued in an unrelated matter. We're told that she must voluntarily return/remain at home, or she'll remain in custody for the duration of those proceedings....which is overly harsh when she's not on trial but a key witness.

The law is an ass...when one area is found to be wanting/lacking/inadequate, another seems to make up for it with a vengeance that's above and beyond the call.....
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Your welcome. Wish I could say answers come quickly, but it seems some do and others don't. At least you have support. I haven't. Trust me, the support means a lot. As for answers, well, sometimes they come in ways we can't conceive. I can look back on some things and the outcome and can see that my way wouldn't have been the best way and the way it turned out was perfect. When we are going through something though we can't seem to see through all the smoke and have to wait for it to clear.
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Starone: many thoughts came to mind when I read your reply, and one is that I hope someone will find it within their heart to support you in times of need. It's sad when people have nobody else to share their ups and downs with. I'm most fortunate to have my wife, though the support roles have been somewhat reversed with my becoming ill when we least needed it.

The support I/we really need, however, is that of the authorities who have the powers to help us resolve the situation more easily, yet they do nothing as the situation deteriorates.
Yes, speedy answers would be nice, but if not, we'd at least like them to be the right/best ones for this 15 yo girl. She is not a criminal, nor is she evil, yet this other authority, in a quest to protect its own agenda, is preparded to lock her up for an indefinite period of time because she's scared of the outcome/consequences to her.

It's just not right, so hopefully when the smoke clears, our continuing efforts will have her come home to avert that outcome. Fortunately, we have a lawyer friend who put us in touch with a child psychologist who works with govt agencies and is prepared to help us reach a more satisfactory conclusion. Here's hoping!