Graphics Collection from CD's Ultra-Fine House of Style

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

I'd figure perhaps in his own thread or threads, if not one of mine, most likely, of course. Better he takes the time to get things right than to rush things, you know, normally. That's true for pretty much everyone else here, I think, when graphics or dynasty reports and all are concerned, at least.

Besides, I don't think I'll be doing a lot of baseball game playing with that planned deadline of mine for Lighting Up the Darkness, for instance. While I may not ultimately finish the whole manuscript's first draft by December 1, mind you, I do hope that I can get at least a bit more written to the story by then, even if that leaves me somewhere in chapter 15 or 16 by then. Supposing I can finally get out of chapter 14 well enough somehow by then, of course.

Let's just see what he does, and where he posts his work, according to our Lord's leading and all, then, EC. If and when he does, that is, you know.

If and when I finally get to chapter fifteen, I'm not quite sure yet just how to approach it, seeing as it will cover about seven years of in-story time, the longest period of time that I'll have to likely cover in a chapter of the entire story. Most of my characters will age physically and mentally from still-young children to teenagers, or near-teenagers, it seems, and I'm not quite sure just how to handle the relevant chapter of the story yet.

Without spoiling too much of the relevant story, my narrator is basically serving as the main mentor at the current time in the story to many young people, especially to a certain character who is a major character in the planned series of stories based primarily in one of my fictional nations. And I'm not quite sure just yet on how to execute the telling of the rest of the story currently in question here, to be honest. I'm probably about 60 percent or so through the telling of the story, I think, although I'm not entirely sure about that yet.

Seeing as I've been having trouble with a couple of my writing projects of late, I've been doing a lot of graphics, hoping to find a way to spark something I can use when I write more of my stories on my computer. For instance, I've posted nearly four dozen items for Belle Plaine's Musketeers so far, as you know. And new items for Glasco, along with new items for Bethlehem's Bards, among other things I've done of late, either online or offline.

I miss working on things for use in Kaneva, of course, quite a bit. But nothing in this life lasts forever, you know. Not even this world will last forever, for it is not our eternal home. It will disappear in time, and all the works and all in it that aren't needed in the future will be gone once and for all, as the Lord wills and all, for sure.

I'll talk more later, no doubt, Lord willing and all, if and when I can, you know. But in the meantime, I am rejoicing that the Lord has granted the world as it still is at least one more day to exist in His great mercy and all, even through the daily afflictions we must all deal with in this life, even me, as light as they each are, in comparison to what awaits those who truly love God and truth and all, for sure, EC. CD out.

[Eugene Church]

You often mention "Kaneva".

Without going into a lot of detail... just a few sentences describe what it was.

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

So rather intricate designs don't often show up well here for OOTP or FHM? I created at least a few of them when I used to design certain items, if not many such designs, years ago. For instance, I'd periodically weave stripes together on certain items, and make plaid-like designs, if I remember correctly enough. But that can't really be done well here, can it, if anyone would perhaps want to do that sort of thing for their items?

Just curious and all here, of course. I know I won't be able to design items exactly or quite similar to those I used to design, obviously, because the colorable areas for the relevant templates are a good deal different from each other here. But if I could still incorporate at least some, if not many, of the same basic design principles, I think that would be pretty cool to do, if possible, somehow. Supposing I haven't already done so here, that is, you know, folks.

Kaneva had its strong points, but to be honest, compared to it, the customer service around here seems to be many times better than what I saw there, on average, and the bosses here are around much more frequently than they were there. And in much better touch with the customer and member base here, as well. I am thankful that I found this community of people to talk to, and many here are very helpful to new people here, and fair, and a lot of other good things here, I think.

It is a very good thing when those in charge evidently care a great deal about the quality of their products and about their customers' needs and all, I think, and try to show that to their clientele as often as they can, and as best as they can. I must commend OOTP's people for that quality of theirs, for sure, and I hope it continues for as long as the Lord grants us each time to live in this world and enjoy OOTP and its various products and all. Keep it up, Markus and the rest of you folks at OOTP, and I think that as long as I can, and whenever I can, I'll certainly try and get new versions of your two games as I possibly can and all, even if someone has to buy them for me, of course.

And with that, I will close this post, and start heading to bed as quickly as I can this early in the morning, my time, folks. Until sometime later on Thursday, then, at the earliest, I'll see you all later, I think. CD out.

[Eugene Church]

CD, just keep your reply simple... EC not very smart... you need to keep it very simple.

Once again, please, tell me in one sentence what Kaveva is?

If you possibly can, please don't be verbose, long-winded and rambling in your reply.

That is not a good way to communicate with people.

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

Kaneva was a virtual world where people from all over could interact with each other, and build things, and make things for a virtual shop to use in-world. However, unlike OOTP, it was not run as well as it should have been, and a lot of things were sprung on us with little or no advance notice, often. Such as how quickly it was shut down after we were told the place would close, for example.

Basically, we who were left only had about four days to get whatever we could for pictures and everything before it shut down once we knew it would shut down. Not very much time to save pictures of everything we'd done there, for sure.

OOTP is a much better-run company, who would not give us such little time for advance notice prior to a potential future closure, I'm quite sure. And we who are part of this community are quite happy to know that the people behind OOTP care enough for us as a customer and member base to not treat us so poorly, no doubt. They show they care by keeping us all very well-aware of what's coming up, and attending to our needs and wants here as best as they can, whenever they can. Those characteristics of OOTP are some things to be quite glad for here, I think.

One of the things I like most about this community, EC, is that I have met you, albeit only online at this point, and gotten to know you a lot better over time, all thanks and praise to our Lord and Saviour above us all. You are one of the best things about OOTP, if not the best thing about it, so far, in my opinion. And I can't wait to meet you in person for real, even if it's only in eternity first, Lord willing, of course. CD out.

[Eugene Church]

Thank you for your gracious opinion of me, CD.

There are many, many very nice people on the OOTP Forums.

It is nice that you think I am one of them.

You are a very nice person, too... and more importantly, you are a man after God's own heart... and it don't get any better than that.

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

I think that if Kaneva had been run much like OOTPD has been for so long, it likely would have still been an open virtual world to this day. But it wasn't, so it isn't. It was really something, I think, when it wasn't trying to be something it wasn't, and wasn't constantly tinkering with things so that other things might get messed up periodically.

There were many good builds people did, almost as good as many of the stadiums various modders have made here, if not as good as them, on average, for sure. And many of them were real sights to see, when they weren't messed up by various things in-world, in many different styles and with many different themes for them. I myself wasn't a master at building, but I did manage to complete work on at least one or two builds there, just the same.

However, even my maze or my biggest build probably wasn't as beautiful-looking as many of the stadiums already posted on these forums. Most likely not even close to being a quarter to a half as beautiful, at best, even, I think.

Yes, I did a good-sized maze, and it was fun to do in just 17 days, if I remember correctly. I'll have to see if I can find some good screenshots related to it later that I can show you all easily enough. But my most favorite build that I ever did in Kaneva is my Realm of The Universal Storyteller that had 13 floors to it, ultimately, I believe.

Kaneva is history now, but still a very important part of my history, both as a person and as an improving graphics artist. Before Kaneva, I generally kept to myself online, for the most part, if not entirely. But since then, I have become much more outgoing than I was in 2009 and earlier in my life.

Dealing with people and learning more about them and this world helped me build confidence, among any number of things, in my life. While Kaneva is no longer open, my time here on these forums is helping me in certain ways much like my time in Kaneva did. I didn't often laugh or joke around early on in my years with Kaneva as a regular member, I believe. But once I got used to people and the virtual world enough, and many people to me, I began to do so more and more as time passed.

Now I can laugh more, even in these times of increasing afflictions for me and/or the world, than I likely ever would have without being either in Kaneva or on these boards. And the Bible says that laughter is often a very good thing for people in their lives, I believe. Something about making one's heart merry and laughter being like a good medicine, if I remember correctly enough here.

Talk more later, as time allows and all, Lord willing and all, I'm sure. Thank you all for your time and attention and all here, everyone. CD out.

[Eugene Church]

Sorry, but I still don't know what Kaneva was.

Is it a game like OOTP?

Please don't go into great detail... just give me a basic description in just a few sentences... keep it simple and brief.

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

EC, I already said it was a virtual world that closed five years ago. Many people interacted with each other in real-time, and often chatted with each other while working on things, for instance. I was there nearly every day I could be during my time there. A lot of kind and sweet people were there, and many of the women were very nice people, especially the older ones, I think. There were several gentlemen there, as well, of course, and who were pleasant to be around quite often. You remind me of many of them whenever you give your advice and wisdom and all around here, in fact.

I'm not entirely certain, of course, but if a number of my friends from Kaneva ever saw all the work I've done and posted to these boards, I think a lot of them would be very pleased to see it. And if I were able to make such items for use in Kaneva, supposing it were still around, I think they'd certainly buy them. But that's quite impossible now, of course.

Thank you for your time and all here, then, EC. Talk more later, for sure, if and when possible and all, you know. CD out.

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

Do you know what Second Life is, for instance? The World of Kaneva was a certain space in cyberspace where many people from all over the world, even the UK, for instance, could interact with each other in real time, or buy virtual items for use in Kaneva, such as builds or clothing items, to name just a few things. I still follow basically the same designing philosophy, in many respects, that I followed in Kaneva once I started making items for my virtual shop there. And that basic philosophy goes something like this:

"Coloring Up God's Universe One Item At A Time"

If memory serves, my Kaneva shop's slogan was "Coloring Up Kaneva One Design At A Time," or something similar. I love using various colors often, as you have no doubt seen here on these boards. Especially when I'm in a good mood, at that. Even when other things are proving rather difficult for me at times, I still love using bright colors if and whenever I can quite often indeed, for sure.

We'll talk much more later, if and when time permits and all, I'm quite sure, of course. Lord willing and all, you know. And I really do love talking to you and any number of people enough like you quite often, to be completely honest with you. Even if it's only through cyberspace and all, I still do love it quite often, and even when we happen to disagree with each other about any number of things in God's world and Universe, EC. CD out.

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

Here's an example of one of my outfits. While I didn't make the cap, the Bible, or shoes, at least, if not certain other items I was also wearing on my avatar at the time of the related screenshots, I believe I made this outfit sometime in 2013, not long after my dear brother's Homegoing. I could be wrong about that, of course, but I can't remember for sure now. You can't read it, but on the top's collar, the text there said, if I remember correctly, "Teddy Bear Love From Me To You!"

I did the top and the pants for this outfit, in any case, though. I made several different versions of this outfit, but I unfortunately was not able to take screenshots of every item I made for the shop while in Kaneva. And I probably lost access to any number of other pictures of all kinds and/or files I had on a previous computer of mine when it went bad, of course, between then and the closure of Kaneva.

But computers sometimes fail or have various issues, you know, folks. That's part of life when it comes to using computers at times, for sure. I'm not the first one to have computer problems at times, and I certainly won't be the last, no doubt. Nor am I the first, and won't be the last, to probably forget to back up pictures and other files in other places just in case things like that happen to people in this life, as well.

I'll talk again more sometime later, as time permits and all, around here, I'm sure. Lord willing, of course. That's all for this post, at least, then, I think. CD out.

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

Is that Zebulon I see on your new map? Could it be that you have decided to use even more of my work in at least one of your dynasties, perhaps, Eugene? Just curious, that's all. CD out.

[Eugene Church]

Originally Posted by Clovidequano Dovatha

Is that Zebulon I see on your new map? Could it be that you have decided to use even more of my work in at least one of your dynasties, perhaps, Eugene? Just curious, that's all. CD out.

Nope, I did the jerseys and caps.

Have you created a team called the Zebulon Zips?

[Eugene Church]

Those are sure some psychedelic outfits... is that one of your team's uniforms?

Just kidding.

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

WindGuardian requested some items for the Zebulon Zips a good while back. And so I made them, remember? I'm not sure right offhand if I currently have them in any of my dynasties for various versions of OOTP, but I might. Or at least I may have tried to add them to a certain quickstart I was working on, prior to something possibly getting messed up with it, come to think of it.

You didn't seem to like them much, if I remember correctly, due to all the color on them, when I did items for the Zips. As far as my items on Kaneva, many of them were quite colorful indeed. The ladies often liked my skirts, especially the ones with more intricate designs, for example, if I remember correctly. I got along best with the ladies, often, when I was in Kaneva, and I think the oldest of them that I was friends with there was about as old as, or a little older than, you are now.

There were some real sweet and kind ladies there, and maybe when we go upstairs, you and I will actually meet them in person, in eternity. I think you would have loved talking to Joma, for instance. I don't know if she's around any longer, since I've not been in contact with most of the people I knew there for a very long time. But if she was in her eighties then, it's possible that she's gone by now, of course.

I may be an improving graphics artist, but I was nowhere as good as many of the people there artistically speaking, most likely, back then. Their work was of excellent quality many times, and I think you would have been quite amazed at some of the things others did there, building and patterning and all. Just like you are often amazed by a lot of knuckler and txranger's work here, to name just a few of the graphics masters who've posted their creations here, for sure.

A lot of people there comforted me when my brother went Home. I was really sad to see him leave like he did, but God, in His infinite mercy, took my brother Home quickly, the day he left this world behind. My brother didn't suffer when Jesus called him Home. One moment, he was here in this world alive, the next, he was Home, where he would never have to suffer again, or be in pain, et cetera, for sure.

I received a few poems from God not long afterwards, and I posted them on two or three sites not too much later, I believe. So far, God has sent me eight poems, I believe, that I've put on multiple sites. Including one at least partly inspired by a certain Waylon Jennings song that's quite well-known by now which was used for a theme song by a certain television show of some fame. I think you can probably guess which one I'm referring to here easily enough.

I won't forget my time in Kaneva, even though it ended unexpectedly and not willingly, nor many of the people there, if I haven't already. I'm thankful for it helping me in many ways to be more outgoing and not so closed off in my life when I don't need to to be. And it gave me many experiences, both good and bad, that have helped me ever since in my life, and even at least one really close friend that I'm still in very regular contact with in my life. Not to mention the fact that I was able to express myself periodically through conversations and making of numerous items every so often while I was still actively a member of Kaneva, as well, of course.

I daresay that had I not had gained the experience at making many items that I gained through Kaneva, I wouldn't have been able to do many of the things I've done here so well, or at least not for quite some time, if ever. But I did, and so now I'm more confident with being able to do certain things in my life that I probably wasn't as sure I could do long ago in it. I've still got a lot of improvement I need to do to be at least half as good at visually artistic pursuits at many are here, for sure. But at least I'm still improving my artistic skills here, don't you think, EC?

Talk more later, as time permits and all, I'm sure, of course. But I think that's enough to talk about here for now, at least. CD out.

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

A lot of my items had certain areas that could only be filled in by going pixel-by-pixel in them. With the outfit seen above, I was trying to put stripes down the sides of at least one part of it, if I remember correctly, but it wasn't very easy at times, especially nearest the edges of the relevant item's template or templates. Same thing was often true for me when it came to doing certain other sufficiently original designs, even on furniture-type items such as sofas, for instance.

I even designed lamps and chairs, among other items. Perhaps I can show you some of the screenshots I took of numerous items I made later, but first I have to see if I can find ones you can view easily enough, in time, of course.

I'm glad I'm here now, in any case. And I hope to remain on these forums for a good while longer, if at all possible and all, of course. Lord willing and all, that is, you know. Knowing people like EC around here is definitely helping me mature in the Lord better than I probably otherwise would do in my life, I think, both as a human being and as a God-fearing Protestant non-denominational Christian. And I am so thankful that God has brought me here to learn from so many here, as well, about any number of things in this world and all, for sure. CD out.

[Eugene Church]

Originally Posted by Clovidequano Dovatha

A lot of my items had certain areas that could only be filled in by going pixel-by-pixel in them. With the outfit seen above, I was trying to put stripes down the sides of at least one part of it, if I remember correctly, but it wasn't very easy at times, especially nearest the edges of the relevant item's template or templates. Same thing was often true for me when it came to doing certain other sufficiently original designs, even on furniture-type items such as sofas, for instance.

I even designed lamps and chairs, among other items. Perhaps I can show you some of the screenshots I took of numerous items I made later, but first I have to see if I can find ones you can view easily enough, in time, of course.

I'm glad I'm here now, in any case. And I hope to remain on these forums for a good while longer, if at all possible and all, of course. Lord willing and all, that is, you know. Knowing people like EC around here is definitely helping me mature in the Lord better than I probably otherwise would do in my life, I think, both as a human being and as a God-fearing Protestant non-denominational Christian. And I am so thankful that God has brought me here to learn from so many here, as well, about any number of things in this world and all, for sure. CD out.

No, CD... don't post any of your Kaneva work... I am interested only in items for OOTP.

I'm glad that was a good, happy time for you on Kaneva, but I have no interest in it.

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

Fine, EC, but I just wanted to show what at least a few of my Kaneva things looked like, and/or builds and all, if I could, so you and others could see better how my skills have likely developed in the years since I started making items for Kaneva, that's all. They have developed considerably since then, no doubt. But they still have a lot more improvement needed for them before I can perhaps be at least half as good at making various graphics as many other people are here.

We all have our own artistic bases of a sort, whether visually or otherwise, in our respective lives. And Kaneva is part, if not all, of my visually-based artistic base, for me to work from, as I strive to do better with those kinds of things in my life.

While I'm certainly much more of a literary artist than a visual artist, it seems, I have still hopefully improved my skills in both areas of artistry at least a little over the years since I either started writing or doing various pictures and all. Whether that is the case or not, people will surely have to judge for themselves, you know.

It wasn't necessarily all peaches and cream, so to speak, of course. But in many ways, I did periodically have fun there, and got along well with many of the people there, and they often treated me well. I always tried to treat people with the respect they deserved as human beings and all, and I think they often really liked that. Even when we might have disagreed strongly about various things, I still did try, for sure. And I always tried to be as honest with them as I could, and I think a number of them were glad for that, as well. By the time Kaneva closed, most of the people I would typically associate with were fairly good friends of mine.

Unfortunately, when Kaneva closed, I probably lost regular contact with at least 80-90 percent of those friends of mine because we likely hadn't been able to stay in regular contact with each other, for various reasons. But that happens frequently in life when people have to go elsewhere, whether willingly or not. Fortunately, there are a few people from there I have been in contact with for certain in the years since. For the others, where possible, if I don't meet them in this life, I certainly do hope to meet them in eternity, Lord willing and all.

What will be, will be, as the Lord wills and all, in any case, for sure. If I see them again, either in person or online, then so be it. If not, then so be it as well. But it is quite unlikely that I'll be able to reach most of them again, or they me, in the time we have left on this planet, I think.

In any case, I will still remain the Lord's, and nobody will ever be able to snatch me out of His hands, if I continue following Him faithfully in my life. No matter what manners of afflictions come my way, either online or offline, for sure. And for that, I'm rejoicing. Let the afflictions come, if they do, as I'm quite sure they will, but I will still trust in my Lord and my God for the rest of my life, most definitely, come what may, EC. CD out.

[Eugene Church]

CD, I have changed my mind... if talking about your Kaneva experience makes you happy, then as a good friend, I should listen.

I was wrong to say Kaneva doesn't interest me... a good friend always listens to a good friend, even if it is a subject that is not of any interest.

If a subject is important to you, I will listen.

May God continue to bless you.

You are a good and faithful servant.

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

Thank you for your graciousness, EC. I appreciate it very much, for sure, as you know I appreciate greatly any kindness you show to me, and other things you show to me, et cetera. I was merely trying to help you and others better understand how I have been, am now, and hope I perhaps will be, while I'm living this one life on this planet that our Lord has mercifully granted me to live on it for a yet-unknown length of time.

I feel, however, that our time on this planet as it is or soon will be is rapidly drawing to a close, before many of us, if not all of us, ultimately enter eternity. This world will not end permanently until after the Millennial Kingdom's time, but it will eventually pass away, and never exist again, once eternity without end finally arrives in God's Universe.

So while we are still here, let's do all that we can do to do His will, to the best of our abilities, and do the work that God has set before us as best as we can, no matter what that work is. We shouldn't forget to laugh and have fun, of course, but we should always try to run our respective races well so that we finish strong and are found worthy to enter eternity so we can spend it with our Maker, through the shed Blood of our Lord and Saviour that will allow us to do so, if we are truly His for eternity.

Looking forwards to seeing what happens next for your IPA, and I'm hoping the Freemans can meet in the IPA finals for jg2977's IPA this time around. Both look like they're very likely to make his HoF, at this point, it seems to me. GC is really going gangbusters. I suspect that pitching-wise, he has at least 90 to 100 WAR earned so far, to go with the 100 to 120 WAR accumulated on at least the hitting side, for his career.

Will write more later, as time allows and all, I'm sure. But I now have at least a decent number of things to do before going to a virtual Bible study in another virtual realm later tonight, for sure. So will have to cut this post short now, I think. CD out.