If you saw the title, then you probably know what this is about... For those who don't know, this is addressing the Kid's Online Safety Bill (KOSA), a bill that allows government to censor what's on the internet. I heard that it had been shelved a few months ago, and I've let my guard down since then.

However, this morning, I learned that approximately two weeks ago, KOSA is brought up again, and this time with some new changes. I don't know what these changes are exactly, but it was enough to make some of the opposition withdrawn and get 62 Senators to support. At least, that's what I heard. You can look up your local news if you want more information.

Unfortunately, even with these changes, KOSA still remains at it's very core, a censorship bill, and it could potentially damage what we can access on the internet: including censoring our art (including fanworks) and LGBTQ resources. There's still opposition to it, but with a path made from the Senate, it feels like it could be become an actual law any day now.

I'm trying so hard to not let this get the better of me. I'm telling myself that it’ll be a long time until that happens, or even if the bill gets passed, then everything will be okay. However, I know the possible reality that if KOSA becomes a law, then the internet I know will be changed forever, and what's worse, I could get in trouble. There's really no telling what's "safe for kids" in people's eyes, and if my drawings or fanfics get taken off for having supposed inappropriate material, then it could break me. I'm already a mess because of what happened on Tumblr and the growing impact of AI art (which I was slowly recovering from). One more thing and... Well, I don't know what.

I want to share my art on the internet for people to enjoy. But it feels like the world is not letting me.

It's sad because the people who support the bill claim they want to protect children and others' wellbeing, but they're mentally destroying people like me (I'm an adult by the way).

This doesn't mean that the fight is over, however. House is still uncertain about the bill, and with any luck, they'll shelve it and will dissolve into a part of history. However, if you are still greatly concern with KOSA coming back, then call/address your state representative and remind them why it's bad for the internet and its millions of users.

Hold on to whatever hope you have... Mine’s might be a small flicker, but keep yours burning big bright.

I remember my first blog post on this website. I admitted that I wanted to post art here because I didn't trust Tumblr... Well guess what what I learned that fucking website just did that shattered that trust completely.

It's late at night by the time I'm writing this, so I'm not going explain the whole thing (too tired). Besides, you probably can find the whole story by looking up Tumblr on your Google news or whatever news you read. However, the short version is Tumblr (and Wordpress) and teaming up with big AI companies like MidJourney and giving them our work. As you can imagine, I got anxious and pissed when I heard. Not surprised though, I kind of saw it coming giving Tumblr's current state.

I opted-out of any third parties scrapping through my blogs on there, but the whole thing just left me feeling distrustful of it.

As a result, I decided I wasn't going to waste time posting my work on there (unless I create some interesting fanart). I'm going to be posting on website like Newgrounds who don't even allow that AI art shit. At least the more original stuff will be on there.

I only pray things will get better for Tumblr and the creators I respect who decide to stay on there... However, at the end of the day, I'm not mad...

JUST DISAPPOINTED.

It's come to my attention that today is the start of Aromatic Spectrum Awareness Week (2/18 -2/24).

I only started identifying myself as part of the aromatic spectrum for about a year, and truthfully, I'm still questioning this part of me. However, as someone who feels so little romantic attraction, I want to acknowledge this week for myself and other people like me.

So happy ASAW! Even if you aren't part of the spectrum, be sure to support people who are and be kind to them.

Happy New Years!

Let's hope 2024 will be a great!

I have a lot of projects in mind for next year, but some resolutions I have especially are:

• Have one personal character picture done for each month.
• Finish a fanfic I've been working on for a long time.
• Get started on a comic.

I don't know how much is actually going to get done, but it's a good way to kick off the year.

I'm just going to put this down:

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Hope your special days are going great and you're having fun.

This is my little post to say this:

Happy Thanksgiving!

Remember to be thankful for the good in your life.

Apart from family and friends, I'm grateful for places like this that allow me to express my art. There's always going to be a risk when posting art online, but if it means people can see it, then it makes it worth while. :)

I just learned what today is… And I feel it’s so important to acknowledge it so…

Happy World Mental Health Day!

Remember to take good care of yourself, and that you are valid.

To help counter stress and to find something to look forward two, I have decided to do an art challenge this October, and no, it's not Inktober. You can read more about it on my Tumblr page, but basically, I've decided to combine two challenges I did in the past just to create new character and get the creative juices following.

To anyone who is feeling stress out or just feeling down on their creativity, I recommend doing this, and you don't have to do what I'm doing. You can find more prompt lists online or make one of your own. There are no rules; do whatever art challenge suits you... or you don't have to. That's okay too.

This is more of a vent than anything, but I want people to be aware of what's going through US Congress (and I haven't posted anything in a long while).

It's probably easier if you look up the information for yourself, but the short (and easy for me to explain) version is that there's a series of bad internet bills that are currently on pending at the White House. If these bills get passed, then it could change the internet as we know it; encouraging censorship and limiting resources for youth.

The most danger out of all of them being KOSA (Kids Online Safety Act), which claims it wants to restrict internet access in the guise of protect them. However, if you read the bill closely, then you would notice that it's rather vague on what is "foreseeable risks of harm to minor," giving government (and who knows what else) access on what content will be on the internet. That might not sound too bad, but who knows what will be blocked just because it's supposedly harmful for kids.

It's not the happiest news I posted. However, like I said, I want people in the US to be aware of this happening, and for them to speak (or email) to their local congressmen to remind them why these internet bills are just bad online censorship. Thank you for reading this vent of mine. Have a good day.

There are many ways to protect our freedom on the internet, and writing this is my way.

Being in another country away from my tablet for two weeks made me resort to hand drawing in a small notebook whenever I wanted to draw... And it was kind of refreshing.

Drawing with actual paper, coloring pencils, and pen is a nice change of style compared to the digital medium I'm used to. For those who are struggling with their art or feel like they're having art block, I recommend switching up your style: put down the tablet and pick up the pen and paper instead.

If you're already a pen and paper artist, then try something else: try painting, clay modeling; photography. Anything that doesn't involve an AI doing all the fun ,hard work is a good way to develop your own art skills.