--- AgentExeider <AYBEDOS_at_aol.com> wrote:
> people have
> been just sending assloads of requests to Jim. Now I know
> that's what you supposed to do, but not right now.
It just tends to be that Jim's life is full on and drawing
is 'his thing'. He squeezes time in to draw, because he
wants to. It has been over two years since all the
problems blew up and furs have been pretty patient. We can
ask and obviously it depends on Jim's whim whether anything
is done or not.
> I write this in the hopes that people will understand
> that Jim cannot deal with all of these
> "Hey Jim when are you gonna do this?" or "Yo Jim
> where`s my this?".
Many of those requests are from recently joined members.
It is fair enough that you have seen the web sites etc, and
want to know what is going on. The fact that the questions
resurface every few months just tends to reflect the large
number of members joining. I answer what I can to help Jim
out. As for the "Where's my" questions, some of the orders
are approaching three years old, so if we get a query every
few months as to progress, I don't see that as
unreasonable. Are you prepared to wait two years for your
order? I am prepared to wait as I know Jim is a man of his
word and will deliver.
> Jim has got some
> major problems in his life right now....
> Jim needs to heal if he is ever going to get his full
> ability back. .. This is
> usually the time that people take out to heal.
Jim is dealing with these things the best he can - heck
many of us may be unable to do as well as he is in such
dire situations! But he is also looking forward and
realising that you cannot put your life on hold forever, so
he is taking the small steps forward to live life as best
he can. Destiny willing, things will get better.
> but stress
> can slow down, stop or even undo the healing process...
I think Jim keeps appearing on the group and answering mail
not just because of loyalty to the fans, but because he
_wants_to_. If, like me, he likes to log on a enjoys the
interaction, then it lowers his stress. Some weeks we get
less time than others, but that's RL for you.
> My point is, I know how it feels to have Stress on you,
> trying to
> pay all the people who are holding out their hands...
I like to think Jim sees fans holding out there hands in
friendship, wanting to show support.
> We need to wait until his
> situation gets to a stage of normalcy and has time.
The sad fact is life only gets faster and busier as you get
older. Waiting for 'everything to calm down' is generally
counter-productive. You need to take the small steps you
can take in a positive direction.
> Two things that he doesn't have right now. Normalcy and
> Time. It's called Real Life.
Normalcy is relative and time is always running short;
that's Real Life. You do what you can with what you have.
> So we should help him out anyway we can. I have yet to
> hear or
> read "Hey Jim, I got some extra cash, bout 200 dollars,
> could you use it." or something to that effect.
Jim has said previously that he does not want charity. He
wants to earn his 'freedom' and as a fellow creature of
honour I understand his perspective. The win is much
sweeter if you are able to climb out on your own; total
decision control.
> There is no "Save Jim Hardiman fund" but maybe there
> should be...
There has been in time gone by. There were fund raisers
(such as the Skunkworks collected works by various artists
- available through Ed Zolna for the bargain price of $5)
but charity obviously has limits; many furs are almost as
financially destitute as Jim - I know, I've helped a few by
ordering commissions, etc.
> he put his stuff out, not expecting anything in
> return.
It is fine doing art for yourself, but it is much more
satisfying when you think of how others will react to it.
We all draw 'because we want to', but the buzz of
presenting our art keeps us wanting to do 'the next one'.
> The LEAST we could do is back
> off, stop requesting or complaining to him and let him
> get his life back together.
Supporting Jim with appreciative and informative feedback
on his artwork is helpful and encouraging. Group members
generally play nicely, so I am not seeing a problem here.
New members will ask the obvious questions that are in
everyone's minds and when Jim gets time he'll shuffle web
sites to either avoid questions or answer them.
There is much that can be done for Jim, but whether he will
permit others to help him and in what way are up to him.
I'm not going to launch into a rant, since it will serve
little purpose. Meanwhile we can support Jim with our
enthusiasm and exercise patience till he 'gets his shit
sorted'.
Scrapper, Black Dragon, moderating the group as a small
assistance to Jim, his art and keeping the fans happy.
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Received on Tue Aug 10 2004 - 22:32:27 CDT