HOLY SHIT!!!! LET'S GET WILD

For those who are willing to give me the space to prove myself, I hope to not disappoint you, and I thank you for the opportunity.

For those who recognize themselves as having wronged me- or my friends- in the past, I want to forgive you.

I'm genuinely excited to move forward.

While I cannot make anyone change their minds about me... if that's their choice, they can keep throttling that past version of me all they want. They're no longer talking about me as a person; they're talking about the version of me in their head.

Ball is in their court. Peace.

Relating to what I said yesterday, I cannot keep apologizing for my past actions or choices if my perspective will not be heard or accepted. If my progress will not be recognized, or would be straight up rejected.

bsky.app/profile/lupi...

As part of this, I've seen a little demand for accountability regarding my past actions... however:

I believe I've been plenty accountable.

There are plenty of people who would vouch for my character as it's evolved over time. Dismissing that fact is a choice.

I am very very lucky to have a support system in place that can spare the energy to champion me on days that I struggle to stand for myself, and I'm lucky to be peers with people who are tired of the casual uncouth and spiky attitudes that make being hurtful easy and thoughtless.

Thank you, Xue!!!! :D

Thank you so much!!

Thank you! :D

Thank you!!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

Thank you very much! :D I hope you'll enjoy it!

And regardless of how you may feel; thank you for giving me a chance, whether you're just finding me now or have known me for a while. I'd like to give you all a chance, too.

Take care everybody.

I don't expect everyone will be thrilled to read this thread, or will take the time to read it; regardless, if you're reading this now, thank you for spending your time to hear my feelings. I know it's off-color, but I felt it was important to say it now than to let it fester.

I don't think it's subtle that some louder individuals are trying to take away what should be a moment of pride and joy from me by bringing up the decisions and choices I made in the past, mistakes or otherwise.

And for now, that's all I'll say on the negatives.

Actively pushing peoples' work down in favor of raising up your personal favorites... I know some of you don't mean to, and I hope you will reflect on that.

Elsewhere, I'd appreciate if rumors weren't spread about me based on a story my perspective wasn't included- or accepted.

I think it's totally fair if you think my entry is ultimately "mid" or boring compared to some of the other selections or participants; I think it's fine if you find me annoying or shallow or narcissistic.

That's fine.

Every day is another day, and progress is not linear. Some days music and creativity and passion is easy; some days they are not. Some days, doing my planned exercise and sticking to my diet is easy; some days I would rather lay in bed and crunch on chips all day.

Yet I persist.