Off Topic

[OCG]

I know, but I would not feel the same way, because they could not see my face. Therefore, I would feel better with having mask than not having it.

[Dark Lum Lord]

I'm not much of a fan of crowed areas myself. I was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder last year and I had also fit the criteria for avoidant personality disorder and selective mutism - however I was not diagnosed with the latter two. I'd always been a bit shy but eventually I developed social anxiety and it peaked last year to the point that I rarely spoke to anyone. I barely even spoke to my own family and they were quite harsh on me. They mocked me and constantly argued with me about which always brought me into tears. I never was good enough for them no matter what I did.

Eventually I started slouching because it made me feel smaller; it made me feel like I was smaller and therefore less noticeable although slouching only makes you stand out even more. To this day I still walk strangely, even after therapy and having gotten rid of most of my social anxiety because I just can't walk "normally" anymore. It's too difficult for me to always have my back straight and plus I have no idea what to do with my arms and even if I move them nd I attempt to walk normally I still appear awkward, and if I try to I get extremely anxious and feel like everyone's watching me even if no one's there. Social anxiety ruined my life as did my depression and such. I'm much more awkward than before, I have less acquaintances and friends now, I can't walk normally, and it goes on.

Having a mask would definitely bring more attention, as would most attempts to be "invisible" or "less noticed.

[Adsolution]

plus I have no idea what to do with my arms and even if I move them nd I attempt to walk normally I still appear awkward

Hahah, I can understand exactly what you mean here. Typically, I'd found two solutions:

- Walk around with your thumbs or hands in your pockets. Usually the best thing to do if you have no idea what to do with your hands.

- Stand up straight and rest your shoulders back; if you can do this, your arms and hands should suddenly feel right. Pretend you're walking like a proud superhero, but reduce the egotistical march to a simple walk of open mild-confidence.

Essentially, it's not so much a conglomerate of things that make you feel awkward when you walk, it's simply posture. Bad posture will make you and your hands feel awkward. Having your shoulders back is literally the quickfix.

[sonicbrawler182]

I'm not much of a fan of crowed areas myself. I was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder last year and I had also fit the criteria for avoidant personality disorder and selective mutism - however I was not diagnosed with the latter two. I'd always been a bit shy but eventually I developed social anxiety and it peaked last year to the point that I rarely spoke to anyone. I barely even spoke to my own family and they were quite harsh on me. They mocked me and constantly argued with me about which always brought me into tears. I never was good enough for them no matter what I did.

Eventually I started slouching because it made me feel smaller; it made me feel like I was smaller and therefore less noticeable although slouching only makes you stand out even more. To this day I still walk strangely, even after therapy and having gotten rid of most of my social anxiety because I just can't walk "normally" anymore. It's too difficult for me to always have my back straight and plus I have no idea what to do with my arms and even if I move them nd I attempt to walk normally I still appear awkward, and if I try to I get extremely anxious and feel like everyone's watching me even if no one's there. Social anxiety ruined my life as did my depression and such. I'm much more awkward than before, I have less acquaintances and friends now, I can't walk normally, and it goes on.

Having a mask would definitely bring more attention, as would most attempts to be "invisible" or "less noticed.

It hasn't ruined your life, lad. You're still young. You'll settle back into a more "normal" way of walking in time. Slouching is bound to mess up your back. You just have to ease back into keeping your back straight.

As for friends, you'll gain more eventually. Especially once you get into college (if you haven't already).

And while depression certainly is a pain in the butt, it won't ruin you. There are a LOT of things bogging me down right now. I'm willing to bet it's part of why I literally cannot sleep (and not being able to sleep brings me down in and of itself). But I'd be lying if I said that I have absolutely nothing. I may feel kind of empty after certain events that happened over the summer, and I may have terrible trust issues, and may never even attempt to romantically connect with a girl ever again. But I do have things to be happy about. I still find a reason to live no matter how bad things get. And I've felt more respected by people lately, so I must have some application in this world.

So yeah, hang in there, and stay strong.

[Master]

Yeah, I have a tendency to slouch, trust me, it can lead to some problems with posture, I get backaches now and then.

[OCG]

I used to slouch in past but that had to do with incorrect sitting in front of computer. I am glad I stopped.

[Adsolution]

On the note of cosplaying, I had planned on trying out Envy from FMA next year. When I looked on Google for an example, I was amused to find out that there only seemed to be female cosplayers. It's likely due to the attire, but Envy clearly doesn't have a female body.

[OCG]

That would be pretty cool idea.
Anyways I found male Envy
http://socophdpepper.deviantart.com/art ... -139476737

[Adsolution]

Unfortunately it's not very accurate. I'm going to put a lot of work into mine making sure that the hair is just right; I'll probably shape it with wire and run cloth or maybe even wig hair around it.

[Bzzit]

Just reminded me I need to watch the final episode of FMA! Is Brotherhood worth checking out too?

[Adsolution]

Brotherhood is way, way better than the 2003 series. For one, it actually follows the Manga's storyline, and for two, it has a much better pace, much better animation, and the emotional centre of the story is given far more focus. Not one thing about it doesn't reign superior over the first series.

I honestly found the 2003 series to be rather clumsy and lacklustre.

[OCG]

Just reminded me I need to watch the final episode of FMA! Is Brotherhood worth checking out too?

Don't forget to watch movie too after completing FMA 2003
Brotherhood is worth. It follows Manga from start to end unlike 2003.

EDIT: Ninja'd by Ad
I also heared FMA is dubbed good. I should get American version of PS2 game and see for myself.

[Bzzit]

Awesome, thanks guys. I'll watch the final episode and movie tonight and start brotherhood during my 4 hour break at college tommorow

[Adsolution]

Brotherhood (I'm not sure about the 2003 series) has excellent English dubbing… except on Edward. Why is it that so many series just have to completely screw up the main character's voice? In the English version, everyone sounds almost exactly like their Japanese counterpart except Edward, who sounds like a half-conscious, mentally handicapped, voice-cracking fourteen-year-old. The same thing happened to Death Note: All the English voices were nearly perfect except for Light's, which sounded like a fourteen-year-old angsty skater punk.

[Zikken]

You should hear the French dub, better than the English dub in my opinion but I don't think any of the characters even sound like the Japanese dub.

[OCG]

@Ad
Hm, last time emshomar said Brotherhood was not dubbed. I guess he was wrong.
Well PS2 games were based off 2003 Anime so I guess I must search it up myself.
Oh, I also hate when they screw voice of main character. That is why I usually stick to Japanese version but unlike many people I saw, would not go and call every dub horrible because that would just be dumb. You have no idea how many complains I see for dubs (not for FMA but in general)

EDIT: I found PS2 gameplay but video wont play on my phone so I can't hear voices

[Master]

About a day left for Mighty No 9, the response it has had is staggering, but how far will it go?

[Dark Lum Lord]

plus I have no idea what to do with my arms and even if I move them nd I attempt to walk normally I still appear awkward

Hahah, I can understand exactly what you mean here. Typically, I'd found two solutions:

- Walk around with your thumbs or hands in your pockets. Usually the best thing to do if you have no idea what to do with your hands.

- Stand up straight and rest your shoulders back; if you can do this, your arms and hands should suddenly feel right. Pretend you're walking like a proud superhero, but reduce the egotistical march to a simple walk of open mild-confidence.

Essentially, it's not so much a conglomerate of things that make you feel awkward when you walk, it's simply posture. Bad posture will make you and your hands feel awkward. Having your shoulders back is literally the quickfix.

True, but whenever I do stand straight I eventually forget to do so or it worsens my back pain.

I'm not much of a fan of crowed areas myself. I was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder last year and I had also fit the criteria for avoidant personality disorder and selective mutism - however I was not diagnosed with the latter two. I'd always been a bit shy but eventually I developed social anxiety and it peaked last year to the point that I rarely spoke to anyone. I barely even spoke to my own family and they were quite harsh on me. They mocked me and constantly argued with me about which always brought me into tears. I never was good enough for them no matter what I did.

Eventually I started slouching because it made me feel smaller; it made me feel like I was smaller and therefore less noticeable although slouching only makes you stand out even more. To this day I still walk strangely, even after therapy and having gotten rid of most of my social anxiety because I just can't walk "normally" anymore. It's too difficult for me to always have my back straight and plus I have no idea what to do with my arms and even if I move them nd I attempt to walk normally I still appear awkward, and if I try to I get extremely anxious and feel like everyone's watching me even if no one's there. Social anxiety ruined my life as did my depression and such. I'm much more awkward than before, I have less acquaintances and friends now, I can't walk normally, and it goes on.

Having a mask would definitely bring more attention, as would most attempts to be "invisible" or "less noticed.

It hasn't ruined your life, lad. You're still young. You'll settle back into a more "normal" way of walking in time. Slouching is bound to mess up your back. You just have to ease back into keeping your back straight.

As for friends, you'll gain more eventually. Especially once you get into college (if you haven't already).

And while depression certainly is a pain in the butt, it won't ruin you. There are a LOT of things bogging me down right now. I'm willing to bet it's part of why I literally cannot sleep (and not being able to sleep brings me down in and of itself). But I'd be lying if I said that I have absolutely nothing. I may feel kind of empty after certain events that happened over the summer, and I may have terrible trust issues, and may never even attempt to romantically connect with a girl ever again. But I do have things to be happy about. I still find a reason to live no matter how bad things get. And I've felt more respected by people lately, so I must have some application in this world.

So yeah, hang in there, and stay strong.

Thank you for the kind words.

[Adsolution]

Then don't forget. The moment you take note of the fact that you feel awkward while walking, you know what the answer is.

[Dark Lum Lord]

Pretend you're walking like a proud superhero, but reduce the egotistical march to a simple walk of open mild-confidence.

Forgot to comment on this earlier. Another reason why I feel awkward has to do with the fact that I have very little self-esteem. Standing up straight makes me feel pretentious for some reason, which is awkward for me since I've built up a tolerance to slouching, looking down, and feeling inferior.