PhillipWolf

Hey everyone! I know I don't message much around here, and in this journal I'm going to explain why. As you might have noticed my overall presence here is rather dwindling for quite some time. This is already going back to DeviantArt going to Eclipse mode. Loved the old aestethic dA once had. Eventually I did get used to the new layout, but exploring for new artists has become rather hard (and browsing in general is quite a pain). Plus the layout is still something that I'm not too fond of. Since Eclipse I've also looked to spreading my wings to other platforms, such as Weasyl and Twitter (being way more active on the latter). Since the AI-art debacle (I believe you can pretty much call it as such) there's not much to stay for as the website will be and is planted full of AI generated art. While it's people's good right to explore the possibilities of AI, I find the way dA is going not the right one. There's many reasons as to why it's ruining my (and other's their) experience. Firstly, it's sometimes hard to tell AI art and actual art apart from each other. There are a lot of artists out there on dA, and they all have their own unique style. Yet you have to be checking the tags if something is AI art or not. Kind of a carefully treading what is actual art and what is generated without disregard to said artist. Secondly, the website has basically been flooded with AI art. While, as I mentioned before, I don't mind people exploring the possibilities, I don't find them as much of an actual artist. To me it feels like pressing a few buttons to get something out of an AI compressing images of a database together (you can correct me if I'm wrong). It harms actual artists who put a lot of work in their pieces, and being pushed away now by AI-generated art. Their own art possibly being used for these generated pieces. Thirdly, given the road dA has chosen to go, it doesn't feel like a safe-space for artists anymore. I've seen a whole debate going on on Twitter about the whole new updates regarding opt-ins or opt-outs for certain things involving AI. From this I understand that the whole, at first, hasn't been in the favour of appreciated artist that dA had (and has). Many artists have already left, gone to other platforms. These are some of the reasons I feel held back coming around in dA. dA has lost its appeal to me. Of course Twitter isn't great either with its notorious algorithm, but it doesn't get bombed with AI-generated art. I'm fully aware every website has its flaws, but dA it taking that pretty much to a new level with its updates in the recent years. This doesn't mean I'll leave just yet. It does mean I might in the near future. I will however delete the submissions that aren't mine rightaway. I've posted a few of the pieces I've commissioned over time, and, with respect for the artists, I'll delete those from dA. Despite this more negative journal, I hope you understand, and have a very nice day!

Hello everyone, As you can see I changed my username from enzovoort to PhillipWolf. I carried this first username with great pride, but I have been thinking of a name change for a very long time. It just didn't seem to fit me anymore :(, hence the change of username as of now. Enzovoort was just a username I made up, because, well, I couldn't think of something else. But as years progressed I started to get (slowly) more involved into the Furry Fandom as a furry artist/hobbyist and art admirer. So it felt more of a random thing rather than what I stand for or what I am today. For the time being, I can't change my username on FurAffinity just yet. I'm planning to do so when that feature is ready. I heard they are working on it. Till then it's still a fragment of the past. But if YOU do have updates on this usernamechanging topic, I would gladly hear about it. Stay safe, ~PhillipWolf

Used xKasiWolf ’s quesntionaireformat. Thank you!

1: What did you do in 2020 that you'd never done before?

There are many things due to the COVID lockdown. Things like online courses (university), wearing a (face)mask.

2: Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Didn’t really have one/a few, really.

3: Did anyone close to you give birth?

Nope.

4: Did anyone close to you die?

Fortunately not.

5: What countries did you visit?

Germany.

6: What would you like to have in 2021 that you lacked in 2020?

Hmm, good question…

7: What dates from 2020 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

15th March. Just arrived a little after 6 PM at a restaurant/takeaway when I heard that the country went into a full lockdown.

8: What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Bachelor degree Legal Studies.

9: What was your biggest failure?

Can’t really think of anything right now.

10: Did you suffer illness or injury?

Minor illness(?). Nothing really to worry about.

11: What was the best thing you bought?

Games on Steam.

12: Whose behavior merited celebration?

People in the healthcare.

13: Whose behavior made you appalled?

People ignoring (or being too strict with) the COVID-regulations.

14: Where did most of your money go?

Bills, I suppose.

15: What did you get really, really, really excited about?

I’m not one who gets overly excited, but I’m glad I graduated this year.

16: What song will always remind you of 2020?

Can’t really think of one now.

17: Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?

A. Sadder.

B. Neither.

C. Richer.

18: What do you wish you'd done more of?

Traditional art/drawing.

19: What do you wish you'd done less of?

Playing video games.

20: How did you spend Christmas?

With family.

21: Did you fall in love in 2020?

Nope

22: What was your favourite TV program?

Don’t really have one.

23: Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

Hating is a big word, but there are some people I wouldn’t like to see anymore.

24: What was the best book you read?

Literature-wise (no study-related, red)., none.

25: What was your greatest musical discovery?

Had plenty of musical discoveries (and re-discoveries), but I’ll pick this one: Resolution by Wayne Jones.

26: What did you want and get?

A Quest-magazine about the 123 best questions.

27: What did you want and not get?

Don’t know really

28: What was your favourite film of this year?

I really enjoy watching movies, but I don’t have a favourite.

29: What one thing made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Finishing school, getting a bachelor’s degree.

30: How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2020?

Rather casual, I think. I have no knowledge whatsoever in fashion.

31: What kept you sane?

Don’t really know. Just the will to survive 2020.

32: Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Kimi Räikkönen.

33: What political issue stirred you the most?

Some big issue that has been reported quite a few years ago, but has come to some kind of close this month which became known as ‘de toeslagenaffaire’.

34: Who do you miss?

Close friends.

35: Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2020.

Verbal agreements are not ideal.

36: Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

“When I was young, it seemed that life was so wonderful” (from The Logical Song by Supertramp).

37. What did you do that you wish you didn't do this year?

Nothing.

38. What are 5 of your new years resolutions for 2021?

1. Improving my drawing skills in traditional art.

2. Being active on more social media/platforms.

3. Search and apply for a job that suits my education.

4. Writing (and finishing) some stories.

5. Staying healthy.

39. What were the best book you read this year?

Most of them were study-related, so none.

40. Who were your most valuable relationships with?

Family and a close friends.

41. What was your biggest personal changes from January to December of this past year? Became a little less timid, I guess.

42. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?

Little stronger, I guess.

43. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?

Don’t know.

44. In what way(s) did you grow physically?

Little stronger and somewhat more flexible.

45. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?

Nothing has changed much, I guess.

46. What was the most enjoyable part of your work?

Having some distraction from the COVID pandemic.

47. What was the most challenging part of your work?

There were none.

48. What was the single biggest time waster in your life this past year?

I think playing video games.

49. What was the best way you used your time this past year?

Work, sport and video games.

50. What was the biggest thing you learned this past year?

A temporary employment contract (?) gives a lot of uncertainty.

51. What was an unexpected joy this past year?

Can’t recall any.

52. What was an unexpected obstacle?

COVID pandemic.

53. Pick three words to describe this past year: Ups and downs.

54. What do you want the overarching theme for your 2021 to be?

Anything but corona/COVID.

55. What do you want to see, discover, explore?

Maybe discover other places, if possible.

56. Who do you want to spend more time with in 2021?

With close friends.

57. What skills do you want to learn, improve or master?

Art, writing (style and writing itself).

58. Which personal quality do you want to develop or strengthen?

I want to improve some social skills.

59. What do you want your everyday life to be like?

Life would be so much easier if there was nothing to worry about.

60. Which habits do you want to change, cultivate or get rid of?

Staying up (too) late.

61. What do you want to achieve career-wise?

I’m not much of a careerhunter (yet).

62. How do you want to remember the year 2021 when you look back on it 10/20/50 years from now?

COVID-free.

63. What is your number one goal for 2021?

Search and apply for a parttime job that suits my education.

64. What advice would you give your early-2020 self if you could?

“Be confident. You’ll get there eventually.”

65. What was the funniest moment of your year, one that still makes it hard not to burst out laughing when you think about it?

Can't think of one right now.

66. What purchase turned out to be the best decision ever?

Buying games on Steam with multiplayer. Before only played singleplayer.

67. What one thing would you do differently and why?

Asking questions.

68. What do you deserve a pat on the back for?

Don’t know. I don’t think I’m the one to judge about this one.

69. What activities made you lose track of time?

Playing video games, drawing, studying.

70. What did you think about more than anything else?

What it would be like to be in a relationship.

71. What was your favourite compliment that you received this year?

That I’m a nice, timid and hardworking person.

72. What was the worst insult you received this year?

Can’t recall any, fortunately.

73. What 5 people did you most enjoy spending time with?

Family and close friends.

74. What was your biggest break-through moment career-wise?

Hadn’t any.

75. How did your relationship to your family evolve?

Don’t know. Still pretty much the same.

76. What new things did you discover about yourself?

Nothing new this year.

77. What single achievement are you most proud of?

Bachelor’s degree Legal Studies.

78. What was the best news you received?

Getting a good enough grade to pass my thesis.

79. What was your favourite place that you visited in 2020?

-

80. What one event, big or small, are you going to tell your grandchildren about?

The time we were in quarantine, I guess?

81. Which worries turned out to be completely unnecessary?

None.

82. What experience would you love to do all over again?

Graduating.

83. Who did you receive gifts from this year?

From family and close friends.

84. What little things did you most enjoy during your day-to-day life?

The simple little things.

85. What cool things did you create this year?

Art.

86. What was your most common mental state this year (e.g. excited, curious, stressed)? It went from happy/content to nostalgic and sad/lonely :/

87. Was there anything you did for the very first time in your life this year?

Yes. Wearing facemask, online courses, and probably some other things.

88. What was your favourite moment spent with your friends?

DnD-sessions with close friends. It has always been fun.

89. Did any pets die this year?

No.

90. What did you learn about the people you met or know?

Pfui, don’t know.

91. What was your biggest expense this year?

Probably bills.

92. What is a valuable lesson that you learned in 2020?

Be yourself.

93. Where is somewhere you'd like to go in the new year?

Maybe Eastern-Europe, USA and/or Canad. But, probably not in 2021.

94. What is something you hope to acquire in 2021?

Knowledge.

95. What is something you regret buying in 2020?

Nothing really. Most purchases are well thought out.

96. What is one thing that set 2020 apart from other years?

Quarantine.

97. Tag 10 people

Nop.