I dislike describing myself - that's something probably best left to others. My URNA profile has a bunch of FAQ-format clarifications that cover the one or other misconception people like to have about me, and that ought to do for a start. Besides URNA I'm obviously also on Yahoo, the Myface, the Spacebook, and a bunch of other places (no doubt too many)... though I really don't use that stuff much. That is, basically not at all. Social networks aren't really my "thing" - which is probably why I seriously still haven't deleted that old abandoned Myspace page, my god...

And yes, that up there really is me. Hello there, honey. :)

Since every social network seems to have people who like to misinterpret how one is handling things, here's my own, overly simplified yet terribly contrived, Flickr policy:

Flickr has friends and contacts. There is a subtle difference. This out of the way, should I choose to not add you, or generally not respond or reciprocate just anything, then that doesn't mean I don't like you or don't approve of your photos, or anything even remotely like this. It just means I happen to have made that decision, probably for no reason worth fretting over, or even no reason at all. So, don't fret over it, it's nothing against you personally (how could it be, considering I probably don't even know you). I might even never comment on a single photo of yours and still think they're all awesome, now try to imagine that.

I certainly DO check out your own pictures, favorites, sets, tags and galleries and what else Flickr has to offer in terms of browsing and sharing. That's what it's there for. I like to click on your thingies. That's why we put this stuff up, isn't it?

You are welcome.

I don't care what your "buddy icon" is, or if you even have any. There may be reasons why I'd block someone, but that isn't one. There's not much of a reason to add you as a contact if you have no visible photos in your stream, but I won't block you for that either. You don't need to have photos of yourself in your photostream, as far as I'm concerned. I'm perfectly alright with "male admirers" as long as they're decent human beings. Attention from men is just as fine as attention from GGs or other TGs, and your reasons for looking at my photos are as good as my reasons for putting them online, whatever those reasons may or may not be. I don't do things because that's how they're commonly done. I don't follow trends or standards. I don't care what everyone else is doing. I do things because I want to, the way I want to. This does include everything I do on Flickr.

There are always some standards of decency, kindness, politeness that should be heeded and that can be expected - you know, the things that make all our living with the other crazies besides ourselves bearable. But for a scene that is so in need of acceptance, respect and tolerance, the TG community can be an amazingly unaccepting, disrespectful and intolerant bunch. Being a bit less judgmental and stuck up would probably suit all of us well. You wouldn't believe the things I've seen over the years.

Groups:

When invited to add a photo to a group or a pool with a handy comment invitation, I tend to click "Ok, add it" without much hesitation. I might also take the opportunity to join the group and add a few more photos, or I might not. It depends - alas, I don't know on what. Although, if your group has so many rules and regulations as to what is allowed and verboten that it makes a tax form look tame in comparison, you won't see me around much. There are clear limits to the amount of hoops I'm willing to jump through.

I generally rather don't tend to seek out and join groups and participate without having been made aware of them by visitors to my photostream, and don't pay much (or any) attention to them either. So, being listed as a member of a given group doesn't mean I also stand for or approve of its background or content, it just means I happen to be some sort of member. Groucho Marx got it right as far as group membership goes anyway.

Thinking about it, Groucho Marx was right about so many things it's not funny anymore.

And if you've actually read through all this, you're double welcome.

Now go look at pictures already.

My pictures are here especially for YOU to enjoy. And if you do enjoy them, I'm happy - mission accomplished.