I have a tendency to ramble in these sorts of posts so I'm gonna get the most important thing out of the way first: NEVER PERMANENTLY DELETE YOUR ART!!! even the bad ones! especially the bad ones! you will look back and regret it, memories are the core of our being and art is irreplaceable. second most important thing: to anyone waiting on contest results, or prizes, or anything of that sort - I'm incredibly sorry but I will not be doing it. I have said a thousand times that I wanted to finish things, and I did, but it's just not reasonable anymore. I cannot keep living my life with careless promises I made as a kid hanging over my head, and I hope everyone can understand. ok, so, aside from that. hi. ten years ago today (july 25th, 2015) I made my very first scratch account. today (july 25th, 2025) is the ten-year anniversary of said scratch account. I haven't been active on this site for almost half of that period but it still felt very significant - scratch was a huge step in my journey as an artist and as a person - so I've spent the last two-ish years thinking about how this was coming up, and then still didn't manage to do anything for it anyway. (I did start making a meme but I didn't give myself anywhere near enough time so who knows if that'll ever get finished. certainly not tonight lol) so um in general! happy ten years to everyone who has been with me during all of this, whether you knew me from the start or only met me on this account. I've made so many amazing friends over the years and even if we don't talk frequently, believe me, I still think about you all the time. I am very anxious but please never be afraid to stop by and chat!! :] in less upbeat news - I'm leaving. maybe not scratch as a whole, maybe just this account, I'm really not sure and lately I've just been going where the wind takes me. I don't like the person I have been and the way I have treated others throughout the majority of my time on this site. as many good memories as I have, looking back brings more regret than anything, and I want to move past it all - so going forward, I will no longer be using this account, even if I do continue making things on scratch. I'm never sure how to end "big important speeches" like these and it is very late and I am very tired. but if you're reading this, thank you very much and I wish you well. take care of yourselves and best of luck with all your future endeavours. so long and thanks for all the fish. :] -- hoa
