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AniaR
11-06-2012, 06:44 PM
Not the ones in the water, the type of people. I need to vent and maybe some opinions and advice.

First, I want to acknowledge a lot of people have helped me become who I am as a mermaid. I am constantly trying to put that forward to help others. You may know I fundraised for both of my tails and had some people make quite the large donations. I've been lucky to know the right people to get me media attention, help me get into neat gigs, and generally help put me out there. I try very hard to stay humble. I don't think I am the be all end all mermaid or anything lame like that. I do think I've got experience and ideas that are worth sharing though to help others get going.

I try to do a lot of good things to balance out the good things people have done for me. As soon as I got my merbellas tail I gave my old one away for free to a local girl so she could start her own mermaid career. After all, if someone hadn't have helped me I wouldn't be where I was. I work my @$$ off on tail flip, I write lots of articles and track down the info people want to know. I do lots on here too. In my community I volunteer a lot, to the point it's even becoming a problem for me. And yeah, as soon as I got multiple tails I started turning girls I knew who always wanted to be mermaids, into mermaids. Trying to make their dreams come true.

Right now I feel like I'm being online assaulted by local strangers. They suck up to me and beg me to take them mer-swimming, do photoshoots, etc. They have NO idea what's involved in these things, and really they're only nice to me because they want me to do it. As soon as I show that it's not something I can do right now they turn nasty. I've been called named etc and now some girl is telling people I don't want others to be mermaids in the city! Which is the lamest thing ever, I support all the other local mermaids, we make sure none of us undercuts each other, I send them gigs when I'm over booked and they do the same, and I book us things TOGETHER. Just because I don't want to put a STRANGER in one of my tails, parade them around in a pool and send them photos of it, does not mean I am not supportive. Mermaids in my area are all ridiculously kind, there is no gossiping or undercutting or any crap.

And Honestly, I am EXHAUSTED right now. I'm trying so hard to find new work in my field, I've been battling some private health issues, working hard on the next issue of tail flip, volunteering, and preparing for some big things in my life. How am I suddenly selfish because I can't do everything a stranger wants?

Anyway, I could really use some validation on the notice I put on my FB https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=494853450549403&id=183327321702019 I know these girls are reading it constantly, so if you think it's unreasonable for people to expect that of me all the time it be really great if you'd like or say something. It's just really not okay the way they're treating me, I just needed to vent and get it off my chest.

I've had this tail from Jesse for 2 months and I've already had 3 different people in it, done up for swimming and shoots. I got a monofin for my old practice tail and had someone in it too. (this doesn't involve ANY of those ladies, they're all wonderful) considering it's freezing here it's not like I can easily arrange a trip to the beach or an outdoor pool.

New York Mermaid
11-06-2012, 07:43 PM
LOL I just posted on there and just saw this post, Im just really slow lately.. must be the lack of sleep

MermanJesse
11-06-2012, 08:00 PM
So, not these kind?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeZ-ClFu4Cw

AniaR
11-06-2012, 08:06 PM
omg that video was amazing lmao. Thanks Jesse :D

Ashe
11-06-2012, 08:44 PM
Jesse, why must you be so funny? :D

MerEmma
11-06-2012, 08:50 PM
I thought about clicking it, but I have a horrible fear of leeches. xD

Mizuko
11-06-2012, 09:34 PM
I think they way you feel is completely justified :) I couldn't imagine the amount of emails you must receive from people asking for 'hand outs' (I hope that's not too a harsh word!) and information and everything! You have a life, it cant ALL be about helping people! haha! XD I always feel that if they want to swim in a tail, they can find the information you've already given them or research themselves, and take the plunge themselves. Isn't that what all of us did, after all? ^_^

-Annwyn-
11-07-2012, 06:16 AM
When I gave away my two spare tails recently I advertised it, but made the application process rather tedious so only the people who were sincere about wanting a tail applied.

And it worked. I said on my blog and on gumtree.com.au that the only way to apply was to go to my facebook fan page, send me a private message and tell me in around 100 words why you think you deserve one of my tails.

By doing this, I was also able to sort out who genuinely wanted a tail, and who were simply "ERMAGHERDialwayswantedamermaidtailcanihaveoneplzpl zplzplzimfourteenandiwillbetheenvyofallmyfriendsan dillbeyourbestfriendkthanxbai!!!"

But honestly I think these kinds of people come with the territory. You're doing something they all wanted to do, and yeah, everyone wants something for free....

Elle
11-07-2012, 07:42 AM
I think we have a really great community. Everyone is honest, kind and incredibly supportive of each other. I think these leeches need to understand what it is to BE a mermaid before they start harassing you. You do a wonderful job, and if you have to tell people no, then that's the answer and they need to just accept it.
I don't think they understand the time and patience required.

Keep doing what you're doing, your fantastic!

AniaR
11-07-2012, 08:29 AM
thanks for the pep talk and validation everyone. I think most people when strangers- people who don't even matter- lie about them etc it's easy for them to just ignore, but I'm sensitive because of things I have lived through. I think the whole, "you just don't want other mermaids around" realllllly touched a nerve, lol.

Capt Nemo
11-07-2012, 08:54 AM
Ahh...The price of fame!