# Opal, what the fuck is your problem? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 16, 2008, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opal-what-the-fuck-is-your-problem/477368 "2008-12-16T06:10:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 30
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opal-what-the-fuck-is-your-problem/477368/581 "2008-12-18T01:54:02Z")
**Auto** - I didn’t mean that people hate her, only that they have built up a great deal of resentment toward her and that this thread seems to have given them vehicle to express it. And like I said, I also wanted to point out that she has plenty of demons of her own to battle with. **emily** - Perhaps she should. I’m not saying she should be given a pass to behave any old way she likes, I’m only saying that she’s not as bad as everyone seems to think. And I suppose I’m also saying that perhaps people shouldn’t take the way she behaves sometimes so much to heart and that a little forbearance might not necessarily be a bad thing. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opal-what-the-fuck-is-your-problem/477368/582 "2008-12-18T02:00:19Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > And I suppose I’m also saying that perhaps people shouldn’t take the way she behaves sometimes so much to heart and that a little forbearance might not necessarily be a bad thing. I’m afraid I can’t let this go. If someone behaves badly and pisses people off, that’s _THEIR_ problem to address. It’s absurd to suggest that those who are pissed off need to change their behaviour to accomodate douchy-ness. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opal-what-the-fuck-is-your-problem/477368/583 "2008-12-18T02:11:21Z")
> [@wring](#): > > So the fuck what? Being an artist (or even an artiste) does not mean you’re not supposed act like other humans. Having additional talents doesn’t diminish your humaness, it should rather enhance them. So sayeth the daughter of two artists. Tell it to Picasso! 🆒 Obviously all artists don’t act the same. Is it really necessary to point that out? Still, the image of the temperamental artist didn’t spring full-blown from the ether all on its own, either. > [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > I’m afraid I can’t let this go. If someone behaves badly and pisses people off, that’s THEIR problem to address. It’s absurd to suggest that those who are pissed off need to change their behaviour to accomodate douchy-ness. Again, I’m not saying she should get a free pass or that anyone should be expected to change their behavior in response to it, though I don’t necessarily think it would be a bad thing if to a certain extent they did. People frequently guage their own behavior based on the mindset they perceive in others, and I’m suggesting that perhaps **OpalCat’s** mindset is different than it might appear. And since you and **wring** have homed in on the ‘artist’ aspect of her personality, I would suggest you pay more attention to the personal struggles I talked about. She has spoken about them freely around here in other forums and it shouldn’t be too hard for you to find out what I’m talking about if you care to do so. Just trust me when I say that few people around here would want to take on the difficulties she has to contend with, and both contending with them and the mere fact that one has to contend with them can be a very draining, frustrating and anger-inspiring experience. (Now having said that, I’m probably not going to participate further in this thread because I realize I’m pissing in the wind to a certain extent and I don’t want to have to spend the rest of the night arguing about **Opal**. I just wanted to offer something of a different perspective.) ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/59ef9b/32.png) [@Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_fight_the_hypothetical)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opal-what-the-fuck-is-your-problem/477368/584 "2008-12-18T02:11:54Z")
> [@Q.E.D](#): > > Oh, look, **Lisa** , there’s one of them now. Not that there is some good godamn irony. Holy shit, _now_ this thread has everything. ---
**Author:** ![Ichini\_Sanshigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/d9b06d/32.png) [@Ichini\_Sanshigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichini_Sanshigo)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opal-what-the-fuck-is-your-problem/477368/585 "2008-12-18T02:12:56Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > I’m afraid I can’t let this go. If someone behaves badly and pisses people off, that’s THEIR problem to address. It’s absurd to suggest that those who are pissed off need to change their behaviour to accomodate douchy-ness. > Reply With Quote The people who are pissed off don’t need to change their behavior, they just need to not act as douchy as the person they’re angry with. ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opal-what-the-fuck-is-your-problem/477368/586 "2008-12-18T02:16:27Z")
> [@Ichini\_Sanshigo](#): > > The people who are pissed off don’t need to change their behavior, they just need to not act as douchy as the person they’re angry with. Yes, but is it OK if they act douchy in a _different way?_ Kidding. You nailed it. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/59ef9b/32.png) [@Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_fight_the_hypothetical)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opal-what-the-fuck-is-your-problem/477368/587 "2008-12-18T02:17:20Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Still, the image of the temperamental artist didn’t spring full-blown from the ether all on its own, either. Oh lick my hairy nutsack you crazy ass bitch. Any artist who acts like a douche gets treated like one by civil society. It’s only their koolaid drinking followers that give them a pass. I doubt anyone in this thread really hates **Opal** , but she’s behaving uncivilly and is getting chided for it. Your suggestions on this matter are ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opal-what-the-fuck-is-your-problem/477368/588 "2008-12-18T02:18:50Z")
Someone who starts a post with an invitation to lick one’s hairy nutsack doesn’t get to define what constitutes civil society. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opal-what-the-fuck-is-your-problem/477368/589 "2008-12-18T02:27:06Z")
Since when is being an “artist” an excuse for anything? I’m a pretty good musician and songwriter. I can still say “thank you” if somebody helps me, or “exuse me” if I step on their foot. My wife is a great painter. She’s actually even sold some of her work, which I doubt Opal has. She’s a really good writer and poet too. Better than me, and I’m fucking good. She’s one of the most polite and empathetic people you’d ever want to meet. Being an “artist” excuses nothing ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opal-what-the-fuck-is-your-problem/477368/590 "2008-12-18T02:27:28Z")
> [@Ichini\_Sanshigo](#): > > The people who are pissed off don’t need to change their behavior, they just need to not act as douchy as the person they’re angry with. Word up, yo. Apparently maturity is a lost art. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opal-what-the-fuck-is-your-problem/477368/591 "2008-12-18T02:28:41Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Still, the image of the temperamental artist didn’t spring full-blown from the ether all on its own, either. Bullshit. I’m temperamental, too, but I shouldn’t get that level of understanding because the best I can manage is stick figures? So, only creative people get to be temperamental now? Bullshit! When I act bitchy/rude, I may be called to task for it. At that point, I can either tell people to piss off AND then deal with the consequences of it; or, I can choose to behave with a bit more courtesy and change my tone. Everyone’s got a reason to be pissy now and then, but that doesn’t justify accepting piss-poor manners from them. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/59ef9b/32.png) [@Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_fight_the_hypothetical)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opal-what-the-fuck-is-your-problem/477368/592 "2008-12-18T02:30:07Z")
> [@Q.E.D](#): > > Someone who starts a post with an invitation to lick one’s hairy nutsack doesn’t get to define what constitutes civil society. Normally, yes… but I am an artist. ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opal-what-the-fuck-is-your-problem/477368/593 "2008-12-18T02:32:42Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > This is NOT the advice I wanted. > > We’ve already discussed buckeyes and nutsacks. I am a vegan and will not accept any answer that has meat (“eye”, “nutsacks”) in it. I want better caffeine-free options. > > You go out and some better research to find more options for me > > C’mon.. > > :: snaps fingers, taps foot impatiently, looks at watch :: > > Hop to it. > > Now. I think **Fenris** has captured the tone that is bugging people the most. That said, statements like: “ **Chacoguy** ’s had a tough time of it and he’s an abusive drunk and you know how _they_ are; the rest of you all will have to adapt and tolerate it.” Both do a disservice to the abused and provide the abuser no incentive to change. I think we can all learn to be a little more ready to show gratitude and patience as a result of this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Hombre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecb155/32.png) [@Hombre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hombre)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opal-what-the-fuck-is-your-problem/477368/594 "2008-12-18T02:36:42Z")
> [@Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](#): > > Normally, yes… but I am an artist. … Breaking the fourth wall, the thread now becomes self-aware… ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opal-what-the-fuck-is-your-problem/477368/595 "2008-12-18T02:39:56Z")
> [@Jenaroph](#): > > Hey, she’s an artist. I figure she should be able to wreak some little ring-containment device of her own. Something small and ring-sized, like a tiny box with a lid. Maybe even made out of some found object, or natural materials. Perhaps she could hollow out some kind of tree nut. That would be the perfect size. So, what kind of tree nut could she find in Ohio? Any suggestions? They’re not nuts, but I think these [glass pieces](http://www.taxidermy.com/cat/08/VDdeer.html) could be fabricated into a delightful locket for a ring. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opal-what-the-fuck-is-your-problem/477368/596 "2008-12-18T02:42:17Z")
> [@Q.E.D](#): > > Someone who starts a post with an invitation to lick one’s hairy nutsack doesn’t get to define what constitutes civil society. Sure they could. They might define it as “the way we would like people to behave outside the Pit.” I am also unable to refrain from adding, because the term comes up a fair bit in the work I do, that “civil society” is frequently used in keeping with this definition: “All movements, associations or individual citizens, independent from the State, whose aim is to transform policies, standards or social structures through communal efforts at a national or international level.” ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opal-what-the-fuck-is-your-problem/477368/597 "2008-12-18T02:43:05Z")
> [@chacoguy420](#): > > I think we can all learn to be a little more ready to show gratitude and patience as a result of this thread. God bless us, every one. ---
**Author:** ![MagicEyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@MagicEyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicEyes)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opal-what-the-fuck-is-your-problem/477368/598 "2008-12-18T02:45:02Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > And since you and **wring** have homed in on the ‘artist’ aspect of her personality, I would suggest you pay more attention to the personal struggles I talked about. She has spoken about them freely around here in other forums and it shouldn’t be too hard for you to find out what I’m talking about if you care to do so. Just trust me when I say that few people around here would want to take on the difficulties she has to contend with, and both contending with them and the mere fact that one has to contend with them can be a very draining, frustrating and anger-inspiring experience. Having a difficult life doesn’t make it okay to be rude to other people. There are many other posters on this board who have difficult personal situations, yet they manage to be civilized and not-jerky. If you are in that kind of situation, it seems like it would be a bad idea to piss off people who are trying to help, but that’s what she does. Some day maybe people will just quit trying, but there will always be someone who doesn’t know what Opal is like and responds to her endless requests for things that are often impossible, just to get rudely shot down because it’s not exactly what she needed and she’s not even willing to consider it. She gets upset because she doesn’t have total control over the discussion, but that’s the way message boards are and if she thinks that’s ever going to change, she’s in for a life of frustration. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opal-what-the-fuck-is-your-problem/477368/599 "2008-12-18T02:46:32Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Hey, I didn’t write the thing, I’m just handing you a leaflet. You got questions, you get a medium and take it up with Anselm, or ask **Lib** for clarification, as he appears to enjoy dragging the thing out of the barn for a quick trot around the field every now and then. 🙂 If we ever happen to meet up at a Dopefest (you’re in the PNW, right?) I reckon I owe you a beer–the Bitchin’ Camaro made it a _geas._[Nicely done!](http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h16/smartaleq/1c22ddcf.gif) Well, and God’s giant cock, that cracked me right up. ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opal-what-the-fuck-is-your-problem/477368/600 "2008-12-18T02:53:20Z")
> [@](#): > > **Starving Artist** said: > And then there is the fact that she is an artist. She truly is. I suppose a bullshit artist is a type of artist. > [@](#): > > So all in all, I’ve come to admire OpalCat. Me, I admire people like Steve Wozniak and Dean Kamen. It doesn’t take much talent to beg for money on the internet and drag your kid all over the place like a nomad constantly looking for a better life, or following some guy. > [@](#): > > It’s apparent that this thread is sort of a gigantic, cumulative payback for her past posting history rather than for what she actually did say in the thread that inspired this one, which I thought was really not all that offensive I think it’s reached the critical mass of ‘Fuck, enough already.’ and that’s why you’re seeing this thread. This has gone on here, it has gone on through her own website, and hell even her Live Journal is legendary for it. > [@](#): > > and that perhaps OpalCat isn’t quite the villain that so many people around here think she is. She is what she’s been accused of being in this thread. She has made it clear time and again that what she really lives on is the attention she gets by continuing ti be more and more outrageous and demanding. In that way, she reminds me of Madonna. Maybe she is a good painter, but there are a lot of good painters out there who aren’t constantly seeking out new legions of ass-kissers who will cough up not only unlimited praise, support, advice and money, but get kicked in the teeth on a regular basis and like it too. It’s a well-practiced game that she plays, the only game she appears to know, and it never changes. Ask for advice, shit on those who give it, disappear for a while, do something shocking to make people feel bad for her, and repeat. I think the only thing she actually cares about is making sure that her 15 minutes of semi-notoriety don’t run out. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opal-what-the-fuck-is-your-problem/477368.md?page=29) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opal-what-the-fuck-is-your-problem/477368.md?page=31)