"Hate Me! Please?"

Devin Joseph Metz

Many thanks to ForeverFail.com for this rather alarming example of what I and many of you reading this have surely become painfully tired of seeing.

Everyone wants to feel important in some regard. Everyone wants to feel desired. We all do; and those out there who make it their priority to state that they don't want these things are probably the ones that want it the most.

That's no secret or recent development. That's common knowledge.

It should be, at least.

Don't get me wrong: There is absolutely nothing wrong with one desiring to be needed or wanting to feel important. I've always had a well documented "beef," however with those who aim to gain that notoriety, importance, power or whatever else they feel they need from their "haters." 

What is it with those people? 

Seriously. I have never and likely will never understand that. My confusion won't stave off my elaboration about how ridiculous this whole "Hater Love" movement of sorts is, though.

This ridiculous fad (and yes; that's what I perceive it as) has no real traceable origin at all (trust me. I've checked already); but it still makes itself ever present in modern culture; especially the portion of that culture that is connected to social media. 

We constantly see in posts on Facebook, tweets on Twitter, Instagram photos and other social mediums the "Hi Haters,""Shout out to my haters,""I wanna thank my haters out there" and ever so popular "I love my haters" statements that are usually followed by some ridiculous reason why they are offering such congratulatory remarks to those that they aim to infuriate:

"Shout out to all my haters that wish they could be the first to own these new Jordans!"

~Or~

"I wanna thank all the haters out there. I know you see the new Lincoln sitting outside!"

~Or Even~

"I love my haters. All of you. You can't make a grilled cheese sandwich this good, huh?"

Feel that sinking in your stomach right now? 

That's the humiliation that you feel; regardless of whether you've said something along the lines of these statements, you're friends with someone who says this crap or you've just read or heard it from someone. 

That's right. It's a residual effect. It sours everyone around who hears, reads or speaks such ignorance in a sincere or proclaiming fashion.

It's not empowering in any capacity. It is rather expository, however.

*This is the moment in the entry where we give people who consistently use the "Hi Hater" fad time to go look up words that they may not have understood up to this point. You know: words like "Expository" for instance. We allow them this portion of time because their ignorance in this practice implies that they have no shame in exposing how little they may actually know outside of ignorant means. For everyone else who understands this terminology, let's just standby for a minute or so.*

Welcome back.

As I previously stated, those who push this nonsense to the point where they actually feel empowered by it are making themselves seem very expository. Very self-explained.

When you go out of your way to post something like this, there are some things that other people see that you may have to start recognizing for yourself...

First of all, how dare you even use something as undeniably delicious as tater tots to express your groundless lust for attention?

The tots, man?! Really?!

What's wrong with you?!?!?!?!

Honestly, though:

All you're really saying with all of those posts, tweets and photos dedicated to your haters is that you aren't mature enough to stand on your own portion of accumulated confidence.

You are stating that there is a dire need for people to pay attention to you; and if you can't seem to find a civil and unobtrusive means of garnering that attention, then you are completely at home with pissing off other people just to get them to take notice.

You are among those who get so hyped up when you listen to rappers that use this means of empowerment. As a matter of fact, maybe this whole fad started with Shawty Lo....

..........you remember him, right?

"BIG UPS............TO ALL MY HATERS!!!!"

Yeah. That guy.

Its sickening and ultimately disparaging to see how we effortlessly migrate from one fad in music media to another - from "Hi Haters" to "Dat S**t Cray" to that "Turn Up" crap - yet we can't stand alone on our own when it comes to self empowerment.


You even look at your sports media for a wholesome sense of empowerment and you'll see this...

Really classy, James. That and that video you posted on YouTube. Oh how the masses have come to look upon your glory and *cough* "modesty" in that glory.

A conversing I've recently had with my wife reminded me that there was a time where one acknowledged haters in a powerful, self-uplifting, respectable connotation. There was once a time where people who were privy to criticism and doubt from others gracefully reminded those same detractors of their claims once they emerged victorious. This was done as a means of proving one's doubters wrong while also proving to oneself that he or she was more than capable of achieving what was desired.

Nowadays, however such means have been replaced by those who in every idiotic manner conceivable clamor for the negative attention of others in a half-witted way to motivate themselves. It truly disgusts me to see the self-absorbed only step away from themselves long enough to draw others to them by enraging them.

What is even more demeaning and pathetic are those who like to pretend that there are that many people who can't stand them just to gain some popularity among others. 

What I wonder about all those out there who "embrace" their haters so much is if they realize just how much of that hate that they desire from others they may have contributed to themselves. That's what is actually going on, to be totally honest.

Think about it.

Think about the insecurity.
The doubt.
The self-loathing.
The regret.

All those things that have shrouded that person's judgment; causing one to curse, dislike or hate the way they are instead of finding solace in their individuality. 

So if this does sound even somewhat like what you are going through. Just go ahead and ask your self one question:

 
You owe yourself an answer.

Oh, and to those of you out there that feel like you need to broadcast how you "Don't care what the next person says" because you're "gonna do you anyway," I mean this with all sincerity when I say that you would be amazed at how many of us really aren't paying you any attention when you say that. We know that you're itching for the same attention. The only difference between you and the "Hater Lovers" is that you're trying to display some semblance of independence in hopes of materializing a reputation in front of others.

Just as needy. Not very sneaky.

Everyone wants to feel important or needed or desired.

There still is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Unless you need to create negativity to do so.

Respect can be gained without compromising individual positivity. That's what I've been told, anyways. Find out for yourself if there is any truth to that claim.

"We Are Watching"

"We Are Watching"

Place pennies next to rappers
who can't wrap their minds around hip hop;
choking on the same cake
the first Poets burned at the stake for.

We are not the last ones.
We are the first to view the worst
in a world where chivalry is thirst.
We are the apex where texts mean rough sex.

We observe the dark arts:
the very savagery of hidden fantasies.
Well placed tapestry this generation calls "Thirst Traps."
Hear the claps?

You won't hear many because
they only clap long enough
to distract us from their envy.
We clip their fishnets at the seams and crush gleams.

We also have the glimmer of sinners;
but the differential is when we clap hands,
we aren't taking a chance.
We sound without our pants down.

Resound without night gowns.
Bra straps popped
in front of fitted cap merchants
who champion their sermon
while praising the vermin.

We stand as the first ignored and seldom explored.
We write sex and cause bandwidth wrecks.
We say how we feel
and you say "That's real."

We see the truth but you want the stories.
We fall victim to perception
but we are not your categories.
Skim through it all and crawl.

Before you can scrape, scratch or sprawl,
you're taught how to "catch the wall"
against those who only stand tall
to deliver to the giver.

We can see the black water
gushing from the river.
You gorge forcefully;
ready for more slight in refreshment
to infect the connected.

We are free to pay homage
to those who were in bondage
yet we swiftly trade in the reins
for shackles and chains
like the untamed for fame.

We are not the answer.
We are not protection.
We as Poets know
that most questions need direction.
Know who leads before you proceed.

He who sows the seed
cannot neglect the garden.
You have killed our roots
but the heart must never harden.
Far then, but closer to you still.

If you've had your fill,
stand with us and state your will.

Written By: Devin Joseph Metz

Being a Leader, and Not a Follower, in Your Own Life

By Melanie Blake

When we are young and inpressionable, we are easily fascinated by everything and anything we see. Cool new fads and gadgets, the latest trends, the ways and means of how our schoolyard companions play, talk and act. We idolize everything we see, if even for a moment, because we are still trying to build and identify ourselves. We want so badly to have an identity, a way of communicating our thoughts , ideals, and goals, that we will grasp at anything in order to be socially acceptable. We are confused and unstable; one minute our favorite color is pink, next it is blue. One minute we want to be Britney Spears, the next Christina Aguilera.

As we go through the changes in identity, we take small pieces of each experience with us, resulting in a complex and unique individual person, personality, and history. We learn what we like; and what we don't. We learn what works for us, and what we're not quite so good at. We discover our strengths and weaknesses, and over time, we fall into a "category" that best suits our personality. We find like-minded friends, and begin to pursue interests promoted within our social group, such as competitive people becoming athletes and working hard to become the best in their sport, for example. It is in our youth that we are shaped into who we shall become in the future. When you are young, you need the "training wheels" of life to help guide you in the right direction, like parents, teachers, mentors, and family who are a positve influence on you. But as you get older, and hopefully more mature, it is crucial that you begin to take the reigns of your life and map out your own path, for your own sake. You must take off the training wheels, and feel the pride of being able to hold yourself afloat. Knowing right from wrong with mom standing over you, doing the right thing when no one is looking. Those are the moments that help define us as mature adults, and we continue to learn and grow from those experiences as we mature.

But now more than ever, more people would rather be a follower, and let the actions of others develop their personality and ethics, than be a leader and develop a set of goals, ideals, and morals for themselves. They still have a young mentality and look to celebrities and reality shows, TV and movies, to guide them in their real life pursuits. But it makes no sense; and our generation is suffering tremendously for it. The biggest problem with being a follower is that those that you are following are not emotionally invested in the outcome of your life, that you are coincidentally shaping around their behavior. That person that you are following blindly is not looking back to see the repercussions of your idolatry of them.

A great example that I will use is Rihanna. Yes, she's a celebrity, but many young women shape their behavior around this woman, her personal life and her music, for what reason I know not. But back to Bad Gal Ri Ri. What do we know about her? She's famous, beautiful and dramatic. She smokes weed. She has tattoos. She's rather promiscuous, and is proud of it. She's in and out of her emotionally and physically abusive relationship with bad boy Chris Brown. And her "Navy?" Worship the ground she walks on. Repeat her song lyrics and apply them to their lives. Dress like her. Talk like her. Sing, "Ain't nobody bidness.." about their own toxic relationships. Post cute black & white weed photos on IG, just like their leader Rihanna. But do you know what the problem is here? Rihanna is a multi-millionaire entertainer who's job it is to be wild and outrageous and keep her name in the tabloids. Obviously, the cops aren't checkin' RiRi for marijuana possession because she woulda BEEN locked up. But what happens when you get caught with it? You'll be going straight to jail, and "...but Rihanna does it!" will not be an acceptable defense.

We have to start coming to terms with the fact that we must be not only responsible for our actions, but be strong enough to develop our OWN sense of right and wrong. Set standards for ourselves. Just because celebrities sleep with everyone on the block does not mean that you have to. Just because everyone in your family is an alcoholic doesn't mean that you have to follow down the same path. Just because everyone in your neighborhood prides themselves on taking advantage of the governmental benefits system doesn't mean that you have to set your own personal growth bar that low. Hold you head up, and realize your own worth and potential. I know this sounds crazy and counter intuitive, but the media and these pseudo-celebrities that they crank out like K. Michelle and NeNe Leakes and whoever else is on those shows are meant to keep you down. To keep your mentality in the gutter. To stop you from wanting the best for yourself. To make you idolize material things, and lose focus on spiritual things. And even though you sit at home, scoffing at their pitiful personal drama, you will slowly but surely begin to mimic their behavior, their colloquialisms, and their lifestyle.

I know we all have our "crosses to bare," and everyone's life is different. We all want different things, and have different sights set for ourselves. But let your vision be yours; not somebody elses. When its all said and done, and the smoke clears, you'll regret not having the strength to live your own life instead of blindly following behind someone elses. Be your own beautiful, smart, unique, talented self, and make the best of it! The sky is the limit, don't let the TV, or the media, or your boyfriend, or your friends, or your family, or anything else stop you from being the best self that you can be.

Marriage Advice from a Newlywed

By Melanie Blake

As a newlywed woman (We jumped the broom on February 22 of this year), I always hear one of two things; "Congratulations, when's the baby coming?" and "Oh, how sweet! The little newlyweds! Wait until you've been married as long as me to what marriage is really like!" And I respectfully roll my eyes.

Yes, I get where that comes from, and yes, I understand that things are going to change over the years, and that we will face adversity as a couple. But we're not as ignorant as we look. We didn't blindly jump into marriage without a clue on what to do, what to expect or any guidance. We also dated before we got married, too, so we do know a little bit about each other. As much as older couples want to offer words of advice or caution every time they see a newly married couple, I actually think it is them that could greatly benefit from a "refresher course" on marriage from a happy-go-lucky pair of newlyweds like us.

1. Keep dating each other. Newlyweds usually don't have a problem with this because we still feel like we are dating, with wedding rings! But couples who have been married a while should still keep this in mind too. Keep bringing her flowers, keep getting dolled up when you two go out to dinner. Make your time together special. Married people like dates, too!

2. Have sex! Newlyweds can't get enough of it! We are still in the 'Honeymoon stage' and that phrase is based largely on the fact that we're having sex, and a lot of it. But being married for more than a year doesn't mean that you stop making it a priority to make love to each other and show your affection in a physical way. Don't let kids and work and personal goals get in the way of your physical intimacy with your spouse; that is a special bond that you two share that makes your marriage to each other unique from any other relationship you are a part of. Sex is important, and its good for the heart, both physically and emotionally.

3. Always say I love you and kiss each other goodbye. People often mock newlyweds for always making googly eyes and kissing incessantly. We hate to see each other leave, and we can't seem to get off the phone with each other. Our new marriage is so exciting and irresistable to us. We rejoice over each time we reunite. Though it sounds cheesy, you should keep doing it. You never know when you will get your last chance to kiss your lover goodbye and say I love you. Do you really want the last thing you said to your husband to be that you're tired of him leaving his socks on the ground while you were hastily walking out of the door? I don't think so. Value your spouse and let them know that you can't wait to see them again when you leave for work in the morning.

4. Be best friends. Talk to each other. Have fun together. Put each other before everything and everyone else. Don't keep secrets from each other. It will always be better if you tell your spouse the truth. They can fix their damaged pride, but broken trust is never the same. You can maintain that "just like new" newlywed feeling all throughout your marriage by working hard to make it better each day, not idly watch it get weaker.

5. Celebrate your love. Realize how lucky you are that you have your spouse to share your life with. Think back on how happy you were the day you married them. For newlyweds, that was only a few months ago, but for me personally, it still brings tears to my eyes when I think of how I felt when I officially became Mrs. Blake. It was more than a name change; it was a life change, and I thank God for that moment, and every moment following that I will get to share with my husband. Find that moment that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy about your husband and wife and meditate on it for a few minutes, its guaranteed to make you appreciate your spouse!



These are just a few of the many, many tips that can be said about being married, and staying (happily) married. Many times, experience is the greatest teacher, and I do love and appreciate the wisdom that older married couples can provide, but there is a special knowledge that comes from still being in the "Honeymoon phase" that can be easily forgotten under a pile of bills, kids, and just life in general that tends to slip away from many couples over the years. Whether you've been married for thirty days or thirty years, you can never show your spouse too much love or appreciation.

The Rape Culture!

The Rape culture

What is the rape culture? The rape culture is when society sees a drunken girl who is passed out being attacked by a group of boys and do nothing. Rape culture is when one of those said attackers take pictures of the girl and post it on facebook, myspace or twitter and the audience take part in bullying and teasing the said victim. Rape culture is when we have idiotic politicians talking about legitimate rape.

We live in a type of society that is immune to the sexual assault of women, men and children and does nothing about it. We live in a culture where women are blamed for their rape because they dressed in what this culture says to be indecent or provocative or they decided to have a good time with their friends and get drunk.

Rape culture is when rape victims are denied the choice to have an abortion and made by politicians to have their rapist baby. Rape culture is when the police and judicial system fail and treat the victim like the criminal. Rape culture is when the system fails and give the criminal a 30 day sentence. Rape culture is when that said victim commits suicide. Rape culture is when a victim is mocked when he/she goes to therapy . Rape culture is when the victims are told to get over it. Rape culture is when the church and other religious groups are silent.

Rape culture is when religious organizations focus so much on the victim forgiving her abuser than denouncing the criminal. Rape culture is when religious organizations force their doctrine about abortion on the victim. Finally Rape culture is when society has become immune to sexual assault against women, children and men.

How can  we overcome the rape culture?

We can give the victims the choice to have an abortion if they were violated. We can stop with the blaming of the victim whether she dressed like a slut or whether she was passed out. We can get rid of Politicians who come up with this legitimate rape business. We can offer access to psychologists, therapists, counselors and other mental health professionals. The church must stop being silent and stop forcing their doctrine about abortion on rape victims. The church needs to stop talking about only forgiveness of the rapist but denounce them and focus on the healing of the victim. We must stop telling the victim to get over it. Healing takes time, sometimes days, sometimes weeks, sometimes months and yes sometimes even years. These things cannot happen unless we become desensitized from this rape culture. This may take very long because society is resistant to the cries of these victims.

"Idle Thoughts Part 2: Drunken Stroll"

"Idle Thoughts Part 2: Drunken Stroll"

Sprawling through the streets
like sheets bunched together,
I've surely worn my leather
In pursuit of you.
You....prancing about in glee
So fancy and free;
Not quite cheerfully
But nowhere near demure.
Thoughts this distinctly impure
Would not be easily received.
Maybe you aim to deceive.
Maybe I should turn and leave……

Still walking.
Remaining true to whatever is due.
Refreshingly stale. Routinely new.
I guess I'm still following you.

Wrought within it all
are memories of her phone calls
Months before I spent my nights
At bar tops under dim lights.
Her my refuge from the storm;
My protection from the swarm.
Harm at bay throughout the day
Until I can steal away;
And wash away after escape.
She would snatch away my cape,
Hold me close within her grip
And kiss each tear that lined my lips……

…………your hips………
Familiar in their sway.
Quite nostalgic, one would say.
I'd be further along my way;
But this liquor stirs within me.
Balance will not befriend me.
I stumble into the street
As I begin to lose my feet.
Feeling rugged. Hanging tough.
I suppose I've had enough.
Passers by so grim and gruff.
I just dodged another truck……

And I'm still walking.
Not so resilient but true to whatever is due.
Briskly stale. Commonly new.
Looks like I'm still following you.

For sake of reason, I wonder:
Are you always this seasoned;
Pouncing without one misstep?
Two turns left
Then across the median.
I mean am………am I?
Am I part of something greater?
Will you whisper "See you later"
After leading me this far?
Can you see the scars
Underneath my shirt and slacks?
Will you invite me back?
This feels intimate and preposterous.
Erogenous you may appear;
But are you aiming to endear?

Too intrigued to trace my fear;

So I continue walking.
Steadfast and true to whatever is due.
This life so stale. Your presence new.
Why wouldn't I follow you?

Let's see what we get into…………

Written By: Devin Joseph Metz

 

 

 

"Love For Literature Part 1: I Can't Write!!!"

Devin Joseph Metz

"Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite: "Fool!" said my muse to me, "look in thy heart, and write."" - Philip Sydney from "Astrophel and Stella" 

Wanna know what really grinds any writer's gears; be it an Author, Novelist, Poet, Column Writer, etc? 

Its that period of time when everything is stagnant. Its that unpredictable amount of time when all of those great ideas that one has either vanish or never seem to piece together initially. Its that portion of your life where the most undeserving victims incur our wrath; and these victims are usually comprised of waste baskets filled past the brim with balls of paper, ink pens that are tapped against the edge of hard surfaces(including our heads) and pencils that find themselves inhumanely mangled between our teeth in confused anger.

There is nothing more frustrating to us than Writer's Block; especially for we poets of the world. Sydney is telling our life story with the aforementioned quote. We as writers undergo extensive or brief periods of writer's block until we have that epiphany moment of sorts where we are left slapping our palm against our head after realizing where our muse was the whole time. It doesn't always happen that way, though.The cure for writer's block won't always come in the form of a stirring moment of remembrance. In my honest opinion, I believe that writer's block can be easily rectified most times if not every time by first understanding what caused it in the first place; especially since there isn't necessarily one usual suspect here universally when it comes to writer's block occurring.

Take into consideration what may have been going on around you while you were trying to write. Some writers find themselves distracted easily; thus making it difficult for them to focus on their writing unless they are in complete solitude. For some time(and still to this day every now and then; although I am not easily distracted), I have found myself in this type of situation. I lived in a house full of people and the visitors of said people. There was always something going on or a huge crowd making as much unnecessary noise as is humanly possible. Foolish as it may be perceived, I tried drowning out the noise with the television or my own music. Not the best idea, of course. Drowning out noise requires louder noise; which will still defeat the manifest of what this writer is looking to attain: Solitude.

That peaceful silence may aid the writer's focus substantially; in turn helping the writer key in on his/her own thoughts instead of thoughts relative to what someone else is doing around them. Once this is achieved, the writer can have a fair, one on one battle with writer's block instead of one where the writer's surroundings places him/her at a severe disadvantage. 

Getting rid of writer's block isn't necessarily always a matter of confrontation, though. There may be other ways to subvert something so frustrating. Some of us find that we have to be in a certain setting in order to successfully write. For some writers, solitude serves as their largest deterrent if that makes any sense. The desired setting may call for mild to frantic activity to surround that person. I've not met many people who will claim this as their preference, however. Some writers just want some music while they are writing; be it on a radio or in their headphones. I can definitely say that I enjoy listening to music in my ear buds while writing; but there is a lot more to it than just having earphones on for me. I have detailed preferences.

Music lends us the opportunity to counter writer's block from a number of different angles; like a misdirection strategy of sorts. While writer's block serves mainly to stall us in our writing; incurring aggravation and other means of distraction, music in many ways soothes the troubled mind and spirit(really Zen, huh?) in a manner that calms the writer; allowing him/her to find peace with oneself so that productivity can eventually commence once more. It should be noted, however that this calming sensation is not hinged upon what type of music the person is listening to. 

Seriously. You don't have to listen to only Classical, Neo-Soul, R&B, or any soothing music in order to find your relaxation to avoid writer's block. I know some people who listen to rock music to get their desired degree of relaxation. I know others that listen to Hip-Hop; which is highly understandable given the lyricism. Peak lyricism gets the creative juices flowing consciously and some songs may even serve as a means of supplemental inspiration(a Muse, if you will.). Hell, I even know of one or two people that can only write when listening to Young Jeezy.

Don't ask me how that works out...

I can say that as a Poet, there are varying instances that must take place for me to write; especially if I am looking to rid myself of writer's block. There are some times when I find that I have to take my time and really think before keying in on my writing; which leaves me wanting to be closed off, in a matter of speaking. I must have total silence aside from an air conditioner unit blowing, of course. More often, however, I have become more accustomed to writing while listening to music. I'm able to spark some creativity contingent upon what I'm listening to at the time that may break me out of my stint of writer's block. I also find that I'm able to soothe myself with the melody and rhythm of the music or even the lyrical content therein; which in turn helps me better deal with writer's block and even offers me the elusive muse that I have been looking for given any certain amount of time. Music is one very potent accompaniment for literature as it stands; but there are times where it may serve best as a therapeutic means rather than just as a means of inspiration. 

One thing to understand about writer's block is that you should never give into it. It should also be understood that choosing not to write at the time until you can figure things out is in no way to be perceived as giving into writer's block. I think this would illustrate what I mean:

This poor fellow here is engaging in an extremely counterproductive response to his writer's block. Not only does he miss the opportunity to go around his issue so that he can get back to his productivity; but he also chooses to give in to both writer's block and the frustration that it incites. 

Banging your head against a wall, being short tempered and ridiculously scathing, or just being an overall hard person for anyone to find a plausible reason to be around won't make your situation better; whether you are dealing with writer's block or anything else in life. Giving in to writer's block involves feeding in to that frustration and aggravation; which only helps further the manifest of writer's block: distracting you from your manifest of writing. 

Ever been around that family member that complains more about the chores that need to be done instead of actually doing them? How about that coworker that complains about their job so much that it causes a lapse in productivity across the board?

Gotten used to the rhetorical questions in my entries yet?

My point here is that nothing productive comes from succumbing to the anger that we can and most times will find ourselves privy to when it comes to writer's block. The first step to solving a problem involves acknowledging that it is a problem; but there is a large difference between acknowledging something and dwelling on it. Time is wasted and nothing is solved from dwelling on an issue. The issue will be as ever present as it was before we first noticed it and it will continue to be there if no further action is taken. Avoid the distractions, remain calm and focus on a productive solution to your problem. After all...

"We wander for distraction,  but we travel for fulfillment." - Hilaire Belloc

Couldn't have stated it better. We often bring on our own distractions in our wandering. Not saying that this is always a bad thing, of course; but there are times where one's desired focus is compromised.


There are some that believe that the best way to rid oneself of writer's block is to just randomly write whatever comes to mind; even if it doesn't make sense or has absolutely no continuity to it. The general idea here is that one will eventually get to the point where he/she is either struck with inspiration or they will develop ideas based on what they wrote down that may forge some semblance of inspiration later on.

I can't say outright that I don't believe that this method is effective; but I do think that it harbors the potential to lead to what I consider to be a very distasteful habit later on. In my opinion, forcing your way through anything robs it of authenticity; especially when literature is involved. Forced work lacks the time, patience, care, love and dedication that is usually ever present in a complete piece of work; and it definitely shows itself as such when presented or observed. 

Think about those sandwiches from your favorite fast food establishments that always look awesome on television commercials but never look even 1/4 as great when you purchase it.

Same concept, pretty much; especially for those writers that have garnered a measure of tenure among their contemporaries. Well known writers have a reputation to laud; so it would be surprising and disappointing for them to forcefully release material just to fit within the confines of a deadline or because they are frustrated over not writing as frequently as they would like to be writing. 

If anybody knows anything about that, I surely do. It used to vex me to no end when I would go a certain amount of time without writing. what was only maybe a week or two felt like months to me(my wife reminds me of this constantly.) and I would find myself fighting the urge to just jot something down and put it out there just to say that I've written something. If you learn nothing else about me, you'll learn that I love my literature. I especially love my Poetry. I love it so much that I wouldn't dare disrespect it in that manner; and if you love what it is that you do, then you would make sure that you never disrespect it in that said manner either.

I've spoken with friends and contemporaries of mine regarding their perceived solutions to writer's block and they've even stated that their use of certain vices such as smoking or libation place them in a certain effect or "zone" for their creative thought processes. Now I'm not one to doubt their methods completely. I'm not and never will be a smoker; but I have written some rather awesome stanzas while enjoying a glass of whiskey every now and then.

As far as the effectiveness of these methods is concerned, I think that since writer's block already does enough to impair one's creative thought process, it may not prove beneficial to compromise it further.

This is just my opinion, of course. Feel free to engage in whichever method or series of steps you deem effective.

Writer's Block isn't a disease, condition, disorder or anything like that. It is merely a temporary state of mind; one that may last days, weeks, months or longer. Regardless of how long it endures, keep in mind that you still have control over your drive, ambition, passion, intellect, and overall timing of your creativity. That creativity is a God given talent that belongs solely to you; and nothing can take that from you without your consent. So tap those pens against the table if you need to(Be careful, though. Some of them explode after doing that for awhile.). Palm your forehead. Close your eyes. Listen to some music. Enjoy a drink or a snack. Hey, even take a walk if necessary. Just do your environment one huge favor, though:

Go easy on the pencil chewing, huh? We can certainly agree that they've suffered enough.