Dear Roxy: Painting Problems Solved

Now, I must poke a hole into pet owner’s fantasies and silly day dreams. In reality, paint brushes don’t solve everything. They can perform more harm and than good. Trust me, I know, I’ve received many Neomails with painting problems. So, without further ado, I give you an article that reveals the truth about paint brushes and how their presence can wreck havoc upon Neopia.

Dear Roxy:

Currently, I have two pets. I have been thinking of saving up for a paintbrush for my oldest pet, a female, slightly artsy Bruce. None of the colors available seemed right for her. What would you suggest?

-Bored With Red

Dear Bored With Red:

We had the same problem with my brother, Kudio. He remained a Red Bruce for quite a long time until it finally clicked, Electric. The color fit my brother perfectly and maybe it’ll fit your Bruce, too. Some other Bruce colors I love are: Orange, Speckled, Pink, Brown, Cloud, Striped, and White. If you’re just looking for a simple change, you can always swap to another one of the basic four colors. My cousin, Charlie is also an artist and she’s green. Your Bruce might want to give green a try, too.

-Roxy

Dear Roxy:

My mom is buying my big brother a Silver Paint Brush. She won’t even buy me a Red Paint Brush to wear off the effects of Boochi! She has plenty of Neopoints. Why won’t she change me back to normal?

-A Very Flustered Baby Korbat

Dear A Very Flustered Baby Korbat:

Your mother doesn’t want to change you back because Baby is a very rare color. She might consider a zap from Boochi to be a blessing rather than a horrible attack. Just remember, the color of your fur can change but you’ll always still be the same Neopet on the inside. Not one paint brush can ever tamper with your personality that is an inside job that only you can do.

-Roxy

Dear Roxy:

What color where you before you were painted Striped?

-Inquiring Ixi

Dear Inquiring Ixi:

Being over four years old, I’ve been through a couple of color changes. First, I was a rather sporting Blue until Roxycaligirl101 saved up the Neopoints to paint me Purple. Then with a little luck, she won a Striped Paint Brush. I’m really quite fond of being Striped and don’t plan to change anytime, soon.

-Roxy

Dear Roxy:

I’m a Blue Gelert and I desperately want to be Faerie. My owner says the only way to do that is to use the Lab Ray but I’m scared. I want to fly and to stay Gelert. What should I do?

-Longing To Fly

Dear Longing To Fly:

You can become Faerie by using the paint brush. You can ask your owner to save up the Neopoints for the paint brush instead of Lab Map Pieces. If that doesn’t work, you can train until you reach Level 12 and go through several Bottled Air Faeries until you get the ability of Flight. Then, you can soar without a single zap from the Lab Ray or changing your species.

-Roxy

Dear Roxy:

I have a bit of a problem. See, I’m a bit jealous of my brother and sister. My sister is a Purple Shoyru and my brother is a Mutant Moehog. I'm just a plain Yellow Aisha! How can I convince mum that I really should be painted SOMETHING?

-Average Yellow Jello

Dear Average Yellow Jello:

Being painted will not change who you are as a Neopet. Count your blessings of being a Plain Yellow Aisha, after all, you could look like Dr. Frank Sloth. Personally, I’d pick yellow over looking like a hideous beast from the intergalactic cardboard box. A mansion? Psh! He lives in a box, a cardboard metallic box but it still a box. Besides, everyone knows that boxes can be quite evil.

-Roxy

Dear Roxy:

I’m a Blue Shoyru. I'm getting tired of people thinking I'm sad because I'm the color blue. I'm NOT sad. I'm really hyper and happy! How can I get people to stop thinking I’m depressed?

-Blue And Unhappy

Dear Blue And Unhappy:

Ah, stereotypes, they will always be there. I’ve never heard of the one you wrote to me about though. I can understand thinking a Grey Pet was sad but blue, oh not, blue. I’m not the dictionary of stereotypes so I wouldn’t know.

Not only one person cannot eliminate stereotypes but groups of people can. You cannot assume things about Neopets by their looks and always keep an open mind. Slowly, everyone will eliminate stereotypes. A world without assumptions and stereotypes would be a better place.

-Roxy

Dear Roxy:

My owner wants me to be Darigan but I don’t like Darigan. Should I tell him I want to be painted Plushie or let him do his will?

-A Plushie Loving Shoyru

Dear A Plushie Loving Shoyru:

You need to tell your owner how you feel. You’re the one being painted not your owner. If he likes Darigan so much, he can take a dip in the Rainbow Pool.

-Roxy

Dear Roxy:

I’m the owner of a restaurant and my head chef was recently painted Fire. Now, every meal he makes is burned. Roxy, this is not good for business. What do I do? Should I fire my head chef or demand he be repainted?

-Owner of Uptown Grill

Dear Owner of Uptown Grill:

You can try and start a new fad of meals, burnt to a crisp style. It could be the new diet. Everyone is into carbohydrates being the demon. If someone can make people turn onto carbs and eat things that taste like paper to avoid them. I’m sure you could cook up some clever scheme to make them appreciate burnt food.

-Roxy

Dear Roxy:

I’m a White Grundo. Some people think I’m weird because I'm a boy and I want to be painted Faerie. Do you have any advice for me?

-F.G.

Dear F.G.:

There isn’t anything wrong with wanting to become Faerie. It doesn’t matter that you’re a boy, there is no rule saying that boys can’t be Faeries. Being painted a different shade will not change you’re on the inside. You’ll always be F.G. the Grundo, even if you’re painted White or Faerie.

-Roxy

Dear Roxy:

I’m a Green Quiggle and I have a problem. Many of the Neopets I used to play with became painted in the last month. Now, they do not want to play with me anymore. My old friends make fun of me because my owner doesn't have enough Neopoints to buy me a paintbrush.

-Upset and Alone

Dear Upset And Alone:

Those Neopets are certainly not your friends and never have been. Friends never turn your back on you because of your looks. Friends certainly don’t make fun of you for any reason, especially your financial status. Your old friends sound like snobs and don’t deserve to be friends with you. Go meet some new people. I’m sure a sweet Neopet like you can find better friends. If they act anything like your old friends, dump them. You deserve to have true friends who will like you, for you, and not for your money or your looks.

-Roxy

Roxy’s For the Record: I wear clothes! So, Slothy, dear, get over yourself and stop making up lies about me.

To submit your question/problem to be answered by Roxy, simply send a Neomail to roxycaligirl101. All messages must be appropriate with proper spelling and grammar. Please put the subject as "Dear Roxy." Inappropriate, tasteless, and repeatedly sent messages will be deleted, so please don’t waste your and my time. Please don't send problems that have already been solved by Roxy. Due to an overwhelming amount of messages, Roxy cannot answer all the messages. All messages are subjected to editing and can be published. So, don't submit something if you don't want to see it in the Neopian Times.

Thank you to all the readers, fans, NTWFers, fellow writers, my editor, and people that take the time to Neomail me with every article. Without you guys, Roxy would have been able to soar. Thanks so much and may the Borovan be with you!