Kenso

[quote name='Allamorph'][FONT=Arial]Was the name of this coaster, perhaps, The Georgia Cyclone? And if not, what theme park were you at, and what ride [I]was[/I] it?[/FONT][/quote] [COLOR=SeaGreen][SIZE=1][FONT=Comic Sans MS]It was not. I was at Castles & Coasters in Phoenix, and the coaster was called the Patriot. It was very, very unnerving. The other one was the Desert Storm (if I remember correctly), and I still want to check it out again. On a random side note related to that trip....I apparently SUCK at miniature golf. And I should never listen to my mom on making a shot. [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen][SIZE=1][FONT=Comic Sans MS]I went on my first roller coaster in like 15 years today. Actually, I went on two. ON the first one, my head took a beating form the headrest (that was definitely not designed for someone over 6'). On the second one, I had to DUCK, or I would've hit my head on the underside of another portion of the track. That was scary as hell. I will likely ride the first again. I'm not getting near the second. [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen][SIZE=1][FONT=Comic Sans MS]I'm actually swearing less lately than I used to, though that is in part due to a conscious effort on my own part. I used to be one of those f-bomb every other sentence people, and I realized just how bad I was getting. My cursing while driving has gotten noticeably worse, but I just moved to Phoenix, and there's a lot of construction for road expansions, and the drivers around here have no idea whatsoever how to merge. It's ridiculous. Of course, it's easier for me to vent a little physically right now, so that may help. Being unemployed with beautiful weather means I can get outside and vent some more (although the unemployment issue is stressful by itself). Well, that and the arsenal of Nerf guns that exists in this house... [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1]I would so cheat on this. I'd get some paper and make a nice list of things I'd want. Then, I'd hand the genie the list and wish for the list to be fulfilled. Didn't technically use any extra wishes that way, but I get more than one anyway.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Green][FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive][SIZE=1]Cellular phones needed to come with a mute button, and not one so they couldn't hear you ? one where you couldn't hear them. I'm fairly certain Jae was actively attempting to deafen the two of us, though it was still pretty damned hilarious overall. Almost a shame Rai was joking, although I'm not sure Jae was.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=Green][FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive][SIZE=1]While I'm throwing out requests, I'd like to say that laughter should not be painful. It is, but it shouldn't be. Laughter is a happy thing, and pain should not dampen that. Laughter that you've held in is even worse. The impending stop sign cut my laughter rather short however, as it necessitated a rather heavy stomp on the brakes.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=Green][FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive][SIZE=1]I didn't say anything, just corrected the car and continued on to the apartment. My mind was in shambles right now. There was the now weird-relationship with Rai, the list in my pocket, the scary-as-hell shadowy guys, and Michael in the hospital. I parked the car, taking care to lock it. Leaving a car unlocked in Otaku City was a damned fine way to make sure you never saw it again. Enough people were stupid enough to do that anyway that those that did lock their cars were often bypassed just because they weren't worth the extra time (and possible glass in the rear end, if the crooks were amateurs who had to smash windows).[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=Green][FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive][SIZE=1]I led Rai to my apartment, taking the stairs even though I was on the 10th floor. This was my home, and to me, that meant an elevator just wasn't a good idea. Paranoid, maybe, but that's how it went. The apartment was locked and appeared secure, so I let Rai in first, locking the door behind us.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=Green][FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive][SIZE=1]The apartment isn't anything fabulous, but it's nothing shabby. I am lucky enough to actually have a living room and a separate bedroom, along with kitchen and bathroom, so it's not too bad. I even managed to avoid having a galley kitchen (I hated them). Mine had room for a kitchen table, not that I ever used it for anything but occasional food prep. My living room was my haven. The nice thing about being a cop in a city as corrupt as Otaku City is that no one questioned when evidence vanished. I may be a relatively clean cop, but I was by no means perfect, and all of the electronics in my living room had at one point in time been confiscated from some criminal. Which meant I had some really nice stuff.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=Green][FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive][SIZE=1]As for furniture, the living room was fairly scarce. A loveseat and matching recliner, along with a coffee table and end tables, that was it. The entertainment area was actually built into the wall (had to get special permission from my landlord for that), so it didn't count as furniture. My bedroom was nearly bare. Queen-size bed and a dresser. That was it. But that was all a bedroom needed. Rai would have the bed for the next couple of days. I could throw out a sleeping bag in the living room for me.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=Green][FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive][SIZE=1]I crash on the loveseat, pulling the list out of my pocket as I did. This was some dangerous information, and I was nearly at a loss on what to do with it. My day job couldn't do anything with the list (higher-ups were on it), but I wasn't sure my alternative methods of handling things would work either. I needed a plan, which meant I needed to think ? and thinking was difficult with a ready-made distraction in the room.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=Green]?[FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive][SIZE=1][B]Text Jae your address. She's gonna bring us some food.?[/B][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=Green][FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive][SIZE=1]I raised an eyebrow, but shrugged my shoulders and pulled out my phone. If someone else wanted to buy me food, who was I to argue? And I figured I could trust Jae with my address. The text sent I glanced over at Rai and held up the list. I didn't really want to talk about the list, but I also didn't know how to talk about what I did want to, so the list it was.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=Green]?[FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive][SIZE=1][B]You got any ideas for this thing? I'm fresh out.?[/B][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen][SIZE=1][FONT=Comic Sans MS]I don't think I've ever had that issue, although that's probably because I tend to shut it down before they can say anything with a well-timed "I know I need this, this, and this, but I'm only here for this.". That seems to annoy them, a lot. But I come with the advantage of coming from a family full of car nuts, so I know more than a lot of people do about cars. I'm no genius by any means, but at least I can make most of my own repairs. My only real issue came from going for a transmission check-up. The car hadn't shifted into Overdrive the entire year my friend owned it, and that never changed when I had it. I got it checked after about 9 months of driving it, and within a week of the checkup, the transmission died. Considering it had been at least a year and a half (probably closer to 2 and a half) with that problem and no additional issues, I find it far too coincidental, and think the guy screwed with something in my tranny so I'd come back to him with a far more expensive fix (I had every intention of getting the initial problem fixed, I just wanted to know exactly what it was and what I needed to save up). [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen][SIZE=1][FONT=Comic Sans MS]I'm a big fan of Jack Daniels (straight), though I don't drink much, period. I've also found that Scotch is pretty good, but my preference is Jack, which is apparently some sort of crime amongst the people my mom knows. I also like Jose Cuervo Black Medallion. Haven't found a single beer I like yet. Most I've ever drunk at once: 2 Mike's Hard Lemonades, 2 Buttery Nipples, about a shot and a half of vodka straight (which was nasty as hell), and the rough equivalent of about 7 shots of Jack Daniels (exact count unsure....I kind've just poured it all into a really big mug). Made me sick as a dog, though I've a feeling most of that problem was my very empty stomach. That's also the only time I've ever been drunk. [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen][SIZE=1][FONT=Comic Sans MS]I'm gonna have to go with Raiha on this one. I was especially annoyed about the call-out of college students who are 'dating out of town'. I'm sure I'm not the only person here who has known couples who went to different schools but continued their relationships as best they could. Are we to say that there's something wrong with continuing an already existing relationship in a long-distance manner just because it gives them a bigger 'carbon footprint' (which, on a side note, is a painfully aggravating phrase)? Andrew MacLaggan, one of the commenters, also makes an excellent point. The author of the article does seem to confuse casual relationships with serious relationships, and LDRs aren't generally casual. I agree with Anomaly that people do need to get out into the real world more often as a whole (which seems kind of strange to be saying, since we're having this discussion in an online forum), but I think the article is just a little bit nuts. [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[quote name='Allamorph'][center][IMG]http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z158/Allamorph/Misc/lolz/Impossiblycute.jpg[/IMG][/center] [FONT=Arial][I]And if I claim to be a wise man it surely means that I don't know.[/I] ?Kerry Livgren[/FONT][/quote] [COLOR=SeaGreen][SIZE=1][FONT=Comic Sans MS]Not even close to trolling, Allamorph. I could've come up with something far worse than that if I was just baiting for a reaction. I just think it's a good quote, and I happen to agree with it. Here's another one, though I'm unsure of the source (seen it in someone's sig on another board ages ago). [B]"We enter this world bloody, naked, and screaming. Who says the fun has to end there?"[/B] [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[quote name='DeLarge'][SIZE=1]I get the feeling Gavin might get angry at me about this one, but... [/SIZE][center][SIZE=1][B]THINGS YOU DIDN'T HEAR AT THE OLYMPICS [/B][/SIZE][LEFT][SIZE=1][B]"...And it's a Gold for Ireland!"[/B][/SIZE] - [SIZE=1]Andy Parsons[/SIZE] [SIZE=1]I'll stop spamming the thread with MTW quotes now.[/SIZE] [/LEFT] [/center][/quote] [COLOR=SeaGreen][SIZE=1][FONT=Comic Sans MS]That's because drinking isn't an Olympic sport.....*ducks for cover* On topic, and I'm sure I'm gonna get ripped on by somebody for this. [B]"Well, I've often thought that the Bible should have a disclaimer in the front saying this is fiction." - Sir Ian McKellen[/B] Video containing above: [URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IfYvFZjouA[/URL] [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen][SIZE=1][FONT=Comic Sans MS]I'm in Phoenix, AZ now. I've only been here for about 3 weeks though, so I'm still getting used to things. I used to live in Wilkes-Barre, PA, which is about 2 hours north of Philadelphia, and has absolutely nothing to do. Gorgeous scenery if you want to drive a little bit, but nothing whatsoever to do. [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][COLOR=seagreen]Oh, what the hell, I'll pop in on this too (especially since I never have).[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][COLOR=#2e8b57]My real name is Phil, and I'm named after my dad. Do your kids a favor and don't name them after you. It's a pain in the buttocks growing up. I am 23 years old and a college dropout (financial reasons). The name should make it obvious, but for you half-asleep and/or hung over folks reading this, I'm a guy.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][COLOR=#2e8b57]I currently reside in Plymouth, PA, but I will be moving to Phoenix, AZ in less than two weeks (EEP!). I am engaged to be married (probably in Sept 2010). I have mild asthma, and numerous joint problems, especially in my knees. Getting tall quickly is bad for your body. I have one brother and a sister-in-law. My brother is 22 and fairly cool (though he can be a great annoyance, as any good little brother can). My sister-in-law is nuts, if for no other reason than she actually married my brother.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][COLOR=#2e8b57]I believe that education should be a right, not a privilege, and that all the money that private schools end up making would be far better spent making our public schools better and just making the stuck-up rich kids go to school with the rest of us. I think doctors are far too quick to label children as ADD/ADHD, and that someone needs to teach them to distinguish from that and high intellect. I also believe that ADD/ADHD are not necessarily problems, and that people should be taught how to work with them, instead of trying to take medications that let them pretend they don't have it. I am ADD, and I could not function as I do without that blessing.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][COLOR=#2e8b57]I am currently working two jobs, but one is a temporary assignment that runs out in two weeks, and the other is a part-time crap job that doesn't pay worth anything for what I have to do. However, I don't believe in sicking back and whining about bad situations, so I work two jobs and pay my bills.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][COLOR=#2e8b57]I have plans on taking online courses through University of Phoenix beginning in the fall semester 2009 (*fingers crossed*). I'm not sure what I want to do in life, but I will be going for a triple major in business, logistics, and accounting, since it will pretty much guarantee me a job somewhere. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][COLOR=#2e8b57]I love to write, but I have been suffering from a severe case of writer's block that I believe may simply be caused by the stress and nervousness that comes from a cross-country move. The writer's block makes me a very unhappy person.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][COLOR=#2e8b57]I'm a bit of a perfectionist, and have OCD tendencies. I don't permit failure in myself, which makes me a very poor sport at games, because I get angry at myself when I lose.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][COLOR=#2e8b57]My train of thought was interrupted by stupid busy work crap, so I'm done for now. Perhaps it will resume movement later.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[quote name='Mykul'][COLOR=dimgray]Not that I knew what the old hair looked like, Princess, but the new color looks great![/COLOR][/quote] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][COLOR=seagreen]She always does, man. She always does.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][COLOR=#2e8b57]But seriously, the red is nice. Even if it's not what was intended originally, it looks really good.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[quote name='James'][FONT=franklin gothic medium]I was thinking of having my parents over...dinner. [/FONT][/quote] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][COLOR=seagreen]Make sure to tenderize properly. Parents tend to be pretty tough, so it needs some extra care. Perhaps some lemon-pepper seasoning to finish it. :animesmil[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][COLOR=seagreen]Don't think I'll be doing much this year. My original plans are shot because my brother is going to be out of state, and I'm moving to AZ in less than two weeks, so things are crazy kinds of hectic at my house right now (although in as organized a manner as I can manage, as strange as that sounds).[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][COLOR=#2e8b57]I might buy a bottle of Jack Daniels and just hang at my house and get buzzed. Or else go over my friend Eric's house and watch movies and play video games, (which would mean no alcohol, since I would need to drive home).[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[quote name='Sangome'][SIZE=1]The cause of the red ring of death? Yeah, caused by poor ventilation and having the system on for a certain consecutive period of time. I'll see about a fan, but I think just having it well-ventilated will work fine.[/SIZE][/quote] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][COLOR=seagreen]No, no it will not, most unfortunately. It may make it take longer, but it won't save it. Mine was about as well-ventilated as it could be, and still managed to get it. ((Thank goodness for extended warranties.))[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][COLOR=seagreen]I'm with Ace on this one. WTF?! I saw this on the front page of the newspaper on one of my coworkers' desks this morning, and just stopped to stare (then immediately snatched the paper so I could read the article). [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][COLOR=#2e8b57]And who is actually buying this "some type of marital problem" bs? Honestly, if a marital problem means go shoot up a bunch of people who have nothing to do with it, then he obviously had some other issues, and someone dropped a ball here, as they don't show up out of nowhere. This is absolutely insane, and quite depressing on top of it all.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1][COLOR=#2e8b57]Some eight-year-old girl is going to have Christmas ruined for the rest of her life. How unfair is that? I don't even know what to say to this...[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[SIZE=1]This was quite an interesting dilemma. It appeared that I had a number of issues to address, the first being how to handle this list. I had a feeling the best option would actually be to talk to Gavin, but I had no way of contacting him. All I knew was that he was staying in a hotel, and I couldn't go searching all of them to find the right one. I knew Rai would want in on this thanks to her brother somehow being caught in the middle, but I didn't like that idea. I'd already saved her once, and the Southsiders might've made it a second time - I wasn't really up for the idea of going for three. On top of that, she needed at least some time to recover from her injuries. I shivered, and that reminded me of yet another problem. What the hell was wrong with the heat in this place? I thought landlords were supposed to keep these things running, and she certainly didn't own this apartment. But the most pressing issue was probably the lists. I decided to compromise. I knew I wasn't going to talk Rai out of coming with me, so that was a moot issue. However, we would wait until she recovered to try anything truly crazy. If I was walking her into danger, she waas at least going to be 100% ready to take it on. Oh, and then there was the whole issue of the kiss. Nice way to fuck with my head there. I thought there'd been some giant 'JUST FRIENDS' wall in between us, but I got the distinct impression it may have just shattered, and there was the possibility that it was all my move to climb over the rubble. [B]"OK, here's the issue: I know what these are, but I have no idea how to handle them. Killing them off sounds good, but it'll draw suspicion too easily. Perhaps that's why the spooks who informed us haven't done it themselves. "I know you're coming with me. No way I can get out of that while Michael's in the hospital. You've got too much riding here. But you need to recover first. I'm not going to see you dead because you weren't ready for whatever we run into, and while I'd love to be all heroic and shit and say I can protect you, I'm not that naive. Fact is, I might not be able to." [/B]I stopped to take a breath, glancing toward the thermostat. [B]"So, we're going to get a day or two of rest. We can both afford to miss some work anyway. And we're either heading for my place, or I'm going to figure out what the hell is wrong with your fucking heating system."[/B] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=1][FONT=Comic Sans MS]I'm going to have to throw out another agreement here. The drug dealing is not only illegal, but it places the children [/FONT][/SIZE][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1]in an extremely dangerous situation. I know it will be painful to not be able to see the kids, but you really do need to take that risk and turn the scumbag in. As harsh as it sounds, to not do so means you're not much better than him.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1]I've only got two real fears. The biggest one is that I'm afraid of being unable to move (which includes restraints and small spaces, thereby leading most people to believe I'm only claustrophobic). That one comes from a car accident and the subsequent ambulance ride strapped to a back board with a neck brace and fully strapped down when I was about 7. Scary as hell.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1]I'm also afraid of ladders. Seen them fall out from under way too many people (my father included). I can deal with that fear, but I'm never comfortable.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[quote name='ChibiHorsewoman'][COLOR=#9933ff]Oh and now according to a report on my local news union reps are saying that WalMart was negligent and that this could have been prevented[/COLOR][/quote] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1]As much as I despise Wal-Mart, I feel the need to say something here. If there was any negligence on this, it was likely not on Wal-mart. Most large chains (Wal-Mart among them) hire additional security for Black Friday from an outside company. Unfortunately, the chain does not usually get to request a specific number of guards. Instead, the company decides how many to send. Chances are that if anyone was negligent, it was the outside security company who failed to send enough guards for such a large group.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[quote name='Darren']Second, my whole view on gay marriage is simple: The government has no right to tell churches they aren't allowed to perform ceremonial unions between any two people. (Separation of church and state) The way I see it, it shouldn't even be a governmental issue. It should be entirely up to the individual churches as to weather or not they would want to unite two men or two women in holy matrimony. Personally, I don't see why gay couples want to get married in a church. They're all about the bible and to them, being gay is so morally wrong that they probably don't even want to be uniting a gay couple. There's a little thing called justice of the peace. (And no, it doesn't have to be all run down and a quick five minute ceremony where only three people show up as witnesses. It can be just as fancy as a real wedding)[/quote] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1]Therein lies the problem, Darren. These aren't just about getting married in a church. Marriage is its own legal status, aside from being a religious thing. Even if it's done by a JoP, it's still a marriage. Even if 'gay marriage' was legal, a church has the right to deny performing the ceremony based on religious reasons (thanks to our religious freedom).[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1]Anyway, I just wanted to comment on that. I know it has been mentioned in other topics that reasons for not voting for Prop 8 are not necessarily anti-gay. The whole thing was a bit more complicated than that, but as I don't know the exact wording, I can't say anything else. But you may want to look into that also. [/SIZE][/FONT]

[quote name='Nessaja']Also, I have like no upper arm strength. I excercise my arms of course, just not enough I guess. And I know it's a bit vain of me, but I'm also kind of afraid I'll build up too much arm muscles and look scary. :animeblus[/quote] You should look into different methods of building arm strength. Not all strength building exercises are designed for bulking up. Maybe talk to a personal trainer or something like that. I'd give you a list of things, but I honestly don't remember right now (as often as I look into starting to really exercise, I'm horrible at getting up the motivation to do it, so I quickly forget...).

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1]Just to get it out of the way for anyone here who does know what they are, I am aware there is a difference between parkour and free running, though as I am not a practitioner (sp?) of either, I probably couldn't properly describe it.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1]Anyway, I'm posting this because I'm curious to see if anyone here practices either parkour or free running. I'm interested, though I'm guessing knee issues and mild asthma might make it a bit of a problem for me.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1]If anyone does practice, how would you recommend getting started, and which do you practice?[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1]I'll probably have lots more questions later, but the arrival of actual work means I must cut this post short.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1]I found out about this last year and was going to participate, but forgot. I wish I had done it though. I can't do it this year. I'm working two jobs plus repairing my father's house, and I simply don't have the spare time to do it in. Maybe next year I'll be able to give it a shot. It certainly sounds like a load of fun. (Although I've been having serious issues writing lately.)[/SIZE][/FONT]