Brasil

If I was an action figure...now this is a fun and interesting "what would you be" topic. My action figure would be an action doll. It would encompass the ideals of an action figure, but would be plushie. I suppose, the very first, and certainly most important feature...KARATE CHOP ACTION. An action figure is useless without karate chop action, as we all know. My action plushie would have a speaking module in it, with familiar phrases like "We are Marxist Pythonians," "'Viva la Cinnaminsonia!'," "Come to the Dark Side and we can rule New Jersey together," "I'm naked under this blanket." I wouldn't have too many abilities. Probably some basic martial arts (I'd be a monk), a life-sized pen as my staff, a hyperadvanced halo around my head, and Rocky Balboa trunks as my undergarment. So, PT would be a Python Plushie, estimated retail value, 15 dollars; actual production cost, 2.50; comes with user's manual and guide, along with a mental anguish warranty of 2 years. Anything I'm missing...ah! If you buy the Deluxe Python Plushie (35 dollars), you get in the special leather-bound case: The complete 3 volume Marxist Pythonian Manifesto, rich with Cinnaminsonian history and Marxist Pythonian Lore, entitled Flying Circuses. Your very own Marxist Pythonian Training guide, with the four skill trees marked so you can chart your progress into Marxist Pythonianism. And to top it all off, a signed poster of the founding fathers of Cinnaminsonia (Matt, Alex, Scott, Chris, and Paul), and [i]for a limited time only[/i] a signed headshot from the founder of the Marxist Pythonian Academy himself, Alex. Everyone will want a Python Plushie, I hope...lol. :D Suitable answer?

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by vegeta rocker [/i] [B]I posted earlier that i did not agree with the excessive force used by the authorities in the raid. They did not need to use that particular kind of force. I however disagree with all the crap about emotional scarring. Maybe that is what they needed. Yeah, im no saint. I've gotten messed up before. But i never let it drift over in high school. Im one of the people that think marijuana should be legalized, but that's a whole other debate. What I'm getting at is that the accusation of emotional scarring comes up every time a kid is either questioned or punished. Yeah so let me repeat myself, they used excessive force in this instance that was totally uncalled for. I disagree however with the severity of the raid being the first thing parents think of, rather then just what their kids are doing. [/B][/QUOTE] Thanks for clearing that up. My follow-up question would be... If you're the parent of a "druggie" high school student, but don't know for certain that your child is into drugs...and hear that this kind of raid happened at your child's school, you would be more concerned with the drug use than your child in the sights of a gun? And my second follow-up question would be... "I however disagree with all the crap about emotional scarring. Maybe that is what they needed." Many here know that I hold very harsh views on capital punishment and punishment in general. If given the option, I would choose a very suitable sentence for a convicted cop killer. I realize that druggie high schoolers are far from cop killers, but [i]nobody[/i] needs a raid like that in any school. No high schooler deserves that, no matter how many lines of coke they're doing, no matter how many joints they've sucked cold, no matter how much of their parents' liquor cabinets is replaced with water. I certainly think it's foolhardy to just write off the notion of emotional trauma here, simply because it may be overused elsewhere in this country. This is a case of the end not justifying the means. One last question. On 9/11, when you first saw those planes collide into the WTC, did you think of the [i]reasons[/i] why that happened? Were you thinking of a terrorist organization plotting and executing that raid and mused over what their ideologies were? Or were you thinking what the rest of America was thinking in the first news of it: "Oh my God...the horror! That's so terrible. Oh my God...oh my God...oh Jesus! Those buildings...those people...oh my God..." ?

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by vegeta rocker [/i] [B]I fail to see how middle america can bicker over civil rights and emotional scarring when kids are getting high in a haven like school. How can parents be expected to feel their children are safe? Yeah the raid was a bit extreme, but so is selling drugs in school. We are just so used to it that we don't see the magnitude of the situation. To us its everyday news. Oh another kid got busted....no big deal. we never stop and think what is happening to us. [/B][/QUOTE] Are you...I really can't tell, forgive me...are you...disagreeing with the idea that that level of violent action in a high school is uncalled for? That shoving a gun in a kid's face simply because a classmate happens to get high every night...is acceptable? I agree that drugs suck. I agree they're destroying our society as we know it. But nowhere did I seriously insinuate that nothing be done. The comments I made were in jest...sarcastic...humorous, if you will. Believe me, I do not condone drug use in high schools or lower. I figure, college students, you're adults. Do whatever you want as long as you don't puke on me. HC even does not condone drug use, regardless of how many times he got high in high school (no offence, HC). [quote][i]Originally posted by Heaven'sCloud[/i] [b]is though I don?t condone drug use, especially at school (how stupid can ya get?), I think that waving a loaded gun at a scared, frightened, impressionable teenager is infinitely more stupid and dangerous.[/b][/quote] See? Just one thing more that interests me here. [quote][i]Originally posted by vegeta[/i] [b]How can parents be expected to feel their children are safe? Yeah the raid was a bit extreme, but so is selling drugs in school. We are just so used to it that we don't see the magnitude of the situation.[/b][/quote] What would make you feel safer? 1) Having armed SWAT teams barreling through your high school, locking everything down, aiming a Glock right at your forehead? or 2) A student populace getting drunk and/or high? I would think more would choose the former, but that's just me.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Heaven's Cloud [/i] [color=indigo]I spent too much time in high school smoking pot and attempting to decipher the various symbolic connotations of Pink Floyd's ?Dark Side of the Moon? album to not find humor in your initial remark; that is why I replied with a similarly sarcastic jest. And yes, I caught the blatant G. Dubb reference, and I thought it was quite clever :) So I guess what I am trying to say [b]is though I don?t condone drug use, especially at school (how stupid can ya get?), I think that waving a loaded gun at a scared, frightened, impressionable teenager is infinitely more stupid and dangerous. [/b] My younger sister is still in high school and if I heard that a police officer pointed a gun at my sister's head because they expected she may be harboring some "gonge" I think I may be prompted to send them a concerned mail-bomb...[/color][/QUOTE] I've bolded the precise idea. The way I see it, the more and more "raids" that go on in schools, especially heavy duty raids like this one, the more and more likely the chance of another Columbine. I mean, think about it. Here are students who just went through a hellish experience with handguns pointed in their faces. Is that supposed to make things easier in school? Is that supposed to make things easier on coping in an already stressful environment? I think not. It only serves to hurt and very likely scar them very badly...for the rest of their lives in some cases. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Columbine perpetrators were quite mentally unstable just from teasing and general social outcasting. Granted, they were very deranged individuals, but that combination of deranged individual mixed with simple, run-of-the-mill high school environment led to the worst school shooting the USA has ever seen. This high school in South Carolina seemed to be the typical high school, apart from a higher drug use--wait...no. My old high school has turned into "Heroin High," and I'm damn sure more drugs are done than just that, so this South Carolina school [i]is[/i] just another run-of-the-mill, modern day high school, which means, students are probably teased, disgruntled, and have just been put through a very traumatic experience with firearms a foot away from their heads. I'm not saying one of them is going to massacre their classmates, but the situation is not unlike the danger of Columbine...at least, in my opinion.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Crimson Spider [/i] [B]I hate it when you pause the game to go to the bathroom, and while your gone, your "friend" unpauses the game, and beats the crap out of you while your gone. Such cowards. [/B][/QUOTE] Depends on who you play against, CS. Your friends are obviously discouraged about fighting you directly, using the "Potty Break Backstab" to gain the upper hand. It's happened to me. But, the trick is, be skilled enough to come back with no health, as they all have surrounded you, with KF7 Soviets trained on your head and kill them. Skill goes a long way against the Potty Break Backstab. Multiplayer madness...such good memories. My multiplayer memories consisted mainly of the Potty Break Backstab. Whether my friends and I were shooting each other in GoldenEye, beating the living piss out of each other in Smash, or running around like maniacs playing Virus in TimeSplitters 2, the main technique was straight-up fighting, but we took every opportunity that we could, including PBB. The trick is to not get annoyed or angry at PBB, but just beat them doubly harshly when you get back. They never enjoy it when you kill them twice upon returning to that reduced health. My deathmatches don't pause at all, actually...odd...I never realized. We're far too intent on continuing the game, killing each other, and they're too intent on slaughtering me to care enough to pause. Plus, pausing usually means potty break, and potty breaks mean Potty Break Backstabs. Yep. 300!

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Heaven's Cloud [/i] [B][color=indigo]I don?t think you understand the true seriousness of this situation PT. The police charged twelve people with possession of narcotics or paraphernalia (which can be anything from a bong to a paper clip molded into a roach clip), that is nearly 0.8% of the student body. I think that more than makes up for 20-30% of the student body that was emotionally or psychologically scarred by the incident. :p[/color] [/B][/QUOTE] HC, you saucy fellow. ;) I do indeed understand the graveness of the said situation. The equivalent of a SWAT team or greater busted down the school door, so to speak, and stuck firearms in teenager's faces. Not fun times at Ridgemont High. (

HC brings up a good point, here. Most of the fanfics on OB are dreadful. The faster they get pushed down, the better. No offence to anyone who writes fanfic, but...yeah. It's generally understood that most fanfic is filled with blah dialogue, outright ridiculous premises, and god-awful narrative structure. I've only seen 5 fanfics in my life that had any semblance of intelligence, and they weren't "true fanfics," either; they were wide satires, encompassing [i]many[/i] topics and incorporating them in a way that made sense. The characters weren't lumped together for the sake of the story; the characters were together for a reason. Characters out of story, not story out of characters. Plus, considering fanfic uses pre-made and often fully drawn characters, to think one can squeeze some unseen, never-before-realized depth of the characters is preposterous. I don't see the need for a separate forum for fanfic. Creating multiple forums would just create a need for more Mods, and I don't think Mitch would enjoy patrolling two boards that could easily be one, lol. I'm not a Mod, though, so I can't offer any further insight than that.

I know the raid looked violent, horrible, traumatic, scarring, emotionally damaging, and ill-advised, and apparently they found no solid evidence of any drugs, but please, [b][i]give the locker inspectors time.[/i][/b] I'm [i]positive[/i] there are drugs in there. The dogs [i]smelled[/i] them! The school officials and authorities [i]told[/i] us! That's incontrovertible, undeniable, and outright irrefutable evidence of weapons of mass consumption! Give the locker inspectors time. Please, for the safety of schools [i]everywhere[/i], let them search this high school in South Carolina. We will find those doers of evil drugs...you have my solemn oath. :rolleyes:

Yeah, Mimmi, that's the funny thing. I've never played Disc World, never even read about it. I have no idea what the game is about. Mitch, it's part of a longer piece, yep. The longer piece is in the process of being written. I'm looking at it to be mainstream literary fiction, character-driven, but yet have a certain...flair to it, something original, a fun eccentricity. Grim Fandago...I was talking with James, and he very adamantly recommended Grim Fandago to me. Apparently, it features the same demented and oddball humor that I love, and that runs through Burnt-Out Angel. Sara, lol. You were right in worrying about something extremely long. Hopefully, Burnt-Out Angel will be a novella when complete, looking at 70 pages. I suppose some of my work here is...wordy. Thinking of EPICITY? Hope you get less sick there. ::sends some good, wholesome chicken soup her way::

While some may only watch it to "Oww...", it is recommended that you view it in its entirety. It's entire entirety. There's an excellent, dark twist at the end...well, not [i]dark-dark[/i] as in evil and destructive, but "dark" as in...devious. :D Some people just never learn...(watch it fully and you'll get why I said that.) Nice work, Jenn. I get a strange feeling that a buddy icon somewhere out there has lost its little man. You didn't kidnap them again, did you? DID YOU? :naughty:

[img]http://www.otakuboards.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=515034[/img]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Manic [/i] [B]I have this weird theory on seeing the future. Bare with me. The human mind processes information faster than any man-made computer. I believe that if there is a subconsious part of the human mind, it collects information (based on prior knowledge and anything picked up by our 5 senses) and calculates the most probable outcome of any situation. So when you're predicting the future, you're actually calculating the most probable future. This could also explain why you get that "I think I'm forgetting something" feeling. You subconsious memory (the stuff you've forgotten) is letting you know you're forgetting something. I'm 80% sure I'm wrong, though. I just think it'd be kool if that's how our minds really worked. Of course, that's assuming there is such thing as "mind." :cross: [/B][/QUOTE] Manic, you're not totally far-off, believe it or not. Speaking from actual, personal experience, the subconscious knows almost everything about you and those around you. When you get that weird feeling about something, unsure about what is the right choice, that's your subconscious letting you know something is wrong. When you hear that we only use 10% of our brain, it's not so ridiculous. The human mind has an insane amount of potential; we just need to unlock it. I used to never believe in ESP, telekinesis, telepathy, and stuff like that, but just seeing what I can do with the [i]tiny[/i] amount of potential that I've unlocked, I am seriously interested in just how far I can go. "Sixth sense," while being a human-made term, is very real. It may not be a [i]conscious[/i] knowledge or power, but the subconscious is definitely working in it.

Not to keep going on MK, lol, but James said something that I feel is very important. [quote][i]Originally posted by James[/i] [b]because MK3 was so much smoother; it was more fluid, it felt more natural and it had a stronger emphasis on combos (and thus, felt like a more complex fighter).[/b][/quote] That is one of the criteria that should always make or break a fighting game. Regardless of personal opinion, regardless of how many people think what, a smooth and fluid fighting engine [i]should[/i] be required. Some of this deals with technology, of course, I mean, we shouldn't expect something like MKDA or Soul Calibur 2 on NES, but for this day and age, with the gaming advancements we have, we should not stand for a fighting game in which you can't link attacks and a game in which the fighting feels like it's underwater (unless, of course, you have entered a bizarre cheat that alters the gameplay mode...). That's just not acceptable, lol. I only mention NES because there were some very great and fluid 16-bit fighting games. Killer Instinct and Street Fighter, for example. Even a lesser-known title called Eternal Champions was, in my opinion, extremely fluid and intuitive--plus original. I had never seen such a wide variety of character designs before Eternal Champions. I can't think of any long-lasting fighting games that didn't possess a smooth and fluid fighting engine. I felt that Ballz, which was a pretty short-lived pseudo-3D fighting game, was overrated. I found it extremely unwieldy and hard to play. For a game that reveled in the idea of character transformation and such, it didn't feel fluid and smooth; it felt sloppy. Plus, half of the time, I couldn't tell where my fighter ended and my opponent's began. Every fighting game I've played that I've loved has had a smooth engine. Soul Calibur 2, Smash Bros (Original and Melee), MKDA, Killer Instinct, and to a lesser extent, the recent Capcom/SNK offerings. OK, lol. SMS. I found the visuals to be stunning, really, I did. The reflective surfaces in the water were remarkable, the liquid nature of the FLUDD, the mud, and the paint was a visual feast. The use of FLUDD was very fun, and I found myself outright ignoring finding the Shines, and just having fun, throwing myself off of buildings just to see how effective those water jets really were...hehe. But my time with SMS was short-lived, as I had lost interest in the platformer genre a few months prior. I haven't touched a "True" platformer since. The genre doesn't appeal to me anymore. Whiplash will probably change my opinion, however. It's described as a buddy adventure on crack. We play as a weasel with a ball-and-chain bunny to use as our weapon. The premise is to escape from some lab/product testing facility and destroy as much as we can along the way. There are no items to collect, no stars, no gems...just pure, unadulterated mayhem, with a healthy dose of comedic dementia liberally added in. :D As many of you know, I very much enjoy comedic insanity (go Marx Bros!), so I'm definitely looking forward to Whiplash. James tells me that Sam And Max is similar to what Whiplash is said to be, so I just might check that out... But yes, I didn't feel SMS was overrated; I found it quite fun. I just wasn't interested in platformers.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Shinmaru [/i] [B]And about the button mashing...I regularly play fighting games with a bunch of button mashing bastards lol. That's probably where my whole perception of that came fom. [/B][/QUOTE] That would affect most gamers' opinions. I've fought against some pretty bad button mashers in my time. ::glares at RPCrazy:: heh. The button mashing subsides as the gamer becomes more in tune with the game. I've found that button mashing derives out of lack of understanding of game mechanics. Smash, for instance. Gamers button mash because they don't realize just what a player can do with Sheik or Mario...or Peach, for that matter. It's interesting to see what kind of awards one gets in Smash Melee. I very, very rarely get "Control Freak." While my opponents may move the joystick much faster than me, and while they may slam those buttons more than I do, I still achieve the upper hand through timing and pacing, planning ahead, in a sense. In MKDA, I have the most fun fighting against my brother. He and I use the same exact fighting style: timing. Of course, our hits will connect occasionally and cause massive damage as we exploit the opening and link a combo, but for the most part, hit-block-hit-block. We have swordfights all the time. I play as Kenshi, he plays as Shang Tsung and there are clangs of clashing steel every second. It's good stuff. Then he slices me in the knee, then stuns me with a stab to the face, but doesn't continue the attack as one would in Smash, because MKDA isn't that fast-paced fighting game. Methodical, timing. I get up, send him airborne with a vertical slice (he hates that, heh), then Force push him away. We go back to the center of the ring and start circling, looking for that prime opening to cause the remaining 50% damage. :D I really am pleased that there are no cheap hits in MKDA, apart from Sonia and the corner traps. You're fighting against the wrong people, Shin. You should fly out to the East Coast sometime, visit Philly and make a stop in Cinnaminson. There are excellent fighters in South Jersey who don't button mash. Wow...that was entirely Off-Topic.\ EDIT: Oh, and what is your avatar, Shin? It looks like...Fry from Futurama in a Fat-Batman/Dr. Livingstone Pith Helmet.

Haha. Not "Zelda fight." "Zelda [i]discussion[/i]." [url]http://yesterdayland.elsewhere.org/popopedia/shows/arcade/ag1142.php[/url] 1987. Who would have thought that the Street Fighter debut only featured 2 (!!!) fighters? And now we have mega Capcom/SNK/Marvel cross-overs featuring upwards of 40 characters...wow. Hmm...Mortal Kombat. If we're talking about any MK related games between II and Deadly Alliance, then oh yeah, they're crap. 3 on through...Trilogy, was it? Gold? 4? Anyway, the individual titles don't matter...I feel Deadly Alliance saved the MK series. 1 and 2 were great games, original, injected new life into the fighting genre (and gave those Street Fighter fanboys a twist in their panties hehehe). 3 began the series downfall, leading the series into abysmal crap like Mythologies (sure, Mythologies was fun to play for a bit, then you realized just how bulky it was lol) and Special Forces. I wouldn't necessarily call the entire MK series overrated, just 3 through whatever came before Deadly Alliance. MK shouldn't be a button masher, and for the most part, it isn't. When you compare it to Tekken, MK isn't too much of a button masher. Come to think of it, MKDA isn't a button masher at all. Successful victories require timing, pacing, strategic movement, and the moves are linkable--not very effective when smashed alone. They almost require combos in order to be useful. 3 through Gold were certainly overrated regardless of the minute praise they may have received. Granted, 3 [i]did[/i] introduce a nice combo idea, but that same combo idea was being used in Virtua Fighter already with a much higher success (Right? My fighting genre history isn't too solid.). Thinking about the series even more, MKDA incorporated all of the gameplay ideas of the series (combos from 3, 3D and weapons from 4) and used them very well. I don't think one can write off the entire MK series as overrated, as 1, 2, and MKDA are truly excellent games. Now, as not to turn this into a "Mortal Kombat fight," lol, I'm thinking Serious Sam is overrated. Serious Sam received very high ratings and positive reviews, but the game is most definitely overrated. For one, it's glitchy beyond anything. The copy I rented wouldn't even load singleplayer, and I've heard this is a rampant problem with 75% of the copies. The deathmatch was nothing spectacular, TimeSplitters 2 beats the living piss out of it. The Hippie Blood, which the reviews called "ingenius," was shoddily executed. Based on the reviews, I expected to see massive amounts of flowers pouring out of my enemy's body. That's not the case. It's a short spurt and that's it. The body leaves a giant flower on the ground, but the flower is kind of muted and colorless. I suppose I kept picturing something like Paintball Mode from GE. I think Serious Sam is a budget title now, under 20 dollars and with good reason. It's way overrated. There are much, much better FPS out there.

Shin, the only thing I'd mention about 3D level design...LttP featured some multi-layered levels. I think the multi-tiered dungeons worked really well. Granted, of course, that kind of 2D overhead with 3D wasn't possible with NES...although, Link's Adventures was almost what LttP featured. Side-scrolling, but did feature multi-layered dungeons. Perhaps LttP was where "rarely used idea" came from? James, good point. Technical limitations are a ***** and a half. What I'd love to see...if they could create a LoZ or OOT on Cube, with WW graphics (I love the WW graphics. They fit the series so well. ^_^). As not to be Off-Topic, lol...what game do I feel is overrated... Metal Gear Solid 2. I felt like it was just an overblown sequel to a very poignant original. Everything about MGS2 felt...drab. The protagonist was annoying, the CODEC went off at the worst times and often with Rose on the other end chatting some inane romantic banter. MGS2 was filled with boring characters and backstory. Fortune was the only villain to live up to the caliber of MGS1. MGS2's plot was...convoluted and unfocused. It went in 10 different directions at a time. It didn't feel coherent and the dialogue was substandard. Overall, a disappointing sequel.

OK, calm down and take a few deep breaths. Inhale slowly, hold it for a few seconds, then let it out. Let your body move with the air. I realize this is going to sound weird, but read the post then follow my instruction. Close your eyes, clear your mind. Feel yourself drifting off. Take deep, calming, soothing breaths. Just concentrate on the sensation of cool, relaxing movement. Repeat this for a few minutes and you'll feel calm.

That's called sexual harassment. Tell your teacher IMMEDIATELY. This kid was touching you in an inappropriate manner, causing you anxiety and creating a hostile and uncomfortable environment. Band trip or no, though I realize how demented band people are (I was in band and such), that is NOT right. Tell your teacher, tell your guidance conselors...let the admins know what happened. Just tell them exactly what you said here. EDIT: KOTR, nice avatar and banner.

Considering I just purchased my Xbox, I'm sticking with it for a while. I'm probably not going to purchase any new systems for a while. But, if I did decide to go for Xbox2, I'd certainly get my system remodeled. I'm not about to spend another 300 bucks on something if I can get a free upgrade on something I already own. To quote Louis Tulley from Ghostbusters, "It just makes good financial sense."

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Shinmaru [/i] [B]Hmm...I somehow managed to avoid this for a while. Anyway, if anything, the orignal Pokemon games are [i]underrated[/i]. It's just that they get tremendous loads of hatred vented against them because of all the exploitation it's gone through via Nintendo (really...I'm a huge fan of Nintendo...and even [i]I[/i] thought it was too much). Pokemon Red, Blue, Silver and Gold are all good, addicting games. Yellow and Crystal I could've done without, since they didn't add too much to the gameplay of Pokemon. I found Pokemon Snap interesting, if a bit short. And Pokemon Pinball owns you and your mother. Seriously, if you even remotely enjoy pinball, Pokemon Pinball would be a great pickup. I've wasted so much time with it, it's amazing o_O [/B][/QUOTE] Shin, it's scary how alike we think sometimes. Pokemon Red and Blue are very underrated, good call. Red and Blue are excellent games. I played them constantly as I sat in the auditorium during Drama club rehearsals. They're very good timekillers, and fun to boot. But the backlash against N for the vast commercialization of the franchise really put some hurting on the fun factor of Pokemon, and fans' attitudes were shaped by the outrageous and lunatic exploitation. I would go as far as to say, the exploitation of Pokemon added to the fanboy hatred of Nintendo. To talk about what I think is the most overrated game...I would usually say OOT, but Nightfire comes in VERY VERY close second. I love the Zelda series, but OOT just didn't do anything for me. I didn't feel the freedom that I felt in the original, I didn't feel the exhilaration of the NES edition. OOT felt really restricted. I missed searching 8 dungeons for the 8 pieces of the Triforce. I missed Death Mountain...the feel of a massive labryinth, dead-ends, death in almost every room. 4 LikeLikes and 6 Wizzrobes in a room that gave you very little maneuvering space. I missed that in OOT, and miss that in WW, too. I still have not found the Red Ring in LoZ, but I've gotten every piece of equipment in OOT. I suppose, my biggest disappointment with OOT is that it tells you exactly where to go, the levels are really linear, and it's not epic. Nightfire. I'm a GoldenEye veteran, so really no other FPS Bond game can impress me. Not too many games have captivated me for that long...the list is actually pretty small. LoZ, SMB Trilogy (NES), Contra, Mutant League Hockey, GE, MGS1, Smash Bros. Some call me a snob, some call me an idiot, but GE is the FPS Bond master. It's not that I'm bigoted against EA (they had a hand in Mutant League Hockey), it's just that Nightfire failed on so many levels. Really, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that I hate it...it's going up against one of my favorite FPS of all time. I've heard a small rumor of EA making a GoldenEye 2...but I haven't heard anything more except an announcement. If EA does indeed remake GE, and if the remake is inferior...they're going to lose so many gamers. I've already jumped ship to TimeSplitters 2, as have all my GE vet friends.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Mitch [/i] [B][size=1] Not exactly..it comes from the latin verb [i]purgat[/i], which means to clean. And getting a straight definition from the dictionary, one finds this: [i]Roman Catholic Church. A state in which the souls of those who have died in grace must expiate their sins[/i] You are right that it is a plane between heaven and hell...but it's also a place where people make up for their sins. I also see how one could say that one living now is in a purgatory. But we aren't "expiating" our sins. We are making more sins every day, if you think in accordance to religion. Also note it says for those who have died in "grace." This further kills your idea somewhat. All of us are not born nor die in grace...I mean, we are born with original sin if you believe in the Christain faith. Which I don't...but that is also where my beliefs rely.[/size] [/B][/QUOTE] Yes, living out an average existence, not in Heaven, nor Hell, correct? Purgatory is the level between Heaven and Hell, in which we live out an existence where most suffer for their sins (crimes). Our world [i]is[/i] a cleansing world, when you look at it, Mitch. Look at how many people are suffering from evil things they did. I'd say that's "expiating" for our sins (crimes). Would you disagree? You've said that as soon as we're born, we're dead (or dying), so why now say that we're actually living? Now, as we are born, we're immediately on the road to death, correct? I mean, that's what we're heading to as soon as we...begin. You just said you don't believe in Original Sin, so you must not believe that we are all born guilty, correct? So then...you believe that most of us [i]are[/i] born with Grace, as you don't believe in birth with Original Sin. And, since birth is essentially death, we have all died with Grace and are now expiating our sins, which is the very definition of Purgatory, correct? EDIT: "All of us are not born nor die in grace...I mean, we are born with original sin if you believe in the Christain faith. Which I don't...but that is also where my beliefs rely." Am I the only one who notices a slight contradiction here? First you say none of us are born nor die in grace. Then, you bring in Original Sin, but then say you don't believe it...and then you say that's where your beliefs lay. Do you believe that babies are Sinful? They seem pretty innocent to me...they seem pretty [i]graceful[/i] to me.

OK, I was in the shower, and I realized that there's a distinction we might be forgetting about. Classic vs masterpiece. I don't have too much time to go into it, as class starts in under an hour, but classic can stand the test of time (much how someone said previously, sorry I can't name names...no time lol), while a masterpiece is something that (for lack of a better phrase) makes your jaw drop. Now here's the interesting thing. Classics can be masterpieces, and masterpieces can be classics, but not all the time. Pulp Fiction, which I feel is one of the most perfect films ever made, is a masterpiece AND classic, as it has stood the test of time and fans are still enthralled by it in 2003, 8 years after its release. The original King Kong is a masterpiece that stands the test of time, therefore achieving both classic and masterpiece status. Matrix 1, certainly a "masterpiece" in most senses of the word, but I don't see it achieving classic status like Pulp Fiction or King Kong. Regarding remakes, King Kong. The remake sucked and got blasted by critics. The public hated it, and it had no staying power at all. Its execution was totally weak, and the acting was...abysmal. Thus, while 1933 was a classic, the 70s remake was most certainly not. Psycho. Do I really need to describe how horrible the remake was compared to the Hitchcock classic/masterpiece original, or compared to suspense thrillers in general? I'll EDIT more in later. Quick EDIT: Asuka, don't worry. We're all Star Wars geeks in some form or another. ;)

?The Tale Of Itaris? The young Amazon moved silently through the brush, quietly following her quarry. She stepped softly, so softly. How a leopard would stalk its prey, how a wolf must get ever closer to its prey, using the cover of silence; Following her quarry, she made not a sound. She could not. Noise would have revealed her and would then make known her location. Ahead there; A stream was heard. Rustling water grew ever louder as she stepped closer and closer to the edge of the lush emerald foliage. The trees cleared: The stream now was visible; as if the shield of darkness had been lifted and as if the light of knowledge was shining brightly, bright holy glow from the Sun, giver of Life. Itaris now then took sight of her new surroundings. The great beast had disappeared; She had lost the hunt, but she would not give up. For she would not return to her tribe Empty-handed, with her hands full of that that cannot be. She would get PhunBaba's head. Itaris ventured farther out into the clearing, farther out of the forest, Tightly clutching her long bow; her long bow Tightly clutched, its power ever apparent and never faltering, for it was a fine bow, worthy of use by any God. Upstream was a great sound; And Itaris Looked. And she saw the trees fall. And out of the trees lumbered the Great PhunBaba, its mouth stained deep red: Red like the fiery pits of the Hellishness that was kept at bay at the ends of this world, Creeping ever closer; With the blood of her fellow tribe members Dried upon his chin, PhunBaba let out a colossal bellow, and the birds flew from the safety of their nests in the trees. It was with great fortune this great Demon Had not yet noticed Itaris. She thanked the Gods for that. They were looking fair upon her, for she would not have been given this chance had it not been for their good-spirits. This was the moment, and the moment had come. Itaris knew this. She quickly drew an arrow from her quiver, which held so many of the deadly projectile, nocked it, and asked the Gods for a steady hand: With which she will send an arrow to PhunBaba's head; For the arrow's path to be true: So it may not waver in its flight; And for its flight to be of strength and be the strongest: To strike its target with a mighty crushing blow; A blow that will be with the might of the Gods, and a blow that will be crushing to-wards her foe, PhunBaba, who, being her foe, she must be destroy. And Itaris asked the Gods: ?Oh, Lords Of Lords and Gods and Goddesses, enchant this bow with mystical forces that you, Oh Noblest of Leaders, see fit, so that the arrow that is nocked in my bow when loosed from it, shall fly with a power greater than that of a mortal man. For we are dust, and you are the wind, and you have control over this world, and we have none power to change this world, excepting that you grant us, with all greatness of yours, and the wisdom that is held, grant the knowledge that is the light, that will protect and will deliver us from harm and all its cruel and evil paths.? And that passage was said, and Itaris Released the arrow from her trusty bow. And the blessed arrow, that flew from her bow, struck the Demon, PhunBaba; And caused a great pain. And PhunBaba cried out, and the earth shook. And PhunBaba then fell, and the earth shook. Itaris now approached, with this fallen body of the great PhunBaba scented Of the scent of Sulphur, a stench rising And growing strong as Itaris came close. And it was at this moment, that in her tribe, they were praying to Lærtia, the Goddess of the hunt, for the safe return of Itaris, for Itaris to be successful in her quest, to take the head of PhunBaba. And the prayer was led by Queen Aetoliea, the lovely mother of Itaris. And Queen Aetoliea led the prayer and prayed to Lærtia and said; ?Oh, wise and noble Lærtia, you who have granted us our good fortune and prosperous hunts, please look kindly upon my offspring, Itaris, my daughter, the one whom I bore and fed from my breast, and see that she is triumphant in her quest, and she sees safety, and has not doubt in her mind when she confronts her foe, the great PhunBaba, And will strike him down with a great power And courage and a great valour, for I know she is worthy of your loving praise.? And, as she heard this, the great Goddess, Lærtia, In all her glorious beauty, appeared before the queen. And words flew from her lips, as a flock of birds would fly to the south when the air is chilling, and she said; ?Do not fear, Aetoliea, for your daughter is victorious in defeating The Great PhunBaba, and is returning home with the speed of the winds, and the love and blessings of the Gods.? And those words were spoken, and, at that moment, The trumpets were sounded and their glorious pitch was heard ?round, and there, at that moment, Queen Aetoliea was relieved of worry, her heart full of joy, for Itaris had arrived. And there was much rejoicing, and much feasting. And praise was placed on Itaris? head, and a blessing from the High Council Of Elders. And there was ceremony, led by Queen Aetoliea, to honor her daughter, Itaris, by bestowing on her a great inheritance, and a great honour. Queen Aetoliea, in all her good wisdom and beauty, bid her daughter come, and said; ?Itaris, you are truly prevailing in your quest, for your quest was to return with the great PhunBaba?s head, and you have returned with it. And now, I am filled with joy to present to you your prize: I am bequeathing the throne upon you this day.? And saying that, Aetoliea removed her crown and placed it lightly thus upon Itaris? golden hair, and then bid her rise to see her new court, to see the land in a new light. To see the forest, the winding rivers, and the flocks of birds flying so gracefully over their heads. And now Itaris was queen of the tribe. ?Long live the queen.? Shouted loud her people. And months passed.

?I Don?t Wanta? Sleigh Your Reindeer? I don?t wanta? sleigh your Reindeer, It wouldn?t be very nice. I don?t wanta? sleigh your Reindeer, I?d have to put him on ice. I don?t wanta? sleigh your Reindeer, ?Cause I think you?re kinda? mad. I don?t wanta? sleigh your Reindeer, It?d make me very sad. I don?t wanta? sleigh your Reindeer, But just love him, and hug him all the time. I don?t wanta? sleigh your Reindeer, I hoped you wouldn?t mind. ?Cause if I sleigh your Reindeer, I?d be unhappy all the time. I don?t wanta? sleigh your Reindeer, Because I think that?s pretty sick. I don?t wanta? sleigh your Reindeer, ?Cause I don?t like using that ice pick. Why do you want to off Rudolph? Please, don?t dispose of Dancer, And also, if you will, Please don?t bother Prancer. I don?t wanta? sleigh your Reindeer, I just want to feed him grain. But if you pay me enough, Then I?ll sleigh your Reindeer, But you cut out the brain.

Just a quick thought. I'm not religious in the least, but...Purgatory is essentially the world right in the middle, not quite Heaven, not quite Hell, a place in which we exist for a good while and basically live out an average existence. Sounds a lot like the world today. I say we're in Purgatory.