Baron Samedi

[color=darkred][size=1]Nathan smirked to hear the pretty one mutter something about men. Why couldn't women just be appreciative of stuff? Why always complain? Nathan was awestruck. Of course, he had nothing to compare it with, but this ship was...beautiful. Gorgeous. Dazzling. A marvel. A sight to behold. It was also going to be his home for a long while. Nathan supposed he could have been more impressed though. Nine years in a jail cell desensitises one to the world, and particularly what was going on in it. But the admiring gasps of several other members of the crew indicated that this was a primo piece of equipment. Trying to sneak a look at Lilia's butt [so tight in those pants!], Nathan followed the crew up a shallowly sloping ramp, into the bowels of the ship.[/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred]Ok. Make that I was ruler of the world. I would allow gay marriages, harsher penalties [i.e. Tortuous methods of death] for murderers, rapists and child molesters, and inform the whole world and all other countries that there will be a no-holds barred approach to tyranny. If someone [ruling a country] or terrorist forces were...committing what I deemed to be 'bad' acts. Then I would attack. I would station army battalions at the Gaza strip, and ban all fights there. I would condemn any country attacking another, except in retaliation [in which case I would be attacking]. I would employ clever people to help economy, commandeer companies to provide help for third world countries. I would also try to aid the environment. Just be a really domineering son of a gun, with the world's best interests at heart.[/size][/color]

[color=darkred][size=1]I'll just have to pick an argument here too. This isn't controversy. This is a disagreement. A minor skirmish if you will. Controversy is a ten page debate on the ethics of abortion. This isn't worth.... peanuts. You come in, make a vague insult about the Bible and how every religious person blindly follows their faith, and expect controversy? If you hadn't acted like such a big-head then people wouldn't feel the need to take you down a peg or too. I wouldn't even have considered your post insulting, indeed, it was rather lame. YOU are closeminded. You won't even accept the fact that religion could be true. Me, I don't really care either way. I am open-minded. But, whether or not others are, you are truly close-minded. Speaking of which, close-minded is a popular word isn't it, eh wristcutter? ;) [quote name='Narius']Just because some guy wrote a book about his beliefs doesn't make it true. [/quote] "Just because some guy called 'Narius' doesn't believe in religion, doesn't mean it isn't true" Right? [b]E D I T[/b]: Inuyasha[number], did that post run you out of breath? Because it certainly ran me out of it.[/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred]As HC said, we are reflected by the media. These things must be predominant, if they are so used. Others are the exception, not the rule. Which leads us to stereotypes. Movies and many TV shows are all about stereotypes- we want to be able to sit down and get right into the plot. People don't have time to learn all about a character, which is why stereotypes work so well, and are such a widely employed tool. Also, I think you're generalising here. [quote=Godelsensei]However, it seems that we don't bother to teach children that they are having sexist, racist and self-degrating messages being shoved down our throats at every turn. [b]and[/b] Are we not taught about harmful messages from the media at an early enough age?[/quote] You are speaking for yourself here. I know the difference between reality and the TV. Depends on how you've been raised, but most people that I know, know that difference too. TV isn't supposed to portray the real world. It is a parallel world, where you can escape to. Which I believe most people should know.[/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred]I can't find myself sorry for you, really. Why worry? I mean, you're obviously [i]rolling[/i] in money. Why should I pity you, for something that is mere money? If you were poorer, I could see why you're griping about it so bad, but as of now...I couldn't care. If you haven't the sense to spend $1000 on an old bomb [she is only a learner for God's sake] for her to drive...why should I care? Fancy letting a learner, and one as inept as your sister, drive an Audi. I think all the money has gone to your head and pushed your brains aside. Sorry =\.[/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred]Actually, I believe that when they say there was 'nothing' in the begginning...they mean no cells. Of course there were molecules floating around. I suppose, anyway >_>, but then they collided, clumped, exploded, and formed the universe. Or something like that, I am lead to believe. Why doesn't everyone just keep their minds open though?[/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred][b]My Self[/b]: I am not quite an atheist, and not quite agnostic. I don?t [i]disbelieve[/i] in a supreme being, but I don?t think it is all [i]unkown[/i] either. [b]My Argument / Rant[/b]: My personal feelings on the subject- the more I look at evolution, and the more examples that have been shown to me by some very smart people, the more I think evolution on it?s own would be incapable of creating life. I therefore see the possibility in a theory put forth to me by a man I would feel to be [i]extremely[/i] intelligent. That there is some kind of communal pool of??need?. When something is required by a species?it can be given to them. For example, around the time that humans were finding the nomadic lifestyle too hard to continue, a genetic mutation occurred in wheat which caused heavy heads which, quite literally, fell to the ground. From this hybrid, which happened in many places in many continents, agriculture was born. Coincidence? Maybe. This was several months ago that I spoke to this man, so I can?t remember any other examples, aside from this one, that particularly stood out. Camels all have knobbly scab-type things over their knees, which lets them be able to kneel down on the sand. You would assume that this is a physical characteristic, right? That they develop these scabs because they repeatedly hurt their knees on the ground? Wrong. Camels are born with these. They have them in the womb. Several other memorable things, like a bats sonar system, stand out to me. Evolution would definitely have needed a ?helping hand? with this. Also, we all apparently came from sponges according to a documentary I watched on the television. I don?t mean the sponges that you wipe down your sink with either ~_^. But, Yes. Sorry for going off on a slight tangent there. I think that there is definitely some form of a ?God? out there. Too many things from ?evolution? seem to be unlikely. But, there you go. The thing is, we really don?t know. I don?t see how people can put this much?faith into religion. What a stupid sentence, but how can you put all your belief into something which you aren?t [can?t] even be 100% sure is true? Why only one God? For thousands of years there was a Pantheon style. I read a very convincing book that showed how an [i]awful[/i] lot of paganism was interjected into Christianity, to make it more ?palatable? to the common people. That Jesus? divinity was [i]decided[/i] on in the Council of Nicae. There is just so much?doubt with so much of this. I don?t see why I shouldn?t eat meat on Tuesdays or whatever either >_>. Lol. To me? as long as you live a good life, and try to do the right things, as long as you also allow others to do the same...then it doesn?t matter. Why do I have to be told what I can and cannot do? I believe that is for only me to decide. You live life, and you either come back, die, or go somewhere else. But I don?t know. And why should I tell you which it is. What gives me right to? Nothing, that is. If you believe in the Bible/Koran/[insert something here] that is fine by me. For all I know, you could be right, and one day I?ll wake up down below with a real nice tan >_>. Then I?ll know I was wrong. But for now?I don?t need a religion, and I am happy to just live my life. Why should there have to be more than that? I disagree with a lot of aspects on religion. But I am not going to come right out and say ?God isn?t real? or ?Allah is a lie?. Why? Because I don?t know. And you don?t know either. Which is why religious disagreements always piss me off. Heh. [b]My advice[/b]: Live your life, don?t kill [too many] people, and try to be good. We?ll see if anything happens once you die.[/color][/size]

[COLOR=DarkRed][SIZE=1]Nathan lay sprawled on the back seat. He had a jumper bunched under his head for a pillow, and his feet were crossed, resting on the windowsill on the other side of the bus. He had on a pair of heavy denim shorts, Globe sneakers and an Easy Street T-Shirt. He was reading an X-Files novel, surprisingly appropriate for their mission. Feeling slightly woozy from the swaying of the bus [computer guidance never made exceedingly smooth turns] he closed the book and sat up properly. Looking out the window, he saw their destination. A gigantic hangar, enclosed within two... no, three chainlinked, razor-wired fences. Giant spotlights hung from poles stationed at intervals along the fence. Even in this, broad daylight, they were still on. The immense doors to the hangar were closed, but Nathan could see people scurrying around outside, setting up lights on the tarmac, and popping in and out of foxholes. Nathan grinned. Like them damn... Meer cats. That was it. Despite the lazy look in his eye, Nathan was nervous. He could not wait to see the new ship. His first real space-faring-vessel too. His home for the next few months...and maybe his coffin too, but he'd have to wait and see how things turned out.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[size=1][color=darkred]You sound like your folks are rich enough that it isn't going to permanently cripple you...but I sympathise with your loss. That is a helluva lot of moolah gone. How did they access credit cards though? Don't they need a PIN number? I am like, ultra-careful with my money. I am so tight with my own money, that is isn't funny. Heh. Seriously though, I can not believe the standards of some of you people. It is shocking! [b]If I saw them drop it...[/b]I would alert them to the fact. [b]Found a wallet...[/b] I'd hand it in to the police-station. Thankfully, Australian limit is 3 weeks. I'd just hope that nobody claimed it. It would have cards and stuff in it though... but ah well. I would just think how I would hate to lose my money. I lost ten bucks at a hotel one time. I was on school camp, so that was a quarter of all my money gone. Luckily I borrowed from some friends...but it is a bastard. It really bites to lose stuff. I can't believe some of you would keep the money. Then again, I would keep money I found on the ground. I also kept a flashy watch I found on the ground [kinda flashy. But I had to pay to repair it]. So, I don't know. It would depend on my mood that day in all likelihood. But, I would hand in a wallet and probably...probably leave the check on the ground. I wouldn't have the balls to cash it in, I'm afraid.[/size][/color]

[COLOR=DarkRed][SIZE=1]I am too lazy to visit all of your pictures sorry. =\ Maybe I'll check it out later. For now, though, I'll rate this piece. I like it. The branching/maroon/funky bit looks absolutely awesome. I love it. The picture of this 'Tonberry' fellow is pretty neat as well, I must say. Nice cropping. However, I don't like the font. On some of the 'downstrokes' for the letters, it seems to make them too thin. I also think putting random parts of the branching/maroon thing behind some parts of the text would look absolutely great. Aside from the font, this is an excellent piece.[/SIZE][/COLOR] [SIZE=1]Aesthetics: 8/10 Technical: 7/10[/SIZE]

[color=darkred][size=1]I like the images Boo, but... there are quality problems. Obviously, in your JPEG-ising quality was not optimised enough. It is just the slight blurring of what should be crisp lines. Not important or visible on a lesser monitor, but...there on mine. It isn't a terrible calamity. Just...noticeable. Anyway, nice work. You have done well young grasshopper. >_> Heh. Or something...[/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred]Sorry to stick my two cents in here...but I agree with CrH. I never visit the anime places, but from the sheer number of these threads appearing... I think an 'Other' Category with appropriate labelling of pieces and a search function could work quite well. This would rely on people labelling their masterpieces [;)] correctly of course, which you can't trust people to do, but on the whole, I think it could work. Of course, it comes down to Adam and Mars being able to set it up, and whether they think they should. I think they're the main ones who work on theOtaku related projects.[/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred]I act different at home compared to school. But that is because it is my mum I am with, and there isn't any social pressure. I believe most people are different, at least subtely, at home, compared to publicly. It is just the atmosphere. Of course, everyone is different. So I don't know how you all are. I am quieter publicly, more open with friends, and in-between at home.[/color][/size]

[color=darkred][size=1][quote name='Semjaza Azazel']NC-17 is a sales disaster for film companies.[/quote] Why don't they all just made family friendly movies? Then it wouldn't matter. ... Right?[/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred]About the only original slang I use is 'White elephant'. Used to refer to hot girls. Heh. How, delightfully immature, eh? ~_^ My dad and I made that one up.[/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred]Oh, I would agree that class is good. I enjoy the social aspect. Sometimes I am just not in a mood to work. I am not against learning, sometimes the work just feel pointless though. I guess that I am occasionally in a lazy frame of mind though. I don't enjoy the pointless repetition of activities. Unless it is just a phase. However, I do learn most of it, and retain some of it. The concept of a test...the atmosphere. It is just exciting and invogorating. It truly gives me a chance to shine.[/color][/size]

[size=1][color=darkred]I love tests. I excel at tests. It is the actual work which is required to fill in the time between tests that I dislike. Tests give me...competition. I thrive on competition. Now, something that really should be griped about is homework. I fail to see why we need so much of it. Well... I understand why I suppose, I just don't appreciate it.[/color][/size]

[color=darkred][size=1]Impressive Syk. I don't see any anime/read manga, so your choice of content doesn't really mean much to me. However, I like banners 4 and 5. Banner 4...reminds me of a neon light outside a bar. It is really [incredibly] simple...but I love it. No denying the artistic pleasures I get from that banner. It is... a precious banner. I like the 5th one merely because of the colour scheme. The light-blue frame is complemented nicely by the stark orange. It is once again, simple, but very pretty. I like it. I also like your border style. It looks good. Smooth and effective.[/color][/size] [size=1] Aesthetics Overall: 8/10 Technical Overall: [Not much that I can see] 4/10 [color=darkred]Also, props for showing me that site. Now my natural indecisiveness can be catered too![/color][/size]

[COLOR=DarkRed][SIZE=1]Ooh. This is something that really lights my fire. Particularly in my case. My mother is extremely over-protective. Bleh. She doesn't let me stay up beyond 9 O'Clock. I occasionally get to, but it isn't a matter of course. Actually, that isn't really overprotective. However, she is quite a restricting parent. I mean, I'm not even aloud to wear two- T-Shirts if I want to. I say, my body, my choice. Anyway, to the matter at hand. Parents do have a right. But it depends in what things. I think what children see is one. Obviously a responsible parent would need to decide what their children watched, and viewing it themselves first is a definite recommendation. After a certain age though, I think the child shuold be able to decide whether they want to go. Probably around 15-16. I don't know where I am heading with this. I mean, obviously parents need to monitor, and in some cases censor what their children see/do. But sometimes, the child should be allowed to do what they want. I feel like I am just rambling here. I suppose discretion of the parent is what matters. Everyone is different. I don't know how much freedom you have all had as kids. But I, personally, wish I had more. There will never be a universal way that parents treat kids. Should parents have the final word? Depends if they're responsible enough to handle it.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[color=darkred][size=1][quote=Mimmi][b]Looking[/b] sweet, childish and innocent seems to score with a lot of people 0:] [/quote] That needed a quote. Question=How could a pant-stealing, cheeky girl like Mimmi be applied to this delightful sounding persona? Answer= She just [b]looks[/b] innocent and sweet.[/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred]Woah. I am really impressed with this work Hittokiri. I love the avatar, and the textured background for the banner... *sighs*. Delicious. I would have to agree with Dagger that the shoulder seems a little bit out of place...but aside from that... Your text is awesome, some of the best type work I have ever soon, I'd wager. You have done a magnificent job here. Really impressive. Aesthetics: 9/10 Technical: 11/10 Your work is always smooth and lean. What more could one want? It is eye-candy.[/size][/color]

[COLOR=DarkRed][SIZE=1][b]Offline[/b]: Average guy. I used to be pretty well much a loner- I had 3-4 friends and that was it. I got on decently with everyone, but didn't really call them 'friends'. Now, I have broadened my horizons markedly, and am generally well-liked by everyone. Getting out there is what you need to do, and I did it and feel great about it. [b]Online[/b]: I don't know. I would like to think I am reasonably popular and well-liked, but I don't know what other people [i]really[/i] think of me. Feel free to comment, if you so wish. I'd love an ego-boost. >_> Provided that is, you have [b]good[/b] news for me. Heh.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[QUOTE=Subversive]Now, Now, James. Australia kicks major ***- (with the help of the super powers) Atleast your country is smart enough to ally with the greatest armies of the world. [/QUOTE] [COLOR=DarkRed][SIZE=1]I am just taking the opportunity to state that I [b]really[/b] don't like that quote. To me, it reeks of arrogance. Sure, America's army is [i]good[/i], but if, as you say, America [or their children anyway] doesn't know a lot about the outside world.. how can you state this? Technologically, America is quite advanced. But I believe Asian armies far outnumber yours. The greatest army? Nay, the greatest bombs is what will win most wars. Which is what America has. Your point may have been correct... it just felt arrogant to me. And what are you saying here? "At least your country is smart enough to ally..." Who are you dissing here? We actually [i]had[/i] to ally with you. I believe various treaties are responsible. It was a smart thing to do, but over here many Aussies that I know feel we shouldn't of gone over there. Whatever. This is kind of off the point. Something I do wish to add concerning education though... how many occupations are there where you need to write essays? How many where notemaking skills are extensively required? How many where knowing the date of the Civil War is required? ... I hope someone might of come up with a few jobs. I couldn't. I think a lot more focus should be on practical stuff in schools. Teach us to balance our funds! Teach us to cook food! Teach us practicalities![/color][/size]

[color=darkred][size=1]Like Harry said, you all need to calm down, and we can discuss various insecurities in a calm-minded and intelligent environment, free from cynics and bullies and other negatively-oriented people. Like, get some enthusiasm! You are all like, so down. "Be happy" and do some work! Me and my mum do all sorts of things to keep happy. It is great that you're all trying to improve, but this is getting a little bit gay. Irregardless of anything, just enjoy yourself. Don't be so close-minded and immature, develop some real-world approach. Therefore, I conclude my little spiel, in a vain attempt to wipe out immaturity on these boards. This is, quite literally, a major contribution to OB here. Respect.[/color][/size]

[COLOR=DarkRed][SIZE=1]Well...I didn't actually have anything in mind when designing this. I had recently...'acquired' Photoshop, and was testing the 'Cutout' effect on a picture I had. I then duplicated this picture and placed it end to end. Copying it into Serif, I added the text and border and the grass effect. I thought that the colour-scheme was particularly drab, and the word 'Morbid' sprang to mind. This is how I name all of my banners. Sorry if some people find my phrasing too strong or my image not 'hardcore' enough. ~_^ Just kidding. I couldn't care less.[/SIZE][/COLOR]