AzureWolf

[quote name='Nate']I bet it would rock to be where you are, Azurewolf.[/quote][FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]What? Huh? What's going on now? O_o Why would it rock to be in New Jersey? We're like, New York Jr. and Pennsylvania's pot-smoking brother. Well, if you are referring to the two-week freeze warning, last week was the second week. Everything is now disturbingly hot (either that, or all the physical labor makes it feel so). It did snow once more over here and made the same amount of snow as last time, but because there's no more cold weather, it wasn't anything to worry about. Xmas day was very sunny, haha. In fact, a lot of the days don't have any dark, depressing clouds and I'm greeted with a slap to the face every morning. Good times... Did I mention I'm not too fond of snow?[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]While I appreciate the recommendations, I think Dagger's first choice was the best of bunch. While I haven't seen Tokyo Godfathers, Dagger touched upon a key point that I failed to emphasize: an independent series/show. With Love Hina, I'm fairly sure a lot of the... "value" :rolleyes: would be lost to someone not familiar with the series. So, really, Xmas specials aren't what I am looking for. Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz is hardly an Xmas anime. It SO has nothing to do with Xmas. I admit it was a little cool, but besides the snow and the date it supposedly takes place, there's nothing Xmas-y about it. Dagger, yes, Fruit Baskets and beyond were also what I was looking for: shows suitable for the Xmas season. They don't have to be directly related to it, but have to be something people would be in the mood for. Thank you. amgoddess, while there's a 0% probability that I would ever make an anime, you bring up a good point: are the Japanese a little too wary or indifferent to Xmas to make anything pertaining to it? I personally have no clue, but I think it's an interesting point.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[quote name='Lore][color=#4b4b79']It turns out my friend has this, so I might actually go over to his house tonight and watch part of it. He owes me a movie night, anyway, heh. It's been such a long time since I watched something new.[/color][/quote][FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Awesome. If you watch it in english, please tell me how the dubbing fares. I do have the whole set (and the pencil boards they come with!), but I never got around to actually watching it with the english voice actors. Yes, I realize you haven't heard it in Japanese, but that's actually better, as you can make a more objective stance. It's been my experience that the first dub a person hears usually impairs their opinion of the other dub (not saying that applies to you, but it could, like it does to me, haha). [QUOTE=Lore][color=#4b4b79]The impression I have of the show is something...hm. *tries to put this into words instead of pictures* Something sort of soft, and strange and dark. (Not dark, exactly....oh, bother. I can't quite translate, heh.) Azure, if you had to describe the feel of the series (not what happens, or the story, but the feel/ambience) of it, what would you say it was?[/color][/QUOTE]OMG! This is why you must watch more anime (or at least animes I've seen)! Only you could come up with such creative discussion pieces! What an awesome topic to talk about! But at the same time, these are the types of questions that have brought me down to a B in all my college humanities classes (well, except history of medicine, which doesn't count as a humanities in my book)... *thinks hard* This question is quite the thinker. Definately [i]soft[/i], that goes without question. The feeling, if not due to the artwork, is due to the setting and the music - "Adore" specifically comes to mind. Everything - art, setting, and music - gives off a strongly soft feel (strongly soft... you know what I mean). With the words [i]strange[/i] and [i]dark[/i]... I know what you mean, but those words just aren't it (as you've noticed). [i]Surreal[/i] also goes into the category of describing Haibane Renmei - but not quite. In fact, I think you've already got the feeling of Haibane Renmei. Now I'm curious about how you arrived at it without having ever seen the series. Does [i]ethereal surrealism[/i] make sense? I think that comes closest to the feeling of Haibane Renmei: a very realistic/reasonable, yet somehow distant, world. In the end, I think a few words that border on paradoxical describe Haibane Renmei best. If I had to put my money on any words, it would be [i]soft, shadowy, surreal, distant, and inviting[/i]. I know I technically can't be wrong (since the question is the feeling [i][B]I[/B][/i] think Haibane Renmei has). Still, those words just don't hit the nail on the head as well as they should, but they are the closest I could come up with. To put it simply, I really like this question, but I don't have the capacity to answer it, haha. If you brought this question up for an anime like Naruto, it would have been so easy to explain, and yet, you picked possibly one of the hardest ones to describe! I'm not a Professor of Semantics, so asking someone with those kinds of credentials would be your best bet. Yeah, maybe [B]in your dreams[/B] (sorry, I just can't let it go!). :p Just asking again in case you missed it: what gives off the feeling of Haibane Renmei to you without having ever seen it?[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]I don't remember where or why the inspiration struck me, but I needed a myO introduction. I most likely stole the idea from someone else (was it Mei? I think it was Mei). [B]Anyway, the first one is a Naruto themed one.[/B] I was torn between using leaves or scanlines (both together looked really bad). I settled for scanlines since I never used them before, and I thought they looked color. Still, leaves, since all the characters were from Leaf Village, would have been a nice touch. [B]The second one is of Noir.[/B] I made this shortly after grabbing the artbook that had one of my favorite Noir pictures in it (the one with Kirika holding the Kitty - I could talk forever about that). I had to make a picture with it, heh. [B]The next one is from Haibane Renmei.[/B] I wasn't pleased with it at all. In fact, I still don't like it to this day, haha. I don't know, it just didn't come together as well as I hoped. Still, Reki and Rakka are there and that was the main goal. [B]The next one... Oh man, the next one. It was an unworthy tribute to one of my all-time favorite characters.[/B] He has to be one of the coolest characters around. While there's so much you know about him, he's still enigmatic. Is he married or not? I don't even think the creators know, haha. To have a main (or side?) character this undeveloped and yet interesting at the same time is quite the feat. The Nash one was also around the time I started ranting around, which is what the little text in there is about. [B]Like the Haibane Renmei one, the Gunslinger Girl one I was very unsatisified with.[/B] It's essentially two pictures put together. I didn't know what to do with it. [B]Well, the last one, if I could have put it up (5 pic limit apparently) would have been the rejected Tsukihime one of Akiha.[/B] In place of it, you can check out the Uchiha-made welcome banner right now at my myO, heh. I don't plan to change it for quite some time either (and before you ask: no, I am in fact a guy).[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] My favorite from Lore's is the Asthmatic Butterfly one as well, even if I never got it. It just has an interesting... vibe about it, haha. James, are your images supposed to be like those iPod ads? They just give off that impression (at least the second one does). I think my favorite out of PT's was the Marvin one. You should have stuck with that theme. I liked it, heh. Baron, because of your extended use of Hagar, that's really all I expect when clicking your link (to this very day).

[quote name='Lore][color=#4b4b79']I remember thinking that it reminded me of Serial Experiments Lain. Is there anything to that?[/color][/quote][FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Yep! I noticed that too! Rakka is SO much like Lain! It's because the same doujin/manga creator drew them both. Some guy named Yoshitoshi aBe (Yoshi-toshi, haha). [quote name='Lore][color=#4b4b79']I actually had a Rakka avatar and banner for a while, heh, which is unusual, since I don't often have both at the same time.[/color][/quote]You know, I didn't want to say anything earlier because I thought you'd find it weird, but then I ran it past Umberto Eco. :p I seriously always associated you with Rakka because of that avi and banner, and after seeing Haibane Renmei, your character/behavior seems to be like Rakka (not that it is, I just associate the two, heh). So, when I think Sara in anime, I think Rakka.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] EDIT: Oh, whoops. Missed Dagger's post. Yeah, I realize I may be nit-picking (yet again), but really, the connotation gruesome gives off is very close to gore, which I always associate with dismemberment (at the least).

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Yeah, but don't you think the first post is too dependent on assumption after assumption? Who said Santa had to obey all laws of physics? Specifically, Santa can be in two places at the same time. How else could he know when you've been bad or good?[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]I loved Haibane Renmei (so anyone who disses it will have to answer to me! j/k). I have to disagree with your description, Dagger. I don't know why you saw the scene as gruesome, but to me, there was little to be grossed out about. In fact, I dare say that the whole experience from the scene is akin to [SPOILER]pinching one's self to make sure they are awake. What is happening is extraordinarily real, just as the pain is extraordinarily great[/SPOILER]. Anyway, the whole event wasn't... "gruesome." As for liking Haibane Renmei, I see the show as a hit or miss: either you like what it is doing and where it is going, or you don't. There's little to be had in terms of story, but the character development is top notch, IMO. So, you could kind of call Haibane Renmei a "tester" to see what you are really into: plot or character development, heh. It's not even like, character development... *thinks* It's like, character "experience." *shrugs* You'll see what I'm talking about. Before Tsukihime, Haibane Renmei was my anime of choice. I was obsessed with it, haha. I even got the doujins to figure out if there was further development/clarification in there. What's funny is that the creator says something like, "these are the questions that the anime will address."[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[quote name='Chabichou]Azurewolf, I'm guessing that you're Muslim too. I just have this gut feeling.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=anatema']And on a different note entirely, I skimmed through most of this thread so I'm not sure if anyone else gave it a shot and got it right, but I wanted to give a stab at guessing Azure Wolf's religion of choice. For some reason I've always had the impression that you were a Muslim....[/quote][FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Hey, stop that! I didn't say everyone can go on and guess my religion out of the blue! I was just clarifying that I wasn't Christian like [STRIKE]everyone[/STRIKE] most believe. It's even more curious why the second religion of choice for me is Islam, what with me seeming to be Christian first. I'm not saying you are wrong, though (but neither am I saying you are right). :p[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]What the hell is the matter with you people?! We have kids in this forum, don't you remember? Well, some people believe Santa exists and others don't, but like Space Ghost, there's no way to prove or disprove him. But I believe, Space Ghost, I believe... I have to question some of the raw data the original post contains, especially with the "scientifical" title.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[QUOTE=maladjusted][color=darkslateblue]I still think a mother should be able to abort a fetus before brain activity, but I have no way of actually supporting it with words. It's just a feeling I get when confronted with the question. And of course I won't go against my root feeling. It might sound horrible, but it's hard for me to have sympathy for a fetus with no brian activity when I do have sympathy for a 30 year old with no brain activity, although not much. [/color][/QUOTE][FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Heh, I guessed you missed my whole, repeated shouting in the homosexuality thread. BY ALL MEANS, I applaud using your gut instinct. Seriously, don't follow others and slowly force yourself to accept something you truly disagree with. Secondly, I was kind of making fun of stupid people in my opening statement, heh. ^^; But I guess it does kind of support my point, now that you addressed it.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[quote name='James][color=#811C3A']I guess it comes down to one simple element. If you base your belief in God on the Bible, then I will always fundamentally disagree, because I am accutely aware of many of the Bible's inaccuracies. So, if I view the Bible as being a highly unreliable piece of literature, then I'm unable to adhere to that particular view of God.[/color][/quote][FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Quick question for you, James. What do you think about the possibility that the Bible, being handed down for ages, was desecrated by man (just like the Shroud of Torren)? You know, people got lazy and less faithful, so they "adjusted" the Bible to suit their more lazy ways. I remember someone suggested this idea to me, and when I asked around, and was quite surprised at how many Christians actually prescribe to this possibility.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Did you know, that in this world, there are quite a few people who are 30+ years out of the womb and still have no brain activity? Can we still abort them? In all seriousness, I'm up in the air about this whole thing. If we didn't have the advancement to abort "humanely," would abortion still be considered a valid option? What is the harm from having a b#st#rd child as opposed to killing one? And I can't say I'm with Deathbug on the whole 1st trimester "it's not human yet" idea. Creating a standard for what encompasses human just as simply as brain activity seems kind of weird to me. Cell development that leads to brain activity seems to be a rather intelligent system unto itself, IMO. I hear there are actually female rapists, and I would just like to cordially invite them over to my place. Can a guy be raped? O_o[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[quote name='Readordie']Noir really did have an amazing Dub. Shelly Calene-Black was riveting in her coldness in her part as Mirielle. I even preferred her over the sub. Actually, as a whole, I prefer the dub over the sub.[/quote][FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Yeah! You know, it's probably too far back for me to remember, but watching Noir, Mirielle's voice actor really stuck with me as the "right" Mirielle. To this day, I don't think I have seen an English voice actor stick to the character so well. Her voice, and her execution, it was almost like THE voice the creators wanted (based on events and Mirielle's character). I can't remember Noir's english dubbing at all anymore, but I don't recall having qualms about it. Don't quote me on that, though. :p[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]You've killed in your dreams too, huh mal? It's quite the experience, even though it's not happening. It's a physiological fact that dreams are hard to remember, for physiological reasons of course. ^^ Anyway, I would say that this semester has given me some of the worst dreams I've ever had. Twice (TWICE) I dreamt of taking an exam the night before. So, when I wake up, I'm already worn from taking the test mentally. Ugh... The third time around was pretty recent (last Tuesday actually). I dreamt that I woke up for my exam, which was at 1 pm, at 3 pm. When I was ready, it was 3:45 pm, and I was just thinking, "Oh man, this can't be happening, this just can't be happening. I can't finish this exam in an hour! Just open my eyes and I'll find myself dreaming." Which is what I did. What a terrible way to wake up. I was relieved, but it was so much stress to go through, haha. I've had a few nested dreams this semester as well (dreams within a dream), but I don't think they are suitable to mention on this board. Also, the most vivid dream I've ever had isn't something I would want to share. You know what's weird? Not ONCE have I ever had an anime-related dream, and that makes me mad.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]I've noticed a lack of any Xmas-related anime. Is there a reason, or have I just been looking in the wrong place? Anyway, 'tis the season. I'm wondering if anyone knows of any GOOD anime Xmas shows or Xmas specials. If not that, GOOD animes that are suitable for watching during the upcoming holiday. I emphasize good because the only Xmas anime I ever saw was this thing called "Wind ~ A Breath of Heart OVA," and... well, it's best to keep those memories suppressed.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue][B]Most watched anime:[/B] Naruto [B]Good reason for why it is the most watched:[/B] N/A Because I'm in college, the only reason I would watch a show more than once would be if I liked it. If I see enough quality, innovation, and depth in an anime, that means I'll watch it twice - at the most. Naruto, however, is a special case. No, there's probably less depth in the show than most of the animes I enjoy. What makes me watch Naruto more frequently than two times? The answer is simply "other people." Aside from everyone I know that follow Naruto and can't d/l it themselves, my brother has assorted friends that do too. Why don't I just leave my computer running while they watch the show? Well, that's because I have my e-mail open and my IM program connected (yes, if I ever cursed at you, that wasn't me). And since everyone has their own lives, the Naruto circle is over at different, random times, so I have to watch each episode a few times. I mean, I do enjoy watching it over, but it does feel like a waste of time by the third go-around. Eva Unit 100, I'm calling you on that: there is, in my opinion, no show that requires more than two viewings to take in everything it has to offer. Something I would like to discuss (is this thread ok for that?) if you disagree.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Chabichou is right. I won't bore you with the details, but due to the mechanism DNA uses to replicate (semiconservative, 5`-3` direction, and such), there is no way the 3`-5` template strand's ending sequence can be replicated. So, there exists an enzyme called telomerase, that handles this final part of the replication process. It contains a series of RNA tandem repeats that coincide with the tandem repeats located on DNA/chromosome ends (it makes sense that the ends would contain useless tandem repeats so no important important data can be lost). However, as a person ages, telomerase's activity becomes less and less. The reason is unknown at this point. However, there are various theories. One idea is that there exists somewhere, on one or more chromosomes, a counter for the number of replications a cell undergoes. This counter is actual an inhibition for telomerase production and/or activity, so the more a cell divides, the less effective telomerase becomes. Therefore, there is a fixed number of divisions a cell can undergo, after which, each replication becomes deleterious to the DNA. There are others, but I think I made the point. So, if you try to grab a cell from late age, whatever the reason, the number of tandem repeats at the ends of the chromosomes (1 chromosome = 1 really long, looped DNA strand that has telomeres/ends) will be less or nonexistent, so replication becomes deleterious right off the bat. Hope that made sense, and is helpful at all to the discussion at hand. *is in a rush*[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]When it comes to cloning, it's ALL GOOD! Haha, nah, I'm just messin' with ya. I actually wrote a little story about cloning to reflect my view at the time, but I can't remember what that opinion was. Nowadays, I think cloning would be of great scientific aid, but beyond that, I'm for a case-by-case basis. Cloning will help by removing all variables, so scientists don't have to rely on limited resources and data. You know, it's hard to find two very identical mice, and even then, they aren't the same. So, they can either create the variable by - for example - mutating one gene, or by exposing the mice to different environments. I'd have a stronger argument to stand by, but after learning of what little we can do with cloning, I don't feel the need to have an opinion on the matter yet. And after learning about what little is known about the whole cloning phenomenon, well, let's just say it's amazing I even care. There have been shadier things done in the scientific world. And I don't think we have to worry about Altron's post-apocalyptic, sci-fi world just yet.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[QUOTE]nad tackle your dog in the snow...don't ask he has issues[/QUOTE][FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]That's GOTTA hurt. XD I don't play with the snow all that much. Even when I was younger, I just didn't see the point unless I could actually hurt the person (I was an evil little child). I built a few forts every now and then, but I hated to make snow angels. That's about it, really. Besides, it's been like three+ winters since we've had any real accumulation of snow. Everyone's probably forgotten how to play with the stuff. And for this winter, because of the freeze (yeah, there's a 2-week freeze warning in effect where I live), anything that falls from the sky will only hurt you. It just snowed last night, and everything is just sheets of ice now. My dad has even taken the liberty to be the first person to get seriously hurt by falling on the stuff. It was kind of funny at first, but after the blood starting coming out, the humor was kinda sucked dry. *shrugs* I prefer summery weather. ^^[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]I think a lot of you are misinterpreting what it means to be intelligent. That doesn't mean you have the highest grades, or that you know the most math. Rather, it is your reasoning skills and your capacity to apply it properly. I guess, though, reasoning can be taught, so there's another thing out the window. But see, that's why IQ tests are preferrably administered early, so they can see your "raw" reasoning skill. I like IQ tests. They usually are accurate. Again, high or low IQs are not reflected in school performance. Everyone can learn, and that's what school is for. Not everyone reasons through things the same, and that's what IQ tests measure. Don't worry, when I take the test and do bad, I too won't believe in them. :p[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Yeah, what you've shown here is pretty messed up. What is up with all the gay priests anyway? It still is such a weird, unexplained phenomenon... Anyway, I definately think there's some part of the story that's missing. You know, something that explains why the gay priest has been moved around when the church knew of his unforgivable sins. As for the sister thing, I think you are taking it a little too far. Don't they have to take a vow of celibacy before becoming a nun? Not to say they never had sex in the past, but when they become a nun, don't they have to stop having sex? I know the whole celibacy thing was removed for priests, but did they remove that for nuns as well? And yes, I know that gay sex is wrong (religiously), but it's been my experience that women are better followers to their philosophy/rules when it comes to sex, so nuns may not be that far-removed from the stereotypical "clean" woman. To sum it up, I really think you are blowing things out of proportion just because of one little incident. I'm not even referring to your one, nearby gay priest, but the whole gay priest phenomenon. For some strange reason, there were/are a lot of gay priests, but that doesn't mean the rest of Catholicism is in sinful lust. And hey, if worst comes to worst, they can always lower their standards yet again. ;)[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Are you talking about college, or like something like high school? If you are talking about college, the only thing that is sent over is your final grade for the course. Some colleges "translate" your score, such that an A in one school could be a B in their school (or vice versa even). So, in other words, you will most likely get an F if you don't take your final exam and want to transfer to take the course.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Do the anime rating systems even matter, though? Do they stop anyone from buying a particular anime? If there's no standard, doesn't that mean the store owner can overlook the rating system and sell to a minor? :confused:[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]While the voice acting never bothered me before, the quality was very obvious in this episode. You know, it was pretty good, up until they had to show emotion. It was very fitting when, at the end of the episode, the words FUNimation showed up as [SPOILER]Ed was crying in a very phony fashion[/SPOILER]. Not to say I wasn't moved by the episode. Certainly, things have been brought into light that weren't before. Indeed, it's interesting that the circle of Alchemists have [SPOILER]those who toy with lives for the sake of knowledge. You'd think these types of people would be outcast, but instead, they are just placed underground by others[/SPOILER]. Here's another angle that FMA will have address, haha. I personally would have hated the episode if it ended any other way. I mean, it would have been fine if [SPOILER]the hybrid just ran away or just was taken away[/SPOILER], but if [SPOILER]Ed was somehow able to do the impossible[/SPOILER], I would have immediately become repulsed by the show. There are the exceptional, and then there are the unbelievable. While Ed is certainly the former, having anything like the latter really destroys a show that has a set fundamental rules for its reality/universe. Monkey_Orange, are you sure that Alchemy was first a religious attempt to purify one's soul? I really find that hard to believe, because how could it move to the search for creating gold? O_o [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]After laughing at the opening sequence for five minutes (which borders are false advertising), I pretty much fell asleep five minutes into the show. Believe it or not, it probably had to do with me being sleepy and not the soporific effects of SAC. Anyway... Before everything went black, I was trying to make note of the animation. I didn't see anything special about it. In fact, every character, when walking, seems to be missing one very important frame, and consequently, they all look like they have a limp. I can't say I'd put SAC on top in terms of animation at all. If you are referring to the 3D movement, as a gamer, I've seen 100x better animation. While the animation is smooth, it's so obvious from the rest of the animation, so that's two strikes already. Strike three is just how ugly everyone looks. Couldn't they have made a better looking main character? Really, if you are going to put the main character in that tramp style clothing, at least make it someone who would look good in it. I'm not finding anything to like in SAC. The characters are hardly interesting, and they are ugly to boot.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]