Shy

[size=1]California has a lot of problems right now, and while I'm not an expert on politics I know that Gray Davis (our current Governor) is not capable of solving them. Him winning the last election was very controversial, and I haven't met [i]anyone[/i] who admits to voting for him. I think that Arnold is just as qualified to take the office as anyone else, but his history with the Republican party gives him quite a bit of political experience. I wouldn't hesitate to vote for him, especially since the alternatives seem to be a porn star, a comedian and Gary Coleman... Ergh. Doesn't it make you glad to live in California? -Shy[/size]

[size=1][b]What was your first job?:[/b] Unless you count running my high school newspaper, my first job is the job I currently have at Disneyland. [b]What job do you have now?:[/b] I'm a ride operator on "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. [b]What do you think of having a job in general?:[/b] I don't mind working, and spending a day on the job leaves me with a small sense of accomplishment. I don't make a lot of money from my job, but there are still times when I really enjoy it. Yay for Disneyland, and me... -Shy[/size]

[size=1]This thread isn't going to die as long as I have any say in the matter... [b]Ultimates #11:[/b] This issue dealt with the most explosition that I have ever seen, and it just seems like a slow build-up to whatever will happen in issue 12. Wasp spends a lot of time sitting down and listening to the bad guy, and it all just seems like an old James Bond movie. [spoiler]The Skrull would have been better off eating Wasp and stealing her identity. It would be a shame to see her go, but it would have been a great plot twist. I was hoping that Ultimates was a little more daring then to save her at the last minute, oh well.[/spoiler] This is a comic book, so there is obviously some suspension of disbelief, but [spoiler]Thor teleporting 20,000 soldiers away from a nuclear explosion[/spoiler] is just ridiculous. I know [spoiler]Thor[/spoiler] is one of the most powerful characters in the Marvel Universe, but [i]c'mon![/i] No, I didn't expect anyone to die from last issue's "cliffhanger", but the way the problem was resolved was poorly handled. Aside from those complaints, the dialogue is sharp, and the artwork is on par with that of the previous issues. I'd like to see more development with Bruce Banner, and the return of Giant-Man, but the plot seems a little too crowded at this point. Once this alien invasion is over I hope the book stays grounded in reality. If nothing else, the next issue will have a lot of violence. Yay for violence. [spoiler]Fun Quote: [i](Skrull, to Wasp.) "One must consume to become, you know... Can you guess who I'm becoming next?"[/i][/spoiler] [b]Fantastic Four #501:[/b] Sadly, I missed issue 500 because it was sold out, as many FF issues have been lately. There is a good reason for this; FF is a great example of how to make classic characters fresh and interesting again. This issue mostly dealt the with the aftermath of Doctor Doom's latest attack against the group, and it took many of the characters to a really dark place. I'm not used to seeing Marvel's first family at a psychiatrists office, or [spoiler]contemplating murder[/spoiler] but somehow it fits. They really are a family, and I think that a lot of people can relate to this story in some way or another. This isn't about a super-villain's attack, it is about a family going through a crisis and needing one another for support. I highly recommend this issue if you even remotely care about these characters, because this is shaping up to be an event that will effect their lives for years to come. [center][img]http://batman.com/comics/images/July2003/pic_lrgcatw21cvr.jpg[/img][/center] [b]Catwoman #21:[/b] I've never read a Catwoman comic before this issue, and now I really feel like I have been missing out on something special. This issue unites Catwoman with Captain Cold, who is a mediocre villain on Flash (although I hear he has been reinvented into something pretty interesting there.) The two villains team up for a robbery in Keystone City, home of the Flash, and it's mostly a fun adventure with two unlikely partners. I loved the first conversation between Selina and Lenny, it feels really natural, even though they are mentioning ridiculous names like "Catwoman," "Captain Cold," and "The Trickster." Apparently they met in New York at some point, which I found really funny. The DC Universe has a pretty limited cast of interesting characters, so everyone has met [i]everyone[/i] at some point in the past 50 years. The artwork is good, though it isn't nearly as good at what might be found in Batman or Ultimates. It reminds me of X-Statix, except there is more attention to detail and realism. The facial expressions are excellent, and ones in the [spoiler]Museum theft are hillarious. Captain Cold giving the thumbs up is classic.[/spoiler] The dilaogue is good as well. In fact, there isn't really anything to complain about in this. I'm going to start buying some back issues of Catwoman; if they are all this good then I'm going to be very satisfied. I'm really looking forward to the release of [b]Batman/Superman #1[/b] tomorrow, and [b]1602[/b] next week. Both of these look like they are going to be promising, so I'm excited about those. -Shy[/size]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Harry [/i] [B]I have no compulsion to look at closed thread, mainly due to the fact that most of them are Taylor Hewitt's recently. [/B][/QUOTE] [size=1]That's too funny... Anyway, as a mod I always feel obligated to look at closed threads. Sometimes it gives me an idea of which members are causing trouble at the moment, and the closed threads are usually more interesting than the active ones. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]Here's the short list; it would be take me hours to write up every OB member who has affected me in some way. They haven't completely changed who I am or anything, but their little contributions to my life have made a difference. [b]Sara[/b] and [b]Semjaza[/b] are the two people I talk to most from OB. The conversations I have with them are really varied, and I find that I can learn a lot from both of them. They influence me in random ways, like Semjaza recommending a band that I end up really liking, or Sara sending me Hallmark cards through the mail. It's all a bunch of little things really, and that's a little more important to me. [b]James[/b] gave me my first moderating job way back in V4, and back then I really didn't know him very well. Since then we have spoken a little more often, and he has helped me through some prety difficult times. Yay for James. [b]Syk3[/b] is just a really great person that I have gotten to know through The Otaku and OB. I like having someone around who can relate to my pain as an anime mod / The Otaku staff member, it makes things much more bearable. [b]Charles[/b], [b]Solo[/b], [b]Mitch[/b], [b]Lady M[/b] and [b]Babygirl[/b] are really varied and interesting people that I got to know through the boards, and I find that I'm always learning something from their posts. I haven't gotten to know any of them as much as I'd like, but it's mostly the older (age-wise) members that make this a fun place to visit. [b]Ken[/b] inspired me to get my job at Disneyland, so of all OB members he has probably had the most direct influence on my life. Obviously, there are A LOT more OB members who have changed or helped me in some way or another. I'm not dropping any more names than these, so I'm sorry if I left someone out. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]Rather than ban favorites threads entirely, OB staff has decided to keep them around in the intelligent manner they have always meant to be discussed in. This means that members must discuss [b]why[/b] something is their favorite, rather than just listing off the name of a character/anime/etc.[/size] [QUOTE][i]Bad Example of a Favorites Topic Post:[/i] [color=red][size=3][font=courier]OMG i luv Kenshin he is such a hottie and my fave! lol ;););)[/QUOTE][/size][/color][/font] [size=1]The above post would be a terrible way to start, or reply to a thread. It is poorly written and no real discussion could be generated. Now let's look at a good post:[/size] [quote][i]Good Example of a Favorites Topic Post[/i] [color=#707875]Gene Starwind is a wondeful character, and I think he is one of the most interesting protagonists in all of anime. His motivations and strengths work on many levels, and that makes him very easy to relate to. I found myself more interested in the emotional conflict within Gene, rather than the fight scenes in "Outlaw Star."[/color][/quote] [size=1]This second post is well-written and explains [b]why[/b] the character is their favorite. Posts like this are intelligent, and capable of generating some actual discussion. At OB we definitely try to promote the second type of post as opposed to the first. Anyway, I hope this was helpful to the members at OB. Remember that favorites topics can be fun, but at times they can be overly repetetive. If you are going to make a favorites thread, remember to put a lot of thought into your posts. That way the thread will be both interesting and memorable so that members will want to post in it. Thanks for reading :) -Shy[/size]

[size=1]I'm sorry, but this is the third thread of yours that I have had to closed today, Clouid Strife. It is very important that you read the rules and try to create more original threads. The things you have been posting are SPAM, and strictly against the guidelines OB has set for post quality. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]Thread closed. Cloud Strife, if you don't clean up your post quality and read the rules you are going to be in serious trouble. This is your first warning. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]Since when did you become so popular with the newbies K.C.C.? Very odd.... Anyway, this question should have been posted in the Suggestions forum. It is answered, though, so there is no popint in keeping the thread open. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]We used to have a forum about Trigun, and nobody posted in it. We eventually deleted that forum along with a few others, and there are no current plans to bring the forum back. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]Case closed. Thread closed. :) -Shy[/size]

[size=1]I'm sorry, but we don't allow threads like these because they lead to short and pointless posts, aka SPAM. Please put more thought into your posts, and try to create more original threads in the future. -Shy[/size]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by GinnyLyn [/i] [B]Why not turn it into a popularity contest like we always seem to do. :rolleyes: (I'm [i]kid[/i]ding, heh.) [/B][/QUOTE] [size=1]I found that really funny for some reason. This thread seems awfully familiar, I could have sworn that someone else made a Mr. and Mrs. OtakuBoards thread a long time ago, but I'm unable to find it. The entire contest seems a little nonsensical, mainly because you haven't created any rules yet. Sounds like fun, though. I'm sure we can put all sorts of funny swimwear on James using Photoshop... heh. -Shy[/size]

[size=1].hack//SIGN - "The Eve" - Episode 23 - August 2, 2003 1. This is for your thoughts AFTER you've seen the episode. Don't post advance spoilers here, or your thoughts about such spoilers. 2. Please rate the episode from 0 to 10. Please put your ratings at the top of the body of your post and in [b]BOLD.[/b] 3. This is for your ratings and general thoughts, comments, and impressions. If you have specific thoughts or comments on specific issues or points, a new thread would be more appropriate. 4. Normal spoiler rules apply: spoiler tags are required for any spoilery statements. Very vague "I liked it" type comments don't need tags. 5. If you're going to mention any spoilers for future episodes, please use spoiler tags correctly. 6. Please try to keep this thread on topic. -Shy[/size]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Devidramon [/i] [B]And we know this is the real Peter, not a stray survivor of the clones or robots the Spidey-verse is fraught with?[/B][/QUOTE] [size=1]That's a good point, actually. Anyway, I haven't had the chance to read any of this series, but I am very interested in it. The concept seems like a fun, and it doesn't seem like it is overloaded with continuity (a major plus, in my opinion.) Do you know if there are any trade paperbacks of the comic? -Shy[/size]

[size=1]Don't play mod, Domon. Ever. Anyway, welcome to the boards DeathSyth. We normally do not allow favorites threads because they lead to short and pointless posts, aka SPAM. Please put more thought into the threads you create in the future, and I look forward to seeing you in the Gundam forum. Topic closed. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]...Umm.... yeah.... I'm going to close this thread immediately since it is obviously SPAM. Please reads the rules, and put some thought into your posts. -Shy[/size]

[center][img]http://www.mtv.com/onair/spider-man/flipbooks/images/spiderman_8.jpg[/img] [size=1][i]Note: The series does not look nearly this good.[/i][/center][/size] [size=1]MTV recently launched a new animated series about the collegic adventures of Peter Parker, Mary Jane Watson, and Harry Osborne. This is much different than any previous Spider-Man animation, the main difference being that these the situations are heared towards young adults, and the animation is fully computer generated. If any of you saw the MTV Movie Awards this year you should know exactly what the animation looks like. It is basically cel-shading so everything looks like it was taken out of a Jet Grind Radio cut-scene.[/size] [center][img]http://www.mtv.com/onair/spider-man/flipbooks/concept_completion/images/peter_5.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.mtv.com/onair/spider-man/flipbooks/concept_completion/images/mj_4.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.mtv.com/onair/spider-man/flipbooks/concept_completion/images/lizard_12.jpg[/img][/center] [size=1]These designs are somewhat faithful to the original comics they were inspired by, but were based on the new "Ultimate Spider-Man" comic book series. In fact, Brian Michael Bendis, a writer for the comic, was a consultant for several of the episodes. Some of the designs look great, (The Lizard being a prime example) but the main problem is that characters designs are not the most important part of animation, [i]the animation is.[/i] For some reason TV is unable to do a CGI series with realistic movements, and everyone ends up walking around like a bunch of robots. This makes the action very uninteresting and blocky, which is a major problem for an action show like this. It is even worse when the characters try to be intimate, like in a scene where [spoiler]Mary Jane and Peter kiss.[/spoiler] There is no depth to their movements, and it looks like one of those animated films people make with their action figures of Legos. The techno background music fits the series surprisingly well, but the voice acting is weak. I guess being "cool" on MTV means that you have to sound bored most of the time, and it gets tired to hear such unpassionate dialogue from two characters who are fighting to the death. Peter Parker's voice fits him pretty well, but there is no distinction between him and Spider-Man. Spider-Man sounds like a bored slacker, which is the worst way to portray the character. He is a regular guy who is trying to be Superman, and even though he has his fair share of failures he continues to bounce back with a clever reply. The stories are really tired. One episode a nerd on campus gains super-powers and attacks the fraternity house, while in another Harry dates a villain without knowing it. Even though this is MTV there isn't the edginess that one would expect, and in many ways this is a tamer series than FOX's old Spider-Man cartoon on Saturday morning. I was hoping that airing on MTV would give them a chance to push the boundaries of these characters, but nothing is pushed. This is basically the same Peter and Harry that went to college in the 1960's, only now Mary Jane is a boring and angsty sidekick, void of the passion that she had in the old comics. Harry is annoying, but he has always been like that. Aside from the nice apartment I'll never understand why Peter makes friends with a person like Harry, oh well. The writers seem a little confined, since they are trying to stay within the boundaries set by the movie. I think they should have just thrown caution to the wind, and done whatever they want. Hopefully toning down the Marvel characters for mainstream audiences isn't going to be a huge trend, but after Hulk and Teen Titans it looks like hardcore fans are stuck with the comic books if they don't want to be disappointed. There is also a lot of name-dropping, which is used as a combination of filler and product placement in the episodes. One of the villains steals an MTV movie award, while Spider-Man swings by a few corporate logos while chasing down the Lizard. In closing, I recommend this show to people like me, who enjoy watching super-hero shows, regardless of the qality. By far, this is not the worst animated series based on Spider-Man (Spider-Man Unlimited is), but nobody but fans of the character will find any enjoyment out of the show. Problems with the plots, animation and characters are great to make this noteworthy, and I'd much rather be watching a rerun of "Clone High." -Shy[/size]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Semjaza Azazel [/i] [B]They all suck and wish they were as cool as my avatar... which I call Cooly McCool to emphasize his coolness.[/B][/QUOTE] [size=1]I second that motion. Cooly McCool should be Vice Mascot of OB, and he can take the position of Mascot-in-Chief if something terrible were to happen to Bosko. They look alike, perhaps they are related...? Anyway, I'm kind of disappointed with the options. All of them are midly amusing, but I think there were a lot more hillarious signatures that would have been better candidates. Sara and Charles alone have made more humorous sigs than everyone else combined. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]I'm sorry, but generally do not allow 'favorites' threads because they lead to short and pointless posts, AKA SPAM. Also, this thread has been made several times in the past by various members. Thread closed. -Shy[/size]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by wrist cutter [/i] [B]Yeah, what would any of you do without me? [/B][/QUOTE] [size=1]We should make a new thread called "What would you do without wrist cutter?" That would be a lot more interesting to me, at least. Without OB I would do a lot more reading, writing and drawing. Because of working so much I haven't really done any of those things in a while, and it would be nice to do something creative again. Chances are that we would just sit around on AIM and complain about how much we miss the boards. Tony might actually update his blog... -Shy[/size]

[size=1]There aren't many threads about Cowboy Bebop because the series has been discussed ad nauseum in the past. People have moved onto different series. As far as I know there haven't been any official plans about something new in the Cowboy Bebop universe. This really is just a rumor, and it's poorly written and in the wrong forum. Thread closed. -Shy[/size]

[size=1].hack//SIGN - "Phantom" - Episode 22 - July 26, 2003 1. This is for your thoughts AFTER you've seen the episode. Don't post advance spoilers here, or your thoughts about such spoilers. 2. Please rate the episode from 0 to 10. Please put your ratings at the top of the body of your post and in [b]BOLD.[/b] 3. This is for your ratings and general thoughts, comments, and impressions. If you have specific thoughts or comments on specific issues or points, a new thread would be more appropriate. 4. Normal spoiler rules apply: spoiler tags are required for any spoilery statements. Very vague "I liked it" type comments don't need tags. 5. If you're going to mention any spoilers for future episodes, please use spoiler tags correctly. 6. Please try to keep this thread on topic. -Shy[/size]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Hyper [/i] [B][size=1]I find a lot of flaws in that. I think it's almost putting a label on members. It'd end up being "Mature Adults" vs. "Spammy Little Kids aka Juniors" (You said something yourself along those lines). Not every 13-year old is the same. Post quality varies in each member. You're right though, there are a bunch of spammy teens, but I find that thought almost stereotypical. And what if an anime junior likes one of the mature categories? Good or bad discussions can come from any forum, I don't think it matters if it's juniors or mature people. OB enforces high post quality, and if that standard is kept strong, I see no need for junior forums because some young members don't read the rules. Protection from threads such as "Sexiest Anime Character"? There are other things that could use protecting. Some words aren't censored that may be more of a concern.[/size] [/B][/QUOTE] [size=1]Heh, I'm not saying that every member under 15 is a spamy little kid, obviously the Digimon forum is full of exceptions to that rules. Older members are [i]older[/i], so in some ways they should be expected to have a higher post quality than those who are considerably younger. The junior forums would mainly be intended for a younger membership, so the mods might let things be less strict. I'm not pro-segregation, but I do feel like it's hard to create an intelligent discussion in a forum where the overall quality is low. Take the Yu Yu Hakusho forum for example. the only threads there are generic and very spammy. While favorites threads might be a lot of fun to "tweens," I know a great deal of older members who would like to discuss their anime in a mature way. These labels aren't written in stone, anyone is free to post anywhere they want. However, keeping 25 year olds out of the Yu-Gi-Oh forum wouldn't exactly be a bad thing. Conversely, any 12 year old who thinks they understand Neon Genesis Evangelion is just... annoying. So yeah. Being young isn't a bad thing, and being older doesn't instantly mean you are smarter. Everyone is different, but in general I feel that both groups of members would enjoy having a little space apart from one another. -Shy[/size]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by LostProphet [/i] [B]What was the name of the company Smithers worked for after Mr. burns fired him? [/B][/QUOTE] [size=1]Neat & Tidy Piano Movers. What was The Simpsons' successful follow-up to their hit album "Simpsons Boogie"? -Shy[/size]