Godelsensei

[color=gray][size=2][font=Courier New]The wind had died down by now, after having blown away nearly all the clouds. The grass was cool, but not damp, under their backs. The hill sloped gently upwards, and the stars twinkled above them. [font=Courier New][size=2]Tadashi could hear his own forced, heavy breath as it escaped his lungs, and his rattling gasps as he drew it back in. But, for what seemed like the first time, it didn?t matter. He rolled his eyes without moving his head, and looked to his left, then his right. They were both there. They were not going to leave him, not like every one else had.[/size][/font] [font=Courier New][size=2]It took him a moment to notice Xeh studying her left hand. She held it up, palm out, towards the sky, elbow slightly bent. The smooth stump of what had once been her pinky glowed pinker than the rest of her skin. There was a vacant expression on her face, and she appeared to be staring almost right through her hand.[/size][/font] [font=Courier New][size=2]He sat up, feeling the odd leaf of grass prickled his back where they had gotten under his shirt. Sliding his hand behind his head, and into his collar, he shook it until most of the offending leaves were on the ground again. He imagined that there would be grass stains on the seat of his pants, but that didn?t matter. They were just a pair of worn-out trousers, after all.[/size][/font] [font=Courier New][size=2]He glanced down at Xeh again. She was still studying her hand. [/size][/font] [font=Courier New][size=2]?Where?d you lose it??[/size][/font] [font=Courier New][size=2]She jumped and let her hand drop. Without looking at him, she asked him what he was talking about.[/size][/font] [font=Courier New][size=2]?Your pinky. You?ve never mentioned where you lost it.?[/size][/font] [font=Courier New][size=2]There was a pause, and she sat up, hair sticking out in odd directions, as usual, despite her attempts to hold it back in a ponytail. There was grass caught in it, and she ran her finger through her red locks, in hopes of dislodging it. Then, she began to chuckle. [/size][/font] [font=Courier New][size=2]She brought her knees up, and tucked them into her chest, hugging them together with the hand that had just been trying to free her hair of the grass. She was smiling to herself. Smiling. Tadashi liked it when Xeh smiled; it made him feel like everything else was far away, and didn?t matter any more. He thought, by now, that it was because he knew she wouldn?t smile unless there really was a reason for it. [/size][/font] [font=Courier New][size=2]?I didn?t lose it,? she said, finally.[/size][/font] [font=Courier New][size=2]?Hm?? He blinked at her a few times, sitting forward.[/size][/font] [font=Courier New][size=2]?Heh. Why?d you think I?m here right now?? She turned to him, eyes nearly sparkling. She was smiling, but, for the second time, she actually looked anything other than angry or apathetic. Tadashi?s eyes widened at his noticing that the glimmer in her eyes was held-back tears. [/size][/font] [font=Courier New][size=2]?What do you mean??[/size][/font] [font=Courier New][size=2]?Come on, you saw what they did to that kid back there.?[/size][/font] [font=Courier New][size=2]A wave of sickening memory over came him, and Tadashi felt as though his stomach might have been doing summersaults. How could he have let it leave his mind? It had been keeping him up at night for weeks. ?You mean???[/size][/font] [font=Courier New][size=2]?Yep. Crazy, huh?? She leaned back, against the hill again. Tears were streaming down her face, but her smile did not fade. She closed her eyes and folded her arms behind her head, as a sort of make-shift pillow. ?Well, now you know why I still work for Gattie.? She rolled over, facing away from him and yawned. ?Now shut up, will you? I haven?t had a decent night?s sleep in a month at least.?[/size][/font] [font=Courier New][size=2]Tadashi laughed as silently as he could manage, as, too far to make a difference, a butterfly flapped its wings.[/size][/font] [font=Courier New][size=2]This is what I want to use as an ending for one of my stories, so it probably wont make much sense... It's actually from the same story as the first thing I posted. Heh.[/size][/font] [color=gray][font='Courier New']Izumi shuffled through the snow. It was already almost three feet deep, and was growing more so, ever so slowly. There was a light wind, but it still froze the extremities of her face, making her wish she had worn a hat. What a silly thing to think of?would she even have cared ten years ago? Well, ten years was a long time, she had proved that to herself time and time again. But it seemed like just the day before last that she had come up this way most recently. [/font][/color] [color=gray][font=Courier New][size=2]It looked the same as it always did: secluded but not un-charming, the building itself welcoming after a trek up the slope of the mountain. There was a light on in one room. When she was close enough to see this, she paused for a second and just stood there, shivering. Her teeth rattled against each other, and her knees quaked just so slightly. Was it the cold, or was it who?or more of a what, now?she knew would be waiting inside. Well, not waiting. She hadn?t called, after all. But, then again, what were the chances of the place having a phone? It hadn?t ten years ago.[/size][/font][/color] [color=gray][font=Courier New][size=2]But ten years was a long time.[/size][/font][/color] [color=gray][font=Courier New][size=2]After a few moments, she began to walk again, and, upon reaching the threshold, simply stood there for another few. The door was the same as it had always been. She reached out a slender hand, and rested the tips of her fingers on it, tracing the contours of the wood until she reached the handle. She tried it, slowly. It was unlocked. [/size][/font][/color] [color=gray][font=Courier New][size=2]She took a breath and pushed the door open, into the warmth of the house. [/size][/font][/color] [color=gray][font=Courier New][size=2]Almost instantly, a wave of nostalgia overcame her. She did not feel alien or unwelcome here?she had no second thoughts about having simply walked in. She was always welcome here, always had been.[/size][/font][/color] [color=gray][font=Courier New][size=2]As quietly as she could muster, she shut the door, blocking out the chill of the evening. The house was warmer than outside, but not quite warm enough. She imagined it was still only heated by the fireplace in the main room. [/size][/font][/color] [color=gray][font=Courier New][size=2]?Who?s there?? She heard his voice before she had been able to register that he was going to be there. Before she had gotten over the shock of it, there he was, leaning into the hallway, eyes wide. He obviously hadn?t been expecting her. [/size][/font][/color] [color=gray][font=Courier New][size=2]She simply stared at him for a few seconds, before tears filled her eyes, and her hand instinctively came up to cover her mouth. She began to quake with tears, and bit down on her bottom lip, in hopes of keeping back the sobs. It was no use. [/size][/font][/color] [color=gray][font=Courier New][size=2]She threw her arms around him, and began to cry into his shoulder. He was taller than her. When had that happened? It didn?t matter. Nothing mattered. He was still here, like always.[/size][/font][/color] [color=gray][font=Courier New][size=2]She realized, after most of her tears had died down, that he was crying. He squeezed her to him, and was sobbing more intensely than she had been. It had never occurred to her that he would have missed her, as well.[/size][/font][/color] [color=gray][font=Courier New][size=2]They simply stood like that for a while, having passed no words, no more than a glance into each other?s faces. Finally, he spoke, ?Christ, Izumi, I can?t believe you?re still alive. They told me they?d killed you, you know.? His voice was as quaky as her knees had been coming up here.[/size][/font][/color] [color=gray][font=Courier New][size=2]She stepped back and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. ?Killed me? They told you I was dead?? In spite of herself, she laughed. And laughed, and laughed. She laughed until the tears came back, and she began to sob again. Then, after what seemed like eternity, she shook her head and smiled. ?Well, they didn?t. They sent me away, though.? [/size][/font][/color] [color=gray][font=Courier New][size=2]?Well, I guess that?s a relatively good thing, then.? He laughed and jerked his chin towards the open doorway. ?Come on?it?s warmer in here.? [/size][/font][/color] [color=gray][font=Courier New][size=2]When they were both sitting down, across from each other, in front of the fire, slowly sipping tea, they actually began to talk.[/size][/font][/color] [color=gray][font=Courier New][size=2]?So?how?ve you been?? He looked at her over the rim of his cup. [/size][/font][/color] [color=gray][font=Courier New][size=2]She gazed out the window, at the falling snow. It was blowing harder now?it was a good job she?d come up here when she had. She imagined that the storm would pick up very quickly from this point forward. ?As good as I could manage.? She smiled and looked down at the leaves that rested at the bottom of her cup. ?I got married, if that?s legitimate news.?[/size][/font][/color] [color=gray][font=Courier New][size=2]His eyes widened and he paused. ?Married??[/size][/font][/color] [color=gray][font=Courier New][size=2]?And divorced.? A pause. ?I have a son, too.?[/size][/font][/color] [color=gray][font=Courier New][size=2]He sipped his tea noisily and raised his eyebrows. ?You? With a kid? Seems rather out of place, doesn?t it??[/size][/font][/color] [color=gray][font=Courier New][size=2]She raised an irritated eyebrow at him. ?How so??[/size][/font][/color] [color=gray][font=Courier New][size=2]He shrugged and set his cup down, leaning back. ?You know, the whole violent?verbally, as well, I might add?immature, never-wanting-to-be-tied-down-by-anything bit.? [/size][/font][/color] [color=gray][font=Courier New][size=2]?Sure. So?what?ve you been doing??[/size][/font][/color] [color=gray][font=Courier New][size=2]?Me? Not much more than sitting around, actually. They haven?t really found a use for me, as it is.?[/size][/font][/color] [color=gray][font=Courier New][size=2]?Sounds like you.?[/size][/font][/color] [color=gray][font=Courier New][size=2]?What??[/size][/font][/color] [color=gray][size=2][font=Courier New]?Finding an endless number of ways to make no good of yourself whatsoever.? She looked out the window. The snow made the night sky look almost white. She had forgotten how cold it got up here in winter. Once again, in spite of herself, she laughed.[/font] [/size][/color] [font=Verdana][size=1][color=red]In future, please do not double post in threads. Simply edit the previous post. [/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=1][color=red]-- Lady Asphyxia[/color][/size][/font] [/font][/size][/color]

[COLOR=Gray][SIZE=2][FONT=Courier New]That's what I love about the manga, also. : 3 Well, part of it. "Lee, you're such a f*g." Ahaha... Anyway, it's called, "It's the Spellbook of the Snow Princess" or something like that... Narutofan has some stuff on it... "Aiya! He's even more of a f*ggot than the first one!" That was the greatest. You could always just dl the manga...?^_^ I have the first volume in paper for the simple joy of having it. It's made the rounds amongst my classmates.^_^[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Gray][SIZE=2][FONT=Courier New]Her hand's backwards... The layout is rather interesting, as is the concept--very AFI, from what I've heard of them. That being very little. Anyway, the arms are exceptionally skinny, but in an anorexic kind of way, as oppose to a stylized way.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Gray][SIZE=2][FONT=Courier New]KILL something. That's right: one of the (very) few instances where I will not criticize poor grammar. I LOVE this line. It came from a little plaque-like-thing that has been in our music classroom for...a long time. It belonged to the best strings teacher I ever had (and the first, incidentally... :p). Anyway, here is the banner... Man, this took me forever, believe it or not. I like it, though.^_^[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Gray][SIZE=2][FONT=Courier New]He could feel the sweat on his brow, the shoe slipping from his right foot. His palms grew sweaty, and he nearly tripped several times as he ran, but he did not stop. Even when he crashed into an elderly lady carrying her groceries in a large brown paper bag, and fell into the dirt. He scrambled frantically to his feet as people screamed curses behind him, unaware of his situation. He could feel them gaining on him, their footsteps and fists drawing closer. There were people shouting after them now, too, but stopping and begging for help would not have amounted to anything. Any one with sense chose to stay out of street conflicts?they were more often than not fatal, and fought with such intensity and lack of restraint that it would have taken an earthquake to separate a skirmish once it started. He felt his feet grow heavy and his head begin to spin. His breath came short and he began to wheeze. His chest tightened and he felt his entire body begin to falter. Not this. Not now. He squeezed his hands into fists, allowing his torn nails to dig into the flesh of his palms. He had to keep running. If nothing else, he had to keep moving. His vision began to blur and tears were streaming down his face. Spots of brilliant, multi-coloured light began to burst across his vision. He could no longer make out men from women, tell where he was going. His hearing grew echoed, and the noises of the street seemed to go far away. His vision failed. He could see nothing. All that he could do was try to keep running and hope he didn?t trip or hit anything or one. It failed. His left foot twisted awkwardly, and he fell to the ground with a yelp. He dug his fingers into the dirt of the road, trying to bring himself to his feet. He was blind and practically deaf. He was tired. He could not breath, he could not move. He was going to die, and they were the ones who were going to kill him. He felt a kick to his ribs, which made him crumple. More blows came at him from what seemed like every side. Fingers grabbed at his hair, and clawed at his face and arms. Were there really only three of them? Where was he? He felt himself becoming numb to the pain, and a tingling sensation overcame his entire body. Was this what it was like to die? If so, why had he been so afraid of it until now? It seemed almost better than living?[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Gray][SIZE=2][FONT=Courier New]Gfoosh. Sorry, but that was the first thing that came to mind when I began this reply. I saw your post title and began to laugh and laugh and laugh and laugh and, well, you get the idea. Anyway, I had to read this book earlier this year for English class, and I must say, I found it quite...mediocre. Don't get on to me about having to understand it, because I do. It's just...well, it was lacking alot, I thought. It was good in the middle, but the end was extrordinarily predictable--about halfway through I knew who was going to, well, you know... Anyway, perhaps it's just that I have had this book in doses [I][B]way[/I][/B] too big for my tastes. It's even our school play. I have no idea why the drama teachers would choose this book, as it provides little flexibility for a play when it comes to scene lay-out. That and the fact that half of it will be people throwing themselves at each other hollering. I don't want to think about what they're going to do when Bob gets *spoilered*. Anyway, I'm actually on the costume design commitee. My friends told me that I have to remembe the time and place. Id est: Ponyboy, Dally and the rest of 'em are NOT ninjas. They do NOT live in Konoha._ _U What's so great about anything that doesn't involve ninjas?! Eh?! Eh?! _ _U There's a character called Joney in our play. Nobody knows who he/she is, but we think they might be the bio-engineered hybrid of Pony and Johnny. >.>

[COLOR=Gray][SIZE=2][FONT=Courier New]The only manwha I've ever read is Demon Diary. It was funny, but I didn't enjoy it [I]all[/I] that much. I was kind of hoping for the beginings of a plot._ _ Oh well, it was just one volume, half of which wasn't even Demon Diary, so I can't really take a stand-point on this issue. Damn, I have *got* to teach my friends how to buy manga/wha properly... The art was quite [I]pretty[/I], though I didn't like the style that much. I tend to go for the more "realistic" (as far as manga can go, anyway) styles. You know, where face-shap, eye-shape, and noses can be as important in identifying a character visually as their hair? Almost. ^_^ I really don't think you can judge an entire country's comic books equally though. Like in North America and Japan, some of them are going to suck. Similarly, some of the art is going to suck. However, you will always find the gems that have both wonderful art and wonderful stories/are so funny and well-drawn you can't put them down. However, societies do tend to lean in the same direction in *some* aspects. For instance: spandex in American comics. *shudder* How I loathe that stuff... From what I've seen (as in looked at, not actually read), characters in manwha tend to be much more slender and androgynous (sp?). The eyes are generally wider and smaller, and the hands more feminine. Though I'm sure built characters will have less dainty hands, the art seems to follow this trend. And, oh, the sparkles! I have never picked up a volume of manwha without something that's all sparkly in it. I actually find this quite weird...O.o[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Gray][SIZE=2][FONT=Courier New]Yoshimitsu? For a cat? "It is I, Yoshimitsu!" Damn, I hate that dubb...*cringe* Anyway, my friend's cat has the greatest name (for a cat) ever. And I mean ever... Sammie-Orion-Tiqi-Taco-Waffle-Sox :D Is that not [I]the[/I] greatest thing you've ever heard? Heh.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Gray][SIZE=2][FONT=Courier New]Hmmm...it depends on the individual characters for me, most of the time. I tend to side with the good guys, solely because I have this hate for people who just kill and kill and undergo no remorse. If any one has read any of my posts about more controversial topics, then they would probably have asumed this. However, a cool bad guy is never undesireable. As far as character types go, I prefer the neutral, powerful-but-lazy, not-wanting-to-take-a-life guys. There's something oh-so-cool about the way some people can just say, "Ah, screw it..." and wander off to go buy some dango (or something of the same nature). But, if they decide they care about something...*maniacal laughter* Wow. What a using-hyphons-alot post. Heh. Bad guys who are simply [I]bad[/I] for no real reason are no fun. Neither are good guys who have no identifiable motivation. I think the best kind of story is one where they get you sided with one party, though the other isn't necessarily bad. You don't feel guilty for siding with the other "team" that way. Heh. Did that make any sense at all? _ _U Oh well, you're all bright enough to "bend a penatrative eye" and figure out what I was trying to say. :p [/FONT] [/SIZE] [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Gray][SIZE=2][FONT=Courier New]*jumps around* "Did he have his little sister with him?" "Yeah..." "...god damn it..." *maniacal laughter* Another wonderful, serious, disturbing, show that I love oh-so-much! Though the fact that my internet died for weeks a while back has caused a chain reaction with my up-to-dateness (concerning several things) I love Gunslinger Girl. I need to download the last three or four episodes, though. *cries* I love Triela! She's the best of all of them. Heh. Anyway, if you like Gunslinger Girl, you will like Narutaru! *is still trying to make people watch Narutaru, though it isn't really working* Alot of things will make your eyes widen and your stomach cramp throughout GG. Not only that, but you're going to cry. And cry and cry and cry and cry and cry... Oh well, it's still [I]tres magnifique[/I].[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Gray][SIZE=2][FONT=Courier New]Oh! Sasuke-kun, don't be embarrassed about crying over Naruto! Why, I've probably shed more tears over the course of it [Naruto, of course] than you ever will. Heh. I wont list them here, though--it would take to long. I know that the whole bit with the spoiler I almost gave but didn't on my MyO will make you break down into tears, unless you're completely heartless. Stupid heartless people...*mutters and stalks off in a huff*[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Gray][SIZE=2][FONT=Courier New]The style is really different, through both the plot and the art. I, myself, actually quite like the character designs, despite how anorexic they look. Heh...I guess I just like weird art styles. I, myself, went through a phase where everything I drew had a long neck, dainty hands and gangly arms and legs. Anyway, the poor animation can be excused, as the show is still brilliant, despite its low budget. It's sad how things turn out like that, eh? Though the ending theme is still a complete rip-off of Gundam Wing. T_T How dissapointing. Maybe they were making fun of it...? Or trying to...? o.o Anyway...DON'T YOU LOVE THE OPENING? Sorry for the all-caps, but I think they were necessary. *goes off into a daze* Yoku hareta nichiyoubi no asa ni... Boku wa machiawase no ano basho de... Waraiau kodomo-tachi wo nagame nagara, Kimi ga kuro no wo zutto matteite... The opening theme will make you cry after you see a few more episodes...>.> Hard to imagine that, though, huh?[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Gray][SIZE=2][FONT=Courier New]Icky. Not in reference to the "piss" part, but towards the colour scheme. Also, I wouldn't display relgious art of my own will, seeing as I am not religious. Thirdly, regardless of what it reprisents, I don't like the overall idea of having some one being crucified hanging on my wall. It's just not my "thing", if you get what I mean. I find the nature of the piece extrordinarily odd, and, to be honest, quite unpleasant. Aside from the overall lack of asthetic appeal, to agree with whoever stated it first, I have limited intrest in things floating in human waste. As far as art goes, my opinion has already been stated. The whole monkey-throwing-crap-at-the-wall point that some one made. That's how I feel, though I wouldn't pay for something just because it had intent. Not all art is worth paying any mind to, as far as I'm concearned. Seems like kind of a senseless thing to make a controversy out of. After all, even if it offends you, the guy's already soaked the icon in liquid excretement. Not much point in creating a ruccus over something like that, as far as I'm concearned...then again, not much makes me want to start a ruccus at all. Heh.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Gray][SIZE=2][FONT=Courier New]Music is a means of self-expression, and a way to fend off boredom. (though this does not always work for more than five hours when it's the same song_ _U) There's something fun about letting people in on your tastes, as well as knowing that they are your own and no one else's. If earth was ever under seige by aliens who lacked music, I think we would be able to win them over. Music is something entirely human to me. Every one loves it, and every one always will until the last harpsicord turns to dust with the passing of the human species...Harpsicord. Heh.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Gray][SIZE=2][FONT=Courier New]Songs that make you want to beat your brains out with an egg-beater, eh? Well, I could give you a long list... It's pretty much anything by Simple Plan, but not because they are "*so* not punk". It's because of their lead-singers voice. It's so...whiney. I wince every time I listen to it. They're giving Quebecers a worse name than they already have got. :laugh: I cannot stand Hillary Duff, either. My younger sister, for the *longest* of times, used to blast this one CD by her throughout the house without lament. I had to drown it out by playing Asian Kung-Fu Generation louder than I already was. Heh. Too bad I hadn't heard of The Pillows back then... Yeah, what *was* up with the Spice Girls?? Honestly...I think the only reason I knew any of their songs was because I kept trying to make friends in the second grade, and they were all superficial air-heads. Or as akin to them as seven-year-olds can be. Heh. Where is the Love is...don't get me started on that one. Just don't get me started. Also: the Sleep Country jingle that every one loves and hates at the same time. Once those two sentences get stuck in your head, they aren't going anywhere for a while...*shudder*[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Gray][SIZE=2][FONT=Courier New]I, in all honesty, do not like the concept of flopping manga. It's not because in Japanese it reads right-to-left, but because the artist spent time and effort to make it appear correctly. When you reverse an image, perspective can be altered in weird ways, and expressions can be made to look different than they were originally intended. Similarly, something that really bugs me about the (sparce) flopped manga I own is how every one automatically becomes left-handed and things written on chalkboards (by the characters) in the manga (it's in the first volume of Ranma 1/2, if you want to see for yourself) end up looking very weird. I take my own drawing very seriously (though people often make fun of me for using almost exclusively the manga-style medium), and it pains me to see some one's work altered in such a way. I know it might sound stuck-up, but this is simply how I feel about the subject. As a bit of an excuse, I guess you could say that drawing is the only thing I take seriously, and I take it as seriously as a bunch of alternative hobbies combined. Heh. I'm such a geek. I don't think the "reversed" reading format is that strange, once you read a couple of pages. Your eyes get used to it very quickly, and it's kind of neat. I remember feeling really stupid the first time I picked up a volume of manga and realized halfway through a seemingly inconsistent, senseless chapter that what they were saying would have made sense if it was said "backwards". _ _U Leave it to me to take three pages to notice. [/FONT] [/SIZE] [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Gray][SIZE=2][FONT=Courier New]Ooooh...Pretty. I think you could have upped the save quality just a bit, though. I like the idea, but the Naruto one definately could have been made using a better picture of the character. (no offense if you drew it, it's a good drawing, but I think the angle looks weird) Also, I don't think fanart should be used in a banner unless it's for your blog or fanart site. Anyway...yeah. Later then.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Gray][SIZE=2][FONT=Courier New]When you get down to it, there are few things less dangerous than an indifferent doctor. Do you think the original Hippocratic Oath has any meaning left today? Do you think the revised version has meaning? I think the main subject of the Hippocratic Oath is that a doctor must treat his patients with respect, empathy, and to understand that they are people, not charts or statistics. It also seems to say, "If some one is putting their life into your hands, don't be swayed by shame or bias when you need to make decisions concerning their wellfair." Theological references are made in both versions. Do you think these are vital/necessary, or creating a bias against those who do not believe in God? I think it is basically saying that a doctor should not take on the role of a diety who is able to magically cure the sick. He or she may need assistance in helping their patient and pride is not important in the least when some one's life is on the line. How a doctor "relieves" the sick isn't clear. Does that mean putting someone to rest is within the capabilities of a doctor? Should it be? I believe there was a doctor who strongly believed in giving lethal injections to those who wanted them. My English teacher was telling us about how he publicly (as in on TV) showed himself, well, killing an individual in this manner. He had documents concerning the same course of action towards numerous individuals. He was arrested and jailed for life, I do believe. If any one has further information on this topic, I would be highly interested in it. However, to get back on track, I don't think a doctor should be allowed or inclined to help his patients "pass on". If there is something you can do to save a person's life, no matter how depressed they are, then you should strive for it. If you kill yourself (or similarly, have some one kill you) you will never know how happy you could have been again. And most people leave depression behind after a few months, or even a few years. If some one is in pain, a doctor's practice, as I see it, should revolve around getting rid of the pain, while keeping the patient alive. The individual has a duty to her family and friends to stay alive as long as she can, and the doctor's duty is to cure her of her ailments. (this also applies to men, of course) The abortion part of the original has been removed in the revised edition. Comments? I think this is a very important alteration, as it acknowledges the fact that women should be free to choose what happens with their bodies. It shows the growth of respect for women, and the acknowledgement that they are equal to men; a doctor has no business denying a woman an abortion, in my opinion. I thought it was interesting how the Oath contains a humanistic part (about treating a human, not a disease), since most people stereotype Science as a cold, calculated thing. I was delighted to read this. Though most patients probably end up being seen as a chart or statistic, they are people. They have families and friends. However, a doctor should be detached to an extent; how else will they make fully rational decisions? Very interesting topic, Azure. I don't know why I didn't read it until just now...[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Gray][SIZE=2][FONT=Courier New]Sasuke, you know I am a raving-mad-with-enthusiasm Naruto fan.^^ And seeing as there is a chance to enlighten those who think otherwise right now...NARUTO IS TEH EVERYTHING WONDERFUL. 1. The characters. Oh, the characters! Their designs and personalities are constantly competing with each other for which impresses more! A story with such beautiful personalities flowering throughout it is a rare thing, but Naruto is a perfect example.^_^ 2. The architecture! The first of Naruto that I saw was chapter 4 of the manga, the chapter where Naruto sticks the eraser between the door and door frame. That was chapter 4, right? Anyway, I didn't really know what was going on, as it was my first time reading Naruto (or unfloppedness, for that matter), but I fell in love with the buildings quicker than I did with the characters. I love the way the village is so multi-leveled: the roof and the street are used equally when walking, and there are so many billboards with so many cool titles, and everything just fits perfectly...*contended sigh* 3. The music. The Naruto Main Theme is probably my favourite piece of lyric-less music, competing with Concerning Hobbits. The drums and woodwinds are just perfect... Heehee...for more ramblings about Naruto, visit myO, or my website. Heh. *glomps Neji*[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Gray][SIZE=2][FONT=Courier New]Who I would not want as a room mate? Hmmm...not Miroku, as the home should be a place where you are safe from groping aquaintances. Sasuke, because he'd whine all the time, and expect people to clean up after him. He'd probably hog the TV, too, all the while expecting me to droll over him like every other female under the age of twenty seems to. Gah. Any of the cast from Sailor Moon, really, *except* for Tuxedo Mask, because he is just so so sexy and charming.^_^ Heheheh... Interesting thread. Alternatively, which ones would you want? As roommates, that is. That previous post got me thinking about who would be the best to be stuck dealing with every day of your life for a varying period of time. Seeing as there are just so many cool personalities, I'll ask who your first two choices would be. Mine? Hmm... Kenshin, because he'd clean up and cook (two things I am fully incapable of), and Shikamaru, because he's, well, Shikamaru. We'd probably drive each other nuts with our identical personalities, but hey. Once again: *shrug*[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR] [COLOR=Navy]I merged your thread with the previous topic, as I don't think this forum needs more than one "anime roommates" discussion. ~Dagger~[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Gray][SIZE=2][FONT=Courier New]Heh. I, like some one else up there (sorry for not checking your name) will get back to you in a few years. However, I can see myself spending prom night at home, on the computer, happily surfing the internet and chatting with all my internet chums, and never thinking about the event. It's not that I look down on people who get excited about dances and the like--hurray for them!--but it's just not *me*._ _U Oh well, maybe I'll "understand when I'm older" or something of that nature. Anyway, have fun. *shrugs and walks off, quite possibly into something*[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[quote name='wiccansamurai]Free webz doesn't do that right. Either upload it or use a different web hosting. I always liked [URL=http://myimages.fourvalve.com]http://myimages.fourvalve.com[/URL']. That's what I use anyway.[/quote] [COLOR=Gray][SIZE=2][FONT=Courier New]Yeah, I will upload it now. I wasn't using my computer when I made that second post, so I didn't have it on my computer. Yeah, freewebz really sucks. *mutter*...why can I not find a decent free server?? T_T[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Gray][SIZE=2][FONT=Courier New]I must say, though it is weird, and highly, well, unusual, I love this show. For any one who has seen the first episode, and brushed it off as a little kids' show, I am telling you, it's not one. Give the second or third episodes a go, and you'll see what I mean. There's just something about Narutaru that caught my attention: not only is it incredibly insightful, disturbing on so many different levels, but it really changes your views on some aspects of life if you take it seriously enough. I was just wondering if any one else had seen it, as I only know one person (the one who introduced it to me) with whome I can discuss it. If you havent seen/heard of it, I highly recomend you try it out. And the first episode is to be disregarded. "I need more paper!" Aiya~a...let's put it this way: this show was licensed until the company saw the second episode. Then, they canceled their license--it would have been too much for the kiddies.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Gray][SIZE=2][FONT=Courier New]1. Regardless of whether or not you download anime, do you believe that doing so is wrong? This is a pretty relative question. If the show is licensed, then it's most definately *illegal*, however, there is always the argument that DVDs are grossly overpriced (unless you buy them ripped). This especially applies to anime (or, more generally, imported from Japan) DVDs. The most frequent price range I have seen for licensed, legal, DVDs is from $35-60. I find this utterly rediculous. I, myself, do purchase a fair amount of DVDs, though I wont jump to buy something over $25, mainly because I don't have very much spending power. Then, I suppose some one could argue that dubs and legal subs tend to, well, suck. This isn't really a valid argument, but it's a point that could be brushed upon throughout this debate. From my experience, most dubs and legal subs are inferior to fan-subs, which is kind of sad, seeing as the scriptwriters for the legal ones are actually being paid. As for unlicensed anime, the growth of an international fanbase for a company that wouldn't have been making money off of other countries anyway, must be some kind of plus. If it weren't for fansubs, the North American etc... anime fanbase would be a lot smaller, and quite outdated. Fansubs are a quick way for a show to spread internationally, and create excitement and enthusiasm for its release in other countries. Anyway, when you think about it, the people who watch the stuff on TV aren't really paying for it, aside from the cost of their cable etc... . 2. Do you think that you'd buy more DVDs if you didn't download any shows? You mean legal ones? No. I generally only buy legal versions of movies, but it's the same idea, I guess. As for pirated DVDs...eheheh. *whistles innocently, while quietly shoving box after plastic box into a hole under the floor boards* I guess, even though it technically is immoral, it's the lack of the ability to spend forty bucks on one DVD, and the propensity to take advantage of 26-episodes-for-$20 deals that drives me to buy the boots. *blink blink* Oh, come on! When you have thousands of titles at your fingertips for $5 a volume, it's hard to resist! *sweat sweat* 3. Do foreign (not Japanese) anime companies pay attention to the popularity of various fansubbed series? I would imagine they do. Though, judging by scripts and voice-actor selections, one often finds one's self in doubt of dubbing companies' intelligence, it is what they live off of. It often seems as though they're forgetting that the fan base belongs to an older age group (generally) than they try to redirect it to, however. If they gave people a chance to see that anime is more than simply porn or stupid children's shows, they might not have to do this as much, but hey. I doubt they're in the business because they wnat to share the stuff with the world. They just know it sells like hotcakes. And now, after this long debate, you'll have to excuse me as I go download the next episode of Naruto. I can't believe I haven't seen it yet! o_o![/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[QUOTE=Sara][size=1] I've been toying with the idea of naming a couple plants I have--some bamboo and a couple things grown from avocados. I was surprised when I realized I [i]hadn't[/i] named them yet, but they haven't been doing so great lately, and I'm reluctant to name something that I fear is about to die. //[/size][/QUOTE] [SIZE=2][COLOR=Gray][FONT=Courier New]I know I just made another reply but hey. (after all, I started the thread, I get a couple of stupid liberties, neh??_ _U) You mean you haven't named your house plants? Fiend! Haha--I only have one plant: a Jade tree that has been hanging in there for five or six years now. It's so cool...it's name? Antoinne Waldo Riccardo V (as in the fifth^^)! I have a whole lot of A.W.R.'s, come to think of it...let's list them, shall we? Antoinne Waldo Riccardo I : the first villain from my first DnD campaign Antoinne Waldo Riccardo II : the father of one of my original characters; a fox spirit Antoinne Waldo Riccardo III : the fox sprite himself Antoinne Waldo Riccardo IV : my computer Antoinne Waldo Riccardo V : as I said before, my Jade tree^_^ And then, of course, there is my kitty, Zackee-chan, also known as Zackaroo, Zackoid, Catzilla, Baka-Neko-chan, Neko-chan, Zaku, Swiffer, Zack, or simply, Zachary. He is snoozeling beside me...hear him pur... Heh. I went off in a rant about my kitty. Oh well.^^[/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE]