Retribution

[size=1]Alright, so I watched it, and I love it. I'm sure there'll be those who gun it down, but I seriously think that the Wachowski Brothers got their acts together after trashing The Matrix II and III. I think that the movie provides a fair amount of action, but more importantly, food for thought. While I didn't appreciate how [spoiler]America was in a civil war, it was still good. The knife-time was another great spin on the bullet-time created by The Matrix I -- very innovative, I think.[/spoiler] Anyway, I thought the plot was solid, the acting was good, and while a few effects were slightly cheezy, I'd certainly buy it on DVD.[/size]

[QUOTE=OpS]Okay, here goes . . . I'm kinda stuck on this drawin' and need suggestions 'bout the sword, especially. I hate it! I'm not too good with weaponry. Help me out, please so I can finsih this drawin'. Oh, and 'bout the pic--it's a character I created "Jaki", japanese for imp! I'm workin' on different styles of her--this is just one of 'em--the others are still in my head. *lol* I'd like to do my own manga one day--workin' on it, slowly. [url]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/IgnisFerus/Jaki.jpg[/url][/QUOTE] [size=1]OpS, You seriously overstepped your bounds editing out my comment and reposting the image. [B]Never again[/B] should you do that -- it's blantantly disobeying a moderator, which is clearly against the rules. There's a reason I changed the image to a link, and under [B]no circumstance[/B] should you ever again disobey me or another moderator. We don't tell you things just because we think it's fun to boss you around. We do it because it's a rule, and you must obey them. If you post another image that stretches OB's layout, I will close the thread. You have been warned. As for everyone else (Hisato, BloodRainShadow, I'm looking at you), please read the [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/rules.php][b]Official OtakuBoards Rules[/b][/url] as well as the [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=52171][b]Art Studio Rules[/b][/url] to understand what is expected as far as post quality and critiquing goes. Thanks for your cooperation. Complaints, comments, and questions should be voiced to me via PM.[/size]

[size=1]Welcome to OtakuBoards, Bigman. It's great that you're posting so much artwork and getting feedback on it, but for future reference, please don't post pictures that stretch the OB layout. It makes 56k users suffer unnecessarily, and it makes things look bad and annoying in general. Please read the [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/rules.php][b]Official OtakuBoards Rules[/b][/url] and the [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=52171][b]Art Studio Rules[/b][/url] to understand the way things work around here. Keep posting, and thanks for your cooperation. Please PM me if you have any questions. ^_^[/size]

[size=1]I dunno about you, Shin, but I really loved the random cat meowing, and then showing the empty cage with the snake coming out it. Wonderful. I also loved how Samuel L. Jackson shot the head of a snake [I]on a plane with one shot while it was moving.[/I] Talk about nice aim. I think this one of those movies that's so cheezy it becomes awesome, much like Napoleon Dynamite.[/size]

[size=1]Of course love can't make you immortal. My parents love one another, but they're going to die one day. They can't love one another after they die -- they'll be decaying in the ground. Eventually there will be no one on Earth who remembers them or their lives or their deeds. That's when they truly die.[/size]

[size=1]In the light of this new information (thanks Dagger), I still keep my stance on the matter. I'm not going to revoke my stance to accomodate extremely rare and obscure cases of chromosome mutation/deformation. Even in some of the rare cases of XX male syndrome, the male has an SRY gene that accounts for the masculinity. Sorry -- I'm not gonna get all deep, religious, or philosophical on this one. I think biology has done and is doing a fair job at determining man and woman. Sure, you can cite your rare cases left and right -- I'm sure I can find a syndrome to refute your point -- but I still stand on my XX, XY opinion.[/size]

[QUOTE=Hisao]wow what a cool advice d>_

[size=1]Fasteriskhead, you can say what you're trying to say in fewer words. It's a horror to slog through your posts and pick thorugh your points. Simplify your words and sentences -- we're not writing term papers here. Anyway. [quote name='Fasteriskhead][...] If I have stated this fairly, then it first begs the question: what in the world do we mean by "male sexual characteristics"? We should have all learned this one in sex ed class: the presence of testes and a penis, comparatively low voices, a large degree of muscle mass, comparatively less body fat, a large skeletal frame, and facial and body hair. Who would argue with this? And yet the [i]problem[/i'] is: Klinefelter cases, though they vary widely in terms of how their genes are expressed, frequently have characteristics strongly differing from the "male norm."[/quote] I think that you're observing the physical aspect of "male sexual characteristics" too much, and that by doing so, you're neglecting the importance of the mental aspect. I believe this would accurately apply to the Klinefelter cases, as they have the same sexual drive as the next guy, but their body is slightly more feminine. However, most importantly is that the Klinefelter cases [i]have a Y chromosome and therefore are male.[/i] You even said that the Klinefelter cases are more masculine than feminine, and if they have a Y chromosome to top it off, what does that make them? Male, of course. I don't even see the grounds for debate. They have male sexual characteristics. They have a female frame, but that's not a sexual characteristic. Sure, they're sterile, but that's completely irrelevant to my point. They have a Y chromosome, they have male sexual characteristics, and therefore are male. Your XX-Syndrome males -- give me some citation here. The site I provided had no record of such a thing existing.[/size]

[QUOTE=Fasteriskhead] If we follow this biological textbook definition of what a male is (the class of human being that fertilizes ova), then we run into an immense problem when we consider that everywhere in the world we meet human beings whom we would, in any perfectly normal conversation, think of as anything other than "male," and yet who have never in their lives fertilized an ovum or, perhaps, may even lack the capacity to. I myself have never done this, and yet no one would ever call me non-male. But perhaps this example is too easily defeated, as even if I haven't ever fertilized an ovum, I (hopefully!) still could [i]one day[/i]. But consider someone who is (for one reason or another) simply sterile, who could [i]never[/i] fertilize any ovum anywhere, and yet still maintains every outward appearance of "masculinity." By Dictionary.com's definition we [i]could not[/i] call this person a male, even if every notion of common sense says that we should. Would it make the slightest sense for a person like this to, for example, go and use his office's men's room every day, but then be barred from it once someone finds out that he can't fertilize ova? Not at all. But if we were to say that he [i]should[/i] still be able to use the men's room, then what [i]criteria[/i] for it would we then be applying to him?[/QUOTE] [size=1]For such a roundabout, long-winded post, you missed my line when I said "I prefer the XX, XY definition." [url]http://www.people.virginia.edu/~rjh9u/sexdet.html[/url] Read up on what I meant. I really could care less as far as your genatalia is concerned -- that can physically change. Your chromosomes cannot (at least to my knowledge). Therefore, I prefer that definition. And for the record, my post wasn't meant as a "challenge," only a statement of my views.[/size]

[QUOTE=Fasteriskhead]...Oh. Well, that was easy. Thanks to biology, the mystery has been solved! W-well, I guess except for those males who've undergone a vasectomy or (yeee) been castrated, or those females who've had something similar happen (or who've gone through that rarity of rarities, menopause), or anyone with applicable birth abnormalities. I guess they maybe don't count as either sex, since their junk don't work. Wait, wait! M-maybe genetic definitions will work! See, XY is always male, and XX is always female, and it's just always kept that simple. E-except maybe for like those people with Klinefelter Syndrome, Turner Syndrome, or other abnormal chromosomal sets. T-they don't really get to be a sex either, maybe. But that can't be right, can it? Man, this is giving me a headache! Wait, give me ten more minutes and I'll have surely figured out how to reduce the male-female distinction to biological determinism. It's gotta be something simple! Bust size, maybe? Neural configuration? I've just g-gotta be missing something! (etc.)[/QUOTE] [size=1]Thanks for pointing out the extreme exceptions to the rule. In all actuality, White's statement is pretty much true, except for those extremely rare cases of whatever Syndromes you'd like to name. I think biology's a good way of determining what sex you are, but there will always be the person who says, well, it's what's inside that counts or whatever. I understand that point of view as well, but look up the definition of "male" and "female." I'm talking strictly text-book, and I prefer the XX, XY defintion, as you can change your genitalia, but not your chromosomes (yet).[/size]

[quote name='D. Resurrected']I am glad that everyone hates bush because of they?re opinion not because it is the fad going around the state now. You would be surprised how many people hate him just because friends or family do.[/quote] [size=1]Bush's approval rating, according to a recent poll, is 37%. It's beautiful, if you ask me. A nation finally waking up. [QUOTE]Lets face the fact?s people bush is only human he is going to make mistakes, what president hasn?t. I support the war completely. Iraq use to be a place where people would be murder in fits of rage, slaughtered tortured and what not. I have seen this personally and it sends chills down my spine. To see something like that get totally eradicated in my opinion sends a warm feeling to my hart. The loses mite be big but the over all rewards will way over weigh the loses. ;)[/QUOTE] You're right -- everyone makes mistakes. It's the magnitude and gravity of those mistakes that matters most. If I cheat on a test, of course it's not as important as completely ignoring an urgent warning of the imminent destruction of New Orleans. I've also seen a few clever signs saying "Nobody died when Clinton lied," which is hilariously true. I also think you're misconstruing the past Iraq. Yes, there was a great deal of torture, but it's not like people were being bombed in their sleep and slaughtered in a market place. There was actually religious toleration in Iraq before we came in. Now, the Sunnis and Shi'ites are back at one another's throats, and unwilling to compromise. They're fighting over representation and rights and reparations for past wrongs. We also had [b]zero[/b] business in Iraq. They apparently had Weapons of Mass Destruction. [b]Does anyone remember that the only reason Bush went into Iraq was to find these WMDs?[/b] It was [b]not[/b] to capture Saddam. It was [b]not[/b] to give democracy to oppressed people. And all of the sudden, Bush tries to forget the original reason he went into Iraq, and acts like it was never the case. I also have reason to suspect that we went into Iraq because the American people need a scapegoat for 9/11. We went "Where's Osama?" and the Bush Administration went "We have Hussein -- good enough, right?" The saddest thing is, people thought it was. Furthermore, what the fsck was up with the Dubai port offer? Handing our east-coast port security over to a company in based in Dubai [b]which we didn't investigate thoroughly?[/b] Port security is America's achilles heel -- only 5% of imports and inspected. Moreover, there's alot of terrorist money is flowing through the United Arab Emirates, so don't I have a reason to fear they'd toss a bomb on a barge and sail it into Manhattan, especially since there was no investigation? I respect Bush for his education and his good intentions, but I do not like his policy in the least.[/size]

[size=1]I know how frustrating it can be when no one comments on your artwork, so I'll try to help you out. [b]Byakuya:[/b] As far as signatures on OB, this is pretty good. You seem to have a firm grasp on extraction and stock-placement, as Byakuya interacts well with the rest of the banner pretty well. The background is a bit frustrating, though, as it leads your eyes away from the main focus of the picture. Try to do something a bit more dynamic with them, as they're defined in some places (the left side) and soft and blurry in others (right side). The text, particularly the pixel font, is blurry. I'm not sure if there's some setting that's off, but you might want to check into it, as it seriously affects the visibility. Still, a job well done. [b]Ichigo:[/b] Honestly, I think this one is extremely good, but it could be perfected by changing your text. Like I said above, it's a bit blurry, and the Old English font is a bit light with its outlight. I'd also recommend not using the white bar that goes across the image, as it only seems to make it more white than it needs to be. Other than that, I'd just give the background a few more orange strokes for balance, and call it a day. I love Ichigo and the cross-thatch on him as well. Keep it up![/size]

[quote name='lee123']Hey that's pretty good! :D[/quote] [size=1]Well, lee123, [i]what[/i] about it makes it good? [i]Why[/i] do you enjoy it? Compliments like yours don't really help out the artist -- they don't know what they did right or wrong. Please read the [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=52171][b]Art Studio Rules[/b][/url], as well as the [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/rules.php][b]Official OtakuBoards Rules[/b][/url] so that you understand what amount of quality is expected per-post. I hope you enjoy your stay![/size]

[quote name='jigglyness']I'm pretty sure the limit to the size of sigs are 500 x 100.[/quote] [size=1]You're completely right if the banner is for OtakuBoards. However, the requested banner is not, and as a result, there are no restrictions (would assume). Thanks for pointing this out, but if you'd like to help, please report the post and explain what was wrong with the post. While your intentions were good, your trying to enforce rules does nothing.[/size]

[QUOTE=AzureWolf][COLOR=green]My personal philosophy is "if it doesn't rhyme, then it's not a poem." Just be frank with yourself: if it's not rhyming, then you are either writing fragments or sentences. Which is just fine, mind you, but don't call it poetry (DISCLAIMER: that's just my stance on the matter). Also, it's not just rhyme, but rhythm. You can't just have fifty syllables rhyming with a three syllable verse. It doesn't work. Being able to be convey yourself with these "restrictions" (they really aren't, IMO) is what makes you a poet.[/COLOR][/QUOTE] [size=1]So what's your stance on haiku? It doesn't usually rhyme, but it's metered. I think I fall somewhere between the two extremes of "it must be metered and have a rhyme scheme to be poetry" and "anything goes." One way you're constricted to the completely poor rhyming language of English, and the other way you can end up with a paragraph with line breaks. that's considered "poetry."[/size]

[quote name='Shy][size=1]It's simply not cool to bash our anime forums. I modded those things for literally [b]years[/b'] and it was always a struggle to keep intelligent discussions around. The main problem is that our anime forums tend to have younger members in them, and that often leads to a lower amount of quality. Of course, all of the 'n00bs' who used to inhabit the anime forums are now some of our best members, so go figure.[/size][/quote] [size=1]Oh chin up, Shy. You've got to understand that I was kidding, but my point still stands. It never gets old reading my old posts. I tried to find dirt on Dagger, and came up with a completely coherent first post. I feel like a failure as a noob.[/size]

[quote name='Dagger]EDIT: Oi, Retri, the Anime Lounge ain't got nothing on [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=52236&page=1][i][u]this[/u][/i][/url']. :p[/quote] [size=1]Oh really? I stumbled across [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?p=715715#post715715][b][i]this[/i][/b][/url] (Read: 64 page thread on how and why fangirls want to have Sesshomaru's babies). I know you love the AL, but let's be honest -- it's the black hole of the boards. *pre-emptive dodge of all coming attacks* I'm also proud to say I was never a "wangsty" noob, as Lunox so aptly put it. I was somewhat annoying, but nothing more. Hoorah. And I don't know about any of ya'll, but I wish Juu would come back. She totally disappeared on-line. [quote name='SunfallE][COLOR=DarkOliveGreen']Dagger, that?s cruel, true, but cruel. :animecry: [/COLOR][/quote] Defend your forum, you sorry excuse for a moderator! Don't let that big bully Dagger shove you around![/size]

[quote name='sungravy']Natalie Portman, who we all know is spectacular, is starring.[/quote] [size=1];_; But she cut her hair! *sigh* Anyway, I think it's one of those movies that could be really really [i]good[/i], or really really [i]bad[/i]. I dunno -- it's just a vibe I'm getting from the trailers. It's a guy in a mask, the Big Ben exploding, along with a bunch of soldiers and people crying. All of those traits are characteristic of terrible action movies, as well as wonderous masterpieces. I'm hoping it'll be the latter. I'm going to see this on saturday... I'll post my review on it here after that.[/size]

[size=1]Don't let the nostalgia cloud your judgement. There are far fewer noobs than there were in, say, 2004 when I first joined OB. Things keep changing for the better -- I think you're just looking back with misty eyes. The members seem more friendly, the post quality has improved overall (God save the Anime Lounge), and most importantly, the artists are getting better.[/size]

[QUOTE=Baron Samedi][size=1]Want to lay bets on how you'd go with a throwing star protruding from either your head, or your neck? :rolleyes: The whole point of them is that you can kill someone swiftly and silently without them even being aware that you're there... not to hit them in the arm with it, lol.[/size][/QUOTE] [size=1]You're right, but I was talking more of the probability of a ninja actually killing with it in a fast-paced battle. I think everyone's giving them a bit too much credit, personally. I still have my cash on the pirate. No one understands me ;_;.[/size]

[quote name='D. Resurrected']sry to ask but how do you put pictures in the post.also sry it was put together badly.[/quote][size=1]Actually, your concern was addressed in the Art Studio Rules, and if you would have read them, you would know. Look at the section reading [B]"Posting Your Art."[/B] It answers your question. Raphael also explained it well. [Quote]If you would like to put your banner up for coment please do.[/QUOTE] Unfortunately, that's not how these threads work. This thread [I assume] is a place where you post your artwork. If anyone else posts a banner and requests feedback in your thread, that's called [i]hijacking[/i], and it's against the rules. While I appreciate your generosity, the forum looks cleaner and works more efficiently if everyone just posts their art in their own thread. Thanks for your cooperation.[/size]

[size=1]While you haven't violated any Art by Request rules, I'd recommend that you read the [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/rules.php][b]Official OtakuBoards Rules[/b][/url], especially the small bit on post quality. As it stands, your post is difficult to read; using capital letters and periods really help the legibility. I hope you enjoy your stay here, bluehyppo23.[/size]

[size=1]Although your post quality is bordering on unacceptable and the point of this thread is confusing as you've worded it, I'll let it stay open. However, in order for this to stay open, you have to post your banners, as people can't do anything in this thread without banners to critique. I'd also recommend that you read the [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=52171][b]Art Studio Rules[/b][/url] as well as the [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/rules.php][b]Official OtakuBoards Rules[/b][/url] to understand what is expected of users post quality as well as how things work in the Art Studio. I hope you enjoy your stay at OtakuBoards![/size]

[quote name='Hittokiri Zero']pass the .psd[/quote] [size=1]I [i]knew[/i] you did that stuff! My mom says it's not good for me, though, so I can't. Sorry. I also just realized OB needs a blunt smiley, as it would've been perfect here. Anyway. I think it's a great idea, and if you'd like help on it, feel free to PM me. But if you're a glory hog, just post a new thread with rules on how it'll work. Good luck on it. And I love you too, Shy. I love you too.[/size]

[size=1]Alright, it's about time I came clean. I'm sure Delta is itching for her fair share of credit by now. So... all the images that look cool and flashy are hers, whereas all those that look dull and semi-cool are mine. I'm fairly certain that everyone's musing over her images and not my own. Even if that's not a huge deal, I thought I'd at least make it known, since I don't want to silently absorb praise for her work. :3[/size]