SunfallE

[COLOR=DarkOliveGreen]Well I would enjoy reading such an article. ^_^ So I?ll contribute a question or two. For the general question I?ve always wondered what inspired people to want to become a staff member in the first place. As for a direct question, mine would be for the founder of the site Adam. I?ve always wondered what inspired him to start the various Otaku sites in the first place. If I think of any more questions, I?ll be sure to come back and add them to my post. ^_^[/COLOR]

[QUOTE=Desbreko][color=#4B0082]Well, my policy is to delete the post the first time. Then if the member does the same thing again, or if they've done it with multiple threads in the first place, I'll delete the post and then PM them about it. Rarely does it get to that point, though, considering I don't see anything wrong with bringing back an old thread if the new post contributes to the discussion and isn't just spam. I know in the Play It forum, old threads (that weren't game-specific ones) have been brought back after months of inactivity to receive a bunch of posts that rekindled the discussion. Closing such threads when the posts that brought them back weren't spammy would've just stifled the discussion.[/color][/QUOTE][COLOR=DarkOliveGreen]Personally I think Desbreko's idea works quite well. Auto locking may seem like a good idea, but there are threads where an auto locking feature would cause problems, like RPG's and game specific threads. And then there are threads like The DailyOtaku. If that was auto locked, those of us who are fans of the thread would be demanding it was unlocked! ^_~[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOliveGreen]Well until a few months ago I worked as a Truck Driver. But I had too many obligations at home and couldn?t be gone all the time so I quit that job and got a new one working for the United States Postal Service. I don?t deliver the mail; I just work in one of their research and customer service centers. They still make you get fingerprinted and get a background check though as you have to have security clearance to access their database. So the first three weeks you don?t even know if your job will be permanent or not. If you fail to get clearance they fire you. >_< A couple of the guys in my training class failed to disclose some past criminal records so they were denied clearance. Not because of the crimes, but because they lied on the application. I wasn?t really worried about getting it though as you have to have a background check to get a hazmat endorsement on your commercial driver?s license so I?ve already passed one of those checks before when I was a Truck Driver. ^_~[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOliveGreen]If I could change one thing in my life, it would be to get rid of the two types of arthritis that I have. I can live with not having the perfect body or being rich or other such things. I just get tired of hurting everyday. Other than that, even though I?ve had a lot of bad things happen in my life, I?m pretty happy with who I am.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOliveGreen]The tension was unbearable as Bernard and Kain just stared towards where the stones of darkness were. Sandra could clearly feel Kain?s impatience to do battle with the darkness and she could clearly feel the hesitation in Bernard as if he was weighing the pros and cons of either attacking or withdrawing for the moment to discuss a strategy. The longer they waited the more irritated Sandra became, she could clearly sense the fear and hesitation in Sasha and just standing there was making it worse. [I]We really need to plan instead of just rushing into battle,[/I] she thought. [I]Agreed.[/I] Happiness whispered in her mind. [I] Although Sasha has completed her transformation a few minutes to discuss strategies and such would greatly reassure her. It could mean the difference between victory and failure.[/I] Sandra thought about what Happiness said and made up her mind. If Bernard or Kain wouldn?t decide, she would. She reached out and grabbed both of them by their shirts and began to drag them away from the edge of the overlook. Both of them were too surprised at her actions to react and allowed her to drag them a few feet. Sandra let go and turned around to face them both. She ignored the surprised look on Sasha?s & the neutral?s face. ?I am leaving,? she said sternly. ?I am not ready to face the darkness and I intend to discuss strategies with Sasha and the corrupted neutral if she wishes to come along.? Sandra crossed her arms and glared at both Kain and Bernard as if they were naughty school children who had been caught with their hands in the cookie jar so to speak. ?I may not be the leader, but I can clearly sense that we are divided and not prepared to face the darkness. You can deny it, but deep inside you know I am right.? Sandra paused and continued, ?I am going to a small coffee shop that we passed a few blocks ago, I will wait for you there.? She turned to the neutral and said, ?You are welcome to come with me and Sasha if you desire.? Sasha hesitated and then followed both Sandra and the neutral as they left to go to the coffee shop. Sandra was right she was not quite ready yet[I]. Is she going to get in trouble with the others for this?[/I] Sandra thought. [I]Don?t worry, [/I]The Blue stone whispered in her mind. [I] Happiness has always been a healer and a bit overprotective. She would never make such a suggestion unless she felt it was necessary.[/I] Kain watched as Sandra, Sasha and the new stone of light walked away. He smiled to himself. ?Shall we go Benard?? Benard looked at him and nodded. ?Quite spirited isn?t she?? Benard just smiled as well. They would need such determination if they were going to win. He and Kain followed the girls to the coffee shop that Sandra had mentioned. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOliveGreen][B]Doc:[/B] I like the look as if your picture is a film negative, but what I don?t care for is how the white circles seem to be off and not centered, so the right side looks off. I also do not care for the font used for the word Hollywood. I love your choice of images as I think they fit the theme quite well. Nicely done. [B]Kitty:[/B] I really like the overall Hollywood theme of your picture, the colors and the words and sign and other image go together quite well. What I don?t care for is the placement of the word Hollywood as I think it?s a bit distracting. Also, maybe it?s just me, but the actual city and buildings seem slanted. Still overall it?s nicely done. Now for the hard part. I like both pieces as they both represent the theme quite well. But in the end my vote goes for [B]Kitty[/B] as I think the over all combination of pictures captures the theme a little better.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOliveGreen][B]Retribution: [/B] I really like the old styled look of black and white with just the tiniest hint of color. It gives it a very old fashioned look as Broadway has been around for so long. The only thing I don?t care for is the space on the top. Since there are letters in the bottom it makes the space on top seem like it?s a bit off. [B]Baron Samedi:[/B] I actually think your piece is put together a little bit better. But the font of the side words are a tiny bit hard for me to read. Overall it gives a nice appearance of acting, but it doesn?t really make me think of Broadway. Now for the hard part. I actually like Baron Samedi?s piece a little better, but I?m giving my vote to Retribution as I feel their piece captures the theme of Broadway just a tiny bit better. It?s very nostalgic and it immediately grabbed my attention. So [B]Retribution[/B] gets my vote for this round.[/COLOR]

Looks like we don't have a Magic Knight Rayearth category, so once again, hopefully six of these are good enough. ^_~ [IMG]http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/5273/alcione3ku.jpg[/IMG] [B]Category:[/B] Magic Knight Rayearth [B]Name:[/B] Alcione [IMG]http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/3984/ascot9kl.jpg[/IMG] [B]Category:[/B] Magic Knight Rayearth [B]Name:[/B] Ascot [IMG]http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/4771/caldina3ih.jpg[/IMG] [B]Category:[/B] Magic Knight Rayearth [B]Name:[/B] Caldina [IMG]http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/2873/clef1fd.jpg[/IMG] [B]Category:[/B] Magic Knight Rayearth [B]Name:[/B] Clef [IMG]http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/6689/emeraude6qj.jpg[/IMG] [B]Category:[/B] Magic Knight Rayearth [B]Name:[/B] Emeraude [IMG]http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/5354/ferio9cs.jpg[/IMG] [B]Category:[/B] Magic Knight Rayearth [B]Name:[/B] Ferio [IMG]http://img393.imageshack.us/img393/1918/fuu0xm.jpg[/IMG] [B]Category:[/B] Magic Knight Rayearth [B]Name:[/B] Fuu [IMG]http://img393.imageshack.us/img393/1328/hikaru1sm.jpg[/IMG] [B]Category:[/B] Magic Knight Rayearth [B]Name:[/B] Hikaru [IMG]http://img393.imageshack.us/img393/5994/lafarga7it.jpg[/IMG] [B]Category:[/B] Magic Knight Rayearth [B]Name:[/B] Lafarga [IMG]http://img393.imageshack.us/img393/3516/presea0pg.jpg[/IMG] [B]Category:[/B] Magic Knight Rayearth [B]Name:[/B] Presea [IMG]http://img393.imageshack.us/img393/8613/umi1aj.jpg[/IMG] [B]Category:[/B] Magic Knight Rayearth [B]Name:[/B] Umi [IMG]http://img393.imageshack.us/img393/3745/zagato6jn.jpg[/IMG] [B]Category:[/B] Magic Knight Rayearth [B]Name:[/B] Zagato

[COLOR=DarkOliveGreen]I've been having the same problem where either my comments don't show up or the ones I leave don't show up for about 5-10 minutes. But today I got a new comment on myOtaku site and it's been close to 2 hours and I still can't see the new comment. It says I have 14, but only 13 pull up. I didn't mind the 5-10 minutes but over two hours? I guess I'll take jblessing's word that they are working on it. Maybe I'll be able to see it later today or tomorrow. Besides I don't really have a right to complain too much as I don't really understand all the details involved in setting up a new server and how it accesses the databases. ^_~ [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOliveGreen]If it?s feasible I think it?s a great idea. ^_^ As for the automated PM, well I got an automated e-mail from OtakuBoards wishing me a Happy Birthday, so I?m not sure we need a PM too. ^_~[/COLOR]

[QUOTE=renayiiq]The problem is that they won't allow a Pagan or Satanic club or anything to do with "witchcraft." They won't allow anything that isn't Judeo-Christian. I'm saying that if people like me and my friends can't have our types of religious clubs, they shouldn't have one, either, and that's why I want to get rid of it. And Chapin is a public school. With alot of problems. A really lame dresscode, biased opinion on what religious clubs are allowed, and no funding for adding on to the school (we're starting to get overcrowded). Yay for dysfunction.[/QUOTE] [COLOR=DarkOliveGreen] Then I suggest you and your friends talk to a lawyer since it sounds like your school is violating The Federal Equal Access Act. If you have applied for a club and have been turned down then definitely go seek legal counsel as you and your friends would be within your legal right to sue the school district for violating the Act. That?s exactly what the students in Salt Lake City did when the school refused to allow them to have a Gay-Straight Alliance club. And they won. A lawyer would know for sure how to help you and your friends at this point. If nothing else the lawyer could probably direct you to organizations that support your type of club and free speech who could assist you in a legal battle. The students in Salt Lake City had no money to fight and yet they found help and ended up winning. It doesn?t matter if your school objects, they are not above the law and they have no right to deny you your club based on what they think it should be about. That?s the whole point of the law to keep the majority from discriminating against the minority when it comes to choices in forming clubs. And it doesn?t matter if the parents object either as the Act protects from outside influences having a say in what the club can be. It will take some time and research, but it can be done. I?d start by reading up on the information regarding The Federal Equal Access Act in the link indifference provided. I wish you the best of luck. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOliveGreen]If you are looking for advice then[B] indifference[/B] is correct. If your school receives federal funding then the only way to remove the club is to remove all of them. It goes both ways as the Act protects religious clubs and non-religious clubs. A while ago the state of Utah tried to ban a Gay-Straight Alliance club in one of the high schools in the main capital city of Salt Lake City Utah. The net result was that the students sued the state based on The Federal Equal Access Act and won the right to have their club as the school district was unwilling to remove all clubs. It was really annoying since the school district spent over 250,000 in legal fees in an attempt to bypass the law. It didn?t work. And if you belong to a privately funded school they can choose which clubs they will allow and there is no law to use against them. You can form petitions to remove the club but they have the right to simply ignore what the students prefer. So if you belong to a privately funded school I have no advice as they can do as they please in that respect, but if you belong to a public school then they only way to legally get rid of the club is to convince your school district to remove all non-curriculum clubs.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOliveGreen]I agree with Lore, considering that the service is free, the few ads we do deal with are extremely minor. Just try visiting other free-based websites and you?ll find they have far more ads and tons of annoying pop-ups. I?d rather see a few more ads added to my page than to end up having to pay for the service if they cost got too high. Or end up losing it altogether if it became too expensive for them to maintain the site. I?m sure that like James said having four dedicated servers isn?t cheap. I imagine just purchasing them alone is expensive let alone the cost of keeping them running. And I completely agree that having a small ad at the top of the page is a minor inconvenience, though truth be known I don?t find them all that annoying in the first place. As for the premium service I know that I for one am looking forward to it. ^_^[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOliveGreen]Sandra continued to follow the others as they walked through the city. She didn?t like how it felt like they were getting closer and closer to the darkness. [I]I?m not ready![/I] She thought! [I]Relax, [/I]Happiness said to her. [I]We will not be confronting the darkness just yet.[/I] [I]But they feel so close![/I] Sandra protested. [I] That is because if you look in that direction those of the darkness are there. [/I]Happiness said. She looked to the left and far off in the distance she could see what appeared to be five people clustered together. They were far enough that she couldn?t tell if they were guys or girls. [I]So close.[/I] She thought. [I]But not close enough.[/I] Happiness whispered in her mind. [I]They are preoccupied with what just happened and do not even sense your presence. Besides we are up on a hill and the only way to reach us would take at least 15 minutes even if they used a car. We will be long gone by then.[/I] Sandra continued to look at them, something was wrong; one of them didn?t look right. She couldn?t figure out what was different at first, and then it hit her! [I]He?s a ghost?![/I] She exclaimed in her mind![I] There is something wrong with him, like the little girl I can sense it.[/I] Sandra thought for a moment and continued. [I]Did they kill him?[/I] Happiness sighed. [I] I was afraid you could see him.[/I] [I]Why?[/I] Happiness ignored her question and said. [I]Yes they killed him; he was the host for a stone of neutrality. It was his job to keep the darkness from finding those of the light before we had gathered together. I fear that the stones of darkness have tainted him.[/I] Sandra was confused. If he was dead then why was his spirit hanging around the darkness? Shouldn?t he be moving on to the next life? [I]Can the others see him?[/I] She asked. [I]No.[/I] Happiness said. [I] No one but you and I can see him. Don?t bother to ask me why, I will not explain. You do not need to worry, as he can do nothing to effect you. He lacks the ability to pass your barrier in that form.[/I] Sandra turned to tell the others about spotting those of the darkness only to see they were already looking in that direction. Now it was a question of what Bernard and Kain and Sasha wanted to do. Sandra wanted to go and discuss strategy first so they would better understand what the others were capable of. The darkness did not sense them and she wanted to run away, at least for now. But she knew she would do as Bernard or Kain commanded. [/COLOR]

[QUOTE=Katana][size=1][color=royalblue]A lot of these are cool, and some of them are grainy and bother me. But I see the effort, and they're teh awesome. The one thing that irritates me to no end with intro images, though, is that people plaster up wallpaper-sized images, and it throws your browser way off. Also...I don't do themes. When people do themes, they generally (generally!) have no clue what they're doing, and therefore, create a page where you need to highlight the text. I came to your site to READ, not to be blinded! That's what the sun is for! Sheesh. XD[/color][/size][/QUOTE] [COLOR=DarkOliveGreen] I always hear comments about stuff being grainy or something like that, but to tell the truth to someone like me who has never had a graphics class quite often I'm not sure what you are referring too. Not to mention I don't know half of what my program can do. :animesigh I agree about the wallpaper and bigger sized images. I find it rather irritating as well and I always resize everything I post within a certain limit. And I really hate the sites where you have to highlight everything just to read it! I don't know a lot of html but I did my best to make my Zelda theme readable. ^_~ Anyway, until this thread I never thought about an intro picture so here's my first attempt. If it looks funny or grainy perhaps you might have some suggestions on how I can fix that. ^_^ You will have to be specific though as I really don?t know how to do a lot with pictures. [/COLOR] [IMG]http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/5714/welcomebanner010wi.jpg[/IMG]

[COLOR=DarkOliveGreen]It was great that they were all finally together, but now what were they suppose to do? Sandra knew that she could help by healing and by using her protective barrier, but she really didn?t know how to fight. She was sure she could perhaps influence those of the darkness by helping them to remember the memories they had before they were influenced by the darkness. But beyond that she wasn?t sure. [I]It won?t work.[/I] Happiness said. [I] What won?t work? [/I]She thought back at the stone. [I]You can help them to remember what made them happy, but some of them were already a servant of the darkness long before they were chosen. Like the one you encountered the day we met. They had not transformed yet and I could tell that the host already had darkness in their heart. The stones of darkness often choose hosts who already posses their traits. It?s makes the bonding easier.[/I] Happiness said. [I]So even though you can bring those memories back to them, it may not be enough to remove their bond to their stone. [/I] [I]I see. Did you choose me because of my abilities? [/I]Sandra thought. [I]Yes. It will make the battle easier. For now don?t worry about the battle as the others will be there. Bernard and Kain will guide you. And so will I.[/I] Happiness said. Bernard motioned for everyone to follow him. Sandra wondered if they were heading to fight the darkness, or simply to a more secure place to discuss their strategy. It was hard to tell where the darkness was without being closer. She could tell that it was here, but not where it was. Sandra continued to follow Bernard and the others.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOliveGreen]Sandra gladly followed as Kain said they needed to leave. She didn?t like being out among the crowd of people. Even though she was with those of the light she could still feel that the darkness was somewhere in the area and she didn?t like being in plain view. Once they were free from the press of people Kain spoke. ?Perfect, I?ll be right back.? He walked off into a dark alley way out of sight. Sandra turned to ask Bernard if he knew where they were going next but stopped when she felt a strange stirring of unhappiness. [I]What?[/I] [I]Look over there.[/I] Happiness whispered in her mind. Sandra looked to see a small girl being harassed by some boys. Tears were running down her cheeks as she tried to get past them. One of them laughed and shoved the girl face first onto the pavement before leaving with the others to continue on their way to school. [I]Why am I sensing what she is feeling? I thought you were the stone of happiness? [/I]She thought at the Pink Stone. [I] It?s part of my power to know when someone is not happy. As it is also my power to help others find happiness. You know what to do Sandra.[/I] The Pink stone said. ?Bernard, Sasha, I?ll be right back okay?? Sandra said. She walked across the street and crouched down in front of the little girl. Without knowing why or how she extended the feeling of happiness around the little girl. She reached out her hand and said. ?Here, let me help you get up.? The little girl looked at her and then reached out. Sandra helped her up but stayed crouched down so that she was at eye level with the girl. She had some abrasions on her cheek from when she was shoved down. Sandra gently reached over and touched her cheek. But this time when she moved to heal her something else happened. She could see what once made the girl happy as if they were lines of power in her mind. The lines were broken, damaged. She had never been able to see that before! [I]Now repair the lines Sandra.[/I] The Pink stone said. Sandra extended the power using lines of light to rebuild what had been damaged. Connections to memories of things that were positive, when she was finished her wounds were healed as well. The little girl smiled shyly and asked. ?Are you an Angel?? Sandra smiled, ?No, I?m not an Angel.? The little girl hugged her and said, ?Well you aught to be one.? She ran off towards school skipping and singing as if she didn?t have a care in the world. [I]Won?t the bullies pick on her even more?[/I] She asked Happiness. [I] Yes, but she has been strengthened by her own inner happiness so it will be much harder for them to hurt her so easily.[/I] Happiness whispered. Sandra stood up and walked back to where the others were. ?Sorry about that.? She said, ?But my stone was teaching me more on how my power works.? She smiled at all of them. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOliveGreen]As the train came to a stop Sandra?s attention was drawn to two guys watching the train expectantly. Even from here she could clearly see the aura of purity surrounding them. She turned to tell Sasha, but she was already looking at them a smile on her face. As they stepped off the train once again Sandra felt herself changing. Although her outward appearance was the same she felt so happy and confident that she actually floated down the steps without meaning too. Quickly she resumed walking as she didn?t want to attract any attention. [I]Don?t worry.[/I] Happiness said. [I] The people surrounding you are affected by the happiness you are feeling. For the most part simple displays of your power will go unnoticed. Now that your transformation is complete you will find that there is many things you can do.[/I] [I]Like what?[/I] She asked. Happiness chuckled. [I]You?ll see. I?ll explain as needed. For now your own abilities have been greatly strengthened and that will serve for now. There is a greater and more powerful ability that I posses, but unless it is needed I will never tell you as using it will take a terrible toll on your strength leaving you completely open to attack. So I don?t want you using it unless there is no other choice.[/I] Sandra started to protest? [I]No! Do not ask me about it again! If I tell you now you will be tempted to use it and the power cannot be wasted. Trust me, you will understand. If we are lucky you will never need to use it.[/I] The Pink stone said. [I]Don't worry! There are other abilites besides your own that I will tell you about. You just don't need them yet.[/I] Once they had met the two guys Kain and Benard, Sandra waited patiently as they introduced themselves. When Kain finished she spoke up. ?I am Sandra and as you can see I am the one chosen by the Pink stone of Happiness.? She smiled warmly at both of them. ?I agree with Kain. I think it?s a good idea to go somewhere else once we are done here.? She said. She waited patiently for Sasha to speak. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOliveGreen]Hehe, that was awesome. ^_^ I love the newest addition to TheDailyOtau. ^_^ I can just imagine highlighting blackend out text only to be attacked by a vicious virus intent on controling me. LOL! That was brilliant. ^_^ And like indifference, I loved the first one with the master sword. Hehehe! I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard. Excellent work and I definately hope to see more in the future. ^_^[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOliveGreen]As the train reached the city limits Sandra began to also feel the stirrings of good from the other stones. Never had she felt so relieved as she had been worried sick since she first felt the stirrings of darkness. Did it mean that the other stones were near? She hoped so since they would be arriving at the train station in less than five minutes. The closer they got to the station the happier she felt. It was overwhelming. It was like every happy memory she had ever felt was somehow being felt all at once. It was like feeling the warm sunshine on your face on a calm summer day. She felt so wonderful that she was surprised she wasn?t floating. [I]What?s happening? Why am I feeling this way? [/I]She wondered. [I]It is because you are close enough to the others now that you are feeling the beginning of taking my power upon yourself.[/I] The Pink stone replied. [I]Your power? [/I]She thought. The stone didn?t reply and for a moment time stood still. In a flash her power extended from her body in powerful arcs of clearly visible power surrounding her and covering her. Never had she seen such a powerful display of her ability. She couldn?t even see the other passengers as the lines of power were too strong. In the same instant the lines of power flew back into her body becoming one with her. [I]What the..?[/I] Sandra looked at the others but no one seemed to have noticed, not even Sasha. Though it felt like the Blue stone had clearly seen what had happened. She stood up for a moment only to realize that her feet were not touching the floor. Sandra quickly sat back down. [I]What just happened?[/I] She asked the Pink stone. [I]It has begun, your transformation has started, when we join the others it will be complete. [/I] Happiness began to hum. At least it seemed like humming in her mind. The feeling intensified and it felt as if her spirit was soaring to the heavens on the power of the stone?s song. At that moment Sandra had never felt more confident and sure of her ability to unravel the darkness and put it to rest. She looked to see Sasha staring at her with a puzzled expression. Happiness stopped the song and said in her mind. [I] Excellent, even Sasha is starting to feel the others and soon we shall be awakened once more.[/I] Sandra smiled at Sasha who shyly returned her smile. In less than a minute the train would arrive.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOliveGreen]When the train was about half way to the town where Sasha got on Sandra began to sense something terrible. Pain, bitterness and death, it was powerful. Far more than what she had felt the other day. [I]What happened?[/I] She thought. [I]The darkness has gathered[/I]. The Pink stone said sadly. [I]What do you mean?[/I] Sandra thought. [I]Last night while you two were sleeping I felt the stirring of their powers as they awakened.[/I] [I]Awakened?[/I] [I] Yes. They are together now and unless we find the others soon, the two of you are in grave danger. I did not wake you, as meeting them in the darkness would have left you both open to their power. Now that it is daytime and the light weakens their powers and you have a chance of finding the others. Should night fall without the two of you finding them, you will have to flee or face certain destruction at their hands. [/I] The Pink stone replied. Sandra was still for a moment. [I] Does Sasha know about this?[/I] [I]No. The Blue stone has not told her yet. So long as it is daylight it isn?t a problem but you need the others in order to fully awaken our abilities. The light strengthens your barrier, but once darkness falls, even it will not be enough to save you. [/I] Sandra sighed, if only the others could be waiting for them at the train station. But that was wishful thinking. Things never went that smoothly.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOliveGreen]Sandra stood in front of the mirror carefully drying her hair. ?Are you sure about returning to the town where Sasha got on the train?? She asked. [I]Yes, I believe that the others have already found one another, as something feels different.[/I] The Pink stone said. ?I?m worried about Sasha, even though we both slept last night I can still feel how afraid and tense she is. I?m not sure it?s wise to take her back. Unless she grew up elsewhere those who bullied her will still be there.? Sandra said. [I] It?s all right. The Blue stone will support her. Unlike the children you dealt with that were beaten and abused she will not be alone. And the Blue stone is attuned to the fear in others just like I am attuned to other?s happiness. Sasha may not recognize it, but her understanding of fear will be quite useful in the upcoming battle.[/I] The Pink stone said. Sandra turned at the sound of the bathroom door opening and after smiling at Sasha as she walked out, she moved to let her have the mirror as she was finished with it. She walked over to her bed and began to gather all her things. Sandra started to put her backpack on when the Pink stone stopped her. [I]Put your things back on the bed.[/I] ?But?? [I]Just do it Sandra. I?m going to teach you something.[/I] Sandra did as the Pink stone instructed. [I]Now I want you to imagine yourself putting the backpack on and that you are holding your flute.[/I] Puzzled Sandra did as she was told. To her surprise the backpack and flute case disappeared! ?What just happened?? She asked. [I]I am holding them for you.[/I] The Pink stone said. [I] I can?t hold very much, but if you are in battle you will not have the time to take your flute out of its case. This way you only have to wish for it and it will appear in your hand. [/I] ?Well that?s rather convenient.? Sandra turned to see Sasha watching with a puzzled expression on her face. ?Is the Blue stone going to teach her as well?? She asked. [I]When she is ready, or if the Blue stone feels it necessary she will be taught.[/I] The Pink stone said. ?Why wait?? [I]It?s not that simple. You have been using your ability long before we met. Sasha has yet to learn what hers are.[/I] The Pink stone replied. ?Are you ready Sasha?? she asked. Sasha nodded. Sandra smiled. ?Lets head for the train station then.? ?Okay.? Sasha whispered. Sasha followed Sandra as she left the room, paid for the bill and then headed towards the train station. Even knowing that they were heading back towards the darkness and pain she appeared happy and confident. [I] How could she be like that?[/I] [I]She?s afraid too.[/I] The Blue stone said. [I]What?[/I] Sasha thought. [I]It?s true. Sandra is afraid as she has never harmed anyone and is worried that the battle might require her to kill someone.[/I] The Blue stone said. [I]Remember, what I said last night, when the time comes I will help you. [/I] Sasha followed Sandra onto the train and sat down just across from her. As the doors closed she wondered. Would they find those of the light? Or would those of the darkness be waiting for them when they arrived? [I] Since it is morning, it is more likely that we will encounter the stones of good.[/I] The Blue stone said. [I] Those of the stones of Darkness prefer the night.[/I] Sasha didn?t reply and stared out the window as the train started moving. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOliveGreen]Lately I?ve been seeing a lot of wallpapers being submitted two and three times. It didn?t make any sense, as you usually don?t see so many people doing it. Well when I went to submit 6 new wallpapers today I noticed that when I submitted them, even though it said they were approved and that I could go and look at them, when I actually tried they didn?t pull up. I went back to myOtaku home page and at the bottom the number for how many I had up was showing that I had indeed added 6 more, but they still didn?t show up. It wasn?t until about 5 minutes later that I could see them. So I was wondering if the system was just lagging a bit in showing the new submissions. I am assuming that the reason people are submitting them two and three times is that they encountered the same problem I did and thought that for whatever reason it wasn?t accepted into the system. Since I figure that you can get in trouble if you keep submitting the same background over and over I thought I would mention this as they may have actually thought it wasn?t accepted. Especially since after a five minutes one showed up, and then after another minute the next one I submitted showed up and so on. So they could have submitted one three times, finally saw that the original submission was up and left not realizing that the other two times are going to show up as well.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOliveGreen] I guess I am a bit confused by your request. Are you trying to fight a particular law that is being considered regarding video games? Or just a fight in general on how they don?t make kids violent? I haven?t seen any laws being considered where I live at the moment. As for the three things, well I haven?t really done any research on the subject so I don?t have information to post. It?s next to impossible to actually meet any of the higher up politicians in my state. I live in a state that is pretty much influenced by the dominant religion to the point that they are trying to ban High Schools from forming a Gay-Straight Alliance club even though it violates the Federal Equal Access Act. They are pretty much a state where if you aren?t of our religion then your opinions on any subject does not matter. It?s even a waste to vote as close to 70% of the population belongs to the main religion in the state and they all vote like the church tells them to do regardless of whether or not it discriminates against others that are not of the same religion. So even if they were trying to pass a law banning violent video games my vote would not be able to stop it as it takes far more than a mere 30% to stop a new law. Now if you are referring to them considering restricting teenagers from buying the videos until they are at least 18 years old, well I agree with that so I wouldn?t be of much assistance as I think it?s a good idea to rate them better than they currently do. And it?s not just video games I think the current ratings given out to movies are poorly done as well. You see more garbage in PG-13 movies than you did in rated R movies just 10 years ago. It?s not that I think they shouldn?t be allowed to be part of the movie, I just think they should be rated R and not PG-13. Anyway, further clarification would help me better understand what you are trying to achieve. [/COLOR]

[QUOTE=Gavin][SIZE=1] [b]Question:[/b] What is the longest you have ever spend doing something without taking a break ?[/SIZE][/QUOTE] [COLOR=DarkOliveGreen]The longest I did something without a break was right around ten and a half hours. I was taking a load of refrigerated goods up to Seattle Washington and a couple of times when I wanted to pull over and stop for a break the rest area?s were full as it was night time. There just wasn?t anywhere to park a Semi Truck. So I ended up having to continue, as you just can?t pull over anywhere you want as there are regulations against parking in some areas and in others there really isn?t anywhere to park a 70-foot long truck. [B]Question:[/B] Why do dogs circle around several times before settling down to sleep? I mean first they circle moving clockwise and then they turn around and circle counter clockwise. Sometimes they will do that for over five minutes before finally curling up to sleep. I?ve gotten conflicting answers on that one. [/COLOR]