Horendithas

[COLOR=Sienna] My favorite thing to do when I'm bored is go to the local bookstore and read new manga books. A couple of the stores even have chairs and tables set up for people to use. Sometimes I just check out any new art books that have come out. I like to window shop as well. I've recently become interested in scrap booking and I can easily spend hours checking out all the fun stuff you can do with your pictures. Some of the shops here have tons of really cute and fun stuff that you can use. It almost makes it hard to decide what to use to make your pages, as there are so many choices. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]The closest I?ve ever come to dying is when my brother and I were walking home from getting a soda at the local gas station. The person doing the shooting wasn?t really aiming at my brother, or me but at a rival gang member that lived in the home we were walking in front of. Naturally my brother and I tried to avoid the gunfire when the person in the car started shooting. I was unharmed, but my brother was killed by the crossfire. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]If you are taking the time to study the culture, the art style that is so prevalent in Japanese anime, then whether or not that anime is created while living in another country besides Japan is irrelevant. Avenged666fold makes a good point, say Hayao Miyazaki moved to America and then proceeded to create more movies? Just because he was living elsewhere it wouldn?t change the fact that his style is definitely Japanese in origin. Arguing over the physical location of the creator is in my opinion mere semantics and meaningless in determining if a story is an anime or not. Personally I have no desire to create an anime or to have one of my stories turned into one, but I see no reason why others can?t pursue that goal. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna] [quote name='AC!D!C][COLOR=DarkSlateGray][SIZE=1]Take this as you will but its just me exercising my freedom of speech.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE]Very well, then I will do the same. [QUOTE=AC!D!C][COLOR=DarkSlateGray][SIZE=1]More so than inactivity is the age range of our mod staff, and lack of experience. Some moderators are only 14 or 15 (Aaryana is 13!), have less than 500 posts and haven?t even been here a year.[/SIZE'][/COLOR][/quote]Perhaps you could clarify this for me. What has age got to do with one?s ability to post? If you didn?t look at Aaryanna?s profile you wouldn?t even know she?s thirteen as she has better post quality than other members who are older than she is. DW and DeathKnight make a good point, if they post just fine at the age of thirteen, who cares how old they are? If age is really such an issue; well she?s going to be fourteen this Thursday; and DeathKnight mentioned that they were a moderator when they were only fourteen or fifteen. Why is having than 500 posts important? I find it hard to believe that having a set amount of posts somehow makes you a better poster than other members. Usually people who take the time to put in a good post do so from the very beginning and others with a little encouragement improve as well. It?s fairly easy to have borderline post quality just to reach a set number of posts. Thinking that more posts or being a member for over a year makes a member a better contributor to the site is something I don?t agree with. All it means is they have over 500 posts and have been here a year. Nothing more. [quote name='AC!D!C][COLOR=DarkSlateGray][SIZE=1]the younger mods like Aaryana, Amelia, and while not young but still newer to the boards indifference also need to be replaced by members who have been here longer and are as competent and more deserving.[/SIZE'][/COLOR][/quote]Again, since when did the time a member has been here somehow make them more deserving? I think such an attitude sends a poor message to anyone who wants to join. It?s like saying, you can join, but since I?ve been here longer than you and I have a higher post count I am better than you are. We might as well tell people that there is no need to contribute to anything since they can never be as good as a member who has been here longer. That they are less deserving. Sorry but as one of the ?newer? members I do not agree with you. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]I can see that this is not going to be an easy choice. Each piece has aspects that outdo the other and I agree with Keyblade Wielder, both of you certainly deserve to win. [B]Ezekiel[/B], your piece really fits the guidelines beautifully. The outright clash of orange and pink with the text right near the center top is beautifully done. And the expression on the character?s face is priceless. I also love the messy feel and wacky border you?ve done as well. Overall it?s excellent. The only thing I don?t like is the tiny bit of yellow/gold in the piece, but even it clashes and fits the theme. [B] sakuraskuka[/B], your piece is different in that it?s beautiful. The colors are well done and even the font goes well. I agree with SunfallE in that the border is fantastic and overall it?s just hard to find anything wrong with your piece. Which brings me to my only complaint. Although it?s beautifully done it really doesn?t match the saying in the text, but that?s a minor flaw as it fits together so well. In the end I?m going to vote for [B]Ezekiel[/B] because I feel their piece fits the words a little better. You guys certainly didn't make that an easy choice. Best of luck to both of you. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]I?m sure I?ve mentioned it in another thread but Yami no Matsuei could use a sequel or a second season. Although they did end it fairly well there is plenty more in the manga that has yet to be animated, there is easily enough story material to create another season or two. That and I enjoy watching Muraki in action. Another one is Fruits Basket, it didn't end at all and some of the other family members weren't really explored in the show. I'd also like to see how they decide to resolve the fact that Akito is actually [spoiler]a woman.[/spoiler] [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna][QUOTE=The13thMan][FONT=Century Gothic] [COLOR=DarkOrange]So, i'm sure you've all heard that Bush is trying to get a new ammendment banning gay marriage. I'd just like to know what you guys think about the whole ordeal. I've heard some people say that they believe that all the attention on gay marriage is just to distract people from issues like the war in Iraq or maybe the energy crisis we're currently in. What do you think? Also i'd like to ask you guys what you think of President Bush. I think he comes off as a real moron when he's on tv, i can barely stand the way he talks. He's always got that ugly smile on his face and he keeps trying to crack lame jokes. My impression is that most of the world really dislikes Bush. [/COLOR] [/FONT][/QUOTE]Regardless of the issue I do not agree with modifying the constitution, especially if the modification is based on a religious standpoint. With so many different religious views, if one amendment is allowed it will be followed by others wanting to limit or restrict other views. It would in my opinion end up dividing the people of the US and cause nothing but pointless bickering over whose views should be followed. As for Bush, I?ve never really cared for him. I don?t like his stance and I dislike how he seems to care more for businesses than the average person. This push to amend the constitution comes across to me as nothing but a diversion from the poor job he has done as a president. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]When Darren came too at first all he could do was stare stupidly at the room he was in. Sculptures, rich tapestries and a bed far softer than anything he had ever slept in just added to his confusion. [I]I must be dreaming[/I], he thought. But as he lay there he became aware of the feel of air circulating through the room as a soft whisper of air tugged at his hair. The feel of silk covers touching his skin, and the soft perfume of flowers coming from a vase that was filled with flowers sitting on a dresser against one of the walls. With a sigh he threw the silk covers off and sat on the edge of the bed. Next to the bed there was a letter sitting on the small lamp table. Darren picked up the letter and began to read. Shocked he read it a second time and then a third. [I]I was in a coma and now I?m in France[/I]? He wondered. All of this was just too confusing for him. He had never really followed politics or what was going on in other countries. Still, he didn?t remember anything that indicated warning signs about the changes the letter mentioned. Still clutching the letter he got up and went over to the window and opened the curtains. The night view though pretty was not the one of downtown Salt Lake City Utah that he was use to seeing. The only thing he recognized was the Eiffel Tower having seen it many times on television and in tour guides. Though he didn?t remember seeing any walls at the base of the tower. Was that new? Disconcerted Darren turned his back on the window. [I]This has to be a dream[/I]! He thought. How could any of this be real? Just as Darren felt the first stirrings of fear and panic a knock at the door startled him. To stunned to say anything he just stared at the door. The knock came again, this time sounding impatient. ?[B]Uh come in[/B]?? Darren said. The door opened and a small elderly woman entered. She seemed like an ordinary woman with her slightly plump stature, gold-rimmed glasses and small hat. Though her all gray dress did seem to have a weird look to it. The woman glanced at the letter in his hand and smiled. ?[B]Good you?ve already read the letter, that makes things easier[/B],? she said. Without another word she went to the closet next to the dresser and opened it. She pulled out some clothing and laid them out on the bed. ?[B]Excuse me[/B],? Darren asked, ?[B]But who are you[/B]?? The woman smiled, ?[B]My name is Anne. Since the Supreme Chancellor is holding a ball to welcome you tonight I am here to help you get ready[/B].? She paused and then continued. ?[B]I know this is confusing, but you?re not the only one I need to help get ready and I don?t have the time to explain things to you. The ball begins at eight and if you are to get ready in time you need to get started[/B].? ?[B]Get ready[/B]?? Darren asked, still confused. Anne sighed, ?[B]You can?t possibly attend wearing those clothes[/B].? Darren looked to see that he was still wearing the worn jeans and t-shirt that he had been studying in the night before. Though comfortable, they didn?t look anything like the tuxedo she had laid out for him. Darren sighed he hated wearing formal clothing. ?[B]Once you are ready just touch this panel[/B],? Anne indicated a small white panel next to the door. ?[B]It will instruct you on where to go[/B].? With that she turned and left the room. Darren looked at the small clock next to the small white panel. He still had an hour to get ready. There was another small door next to the bed; it looked like it lead to a bathroom. Darren walked over and took a look. Though very different there were thick white towels and small containers next to the sink that appeared to be different shampoo?s and soaps. Darren closed the door behind him. If nothing else a quick shower might make him feel better. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna][quote name='Tical]I'm no phychiatrist, but I think things like medication where you rely on an outside force to help your emotions is kinda... I dunno... bad. I think you get more out of it if you help yourself. Turn that hell into a learning experience.[/QUOTE]I think the key word here is that you are not a psychiatrist and in all honesty don?t know what you are talking about. Using drugs may seem bad but as Cygnus X-1 mentioned: [QUOTE=Cygnus X-1][COLOR=Sienna']Well it depends on the kind of depression. Chemical depression usually results from an imbalance in the brain, and that normally needs outside assistance (i.e meds). Some kinds of depression are purley mental and those can be delt with with a psyciatrist, or sometimes just on your own. [/COLOR][/quote]If you have a chemical imbalance going on, no amount of attempting to help yourself is going to change that. Medication is usually the best way to deal with an actual imbalance. Also to think that anyone is capable of just dealing with depression on their own is kind of a contradiction if you stop and think about it. If people really could deal with it on their own, depression wouldn?t really be much of an issue, as people would be dealing with it already. Most people when faced with situations that upset them honestly don?t know how to deal with it and that?s where a psychiatrist can make a huge difference as they are trained to help someone find the method that?s most effect in helping the person overcome their depression. If you are looking for something that doesn?t require medication then there are a number of good self-help books out there. One I would recommend is Feeling Good The New Mood Therapy by David D. Burns, M.D. It?s an excellent book that focuses on the use of Cognitive Therapy, which teaches us that by changing the way we think we can alter our moods, with out the use of drugs. So long as there isn?t a chemical imbalance going on, the techniques listed in the book are very effective. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]I don?t know how to solve the white lint problem since usually running my shirts through a dryer gets rid of it, wait you get black lint too? Are you combining colors? If so perhaps keeping your whites and colors in separate wash loads might end that problem, if not, I don?t have an answer. But for the fading bit, try using cold water for the wash like Retribution mentioned. Another trick I learned from my mom is to use a cup of vinegar with dark clothes the first time you wash them. For what ever reason it helps to set the color and they fade less quickly over the years. As for stories about laundry, I remember when I was a kid and the washer broke my mom had to use a laundry mat for a few days until the new washer arrived. It worked pretty well except for one time she put the basket on top of the car, got in and drove off. She didn?t notice until she got home and by the time she went back, most of the clothes had been either run over or blown away. Some of them we never found. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]OB was a surprise to me. When I first started joining forums I joined one that was run by a religious group in my area. It was suppose to be a way for anime fans of the same religion to get to know each other. I didn?t belong to the religion but I thought joining would be a good way to make friends in my area. It turned out to be a way for the parents of the same religion to keep tabs on their children. The result, endless spamming and flaming of any member that did not fit what the creators of the site wanted for their children. Since I knew many of these people in real life, it got ugly. Utah is very anti-gay in any form and being a fan of yaoi/yuri anime did not sit well with the parents who ran the place. Not being a member of the said religion didn?t go over well either. I could spend hours describing the mess my joining that place caused. It?s one thing to get threatening letters online and yet another to get them in your actual mailbox. Anyway, getting them to leave me alone was taken care of, but it turned me into a lurker. I would visit various sites, read threads, but I simply didn?t join any of them. I didn?t want to deal with the same nonsense again. I knew that other places weren?t like that, but I still had a bad taste in my mouth from the first time around. I stumbled across theOtaku and after lurking for many months I finally joined and started a myOtaku account. I wandered over to OB when I had a small problem with a wallpaper and the professional manner in which I was helped by members really surprised me. So I kept coming back. The longer I was around the more I was impressed. Not only was it well run, but the basic post quality and interaction of other members was impressive. Although I was lurking at other sites, none of them had the sheer diversity that I?ve seen here at OB. I was equally impressed with the level of moderation. That?s what kept me coming back, knowing I could express what I thought and that if another member had a problem, the moderators would put an end to any harassment. I never did get harassed, but it was nice knowing that such a thing would never be an issue. So far OB is one of the best places I?ve ever joined. I?ve yet to see another forum as well run as this one is or as diverse. I?m constantly impressed by the members here at OB they really do make it one of the best forums on the Internet. I think the biggest surprise was being asked to be a moderator. I was already pretty addicted to the site and the thought of being asked never crossed my mind. So over all OB has been the nicest and best forum I?ve belonged to. And like Amelia mentioned the friendly nature of the boards is something that is hard to find. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]In all honesty I think we just die. It?s a natural process and the constant attempt to find importance in death to me is in itself meaningless. I see the different beliefs as a tool to comfort the living instead of a record of what is going to happen, just a way to feel less hopeless over the inevitable knowledge that we too will die like everyone else. The problem I have with even attempting to accept or embrace a belief that something happens to you when you die is that we really do not know what happens as it takes death itself to find out. And though I?m sure this isn?t what you meant Fasteriskhead (you are a bit difficult to follow ;) ) I see God as being unnecessary for one to be good. For me being good is a matter of ethics and not a means to secure my place in the afterlife. I don?t steal, murder or other things because I want others to treat me in a kind and courteous manner. Being good to me makes sense as how can I expect others to treat me well if I do not treat them well in return? Being good to me is about fitting in with society. I?m more concerned with how my life is today and tomorrow, not about being good to save myself from possibly going to Hell. I don?t even believe in it so it?s not a factor in influencing how I behave. I think it would be interesting to know what happens but I don?t see that event occurring anytime soon. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]Just take a look here: [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=53703][COLOR=Sienna][B][U]Suggestions & Feedback FAQ[/U][/B][/COLOR][/URL] It doesn't hurt to do a forum search either as often you can find a thread that has the answer you are looking for.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna][quote name='Pumpkin][SIZE=1]Okay I admit. Lame title. But on a serious note, it seems as if half the world is slowly becomming infected with the virus known as [b][COLOR=#990033]myspace.com[/COLOR][/b]. I admit even I have caught the bug. I've noticed that even the people of OB have a myspace or atleast have heard about it. From the fake celebrity profiles to the highschool cheerleaders who always put "I luvvvvv pink" in their profiles, what do you love most about myspace? If you hate it, what do you hate most? [/SIZE][/QUOTE]I?ve heard about myspace because it?s been on the news several times for kidnapping cases here in Salt Lake City, Utah. I can?t say that I love or hate anything about it as I am not a member and have no interest in becoming a member. Most of my friends are not interested in it either, so I see no point in joining. [QUOTE=darkisMINE] I seriously doubt there are tons of people on MySpace stalking "innocent young girls" who just happen to have tramped up profiles and ages 4 years greater than their own.[/QUOTE]I?d like to know where you get your data from. It?s estimated that one in five kids receive unwanted sexual solicitation on the Internet. If you really think that predators are not going to use a system like myspace or any other online service to find people you are fooling yourself. It?s not to say that myspace is responsible, but it doesn?t change the fact that there are predators who use myspace to find children/teenagers. [QUOTE=darkisMINE']On Nightline, there was a story of a 12 year old girl who was a drug-addict and attributed it all to MySpace. She claims that MySpace allowed her to easily fing drug dealers in her area, as well as older men to do it with. Now, at the age of 14, she has been checked into a drug-rehabilitation clinic and has been away from her family for 5 months. Her parents would rather place the blame squarely on the shoulders of MySpace instead of their daughter, who even admitted that at the age of 12, had already tried weed, crack, X, and had slept with numerous guys older than herself...but of course, it wasn't her fault, it was all because of MySpace. [/quote]Actually, if myspace was aware that one of their members was selling drugs to other people and did nothing to shut down the account, then yes they would be responsible on some level. I agree that parents are often bad about blaming a place like myspace instead of taking responsibility for their children, but it doesn?t change the fact that if myspace had been informed and did nothing, they could be legally responsible. On the same note, if the parents knew their child was doing such activities and did nothing they can be held accountable for their kid?s actions as well. After all they could have blocked myspace or taken away their kids Internet privileges. But instead by blaming myspace they are only reinforcing the idea of blaming someone else for your problems. [quote name='darkisMINE']Eventually, if this continues, mySpace could be totally outlawed from the Internet. Restrictions will be put in place in order to make mySpace "safer". I don't know about you, but I use MySpace to keep in touch with my family and friends, use it for messages, and just to have a space that is my own. Just because some children want to act grown, does that mean I may have to eventually give up my MySpace? If you feel the same way I do, please, repost this in your blogs or bulletins, or both as "STOP BLAMING MYSPACE". If enough people post this and spread the word, maybe people will get the picture and stop blaming MySpace for every little thing that their children do wrong. As user of MySpace, we should all repost this and take some sort of action. This is not a chain letter, and nothing will happen to you if you don't repost this in 321654987 seconds. However, of all bulletins you will read today, I am sure that this one is the only one that actually has a point to it. So please, have some common sense, and repost this. Thanks.[/quote]So what?s so bad about making it safer? And frankly, if myspace had a history of ignoring reports and doing nothing about them, they would deserve being taken down. It?s an unfortunate but all too common problem of people who follow the rules, having to change or lose privileges because of the dishonest one?s who will not follow the rules. I?m not saying that they are the problem only that they are responsible for failing to act when they could have. Anyway, I honestly don?t see why you are getting so worked up. If there really is such a problem with people using a service like myspace to cause problems, then how else are parents going to be aware that their kids need to be wary if it?s not mentioned in the news or other media? It should be obvious, but many parents know less about the Internet than their kids do. And to be frank, young teenagers will often do things just to fit in. Another problem is that many parents make the assumption that an online site has some sort of structure in place to deal with members, who use it to stalk children, sell drugs or do other illegal activities. It doesn?t make it myspace?s fault, but like I already mentioned, if they receive hundreds of reports indicating that a member is selling drugs and they don?t even try to shut down the account or ban them, well then myspace deserves to get in trouble. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]Welcome to OtakuBoards [B]loyalhero90[/B] Lets not bring back long dead threads. This was put to rest five years ago and lets leave it that way. If you really want to discuss Tenchi just take a look here: [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=38208][COLOR=Sienna][B]Official Threads Directory[/B][/COLOR][/URL] to find the official thread on the anime. You can post in these threads regardless of how old they are. Also, please take a moment to review the [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/rules.php?][COLOR=Sienna][B]Rules[/B][/COLOR][/URL] and [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/faq.php?][COLOR=Sienna][B]FAQ[/B][/COLOR][/URL] that is locate on the left sidebar and also read through the [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=37269][COLOR=Sienna][B]IMPORTANT: How to Post in Anime Lounge[/B][/COLOR] [/URL] sticky located at the top of the Anime Lounge. This isn't to discourage you from posting in the forums. Though, please be sure to read the rules before continuing to post. If you have any questions feel free to pm myself or another member of the staff. ~indifference [B]Thread Closed[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]Welcome to OtakuBoards [B]Kagome259[/B] I will be closing this thread for several reasons. First of all can I be your friend threads have little conversation value since they require little in the way of a response other than yes you can add me or no you can't. The other reason is expected post quality. Not only does post quality involve the concept of having clear, easy to read posts, along with correct use of spelling, grammar and punctuation, but it involves just how much a poster?s reply contributes, and expands to any given discussion. Something your opening post does not do. This is something that is greatly valued here at OtakuBoards, and we encourage members to exceed with their writing skills. Please take a moment to review the [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/rules.php?][COLOR=Sienna][B]Rules[/B][/COLOR][/URL] and [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/faq.php?][COLOR=Sienna][B]FAQ[/B][/COLOR][/URL] that is locate on the left sidebar and also read through the [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=37269][COLOR=Sienna][B]IMPORTANT: How to Post in Anime Lounge[/B][/COLOR] [/URL] sticky located at the top of the Anime Lounge. This isn't to discourage you from posting in the forums. Though, please be sure to read the rules before continuing to post. If you have any questions feel free to pm myself or another member of the staff. ~indifference [B]Thread Closed[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]Welcome to OtakuBoards [B]tomoe&battousai[/B] I will be closing this thread for several reasons. First of all threads like this are rarely allowed since like your opening post they often end up being nothing more than simple statements without any reasons or explanations of why you think the character would never say certain things. The other reason is expected post quality. Not only does post quality involve the concept of having clear, easy to read posts, along with correct use of spelling, grammar and punctuation, but it involves just how much a poster?s reply contributes, and expands to any given discussion. Something your opening post does not do. This is something that is greatly valued here at OtakuBoards, and we encourage members to exceed with their writing skills. Please take a moment to review the [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/rules.php?][COLOR=Sienna][B]Rules[/B][/COLOR][/URL] and [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/faq.php?][COLOR=Sienna][B]FAQ[/B][/COLOR][/URL] that is locate on the left sidebar and also read through the [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=37269][COLOR=Sienna][B]IMPORTANT: How to Post in Anime Lounge[/B][/COLOR] [/URL] sticky located at the top of the Anime Lounge. This isn't to discourage you from posting in the forums. Though, please be sure to read the rules before continuing to post. If you have any questions feel free to pm myself or another member of the staff. ~indifference [B]Thread Closed[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna][quote name='Desbreko][color=#4B0082']And I've actually used that same style of border--a solid black line with a faded black line inside that--on some of my avatars, so those are fine. I usually prefer the single crisp line, but for some the faded line makes it look better.[/color][/quote]That?s good to know since that?s exactly how I did my borders. I only have six ready, but I noticed that we don?t have a Yami no Matsuei category. I plan on making more, but I don?t know if I will have them ready before the next update occurs. [B]New Category:[/B] Yami no Matsuei [IMG]http://indifference.zoto.com/img/original/6ad72a6d71c9cfd488d4d36efd6a8af5.jpg[/IMG] [B]Category:[/B] Yami no Matsuei [B]Name:[/B] Asato Tsuzuki [IMG]http://indifference.zoto.com/img/original/c7a3ffd63f5f4f09ab534777ed921711.jpg[/IMG] [B]Category:[/B] Yami no Matsuei [B]Name:[/B] Asato Tsuzuki [IMG]http://indifference.zoto.com/img/original/9880bffec6dde632747770948cbe0de5.jpg[/IMG] [B]Category:[/B] Yami no Matsuei [B]Name:[/B] Asato Tsuzuki [IMG]http://indifference.zoto.com/img/original/49f986e354a375b20df67a679e626b01.jpg[/IMG] [B]Category:[/B] Yami no Matsuei [B]Name:[/B] Hisoka Kurosaki [IMG]http://indifference.zoto.com/img/original/7a9a3cf3d381c53342e8879f2c05ca7d.jpg[/IMG] [B]Category:[/B] Yami no Matsuei [B]Name:[/B] Kazutaka Muraki [IMG]http://indifference.zoto.com/img/original/eb15befe46e36d44cf3654e077be6d11.jpg[/IMG] [B]Category:[/B] Yami no Matsuei [B]Name:[/B] Yutaka Watari[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna][B]Katana:[/B] The thing I like the most about yours is the obvious contrast of black with just a little bit of white. The lines are a nice mix of clean and messy and overall it just flows nicely. I also like how none of the lines other than the text are simple. What I don?t care for is the placement of the text as it?s a little to close to the right. [B]Ezekiel:[/B] First of all what I like best is the nice texture in the background. The choice and placement of the picture goes nicely as well. The choice of words fit the piece. And overall I think it all fits together. The thing I don?t care for is the white background around part of the character as it just seems distracting. For this round my vote goes to[B] Ezekiel[/B].[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna][B]sakurasuka:[/B] First of all what I like the most is the simple clean look. Everything is nicely put together, the circles and the placement of the word sad all fits together nicely. It?s also got a nice retro feel to it. What I don?t care for is that the s in colorless overlaps a white section and disappears. [B]r2vq:[/B] What I like the best about your piece is the use of text to create a bookmark. The first thing I did was attempt to read what was there. It just made it fun to look at. The addition of a hole at the top just like a real bookmark is a nice touch. The only thing I don?t like is the placement of the main words Chapter 5 Games. I don?t care for the C being cut off on the left side. For this round I vote for [B]sakurasuka[/B]. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna][B]White:[/B] First of all I like the simple look to your piece, the words, where everything was placed and border just all come together. The leaves are a nice touch since leaves to me are anything but colorless. The only thing I don?t care for is the size of the smaller text. It?s probably my screen but it needs to be a little bit bigger to show up better. [B]Boo:[/B] I like the simple look to your piece as well. I like how the word Clockwork is hedged in and the cogs of the clockwork look nice as well. The arrows are a nice touch as they catch your eye and it?s only natural to follow them and then up to the top. The only thing I don?t like is that there?s a lot of white space between the cogs and the top. For this round I vote for [B]White[/B].[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]First of all you already know that I like the story you?ve written since I?ve already had the opportunity to read it. I?ll leave off the details since it would kind of spoil it for others when you post the rest of the chapters you?ve written. That aside, I like the changes you made from what you showed me before. A number of the paragraphs have been split into smaller paragraphs and I especially like how you separated the conversation between characters and used bold to make it stand out. It?s much easier to follow what?s being said when the conversation is not in the middle of a paragraph. It also makes following what?s going on much easier since you originally had a few paragraphs that were pretty lengthy. Anyway, it doesn?t really affect the story to much as I can figure out what you meant to say, but you might want to fix the typos in these sentences, as I?m sure you meant to use Knew instead of new. If only spell check could be clever enough to catch such things. ;) [quote name='SunfallE][COLOR=RoyalBlue'] With her blue eyes, heart shaped face and slender build she new she was quite attractive???.He was just over six feet tall and she new that they looked quite striking together. [/COLOR][/quote]I do have a suggestion. Have you considered making a type of introduction summary? Like you see on the back of a novel or inside the front cover? Just a paragraph or two giving the reader an idea of what they are about to read? I also have a question, are you looking to add to your story? Or primarily for feedback on things you could improve? [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]Welcome to OtakuBoards [B]hyuuga_hinata[/B] I will be closing this thread for several reasons. First of all favorites/who would you pick? threads are rarely allowed since like your opening post they often end up being nothing more than simple statements without any reasons or explanations of why the character is your favorite or rather why you choose them over the other character. The other reason is expected post quality. Not only does post quality involve the concept of having clear, easy to read posts, along with correct use of spelling, grammar and punctuation, but it involves just how much a poster?s reply contributes, and expands to any given discussion. Something your opening post does not do. This is something that is greatly valued here at OtakuBoards, and we encourage members to excel with their writing skills. Please take a moment to review the [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/rules.php?][COLOR=Sienna][B]Rules[/B][/COLOR][/URL] and [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/faq.php?][COLOR=Sienna][B]FAQ[/B][/COLOR][/URL] that is locate on the left sidebar and also read through the [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=37269][COLOR=Sienna][B]IMPORTANT: How to Post in Anime Lounge[/B][/COLOR] [/URL] sticky located at the top of the Anime Lounge. This isn't to discourage you from posting in the forums. Though, please be sure to read the rules before continuing to post. If you have any questions feel free to pm myself or another member of the staff. ~indifference [B]Thread Closed[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]You mean like this? [B]Distinctions Between Intellectuals And Pseudo-Intellectuals[/B] [INDENT]*The intellectual is looking for the right questions to ask; the pseudo is giving what he claims to be the right answers. *The intellectual is evidently motivated by a disinterested love of truth; the pseudo is interested in being right, or being thought to be right, whether he is or not. *The intellectual is willing to admit that what he does not know is far greater than what he knows; the pseudo claims to know as much as can be known about the subject under consideration. *The intellectual states as good a case for his adversary as can be made out; the pseudo sets up a straw man and beats it to death for the sake of seeming superior. *The intellectual is deeply and constantly aware of the limitations of human reason; the pseudo makes a deity of reason and tries to force it into realms it cannot penetrate. *The intellectual seeks light from whatever source, realizing that ideas are no respecters of persons and turn up in the most unexpected places from the most improbable people; the pseudo accepts ideas, when he does, only from experts and specialists and certified authorities. *The intellectual advances an hypothesis that he hopes may be true; the pseudo propounds a dogma that he insists is true. *The intellectual recognizes that opposites are not always contradictory, and may indeed reinforce each other; the pseudo paints a picture in black and white, right or wrong, leaving no room for a contrary viewpoint. *The intellectual knows there are no final answers to human questions; the pseudo makes each tentative and provisional answer sound like a finality. *The intellectual is courageous in opposing majority opinion, even when it jeopardizes his position; the pseudo slavishly follows "the most reliable authorities" in his field sneering at heresies. *The intellectual never talks down to his audience, but tries to be as clear as possible; the pseudo talks above his audience to mystify and impress them."[/INDENT] Sounds more like someone being a know-it-all pain in the butt. I certainly see nothing wrong with using the resources available to you to learn more, but to then act as if you know everything; well it just seems kind of stupid. Like Delta said, it?s easy to tell if someone is faking it. Am I a Pseudo-Intellectual? I don?t think so. I may have a little bit of knowledge about a lot of different topics, thanks to having ready access to a wealth of information, but I?ve never thought I was an expert on them. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]Well unless the dub is absolutely horrible I always watch it first. Some of the newer series like Full Metal Alchemist and Fruits Basket have pretty good dubs in my opinion. By newer I mean 2000 or later. Anyway, although I prefer it to be as original as possible I like to be able to concentrate on the show without worrying about reading anything. Then if I like the show I will go back and watch it in Japanese with subtitles. Having already watched it in English, at least for the shows that are done well, makes watching the sub even more enjoyable. It?s easier to concentrate on the words since you already know what is going to happen. And then there are some shows that I never did manage to finish the dub version, like Soul Hunter and Sailor Moon. They were just too mutilated and within a very short time they just grated on my nerves. [/COLOR]