Lady Macaiodh

[color=darkblue]Just drop it people. When you two go at it, it ruins the whole entire thread. What I want to know is, who was dumb enough to take the pictures in the first place? And how did the media get them? It seems like it must've been other soldiers. Civilians? I don't know.[/color]

[color=darkblue]Mmm, yes, those delicious vampires. I do love them. I just finished reading [i]Blood Canticle[/i] by Ann Rice two days ago. Her vampires are my very favorite, so beautiful, sensual, mysterious, wealthy, powerful, succulent, brilliant... I could go on forever. Ah, if only. The world with me as a vampire would never be the same.[/color]

[color=darkblue]This thread should have been titled differently. I wouldn't say that I was so much popular in high school as notorious. People were kind of intimidated by me, I think. I hung out with the popular kids alot, though, because of sports/clubs and such. They were always trying to "save me from myself." As for cool, now... for the most part, I'm really cool. But there are these rare occassions where I get drunk and, oh lord, the **** does hit the fan. Very uncool then.[/color]

[color=darkblue]There is this one Bible verse that's always pulled me through life... sometimes kicking and screaming. It gives me the purest hope I've ever felt. It went something like this: "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 I actually went and looked that up in my Strong's Concordance (everybody should have one) so I'd know the right reference. Anyway, even in my darkest times, that verse helps me say [i]There IS a reason for all of this, and it will be wonderful.[/i][/color]

[color=darkblue]This keeps getting worse and worse. I feel like things have spiraled out of control, and the loops just keep getting wider. This is so bad for America. I feel like crying. Of course we know that those few soldiers don't represent the American army. Yet this is just another way for extremists to blast American efforts in Iraq, not to mention George Bush. I'm really not liking him. But I wouldn't know what to do about it either. Help us, God. [/color]

[color=darkblue]If you count the old classics such as Voltron and Thundercats, then I've been watching it quite awhile. Since.... I'd say 1983. I've probably been watching anime longer than some of you have been alive. Whoa.[/color]

[color=darkblue]The only character I've ever actively disliked was Iyaka from Tenchi. She was utterly useless in every way, shape, and form. And what's up with the hair? Good lord, I know princesses have to wear certain hairstyles sometimes, but [i]you're on earth now, for godssakes.[/i] Ryoko was so much better. She should have ended up with Tenchi. I will curse the writers of that show til the day I die! Die! Man, I hate that show. It was good, but I hated the whole thing.[/color]

[QUOTE=Heaven's Cloud][color=indigo]Heh, the worst part of puppy love is that it never lives up to the hype. Once you date a person that has infatuated you for a period of time their pedestal quicky crumbles. Then, once the lofty adoration subsides, you have to work on finding a true relationship with that person (although how that is accomplished is beyond me :p). [/color][/QUOTE] [COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]As much as I love you, I have to disagree. Some people are just as crazy in love as they ever were. The human mind releases neurotransmitters, during a relationship, for approximately four years. It's almost like a high. But after the high wears off, most people break up. But then, there are those who have made a [i]logical[/i] decision to be devoted to the one they love. It's not work. It's very simple, actually. It's actually a lot easier than relying on the emotions. Once a person decides to love, it gets much easier. The whole "falling in love" thing is the hardest part, because it's all based on hormones, specifically dopamine and epinephrine. Real love is when you get past all that. The infatuation passes, and a deeper thing sets in.[/COLOR]

[QUOTE=James][color=#707875] Of course, there are potentially millions of species that we aren't yet aware of. If you've ever seen a giant squid...you'll know that these things look like they come from another world. They are truly "sea monsters", but of course, we don't encounter them regularly for obvious reasons. I remember hearing about an underwater volcano north east of Australia, where scientists discovered dozens of entirely new species recently (within the last couple of months). Some of these species are [i]only[/i] found in this one volcano. And they are all truly amazing. Some of them really do look like alien lifeforms or something. [/color][/QUOTE] [COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]Hold on now! Finally someone understands. Sometimes I wonder why the government wastes so much time exploring space. The real aliens are right under our noses, on the ocean floor. It blows my mind to think that the majority of species exist underwater. These creatures cannot be scientifically studied because our technology is limited. Here I go, about to go off subject again... Obviously, the pressure underwater in much greater than it is is open air. A few animals have been collected, but they have to be contained in a pressurized chamber to keep their bodies from exploding. If a person, unprepared, were to try to swim into the oceans depths, they would die, and painfully. There is no question. There are so many species that have not yet been explored, or even discovered. There is life out there, things that we can't even fathom. So, I doubt that Nessie exists. The loch is too small to conceal such a creature, unless it has a really good hiding place. But I can't forget that corpse. It was pretty ****** up. Here's a website to check out. These are obviously not doctored prints. [/COLOR] [URL=http://www.gennet.org/facts/nessie.html]Pic of nessie.[/URL]

[color=darkblue]It's actually not that big of a deal, you know (though I'm sure it seems like it). I went through this really bad time when I didn't understand guys. I remember this one song: "She was the one that I wanted for all time, and every night I'd pray that God would make her mine, And if He'd only give me that wish I wished back then, I'd never ask for anything again." Garth Brooks (genius) wrote that for the No Fences album. The song is called "Unanswered Prayers." You should give it a listen. What happened in the song is that God didn't grant his wish. But by this point, he was married to the most beautiful woman (to him) in the world, so he realized that it all worked out according to God's plan. I don't know if you believe in God or not, but it's a moot point. It's just a song, after all, and country music can be very sentimental. THe best thing to remember is that there is a definite reason for things that happen, even if we don't understand them. Is it a higher power that controls it all? Who knows? Who cares? Does it even matter? You could practically kill yourself wondering why things happen the way they do. It's a waste of time. One thing I forgot to say: I remember those puppy love, high school-type flames (in fact, I have one right now -- hee!) and there's nothing that can compare to that feeling. Why don't you PM me? If you want to talk, that is. I'm always here to listen (even though I disappear from the boards for weeks at a time). "Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers. Remember when you're talking to the Man upstairs. Just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care. Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers." I still think you could capture the heart of this guy you want, if you really try. And now! I'm done with this dissertation.[/color]

[color=darkblue]Okay, I do agree with that. That sad fact is, expressing your beliefs, especially when they are dissenting from the majority's opinion, will usually lead to nothing but trouble. Damn, it's so ****** up. We are supposed to be living in a free society. As long as we express our views in a civilized manner, what harm could there be? Except for those ignorant bastards who automatically hate everything remotely different. I think I'm going to move to Ireland. At least we [i]admit[/i] we're just a bunch of drunks.[/color]

[color=darkblue]Here is the theory of Nessie (just so you know, I was kidding before): A few hundred of years ago, the Loch Ness had an inlet to the ocean. Sea creatures (now known as the Loch Ness monsters) found their way inland via these inlets. But when the water subsided and the inlets dried, they were trapped. There are many caves that flow deeply underground, with cold temperatures, ideal for Nessie, especially when it comes to laying eggs. These cave are so deep, with so many tunnels, that there is no way to determine whether or not something lives there. However, if one can explore deep enough, there are several tunnels that lead to the ocean. Unfortunately, the water pressure is too great for any human invention to withstand at this point. So that's the story. The Scottish and English have tried to prove and disprove the evidence of Nessie. In the 1800's, a massive, but only slightly decayed, corpse of a giant dinosaur-like creature was uncovered in the depths of the ocean. The rate of decay proved that this creature could have ony been underwater for around one hundred years of time. I can't explain this, other than that there must be leviathons (sea beasts) that we don't know about yet. This makes perfect sense. Our planet is only 1/4 land, and 3/4 water. Our technology is too primitive to explore the depths of the ocean. It is much more likely that intelligent (or unheard of) life exists in the oceans, rather than on land.[/color]

[color=darkblue]There is one thing I would like to add. There is no such thing as an "official" or certain" time to pray. God is in all of us, in every heartbeat, tree, waterfall, animal, in a single strand of human hair, in sex, animal skin -- hell, he's even in a baby's crappy diapers. Why should we question this (even though that's what I did)? If one wants to communicate with their higher power, there is nothing that can stop it. Sit on the subway and close your eyes. Ignore the drunk that keeps falling asleep on your shoulder. Look at the little children who are the most beautiful things you've ever seen but whose mother doesn't notice. Notice the man who lost his arm through Napalm. Remember the old man who rides the bus all day long because he has nowhere else to go and just wants to stay warm. We can close our eyes to the 13 year old crack dealer who stands on the corner in the freezing cold because his mother can't pay her bills. But we shouldn't. This is all prayer to me. When God moves your heart and stirs it, that is prayer. When we feel empathy and compassion, that is prayer. When we get to the point where we'd sacrifice anything to alieviete suffering, that is prayer. So I suppose it doesn't matter if we take a certain time out of the day to recite emotionless prayers that we were taught to us in Sunday school. The real prayer cries out from our soul and begs to be heard. Maybe God hears it, maybe he doesn't. But what does it matter? We are the ones who make the real difference. So I guess, that as for school, we should be able to look to the sun or the flowers or even the goddamn teacher and be able to pray. God hears us whether we say it out loud, or we whisper it to ourselves. Sometimes I have felt the presence of this thing called God. That's how I know he's there. And I know that many times, he doesn't seem to listen or answer. It's feels good, though, to let it out. I've found that God never says "no". He only says "not yet".[/color]

[color=darkblue]VR, darlin' I'm guessing that you are around 15 years old. I remember what it was like, so I'll try not to patronize. Hee! This is the fun part: I can tell you adore this guy. I don't blame you. I'm sure he's everything to you. But guess what. This world is populated by over 6 billion people. Half of those are men. Now I will ask you a question, and I want you to think about it before you answer. Is it at all possible that there is someone better out there? I remember when I became a man-eater. (Okay, you mods, just hear me out.) One day it occured to me -- why in the goddamn hell would I ever want to settle for just one guy? Oh, I understand love and all that, but love is merely a chemical reaction in your brain. We actually have the capacity to love many people, girl or guy. And just because you love someone, doesn't mean you can't ever love anyone else as much, or more. One more piece of advice: Go up to this dream darlin', look him in the eye, and tell him how you feel. What's the worst that could happen -- he says no? Then you just move on to the next one. After all, there are only about 2,999,999,999 left (some of them probably better than the one you love now --sorry, sorry, just kidding!). So call me a cynical *****, but there's no such thing as love. Love is a word used to explain a feeling inside. For every one you lose, there will be a hundred hotter guys that will come along. As for being friends, what's wrong with that? Guys and girls are friends all the time. And I get the feeling this guy could fall head over heals for you... if you play your cards right. Be the listening ear. Be the sexy one without trying to be. Don't ever obsess about your looks, or the way he thinks about you. Always speak your mind, and don't be afraid to disagree with him. Above all else, recognize your own beauty, even if you have to stare in the mirror for hours doing those crazy little poses that we chicks do, and think about every little thing you're proud of about you. If you see it in yourself, he will see it within you. A man can't resist a woman with confidence. Just remember, you are a child of God. Who couldn't love that? The next lesson will be about flirting. It will get you farther with men than you'd ever thought possible. Your friend, Deborah Macaiodh PS: Feel free to ignore my insane ramblings. The windows have gone black -- I scratch them with my nails to bring in some light. I've wilted, a plant with no sun to turn its face to.[/color]

[color=darkblue]There is already evidence of prehistoric-like creatures on the planet. However, I'd be much more likely to believe in something not of our physical plane. Call me crazy, but I know for a fact that there is soemthing else out there, something that would drive our frail human minds insane. I think Einstein postulated it best when he proved there was no such thing as time. Creatures, beings, aliens, whatever -- they all exist and are near us at all times. Time is simply a human invention created to make order out of a "sequence" of events (even though there is no real sequence). These things, these "monsters" and "creatures" are always with us. In fact, I'm tired. I think I shall curl up next to Nessie herself. She actually is quite warm. So, her scales are pretty rough and not all that comforting. But my Incubus will take care of her if she starts to annoy me. [/color]

[QUOTE=ScirosDarkblade]Do you know what the word "trappings" even means? It doesn't in this context mean that it "traps people in a situation" or anything along those lines. Trappings means characteristic or symbolic signs. [/QUOTE] [COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]Okay. I get what you mean. It's just that "trappings" implies exactly that... some sort of prison that must be escaped from. It's hard for me to be objective about this, anyway. After all, I went to Catholic school my whole life and hated the things that were forced down my throat. [b]Semjaza[/b] -- I certainly did not mean that any certain religion or philosophy should be taught as fact. I simply meant that I would like to see our students as being more well-rounded. Spirituality is such an important concept... it effects every desicsion we will ever make. All I'd like to see is students being more informed. Also, the line between church and state has become so blurred that it almost doesn't exist anymore. Just look at the whole gay marriage thing. The term "seperation of church and state" means that the government should have no say whatsoever in the matter of spirituality. So much controversy is involved in the term. Another thing -- I don't consider spirituality to have the same meaning as "church" at all. Mostly I think of this from an historical perspective. All religions played an integral part in their culture's development. I'm not saying [i]at all[/i] that there should be forced prayer time (which would obviously ostracize those who do not want to take part), but only that there is great wisdom to gain, and that this country would most likely be better off if youth of america were more spiritually well-rounded. [/COLOR]

[quote name='Semjaza Azazel]You cannot set aside time that is basically acknowledging time for prayer, meditation or whatever it is a person does. It isn't just a simple matter of Christianity versus the state or random people being offended that only Christian students can pray and others cannot... it's religion in general. Taking time out during school hours and curriculum to acknowlege [i]any[/i'] of it really is just the same situation with different words.[/quote] [COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]I hate to say it to you of all people, but I disagree. Who is to say that spiritual well-being is less important than "intellect"? Principles, morals, and standards are directly responsible for the good in this world. Why shouldn't a few minutes be taken to explore something more esoteric? Is this all there is -- the mere physical existance in which we live? I see meditation as an exploration of something that science cannot yet define. Education? What makes you think that meditation is not a form of education? I could be misunderstanding you, but you seem to think that not only is "religion" out of place in schools, but also downright inappropriate. [/COLOR] [QUOTE=Baron Samedi][color=darkred][size=1] Why should they have to leave the room? If anyone, the Christians should have to leave the room.[/color][/size][/QUOTE] [COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]Hold on, now. I get what you're saying. I simply meant that the Christian religion is most likely to be the one practiced. I was using it as an example. It would be much better if youth could lose their inhibitions and study all faiths from a logical perspective. Maybe they wouldn't want to be part of any religion at all. It's all a matter a free will, and this is all I meant.[/COLOR]

[quote name='ScirosDarkblade'] back on topic: I think prayer and meditation and all sorts of religious trappings should be removed from class.[/quote] [COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]Now, this is quite interesting. "Trappings"... an interesting way to put it. No one in public school is forced to pray, nor gather around the flagpole. Those opposed to Christian prayer may even leave the room if they want to. They are not made to even witness it, should they choose not to. I, personally, find it very heartwarming that students would take time out of their mornings, before school, to gather around the flag and ask God for support, peace, & strength. These students risk ridicule & ostracization... because they are not afraid. I personally do not believe in one true god. However, the fact that these teenagers are so willing to speak their mind, despite the social consequences, is admirable. And how are we to know for sure that their prayers do no good? They definitely couldn't hurt society as a whole, with morals being the basis of any sort of good behavior. For all we know, those simple prayers, so insignificant to many, may have saved our lives at some point.[/COLOR] ]

[color=darkblue]The weirdest thing I've ever eaten was when I was on the Cali coast, hopping trains. There was a lot of seafood there. Anyway, my friend David and I ate baby fried octupusses out of a dumpster. You could eat the legs but the bodies were impossibly gross on the inside. Mushy. Hey, we were hungry.[/color]

[color=darkblue]I'll put the top two here, one good and one not so good. [b]Empathy/compassion.[/b] It's really a rare gift these days to be able to treat others the way you would want to be treated. I can probably count the number of people I know that truly do this on one hand. I always try to do it myself, but I'm not perfect. [b]Power.[/b] In today's society, you usually can't have it without money. Nothing makes me hotter than an attractive person expertedly weilding all sorts of money and power. The fact that these two things can be somewhat contrasting, yet I find them equally valuable, is a mystery to me.[/color]

[QUOTE=Mitch][size=1][color=red] It could be worse than it is, if it bothers you that much. There could be people walking around going, "I ain't got none of not of that man who's gonna have alot of irregardless nothing and I ain't not gonna list'n to dis." [/size][/color][/QUOTE] [COLOR=DarkOrchid]*bursts out laughing* God, dear God, this whole thread is killing me, especially that "Jew bag" ****. Christ almighty. I hate the world "slut" too. Why do people always put such a negative context to women having sex? I'll be the first to admit it... at times I have been the Whore of Babylon. [/COLOR]

[color=darkblue]If I'm actually sick enough to stay home, I lie in bed with a barf bucket next to it, feeling sorry for myself and watching TV to get my mind off the discomfort. I'm really not good for much else. I feel crappy pretty often, though. My health isn't the greatest because of all the drugs I used to do. I have to be resigned to the fact that it's going to take awhile to get back to normal, and push through it like a regular life.[/color]

[color=darkblue]Parents and anime? They pretty much just shake their heads and wonder when I'm going to grow out of the "cartoons." They can't really say anything. I haven't lived with them in years. ...though, if my parents watched Ninja Scroll, my mom would puke, my dad would yell "Sick!" and then the lecture would begin. I don't know, maybe watching certain animes does indicate somewhat of a sick mind. We don't really [i]need[/i] to revel in the graphic violence. But we do anyway.[/color]

[color=darkblue]I don't often relate to anime characters, but there was this one episode of Cowboy Bebop that really got to me. It was the one where Faye Valentine finally receives the video of herself as a kid, ten years after she made it. The girl on the tape is so innocent and happy, and Faye is just not. She had this look on her face, like "Who is that girl?" What really killed me is the little Faye doing the cheer yelling "Go me!" Older Faye turned out so differently than little Faye thought. But the worst part was that you could see that older Faye could not remember being that happy teenage girl. At all. And everybody is just sitting around watching the tape, sadly, realizing just how truly ****** up the whole thing is. I've often wondered how that effected Faye. I know that after I saw it, I sat in my room for about an hour or more thinking about that scene. It reminded me so much of myself, I wanted to burst out crying. I didn't though, like a bastard. I just bottled it up to be let out one future day, in a spurt of ill-timed aggression.[/color]

[color=darkblue]There is not enough money in the world to entice me to take that job. Now, absolute monarch, on the other hand...[/color]