Renate

I'm definitely an ambivert, although if I had to choose between the two extremes I'd choose extrovert. I much more like to be in company of people, have fun and go out clubbing than staying at home behind my computer. I can appreciate that as well and certainly get joy out of it, but I just love going out and doing fun stuff!

I must agree with D. Resurrected, love is not something that can be put into words. 'I love you' simply does not fit this huuuuge feeling you're feeling, it's too simple. Love is reflected in your actions, your thoughts and your eyes. I personally think you shouldn't always be told that your partner loves you, you see it.

I'm really looking forward to this movie and I hope I'll see it soon in the cinema. That's a big questionmark for me because I don't exactly know if it's a world-wide release and I'm already going to watch the New World on Saturday. It looks really interesting and more serious than most comic book movies. The trailer looks quite amazing. Tell us how it has been, sungravy!

[B]X/1999[/B] is surely the one that grabbed me from the absolute beginning. Me and X, it was love at first sight. I was searching for anime boxsets to buy at my first shopping spree at my anime/manga shop, and came across a picture of just the box. I immediately knew this was one I had to check out and actually bought it without knowing too much about it. It captivated me from the first episode and has been my favourite anime ever since. [B]Rurouni Kenshin[/B] was another one. I had read fanfiction about it without watching the series, but it inspired me immediately to pick it up asap. I'm still loving it ever since. XD

I love it a lot! I've seen season 1 and 2, but the repeats are getting annoying now though. My favourite characters are Stella, Flora, Riven and Helia. My favourite couple are Stella and Brandon, and Flora and Helia.

Nope. This year's animation entries were all magnificent! It prooves that not only digitally animated films can win! I'd be happier if Howl or Corpse Bride would've won, but everyone loves Wallace and Gromit, especially Hollywood.

Ahem, I've been following the Oscars ever since the LOTR movies came out. XD I remember watching it when the first LOTR movie was up against A Beautiful Mind. A Beautiful Mind won all the oscars in the major categories! XDDD I was soooo angry that I kept throwing my pink fluffy shoes at the telly and refused watching A Beautiful Mind for a loooong time! Some people were complaining about how the Oscars were done this year, the show. But I thought it was decent and to the points, without being too long. I got up at 2.30 am last night and went back to bed at 5.30 am because of the time differences. Well it was well-spread out this year. King Kong, Memoirs of a Geisha, Crash and Brokeback Mountain all got three Oscars. I'm really glad Memoirs won that much because visually, it's still a stunning movie (Did I mention Zhiyi was one of the prettiest girls that evening? ^.^ And Michelle Williams!). Everyone is also complaining that Crash didn't deserve to get best picture, but I'm actually kind of glad it did! I prefered Brokeback above anything else obviously, but I'm just glad Munich or Good Night Good Luck didn't get it. I saw Munich and disliked it quite a bit, and GNGL just didn't appeal to me. So I'm glad it became Crash in the end, altho Capote would've earned my respect as well. Most memorable speeches. Apparently George Clooney's was amazing, but I somehow unknowingly missed out on that one! So I have to say the director or Totsi for best Foreign Movie and the Honory Award. I thought Jack Nichelson was kidding when he said Crash! I really did, he said it so strangely! O.o

[QUOTE]Also what do people belive on the outcome of the academy awards?[/QUOTE] Tomorrow night is teh night! I don't think Howl's Moving Castle is going to win though. I think it'll be Wallace and Gromit. They're so popular!

[B]Franz Ferdinand:[/B] Their songs are really something special, and I think you either love it or hate it. It's a bit dance-alternative rock, since I found myself dancing to it quite a lot. Their first CD is still the best imo. [B]The Killers:[/B] I actually bought the album without hearing much of them, but it's still one of my best buys ever. Even though the lyrics aren't always happy happy, the music itself makes you fly. [B]Editors:[/B] A new group I just discovered. I needed to listen to their songs a few times before I genuinly loved them, but I'm all obsessing over them now. Other bands I like are Bloc Party, Depeche Mode, Kaiser Chiefs, the Cure, Linkin Park, Green Day (although I think the hype is a bit over the top) and A.F.I.

I myself picked Wunderkind by Alanis Morissette. The first time I heard it I thought it exactly voiced my own feelings, what I want the world to be like for me. Especially the naive part fits me sometimes! [U][B]Wunderkind[/B] [/U] Oh perilous place walk backwards toward you Blink disbelieving eyes chilled to the bone Most visibly brave no aprehended gloom First to take this foot to virgin snow I am a magnet for all kinds of deeper wonderment I am a wunderkind oh oh oh oooooh And I lift the envelope pushed far enough to believe this I am a princess on the way to my throne Destined to serve, destined to roam Oh ominous place spellbound and unchild-proofed My least favorite chill to bare alone Compatriots in place they'd cringe if I told you Our best back-pocket secret our bond full-blown I am a magnet for all kinds of deeper wonderment I am a wunderkind oh oh oh oooooh I am a pioneer naive enough to believe this I am a princess on the way to my throne Destined to seek, destined to know Most beautiful place reborn and blown off roof My view about-face whether great will be done I am a magnet for all kinds of deeper wonderment I am a wunderkind oh oh oh oooooh I am a ground-breaker naive enough to believe this I am a princess on the way to my throne I am a magnet for all kinds of deeper wonderment I am a wunderkind oh oh oh oooooh I am a Joan of Arc and smart enough to believe this I am a princess on the way to my throne Destined to reign, destined to roam Destined to reign, destined to roam Destined to reign, destined to roam Destined to reign, destined to roam

I'm an avid snowboarder since a few years. I've been skiing for almost 9 years, but changed it to snowboarding when I went on vacation with some family members who also wanted to learn snowboarding with me. I never want to go back to skiing again, I love snowboarding much more! I can only snowboard once a year though, since Belgium's pretty much far away from the mountains in France and stuff. And I'm not an adult yet, so I can't do as I wish. Right now I've snowboarded two times already, and I'm leaving this Saturday for another week. That'll be my third time snowboarding. I'd also really like to check out jumps, since I'm a freerider like Lunox! I'd really love to get myself Burton snowboard material but it's all so expensive!

I have three absolute favourites: Memoirs of a Geishy by Arthur Golden, Howl's Moving Castle by Diane Wynne Jones, and the His Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman. I liked Memoirs of a Geisha a lot because it was set in Japan and I loved the whole scenery of the geisha world. I thought it was beautiful and moving, and I adored the characters in it. Howl's Moving Castle is in my opinion a book that should be known far much more than it is now. I was hoping to read it after watching the trailers of the Miyazaki movie, but I couldn't get my hands on it anywhere. So I asked a friend in England if she could send me it as a bday present. The language is beautiful, the world as well, and the characters so loveable. Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials is a must-read for every fantasy fan (like me, I've read both Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings so I think this can appealing for them too). You've got great characters, a great storyline, and interesting symbolism!

I got to see that part on tv as well. It was really awful, she could've won easily if she didn't make that stupid jump! O.o And it was stupid to do. The cross isn't like the half-pipe where you have to peform the best and most beautiful tricks...

[QUOTE=Lunox][color=darkslateblue] WOO SHAUN WHITE! I love snowboarding, so obviously I am obliged to love this guy. Amazing runs by him in the finals... just seems like a very talented guy. I saw some videos of his skateboarding, and while I'm not really a fan of skateboarding, it was still incredibly impressive. Anywho. Shaun White is my hero. I don't know about any other gals but I'd probably be willing to marry him just because. And I can't get the point across enough: SHAUN WHITE SHAUN WHITE SHUAN WHITE OMG. [/color][/QUOTE] x3 Can I love you? I'm loving you! Finally as big a Shaun fan as I am! I must say I don't really care about his skateboarding, I'm only interested in his snowboarding. XD He makes me want to be a snowboard champion myself! Plus, he's superfunny! [QUOTE]In this particular event, the Koreans have won the last few olympics and almost every world championship... I don't remember which one, the 300 m or somthing.[/QUOTE] I think it's the 500 m. ^^ And you're right there, but I was talking about the longer distances mostly. 1500, 3000 and 5000 m.

[QUOTE]I watched the snowboarding highlights earlier as well, and man, that Shaun White is bloody impressive. I'm so glad he got gold.[/QUOTE] Warning, Shaun obsessed one speaking currently, but I so must agree with this. He sticks out head and shoulders compared to the other men there. Watching him snowboard is an own personal heaven for the eye. Just wow. [QUOTE]Ok, the Koreans ARE the best in the world at this sport (speed skating)[/QUOTE] Are you kidding? There are so much other great nations in this sport! I'm thinking about USA, Canada, the Netherlands, Japan,... [QUOTE]It's hilarious -- I was reading an article in the Post about him today. When asked what he wanted to accomplish in Torino, he answered "I'm just here for the babes." I'm assuming he was joking, but I still found it hilarious. / They addressed that during his post-competition interview on NBC, and they talked for a good while on how his medal might act as a babe magnet. XD[/QUOTE] I wish I were there to be one of those babes! XDDD He loves the attention of them imo though. From what I heard he has girl troubles. O.o Nothing you'd expect from him. Female half-pipe snowboarding: 1. Hannah Teter (USA) 2. Gretchen Bleiler (USA) 3. Kjersti Buaas (Norway) It's almost exactly the same as yesterday with the men! O.o I only got to see highlights of this by coincidence (A Dutch girl was in the finals as well, that's why they showed it). Gretchen was really amazing to watch. But I only saw Hannah's last try, which I didn't find so amazing. So I didn't get to see her greatness. Female speed-skating 3000 m's: 1. Irene Wüst (Netherlands) 2. Renate Groenewold (Netherlands) 3. Cindy Klassen (Canada) Major WOOT here. As a personal fan of the Dutch skating team, I'm really glad to see this result.

I didn't know where exactly to put this thread, but decided to post it here. Are you guys following it? Which sports? What countries are you rooting for? Which sportsmen or women? I've been paying attention to skating and snowboarding mostly. I must say that I'm majorly rooting for the Netherlands this time, even though I live in Belgium. The Netherlands just have awsome ice skaters. Yesterday I've been watching the Ice skating 5000 m for Men. The top 3 is the following: 1. Chad Hedrick (USA) 2. Sven Kramer (Netherlands) 3. Enrico Fabris (Italy) Right now the women are skating, but I'm not really following that. XD I guess I'm a real men's woman. For pretty obvious reasons. I'm especially hoping that Sven Kramer will win some more medals. He's my favourite because he's only 19 years old, has a world record on his name, and really friendly. I'm also a fan of Fabris because he's so good-natured. He was so happy with his third spot! Another sport I'll be avidly following is the snowboarding. I've been glued to the telly this afternoon to watch the Men's Snowboarding Halfpipe, and these are the results: 1. Shaun White (USA) 2. Danny Kass (USA) 3. Markku Koski (Finland) I'm majorly obsessing over it right now, because it was wonderful to see. Especially Shaun White is a miracle man. How he does his tricks and snowboards! It's like it's so simple to do, and I know it's not!

Hmmm that's indeed idiotic. >> The reactions are really getting out of hand. Regardless of my opinion in this, I don't agree. People seem to think this was all organised beforehand. The cartoons were published in Denmark in September, but all of a sudden this anger is rising again about 6 months later!

[QUOTE]No, this is an attempt at satire - a failed attempt, mind, but an attempt nontheless. It's lame and it's tasteless but that's what it is. Unfunny people have just as much a right as you or I, don't they? [/QUOTE] Well at least we agree that it's a tasteless, lame and completely failed. I never said they don't have right to do such things. But it was a mistake none the less. [QUOTE]Some petty people can't get over one little comic, so what do they do? Boycott and entire country! [/QUOTE] Which is interely stupid at itself. It's completely pointless anyway. So I agree with you on this. [QUOTE]If people could just move on and not care about this than this wouldn't even be news![/QUOTE] Do you really think that? If relations between the two worlds would have been better, I'm sure they would. It'd be like tasteless the Netherlands-Belgian jokes are over here. But with the tensions these last years, it was bound to happen. [QUOTE]The vast majority of the western world are Christians. VAST majority.[/QUOTE] I go to a christian school and even though they are christians as you say it, they barely go to church and don't believe in God at all. I would be amazingly surprised ifthere are even 30 people on my school, where 1000 students attend, that truely believe in God. [QUOTE]And people do 'offensive' satiracle drawings of Christian religious figures all the time.Islam feels that it is special; that every country in the world must listen to it and that type of thing.[/QUOTE] We had a riot from the Christian church a while ago, it was on the news and stuff. The Christian society was complaining about a poster of Maria with a naked breast. So these things aren't only happening with the Islam. [QUOTE]Thus, when somone in some random country rights somthing offensive about the Muslims, they feel the world should bend over backwards to make sure that nothing offensive can ever be writen about them.[/QUOTE] See, it's generalisations and tensions that cause this particular event to being so huge. Every since 9/11, Muslims are so generalised that nothing can be said about either side without being blown out of proportion or ending in a riot. It's a simple cause and effect. I'm sure the Muslims feel the whole world is against them at this moment in time, and to be honest I don't blame them. [QUOTE]everyone is offended at one point or another... they move on. For some reason the Muslism can't..[/QUOTE] I don't see the Western world move on ever since it was 'offended' since 9/11. I don't see the Western world move on and stop staring at people different than them. If the Muslims are unable to move on, we are too. [QUOTE]Ok, are you familiar with the term 'SATIRE'?[/QUOTE] Yes I am, and satires are acceptable. There are many good ones out there. [QUOTE]This of course is a failed attempt at satire, as it lacked any wit or originality, but you get the point.[/QUOTE] But then why should I be familiar with the term Satire if it wasn't even close to anything like that? This was close-mindedness at its worst. The stupidity here isn't Mohamed, it's the person who drew the cartoons. Of course it was not consciously meant to be unfunny and tasteles, but that's often the case with stupid mistakes. [QUOTE]SNL, The Daily Show, Rick Mercer Report[/QUOTE] I've never seen any of these shows, so I can't tell you how serious they make fun of things. [QUOTE]You don't hear GWB demanding John Stewart's head when he cracks a joke about him[/QUOTE] Well that's one person. To the Muslims, it's their whole living style being made fun of. If there's one thing as close to daily life of them, it's Religion. And of course, those jokes are probably tasteful and did work out. It's nothing that can be compared with the cartoons. Religion and politics... Never works out. >>

[QUOTE]We in the Western world do - and we, as citizens of free nations, have every right to say WHATEVER we want! This isn't some fuzzy-fuzzy-hug-hug world where eveyone loves everyone and is willing to express that! They will hate and they will express thus![/QUOTE] I very well know this world isn't a world where everyone loves each other. That's impossible. But I'm a highly idealistic person. I believe we can express our opinion without being completely low and rude. If you don't like someone or a group of people, say so and move on. And I think this goes in this situation for both sides. [QUOTE]That's why it's called FREEDOM of SPEECH, not Freedom of Speech so long as it doesn't Offend Anyone. [/QUOTE] Freedom of speech always offends someone. I'm not against freedom of speech. But take flaming for example, everyone hates flaming. I see these cartoons as such a flame. Completely idiotic and serving no purpose but to generate hate. Freedom of speech is perfectly acceptable as long as it's intelligently done and serves a purpose besides just being offensive: expressing a point of view. [QUOTE]If you don't like what they have to say - ignore it. You have that right aswell.[/QUOTE] People often don't ignore things they don't like either. They'll always try to convince the other of their opinion. Everyone's like that. [QUOTE]this is only 'news' because the Religious Fundis are so damn easy to offend...[/QUOTE] That's because their religion is so important to them, a thing completely absent in the Western world. Religious groups are so small here, we understand so little of religion, that we can't understand the Muslims anymore. I'm like that as well, but at least I try to. And to think that the only people offended are religious fundis, that's just funny in my opinion. There are thousands of everyday people who are muslim and offended right at this moment. In my opinion, cartoons are supposed to be funny, to put things differently. And in my opinion, these cartoons were created by someone who just repeated the view of many native Europeans - Completely suspectful of anything different than them. Why, isn't it about time we start making fun of ourselves as well if this is so funny?

But doesn't anyone think that comics of Mohamed as a terrorist or the profet being ****ed by an animal are completely without taste for humour? It's not funny at all! It just shows that the Western world almost has no respect left for people different than them in lifestyle. I'm not saying that there can't be any funy comics about religion. In today's paper, there was a comic of Mohamed giving out autographs saying 'God is just my starname'. That's funny, and not disrespectful like these cartoons! People keep blabbering about freedom of speech, but if they can't respect people then do they even deserve that freedom of speech? Doesn't the Muslim society deserve freedom of speech as well? Because they're reacting on it, also verbally, and we're all offended because they do!

I'm a lazy *** and many of the answers were sooo long, but here's my opinion in a nutshell: The cartoons were hugely offensive in my opinion, completely not done. Definitely not funny either, since my definition of humor is that as long as the person targeted can laugh with it, it's good humor. With a community this is obviously harder, but it still applies. I just heard on the news people can't understand why there are riots about it everywhere. They understand why people are offended, but not why they're burning flags or throwing stones at windows. I'd say go for it, as long as no people are hurt! They should damn right show that freedom of speech has its limits. (I am not against freedom of speech, but it has to be said or expressed in a decent way)

This thread will be dedicated to anime and movie soundtracks. ^^ So why do you like soundtracks? What anime and movie soundtracks do you like? And which are the best musical pieces in them? I like the soundtracks of movies and anime I've seen, because there's always a story behind them. It's rare for me to like a soundtrack of a movie or anime I haven't seen. It also gives me inspiration to write or draw very often. My favourite soundtracks are: [list] [*]Lord of the Rings by Howard Shore - Concerning Hobbits, Many Meetings, the Council of Elrond, The Ring goes South, the Breaking of the Fellowship, the Riders of Rohan, Evenstar, Breath of Life. [*]Cider House Rules by Rachel Portman- Main Title, Homer leaves Orphanage, the Ocean, Homer returns to the Orphanage, End Credits. [*]Alexander by Vangelis - Titans, Roxane's Veil, Across the Mountains, Eternal Alexander, Tender Memories. [*]American Beauty by Thomas Newman - Dead Already, American Beauty, Angela Undress, Any other Name, Still Dead. [*]A Beautiful Mind by James Horner - A Kaleidoscope of Mathematics, First Drop off First Kiss, Of one Heart of One Mind, All Love Can Be, Closing Credits. [*]The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by Harry Gregson-Williams - Evacuating London, the Wardrobe, From Western Woods to Beaversdam, To Aslan's Camp, the Battle, Only the Beginning of the Adventure, Can't take it in, Wunderkind. [*]House of Flying Daggers - Beauty Song, Lovers - Flower Garden, No Way Out, Lovers, Lovers (Mei and Jin), Lovers (Title Song). [*]Titanic by James Horner - Rose, Leaving Port, Unable to Stay Unwilling to Leave, An Ocean of Memories, My Heart Will go on, Hymn to the Sea. [*]The Last Samurai by Hans Zimmer - Every single piece [*]Cold Mountain by Various Artists - The Scarlet Tide, You will be my Ain True Love, Never Far Away, I'm going home, Idumea. [*]Kill Bill vol. 1 by Various Artists - Bang Bang, Queen of the Crime Council, Ode to Oren Ishii, Battle without Honor or Humanity, Don't Let me be Misunderstood, Woo Hoo,The Flower of Carnage. [*]Tsubasa Chronicle - Break the Sword of Justice, You are My Love, Hear our Prayer. [/list]

[QUOTE=r2vq]xD Renate, EVA Unit 100 beat you to it! [url=http://otakuboards.com/showpost.php?p=708548&postcount=29]Click[/url] Do you really think it's tough competition? Whenever I hear about the three movies, HMC always gets compliments while the reactions seem to be mixed at best for the other two. -Arvi[/QUOTE] Gah I hadn't noticed! XD Darn you EVA Unit 100! *shakes fist* ^.~ Yes I do think so, because Corpse Bride and Wallace and Gromit both got amazing reviews here, while everyone seemed to agree that HMC is not as magical as Spirited Away. O.o It'll be a really hard choice!

[B]Best Picture[/B] Very big chance of winning, although I think Munich will be a strong competitor. [B]Actor in leading role[/B] I don't know, since I haven't seen or read anything about the other nominees. I'm heavily favoring Joaquin Phoenix because he's a personal sweetheart though XD. But so is Heath, so... [B]Actor is supporting role[/B] I don't think Jake will win this one. Paul Giamatti is presenting the only oscar for his role in Cinderella Man so he must be pretty good, as well as George Clooney. [B]Actress in a supporting role[/B] Don't think Michelle is winning this one either, although major kudos for evolving from a simple teen series star to an oscar nominee. [B]Director[/B] Very likely Ang will win this one in my opinion. [B]Screenplay[/B] Also very likely to win, since the novel is very beloved. [B]Cinematography[/B] Hard category since there are many good films nominated in it. [B]Original score[/B] Not a chance in my opinion. We're talking about two John Williams scores here.

News Flash! Howl's Moving Castle is nominated for an Academy Award/Oscar (Award Ceremony March 5th) for Best Animated Film. Nominated in the same category are Tim Burton's Corpse Bride and Aardman's Wallace and Gromit. Tough competition, but isn't it ever so cool? XD