Heaven's Cloud

[quote name='Lady Shy' date='05 August 2010 - 07:32 PM' timestamp='1281051135' post='698946'] The podcast being: [B]WYNC's Radio Lab[/b], which is one of the greatest things in the whole wide world. Seriously. It improves your life just listening to it. [/quote] [color=indigo]Thanks, this is now my new favorite thing! I listened to four episodes tonight while doing some work, pretty damn fascinating.[/color]

[quote name='Citric' date='04 August 2010 - 06:11 PM' timestamp='1280959877' post='698840'] http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38560562/ns/us_news-life?GT1=43001 http://www.queerty.com/unconstitutional-prop-8-overturned-in-landmark-federal-ruling-20100804/ http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/08/04/california.same.sex.ruling/index.html?hpt=T1&iref=BN1 http://gov.ca.gov/press-release/15738/ inb4 westborough baptist church has a brain aneurysm. [/quote] [color=indigo]Sigh...I'm not sure why churches care if gays can marry. Religious institutions don't have to acknowledge the marriage, just the federal and state government. I am glad that it was overturned but, let's be honest, the appellate process for this is going to be crazy. I just hope that when one of these appeals gets to the Supreme Court it is judged based on what is legally and ethically appropriate, not on politics.[/color]

[quote name='Beretta' date='02 August 2010 - 03:48 PM' timestamp='1280778505' post='698573'] I have not seen this movie yet. I was searching Donnie Yen and came across IP Man (I WANT THIS MOVIE) [/quote] [color=indigo]I want it now as well! That was pretty rad. Here is a great best of Tony Jaa clip just in case anyone needs a little over the top martial arts action today. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSMjAZvUGFM&feature=related[/media] [/color]

[quote name='Humaru' date='12 July 2010 - 03:15 AM' timestamp='1278918943' post='697161'] [color="#006400"][size="3"]These new Futurama episodes are way funnier than the old ones. Im really impressed by the new writing and creativeness. I tell you, I cant stop laughing at watever Bender and Fry come up with.[/size][/color] [/quote] [color=indigo]I think they have done a great job so far. The writers definitely realized that the show was successful because it incorporated both silliness and, often times, a kind of heartwarming moment that really elevates the cartoon. It seems like they realized that fans were looking for less plots like "Bender's Game" and more plots similar to "The Luck of the Fryish" and "Jurassic Bark" (easily my favorite episode, though I almost always find myself ready to cry at the end of it...I'm so emo!}.[/color] [quote name='Raiha' date='01 June 2010 - 09:42 PM' timestamp='1275442937' post='694187'] [font="Times New Roman"][color="#9932cc"] Or the fact that I was able to meet his voice actor at San Diego Comic Con a few years ago. It could go either way. Plus there's Kif. And Amy and Leela. Those things help. [/color][/font] [/quote] [color=indigo]That is pretty awesome, Billy West is easily one of the best voice actors out there. It is amazing how many characters he has done, everything from Zoidberg to Bugs Bunny to Popeye. And he sounds exactly like Fry![/color]

[quote name='Jax Rhapsody' date='04 August 2010 - 03:47 AM' timestamp='1280908047' post='698754'] I still don't know what the hell a podcast is. [/quote] [color=indigo]Well, through the beauty of the internet you can find out [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcast"]right here[/url]. I have a new podcast love. For some reason it never occurred to me that NPR's [b]Fresh Air[/b], easily the best interview show of all time, would be available in podcast form. Of course, it is, and that is truly awesome. I've been catching up on all sorts of interesting missed interviews. Yesterday I listened to an interview with Brian May, the guitar player from Queen that also happens to have a PHD in astrophysics. It was a truly cool interview.[/color]

[quote name='eleanor' date='28 July 2010 - 04:31 PM' timestamp='1280349076' post='698131'] [img]http://i25.tinypic.com/152dfeh.jpg[/img] [/quote] [color=indigo]I would complain about my thread being sabotaged, but Padma always makes my heart flutter. Thanks Eleanor! I would be remiss if I didn't mention e few of my favorite recipes from one of the greatest chefs of my generation, David Chang. His book, [b]Momofuku[/b], has the greatest recipe for ramen (and all of the needed accouterments) outside of those really close-lipped Japanese gourmets. But, that recipe is waaaaaayyyy too long (and really complicated) for this post. Instead, I thought I would pass along a great, easy Chang recipe. [center][img]http://technically.us/pictures/shortribs.jpg[/img][/center] [b]Braised Short Ribs, Adapted from David Chang[/b] 1½ cups pear or apple juice 1 cup sake 1 cup mirin ½ cup sugar 1 cup soy sauce Salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons chopped garlic 10 cloves crushed garlic 1 tablespoon sesame oil 2 tablespoons neutral oil, like corn or grapeseed 4 to 5 pounds short ribs 2 large onions, peeled and roughly chopped 1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into chunks 2 tablespoons butter 8 to 12 small potatoes, preferably fingerlings, trimmed ½ cup chopped scallions 4 cups cooked white rice. 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a saucepan, combine juice, sake, mirin, sugar, soy sauce, about 20 grinds of pepper, both forms of garlic, sesame oil and 1½ cups water. Bring to a boil, then simmer. 2. Put corn or grapeseed oil in a large ovenproof braising pan or skillet over medium-high heat and add ribs, seasoning them liberally with salt and pepper. Brown well on one side, moving them around to promote even browning. Turn, add onions and half the carrots, and brown other side, stirring vegetables occasionally. 3. Carefully pour braising liquid over meat and bake, bone-side up and submerged in liquid (add water or juice if necessary), for 3 to 4 hours, until meat falls from bones. Cool ribs in liquid for 1 hour, then remove; strain liquid. At this point, ribs and liquid can be covered and refrigerated overnight. 4. Remove bones from ribs. In a pot, combine meat with braising liquid; heat to a boil then simmer, reducing liquid until syrupy. If it seems too thick, thin with a bit of water. 5. About ½ hour before you are ready to serve, put butter in a skillet and add potatoes and remaining carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally and seasoning with salt and pepper, until browned and nearly tender, about 20 minutes. Add to meat. Taste mixture and adjust seasonings if necessary, then garnish with scallions and serve on rice. [/color]

[quote name='Justin' date='28 July 2010 - 05:29 PM' timestamp='1280352561' post='698137'] That said, I think we should hire kuja to come back for one last collective eyeroll. -Justin [/quote] [color=indigo]I'd like to remember Kuja at his finest...no one fell from grace quite like he did. I think it is awesome to see so many familiar faces, it makes me glad to come back,[/color]

[color=indigo]Shy, I have a man crush on you for posting that clip, it made my night. I too am looking forward to [b]Machete[/b], but right now I'm like a laser beam focused on [b]The Expendables[/b]...it is too bad Sly couldn't have found a slot for Danny Trejo though.[/color]

[color=indigo]Ten days. Ten whole days until the US release of what could possibly be the greatest film ever created. Yes kiddies, I'm talking about [b]The Expendables[/b]. Now, in case you have been living under a rock for the past six months (really, this movie has been promoted almost non-stop for the last six months), [b]The Expendables[/b] is basically a wet-dream for action movie fans. It stars Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Steve Austin, Mickey Rourke, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, Eric Roberts and, my favorite action hero ever, Dolph Lundgren (you know you loved [b]Showdown in Little Tokyo[/b]). It also features the Govenator and Bruce Willis, how cool is that? I know what you are thinking, you're thinking "HC, the last time I saw a movie with an ensemble cast this great I had to go kick Al Pacino in the nuts for agreeing to appear in [b]Ocean's Thirteen[/b]". I too have been disappointed in the past by movies filled with all-star actors. But this is going to be different. This is an action movie. The best action movies [b]are[/b] campy, they are filled with over the top explosions, the roar of gun fire, and muscle strewn men that can punch through brick walls. They have cheesy dialogue, bad puns, and usually feature "buddy" themes that border on being homo-erotic. In other words, they are pure nuggets of awesome, and this film has the potential to be the biggest awesomeness nugget of them all. Sure, I might not know what [b]The Expendables[/b] is about (I gather from the title that it is about a group of soldiers that are expendable), but I do know that it is a roller coaster of testosterone, and I'm in line for the front car.[/color]

[quote name='CaNz' date='02 August 2010 - 12:02 PM' timestamp='1280764931' post='698554'] geez Hc... last time you seemed so full of encouragement and confident, and now your telling him to give it up already? [/quote] [color=indigo]Honestly, maybe. Not because I don't think the kid has a chance with this girl, he does. She wouldn't have accepted his invitation (maybe I am going out on a limb assuming that he asked her, though he does kind of imply that he did) to see the movie if she didn't like something about him. No, I am leaning on the "give up" line because 1) he seems to have zero self confidence and until he fixes that he'll continually sabotage himself and 2) I'm kind of hoping he gets a little pissed at what I'm writing and it lights a fire under his tush. Seriously, I wouldn't be happier than if this guy read something I wrote and said to himself "screw him, I'll prove that I have a spine, I'm gonna go ask this girl out tomorrow and by this weekend I'll be french-kissing my way to Paris".[/color]

[quote name='Gavin' date='03 August 2010 - 07:29 AM' timestamp='1280834995' post='698650'] [font="Tahoma"][size="2"] I think the thing about them saying they're not Shinigami any more and that they hate Soul Society while still using their powers is understandable, they hate the system and they want nothing to do with those who still serve it but their zanpakutou are theirs, as are their powers which means there isn't any reason for them to stop using them. Most of the time they just seem to use their unreleased swords and masks anyway. [/size][/font] [/quote] [color=indigo]I am a the point in the series where the Vizards have just begun fighting the Espada, but I agree that their tactics seems a little dumb. Why would you use your strongest weapon to defeat the weakest of your foes? It seems like the Vizards should have had no problems dealing with the Gillian in their normal or shikai released state, then they could proceed to fight the tougher opponents with their masks and/or bankai.[/color]

[quote name='Stephanie' date='02 August 2010 - 04:48 AM' timestamp='1280738880' post='698543'] This right here is amazing. Oh, and I have to say, I personally love Laurel K. Hamilton's Edward better. Even if he is a sociopath. [/quote] [color=indigo]Yep, that Edward would own Edward from Twilight and Spike. That was a great series of books until the ardeur showed up and basically made it soft-core porn.[/color]

[quote name='PiroMunkie' date='02 August 2010 - 06:34 AM' timestamp='1280745244' post='698545'] [color="#A0522D"][font="Arial"] Yes, this game you're playing with her can be over [i]that[/i] easily. Win or lose, at least you'll know. Also this:[/font][/color][/quote] [color=indigo]I think it is over. At the most this kid has one more shot. He is far too self-conscious and over involved in his own feelings to realize that he already accomplished what he was out to do, spending time with the girl he likes. On top of that he has failed to realize that the object of his affection may be nervous as well. I think this kid thinks love and relationships are like something out of a television show, where the girl realizes how special a guy his and then leaps into his arms. [/color] [quote name='PiroMunkie' date='02 August 2010 - 06:34 AM' timestamp='1280745244' post='698545'] [color="#A0522D"][font="Arial"]This is one I'm all too familiar with, and some people on this forum probably know what I'm talking about.[/font][/color] [/quote] [color=indigo]I can't remember calculus, which I took a year of in high school and a semester of in college, but I remember this. Sigh...[/color]

[quote name='PiroMunkie' date='02 August 2010 - 06:49 AM' timestamp='1280746147' post='698547'] [color="#A0522D"][font="Arial"]I've been following this topic, but never really took the time to read the first post, lol ... So am I to understand that they're making it [i]easier[/i] for illegal immigrants to be illegal immigrants? Or trying to, anyway? Just not clear about what "blocking" or "delaying" actually means in legal terms, lol.[/font][/color] [/quote] [color=indigo]Delaying just means that Arizona was blocked by federal courts from enforcing the laws in this bill. Below is a brief synopsis of the bill (along with a spattering of opinions that you can easily sift through). [quote]Before I give my answer to that question, I want to write a little about Arizona's law and my opinions on it. While I think there are plenty of racist people that support the law, I don't believe that law Arizona purposed discriminates against US citizens. It requires that all immigrants carry immigration paper or have a current application in process (which an immigrant receives paperwork for), not just the brown ones. It also states that police must inquire the immigration status of anyone that they stop, detain or arrest. Again, this doesn't just apply to people of a certain race or skin color. Also, it is important to note that this means police can't just randomly ask a person for their papers, they can only ask once they are in the process of doing their duty (ie giving a speeding ticket, arresting someone for assault or theft, or being suspected of breaking the law in some other manner than being an illegal immigrant). The biggest issue of contention is that the law makes it possible for police to make a warrant-less arrest. Again, I really don't see the big deal in this issue. Police officers make warrant-less arrests all the time. If you are in the process of committing a crime, no warrant is needed for an arrest, therefore the very fact that illegal immigrants are in the act of committing a crime (being in the US illegally) should make it a non-issue. [/quote][/color]

[quote name='chibi-master' date='01 August 2010 - 06:01 PM' timestamp='1280700082' post='698486'] I adore Spike from Cowboy Bebop, and I never watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer much, sooo... I AM FILLED WITH GREAT JOY! [/quote] [color=indigo]You should definitely check out the complete series of Buffy. It easily one of the bast shows ever created. The cast is memorable, the characters are well developed, the plots are inventive, and the writing is so damn clever. You'll thank once you've gotten through season three![/color]

[quote name='Humaru' date='31 July 2010 - 09:07 PM' timestamp='1280624843' post='698386'] Yes power ranking get on my nerves as well. I hate how most guys who are considered strong really aren't and vice versa as well. [/quote] [color=indigo]This has long been the thorn in my side when it comes to Bleach. Take Ichigo for example. When he first wields his bankai its main attribute is that it makes him quick enough to easily evade Byakuya's attacks. However, as the series progresses, it seems like this attribute of Ichigo's bankai is lost, replaced by the "getsuga tenshou (sp)" move that he favors. Really, it is inconsistencies like this that drive me crazy. [/color]

[quote name='Cat' date='01 August 2010 - 02:27 AM' timestamp='1280644025' post='698416'] I can't believe I was at the grocery store earlier and I actually got asked by a bunch of young teens or pre-teens, which team was I on Jacobs, Edwards or one of the other characters. So, I told team Spike, cause he doesn't sparkle and he would shove a bloody rail road spike up each one of the twilight characters *beep* *beep*. They were shock on their face. While I was walking away to continue my shopping, I heard one of them say who's Spike. Little brats. Yes I swore at a bunch of kids, but if they are going to mimic a fast food commercial they deserve it. [/quote] [color=indigo]If I was grading your response I would have given you an A+. Spike would neuter Jacob, impale Edward, and then drain Bella dry out of principle. And that is Spike WITH a soul.[/color]

[quote name='PiroMunkie' date='31 July 2010 - 11:20 PM' timestamp='1280632803' post='698398'] [color="#A0522D"][font="Arial"]Would be better if they didn't look like they were 9. The movie looks pretty awesome, but my brain has trouble computing seemingly underage women(even men) being capable of kicking ass without any sort of super powers. For example, the one on the left in the top picture is the only one that looks like she's even in a decent position to handle the recoil of the weapon she's holding, lol. [/font][/color] [/quote] [color=indigo]I saw [b]Salt[/b] last week and I had a similar problem. It is just too unbelievable watching a 110 lbs woman plow through hordes of secret service with one-punch knockout power. Still, this film looks pretty sweet, I have always like over the top action flicks (my anticipation for [b]The Expendables[/b] is palpable).[/color]

[color=indigo][b]Ghost's Name:[/b] Byron [b]Manifestation:[/b] In death, as in life, Byron looks like someone who puts tremendous thought into his appearance. His perfectly tailored navy suit hides his slight belly; his crisp white french-cuffed shirt is contrasted by a dimpled red and navy club tie and flashy ruby cuff-links. Byron's cherubic face is clean shaven, his eyes the color of the ocean and his perfectly coiffed mane the color of salt. Offsetting his natty attire, Byron's trousers are rolled up to mid-calf. His ankles and bare feet are covered in what looks to be gray clay. [b]Personal Description:[/b] For years Byron was a successful stock broker who specialized in earning high returns for unsavory individuals. He thought he would die on the exchange floor, taken by a heart attack. He thought wrong. [b]Power Card:[/b] GLOOM: The character becomes horribly depressed and is filled with a sense of self-doubt and paranoia. [/color]

[quote name='Gavin' date='31 July 2010 - 01:42 PM' timestamp='1280598155' post='698348'] [font="Tahoma"][size="2"] I'm semi-curious HC what countries in particular you're referring to ? I'm not going to deny there are racist elements in Europe but it's been my experience that every country has these undesirables in roughly the same measure.[/size][/font] [/quote] [color=indigo]I'm not sure if every country has an equal ratio of racist/bigoted folks, but I do know that some of the racism that I encountered in France and Spain (and to some extent Italy) would blow the average American's naive mind. In Spain I went to a few (I can't believe I'm being so non-US) football games and came to the quick realization that a very large and vocal base of football fans in Spain don't have much love for blacks. I thought blacks in America had it rough, but no fan in the US would ever make monkey noises and scream (what I was told) repeated racial derogatory remarks at players (they'd get the crap beaten out of them). However, I went to three football games and in two of them at least an eighth of the crowd were vocally insulting the black players on the other team (in one of the games there were no blacks on the field). As bad as Spain was, France may have been worse (but, perhaps just because I spent more time there). It seems that many of the French aren't too pleased with the Muslim/Arab population that is migrating from North Africa. I was at a bar one evening talking to some students about the differences in American and French politics when the subject of Islam and the war in Iraq came up. The general consensus at the table was that the world would be a better place without Muslims (I think they thought that I would agree with them, being American and all). I would have chalked this up to a one time occurrence, except that, during my entire trip, I had several other similar discussions and even witnessed a cab driver have wine bottle flung at his car followed by a huge string of obscenity. I also spent a lot of time in England, but I couldn't think of a single real moment that made me think "boy, lots of racism in England". The only real odd thing I was told was not to get into any cabs driven by Nigerians. Since I can't tell a Nigerian from ran Ethiopian it was advice I never had to really follow. I think that England in probably more like the US where there is racism but the socio-economic class issue is probably the more prevalent means of discrimination.[/color]

[quote name='eleanor' date='30 July 2010 - 12:22 AM' timestamp='1280463751' post='698267'] Yeah but are we also going to pretend like racism and discrimination have nothing to do with this law? [/quote] [color=indigo]Of course not, I was just ranting on the American political culture and how everything in Washington is dictated in some way or another by trying to offend as few fringe groups as possible. There are plenty of racist people that support this law, and I am sure if it passed plenty of racist people might have the opportunity to abuse it. I just don't think the proposed law is racist (but it is unconstitutional).[/color]

[quote name='James' date='29 July 2010 - 11:19 PM' timestamp='1280459956' post='698259'] [font="Palatino Linotype"] Having said that - and without getting into a specific debate about these laws - even as a citizen I'd feel more than a bit uncomfortable if a police officer was always asking me to "show my papers". Even if I have nothing to hide, there's something a little sinister about the idea. Maybe that's just me, though. *shrug*[/font] [/quote] [color=indigo]I agree with you, the last thing I want is giving a bunch of police officers the right to hassle law abiding citizens, forcing them to show identification on their whim. That is far too close to a police state for my liking. However, I don't really see the problem with asking someone who has been ticketed for a speeding or a traffic accident and doesn't have a drivers license to provide proof of citizenship, or have a friend or family member bring the police that proof. Unfortunately, because it is a federal law, right now the police aren't really allowed to do that (there are, of course, circumstances that allow for officers to do this but it usually requires an arrest followed by a warrant). One of the biggest problems with passing any law in the US is getting past the crybaby special interest groups that cry discrimination and racism regardless of the bill. It is a real mind**** that is constantly targeted by our media. I actually think that this is part of the reason why so many other "first world" nations think our country is so racist. Growing up I sure thought the US was full of them. However, after doing quite a bit of international traveling, I have realized that we have our fair share of bigots, but damn, some of these so called progressive European countries trump us one hundred times over. [/color]

[quote name='HopefulOTaKu' date='29 July 2010 - 09:53 PM' timestamp='1280454813' post='698247'] I hate uploading to photobucket, so I will give you a link to my stuff ^-^ http://community.livejournal.com/otakuwant2bead/ I made a really cute Hamtaro and a cool Mario, and other stuff too d: I am currently working on a tortoro character :3 [/quote] [color=indigo]i like them, especially the Boo and the Domo. Good work and good luck![/color]

[quote name='Gavin' date='29 July 2010 - 06:21 PM' timestamp='1280442069' post='698232'] [font="Tahoma"][size="2"]If I remember correctly there are several different art teams for Naruto generally and then special ones, or a special art director are brought in for certain big plot moments like VotE or Naruto vs Pain to mix things up a little. [/size][/font] [/quote] [color=indigo]I keep meaning to check and see if the same team that did the Naruto vs Pain fight also did [b]Spirited Away[/b] (not Studio Ghibli, but the art team they used). I think that is where the familiarity with the scene is from.[/color]

[color=indigo]Your post prompted me to check them out (you can stream most of their album on MySpace). I enjoyed them, but I couldn't really decide which band they sounded most like. I think they sound a little more poppy then the three bands you mentioned, at least that is the feeling I get from their synth/keyboard riffs. If I was in the Bay Area I'm sure I would catch them every chance I could, I have a feeling that their shows would be pretty awesome. I loved the video for "Internet Killed the Video Star", it was wonderful. [/color]