Rachmaninoff

I have to wonder about one thing, if it's illegal to collect them in the first place, what made you think they would be happy with you just turning the fossils in? Don't most national parks forbid any type of collection like that? Even if the person intends to turn them in? We have five national parks here in Utah and that policy applies to all of them whether it's fossils or part of the features. You don't touch and you most definitely wouldn't collect them to turn in. In fact if I remember correctly they all have a disclaimer in the park brochures that goes along these lines: [INDENT]Leave fossils, flowers, rocks, and animals where you find them. Collecting in the park is illegal and punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment.[/INDENT] So if that's the case, I don't know what to tell you since most national parks in the US have a similar policy and saying you intended to turn them in won't help since you aren't suppose to touch them in the first place.

Darren had still not worked up the courage to ask Jared about modifying his quarters, but as they worked on the security set up for the new office in London he wondered if he should bring it up when they were done, as Jared seemed to be in a good mood. Not just an amused mood but he actually seemed to be relaxed. Darren couldn?t recall if he had ever seen Jared relaxed. But then the chime indicating there was a new message sounded and as he read the message about Commander Crystal being kidnapped. He nearly jumped out of his skin when Jared?s expression changed to one of fury when he shattered the scanner he was holding. Darren instinctively backed up a few steps and did the one thing he should not have done, he spoke. Something that within a very short time, he realized was a mistake when Jared grabbed his left wrist and nearly yanked him off his feet when he pulled him closer chewing him out for what he had inadvertently implied. Darren tried to not be afraid, but he couldn?t help it, never had he seen Jared so angry, so furious. Especially when he realized that Jared was right, he had never considered that Jared would actually care about someone, he actually was guilty of thinking Jared didn?t know how to care. [I]I?m a fool [/I]he thought as Jared chastised him and gripped his wrist even more tightly. He couldn?t help but gasp in pain as he felt something give. And then nearly pass out as the pain intensified. And then when Jared grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer, for a brief moment he wondered if he had gone too far. If he had finally managed to say the one thing that Jared would not forgive him for as he spoke about Crystal. Something that if he had been thinking he would have realized that something happening to her would upset Jared, after all, when he had first met Crystal it had been clear that Jared liked her. Darren felt sick with fear and dizzy from the horrible pain in his left wrist. He couldn?t look away from Jared who was still furious. Then without warning he let go and Darren fell, landing hard on his rear. He tried to move his left wrist only to be met with even more pain, instantly he shifted his left arm favoring it with his right. Fighting the urge to be sick. [I]Jared must have broken it, [/I]he thought. And as Jared told him what to do after going to sickbay, he realized that Jared realized that he had damaged his wrist. As Jared requested a transport door, Darren managed to stand up without using his arms for support. He winced as the slightest movement sent even more pain running though his left wrist and arm. He was definitely going to need to get it checked. He followed Jared?s instructions and immediately headed towards the sickbay as Jared headed in the opposite direction. [I]I?m such a fool,[/I] he thought to himself. [I]Why did I say anything? Even if the security check was nearly complete, he gave me a direct order; I should have just followed it and kept my mouth shut. [/I]Darren winced when he slightly bumped into the door frame of the sickbay as he entered it. Darren sat down as a wave of dizziness overcame him for a moment. Jared?s words about him being in a pointless rut of hating the military echoing though his mind,[I] is he right? Am I allowing my judgment to be compromised?[/I] He wondered. ?[B]How can I help you sir?[/B]? A female voice asked him. Startled Darren looked up to see one of the assistants standing in front of him looking at him with concern. ?[B]I seem to have hurt my wrist,[/B]? he replied. She smiled at him, ?[B]This way then and we?ll get you fixed up in no time.[/B]? Darren stood up and followed her into one of the treatment rooms, waiting patiently as the attendant scanned his wrist. ?[B]I?ll need you to wait here okay?[/B]? She said and then hurried off once Darren nodded in reply. A few minutes later the doctor entered and re-scanned him to confirm it. ?[B]Darren correct?[/B]? The doctor asked. He continued when Darren nodded. ?[B]You?ve done more than simply hurt your wrist. I can easily fix it, but it will require light surgery as part of your wrist has been shattered.[/B]? He showed Darren the scan results. ?[B]Now based on the nature of the damage, I?ll need you to explain who did this to you.[/B]? Darren looked away, ?[B]It wasn?t intentional Doctor, it was an accident and I?d rather not say who did it.[/B]? The doctor just sighed. ?[B]I see, very well then, this time I?ll overlook it. If it should happen again I?ll need to know just how it happened, understand? Now do you wish to be awake for this or would you prefer to be out?[/B]? Darren winced, ?[B]I?d rather not be aware of it doctor.[/B]? The doctor smiled, ?[B]Neither would I young man, just wait here and my assistant will be back to give you a little something. We?ll have you fixed up and taken care of in no time. And I?ll be sure to forward a report to your commanding officer, Jared wasn?t it?[/B]? ?[B]Yes sir,[/B]? Darren replied and then he waited patiently for the assistant to come back after the doctor had left. [I]Lovely,[/I] he thought,[I] no wonder it hurts so much.[/I] And then he winced grinding his teeth in frustration as even more waves of pain came from his left wrist. [I]Damn that hurts! [/I] Then he sighed with relief as the attendant came back and had him lie down before she gave him something to put him out, something that within moments knocked him out completely.

Actually Aaryanna, I have to agree, I just read the second volume and it was far to predictable. I think the problem was that in order to be rated right for the bit of violence they made it for ages 13+ when the story line seems to be more suitable for a bit younger kids. Oh well, even if I'll probably never get another volume, it was at least semi entertaining to read. And in the end I do like the style of art for the manga. With it's messy yet almost clean lines. I rather like how it looks. It reminds me of something but I can't seem to think of what.

[quote name='White][COLOR=DimGray][FONT=Tahoma]Oh and I thought of someone else I'd spit on. A member of OtakuBoards, even! I'm not going to say who but I would spit on them given the chance.[/FONT'][/COLOR][/quote]I wonder if you would be so eager to spit on a fellow member if you knew that many of us might get you back in return. :p Though I doubt I'm the one you would spit on, at least I hope I'm not! lol

[quote name='SunfallE][COLOR=RoyalBlue'] In a about a week, in the story that is, new things will be happening. Things that will be good for the resistance and for the Empire, so it ought to be fun! ^_~ [/COLOR][/quote]I know my character will enjoy it more if Jared is upset. :p Though that goes without saying. I don't suppose we are almost there? Since I'm eager to see what happens that affects the Empire, the resistance and as to what Aaryanna_Mom finally decided in regards to Kim.

Some day off this turned out to be, Darren thought bitterly as he resisted the urge to start smashing things after Jared left. First his father, then dealing with Jared. He reached up to feel the painful bump that was starting to form on his head where he had accidentally slammed into the window. It was a good thing it was made to withstand the pressure of outer space, but damn that had hurt! He didn't know who he was madder at, his father, the High Council or Jared. His father was simply behaving as he always had, the High Council was making it clear that he would no longer be able to stay neutral like he had in the past. And Jared...he felt his face turn hot as he flushed yet again over what Jared had said. How he had enjoyed the implication that others thought he was [I]his[/I] bitch. He hated how Jared always looked so smug and seemed to enjoy upsetting him. With a snarl of anger he slammed his fist into one of the walls and then the other, cussing and swearing until he finally ran out of energy. Darren ignored the damage to his hands and sank to his knees, grasping his face in both hands as he fought the urge to scream and cry at the same time. [I]I need to do something[/I] he thought [I]or I'm going to go mad. I don't know if I can take this anymore.[/I] He choked back a sob as he felt hot tears start to run down his face. He had a small type of gym on his own ship that he use to work out in on a regular basis, going through basic stretches and then using weight training to stay fit. He tended to get a little on the chunky side without regular workouts. Though that hadn't been a problem since he started working for the military. He was so tied up in knots half the time that he didn't have much of an appetite. He had already lost some weight since the whole thing started. Darren lifted his face and looked around. If he had the engineer's move his desk since all the large furniture was attached to the floor, he could convert the office space to a small gym. The question was would they allow him to make such an alteration to his quarters? If the desk was simply moved to the other side, it should be simple to run the necessary power link over to where the desk was. He had made simple modifications like that to his own ship. It wasn't that hard. He stood up and pulled out his hand held computer and briefly scanned the area. It looked like the modification would be easy. Unfortunately it would mean talking to Jared again. Darren closed the his hand held computer with a sigh, wincing at the pain from where he had hurt his knuckles. He went over to the restroom to clean up and treat them. [I]Maybe I could ask the doctor first[/I], he thought [I]to see if he would recommend that I be allowed to have it for stress issues? [/I] But he discarded that the moment he thought of it. [I]No if I try to go around Jared all he'll do is make things difficult for me. [/I]Darren quickly cleaned up and applied a solution to help his hands to heal quicker. If only his clearance hadn't been hacked in the first place. Something that he thought of nearly every day since this had happened. When he thought about it, the person he was really the maddest at was the idiot who had hacked his clearance. Because once he wrote up the recommendations for changing the protocols, something that he had already been thinking about before the High Council mentioned it. It would change his life forever once that became public knowledge. Darren sighed as he went back out into his quarters and back to looking out at Earth. At least his family would be unable to harass him anymore. It pained him to admit it, but the main reason he was neutral was to avoid as much contact with them as possible and if being forced to go public meant they would be cut off, at least something good would come of it. Though the resentment it would generate among the merchants when they realized he was responsible for helping the Empire put an end to illegal dealings would be far worse than what his family did. Since many of them hated the protocols since they made it harder for them to lie and cheat the government, the military and the people in general.[I] I'd better make sure Mike is prepared with the proper security when this hits or he'll become a target...[/I] Though as much as Mike hated the military he might want nothing to do with him anymore. [I]God what a mess[/I] he thought yet again.

Well most of what came to mind has already been suggested however I would like to second the notion of having more than one skin to choose from. Only having two just doesn't seem like a choice at all. I'd definitely love to see more.

[quote name='BlueMoon']Hmm...I keep thinking that Kaitou Kid from Detective Conan (Case Closed) had a mask but I can't remember. I'm pretty sure at one point he did. [/quote]Actually what I've seen has shown him wearing an single eye piece, and not a full mask. Also didn't Sailor Venus have her own manga called Sailor V where she wore a type of mask? Before she became part of Sailor Moon? As for the mask thing in general, I rather like it when some of them use it, though I've seen so little that actually does use masks in the show or manga.

I'm assuming that the two of you agreed to not see other people? Because if you didn't, then how can she cheat? If that is the case try to find out if she is seeing other people or just talking to them. But if you don't know when you'll be back together again then you might want to consider moving on. Because if she is seeing other people it sounds like she's lost interest in you since you aren't there anymore. Also, what about yourself? Do you find yourself thinking about other girls and asking them out? Because if you are then you have lost interest as well. Be honest, do you want to try to keep the relationship or is the distance making it seem less and less like a relationship? There's also what Peanut suggested, making a list of pros and cons and seeing which outweigh the other. And then try and talk to her to find out how she feels about it, since it may be time for the two of you to move on to other opportunities. But I'd definitely try to find out how she feels instead of outright dumping her, especially if you don't have confirmation that she did indeed cheat on you.

I got to thinking about taxes in general for several reasons. One here in America we are coming up on the time when taxes have to be filed for last year. Two it got me wondering just how taxes work in other countries and finally because of reading about a previous Survivor winner who spent six months in prison for tax evasion on his winnings from the show and his other source of income. Apparently he didn't pay. The article can be found here: [URL=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17645816/][B]Article[/B][/URL] His lawyer is saying he deserves a new trail because he didn?t get to testify about claims of cheating on the show, though how cheating on the show has anything to do with him being required to pay taxes is beyond me. But what really caught my eye was his claims that he didn?t do anything wrong and that he?s going to publish a book based on what happened. Personally I?ve never given taxes much thought, they just come out of my paycheck and I file my return every year. I?ve never had an issue with it or thought it was unfair. Though I often question how the money is spent by the government since I dislike how bills are passed with what?s known as porking techniques. Where an important bill will have frivolous things in there that are not related to the actual bill. And many politicians get upset over the idea of allowing line item vetoing so unnecessary parts of a bill can be trimmed out. Anyway, when someone is practicing tax evasion do you think jail time is too severe? Or depending on the severity of the offense is it acceptable? In the case of the survivor contestant refusing to pay taxes I can?t say that I feel sorry for the guy since it?s well known that paying taxes is required.

[QUOTE=Allamorph][FONT=Arial][B]Aaryanna_Mom[/B] ? I challenge anyone to come up with a single good reason [I]not[/I] to like her. And should somebody do so, I will then hunt them down and kill them so hard they will die to death. :animesmil [indent]...with no hard feelings, of course.[/indent][/FONT][/QUOTE]I'll second that. And help you with the hunt as well should it ever be needed. lol And I'll also mention a member I recently talked to a bit via the pm system that is very nice and friendly. Peanut. She seems pretty down to earth and has the funniest link in her signature.

[QUOTE=Hanabishi Recca]I was always told I was an *** not a good guy. I didn't stop loving God, I am not able to go to church. Therefore, I am not ever able to get told what I'm suppose to be doing at this point in my life. I never get told who is the one who made the stars, sun, and moon. I'm only told that I'm the one that is the pathetic excuse for a human being. I'm never told to go on. So, I suppose that I'm the one to blame for me ignorant attitude. For letting people run over me and change myself. I didn't really think people would take it that hard. It was a couple of months back when I posted last (before this week or so) and now people here are being abusive. Man, I'm getting more abuse than when I was talking all that stuff you guys don't believe. Oh, also... If the fat person is cool, then there is nothing wrong. They have honourary non-fat status. I suppose I have changed a bunch.[/QUOTE]Well I wasn't around when you were being more religious, but if someone is telling you that, unless you've really done something to deserve it, then they are the ones who are a jackass, not you. And even if you aren't able to go to church, there's nothing to stop you from studying the bible or which ever document it was that you were into before. I may not believe in religion myself, but that doesn't mean I expect others to have the same belief I do. So believing or not believing, it's entirely up to you. ;) I can guarantee that if I disagree it will only be a matter of opinion. Instead of feeling like you are not nice due to your statement in this thread. But if you're sorry for the statement then as far as I'm concerned it's forgotten. Anyway...as for the who would I spit on? It's more of a I'd clobber anyone who spit on my friends, not online of course but in real life. I can't see any reason for spitting on someone.

If you haven?t read about this, it?s basically a case of a student in a Catholic school being expelled for having a tattoo of an American rap musician on his arm. Something that was easily covered by a long sleeved shirt, something the student in question was willing to do to keep it covered when he was in school. The full article can be found here: [URL=http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/sundaystartimes/auckland/3973681a11.html][B]Article[/B][/URL] Now I can understand that it is a religious school and that the rules are different for a place like that, what I am curious to discuss is whether or not such a trend should be allowed. Especially if the article is correct in that there are other boys at the school who have tattoos who have not been expelled. So why pick on only one student? It?s also a trend that?s spreading here in Utah at the University associated with the Mormon Church. BYU, which in the past couple of years has made a point of not allowing any piercing beyond one set for girls in each ear, anything else, even if they can?t see it under clothing can get a student in trouble. Anyway, what do the rest of you think? Personally I have to wonder why they are being so concerned over something that I see as trivial. I could understand if the tattoo or jewelry being worn was offensive in some way, but other than that I just don?t see it. I?m sure this has been brought up before, but it still never fails to amaze me at the things people get upset over. Also what do you think of dress codes in general, too strict, or not strict enough?

[quote name='Retribution][size=1]I think the government owes those exploited in the past a formal apology.[/size][/QUOTE]You see this is what I don?t understand, why do they owe it to them as you speak when you?ve admitted that the current administration had nothing to do with what happened. [QUOTE=Retribution][size=1']United States and the federal government as an entity is responsible for condoning those acts. As it stands, there has been no formal admittance that the US government was at fault for things like the Trail of Tears, slavery, etc, and I find that disgusting.[/size][/quote]But on the same line of reasoning, the government as an entity is responsible for abolishing slavery, I am not familiar with the Trail of Tears. I?m sure it?s important, I just do not remember it from my history classes as it?s been to long since I?ve had one. I?m not trying to be difficult here, but I really do not see how it?s disgusting. Should we turn around and praise the government for abolishing slavery as well? [QUOTE=Retribution][size=1]It's not wasting time when it come be better served improving current situations, because preparing a speech that says "We're really sorry this stuff happened in the past as a result of the US government" isn't really all that time consuming. And trying those who committed horrible crimes of the past is part of justice. Sure, the perpetrators might be dead by now, but it is our obligation to bring their names to justice and as a result, help give closure to the families affected.[/size][/QUOTE]True, issuing such a statement probably would take little time, but trying dead people still doesn?t really change anything. Though it probably does help the families find closure like you mentioned. [quote name='Aaryanna][COLOR=DarkRed]If nothing else, putting that apology on a federal level will be an indication that racism on a large scale isn?t going to be tolerated anymore. [/COLOR][/QUOTE]Now that I can understand, since even with slavery being abolished discrimination still has been an issue, one that still rears it?s ugly head. So continuing to adopt a stance that it?s not going to be tolerated is only a good thing as I see it. [QUOTE=Aaryanna_Mom]On some level it disgusts me that people think there is no need to apologize as if the fact that it happened so long ago makes it unnecessary to apologize. [/QUOTE]As in thinking they never need to apologize? That I do agree with especially if those responsible are still around. I still don?t completely understand the need to apologize for something that happened so long ago. [QUOTE=vegeta rocker]As long as it doesn't turn out to be like that one guy who was trying to make it so that if you could trace yourself back to slave lineage than you would get a monthly check.[/QUOTE]Now that I definitely agree with, since at that point you are in my opinion moving from getting an apology to taking advantage of people who had nothing to do with what happened to people who have been dead for over a century. That kind of thinking in my mind is a bit sick and sad. [QUOTE=John']If our administration apologizes on the part of the government, it's a little bit like one business apologizing for the wrongdoings of the business that used to inhabit their building.[/quote]Ah! Thank you. That really puts it into prospective for me. It was making no sense and now I know why. The idea that another generation has to apologize for what someone else did and to be disgusted with them because they didn?t, just doesn?t fit. The article I was reading focused more on what happened instead of keeping in mind that the current legislation had nothing to do with what happened. I still don?t have a problem with them issuing the apology, even if I wonder about it actually being needed.

So he had the day off, so far the only thing Darren had done was to sleep in a bit. But as he stood looking out the windows of his quarters looking towards Earth, he didn?t have a clue as to what he should do. He didn?t want to take the time to request access to the holographic rooms for recreation, especially since those were usually booked among the crew members and he didn?t want to generate resentment by taking someone?s time slot. There wasn?t anything on Earth that he wanted to do either. He could work on tracking the fragmented reports to try and determine a pattern as to where this William had done business, but he had already checked to see that Jared had left a message indicating that he would not have the additional clearance until tomorrow along with a reminder to actually take the day off. [I]Why the hell does he even care if I get any time off? [/I]Darren wondered, though part of him knew. Ever since he had been required to work more closely with him again, Jared had been inserting all sorts of interesting innuendoes into their conversation. And though it was embarrassing, at least he was fairly certain he wasn?t going to just have his way with him. Though Jared certainly had been clear that Darren was free to visit him when ever he wanted. Darren sighed as all this had quite a few rumors flying among the merchants? Darren turned from the window at the chime indicating there was an incoming message for him. Puzzled he went over to answer it, as he was not expecting anyone to contact him. Mike was busy and as far as he knew there wasn?t anything that required his attention. He sat down at the desk and then groaned when he realized that it was his father. [I]What does that fool want?[/I] He thought as he reluctantly opened the transmission. ?[B]Father, what can I do for you?[/B]? Darren asked, though he had a good idea as to why he had called. ?[B]Ah Darren, so what I heard is correct, you are working for the Military in sector thirteen.[/B]? His father sighed, ?[B]I thought you hated the Military son, so why the hell are you there?[/B]? ?[B]I didn?t have a choice father.[/B]? Darren replied with a grimace, he knew what would be next, first he?d get lectured and then his father would start prying to find out if he was getting anything special for working for them. Because in the end that?s what he always did, as well as many of his other relatives. Many of them were greedy grasping fools who would stab you in the back just for money. ?[B]Didn?t have a choice?[/B]? His father said, his voice raising a notch. ?[B]Or just to cowardly to admit that you?ve become [I]Jared?s bitch?[/I] Don?t think I don?t know about your cozy little arrangement on the Creator. The military doesn?t put [I]second-rate [/I]merchants in the special quest quarters of a flagship.[/B]? Darren just raised his eyebrow at that, he knew that rumors were flying left and right, but people were saying he was Jared?s bitch? [I]What the hell? When did that rumor start?[/I] He started to get angry until he realized that none of them knew that he had written the current protocols for shipping for the entire empire, that he had turned down the reward as well offers to work for both the military and the High Council. They didn?t know that he was actually qualified for the work they had him doing and not some position gained by sleeping with Jared. ?[B]Nothing to say son? I thought I raised you better than that..[/B]? Darren cut him off, ?[B]Raised me [I]better[/I]? Don?t make me laugh father, you were always gone on some shipping run while I was back at home with mom. Spare me the [I]I raised you better crap[/I]. Quite frankly I?m sick of hearing that bullshit from you. You called me because like always you want to find out if I?m getting any special treatment that you can be a part of, to see if I?m getting any money that you can attempt to get for yourself.[/B]? ?[B]Get money from you?[/B]? His father said furiously, ?[B]I gave you the company you are running! Don?t you dare imply that I am sponging on you when you owe me your very lively hood![/B]? Darren just shook his head sadly, ?[B]You?re really pathetic father, when you retired it was because the shipping company was about to collapse and you wanted to cash in on the retirement benefits before everything was lost.[/B]? He ignored is fathers protests. ?[B]If I hadn?t taken over and brought things back from the ruined state you put it in with your negligence and incompetence, you would have been arrested and tried for fraud. I suffered losses for years fixing the damage you had done and making sure all of your employees were taking care of so they could retire.[/B]? ?[B]Now wait just a minute![/B]? Darren ruthlessly cut him off again. ?[B]No father, I?m tired of having this same conversation every time you call me. And I?m tired of you jumping to conclusions instead of finding out what?s really going on. It?s no secret; I?m working for the military because the damn resistance hacked my shipping clearance, putting me into a restricted sector. Something that is punishable by death.[/B]? Darren paused, getting angry all over again. ?[B]I didn?t ?[I]sleep[/I]? with Jared, I was given the choice of either helping with the shipping for Earth or being executed for being in a restricted sector. The military doesn?t give a damn that the resistance just used me as a decoy. The only reason I am on the Creator is because Jared is Commodore Sandra?s second in command and the damn Military put Jared in charge of overseeing my work![/B]? Darren watched as his father?s expression changed from surprise to the usual one of calculating how he could take advantage of things. [I]He just never learns[/I], he thought. [I]I think I?m going to see if I can have all transmissions from him and all of my relatives blocked, even if I have to talk to Jared to do so.[/I] ?[B]You?re the most ungrateful, selfish child ever,[/B]? his father finally said nastily. ?[B]You really expect me to believe that garbage?[/B]? ?[B]And I can?t believe that after all these years you?re still as stupid, arrogant and foolish as always,[/B]? Darren shot back. ?[B]I?ve had enough father. I?ve put up with you all these years and that?s it. From this point forward you are to never call me again.[/B]? Darren ignored his father?s attempts to yell at him and closed the communication. And then, even though he absolutely hated talking to Jared he sent a message indicating that he wanted to talk to him. It was bad enough having to deal with Jared, but his father, now that he knew he was on the Creator, would be calling him and leaving messages all the time and he did not want to deal with that again. With a sigh he went over and fixed himself a drink, even though it was still quite early. And then he took it and went back to watching Earth from orbit. [I]What a mess[/I], he thought.

Well so long as Sandy doesn't mind a link like Aaryanna suggested we should be fine since I don't know how to host music either. And I agree with keeping most of it in PMs, though we probably ought to put some of it here so Sandy can see that all of us are working on it. Once we decide on a melody it will be easier to work on the lyrics I'm thinking. As for the weekend, yeah, since we have time I don't think it will be an issue. And since spring break is next week for me I'll have plenty of time to help. ;)

I was browsing through the news articles online when I came across this one on how a Memphis congressman is working on a bill, that if it is passed, would bring an apology for slavery done in the past by the US to a federal level. The full article can be found here: [URL=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17522875/][B]Article[/B][/URL] As the article states, the FBI announced that it is actively reinvestigating about a dozen cases where blacks were slain in the 1950?s and ?60s as possible civil rights violations and that they are considering quite a few more cases to check for similar treatment. And since it?s been decades since those crimes happened and as the article states and nearly 142 years since the civil war ended and slavery was abolished, why are public officials trying to make amends now? On some level I can understand it, since the whole issue of slavery and the resulting struggle to gain equal recognition among the rest of the US is a struggle that still occurs. But I wonder if it wouldn?t be better to spend our time on improving opportunities for education, jobs and other things. Not that I think an apology is a bad idea since horrible things were done to those who were brought to America as slaves and it?s been a hard fight for them to get better civil rights. It?s more of a when do we stop apologizing for something our ancestors did? Or rather other people?s ancestors since my family came to America well after the civil war. So I?m curious to see what the rest of you think about this.

I was about to ask the question as to why this place was on the quiet side, (since the past month has been very slow) even though I'm sure you all get asked that question every year, and I can imagine the response to be along the lines of different things or a lost of interest, etc. But if the e-mails are still not working then I guess that means any new person signing up is stuck as well since they aren't getting their email with the activation link for their new account. Unless I'm mistaken. And if that's the case, it would certainly explain part of why things are so quiet around here. So I guess I don't need to ask after all. ;)

Well I don't know about unique or being different since I'm fairly new to learning how to do graphics, but here's a set I made. And if you don't like it I won't mind. ;) [IMG]http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/8779/clover02nx0.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img485.imageshack.us/img485/7372/clover01nl6.jpg[/IMG]

[quote name='MistressRoxie][color=#9933ff][size=1]I read in a critically acclaimed advice book that even though women have changed, become more assertive and more equal to men in the workforce, politics, etc., [u]men[/u] haven't changed a bit, and prefer to ask women out, rather than have a woman ask them out.[/size'][/color][/quote]Well I can't speak for other guys, but even though I prefer to do the asking, it doesn't bother me when a girl does ask. ;) And I have been known to say yes, especially when it's a girl I didn't ask because I thought she was already dating someone else. Anyway, I'd follow what White suggested, since asking someone to a movie especially if they say yes is a good way to get to know them a little better. Or to find out that they annoy the hell out of you as well. As for myself, I usually do just that, ask them to a movie or to go grab some ice cream or something. And if we get along I just slowly make the dates a little more personal, like taking them to a nice restaurant for dinner and so on. Or inviting them to join me and my friends when we get together on the weekend to either watch movies or go to one.

How about a crazy stalker who talks as if you were a thing when you never were? Because if that fits into your definition, she is beyond being a crazy ex. It started a couple of years ago with this girl who was in the same church group that my parents are, so we actually grew up together and though we were never best friends, we were at least semi friendly. Then when I decided to quit attending church she went on this campaign of protecting me from evil as she put it and would show up at my parents house on holidays when I was there, follow me and my friends to the movies and 'accidentally' run into us so she could join us. The same in restaurants as well or when my friends and I got together at someone's place. It got old having to attempt to get rid of this girl since she was an uptight, stuck up over zealous religious fanatic in some respects and it was downright embarrassing how she would attempt to cling to me in public. Or how she would just be ruder than hell to any of my friends who were female. If you were to talk to her, we were destined to be together and bad influences lead me astray. If you talk to my parents, the church leaders for my parents area and the police, the word they all use is stalking and finally last year when I got hurt in a car accident and she would show up at my parents house every single day, we had to threaten to take legal action to get her to go away. Because even if my parents told her I was sleeping she would hang around for hours waiting for me to wake up, or attempt to enter the home when my real friends came to visit me. So there's my crazy ex, though she never really was my girlfriend. Though I suppose she's definitely an ex friend. It's kind of sad since she seemed like a nice girl when we were growing up.

Thank you very much for the warm welcome and choosing me to be a member of your team. I'll certainly do my best to be part of what is obviously a very strong team. I've been watching things from the outside since my time was up with the previous team I was on so when the reward came up I have to admit it surprised me that I was chosen. And at the same time I'm excited to be back in the game again. My real name is Darren, but since you had a Darren on your team at one point if you all wish to simply use the abbreviation Aaryanna put on the flag that works just fine for me. I don't mind being called Rach. ;) Anyway, this ought to be fun, Sandy's tiny teaser as to what the next challenge will be has me excited to get started!

Darren just groaned as he and Jared checked out potential buildings to set up the main office for shipping in the UK. He had finally gotten used to some of the strange words used in Australia only to now be faced with new ones in this country. The translator worked just fine, but it didn?t have cultural references so sometimes what the people were saying came across as nonsense. Which meant he would need to spend time learning the quirks of the language for this area. But what he really wished was that he could have set things up without Jared, but since security was not his department he was forced to tag along and simply give his advice as to how suitable the building in question would be. So far nothing they had looked at would work. In the end they settled on a building close to where the airport use to be and close to one of the troop encampments. Since the reinforcements had finally arrived things had calmed back down and the attacks on the new construction had become less of a problem. Then Jared had them transport back to the Creator and head to Darren?s quarters to finish up since he intended to go over the information Darren had been forwarding him in regards to the shipping records he had checked in sector six, records that he was still working on. Puzzled as to why Jared even needed to talk to him Darren followed him to his quarters and to his workstation where Jared had him log in and pull up the reports. ?[B]All right Darren, I want you to clarify the information you found on the Will or William that you said could indicate a high level of black marketing.[/B]? Jared said as he brought the chair on the other side of the desk around and set it next to Darren before sitting down. Darren did his best to ignore how Jared had chosen to sit so closely to him and pulled up the fragmented reports he had found. He wasn?t sure why Jared was so interested in a smuggling and black marketing problem, though he suppose it could be stuff being funneled to the resistance instead of corrupt merchants. ?[B]It has to do with the lack of complete shipping records, every now and then I find a stray report for a different merchant, that has been though sector six. Normally this would not be an issue since you can merely look up who they dealt with to find the missing information. But in the case of this Will or William, who I believe is the same person; there never is another report.[/B]? ?[B]Why is that a problem?[/B]? Jared asked. ?[B]With the protocols I put in place, this type of fragmentation should never have happened, maybe once or twice, but never for the same person. Reports are filed based on who the purchaser is. The person who received the shipment, as well as the person who sold it to them, if one is missing you can usually find the missing information at the other source. But in this case the report missing is always the one that would have more information on William. If William was the purchaser, the only report available is the one who sold the goods and vice versa. The report is never on this person, they are merely mentioned in the report as the buyer or the seller.[/B]? ?[B]Why do you say this shouldn?t have happened?[/B]? ?[B]Because any merchant ship going from sector to sector has to get clearance to do so, even if they have no business in that sector, thus resulting in the reports being duplicated as they are stored at every sector the merchant passes through. If a record is missing, usually they can be found at either the receiving sector or the one where they picked up the shipment from even if it is in the same sector. So for both records to be missing indicates someone deleted it.[/B]? Jared cocked his head slightly to the right as Darren turned to look directly at him, ?[B]I see, then for the records for the same person to keep coming up missing would be an indication that someone was into smuggling since it wouldn?t keep happening again and again.[/B]? Darren nodded before turning back to the report and changing the view to a list of all the fragmented reports he had found. ?[B]As you can see here, in the past year, in sectors six, eight and twelve, there are over thirty fragmented reports. Indicating that this William is operating in those sectors. And since the names of the fragmented reports are thirty different people, they?ve been pretty damn clever in hiding that they?ve been deleting the records. I wouldn?t have even found them if they all didn?t tie into sector six. I would have to expand my search to see if there are even more in other sectors. But one thing is for sure, whoever they are, they are up to something illegal.[/B]? ?[B]In other words we need to start checking the fragmented reports to see if they too tie into this William.[/B]? Jared replied. ?[B]Exactly, since usually a fragmented report is ignored unless there is a need to verify the data, since most stations that keep records know that the other location has the data. It?s rare for someone to encounter a real fragmented report. One where checking the other location does them no good.[/B]? ?[B]That?s actually very clever,[/B]? Jared finally said. ?[B]To take advantage of the system like that, with different names on the reports that still exist, no one would have realized that they were all connected unless they did what you did and saved the fragmented reports. How many broken records were there that had nothing to do with William?[/B]? Darren pulled up another report to show Jared, ?[B]As you can see, for the same area there are only six.[/B]? ?[B]Is there a way to track this William? To flag the system to notify us if a new shipping report is entered before it is deleted?[/B]? Darren shook his head, ?[B]The system is too massive, you can put a track on an individual, but due to the sheer volume of shipping, the main data base for each sector only pulls the information twice a day to update the changes. All this William has to do is start a transaction during the down time so that they can hack and remove the reports before the system update. I wouldn?t even be finding the fragments except all merchants send in what they have done from their own ships once a month to verify what they have done. This William has been leaving the fragments so we wouldn?t be alerted to any discrepancies when the merchant they dealt with submitted a report for a transaction. Otherwise when they updated, the authorities would have been notified that there was something wrong when the records for the merchant did not match.[/B]? ?[B]Definitely very clever,[/B]? Jared said as he copied the information from Darren?s report into his handheld along with a transcript of what Darren had just explained. ?[B]The security for the new operations in the UK won?t be ready for a couple of days, I do want you to keep working on the shipping records in regards to sector six and I?ll authorize you to have access to all shipping records for all sectors to track down more fragmented reports as well.[/B]? Jared smiled as he stood up to get ready to leave. ?[B]However tomorrow you?re free to do what ever you wish, take the day off and simply relax, though if you wish to go to Earth for any reason be sure to clear that through me first.[/B]? Darren just nodded as Jared left his quarters.

[quote name='Aaryanna][COLOR=DarkRed']o_O And here I just figured it was a given that she was going to either die or be taken advantage of. Just admit it Rachmaninoff! You're a hopeless romantic! :p [/COLOR][/quote]Guilty as charged. I always like to see the good guys get away. And after I posted that and thought about it, even I saw how terribly cliched it was. After reading what everyone wrote, it makes far better sense to do what Takuya suggested since that fits Kiva's personality so well. At least I think it does, since keeping someone around who just might have other clues that would help her find the bases quicker would make sense. Since that is her assignment where Stevens is more along the lines of overseeing what the rest of the military presence on Earth is doing. [quote name='Aaryanna_Mom'] *pokes Rachmaninoff* [/quote]Ouch! Even if I do agree with what you are saying. ;)

[quote name='indifference][SIZE=1][COLOR=DarkRed]Now he just had to decide what to actually do with Kim..... [B]It really was a pity that he simply didn?t have the time to bend her to his will and completely break her[/B]. Someone like her who had had held out nearly a month would have been an interesting challenge.....He sighed, [B]no it would probably be better to send her to sector one for a public execution[/B], that would at least serve as a good example to other military personal as to what happened to those who committed treason. He closed the handheld and set it aside on a small low table near the chair he was relaxing in. After all he didn?t have to decide that immediately.[/COLOR'][/SIZE][/quote]I've decided Crystia, every character you control, even if it's remotely, is completely psycho! I mean ewww! Sounds like both Stevens and Jared are meant for each other. Hell! Even Crystal was telling Stevens the two of them should amuse each other. lol! [which by the way Aaryanna, totally cracked me up when I read what you wrote] But more importantly, please send Kim to sector one! I'm begging both you and who ever else in here decides! That way having the resistance snatch her before she gets there would be less cliched and poor Kim would finally be free! :p[quote name='indifference][COLOR=DarkRed][B]EDIT:[/B'] Sorry I took so long to put up another post, school and homework this week was a royal pain in the rear. :animesigh I'll have more time this weekend to be more active and next week should be better since I won't have any horrid tests to take. And I'll have even more time the following week since it will be spring break and I don't have anywhere to go other than to harass Darren and his friends. :p [/COLOR][/quote]Yeah, same here, this past week was very busy. Next week will be better for me too as well as having spring break the following week. And what do you mean harass! They're your friends too! I know I'm looking forward to our usual binge of watching movies, goofing off and any other wacky things we think of doing that week. :p