Rachmaninoff

Ah work, what fun. Right now I?m between jobs since the one I had was in a huge section of malls in down town SLC that was bought out by the LDS Church as they are planning on tearing it down and building something else. Doing customer service work for the mall complex was fun, even if at times it was boring. I was offered a chance to transfer to another location, but it was far enough away to make trying to commute along with attending school a pain in the butt. I?m currently trying to get into a couple of bookstores that are hiring here or even a couple of assistant teaching jobs over at the University, I?ll take either one though. I?m hoping for the bookstore since it?s fairly close to my home and would require less commuting. The rest of the time is spent in school since I?m working on my Masters degree and then in music lessons. Once I finish that I?ll be going for the next degree since most schools around here require it if you wish to be a professor and teach other students.

[quote name='James][font=arial'] That no threads were made doesn't have much relevance to the support we have for theOtaku, I don't think. [/font][/quote]I would agree, seeing that I joined myOtaku before I wandered over to OtakuBoards. It never occurred to me to post a thread on it since it seemed like it was getting a good amount of support from members of both sites. With all the comments I saw on the news updates over there. As for the question about how closely they are associated, I haven?t been around long enough to understand how they are associated. Other than some of the links to OB being removed over at theOtaku, I haven?t really noticed any difference in how closely they are associated. Or not for that matter. But then I understand the site has been around for quite a while so that sort of leaves me out of the loop as far as comparing them goes. Both sites seem like they could easily be run if the other one did not exist. As if they are just associated sites instead of part of the same network of sites. Of course I'm assuming they are part of the same network.

[QUOTE=Dragon Warrior][size=1]Haha, sure, why not! I'll keep that in mind. I'm not really familiar with Dick Tracey, so I don't know if a character in it was called 88 Keys or if that was BK's name he made up. He'll have to hammer that out. If it's already a name in Dick Tracey, we'll just maybe count the white keys on a piano instead or something. [/size][/QUOTE]That would work we could go either way by using the count of the white or the black keys. There are 52 white keys and 36 black keys and if it's not to dumb if someone points out that he can't count his response will be along the lines of I'm not white or I'm not black, hence he only used the number of the keys that represents him the best. If that's funny that is, I've never written any type of comedy before. So I don't know if it sounds lame or not. :animesigh

The last thing Darren had expected when the fleet arrived was to receive a message directed to him nor to be given enough clearance that he could now use the ships sensors to at least be permitted an outside view of the ship to see the fleet as well as Earth. He had known about the Tempest but not the Elite Specialist ship. He had heard about them but until now he had never seen one before. Nor had he seen one of the flagships up close either. The Creator was massive. The Crimson had made his ship look tiny in the same way the Creator made the Crimson look tiny. It was hard to even imagine the work that had to have gone into building it. Darren shut down the view of the outside and pulled up the message he had been sent. To his surprise it was from the Commodore of the Creator. [I]What the hell?[/I] He thought. A moment later he understood. One of the transport ships had the necessary equipment for him to begin setting up the transportation facilities as soon as they finished taking over Denver Colorado. Though why they were taking that city along with the capital of the US was beyond him. He was to check in with Sandra tomorrow morning and if the area had been taken he would be sent down immediately to start overseeing the set up. [I]What a pain in the butt.[/I] He thought as he finished reading the message. Why were they in such a hurry? It would take months to finish transporting those who would not be staying on Earth. And then decades to implement all the changes the High Council had in mind. [I]If they think I?m sticking around here for decades?[/I] He started to become angry at the thought. [I]Then they are out of their minds.[/I] Irritated he shut down the terminal in his quarters, he was up and pacing without giving it a second thought. [I]They can?t really expect me to stay here on the Crimson for such a long time, can they? [/I]He wondered. Though even as he thought that he knew the answer. [I]Of course they can fool! Jared has not only taken other men against their will but killed them when he was done toying with them.[/I] He stopped in the middle of the room and then started pacing again, back and forth in the main room. Working himself into a frenzy until a misstep nearly caused him to fall flat on his face. He sat down on the sofa and took several deep breaths. [I]All right that?s enough idiot, stop borrowing trouble before it?s even happened. You?ll go down tomorrow, you?ll start the construction, which will go quickly using our technology, and then you?ll start thinking of things only one day at a time! [/I]He sighed and got up to go and get ready for bed determined to put it out of his mind before he gave himself a headache from being so tense.

Well first of all sorry I wasn?t around for a bit, I had no Internet yesterday. Secondly, I love the idea you guys have been presenting. I don?t know how to write a screenplay as I?ve never had a need to do one but I can be a second set of eyes for proofreading and once I?ve seen a bit of the script it might help me to have some ideas I can suggest.[quote name='Dragon Warrior][size=1']Of course, you, Rach, are placed as a member of this mafia who follows us the whole time to make sure we don't try to skip town or anything. BKstyles thought it'd be nifty to call you something like 88 Keys, like in Dick Tracey, only with the number of keys on a Harpsicord or something.[/size][/quote]I like it. Though I?d stick with the simple 88 Keys since the number of Keys on a Harpsichord is far more complex than what you would find on a piano, [not that you need me to tell you that ;)] which is more standard and more recognizable to people in general. Other than to listen to music done with a Harpsichord I?ve never done any research on how they are constructed, well other than to understand how the strings are plucked instead of being hit by a hammer like they are in a piano. So I actually don?t know the number of keys and even then there has been both ones built with a single manual meaning it had one set of keys and ones called double manuals that had two sets of keys like a modern organ. So I think the 88 Keys would be less confusing. My character could even be particular about how it's said as if it's important to draw it out and say Mr. Eighty Eight Keys, with an emphasis on [U]Mr[/U]. Making him a picky dork over how he's addressed. So anyone who simply says 88 keys he will correct them with a that's [U]Mr[/U] 88 Keys! Or something silly like that.

I noticed in the article that the city has no real plans to go after the two guys who placed them around the city in the first place and I agree. They were just doing their job and nothing else. [quote name='Raiyuu']And the idea that the two men that installed the devices should have let police know they were 'not real'? Not real what? They were real LiteBrites and the installers had no reason to think anyone would see them as anything else.[/quote]It doesn?t take much brain power to figure out that if the police are bringing in a bomb squad that they?ve mistake the devices for something else. Something that these guys supposedly told Turner Broadcasting was happening if the reports about e-mails being sent are correct. So it still falls back to both the two guys and Turner Broadcasting doing nothing to let the city know what was really going on. I?m in agreement with both SunfallE and Aaryanna, it doesn?t matter that other cities did not get upset or mistake the advertising for something deadly. What does matter is that they could have ended a simple misunderstanding and they did not. Whether or not the police?s response was stupid is irrelevant, Turner Broadcasting had the chance to step in and do damage control and failed the people of Boston by not being decisive in doing so. Resulting in them wasting resources that are needed should something really happen. I?m a bit surprised that so many people are acting like the police were stupid when they were doing what they were trained to do. And in the end even Turner Broadcasting seems to have realized it as they put up no fuss over paying for the damage they did. Probably to save the company from further embarrassment over failing to do something when they could have.

[quote name='Mythologicly']for the first part i understand what your saying, but to tell if that dealer is telling the truth just check to see if there lieing. any way the charities dedicaded to food, warmth, etc. only help few cause i know many people who hae been turned down for things like that. Also most people i know who have sold drugs alredy had families and had to support them on there own with no job.[/quote]Checking to see if they are telling the truth is a waste of time. Drugs tear families apart, so are you really saying we should let them destroy others just to make money? Nonsense. All that would do is add to the problem and lots of drug dealers make plenty of money, not just enough to support their families either, which is why they even, do it in the first place. It?s one thing to steal a loaf of bread because you?ve had nothing to eat for days, but to sell illegal drugs and destroy families to feed just one is stupid and shortsighted. A lot of money could be better spent on making more charity help available to those who need it instead of being used to fight drugs being sold and putting people in the position of wanting to sell drugs to make ends meet or using what little they make to support their drug addiction instead of feeding their kids.

[quote name='Dragon Warrior][size=1']Still, I agree. But we need to first come up with a genre of our comedy, so what do you guys really want to do? Come out and say your favorite type of comedy? It can be romantic comedies, satires, spoofs/parodies, original comedies, fantasies, modern comedies, dramatic comedies (dramedies), etc. Once we choose a genre, things will be more easier.[/size][/quote]I wouldn't know which one to pick. So I'm in favor of which ever one people are most comfortable with. I've noticed that you've got a fair amount of stuff you posted DW so what would be your choice?

All right Crystia, you said you wanted me to write my post up to the night before the rest of the military on Earth was going to be dealt with, leaving off for you to take over when Jared arrives to discuss it with Darren. So if I got anything wrong let me know okay? ;)

Darren felt much better the next day when he woke up and even Jared had continued to be nothing but straightforward without his usual banter and teasing. It was almost as unsettling as when he did poke fun at him. But it did make finishing preparing his recommendations for the transportation on Earth easier since Jared had left him alone other than to check in occasionally. The only thing that was different was that Jared had informed him that the invasion had been moved up by three weeks, which meant that in four days the fleet would be arriving at Earth and Jared had also informed him that in only one day the remaining military on Earth would be dealt with. Along with the domestic shipping yards. He wondered just who was going to do this task since Jared had not told him anything beyond what he needed to know. But he wondered how in the world they were going to deal with the presence of the military on the seas. There were enough of them that firing from space would be detrimental to the atmosphere. Jared would need to take the ships down into the actual atmosphere and there was no way you could hide a ship as big as the Crimson. He put the thought out of his mind since he needed to finish his report before Jared showed up to go over it with him. Darren pulled up the chart of Earth and continued highlighting the points where he would recommend placing transportation door facilities to handle the flow of goods. He was going to recommend that air shipping be completely eliminated unless it was done with their technology. Earth?s was just too primitive and unreliable; they would get better results with the transportation doors. Those could be easily controlled and anything brought in to transport could be screened via scanners in the facility. Then they could rely on their ground transportation to take things brought through the transportation door to the surrounding areas until the more effective rail systems were installed. Similar to the light rail and subways used on Earth, they too were more efficient. Then a small amount of smaller trucks to finish the job until those who would run Earth finished putting everything in place. If everything went well, they could slowly phase out Earth?s transportation with their own within the next five years. He finished putting the final touches on it and then he closed the report. Finally he was finished. Once the invasion begun, his part of the deal would be done. Jared had told him he would be required to advise him on how to effective disrupt things and to recommend a solution and unless he didn?t like what he had in mind. He had now done so. Darren got up and went into the bedroom to grab a change of clothes. Jared wasn?t due to show up for over an hour and he could use a shower to refresh himself after spending the past couple of days sitting and working at the workstation. It didn?t take him long to get cleaned up and even though he hated to admit it, having the full shower and the luxury of using as much water as he wanted was something he actually did like. And occasionally he had even used the bath to soak. Once he was back on his own ship he would have to reconsider his own accommodations. He could certainly afford to have the four quarters modified into three that would leave room to provide each quarter with a bit more space and a full shower and bathtub for each one. It had been a long time since he had spent anything on any form of luxury. He finished and after drying his hair he quickly changed into the recruit uniform that had been provided for him. He would be glad to be rid of it too. He hated wearing it since he preferred the high neck gray tank top that he usually wore. Just as he hated the full pajamas they provided though he would rather die than have Jared show up when he was in his nightclothes. He preferred to only wear a simple brief; much like the boxers humans wore to sleep in. But that make him feel naked when he was around Jared so he had immediately switched to the full pants and long-sleeved shirt pajamas that were provided. Darren sighed when the chime sounded indicating that Jared had arrived. [I]I wish he would go away.[/I] He thought as he went to let him in.

Meeting people I?ve met online doesn?t really appeal to me. Unless it?s in a more public setting. I don?t see a problem with it though, on some levels it?s no different than meeting other new people. I wouldn?t go off somewhere private with anyone I had just met whether it was online or in real life. I don?t think its dorky or anything like that, but there?s no denying that it?s risky. I do know one thing I would avoid and that?s those online dating services, because where I live, even the one that is sponsored by the church, there have been problems with date rape. Not that it doesn?t happen anyway, but it?s obvious that hiding behind a computer screen makes it easier for some of the sickos out there since once the person meets them the realize they would have never agreed to a date in the first place.

[quote name='BKstyles][font=tahoma'] Rach can be a stuck up activist or something who is strongly against our selling of something (not cigs like the movie, something like...i dunno, condoms or something like that) and talk about how sex is wrong and immoral. Sandy can be our boss who we piss off and play pranks on or something. Etc etc...[/font][/quote]*snicker* seeing that I was born and raised in the LDS/Mormon church I have to admit that I grew up being taught that other than within marriage sex is wrong and immoral. lol A view I no longer hold, but one I can relate to. :animeswea So I'm ready to play the crazy fool in the background pratting on how immoral everyone else is. lol Just let me know what you guys want me to do.

[quote name='Gavin][SIZE=1]I'm well aware that the vast, vast majority of Americans are good, decent people who no longer support "Godhatesfags" and it's ecclesiastical bigotry, regardless of the tiny minority of red-neck cretins who do. In all reality my second last response should have ended with something about how this site was a poor representation of America when it has so many great liberties etched into it's very identity.[/SIZE][/QUOTE]The thing that?s so ironic about sites like that is those of us who do not object to homosexuality have never even visited it and sometimes until it?s brought out into the media, we don?t even know about the site. [QUOTE=Gavin][SIZE=1']The problem with this issue has always been that both sides are often unwilling to set aside their own beliefs and look through one another's viewpoints. Many Christians see homosexuality as a sinful act regardless of the obvious love segment to it, I can't imagine homosexual groups have sex for purely pleasurable reasons (flings/one nights stands/etc) any more or less than heterosexual couples. In these cases it's often very convenient for these people to be represented entirely by their acts, rather than as full people with the same/similar needs as heterosexuals.[/SIZE][/quote]Here?s the funny thing, from my viewpoint I?ve always understood that people had to make their own choices and if I think they are wrong it?s not my place to try and force others to believe the same. I think the people who are Christians and try to force their religious values on others are in that act committing a sin as well. Though since I?ve grown up and moved away from religion I no longer share the views I was brought up with in regards to homosexual relationships. I no longer view it as a sin. [quote name='Gavin][SIZE=1]On the other side of the coin, non-religious people often have great difficulty in accepting the nature and importance of faith for the devout. People like myself who follow a certain code of beliefs believe and trust that these were given to us for our benefit, and those who do not follow these beliefs must be guided into or back the chosen path. It is done out of compassion in most cases, or I choose to hope it is done out of compassion, I certainly have no wish for these people to go to Hell, it is not a fate I would wish on anyone.[/SIZE][/QUOTE]Some of us do understand it, we simply no longer feel that way. I use to be far more religious and religion was important to me. But now that I am not, I no longer feel that connection. I still see it as important, but unfortunately many people take the desire to help others to the point where they are forcing them to live a certain way instead of guiding them there. And just like the horrible site gave the wrong impression about how people here feel towards homosexual relationships. Overzealous members of different churches give the impression that all Christians are trying to force people to live by their values. [QUOTE=Gavin][SIZE=1]Both sides [B]must[/B'] attempt to look at the world through the other's eyes, rather than simply reducing them to what is convenient for us to dislike. I truly wish to dedicate my life to path God has laid down, so much so that I intend to become a priest eventually. But at the same time, I refuse to treat people as less than human simply because I do not agree with their choices in life. We are all human beings, and we all have the same rights to pursue happiness in our lives, whether or not this issue of legal rights of marriage or civil union or whatever you want to call it is a good or bad thing.[/SIZE][/quote]I agree, everyone should have the right to pursue happiness and in the end if God does exist he will decide what is a sin and what is not.

I like buttered popcorn, especially when it's nice and hot. Carmel popcorn is iffy since some brands have a bitter taste to them and I've yet to try other flavors like cheese that I actually liked. Though if I want something more light, I have tried the plain popcorn and it is actually good.

Well I finished the Shrine of Kadan and then the following section where you go to the desert. And of all things I?m now on my way to pick up [spoiler] Albel the Wicked. [/spoiler] After the few times I?ve run into him I?m thinking that he?s going to be rather interesting to [spoiler] have as a party member. [/spoiler] I can?t imagine that he?s going to be very happy about it. I would imagine someone like that in real life would rather [spoiler] kill you than work with you, especially after your party humiliated him when you defeated him in battle. [/spoiler] Good thing it?s just a game right? ;) I still wish I was at a point where I could do more customizing. I?ve picked up some more inventors, but I understand I?m not to the point where I can really beef up my weapons yet.

[quote name='NIKI12345']To get to the point I'm asking you if you have had a similar experience or if you met someone who has scared you beyond belief. If have tell how happened or if you and that person actually became friends. :animesmil[/quote]If they only scared you then why is the title of this thread asking about 'freaks that you have met?' When the topic is more about people who frightened you and yet turned out to be nice after all. People like that aren't freaks in any respect. And the list thing is pretty normal for people who have been picked on. The media makes that kind of thing out to be some type of crazy kid who will go nuts due to a few extreme examples. As for the topic, no I haven?t met anyone who scared me and turned out to be nice. I?ve met people who were scary in how intolerant and stupid they were and they were anything but nice.

[b]Survey[/b] [B]*First of all, I'd like to ask how old are you?[/B] 26 [B]*How would you say you feel about abstinence? (A. Excellent, B. Good, C. Fair, D. Poor)[/B] Good, so long as it?s not advocated as the only solution. [B] *And how many times have you been in a situation where you had to make a decision to abstain from sexual activity or not? (It's cool to estimate.)[/B] Not that many as I do not like rushing a relationship. And the few times where I?ve been at a party where it has started getting out of hand I?ve just left and never attended a party with them again. [B] *How many relationships have you been in? (A numerical estimation is cool here too.)[/B] Serious ones? Probably about ten over the past six years. More if you include those that didn?t really last past the first couple of dates. [B]*How often would you say you see public displays of affection?[/B] Several times a day. [B]*When you see these public displays of affection would you say you're offended in any way?[/B] No, but then other than simple hugging, kissing and holding hands I?ve never seen anything more than that where I live. [B]*Would public displays of affection be alright for you to show?[/B] I don?t see why not. [B] *How far would you say is too far for a public display of affection? (A. Kissing, B. Hugging, C. Other. If other, could you provide me with a short explanation of what you consider too far?)[/B] Well if you are turning your partner on to the point that your hands and theirs are going under each others clothing or in spots that are more private, then at that point you?re going too far. [B]*In your opinion have school dances become too sexual? Yes/No.[/B] Not for lack of trying. But in general no. [B] *At what age do you think that dating should begin? (Like, a real age not "Whenever!")[/B] Light dating is good for the ages 15-18, but anything more serious is better if you wait until your date is no longer considered jailbait. Even if you feel ready for it, parents and the law are unforgiving in that respect. [B]Thank you in advance to anyone who does the survey too. :)[/B] You?re welcome, though I don?t know if you even need any more surveys. But since the survey answers both I figured it would be the easiest.

[quote name='SunfallE][COLOR=RoyalBlue'] But I promise that the next round will have a lot more going on. Including an unexpected twist that?s sure to be fun. ;) [/COLOR][/quote]Besides the impending invasion I take it? Haha! I can't wait to see what you pull out of your sleeve. And I?m curious to see if Crystia starts killing off political and religious leaders since her post hinted at it. *pokes Crystia* That?s your cue to post and satisfy my curiosity. ;)

When Darren finally came to he was relieved to realize that he was in the sickbay on board the Crimson. [I]I guess Jared finally showed up.[/I] He thought. It was apparent he had already been treated since other than a bit of soreness on his left side he felt fine. A little groggy, but then if the clock on the wall was correct the doctor had probably given him a sedative as it was nearly ten pm. He stretched experimentally before using the controls to raise the bed to a more upright position. Darren started to reach for the button to summon the staff when the door opened and the doctor entered the room. ?[B]Ah good, you?re awake.[/B]? He said with a smile. ?[B]How are you feeling?[/B]? Darren stretched again but other than the soreness he had already noticed on his left side, he felt fine and said so. ?[B]Excellent, you had three broken ribs on your left side as well as some internal bruising from hits near your knees and from a blow to your right shoulder. Your ribs have already set and by tomorrow morning the discomfort should be completely gone, though I?m going to recommend that you be off duty for at least another 24 hours just to be on the safe side. Especially since what ever broke your ribs did so with enough force to bruise your heart.[/B]? The doctor paused and then continued when Darren was silent. ?[B]I?ve already notified Sub-Commander Jared and he?s on his way to take you to your quarters since you?ll rest much better in your quarters than you would here, tomorrow evening at five you are to return here for a follow up exam though I don?t expect to find anything wrong. Any questions?[/B]? Darren shook his head indicating that he had none. ?[B]If you think of any don?t hesitate to call sickbay.[/B]? Darren watched the doctor leave and then reached over to change the bed back so it was closer to being flat again. So Jared was going to pick him up was he. Well he supposed that made sense, Jared probably wanted to know what had happened. Unless he had already found out from the human who had attacked him, unfortunately she had knocked him out so for all he knew she could have already left before Jared arrived. Well he?d find out soon enough. At least he wasn?t anywhere near that crazy woman.[I] I wonder if all resistance members are like that?[/I] She had been willing to torture him just to get information on Jared. And other members had been willing to throw him to the wolves by hacking his clearance and using him as a diversion regardless of the fact that he could have been executed. He didn?t know what to think anymore. [I]Idiot![/I] He thought to himself. [I]Of course you know what to think! The resistance for all their posturing about being for equal treatment is no better than the damn military![/I] He sighed. [I]As soon as I?m finished here I?m not only going back to shipping, but I?ll be sure to take any contract that keeps me as far away from both the military and the resistance as possible. [/I] Before he could brood on it any longer the door opened and Jared entered the room. Darren didn?t even wait for him to speak he got up and indicated that he was ready to follow him to his quarters. To his relief, other than to request an explanation as to what had happened, Jared was completely to the point and said absolutely nothing to upset him as they walked through the corridors of the Crimson towards his quarters. Then when he was finished, Jared took over and explained briefly how he had dealt with the woman and that unfortunately she had managed to escape. Darren wanted to feel bad that Jared had thrashed her, but a part of him did not. Though he was glad Jared had not caught her. Even if she was a member of the resistance he couldn?t bring himself to wish anyone was in Jared?s clutches. He sighed again as the door to his quarters closed behind him. He went immediately to the bedroom and took a moment to change into something more comfortable for sleeping. Even though he had been out all day, he found that he was still exhausted. He had barely gotten comfortable under the covers when he was fast asleep.

Well this just bites. Of all the times to get a challenge that requires racing when I was not able to get online all day due to my schedule. :animesigh How can I vote for someone when the whole thing was in my opinion a poor challenge? Fun perhaps, but not suited to the environment of an online challenge. However it seems that Aaryanna_Mom already addressed this in the main thread and since it has been made clear that speed and time will not be an issue for the remaining challenges I sincerely hope the next one really does advocate teamwork. And since I have to choose, I will send my vote, even though due to the constraints I don?t think anyone deserves to be voted out. So no hard feelings? Even if I am the one chosen in the end.

No need to apologize for the delay. I have a performance later tonight so I wouldn't even have time to write a post anyway. ;)

[quote name='Dragon Warrior][size=1']Rachmaninoff: Pages 59-76[/size][/quote]It?s a good thing I checked online before heading to bed. I have school, lessons and a performance tonight so I?m going to be super busy. Anyway, since I checked in I stayed up a little later and went though my assigned pages. Here is what I found: [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=9094]Resident Evil: Salvation(Play) [/URL] [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=11304]Gand Theft Auto: Ultimate Killerz (play[/URL] [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=14715]Neopets:The Battle For Neopia [/URL] [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=18525]Lord of the Rings: Return of all Evil [/URL] I?ll be sure to check back in once I?m done later today, but that won?t be until after 10 pm mountain standard time.

I can see that my remaining 100 otakubucks would be well spent on Desbreko to take first. That picture is sure to win.

We've got quite the team here and I hope I can live up to it. I also hope the next challenge does not include graphics as I feel like I didn't get to participate as much as I could have. And I want to able to support the team more after all of you did such a great job with everything. Here's to our continued success. Cheers!

Alright Mariskah, my part is up. Let me know if I messed it up in anyway. I've taken the stance that Darren does not intend to answer her questions. I leave it to you and Crystia to finish things up. ;)