Rachmaninoff

[quote name='Adahn][size=2]Menstruation is associated with shame. I wish it weren't so, but it's true. Are you calling the procedures performed on the young girl a [i]remedy[/i]? You're serving to perpetuate the notion that development into a woman is a disease. [/size][/QUOTE]No, you only think it?s associated with shame, don?t confuse your personal opinion with facts. Being a guy myself I don?t experience it, but I?ve yet to meet a woman who thinks it?s shameful. Nor is there a notion that developing into a woman is a disease. Again this is your notion and not necessarily what others think. [QUOTE=Adahn][size=2']As for your last statement, where you don't know where the notion came from, I have a question. Have you ever watched t.v.? If you have, then you've seen commercials for 'feminine hygiene products'. This seemingly innocuous name implies that during menstruation, a woman is dirty. Every product is designed to hide the illness, so a woman can be out in public, happy, hiding her monthly disease from the world. Can you honestly tell me that if a woman on her period happened to be wearing white pants, and blood was showing, that she would not be ashamed? Would it not be equivalent to releasing one's bowels or urinating on oneself in public.[/size][/quote]Being dirty doesn?t not equal shame. I?ve seen hundreds of commercials all aimed at keeping the body clean and odor free. Not because the actual reason is shameful, but because it?s smart to take care of yourself. Again you are forcing your opinion on this topic as if that is how people really perceive it. It?s not an illness nor are the commercials saying they can be happy hiding their period, it?s saying don?t let this natural part of life interfere with what you enjoy doing. I understand that periods can be very painful and uncomfortable, and who wants to run around with blood on their clothes? It?s about being hygienic in the same sense that using a public restroom instead of going in your pants in public is what is considered socially acceptable, due to health reasons. [QUOTE=Adahn][size=2]This is a natural, unavoidable (except through the drastic measures performed on this girl) part of being a woman, and it is so stigmatized that you take it completely for granted! How is this relevant to the discussion? The newsworthy part of this story involves ridding a young girl of menstruation, breast development, and growth. Do you think that the parents' unwillingness to see their mentally deficient daughter develop into a sexually viable human being didn't play a part in their decision? The decision reeks of shame.[/size][/QUOTE] You?ve missed the point. There is no stigmatization; the girl in question is not normal. She has brain damage that is unlikely to ever be reversed in her lifetime. At least enough to have what others would consider more normal. Your point lacks relevancy in that it?s a one case scenario in where drastic measures are being taken to improve the quality of life for one little brain damaged girl. Not something that is being done on a regular basis because it is considered shameful. It?s already been pointed out, but you are taking the stance that you actually know what the parents feel. This girl even if she does end up more mentally developed is highly unlikely to ever mature enough to understand a sexual relationship. The real shame here is how everyone seems to keep focusing on the sex aspect as if it?s important. Her happiness, comfort and well-being are all far more important than worrying about her having sex one day ever will be.

I?ve kind of given up on getting the chu jellies especially after I found out that drinking the purple ones can have interesting side effects. The only thing that saved me from dying is the fairy I had in another bottle when I drank the purple one and had the effect of it taking hearts instead of giving them. The best place I?ve found so far to get good chu jelly is on the path to [spoiler] Death Mountain. There is a cave along the walls that a chu lives in that if you bottle it, will restore all your health. [/spoiler] The drawback is that you can only carry one bottle of the stuff at a time. Oh and you have to have the [spoiler] hook shot to even get in the cave so you can?t get it until after the third dungeon. [/spoiler]

[quote name='Lunox][color=dimgray'] Well, what kind of trouble do you cause anyway? [/color][/quote]Exactly, more information as to what is really going on is needed, at least for a more valid opinion on my part. For all I know you could be into illegal drugs, or as Aaryanna stated your mom could be using you as a scapegoat in order to lash out at your father. Based on what little you have told us, I'm inclined to believe that your parents need counseling or else they are headed towards getting a divorce. Beyond that I have nothing else to say as I haven't a clue as to what is really going on as your information is far to vague for me to really know.

When Jared put the translator in his ear without asking and Darren realized what he had done by the pain caused by the tiny mechanical computers entering his ear, he snapped. He knew full well how expensive such translators were; they were used only by the military and fetched a very high price on the black market. Something he knew about but avoided since there were easier ways to make money. The crystals for powering them were very difficult to create since like the replication technology they had to be perfect, impurities could damage one?s ear. Even the very wealthy could not outright purchase them when simple devices that were worn like a decorative earring could be worn that did the same thing and cost a fraction of the price to make. By fitting him with one he was putting Darren into the military?s debt, as such a device was more than his small ship was worth. He did not want it, and he reached out without thinking, grabbing Jared?s tunic, pulling him closer to yell at him, furious over what he had done. Forgetting who he was dealing with momentarily as he glared at Jared as if he could somehow force him to remove it. He nearly jumped out of his skin when Jared merely reached up and took his hands in his own and leaned forward to tell him he should do that more often. He felt his cheeks grow hot and Darren quickly pulled his hands free. [I]Oh my God! I should not have done that![/I] He thought in dismay. He couldn?t help himself he backed away only to have Jared follow him, his expression one of amusement. Darren didn?t get far as he was brought up short by running into the wall of the main room. He resisted the urge to dart sideways when Jared leaned forward to tell him that he looked cute when he was angry. Darren breathed a sigh of relief when Jared simply turned around and walked back to the door. He caught the bag that was tossed to him, inside was the uniform of a recruit. When Jared told him to get changed he couldn?t get out of the main room fast enough. He closed the door to the bedroom behind him and locked it before turning around and leaning against it, his heart pounding. He took a couple of deep breaths and then walked over to the bed. Quickly he changed into the plain uniform. It was a simple green with black trim and buttons and there was a tiny circle on the collar indicating he had no rank. [I]Not that I want one.[/I] He thought bitterly as he finished putting the outfit on. ?[B]All right idiot,[/B]? he said out loud to himself. ?[B]Lets keep our cool this time and not do anything stupid, because grabbing his shirt was beyond stupid.[/B]? He opened the door and walked back out to where Jared was waiting. ?[B]Follow me.[/B]? Jared told him as he turned to leave the quarters. Darren did as he was told. As much as he would like to argue with Jared over the translator, he would save that for Commander Sandra. If he got the chance to talk with her that was. He sighed inwardly. This time he managed to keep himself calm. It didn?t take long to pick up a few things from his ship, briefly talk with Mike, as there wasn?t much they could talk about with Jared right there. Then just as quickly Jared escorted him back to his quarters. As the door opened and he started to enter he stopped and turned back when Jared spoke again. ?[B]I?ll be back at 0700 hours Darren, I expect you to be ready. At 0630 the morning crew will be by with fresh uniforms and some breakfast for you. Any questions?[/B]? Jared asked him. ?[B]No Sub-Commander.[/B]? Darren replied. ?[B]I?ll be ready.[/B]? ?[B]One other thing Darren,[/B]? Jared said. ?[B]When we are on Earth, you are never to refer to me as Sub-Commander. You are to call me Jared at all times, understand?[/B]? ?[B]Yes.[/B]? Darren replied. ?[B]Good, I?ll see you tomorrow then.[/B]? Jared said before turning to go to his own quarters. As the door slid shut Darren breathed yet another sigh of relief. Now if he could only find out if they would even allow him to have a drink, because he sure as hell could use one right about now.

[B]1. What name would you like to be used for you during this competition?[/B] Darren [B]2. What is your age and gender?[/B] I'm 26 and Male [B]3. What country do you come from?[/B] USA [B]4. What areas of OtakuBoards you consider to be your strengths and weaknesses?[/B] I would say that Discussion/Debates are my strong point where the rest is my weak point. [B]5. Name one member of OtakuBoards that you consider your friend here.[/B] Do you want just online friends? Because one of my best friends is a member here. They are the reason I even joined myOtaku and then OB in the first place. But for people I've never met in real life, I would have to say I consider SunfallE a friend as she's helped me with everything from the very beginning. From when I started over at myOtaku to when I signed up over here at OB. And she's lots of fun to chat with online as well. [B]6. What one thing would you take with you to a deserted island?[/B] Something for music, even if it wouldn't last long or was just a flute (which I don't know how to play) I'd go nuts without music. [B]7. Why do you want to participate to OtakuBoards Survivor 4?[/B] It relates to question number five and my friend here. Not only would it be interesting to meet new people, but also playing in the same game with her would be totally cool. I've never even watched survivor so I'm curious as to what it's about as I'm assuming this is in some way based on the survivor shows on TV.

Darren set the computer down on the small table in front of the sofa. Though he understood the concept of how Earth handled transporting goods, it was obvious that for some of it he really needed to actually see it in person. It would take a delicate balance to disrupt the flow of goods and yet not cause outright panic at the same time. If he did what Jared?s notes indicated, it would cause riots. And though disrupting transportation would do so regardless, it needed to be done in a fashion to at least spread the effect out. Too much too quickly would backfire.[I] I need to ask him some questions. [/I]He thought. He didn?t want to, but it just wasn?t possible to do as he asked otherwise. It was obvious to him that these plans meant sector thirteen was next on the High Council?s agenda for conquest, but knowing approximately when this was going to happen was crucial. Darren got up with a sigh.[I] I wish they would assign me to work with someone else [/I]he thought. [I]Because if I do this right, it?s going to take far more than a few months, that idiot obviously doesn?t have a clue about how shipping works.[/I] Irritated all over again Darren started exploring the quarters he had been assigned to. He had already seen the restroom. He took a closer look at the main room he was in, it was easily big enough to fit two small quarters into, with a small area for eating, something that usually was done through a common mess hall, with a table big enough for four, to the workstation with a full monitor built into the wall, to the sofa and matching chair with the end tables and one in the center. It was painfully wasteful as far as space went. Nothing had been done to cover the stark gray of the material of the walls and floors, but the furniture was done in warm colors of brown and green and other than the smaller chairs, everything else was fastened to the floor to keep it from shifting. Hell there were even special rails on the walls for attaching personal mementos such as pictures of family or friends. [I]Are all the quarters on battleships like this?[/I] He wondered. But a moment later he realized it wasn?t possible. Even though civilians weren?t allowed on battleships, he knew the approximate size and the number of crew. There wasn?t enough space for that. [I]Why do I even care?[/I] He thought.[I] It?s because it?s so wasteful, [/I]the practical side of him answered. That was it; he was seeing how such an extravagance would hurt a merchant?s ability to make a profit. It was a mistake those who were new to the business often made. Not realizing that if you wanted space and comfort then delivering cargo was not a good idea. An idea that he often had a hard time getting across to others. Curious to see if they had at least had some common sense with the bedroom, he walked over and opened the door only to stop at what he saw. [I]What the hell? [/I]Though not as big as the main room the bed tucked into the far corner was easily big enough for three. It was more than even a married couple serving in the military would need. [I]Did Jared put me here because he intends to?[/I] He thrust the thought from his mind, feeling his cheeks grow hot from flushing at the implication. Darren went back into the main room. [I]Don?t jump to conclusions idiot![/I] He thought to himself. [I]Just because he?s known for taking other men against their will doesn?t mean anything! Besides last I heard he hasn?t killed anyone in years so it?s possible he doesn?t even do that anymore.[/I] But then he stopped at the thought. [I]Yeah and the High Council is peaceful and would never turn other races in to slaves![/I] He sighed.[I] I need a drink. [/I]

It almost seems silly to post an absolute favorite list when I?ve seen so little anime. But I can say which series I like the best so far. [B]Fruits Basket: [/B]This was the first anime I actually sat down and really watched and I enjoyed every minute of it. In addition to the wacky part of the main characters changing into an animal from the zodiac every time they were hugged by a member of the opposite sex. The development of the characters and how they interacted with others was equally as wacky. I?ll never be able to forget the priceless moment of Shigure heading towards Tohru?s school singing High School girls all for me. [B]Full Metal Panic Fuumofuu:[/B] I enjoyed the first season of this series, but it was the second that was the icing on the cake for me as it set things up for you to truly appreciate the outright hilarious second season. Never before had I laughed so hard that I thought I was going to pass out. From the hot springs episode, to the one on sports to the one where the main girl was kidnapped. I loved every minute of it. [B]DNAngel:[/B] What guy doesn?t wish he could turn into a phantom thief and steal the hearts of all the beautiful women? Plus I liked the main character Daisuke as he kind of reminded me of myself. Throw in a sadistic [spoiler] white winged nemesis [/spoiler] lots of innuendos and it made for a great time. I?ve also been reading the manga to this series and it?s making me wish they had spread this into two seasons to include the stories that were left out. [B]Moon Phase:[/B] I?ve yet to see the whole series as it?s not out on DVD yet. But I love the lack of blood fests this vampire show has going. It?s fun in how the two main characters are constantly arguing and yet it?s obvious they care for each other. I?m really hoping that they can hold it together till the end so that it will truly earn the spot of one of my favorites. That?s pretty much all I have for the moment.

Most of the time bites from this spider will heal on their own, what gives them such a bad name is although bites are rare, the venom can cause serious wounds. So infestations should be taken seriously. And even then they are extremely difficult to control since they are so reclusive and rarely come out where you can get them. I would have to wonder how the students in your school even got bitten in the first place since they aren?t out in the open. You can live in a place with hundreds of them around and never get bitten. And these spiders hunt at night a time when the school would be empty of students. I don?t doubt that something is getting the students, but there are plenty of other spiders out there that are mistaken for a recluse so it?s likely that something else is getting them.

[quote name='indifference][COLOR=DarkRed'] And for the purpose of the story, simply stating that the facility was in the country known as the USA is sufficient in my opinion. [/COLOR][/quote]I'm glad you did that. Especially since my character is suppose to pinpoint how to disrupt shipping and I was wondering if I needed to actually do research on it or if making it up would be okay. So unless anyone objects, that's how I intend to do it.

It?s safe to say that some of my favorite quotes relate to music. Out of all the one?s I?ve heard, at this time these are my favorites: [B]Without music life would be a mistake.[/B] ~Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche [B]Music is what feelings sound like.[/B] ~Author Unknown [B]Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life.[/B] ~Ludwig van Beethoven [B] You can't possibly hear the last movement of Beethoven's Seventh and go slow. [/B] ~Oscar Levant, explaining his way out of a speeding ticket I especially like the last one as I can relate to it. Not that I've gotten a ticket but there are certain movements and sections of music that just naturally get you going.

[quote name='ForgotteÑ-HerÖ][COLOR=Blue']So if you've ever had a dance coming up at school, what did you do to get a girl? Did you do the most stupid thing you possibly could? If you did get her what happened afterwards around the school? Rumors? And how did the dance go? Horribly, or perfectly? [/COLOR][/quote]I?m long past High School dances, but most of the time I usually did end up with a date for the dance. I never did anything really stupid, I would get a yellow rose and present it to the girl and ask her if she would do me the honor of being my escort. A few times I was rejected, but most of the time I was not. Most of the time it went just fine. There were the usual awkward moments, and then the fun chatting and dancing moments. But all in all it?s always gone pretty good. It wasn?t perfect, but it wasn?t horrible either. Farto the Magic gives good advice as well. Being well dressed even for when you ask them is a good idea. And definitely wear your best for the dance, if you have a tuxedo, wear it. I always wore a tux to any dance I attended. [quote name='NIKI12345']Do you even know what a pimp is. I don't think he is selling girls for money. Do you? :mad:[/quote]I can see you don?t really understand the reference behind the use of the word pimp in this thread. [INDENT][SIZE=1]Pimp can also be used as a verb such as "You're pimped up!" or "Pimp my ride." The latter example refers to customizing an automobile, made popular by the show. Pimp my Ride.[/SIZE] [/INDENT] In other words they were referring to making yourself look nice and not selling girls for money. I?m sure most girls have no interest in attending a dance with a guy who doesn?t keep up their appearance.

[quote name='Drix D'Zanth]I?m impressed Rachmaninoff, few people can pull of the consistent post quality that I?ve seen from you. I also appreciate the speedy response, I was excited to hear what you had to write and you?ve given me plenty to think about here. I think you might appreciate that I?m writing my response while enjoying our friend Sergey?s Piano Concerto No.2 in C Minor, Op.18: 1. Moderato.[/QUOTE]Thanks, and I definitely can appreciate a response written to the sound of pure heaven that is known as Sergei. [QUOTE=Drix D'Zanth']However, what intrigues me is the vast majority of fear that is simply irrational. This is because we are capable of judging circumstances irrationally, and our inability to make rational judgments is especially likely in early developmental years. I mentioned in my first post about the Prefrontal region of the brain which is responsible for the processing of judgment calls (bit of fun trivia, the Prefrontal cortex develops more slowly in men than women, women mature within their high-school years while men may take until age 25 to be fully developed! Explains a lot of behavior, right?).[/quote]It?s interesting that you should bring up the aspect of fears that are irrational. Because I?ve often thought that part of what gives fears such a strong hold, especially in childhood is along the lines of what you?ve mentioned. Our ability to discern things and to determine if they are indeed a threat are impaired by our lack of maturity in understanding them, the judgment call you speak of. My understanding of the Prefrontal region of the brain and such is rather limited as I have never studied that but I?ve always understood the concept of an adult knows that there is nothing in the closet where a child does not. Especially since there is suppose to be an age where children have yet to determine certain levels of reality. They don?t know that things such as cartoons aren?t real yet. So it?s easier for the fear to be irrational since they can?t tell what can be real and what can?t yet. You described it far better than I can in your example on how children process the thought that there is something in the closet due to the sound of a shoe falling, where the adult would know that the sound had to be caused by something like a shoe falling or say a cat roaming though the house and not some monsters..[quote name='Drix D'Zanth'] I agree with you entirely. While I don?t want to draw this topic into a tangential discussion of theology, I do recognize that (as far as Abrahamic religions are concerned) there may be a case for some source of evil. It?s worth noting that while Satan might be the progenitor of fear, humans are capable of perpetuating it on their own. Your account of teachers at church telling children that Satan ?makes you afraid? runs contrary to the convention of ?fear no evil?. Of course, this is a matter of theological debate. In any case, I think any irrational fear of Satan (either because it?s theologically plausible that he?s not worth fearing or because he simply doesn?t exist) is unfortunate and unnecessary.[/quote]I would imagine that part of the difference here is based on the religion I was raised in and in how the material was presented to me. I remember quite clearly how the story of Adam and Eve was presented in how they knew nothing beyond their existence. They did not understand that they were naked; sin was a concept beyond them. Until Satan convinced Eve to eat the apple and then give it to Adam, at that point they became aware and the way it was explained to me as a child was that at that point they understood what fear was and it was due to Satan getting them to eat the apple. I have not really studied theology so I can?t say for certain what the convention of fear no evil would be since the Mormon religion I understand is quite different from other groups. But the way I was taught before I moved away from religion was that yes we should fear no evil, but if Satan did not exist there would be no evil to even fear in the first place. Perhaps I misunderstood what they were saying. But that is how I interpreted it. I certainly agree with you on the aspect about fearing Satan as being unnecessary though because as you?ve also stated, we are certainly capable of having fear on our own. [quote name='Drix D'Zanth']Very much so, I hope you get an idea of what I mean as well. In either case, I think we agree for the most part about the nature of fear aside from theological arguments.[/quote]Agreed.

[QUOTE=SunfallE][COLOR=RoyalBlue]Anyway, the next part is ready to commence! [/COLOR][/QUOTE]Yay! [quote name='SunfallE][COLOR=RoyalBlue] The post is up and everyone has received their new objectives. [/COLOR][/QUOTE]*looks at their new objective and sobs* Are you sure you and Crystia aren?t in this together? I swear you two are planning on letting Jared have his way with my poor character! ;_ ; (haha! I kid ;)) It will be great fun doing what you have in mind. [QUOTE=SunfallE][COLOR=RoyalBlue']Anyway... lets have some more fun! :catgirl: [/COLOR][/quote]I agree. If I had know RPG?s were this much fun I would have joined OB a lot sooner.

Darren couldn?t help himself. The moment the door closed behind Jared he went through nearly every curse and swearword he knew. And when he ran out he started inventing ones, all aimed at describing Jared as a no good back stabbing baby raping sadist. When he realized that he was still holding the handheld computer Jared had tossed him and that if he wasn?t careful his gestures of anger might result in him accidentally slamming it into something and break it. He walked over and set it down along with the data chip at the workstation in the room. Then, still furious over what had happened he punched the nearest wall repeatedly, ignoring the pain, ignoring the blood from when the skin on his knuckles tore. Only when he was spent did he stop and sink to his knees. All those years of hard work building his company, getting the permit to transport weapons, taking losses to establish a reputation as a reliable and dependable merchant. It was gone, this one incident had shattered it. Every merchant knew about the military and some even sought contracts to deliver goods for them. Preferring a more steady income to the uncertainty of securing contracts to deliver goods. But not Darren, he liked working independently. And he?d rather starve than work for an organization that allowed men like Jared to join. But now he had no choice, that comment from Jared on how it would be bad for his heath to refuse had been crystal clear. Do as your told or be executed. He got up with a sigh and went into the restroom just off of the main room to clean up. He was determined to ignore any luxuries, as it was obvious Jared had placed him in officer quarters, but even he was surprised by a tub fully big enough for two to take a bath in. Just what type of quarters were these? Having such a luxury was so ridiculously expensive that he had never even seen it on a ship. Other than the huge cruise ships that took people from one world to the next, and even those were only for the very wealthy. The rest of the people traveled in ships with tiny little quarters and often shared a handful of tiny showers with the rest of the passengers. Stubbornly he turned his back on it and started cleaning up. A short hunt located a standard medial kit and ignoring the sting of the medicine he sprayed his knuckles. Not that he really needed it as it would heal on it?s own in a day or two. But the medicine would make that even quicker. Then he walked back out in to the main room, picked up the handheld computer, inserted the chip and sat down on the sofa. He put his feet up and began to look through the information Jared had provided.

[QUOTE=Allamorph][FONT=Arial] what kind of moronic, perverse idiot would want to have sex with a nine year old? Honestly, it just seems to me to be a showcase of the depravity of some people's minds that this is the first issue that comes up. Thank you, you two, for saying that.[/FONT][/QUOTE]One who probably needs to be [spoiler] castrated. Or turned into a girl. [/spoiler] I agree though, it really is sick that their first thought is sex instead of whether or not she?s getting the best care. Dead already stated it well in that she can?t even roll over let alone consider sex. So if they did allow her body to mature sex for her would in my opinion be the same as rape since she will never reach the mental maturity to understand the process. [quote name='Lunox][color=dimgray'] It probably means that whoever brought the sex issue up hasn't had sex. [/color][/quote]*snicker* I agree. In the end when you are dealing with a situation like this being able to relate and talk with other people and being able to take care of yourself are far more important than the sex aspect ever will be.

[quote name='Drix D'Zanth']Even if this is just a misunderstanding based on semantics, it's worth mentioning for its own merit.[/quote]Actually it?s not so much semantics as it is a poor job on my part explaining what I meant. So I?ll try to clear that up by explaining it again. I already stated that I agree with the concept of conditioning in relation to being afraid of things. A simple example would be two children who accidentally fall off of a deck while playing and get hurt. One associates the experience with heights=pain and becomes afraid of heights and avoids the edge of the deck. Where the other child makes no association at all and doesn?t avoid it. So their fear or lack of fear is due to association. The incident isn?t something that means you will automatically be afraid. But it has the potential of you learning to be afraid of falling or heights. I don?t believe something can make you afraid for the simple reason it?s not something that is a guarantee that if someone experiences it they will be afraid. Take Satan, the implication I run into among Christians I know is that Satan makes you afraid. But I would argue that people?s fear of Satan or other things he is suppose to have made you afraid of are merely another association. A child grows up with their parents, extended family and even teachers at church telling them that Satan is evil and the cause of much misery and fear. So they learn to be afraid of something even though it may not exist. The idea that Satan makes you afraid would imply that the fear is there whether or not you even know he exists. And yet as you explained in your post, we?ve already identified how thought processes can lead to fears through experiences and associations. So in the end Satan didn?t make us afraid, we learned to associate him with things that are frightening. I think this ties into our fear of the unknown, we don?t know what will happen after death, we often don?t understand why we are afraid of something, or rather we don?t remember what association triggered it. So instead we take something that is already considered evil and pin the blame on them. We are afraid because Satan made us afraid. Instead of I?m scared of lightening because when I was a child a really loud storm woke me up in the middle of the night and the flashes of light and noise were something new and unexpected and frightened me. Satan at this point becomes a scapegoat, a figure to pin fears on. Because it?s easier to say something made you afraid instead of figuring out why you are afraid. With this you don?t have to try and understand if your fear is rational when for example you are too afraid of speaking in public when your job requires it. You just pin the blame on Satan making you afraid so you will fail and that fits neatly into the concept that failing to be brave and overcome your fears means in the end you won?t make it to heaven. When the fear could simply be that there is a cute girl at work and your really more nervous over looking foolish in front of her. The idea that something makes you afraid is to pat, to easy. Being afraid in my opinion is far more complex and not something that happens because someone makes you afraid. I hope that cleared up what I was trying to say.

[quote name='Sandy]You know, I have a strong belief that it takes two to tango, so there must be [I]something[/I'] in you that irritates your friend - no matter how small an issue that is. [/quote]I don't agree. But then I'm talking from experience. I've run into the issue of having a great friend who about literally turned and hated me the next day. I went months trying to figure out what was going on, how I might have offended them. And in the end, they had gotten into illegal drugs and joined a gang. It had absolutely nothing to do with me. Later when he hit rock bottom and started trying to turn his life around, I found out that the problem was he hated himself for getting into the mess in the first place and that I wasn't the only one he was snapping at. So yeah, don't automatically assume it's your fault. If you really can't think of anything, it's possible something else is going on.

[quote name='indifference][COLOR=DarkRed][spoiler]Cackles evilly [/spoiler'] Hope you like the twist Darren. :p[/COLOR][/quote]I think my poor character is going to need therapy once Jared gets done with him. ;_ ; Still the way you've written that up has given me some wicked ideas on what to write next. It's certainly more interesting than my lame idea of the ship breaking down in that sector. You've out right dragged him screaming and kicking into the whole mess. So I'll be sure to live up to that. :p

[quote name='Lunox][color=dimgray']It just makes me iffy to hear about such a procedure.[/color][/quote]Even though I think they made a good decision, I agree. It's certainly something that shouldn't become the standard for treatment, but rather the exception. Something that should only be done if it truly will benefit both the child and the family. Just the idea of stunting people's growth to make them more manageable because they have special needs is a bit frightening if you think about it. It's something that certainly needs careful thought or at least a very strong reason for doing so. Like how she will never be more than a 3 month old baby mentally. Instead of the family wanting them to be smaller so it's easier just for them. It kind of needs to be a case of the kid benefiting the most. At least that's what I think.

[QUOTE=Syk3] I can understand that people may get frustrated when watching the fillers, but it's either that or no Naruto at all for a couple years. If you decide to watch it, you're making the choice of being moderately entertained until the actual storyline progresses once again. Just don't expect any content that will relate to true character or story development to come. In hindsight, I think it will be seen that these fillers were for the best, even though the fillers themselves could be more interesting. :p That being said, I can't wait until February. lol[/QUOTE]I guess I'm the oddball as I'd rather wait. ;) That or if there is going to be fillers that they be more than a copy and paste of previous episodes. Like the episode right before the second part of the exams they took near the beginning of the series. Or that the content is mildly entertaining in some fashion, they just felt like a huge letdown after the series got off to a good start. And to be fair I don?t like any show that drags things out, whether or not it?s anime doesn?t matter. Once they get back into the plot I'll probably start watching it again after finding a summary of things online so I'm not too lost as to what's going on.

[quote name='Mariskah][COLOR=Navy]Start posting! *pokes Rachmaninoff* I've really been enjoying how you and Crystia have been handling your characters. Especially that description of Jared by Mike. [/COLOR'] :catgirl:[/quote]*sob* Everyone's picking on me! ;) Haha, I kid. I have to admit, it's turning out to be far more entertaining than I expected. My only question is how close are we to the first major event you've been referring to Beth? [If you don't mind me calling you that]

Hmmm...I'm going to bet 50 on Desbreko taking first and 50 on DeathKnight to take second. Pity Charles is one of the judges..Otherwise I'd bet it all on him taking first.

It had been close to a week since Darren had been unceremoniously dumped into the cell with Mike. He had expected to be interrogated immediately, not left in the tiny cell to rot. Other than the one visit by the ward of the detention block, where he and Mike were given non-descript gray clothing to wear and their own personal possessions were taken. No one had visited them for any reason other than to give them some tasteless ration bars each day for food. Other than the gray walls and low beds that were attached to the walls along with a small room for personal needs such as a shower, there was literally nothing to do. No workstation, no form of outside contact. Not even an option for contacting whoever was in charge of the detention area. And they couldn?t even turn off the harsh bright lights that clearly lit both rooms. Darren sighed as he stretched lazily, he was lying on his back on the small bed while staring up at the ceiling. Something that was not his idea of fun. And Mike had been strangely quiet since he had woken up. Other than to inquire if Darren was okay since by the time Mike woke up Darren was sporting quite the bruise on his right cheek where Jared had hit him. Something that Darren had been quick to point out was due to his stupidity. But now, thanks to being a Versilan as they healed much quicker than other races, the bruise in question had already healed. Not that it would do him much good if the military decided to execute him. Darren winced at the thought. He had forgotten that trespassing into a restricted zone was punishable by death. The last time a sector had been restricted was well over twenty years ago. And even then when he had been given his clearance, the stupid fools hadn?t told him that the area was restricted. If he had known that he would have skipped sector thirteen altogether. The High Council, or High Command as others had been known to call them, were anything but forgiving. Whether or not he was innocent was irrelevant in their eyes and Darren knew it. He sighed again; [I]I wonder what?s happened to my ship?[/I] His train of thought was interrupted at the sound of the cell door opening. Two security personal came in and went straight over to Mike and woke him. To his credit, for once Mike kept his mouth shut and simply followed their instructions to come with him. [I]At least the idiot kept his mouth shut this time.[/I] Daren thought as he watched them leave. [I]I just hope he keeps being smart[/I]. Though he doubted it. [I]No, I should hope that Jared or whoever questions him is the smart one. [/I] Again the door to the cell opened as two more security personal entered the cell. Darren beat them to it by getting up. ?[B]My turn huh?[/B]? He asked. ?[B]Correct Commander Darren,[/B]? one of the replied. ?[B]This way.[/B]? Darren did as he was told and followed the one motioning for him to come while the other one brought up the rear. Any other time he would have been thrilled to see the inside of a battleship. Most civilians never got to see it in person. And as they took him through various corridors, it was clear that the Crimson was meticulously maintained. The corridors were well lit and clean and the personal they passed were all cleanly dressed and professional. Even a technician who was replacing a panel for one of the lights was neat and organized in a manner designed to not restrict the flow of the crew. It was in short, impressive. The further the guards took him the less busy it became. It was still maintained just as well, but Darren began to wonder just where they were taking him. He had been expecting some form of conference type room like the small one he had just off the bridge of his own ship. But now he had no idea what to expect. The further they went, the more he felt unsettled by it. When the door to the room they were taking him too opened, he stopped at the entrance in shock. Darren had heard that the military was not above using torture and other methods to get the information they needed, but he had never seen it with his own eyes. There was no mistaking the purpose of the various straps and wires that were part of a chair that was fastened to the floor. Nor the table with chairs on the other side facing it as it was obviously for whom ever was in charge. A gentle push from the guard behind reminded him that he needed to keep moving. He moved another few steps into the room and stopped yet again. [I]They can?t seriously be planning on actually torturing me! [/I]He thought. ?[B]Please take a seat.[/B]? One of the guards said, indicating the chair with the straps and wires. Darren just stood there frozen in place, his heart pounding in fear. ?[B]I have no orders to secure you Commander, so please take a seat.[/B]? The guard said in response to Darren?s look of panic. Hesitantly Darren moved to the chair and gently sat down, half expecting something to happen. But when nothing did and the guards merely took up positions on either side of him, he relaxed a tiny bit. Something that was short lived and faded when the door opened again and sub-commander Jared entered the room.

If she?s in a state where she is never going to develop mentally, then by all means I can understand the parents making such a choice. Once children like that get older, it becomes increasingly difficult to be able to care for them. Something those who are citing the parents as being cruel can?t really comprehend. It?s fairly easy to think they are being that way when they have never experienced how hard that must be for them to take care of her. If she had the chance to develop then yeah, I would say it was inhumane, but in this case, it just sounds like the parents are trying to make the best choice possible so they can continue to take care of her.

Well supposedly music is all that was downloaded, but I don't know for sure. However, going back even further than when IE was installed fixed the issue. So it was a mistaken assumption on my part that IE was the problem. All I care is that it no longer does it and I reinstalled the new IE again and it's working fine, so thanks for the advice. :)