Rachmaninoff

[B]Vicky:[/B] I like how you connected really well to what the person was thinking as they were dying. Very nicely done. [B]Mr. Blonde:[/B] You're piece was too distanced. It read like an essay on why someone might commit suicide instead of actually being a true suicide letter. It was a nifty concept, but I didn't really feel anything from it. I vote for [B]Vicky[/B].

Well since this is more of a discussion about the site and improvements, it probably fits the Information Kiosk a little better. So I'm just going to shuffle this over to there once I'm done here. Personally I don't have a problem with the option being available, I would however like to see it as one you could toggle off so people could choose to have it there or not. But that's just my sense of how mine looks since the shorter line seems out of place with the others. So I just have the urge to turn it off to tidy things back up.

[B]Your name:[/B] Juste Yvon Achard [B]Your age:[/B] 26 [B]Your connection to the Almagest or Achard family:[/B] Juste is the son of Sarnia Bell Achard, Oliver's sister and James Je Halyard a textile merchant. He has two older siblings Patrai Sef Achard and Melanie Lyn Achard. Juste's mother is fiercely independent and prefers to rely one what she and her husband make instead of relying on the family fortune. After getting married and moving to the Cobalt Bay area, they rarely keep in contact with the rest of the Achard's. [B]Your portrait:[/B] [URL="http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/3958/justevm1.jpg"]Juste[/URL] [B]Your occupation/location:[/B] Juste is a cleric for the Church of the Phoenix. He is currently assigned to the Church headquarters on the Island Citadel. Most of his time is spent studying the different languages and cultures around the world. [B]Your story:[/B] Juste is an inquisitive young man who ended up studying different languages due to his fascination with the foreigners who visited the Cobalt Bay area. His family runs a moderate textile business but Juste was never interested in learning the family craft. His father arranged for him to receive an education with the understanding that he would use what he learned to help expand the family business into new areas. One of Juste’s teachers was a cleric for the Church of the Phoenix and upon noticing how quickly Juste picked up on languages; he recommended that Juste be sent to study and work at the Church headquarters. Since this meant that the Church would be paying for his education and then later for his clerical work, Juste’s father agreed and he was sent to the Citadel. Juste quickly grew to love the extensive libraries at the Citadel in addition to his studies. Once he was done he was more than content to continue as a cleric at the Church headquarters. From then on he has continued to assist with translations and all manner of clerical work while furthering his study of languages and cultures. Since the revolution in Czenovia he is often assigned to accompany the Priestess Waltier to serve as her aid. Though he finds seeing other lands fascinating, if given a choice he would rather stay put in the Citadel.

What am I going to do aside from hiding from Des? Uh, be glad that it falls on a Saturday this year so doing something will be much easier to plan. I feel the same way that Nathan does about it, that it's a perfect excuse to give someone you care about a small token of affection/appreciation. Doesn't have to be a girlfriend, just a best friend or even your mother. Though after last year, everyone knows who I'll be doing something for.

[quote name='Tophel]Yes, I see the ridiculous nature of PETA's latest move. I think I said earlier that this move was likely to hurt more than help their cause. It's not like they haven't been written off as nut jobs and this move by them only further marginalises them. Stupid IMO.[/quote]I think a lot of people see just how stupid this latest move really is. Which is kind of sad since they have, in the past, done things that made a difference. So to see them going down a route like this is just... meh.[QUOTE=Tophel']And OB, from what I have seen of it, is a conservative board. It seems to me it is a little like moderate Republicans. Socially progressive, i.e. not your born-again Christian Bush supporter. But politically conservative, i.e. Hugo Chavez probably doesn't have a strong fan base here. Just check out the Israel thread. While brief passing reference is made to the Palestinians, the bulk of the comments are in support of Israel. But if there was a thread in support of gay or lesbian rights, then you are likely to get more sympathy. Methinks.[/quote]If you want to start a seperate thread on this go right ahead. I do find your assumption that supporting Israel = Republican rather amusing, mainly because I'm a Democrat, voted for Obama and voted against measures that took away gay/lesbian rights. You might want to wait until you've been around longer before you decide what the slant at OB really is. :p And now if you'll excuse me, I need to pull a roast out of the freezer so it will be ready for me to bake for tomorrow's dinner. Or perhaps I'll grab some sea kittens out of the freezer instead.

[quote name='Tophel]From my reading, both seemed on the ends of the spectrum but I would consider Esther's post a lot more vitrolic, based on prejudice and huge ill-informed whereas Chabi, whilst taking a spin on things, at least demonstrates an understanding of the issues and is better informed. Equally offensive? Debatable. Flagrantly incorrect? No where near the universe that esther's post inhabits.[/quote]In your opinion. Remember that. Both posts took an emotive spin desigined to make the other appear completely at fault. Making [I]both of them[/I] flagrantly incorrect in many respects.[QUOTE=Tophel]Godwin's law in effect. That was specious and not a good idea. I understand where it comes from, i.e. the ruthlessness of the Israeli state, but Nazi comparisons should be limited IMO. Too easy.[/quote]This is all I was driving at by the way, it's a copout to compare them to something like that. An emotive tool to point fingers and say [I]look at how horrible they are[/I] when it's far from the truth.[QUOTE=Tophel']However, the terrorist state comment is defendable. You may not agree with it, but one can certainly make that argument based on the facts. Israel has ultimate power in that area. It's military is unmatched. It can and does rain terror whenever it sees fit. And if someone thinks the Palestinians in Gaza are living under terror, they aren't being honest. Or if they think the 'terror' from rockets Hamas fires is anywhere the near the equivalence of the terror that is now raining down on Gaza, again they are being disingenous. IMO it is amply clear, beyond any reasonable interpretation, that Israel does inflict terror. The reasons for that can be debated and people can have different opinions but it isn't a clearly absurd or flagrantly incorrect statement.[/quote]And again this goes both ways, the terror aspect and no I don't really agree with you and I'll leave it at that.[QUOTE=Tophel]Well that is silly. I mean your point. Again, it is well established that America is tied to the hip with Israel. So much so, there has not been a single President who has ever rebuked Israel or taken a negative view of the state. Except for Jimmy Carter, but that was AFTER he left office, and he took a huge beating about it. The blind American support towards Israel is, to the rest of the world, even including Britain, quote at odds with the factual situation on the ground. American support is clear and obvious, both politically and militarily (in terms of weapons and intelligence) and if one takes the view that Israel is a state that practices terror, then that insinuation can be made quite easily.[/quote]No, it's not. Israel is not considered a terrorist organization. They're a country that has every right to exist and defend itself. I don't always agree with how they go about it, but to say America supports terrorism implies that Israel doesn't have the right to even exist. This is what I'm getting at.[quote name='Tophel']Hamas is impotent. Israel is not. The ball is obviously in Israeli's court. To suggest that Hamas and Israel are equal powers or have equal responsibilities is an absurdity. As for the much talk about clause in the Hamas charter (it seems we keep talking about this for some weird reason), as I've said so many times in this thread. Empty words.[/quote]Level of power isn't so much the issue as my taking a stance over how people continue to outright ignore Hamas' part in this mess and their responsibility to their own people. No one here has said that power wise they were equal. But to suggest that having less military power somehow alleviates one side from having equal responsiblity to their citizens... that is what's truly absurd in my opinion. Oh and btw... James is an Australian, not American. So to think that only Americans support Israel is an assumption.

[quote name='Retribution][font=Arial]To be honest, it's pretty d@mn close to spam. I understand Chabi's frustration - someone made an offensive, flagrantly incorrect post. I've tried to explain the roots of (perhaps) why she's so pissed, and hopefully I've articulated the reasons why I take so much offense with Esther's words.[/font][/QUOTE]I find it interesting that you took the time to comment on what you felt was off with Esther's post and yet completely ignored Chabichou's equally offensive and flagrantly incorrect post. Shall I highlight some of the issues?[quote][FONT="Arial"]I think it's about high time that people recognize Israel for what it is: a terrorist state, comparable to Nazi Germany.[/FONT][/quote]If you're going to compare them to Nazi Germany then someone needs a serious history lesson. I'd like to see the proof that Israel is a so called totalitarian dictatorship. [quote][FONT="Arial"]It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out by now, that Israel, its pockets filled to bursting-point with American money, uses terror to beat its opponents into submission.[/FONT][/quote]Nice insinuation that American's fund terrorists and yet you conveniently overlooked this one Retri.[quote][FONT="Arial"]Israel however, does not want peace.[/FONT][/quote]I'm sorry, but who's the one who's goal in their government literally[I] is[/I] that it will destroy the state of Israel? And yet we're supposed to believe that Hamas actually wants peace?[quote][FONT="Arial"]Israel had been planning for this war-- no, this [I]massacre[/I] of the Gazans before the ceasefire even began in June. The ceasefire simply gave them time to build up their weaponry. All they needed now was an incentive for attacking Gaza.[/FONT][/quote]Planning? What planning? This isn't some attempt to wipe them out. If that was their goal I think they'd be a hell of a lot more ruthless in battle than they have been. Everything in that is pure speculation as to what Israel's true goals are.[quote][FONT="Arial"]Hence, they broke the ceasefire on November 4th and killed 6 Palestinian militants, with the flimsy excuse that "they were digging a tunnel to try to kidnap an Israeli soldier".[/FONT'] [/quote]He said, she said. Perhaps Hamas is just bent out of shape for getting caught. Or perhaps it is an excuse. The truth is that you and I don't really know, whether you want to admit it or not. So seriously, both posts were pretty damn offensive and my point stands. If someone is that angry over someone else's opinion (right or wrong) or rather because they have a different view on things... Then don't post until you've calmed down and can explain [I]why[/I] you don't agree with it. Obviously I'm not talking directly to you Retri (since you took the time to respond), I'm just saying, both parties here said things that could be considered offensive.

Since it has been mentioned that FMA has a new season/material coming up. It seems only logical to go with that one so therefore I have voted for it.

Figures that you guys would have beat me to responding. =P I definitely agree that it was an excellent chapter. Fei Wong was most displeased so to see things start to unravel is exciting. That final spell being cast, I [I]so[/I] want to see how that plays out in the next chapter.

[quote name='Chabichou][COLOR="#004a6f"']I think you are the one who has been spoon-fed lies. The complete garbage you have regurgitated doesn't even warrant a reply.[/COLOR][/quote]So what you are basically saying is that this entire post is spam. I'll be clear here. If you can't be [I]bothered[/I] to do your opponent the courtesy of actually responding to their points ([SIZE="1"]as in explaining why they are wrong[/SIZE]), other than to call them [I]garbage[/I] then don't reply at all.

[QUOTE=James][font=franklin gothic medium]The whole Inauguration spectacle is somewhat humorous from the outside looking in, but I tend to forgive America for the pageantry - after all, you don't have a Monarch anymore. So your President is the next best thing, right? And however that may read, I don't mean it in a cynical way. In the UK and Australia for instance, our Prime Ministers don't receive such enormous pageantry - that is really reserved for the Queen. I wonder what we might do in the absence of a Queen. Although I suppose Australia would still never afford such a luxury to our PM, given that the office of Prime Minister has a somewhat different tone for us.[/font][/QUOTE]No worries, I know you're not being cynical. It's different from this side since that's just how it's always been done, or I should say for as long as I'm aware of it. I haven't studied history to know if it always was a big affair. Still quite a few people here expect it. Though sometimes it does seem as if they go a bit overboard. o_O If not for the security issues surrounding this upcoming president, I would question it more.[quote name='James][font=franklin gothic medium']In any case, while this is an enormous amount of money to spend on what is largely ceremonial, I do see the value in making this moment accessible to as many Americans as possible. That is a reasonable thing to try to do.[/font][/quote]I agree. And yes I know some of that is biased by what Crystia mentioned in her post. Like her I won't personally be involved, but the fact that the band here for the school even gets to go, is as she puts it, pretty damn nifty.

My understanding is that [URL="http://www.theotaku.com/portfolio/panda"][U]Panda[/U][/URL] is responsible for submission approval at theOtaku. I would suggest contacting her in a pm for assistance. She can let you know why your stuff isn't being approved.

What I'm finding sad about this whole affair is this update that I just read about the whole mess: [URL="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28651601/"][U]Ukraine plays blame game over Russian gas[/U][/URL] It's a shame that they're continuing this in the middle of winter. Like you said Gavin, it's a shame they can't do much other than to complain.

[QUOTE=Tophel]And I grow tired of people sympathising with Israel and blaming everything on Hamas. I have never suggested that Hamas is not at fault. But if you read this thread, until I came in and cleared up some misapprehensions, most posters were fully behind Israel's actions. Any qualifications were short and glib at best. The focus was entirely on the wrongs of Hamas. After I made a couple of posts critical of Israel people were more open about the complex nature of this conflict. The reality, as I see it, is that there is plenty of blame to go around. Israel's hands are NOT clean. If we are tough on Hamas for its violence and indiscriminate launching of rockets, we ought to be EQUALLY tough on Israel and its siege on Gaza to punish the entire 1.5 million people, its refusal to deal in any way with Hamas or recognise its legitimacy as elected representatives of the people of Gaza.[/QUOTE]I don't think anyone here is automatically putting Israel outside the circle of blame but rather questioning why the sentiment, which was in the first post no less, is to overlook Hamas' responsiblity in contributing to the conflict and push most if not all of the blame in Israel. You keep driving down the spike of Israel isn't clear of blame and yet I wasn't saying that they were. :/ James has already covered some of this really well and I've done my share of reading up on the situation so at this point we're just arguing in circles. I've already said what I think.

First of all... WTF? And then once I read this part...[quote name='Raiha][COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]The Evil Overlord Allamorph[/FONT'][/COLOR][/quote]I couldn't take this seriously no matter how hard I tried. Morbid or not, all I could do was snicker over the idea of Allamorph [I]actually being evil[/I]. [SIZE="1"][I]*laughs*[/I][/SIZE]

It's hard to say, there are things I like better about both. Dogs are great since they tend to be more social than cats. At least in my experience. And cats are great since they're more independent so they don't require as much attention. The only thing I really dislike with one is how cats will scratch things to pieces. I know not all of them do, but everyone we had when I was growing up was like that. Drove my mom a bit nuts. I don't have either at the moment so it doesn't really matter. Though if I do get one, it will probably be a dog instead of a cat.

[quote name='David Grohl][COLOR="DimGray"']Ah, the Ladies Buzzkill. :P[/COLOR][/quote]Comes with the job. =P Your post reminds me that I do know a lot of people who refer to them as soft drinks and don't use either soda or pop. Or they just call them by name. Coke, Pepsi, Sprite or Dr. Pepper, etc.

Changing the name isn't likely to change anything really. o_O The problem with appealing on the 'it's cruel and torture' line is that eating another animal isn't going to be nice. So trying to use the guilt trip method only has me looking at them like they need help.

I didn't see it on your list, but for romance and comedy mixed, [B]Lovely Complex[/B] is a good one to check out.

[QUOTE=Magus]Star Ocean - Last Hope, no doubt, looks good, but I need more info. Do you think this year will be as good as last year? What are some of the games that you're anticipating?[/QUOTE]I'm kind of looking forward to Star Ocean... I just need an xbox 360 so I can actually play it. From what little I've seen about it, the game looks like it will be great. Last year, I couldn't say. My schedule was a complete joke for playing games, I didn't beat a single one last year. I just didn't have the time.

I'm listening to [URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNLKeynTo5Q"][U]Meadowland[/U][/URL] by Amethystium. Just a fairly simple and yet relaxing electronica/synth song to listen to. It's something Beth sent me the link to since I'm not familiar with this group at all.

And two months later I finally posted. >_> I can't recall the last time I was so burned out. Still school may have started again but those weeks of zoning over the holiday did make a difference. Before I'd just stare at the page and my mind would go blank even though I knew what I wanted to write. o_O As I said before, I cut back on my responsibilities for this year so my schedule, though busy, is a lot lighter than last years. I don't ever want to repeat that again. EVER. Anyway... yay?

[CENTER][B]Beyond Windows[/B][/CENTER] Alex wasn?t really sure what prompted the decision to test how closely Astera and Adrian were bonded. He had been discussing just what was possible with Adrian and next thing he knew, they were out in the countryside carefully setting up a maze made only of white paint on the grass. People would perhaps see the paint, but they wouldn?t be able to see them. Adrian insisted on the isolation to keep any vampires from seeing it and that was fine with Alex. He?d rather not run into any of them period. If he had a similar bond with Nall, he wouldn?t want others knowing about it either. He turned his attention back to Adrian who was navigating the painted maze. He was carefully blindfolded and relying on Astera, who was sitting on the top of a small grain tower, to tell him how to proceed. Adrian was just over halfway through the maze when he came to a halt and just stood there. Alex imagined he was talking to Astera. ?[B]He?s going to end up in a dead end if he goes straight.[/B]? Alex noted. ?[B]I wonder if he?s deciding which exit to take.[/B]? Nall was sitting on his left shoulder. ?[B]If he takes the path to the right, it?s quicker than the one to the left.[/B]? Alex shrugged. ?[B]I?m not sure why he wanted to do this to show that the bond works like that. I won?t deny that I was curious to see it in action though.[/B]? Adrian had started up again, heading to the right. The moment he was free he pulled the blindfold off and turned to look back at the maze as the others joined him. There wasn?t a single smudge of paint on his shoes and Alex wondered what the humans would think when they came across the paint maze. ?[B]So why did you hesitate?[/B]? Alex asked as Astera rejoined the group. Adrian chuckled. ?[B]She wanted to take the left path and I wanted to take the right. We were arguing over which path was the quickest.[/B]? Astera folded her arms across her chest and snorted. ?[B]So remind me why we?re bothering with this again?[/B]? She said pointedly to Adrian, though the gleam in her eyes indicated that she hadn?t forgotten. Adrian?s eyes flickered over to her briefly before returning to Alex and Nall. ?[B]One of the things I learned on the other side was how to work when Astera is? unable to respond.[/B]? He shifted nervously. ?[B]Dealing with the vampires at the resort went smoothly, but you never know if we?ll end up separated.[/B]? Alex nodded. ?[B]True, we were separated by the Count. Did you have something in mind?[/B]? ?[B]I think we should create some training runs through the city itself. Only instead of just working with our familiars, I think we should mix it up.[/B]? ?[B]Like Nall going with you and Astera with me or even those two together?[/B]? Alex couldn?t think of anything for making a course but he figured Adrian at least had an idea of what to do. ?[B]Wait, I thought you didn?t want the vampires to see what?s going on?[/B]? He stopped as he finally got what he meant. ?[B]You want to use them as a point to avoid, since their movements are unpredictable.[/B]? Adrian laughed. ?[B]Well only as part of it, we?d still make courses and determine time limits. No matter what we do,[/B]? His expression hardened. ?[B]They?re going to know we?re training.[/B]? Adrian looked away. ?[B]It?s best that we avoid any confrontations anyway.[/B]? That was true, he hadn?t seen him since coming across Victor at Nathan?s apartment, but Alex was sure he was still around the city somewhere. His ability to pick up on vampires hadn?t changed and it seemed like the range was actually increasing. He didn?t really want to test it. Though the image of asking one to slowly walk away from his location so he could see when he couldn?t sense them anymore just made him want to laugh. Alex pushed the image aside. ?[B]True.[/B]? Alex found himself wondering just how many there were in the city, not that he really wanted to know, at least not at the moment. ?[B]I think nighttime would work best. Unless you want more people around, in which case we could do both?[/B]? Adrian looked up at the moon and then motioned for them to leave with a jerk of his head towards the city before he took off. He waited for Alex to catch up. ?[B]We can figure that out later. Let's start by doing timed runs from one side of the city to the other as a group.[/B]? Alex just nodded.

Yes I'm kind of starting the old discussion of video games and violence. It's kind of hard not to when you consider the article that is the focus behind creating this thread in the first place. Give it a read and you'll understand. [URL="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28623160/"][U]Teen convicted of killing mom over video game[/U][/URL] Now I personally don't believe that video games drive kids to commit violence. Rather I believe that there is far more going on and based on the article this kid used the game as an excuse. Apparently he was mad since they wouldn't let him play Halo 3 since he had a habit of literally playing games 18 hours a day. o_O If I was a parent, I'd probably want to try and do something about an unhealthy obsession like that. If you're playing a game that much, you don't have time for anything else. I'm not sure where things went wrong and I find the whole thing sad. It really gives the wrong impression about games when I'm certain that if it wasn't the game, it would have been something else. But wow, to plot to kill your own parents? That's just sick.

[QUOTE=chibi-master]Awww! The article didn't come up for me!:animecry: A~anyway...I guess the weirdest accident thing...well, does it have to have automobiles, or can it be four-wheelers, bikes and/or snowmobiles and whatnot?[/QUOTE]Hmmm, it works fine for me, don't know why it won't come up for you. Feel free to include other kinds of odd accidents. I'm sure there have been some really wacky ones with them too. o_O