Sabrina

[FONT="Tahoma"]I just started watching this show and so far I really enjoy it. :catgirl: The first episode was just so cute with Daisuke and his crush on Risa. But what I loved best was how Daisuke's mother had him going through some sort of [spoiler]obstacle course designed to teach him how to be a thief.[/spoiler] Oh did I laugh when he got to the end of the course only for her to hug him and say [spoiler]I'm so glad you didn't get electrocuted this time![/spoiler] o_O *laughs* That was just too funny! ^_^ I find the concept of Daisuke turning [spoiler]into someone else altogether kind of interesting. The phantom thief Dark![/spoiler] I swear, anime and all the weird ideas with transformations and such. It's fun but a bit odd at times. Also, the more I watch it (I'm on the second episode right now) the more I like the music, it's really pretty. Oh and With, the little sidekick that turns into [spoiler]Dark's black wings...[/spoiler] is cute. I love little mascot type creatures like that. Hehe.[/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"]Hehe. :catgirl: What a hilarious thread, even if I don't fully understand some of it. I found the first article and the one on spoiler tags and the last one the most amusing. XD [SIZE="1"][I]*wonders if she would be deemed a newbie*[/I][/SIZE] =P[/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"]Having finished Fruits Basket I just started watching DNAngel. I've only just started but so far it looks like it will be interesting. I rather like the thief aspect to it as well as how goofy and cute Diaskue is, his character just makes me laugh. :catgirl: Plus so far I really like the music for this show too. [/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"]I finally finished this the other day. :catgirl: I'm kind of sad that it didn't end in the sense that it's clear there is more to the story. I'll have to read the manga to see how things work out in the end. I wouldn't mind though, I just loved the whole idea behind the series so I'm sure reading the manga would be fun. Especially since there are characters that barely got introduced so I'd love to see more of their stories and how they fit into the whole deal. Anyway, overall I enjoyed it, enough that I'll probably re-watch it again sometime. If only for Shigure and his High School Girls routine! XD[/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"][quote name='Rachmaninoff']Oh and keep in mind... Konata is like a female version of Des... I am not kidding btw. Watching her in action is beyond hilarious.[/quote]Wait... what?!? o_O Oh my freakin' hell! *laughs wildly* XD Aceburner, if you like Yuri, just wait until you meet Hiyori. Hehe. She's so utterly wacky and totally insane. The things that go through that girl's mind. Hehe. [/FONT]

[CENTER][IMG]http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/9613/sabavixi1.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] It had been a long trip to get to Washington Prime for the launch of the Von Braun. Standing in front of the mirror in his expansive room in one of the city?s finest hotels, Viktor was still feeling a little tired on account of the change in time zones. The city itself wasn?t all that different from his home in Russia. Since the disaster, something that he himself knew next to nothing about, when rebuilding the cities they had instead followed in the rest of the worlds footsteps. Other than a few monuments all of the former Russian Federation was built like the rest of the world. A symbol of the unity they now shared. Viktor finished getting ready for heading to board the ship, ignoring the obvious distress of his personal assistant Misha who would be along for the trip. First official public appearance or not, he did not need someone to help him dress for the occasion. His black shirt of the softest silk covered by a white waist length jacket with a stand up collar, laced in gold trim, including the square straps for fastening it shut was more than enough for the press. Along with the black pants and dress shoes and black belt with a gold buckle, he was ready. ?[B]Don?t you think it would be better to wear something a little more fitting sir?[/B]? ?[B]Nonsense, father gave me explicit instructions to make sure people understand that we are here as guests. I may represent Ivan Enterprises, but like many of the passengers on the Von Braun I am here for the trip and not for business.[/B]? ?[B]Come Misha,[/B]? Viktor said kindly as he turned to head for the door leaving their suite. ?[B]It wouldn?t do for us to be late.[/B]? ?[B]Of course sir.[/B]? Viktor just smiled inwardly at how Misha was fussing over things. He had known him since he was a little boy since Misha had served the Ivanov family for close to thirty years. When his father had told him that he would be taking his place on the Von Braun, Viktor had requested that it be Misha who accompanied him on the trip. He had been pleased when his father agreed to the request. Now, as he got into the car waiting to take them to where the ship waited, it kind of felt a little unreal. Most of Viktor?s life had been spent on the family?s personal estate being tutored in all that he would need to know for when he turned thirty. That was when he would be taking over as the head of Ivan Enterprises. Even though he knew that supplies for the construction of the Von Braun had been donated to the cause, Viktor had not expected that to eventually lead to him being a passenger on the ship. He shoved the thought out of mind as their ride to came to a halt not far from the Von Braun itself. It was a marvel to behold and even more impressive up close as the massive disc-shaped ship was easily close to fifteen kilometers. Combined with how it just seemed to literally hover above the ground with no effort was impressive. Viktor had his own ideas as to how such a feat was even possible, but like all companies who had supplied parts and equipment for the construction of the Von Braun, Ivan Enterprises had not been given any specifics as to the actual construction of the ship. Its actual design was one of the most sought after secrets as parts of that were still kept classified from the public in general. Like other thoughts Viktor brushed that thought aside as well, he was not here to attempt to gather information on the design of the ship. The area surrounding the ship was packed with spectators, the press and other guests who were making their way to the Von Braun. A tiny part of Viktor had hoped to make it to the boarding area without being recognized, but within moments, if not for the security there keeping things orderly, he would have been surrounded by the press. He could have simply nodded and continued on his way to the ship but instead he put on his best smile and spent close to half an hour answering the questions that were presented. They were in his opinion forward to the point of being rude, though he dismissed that concern, since his father had warned him that others would behave that way, especially since so little was known about him. Then when it started to get a bit too personal he smiled charmingly and ended it. ?[B]Thank you for taking the time to welcome me so completely.[/B]? He addressed all of the reporters who had fallen silent when he started, bowing his head slightly, ?[B]As much as I would enjoy taking the time to get to know all of you better, I would hate to miss the flight of the Von Braun.[/B]? The crowd laughed a bit nervously at the statement and Viktor seized the opening to turn and continue to where several attendants were checking the boarding passenger?s identification before ushering them into the ship. Of course his credentials along with Misha?s checked out and before long the two were on their way to where they would be staying for the trip, their luggage already onboard as it had been sent over by the hotel early that morning.

[FONT="Tahoma"]o_O Prem, you are one weird dude. *laughs wildly* Anyway, I'd say you have your work cut out for you if you are to ever prove that Prem is innocent Aceburner. So get to work! =P[/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"]Just a quick note since the deadline has been changed again. ^^ Kathy asked for an extension plus I just realized that it's memorial day weekend. So if people want to have things due by the 27th that's fine by me. XP [/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"][QUOTE=Allamorph][FONT=Arial]I think it's rather interesting that Sarvel immediately called them "dead" spots, instead of "sick" spots. To my thinking, "sick" spots would be an indicator of how damaged the world was?from an Elemental's perspective. "Dead" spots would seem to be completely out of place in the living world, as if they were defying it for some reason. I think that that difference might bother Sarvel's subconscious for a while, providing I'm reading Elementals right. Also, that means that Elementals like Sarvel would probably have been used as Trackers during the War.[/FONT][/QUOTE]Exactly. She called the place sick and the dead spots odd. They're not the same thing to her. And yes it will be bugging her subconscious... after a while, if she doesn't find out what those dead spots are... she'll make a point of finding out. Especially if she ends up close to one, it will be her going... [I]just what the heck is that thing![/I] >_> Anyway, for now though, she's not worrying over it. Hmmm... that's a thought, that they would have been used as Trackers. It makes sense because Sarvel is of the opinion that unless there was a way to conceal it via magic, that's something you can't hide from her. Sensing it is instinctive and automatic for her.[/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"][quote name='Rachmaninoff]Anyway, I find it interesting that Sarvel seems to be able to sense [spoiler]vampires (those dead spots)[/spoiler] Those two had better not go looking for one of the dead spots or they'll end up in trouble. Though that could be a rather interesting way for them to find out that [spoiler]vampires[/spoiler'] are still around. Heh.[/quote]I figured that to someone like Sarvel that would be pretty obvious... the strange aura one would associate with a vampire. However, she has no real reason to think it's any form of threat, just an indication of how damaged the world is. It will kind of nag at her to wonder how in the world dead spots can move though. Logically, something like that shouldn't be able to move, at least not in the manner she is sensing. If they end up really close to one, she might get curious and check it out. But the city is pretty big so I don't see that happening. Besides, even if Phaidra and Sarvel are both good with magic, they have no field experience with it. Plus, an encounter like that would put her at a huge disadvantage, what with the element of surprise working against her. XP Whether or not we do anything with that is something that can be worked out later on. Right now I have no plans to do anything, I just wanted to get that in there, the fact that Sarvel was sensing odd dead spots. :p[/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"][quote name='Raiha][COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]But since I figure everyone here is young and thus immortal, nobody cares and will continue to drink their drinks and plan on living forever.[/FONT'][/COLOR][/quote]Young perhaps, but immortal... if only. XP Anyway, I don't really consume stuff like soda, coffee or energy drinks. Plus I have this little thing called the Word of Wisdom that I was raised on. General gist of that being: Any beverage that contains ingredients harmful to the body should be avoided. However, a lot of food out there, besides beverages, have ingredients that aren't exactly good for you. Oh well.[/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"]I went ahead and put in a bit of what Sarvel's impression of the the city was. She dislikes the feel of the city a lot. I find it a bit ironic that she found the capitol back in their world calming and soothing while Nathan disliked it. And yet on Earth, it seems that the feeling is now reversed, he probably feels more at ease where she does not. Anyway, I can always change or modify that bit about the pollution bugging her if I need to, just let me know... :catgirl: Also... we need[I] moar[/I] Karl being smug! That last post made me laugh a lot. XD[/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"][CENTER][B]Melody of the Wind[/B][/CENTER] Phaidra did not mind leaving to check out the city while Nathan and Lucia discussed whatever it was they needed to. There was nothing dangerous that she and Sarvel had to worry about when humans couldn?t see them unless they wished it. Unless it was necessary, she had been told during training that for the most part it was best to not associate with humans. They were of course allowed to do as they pleased, to a certain extent that is. Once she and Sarvel were a few blocks from Lucia?s place they found a spot on one of the shorter buildings where they could sit and watch the humans hurrying about. It was surprisingly busy and rather chaotic the way they went about their business. Many of the humans were out enjoying a late dinner, others doing some shopping while other groups were heading home with the day coming to a close for them. That was another concept that would take getting use to, the notion that sleep was required. It was odd to realize that they spent a third of their short lifespan in sleep. Shinigami did not require it, though they could sleep if they wished to or needed to; but to actually need sleep was something that rarely happened. Once she had her own place she would have to give it a try to see what it was like. ?[B]I don?t like this place.[/B]? Sarvel stated from her spot where she was sitting on the edge of the building to the right of where Phaidra was also sitting. ?[B]It?s sick.[/B]? Phaidra just nodded, that too was something their mentor had explained before they left. They had told them that the contamination from human technology was likely to be unsettling to Sarvel. Elementals were highly sensitive to their environment especially when it involved the element that they were; which in her case, was Earth. Though unlike elementals that were not familiars Sarvel would not be adversely affected by it; there were certain advantages to becoming immortal after all. ?[B]We can look for a place on the edge of the city or surrounding countryside if that would make you feel better.[/B]? ?[B]If you don?t mind, I?d prefer it.[/B]? ?[B]Of course I don't mind, it?s not like we need to be within the city limits in order to do our job.[/B]? Phaidra pointed out. ?[B]We can always relocate later if we really have to.[/B]? Sarvel?s ears twitched a bit in the soft breeze that was blowing from the south, ?[B]Or I can always use my human form if it bothers me too much.[/B]? ?[B]True, but I thought you preferred your current form.[/B]? ?[B]I do, but unless I?m working magic, it doesn?t really matter.?[/B] Phaidra turned her attention back to the humans who were hurrying about in the city. From the look of things she would be better off staying invisible until she understood how things worked. Sarvel would be staying that way most if not all of the time anyway, there was no reason for anyone to see her and one of the odd customs her mentor had explained was that foxes were not considered domestic. So passing her off as a cat like Lucia did with Ruby wasn't an option. The longer they were there, the more the flow of humans started to slowly trickle off. By their notion of time it was well after ten o'clock and though there were still plenty of people up and about, the sense of so many souls resting was a feeling that was unmistakable. It made sensing those who were up and about much easier. [I]Interesting.[/I] ?[B]At least the wind has a nice melody.[/B]? Sarvel settled down a bit. ?[B]I don?t like the odd dead spots in the city though. Dead spots shouldn?t be able to move.[/B]? ?[B]What do you mean by dead spots?[/B]? ?[B]There are spots in the city that give off an odd aura as if they would harm life.[/B]? Sarvel shrugged, ?[B]It would be easier to just show you by hunting one down.[/B]? ?[B]Did you want to do that now or later?[/B]? ?[B]Since it?s probably related to that contamination our mentor spoke of, I see no reason to do it now.[/B]? Sarvel settled down even further, resting her head between her front paws. ?[B]I?d rather stay here and enjoy the wind.[/B]? Phaidra just nodded in agreement and turned back to watching the humans.[/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"][quote name='CrimsonKnight][COLOR="Red"']i was wondering if anyone still believes you can love some one as soon as you see them. [/COLOR][/quote]I am going to assume that you are referring to someone you have never met before, that upon seeing them it is your first time. Under those circumstances love at first sight is in my mind impossible. In order to love someone, I think you have to know more about them. To think that it can happen in an instant is something I think cheapens love and turns it into an everyday common occurrence instead of something beautiful, profound and everlasting. Now perhaps if it is someone you’ve have had some form of contact with, whether it’s online, growing up or even at work. Later on I could see that moment of love at first sight in the sense that you’ve looked at each other and realized there is more than just a casual acquaintance or friendship going on. That would be your magical moment of realizing that you loved that person and upon doing so, you realized it was “love at first sight” And by love at first sight I mean that instead of going into the phase of wondering if you really care about them or not, you know them well enough to realize it’s more than just a feeling of attraction or lust or other possible feelings. That ties back to what I was saying about you have to know them to love them though. [/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"][quote name='Desbreko'][color=#4B0082]There was [url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-05-08/original-staffers-plan-lucky-star-video-for-summer][u]another news article[/u][/url] that said the OAV will be released this summer and that the main staff from the TV series are returning to work on it. Good news, especially since summer isn't far off, but that's all I've heard so far. Now I'm curious about how long it will be.[/color][/QUOTE]I'm always up for more Lucky Star. :catgirl: I'm curious about when the actual release date (like will it be June, July or August) will be as well as how long it will run. I was hoping they'd make a second season but this sounds like fun too. Oh and I love that image you posted Darren... *saves it* Konata's so cute! [/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"][B][CENTER]Obscurity[/CENTER][/B] I was shoved into darkness, a bottomless pit where my fall was unending. My screams were loud and clear yet no echo or sound of anything else could be heard. How had this happened? What force brought me here? Unexpectedly I was bombarded by a brilliant shining light. I found myself lying in my bed. [/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"][QUOTE=Rachmaninoff]Speaking of pictures... Or in this case avatars, specifically Sabrina's. The rest of us Beth, after discussing it a bit, have decided that the saying on that doesn't really fit Sabrina at all. Now Lucia on the other hand... [IMG]http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/8779/luciaavatarvu8.jpg[/IMG] [SIZE="1"][I]*ducks*[/I][/SIZE][/QUOTE]Hehe. XD It may not fit me, but it does fit Hayate... That avatar with Lucia is fun though. :catgirl:[quote name='Allamorph][FONT=Arial]Unless there're things [I]other[/I'] people want to hit also.[/FONT][/quote]I just might post again, a bit with Phaidra and Sarvel out in the city. Sarvel is saying that she's definitely picking up on how much the human method of building and living contaminates the Earth. She most definitely does [I]not[/I] like it and if not for being a familiar, she would not stay in the city at all. It also raises the question of whether or not other elementals, if any are even left on Earth, are severely affected by the changes in the environment. I am getting the impression that because of being a familiar, on some level Sarvel is now immune to the effects that would have, but if an elemental was still on Earth and not a familiar to a Shinigami... I get the feeling that it would not be able to live in the city at all without the contamination affecting them adversely. So, what are your thoughts on that? Sarvel is of the opinion that another of her kind would be severely affected. That of course would lead to them finding a spot to live that was as far away from humans as possible.[QUOTE][FONT=Arial]Patrick had better not be investigating Victor. It'll offend the poor man, and you saw what happened [I]last[/I] time. :p[/FONT][/QUOTE]I can just see what he would say if that were the case and he knew about it. Though considering how nosy he is, if someone was investigating him, I bet he'd find out before the person checking him out even knew he was on to them. So before he clobbered them, or whatever he would do, he'd be saying something like this, in a very innocent [I]how could you even think that I require being checked into[/I] look: You are tso [I]cruel[/I] to me.... :D[/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"]I'm pretty new to the series since I didn't really start on it until the past few weeks when Rach loaned me his first and second season boxsets. I can definitely say that I'm pretty hooked on it. :catgirl:[quote] I was fond of Christopher Eccleston, but as soon as I saw the first Christmas Special with David Tennant I knew that he was going to be something spectacular. He's incredible at being this quirky genius-type character, while also being able to make his performances incredibly tear-jerking at times.[/quote]That's what I thought too, even though I enjoyed watching Eccleston play the doctor, I really love how Tennant just seems to[I] be [/I]the Doctor. Now that I've seen the first two seasons, I'm really looking forward to seeing season three and eventually season four. I know I could follow along... but I really want to see season three first since I hate skipping ahead and having things spoiled. XP[quote]I'm also a fan of Torchwood, the spin-off with Captain Jack Harkness - although it is more based on the paramilitary side of things. There are some great characters in it, though, and I thoroughly enjoyed both series of it.[/quote]I've been curious to check that out actually, good to hear that it's actually worth looking into. [/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"][QUOTE][SIZE="1"]In other words, it requires very careful [I]interpretive[/I] work, in the same way that my past person would have to rack his imagination in order to understand the internet. And this is, so far as I have understood it, [I]exactly[/I] what the creationists wish to deny. They claim that the most obvious reading is the [I]only[/I] one we should ever consider. It's as if I were to describe the internet as "like a kind of unembodied writing or drawing which can be called to appear on any sheet of papyrus in the world, and be instantly erased to call up more whenever the owner wishes," and the person who heard this then denied any possibility of monitors or keyboards because I had specifically said "papyrus." So, to be clear: I'm not denying that we should read Genesis 1 and 2 as a creation of some kind. I'm saying that the particular group of readers called "creationists" are limiting how we should understand these passages without good justification.[/SIZE][/QUOTE]Well obviously not everyone who believes in the theory of creationism is so rigid as to think it has to be 100% literal. That's probably where the root of the confusion over the first statement on your part came in. Many of us are most definitely not so literal minded when it comes to understanding how we ended up on Earth in the first place. I think this is a case of perhaps those you are use to dealing with, giving the impression that all of us think like that. Which is far from accurate. [quote name='Nerdsy][color=deeppink][b]No.[/b']We are not children, we should be able to have a discussion without someone holding our hands with some placating disclaimer.[/color][/quote]Uh I disagree, you've missed the point completely. The very heart of the discussion [I]is about semantics[/I] or at the very least some of the semantics involved in reading and understanding the Bible. I really don't care if someone thinks I'm a fool or a brute, but it is pointless (in my opinion) to waste my time talking to someone if they've decided before I even state my opinion that it is foolish. We are not children and therefore should have the intelligence and the maturity to take a step back and realize that we not infallible and incapable of wording things in a manner that would be misunderstood. And someone who is mature has no problem with clarifying their point as Fasteriskhead already did. What [I]is childish[/I] is thinking that it's okay to question the semantics of the Bible and yet not the wording of the other person who is discussing it at well. I want the discussion to continue, but if there's something I'm not agreeing with, I am going to try and get that clarified before I continue.[/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"][quote name='Raiha][COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Congratulations. Now all homosexuals can be just as miserable as the rest of us poor straight people.[/FONT'][/COLOR][/quote]I think you need your own special tag, like that Kuja one, only in your case it would mean... take note! Raiha is being sarcastic, facetious and ironic like always! :p Anyway... even though religiously I should or rather my religion seems to think I should object... I think it's not my place to make that decision for others. So though I'm not for it and won't vote to get something like that passed... I won't vote against it either. [/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"]For some reason I've been browsing youtube and checking out intro music to different video games. o_O At the moment I'm on this song from Kingdom Hearts [URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN7fKazMraA"][U]Click![/U][/URL] Some of the stuff I've found has been fun to listen to, like this song. But some of the other stuff hasn't been all that great. XP[/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"][QUOTE=Fasteriskhead]You're right, I should do that. Okay, then: I apologize for not being sufficiently clear. In the passage you quote I meant the creationist reading, not the readers themselves. I'm sorry if I caused offense with my vague formulation, as none was meant. Hopefully folks have a better idea of what was behind that statement (imprecise though it was) from my previous two posts. So, shall we continue the conversation? I've given my own reasons, and I hope to get some good ones in return on why I may be wrong.[/QUOTE]In all honesty, I'm not really looking for an apology per se, but as Rach said, getting clarification from you as to what you are trying to say. Because if someone really thinks you are a fool... then there really is no reason to have a discussion is there? ^_~ So, with that out of the way... I'll move into answering the questions and to tackling a bit of what you brought up. I won't be covering all of it for the simple reason you have made references to things I have not read, but I will at least try to make my own standpoint more clear. [B]1. If you believe in God, why do [i]you[/i] believe?[/B] I do and explaining that belief isn't simple in the sense that my belief is not based on proof. As others have rightly pointed out, proving God exists isn't something that is very doable. At least not with our limited understanding, something I will get to later on in my post. [B]2. Why do you think [i]others[/i] believe in God?[/B] I think Jeremiah covered that one well enough so I'll not bother to repeat it. [B]3. The most popular conflict between faith and reason is usually on the evolution/creationism controversy. What?s your take on the issue? Can science be compatible with belief? Do you accept evolutionary theory?[/B] I have no problem accepting both. And before you say "what?" stop and think about it. We are supposedly talking about someone who understands all of this and how it works. So with said knowledge, why couldn't that someone, in this case God, create life and yet leave things to take the process of evolution or even set things up so that they would do so without any further guidance on their part? Like question one, I will be answering this one a little more in a bit when I answer one of Fasteriskhead's points. [B]4. What do you think are the most compelling arguments to [i]not[/i] believe in God? Or, what do you think are the greatest challenges to peoples? faith.[/B] I don't see any compelling arguments to not believe, at least not from my standpoint. Obviously a fair challenge is the lack of proof as Indi pointed out, but faith is the belief in things that cannot be proved. [B][i]for instance; some people think the existence of evil, in light of an all-powerful, all-good God, is a tough question that theologians don?t have a clear answer to and may lead people to non-belief[/i][/B] Ironically I think Indi covered that one the best too. It's too easy to think that evil shouldn't exist when I honestly find the idea that bad things shouldn't happen rather silly. SunfallE touched on that briefly since she use to be a member of the same faith I belong to. Evil, in all forms, whether it's what we consider morally wrong or the more natural process of death, is something that attempting to remove would in my opinion create an unbalance in the world. If we really are here to be tested and learn, then what kind of test would it be if the very thing that would "try" you the most was removed? It wouldn't be one at all and our purpose here would be rather meaningless. So in the end, it's only something that would lead one to disbelief (in my opinion) if they were looking for that easy road that had no challenge to it. [B]5. Do you think there is such thing as ?reasonable faith?? Or, do you think they are in conflict?[/B] I find this concept a bit silly really, at least from what I've read up on it (which isn't a lot). [B]6. Lastly, if you believe in God. What evidence do you have in favor of your belief?[/B] I already touched on this, faith is a belief in something that cannot be proved, at least not yet. We aren't to a level of understanding that would theoretically open the gates to understanding God. So, like many others who believe, I go by my faith instead of treading down the scientific path in an attempt to get there. Anyway, time to tackle this again, but in a different manner this time around. [quote]Please forgive me if I am even [I]more[/I] skeptical of someone claiming not only to have [I]the[/I] reading, but also that no other interpretations are even [I]possible[/I]. [/quote]I'm not sure if I completely get what you are talking about in the claiming to have the only reading possible. Perhaps others might be saying this is how it is and there is no other possible meaning, but logically something should only have one meaning if it's to have any serious claim to truth. Anyway...[quote] For this, it seems to me, is what I'm hearing (and please correct me if I'm misunderstanding). Forget about the question of whether it agrees with science; forget even about whether it's [I]true[/I]. To hold that the scripture "just says" that the Earth was created by God in exactly seven days (meaning: exactly 168 hours, or 10080 minutes, or 604800 seconds, etc.) some 4,000 years ago, and that that's the only possible way to read the section, seems to me to [I]willfully ignore[/I] all problems of biblical interpretation.[/quote]I only have one thing to say to this, though I will at least attempt to give some form of analogy to explain my answer... which is... Why not? Why couldn't it have literally been just like that? Let me try to clarify a little. For this particular analogy I want you to pretend that you have been tasked with explaining the Internet to someone from back in that time frame (never mind that time travel is unlikely). How would you do this? How would you explain how such a thing even works? Do you honestly think they would even begin to grasp just what is going on? Chances are, they just won't get it, period. They would lack the basic foundation or rather knowledge necessary to even begin to grasp it. A good percentage of even people today don't fully understand how it works, myself included. So someone from that time frame who didn't understand electricity or communications or other forms or technological advances that we take for granted, would most likely be baffled and even frightened by the idea of some web that essentially covered the world and let people talk to one another within a matter of seconds (like one does when they use something like AIM). So what would you do? If you were someone like God, isn't it possible you'd explain it in simple terms or use an analogy that they could grasp? Yes it would be highly inaccurate but at the same time, there isn't an explanation that they would have understood. The idea would be to at least let them have a means to understand it to the best of their current ability. I mean look at us today, we don't get it either since the only thing we seem to be capable of doing is attempting to force our understand of someone like God into our own limited understanding. And realistically, that just won't work, we lack the knowledge to do so (in my opinion). Anyway, I hope that at least clears up why I choose to believe the way I do. [/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"][CENTER][B]Death Cake?[/B][/CENTER] It was a little startling at how easily this Nathan picked up on things, at least to determine something so specific as to realize that she was studying in the first place. She wondered just what about her appearance or manner gave that away. She certainly hadn?t said anything that would have given that away; or had she? Phaidra put it out of mind and paid attention to the conversation instead, to pick up on what she could about Nathan and Isen. She tried to pay attention to Lucia?s reactions as well since other than a few odd looks, she remained oddly quiet through most of the brief exchange. That of course had Phaidra wondering if it merely was just a desire to be alone or something more. Most people she knew were not so closed mouthed, to the point, and well? rude. It made her wonder if other than to take care of her duties as a Reaper; she never did much of anything with humans or others of her kind. Reluctantly Phaidra finally stood up, reaching for the dishes to take them into the kitchen and deal with them. Lucia made her feel so uneasy where chatting with both Nathan and Isen made her feel the exact opposite. She was already sorry that the short time conversing was coming to a close. Phaidra was brought back to what she was doing when Isen took the initiative and picked up hers and Nathan?s dishes, as if expected, while Nathan engaged Sarvel in conversation as the two of them headed to the kitchen. ?[B]So Sarvel, is this your first time in mortality as well?[/B]? Phaidra only caught the edge of her initial yes to the question before the door leading to the kitchen area closed behind her and Isen. ?[B]That?s really not necessary,[/B]? she said with a smile, indicating the dishes. ?[B]Nonsense,[/B]? Isen replied firmly as she took all of the dishes from Phaidra before she could object. It was clear that she was no stranger to a kitchen since within a few minutes, Isen had them all taken care of, only pausing to hand them over to her to be put away when done. Phaidra was a bit hesitant to continue the conversation, even if it had been rather pleasant. She was a guest at Lucia?s place after all and continuing to do so could be considered rude. She was about to indicate that they should head back to the main room so she could take Sarvel and go and check out the city, when a thought crossed her mind. With a smile she opened the fridge and pulled out one of the containers with the already prepared cake inside it. She closed the door and before Isen could wonder what she was up to, Phaidra firmly placed it into her hands. ?[B]Take that with you, I?ve more than enough and I?m sure you and Nathan would enjoy having it for tomorrow.?[/B] Isen just nodded her thanks and the two went back out into the main room just as Sarvel was finishing up a bit on how Phaidra focused on offensive magic and she on the defensive side of it in their studies. Lucia was still sitting to the side and being impassively quiet, giving little to no input into the conversation at all. As if picking up on what she was thinking, Sarvel stood up and motioned politely to both Nathan and Isen before hoping down to the floor to walk over to where Phaidra was standing next to Isen. ?[B]It was a pleasure to meet both of you,[/B]? she said formally. ?[B]If you?ll be so kind as to excuse us, Phaidra and I were planning on taking a moment to check out the city a bit more.[/B]?[/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"]I love cats and have one myself, a tabby cat. Well my parents have him since I can't have one at the basement apartment I'm living in and even if I could, I wouldn't since my roommate is horribly allergic to cats. I kind of miss him though since he's such a curious thing, always poking his nose into everything. I'll have to see if I have a picture somewhere so I can show you what he looks like. Oh and because of his curious nature I named him George. :p[/FONT]

[FONT="Tahoma"]If by DB you are referring to that vulgar member... then I second the idea to do him in! Kill DB! *cough* I mean [U]save that poor boy[/U] or at the very least find his killer and put them behind bars where they belong... >_> [SIZE="1"]or not...[/SIZE][/FONT]