Gavin

[SIZE="1"]Oddly enough I'm mildly pleased about this turn of events, although Pein's attack on Konoha is looking suspiciously like a Hulk attack on New York what with the tiny amount of casualties. I think the idea behind the resurrections actually makes sense, Naruto managed to rekindle Nagato's lost faith in his quest to bring peace without "Pain". Not only did Naruto being him in battle, he was able to beat his ideals. Now that Nagato realises this he wants to make sure Naruto continues to believe this way and rewards his faith in the form of resurrecting the people he killed at the cost of his own life, Nagato dies like a hero as he intended and gives Naruto the belief he can bring even the most lowly fallen back to the path of good. Given that Sasuke is just about to attack I think this idea of faith, friendship and peace makes all the more sense. And no, in this case Kishi isn't as bad as Kubo who just trolled his whole damn fandom with his latest move.[/SIZE]

[quote name='chibi-master']One of those hippie vans. You know, the ones with engine troubles and a peace sign on the front? That is my dream car. Oh, yes.[/QUOTE] [CENTER][IMG]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3063/2502468833_f645c9b0a0.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [SIZE="1"]Well pre-Hippy-isation I suppose, but yeah I've always been a fan of the Volkswagen Type 2 T2, particularly now that I've entered college and live close enough to a decent beach that when we get good weather I could duck out of lectures and take my girlfriend for a getaway. Admittedly doing a business course I also want to down a Rolls-Royce Phantom at some stage. ^_^;[/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]Again cynically I'm going to point out that everything we'd heard about this case up to and including Patten being devastated (and the real father having a BSOD) has come through the media and poor angelic eight-year old looking Patten was never but going to be the perfect father, even more so now considering the child wasn't his. His parents, who were the ones to state the boy's devastation were the same ones who wanted a TV-deal to cover the revelation of the parentage of the baby, so excuse me if I take it with a few million grains of salt. Of course maybe I'm being too cynical and the lad really is devastated that the baby wasn't his after bonding with her, and if I'm wrong then fair play to the lad for actually stepping up and showing responsibility and it's a shame the baby wasn't his when the real father evidently can't deal with it.[/SIZE]

[quote name='Aaryanna']:blulaugh: [FONT="Tahoma"][COLOR="DarkGreen"][B]EDIT:[/B] o_O So apparently we can just post a single emote now.... O_o [/COLOR][/FONT][/QUOTE] [SIZE="1"]. [color=#ebebeb]No, it's not a dead pixel[/color][/SIZE]

[quote name='KawaiiSakura'][COLOR="DarkSlateGray"][SIZE="2"][FONT="Tahoma"]oh man. I must be so old. I joined in 2002. It is now 2009. I am 21 years old. well in two days. So do the math![/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE] [SIZE="1"]Heh don't worry about it, there's still a few of us from that long ago knocking around the boards to this day, always good to see people come back even if it's been a couple of years.[/SIZE]

[quote name='Botar'][color="darkgreen"]"[spoiler]I ramed it up my **** and turned it on full blast[/spoiler], Thats what I did with the broom stick."[/color][/QUOTE] [CENTER] [IMG]http://www.flashmyspacecomments.com/comments/animated/other/Batman_Joker_Heath_ledger_Comments.gif[/IMG][/CENTER]

[quote name='SunfallE'][COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"]Well I've seen it and I'm of two minds about it. I'll start with what felt off. Biggest thing was Nero. He was completely and totally underwhelming. Second part was... [spoiler]since when was a mining ship, regardless of being from the future, powerful enough to wipe out entire fleets?[/spoiler] That just didn't sit well with me during the entire movie. Especially since what [spoiler]mining ship is that heavily armed?[/spoiler] I'm sure someone can justify it, but that was the one thing in the movie that struck me as being dumber than hell. =P [/FONT][/COLOR][/QUOTE] [SIZE="1"]Yeah that was one of the things that struck me as being odd as well but it's addressed (how well is up for debate) in the prequel comic series [url=http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Star_Trek:_Countdown][b]Star Trek: Countdown[/b][/url] which answers a lot of the unanswered questions of the movie relating to the original timeline. On a side note [spoiler]woot that Data pulled a Spock and became the Enterprise's captain.[/spoiler][/SIZE]

[CENTER][IMG]http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oufPapEZMa8/SRQjMq7MalI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/KgCgGzKY7Cg/s400/potter-broom.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [SIZE="1"] Can't...breath...laughing...to...hard...[/SIZE]

[quote name='Magus']Because he's Batman. Trained in the art of stealth... And stealth is not in Naruto.[/QUOTE] [SIZE="1"] In addition Batman has had better writers actually capable of making sinister and frightening enemies (Joker) while Naruto's never quite reach that point, or they do for a little while and then slide down to become emos with a tragic past.[/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]Not as much as James Marsters looks like Piccolo. [/SIZE]

[quote name='Ace'][FONT="Comic Sans MS"]IS THERE ANYONE IN THE UNIVERSE WITHOUT A CLAIM ON THIS OLD BASTARD'S HEAD?[/FONT][/QUOTE] [SIZE="1"]No.[/SIZE] [quote name='Ace'][FONT="Comic Sans MS"][IMG]http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n72/Aceburner85/Naruto448page12-OneManga_1242982974.png[/IMG] Which I interpret to mean that Kishi just doesn't give a crap anymore. I mean seriously, question mark?[/FONT][/QUOTE] [SIZE="1"]It's quite easily explained Ace, the Riddler has branched out into hiring ninja goons. [/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]While I'm hoping Shota-taicho's new ultimate move doesn't work (or backfires for a laugh) I have the awful feeling we're about to witness the end of the current fight between the 3rd Espada and the 10th Division Captain with a victory for the latter. As you say Magnus if Hitsugaya does indeed win it will destroy any credibility left among the Espada unless Stark and Barrigan turn out to be the only two Vasto Lordes. Interestingly enough there's debate on over what number Barrigan actually is, granted the number 2 is the only one yet to be shown, the fact his number has yet to come up and the sheer power of his abilities lead one to question if Kubo has been hiding something (much like Yammy).[/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]I have to agree with Allamorph, I think the biggest problem with Nero is that he simply wasn't given enough screen-time to develop his character in comparison to the rest of the cast. It's a pity really because Bana gave quite a strong performance otherwise. As for the sequel if he manages to keep a fairly tight pacing to the movie then I certainly wouldn't mind a two-hour feature the next time.[/SIZE]

[quote name='Allamorph'][FONT=Arial]Got a silly math problem forwarded to me in the email today. Along with it was a general statistics statement: [INDENT][I]It is said that Engineers take 3 minutes to resolve this, Architects 3 hours and Doctors 6 hours.[/I][/INDENT] It took me a little over forty seconds, mostly because I got caught up in some math from [U]A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy[/U]. (Base 13 stuff; I'm a nut, I know.) 1, 2, 6, 42, 1806, ______? Have fun.[/FONT][/QUOTE] [SIZE="1"]Damn it Al how dare you make me look at a series based maths problem at 2:08 am. By the way the answer is [color=#ebebeb]3263442[/color]. I know this because my last maths teacher loved brain teasers like that and would routinely throw them at us.[/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]You know as cynical as it sounds, I'll bet young Patten is off somewhere profusely thanking whatever deity he believes in that he wasn't the father in the end. While I wouldn't go so far as to say I've lost some of my faith in humanity, I'm certainly hoping in the future hunting licences will be issued to cull morons like this before they breed to out of control levels. Idiocracy cannot be allowed become a reality.[/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]You know I don't believe we've had a favourite sandwich thread before. Hmm funny that. Personally I'm a sucker for toasted club-sandwiches which I eat out for lunch, chicken, bacon (yes bacon makes any sandwich even more awesome), lettuce, onion, pepper with marie-rose sauce between two slices of toasted white bread. Sure it's probably one of the least healthy sandwiches in the world but damn if it doesn't simply taste divine. I suppose I'm fortunate in that I'd never actually go to the trouble of making one at home then. ^_^; Normally though it's just chicken, pepper, onion and a dash of mayo on white bread with a cup of tea to wash it down. Simple and quite delicious.[/SIZE]

[INDENT][SIZE="1"][CENTER][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Dawlish_Almagest.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Esther.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] To say that the remainder of the board had been unimpressed with Dawlish?s unilateral decision to grant a personal tour of Icarus? production facilities nestled in the inhospitable centre of the Vide desert to a dozen-strong group of Czenovian and Anovan journalists would have been putting it very lightly indeed. Aside from the annual inspections by international medical, scientific and technological regulatory agencies, the only non Icarus personnel to be granted access to the plant had been exceptionally high-ranking dignitaries on an invitational basis only. The roars of protest had apparently reached down two floors before the Chief Executive had convinced them of his logic behind the move, and even then the ill-feeling that the weapons manufacturer would not benefit from this exposé unless Dawlish managed to blind them with his good-humoured charm lay barely contained beneath the silence. In the end however they were forced to accept his decision and pray this latest eccentric act would work itself out for the betterment of the company. She?d dashed up to him as he withdrew from the boardroom, her hair drawn back roughly with several ruby locks decorating her face and a stack of hastily gathered together papers held tightly in her elegant arms. Esther?s pursed lips, scowl and knitted eyebrows informed him that this going to be a rather terse conversation among professionals rather than a lovers? quarrel. Brusquely handing him the documents she fell into step alongside him, and he prepared himself for the coming onslaught. ?[b]These are personal and professional reports on the twelve journalists you?ve invited to this little soiree, including any past pieces they?ve composed on Icarus, Magitech or similar companies as well as a brief psychological profile to give you the best possible chance of avoiding this catastrophe in the making.[/b]? He paused, briefly perusing each sheaf on the reporter in question before returning them to the already irate secretary. ?[b]These won?t be necessary Esther, although I do appreciate the lengths you gone to to prepare them for me. Unfortunately even if they were necessary the delegation arrives in less than an hour so I doubt I would have time to properly memorise them after getting ready.[/b]? The momentary silence between them broke as she dropped the collection of pages to the pages to the floor in horror. He voice fell to barely above a whisper as she drew herself up in front of him. In all the times Dawlish had seen Esther angry, she had only been this furious with him once before. ?[b]You absolute fool. How can you take something like this so lightly? These people are not technicians inspecting machinery and workers attention to health and safety protocols, their opinions carry considerable weight in both Anova and Czenovia and you treat this as if it?s some sort of [i]game[/i] to you. Take this man for example:[/b] She grabbed one of the bound sheaves roughly off the floor and threw it at him. ?[b]Alain Delacroix, a twenty year veteran with [i]Le Moniteur[/i] and hard-liner against further economic co-operation with Czenovia or any company of Czenovian origins. Last year he produced a searing indictment against our company in the wake of our successful bid for an increased import quota for Anovan Silver, he said and I quote ?[i]It is a sad day when Anova prostitutes Herself by trading Her silver to be used by a war-criminal to perpetuate his violence against this civilised world[/i]? and this is the sort of man you believe you can win over to your side ?[/b]? Staring at the harsh creases of Delacroix?s face even in the relatively neutral expression of the photograph gave testament to his vitriolic tongue. Sighing he bent down and began to scoop up the littered pages into an orderly fashion before politely offering them back to his assistant. ?[b]You forgot to mention he also served in the Mine Wars where most of his unit was killed fighting in the desert here in Vide, his survival and subsequent biography making him something of a national hero. As well as that he is a close ally of the opposition leader Dominique Villette whose party has been making gains in recent political polls and favour a cooler relationship with Czenovia economically.[/b]? He paused as she took the papers back into her hands, her scowl having faded as his expression grew sterner. ?[b] To answer your question, no I don?t believe I can win a man like that over to my side, however if I simply cherry-picked twelve journalists who would universally laud my company then I can say with relative certainty the veracity of the reports would be viewed with a rather cynical eye if not out-rightly dismissed. I?m sorry Esther but I really must go get ready now if I am to present my life?s work to these people.[/b]? As Dawlish strode away down the marble hallway she chastised herself for forgetting beneath his amiable and carefree personality her love?s mind never stopped working every angle of every situation he was presented with in life. ?[b]As you can see ladies and gentlemen, our production lines are among the most advanced in the world and constantly updated and upgraded in keeping with Icarus? mission statement to produce the finest quality magitechnological products, at the most affordable price while ensuring the safety and welfare of every one of our workers. [/b]? ?[b]And what monstrosities does this particular line birth if I might enquire Monsieur Almagest, that it?s workers if sadly not it?s victims are kept safe from?[/b]? ?[b]I would hardly describe any of our products as [i]monstrosities[/i] Monsieur Delacroix, though as you have asked this particular line is tasked with assembling the new T-16 Patrol Intceptor for use by international police services to replace the previous model designed by Magitech Corporation. I believe the Anovan government has already ordered thirty-six units, as thanks to the Anovan silver alloy used in the design process to replace the old steel alloy have allowed us to reduce the overall weight of the vehicle to make it quicker, more agile and more responsive to the pilot and thus safer to fly. Without such trade this breakthrough could not have been made.[/b]? Glancing down at the factory line, the Anovan?s lip curled visibly. ?[b]Perhaps you mean to say such a breakthrough could not have been made by Czenovia.[/b]? ?[b]Perhaps you?re correct Monsieur, but this way both nations reap the benefits.[/b]? ?[b]Hmpf. I note you have yet to show us any overt weapons development Monsieur Almagest, this is, is it not what your company is famed for?[/b]? ?[b]I?m proud to say that since founding the company Icarus has been successful in branching out its operations into every facet of magitechnology production so that weapons development has simply become one aspect of our overall business portfolio.[/b]? He paused, knowing such a response would not satisfy the man. ?[b]However our weapons development facilities are located deep underground so that in the event there are any potential problems they can these areas can be sealed off to safeguard the rest of the facility. If you would follow me I will continue the tour in that section although you will have to change into protective gear first to ensure your, and the department staff?s safety.[/b]? Delacroix had already made up his mind about the substance of his article before he?d even touched down in Vide. A legacy of hatred against the scion of a bloodline that had been responsible for so many of Czenovia?s victories during the Mine Wars, who had successfully built economic relations with his homeland and shrugged off the shackles of history. Hopefully however the others would prove more open-minded. The protective suits were functional for their task; although not very comfortable he had to admit. Dawlish had become somewhat used to them after hours spent labouring down in this section of the labs, but for the journalists he hoped it would motivate them to leave sooner. ?[b]This area is used to manufacture our E-11 infantry rifle for military and riot-police use, while the E-11 has shown proud service both within Czenovia and abroad and we have spent three years refining and updating the rifle?s components we hope to have the prototype E-15 ready for mass production by the end of next year.[/b]? Several of them scribbled notes hastily onto notepads, he?d forbidden the use of video or sound recorders for obvious reasons, it was unlikely any of them would have enough technical knowledge to sell prototype secrets to competitors and he had intentionally kept his technical terminology to a minimum. After only twenty minutes two of Delacroix?s colleagues had suggested a return to the surface, the majority of the group agreeing with the sentiment something Dawlish was more than happy to acquiesce to. As evening set across the sun bleached desert sands Dawlish was finally able to wave off the journalists on their return journey. The tour had been exhausting mentally, Delacroix never once letting up on his subtle or unsubtle jibes in the hope of tainting the opinion of his peers. Thankfully it seemed as if he?d had little effect although the coming days and weeks would prove the truth of the matter with the publishing of the articles. Her hand slipped into his as she leaned in against him, the amber rays casting a shadow against her face that accentuated its beauty to an almost angelic quality in her eyes. ?[b]I?m proud of you.[/b]? That was all he wanted to hear.[/SIZE][/INDENT]

[quote name='Mykul']So does anyone know anything about this live-action TV series that's rumored to be in the works? It has a page up on IMDB, but I was completely unaware that anything like this was being planned.[/QUOTE] [SIZE="1"]From what I remember it's supposed to bridge the 17 or so year gap between Episodes III and IV and feature some of the actors from the movies in their former roles, Boba Fett apparently getting quite a bit of screen-time to develop him. That said if Lucas writes and directs again I'm sure we can look forward to dialogue and pacing on-par with the prequel trilogy. :animesigh [/SIZE]

[QUOTE][SIZE="1"]It's easy to imagine city officials salivating over the prospect of raking in millions from students [B]who take advantage of city services but don't pay their way[/B].[/SIZE][/QUOTE] [SIZE="1"] Yeah because as a college student I sure as hell don't venture into the main part of the city on a weekly basis to buy groceries, clothing, or other requirements on a city bus and spend the remaining part of what limited income I have after rent like any other resident. As James said we already pay enough in revenue from VAT, sales taxes and the income the locality gathers from property taxes on our landlords. Honestly this reeks of greed from city officials using the economic downturn as a way of justifying pushing through legislation like this. On a side note hearing Aaryanna curse made me go O_o [/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]I've got about half a post written involving Dawlish giving a tour of the Icarus' main production facilities in the desert between Anova and Czenovia to a group of journalists. I should have that finished tomorrow (damn writer's block) and up by tomorrow evening at the latest.[/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]Bit of thread necromancy fufufufufu. I've been playing [b]Age of Conan[/b] lately with several members of my guild from Warhammer Online after the final RP server closed. If anyone happens to play on the Hyrkania [RP PvE] server (because the level of ganking on the PvP server is a joke) give the Cimmerian Conqueror [B]Gabhain[/B] a shout for some RP fun.[/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]Right now I'm listening to the soundtrack of [b]Age of Conan[/b], in particular a piece which plays during the Conall Valley segments of the game called [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWC554j9gJ0][I]The Dreaming Anew- Memories of Cimmeria[/I][/url].[/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]Debates on whether the Spy's video was leaked in keeping with the nature of the character aside, this is the best "Meet The"video yet. [CENTER][YOUTUBE="Meet the Spy"]c9xUdmA_DDI[/YOUTUBE][/SIZE][/CENTER]

[quote name='Allamorph'][FONT=Arial]You know, I understand the general sentiments and intent behind most church marquee blurbs, but some of them are downright foolish. Like, I passed one last night on my way home, and . . . well . . . "The Bible is a banquet, not a snack tray." . . . AHH HA HA HA HA OM NOM NOM[/FONT][/QUOTE] [SIZE="1"]Maybe it's just that it's 1 am and I'm in desperate need of sleep but I found that absolutely hilarious. Nice one Al.[/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]Morbo's take on the science of Star Trek: [CENTER][IMG]http://zeitgeistglee.250free.com/StarTrekMorbo.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER][/SIZE]