CaNz

I didn't know there was more! I guess I have a new manga to read   I was a huge fan of Read or Die but then Lilt made me read her favorite, 20th Century Boys, and I fell in love with it. I was happy, scared, worried, and at all times empathetic towards all the amazing characters, and the story was top notch.

I do still think the game is fun, but I am never going back to playing like before. Maybe I will hop on with friends from time to time, but once your eyes are open, its impossible to close them again.   My case isn't a baseline, but no one was telling me I was doing something wrong... so I basicly had a solo intervention... put forth by my computer and my recently opened mind. I think it would be quicker with help.   The game itself isn't too addictive, so playing a game or two is far different compared to drugs. The issue comes from letting it shape your lifestyle... and it can only do that if you are unaware of how it effects you.

AlLa, when you aren't in teacher mode I learn far more. I only read Petie's quote at the end because I couldn't find the original post. (navigating on the xbox browser can be tricky) but unless the post contained all that background info I doubt I could have possibly infered that. Most of what you talked about seems to predate myself greatly. Now that I think about it though, even back then I rarly talked to James, Adam, Shy, Gavin, Dagger, and even Petie was much harder to find until he dawned the crown. Your story fills that mystery up very well.   I do not see how my arguement is totally off though. I was blaming you, which was wrong since you merly said the majority thought it was site cancer, not specificly you yourself. I made the grave error of asuming you supported the polocy that you were invoking. However, as you yourself said, it was probably just a scapegoat.   I also think having it being a shared status update place, or as you said, another facebook is a good thing. I have quite a few 0B members FB accounts as friends. I think I may have even sent a freind request to you once, but that was after years of talking and new members could never get that. The first week I got here I was posting on PRP, testing the waters of OB.   Personaly, I have fond memories of that room, and I am certain I would not have made half the connections I made here without it. The mundane thoughts frequently spewed along those padded walls were a clear reflection of our real lives... and I feel like it brought me closer to an already well established group than I could have hoped to find by any other practical means.   You do have a valid point in there though. 2 months probably means nothing, but maybe we could decide on a good amount of time to decide on if its death had a positive impact or not.     DES! I'm glad you are still around. There are a few animes I was hoping to get the chance to talk with you about. As for now though I am glad you are on the side of reason.   It would make sence if I needed more years. I think I did all 2000 posts in around 2.5 years. No need to check though, times have changed.

So DnDNext came out a while ago, and I have still yet to play it. I probably play dnd once a month, but I do have a lot of fun when I do. Its probably unlikely, but has anyone here tried it?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=648OQFMaq9w[/youtube]   There is an overwhelming amount of content for these popbots. This means there is a lot of good songs, but also a bunch more of okay/bad stuff. My solution to this is just posting a bunch of our favorite ones so that we can all enjoy them!   This one reminds me a lot of the Scott Pilgram side scroller game, and is easily my favorite.  

I also tend not to watch games I bet on. That's just a good way to pop a blood vessil from rage or be totally stressed out when the game is close.   The half time show wasn't terrible or anything. I can't say I like Katty Perry either, but it was far from unwatchable. The fight however was an eyesore. I doubt anyone could question the drive or skill of either team, but that idiotic tussle reflected poorly on the players.

My addiction to porn has never been crippling, so I didn't feel it was worth mentioning. I am still pretty neutral to the futer thing. Being teased can get old, but the joke kinda became bigger than just me.   The reason I came back was because of the massive whole left in my free time once I couldn't play anymore. It still took a good three months for me to come back here.   As for your friends you may wanna talk with them about it. I was playing on average 3-4 hours every day, but they could still be hooked but have less free time than I did. I think the best method would be a test. tell them not to play for just one month.

It was a fantastic game. I could tell by the end of the second quarter that both teams really were playing their hardest. The actual decisions made like you said were not always the best, but they were certainly putting as much as they had into the game.  I wish I cared more about the two teams, but other than the Seahawks crushing the 49ers (my team) in the normal season and my cousin liking the patriots I really didn't care much about the outcome. In the end, the team I rooted for won though, so I am happy.

I think you might have been putting a little too much blame on PRP for the sites lack of activity. Since it closed there certainly was not a huge turn around. Also now that I am here there is a person willing to defend it. I think PRP usually ended up like a shared status update for most people, things not worth starting a thread for ended up there, and sometimes lead to fun but short discussions. Secondly there was no strive for dominating the spotlight with your semi unimportant post because it was always near the top due to mass participation, and the mass participation lead to more semi important stuff getting viewed.    Without it, you probably pruned out a good amount of short, unsatisfying topics, but I doubt it really generated much more fantastic content for the rest of the board.    The status updates kinda work the same way as PRP, but there is a limit to how much you can write, and they aren't shared. There is also no guarantee people will read or respond to them since it isn't as popular of a thread, nor something that will constantly be at the top of the page when there are 10 or more people participating. Basically I don't think its shoes really get filled by the rest of the forum. GD as a whole seems like it would, but some things just don't seem worth saying if no one reads them.      Also good to see you again Shy. I haven't heard from you since The Mansion

I am glad to see the tech being used somewhere, but I still feel that in order for Solar power to really be considered a thing, private owners would need to be buying. Large projects like that are a step in the right direction though.   Personally I would like to see Solar elevators like in Gundam 00, (but without the wars following their construction if possible)

I'm not sure if this actually counts as talking tho...   Also why did you have to go and get the padded room thread shut down while my back was turned?

Hey, don't frown! I did still admit I missed talking with you! You could probably hold that over my head and say "wish I could say the same," or just tell me to google something like usual.

Update from the future!   So it seems like solar energy was a bust. Solar cars never became a thing, and I don't recal any major solar panel breakthroughs. I checked the Sunspot  Initiative, and other than a 50  million dollar deal nothing interesting comes up. Seems like they just can't figure out a way to sell them to the public (and I can understand why)   The thing is, with both USA and China looking to reduce carbon emmisons in10-15 years we will probably be looking for replacement energy sources. What are we gonna use? Will solar energy get another chance?

It was a joke... Its funny because I couldn't possibly get it through post count, and it would be repeat of the old situation but worse!   I know, its painfully funny. There were a lot of people here I missed talking to AlLa. You were firmly placed on the bottom of that list. ;]

Maybe I should strive for Site Manager!

So I just noticed I got the cool Seinor rank. I was working really hard to get it for years, but now that I randomly come back and its their I feel like I didn't earn it.   I actually took it pretty seriously back then. I would count the senior otakus I surpassed in post counts, and make new goals. 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500... I was planning on going as high as it took. Kinda seems like the american dream... work hard for an unatanable dream, or maybe don't try and get it handed to you.    

I loved both of the FMAs... and I think its better that you watched it later. watching the original series in highschool probably messed me up a bit.   As for comparing the two... I agree with Petie, The ending comparison puts Brotherhood on top. There is something the original holds over Brotherhood. The slower pace allows you to really fall in love with the characters, and makes you feel twice as bad when they die. I was emotionaly crushed for days after a certain guy recieved his two rank promotion.

Okay, this one seems more like a person getting ready to take a barfight outside than anything storm related. I could be wrong though.

Interesting. To me it feels like a poem about a person who chooses a robotic, ritual based lifestyle over going out and living life to the fullest.

geez, we still haven't moved past the Mass Effect series? Maybe I didn't miss as much as I thought.   Currently I am playing Final Fantasy XIII-2. I was a fan of ff13, so I always wanted to play it, but poor sales and reviews kept me away. I recently got itt for 10$ on a xbox live sale, so I decided it was time. The game is really good.   Other than the cutscenes the graphics took a step down. no more smooth panning camera, fluid walking animations and sweet acrobatic jumps, but gameplay wise its across the board improvement. It has a non linear flow, pokemon like capture system, improved role shift system an AI, and no more stupid equipment leveling postgame.    You don't get many human party members, but all the playable characters are good... just don't expect to play as Lightning... I know she is the symbol of this game, and on all the art... but its just never gonna happen so don't feel let down. That said I loved all the cameos from ff13 party members. It was all great fanservice, and done in a way to add epicnes to the story. oh and the music was amazing. If you ever wanna laugh check out Hybrid Chocobo theme.

I wonder if our feedback would be read if I only post here. I will send an email later if this topic is closed. I remember their being a "shameless plugs" thread you could post in to seem less like a robot. I will respond here anyways because I think its a good idea.   Puzzels with high quality art from big name animes would probably sell. Anime already has plenty of things for fans to buy... but something like that could replace posters on peoples walls. I wouldn't say anime fans are all intelectuals that frequently purchase puzzles, but most seem to like games, art, and supporting shows they love, and putting it on desplay.

Welcome SweetButtercup, Yu-Gi-Omg, HoSo(sorry... its a 4 letter name thing) and Guardian8. If you give OB a shot I am sure you will like it.      As for me, I am not new, but like so many before me I am back after a long absence, and I claim to come here more often. I can't guarantee that this time will be different, but I am gonna try really hard to be just as active as I was!    My main computer is currently down, but when I get it running again or replace it I will be doing banners again for people who want pretty things for their signatures. I specialize in large, obtrusive ones, but I am flexible. If you want a sleek design let me know and I can work with you. If any new members want one feel free to PM me. This is a free service by the way. 

I would like to join to if I could DeLarge, its been a long time since I have RPed with you, but I sincerely miss it.    Name: ROY RODRIGUEZ   "I suppose I can chat for a while, but just call me Roy, I hate being called Adoctrinar. "   The Geist labcoats were testing the waters. People with a mental condition can be fragile, so they were going to start with the easy questions. "How old are you?"   Roy was calm for the time being. He had been away from his gun for a little too long for his liking, but at least they allowed regular intervals with it. "I am 35, I am from Texas but lived primarily in California, I am 5 foot tall and 5 inches, I weigh in at around 165 pounds, and I love plums. Anything else? Gender perhaps?"   "What is your hurry? Its not like you have somewhere to be." They of course knew his situation well, and were knew that contact time would be soon.  They were already prepared by having him wrapped in a straight jacket.  Strangely enough, they use the one he brought in himself. Its secure, and other than the kevlar lining, and odd color scheme its fully functional. The jacket itself is black, and it has a hood that could zip up into a mask. On the  hood itself its mostly the solid black color, but there are generous eye holes, and the mouth has a grey filter that is shaped to look like menacing teeth.  under that is black jeans and a tank top, he sometimes wears protective leg gear, a gas mask, or any other adornments that the situation requires.    Roy was unfazed by the teasing. As long as he got to have his gun for a while nothing they said or did mattered. "I do have somewhere to be, or rather, somewhere I could be. A trained sniper with my special weapon makes a handy support in assassination missions, though I wouldn't be able to kill them alone if they are metahuman."    The Geist labcoat ruffled through his clipboards, locating the relevant data. Finally he was streaming the interview. "You definitely could be a valuable asset as an assasin, but we are more interested in using your powers to make metahumans look frighting to the public eye. Your gift is quite rare, so we are inclined to accept your offer to help."   Roy couldn't help but laugh, "My gift! Oh yes, a poison that that constantly alters my mind to the point of psychosis, and its tendency to spread via contact. What a lovely gift. Most people with half a mind would return said gift to sender, but there are no refunds, all sales are final." The light mood quickly shifted to somber. "This curse of mine  ruined my life. Being able to make someone temporarily go insane does nothing good, and making that curse into a Sniper rifle just makes it bad for a lot of far away people. but then again its smug A**h***s like yourself that lets me keep pulling that trigger and never miss a wink of sleep, so thanks for that."   Roy was starting to get aggressive. Perhaps it was more than a little to long since he held his gun.  The labcoat brought in a nylon duffel bag and set it on the table.  He immediately pulls out his custom Beretta 501. Other than its moving parts, the gun was comprised entirely of the metallic element Ad: Adoctrinarium. The metal was cool to his touch. Immediately Roy aimed at the window and pulled the hair trigger. No shot was fired though, as only a fool would hand a psychopath like him a loaded gun and no target.   "That metal definitely doesn't help your personality much Roy," as if the words muttered by the labcoat triggered a feral instinct Roy split the table in two by slamming the gun down with all his force.     "MY NAME IS ADOCTRINAR!"   The room was silent except for the heavy breathing coming from Adoctrinar. He is not a very physical man. He can easily move around his rifle,  and has the fortitude to fire multiple rounds, however he lacks any real bulk or definition, and has a mediocre aptitude for aerobic exercise at best.  After 5 seconds or so he takes a seat,  still holding the gun like a club. "That probably didn't help my odds of getting on the team" He lets out a sigh   "We are aware of your instability, and we will only permit you to use your gun for combat situations. To put the matter bluntly, we can't turn down your deal. You have useful powers, and we need people like that for the future we are building. Most of us here are debating rewarding criminals for possibly killing heroes, but you are different."   "Well I'm insane, but not an idiot. You couldn't have me running around unchecked.  There is no way you'd choose me...  But I REALLY wanna kill some heroes. I dreamed of seeing them in a pool of their own blood, helpless. I wanna be part of that future reeeeal bad. I don't need  a get out of jail free card to do that you could kill me when the missions over for all I care, just let me at them."    The labcoat motioned in the guards. Adoctrinar reluctantly handed over the gun. The effects of the metal would still continue for another two hours, but that  was usually the limit to how long the effect could last. Soon Roy would be back, and they could continue the conversation where they left off.    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++   Okay! so there is my general character, I really liked the idea of doing the Audition in story form, but I haven't done that before so I probably wasn't clear enough and I also wasn't able to add everything fluently so I am also just gonna do the normal layout too.   Name: Roy Rodriguez.    Codename:  Adoctrinar    Age: 35   Gender: Male: (I kinda wanted it to be a female, but there are a ton of them in this group so far, and being male myself means I am better at them)   Height: 5'5"   Weight: 165lb   Appearance: I will edit one later on, but in general he is a Hispanic man, not very weathered, since he spent most of his time in a laboratory. He wears a special straight jacket, usually undone with the sleeves rolled up. he wears all black, and the hood on the jacket becomes a mask with an eerie grey mouth that looks like teeth.   Specialty:  His power makes him exceptional for Defameing missions, which should be his primary job, but he can support in assassination missions due to the long range of his sniper rifle.  Superpowers:  He is able to temporarily turn anyone with an mind a resonance with his own mind using the chemical he created.  He also made the sniper rifle, and memorized the process of creating the chemical and destroyed all hard data of it. The rifle itself is made of the metal, and is impossible to wield without poisoning the user and making them go insane. the poisoning happens at the atomic level,  so clothing does little to help against it, except for nylon, which has a dampening resonance, which prevents its spread, an shortens the symptoms time.  Basically he has a sniper, that shoots bullets, and if you get hit you go  crazy like him.    Special Skills: Other than being a great shot with a sniper, especially in his insane state, he is a  chemical engineer and speaks Spanish as well as English.  He is very smart so planning attacks could be considered a skill.    Equipment/Weapons: I definitely think this constitutes as a special weapon. The weapon has the power, not Roy himself, but the gun is more like an extension of himself when his personality shifts.    Personality Profile:  Roy when intoxicated by the gun is crazy. Psychopathic killing machine who loves seeing people in pain, and desperation.  He follows the plan, but isn't too great at improve because he isn't that smart. Roy while sober on the other hand is very clever, and though he isn't friendly, he would get along fine with the team.  He is generally well mannered unless he goes too long without touching the metal. Roy also is fairly loyal, and doesn't lie  much. Finally Roy has nasty withdraw symptoms. If he goes too long without the metal, his mind is driven into a semi psychotic state where it tries to recreate the insanity caused by the metal. This leads to Roy having the same murderous impulses, but the cognitive function of his better side. This of course can be a deadly combination, and the effect lasts longer depending on how much time between doses passes. The effect might even become permanent if done for too long, and the Geist would not want him to have that kind of power.    Anyways I will write a solid backstory piece soon, and hopefully have  a clearer image  to add to this.  Thanks a bunch!

So, I would like to begin by saying I am sorry. I probably minimally disappointed many people, and majorly disappointed a few good friends when I stopped visiting this site. I got a few calls, texts, PMs, and IMs from some of you, encouraging me to stay in touch... but I ignored them for the most part. I responded, but I distanced myself. The fact is, I got addicted to something. I only just realized this week how addicted I was. This is no excuse for being a bad friend, but try to understand none of it was intentional. I didn't know it could be addictive, and other than consuming my free time, it seemed harmless... but it wasn't.   I lost a lot of things due to the addiction. money from theoretical work I could have done, personal growth I may have achieved, and pretty much any bad thing that happens when you waste time. I do think the worst thing I did was abandon you guys. I stayed in touch with my RL friends because it was easy, and some shared my habit, though none to my level of addiction. I did gain things through it, but not enough to justify the cost.   I have beat around the bush pretty well. If you know me, you know my addiction wasn't drugs. I never did them before, and other than the occasional beer or wine, I hardly drank. Cigarettes fall into the same category as drugs, and most things like exercise and gambling don't take up enough time to prevent visiting 0B and The0. Frankly, if people knew what I was addicted to, they'd have told me to stop... but it was a sneaky, hard to fault addiction at first. I became addicted to League of Legends.   I probably just made a lot of people bust out laughing, or made people mad because they were genuinely concerned. I am not lying though. The game has a very high skill cap, competitive and robust player community, and the games last 40 minutes generally, more so if you include the 5 minutes to start a game. I played every day, sometimes all day long. This should start sounding like WoW addiction at this point, and it was just like that. Unfortunately I didn't know the risks like I did with MMORPGS. It didn't destroy my life, but it made me far less productive, and had less time for my friends and family. I even made the choice to play the game over going to this site or The0 chat. I clearly remember talking to Molly, and when she asked me why I wasn't around, I said something like, I spent a lot of time on The0, and it just isn't as enjoyable as my new game. That was probably a red flag. If I said I just wanna spend more time tripping on peyote she'd have said something, but games are supposed to be fun, and good, and playing them a lot is a sign of a great game.   I can see why no one was concerned. I didn't even know I was doing something wrong. How did I break the addiction? I broke my computer, and I am saving money to buy a new, really good one. So far its been three months. I had a few monetary hiccups, so my shiny new computer project is taking longer than I anticipated. I still can browse the internet on my 3ds or xbox, play games, use email... but I can't play LoL anymore, or not easily at least. the first few weeks I would sneak in to my roommates room when he was at work and play a game to keep my ranked score from declining too much, removing the logo from the start menu, and returning the room to its previous condition. I forgot the start menu thing a few times, so I am sure he found out [actually he probably knew I was addicted before I did, and like a typical guy he never voiced his concern]   After spending two and a half years playing the game, making multiple accounts, and joining competitive teams, where I'd spend hours working on game, mechanics, I lost a lot of time. I now am following current events and politics again, researching things on the internet again [mostly science channels on youtube, but not exclusively] I am cooking more, spending more time with friends, exploring media I was neglecting [like anime] and in general doing better as a human.   Why I got addicted is kind of still a mystery. lots of games I play are fun. I have 600 hours on pokemon X, but I don't feel addicted, and it was easy to stop playing. I feel like it has to do with the competition involved. Winning feels great. I would bask in the glory of a good win, and that is what made the difference. The game length also played a part, winning rock paper scissors is fun and intense at times, but its done in a minute, and achieving victory and defeat that quickly lowers the worth over time. no one wants to play that all day. The game was also reaaally good. complex and customisable... just the way I like my games   . Anyways, feel free to comment here about the topic. We can talk about my addiction, or any addiction you have dealt with. You can also call me a jerk, since I totally deserve it for leaving like I did. Once again, I am truly sorry.