Sandy

[quote name='Desbreko'][color=#4B0082] Right now I'm looking into a good way to make a Detach myOtaku Account feature. It can be done by removing the necessary profile fields but if we make them editable then people would be able to put in someone else's myOtaku name and user ID. So I'm trying to learn a little PHP, to make a form (like a button or something) that, when submitted, would just clear those profile fields.[/color][/QUOTE] That would be great. I deleted my myOtaku account a while ago (hadn't used it for over a year), but the link leading nowhere is still up...

[quote name='Premonition'][COLOR="DarkSlateGray"]Who does he think he is?[/color][/QUOTE] Tyler Koregaten thinks he's a state alchemist from Germany, so he's pretty much lost all credibility in my eyes. Don't eat what the troll offers, Prem. ;P

[quote name='Flagg'][SIZE="1"][B]Ah but we already have sexual education in schools and would you not agree we already also have plenty of teenage pregnancies, cases of HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases, and guessing from your true story comment boys asking why their testicles don't fit inside the condom. And please don't lash out at me and start the name calling I hardly think my ignorance is the topic of discussion here.[/B][/SIZE][/QUOTE] I'm sorry if I sounded like I was calling you names, but that really was a genuine question: how ignorant can you be if you think that sexual education doesn't make any difference in terms of young people's sexual behaviour? Sure, it might come down to the [I]quality[/I] of the teaching, as indifference mentioned, but learning this stuff from an "expert" rather than from pornography or misinformed friends is priceless in many situations. What I'm saying that sex ed doesn't automatically remove all teenage pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases, but without it there'd be [I]a lot[/I] more of those cases (just think of the sexual life in the third world countries). No amount of education can remove ignorance in some people.

[quote name='Flagg'][B][SIZE="1"]Seriously as human beings we got along just fine loooooooong before we started sex ed in school. To argue the issue anymore would seem pointless to me so just do whatever the majority of the population wants to do and call it fair.[/SIZE][/B][/QUOTE] [I]Seriously[/I], how ignorant can you be? If people would do just fine without any type of sexual education, we wouldn't have teenage pregnancies, HIV or other sexually transmitting diseases, or boys asking why their testicles don't fit inside the condom (true story!). Where else would you learn about your bodily functions, the effect of hormons or what's normal growth in puberty if not in health education? As to do whatever the majority of the population does in terms of sexual orientation, ignoring your own feelings and how you were born... I'm just glad we gay people are slowly getting away from the opression and misery that has lasted for centuries. [quote name='Gavin']Maybe we should have that thread on what age kids learn sex-ed at, because honestly I think at ten, they are a bit young.[/quote] In my job I've learned that the right age for kids to learn about sex is when they start asking about it. Some kids do it when they're five, some aren't interested until high school. Of course [I]how[/I] you teach it varies according to the age.

I think some of you people are seriously mixing up "teaching kids what homosexuality is" to "teaching kids how to be homosexuals". The case is obviously about the first option, and you shouldn't get all worked up about it. It's not like homosexuality should be the "private matter no one should discuss" like some people still seem to think. Like researches show, 1-10% of population belongs to the GLBT-minorities, so you cannot make that amount of people invisible and nonexistent. Kids (and adults alike) need civilized, well-informed knowledge about us instead of biggoted, prejudiced gossips they might learn elsewhere. All information isn't equally truthful, remember. ;P

Fan [I]girls[/I]?! Yuck! XP Now if it was a pit of rabid fan [I]boys[/I], then I'd be extatic... ;D Thanks, anyway, for the highly enjoyable spin-off story, Beth, it really shows that you have enjoyed the game itself as well (you surely wouldn't have dreamt about it in any other case), and I hope this story worked as a morality boost for the contestants still in the game. ;D

One more suggestion I'd like to throw into the mix, since I really liked the subforums when we had them. ;D How about if the subforums to AL and Hardwired were not based on franchise or platforms, but rather [B]genres[/B]? I think that way there'd be a good amount of subforums that would cater to almost everyone's taste (threads that don't fit the genres could be left in the main forums, such as threads about uncategorizable anime and gaming platforms). *is left dreaming about a roleplaying videogames forum*

I [I]so[/I] have to give this a try! [quote][CENTER][B]Identical Twins Born On The Opposite Sides Of The Planet[/B] [img]http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2006/02/twinsGR210206_450x300.jpg[/img][/CENTER][/quote] [quote][CENTER][B]Insight Interview: [size=3]Day In The Life Of The Loch Ness Monster[/size][/B] [img]http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2007-06/01/xin_010604010641277377715.jpg[/img][/CENTER][/quote] [quote][CENTER][B][size=5]Black Sheep:[/size] "There Were Bits Of Wolf Flesh And Fur Everywhere!"[/B] [img]http://www.contemplayshuns.com/Assets/images/black_sheep.jpg[/img][/CENTER][/quote]

I played [I]a lot[/I] when I was a kid (and still in my preteens). I used to immerse myself into my own imaginary world for hours and hours. Oh the adventures and the worlds I came up with... Before school, I was a really girly boy, and I had [B]My Little Ponies[/B] and other girls' toys. Then they changed to [B]Turtles[/B] figurines and [B]Legos[/B] - lots and lots of legos. I also played with thsoe miniature figurines I got from [B]Kinder Surprise Eggs[/B]. Alas, the Ponies were given away when I found out I was a boy (;P), the Turtles my mother sold, and the Kinder Surprises got lost when I left home, but I still got most of my Legos at my granny's place (she's the one who used to buy me those). My dearest toy is also my oldest, a stuffed WWF snow leopard called [B]Leo[/B] (duh! XP). I got it on my third birthday, and here he still is, sitting next to me on a bench with a whole sleuth of much newer stuffed animals I've gotten from my boyfriend (they each have their own name, personality and voice, just to add a freaky detail). There are also other toys in my current appartment, such as ten Final Fantasy figurines (not really playable...), a Biker Mice From Mars figurine (Throttle), and a half-painted Munny. So yeah, I miss my childhood and the innocence of it...

That was [I]so[/I] non-canon that I didn't know whether we had suddenly transferred to a Final Fantasy RPG or one about Pokémon. XP It was a great scene, just... not very "Harry Potter"-like. Even the casting of the spell was totally different (though I assume they uttered the magic words silently). Anyway, I really truly hope that everybody wouldn't suddenly become Summoners as well. There are already enough Animagi to fill the quota of the generation (the power is supposed to be extra-rare...). ;P But I'm just nitpicking here, it's good that you and Zeke are brave enough to add something original (or in this case, borrowed) to the series. ;D PS. Oh, and the fire genie is actually called [I]efreet[/I], the name Ifrit is almost only used in FF.

[quote name='Gavin'][SIZE="1"]Sandy, in your last post you reference Herbology as being the morning's first class. I probably should have made it clearer in my last few posts but the Duelling Club/DADA demonstration for the school is going to take up the first two classes. If you wouldn't mind, could you edit your post accordingly.[/SIZE][/QUOTE] Oh, it's for the[I] entire [/I]school? I thought it was only for those [I]in[/I] the Duelling Club. I will edit my post, then. ;P Speaking of edits, [B]Blayze[/B], Albus Potter is in his [I]second[/I] year already, since this game is taking place one year after the epilogue of Deathly Hallows (where he was entering his first year). So... do you mind changing that bit? (He could still be as wet-behind-the-ears as the dialogue describes, in my opinion.)

[COLOR="Teal"]At the breakfast table next morning, the Slytherins were discussing about the fate of the poor Drucilla Scamander. The news soon spread out to other tables, and the whole Great Hall was suddenly buzzing nervously. Medea heard all sorts of theories thrown into the air. [B]"Well, she [I]was[/I] the great granddaughter of Newt Scamander, you know, the author of [I]Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them[/I], so maybe she was petrified by a basilisk or something of that ilk."[/B] [B]"Or maybe she was poisoned by Professor Conroy - they say she visited her during the summer. Well, it [I]is[/I] a possibility!"[/B] [B]"Such a tragedy - and she was kinda hot, too! What, why are you looking me like that?"[/B] [B]"You don't think that the Dark Lord V-V-V-... Well, [I]You-Know-Who[/I] is back?!"[/B] [B]"That's what you get for being a Slytherin..."[/B] Macleigh, a Scottish boy in Medea's class, slammed his fist on the table. [B]"I can't listen to that bullshit anymore!"[/B] The tall boy stood up and marched out of the hall. [B]"Poor Mac"[/B], Gringela Wanders sighed, stirring her tea absent-mindedly. [B]"They really hit it on, he and Drucilla. Who knows, they could've become an item this year..."[/B] [B]"Oui..."[/B] Eclaire concurred, tying her long blonde hair into two braids with grass green ribbons. Medea just shrugged. She wasn't going to let this... incident interfere with her studies.[B]"[I]Anyway[/I], the big showdown duel between the professors Conroy and Corvidae will begin shortly. I don't know about you, but I think I'll try and join the Duelling Club. Gives me the perfect chance to work on my Charms, it does."[/B] Gringela and Eclaire both just stared at her as she finished her plate. [I]"If they think I'm being heartless, so be it"[/I], Medea thought. [I]"Messing up my studies won't bring Drucilla back."[/I][/COLOR] [SIZE="1"][B]OoC:[/B] Hopefully I got it right now, Gavs. ;D[/SIZE]

First of all, you have some appalling driving habits! XP I think you made every mistake that a beginning driver can make during that trip (unintentional speeding, losing control of the vehicle, not paying attention to the road or the signs, carelessly shifting lanes, trying to use a cell phone while driving (where's your hands-free, man?!). Of course I'm being a hypocrite here, since I don't even have a driver's license (nor have I ever actually driven a car). But enough about that. You're right that with great power comes great responsibility - and a great temptation to abuse that power. Corruption of officials is a sad, sad thing, since it brews uncertainty and mistrust among the citizens towards the government. It's also quite a vicious cycle, there's not an easy way out for the officials themselves (with the pressure from the peers etc.). I'm just glad I'm living in one of the world's least corrupted countries (a researched fact), but I'm not stupid enough to believe there wouldn't be any of it here. In fact, the higher up the stairs of power you go, the higher the chance of encountering corruption gets, at least to my experience.

To me it sounds that your mother is under a lot of stress, so you really should not push her anymore than necessary. Death threats (especially towards your own children) are of course inexcusable, but I think she realized that, since she walked away. So my advice is to be nice to her, no matter what she did in the past. After all she sounds like she actually cares about you guys - something that cannot be said from all mothers. As for my family troubles? Well, my alcoholic mother's in jail for manslaughter. 'Nuff said.

[font=Century Gothic]It's funny how no one has cared enough to let [I]me[/I] know they've lost interest... (well, Jamie did, but I thought I got her talked out of it. ;P ) But really, this is the second- or third-to-last challenge (depending which team wins), and you guys are quitting me [I]now[/I]? 8/ C'mon, Survivors, where's your will to [I]survive[/I]?! Your will to battle to the last man/woman? I am aware that losing the "roleplaying"-element from the series for this fourth part wasn't a wise move, but that can't be the only reason why the interest is fading, can it? So please, talk to me, people. Let's sort this out so that this game can finally come into conclusion and we can all move on with our lives. ;D[/font]

[quote name='Disenchanted'][size=1]Hope its ok that I mentioned that Slytherin house had the least number of students sorted into it and Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff had the most respectively. [/size][/QUOTE] I have no problem with it, I think it's only natural, somehow. Anyway, I wanted to bring some shadow over the glee of starting a new school year with my latest post. The death of Medea's roommate could relate to whatever events you have planned for the game, Lionheart. That was also a cue for some student-teacher interaction with our characters, Jamie. ;D

[COLOR="Teal"]Medea followed Chris Crouch and her cohorts to the Slytherin Dungeon, walking about ten feet behind them. She listened to Krystia's endless chattering and Martha's musings, and took note that Chris was mostly quiet. She watched the sixth-years disappear through the enchanted stone wall. It got shut before Medea could reach it, and she suddenly realized that she didn't know the password for that year. She would have to go find a prefect... [B]"[I]Black Pegasus[/I]"[/B], said an amused voice behind her. The stone wall opened, and Medea spun around to see Tom Sinton gesturing her to step in first. [B]"Thanks, Tom, much obliged!"[/B] Medea said with a mocking curtsey, and walked through the opening into the common room. It wasn't a very welcoming place. The fireplace with serpent motifs and the house crest above it only barely lit up the room, and the sturdy baroque chairs were a real pain in the buttocks to sit on. Medea parted ways with Tom and went to the dormitory which she shared with three girls. But she only found two, both openly crying. One of the beds was missing, as well. [B]"Eclaire, Gringela, what's happened?"[/B] Medea asked, rushing to her classmates sitting on one of the beds. [B]"Oh Medea, somezing 'orrible 'as 'appened!"[/B] Eclaire Jolie, who had transferred from Beauxbatons last year, exclaimed. [B]"It's Drucilla"[/B], Gringela Wanders sobbed, referring to the missing girl. [B]"We just learned that she's... dead!"[/B] The dark-skinned girl bursted into a loud bawl. Medea learned that her classmate had gotten into a freaky accident in the summer, and had died to her wounds at St. Mungo's. Medea felt her heart getting heavy. She had not been as close with Drucilla Scamander as Gringela and Eclaire, but she still felt something missing. Then the door to the dormitory opened, and the impressive figure of Zeta Conroy, the Head of the Slytherin House, glided in with an empathetic expression on her pale face, obviously bringing them the news they had already heard.[/COLOR]

[quote name='Ezekiel'][SIZE="1"]This might seem a little silly of me, but... Sandy, I'm a little bothered by your portrayal of Scorpius. I know I'm probably biased, because I adore the Malfoys, but I got the impression from the Epilogue that Draco had changed considerably. I can't imagine he would have his son be the same snob he once was. Arrogant and proud, maybe, but not nearly as awful. Also, I find it difficult to believe Goyle would have had a functioning child. He was a Death Eater, or at least in league with Voldemort, so he's probably in Azkaban or, even, dead. I know I'm being nitpicky, but you're dealing with my favourite boy so I tend to get like this. I'm sure you understand.[/SIZE][/QUOTE] I do understand, but I actually have a plan of tying Scorpius to my character. ;D Remember that first impressions can be misleading, and although Scorpius and Junior are being nasty towards Hagrid, I wasn't going to make them same type of antagonists as their fathers were. And Gregory Goyle was never a Death Eater, although he did take Voldemort's (or rather, Draco's) side - he spent the seventh book in Hogwarts, not with the Death Eaters. But I can easily change Junior to be someone else's child, if it bothers you that much. ;D

[COLOR="Teal"][B]"Yeah, my parents got in the way of my relaxation as well"[/B], Medea giggled to Tom Sinton. [B]"They're so... uptight!"[/B] [B]"ATTENTION!"[/B] a loud cry suddenly blared across the Great Hall. The noise quieted down to excited mumbling as the first year students marched into the hall, lead by an impressive sight - a half-giant called Hagrid. He was beloved by almost every student for his gentleness and big heart. But the first-years were obviously terrified by him. Medea remembered herself just two years ago, taking that same walk to the Sorting Hat. The Care for Magical Creatures teacher had been a great comfort to her, being a family friend to the Weasleys. Medea had not feared one bit. [B]"Headmistress McGonagall, 'ere they are"[/B], Hagrid said jovially, running his fingers through his greying beard. Medea saw two second-years at the end of her table making mock faces of the teacher by blowing air to the cheeks and crossing their eyes. She had heard what a nuisance Draco Malfoy and his cohorts had been during her parents' time in the school, so it was sad to see that the apple hadn't fallen far from the tree. [B]"Don't worry"[/B], Tom said leaning to her. [B]"Scorpius Malfoy and Junior Zabini are morons. But they'll get what's coming to them."[/B] [B]"Yeah..."[/B] Medea sighed, still staring at the two second-years. If only Scorpius was a little older and less idiotic, she could've... Suddenly the Sorting Hat spoke again, and the ceremony was on it's way.[/COLOR]

[strike]Gavs, I didn't really get your previous post. Or rather, how it fit the timeline. The teachers were on the train, then suddenly they were spending the night together, and then they were on the opening feast (which takes place in the evening immediately after the students have returned to school, to my knowledge). I'm just confused about it, that's all.[/strike] Sorry, I was quite tired when I read your post, it all makes sense now. XP Oh, and you made Emily say to Alexander "I can't believe how much you and [B]your[/B] mother look alike" (or something like that). As fun as the line is, I don't think you meant it that way, heh. ;D

[quote name='Lady Asphyxia'][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]I am enjoying just reading it, and I would love to see if the three remaining manage to get one-up on Sandy somehow, and to check out the conclusion. XD [/SIZE][/FONT][/QUOTE] Oh, I think they will. ;D It'd be so [I]Beth[/I] for them to do that. *winks* It's refreshing to see this type of short story, where you'll know that the writer will finish it soon. I swear, there are so many great beginnings for stories in this forum that never get to the end, for some reason or another. I'm so glad that this won't be one of them. Won't it, Beth? ;P

[quote name='Ezekiel'][SIZE="1"]I agree! I think the school should hold a match between the teachers for a bit of fun. It would be amusing to see Alexander and Zeta go head to head. If not, we have the Duelling Club to amuse ourselves, Gavin. Perhaps a little demonsration is in order for the first years?[/SIZE][/QUOTE] It's a fun idea. I think the only reason Rowling didn't implement a teachers vs. students Quidditch match was that all the teachers in her books were old fogeys. XP With young blood in the faculty, it would be very believable. ;D Oh, and sorry about the mix-up, Cyriel and Darren!

Cyriel, I found it funny how my character said that there are "some tough guys in the Quidditch teams this year", and in the very next post your character said "all the good players have left the teams". XD But let's take it as a matter of differenting opinions (after all, Medea isn't interested at Quidditch at all). Just for fun, here's a list of the players' characters in Quidditch teams: [U]Gryffindor[/U] Seeker - Galatéa Mehtevas (Sakura) Chaser - Alastor Gryffin Robards (Blayze) [U]Hufflepuff[/U] Chaser - Aiden Patch Caldwell (Darren) Seeker - Cyri Leonte-Fieraru (Tempest) [U]Ravenclaw[/U] Beater - Vera Adriana Demens (Kitty) [U]Slytherin[/U] Keeper - Chris Crouch (Disenchanted) Seeker - Leo Wilson (Perfection) So yeah, about half of us are in a Quidditch team (I think the only ones not in are Medea, Sophocles, Albert, Tom, Rigel, Faye and the two teachers (naturally)). I see some interesting matches ahead. ;D

[COLOR="Teal"]Medea followed Chris Grouch with her eyes as she entered the compartment and sat down on the opposite bench. The sixth-year girl was something of a role model to Medea. Chris had been kind and generous towards her from her first day at Hogwarts, although sometimes Medea had seen another side of the older girl - mostly when she was with other older students. [B]?How were your holidays??[/B] Chris asked jovially. [B]"Oh, just... okay"[/B], Medea sighed. Spending the summer with her deadly boring parents hadn't been a treat, and she couldn't wait to return to school. [B]"How 'bout you? Been practicing Quidditch during the summer? I hear there are some pretty tough players on the teams this year."[/B] [B]"Tell me about it! But I thought you weren't interested in Quidditch to the least? Kind of funny since your aunt Ginevra was the captain of the Holyhead Harpies* during it's days of glory"[/B], Chris recounted. Medea rolled her eyes. Of course all of her [I]relatives[/I] were national heroes, saviors of the world, child prodigies, slayers of Lord Voldemort and whatnot. Not her parents, though - not her. [B]"Hey, Medea, cheer up! This train will depart to Hogwarts soon, and I have a hunch that this year will be our best there."[/B] Chris Grouch gave her a wink and left the compartment to join her sixth-year friends. Medea shifted her eyes outside to the platform 9 3/4, filled with waving fathers, teary-eyed mothers, proud grandparents and cheering little kids. Two faces were missing there, though. Two faces that couldn't bear to watch their Slytherin brat any more than absolutely necessary.[/COLOR] [SIZE="1"]*) This bit about Ginny's future is actually canon, revealed by J.K. Rowling in an online interview.[/SIZE]

[font=Century Gothic]Yes, Kathy is correct. You have to come up with something else. [B]Hint:[/B] you can freely use the list of [I]requested[/I] articles in Otakupedia - just note that there are some articles that have already been written after the compilation of that list.[/font]