Sandy

I used to watch it, but then it lost it's shine after the stunts got repetitive. Also, the contestants always striked me as false and clichéd. The african-americans' were always "I grew in da ghetto so I gotta beat everybody!" and then there were the sobby "I'm doing this to my mom who has cancer!" and the parents were always "My children will be so proud that I overcame my fears!". Then there were those blatant overactors, especially during the "gross challenges". ... It just got [I]bleh[/I], you know. The last time I saw it, there was this big "couples" tournament with about a dozen couples competing during several episodes. But yeah, it's a good concept that unfortunately couldn't keep me interested for very long.

[quote name='Tical']For the most part, I love a good story. A game with a great story is instantly cool, although these are becoming increadibly rare.[/quote] I agree with this. I play almost solely Japanese RPGs because in my opinion they tell the best stories. Sure, some of them maybe clichéd nowadays, but there are still many great and original plots featured in games. I've heard people say that if I want a good story, I should buy a book. Well, I read books as well, mostly from the fantasy genre, but as spellbinding reading is, they lack the dimension of interactivity. That's where my concept of a good gameplay comes into the scene. I don't need an challenging battle system - in fact I'm easily frustrated if things get too difficult and I can't move on with the story - but I do love customizing my characters and fighting with them and experiencing stuff with them. In my opinion the best RPGs feature multiple endings that are affected by how well you do in the game. This makes me feel as if I've affected the characters' destinies somehow, as if I'm involved with the story. Feels kind of silly when put this way, but for me interactivity is the best element in videogames. Books, movies, tv - they all make you passive. Videogames might make you look passive to the outside, but inside you are bursting with activity.

I've said it before, and so have others, but [I]dang[/I] DW, you have a spectacular talent of turning lameness into funniness. Next you should turn [I]that[/I] into big bucks! ;D Do what many other online-comic-makers (don't they have a better name for themselves?!) have done: start selling t-shirts with your strips in them!

[FONT=Palatino Linotype]Bellerophon glanced at the clock on the wall. Like the rest of the furniture, the clock was made in an old, tacky style. Bellerophon tried to remember a word for it, but in his line of work he had concentrated on a much more ancient styles. He certainly knew his Doric, Ionic and Corinthian styles. More importantly than the way it looked, the clock's hands were almost at eight now. The ball would commence soon. Bellerophon took a one final look to the full-body mirror to see if his outfit was alright. One final tuck on the bowtie, and he walked to the door with long steps. He remembered that the portly woman had adviced to push the white panel next to the door when he was ready. "I don't know if I'll ever be ready, but here goes nothing" he said to himself and pushed the panel. A serene but mechanic female voice spoke: "[I]Please exit the room and follow the corridor to the right to reach the ball room. S'il vous plaît sors de la salle et[/I]..." Bellerophon didn't stay to listen to the voice but opened the door and entered the corridor. There were two women there, both dressed in luxurious gowns, standing in front of their doors and gazing around uncertainly. The three of them looked at each others. "Um..." Bellerophon started. "Do you happen to know what the hell's going on?"[/FONT]

Oh, good. I was beginning to wonder on how many "My name is Anne" posts I had to read through before I get to post next... XP It was actually quite interesting to see how different people managed to make a similar scene so different. So off to the ball, we are? I assume you will post the Supreme Chancellor's speech at the ball (if there's going to be one), because I for one don't have any idea what she would say to our characters...

[QUOTE=Boo][size=1]Sandy, I know hardly any moderator or admin that I really want to meet apart from people I knew before they became moderators, so it was really not made for that purpose :P Oh and this is not meant to be a suck-up thread, but more of a recognition thread. Yes, I have a certain thread in the back of my head right now. [/size][/QUOTE] I didn't mean you personally, I was talking more in a general sense, since I've seen this type of threads turn into a "I like James teh bestest!!!1" fest. And recognition is just a fancy word for suck-up in my book, but it's not like I haven't ever done it. ;P [quote=Blayze] [SIZE=1][B]Sandy:[/B] Definitely one of the coolest members of OB, this guy was twisted enough to keep OB Survivor going for six months or something, so I'm thinking that shows a lot of integrity and devotion. Both excellent qualities in people.[/SIZE][/quote] Meh, doing it once is nothing - I did it three times successfully! ;D Oh the amounts of integrity and devotion I've gained! --- Sorry guys, I'm a tad tired so I might sound crude, but please take my words with the intended humor.

So... is anybody going to reply to the game thread any time soon, or will this game sink unto oblivion as well? :/ Damn, I really thought people would be interested with this concept...

It's alright, wolf Toboe. It's just that your post gave the impression that you don't really know if you want to meet anybody from OB. I was laughing at that only, so no sweat. ;D If you stick around, you're sure to get to know people.

There are definitely different cliques here - as said, the "Complaint" thread proves it. If I may comment on the oldies - newbies division, I don't think it's that straightforward. I mean, I've been an active member here for four years, so in theory I'd be an old member, but then there are the "ancient" members like James and Sara, who've been here since the beginning. They aren't as intimidating to me as they were when I was a newbie, but in my mind I still can't seem to be able to lift myself up to their level, no matter in how good terms I am with them. I guess it's just my own thing, though. It's my ideal that we could be one big [I]happy[/I] family here, but unfortunately we seem to be just a one big family.

[QUOTE=wolf Toboe]Anyone on OB? I don't know...[/QUOTE] Hee, funny! XD It seems that it's time for another suck-up thread. Don't get me wrong, I believe you honestly [I]would[/I] like to meet every single person you listed, and also doing a little sucking up has never harmed anyone, just try not to overdo it. Listing for examples all admins and moderators has a really questionable ring to it... As for me, I'd really like to meet [B]Solo[/B], he's just a so genuine person and he's probably the one member who I've interracted most during my years here. Also, hanging out with [B]James[/B] and [B]Shy[/B] (preferably at the same time) would be quite "fabulous" - we would strike fear in all hetero males everywhere we went! The Fab Threesome of the OB, [I]rawr[/I]! Let me be the superficial one!

[QUOTE=Delta][COLOR=#656446] [SIZE=1]And to save me the trouble of editing this post, I am [i]not[/i] fishing for a position in the staff. Bless your poor misguided soul if you thought otherwise.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE] It's not a very misguided assumption in my opinion. You say "replace the mods" but because you don't really give any names of who you'd want to see in their steads, the natural conclusion is that because [I]you[/I] seem to know best, [I]you[/I] should become one (or at least the other MAMA members). You can deny it all you want, but there's something called "reading between the lines", you know?

I'm all for open discussion, that's why I've created several threads here instead of just PM'ing admins or starting up "secret societies". If I see a problem, I want to know if anybody else sees the same problem, and whether it really [I]is[/I] a problem. That's the whole issue of this thread in my opinion: somebody sees a problem in something that isn't a problem to others. Does not that person have the right to voice out their concern? Sure, it could've been done in a more polite or less whiny way, but that's the cost of being frank - you will in many cases come of as rude. I hope that AC!D!C didn't believe that this thread would instantly change anything, but now that dust is settling (as vicky put it), we can see that this thread has lead to open and honest discussion about the [I]real[/I] problems of OB - like the lack of moderators and arrogant attitudes of some of the older members. Letting off steam publicly was good in this case, I believe it purified the air somewhat. This wouldn't've happened unless AC!D!C, The Boss, Athena and the others hadn't come out in the open on what was weighing their minds.

*feels like he's seriously missed something* Wait... MAMA? Viva Otaku? Is this... *gasp* ... a mutiny?! A conspiracy?! An underground movement?!?! Exciting, but at the same time very, [I]very[/I] immature and pathetic. I mean, [I]come on![/I] You're rebelling because you haven't been made moderators just because you've been around for so-and-so many years?! Well, why don't you take a number and [I]join the line[/I]! Or perhaps you should wonder if your attitudes have something to do with you being "mere" members? And seriously, quality-wise OB is many times better than in the olden days. Just check that link Boo posted in the first page to see for yourselves!

[quote name='Kazuwa Nomura']It is hard to do these by myself though, heh. :animeswea[/quote] [I]Ahem[/I]! You weren't alone. It was [I]you[/I] who didn't reply back to me, [I]you[/I] who abandoned the "old" paper after just two issues. I was honestly quite disappointed. :/ I trusted that you got the motivation to do this, but apparently I was wrong... Next time you ask for help, be sure that you really [I]need[/I] that help, okay?

Being the busy-pants I am, I have to ask when I'm allowed to post the second time? After every active player has introduced their character (which could take a loooooong while), or when the ball starts (when does it actually start?), or whenever I like? I've only posted once in his role, and I'm loving my character already!

Eh, I once (or twice) have started a similar type of thread in this very section, and although I nod to James's reasonings, I don't think this thread's criticism is [I]totally[/I] undeserved like Des suggested. At least not in the sense that [I]any[/I] criticism is undeserved, because feedback is always good - it either helps you realize the problems or strengthen your view that everything is just fine. I don't know if it's a cultural thing or what, but it seems that many members (and mods alike) in here have a hard time taking in negative feedback about this boards. As the first two posters said, this thread is not meant as the personal attack against [I]all[/I] moderators as some people have interpreted it. I don't agree with many things they said, though - I see Aaryanna and Ozy as good and diligent mods, for instance - but they still have the right to voice out their opinions. As I've said many times before, and James agrees with me, [I]Suggestions & Feedback[/I] section is [I]meant[/I] for this type of threads. If people can't post their concerns here without being instantly hammered down, where else can they turn? OB is not a dictatorship where a word against those in "power" will get you banned immediately, and I sincerely hope it'll never become one either.

[FONT=Palatino Linotype]Bellerophon Adrianopoulos stood in front of the only window in the room. He gazed outside to the nocturne city. "Paris... 2", he whispered to himself. He then turned his eyes to the brief letter he had left on the bedside table. It was written on the letter that he was now in Paris 2. His mind went through all the other things that was written on the letter: Second Faction, hybrids, Supreme Chancellor,... [I]coma[/I]. He had read the letter at least a dozen times after waking up, but he still couldn't believe a word it had said. He knew he'd eventually have to, though. Then his eyes moved onto the bed, on which was a [url=http://www.minskytux.com/images/photo/cb751.jpg][b]full-white tuxedo[/b][/url] folded neatly. However, the suit had a peculiar, futuristic cut, even though Bellerophon was no expert on tuxedos, or [I]any[/I] type of clothes for that matter. The hassling woman, Anne, had pulled it out of the cabin, saying that it would look [I]perfect[/I] on him when he went to the ball. "Perfect..." he sniffed. He looked back to the window, now focusing on his reflection from the glass. He was still wearing a simple blue tanktop and stained white shorts he had worn when he had gone to bed last night. Or was it a thousand years ago? Bellerophon looked at his serious face, his hard aquamarine eyes, his pouty lips, his oval cheek. Ice cold beauty... The last thing he needed right now was a bunch of horny teenage girls swarming around him at the ball. He had had enough of [I]that[/I] treatment back home in Athens... Then he shook his head in frustration, making his dark locks sway. "My parents should've named me Narcissus instead", he huffed and spun around. He walked to the tuxedo and began undressing.[/FONT]

[QUOTE=Gavin] [SIZE=1]I honestly believe not practicing it is going to get them anywhere ? I don?t know, and that?s my genuine answer. In a few years I?m going to hopefully enter the seminary in Kildare, which means that eventually I?m going to be ordained a priest of the Catholic Church. Now that means that I?ll take a vow of chastity, I?ve never had sex, and chances are I probably won?t, unless something happens in the next two/three years to change that. Now does the fact that I won?t ever have sex, a basic part of normal human behaviour mean that I?m going to flip out in maybe 25/30 years ? Or will it mean that I simply accept that I promise I made to God is more important than controllable sexual urges ? You talk as if these people not practicing their homosexual behaviour is going to cause them all to go crazy in the same way someone who suppresses homicidal tendency for years does.[/SIZE] [/QUOTE] The others have already shredded your logic to pieces, Gavin, but I just wanted to add that there's a HUGE difference between making an own choice to not have sex (as seems to be your case) and being forced not to have sex (whch would be the case if homosexuality was altogether forbidden). I know you realize the difference too, but you really can't expect people to make the same choice you have just because [I]you[/I] think it's the right thing to do. Sex is a wonderful thing when done with somebody you love and who loves you back. The beauty of it isn't affected by marriage or the intention to breed, it's the act that makes us feel good. You are taught that sex outside the aforementioned two conditions is wrong and unpure, but then again, how would you know if you've never done it. ;P (I'm not saying you should abandon your belief and do it, just that your opinion in this matter doesn't weight much.) Sorry for straying a bit from the topic, but I just wanted to bring up my freedom of sharing my body with whomever I want, because it is my body and my choice. And I'm not a child anymore (responding to your stealing kid analogy), I'm perfectly capable of doing my own choices without your guidance. You're not above the rest of us just because you have Catholic morals, Gavin.

My nightshift is now long over, and I've had a "good" three hour sleep after that. I gotta say, next time I get myself into a night shift, I will make sure I have nothing scheduled for the next day! Alas, as things are, I'm about to leave - still a bit dizzy and quite tired - to my boyfriend's house, where he has organized a private b-day party for me!

Well, it was a nice little story, thanks, Lady Knight! ;D This isn't much like a graveyard, although one woman said she was going to die this night - lucky for both me and for her she says that every night. ;P Here I still am, just came from 3.00 PM rounds. My next task is at 4.00 PM to retrieve newspapers and get them inside. XP I brought my PlayStation 2 along with Star Ocean: Till the End of Time to keep me awake. It has done it's job fairly well during these late hours. It's not as morbid here as I thought it would be - more like serene. It's dawning outside already. Quite beautiful, actually. But yaay, happy birthday to me! X)

Okay, it's 11.20 PM in my country, and I'm currently working. Actually, I only started my shift three hours ago, and I've still got eight more to go. Yes, I'm on a night shift. This place is a service center for the mentally ill, with 12 tenants residing here. I'm all alone in this house located in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by a darkening forest. It's not my usual workplace, I only came here as a substitute for this night only (I usually do day-shifts on my summer workplace, which is a completely different building located in the nearby city). Sounds scary, huh? Ever been on a similar situation, working throughout the night? Well, to tell you the truth, it's not scary at all. The tenants are all asleep (heavily drugged), all the doors are locked and I've got surveillance cameras and an emergency wristlet for my protection. I don't even have to do much else but supervise, heh. And I created this thread because frankly I'm bored. ;P And tired. Also, it's my birthday tomorrow, so this is certainly a new way for me to wake up to it.

I don't mean to push your buttons, Gavin, but I don't find much wrong in polygamy either. If three people love each other sincerely, what's it got to do with anybody else? Of course I don't believe many people could live in such a relationship, with jealousy being one of the basic traits of humanity, nor could I see myself living like that, but at the same time I wouldn't judge anybody for doing so. As a sidenote to all of you who view homosexuality as a disgusting thing, I've only got this to say: in my opinion vaginas are disgusting, but do I go around condemning women for that? You know the answer.

[QUOTE=Chabichou][COLOR=#004a6f] Gay marriage encourages homosexuality. It condones it, and gives the message that it is okay when [B]clearly[/B] it is not.[/COLOR][/QUOTE] It sure isn't clear to me. You claimed that homosexuality "hurts" people, but you didn't bother mentioning [I]how[/I] it hurts anybody? And don't give me the "they go to hell" answer, because not all of us believe that way. And claiming that individuals have [I]too[/I] much rights? Homosexuality has been declared not to be a crime nor a disorder (at least in Finnish legislation), so why deny our rights? What's wrong with just minding your own business in this matter, as it [I]clearly[/I] isn't hurting anybody?

[QUOTE=Cygnus X-1][COLOR=Sienna] Why shouldn't they recieve the benifts that heterosexual cuples get? There simply is no reason - ****, you don't even have to call it marriage if you feel like, just give them the same benifits of a union. Make up a new name and a new procedure if your of that mind, but there is no reason to deny homosexual couples the benifts that heterosexual couples receive. [/COLOR][/QUOTE] This debate has made a few quite interesting turns, but let me freshen the conversation up with an example: In my remote country of Finland, the rights of the homosexuals have advanced to the point of us being allowed to enter a "registered relationship". Registered couples have [I]most[/I] of the legal rights of married couples, except the right to adopt and the right to automatically take the partner's last name. Also, the majority of the Evangelic-Lutheran Church of our country is against blessing registered relationships in a church, but as an atheist, I'm not least bit bothered by that. Now tell me, exactly how does this type of registered relationship actually hurt anybody? It's not a religious marriage, although it shows that the parliament and legislation is accepting gay people as a part of the community. Please, people, we are not criminals, we are not psychically ill, we don't carry an infectious desease! We are just being ourselves! Why deny our rights as humans?

[QUOTE=Avenged666fold]I thin being gay is nasty. I know you are not born that way as I have a gay freind.(we were freinds befoe he became gay at least to the best of my knowlege). He said it happened slowly over time and at one point he actually did like girl's. So the way I see it is that there are two kinds of gay people. A.The kind that turned gay over time for different reasons (prison,friends ect...) B.The kind that has a mental defect in their mind that tells the mthey like the same sex that is treatable by medication or therapy. Why do I think it is not possibl that you are born this way and cannot change? Simply beacuse of the fact that you can change. Many gay's that were "born that way" have gone strait for one reason or another. So it is not an irriversable defect. So to the point why shouldn't they have gay marriage? Beacuse then you would be accomidating a diasease instead of trying to cure it. [/QUOTE] Uh, the sheer amount of ignorance... X( First of all, you completely misunderstood your friend's words. He was right when he said he "grew up to be gay", but only in the sense of each and every child growing up to their sexuality, whether it be straight, gay or bi. Prepubescent children aren't sexual beings, and many teenagers are still looking for their identity. Your friend's story reminds a lot of mine: I only accepted by "abnormal" sexual orientation at the age of 19. That didn't change the fact that I have always been a homosexual - even my childhood playing showed that on many occasions. Several studies have shown that homosexuality is a result of both genes and the environment. However, several studies have reached opposite results, so it's hard to tell the truth. There's one thing I can tell you, though, which is true: [i]you[/i] cannot know what homosexuality is, because [i]you[/i] aren't a homosexual. You can only approve it, tolerate it or condemn it. [I]You[/I] cannot define it. What comes to the [B]banning of gay marriage[/B], I honestly believe Bush is trying to direct the attention away from his own mistakes he had made in the foreign politics. Nevertheless, because I'm not American, these things don't really concern me personally. I'm just worried about the rights of my kind - it's bad enough that there are nine countries where I would be executed just for being myself.