Charles

[quote name='Retribution][size=1']It's saddening, that my people would forget a lesson so dearly learned so quickly.[/size][/quote] Haha, "my people." But seriously, I can understand why this is a problem. It's easy for business owners to hire illegal Mexican workers for extremely low wages (below minimum wage even) with no benefits instead of hiring Americans for legal wages. What's so hard to understand about this guys? If I was living there I would be concerned about this too.

Couldn't you just import it? Do European DS's play American DS games? I wonder if they're Region-free like the PSP.

[quote name='IceRose]I guess its gonna be fine for Square Enix to release FFXI to X-box 360 but they [b']also have to look at all the facts, final fantasy has been and will always be connected with Play Station[/b][/quote] The Final Fantasy series didn't begin with Final Fantasy VII. The series began on the Famicom and continued on with the Super Famicom.

[QUOTE=OtakuSennen]A killer app is a game that damn near everyone excited and going "I must have this console." I, for one, am very, very excited about Oblivion, but like you said, I'm "informed"- the ones that make Madden and Halo sell so well are the ones that dictate "killer apps." As sad as it is, most people out there aren't interested in epic fantasy settings and complex skill charts. [b]Don't get me wrong, I'm very excited about Oblivion, but it just doesn't scream "Everyone will want this" to me (though by RPG standards it will certainly do well).[/b] I realize it's not a launch title (or even set for release in 2005), but I think Gears of War is showing the qualities of a killer app. It seems like it would cater to the Halo crowd, at least, and that would be enough to sell plenty of copies.[/QUOTE] Thanks. Finally, someone understands. A "killer app" doesn't appeal just to a certain crowd. [i]Everyone[/i] wanted to play Mario 64, even if they didn't like platformers. [i]Everyone[/i] wanted to play Halo, even if they didn't like first person shooters. It's the same idea with Final Fantasy VII. Like I said, Oblivion is great but I don't think it's a game that will sell Xbox 360's to the masses. People who don't enjoy incredibly long RPGs aren't going to be interested. Having said that, Gears of War does indeed look like it has the potential to be a "killer app", but it doesn't release until sometime in 2006.

Nah, I don't know. It looks awesome and I'm interested, but it's a little too niche' to be put on the same level as a AAA killer app. I don't know if it'll be able to transcend its genre and appeal to everyone.

[QUOTE=>x

[QUOTE=Desbreko][color=#4B0082]Yeah, I just recently heard about this. In the [url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/656/656170p1.html][u]IGN article[/u][/url] they said the games will be "updated" along with FFIV but I'm wondering what exactly they mean by that. It sounds like new content, but I still want my hard type mode and new translation in FFIV. We need details! If anyone sees any specific info on how the games are being updated, I'd love to hear it. I'd think there'd at least be more details about FFIV soon, considering the game's supposed to be released on December 12.[/color][/QUOTE] [CENTER][IMG]http://img46.imagevenue.com/aAfkjfp01fo1i-21765/loc44/388_FF3_compare.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] This should give you a good indication. This is the Final Fantasy 3 remake for DS. The art style looks a lot like Crystal Chronicles. To say the least, it's very impressive-looking indeed. Hopefully battles will take place on the touch screen. All of these images are taken from the upper screen.

[QUOTE=Brasil] And you know what? To answer your question... The Christians need to get screwed on this one.[/QUOTE] [center][img]http://img414.imageshack.us/img414/2961/crowdapplause7rn.gif[/img][/center]

No American holidays and no Nintendo roms = no sale!

[QUOTE=Brasil]I suppose my biggest question is what do you really expect from the local news, though? Some of the criticisms of the poem are focused on world events, "world fractured by divide," "will you cover yourself in glory?/Don?t spare a single detail, make it gory," "You go on, give me your news./You go on, depict the world, as you choose./Report what?s to your satisfaction." I don't know what it is you're seeing on local news, but when I've watched it recently, the farthest any of those desk-jockeys have gone is...outside on their office lawn to do the weather report. Occasionally you'd see one of the reporters out in the field, sometimes down the shore to cover a storm, but other than that...they're not covering themselves in glory.[/quote] Well, I don't expect much from the local news, and that's the problem. Of course, it should take the time to focus on small issues related to the community, but it doesn't even do that so well. I don't think it takes an honest look at politicial figures, and instead sensationalizes them. It doesn't depict ongoing problems with drug abuse in the suburbs, and it generally just doesn't give viewers an accurate depiction of what's going on in the world around them. If anything, the local news seems to be more of a distraction than it is a source for information. As I said, it tends to sensationlize everything. Look at the Katrina coverage. Of course it's important and of course it deserves coverage, but you would think it was the only disaster going on in the world. Eventually it just gets to the point where they milk it and sensationalize it so much that it becomes a soap opera. The same goes for 9/11. It becomes less about the victims and more about ratings--hence the lines "will you cover yourself in glory?/Don?t spare a single detail, make it gory. Even when they're in an urban area covering a drive-by shooting or a case of child abuse, I see little motivation to spread awareness or help the community in any way. I see them turning real-world tragedies into entertainment. [quote]And considering the entertainment journalism today? Anything you see on local news is nothing compared to the crap those more uppity shows pull. I remember seeing The Abrams Report when the host took it upon himself to report "right in the thick of things" in New Orleans. After a few days, he was really roughing it. His scruffy stubble was beginning to show. He had bags under his eyes. His hair wasn't perfect anymore. You want to criticise local newscasters for covering themselves in glory? A much more suitable target is Dan Abrams. Or Geraldo Rivera. His "coverage" of what...Afghanistan? Iraq? It was completely irresponsible. Ignoring the fact he's a simple bumf-ck, lol, that he had no reason to be out there in the first place, we all know he was in it to get his ugly mug on-camera. And he was doing the same type of crap Abrams was pulling in New Orleans: "I'm right next to _______, [insert anchor here], and I can't believe what I'm seeing!" Not to mention the big-name networks like Fox, MSNBC and their ilk who, all together, sent upwards of a few dozen reporters to cover what? Strong, gusty winds, lots of rain...a hurricane that isn't even on-shore yet. lol. After seeing what journalism is on the major networks like that, I'm sorry if I have trouble agreeing with your sentiments that the local anchors try to cover themselves in glory. lol. Because as it stands, if you're criticising a lack of journalistic integrity, or what I like to call the Asshat Journalist, the real offenders are the likes of Bill O'Reilly, Jim Abrams, Tucker Carlson, Chris Matthews, etc. "The pot?s boiling over; give it a good stir" is what O'Reilly and Tucker do on a regular basis. They intentionally stir things up. I don't even know if I have to pull in any specific examples from O'Reilly, because I would think it'd be pretty common knowledge at this point--I would think we're all pretty aware of the major ideologic foot-in-the-mouth things he's said. But I'm not sure how many watch Tucker Carlson frequently. I don't watch too often, but his new show is complete crap, because the guy can't do commentary worth a damn. He was interviewing this one Atheist who was fighting for the "Under God" to be taken out of the Pledge of Allegiance...all that jazz. Now, we all can see how silly some of that argument is, but Tucker was saying things to rile the guy up. Ignoring how Tucker was laughing in the guy's face the entire time, when he was closing the segment out, he's saying "God bless you," "God help you," stuff like that. He was intentionally saying it, just to get the reaction. The pot was already boiling over there. And Tucker was giving it a stir. And you know what happened? Nothing. The Atheist knew exactly what Tucker was trying to do and just chuckled. So, again, after watching the entertainment journalism...I'm having trouble seeing the issues you're seeing with local news, because local news isn't stirring the pot, especially when you look at Tucker and those other dicks, haha.[/quote] I'm sorry to respond to all this so glibly but although I do largely target the local news in my poem, it doesn't mean that the parties you're mentioning can't be included as well. There is a sense of general criticism I'd like to maintain. There's nothing within the poem that puts the people you've mentioned off limits. [quote]I'm just not seeing how your criticisms as directed toward local news are valid when there's a much clearer offender out there today, and I'm not sure why you expect local news to report on world events like...well, a world event we couldn't find on World News Tonight. Are you looking for coverage of a civil war in Djibouti? There's a reason Action News here has shots of Philadelphia in their opening montage: because they're a Philadelphia-based news show, whose primary focus is Philadelphia and other surrounding local news. Sometimes they'll go outside of that and report something going on in California, but they're a local news show at heart.[/quote] Even so, they're barely giving an honest representation of Philadelphia. I'm sure that come December there will be local stories that deserve attention. Yet, the Philadelphia Eagles will take up approximately eighty percent of the program. [quote]What I'm saying is, you're criticising a local news show for being a local news show. ...when's the last time Action News had a reporter in the Middle East, for example? And how many reporters from MSNBC have been across the globe? At least criticise the right networks and programs for the right things. lol[/QUOTE] I think I did. I've made it explicitly clear when I outlined to you exactly how much time is alloted to even local news. Not much. lol Anyway, at least this has proven that there's something to discuss here. Which, of course, is why I don't buy it when people use an excuse along the lines of "there's not much to say." Or complain that the poem is too long. I challenge anyone to link me to any poem on this site that I couldn't write at least a small paragraph on.

Actually, I drew the inspiration from Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man." Try listening to that to offset the Diana Ross voice. Otherwise, um, I'd say that I have to disagree with your views on local news anchors. This is aimed directly at the local news for various reasons. A typical newscast dedicates about fifteen minutes to sports-related coverage. Maybe more. And then you have other segments such as traffic and weather which, combined take up a considerable amount of the time slot. Consider also the emphasis put on celebrities on local newscasts (not entertainment programs). I remember [i]constantly[/i] hearing about Bennifer on the local news numerous times in one sitting when it was a hot story. Now, let's factor in fluff, feel-good stories, such segments showing babies' first birthday pictures or a local hero, and you've even less time to cover real news. On top of that, you'll notice a lot of news stories that aren't real news to begin with. They'll talk about a car that was broken into several days ago. They still haven't found the culprit, and nothing's been resolved, so they're essentially wasting time covering old news that's barely news at all. Now subtract the time they spend on commercials. By the way these happen to include numerous automobile commercials, since, well, automanufacturers happen to be key sponsers of news programs. Which, coincidentally leads to a lack of coverage on air pollution caused by autos. So, just how much real news is left on the local news compared to what you would read in a newspaper or watch on BBC? Not much. I'd suggest really watching and interpreting what you see on the local news. You'd be surprised.

[QUOTE=Mitch]This is beautiful, Charles. I love the cynical tone of it, and what it's about as well. Wonderfully done. This is definitely a song, then, I take it, since it's got a verse that repeats throughout it. If it were a poem it would've been shorter. Well, I really don't have many suggestions. It is kind of long for the average reader these days - since they want it short and quick, so I bet quite a few people just gazed over it quick. You should really do a shorter poem version and see how that goes, that would be cool. Well, I was thinking about how you spelled baloney - "balogna." I'm partial to the baloney spelling. . .maybe you'd like to give that a think over. If it were my creature, I'd change it to that spelling; but it's yours. :p Wonderfully done, I can tell you put effort into this. . .the word choices and overall the poem itself are well done. You're such a great writer.[/QUOTE] Before this fades into obscurity forever, I just want to say thank you Mitch. I'm glad that at least somebody cared enough to reply. Although I must admit that if it's too long for people to read through (it should only take thirty seconds to a minute to get through) then I'd rather not cater to the casual crowd because I may as well be writing to a piece of lettuce. For, it would give me the same response that most of these people have. ;)

[quote name='Nomura']Boy, it seems maybe you're making this a little too complicated...All I know is that it's an awesome poem.[/quote] That kind of attitude is what's wrong with this forum. It may be easy to just blurt out a reply that requires no thought whatsoever, like "Wow, awesome poem, man." But, it also doesn't help the author at all.

All right, to begin, you use a metaphor in the first line. Apologies become a monetary value. Which of course, removes the sincerity from them but at the same time indicates that they're worth [i]something[/i]. So, you can spend them, save them, donate them, whatever. Above all else, by definition, then, their purpose is to be exchanged for something. But, the speaker is storing them for some purpose here, which seems to be a desire to cling onto, and cherish memories relating to apologies. The apologies are "worth a kiss, maybe a reminisce" which clearly defines their value. These romantic gestures seem to refer to various apologies' power to strengthen a relationship. At this point, the first two lines of your poem, you're painting an interesting picture. You have the conflicting superficiality of monetary value, and the strengthening value of apologies contradicting one another. Which, is nice. I'm interested in seeing where you're going with it all at this point. The third line, as I've said, leads to some confusion when you personify the act of writing and designate it as your audience. It's also worded awkwardly in its context. Instead of phrasing it as "Writing, my love," you chose "my love writing" which just reads awkwardly. Keep in mind the syntax is not my primary issue. It's that you follow the opening contradiction of superficial and sincere values with a further contradiction that makes no sense, which leads to a mess. You're claiming that writing is your passion, your love, but you're also admitting that it's rightfully accusing you of [i]not[/i] being a good writer. It's apologizing to you for revealing this truth, but you claim that the apology is not needed--false apologies can't hide the fact that "Writing" is correct. See, I just don't feel that the personification of an action, such as writing works here. Something or someone can surely deny you of your confidence or ability. But the act always has to be innocent. It's something we create that's independent from us. So, I can understand an [i]internalalized conflict[/i]. Making "writing" the enemy, I can not. If it was made clear that something inside you told you that your pursuit of writing was hopeless, it would be powerful. But, when you claim that "writing" itself would inflict this sorrow, I've got to balk. The second stanza because of this direction suffers. It would be great if you said that you can't master creativity or boldness, but how can you not be like writing? To say that writing is a stranger with many faces, your true love that you'll never know says something. This does not. The rest of the stanza is fine but it doesn't say enough. You'll die a death you'll forever rue. Why? Elaborate. Infuse some passion. Make me feel your frustration. This is too passive and brief. Too detached. Too empty. It's easy enough to tell us that you'll die, bitter and lamenting the fact that your limitations are preventing you from mastering a craft you love, but make us feel it. A lot of people suffer from this feeling. People older than you. Make that connection with the audience instead of making them think "bid deal, buddy." Ditto for the next stanza, of course. The last stanza resolves the opening conflict you presented by portraying apologies as completely negative gestures. You're claiming that apologies never succeed in mending a situation. But, then you claim that they're strengthening the strong--so how can they be failures? They're succeeding on some level for a particular group. Yet, why would they be killing the weak and strengthening the strong in the first place? Wouldn't it be the complete opposite? Wouldn't the weak require apologies to suit their own insecurities while the strong would already possess the resolve to continue on regardless? Apparently, you then proceed to ask writing where you've gone wrong (but it's worded poorly because it sounds very vague). I don't see why you would need to ask this since you've already admitted that it's rightfully accused you of losing--a sentiment that you actually repeat again in the very next line. by that logic, you should already know where you've gone wrong. And yet, through all this you "arise anew." This suggests that "writing" [b]hasn't[/b] rightfully accused you of losing. I think this should be reflected in the next-to-last line. The change "you [i]wrongfully[/i] accuse that I lose" would compliment the opening lines well by presenting a maturation and strengthening in the speaker not through apologies but by a personal strength of character. Then, you would be saying something. You would be saying that apologies shouldn't be required to build strength. It should come from experience and from somewhere within. But, as it stands you're not saying that. You're not really saying much of anything at all because all you're doing is trapping yourself in a web of contradictions. I hope I've been of some help.

[quote name='James][font=franklin gothic medium']Man, did you just copy that from a news site? I could have sworn I'd read that exact post somewhere else not long ago. Hopefully not.[/font][/quote] He could have at least fixed the spacing issues that accompanied copying it and pasting it. I'm glad he got called out on it. Anyway, I could post up at least a dozen different articles that sound exactly like this from both sides. I think for a while we should just accept that both consoles are going to have impressive-looking games in their own right and be done with it. But it doesn't matter to me either way. Until Metal Gear Solid 4 comes out, viva la Revolution!

[CENTER][IMG]http://www.beverlymelvin.com/COVER_HERE_WE_GO_AGAIN_smaller.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER]

[quote name='Burori']If that doesn't work I don't know what will. I suggest we do a few scenes as well like in my Signature. Can't be too sexist right?[/quote] [center][img]http://img321.imageshack.us/img321/2556/wheelofhitit5st.jpg[/img][/center] Ilium--you've got it! We'll also send one to Chibi's ex-husband too.

[quote name='Outlaw']I'm just wondering why no knew wrestlers are getting sweet nicknames instead of just normal names. I mean, it used to be that you only used a full name if the last name was sweet, like Flair or Savage. Now days we have guys using names like Heindenrick, Morgan, and crap like that. And there are no new guys coming in using just nicknames, like a Rock or Edge. LETS GET SOME GIMICKS HERE PEOPLE![/quote] What about The Masterpiece? Or Carlito Caribbean Cool? Or Ken Kennedy........Kennedy. Or The Boogeyman? Or MNM? And Monster, Heyman is still under WWE contract. He does the booking for Ohio Valley Wrestling, now that Jim Cornette has been fired.

This all sounds good to me. I think it'd be perfect for you to star in and direct, ChibiHorsewoman, but only if you do so under your online name. The clever puns we could come up with would only make it more successful (i.e., riding the Horsewoman). And, of course, there's Burori, who we could see grunting loudly while he powers up in DragonBall Z form. He could eventually unleash his [spoiler]cumehameha[/spoiler] projectile technique. When it's done, we'll send it directly to the White House.

I see that a lot of you are unhappy with Bush's agenda here. So, in an effort to support freedom of expression I suggest we join this war, in defense of porn. It may seem like a small gesture, but we must express ourselves. We can combat this attack on our liberty by taking a stand, no matter how insignificant it may seem in the grand scheme of things. Talking about it isn't good enough--we need to take action! Just like the Civil Rights movement of the sixties. So, all right, all right, like all war-time citizens I'm willing to sacrifice and take one for the team. I'll need some hot (legal) female OtakuBoards members to make an adult film with me in protest of Bush. We'll call it, "A Heated Debate: Going Down on Your Bush." Who's with me?

[quote name='ANTIWORLD']whoa... that was great ...well i don't want to say much but i liked it[/quote] Wow, do you have any published literary criticism?

[quote name='James][font=franklin gothic medium']Having said that, it won't be necessary to use the shell all that often, I don't think. Most games will be designed with the new controller in mind, so they will not require the shell. Zelda, for example, will be designed specifically for the new controller - it will not play as the older Zelda games have.[/font][/quote] Yeah wow, when I imagine how terrific the fishing mini games will become, I can't help but to feel anxious. Also, swinging Link's sword with the controller would help alleviate the stale feeling attached to the combat engine. :drool: Even objects such as the wand from Wind Waker would adopt an entirely new level of depth and enjoyment.

This forum is pretty dead but what the heck. Hey, Mister--Mister Newsman sir, The pot?s boiling over; give it a good stir. Deliver me to the static, the static which you provide. Show me the consequences, The consequences of a world fractured by divide. Hey Mister Newsman sir, tell me, what?s your story? That?s how it is nowadays, baby. A world without a care, Facts, anorexic, bare. Your broad, toothy smile, White gates to beguile. The reflection of your glassy eyes, The plastic of your lies, Everything you say, manufactured in this way. Like buildin? a house of clay On a rainy day. Mister reporter guy, will you cover yourself in glory? Don?t spare a single detail, make it gory. Make the chaos of the world caper and cavort, Sound off the day?s first report. You go on, give me your news. You go on, depict the world, as you choose. Report what?s to your satisfaction. Promote sports as the main attraction. Allot equal time to the weather. Hey man, the forecast predicts sunny days together. Mister prophet, guide me on my way, I need you to ease the stress of the day. So glamorize the latest catastrophe. If you have time, if you?re not busy Brush over the latest foreign policy. That?s how it is nowadays, baby. A world without a care, Facts, anorexic, bare. Your broad, toothy smile, White gates to beguile. The reflection of your glassy eyes, The plastic of your lies, Everything you say, manufactured in this way. Like buildin? a house of clay On a rainy day. Mister suit and tie, You special guy-- Please forgive my cynicism. Glance over the latest going on?s with your criticism. Market substance with your witticism. Mr. Newsman sir, I?ll see you after dinner at six. Maybe you?ll satisfy my celebrity fix. News at eleven, Mr. Glitz and Glamour, I?ll watch, as you enamor. What?s the latest in Hollywood matrimony? Money hats making even marriage phony. I can?t distinguish so well over this pop bologna. Mr. Newsman sir, you?re a star in the sky I wouldn?t dare reach you, I wouldn?t try. That?s how it is nowadays, baby. A world without a care, Facts, anorexic, bare. Your broad, toothy smile, White gates to beguile. The reflection of your glassy eyes, The plastic of your lies, Everything you say, manufactured in this way. Like buildin? a house of clay On a rainy day.

All right, I've watched the Tokyo Gameshow conference for myself. I'm extremely happy with what I see now. Then again, I knew I would like it once I learned more and saw it being used. As I said, despite the fact that they've defined how we control games every successive generation, I usually don't know how to react when Nintendo unveils a new control innovation. But, I always end up appreciating it when I get my hands on it. I still wonder exactly how practical this is going to be when playing a game for an hour or more but I'm happy with how flexible the controller is and it looks like a lot of fun. I just hope that developers actually take advantage of it. I remember hearing numerous developers express their excitement over the DS--but rarely do I see anyone taking advantage of its innovations. With the Revolution, I think it'll be somewhat more difficult to avoid using the controller to its fullest so I'm optimistic. I'm probably just as excited for the Revolution now as I am the PS3 (which says a lot considering that gorgeous Metal Gear Solid 4 trailer and my feelings for that series).

The fear of nature is captured well within this poem. It's interesting how you chose to personify it [nature]; it's described in the same way a conquering army would be. It's intrusive and imposing but too powerful to be defied. At the same time, you portray it as monsterious and cruel. We have here the [I] roar[/I] of the winds essentially mocking its victims. The phrase "vicious sigh" seems offputting. It's an odd combination of words that I'm not sure works too well because I can't picture anyone sighing viciously. As we move on you mention thunder and lightning, which some could associate as spiritual devices. Readers could draw the conclusion that vengeful gods are the cause of the natural disaster at hand. However, you eliminate that possibility by specifically mentioning eartly pain. I like that; it was an excellent decision to root the impending suffering in the secular world. I think it makes it easier to identify with because the theme admits that there are earthly forces we can't completely control. Tragedies affect people without discrimination, which makes the tone all the more melancholy. The imagery suggest that we're never safe in certitude. Again, the language. You describe humanity's minds as fragile. You mention how easily destroyed the fabric of our society can be by suggesting that we cannot "mend" broken dreams and tears. This condition of frailty or instability as it relates to our way of life comes together in line 7 when human corpses literally float down the streets. The juxtapostion of nature [waves washing people away] and humanities manufactured world [streets] shows that there's still a sense of invasion here but there's also a sense of betrayal too. The city people have created has failed to protect them from the forces of nature it was meant to subdue. Similar to how you mentioned mending on line 6, you use the term "seams" on line 8, which further associates our way of life with a thin, vulnerable fabric. So, tt this point society has been reduced to an idea, or a dream, that in reality is something else entirely different. Despite how far we come, how far we *think* we've advanced with our technology, we're still in the same boat as the people of antiquity. Our homes, our hopes, everything we know can still be wiped out by the conquering army of nature. This idea of the army is further represented in the second stanza. Nature [I]carves[/I] its path through the city, just as a warrior would carve their way through battle. The stream has become wicked and repulsive. Human cities successfully began near water. So, the stream could be formerly identified as a source of life. What was once lovely and calming has transformed love into tragedy. Which, of course supports the theme of betrayal I mentioned earlier. In the third stanza, the invasion of nature is over. Rains that once vicious and stung, now grant respite. This, I think further shows the arbitrary behavior of nature. It can give life and it can take it away at any given time. I've now run out of time and have to get to work. :animedepr However, I think I've covered the main points here. The ideas and themes I've explained here continue throughout the rest of the poem. Obviously I enjoyed this one. It has many layers of meaning and each says a lot about the transitory state of comfort we live in--how we're not truly invincible, how this complex society we've created can [i]easily[/i] be insantly erased. Very good.