James

[color=#808080]Yep, Sara...it's meant to look like a kind of x-ray. But you can see the metallic stuff (so it's an x-ray of a robot, I guess). And [email protected] don't really know where you can find tutorials. I don't use them, I just tend to expiriment with things. In this very thread you've seen how my images have changed by experimentation. So yeah, I don't know if I can help you on that. V_V[/color]

[color=#808080]I only ban IPs when mass spamming occurs. There were two such incidents today. If a school computer has been banned as a result, I make no apologies for that. People need to be aware that an IP will be banned if this kind of thing happens, regardless of whether it's a public access computer or a private system. Regarding your posts, I [i]do[/i] hope to see this kind of effort from you in all areas. Your posts are far more understandable when correct English is used (and I think that's a general expectation for everyone on the entire boards).[/color]

[color=#808080]"Ack, I shouldn't have worn meh kilt te bed last night. I'm allergic te mosquito bites!"[/color]

[color=#808080]Okay, I have a question. It's easy, too. When did Nintendo Australia begin operations?[/color]

[color=#808080]I have the same question as Shy. At least kiss the guy when you don't have any partners. ~_^[/color]

[color=#808080]Well for example, just look at the way you've typed when you've sent PMs to me. Normally your post quality isn't particularly noteworthy. But in those last two posts, it seems to be remarkably better. That's a very sudden shift; it'd be nice to see all your posts looking that good. ~_^[/color]

[color=#808080]WicketThought, why do you type completely differently in this thread to the way you normally do?[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Black_Phoenix [/i] [B] The only reason there is no way out is because no one ever looks. There is always a way out if you put effort into it. The problem in no one does. They think they are S.O.L. and have no choice. A person resorting to suicide is basically saying "I give up." They will not even bother putting up a fight.[/b][/quote] [color=#808080]The thing is, your assertion is an oversimplification of the real issues. Yes, suicide is "giving up". But obviously, everyone is in a different situation. Some people don't have the luxury of being able to look for other solutions -- a sane, stable person can do that for sure. But a mentally unstable, heavily depressed person doesn't have the basic "mental luxuries" that you and I might have. I would never resort to suicide, because I [i]know[/i] I have other options, I [i]know[/i] that I have responsibilities to my family and friends and I [i]know[/i] that I can get help if I need it. But it's important to note that a lot of people don't have that presence of mind.[/color][quote][b] Unlike others, I do not give up that easily. I would rather die trying then then to run scared and kill myself. I have to much respect for myself to just quit like that. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=#808080]Once again, that's you. And that might be anyone with a strong presence of mind; someone with a sane and healthy mental position. Unfortunately, there are people who are locked in a cage and can't get out -- when that cage is within your own mind, the entire scenario becomes somewhat different, to say the least.[/color]

[color=#808080]I agree with Charles, basically. Out of all the people who [i]threaten[/i] suicide and who talk about having attempted it, I'd guess that about -5% would ever go through with it and maybe 10% have actually ever tried in any substantial way. The point I'm trying to get across with that is simply that suicide is a very serious issue. People tend to throw the word around as though it is meaningless. But it's not. People suicide for various reasons. In many cases, people are suffering from severe psychological problems. But in [i]some[/i] cases, there are some very selfish motives going on. I think it really depends on the person and their circumstances. I think the big problem is when people continually threaten suicide as a way of securing some sort of comfort and support from people. I call that emotional blackmail. And I think it's possible for someone to do it so often that they totally forget/don't realize how much of an impact it can have on people close to them. So, if you're always talking about it but never doing it...don't talk about it. Because you're only talking about it to the detriment of those you love. The non-serious cases are ones that I generally ignore. But the serious cases are extremely sad...and there are some major issues involved. In terms of whether it's justified or not...I don't know. If you're feeling depressed and you consciously decide to end your life, I think that's a selfish act. If you [i]attempt[/i] to suicide and you're aware of what you're doing, I consider it to be selfish. Because it [i]will[/i] hurt those around you, make no mistake. So when is it justified? I don't know if it's ever justified. Perhaps if you put yourself in a dangerous situation to save others (if you can call that suicide), maybe then it's legitimate. I really don't know. I can't generalize about it; I can only talk about it on a case by case basis, if it's a serious case. EDIT: Oh, I'd also add...euthanasia for the terminally ill is something that I support. I consider it to be humane under those circumstances.[/color]

[color=#808080]Hehe yeah, I used Book Antiqua for that text. I wanted a "classical looking" font that wouldn't look horrible when I downsized it. But, again, thanks for the input. I always find it hard to settle on something that I like. [/color]

[color=#808080]I think it's pretty obvious, really. It's all displayed on the main page there. And the forum name is relatively explicit. Plus, manga isn't really discussed often enough to warrant a seperate forum. So it's probably most appropriate to put it with subjects that relate.[/color]

[color=#808080]Okay, my avatar's up now. I hope all the animation doesn't make anyone too dizzy. lol I tried to make the banner's animation relatively soft. The avatar's a bit more silly.[/color]

[color=#808080]Okay, well, I'm going for another banner. This one's a bit more...bold. I'm also going to change my avatar accordingly. Hopefully I can make something more interesting next time. ^_^;; How's the new one?[/color]

[color=#808080]Wow, these are the first shots I've seen of this game. It certainly grabs my attention -- it looks very unique and interesting. It's great to see Sonic Team doing something totally new as well. But I really hope that we'll see Sonic Adventure 3 at E3 this year...and maybe a new NiGHTS? I'm sure [i]everyone[/i] wants that. I'd love to see a new version of that game. But anyway... I can't wait to hear some actually hands-on impressions of Billy Hatcher & the Giant Egg. The only misgiving I have about the game right now is its goofy name. lol But the actual game seems like it might be very interesting.[/color]

[color=#808080]I really feel that A.I. had so many important messages. Racism (and tolerance in general) was such a big issue in the movie. In some sense, maybe you could say that being prejudiced against robots is different from being intolerant of someone's race/sexuality. But, when you see David...you realize that even though he's a robot, he really [i]does[/i] have feelings and thoughts. And maybe that is more important than the physical make up of the being itself (whether it's mechanical or organic). The Pinocchio references were also really interesting. I think that they tie in really well with the racism aspect. David was suffering "racim" in the worst possible way -- his own mother abandoning him (and I really think she should have just sent him back to be destroyed...it would have caused him far less pain). So David was trying all the time to win the most basic assurance in his life; his mother's love. It's funny, because on the outside...hearing about the basic themes of the story, I might be convinced that it'd be some overly dramatic, sappy plot. But I agree with you Charles -- it really spoke to me. The ending in particular was so emotional. And I don't think it was overly dramatic or anything like that...it was very subtle. [spoiler]The way he spent the whole day with his mother, just doing ordinary things...having her brush his hair, showing her his paintings, celebrating his birthday...it kind of makes you realize how important those things are. Here he is, 2000 years later, his entire life culminating to this one moment in time. This one day. And yet many of us have experienced days like that on many occasions I think. So the ending in particular was really expressing how important that relationship is. David's entire life was validated when his mother said that she loved him.[/spoiler] It's kind of scary to think that one day, maybe robots [i]will[/i] have that ability... O_O[/color]

[b]How old were you?[/b] [color=#808080]I was 16.[/color] [b]How was it?[/b] [color=#808080]It was...alright. The other person really didn't know how to kiss. But I'm very good at kissing, so I balanced it out. ~_^[/color] [b]What were the circumstances?[/b] [color=#808080]It was after a party...in the back of a car, at night with a heavy downpour outside. Actually, it was a really random and unexpected thing; I didn't initiate it at all. But it was a nice night. There was no sex or anything; we just held hands and talked until about 1am, when the rain cleared. It was nice.[/color] [b]What was your Worst/Best Kiss?[/b] [color=#808080]My best kiss is definitely constantly relived through my partner (who is an amazing kisser O_O). I don't think I've ever had better kisses. ^_^[/color]

[color=#808080]Watch your language, firstly. There's no need to speak to people like that. Secondly, I ask that you at least [i]read[/i] what I post. I never assumed that action movie lovers are all children. I simply said that children (or "young people" in general) may not understand A.I. Even many adults didn't. That wasn't directed at you specifically; it was a generalization about those who have bashed the movie in some way. Obviously, if you think the movie is just about some struggling kid...you've failed to grasp even the most basic themes. So really, you [i]don't[/i] understand it at all. I'm not saying you have to like it or anything. You can enjoy whatever types of movies that you like. But what's the point of being so flippant about it? I mean, all you're really doing is bashing a very artistic movie because it doesn't satisfy whatever simplistic desire you might have. As I said, it's okay if it's not in your taste...but I think your negative comments are a little misplaced, to say the least. And yes, Sara...you really should see this movie. I think you will really appreciate it. And I really think you'll like the ending. I don't know why...but I picture you enjoying and understanding the movie. I think some people will just "get it" and others will say "Oh yeah, nice special effects...who cares?"[/color]

[color=#808080]Yeah, I must admit, I'm really disliking the Azure logo at the moment. It was definitely way too rushed. As for the avatar...I really wanted to make a very subtle animation that was not too noticeable. I tried to make the avatar fit the banner. So, yeah...maybe I will try to improve it. ^_^ I'm glad you like the banner though.[/color]

[color=#808080]Windowlicker by Aphex Twin. You will lose your musical virginity.[/color]

[color=#808080]I said "Australian muscle cars". ^_^ [img]http://www.fpv.com.au/upload/image/355_1x24x200382610PM.jpg[/img] Here is the GT-P, for example. This is a car made by FPV (Ford Performance Vehicles) and it is a modified version of the Ford Falcon (made by Ford Australia). So, FPV is like BMW's M-Power or Nissan's Nismo. It's their tuning/performance/luxury arm. And if you want some statistics on the GT-P: Engine Type: Boss 290 - High-performance 5.4L Quad Cam 32 valve V8 Max. Power 290kW@5,500rpm Max. Torque 520Nm@4,500rpm Engine Size (cc) 5408 Compression Ratio 10.5:1 Bore x Stroke 90.2mm x 105.8mm [/color]

[color=#808080]That's a really interesting take, TN. And really, I agree. I think a lot of people fail to appreciate the inner beauty of this movie. It has many layers to it -- every single scene...every single [i]shot[/i] has a meaning and an importance. You know that shot where David's father is dressing him and he looks up at the mother through the glass? I found that quite disturbing...very "alien" in nature. And yet, toward the end...David is such a warm little boy. I found the ending to be really emotional for me personally, moreso than any other movie I've seen. I guess that's because I also have a really strong connection to my family -- my mother in particular. So I found that it really spoke to me. It was very, very touching I thought. But yeah, A.I. has a lot of contrasts to it as well. The harshness of the Flesh Fair and the softness of David and his family. So yes, I think it's a really interesting movie to discuss...because it [i]is[/i] quite different to anything else out there.[/color]

[color=#808080]First: SEE A.I.! Phew. ^_^; Now that that's out of the way... I understand what you mean when you say it's not something I usually do. I rarely do the whole "future/tech" type of design that Shift and others frequently use. But after seeing the movie again, I felt really compelled to try it. I wanted to do something very simple and with a really careful choice of colour. I'm actually thinking that I should have anti-aliased my text in the banner...but I guess it doesn't really matter either way. I really like David's silhouette. When you see the movie, there are a few somewhat disturbing/dark shots of him...where his silhouette is emphasized. I really like that whole idea. ^_^ So the banner is insanely simple, but I think it speaks.[/color]

[color=#808080]Well, with this movie...you have to listen carefully and you really do have to get sucked in by it. It's very much an adult's movie. I expect that most children simply won't enjoy it -- especially if you're after more of an action packed movie. But storywise (and even special effects wise), I think A.I. is pretty unique.[/color]

[color=#808080]You're asking people where their underwear originates? [size=72]o_O;;[/size] I think this is right up there with the socks thread...[/color]

[color=#808080]After watching the movie for a third time today, I thought I'd start this thread. I've decided that A.I. is my favourite movie...ever. I felt that way after I first saw it and I think I still feel that way. Coming from me, that's a pretty big statement (I always hesitate to say something's my [i]favourite[/i], because I'm never really sure lol). Apparently some people really felt that this movie was a bit of a bomb. But, I really adore it. I absolutely [i]love[/i] the ending. I think it's a really beautiful aspect of the movie. And the story overall is both highly tragic and distressing, but also very optimistic and loving. Funnily enough, when I first heard about A.I., I expected it to be some sci-fi action thing. But really, it's not. It's really a drama. I also feel that Haley Joel Osment is a great actor. For some reason, a lot of people seem to be annoyed by him (like the kid in Star Wars: Episode I...ugh). But I must say, I've always found his acting to be so mature and well ahead of his age. In The Sixth Sense, he was great; he made that movie. And I think he also makes A.I. as brilliant as it is. For those of you who know about A.I., I also have a question. When David visits Dr. Know and he reads that poem about the Blue Fairy...does anyone know where I can find that poem? I've searched everywhere, but I haven't found it. I want it, so that I can include it in my banner/signature. I really love it. ^_^ But anyway, I'm interested to know who has actually seen this movie...and do you think it's a masterpiece (like I do) or just another sci-fi movie?[/color]