James

[color=royalblue]Yep and if you are found out to be pirating games at all, there are pretty hefty penalties involved.[/color]

[color=royalblue]I read that if you don't blow their head off, or burn them, they come back to life and are stronger/faster than ever. Does that negatively affect gameplay, or do you guys think it actually makes the game more exciting?[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Sacred Warrior [/i] [B] Really dude. I thought gay people like someone of the same sex. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]Uhh, don't you get it? lol Flirting doesn't mean you necessarily want to be with the person. If he's flirting with her, that's no indication of what his sexuality is. And if there are rumors that he's gay and he has no girlfriend...well, there's probably a pretty big chance that it's true. If it's not and if he really does like her, she just needs to give him a little space and see what decision he makes. :) [/color]

[color=royalblue]He probably has a girlfriend or something...or he's gay. lol But don't push it -- you may find that he comes around eventually. :)[/color]

[color=royalblue]Ah that sucks, Ginny. I hope you feel okay. I agree with you wholeheartedly -- sometimes you need to grab the bull by the horns...sometimes you have to just go out and do something, rather than talk about it.[/color]

[color=royalblue]I think this topic has pretty much run its course. No point keeping it open now.[/color] :)

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by kuja [/i] [B][SIZE=1][FONT=century gothic][COLOR=crimson]as much as telling you that the 3rd option looks really good, i will refain from it... james is looking for a good reason to ban me again... [/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE] [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]Ahh kuja, stop acting silly. I've put it behind me, the least you can do is the same. I have every intention of letting you stay here, and there is really no point in creating contention every single time I talk. I know I certainly don't have anything against you. Anyway, yeah...I mean, there are aways to let this guy know you like him without really throwing yourself at him. And sometimes if you don't make a move, you will always go through life wondering what might have been. I'm sure many of us have had that happen to us before -- better to know than not know, even if it's a negative response. :)[/color]

[color=royalblue]Megaman 1 is where it's at...[/color]

[i]Z. Chang approached the large double doors which led directly to the hub of Balamb Garden. They opened as he neared them; the two guards standing by the door didn't bother to check his briefcase. They knew who he was. He strode along the pathway toward the central staircase, which led to the Garden's elevators. He'd planned on visiting Headmaster Cid in his office momentarily and then making his way to the VIP quarters to relax until dinner time. Z. Chang kept his eyes forward, but in his peripheral vision, he noticed several other senior staff from Trabia Garden. They appeared to be watching him. The Trabia Garden staff held his attention only momentarily, as his gaze returned to the central hub that he was approaching. He continued walking toward the elevator...[/i]

[color=royalblue]Ahh! I love The Matrix...finest Aussie movie ever made. I can't wait to see the sequel!! [/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by zidane11 [/i] [B] By the way, what ever happened to Blanks777? I know james is here now and I was wondering if anyone knew if they were the same person or not. How did you guys find otaku? [color=indigo]I got your message and moved this thread to Otaku Lounge. And don't worry about it, it wasn't any trouble at all. - Desbreko[/color] [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]Blanks777 is Justin (not [i]our[/i] Justin though ;)). Just Blessing joined theOtaku early through its life -- in late 1999. At that point in time, he was running Absolute Sega (his site, AbsoluteSega.com, had merged with theOtaku). At the very same time, I had applied to write for AbsoluteSega.com. When I contacted Justin, he informed me that AS was moving to theOtaku.com. So naturally, I decided to write for theOtaku.com's Absolute Sega section. But only about a month after that section launch, Justin dumped it and went for an Xbox section (which I wrote for, for a while). A few months later, I opened my own section; Absolute GameCube. And then, by mid 2001, Justin decided to leave theOtaku.com and start MSOtaku.com -- a fully independent site. At this point, we had a lack of staff...and we closed down our gaming sections and put theOtaku.com under rennovation. It remained closed for quite some time, eventually emerging in its current V2 format. During that time, MSOtaku became CloudChaser: Microsoft. And recently, CloudChaser merged with XenGen to create XenGamers.com. Justin currently has no projects going. And I'm still around -- I was responsible for the move to O3Online (including the site's logo and core website) and since early 2001, I have been running OtakuBoards.com while Adam has been running its sister-site, theOtaku.com. Now of course, Otaku Artist has launched...OtakuBoards is on version 5 and all is running smoothly. :) Phew...a brief history lesson there, from the staff perspective. Hope that answered some questions. :)[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Transtic Nerve [/i] [B] Well I won't deny that electronics are used in music... with the ever growing technology comes improvements. Digitally recordings, digital sounds, etc etc. But when I look at my list of rock music groups... everyone's got a drummer, or if they don't have a drummer as part of the group, they have a drummer play the drum beats... and in most of the songs, they have a real drummer playing... As far as pop goes, thats a totally different story... rock always seems to be that kind of music that stays back in time. They haven't leaped forward in technology like pop has... they have no need to really. I mean, sure, a few technological adavnces here and there (vocals, guitar, etc) but not nearly as much as pop. Rock stars tend to "keep it real"... they play their own instruments, write their own songs, and sing.... do it all at the same time. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]You're definitely right. But most rock music today would sound completely different if it weren't for electronic technology, whether it be something more advanced (like a computer) or something more simple (like basic distortions and such). In truth, the rock genre is hardly untouched when it comes to technology. The only genres that are still almost completely untouched are the more traditional country and classical genres. Of course, in even genre, you still have completely non-electronic groups. But these days, it's incredibly rare.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by DuoGod of Death [/i] [B] Now saying that a kid would not have a choice on his sex preference is just wrong. Every kid has a choice of their sex preference. Or else we would all be attracted to the opposite sex. Most likely the two gay men came from a mother and a father, what do you think he had to do, he had to decide, even tho his parents were gay. Just cuz they are gay doesn't mean their kid will be. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]I think what you are truly saying didn't come out right -- but I agree with everything you said. This point wasn't worded very well -- nobody has the choice of their sex preference. It's not a [i]choice[/i] to be attracted to the opposite sex/same sex -- it just happens. The only choice is whether or not you actually decide to have a relationship with someone that you are attracted to. So yes, gay people come from straight parents (usually)...and straight people can come from gay parents. In the end, it's based on how you're born...not how you were raised or what you were taught.[/color]

[color=royalblue]Hm, this would technically qualify as a "favourites" thread, requiring only one word responses. Nevertheless, I'll keep it open for the time being and see how it goes.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by wrist cutter [/i] [B] Not in the oldschool bluegrass I listen to, man. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]:drunk: Yeah, if you read above, I did actually say "depending on the kind of music you listen to". :)[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Transtic Nerve [/i] [B]I can't honestly think of any "non-techno/pop" band that uses electronic drums... For me, electronic drums don't really do it for me unless it's in Trance music or something.. I suppose it has something to do with what type of music the group is playing... if it's rock music, I tend to want a strong beat that isn't so prominant, but can still be heard.... electronic beats tend to be more prominant and don't vary in sound... in real drumming,y ou can hear the variances in sound, which i guess kinda adds to the overall real sound they produce as to someone who producers a created sound using electronics.... electronic drum beats are good, in lets say pop or trance music, but as far as rock goes, I tend to want a real drummer... [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]The thing about synthetic drums, is that they can sound however the artist wants, thanks to new technology. They can have greater variance than a regular drum could ever have. In addition, they can sound exactly like regular drums, so the listener can't tell the difference. This happens with quite a lot of music -- I've seen several interviews where it's been mentioned, which interested me, as I had previously thought the difference was easily defined. In any case, even a real drummer is used...most rock music today is so laced with electronics, that it kind of becomes irrelevant...electronics have unquestionably become a major part of all forms of music.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by wrist cutter [/i] [B] No, I wouldn't, my bands just don't swing like that. Except a few songs here and there, in which they do use electric drums. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]Oh of course, it entirely depends on which bands you're listening to. :)[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by wrist cutter [/i] [B] I must quote Cameron of Glam Japan - "GET A DRUMMER.. YOU SOUND BAD!" That about sums up my opinion on bands who use drum machines. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]You might be surprised at how many bands use electronic-based drums and accessories. :) Synthetic drums can often sound much better -- I find that regular drums often sound hollow and gutless, whereas enhanced synthetic drums tend to have a wider range of sound capability. Having said that, I was also broadly referring to everything from electric guitar to electronic distortion -- electronics are becoming the core of new music creation in this century, thanks largely to huge advancements in computers and other related technologies.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by kuja [/i] [B][SIZE=1][FONT=century gothic][COLOR=crimson]second i will tell you to follow your heart, it may get broken, but i personally think it is better to have a broken heart than a curious one, you will always find someone better if they dont feel it back, but if you dont at least let them know, your heart will always wonder and fall for them each time you think of them. COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE] [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]I agree completely. :) Better to know than not to know -- the worst thing this guy can say is no...and really, if you prepare yourself for that...then it's not so bad. :)[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Heaven's Cloud [/i] [B][color=indigo] Oh, come on now, these are pioneers of an industry...it doesn't matter if you like them or not (personally I don't care too much for most rap) but both are incredible artists...and both have brought at least as much to the music industry as Sum41 (who I DO like) and Greenday (ahh catchy, but it is about time they learned how to play there friggin instruments). [/color] [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]Hm, I wouldn't agree. I think Snoop Dog is one of the most un-talented artists on the Earth, perhaps only being eclipsed by P. Diddy. lol These people capitalize on an image so much...their music just has no sense of flair or uniqueness. As far as techno goes, people must remember that techno is perhaps the widest-ranging form of music. And infact, you probably like techno and don't even know it -- most modern rock bands utilize a wide range of electronics (No Doubt mostly uses drum machines these days) in order to produce specific sounds/distortions. This would not be included directly in the genre of electronic music, but I would say that electronic music has a bigger influence on the music world than any other form of sound. [/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by gokents [/i] [B]i dont think its ok to say right wing. religion is not politics. religions dont fall to the left and right. its god and you [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]If only it were that way in reality. Religion is politics. Before political systems were established, religion was the only way of maintaining law and order. Also, religion itself doesn't fall to left and right -- it's the individual's interpretation that falls to left or right. For the most part, it is the right-wing edge of religion which tends to be the most interolant in society. That doesn't mean the religion itself is bad, it just means that the right-wingers who practice and interpret it use it to further intolerance.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by wrist cutter [/i] [B] Sorry, I misinterpreted that. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]No problem. :) [/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by wrist cutter [/i] [B] I think that's a pretty rash generalization. I do not think a lot of religious people have zero tolerance of gays. It's like saying most Muslims are homocidal maniacs due to a few radicals who present a poor reputation for the rest. There are plenty of jerk religious people who hate and despite gays, but there are far more who are tolerant. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]Perhaps you didn't read what I said. I said: [i]religious-right[/i]. Meaning, highly conservative religious groups. This is a well known fact. The religious-right is essentially the only major group in society which protests homosexuality -- this is evident wherever you go in the world. Of course, you can be religious without being homophobic, but it's a well known fact that the right-wing religious groups are highly intolerant of homosexuality.[/color]

[color=royalblue]It's interesting what you mention about techno. Techno has been big for so many years in Europe and Australia -- infact, the whole "rave culture" started right here in Australia (which I found very interesting, I always thought it'd started in Europe). America certainly has yet to fully embrace electronic music in a popular way. All you have to do is look at the Aussie charts -- in our top five, we usually have at least two techno/electronic songs. And quite regularly, there is an electronic music single as the number one song. I am personally glad that music here is so diverse...but certainly, in the USA, music is becoming more open all the time...it's only a matter of time before USA has its own techno revolution. :)[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by BabyGirl [/i] [B] [color=deeppink]Someone understands me! :beer: Heh, I DO bite if someone posts spoilers...or the plot...or anything mentioned about Episode II that is not mentioned in the media! Hehehe...oh...I can't resist... [size=3]Spoiler free 'till Episode III![/size] James: As for the books and characters, yes, those are approved by Mr. Lucas. Remember Coruscant from Episode I? That planet originated from the novels, just as an example. Lucas has to make sure that the novels don't spoil his long-term plans for the movies. [/color]:twitch: [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]Ahh, that's kind of relieving in a way...er...I mean, if I were [i]hugely[/i] into Star Wars, it would really annoy me if the movies contradicted the novels in some way (especially if I really loved the novels). I do feel like I remember Coruscant being mentioned in the second series (IV, V, VI), but I thought that it was brilliantly portrayed in Episode I. I mean, during the time of the first Star Wars, I don't think that they would have been able to accurately represent Coruscant. Digital technology has its critics...but you have to admit, Coruscant looked amazing in Episode I. :) And now, in Ep. II, the digital effects are just mindblowing...so much more advanced than even Ep. I. Just look at Yoda...they couldn't really do him justice in Ep. I, but now...the technology is such that they can render every little hair on his head in great detail. This also means that the locations can finally look [i]exactly[/i] the way Lucas intended. What do you guys think of the digital effects in Star Wars? Are you purists, whereby you feel that the puppets were better? Or do you really feel like advanced digital technology (and thus, more accurate representation) is better? I'm for the latter...Ep. II is going to look precisely how Lucas intended the galaxy to appear...and that's a really cool concept.[/color]