James

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Nerdsy [/i] [B][COLOR=deeppink]Hmmm... I don't mean to sound rude, but aren't wallpapers graphic designs? So, that means it belongs in the Artwork/Graphic Design forum? Blech, just ignore me, I'm flapping my gums, so to speak...[/COLOR] [/B][/QUOTE] Well, I consider this to be different. For two reasons: One, it's a celebration of the site and a contribution from staff to members and two, it has to be attached as opposed to displayed with the IMG code...as it's too large for that. The Graphic Design forum is primarily designed for the IMG code. :)

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by mechaman [/i] [B]I just felt like commenting on this, but I think that the new look is awesome. It looks better than the various colors of blue. Rock on to whomever is responsible for this. [/B][/QUOTE] Thank you for your comments. I was worried that the very different style would not sit well with everyone...but for the most part, people seem to be happy about the change. Remember to download one of two new OB4 wallpapers as well ;)

Here's a GIANT OtakuBoards 4 logo to act as a wallpaper for those who can't get enough of our new style. :)

[size=1]I just want to mention that some design aspects will change over the next week. We will also revamp avatars and smileys and repair general errors. Please don't report these to staff -- I assure everyone that they'll be fixed. In the meantime, enjoy the new forums. :)[/size]

[i]Chole was the last to sit at the breakfast table. He was too engrossed in his blading magazine to make much conversation with the others. Karu was sitting next to Chole, with Sephiroth and Jasmine on the opposite side of the table.[/i] Karu: So where are you from, Jasmine? Jasmine: The Metreon Caves... Karu: Oh, of course, you're a Falyore aren't you? Jasmine: Is it that hard to tell? Karu: Well...Falyore women are usually...well...not very umm... Jasmine: Good looking? [i]Karu nodded. Jasmine laughed and took a sip of juice from her Goblet.[/i] Jasmine: It's okay. My father as a Metropod. That's why I don't look like other Falyore. Karu: Oh I see. Are you a warrior? Jasmine: I suppose you'd call me a warrior...not necessarily by choice though. [i]Karu smiled and continued eating. He occasionally glanced up at Sephiroth who didn't seem to be taking much notice of the conversation. However, Sephiroth was glad that Karu and Jasmine had gotten along so well that morning. For the first time in his life, he felt like he was surrounded by people who truly understood him -- or at least, who didn't judge him by his appearance alone. After about an hour, the four of them stood up and left the restaurant.[/i] Chole: So what now? Are we going to continue on our way to the Castle of the Three Goddesses? Sephiroth: I guess so. But it would take us months to get there on foot. We need to fix that spacecraft... Jasmine: Spacecraft? Karu: Err yeah...we kind of stole one from Solhara City. Jasmine: Oh. Well, you will be lucky to find anyone in this village who'd know how to repair a spacecraft. Chole: Dammit. What are we going to do? Jasmine: Hmm...I know someone who might be able to help us. Chole: Oh? Who? Jasmine: A friend of my grandfather lives in this village. He used to live in Solhara City a long time ago...he might be of some assistance. Sephiroth: Okay, let's go... [i]The four continued walking down the street and out of the village. Just a little further west, they could see a lone hut sitting at the edge of the land. It looked incredibly small and various mechanical parts were strewn across its lawn at the front and sides. As they approached, Jasmine walked forward and knocked on the front door. An old man's voice from inside called out "Come in! It's open!" Jasmine pushed open the door, and sitting inside the kitchen, a screwdriver in one hand and a hammer in the other, was a fairly short old man with white hair. He looked up at the four of them but didn't seem particularly surprised at what he saw.[/i] Old Man: Hello, Jasmine. I haven't seen you in quite some time. :) Jasmine: Hello Rufus...how are you? Rufus: I'm doing well as always. Just working away on a new toaster for Mrs. Lanwell...she promised to bake some of her famous cookies in return. Jasmine: I'm here with a few friends... Rufus: Ahh yes. Hello, Sephiroth...wow, you're actually walking around sans the hood for once ;) Sephiroth: Yeah, I decided to do away with it... Rufus: Ah good. And who else is with you here? Karu: I'm Karu and this is Chole. Pleased to meet you Mr. Rufus. Rufus: Likewise young man. Jasmine: Rufus, we need your help. Their spacecraft crashed in the nearby jungle...and we need to repair it. Can you do something? Rufus: Hm...what is the model number? Karu: SC-3000. Rufus: How in God's name did you score one of those?! Hmm...on second thought, I won't ask. I don't think I can fix a model that advanced. Karu: :( Rufus: Hm...where are you headed, anyway? Sephiroth: To the Castle of the Three Goddesses. Rufus: Well, I suggest that you use my fishing boat. It won't get you that far...but perhaps you could dock at the next port and find a car or something. Jasmine: Really? We can use your boat? Rufus: Sure! I'm too old to go fishing anymore...these days I usually just fix people's appliances -- that's how I earn my income. Jasmine: Oh okay. Thank you, Rufus. :) Rufus: No problem. Good luck everyone![i] Jasmine led the others out the back of the hut toward the dock where the small fishing boat stood on the calm ocean...[/i]

[size=1]Yeah, I agree with you. I mean, topics like abortion or something can be a bit heated...but a fairly deep yet relatively neutral topic (like this one) is good to have whenever possible. As for the second part of your post, I definitely think that Africa is a very difficult situation. It seems to me that many of the national Governments in Africa are just not "with it" in terms of physically building infrastructure and creating programs for economic development and such. The rest of the world seems to throw a lot of cash at Africa -- but it doesn't really do much. I think more is needed in terms of actually going in and building hospitals, school and irrigation systems etc... That is done already...but I think we need more of that and less throwing cash in people's faces -- the cash isn't really solving any problems.[/size]

[i]Early the next morning, Karu walked into Sephiroth's room. Sephiroth was checking his sword and trenchcoat, while Jasmine, the woman he'd seen the day before, was sitting infront of the mirror combing her long hair. She turned around and looked over at Karu.[/i] Jasmine: Hello. Karu: Erm...hi... Jasmine: Who are you? Sephiroth: That's Karu. He's travelling with myself and Chole... Jasmine: Oh! Pleased to meet you, Karu! Karu: Same here, Jasmine. [i]Karu smiled but felt awkward. He didn't know what to say.[/i] Karu: Will you be coming with us, Jasmine? Jasmine: Hmm...I'm not sure, Karu...

[size=1]BabyGirl, you make a very good point about a lot of that aid going to regimes. The best example of that I can think of would be North Korea. North Korea receives millions of dollars of aid every year, but diverts 90% of it into the development of balistic missiles and other weapons. I'd rather cut off aid to these countries completely -- the alternative creates a worrying scenario. By the way, it's good to see some people putting thought into their topics lately...good job everyone. ;)[/size]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Amphion [/i] [B]I These politicians only care about what the world thinks of america. It just breaks their heart if another country disapproves of us. [/B][/QUOTE] [size=1]I think it's a slight oversimplification of the issue. I understand what you're saying, but remember that the United States has welfare systems which can assist people who choose to be assisted. In some countries, there is no real functioning Government, let alone a welfare network. And so, it is reasonable that rich countries like the USA would want to be morally responsible for poorer nations. Having said that, I agree that not enough is being done to combat local poverty. The amount of homeless people in Melbourne is slowly growing -- which is fairly shocking, as Melbourne has never really had homeless people at all. It's worrying because of the fact that it seems the state government isn't dealing with the problem in any way. However, I do know that there are systems in place to help homeless people. The question is, why are many of these people not seeking help? So yeah, I see what you're saying...but I think that there are other factors involved. The USA isn't too concerned about keeping face I think, based on some of the country's international policies. And I wouldn't say that the USA is "feeding its enemies" as such -- it is very often the regimes which are enemies, and not the people who are unfortunate enough to live under such regimes.[/size]

[i]Sephiroth sat there for hours and looked out across the calm water. The sky was a milky mix of pink and blue and there were barely any waves on the ocean. Chole had decided to go back to Kalm Inn to relax, but Karu had stayed. He had stared at Sephiroth from a distance, trying to work him out, trying to understand Sephiroth's feelings. Karu walked over and sat down next to Sephiroth. Sephiroth glanced over at him, and then continued looking out over the ocean.[/i] Karu: I heard what happened between you and Jasmine... Sephiroth: I know. Karu: How do you know? Sephiroth: I heard your footsteps behind me... Karu: Oh...I'm sorry. Sephiroth: No, no. It's okay. I couldn't expect to travel with you and keep secrets from you at the same time... Karu: But it's none of our business...it's your own personal problem. Sephiroth: That is true. But you and Chole aren't like everyone else I've met. You never judged me...you let me come with you despite the way others around you reacted to me. You didn't let their reactions sway your judgement...you made up your own minds. It's a refreshing thing in this world... Karu: I know what you mean. People look down on me because I am a Quart with Windhyte parents...as if that's wrong or something. But they don't know what my life is like. They don't understand that I can be happy living with Windhytes...and that I can love my Windhyte parents just as much as if they were Quart like me. Sephiroth: Yes, definitely. The people of this world can't accept what they don't understand. They look at me and think that I am a rebel...or an anarchist. But I'm not. This is me...I'm not going to fake my image to please those around me. Karu: Yeah...I understand. [i]Sephiroth picked up a small stone and tossed it out over the ocean. It skipped over the small waves before finally breaking the surface tension with a "plonk!"[/i] Sephiroth: Have you ever met a Quart in your life? Karu: No...I've never known another Quart besides myself. Sephiroth: What happened? Why do you live with Windhyte parents? Your home is so far away from the Great Tree of Ephra... Karu: I don't know...all I know is that I was abandoned as a baby. I was left in the great field south of the Kingdom of Physar...and my father found me there... Sephiroth: Oh, I see... Karu: He took me home and I was raised by my new parents. I've never had the desire to find my biological parents... Sephiroth: You were never curious? Karu: No. Why should I be? Who cares where they are? They abandoned me...they left me in that field alone to die. They aren't the kind of people I want to get to know or understand... Sephiroth: But maybe they had a reason for abandoning you like that... Karu: What reason could someone possibly have for giving up their child? I don't want to talk about it anymore... Sephiroth: Alright. [i]Sephiroth reached over and messed up Karu's hair.[/i] Sephiroth: You're a smart kid, Karu. Smarter than people give you credit for. [i]Karu looked up at Sephiroth and smiled. He had a single tear running down his cheek. Although Karu didn't admit it, Sephiroth suspected that Karu did in fact want to find his biological parents. It was the kind of mystical and unexplainable link that all creatures in the world had. So it seemed that both Karu and Sephiroth were searching for answers. It was that search for answers that had brought them together. It seemed to Sephiroth that fate had brought them together on their quest, but even Sephiroth had no idea what would become of them. Karu and Sephiroth stood up and made their way back to the Inn; it was getting dark. When they returned, they found Chole asleep on his bed. Next to him was a half-eaten chocolate cake and a magazine titled "Professional Blader -- The World's No. 1 Rollerblade & Hoverblade Magazine". Karu smiled and pulled a blanket up over him. He made his way to his bed and lay back, staring up at the ceiling. Tomorrow would be a new day. It was time to get serious and start seeking answers...but where to start?[/i]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by AlmightySSJ4 [/i] [B]Nooooooooo! You can't delete these boards! I'm so close to being a member! I don't want to lose my post count! [/B][/QUOTE] [size=1]Delete? Who said anything about deleting? :) We're not going to be deleting anything at all -- version 4 will retain all the current posts and member details. So don't worry :)[/size]

[i]Karu looked down at his feet. He'd taken his shoes off and he had sand between his toes. It felt so warm and inviting...and the water was crystal clear and refreshingly cool. He looked out over Squeaky Cove and noticed a lighthouse in the distance. As he looked further beyond the lighthouse, he saw a small village on a piece of land to the west.[/i] Karu: Hey look...we can go and stay over there. Chole: Ahh, excellent...I didn't think we'd see any villages around here. Sephiroth: That is Bluebell Village. It's a very small, out-of-the-way place...I've been there once before... Karu: Oh. What kind of people live there? Sephiroth: Belbons. Karu & Chole: Belbons?! Karu: What are Belbons? Sephiroth: Bellbons are peaceful villagers who earn their income mostly from fishing. They are somewhat similar to Quart -- they're fairly small in size. But they don't have any particular abilities, in terms of magic or technology. They are just simple, seafaring folk. Karu: Wow...I never knew. Well, let's go then, shall we? Sephiroth: Definitely. Belbons are famous for their seafood cuisine...we should find a great many restaurants in the village. [i]The three walked along Squeaky Cove, toward Bluebell Village...[/i]

[size=1]Ahh yes. Always good to see topics like this. I'm often amazed at how much some of you remember (and sometimes it's a little scary). I wonder where OtakuBoards Version 3.0 will stand in the grand scheme of things. OB4 will no doubt be a very significant change, as Kuja said. Lots of new faces (and some very old faces) among staff ranks on the new boards. At the very least, I'm hoping that Version 4 will be our best version ever. :excited: I hope everyone enjoys it when it finally arrives.[/size]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Transtic Nerve [/i] [B]I've never seen so many newbies post in one thread.... Anyway, uhh yeah, useless topic me thinks, thus me think it time to close topic. I only needed one person to think the same and Justin did that, so ::clicks the close topic button:: [/B][/QUOTE] [size=1]Yeah, perhaps it's a kind of useless topic...but it's nice to see people praising rather than complaining lol. I think we're pretty middle of the road. In some ways we're strict, but it helps to maintain a good standard on the boards. I go to some user boards...and just see nothing but stupid topics. That's why I rarely visit them: they're too boring. OtakuBoards has bad qualities, sure...but I think the good outweighs the bad. :)[/size]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by NorykoAngelcry [/i] [B][COLOR=darkred][SIZE=1] It is a pasta maker ^_^ He keeps only the freshest ingredients in there. He plays a plumber turned cook in this game, and that instrument helps him deliver the best noodles and pasta ever tasted to all the people in the Mushroom Kingdom. But Bowser is a bit upset that he is doing so well, and his own pasta places are doing very bad. He doesn't kidnap the Princess in this one, but he steals Mario's secret recipe, and he has to go and get it back. He has to solve puzzles and defeat bosses all throughout the game in order to finally get to Bowser's Pasta Palace, the first in a line of stringy disgusting pasta houses opened by Bowser and his henchmen. Does that help everyone? *bows* [/SIZE][/COLOR] [/B][/QUOTE] [size=1]Are you serious? I think you've been hoodwinked. lol If it were a pastamaker, it'd have no "water meter" on the top right screen. Also, why would the game be titled "Mario Sunshine" if pasta had something to do with it? lol Hmm...either this is a joke...or a misunderstanding. Either that, or it is infact real...and if that's the case, I wonder why Nintendo has failed to announce such a major development thusfar.[/size]

[i]Chole, Karu and Sephiroth walked closer to the spacecraft. It's sleek, white exterior looked incredibly alien to Karu, who had never in his life seen a space ship. It was a relatively small vessel, and the pod-flaps at the top were open...revealing exactly three seats inside. Chole and Sephiroth stood infront of Karu, as he hopped into the third seat and crouched down out of sight. Sephiroth decided to create a diversion. He took a ninja star from his pocket and threw it toward a security guard. The star hit him in the shoulder and he howled out in pain. The commotion caused a huge crowd to form around the security guard, which allowed Sephiroth and Chole to jump into the ship. They closed the pod-flaps and Chole engaged the engines. Just as he did this, they could hear gunfire coming from outside -- the guards were trying to stop them taking off. Chole fumbled around at the controls and pressed a button which said "Shields". A female computerized voice then said flatly "Shields Engaged at 100%". The bullets did no good; they merely ricocheted off the hull of the ship. Chole then pushed the thrust lever and the ship began to hover in mid air above its stand. It slowly rose high into the air and with a very light tap of the accelerator, the ship blasted off over the crowd. For around ten minutes, nothing went wrong. And then suddenly, an alert sounded "Stolen Ship Detected...overriding controls" Chole looked at the others. The ship had taken control of itself, the only problem was, it didn't appear to have a great deal of fuel. All of a sudden, the ship turned itself around and went in the opposite direction, blasting off at full speed. The force of the acceleration was so strong, that Karu fell out of his seat. Luckily, Sephiroth reached out and caught him by his shirt before he could hit his head against the wall of the rear compartment. Chole looked out below them; but he didn't see any castle...rather, he saw a dense jungle setting. It looked like the ship was heading southwest -- the opposite direction to the castle. Before too long, the ship's engines began to falter. Red warning lights were flashing all over the ship's console and the occupants could feel the hull moving lower... CRRRAAASSHH! The ship plunged into the thick foliage at the edge of the jungle. Chole got up and rubbed his head.[/i] Chole: Is everyone alright? Sephiroth: Yeah, I'm fine... Karu: Yep, it's okay back here. [i]Chole pushed the damaged Pod-Flaps open. As he climbed out, he saw that they had landed on the edge of a forest. To the south of them (and only a few metres away) was an expansive beach with golden sand and blue water. It was Squeaky Beach. Chole had been here once before. To the west of the beach was a small town called Squeaky Cove. It was a popular tourist destination. The three could relax there and work out what to do next. Chole stepped out onto the white sand: he could hear the perfectly round grains of sand squeak under his shoes, thus the title "Squeaky Beach". He was soon joined by Sephiroth and Karu....[/i]

[size=1]It appears to be some sort of water-carrying device (thus the water meter on the screen). If you want my opinions on the game (or should I say, my speculation), you can read my article called "Mario is Melting" over at [url]www.n-sider.com[/url] I have had a great response to it, though it's kind of old now. But still, I enjoyed writing it. Mario Sunshine is shaping up to be an incredible game -- I can't wait to see the playable version at E3 this year.[/size]

[size=1]I agree with BabyGirl. I remember what it's like to be a young child, and young children definitely have this idea of invicibility and being able to handle everything on their own. But they don't realise how much they rely on their parents until they leave high school and get a job...and move into the real world, so to speak. There will always be a generation gap, but children are unqualified to deal with a lot of adult problems. Their lack of experience/maturity is a big part of it -- some things you just can't do, no matter how old you "feel" inside. You have to have had life experience in order to deal with some things. That's why I think it's important to be respectful of the elderly (even if they don't like your music lol), because they have been through a lot in their life...and they know how to deal with things that younger people just couldn't handle. Although having said that...some adults are certainly far from mature. :rolleyes: But that happens sometimes. It's all relative, really.[/size] :)

[i]Karu, Chole and Sephiroth continued walking in silence, broken only by the sound of their footsteps echoing along the pipes. Sephiroth didn't put his hood back on the entire time, much to Chole and Karu's surprise. Chole knew better than to question Sephiroth, but Karu was a child...he still had that slight sense of invincibility that all children have...[/i] Karu: Sephiroth, why did you never take your hood off? Sephiroth: Sometimes it's best not to reveal your identity so easily... Karu: Why? Sephiroth: Because there are many in this world who think they have a score to settle with me. When you become famous for turning men into little boys at the sight of you...there are significant rewards for people who wish to destroy you... Karu: Oh...I see. If that's the case, then why are you coming with us on this journey? Aren't you worried about being discovered? Sephiroth: I've had enough of hiding. Let them discover me...so what...their fates will be no different. I, just like you, want to find out about the monster population increasing...people think I have no plan or agenda, but that's because they talk with their sword and not their mouth... Karu: What do you mean? Sephiroth: Sometimes, young Karu, people don't want to listen. They want to fight...that's all they desire. I only fight when I need to. That is why I do not talk much...those who listen are the ones who have a better chance of knowing the enemy... Karu: Oh... Chole: Hey guys, look...up ahead... [i]Chole pointed at a ladder leading up into the darkness. It was the manhole cover they were looking for; the number on the wall was the same as the number Chole had on a map of the city.[/i] Chole: This should be it...let's go! [i]Karu went first, then Chole and Sephiroth followed. As Karu pushed the manhole cover open (with some difficulty), the three emerged upon a storage room. They were surrounded by boxes and crates.[/i] Chole: Oh phew...I was hoping we wouldn't emerge in the middle of a busy area. Now, let's find that space ship... [i]He walked over to the wall and pressed his hand against a pad near the door. A small monitor on the wall began to glow and it displayed a map of the complex. The SC-3000 display was only a few metres to the south of them. All they had to do was pretend to be a part of the crowd...and jump into the ship when nobody was looking. Chole just hoped it'd be that easy...[/i]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Squashed Snail [/i] [B]Ok, what exactly does MGS2 stand for? :D [/B][/QUOTE] [size=1]It stands for Metal Gear Solid 2.[/size] :)

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by DuoGod of Death [/i] [B]Thanks man!! Yeah this is my first time ever...Sokoku is really cool gives me bunch of space...I plain on having a couple more galleries...and the best thing is...in a couple days it will be out on the search engines!! :D I am so phsyced funnest thing ever! [/B][/QUOTE] [size=1]You are permitted to advertise your own web site in your signature, but you aren't allowed to make a thread about it. Make sure you don't do it again, it only clogs up space in General Discussion.[/size]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Crazy White Boy [/i] [B]Sheesh you guys are unlucky, but at least your wait is almost over. It should be out by the eighth of March. [/B][/QUOTE] [size=1]Oh I dunno about that...March is correct, but Europe and Australia will be getting a bonus "making of" disc for MGS2, which will include various DVD-like extras that even Japan didn't receive. Sounds like it's worth the wait. :)[/size]

[size=1]Sure, the third option sounds fine. That way, Theodeon and Durumir can be "ignored" until SS Trunks comes back to move their story forward. If he doesn't, we can virtually drop them from the story...and perhaps just use them as cameo characters here and there.[/size]

Thief 1: Heh eh ehh...let's rip 'em a new one! Thief 2: Yea! Sephiroth: Take one step closer and you'll wish you were never born... [i]The five theives looked at one another and the first theif laughed. His cackle echoed along the walls of the sewer.[/i] Thief 1: Hahahah! HAH! Just who do you think you are?! You think you're scaring anyone with that stupid false confidence?! Hahaha...look at me! I'm a big, stupid Falyore! Hahahhah!! [i]The other four theives began laughing out loud, while Sephiroth calmly stood still, his eyes narrowed.[/i] Sephiroth: This is your last warning. Turn around immediately and don't look back, or I might change my mind... Thief 2: Bahahahahah!!!! What are you gonna do, buddy? Get your stupid Quart friend to throw a twig at us! BAHAHAHAH!!! [i]Sephiroth lunged forward at the speed of light and grabbed the second thief by the throat. He lifted the thief up above his head and looked into his eyes with a piercing stare.[/i] Sephiroth: You don't even know what true fear is...want me to show you? Theif 2: Uhh...no sir...please sir...please let me live... [i]The front of the theif's pants suddenly became a little darker; Karu muffled a giggle. Sephiroth suddenly threw the thief forwards, sending him at least a good ten metres backward. The thief's body thumped hard against the metal flooring of the sewer. The first thief, despite this display, moved closer to Sephiroth, eyeing him suspiciously.[/i] Thief 1: I've seen you somewheres before... Sephiroth: Maybe you have. But if you don't leave here right now, the only time you'll ever see me again is in your nightmares... [i]The thief pondered this for a moment and thought the better of himself; he backed away and motioned for the other thieves to follow. They ran away and turned the corner, their footsteps echoing against the harsh metal pipes of the sewer. Sephiroth looked ahead of them...[/i] Sephiroth: Let's go...

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Blanko_el-miez [/i] [B]guess what..i have a sist i go in to get surgery on the 28th....my sist is 7in big (huge) and its on my right overie.....its no fair i have polysistic overies (i can not spell that sorry) wish me luck i will be out of school for 1-2 weeks (i can so relax....no school.....wait..awww no fair i get to bring my work here to my home and work on it...its so not fair) [/B][/QUOTE] [size=1]Ahh, that's terrible :( I hate the idea of operations and such...so I think you're very courageous. It must be tough. Good luck with your op., I hope you feel better soon. :)[/size]