Sara

[quote name='Methuselah][COLOR=DarkGreen][SIZE=1]I dressed up as Daisuke from Digimon once, it was great fun even though people hated me for it.[/SIZE'][/COLOR][/quote][color=#ff6600]Are you serious? That's so cute! Do you have any pictures? I have such a weak spot for Digimon characters. =] Anyway, I don't really use the term "glomp," but "tacklehug!" is kinda the same thing. And yes, I do that on occasion. Great, now I feel silly and fangirlish... do you know what a semi-conductor is? Sara[/color]

[color=#ff6600]I dressed up as Chihiro (from [i]Spirited Away[/i]) during Homecoming week last year. Costume day, great fun. I had pink scrubs and a little soot sprite made of black pipe cleaners. It was actually pretty cute, and I probably have a picture at home somewhere. On the other hand, I've also dressed up as Princess Fiona (from [i]Shrek[/i]) and Charlie Chaplin, so there's not much special emphasis on "cosplay," really. More like, "fun character, easy costume, yay!" It's not a hobby for me, just an occasional thing that turns up (usually when there's an official excuse to dress up, such as Halloween or some sort of costume day.) I do like dressing up. taste the rainbow, Sara[/color]

[QUOTE=Cera. (Who's Cera?)] Greater love hath no one but this: That he lay down his life for his friends. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away..... And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.[/QUOTE][color=#ff6600]It's funny how people can say "I love you," and believe they mean it, but not actually...know what they are talking about, I guess. I've had a young man profess his love for me...and he was serious, or thought he was. It was scary, because I didn't feel that way about him, and it was very overwhelming. I was sixteen. He was seventeen. He's married now. I've heard, or said, that [b]Love is caring about someone else more than yourself,[/b] but I think that definition needs a second part: [b]and trusting the other person to feel the same way.[/b] (And, I think, they [i]do[/i] need to feel the same way.) I think that's a valid way of putting it, whether you denote that by "true" love, [i]agape[/i] or some other term. I suppose the idea that the feeling is returned has more to do with relationship than individual love. "Love" itself is very broad in English. I love ice cream, I love my family members, I love my friends. I don't feel the same way about all of them, heh. But Love, in the sense that people usually try to define, is unconditional. The idea that, despite anything (and possibly everything) your feelings for this person would remain unchanged. on your corner in the pouring rain, Sara[/color]

[color=#ff6600]I was browsing around and found this. I thought it was hilarious, so I thought I'd share. [url=http://www.whatsyourfavoriteflavor.com/prizes.asp]Pick your favorite flavor![/url] Here are some examples: If [b]Crushed Pineapple[/b] is your favorite flavor, you are probably very leaid back. You take life as it comes and have a great sense of humor. If you don't like something, you just walk away, and if someone loses their temper, you hand them a C. P. jelly bean. People who choose [b]A&W Cream Soda[/b] as their favorite Jelly Belly bean are thoughtful, unpretentious, and admire 50's music and sweater sets. People whose favorite flavor is [b]Cappuccino[/b] are very smart and probably have their own blog. They do not subject themselves to offensive experiences and know teamwork is the key to success. It's fun--go! Play! top banana, Sara[/color]

[quote name='Sepiroth']Dont say mutt say Heinz57, mutt is so deragatory. plz ok[/quote][color=#ff6600]I'm sorry you feel that way. I am only referring to myself, however, and no hard is meant by my statement. I dont' find "mutt" to be derogatory, and I've never known anyone else to feel that way. And honestly, I had no idea what you meant by Heinz 57, as I've always associated that rather strongly with a line of condiments, and not so much with mixed heritage. I

[color=#ff6600][center][size=4][b][u]Natuure of the Twon: What [i]is[/i] Glie, anyway?[/b][/u][/size][/center] That's interesting--[spoiler]the coma[/spoiler] idea. I know I jumped directly to the concept of [spoiler]Purgatory[/spoiler], but I haven't looked at it much, I guess. The [spoiler]coma[/spoiler] thing seems pretty well fleshed out, actually, while [spoiler]Purgatory, even dual purgatory/reality[/spoiler] is something that I haven't looked at explaining so much. I guess what I'm looking at here is a [i]why[/i] question: [spoiler][i]Why[/i] are they in Purgatory? [i]Why[/i] are there so relatively few of them (compared to townspeople)? [i]Why[/i] do we not see adult Haibane? (That is, "born" as adults. [/spoiler] I'm still uncomfortable with saying anything about the Toga.) It can't be that everyone in the [i]Haibane Renmei[/i] universe/world [spoiler]becomes Haibane when they die[/spoiler]. Dealing with numbers alone (never minding anything else), it's impossible. So what are the criteria? It seems like each of the Haibane [spoiler]arrives as a child[/spoiler]. At least, as far as we see. [spoiler]They are different ages--Kuu told Reki she was glad that Reki was older than her, because otherwise she wouldn't be in the group of older Haibane.[/spoiler] But they are still (as far as we can tell from what is shown) all [spoiler]children when they arrive, albeit children of different ages.[/spoiler] [center][size=4][b][u]Nature of Glie--Christian theories? [spoiler]Age of Accountability, Purgatory, and Penance[/spoiler][/b][/u][/size][/center] I know that some Christan churches (heh, and Robb did scold me for thinking that only Christian relions might be represented...but I'm not familiar with anything else, so I can't say anything about it) there's an idea called [spoiler]Age of Accountability.[/spoiler] The idea is basically this: [spoiler]There is an age at which people becomes accountable for their actions. What does that mean? [i]Before[/i] a child reaches that age (whatever it is), they may be a sinner, but they aren't "condemned" (or accountable) for their sin. Before that age, if they die (regardless of faith in Christ), they would go to heaven. It's honestly something somebody came up with to console parents of children who died young. (Although they do have biblical passages that they use as support.) [/spoiler] Anyway, I think we could draw a parallel to such an idea. Tell me what you think of the concept before I spend time developing it any further, eh? On another note, for the sake of the theory, this is a brief definition of [spoiler]Purgatory that I think roughly corresponds with our theory: [i]Purgatory (Lat., "purgare", to make clean, to purify) in accordance with Catholic teaching is a place or condition of temporal punishment for those who, departing this life in God's grace, are, not entirely free from venial faults, or have not fully paid the satisfaction due to their transgressions.[/i][/spoiler] I think the names of "Abandoned" living places may work with the rule that Haibane [spoiler]must only use things no longer used by humans[/spoiler] (which, working with the [spoiler]purgatory[/spoiler] concept, could be seen as a sort of [spoiler] penance/the working off as past sins[/spoiler]. Looking at what I have written above, it seems like the [spoiler]Age of Accountability[/spoiler] thing doesn't work with the [spoiler]Purgatory[/spoiler] thing, but it does in my mind. That idea that [spoiler]children who die before a certain age have a chance to live again/be purified/do penance/something[/spoiler] Ithink, it what the rough idea is. But again, just rambling, so tell me what you think, and if it works we can polish it up. And yeah, the feel of the series fits. ^_^ last, best hope of the free world, Sara[/color]

[color=#ff6600]Much like the Ramenator, I'm a European mutt. My dad's side of the family are Russian-Germans (or [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volga_German]Volga Germans[/url], people of German ethnicity who emigrated to Russia) who then ended up settling in Minnesota some time ago. I'm not sure about the specifics on my mom's sidde of the family, although I know I have a chunk of Irish in there, somewhere. I should ask her again. I'm a bit over five and a half feet tall, I have thick brown hair, and brown eyes. Some people say I look just like my mom, and others can't get over how much I resemble my dad. CAUTION: [SIZE=1]HARD HAT AREA[/SIZE], Sara[/color]

[color=#ff6600]I love taking walks at night. Unfortunately (especially wandering around here at campus, which I'm not yet used to), I can get a little nervous. I've had some drunk jerks yell at me before, and while that wasn't a big deal, it did catch my attention. One night a couple months ago (I was walking back to my dorm after a football game), I thought I heard someone following me. So I picked up a rock from the railroad bed I was walking next to, and took it back with me. I call it the [b]Bashinator[/b]. I don't know how useful it would ever be (hopefully not at all, as I really have no desire to want to bash someone with it) but it makes me feel a little better to have a chunk of granite in my pocket when I'm walking alone. :) Another thing I worry about is just a broad [i]doing things wrong[/i] or making a fool of myself. Whenever I'm asked to do something new at work (keep up the salad bar, for example, work as checker, or mass-produce grilled cheese sandwiches) I get really nervous. Work is really laid-back, so no one actually thinks to [i]tell me[/i] what I am supposed to be doing. I guess that means they don't care that much if I do it wrong, but I've gotten scolded a few times for doing things that I didn't know I wasn't supposed to do. It's frustrating, and I end up being really reluctant to try new things. That applies to a lot of what I do, actually, heh. It was a lot worse in middle school, and my years in drama during high school really helped my self confidence, but I'm still very wary of trying anything new. Which is too bad, and I seriously need to get over it, because I have a lot more fun when I don't care. The secret to dancing well: "Don't wonder 'do I look like an idiot?' Because you do." Heh. Other than that, I hate coming across things I'm not expecting. Like bugs in my cereal. Spiders on my shoulder. A mouse in the bathroom. It's not that I'm [i]scared[/i] of these things, I just don't like being taken by surprise. Oh, and yes: for a few months after watching [i]Final Destination[/i] I had an [b]irrational fear that my shower would try to kill me.[/b] love, love me do, Sara[/color]

[color=#ff6600]While I enjoy the mythology and symbolism associated with the zodiac/star signs, I don't place any belief in it. Still, it can be fun. As an [b]Aries[/b], I am supposed to be [b]spontaneous[/b] and [b]active[/b], possibly with [b]warrior energy[/b]. I should have a [b]fiery temperament[/b] and be an [b]enthusiastic leader[/b], and more "sedate" members of the zodiac often see me as [b]combative and insensitive[/b]. I am also unaware of the wounding effects my [b]lusty desires[/b] have on those around me. Do I think this sounds anything like me...at all? Nope. If I were [b]Taurus[/b], I would be considered [b]determined and stubborn[/b]. I would desire physical things, with a special longing for [b] good food, physical comfort and luxurious surroundings.[/b] In fact, I might even be considered [b]greedy[/b]. On the upside, I would enjoy [b]working with my hands[/b] and may even be a [b]mechanic[/b] or [b]carpenter[/b]. I would also be very creative, and [b]If ever one is shipwrecked on a desert isle, one can only hope to have a Taurus along, for within a day a two this individual will have built a hut and devised a system to deliver running water.[/b] Ahem. No, except for the "liking good food and physical comfort" bit, that doesn't sound much like me, either. But we've still got ten other tries! :) Were I a [b]Gemini[/b], I might [b]thrive on change[/b], eager to experience the world and everything in it. I would [b]love communication[/b] and possibly have a career in [b]writing, editing or broadcasting[/b]. My [b]curiousity[/b] would often get the better of me, and I may be considered [b]fickle[/b] due to my contantly changing interest in new things. I would be very [b]sensitive to the criticism of others[/b], and may often find myself unhappy if stuck in one place. This is closer, I think, than the first two. I'm very "into" communication, I enjoy writing, and I don't like the idea of working at one job for the rest of my life. Onto...[b]Cancer![/b] A cancer places great importance on what [b]others are feeling - not what they think.[/b] Whatever profession they may choose, they are ruled by their [b]emotions[/b]; similarly, they are [b]easily affected by the moods of those around them.[/b] With a reputation for being [b]defensive[/b], Cancer individuals are [b]easily hurt[/b] and [b]desperate for security and stability.[/b] And a nice analogy at the end of that: [b]The symbol for Cancer is the crab - the sea creature who carries his home on his back. This symbol carries great meaning for these individuals. They must learn to be at home within themselves. If they look for their sense of safety and security within themselves, rather than without in the world, then they will be safe and secure.[/b] For an emotional gal who's been feeling homesick lately, that entire blurb hits pretty close to home. So far, by all rights, I should have been born under Cancer. [b]Leos[/b] on the other hand, are [b]creative people who easily take the reins of power and step willingly into the limelight.[/b] They like to be the [b]center of attention[/b] and are often [b]dramatic[/b] and [b]funny[/b] (even [b]volatile[/b]) for that reason. Leos [b]need to feel powerful[/b] and need to be given the [b]recognition they deserve[/b], or they may become [b]bitter and sullen[/b]. Oh, and yes: [b]The great lesson of Leo is about the use and abuse of personal power.[/b] No, this doesn't really seem to fit me, either. [b]Virgos[/b] are typically [b]practical, analytical and attuned to details.[/b] They can be hard on themselves, and may often be considered [b]perfectionists[/b]. They are [b]neat and organized[/b] and can be [b]escessively critical[/b]. And apparently they [b]love animals[/b]. No...not so much. So that's the first half of the zodiac. For those interested, most of the bolded traits (and all of the longer bits) were taken from [url=http://www.astrologyinsights.com/sott_archive_2000/libra.html]this site[/url]. le yawn, Sara[/color]

[color=#ff6600]Whenever you work up the courage to ask someone out, you run the risk of being refused--it's difficult, and the reason [i]why[/i] working up the courage is so hard in the first place. If you're rejected, you feel embarrassed, awkward around the person, and just generally cruddy. I think the worst thing you can do in this situation is lie (or allow them to think you are interested). Talk to them seperately, be honest, be gentle, emphasize that you still very much want to hang out with them. You don't need to say, either, anything that they might take as a shot against them. What you just said here: "I am entirely uninterested in being in a relationship with anyone at this time." It's true, it's simple, and it isn't diirected against either person. If you don't do that, you run the risk of seriously hurting one or both of them, and the longer you allow them to think you may be interested, the worse are the chances that things will smooth over easily. In the end, however, whether or not they will still hang out with you (and I wish you the very best) depends on their strength of character, not yours. made in the eighties, Sara[/color]

[quote name='Xander Harris']In my experience, though, homework parties rarely lead to actual studying, but do help the economy immensely in regards to junk food consumed ;)[/quote][color=#ff6600]Quite true. Yeah, I go to UMN, but I'm a CLA (college of liberal arts) student. The girls in my wing are mostly CLA, I think. Anyway, hm. Probably the most uncool thing I do is work at my dorm's cafeteria. People (when they find out I work there) constantly ask me why. I guess that makes sense, I mean...let's face it. When you're forced to eat somewhere all the time, you're going to have some problems with it, heh. On the other hand, I like most of the people I work with, it's close (I don't even have to go outside to get to work), it's very flexible, it pays better than several other jobs that I might have taken, and I get free food when I work. Other than that...I have a Mac, heh. I can't even begin to describe all the teasing I get for that. Comes of being friends with so many Computer Science majors, probably. :) sleek and sexy, Sara[/color]

[quote name='Xander Harris']Sara, your dorm sounds cool... a lot like a female Heemstra... for curiosities sake, where do you go to college at?[/quote][color=#ff6600]I live on the IT (Institue of Technology) Honors floor at the University of Minnesota. Guys and gals, actually. I'm not actually in IT (there are honors liberal arts students on the floor as well), but most of the people who hang out in the lounge are all IT. Every Wednesday night is a physics homework party (they've got class Thursday mornings, or something, heh). It's a lot of fun, I love living here. duck duck, Sara[/color]

[quote name='Xander Harris']I love Italian Soda. They serve it at the local coffee shop, which is a great place to hang out, do homework, and talk to people, but I can't stand coffee (I'll drink cappucino, though, heh). The only kind I've really had is Huckleberry, because I like it so much it's hard to want to try anything else..[/quote][color=#ff6600]I know exactly what you mean. Every time I go to Wilson's (coffee shop back home *nostalgia*) I get black cherry Italian soda. With whipped cream on top. It's just too incredible to even [i]think[/i] about trying something else... i'm a barbie girl, Sara[/color]

[color=#ff6600]I was having some problems with this thread until I started considered the difference between cool and "cool." I think I've got the hang of it now (although some responses still baffle me.) So I guess my concept of cool (or even "cool") is a little skewed. I live in a very geeky community, where debates about the finer points of calculus are not an uncommon occurrence. Even among my non-anime watching friends, anime is considered something that people watch. Kinda like Dungeons and Dragons--sure, it's nerdy, but no one is going to start calling the kettle black. Several girls in my dorm have taken up knitting (I've seen more home made scarves here than you would believe). We have tea parties on Sunday afternoons. I really can't think of anything uncool. (Despite Azure's mockery of my anime-dubbing and theme music-singing prowess.) :p Alright, tangent aside, here are some of my quirkier hobbies. I collect [b]small plastic figurines of cartoon characters.[/b] It's not exactly "entertainment," but it "entertains" me. They're mostly from 25¢ boxes at rummage sales...if I see one I particularly like, I'll grab it. I have Hermes (from Disney's [i]Hercules[/i]), Djali (the goat from [i]The Hunchback of Notre Dame[/i]), one of the lost boys from Peter Pan (I don't remember his name), Bartok (from Anastasia), Philoctetes ([i]Hercules[/i] again), a stiff-looking Superman, some assorted yellow Pokémon characters (Pikachu, Pichu, Meowth, and Psyduck) a an old-fashioned looking soldier, and some pirate dude (possibly from the Sinbad movie, although I'm not rightly sure). They're fun, I've got them set up on the shelf above my desk right now. I have an interested array of [b]Magnetic Poetry[/b] up on one of the magnetic surfaces of my room. It's an assortment from several free sets that I've gotten at one time or another. One deals with cat food, one is about sex education, one is put out by the gay-straight alliance, and one deals with spring break themes. People come in my room and make some interesting messages with them. I go on quests for [b]free stuff[/b]. There are a couple tables in the student union that are usually set up by one student group or another. All the groups have handouts, and a few of them have really cool (i.e., not pamphlet) handouts. I've gotten lots of free stickers, several pins, a T-shirt, [spoiler]flavored lubricant and condoms[/spoiler], lots and lots of candy, a small plastic [spoiler]fetus[/spoiler], crackers and other snacks, a poster, coupons for free Chipotle and iTunes music, and a wealth of other things. Plus, you can find a lot of companies are willing to give you a free sample if you request one. cordially, Sara[/color]

[quote name='Fall']If you ask me, that man looks like a complete moron to more than half the viewers of his offer. Sorry to ruin his fan gathering.[/quote][color=#ff6600]*looks around for fans* Most of the people here are of the 'wow, he's a moron' persuasion, actually, Fall. In any case, I do think it's crazy, but crazy in a sweet, wholesome way. And there's nothing wrong with that. Six degrees of, Sara[/color]

[color=indigo]I was just thinking about this thread the other day, wondering if I could/should/would bring it back. [b][E]-Untitled[/b] Met a girl, fell in love When she spoke, my heart just froze But you know how the story goes Went to school, saw a show Born too young, lived too old It's been so long since I've told But I'll tell you again If you will, we'll meet again My heart still screams I don't want to let fate win You're fading away And I'm dying again I still love you so Won't you let me come in? Don't kill me. Here I stand, it's all I am I'll give you my heart if you'll give me your hand Let me hold on till it's too much to stand Don't ask too much I have nothing more to give. do not iron while wearing, Sara[/color]

[color=#ff6600]I like Cream Soda in general. In particular, I like Sprecher's Root Beer and Cream Soda--they are incredible. (I toured the brewery once and got unlimited free soda samples. It was great, heh.) My school has an agreement with the Coca-Cola company, so there are no Pepsi machines on campus--everything is Coca Cola (it also means that the University-affiliated stores can't sell Mountain Dew! Which is the official (non-alcoholic) beverage of college students everywhere.) I also like Cherry Coke, and the "Diet Coke with Lime" thing. Plain cola doesn't really appeal to me, but both of these taste great to me (although I'm not a fan of diet soda in general.) "if by soda you mean POP, *****!" Sara[/color]

[quote name='AzureWolf][FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Haha, how romantic (in the [url=http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=romantic]Merriam-Webster Dictionary[/url] sense, not the "love" sense). It's kind of neat, but stupid as hell. I guess that is the essence of the word "romantic," haha.[/COLOR][/SIZE'][/FONT][/quote][color=#ff6600]I actually found this to be a very cool idea. I don't know why everyone's deriding the poor guy about it. If I had the money (which I obviously don't) I would have bid on it. I don't actually want/need any of the stuff (well, I didn't sort through his entire list by any means, but I glanced over the pictures), so...I don't know. I guess I'd resell it or give it away. I do think it's a neat idea. How many people reach a point in their lives when they wish they could just start over? *shrugs* out to prove she's got nothing to prove, Sara[/color]

[center][size=4][b][u]More FGiWD? And Reki's personality.[/b][/u][/size][/center][QUOTE=AzureWolf][FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Assumption: FGiWD? [SPOILER]relies on others, they fail her, and so she commits suicide[/SPOILER]. Extrapolation from assumption: Reki, [SPOILER]cynical from "feelings" of her past life, refuses to rely on others, therefore fails to accept help, and almost chooses suicide (aka missing her day of flight)[/SPOILER].[/font][/size][/color][/quote][color=#ff6600]Okay, so you're suggesting that FGiWD? is not [spoiler]merely a 'young' Haibane Reki, but Reki as a human child, pre-death. (You know, that's the whole story, but it still seems to freaky to write out.) I see why you're anxious to know about the wings, heh--this makes great sense to me, actually. It actually seems to 'fit' the feel of the series better than FGiWD? being merely a younger Haibane Reki. I don't think it actually matters that Reki didn't start out cynical and jealous--we can, like, totally work around that! There's no reason why her life in the town couldn't be a parallel to her human life. She doesn't need to [i]arrive[/i] angry, but she could easily go through the same steps of hurt/rejection/closing-off-ness in the town as she did outside it. Or outside the town as she did in it. Or whichever way you want to look at things.[/spoiler] [center][size=4][b][u]Back to the Toga.[/b][/u][/size][/center][quote name='AzureWolf][FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Yeah, I think we're clear on who we are talking about when we talk about the Toga now. If all else fails, come up with another fun moniker like FGiWD? should Toga somehow become inappropriate. :p[/color][/size'][/font][/quote]Wait, we are? *looks around helplessly* I'm on a lab computer, I don't have my notes! Augh! [center][size=4][b][u]Crazy Radical Duality Ideas[/b][/u][/size][/center][quote name='AzureWolf][FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]As I pointed out to you on AIM, this idea is [B][U]extremely[/U][/B] radical. Especially for me, since I've been using the [SPOILER]singular idea of Purgatory[/SPOILER] for the longest time. It's kind of funny, since it's clear to anyone who uses that angle that there's no way to address some of the most apparent and poignant mysteries of Haibane Renmei. In my defense, I tried thinking of other explanations, but then holes would appear in places where the [SPOILER]Purgatory[/SPOILER] theory was solid.[/color][/size'][/font][/quote]Do you have examples? What other theories did you have, and why didn't they work? I haven't thought much about Kuu's voice, honestly. And like I said, I don't have an of my notes...so sorry about the briefness of this, heh. killing time and roses, Sara[/color]

"I hate school." Leo grinned, crouching down--then falling over, then sitting--on the floor next to the fourth grader who had just expressed the sentiment. "How come?" he asked. The fourth grader--her name was Mandy--made a horrible face. "I don't know. It's stupid, and I hate it. Everyone hates me and my teachers are all dumb." "Bad day?" he suggested gently. "Yeah. My best friend isn't in any of my classes, and Mr. Jensan wouldn't let me switch desks--even though there were only like fifteen people, and like ten empty desks, and I hate sitting in front. Everyone always thinks I need to cause of my glasses, but I [i]don't[/i]--" She was close to crying. "That's why you wear glasses, right? So you can still see from the back." She nodded, looking at him with tear-filled eyes. "Well, that doesn't sound fair to me at all," Leo said. "It's [i]not![/i]" "Yeah, I know. Did you have Mr. Jensan for anything last year?" "Yeah." "What?" "Reading." "Did he make you sit in the front ?" Mandy sniffed. "No." "So he probably doesn't think you need to. Did he let anyone else move?" "No..." "Hm. Well, he probably wasn't trying to be mean," Leo smiled. "He just didn't want everyone to move their spots around." "I guess. But I'm still mad at him." "That's okay." He paused. "Do you want to hear about one of my classes today?" "I guess so. Sure." He told her. When he finished the story, Mandy was staring at him, wide eyed. "She just [i]sat there[/i]?" "Yup." "The whole class?" "Yup. Never said a word." "Didn't you do anything?!" "Me?" Leo laughed. "Nah. It was...Senpai...who went up against Myrtle. Everyone else just watched." He winked. "I worked on a crossword puzzle." "During [i]class[/]i?!" Mandy was shocked. "Well, yeah. The only other thing to do was watch the staring contest. Which, while certainly tense, wasn't exactly worth [i]that[/i] much of my time." "Didn't your teacher yell at you?" "No, he was watching Myrtle the whole time, remember? Anyway." Leo smiled. "Wanna go get a snack?" Mandy looked around--the rest of the after school kids were sitting at the snack table. "Okay." So they did.

[color=#ff6600]I deflect your brick with my Team Leader Sheild; it bounces (yes, bounces) harmlessly away, having been turned into rubber butterflies. I close my eyes and concentrate, powering up for my attack. ....[b]....[size=3]....Mod Rod Blast![/size][/b] A horrible sound reverberates throughout the forum. Members stop what they are doing and look up. Some cower in fear. But truly, for a rule-abiding member, there is nothing to be afraid of. I smite only the unworthy. As the smoke clears, one thing becomes apparent--this thread is closed. ----- Heya, and welcome to OtakuBoards. This sort of thread doesn't really have a place here--a more structured game could go in the Adventure Arena (but you'll want to take a look at some of the other threads in there before beginning your own; there's a certain level of quality expected). Please familiarize yourself with our [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/rules.php?]rules[/url], and if you have any question, check the [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/faq.php?]FAQ[/url] or PM a staff member. ^_^ Happy posting, Sara[/color]

[color=indigo]I have a playlist devoted to a certain type of song--I think almost every single one would fit in this thread. I don't listen to a very wide range of music, so most of them were suggested by my friend in his attempt to broaden my musical horizons. One of my favorite songs is [i]The Spirit Carries On[/i] by Dream Theater. Nicholas: [i]Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where do we go when we die? What lies beyond And what lay before? Is anything certain in life? They say, "Life is too short," "The here and the now" And "You're only given one shot" But could there be more, Have I lived before, Or could this be all that we've got? [b]If I died tomorrow I'd be alright Because I believe That after we're gone The spirit carries on[/b] I used to be frightened of dying I used to think death was the end But that was before I'm not scared anymore I know that my soul will transcend I may never find all the answers I may never understand why I may never prove What I know to be true But I know that I still have to try If I died tomorrow I'd be alright Because I believe That after we're gone The spirit carries on[/i] Victoria: [i]"Move on, be brave Don't weep at my grave Because I am no longer here But please never let Your memory of me disappear"[/i] Nicholas: [i]Safe in the light that surrounds me Free of the fear and the pain My questioning mind Has helped me to find The meaning in my life again Victoria's real I finally feel At peace with the girl in my dreams And now that I'm here It's perfectly clear I found out what all of this means If I died tomorrow I'd be alright Because I believe That after we're gone The spirit carries on[/i] It's a really beautiful song, and the lyrics always strike me. The uncertainty at the beginning, and the calm confidence and hope at the end, and you're left wondering whether it's a sad song, or a happy one. I love this song. something tells me we are gonna be friends, Sara[/color]

[color=#ff6600]I knew I posted this somewhere. [quote=Sara][b]Career Goals[/b] I am going to run away and join the circus. My circus troupe and I will travel the world, visiting every country in reverse alphabetical order. I will spend my time performing, learning new languages, and typing letters on my typewriter to my many correspondants. I will spend many years in the circus, touring the world and accomplishing the things on my things to do before I die list, which I will recompile as soon as I can find the old copies of it. In the years before my death, I will retire to an elaborate antebellum mansion, complete with ballroom, courtyard, phonograph, and other anachronistic luxuries. I will continue to write letters--not only to my original pen pals, but also to the many new ones I will have made on my international forays. Eventually, these scattered letters will be compiled and made into a book. High school studets will be forced to read excerpts from it, and clueless but enthusiastic teachers will claim to know things about it that are not true. The literature textbooks will have a brief biographical blurb which will say, "all we know of her comes from the letters she wrote faithfully to her many pen pals." And many years in the future, March 25th will become a national holiday. It will not, however, afford a vacation from school or work. It will be a day when all personal letters can be sent for five cents and under. Long after I am forgotten, the postal service will continue to observe March 25th as a day when odd people visit the post office to send letters, although no one will any longer remember why. And there will be ticker tape parades.[/quote]Now, if that isn't cool, I don't know what is...unless it's my plan to create havoc throughout Europe, as discussed here:[quote=Sara][b]If I were an evil megalomaniac villain...[/b] [size=1]I don't think I'm cut out for conquering the world. I tend to plan big projects, start out on them, then get a bit of the way through and move on to something else. So I guess I'd have to settle for conquering southeastern Europe, or some such thing. And the modern age of weaponry isn't really my thing. Hm. How about this: I would start out by getting myself a couple allies--friends, hired folks, whatever. I'd tell them about my plan in exhange for their help. They'd agree, laugh and forget about it. I would journey to my target area (Estonia?) and make myself known as some sort of smart person/advisor/whatever. I would eventually work my way up to being advisor to the king. If they had a king. If not, I'd adjust accordingly. I would spend some time weilding my influence as the [i]real[/i] power behind the throne. (Or...chair. Or...whatever.) Then I'd call on my buddies from the first step (remember them?) and make them some sort of official ruler-like thingy of some small neighboring area. Having forgotten me, they woudl be pleasantly surprised by my gift of lands and power. However, their initial satisfaction would give way to greed and distrust. Not yet possessing a large enough force to battle me, they would each sneakily send out soldiers to conquer neighboring areas. Gradually, their lands would become large enough that they could not hold them on their own, and they would choose certain people to govern the outlying parcels of land for them. The process would repeat itself, [i]ad infinitum[/i] or, of course, when two people claimed the same bit of land. There would be a battle, things would be grand and glorious and bloody, the victors would rejoice, and some of the non-dead of the losing side would run off into the far countryside, establishing their own rule and slowly plotting revenge. And with that, having single-handedly re-established feudalism, I would retire to a position as wandering bard/scop/troubador, and comfortably go about writing history. Because when everyone else is scrapping, history is also written by those who bother to take notes. Rock on.[/size][/QUOTE] the spice of life, Sara[/color]

[color=#ff6600][center][size=4][b][u]More Reki! [/b][/u][/size][/center] Reki has always been [spoiler]sin-bound[/spoiler], and has always had [spoiler]black wings. She hides them using the stuff Kuramori got for her[/spoiler]. At least, that was the impression I got, and I didn't see anything that suggested otherwise. However, again, I think Reki was [i]not[/i] a [spoiler]"meany from day one." Scared, yes, lost, yes, but not closed off. The episode where Kuramori takes ill, for example--Reki is quite wide-eyes and sweet, and Nemu (Is that her name?) is rather scathing towards her.[/spoiler] Yes, I definitely agree that Reki [spoiler]committed suicide, and that was why she arrived sin-bound[/spoiler]. Ah, and now that you mention it specifically in that context, I guess there is something in Christian theology about that. I'm not sure what, specifically, but yeah--I understand what you were asking now, heh. [/color][quote name='Azure][color=blue]The FGiWD? steps in as [SPOILER]a reflection of Reki's mental state[/SPOILER], since what you see is very similar. That is, [SPOILER]she seeks help from others, can't find any, and commits suicide[/SPOILER]. As a [SPOILER]Haibane, our FGiWD? friend, who is now Reki, is forced to seek help, refuses any given, and commits a different kind of suicide[/SPOILER'].[/color][/quote][color=#ff6600] I'm not really sure what you mean. Could you reword that, maybe? [center][size=4][b][u]More Toga![/b][/u][/size][/center][quote name='Azure][color=blue]Which was distracting, admittedly, since I was always thinking, [SPOILER]"Oh, they have to tell us the truth about them now. No? How about now?"[/SPOILER'][/color][/quote]Heheh. That made me laugh. Okay, so we're assuming all the masked weirdos (including the offical?) are Toga, then? Alright, hm... [center][size=4][b][u]Toga and the Official![/b][/u][/size][/center][quote name='Azure][color=blue]Just the Official? What about the rest of them? I agree with the Official, since I think that was the person [SPOILER]leading Rakka to between the walls to do the job[/SPOILER]. Do you have a different idea about the rest of them? And how do you explain the [SPOILER]wing thing if the Official guy has them[/SPOILER']? Why is he different from the others if he is the only one?[/color][/quote]I don't have a different idea about the rest of them, no. But I guess I was sorta thinking there were two different groups--the Toga, and then the haibane who lived at the temple. Hopefully that explains what I was saying earlier. [center][size=4][b][u]Toga, moving into the NATURE OF GLIE! [spoiler]Duality, Purgatory, and other fun stuff.[/spoiler][/b][/u][/size][/center][quote=Azure][color=blue]As I mentioned before, I never thought much about the whole [SPOILER]talking to the outside[/SPOILER] aspect of the Toga before, so I'm not sure. I thought that they couldn't so [SPOILER]no one would remember them by sound[/SPOILER] or something. However, if we can derive a good explanation about the [SPOILER]inside-gate and outside-gate relevance[/SPOILER], then I'm willing to consider another reason for the Toga [SPOILER]not talking[/SPOILER]. In other words, what is [SPOILER]beyond the walls? Is that where the Haibane go when they fly? And why are the Toga the only ones allowed to interact with that world?[/SPOILER][/COLOR][/QUOTE]Well...we can look at the Toga and assume that they are [spoiler]Failed Haibane[/spoiler]. Okay...so what? They're allowed to make contact with the outside world...Hm. Why them? Because they actually know the nature of the town? What [i]is[/i] the nature of the town? I orginally thought that the town was simply an [spoiler]allegorical [b]symbol[/b] for something (Purgatory, perhaps, like we've discussed) However, that just doesn't seem to work. It seems to me, more and more, that the town has a complex dual nature. It may be a sort of purgatory, but it is also a real town. It contains Haibane, but also humans. It is surrounded by a wall that is Death while at the same time being a [i]physical wall[/i] that keeps people in/out. So perhaps the Toga also transcend the boundaries of being purely one thing or the other. No longer Haibane, neither are they human. [/spoiler] So why couldn't they also be able to pass through the wall? Like the town, the Toga are (in a sense) [spoiler][i]both[/i] literal and allegorical.[/spoiler] Tell me, does that make sense? I really feel that I need to watch this again. ^_^ wanted: dead or alive, Sara[/color]

[color=#ff6600]Panda Panda is my hero. She is my Otaku Lounge buddy, and I am constantly amazed by her patience with the more difficult threads and members there. She is kind, funny, sweet, and almost terminally friendly. I have never seen her post anything that even suggest she is annoyed or reaching the end of her temper. She always gives a reason when performing any moderating duty (which can be easy to gloss over when it is self-evident why a thread should be closed). She is also one of the friendliest faces on myOtaku, posting almost every day with interesting topics and simply awesome pictures (I have no idea where she gets all of them.) She manages to do great interviews for theOtaku, and makes dozens of enchanting greetings and wallpapers. In short, she contributes to every aspect of theOtaku's community in a positive way. She does all this with a smile on her face (in a manner of speaking) despite her ongoing health struggles. This post alone makes me want to nominate her for some nationally recognized award. She is absolutely amazing, and we all love her. I cannot say enough how awesome she is. Oolong, the Pancake Bunny Truly, this is a rodent worthy of note. To my knowledge, it was Charles who introduced the Pancake Bunny to OtakuBoards in an image with the caption "I have no idea what you're talking about, so here's a bunny with a pancake on his head." A disturbingly endearing image, the personification of cheerful confusion and amiability, it was immediately embraced by the community. It is my opinion that merely thinking about the Pancake Bunny will tranform a merely 'okay' day to one have happiness and laughter. Seeing its picture puts one in danger of reaching a high level of euphoria. It is clear from the general level of happiness on the boards that the Pancake Bunny has had a great impact on the members here. If anyone is interested in learning more about the joy-bringing [i]Oryctolagus cuniculus[/i] and his long and happy life, [url=http://www.syberpunk.com/cgi-bin/index.pl?page=oolong]this site has information and images.[/url] CommunicationA thread started by the ever-awesome Mimmi last January (a year ago, yesterday), this was one of the few threads I was able to post passionately in. She opened by offering several different means of communication, and discussion sprouted from that, with people offering their thoughts on the pros and cons of various means, as well as brinign up different points. There was an interesting side about text-based internet communication, as well as the nature of language and how children learn and utilize it. This is a thread that I was sad to see slip out of site, and I would like to see it brought back--especially with the courses in language and linguistics I have taken/am taking this semester, things that I skimmed over the first time I read it now catch my attention. I think part of my enjoyment of this thread was not only that it was something I was intersted in, but that it actually encouraged discussion from the very start. Rather than several seperate, staccato posts stating each individual's favorite food or nickname, [b]Communication[/b] invited theories and responses--a great back-and-forth thread, that (for once) wasn't about a political topic.My gf loves Bakura more than me!?!?!A recent example of just how hilarious life can be. While by no means the defining example of the worst Otaku Lounge has to offer, this is nevertheless a great show of the sentiments that once made v2 a beloved era in OtakuBoards history (and now you wonder why ^_~). The panicked naïveté shown here is at once repelling and endearing. While notice is first drawn to the utter implausibilty of the thread's title, upon closer examination it becomes clear that this is a relationship dilemma of MaxSonician dimensions. One cannot help but be morbidly intrigued by a thread whose creator is second in his girlfriend's affection to an anime character (and, by general consensus, not even all that sexy of an anime character). Humor and muted horror mix in this thread to create a pinnacle of message board entertainment. As MistressRoxie said, "I've bookmarked this thread forever." A work of genius three years too late for its era, I firmly believe that [b]My gf loves Bakura more than me!?!?![/b] deserves an eternal place of honor in OtakuBoards history.What Smells Blue?This thread, much like the [b]Communication[/b] thread I mentioned earlier, is something I truly enjoyed. I feel weird talking about it, since it's something I started because I love what it's about, and I'm pretty biased about how terrific it was, but oh well. This is a topic--the association of words with unlike things (e.g., colors)--that I am really interested in. I wanted to know if anyone else was familiar with it, and I was really pleased with the replies it got. Dagger posted a great article about the phenomenon (dubbed "syntaste" by Azure), and I think most the posts in there were pretty well thought-out and written. It was a rarity in the Lounge in that it was something that hadn't been discussed before, and I found everything that was said to be interesting. It's great to have discussion that people have evolving input on, and this is another thread that I would really love to see people start posting in again.Charcoal Feathers Federation [Haibane Renmei][i]Haibane Renmei[/i] is the first anime I have watched in a very long time, and the only one I've ever seen straight through. I loved it, and found so much in it to wonder about and make theories on. The Haibane Renmei thread, since I've been participating, has mostly been Azure and I (with occasional interjections from Dagger) writing back and forth, bouncing ideas and theories off each other. It is so much fun--I haven't thought this much about anything in a long time. So, while I rarely stick my head in the Anime Lounge, I have to say that this thread is the most enjoyable I have ever seen in there. If anyone else has seen the series, I encourage them to post their thoughts. (If you haven't finished it, however, [i]don't[/i] read the spoiler tags--the series really is something to be experienced, not read about.) Shy Of all the people around at OtakuBoards today (well, not counting the gal I've known since I was eleven), I've known Shy the longest. We both registered in late March of 2001, and got to be friends soon after. As I'm sure everyone who has gotten to know him will agree, he's an awesome person. He has this terrific, dry sense of humor that never fails to make me smile, and I don't think anyone can argue that he's come up with (and put up with) a lot of ideas for OtakuBoards. His RPGs and RPG characters are brilliant and quirky. Like others, I am going to mention [i]hero[/i] and [i]Vignette[/i], in both of which I am involved. ShyOtaku is always fun to read; his obscure quote/reference competition is fun, and the posts themselves are always great. I also think that [b]Nifty Fifty[/b] is a great improvement on the [b]Otaku Awards[/b]. No matter what position he is currently holding at OB, everyone (with perhaps a few exceptions a couple years ago :))who knows him is glad he's here. On top of all that, he's a good friend and a great person. [/color]