Lady Asphyxia

[size=1]I don't think I'll ever reach my full potential, and I never want. If I do, what do I have to strive for? I mean, why try when you know you can't do any better?[/size]

[size=1] [b]A story I've started, but went the wrong way with in the last paragraph. (I'm thinking of making myself a word document called 'Discards' -- with paragraphs of writing that just didn't work; it didn't fit in with the rest of the story, etc. You think I should make a thread, too? It'd certainly be interesting to learn from.) It's about a psychic, and she's seen a murder. The story was influenced by a dream I had -- I saw a guy murdering a woman in my dream, and decided to turn it into a story. I called it Dreamer.[/b] [center]________[/center] When images came to me in my dreams, I decided that it was the combination of stress and fatigue that made me dream of people being murdered. It was when I saw the story on television that I first went to the police. Yes, I went to the police. Most psychics like to claim that the police came to them, but really, if you?ve dreamt of a person being brutally murdered, and then find out it really happened, you?re going to do one of two things. The first is to go to the police. The second is to book yourself into a mental institution, under the care of a stout nurse named Helga, who hailed from the ?Old Country?, and who won?t listen to anything you say about dreams that tell the future. You do not sit down and wait for the police to come to you. And, as for other pet peeves about psychics (and I have quite a few, I must tell you), it strikes me that a lot of them change their names to something awful like ?Madame Dahlia? or ?Mistress Mirithiel? and claim to have seen visions since they were six. In my experience, that?s a load of nonsense. My first ?vision? was when I was 42. By that time, I had kids, a mortgage, and a husband who did nothing, just like most other women in the western world. There was no talk of meditation to ?further my inner eye?. To me, my ?inner eye? was the thing I used when I knew my kids were hiding something. And that isn?t a special technique. It?s called guilting. Some days I almost wish I could say that I was ?Madame Dahlia?, and that I?d been seeing things since I was six, but most ?Madame Dahlia?s are skinny as a rail, and, much as I hate to say ? I don?t float gracefully on air. I waddle. At best, I shuffle. And, while my kids prefer to call me cuddly, I must say that, quite simply, I am fat. [/size]

[size=1]Kathy looked over at the group, then at the techies in turn. It seemed that one had been left with most of the work; he was frowning intently at the screen. She lifted up her long skirt past her knees -- indecent for the period, but no one was around to see -- and walked over to see what he was doing. Now that she saw him properly, she realised he was one of the first people to get their injections -- she'd recognise that platinum blonde hair anywhere. She grinned when she saw his hard work. It was 3-D chess, certainly worth concentrating on. 'What have you been doing?' she asked as she watched him play. The man must be smart -- at this point, he seemed to be beating the computer. 'Not only this.' He smiled at her in the screen. 'I've been tracking the messages you were sent.' 'Really? How?' 'Well,' he called up one of his open windows. 'This program here is checking for ways around the block.' 'What block?' He ran his hand through over his head -- an obviously uncoscious gesture. 'Well...to start off with, I loaded this program, TracACE, and read the messages header -- a header is a thing that is on everything that's sent, and that resulted in a list of places the messages were sent. And I've sorted them out a bit, and then I hit a block.' Kathy, who wasn't one for knowing anything about computers except that they had games, just stared. 'A block is like this big cement wall.' Kathy nodded, finally understanding. 'Fair enough. I'm Kathy, by the way. We haven't been formally introduced.' 'Fry.'[/size]

[size=1]Hrm...how do you get a key in the 6th Dungeon? *sigh* I'm so confused. Really.[/size]

[size=1]Well, apparently, Australians are less likely to take the day off when they're sick, but more likely to 'chuck a sicky' -- take a day off and pretend they're sick. I'm pretty Australian, in that respect. I do stay home when I'm feeling rotten, but I'm more likely to stay home and do assignments and catch up on things I haven't done for a while -- on assignment days, I do more in 1 day than I usually do in a week![/size]

[size=1]It actually quite odd that you should ask this. My sister and her boyfriend have just come over from England, and he has the most [i]wonderful[/i] accent. I really love it. ^.^ It's so...English! Anyway, I had to catch a taxi to school the other day [long story, don't ask why], and I was talking to the taxi driver, and he asked where I came from, because he thought I had an accent. I said I'd recently been over to New Zealand, and that my sister and her boyfriend were over, and he was quit surprized, because he thought I had a slight American twang! ^.^ My story for the day.[/size]

[size=1]Personally, I think the entire idea of rating creative work is ludicrious [even more so that I spelt it wrong -- I think!]. It seems like putting everything into a box -- and often artwork and poetry is something extremely personal. Now, I don't want to turn this into a ***** session, which I realised could happen. I think, the most frustrating thing I've come across as a reviewer, is when you know that a piece needs some [i]serious[/i] work [i.e. Third grade level, when the person in 12-14 years old] but you know quite well that you aren't there to tell them that -- you're there to encourage them. As a reviewer, I believe I play the role of an editor, or a friend. I'm not there to shred the person to pieces. And I'll try to be honest, but sometimes honesty isn't the best thing for them. It's hard to be honest in some situations whilst keeping the role of friend and supporter. So, I suppose, while I can see Mitch's point of view, I believe more in watering down the truth in some situations.[/size]

[size=1]So, we've all come across them; the annoying people who just don't know how to act in a discussion or criticism of your [or someone else's] work. It could be something they say, it could be something they imply, or worse yet -- they could flame an ametuer writer for something that they cannot help, because they haven't learnt yet. To me, these people [and I may have been one, on a few occasions.] are annoying and inconvenient. I believe that there are set rules that you should follow when discussing a piece a person has written, even if they are unstated. In particular [which most annoys me] is when a person says 'Please, don't be hard on me, I'm just starting', and someone waltzes into the discussion and criticises them their work, and for saying something like 'dont be hard on me'. I believe you should abide by their requests and take it into account. So, with that said, what is your pet peeve in the reviewing/constructive criticism rounds, and what is your favorite 'rule'?[/size]

[size=1]Kathy slipped away from the group, sighing as she walked into the open spaced area. It was a clearing in the courtyard -- almost Greek in style. [i]Odd, that[/i], she thought, noting that, while it might be of Greek design, it certainly had none of the class that ancient greek building held. It was grimy -- perhaps the washerwoman had decided it wasn't important -- and the floor was packed mud; nothing like the tiled floors of Greece and Rome. She sniffed the air, noticing the fait whiff of cooking. The kitchen must be somewhere nearby. Not that she was hungry. The meals in these ages really consisted of pig, and fat. From the very few vegetables that were served, it seemed that even those were fried in fat. The was a crackling in her implant, and the static radio communication was fading in and out. [i]The Load planet...odd activities...danger...[/i]. The static cut out and faded completely. Grabbing hold of her veil, Kathy ran out of the courtyard and towards the tents. The others would want to know about it if they hadn't already heard. And if they had, there was quite a lot of planning to be done. ____ See? I post. [/size]

[size=1]I've done that, and then he changed colour. Do the arrows work on him, too, or is it different this time? [I thought it was different, maybe I just aimed wrong. ^.^][/size]

[size=1]My mum is like Harry's -- I go by basic rules 'Never meet someone.' And, really, I'm probably a lot more caustious than the rest of my family. Used to be, a lot of people didn't know my real name [even here -- I was Rae. I still am Rae, but you guys know my real name now.] and things like that. Now I've sort of relaxed. It's like Ashy [Rain] said -- the Internet really only gets bad press. it's not as if they're going to have a headline of [i]"Girl Went On Internet And Didn't Get Attacked Or Stalked!"[/i]. [/size]

[size=1]Hrm. So, I got to these ruins, and...there's this guy who is Blue and Red. Should I be trying to fight him now [just after the 5th Level] or not? If so, how do you defeat the Red Man?[/size]

[size=1]Actually, Mitch, I started [i]Clan of the Cave Bear[/i] at my friend's house. Much to my regret, I wasn't allowed to borrow it [it belonged to her mother], and I've never actually finished the book. What I've read, however, is really quite interesting. [i]Clan of the Cave Bear[/i] [hereafter referred to as Clan -- I'm slightly lazy] is set in prehistoric times, and follows the life of a girl, whose mother died when she was young. In the first book, she had to survive on her own when she was little [I think about 4] until she was found by another clan, and [grudgingly] accepted into their midst. She was raised by the healer, and, when she's older, the chief takes interest in her. About then or so, the book splits to a new character [I read this book about 2 years ago, and I cannot remember their names], this time male. He and his friend are travelling. Personally, I didn't think the beginning was all that slow. It was a good read [of course, I don't know about the ending...], and while some parts were slightly slow, not all of them. It was really interesting to see some of the rituals and everyday things they did. I'd certainly reccomend that you check the book out. [center]_________________[/center] [b]08.09.03[/b] I have to reccomend you to a book [b]Duckness[/b], by Tim Richards. I read this a while ago, and it's a series of short stories on compeltely unrelated topics, but it's entertaining nonetheless. The title originates from the first story, about a woman who has to cater to her father because he's sick, or something like that. The book is quite funny, and well written. In fact, I think it's brilliant -- and I'd buy it...but I haven't come across it yet. [/size]

[size=1]I have no religion as such. I suppose I believe in something after death, but I have no clue what it is, and I don't wish to tie myself to a religion when I can't fully believe in it. *shrug* I'm just one of those people. I dont' really think of my self as the circle of existance -- although, really, when you think about it, your world revolves around yourself. You don't know what other people say when you aren't there, and so on. I find that I'm at my deepest -- or is it shallowest? -- when I'm about to fall asleep. These concepts come to me, and it changes the way I think. However, they're often normal concepts seen in a different light, or with a twist, and so it isn't as odd as it might seem. To me, dreaming is a way of getting out what you've subconsciously repressed. I had a dream about a woman who was strangled to death [I refused to go to sleep afterwards, heh.] and her face was purple. The day before, I'd watched a movie when a woman hanged herself, and it showed the purple face. At the time, I wasn't overly affected after the first shock. It seems to me that I'd repressed the image, and it came back so I could deal with it. [/size]

[size=1]From what I was told, Einstein just advised America to bomb Japan before Japan bombed them, or some such thing. My favorite scientist is Marie Curie and her husband. They were responsible for the discovery of Radium, which ultimately caused their deaths. I thought that was pretty cool...[/size]

[size=1]There's only one rule at my school that I don't agree with, and that is that if a class wants to have the internet switched on in the classroom, they have to book a day beforehand. It can get extremely inconvenient if you just want to do some quick research, because you'll have to go to the library or something else unless you have the internet already on.[/size]

[size=1]I've done some productions, but nothing big. In English at the moment, we're doing A Midsummer Night's Dream. I play Helana in the Court Scene. Because it's for assessment, we swap characters and such. I've done the musical You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, and some drama plays. I really like them -- although I'm not too crash hot. Some of my friends want me to go in the school musical next year, but I'd rather not. Too much work involved, in my opinion.[/size]

[size=1]Actually, there is a forum for art. You can find that [url=http://otakuboards.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=29]here[/url]. And, really, you should wait for other people to post before you post again [just a tip. You seem to have read the rules anyway, heh.] The pictures seem odd, and the writing on the first one seems rudimentary. Are you using MSPaint? If you are, isn't it hard to use? There are so little features. Did you create the first picture, or did you copy it from somewhere? Cause, it looks sort of professional -- you know what I mean? If you created the first picture, well done. And if you copied it -- did you get the artist's permission? People can get pretty pisy about that sort of thing. Anyway, cheers.[/size]

[size=1]Basically what Justin said. In one of my science classes, it said that because the universe keeps expending, and stretching, it'll all collapse one day, because there'll be too much distance and too little matter. I thought that was pretty cool. But then again, 'tis just a theory.[/size]

[size=1]Yes, that's the one I haven't gotten. Thanks a lot. ^.^ Edit -- How do you beat the miniboss? [I haven't played this in a couple of days, and I'm incredibly confused.][/size]

[size=1]I go to a private [b]catholic[/b] school, although, it seems to be a little different from what most people think of. For instance, it's more friendly and less...strict, I suppose. When most people think of private schools, it's of a strict, uniformed upper class school. And, to be hoenst, it isn't. Yes, you have to pay to go to my school. And yes, it can be a couple of thousand dollars. Possibly four thousand dollars a year, or thereabouts. However, you can dye your hair, as long as it's a 'natural colour' -- for instance, [i]not[/i] purple, or blue. Red, Blonde, Black, brown are all okay. They frown on streaks and foils, however, they won't do anything about it. We have 'First Friday Mass' everyone month, and that lasts about an hours or so. We pray at the beginning of the day, in CLP -- 'Christian Living Program' -- which is something like your homeroom. Other than that, it's rather like a normal school -- only I believe it's better. For instance, my school is one of the leading schools in the district. We do very well in sport, and academia, as well as musicals and cultural life. Now, I know I sound like a brochure for my school. And my school isn't perfect. Far from it. Lately, I've been finding I'm not geting the academic support I need from teachers so I've been trying to find a tutor. However, all in all, I would take [i]my[/i] Catholic School over a public school in my region [b]anyday[/b], because public schools have bad repuations, generally much lower academia, and while the government might give them a lot of money for their school, I still believe that a pivate school is better. And I always will. I must admit, though, that I've never been to America, or England, and private and public schools seem to have different reputations.[/size]

[size=1]Irony's never really kicked me in the teeth. I mean, some people complain of irony, and how horrible it is, and so on. I remember, not so long ago, that I decided that I was a bad writer and that I should stop. A day later, I found out I recieved an award for my writing, from a competition I'd entered. Those sort of things amuse me, really. Irony to me is also a pretty abstract concept. You can never really be fully sure if it's irony or not, but it's still an amusing prospect. What sort of ironic things happen to you?[/size]

[size=1]This next is a [i]very[/i] short piece, which I never really started, or was interested in. There was just a line in a song which sparked off the paragraph, and I decided to use it. [center]______[/center] The word ?social? had always invoked an odd fear into her. Needless to say, with this attitude, she?d never been to a social before. This inexperience was the main source of her anxiety tonight. It was her first social.[/size]

[size=1]Thanks, Mitch. I'd been thinking of it for a while, but I didn't know what to call it. Charlie suggested several things [including Frankenstories, heh.] but I finally decided on Piles of Paper. I actually got the idea because of this piece, which I posted, but felt it didn't have [i]enough[/i] of a story to post. Since then, I've added a paragraph, or thereabouts. Carr, yours is quite intriguing. Do you know what you were going to do with it? Sara, yours seems like it can go somewhere, too. Mitch, I haven't read yours yet -- I'm not supposed to be on here, but I'll edit when I have. [center]____________[/center] He looked at the pouring rain with misery; feeling the steady drip, drip of water falling off the brim of his Akubra. His mates were standing next to him, as equally soaked as he. "This rain," he sighed, staring down at the ground - now a muddy mess only fit to be squelched in. "I swear, the only reason I shower anymore is so that the hot water'll put the feeling back in my feet..." There was a loud kathunk! and the high-pitched shrieking of a female, who was obviously distraught over something. A yell split the air. "Ryan Dunthrop, you get one more speck of mud in my house, and you can live with those damn pigs!" "Well," Ryan corrected. "That and the missus." Elizabeth Cadence Dunthrop huffed once and flounced back into the study. She was sick of this dirt. She was sick of Ryan?s ?mates? always being around. She was sick of her menstrual cramps, and most of all, she was sick of this rain. She?d moved from England for just this reason ? rain was evil. So she?d moved here, to the Land of Droughts, and [i]just[/i] her luck, it was raining. [/size]

[size=1][QUOTE][i]Originally posted by liamc2 [/i] [B]I frequently steal stuff, but thats only to bite it. Of course I do it in plain view of the owner and give it back. [/B][/QUOTE] Like my scarf. -.- I don't really steal. I don't think I stole anything in my life. I borrow -- but the person knows about it, and I try to give it back, even if I forget I have it. Oh, and Liam, I [i]will[/i] finish Artemis Fowl sooner or later...promise.[/size]